US09682838B2

An idler roll employed in a blown film extrusion line is non turning and a plurality of wear strips are removably attached to the idler roll at circumferentially spaced positions around the idler roll. The wear strips engage blown film passing over the idler roll. The wear strips have reduced coefficients of friction than that of the idler roll, have high wear resistances and the blown film passing over the wear strips cleans and polishes the surface area of the wear strips the film moves across, substantially making the wear strips and the non turning idler roll maintenance free compared with idler rollers with bearings.
US09682837B2

A winding assembly includes a first supporting member, a pivot shaft, a driving assembly, and a limiting member. The pivot shaft is partly received in the first supporting member. The pivot shaft is configured to support the adhesive tape coil thereon. The adhesive tape coil is configured to be rotatable relative to the first supporting member. The driving assembly includes a secondary shaft. The secondary shaft is partly received in the first supporting member and capable of moving relative to the first supporting member. A first end of the secondary shaft is exterior to the first supporting member and is configured to couple to the hollow rod. The limiting member is spaced a preset distance from the first supporting member and capable of moving relative to the first supporting member. The limiting member and the first supporting member are configured to cooperatively limit the wound adhesive tape.
US09682836B2

A sheet conveying device includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveying path; a switching unit configured to switch a sheet conveying destination; a delivering unit configured to deliver the sheet on the delivery path toward the device at the sheet conveying destination; a reversing unit configured to first convey the sheet from the reversing port toward the outside of the casing and then delivers the sheet from the position toward a circulation path while reversing the conveying direction of the sheet; a circulating unit configured to convey the sheet delivered toward the circulation path along the circulation path and return the sheet to the conveying path while the sheet is reversed; and a control unit configured to control the conveying unit, the reversing unit, the delivering unit, the circulating unit, and the switching unit.
US09682830B2

A method of manufacturing a transfer assembly for transferring articles from a first moving carrier to a second moving carrier is provided. The method comprises providing a programmable motor and a motor control system. The motor control system and the programmable motor define an excitation frequency. The method comprises providing a carrier member comprising a housing comprising a wall and shifting a natural frequency of the carrier member by forming the wall with a first carbon fiber layer having a first fiber orientation extending in a first direction and with a second carbon fiber layer having a second fiber orientation extending in a second direction that is different than the first direction. The shifting the natural frequency establishes the natural frequency of the carrier member to be at least 1.1 times greater than or at least 1.1 times less than the excitation frequency.
US09682829B2

A method for converting a first container stream into a second container stream that has a different width from said first container stream includes moving a container from the first container stream to a first transfer position, at the first transfer position, using a container holder of a conversion section to grip the container, to move it along a third transport direction until it arrives at a selected one of a several second transfer positions, and to then release it onto the second transport section, thereby enabling the container to join the second container stream. The second transfer positions are offset relative to each other in a direction along the second width.
US09682825B2

An idler 100 (e.g. for a conveyor belt installation) includes plural sleeve segments 102.1-102.5 which constitute an outer sleeve 102. More specifically, the idler 100 has a central axle 104 and a bearing surface provided concentrically with and radially outwardly from the axle 104. The idler 100 is characterized in that it has a plurality of sleeve segments 102.1-102.5 which fit together end-to-end thereby to define a cylindrical segmented sleeve 102 which presents the bearing surface, at least some of the sleeve segments 102.1-102.5 having an inner radially extending support 204 wall thereby to support the segmented sleeve 102 intermediate its ends.
US09682824B2

The invention provides a support structure comprising a combination of a first plate-shaped support element having a first circumference and a second plate-shaped support element having a second circumference, wherein circumferential parts of the first circumference and the second circumference, respectively, have corresponding shapes such that a shape fitting connection between the respective circumferential parts in aligned condition of the support elements is possible. The combination comprises at least one passage near the connection in the connected condition of the circumferential parts, as well as at least one connecting element which extends at least partially within the at least one passage so as to limit movement of the support elements relative to each other in the thickness direction. The at least one passage is formed by parts of the connecting circumferential parts of the first circumference and the second circumference.
US09682815B2

A method of delivering proppant to a well site has the steps of transporting a load of proppant in a vessel to a desired location, moving the load of proppant from the vessel into a container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading the proppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, and transporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to well site. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved in proximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto a tilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is discharged through a flow gate of a container into a hopper. The proppant in the hopper can then be conveyed to the pneumatic bulk trailer.
US09682809B2

A package, such as a bag or stand-up pouch, is described that includes a built-in opening support that can be actuated by the user to maintain the package in an open or wide-open configuration, thereby preventing or reducing the need to manually keep the front and back panels of the package separated as product is accessed. The opening support may be disposed near the opening end of at least one of the front or back panels and may be designed to be moved from an inactive position to an active position. In the inactive position, the opening support is disposed along one of the front panel or the back panel, whereas in the active position, the opening support extends between the front panel and the back panel, across a corresponding longitudinal seam of the package, to maintain the opening of the package in a wide-open position.
US09682808B2

A low depth tray for bottles is provided which includes a first pair of opposed walls, a second pair of opposed walls attached to the first pair of opposed walls to form a wall structure, and a base attached to the wall structure. At least one interior column projects upwardly within the wall structure, where the interior column has a height less than the height of bottles loaded in the tray. A plurality of interior divider walls of double-walled construction project upwardly from the base and extend between the one or more interior columns and the wall structure. Together, the divider walls, interior columns, base, and outer wall structure define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets, where each pocket includes at least one divider wall and is sized to receive a single bottle therein.
US09682807B1

A multi-surface cable tie apparatus includes a first cable tie device coupled to a spaced apart second cable tie device via a bridge member, each cable tie device having a head member having opposed inner and outer ends, the head member defining an aperture and a channel defining a generally V-shaped configuration in communication with the aperture. Each cable tie device includes a tying strap that includes a planar base strip having that includes a proximal end adjacent the inner end of the head member and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the base strip having an elongate toothed portion mounted to an inside surface. The toothed portion includes a generally triangular cross-section with a plurality of teeth extending away from the base strip. The aperture is configured to selectively receive the base strip and the channel is configured to receive the toothed portion of the tying strap.
US09682803B2

A container and product system comprising a container adapted to house a product, the container comprising a substantially transparent multi-layered laminate body and a product housed in the container, the product comprising dyes, lakes, or both.
US09682801B2

Multi-layered bags include an outer layer or bag and an inner layer or bag that is shorter than the outer layer or bag. The shortened inner layer or bag can stretch or expand to the outer layer or bag when loaded with objects or otherwise strained. Such multi-layered bags can allow for a reduction in thermoplastic material without compromising the strength of the multi-layered bag. In various implementations, the inner layer or bag may be non-continuously laminated, continuously laminated, or joined only along one or more edges to the outer layer or bag. Implementations including non-continuous bonds securing the inner layer or bag to the outer layer or bag can provide additional strength to the bag. Methods of forming multi-layered bags with a shortened inner layer including inserting an inner layer within an outer layer and then joining the layers to form a bag.
US09682797B2

Safety cover mechanism for a container that comprises: a sealer; tracks positionable over the upper surface of the container; and a shutter member slidable over the tracks such as to allow covering and revealing the opening by sliding the shutter member over the tracks. The safety cover mechanism is configured such that sliding of the shutter member over the tracks away from the location of the opening of the container causes at least a portion of the sealer to unseal the opening thereby indicating that the container has been opened.A safety mechanism for containers with a pull or a stay-on tab and a press button sealer, where the tab pivotally connects to the container upper surface via a connecting element, wherein the safety mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the tab over the axis of the connecting element for preventing unauthorized penetration to the container.
US09682789B2

An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.
US09682788B2

A method and apparatus for processing fuselage sections. A first fuselage section is held in a cradle system. A current shape of the first fuselage section in the cradle system is measured. Forces to change the current shape of the first fuselage section to a desired shape for connecting the first fuselage section to a second fuselage section are identified. The forces identified are applied using a system to change the current shape of the first fuselage section towards the desired shape.
US09682776B2

A flyable sailboat includes: a floating member, having a front support, a rear support and one or more air pumps, wherein the top end of the front support is installed with at least one rotating device; one or more rear flaps, installed at the tail end of the floating member and respectively including a horizontal flap and a rotating vertical rudder; two or more lateral flaps, respectively extended from two lateral sides of the floating member; at least one wind resisting device, installed on the rotating device and including at least one sail, at least one boom rod and at least one horizontal rod, wherein the center of the sail is installed with the boom rod having a tail rod and fastened on the rotating device; and one or more power devices, installed at the tail end or at two lateral sides of the floating member.
US09682771B2

Controlling rotor blades of a rotor assembly includes determining an azimuthal position of a rotor assembly and identifying a lateral control command value, a longitudinal control command value and a collective control command value of a rotor assembly control system. A sine value and a cosine value of the azimuthal position are calculated and separate blade commands signals are generated for each separate blade of the rotor assembly to control a position of each blade independent of each other blade. The blade command signals are generated based on combining the sine and cosine values of the azimuthal position with the lateral control command value, the longitudinal control command value and the collective control command value.
US09682770B2

An aircraft landing gear including an axle and a wheel (5) that includes a rim (6) mounted to turn on the axle about a first rotation axis (X1), the landing gear further comprising an actuator (12) for driving the wheel (5) in rotation. The rim (6) includes obstacles (33) that project from a lateral face (F) of the rim and the driving actuator includes a lead screw (32) mounted to turn about a second rotation axis (X2) perpendicular to the first rotation axis (X1) and adapted to cooperate with the obstacles of the rim to drive the wheel in rotation.
US09682754B2

The present invention is directed to a visual distress signal device that includes a housing having an internal cavity with a first electrical contact and a power source positioned therein in an electrically coupled manner. An electronic assembly is at least partially positioned within the internal cavity of the housing. Such an electronic assembly may include a second electrical contact that is electrically coupled to the power source, a third electrical contact, and a light source. The device may also include a lens member detachably coupled to the housing to close an open top end of the housing in a watertight manner. A float member may be detachably coupled to the housing to provide buoyancy to the device. The electronic assembly may be movable within the internal cavity to electronically couple and decouple the third electrical contact and the first electrical contact to selectively power the light source.
US09682753B1

A stand-up type personal watercraft comprises a body including a deck and a hull; a standing deck which is provided at a rear part of the deck and on which a rider stands; and a pair of deck fins located on a left side and a right side of the standing deck, respectively, protruding upward, and extending in a forward and rearward direction, wherein the standing deck has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above.
US09682746B2

A snowmobile includes a vehicle body frame including a left engine support portion that supports an engine. The left engine support portion includes a first layer made of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material, a second layer made of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material, and an intermediate layer located between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer, the intermediate layer and the second layer are provided with a through-hole into which a securing member that secures the engine and the vehicle body frame to each other is inserted.
US09682745B2

A saddle-type vehicle that allows common use of a handle switch with a vehicle having no advancing-backing function and can suppress increase in the number of switches and the lowering of the layout efficiency of the switches. A saddle-type vehicle has a reverse mode setting input part that sets a reverse mode in which backing driving of the saddle-type vehicle is permitted and a control system that disables shift operation of a transmission by a shift-down switch and a shift-up switch and causes the saddle-type vehicle to advance through operation of the shift-down switch and to back through operation of the shift-up switch when the reverse mode is set.
US09682741B2

A motorcycle suspension that includes a fork hinged to a portion of a frame of a motorcycle, a damper unit positioned between the frame and the fork, that damper unit having at least one spring and at least one damper so as to permit a relative rotation of the fork in relation to the frame around at least one hinge pin. The suspension including a load sensor to measure the load weighing on the damper unit, and a control unit operatively connected to the load sensor. The control unit is operatively connected to a regulation means of the damper unit so as to vary the setting of the regulation means depending on the load signal received from the load sensor, so as to adapt a pre-loading of the spring and the damping of the damper to the load effectively weighing on the damper unit.
US09682738B1

A combination bottle and phone holder has a base, a bottle holder portion and a phone holder portion. In some configurations, the holder also includes a mirror. The bottle holder portion includes a body that is adjustably mounted to the base. The body has an opening configured to receive a water bottle. In some configurations, the mirror is positioned on a deflectable lid that covers the opening. The phone holder portion includes a plate that is adjustably mounted to the base, a first stop and a second stop. The first stop and the second stop are configured to receive and secure a mobile phone therebetween.
US09682735B2

An aerodynamic unit is attached onto a roof of a road vehicle so that air passes over the unit during forward movement of the road vehicle. The unit has a first end for positioning distal to a rear end of a vehicle roof and a second end for positioning proximal a rear end of a vehicle roof. The unit includes an inclined guide portion which decreases in height in a direction towards the trailing end of the unit. The unit also includes a flow director, which directs air flow to the guide portion, disposed at or near the leading end of the aerodynamic unit. The flow director has a height increasing in a direction from the leading end towards the trailing end. The unit may include vortex generators protruding from the guide portion. A fin may extend along each side of the unit in a direction between the trailing end and the leading end.
US09682734B2

A drag reducing device for a vehicle includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, in which position the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is an extrusion sized for a minimal prominence in the stowed position.
US09682732B2

The present disclosure provides a hands-free, self-balancing vehicle including a tiltable platform for a rider to stand on. The tiltable platform may tilt in any direction and direct the direction of motion of the vehicle. The vehicle is compact and may be disassembled for easy portability.
US09682731B2

A vehicular instrument panel, including a substrate comprising a plurality of chopped carbon and chopped glass fibers within a nylon resin, the substrate defines an airbag canister. The plurality of chopped carbon and chopped glass fibers are segregated such that the chopped carbon fibers are substantially concentrated within a driver-side portion of the substrate and the airbag canister, and the chopped glass fibers are substantially concentrated within a passenger-side portion of the substrate. The substrate can also include a boundary region such that the plurality of chopped carbon and glass fibers in the substrate are substantially mixed in the boundary region.
US09682721B2

An arm stopper mechanism, includes a pitman arm which includes an output shaft hole into which an output shaft is fitted, two tie rod holes onto which tie rods are respectively mounted, and two abutting faces to which a stopper is abutted; and the stopper which includes two contact faces, in which an angle formed by the two contact faces of the stopper is greater than an angle formed by the two abutting faces of the pitman arm and is 90° or more.
US09682716B2

A system includes first and second application devices, a control unit, and at least one processor. The first and second application devices are configured to be at least one of conductively or inductively coupled with one of the conductive tracks. The control unit is configured to control the first and second application devices in order to electrically inject a first examination signal into the conductive tracks via the first application device and a second examination signal into the conductive tracks via the second application device. The at least one processor is configured to monitor one or more electrical characteristics of the first and second conductive tracks in response to the first and second examination signals being injected into the conductive tracks; and to identify a type of fault based upon the one or more electrical characteristics of the first and second conductive tracks.
US09682707B1

Aspects of the disclosure relate controlling autonomous vehicles or vehicles having an autonomous driving mode. More particularly, these vehicles may identify and respond to other vehicles engaged in a parallel parking maneuver by receiving sensor data corresponding to objects in an autonomous vehicle's environment and including location information for the objects over time. An object corresponding to another vehicle in a lane in front of the first vehicle may be identified from the sensor data. A pattern of actions of the other vehicle identified form the sensor data is used to determine that the second vehicle is engaged in a parallel parking maneuver based on a pattern of actions exhibited by the other vehicle identified from the sensor data. The determination is then used to control the autonomous vehicle.
US09682704B2

An autonomous vehicle configured for active sensing may also be configured to weigh expected information gains from active-sensing actions against risk costs associated with the active-sensing actions. An example method involves: (a) receiving information from one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle, (b) determining a risk-cost framework that indicates risk costs across a range of degrees to which an active-sensing action can be performed, wherein the active-sensing action comprises an action that is performable by the autonomous vehicle to potentially improve the information upon which at least one of the control processes for the autonomous vehicle is based, (c) determining an information-improvement expectation framework across the range of degrees to which the active-sensing action can be performed, and (d) applying the risk-cost framework and the information-improvement expectation framework to determine a degree to which the active-sensing action should be performed.
US09682699B2

Systems and methods for shifting a transmission of a hybrid driveline that includes an electric machine that operates in a regeneration mode are presented. The systems and methods may adjust a feedforward motor torque command via an adaptive parameter in response to an error that is based on percentage of shift complete.
US09682698B2

A control system for hybrid vehicles that prevents an occurrence of shock resulting from manually shifting an operating mode is provided. The control system is configured to switch an operating mode between HV mode in which the vehicle is powered mainly by the engine and EV mode in which the vehicle is powered mainly by said motor in response to a manual switching operation. The control system delays a startup of the engine until satisfaction of a predetermined running condition, if the manual switching operation is executed to shift from the EV mode to the HV mode under a condition that the running condition falls within a region where both of the HV mode and the EV mode are selectable.
US09682691B2

A stop/start vehicle includes at least one controller that, in response to predicting a vehicle stop, initiates an engine pre-shutdown protocol such that vehicle subsystems begin to prepare for engine shutdown prior to a speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero to reduce time between the speed of the vehicle reaching approximately zero and engine shutdown.
US09682689B2

An intelligent emergency braking system for a vehicle includes a camera, an ultrasonic transceiver of a parking aid system, and a computer. The camera is configured to provide captured image data, and the transceivers are configured to provide transceiver data. The computer processes the image and transceiver data and invokes automatic braking if the following conditions exist: the confidence with which the computer calculates that a detected object is a person or is an object vehicle exceeds a first predetermined level, and the ultrasonic transceiver provides the computer with transceiver data consistent with the object detected through the captured image data.
US09682687B2

The invention is based on a wiper blade device having an adapter element (14) that can be fixedly connected to a main component (10) of a wiper blade (11; 12; 13), said adapter element (14) comprising at least two side walls (16, 18) facing one another, which at least partially delimit a receiving region (20) for at least one part of at least one holding element (21; 22; 23) for a wiper arm (24; 26; 28). The invention states that at least one of the side walls (16, 18) has at least one recess (34, 36), formed as a bearing opening (30, 32), for a bearing element (38; 40).
US09682683B2

A communication system and method utilizing the communication system. The method includes performing a vehicle function based on a proximity of two wireless devices to a vehicle. The steps of method include: establishing a short-range wireless communication (SRWC) link between a SRWC system on the vehicle and a first wireless device; establishing another SRWC link between the SRWC system and a second wireless device, wherein the first and second wireless devices are associated with a common user; receiving a wireless signal at the SRWC system from each of the first and second wireless devices; determining a proximity of the two wireless devices based on receiving the wireless signals; and performing a vehicle function based on the determined location.
US09682670B2

The disclosure relates to a method for transferring batteries to a discharged state, a battery system, an inverter, a system for generating an AC voltage, a charging current source and a motor vehicle. The battery system includes a controllable inverter having parallel current branches and having series-connected power switches that are switchable by external control of the controllable inverter. The battery system further includes a controllable charging and disconnecting device having an interrupted current path and having a charging current source between the battery and the controllable inverter.
US09682669B2

A vehicle system includes a processing device programmed to determine an ignition state and a vehicle speed. The processing device powers at least one vehicle subsystem if the ignition state is off and the vehicle speed is above a predetermined threshold. The processing device may disable the vehicle subsystem when the vehicle speed falls below the predetermined threshold.
US09682666B2

A hollow-cylinder-shaped exterior member (20) to house an electric wire bundle (10) that is a bundle of plural electric wires has a bending portion that is bendable in a state that the electric wire bundle (10) is housed in the exterior member. The bending portion has an elliptical sectional shape having two parallel, confronting sides (L1, L2) and two arcs (A1, A2) that link ends of the two sides. The interval Ds between the inside edges of the two sides (L1, L2) and the interval Dl between the deepest points of the inside edges of the two arcs (A1, A2) satisfy equations representing prescribed relationships.
US09682665B2

An interior trim for a motor vehicle involves a plastic interior trim, which is made to face the vehicle interior. The interior trim exhibits a trim part, for example which can have a plate-shaped design, and a gripping part, which may have an essentially cup-, trough-, pot- or shell-shaped design. The gripping part is designed as a single piece with the trim part, yielding a gripping trough in the interior trim.
US09682657B1

A running board apparatus including a first component with a hollow cross-section having an open end, the first component extending in a longitudinal direction; a second component with a closed cross-section that slides relative to the first component in a lateral direction, the second component extending in the longitudinal direction; and a positioning device with a first end attached to the first component and a second end attached to the second component. The positioning device is configured to move the second component with respect to the first component in the lateral direction and lock the second component and the first component in a plurality of positions.
US09682652B2

Some embodiments are directed to a control system for a sound controller configured to transmit sounds to a vehicle passenger cabin. The system includes a downshift sensor configured to detect a downshift of a vehicle transmission, and an accelerator pedal sensor that is configured to detect whether an accelerator pedal is actuated above a predetermined threshold. A controller controls operation of the sound controller in accordance with a sound control logic that is based on vehicle engine mode, transmission gear selection, accelerator pedal position, and vehicle engine speed. The controller also controls operation of the sound controller in accordance with an audible downshift logic if the downshift sensor detects a downshift of the vehicle transmission and the accelerator pedal sensor detects that the accelerator pedal is not actuated above the predetermined threshold, the audible downshift logic controlling the sound controller to enhance engine sound transmitted to the passenger cabin.
US09682639B2

Disclosed herein is a reclining apparatus for a vehicle seat that is capable of improving coupling strength and entire durability and removing operation noise by removing a clearance between components at the time of a reclining operation and is capable of decreasing a cost and a weight by decreasing an entire size.
US09682637B2

The disclosure includes a system and method for providing charging services to mobile client devices. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: estimate a departure time for a mobile client device; determine a target state of charge at the departure time for a battery system in the mobile client device; determine one or more available charging periods and one or more demand response event periods; determine one or more amounts of power to be discharged from the battery system during the one or more demand response event periods; determine one or more charging time slots within the one or more available charging periods based on the target state of charge and the one or more amounts of power to be discharged; and charge the battery system using the one or more charging time slots.
US09682636B2

A connection structure between two metal plates for mutually positioning and electrically connecting the metal plates is provided by a simple press-in process without using an additional connection part. A curved blade plate curving with a curvature smaller than that of a cylindrical inner wall surface of an insertion hole in one of the metal plates in the same direction as that of the cylindrical inner wall is formed on the other metal plate. The curved blade plate is pressed into the insertion hole while being elastically deformed in the curving direction, so that edges along both side edges of a curved outer peripheral surface each make press contact with the cylindrical inner wall surface. The metal plates are thereby fixed and electrically connected to each other.
US09682635B2

In a vehicle has a generator and a secondary battery, when a power storage ratio of the secondary battery becomes less than or equal to a first threshold value, until the power storage ratio becomes a second threshold value, which is greater than the first threshold value, a charging control apparatus sets an upper limit of power generation voltage of the generator other than during deceleration of the vehicle, to be higher than an upper limit of the power generation voltage other than during deceleration of the vehicle when the power storage ratio is greater than the second threshold value. The charging control apparatus is provided with: a changing device configured to change the second threshold value so that the second threshold value approaches the first threshold value when a discharge-charge tendency of the secondary battery based on past data associated with the power storage ratio is a charge tendency.
US09682624B1

Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for managing the power consumption of an automotive vehicle, and thereby for optimizing the power consumption of the vehicle. The devices and systems for managing the power consumption of the vehicle typically include power management logic that can calculate an applied power for the vehicle engine based on information provided from the external environment of the vehicle, the operational status of the vehicle, one or more command inputs from a driver, and one or more operational parameters of the vehicle.
US09682623B2

A safe driving notification system includes a wearable module including a sensor unit configured to recognize a gaze of a driver in a vehicle or a driving direction of the vehicle, and a head unit configured to judge a driver's forward gazing state based on the driver's gaze or viewing direction acquired from the wearable module and to display a warning message.
US09682621B2

In an aspect, a decoupler is provided, and included a driver having a clutch surface a hub that is disposed within the driver, and at least one torsionally-compliant member and a wrap spring clutch that are disposed in series between the hub and the clutch surface. The driver comprises a pulley and a cover that is received into a cavity in the pulley. The pulley has a belt-engagement surface and is fixedly coupled to the cover for rotation therewith. The cover defines the clutch surface.
US09682618B2

A vehicle fuel system is provided that includes a fuel tank and a manual vent system. The manual vent system includes an emergency valve and an actuator. The manual vent system is configured to cause the emergency valve to open after the actuator has been actuated.
US09682610B2

A mechanism is provided for controlling the internal air-quality of a vehicle. Responsive to determining that a speed of a vehicle fails to be above the predetermined low-speed threshold, a determination is made as to whether an internal air-quality from an internal air-quality sensor is better than the external air-quality from an external air-quality sensor. Responsive to the internal air-quality being better than the external air-quality, a ventilation control mechanism is signaled to utilize a recirculating-air mode, wherein the ventilation control mechanism either stays in an already initiated recirculation-air mode or switches to the recirculating-air mode. Responsive to the internal air-quality being worse than the external air-quality, the ventilation control mechanism is signaled to utilize a fresh-air mode, wherein the ventilation control mechanism either stays in an already initiated fresh-air mode or switches to the fresh-air mode.
US09682608B2

An HVAC system includes a primary HVAC unit and a supplemental heat exchanger. The primary HVAC unit is disposed within a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and configured for at least one of heating and cooling a passenger compartment. The supplemental heat exchanger is spaced apart from the primary HVAC unit and also disposed within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The supplemental heat exchanger is configured to supplement at least one of the heating and the cooling of the passenger compartment by the primary HVAC unit.
US09682604B2

A method and apparatus for a suspension comprising a spring having a threaded member at a first end for providing axial movement to the spring as the spring is rotated and the threaded member moves relative to a second component. In one embodiment, the system includes a damper for metering fluid through a piston and a rotatable spring member coaxially disposed around the damper and rotatable relative to the damper.
US09682603B2

A wheelchair including a base assembly that has a first side and a second side. At least one caster and a drive wheel are mounted to each of the first and second sides. The wheelchair includes a seat assembly having a seat and a backrest and an actuator assembly having a plurality of actuators. Each actuator can expand and retract and includes a first end pivotably connected to the base assembly and a second end pivotably connected to the seat assembly. The actuator assembly allows for at least four degrees of movement of the seat assembly with respect to the base assembly. The wheelchair includes a computer that is connected to the actuators and that controls the movement of the actuators. The computer moves the actuators to vary the position of the seat assembly with respect to the base assembly.
US09682601B1

A hold down system for a vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a chassis biased by a suspension in a first direction away from a supporting surface. The hold down system comprises a base for attachment to a linkage arm of the suspension. The hold down system can further include a pin slidably coupled with the base, where the pin is extensible in a second direction away from the base. The pin can be biased in a third direction opposite the second direction and toward the base. The hold down system can also include a latching mechanism for attachment to the vehicle. The latching mechanism can be configured to latch the pin when the pin is extended in the second direction away from the base, and to release the pin in the third direction toward the base when the chassis is deflected in a fourth direction opposite the first direction.
US09682589B2

An apparatus has a first structure, an adhesive layer having a first height adhered to the first structure, the adhesive layer having an array of openings, the adhesive layer having a region adjacent each opening having a height less than a first height. A print head has a stack of plates forming a jet stack, the jet stack having a nozzle plate with an array of nozzles, an array of transducers in contact with the jet stack opposite the nozzle plate, an adhesive layer having a first height adhered to the array of transducers, the adhesive layer having openings adjacent the transducers and regions adjacent the openings having a height less than the first height, and a conductive material in the openings of the adhesive layer in contact with the transducers.
US09682566B2

Cartridges 4 and 5 are configured, such that first convex ribs 428a and 528a abut against second wall surfaces 762 of cartridge engagement wall surfaces 760 inclined with respect to a bottom wall 712 of a cartridge attachment structure 7 and move in friction with the second wall surfaces 762. Such abutting and moving causes contact portions of terminals 412 and 512 of circuit substrates 410 and 510 of the respective cartridges 4 and 5 to come into contact with electrode assemblies 810 of a carriage 8. This configuration enhances the reliability of electric connection between a contact portion, such as a circuit substrate, of a liquid supply unit and an electrode assembly, such as contact pins, of a carriage in the course of attachment.
US09682564B2

A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage chamber, a first communicating portion through which an ink tank communicates with the storage chamber, a second communicating portion through which a printhead is communicates with the storage chamber, and side walls arranged facing each other so as to form a channel in which ink flows from a side of the first communicating portion to a side of the second communicating portion in the storage chamber. The storage chamber includes a first space, and a second space located closer to the side of the second communicating portion than the first space, in which a distance between the side walls is set larger than in the first space. The apparatus includes a detecting unit arranged in the second space and detecting a liquid surface of ink.
US09682563B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus including: a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with a plurality of nozzles respectively; and a plurality of liquid ejecting heads having a common liquid chamber configured to supply liquid common to the plurality of pressure chambers, wherein each of the liquid ejecting heads includes a liquid supply channel communicating with the common liquid chamber and supplying liquid from the liquid storage tank toward the common liquid chamber by the liquid feeding unit and a liquid discharge channel communicating with the common liquid chamber and discharging the liquid from the communicating chamber toward the liquid storage tank by the liquid feeding unit, and the directions of flows of the liquid in the common liquid chamber flowing from the liquid supply channels through the common liquid chamber toward the liquid discharge channels are opposite from each other between the adjacent liquid ejecting heads.
US09682557B2

A liquid ejecting head includes a first nozzle row in which nozzles which eject a liquid are juxtaposed along a first direction, first drive elements which cause the liquid to be ejected from each nozzle of the first nozzle row, a plurality of first individual wirings which are connected to the first drive elements, a first common wiring which is connected in common to the first drive elements, a second nozzle row in which nozzles are juxtaposed along the first direction, second drive elements which cause the liquid to be ejected from each nozzle of the second nozzle row, a plurality of second individual wirings which are connected to the second drive elements, and a second common wiring which is connected in common to the second drive elements and is not connected to the first common wiring. The plurality of first individual wirings, the first common wiring, the second individual wirings, and the second common wiring are connected to a common flexible cable.
US09682546B2

A liquid discharging substrate on which a plurality of discharging elements are arrayed, comprising a driving portion configured to drive the plurality of discharging elements, a detecting portion including a metal pattern arranged via an insulating member on a corner region of the substrate, and configured to detect damage to the corner region when the metal pattern breaks, and a controlling portion configured to stop the driving portion when the detecting portion detects that the corner region has been damaged.
US09682540B2

The current invention utilizes an extrusion coating method as a key step in a series of multilayer construction processes to make a laminate for graphic application. The extrusion coated layer performs as a strengthening layer to provide mechanical properties for the construction, while an ink receptive coating layer delivers high quality printability performance. High gloss can be achieved through the use of a PET carrier.
US09682538B2

The present disclosure relates to a device for mounting a plate fixing member in a laminating machine, including a mounting slot for mounting the plate fixing member. The plate fixing member is arranged in the mounting slot and can move vertically in the mounting slot. An elastic reset member is arranged between the plate fixing member and the mounting slot. With the movable plate fixing member being arranged in the mounting slot and the movement of the plate fixing member in the mounting slot being controlled by the elastic reset member, the plate fixing member can move into the mounting slot without an overpressure phenomenon of the glass plates at the plate fixing member when the top plate moves downwards and press-fits the upper glass plate and the lower glass plate. Therefore, the yield of products can be improved, and the production cost can be reduced. The present disclosure further relates to a top plate for a laminating machine and a laminating machine, with which the overpressure phenomenon of the glass plates caused by the plate fixing member can be effectively reduced.
US09682537B2

A flexible material for a flexible container can include a first laminate and a second laminate joined to at least a portion of the first laminate by at least one seal. The first laminate can include a first gas barrier layer disposed between first and second sealable layers, wherein the first and second sealable layers define opposed exterior layers of the first laminate. The second laminate can include a third sealable layer defining an exterior layer of the second laminate, and a second gas barrier layer. The at least one seal joins a portion of the third sealable layer to at least a portion of the second sealable layer.
US09682535B2

A reinforcing method and structure for a steel structure and an elastic layer forming material for reinforcing a steel structure are provided that can prevent a reinforcing effect from being lowered by direct sunlight, can obtain a sufficient reinforcing effect, and can prevent a fiber sheet from being peeled away from a steel structure surface before the fiber sheet is torn. The reinforcing method for a steel structure, in which a fiber sheet including reinforcing fibers is bonded to a surface of the steel structure to integrate the fiber sheet with the steel structure, includes (a) a step of applying and hardening a polyurea resin putty to the surface of the steel structure to form an elastic layer, and (b) a step of bonding the fiber sheet to the surface of the steel structure having the elastic layer formed thereon with an adhesive agent.
US09682531B2

Composite structures having a reinforced material interjoined with a substrate, wherein the reinforced material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of titanium monoboride, titanium diboride, and combinations thereof.
US09682520B2

A sealant dispenser is disclosed, which can cooperate with an air compressor for repairing punctured tires. The sealant dispenser generally includes a bottle with a top opening being filled with a chemical sealant, a cap capable of covering the top opening of the bottle, a control element that normally closes an air input connection tube and a sealant output connection tube provided at the cap, and a swing element. In use, the air input connection tube is connected to an air compressor, and the sealant output connection tube is connected to a punctured tire. The serving element is operated to conduct a semicircle swing to allow the compressed air of the air compressor to flow into the bottle to force the chemical sealant to flow into the interior of the punctured tire for repairing the tire.
US09682518B2

The use of nanoparticles, including surface-modified silica and calcite nanoparticles, as processing aides for pultrusion is described. The methods include combining a resin system containing a resin and the nanoparticles with continuous fibers, pultruding this combination, and at least partially curing the resin. The methods are suitable for use with a wide variety of resins and fibers, and may be used to reduce the pull-force at a fixed fiber volume loading, increase the fiber volume loading, or both. Pultruded parts made by these methods and pultruded parts with high volume loadings of fibers are also described.
US09682516B2

Resin infused composite parts are fabricated using a caul sheet having perforations therein for optimizing the flow of resin through the parts and allowing a simplified tooling and consumable arrangement for complex parts while achieving a smooth, aerodynamic caul-side or bag-side finish.
US09682500B2

The embodiments described herein relate to insert molding methods. The methods involve partially or fully encasing an insert within a thermoplastic material, forming a composite part that includes the insert and the molded thermoplastic material. Methods described provide a number of improvements over traditional insert molding techniques. In specific embodiments, a two-shot molding process is used whereby a first shot is formed on a first portion of the insert and a second shot is formed on a second portion of the insert. The insert molding processes can be performed using a single mold during the first and second injection molding processes.
US09682494B2

Colloidal mixing of cementitious material into a liquid such as water to form a grout slurry for pumping to a location for use includes a mixing tank and a colloidal mixing mill which grinds and pumps the mixed material with the material being repeatedly circulated between the mill and the tank. The colloidal mixing mill includes a housing defining a generally cylindrical chamber containing a rotor shaped to define a clearance of the order of 3 mm between the front and rear wall of the housing and the rotor with holes from a dished front face of the rotor to the rear face to carry the mixed materials to the clearance where a shearing action takes place to shear the particles in the mixed materials prior to exit through the outlet.
US09682489B2

The invention relates to a method for the decoating at least in part of blanks made of metal which are coated on one or both sides in regions, which have a main extension direction, wherein the regions to be decoated can extend in both a straight or curved manner in the main extension direction. The invention further relates to a device for the decoating at least in part of a coated blank in order to carry out the method according to the invention. A method is provided in which the blank is placed on a blank support of a press and during the closing movement of the press at least one scraping knife preferably completely removes the coating of the blank by scraping substantially perpendicular to the main extension direction of the region of the blank to be decoated.
US09682483B1

Robots or other machines may be used for retrieving errant objects from the floor of an automated warehouse. A system can include one or more reporting methods to alert a central control to the existence and location of an object on the warehouse floor. The central control can establish a safety zone around the object to avoid contact with normal warehouse traffic (e.g., standard warehouse robots). The system can route a cleanup robot to the location to retrieve the object. The system can include a cleanup pod comprising a convertible shelving unit with a robotic arm. The cleanup pod can have a similar form factor as shelving units used for storing inventory in the warehouse, thereby enabling standard warehouse robots to lift and transport the cleanup pod to retrieve an object.
US09682476B1

Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for selecting robot poses to account for cost. In various implementations, a plurality of candidate instruction sets may be determined. Each candidate instruction set may be configured to cause a robot to assume a different respective set of poses while traversing a reference point along a path. In various implementations, a cost incurred while the robot implements the candidate instruction set to traverse the reference point along the path may be calculated. A candidate instruction set associated with an incurred cost that satisfies a first criterion may be selected from the plurality of candidate instruction sets. In some implementations, the selected candidate instruction set and incurred cost may be associated with the path.
US09682472B2

An accommodating apparatus configured for accommodating screws and a screw driver includes a sleeve and a support. The sleeve defines a receiving hole, and a sidewall of the sleeve defines a fixing groove in communication with the receiving hole. The support includes an accommodating plate, and the accommodating plate includes two opposing clamping blocks for clamping the screw driver, and a protrusion corresponding to the fixing groove. The accommodating plate has a mounting surface, and the support defines a plurality of through holes in the mounting surface for receiving the screws. The protrusion is releasably-engagable with the fixing groove, thereby enabling the accommodating plate to be received in the receiving hole of the sleeve, and further enabling the accommodating plate to be disengaged from the sleeve.
US09682463B1

A locking pliers preferably includes a fixed jaw, a moveable jaw, a fixed handle, a toggle link, a power link and a moveable handle. The fixed jaw is retained in a first end of the fixed handle. The moveable jaw is pivotally retained in substantially the first end of the fixed handle. An adjustment screw is retained in a second end of the fixed handle. An end of the adjustment screw engages a first end of the toggle link. The moveable handle is pivotally engaged with the toggle link. A first end of the power link is pivotally engaged with a second end of the toggle link. The power link is also slidably engaged with the moveable handle. The moveable jaw is pivotally engaged with a second end of the power link.
US09682462B2

A push-pull pliers with hammers utilizing the mechanism of conventional vise-grip locking pliers comprises a fixed jaw with threaded hole and hammer head and a slidable hammer assembly attached to either side of the body of the fixed jaw. Gripping a workpiece, such as a cotter pin, a nail, a tube, etc., the slidable hammer assembly can be used to push the workpiece into its base or to pull the workpiece out of its base. The slidable hammer assembly is detachable from the body of the present invention.
US09682460B2

A method of treating a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compact including a substrate and a layer of diamond material mixture of diamond particles and binder-catalyst disposed on the substrate. A leaching agent is applied to at least the layer of diamond material of the PCD compact. The leaching agent and a surface of the layer of diamond material are heated to a first temperature. The substrate is cooled to a second temperature. A first temperature gradient is established within the PCD compact to cause an inward diffusion of the leaching agent into at least the layer of diamond material. The cooling of the substrate is stopped and energy is applied directly to the PCD compact to heat the same to a third temperature. A second temperature gradient is established within the PCD compact to cause an outward diffusion of the binder-catalyst to remove the same from the layer of diamond material. The first and second temperature gradients can be repeated to accelerate removal of the reacted binder-catalyst from at least the layer of diamond material.
US09682458B2

The present disclosure relates to a technical field of manufacturing a display device, and more particular to a method and a device for controlling a grinding of a flexible substrate. The method includes: grinding an etching side of the flexible substrate; irradiating the flexible substrate with infrared rays or near infrared rays, receiving waves reflected by a side opposite to the grinding side and waves reflected by the grinding side of the flexible substrate respectively, and calculating a distance between the two sides based on the reflected waves; comparing the distance with a predetermined thickness of the flexible substrate in real time, and controlling an extent of grinding by a grinding device based on a difference of the distance from the grinding side to the side opposite to the grinding side of the flexible substrate and the predetermined thickness of the flexible substrate.
US09682452B2

A damping apparatus includes a contact roller provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis, a first support body by which the contact roller is rotatably supported, a second support body holding the first support body so that the rotation axis of the contact roller is parallel to an axis of a spindle, a drive mechanism driving the second support body to bring the contact roller into contact with a workpiece held by the spindle and to separate the contact roller from the workpiece, and a base supporting the second support body and the drive mechanism. The first support body is held by the second support body via an elastic rubber body.
US09682446B2

There are provided a flux cored wire for joining dissimilar materials with each other, capable of enhancing a bonding strength upon joining an aluminum-base material with a steel-base material, and excellent in bonding efficiency, a method for joining the dissimilar materials with each other, and a bonded joint obtained by the method. In particular, there is provided a method for joining dissimilar materials with each other, in the case of melt weld-bonding of high-strength dissimilar materials with each other, that is, the high-strength steel member with the high-strength 6000 series aluminum alloy member and in the case of the steel member being a galvanized steel member. In one mode, use is made of a flux cored wire wherein the interior of an aluminum alloy envelope is filled up with a flux, the flux has fluoride composition containing a given amount of AlF3 without containing chloride, and the aluminum alloy of the envelope contains Si in a range of 1 to 13 mass %. If such a flux cored wire is use, it is possible to obtain a high bonding strength in the case of melt weld-bonding of high-strength dissimilar materials with each other, that is, the high-strength steel member with the high-strength 6000 series aluminum alloy member.
US09682444B2

Methods and systems for manufacturing microdots are disclosed. One such method comprises the steps of: causing one or both of a substrate and a computer controlled laser apparatus (810) to move relative to the other; using the computer controlled laser apparatus to write selected data at regular intervals on the substrate (820); and cutting a plurality of microdots from the substrate (830). Each of the microdots comprises a portion of the substrate having the selected data written thereon.
US09682429B2

A reaction tool for forming openings in an aircraft fuselage joint is provided. The joint includes (i) a first side from which a forming tool is to be applied at a plurality of opening locations and (ii) an opposing second side. The reaction tool includes a plurality of connectors configured to couple to the joint second side, and a reaction bar coupled to the plurality of connectors. The reaction bar is configured to extend across the plurality of opening locations. The reaction tool also includes a plurality of reaction members coupled to the reaction bar. Each of the reaction members includes a clamping surface configured to couple to the joint second side such that each clamping surface at least partially surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of opening locations.
US09682419B2

A method for setting blind rivet elements in which the setting of the respective blind rivet element introduced into a pre-hole of the work piece and/or the formation of a rivet collar takes place in a setting stroke (SH) through the permanent deformation of a section of the blind rivet element by subjecting an end of the blind rivet element to a traction force by a traction element of a setting tool while simultaneously supporting another end of the blind rivet element on a support part of the setting tool counter to the traction force.
US09682414B2

A plate material conveyance apparatus, disposed next to a plate processing machine, includes an unprocessed plate material placement unit, a processed plate material placement unit, a loader, an unloader and a temporary placement table. The loader reciprocally moves between the unprocessed plate material placement unit and the plate processing machine to deliver an unprocessed plate material onto the plate processing machine. The unloader reciprocally moves in parallel to and below the loader between the unprocessed plate material placement unit and the plate processing machine, and delivers a processed plate material from the plate processing machine to the temporary placement table positioned above the unprocessed plate material placement unit. The temporary placement table slides between the unprocessed plate material placement unit and the plate processing machine, and transfers the processed plate material, received from the unloader, to the processed plate material placement unit.
US09682413B2

An exemplary device and method for roller swaging a tube and a fitting includes a controller configured to terminate swaging in response to receiving a signal generated by a torque sensor. The torque sensor is configured to generate the signal indicative of a torque rise associated with a flow of tube material consisting of flow in an axial direction through a front or a rear of the fitting.
US09682412B2

Hemming finishing pliers press and thereby bring a folded portion of a panel into close contact with an inner surface side of the panel facing the folded portion, by a clamping action of first and second holding arms. A pressure receiving plate for supporting an outer surface of the panel is provided in a tip end portion of the first holding arm. A pressing claw for pressing the folded portion against the panel supported by the plate is provided in a tip end portion of the second holding arm. A pressure receiving surface of the plate facing the outer surface of the panel is set wider than a pressing surface of the claw facing the folded portion. A supporting wall for supporting a flexed part of the folded portion is formed in the plate. Accordingly, the pliers enable efficient hemming finishing without requiring a skill.
US09682408B2

A cleaning tool device for cleaning a desired area with a cleaning implement is provided. The cleaning tool device comprises a handle portion having a first end and a second end and a tool portion having a first end and a second end. The first end of the tool portion releasably secured to the second end of the handle portion. A clip mechanism is mounted to the second end of the tool portion for releasably securing the cleaning implement. Upon positioning the cleaning implement in the clip mechanism, a user can manipulate the cleaning implement to clean in hard to reach areas.
US09682388B2

A system for delivering vortex rings to an intended target includes a vortex ring generator, one or more component storage containers, and a component additive mechanism. The vortex ring generator is configured to deliver and air vortex rings. The component additive mechanism is configured to remove a component from at least one of the one or more component storage containers, generate a gas from the component, and to add the gas to a vortex ring after the vortex ring is generated by the vortex ring generator.
US09682386B2

An irrigation sprinkler including a base defining an axis, a pressurized water inlet mounted onto the base, a nozzle, communicating with the inlet, and providing a pressurized water stream which is generally outwardly directed relative to the axis and a water stream deflector for engaging the pressurized water stream and deflecting at least part of the water stream azimuthally with respect to the axis, the deflector including a first pressurized water stream engagement surface and a second pressurized water stream engagement surface downstream of the first engagement surface, the first engagement surface having a pressurized water stream directing configuration arranged to direct a first portion of the stream impinging thereon, which does not exceed a predetermined quantity, onto the second surface and to direct at least a second portion of the stream impinging thereon, which at least a second portion exceeds the predetermined quantity, not onto the second engagement surface.
US09682375B2

A fluid analysis system may include a stage configured to receive a sample holder including a fluid sample to be analyzed. The fluid analysis system may also include a fluid analyzer configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the fluid sample to be analyzed; and an inclined rail; wherein the stage is configured to move along the inclined rail to cause the sample holder to move with a first component of motion along an analysis axis of the fluid analyzer and simultaneously with a second component of motion orthogonal to the analysis axis of the fluid analyzer, wherein the first component of motion affects a focus of the fluid analyzer relative to at least one constituent of the fluid sample to be analyzed.
US09682374B2

A method for fabricating microfluidic structures is provided. The method includes: a belt is provided and an adhesion layer is formed on at least one surface of the belt; the belt is cut for forming a first microfluidic channel thereon, wherein the first microfluidic channel has an accommodating space; a second microfluidic channel is provided, wherein a line-width of the second microfluidic channel is smaller than a line-width of the first microfluidic channel; the second microfluidic channel is disposed in the accommodating space of the first microfluidic channel; and a substrate is adhered to the belt via the adhesion layer.
US09682371B2

The present invention relates to a process and, more specifically, to a process for the removal of components from a starting material. Optionally, the process is used for the removal of contaminants from ion exchange regenerant material.
US09682368B2

Shaped porous carbon products and processes for preparing these products are provided. The shaped porous carbon products can be used, for example, as catalyst supports and adsorbents. Catalyst compositions including these shaped porous carbon products, processes of preparing the catalyst compositions, and various processes of using the shaped porous carbon products and catalyst compositions are also provided.
US09682367B2

A catalyst system and a process for methanol to light olefin conversion with enhanced selectivity towards propylene. The catalyst system comprises a honeycomb monolith catalyst support coated with nanozeolite catalysts on the edges and inside the channels of the support structure. The nanozeolite catalysts have been pre-modified with metal. The catalyst system gives higher hydrothermal stability to the catalyst compared to randomly packed pellet catalyst and allows methanol to be converted to predominantly propylene at a low temperature, with decreased selectivity towards C2, higher olefins and paraffinic hydrocarbons.
US09682366B2

FCC catalysts having improved attrition resistance are provided by mixing a cationic polyelectrolyte with either zeolite crystals or a zeolite-forming nutrient and/or a matrix material, prior to or during formation of a catalyst microsphere.
US09682364B2

A method for supporting nano-titanium dioxide on titanium white powder includes: adding titanium white power into purified water and slowly stirring; adding both a surfactant and a dispersant to produce thick liquid; heating the thick liquid to 60° C.˜100° C., slowly adding nano-titanium dioxide, and quickly cooling to 40° C. within three minutes; and continuing to stir for three to four hours. The method solves the problem of nano-titanium dioxide easily agglomerating in a coating, and improves the stability of nano-titanium dioxide coating. A coating containing the nano-titanium dioxide prepared by the method and a method for preparing the coating are also provided.
US09682344B1

A fuel tank and a motor vehicle equipped to recapture, store and recycle atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a vehicle includes a fuel tank which stores carbon dioxide in a same area with the combustible fuel of the vehicle. The fuel tank may include one or more pistons, baffles, bladders, or fixed dividers to separate carbon dioxide storage from fuel storage within a fuel tank area. The fuel tank may share volumetric space between carbon dioxide and fuel within the fuel tank. The fuel tank may be integrally formed into a carbon fiber vehicle body. The fuel tank may be integrally formed into a frame of a vehicle.
US09682343B2

Sour syngas treatment apparatuses and processes for treating a sour syngas stream are provided herein. In an embodiment, a process for treating a sour syngas stream that includes sulfur components and carbon dioxide includes absorbing the sulfur components and carbon dioxide from the sour syngas stream in a primary liquid/vapor phase absorption stage with a solvent to produce a liquid absorbent stream. The liquid absorbent stream includes the solvent, the sulfur components, and carbon dioxide. A portion of the sulfur components from the liquid absorbent stream is directly oxidized in the presence of a direct oxidation catalyst to produce elemental sulfur and a recycle stream. The recycle stream includes an unconverted portion of the sulfur components and carbon dioxide. The recycle stream is recycled for further absorption of the unconverted portion of the sulfur components and carbon dioxide through liquid/vapor phase absorption.
US09682340B2

A system for removing particulate matter from an exhaust gas includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a drum region between the inlet and the outlet. A drum is rotatably mounted in the drum region of the housing and is aligned with the inlet and the outlet for intercepting the exhaust gas stream passing through the housing. The drum has a cylindrical shaped screen that allows the exhaust gas stream to pass through the drum while collecting the particulate matter present in the exhaust gas stream. As the screen rotates, a scraper removes the particulate matter collected on the screen. A spray fixture located inside the drum sprays fluid at the inner surface of the screen to removes any particulate matter remaining on the screen after the outer surface of the screen has been scraped.
US09682333B2

Systems for extracting solute from a source material are shown and described. Each of the systems includes: a solvent source container configured to store a cooled solvent, a canister configured to contain the source material and receive solvent to produce an extract solution, and one or more extract containers in communication configured to receive and distill the extract solution, the solvent source container being configured to receive a post-extraction portion of the solvent. In some examples, the one or more extract containers are first and second extract containers that are each selectively coupleable to the canister and are selectively removable for storage of the extract mixture or the solute. In some other examples, the system further includes a cooling mechanism coupled to the solvent source container for cooling the recycled solvent within the solvent collection container.
US09682327B2

Disclosed herein is a toy launcher including a base having a slot and a housing movably coupled to move along the slot. The housing has a latch pivotally coupled to the housing and the latch has a first portion and a second portion. The weight of the first portion of the latch is greater than the weight of the second portion of the latch. The second portion of the latch engages with a toy and the first portion of the latch corresponds to a rear portion of the toy. A first engagement element is coupled to the base near a first end of the base and a second engagement element is coupled to the housing and movable along the slot. The second engagement element is configured to couple with the first engagement element to retain the housing in a fixed position against a force of a biasing member. A release mechanism is coupled to the base. The release mechanism is configured to disengage the first engagement element from the second engagement element so that the biasing member moves the housing and the latch away from the first engagement element and the latch pushes the toy to launch the toy from the base.
US09682312B2

An example system includes: a reproduction processing unit for displaying reproduction of game play at a display unit on the basis of reproduction data to be used for reproducing game play; a relevant information accepting unit for accepting input of relevant information, which is relevant to game play by the reproduction processing unit, during reproduction of the game play; and a post transmitting unit for transmitting the relevant information accepted by the relevant information accepting unit to a predetermined server machine.
US09682310B2

A random outcome generator for games is provided herein. The random outcome generator for games comprises a base having a bottom wall defining a finger therein including a stopper extending from a top surface thereof, the finger being pivotally movable and horizontally biased, a top engaged with the base, and a dial secured between the top and the base and freely rotatable therebetween, the dial including one or more recesses in a bottom surface thereof, the finger of the base engaging a recess of the dial when horizontal and disengaging the recess of the dial by pivoting when the dial rotates.
US09682304B2

A golfer's swing arm control kit including two straight rigid sticks each configured to be placed in a front to back direction under a golfer's armpit and held in the armpit with the upper arm pressing inward against the sides of the golfer's upper torso adjacent to the chest when performing a golf swing. Also disclosed is a method for training arm control when swinging a golf club, comprising the steps of selecting the two straight sticks each stick placed in a front to back direction under a golfer's armpit and held in the armpit by pressing the upper arm inward against the sides of the golfer's chest or upper torso; holding each stick in place under the armpit by pressing the upper arm against the side of the chest or upper torso; and, performing a golf swing while pressing the upper arms against the chest or upper torso.
US09682298B1

A golf club head comprising a means for adjusting the location of the center of gravity is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head of the present invention comprises two channels, each having at least one shoulder portion, a floor, and a rail extending upwards from the floor. The channels intersect at a junction, and a slidable weight comprising a top portion, a mechanical fastener, and a clamping structure is disposed within at least one of the channels. When the mechanical fastener is tightened, the top portion presses against the at least one shoulder portion and pulls the clamping structure upward so that the clamping structure grips the rail. The rails are spaced from one another at the junction, and the clamping structure allows the slidable weight to be moved into either of the channels without being indexed.
US09682297B2

A golf club head is described having a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening. The golf club head also includes a face insert support structure located at the front opening. The support structure includes a rear support member. The rear support member includes a support portion interior surface contour defining an apex point and an undercut distance in an undercut region within at least one major or minor plane. A non-undercut region is located in at least one major or minor plane intersecting the crown to face transition region.
US09682289B2

A golf club head having a replaceable striking face is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head where at least a portion of the frontal striking surface of the face is detachable and replaceable to improve performance. The replaceable striking face may be connected to the body of the golf club head using at least one screw engaging at least one screw well and said at least one screw receptacle. A golf club in accordance with the present invention may generally have a thinned striking face with a thickness of less than about 3.0 mm yielding a golf club head with a larger sweet spot that's greater than 6% of the frontal striking surface.
US09682283B2

In a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, an outermost layer of the cover is molded of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurea and mixtures thereof, and the surface of the cover is treated with a polyisocyanate compound that is free of organic solvent. A method of manufacturing the golf ball is also described. Such golf balls are endowed with an excellent spin performance and scuff resistance, in addition to which productivity of the golf balls is high.
US09682279B2

An exercise device for performing a variety of movement patterns is provided, having an upper link pivotally mounted to a lower leg link and a foot support on a distal end of the lower leg link. A first transfer system is movably coupled to a frame and including a first transfer member coupled to the first upper leg link and a second transfer member coupled to the second upper leg link, thereby enabling substantially reciprocating motion of the first leg link relative to the second leg link. A second transfer system is also provided and may be movably coupled to the frame and including a pair of third transfer members coupled to each of a pair of fourth transfer members by way of each of a pair of transfer couplings, each movably mounted to the frame. The fourth transfer members may be coupled to the first lower leg link and the second lower leg link, whereby movement of the first lower leg link causes movement of the second lower leg link irrespective of movement of the upper leg links thereby providing a stable platform for the user and also enabling an infinite number of gait patters by the user.
US09682274B1

A piece of exercise equipment that combines multiple functions will allow the user to perform multiple exercises with one device as opposed to multiple devices. It will also incorporate the ability to add water or sand to the device that will allow the user to exercise multiple areas of the body with one piece of equipment as opposed to multiple pieces of equipment and avoids the user from purchasing multiple pieces of exercise equipment.
US09682257B2

The present disclosure relates to a life-saving apparatus and system for fire hazard in buildings. The life-saving system includes a main gas supply pipe and a main gas discharge pipe, the main gas supply pipe is provided with auxiliary gas supply pipes which includes a gas supply port located outside the main gas supply pipe and a gas inlet port located inside the main gas supply pipe, with the position of the gas supply port of the auxiliary gas supply pipe being higher than that of the gas inlet port; the main gas discharge pipe includes auxiliary gas discharge pipes which includes a gas discharge port located outside the main gas discharge pipe and a gas outlet port located inside the main gas discharge pipe, with the position of the gas discharge port of the auxiliary gas discharge pipe being lower than that of the gas outlet port.
US09682247B2

The body cavity cancer treatment apparatus generates the magnetic field for use in a combined “low temperature hyperthermia” and ionizing radiation and/or chemotherapy cancer treatment protocol. Unlike other competing systems, the body cavity cancer treatment apparatus does not directly kill or ablate the cancer cells with killing temperatures rather, the body cavity cancer treatment apparatus stresses the cancer and cancer stem cells by keeping them at a nominal 42° C. for some period of time via the heating of nano-particles that have been infused into the bladder, using the generated magnetic field.
US09682239B2

An implantable medical device (IMD) may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a set of one or more electrodes connected to but spaced apart from the housing. The IMD may further include a controller disposed within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to sense cardiac electrical signals, and deliver electrical stimulation pulses via the first set of one or more electrodes. In some embodiments, a first portion of the housing is configured to be disposed at least partly within a coronary sinus of a patient's heart and a second portion of the housing is configured to be disposed at least partly within a right atrium of the patient's heart.
US09682235B1

A system and method are presented that electrically stimulates the phrenic nerve whereby said stimulation results in muscle activation of the diaphragm as observed by a measurement of work or power of breathing associated with the inspiratory portion of a stimulated breath.
US09682230B2

An assembly for an implantable device can be made from PEEK and can incorporate one or more radiopaque agents and one or more elutable drug components into a polymeric lead tip. The assembly can be machined or injection molded and can be configured, for example, as a housing for an active fixation lead or as an electrode base supporting a foil electrode.
US09682227B2

An implantable neurological stimulation lead assembly (10) having multiple elongated stimulation leads coupled together in parallel with a lead coupler (13) for delivering electrical impulses to subcutaneous tissue for treatment. The lead coupler (13) includes a set of interconnected expandable elastic collars (15), one collar for each lead (11,12), whereby the collars (15) respectively receive and retain the leads (11,12) with an elastic constraint in a predetermined side by side array. The set of interconnected lead coupler collars (15) are interconnected with a releasable connection (23) whereby the lead assembly (10) may be configured as a single or multiple lead assembly.
US09682226B2

Described are lead connections for electrically connecting a lead terminal and a lead channel; the lead connection can be useful in an electronic device such as an implantable electronic device, such as a hearing implant.
US09682213B2

An insertion portion rigidity changeable catheter with a balloon has an insertion portion including a coil-shaped member which is extensible and contractible, with a compression length set to be a predetermined length, and a sheath which is a tube body with flexibility having a fluid conduit, includes a sheath main body surrounded by the coil-shaped member, and a sheath end portion provided at one end side of the sheath main body, and having a contact surface which one end surface of the coil-shaped member contacts, has one opening of the fluid conduit in the sheath end portion and has another opening of the fluid conduit at another end side of the sheath main body, an inflatable/deflatable balloon which is inflated by being supplied with a fluid via the one opening of the fluid conduit to expand to a diameter larger than an outside diameter of the sheath end portion, and is deflated by the fluid being discharged via the one opening to be brought into close contact with an outer circumferential face of the sheath end portion, and an operation section which is fixedly provided at another end side of the sheath, and includes an operation section main body including a fluid supply and discharge apparatus connection portion which is directly or indirectly connected to a fluid supply and discharge apparatus which performs supply of the fluid into the balloon via the fluid conduit, or discharge, and a slide member which is slidably disposed in an inner surface side of the operation section main body, and is disposed at another end side of the operation section main body by an elastic force of the coil-shaped member, wherein the fluid supply and discharge apparatus connection portion is fixed to the operation section main body, and the slide member is provided to freely advance and retract with respect to the fluid supply and discharge apparatus connection portion.
US09682208B2

Respiratory pressure treatment apparatus include automated methodologies for controlling changes to pressure in the presence of sleep disordered breathing events. In an example apparatus, various levels of expiratory pressure relief can provide different pressure reductions for patient comfort during expiration (333-A, 333-B, 333-C). The control parameters for these levels may be automatically modified based on the detection of an open airway. Similarly, in some embodiments, the levels may be automatically adjusted based on a detection of persistent obstruction. In still further embodiments, control parameters associated with a rise time of an early portion of an inspiratory pressure treatment may be automatically adjusted upon detection of flow limitation to permit a change to more aggressive waveforms from more comfortable waveforms for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing events.
US09682204B2

A non-heating type flavor inhalator of the invention includes a hollow cylindrical holder (2) having an ambient air admission opening (16) at a front end thereof and a mouthpiece end (4) at a rear end thereof, and a flavor cartridge (30) extending inside the holder (2) from the ambient air admission opening (16) toward the mouthpiece end (4) along the axis of the holder (2). The flavor cartridge (30) accommodates a flavor generating material (32) containing granular tobacco, and the flavor generating material (32) is kept in a predetermined required compressed state.
US09682195B2

A method of reconstituting and administering an injectable fluid distributed to practitioners in dry-form includes receiving a drug or medicine in dry form, selecting a reconstitution concentration for the drug or medicine, reconstituting a desired number of units of the drug or medicine by adding diluent to the dry-form drug or medicine, selecting a syringe having units marked according to the selected reconstitution concentration, drawing up a desired number of drug or medicine units using the selected syringe, and administering a desired number of units according to the unit markings on the selected syringe. Such a syringe includes a barrel, a plunger assembly that has a plunger handle and a piston, a needle, and a needle cap. The syringe includes a visual indicia, representing a first drug concentration contained in the barrel, that is distinguishable from a corresponding visual indicia, on a second syringe, representing a second drug concentration.
US09682193B2

Drug delivery systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to deliver a drug to a patient in coordination with a physiological parameter of the patient (e.g., the patient's natural cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation or the patient's heart or respiration rate). In some embodiments, a drug delivery system can be configured to use a combination of infusion and aspiration to control delivery of a drug to a patient. Catheters, controllers, and other components for use in the above systems are also disclosed, as are various methods of using such systems.
US09682185B2

A centrifuge bowl for separating whole blood into blood components includes a rotatable body, and inlet, and a plurality of vibration reduction members. The rotatable body has a body portion and a neck portion. The body portion defines an interior for receiving whole blood, and the body is rotatable to separate the whole blood into a plurality of blood components. The inlet is in fluid communication with the interior of the rotatable body, and is configured to introduce the whole blood into the rotatable body. The plurality of vibration reduction members are spaced about the neck portion, and are configured to reduce vibration of the centrifuge bowl as the bowl is rotated.
US09682176B2

The present disclosure describes a coated implant for bone repair that is biodegradable. The coated implant includes an implant body formed from a magnesium alloy, and a porous ceramic coating disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the implant body. The porous ceramic coating can include MgO, Mg(OH)2, Mg3(PO4)2, and oxides of alloying elements of magnesium.
US09682175B2

A coating material including a bio-absorbable cross-linked material and a cellular uptake inhibitor. The bio-absorbable cross-linked material includes two or more fatty acids cross-linked into a substantially random configuration by ester bonds. The coating material may be adhered to a medical device. A medical device system including a medical device and a coating is also included.
US09682166B2

Additive manufacturing powder contains a core-shell type particle containing a core particle comprising a first binder resin and a filler and a shell present on the surface of the core particle. The shell contains a second binder resin. The powder has a particle size distribution Dv/Dn of 1.5 or less and an average circularity of from 0.800 to 0.980, the average circularity being represented by the following relation: Average circularity=(a perimeter of a circle having the same area as a projected image of a particle)/(the perimeter of the projected image of the particle)×100.
US09682160B2

Disclosed herein, are methods of preparing sterilized amniotic tissues. Further disclosed herein, are methods of using the sterilized amniotic tissues.
US09682157B2

Composition and method for surface-functionalized SPION-based agents. Such agents can provide highly pH-sensitive MRI contrast in tissue.
US09682153B2

The invention provides peptides that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits characteristics that are different from the characteristics of the peptide not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
US09682151B2

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a selective transport molecule with increased in vivo circulation. In some embodiments, a selective transport molecule disclosed herein has the formula (A-X-B-C)-M, wherein C is a cargo moiety; A is a peptide with a sequence comprising 5 to 9 consecutive acidic amino acids, wherein the amino acids are selected from: aspartates and glutamates; B is a peptide with a sequence comprising 5 to 20 consecutive basic amino acids; X is a linker; and M is a macromolecular carrier.
US09682147B2

The present invention relates to a self-preserved oil dispersion. Especially, the present invention relates to a self-preserved oil dispersion including a dispersed oil phase, an aqueous phase and at least one surfactant, wherein said oil dispersion comprises boric acid in an amount ranging from 0.005% to 0.075% in weight of the total weight of the oil dispersion, said amount of boric acid being a preservative effective amount so that the oil dispersion has a preservative activity.
US09682143B2

The present invention concerns combinations of two or more agents for inducing an immune response to cancer or infectious disease. Agents may include leukocyte redirecting complexes, antibody-drug conjugates, interferons (preferably interferon-α), and/or checkpoint inhibitor antibodies. The leukocyte redirecting complexes have at least one binding site for a leukocyte antigen and at least one binding site for an antigen on a diseased cell or pathogen. Preferably, the complex is a DNL™ complex. More preferably, the complex comprises a bispecific antibody (bsAb). Most preferably, the bsAb is an anti-CD3×anti-CD19 bispecific antibody, although antibodies against other leukocyte antigens and/or disease-associated antigens may be used. The complex is capable of targeting effector T cells, NK cells, monocytes or neutrophils to induce leukocyte-mediated cytotoxicity of cells associated with cancer or infectious disease. The cytotoxic immune response is enhanced by co-administration of interferon, checkpoint inhibitor antibody and/or ADC.
US09682141B2

The present invention provides for a method for treating a disease condition associated with PI3-kinase a and/or a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) in a subject. In another aspect, the invention provides for a method for treating a disease condition associated with PI3-kinase α and/or an RTK in a subject. In yet another aspect, a method of inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt (S473) in a cell is set forth.
US09682136B2

The present invention relates to a methodology for the generation of infectious ribonucleoparticles (RNPs) of negative-strand RNA viruses, and in particular of non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses in yeast, especially in budding yeast. Accordingly, the patent application relates to a recombinant yeast strain suitable for the rescue of infectious non-segmented negative-strand RNA virus particles or infectious virus-like particles. The invention also relates to the use of the recombinant yeast to prepare vaccine seed and to the use of the produced RNPs or RNPs-like to prepare vaccine formulations. It also concerns the use of the recombinant yeast for the screening of libraries of DNA.
US09682135B2

The present invention provides a particulate delivery system comprising an extracted yeast cell wall comprising beta-glucan, a payload molecule and a payload trapping molecule. The invention further provides methods of making and methods of using the particulate delivery system.
US09682129B2

The present invention provides a method of treating cognitive impairment of Hunter syndrome. Among other things, the present invention provides a method comprising a step of administering intrathecally to a subject in need of treatment a recombinant iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S) enzyme at a therapeutically effective dose and an administration interval for a treatment period sufficient to improve, stabilize or reduce declining of one or more cognitive, adaptive, motor, and/or executive functions relative to a control.
US09682126B2

To provide a therapeutic agent for gastrointestinal disorder such as diabetic gastroparesis. A postprandial gastrokinetic agent containing (A) ghrelin or a ghrelin agonist and (B) motilin or a motilin agonist as active ingredients, in which both the ingredients (A) and (B) are administered so as to act on the stomach after food intake.
US09682124B2

The subject invention concerns materials and methods for treating a person or animal having cognitive impairment. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering an effective amount of one or more inflammatory mediator(s), for example, fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) ligand, interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-3 (IL-3), erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF-1alpha), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), Stem Cell Factor (SCF), Darbepoetin (ARANESP), and metalloproteinases, to an animal or person in need of treatment.
US09682120B2

The present invention provides therapeutic and prophylactic compositions for use in treating and preventing disorders involved epithelial cell apoptosis, such as gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) in a subject, such as a human patient.
US09682118B1

A compound including a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) and elastin-like polypeptide (ELP), and a method for use thereof, are useful for inhibiting the proliferation of cancer.
US09682116B2

A method of treating or preventing bacterial infection in an animal comprises administering an effective amount of degraded date pits. Degraded date pits can be produced by the treatment of date pits with fungi.
US09682102B2

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for topical or transdermal delivery. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications. 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. The composition can also be applied to a mucosal surface in some instances. 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.
US09682100B2

Antiviral cationic polyamines were prepared by modifying polyethylenimines with N-acylating agents that introduce a side chain comprising one or more carbons and at least one alcohol hydroxy group. The cationic polyamines can have a linear or branched polyethylenimine backbone structure. Preferably, the cationic polyamines comprise pendant monosaccharide groups, which can be introduced via a cyclic carbonate comprising a pendant protected monosaccharide (e.g., mannose) group. The cationic polyamines can be active and selective against a broad spectrum of viruses at low concentrations, and are generally non-toxic.
US09682096B2

The present invention concerns a composition comprising micro particles of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly (I:C)) and a carrier polymer selected from starch, alginate, blanose or DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) for use in preventing and/or treating viral infections of the upper respiratory tract or the common cold and a device, preferably a nasal delivery system, comprising said composition for use by a patient in need to prevent and/or treat infections or the common cold.
US09682090B2

Methods for treating a subject having a prostate cancer bone metastasis are disclosed. Methods for prophylactically treating a subject at risk of developing a prostate cancer bone metastasis are also disclosed. The methods for treating a subject having, or at risk of developing, a prostate cancer bone metastasis may include administering a prostatic acid phosphatase inhibiting agent to the subject. The methods for treating a subject having, or at risk of developing, a prostate cancer bone metastasis may also include administering a phosphonic acid to the subject. Further, the phosphonic acid may include a benzylaminophosphonic acid, such as [phenyl[(phenylmethyl)amino]methyl]-phosphonic acid).
US09682085B2

Disclosed are compounds that modulate the physiological action of the proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9), as well as therapeutic methods for use of such compounds to reduce LDL-cholesterol levels and/or for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Examples of compounds include thiadiazole, isoxazole, 1,2,4-triazole, thiazole, indole, pyrazole, and pyrrolinone derivatives.
US09682084B2

The present invention relates to crystalline forms and co-crystals of (2R,5S,13aR)-8-hydroxy-7,9-dioxo-N-(2,4,6-trifluorobenzyl)-2,3,4,5,7,9,13,13a-octahydro-2,5-methanopyrido[1′,2′:4,5]pyrazino[2,1-b][1,3]oxazepine-10-carboxamide, the pharmaceutical formulations, and the therapeutic uses thereof. The present invention also relates to novel crystalline forms of sodium (2R,5S,13aR)-7,9-dioxo-10-((2,4,6-trifluorobenzyl)carbamoyl)-2,3,4,5,7,9,13,13a-octahydro-2,5-methanopyrido[1′,2′:4,5]pyrazino[2,1-b][1,3]oxazepin-8-olate Form I.
US09682080B2

Described herein are methods for using compounds that activate pyruvate kinase.
US09682079B2

The invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutical compositions useful in combination with tetracyclines in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, with particular efficacy in tetracycline resistant strains. These compounds specifically bind to TetR and therefore prevent the transcriptional activation of tet resistance genes. The compounds have a potentiating effect on the activity of members of the tetracycline family, in particular of tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline and tigecycline, in the treatment of tetracycline susceptible, intermediate and tetracycline resistant pathogens.
US09682078B2

The present application discloses strategies to recruit and mobilize stem cells using S1P receptor selective agonists and antagonists as wells as regulators of chemokine receptors. In an in vivo ischemic model, S1P1/S1P3 activation with FTY720 impeded inflammatory cell infiltration and recruited endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) with the potential to increase microvascular remodeling. S1P3 expression on marrow-derived cells was essential for this remodeling. Concurrent systemic S1P3 and CXCR4 antagonism mobilized hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with the ability to engraft and repopulate blood cells. Pre-treatment of donor HSCs with FTY720 increased homing toward SDF-1 and improved engraftment in marrow. FTY720-coated bone allografts coupled with systemic administration of VPC01091 enhanced bone allograft integration and new bone formation in bone defects. MSCs pre-treated with FTY720 exhibited increased migration toward SDF-1, a CXCR4+ ligand. The results show that S1P is a very powerful role player in pharmacological marrow-derived stem cell mobilization and recruitment.
US09682077B2

A solid oral controlled-release dosage form of hydrocodone is disclosed, the dosage form comprising an analgesically effective amount of hydrocodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and controlled release material.
US09682071B2

The disclosure relates to methods of preserving or improving microvascular integrity in a patient in need thereof comprising administering pirfenidone therapy to the patient.
US09682070B2

Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or preventing an inflammatory condition in a patient are disclosed. The pharmaceutical compositions and methods include the use of vincamine or a vincamine derivative, either alone or in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, including a steroid (preferably a corticosteroid), an angiotensin II receptor (type 1) antagonist, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
US09682067B2

A method of improving cognitive function or treating cognitive dysfunction is provided. The method is based on activating a kainate receptor or a glutamate GluR6 receptor by kainate or a glutamate GluR6 receptor activator such as an agonist. Additionally, a method of enhancing a learning ability by activating a kainate receptor such as the glutamate GluR6 receptor via kainate or a glutamate GluR6 receptor activator such as an agonist is provided.
US09682066B2

The present disclosure relates to the field of cancer treatment, and more specifically to the field of treatment of primary malignant brain tumors. Provided herein are methods of treating primary brain tumors, including gliomas, by administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole.
US09682055B2

The present disclosure provides orally deliverable pharmaceutical compositions comprising DGLA and to methods of using same to treat a variety of conditions and disorders.
US09682054B2

Use of a composition comprising a compound of any of formulae I, II, Ila, III and Illa; or a combination thereof wherein each R1 is independently C7-11 alkyl; A and B are independently H or CO—R1; R2 is H or C1-4 alkyl; M is a metal monocation (k=1) or dication (k=2); Y is 0 or NH; and Z is 0, NH, CH2O or a bond; for the manufacture of a medicament for stimulating erythropoiesis. Preferably, the composition further comprises human erythroporietin.
US09682053B2

Compositions and methods useful for inducing an increase in fatty acid oxidation or mitochondrial biogenesis, reducing weight gain, inducing weight loss, or increasing Sirt1, Sirt3, or AMPK activity are provided herein. Such compositions can contain synergizing amounts of a sirtuin-pathway activators, including but not limited to resveratrol, in combination with beta-hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB), keto isocaproic acid (KIC), leucine, or combinations of HMB, KIC and leucine.
US09682047B2

Compositions and methods useful to enhancing, improving, or eliciting anti-tumor immune responses are disclosed. A pterostilbene containing composition is administered to a cancer patient at a sufficient concentration and frequency to induce de-repression of tumor targeting immune responses. The composition enhances antibody dependent cellular toxicity (ADCC) and augments efficacy of antigen specific immunotherapeutics such as trastuzumab and other monoclonal antibody therapies useful for treating cancer.
US09682038B2

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising multi-component crystalline particles suitable for use in inhalation therapy and for delivery by oral or nasal inhalation are provided, wherein said compositions additionally comprise particles of at least one additional active agent. Also provided are methods of preparation of the compositions and their use in medicine.
US09682037B2

Orally disintegrating film dosage forms for delivering active pharmaceutical agents, methods of formulating the dosage forms to retard absorption through the oral mucosa, and methods of using the dosage forms for the treatment of various medical conditions are provided.
US09682036B2

Example embodiments of the present invention include hot melt dental adhesive materials that can create a reversible bond. In addition, example embodiments of the present invention include hot melt dental impression materials that can be used to accurately and efficiently obtain a dental impression. Moreover, example embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for use with the hot melt dental adhesive materials and the hot melt dental impression materials disclosed herein. The hot melt dental adhesive materials and the hot melt dental impression materials can provide dental professionals with dental materials that are more effective, efficient, and easier to use when compared to conventional dental adhesive materials and conventional dental impression materials.
US09682030B2

Disclosed is a method for preparing polysaccharides of green tea, and more particularly to a method for preparing polysaccharides of green tea comprising the steps of: a) removing chlorophyll and a low molecular weight polyphenol from green tea powder using a solvent; b) hot-water extracting a water-soluble active ingredient from the green tea residue of step a); and c) separating the polysaccharides of green tea from the hot-water extract of step b) by ultrafiltration and ethanol precipitation. Also, the present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for skin whitening, moisturization and anti-wrinkle effects comprising the polysaccharides of green tea as an effective ingredient.
US09682027B2

This invention relates to oral care compositions comprising a basic amino acid or salt thereof, and a small particle fraction: and to methods of using and of making these compositions.
US09682025B2

The invention relates to the cosmetic use, by oral administration, of a combination of active agents including at least petroselinic acid and at least one active agent selected from among taurine, arginine, cysteine, zinc, a salt thereof, and lycopene, for improving the quality of nails, specifically the microvascularization of the nails, in particular in pre-hypertensive individuals.
US09682008B2

The present invention discloses a wetness controlling system for intelligent vibrator and an intelligent vibrator capable of controlling wetness. The wetness controlling system for intelligent vibrator includes an intelligent vibrator, an intelligent terminal for controlling a degree of wetness of the surface of the intelligent vibrator. The intelligent vibrator wirelessly communicates with the intelligent terminal. The intelligent terminal generates a first controlling demand for controlling the wetness controlling unit to adjust the degree wetness of the intelligent vibrator according to the degree of wetness detected by the wetness sensor, thereby allowing users to select a pleasant degree of wetness according to need for better user experience while providing a better user interface.
US09682007B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a sexual massager that is configured to communicate (directly or indirectly) a message to a target in response to an occurrence of an event. The sexual massager may be a sexual aid. Messages may be generated based on various pre-sets and/or user selections established to determine a type of message, content for inclusion in the message, the target, the event, and other customizations. The content of the messages may be generated based on a variety of options, such as random, customized, or based on usage parameters, such as biometric, device settings, and temporal information.
US09682005B2

Running in a mammal, such as a human, is augmented by adaptively modulating anticipation of maximum leg extension of a mammal when running, and actuating an exoskeletal clutch linked in series to at least one elastic element, wherein the clutch and elastic element form an exoskeleton and are attached in parallel to at least one muscle-tendon unit of a leg of the mammal and span at least one joint of the mammal fitted with the exoskeleton. The exoskeletal clutch is actuated in advance of a predicted maximum extension of the exoskeletal clutch to thereby cause the exoskeletal clutch to lock essentially simultaneously with ground strike by the leg of the mammal. The elastic element is thereby engaged during stance phase of the gait of the mammal while running, and subsequently is disengaged prior to or during the swing phase of the gait of the mammal, thereby augmenting running of the mammal.
US09682004B2

The present invention relates to devices and methods for exercising the lower limbs, in particular for exercising lower limbs. The devices are suitable for training the lower limbs of persons suffering from paraplegia or hemiplegia or musculoskeletal disorders in general. In some aspects, the present invention relates to powered articulated systems (ASs) and to the rehabilitation by aid of said ASs. The parallel or hybrid ASs of the invention are based on a parallel or hybrid, lambda-type framework and are controlled by a data processing unit. The ASs are preferably controlled by a closed-loop, real time control system.
US09681996B2

A wetness sensor includes a self-supporting substrate and an electrically conductive trace carried by the substrate. The trace is patterned to provide at least a portion of a tuned RF circuit, which may be disposed on only one side of the substrate and characterized by an impedance or resistance. The trace is not self-supporting. The substrate is adapted to dissolve, swell, or otherwise degrade when contacted by a target fluid. Such degradation produces a drastic change in the operation of the RF circuit, which can be interpreted by a remote reader as a “wet” condition. Contact of the substrate by the target fluid may change the impedance or resistance of the RF circuit by at least a factor of 5, 10, 100, or 1000, and/or may cause the trace to disintegrate so as to provide the RF circuit with an open circuit, and/or may substantially render the RF circuit inoperative.
US09681985B2

A system and method for treating ophthalmic target tissue in which a light source generates a beam of light, a scanner unit deflects the beam of light into a pattern, a beam delivery unit for delivering the pattern to ophthalmic target tissue. The light is either pulsed or moved across the target tissue such that the light pulses having a duration of, or the light dwells on any given point of target tissue for, between 30 μs and 10 ms.
US09681981B2

An intraocular implant for use in a surgical procedure such as a cataract operation, or in a refractive-lens exchange surgery procedure, has a main portion and a peripheral portion peripheral to the main portion. The main portion is plate-like in shape and may be a lens or a plug for closing an aperture in the capsule of the eye. The implant has two or more lugs extending from the peripheral portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the main portion. The lugs extend either from haptics, which protrude from the main portion, or from a short extension of the edge of the main portion. A method for fixing the implant into the eye involves making two or more voids in the capsule wall, offering up the implant to the capsule, so that the lugs lie adjacent to the voids, and inserting the lugs into the voids.
US09681978B1

The invention provides mouth guards sized and configured to prevent jaw clenching and teeth grinding and methods of using the mouth guards. One embodiment provides a one-piece mouth guard made of a semi-rigid, springy, flexible polymer that includes an arcuate tray portion having a front, a rear, a top side and a bottom surface, the arcuate tray portion sized and configured to at least partially cover a person's upper tooth set, and an elastic lower tooth set-engaging tab portion extending from the front of the arcuate tray portion, which tab portion, in its relaxed state, further extends downward below the bottom surface of the tray portion and partially rearward toward the rear of the tray portion so that, rearward of the point the tab portion extends from the tray portion, a space is present between the bottom surface of the tray portion and the tab below.
US09681966B2

A method of manufacturing a tubular medical implant is provided. The method includes forming a hollow first tube with a first diameter and a first plurality of pores formed thereon and a hollow second tube with a second unstretched diameter and a second plurality of pores formed thereon. The second unstretched diameter is greater than the first diameter. At least a portion of the first tube slides within the second tube to create an overlapped area of the first tube and the second tube. The first tube and second tube are then bonded together in the overlapped area.
US09681963B2

A bone sizing guide for assessing the size of an end of a bone includes a body (6) having a foot component (2) with a first surface (10) to rest against an end surface of the bone and a foot (12) extending transverse to the first surface to contact a side surface of the bone. A superstructure (40) is coupled to the body so that the superstructure can slide relative to the body towards and away from the body, at least one of the superstructure and the body being adjustable so that the rotational direction in which the superstructure extends relative to the foot component about a first axis extending transverse to the first surface is adjustable. A stylus (53) extends from the superstructure transverse to the first surface of the body, the stylus having a tip to contact a surface of the bone, and a scale (64) is coupled to or formed on a first one of the superstructure and the body. An indicator (52) is coupled to or formed on a second one of the superstructure and the body to identify a position on the scale. The identified position on the scale shifts as the superstructure slides towards or away from the body, and the identified position shifts as the superstructure rotates relative to the body without sliding motion between the superstructure and the body, such that the identified position on the scale is indicative of the distance between the stylus and the foot.
US09681962B2

An in-situ formed spinal implant is provided, including an elongate strip having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the strip having a plurality of spaced teeth disposed along edges of the strip. The strip has a generally arcuate or concave cross-section and is configured for being coiled into a spiral from the proximate end to the distal end for placement between adjacent spinal vertebrae, such that upon formation of the coiled shape, the teeth on a first edge engage one of the vertebrae, and teeth of an opposite, second edge engage the other of the vertebrae.
US09681955B2

An implant having components comprising an oxidized zirconium bearing surface adapted to decrease pain, lower friction, and minimize wear when coupled with natural femoral articular cartilage. The implant components also provide for reduced backside wear effects in fixed and mobile implants. The implant components further provide for more ideal wear coupling between components in mobile bearing implants.
US09681952B2

Apparatus is provided, including: (1) a delivery tube, transluminally advanceable to the heart of the subject; (2) a prosthetic valve support, configured to support a prosthetic valve at a native valve of the heart, and including an upstream support portion, the upstream support portion: (A) having a working configuration in which it is generally annular and (B) having a delivery configuration in which it defines a channel, and is configured to be disposed within the delivery tube; (3) a tissue anchor, slidable through the channel; and (4) an anchor driver. The anchor driver is slidable within the delivery tube and the channel, and configured to anchor the upstream support portion to tissue of the heart by driving the tissue anchor through the upstream support portion and into the tissue, while at least part of the upstream support portion is disposed within the delivery tube.
US09681928B1

A set of at least three endodontic files, the first file of the set being entirely non-landed and tapered and having a diameter at its tip end which is smaller in diameter than that of a second and a third file of the set at their respective tip end, and the second and third files each having the following characteristics: a machined length, preferably 16 mm, having cutting surfaces thereon and starting at a tip end and extending less than the overall length of the file (preferably 25 mm); an active length starting at the tip end and extending to at least half of the machined length, the active length being tapered; a non-active length extending a remainder of the machined length, the non-active length being non-tapered; and the active length being landed in the first one-third and non-landed in the remaining two-thirds of its length.
US09681915B2

Medical methods and devices for treating aortic dissections. A catheter-based cutting device permits cutting a septum of acute or chronic aortic dissections, in a retrograde manner. The catheter includes a base section having a central lumen therethrough, two flexible arms extending from a distal end thereof, where each arm has a channel therethrough for a passage of a guide wire. With distal ends of the two flexible arms separated, the two arms form a Y-shape with the base section. With distal ends of the two flexible arms together, the two arms have a longitudinal profile, about a periphery thereof, identical to a longitudinal profile of the base section. A non-mechanically actuated cutting component resides between the two arms in a vicinity of the distal end of the base section. The cutting component faces distally outward between the two arms with the distal ends of the two flexible arms separated.
US09681902B2

An attachment device for attaching a bone plate to a bone having a medullary canal is provided. The attachment device comprises a central portion having a recess to accommodate the bone plate and at least two lateral fixation support members projecting from the central portion. The lateral fixation support members are arranged on opposite sides of the central portion, wherein each lateral fixation support member comprises a hole extending through the lateral fixation support member and are adapted to accommodate a fixation element therethrough to fix the attachment device to bone. The angles of the hole axes of the holes are different with respect to a perpendicular bisector of the centers of the holes and the hole axes lie outside of the medullary canal.
US09681896B2

A spinal plate assembly includes a spinal plate and a cap. The spinal plate includes an opening through the spinal plate and an associated recess in the spinal plate that is eccentric with the opening. The cap includes an alignment opening and is configured to be rotationally engaged in the recess between a first rotational configuration and a second rotational configuration. The first rotational configuration enables a threaded body of a screw to be thread into a vertebra in a selected trajectory through the alignment opening and the opening in the spinal plate, and further enables a portion of the opening to engage a head of the screw in the selected trajectory. The second rotational configuration enables the cap to compress the head of the screw approximately through its center into the engaged portion of the opening.
US09681894B2

Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.
US09681892B2

The present disclosure provides an external fixation strut for an external fixation device having a ball joints that can be attached to the outer or inner surface of the ring and locked to increase overall stability of the external fixation device. Some embodiments of the fixation strut include a first ball joint coupled to a first end portion of a strut housing, the strut housing having an axial bore defined therethrough. A second ball joint is coupled to a second end portion of an elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to an adjustment mechanism, which is coupled to an upper end portion of an adjustment sleeve. The adjustment sleeve is slidably disposed in the axial bore of the strut housing, and is used to effect coarse strut length adjustments. Gradual strut adjustments are effected by translating the elongated member.
US09681879B2

A surgical apparatus having a locking mechanism that receives a cutting burr and that may include a loading and running position. The locking mechanism may include a motor driven spindle that carries a locking pawl and a detent pawl that lock the cutting burr in place an prevent the cutting burr from inadvertently falling out of the surgical drill instrument when in its load position. A diamond-shaped portion of the cutting burr may be formed in a six-sided diamond configuration and a perpendicular back end surface. The end of the cutting burr may include another diamond-shaped portion formed in a six-sided diamond shape surface that mates with a complementary surface formed in the receiving end of the spindle of the motor/locking mechanism. In an aspect, the attachment of the cutting burr is such that the cutting burr has substantially zero axial movement and runs true in the running condition.
US09681870B2

A surgical instrument that has an articulatable end effector that includes a second jaw that is selectively moveable in a first direction relative to a first jaw upon application of a closing motion to the second jaw from a closure system and is further movable in a second direction relative to the first jaw upon application of an opening motion to the second jaw from the closure system. An elongated shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and defines a longitudinal tool axis. The end effector is selectively articulatable in the first and second directions relative to the longitudinal tool axis upon application of articulation motions to the end effector. The end effector may include a firing member that is operable in response to firing motions applied thereto from a firing system. The closing system and firing system may be selectively independently operable from each other.
US09681869B2

The disclosure describes implantable medical products, that include dry or partially hydrated biocompatible biostaples suitable for ligament repairs or replacements comprising collagen fibers that may be configured to expand in situ after implantation to frictionally engage a bone tunnel wall or bone sleeve to thereby affix the construct in the bone tunnel.
US09681865B2

A surgical device includes a member having first and second opposing surfaces. The member includes an intermediate portion in which the first surface has a recessed surface portion. The intermediate portion defines a hole extending from the recessed surface portion to the second surface. End portions extend from the intermediate portion, and each end portion defines a hole extending from the first surface to the second surface. The member has a tapered surface portion on the second surface. The surgical device includes a second member sized to be received within the recessed surface portion. A method includes locating a tissue fixation device at an opening to a bone hole, and increasing the size of the tissue fixation device by placing the tissue fixation device within a larger device.
US09681848B2

An X-ray diagnostic system is provided that is capable of fitting the vertical position of the X-ray tube to each mode of photography without being affected by the height of the ceiling. The X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube and transmitted through the subject are detected, and photographed images are captured based on the detected X-rays; the system comprises a supporting member, an arm member, and a height adjuster; the supporting member is provided on the ceiling of a room, formed in a pillar shape, and configured in such a way that the entire length is vertically extended and shortened. The arm member has a base end section connected to the lower end portion of the supporting member and a tip section on which the X-ray tube is mounted. The height adjuster adjusts the vertical position of the X-ray tube by moving the tip section of the arm member relative to the supporting member.
US09681846B1

A radiation generator useful for medical applications, among others, is provided. The radiation generator includes a catheter; a plasma discharge chamber situated within a terminal portion of the catheter, a cathode and an anode positioned within the plasma discharge chamber and separated by a gap, and a high-voltage transmission line extensive through the interior of the catheter and terminating on the cathode and anode so as to deliver, in operation, one or more voltage pulses across the gap.
US09681845B2

A method and an apparatus for scanning with a lowered dose are provided. The method includes: determining a dynamic changing model of a prepatient collimator according to a rotation angle of a tube in a scanning mode; in a case that the scanning mode is a normal scan, controlling an opening angle of the prepatient collimator according to the dynamic changing model of the prepatient collimator at an initial stage and an end stage of the normal scan; and in a case that the scanning mode is a scan with phase control, controlling an opening angle of the prepatient collimator according to the dynamic changing model of the prepatient collimator at an initial stage and an end stage of a phase of the scan with phase control.
US09681842B2

An apparatus including a coil configured to receive a signal associated with a composition ingested by a user and a data storage element operatively coupled to the coil, the data storage element configured to store, based on the signal, at least one of time information, date information, or identity information associated with the composition.
US09681839B2

Apparatuses and methods for corrective guidance of eating behavior of a patient equipped with a gastric restriction device. The apparatus provides continuous monitoring or one or more parameters related to food passing through the gastric restriction device. Each monitored parameter is processed to provide a visual indication of the current eating behavior. The visual indication is used as input to the patient or a caregiver to modify the eating behavior. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an emergency relief mechanism that automatically relieves excess pressure developing in the gastric restriction device. In some embodiments, the apparatus is enabled to deliver an appetite suppressant to modify the eating behavior.
US09681814B2

Apparatuses and methods (including methods of using such apparatuses) for de-noising electrocardiograms (ECGs) by manually or automatically adjusting the amount of filtering of an ECG signal. For example, real-time ECG signals may be filtered by combining in a weighted fashion an unfiltered portion of an ECG (or a filtered portion of the same ECG) with the same portion of the ECG that has been filtered. The weighting may be adjusted manually and/or automatically. Also described herein are methods for real-time filtering of ECG signals using a combination of filtering techniques including filtering to correct baseline wander, Savitzky-Golay denoising, and threshold smoothing. Multiple filtering techniques may be combined in a weighed manner to provide signal de-noising.
US09681813B2

The present invention provides methods and apparatus that allow the surgeon and the IONM specialist to continuously get a feedback on the relative proximity from the instruments to a nerve and on the health of this nerve. By having a coupling device that allows every instrument to be electrically stimulated, the surgeon, through the instruments, continuously sends a small electrical input into the patient's body and depending on the relative proximity between this electrical stimulation and a nerve, a neuromonitoring modality is recorded through electrodes placed on the patient. The characteristics of this response allow the IONM specialist to determine the health status and or location of the nerves.
US09681811B2

An apparatus and method of assessing a narrowing in a fluid filled tube having a fluid flow pressure wave having a backward-originating pressure component and a forward-originating pressure component without taking a flow velocity measurement, comprising: taking pressure measurements in the tube; separating the pressure components into the backward-originating pressure component and the forward-originating pressure component; identifying a time window when the differential of flow velocity (dU) is minimal or absent; and deriving the backward and forward pressure components for pressure measurements taken in at least the time window.
US09681808B2

Monitoring behavior of a rodent within a cage includes applying a vibration stimulus to a component of the cage and after applying the vibration stimulus, sensing a signal from a piezoelectric sensor within the cage, the sensed signal indicative of a behavioral response of the rodent. A plurality of attributes of the signal can be determined and the attributes can then be stored in a manner that associates the behavioral response of the rodent with the vibration stimulus.
US09681802B2

A method for determining reflectivity of a tear film lipid layer of a patient and recommending a course of treatment based on the same. The method includes the steps of: measuring a tear film aqueous plus lipid layer relative reflectance spectrum using a wavelength-dependent optical interferometer; converting the measured tear film aqueous plus lipid layer relative reflectance spectrum to a calculated absolute reflectance spectrum; comparing the calculated absolute reflectance spectrum to a theoretical absolute lipid reflectance spectrum to determine a tear film lipid layer thickness; and determining a reflectivity value for the tear film lipid layer thickness at a first wavelength of light corresponding to ultraviolet, violet, or blue light.
US09681799B1

Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.
US09681798B2

Imaging spectrometers can be used to generate hyperspectral images for medical diagnoses, contaminant detection, and food safety inspections, among other applications. An exemplary imaging spectrometer includes an integrated position sensing array that measures the relative positions of the interferometer components based on an interference pattern generated by illuminating the interferometer with a reference beam. Such an imaging spectrometer includes a processor that controls the interferometer component position by actuating a voice coil and several piezo-electric elements to align the components with respect to each other and to provide a desired optical path length mismatch between the interferometer arms. In some cases, the processor may use feedback and feed forward control, possibly based on the actuators' transfer functions, for more precise positioning. The processor may also implement adaptive and recursive spectral sampling to reduce the image acquisition period.
US09681793B2

A method of manufacturing an optical probe for use in ophthalmic procedures can comprise: positioning a ferrule within a proximal portion of a cannula, wherein an optical fiber extends at least partially through the ferrule towards an optical element disposed within a distal portion of the cannula; and coupling the cannula to the ferrule by applying laser energy to the cannula. An optical probe can be provided that includes a cannula including a proximal portion and a distal portion; a ferrule disposed within the proximal portion of the cannula, the cannula and the ferrule coupled together by engaged deformations in the cannula and the ferrule; and an optical fiber positioned at least partially within the optical probe, the optical fiber configured to receive a light from a light source and guide the light to an optical element positioned within the distal portion of the cannula.
US09681790B2

A dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and in which is provided a rotating sprayer for emitting liquid into the treating chamber. The rotation of the spray arm may be controlled such that rotation of the spray arm is responsive to a determination that the spray arm has contacted an obstacle within the treating chamber.
US09681788B2

A vacuum cleaner (100) comprises a suction head (120), a suction source operable to generate suction at the suction head (120) for collecting dust or debris from a surface, a liquid filter assembly (190), and a handle portion (140) adapted to enable a user to move the suction head (120) on the surface during normal vacuuming operation. The liquid filter assembly (190) comprises an air inlet (1906) for receiving dusted air coming in from the suction head (120), a filter reservoir (1902) for receiving a cleansing liquid such as an aqueous cleansing liquid to form a cleansing bath for filtering dusted air coming in from the suction head (120), and an air outlet (1908) through which air moving out of the filter reservoir (1902). The liquid filter assembly (190) is mounted on a filter receptacle (186) formed on a rigid housing portion which is intermediate between the handle portion (140) and the section head (120).
US09681782B2

An extendable battery operated scrubber brush with interchangeable brush heads is provided. The scrubber brush includes a battery operated scrubber brush having an extendable handle and a plurality of interchangeable brush heads, each having different body cleaning materials thereon, and a battery charging docking station. The handle is extendable via an elongated member that is slidably disposed in an interior volume thereof. The handle includes a proximal end and a distal end that includes a drive shaft for removably receiving an interchangeable brush head thereon. The drive shaft is coupled to an electric motor disposed in the handle that rotates the drive shaft and drives an interchangeable brush head mounted thereon. The proximal end includes a port for receiving an electrical connector disposed in the docking station and one or more activation switches for activating the electric motor and driving the drive shaft.
US09681766B2

A tiered tray is provided that includes a first tier with a first support member coupled thereto; a second tier with a second support member coupled thereto; and a table insert having a cavity therein that accepts at least one of the first and the second support members. The first support member maintains a level of the first tier above a level of a table and the second support maintains a level of the second tier above the level of the first tier, and the first tier is removably attachable to the table insert and the second tier is removably attachable to the first tier.
US09681761B2

A simply structured rack is disclosed, comprising a rack body formed as a chamber for accommodating bottles and cans, wherein the rack body is formed and surrounded by a first rack plate and a second rack plate, both of which comprise a main plate, a first connection plate and a second connection plate, the two ends of the main plate are curved towards the same side to form the first and the second connection plate, the first connection plate of the first rack plate is connected with the second connection plate of the second rack plate in a sliding manner, and the second connection plate of the first rack plate is connected with the first connection plate of the second rack plate in a sliding manner.
US09681758B2

A carrier is provided for carrying an infant, a baby, or a small animal. The carrier includes a pouch that is formed from a main bottom panel and side panels attached to the main bottom panel in which the infant, the baby, or the small animal may sit. The side panels form a resting notch which may be v-shaped at a top edge of at least one of the side panels. Two or more straps are attached to opposite side panels of the pouch and are formed to extend over a wearer's shoulders. The carrier further includes a sleeve disposed underneath the pouch and attached to the pouch. The sleeve allows the wearer's hand or arm to extend therethrough. When the wearer uses the sleeve, the wearer may provide added comfort and support to the infant, baby, or small animal being carried.
US09681755B1

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a multi-purpose water chair for partially submerging a user in a body of water. The water chair may include a frame formed of tubing, the frame configured to engage with a wall in the body of water; a seat supported by the frame; a backrest supported by the frame; at least one cylindrical foam pad encircling portions of the frame, such that the water chair can be used as a flotation device and the user is not completely submerged in the body of water; an umbrella attached to the frame of the chair, the umbrella configured to extend upwards from the frame to shade a user; a mister attached to the frame, the mister having a spray nozzle and a tubing extending from the spray nozzle to the body of water; and a floatable and rotatable tray attached to the frame.
US09681749B2

A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a blocking member, a second rail, and an operating member. The first rail defines a longitudinal channel. The blocking member is attached to the first rail. The second rail is movably connected to the first rail and can be moved to an extended position relative to the first rail in the longitudinal channel to be blocked by the blocking member. The operating member is movably connected to the first rail and configured to operate the blocking member so that the second rail is allowed to be retracted relative to the first rail from the extended position.
US09681739B2

A shoulder strap pack is provided for carrying school supplies, camping equipment, tools or the like. At least one of the pack straps includes a loop or sleeve cooperatively engaging at least one of the pack straps. The loop or sleeve includes a resealable compartment for storing a hood or a portion of a hood therein. To use the hood, the user opens the compartment in the backpack strap loop or sleeve, and pulls out an attached hood or portion of a hood. The entire hood may be disposed within a compartment formed in a single sleeve or a pair of mating sleeves may be secured to opposing straps of a backpack, wherein each sleeve include a mated portion or half of the attached hood which can be joined via a connecting means such as a zipper. After use, the hood can be stored in the compartment of the sleeve of the pack strap. The hood may include a tie for fastening the hood around the user's head and under the chin.
US09681733B2

Aqueous liquid compositions are provided, which comprise nonionic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), or combinations thereof, and which are free of or substantially free of salt-forming groups. The aqueous liquids form solid, flexible films after direct application to skin, and the films may be peeled from the skin to remove adhered keratotic plugs from pores of the skin. The compositions are easily applied to skin, without dripping, with fingers, a brush, or other applicators.
US09681729B2

The present invention relates to a tube head (1) for provision and application of a liquid, the tube head (1) comprising a spout (3) with an opening (5) for dispensing the liquid in the form of drops, wherein an applicator (4) is provided, the applicator (4) being attached to the spout (3) and extending in the longitudinal direction of the spout (3), wherein the applicator (4) comprises receiving means (16) for receiving the liquid dispensed by the spout (3) and wherein a gap (17) is provided between the receiving means (16) and the opening (5) of the spout (3) in the longitudinal direction. The invention furthermore relates to a tube (30) with such a tube head (1). Gap sizes may differ for different tube heads and tubes, respectively.
US09681728B2

A tube container with a metal applicator, and more particularly, a tube container equipped with a metal applicator which is attached on the top portion of the tube container, so that when contents are applied onto the skin it is possible for the metal applicator to deliver heat or cold to the skin and facilitate metabolism of the facial skin, improving the elasticity of the skin.
US09681725B2

The applicator includes a base, a first tooth and two teeth adjacent to the first tooth. The teeth protrude from a base end located on the base as far as a free end. The applicator includes a device to retain cosmetic product on the base, to connect the first tooth to each of the two adjacent teeth, with a mean thickness less than the mean thickness, taken over the height of the device to retain, of a tooth selected from the first tooth and the two adjacent teeth.
US09681711B2

A bracelet may be adjustable. The bracelet may be a portion of a watch and/or jewelry. The bracelet may include a clasp with a track that includes a plurality of first openings and second openings. A first end of the bracelet may include a link with a pin. The pin may be disposed in the track, and the length of the bracelet may be adjusted by moving the pin along a length of the track. The pin may have a length and a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the length. The cross-sectional shape may allow the pin to travel along the length of the track when the link is disposed at an angle relative to the length of the track and may restrict the pin from travelling along the length of the track when the link is approximately parallel to the length of the track.
US09681709B2

Described are methods for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes, an apparatus to perform such method, as well as shoes manufactured by such method. According to certain examples, the method for the manufacture of a plurality of shoes includes providing a plurality of first shoe components for the manufacture of the plurality of shoes, and moving the plurality of first shoe components with a transport means which is at least partially comprised of the plurality of first shoe components.
US09681708B2

Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.
US09681704B2

An article of footwear may have an upper with a knitted component. Alone or in combination, the knitted component may include regions with different degrees of stretch-resistance; the knitted component forms a collar with a half-gauge knit; the upper includes a strand with sections that are inlaid within the knitted component, and the sections are positioned immediately adjacent to each other; the strand forms a plurality of loops, pairs of the loops are positioned immediately adjacent to each other and configured to receive a lace; and the knitted component includes a thermoplastic polymer material, and the strand is unbonded to the thermoplastic polymer material.
US09681699B2

A footwear-based gymnastics-training device for enabling a user to temporarily retain the user's feet in a together position, the footwear-based gymnastics-training device. The device having a pair of footwear constructions, the pair of footwear constructions being a left foot construction and a right foot construction, the left and right foot constructions being outfittable upon the user's left and right feet. Matable temporary fastening means are cooperably associated with the left and right foot constructions for temporarily fastening the left and right foot constructions together when outfitted upon the user's left and right feet, the pair of footwear constructions and matable temporary fastening means thus being cooperable for temporarily retaining the user's feet in the together position.
US09681697B2

A helmet includes the first pad in contact with an occipital region of a rider, and each of the second pads in contact with the cheeks of the rider. Since the first pad moves from the first occipital region-contact position to the second occipital region-contact position as well as the second pad moves from the first cheek-contact position to the second cheek-contact position, the helmet is moved relative to the rider's head by a predetermined distance.
US09681692B2

A support device for providing external support for a patient's chest and breast after the patient has undergone a surgical procedure in the thoracic region. The support device includes a chest band and first and second elongate under-bust/shoulder bands. Each of the under-bust/shoulder bands includes an under-bust portion and a shoulder strap portion. The support device includes first and second connectors attached to the shoulder strap portions of the second and first elongate bands, respectively. A lower portion of a first breast encapsulating unit is attached to the under-bust portion of the first under-bust/shoulder band and an upper portion is attached to the first connector. A lower portion of a second breast encapsulating unit is attached to the under-bust portion of the second under-bust/shoulder band and an upper portion is attached to the second connector.
US09681678B2

The present invention has discovered that flavone glycosides represented by Formula I set forth below have unexpected and advantageous flavor enhancement and modification properties: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of H and CH3, R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and OH, and R3 is a 7-O-glycoside. Thus, the flavone glycosides of the present invention can be used to enhance or modify the flavor of orally consumable compositions, such as foodstuff, chewing gums, dental and oral hygiene products, and medicinal products.
US09681667B2

The present invention relates to a composition of granulated or pelletized endomycorrhizal fungi spores coated with a covering of mineral clays and binders with calcium sulphate monohydrate and the production and use thereof in agriculture.
US09681665B2

The antimicrobial effect of extracellular metabolite composition from Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 is described.
US09681658B2

An agrochemical formulation comprising a penetrant and an agrochemical active. The penetrant is an esterified and/or etherified polyol alkoxylate obtainable by directly esterifying and/or etherifying a polyol alkoxylate. There is also provided a method of making the penetrant comprising alkoxylation of a polyol, and esterification or etherification of the formed poyol alkoxylate. The penetrant is suitable for use in agrochemical formulations to enhance penetration of the active across a leaf cuticle.
US09681650B2

The disclosure provides a system and methods of use pertaining to long-range fishing applications. One embodiment provides a long-range fishing-device delivery system that relies on a mounting shaft, a buoyancy module, and a fishing or payload module to house a variety of fishing devices such as a baited hook, an artificial lure, or a fishing accessory such as a depth sensor, temperature sensor, or fish finder. The delivery system leverages a launch force from an external launching apparatus such as a bow or slingshot to deploy the system and enclosed fishing device to a desired long-range location and depth within a body of water. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09681638B1

The wheeled litter-sifting cart is a device that is adapted to store containers of cat litter as well as to sift out used cat litter for disposal of waste and potential re-use of cat litter. The wheeled cart is mobilized via a plurality of wheels that are affixed to a cart frame. The cart frame includes a bottom deck, intermediate deck, and a top deck. The bottom deck, the intermediate deck, and the top deck are all parallel with respect to one another, and are equally spaced elevationally, speaking. The top deck includes a first opening adjacent to a second opening. A hinged sifter is attached to the top deck in between the first opening and the second opening. In use, a first bucket is aligned underneath the first opening, a second bucket is aligned underneath the second opening, and soiled cat litter is sifted via the hinged sifter.
US09681636B2

Sensor system with a sensor device having a through-flow cell for liquid, a detector device for measuring a property of the liquid in the through-flow cell and for generating an associated detector signal, a sensor control for analyzing the detector signal, wherein the sensor control detects a liquid transition between two different liquids in the through-flow cell when a change (per unit time) in the detector signal is greater than a threshold value. In the case of such a liquid transition detection, the sensor control generates an alarm signal. Liquid transition detection is carried out by optical, temperature and/or conductivity sensors.
US09681635B2

A method comprises extending a robotic attacher under a dairy livestock positioned in a milking stall, wherein the robotic attacher comprises a nozzle that is positioned generally on the bottom of the robotic attacher during a first operation. The method further comprises rotating the robotic attacher during a second operation such that the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the robotic attacher.
US09681628B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XB27AU15R is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB27AU15R, cells from soybean variety XB27AU15R, plants of soybean XB27AU15R, and plant parts of soybean variety XB27AU15R. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB27AU15R with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB27AU15R, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB27AU15R, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB27AU15R. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB27AU15R are further provided.
US09681625B2

A soybean cultivar designated 38292104 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 38292104, to the plants of soybean cultivar 38292104, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 38292104, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 38292104. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 38292104. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 38292104, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 38292104 with another soybean cultivar.
US09681623B1

A novel maize variety designated X00F915 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X00F915 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00F915 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00F915, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00F915. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00F915.
US09681622B1

A novel maize variety designated PH25KR and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25KR with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25KR through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH25KR or a locus conversion of PH25KR with another maize variety.
US09681604B2

An operating control mechanism for a garden tool comprises a control button and a pair of handles located at both sides of the control button. Triggers are arranged on the handles. The operating control mechanism further comprises stop components which are movable relative to the handles. The handles can rotate around axes by moving the stop components.
US09686893B2

A shielded electrical cable includes a conductor set and two generally parallel shielding films disposed around the conductor set. The conductor set includes one or more substantially parallel longitudinal insulated conductors. The shielding films include a parallel portion wherein the shielding films are substantially parallel. The parallel portion is configured to electrically isolate the conductor set.
US09686885B2

A method and apparatus for implementing enhanced rack design to improve component and cable access in a computer system. A server rack includes a side rack cable access area. An elongated bracket member includes multiple openings for receiving cable ties. The cables ties are used to secure predefined cables. The elongated bracket member is unlatched from an inside wall of the rack. The elongated bracket member together with the secured system cables is pivoted away from customer cables.
US09686872B2

In a ceramic multilayer substrate formed by stacking and firing a plurality of insulating layers, the insulating layer in an uppermost surface layer includes a ceramic layer, a contraction suppression layer stacked on the ceramic layer, and a surface-layer via conductor penetrating through the ceramic layer and the contraction suppression layer and having a tapered shape gradually tapering toward the lower layer side. The surface-layer via conductor has an end surface that is exposed from the contraction suppression layer forming the surface of the ceramic multilayer substrate, and that is directly connected to a terminal of a component mounted to the surface of the ceramic multilayer substrate. A weight ratio of alumina contained in the contraction suppression layer is set higher than a weight ration of alumina contained in the ceramic layer.
US09686857B2

An opto-electric hybrid module is provided. In the opto-electric hybrid module, a core and an electric circuit including electric circuit body portions and mounting pads are provided on a surface of an under-cladding layer of an optical waveguide. An optical element is mounted on the mounting pads with its electrodes in abutment against the mounting pads. The core is covered with the over-cladding layer, and a center portion of the optical element is positioned above a portion of the over-cladding layer covering a top surface of the core. A portion of the electric circuit excluding the mounting pads and a surface portion of the under-cladding layer present between the electric circuit body portions of the electric circuit and present between the electric circuit body portion and the mounting pad are covered with a core material layer formed of the same material as the core.
US09686847B2

A nozzle for a plasma generator having a body defining a plasma generating chamber with a gas inlet at one end and a plasma outlet at the opposite end defining the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet. An inner electrode is positioned around an inner wall of the body and an outer earthed electrode is provided around an outer wall of the body. The inner electrode and the outer electrode overlap one another in the flow direction.
US09686846B2

An extreme ultraviolet light source device includes a raw material supplying mechanism. The raw material supplying mechanism includes a disk-shaped rotor, a motor for causing the rotor to rotate, a cover-shaped structure surrounding the rotor via a gap, and a first reservoir provided inside the cover-shaped structure for reserving a liquid high temperature plasma raw material. When the rotor rotates, a portion of the surface on the rotor becomes coated with the liquid high temperature plasma raw material. A portion of the cover-shaped structure has an aperture exposing that surface of the rotor which coated with the high temperature plasma raw material. The high temperature plasma raw material is irradiated with an energy beam from an energy beam supply device through the aperture, and generates EUV radiation.
US09686845B2

A target sensor may include: a plurality of sensor elements, each of the plurality of sensor elements being configured to output a sensor signal that varies in accordance with an amount of light received on a light-receiving surface; and a signal generator configured to process the sensor signals from the plurality of sensor elements. The light-receiving surfaces of the plurality of sensor elements may be disposed at different positions in a second direction different from a first direction along which an image of the target illuminated by the illumination light may move. The signal generator may be configured to compare each of the sensor signals from the plurality of sensor elements with a threshold and output the signal indicating detection of a target to the controller in a case where at least one of the sensor signals from the plurality of sensor elements may exceed the threshold.
US09686843B2

There is provided a wearable or portable lighting device for playing out, together with a plurality of other wearable or portable lighting devices, a predetermined time-varying lighting pattern over a space occupied by said device and the other devices; said device comprising: at least one light source; memory for storing a representation of the time-varying lighting pattern; and at least one controller configured to determine a current location of said device, to receive a timing signal for determining a current stage of the time-varying lighting pattern in synchronization with the other devices, and based on said determination and said timing signal, with reference to the representation in memory, to select a portion of the time-varying lighting pattern corresponding to the current location and stage and to cause the at least one light source to play-out said portion.
US09686842B1

A system and method for discovering at least one dimming control protocol installed in a plurality of lighting devices and for controlling a plurality of dimming levels of the plurality of lighting devices are disclosed. The system may include at least one gateway that connects to at least one plurality of luminaires and/or LED's, at least one sensor subsystem and at least one power meter. The system and method may exchange information between a plurality of light devices and a self-organized, self-discovering gateway device. The gateway may use one or more known control protocols as an input and is able to handle multiple light devices that support different control protocols. This ability makes the gateway a universal lighting control gateway.
US09686841B2

A glass loudspeaker emitting sound and acoustically-driven light includes a glass substrate, a plurality of exciters, a light bar, a plurality of coupling collimators, a diffractive grating, and a control unit. The exciters are arranged at intervals on the glass substrate. The light bar is arranged toward the glass substrate and includes a plurality of light sources. The coupling collimators are arranged on the light-emitting path of the light sources. The diffractive grating is arranged on the glass substrate and toward the light bar. The control unit is electrically connected with the light bar and the exciters, and includes an acoustic signal receiving unit, an audio signal amplifier, an audio signal analyzer, and a current distributor.
US09686834B2

An LED lamp comprises one or more LEDs and an LED driver receiving an input signal from a dimmer switch indicative of an amount of dimming for the LED lamp. The LED driver controls regulated current through the one or more LEDs based on the input signal such that an output light intensity of the one or more LEDs substantially corresponds to the amount of dimming for the LED lamp. A regulated output provides operating power for the LED driver. A controller regulates the regulated output to power the LED driver. The controller selects a power source for charging the regulated output from two or more power sources, and the regulated output is charged using the power source selected by the controller.
US09686827B2

A circuit arrangement for operating light sources includes input terminals for a power supply system voltage, a first rectifying circuit, a boost converter having output terminals, a half-bridge arrangement having two switches, which is connected to the output terminals of the boost converter, an inductance, the first terminal of which is coupled to the centre point of the half-bridge, and a second rectifying circuit, the first input terminal of which is coupled to the second terminal of the inductance and the second input of which is coupled to one of the output terminals of the boost converter. The output terminals of the second rectifying circuit are coupled to the inputs of a current-compensated inductor. At least one light source is connected to the output terminals of the current-compensated inductor, and the output terminals of the current-compensated inductor are coupled to an output terminal of the boost converter via filter capacitors.
US09686824B2

Methods, systems, apparatus and machine readable media are disclosed to reduce biological carryover. An example method includes generating an alternating electromagnetic field and introducing an aspiration and dispense device into the electromagnetic field. The example method also includes inductively heating the aspiration and dispense device with the electromagnetic field to at least one of denature or deactivate at least one of a protein or a biological entity on a surface of the aspiration and dispense device.
US09686821B2

Heater modules are configured for streamlined daisy chain connectivity that includes front end and intermediate daisy chain power injection, water resistant heater assemblies, and shielding. A power injection device is configured with connectivity for insertion of power into heater modules that are in front and intermediate daisy chain positions while enabling data communications between heater modules positioned on opposite sides of the power injection locations.
US09686815B2

Access terminals are adapted to facilitate discontinuous transmission (DTX). According to one example, an access terminal determines to disable DTX, such that a continuous reverse link transmission may occur, in a fashion such as not to interfere with the operation of a Frame Early Termination operation utilized in CDMA 1× technology. As one example, the access terminal may cease the utilization of DTX in accordance with a performance metric of a wireless communication network. The performance metric may be a forward link power control setpoint of a base station, a number of quasi-orthogonal function sets being utilized at the base station, a number of frame erasures corresponding to a forward link transmission from the base station, or any other suitable measurable parameter of the network performance. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
US09686813B2

A system for integrating wireless service providers' core networks with Wi-Fi radios using a Wireless Services Gateway (WSG). The WSG can allow wireless device users to seamlessly connect to a network such as the internet using both cellular phone antennae as well as Wi-Fi radio antennae while still utilizing their preferred wireless service provider's core network system of billing, authenticating and policy decision making. This system can allow for data transmission of wireless devices through Wi-Fi instead of through cellular antennae, thus increasing bandwidth and data transmission rates.
US09686790B2

A communication system, such as a wireless CDMA system, detects markers with fewer errors by having field units transmit the markers at different power levels (e.g., 9 dB for one marker and 11 dB for another marker). The difference in power levels of the markers allows the base station to identify the request markers using alternative criteria with a low probability of error, where the alternative criteria may include comparing the markers to respective energy level thresholds, monitoring occupancy of time slots, occupancy of mutually exclusive code channels, or combinations thereof. For example, in one particular embodiment, a request marker, which is generally a high priority marker, is transmitted with higher power, which improves the probability of detection and reduces the probability of false detection of the request marker.
US09686789B2

A method for coexistence with a pulsed interference source in a communications network includes receiving a communications signal, determining a first portion of the communications signal that is affected by the pulsed interference source, blanking the first portion of the communications signal, and processing the communications signal.
US09686788B2

Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose techniques for transmitting uplink transmissions in special subframes for LTE TDD systems. Certain aspects provide a method that generally includes determining a region of uplink transmissions in uplink pilot timeslot (UpPTS), wherein the UpPTS comprises three or more symbols allocated for uplink transmissions, and transmitting in the UpPTS.
US09686785B2

In a transmitting device, each of the plurality of mapping candidates that make up the search space is configured from the same number of control channel elements as an aggregation level value, the control channel elements are obtained by dividing each physical resource block into a predetermined number, and the quantity of resource elements contained in each of the predetermined number of control channel elements in each physical resource block adopts at least two types of values. A search space setting unit (102) sets a search space of which the aggregation level value is 2 or more so that, between a plurality of mapping candidates, variation in the total quantity of resource elements contained in the control channel elements that make up the mapping candidates is as small as possible.
US09686782B2

Methods and apparatuses are provided for a User Equipment (UE) to receive control information. A downlink bandwidth and a Downlink Control Information (DCI) format to be monitored are identified. An aggregation level is identified based on the identified downlink bandwidth and the identified DCI format. Control information is received based on the identified aggregation level.
US09686779B2

A method and an apparatus in a mobile communication system are provided. The method includes receiving, by the terminal, first information for activating a secondary Cell (SCell) from a base station, activating, by the terminal, the SCell based on the first information, starting, by the terminal, a timer associated with the SCell, restarting, by the terminal, if second information for the activated SCell is received from the base station, the timer associated with the SCell, and, if the timer expires, applying by the terminal, one or more corresponding actions for deactivating the SCell no later than in a predefined subframe, wherein the second information includes at least one of an uplink grant on the activated SCell, a downlink assignment on the activated SCell, and a control message for activating the SCell.
US09686778B2

Disclosed are a feedback information transmitting method and device, used for addressing a lack of a plan for solving the problem of transmitting uplink control information corresponding to downlink carrier scheduled by a plurality of base stations in a dual connectivity scenario. A terminal of the present invention receives over a first carrier the data scheduled by a first base station, and receives over a second carrier the data scheduled by a second base station; generating first uplink control information for the first carrier, and/or generating second uplink control information for the second carrier; transmitting the generated uplink control information via PUCCH and/or PUSCH over an uplink carrier, the uplink control information comprising at least one of the first uplink control information and the second uplink control information. Therefore, a terminal transmitting uplink control information over only one carrier can send timely feedback of uplink control information corresponding to the downlink carrier scheduled by different base stations, ensuring that different base stations can timely acquire the feedback information corresponding to the downlink carrier scheduled by the different base stations.
US09686771B2

Methods and apparatus are described for transmitting and receiving data by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) over the control plane. The methods may receive data without the use of an Internet Protocol (IP) address. In an example method, a WTRU may enter an evolved packet system (EPS) mobility management (EMM)-registered control plane only (CPO) state after receiving an attach accepted message for CPO operation, and enter an EMM-deregistered state after receiving a detach message, a tracking area update (TAU) reject message or an attach reject message. In another method, a WTRU may switch between operational modes that use an IP address and a user plane to transmit and receive data, and the CPO mode.
US09686767B2

Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for determining location are presented. One example method includes obtaining a route comprising an ordered set of waypoints; receiving an indication of traversal of the route beginning at a first waypoint and recording a time associated with the indication; determining location information and time information at a sampling rate; for each subsequent waypoint of the ordered set of waypoints: receiving a signal indicating arrival at a current waypoint of the ordered set of waypoints, determining a time and a ground truth associated with the signal, and determining error information associated with each determined location between the prior waypoint and the current waypoint; and providing the error information to a remote device.
US09686737B2

The present invention relates to a method for operating a mobile device comprising a first interface unit for selectively interfacing to at least one communication network of a group of communication networks depending on a network selection information, and a second interface unit for interfacing to a communication device providing network information relating to a communication network related to the communication device. According to the method, the network information related to the communication network related to the communication device is received from the communication device. The network selection information is modified based on the received network information and a communication network is selected from the group of communication networks depending on the modified network selection information.
US09686732B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for using structured communications in an observation platform with distributed traffic flow. A signal from a first mobile device is received at a second mobile device wherein the first mobile device and the second mobile devices act as a nodes in a first environment which comprises a plurality of nodes, wherein a first characteristic of the signal corresponds to an audible source and a second characteristic of the signal corresponds to information indicative of a geographic position of the first mobile device. Context information is derived, via the second mobile device, from the signal based on the first characteristic and/or the second characteristic. A third mobile device is determined, via the second mobile device, as a destination for the signal. The signal is relayed from the second mobile device to the third mobile device without relaying the signal to a central server computer system.
US09686729B2

A method for operation of a cellular telecommunications network in an edge region of the radio coverage area of the cellular telecommunications network includes: in a first step, a user equipment receives from the further base station entity information comprising the specific cell identifier, wherein the specific cell identifier as well as additional information related to the further base station entity are transmitted by the user equipment to the serving base station entity; and in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the user equipment, upon reception from the further base station entity of identifier information comprising the specific cell identifier, and based on blacklist information received by the user equipment referring at least to the specific cell identifier, avoids transmitting additional information regarding the further base station entity to the serving base station entity and/or avoids consideration of the further base station entity in a cell-reselection procedure.
US09686722B2

A WiFi roaming method and device which perform an authentication and accounting process once for multiple APs, thereby reducing the load of an authentication server (RADIUS) in a WiFi roaming method, which separates a terminal session management function and a traffic control function by a access controller and a access point interworked with a tunneling method according to a CAPWAP (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points) protocol.
US09686713B2

A packet data system such as a TCP/IP network transmits packets containing a variety of data types along links in the network. Packets are transmitted in a stream between nodes interconnected by the links connections, which conform to a transport layer protocol such as TCP, UDP, and RSTP, and include wireless links, which transmit packets using a radio frequency (RF) medium. By examining the data in a packet, performance characteristics such as a port number are determined. The performance characteristics indicate the application type, and therefore, the data type, of the packets carried on the connection. Since certain data types, such as streaming audio and video, are more loss tolerant, determination of the data type is used to compute link control parameters for the wireless link which that are optimal to the type of data being transmitted over the link.
US09686712B2

The present invention relates to a method and device for finding and solving congestion in a device to device (D2D) channel that may occur in D2D communication by a user terminal and enables the user terminal or a server to perceive and solve the congestion based on a result obtained by sensing the D2D channel by means of the user terminal.
US09686710B2

The present invention provides a method for obtaining policy information for traffic offload. The method may be performed by user equipment and comprise: receiving, through an Access Point (AP), HotSpot 2.0-related policy information including policy information related to a roaming consortium concluded between Access Point (AP) service providers; checking whether previously received 3GPP-based policy information or configuration information is present; and if there is a conflict, transmitting a policy information request message including the received HotSpot 2.0-related policy information, to a 3GPP-based network node in order to obtain 3GPP-based policy information into which the received HotSpot 2.0-related policy information has been reflected.
US09686709B2

A method includes: when a user equipment initiates a communication request, controlling an A-BGF network element to generate proxy SDP information according to calling party SDP information, and replacing the calling party SDP information with the proxy SDP information to establish a connection between the user equipment and a called party; after a connection between both communication parties is successful, instructing a PCRF network element to perform QoS resource reservation; and receiving a NAT-translated-to IP address and a port of the user equipment from the A-BGF network element, and instructing the PCRF network element to update source address information for the QoS resource reservation to the NAT-translated-to IP address and the port of the user equipment. The present invention achieves QoS guarantee of a communication service in a NAT scenario without imposing any special interface requirement on the user equipment.
US09686707B2

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to detect and perform measurements with respect to Home Node-Bs (HNB) and Home evolved Node-Bs (H(e)NB) (collectively “HNB”). The methods may include generating and transmitting a request for a measurement configuration that may include gap allocations to detect and measure a primary scrambling code or a physical cell identity of a target HNB for at least one frequency or radio access technology (RAT). The request may be in response to the WTRU entering a HNB cell for which the WTRU has stored fingerprint information and whose closed subscriber group ID is in the WTRU's whitelist. The network may configure the WTRU to measure the requested frequency or RAT in response to the proximity report/request. Methods are described for releasing the measurement configuration.
US09686706B2

Provided are a method and apparatus for reporting power headroom in a mobile communication system supporting carrier aggregation. A user equipment (UE) determines the maximum transmit power for each carrier and the maximum UE transmit power, and sends a power headroom report that contains power headroom for each carrier computed based on the maximum transmit power for the carrier and the maximum UE transmit power to a corresponding base station (ENB).
US09686696B2

Method and radio base station for adapting a Radio Access Network, RAN, capability, in response to variations in transport characteristics, such as data transfer rate, maximum available bandwidth, and maximum used bandwidth, of a backhaul network. The radio base station is arranged to communicate data between a RAN and the backhaul network, said method comprising to obtain, by a controller, information related to the transport characteristics of the backhaul network. The method comprises further to determine, by the controller, based on the obtained information, an output level of the radio base station, and to adjust, by the controller, the output level of the radio base station to the determined output level.
US09686691B2

In one example embodiment, a method for classifying a basestation in a cellular communications network is provided that may include obtaining an identifier used by the basestation, comparing the identifier to a pool of identifiers reserved for a class of basestations, obtaining a frequency on which the basestation is operating, comparing the frequency to a pool of frequencies used by the class of basestations, and identifying the basestation as belonging to the class of basestations if the identifier is in the pool of identifiers and the frequency is in the pool of frequencies. Another method for classifying a basestation may comprise receiving a broadcast from the basestation including an attribute of the basestation, comparing the attribute with an attribute value range corresponding to the class of basestations, and identifying the basestation as belonging to the class of basestations if the received cell attribute falls within the attribute value range.
US09686689B2

Shared spectrum operation is disclosed for sharing spectrum among multiple wireless deployments. Coordination procedures between and among 2nd and 3rd Tier deployments include the use of beacons transmitted by the 2nd Tier for clearing access to spectrum occupied by 3rd Tier users and multiple 3rd Tier deployments sharing resources using a group-listen before talk (LBT) protocol, rather than a per-node LBT protocol. The 2nd Tier beacon signals are transmitted to alert 3rd Tier users of their presence, which, upon detection, will leave the particular spectrum within a predetermined time. For the shared LBT protocol, the 3rd Tier deployments share the channel with each other through an LBT with random backoff, in which the start time of clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure and the random backoff values are synchronized among nodes of the same deployment.
US09686686B1

A method for lost device location is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a last known location from the lost device, receiving a command to lock the lost device at the lost device and locking the lost device. Machine identification data and current location data is transmitted from the lost device, that is accessible by a backend server, to a second device that is located within a designated proximity to the lost device.
US09686684B2

Systems and methods for security in a nationwide wireless network with geographically dispersed wireless routers are described. The wireless routers have an interface function with an ability to receive telephone calls from an authorized caller. The router, in response and on demand generates a set of bounded random numbers (BRN) as a random seed for use in generation of encryption keys for communication security between the router and a portable wireless device of the caller.
US09686676B2

In an example embodiment, a method includes receiving, by an apparatus, from a remote server, a message including information about at least one device, the message including a second encryption key of the at least one device and an encrypted object encrypted with a first encryption key of the at least one device; transmitting, by the apparatus, an encrypted message that includes the encrypted object, encrypted with the second encryption key of the at least one device; and receiving, by the apparatus, from the at least one device, a message identifying or describing the at least one device, only if the at least one device has determined that the message transmitted by the apparatus is valid.
US09686674B2

A method, an apparatus, and a system for distributing data of a virtual subscriber identity module (VSIM) where a terminal device acquires a graphic code from a distribution client; and acquires the temporary data of the VSIM and the service authentication code that are included in the graphic code; and registers with a mobile network according to the temporary data of the VSIM, and connects to the management server through the mobile network; and sends to the management server, a request for downloading formal data of the VSIM; and if the authentication is passed, the management server acquires formal data that is of the VSIM and corresponding to the service authentication code, and sends the formal data of the VSIM to the terminal device.
US09686666B2

A method in a first wireless device for handling Device to Device, D2D, communication between the first wireless device and a second wireless device is provided. The first wireless device sends a beacon signal to be received by the second wireless device. The beacon signal announces that the first wireless device is available for D2D communication. The beacon signal is sent on a first channel where the first wireless device is interfered. The beacon signal indicates that no response to the beacon signal shall be sent on the first channel.
US09686655B2

Provided are an apparatus and method for grouping multiple user data and transmitting the grouped data in a multiple antenna system. According to the method, a plurality of user groups are configured, and at least one antenna group is assigned to the plurality of user groups. Then, user signals for each user group are combined using at least one user multiplexing method to generate a user group signal, and a plurality of user group signals are combined using at least one group multiplexing method. Then, the combined user group signal is transmitted to a plurality of users belonging to the plurality of user groups using the at least one antenna group.
US09686650B2

A determination is made, at a device, as to whether data identifying signals detected at the device include data from a non-stationary wireless beacon. If the data includes data from a non-stationary wireless beacon then observation data including both the data and an associated trusted position of the device is maintained in an observation buffer; otherwise, the observation data is dropped by the device. The observation data from the observation buffer is provided to a service, which determines whether the observation data conforms to one or more patterns, the one or more patterns having been identified based on one or more criteria used by the device in providing the observation data to the service. If the observation data conforms to the one or more patterns then the observation data is maintained by the service; otherwise, the observation data is dropped by the service.
US09686645B2

The present disclosure discloses a location information sharing method. The method includes: initiating by a first terminal a location sharing session; waiting for a second terminal to join the location sharing session; receiving previous location information of the second terminal after the second terminal joins the location sharing session, and displaying the previous location of the second terminal that is marked by using the previous location information of the second terminal; receiving current location information of a second terminal; updating on the location display area of the first terminal, the previous location of the second terminal that is marked by using previous location information of the second terminal to a current location of the second terminal that is marked by using the current location information; and displaying on the location display area of the first terminal a voice communication interface for providing voice communication simultaneously within the location sharing session.
US09686640B2

A device and software utilizing Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technologies for monitoring and recovering portable computing devices and, a method and system for acquiring such devices, protecting data on such devices, and for compensating owners of devices. A GPS mechanism of the invention provides real time tracking of missing devices that may be coordinated with security agencies to intercept and recover missing computing devices. When a stolen device is unrecoverable, the invention may receive a signal to initiate data recovery where a wireless network is available to recover data for the owner. Alternatively, the GPS mechanism instructs the device to encrypt or destroy stored data files to prevent commercial espionage or privacy violations. The invention discloses a software system and method for computing a purchase price of the GPS mechanism, computing compensation for loss of the device and lost data.
US09686636B2

A method and apparatus for establishing communication between an image photographing apparatus and a user device is provided. In one implementation, the image photographing apparatus includes a communication module; a short-distance wireless communication module; and a controller. When tagging between the image photographing apparatus and a user device occurs, the short-distance wireless communication module provides connection information to the user device via short-distance wireless communication, the controller activates the communication module, and the communication module establishes communication with the user device using the connection information.
US09686632B2

Various methods are provided for facilitating a software smart card environment consisting of multiple virtual UICCs (vUICC). One example method may comprise determining the location of one or more applications stored on a plurality of vUICCs, wherein the plurality of vUICCs are hosted in a secure environment. The method may also comprise receiving a request from a terminal application to execute an application of the one or more applications stored on the plurality of vUICCs. The method may further comprise determining a vUICC identification relating to the requested application. The method may further comprise causing a logical channel to be established with the requested application on a vUICC using the determined vUICC identification. Similar and related example apparatuses and example computer program products are also provided.
US09686624B2

Audio content coded for a reference speaker configuration is downmixed to downmix audio content coded for a specific speaker configuration. One or more gain adjustments are performed on individual portions of the downmix audio content coded for the specific speaker configuration. Loudness measurements are then performed on the individual portions of the downmix audio content. An audio signal that comprises the audio content coded for the reference speaker configuration and downmix loudness metadata is generated. The downmix loudness metadata is created based at least in part on the loudness measurements on the individual portions of the downmix audio content.
US09686620B2

Individual adjustment of a hearing apparatus, and in particular a hearing aid, is improved by testing the auditory sensory memory of a user of the hearing apparatus. At least one test result is obtained and the hearing apparatus is adjusted in dependence on the at least one test result. The test person must detect, perceive and be able to reproduce changes in a signal.
US09686612B2

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for communicating between two or more drivers respectively controlling and/or managing different channels through which data is transferred between a wireless communication device and a computer system and/or between a controller of the computer system and an application of the computer system. Typically, at least one of the channels is configured to transmit time sensitive data (e.g., such as audio data) while another channel is configured to transmit time insensitive data (e.g., such as call control data). A device driver interface may be configured to provide a medium through which the two or more drivers can communicate. The techniques and/or systems find particular application with respect to Bluetooth headsets used in combination with a computer system comprising a system on chip architecture, but other applications are also contemplated.
US09686611B2

A sound enhancement system of an engine of a vehicle includes a vibration sensor disposed on the casing of the engine to generate an electrical signal indicative of the engine sound. A signal processor is connected to the vibration sensor to process the electrical signal-indicative of the engine sound and generate an output audio signal. A speaker is disposed in the vehicle compartment and connected to the signal processor to receive the output audio signal and generate an enhancement sound of the engine sound.
US09686607B1

An audio processing integrated circuit chip, such as codec chip, includes at least one port output circuit configured to generate an audio signal to drive an external audio device and a PC beep circuit configured to receive a PC beep signal and to apply the received PC beep signal to an input of the at least one port output circuit. The chip further includes a control circuit configured to detect activity of the PC beep signal and to enable and/or disable the at least one port output circuit responsive to the detected activity.
US09686605B2

A video conference endpoint detects a face and determines a face angle of the detected face relative to a reference direction based on images captured with a camera. The endpoint determines an angle of arrival of sound (i.e., a sound angle) received at a microphone array that transduces the sound relative to the reference direction based on the transduced sound and a sound speed parameter indicative of a speed of sound in air. The endpoint compares the face angle against the sound angle, and adjusts the sound speed parameter so as to reduce the angle difference if the compare indicates an angle difference greater than zero between the face and sound angles.
US09686600B2

An audio output device including a casing, a first speaker component, a second speaker component and a sound-guiding board, and a video/audio output device using the same are disclosed. The first speaker component is a circular speaker, and is disposed at the casing. The first speaker component faces towards a first direction. The second speaker component is disposed at the casing, and faces towards a second direction which is different from the first direction. The sound-guiding board is a square plate body, located above the first speaker component, and is separated at a predetermined distance from the first speaker component.
US09686596B2

An apparatus and a system of improvement of advertisement targeting through embedded scripts in supply-side and demand-side platforms are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a client device includes applying an automatic content recognition algorithm to determine a content identifier of an audio-visual data. The client device then associates the content identifier with an advertisement data based on a semantic correlation between a meta-data of the advertisement provided by a content provider and/or the content identifier. The advertisement targeting may be improved when a script is embedded in the client device, a supply-side platform, and/or a data provider integrated with the supply side platform, to execute arbitrary cross-site scripts in the sandboxed application of the client device. The content identifier may be obfuscated in a manner that it is relevant to a particular demand-side platform to eliminate a need to query the provider of the content identifier on a per ad-spot basis. The demand-side platform may submit requests to the advertising exchange based on a constraint type rather than through a bidding methodology on a per advertisement spot basis.
US09686595B2

Systems and methods for providing audio-based guidance features are provided. A guidance application may provide listings displays having listings for audio-friendly content. The listings may be indicated as listings for audio-friendly content. The guidance application may provide displays dedicated to listings for audio-friendly content. The guidance application provides audio-prompts describing display screens. The guidance application may determine a user's identity from a voice command and provide personalized guidance features.
US09686590B2

A method comprises retrieving a profile of a given user, the given user having a given-user device; delivering a content item to the given-user device; receiving one or more user-specified tags associated with the content item; identifying one or more buddies of the user as indicated in the profile; and delivering the one or more tags to the one or more buddies.
US09686589B2

A method, device, and system for implementing a multi-party conference call by using a set-top box. The method includes: in a conferencing state, the set-top box sending a network server that manages the conference a request message for adding another specified set-top box into the conference where the set-top box is located; and after the set-top box receives an acknowledgment message fed back by the network server for indicating that the specified set-top box has joined in the conference, distributing audio and/or video signals to be transmitted by the set-top box to other members of the conference through the network server.
US09686588B2

A network system provides delivery of customized target content, such as advertising, to individual users. There is transmission of a common spot content stream to a large group of the users. Each home client user communicates through a telecommunications network, such as the Internet, for connection to a portal to receive continuing media, such as streaming audio or video. The user installs receiver software at his home client processor for receiving both the streaming media and a content stream. The media stream includes spot markers placed at appropriate locations in the media stream by the publisher to designate locations for insertion of spot content and optionally to identify specific characteristics of the media stream. The content stream includes content units, such as audio advertising, together with spot content frames, which include parameters having values designated by the spot content provider to be the target audience. A profile is produced at the home client having parameters with values associated with the home client user, such as geographic and demographic information. The receiver software at the home client matches the spot content frame for each spot content to the profile of the user to select those spot content units which have a match. These selected spot content units are stored at the home user and are blended into the media stream at the locations of the spot markers to produce an information data stream for the user that is customized for that user. A spot auditor at the home client measures the type and quantity of play back of the spot content received by the home user and this is reported to the spot content provider for measurement of the effectiveness in the distribution of the spot content.
US09686587B2

A video/audio playback method is provided which can provide simultaneous, multi-language support for consumers of television and multimedia. The method includes steps of: receiving a first playback data and a second playback data; converting first character information in the first playback data into a first audio signal; and simultaneously playing the first audio signal, and a second audio signal corresponding to the second playback data. The first audio signal and the second audio signal respectively correspond to a first playback language and a second playback language.
US09686579B2

Embodiments of a device for receiving a digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signal are described herein. For example, a silicon tuner module may be configured to receive a digital terrestrial, cable, or satellite television signal and output a digital bitstream, the digital bitstream may include audio visual content in an encoded transport stream. In a further example, a digital audio video connector may be configured to couple with a display device, the digital audio video connector may be configured to provide the digital bitstream to the display device according to a specification. In another example, a processing module may be configured to control the silicon tuner module in response to a Consumer Electronics Control command received from the display device via the digital audio video connector.
US09686577B2

In one embodiment, a method includes determining available media content from one or more content sources and providing at least a portion of the available media content for display in a programming guide on a display device of a user. The programming guide includes a plurality of entries each associated with one of the available media content. The method further includes determining that an update action button should be displayed on the display device, providing the update action button for display on the display device when it is determined that the update action button should be displayed, and updating the programming guide in response to a user selection of the update action button. The update action button is operable to cause the social-networking system to update the programming guide.
US09686574B2

Computer-implemented systems and methods provide for the autonomous broadcasting of video data, audio data, or video and audio data during an event, wherein the broadcasting can be schedule in advance and from a remote location (i.e., over a network).
US09686568B2

A decoder includes an entropy decoder configured to derive a number of bins of the binarizations from the data stream using binary entropy decoding by selecting a context among different contexts and updating probability states associated with the different contexts, dependent on previously decoded portions of the data stream; a desymbolizer configured to debinarize the binarizations of the syntax elements to obtain integer values of the syntax elements; a reconstructor configured to reconstruct the video based on the integer values of the syntax elements using a quantization parameter, wherein the entropy decoder is configured to distinguish between 126 probability states and to initialize the probability states associated with the different contexts according to a linear equation of the quantization parameter, wherein the entropy decoder is configured to, for each of the different contexts, derive a slope and an offset of the linear equation from first and second four bit parts of a respective 8 bit initialization value.
US09686560B2

An apparatus for compressing a video image file is disclosed. The image file includes line segments having a length of M pixels of N bits and a header of H bits. Each pixel is represented by t bits. The apparatus includes a circuit configured to read a first number of unencoded pixel values in a first line segment and read a second number of unencoded pixel values of a second line segment are read. The first and second line segments preceded by a header of H bits and each pixel value is represented by t bits. The differences between each of the first and second unencoded pixel values is determined. The differences between each of the first and second unencoded pixel values encoded only using a smallest number of bits t for a given number of bits for each pixel value in the segment, wherein t is defined as an integer between 1 and N.
US09686556B2

System and method for improving operational efficiency of a video encoding pipeline used to encode image data. In embodiments, the video encoding pipeline includes bit-rate statistics generation that is useful for controlling subsequent bit rates and/or determining encoding operational modes.
US09686553B2

An advanced video coding and decoding chip and a method with an optimized processing sequence for the sub-blocks, each including 4×4 pixels, of a macroblock in a discrete cosine transform (DCT) and an inverse DCT are disclosed, wherein the compression hardware and the reconstruction hardware execute the compression and the reconstruction of at least part of a field in parallel.
US09686544B2

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for interlayer prediction, and the method for interlayer prediction, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: deciding whether to apply an interlayer prediction to an enhancement layer; and performing a prediction on a current block of the enhancement layer based on reference information that is generalized and generated from a reference picture, which is decoded, of a reference layer, when the interlayer prediction is applied, wherein the reference layer information can be encoding information of a reference block, which corresponds to a current block of the enhancement layer, from the reference layer, and residual information.
US09686541B2

The present disclosure relates to an image processing device and method that enable suppression of an increase in the amount of coding of a scaling list.An image processing device of the present disclosure sets a replacement difference coefficient that is a difference between a replacement coefficient and a coefficient located at the beginning of a quantization matrix whose size is limited to not greater than a transmission size that is a maximum size allowed in transmission, the replacement coefficient being used to replace a coefficient located at the beginning of an up-converted quantization matrix which is obtained by up-converting the quantization matrix to the same size as a block size that is a unit of processing in which dequantization is performed, quantizes an image to generate quantized data, and transmit encoded data obtained by encoding the generated quantized data, replacement coefficient data obtained by encoding the replacement coefficient, and replacement difference coefficient data obtained by encoding the set replacement difference coefficient. The present disclosure can be applied to an image processing device.
US09686533B2

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide a 3D panel, a method for driving the 3D panel, and an electronic device. The method includes: driving a first group of gate lines row by row and displaying a first image, in scanning a (4k+1)-th frame, k being a natural number; driving a second group of gate lines row by row and displaying a second image, in scanning a (4k+2)-th frame; driving the first group of gate lines row by row and displaying a third image, in scanning a (4k+3)-th frame; driving the second group of gate lines row by row and displaying a fourth image, in scanning a (4k+4)-th frame. Gate lines in the first group of gate lines and those in the second group are arranged alternately. Scanning directions of the (4k+1)-th frame and the (4k+3)-th frame are opposite. Scanning directions of the (4k+2)-th frame and the (4k+4)-th frame are opposite.
US09686532B2

A method is provided of determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object surface with a laser tracker and structured light scanner. The method includes providing the scanner having a body, a pair of cameras, a projector, and a processor. The projector and cameras are positioned in a non-collinear arrangement. The projector is configured to project a first pattern onto the surface. The method also includes providing the tracker which emits a beam of light onto the retroreflector. The tracker receives a reflected beam of light. The first location is measured with the tracker. The first orientation is measured with the tracker. The first surface pattern is projected onto the surface. A pair of images of the surface pattern is acquired with cameras. The processor determines the 3D coordinates of a first plurality of points in the tracker frame of reference based in part on epipolar constraints of the cameras and projector.
US09686531B2

A mobile terminal may include a camera module and a controller. The camera module may include a first capture unit to capture a subject to acquire a first image, a second capture unit to capture the subject to acquire a second image, an actuator disposed at least one of the first capture unit and the second capture unit, and a drive unit configured to drive the actuator. The controller may analyze a perceived 3-dimensional (3D) image formed by using the first image and the second image, and may produce a relative position compensation value corresponding to a relative displacement between the first capture unit and the second capture unit according to a result of the analysis. The drive unit may drive the actuator to control a relative position between the first capture unit and the second capture unit based on the relative position compensation value.
US09686527B2

The present invention discloses a non-feature extraction dense SFM three-dimensional reconstruction method, comprising: inputting n images about a certain scenario, n≧2; establishing a world coordinate system consistent with a certain camera coordinate system; constructing an objective function similar to optical flow estimation by taking a depth of a three-dimensional scenario and a camera projection matrix as variables; employing a from coarse to fine pyramid method; designing an iterative algorithm to optimize the objective function; outputting depth representing the three-dimensional information of the scenario and a camera projection matrix representing relative location and pose information of the camera; and realizing dense projective, similarity or Euclidean reconstruction according to the depth representing the three-dimensional information of the scenario. The present invention can accomplish dense SFM three-dimensional reconstruction with one step. Since estimation of dense three-dimensional information is achieved by one-step optimization, an optimal solution or at least local optimal solution can be obtained by using the objective function as an index, it is significantly improved over an existing method and has been preliminarily verified by experiments.
US09686526B2

There is provided a method of determining the quality of a three dimensional (3D) video stream, wherein the 3D video comprises at least one 3D view composition, each 3D view composition defining a plurality of two dimensional (2D) views. The method comprises determining a characteristic of each of a plurality of 2D views. The method further comprises calculating a variation in the characteristic, the variation calculated between the 2D views corresponding to the same 3D view composition. The method further still comprises calculating a quality score for the 3D video sequence, the quality score based upon the calculated variation.
US09686525B2

An electronic system dynamically creates video based on a structured document by associating video clips with items in a structured document includes a server that is connected to a user terminal. The user terminal sends to the server, as a selected item, at least one item in a structured document selected by the user. The server receives the item sent by the user terminal, identifies the item in the structured document selected by the user, identifies at least one dependent item having a dependent relationship with the selected item, dynamically creates a video on the basis of at least one video clip associated with each identified item and at least one video clip associated with each identified dependent item, and sends the video for playback on the user terminal.
US09686520B2

A client device and method are provided for reconstructing a viewport from a rendered rendering surface of a predicted user viewpoint in order to reduce user perceived latency of the network. The client device may execute instructions to: receive, from a server device over a network, a rendered rendering surface of a predicted scene having a predicted user viewpoint, receive, from the user input device, a subsequent user navigation input in the stream of user input, determine an actual user viewpoint based on the subsequent user navigation input, determine a user viewpoint misprediction based on the predicted user viewpoint and the actual user viewpoint, and reconstruct a viewport for the actual user viewpoint from the rendered rendering surface.
US09686517B2

An optical system includes an optical apparatus. The optical apparatus is for projecting a first projection image to a plane or detecting a first detected image of the plane. The optical apparatus includes a first image device, and a lens group. The first image device has an image surface having an image center. The lens group is disposed between the first image device and the plane and has a lens axis surface and an optic center. The optic center and the image center form a connection line. The plane has a tangent surface to an intersecting point of the connection line. The lens axis surface, the tangent surface, and an extension surface of the image surface substantially intersect at a straight line.
US09686513B2

The invention relates to the forest video monitoring. A method and system are provided for automatically binding a video camera to the absolute coordinate system and determining changes in the video camera binding. In one aspect, the method comprises the steps of: in each of at least two predetermined time moments, aiming the video camera at an object a position of which in the absolute coordinate system centered in a point in which the video camera resides is known at said moment, and determining an orientation of the video camera in a native coordinate system of the video camera; and, based on the determined orientations of the video camera and positions of the object, calculating a rotation of the native coordinate system of the video camera in the absolute coordinate system. The calculated rotation of the video camera's native coordinate system is used to recalculate coordinates of an observed object from the video camera's native coordinate system into the absolute coordinate system. The technical result relates to the improved accuracy of locating the observed object.
US09686500B2

A computer readable medium is disclosed containing a computer program including but not limited to computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer present advertising data, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to display advertising data on an end user device for a duration longer than a duration of normal playback of advertising data at normal speed that is being skipped during the current trick play command; and instructions to continue the display of the advertising data until after the duration of normal playback when trick play trend data indicates that an end user at the end user device has skipped advertising data during the last two consecutive trick play commands including the current trick play command and during a most recent trick play command in the trick play command history.
US09686495B2

A method for providing Graphical User Interface (GUI) for selecting a broadcast channel, and a broadcast receiving apparatus having the same are provided. The GUI for selecting a broadcast channel includes a keypad having a pointer to be moved by manipulation of a user on a remote control apparatus and keys selectable by the pointer, and then the user is able to input a preferred broadcast channel by using the keypad and the pointer. Accordingly, the user is able to input a preferred broadcast channel without using the number keys, so the number keys may be omitted in the remote control apparatus. As a result, miniaturization of the remote control apparatus is possible.
US09686488B2

An image pixel may include a shutter element that is operable in an open state during which a corresponding photodiode accumulates charge and a closed state during which charge is drained from the photodiode. During a first portion of an image frame, the image pixel may operate in a flicker mitigation mode in which a non-continuous exposure period is used. During a second portion of the image frame, the image pixel may operate in a high dynamic range mode in which images are obtained with exposures of varying lengths. To conserve memory requirements, the signal from the flicker mitigation mode may not be sampled until the end of the first exposure of the high dynamic range mode.
US09686483B2

Provided herein is a novel pixel circuit for image sensors such as IR ROIC image sensors. The design provides a switchable pixel with two modes. In the first mode, the pixel performs in-pixel correlated double sampling to remove reset noise. In the second mode, the pixel is configured in a high-capacity mode to avoid saturation. The pixel may be dynamically switched between modes, for example in response to lighting conditions in the scene to be imaged.
US09686482B2

In one embodiment, an infrared (IR) imaging system for determining a concentration of a target species in an object is disclosed. The imaging system can include an optical system including an optical focal plane array (FPA) unit. The optical system can have components defining at least two optical channels thereof, said at least two optical channels being spatially and spectrally different from one another. Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA. The system can include a processing unit containing a processor that can be configured to acquire multispectral optical data representing said target species from the IR radiation received at the optical FPA. Said optical system and said processing unit can be contained together in a data acquisition and processing module configured to be worn or carried by a person.
US09686480B2

An image generation apparatus for generating an image includes a light source device; an optical deflection device to deflect laser beam from the light source device to a scanned face and a light detector; a light quantity adjustment device including a member disposable on a light path of the laser beam between the light source device and the optical deflection device; an emission light intensity adjustment unit to adjust emission light intensity of the light source device; and a controller to set a first adjustment target value of emission light intensity and an adjustment target value of light quantity when laser beam is deflected to the scanned face based on target luminance of the image, and a second adjustment target value of emission light intensity when laser beam is deflected to the light detector based on an adjustment target value of light quantity and detection sensitivity of the light detector.
US09686478B2

Systems and methods are provided for generating high-dynamic range images. In particular, a signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio objective associated with an imaging platform configured to capture one or more images of a region of interest using an image sensor having a first portion and a second portion can be determined. The SNR objective can specify a desired SNR response as a function of a brightness of the region of interest. A first integration time and a second integration time can then be determined based at least in part on the SNR objective. Data indicative of a plurality of image frames can then be obtained. Each image frame is captured by exposing the first portion of the image sensor for the first integration time and exposing the second portion of the image sensor for the second integration time.
US09686477B2

A lighting fixture with a control system, a light source, and an image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor is configured to capture an image in response to an image capture signal. The light source emits light in response to a drive signal. The control system provides the drive signal to control the light emitted by the light source, and when an image needs to be captured, provides the image capture signal. When capturing an image, the control system may coordinate the drive signal and the image capture signal so that the image sensor captures the image when the light source is emitting light, if light is needed or desired. The control system may control the drive signal to control the light emitted by the light source or control other lighting fixtures in the lighting network based, at least in part, on information derived from one or more captured images.
US09686474B2

The present invention comprises a system for and method of frequency prefiltering comprising a camera shutter capable of continuously variable illumination during a single exposure of the sensor. The shutter comprises a continuously variable exposure effector which in disposed in an image path, either in front of a lens or between a lens and a sensor. The system for frequency prefiltering further comprises a synchronization cable that synchronizes a drive system with a sensor or with film. The shutter further comprises a postfilter. The postfilter comprises a digital finite impulse response convolutional filter.
US09686471B2

Methods and apparatus for processing images captured by a camera device including multiple optical chains, e.g., camera modules, are described. Three, 4, 5 or more optical chains maybe used. Different optical chains capture different images due to different perspectives. Multiple images, e.g., corresponding to different perspectives, are captured during a time period and are combined to generate a composite image. In some embodiments one of the captured images or a synthesized image is used as a reference image during composite image generation. The image used as the reference image is selected to keep the perspective of sequentially generated composite images consistent despite unintentional came movement and/or in accordance with an expected path of travel. Thus, which camera module provides the reference image may vary over time taking into consideration unintended camera movement. Composite image generation may be performed external to the camera device or in the camera device.
US09686464B2

An image pickup apparatus that is capable of generating an album by laying out desired images in desired positions by a simple operation, while confirming a result of the layout by a photographer when shooting an image. A control section displays a through-the lens-image obtained by shooting an object on a display section by inserting the through-the lens-image in a plurality of frames on a template. When it is detected that one of the plurality of frames has been designated, the control section generates an image file by executing image pickup processing, and stores the generated image file in a storage medium in association with the designated frame of the plurality of frames on the template.
US09686458B2

The present invention relates to the field of devices with a possibility of recording light data, the device having a flash and more particular to such devices having a flash (300) which light cone (306) is adaptable. The present invention provides a method for adapting a light cone (306) from a flash (300) of a device using a liquid lens (302) and a device implementing such a method.
US09686456B2

An electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board, a camera, a coupling wire, and a wire rewinding assembly. The circuit board is received in the housing. The camera is movably mounted on the housing. The coupling wire is electrically coupled to the circuit board and the camera. The wire rewinding assembly includes a driving member mounted on the housing and a wire spool rotated by the driving member. A first end of the coupling wire is electrically coupled to the camera. A second end of the coupling wire is wound on the wire spool and electrically coupled to the circuit board. When the driving member rotates the wire spool, the coupling wire can be unwound or be rewound on the wire spool.
US09686445B2

An image forming apparatus, a method, and a computer readable medium are disclosed for generating color patches for color validation of a print engine of an image forming apparatus. The method includes acquiring a validation result on a first color validation chart with a sensing device, the sensing device configured to read a color validation chart, the color validation chart having one or more color patches, and wherein the validation result compares a color accuracy of each of the one or more color patches from the first color validation chart to a target color; and determining an order of each of the color patches in a second color validation chart to be printed based on the validation result on the first color validation chart, wherein the order of the color patches in the second color validation chart is determined based on color patches that do not match the target color.
US09686443B2

An image reading device includes an image sensor, a color reference portion, a test control portion, a standard distribution information storage portion, a type determination portion, and an abnormality notification portion. The image sensor is capable of outputting detection data of an amount of received light from each of a plurality of partial scanning areas, each at an individual channel. The test control portion is configured to cause the image sensor to operate under a plurality of test operation conditions different in resolution, when a document is not present. If a distribution state of the detection data at each channel acquired under each test operation condition does not match any of standard distribution information, the abnormality notification portion notifies an abnormality of another device related to the image sensor. The standard distribution information represents a standard distribution state of data at each channel under each test operation condition.
US09686439B2

A transmission device includes: a file processing means for performing processing with respect to a file to be transmitted to a receiving device; and a transmission means for transmitting the file to the receiving device, wherein the file has a data structure storing an original image, one or plural images for transmission different from the original image and attribute information concerning attributes of these images, and the file processing means generates a file having a data structure storing the image for transmission and the attribute information obtained by adding common attributes added to the original image to unique attributes added to the image for transmission.
US09686438B2

An image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method, are provided, each of which receives a user instruction for printing an image on a plurality of recording sheets with an addition image being added to the image at a preset position in the image; generates a plurality of items of image data to be formed on the plurality of recording sheets so as to obtain the image when the plurality of recording sheets are pasted together; determines a specific recording sheet of the plurality of recording sheets and a specific position on the specific recording sheet, based on the preset position of the addition image, a number of the plurality of recording sheets for forming the image, and an image forming direction in forming the image on the plurality of recording sheets; and adds the addition image to an item of image data corresponding to the determined recording sheet at the specific position on the specific recording sheet.
US09686433B2

An information processing device includes: a replacement processing unit that replaces, when a second time as a time until a distance between a second terminal device that has transmitted a second information processing request having a lower priority and the information processing device becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value is shorter than a first time as a time until the distance between a first terminal device that has transmitted a first information processing request having a higher priority and the information processing device becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, priorities for executing first information processing request and the second information processing request such that the second information processing request having the lower priority is processed earlier than the first information processing request having the higher priority.
US09686416B2

Systems and methods for redirecting calls are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for redirecting calls may include receiving a first call request from a first user device via a first telephony service provider network to establish an off-net call with a second user device registered on a second telephony service provider network, determining that the first user device is associated with an account of the second telephony service provider network based on a communication identifier of the first user device included in the first call request, and sending a notification message to the first user device indicating that the off-net call may be established as an on-net call over the second telephony service provider network.
US09686412B2

Systems and methods for an offline voicemail recording system are provided. A voicemail server establishes a session with a caller responsive to detecting the unavailability of a callee. Session information is transmitted to the caller and the voicemail server then purposely terminates the session with the caller. The caller can record a voice or video message offline, without an active connection to the voicemail server, and later upload the recorded message. The voicemail server correlates the uploaded message with the previously terminated session and notifies the callee of the receipt of the message.
US09686404B1

Devices and methods include communication devices and network devices configured to automatically connect to each other over a password protected network connection without a user setting the password for the password protected network connection. The communication devices may communicate over the password protected network connection to the network device and further to a communication service for providing interpretive services for hearing-impaired users, such as text captions, during a call. Predetermined network names and associated passwords may be persistent prior to set up as well as after a hard reset in which other user defined settings may be erased.
US09686402B2

A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account, and includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system. The system monitors a conversation in the telephone call to detect a presence of a first characteristic in audio of the conversation, and terminates the telephone call if the first characteristic does not match a second characteristic of biometric information of a user or a called party.
US09686401B1

A system, method and non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when read by a processor perform receiving a telephony connection request at a location in a telephony network, the location separated from the intended recipient of the telephony connection request by a target telephony network, determining addressing information regarding the intended recipient, the addressing information including at least routing information or a phone number, accessing a do-not-call list, the do-not-call-list including one or more telephony recipients and recipient addressing information for each telephony recipient, the recipient addressing information including at least routing information or a phone number, and determining whether the target addressing information matches any recipient addressing information.
US09686399B2

A method for protecting a wireless communications device against unauthorized use of functionality provided by the wireless communications device, the method comprising: receiving a binding command to bind the wireless communications device to a subscription identification module operationally coupled to the wireless communications device and associated with a subscription to a communications service; responsive to the received command, storing a module identifier identifying the subscription identification module; and storing a device identifier identifying the wireless communications device; obtaining an unbind code and storing the obtained unbind code; performing a module verification verifying that a subscription identification module identified by a stored module identifier is operationally coupled to the wireless communications device, performing a device verification verifying whether a wireless communications device identified by a stored device identifier is operationally coupled to the subscription identification module; and preventing operation of at least a part of said functionality unless the module verification and the device verification have been performed successfully.
US09686390B2

An attachable electronic device holder includes a substantially horizontal bottom support surface configured to at least partially support a weight of an electronic device. The bottom support surface includes a first edge and a second edge. A first substantially vertical surface is positioned proximate the first edge of the bottom surface and a second substantially vertical surface may be positioned proximate the second edge of the bottom surface. A fastener is attached to at least one of the bottom support surface, the first vertical surface, and the second vertical surface.
US09686389B2

In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises i) an audio transducer; ii) an audio driver plate having an ear-facing side and a non-ear-facing side; iii) a rigid housing substantially circumferentially surrounding the audio driver plate without substantially covering the ear-facing side and non-ear-facing side of the audio driver plate; iv) a front plate mounted on the ear-facing side of the audio driver plate and spaced apart from the audio driver plate; and v) a fixing gasket affixed to the non-ear-facing side of the audio driver plate. In addition, the front plate is adapted to be compressed against an ear-facing portion of an audio transducer holding device and the fixing gasket adapted to be compressed against a non-ear-facing portion of the audio transducer holding device, whereby the audio transducer is adapted to be held within the audio transducer holding device by compressive force on both the fixing gasket and the front plate.
US09686387B2

A mobile device includes a housing; a flexible display mounted in the housing; an actuator coupled to the flexible display; a processor; and a computer readable medium with computer-executable instruction stored thereon, that when executed by the processor cause the processor to initiate operations including: generating a vibratory notification by sending a command signal to the actuator to alter a position of the flexible display.
US09686377B2

A system for zero-footprint screen capture, comprising a communication server software module, a screen capture server software module, a web server software module, and a media upload server software module, wherein the web server, on receiving a request for a specific web page from a client application whose screen is to be captured, uploads a persistent screen capture software application to the client, and further wherein, upon receiving a connection request from the screen capture application, establishes a persistent connection to the screen capture application and, on receiving a notification from the communication server pertaining to an interaction involving a user of the client application, sends instructions via the persistent connection to the screen capture application, and wherein the media upload server receives via the established connection to the uploaded screen capture application one or more data packets containing screen capture graphics data.
US09686376B2

The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for data interaction, and the method includes: obtaining required times of data interaction between valid applications in a background application mode and a network; selecting a minimum required time from the current required times as a target required time of data interaction, and starting timing; when the target required time expires, obtaining each valid application whose current required time of data interaction is between two consecutive target required times, and determining the valid application as a target application; and activating a packet data protocol PDP, establishing a data link between the target application and the network, and performing data interaction, and then restarting timing.
US09686368B2

A method and system for aggregating capabilities from multiple endpoints associated with a user are provided. The system aggregates the capabilities of the endpoints associated with a user into an aggregate view of available modes of communication for reaching the user. Then, the system publishes the aggregate view so that other users who want to send communications to the user will know the modes of communication available for that user. In addition, the system may designate certain modes of communication as preferred or as capable of reaching the user.
US09686365B2

System and computer-based method for automatically distributing information upon the occurrence of predefined events is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a tool that provides an intuitive interface that allows users to easily create content to be stored and delivered to a recipient upon the occurrence of a predefined event related to the location of the recipient. Location data may be retrieved from the recipient's mobile device, or social media websites. The system provides a valuable location-based information delivery system that allows for shared experience capability across time.
US09686364B2

Systems and methods providing a location-aware resource locator model for facilitating communication with networked electronic devices are generally disclosed herein. One embodiment includes a resource locator using a standard Uniform Resource Locator (URL) format, but enabling identification of one or more devices based on logical location information provided in the resource locator. The resource locator may also enable identification of the one or more devices based on logical proximity information (such as a logical term indicating a location property) relative to a dynamic location. Further disclosed embodiments include uses of a hierarchical structure to define logical terms and classes for use with a resource locator, and various location determination and lookup techniques used in connection with accessing an electronic device.
US09686362B2

An access point and a method for controlling an IoT (Internet of Things) device, using the access point. The method includes receiving a request for a service list from a user terminal through a smart access point communication with one or more IoT devices provided in one space; providing a list of virtual objects which are able to be provided out of virtual objects corresponding to the one or more IoT devices to the user terminal as the service list; receiving a control service request generated from the service list of the user terminal; identifying an IoT device corresponding to the control service request and requesting the identified IoT device for IoT control; and renewing a state of a virtual object corresponding to the identified IoT device based on a response of the identified IoT device and transmitting information on the state renewal to the user terminal.
US09686358B2

A method for caching in a network includes determining popularities for a plurality of data files based on requests for the plurality of data files. The method includes sending random packets of the plurality of data files to at least one destination based on the popularities. The method may include ranking the plurality of data files from a most popular data file to a least popular data file using the determined popularities. The method may include selecting, for each data file, a number of random packets based on the ranking, wherein the sending sends the selected number of random packets for each data file.
US09686347B2

A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for managing resources in a server environment. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, to shut down a first resource consumer, wherein the first resource consumer is assigned a first virtual resource with a first set of one or more host resources. It is determined, by one or more processors, whether a second virtual resource assigned to a second resource consumer requires the first set of one or more host resources. If the second virtual resource assigned to the second resource consumer does not require the first set of one or more host resources, it is determined, by one or more processors, not to deactivate the one or more host resources assigned to the first virtual resource.
US09686335B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for connecting one or more mobile communication devices so that each device's data connections can be bundled to create a virtual connection to provide increased data communications bandwidth for one or more of the mobile communication devices to access applications and data on the Internet.
US09686332B1

Disclosed are various embodiments for a manifest generation service. A manifest generation service determines a bit rate for an on demand content stream to a client. A manifest is generated indicating a source for content at the determined bit rate. The bit rate is determined and manifests are generated repeatedly to adapt to changes in network conditions during the stream.
US09686331B2

A system for delivering content over a network includes a server. The server is configured to divide the content into multiple segments, to create multiple data streams using the segments of the content, and to transmit each of the data streams via a respective multicast session, wherein a copy of each of the multiple segments is transmitted during a single time slot of the multicast session.
US09686327B2

In a method for determining active communication sessions, a request to determine active communication sessions is received. Queries as to whether communication sessions are currently active are sent to at least two communication session servers. The respective query answers that indicate one or more active communication sessions being controlled by the respective communication server are received. A first answer that indicates one or more active communication sessions being controlled by the at least two respective communication servers is sent. A communication session information server executes the method.
US09686323B1

A method and apparatus for sequencing remote desktop connections. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, at a processor, a session exchange request from a first client in a first connection to a remote desktop; selecting, by the processor, a second client for connection to the remote desktop based on the session exchange request; configuring, by the processor, the second client; and orchestrating, by the processor, a second connection between the second client and the remote desktop.
US09686320B2

Technologies, systems, and methods for ordered message delivery that avoid message races or crisscrosses between communicating nodes. For example, if Node A sends message 3 towards Node B and, shortly thereafter, Node B sends message X to Node A, Node A would like to know whether or not message X reflects Node B's state after receiving message 3. If Node B received message 3 prior to sending message X, then proper state may be maintained between the nodes. But if messages 3 and X crisscrossed, or if message 3 was never properly received by Node B, then the state between the nodes may be corrupt. Technologies, systems, and methods are provided to avoid such corruption.
US09686318B2

Improper communication using modified software is inhibited without checking game data itself. A system according to one embodiment realizes provision of an online game to a login user with HTTP communication between the server and the client terminal. The HTTP communication includes transmitting, by a terminal device, a HTTP request to which a sequence number of the terminal side is attached; checking, by the server, validity of the HTTP request based on comparison between the sequence number of the login user stored in the server and the sequence number attached to the HTTP request; updating, by the server, the sequence number according to a predetermined update rule; transmitting, by the server, a HTTP response; and updating, by the terminal device, the sequence number in the terminal device according to the predetermined update rule.
US09686317B2

A network is described herein which can control, through subscriber profile data and/or policy preconfigured control data, whether deep packet inspection for data flow/s for an Internet Protocol-Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session established by an end user should take place, or not, according to a defined “User Privacy Policy”, and, in the former case, to which traffic detection function (TDF) node the data flow(s) should be directed.
US09686314B2

Systems and methods for matching and scoring sameness. In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided, comprising acts of: detecting a plurality of digital interactions at different points in time; for each digital interaction of the plurality of digital interactions: identifying from the digital interaction an anchor value X of an anchor type T; and updating a profile of the anchor value X.
US09686313B2

A clickjacking protector in an electronic system helps prevent unwanted clickjacking. The elements clicked on by the click position are evaluated to determine whether any of the elements clicked on by the click position is obscured (including being transparent or partially transparent). A protective action is generated in response to a determination that an element clicked on by the click position is obscured.
US09686312B2

In one embodiment, a device receives a classifier tracking request from a coordinator device that specifies a classifier verification time period. During the classifier verification time period, the device classifies a set of network traffic that includes traffic observed by the device and attack traffic specified by the coordinator device. The device generates classification results based on the classified set of network traffic and provides the classification results to the coordinator device.
US09686308B1

Techniques for detecting and/or handling target attacks in an enterprise's email channel are provided. The techniques include receiving aspects of an incoming email message addressed to a first email account holder, selecting a recipient interaction profile and/or a sender profile from a plurality of predetermined profiles stored in a memory based upon the received properties, determining a message trust rating associated with the incoming email message based upon the incoming email message and the selected recipient interaction profile and/or the sender profile; and generating an alert identifying the incoming email message as including a security risk based upon the determined message trust rating. The recipient interaction profile includes information associating the first email account holder and a plurality of email senders from whom email messages have previously been received for the first email account holder, and the sender profile includes information associating a sender of the incoming email message with characteristics determined from a plurality of email messages previously received from the sender.
US09686301B2

An analysis trigger monitoring system is provided in one or more virtual assets. One or more analysis trigger parameters, including security threat patterns, are defined and analysis trigger data is generated. The one or more analysis trigger monitoring systems are used to monitor at least a portion of the message traffic sent to, or sent from, the one or more virtual assets to detect any message including one or more of the one or more analysis trigger parameters. Any detected message is identified as a potential security threat and is assigned a threat score, which is provided to the virtual asset. A copy of at least a portion of any detected message including one or more of the one or more analysis trigger parameters is then transferred to one or more analysis systems for further analysis using a second communication channel.
US09686283B2

Embodiments are directed to using a hash signature of a rendered DOM object of a website to find similar content and behavior on other websites. Embodiments break a DOM into a large number of data portions (i.e., “shingles”), apply a hashing algorithm to the shingles, select a predetermined number of hashes from the hashed shingles according to a selection criteria to create a hash signature, and compare the hash signature to that of a reference page to determine similarity of website DOM object content. Embodiments can be used to identify phishing websites, defaced websites, spam websites, significant changes in the content of a webpage, copyright infringement, and any other suitable purposes related to the similarity between website DOM object content.
US09686271B2

A method and system for controlling online user account using a mobile device. The method includes receiving an option to lock an online account of a user from a service provider. The computer-implemented method also includes locking the online user account by using a mobile device. Further, the computer-implemented method includes initiating a user action at a later point of time. Furthermore, the computer-implemented method includes receiving an alert to unlock the online user account in order to perform the user action and obtaining an unlock password from the service provider. Moreover, the computer-implemented method includes unlocking the online user account with the unlock password by using the mobile device and performing the user action subsequent to the unlocking, thereby controlling the online user account using the mobile device. The system includes a computing device, a web browser, a service provider and a mobile device.
US09686268B2

A method begins by a processing module receiving a dispersed storage network (DSN) access request that includes a requester identifier (ID), wherein the requester ID is associated with a certificate chain. When the certificate chain is valid, the method continues with the processing module accessing registry information for the DSN. The method continues with the processing module identifying one of a plurality of access control lists based on at least one of information associated with the requester ID and information associated with the certificate chain, identifying one or more entries of the one of the plurality of access control lists based on the information associated with the certificate chain to produce one or more identified entries, and generating, for the DSN access request, permissions from one or more sets of permissions associated with the one or more identified entries.
US09686267B2

A client system associated with a user includes at least one hardware processor configured to initiate the following operations. A modified login page is received from a proxy hardware system. An asynchronous engine is loaded by a browser system executing on the client system and caused by a routine from the modified login page. A login process with an authentication profiling service is executed, using the asynchronous engine, to retrieve login information for a back-end server. The authentication process with the back-end server is completed using the asynchronous engine. The modified logic page is generated by the proxy hardware system by adding the routine to a login page being sent from the back-end server to the browser.
US09686258B2

A method to authenticate a first computer system over a network to a second computer system is disclosed. A login user interface (UI) is presented to a user of the first computer system while disconnected from the second computer system. The login UI presents at least one input field to receive login input from the user and a security indicator that has been previously selected by the user and that is local to the first computer system. Login input is selectively received from the user based on a determination that the user recognizes the security indicator as having been previously selected by the user. A connection is established between the first computer system and the second computer system over the network. The received user input is transmitted using the established connection to the second computer system for authentication of the first computer system.
US09686247B2

A method for determining a compute amount contributed by a device is provided. The method comprises receiving encrypted data from a processor of a customer system and parsing the encrypted data into a plurality of encrypted subsets. Then, the method associates a token specific to the device with an encrypted subset of the plurality of encrypted subsets to produce a packaged subset. The packaged subset is sent to the device. In response, a processed packaged subset that includes the token is received. The compute time contributed by the device is determined from the token of the processed packaged subset.
US09686246B2

Methods and systems of authenticating electronic identification (ID) documents may provide for receiving a decryption key and an encrypted ID document from a certificate authority server at a mobile device, wherein the encrypted ID document includes a read only document having a photograph of an individual. Additionally, the decryption key may be applied to the encrypted ID document to obtain a decryption result in response to a display request. The decryption result can be output via a display of the mobile device, wherein the encrypted ID document can be sent to a challenge terminal if a challenge request is received.
US09686243B1

A method and apparatus for encrypted universal resource identifier (URI) based messaging is described. In one embodiment of the method, a server computing system receives an encrypted message from a first client computing system over a network, decrypts the encrypted message, stores the decrypted message in a message data store, and generates a shortened uniform resource locator (URL) for subsequent retrieval of the stored message. The server computing system sends the shortened URL to the first client computing system. Subsequently, the server computing system receives from a requesting computing system, a request, including the shortened URL, to retrieve the stored message, encrypts the stored message in a uniform resource identifier (URI) with an encryption type URI, and sends the encrypted URI to the requesting computing system.
US09686241B1

A method for detection and use of device identifiers to enhance the security of data transfers between electronic devices. A first electronic device can transmit access data to a second electronic device. The access data can be associated with a first access code that can be generated based at least in part on data representing a device identifier of the first electronic device. A device identifier can uniquely identify the first electronic device from a plurality of electronic devices. Transferring the access data can involve transforming the first access code into a second access code that can include data representing a device identifier associated with the second electronic device. Transforming the first access code into the second access code can facilitate access to a resource associated with the access data for a second user, but not for a first user.
US09686240B1

Systems and methods discussed herein relate to enabling communications between IPv4 and IPv6 hosts using a communication channel in a trusted security zone associated with a first host to determine the IP-versions and/or other security features that may be present or enabled on the first host or the second host.
US09686239B2

To securely transmit data from a communication terminal (TC) to an application server (SA) over a telecommunications network (RT), the communication terminal (TC) being connected to the application server (SA) via an unsecure access network (RAns) and being able to communicate with the application server (SA) via at least one secure access network (RAs), the communication terminal (TC) switches the connection with the application server (SA) from the unsecure access network (RAns) to a secure access network (RAs), when personal data (DonP) is likely to be entered or is entered by the user, transmits the personal data (DonP) to the application server (SA) via the secure access network (RAs), and switches the connection with the application server (SA) from the secure access network (RAs) to an unsecure access network (RAns).
US09686233B2

A method is described for calculating a first hash of a packet application layer payload at an inside sensor before a boundary, and storing a first hash data record at a device that has direct access to the inside sensor. A second hash of the packet application layer payload can be calculated at an outside sensor after the boundary, and a second hash data record can be stored at a device that has direct access to the outside sensor. The packet can be transmitted from a client to a server, or from a server to a client, and the boundary is between the client and the server. The first hash data record and second hash data record can include a hash value, an IP address, and a timestamp. Finally, a determination can be made whether the first hash data record and the second hash data record match.
US09686230B2

In onse aspect, there is provided a method for the management of Application Server AS-related user data stored in a Home Subscriber Server HSS. In an embodiment, said method comprises a step of: HSS and at least one Application Server AS, referred to as validating AS, exchanging information for the validation of a management request received at the HSS.
US09686226B1

A domain name system (DNS) server. The domain name system server comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application receives an invalid domain name system address query and, in response to the invalid domain name system address query, returns a query response comprising a loop-back internet protocol address and a time to live value of less than about ten seconds.
US09686214B2

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment and provide a method, system and computer program product for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a request from an IM user to queue an unattended status and time-based message, retrieving a recovery trigger for the unattended status and time-based message, and assigning the unattended status and time-based message to a message queue.
US09686213B2

Method and device of recommending public social network accounts on a social network platform are disclosed. The method includes: a user device obtaining a user profile of a user account of the social network platform, the user profile including at least identity and online behavior information of a user associated with the user account; selecting one or more information items from the user profile in accordance with a matching algorithm for selecting the recommended public social network accounts; running the matching algorithm to obtain at least one recommended public social network account that matches the selected information items; and recommending the at least one public social network account to the user associated with the user account.
US09686203B2

In one embodiment, a system includes a hardware processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to classify a traffic flow into a traffic class based on at least one criteria related to the traffic flow and request that a credit manager remap flow credits corresponding to a first traffic class to flow credits corresponding to a second traffic class. In another embodiment, a method for providing credit-based flow control includes classifying a traffic flow into a traffic class based on at least one criteria related to the traffic flow, the traffic class being selected from a plurality of traffic classes. The method also includes storing an identifier indicating the traffic class of packets of the traffic flow according to a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier in a three bit VLAN tag portion of a header of one or more of the packets.
US09686193B2

Aspects of this disclosure relate to filtering network data transfers. In some variations, multiple packets may be received. A determination may be made that a portion of the packets have packet header field values corresponding to a packet filtering rule. Responsive to such a determination, an operator specified by the packet filtering rule may be applied to the portion of packets having the packet header field values corresponding to the packet filtering rule. A further determination may be made that one or more of the portion of the packets have one or more application header field values corresponding to one or more application header field criteria specified by the operator. Responsive to such a determination, at least one packet transformation function specified by the operator may be applied to the one or more of the portion of the packets.
US09686187B2

Method and system for providing distributed domains in a fiber channel fabric including determining a domain configuration of a resource, retrieving one or more current domain configuration parameters, determining a list of domains in a fiber channel fabric, and generating an updated domain list for the resource in the fabric is disclosed.
US09686177B2

Disclosed is a system and method for the delivery of multi-unicast communication traffic. A multimedia router is adapted to analyze and identify contents which it handles and one or more access nodes are adapted to receive one or more of the identified contents, cache contents based on said identification; and use cached contents as substitutes for redundant traffic, received by the same access node.
US09686171B1

A computer-implemented method for attributing input/output statistics in storage area networks to region-mapped entities may include (1) identifying a plurality of regions of at least one volume within a storage area network, (2) monitoring an input/output statistic of at least one component within the storage area network that is attributable to input/output to a region within the plurality of regions of the volume, (3) determining that a region-mapped entity is responsible for the input/output to the region of the volume, and (4) attributing the input/output statistic of the component to the region-mapped entity responsible for the input/output to the region of the volume. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09686170B2

Delay in the allocation of resources can be measured for a set of sequential requests for the resources. A start time for the receipt of the first request of the set can be recorded, followed by the incrementing of a request start time counter, with the current time minus the recorded start time, for each subsequently received request. A total time counter can be incremented, with the current time minus recorded start time, for each request allocation, and a request counter can be incremented for each request allocation. When determining that all received requests have been allocated, and decrementing the total time counter by the request start time counter, it is possible to determine an average delay time from the total time counter value divided by the request counter value.
US09686169B2

Systems and methods for accurately calculating the latency of a data-network, by providing an electronic device that receives data packets moving across a network data point and compares their time of arrival with a timestamp stored within a data packet. The electronic device may calculate the average latency by comparing N number of data packets. Further systems and methods for comparing the latencies at N number of electronic devices placed at unique network data points and calculating latencies between each device.
US09686167B2

An apparatus comprising a node configured to transmit operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) connectivity frames, wherein the node adds an impairment notification indication to some, but not all of OAM connectivity frames transmitted by the node, wherein the impairment notification indication indicates the node's desire to receive notification of an impairment condition along the path. A network component comprising a receiver unit configured to receive multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) Ping frames, a circuit logic configured to add a downstream link impairment indication to responses to the MPLS-Ping frames, wherein the downstream link impairment indication comprises a type and a severity level for a path impairment condition, and a transmitter unit configured to transmit the responses to the transmitted MPLS-Ping frames.
US09686166B2

The network monitoring system collects transmission and/or receive power level information from a plurality of customer premise devices connected to the same distribution node for each of a plurality of network distribution nodes. For an individual network distribution node, the network monitoring system calculates a set of fluctuation parameters including a group power level deviation metric, e.g., a modified standard deviation ratio. The network monitoring system evaluates the generated fluctuation parameters and responds, e.g., outputting a fluctuations report, modifying a data collection profile being used by a set of customer premise devices corresponding to a distribution node, commanding diagnostics to be performed on a portion of the network and/or directing a service technician. The network monitoring system compares generated fluctuation parameters corresponding to different distribution nodes, and uses the results of the comparison to assign priority with regard to the assignment of limited available troubleshooting and repair resources.
US09686157B2

A network monitoring system that summarizes a plurality of data packets of a session into a compact session record for storage and processing. Each session record may be produced in real-time and made available during the session and/or after the termination of the session. Depending on protocols, a network monitoring system extracts different sets of information, removes redundant information from the plurality of data packets, and adds performance information to produce the session record. The network monitoring system may retrieve and process a single session record or multiple session records for the same or different protocols to determine cause of events, resolve issues in a network or evaluate network performance or conditions. The session record enables analysis in the units of session instead of individual packets. Hence, the network monitoring system can analyze events, issues or performance of the network more efficiently and effectively.
US09686154B2

A method and associated system of automatically generating an entry of a service catalog of a cloud-computing environment as a function of discovered attributes of a virtual machine provisioned in a non-cloud computing environment. A cloud-management platform of the cloud-computing environment analyzes and compares results of infrastructure-discovery and application-discovery tools that describe a business application or a virtual service provisioned on the virtual machine. The cloud-management platform, or a related service-catalog generating entity, uses these analyzed and compared results to automatically generate a service-catalog entry that represents or describes a cloud business application or service associated with the virtual machine, and enters the automatically generated entry into the service catalog. When a user of the cloud-computing environment requests the cloud business application or service, the cloud-management platform may then offer the business application or service as a function of the automatically generated entry.
US09686147B2

A remote management system includes a service providing apparatus enabling access to a providing source that provides a service and a management apparatus managing an apparatus via a network. Further the service providing apparatus includes a generation unit generating an acquisition request command and a response unit transmitting a response in combination with the acquisition request command. The management apparatus includes a registration unit registering the apparatus information of the apparatus in association with the identification information and a management unit managing the apparatus using the apparatus information registered by the registration unit.
US09686146B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an approach for reconfiguring interrelationships between components of virtual computing networks (e.g., a grid computing network, a local area network (LAN), a cloud computing network, etc.). In a typical embodiment, a set of information pertaining to a set of components associated with a virtual computing network is received in a computer memory medium or the like. Based on the set of information, a graphical representation (e.g., hierarchical tree) depicting the set of interrelationships between the set of components is generated. When a failure in the virtual computing network is detected, at least one of the set of interrelationships between the set of components is reconfigured based on the graphical representation and the set of rules to address the failure.
US09686139B2

The present disclosure discloses a method for automatically setting network connection parameters in a networking device, comprising: accessing a network; acquiring all network connection manners supported by the network; selecting a network connection manner to be used from the acquired network connection manners; and automatically setting network connection parameters for the selected network connection manner. Accordingly, the efficiency of setting network connection parameters may be improved.
US09686130B2

Disclosed are various embodiments for managing configuration changes applied to node devices in a network. Expected and target configuration files for a node are obtained, where the configuration files specify various parameters with corresponding values. A computing device determines a different one of the parameters having different corresponding values between the configuration files. A governing one of the parameters on which the different parameter depends is determined based at least in part upon a parameter reference. The computing device calculates a checksum for the governing parameter based at least in part upon a corresponding value of the governing parameter. Instructions are generated to calculate a checksum for the governing parameter currently configured in the node. The instructions further specify that, in response to the checksums matching, the different parameter in the node should be configured with a corresponding value of the different parameter as specified by the target configuration file.
US09686124B2

Communication network architectures, systems and methods for supporting a network of mobile nodes. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide communication network architectures, systems, and methods for supporting a dynamically configurable communication network comprising a complex array of both static and moving communication nodes (e.g., the Internet of moving things).
US09686121B2

Methods and apparatus for client-premise resource control using provider-defined interfaces are described. A set of programmatic interfaces enabling clients to submit registration requests is implemented. A registration request indicates resources located at a data center external to a provider network as candidate targets for control operation requests issued via a different set of programmatic interfaces associated with a service of the provider network. A network connection is established between a particular resource indicated in a registration request, and an administrative resource located within a data center of the provider network. In response to a particular control operation request received via a programmatic interface of the different set, a control command is transmitted from the administrative resource to the particular resource via the network connection.
US09686120B2

A relocation mechanism in a multi-nodal computer environment dynamically routes processing units in a distributed computer system based on incoming physical data into the processing unit. The relocation mechanism makes an initial location decision to place a processing unit onto a node in the distributed computer system. The relocation mechanism monitors physical data flowing into a processing unit or node and dynamically relocates the processing unit to another type of node within the ‘cloud’ of nodes based on the type of physical data or pattern of data flowing into the processing unit. The relocation mechanism may use one or more rules with criteria for different data types observed in the data flow to optimize when to relocate the processing units.
US09686118B1

Methods and systems for implementing an abstraction layer for streaming data sources are disclosed. A request to perform an operation based on one or more keys is received using a key-value interface. A streaming data source is selected based on the request. The operation is performed using the streaming data source, wherein the operation comprises storing or retrieving one or more values based on the one or more keys.
US09686114B2

An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for communicating one or more symbols with multiple pilot signals and nulls. In use, one or more symbols are communicated including a plurality of pilot signals and a plurality of nulls, for use in generating a plurality of coefficients.
US09686109B2

A wireless communication device has an analog control loop circuitry that generates an analog control signal to adjust a phase of a voltage controlled oscillation signal, in accordance with a phase of a reception signal, a digital control loop circuitry that generates a digital control signal having a frequency determined by a frequency of a reference signal and a predetermined frequency setting code signal and having a phase opposite to a phase of the analog control signal, a voltage controlled oscillator that generates the voltage controlled oscillation signal, on the basis of the analog control signal and the digital control signal, and a data slicer that generates a digital signal obtained by digital demodulation of the reception signal, on the basis of a comparison result of the digital control signal and a predetermined threshold value.
US09686105B2

The present disclosure provides a crystal-less clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit and a frequency detection method thereof. The CDR circuit includes a clock generator and a frequency detection module. The clock generator is operable to generate a clock signal. The frequency detection module coupled to the clock generator is configured for outputting a control signal to the clock generator to increase or decrease the frequency of the clock signal according to a data signal received and a transition density.
US09686089B2

Disclosed is a method of transmitting, from an enhanced Node B (eNB), an indication of an uplink/downlink (UL-DL) subframe configuration of a scheduling cell and a scheduled cell in a wireless time-division duplex (TDD) system. Embodiments include identifying the type of the UL-DL subframe configuration of the scheduling cell and determining a UL-DL subframe configuration to use for UL resource allocation of the scheduled cell. Other embodiments include identifying a reference UL-DL subframe configuration to use for UL resource allocation of the scheduled cell.
US09686085B2

A social network system includes one or more participant terminals operable to act as a client on a social network and a computer operable to act as a server on the social network and to communicate with each of the participant terminals over the social network. The computer includes: a memory configured to store a set of instructions; and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions. The set of instructions cause the processor to generate a drop down banner as part of a page of a user. The banner is expandable and retractable by reader commands by invoking a control icon.
US09686084B2

Systems and methods for accomplishing charging operations in a communications network in which a plurality of charging and enforcement (CaE) components operate as enforcement points for a single data communication may include receiving in a server computing device usage records from a first CaE component and a second CaE component, generating correlated usage records by using a common Service Data Flow (SDF) to correlate the one or more usage records received from the first CaE component with the one or more records received from the second CaE component, and using the correlated usage records to determine a charge value that identifies correct charges to be applied.
US09686072B2

A system obtains assurance by a content provider that a content control key is securely stored in a remote security module for further secure communications between the content provider and the security module. A security module manufacturer, which has a pre-established trustful relation with the security module, imports a symmetric transport key into the security module. The symmetric transport key is unique to the security module. The content provider shares the symmetric transport key with the security module manufacturer. The content provider exchanging messages with the security module through a security module communication manager in order to get the proof that the security module stores the content control key. At least a portion of the messages exchanged between the content provider and the security module are protected using the symmetric transport key. The symmetric transport key is independent of said content control key.
US09686069B2

Techniques to adaptively apply interference rejection combining (IRC) for signal demodulation, include estimating an impairment covariance matrix, computing an interference correlation metric based on the determinant of the estimated impairment covariance matrix, selecting an interference correlation threshold, comparing the interference correlation metric with the threshold to determine if IRC should be used for demodulation, estimating a desired signal covariance matrix, computing a desired signal correlation metric based on the determinant of the desired signal covariance matrix, selecting desired signal correlation threshold, comparing the desired signal correlation metric with the desired signal correlation threshold to select one of the supported detection algorithms, filtering the received signal and associated channel matrix, and passing the whitened signal and channel matrix to the selected detection algorithm to generate estimates of code bits, if IRC is enabled. If IRC is disabled, no whitening is applied to the received signal and channel matrix.
US09686068B2

A method, user equipment, network device, and software product employ indicators from a plurality of respective cells to indicate a difference, if any, regarding allocation in the respective cell as compared to neighbor cells. Mobility measurements are then performed according to the indicators, and also on the basis of configuration of a cell where the measurements are performed.
US09686066B2

A method and terminal for determining channel state information are disclosed. The method includes: a terminal receiving an aperiodic channel state information CSI request, determining a parameter X according to a capability of the terminal processing a CSI process and/or the number of CSI processes y configured currently, and updating up to X aperiodic CSI according to the parameter X; wherein the parameter X is: a total number of CSI processes or reports required to be updated by the terminal at the same moment in one or more aperiodic CSI requests.
US09686063B2

For an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH), unlimited traffic-to-pilot ratio (TPR) variations across resource elements of a physical resource block (PRB) pair is problematic because of the detrimental affect the variations will have on the ability of a user equipment (UE) to perform inter-cell/intra-cell interference suppression (IS) and/or interference cancellation (IC) on EPDCCH of an interfering cell. A TPR limitation is placed on EPDCCH to facilitate IS/IC without causing practical limitations on EPDCCH management by an eNB. Accordingly, a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus identifies a plurality of resource elements of at least one PRB pair for transmitting one or more control channels, divides the plurality of identified resource elements into one or more groups, and restricts a plurality of resource elements in a respective group to a TPR.
US09686058B2

A method for transmitting reduced power-almost blank subframe (r-ABS) setting information from a first cell to a second cell, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a step of the first cell transmitting to the second cell r-ABS pattern information for indicating the r-ABS which is setup by the first cell, and r-ABS power indication information for indicating transmission power of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the first cell from the r-ABS, wherein the PDSCH transmission power of the first cell can be set to a transmission power which is low compared to a common subframe.
US09686054B2

A base station having an input module for receiving a probe signal sent from a terminal device, and a data processor for generating a signature waveform that is based on channel information derived from the probe signal, identifying data symbols intended to be transmitted to the terminal device, and modifying the data symbols based on the channel information. The modification of the data symbols is designed to reduce inter-symbol interference when the data symbols are received by the terminal device. The data processor generates a downlink signal based on the modified data symbols and the signature waveform. The base station generates a wide-band a radio frequency signal based on the downlink signal and transmits the radio frequency signal to the terminal device through a multipath channel such that a portion of the radio frequency signal intended for the terminal device focuses at the terminal device.
US09686052B2

A communication-line-quality estimating apparatus of which a receiver receives from a transmitter a signal including known signals whose phase relation is known between the transmitter and the receiver. The communication-line-quality estimating apparatus includes a pilot adding unit that cumulatively adds up and averages a power value of a noise component calculated by addition or subtraction in a specified combination of the known signals, a first power calculating unit, a first averaging processing unit, a second power calculating unit that cumulatively adds up and averages a power value of the known signals, a second averaging processing unit, and a power-ratio calculating unit that estimates communication line quality using a noise signal power value input from the first averaging processing unit and a reception signal power value input from the second averaging processing unit.
US09686049B2

A method and system for Bluetooth (BT) delayed acknowledgment is presented. Aspects of the system may include an initiator device, such as a WLAN access point (AP), which enables transmission of a protocol data unit, such as a BlockAckReq frame, to a responder device, such as a Smartphone, via a first network, for example a WLAN. The Smartphone may be equipped with capabilities that enable communication via WLAN and Bluetooth networks. The AP may wait to receive a response protocol data unit, such as a BlockAck frame, via the first network (WLAN) for a response time duration. The response time duration may be based on the communication slot time duration for communication by the Smartphone on a second network, for example a BT piconet. The communication slot time duration may correspond to the time duration for a BT slot.
US09686047B2

To perform control of PUSCH retransmission efficiently in a wireless communication system where a mobile station apparatus and a base station apparatus communicate with each other using a plurality of downlink component carriers. In a mobile station apparatus which communicates with a base station apparatus using a plurality of downlink component carriers and a plurality of uplink component carriers, in case that the downlink component carrier corresponding to the uplink component carrier is set not to be used for downlink communication, the mobile station apparatus flushes HARQ buffers of the uplink component carrier associated with the downlink component carrier set not to be used for downlink communication.
US09686044B2

Bits included in each code block of a transport block can be stored to an associated circular buffer and transmitted over a channel. Each circular buffer can vary in size in proportion to a size of the associated code block. Therefore, since in certain operating environments code blocks for a transport block can vary in size, circular buffers can vary in size as well. Accordingly, when not all data from a transport block and/or an array of circular buffers can be transmitted over the channel, each circular buffer from the array can transmit a portion of bits that is proportional to a size of the respective circular buffer (or the associated code block or encoded code block). Furthermore, the number of bits transmitted from each circular buffer can be constrained by an aggregate budget for all circular buffers and can be further constrained to be an integer multiple of a modulation order for the transport block.
US09686040B2

An adaptive modulation coding method includes obtaining an estimated signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) and a packet error rate (PER) of a communication link of a user terminal; setting a first adjustment amount of the SINR of the communication link according to the PER of the communication link; calculating an effective SINR of the communication link according to the estimated SINR of the communication link and the first adjustment amount of the SINR of the communication link; and determining a modulation coding scheme of the communication link according to the effective SINR of the communication link.
US09686029B2

A method and an apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals thereof are disclosed. The apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals comprises an encoder for encoding DP (Data Pipe) data corresponding to each of a plurality of DPs, wherein the each of a plurality of DPs carries at least one service component, a mapper for mapping the encoded DP data onto constellations, a time interleaver for time interleaving the mapped DP data at DP level by skipping cells having zero values of the DP data, a frame builder for building at least one signal frame including the time interleaved DP data, a modulator for modulating data in the built at least one signal frame by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) scheme and a transmitter for transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data.
US09686027B2

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for validating a two-way satellite communication system in an aircraft. The two-way satellite communication system may include a network access unit, a modem, and a satellite antenna assembly. A satellite link emulator may be disposed proximate the aircraft. A validation controller may initiate a validation test of the two-way satellite communication system using the satellite link emulator, including receiving, at the satellite link emulator, a transmitted uplink signal from the satellite antenna assembly, and transmitting, using the satellite link emulator, a downlink signal to the satellite antenna assembly in response to the received uplink signal. A pass/fail indication may be determined based on operation of the network access unit, the modem, and the satellite antenna assembly during the validation test.
US09686024B2

A power detector is described herein that detects a true power provided by power amplifier of an RF transmitter. The power detector may include a plurality of voltage detectors that determine one or more voltages of a power amplifier included in the RF transmitter and/or a transformer included in the RF transmitter. At least one of the voltage detectors may be coupled to a sense inductor that senses one or more magnetic fields emitted by the transformer. The at least one voltage detector coupled to the sense inductor determines the voltage induced across the sense inductor as a result of the sensed magnetic field(s). The determined voltage(s) may be used to determine the load impedance of an antenna of the RF transmitter that transmits the RF signals. The load impedance may be used to accurately measure the power regardless of any impedance mismatches between the power amplifier and the antenna.
US09686017B2

A bias control circuit for an optical modulator including a pair of optical waveguides and a power monitor is disclosed. The bias control circuit includes a bias generator, a differential amplifier, and a controller. The bias generator provides a bias signal to one of the optical waveguides. The bias signal includes a dither signal having a predetermined frequency. The differential amplifier receives a monitor signal from the power monitor and a reference signal, and generates an amplified signal corresponding to a difference between the monitor signal and the reference signal. The controller detects frequency components contained in the amplified signal. The frequency components originates from the dither signal. The controller generates a control signal according to intensity of the frequency components. The bias signal is adjusted according to the control signal provided from the controller.
US09686016B2

An optical transmission apparatus includes: an optical amplifier configured to amplify an optical signal; an optical power adjustment unit configured to adjust power of the optical signal output from the optical amplifier; and a controller configured to control an adjustment amount of the optical power in the optical power adjustment unit, in accordance with optical power control information obtained based on output optical power information per wavelength indicating output optical power that the optical amplifier is capable of outputting depending on a number of wavelengths included in the optical signal, and requisite signal quality information in a reception node which is to receive the optical signal output from the optical amplifier.
US09686010B2

A system (100) for providing resilience in a communication network capable of providing multiple services to multiple customers. The system (100) includes at least one Optical Line Terminal (OLT) (110), and at least one Passive Optical Network (PON) based architecture (115) operably coupled to the at least one OLT (110). The PON based architecture (115) includes at least one down link mechanism (120) operably coupled to the at least one OLT (110). The down link mechanism (120) is capable of transporting optical signals generated by the OLT (110) downstream to users end via the PON based architecture (115) and includes at least one Free Space Optics (FSO) Link (130) configured to operate in a continuous mode both during up linking and down linking. The down link mechanism (120) provides the resilience in the communication network.
US09686008B2

Methods and systems are provided for a protected communications architecture in which a pool of limited availability channels are shared through the transmission of encoded symbols with time-varying path diversity by a pool of users. The communications architecture can be managed by a network controller that stores availability data describing the availability of multiple-access satellite communications channels. The network controller allocates a first user to a first time-varying subset of the plurality of multiple-access satellite or terrestrial communications channels based on the availability data. The network controller updates the availability data based on the allocation of the first user. The network controller allocates a second user to a second time-varying subset of the plurality of multiple-access satellite or terrestrial communications channels based on the updated availability data. This process is repeated until all users are allocated bandwidth based on their priority, demand, and the overall bandwidth available within the pool.
US09686003B2

In an SM-MIMO wireless communication system, multiple transmitting antennae may be utilized to transmit wireless signals that carry signal sequences. A selection of the multiple transmitting antennae may be configured to represent a portion of the signal sequences so that channel state information (CSI) is not required at the receiving end of the SM-MIMO system.
US09685978B2

Disclosed is a serializer, which includes a data signal alignment unit aligning a plurality of data signals with a predetermined phase interval, a transition detection unit detecting a transition of a logic level among the aligned data signals to generate a toggle signal at a transition of the logic level, and a toggle signal conversion unit converting the toggle signal into a serial data signal obtained by serializing the data signals.
US09685973B2

A successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converting method includes executing a sampling operation and a comparing operation according to a conversion clock by using an SAR analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert an analog input signal into a digital output signal, and resetting a sampling and digital-to-analog converting circuit of the SAR ADC when a SAR procedure of the comparing operation is completed.
US09685970B1

An analog-to-digital converting system includes at least one first main analog-to-digital converting unit, at least one second main analog-to-digital converting unit, at least one auxiliary analog-to-digital converting unit, and a calibration unit. Each first main analog-to-digital converting unit is located on a first channel. The first channel includes sample period. Each first main analog-to-digital converting unit receives a first sampling value. Each first sampling value includes a first sample clock. An analog-to-digital converting method calibrates timing-skew of the analog-to-digital converters by delaying a time difference on the sampling value.
US09685965B2

An electronic circuit is described including an oscillator generating an oscillating signal having a cycle responsive to an input signal, a voltage detector producing a detection signal responsive to a power supply voltage, a frequency divider generating a frequency-divided signal obtained by dividing a frequency of the oscillating signal by a frequency-division ratio responsive to the detection signal, and an adder obtaining a sum of a first signal and a second signal and to supply a signal responsive to the sum to the oscillator as the input signal. The first signal is responsive to a difference in phase between the frequency-divided signal and a reference signal, and the second signal is responsive to the detection signal. A related method is also described.
US09685964B1

Methods and digital circuits providing frequency correction to frequency synthesizers are disclosed. An FLL digital circuit is provided that is configured to handle a reference frequency that is dynamic and ranges over a multi-decade range of frequencies. The FLL circuit includes a digital frequency iteration engine that allows for detection of disappearance of a reference frequency. When the digital frequency iteration engine detects that the reference frequency signal is not available, the oscillator generated frequency is not corrected, and the last value of the oscillator generated frequency is held until the reference frequency signal becomes available again.
US09685962B2

A clock data recovery apparatus includes an oscillator, a phase detector and an oscillator control circuit. The oscillator generates an original clock signal. The phase detector includes a first sampling circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, a second sampling circuit and a selecting circuit. The first sampling circuit samples a data signal using the original clock signal to generate a first set of sample results. The frequency dividing circuit divides the original clock signal to generate a frequency divided clock signal. The second sampling circuit performs sampling using the frequency divided clock signal to generate a second set of sample results. The selecting circuit selectively outputs one of the first and second sets of sample results as a final set of sample results. The oscillator control circuit controls the oscillator according to the final set of sample results.
US09685955B2

A gate driver circuit for prevention of an arm short may include a drive controller configured to a gate drive signal, a drive signal transfer portion configured to amplify the gate drive signal and output the amplified gate drive signal, a variable resistance portion configured to change a time constant of the amplified gate drive signal using an internal resistance and output the amplified gate drive signal having the changed time constant to a gate of a semiconductor device, and a resistance controller configured to compare a first DESAT pin voltage of the drive controller with a first predetermined reference value and control the internal resistance of the variable resistance portion using the comparison result with the first predetermined reference value to perform a first driver circuit protection.
US09685953B1

In one form, a logic circuit includes an asynchronous logic circuit, a synchronous logic circuit, and an interface circuit coupled between the asynchronous logic circuit and the synchronous logic circuit. The asynchronous logic circuit has a plurality of asynchronous outputs for providing a corresponding plurality of asynchronous signals. The synchronous logic circuit has a plurality of synchronous inputs corresponding to the plurality of asynchronous outputs, a stretch input for receiving a stretch signal, and a clock output for providing a clock signal. The synchronous logic circuit provides the clock signal as a periodic signal but prolongs a predetermined state of the clock signal while the stretch signal is active. The asynchronous interface detects whether metastability could occur when latching any of the plurality of the asynchronous outputs of the asynchronous logic circuit using said clock signal, and activates the stretch signal while the metastability could occur.
US09685947B2

A pulse-transformer-based isolated gate driver circuit uses a small count of high-temperature-qualified components to drive a power semiconductor switch with asymmetrical voltage biases. A differential driver generates a pulse signal from a pulse-width-modulated signal, which is passed to a charge and lock circuit through a transformer. The charge and lock circuit includes an activation path and a deactivation path, which are selectively open to current flow based on positive or negative voltage pulses in the pulse signal, to selectively turn the main semiconductor switch on or off. The charge and lock circuit can lock voltage across the main semiconductor switch to keep the main semiconductor switch in an “on” or and “off” state.
US09685946B2

An RF switching device having distributed shunt switches distributed along transmission lines to improve RF bandwidth as well as the signal isolation of the device. The shunt switches may be physically positioned on both sides of the transmission lines to keep an integrated circuit (IC) design essentially symmetrical so as to provide predictable and reliable operational characteristics. Some embodiments include stacked FET shunt switches and series switches to tolerate high voltages. In some embodiments, the gate resistor for each FET shunt switch is divided into two or more portions.
US09685943B2

Radio-frequency (RF) switch circuits are disclosed providing improved switching performance. An RF switch system includes at least one field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between a first node and a second node, each having a respective source, drain, gate, and body. The system includes a coupling circuit including a first path and a second path, the first path being between the respective source or the respective drain and the respective gate of the at least one FET, the second path being between the respective source or the respective drain and the respective body of the at least one FET. The coupling circuit may be configured to allow discharge of interface charge from either or both of the coupled gate and body.
US09685940B2

Systems and methods for powering up circuits are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for power up comprises comparing a voltage of a first supply rail with a voltage of a second supply rail, and determining whether the voltage of the first supply rail is within a predetermined amount of the voltage of the second supply rail for at least a predetermined period of time based on the comparison. The method also comprises initiating switching of a plurality of switches coupled between the first and second supply rails upon a determination that the voltage of the first supply rail is within the predetermined amount of the voltage of the second supply rail for at least the predetermined period of time.
US09685933B2

A notch filter is controlled synchronously with a chopper to filter out chopping ripple. In one embodiment, the notch filter is coupled to the differential output of the chopper and includes a sampling capacitor, a hold capacitor, and a second set of switches between the sampling capacitor and the hold capacitor. The second set of switches is temporarily closed once per chopper switching cycle to transfer charge from the sampling capacitor to the hold capacitor such that the ripple from the chopper is not transferred to the hold capacitor. The voltage across the hold capacitor may be coupled to any other circuit, such as to the differential inputs of an amplifier.
US09685919B2

Systems and methods are provided for amplifying multiple input signals to generate multiple output signals. An example system includes: a first channel configured to receive a first input signal and a second input signal and generate a first output signal and a second output signal based at least in part on the first input signal and the second input signal; and a second channel configured to receive a third input signal and a fourth input signal and generate a third output signal and a fourth output signal based at least in part on the third input signal and the fourth input signal. A first differential signal is equal to the first input signal minus the second input signal. A second differential signal is equal to the third input signal minus the fourth input signal. The first output signal corresponds to a first phase.
US09685913B2

An autozero amplifier may include a window comparator network to monitor an output offset of a differential amplifier. The autozero amplifier may also include an integrator to receive a signal from a latched window comparator network, and send an adjustment signal back to the differential amplifier to reduce an offset of the differential amplifier.
US09685911B2

In a power amplifier module for performing slope control of a transmitting signal, a gain variation due to a variation in battery voltage is suppressed while suppressing an increase in circuit size. The power amplifier module includes: a first regulator for outputting a first voltage corresponding to a control voltage for controlling a signal level; a second regulator for outputting a second voltage that rises as a battery voltage drops; a first amplifier supplied with the first voltage as a power-supply voltage to amplify an input signal and output an amplified signal; and a second amplifier for amplifying the amplified signal, wherein the second amplifier includes a first amplification unit supplied with the second voltage as the power-supply voltage to amplify the amplified signal, and a second amplification unit supplied with the battery voltage as the power-supply voltage to amplify the amplified signal.
US09685910B2

A novel and useful transmitter (TX) architecture for ultra-low power (ULP) radios. An all-digital PLL employs a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) having switching current sources to reduce supply voltage and power consumption without sacrificing phase noise and startup margins. It also reduces 1/f noise allowing the ADPLL after settling to reduce its sampling rate or shut it off entirely during direct DCO data modulation. A switching power amplifier integrates its matching network while operating in class-E/F2 to maximally enhance its efficiency. The transmitter has been realized in 28 nm CMOS and satisfies all metal density and other manufacturing rules. It consumes 3.6 mW/5.5 mW while delivering 0 dBm/3 dBm RF power in Bluetooth Low-Energy.
US09685909B2

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of generating a frequency reference using a solid-state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers. A device may include a solid-state atomic clock to generate a clock frequency signal, the solid-state atomic clock including a solid state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers, which are capable of exhibiting hyperfine transition, wherein the solid-state atomic clock may generate the clock frequency signal based on a hyperfine resonance frequency of the color centers.
US09685908B1

The present invention related to a varactor used in an integrated circuit of a differential structure. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a variable capacitor connected between first and second signal lines which are differential signal lines included in an integrated circuit of a differential structure, including: a plurality of N-type semiconductors separately arranged; one or more P-type semiconductors disposed between the N-type semiconductors to make first and second PN junctions with N-type semiconductors contacting upper and lower portions thereof and to receive a control voltage, wherein, among the N-type semiconductors, first N-type semiconductors corresponding to (2n−1)-th (n being a positive integer) are connected with the first signal line, and second N-type semiconductors corresponding to 2n-th are connected with the second signal line, and parasitic capacitances of the first and second PN junctions are varied by adjusting the control voltage.
US09685905B2

A terminal box includes three or more terminal strips to which output lines of a solar cell module are connected and a box body having an accommodating portion for accommodating the three or more terminal strips. The box body includes inlet holes formed in a face of the box body opposing to the solar cell module and configured for allowing insertion of the output lines corresponding respectively to the three or more terminal strips. The three or more terminal strips include at least two first terminal strips of a same polarity and at least one second terminal strip insulated from the first terminal strips and having the opposite polarity to that of the first terminal strips. The two first terminal strips are electrically connected via a connecting portion disposed on a back face side of the second terminal strip disposed between and aside the two first terminal strips.
US09685902B2

A control system for controlling power supply of an electric machine of an automobile and which contributes to movement thereof, wherein the control system is connected, at an input thereof, to a mechanism estimating a temperature of a rotor of the electric machine and to a temperature sensor measuring a temperature of a stator of the electric machine. The control system includes mappings of a set of values for allocating supply currents of the electric machine on the basis of torque and rotational speed request values received at the input of the control system, and includes a switching mechanism for selecting the mapping, the supply current signals of which are transmitted to the electric machine, on the basis of the signals from the mechanism estimating the temperature of the rotor and from the stator-temperature sensor.
US09685900B2

An electric drive system includes an induction machine and a power converter electrically coupled to the induction machine to drive the induction machine. The power converter comprising a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) switching devices. The electric drive system further includes a controller that is electrically coupled to the power converter and that is programmed to transmit switching signals to the plurality of SiC switching devices at a given switching frequency such that a peak-to-peak current ripple is less than approximately five percent.
US09685896B2

Controlling a stepper motor. A stepper motor is driven towards an index position. An attempt is made to stop the stepper motor on the index position in a fashion that would ordinarily cause the stepper motor to ring at the index position. Characteristics of one or more subsequent pulses that would counteract the ringing are determined. The one or more determined subsequent pulses are issued to the stepper motor.
US09685875B2

A switching power supply includes a main switching element that is connected to a primary coil of a transformer and switches a main current ON/OFF, and a secondary switching element connected in parallel to the main switching element and that has a lower power capacity than the main switching element. The switching power supply also includes a control circuit that controls these switching elements. The control circuit includes: a main driver circuit that generates, in accordance with a control signal generated according to an output voltage from a secondary coil of the transformer, a main drive signal for switching the main switching element ON/OFF; a secondary driver circuit that generates a secondary drive signal for switching the secondary switching element ON/OFF according to the control signal; and an enable control circuit that deactivates the main driver circuit when a power consumption of a load is less than a threshold value.
US09685867B2

A method supplies power from a power source to a load. The method includes, in a first mode, electrically coupling a step-down converter node of a step-down converter alternately to the power source via a conductive bypass path that bypasses a step-up converter and to ground. The step-up converter has an input electrically coupled to the power source and the step-down converter has an output electrically coupled to the load. The method further includes, in a second mode, coupling the step-down converter node alternately to the power source via the bypass path and to an output of the step-up converter.
US09685855B2

A signal amplifying circuit and associated methods and apparatuses, the circuit comprising: a signal path extending from an input terminal to an output terminal, a gain controller arranged to control the gain applied along the signal path in response to a control signal; an output stage within the signal path for generating the output signal, the output stage having a gain that is substantially independent of its supply voltage, and a variable voltage power supply comprising a charge pump for providing positive and negative output voltages, the charge pump comprising a network of switches that is operable in a number of different states and a controller for operating the switches in a sequence of the states so as to generate positive and negative output voltages together spanning a voltage approximately equal to the input voltage.
US09685854B2

A charge pumping method includes: generating a first boosted voltage by boosting an input voltage by a boosting mode of a first multiplier; changing the level of a voltage charged in at least one capacitor provided in the inside of a charge pump circuit, in preparation for a change in the boosting mode; and generating a second boosted voltage by boosting the input voltage by a boosting mode of a second multiplier.
US09685852B2

A power system having a plurality of operating modes including an active mode and an active standby mode includes a power converter and a controller the power converter is configured to adapt a power supply to a desired output, and the power converter includes a plurality of semiconductor switches that receive a gating signal when the power system is in the active mode such that the power converter is in a gating state. The controller controls the power converter in the active mode and the active standby mode, and the controller is configured to: while the power converter is synchronized to the grid, determine whether the power system should enter into the active standby mode in which the power converter is in a non-gating state; when it is determined the power system should enter into the active standby mode, control the power converter to be in a non-gating state such that the power system is in the active standby mode.
US09685842B2

A direct drive motor includes: a motor unit including a stator and a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator; a housing including a first housing to which the stator is fixed and a second housing to which the rotor is fixed; a bearing that rotatably supports the second housing with respect to the first housing; and a rotation detector that detects a rotating state of the motor unit. The rotation detector is a single incremental-type resolver that detects a relative displacement of the rotor with respect to the stator.
US09685828B2

An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor, with the stator being equipped with at least one annular exciter unit that includes a coil and at least two annular yokes, with the rotor being equipped with a structure and at least one annular receiver unit. Each receiver unit includes at least two rows of magnets. Two sides of each yoke include teeth distributed angularly in a regular manner, and the teeth of the two adjacent yokes fit onto a face of the exciter unit, alternately forming north poles and south poles. Each row of the magnets is positioned opposite one face, forming an air gap with the exciter unit, with the electric machine thus including at least two air gaps, with a 3D magnetic flux thus circulating inside the said electric machine, dividing and regrouping itself in the vicinity of the magnets and of the yokes.
US09685824B2

Power supply stand output to the portable device is adjusted according to the power adjustment signals. Maximum power supply stand output is limited to a power output threshold value. The portable device compares the power received from the power supply stand to the required power. When the received power is lower than the required power, the portable device sends a power adjustment signal to the power supply stand, which is an increase-power-request signal. When the received power is greater than the required power, the portable device sends a decrease-power-request signal to the power supply stand. The power supply stand adjusts output and limits it to the power output threshold value. When continuous output of increase-power-request signals from the portable device is detected over a preset time period, a foreign object is determined to be on the power supply stand.
US09685820B2

A system is provided. The system includes a utility, a plurality of uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), a ring bus, at least one load electrically coupled to the plurality of UPSs and the ring bus, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of UPSs, the controller configured to determine a common reference angle while the utility is disconnected from at least one UPS of the plurality of UPSs, calculate a phase angle for each UPS of the plurality of UPSs, wherein the phase angle for each UPS is calculated relative to the common reference angle, and control operation of each UPS based on the respective calculated phase angles.
US09685818B2

An electrochemical and photovoltaic secondary cell formed by an electrolyte provided between a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode including a layer based on a semi-conductor material configured to convert photons into electrons.
US09685814B1

An inductive charging system can include a transmitter device and a receiver device. The transmitter device may be adapted to detect when a receiver coil in the receiver device is coupled to a transmitter coil in the transmitter device. For example, the current input into a DC-to-AC converter in the transmitter device can be measured and coil coupling detected when the current equals or exceeds a threshold value.
US09685813B2

Disclosed is a radio communication apparatus that avoids useless communication to another radio communication apparatus in non-line of sight when the apparatus performs radio communication with the other apparatus while receiving electric supply from the other apparatus. In this apparatus, a radio electric reception section determines whether the electric reception level from the other apparatus is equal to or greater than a first threshold. When the electric reception level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, a radio communication control section controls a radio communication section so that radio communication with the other apparatus starts. After the start of radio communication, the radio electric reception section determines whether the electric reception level is less than a second threshold. When the electric reception level is less than the second threshold, the radio communication control section controls the radio communication section so that the radio communication being performed stops.
US09685806B2

A power connector for use in charging a battery of a device is provided. The power connector has an electromagnetic switch having terminals used to supply power from an external power source to a power adapter which is connected to the battery of the device. A power sensing circuit is coupled between the terminals of the electromagnetic switch and the power adapter, wherein the electromagnetic switch is configured to shut off power supplied to the power adapter when the power sensing circuit detects that the battery is fully charged. A reset mechanism is configured to mechanically activate the electromagnetic switch to start supplying power to the power adapter.
US09685804B2

A device and method for charging and testing an animal stimulus receiver is provided herein.
US09685800B2

A charging/discharging device includes a charging/discharging connector that electrically connects a storage battery and the charging/discharging device, a cable that is connected to the charging/discharging connector at one end and is connected to the charging/discharging device at the other end, a power conversion unit, a control unit that controls an operation of the power conversion unit, and an abnormality detection unit that outputs an abnormality detection signal for stopping an operation of the power conversion unit to at least any of the control unit and the power conversion unit, when an output from a comparator and an ON signal from the control unit are input to an AND circuit.
US09685799B2

A storage battery controller includes a charging/discharging rate setter which sets a rate at which the battery is charged/discharged to approximate the power system frequency to rated frequency; and a charge and discharge controller which controls charge and discharge of the battery, in which the gain adjuster: when the measured charge level is lower than a lower limit of a normal range and the obtained power system frequency is within a first non-sensitive zone ranging from a first frequency lower than the rated frequency to the rated frequency, decreases the charging rate to a predetermined percentage of the charging rate; and when the measured frequency is higher than an upper limit of the normal range and the obtained power system frequency is within a second non-sensitive zone ranging from a second frequency higher than the rated frequency to the rated frequency, adjusts the discharging rate to decrease the discharging rate.
US09685796B2

A current equalizer is provided for first and second battery elements connected in parallel to supply a DC link. A first constant resistance carries a first current from the first battery element to the DC link. A first variable resistance is connected in parallel with the first constant resistance. A second constant resistance carries a second current from the second battery element to the DC link. A second variable resistance is connected in parallel with the second constant resistance. A balancer inversely adjusts the first and second variable resistances in response to relative magnitudes of the first and second currents. As a result, the total currents supplied from each battery element to the DC link are equalized because the effective total resistance in series with each battery element compensates for the difference in the internal battery resistances.
US09685794B2

When power transmitting electrodes of a power transmitting apparatus are respectively facing power receiving electrodes of a power receiving apparatus, a composite resonant circuit including a series resonant circuit and a parallel resonant circuit is formed through a compound capacitance formed between the power transmitting electrodes and the power receiving electrodes. In a predetermined mutually facing state in which the compound capacitance becomes maximum, the impedances of the configuration components of the composite resonant circuit are set such that a resonant frequency at which the impedance of the composite resonant circuit from a signal generator side when inputs of a load circuit is short-circuited becomes locally minimum, becomes higher than a resonant frequency at which the impedance of the composite resonant circuit as seen from the signal generator side when the inputs of the load circuit are open becomes locally maximum.
US09685782B2

Power distribution modules capable of “hot” connection and/or disconnection in distributed antenna systems (DAS), and related components, power units, and methods are disclosed. The power distribution modules are configured to distribute power to a power-consuming DAS component(s), such as a remote antenna unit(s) (RAU(s)). By “hot” connection and/or disconnection, it is meant that the power distribution modules can be connected and/or disconnected from a power unit and/or a power-consuming DAS component(s) while power is being provided to the power distribution modules. Power is not required to be disabled in the power unit before connection and/or disconnection of power distribution modules. As a non-limiting example, the power distribution modules may be configured to protect against or reduce electrical arcing or electrical contact erosion that may otherwise result from “hot” connection and/or connection of the power distribution modules.
US09685778B2

An integrated circuit includes a vertical Shockley diode and a first vertical transistor. The diode is formed by, from top to bottom of a semiconductor substrate, a first region of a first conductivity type, a substrate of a second conductivity type, and a second region of the first conductivity type having a third region of the second conductivity type formed therein. The vertical transistor is formed by, also from top to bottom, a portion of the second region and a fourth region of the second conductivity type. The third and fourth regions are electrically connected to each other.
US09685767B2

An electrically conductive glass seal for providing a hermetic bond between an electrically conductive component and an insulator of a corona igniter is provided. The glass seal is formed by mixing glass frits, binder, expansion agent, and electrically conductive metal particles. The glass frits can include silica (SiO2), boron oxide (B2O3), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), and zinc oxide (ZnO); the binder can include sodium bentonite or magnesium aluminum silicate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and dextrin; the expansion agent can include lithium carbonate; and the electrically conductive particles can include copper. The finished glass seal includes the glass in a total amount of 50.0 to 90.0 weight (wt. %), and electrically conductive metal particles in an amount of 10.0 to 50.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the glass seal.
US09685760B1

The present invention provides a programmable continuous wave high power laser diode system, which comprised digital control unit, a switch module unit, and a latch current controlling unit so as to provide user to set the latch current of the high power laser diode via the digital control unit controlling the switch module unit and the latch current controlling unit, therefore, the laser diode system includes advantages of high system efficiency, reliability, low output ripple current range and fast switching reaction time.
US09685757B2

A dual testing system and method is used to perform both optical power and wavelength measurements on laser light emitted from a laser diode, such as a chip-on-submount (COS) laser diode or a laser diode in a bar laser. A testing fixture may be used to facilitate both measurements by simultaneously detecting the light for performing a first test including the optical power measurement(s) and reflecting the light for performing a second test including the wavelength measurement(s). The testing fixture may include an angled photodetector and an optical coupling system such as a collimating lens, a focal lens and an optical waveguide. The testing fixture may be electrically connected to an optical power testing module, such as a light-current-voltage (LIV) testing module, for performing the optical power measurement(s) and may be optically coupled to a wavelength measurement module, such as an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) for performing the wavelength measurement(s).
US09685756B2

There may be provided a laser amplifier including: a chamber containing a laser medium; a first window provided on the chamber, and configured to allow a laser light beam inputted from outside of the chamber to enter the chamber; an excitation unit configured to amplify, by exciting the laser medium, the laser light beam that has entered the chamber; a second window provided on the chamber, and configured to allow the laser light beam that has been amplified by the excitation unit to exit from the chamber to the outside; a mirror provided on a laser light path between the first window and the second window; and a wavelength selection film provided on one or more of the first window, the second window, and the mirror, and configured to suppress propagation of light beams of one or more suppression target wavelengths different from a desired wavelength.
US09685752B2

The invention relates to a laser assembly with a converter designed as a fiber laser for generating a converted output laser beam, and having a pumping source that supplies a pump beam to the converter and includes a plurality of laser diodes that generate the pump beam and are formed by emitters mounted on laser bars, the pumping source having beam forming optics for forming the laser beams supplied by the emitters into the pump beam.
US09685745B2

A connector terminal includes a terminal body operable to be inserted into a terminal space formed in a housing, and an elastic contact piece arranged in the terminal body. The connector terminal contacts an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical terminal while being inserted into the terminal space. The elastic contact piece includes a contact portion constituted of an arc surface, and also includes at least one projection formed on the contact portion, the at least one projection contacting an inner arc surface of the cylindrical terminal. The at least one projection extends in a length-wise direction of the cylindrical terminal.
US09685742B2

The present invention relates to the technical field of plugs and sockets for electrical appliances. Disclosed are a surface contact plug and socket, comprising a matching plug and socket; a plug contact piece connected with a plug electric wire is arranged on the lower surface of the plug; and a socket contact piece connected with a socket electric wire is arranged on the upper surface of the socket; when the plug is inserted into the socket, the plug contact piece vertically or obliquely meets the socket contact piece to cause surface contact electrification. The surface contact plug and socket of the present invention employ surface contact between contact pieces, enlarge the contact area and improve current transmission capacity since the plug and socket are of the same size, and therefore the contact is always reliable, and the more the plug and the socket are used, the more reliable the contact is.
US09685740B1

A waterproof connector includes an upper terminal module, a shielding plate, a lower terminal module, a dielectric element, a shielding shell and an insulating housing. The shielding plate is mounted under the upper terminal module. The lower terminal module is mounted under the shielding plate. The dielectric element is integrally molded outside the upper terminal module, the shielding plate and the lower terminal module. The shielding shell surrounds the dielectric element together with the upper terminal module, the shielding plate and the lower terminal module. The insulating housing is integrally molded outside the shielding shell together with the upper terminal module, the shielding plate, the lower terminal module and the dielectric element.
US09685739B2

An electrical receptacle connector includes a mount member received in a metallic shell. A tongue portion is integrally formed to a front portion of the mount member. A plurality of first receptacle terminals, a plurality of second receptacle terminals, and a grounding plate are held in the mount member and the tongue portion. The front ends of the first and second receptacle terminals are respectively inserted into two opposite surfaces of the tongue portion. Therefore, the first receptacle terminals, the second receptacle terminals, and the grounding plate are positioned with each other securely. Accordingly, when the connector is impacted by an external force, the components of the connector would not be detached from each other easily.
US09685726B2

The present disclosure provides a conductive terminal and an electrical connector assembly. The conductive terminal comprises: a base unit, a contacting unit, a connecting piece and a tail unit. The connecting piece connects the base unit and the contacting unit. The base unit comprises a plate portion extending along a front-rear direction. The contacting unit faces the plate portion, is spaced apart from the plate portion and comprises a plate-shaped contacting portion and an elastic contacting portion positioned behind the plate-shaped contacting portion. The tail unit is connected to a rear end of the plate portion. In the electrical connector assembly, in every two mated conductive terminals between the first connector and the second connector, the elastic contacting portion of one conductive terminal contacts the plate-shaped contacting portion of the other conductive terminal and the elastic contacting portion of the other conductive terminal contacts the plate-shaped contacting portion of the one conductive terminal, so that two contacting regions are formed between the every two mated conductive terminal.
US09685725B2

A connector has contacts and a housing having holding grooves which accommodate the contacts. Each of the holding grooves has an inner wall extending in a first direction. Each of the contacts has a fixed portion, a contact arm portion and a support arm portion. The fixed portion is fixed to a corresponding one of the holding grooves. The contact arm portion and the support arm portion extend from the fixed portion in the first direction and are disposed apart from each other in a second direction. The contact arm portion has a contact point and is resiliently deformable to move the contact point in the second direction. The support arm portion comes into contact with the inner wall of the corresponding one of the holding grooves at least when the contact arm portion is resiliently deformed so that the contact point comes close to the support arm portion.
US09685713B2

An antenna device capable of performing precise positioning by using a small number of components and having a low side-lobe characteristic is provided. An antenna device includes a primary radiator (3), a main-reflector (2), a sub-reflector (5), and a holding section (4) that fixedly maintains relative positions and directions of the sub-reflector (5) and the main-reflector (2). The holding section (4) includes a side part (42) in an integrated manner, the side part (42) being configured to enclose at least a part of a radio-wave path extending from the primary radiator (3) to the sub-reflector (5) as a shroud.
US09685709B2

A method for designing a surface pattern for an impedance surface which results in a position-dependent target impedance of said impedance surface, and the impedance surface having the position-dependent target impedance radiates a desired first-type electromagnetic field radiation in reaction to being irradiated by a second-type electromagnetic field radiation. The method includes obtaining a first modal representation on the basis of the first-type electromagnetic field radiation in terms of a set of base modes that are chosen in accordance with a model function of the position-dependent target impedance, and obtaining a second modal representation on the basis of the second-type electromagnetic field radiation and the model function in terms of the set of base modes. The method further includes obtaining a first position-dependent quantity indicative of the position-dependent target impedance on the basis of the first modal representation and the second modal representation by determining values for a plurality of parameters of the model function for maximizing an overlap between the first modal representation and the second modal representation, and obtaining, as the surface pattern, a second position-dependent quantity indicative of geometric characteristics of the impedance surface on the basis of the first position-dependent quantity and a relationship between geometric characteristics of the impedance surface and corresponding impedance values.
US09685706B2

The disclosure provides a full-band antenna system including a metal backing and a main antenna module. The metal backing includes a header, a middle cover and a lower head. The main antenna module includes a circuit board, a feed part on the circuit board, a ground point and a matching circuit. The circuit board includes a substrate and an earth plate. The feed part and the matching circuit are located on the substrate, and the ground point is on the earth plate. The matching circuit is connected with the feed part, including a variable capacitance. By the variable capacitance of the matching circuit, it is beneficial to adjust the performance of antenna of all range of frequency conveniently and optimize the antenna's radiant efficiency up to the utmost extent.
US09685704B2

A surface antenna with a single radiation element, which comprises (a) a power source with first and second poles; (b) a phase shifting element, inserted to the path of one of the poles of the power source in such a manner that the phase shifting device shifts the phase of a first signal propagating through said pole such that the shifted phase of the first signal will be essentially identical to the phase of a second signal propagating through the other pole. The shifted first signal is added to the second signal with essentially the same phase of second signal, whenever both poles are connected together to form a single-wire, through which the resulting added signal propagates. Alternatively, the antenna may include two phase shifting elements, coupled to each of the poles of said power source in such a manner that one of the two phase shifting elements shifts the phase of a first signal propagating through the first pole while the other phase shifting element shifts the phase of a second signal propagating through the second pole such that the shifted phases of both signals will be essentially identical, and such that the shifted signals are added with essentially the same phase, whenever both poles are connected together to form a single-wire, through which the resulting added signal propagates; (c) a radiation element, in the form of a flat radiation layer that may be adapted to match a variety of surfaces, for receiving the added signal, wherein the added signal may be spilt into two or more wire lines with identical or different lengths.
US09685703B2

A tunable antenna including a first radiating element, a second radiating element, a connection circuit and a switch circuit is provided. The first radiating element includes a coupling portion and a first feeding portion. The second radiating element includes a second feeding portion, a grounding portion and a radiation portion. The grounding portion is electrically connected to a ground plane, and the radiation portion surrounds the coupling portion to form a first coupling gap and the second coupling gap. The connection circuit is electrically connected to the radiation portion and a state of the connection circuit is changed according to a control signal, so as to adjust a length of the resonant path of the radiation portion. A feeding signal is transmitted to the first feeding portion or the second feeding portion by the switch circuit.
US09685695B2

An antenna system includes a case, an antenna configured for a first communication system, an inside orthogonal antenna configured for a polarization diversity communication system, and an outside orthogonal antenna configured for the polarization diversity communication system. The antenna for the first communication system and the inside orthogonal antenna are disposed inside the case such that a main radiation polarization plane of the inside orthogonal antenna is orthogonal to a main radiation polarization plane of the antenna for the first communication system. The outside orthogonal antenna is disposed outside the case such that a main radiation polarization plane of the outside orthogonal antenna is orthogonal to the main radiation polarization plane of the inside orthogonal antenna.
US09685693B2

A device with a predominantly metal back side is provided. The device comprises: a non-conducting chassis having an interior and an exterior; at least one exterior radiating arm on the exterior of the chassis and a respective microstrip line located on the interior of the chassis, the exterior radiating arm and the microstrip electrically connected through the chassis, the exterior radiating arm and microstrip configured to resonate together in a first frequency range; and, at least one interior radiating arm located, and configured to resonate in one or more second frequency ranges higher than the first frequency range; a ground plane located on the exterior of the chassis, each of the exterior radiating arms and the ground plane being electrically separated from each other on the exterior of the chassis; and, one or more antenna feeds configured to connect to each of the microstrips and interior radiating arms.
US09685688B2

A directional coupler includes a main line, a sub line, and a first parasitic element. The main line includes a first main line portion. The sub line includes a first sub line portion electromagnetically coupled with the first main line portion. The first parasitic element receives a first magnetic flux which is generated by the first main line portion when a current flows through the first main line portion and generates a second magnetic flux passing through the first sub line portion due to electromagnetic induction.
US09685687B2

In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a directional coupler having a plurality of ports comprising an input port, a transmitted port, an isolated port and a coupled port, and an adjustable termination coupled to at least one of the plurality of ports.
US09685684B1

An apparatus includes an electrochemical half-cell comprising: an electrolyte, an anode; and an ionomeric barrier positioned between the electrolyte and the anode. The anode may comprise a multi-electron vanadium phosphorous alloy, such as VPx, wherein x is 1-5. The electrochemical half-cell is configured to oxidize the vanadium and phosphorous alloy to release electrons. A method of mitigating corrosion in an electrochemical cell includes disposing an ionomeric barrier in a path of electrolyte or ion flow to an anode and mitigating anion accumulation on the surface of the anode.
US09685666B2

An end-cooler assembly for a fuel cell includes a cooler having a coolant tube array. A composite material includes flake graphite and hydrophobic polymer. The composite material surrounds the coolant tube array and provides a first side. A flow field is formed in the first side. A thermal dam is embedded in and is entirely surrounded by the composite material. The thermal dam is arranged between the coolant tube array and the flow field. The coolant tube array, composite material, flow field and thermal dam comprise a unitary, monolithic structure bound together by the composite material.
US09685665B2

A thermal priority fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly for generating an electrical power output. The cell stack assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a waste heat recovery loop. The waste heat recovery loop is configured to remove waste heat generated from the electrochemical reaction and is thermally coupled to the cell stack assembly for managing the waste heat of the cell stack assembly and for supplying thermal power to a thermal load demand. The waste heat recovery loop includes a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the coolant outlet conduit and the thermal load demand. A controller is operatively associated with the cell stack assembly and the waste heat recovery loop. The controller controls the operation of the cell stack assembly by adjusting a fuel cell power plant parameter responsive to the thermal load demand.
US09685662B2

An electrode material which has excellent tab weldability, realizes reduction of a contact resistance with an active material layer, and has good adhesion with a conductive material disposed in an island shape, is provided. An electrode material 1 includes a substrate 1a including a metal foil and a conductive material 1b containing carbon, wherein the conductive material 1b is disposed in an island shape on the surface of the substrate 1a when observed with a visual field of 300 μm square, and the conductive material is fixed to the surface of the substrate together with a hydrophobic resin and a water-soluble resin.
US09685658B2

Composite particles for electrochemical device electrode which contain an electrode active material, a non-water soluble particle-shaped polymer, and a water-soluble polymer having a sulfonic acid group are provided. According to the present invention, composite particles for electrochemical device electrode are high in fluidity, exhibit high adhesion with a current collector, and can provide an electrochemical device electrode which is high in initial capacity, low in internal resistance, an excellent in high temperature storage characteristics are provided.
US09685639B2

An organic EL display device includes a display area, a measurement area provided outside the display area, an organic layer that is formed in the display area and in the measurement area and includes a light-emitting layer, and a conductive film that is formed on the organic layer in the display area and functions as the upper electrode. The conductive film covers the organic layer in the measurement area.
US09685638B2

Various embodiments may relate to a method for producing an optoelectronic component, including forming a first electrode on a substrate, arranging a first mask structure on or above the substrate, wherein the first mask structure comprises a first structuring region including an opening and/or a region prepared for forming an opening, arranging a second mask structure on or above the first mask structure, forming a second structuring region in the first mask structure and in the second mask structure in such a way that at least one part of the first structuring region in the first mask structure is formed outside the second structuring region in the first mask structure.
US09685637B2

An apparatus and method for repairing a display panel are provided. The apparatus includes a laser emitter that etches a faulty portion of the display panel and a first surrounding portion of the faulty portion by irradiating the faulty portion and the first surrounding portion with a laser and a guide disposed to face the laser emitter and configured to adjust at least one of a temperature of the faulty portion or a temperature of the first surrounding portion.
US09685631B2

A display device is provided including a first substrate comprising a resin material provided with a plurality region provided with a plurality of pixels including a display device, and a second substrate provided facing the first substrate and installed with the pixel region, wherein an outer periphery side surface of the first substrate having a taper shape and including a barrier layer covering an upper layer, lower layer and the outer periphery side surface of the first substrate.
US09685623B2

A light-emitting element whose degree of deterioration with driving time is improved and of which emission colors are easily controlled. A light-emitting emitting element having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a layer containing an organic compound located between the first electrode and the second electrode, in which the layer containing the organic compound at least has, from the second electrode side, a light-emitting layer in which a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer are stacked, and a hole-transporting layer provided in contact with the third layer; the first layer contains a first organic compound and a second organic compound; the second layer contains a third organic compound and a fourth organic compound; and the third layer contains the first organic compound and a fifth organic compound.
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