US09499090B2
An illumination system for a vehicle includes a rear spoiler with first and second photoluminescent portions disposed on the spoiler and at least one light source configured to emit an emission at a first wavelength. The first and second photoluminescent portions are configured to convert the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength.
US09499075B1
A child safety assembly for restraining a child's head in a car seat includes a cushion that may be positioned between a child's head and a car seat so the cushion restrains the child's head.
US09499062B2
A charging system for autonomous transport vehicles including at least one charging contact disposed on each pick floor level of a storage and retrieval system, each of the at least one charging contact being located at a transfer station, at least one power supply configured to supply power to the at least one charging contact, and a controller in communication with the transfer station and being configured to communicate information relating to a transfer of items between the transfer station and a predetermined one of the autonomous transport vehicles and to apply power from the power supply to the at least one charging contact for charging the predetermined autonomous transport vehicle corresponding to the transfer and located at the transfer station, wherein the controller is configured to supply power to the charging contacts simultaneously with the predetermined autonomous transport vehicle exchanging items related to the transfer at the transfer station.
US09499061B2
A charging device for an electric vehicle, which charging device can be protected against unauthorized access in a particularly reliable manner. The charging device for an electric vehicle has a bolt for locking a connection between the charging device and a further charging device. If the charging device is mechanically connected to a further charging device for charging purposes, this mechanical connection is then locked by a corresponding end of the bolt being moved into a retaining opening in the further charging device. A retaining opening of this kind can, for example, be damaged by a broken web which serves for locking such that locking is no longer possible. Therefore, a device is provided which can prevent movement of the bolt in the direction of a locking position when the retaining opening is damaged in this way. A locking arrangement which is damaged in the above manner therefore fundamentally does not remain unnoticed. Charging therefore preferably requires sufficiently undamaged, correct locking of the two charging devices involved.
US09499059B2
A vehicle includes: an electric storage device; a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the electric storage device; a second temperature sensor configured to detect an environmental temperature; a heater configured to warm the electric storage device; and a controller configured to control the heater. The controller is configured to: when end time of the external charging is set, calculate a remaining time period from current time to the end time; identify a temperature increasing time period that corresponds to the calculated remaining time period, the temperature of the electric storage device, and the environmental temperature by using a corresponding relationship among the remaining time period, the temperature of the electric storage device, the environmental temperature, and the temperature increasing time period; and start driving the heater such that the temperature of the electric storage device at the end time reaches the target temperature.
US09499057B2
An attaching structure for attaching a service-plug for shutting off and conducting an electric circuit of a vehicle to a power source device, comprises a floor panel constituting a bottom wall of a compartment of the vehicle and formed with an opening which faces the compartment; a metal plate disposed outside the vehicle than the floor panel and forming a cavity between the metal plate and the floor metal plate and covering the power source device, and including an attachment portion to which the service-plug is attached and raised toward the opening in the cavity; and a sealing member for keeping the cavity liquid-tight disposed between the floor panel and the metal sheet so as to surround the attachment portion; wherein the service-plug is detachably attached to the attachment portion so as to project toward the compartment through the opening.
US09499056B2
A method and system using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an expander to cause it to do mechanical work. The expander is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the expander. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the expander, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the expander to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the expander, the working fluids are is exhausted from the expander, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. Control circuitry controls the admission of the first and second working fluids responsive to monitoring the load on the expander.
US09499053B2
A hybrid vehicle includes electrical storage devices, a charging device, a motor generator, a diode, an outlet and a relay. The first electrical storage device stores driving electric power. The charging device charges the first electrical storage device with the user of a power supply outside the vehicle. The motor generator has a power generation function. The second electrical storage device stores electric power that is generated by the motor generator. When electric power is output to a device outside the vehicle from the outlet, the relay limits electric power, which is output from the first electrical storage device, such that electric power stored in the second electrical storage device is output.
US09499052B2
A method for providing an operating device in a vehicle, wherein a control device generates graphics data which control a display surface so that a graphics object relating to an executed application is displayed, and the geometric structure of an actuating object is detected in a detection space in front of the display surface and, depending upon the detected structure, a control signal for controlling the executed application is generated. A control signal for stopping the executed application is generated by the control system if a geometric structure of the actuating object has been detected in the detection space, wherein a substantially planar surface of the actuating object which is oriented substantially parallel to the display surface is spaced apart from the display surface. Also disclosed is a corresponding operating device for carrying out the method and a vehicle having such an operating device.
US09499051B2
A presentation information learning method for performing learning for presenting information to a driver of a movable body, the presentation information learning method including: obtaining a result of a response from a driver to a presentation information item which is an information item included in a plurality of presentable information items and presented to the driver; identifying a driving load on the driver; and performing the learning by updating a reference information item associated with the presentation information item from among reference information items which are associated one-to-one with a plurality of presentable information items and are referred to for judging whether or not the presentation information items are to be presented, based on the driving load identified and the obtained result of the response.
US09499034B1
A vehicle canopy comprises a stationary support bar that has substantially vertical base sections, tilted vertical sections tilted at an angle with respect to the respective base sections. A horizontal section extends between the tilted vertical sections. The horizontal section or the stationary support bar has a first peak height. A set of subsidiary stationary support bars is connected to the vertical base sections of the stationary support bar. The subsidiary stationary support bar has a second peak height less than the first peak height. A first support member has a set of mounting plates mounted above corresponding vertical base sections of the stationary support bar for supporting the first support member. A set of mounting flanges is on the subsidiary stationary supports. A second support member is supported by the mounting flanges.
US09499023B2
The invention relates to an insulator for a suspension device having a coil spring and a spring seat for supporting the coil spring. The insulator is provided between the coil spring and the spring seat and comprises at least an annular seat groove in which a coil end of the coil spring is seated. The insulator comprises at least an adjustment recess formed in the insulator along the seat groove so as to open at a wall surface of the insulator where the seat groove opens. The adjustment recess is configured to allow the seat groove to be deformed to increase a radial groove width between inner and outer edge ends of the seat groove when the coil end enters into the seat groove.
US09499015B2
A rotary feedthrough for a motor vehicle wheel having tire pressure regulation comprises a wheel carrier and a wheel hub rotatably supported on the wheel carrier. A compressed air annular space and at least one annular lubricant space, which are sealed with respect to one another, are configured in an intermediate space between the wheel carrier and the wheel hub. In this respect, the compressed air annular space communicates with a compressed air passage of the wheel carrier and with a compressed air passage of the wheel hub, wherein the compressed air passage of the wheel hub communicates with a controllable valve in order selectively to fill a tire of the motor vehicle wheel with compressed air or to deflate the tire. The annular lubricant space in turn communicates with a lubricant passage of the wheel carrier and with a lubricant passage of the wheel hub, wherein the lubricant passage of the wheel hub leads to a control port of the valve in order selectively to control the valve for the passage of compressed air.
US09499011B2
The invention relates to a tire, the aspect ratio H/S of which is strictly greater than 0.55, having a radial carcass reinforcement comprising a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown layers of inextensible reinforcement elements, crossed from one ply to the other forming angles of between 10° and 45° with the circumferential direction, which itself is topped radially by a tread, said tread being joined to two beads by means of two sidewalls and the crown reinforcement comprising at least one layer of circumferential reinforcement elements.According to the invention, the ratio of the thickness of the crown block at one shoulder end to the thickness of the crown block in the circumferential median plane is less than 1.20 and the ratio of the axial width of at least one layer of circumferential reinforcement elements to the axial width of the tread is greater than 0.5 and preferably greater than 0.6.
US09499002B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a resin printing plate precursor for laser engraving that is able to form a relief by laser engraving, the relief having excellent image reproducibility, and moreover has toughness and improved printing durability. The present invention is a resin printing plate precursor for laser engraving comprising a substrate and a resin layer on the substrate, the resin layer containing: (A) a modified partially saponified polyvinyl acetate having reactive groups in its side chain; (B) a polyamide having basic nitrogen; (C) a compound having a 5- to 7-membered ring and a polymerizable ethylenic double bond; and (D) a photopolymerization initiator.
US09498998B2
A tape cassette that includes a housing having a front wall and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path to the tape feed exit, a recess formed on the front wall extending from a bottom surface of the housing towards a top surface of the housing, and a first tape type indicator aperture on a bottom edge of the front wall. The first tape type indicator aperture is positioned downstream, in a tape feed direction, of the recess. The tape feed direction is a direction in which the tape is configured to be fed along a portion of the tape feed path proximate to the front wall.
US09498995B2
A tape cassette includes a housing and a tape. An indicator aperture is formed on a front surface of the housing. An arm portion of the housing is defined by a section of the front surface and a first wall. An opening extends through the housing in a first direction perpendicular to a top or bottom surface of the housing. The opening is defined by the first wall, a second wall and a connection portion. The connection portion connects upstream ends of the first wall and the second wall in a feed direction. A first surface is provided in the connection portion. The first surface is disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface in the first direction. The housing has a first indentation extending from the bottom surface to the first surface. The first surface is parallel to the top surface or the bottom surface.
US09498991B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles; a moving portion which moves the plurality of nozzles to the medium; and a control portion which controls the plurality of nozzles and the moving portion. The plurality of nozzles include a first-type nozzle group which records dots using a nozzle use rate which is less than a first threshold value; a second-type nozzle group which records dots using a nozzle use rate which is the first threshold value or more, and less than a second threshold value; and a third-type nozzle group which records dots using a nozzle use rate of the second threshold value or more. The control portion executes multipass recording in which recording of dots is completed using main scanning passes of N times, ejects the liquid in order of ejecting of the first-type nozzle group and the third-type nozzle group with respect to a first region, ejects the liquid using the second-type nozzle group with respect to a second region which is close to the first region, and ejects the liquid in order of ejecting of the third-type nozzle group and the first-type nozzle group with respect to a third region which is close to the second region, but is not close to the first region.
US09498984B2
A recording apparatus has a controller that controls a conveying roller and a discharge roller for conveying a recording medium. The controller controls the rotation phases of the conveying roller and the discharge roller when the recording medium leaves the conveying roller before the recording medium enters the conveying roller.
US09498968B2
A recording apparatus includes an opening section 30 which is formed on an outside surface of a housing 25 and through which a sheet cassette 29 is inserted, ink containers 17a and 17b that store ink, cases 18 that are disposed on outside surfaces on both sides adjacent to an outside surface on which the opening section 30 of the housing 25 is formed and holds the ink containers 17a and 17b, and a tube that supplies the ink from ink containers 17a and 17b to the inside of the housing 25, in which sizes of the cases 18 on both sides are different from each other.
US09498964B2
A liquid accommodating container in which a fiber member and a liquid are accommodated has a fiber ratio of the fiber member is 5% or more to 30% or less, a fiber diameter of the fiber member is 10 μm or more to 50 μm or less, a volume average particle diameter (D50) of a pigment included in the liquid satisfies a condition of 50 nm
US09498963B2
A flow path member includes a liquid flow path which includes a flow path inlet portion which has a first inlet port and a second inlet port, and a flow path outlet portion which has a first outlet port communicating with the first inlet port and a second outlet port communicating with the second inlet port, in which, in the flow path inlet portion, the first inlet port and the second inlet port are aligned in a reference direction, and in which, in a flow path extending from the first inlet port to the first outlet port and a flow path extending from the second inlet port to the second outlet port, at least parts of the flow paths, in terms of the lengths of the respective flow paths, are disposed in a direction different from the reference direction.
US09498953B2
A printhead die includes a SiO2 layer grown into a surface of a silicon substrate, and a dielectric layer deposited onto an interior surface area of a substrate. Multiple termination rings are formed around the interior surface area. Each ring is defined by an absence of the dielectric layer. A berm is located in between each termination ring. Each berm is defined by the presence of the dielectric layer.
US09498945B2
A component mounting line has a screen printing apparatus and component mounting apparatuses. Each component mounting apparatus includes a first substrate carrying lane and a second substrate carrying lane, carries a first type substrate on which a first pattern has been printed in the first substrate carrying lane, performs a component mounting-relevant operation on the first type substrate, carries a second type substrate on which a second pattern has been printed in the second substrate carrying lane, and performs a component mounting-relevant operation on the second type substrate. The screen printing apparatus selects a type of the substrate to be carried in depending on whether a substrate is carried in the second component mounting apparatus downstream from the screen printing apparatus.
US09498939B2
There is disclosed a laminated, nonwoven fabric and a process for producing such a laminated, nonwoven fabric having desirable fluid holding and fluid release characteristics. The process provides that two sheets of meltblown fiber fabric are produced on forming wire assemblies, cooled at a cooling area, and are then laminated on opposite sides of a sheet of spunbonded fibers using to form the laminated, nonwoven fabric.
US09498938B2
A laminating apparatus and method are disclosed. The laminating device includes a first jig, a second jig facing the first jig, an auxiliary film fixing unit and a driving unit. A partially curved cover window is seated on the first jig. An auxiliary film and a panel member are seated on the second jig so as to be flat. The driving unit linearly moves at least one of the first and second jigs.
US09498935B2
A molding packaging material 1 of this invention contains a biaxially stretched polyamide film layer 2 as an outer layer, a thermoplastic resin layer 3 as an inner layer, and a metal foil layer 4 disposed between the both layers 2 and 3, in which a biaxially stretched polyamide film in which when the fracture strength of the film is defined as “X” and the fracture strain of the film is defined as “Y”, the X/Y value is 230 MPa to 360 MPa is used as the biaxially stretched polyamide film 2. The molding packaging material can secure excellent moldability even when the molding packaging material is not coated with a slipperiness imparting component.
US09498932B2
Multilayer meltblown composites, articles made therefrom, and methods for making same. One method can include meltblowing a first material to form a first meltblown layer; meltblowing a second material to form a second meltblown layer; and meltblowing a third material to form a third meltblown layer, wherein each material is the same or different, each material includes at least one resin having a MFR of about 2,000 dg/min or less, as measured by ASTM D1238, 2.16 kg, 230° C., and at least one of the first, second, and third materials comprises an elastomer having a recovery of at least 70% after 100% deformation, as determined by ASTM D412.
US09498926B2
A process and an apparatus for building tires for vehicle wheels includes assembling at least one tire component through laying of strip-like elements disposed circumferentially close to each other on a deposition surface radially external to the forming drum, wherein laying of each strip-like element includes: radially moving the strip-like element close to the deposition surface; locking a central portion of the strip-like element against the deposition surface; and pulling the strip-like element in opposite directions starting from the central portion toward the opposite ends thereof, while the central portion is maintained in a locked condition against the deposition surface, so as to progressively lay down the strip-like element against the deposition surface.
US09498922B2
In general, in various embodiments, the present disclosure is directed systems and methods for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems that include a track assembly, mold assembly, press assembly, and methods for using the same for producing a porous surface from a solid piece of polymer. In some embodiments, the present systems and methods are directed to processing a polymer at a temperature below a melting point of the polymer to produce a solid piece of polymer with an integrated a porous surface.
US09498921B2
According to said method, a first passage (28) having a predefined geometry is provided in a mask (4), the mask is placed in such a way that said first passage is located facing a mounting (26), a film made of a first material (A) is deposited on the mounting through the passage, and said first thus-deposited material is treated by a laser beam so as to form a first area that is made up of the first material and belongs to a first layer of said object. Then the above operations are repeated with a second material so as to form an adjacent area made up of said second material that belongs to the same layer.
US09498920B2
The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for the fabrication of solid three-dimensional objects from liquid polymerizable materials.
US09498916B2
A chuck device of a fiber bundle includes a pair of hands adapted to be opened/closed. The pair of hands includes a plurality of guides adapted to regulate and bend the fiber bundle under a closing state, and to release the fiber bundle under an opening state. Under the closing state, the plurality of guides holds the fiber bundle by being close to each other with tension applied on the fiber bundle.
US09498914B2
The invention provides a new process for patterning TPE membranes for use in the design and fabrication of 3D microfluidic devices. The process involves patterning a TPE material without permitting the highest features of the mold to come into contact with the counter-plate, whereby adhesion between the TPE and the mold or counter-plate during demolding results directly in removal of the excess layer from the TPE membrane to produce well formed micrometric-sized open-through holes in the TPE membrane. The process permits rapid, reliable and efficient patterning of densely packed and arbitrarily placed micrometric open-through holes and channels of high aspect-ratio and any shape or wall profile in thin TPE membranes.
US09498913B2
The method and the device are used to produce filled containers. A preform (2) made of a thermoplastic material is first subjected to thermal conditioning in the area of a heating section along a transport path. Then the preform (2) is shaped into the container (11) inside a mold by applying pressure. A filling medium (21) with which the container is to be filled is used as the fluid for forming the container. The preform (2) is guided at least intermittently while the preform is shaped into the container (11).
US09498907B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a housing of an electronic device. The method includes manufacturing a housing body by successively stacking a composite material sheet with a plastic sheet applied to at least one surface of a top and a bottom surfaces of the composite material sheet and molding a plastic injection-molded product on the plastic sheet of the housing body through insert molding to connectively affix the composite material sheet with the housing body and the plastic sheet.
US09498903B2
A tooling system may include an outer mold line (OML) tool and one or more inner mold line (IML) tools. The OML tool may have an OML tool surface. Each one of the IML tools may have an IML tool surface and may be receivable within the OML tool 202. Each IML tool may be formed of expandable material. Each IML tool may apply an internal compaction pressure to a composite assembly positioned between the OML tool surface and the IML tool surface when the expandable material is heated.
US09498899B2
A screw pair includes first and second screws having an outer circumferential surface on which a groove is spirally formed, and transports a raw material in a first direction along each of axis centers. An inner surface of the groove of each of the screws includes a first surface, which faces in the first direction, and in which the outer circumferential surfaces of the screws are formed to coincide with each other without a gap therebetween in the state where the screws mesh with each other, and a second surface, which faces in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and which forms a gap between the outer circumferential surfaces of the screws in the state where the screws mesh with each other.
US09498894B2
A cutting device includes a bottom plate, a platform located on the bottom plate for holding a workpiece, a first support plate connected to the support plate and located above the bottom plate, a first telescopic cylinder having a first piston, a blade connected to the first piston, a first medium providing device configured to provide medium, a first switch including a gateway A1 connected to a first lower cavity of the first telescopic cylinder, a gateway B1 opened to the outside, a gateway P1 connected to the first medium providing device, a first sensor including a gateway A2 opened to the outside, a gateway B2 communicating with a first upper cavity of the first telescopic cylinder, and a gateway P2 connected to the gateway B1.
US09498890B2
A primary battery includes a cathode having a non-stoichiometric metal oxide including transition metals Ni, Mn, Co, or a combination of metal atoms, an alkali metal, and hydrogen; an anode; a separator between the cathode and the anode; and an alkaline electrolyte.
US09498889B1
A knife include a handle, button, blade with an integral tang, locking mechanism within the tang, and thrust mechanism. The blade moves between closed and open positions. The button axially slides along the handle. When the blade is in the closed position and locked, movement of the button towards the first handle end releases the locking mechanism and the thrust mechanism moves the blade to the open position. When the blade is in the open position and locked, movement of the button towards the second handle end releases the locking mechanism and the thrust mechanism moves the blade to the closed position. A knife includes a stop pin connected to a tang of a blade and a stop plate positioned within a knife handle. The stop plate has two angled surfaces. The stop pin mates with both angled surfaces and the blade is constrained from movement in two planes.
US09498886B2
A mobile human interface robot including a drive system having at least one drive wheel driven by a corresponding drive motor, a localization system in communication with the drive system, and a power source in communication with the drive system and the localization system. The robot further including a touch response input supported above the drive system. Activation of the touch response input modifies delivery of power to the drive system to reduce a drive load of the corresponding drive motor of the at least one drive wheel white allowing continued delivery of power to the localization system.
US09498885B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a method for performing industrial automation control in an industrial automation system. As such, the method may include detecting, via a sensor system, positions and/or motions of a human. The method may then include determining a possible automation command corresponding to the detected positions and/or motions. After determining the possible automation command, the method may implement a control and/or notification action based upon the detected positions and/or motions.
US09498882B2
A method for toy robot programming, the toy robot including a set of sensors, the method including, at a user device remote from the toy robot: receiving sensor measurements from the toy robot during physical robot manipulation; in response to detecting a programming trigger event, automatically converting the sensor measurements into a series of puppeted programming inputs; and displaying graphical representations of the set of puppeted programming inputs on a programming interface application on the user device.
US09498879B1
A mechanism by which a user can switch between cleaning tools such as brooms, brushes, and mops while utilizing the same handle. This invention allows the user to reuse the same handle as opposed to having a separate long handle for each cleaning tool. A quick release mechanism that functions by use of a transverse spring and a vertical compression spring allows the user to switch between the cleaning tools quickly and easily.
US09498875B2
A multi-purpose tool operated by a user for storing, opening, cutting, clamping and holding of articles is provided. The multi-purpose tool includes a first shear, a second shear movably coupled to the first shear at a pivot point and a ratchet extending from each finger grip. Each shear includes a finger grip, cutting edges, tines and gripping tips. Further, the multi-purpose tool includes ratchet extending from respective finger grips. Each ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth defined therein, the ratchets extending towards each other. The first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are adapted for extending around the article in a firm grip by engagement of the ratchets in order to clamp the article between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge.
US09498874B2
A hammer drill including a cylinder; a piston and a ram mounted within the cylinder; a drive mechanism for converting rotation of a motor into reciprocating movement of the piston; a ram driven by the piston via an air spring; at least two air entry points formed through the wall of the cylinder in different axial positions along the length of the cylinder, each of which are capable of replenishing the air spring; the ram striking a tool in a tool holder; wherein there is further provided a selector mechanism which selectively opens and close the air entry points; characterized in that the selector mechanism opens only one air entry point at any one time during normal use, the selector mechanism closing all other air entry points, each of the air entry point capable of replenishing the air spring during normal use when opened by the selector mechanism.
US09498870B2
The tool includes a body having an aperture disposed transversely there-through and tool bits disposed at either end. In use two tools are mated together by disposing the end of one tool through the aperture of another, thereby forming a tool having an operative portion and a torque handle.
US09498856B2
The present invention proposes a rolling tool device for compression rolling of, in particular, blade elements of a rotor area of a jet engine with a tool carrier to which two pliers-type bodies are rotatably connected, with the pliers-type bodies each being provided with a rolling area. A distance between the rolling areas is variable in dependence of a rotary movement of the pliers-type bodies. A separate spacer device is provided by means of which a minimum distance between the rolling areas can be defined.
US09498855B2
A method and apparatus for reworking a composite structure. A fastener is cooled from a first temperature to a second temperature at which a diameter of a post of the fastener is reduced by a desired amount. The post of the fastener is placed into a channel in a bushing such that a desired interference fit occurs when the fastener is at the first temperature. The bushing with the fastener is positioned in a hole in the composite structure. A gap is present between an outer surface of the bushing and an inner surface of the hole. A gap is also present between an end of the bushing and a second structure.
US09498850B2
The structural case has an annular body having a central axis and including a plurality of boss sections circumferentially interspaced from one another around the axis by a plurality of arcuate panel sections, each panel section having: two parallel arcuate structural flange members being axially interspaced from one another; a sheet metal wall extending between and interconnecting the two flange members; and at least one rib having an edge welded to the sheet-metal wall.
US09498846B2
Systems and methods for preventing or reducing contamination enhanced laser induced damage (C-LID) to optical components are provided including a housing enclosing an optical component, a container configured to hold a gas phase additive and operatively coupled to the housing; and a delivery system configured to introduce the gas phase additive from the container into the housing and to maintain the gas phase additive at a pre-selected partial pressure within the housing. The gas phase additive may have a greater affinity for the optical component than does a contaminant and may be present in an amount sufficient to inhibit laser induced damage resulting from contact between the contaminant and the optical component. The housing may be configured to maintain a sealed gas environment or vacuum.
US09498845B2
The present invention generally describes apparatuses and methods used to perform an annealing process on desired regions of a substrate. In one embodiment, pulses of electromagnetic energy are delivered to a substrate using a flash lamp or laser apparatus. The pulses may be from about 1 nsec to about 10 msec long, and each pulse has less energy than that required to melt the substrate material. The interval between pulses is generally long enough to allow the energy imparted by each pulse to dissipate completely. Thus, each pulse completes a micro-anneal cycle. The pulses may be delivered to the entire substrate at once, or to portions of the substrate at a time. Further embodiments provide an apparatus for powering a radiation assembly, and apparatuses for detecting the effect of pulses on a substrate.
US09498844B2
The invention relates to a device for machining an object by laser radiation, in particular by using the photodisruption method. Said device comprises an observation device for imaging the object and a laser scanning device by which the laser radiation is passed over a predetermined sector of the object for scanning said sector. According to the invention, such a device includes the observation device with a first lens for imaging the object; the laser scanning device with a second lens, through which the laser radiation is guided, in which both lenses with regard to the dimension of the regions to be produced in the images and/or with regard to their focal intercept are different from each other. This invention alternately images the respective region of the object in a first operating mode by the first lens and in a second operating mode by the second lens. It is thus possible to use in both operating modes a lens adapted to the intended imaging purpose.
US09498841B2
A belt including notches alternating with bushings on its inside surface is arranged around a disk, so as to encase it and to squeeze its periphery, the bushings penetrating into slot necks designed to house blade roots, so as to apply an elastic tightening force on the teeth and prevent fatigue cracks from forming during inertial friction welding of the disk with other parts of the rotor, these cracks possibly appearing at fillet connections of the teeth to the central part of the disk. The belt is made from elastic polymer with good internal viscosity, and damping properties.
US09498833B2
Machine tool for the production of profiles, such as gearing systems on a workpiece, by means of a rotoncally driven machining tool by generating grinding, profile grinding, generating milling and/or profile milling, having at least one workpiece receiving device, a workpiece machining device and an optional machining tool profiling device. According to the invention, the workpiece machining device is borne by a machine base that has a tangential carriage, a radial carriage, a lifting carriage and a rotational carriage. With this specific construction, the workpiece machining device is guided moveably in all spatial directions with respect to the workpiece receiving device and also, if available, with respect to the machining tool profiling device.
US09498829B2
The invention is directed to a drill system that better uses the power curve of modern machine tools. The drill system uses a two-step drill, utilizing IC inserts to perform the major hole diameter cutting, and a central drilling system. In examples, the IC inserts can be set in a drill head in a single or double effective configuration. A central drilling system cuts the remaining minor diameter portion of the hole, and is configured to see less cutting surface footage, due to its position from the rotating center of the tool. The central drilling system may include a “self-centering” geometry, such that the drill head of the tool with be guided throughout the depth of the hole. The drill system allows for a large diameter deep hole that remains straight throughout to be drilled at higher speed and lighter feed rates thus offering a more productive tool that takes advantage of the power curves and lower thrust capabilities of modern machine tools.
US09498823B2
A metal casting apparatus includes a feeder for providing a molten metallic material. A mold includes a sprue and a component cavity. The sprue is arranged to receive the molten metallic material from the feeder and the component cavity is arranged to receive the molten metallic material from the sprue. A starter is arranged adjacent the component cavity and is operable to induce a first grain orientation upon solidification of the molten metallic material. The sprue includes an aborter that is arranged to induce a second grain orientation upon solidification of the molten metallic material.
US09498822B2
Continuous casting equipment for a flow of liquid metal from a tundish into a mold is provided. The equipment includes a vertical duct disposed upstream of the mold with respect to the direction of travel of the liquid metal. The duct includes from upstream to downstream a refractory ring, a copper tube with an internal diameter D and a submerged entry nozzle. A dome is disposed inside the refractory ring and includes a sloped upper part, the upper part is defined so as to deflect the liquid metal coming from the tundish towards the inner walls of the vertical duct. The diameter D of the copper tube ranges between a minimum diameter equal to Q/3.75 and a maximum diameter equal to Q/1.25, where Q is the nominal liquid metal flow rate of the equipment and is between 200 and 800 kg/min and D is the diameter expressed in mm.
US09498820B2
This invention relates to an apparatus (high shear device) and method for treating liquid metals by intensive melt shearing. The apparatus comprises a stator and a rotor with a small gap between them to provide intensive melt shearing for dispersing efficiently and distributing uniformly gas, liquid and solid phases in liquid metals without severe turbulence at the melt surface. The device can be extended to a multistage high shear pump by arranging individual rotor/stator assemblies either concentrically (one in another) or vertically. The device and high shear pump can be readily integrated into existing casting processes. The device is suitable for use in casting processes including high pressure die casting, low pressure die casting, gravity die casting, sand casting, investment casting, direct chill casting, twin roll casting, and any other casting process which requires liquid metal as a feedstock. In addition, the device is particularly suitable for providing conditioned liquid metal for both shape casting and continuous (or semi-continuous) casting of metallic materials, preparing high quality semi-solid slurries, solidification processing of particulate reinforced metal matrix composites, mixing immiscible metallic liquids and degassing of liquid metals prior to any casting processes.
US09498819B2
A refractory mold is disclosed. The refractory mold includes a fugitive pattern assembly comprising a hollow sprue that comprises a sprue wall disposed about a longitudinal axis; a pattern disposed outwardly of the sprue wall; and an outwardly extending gate attached to and extending between the sprue wall and the pattern, the hollow sprue, pattern and gate each formed from a fugitive material; and a refractory mold formed on and having a mold cavity defined by an outer surface of the fugitive pattern assembly.
US09498808B2
A container degassing device for an extrusion press is equipped with: a integrally formed degassing block joined to the end surface of the container of the extrusion press; a first sealing member that seals the degassing block; a second sealing member that seals the outer peripheral surface of an extrusion stem or a fixed dummy block of the extrusion press; and a vacuum suction device that sucks air from within a degassing space formed within the container. The degassing space is sealed by the degassing block and the first and second sealing members, and the area between the degassing block and the container end surface is sealed by a metal touch.
US09498807B2
A work is subjected to a heat treatment in a heat-treating furnace. First, the work is carried into the heat-treating furnace. The work in the heat-treating furnace is immersed in a heat source solvent. In the heat-treating furnace, a superheated steam atmosphere is formed. The work is exposed in the heat-treating furnace under the superheated steam atmosphere. Then, the work is carried out of the heat-treating furnace.
US09498802B2
An aqueous cleaning solution that has been previously used to remove deposits from a nuclear steam generator (or other vessel) is reused after being transferred from the steam generator into an external vessel. The spent cleaning solution may be reconditioned and reused in a further cleaning of the same steam generator or a different steam generator. The different cleanings being accomplished by the cleaning solution may be of the same type or different types (e.g., iron oxide removal and/or copper removal).
US09498799B2
A method for removing non-bonding compounds from absorber layers of a plurality of absorber substrates during a cleaning process comprises setting one or more conditions of a solution in a solvent tank used to clean the non-bonding compounds from the absorber layers of the absorber substrates. The method further comprises calculating thickness of boundary layers formed on the absorber layers based on hydrodynamics of the solution in the solvent tank during the cleaning process, and setting one or more of spacing between the absorber substrates and circulation speed of the solution in the solvent tank during the cleaning process. The method further comprises immersing and cleaning the absorber substrates in the solvent tank under one or more of the set conditions, spacing and circulation speed of the solution.
US09498794B2
A process for providing indicia and an elastic-like behavior to a web substrate is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a web substrate; printing indicia on the web substrate; and, providing the web substrate with a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder of the first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised rib-like elements. The first regions undergo a molecular level and geometric deformation and the second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.
US09498787B2
Fire protection apparatus, systems, and methods for addressing a fire with a mist are provided. More particularly, the invention provides systems and their method of design which provide a water mist to address and preferably suppress a fire. The invention further provides systems and methods for total flooding volume protection of a space to address a fire, preferably control, suppress, and more preferably extinguish a fire. The invention further provides atomizing devices for use in such systems and methods.
US09498785B2
An electrostatic spraying device includes a device body having a paint supply passage, a paint nozzle located on a distal end of the device body and having a paint flow passage communicating with the paint supply passage and a paint outlet, a high-voltage generating part configured to generate high voltage with which paint is charged, and a high-voltage electrode disposed a predetermined distance backwardly away from the paint outlet on an outer periphery of the device body, so as to be separated from the paint flow passage. The device further includes a conductor located between the high-voltage generating part and the high-voltage electrode, a spring located between the high-voltage electrode and the conductor, a high-voltage electrode case detachably attached to the device body to enclose the high-voltage electrode, and a grip mounted on an end of the device body, which end is located opposite the paint nozzle.
US09498784B2
A bio-chip adapted for separating and concentrating particles in a solution includes a chip body defining a receiving space therein for receiving the solution, an inner electrode disposed in the receiving space, an outer electrode unit disposed in the receiving space of the chip body and including a first outer electrode that is spaced apart from and surrounds the inner electrode, and a second outer electrode that is spaced apart from and surrounds the first outer electrode, and a power source electrically connected to the inner electrode, the first outer electrode, and the second outer electrode. A method for using the bio-chip to separating and concentrating the particles in the solution is also disclosed in the present invention.
US09498783B2
An air filtration system includes a frame directing an airflow through the air filtration system and a power supply. An ionization array is located in the frame across the airflow and connected to the power supply. The power supply provides a first voltage to the ionization array. A field wire is located in the frame downstream from the ionization array and is energized to a second voltage only by an electrical energy discharge from the ionization array. A method of operating an electrically enhanced air filtration system includes energizing an ionization array, located across an airflow through the air filtration system, to a first voltage via electrical power supplied by a power supply. Electrical energy is discharged from the ionization array into the airflow. A field wire downstream of the ionization array is energized to a second voltage only by the discharge of electrical energy from the ionization array.
US09498773B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, a catalyst system for olefin oligomerization comprising the same, and a method of olefin oligomerization using the same.
US09498767B2
Diesel oxidation ZPGM catalyst systems using Y1-x AgxMnO3 perovskite are disclosed. The ZPGM catalyst system compositions may include Y1-x AgxMnO3 perovskite in impregnation component and at least one carrier material oxide in washcoat. The ZPGM catalyst system compositions may also include Y1-x AgxMnO3 perovskite co-precipitated in a carrier material oxide as washcoat. The catalyst activity is measured with an inlet gas mixture containing diesel exhaust composition and characterized according to performance in NO oxidation, NO2 production, NO storage capability and diesel oxidation applications.
US09498765B2
The disclosed subject matter includes a new type of chemical reactor, described as hydrogen or oxygen electrochemical pumping catalytic membrane reactor. This new type of reactor is suitable for increasing the selectivity and the conversion rate of dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, deoxidation and oxidation reactions and namely in the direct amination reaction of hydrocarbons. This reactor can be used for the production of several chemical compounds, such as the direct amination of hydrocarbons and in particular for the synthesis of aniline from benzene. The disclosed subject matter includes a device and process wherein hydrogen is removed by electrochemical pumping of the hydrogen formed or by oxygen pumping so, as hydrogen is formed, it is oxidized. This new reactor exhibits benzene to aniline conversion higher than 40%.
US09498757B2
An apparatus for mixing at least first and second fluid, comprising: (a) a first nozzle comprising a first flow duct defining a first flow chamber, and having a first nozzle tip having a first discharge opening; and (b) a second nozzle comprising a second flow duct defining a second flow chamber, and having a second nozzle tip having a second discharge opening; wherein said first flow duct and said second flow duct are spirally wrapped each over the other. The invention also provides a process for mixing fluids, especially adapted for the production of isocyanates, and that is notably carried out in the apparatus of the invention.
US09498752B2
A forward osmosis device, method of manufacturing the forward osmosis device and method of using a solution produced using the forward osmosis device utilizes a forward osmosis membrane element positioned within a housing of the device between an input chamber and an output chamber to draw liquid from the input chamber to the output chamber via an osmotic process. The forward osmosis membrane element includes a layer of purifying additives on the forward osmosis membrane element to remove contaminants in the liquid as the liquid is drawn through the forward osmosis membrane element. In an embodiment, the forward osmosis device is a forward osmosis intravenous (IV) bag.
US09498751B2
Disclosed are, inter alia, methods of forming coated substrates for use in catalytic converters, as well as washcoat compositions and methods suitable for using in preparation of the coated substrates, and the coated substrates formed thereby. The catalytic material is prepared by a plasma-based method, yielding catalytic material with a lower tendency to migrate on support at high temperatures, and thus less prone to catalyst aging after prolonged use. Also disclosed are catalytic converters using the coated substrates, which have favorable properties as compared to catalytic converters using catalysts deposited on substrates using solution chemistry. Also disclosed are exhaust treatment systems, and vehicles, such as diesel vehicles, particularly light-duty diesel vehicles, using catalytic converters and exhaust treatment systems using the coated substrates.
US09498748B2
A process for removing acid gases from a hydrocarbonaceous fluid stream or an oxygen-comprising fluid stream in which the fluid stream is contacted with an aqueous solution which is essentially free from inorganic basic salts and comprises (i) at least one amine and (ii) at least one metal salt of an aminocarboxylic acid and/or an aminosulfonic acid. Conjoint use of the aminocarboxylic and/or aminosulfonic salt reduces the coabsorption of hydrocarbons or oxygen without significantly impairing the absorption rate at which acid gases are absorbed, without significantly reducing the absorption capacity of the solution for acid gases, and without significantly increasing the energy demand required for regeneration.
US09498744B2
Disclosed are an air filter element, a filter housing, and an air filter in which the air filter elements have a high filtering capacity and a long service life by increasing the filter surface of an air filter element taking into account structural requirements for the air filter housing.
US09498743B2
Disclosed are filter assembly systems that utilize replaceable filter elements. The filter elements may include a ramp or sleeve for redirecting air intake when the filter elements are installed in the filter assembly systems and air is drawn into the systems. The filter elements and assembly systems may utilize co-acting components that mate with each other to at least one of: a) orient and permit mounting of the filter element in the systems; and b) permit mounting of only an authorized filter element in the systems.
US09498733B2
A balloon with a lighting/sounding device includes a balloon body and a lighting/sounding device secured onto a wall of the balloon body, wherein the lighting/sounding device is secured onto the balloon wall via an external cover. The lighting/sounding device is secured via the external cover, which facilitates setting and installation of the lighting/sounding device and simplifies a configuration structure thereof so as to reduce manufacturing costs, and such a structure will not affect the inflation and use of the balloon but provides more convenient decoration and entertainment.
US09498732B2
An aesthetic insert adapted to be received between a wheel-bearing rail and the center rail of extant model railroad track, and in its installed position at least partially covers or hides the side of the center rail, camouflaging it and rendering it less noticeable. The installed insert superposes portions of and simulates the presence and/or appearance of a crosstie surface. The insert may be a separately installable, individual element, or a plurality of interconnected individual elements installable as a group and interconnected by one or more connecting members.
US09498731B2
The present invention is for a system of adding weight to a gravity powered car in which the weight fits within the wheel void of a plastic, injection molded wheel commonly used for Pinewood Derby Cars, or other gravity powered cars. The weight may be made from materials not limited to tungsten, lead, steel, brass, ceramic, glass, or plastic, etc. The invention is to use the space within the wheel void for the purpose of placing weight. This is done by affixing said weight to the body of the car by means not limited to adhesives or fasteners such as bolts, screws, nails, staples and the like. The weight occupies the space within the void of the rear wheels. Cantilevered off the body of the car, these side-weights never touch the wheels or axles of the car.
US09498730B2
A yoyo capable to be manually accelerated when held by hands comprising two spinning bodies (1), a button (2) and a side cap (3) mounted at center positions of outer sides of the two spinning bodies (1) respectively, a manual acceleration mechanism provided inside the two spinning bodies (1) and connecting the two spinning bodies (1) as a whole, and a bearing (4) disposed between the two spinning bodies (1) for winding a yoyo string; two ends of the manual acceleration mechanism are connected with the spinning bodies (1); by pressing the button (2), the manual acceleration mechanism drives the spinning bodies (10) to spin. The yoyo has a wider range of utility satisfying the playing needs of kids and children and at the same time increasing the ways of playing the yoyo and thus the fun in playing the yoyo. Also, the yoyo allows players to create their own ways of playing the yoyo.
US09498729B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for sliding apparatus comprising a slide portion having a first surface, a second surface, a proximal end and a distal end. In certain embodiments, at least one of the first surface or the second surface is configured to be placed over one or more stairs of a staircase, such that at least a portion of the first surface or the second surface is in direct contact with at least a portion of the one or more stairs of the staircase. The sliding apparatus also includes an anchor member coupled to the proximal end of the slide portion. The anchor member is configured to move from a contracted position to an extended position such that when the anchor member is in the extended position the anchor member is secured between a first vertical surface of the staircase and a second vertical surface of the staircase.
US09498723B2
Provided is a server device, etc., capable of enhancing flexibility of a reward winning game and maintaining a user's interest in the game. The server device manages rewards to be given to a user, and includes a storage unit for storing a package as a set of data concerning rewards to be given to the user and a modified package as a set of data concerning rewards used to update the package, a communication unit for communicating with a user device of the user, and a package updating unit for updating the package by modifying the data concerning the rewards included in the package by using the data concerning the rewards included in the modified package when a package update request is received from the user device.
US09498720B2
A game can be created, shared and played using a personal audio/visual apparatus such as a head-mounted display device (HMDD). Rules of the game, and a configuration of the game space, can be standard or custom. Boundary points of the game can be defined by a gaze direction of the HMDD, by the user's location, by a model of a physical game space such as an instrumented court or by a template. Players can be identified and notified of the availability of a game using a server push technology. For example, a user in a particular location may be notified of the availability of a game at that location. A server manages the game, including storing the rules, boundaries and a game state. The game state can identify players and their scores. Real world objects can be imaged and provided as virtual objects in the game space.
US09498711B2
A multi-player, multi-screens, electronic gaming platform and system is disclosed, having a game board having a main display screen for displaying a portion of the game layout that is shared by the plurality of players, and a plurality of personal game terminals, each personal game terminal assigned to a respective player and having an auxiliary display screen for displaying a portion of the game layout that is associated with the respective player. Communication between the main display and the terminals, and among terminals directly is enabled. Also enabled is seamless transfer of objects between the display screens as triggered by a game step or interactive inputs. Coded rules associated with the transferred objects can indicate where on the screen the digitized game object should appear, at what size should it be displayed, special animation or audio that should accompany the transfer of the digitized game object, etc.
US09498705B2
A video game system includes an input device, where the input device has at least one physiological sensing device for determining at least one physiological state of a user. The input device further has at least one motion sensing device for determining the motion and/or position of the input device and/or the user. The video game system further comprises a processor for using the physiological state and the motion and/or position of the input device and/or user to control game play.
US09498700B2
A watersports paddle includes an elongated handle body having a first material, a biased member having a second material more flexible than the first material such that the biased member is more flexible than the elongated handle body, and a paddle blade coupled to the biased member opposite the elongated handle body. The biased member deforms when a force is applied to the biased member with the elongated handle body by pulling the paddle blade through water and reforms when the force is not applied to the biased member by the elongated handle body to store and release energy during use of the watersports paddle. The biased member may be a substantially planar leaf spring or a bowed leaf spring.
US09498686B2
The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
US09498679B2
Aspects of this disclosure relate to systems and methods for conducting sport-specific activities. Illustrated systems may be adjustable to permit a performance of different sport-specific activities. Further aspects relate to using sensor data to evaluate a user's performance and determine sport-specific fitness parameters. Various fitness parameters may measure reactive agility and/or the physiological state of the user, such as when in an exhausted state. Illustrated systems may have structures with an output device and a sensor. The structure may include a vertically-arranged planar surface to form a wall. Several structures may be configured to form a boundary. The boundary may be automatically adjustable, for example, depending on one or more specific fitness routines to be implemented. Calculated fitness parameters may be visually mapped on the structures of the system.
US09498674B2
An elliptical prone exerciser is disclosed, which comprises a frame (1), a front drive mechanism (3), a rear drive mechanism (4) and a damping wheel (2) arranged on the frame (1). The front drive mechanism (3) and the rear drive mechanism (4) are respectively arranged at a front end and a rear end of the frame (1). An output end of the front drive mechanism (3) and an output end of the rear drive mechanism (4) are respectively connected with the damping wheel (2). The front drive mechanism (3) is provided with a pair of movable hand support members (30), and the rear drive mechanism (4) is provided with a pair of movable knee support members (40). The pair of movable hand support members (30) and the pair of movable knee support members (40) move in an elliptical path. The elliptical prone exerciser is characterized by natural and coordinated motion, low impact and high safety.
US09498669B2
The soft weight strength trainer includes a selectively fillable pouch with a strap positioned so that a person can fit a hand or foot in-between the strap and the fillable pouch. The soft weight strength trainer can be utilized in a variety of exercises that strengthen various muscle groups. None of the exercises that are performed with the soft weight strength trainer require a close fisted grip, which makes the soft weight strength trainer ideal for use by a person with reduced hand strength due to age or injury. Additionally, the soft weight strength trainer will not cause damage or injury if inadvertently dropped due to its non-rigid construction.
US09498668B2
An exercise machine includes a frame and a weight assembly with multiple plates moveably disposed along a vertical length of the frame. The exercise machine also includes a lifting member selectively engaged with the weight assembly, and the multiple plates each include at least one lift opening to receive the lifting member. The lifting member is oriented transverse to a plate length and to travel in a transverse direction with respect to the plate length. Further, the exercise machine includes a locking member associated with at least one plate of the multiple plates, and a selector having a first position and a second position. When the selector is in the first position, the locking member is interlocked with the lifting member. When the selector is in the second position, the locking member is disengaged from the lifting member.
US09498657B2
A diaphragm for a lung demand valve, including a CBRN layer which is sufficiently resistant to the permeation of at least some CBRN agents and a resilient layer which is resiliently deformable. The CBRN layer is arranged to restrict the permeation of at least some CBRN agents through the diaphragm, and the resilient layer is arranged to allow the diaphragm to be resiliently deformed.
US09498651B2
The present technology is directed to methods of soft tissue emulsification using a mechanism of ultrasonic atomization inside gas or vapor cavities, and associated systems and devices. In several embodiments, for example, a method of non-invasively treating tissue includes pulsing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound source toward the target site in tissue. The ultrasound source is configured to emit high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves. The target site comprises a pressure-release interface of a gas or vapor cavity located within the tissue. The method continues by generating shock waves in the tissue to induce a lesion in the tissue at the target site. The method additionally includes characterizing the lesion based on a degree of at least one of a mechanical or thermal ablation of the tissue.
US09498645B2
A method and system for determining a radiation dose transformation error are provided, wherein there is a deformation in one or more imaged structures as recorded by at least one fixed image data set and at least one moving image data set. Corresponding landmark points in the fixed image and in the moving image are automatically or semi-automatically identified.
US09498643B2
A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.
US09498642B2
Embodiments apply a cross-linking agent to a region of corneal tissue. The cross-linking agent improves the ability of the corneal tissue to resist undesired structural changes. For example, the cross-linking agent may be Riboflavin or Rose Bengal, and the initiating element may be photoactivating light, such as ultraviolet (UV) light. In these embodiments, the photoactivating light initiates cross-linking activity by irradiating the applied cross-linking agent to release reactive oxygen radicals in the corneal tissue. The cross-linking agent acts as a sensitizer to convert O2 into singlet oxygen which causes cross-linking within the corneal tissue. The rate of cross-linking in the cornea is related to the concentration of O2 present when the cross-linking agent is irradiated with photoactivating light. Accordingly, the embodiments control the concentration of O2 during irradiation to increase or decrease the rate of cross-linking and achieve a desired amount of cross-linking.
US09498640B2
A phototherapy apparatus with interactive user interface for treating biological tissue of an animal or human target. The user interface comprises intuitive graphic menus which allow the clinicians or practitioners to define the properties of the biological tissue through easily observable physical characteristics such as weight, skin color, and hair color of the patient. The central control unit of the phototherapy apparatus then automatically optimizes the parameters of the light source according to the properties of the biological tissue and generates an appropriate treatment protocol to produce the optimum phototherapy result.
US09498639B2
A PEMF web using immersive, flux-guided, micro-coils to direct intense, deeply penetrating, magnetic flux into a subject from each micro-coil capable of pointing in an arbitrary direction. Micro-coils are spooled around iron cores, insulated properly, and soldered to connecting wires, all embedded in a polymeric resin, such as cold-cured silicone resin. Nodes protect, enclose, insulate electrically, and otherwise protect the micro-coils. Connectors between nodes provide mechanical stability against breaking of wires, while permitting folding, bending, buckling, and otherwise deflecting to position the nodes as desired with three degrees of freedom.
US09498632B2
Receiver and digital demodulation circuitry for an external controller for communicating with an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is used to sample received analog data transmitted from the IMD at a lower rate than would otherwise be required for the frequency components in the transmitted data by the Nyquist sampling criteria. To allow for this reduced sampling rate, the incoming data is shifted to a lower intermediate frequency using a switching circuit. The switching circuit receives a clock signal, which is preferably but not necessarily the same clock signal used by the DSP to sample the data. The switching circuit multiplies the received data with the clock signal to produce lower intermediate frequencies, which can then be adequately sampled at the DSP at the reduced sampling rate per the Nyquist sampling criteria.
US09498630B2
An active implantable medical device for cardiac resynchronization includes implantable electrodes configured to detect atrial and ventricular events and to apply electrical pulses to a plurality of stimulation sites of the right and left ventricles, where a first combination of stimulation sites define an original pacing configuration and a second combination of stimulation sites define a changed pacing configuration. A sensing device is configured to measure a peak to peak amplitude of the first peak of endocardial acceleration for each cardiac cycle. A processing circuit is configured to change the pacing configuration from the original pacing configuration to the changed pacing configuration, measure one of a set of values in the changed pacing configuration, and change the pacing configuration from the changed pacing configuration to the original pacing configuration.
US09498627B2
A wireless implantable system is provided that is externally powered and comprises of a closed-loop feedback for treating both patients with obstructive and central sleep apnea. A method is provided for treating sleep apnea using an implantable device. The method comprises sensing an inspiration (IN) signal representative of inspiration experienced by a patient from a respiratory surrogate signal and sensing a respiratory effort (RE) signal representative of an amount of effort exerted by the patient during respiration. The method also comprises analyzing the inspiration signal relative to an IN baseline, that corresponds to normal respiratory behavior, to identify an IN indicator, analyzing the RE signal relative to an RE baseline, that corresponds to a normal amount of respiratory exerted by the patient, to identify an RE indicator, declaring a central sleep apnea (CSA) state or an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) state based on the IN and RE indicators, and delivering at least one of a CSA therapy when the CSA state is declared or an OSA therapy when the OSA state is declared.
US09498624B2
Apparatus and methods are provided, including a bladder stimulator that includes an elongate element adapted to pass through a urethra or adapted to pass through another opening in the bladder, an expandable body coupled to said elongate element, and an array of one or more stimulator contacts coupled to the expandable body, the array including at least one contact adapted to contact a portion of a bladder of a subject when the expandable body is inserted in the bladder and expanded. A controller stimulates the portion of the bladder by driving a pulse into the bladder via the contact, the pulse having a frequency of 5 Hz-1 kHz. Other applications are also described.
US09498623B2
A rehabilitation system that assists an action of a paretic arm due to brain damage, such as a stroke, includes: a detecting unit configured to detect an assist action that a healthy arm assists the paretic arm; an assist unit configured to cause the paretic arm to carry out bending and stretching actions; an adjustment unit configured to adjust an operation timing, operation speed, bending load or stretching load of the assist unit in response to detection of the assist action by the detecting unit; and a control unit configured to cause the assist unit to operate in accordance with the operation timing, operation speed, bending load or stretching load, adjusted by the adjustment unit.
US09498622B2
Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) delivered by medical device to a patient may be programmed by specifying one or more characteristics of a stimulation field generated by the IMD to provide the PNFS. The characteristics of the stimulation field may include, for example, a direction of stimulation within the field, a breadth of the stimulation field, a focus of stimulation within the stimulation field, a depth of the stimulation field relative to a reference point, such as the epidermis of the patient, or a nerve fiber diameter selection.
US09498620B2
A method of making an electrical stimulation lead method includes attaching a pre-electrode to a lead body. The pre-electrode is a single, unitary, undifferentiated construct with a ring-shaped exterior. The method further includes attaching a plurality of conductor wires to the pre-electrode; and, after coupling to the lead body, removing an outer portion of the pre-electrode to separate remaining portions of the pre-electrode into a plurality of segmented electrodes spaced around the circumference of the lead body. When separated, each of the segmented electrodes includes a body and at least one leg extending inwardly from the body. The body defines an external stimulating surface and each of the at least one leg has an outer surface. For at least one of the at least one leg, the outer surface of the leg forms a non-perpendicular angle with the external stimulating surface of the body.
US09498597B2
A device for chemical endometrial ablation comprising an outer tube, a moveable cervical collar surrounding a portion of the outer tube and located near the distal end of the outer tube, an inner tube movable in a distal-proximal direction within the lumen of the outer tube, a porous and/or sponge-like material on the distal end of the inner tube within the lumen of the distal end of the outer tube having a size, shape, and expandability so that when the distal end of the inner tube within the distal end of the outer tube is moved in a distal direction in relation to the outer tube, the porous and/or sponge-like material expands to the approximate size of a uterus so as to contact the endometrium, a source of cauterizing agent, and means to cause the cauterizing agent to flow through the lumen of the inner tube onto the porous and/or sponge-like material. In operation, the cervical collar can be moved or advanced along the outer tube to the cervix and secured tightly around the external portio in order to prevent chemical cauterizing agent from entering the vagina.
US09498594B2
A patient interface that is comfortable for a user to wear is disclosed. The patient interface includes a forehead rest and cushion. In particular the cushion includes a deformable resilient member that when compressed creates a uniformly and gradually increasing force while evenly distributing the pressure on the forehead of the patient.
US09498584B2
An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member has a longitudinal framing member core defining a central framing member axis. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. The framing member comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending multi-segment framing strands.
US09498573B2
Ambulatory infusion pumps, pump assemblies, cartridges, baseplates, cannulas, insertion tools, and related components as well as combinations thereof and related methods.
US09498564B2
A shed-forming device has elastically deformable selection elements (1) (28a)-(28f) which can be placed in an undeformed position or in a deformed position, electromagnetic selectors (2) which can be actuated in order to place or keep each selection element (1) in successive weaving cycles in one of said positions, and presenting means (3) in order to mechanically deform selection elements (1) in the direction of a selector (2) in each weaving cycle into a presenting position in which they are kept at a distance from the selector (2) by a stop (4), and also relates to a method for positioning selection elements of a shed-forming device in this manner.
US09498557B2
Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a method for forming a biomaterial in situ comprising: combining a solution of a crosslinker in a water soluble organic solvent with a precursor to covalently crosslink the precursor to form a crosslinked gel, with the crosslinker comprising a plurality of first functional groups and the precursor comprising a plurality of second functional groups, with the first functional groups chemically reacting with the second functional groups in situ to form covalent bonds and thereby form the crosslinked gel.
US09498539B2
Prolonged or extended release of bioactive protein is achieved using an affinity-based approach which exploits the specific binding of Src homology 3 (SH3) domain with short proline-rich peptides. Specifically, methylcellulose was modified with SH3-binding peptides (MC-peptide) with either a weak affinity or strong affinity for SH3. Controlled release of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) is also described.
US09498538B2
Disclosed is a new approach for delivering compounds and drugs to the cytosol of living cells through the use of engineered protein transporters. The engineered protein transporters include a pore and a pore specific delivery protein, wherein a reagent such as a drug is attached to one or more of the engineered protein transporters.
US09498535B2
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for topical or transdermal delivery and treatment of wounds and/or promoting wound healing. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide and/or peptides. The nitric oxide and/or peptide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide, peptides, or both. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, e.g., wounded skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US09498531B2
The invention relates to antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, that neutralize infection of both RSV, MPV and PVM. The invention also relates to nucleic acids that encode, immortalized B cells and cultured plasma cells that produce, and to polypeptides that bind to such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and polypeptides recognized by the antibodies of the invention in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of RSV or MPV infection and RSV and MPV co-infection.
US09498527B2
An intraorally administrable vaccine composition useful to be a preventive or therapeutic agent for infectious diseases, and effectively induces a systemic immune response or a mucosal immune response is provided. A vaccine composition for administration to the oral cavity of a human or an animal, the vaccine composition containing at least one antigen derived from an infectious disease, and at least one selected from the group consisting of a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist, a toll-like receptor 2/6 (TLR2/6) agonist, and cyclic dinucleotide, or a derivative or salt thereof.
US09498526B2
A vaccine composition and method of vaccination are provided useful for immunizing a subject against a rotavirus. The vaccines include rotavirus strains CDC-9 and CDC-66, fragments thereof, homologues thereof, or combinations thereof. Inventive vaccines may include a fragment of CDC-9, CDC-66, homologues thereof, or combinations thereof. Methods of inducing an immunological response are provided by administering an inventive vaccine.
US09498520B2
The present technology relates to an enzyme composition. The enzyme composition may be used to treat gluten intolerant subjects, including suffering from non-Celiac gluten intolerance and/or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity. The enzyme composition may also be used to reduce gluten exposure in certain individuals. For example, the enzyme composition may also be used as a prophylactic to reduce exposure to gluten oligopeptides.
US09498513B2
The present invention provides novel antimicrobial bacteria strains and uses thereof to prepare novel antimicrobial agents. Also provided are the novel antimicrobial agents.
US09498511B2
The invention includes methods of neuroprotection, inducing release of neurotrophic factors, inhibiting the over-activation of innate immune cells, attenuating the toxin-induced death and/or damage of tissues, reducing inflammation, treating an inflammation-related condition, and inhibiting NADPH oxidase, that includes contacting or administering an effective amount of at least one compound of the invention that include: valproic acid, sodium butyrate, and salts thereof; opioid peptides; a peptide comprising the tripeptide GGF; and morphinans, such as naloxone, naltrexone, 3-hydroxy-morphinan and dextromethorphan.
US09498510B2
A polypeptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 and a method for treatment of a tumor and another disease associated with abnormal cell proliferation are described. The method includes administering a pharmaceutically-effective amount of the polypeptide to a patient in need thereof.
US09498506B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating thyroid diseases and a food composition for improving thyroid function, comprising an extract from Lonicera caerulea L. car. Edulis fruits as an active ingredient.The composition of the present invention may be useful for preventing or treating thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodule, or thyroditis, and improving thyroid function. Since the extract from Lonicera caerulea L. car. Edulis fruits, which is an active ingredient of the present invention, is derived from natural products, there is no concern for side effects such as toxicity compared to synthetic medicine.
US09498502B2
Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-3865 (NCC2950), a composition comprising Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-3865 (NCC2950), and the use of Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-3865 (NCC2950) in the prevention or treatment of allergic diarrhoea are provided. The Bifidobacterium breve CNCM I-3865 (NCC2950) can be in a non-replicating form and can be administered to at least partially treat allergic diarrhoea or at least partially reduce the risk of developing allergic diarrhoea.
US09498499B2
Compositions and methods of use thereof encompass engineered mesenchymal stem cells as a vehicle to deliver secreted tissue necrosis factor-RGD4C fusion polypeptides for tumor treatment, thereby reducing side effects of TNF. A reporter gene can be included in vector constructs to monitor the localization and viability of engineered MSCs after administration into a recipient animal. The genetically modified mesenchymal stem cell can comprise an expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a gene expression promoter and encoding the heterologous fusion polypeptide comprising a tissue necrotic factor region and an integrin-binding region. Another aspect of the disclosure encompasses embodiments of a method of modulating the proliferation of a targeted population of tumor cells by delivering a population of the genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells to tumor cells, allowing the mesenchymal stem cells to express the heterologous polypeptide, thereby reducing the proliferative capacity of the tumor cells.
US09498493B2
The invention provides compositions comprising a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance, liposomes, and a polynucleotide, and methods for using such compositions for delivering a polynucleotide to a subject.
US09498489B2
A method treating cancer in a subject comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antimetabolite agent that induces formation of AP sites in cancer cells of the subjects and an amount AP endonuclease inhibitor effective to potentiate the cytotoxicity of the antimetabolite agent to the cancer cells.
US09498483B2
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.
US09498479B2
Provided herein are dihydropyrimidine compounds and their pharmaceutical applications, especially for use in treating and preventing HBV diseases. Specifically, provided herein are compounds having Formula (I) or (Ia), or an enantiomer, a diastereoisomer, a tautomer, a hydrate, a solvate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the variables of the formulas are as defined in the specification. Also provided herein is the use of the compounds having Formula (I) or (Ia), or an enantiomer, a diastereoisomer, a tautomer, a hydrate, a solvate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for treating and preventing HBV diseases.
US09498477B2
Hydrazinopyridazines, fused hydrazinopyridazines, phenylethylhydrazines, or combinations thereof, compositions comprising hydrazinopyridazines, fused hydrazinopyridazines, phenylethylhydrazines, or combinations thereof, and methods for using them for the treatment of pain are described.
US09498476B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a crystalline form of 6-[(4S)-2-methyl-4-(naphthyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl]pyridazin-3-amine. The present disclosure also generally relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline form, as well of methods of using a crystalline form in the treatment of depression and other conditions and methods for obtaining such crystalline form.
US09498474B2
The invention relates to a composition comprising buprenorphine and a μ opioid receptor antagonist, wherein the composition is characterized by an Agonist Antagonist Activity Index (AAnAI) of between about 0.7 and about 2.2; wherein; AAnAI = [ C max ( BUP ) / EC 50 ] [ C max ( ANTAGONIST ) / IC 50 ] .
US09498473B2
Compositions of hepatic therapeutic actives from one or more acridone compounds, one or more xanthone compounds, one or more thioxanthone compounds, one or more tocotrienol compounds, and one or more oleanolic triterpenoid compounds. Also, methods for treating various liver diseases or certain cancers with such hepatic therapeutic actives, as well as providing liver health maintenance.
US09498471B2
The present invention relates to the use of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitors to reduce, inhibit and/or prevent cartilage degradation. CDK9 inhibitors can be used to reduce, inhibit and/or prevent cartilage degradation and loss of cartilage viability during allograft storage. CDK9 inhibitors can be used as a post-injury intervention treatment to reduce, inhibit and/or prevent the acute cellular responses that lead to future cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis.
US09498469B2
Compositions and methods are provided that enhance cognition in a human to which the composition is orally administered. Remarkably, clinical studies have proven that contemplated compositions achieved the desired effects using a minimal number of active ingredients at or near threshold active dosages, wherein such compositions almost exclusively comprise huperzine A, vinpocetine or rhodiola, and acetyl-L-carnitine, and optionally further include alpha lipoic acid, rhodiola, and biotin.
US09498465B2
A composition in the form of a gel, preferably hydroglycolic, is described. The composition can include in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one particular retinoid. Also described, is a method for the preparation thereof and the cosmetic and dermatological use of the same.
US09498460B1
The anti-cancer compounds are represented by Formula I: wherein R1 and R2 are either both hydrogen or both halogen, and if R1 and R2 are both hydrogen, R3 and R4 are both halogen, otherwise both R3 and R4 are hydrogen; wherein R5 is CHO or NHCH3; and wherein n is 0 to 3; provided that n is 0 only when R5 is CHO, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or isomer thereof.
US09498459B2
A sol-gel bioactive glass precursor, method for making sol-gel glasses, resultant sol-gel bioactive glasses, and methods of use thereof which include introducing Na2O into the glass network during the sol-gel process through the use of Na-ethoxide, NaCl, or sodium silicate rather than sodium nitrate. Medical and industrial uses of such glasses.
US09498458B2
A compound of Formula (I) or a metabolite thereof, or an ester of the compound of Formula (I) or the metabolite thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof, wherein Formula (I), m, n, X1 and X2 are as defined herein, is useful for inhibiting, reducing, or treating fibrosis, conditions leading to or arising from it, and/or negative effects of each thereof.
US09498438B2
The present inventions relates to a solid composition and an aqueous dispersion comprising nanoparticles of the anti-retroviral drug efavirenz. The solid composition and aqueous dispersion additionally comprise a mixture of a hydrophilic polymer and a surfactant. The surfactant is selected from vitamin-E-polyethylene glycol-succinate (Vit-E-PEG-succinate), a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, N-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, sodium deoxycholate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, polyethyleneglycol-12-hydroxystearate, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and a block copolymer of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene, or a combination thereof. The hydrophilic polymer is suitably selected from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, a block copolymer of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene, polyethylene glycol, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone, or a combination thereof. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing both the solid composition and the aqueous dispersion, as well as to their use in therapy for the treatment and/or prevention of retroviral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
US09498436B2
Solutions of testosterone for oromucosal administration providing an increase in serum testosterone levels in subjects deficient in endogenous testosterone levels, and therapeutic methods for providing an increase in serum testosterone levels and methods for treating a disease or a symptom associated with deficient endogenous levels of testosterone.
US09498433B1
An edible animal medicine container for delivering medicine or other ingestible material, contained therein, to an animal, includes first and second edible housing shells. The first shell includes a first peripheral ledge, surrounding a first central hollow, and a first interlocking feature extending therefrom. The second shell includes a second peripheral ledge, surrounding a second central hollow, and a second interlocking feature extending into, and at least partially defined by, the second peripheral ledge. The second shell is positionable relative to, and connectable to, the first shell to define an interior in which the ingestible material may be disposed. In such connected state the first interlocking feature is seated and frictionally held within the second interlocking feature of the second edible housing shell so as to retain the first and second shells together and thereby retain the ingestible material within the interior until ingested by an animal.
US09498431B2
A controlled releasing composition comprising a plurality of microparticles and a matrix as well as the preparation method thereof is disclosed. The plurality of microparticles comprise a first material and the matrix comprises a second material. The melting temperature of the first material is higher than the melting temperature of the second material.
US09498427B2
Disclosed are compositions that include Docynia delavajy extract, Elaeagnus lanceolatus extract, or a combination of such extracts.
US09498423B2
The present invention discloses selenium peptide based synergistic compositions for the protection (morphology and viable numbers) of dermal papilla cells. The synergistic compositions disclosed in the present invention comprise (a) 1-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (β-glucogallin) or 1-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (β-glucogallin) and gallates (b) concentrate of liquid endosperm of Cocos nucifera and (c) selenopeptides.
US09498421B2
Provided are compositions, e.g., oral and personal care products, comprising (i) a tetrabasic zinc-amino acid or trialkyl glycine-halide complex, and (ii) cysteine in free or in orally or cosmetically acceptable salt form, together with methods of making and using the same.
US09498415B2
A residual mouth alcohol inhibitor configured as an oral composition that absorbs residual mouth alcohol that remains in the mouth of an individual following the consumption of alcohol. The oral composition comprises a combination of sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, parsley, kelp, fructose, citric acid, natural flavors, artificial flavors, maltodextrin, and silicon dioxide whereby the ratio of sodium bicarbonate to calcium carbonate in the composition is approximately 1:1 and the ratio of sodium bicarbonate to parsley in the composition is approximately 2:1 and the ratio of parsley to kelp in the composition is approximately 4:1.
US09498413B2
This disclosure provides generally for antimicrobial compositions and methods of use comprising an anthocyanin, an anthocyanidin or metabolites thereof. Methods for promoting healing of a wound using these compositions are also disclosed. These compositions have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and are safe for human and animal uses. Further, these compositions are safe for medical uses and industrial uses as antiseptic preparations to reduce or prevent microbial growth.
US09498406B2
A blinding tube assembly for concealing a drug delivery tube includes a blinding tube having a tubular sleeve that bounds a compartment and a tubular dispersing stem projecting from an end of the sleeve. A drug delivery tube is inserted into the compartment through and access opening opposite the dispersing stem. The drug delivery tube has a tubular body and a dispensing stem extending from a drug delivery end thereof. A tubular bushing is disposed about the dispensing stem such that when the drug delivery tube is inserted, the dispensing stem is received into the dispersing stem of the blinding tube with the bushing disposed therebetween. An annular end face of the dispensing stem is not visible through a dispersing opening in the dispersing stem from outside the blinding tube.
US09498397B2
A surgical patient support includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top.
US09498392B2
A disposable absorbent article may include a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a leg gasketing system. The leg gasketing system may include an inner cuff and an outer cuff; the inner cuff may include an inner cuff folded edge and an inner cuff material edge and the outer cuff may include an outer cuff folded edge and an outer cuff material edge, such that the web of material is folded laterally inward to form the outer cuff folded edge and folded laterally outward to form the inner cuff folded edge.
US09498385B2
A conformable covering comprises an outer portion with rigidity to resist movement on the cornea and an inner portion to contact the cornea and provide an environment for epithelial regeneration. The inner portion of the covering can be configured in many ways so as to conform at least partially to an ablated stromal surface so as to correct vision. The conformable inner portion may have at least some rigidity so as to smooth the epithelium such that the epithelium regenerates rapidly and is guided with the covering so as to form a smooth layer for vision. The inner portion may comprise an amount of rigidity within a range from about 1×10−4 Pa*m3 to about 5×10−4 Pa*m3 so as to deflect and conform at least partially to the ablated cornea and smooth an inner portion of the ablation with an amount of pressure when deflected.
US09498383B2
A swab applicator for collecting debris and other materials from small and hard to reach spaces and cavities and applying materials to selected areas, including small and hard to reach spaces and cavities. The swab applicator includes an elongated member having two opposite ends having respective end members extending from the ends. One of the end member loops to form one or more through openings and has a surface made from or covered with an absorbent material. The other end member is different from the first end member and, in one configuration, is a wad mounted on the end of the elongated member.
US09498382B2
An improved personal protective eyewear device and composition has an arc flash faceshield to address issues regarding optical clarity, specifically full color acuity. The compound, which may be used with faceshields and similar PPE, provides a clear grey shield through the use of an infrared dye in that produces a true color lens. Unlike traditional green faceshields, the grey faceshield is a medium-density filter that allows 100% color acuity. The faceshield is preferably manufactured with polycarbonate material for high-impact and high-mass performance. Most preferably, the faceshield provides protection in the amount of 8.2 cal/cm2 or a category 2 arc hazard exposure protection.
US09498380B2
Assemblies and methods for modifying an intraocular pressure of a patient's one or both eyes are disclosed. The assemblies and methods can be used to treat, inhibit, or prevent ocular conditions such as glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, optic disc edema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, zero-gravity induced papilledema, and other optic pressure related conditions. An assembly can include a goggle including at least one cavity, a pump in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump and can maintain a target pressure or target pressure range in the at least one cavity, which, when the assembly is worn by a patient, is the area between a patient's eye(s) and wall surfaces of the goggle. Controlling the pressure over the outer surfaces of the patient's eye(s) can drive a desired change in the intraocular pressure of the eye(s).
US09498373B2
An oral device for improving the breathing of a user by means of protrusion of the lower jaw includes a first dental rail that covers at least some teeth of a lower row of teeth of the user; a second dental rail that covers at least some teeth of an upper row of teeth of the user; and at least one coupling element connecting the first and the second dental rail. The first dental rail comprises a front, labial connection point and the second dental rail has two rear, buccal connection points positioned substantially at its two posterior ends. The coupling element has a substantially U-shaped configuration, and an apex of the coupling element forms a joint with the front labial connection point on the first dental rail. The posterior ends of the coupling element form a joint with the rear connection points of the second dental rail.
US09498367B1
An apparatus for applying traction force to a spine of a user has a chassis with an upper surface. A user lies on the upper surface with the spine extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chassis. Two members extend from the chassis on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis, each member being positioned to engage an armpit. A lever is pivotally attached to the chassis for rotation about a lateral axis, and a pad coupled to the lever contacts a proximal portion of each upper leg when the leg is bent forward at a hip joint. A force applied to the lever is transmitted through the pad to each upper leg and opposed by the members, thereby applying traction force for decompressing the spine. The force may be applied by the arms of the user or by a motor.
US09498358B2
A method and system for delivering drug includes a first set of holes filled with a first formulation of the drug and a second set of holes filled with a second formulation of the same drug. This dual formulation or dual release kinetic system allows the creation of specifically tailored release kinetics by summation of multiple release kinetics.
US09498354B2
An actuation system for a joint includes an actuator having a piston, an articulating element coupled to the actuator that is driven by the piston to match a gait cycle of an appendage, an energy source engaged with the piston that energizes working fluid within the actuator to drive the piston and generate exhaust gas, a plurality of valves coupled to the actuator, and an exhaust gas holding element coupled to the actuator that is sized to hold a volume of the exhaust gas contained within the actuator.
US09498338B2
Methods for forming an insert, such as a threaded or threadable insert, within a cavity in an implant, such as a spinal spacer. In some implementations, an implant body comprising a first, non-threadable, may be provided. A cavity may be formed in the implant body, after which an insert may be positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the insert comprises a second material distinct from the first material, wherein the second material has physical properties distinct from the first material. A female thread may then be formed within the insert, which may allow for threading an otherwise unthreadable, or relatively unthreadable, material.
US09498336B2
Systems and methods for forming an insert, such as a threaded or threadable insert, within a cavity in an implant, such as a spinal spacer. According to various embodiments, a spinal interbody spacer may include a proximal end and a distal end. The interbody spacer may be manufactured using a non-threadable material, or at least a material that is difficult to thread, such as a ceramic, a glass, or a porous material. Some embodiments may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material. A cavity may be formed in the interbody spacer, such as in the proximal end. A material having desired properties lacking in the spacer, such as a threadable insert within a non-threadable spacer, may be inserted into the cavity. The threadable material may then be threaded in order to form a female-threaded insert within the otherwise non-threadable interbody spacer.
US09498332B2
Apparatus for regulating blood flow of a subject is provided, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve (20) that comprises a tubular element (22), shaped to define a lumen (23) therethrough, and a valve member (24), configured to be coupled to the tubular element (22) and to be disposed within the lumen (23). The prosthetic valve (20) has (1) a compressed configuration in which the lumen (23) has a compressed width, the valve member (24) is generally cylindrical, and the prosthetic valve (20) is configured to be percutaneously delivered into the subject, and (2) an expanded configuration in which the lumen (23) has an expanded width that is greater than the compressed width, and the valve member (24) is generally disc-shaped, is coupled to the tubular element (22), and is disposed within the lumen (23). Other embodiments are also described.
US09498330B2
A method for reducing regurgitation in a mitral valve using a blood flow controlling apparatus. The blood flow controlling apparatus comprises a leaflet coaptation member, a connecting member, and an anchor suitable for anchoring the apparatus to the interventricular septum. The leaflet coaptation member coapts with the native mitral valve leaflets during systole when disposed therebetween, thereby reducing mitral valve regurgitation. During diastole, the native leaflets release coaptation with the leaflet coaptation member, permitting blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle.
US09498329B2
A prosthetic valve including a replacement valve having a tubular valve body wall, an expandable stent having a framework with first and second ends, and suturing holding the framework to the valve body at the first and second ends. The suturing at the first end is colored differently from the suturing at the second end.
US09498324B2
A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes (i) opposing first and second ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the first and second ends. The first portions of the body are separated by empty space, and the first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert configured to be placed and retained between the first portions of the body. At least part of the insert, prior to insertion between the first portions of the body, has a shape complementary to a shape of the empty space.
US09498320B2
The invention provides method of fabricating a scaffold comprising a fluidic network, including the steps of: (a) generating an initial vascular layer for enclosing the chamber and providing fluid to the cells, the initial vascular layer having a network of channels for fluid; (b) translating the initial vascular layer into a model for fluid dynamics analysis; (c) analyzing the initial vascular layer based on desired parameters selected from the group consisting of a characteristic of a specific fluid, an input pressure, an output pressure, an overall flow rate and combinations thereof to determine sheer stress and velocity within the network of channels; (d) measuring the sheer stress and the velocity and comparing the obtained values to predetermined values; (e) determining if either of the shear stress or the velocity are greater than or less than the predetermined values, and (f) optionally modifying the initial vascular layer and repeating steps (b)-(e). The invention also provides compositions comprising a vascular layer for use in tissue lamina as well as a medical devices having a vascular layer and kits.
US09498314B2
A urological device comprises a urological valve having a plurality of valve leaflets with a region of co-aption between the valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the valve leaflets are engaged at the region of co-aption and an open configuration in which the leaflets are separated at the co-aption region for fluid flow through the valve. The valve is automatically movable from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to applied urological pressure.
US09498308B1
A device, for atraumatically elevating the Schneiderian membrane during a sinus lift procedure with positive, real-time indication of the amount of lift occurring, may include: a first conduit; a first balloon coupled to a first end of the first conduit and in fluid communication therewith; a second conduit; a second balloon coupled to a first end of the second conduit and in fluid communication therewith; and means for infusing a fluid into the first and second conduits to cause inflation of the balloons. The balloons may be constructed the same, or may be individually tailored. The first balloon is configured to be received within the implant socket and apply pressure to the membrane. The second balloon, expanding against atmospheric pressure only, is configured of a different material and wall thickness. An integral scale behind the second balloon provides indication of the inflation and lift provided by the first balloon.
US09498305B2
Endosseous dental implants and abutments for deterring tissue loss, such as loss of buccal bone, at the site of the implant/abutment. An exemplary implant may include longitudinally extending externally threaded and unthreaded regions each extending over only a circumferential portion of the external circumference of the implant. The implant may include an internal passage extending along the shaft having a frusto-conical region extending over only a circumferential portion of the internal passage. An exemplary abutment may include a distal connection end comprising a frusto-conical region thereat extending over only a circumferential portion of the external circumference of the connection end to provide a frusto-conical connection region and non-frusto-conical connection region.
US09498300B1
A communication system includes an instrument connector with a light source and a connector antenna; and a console connector with a photo sensor and a console antenna. The light source is configured to produce light that is received by the photo sensor when the instrument connector is coupled to the console connector. The light source may also be configured to produce a series of light pulses, the series of light pulses identifying the surgical instrument coupled to the instrument connector. The light source may also be configured to produce light of a particular color, the color of the light identifying the surgical instrument coupled to the instrument connector. The light source may also be configured to produce a series of light pulses of a particular color, the series of light pulses and the color of the light identifying the surgical instrument coupled to the instrument connector.
US09498295B2
Systems and processes for the optimization of laser treatment of an eye are disclosed. The process can include receiving a set of parameters of a laser treatment (e.g., an aerial beam size, contact lens, pulse duration, and the desired clinical grade), determining an estimated size of a lesion to be generated by the laser treatment beam, receiving a lesion pattern density (e.g., full grid, mild grid, or other), and determining a recommended pattern of laser treatment beam spots. The recommended pattern of laser treatment beam spots may include a recommended number of laser treatment spots and a spacing between the spots.
US09498290B2
A trajectory frame for use with surgical navigation systems includes a base having a patient access aperture formed therein. A yoke is mounted to the base and is rotatable about a roll axis. A platform is mounted to the yoke and is rotatable about a pitch axis. An elongated guide is secured to the platform and includes opposite proximal and distal end portions and a bore that extends from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The guide is configured to removably receive various devices therein for quick release therefrom, including an optical tracking probe (which may be a universal tracker) detectable by a camera-based tracking system or an EM probe detectable by an EM navigation system, a microelectrode probe driver adapter, a drill guide and drill bit, skull fixation device and driver, and a catheter guide.
US09498289B2
Methods and systems are provided useful in various procedures, including hair harvesting and implantation, and further including computer-implemented and/or robotic hair transplantation. Methodologies are provided which enable selection of follicular unit harvesting or implanting sites. In various cases, such selection may be made using a lowest and closest method, overlap-based methods, position-based methods, pattern-based methods, and/or a combination of these methods. In various combinations of the methods, the output selection from one of the methods may be used as an input for one of the other methods.
US09498287B2
Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.
US09498286B2
A microwave ablation device including a cable assembly configured to connect a microwave ablation device to an energy source and a feedline in electrical communication with the cable assembly. The microwave ablation device further includes a balun on an outer conductor of the feedline, and a temperature sensor on the balun sensing the temperature of the balun.
US09498265B2
The invention comprises a method for fixating bones in the foot by aligning the bones in their desired position, inserting a screw in the aligned bones, inserting at least one transverse element near the head or tip of the screw, and tightening the screw to compress the bones. The screw comprises a shaft having first and second ends with spirally wound screw threads beginning near the first end and extending along the shaft. Advantageously, the screw is cannulated and screw threads are formed on an interior surface of the cannulation. Illustratively, the transverse elements may be staples, open-ended washers, or open-ended nuts. Reduction instruments and drill guides used in the invention are also disclosed.
US09498262B2
A minimally invasive fixation system and method for providing access to a surgical site. The fixation system may include a holding assembly, the holding assembling preferably including a lateral implant holder which may be attached to a pedicle screw and a sleeve positioned in connection with the lateral implant holder to prevent the lateral implant holder from separating from the pedicle screw. The sleeve may further include a tissue protection portion to keep the tissue out of the surgical site. A holding sleeve may be operably connected to the holding assembly and pedicle screw and may be used to insert the pedicle screw into the body. Multiple constructs may be inserted into the body so that a portion of the holding assembly extends from the body and provides access to and visualization of the surgical site. A rod holder may also be used to insert a rod into the head of the screw. The rod may be held by the rod holder so that the rod may be angulated as the rod is inserted into the screw heads. Once the rod is positioned in the screw heads, locking caps and/or set screws may be positioned over the rod and engage the screw heads so that the position of the rod may be fixed with respect to the screws. In some embodiments, a movement mechanism may be used to move the screws relative to each other to compress and/or distract the vertebrae.
US09498260B2
The present invention provides tools and methods designed to aid in the placement of artificial facet joints at virtually all spinal levels. One aspect of the present invention is a measurement tool for installing an artificial cephalad facet joint including a fixation measurement element and a support arm element. This measurement tool assists in the selection and/or configuration of an artificial cephalad facet joint for implantation in a patient. Another aspect is a measurement tool for installing a caudad facet joint including a stem element and a trial caudad bearing surface element. This measurement tool assists in the selection and/or configuration of a caudad facet joint for implantation in a patient. Yet another aspect is a measurement tool holder including a measurement surface connected to a holder element. This tool holder assists in determining the measurements obtained with the caudad facet joint measurement tool.
US09498251B2
An embryo from a female animal is transferred to another animal by determining presence of an embryo in the uterus of a donor animal by ultra-sonic imaging and inserting an endoscope vaginally into the uterus to a location adjacent the embryo. A tool of the endoscope projects to a position to extract the embryo washed into a container of the tool which is then closed by moving a closure part to enclose the embryo and extracting the endoscope to remove the embryo for transfer to a recipient animal. The fluid into the container can be controlled in pressure to maintain a required pressure generally matching that inside the uterus.
US09498249B2
Embodiments may include an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations. The system and methods may include an expandable access device having a helix or wrapped shape. Embodiments may include a cannula, stent, needle, trocar, introducer, fastener, and/or any other devices disclosed herein. Embodiments may also include an expandable trocar positionable in at least a portion of the access device. A sleeve or band may be disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device. Expansion of the trocar and/or receipt of an object may radially expand the access device between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.
US09498242B2
A surgical instrument including a shaft, an end effector, and a push/pull drive element is provided. The push/pull drive element may include a head extending perpendicular to a push/pull direction of the push/pull element. The head of the push/pull drive element may have end portions each having a cross-section that differs from a cross-section of a main portion of the head between the end portions. The push/pull drive element may include an engagement portion in contact with the end effector to actuate the end effector. The engagement portion may have a first width and an end portion may have a second width, with the second width being greater than the first width. A surgical instrument is also provided that may include an electrical connector connecting at least one conduit providing electrical energy to the end effector. The end effector may be in sliding contact with a portion of the connector.
US09498241B2
A medical instrument with a shaft, a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft, a tool positioned on the distal end of the shaft with two jaw members that can be displaced between an open and a closed position, and with an actuating element by which the handle and tool are in active connection with one another and where each jaw member of the tool consists of an inner cheek and an outer cheek, which are connected with one another on the distal end of each jaw member and are distanced from one another in the proximal direction, and at least one connecting brace is positioned between the inner cheek and the outer cheek. The medical instrument has jaw members, while preserving flexibility, have an increased dimensional stability, in particular with respect to torsion impact. The inner cheek and the outer cheek of each jaw member is configured differently with respect to the shape of their cross-section, with the inner cheek configured as wider than the outer cheek and with the inner cheek of each jaw member having rounded or stepped configuration.
US09498239B2
Devices that are adapted to insert a sinus dilator into a stenotic opening of a paranasal sinus in a subject patient using minimally invasive insertion procedures are provided. The devices and methods can be used to treat sinusitis and other nasal and/or sinus disorders.
US09498232B2
Drill guides and methods for maintaining contact on bone in areas where rigid instruments cannot access. The drill guide is an articulating drill guide that comprises an articulating mechanism for articulating and positioning the guide in at least two positions, i.e., an undeployed (non-articulated or straight) position and a deployed (articulated or bent) position. The articulating drill guide delivers guide wires, drills and/or additional instruments at any angle while maintaining contact to the bone.
US09498225B2
An occluding catheter for preventing stroke by occluding blood flow through right and left carotid arteries is provided. The occluding catheter includes a shaft that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a proximal occluding balloon carried by the shaft. The proximal occluding balloon is inflated to occlude blood flow through one of the right carotid artery and the left carotid artery. A distal occluding balloon is carried by the shaft and is inflated to occlude blood flow through one of the right carotid artery and the left carotid artery that is not occluded by the proximal occluding balloon. The shaft has a segment that is located between the proximal occluding balloon and the distal occluding balloon. Also provided is an alternative arrangement with a single occluding balloon, and an associated method of diverting emboli from cerebral circulation.
US09498214B2
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly. An end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate portion includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly is movable with respect to the other to move the end effector between an open configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are substantially spaced and a closed configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are closer together. The end effector also includes a clamping assembly including a first clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the anvil assembly, and a second clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the cartridge assembly such that, when deployed, the first and second clamping surfaces oppose one another when the cartridge assembly is in the closed position.
US09498212B2
A surgical stapling device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an endoscopic body portion and a tool assembly. The tool assembly is rotatably and pivotally supported on a distal end of the endoscopic body portion. A tool assembly rotation mechanism is provided which includes a rotation knob, a substantially rigid tube and a flexible member interconnecting the rigid tube to the tool assembly. The substantially rigid tube translates rotation of the rotation knob to rotation of the flexible member and provides a channel for passage of other components of the surgical stapling device.
US09498209B2
A system for closure of a fascial opening is disclosed. The system may include a first capture device for pulling one end of a suture through fascial tissue on one side of a fascial opening, and a second capture device for pulling an opposing end of the suture through the fascial tissue on an opposite side of the fascial opening. A trapping device for locating and engaging the first capture device can be used, prior to the capture device being pulled through the fascial tissue, so that the trapping device can subsequently pull the suture to facilitate closure of the fascial opening. Methods and apparatuses for closure of a fascial opening are also disclosed.
US09498208B2
Methods for passing multiple sutures through tissue are provided herein. In particular, the methods described herein allow multiple sutures to be passed through tissue without removing a suture passing instrument from a patient's body. In one embodiment, a method for passing a suture through tissue is provided that includes loading first and second suture limbs into a suture passing instrument, positioning the instrument within a patient's body, actuating the instrument to pass a portion of the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the second suture limb to reload the suture passing instrument without removing the instrument from the patient's body, actuating the instrument a second time to pass a portion of the second suture limb through the tissue, and pulling the second suture limb through the tissue.
US09498200B2
A retractor for use in spinal surgery comprises a frame including a ring member defining a generally central interior space. A plurality of blades is releasably supported respectively to slidable arms each supported on the ring member for individual translational movement relative to the ring member. The blades define an initial substantially enclosed opening that is expandable for use in a surgical procedure. A clutch mechanism supported on the ring member is associated with each arm to individually selectively engage each such arm with a rotatable main gear such that upon rotation of the main gear by a single actuator any one, all or any desired combination of arms may be translated relative to the ring member to move the blades and expand the opening in one or more selected desired directions.
US09498196B2
An apparatus for delivering a clip includes an introducer sheath including an outer surface extending between its proximal and distal ends. A clip is carried on the outer surface, e.g., on a carrier assembly that is slidable along the outer surface from the proximal end towards the distal end. A skin overlies the outer surface of the sheath and the carrier assembly that is separable from the outer surface as the carrier assembly is advanced from the proximal end towards the distal end of the sheath. During use, the distal end of the sheath is inserted into an opening through tissue, e.g., into a puncture communicating with a blood vessel. The carrier assembly is advanced towards the distal end of the sheath, causing the skin to separate from the outer surface of the elongate member, and the clip is deployed from the carrier to seal the opening.
US09498187B2
A method of displaying an ultrasound image, the method including acquiring patient identification information; providing an examination list including a bookmark used to identify at least one ultrasound image based on the acquired patient identification information; receiving selection information regarding the at least one ultrasound image included in the examination list; and displaying the ultrasound image selected based on the selection information.
US09498184B2
An apparatus and a method are disclosed for obtaining ultrasound images of a patient's breast that is chestwardly compressed with a template that is essentially planar and rotates relative to the breast while one or more ultrasound transducers moving with the template take 2D images of the breast through one or more respective radially oriented slots in the template, preferably through a membrane that is porous to a gel. The 2D images are processed into slice images representing breast slices of desired thicknesses and orientation that are displayed alone or with some of the 2D images, preferably pairs of orthogonally disposed 2D images.
US09498178B2
A method for performing reconstruction for a region of interest (ROI) of an object is provided. The method includes designating the ROI within the object, the ROI being located within a scan field of view (FOV) of a combined third- and fourth-generation CT scanner, the CT scanner including fixed photon-counting detectors (PCDs), and an X-ray source that rotates about the object in synchronization with a rotating detector. Further, the method includes determining, for each PCD, as a function of view angle, an on/off timing schedule, based on a size and location of the designated ROI, and performing a scan to obtain a first data set from the rotating detector and a second data set from the plurality of PCDs, while turning each PCD on and off according to the determined schedule. Finally, the method includes performing reconstruction using the first and second data sets to obtain ROI spectral images.
US09498177B2
A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measured data, the measured data being captured during a rotating movement of a radiation source of a computed tomography system around the examination object. In at least one embodiment, different iteration images of the examination object are determined successively from the measured data by way of an iterative algorithm, wherein with the iterative algorithm the current iteration image at any one time is high-pass-filtered and weighted as a function of contrast using a variable which contains contrast information relating to the current iteration image at that time.
US09498175B2
A breast imaging system leverages the combined strengths of two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging to provide a breast cancer screening with improved sensitivity, specificity and patient dosing. A tomosynthesis system supports the acquisition of three-dimensional images at a dosage lower than that used to acquire a two-dimensional image. The low-dose three-dimensional image may be used for mass detection, while the two-dimensional image may be used for calcification detection. Obtaining tomosynthesis data at low dose provides a number of advantages in addition to mass detection including the reduction in scan time and wear and tear on the x-ray tube. Such an arrangement provides a breast cancer screening system with high sensitivity and specificity and reduced patient dosing.
US09498173B2
A mobile radiation generating apparatus comprising: a cart unit; a column extending from the cart unit; and an arm extending from the column; a radiation emitting unit arranged in a distal end portion of the arm, and configured to irradiate an object with radiation; a first display control unit configured to cause a first display apparatus arranged in the cart unit to display a radiation image captured by a radiation imaging apparatus which detects radiation transmitted through the object; and a second display control unit independent of the first display control unit, and configured to cause a second display apparatus arranged in the radiation emitting unit or on the arm to display a thumbnail image of the radiation image and a state of the radiation imaging apparatus.
US09498167B2
A radiation system includes a radiation source having an accelerator, the radiation source having a magnetic field associated therewith that is resulted from an operation of the accelerator, and a magnetic field source configured to provide a compensating magnetic field to at least partially counteract against the magnetic field that is resulted from the operation of the accelerator. A radiation system includes a radiation device having a radiation source, a patient support, and a protective guard located between the radiation source and the patient support, wherein the protective guard is moveably coupled to the radiation device or the patient support. A radiation system includes a particle generator for generating a particle, an accelerator for accelerating the particle, and a magnetic source for changing a trajectory of the particle, wherein the magnetic source comprises a permanent magnet.
US09498163B2
A method, system, and/or apparatus for automatically monitoring for possible mental or physical health concerns. The method or implementing software application uses or relies upon location information available on the mobile device from any source, such as cell phone usage and/or other device applications. The method and system automatically learns user activity patterns and detects significant deviations therefrom. The deviations are automatically analyzed for known correlations to mental or physical concerns, which can then be automatically communicated to a relevant friend, family member, and/or medical professional.
US09498161B1
Passages for communicating ambient air to a pressure sensor within a housing are provided; such passages may have particular cross-sectional characteristics that result in higher-quality pressure data having less noise than may be obtained used passages having other cross-sectional characteristics.
US09498160B2
A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface.
US09498157B2
A method for calibrating detectors of a self-contained, tissue oximetry device includes emitting light from a light source into a tissue phantom, detecting in a plurality of detectors the light emitted from the light source, subsequent to reflection from the tissue phantom, and generating a set of detector responses by the plurality of detectors based on detecting the light emitted from the light source. The method further includes determining a set of differences between the set of detector responses and a reflectance curve for the tissue phantom, and generating a set of calibration functions based on the set of differences. Each calibration function in the set of calibration functions is associated with a unique, light source-detector pair. The method further includes storing the set of calibration function in a memory of the self-contained, tissue oximetry device.
US09498148B2
An electrode for biopotential sensing comprising a main electrode base and at least a plurality of contact pins protruding from the main electrode base and configured to make contact with a subject's skin. Each of the first plurality of contact pins comprises at least one conductive mesh having an elongated pillar shape. A headset or biopotential monitoring system comprising such an electrode for biopotential sensing.
US09498146B2
This invention relates to the determination and/or representation of physiological information relating to a heart surface.
US09498142B2
One aspect relates to a method for producing a layered structure, including providing a substrate, forming a first layer onto at least part of the substrate, the first layer being a first polymer, and forming a second layer onto at least part of the first layer, the second layer being a second polymer. The substrate and the second layer are electrically conductive and the first layer is insulating or the substrate and the second layer are insulating and the first layer is electrically conductive. Forming each of the first and second layers includes forming such that each layer is no more than one tenth of the thickness of the substrate.
US09498135B2
Systems, methods and devices are implemented for microscope imaging solutions. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed toward an epifluorescence microscope. The microscope includes an image capture circuit including an array of optical sensor. An optical arrangement is configured to direct excitation light of less than about 1 mW to a target object in a field of view of that is at least 0.5 mm2 and to direct epi-fluorescence emission caused by the excitation light to the array of optical sensors. The optical arrangement and array of optical sensors are each sufficiently close to the target object to provide at least 2.5 μm resolution for an image of the field of view.
US09498133B2
Provided herein are dual modality imaging systems and methods within displayed anatomical structures of placenta in real time. The imaging system comprises a dual modality laser optoacoustic and ultrasonic platform with a plurality of subsystems for delivering near infrared light, optoacoustic and ultrasonic pulses to the placenta and/or associated tissue and deep anatomic structures, for detecting ultrasonic pulses generated or reflected within the tissue using a multi-channel optoacoustic-ultrasound probe and associated transducers. The dual modality imaging system displays the results obtained as quantitative functional images of the parameters coregistered with anatomic tissue images. A multichannel electronic system comprising a computer tangibly storing software enables processor-executable instructions to calculate quantitative functional parameters of the placental blood within specific anatomical tissue structures and display quantitative functional optoacoustic images of the functional parameters within specific anatomical structures in the tissue that are visualized by ultrasound.
US09498132B2
A sensor means is employed to sense a distance to the surface of a subject to be examined, so that a range image may be acquired. Intensity information may be acquired alongside the distance information. The distance information and intensity information may be evaluated to track the pose of the sensor means relative to the surface of the subject to be examined, so that anatomical data related to said subject may be displayed as seen from the position and/or orientation of the sensor means or display means. By moving the sensor means or display means along the surface of the subject to be examined, such as a patient in a hospital environment, the user hence gets the impression of being able to look directly into the human body.
US09498130B2
A system for monitoring blood pressure and other physiologic parameters is provided. The system is designed such that it can be delivered to the patient with ease and minimal invasion. The system contains at least one self contained implantable sensing device consisting of a sensor, an electrical circuit for signal conditioning and magnetic telemetry, a biocompatible outer surface and seal, an anchoring method, and an external readout device. The implant is small in size so that it may be delivered to the desired location and implanted using a catheter, although direct surgical implantation is also possible. The circuit, sensor, and antenna for telemetry are packaged together and sealed hermetically to the biologic environment. The larger readout unit remains outside the body but proximal to the implant for minimizing communication distance.
US09498119B2
An adaptive optics system includes an irradiation unit adapted to irradiate an object with measurement light via a spatial light modulator; a detection unit adapted to detect a wavefront of return light from the object by a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses are arranged; an acquisition unit adapted to acquire, based on the wavefront detected by the detection unit, correction data for correcting the wavefront by phase wrapping in the spatial light modulator; and a control unit adapted to perform control such that a wavefront discontinuous part formed by the phase wrapping determined by the correction data is held at not less than a predetermined distance from a center of each of the microlenses in the microlens array.
US09498114B2
A system for determining biomechanical properties of corneal tissue includes a light source configured to provide an incident light and a confocal microscopy system configured to scan the incident light across a plurality of cross-sections of corneal tissue. The incident light is reflected by the corneal tissue as scattered light. The system also includes a filter or attenuating device configured to block or attenuate the Rayleigh peak frequency of the scattered light, a spectrometer configured to receive the scattered light and process frequency characteristics of the received scattered light to determine a Brillouin frequency shift in response to the Rayleigh peak frequency being blocked or attenuated by the filter or attenuating device, and a processor configured to determine a three-dimensional profile of the corneal tissue according to the determined Brillouin frequency shift. The three-dimensional profile provides an indicator of one or more biomechanical properties of the corneal tissue.
US09498111B2
The otoscope includes a mounting device (14) in which an ear speculum (16) is releasably attached, the ear speculum (16) including a conically tapering cone portion (20). The ear speculum (16) includes a substantially cylindrical base portion (24) being coaxial to the cone portion (20) and having a diameter which is larger than the largest diameter of the cone portion (20) and being connected through an intermediate wall portion (22) to the cone portion (20). At least one cutout (40) extending to the free edge of the base portion (24) is formed in the base portion (24) of the ear speculum (16). A resilient snap hook (26) is arranged in the cutout (40), the resilient snap hook (26) comprising a connecting leg (60), one end of which is connected to the base portion (24) in the proximity of the free edge and which substantially extends in circumferential direction of the base portion (24), and a holding leg (64) extending from the other end of the connecting leg (60) in the direction of the intermediate wall portion (22), wherein the inner side of the snap hook (26) protrudes into the cylinder space of the base portion (24).
US09498103B2
A simply structured and conveniently used detergent release controller capable of avoiding detergent from solidifying and preventing use has a main channel. One terminal of the main channel is an inlet of a fluid, and the other terminal of the main channel is an outlet capable of being connected with a water outlet of a washing barrel. The detergent release controller is provided with multiple valves including valve A, valve B, valve C, valve D, a liquid collecting cavity, and a Venturi negative pressure generator. An inlet of valve A is connected with a bypass of the main channel. An inlet of valve B is connected with a storage tank of detergent A. The present disclosure is applicable to apparatuses such as clothes washing machines and dish washing machines.
US09498097B2
A portable toilet seat adapter (100) can size down a stationary toilet to a child size and also provide a sanitary barrier. The seat adapter (100) comprises a carrying case (105) and an open-front toilet seat (120) in a U-shape. The toilet seat (120) folds in a catty-corner position for size reduction and then folds into the carrying case (105). Living hinges are rotatable hinges integrated in the toilet seat (120) so that the toilet seat (120) can be formed from a single molding. Also, living hinges are integrated between a lid (110) for rotation around a base (130) and the carrying case (105) can be formed from a single mold. Fasteners that close the carrying case (105) can also be living hinges and formed from the same single mold as the carrying case (105).
US09498093B2
A soap holding bathing assistance device for holds and dispenses soap from a container usable to scrub a person when bathing includes a container having a closed end and a peripheral wall extending from the closed end defining an interior space of the container. The container has an open end opposite the closed end wherein the container is configured for receiving soap into the interior space of the container. The container is constructed of an absorptive material wherein the container is configured for applying soap to a bather. An exterior surface of the container is abrasive wherein the container is configured for removing dead skin as the container is used to apply soap to the bather. A closure inhibits the soap from passing through the open end of the container.
US09498092B2
A cleaning brush is composed of a grip, a brush body, and a tightener. The grip includes a mounting portion running through first and second lateral sides and having an opening formed on a top side thereof, and a retaining portion located at third and fourth lateral sides. The brush body is a spherical reticular member formed of a tubular reticulum and includes a central portion passing through the opening and located at the mounting portion. The holds the central portion and the retaining portion for limiting the relative positions of the brush body and the grip. Thus, the brush body is not subject to sliding with respect to the grip to make the cleaning brush have definite perception of touch and preferable cleaning effect.
US09498084B2
Cookware formed from carbon steel having a handle comprising two tangs cut from a peripheral flange surrounding a formed body of the cookware, such as a fry pan, wherein end portions of the tangs are integral with the formed body, the tangs being bent to form the handle configuration.
US09498083B2
The invention relates to an appliance (1) for cooking food, the appliance comprising firstly a receptacle (2) for containing the food and secondly a blade (8) placed within the receptacle (2), said receptacle (2) and blade (8) being designed to be driven with relative rotary motion so as to stir the food in the receptacle (2), the appliance being characterized in that the blade (8) includes turnover means (13) shaped to act under the effect of the relative rotary motion to cause at least a fraction of the food to turn over in a turnover direction (D) that presents, in the plane of the rotary motion, a majority component that is radial.
US09498076B1
A clip to assist a user in pulling up a zipper is particularly suited for zippers located on the back of garments. The clip attaches to a zipper puller portion of a zipper and is provided with a spring-loaded clamping mechanism that grasps the puller. The clip is also provided with an extending elastic cord. The clip is installed upon the garment prior to donning and the cord is then grasped and pulled to close the zipper. A pair of release arms on the side of the clip is pressed together to install and release the clip from the zipper puller.
US09498074B1
A pizza slice tray made of paperboard with two inclining edges. Three scores are provided that extend between opposite ends and are creased to be folded. A central one of the scores separates the tray into symmetric halves. Each of the remaining two scores extend substantially parallel to respective ones of the inclining edges. A perforated line extends between the inclining edges to cross the three scores so as to separate from each other narrower and wider portions of the tray and enable folding at the perforated line so that the narrower portion lies under the wider portion.
US09498071B2
A harness system comprised of a harness assembly having adjustable shoulder and waist straps connected therewith secured at two points of engagement to an anchoring assembly permanently anchored to a baby carrier. A padding member is attached to the shoulder strap of the harness assembly extending over either side of the user's shoulder. The adjustability of the present invention provides a system that accommodates users of various sizes. The anchoring assembly is comprised of a plurality of washers, a plurality of anchoring straps, and at least one spacer secured to a carrier bar of the carrier by a fastener and a lock nut. Two anchoring straps on each side of the carrier allow the harness assembly to be releasably anchored to either side of the anchoring assembly depending upon the user's preference. Once the harness assembly is connected to the carrier, the user may carry the carrier “hands-free.”
US09498070B2
An adjustable height child booster seat including a seat and a base configured to be placed on an elevated surface above ground. The seat may be rotated relative to the base to move the seat and the base relative to each other in to adjust the booster seat to a desired height.
US09498068B2
Removable massage modules provide a mattress with a massage function. The mattress is compressed and shipped in a packing box with the massage modules separate from the mattress. The end customer then inserts the massage modules. The mattress has a bottom foam layer with cavities whose walls are perpendicular to the outer surface of the foam layer. Each massage module includes a massage motor encased in molded foam. The molded foam is attached to a foam section with cylindrical holes that pass from an outer side to the molded foam and allow hot air to escape the massage motor. The top and bottom sides of each massage module have the shape formed by the walls of the cavities. The massage modules are connected by power cords to a module controller that receives RF signals from a remote control device. The massage modules can also be inserted into a mattress topper.
US09498067B2
A seat device is provided. The seat device has a foot part, an intermediate piece that is connected to the foot part, and a seat that is connected to the intermediate piece and is formed by two individual seat halves. The seat halves can be moved independently of each other. A coupling device is provided between the seat and the intermediate piece. The seat halves can be moved horizontally in a translatory manner by the coupling device.
US09498062B2
An actuating drive for moving a moveable furniture part includes at least one moveably mounted actuating member for moving the moveable furniture part a spring device for subjecting the actuating member to force; and an adjustment device by which a force of the spring device acting on the actuating member can be adjusted. The adjustment device has an adjustment screw having a thread, wherein the force of the spring device acting on the actuating member can be adjusted via a screw nut mounted displaceably along the thread. At least one spring element is provided via which the screw nut can be subjected, at at least one end region of the adjustment screw, to a force directed away from the end region.
US09498057B2
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
US09498049B2
A holder for the shank of a tool comprising a cylinder having a series of shoulders and grooves in radial formation with the shoulders and grooves allowing for O-rings to penetrate to the interior and exterior of the cylinder to form a means whereby the shank of a tool can be inserted and the tool held in position. As an alternative embodiment the shoulders and grooves can be helical around the cylinder with rubber latex tubing in the grooves and penetrating to the interior and exterior of the cylinder to thereby hold a tool or implement.Also note that a tool can be inserted at either end of the cylinder; and that an oversize cylinder can be inserted over the cylinder and held by the exterior portion of the O-ring or latex tubing.A special embodiment of this invention is the formation of a grommet employing a tubular portion to form a ring into which is cut grooves forming shoulders and into which is inserted an O-ring to form a grommet.
US09498046B2
The present invention relates to a two-in-one apparatus comprising a cosmetic brush and sponge, comprising a cosmetic brush container (10) and a cosmetic sponge container (20) which are symmetrical to each other and are rotatably attached in contact.
US09498039B2
A heating blower such as a hair dryer includes a generator and a controller both disposed in a housing in which a blowing path is formed. The generator includes at least one of an ion generator for generating an ion, an acid component generator for generating an acid component, and a charged particulate liquid for generating a charged particulate liquid. The controller controls an amount of the component generated by the generator. The controller further performs control such that the amount of the component decreases after a lapse of predetermined time or with a lapse of time from an operation start of the generator. The foregoing structure allows supplying hair with the component in an amount adequate to a dry state of the hair.
US09498036B1
A carrying kit comprising a bag, a hot-cold pack and a divider configured for maintaining food at desired temperature during transport. The configurable flexible divider has at least one panel operative for creating insulated cells within a cavity of the bag, the cells isolating a plurality of items in the bag, one from the other. The cells can be maintained at different temperatures by hot-cold disposed within the panels of the divider. The divider further protects the items within the cell from crushing and from shock. In one example embodiment, the bag has an adjustable shelf splitting the cavity into upper and lower portions. The shelf attaches to the cavity by at least one flap that rises and lowers the shelf. The lower cavity portion is accessible through a horizontal opening.
US09498021B2
An improved cleat design is provided for article of footwear. At least one cleat is arranged on a bottom surface of the outsole, such that the cleat is disposed partially within the outsole and extends substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface of the outsole. The cleat includes an aperture such that a portion of the outsole extends through the aperture in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the outsole to retain the at least one cleat in a desired position relative to the outsole.
US09498020B2
Cell flow device and method provides a sequential linear flow of pressure resistance includes a family cell of two or more continuance cells. These continuance cells have the same or different size and shape. They also have different degrees of elastomeric capability and are in fluid connection with the advantage of a properly calibrated valve(s) and will transfer air, gas, liquid, or other substance or media, or mixture thereof by a sequential linear flow of pressure resistance from a reservoir or external source through different degrees of elastic potential energy, geometric advantages, or introduction of a force. Thereby, the family cell performs the predetermined function in any device that uses the technology for a wide array of uses for users and operators thereof.
US09498018B2
Embodiments of an improved high heel shoe are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the improved high heel shoe can include an upper, a sole at least partially connected to the upper, a heel at least partially connected to the sole, and a platform including a portion of the sole. The platform can include an improved platform assembly comprising a plurality of springs located between the sole and a cover that engages a foot of the wearer.
US09498016B2
A lighting shoe includes a power generating device. When a user steps on or presses the lighting shoe, the power generating device bears an external force and generates an inducted current or charge by electromagnetic induction or piezoelectric characteristic to supply the LED to light. To be suitable for the thickness, the electrical requirement, or the cost of the lighting shoe, various similar power generating devices are disclosed to match the shoes in the present invention. The lighting shoe of the invention can increase the identification rate in the night, and improve the traffic safety of the user.
US09498015B2
A visor configured for engagement to a riding helmet for horseback riders in an as-used position. The visor has an extra long frontal bill which extends around the helmet to side portions. The bill protects the eyes and most of the rider's face from sun and the sides protect the ears and side of the face. An elastic band provides a biased engagement to a helmet and optional vent apertures and retainment clips are employable to hold the device to a helmet more securely in high wind.
US09498014B2
A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.
US09498008B2
Garments having an evacuation harness that are intended for connection to each other, with each garment having an outer wear unit including at least a torso portion and an evacuation harness that includes a torso strap system connected to the outer wear unit, a drag strap coupling connected to the torso strap system and extending rearward relative to the outer wear unit, and a drag strap connected at a first end to the torso strap system at a position above the drag strap coupling and the drag strap being selectively extendible rearward relative to the outer wear unit. Also disclosed are methods of connecting a rescuer wearing a garment having an evacuation harness to an individual wearing a similarly configured garment having an evacuation harness.
US09498007B2
A child's outerwear garment is disclosed that facilitates quickly and properly putting a child into a child's safety car seat and fastening them therein with the seat's restraint system according to NHSTA recommendations. The outerwear garment also facilitates quickly and easily removing a child from the safety seat. The outerwear garment has a rear portion that is worn like a vest but does not cover the chest area of the child so that the belts of the safety seat may be properly positioned and adjusted on the front of a child in the seat without the presence of the front portion. A front portion of the garment is then attached to the rear portion and it helps retain the position of the belts of the safety seat and helps prevent a child from wiggling out of the belts.
US09498005B2
An apparatus allowing a woman to pump milk from her breasts without the necessity of the woman's hands holding the breast pumps utilizes at least one band of material encircling the woman's chest, the band of material provided with two openings corresponding to the woman's breasts. A center panel would be provided to adjust the fit of the band. Additionally, in another embodiment, a back panel would be used in conjunction with the center panel to connect left and right panels together, the left and right panels including openings for a woman's breast. In all of the embodiments, semicircular pieces would cover each of the openings. In yet another embodiment, a removable piece is attached to the front of the apparatus, allowing the woman to wear the apparatus all day, even in public.
US09497999B2
An electronic vapor provision device comprising a battery assembly 8 and a vaporizer 24, wherein the battery assembly 8 comprises a power cell 10 and a computer 12, the vaporizer 24 is releasably connectable to the battery assembly 8 and the computer 12 comprises a computer processor 16 and a memory 18; wherein the computer 12 is configured to detect whether the vaporizer 24 is connected to the battery assembly 8; the battery assembly 8 further comprises a capacitor 38; and the computer 12 is configured to first charge the capacitor 38 and then detect whether a vaporizer 24 is connected to the battery assembly 8 by measuring whether the capacitor 38 is discharged.
US09497998B2
An electronic cigarette includes a mouthpiece, an atomizer assembly, a first connecting assembly, a second connecting assembly, and a power assembly. The atomizer assembly is received in the first housing of the mouthpiece, which includes a liquid reservoir and a heating element. The first connecting assembly includes a first conductive tube, a second conductive tube, and a first sleeve. The first sleeve includes an insulation tube, a convex ring, and a connecting portion. The insulation tube is disposed between the first conductive tube and the second conductive tube; the convex ring is sleeved on the second conductive tube and fixed to the first housing; the connecting portion extends through the second conductive tube and interconnects the insulation tube and the convex ring. The second connecting assembly includes a second sleeve and a flexible conductive ring. The power assembly includes a second housing fixed to the first housing and a battery.
US09497994B2
An atomizing device comprises an atomizing seat, and an atomizer having a heating wire and disposed at one side of the atomizing seat. A first electrode assembly is disposed at another side of the atomizing seat away from the atomizer. The first electrode assembly includes a first seat body and a first electrode post, two of which two of which are insulated from each other and respectively connected with two ends of the heating wire to form the positive and negative electrode. The first seat body resists the atomizing seat and clamps a first end of the heating wire therebetween, and the first electrode post resists the atomizing seat and clamps a second end of the heating wire therebetween. The heating wire is secured by the squeezing of the atomizing seat and the first electrode assembly, the atomizing sleeve, which has a stable structure and low cost.
US09497981B2
The present invention is a process and the product produced by that process for solid, particulate animal feed premixes, characterized by having a certain particle size range, physical stability, hardness range, and rapid dissolution, wherein the premixes contain various drugs and other, pharmaceutically and nutritionally acceptable diluents, binders and formulation aids as needed, or desired.
US09497978B2
A method of making coffee is provided. After a cold-brewed coffee is extracted from coffee beans, nitrogen gas is charged into the cold-brewed coffee. The cold-brewed coffee into which nitrogen gas is dissolved, is cooled to form a nitrogen-charged coffee. Therefore, the nitrogen-charged coffee may keep a rich density of foam and a flavor.
US09497977B2
A refrigeration appliance comprises a cavity in which an ozone generating device is placed. The ozone generating device is configured to maintain in the cavity a concentration of ozone between 0.04 and 0.12 ppm, more preferably between 0.06 and 0.1 ppm.
US09497972B2
The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.
US09497964B2
A method for controlling pathogens on a plant tissue of a growing plant with an aqueous solution resulting from the dissolution in water of a powdered composition comprising a dry, water soluble mixture of (i) a peracetic acid precursor comprising: a solid hydrogen peroxide precursor, optionally a pH adjusting agent, and an acetylating agent; and (ii) at least one SAR inducer which is a water soluble silicate salt defining a source of silicate ions, to generate in situ peracetic acid (PAA). A synergistic effect is observed once the SAR inducer which is a water soluble silicate salt defining a source of silicate ions, and the peracetic acid are respectively simultaneously present in and on the plant.
US09497962B1
The present invention is related to an improved method of foaming hydroalcoholic solutions having between 60% and 80% ethanol (by weight) present. The compositions of the present invention are useful as hand sanitizer compositions. The compositions of the present invention provide copious dense foam, and an outstanding skin feel upon evaporation of the water and alcohol.
US09497956B2
A vegetation control system for use with chemically-based treatments includes at least one distribution apparatus and at least one reservoir mounted onto a mobile unit. Routed within a passageway or passageways in the distribution apparatus are one or more conduits. These conduits are configured to route the chemically-based treatment from the reservoir through the passageway(s) to an end of the distribution apparatus, having one or more nozzles. The vegetation control system may be used by an operator to target specific branches and other specified areas of vegetation for treatment. The distribution apparatus is mounted onto the mobile unit for application of the treatment in various areas.
US09497947B2
Provided is a fishing spinning reel in which biting or entanglement of a fishing line in components disposed inside a rotor can be prevented and with which a fine fishing operability can be provided. A fishing spinning reel includes a reel body 1, a rotor 3 rotated in accordance with a rotational operation of a handle 5 provided on the reel body 1, a spool 4 around which a fishing line is wound through a line guide 35 provided on an arm portion 32 of the rotor 3, a cylindrical protection cover 20 disposed on a front portion of the reel body 1 inside the rotor 3 to house components disposed inside the rotor 3, and a fishing line stopper protruding out from an outer periphery of the protection cover 20 in a radial direction.
US09497942B2
An aquarium filtration system comprises an aquarium; a hollow ornament filtration device disposed adjacent to an inner bottom surface of the aquarium; and an aquarium support, capable of supporting the aquarium atop. The hollow ornament filtration device includes a main portion including a filter therein and a base including a magnetic impeller. In operation, the impeller draws a portion of water through a top opening of the main portion of the hollow ornament filtration device, through the filter, and out of at least one lateral opening of the base. The impeller is magnetically driven by magnets spun by an electric motor disposed in the aquarium support. In an embodiment, the filter is a replaceable filter cartridge including filtration media to provide mechanical and chemical filtration. Advantageously, all of the elements of the filtration system are hidden providing a more aesthetically pleasing experience.
US09497937B1
A ground-mounted bird feeder includes a shield to prevent squirrels from accessing the feeder portion of the bird feeder. The ground-mounted bird feeder may include a post and a feeder mounted on the post, and a shield may be placed below a bottom of the feeder, and may also be above the feeder.
US09497934B2
A pet toy has an integral noisemaking module or assembly. The module is located within an interior cavity of the pet toy. The module defines an internal protective housing with at least one noisemaking element mounted within the module, such as a squeaker. The squeaker is mounted to a position in the module that results in the squeaker being placed in a protected and offset location as compared to the exterior surface of the toy. Multiple noisemaking elements can be mounted in the module to produce different types of sounds and volumes of sounds. Variable forces placed on the pet toy result in different sounds produced by the noisemaking elements. For example, each noisemaking element may have a different threshold air flow requirement in order to produce sound.
US09497933B2
A device for restricting a movement of a four-legged animal may include an animal harness, bands, a cord, and an actuator. The animal harness may include neck straps, chest straps, a tubular guide, a back piece, back straps, and two pulleys. The two pulleys may be arranged at respective ends of an elastic cord means, which may be fastened to the animal harness. The bands may be arranged around hind legs of the four-legged animal. The cord may be arranged from each band to the animal harness via the two pulleys. The actuator may be fastened to a forward part of the animal harness and may tighten the cord. Further, the actuator may include an electric motor that tightens the cord. Furthermore, the actuator may be activated by a receiver unit that receives signals from a transmitter unit.
US09497930B2
A pet drinking fountain assembly having a pump forming part of a fountain mounting arrangement that includes a lift tube coupling a cover to the pump coupled to a lower basin by a mount. The mount and lift tube attenuate pump noise and vibration by providing isolation from the basin and cover and can function as dampeners. In a preferred embodiment the pump is part of a pump module that includes a module housing to which the pump is attached by another noise-attenuating mount. Each mount is formed by one or more suction cups with the cups and lift tube made of vibration dampening material, such as a resilient vibration dampening or isolating material that can be an elastomeric material. The module includes a lift tube coupling discharge that registers in fluid flow communication with a pump outlet and can include a ring or bushing therebetween providing additional noise attenuation.
US09497923B1
The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 373284. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 373284, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 373284 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 373284.
US09497922B1
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01051809. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01051809. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01051809 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01051809 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09497919B2
A barley plant including a mutant LOX-1 protein and that is deficient in lipoxygenase activity.
US09497918B2
The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated FA9S10-0008R. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar FA9S10-0008R. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar FA9S10-0008R and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar FA9S10-0008R with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.
US09497915B2
A novel soybean variety, designated XR32AU14 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XR32AU14, cells from soybean variety XR32AU14, plants of soybean XR32AU14, and plant parts of soybean variety XR32AU14. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XR32AU14 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XR32AU14, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XR32AU14, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XR32AU14. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XR32AU14 are further provided.
US09497901B2
A method for defining boundaries for a work area of a robotic vehicle may include receiving map data descriptive of a parcel of land and receiving information indicative of at least one reference object disposed on the parcel. The at least one reference object may have corresponding information for defining boundaries for a work area on the parcel associated therewith. The work area may define an area to be worked by a robotic vehicle. The method may further include determining the boundaries responsive to detection of the at least one reference object, and operating the robotic vehicle to remain within the area defined by the boundaries.
US09504194B2
Provided are a magnetic field shield sheet for a wireless charger, a method of manufacturing the sheet, and a receiver for the wireless charger by using the sheet. The sheet includes at least one layer thin magnetic sheet made of an amorphous ribbon separated into a plurality of fine pieces; a protective film that is adhered on one surface of the thin magnetic sheet via a first adhesive layer provided on one side of the protective film; and a double-sided tape that is adhered on the other surface of the thin magnetic sheet via a second adhesive layer provided on one side of the double-sided adhesive tape, wherein gaps among the plurality of fine pieces are filled by some parts of the first and second adhesive layers, to thereby isolate the plurality of fine pieces.
US09504189B1
A cooling apparatus is provided, which includes: a thermal conductor to cool a heat-dissipating component(s) of an electronics enclosure, the enclosure including an air inlet side through which airflow ingresses. The thermal conductor includes a first conductor portion coupled to the heat-dissipating component(s), and a second conductor portion positioned along the enclosure's air inlet side. The apparatus further includes one or more air-cooled heat sinks coupled to the second conductor portion to facilitate transfer of heat from the second conductor portion to the airflow ingressing into the enclosure, and one or more thermoelectric devices coupled to at least one of the first or second conductor portions to selectively provide auxiliary cooling. A controller controls operation of the thermoelectric device(s) and selectively switches operation of the cooling apparatus between an active cooling mode, where the thermoelectric device(s) is active, and a passive cooling mode, where the thermoelectric device is inactive.
US09504180B2
A mounting system (1) arranges electric devices (2), especially in switchgear cabinets. The mounting system (1) includes at least one preferably horizontal mounting strip (3) to which at least one device (2) can be secured. An ordering assembly (8) can be connected to the mounting strip (3) and used for ordering the connecting wires (34, 35) of the device (2) to be secured to the mounting strip (3). Ordering assembly (8) has a plurality of ordering segments (7, 9, 11) along the longitudinal direction of the mounting strip (3). The ordering segments are interconnected or rest against one another. One or more ordering segments (7, 9, 11) can be selectively detached from the ordering assembly (8) and can be removed from ordering assembly (8) to leave a gap (8) or be replaced by another ordering segment (7, 9, 11).
US09504176B2
A waterproof structure for use in display device includes a back cover (100), a display module (200) and a waterproof member (300). The back cover (100) includes a peripheral part of back cover (110), a stop part (120) connected to the peripheral part of back cover (110), and a groove (130) defined between the peripheral part of back cover (110) and the stop part (120), wherein the height of the peripheral part of back cover (110) is greater than the height of the stop part (120). The display module (200) is disposed on the back cover (100). The waterproof member (300) is disposed between the display module (200) and the stop part (120). Accordingly, the speed of moisture permeating into the display device can be buffered so as to prolong the service life.
US09504164B2
Disclosed herein are systems methods for using ink comprising organometallics in a flexographic printing process using engraved anilox rolls to transfer ink to an impression roll that prints a pattern on a substrate. A banded anilox roll with more than one geometry and/or volume of cells may be used in these production systems and methods. The pattern printed may comprise a plurality of lines which are each from 1 micrometer-25 micrometers wide and may be part of an electronics application such as a touch screen sensor or an RF antenna that requires microscopic conductive patterns such as touch screen displays or antennas.
US09504162B2
Certain processes for manufacturing an electrochemical sensor module include etching a Silicon wafer to form precursor sensor bodies, disposing sensor fibers along rows of the precursor sensor bodies, securing a rigid layer over the sensor fibers, dividing the wafer, rigid layer, and sensor fibers into individual precursor sensor bodies, and joining each precursor sensor body to a component body to form sensor modules.
US09504158B2
According to some embodiments, an apparatus includes a circuit board made of polycrystalline diamond. The circuit board is formed by deposition of layers of poly(hydridocarbyne). Each layer has the geometry of a cross section of the circuit board. The circuit board is further formed by pyrolysis of the layers of poly(hydridocarbyne) at a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius and less than or equal to 800 degrees Celsius. The apparatus additionally includes a plurality of tubes formed within the circuit board. The tubes have a plurality of terminations at one or more surfaces of the circuit board. Each tube comprises a layer of graphene that is operable to permit each tube to conduct electrical current. Each layer of graphene is formed by thermolysis of the polycrystalline diamond circuit board at a temperature greater than or equal to 900 degrees Celsius. Each tube is substantially hollow each layer of graphene forms an outer surface of the respective tube.
US09504154B2
A semiconductor device composed of a plurality of semiconductor modules exhibiting a large current carrying capacity for a semiconductor device as a whole is disclosed. The connection between the plurality of semiconductor modules is conducted by means of optimum construction suited to the semiconductor device. The device comprises a semiconductor module having externally connecting terminals protruding out of a casing, bus bars electrically connecting the specific externally connecting terminals of the plurality of semiconductor modules arranged in parallel with each other, and a semiconductor module case covering and fastening the plurality of semiconductor modules connected with the bus bars. The bus bars and the externally connecting terminals of the semiconductor modules are joined by means of laser welding.
US09504151B2
Provided is a conductive film having a high conductivity in which electric resistance is less likely to increase, and a conductive composition for forming the same. The conductive composition includes an elastomer component, a fibrous carbon material having a fiber diameter of less than 30 nm, and a flake-like carbon material having a graphite structure, having an intensity ratio (G/D ratio) of a peak (G band) appearing in the vicinity of 1580 cm−1 to a peak (D band) appearing in the vicinity of 1330 cm−1 of Raman spectrum of not less than 1.8, and having a maximum length of not less than 150 nm and a thickness of not more than 100 nm. The conductive film is formed from the conductive composition.
US09504144B2
This power module substrate includes a copper plate that is formed of copper or a copper alloy and is laminated on a surface of a ceramic substrate 11; a nitride layer 31 that is formed on the surface of the ceramic substrate 11 between the copper plate and the ceramic substrate 11; and an Ag—Cu eutectic structure layer 32 having a thickness of 15 μm or less that is formed between the nitride layer and the copper plate.
US09504141B2
Described is an electronics assembly that includes an electronics carrier comprising a cavity and a plurality of modules disposed within the electronics carrier. Each module may include a power handling component mounted on a printed circuit board and a dielectric barrier mechanically attached to the printed circuit board to electrically isolate the power handling component of the module from an adjacent module disposed within the electronics carrier. The dielectric barrier may mechanically attach to the electronics carrier.
US09504138B2
Embodiments of the inventive concept include a semiconductor device having a circuit board including a first outer layer, a contact region in the first outer layer, a second layer formed on an opposite side of the first outer layer, a via-hole, and a plurality of inner layers formed to be stacked between the first layer and the second layer. A case may accommodate the circuit board. The case may have a projection portion that is configured to come in contact with the circuit board in the contact region. The plurality of inner layers may include a ground layer. The first outer layer may be connected to the ground layer through a via-hole. The case may be connected to the ground layer through the first outer layer.
US09504135B2
An apparatus and method for magnetic control of an electron beam includes a control circuit having a first low voltage source and a second low voltage source. The control circuit also includes a first switching device coupled in series with the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when in a closed position and a second switching device coupled in series with the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when in a closed position. The control circuit further includes a capacitor coupled in parallel with an electron beam manipulation coil and positioned along the first and second current paths and a current source circuit electrically coupled to the electron beam manipulation coil and constructed to generate an offset current in the first and second current paths.
US09504124B2
An electronic device may be provided with an organic light-emitting diode display with minimized border regions. The border regions may be minimized by providing conductive structures that pass through polymer layers of the display and/or conductive structures that wrap around an edge of the display and couple conductive traces on the display to conductive traces on additional circuitry that is mounted behind the display.
US09504123B2
Hybrid high electron mobility field-effect transistors including inorganic channels and organic gate barrier layers are used in some applications for forming high resolution active matrix displays. Arrays of such high electron mobility field-effect transistors are electrically connected to thin film switching transistors and provide high drive currents for passive devices such as organic light emitting diodes. The organic gate barrier layers are operative to suppress both electron and hole transport between the inorganic channel layer and the gate electrodes of the high electron mobility field-effect transistors.
US09504120B2
A system includes a plurality of light-emitting devices electrically coupled together. A temperature of each of the light-emitting devices is correlated with a voltage of said light-emitting device. The system includes a current driver configured to control an amount of current through at least a subset of the light-emitting devices. The system includes electronic circuitry that is electrically coupled to the subset of the light-emitting devices. The electronic circuitry is configured to: measure a voltage of the subset of the light-emitting devices while the light-emitting devices are in operation; determine, based on the measured voltage, whether the subset of the light-emitting devices is hotter than an acceptable temperature threshold; and instruct the current driver to reduce the amount of current through the subset of the light-emitting devices if the subset of the light-emitting devices has been determined to be hotter than the acceptable temperature threshold.
US09504107B2
A backlight unit includes a DC-DC converter that converts a first voltage to a second voltage in response to a driving pulse signal and a driving controller that outputs the driving pulse signal in response to an over-current control signal to control a reference voltage and a level of the second voltage. The driving controller controls the reference voltage in response to the over-current control signal such that the reference voltage increases prior to the second voltage by a predetermined time when the second voltage needs to be increased. In addition, the driving controller controls the reference voltage in response to the over-current control signal when the second voltage needs to be decreased such that the reference voltage decreases later than the second voltage by the predetermined time.
US09504099B2
A light bulb base includes a power source interface configured to couple the light bulb base to a light bulb socket. It also includes a bulb-coupling interface configured to removably couple the light bulb base to a bulb assembly. A user interface mechanism is also included in the light bulb base, and is operable to control a function of the bulb assembly or the base when the base is coupled to the bulb assembly. The light bulb base may also include a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote control source and/or a controller configured to perform the function.
US09504093B2
A mobile telecommunications local area network (20) is described with a concentrator (32) connected to a plurality of radio heads (36, 38) via a local area network (LAN, 20). The concentrator (32) provides remote control of a local timing signal individually in each radio head. The control may be open loop or closed loop and may be provided through the LAN. The concentrator may also provide digital signal processing (DSP) as a shared resource for the radio heads (36, 38). The DSP may include channel coding. The radio heads (36, 38) may provide modulation for channel coded signals transmitted from the concentrator (32) via the LAN (20). The LAN may be wired LAN or a wireless LAN.
US09504092B2
A system for the coexistence between a plurality of wireless communication modules sharing a single antenna includes an antenna, first and second transceiving paths, and first and second wireless communications modules. The first wireless communications module is coupled to a first transceiving path and transmits or receives first wireless signals via the first transceiving path. The second wireless communications module is coupled to the second transceiving path and transmits and receives second wireless signals via the first and the second transceiving paths, wherein signal strengths of the second wireless signals passing through the second transceiving path are attenuated by a certain level, and the attenuated second wireless signals are added to the first wireless signals when passing through the first transceiving path, wherein one of the first and the second communications module is a LTE module and the other one is a WLAN module.
US09504081B2
There are disclosed methods, apparatuses and computer programs for use in wireless communications systems for suspending a connection in the wireless communication system. In particular there are disclosed methods, apparatuses and software for use in a wireless communications system to suspend and handle the reactivation of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection for carrying user-plane and control plane data between a user equipment (UE) and a Radio Access Network (RAN). Also disclosed herein are methods, apparatuses and software for handling mobility control and downlink data for a UE for which an RRC connection is suspended. There is disclosed a method, implemented in a user equipment (UE) for use with a Radio Access Network (RAN), comprising: the UE suspending an established RRC connection with the RAN; the UE monitoring, while the RRC connection is suspended, for at least one of: paging and notifications of downlink data for the UE; and the UE storing RRC connection data related to the suspended RRC connection, said RRC connection data being usable by the UE to reactivate the suspended RRC connection. Also disclosed a is user equipment for use with a Radio Access Network (RAN), the UE being configured to carry out the aforementioned method, and a computer program having instructions which when carried out by a processor of user equipment (UE) for use with a Radio Access Network (RAN) cause the UE to be configured to operate in accordance with the aforementioned method.
US09504079B2
A system and method for communications in communications systems with relay nodes are provided. A communications controller includes a communications control unit, a bearer control unit coupled to the communications control unit, and a mapping unit coupled to the bearer control unit. The communications control unit manages resources and schedules transmission opportunities, the bearer control unit manages radio bearers for relay nodes coupled to the communications controller, and the mapping unit provides a mapping of user bearers to radio bearers.
US09504076B2
A method and system of establishing a wireless network for audio data transmission with a first and second audio devices having first and second transceivers, the first audio device being an audio signal transmission unit with a user operable switch, and the first and second audio devices being assistive listening devices. Periodically the second transceiver listens for pairing information, at at least one public frequency channel; operating the switch by the user to initiate pairing at any time during operation of the first audio device; the first transceiver transmitting pairing information at said at least one public frequency channel upon operation of the switch. The second audio device automatically pairs to the first audio device upon reception of pairing information from the first transceiver. The first and second transceivers are controlled so that reception of the pairing information from the first audio device is accepted by the second audio device.
US09504071B2
In wireless communication system each MS is assigned a globally unique address. The method and system use one of these globally unique addresses to identify the MS. The efficient method of signaling this large size MS address (MS ID) is proposed. The ‘n’ bit MS ID is divided into ‘p’ parts wherein ‘p’ is greater than 1. The MS is addressed or identified using ‘x’ parts from a set of ‘p’ parts of MS ID, wherein ‘x’<=‘p’. Further, methods to determine and signal the number of parts i.e. value of ‘x’ and which ‘x’ parts out of ‘p’ parts to be used for addressing is also proposed. The decision to determine the number of parts i.e. value of ‘x’ and which ‘x’ parts out of ‘p’ parts to be used for addressing the MS may be static, semi static or dynamic.
US09504063B2
Provided are a terminal device and a retransmission control method that make it possible to minimize increases in overhead in an uplink control channel (PUCCH), even if channel selection is used as the method to transmit response signals during carrier-aggregation communication using a plurality of downlink unit bands. On the basis of the generation status of uplink data and error-detection results obtained by a CRC unit, a control unit in the provided terminal uses response signal transmission rules to control the transmission of response signals or uplink control signals that indicate the generation of uplink data. If an uplink control signal and a response signal are generated simultaneously within the same transmission time unit, the control unit changes the resources allocated to the response signal and/or the phase point of the response signal in accordance with the number and position of ACKs within the error-detection result pattern.
US09504051B2
Intra-cell upstream data forwarding can be utilized in a wireless network such as a wireless local area network. A network forwarding path can be determined based on the signal strength of an access point signal received at client stations within the network, referred to as the observed access point signal strength (OASS). In particular embodiments, a station that is either originating or forwarding a frame can insert its own OASS into the frame before transmitting it and a client station that receives a frame can forward it only if its own OASS exceeds the frame-enclosed OASS, by at least a predetermined amount.
US09504050B2
A wireless communication apparatus is capable of improving communication efficiency by reducing the amount of control information transmitted. A channel quality information extraction section extracts CQI's from a received signal. An allocation control section allocates subcarriers for every communication terminal apparatus and selects a modulation scheme in such a manner that required transmission rate is satisfied for each communication terminal apparatus based on required transmission rate information, etc. and CQI's for communication terminal apparatus of each user. A required subcarrier number determining section decides the number of subcarriers allocated to every communication terminal apparatus so as to satisfy the required transmission rate for each communication terminal apparatus. A required subcarrier number information generating section generates information for the number of subcarriers allocated to every communication terminal apparatus. A subcarrier allocation section allocates packet data to selected subcarriers. Modulating sections adaptively modulate packet data allocated to each subcarrier.
US09504042B2
A computing system includes: a communication unit configured to: determine a relaxed coding profile including a polar-processing range for processing content data over a bit channel; process the content data based on a total polarization level being within the polar-processing range, the polar-processing range for controlling a polar processing mechanism or a portion therein corresponding to the bit channel for the content data; and an inter-device interface, coupled to the communication unit, configured to communicate the content data.
US09504039B2
A distributed base station radio system includes first channelized to broadband conversion unit that receives first downlink channelized data for first radio frequency band from first channelized radio frequency source; and first universal remote radio head communicatively coupled to first channelized to broadband conversion unit. First channelized to broadband conversion unit converts first downlink channelized data into a first downlink broadband signal. First channelized to broadband conversion unit communicates the first downlink broadband signal to first universal remote radio head. First universal remote radio head receives first downlink broadband signal. First universal remote radio head frequency converts the first downlink broadband signal into first downlink radio frequency signals in first radio frequency band. First universal remote radio head is further configured to transmit first downlink radio frequency signals in first radio frequency band to first subscriber unit.
US09504032B2
A method, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a base station for transferring small packets are described. The WTRU generates a packet that has one or more of a medium access control (MAC) or a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) header, the one or more of the MAC or the PLCP header including a field. On a condition that the WTRU has data buffered for transmission, the WTRU includes in the field information that indicates a time or a transmission opportunity (TXOP) needed to transmit at least one packet of data that the WTRU has buffered for transmission. The WTRU transmits the packet to another WTRU in the wireless network. The WTRU receives another packet from the other WTRU with a granted TXO) based on the time needed to transmit the at least one packet of the data that the WTRU has buffered for transmission.
US09504031B2
The embodiments relate to a method and a controlling unit for resource allocation and joint transmission in a cellular communication network. The method includes allocating a first set of frequency resources for transmitting a first set of time slots of data in a subframe, from a first communication node to a User Equipment, UE, and allocating at least one second set of frequency resources for transmitting, at least one second set of time slots of data in the subframe, from at least one second communication node respectively to the UE. The first set of frequency resources is intersected with one of the at least one second set of frequency resources, and union of the first set of time slots of data and the at least one second set of time slots of data is equal to the subframe.
US09504029B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. In detail, the invention relates to a method for a terminal to transmit a UCI in a carrier aggregation-based wireless communication system, and to an apparatus therefor, wherein the method involves the steps of: forming a first cell group having a PCell; forming a second cell group having one or more SCells; receiving one or more data in the second cell group; and transmitting HARQ-ACK information on the one or more data through a PUCCH, wherein, when the first and second cell groups are managed by an identical base station, the HARQ-ACK information is transmitted in the PCell, and, when the first and second cell groups are managed by different base stations, the HARQ-ACK information is transmitted in the second cell group.
US09504028B2
Disclosed are a blind detection mode determination method, blind detection method and device, the blind detection mode determination method comprising: a base station determines the E-PDCCH blind detection mode of a terminal in a subframe according to system configuration information and the blind detection capability of the terminal, and informs the terminal of the determined E-PDCCH blind detection mode of the terminal in the subframe. The blind detection method comprises: a terminal determines the E-PDCCH blind detection mode in a subframe, and conducts E-PDCCH blind detection in the subframe according to the determined E-PDCCH blind detection mode. The E-PDCCH blind detection mode of a UE in a subframe is determined according to the resource occupied in a subframe by the system configuration information, enabling the UE to conduct E-PDCCH blind detection in the subframe according to the determined E-PDCCH blind detection mode, thus avoiding unnecessary energy overhead.
US09504022B2
In deployments where there is a mixture of new Node Bs capable of uplink multi-antenna transmission and legacy Node Bs not capable of uplink multi-antenna transmission some embodiments described herein enable a network node (e.g. a radio network controller, RNC) to configure an uplink control channel (e.g. dedicated physical control channel, DPCCH) to be decodable by both the new and the legacy Node 8s when the UE operates in uplink multi-antenna transmission.
US09504021B1
A Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication network wirelessly exchanges first data with LTE User Equipment (UE) using LTE Carrier Aggregation (CA) to support at least an LTE Quality-of-Service Class Identifier 5 (QCI 5) data bearer. The LTE communication network detects if the LTE UE accepts an LTE QCI 1 data bearer while the LTE CA and the LTE QCI 5 data bearer are active. In response, LTE communication network disables the LTE CA for the LTE UE. LTE communication network wirelessly exchanges second data with the LTE UE over the LTE QCI 1 data bearer without using the LTE CA in response to disablement.
US09504019B2
According to the invention data in a number of logical downlink intended for one or more mobile terminals are received in a first mapping unit, where at least a first High Speed Radio Network Temporary identity is allocated to these logical downlink channels addressing a group of mobile terminals for allowing transmission of channel data for reception by mobile terminals. A mobile terminal then reads, from a Broadcast Control Channel, necessary information including a High Speed Radio Network Temporary identity allocated to at least one logical downlink channel, where at least said first identity exists among possible identities. It then listens to a high speed shared control channel for the read identity. In case it detects the identity, the terminal follows a scheduling command, receives data on a high-speed downlink shared channel and processes said data.
US09504017B2
A subscriber unit-based method and a subscriber unit include locally maintaining a status of each working channel of a plurality of working channels in a wireless communication system; responsive to an inbound request, selecting one of a plurality of idle working channels of the plurality of working channels and a dedicated control channel; and sending the inbound request on the selected channel. An infrastructure-based method is also provided. Variously, the methods and systems increase service capacity in radio communication systems using idle working channels as flexible control channels. An infrastructure-based method is also described.
US09504015B2
A method and apparatus for receiving a service in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) receives a service from a first node serving a first cell, detects a second cell not providing the service, and determines whether to transmit a message for the second cell to the first node according to a preference for the service.
US09504013B2
The present invention provides a communication node for a communication network. The communication node includes means for identifying that paging is required for a mobile communication device, means for obtaining information identifying at least one cell in which said mobile communication device has been located previously and for obtaining further information relating to at least one of movement of the mobile communication device between cells and a time when said mobile communication device was located in said at least one cell, means for defining a set comprising at least one cell in which to seek said mobile communication device, based on said information and said further information, and means for initiating transmission of a respective paging message for said mobile communication device in each cell of said set.
US09504008B2
A mobile station for notification of a circuit switched event. The mobile station includes a circuit switched modem, a packetized data modem, a radio, and a tune away controller. The circuit switched communicates circuit switched data over a circuit switched network. The packetized data modem communicates packetized data over a packetized data network. The radio couples the packetized data modem to the packetized data network via a packetized data radio link, and couples the circuit switched modem to the circuit switched network via a circuit switched radio link. The tune away controller is coupled to the circuit switched modem and to the packetized data modem, and indicates tune away events over the packetized data network and notice the mobile station to process the circuit switched event, where the tune away controller directs switching of the radio between the packetized data radio link and the circuit switched radio link.
US09504003B2
Embodiments provide an indoor position system that can be used by an mobile device (legacy or non-legacy) without changes at the mobile device. In an embodiment, to use the indoor position system, a user of the mobile device downloads an application to the mobile device, which interfaces with the mobile device's existing wireless radio technology circuitry or module (e.g., WLAN chip) to obtain the position of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the indoor position system includes a plurality of wireless anchors with known positions that are each configured to receive a packet transmitted by the mobile device, time-stamp the packet per the arrival time of the packet, and forward the time-stamped packet to a pre-defined site. At the pre-defined site, the position of the mobile device is computed and sent to the application running on the mobile device.
US09503999B2
There are provided measures for enabling/realizing service continuity in a centralized service network system. Such measures exemplarily comprise detecting a deregistration request for deregistering a terminal with respect to a first switching entity from a registration in which the first switching entity is registered for the terminal as a contact point for centralized services, starting a waiting timer for waiting for a registration request for registering the terminal with respect to a second switching entity upon detection of said deregistration request, and re-registering the terminal in the registration such that the second switching entity is registered for the terminal as a contact point for centralized services upon detection of the registration request for registering the terminal with respect to the second switching entity before expiry of the waiting timer.
US09503995B2
The present disclosure discloses a method for synchronous service-flow transmission in a heterogeneous network, including that: an access point collects a parameter on a wireless-network channel, and reports the parameter to a synchronization managing unit of an access-network controller; the synchronization managing unit dynamically adjusts the received parameter on the wireless-network channel, and transmits the adjusted parameter to each service-flow channel to implement synchronization between different service-flows. The present disclosure also provides a system for synchronous service-flow transmission in a heterogeneous network. With a technical solution of the present disclosure, it is possible to implement synchronous service-flow transmission and reduce delay while increasing a system throughput.
US09503982B2
The disclosure relates to a method in a mobile terminal for communication with a base station in a wireless network during a random access procedure. The method comprises exchanging (202) between the mobile station and the base station, during the random access procedure, information on a selected DRX scheme to be used for communication between the mobile terminal and the base station in the random access procedure, setting (204) the mobile terminal in DRX mode according to the selected DRX scheme and receiving (206) at least one message from the base station during the random access procedure, wherein the at least one message was transmitted according to the selected DRX scheme. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method in a base station, and to a mobile terminal and a base station. By such methods, base station and mobile terminals, battery power in a mobile terminal may be saved during a random access procedure.
US09503981B2
A method (300) and user equipment (110) that are for operation in a wireless communication system (100) maintain system state synchronization between a fixed network (130) of the wireless communication system and the user equipment by performing a receipt (305) of a message from a network station (105) while the user equipment is in a connected state (220); a determination (310) that the message includes an address of the user equipment and that the message is a message that should not be generated while the fixed network has the user equipment logged as being in the connected state; and a switching (315) of the user equipment to an idle state (215).
US09503975B2
A system and method for effectively “exchanging” battery power among physically distinct battery-powered devices communicating in a network for optimal conservation of aggregate battery power to preserve and extend the usable life of devices before requiring recharging. The network communication may be wired, wireless, or some combination; the devices may be mobile, fixed, or some combination. This invention improves Internet access where it already exists by making it faster, more reliable, and less expensive. It can also be used to provide Internet service in places where there is none.
US09503968B2
Vehicle Communications using IEEE 802.11p WAVE functionality includes structure and method whereby a smart phone (SP) linked to an On Board Unit (OBU) having WAVE functionality, and incorporating Automotive Telemetry Protocol (ATP), has at least one processor to configure the SP as a GUI for the OBU, and to enable WAVE authentication of the SP through a networked Road Side Unit. Preferably, the OBU opens, after a command from an ATP Client, a virtual connection for streaming data between the vehicle data bus and a remote server providing an automotive scan tool. Also preferably, the SP may use either cellular or IEEE 802.11 control signals to trialaterate its geographic position with greater accuracy than GPS, and to hand off the geo-position fixes to the OBU. Accumulated geo-location information may be reported to a remote server, providing a centralized geographic trend analysis of plural SPs operating with OBUs.
US09503964B2
A method and a system for a parallel transmission of plural types of wireless links are disclosed. The method includes: activating at least two different types of wireless links in advance; allocating transmission data to the wireless links at a signal source end according to transmission rates of the wireless links; and transmitting the allocated transmission data to the wireless links in parallel via the wireless links, so as to transmit the transmission data to a receiving end. In the method and the system, the data is transmitted via the plural wireless links in parallel, the transmission abilities of the wireless links are sufficiently utilized, and the transmission rate of the data is significantly increased. Since the wireless links are sufficiently utilized, a user's experience is enhanced.
US09503962B2
A mobile wireless device includes a first microphone that receives an audio signal, a plurality of antennas disposed at different distances from the first microphone, a wireless unit that performs wireless signal processing for signals received/transmitted through the antennas, an antenna switch that is connected to the wireless unit and performs antenna switching to connect one of the plurality of antennas to the wireless unit, an audio signal processor that processes the audio signal, and a main body that is wearable and includes the wireless unit, the first microphone, the antenna switch, the audio signal processor, and at least one of the antennas. The audio signal processor calculates a level of the audio signal. The antenna switch performs the antenna switching based on the level of the audio signal to switch to one of the antennas that is anticipated to provide better performance.
US09503954B2
The present invention is a method and system for station location based neighbor determination and handover probability estimation. A serving access point determines the location and movement measurements of a station (STA). Neighboring access points report coordinates of cell fringes of the neighboring access points. The STA sends a request for system information to the current access point along with current location of the STA. The current access point provides the system information, and the STA utilizes the system information to determine best handover candidate from among neighboring access points and an estimate of the time for handover.
US09503953B1
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software for increasing reference signal power to prevent communication format change. In a particular embodiment, a method of operating a wireless communication system includes identifying a wireless communication device with first communication format to second communication format switching capability. The method further provides allocating a center bandwidth in the first communication format for the wireless communication device. The method further provides identifying a handover event from the wireless communication device requesting a switch from the first communication format to the second communication format and increasing the reference signal power for at least the center bandwidth in the first communication format.
US09503952B2
Embodiments are provided for interference cancellation (IC) capability reporting and user equipment (UE) offloading in wireless or heterogeneous networks. In an embodiment, a method performed by a UE includes reporting, to a network, IC capability information of the UE, and receiving, from the network, instructions in accordance with the IC capability information of the UE. A handover procedure is then initiated in accordance with the instructions. In another embodiment, a method performed by a network component includes receiving, from a UE, IC capability information of the UE, evaluating the IC capability information of the UE, and sending instructions to the UE in accordance with the IC capability information of the UE. The instructions determine a handover behavior by the UE.
US09503951B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for a switch from a first communication path between a first device and a second device to a second communication path to be established between the first device and the second device. A method can comprise: in response to the initiation of the switch, sending a notification of the initiation of the switch to a base station for setting up an intermediate communication path between the first device and the second device, wherein the intermediate communication path is relayed by the base station and does not pass a core network; and delivering traffics between the first device and the second device via the intermediate communication path until the second communication path is established.
US09503946B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for mobility estimation in networks including small cells. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving, at a user equipment, at least one of a first time value and a second time value, the first time value being configured for use towards a small cell and configured to have a duration to inhibit a hand over of the user equipment to the small cell, the second time value being configured for use towards a macro cell; and sending, by the user equipment, a measurement report including information representative of at least one of the small cell and the macro cell, the sending being delayed by the first time value, when the user equipment is evaluating the small cell, and by the second time value, when the user equipment is evaluating the macro cell. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US09503945B2
Embodiments provide methods, computer programs and apparatuses 10, 30 for a base station transceiver 100 and a relay station transceiver 300 in a mobile communication network 400, which comprises the base station transceiver 100, a mobile transceiver 200 being associated with the base station transceiver 100 and a relay transceiver 300 being associated with the base station transceiver 100. The base station transceiver apparatus comprises a receiver 12 for receiving information on a handover request from the mobile transceiver 200, the information on the handover request indicating that the mobile transceiver 200 is in a situation in which a reception quality of the signals of the relay transceiver 300 would allow a re-association of the mobile transceiver 200 to the relay transceiver 300. The base station transceiver apparatus 10 further comprises a scheduler 14 for scheduling, subsequent to the reception of the handover request, the mobile transceiver 200 for transmission from the base station transceiver 100 to the mobile transceiver 200 on a radio resource on which transmission of the relay transceiver 300 is suspended. The apparatus 30 for the relay transceiver comprises a reception unit 32 for receiving information on a resource assignment from the base station transceiver 100 and a scheduling unit 34 for scheduling the mobile transceiver 220 for transmission or reception on a radio resource which is indicated in the information on the resource assignment.
US09503943B2
A combination cellular and Wi-Fi hardware device has an IP interface that is configured to communicate with a first cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, or both. The combination cellular and Wi-Fi hardware device is configured to provide the network functionality (e.g., virtualized network cloud) that is required to facilitate communication and data flow between the IP interface and either a second cellular network or a cloud computing infrastructure network. The IF interface is accessed using a single IP address by a mobile device in wireless communication with the combination cellular and Wi-Fi hardware device. The single IP address is maintained when the mobile device switches between using the first cellular network and the Wi-Fi network to communicate with the combination cellular and Wi-Fi hardware device, and vice versa.
US09503942B1
A method and system is disclosed for selection of an air interface protocol based on spectral efficiency (SE). When a request for service is received from a wireless communication device on a first air interface, a requested SE of the request will be determined, and a first ratio of the requested SE to an average SE on the first air interface computed. If the first ratio is greater than a threshold, the requested service will be provided on the first air interface. Otherwise, a projected SE of providing the requested service on a second air interface will be determined, and a second ratio of the projected SE to an average SE on the second air interface computed. If the first ratio is greater than the second ratio, the requested service will be provided on the first air interface. Otherwise, the requested service will be provided on the second air interface.
US09503940B2
A method, a device and a base station for controlling handover are described. In order to control handover from a source base station to a target base station in a wireless communication system, where the target base station controls multiple cells, preference levels for candidate cells to be used as a target cell for the handover are received from the target base station; and handover parameters for the candidate cells are adjusted by taking the preference levels into account when selecting the target cell for the handover. With the present invention, at least benefits of target eNB inter-cell interference coordination, load optimization among cells, tendency to dedicated-configured cell etc. may be achieved.
US09503936B2
A method of optimizing transactions involving Call Independent Supplementary Service (CISS) data on a Long Term Evolution (LTE) device may include receiving an indication that the CISS data should be transmitted between the device and a core network. The method may also include determining whether the device is standing by in a packet-switched LTE network or standing by in a 3G/2G network. In response to a determination that the device is standing by in the packet-switched LTE network, the method may additionally include packaging the CISS data in a control layer message and sending the control layer message between the core network and the device in the packet-switched LTE network. In response to a determination that the device is standing by in the circuit-switched 3G/2G network, the method may further include sending the CISS data between the core network and the device in the circuit-switched 3G/2G network.
US09503932B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure present a technique for enabling a receiver to detect mode of transmission of a signal based on a common field transmitted to all the receivers. The proposed technique includes frame structure in which information about the transmission mode is transmitted in a first portion of a SIG field to all the receivers.
US09503926B2
A distributed, bi-directional congestion control and starvation avoidance system for wireless mesh networks. In particular implementations, the nodes of the wireless mesh network monitor their respective local buffers for traffic load, and signal upstream and downstream nodes in response to detected congestion or excess capacity to dynamically allocate transmit capacity between neighboring nodes. Particular implementations are capable of mitigating congestion and preventing starvation in a fully distributed, low-overhead, scalable and efficient manner.
US09503925B2
Provided is a method for measuring and reporting a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: transmitting a first measurement report message, which includes at least one first CSI-RS measurement report; determining whether to report at least one second CSI-RS measurement result; and transmitting a second measurement report message, which includes the at least one second CSI-RS measurement result, when the determination is made to report the second CSI-RS measurement result. The determination of whether to report is based on a first CSI-RS trigger list, which is a list of one or more first CSI-RS resources that are related to the at least one first CSI-RS measurement result, and a second CSI-RS trigger list, which is a list of one or more second CSI-RS resources that are related to the at least one second CSI-RS measurement result.
US09503922B1
A communication network maintenance system. The system comprises an equipment inventory data store comprising cell tower equipment information, at least one processor, a memory, a command builder application, and a command executor application. The command builder application receives an abstract command identifying an abstract maintenance operation and a cell tower, looks up information about the cell tower in the inventory data store, based on the looked up information determines a specific command to execute on the cell tower using an element management system (EMS) associated with the cell tower, builds the specific command, and places the specific command on a queue. The command executor application retrieves the specific command from the queue, verifies a syntax of the specific command against the rules of the EMS associated with the specific command, checks that the specific command is authorized, and transmits the specific command to the EMS.
US09503919B2
A system and method for dynamically improving or optimizing the performance and robustness of a wireless communication network such as a mobile communication system or cellular telephony network are disclosed. In some aspects, a plurality of time and space dependent key performance indicators (KPI) are used as part of a statistical determination of a pattern and schedule for optimizing the design, configuration and operation of the network. By dynamically applying a method of multiple KPI deviations (MKD) the system and method improves handover execution in cellular or similar systems and reduces radio link failures and improves overall subscriber service quality.
US09503915B2
A method includes steering client devices to access points that potentially increase capacity of communications using beamformed transmissions. In particular, this includes determining the best access points for beamforming to a particular client or a group of clients in the network for an improved throughput performance in the deployment or a subset of access points.
US09503909B2
An apparatus and method for controlling a communication link that interconnects communication devices through a relay in a communication system is disclosed. A relay connection configuration between one or more first communication devices and one or more second communication devices is determined, and communication between the first communication device and the second communication device is provided by the determined connection configuration. The relay connection configuration includes a backhaul network connection configuration that interconnects the first communication device and the relay device, an access network connection configuration that interconnects the second communication device and the relay device, a direction access connection configuration that interconnects the first communication device and the second communication device, and/or an internal connection configuration that interconnects a backhaul network interface bank connected to the first communication device and an access network interface bank connected to the second communication device in the relay device.
US09503899B2
A system and method for allowing a computing device to associate wirelessly with one or more access points that are connected to a cable TV network when such device is in a range of such access point, even though such wireless device would not generally be authorized to receive content or data from the access point. Signals to and from the wireless device are carried over the cable TV network and transmitted to other devices associated with other access points attached to the cable TV network.
US09503894B2
The method, system and device examples provide for a mobile device biometric authentication that authenticates an application user via a biometric input, and thereby reduce the need to enter complex user credentials into a mobile device to gain access to a mobile application. The examples leverage the biometric recognition operations managed by the operating system of the mobile device to allow a mobile application to authenticate the user as a valid user of the mobile application. In an example, a successfully unlocking of a mobile device via a biometric input from a user is used by the mobile application to perform an authentication operation with assistance from an authentication server to authenticate the user of the mobile device as a valid user of the mobile application. As a result, the mobile application grants access to the mobile application based on the user's biometric input.
US09503891B2
Disclosed is an authentication method of a wireless mesh network capable of reducing overload and communication delay during authentication procedure by performing authentication between nodes without accessing an authentication server. The authentication method of a wireless mesh network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: selecting, by a new node, a first neighbor node among one or more adjacent nodes; transmitting, by the new node, an authentication request message including a public key of the new node; authenticating, by the first neighbor node, the public key of the new node; transmitting, by the first neighbor node, an authentication response message including a public key of the first neighbor node to the new node; and authenticating, by the new node, the public key of the first neighbor node; transmitting, by the new node, an authentication identification message to the first neighbor node.
US09503889B2
Network system for communicating between a mobile node and a correspondent node via a first IP edge-IP network-second IP edge connectivity, comprising a user IP addressing space and a network IP addressing space, wherein a locator identifier space is inserted between the user IP and network IP addressing space, wherein the first and second IP edges are associated with first and second locator identifiers, and wherein the system is further arranged for associating a mobile node with one or more IP network addresses and an IP user address decoupled from the one or more IP network addresses via the first locator identifier.
US09503872B2
A method for sending an emergency call in a mobile terminal includes receiving a request for transmitting an emergency call in a screen-locked state; and displaying a keypad and/or an emergency button icon in response to the request.
US09503870B2
Methods and systems for providing telephone management are provided. Information may be stored in memory of a first mobile device. Such stored information may concerns a plurality of other mobile devices. A telephone call may be connected between the first mobile device and a second mobile device. A request may be received from a user of the first mobile device concerning manipulating data concerning the telephone call with the second mobile device. Information regarding the second mobile device may be identified and matched to the stored information. Such a match may indicate that the second mobile device is enabled for manipulation of telephone call data during telephone calls. As such, the telephone call data may be manipulated during the telephone call in accordance with the user request.
US09503866B2
Improved group communications methods which are well suited for a wireless environment are described. End nodes request that access nodes make changes in group membership information maintained at the access node. The access node responds to the requests by a response signal indicating a grant or denial of the request. Requests may be to add or remove the end node, e.g., a mobile wireless terminal, from a particular group membership list identified in the request signal. The access node maintains a detailed list of group members and uses the information to control how signals, e.g., packets, are transmitted to the group members. Group membership information may be updated at the access node at the time of handoff and/or an end node enters the cell or otherwise changes its point of network attachment.
US09503864B1
In an approach for determining an unauthorized device, a computer receives detection information from a computing device, wherein the detection information includes a broadcast transmission from one or more devices. The computer creates a state trajectory map based on the received detection information, wherein the state trajectory map identifies connections between at least the computing device and a first device of the one or more devices and the computing device and a second device of the one or more devices. The computer one or more anomalies within the created state trajectory map. The computer determines an unauthorized device based on the determined one or more anomalies.
US09503863B2
Systems and methods including a database storing the identifiers of cells representing residential parcels of real estate properties. Mobile devices determine the coordinates of their locations during a period of time using a location determination system, such as a global positioning system. The coordinates are converted to cell identifiers to look up corresponding residential parcels that have been visited by the mobile devices. A server generates a visitation data set for each residential parcel visited by each mobile device, including different types of frequencies of the mobile device visiting the residential parcel (e.g., night, weekend). A server filters the residential parcels based on visitation frequencies to identify home candidates and then further filters the home candidates based on the count of mobile devices having the home candidates. A home parcel, and thus its address, is identified from the filtered home candidate(s) for each mobile device.
US09503862B2
A method for providing a service provides for a service provider to provide information to a service demander. In order to produce the information, the service provider evaluates data that describe selected parameters along a journey route. The data from the selected parameters are obtained by the service provider from selected data providers for the purpose of evaluation. The data from the selected parameters are received by service provider from the selected data providers such that identification by the service provider of one of the data providers on the basis of the transmitted data is made more difficult.
US09503861B1
Systems and methods for providing a geographic location of a mobile device are provided. In one aspect, a method includes determining a geographic location of the mobile device. The method also includes storing the determined geographic location in a geographic location history in a local memory of the mobile device. The geographic location of the mobile device is determined and stored in the geographic location history at a first time interval. The method also includes providing the geographic location history to a server at a second time interval. The second time interval is longer than the first time interval.
US09503857B2
A method of location information in a mobile device capable of improving position accuracy of the mobile device using a database (DB) of peripheral auxiliary data when GPS and navigation are performed in the mobile device, and an apparatus thereof is provided. The method of providing location information in a mobile device includes acquiring initial location information of the mobile device when a location based service is executed, transmitting the acquired initial location information to a server, receiving auxiliary data corresponding to the initial location information from the server, classifying satellites to be used to determine a location with reference to the auxiliary data, and determining the location based on a satellite signal of a satellite having a high weight through the classification of the satellites.
US09503852B2
Surveillance apparatus and method include a surveillance processor; a requestor terminal communicating with the surveillance processor for requesting information regarding a particular site of an object; a plurality of responder terminals; and a location processor for determining the locations of the responder terminals with respect to the particular site. The novelty is characterized in that the apparatus and method further include a media processor for relaying messages regarding the particular site to the responder terminals; and in that the information requested by the requestor terminal from the surveillance processor includes the locations of the responder terminals to be stored when located, by the location processor, within a specified distance from the particular site.
US09503845B2
Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments enhance a user's transaction experience. In an embodiment, a system includes a computer memory storing a user profile. The system also includes a computer processor operatively coupled to the computer memory. The computer processor is configured to perform the following operations: determining a location of a user associated with a user device; and automatically changing an image displayed on the user device based on the location of the user associated with the user device and data determined or inferred based on, at least in part, data comprising the user profile.
US09503834B2
A system, method, and computer program for providing an application catalog of served applications and data to wireless devices on a wireless network seeking to download the applications and/or data. The application catalog is displayable to a wireless device across the wireless network, and the application catalog lists at least a plurality of applications and/or data downloadable to wireless devices and the application catalog is optimized based upon predetermined criteria such that the preferred application and/or data to be downloaded by a wireless device is initially displayed to a wireless device attempting to access the application catalog.
US09503831B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an audio playback method and apparatus. The embodiments of the present invention provide an audio playback method, applied to a mobile terminal that has a spatial attitude sensor, where the mobile terminal includes at least three speakers, and the at least three speakers are not in a same straight line, where the method includes: when screen rotation is performed on the mobile terminal, acquiring spatial attitude information; and controlling, according to the spatial attitude information, audio content played by each speaker, so that a speaker located on the left of currently played video information plays a left audio channel, and a speaker located on the right of the currently played video information plays a right audio channel. The audio playback method and apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to the mobile terminal having the spatial attitude sensor.
US09503824B2
A method for adjusting a parameter on a consumer electronics device is arranged for outputting a hearing loss compensated signal having a plurality of parameters. The consumer electronics device comprises processing means arranged for processing an audio input signal and for generating an audio output signal which is a hearing loss compensated version of the audio input signal. The method comprises producing with the consumer electronics device the audio output signal to be presented to a user. A rotation applied to the consumer electronics device such that the rotation is in a first direction in a substantial horizontal plane and, adjusting at least one parameter relates to the audio output signal's dynamic range, whereby the rotation in the first direction corresponds to a reduction of the dynamic range and a rotation in a direction opposite to the first direction to an increase of the dynamic range, or vice versa.
US09503818B2
Spherical microphone arrays capture a three-dimensional sound field (P(Ωct)) for generating an Ambisonics representation (Anm(t)), where the pressure distribution on the surface of the sphere is sampled by the capsules of the array. The impact of the microphones on the captured sound field is removed using the inverse microphone transfer function. The equalization of the transfer function of the microphone array is a big problem because the reciprocal of the transfer function causes high gains for small values in the transfer function and these small values are affected by transducer noise. The present principles minimize that noise by using a Wiener filter processing (34) in the frequency domain, which processing is automatically controlled (33) per wave number by the signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone array.
US09503806B2
The present invention is a small high fidelity full spectrum speaker, which arranges a passive speaker and two active speakers such that fidelity of a larger speaker or one with a cross-over network is achieved.
US09503805B2
A piezoelectric ceramic dual-frequency earphone structure includes an earphone housing, a dynamic transducer, a piezoelectric ceramic transducer and a circuit board. The piezoelectric ceramic transducer is installed in the receiving region. The piezoelectric ceramic transducer is connected to the dynamic transducer via a support unit and a positioning unit. The circuit board is assembled in the receiving region and connected to acoustic signal cables. The acoustic signal cables are connected to a dynamic voice coil of the dynamic transducer and the piezoelectric ceramic transducer. When electric signals are applied to a ceramic membrane of the piezoelectric ceramic transducer, a metal sheet of the piezoelectric ceramic transducer is vibrated to generate high frequency sound, and the high frequency sound are then mixed with the sound from the dynamic transducer.
US09503802B2
The present invention relates to a controller for controlling an electronic device. The invention may e.g. be used to control a headset or another electronic device connected to the controller.The controller (1) comprises an elongate controller body (3) having a first body end (4) and a second body end (5). The controller body (3) comprises an elongate rotatable body section (10) adapted to be rotated by a user about a longitudinal axis (11) extending through the first body end (4) and the second body end (5). The rotatable body section (10) has a radially outer side surface (12) extending between a first section end (13) near the first body end (4) and a second section end (14) near the second body end (5). The rotatable body section (10) has a size and shape allowing the user to rotate the rotatable body section (10) about the longitudinal axis (11) by performing a rolling action using three or more fingers (21, 22, 23). The controller (1) further comprises a sensing means (30) adapted to detect a rotation of the rotatable body section (10) about the longitudinal axis (11) and to provide a control signal (Sc) indicating one or more control commands to the electronic device in dependence on detecting a rotation.The controller (1) is characterized in that the sensing means (30) further is adapted to distinguish between a three-finger rolling action and a corresponding two-finger rolling action and to provide the control signal (Sc) in dependence on detecting a three-finger rolling action.This may provide a controller (1) with a significantly reduced rate of “false alarms” as well as an unobtrusive, reliable and at the same time simple and easy-to-use interface to the user.
US09503801B2
An audio transmission unit 8 is placed on a surface side of a panel unit 4 where a display 7 is provided, and transmits an audio signal in a direction almost perpendicular to the surface of the display 7. When a viewer sitting in a seat behind a front seat 1 turns the display 7 to be faced toward him/her, the audio transmission unit 8 is directed in front of the viewer's eyes, so that stable audio signal can be received in the side of the headphone worn on the head of the viewer.
US09503799B2
A handheld microphone includes a microphone unit supported with a vibration insulator on a microphone case; the handheld microphone comprising a filter circuit for filtering output signals from the microphone unit; the filter circuit comprising a passive filter connected to an output terminal of the microphone unit, and a high-pass filter connected downstream of the passive filter and outputting the filtered signals from the microphone unit.
US09503797B2
An audio and display system comprising a housing having an interior region, at least one audio speaker positioned within the interior region, and a display coupled to the housing. The display includes a frame coupled to the housing, the frame having a plurality of mounting members, wherein at least two adjacent mounting members of the plurality of mounting members are spaced apart by a first distance, a plurality of support members coupled to the mounting members of the frame, wherein at least two adjacent support members of the plurality of support members are spaced apart by a second distance, and a plurality of light-emitting elements coupled to each of the plurality of support members, wherein the display module is substantially acoustically transparent.
US09503794B2
A content server receives live streams from a content distributor to transmit to users of the content server. In one embodiment, the content server promotes the live streams received from the content distributor, by serving portions of the live stream as advertisements (ads) to users of the content server along with videos or digital content requested by the users. The content server buffers the live stream. The content server receives a request for a video from a client device. The content server identifies the video requested by the user and metadata associated with the identified video. The content server, based on the metadata determines whether to serve the client device with a live-stream ad, as a pre-roll ad for example, along with the video requested by the user. The content server then identifies a buffered live-stream ad to transmit to the client device along with the requested video.
US09503793B2
There is provided a system and method enabling client-side initiated identification of media content rendered on a client-side media player. In one embodiment, the system comprises the client-side media player including a controller and a memory, a media content database accessible by the client-side media player over a network, and a media content identifier application to be run on the client-side media player. The media content identifier application, when executed by the client-side media player controller, performs a method comprising sampling the media content, sending a first data corresponding to the sample to the media content database over the network, and receiving a second data over the network identifying the media content, thereby enabling client-side initiated identification of the media content rendered on the client-side media player.
US09503787B2
A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule.
US09503786B2
Analysis of mental states is provided to enable data analysis pertaining to video recommendation based on affect. Analysis and recommendation can be for socially shared livestream video. Video response may be evaluated based on viewing and sampling various videos. Data is captured for viewers of a video where the data includes facial information and/or physiological data. Facial and physiological information may be gathered for a group of viewers. In some embodiments, demographics information is collected and used as a criterion for visualization of affect responses to videos. In some embodiments, data captured from an individual viewer or group of viewers is used to rank videos.
US09503776B2
An automatic overshoot control system and method can enable a user to more easily terminate a trick mode (e.g., fast forward or rewind) at an intended point in program material. For example, after a trick mode, a user can initiate display of audio or video at a particular intended point in the program material while minimizing a need to manually adjust. The system determines an offset and tracks a preview position within the program material displayed as a trick mode preview incorporating the offset. The system also tracks an actual position within the program material based on the preview position and offset. The actual position corresponds to a predicted location that the user desires upon terminating the preview trick mode. When the preview trick mode is terminated, normal playback of the program material is resumed at the actual location corresponding to the user's intended location in the program material.
US09503774B2
An information display device includes: a display unit, an information obtaining unit which obtains program-related information related to a video program displayed on a video display device following the video program; and a terminal control unit which causes the display unit to display the program-related information obtained by the information obtaining unit. When the information obtaining unit is unable to obtain first program-related information related to a first video program currently displayed on the video display device following the first video program, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display (i) second program-related information distributed before the first video program is displayed on the video display device, or (ii) third program-related information related to the second video program displayed before the first video program is displayed on the video display device.
US09503767B2
Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.
US09503746B2
A method for encoding a video stream having a plurality of blocks including a current block. The method includes identifying, from a plurality of previously coded blocks, a plurality of candidate motion vectors; identifying, for the current block, a set of reconstructed pixel values corresponding to a set of previously coded pixel values; determining, for at least one of the plurality of candidate motion vectors, an error value based on the set of reconstructed pixel values and a set of predicted values for the set of previously coded pixel values; and selecting, from the plurality of candidate motion vectors, a reference motion vector for the current block based on the error value.
US09503743B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for uni-prediction of self-derivation of motion estimation. An apparatus includes a video encoder for encoding at least a portion of a picture. The video encoder includes a self derivation motion estimator for performing self derivation motion estimation for the portion. The self derivation motion estimation is used for selectively performing uni-prediction or bi-prediction for the portion based on one or more criterion.
US09503729B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an encoding or decoding method and apparatus. The method includes: extracting first information in a bitstream; determining a chroma component intra prediction mode according to the first information; when the chroma component intra prediction mode cannot be determined according to the first information, extracting second information in the bitstream; and determining the chroma component intra prediction mode according to the second information, where the first information includes information for indicating whether the chroma component intra prediction mode is a DM mode or an LM mode, the second information is used to indicate a remaining mode as the chroma component intra prediction mode, and the remaining mode is one of available chroma component intra prediction modes other than a mode that may be determined according to the first information.
US09503712B2
A three-dimensional display system (10) comprises a display housing (24) and a plurality of projectors (12) for projecting two-dimensional images (102) into a space, each projector (12) having means to adjust the distance between the projector (12) and the projected image (102), and each projector (12) being pivotally mounted to the display housing (24), for adjusting the horizontal and vertical position of the projected two-dimensional image (102) with respect to the projector (12). The display provides a high-resolution, three-dimensional multi-colored image which can be touched safely by the viewer. The display may be respond to physical objects in the display area by altering the image. The display may be used to operate a computer and browse the world wide web.
US09503705B2
For generating a stereoscopic image, a first parallax optical element directs a first parallax image to an optical selector. A second parallax optical element directs a second parallax image to the optical selector. The optical selector alternates between directing the first parallax image and the second parallax image to a video camera.
US09503704B2
An article pickup device configured so as to select a first and second three-dimensional points present in the vicinity of each other based on position information of the plurality of three-dimensional points acquired by a three-dimensional measurement instrument and image data acquired by a camera, acquire an image gradient information in a partial image region including points on an image corresponding to these three-dimensional points, judge whether the first and second three-dimensional points are present on the same article based on a position information of the three-dimensional points and the image gradient information, and add the first and second three-dimensional points to the same connected set when it is judged that the first and second three-dimensional points are present on the same article.
US09503701B2
A scanning projector system includes a controller, a driver and one or more micro-mirror(s). The controller produces first, second and third pixel data in dependence on a video signal. The driver drives first, second and third light emitting elements in dependence on the first, second and third pixel data produced by the controller, to thereby emit light of first, second and third colors. The micro-mirror(s) project an image in dependence on light beams produced in dependence on the light of the first, second and third colors. To reduce color shifts due to inter-pixel interference, the controller and/or driver causes at least one timing guard band per pixel period associated with each instance of the pixel data.
US09503699B2
The present technique relates to an imaging device and an imaging method, an electronic device, and a program, which are configured to improve an SN ratio by combining addition reading and thin-out reading by signal processing similar to signal processing using thin-out reading.First, as illustrated in the left side of the drawing, G pixel and B pixel, which are sub-colors, of the top row of regions Z1, Z2 are subjected to thin-out reading. Next, for W pixels of the main color arranged in a checkerboard pattern in the regions Z1, Z2, two pixels tied by a straight line in the drawing are subjected to addition reading at the same tone timing. For W pixels of the main color arranged in a checkerboard pattern in regions Z3, Z4, two pixels tied by a straight line in the drawing are also subjected to addition reading at the same tone timing. R and G pixels, which are sub-colors, of the lower stage of the regions Z3, Z4 are read.According to a relative relation between the main color and the sub-colors of the regions Z1 to Z4 as illustrated in the center of the drawing, Bayer arrangement is obtained as illustrated in the right side of the drawing. The present technique can be applied to an imaging device.
US09503694B2
A method for using an integrated wireless image capture system on a vehicle and a tow object is provided. The method connects to an image capture device over a vehicle-based wireless network, wherein the image capture device is positioned on the tow object; configures operational parameters for the image capture device; and receives, at a computer system onboard the vehicle, image data from the image capture device, wherein the image data is captured by the image capture device in accordance with the configured operational parameters.
US09503693B2
An invention for identifying a spatial location of an event within video image data is provided. Disclosed are embodiments for detecting an object and obtaining trajectory data of a trajectory of the object within the video image data from a sensor device; converting the trajectory data into a contour-coded compressed image; generating, based on the trajectory data, a searchable code that contains a set of locations traversed by the trajectory of the object within the video image; associating the searchable code with the contour-coded compressed image in a database; and returning, in response to a query having a selected location that corresponds a location of the set of locations in the searchable code, an image of the trajectory data corresponding to the object based on the contour-coded compressed image in the database.
US09503692B2
The image processing device includes: a first image acquisition section that acquires a first image, the first image being an image that includes an object image including information within a wavelength band of white light; a second image acquisition section that acquires a second image, the second image being an image that includes an object image including information within a specific wavelength band; a candidate attention area detection section that detects a candidate attention area based on a feature quantity of each pixel within the second image, the candidate attention area being a candidate for an attention area; a reliability calculation section that calculates reliability that indicates a likelihood that the candidate attention area is the attention area; and a display mode setting section that performs a display mode setting process that sets a display mode of an output image corresponding to the reliability calculated by the reliability calculation section.
US09503686B2
Embodiments of the invention detail systems, computer program products, and methods for providing a review bucket for video conferences. In an exemplary embodiment the system presents on a display a review bucket widget that is configured to receive a plurality of discussion topics for use in a video conference communication session between the customer and a business agent that represents a particular entity. To this extent, the system may additionally receive, within the review bucket widget, an identifier of at least one discussion topic that the customer is interested in discussing during the video conference communication session and transmit the at least one discussion topic to the business agent.
US09503684B2
A method of improving the lighting conditions of a real scene or video sequence. Digitally generated light is added to a scene for video conferencing over telecommunication networks. A virtual illumination equation takes into account light attenuation, lambertian and specular reflection. An image of an object is captured, a virtual light source illuminates the object within the image. In addition, the object can be the head of the user. The position of the head of the user is dynamically tracked so that an three-dimensional model is generated which is representative of the head of the user. Synthetic light is applied to a position on the model to form an illuminated model.
US09503665B2
The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first converting circuit that receives the input analog signal, analog-to-digital converts the input analog signal and outputs a resulting first digital signal. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes an amplifier circuit that receives a reference analog signal, which is obtained by the first converting circuit digital-to-analog converting the first digital signal, and the input analog signal and outputs an amplified signal responsive to the difference between the reference analog signal and the input analog signal. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a second converting circuit that analog-to-digital converts the amplified signal and outputs a resulting second digital signal. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes an output circuit that outputs an output signal obtained by a calculation of the first digital signal and the second digital signal.
US09503659B2
A video display device includes: a video display unit that displays video in accordance with a video signal; a switching detection signal input and output terminal that receives and outputs from and to another video display device a switching detection signal taking a first or second state; a display control unit that stops video display by the video display unit when a predetermined operation is instructed; a switching process signal output unit that outputs a predetermined switching process signal to change the switching detection signal to the first state when the predetermined operation is instructed, the switching process signal output unit stopping the output of the switching process signal when the predetermined operation is complete; and a switching detection signal input unit that releases the stoppage of the video display by the video display unit when the switching detection signal is in the second state.
US09503658B2
A method for generating and evaluating an image of a section of an object using an optical sensor. To generate a bright image, individual images are recorded of a section, of which individual images at least some individual images overlap at least in part in each case, and that to generate the image, the individual images or signals are aligned with respect to one another and superposed to form an overall image as the image of the at least one section, so that the evaluation of the overall image is substantially restricted to the overlapping regions of the individual images and/or the evaluation of the overall image or of a part thereof is brought about on the basis of the overlapping regions of the individual images having the latter.
US09503654B2
Techniques related to anti-glare exposures for imaging devices and, in particular, for exposures that disable a flash when a flash reflecting surface is detected between the imaging device and an object of interest of the exposure are discussed. Such techniques may include determining a flash reflecting surface is between the imaging device and the object of interest based on a comparison of an autofocus distance to the object of interest and an estimated distance to the flash reflecting surface and disabling the flash based on the determination.
US09503650B2
Provided is an improved zoom-tracking method. A point or two points between a Wide point and a Tele point are chosen, histogram information is stored, and a distance to a subject is estimated based on the stored histogram information. A locus curve is selected based on the estimated distance to the subject, and zoom-tracking is performed along the locus curve after a zoom lens reaches a specific point.
US09503649B2
An apparatus and method for providing image primitives, such as edge polarity, edge magnitude, edge orientation, and edge displacement, and derivatives thereof, for an object are described. The data are obtained substantially simultaneously and processed in parallel such that multiple objects can be distinguished from one another in real time.
US09503648B2
An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup unit, a cutout image generation unit for cutting out a specified area in a pickup image taken by the image pickup unit to generate a cutout image enlarged at a specified magnification, an image display unit for displaying one or both of the pickup image taken by the image pickup unit and the cutout image generated by the cutout image generation unit, a display image control unit for controlling a method of displaying an image the image display unit displays, a manual focus operation unit for the user to control through manual operation the focus position of the image pickup unit, and a manual zoom operation unit for the user to control the zoom magnification of the image pickup unit.
US09503631B2
A mobile terminal including a display unit; at least one camera; and a controller configured to perform first and second continuous shooting operations using the at least one camera for capturing a plurality of first images in the first continuous shooting operation and capturing a plurality of second images in the second continuous shooting operation, generate a combined image by combining a first image cluster generated from the plurality of first images and a second image cluster generated from the plurality of second images, and distinctively display the first and the second image clusters on the display unit.
US09503630B2
A portable device and a method of executing the fast association function of a camera are provided. The method includes activating the camera, capturing a gathering image using the camera, activating a user function registered as an associated function of the camera when the gathering image is captured, and performing the registered user function based on the gathering image.
US09503629B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a display section having the function of detecting a position touched by a pointer; an icon display control section for identifying a pixel of interest which is a pixel associated with the position of the pointer from among pixels forming an image displayed at the display section and displaying an icon for indicating the pixel of interest on the image displayed at the display section; and an image processing section for generating an image focused in a part thereof associated with the pixel of interest using distance data associated with the pixels forming the image.
US09503628B1
A camera mounting device and method including a rectangular frame fixed on a foldable stand, a turn table having a mounting attachment for a camera, a directional antenna and a laser rangefinder, a tilting platform placed within the rectangular frame and fixed to a driven elevation gear, an azimuth motor connected to the turn table and fixed on the tilting platform within the rectangular frame, an elevation motor mounted within the rectangular frame and connected to a driving elevation gear that engages with the driven elevation gear of the tilting platform, a camera mounting controller that controls the azimuth motor and elevation motor, and implements a process for determining an azimuth angle and an elevation, and a wearable remote control having the camera mounting controller, a display screen and an omnidirectional antenna that communicates with the direction antenna.
US09503613B1
Methods and devices print markings on an item in a first printing pass, using intended locations for the markings, to produce initial printed marks. Such methods and devices further scan the item after the first printing pass to detect actual printed locations of the initial printed marks. These methods and devices also compare the actual printed locations to the intended locations to identify the printing registration variation. Thus, such methods and devices change the intended locations for the markings based on the printing registration variation to generate corrected locations for the markings; and then reprint the markings directly on the initial printed marks a second time on the item in a second printing pass using the corrected locations for the markings, using the marking device.
US09503601B2
An image forming apparatus which is capable of selecting power states that suit user's intention for a low-power state and a job executable state. A first power-saving state or a second power-saving state in which a smaller amount of power is consumed than in the first power-saving state is set as a power-saving state to which the printing apparatus is shifted when a shifting factor is detected. A first returning method for returning the printing apparatus from the power-saving state when a returning factor that causes the printing apparatus to return from the power-saving state is detected, or a second returning method for returning the printing apparatus from the power-saving state when a function to be used is selected on a function selecting screen displayed in response to detecting the returning factor is set. When the first power-saving state has been set, the first returning method is set.
US09503597B1
An image capture method includes the following steps. Firstly, an image capturing device including a line image sensor and an optical mouse sensor is provided. Then, an image capturing resolution is provided. Then, the optical mouse sensor starts counting, and the image capturing device is moved along a specified direction. Then, a sampling target value along the specified direction is acquired. Then, the line image sensor acquires at least one temporary image. Then, each temporary image is correlated with a temporary target value according to a counting result of the optical mouse sensor. Then, an absolute value of each temporary target value minus the sampling target value is calculated, and the temporary image corresponding to the minimum absolute value is determined as a to-be-synthesized image. Consequently, the overall volume of the image capturing device is reduced, and the capturing performance is optimized.
US09503594B1
An electronic device includes: a display section displaying function screens each including a plurality of function setting keys for receiving function settings; a first operation key for displaying the first function screen at the display section; a second operation key for displaying the second function screen at the display section; and a control section displaying, at the display section, the first and second function screens in accordance with operation performed on the first and second operation keys. The control section displays the first and second function screens at the display section when the first and second operation keys have been pressed simultaneously.
US09503587B2
In an information processing apparatus capable of executing a first wireless communication method and a second wireless communication method having a communication range wider than that of the first wireless communication method, an apparatus to be caused to execute predetermined processing is searched for using both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method. When a common apparatus has been found by both the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method, the common apparatus is decided as the apparatus to be caused to execute the predetermined processing by the second wireless communication method.
US09503586B2
The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to an online charging method, apparatus, and system based on a number portability service. When a calling UE in an IMS network initiates a call to a called UE, after receiving an invite message sent by a CSCF entity in the IMS network, an AS in the IMS network queries number portability information corresponding to a number of the called UE and sends a number of the calling UE and the found number portability information to an OCS in the IMS network, so that the OCS is capable of performing charging authentication for the calling UE according to the number portability information and the number of the calling UE. When the called UE has changed a subscription network and subscribed to an NP service, the OCS is thus capable of correctly performing charging authentication.
US09503581B2
A method for connecting a website user to a contact center agent includes: monitoring user interaction associated with the website user; receiving a call request via the website; identifying an agent or an interactive voice response based on the monitored user interaction; and establishing a communication channel supported by a web browser between the website user and the identified agent or the interactive voice response.
US09503576B2
System and method for determining whether an incoming call originates from inside or outside of a mobile carriers network and indicates the result to the subscriber. An example system performs a GTT (global title translation) on an incoming number to determine the hosting carrier of any mobile phone number. When the result matches the subscriber's carrier, the mobile device then indicates to the subscriber (i.e. mobile device) that the call is an “in network call.” Results of the comparison are stored and used for later incoming calls. The stored results are refreshed every time or periodically.
US09503575B2
Systems and methods for establishing and conducting communication sessions augmented by contextual information. A call originator initiates a request to establish a communication session. The endpoint furnishes information identifying the call originator and intended call recipient(s). The method receives the request from the call originator and retrieves contextual information relating the call originator to the intended call recipient. If no contextual information has yet been derived, the contextual information is generated from data attributes available from one or more social networking sites. In some embodiments, the method generates the contextual information according to a set of rules and, if applicable, user preferences. The method handles the call request based on at least one of a set of rules, user preferences, and scheduling input received from the intended recipient responsive to receipt of the contextual information. The contextual information is accessible to some or all participants before and during the communication session.
US09503567B2
The present invention discloses a display interface converting system and a method thereof, which belongs to the technical field of mobile terminal interface transformation. The system comprises a display interface adjustment module, a storage module and a condition capturing module. The storage module has preconfigured a transformation condition data and has preconfigured the corresponding adjustment strategy. The method includes: transmitting the captured condition data to the display interface adjustment module; comparing the condition data with the preconfigured transformation condition data; obtaining the corresponding adjustment strategy and adjusting the display interface according to the adjustment strategy if the comparison is successful. The beneficial effects of this technical scheme are that as follows: it provides the user with different display interface corresponding to the different circumstances in the mobile terminal, consequently the mobile terminal is more personalized, and the user's application experience is improved.
US09503564B2
A communication device includes: a first unit that is provided with a first display unit, a transmitter unit, and a receiver unit, a second unit that is detachably attached to the first unit and that is provided with a second display unit; an input unit; a communication unit that transmits a voice signal from the transmitter unit to a communication partner and that inputs to the receiver unit a voice signal from the communication partner; a detection unit that detects whether the first and second unit are in a separated state; and a control unit that executes an application, displays images that correspond to the execution of the application on the first and second display units, and when voice call is to be carried out, and moreover, when the detection result indicates that the first and second unit are in the separated state, displays images on the second display unit.
US09503559B2
A mobile terminal and control method to share content with a device and control the device are provide. The mobile terminal includes a communication unit to communicate with a host and the device; a search unit to receive content information and device information; an input unit to receive a content selection signal and a device selection signal; and a control unit to control the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives content information from a host and selects content to be outputted to a device selected from device information from the host. The mobile terminal controls the selected device using control commands transmitted to the selected device based on a control mode. If the control mode is not stored in the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal may receive the control mode from the host.
US09503558B1
A battery module for a portable communication device having a controller. In one embodiment, the battery module includes a battery accessory interface having a positive terminal, an identifying terminal, and a negative terminal. A voltage regulator is connected to the positive terminal of the battery accessory interface and configured to output a voltage on the positive terminal in response to a control signal. An addressable switch is connected to the identifying terminal of the battery accessory interface. The addressable switch is configured to communicate with the controller and generate the control signal based on input from the controller and the identifying terminal.
US09503555B2
A clamping apparatus for a head-mounted display device is provided. The clamping apparatus comprises a pivot portion at a rear of the clamping apparatus, the pivot portion adapted to rotate in a rotation plane, a first side portion coupled to and extending in a forward direction from the pivot portion, a second side portion coupled to and extending in the forward direction from the pivot portion, wherein the pivot portion is adapted to adjust the first and second side portions through the rotation plane to a first position and maintain the first position until later adjusted, and a display device assembly coupled to the first side portion, the display device assembly extending in the forward direction from the first side portion.
US09503553B2
An device (A) is dedicated to controlling the implementation of functions linked with providing at least one communication service to at least one communication terminal (T1) in a service equipment (SA1) belonging to an Internet communication core network (NC). The device (A) comprises control means (CM) which, upon receipt of a request for providing the service offered by its equipment (SA1) for a given communication, are tasked with (i) deciding to implement at least one function selected from among the functions offered by the equipment (SA1); and, subsequently, (ii) inserting data signaling that decision into at least one of the signaling messages sent by the equipment for the communication in question, which are intended for at least some other service equipments (PS1, PS2, SA2, MR1) of the core network (CR), so that they can prohibit themselves from implementing the selected function for the duration of the given communication.
US09503549B2
Real-time data analysis for resource provisioning among systems in a networked computing environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for intelligent service resource provisioning among distinct systems in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, the embodiments of the present invention provide an intelligent provisioning engine (hereinafter engine) that accesses a service intelligence repository that comprises configuration information pertaining to a set of service resources available on a set of systems. The engine may also receive/identify a set of rules pertaining to any constraints on the set of service resources as well as a set of policies pertaining to provisioning the set of service resources. Still yet, the engine can collect real-time data pertaining to operational characteristics of the set of service resources. Based on the information/data collected, the engine may determine a plan for provisioning the set of service resources and integrate the plan with ancillary systems/engines (e.g., scaling, provisioning, monitoring, etc.) for implementation of the plan.
US09503547B2
The invention relates to an online dating system in which users of the system maintain profiles listing friends, and in which only other users within a specified degree of relationship within a given user's social network can view the user profile of that given user.
US09503542B1
Systems and methods are provided herein for writing back data to files tiered in cloud storage. Files tiered to cloud storage can be stored in chunks where each chunk is stored as a distinct cloud object and where each cloud object is mapped to known offset regions of a file and the mapping is stored in local storage within a stub file. If the file is modified locally, e.g., a write has occurred, the offset range associated with the write can be used to determine which cloud object associated with the file is being modified. A new cloud object can be stored with the write data, while the previous cloud object is retained in cloud storage. The mapping, stored within the stub file can updated to reference the new cloud object for the region of the file that was modified. In addition, mapping can be retained for the previous version of the file allowing for efficient recall of past versions of files.
US09503540B2
An approach is provided for asynchronous distribution of content and notifications of updates to a client. A proxy server causes an establishment of at least one communication connection between at least one proxy client, at least one proxy server, and/or at least one service provider. The proxy server determines one or more updated content items available to the at least one proxy client. The proxy server causes a transmission of the one or more updated content items, one or more notifications regarding the one or more updated content items, or a combination thereof via the at least one communication connection.
US09503536B2
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to monitor media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes collecting demographic information from a user. The demographic information is transmitted to a central facility. A panelist identifier identifying the user is generated. The panelist identifier is stored in a shared memory of the media device, the panelist identifier to be retrieved by a monitoring enabled application, the monitoring enabled application to collect monitoring information if the panelist identifier is in the shared memory and to disable collection of the media monitoring information if the panelist identifier is not in the shared memory.
US09503531B2
A content server (10) includes a receiving unit (14) that receives a request signal from a request source terminal, an acquisition unit (15) that acquires an IP address assigned to the request source terminal from the request signal, and a determination unit (16) that determines a location region of a user of the request source terminal by referring to an address storage unit (11) based on the acquired IP address. The address storage unit (11) stores address information including location regions of registered users set based on addresses of the registered users and IP addresses assigned to terminals of the registered users in association with each other.
US09503522B2
Data objects can be migrated, while live, to virtualized clustered storage arrays in an efficient manner to allow for efficient transition from non-clustered storage to the virtualized clustered storage arrays. A data migration specification indicates data objects to be migrated and parameters for the migration. The parameters include a source of a data object, a destination of the data object in the virtualized clustered storage arrays, and a transfer space. A migration engine validates and parses the data migration specification. For each unique association of source, destination, and transfer space, the migration engine instantiates a migration process that drives and monitors migration of the corresponding data object. The migration processes operate in parallel for migration of the specified data objects into the virtualized clustered storage arrays.
US09503512B2
Systems and methods for performing a distributed computing task may use a plurality of distributed digital data resources. The distributed computing task may include dividing the computing task into sub-tasks for performance by a plurality of distributed worker nodes. The worker nodes may include a first worker node having at least partial access to a first digital data resource associated with a first set of rules corresponding to first conditions for accessing the first digital data resource and/or for computations operating on the first digital data resource. The worker nodes may include a second worker node having at least partial access to a second digital data resource associated with a second set of rules corresponding to second conditions for accessing the second digital data resource and/or for computations operating on the second digital data resource. The first conditions may differ from the second conditions.
US09503498B2
Web page scripts are managed in a network using a network appliance that intercepts a web page sent from a server and addressed to a client browser; modifies the web page by removing an embedded script from the web page; executes the removed embedded script; and sends the modified web page from the network appliance to the client browser.
US09503497B2
A host-client protocol facilitates delivery of screen images from a host to a remote access client when the host content is continuous or large (such as high definition (HD) content). To facilitate this operation, the protocol implements several functions and operations that provide the desired result of an HD stream viewable on the remote access client. These functions and operations include one or more of: frame rate adjustment, rate control, dynamic adjustment to the stream based on client-provided screen resolution or changes, eliminating portions of the host screen that are not in view on the remote access client, implementing client-initiated zoom/pan operations on the host instead of the client, performing zoom/pan operations, dynamic control over screen updates, and (where multiple clients are receiving the stream) delivering streams to different clients at different frame rates.
US09503494B2
Systems and methods are provided herein relating to adaptive video streaming. Time-to-offset mapping associated with a set of video blocks can be broken up into chunks. A client can download a first set of seek index chunks and use the first set of seek index chunks to select a stream. Seek index chunks within remaining sets of seek index chunks can be ranked for relevance based on client capabilities. A subset of remaining sets of seeks index chunks can be downloaded based on the rankings and client capabilities during streaming. Chunked time-to-offset mapping can facilitate faster startup when playing streamed video.
US09503493B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a media device operating externally to the communication device actively engaged in presenting media content, detect an incoming communication session initiated by another communication device, present a notice identifying the media device and the media content being presented by the media device, detect a directive to modify an operation of the media device to mitigate interrupting a communication session with the other communication device, and instruct the media device to modify its operation according to the directive. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09503480B2
Deploying policy configuration across multiple security devices through hierarchical configuration templates is disclosed. In some embodiments, deploying policy configuration across multiple security devices through hierarchical configuration templates for configuring a plurality of security devices includes receiving at a first security device a hierarchy of templates from a central management server, in which the hierarchy of templates includes configuration information for a group of security devices, and in which the first security device is included in the group of security devices; and reconciling on the first security device's configuration information included in the hierarchy of templates and device specific configuration based on local configuration information, in which the first security device performs an object level reconciliation to maintain device configuration consistency.
US09503476B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for the prevention of network peripheral takeover activity. Peripheral devices may implement an anti-takeover mechanism limiting the number of available device command classes when certain handshake and verification requirements are not met. Anti-takeover peripheral devices with protection enabled may be relocated within a controller network, or in certain cases, from one controller network to another controller network when certain conditions are met. That same device may be hobbled when removed from a controller network and may remain hobbled when connected to another network that fails to meet certain conditions. Unprotection and unhobbling of a device may occur through an algorithmic mechanism using values stored on the peripheral device and the controller device for one or more of anti-takeover code generation, anti-takeover code comparison, network identification value comparison, and manufacturer identification value comparison.
US09503474B2
This document describes techniques for identifying trusted websites. In one embodiment, a computer system can receive a request from user to access a website and a private image and a public image wherein the public image and the private image are associated with a user account that enables the user to access the website. The computer system then embeds the private image in the public image to create a combined image and transmits the combined image to a client device for processing. The computer system can then receive a confirmation from the user that at least the private image embedded in the combined image is verified.
US09503471B2
Denial-of-service attacks are prevented or mitigated in a cloud compute environment, such as a multi-tenant, collaborative SaaS system. This is achieved by providing a mechanism by which characterization of “legitimate” behavior is defined for tenant applications or application classes, preferably along with actions to be taken in the event a request to execute an application is anticipated to exceed defined workflow limits. A set of application profiles are generated. Typically, a profile comprises information, such as a request defined by one or more request variables, one or more “constraints,” one or more “request mappings,” and one or more “actions.” A constraint is a maximum permitted workload for the application. A request mapping maps a request variable to the constraint, either directly or indirectly. The profile information defines how a request is mapped to a workload to determine whether the request is in policy or, if not, what action to take.
US09503467B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining network related anomaly scores. One of the methods includes generating a network map including at least a plurality of network nodes and a plurality of edges that indicate communications paths between the plurality of network nodes, obtaining first data indicating network activity over the edges and between the plurality of network nodes for a first time period, generating a model of expected network activity over the edges and between the plurality of network nodes for a future time period using the network map and the first data, obtaining second data indicating network activity over the edges and between the plurality of network nodes for a second time period, and determining an anomaly score using a comparison between the second data and the model of expected network activity.
US09503457B2
A subscriber account associated with a femtocell can be managed and access can be provided thereto. The account service management can be accessed through a broadband network and comprises two operational layers deployed within respective demarcation zones. A first layer includes a web tier that provides landing webpage and a legacy account manager that enables account management for mobility subscribers. A second layer includes an application layer associated with femtocell service, an application layer for legacy accounts, and a middleware component that provides functional connectivity application layers and backend service component. Account management service allows secure login to femtocell account and redirection amongst femtocell and legacy service components, and enables manipulation of access list(s) that regulate access to femto service. A femtocell database retains account profile(s) that include access list(s). Access list(s) and updates thereof can be supplied to macrocell network.
US09503444B2
A home network router and method of operation are provided for seamlessly sharing access to a network service by multiple devices in a home network by configuring the home network router to receive and store authenticated user credentials for the network service at the home network router after associating the user credentials with the network service so that, upon reception of a second user request from a second client device to access the network service, the user credentials are retrieved from the home network router for direct delivery to and authentication by the network service without requiring re-entry of the one or more user credentials from the second client device.
US09503432B2
A secure linkage between databases allows records of an individual in a first database to be linked to records of the same individual in a second database without disclosing or providing personal information outside of either database or system responsible for controlling access to the respective databases. As such, records of individuals may be securely linked together without compromising privacy or security of the databases.
US09503429B2
Processes for identifying and recovering a lost transient storage device are provided. In some processes, information regarding the owner of the device is obtained. The device ownership information may be stored on a remote service with which the device is registered and/or may be stored on the device itself. In one process, the remote service provides the device with customized device-executable code when the device is registered. The device may also contain information regarding trusted systems. The process includes obtaining status information indicating whether a device is lost when the device is connected to a host system. In some processes, the status is determined by a remote service. In other processes, the status is determined by the device. If the device is lost then a device recovery plan is executed. Portions of a device recovery plan may be executed on the remote service, the host system, and/or the device.
US09503423B2
A system and method for updating a filtering system which controls access to a website/page between a local area network (LAN) and an Internet. The LAN includes an Internet gateway system coupled to a workstation and configured to receive a URL request. The system controls access to the website/page associated with the URL based on one or more categories that are associated with the URL. The Internet gateway system can determine the category that is associated with the URL by referencing a master database or requesting the category from a database factory. The database factory can receive URLs from multiple Internet gateway systems. The database factory determines whether the identifier was previously categorized by the database factory and provides the category to the Internet gateway system. Once the Internet gateway system has the category, it applies rules associated with the category and user to filter access to the requested website/page.
US09503419B2
One or more processors are configured to associate a first local IP address with a computer while the computer is connected to a first network access node thereby providing the computer with access to a network. The first local IP address is one of a plurality of local IP addresses used on the network. The one or more processors monitor transmissions received from the first network access node to determine when the computer requests an Internet transaction. When the computer requests an Internet transaction, a first one of the globally unique IP addresses is associated with the first local IP address thereby allowing the computer to conduct the Internet transaction. The first globally unique IP address is disassociated from the first local IP address after termination of the Internet transaction and is then available for association with any of the local IP addresses used on the network.
US09503412B1
A system implementing a social paradigm for information technology (IT) services and social knowledge management in an IT environment. Physical and non-physical objects in the IT environment are represented by IT objects which are a type of social objects with social features. Each IT object has an activity stream for capturing communications, notifications, and knowledge related to the IT object. An activity stream manager may detect a change to an IT object, automatically generate a post, topic, or comment about the change, and place it in the activity stream of the IT object. For any IT object affected by the change, the activity stream manager may update an associated activity stream to reflect the change and may notify various users of the update in real time. A user interface is provided for the users to, among others, collaborate in the context of the change.
US09503410B2
Systems and methods are provided for sharing activity information of devices engaged in a messaging session. In operation, the devices provide activity and sharing preference information to a data service. Thereafter, the data service generates notifications for the devices based on the activity, sharing preference, and device information, wherein the notifications include a payload with instructions for messaging clients at the devices to present user interface elements that allow users to access content and applications associated with other users in the messaging session.
US09503409B2
A system that includes a server and a plurality of destination clients. The server is connected to a network and routes an electronic communication through the network to a destination. The plurality of destination clients are associated with the destination and connected to the network, each destination client comprising: a network interface connected to the network and receiving the electronic communication; an output unit configured to output an alert associated with the electronic communication; and an alert suppression device suppressing output of the alert when a response to the electronic communication has been transmitted from the destination, where the alert suppression device of each of the plurality of destination clients suppresses the alert when any one of the destination clients responds to the electronic communication.
US09503405B2
Information processing system and method that record result of process that uses e-mail transmission
An information processing system, which includes an electronic apparatus and a service providing system executing a process using e-mail based on a request from the electronic apparatus, includes a process reception part that receives the request, a mail transmission part that transmits the e-mail to which identification information uniquely identifying the request is added and in which the address of the service providing system is set as the return destination of the e-mail, a monitoring part that detects reception of the e-mail returned in response to the failure of the transmission of the e-mail, and identifies the request based on the identification information added to the returned e-mail, and a reporting part that reports the failure as the process result of the request to the process reception part. The process reception part records the failure as the process result of the request in response to the reported failure.
US09503397B2
Management and provisioning of networking traffic may be provided by bundling virtual channels into a group. A global policy may be applied to the bundle so that virtual ports providing services to a client may be managed by referring to the global policy of the bundle. The channels comprising the bundle may span multiple physical ports and in some cases, multiple physical switches. Thus, policy management may be avoided at the port level and instead, be handled as groups of channels implementing a client service.
US09503395B1
The present technology considers multi-stage network topologies where it is not possible to evenly stripe uplinks from a lower stage of the network topology to switching units in an upper stage of the topology. This technology proposes techniques to both improve overall throughput and to deliver uniform performance to all end hosts with uneven connectivity among the different stages while delivering uniform performance to all hosts. To achieve improved network performance in case of asymmetric connectivity, more flows may be sent to some egress ports than to others, thus weighting some ports more than others, resulting in Weighted Cost Multi Path (WCMP) flow distribution.
US09503394B2
Host machines and other devices performing synchronized operations can be dispersed across multiple racks in a data center to provide additional buffer capacity and to reduce the likelihood of congestion. The level of dispersion can depend on factors such as the level of oversubscription, as it can be undesirable in a highly connected network to push excessive host traffic into the aggregation fabric. As oversubscription levels increase, the amount of dispersion can he reduced and two or more host machines can be clustered on a given rack, or otherwise connected through the same edge switch. By clustering a portion of the machines, some of the host traffic can he redirected by the respective edge switch without entering the aggregation fabric. When provisioning hosts for a customer, application, or synchronized operation, for example, the levels of clustering and dispersion can be balanced to minimize the likelihood for congestion throughout the network.
US09503383B2
A message flow controller limits a process from passing a new message in a reliable message passing layer from a source node to at least one destination node while a total number of in-flight messages for the process meets a first level limit. The message flow controller limits the new message from passing from the source node to a particular destination node from among a plurality of destination nodes while a total number of in-flight messages to the particular destination node meets a second level limit. Responsive to the total number of in-flight messages to the particular destination node not meeting the second level limit, the message flow controller only sends a new packet from among at least one packet for the new message to the particular destination node while a total number of in-flight packets for the new message is less than a third level limit.
US09503380B2
A communication apparatus is provided with: a transmission planned data storage unit in which a plurality of application data, each associated with transmission order information indicating a transmission order and with destination information indicating a destination terminal as a transmission destination are stored; a data aggregation unit that extracts a plurality of application data from the plurality of application data that are associated with mutually identical destination information, that extracts, on the basis of a maximum transmission size indicating an upper-limit value of data size and the transmission order information, a plurality of application data for aggregation from the plurality of extracted application data, and that generates aggregated data to which the identical destination information is allocated, on the basis of the plurality of application data for aggregation; and a data transmission unit that transmits the aggregated data to the destination terminal indicated by the allocated destination information.
US09503374B2
A controller having an application optimally routing traffic to balance fluctuating traffic loads in a SDN network. A processor is configured to control the data plane to establish routing through the plurality of routers, wherein the processor is configured to establish hybrid routing comprising both explicit routing and destination-based routing. The processor utilizes a set of traffic matrices representing the fluctuating traffic load over time. A destination-based multi-path routing algorithm is configured to improve load balancing of the traffic load based on the set of representative traffic matrices. The destination based routing is calculated based on linear programming. The processor comprises a traffic categorization algorithm configured to identify a set of key flows, wherein the processor is configured to explicitly route the set of key flows. The processor is configured such that the set of key flows consume a small fraction of a ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM), and such that the set of key flows provide a routing decision for a large portion of the traffic load.
US09503364B2
Embodiments of the present application provide a label switching path calculation method and a label switching path calculation device. In the method, by performing hierarchical level and domain value planning on a node in a network in advance, when an LSP is calculated, hierarchical domain information about each node is acquired, and the LSP is calculated using the acquired hierarchical domain information about each node. Since the hierarchical domain information about each node designates a network position where the node is located, it can be avoided that an LSP obtained by calculation reroutes an access layer according to the hierarchical domain information about each node and a satisfaction criterion for the LSP during the LSP calculation process. In addition, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application needs no manual intervention in the whole LSP calculation process, realizing the automatic calculation of an LSP.
US09503359B2
In one embodiment, a device determines a topological profile of individual nodes in a shared-media communication network, and also determines a respective likelihood of the nodes in the network to become a root of a floating topology based on the topological profiles. Accordingly, the device may provide instructions to particular nodes in the network based on the respective likelihoods.
US09503358B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a computing system. The computing system includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method. The method comprises identifying an identifier of an anchor node associated with a name in an update message received from a neighbor node. The anchor node stores a content object identifiable based on the name independent of the anchor node. The method also comprises determining a valid next-hop neighbor in the ICN for the name based on a sequence number of the update message generated by the anchor node and lexicographic order of an identifier of the neighbor node; and determining whether the anchor node is a designated anchor node based on the validity of the next-hop neighbor and a routing metric for the anchor node.
US09503353B1
Implementations are provided herein for dynamically tuning resource allocation within a node among a cluster of nodes of a distributed file system. Each node can have a plurality of protocol heads that enable the node to communicate with clients using varying protocols. As tasks are received by the node from the client through the protocol head, the amount of work required to perform the task can be estimated, the amount of resources consumed by the task can be estimated, the amount of kernel memory required to perform the task can be estimated, and the amount of general memory required to perform the task can be estimated. Using these estimations, tasks can be scheduled by a scheduler based on the most efficient means to concurrently process as many tasks as possible using available resources of the node. In addition to efficiently scheduling tasks by the scheduler, a dynamic tuner can also reside on the node that can monitor all work executing on the node for each protocol head. The tuner can then distribute and, over time, redistribute resources to each protocol head using real-time data to make adjustments. In addition to tuning resources allocated to the protocol heads, the tuner can also account for pending and scheduled system task activity, as well as account for misbehaving clients.
US09503350B2
The invention relates to a method for monitoring a communication between a transmitter entity and a receiver entity. It consists of the transmission of diagnostic frames D dedicated to the monitoring of the communication. The objective of the monitoring is to ascertain the state of the communication before the next data communication frame C so as to be able to ensure that the latter has the maximum chance of taking place. Accordingly, at least one diagnostic frame D must be transmitted before the probable next transmission of a data communication frame C. The instant of transmission Tdiag[0] of the first diagnostic frame D is determined from the minimum period to be complied with between the transmission of two communication frames C. The instants of transmission Tdiag[i] of the diagnostic frames D which follow the first diagnostic frame transmitted at the instant Tdiag[0] are determined on the basis of an increasing function.
US09503348B2
An operating method of a control point includes setting a Maximum time for waits (MX) value for device discovery. The method also includes transmitting a message that includes the set MX value to at least one device connected with the control point. The method further includes receiving a response message in response to a Method for Search Request (M-SEARCH) message from the at least one device.
US09503346B2
A system and method for analyzing traffic to a website is provided that is based on log files and that uses both server-side and client-side information channeled through one source to create a more complete picture of activity to a website. In one preferred embodiment, a sensor code is embedded in a requested web page, and sends information back to the web server where the website resides. This additional information is logged along with normal requests.
US09503344B2
A method in a network controller of a control plane in a software defined network (SDN) coupled to a plurality of network elements (NEs) of a data plane in the SDN is described. The method includes sending a first control message having content including a first set of one or more classification rules to an ingress NE of the plurality of NEs; sending a second control message having content including a second set of one or more classification rules to an egress NE of the plurality of NEs; receiving the second notification message from the egress NE responsive to the selected data packet having been received by the ingress NE from an upstream NE and forwarded through the SDN from the ingress NE toward the egress NE; and calculating an indication of a delay of the selected data packet between the ingress NE and the egress NE.
US09503333B2
Aspects of the present disclosure involve provisioning customers of an aggregator, such as a reseller, of a content delivery network (CDN). In one aspect, content requests to the CDN are processed in accordance with the virtual IP (VIP) address at which the request was received, according to a property template bound to the VIP where the template is selected by the customer and only involves discrete parameters for the reseller. In another aspect, cache fills of the network are processed without direct knowledge of the customer origin through a combination of some request attribute, e.g., alias host of the customer, and an attribute of the reseller to make a DNS request to a name server outside the CDN. Another aspect involves receiving a property template selection, an origin and an alias from a customer of the reseller, and providing appropriate DNS entries to validate the customer and provide origin information to the CDN.
US09503331B2
A blade enclosure comprises a plurality of physical interfaces of a first type, each for connecting a blade to the blade enclosure, a plurality of physical interfaces of a second type, each for connecting a conventional computer to the blade enclosure, a management component connected to the physical interfaces and for managing the blades and conventional computers connected to the physical interfaces, and a body containing the physical interfaces and the management component.
US09503329B2
Various embodiments monitor user mobility in a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, a set of temporally related call detail records associated with at least one user of a wireless communication network is analyzed. A set of base stations accessed during at least one call associated with the set of temporally related call detail records is identified based on the analysis of the records. At least one road segment of a road network within a threshold distance to each of the set of base stations is identified. A set of mobility information for the at least one user indicating that the at least one user traversed the at least one road segment is stored based on identifying the at least one road segment.
US09503327B2
In a filtering setting support device, a logical/physical mapping section generates mapping information that represents a path on the layout of a network by a combination of start nodes and end nodes, the path being, for each flow identifier, from a transmission source node to a destination node, based on node physical layout information and access policy information. The access policy information manages flow information including a combination of transmission source node and destination node, by attaching a flow identifier. A filtering point analysis section specifies as a filtering point a node where a plurality of flows are co-present. A common formal rule generating section generates common formal rules that are to be set at the filtering point. A common formal rule output section presents common formal rules to a network administrator.
US09503319B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting a configuration in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) receives a configuration from a first node, stores the received configuration if a connection failure is detected, and transmits the stored configuration to a second node. The connection failure may be one of a radio link failure (RLF) or a handover failure (HOF). The configuration may include at least one of a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration and a measurement configuration.
US09503317B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and a device for processing a communication path. The method includes: obtaining a path processing parameter from local configuration information or from a control layer device, obtaining path information and/or a restarting counter parameter from the control layer device; increasing a path with an opposite-end device when the path information is of increasing a path, identifying the state of the path and/or the state of the opposite-end device using the path processing parameter and/or the restarting counter parameter the opposite-end device; reporting the fault state of the path and/or the reset state of the opposite-end device to the control layer device when the path fails and/or the opposite-end device is reset, releasing sessions on the failed path and/or on a path connected with the reset opposite-end device.
US09503313B2
In one embodiment, a server includes a virtualization platform providing one or more virtual machines (VMs), the virtualization platform including: logic configured to provide support for the one or more VMs, and logic configured to provide a virtual switch, the virtual switch being configured to provide switching functionality across a network to network traffic received from and/or sent to the one or more VMs, a network interface card (NIC) including a plurality of network ports including multiple Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) ports, a multi-lane PCIe interface configured to communicate with the server, an Ethernet controller configured to communicate with the network, logic configured to provide overlay network gateway functionality to network traffic received from and/or sent to the network, and logic configured to provide overlay network functionality to network traffic received from and/or sent to the one or more VMs, and a NIC driver configured to interface/support the NIC.
US09503309B2
The present invention is directed to an Ethernet communication method and system which are based on the MMC/SD interface. In the invention, the communication system includes at least one master device and at least one slave device, the at least one master device and the at least one slave device are connected via MMC/SD interface and communicate with each other on the Ethernet. The Ethernet communication method and system disclosed herein enables the device with the MMC/SD interface to act as a node in the network, and thus greatly expanding the application domain of such devices.
US09503308B2
The disclosure relates to a method, device and system for processing content. In the method: a server receives a content acquiring request transmitted by a terminal. The server determines a first storage node list according to a mapping relation acquired in advance between contents and storage nodes. The first storage node list includes a plurality of first storage nodes that store a first content corresponding to the content acquiring request. The server transmits a sorting request to a network storage management server and receives a sorting result transmitted by the network storage management server. The sorting result includes priorities of the plurality of first storage nodes. The server transmits a content acquiring response to the terminal, where the content acquiring response includes first access information and priority of at least one of the first storage nodes.
US09503304B2
A method for automatically detecting a packet mode in a wireless communication system supporting a multiple transmission mode includes: acquiring at least one of data rate information, packet length information and channel bandwidth information from a transmitted frame; and determining the packet mode on the basis of the phase rotation check result of a symbol transmitted after a signal field signal and at least one of the data rate information, the packet length information and the channel bandwidth information acquired from the transmitted frame.
US09503297B2
A transmitter transmits data to a receiver using OFDM symbols including plural sub-carrier symbols, some carrying data symbols and some carrying pilot symbols. A data formatter can form the data for transmission into sets of data symbols for each OFDM symbol, and an OFDM symbol builder can receive each set of data symbols from the data formatter and combine the data symbols with pilot symbols. A modulator can map the data symbols and the pilot symbols onto modulation symbols and modulate the plural sub-carriers to form the OFDM symbols. An inverse Fourier transform can convert the OFDM symbols from the frequency domain to the time domain, and a guard interval inserter can add a guard interval to each of the OFDM symbols by copying a part of the OFDM symbols and appending the copied part sequentially in the time domain to the OFDM symbols.
US09503293B2
The present invention relates to a coefficient error robust feed forward equalizer and, more specifically, to a feed forward equalizing transmitter for baseband wired communication for preventing the influence of a coefficient error generated by the variation of nano-elements. The coefficient error robust feed forward equalizer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a receiving terminal (130) for receiving input data (x) according to an integer time index (n), N number of delay units (D) connected with the input terminal (130) in series, a first calculator (110) for summing up tap signals outputted respectively from the N number of delay units (D); and a data change detection filter (120) for outputting a data transition value (b) on the basis of the change in the input data (x).
US09503291B1
A method for discrete multitone (DMT) transmission is disclosed. In the method, a DMT signal is received from a transmission channel. The DMT signal is passed through a time-domain equalizer (TEQ) to obtain an equalized DMT signal. The DMT signal is passed through a target impulse response (TIR) filter to obtain a TIR signal. A mean square error (MSE) of an error signal is obtained from the equalized DMT signal and the TIR signal. A TEQ coefficient vector of the TEQ is iteratively updated based on the MSE of the error signal, a frequency kernel matrix corresponding to the TEQ and a frequency kernel matrix corresponding to the TIR filter.
US09503283B2
An apparatus is provided for remotely rebooting Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication devices. In general, the apparatus remotely selects VoIP communication devices connected to a network, reboots the selected devices, and evaluates the status of each device. A processor allows a user to select VoIP communication devices connected to the network and receives inputs pertaining to the reboot operation, including a time input and search criteria. The processor communicates with the designated VoIP communication devices over a packet-switching network to instruct the devices to reboot and monitors each device. In this way, multiple VoIP communication devices may be rebooted from a remote location, and problems or issues that arise during the reboot process may be identified and addressed. An associated method and computer program product are also provided for remotely rebooting VoIP communication devices.
US09503278B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to reflective relay (RR) processing on logical ports for channelized links in edge virtual bridging (EVB) systems. One embodiment includes providing a virtual edge bridge (VEB) mode and a virtual Ethernet port aggregator (VEPA) mode in an EVB system on a same port of a physical switch. RR capability per channel is negotiated between a server and the physical switch in the EVB system. RR per channel is supported on the physical switch of the EVB system using RR setting information per channel.
US09503262B2
Embodiments are directed toward transparent denial of service protection. Instruction set information that references a seed file may be communicated to a client computer. A network packet key may be generated based on the instruction set information or encrypted and provided by a server. A client computer may generate a client network packet key based on the instruction set information provided by the network computer and a seed file installed on the client computer. The client computer may include the client network packet key the one or more network packets that it is sending to the network computer before they are provided to the network computer. A packet rule that includes the network packet key may be generated and installed in a packet inspection engine. If network packets are received, the packet inspection engine compares the network packet key to the network packets using the packet rule.
US09503261B2
An improved encryption and digital signature system and method in accordance with the invention reuses an encryption ephemeral key pair from an encryption process in a digital signature process. The reuse of the encryption ephemeral key pair in the digital signature process advantageously results in reduced byte size of the digital signature and reduction of costly computation overhead. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is based on the El Gamal encryption scheme and the Nyberg-Rueppel signature scheme. The present invention is particularly useful for operation in conjunction with small communication devices having limited processing and storage, wherein such devices may communicate via bandwidth sensitive RF links.
US09503257B2
According to an embodiment, a quantum key distribution device includes a key sharing unit, a correcting unit, a compressor, and a controller. The key sharing unit is configured to generate a shared bit string by using quantum key distribution performed with another quantum key distribution device via a quantum communication channel. The correcting unit is configured to generate a corrected bit string through an error correction process with respect to the shared bit string. The compressor is configured to generate an encryption key through a key compression process with respect to the corrected bit string. The controller is configured to perform a restraining operation in which the total number of bits of encryption keys generated per unit time by the compressor is smaller than the total number of bits of the encryption keys generated per unit time by the compressor in the case of not performing the restraining operation.
US09503232B2
A cellular radio communications network includes base stations that provide radio communication service to user equipments (UEs) in respective cell service areas. A node receives or determines a usage fraction or percentage of protected subframes and converts the fraction or percentage of protected subframes into one or more protected subframe patterns for an aggressor base station to not transmit on or to transmit at reduced power, in one example, an operations and maintenance (OaM) node configures one or more interfered base stations to use the one or more protected subframe patterns, in another example, the node is a base station.
US09503231B2
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which a first message to reconfigure an uplink transmission mode of a user equipment (UE) from a first uplink transmission mode to a second uplink transmission mode is transmitted. Further, a reconfiguration scheme to assure at least one of two or more second messages are recognizable by the UE during a transition period after transmission of the first message is implemented. In another example, a UE and eNB may be equipped to respectively transmit and receive a first message to reconfigure a SRS mode used by a UE. In such an aspect the first message may respectively indicate and be used to determine an SRS transmission port specified in a field capable of indicating a number of SRS transmission ports that is greater than a number of physical UE antenna ports.
US09503222B2
A first frame and a second frame are combined into an extended frame. The extended frame is encapsulated and transmitted over a channel as an extended physical digital. A transmission error notification is received, indicating error in a reception of the transmitted extended physical digital. In response, a re-transmission encapsulates the first frame into a first physical digit, transmits the first physical digit over the channel, encapsulates the second frame into a second physical digit, and transmits the second physical digit over the channel.
US09503205B1
A measuring device for measuring signal strength of an RF signal received by an antenna includes a measurement unit, a processing unit and a display unit. The measurement unit includes a band-pass filter for filtering an antenna signal received from the antenna, an amplifier for amplifying the filtered signal according to a gain value, and an RF log detector for outputting a voltage signal according to power level of the amplified signal based on a logarithmic slope. The processing unit obtains a strength signal according to the voltage signal, the gain value and the logarithmic slope. The display unit displays an indication of the signal strength of the RF signal according to the strength signal.
US09503202B2
An underwater communication system comprises a plurality of network nodes for sending and receiving ultrasonic energy through water. In accordance with one aspect, each of the network nodes includes an array of two ultrasonic transducers positioned so as to define a line segment. Each node also includes a transceiver adapted to generate a code element, generate a data element, generate a modulation element, and combine the code element, the data element and the modulation element into an analog waveform. The system is further adapted to transmit the analog waveform through each of the ultrasonic transducers and receive the analog waveform generated by at least one of the network nodes.
US09503192B2
A data network, especially a data network for an aircraft or spacecraft, includes a primary data grid, and at least one secondary data grid, the primary data grid including primary data nodes, wherein the primary data nodes are directly or indirectly coupled in data communication with each other, and the at least one secondary data grid comprising secondary data nodes, wherein the at least one secondary data grid is configured to connect the secondary data nodes in a data communication chain and to connect the first secondary data node of the data communication chain to a first respective primary data node and/or the last secondary data node of the data communication chain to a second respective primary data node.
US09503188B2
An apparatus comprising a processor configured to calculate a noise figure of an optical amplifier for a plurality of selected wavelength channels in a partial-fill scenario that accounts for channel loading. The noise figure is calculated using a plurality of corresponding noise figure correction values at a plurality of wavelengths based on an effective number of channels.
US09503187B2
An apparatus for retrieving data from an optical wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) signal received via a WDM path in a wavelength-division multiplexing transmission system having a plurality of channels associated with different wavelengths includes a demultiplexer configured to split the optical WDM signal into a plurality of signals each associated with one of the channels, and a calculator configured to calculate data associated with a respective one of the channels based on the signal associated with the respective channel and taking information on determined crosstalk interferences of other channels to the respective channel into consideration. A transmitter for transmitting an optical WDM signal via a WDM path in a WDM transmission system having a plurality of channels associated with different wavelengths includes a predistorter configured to predistort data associated with a respective one of the channels by information on determined crosstalk interferences of other channels to the respective channel, and a signal source.
US09503186B2
To provide a self-homodyne detection communication system capable of using a space-division multiplexing signal as a signal for communication. The present invention relates to a space-division multiplexing apparatus 12 including a multi-core fiber 11 having multiple cores. The space-division multiplexing apparatus 12 uses cores other than a core 13 for self-homodyne detection among the multiple cores included in the multi-core fiber 11 as cores 16 for communication. The space-division multiplexing apparatus is configured to include a pilot-tone guiding unit 14 and a self-homodyne detection unit 15.
US09503183B2
A free-space optical (FSO) transceiver can include a link predictor configured to estimate conditions for an FSO link over a window of time in the future. The FSO transceiver can also include a scheduler configured to assign outgoing packets to blocks of time in the window of time based on quality of service (QoS) parameters of each of the outgoing packets and on conditions in each block of time in the window of time.
US09503175B2
An aerospace communication system comprises a communication management unit; a first communication device configured to transmit and receive data over a first communication network; and a second communication device configured to transmit and receive data over a second communication network. The first communication device is coupled to a corresponding interface of the communication management unit. The second communication device is communicatively separated from the communication management unit by the first communication device such that the communication management unit is unaware of the second communication device. The first communication device includes routing logic configured to determine whether to send each message received from the communication management unit over the first communication network or to the second communication device for transmission over the second communication network.
US09503174B2
An apparatus and a method are described, by which interference related detection results of a plurality of relay nodes are obtained, wherein each relay node to the radio access network, wherein a connection between the relay node and its serving access node is an access node—relay node connection. The relay nodes are grouped according to the obtained detection results such that the access node—relay node connection can be configured for each group in order to mitigate interference to mitigate interference between transmissions to and from different relay nodes in each group.
US09503166B2
An eNB is configured to perform a method for coordinating downlink power per layer at an eNB in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) network. The method includes receiving feedback from at least one UE; calculating a plurality of MIMO gradients based on the received feedback; changing a power per layer according to the calculated MIMO gradients; and exchanging gradient power information between the eNB and at least one neighboring eNB.
US09503152B2
Methods and apparatus for generating composite code sequences are disclosed. An example method includes determining, via a determiner, a first number of samples to be contributed into a first unit duration of a composite code sequence from respective first, second, and third component code sequences; based on the first number of samples determined, randomly selecting, via a randomizer, the first number of samples from the respective ones of the first, second, and third component code sequences to enable the selected samples to more accurately represent the respective ones of the first, second, and third component code sequences; and compiling, via a compiler, the selected samples into the first unit duration of the composite code sequence by interspersing a sample from the first component code sequence between samples from the second component code sequence or between samples from the third component code sequence.
US09503146B1
A waterproof device for cellphones comprises a lower case and an upper case pivotally fitted at the lower case. The lower case has a grip section protruding from the underside, an accommodating space inside the lower case for loading of a smart phone device, and a transparent material region located at the underside and corresponding to the lens of the smart phone device wherein the accommodating space is designed to accommodate a power supply module at another side for charging the smart phone device. Moreover, the upper case is penetrated by at least a pressing component which faces the accommodating space in the lower case and has one end above the upper case and the other end over the touch panel of the smart phone device. When the upper case is securely coupled with the lower case for development of an airtight space between the upper case and the lower case, a diver can manipulate the waterproof device for cellphones to take up underwater photography by tapping one end of the pressing component on a control panel and making the other end contact the smart phone device for controlled photography in water.
US09503142B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a control signal generation unit configured to generate a control signal corresponding to a user input, a signal transmission unit configured to transmit the generated control signal to a signal processing unit, the signal processing unit configured to process the transmitted control signal, and a ground connection unit configured to connect a ground plate of the signal transmission unit and a ground plate of the signal processing unit, wherein the ground plate of the signal transmission unit and the ground plate of the signal processing unit are spaced from each other and the ground plate of the signal transmission unit is used as a radiator.
US09503141B2
A socket device is provided. The socket device includes a substrate, at least one structure, and a socket. The at least one structure is disposed on the substrate, and includes an upper surface. The upper surface includes an opening separated with a predetermined interval from a surface of the substrate. The socket is disposed so that at least a portion of the socket is stacked on an upper portion of the structure. The socket is electrically connected to the substrate via the opening. The number of parts is reduced, so that the number of assembly processes is reduced and assembling is convenient, and manufacturing costs is reduced and slimness of an electronic device is achieved.
US09503140B2
A method of operating a base station in a radio access network may include configuring first and second control channel sets with respective first and second antenna port configurations for a wireless terminal using control channel signaling transmitted to the wireless terminal. First reference signals may be transmitted to the wireless terminal according to the first antenna port configuration, and second reference signals may be transmitted to the wireless terminal according to the second antenna port configuration.
US09503139B2
A very-low intermediate frequency (VLIF) receiver and a method of controlling a VLIF receiver. The method comprises receiving a first signal, the first signal including a first adjacent channel interferer, and detecting first interference from the first adjacent channel interferer. The method further comprises, subsequent to receiving the first signal, receiving a second signal, the second signal including a second adjacent channel interferer, and detecting second interference from the second adjacent channel interferer. Furthermore, subsequent to detecting the second interference, the VLIF receiver is configured to avoid the first interference while receiving a third signal.
US09503137B2
A first microwave backhaul assembly comprises a first antenna, a front-end circuit, an inter-backhaul-assembly interface circuit, and an interference cancellation circuit. The first antenna is operable to receive a first microwave signal. The front-end circuit is operable to convert the first microwave signal to a lower-frequency digital signal, wherein the lower-frequency digital signal has energy of a second microwave signal and energy of a third microwave signal. The inter-backhaul-assembly interface circuit is operable to receive information from a second microwave backhaul assembly. The interference cancellation circuit is operable to use the information received via the inter-backhaul-assembly interface circuit during processing of the lower-frequency digital signal to remove, from the first microwave signal, the energy of the third microwave signal. The information received via the inter-backhaul-assembly interface may comprise a signal having energy of the second microwave signal.
US09503136B2
It is determined, on the basis of a signal component of a low frequency band and a signal component of a desired channel band of an intermediate frequency signal, whether an interfering wave is a far-off interfering wave which exists out of a low frequency band, an out-of-channel-band interfering wave which exists out of a channel band, or an in-channel-band interfering wave which exists in the channel band. When the interfering wave is determined to be the far-off interfering wave, the operation current of a circuit in the receiver is made lower than those in a case where the interfering wave is the out-of-channel-band or in-channel-band interfering wave.
US09503117B2
Provided are a semiconductor device and a System on Chip (SoC). The semiconductor device includes a reference capacitor that receives a reference voltage from a reference voltage generator, a first successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC), for converting a first analog signal into a first digital signal, using a first sampling capacitor that has a first capacitance and is connected to the reference capacitor through a first switching element, and a second sampling capacitor that has a second capacitance that is less than that of the first sampling capacitor, connected to the reference capacitor through a second switching element, a second SAR ADC, for converting a second analog signal into a second digital signal, using a third sampling capacitor that has a third capacitance, connected to the reference capacitor through a third switching element, and a fourth sampling capacitor that has a fourth capacitance that is less than that of the third sampling capacitance connected to the reference capacitor through a fourth switching element, and a controller configured to connect the first switching element and the third switching element to the reference capacitor at different times.
US09503107B1
The disclosure is directed to compensating for frequency drift in a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). Example methods and systems are described which may detect a signal edge associated with a transceiver, and determine whether one or more lock quality signals indicate that the VCO frequency is outside of an specified range, indicating an unacceptable amount of frequency drift. A frequency tuning setting of the VCO may be adjusted based on the one or more lock quality signals, and a determination may be made whether or not the one or more lock quality signals indicate that the VCO frequency has returned to the specified range. The adjustment of the frequency tuning setting of the VCO may be repeated until the VCO frequency returns to the specified range.
US09503106B1
An integrated circuit includes a frequency-locked voltage regulated loop that further includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a frequency divider that generates sequential timing signals based on a period of the VCO from a frequency divided VCO signal, a frequency-to-voltage converter (FVC) that converts the frequency divided VCO signal into an output voltage, FVCOUT, an internal reference voltage, and a voltage regulator that generates a control voltage, VCOIN, that is fed back to the VCO to lock a frequency of the VCO in the frequency-locked voltage regulated loop.
US09503099B2
The temperature compensated crystal oscillator has a rectangular substrate, a frame which is provided on an upper surface of the substrate, a mounting frame which has joining pads which are provided along an outer circumferential edge of the upper surface and which is provided on a lower surface of the substrate by bonding of joining terminals which are provided along the outer circumferential edge of the lower surface of the substrate and the joining pads, a crystal element which is mounted on an electrode pad which is provided on the upper surface of the substrate in a region surrounded by the frame, an integrated circuit element which has a temperature sensor and which is mounted on a connection pad which is provided on the lower surface of the substrate in a region surrounded by the mounting frame, and a lid which is joined to the upper surface of the frame.
US09503096B1
The disclosure relates to technology for configuring programmable logic devices having multiple programmable hardware units configurable in one or more functional modes. The programmable hardware units are coupled to independent switch devices (e.g., multiplexers) that select configuration patterns stored in a common and shared configuration memory. The configuration memory includes a set of configuration registers to store the configuration patterns, which configuration patterns correspond to the one or more functional modes. The configuration registers may be addressed using an index of addresses stored in memory that identify a select line in one of the switch devices for a particular programmable hardware unit. Each select line in a switch device corresponds to a particular one of the configuration registers storing the configuration pattern. The addressed configuration register is accessed to retrieve the configuration pattern and configure the programmable hardware unit.
US09503095B2
According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include a random access memory array that, in turn, includes a reconfigurable look-up table. The reconfigurable look-up table may include memory cells configured to simultaneously store a plurality of look-up tables, wherein each look-up table is associated with a respective logic function. The reconfigurable look-up table may include a local row decoder configured to activate one or more rows of memory cells based upon a set of input signals. The reconfigurable look-up table may be configured to perform one logic function at a time, and wherein the logic function is dynamically selected. The plurality of look up tables stored in the memory cells may be configured to be dynamically altered via a write operation to the random access memory array.
US09503075B2
A monolithically integrated switch configured to operate at an input signal frequency ranging from 0 Hz to 80 GHz. The switch has an input port and two output ports. A first conduction path is provided from the input port to the first output port. A second conduction path is provided from the input port to the second output port. In addition, a first shunting path is provided between the first output port and a reference and a second shunting path is provided between the second output and the reference. In a first mode, the first conduction path and the second shunting path have a low impedance. The second conduction path and the first shunting path have a high impedance. In a second mode, the first conduction path and the second shunting path have a high impedance. The second conduction path and the first shunting path have a low impedance.
US09503070B2
A signal conversion system and method for converting an input signal to a pulse width modulated signal is disclosed. The signal conversion system includes a sample rate converter coupled with an associated pulse width modulation (PWM) module. A hardware and power efficient signal conversion system for resampling an audio input signal with an arbitrary sample rate to a pulse width modulated output audio signal for use in an audio processor and/or reproduction is disclosed. The signal conversion system may be particularly suitable for use in a battery operated consumer electronics device.
US09503059B1
Oscillator circuits that support highly accurate fixed frequency generation over process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations include a reference voltage generator, which is configured to generate a reference voltage across a resistor (e.g., high precision poly-resistor) therein. An auto-zeroing comparator is provided, which is configured to generate a differential clock signal (e.g., Ck, Ckb) at an output thereof. First and second switched capacitor circuits are further provided, which include matching first and second trim capacitors therein, respectively. The first and second switched capacitor circuits are configured to periodically drive respective first and second input terminals of the comparator at a first voltage level in an alternating back-and-forth sequence, in response to the reference voltage and a pair of switching signals derived from the differential clock signal.
US09503049B2
A SAW element has a substrate; an IDT electrode located on an upper surface of the substrate and comprises Al or an alloy containing Al; a first film located on an upper surface of the IDT electrode; and a protective layer which covers the IDT electrode provided with the first film and the portion of the substrate exposed from the IDT electrode, which has a thickness from the upper surface of the substrate larger than a total thickness of the IDT electrode and first film, and which contains a silicon oxide. The first film contains a material which has a larger acoustic impedance than the material (Al or the alloy containing Al) of the IDT electrode and the silicon oxide and which has a slower propagation velocity of an acoustic wave than the material of the IDT electrode and the silicon oxide.
US09503044B2
The present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable directional coupler with a variable coupling factor that can be changed in value as a function of a desired transmit band of operation. The reconfigurable directional coupler includes a primary inductive segment, secondary inductive segments, and switch circuitry configured to change the total coupling capacitance formed between the primary and secondary inductive segments by selectively switching the secondary inductive segments into the secondary signal path. Simultaneously, the mutual inductance and coupling factor between the primary and the secondary inductive segments are reconfigured.
US09503041B1
An automatic gain control module includes a first operation unit for determining a first gain value used for amplification of a voice signal in a manner that an energy of the voice signal received from an external part reaches a target energy, a second operation unit for determining a second gain value used for amplification of the voice signal in a manner that a peak value of the voice signal reaches a maximum value capable of being amplified, and a voice amplification unit for amplifying the voice signal according to a minimum value from among the first gain value and the second gain value.
US09503035B2
There is provided a high-frequency amplifier including a divider, a plurality of amplifiers for amplifying a high-frequency signal distributed by the divider and outputting the amplified high-frequency signal, a combiner for combining amplified high-frequency signals, a base substrate, a conductor pattern that is connected to a ground end of each of the amplifiers, and a ground electrode. Each of the conductor patterns has a first conductive portion. A slot is disposed between the two conductor patterns connected to the corresponding adjacent amplifiers. Between the adjacent amplifiers, two vias are formed so that the slot is sandwiched between the vias. One of the two conductor patterns is connected to the ground electrode via one of the two vias, and the other one of the conductor patterns is connected to the ground electrode via the other one of the two vias.
US09503031B2
The invention provides an auto configuration method for an operational amplifier in an electronic system. The method includes steps of estimating an internal resistance of the electronic system; estimating an operation frequency of the electronic system; and determining a control parameter to adjust a characteristic of the operational amplifier according to the internal resistance and the operation frequency.
US09503026B2
Aspects of this disclosure relate to dynamic error vector magnitude (DEVM) compensation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an amplifier, a low pass filter, and a bias circuit. The amplifier, such as a power amplifier, can amplify an input signal. The low pass filter, such as an integrator, can generate a correction signal based at least partly on an indication of a duty cycle of the amplifier. The indication of the duty cycle of the amplifier can be an enable signal for the amplifier, for example. The bias circuit can generate a bias signal based at least partly on the correction signal and provide the bias signal to the amplifier to bias the amplifier.
US09503023B2
One example discloses a class-D amplifier apparatus, comprising: an amplifier circuit, having a set of input terminals, a set of output terminals, a quiescent circuit configuration, and an active circuit configuration; an amplifier control device, coupled to the amplifier circuit; wherein the amplifier control device is configured to place the amplifier circuit in the quiescent circuit configuration before measuring a voltage between the set of output terminals; wherein the amplifier control device is configured to add the output terminals voltage from the set of input terminals before placing the amplifier circuit in the active circuit configuration.
US09503022B2
A balanced up-conversion mixer includes: a negative resistance compensation circuit generating and outputting first and second currents based on a DC bias voltage; a mixing circuit allowing a differential radio frequency current (DRFC) signal pair to flow thereinto based on the first and second currents from the negative resistance compensation circuit, a differential oscillating voltage (DOV) signal pair and a differential intermediate frequency voltage (DIFV) signal pair; and a load circuit outputting a differential radio frequency voltage signal pair based on its impedance, the DC bias voltage and the DRFC signal pair. The DRFC signal pair has a frequency associated with those of the DOV and DIFV signal pairs.
US09503019B2
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for oscillators that are substantially insensitive to supply voltage variations. In one such example apparatus, a capacitance circuit is configured to be charged and discharged. Charging and discharging circuits are coupled to the capacitance circuit and configured to charge and discharge, respectively, the capacitance circuit by charging and discharging currents responsive to charge and discharge signals. A control circuit is coupled to the charging circuit and the discharging circuit, and is configured to provide the charge and discharge signals responsive to a voltage of the capacitance circuit, and is further configured to provide an oscillation signal responsive to the voltage of the capacitance circuit. The charging current, the discharging current, or both the charging and discharging currents are proportional to a difference between a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage.
US09503016B2
A solar panel unit (10) includes a control unit (73) which operates an actuator (41) such that an angle of a solar panel (20) coincides with a predetermined command angle. The control unit (73) performs reset control for resetting the angle of the solar panel (20) misaligned due to strong wind. In the reset control, the actuator (41) is not operated until a predetermined time has passed since the angle of the solar panel (20) was misaligned to wait for the strong wind to stop, and then the actuator (41) is operated to reset the angle of the solar panel (20).
US09503013B2
To suppress a decline in the control accuracy of an applied voltage associated with an increase in quantum noise, and to increase the control accuracy of a motor speed. When generating a driving voltage signal supplied to a motor from a driving command signal, a motor-driving voltage control device reduces the gradation level and performs noise-shaping modulation before performing PWM modulation. Reducing the gradation level allows the degree of gradation of the driving voltage signal to be within the resolution range of the PWM modulation, and thus PWM modulation can be performed even when the driving voltage signal has a high frequency. Noise-shaping modulation reduces the level of quantum noise near the low frequency range by causing the quantum noise due to digitization, included in the driving voltage signal, to be biased toward the high frequency range side. Of modulation signals with the reduced-gradation level, the components near the high frequency band are cut, while the components near the low frequency range are used to suppress quantum noise and control the driving voltage applied to the motor with a high accuracy.
US09503012B1
A dynamic inductor system capable of storing usable electrical energy includes a rotor, a stator, a three-phase winding set, and a damping circuit. The damping circuit includes three freewheeling diode sets. Each of the three freewheeling diode sets has a first freewheeling diode and a second freewheeling diode. When the rotor rotates around the stator, the three-phase winding set generates a current passing through the first freewheeling diode of one of the freewheeling diode sets to charge the first damping capacitor, and a current passing through the second freewheeling diode of another one of the freewheeling diode sets to charge the second damping capacitor.
