US09487958B2
A composite engineered wood material piece, such as a floor board or wood material sheet, is comprised of a thin top quality wood material layer bonded onto a high density fiber board (HDF) material which is itself bonded onto a thick bottom substrate oriented strand board (OSB) material layer. The OSB material layer has its particle orientation in the top surface disposed parallel to the grain orientation in the top quality wood material layer. The HDF layer resists to the stress exhibited in the top layer and acts has a transition layer to secure the top layer to the bottom layer. It also strengthens the composite floor board or wood material sheet.
US09487956B2
The present invention concerns a frame member (10), a frame formed from the frame member (10) and a panel including the frame for use in a cladding assembly for cladding a structure. The frame member (10) of the present invention is adapted to be joined together with other frame members (10) to form the frame, each frame member (10) includes at least four walls including an inner frame wall (11), an opposed outer frame wall (12), a panel abutting wall (13) and an opposed structure abutting wall (14) having a free end (15) with an outer edge protrusion (16). A receiving opening (19) is defined between a portion of the outer frame wall (12) and the outer edge protrusion (16) for receiving one or more fasteners which engage the outer edge protrusion (16) for, in use, fastening the frame member (10) and thereby the frame and preformed panel to the structure.
US09487955B2
A gutter debris barrier system for preventing debris from entering a gutter includes a frame that is attached to a fascia of a building and a filter screen. The frame may include a floor with slots punched therein, with ribs on either side of the slots that form channels. The channels may be tapered to improve the speed and efficiency of heat transfer, and also to funnel water down into the gutter. The frame may be connected to a mounting bracket that is mounted to the fascia. The heating element provides heat throughout the system to prevent ice formation in cold temperatures.
US09487931B2
An excavation system is disclosed as having a locating device configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of an excavation machine, a sensor configured to generate a load signal indicative of a work tool status, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a location of a haul truck, to determine when the work tool is filled with at least a threshold amount of material from a pile at the worksite, and to determine the position of the excavation machine. The controller may further be configured, based on operating limitations of the excavation machine, to determine a pivot point between the location of the haul truck and the position of the excavation machine; to plan a travel path for the excavation machine to the haul truck through the pivot point; and to direct an operator of the excavation machine to follow the travel path.
US09487928B1
A receiver plate-coupler plate assembly for attaching an implement to a machine. The assembly includes a receiver plate member comprising a vertical plate section with at least three perimeter walls extending in a common direction to form a downward facing cavity there between. The vertical plate member attaches to a tool on a plate section surface opposite the perimeter walls. A coupler plate member comprises a vertical plate section positioned against the receiver plate member within the downwardly facing cavity thereof. At least one locking assembly on the coupler plate member reversibly engages the receiver plate member to maintain the coupler plate member within the downward facing cavity thereof. At least one connector assembly secured to the coupler plate member opposite the receiver plate member connects the receiver plate-coupler plate assembly to a machine.
US09487927B1
An impact tool is configured to render a force to a desired area. The impact tool includes a handle configured to be manipulated by human hands. A container has a handle tube that is configured to accommodate the handle and the container is hollow. Media is inserted into the container which increases the force rendered by the impact tool. Lifting the impact tool in a lift direction and rapidly lowering the handle in an impact direction that renders the force in the desired area greater than just the force created by acceleration of the human hands in the impact direction, a gravitational force, and the weight of the impact tool.
US09487925B1
A guide to encircle a vertically extending pile and being connectable to a floating dock to allow vertical movement of the floating dock with respect to the encircled pile, which guide comprises a plurality of individual members carrying pile engaging rollers that are releasably assembled into a closed right angle configuration with the members remaining separate and distinct from each other to change the size of the assembled guide.
US09487922B2
The invention relates to a pulling machine for unloading and laying railway tracks, which moves by means of caterpillar tracks running next to the sleepers arranged on the setting bed, with the rail on the provisional supports arranged on the sleepers. The machine comprises a cabin and two caterpillar tracks and includes, in its rear tractor part, a pulling slide that comprises a tube with fastening elements, said tube sliding horizontally, actuated by a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston connected to the tube, via three dismountable metal supports provided with teflon elements for facilitating the sliding, said metal supports being connected to steel elements acted upon by articulated arms generating the vertical movement by means of the action of another hydraulic cylinder, always maintaining the pulling direction. The machine pulls the rails without needing an auxillary track, maintaining the position of the track-laying train.
US09487920B2
In a double frog for track crossings with two opposing noses that are realized in a common material block and to which a check rail with at least one guide surface for a wheel is assigned, the check rail region featuring the guide surface is separably fastened on a check rail mounting that is realized in one piece with the material block.
US09487916B2
The invention provides a method of improving dewatering efficiency, increasing sheet wet web strength, increasing sheet wet strength and enhancing filler retention in a papermaking process The method improves the efficiency of drainage aids or wet web strength aids or wet strength aid by coating at least some of the filler particles with a material that prevents the filler materials form adhering to a those additives. The drainage additive or wet web strength additive or wet strength aid holds the cellulose fibers together tightly and is not wasted on the filler particles.
US09487910B2
A clothes dryer and a control method thereof are provided. The clothes dryer includes an air circulation system and a refrigerant circulation system, the refrigerant circulation system includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttling element and an evaporator; the air circulation system includes a filter device, an air circulation power fan and a roller, and the refrigerant circulation system does not include a subcooler; the clothes dryer further includes a controller, a temperature sensor or a temperature-sensing element, and a temperature and humidity sensing element; the controller is configured to control an operation of the refrigerant circulation system, the operation of the clothes dryer includes a temperature rise phase and a basic drying phase, and the compressor of the clothes dryer is configured to have a higher power consumption in the temperature rise phase than in the basic drying phase, to rapidly rise a temperature in the clothes dryer.
US09487907B2
A locking latch for an appliance provides an improved three-wire interface that reduces the chance of malfunction if the door is forcibly opened when it is in the lock state and a bi-stabile actuator is used. In one embodiment, the door switch is positioned to disengage the major load of the washing machine when the doors open, regardless of the lock or unlock state.
US09487906B2
The present invention relates to a laundry machine in which the lint filter can be cleaned even at low water pressure and a method for cleaning the lint filter, wherein the invention comprises: a tub in which washing water is accommodated; a drum which is rotatably disposed in said tub; an air circulating unit which supplies air to said tub; an air returning hole which returns the air of said tub to said air circulating unit; a lint filter which filters lint contained in the air which is circulated by said air circulating unit; and a filter cleaning unit which sprays the washing water through a plurality of nozzle holes such that said lint is separated from said lint filter.
US09487899B2
A balancer of a washing machine including a balancer housing mounted to a front surface of a drum and having an annular channel therein, a plurality of masses movably disposed along the channel, at least one magnet coupled to the balancer housing so as to restrict the masses from moving along the channel when a revolution per minute value of the drum is within a specific revolution per minute range, and at least one guide groove which is formed on an inner surface of the balancer housing and guides movement of the plural masses when the drum rotates.
US09487885B2
A process for separating a substrate from an epitaxial layer comprises forming a multilayer substrate comprising a substrate, a lattice matching layer and an epitaxial layer. The method further comprises etching the lattice matching layer by one of a liquid or a vapor phase acid. The lattice matching layer is a metal alloy between the substrate and the epitaxial layer and serves as an etching release layer. The substrate can also be separated from an epitaxial layer by laser lift off process. The process comprises forming a multilayer substrate comprising a substrate, a lattice matching layer and an epitaxial layer, directing laser light at the lattice matching layer, maintaining the laser light on the lattice matching layer for a sufficient period of time so that it is absorbed by free electrons in the lattice matching layer to allow decomposition of the lattice matching layer.
US09487879B2
The embodiments described herein relate to anodizing and anodized films. The methods described can be used to form opaque and white anodized films on a substrate. In some embodiments, the methods involve forming anodized films having branched pore structures. The branched pore structure provides a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, the methods involve infusing metal complex ions within pores of an anodized. Once within the pores, the metal complex ions undergo a chemical change forming metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, aspects of the methods for creating irregular or branched pores and methods for infusing metal complex ions within pores are combined.
US09487875B2
An electrolyzer device comprises a container configured to receive liquid to be electrolyzed; an anode arranged in the container and operatively connected to a power supply; a cathode arranged in the container so as to surround at least a portion of the anode and operatively connected to the power supply; a first pipe in liquid connection with the container, the first pipe including an intake port arranged in the vicinity of the cathode relative to the anode; and a second pipe in liquid connection with the container.
US09487870B2
An improved electrolytic cell, its method and system configured for simple and rapid troubleshooting, removal and replacement of the cell or a component of the cell during service and maintenance procedures is disclosed. The electrolytic cell (12) is includes a host manifold (27) housing a degassing chamber (125) and various flow paths for routing liquid and gases into and out of a guest device (33) and the host manifold (27). The host manifold (27) is connected to input sources and output collections. The guest device (33) generally houses an anode chamber (104), a cathode chamber (112), and a brine chamber or reservoir (108) that serves as a source of anions and cations for the anode and cathode chambers. The guest device (33) is separable from the host manifold (27) to repair, maintain and/or replace the cell.
US09487868B2
A pattern-forming method includes providing a metal-containing film directly or indirectly on a substrate. A directed self-assembling film is provided directly or indirectly on the metal-containing film such that a plurality of phases of the directed self-assembling film is formed. At least a part of the plurality of phases of the directed self-assembling film is removed such that a pattern of the directed self-assembling film is formed. The metal-containing film and the substrate are sequentially etched using the pattern of the directed self-assembling film as a mask.
US09487862B2
A semiconductor growing apparatus including: a susceptor having a main face and a side face, the main face receiving a substrate for growing a semiconductor layer, and the side face having a groove; a heating element for heating the susceptor.
US09487861B2
Provided is a technique of forming a film on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes: forming a first layer by supplying a gas containing a first element to the substrate, wherein the first layer is a discontinuous layer, a continuous layer, or a layer in which at least one of the discontinuous layer or the continuous layer is overlapped; forming a second layer including the first layer and a discontinuous layer including a second element stacked on the first layer; and forming a third layer by supplying a gas containing a third element to the substrate to modify the second layer under a condition where a modifying reaction of the second layer by the gas containing the third element is not saturated.
US09487859B2
An operating method of a vertical heat treatment apparatus which performs a film forming process by keeping the interior of a vertical reaction tube surrounded by a heating mechanism at a vacuum atmosphere and by supplying film forming gases to substrates accommodated within the reaction tube, includes: performing a film forming process with respect to the substrates by carrying a substrate holder holding a plurality of substrates in a shelf form into the reaction tube; carrying out the substrate holder from the reaction tube; and carrying a cooling jig into the reaction tube to cool an inner wall of the reaction tube so as to peel a thin film adhering to the inner wall of the reaction tube by a thermal stress and so as to collect the thin film in the cooling jig by thermophoresis.
US09487858B2
The present invention relates to a microwave plasma deposition process and apparatus for producing diamond, preferably as single crystal diamond (SCD). The process and apparatus enables the production of multiple layers of the diamond by the use of an extending device to increase the length and the volume of a recess in a holder containing a SCD substrate as layers of diamond are deposited. The diamond is used for abrasives, cutting tools, gems, electronic substrates, heat sinks, electrochemical electrodes, windows for high power radiation and electron beams, and detectors.
US09487855B2
The present invention relates to a wear-resistant layer, which is preferably used on piston rings for internal combustion engines. The wear-resistant layer comprises: 15-25% by weight iron (Fe), 10-25% by weight tungsten carbide (WC), 30-40% by weight chromium (Cr), 10-25% by weight nickel (Ni), 10-25% by weight molybdenum (Mo), 1-10% by weight carbon (C), 0.1-2% by weight silicon (Si), wherein Cr is present in elemental form and/or as a carbide in the form of Cr2C3. A method for applying the wear resistant layer and a piston ring having such a wear resistant layer are also disclosed.
US09487854B2
This invention relates to thermally sprayed coatings having an amorphous-nanocrystalline-microcrystalline composition structure, said thermally sprayed coating comprising from about 1 to about 95 volume percent of an amorphous phase, from about 1 to about 80 volume percent of a nanocrystalline phase, and from about 1 to about 90 volume percent of a microcrystalline phase, and wherein said amorphous phase, nanocrystalline phase and microcrystalline phase comprise about 100 volume percent of said thermally sprayed coating. This invention also relates to methods for producing the coatings, thermal spray processes for producing the coatings, and articles coated with the coatings. The thermally sprayed coatings of this invention provide enhanced wear and corrosion resistance for articles used in severe environments (e.g., landing gears, airframes, ball valves, gate valves (gates and seats), pot rolls, and work rolls for paper processing).
US09487849B2
The invention provides ferritic stainless steels exhibiting good weldability and excellent corrosion resistance even under such welding conditions that sensitization is induced. The ferritic stainless steel includes, by mass %, C: 0.001 to 0.030%, Si: more than 0.3 to 0.55%, Mn: 0.05 to 0.50%, P: not more than 0.05%, S: not more than 0.01%, Cr: 19.0 to 28.0%, Ni: 0.01 to less than 0.30%, Mo: 0.2 to 3.0%, Al: more than 0.08 to 1.2%, V: 0.02 to 0.50%, Cu: less than 0.1%, Nb: 0.005 to 0.50%, Ti: 0.05 to 0.50%, and N: 0.001 to 0.030%, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, the ferritic stainless steel satisfying Equations (1) and (2).
US09487845B2
Aqueous leachant compositions and processes for using the same comprising: (a) providing a metal-containing compound; and (b) subjecting the metal-containing compound to an acid digestion comprising contacting the metal-containing compound with an aqueous leachant; wherein the aqueous leachant comprises a mixture selected from the group consisting of: (i) sulfuric acid and one or more alkanesulfonic acids having alkane moieties selected from the group consisting of propyl, ethyl and methyl groups, at a weight ratio of alkanesulfonic acid to sulfuric acid of 1:1000 to 1:1; (ii) sulfuric acid and one or more salts of alkanesulfonic acids having alkane moieties selected from the group consisting of propyl, ethyl and methyl groups, at a weight ratio of salt of alkanesulfonic acid to sulfuric acid of 1:9 to 1:99.
US09487841B2
A method of producing coil plate on a hot strip mill is disclosed. The method includes coiling hot rolled coil plate strip at a temperature that is selected (a) to minimize precipitation of Cr/Mo carbides or (b) so that any Cr/Mo carbides that form are sufficiently fine that they go into solution in any subsequent heat treatment of coil plate made from the strip.
US09487838B2
The present invention relates to an oligonucleotide probe for the detection of adenoviral nucleic acid in a biological sample. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for the detection of an adenoviral nucleic acid in a biological sample. The invention also provides oligonucleotide primers for amplifying adenoviral nucleic acid. Kits comprising probes and/or primers of the invention are also provided. Finally, the invention also relates to the use of the oligonucleotide primers and/or probes for detecting adenoviral nucleic acid.
US09487824B2
Provided are methods of enrichment and detection of target nucleic acids during target amplification in the presence of excess amounts of highly homologous sequences, the methods having substantial diagnostic utility (e.g., cancer diagnostics). Provided are amplification reaction mixtures having at least one cleavage-directing oligonucleotide, the respective binding sites of which, for the target and homologous sequences, include one or more nucleotide positions differing in sequence between the target homologous sequences. During target sequence amplification in the presence of DNA polymerase activity, a FEN1 activity, one or more amplification primers, deoxynucleoside 5′-triphosphates and other reagents suitable to support amplification of both target and homologous nucleic acid sequences, the cleavage directing oligonucleotide hybridizes to the homologous sequence and its amplification products resulting in a FEN1-mediated cleavage of these sequences providing for increased amounts of the target nucleic acid sequence relative to that of the homologous nucleic acid sequences.
US09487810B2
Polypeptide preparations having target levels of glycans, and methods of producing such polypeptide preparations using DMSO, are described.
US09487809B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for reducing lactate production and increasing polypeptide production in cultured cells. In one aspect, the invention provides a method comprising culturing cells expressing a) a small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and b) an siRNA specific for a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK). In another aspect, the invention provides cultured cells or vectors comprising an siRNA specific for a LDH and an siRNA specific for a PDHK.
US09487804B2
Systems, methods and microbes that allow the biological production of hydroxy fatty acids and dicarboxylic fatty acids are provided. Specifically, hydroxy fatty acids and dicarboxylic fatty acids are produced by microbes that have been engineered to overexpress acyl ACP thioesterase plus an alkane degration pathway, such as AlkBGT or AlkJH These can be in separate microbes or the same microbe, and separate microbes can be co-cultured or sequentially cultured. Continuously fed systems transferring secreted fats from one microbial culture to another can also be used.
US09487802B2
Viral infection is a persistent cause of human disease. Guided nuclease systems target the genomes of viral infections, rendering the viruses incapacitated.
US09487801B2
Provided is an arthropod male germline gene expression system suitable for conditional expression of an effector gene in an Arthropod male germline. The system comprises a first expression unit comprising an effector gene and a promoter therefor operably linked thereto; and a second expression unit. Said second unit comprises a coding sequence for a transcription factor and an upstream regulatory element operably linked thereto, the transcription factor being capable of acting upon the promoter in the first expression unit to drive expression of the effector gene. The upstream regulatory element includes a promoter for the transcription factor; and a 5′ UTR adjacent a start site for the transcription factor coding sequence. The upstream regulatory element driving sufficient expression of the transcription factor such that the transcription factor protein in turn drives transcription of the effector gene before meiosis. Also provided are uses of the system for instance in methods of biocontrol and quality control.
US09487795B2
Provided are isolated polynucleotides which comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide which exhibits at least 94% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 333, and nucleic acid constructs, plants and methods of using same for increasing a yield, biomass, growth rate, vigor, oil content, abiotic stress tolerance, and/or nitrogen use efficiency of a plant.
US09487792B2
The present invention discloses regulatory sequences, promoters and terminators, and their use in plants. The regulatory sequences can be used to make gene constructs that include a gene not natively associated with the regulatory sequences. Methods to use the regulatory sequences with antisense constructs or functional RNAs are disclosed. Methods to use the regulatory sequences, promoter or terminator, independently of each other are also disclosed. Methods to use the regulatory sequences to improve plant growth and production such as increased biomass, increased yield and increased tolerance to abiotic or biotic stresses are also disclosed.
US09487791B2
The present invention relates to a method for genetically modifying a filamentous fungus host for improved protein production. The method comprises that a filamentous fungus host is genetically modified to overexpress or to be deficient of specific genes. The invention relates also to the modified hosts. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for improved production or for producing an improved composition of proteins, such as cellulases, hemicellulases, other proteins involved in the degradation of lignocellulosic material, or other proteins, in a filamentous fungus host.
US09487788B2
General methods and strains of bacteria are described that dramatically simplify and streamline plasmid DNA production. In one preferred embodiment, endolysin mediated plasmid extraction combined with flocculation mediated removal of cell debris and host nucleic acids achieves increased yield and purity with simplified downstream purification and reduced waste streams, thus reducing production costs.
US09487781B2
The disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating an ovarian cancer in a subject. More specifically, the disclosure provides microRNA (miRNA) inhibitor molecules that target to different miRNAs for treating different types of ovarian cancers in a subject. Furthermore, different modifications of miRNA inhibitor molecules as well as different derivatives of miRNA inhibitor molecules are also described.
US09487778B2
Disclosed herein are double stranded nucleic acid molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same useful in the treatment of, inter alia, acute and chronic inflammation, neuropathic pain, primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation in a subject in need thereof. The compounds are preferably chemically synthesized and modified dsRNA compounds, which down regulate or inhibit expression of a Toll like receptor genes.
US09487776B2
Myelodysplastic syndromes display both hematological and biological heterogeneity with variable leukemia potential. To determine whether microRNAs expression offers diagnostic discrimination or influences malignant potential in MDS, bone marrow miRNA expression was investigated from prognostically distinct MDS subsets using a microarray platform. After background subtraction and normalization, data were analyzed indicating thirteen miRNA signature with statistically significant differential expression, including down-regulation of members of a leukemia associated miRNA family. A unique signature consisting of 10 miRNAs was closely associated with International Prognostic Scoring System risk category permitting discrimination between lower and higher risk disease. Selective overexpression of miRNA-181 family members was detected in higher risk MDS, indicating pathogenetic overlap with acute myeloid leukemia. Analysis of miRNA expression profile offers diagnostic utility, and provides pathogenetic and prognostic discimination in MDS.
US09487766B2
The invention provides for nucleotide sequences encoding for a chimeric sulfatase, viral vectors expressing such sequences for gene therapy and pharmaceutical uses of the chimeric expressed protein. The invention is particularly applied in the therapy of mucopolysaccharidosis, preferably type IIIA.
US09487743B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for making a beverage, such as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beer, the method comprising performing a first fermentation step using a first set of fermentation ingredients to create a first fermented solution; removing a first collection of alcohol and aromatics from the first fermented solution to create a first de-alcoholized solution; adding a second set of fermentation ingredients to the first de-alcoholized solution; performing a second fermentation step using the second set of fermentation ingredients in the first de-alcoholized solution to create a second fermented solution; creating a beverage, wherein creating the beverage comprises using the second fermented solution and at least a portion of a previous collection of alcohol and aromatics.
US09487737B2
This invention relates to structured particles suitable for use in granular laundry detergent compositions, which contain an alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine in combination with a water-soluble alkali metal carbonate and silica and which contains little or no surfactant.
US09487735B2
According to the invention, the compositions and methods provide for the complete removal of synthetic glues or adhesives from a plurality of surfaces through the use of amide solvents in combination with surfactants, chelants, acidulants and/or additional bottle wash additives. Beneficially, the compositions and methods are suitable for use at lower temperatures, including below 35° C., and lower pH conditions, including from 5 to 10, from 6 to 9, and from 6 to 8, in comparison to conventional caustic-based adhesive removal compositions.
US09487729B2
Provided are lubricant compositions and hydrocarbon fluids including one or more lubricant base stocks and an effective amount of one more zero SAP antiwear additives and/or corrosion inhibitor additives, wherein the one more antiwear and/or corrosion inhibitor additives include one or more functionalized polyolefins having one or more pyridazine moieties. Such compositions exhibit improved anti-wear, friction reduction and anti-corrosion properties.
US09487723B2
Provided are high viscosity high quality Group II lube base stocks with improved properties produced by an integrated hydrocracking and dewaxing process. In one form, the Group II lube base stock includes greater than or equal to 90 wt. % saturates, and less than 10 wt. % aromatics, and has an aromatic performance ratio between 1.0 and 5.0. Also provided are lubricant formulations including the high viscosity high quality Group II lube base stock.
US09487693B2
A chromene compound having a short fading half period, especially, a short fading half period even at a low temperature in a general-purpose polymer solid matrix. The chromene compound is represented by the following formula (1). wherein R1 is a hydroxyl group or the like, R2 and R3 are each an aryl group or the like, C* is a spiro carbon atom, a spiro ring A represented by the following formula is a saturated hydrocarbon ring having 4 to 12 ring member carbon atoms or the like, and at least one ring member carbon atom constituting the ring A is a group represented by the following formula (4), and X is a divalent group such as arylene group, wherein R7 and R8 are each a cycloalkyl group or the like.
US09487689B2
To provide a fluorinated copolymer comprising, in specific ratios, units derived from F(CF2)6CH2CH2OC(O)C(CH3)═CH2, units derived from vinyl chloride, units derived from vinylidene chloride, units derived from an alkyl (meth)acrylate having a C12-30 alkyl group, and units derived from a monomer having no fluoroalkyl group and having a cross-linkable functional group, wherein units derived from F(CF2)nCH2CH2OC(O)C(CH3)═CH2 (wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 5) are in at most a specific ratio; a process for producing such a fluorinated copolymer; a water repellent composition containing such a fluorinated copolymer; and an article treated with such a water repellent composition.
US09487687B2
An object to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a bookbinding adhesive which is excellent in high-speed application properties, cutting properties, book opening properties, and bookbinding strength. The present invention is directed to a bookbinding adhesive characterized by having a melt viscosity in the range of from 1,000 to 10,000 mPa·s, as measured at 120° C. by means of a cone plate viscometer, exhibiting a JIS A hardness of 20 or more, as measured with respect to the adhesive which is applied and allowed to stand for 30 minutes, in an atmosphere at 23° C., and exhibiting a JIS A hardness of 95 or less, as measured with respect to the adhesive which is applied and allowed to stand for 30 minutes, in an atmosphere at 23° C., and is then allowed to stand in an atmosphere at 23° C. and at a humidity of 50% for one week, wherein a cured film of the adhesive has an upper yield stress of 7 MPa or less. The bookbinding adhesive is preferably a moisture-curing polyurethane hot-melt adhesive containing an urethane prepolymer having an isocyanate group which is obtained by reacting a polyol (A), which contains a crystalline polyester polyol (a-1) and a polyether polyol (a-2), with a polyisocyanate (B).
US09487685B2
The present invention relates to an adhesive composition including 100 parts by weight of a first epoxy compound having a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of not less than 120° C., 30 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of a second epoxy compound having a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of not more than 60° C., and 0.5 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight of a cationic photopolymerization initiator, and a polarizing plate using the same.
US09487678B2
Provided is a light emitting device high in the intensity of emitted light. A blue LED chip having a peak of emitted light in a wavelength range of at least 360 nm and at most 500 nm is adhered to an electrode substrate by an anisotropic conductive adhesive. A light reflecting layer made of a silver alloy on a surface of each conductive particle contained in the anisotropic conductive adhesive, and has high reflectance with respect to blue light. The light reflecting layer is formed by sputtering of a sputtering target that contains Ag, Bi, and Nd with the content ratio of Bi set to at least 0.1 weight % (wt %) and at most 3.0 wt % and the content ratio of Nd set to at least 0.1 weight % and at most 2.0 wt % with respect to the total weight of Ag, Bi, and Nd of 100 wt %. The conductive particle has high anti-migration properties.
US09487677B2
There is described a release composition including a polyorganosiloxane polymer and a release modifier. The release modifier includes comprising an alkenyl silsesquioxane an organo functional siloxane of the formula MDxM, wherein M represents R3SiO1/2, D represents R2SiO2/2, wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl of 1 to 40 carbon atoms, or hydrogen wherein the organo functional siloxane has a viscosity of from about 5 centipoises to about 80 centipoises and x is from about 5 to about 80, and an optionally a reactive diluent. The release composition includes at least one siloxane cross-linking agent, an inhibitor; and a hydrosilation catalyst.
US09487675B2
A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) composition comprising: (A) inorganic particles, organic particles, or a mixture or composite thereof, (B) at least one type of an organic polymeric compound as a dispersing agent or charge reversal agent comprising a phosphonate (P(═O)(OR1)(OR2) or phosphonic acid (P(═O)(OH)2) moiety or their deprotonated forms as pendant groups, wherein R1 is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or arylalkyl, R2 is H, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or arylalkyl, and (C) an aqueous medium.
US09487674B2
A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) composition comprising (A) inorganic particles, organic particles, or a mixture or composite thereof, (B) a glycoside of the formulae 1 to 6 wherein R1 is alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl, R2 is H, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl, R3 is H, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl, R4 is H, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl, R5 is H, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl, and the total number of monosaccharide units (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, or X6) in the glycoside is in the range of from 1 to 20, and (C) an aqueous medium.
US09487669B2
Low temperature processes for converting mixtures of metal inks into alloys. The alloys can be dealloyed by etching. A method comprising: depositing at least one precursor composition on at least one substrate to form at least one deposited structure, wherein the precursor composition comprises at least two metal complexes, including at least one first metal complex comprising at least one first metal and at least one second metal complex different from the first metal complex and comprising at least one second metal different from the first metal, treating the deposited structure so that the first metal and the second metal form elemental forms of the first metal and the second metal in a treated structure. Further, one can remove at least some of the first metal to leave a nanoporous material comprising at least the second metal. Precursor compositions can be formulated to be homogeneous compositions.
US09487651B2
The present invention relates to a hemispherical polymethylmethacrylate bead, wherein the hemispherical polymethylmethacrylate bead of the invention has high adhesive property and oil absorption when applied to cosmetics, medical supply, household items, display devices, lighting fixtures, and miscellaneous goods and especially, it enables cheerful color when applied to cosmetics in comparison with spherical polymethylmethacrylate beads.
US09487650B2
Disclosed is a resin composition comprising a melt-moldable side chain 1,2-diol-containing PVA-based resin (A), and fluororesin containing a polar functional group capable of reacting with or forming hydrogen bond(s) with hydroxyl group (B). The component (A) and the component (B) have excellent affinity, and therefore if either the component (A) or component (B) becomes matrix, the other can be finely dispersed into the matrix, thus providing a resin composition having excellent gas-barrier property, solvent resistance, and bending fatigue resistance. The present invention also provides emulsified dispersion and binder in which the resin composition is used.
US09487649B2
A polyolefin composition comprising: A) from 85.0 wt % to 99.5 wt %; A terpolymer containing propylene, ethylene and 1-hexene wherein: (i) the content of 1-hexene derived units ranges from 1.0 wt % to 5.0%; (ii) the content of ethylene derived units is comprised between 0.5 wt % and 10.0 wt % (iii) the melting temperature ranges from 130° C. to 145° C.; B) from 0.5 wt % to 10.0 wt %; of a propylene, ethylene copolymer composition comprising: b1) from 12 wt % to 52 wt %; of a propylene homopolymer or a propylene/ethylene copolymer having a content of ethylene derived units ranging from 0.1 wt % to 4.5 wt %; and having a xylene soluble content measured at 25° C. lower than 10 wt %; b2) from 48 wt % to 88 wt % of a propylene ethylene copolymer having a content of ethylene derived units ranging from 15.0 wt % to wt % to 42.0 wt %; wherein the resulting polyolefin composition has an melt flow rate (230° C./5 kg. ISO 1133) ranging from 0.2 g/10 min to 4.0 g/10 min; the sum A+B being 100 and the sum b1+b2 being 100.
US09487641B2
An additive that modifies rheological properties of asphalt under warm conditions, and makes it possible to mix and compact asphalt mixtures with a temperature reduction of up to 35° C., constituted by wax, an adhesion-improving additive and a fluxing agent, which reduces asphalt oxidation, causing it to be less-aged and more resistant to fatigue, reduces the interfacial tension between the aggregate and the asphalt, increases adhesion between them, making the mixture resistant to the damages caused by humidity, increases resistance to permanent deformation, causes gas emissions to be reduced and leads to savings in fuel consumption.The additive of the invention has the following effects: 1) at temperatures between 100° C. and 160° C., it reduces the asphalt viscosity, 2) at temperatures between 58° C. and 82° C., it increases the asphalt viscosity, and 3) at temperatures lower than 25° C., it reduces the asphalt viscosity, as compared to asphalt without the additive.
US09487632B2
Polybranched organic/inorganic hybrid polymer and method for its manufacture. The hybrid polymer has the form of an inorganic core carrying organic branches. The core is first prepared by controlled hydrolysis and condensation of a silane with a structure: X—B—Si(—Y)3 in which X═NR1R2, while R1, R2 are chosen among hydrogen, alkyl and aryl, or R1, R2 are chosen among condensation products, addition products of one or more type of chemical substances such as acids, alcohols, phenols, amines, aldehydes or epoxides. B is a linkage group chosen among alkylene and arylene which may include oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorous, silicon and boron. Y is chosen among hydrolyzable residues such as alkoxy, carboxyl, and halogen. The organic branches are developed by substituting N—H hydrogen atoms in the X—B group by reactions that are typical for primary and secondary amines, and/or by adding an acid that causes an addition to the N atoms of the X—B group in the core. Specific uses of the hybrid polymers are also indicated.
US09487628B2
Provided is a mercapto-based polysilsesquioxane having a thiol group (—SH) introduced to at least one side chain of polysilsesquioxane, represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 (In Chemical Formula 1, each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of a thiol aromatic group, thiol aliphatic group and organic functional group, wherein at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is a thiol aromatic group or thiol aliphatic group, and n is an integer of 1-10,000).
US09487627B2
The present invention provides: a curable polysilsesquioxane compound comprising at least one structural unit represented by R1SiO3/2 (wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group), a 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the curable polysilsesquioxane compound having a first peak top within a range of −65 ppm or more and less than −55 ppm, having a second peak top within a range of −73 ppm or more and less than −65 ppm, and having a third peak top within a range of −82 ppm or more and less than −73 ppm, and the ratio of an integral value (P1) of a first peak to the total of the integral value (P1) of the first peak, an integral value (P2) of a second peak, and an integral value (P3) of a third peak being more than 0% and less than 10%; a method for producing the same; a curable composition; a cured product; and a method for using curable composition or the like as an optical device-securing material. According to the present invention, there can be provided: a curable compound that produce a cured product that exhibits excellent heat resistance, and exhibits high adhesion even at a high temperature; a method for producing a curable compound; a cured product obtained by curing the curable composition; and a method for using the curable compound or the curable composition.
US09487620B2
Methods of on-line control of molecular weight in continuous solid state polymerization processes. The solid state polymerization process can be a polyester process or to a polyamide process, and more specifically a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) or a poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) or a nylon 6,6 continuous solid-state polymerization (SSP) process. An in-line viscometer melts and measures the molecular weight of the SSP resin and adjusts one or more of the process variables, i.e. reactor time, inert gas purity and inert gas temperature to maintain a constant resin molecular weight.
US09487619B2
A curable polyester resin composition containing residues of: a) polyhydroxyl compounds that include: (i) 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol (TACD) compounds, and (ii) polyhydroxyl compounds other than TACD, and (b) polycarboxylic acid compounds that include: (i) polycarboxylic acid compounds, a derivative of polycarboxylic acid compound other than (bii), or a combination thereof, and (ii) a polycarboxylic anhydride compound; wherein the curable polyester resin has an acid number ranging from about 20 to about 120 mg KOH/g, a hydroxyl number ranging from greater than 0 to about 100 mg KOH/g, and an acid number:hydroxyl (AN:OH) number ratio of at least 0.5:1. The curable polyester resin can be dispersed in water or a solvent and is suitable for waterborne or solventborne coating compositions and powder coating applications. Phenolic based crosslinking coating compositions that contain these curable polyester resins are curable at elevated temperatures.
US09487617B2
Polyglycidyl ethers of the formula: where R, m, Q, p and Z are as defined here. Methods of forming said polyglycidyl ethers and methods of using said polyglycidyl ethers to make epoxy resin oligomers and polymers, including powder coatings.
US09487614B2
A process for the radical grafting of a graft to a diene elastomer, comprising the following stages: a. dissolving, with stirring, at least one diene elastomer and at least one thiol derivative as graft in a solvent comprising a mixture of at least one polar solvent and at least one nonpolar solvent, b. heating the homogeneous reaction mixture obtained in the preceding stage to the temperature of the grafting reaction, and c. once the temperature of the grafting reaction has been reached, adding the radical initiator in order to bring about the grafting of the graft to the units of the elastomer comprising unsaturations. This radical grafting process makes it possible to achieve high grafting yields which can reach 100%.
US09487613B2
The present invention relates to novel graft copolymers of functionalized poly(isoolefin-co-conjugated diolefin, and a process of preparing such graft copolymers. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and conjugated diolefins.
US09487610B2
Low molecular weight polymers useful in aggregating mineral components in aqueous mineral slurries to release and separate individual components of the slurry, which may then be recovered from the slurry.
US09487609B2
Premixes suitable for the production of membrane materials are described. Products of this invention are suitable for the formation of membranes and membrane modules that may be in the form of flat sheets, tubes, or hollow fibers.
US09487604B2
The present invention relates to preparing high 1,4-trans-polybutadiene by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene or a butadiene derivative in a non-polar solvent in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a novel bimetallic cobalt-aluminum adduct, which makes it possible to prevent gel formation, control the molecular weight of the trans-polybutadiene and increase the trans content of the trans-polybutadiene. The catalyst system comprising the novel cobalt-aluminum adduct has a high oxidation state and structural stability, and the reactivity of the catalyst is controlled using novel activation systems comprising various allyloxy aluminum compounds.
US09487599B2
Catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins comprising Mg, Ti and an electron donor compound of the following formula (I) In which R1 groups are selected from C1-C15 hydrocarbon groups, R8 groups, equal or different to each other, are selected from hydrogen, halogen and C1-C15 hydrocarbon groups, optionally containing an heteroatom selected from halogen, O, P, S, N and Si and L is a divalent hydrocarbon group optionally containing heteroatoms selected from halogen, O, P, S, N and Si.
US09487595B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide a convenient method for producing porous cellulose beads having high mechanical strength without using an auxiliary material which is highly toxic and corrosive and without a cumbersome and industrially adverse step. The method for producing porous cellulose beads according to the present invention is characterized in comprising the steps of mixing a cold alkaline aqueous solution and cellulose to prepare a cellulose dispersion and bringing the cellulose dispersion into contact with a coagulating solvent.
US09487594B2
Provided is a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether excellent in storage stability. More specifically, provided is a method for producing a water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether including an etherification step of reacting an alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent to obtain a crude cellulose ether, a washing step of washing the crude cellulose ether to obtain a washed cellulose ether, a drying step of drying the washed cellulose ether, and a grinding step of grinding the cellulose ether during or after the drying, wherein during the washing step or in any of the steps after the washing step, a pH regulator is mixed so as to allow an aqueous 2% by weight solution of the cellulose ether as an end product to have a pH value of from 7.0 to 10.5.
US09487591B2
Disclosed is a therapeutic method including administering a TIM-3 antibody or its TIM-3 binding fragment to a subject who is suspected to be suffering from blood tumor and in whom TIM-3 has been expressed in a Lin(−)CD34(+)CD38(−) cell fraction of bone marrow or peripheral blood or a subject who has been received any treatment for blood tumor. Conceived diseases include those diseases which can be treated through the binding or targeting of the TIM-3 antibody or its TIM-3 binding fragment to blood tumor cells (AML cells, CML cells, MDS cells, ALL cells, CLL cells, multiple myeloma cells, etc.), helper T cell (e.g., Th1 cells, Th17 cells), and antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, and cells resembling to the aforementioned cells (hepatic stellate cells, osteoclasts, microglial cells, intraepidermal macrophages, dust cells (alveolar macrophages), etc)).
US09487588B2
The present invention provides a novel class of antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that bind the extracellular domain of ErbB3 receptor and inhibit various ErbB3 functions. For example, the antibodies and antigen binding fragments described herein are capable of binding to the receptor designated ErbB3 and inhibiting EGF-like ligand mediated phosphorylation of the receptor. Such antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof have the useful characteristic of inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells expressing ErbB3.
US09487578B2
Anti-polyubiquitin monoclonal antibodies, and methods for using the antibodies, are provided.
US09487562B2
The present invention provides inventive polypeptides comprising a C terminal RAB binding domain (RabBD) of RAB family interacting proteins (FIPs) stabilized by peptide stapling, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided are methods for modulating RAB function comprising contacting an inventive stapled polypeptide with a RAB protein, and methods of treatment associated with modulation of RAB activity. The present invention also provides methods of making the inventive stapled polypeptides by ring closing metathesis of unstapled polypeptide precursors.
US09487558B2
Peptides having four to six amino acid residues are disclosed that possess biological activity. These peptides constitute short fragments of the peptide HB-107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN) (SEQ ID NO: 10), which itself is a fragment of the antimicrobial protein cecropin B, and exhibit cell stimulatory and migratory properties. The inventive peptides comprise four to six contiguous amino acid residues located between position 11 and 16 of HB107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN) (SEQ ID NO: 10), namely EKMGRN (SEQ ID NO: 1). The disclosed peptides comprise a useful agent for the medical treatment of injury to the skin, such as from diabetic ulcers. The peptides also are effective in preventing and reversing skin surface damage resulting from various environmental insults. Importantly, the therapeutic effects of the peptides manifest at concentrations equal to or greater than those of peptide HB-107 (SEQ ID NO: 10), and thus represent a less expensive, more versatile means for developing effective therapies. Methods for the production and use of these peptides are also disclosed.
US09487557B2
The present invention provides novel short peptides that are highly effective in inducing involution in a mammary gland of a lactating mammal and cessation of milk production by the gland. The invention further provides pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptides and methods of use thereof including for treating microbial infection in a mammary gland.
US09487552B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing a refined extract of Centella asiatica comprising a mixture of madecassoside and terminoloside. The method comprises: passage over adsorbent resin; elution with an eluent comprising at least 30 wt. % of an alcoholic solvent; and a recrystallization step using a mixture of solvents, comprising water and an alcoholic solvent.
US09487549B2
A method for the preparation of lignin from lignocellulosic material by pulping with alcohol, in particular with a C1-4 alcohol, water and a base, in particular NaOH, at a temperature below 100° C., in particular from 40° C. to 90° C., in particular from 50° C. to 70° C., characterized in that 3 to 12 parts of base, in particular 4 to 10 parts of base, in particular preferable 5 to 8 parts of base, are used per 100 parts of the dry lignocellulosic material to be pulped.
US09487546B2
The present invention relates to solid forms of tenofovir and methods for preparation, use and isolation of such forms.
US09487544B2
Provided are methods and intermediates for preparing diastereomerically pure phosphoramidate prodrugs of nucleosides of Formulas Ia and Ib: The compounds of Formula Ia and Ib are useful for the treatment Hepatitis C infections.
US09487541B2
Tricylic ether carbamates that inhibit HIV proteolytic enzymes and processes for preparing the compounds are describes. Methods of using the disclosed compounds for treating patients infected with HIV are also described.
US09487535B2
This invention is directed to asymmetric syntheses of certain spiro-oxindole derivatives, which are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of sodium channel-mediated diseases or conditions, such as pain.
US09487533B2
Compounds of Formulas Ia-d where X is S or O, mor is a morpholine group, and R3 is a monocyclic heteroaryl group, and including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for modulating the activity of lipid kinases including PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula Ia-d for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US09487520B2
The invention provides coelenterazine derivatives which are substrates for a non-luminescent enzyme and a pro-substrate for a luminescent enzyme. The invention also provides a method of using the derivatives. The derivatives are of Formula II:
US09487513B2
The present invention relates to new substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine having a great affinity for sigma receptors, especially sigma-1 receptor, as well as to the process for the preparation thereof, to compositions comprising them, and to their use as medicaments.
US09487506B2
Compounds of the Formula (I) as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that may be useful for treating aldosterone-mediated diseases are disclosed. Processes for preparing compounds of the Formula (I), use of the compounds for the therapy and prophylaxis of the abovementioned diseases and for preparing pharmaceuticals for this purpose, and pharmaceutical compositions which comprise compounds of the Formula (I) are disclosed.
US09487502B2
The invention relates to pyrrolone compounds of the formula (I) wherein X, R1, R2, R3, Ra, Rc and Rd are as defined in the specification. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for making compounds of formula (I), to herbicidal compositions comprising these compounds and to methods of using these compounds to control plant growth.
US09487492B2
A compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable solvate of either entity, wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X and m are as defined herein.
US09487485B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a production method of an intermediate used in the production method of a sulfonylpyrrole compound useful as a pharmaceutical product. The present invention relates to a method of producing sulfonylpyrrole compound (VI) by reacting a pyridine-3-sulfonic acid compound with phosphorus pentachloride in a solvent of chlorobenzene or trifluoromethylbenzene to give a pyridine-3-sulfonyl chloride compound, reacting the compound without isolation with compound (III) to give compound (IV), and subjecting the compound (IV) to a reductive amination reaction. wherein R2 is a hydrocarbon group etc. and R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen atom etc., wherein R1 is an optionally substituted pyridin-3-yl group, and the other symbols are as defined above, wherein R5 is an alkyl group and the other symbols are as defined above.
US09487483B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US09487479B2
Compounds having a structure of Formula (A) are provided. Uses of such compounds for treatment of various indications, including prostate cancer as well as methods of treatment involving such compounds are provided. Uses of compounds having a structure of Formula (F) for treatment of various indications, including prostate cancer as well as methods of treatment involving such compounds are also provided.
US09487478B2
Disclosed herein are compounds of formula (I) and therapeutic methods of treatment with compounds of formula (I), wherein L1, L2, L4, R1, R4, R5, R6, and s are as defined in the specification. Compounds of formula (I) are EP4 agonists useful in the treatment of glaucoma, neuropathic pain, and related disorders.
US09487476B2
The present invention is directed to novel catechol diether compounds, pharmaceutical compositions therefrom and methods for inhibiting reverse transcriptase and treating HIV infections, especially included drug resistant strains of HIV 1 and 2 and/or secondary disease states and/or conditions which occur as a consequence of HIV infection.
US09487473B2
The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-amino acid conjugates and related compounds. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over un-conjugated amino acid compounds.
US09487470B2
The present invention discloses a 4-((substituted phenyl)difluoromethyl)phenoxycarboxylic acid derivative and preparation process and use thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a compound of the following formula I, which is defined in the specification. The compounds according to the present invention can be used as PPAR agonists, and demonstrates a strong effect on reducing the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood plasma, and thus the compound according to the present invention can be used in the preparation of a medicament for treating or preventing hyperlipoidemia or cardio-cerebrovascular diseases caused by hyperlipoidemia, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, stroke, coronary heart disease, etc. The present invention also relates to a novel intermediate compound for the preparation of the compound of formula I and preparation method thereof.
US09487468B2
Novel improved processes for the production and isolation of methylidene malonates via direct and indirect adduct processes.
US09487463B2
High-purity dibasic acid compositions are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, the dibasic acid compositions are solutions or suspensions. In some other embodiments, the compositions are solid-state compositions. In some such embodiments, the solid-state compositions include a dibasic acid as a crystalline solid and further include a low quantity of certain impurities, such as monobasic acids, various esters, and the like. Methods and systems for making such high-purity dibasic acid compositions are also disclosed.
US09487461B2
Disclosed is a method of preparing methylol alkanal. According to the present invention, a yield of methylol alkanal may be improved without using formaldehyde in an excess amount of a theoretical minimum molar ratio or more, formaldehyde wastewater may be reduced, and the amount of formaldehyde remainder, which may act as a hydrogenation catalyst poison, comprised in the methylol alkanal is decreased when the prepared methylol alkanal is hydrogenated resulting in improvement in efficiency of the hydrogenation.
US09487454B2
Provided is a gas generating agent with a low combustion temperature and good ignition ability. The gas generating agent includes: (a) a fuel; (b) an oxidizing agent including a basic metal nitrate; (c) a basic metal carbonate; and (d) a binder (not including a component selected from starch, etherified starch, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, guar gum, etherified guar gum, tamarind gum, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyvinyl ether, polyacrylamide, polyethylene oxide, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone). The fuel of the component (a) includes melamine cyanurate (MC) and nitroguanidine (NQ), with MC/NQ (ratio of contents) of being within a range of 0.20 to 1.50.
US09487453B2
A pesticide composition includes at least one biologically inert carrier; and at least one ferrite or at least one doped component including at least one fixed copper compound doped with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of iron compounds, zinc compounds, magnesium compounds, calcium compounds, and combinations and/or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the doped component has a particle size of about 0.5 nm to about 30 microns. A method for the control of pests includes the step of applying to the pests or their growth habitat the aforementioned composition. The method also includes the control of fungal and other diseases in banana plants, by applying the aforementioned composition to their growth habitat in banana plant groves.
US09487451B2
The present invention provides novel endophytic yeast strains capable of metabolizing both pentose and hexose sugars. Methods of producing ethanol and xylitol using the novel endophytic yeast are provided herein. Also provided are methods of fixing nitrogen and fertilizing a crop using the novel endophytic yeast strains provided herein.
US09487447B2
Provided are a diamond polycrystalline body having a longer life than conventional diamond polycrystalline bodies when it is slid, a method for manufacturing the same, and a tool. In a diamond polycrystalline body, at least one element whose oxide has a melting point of less than or equal to 1000° C. is added thereto, and crystal grains have an average grain size of less than or equal to 500 nm. Thereby, wear of diamond can be suppressed, and the diamond polycrystalline body can have a longer life when it is slid.
US09487445B2
A novel ceramic composition having a high relative dielectric constant. A ceramic composition includes a unit cell having at least two crystal structures selected from the group made of a monoclinic crystal, a tetragonal crystal, an orthorhombic crystal, and a rhombohedral crystal, characterized in that when the crystal structures are represented by the symmetry notation according to the Glazer method, namely xn1yn2zn3, n1, n2, and n3 are at least one selected from the group made of + and −, or at least two selected from the group made of 0, +, and −. By using this ceramic composition, a novel ceramic composition having a high relative dielectric constant can be obtained.
US09487443B2
Layer stack object formation method, including; forming layer of powder material containing calcium phosphate; and delivering hardening liquid to predetermined region of the layer to harden the region, wherein these steps are repeated, wherein 1) powder material satisfies A) or B), and hardened product of powder material has hydroxyapatite (HAp) transformation rate of ≦1%: A) organic compound having phosphate or carboxyl group is imparted over surface of calcium phosphate powder, and organic compound imparting amount is ≦10,000 ppm; and B) powder material further contains powder made of organic compound having phosphate or carboxyl group, and organic compound mixing amount to calcium phosphate powder is ≦50% by mass, or wherein 2) hardening liquid contains at least organic compound having phosphate or carboxyl group, acid value of organic compound is ≧0.45 gKOH/g, and content of organic compound to whole amount of hardening liquid is ≧20% by mass.
US09487442B1
The invention relates to the field of construction materials and can be used in manufacture of heat-insulating, structural and heat-insulating, as well as structural gas concretes and articles based thereon to be used in construction of outer and inner walls of residential, public and industrial buildings.The raw mixture for manufacture of gas concrete comprises ground granulated blast furnace slag, sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate solution, aluminum powder as a gas-forming agent, and additionally comprises a product of condensation of sulfonated naphthalene with formaldehyde at the following component proportion, % by weight: Ground granulated blast furnace slag63.0-69.0 Sodium silicate solution36.7-30.6 Aluminum powder0.07-0.11 Product of condensation of sulfonated 0.11-0.13 naphthalene with formaldehyde Sodium hydroxide0.12-0.16
US09487440B2
A process for producing a chemically strengthened glass is provided. The method for producing a chemically strengthened glass includes subjecting a phase-separated glass to an ion exchange treatment. A chemically strengthened glass which is obtained by the process and a phase-separated glass which has been subjected to the ion exchange treatment are also provided.
US09487436B2
The present invention provides an optical member including a porous glass film on a base member, wherein a ripple is suppressed.The optical member includes the base member and the porous glass film disposed on the base member, wherein the porosity increases in the direction from the base member toward the porous glass film in an interfacial region between the base member and the porous glass film and the porosity is continuous in the film thickness direction from the base member to the surface of the porous glass film in the optical member.
US09487435B2
Various laser marking compositions and related methods are described. The laser marking compositions utilize one or more populations of particles having certain average particle sizes or a range of sizes. Marks or other indicia formed using the compositions and methods exhibit increased contrast, improved substrates bonding, and greater dispersability.
US09487432B2
A high refractivity and high dispersion optical glass with light transmissivity and good devitrification resistance. The high refractivity and high dispersion optical glass, including: 1 wt % to 13 wt % of SiO2, 6 wt % to 15 wt % of B2O3, 5 wt % to 22 wt % of TiO2, 35 wt % to 60 wt % of La2O3, 1 wt % to 15 wt % of Gd2O3, 2 wt % to 10 wt % of ZrO2, 1 wt % to 15 wt % of Nb2O5, 0.5 wt % to 8 wt % of ZnO, 0 to 8 wt % of WO3 and 0 to 10 wt % of Y2O3, with Ta2O5 and GeO2 excluded. The optical glass has degree of pigmentation and light transmissivity due to no pigmenting Bi2O3, and has low cost due to no valuable oxides such as Ta2O5 and GeO2. The optical glass has devitrification resistance with a refractive index of 1.95-2.07 and Abbe number of 25-35.
US09487430B2
The present invention concerns a tip plate module for use in a bushing assembly for the production of glass fibers, said tip plate module comprising side walls surrounding at least a portion of the perimeter of a tip plate (11) forming the floor of the module, said tip plate forming a convex polygon, characterized in that, said polygonal tip plate comprises at least five edges (N≧5), preferably at least six edges (N≧6), more preferably it comprises six edges (N=6). The present invention also concerns a bushing assembly comprising at least one such tip plate module.
US09487421B2
A scalable, modular water filtration and re-capture system is disclosed, such as for use as a high performance bioswale, or other purposes. The system includes a filter container with a removable cartridge that contains a filter media soil and planted vegetation, which may be for example one or more hyperaccumulators. The filter container is stacked together with a cistern container and in fluid communication therebetween to form a stacked container pair as a water filter and capture module. This allows for efficient servicing and removability of the filter cartridge, such as in bioswale, below ground, or above ground configurations. Water inflows and outflows may be circulated for varieties of reclamation uses, or treated water may simply be stored or conveyed into the ground. Multiple such modules may be secured together in custom scalable configurations to meet various needs and intended uses for water volumes, available space or terrain, or specific water treatment needs. In some embodiments, a single individual can replace the cartridges as needed.
US09487408B2
The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
US09487404B2
A copper foil for producing graphene, including oxides and sulfides each having a diameter of 0.5 μm or more having a total number of 15/mm2 or less measured by using a scanning electronic microscope before heating at 1000° C. for 1 hour.
US09487391B2
Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device are provided. The MEMS device includes a CMOS substrate, a cap substrate, and a MEMS substrate bonded between the CMOS substrate and the cap substrate. The MEMS substrate includes a first movable element and a second movable element. The MEMS device also includes a first closed chamber and a second closed chamber, which are between the MEMS substrate and the cap substrate. The first movable element is in the first closed chamber, and the second movable element is in the second closed chamber. A first pressure of the first closed chamber is higher than a second pressure of the second closed chamber.
US09487388B2
Described herein are ruggedized wafer level MEMS force dies composed of a platform and a silicon sensor. The silicon sensor employs multiple flexible sensing elements containing Piezoresistive strain gages and wire bonds.
US09487386B2
A MEMS device and a method to manufacture a MEMS device are disclosed. An embodiment includes forming trenches in a first main surface of a substrate, forming conductive fingers by forming a conductive material in the trenches and forming an opening from a second main surface of the substrate thereby exposing the conductive fingers, the second main surface opposite the first main surface.
US09487382B1
An apparatus is magnetically mounted onto a metal surface, such as steel, presenting a bottle cap remover and magnetic cap catcher. The apparatus is molded as a one piece body having a plate with a surrounding stiffening flange. The bottle cap remover is fixed to a front surface. Magnets are molded into a rear surface with poles facing rearward, wherein the apparatus is secured by magnetic attraction to the ferromagnetic surface. Bottle caps, once removed, tend to slide on the plate and are captured by magnetic force so as to remain on the plate.
US09487381B2
An electric car jack includes a spindle, a second middle gear, an elastic ring, an upper lining, a third middle gear, a lower lining, an adjusting and positioning ring and a positioning screw ring that jointly form a torque limiting mechanism with a torque limitation effect and a positioning plate, a power gear, a brake disc, a disc tray, an output shaft and a latching member that jointly form a powerless brake mechanism with a ratcheted braking effect. Both torque limiting mechanism and powerless brake mechanism are compatibly installed in a reduction gear of the machinery part f the electric car jack to maximize their effects.
US09487365B2
There is provided with a method of manufacturing an electrostatic adsorptive belt. A portion for forming an electrode pattern on a first resin layer is irradiated with an ultraviolet laser beam. A region including the portion for forming the electrode pattern on the first resin layer is oxidated. The electrode pattern if formed on the first region layer by plating. A second resin layer is formed on a surface of the first resin layer on which the electrode pattern is formed.
US09487364B2
A sheet conveying device includes a holder, a friction member, a rotary conveyance member having an outer circumferential surface and forming a nip area between the outer circumferential surface thereof and the friction member, the rotary conveyance member configured to rotate while contacting the friction member, and separate and convey multiple sheet-like materials one by one at the nip area, and a pair of guides configured to lift an underside of each of the sheet-like materials at a portion facing the friction member, the pair of guides disposed upstream from the nip area in a sheet conveying direction, outside both ends in an axial direction of the rotary conveyance member, separate from the nip area from the axial direction of the rotary conveyance member, and being overlaid with the outer circumferential surface of the rotary conveyance member.
US09487363B2
A sheet feeder, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet bypass member openably closable to one side surface of a body of the image forming apparatus, a pickup roller to feed and convey a sheet loaded on the sheet bypass member, and an arm to hold the pickup roller and to open and close with the pickup roller. The arm includes a contact portion extending in a shape of projection toward an upstream side from the pickup roller in a sheet conveying direction of the sheet bypass member. As the sheet bypass member is rotated upward to be closed and stored to the side surface of the body, the contact portion of the arm contacts the sheet bypass member to rotate the arm upward to cause the sheet bypass member to approach to the side surface of the body.
US09487353B2
The invention relates to an environment-friendly paper bag recycling storage plate characterized by comprising a guide plate structure and a paper bag support plate structure which are folded by a hard foldable material. The guide plate structure is hinged with an end of the paper bag support plate structure, when in storage, the guide plate structure and the paper bag support plate structure are closely abutted and folded into a flat plate, when in use, the paper bag support plate structure and the guide plate structure are folded into a slot shape, the paper bag support plate structure is inserted into a paper bag, and a garbage housing space is formed by the slot-shaped paper bag support plate structure and the paper bag, after the guide plate structure is turned in place towards the direction away from the paper bag support plate structure, garbage enters the garbage housing space along the guide plate structure. When the environment-friendly paper bag recycling storage plate is horizontally placed to serve as a dustpan, scraps can be swept into the paper bag by a broom. The environment-friendly paper bag recycling storage plate is reusable, compact in whole structure, convenient to use, lighter than a common garbage bin, convenient to carry, foldable when not in use, small in occupied space, low in manufacturing cost, and easy to use by common people.
US09487352B2
A container is provided with a frame including one or more support structures each having a stacking post with a thin cross-sectional shape. Multiple support structures having such stacking posts can be provided along the length of the container to enable the container to be used in a stacked configuration. The container can provide an expanded interior loadable width for increased loading flexibility and capacity, and can have recessed upper and lower handling fitting joints in order to provide stronger and space-saving connections between a header and an upper handling fitting, between the upper handling fitting and a stacking post, between the stacking post and a lower handling fitting, and/or between the lower handling fitting and a floor component.
US09487351B2
The present invention relates to the field of shipping containers. Specifically, the present invention provides for an apparatus for enabling two non-standard shipping containers to be interconnected to form a standard shipping container.
US09487343B2
A SIM module includes a SIM and a plastic support on which the SIM is attached. A discontinuity channel between the plastic support and the SIM is formed all around the SIM, the discontinuity channel being interrupted in at least two points of the plastic support attaching the SIM to the plastic support. The points are on a short side and on a long side of the SIM.
US09487341B2
An apparatus for dispensing flowable substances, having a nozzle having an exit opening for dispensing the substances from the nozzle, and a closure part movable by a control element, disposed outside of the nozzle, and configured to release the exit opening and close the exit opening, in the region of a closure part surface that faces the nozzle end. The closure part surface is delimited, in the movement direction of the closure part from the open position to the closed position, by a leading edge, in the leading direction. The closure part surface is disposed next to the nozzle and at a level upstream from the exit opening, with reference to the flow direction of the substances through the nozzle, in the open position. The closure part can be moved from the open position to the closed position by the control element, such that the leading edge of the closure part surface is moved past the free nozzle end.
US09487320B2
A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
US09487306B2
A dual-color aviation Anti Collision Light (ACL) has a first set of LEDs that emit a substantially white beam of light and a second set of LEDs that emit a substantially red beam of light. The ACL can be operated in a first mode in which the red LEDs are excited by themselves so that the ACL produces a red beam of light In a second mode, the white LEDs and the red LEDs are excited simultaneously to produce a white beam of light having a chromaticity within the definition of Aviation White. Operating the red LEDs in the white mode has two synergistic effects. First, the red LEDs augment the luminous output of the white LEDs so that fewer white LEDs are required, thus saving cost and space. Second, the red LEDs shift the chromaticity of total light output toward the red region. This has the effect of compensating for the tendency of the white LEDs to become greener with age.
US09487301B2
An external airbag for an aircraft includes an inflatable bladder having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being generally adjacent to an exterior of the aircraft. A widthwise panel divides the inflatable bladder into a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion. The widthwise panel acts to restrict outward bulging of the inflatable bladder. An aperture in the widthwise panel may be used for allowing gas communication between the first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion.
US09487297B2
A door module for a vehicle lavatory that includes a bi-fold door having a first panel and a second panel each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first and second panels are pivotably connected together by a living hinge. The living hinge includes a hinge member that extends between first and second securing members, wherein the first securing member extends along and is attached to an inner edge of the first panel and the second securing member extends along and is attached to an inner edge of the second panel.
US09487293B2
A pallet adapter, system and method for restraining air cargo during flight is disclosed. A pallet adapter shifts a shipping container in an inboard direction of an aircraft so that the container does not contact an interior structure of the aircraft. Rigid restraints restrain the container from moving in the vertical direction during flight. Corner fittings restrain the container from moving in the fore-and-aft direction and the side-to-side direction during flight.
US09487290B2
A rotor blade for an aircraft includes a composite portion having fiber-reinforced resin material, the composite portion having an outside surface that forms at least a partial airfoil shape. The weighted portion includes a plurality of weighted material layers and a plurality of fiber-reinforced resin material layers. Weighted material is configured to be compatible with and integrated into composite manufacturing processes used to fabricate the rotor blade. The weighted portion has a higher density than the composite portion and positioned to produce desired mass balance characteristics of the rotor blade.
US09487283B2
A vessel propulsion system includes two propulsion devices that are disposed on a left side and on a right side, respectively, with respect to a central line extending in a front-rear direction through a rotational center of a hull, an operating device that outputs a lateral movement command including a commanded direction, and a controller. The controller is configured and programmed to control the thrust and the steering angle of each of the two propulsion devices so that, when the operating device outputs a lateral movement command, a first propulsion device on a side existing in the commanded direction generates a backward thrust, whereas a second propulsion device generates a forward thrust, and so that an operating point of a resultant force of the thrusts of the two propulsion devices is positioned to deviate to the side in the commanded direction from the central line, and so that a direction of action of the resultant force follows the commanded direction.
US09487280B2
Apparatus and methods to operationally link (couple/decouple) a plurality of relatively massive, complimentary payload platforms (i.e., suspended machinery and ROV) at relatively deep working depths in an unstable marine environment (water column) while the payload platforms are in-transit. An apparatus includes a suspended machinery, an ROV, a capture collar, an extendable/retractable harpoon, and actuating machinery to controllably effect extension and retraction thereof. A method includes providing an in-transit suspended machinery having a capture collar, providing an in-transit ROV having an extendable/retractable harpoon, approaching the in-transit suspended machinery with the ROV, maneuvering the ROV so as to bring an end of the partially extended harpoon into aligned proximity with the capture collar, and further extending the harpoon so that it securely engages the capture collar.
US09487278B2
A trim tab assembly including a hinge assembly and a trim tab. The trim tab includes a wedge-shaped body with a curved surface and a side. The curved surface, while in a deployed state, adjusts pitch, roll or yaw motion of a marine vessel. The curved surface is pivoted about a portion of the hinge assembly when transitioned between retracted and deployed states. A first portion of the curved surface extends below the marine vessel while in the deployed state and deflects oncoming water when a portion of the curved surface is extended below the marine vessel. A second portion of the curved surface is not below the marine vessel while in the deployed state. The hinge assembly is configured to attach to a support structure of the marine vessel rearward of the curved surface. The side extends between the curved surface and the hinge assembly.
US09487276B1
Disclosed is a bi-directional watercraft, such as a surfboard, fin systems therefore, and method of use. Example fin systems may allow a user of the watercraft to perform bi-directional maneuvers and stunts. The watercraft may be bi-directionally symmetric or asymmetric with fins mounted on its undersurface on both ends. When underway, the fins at the operating rear of the watercraft deploy for stabilization in cross-currents, while the fins at the operating front remain pivoted out of the way so that they do not “catch” water and destabilize the watercraft. When the watercraft reverses in direction, and the front and rear ends swap with one another, biasing mechanisms cause the fins now at the front to pivot away and hydrodynamic forces cause the fins now at the rear to deploy. In some cases, holders keep the fins from inadvertently deploying when they are not needed.
US09487266B2
A bicycle crank axle assembly has first and second crank arms that are attached to opposite ends of a crank axle. The ends of the crank axle are non-rotatably disposed in axle mounting openings of the first and second crank arms. A first end of the crank axle has at least one axially extending first spline that protrudes radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of its middle body portion. The at least one axially extending first spline non-rotatably couples the crank axle to the first crank arm and prevents outward axial movement of the first crank arm away from the second crank arm. The second end portion of the crank axle has at least one recess that extend radially inward with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the middle body portion to form at least one axially extending second spline.
US09487265B2
Phase gear and lever mechanism converts reciprocating power to rotary power with phase gear providing power stroke of greater duration than travel stroke so as to develop efficient power through a power stroke. A modified lever and gear mechanism converts reciprocating power to rotary power at variable out power ratio. In addition, an alternative embodiment of the variable lever is for use with the phase gear is provided.
US09487255B2
The invention relates to an overhead conveying device (30) for integration into an assembly plant for transporting vehicle components (31) by means of a conveying device (33) arranged on the overhead conveying device (30), said overhead conveying device (30) comprising a supporting framework (38) that has a length of more than 5 m and a width of more than 2 m. The conveying device (33) can be mounted on the supporting framework (38), and the supporting framework (38) and the conveying device (33) form a conveying corridor (32) in which the vehicle components (31) can be transported from an input point to an output point. The supporting framework (38) is mounted on the floor (47) of the assembly plant by bearing means that form, between the underside of the supporting framework (38) and the surface of the floor (47), a free space that is suitable for component assembly and/or for component transport and that is accessible on foot and/or on wheels, at least one bearing means being designed in the manner of a column gantry (39) that comprises at least two support columns (41a,b; 40a,b) whose lower ends are attached to the floor (47) of the assembly plant. At least one transverse bridge (42) is mounted between two support columns (41, 40) in each case, and the supporting framework (38) is arranged on the upper side of the transverse bridge (42).
US09487250B2
A vehicle comprising at least one pressure-drag-reducing apparatus (1) for reducing the pressure drag on the vehicle. The apparatus comprises: a housing (31) at least partly defining a cavity (34) and an aperture (35) in the housing (31), the cavity (34) in fluid communication via the aperture (35) with the environment surrounding the vehicle; and oscillating means (32, 36) for creating an oscillation in pressure across the aperture between the cavity and the environment. The cavity volume, the frequency of oscillation, the aperture size and the amplitude of oscillation are arranged to cause fluid to be alternately drawn into, and ejected from, the cavity through the aperture. The apparatus is positioned relative to the remainder of the vehicle such that the ejected fluid entrains fluid from the environment to reduce pressure drag on the vehicle.
US09487245B2
A frame configuration (I; II; III) for a vehicle (1) includes a forward part (10; 210) and a rear part (30; 130, 160; 230), the forward and rear parts are united by a first connection part (50; 150; 250) arranged between the forward and rear parts (10; 210, 30; 130, 160; 230) including a forward interface (G1) for connection with the forward part and a rear interface (G2) for connection with the rear part. Also a vehicle with the frame configuration is disclosed.
US09487238B2
In a side member outer panel, a second panel portion is formed contiguously to a first panel portion with first ridge line interposed therebetween, and third panel portion is formed contiguously to second panel portion with second ridge line intersecting first ridge line at an acute angle interposed therebetween. A bead with a V shaped cross-section, formed by part of first panel portion and part of third panel portion, extends from an intersection point of the first and second ridge lines. A hood outer panel is disposed along the first ridge line, with a first parting portion formed between the hood outer panel and the second panel portion. A fender panel is disposed along the second ridge line, with a second parting portion formed between the fender panel and the second panel portion and with a third parting portion formed between the fender panel and a hood.
US09487236B2
A vehicle body front section structure. A front side member includes a side member front portion extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction at a side portion of a power unit chamber, and a side member rear portion that is contiguous to a rear end portion of the side member front portion, and that is formed with a kick portion extending toward a vehicle body rear lower side along a dash panel. An upper end portion on a vehicle body width direction inner side of a reinforcement member is fixed to a side wall portion on the vehicle body width direction outer side of the side member front portion, and a lower end portion on the vehicle body width direction inner side of the reinforcement member is fixed to a side wall portion on the vehicle body width direction outer side of the kick portion.
US09487233B2
A steering gear pad for a steering gear of a sector and pinion or rack and pinion steering system. The steering gear pad has a plastic body and a rim with a plurality of plastic gear teeth positioned adjacent a plurality of metal gear teeth on a sector gear or rack mounted to a support plate. The plastic gear teeth may have width dimensions larger than the metal gear teeth. One or more resilient spacers urge the steering gear out of contact with the support plate.
US09487230B2
For compensation for loss of a steering assist force due to friction of a steering mechanism, when calculating a friction correction value for the compensation, in an electronic control unit 6, a static friction and a kinetic friction are distinguished, and the calculation is made by combining the static friction correction value Sf and the kinetic friction correction value Kf according to each friction. It is therefore possible to make a proper friction loss compensation according to type of the friction.
US09487227B2
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle comprising a steering shaft which is mounted in a steering shaft mounting unit and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and comprising a support unit for connecting the steering shaft mounting unit to the body of the motor vehicle. At least one component of the steering column is composed at least partially of a fiber-reinforced composite material and the component lies in the flux of force between the steering column and the body. The component is provided with at least one pultrusion layer which has multiple fibers produced by pultrusion as reinforcing fibers, said fibers being oriented parallel to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
US09487225B1
A sled adapted to couple to a tow hitch on an off-road vehicle comprising a storage compartment and a lighting system. The lighting system is operated by an incorporated electrical system. A rack assembly is secured to the body of the sled. A ski frame with two (2) ski assemblies are secured to the underside of the sled frame. The sled body comprises a planar bottom with side walls and stiffening ribs located along the inner portion of the side walls.
US09487220B1
A reverser handle comprising a key component integrally associated with a light component. In an exemplary embodiment, the light component comprises a cap which houses a light source, such as, e.g., a plurality of light emitting diodes, a light bulb, or a photoluminescent material which allows the cap to glow in the dark. The key component which comprises a body having extending therefrom a flange which is configured to actuate a control stand. In another exemplary embodiment, a reverser handle comprises a key component comprising a body having extending therefrom a flange which is configured to be received within the control stand, and which is further configured such that the key component cannot actuate the control stand. The light component preferably comprises a blue light emitting light source to comply with a blue flag safety procedure.
US09487206B2
A regenerative control unit performs regenerative control to perform electric power regeneration. When regenerative control is performed, a valve control unit controls a VVL device to limit an upper limit of at least one of an amount of lifting an intake valve and a working angle on the intake valve to be lower than when regenerative control is not performed. As a result, a hybrid vehicle allowing a power storage device to be charged in regenerative braking, can ensure engine braking force and also minimize degradation of the power storage device.
US09487201B2
A hydraulic pressure generator for a vehicle brake system comprises a piston and a cylinder that movably accommodates the piston. The piston defines a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber in the cylinder on opposite piston sides, wherein each hydraulic chamber has a hydraulic inlet and a hydraulic outlet. An actuating unit is able to put the piston into a back-and-forth motion so that an intake stroke with regard to the first hydraulic chamber corresponds to a discharge stroke with regard to the second hydraulic chamber, and vice versa.
US09487196B2
A motion control device for a vehicle, including a braking means for applying a brake torque to a wheel of the vehicle and maintaining a traveling stability of the vehicle by controlling the braking means, the motion control device for the vehicle, includes a steering angular velocity obtaining means for obtaining a steering angular velocity of the vehicle, a yaw angular acceleration obtaining means for obtaining a yaw angular acceleration of the vehicle, and a control means for controlling the brake torque on the basis of the steering angular velocity and the yaw angular acceleration.
US09487193B2
A control system for a vehicle having a drive system, the drive system having a forward drive mode, a reverse drive mode, and a neutral mode. The control system may include an operator control operable by the vehicle user to control whether the vehicle is in a drive mode or a neutral mode. The control system may be configured, based on whether the vehicle operator is actively controlling the operator control, to automatically engage/disengage a vehicle brake, detect operator presence or absence and provide neutral lockout for preventing starting of the vehicle engine.
US09487183B2
A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at least two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20). The diffuser bowl (14) and/or the cover (20) comprise a section (24) that is shaped, in particular deep-drawn, into an indentation, forming at least partially a circumferential section of the inner wall (32).
US09487182B2
The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining device, including: a housing; an ignition device chamber housing and an outer cylindrical wall portion disposed inside the housing; and an annular partition wall portion forming a space near a top plate between the ignition device chamber housing and the outer cylindrical wall portion, a portion defined by the top plate and a bottom plate of the housing, the ignition device chamber housing and the outer cylindrical wall portion is a combustion chamber charged with a gas generating agent; an inner cylindrical wall portion, disposed on the housing bottom plate and spaced from the annular partition wall portion, is provided inside the combustion chamber; the ignition device chamber and the combustion chamber communicate with each other by a first communication portion; the combustion chamber and the space communicate with each other by a gas-flow hole of the annular partition wall portion; the first communication portion and the inner cylindrical wall portion face each other in the radial direction of the housing; and a combustion product generated in the ignition device chamber passes through the first communication portion, then collides with the inner cylindrical wall portion, changes a flow direction toward the top plate, and passes through the gas-flow hole of the annular partition wall portion.
US09487180B2
A vehicular curtain airbag apparatus and an attachment structure configured not to interfere with a driver seat airbag and being able to appropriately provide occupant protection performance either in normal and small overlap collision modes, and the curtain airbag having a simple configuration. The apparatus includes a main chamber having a front end to be deployed and inflated at a position near a front pillar, and an additional chamber further toward a vehicle front side and to be deployed and inflated, and separated from the main chamber by a partition portion between the front pillar and an inflation area of a driver seat airbag. The additional chamber is folded back near the partition portion toward the vehicle interior and a rear of the vehicle to overlap the main chamber, and parts of a resultant overlapping portion corresponding to upper portions of the main and additional chambers or vicinities of the parts are coupled together to form a chamber coupling portion.
US09487179B2
A curtain airbag includes a curtain airbag main body and a tie panel. The tie panel is arranged on an opposite-interior surface of the curtain airbag main body and is connected to the curtain airbag main body at upper and lower portions of the tie panel. The curtain airbag main body includes first and second panels. At an overlapping area of the curtain main body and the tie panel, the first and second panels are coupled with each other by linear coupling portions which are radially extend toward four directions so as to form four inflation portions. A communication portion communicates two of the four inflation portions with each other. When the curtain airbag main body is inflated, a space is formed between the communication portion and the tie panel.
US09487177B2
Protection systems for vehicle occupants, such as airbag assemblies, can be deployed from within a vehicle. Such airbag assemblies can include a frontal airbag cushion and a knee restraint to absorb an occupant's impact energy during a collision event. Such protection systems can be particularly useful in vehicles that provide generous leg room to an occupant.
US09487176B2
An airbag (2) of an airbag module for a vehicle comprising an airbag shell (6) including an inserting orifice (8) for an inflator (4) has at least one reinforcing layer (14) which completely covers the inserting orifice (8).
US09487175B2
A curtain airbag device having a cushion portion connected to a bracket. The airbag includes a cushion portion that is accommodated in a long and narrow form, a bracket attached to a wall of a vehicle cabin, and a wrapping member that is wrapped around the cushion portion and the bracket. The bracket includes a base portion having an insertion hole, a vehicle fixing portion extending upward from the base portion, and protruding portions formed on both sides at a lower height than the vehicle fixing portion. The wrapping member has a root portion connected to the cushion portion and has hooking holes formed in a distal end thereof. The wrapping member is inserted into the insertion hole from the vehicle interior, folded back downward, and wrapped around the cushion portion toward the interior, and the hooking holes are hooked on the protruding portions.
US09487166B2
The system according to the invention comprises: an electrical network, and a regulating assembly. The regulating assembly includes a secondary electric power source, a conversion assembly for an additional electric power injected on the electrical network, the conversion assembly being able, in a first configuration, to consume the additional electric power present on the network to create a supply fluid of the secondary source. The assembly includes a reservoir for each supply fluid, to collect the supply fluid produced by the conversion assembly.
US09487154B2
A modular mounting system is provided to store equipment in a variety of configurations. The system includes a mounting base configured to be rigidly mounted to a surface and a base member removably attached to the mounting base. The system further includes a coupling mechanism that removably holds the base member relative to the mounting base.
US09487146B1
A trailer hitch step apparatus including a hollow square-shaped hitch sleeve, with a perimeter of a channel of the hitch sleeve substantially conforming to a perimeter of a trailer hitch receiver. A base mounting support is attached to a bottom side of the hitch sleeve. Each of a right step member and a left step member of a pair of step members is attached to a right area and a left area, respectively, of the base mounting support. Each of a right side mounting support and a left side mounting support of a pair of triangular side mounting supports is disposed on a side edge of the right step member and the left step member, respectively. The channel of the hitch sleeve is selectively slidably disposable around the trailer hitch receiver, and a tightening bolt secures the channel of the hitch sleeve around the trailer hitch receiver.
US09487144B2
An interior rearview mirror system and assembly includes a variable reflectivity reflective element and a video display screen disposed behind the reflective element and operable to display images viewable through the reflective element by a person viewing the interior rearview mirror assembly when it is normally mounted in a vehicle. The video display screen may be operable to brighten or enhance the intensity of images displayed by the video display screen responsive to a dimming condition of the variable reflectivity reflective element. The mirror system may include an image sensor and a decoder that decodes an output signal of the image sensor. The decoder has a microprocessor operable to control the video display screen, such that the captured image data are processed and images are displayed via operation of a common microprocessor. A compass chip may connect to a vehicle wire harness that extends from a vehicle headliner.
US09487143B2
A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head portion and a reflective element having a glass substrate and a mirror reflector coated at a surface of the glass substrate. The reflective element is configured to provide a rearward field of view of at least about 15 degrees relative to a side of the vehicle and provides a substantially undistorted reflected image as viewed by the vehicle driver. The glass substrate is formed utilizing a bending element having a free form curvature. The reflective element, when accommodated by the mirror head portion at the side of the vehicle and as viewed by the driver, includes an image plane that establishes an object plane. Coordinates of the image plane and of the object plane are determined, at least in part, by the mirror size and by the free form curvature of the bending element used to form the glass substrate.
US09487142B2
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head pivotally mounted at a mounting base configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror casing and a reflective element adjustably disposed at the mirror casing. A powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the mounting base between at least a park detent position and a drive detent position. The mirror head is manually pivotable to a non-detent position other than the park detent position and the drive detent position. Responsive to the mirror head being at a non-detent position and responsive to a single actuation of a user input, the powerfold actuator is operable to pivot the mirror head to either the park detent position or the drive detent position.
US09487136B2
A vehicle system configured to identify a location of emergency equipment is disclosed. The vehicle system comprises a storage compartment forming an interior cavity disposed in a cargo area and a cover configured to facilitate access to the storage compartment. An illumination apparatus is disposed in the storage compartment and configured to illuminate a first portion of the storage compartment in response to a first vehicle condition. The illumination apparatus is further configured to illuminate a second portion of the storage compartment in response to a second vehicle condition.
US09487135B2
A dome light assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The dome light assembly includes a headliner having a trough and a light-producing assembly arranged as a strip configured to be received in the trough. The light-producing assembly includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the plurality of light sources.
US09487133B2
A turn lamp to be mounted on a door mirror of a vehicle, the turn lamp includes a housing; a light source; and a substrate having a feeder circuit for the light source, wherein: the substrate is placed in the housing such that a plane direction of the substrate faces a horizontal direction when the door mirror is mounted to a vehicle body, and the light source is placed on the substrate such that an irradiation direction of the light source is parallel to the plane direction of the substrate.
US09487127B2
An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a step portion and a first light source. The first light source is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The illumination apparatus further comprises a lighting controller in communication with the first light source. The lighting controller is configured to activate the first light source to illuminate the photoluminescent portion by exciting a photoluminescent material by emitting a first wavelength of light. In response to receiving the first wavelength, the photoluminescent material is configured to become excited to illuminate at least a portion of the step portion.
US09487121B2
A system for locking and unlocking containers to transport modes and other containers comprises an actuating unit in an upper corner fitting of a container, a mechanical connecting device connected to the actuating unit, and guides to route the connecting device from the actuating unit to a rotatable locking leg housed in a lower corner fitting of the container. The twistlock of a lifting spreader engages the upper corner fitting of a container, urging the actuating unit. The connecting device is in turn urged, thereby causing the locking leg to rotate.
US09487118B2
A backrest frame structure made of a resin and having a gate-shaped profile includes side frames extending in parallel to each other on both sides thereof and a transverse frame extending between top portion of the side frames integrally connected to the transverse frame, wherein a belt-shaped FRP sheet in which reinforcing fibers are unidirectionally-oriented is set as extending continuously or intermittently at least on the transverse frame between the side frames, and a matrix resin of the set FRP sheet and a resin constituting the transverse frame are integrally joined.
US09487109B2
A seat lock device includes an engagement portion engaged with a vehicle body member extending in a vehicle width direction on a rear side of a front wall of a rear parcel shelf. The rear parcel shelf forms an upper wall of a trunk room arranged on a rear side of a vehicle. The seat lock device is attached to the front wall of the rear parcel shelf, engaged with a striker provided to a rear face of a seat arranged in front of the trunk room to hold the seat in an erect posture, and releases an engagement state thereof with the striker by a release operation of a release operation member arranged in the trunk room.
US09487108B2
The subject matter of the present invention concerns a motor vehicle seat (10), especially a folding motor vehicle seat (10), comprising a backrest structure (210) and a seat structure (310) hinged to the backrest structure (210) by an adjustment device (100), wherein the adjustment device (100) has at least one adjustable fitting device (150) with a backrest section (16) for connecting to the backrest structure (210) and a seat section (18) for connecting to the seat structure (310), wherein the backrest section (16) and the seat section (18) are arranged on different sides of the backrest structure (210) and/or the seat structure (310). Moreover, the subject matter of the present invention concerns a method for this.
US09487102B2
A charging method of a green car includes confirming a reference of a charging reservation time input to a controller. A wake-up time is set based on the reference confirmed in the step of confirming the reservation reference. A charging starts after a vehicle wakes up at the time of reaching the wake-up time set in the step of setting the wake-up time.
US09487101B2
A vehicle control system, a surface marking for a surface upon which a vehicle can be positioned and a method of positioning a vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system is configured to position a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a mobile inductive charging point. The vehicle control system comprises one or more parking sensors configured to determine the position of the vehicle relative to a surface upon which the vehicle is positioned and/or obstacles around the vehicle. The one or more parking sensors are further configured to locate a visual indicator indicating the position of a fixed inductive charging point relative to the vehicle, and a parking assistance controller configured to automatically park the vehicle in a parking space on the surface based on data from the one or more parking sensors.
US09487099B2
A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a Level I or Level II power source. The system including an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a Level I or Level II power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle's batteries, via either Level I or Level II. The power cord extends from the housing and is connected to a standard electric vehicle connector compatible with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EVSE further includes safety measures, such as a relay that controls the flow of power to the vehicle connector and a ground fault interrupter, to protect users from high voltage electric shocks.
US09487095B2
Provided is a charging and discharging device that does not need to use a high voltage capacitor even if a shielding switch is provided in an assembled battery for the sake of convenience of maintenance, and the like. The charging and discharging device includes: capacitors for connecting control terminals of adjacent circuit blocks, the shielding switch interposed between the adjacent battery modules, and a transformer interposed between the control terminals corresponding to the adjacent battery modules.
US09487090B2
An energy storage system of a vehicle includes a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device, a voltage and current regulator device coupled to the first and second energy storage devices, a control unit for controlling the regulator device, and a plurality of sensing devices for sensing current input signals and voltage input signals to at least one of the first and second energy storage devices.
US09487084B2
An electric drive includes a motor configuration with a plurality of electric machines, an output configuration, and a transmission stage. The output configuration has a summing stage configured as a Ravigneaux set with a summing internal gear, a summing spider, two sets of summing planets, and two summing suns. The transmission stage has a transmission sun, transmission planets, and a rotatably mounted transmission internal gear. The transmission sun is connected to the output configuration. The transmission planets are each connected to a respective one of the electric machines. The transmission planets roll on the transmission sun and on the transmission internal gear in a torque-transmitting manner. The transmission internal gear is fixedly connected to one of the two summing suns. The transmission sun is fixedly connected to another one of the two summing suns. A drive configuration for a motor vehicle is also provided.
US09487079B2
An air inlet arrangement is provided for a work vehicle that has an auxiliary bay external to the engine compartment. The auxiliary bay can have a bay cover in part forming a step panel for the operator. The auxiliary bay contains an air cleaner coupled to an air inlet via air ducting that extends through the engine compartment. In the case of work vehicles having an aftertreatment device within the engine compartment for example, the air duct extends through the engine compartment between a side wall of the engine cover and the engine and/or the aftertreatment device. The air duct can at least in part be formed as a unitary part of the engine cover with multiple tube segments of differing cross-sections. At least the segment passing between the engine cover and the aftertreatment device can be oblong with a major axis essentially parallel to the engine cover side wall.
US09487076B2
A technique for increasing the capacity of air passing through a radiator main body, in a vehicle having a radiator. A vehicle includes a radiator main body for cooling a refrigerant introduced from an engine main body with a fan for conveying air to the vicinity of the radiator main body. A baffle member capable of sucking air from or blowing air into the radiator main body is attached to the radiator main body. A connecting duct for conveying air to the baffle member from the fan is provided between the baffle member and said fan.
US09487075B2
A work vehicle equipped with a main engine, a main engine gearbox and a main engine cooling circuit for circulating an engine coolant, the cooling circuit comprising at least one sub-portion comprising a radiator for heating the driver's cabin of the work vehicle. A heat exchanger is configured for heat exchange between said engine coolant and a lubricant flowing in a circuit into and out of a gearbox other than the engine gearbox. This latter gearbox can be the traction gearbox driven by a hydrostatic motor that is in turn powered by main-engine driven pump. The traction gearbox oil is then cooled by the engine coolant when the temperature difference between the engine coolant and the traction gearbox oil is higher than when the work vehicle is in active operation in the field.
US09487069B2
A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel and an outer header panel. The inner panel includes a header member, a pair of supports, a lower section, and at least one stiffener. The header member has a top edge and a bottom edge. The supports couple the header to the lower section. The supports and the bottom edge of the header member partially define a window aperture. The stiffener is coupled to the header member between the top and bottom edges and between opposite ends of the header member. The outer header panel is mounted to the header member to define a header cavity between the header member and the outer header panel. The stiffener protrudes from the header member into the header cavity and is fixed to the outer header panel.
US09487054B2
The present invention relates to systems, methods and devices for the integration of tire pressure monitoring sensors to a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of integrating a tire pressure monitoring sensor with a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle. The method includes the step of selecting with a computer a program software for a tire pressure monitoring sensor of a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle. The method further includes transmitting the selected program software from the computer to a configuration tool for a tire pressure monitoring sensor. The method further includes utilizing the selected program software to integrate the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the tire pressure monitoring system of the vehicle.
US09487050B2
The invention relates to a tire having a rubber tread comprised of cap/base construction where the tread outer cap rubber layer contains the running surface of the tread and the tread base rubber layer underlies the tread cap layer wherein the base layer provides a transition zone between the tread cap layer and the remainder of the tire carcass and is not intended to be ground-contacting. For this invention, the tread base rubber layer is comprised of three distinct zones, namely a circumferential annular central rubber zone positioned between two lateral annular rubber zones. In one aspect, the rubber tread cap layer and zoned rubber tread base layer are co-extruded together to form an integral tread rubber composite.
US09487041B1
A decolorizing apparatus of an exemplary embodiment includes a feeding section, a decolorizing section, and a control section. The feeding section can supply a magnetic medium having a ferromagnet in at least a part thereof. The decolorizing section decolorizes a decolorable image formed on the magnetic medium by heating the magnetic medium. The control section controls the decolorizing section to be set to a temperature which is equal to or higher than a temperature at which the image can be decolorized and is lower than a Curie temperature of the ferromagnet of the magnetic medium during decolorizing of the magnetic medium.
US09487036B2
A cutter blade drive mechanism reliably returns a cutter blade from a forward position to a retracted position. A rotation transfer mechanism 34, which transfers rotation of a drive motor 31 to a drive gear 32, has a cutter blade return gear 50 that meshes with the drive gear 32, a compound gear 40 to which rotation from the drive motor 31 is transferred, and a transfer gear 51 that meshes with the compound gear 40 and the cutter blade return gear 50. While an intermittent teeth part 43a of the compound gear 40 and the transfer gear 51 are meshed, the cutter blade 21 moves to the forward position 21A. When the intermittent teeth part 43a and the transfer gear 51 are not meshed and the compound gear-side protrusion 44b of the compound gear 40 is in contact with a cutter blade return protrusion 50b of a cutter blade return gear 50, the cutter blade return gear 50 rotates in unison with the compound gear 40, the drive gear 32 turns in the opposite direction, and the cutter blade 21 returns to the retracted position 21B.
US09487031B2
A recording device includes a medium support unit for supporting a recording target medium, a recording unit capable of carrying out recording on the recording target medium, a moving unit configured to relatively reciprocate the recording target medium and the recording unit, a pressing member that is provided at a position capable of opposing the recording unit and that is capable of pressing the recording target medium supported by the medium support unit, an information acquisition unit capable of acquiring information related to the pressing member, and a controller configured to output the information acquired by the information acquisition unit.
US09487011B2
An ink cartridge has a cartridge body and an integrally molded lever. An angle, formed between the integrally molded lever and the cartridge body, is maintained at a minimum dimension by an angle size maintaining mechanism. The angle size maintaining mechanism enables remanufacturing of a used ink cartridge to reduce printer operating cost and reduce environmental waste.
US09487010B2
An in-line printing apparatus with an inerting station that delivers an atmosphere having an optimal composition to inert a layer of ink such that LED radiation adequately cures the ink. A process for configuring a printing environment for delivering an atmosphere having an optimal composition to inert a layer of ink such that LED radiation adequately cures the ink.
US09487009B2
There is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid ejection head comprising a base plate that is provided with supply slits, and an element substrate that is jointed to the base plate and is provided with supply openings. In a case where a shift amount between a position of the supply opening and a position of the supply slit is a predetermined value or more, the element substrate is corrected in position such that the shift amount is less than the predetermined value, and a position of the element substrate is corrected by an integral multiple of an image formation minimum pixel pitch in a sheet conveying direction, of an image formed on a sheet, as a unit of a travel distance at the correcting of the element substrate.
US09486996B2
A process including selecting a printing system; selecting an ink composition having ink properties that match the printing system; depositing the ink composition onto a substrate to form an image, to form deposited features, or a combination thereof; optionally, heating the deposited features to form conductive features on the substrate; and performing a post-printing treatment after depositing the ink composition.
US09486991B2
There is provided a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a cleaning web member by intermittently cutting a continuous web member at a product pitch in a transport direction, the continuous web member having a base sheet continuous in the transport direction and a fiber bundle placed on and secured to the base sheet with a direction of fibers being along the transport direction. The manufacturing apparatus includes: an intermittent transport mechanism; a cutter mechanism; a sensor; and a control section. The control section controls a transport amount related to the intermittent transport by the intermittent transport mechanism based on information of the displacement amount output from the sensor.
US09486981B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising (A) at least one lactam, (B) at least one catalyst, (C) an activator from the group consisting of isocyanates, acid anhydrides, acyl halides, reaction products thereof with (A) and mixtures thereof, (D) at least one polyethyleneimine. The invention likewise relates to a composition comprising (i) 0.01 to 10 wt %, based on the sum total of components (A) and (D), of at least one polyethyleneimine, and (ii) 90 to 99.99 wt %, based on the sum total of components (A) and (D), of at least one lactam (A) and/or polyamide obtainable from (A).
US09486970B2
The present invention provides a tire puncture sealant containing a natural rubber latex and/or a synthetic resin emulsion and propylene glycol, the propylene glycol/water ratio being from 0.5 to 1.1, and the viscosity at −20° C. when a BL-type viscometer is used being from 100 to 1200 mPa·s at a revolution speed of 60 rpm. The tire puncture sealant of the present invention has excellent low-temperature injection properties and sealing performance.
US09486968B2
The present invention relates to a substrate-free conductive surface covering, and a process to manufacture such covering, said surface covering comprising a core layer of sheet particles which are agglomerated and embedded in a polymer matrix, wherein the particles or the polymer matrix, or both, comprise an electrically conductive material.
US09486967B2
A facility for manufacturing a rotor blade of a wind turbine is provided. The facility includes an injection machine for injecting an injection material into a mold to form the rotor blade, a movable tank system for accommodating precursor material to be supplied to the injection machine for preparing the injection material, wherein the movable tank system has wheels for moving the tank system. Further, a method for setting up a facility and a method for manufacturing a rotor blade are described.
US09486957B2
An assembly and a method of joining a first part with a second part at an attachment area that includes a localized area on the first part. The localized area is cleaned and activated by a plasma jet. An organosilicon composition is applied by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to the localized area. An adhesive is applied to the localized area and the second part is mechanically fastened to the first part in the localized area.
US09486956B2
A dual-purpose transformer may be oriented in a plane perpendicular to planes in which printed circuit boards connected thereto are oriented, thereby providing structural support for a framework that can include a dense arrangement of internal power adapter components, in addition to stepping down voltage. Methods for ultrasonic welding are also provided and may be used to concurrently assemble, join and press-fit power adapter housing components. A ground lug is also provided that is shaped and located within a cover piece of a power adapter housing to allow for blind mating with a printed circuit board during an assembly process.
US09486955B2
An ultrasonic welding system includes a movable ultrasonic welding stack, an electrically powered linear actuator with a servo motor and a movable element, a controller, and at least two sensors. The controller causes the ultrasonic welding stack to apply a predetermined positive initial force to at least one workpiece prior to initiation of welding. The controller further causes the ultrasonic welding stack to initiate subsequent movement of the ultrasonic welding stack, following initiation of welding, only after the signal outputs from the at least two sensors indicate that a combination of control variables satisfies a predetermined condition.
US09486944B2
A solidification substrate assembly for making a three-dimensional object from a solidifiable material includes a solidification substrate assembly. In certain examples, the solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the solidification substrate, and the tilting of the substrate and/or or the use of a peeling member facilitates separation of the substrate from the solidified material. In other examples, the solidification substrate assembly includes a film that is adjacent to a rigid or semi-rigid layer. The solidifiable material solidifies in contact with the film, and a peeling member peels the film away from the solidified material. Intelligent solidification substrate assemblies are also described in which a force sensor determines when to expose the solidifiable material to solidification energy and/or whether to use a peeling member to separate the solidification substrate from a solidified objection section.
US09486934B2
An accessory clamping mechanism for clamping an accessory to a working mandrel having a mandrel flange. The accessory clamping mechanism includes: a fastening flange; a driving device for forcing the fastening flange to move between a released position in which the accessory can be removed between the mandrel flange and the fastening flange and a clamped position in which the accessory is clamped between the mandrel flange and the fastening flange; a pushing member connected to the fastening flange; and a first elastic member by which the fastening flange is biased towards the clamped position; wherein the pushing member is arranged on one side of the working mandrel.
US09486932B2
An apparatus for perforating sheet materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a perforation blade that defines a plurality of teeth for perforating sheet materials, such as tissue products. Each tooth on the perforation blade is defined by a pair of opposing side walls. The teeth are separated along an edge of the perforation blade by a plurality of recesses. In accordance with the present disclosure, the side walls have a non-zero angle with respect to the length direction of the blade. In one embodiment, each recess can have a slanted U-shape such that all of the side walls are parallel. In an alternative embodiment, the recesses can have a V-shape such that adjacent side walls extend in divergent directions. Perforation blades made according to the present disclosure prevent snagging and picking when a material is perforated.
US09486925B1
A mechanical arm includes a frame with a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end. At least one gear may be rotatably connected to the frame. The gear may include a series of projections along its circumference. A pair of opposing jaw members may extend beyond the distal end of the frame. At least one jaw member may be connected to a corresponding gear. An elongate member may be slidably disposed on the frame. The elongate member may include a row of teeth configured to operatively mesh with the series of projections of the gear and may cause rotation of the gear upon translation of the elongate member. A handle may be disposed on the frame nearer the distal end than the proximal end. The handle may include an actuator connected to the elongate member. The actuator may translate the elongate member upon actuation.
US09486923B2
The invention relates to a floor treatment robot having an autonomously movable floor treatment appliance and having a housing. The housing of the floor treatment appliance has a standing area on the top side for supporting a person. At least one load cell is provided. The load cell is suitable for measuring the weight of the person. This floor treatment robot solves the technical problem of reducing the space requirement for different domestic appliances.
US09486922B2
Methods and systems for determining a status of a component of a device are provided. An example method includes triggering an action of a component of a device, and responsively receiving information associated with the action of the component from a sensor. The method further includes a computing system having a processor and a memory comparing the information with calibration data and determining a status of the component based on the comparison. In some examples, the calibration data may include information derived from data received from a pool of one or more devices utilizing same or similar components as the component. The determined status may include information associated with a performance of the component with respect to performances of same or similar components of the pool of devices. In one example, the device may self-calibrate the component based on the status.
US09486917B2
A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a surface of a structure. An assembly system may comprise a motion platform and a mobile platform. The motion platform may be configured to be positioned below the surface of the structure to perform the operation on the surface. The mobile platform may be configured to carry the motion platform across a floor of a manufacturing environment from a first location to a second location.
US09486915B2
This invention provides hand operated portable adjustable length devices for grasping and manipulation of objects as well as methods of their use.
US09486914B1
A plumber's creeper includes a lower body support having an inner frame with wheels and an outer frame telescopically received over the inner frame. The outer frame slides telescopically over the inner frame for adjusting the height of the lower body support. A height adjustment element coupled with the outer frame has a locked position for preventing height adjustment and an unlocked position for enabling sliding telescopic movement of the outer frame relative to the inner frame for adjusting the height of the lower body support. An upper body support is connected with the lower body support via a hinge that enables the upper body support to be folded over the lower body support. The plumber's creeper has an unfolded configuration in which the top surface of the upper body support and the top surface of the lower body support lie in a common plane.
US09486912B1
A toolbox includes a toolbox body having a bottom wall and a chamber delimited by the bottom wall. Two plates are mounted to and extend perpendicularly to the bottom wall. Each plate includes at least one pivot hole in the form of a partial hole having first and second stop walls. Each of the first and second stop walls extends away from a center of the partial hole. At least one receiving seat includes a plurality of grooves and two sidewalls. An axle is formed on each sidewall and is pivotably engaged in the pivot hole of one of the plates. Each axle is semi-cylindrical and includes a rectilinear wall having a length slightly smaller than a diameter of the pivot hole. The rectilinear wall includes two half sections respectively having first and second abutment portions corresponding to a storage position and an extended position of the receiving seat.
US09486907B2
A fastener-driving tool has a housing including a combustion chamber, where the combustion chamber generates combustion for driving a fastener, and a processor associated with the housing and in communication with the combustion chamber. The processor is configured to cause an initial combustion in the combustion chamber and cause a fastener to be driven when a first actuation event and a second actuation event occur, and is configured to cause at least one subsequent combustion in the combustion chamber and cause at least one additional fastener to be driven when only the first actuation event occurs.
US09486897B2
A foldable clamp suitable for use in a mounting system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the foldable clamp comprises a base member, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The first jaw is connected to the base member using a first hinge. The second jaw is connected to the base member using a second hinge and a ratchet. A mount for selective interconnection is provided on either the first jaw, the second jaw, or the third jaw.
US09486893B2
Among other things, a method comprises polishing a surface of a substrate by applying a pressure between the surface of a substrate and a surface of a polishing pad. The surface of the polishing pad defines one or more grooves separated by one or more partition regions. The one or more grooves have an initial depth before the polishing starts and extend from an initial outer surface of the one or more partition regions to an initial bottom of the one or more grooves. The method also comprises removing material below an initial bottom of the one or more grooves such that a distance between an outer surface of the one or more partition regions and a bottom of the one or more grooves remain substantially the same as the initial depth.
US09486874B2
A welding gun includes a control switch combined with a trigger. The control switch features a slide movable to at least first and second positions. In an operating mode, the control switch switches between two differing sets of welding parameters in the first and second positions. In another operating mode, the control switch operates a safety lock-out, allowing activation of the welding gun by the trigger in one position and preventing activation in the other position. For operator convenience, the control switch may be positioned to slide transversely relative to the wire passageway of the weld gun with which the trigger is generally aligned.
US09486870B2
A manufacturing method for a metal part uses a tooling assembly. The tooling assembly includes a counter-form and a deformable core which includes inner and outer skins, a honeycomb structure positioned between the inner and outer skins, and a brazing material interposed between the honeycomb structure and the inner and outer skins. In particular, the core is closed by a lid equipped with ducts through which a gas is introduced. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: positioning the tooling assembly in a vacuum furnace; introducing a pressurized gas directly inside an inner skin of the core of the tooling assembly; purging the pressurized gas from an inner portion of the inner skin of the tooling assembly; and dismounting the tooling assembly so as to extract a metal part manufactured.
US09486867B2
A chainsaw having improved cutting workability is provided. A chainsaw is used to cut an object to be worked by a saw chain. A chainsaw main body is provided with an electric motor and a sprocket, and a guide bar around which the saw chain is wound is provided on the chainsaw main body. The guide bar is attached to the chainsaw main body by a screw member serving as an attaching member. A load sensor detects whether or not the guide bar is attached to the chainsaw main body. Rotation of the saw chain is prohibited based upon a signal from the load sensor when the guide bar is not attached to the chainsaw main body.
US09486856B2
A method for manufacturing railcar yokes includes providing a cope mold portion having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of at least two upper yoke mold cavities. The method further comprises providing a drag mold portion having internal walls defining at least in part perimeter boundaries of at least two lower yoke mold cavities. A slab core is positioned within the drag mold portion. The slab core is configured to define at least in part perimeter boundaries of the at least two upper yoke mold cavities and the at least two lower yoke mold cavities. The cope and drag mold portions are closed with the slab core therebetween. The method also comprises at least partially filling the at least two upper and at least two lower yoke mold cavities with a molten alloy to form a first, second, third, and fourth yoke.
US09486854B2
A core assembly for forming a cast component includes a refractory metal core and a ceramic core element. The refractory metal core includes first and second ends and sides extending from the first end to the second end. The ceramic core element includes a slot positioned between first and second lands, each land having an inner surface facing the slot and an adjacent outer surface. The first end of the refractory metal core is secured within the slot with an adhesive, and the refractory metal core extends from the ceramic core element in both a longitudinal and a transverse direction. The slot, lands, and refractory metal core form a core assembly providing access paths to the sides of the refractory metal core. Surplus adhesive is removed from the refractory metal core via the access paths. Investment casting provides the component with an internal passage and an internal cooling circuit.
US09486826B2
A device is provided for packaging and dispensing fluid products. The device has a manual pump fitted on a bottle or a pouch containing the product to be dispensed, and has a removable element interposed between the pump and the neck of the bottle. An open/close element is secured to the pump and is able to close the passage circuit for the product to be dispensed between the inside of the bottle and the pump when the removable element is in place.
US09486825B2
A control system is disclosed having at least one spray head, a fluid pump, and a power converter driving the fluid pump. The control system may also have an interface device to receive at least one parameter associated with a desired fluid delivery event, a pressure sensor configured to generate a first signal, a travel speed sensor configured to generate a second signal, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a desired fluid pressure based on the at least one parameter, and determine a control command for the power converter based on the desired fluid pressure. The controller may be further configured to determine a feedforward gain parameter based on the at least one parameter and the second signal, determine a feedback gain parameter based on a difference between desired and actual fluid pressures, and adjust the control command based on the feedforward and feedback gain parameters.
US09486813B2
An HVAC system having an air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively generate an air flow, wherein at least a portion of the air flow is passed through the air cleaner, and a controller configured to control the air cleaner in response to at least one of a setting for controlling the fan and an operation characteristic of the fan is disclosed.
US09486810B2
A pulverizer 10 includes a journal assembly 19 with a grinding roller 18 that grinds solids in a grinding table 14. The oscillations of the journal assembly 19 are monitored by an angular displacement transducer (ADT) 32 that creates a composite signal. A controller 83 receives the composite signal from the ADT and compares it with known information of the pulverizer 10. It then identifies abnormal situations such as damage to a grinding roll 14, the grinding table 14, the spring assembly 20 and other parts of the pulverizer 10 before they cause major damage.
US09486806B1
A system and method for producing a feed product, and the product, are disclosed. A processor apparatus may comprise a housing and at least two rolls rotatably mounted on the housing, with a gap between the rolls through which the path of the crop materials passes. At least one roll may have alternating longitudinal ridges and grooves forming teeth on the surface of the roll. A rotating assembly may rotate the rolls with respect to the housing, and may rotate the rolls at different rotational speeds. A method may comprise cutting plants growing in a field, chopping the plants of the crop materials in a manner to produce pieces of the plants that have lengths of approximately 1 inch to approximately 2.5 inches long, and processing the plant pieces between the rolls rotating at a speed differential of at least 10 percent.
US09486802B2
The present invention relates to a method of controlling a flow in a micro conduit system, and particularly a micro conduit system comprising one or more capillary-stop valves (6,6′) wherein the stopping ability of the capillary stop valve is overcome with the help of an acoustic wave source.
US09486801B2
A control valve assembly including a water meter usage assembly including discs which are relatively positionable to adjust the frequency at which regeneration in a water treatment system starts. A regeneration control disc mounted coaxially with the meter disc assembly includes structure for releasing a drive mechanism associated with the meter disc assembly to rotate it back to a start position under a predetermined operating condition. The discs are releasably held in their relative positions by at least one pawl and at least one of the discs is rotatable relative to the other disc. The regeneration frequency is determined by an initiation slot in one of the discs and its operative position is determined by disc positions. The regeneration control disc is rotated by a pawl mechanism that is activated when an associated cam follower is received by the regeneration initiation slot formed in the water meter usage assembly.
US09486797B2
The method for regenerating a carbonyl sulfide (COS) hydrolysis catalyst according to the present invention is a method for regenerating a Ba/TiO2 based carbonyl sulfide (COS) hydrolysis catalyst by hydrolyzing COS which is contained in a gas obtained by gasifying a carbon raw material, wherein a spent COS hydrolysis catalyst is washed with water, dried, immersed in an aqueous solution of a barium salt for a prescribed amount of time, dried, and calcined so as to re-support the active component on the surface of the COS hydrolysis catalyst, thus enabling the regeneration of the COS hydrolysis catalyst.
US09486796B2
The invention relates to a process for producing a particulate, Si-bonded fluidized-bed catalyst having improved abrasion resistance, which comprises the steps I. provision of an aqueous suspension comprising zeolite particles, II. addition of a silicone resin mixture comprising one or more hydrolyzable silicone resin precondensates and mixing of the aqueous suspension and the silicone resin mixture, III. spray drying of the mixture obtained from step II, with the mixture being homogenized before spray drying, and IV. calcination of the spray-dried fluidized-bed catalyst obtained from step III, and an Si-bonded fluidized-bed catalyst which can be produced by this process and also its use for the nonoxidative dehydroaromatization of C1-C4-aliphatics.
US09486788B2
A process for preparing a propane oxidation catalyst, the process comprising pre-calcining a catalyst precursor in a precalcining zone in an oxygen-containing gas, then feeding an oxygen-free gas to a purging zone until the gas exiting the zone is substantially free of oxygen, and calcining the pre-calcined precursor to obtain the catalyst.
US09486787B1
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods and apparatus for simultaneous generation and separation processes. The apparatus provides a membrane module including a substrate, a catalytic layer and a membrane layer. The catalytic layer includes nano-sized sulfur-tolerant catalysts and/or particles. As a result, the apparatus can operate in sulfur-free and sulfur-laden (sour gas) environments for water gas shift (WGS) reactions while maintaining high reaction conversion. Methods for forming catalytic films are also disclosed herein. In one embodiment, methods of forming lanthanide containing oxysulfate nanocatalysts are provided.
US09486785B2
The present disclosures and inventions relate to a catalyst or catalyst composition and the methods of making and using the catalyst or catalyst composition. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a catalyst composition that includes a catalyst having the formula CA CB Ox and a catalyst support; a) CA is CoaMnbXd, wherein X comprises Si, Ti, Cu, Zns Pd, or La or a combination thereof; a ranges from 0.8 to 1.2; b ranges from 0.1 to 1; and d ranges from 0 to 0.5; and b) CB is NieCufMghSim, wherein e ranges from about 0.8 to 1.2; f ranges from 0 to 1; h ranges from 0 to 0.5; and m ranges from 0 to 0.5; wherein Ox is determined by the valence requirements of the other elements present, wherein in the catalyst support consists essentially of magnesia, alumina, silica, titanic, carbon, or zeolite, or a combination thereof; and wherein the catalyst composition converts synthesis gas to at least one olefin.
US09486777B2
The invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, comprising polymerization, drying the resulting polymer gel on a through circulation belt dryer, crushing the dried polymer gel, pre-grinding, separating of incompletely dried particles with a perforated plate, grinding and classifying the resulting polymer particles.
US09486775B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide components for a serpentine fluid reactor which is optimized for one or more objective functions of interest such as pressure drop, erosion rate, fouling, coke deposition and operating costs. The components are designed by computer modeling the components individually and collectively in which the cross section of flow path is substantially circular under industrial conditions to validate the model design and its operation. Then iteratively the component designs are deformed and the operation of the deformed part(s) is modeled and compared to values obtained with other deformed models until the value of the objective function is optimized (e.g. at an extreme) or the change in the objective function is approaching zero.
US09486773B2
The present invention relates to a hierarchical structure of graphene-carbon nanotubes and a method for preparing the same, and, more specifically, to a method for growing graphene into carbon nanotubes having a hierarchical structure by adding metal nanoparticles on the graphene. According to the present invention, carbon nanotubes having a hierarchical structure, which have an increased specific surface area compared to existing carbon nanotubes, can be obtained, and a carbon nanotube structure which is metal-functionalized by a metal precursor can be obtained. In addition, carbon nanotubes can be prepared in an environmentally-friendly manner by the use of microwaves.
US09486772B1
A method of photooxidizing carbon nanotubes, such as single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes are purified and dispersed in a solvent, such as n-methyl pyrrolidinone or dimethylformamide. A singlet oxygen sensitizer like Rose Bengal is added to the solution. Oxygen gas is continuously supplied while irradiating the solution while irradiating the solution with ultraviolet light to produce singlet oxygen to oxidize the single-walled carbon nanotubes. Advantageously, the method significantly increases the level of oxidation compared with prior art methods.
US09486769B2
A method of manufacturing gel particles adapted to apply a voltage to a liquid ejection head to eject a liquid including a polymeric material toward an ejection target liquid to thereby manufacture the gel particles, includes: raising the voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage at a first gradient; raising the voltage from the second voltage to a third voltage at a second gradient steeper than the first gradient at which the voltage is raised from the first voltage to the second voltage, and then holding the voltage at the third voltage; dropping the voltage from the third voltage to a fourth voltage, and then holding the voltage at the fourth voltage; raising the voltage from the fourth voltage to a fifth voltage at a third gradient, wherein the third gradient is gentler than the second gradient.
US09486761B2
A slurry dispensing system (10) is disclosed. A peristaltic pump (28) may direct a flow of slurry out of a horizontal mixer (20) to a slurry dispenser (140). This slurry dispenser (140) may be operated on a programmed manner by a controller (260) to dispense slurry into a container (36). Both a bypass valve (172) and a dispensing valve (204) of the slurry dispenser may be opened/closed on a programmed basis by the controller (260) to deliver slurry to a container (36), such as a glass column. Slurry may be intermittently directed into a metering chamber (194) of the slurry dispenser (140), while the remainder of the slurry being directed into the slurry dispenser (140) may be recirculated back to the horizontal mixer (20).
US09486755B2
A production method for making powder cosmetics having improved characteristics. The method includes mixing a powder component and an oil component as a binder using a mixing apparatus. The mixing apparatus is a facing rotor type mixing apparatus having a first rotor with a plurality of blades and a second rotor with a plurality of blades in a mixing chamber. The first rotor and the second rotor face each other and have rotating shafts on the same axis line. In the facing rotor type mixing apparatus, raw materials are fed into an introduction opening on a first rotor side. The raw materials are mixed by rotating the first rotor and the second rotor in the same or opposite directions to each other, and the mixed raw materials are discharged from a discharge opening on a second rotor side.
US09486753B1
An aqueous stream is pumped through a vortex cylinder. The aqueous stream is rotated in a downwardly moving spiral stream within the vortex cylinder at a high downward velocity. The downward velocity of the aqueous stream increases as it flows through a discharge conduit concentrically located within a mixing chamber of the vortex cylinder. An adjustable inlet tube open to atmospheric pressure extends through the vortex chamber and into the discharge conduit. A negative pressure zone is created at the discharge end of the discharge conduit for drawing fluid into the aqueous stream for mixing therewith and dissolving oxygen in the aqueous solution.
US09486752B2
The present invention describes a distributor plate provided with distribution elements having low sensitivity to a lack of horizontality, a distribution element being constituted by two substantially co-axial cylinders termed the inner cylinder (1) and the outer cylinder, the lower horizontal surface (5) separating the two cylinders being closed. The distributor plate is suitable for co-current downflows of gas and liquid, more particularly in “trickle bed” mode. The invention also concerns the application of the distributor plate to processes for the hydrotreatment or hydrogenation of various oil cuts.
US09486748B2
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a filter medium for a water treatment filter having contradictory characteristics, that is, hydrophilicity and chemical resistance, and a long life, and to provide the production method thereof. A filter medium for a water treatment filter according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a porous base material having a hydrophilic coating layer; wherein the hydrophilic coating layer has a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer and a high electron density part; a hydrophilic polymer in the cross-linked hydrophilic polymer is cross-linked with an aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon group which may contain one or more functional groups selected from a group consisting of an ether group, a hydroxy group and an amino group; the high electron density part has π electrons; and the high electron density part is covalently bonded to the cross-linked hydrophilic polymer.
US09486730B2
The invention relates to an oxygen separation device (12, 14), comprising a gas inlet (29, 31) at a primary side for guiding a flow of oxygen comprising gas into the oxygen separation device (12, 14) and having a gas outlet (33, 35) at a secondary side for guiding a flow of oxygen enriched gas out of the oxygen separation device (12, 14), at least one oxygen separation area (20, 22) with an oxygen separation sorbent (16, 18) being capable of separating oxygen from an oxygen comprising gas by sorbing at least one component of the oxygen comprising gas apart from oxygen and being contaminatable by a contaminant, and a decontamination area (21, 23) with a decontamination material (17, 19) for decontaminating the oxygen comprising gas from at least one contaminant, wherein the oxygen separation area (20, 22) and the decontamination area (21, 23) are fluidly connected by a spacer (76, 78) comprising at least one diffusion reducing channel (80, 82), wherein the spacer (76, 78) has a value of diffusion reduction rR of rR>1. Such an oxygen separation device (12, 14) allows (10) provides significant advantages with respect to maintenance. The invention further relates to an oxygen separator (10) and to a method of generating oxygen from an oxygen comprising gas.
US09486725B2
A system and method for filtering fuel within a fuel tank is disclosed. A dual fuel filtration system may include a first fuel filter connected to a fuel tank opening of the fuel tank, the first fuel filter removing a first type of contaminant from fuel entering the fuel tank opening to obtain a fuel cleared to a first level. The dual fuel filtration system may also include a second fuel filter positioned below the first fuel filter and in fluid communication with a fuel outlet nozzle, the second fuel filter filtering a second type of contaminant from the fuel cleared to the first level to obtain a fuel cleared to a second level passing through the fuel outlet nozzle. The dual fuel filtration system may additionally include an interface portion connecting the first fuel filter and the second fuel filter.
US09486724B2
A filter device has, in a housing, a filter element and, downstream of the filter element, an outflow opening for discharging the cleaned medium. Between the filter element and the outflow opening there is arranged a diverting part, wherein on the diverting part there is formed an overflow region for the flow of the medium from the filter element to the outflow opening, and the outflow opening is situated at the same level as or below the overflow region.
US09486723B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a screen wheel filter for highly viscous melts having pressures >10 bar and temperatures >90° C. which shall be further developed in such a way that less of the highly viscous melt is wasted and that the operation of the screen wheel filter can be made more economical. For this purpose the screen wheel (3) according to the invention is rotationally driven at least one complete revolution, with respect to one of the screen inserts (12) located in the melt channel (10), before the particular screen insert (12) is replaced and/or backflushed, and wherein the drive speed and drive cycling for the screen wheel (3) are set in dependence on the thermal or oxidative decomposition behavior of the particular melt in such a way that, when the particular screen insert (12) reenters the melt channel (10) of the screen wheel filter (1), the melt remaining in the particular screen insert (12) has experienced thermal decomposition or oxidative decomposition of ≦3% cleaved molecular chains, preferably ≦1% cleaved molecular chains.
US09486717B2
Devices and associated processes suitable for small and large scale purification of molecules in a fluid, and provides embodiments that overcome the difficulties of transitioning purification from research stages to production scale-up. The invention relates to the formation and characteristics of substantially uniform, continuous, and homogeneous porous separation matrices. The matrices are in the form of a polymeric layer with substantially uniform thickness and porosity. The polymeric layer is formed for the purpose of providing convective flow through the separation matrix.
US09486716B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an essential oil extraction apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a container configured to hold an essential oil-containing material, an essential oil extract receiver contained in the container, a condenser having an outlet fluidly coupled to the receiver and located relative to the container so as to receive essential oil-containing vapor emitted by the essential oil-containing material; and at least one microwave reflection structure associated with at least one of the container, the receiver or the condenser. The apparatus can have an overall dimension that is sufficiently small so that the apparatus fits inside a standard-sized kitchen microwave oven.
US09486711B2
A system for shielding a rider's back from a ride surface. The system includes a slide ride having an entrance and an exit and configured such that the rider's back slides substantially parallel along a slide ride surface when the rider slides from the entrance towards the exit. The system includes a plurality of shielding devices disposed relative to the slide ride such that the rider may put on one of the plurality of shielding devices prior to sliding on the slide ride, each of the plurality of shielding devices configured to be worn by the rider such that the shielding device covers the rider's back, and adapted to slide upon the slide ride surface to shield the rider's back from the slide ride surface when the rider slides from the entrance to the exit.
US09486708B2
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, the OBM may generate individual social-gaming activity timelines for a group of users within a geographical region using user online gaming pattern and social activity data. The OBM may calculate individual time-varying activity level graphs for the users, as well as an aggregate activity level graph. The OBM may identify an activity trough in the aggregate activity level graph, and an event in the geographical region corresponding to the activity level trough. Based on keywords corresponding to the event, the OBM may obtain product results from a product database. The OBM may identify a subset of the users whose individual time-varying activity level graphs include an activity level trough during the activity level trough in the aggregate activity level graph, and may provide an advertisement for a product from the product results for the identified subset of the users.
US09486676B1
A golf club producing less drag on a golf club during a swing than a conventional golf club with drag-reducing structures having different surface areas on specific portions of the golf club, the structures divided into a first portion on a shank, a peripheral portion surrounding a ball impact face, an upper surface, toe, hosel, rear face, sole, and heel of the club head; a second portion on a forward face outer portion; third and fourth portions on a respective impact face second ring and first ring; and a fifth portion centered on the impact face. The structure surface area progressively decreases from the fifth portion, to the fourth portion and then to the third portion. Each drag-reducing structure of the first and third portions has an equal surface area, while each structure of the second portion has a surface area larger than each structure of the first portion.
US09486673B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having a low spin rate on driver shots and excellent in flight distance performance. The present invention provides a golf ball having a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein the spherical core is formed from a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and/or a metal salt thereof as a co-crosslinking agent, (c) a crosslinking initiator, and (d) a salt of a carboxylic acid, provided that the rubber composition further contains (e) a metal compound in the case of containing only (b) the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms as the co-crosslinking agent.
US09486648B2
An apparatus for placement of an optical marker for radiotherapy onto a surface, wherein the optical marker has a reflective element positioned on a body having an outline and shaped and configured such that the reflective element is in a predetermined position relative to the outline of the body, the apparatus comprising a sheet of material having a hole therethrough which is shaped and configured to conform to the outline of the body and which has an upper surface with markings thereon configured for aligning with an image projected onto the surface on which the optical marker is to be placed.
US09486646B2
A system for radiation therapy includes an ionizing radiation source for producing a beam oriented along an axis aligned with a target volume for delivering ionizing radiation to the target volume along a beam path and at a dose rate, wherein the beam includes a soft spectrum and a hard spectrum. The system also includes a filter arranged within the beam path and including a central aperture that is free of beam-filtering material, wherein the central aperture is surrounded by a beam-filtering material having a thickness dimension selected and positioned in the beam path to highly attenuate the soft spectrum of the beam to reduces external scatter of the beam and allow a majority of the hard spectrum of the beam to pass through the central aperture unfiltered. The beam path is free of beam-filtering material arranged to attenuate a central portion of the beam.
US09486645B2
The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for providing accurately localized, non-invasive radiation treatment for ocular melanoma or other intraocular indications through the completion of specified research tasks. The present invention further provides for dynamic localization of tumors associated with such indications. The system of the present invention includes the CYBERKNIFE system, a robust eye pupil tracking system, and an integrated software package to achieve intra-beam fractional tumor tracking during radiation delivery. The system may further include a mechanical phantom incorporated with a radiation dosimetry calibration kit for validation.
US09486634B2
Example apparatus and methods cause activation of target neural tissue through electrical stimulation of a connected white matter tract to reduce the hyper-excitability of the target neural tissue and thus reduce seizures while preserving memory in humans. Example apparatus and methods apply low frequency (e.g., <10 HZ) electrical stimulation to the forno-dorso-commissure (FDC), detect an electrical signal generated in an area connected to, innervated by, or that can be activated by the FDC in response to the stimulation, and reconfigure the stimulation based on the detected signal and a desired therapeutic effect. The stimulation may be reconfigured to produce an electrical stimulation waveform that will produce the desired therapeutic effect. The desired therapeutic effect may be, for example, reducing hyper-excitability of neural tissue in a target area, reducing hippocampal spikes, reducing seizure odds, or improving recall.
US09486628B2
Systems and methods are described and illustrated for percutaneously implanting a stimulation lead for treating sleep-related disordered breathing.
US09486625B2
A method and apparatus for treating a condition in a patient such as BPH, irretractable infection, cyst, fibroid, or any mass such as prostate or breast cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, or any other soft tissue cancerous or benign mass, employs a unique, three-dimensional software-controlled electronic amplifier array using arbitrary waveforms that dynamically and proportionally steer electrical currents by using two or more current vector paths, sequentially or simultaneously, through a defined area containing electrically-conductive ionic solutions so as to obtain 100% thermal heating or hyperthermia through the defined area. The condition is treated or a mass is destroyed with a minimally-invasive treatment which requires no radiation or chemotherapy which could be harmful to the patient.
US09486616B2
Providing a method for monitoring an analyte extracted from a patient and delivering a permeant composition to the patient. The method includes the steps of a) contacting a poration device to a tissue membrane of the patient, the poration device including at least one porator array; b) actuating poration of the tissue membrane using the at least one porator array in the poration device; c) extracting the analyte from the porated tissue membrane by way of the at least one porator array; d) analyzing the analyte to determine a concentration of the analyte within the tissue membrane; and e) delivering a permeant composition to the tissue membrane by way of the at least one porator array.
US09486608B2
A microcatheter for delivering embolic agent to a vascular site is provided. The microcatheter has a biocompatible or biocompatible and biodegradable tip which can be detachably engaged to the microcatheter body by a thermoplastic sleeve. Once the embolic agent is delivered to the desired vascular site, the tip of the microcatheter is often entrapped within the mass of the liquid embolic fluid. Using the microcatheter, the clinician can retract the microcatheter at a predetermined retraction force thereby disengaging the tip from the microcatheter body allowing for easier removal of the microcatheter.
US09486599B2
An apparatus for controlled delivery of a flow of breathing gas to the respiratory tracts of a user includes a blower unit adapted to provide a gas flow, a nasal cannula with first and second outlets, and first and second gas paths connecting the blower unit to the first and second outlets, respectively. The Characteristics of the gas flow through each outlet can be controlled, sensed and/or adjusted independently.
US09486598B2
An oxygen mask can include an oxygen supply unit and an attachment unit which is to be attached to a periphery of a nose or a nose and a mouth of a patient. The attachment unit includes an opening which communicates with external air and which is formed at a position to which, when the oxygen mask is attached to the patient, at least one of the nose and the mouth of the patient is opposed.
US09486589B2
A method and apparatus for detecting and removing air from a syringe containing a volume of liquid and a volume of gas is described. The method includes moving a piston in the syringe to expel gas through an orifice of the syringe, sensing a movement of the piston in the syringe, and determining when the volume of gas is expelled from the syringe based on a change in the sensed movement. Moving the piston may include applying oscillating force to the piston using an electromagnetic actuator, and displacement and speed of the piston during each oscillation may be sensed. Determining when the volume of gas is expelled may be based on a change in the sensed movement of the piston during one or more oscillations of the piston or based on a comparison to a given reference value.
US09486549B2
The present invention relates to an air cleaner for a vehicle. It is an object to provide a DOR system which can favorably suppress deterioration of a function of an ozone purifier containing ozone purifying catalyst and activated carbon. A core part of a radiator 14 includes a fin 20, an activated carbon layer 22, and an ozone purifying catalyst layer 24. The activated carbon layer 22 is made of activated carbon and a binder A for bonding the fin 20 and the activated carbon. The ozone purifying catalyst layer 24 is made of an organometallic complex and a binder B bonding the activated carbon layer 22 and the organometallic complex. The binder B used for the ozone purifying catalyst layer 24 has a larger specific surface area than that of the binder A used for the activated carbon layer 22.
US09486539B2
The present invention relates to lentiviral particles which have been pseudotyped with Nipah virus (NiV) fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins (NiVpp-F/G). Additionally, the present invention relates to truncated NiV-F glycoproteins useful in producing such NiVpp lentiviral particles, as well as to additional variant peptides which enhance activity. Further, the present invention relates to methods of using such lentiviral particles or sequences, for example in the treatment of cancer or CNS disorders.
US09486533B2
Provided herein are aptamers and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. In some embodiments, the aptamer selectively binds a protein of interest such as an extracellular receptor protein of interest (e.g., a cancer cell extracellular receptor protein, which may be differentially expressed in some embodiments). In some embodiments, the aptamer is directly linked by covalent bonding (e.g., via a geminal diamine linkage) to from 2 to 10 toxin compounds. Also provided herein is a method of selecting an aptamer that specifically binds to a protein expressed by a cell of interest, wherein in some embodiments the aptamer comprises at least one binding site for one or more active compounds. In some embodiments, primer regions flanking the variable region of the aptamers in the pool contains from 1 to 10 mismatches with respect to said forward or reverse primer.
US09486529B2
Regarding Diquafosol ophthalmic solution comprising a chelating agent at a concentration of 0.0001 to 1% (w/v), formation of insoluble precipitates found in Diquafosol ophthalmic solution during storage of the solution, as well as deterioration of the filtration performance in the course of production (course of filtration sterilization), have been inhibited. Further, in Diquafosol ophthalmic solution comprising a chelating agent, reduction of eye irritation and enhancement of the preservative effectiveness have been confirmed, in comparison to Diquafosol ophthalmic solution comprising no chelating agent. Accordingly, the present invention has been confirmed to provide physicochemical properties that are stable during the courses of production and distribution as well as the course of storage by a patient, and also reduce eye irritation and enhance preservative effectiveness.
US09486526B2
The present invention relates to the finding that certain DPP-4 inhibitors are particularly suitable for treating and/or preventing metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes, in patients for whom metformin therapy is inappropriate due to intolerability or contraindication against metformin.
US09486523B2
Antibodies having Fab regions that specifically bind to Staphylococcus aureus protein A are capable of mediating opsinization of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria despite their expression of antibody-neutralizing protein A. These antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof can be used in methods of treating and/or preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections.
US09486522B2
This application relates to combination therapies including triciribine and related compounds and trastuzumab or a salt thereof and compositions with reduced toxicity for the treatment and prevention of tumors, cancer, and other disorders associated with abnormal cell proliferation.
US09486520B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an immunostimulatory polypeptide and polyglutamic acid (PGA) nanoparticles, formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier or excipient. Such compositions have utility in stimulating the immune system in subjects, with the components capable of interacting synergistically. The invention further provides uses of the compositions of the invention, for example in the treatment of cancer, and kit and components for use in the same.
US09486512B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for utilizing scaffolds in cancer vaccines.
US09486499B2
The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental disorders. The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators to treat patients suffering from mental disorders.
US09486495B2
The present invention provides peptide analogues of α-MSH and γ-MSH, comprising the amino acid sequence of human α-MSH or γ-MSH, or variants thereof, and having a branched amino acid probe in the N-terminal part of the peptide.
US09486487B2
The present disclosure provides methods, systems, compositions, and kits to address the need for microbiome-related treatment of health conditions and disease. The present disclosure provides for treatment of metabolic conditions using microbial compositions.
US09486483B2
Bone grafts and constructs including stem cells are provided. Example bone grafts include osteogenic stem cells seeded on a scaffold of osteoconductive cortico-cancellous chips and/or osteoinductive demineralized bone. Example constructs include extracellular matrix on a synthetic scaffold, in which the ECM is secreted from MSCs seeded onto the synthetic scaffold. Also provided are methods of making the present bone grafts and scaffolds. Further provided are methods of promoting bone healing and treating wound healing, by administering the present bone grafts and constructs to a mammal in need thereof. Also provided are kits that include the present bone grafts and/or constructs, or components thereof.
US09486480B2
Surface-modified heavy metal nanoparticles, including a heavy metal core and a coating layer, the coating layer having at least one ligand, conjugated to polyethylene glycol, the at least one ligand is selected from N-acetyl cysteine, albumin, cysteine, methionine, glutathione, amino thiols, thio-carboxylic acids, ammonia, amines, diamines or any combination thereof. Compositions including surface-modified heavy metal nanoparticles and uses thereof in treatment and diagnosis of various conditions.
US09486479B2
Methods and products are provided for treating a wound or infection in a mammal or disinfecting a surface with a hypochlorous acid solution that has been activated by a catalyst. Additionally provided is a process for preparing an antimicrobial product that produces an activated hypochlorous acid solution for use as an antimicrobial.
US09486478B2
Compositions are provided for preferential distribution of active agents to injury sites. Such compositions may comprise a ligand with hydrophilic properties and one or more active agents, such as compounds comprising hydrophilic metal ions. Because the delivery ligand and the active agent are specifically selected so the interactions between them are mainly of an ionic nature so that binding of the active agent to the delivery ligand and release of the active agent into the target site are not dependent on enzymatic activity. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.
US09486473B2
The present invention provides novel microRNAs and their uses.
US09486468B2
Methods of treating an arthritic joint of a subject, including administering a pharmaceutical composition by injection into the arthritic joint, wherein the composition includes an anthocyanin or anthocyanidin, glucose, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US09486467B2
The present invention includes methods for treating or preventing a cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a macrolide antibiotic such as tylosin, erythromycin, oleandomycin, spiramycin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives thereof.
US09486463B2
Provided herein are methods of modulating hormone concentrations in a subject comprising the administration of a composition comprising a chemosensory receptor ligand, wherein the composition is adapted to deliver the ligand to one or more regions of the intestine of said subject. Also provided are methods directed to the modulation of circulating concentrations of one or more of GLP-1 (total), GLP-1 (active), GLP-2, oxyntomodulin, PYY (total), PYY 3-36, CCK, GIP, insulin, C-peptide, glycentin, uroguanylin amylin, and ghrelin (total), ghrelin (active) and glucagon.
US09486452B2
A method of treating diarrhea in a patient includes administering an H1 receptor antagonist and an H2 receptor antagonist to the patient.
US09486444B1
Anti-cancer compounds include N-arylmethylidene piperidones having structural formula I: where R is a hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, or nitro group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09486439B2
The invention relates to methods for treating pruritus with NK-1 receptor antagonists such as serlopitant. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising NK-1 receptor antagonists such as serlopitant. In addition, the invention encompasses treatment of a pruritus-associated condition with serlopitant and an additional antipruritic agent, and the use of serlopitant as a sleep aid, optionally in combination with an additional sleep-aiding agent.
US09486433B2
Compositions and method are disclosed comprising ethyl icosapentate for use in treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
US09486428B2
Treatment of intrahepatic cholestatic diseases by therapy with MBX-8025 or an MBX-8025 salt.
US09486421B2
Lung disease, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma or acute and chronic bronchitis, can be treated with an oxyamide-containing compound.
US09486420B1
A gel useful in reducing bacterial colonization in or around the area of a wound includes at least one PEG and an aqueous composition having a pH of from 2 to 4, a total solute concentration of from 1.8 to 4.0 Osm/L, and from 0.9 to 1.7 g/L of at least one cationic surfactant. The aqueous composition can include a buffer system that includes an organic acid and a salt of an organic acid. The gel is effective even when free of materials having antimicrobial properties other than those provided by the aqueous composition such as sporicides, antifungals and antibiotics.
US09486416B2
The present invention relates to emulsion and double-emulsion based processes for preparing microparticles. The invention also relates to workhead assemblies for in-line flow-through mixing devices that can be used for mixing two or more fluids. The workhead assemblies can be used with the processes for preparing microparticles.
US09486414B2
Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US09486407B2
The present invention is directed to orally administered corticosteroid compositions. The present invention also provides a method for treating a condition associated with inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in an individual. The method comprises administering to an individual in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.
US09486396B2
Described herein are compositions comprising combinations of metal salts, and methods of preparing and using the same.
US09486394B2
The present invention provides various pharmaceutically active topical delivery compositions. In particular, compositions of the present invention are present in a pressurized container comprising a quick-breaking alcoholic foaming agent, such that when the composition is released, i.e., dispensed, from the pressurized container, a quick-breaking temperature sensitive foam is formed. In addition, the present invention provides various aspects related to such compositions, including methods for modulating a foam characteristic, methods for improving the shelf-life of a pharmaceutically active compound, methods for the percutaneous treatment of various diseases, infections, and illnesses, and methods for evaluating foam characteristics.
US09486392B2
A nipple for use with a bottle assembly includes a base portion that has a bottom surface, a vent region that is coupled to and extends upward from the base portion of the nipple, and a nipple portion that extends upward from the vent region. The nipple portion includes an outlet opening therein, and the vent region includes a vent channel and an air valve substantially aligned with the vent channel.
US09486390B2
Embodiments of the present concept are directed to medical devices for use by a rescuer who is caring for a patient and includes a bottom device for use with a top device to measure the depth of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions delivered to the chest of a patient. The top device is intended for placement on the chest of the patient and has a top mechanism that is moveable up and down as the chest compressions are delivered to the patient. The bottom device includes a generally elongate member having a handle at one end and a bottom mechanism near the opposite end. The elongate member is structured to be placed under the patient during delivery of CPR. The top mechanism and the bottom mechanism cooperate to generate a value for a net depth of the compressions of the patient chest with reference to each other.
US09486387B2
The present invention provides in some embodiments, a cover for an exercise roller. The cover can include an elongate tubular structure defining a generally cylindrical elongate lumen extending through the length of the elongate tubular structure. A wall of the cover can have an inner face surrounding the generally cylindrical elongate lumen, which is configured to surround an outer surface of the exercise roller. The outer face of the elongate tubular structure can have a textured surface, and the elongate tubular structure has a density configured for myofascial release. Additionally, the inner face of the wall and the outer face of the wall define a thickness of the cover for an exercise device.
US09486385B1
The Compact Cantilevered Ambulatory Assistive Device is intended to give physical support to persons having diminished abilities to walk, stand from a sitting position or to be seated from a standing position or maintain their balance. The design of the Compact Cantilevered Ambulatory Assistive Device supplies an upward force to the user through the Elongated Cantilevered Handles when transitioning from a sitting position to standing and provides stable support to the user when going from standing to a sitting position. The device maintains a stable support for the user by keeping the center of gravity of the device below the center of mass of the user, while walking, standing or transitioning from standing to sitting or from sitting to standing through the incorporation of cantilevered multi-wheeled bogie assemblies with the of the device's vertical support frames, the bogie assembly wheels being of such small diameters as to move without impediment under obstructions such as furniture, fixtures or seating.
US09486384B2
A walking assist cart includes a cart body on which a load can be placed, a drive portion that drives a drive wheel, an inclination sensor that detects the inclination angle of the cart body, and a controller that acquires the weight of the load placed on the cart body based on the drive force of the drive portion and the inclination angle of the cart body and outputs assist drive force based on the weight of the load that is acquired.
US09486373B2
A patient support includes a base, a deck for supporting a patient, and a lift mechanism supporting the deck on the base and configured to adjust the orientation of the deck while allowing the head and foot sections of the deck to be articulated with respect to the seat section of the deck.
US09486369B2
An article may include a chassis including an absorbent core that may extend from the front region to the back region. The article may also include a front panel and a back panel extending laterally outward beyond side edges of the chassis. The front panel and the back panel may abut to form a first seam and a second seam. At least one of the panels may comprise an elastic member. Further, at least a first outer nonwoven layer of the front panel and at least a second outer nonwoven layer of the back panel may be folded to form an upper edge in the front and back regions such that a distal end of each of the first and second outer nonwoven layer may be disposed between the upper edge and the front and back end edges of the absorbent core, respectively.
US09486365B2
An earplug includes a sleeve, a resonance tube, and a tip. The sleeve has a plurality of slits, and the resonance tube is connected between the sleeve and the tip. When the sleeve is pressed to deform, the slits are opened to allow sound to enter the sleeve, and pass through the resonance tube and the tip.
US09486357B2
A method to provide a therapeutic agent to an eye of a patient by implanting or inject a device that stably fits a particular location or position in the eye. The method thus provides agent inside the eye for a longer duration of agent release over a space-occupying area inside the eye.
US09486354B2
A cervical collar that facilitates therapeutic hypothermia is provided and includes an outer shell having a front portion and a back portion fixedly coupled to the front portion on one side and removably coupled to the front portion on an opposite side. A fastening device removably couples the back portion to the front portion on the opposite side. At least one cooling device is provided on an interior of the outer shell to induce hypothermia in a patient. A sensor is provided that measures a physical characteristic of the patient.
US09486349B2
A removable sleeve extends around an expandable stent graft to constrain the expandable stent graft toward a collapsed configuration. The sleeve is held together by a coupling member to constrain the expandable device toward the collapsed configuration for endoluminal delivery to a vascular treatment site. The sleeve is openable by displacing the coupling member away from the sleeve to allow outward expansion of the expandable device toward an expanded configuration. The sleeve is separate from the expandable device so as to be removable from the treatment site after deployment of the expandable device.
US09486346B2
A stent-graft delivery system includes a balloon, a sleeve disposed over the balloon, and a stent graft mounted over the sleeve. The sleeve includes a weakened area between a first end and a second end of the sleeve such that when the balloon is expanded, the balloon expands from a center portion of the balloon towards the ends of the balloon. The weakened area of the sleeve may be a slit, a thinner wall section, grooves, notches, or other weakening features. The sleeve may be adhesively attached to an outer shaft of the catheter or to an outer surface of the balloon.
US09486345B2
The present invention provides for treatment of ostial occlusions through placement of scaffold in a side-branch adjacent the ostium.
US09486339B2
A stent includes a series of helical windings defining an outer circumference of a cylinder. The helical windings include a plurality of struts having straight portions connected by curved portions. The straight portions may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stent when the stent is in a reduced state. A plurality of bridges connect adjacent windings. The bridges may be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent in the reduced state. A plurality of radiopaque members extend from a terminal helical winding. The radiopaque members include an extension portion and an end portion. The extension portion may have a first width and the end portion may have a second width greater than the first width. The end portion may include an extreme end substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent.
US09486336B2
A prosthesis can be deployed within a body cavity. The prosthesis can include an expandable frame, a plurality of proximal prongs, and a plurality of distal prongs. Each prong of the proximal and distal pluralities is connected to the frame. When the frame is expanded, the ends of the prongs are positioned radially outward from the frame. The frame is configured such that radial expansion of the frame causes the ends of the proximal prongs and the ends of the distal prongs to draw closer together.
US09486335B2
A prosthetic system includes a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic foot. The pump mechanism has a housing defining first and second ports, a membrane having an outer edge portion secured to the housing, and a fluid chamber with a volume defined between the housing and a first side of the membrane. The fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the first and second ports. A connector is attached to a second side of the membrane opposite the first side. The connector operatively connects the membrane to the prosthetic foot such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot the membrane deforms to expand the volume of the fluid chamber.
US09486322B2
A carpometacarpal prosthesis system generally includes a trapezial implant for replacing an excized trapezium within a human hand and a component stem implant for replacing a partially excized first metacarpal. The component stem implant is adapted to be press fit within the medullary cavity of the partially excized first metacarpal bone of the human hand; the component stem when so implanted is adapted to effect universal movement of the first metacarpal bone relative to the trapezial implant thereby providing a restructured thumb metacarpal joint that restores substantially normal thumb function in terms of strength and flexibility.
US09486318B2
A medical device for fixation in a femoral bone of a patient is provided, the medical device comprises: a connecting portion adapted to be connected to a prosthetic hip joint contacting portion, an expanding portion, and a bone contacting surface on the expanding portion. The expanding portion could be adapted to be at least partially inserted into the femoral bone of a patient and to expand within the femoral bone, such that the bone contacting surface is placed in contact with the inside of the femoral bone for fixating the medical device to the femoral bone. By the fixation using an expanding portion a sturdy fixation is achieved without the need to go into or penetrate bone, or the need for fixation using bone cement.
US09486315B2
A valve repair instrument and method of repair for the mitral valve of the heart is disclosed. The valve repair instrument includes an elongated body having two ends. One of the ends being configured to maintain a muscle portion of a valve repair device in an expanded position for attachment to the papillary muscle, the other end being configured to maintain a leaflet portion of a valve repair device in an expanded position for attachment to a valve leaflet. The valve repair device is attached to the diseased valve by suturing the leaflet portion to the affected leaflet and suturing the muscle portion to the affected muscle.
US09486313B2
A method of repairing a native cardiac valve such as the aortic valve includes positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis at an implantation site proximate the native cardiac valve to be repaired. The cardiac valve prosthesis includes an armature and a plurality of prosthetic valve leaflets, the armature including first and second annular elements, a plurality of anchor members extending between the first and second annular elements, and a plurality of valve support members extending from at least one of the first and second annular elements, the plurality of prosthetic valve leaflets being coupled to and supported by the valve support members. The method further includes radially expanding the cardiac valve prosthesis such that each of the anchor members arches radially outward from the first annular element to the second annular element and engages a wall of a respective one of a plurality of native Valsalva sinuses located distal to the native cardiac valve so as to enable anchorage of the cardiac valve prosthesis at the implantation site.
US09486306B2
This invention relates to a pre-configured compressible transcatheter prosthetic cardiovascular valve having an improved anterior leaflet sealing component comprising an inflatable annular sealing device made of a shell of elastomeric material, stabilized tissue or synthetic material, attached to the stent, and wherein during deployment of the valve the shell is filled to form a subvalvular seal. The invention also relates to methods for deploying such a valve for treatment of a patient in need thereof.
US09486299B2
A bracket system for orthodontic appliances including a bracket combinatorial library having a plurality of brackets each interchangeably fixedly mountable to each of a plurality of teeth within a dentition group in a dental arch, whereby the plurality of brackets can be configured to provide incremental variation in tipping force moments, in-out force moments, and torqueing force moments over the entire useful range of orthodontic mechanics, allowing an orthodontic practitioner to prescribe a combination of tipping force moments, in-out force moments, and torqueing force moments unique for each tooth in relation to the plurality of teeth of a patient.
US09486297B2
A light for use with an oral anesthesia syringe that is received into a passageway of a barrel of the light. When the syringe is received into a first opening in a proximal end of the barrel's passageway, the needle of the syringe extends through a second opening at the proximal end of the barrel. A plurality of lamps at the distal end of the barrel illuminate the needle, the interior of a patient's mouth, and an injection site of the needle. A battery is included in the light for powering the lamps. Power is selectively applied to the lamps. A circuit may disable illumination after about ten minutes of use.
US09486292B2
Embodiments of systems, methods, and computer-readable media for real-time winding analysis for knot detection are disclosed. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a method having the steps of receiving a first wrapping signal indicating a first wrapping of the simulated thread around a second tool to create a first loop. The method further includes determining a first wrapping direction based at least in part on the first wrapping signal; receiving a first tightening signal indicating a pulling of a first end of the simulated thread through the first loop; determining a first half-hitch based at least in part on the first winding direction and the first tightening signal; and outputting the first half-hitch. In another embodiment, a computer-readable media includes code for a carrying out such a method.
US09486291B2
Systems and methods related to the location of target regions in imaging applications are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to devices and/or methods for image-guided identification of suitable regions at which to insert needles, catheters, and the like. Such systems and methods can be used in association with a variety of imaging technologies, including ultrasound imaging. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can be used in association with hand-held ultrasound imaging devices.
US09486279B2
Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device).
US09486277B2
A resectoscope includes an electrode arrangement having at least one electrode and being connected to a contact at a proximal end region of the electrode arrangement; a retaining body mounted on the resectoscope that is movable in the direction of movement of the electrode arrangement and includes an electrode mounting for accommodating the end region of the electrode arrangement; and a cable with a plug body for fixing to the retaining body while making contact with the contacts. The retaining body has a plug receptacle for fixing the plug body by an insertion movement aligned at right angles to the direction of movement of the electrode arrangement. In the position which is reached at the end of the insertion movement, the plug body can be turned into an end position where it is blocked by the plug receptacle against a movement in the opposite direction to the insertion movement.
US09486249B2
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to orthopedic implantable device technology, and more specifically to implantable devices for use in stabilizing the occipitocervical junction and the cervical spine. For example, the disclosure relates to embodiments of an implantable orthopedic assembly generally comprising an occipital plate and one or more repositionable clamping assemblies for securing a stabilizing rod at a nonzero distance from a plate surface. One or more rails may extend laterally from a plate to support a clamping assemblies.
US09486245B2
A bone anchoring device includes a shank to be anchored in a bone or vertebra, a head, and a receiving part receiving the head for connecting the shank to a rod. The shank and the head are separate parts. The head has a bore with a cylindrical inner surface, a ring-shaped groove provided on the inner surface, and at least one slit extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the head. The shank has a first portion for anchoring in the bone or vertebra and a second portion with a cylindrical outer surface adjoining a free end. A projection is provided on the cylindrical outer surface which engages with the ring-shaped groove of the head, when the cylindrical second portion of the shank is inserted in the bore of the head.
US09486235B2
A surgical instrument for treating body tissues through narrow body passages employs an elongated cantilevered beam having a proximal end supported in a rigid block and a narrower distal end extendable through the narrow passages. One or more piezoelectric actuators are fixed to the beam surface and energized from an AC source through electrodes interspersed with the piezoelectric actuators to produce oscillatory motion of the beam distal end in multiple modes of movement with sensing electronics to monitor and control the distal mechanical movement.
US09486234B2
This invention discloses methods and devices using an improved surgical saw blade for resecting bone tissue during surgical procedures. The surgical saw blade may be used on oscillating, reciprocating, rotary or vibrational surgical saws. The disclosure describes the use of a cutting blade to resect hone tissue without excessive temperature rise during typical surgical procedures. The cutting blade provides a self-clearing design that includes at least two teeth disposed to prevent accumulation of bone chips within the proximity of the teeth. The design of the cutting blade allows the mechanical motion of the blade and other interactions between the blade and the tissue to remove accumulated bone chips and prevent excessive temperature rise.
US09486227B2
The robotic mechanism may be used to position a tissue retractor assembly relative to body tissue. Once the tissue retractor assembly has been positioned relative to the body tissue by the robotic mechanism, the robotic mechanism effects operation of the tissue retractor assembly from a contracted condition to an expanded condition to move body tissue. This movement of body tissue may advantageously create a space for the performance of a surgical procedure by the robotic mechanism. Embodiments may facilitate the insertion of one or more surgical instruments through a cannula to a working space created by expansion of a balloon or bladder from the contracted condition to the expanded condition. As the bladder or balloon expands, portions of body tissue are deflected under the influence of force applied to the body tissue by the bladder or balloon.
US09486226B2
Various patient-specific tibial guide housings, patient-specific tibial guide boxes, and methods of resecting the tibial plateau are disclosed herein.
US09486219B2
The application discloses devices, systems, kits and methods for treating biliary disease. Device comprise, for example, a component configured for deployment between a gallbladder and location within a gastrointestinal tract of a patient which has a proximal end and a distal end with a lumen extending therethrough. A method of deploying the device can be achieved by, for example, creating a duct or fistula between a gallbladder lumen and a portion of a gastrointestinal tract; and providing for drainage from the gallbladder to the gastrointestinal tract.
US09486217B2
A wound closure device using magnets to draw skin together without using stitches. When two skin adhering magnets are placed on opposite sides of a wound in a polar opposite configuration, the magnets attract each other, thus drawing the skin underneath the magnets together. Each device has a magnet, an insulation layer that separates the magnet from an absorbent layer that absorbs wound secretions, a polymer layer having a plurality of holes that allow drainage of potential build-up secretions away from the absorbent layer, and an adhesive layer on the bottom that allows the device to adhere to the patient's skin. The device may be enclosed within a polymer casing that use flexible magnets, or a plurality of segmented magnets to help align the device along a non-linear (curved) wound.
US09486216B2
A device for connecting two tubular vessels together in a side-by-side or tangential manner is disclosed. The device has an annulus and at least one series of fingers connected to and extending away from the annulus. In the preferred embodiment there are two sets of fingers connected to and extending away from the annulus in opposite directions. Each finger is preferably biased into an arcuate shape. In use, a deployment apparatus is used to constrain the fingers of the device to be in a relatively planar configuration. The deployment apparatus containing the device is placed between and in contact with the two tubular vessels so that one tubular vessel is above the device and one tubular vessel is below the device and so that the fingers of the device come into contact with the tissue of the vessels. As the fingers penetrate the vessels the constraint on the fingers is removed so that the fingers can assume their biased arcuate shape. In this way, the fingers penetrate and grasp the tissue of the vessels so that the device grasps the vessels and pulls the vessels toward each other.
US09486204B1
A method of repairing a stifle, including a first stifle bone and a second stifle bone in engaged opposition to the first stifle bone. The method begins with screwing a first bone screw into the first stifle bone and screwing a second bone screw, having an aperture in its shank, into the second stifle bone. Next, a tension member is used to pull a suture loop, to engage a portion of the suture loop about the shank of the first bone screw. Then, the tension member is used to pull the suture loop through the aperture of the second bone screw and then into engagement about the shank of the second bone screw.
US09486192B2
A tissue puncture closure device that includes an anchor (208, 508), a sealing pad (210, 510), a compaction member (212, 312, 412, 512), a suture (204, 504), and a suture cutting member (270, 472, 570). The compaction member is configured to compact the sealing pad toward the anchor. The suture is coupled to the sealing pad and anchor, and a portion of the suture extends through at least a portion of the compaction member. The suture cutting member is operable to cut the suture. The suture cutting member is operable within a portion of the compaction member to cut the suture.
US09486187B2
A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having an actuating rod extending therefrom, a rotating member, a release member, and a stop, the actuating rod translatable along a longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The rotating member is disposed within the handle assembly and is configured to operably engage the actuating rod via a cam and link arrangement. The release member includes a first catch configured to lock the rotating member against the force of an energy storage device in a first condition and release the rotating member to rotate in an opposite direction with the force of the energy storage device in a second condition. The stop is disposed on a peripheral edge of the rotating member and is configured to operably engage the first catch when the release member is disposed in the first condition to limit the rotational movement of the rotating member.
US09486182B2
This ultrasound image generating device includes an ultrasound probe which transmits ultrasound into a subject, receives reflected sound, and outputs an ultrasound detection signal, the ultrasound image generating device generating a topographical image which represents a shape. The ultrasound image generating device further includes a sound speed value computation unit which computes a sound speed value in a region of interest in the topographical image; and a degree of reliability information generation unit which generates degree of reliability information of the sound speed value on the basis of the sound speed value corresponding to the region of interest.
US09486181B2
A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.
US09486179B2
A multilayered optical tissue phantom fabrication approach and inherently produced test target structure which address the issues of of optical conformity known in the art by controlling the formation of micrometer scale monolayers embedded with light-scattering microspheres.
US09486178B2
This invention identifies a metal area of actual measurement projection data from the actual measurement projection data and an actual measurement reconstruction image obtained by image reconstruction of the actual measurement projection data, to acquire metal area identification data. In the actual measurement projection data, a resulting image has pixel values in the metal area such as of wire or screws, for example, not so different from pixel values of other areas, which makes it difficult to identify the metal area accurately. However, the metal area can be identified with increased accuracy. Based on the metal area identification data, data replacement of the metal area of the actual measurement projection data p1 is carried out with data obtained from pixels adjacent the metal area, thereby to acquire replacement projection data, which is put to image reconstruction to generate a replacement reconstruction image without the metal area. Since the metal area is identified with increased accuracy, the tissue adjacent the metal area of the tomographic image (replacement reconstruction image) can be restored with increased accuracy.
US09486176B2
The invention relates to systems and methods for diagnosing strokes. In particular, systems and methods for acquiring timely patient status information are described that enable a physician to make diagnostic and treatment decisions relating to ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. The systems and methods enable the efficient and quantitative assessment of arterial collaterals within the brain for aiding these decisions in the case of ischemic strokes. In the case of hemorrhagic strokes, the systems and methods are effective in determining if there is a leak and what is the rate of leaking. The systems and methods of the invention can be used to improve the accuracy and confidence of ASPECTS.
US09486174B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for reconstructing a panoramic X-ray image. The apparatus includes a storage unit for storing image data of multiple image layers; an image processing unit for determining a reference image layer among the multiple image layers, finding blocks that correspond to at least one block designated in the reference image layer from other image layers, selecting a clearest block by comparing image data of the corresponding blocks, and reconstructing the reference image layer by replacing the designated block in the reference image layer with the clearest block selected in any of the other image layers, if the selected block is not the same as the designated block in the reference image layer; and a display unit for displaying a panoramic image of the reconstructed reference image layer.
US09486169B1
A portable ketone measurement device measures ketone levels in breath samples or other bodily fluid samples of a user, and communicates the ketone measurements to an application that runs on a smartphone or other mobile device of the user. The application may communicate with, and report the measurements to, a remote server. One or more components of the system (e.g., the portable ketone measurement device, the mobile application, and/or the server) may, where appropriate, adjust the ketone measurements to compensate for ketone variations resulting from, e.g., the age of the user, a medical condition of the user, a missed medication event, or an interrupted sleep event. The application may, in some scenarios, withhold the display of a ketone measurement from the user until an authorization has been received from the server.
US09486147B2
Shown and described is a method for controlling and/or regulating a spiroergometry system (1) for determining energy metabolism during physical exertion, wherein the spiroergometry system (1) has a user unit (2) arranged in the flow of the inhaled and exhaled air of a test subject (4) for removing a respiratory gas sample of the test subject (4), at least one analysis unit (5) for measuring the respiratory gas composition and/or the respiratory flow volume and for determining physiological parameters relating to the ventilation and/or gas exchange of the test subject (4), particularly for determining the oxygen volume taken in during at least one inhalation of the test subject (4) and the carbon dioxide volume exhaled after the breath and, preferably, the respiratory quotient, at least one measuring device (6) for measuring the heart rate of the test subject (4), at least one control device (7) for controlling the spiroergometry system (1) and a cardio equipment unit (8) for the physical exertion of the test subject (4), wherein as the exertion of the test subject increases incrementally during use of the cardio equipment unit (8), a measurement of the respiratory gas composition and/or respiratory flow volume is performed automatically only toward the end of an exertion stage or of a performance stage prior to an increase in exertion, and a determination is made of the physiological parameters, particularly a determination of the inhaled oxygen volume and of the exhaled carbon dioxide volume with respect to at least one breath toward the end of the exertion stage.
US09486143B2
The present invention generally relates to forward imaging devices for imaging the inside of a vessel and associated methods. The invention can involve an elongated body configured to fit within the vessel of a lumen and at least one imaging sensor located on the elongated body configured to image an object in a forward direction.
US09486142B2
Devices, methods, and systems for providing optical imaging to detect and characterize anatomical and/or physiological indicators, such as, rheumatoid arthritis, and devices, methods and systems for computer aided detection and diagnosis of tomographic images. Embodiments for optimizing machine classification of tissue samples are described. Embodiments for using machine classification techniques to classify indicators present in optical tomographic images are described.
US09486139B2
A plurality of sensors are embedded in a form fitting garment similar to exercise togs such that the sensors are held in contact with or close proximity to the body. The sensors are connected via a plurality wires to an electronics module which is unintrusive being literally in its ultimate configuration the size of a credit card. A range of thickness, from 6 mm (6 credit cards) down to 1 mm or less, is possible for the module inclusive of a rechargeable lithium polymer battery. The electronics module can be easily removed for garment maintenance (laundering).
US09486128B1
A surgical imaging system includes a light source configured to illuminate a portion of a surgical environment and a light sensor configured to receive light from the illuminated portion in response to the illumination. The surgical imaging system determines spectrographic content of the received light and uses the determined spectrographic content to identify the illuminated portion of the surgical environment; for example, to determine that the portion contains a surgical instrument, a foreign body, a suture, a particular type of tissue, a blood vessel, and/or a fluorescent marker. This identification of the illuminated portion of the surgical environment could be used to implement a surgical intervention. For example, a surgical laser could be operated, based on such generated identification information, to ablate cancerous tissue in the surgical environment that is marked with a fluorophore while avoiding ablating any sutures or surgical instruments disposed in the surgical environment.
US09486127B2
A capsule endoscope includes a capsule type housing and a circuit board on which a plurality of board sections are arranged in a row, the circuit board being housed inside the housing in a bent state. Connection electrodes for electronic component mounting are not formed on a second principal plane of the circuit board.
US09486126B2
An endoscopic tissue grasper device includes a flexible tubular member, a flexible shaft extending through the tubular member, a proximal handle for moving the shaft and tubular member relative to each other, and a distal helical coil having a sharpened end for engaging tissue. The helical coil has a proximal close wound portion, a distal open wound portion, and an intermediate transition portion between the proximal and distal portions. The flexible shaft extends into the proximal and intermediate portions and is secured thereto, which prevents tissue engaged by the helical coil from becoming wedged in the transition portion and thereby facilitates release of the coil from engaged tissue. In addition, a bearing sheath is provided between the shaft and tubular member to prevent the shaft from binding during operation.
US09486125B2
An accessory for partially enclosing a shaft of an endoscope is disclosed. The accessory defines a first space for accommodating the shaft and a second space for defining a conduit along the shaft. An outer surface of the accessory around the first and second spaces is centered on a first longitudinal axis, and the first space is centered on a second longitudinal axis spaced relative to the first longitudinal axis. The first space is open to one side, so that the accessory only partially encloses the shaft when placed around it.
US09486110B2
A nut disassembling device is provided, comprising an adjustment member, a support rod, a center pillar and two clamping blocks. The support rod is screwed with two tightening members. Each of the tightening members is rotatable relative to the support rod, and the clamping block is moved by the tightening member. Thus, during the clamping of the nut, the clamping blocks close and push the nut through rotation of the tightening members, and it effectively improves the clamping for installation and uninstallation of the nut.
US09486108B1
A container within which is a liquid absorbing material that is wetted by a wetting liquid. The liquid absorbing material has a liquid retention characteristic for retaining the vinegar—such that the liquid retention ability reduces as a surface tension of the wetting liquid reduces due to a temperature rise of the wetting liquid over time. The temperature rise of the wetting liquid comes about when heated water at a higher temperature than the wetted liquid comes into contact with the wetting liquid. Preferably the liquid absorbing material is cotton and the wetting liquid is vinegar, such as apple vinegar. The container has an open top closed by a cover and has a bottom. Both the open top and the cover are punctured to form an inlet and an outlet to allow the heated water to pass through to heat the vinegar and mix with it for cleaning a machine that uses single serving beverage filter cartridges.
US09486107B2
A brewing system which uses an air pump to evacuate a dispensing line and a method of brewing in which a brewer includes an air pump to provide pressurized air at least at the end of a brew cycle to help evacuate moisture from a dispensing line. The brewing system includes a heated water reservoir which retains heated water for dispensing and a dispense line through which the water is dispensed. A vent is coupled to the reservoir. A controllable air pump communicates with the reservoir to controllably add air to the reservoir to drive water out of the reservoir. The vent is closed when the pump is used to add air to the system to allow for a build-up of air pressure in the reservoir and out through the dispense line. The controllable air pump controllably dispenses air into the upper portion. Both the air vent valve and air pump are controllably coupled to a controller.
US09486104B2
A multi-purpose beverage pod holder for a beverage brewing apparatus is disclosed comprising a flange adapted to be received in a slot in the brewing apparatus, a screen disposed orthogonal with the flange for allowing fluid to pass therein through, a first cylindrical wall encircling the screen on a first surface of the pod holder, the first cylindrical wall having a first diameter and defining a first packet retainer, and a second cylindrical wall encircling the screen on an opposite surface of the pod holder, the second cylindrical wall having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter and defining a second packet retainer. The pod holder can be used to brew both espresso and coffee in the same machine depending upon the orientation of the pod holder.
US09486099B2
A control device for a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance including a cooking chamber designed to receive at least one predetermined food or a plurality of ingredients of a predetermined recipe, a heating component for heating the cooking chamber, the control device including a control unit arranged to determine at least one combination of predetermined cooking parameters as a function at least of the specific surface area of the at least one unitary element of the at least one predetermined food or the at least one ingredient of the plurality of ingredients of the predetermined recipe inserted into the cooking chamber of the cooking appliance, the specific surface area being estimated from descriptive parameters of the at least one unitary element of the predetermined food or the at least one ingredient from among the plurality of ingredients of the predetermined recipe.
US09486098B2
The present invention relates to a tool for preparing an avocado, which comprises a scoop and a slicer. The tool is transformable between a first state in which the scoop and the slicer are positioned at a same end of the tool and used cooperatively to scoop and slice the pulp of the avocado simultaneously, and a second state in which the scoop and the slicer are positioned at opposite ends of the tool and used separately.
US09486097B2
A storage device is provided for holding folding walkers in an arrangement provide easy access for cleaning, retrieval, adjustment, and repair. The storage device includes: an upper support component with horizontally-spaced J-hooks, and a lower support component with horizontally-spaced U-hooks. The J-hooks and U-hooks are arranged so that an upper portion (tube) of the frame of a folded walker can be engaged with a selected one of the J-hooks while a lower portion of the frame engages a selected U-hook and remains in place via gravity. A related method includes rotating hung walker frames to visually inspect, select, and then remove a selected one walker frame.
US09486090B2
A retail shelf is provided. The retail shelf has a front side and a rear side. The retail shelf includes a fixed portion and a displaceable portion. The displaceable portion is configured to be moved between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion includes a coupling feature configured to couple the fixed portion to a retail display to maintain the location of the fixed portion relative to the retail display. The displaceable portion is configured to support a plurality of retail trays.
US09486088B2
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes a divider secured to a support structure, a pusher to move product, a barrier, and a low product indicator device comprising a protruding portion. The protruding portion is configured to extend forward of the barrier when an amount of product positioned on the top surface of the divider floor or on the shelf is low.
US09486086B2
A reconfigurable infant support structure is disclosed. The infant support structure includes a support frame and a seat. The support frame is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position may movably engage a support surface and the second position may statically engage a support surface. The seat is reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration and may be moved between its first and second configurations when the seat is moved between the first and second positions. The seat may be provided in the first configuration when the frame is in the first position and the seat may be provided in the second configuration when the frame is in the second position. The support frame may be moved between its first and second positions by being flipped upside down.
US09486081B2
The invention relates to an item of seating furniture (2), in particular an office chair, with a substantially curved supporting shell (14) which has two raised, curved, flexible curved arms (24) and a rigid central piece (16) arranged between said curved arms. Furthermore, the item of seating furniture (2) comprises a covering (30) which is clamped in the manner of a secant between the curved arms (24) of the supporting shell (14), wherein, when the covering (30) is loaded, at least one curved arm (24) is at least partially increasingly raised and/or is at least partially curved in the direction of the central piece (16).
US09486077B2
A slide assembly includes an outer slide segment, preferably at least one intermediate slide segment and an inner slide segment. An automatic closure arrangement applies a closing force to one or both of the inner and intermediate slide segments. In some configurations, a dampening arrangement dampens at least a portion of the travel of the slide assembly, such as the end portion of the closing travel of the slide assembly. The automatic closure arrangement can include two biasing elements, such as upper and lower constant force springs. The closure force of the constant force springs can be applied directly to the intermediate slide segment and the inner slide segment can be coupled for closing movement to the intermediate slide segment.
US09486075B2
A tool cabinet includes a cabinet housing, drawers disposed in the cabinet housing, a working platform unit, two slide rails, two lifting units, a linkage unit, and a drive unit. The cabinet housing includes a top cover formed with a storage groove. The working platform unit has a platform member disposed above the top cover, and two extension members extending from the platform member through the top cover. The slide rails are disposed at the cabinet housing, engage respectively and slidably the extension, members, and are interconnected by the linkage unit. The drive unit is drivingly connected to one of the lifting units, and is operable to drive synchronised movements of the lifting units to move the working platform unit along the slide rails.
US09486074B2
An enclosure for a biometric sensor is described. The enclosure comprises a cabinet having a plurality of surfaces. The biometric sensor placed inside the cabinet on a holder fixed on a primary surface from amongst the plurality of the surfaces. A secondary surface from amongst the plurality of surfaces is opposite to the primary surface. The secondary surface is substantially transparent to electromagnetic rays emitted by the biometric sensor.
US09486070B2
A sit/stand workstation includes a worktop that includes a powered drive and is moveable between a sitting height and a standing height. During use, a controller moves the worktop up and down following a user-defined schedule and uses sensors, such as a pressure mat, to detect how well the user follows the schedule and biometric indicators that convey fatigue and user energy level. In response to this monitored user information, the controller changes time, duration, and/or frequency of the schedule to better meet the abilities and fitness of the user and also to help encourage the user to continue regular use of both sitting height and standing height workstation positions. Sounds, voice, lights, colors, and numerical information are used to help encourage the user in use of the sit/stand workstation.
US09486067B2
An automatic punching machine for making brushes comprises a slide connected to a first actuator for receiving bundles of fibers and feeding them to a brush body; a needle connected to a second actuator for inserting the bundles of fibers inside corresponding openings of the brush body; a first and a second sensor for detecting a first and second signal representing the position of the slide and of the needle; a memory containing data of a trend of a control parameter representing the position of the slide as a function of a synchronization parameter having a predetermined relationship with a parameter representing the needle position; a processor programmed for deriving in real time values of the synchronization parameter and for controlling the first actuator by feedback as a function of the first and second signals, the synchronization parameter and the data contained in the memory.
US09486064B2
A brush head component connection system, applied in a personal care utensil, comprises: a brush head component and a motor bracket (11) mounted on a personal care utensil casing (13), a motor (10) disposed in the motor bracket (11), and a seal ring (12) located between the motor bracket (11) and the personal care utensil casing (13). A driving shaft of the motor (10) is disposed in holes at the center of the bottoms of the motor bracket (11), the personal care utensil casing (13) and the seal ring (12), and has an end connected to one end of an eccentric shaft (14). The other end of the eccentric shaft (14) deviates from the central position and is connected to the driving shaft connected onto the brush head component. In the brush head component connection system, the motor (10) is connected to the brush head component only through simple components such as the eccentric shaft (14) and the driving shaft, and the motor (40) drives the eccentric shaft to rotate through rotation of the driving shaft, so as to drive the brush head component to rotate; therefore, the energy consumption is low.
US09486063B2
A paint application assembly includes a backpack that has a back side and a bottom side and the back pack includes a pair of straps coupled to the backpack and a belt coupled to the backpack. The straps are positioned on the back side to be looped over shoulders of a user so the backpack is retained on a back of the user. The belt is positioned on the bottom side and the belt may be wrapped around a waist of the user. A paint application apparatus is coupled to the backpack to contain and selectively dispense a paint.
US09486060B1
A paint brush system. A lower component has a handle with an axis and a lower disk. The lower disk has interior and exterior surfaces. The axis of the lower disk is at a right angle with respect to the axis of the handle. An upper component has a base with bristles in a bristle plane. The upper component has an upper disk with interior and exterior surfaces. The axis of the upper disk is at a right angle with respect to the axis of the base. An adjustment assembly is intermediate the upper and lower components. The adjustment assembly includes teeth projecting axially outwardly from one of the disks. An annular surface is radially exterior of the teeth. The adjustment assembly includes recesses projecting axially inwardly from the other disk. An annular surface is radially exterior of the recesses.
US09486059B2
An oral care implement (100) having a head (120) that achieves an enhanced cleaning action during brushing. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle (110) extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a head comprising: a cantilever (130) extending from the distal end of the handle; a spheroid (160) protruding from a front surface (131) of the cantilever; a rigid plate (140), the rigid plate spaced from the cantilever by a gap (151); and a first resilient material (150) in the gap flexibly coupling the rigid plate to the cantilever, the first resilient material encasing the spheroid and covering a rear surface (142) of the rigid plate and the front surface of the cantilever; a plurality of teeth cleaning elements (143) extending from a front surface of the rigid plate; and the rigid plate pivoting about the spheroid in response to brushing forces being applied to the head.
US09486056B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic container capable of storing and discharging two kinds of contents, and more particularly to a cosmetic container capable of storing and discharging two kinds of contents, in which one cosmetic content can be used or two kinds of cosmetic contents are simultaneously discharged, mixed, and used by selectively discharging cosmetic contents stored in two storage containers provided inside a cosmetic container body, an upper portion of a content discharge housing is recessed in a dish shape so that the cosmetic contents are discharged into an inner lateral side of the dish-shaped upper portion of the cosmetic container and gathered to the recessed center when the cosmetic contents are discharged after the upper portion of the cosmetic container is recessed in the dish shape, and an outlet is closed with an opening/closing protrusion after the cosmetic contents are discharged to prevent the cosmetic contents remaining in the outlet from being solidified or hardened. The cosmetic container includes first and second storage containers (V1 and V2) to receive cosmetic contents, pistons (P) provided in openings of the first and second storage containers (V1 and V2) to discharge the cosmetic contents, a container body (10) coupled to a lower cap (C) to receive the first and second storage containers (V1 and V2), a content discharging housing (120) coupled to an upper portion of the container body (110) and formed therein with a button receiving groove (124) to receive a side button (121), the side button (121) received in the button receiving groove (124) of the content discharging housing (120) to move back and forth, and a content discharge piston (123) descending down as the side button (121) is pressed, and ascending as the pressing of the side button (121) is released. The container body (110) is provided at an upper portion thereof with a piston receiving groove (112), lower guides (111) are formed at left and right sides of the piston receiving groove (112) to guide the side button (121) to move back and forth, the content discharging housing (120) is formed therein with a discharge piston receiving groove (125) to receive the content discharge piston (123) and formed at an upper portion thereof with an arc surface (127) having a dish shape, such that an upper most portion of the discharge piston receiving groove (125) and a side of the arc surface (127) are bored to form an outlet (126) to discharge the cosmetic contents, and the content discharge piston (123) is formed at a center thereof with a discharge hole (123a) to discharge the cosmetic contents, and formed at an upper end portions thereof with an opening/closing protrusion (123b).
US09486054B2
An applying material extruding container includes a movable body and a screw tube, and the movable body is moved forward by the screwing action of a screwing portion caused by the relative rotation of a filling member and a control tube in one direction. The screw tube includes a rear end tube portion, the control tube includes an internal tubular portion internally inserted into the rear end tube portion, on an outer circumferential surface of the internal tubular portion, a protrusion portion on one side that protrudes outwardly in a radial direction is provided, on an inner circumferential surface of the rear end tube portion, a protrusion on the other side that protrudes inwardly in the radial direction and that engages with the protrusion portion on one side in a rotation direction is provided and the protrusion on the other side has elasticity in the radial direction by cutouts therearound.
US09486040B2
A zipper has a slider moveable in an opening direction to open the zipper and in a closing direction to close the zipper. The slider comprises a control member and a casing, the control member being moveable between a locking position in which movement of the slider in the opening direction is prevented and an unlocking position in which movement of the slider in the opening direction is allowed. When the control member is in the locking position the casing at least partially encloses the control member so as to substantially prevent the application of a contact force tending to move the control member from the locking position to the unlocking position. The control member is at least partly formed of a material to which a magnetic force is applied by a permanent magnet in proximity.
US09486039B2
A wire clamping device that has a simple configuration and is operated in a simple manner so as to improve convenience of use and product productivity and durability including: a housing provided with a ratchet-type gear on the inner circumference thereof and having a cylindrical inner surface; a reel axially coupled to the inside of the housing; an elevating cam having a slide protrusion-formed in the lower portion thereof, an outer circumferential cam groove formed on the outer circumference thereof, and an inner circumferential cam groove formed on the inner circumference thereof; a cam driving unit in which a cam protruding part is formed; a cam base having a guide cam and a ratchet coupling; and a rotating cover coupled to the upper part of the cam driving unit so as to be rotated in an integral manner.
US09486028B1
A buckle assembly for a chin strap of a helmet has a metal part connected to a non-marring part. The metal part includes a metal plate with an outer perimeter, end portions and a center portion, and a slot in each end portion and a snap member fixed to the center portion. The non-marring part includes a tray with end and side walls. The end and side walls together defining an inner perimeter corresponding to and receiving the outer perimeter of the metal plate. A shelf extends side-to-side on an inner surface of each end wall, a plurality of locking tabs are on an inner surface of each side wall and at least one intermediate portion is connected to the inside surface of each side wall. The metal plate rests on the shelves and on the intermediate portion(s) and is being locked in the tray by the locking tabs.
US09486026B1
A device for attaching personal air cooling visor clip-on with a cooling 40×40×10 mm-5 volt battery pack/computer powered fan to cap or other head gear. The rigid rectangle plastic clip-on strap has holding cap clams, cable holding posts, 40×40×10 mm-5 volt fan, fan cable, fan cover, cable holding channel, usb wire and cable, fan cover tabs and fan tabs slots on the clip-on strap. The 40×40×10 mm-5 volt battery pack/computer powered fan is partially embedded into the plastic clip-on strap and secured by a fan cover using tabs with the connected fan and usb cables locking into and secured by channel holding posts in a channel. The strap is pushed onto a cap or headgear with the clams holding on top of the left and right top ends of the cap brim.
US09486022B2
A pocket such as for a garment for a worker, including a panel securable to an outer surface of the garment to define a pocket between the panel and the garment outer surface with a pocket opening defined along one side of the panel. First and second connectors on the panel and garment outer surface within the pocket may be connected together to retain an object in the pocket by pressing the panel against the garment, where the connection may be released both by pushing an object into the pocket, and by pulling a retained object from the pocket. A stiffened side of the second panel retains the second panel in a bowed configuration outwardly from the first panel at the pouch opening.
US09486016B2
A bra with breast region has a strap extending over a shoulder to the breast region. An outer layer of the bra is fixedly attached to the breast region, but removably attached to the strap. A removable pillow is within this outer layer. The fixedly attached portion of the outer layer attached to the breast region extends from the breast region up to a pocket housed within the outer layer, the pocket, in turn, being adapted to house the pillow. Then upward, the outer layer is free from attachment to the inner layer, though it is removably attached to the strap at a top side.
US09486012B2
An improved size adaptable cigar splitting apparatus comprising and outer body and an inner size adapting sleeve adapted to be slidingly engaged therewith and further comprising a cutting blade for splitting the wrapper and, if present, packaging of a cigar, cigarillo or other smoking device. In a preferred embodiment, the inner size adapting sleeve may be cylindrical in shape and is removable, allowing the invention to be adapted to various sizes of smoking devices. The cigar splitter apparatus of the invention is adapted to receive smoking devices of various diameters which include all common diameters of smoking devices currently in use. The improved size adaptable cigar splitter apparatus of the invention may further comprise a lanyard tang adapted to receive a necklace, lanyard, or similar structure to facilitate ease of carrying.
US09486011B2
The present invention provides a cigarette mainstream smoke component adsorbent including particulate activated carbon, and a glucan film supported by the particulate activated carbon. Also, the present invention provides a cigarette filter including the cigarette mainstream smoke component adsorbent.
US09486009B1
A smoking article provides a purchased, as-built cigar that can be disassembled to form multiple cigars, enabling a consumer to make his or her own cigars using custom tobacco filler. The as-built cigar is capped as part of its construction, preferably at one end or at both ends. A smoker removes the cap or caps to enable smoking of the as-built cigar or disassembly into layers. Each layer can then be rolled with a smoker's custom tobacco. The inner layer contains tobacco filler. Upon disassembly, the inner layer and tobacco filler can be smoked. Alternatively, the inner layer can be pulled apart at a provided serration to discard the tobacco filler and then filled and rolled with a smoker's custom tobacco filler material.
US09486005B2
A method of treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals, by administering an effective amount of a microbial fermentation product, and regulating genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. A method of regulating cholesterol levels in a patient by administering an effective amount of a composition chosen from the group consisting of PAZ, specific components isolated from PAZ, chemically synthesized analogs of the components of PAZ, and regulating genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. A method of treating high cholesterol levels in an individual by administering an effective amount of a microbial fermentation product, up-regulating the expression of at least one of the genes that encode ABCA1, ApoA1, and SRB1, and down-regulating the gene that encodes CETP. A method of preventing the onset of high cholesterol levels and/or a deleterious lipoprotein profile in an individual.
US09485997B2
The present invention relates to an mass distribution device for supplying a mass of foodstuff starting material to one or more cavities of a mold drum for molding products from the mass, comprising a base member which extends partially around the outer cylindrical circumference of the drum and which has an introduction area through which the mass is the fed to the cavities. The invention further relates to a molding device and to a process for operating the inventive mass distribution device.
US09485990B2
The present invention relates to an insecticide-containing fabric containing at least one embedded insecticidally active ingredient in the polymeric matrix and having excellent wash resistance, and also to the products produced from this fabric and to their use for protecting humans, animals and plants against arthropods, particularly for controlling insects.
US09485983B2
This disclosure relates to methods to protect grafts against cell death due to preservation of the grafts prior to transplanting these grafts into patients. In particular, this disclosure discloses that connexin channel inhibitors can be used to protect against cell death associated with preservation and temporary storage of cells, tissues and organs. Preservation includes any procedure that involves a lowering of the temperature below the normal body temperature, including hypothermia (cold storage), cryopreservation and vitrification. Grafts that are protected according to this disclosure have an improved biological function.
US09485980B1
An apparatus for removing a fish hook from the mouth of a fish and related methods of use. The apparatus comprises a rod slidably mounted within a housing for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A spring biases the rod toward the extended position. In use, the rod is pushed into the housing and is locked in the retracted position. The fishing line attached to the fish hook is folded over to form a loop and the loop is threaded through an arcuate channel in a proximal tip of the rod. The apparatus is slid along the fishing line until the proximal tip engages the fish hook. A trigger handle on the apparatus is actuated to release the rod from the housing. The spring forcibly moves the rod into the extended position to remove the fish hook from the mouth of the fish.
US09485965B2
A canine restraint harness for controlling pulling behavior by a dog while being led includes a cord having first and second ends, a clasp for attachment to a dog collar, a cam for receiving and clamping a segment of the cord to reduce the length thereof, a closed loop at the clamped segment of the cord for attachment to a dog lead, and a fastener for fastening the first and second ends of the cord together. The cord is adapted to extend from the dog collar, between the front legs of the dog, and around the back of the dog to the dog lead such that the cam is disposed close to the back of the dog with the cord adapted to apply a tightening force when the dog exhibits pulling behavior while being led.
US09485960B2
A totally enclosed remote feeder for periodically dispensing feed is shown. A rechargeable battery powers a compressor which fills a pressure tank to a predetermined pressure. A timer operates a compressor to fill a pressure tank. When a predetermined pressure level is reached, firing a solenoid valve to cause a blast of air from the pressure tank to flow out through upwardly angled discharged pipe. Feed from an internal hopper flows downward in the discharge pipe in a predetermined amount prior to being discharged by the blast of air.
US09485948B1
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH006087. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH006087, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH006087 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 CH006087.
US09485946B1
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH004225. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH004225, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH004225 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 CH004225.
US09485941B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV031822. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV031822, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV031822 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV031822 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV031822.
US09485936B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV010778. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV010778, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV010778 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV010778 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV010778.
US09485927B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH848600. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH848600, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH848600 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 CH848600.
US09485905B2
A combine harvester (10), has driven wheels or tracks (14) for moving the combine harvester; a system for detecting characteristics of crop plants (96) in front of the combine harvester and for calculating an expected mass throughput of the combine harvester from the detected physical characteristics; an electronic control (80), configured to control the ground speed of the combine harvester to maintain a desired mass throughput of the combine harvester in consideration of the expected mass throughput of the combine harvester; and a sensor (86) for detecting a combine harvester parameter that is indicative of an actual mass throughput of the combine harvester; wherein the electronic control is configured to compare an output value of the sensor to a value indicating the expected mass throughput and to use a result of the comparison as feedback to control the speed of the combine harvester.
US09491893B2
A display device, comprising a display panel, a back surface enclosure disposed on a back surface side of the display panel and comprising a concave portion formed in a concave shape on a display panel side, and a heat generating component disposed between the display panel and the back surface enclosure, wherein the concave portion comprises a plurality of holes that release heat from the heat generating component to an outside of the display device.
US09491886B1
An apparatus for compute and networking operation in a rack-mounted device are provided herein. An exemplary apparatus may include a compute substrate, a networking substrate, and a bridge substrate. The compute substrate may include a processor, and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The networking substrate may be separate from the compute substrate and include control processor, and an Ethernet switch communicatively coupled to the control processor. The bridge substrate may be communicatively coupled to the compute substrate and the networking substrate, and include at least two high-speed signal traces, the high-speed signal traces being at least one differential pair, the high-speed signal traces being communicatively coupled to the compute substrate and the networking substrate.
US09491885B2
An apparatus as associated method contemplating a housing and a midplane supported by the housing having a midplane connector. A printed circuit board (PCB) having a PCB connector is selectively connectable to the midplane connector. A plurality of data storage devices are arranged on the printed circuit board in a staggered pattern, each electrically connected to the PCB connector via a respective electrical trace in the PCB.
US09491874B2
There is provided a display apparatus including a display that has a display face on which an image is displayed, a back chassis that is disposed on a side opposite to the display face of the display, and a cover film that is positioned in a state in which the cover film reaches the back chassis from the display face, one end of the cover film being attached to at least a portion of an outer circumferential portion of the display. The display is held by the cover film.
US09491872B2
A box-shaped electric control cabinet is provided which can be closed by a cover and which is used to receive electric components and devices for a blade angle adjustment drive (pitch drive) of a wind energy power plant, by means of which one or more rotor blades of the plant can be rotated about the blade axis. The control cabinet includes at least two cabinet segments, and specific electric components and devices are associated with respectively each module according to its function. The cabinet segments can be associated with and/or assigned to respectively different electric components and devices, with which, combined as a part function, different total functions and/or embodiment forms of the control cabinet can be produced or are producible.
US09491863B2
An optical system comprises a detector to determine one or more intensities of light impinging on one or more locations of the detector and an optical element to redirect light towards the detector along a detection axis. The detector and optical element are coupled together by three or more substantially flat flexures respectively defining three or more flexure planes parallel to the detection axis.
US09491862B2
In a method for producing a printed circuit board consisting of at least two printed circuit regions, wherein the printed circuit board regions each comprise at least one conductive layer and/or at least one device or one conductive component, wherein printed circuit board regions to be connected to one another, in the region of in each case at least one lateral surface directly adjoining one another, are connected to one another by a coupling or connection, and wherein, after a coupling or connection of printed circuit board regions, at least one additional layer or ply of the printed circuit board is applied over the printed circuit board regions, the additional layer is embodied as a conductive layer, which is contact-connected via plated-through holes to conductive layers or devices or components integrated in the printed circuit board regions.
US09491858B2
This wiring board is provided with: a plurality of metal wires disposed upon an insulating substrate; and a transparent adhesive agent layer which is disposed upon the metal wires, and which is in direct contact with the metal wires. The metal wires include: a first metal wire which has a pulse signal supplied thereto; and a second metal wire which has a fixed electric potential applied thereto. The pulse signal has a reference level identical to the fixed electric potential, and has a pulse train in which a plurality of pulses having a pulse width of not more than 3 msec are arranged, the integral time of the pulses in a period of 600 seconds being less than 60 seconds.
US09491857B2
There is provided a wiring connection structure connecting a transparent conductive film formed on a main surface of a transparent substrate having the main surface and a metal wiring formed on the main surface and made of a metal material, wherein the metal wiring is formed to extend from the main surface onto the transparent conductive film and to cover the transparent conductive film.
US09491847B2
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a board including first and second contact terminals disposed on one surface thereof to be spaced apart from each other and first and second external terminals disposed on the other surface thereof to be spaced apart from each other; a multilayer ceramic capacitor including first and second external electrodes including first and second connection portions disposed on opposite end surfaces of a ceramic body and first and second band portions extending from the first and second connection portions to portions of one surface of the ceramic body and connected to the first and second contact terminals, respectively; a sealing part enclosing the multilayer ceramic capacitor on the board while exposing one ends of the first and second contact terminals; and first and second connection terminals connecting the ends of the first and second contact terminals to the first and second external terminals, respectively.
US09491845B2
In at least one embodiment, a lighting system includes a link path power dissipation circuit to actively and selectively control power dissipation of excess energy in a switching power converter of the lighting system. The link path power dissipation circuit dissipates power through a link path of the switching power converter by controlling a link current of the switching power converter. In at least one embodiment, the controller controls the link path power dissipation circuit to limit the link current with a current source and dissipate power in the current source. In at least one embodiment, the link path power dissipation circuit includes a switch to limit the link current and dissipate power in the link path.
US09491840B2
In a process, at least one circuit element is formed in a substrate. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate and in electrical contact with the at least one circuit element. Electrostatic charges are discharged from the substrate via the conductive layer.
US09491817B2
In one embodiment an LED driving circuit can include: (i) a rectifier circuit configured to receive an AC input power supply through a TRIAC, and to generate a bus voltage; (ii) a driving current generator configured to convert the bus voltage to a constant driving current and an output voltage to drive an LED load; and (iii) a current distribution circuit coupled between a positive pole and a negative pole of the bus voltage, where the current distribution circuit is configured to sample an input current to generate a sense signal, and to compare the sense signal against a voltage reference signal that represents an expected input current, so as to regulate the input current according to the voltage reference signal.
US09491816B1
The present invention discloses an LED tube for directly replacing an instant-start fluorescent tube, comprising a LED string module and a rectifying circuit used for current conversion, wherein the two input ends of the LED string module are connected with the two output ends of the rectifying circuit; the LED tube further comprises a high voltage absorption circuit, wherein the high voltage absorption circuit is used for preventing the impact on the LEDs caused by high voltage when the tube is started, and tube input ends are connected with the two input ends of the rectifying circuit through the high voltage absorption circuit. The high voltage absorption circuit is used for absorbing high voltage output when the instant-start ballast is started, so as to effectively prevent the impact on the LEDs caused by the high voltage when the tube is started. The tube can be used to directly replace an instant-start fluorescent tube without any change of the original fluorescent tube circuit.
US09491806B2
An aircraft transparency has a heatable member to remove fog, ice and snow from the outer surface of the transparency. The heatable member includes a pair of spaced parallel bus bars with the ends of the bus bars offset from one another, and a coating including a plurality of spaced segments of an electrically conductive coating electrically connecting the bus bars. The ratio of the major diagonal to the minor diagonal is in the range of greater than 1 to 1.25 to more uniformly heat the coating and the outer surface of the transparency.
US09491801B2
We disclose systems and methods of dynamically virtualizing a wireless communication network. The communication network is comprised of heterogeneous multi-RAT mesh nodes coupled to a computing cloud component. The computing cloud component virtualizes the true extent of the resources it manages and presents an interface to the core network that appears to be a single base station.
US09491799B2
The present invention discloses a base station, the size of which is reduced and which is to be adopted in a mobile communication system. The disclosed small base station includes: a polyhedral housing; an antenna unit disposed on the widest surface of the outer surface of the housing; a first board arranged on any outer surface of the housing; and two or more boards which are arranged in an upright state with the first board and which are arranged to face three or more outer side surfaces of the housing, respectively.
US09491798B2
There is provided a communications system (10) comprising a plurality of base stations (12), a central station (16) and a fiber optic communications network (14). Each base station (12) comprises a shelter (20) for a passenger awaiting transport, the shelter (20) having a wireless network access point (22). The central station (16) is arranged to facilitate communication between each base station (12) and a communications network (18) and the fiber optic communications network (14) is arranged to facilitate communication between each base station (12) and the central station (16).
US09491797B2
A system and method for the distribution of time signals is available for devices with multiple communication cores. An embodiment may or may not use a centralized manager for the management of time preservation. When a communication core in a multiple communication core device requires timing information, it may request the time information from another communication core or from the centralized manager. The centralized manager, if present, can obtain time information from an external source or from one of the communication cores. The result can be reduced power consumption at a lower cost.
US09491790B2
A technique is disclosed in which an MN (mobile node) 100 notifies, to a CN (correspondent node), home network connection information indicative of whether or not it is currently in connection with a home network which has allocated its own plurality of HoAs (home addresses), an address of each HA (home agent) and an ID of each HA in a state associated with the plurality of HoAs. Based on the information received from the MN, the CN grasps the home network with which the MN is currently in connection and makes an inquiry about the condition of the HA and sets an appropriate HoA, judged on the basis of the grasping result or the inquiry result, as a destination address of a packet to be transmitted to the MN.
US09491782B2
A method and apparatus for managing multiple Timing Advance Groups (TAGs) operating with different timings are provided for use in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. The method for managing multiple TAGs at a base station of a wireless communication system supporting carrier aggregation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes categorizing a plurality of carriers into at least one TAG according to a predetermined rule, assigning a TAG index to each TAG, transmitting the TAG index to a terminal, generating a Timing Advance Command (TAC) for synchronization, and transmitting the TAC to the terminal in a random access process. The method and apparatus for managing TAGs according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is capable of informing of the timing advance group to which each carrier belongs and managing multiple timing advance groups efficiently without signaling overhead.
US09491774B2
A method and device for content casting services using Wi-Fi communication are disclosed are provided. The device includes a first band communication module for communicating with external devices over a first frequency band and a second band communication module for communicating with external devices over a second frequency band. The method includes detecting occurrence of a cast request event indicating content delivery, selecting, upon detection of the cast request event, a first external device possessing the indicated content, receiving the content from the selected first external device through the first band communication module, and transmitting the received content to a second external device through the second band communication module.
US09491773B2
Systems and methodologies for avoiding interference with disparate communication technologies when allocating and/or utilizing wireless communication resources are provided. Access points can generate resource assignments for mobile devices based on resources utilized by disparate communication technology devices. The resource assignments may avoid the disparate communication technology resources, allocate narrow bands over the disparate communication technology resources, and/or avoid or limit allocations in a measurement gap during which disparate communication technology devices communicate. Mobile devices can provide information to the access points, such as a communication technology to avoid interfering or resources utilized by devices of the disparate communication technology. This information can be acquired by receiving signals from the devices and/or detecting presence of the devices. In addition, a mobile device can reduce transmission power over resources used by the disparate communication technology.
US09491764B1
Methods, apparatuses, and systems relating to narrow beam communications and wireless networking are disclosed. Exemplary methods for wireless networking and communications may include identifying a geographic area, receiving location data relating to the geographic area, receiving network performance data, analyzing the location data and the network performance data, identifying a first access point in the geographic area based at least in part on the analyzing, and adjusting a narrow beam communication device a predetermined amount relating to the first access point based at least in part on the analyzing.
US09491761B2
The invention involves utilizing pieces of disjoint spectral blocks. In one embodiment, a frequency division duplex approach is used, where each spectral block is utilized solely for either uplink or downlink communications. In another embodiment, a time division duplex approach is used, where each spectral block is time divided and uplink and downlink communications are assigned to different time slots within the same spectral blocks. In another embodiment, a code division duplex approach is utilized, where uplink and downlink communications are assigned different codes/hopping patterns within a same spectral block.
US09491749B2
To appropriately allocate radio resources to downlink control information, in the enhanced downlink control channel, a radio communication method in which a radio base station transmits downlink control information to each user terminal via an enhanced downlink control channel frequency division multiplexed with a downlink shared data channel is provided. The method includes generating the downlink control information in eCCE unit, the eCCE being made up with a plurality of eREGs, and mapping the downlink control information in eREG unit to a plurality of resource regions for the enhanced downlink control channel. Each eREG is made up with a plurality of REs, and the radio base station performs mapping to each of the resource regions in such a manner that the enhanced resource element groups (eREGs) are uniform in number of resource elements. The REs that make up 1 eREG are distributed to a plurality of OFDM symbols.
US09491743B2
The present invention pertains to a wireless communication system. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for transmitting uplink control information and an apparatus for the same, wherein the method comprises the steps of: selecting one uplink control channel resource corresponding to a plurality of HARQ-ACKs, from a plurality of uplink control channel resources; and transmitting a bit value corresponding to the plurality of HARQ-ACKs through the use of the selected uplink control channel resource.
US09491742B2
Where first and second reference signals for a first and second communication system, respectively, are transmitted, resources that affect a reception apparatus compatible only with the first communication system can be minimized, and the throughput can be prevented from being deteriorated. As resources for a reference signal CSI-RS for LTE-A, last half symbols in a time direction of a resource unit RB/Sub-frame defined in a frequency-time domain are used, and the CSI-RS is allocated in a position up to the last two symbols or in the last symbol, or the like, of a particular RB/Sub-frame and transmitted when a reference signal 4RS for LTE is transmitted to a reception apparatus in addition to transmitting CSI-RS for LTE-A. The reception apparatus receives CSI-RS allocated in the last half symbol of RB/Sub-frame based on CSI-RS allocation information, measures channel quality by using this CSI-RS, and transmits and reports feedback information.
US09491739B2
The exemplary embodiments of this invention generally relate to message header-type notification that, for example, enables the co-existence of a legacy header type with one or more new header types on a same radio link. In one non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a method includes: determining a type of medium access control (MAC) header to transmit in a MAC transmission; setting a value of a notification field in a resource allocation message based on the determined type of MAC header; and transmitting the resource allocation message. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a method includes: receiving a resource allocation message having a notification field; and using a value of the notification field to determine a type of medium access control (MAC) header for a MAC transmission.
US09491738B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for assigning resources for low cost user equipments (UEs). A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method generally includes determining a first bandwidth, within a second bandwidth, for resources available for downlink data transmissions, wherein the first bandwidth is smaller than the second bandwidth, determining a third bandwidth for resources available for uplink transmissions, wherein a bandwidth for resources available for uplink transmissions is different than the bandwidth for resources available for downlink transmissions, wherein the third bandwidth is greater than the first bandwidth, and communicating with a network using the determined downlink and uplink resources.
US09491728B2
A method and device for implementing a compensation for an asymmetry delay of a 1588 link are provided. The method comprises: measuring and calculating a value of an asymmetry delay of the 1588 uplink/downlink; performing an asymmetry delay compensation when the value of the asymmetry delay exceeds a set synchronization offset range; and continuing a normal 1588 time synchronization if the value of the asymmetry delay does not exceed the set synchronization offset range; and implementing the automatic compensation for the asymmetry delay of the 1588 link. The above-mentioned scheme can correct the asymmetry delay automatically, and ensure the quality of 1588 time synchronization.
US09491719B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless communication technology field, especially relate to a method, system and apparatus for power headroom report, for the use of power headroom report when a User Equipment (UE) aggregates carriers under different enhanced NodeBs (eNBs). Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for power headroom report, including: a user equipment which aggregates resources of multiple network equipment determines power headroom information; said user equipment sends said power headroom information to at least one of the network equipment participating in aggregation. Because the user equipment which aggregates resources of multiple network equipment reports the power headroom information to at least one of the network equipment participating in aggregation, sequentially the power headroom information is enabled to be reported when the UE aggregates carriers under different eNBs, multiple eNBs further can obtain the power headroom information in the case of inter-eNBs-aggregation, and resource scheduling is enabled.
US09491710B2
Joint uplink transmission power and bit rate control is provided. Data bits are received by a network Node B on an enhanced dedicated channel, E-DCH, from a user equipment, UE. End-user quality of service, QoS, for the received data bits is estimated. System coverage at a radio receiver of the network Node B is estimated. The estimated end-user QoS and the estimated system coverage represent a current working point of the UE. The current working point of the UE is related to a preferred working point. As a result thereof a transmission power control, TPC, command and a scheduling grant, SG, is determined for the UE so as to move the current working point towards the preferred working point and thereby adjust uplink transmission power and bit rate.
US09491705B2
When the charge of a battery in a mobile telephone is less than a predefined level, a recharge request message or notice is wirelessly transmitted to a charging module. In response, the charging module begins transmitting a radio frequency signal. The mobile telephone receives the radio frequency signal and extracts energy therefrom which is used to recharge the battery. When the charge of the battery is greater than a predetermined level, recharging the battery terminates and a termination message is wirelessly transmitted to the charging module, which responds by discontinuing transmission of the radio frequency signal.
US09491704B2
An electronic device has a communication subsystem with a power saving mode and an active mode. The communication subsystem is set to switch between the power saving mode and the active mode depending on thresholds of communication traffic. The settings for the thresholds depend on the activity detected on the electronic device.
US09491700B2
The present invention relates to a method by which a station (STA) which operates in power save mode in a wireless LAN system transmits and receives frames. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a channel access authority on the basis of at least one slot time, wherein each slot time is the unit time when a channel is maintained in an idle state for a channel access by the STA; transmitting a power save (PS) poll frame requesting the transmission of a buffered frame to an access point (AP); and receiving a response frame from the AP in response to the PS poll frame. The length of each slot time is set to be longer than the transmission time of the PS poll frame.
US09491698B2
Methods and apparatus are described for performing cell selection for reducing an initial acquisition time between a user equipment (UE) and a network entity, comprising measuring a signal from a cell, the signal including at least one system information block (SIB), wherein the at least one SIB includes a plurality of cell selection threshold values; attempting to decode the at least one SIB; determining, in response to successfully decoding the at least one SIB, whether one or more measurements of the signal pass or fail a cell selection criteria check that includes the plurality of cell selection threshold values; determining, in response to the cell selection criteria check failing, whether the plurality of cell selection threshold values are within range of a plurality of corresponding minimum network threshold values; and performing a cell selection procedure on the cell in response to determining that the plurality of cell selection threshold values are within range of the plurality of corresponding minimum network threshold values.
US09491691B2
According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods related to Bluetooth assisted cooperative scan and roam for wireless networks. In an exemplary embodiment, a cooperative scan and roam Bluetooth system generally includes one or more Bluetooth nodes configured to transmit node roam table data and/or a universally unique identifier (UUID) to one or more client devices having a stored client roam table and connected to at least one of multiple access points of a wireless network. This allows the one or more client devices to update their stored client roam tables based on the transmitted node roam table data and/or roam table information obtained from a server and/or cache including multiple roam tables, based on the UUID.
US09491686B2
In general, a mobile virtual private network (VPN) is described in which service provider networks cooperate to dynamically extend a virtual routing area of a home service provider network to the edge of a visited service provider network and thereby enable IP address continuity for a roaming wireless device. In one example, a home service provider network allocates an IP address to a wireless device and establishes a mobile VPN. The home service provider network dynamically provisions a visited service provider network with the mobile VPN, when the wireless device attaches to an access network served by the visited service provider network, to enable the wireless device to exchange network traffic with the visited service provider network using the IP address allocated by the home service provider network.
US09491684B2
A method for multi-hop forwarding of data packets in vehicular ad-hoc networks is disclosed. Each node knows both its own and the destination's geographical coordinates. The coordinates of the one-hop neighbors are obtained from periodically broadcast Cooperative-Awareness Messages (CAMs). The method comprises the following distributed coordination scheme, executed by each node upon receiving a packet: i) computing the set of candidate forwarders; ii) ranking the candidate forwarders according to an utility metric; iii) forwarding the packet after a period of time proportional to its rank if top-ranked, dropping the packet otherwise. The base utility metric used for ranking forwarders is the inverse of the distance to the destination. Moreover, an extension is disclosed where this metric is replaced by the inverse of the expected number of packet transmissions to reach the destination. The latter metric is calculated based on spatial connectivity information cooperatively collected by nodes in the network.
US09491679B2
The invention is directed to systems, methods and computer program products for managing handover of a terminal on a network. An exemplary method comprises: receiving sensor data associated with the terminal; receiving time data associated with the terminal; predicting a journey of the terminal based on at least one of the sensor data and the time data; generating a mobility map based on the predicted journey; and transmitting the mobility map to the network.
US09491674B2
Apparatus, system, and method for performing WiFi and cellular handover using device-specific values
An apparatus, system, and method for performing handover of a mobile station (MS) between a base station (BS) and an access point (AP) are described. In one embodiment, the MS may receive one or more threshold values for reporting measurements to the BS. The MS may convert the threshold values to device-specific threshold values. The MS may determine one or more network quality values associated with the AP. The MS may compare the network quality values to the device-specific threshold values. In response to the network quality values exceeding the device-specific threshold values, the MS may convert the network quality values to calibrated network quality values. The MS may provide the calibrated network quality values. The MS may perform handover from the BS to the AP based on providing the calibrated network quality values to the BS.
US09491670B2
A mobile station in a wireless communication network. The mobile station including a radio communication unit that communicates with a first base station via a plurality of component carriers, and a control unit that controls the radio communication unit to initiate a handover procedure to a second base station after receiving at least one handover command.
US09491666B2
Methods for handling PS and CS voice services between a mobile communication device and a service network are provided. The method includes providing, by the service network, a first type of communication service to the mobile communication device and concurrently receiving, by the service network, a service request message to request for establishment of a second type of communication service, determining, by the service network, whether any type of communication service is an emergency service, and declining, by the service network, the type of communication service that is not the emergency service, wherein the service network only supports one type of communication service to the mobile communication device at one time.
US09491663B2
A wireless terminal receives information about classes from a wireless base station which manages a class of a indicator used to determine a handover for the wireless terminal, transmits information about the indicator to the wireless base station when it is determined that the class of the indicator is changed to a different class on the basis of the received information about the classes, and does not transmit the information about the indicator to the wireless base station when it is determined that the class of the indicator is not changed on the basis of the received information about the classes.
US09491646B2
A measuring device for measuring a signal with a first component signal and at least one second component signal comprises a high-frequency processing device, which is embodied to mix the signal in order to form an intermediate-frequency signal and to digitize the latter in order to form a digital composite signal. The measuring device further comprises a digital mixer, which is embodied to generate a first digital composite test signal and a second digital composite test signal subject to a displacement of the frequency of the digital composite signal. Moreover, the measuring device comprises a digital filter, which is embodied to filter the first digital composite test signal in order to form a first digital test signal and to filter the second digital composite test signal in order to form a second digital test signal.
US09491645B2
A method on an electronic device for a wireless network is described. A first set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. A second set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. The first set and the second set are compared to determine intersecting wireless access point IDs and non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set. If the number of intersecting wireless access point IDs meets an intersection threshold for the first set, the non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set are added to the first set. A confidence level is updated for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that correspond to the intersecting wireless access point IDs. Geographic information is determined for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that meet a confidence threshold.
US09491640B2
The disclosure discloses a method and a system for switching a working mode for a backward compatible broadband wireless network, in order to solve the technical problem of switching between each working mode when various compatible modes based on different channelized sets exist in the broadband wireless network. In the disclosure, an access point (AP) indicates its current working mode by a system configuration message; the AP instructs a non-AP associated with the AP to switch a working mode by a mode switching message or a frame exchange sequence; and the non-AP switches the working mode according to instruction information included in the mode switching message or the frame exchange sequence after receiving the mode switching message or the frame exchange sequence. Through the scheme of the disclosure, a wireless point can be switched between each working mode when various compatible modes based on different channelized sets exist in the broadband wireless network, thereby setting up a broadband wireless network supporting backward compatibility.
US09491635B2
A network for providing air-to-ground (ATG) wireless communication in various cells may include an in-flight aircraft including an antenna assembly, a plurality of ATG base stations, a plurality of terrestrial base stations. Each of the ATG base stations defines a corresponding radiation pattern, and the ATG base stations are spaced apart from each other to define at least partially overlapping coverage areas to communicate with the antenna assembly in an ATG communication layer defined between a first altitude and a second altitude. The terrestrial base stations are configured to communicate primarily in a ground communication layer below the first altitude. The terrestrial base stations and the ATG base stations are each configured to communicate using the same radio frequency (RF) spectrum in the ground communication layer and ATG communication layer, respectively.
US09491626B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed at an enhanced data interface (EDI) for contactless communications between a mobile application operating on a mobile device and an access device (e.g., contactless reader) that allows for enhanced verification between the mobile device and access device. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method. The method comprises a mobile device receiving a request for available applets from an access device and providing a list of available applets including trusted applet identifiers and untrusted applet identifiers to the access device. The method further comprises receiving a selection of an untrusted applet identifier from the list and an entity identifier associated with the access device, validating that the access device is authorized to access credentials associated with the selected untrusted applet identifier using the entity identifier, and providing the credentials associated with the selected untrusted applet identifier to the access device.
US09491615B2
Additional information is included in or used to generate a positioning reference signal to enable detection of a cell identifier “collision” between two different cells associated with two or more base stations. In one example embodiment, a user equipment terminal detects the collision using the additional information included in or used to generate positioning reference signals sent by two or more base stations and reports the collision to the network, and the network resolves the collision by assigning a different cell identifier to one of the colliding cells.
US09491612B2
A method and apparatus for controlling inter-PLMN handover based on CSG lists of equivalent PLMNs is provided. A method for receiving subscriber information of a terminal at a Mobility Management Entity (MME) includes transmitting an update location request message for the terminal to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and receiving an update location acknowledgement message with the subscriber information of the terminal from the HSS, wherein the update location request message comprises a list of equivalent Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) among which the MME supports inter-PLMN handover of the terminal. The method and apparatus for controlling inter-plan handover to a CSG cell according to the present invention is characterized in that a control apparatus of a core network acquires the allowed CSG lists for determining a User Equipments (UEs) capability of access to a CSG cell and determines whether to permit inter-PLMN handover based on the allowed CSG lists.
US09491608B2
Provided is a wireless communication device which includes a function information transmitting unit for transmitting, via a wireless communication network, function information relating to a function of the wireless communication device, a function information receiving unit for receiving function information transmitted from another device, a function information comparison unit for comparing the function information of the wireless communication device and the function information received from such other device, and a function determination unit for determining which of the wireless communication device and such other device is to play a function of an access point, based on a result of the comparison by the function information comparison unit.
US09491604B2
A method and system are provided for speed-dialing an emergency phone call, from a mobile communication device to an enterprise, based on enterprise location data and a selected enterprise emergency-response service. Enterprise location data can be based on prior interaction between a token, uniquely associated with the mobile communication device, and an enterprise electronic location system. Upon termination, possibly automatic, of a first emergency phone call, a second emergency phone call, to an alternate emergency-response service, can be enabled or automatically dialed.
US09491598B2
Methods and apparatus for allowing a mobile device user to forward one or more messages which are received on the user's mobile device, to a television or a set top box are described. The user is able to view the forwarded messages on the television and can also reply to such received messages from the television. The methods and apparatus may be implemented using a message forwarding application installed on a user's cell phone and a server responsible for forwarding messages and replies between the user's Internet capable TV or set top box and mobile telephone. To the party sending a message, replies appear to have originated from the user's cell phone making the use of the service transparent to individuals other than the user to which the message is sent. Message received and sent logs are maintained in the user's phone so the message record is complete.
US09491588B1
A computer-implemented method performed in a computerized system incorporating a central processing unit, a localization signal receiver and a memory, the computer-implemented method involving: receiving at least one localization signal using the localization signal receiver; measuring a strength of the received localization signal; using the central processing unit to extract a key from the received localization signal; determining a location based at least on the measured strength of the received localization signal; and validating the determined location using the extracted key. The localization signal may be provided by one or more beacons, such as iBeacons, which may be placed at various locations within a building. The key may be randomly generated and periodically transmitted to the beacons to prevent replay attacks. A ticket issued by a near field communication (NFC) device may be used for additional location validation to prevent tunneling and collusion.
US09491578B1
A wireless tracking device including a housing unit, a central processing unit disposed within the housing unit, a battery pack disposed within the housing unit, a GPS chip disposed within the housing unit, a light emitting diode disposed on a front surface of the housing unit, and a speaker disposed on the front surface of the housing unit. The central processing unit, the battery pack, the light emitting diode, the alarm, and the speaker are in operational communication with each other. The GPS chip is configured to transmit a signal to a tracking application of a receiver. The tracking application is configured to provide the geographical location of the housing unit to which the GPS unit is attached in real time.
US09491570B2
According to one of aspects, an electronic device includes a connecting module, and a controller. The connecting module is configured to wirelessly connect to a second device. The controller is configured to cause the connecting module to wirelessly connect to the second device in a first mode or in a second mode. In the first mode, the second device connects slavery to the electronic device. In the second mode, the electronic device connects slavery to the second device.
US09491569B1
A method of homogenizing expected data-harvest yields, the method comprising: selecting a population of data-sources; selecting a quantity of data as a data-harvest maximum, Hmax; and dividing the population into a set of groups according to the data-harvest maximum Hmax such that: each group includes at least one data-source; and each group generates an expected data-harvest yield, Hyield, that is less than or equal to the data-harvest maximum Hmax, Hyield≦Hmax.
US09491563B1
A method of provisioning a wireless device for use with a wireless carrier network includes receiving an initial provisioning request that includes an identifier associated with the wireless device which is not yet authorized for use on the wireless carrier network beyond provisioning of the wireless device. A determination is made that the wireless device is data-ready. Data-ready wireless devices may be configured to download and execute mobile applications. The wireless device is provided with access to a download for a mobile application configured to provision the wireless device over the wireless carrier network when installed and executed by the wireless device. Registration information is received from the mobile application being executed by the wireless device via the wireless carrier network. The registration information is provided to a provider of the wireless carrier network for provisioning the wireless device on the wireless carrier network.
US09491553B2
In a method of audio signal processing, a hearing aid system is configured to: collect sound information of a surrounding environment of the hearing aid system; capture an image of the surrounding environment of the hearing aid system; perform a directional signal processing operation on the sound information so as to generate an output audio signal; the output audio signal containing an extracted voice signal that comes from an area corresponding to a location of a target object in the image; and output the output audio signal.
US09491547B2
An audio playing method is applied to at least one wireless speaker, at least one mobile terminal, and a cloud server. The method includes sending a wireless signal within a coverage area of the wireless speaker, the wireless signal being detected by the speaker when the speaker is in proximity to the mobile terminal. The first identification information of the wireless speaker and second identification information of the mobile terminal are obtained, and control signals indicating the first and the second identification information is transmitted to the cloud server. Audio files corresponding to the second identification information are decoded into an audio stream and the audio stream is transmitted to the one or more wireless speakers which correspond to the first identification information included in the control signal.
US09491546B2
An audio-data transmission method for an electronic device is provided. The method includes determining whether or not a plurality of external data sounds and a plurality of external identification sounds are received. The external data sound and the external identification sound are respectively on a data frequency range and an identification frequency range that is different from the data frequency range. The external identification sound includes N sounds of predetermined frequencies wherein N is a positive integer larger than one. When not receiving the external data sound and the external identification sound simultaneously transmitted by at least one external electronic device, the electronic device transmits a plurality of data sounds and a plurality of identification sounds. The data sound and the identification sound are respectively within the data frequency range and the identification frequency range. The identification sound includes the sounds of predetermined frequencies.
US09491543B1
A device and a method to improve quality of a signal in a lossy communication system are disclosed. One or more samples of the signal are received from a first and second microphone transducers. The received samples are processed and filtered to obtain a processed signal. A voice activity detector is provided for iteratively identifying speech regions and non-speech regions of the signal. All samples received by the microphones are continuously monitored and quality of each sample is improved by reducing or eliminating the noise detected in the non-speech regions of the processed signal.
US09491533B2
An earphone device includes a housing having a driver unit, and a sound guide tube mounted on a front surface of the housing to protrude from the front surface, in which the sound guide tube is disposed at a position deviated from a center position of the housing.
US09491528B2
A communication resource in a network environment analyzes upstream communications received over multiple passive optical networks. The upstream communications are received from multiple client devices in different passive optical networks. Based on analysis of the upstream communications, via an active or passive approach, a corresponding communication resource detects in which of the multiple passive optical networks each of the client devices reside. A scheduler resource can be configured to use the class information as a basis to schedule subsequent upstream communication, avoiding occurrence of optical beat interference.
US09491522B1
Mechanisms for presenting recommended media content items are provided. In some implementations, a method comprises: receiving a request for supplemental content relating to a program being presented by a media device; causing a content interface to be presented on a mobile device; identifying the program that is being presented on a media device; determining keywords associated with the program; obtaining and storing supplemental content items corresponding to the program based on the keywords; causing the content interface to present a first supplemental content item; receiving state information associated with the mobile device that indicates a subsequent visit to the content interface; and causing the content interface to present a second supplemental content item based on the state information.
US09491521B2
A process to enable trick play operations is provided for HLS streaming video that has been converted by a system from DTCP. The system server provides a modified SEEK operation when an HLS GET message is received from an HLS client player. For the process, a DLNA header is provided from the HLS client player by including it in the HLS GET message. The HLS client also provides a DLNA RANGE REQUEST that requests a range of chunks making up a video desired and a seek point from where a seek operation is needed. The HLS server recognizes the DLNA header of the HLS GET message and DLNA RANGE REQUEST and obtains a range of chunks making up an extent of the recorded video using metadata fields. The server then generates a new HLS playlist with identification of the chunks and keytag corresponding to the seek operation. The server will provide chunks from the seek point and a rolling playlist to identify chunks and keytag from the seek point.
US09491512B2
A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. A web-based Content Management System receives content uploaded online in file formats with metadata for title and topical area, and automatically converts it into video data format compatible with the VOD content delivery system indexed by title and topical area. A User Interface for the system delivers listings data to the viewer's TV indexed by title and topical area specified by the uploaded metadata.
US09491510B2
An exemplary method includes a stream management system that detects a request for any device included in a media processing system to receive a media stream provided by a television service. In response, the stream management system determines that a digital video recording (“DVR”) device included in the media processing system is already receiving and recording a maximum number of media streams that the DVR device is allowed to concurrently record. In response to this determination, the stream management system performs a status check with respect to the media streams being received and recorded by the DVR device in order to determine whether one of the media streams may be dropped by the DVR device so that the DVR device can instead receive and record the media stream identified in the request. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
US09491509B2
The present invention relates generally to a method of providing an on-line assessment of digital content, such as video clips (10), across a network, such as the internet. In general terms the steps involved an this embodiment of the methodology include: 1. presenting a stimulant video clip (10); 2. providing means for rating the video clip in real time, in this example a rating bar (12) and slider (14) driven by a computer peripheral device (not shown); 3. collecting rating data relevant to the viewed video clip such as (10).
US09491502B2
Methods and systems for application rendering and management on internet television enabled displays
Methods and systems are provided for enabling presentation of supplemental application content to display devices while particular content is rendered on the display device. One example method includes receiving a request, at a server, to register a display device. The display device has hardware for communication over the Internet with the server that is further configured to provide applications for rendering on the display device. The display device further includes hardware for communication with a broadcast television provider that provides broadcast content to the display device. The method also includes registering the display device with the server. The registering includes receiving attributes of the display device. Also included is receiving information, at the server, regarding content rendered on the display device, and sending to the display device application data for at least one of the applications of the display device. The application data is correlated the content rendered on the display device.
US09491499B2
A system for dynamically rendering streaming content is provided. It includes a protocol and a dynamic stitching module to provide a personalized and targeted delivery of play list items responsive to a request made by a player. The protocol inquires the player for user profile information and includes it as part of a request to an adproxy. The inquiry requests the adproxy for recommended content based on the user profile information. The dynamic stitching module, in response to the recommended content from the adproxy then creates a manifest that is specific to the player for rendering a personalized content on the player. The manifest indicates a streaming preference for content fulfillment based on the recommended content via a redirect method or a proxy method. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09491492B2
A hospitality media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) coupled to a radio frequency (RF) coax network. Each STB has an identifier for identifying the STB. A content source broadcasts media content to the STBs utilizing the RF coax network and an update server distributes software data to the STBs. The software data causes a particular STB to perform a media function customized for the particular STB according to the identifier of the particular STB.
US09491491B2
A video coding device is configured to code coefficients of residual blocks of video data. When a coefficient of a transform unit of video data has a scan order value that is less than a threshold and when the coefficient is the last significant coefficient in a scan order in the transform unit, the video coding device may execute a function to determine a mapping between data for the coefficient and a codeword index value, and code the data for the coefficient using a codeword associated with the codeword index value. The video coding device may comprise a video encoder or a video decoder, in some examples.
US09491490B1
A mechanism is described for facilitating environment-based lossy compression of data for efficient rendering of contents at computing devices. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes collecting, in real time, sensory input data relating to characteristics of at least one of a user and a surrounding environment. The method may further include evaluating the sensory input data to mark one or more data portions of data relating to contents, where the one or more data portions are determined to be suitable for compression based on the sensory input data. The method may further include dynamically performing, in real time, the compression of the one or more data portions, where the compression triggers loss of one or more content portions of the contents corresponding to the one or more data portions of the data. The method may further include rendering the contents to be displayed missing the one or more content portions, where the missing of the one or more content portions from the contents is not apparent to the user viewing the contents via a display device.
US09491464B2
According to examples of the presently disclosed subject matter, a method of controlling a video content system can include: obtaining a current input frame and a preceding input frame from an input video sequence and obtaining a current degraded frame and a preceding degraded frame from a degraded video sequence corresponding to the input video sequence; computing a first differences value from the current input and the preceding input frames and a second differences value from the current degraded frame and the preceding degraded frame, comparing the first and second differences values, giving rise to an inter-frame quality score; computing an intra-frame quality score using an intra-frame quality measure that is applied in the pixel-domain of the current degraded frame and the current input frame and providing a configuration instruction to the video content system based on a quality criterion related to the inter-frame and the intra-frame quality scores.
US09491459B2
A method of decoding video data includes receiving syntax elements extracted from an encoded video bitstream and determining a candidate list for an enhancement layer block. The syntax elements include information associated with a base layer block of a base layer of the video data. The candidate list is determined, in a base-layer inter-layer prediction mode, based only on motion information associated with the base layer block. The enhancement layer block is in an enhancement layer of the video data. The candidate list includes a merge list or an AMVP list. A syntax element can be received that indicates whether to apply the base-layer inter-layer prediction mode.
US09491458B2
Prediction information for a current block in an enhancement layer may be determined based at least in part on base layer information obtained by coding a base block in a base layer beneath the enhancement layer. This base block may occur in a position in the base layer such that it is co-located with a non-causal block in the enhancement layer (e.g., a block that occurs after the current block in the coding order of the enhancement layer). The prediction information determined for the current block may be used to code the current block (e.g., encoding or decoding the current block).
US09491453B2
A measurement position determination apparatus includes a creation unit, a measurement unit, and a determination unit. The creation unit creates display image data for displaying a reference image and a comparison image on a display screen. The reference image includes one achromatic image, and the comparison image is formed by arranging two or more images including a chromatic image. The measurement unit measures the reference image and the comparison image in a sub-area on the display screen. The reference image and the comparison image are displayed on the display screen in accordance with the display image data. The determination unit determines a measurement position of the measurement unit on the display screen in accordance with measurement results obtained by measurement of the reference image and the comparison image using the measurement unit.
US09491442B2
In an example embodiment, an image processing device includes a pixel array including pixels two-dimensionally arranged and configured to capture an image, each of the pixels including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and an image data processing circuit configured to generate image data from pixel signals output from the pixels. The image processing device further includes a color data processing circuit configured to extract color data from the image data and output extracted color data. The image processing device further includes a depth data extraction circuit configured to extract depth data from the image data and output extracted depth data. The image processing device further includes an output control circuit configured to control the output of the color data and the depth data.
US09491438B2
Provided is a communication method using a three-dimensional (3D) image display device. In the communication method, motion information is determined using a motion image obtained by photographing a user's motion indicating the user's request in relation to an opposite party, distance information indicating the distance between the user who is moving and the 3D image display device is determined, and then, the user's request is determined based on the motion information and the distance information.
US09491433B2
A moving image distribution server sets an evaluation pixel for each of blocks that it divided a first screen into, and specifies a screen coordinate and a depth value, in a second screen acquired before the first screen, for a rendering object rendered on the evaluation pixel. It compares a depth value of the screen coordinate and a depth value of the rendering object rendered on the evaluation pixel, and determines that inter-frame coding will be performed with the second screen for a block for which the 2 depth values are considered to be the same. It transmits, to a external device, coding details information including the viewpoint information of the first screen, a depth buffer of the first screen, and information indicating whether or not blocks of the first screen are to be inter-frame coded.
US09491427B2
A method for recording video is provided that includes outputting a first video stream captured by a first camera of portable terminal; entering into a comment recording mode while the first video stream is being captured; while in the comment recording mode: outputting the first video stream concurrently with a second video stream that is captured by a second video camera of the portable terminal, and generating sync data for a future synchronization of the first video stream with the second video stream; and exiting the comment recording mode and storing the generated sync data in a memory.
US09491424B2
A system and its design variations using heat pump to generate useful warm and cool usages for multi functional mobile projector is exposed; the purpose is two folds: first is to reduce the excessive heat, in order to increase the brightness; the second is to reuse the energy, so to extend the functionalities. The key component used is silicon based heat pump, which can convert the electrical energy to heat energy. Different shaped heat or cool fins are designed to match the multiple use cases. One sample implementation using digital serial interface is described in details.
US09491421B2
There is provided an image pickup unit capable of suppressing occurrence of false color and color mixture and acquiring a color image with high image quality. The image pickup unit includes: an image sensor including a plurality of pixels and acquiring an image pickup data; a variable filter provided on a light receiving face of the image sensor, and transmitting a selective wavelength; and a filter drive section (a wavelength selection circuit and a system control section) driving the variable filter and thereby setting its transmission wavelength. By acquiring the image pickup data while time-divisionally switching the transmission wavelength of the variable filter, pixel data corresponding to the transmission wavelength of the variable filter are acquired in a temporally-successive manner.
US09491418B2
The present invention provides a method of providing a digitally represented visual instruction from a specialist (2) operating a visual instruction device (4) to a user (6) in need of the visual instruction in relation to an object of interest (8) and a system therefore. In the method a first video stream comprising images of the object of interest is recorded by a first mobile device (12) associated with the user. The first video stream is sent (22) to a second mobile device (18) associated with the specialist. A second video stream comprising the visual instruction device is recorded by the second mobile device and a foreground/background segmentation operation and a background replacement operation is performed on the second and first video stream to provide a third video stream comprising images of the visual instruction device with the first video stream as background. The third video stream is sent (28) to the first mobile device and is displayed essentially simultaneously on first and second displays on both mobile devices allowing the user, by viewing the first display, to be instructed by the specialist and the specialist, by viewing the second display, to operate the visual instruction device properly in relation to the object of interest. An alternative method using a projection device in the first mobile device and systems corresponding to the methods are also provided.
US09491403B2
An image can be sensed at a first device. The image can have a first orientation. A second orientation expected by or associated with a second device can be determined. The image can be modified so that the image has the second orientation if the first orientation differs from the second orientation. The modified image can be transmitted to the second device.
US09491390B2
A method of implementing Correlated Multi-Sampling (CMS) in an image sensor with improved analog-to-digital converter (ADC) linearity starts with an ADC circuitry included in a readout circuitry that generates a plurality of uncorrelated random numbers used as a plurality of ADC pedestals for sampling image data. A Successive Approximation Register (SAR) included in the ADC circuitry stores a different one of the ADC pedestals before each sampling of the image data. The ADC circuitry samples an image data from a row a plurality of times against plurality of ADC pedestals to obtain a plurality of sampled input data. The ADC circuitry converts each of the plurality of sampled input data from analog to digital, which includes performing a binary search using the SAR. Other embodiments are also described.
US09491384B2
In a solid-state imaging device 1, an overflow gate (OFG) 5 has a predetermined electric resistance value, while voltage application units 161 to 165 are electrically connected to the OFG 5 at connecting parts 171 to 175. Therefore, when voltage values V1 to V5 applied to the connecting parts 171 to 175 by the voltage application units 161 to 165 are adjusted, the OFG 5 can yield higher and lower voltage values in its earlier and later stage parts, respectively. As a result, the barrier level (potential) becomes lower and higher in the earlier and later stage parts, so that all the electric charges generated in an earlier stage side region of photoelectric conversion units 2 can be caused to flow out to an overflow drain (OFD) 4, whereby only the electric charges generated in a later stage side region of the photoelectric conversion units 2 can be TDI-transferred.
US09491382B2
An imaging device includes an effective pixel region outputting an effective pixel signal, a first shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal before the effective pixel signal is output, and a second shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal after the effective pixel signal has been output. In the device, in a steady state, frame clamping is performed using a clamping reference value generated from the pixel signals of the second shielded pixel region. A frame in a transition state in which the optical black signal level of the imaging device changes is subjected to frame clamping using a clamping reference value generated from the pixel signals of the first shielded pixel region.
US09491380B2
A system may include one or more camera modules each containing one or more image sensors. The system may be configured to capture images from light spectra outside the visible band. Therefore, the pixel integration times, and frame rates of the one or more image sensors may be unique and distinct. An image sensor may respond to a trigger control signal by beginning integration of a subset of pixels some duration after an appropriate trigger control signal transitions from low to high. The image sensor may output the frame captured by the pixels a predetermined duration after the trigger control signal transitions, to ensure a deterministic response. Pixels used to generate the image of a subsequent frame may begin integrating during the readout of the current frame. The pixels may be integrated for exactly their programmed integration time, even when the frame rate is varied.
US09491371B2
The present disclosure discloses a method and a device for configuring photographing parameters, which relate to the field of terminal device technology. The method for configuring photographing parameters in a main device includes: acquiring photographing parameters, which include at least an output color temperature and an output time, for configuring a supplemental device with a flashlight component capable of adjusting color temperature according to a currently set photographing mode; and transmitting the photographing parameters to the supplemental device through a wireless data network, such that the supplemental device sets an output color temperature and an output time of the flashlight component in the supplemental device according to the photographing parameters when photographing. In the present disclosure, the accuracy of the output color temperature of the supplemental device, which supplements light during photographing using multiple terminal devices, is improved, and the quality of the photograph captured is also improved.
US09491370B2
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing guide information for a camera. An image is collected through the camera. The image includes a subject illuminated by a light source. An optimized direction is determined for the light source relative to the subject. Guide information is generated that specifies an adjustment of the light source relative to the subject for achieving the optimized direction for the light source. The generated guide information is outputted to provide a visual, audible, or tactile indication.
US09491368B2
This information processing device (100) comprises: a video data acquisition unit (102) that sequentially acquires video data resulting from a portion of an imaging subject being imaged by an imaging unit; an image recognition unit (104) that detects that a portion of a pre-registered image is included in the video data, and recognizes the images therein; an appended data extraction unit (108) that extracts the respective appended data of each image from an appended data storage unit (106) that stores appended data corresponding to each of a plurality of recognized images; an appended data display unit (110) that displays the extracted appended data of each image at each relevant image position of the video data; and a display control unit (112) that, in accordance with a user operation, switches from a process that successively displays a synthesized video, which is on the basis of synthesized video data, at the display unit of a portable terminal, to a process that, as a still image at the display unit of the portable terminal, fixedly displays the synthesized video at the point in time corresponding to the user operation.
US09491358B2
An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes: an axially rotatable imaging unit; a detector that detects a photographing direction of the imaging unit; a processor that performs image processing on image data generated by the imaging unit; and a controller that changes a setting method of an image processing parameter depending on the photographing direction detected by the detector, the image processing parameter being given to the image data by the processor.
US09491357B2
An image-processing system includes a receiver which receives an input value defining an output range, a generator which generates a three-dimensional model having a target image attached to a three-dimensional conformation, a decision part which decides a position of a viewing point and a viewing angle in accordance with the input value, and a projector which projects the three-dimensional model from the viewing point, wherein the decision part changes a range of a target image inside a viewing field by changing the viewing angle preferentially when the input value is in a first range, and changes the range of the target image inside the viewing field by changing the viewing point preferentially when the input value is in a second range which is a wider-angle side than that of the first range.
US09491352B2
There is provided a lens-exchangeable imaging device that is capable of correcting an output signal of a pixel for phase difference detection at high speed and with high precision. A camera main body 200 includes a correction method selection unit 174 that selects any of a method in which the output signals of all the pixels for phase difference detection that are included in a solid-state imaging element 5 are interpolation-corrected by an interpolation correction processing unit 172 and a method in which the output signals of all the phase difference detection are gain-corrected by a gain correction processing unit 171, according to lens information that is acquired from a lens device 100, and an image processing unit 175 that corrects the output signal of the pixel for phase difference detection, using the selected method.
US09491343B2
A lens driving assembly includes a cam barrel having an opening in an outer circumferential surface thereof and that rotates around an optical axis, a front barrel accommodated in the cam barrel and that moves in an optical axis direction corresponding to rotation of the cam barrel, and a first lens group assembly that pivots between a home position that is deviated from the optical axis and an alignment position that is aligned with the optical axis, in which the first lens group assembly moves through the opening between the home position and the alignment position according to the rotation of the cam barrel and an elastic force.
US09491342B2
A camera module for use in a vision system for a vehicle includes a housing portion, a lens holding portion and a securing element. The housing portion at least partially houses circuitry of the camera module and includes a first mating surface and a first perimeter flange around the first mating surface. The lens holding portion at least partially houses a lens assembly of the camera module and includes a second mating surface and a second perimeter flange around the second mating surface. The securing element is disposed along the first and second perimeter flanges and overlaps opposite surfaces of the first and second perimeter flanges to secure the housing portion relative to the lens holding portion.
US09491340B2
Micro-electro-mechanical system based device for adjusting aperture and manufacturing method thereof
A micro-electro-mechanical system based device for adjusting aperture and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The system includes: an opaque deformable aperture ring, multiple groups of conductive deformable crossbeams and conductive structs; and one or more fixed parts. In each group, each conductive deformable crossbeam corresponds to a conductive struct. The conductive deformable crossbeams and the conductive structs are arranged around the deformable aperture ring and spaced from each other. The conductive deformable crossbeams are suspended in the air, their inner edges are connected with an external edge of the deformable aperture ring, and their external edges are connected with the fixed parts. The conductive structs are connected with the fixed parts and remain stationary. Electrostatic force between the conductive deformable crossbeam and the conductive struct causes the deformable aperture ring to be stretched and rotate, so that area of an inner bore of the deformable aperture ring is changed.
US09491335B2
The present invention relates to a camera module, the camera module including a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor, an auto focusing unit installed thereinside with at least one lens and fixed at an upper side of the PCB for auto focusing a focus of an image transmitted to the image sensor, a shield can formed with a through hole at a position corresponding to that of the lens and so formed as to wrap the PCB and the auto focusing unit as well, and a shock absorber installed at an upper circumference of the shield can to form a buffer space between the shield can and the auto focusing unit.
US09491323B2
An information processing apparatus has: a data communication portion for communicating with a first image forming apparatus holding an authentic prime key within the same local network, and a second image forming apparatus within the same local network; a storage portion for storing a key generation program for issuing an activation key based on the prime key; and a control portion for acquiring the prime key from the first image forming apparatus on receiving an activation request from the second image forming apparatus, generating the activation key for use on the second image forming apparatus, and transmitting the activation key to the second image forming apparatus.
US09491321B2
An image reading apparatus that makes it possible to reduce the influences of dirt on a white reference chart itself, stripes caused by dust, and the like, and thereby generate accurate data for shading correction. An image processor performs shading correction on image data read by a reader unit. The read image data is compared with threshold values set for each pixel, and a pixel which is out of a range of the threshold values is determined as a singular point pixel. Data of a pixel determined as a singular point pixel is interpolated from data around the singular point pixel. Data of a pixel which is not determined as a singular point pixel is adopted as valid shading correction data. An operation controller controls the number of effective sampling lines from start to termination of sampling to be performed.
