US09849681B2

A structure comprises inlets through which respective liquids are to be introduced and multiple unique vent paths each corresponding to one of the inlets.
US09849652B2

Various flexible heat sealable decorative articles and methods of making the same are described. The flexible heat sealable decorative articles are lightweight and can be combined with other decorative elements, such as metalized films. Various decorative are mixed or combined with one another to form highly attractive flexible heat sealable decorative articles.
US09849640B2

Complex laminated composites may be repaired by removal of individual damaged plies through peeling in order to exploit the weaker interlaminar properties of these composites. Upon removal of the individual damaged plies through peeling, replacement plies may be added to restore the laminated composite. In addition, when damage extends through the thickness of a laminated composite, a plug may be used to allow plies to be replaced while maintaining contour within the repair region. A caul plate also may be used to stiffen and maintain the contour of a repair region while peeling and removing plies from the repair region.
US09849631B1

Embodiments include an apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional (3D) object from a digital representation of the 3D object stored in a computer readable media. The apparatus includes a build platform on which the 3D object is to be fabricated and a nozzle configured to deposit printing material on the build platform to fabricate the 3D object. The apparatus further includes a first drive mechanism configured to drive the nozzle over the build platform and a second drive mechanism configured to rotate the build platform.
US09849629B2

The present invention relates to a process for the formation of a structured film, a structured film as such, an article comprising the structured film, a device for the continuous formation of such a structured film and a composite comprising the structured film.
US09849626B2

A method of producing an interior trim part of a vehicle. The method includes forming a carrier having a carrier surface. The carrier surface is at least partially uneven. The method further includes applying a decorative paper layer on the carrier surface. The decorative paper layer is selectively folded at predetermined locations during or before being applied onto the carrier surface.
US09849624B2

A film-embossing apparatus with a hot-embossing device which has a heated embossing stamp. With the formation of a contact pressure, a transfer layer, arranged on a carrier film, of a hot-embossing film is transferred to a surface of a workpiece. The hot-embossing device has control inputs and outputs. The film-embossing apparatus has an industrial robot with control inputs and outputs. The control inputs and outputs of the hot-embossing device and of the industrial robot are connected to a control unit. The industrial robot is formed such that it guides the workpiece to the hot-embossing device, positions the workpiece on the embossing stamp, guides the workpiece past the embossing stamp, and guides the embossed workpiece away from the hot-embossing device. The industrial robot can also position the hot-embossing device on the workpiece.
US09849622B2

The invention concerns a method of blowing and filling a container (120) from a preform, the method comprising: —placing a preform within a mold (140), —stretching the preform —injecting a liquid into the preform after the stretching has started so as to cause expansion of the preform within the mold, thereby obtaining a blown and filled container (120), —capping the blown and filled container (120).
US09849614B2

A production method of producing a fiber-reinforced resin molding includes: kneading, in a kneader, molten thermoplastic resin with opened reinforcing fibers obtained by opening a bundle of reinforcing fibers, to produce a kneaded mixture; and placing or charging the kneaded mixture into a molding device to produce a fiber-reinforced resin molding.
US09849608B2

A polymer “cane” extruder is a hand held polymer clay extruder tool made to extrude polymer clay canes with ease. It is designed for home use and comprises of a solid rod and a hollow tube that is made of clear acrylic with marked guidelines. It is an extruder tool that not only extrudes clay but is mainly used for cutting polymer clay cane slices of various uniform and consistent shapes, which includes cylindrical, square, and triangular shapes. This tool aids in holding the polymer canes unique shape and size when compressed and extruded while maintaining the shape of the pieces of polymer cane that are to be sliced off without distorting their original shape. A polymer clay “cane” extruder is very useful for making multi-patterned “sheets” from pieces of polymer clay canes that are combined into one continuous piece. These sheets are used in jewelry articles, such as beads, pendants, bracelets, and neckpieces and/or other arts and crafts related projects.
US09849604B2

An arrangement that can be turned by an assigned hydraulic pressure and flow, related to a chain saw supported by a harvesting unit for crosscutting timber, wherein a bearing arrangement is arranged for the chain saw and oriented between a guide bar housing and the chain saw's drive motor unit, wherewith an oscillatory motion can be activated by a hydraulic control valve, through which hydraulic flow is alternatively controlled via feed or connection lines to the bearing arrangement, for a first or second operating mode. The arrangement is activated via hydrostatic pressure and coordinated with the guide bar housing, and with the drive motor unit, via surrounding perforated discs oriented in parallel and aligned around an axis of rotation for a drive shaft. The hydrostatic affects the arrangement's oscillatory motion for a reciprocal motion pattern, while spent hydraulic oil serves as a lubricating film between the opposing bearing surfaces.
US09849603B2

A cutting fluid jet machine includes: a cutting fluid jet nozzle; a nozzle-angle adjusting servo motor; a nozzle-length adjusting servo motor; a nozzle-location calculating unit; and a nozzle controlling unit for controlling an angle and a length of the cutting fluid jet nozzle in accordance with movement of a machine tool in a spindle direction based on a nozzle location calculated by the nozzle-location calculating unit.
US09849594B2

A parting device and a parting method are provided, in particular for trimming workpieces (2), in particular solar modules. The parting device has a multi-member (12, 13, 14, 15) programmable robot (6) which is in the form of a tactile robot, in particular a force/torque-regulated robot. The robot guides a parting tool (8) which is in the form of a knife.
US09849589B2

A mobile robot employing a method and a system for localizing the mobile robot using external surveillance cameras acquires images from the surveillance cameras installed indoors adjacent to each other, recognizes objects included in the images by removing shadows from the images and performing a homography scheme, and avoids the recognized objects. The mobile robot employing the method and the system for localizing the mobile robot using the external surveillance cameras enables rapider localization and lower price as compared with a conventional image-based autonomous robot, so that the commercialization of a service robot is accelerated.
US09849581B2

A drill press includes a main housing, a base coupled to the main housing and having an electromagnet, a drill unit supported by the main housing for relative movement therewith, a first switch selectively electrically connecting the electromagnet to a power source to energize the electromagnet, and a second switch for selectively interrupting power to the electromagnet.
US09849578B2

Apparatus for high voltage power line maintenance and repair. In some embodiments, a power tool has a housing which encloses an electrical load and a control electronics circuit using a first shield as a layer of conductive material which is open at a battery pack receiving slot of the housing configured to receive a removable battery pack. A removable boot surrounds the removeable battery pack and has a second shield as a layer of conductive material which combines with the first shield to form a combined shield that nominally encloses the power tool and the boot. An insulative hot stick supports the power tool at a distal end and a user interface at a proximal end. The user interface includes a communication circuit that communicates with the control electronics circuit via a non-conductive communication link that extends along the hot stick to selectively activate the electrical load.
US09849577B2

A rotary power tool includes a housing, a spindle defining a working axis, and a motor supported by the housing. The motor is operable to drive the spindle. The rotary power tool also includes a handle movably coupled to the housing and a vibration isolating assembly disposed between the housing and the handle. The vibration isolating assembly attenuates vibration transmitted from the housing to the handle. A battery pack is removably coupled directly to the handle and configured to provide power to the motor.
US09849562B2

Methods and systems are provided for design and manufacture of a non-metallic polishing tool capable of polishing different surfaces and achieving a smooth and shiny finish. The polishing tool comprises an abrasive coated base surface, and a plurality of engravings in the base surface, forming cylindrical pillars. The pillars are arranged in concentric circular patterns to provide uniform polish and shine on a target material.
US09849560B2

A blasting system, comprising a tank, a center tube, an inlet, a top aperture. Said tank holds a slurry mixture for blasting application. Said inlet receives a pressurized air. Said center tube receives a portion of said pressurized air and selectively receives a portion of said slurry mixture. A portion of said center tube exits said tank at said top aperture. Said tank comprises a top end and a bottom end. Said relief valve regulates fluid capacity in said tank and relives pressure from said tank.
US09849552B2

An apparatus for guiding tube processing devices, in particular planing devices, wherein the apparatus is arranged on an outer circumference of the tube to be processed, wherein the apparatus has at least two bands which extend in parallel.
US09849551B2

A tool gripping mechanism includes a tool holder and a shaft to which the tool holder is attached. The shaft is fixed to a rotary shaft of a spindle device. A plurality of magnets are disposed in pairs on concentric circles on surfaces of the tool holder and the shaft which face each other. When the tool holder is in a specific phase with respect to the shaft, the magnets of the tool holder and the magnets of the shaft attract each other, and the tool holder is aligned with respect to the shaft in that phase.
US09849545B2

Methods, devices and systems for laser-supported plasma cutting or plasma welding of a workpiece. In one aspect, a method includes producing a plasma beam which extends in an expansion direction between an electrode and a processing location on the workpiece, the plasma beam having, with respect to a center axis of the plasma beam that extends in the expansion direction, an inner central region and an outer edge region, and supplying laser radiation to the outer edge region of the plasma beam. The laser radiation supplied to the outer edge region extends parallel with the center axis of the plasma beam.
US09849539B2

A method for manufacturing a bonded article having long bonding length and high strength. A first bonding target member and a second bonding target member having a hole portion for receiving the first member are provided. Pressing force is applied between the two members with the first member received in the hole portion, and a current is applied to a bonding target portion between the two members with the pressing force applied. The two members are of materials with different melting points. One of the two members, having lower melting point, has a heat capacity increasing portion in the vicinity of the target portion. The one of the members has a taper face at the target portion, and the heat capacity increasing portion has a face extending from the taper face. The force applying step is performed with the other member positioned not to contact the heat capacity increasing portion.
US09849537B2

A method for purging air from a structure to be joined by welding by feeding a liquid cryogen to the structure. The liquid cryogen will enter the structure, warm up and enter the gaseous phase very rapidly. The gaseous cryogen will displace the air that is present in the structure out of the structure and reduce the content of oxygen in the structure to about 10 parts per million when welding can begin.
US09849530B2

An electric discharge machining method for machining a core pin for a resin die using an electric discharge machine including a secondary electrode for molding of a round-bar shaped machining electrode. The electric discharge machining method includes a step of executing generating electric discharge machining for cutting out a schematic shape of the core pin from a work with the machining electrode, a step of transferring a shape element of the secondary electrode to the machining electrode and molding the machining electrode for diesinking electric discharge machining, and a step of applying the diesinking electric discharge machining to the work cut out in the schematic shape of the core pin using the machining electrode molded for the diesinking electric discharge machining.
US09849529B2

There is provided a wire electrical discharge machine that includes a temperature detection unit, an actual position correction amount calculation unit, a correction amount calculation unit, a correction amount adjustment unit, a position correction amount adjustment unit, and a corrective movement amount calculation unit. The actual position correction amount calculation unit calculates an actual position correction amount for an upper/lower guide section in accordance with reference position coordinates at a reference temperature and with actual position coordinates at a temperature different from the reference temperature. The correction amount calculation unit uses a prepared correction amount arithmetic expression. The correction amount adjustment unit calculates a correction amount adjustment value from the actual position correction amount and the position correction amount.
US09849506B2

Zonal heating and cooling during the production of matrix drill bits may be achieved with a system that includes a cavity defined within a mold assembly having a central axis; reinforcing particles and a binder material disposed within the cavity; and a plurality of induction coils about a periphery of the mold assembly, each induction coil being spaced from each other along the height of the mold assembly, wherein a first induction coil of the plurality of induction coils is arranged proximal to a portion of mold assembly containing a portion of the reinforcing particles and a second induction coil of the plurality of induction coils is arranged proximal to a portion of the mold assembly containing a portion of the binder material.
US09849500B2

A method for manufacture of a metal can body is described in which two or more stretching operations are used so as to reduce the thickness of the central part of a cup base, prior to drawing the cup sidewall and forming a can body. By using two or more stretching operations, it has been found possible to control the thickness of the base without significantly reducing pressure performance of the finished can. Alternative embodiments of apparatus comprising tooling for carrying out this method are also described.
US09849478B2

A system and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and a dispenser positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A guide maintains a substantially fixed distance between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member during relative movement therebetween by displacing the expandable member relative to the at least one outlet.
US09849477B2

A product applicator system for distributing a liquid product accurately using low volume applications which minimize the quantity of product used and ensures more accurate results. The product applicator system generally includes a housing which includes a removable inlet port mount and outlet port mount. The positioning of the inlet and outlet port mounts on the housing is interchangeable. Supply hoses provide a product to the inlet port mount where the product is traversed through internal conduits to exit the housing via oscillating and overlapping spray heads. An internal motor provides oscillating motion to the spray heads. A rotator assembly which includes a rotator motor may be utilized to orient the housing in horizontal, vertical, or various diagonal orientations. The housing is adapted to either connect to a vehicle, be positioned on a stationary or movable platform, or be connected to a boom using boom connectors.
US09849474B2

A selectively configurable spray gun may include a gun body comprising a selectable forward section and a rearward section. The rearward section may be connected with either of two or more selectable forward sections so as to selectively configure the spray gun to operate either with a dense phase powder supply configuration or a with dilute phase powder supply configuration. The rearward section may include a selectable powder flow path that is connectable at an inlet end to a source of dense phase powder and at an outlet end to a selectable spray nozzle in the selectable forward section that may optionally include a diffuser. An adapter may be used to connect the rearward section with a selectable spray nozzle or air cap. A manual spray gun embodiment is also presented. A selectively configurable spray gun for use with a dense phase powder supply may include a smaller diameter powder tube that extends through a larger diameter powder tube.
US09849461B2

A compact modular mobile aggregate processing system configured with no stand-alone inter-plant conveyors for decreasing the footprint of the system and an infinitely adjustable flow diverter(s) for increasing the control of and variation of output characteristics of the system; the system further including specialized folding conveyors.
US09849455B2

Microfluidic systems and methods including those that provide control of fluid flow are provided. Such systems and methods can be used, for example, to control pressure-driven flow based on the influence of channel geometry and the viscosity of one or more fluids inside the system.
US09849452B2

Devices that can transport biological materials are described. The devices incorporate capillary channeled fibers that can effectively transport living cells as well as other biological materials such as nutrients, growth factors, waste materials, etc. The devices can include a sorptive material at one end of the fibers that can improve transport of materials through the devices. The devices can differentially transport different cell types, particularly when the fibers are held in a vertical orientation. Diagnostic devices that incorporate the capillary channeled fibers are described that can be utilized to separate cell types from one another. Tissue engineering scaffolds that incorporate the capillary channeled fibers are described that can more efficiently transport materials into and out of the scaffolds.
US09849451B2

A nanoscale ionic material composition, such as but not limited to a nanoscale ionic solid material composition, a nanoscale ionic gel material composition or a nanoscale ionic liquid material composition, may be prepared using an acid/base reaction directly between: (1) one of an acid functional and a base functional inorganic metal oxide nanoparticle core absent an organofunctional corona; and (2) a corresponding complementary one of a basic and acidic functional organic polymer material canopy. Desirably, the nanoscale ionic material composition is formed absent an intervening chemical functionalization process step with respect to the inorganic metal oxide nanoparticle core that provides the corona, such as but not limited to a silane coupling agent chemical functionalization process step with respect to the inorganic metal oxide nanoparticle core to provide the corona.
US09849445B2

The present invention provides a catalyst defined in part by a conductive substrate; a film overlaying a surface of the substrate; and a plurality of metal clusters supported by the layer, wherein each cluster comprises between 8 and 11 atoms. Further provided is a catalyst defined in part by a conductive substrate; a layer overlaying a surface of the substrate; and a plurality of metal clusters supported by the layer, wherein each cluster comprises at least two metals.
US09849443B2

Provided is an exhaust gas purification catalyst with excellent durability against exhaust gas including a poisoning substance. The exhaust gas purification catalyst includes a porous substrate, a catalyst coating layer formed on the porous substrate, and a dummy coating layer formed on the outermost surface of the catalyst coating layer. The catalyst coating layer has a carrier and a noble metal catalyst supported on the carrier. The dummy coating layer includes a carrier having at least alumina and does not include a noble metal catalyst. The dummy coating layer is formed to have a length which, from the end on the exhaust gas inlet side, is 10% to 70% of the entire length of the catalyst coating layer along the exhaust gas flow direction.
US09849441B2

The exhaust gas-purifying catalyst of the invention contains oxide particles having interdispersed therein A crystallites that are loaded with a noble metal and B crystallites that are not loaded with a noble metal. The A crystallites loaded with a noble metal are composed of an oxide containing at least one of zirconium (Zr) and cerium (Ce). The B crystallites not loaded with a noble metal are composed of a cerium (Ce)-containing oxide which has a higher Ce content (mol %) than the oxide making up the A crystallites. The oxide particles have a specific surface area after 5 hours of heat treatment at 1,150° C. in open air of 30 m2/g or more.
US09849438B2

There is provided a method and composition for sequestration of arsenic, the method comprising melting an arsenic-containing material in the presence of iron oxide and glass, and yielding a resulting glass incorporating arsenic. The resulting glass has an arsenic content comprised in a range between 1 and 25% w/w and an iron content comprised in a range between 8 and 20% w/w.
US09849435B2

The present invention relates to microcapsules with a core-shell or matrix morphology stabilized by cross-linked nanoparticles. A process for the preparation of said microcapsules comprising selecting internal crosslinking of a Pickering emulsion is also an object of the invention. Perfumed consumer products, in particular fine fragrance, home and personal care products are also part of the invention.
US09849434B2

Methods and apparatus for introducing a gas into the reaction zone of a reactor. Such methods and apparatus can more evenly distribute the gas throughout the reaction zone. Spargers for introducing a gas into the reaction zone of a reactor can be employed in systems and methods for carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound, such as para-xylene.
US09849429B2

A container assembly configured for use in a high pressure process (HPP) includes a container defining a container cavity and a fitment assembly coupled to the container. The fitment assembly defines a passageway arranged in fluid communication with the container cavity. The fitment assembly further defines a chamber within the passageway isolated from the container cavity. A pressure relief mechanism is operably coupled to the fitment assembly to relieve pressure within the chamber.
US09849405B2

Methods of making thermal insulation products that may be usable to provide insulation in high temperature applications. One method includes sealing a support material (e.g., a nanoporous core such as fumed silica, an aerogel powder, etc.) and at least one vapor within an interior portion of a substantially gas-impermeable envelope (e.g., a metallic and/or polymeric film), and then condensing at least a portion of the vapor after the sealing step to reduce the pressure within the gas-impermeable envelope from a first pressure before the condensing to a lower second pressure after the condensing. The disclosed methods limit or eliminate the need for pumping mechanisms to draw the vacuum within the products, drying of the core before the sealing, and the like.
US09849404B2

An apparatus for vaporizing a medium and separating droplets as well as for condensing, in which apparatus an evaporator (A) and a condenser (B) are arranged inside a single outer casing in such a manner that they are separated from each other by a partition wall.
US09849402B2

Trihalosilane refining device having a divided wall distillation column is disclosed. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.
US09849397B2

A communication device includes a first terminal unit connected to an actuator device having a sensor. Transmission of a steering signal transmitted from a steering wireless device to the actuator device, and transmission of detected signal detected by the sensor in the actuator device are conducted via the first terminal unit. The communication device further includes a control unit. The control unit conducts processing to generate a connection error signal representing that the actuator device are not connected on the basis of a result of determination whether the detected signal is acquired from the actuator device via the first terminal unit, and transmit the connection error signal to the steering wireless device side.
US09849393B2

A toy top includes a body and a shaft unit. The shaft unit includes a spinning shaft which includes projections that extend downward at a lower end of the spinning shaft.
US09849390B2

Technologies are generally described for server resource allocation for distributed games. In one example, a method includes allocating a first set of resources for a first player instance on a first server, a second set of resources for a second player instance on the first server, and a third set of resources for a third player instance on a second server. The method also includes comparing a first relationship strength defined between the first player instance and the second player instance with a second relationship strength defined between the first player instance and the third player instance. Further, the method includes distributing at least one of the first set of resources, the second set of resources, or the third set of resources between the first server and the second server based on a result of the comparing.
US09849389B2

The present disclosure provides a method of synchronizing an online game, and a server device, that do not require centralized information management, reduce the processing burden on each device during online communication, and allow for continuation of processing in an offline environment. A method, according to the present disclosure, of synchronizing an online game that allows for transmission and reception of information related to game processing between a first client terminal and a second client terminal via a server includes: receiving, from the first client terminal connected online, first information related to game processing on the first client terminal; determining whether the first information is information that determines a game status; and storing the first information on the server and transmitting the first information to the second client terminal when the first information is determined to be information that determines the game status.
US09849387B1

Measurement data is correlated to one or more probable user states. The measurement data is associated with a user of the computing device and received from sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device. Execution of an application running on the computing device is altered based on the probable user states. In another embodiment, probable user states for a user of a computing device are processed. The probable user states are indicative of a level or type of interaction of the user with the computing device. The probable user states are also determined based on analysis of measurement data received from sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device. Indications of the probable user states are provided during execution of an online application on a second computing device.
US09849386B2

Incorporating player-generated audio in an electronic game is disclosed. Incorporation may include receiving an audio clip from art electronic game player, applying a modification to the audio clip to generate a chant, associating the chant to the execution of an event in the electronic game, retrieving the chant when the event in the electronic game is executed, and initiating the play of the chant upon execution of the event in the electronic game.
US09849385B2

Systems and methods for programmatically generating anamorphic images for presentation in a physical gaming suite (e.g., anamorphic images that are viewable without requiring any external wearable device) are disclosed herein. An example method includes: monitoring, using data received from one or more sensors, viewing characteristics associated with one or more game participants in the physical gaming suite. The method also includes: determining a viewpoint that is based on at least some of the monitored viewing characteristics. The method further includes: based on the viewpoint, generating a anamorphic image for presentation within the physical gaming suite. The method additional includes: providing, to the one or more display devices, data to present the anamorphic image within the physical gaming suite (e.g., near at least one physical object that is included within the physical gaming suite).
US09849383B2

A computer generating a three-dimensional space and the images to be shown on a display: sets a first angle of view of the virtual camera; displays the image in accordance with the first angle of view; detects a position on the displayed image pointed to by the input device; calculates a straight line passing through the detected position and the virtual camera in the three-dimensional space; identifies an object intersecting the straight line; automatically sets a second angle of view of the virtual camera to zoom in and display the identified object, and displays the identified object using the display device from the perspective of the second angle of view.
US09849376B2

A wireless controller includes a handle portion to be held in one or both hands. The wireless controller also includes a gyroscope to output rotation information indicative of rotation of the handle about a steering axis, an accelerometer to output acceleration information, and a magnetometer to output magnetic bearing information. The wireless controller also includes a communication subsystem to wirelessly transmit sensor data to a computing device. The sensor data represents one or more of the rotation information, the acceleration information, and the magnetic bearing information such that the acceleration information is useable to attenuate gyroscopic drift when the handle has a first orientation and the magnetic bearing information is useable to attenuate gyroscopic drift when the handle has a second orientation.
US09849372B2

Aspects of the present disclosure describe methods and apparatuses for improving efficiency in emulation. An emulated CPU receives inputs and generates a first set of frames. The frames are stored in a buffer on the emulator. Once all of the frames in the first set of frames have been produced, the contents of the buffer may be delivered to an emulated GPU. Each frame is then rendered by the emulated GPU. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09849370B2

A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.
US09849363B1

Systems and methods for providing a slalom racing gate monitor system are provided herein. A system includes a microcontroller; a first, second, and third sensor, each coupled to the microcontroller, the first, second, and third sensors each having a field of view and disposed on a slalom pole, and disposed where the fields of view of the first, second, and third sensors substantially cover a 360 degree field of view around the slalom pole; wherein the microcontroller is to: obtain a sequence of sensor readings from a plurality of sensors of the first, second, and third sensors, each reading in the sequence of sensor readings indicating an object detected in the field of view of the respective sensor; determine whether the object passed the slalom pole on a correct side; and present a notification of whether the object passed the slalom pole on the correct side.
US09849362B2

The present invention concerns a machine for martial arts training that simulates sparring with a live partner and provides a safe tool for body hardening. More specifically, the machine is a vertical alignment of three independently rotatable Alpha Bodies having detachable arms, a weighted base, and bearing interfaces, where each Alpha Body may rotate to initiate strikes via programmable servo motors. The present invention facilitates martial arts offensive strikes and defensive moves, which safely promotes the formation of calcium deposits and scar tissue about key nerve areas to give the body a hardened feel.
US09849355B2

A golf club head includes a main body having a topline and an opposing sole. The main body includes a striking face extending between the topline and sole, and a rear face in opposed relation to the striking face. A sole body is proximate the rear face and extends at least partially along the sole. A peripheral flange extends at least partially about the rear face and is of a flange height, HF, relative to the rear face. A truss protrudes from the rear face and includes a at least a first truss arm which is of a first truss arm height, HT1, relative to the rear face, wherein the difference between HF and HT1 is less than about 0.25 mm.
US09849345B2

Provided is a golf ball is excellent in flight distance performance, approach performance, and feel at impact. A ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, and a cover 8. The core 4 includes an inner core 10 and an outer core 12. The cover 8 includes an inner layer cover 10 and an outer layer cover 12. An inner core volume Vc, a mid layer volume Vm, a mid layer hardness Hm, an inner layer cover volume Vinc, an inner layer cover hardness Hinc, an outer layer cover volume Vouc, an outer layer cover hardness Houc, and a ball volume V meet the following relational expressions (a) to (g): (a) Vc/V<0.07, (b) Hm>Hinc>Houc, (c) Hm−Houc>25, (d) Vm>Vinc>Vouc, (e) (Vm+Vinc+Vouc)/V<0.30, (f) Vm/Vouc>1.50, and (g) (Vm*Hm)/(Vouc*Houc)>3.0.
US09849336B2

A training device includes a communication circuitry configured to communicate according to Bluetooth specification, at least one processor, and at least one memory including a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device to perform operations. The operations include obtaining physical activity-related measurement data of a user participating in a team sport activity, processing the physical activity-related measurement data into a physical activity-related information characterizing the physical activity of the user during the team sport activity, and broadcasting, according to the Bluetooth specification, the physical activity-related information using the communication circuitry.
US09849328B1

Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements has a main-frame with a seat and upwardly extending columns at either side to support a “U” shaped sub-frame, mounted so that it pivots about a horizontal axis passing very nearly through the ankles of a seated user and interconnecting linkages simultaneously enforcing ankle inversion, with plantarflexion and then ankle eversion, with dorsiflexion, about perpendicularly intersecting axes, while resisting such movements, so as to provide bidirectional ankle exercises according to a progressive resistance program, thus strengthening the ankle muscle groups for enhanced balance and dynamic stability.
US09849325B1

Embodiments of the present invention provide an adjustable strap apparatus and methods of instructing a patient to perform an exercise using the adjustable strap apparatus. An apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a strap, a plurality of hook patches and a plurality of loop patches joined thereto. A hook patch and a loop patch of the present invention are removably engageable to form pull loops from ends of the apparatus and to form a pull belt between the pull loops. A therapist may instruct a patient to perform a mobilization exercise or a stretching exercise by forming pull loops about extremities of the patient and pulling on the apparatus without grasping to exert a stabilization force or resistance force upon a part of the body of the patient.
US09849318B2

An exemplary fire suppression system includes a sprinkler nozzle. At least one conduit is connected to the nozzle for delivering a fire suppression fluid to the nozzle. The conduit and the nozzle establish a discharge path. A pneumatically driven pump is connected with the conduit for pumping fluid into the conduit. A gas source provides pressurized gas to the pump for driving the pump. The gas source also provides gas to the discharge path for achieving a desired discharge of the fluid from the nozzle. A controller selectively controls at least one of (i) the gas provided to the pump, which controls the fluid pressure in the conduit, or (ii) the gas provided to the nozzle or the conduit, which controls the gas pressure delivered to the nozzle.
US09849307B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to ion beam therapy. In one aspect, a system includes a position sensitive detector and a collimator. The position sensitive detector configured to detect gamma rays generated by an ion beam interacting with a target. The collimator is positioned between the target and the position sensitive detector. The collimator includes a plurality of knife-edge slits, with a first knife-edge slit intersecting with a second knife-edge slit.
US09849304B2

An optic includes a first end, a fluorescent material, and a second end. The first end is adapted to transmit a first band of electromagnetic radiation to the fluorescent material. The fluorescent material is adapted to absorb the first band of electromagnetic radiation and emit a second band of electromagnetic radiation. The second end is adapted to contact the biological tissue and deliver the second band of electromagnetic radiation to treat the biological tissue.
US09849295B2

The disclosure describes a method and system that allows a user to configure electrical stimulation therapy by defining a three-dimensional (3D) stimulation field. After a stimulation lead is implanted in a patient, a clinician manipulates the 3D stimulation field in a 3D environment to encompass desired anatomical regions of the patient. In this manner, the clinician determines which anatomical regions to stimulate, and the system generates the necessary stimulation parameters. In some cases, a lead icon representing the implanted lead is displayed to show the clinician where the lead is relative to the 3D anatomical regions of the patient.
US09849289B2

A device for the treatment of snoring is provided. The device may include a flexible substrate configured for removable attachment to a subject's skin, a primary antenna disposed on the flexible substrate, an interface configured to receive a feedback signal that varies based upon a breathing pattern of the subject; and at least one processing device. The processing device may be configured to analyze the feedback signal and determine whether the subject is snoring based on the analysis of the feedback signal, and if snoring is detected, cause a hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to be applied to the primary antenna in order to wirelessly transmit the hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to a secondary antenna associated with an implant unit configured for location in a body of the subject.
US09849284B2

Operational modes or settings of a totally implantable cochlear implant can be adjusted or changed based on movement of an external element. Sensors in the totally implantable cochlear implant detect one of several positions of the external element as that element is moved near the implant. Depending on the position detected, one of a plurality of operational modes or settings can be selected.
US09849279B2

A medical apparatus includes an electrically conductive lead for a medical device, the lead having an internal bore terminating at a distal lead opening, and a lead delivery device for delivering the distal end of the lead to a blood vessel during implantation of the lead. The lead delivery device includes a removably anchorable guidewire, and a fixator attached to a distal portion of the guidewire for anchoring the guidewire. The fixator is movable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. The fixator is capable of passing through the distal lead opening of the lead in the compact configuration. The fixator is capable of exerting a holding force in the range of about 0.89 to 4.45 N in the lumen of the blood vessel in the expanded configuration.
US09849278B2

An implantable stimulation lead has electrode contacts that are configured to deliver an electrical stimulation therapy for a patient. A sheath extends along a longitudinal axis. The sheath defines a lumen into which the stimulation lead can be inserted. A distal end of the sheath includes a plurality of base segments that are separated from one another. A plurality of fixation structures are located on the base segments, respectively. In a first configuration, the fixation structures are each disposed proximate to the sheath. In a second configuration, the fixation structures each extend radially outward from the sheath. In a third configuration, the base segments deflect radially inward toward the longitudinal axis.
US09849273B2

An ultrasound catheter system and a method for operating an ultrasonic catheter at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature or tissue are disclosed. The ultrasound catheter system comprises a catheter having at least one ultrasonic element and a control system configured to generate power parameters that drive the at least one ultrasonic element to generate ultrasonic energy. The control system is configured to vary at least one of the power parameters and at least one physiological parameter by repeatedly cycling the power parameter and the physiological parameter through two set of values.
US09849269B2

Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that receives a catheter (or other medical instrument) and secures the catheter in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some embodiments, the anchor device can secure the catheter in an operative position relative to the skin without the use of sutures or skin tapes. In particular embodiments, the anchor device can be adjusted to a folded condition so that subcutaneous anchors are partially rotated prior to removal from the skin penetration point.
US09849264B2

Apparatus and methods are provided for making one or more tubular components of medical catheters or other tubular bodies using a strip of polymer material including a length, a width, and a first surface including a lubricious or other coating or surface modification. The strip is directed adjacent an elongate mandrel, such as beading, such that the length of the strip extends along the mandrel and the coating is disposed towards the mandrel. The strip is rolled at least partially around the mandrel such that the coating or surface modification is disposed inwardly towards the mandrel, and one or more strip-constrainment members are wrapped around the rolled strip. The directing, rolling, and wrapping steps may be substantially continuous to create one or more strip-mandrel-constrainment member subassemblies.
US09849254B2

The invention relates to a small-volume nebulizer that is pre-filled with at least one unit-dose of medicine and hermetically sealed until use. The nebulizer may be sealed at the top with a removable cap that may be detached at the time of use and replaced with a patient connector. Likewise, the nebulizer may be sealed at the bottom with a bottom cap that is replaced with a gas source at the beginning of a therapeutic aerosol treatment.
US09849249B2

A dose setting mechanism for a drug delivery device. The mechanism may comprise a drug delivery device housing. A dose dial component is positioned in the housing and rotatable during dose setting and dose delivery. A split threaded insert is in threaded engagement with the dose dial component. The insert can transform from a first configuration to a second configuration when the dose dial component is rotated. In one dose setting mechanism arrangement, the first configuration may comprise a first open configuration and the second configuration may comprise a second closed configuration.
US09849246B2

A housing for a drug delivery device is disclosed having a first housing component adapted to receive a cartridge at least partially filled with a medicament, and a second housing component adapted to receive a drive mechanism to operably engage with the cartridge for dispensing of a dose of the medicament, wherein the first housing component comprises an insert portion to be inserted in an axial direction into a corresponding receptacle of the second housing component, and wherein the insert portion comprises at least one radially outwardly extending first interlock member to positively engage and to rotationally lock with a correspondingly shaped second interlock member of the receptacle of the second housing component.
US09849243B2

A substance delivery device (autoinjector) for use with a container (such as a syringe) containing the substance includes: a body arranged to house or hold the container; a plunger which is movable with respect to at least a portion of the body, the plunger being arranged to act upon the container so as to move the container with respect to the portion of the body; wherein the plunger is also arranged to expel at least a portion of the substance from the container; and wherein the device includes elements for adjusting the amount of substance to be expelled from the container. The device can also have elements for priming the container, and can accommodate containers of different size or shape.
US09849242B2

Described is an autoinjector comprising a front case having a first rib and a second rib, and a rear case telescopically coupled to the front case and having latch arms adapted to engage the first rib and the second rib. When the front case is in a first position relative to rear case, the latch arms are engaged to the first rib. When the latch arms disengage the first rib, the front case translates to a second position relative to the rear case, an axial distance between the front case and the rear case increases relative to the first position, the latch arms engage the second rib.
US09849239B2

A controller for an insulin infusion device includes a processor device and a memory element that cooperate to provide a processor-implemented closed-loop insulin limit module. The insulin limit module is operated to obtain: a fasting blood glucose value of a user; a total daily insulin value of the user; and fasting insulin delivery data that is indicative of insulin delivered to the user during a fasting period. The insulin limit module calculates a maximum insulin infusion rate for the user based on the fasting blood glucose value, the total daily insulin value, and the fasting insulin delivery data. The maximum insulin infusion rate is applicable during a period of closed-loop operation of the insulin infusion device.
US09849234B2

A system and method for physiological monitoring and regulation of a drug infusion device. The system includes an internal compact unit that is implantable in a patient having a pulmonary disorder, the internal unit encasing a power supply, a fluid reservoir, a motor pump, a digital control unit, and a radio frequency transmitter. An infusion catheter is connected to the fluid reservoir and motor pump for automatically infusing a drug into a right ventricle of the patient during a diastole phase of a cardiac cycle. The system includes an external unit for monitoring and storing a plurality of physiological parameters of the patient and for making adjustments to a drug infusion rate.
US09849232B2

A fluid flow manager executing on first hardware controls a flow of fluid outputted from a fluid delivery pump to a recipient. A monitor resource, executing on second hardware operating independently of the first hardware, monitors for an occurrence of a failure condition associated with the delivery of fluid. In response to detecting occurrence of a failure condition associated with delivery of the fluid, the monitor resource generates a control output. The control output can be used to perform operations such as discontinue delivery of the fluid, notify a respective caregiver of the delivery failure, etc.
US09849231B2

A fluid delivery system includes a control interface and multiple unique loading guides. The control interface of the fluid delivery system receives a fluid pump assembly. The multiple loading guides are retractable from the fluid delivery system to retain and control movement of a facing of the fluid pump assembly to contact the control interface on the facing of the fluid delivery system. In one configuration, the control interface is disposed in a cavity of the fluid delivery system; the multiple loading guides are disposed at locations in proximity to the cavity. The multiple loading guides slidably retract in unison to support substantially orthogonal insertion of the fluid pump assembly into the cavity of the fluid delivery system.
US09849230B2

An irrigation system including a reservoir with an inlet adapted to guide liquid into the reservoir, the inlet defining a closure for closing the inlet, an insertion member defining an insertion end sized for insertion into a body cavity of a human being, the insertion member defining at least one opening, and a liquid tube fluidly connecting the reservoir with the insertion member, at least one of the reservoir and the insertion member being permanently fastened to the liquid tube and further including an electrical pump adapted to pump liquid from the reservoir and out through the at least one opening of the insertion member, the electrical pump adapted to be separable from the system.
US09849218B2

An improved osteogenic composition is provided. The composition comprises a foam that contains polymer beads having one or more growth factors such as bone morphogenic protein. Through use of this composition, bone, collagen and/or other tissue growth may be facilitated.
US09849211B2

The invention relates to dimensionally stable molded bone replacement elements made of mineral bone cement with residual hydraulic activity that contain at least one share of hardened mineral bone cement and at least one share of unconverted or unhardened reactive mineral bone cement, wherein the share of hardened mineral bone cement is 5% to 90% by weight. The dimensionally stable molded bone replacement elements have at least 5% of the maximum value of the strength of a completely hardened bone cement comprised of the same mineral components and with the same structural characteristics and reach compressive strengths in the range of 2 to 200 MPa. They are substantially free of water and can be converted under biological conditions.
US09849196B2

The invention is directed to fluorophore-containing compositions and configurations wherein proximity between the fluorophore and one or more protective agents (PAs) modifies the lifetime of fluorescent and/or dark states, their frequency of occurrence, and the total lifetime of fluorescence in order to appropriately modify the photophysical characteristics of the fluorophore. The invention is also directed to methods that utilize these compositions and configurations.
US09849193B2

The invention provides nanoparticles, methods for making nanoparticles, and methods for using nanoparticles. An important attribute of a drug delivery system is its ability to allow for spatial and temporal regulated drug release, thereby minimizing side effects and improving therapeutic efficacy of conventional pharmaceuticals. Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs), specifically Fe304 nanoparticles, possess many appropriate qualities that make them a viable choice for drug delivery.
US09849190B2

A method of treating breast cancer is described, in which a peptide having cancer selective translocation function-doxoribicin conjugate is administered. The conjugate includes doxorubicin chemically linked to the N-terminus or C-terminus of a VEGF-binding protein transduction domain (VPTD) peptide represented as SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the VPTD peptide and doxorubicin are linked to each other by a disulfide bond, and wherein the VPTD peptide binds specifically to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor cells or tumor tissues.
US09849183B2

The present disclosure herein provides a compound prescription colloidal eyedrop gel. The compound prescription colloidal eyedrop gel includes a plurality of carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan (CHC) micelles, a basic structural stabilizer connecting the plurality of CHC micelles, a first drug inside the CHC micelle, and a second drug outside the CHC micelle.
US09849182B2

Use of a moulding composition comprising a polymer and a setting agent for wound debridement, wherein said use comprises adding water to said moulding composition to form a moulding fluid, applying said moulding fluid to a surface of a wound, allowing said moulding fluid to set in contact with said surface to form a solid covering on said surface, followed by removing said solid covering from the wound. The alginate composition adheres strongly to bacterial biofilms on the wound, whereby the biofilms are removed with the alginate composition. The moulding composition may be used in conjunction with a staining agent that undergoes a color change in the presence of bacteria or bacterial polysaccharides to show the presence and removal of the biofilm. Also provided are methods of treating wounds using the compositions.
US09849178B2

The invention describes the preparation and use of carotenoid and epi-lutein compositions to treat various ocular diseases.
US09849169B2

The subject relates to an isolated antibody that specifically binds to O25b antigen of multi drug resistant (MDR) E. coli strains, its medical and diagnostic use, method of producing the antibody, including an isolated nucleotide sequence, plasmids and host cells as used in the production of the antibody; and further an isolated epitope recognized the specific antibody.
US09849164B2

Disclosed is a formulation of the following enzymes: Alpha-galactosidase, Alpha amylase, Beta Glucanase, Lactase, BioCor DPP=IV (Proprietary blend) and Pectinase, which has been found to be effective in treating histamine intolerant people, and causing a significant improvement in a wide variety of pathologies and symptoms, including, but not limited to: inflammation, pruritus, urticaria, hypotension, tachycardia, fatigue, migraines, conjunctivitis, incontinence, nasal congestion, panic attacks, acid reflux, depression and angioedema.
US09849163B2

The present invention relates to a modified polypeptide comprising a non-cytotoxic protease, a translocation domain, a destructive protease cleavage site and a Targeting Moiety that binds to a Binding Site on a nerve cell, wherein after cleavage of the destructive cleavage site the polypeptide has reduced potency. The destructive cleavage site is recognized and cleaved by a protease present at or in an off-site target cell, and, in one embodiment, the polypeptide is a modified clostridial neurotoxin. The present invention also relates to the use of said polypeptides for treating a range of conditions, and to nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides.
US09849162B2

The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.
US09849159B2

CXCL12 polypeptide eluting matrices encapsulating at least one cell are described for use in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
US09849153B2

Nutraceutical or pharmaceutical compositions, functional foods, extracts, dietary supplements and food/feed additives enriched in phytochemicals having antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activity may be derived from the skin, pith, or cortex from stem tubers of select potato cultivars, such as Onaway, Russet Burbank, Purple Valley or Bora Valley cultivars. These cultivars and combinations thereof provide a useful antioxidant source enriched in ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acids, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, and rutin, isomers or derivatives thereof having antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activity.
US09849151B2

A Salacia composition described herein significantly reduces appetite, activates Hormone Sensitive Lipase, and manages a healthy lipid profile through inhibition of HMG-CoA Reductase enzyme. Salacia compositions described herein include of at least 12% of polyphenols, 2% of mangiferin and 1% of 25,26-oxidofriedelane-1,3-dione by weight of the composition in the form of extract. The composition is obtained by continuous solvent extraction, employing non-aqueous food grade solvents. Salacia compositions herein reduce appetite by about 18% of routine diet, when effective amounts are administered to a subject in need thereof. Effective management of a healthy lipid profile is thus possible with synergistic combination of reduction in energy intake, activation of Hormone Sensitive Lipase, and inhibition of HMG-CoA Reductase enzyme responsible for cholesterol metabolism.
US09849147B2

The present invention relates to a fast dissolving tablet comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a phosphate binding polymer, such as sevelamer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, that exhibit limited swelling in the oral cavity, has pleasant taste and mouth feel, high phosphate binding capacity with fast binding kinetics and require limited amount of water intake. A process for the preparation thereof is disclosed.
US09849146B2

Provided are methods for treating a NAD comprising administering to a patient suffering from a NAD an inhibitor of NMD and a nonsense suppressor, whereby degradation of NMD susceptible mRNA is decreased and translation termination at a misplaced nonsense codon is blocked.
US09849139B2

Chemical entities that are kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described.
US09849138B2

The present invention provides novel chemical compounds characterized as Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic, research, and diagnostic use. In particular, the present invention provides 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione compounds and related compounds having ROCK inhibitory activity, and methods of using such compounds as therapeutic agents to treat a number of conditions associated with ROCK activity.
US09849133B2

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations comprising xanthine or xanthine derivatives, kits thereof, and methods for treating fibrotic diseases by local administration.
US09849132B2

The present invention relates to a product comprising a PDE1 inhibitor and a PDE2 inhibitor, in free or salt form, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cAMP and/or cGMP related disorders.
US09849128B2

Methods are provided herein for selectively killing senescent cells and for treating senescence-associated diseases and disorders by administering a senolytic agent. Senescence-associated diseases and disorders treatable by the methods using the senolytic agents described herein include cardiovascular diseases and disorders associated with or caused by arteriosclerosis, such as atherosclerosis; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; osteoarthritis; senescence-associated ophthalmic diseases and disorders; and senescence-associated dermatological diseases and disorders.
US09849120B2

The present disclosure describes thiazole and pyridine carboxamide derivatives, their compositions and methods of use. The compounds inhibit the activity of the Pim kinases and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of Pim kinases including, e.g., cancer and other diseases.
US09849118B2

Disclosed in the present invention is a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. The preparation method therefor is: extracting the crude product from the Isaria Fumosorosea Wize solid or liquid fermentation broth using ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, or a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol; separating the obtained extract using column chromatography on silica gel; and obtaining the target product. The inhibitor can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions for treating and preventing diabetes, obesity and cancers.
US09849116B2

Pharmaceutical compositions of (R)-pramipexole and one or more secondary therapeutic agents such as, for example, dopamine agonists, dopaminergic agonists, COMT inhibitors, MOA inhibitors, excitatory amino acid antagonists, growth factors, neurotrophic factors, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, immunomodulators, anti-glutamatergics, ion channel blockers, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonists, heat shock protein inducers/protein disaggregators and downregulators, monoamine oxidase type B (MOAB) inhibitors, multi-target agents, kinase inhibitors, Bcl inducers, histone deacetylase (HDAC) mediators, glial modulators, mitochondrial energy promoting agents, myostatin inhibitors, caspase inhibitors and combinations thereof or those related to mitochondrial dysfunction or increased oxidative stress are disclosed.
US09849113B2

Described herein are compounds for and methods of treating conditions or diseases in a subject by administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition containing an effective amount of an α-adrenergic modulator. The compounds and methods are also useful for alleviating types of pain, acute, neuropathic and chronic.
US09849107B2

Methods of inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes are provided that can be used for improving the treatment of diseases by preventing degradation of drugs or other molecules by cytochrome P450. Pharmaceutical compositions are provided that can act as boosters to improve the pharmacokinetics, enhance the bioavailability, and enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs that undergo in vivo degradation by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
US09849093B2

Provided are novel methods and compositions for administration of pharmaceuticals to subjects with dysphagia. Pharmaceuticals are associated with beads and administered with food, beverage or cosmetic to provide ease of administration to subjects with dysphagia. Environmental indicators are associated with beads for Quality Assurance.
US09849089B2

The present invention relates to hydrogel particles coated with lipid, which are made from dispersing hydrogel particles in an organic solvent in which lipids are dissolved, and to a method for manufacturing same. Unlike the existing method for manufacturing hydrogel core vesicles, the present invention can effectively manufacture same by using an emulsification method, without involving the steps of chemical treatment of the surface of hydrogels or dilution, thereby facilitating mass production and preventing the decrease of drug encapsulation efficiency. The present method could be widely used for research on delivery carriers of oil/water-soluble active material or cell structure reproduction and more particularly, a keratinocyte mimetic of the present invention containing natural moisturizing factors can contain a large quantity of bound water for a long time, thereby exhibiting superior capability to retain moisture and moisturize, and providing a composition for an ingredient in cosmetics for moisturizing.
US09849083B2

The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the transmucosal delivery of a statin, said composition comprising a statin and a carrier in which said statin is soluble or forms a suspension or emulsion. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a statin for use in inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in vivo, where in said use said composition is delivered by the transmucosal route.
US09849082B2

An implant for insertion through a punctum and into a canalicular lumen of a patient. The implant includes a matrix of material, a therapeutic agent dispersed in the matrix of material, a sheath disposed over a portion of the matrix of material and configured to inhibit the therapeutic agent from being released from the matrix of material into the canalicular lumen and to allow the therapeutic agent to be released from a surface of the matrix of material to a tear film, and a retention structure configured to retain the implant within the canalicular lumen.
US09849074B2

A composition contains at least one sunscreen and a protein-PVP copolymer. The sunscreen may be organic and/or inorganic, particularly titanium dioxide. The protein-PVP copolymer improves the effectiveness of the sunscreen, resulting in increased SPF values of the composition.
US09849072B2

Described herein is a method of dyeing the hair. The method includes applying to the hair a hair color composition including one or more direct dye compounds and rinsing the hair with water. The one or more direct dye compounds each include a chromophore, one or two permanent cations, and one to four incipient cations. The one to four incipient cations are pendant to the core structure and are neutral. The one or more direct dye compounds enter the hair shaft after the hair color composition is applied to the hair. The hair color composition has a pH of from about 7 to about 11. The pH of the hair after rinsing is from about 3.5 to about 6. The rinsing of the hair causes one or more of the one to four incipient cations to change from neutral to positively charged inside of the hair shaft.
US09849067B2

A package that is configured to store and dispense fluids. The package includes a container and a dosing dispenser for closing an opening to the container. The dosing dispenser includes a body portion having a syringe receiver and a valve assembly that is configured to permit the flow of fluid from the container to the syringe.
US09849063B2

The present invention discloses a frequency-variable golden beauty bar, the frequency-variation golden beauty bar includes a beauty bar body, and a circuit board arranged in the said the beauty bar body, wherein, the circuit board includes: a control module, configured to convert a voltage variation into a frequency variation; an enable module, configured to receive a signal of the frequency variation and control a motor rotating speed; the control module connects to the enable module. The frequency-variable golden beauty bar as provided in the present invention, makes it possible to adjust an adjustable potentiometer through a knob on a tail part, and decide the voltage variation of the adjustable potentiometer through an MCU chip, then convert it into frequency variation, followed by controlling the vibration frequency of the motor through a high frequency MOS transistor, thus achieves the frequency variation of the beauty bar.
US09849061B2

The invention relates to a stimulation device (1) for erogenous zones, in particular for the clitoris (12), wherein the stimulation device (1) has the following: at least one pressure field generating arrangement (2) with at least one first chamber (3) and at least one second chamber (4) having at least one opening (42) for placing on a body part (11); at least one connection element (5) that connects the first chamber (3) to the second chamber (4); a drive unit (6) that varies the volume of the first chamber (3) such that a pressure field that serves for stimulation is generated via the connection element (5) in the second chamber (4); a control device (7) that activates the drive unit (6), and an appendage (140).
US09849047B2

The present disclosure may relate to a wheelchair that includes a first centerless wheel assembly including a drive roller guide assembly and three other roller guides, and a first drive mechanism coupled to the first drive roller guide assembly to drive the first centerless wheel assembly. The wheelchair may also include a second centerless wheel assembly including a drive roller guide assembly and three additional roller guides, and a second drive mechanism coupled to the second drive roller guide assembly to drive the second centerless wheel assembly.
US09849026B2

A device for delivering caloric vestibular stimulation to an individual, includes: (a) an earpiece configured to be at least partially insertable into the ear canal of the individual for delivering said caloric vestibular stimulation; (b) a power supply operatively associated with said earpiece; and (c) a controller operatively associated with said power supply and said earpiece for configuring said caloric vestibular stimulation as at least a first and second time-varying waveform. Preferably, the waveforms are actively controlled waveforms.
US09849020B2

An ankle foot orthosis to be worn inside a common shoe that corrects ankle pronation by gently axially rotating and rolling the foot in the corrective direction by pulling from the shin assembly while further enhancing the corrective rolling with strategically placed posts on the medial edge of the sole. Rigidity of the foot assembly is paired with the flexibility of the shin assembly for donning a foot into the device when combined with a wide variety of common shoes. Features are also provided to A) support the longitudal, transverse, metatarsal, and peroneal arches, thus enhancing the stability of the foot; and B) to support the plantar vault, thus enhancing the stability of the foot.
US09849016B2

An introducer assembly having a handle, at least one fiber operatively coupling at least one handle with one or more functions of the handle; and having a fiber routing system that allows a predetermined amount of slack to be created during assembly in at least one fiber so as to delay by a desired amount of time actuation of the one or more functions of the handle associated with the at least one fiber during operation of the handle.
US09849015B2

An endoluminal prosthesis introducer may include an elongate tubular sheath including a reinforced longitudinal segment and a peelable longitudinal segment extending distally from the reinforced segment. An elongate tubular cannula may be disposed within the sheath. Upon application of a force applied to a distal end of the sheath, the peelable segment may progressively split in a proximal direction, and the reinforced segment may longitudinally move relative to the cannula in a distal direction.
US09849011B2

Methods and devices for increasing flow in the left atrial appendage (LAA) include a conduit directing blood flow from a pulmonary artery into the LAA and/or a conduit drawing blood from the LAA by a Bernoulli effect. In one embodiment, a method comprises implanting a conduit in a pulmonary vein, expanding an inlet portion such that the conduit becomes anchored within the vein and directs blood through an outlet portion of the conduit into or toward the left atrial appendage.
US09849007B2

A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.
US09849005B2

A method for manufacturing an implant and an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, including a body having a coating on at least a portion of the surface thereof, and the degradation of which can be influenced from the outside in a targeted manner, the method having the following steps: a) providing an implant body, and b) applying a coating to the surface of the implant body, wherein the coating comprises unfilled cavities, preferably in the form of microbubbles (2).
US09849000B2

A kit for use in performing joint arthroplasty on a head of a long bone is disclosed. The kit includes: a first implant including a first implant articulating surface and an opposed first implant mounting surface having a first implant location feature; and an instrument for preparing a cavity in the head of the long bone. The instrument includes a body and a punch extending from the body. The punch includes a portion thereof having a shape similar to the first implant location surface of the implant. A method for providing joint arthroplasty is also disclosed.
US09848999B2

Methods and devices are provided for delivering and affixing tissue replacements. In one embodiment, a tissue scaffold can be delivered into a patient through a cannula to a cavity formed at a defect site in tissue, e.g., cartilage. A delivery shaft can be used to deliver the scaffold through the cannula, and a loading device can help load the scaffold onto the delivery shaft. A delivery guide device can position and temporarily hold the scaffold within the cavity. The delivery guide device can guide one or more surgical instruments to the scaffold to affix the scaffold within the cavity, e.g., to bone underlying the scaffold, using at least one securing mechanism.
US09848998B2

A tool assembly includes a universal, intervertebral bone fusion spacer for insertion into a disc space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body and fusion of the first vertebral body to the second vertebral body via biological bone fusion and screw fusion, and a tool for manipulating and inserting the universal, intervertebral bone fusion spacer into the disc space between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body to provide fusion of the first vertebral body to the second vertebral body via biological bone fusion and screw fusion.
US09848990B2

A method for implanting a reverse modular humeral implant into a humerus that includes a natural humeral shaft and a natural humeral head. The implant includes a humeral stem implantable into the natural humeral shaft, and an adapter couplable to the humeral stem, the adapter including an anchoring projection configured to be coupled to a convex bearing.
US09848989B2

Systems, devices, and methods for providing orthopedic augments having recessed pockets that receive a fixation material. The orthopedic augments include an outer surface that interfaces with a patient's tissue or bone, and an inner surface that interfaces with an implant, the inner surface defining a recessed pocket configured to receive a fixation material, a rim around at least a portion of the recessed pocket, and a port in the rim, wherein the recessed pocket extends along the inner surface in at least a direction laterally from the port.
US09848986B2

In one embodiment, a prosthetic component includes a plurality of fixation pads coupled to a body portion. The fixation pads may be formed of a first material suitable for attachment to bone, and the body portion may be formed of a second material different from the first material and suitable to provide a bearing surface for a joint.
US09848976B2

The invention relates to an endoprosthesis (1), in particular a vascular or cardiac endoprosthesis (1), having a body (2) and also one or more thrombogenic elements (3) that are fixed to the endoprosthesis (1) and that are able to extend a distance away from the body outside the latter. The endoprosthesis comprises means (33) for selectively retaining the thrombogenic elements near the body (2). The release of the one or more thrombogenic elements, after the endoprosthesis has been fitted in place by a conventional method via a sheath, promotes thrombosis.
US09848975B2

A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes contacting the thrombus with an inner catheter. A self-expanding body is advanced toward the thrombus, wherein the self-expanding body has a proximal end fixed to a distal end of an elongate catheter. The self-expanding body is preferably made from nickel-titanium and includes a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end. The self-expanding body preferably has a mesh structure. The self-expanding body is allowed to self-expand in the blood vessel. At least a portion of the thrombus is captured by the self-expanding body and the captured thrombus is then retrieved into a lumen of an aspiration catheter. Negative pressure is applied through the lumen of the aspiration catheter during retrieval of the captured thrombus. A thrombolytic drug may be delivered into the blood vessel before capturing and removing the thrombus.
US09848970B2

Embodiments of elongate pelvic implants and methods for treating pelvic conditions, such as incontinence, are provided. The implants can include a tissue support portion, one or more extension portions and one or more anchors. The implant is constructed as a unitary sling implant. The implant can be constructed or formed in a generally elongate shape to provide a lattice support structure of repeated cells.
US09848966B2

A hybrid dental tool is disclosed herein. The hybrid dental tool includes a flossing head and a handle portion. The flossing head can include a filament stretching between the leading arm and a trailing arm. The flossing head can be connected to the handle portion. The handle portion can include features that can receive and retain a pick. The pick can be a soft pick or a hard pick. The handle portion can further include an integrated pick that can be located at a free end of the handle portion.
US09848959B2

An orthodontic remodeling device, wherein the bite plate is modified to have textured teeth and gum facing surfaces so as to provide cleaning, massaging or acupressure effect when in use.
US09848958B2

Methods and systems for generating a three-dimensional occlusogram are disclosed. One method includes determining a virtual three dimensional (3D) mesh model object of at least one tooth of a patient and displaying the determined virtual 3D mesh model object of at least one tooth of a patient wherein the 3D mesh model object includes a plurality of data sets associated with a set of occlusal information for the at least one tooth of the patient.
US09848953B2

A method for implementing a dynamic three-dimensional lung map view for navigating a probe inside a patient's lungs includes loading a navigation plan into a navigation system, the navigation plan including a planned pathway shown in a 3D model generated from a plurality of CT images, inserting the probe into a patient's airways, registering a sensed location of the probe with the planned pathway, selecting a target in the navigation plan, presenting a view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway and indicating the sensed location of the probe, navigating the probe through the airways of the patient's lungs toward the target, iteratively adjusting the presented view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway based on the sensed location of the probe, and updating the presented view by removing at least a part of an object forming part of the 3D model.
US09848948B2

An ablation catheter adapted for use with a guide wire has a 3-D shaped portion that carries ring electrodes for ablating a vessel or tubular region, including the renal artery. The 3-D shaped portion, for example, a helical portion, enables the ring electrodes to contact an inner surface of the vessel at a plurality of locations at different depths along the vessel to form a conduction block without forming a closed conduction loop which would otherwise increase the risk of stenosis of the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter has a lumen with entry and exit ports to allow the guide wire to pass through the lumen but bypass the 3-D shaped portion. In another embodiment, the catheter has outer bands providing side tunnels through which the guide wire can pass through.
US09848945B2

A device for performing a surgical procedure includes an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft includes an outer surface and an inner surface. An expandable member is disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The expandable member is configured to receive inflation material. At least one electrode is disposed with the inflatable member. Methods of use are disclosed.
US09848940B2

A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. An end effector for treating tissue is supported by the elongated shaft. One or more tensile members extend at least partially through the elongated shaft. A proximal end of a tensile member is operatively coupled to at least one actuator and a distal end is operatively coupled to the end effector such that manipulation of the actuator induces movement of the tensile member to move the end effector. A de-tensioning mechanism is operatively associated with the tensile member to move the tensile member between a first relaxed configuration and a second stressed configuration. The de-tensioning mechanism includes a spacer insertable into a cavity defined in the housing to move the tensile member to the first relaxed configuration and removable from the cavity to move the at least one tensile member to the second stressed configuration.
US09848938B2

The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical instruments for use in sealing various tissues. The instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly attached to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members attached thereto. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one additional position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members have an elastomeric material disposed on an inner facing tissue contacting surface thereof with the elastomeric materials including an electrode disposed therein. The electrodes are offset a distance X relative to one another such that when the jaw members are closed about the tissue and when the electrodes are activated, electrosurgical energy flows through the tissue in a generally coplanar manner relative to the tissue contacting surfaces.
US09848937B2

A surgical end effector has a first jaw comprising a first electrode and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration, an approximated configuration, and a fully approximated configuration. The second jaw includes a second electrode and a spacer extending from the second electrode, wherein the spacer is configured to maintain a predetermined distance between the first electrode and the second electrode when the end effector is in the fully approximated configuration, wherein the spacer is in contact with the first electrode in the fully approximated configuration, wherein the spacer is spaced apart from the first electrode in the open configuration, and wherein the spacer is comprised of a semi-conductive material.
US09848935B2

A surgical instrument includes a shell having a housing and a shaft. The shell including first and second shell components configured to engage one another to form the shell, each of which is monolithically formed to include a housing portion and a shaft portion. Upon engagement of the first and second shell components with one another, the housing portions cooperate to form the housing of the shell while the shaft portions cooperate to form the shaft of the shell. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to the shaft at a distal end of the shaft. A handle assembly is operably coupled to the housing. A drive assembly disposed within the shell is operably coupled between the handle assembly and the end effector assembly such that actuation of the handle assembly manipulates the end effector assembly.
US09848934B2

Thermochemical ablation techniques may provide ablation of bodily tissue using chemical reaction energy.
US09848929B2

A method for fusing bones using a guide pin and a fastener is disclosed. The method includes inserting a guide pin into two bones. The guide pin including at least one radial marking. The method also including imaging the two bones and guide pin and analyzing the position of the at least one radial marking of the guide pin relative to the two bones. In addition, the method includes selecting a fastener, inserting a drill over the guide pin, drilling an opening through at least one of the two bones, and inserting the fastener into the opening. The guide pin may include an exterior surface with a first end and a second end, a cutting edge at the first end, and at least one radial marking near the first end. A system including a guide pin, a fastener, and a drill is also disclosed.
US09848921B2

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method of placing a vertebral fixing system on a vertebra. The vertebral fixing system comprises a connecting part with members forming a space into which a rod may be inserted. The members are moveable relative to each other. A portion of a ligature may be passed through the connecting part to form a loop extending from the connecting part. When the rod is inserted in the space between the members, the ligature may be tensioned against the rod. The members of the connecting part may be driven together to hold the ligature in place. An adjustable locking means may be utilized to fix simultaneously in position the connecting part relative to the rod and at least one portion of the ligature relative to the connecting part, so as to prevent relative displacement of the rod and the vertebra in opposite directions.
US09848917B2

A system for correcting a spinal deformity includes an implant fixed to one side of a vertebra and a rod extending along an axis of the spine on a second side of the vertebra. An adjustment member, which may include a reel, is coupled to the rod. A force directing member, such as a cable, extends between the rod and the adjustment member. The force directing member is retractable toward and extendible from the adjustment member. A method of correcting spinal deformity includes providing an implant, a rod, an adjustment member coupled to the rod, and a force directing member extending between the rod and the adjustment member. The adjustment member can be retractable toward and extendible from the adjustment member.
US09848911B1

A method for easing child birth and, more particularly, to a device for practicing the method for easing child birth and, most particularly, to a device for easing child birth controlled by the individual giving birth to the child. The device mechanically replaces a “manual” contact, which can be applied to the pelvis of a woman in labor, for the purpose of aiding the expulsion of the baby, and reduce the pain and discomfort associated with this process. The device mechanically compresses the ilium portion of the pelvis medially and posteriorly, simultaneously. The pressure applied by the device is under full control of the patient, so that pressure is applied slowly and progressively to a point of maximum comfort. The pressure is decreased immediately upon demand by the patient. The duration of the application of compression corresponds with the length of the contraction period for the woman.
US09848899B2

Systems and methods for aligning directionally operable medical devices with and upon target tissue. Systems and methods for aligning medical devices such as directional ablation catheters to and upon target tissue by monitoring irrigant backpressure. The current disclosure provides solutions to the problem of rotationally or angularly aligning a directional medical device toward tissue.
US09848896B2

A femoral sizing jig for use in total arthroplasty of left and right knees, comprises a femoral body, an external-rotation-angle arm which is, preferably pivotable, relative to the femoral body for setting an external angular rotation of a left or right femur, at least one of a cutting-jig guide and a cutting jig which is, preferably slidable, relative to the femoral body and in unison with movement of the external rotation-angle arm, and a medial posterior-condylar locator which is movable in unison with the movement of the external-rotation-angle arm, so as to maintain a fixed or substantially fixed relative distance with a medial side of the at least one of a cutting-jig guide and a cutting jig. A posterior-referencing femur resecting system using said femoral sizing jig and a method of resecting a femur at a knee joint relative to the medial posterior condyle are also provided.
US09848895B1

A three-dimensional (3-D) orthopedic drill guide device for accommodating a bone drill during an orthopedic surgery is disclosed. By establishing two specific angles in relation to the bone fascia, the device acts as a guide for bone drilling locations. In one specific instance, it is an optimal 3-D drill guide for the direction and Gamma angle (resulting from the devices Alpha and Beta angles of the device) of a drill hole in a femoral bone when used to replace an injured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
US09848894B2

Apparatus for drilling a hole in material, the apparatus comprising: an angled drill guide comprising a curved distal section, a less-curved proximal section, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the less-curved proximal section comprises a flat extending therealong for reducing the effective diameter of the less-curved proximal section so as to minimize interference between the angled drill guide and the side wall of an access cannula.
US09848893B2

Implant devices and cutting clamp apparatuses and methods for creating the implants for insertion into a patient's joint to restore anatomic length and assist in final positioning of the bones following removal of cartilage and/or bone in preparation for fusion. A first implant is a biplanar implant having a shape to mimic the normal anatomical shape of the bones the implant is configured to mate with. The first implant may be cut using a cutting clamp and jig having the anatomical shape of the bones the implant will be inserted within or between. A second implant is a cylindrical piece of bone having a convex end and a concave end for mating with bones reamed to have the opposite mating surfaces. The second implant is created using cup and cone reamers having dimensions corresponding to the size of the patient's bones. Surgical methods for inserting the implants within a patient.
US09848878B2

A surgical device comprising a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a clamping member and a clamp apparatus is disclosed. The clamping member is slidably positioned to translate at least partially through the first jaw member. The clamping member engages the first jaw member and the second jaw member, and has a knife blade for cutting tissue. A flange of the clamping member is configured to engage a cam surface to pivot the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member from an open position toward an approximated position. The clamp apparatus is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position for preventing a gap between proximal portions of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from exceeding a predetermined distance. The clamping member and the clamp apparatus are separately movable.
US09848873B2

A surgical staple cartridge assembly that comprises an anvil, a staple cartridge jaw, a longitudinal knife channel, a first longitudinal row of staple pockets comprising a first distal end staple pocket, a second longitudinal row of staple pockets comprising a second distal end staple pocket, a third longitudinal row of staple pockets, staples removably positioned within the staple pockets, a staple driver, and a firing member is disclosed. The staple driver is configured to drive a first distal staple out of the first distal end staple pocket and a second distal staple out of the second distal end staple pocket and, in cooperation with the anvil, deform the first distal staple to a first fired height and the second distal staple to a second fired height. The firing member comprising a first portion configured to engage the anvil and a second portion configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw.
US09848871B2

Adjunct materials and methods of using adjunct material to reinforce a staple line are provided. In general, an adjunct material can be used to maintain a seal in tissue and can prevent stapled tissue from tearing. In some embodiments, a surgical stapler can include a jaw having an adjunct material associated with the jaw. The adjunct material can be attached to tissue via staples deployed by the stapler. In some embodiments, an adjunct material can be a woven material having a single layer or multiple layers, and each layer can have different mechanical properties. In other embodiments, an adjunct material can have a single layer or multiple layers of nonwoven material, such as suture compressed into a three dimensional structure.
US09848870B2

A coupling system includes an applicator tool and an attachment ring mounted on the applicator tool. Clips are contained within the applicator tool and are deployed through the attachment ring in order to anchor the attachment ring to biological tissue. When deployed, tips of the clips follow a curved trajectory through an annular cuff of the attachment ring and through the underlying tissue. The tips loop back out of the tissue and to a location where they are later trapped or clamped by the attachment ring. While the tips are trapped or clamped, the applicator tool cinches the clips by pulling rear segments of the clips. Thereafter, the applicator tool disconnects from the attachment ring which remains anchored to the tissue and serves as a coupling for a cannula. The cannula can have movable lock members that secure it to the attachment ring.
US09848867B2

A non-invasive device for anchoring a suture includes a sheet to which a suture can be attached and an adhesive that can affix the sheet to bone. The method provides placing effective amount of an adhesive on a bone and attaching the suture to the adhesive and allowing the adhesive to set.
US09848865B2

A suture thread is used to perform suturing without tying part of or the whole of knots that are supposed to be tied during suturing. A suture thread support body prevents an end of the suture thread from being pulled into a suturing site. A needle accommodation body has a shape of a tube having a through-hole through both ends. The suture thread has the suture thread support body and the needle accommodation body.
US09848848B2

An electronic stethoscope includes an acoustic sensor assembly having a first microphone to detect biological sounds within a body, a detection system in communication with the first microphone to receive an auscultation signal from the first microphone, the auscultation signal including information of the biological sounds detected by the first microphone. The stethoscope also includes a second microphone in communication with the detection system to detect noise from an environment of the body. The detection system receives a noise signal from the second microphone, and provides a resultant signal based on the auscultation signal and the noise signal. The detection system subtracts information from the auscultation signal to produce the resultant signal, where the subtracted information is based on the noise signal such that the subtracted information is based more on higher frequency ranges of the noise signal compared to a lower frequency range corresponding to the biological sounds.
US09848847B2

A computed tomography (CT) image apparatus includes an X-ray source to emit X-rays; and processing circuitry configured to receive a desired detectability index set by a user, the desired detectability index determining for a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object; determine an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and cause the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current.
US09848840B2

According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detection unit, an X-ray filter, an input unit, and an X-ray filter support unit. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detection unit detects the X-rays transmitted through a subject. The X-ray filter is arranged between the X-ray tube and the object and has an opening. The X-ray filter support unit supports the X-ray filter so as to make the X-ray filter movable in an imaging axis direction of the X-rays.
US09848837B2

An imaging system (100) includes an annular bearing (404) with an iso-center (406). The annular bearing includes a stationary side (4041) and a rotatable side (4042) with at least one alignment feature (420). The imaging system further includes a rotating gantry (410) mechanically coupled to the rotatable side. The imaging system further includes an imaging component (412, 416, 418). The imaging components includes at least one complementary alignment feature (602, 804) that is complementary to the at least one alignment feature (420, 802, 1200) of the rotatable side. The rotating gantry is between the imaging component and the rotatable side, and the imaging component is aligned with the iso-center through the at least one alignment feature and the at least one complementary alignment feature.
US09848835B2

In one embodiment of the invention, a method for obtaining a tomogram of an anatomical structure is disclosed. In one step, an anatomical structure is scanned using a scanning source and a scanning detector. Both the scanning source and detector are connected to a gantry. In another step, the speed of the gantry is altered during the scanning process. Additionally or optionally the frame rate of the scan can be modified in such step. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the speed of the gantry is altered in synchronicity with the respiratory signal of a patient. Using such a method, a tomogram of an anatomical structure is obtained.
US09848823B2

A device can estimate the heart rate of an active user by using a physiological model to refine a “direct” measurement of the user's heart rate obtained using a pulse sensor. The physiological model can be based on heart rate response to activity and can be informed by context information, such as the user's current activity and/or intensity level as well as user-specific parameters such as age, gender, general fitness level, previous heart rate measurements, etc. The physiological model can be used to predict a heart rate, and the prediction can be used to assess or improve the direct measurement.
US09848820B2

An apnea analysis system may include a photoplethysmographic (PPG) sub-system, a breath detection sub-system, and an apnea analysis module. An apnea analysis system includes a photoplethysmographic (PPG) sub-system, a breath detection sub-system, and an apnea analysis module. The PPG sub-system is configured to be operatively connected to an individual and output a PPG signal from the individual. The breath detection sub-system is configured to be operatively connected to the individual and output a breath signal from the individual. The apnea analysis module is in communication with the PPG sub-system and the breath detection sub-system. The apnea analysis module analyzes the breath signal and a respiratory component of the PPG signal and, based on the analysis, identifies a presence of apnea, differentiates between obstructive apnea and central apnea, and provides an indication of the identified apnea.
US09848818B1

A system and method for the use of the results from a structural analysis of a patient's bone from a clinical scan, to be used clinically to manage patients in a widespread and consistent fashion.
US09848817B2

A gas supply apparatus includes: a gas supply conduit for supplying a gas to a digestive tract; a pressure detecting device which detects a pressure in the digestive tract; a flow regulating device which regulates a gas amount supplied from the gas supply source to the digestive tract via the gas supply conduit; a first control device which controls the flow regulating device according to a result detected by the pressure detecting device to supply the gas into the digestive tract so that the pressure inside the digestive tract becomes a set pressure; a second control device which controls the flow regulating device to supply a fixed gas amount into the digestive tract; and a gas supply mode switching device which switches between gas supply modes including a mode for executing control by the first control device and a mode for executing control by the second control device.
US09848810B2

An automatically locking safety device, e.g., for use in a blood collection procedure, can include a housing, first and second needle covers that are at least partly received in the housing, and a needle that is at least partly received in at least one of the first and second needle covers. The needle can include a proximal tip configured for placement into a patient and a distal tip configured for placement into a blood collection vial. In some embodiments, the first and second needle covers are biased by a biasing member. In some cases, one or both of the first and second needle covers can be locked to prevent axial movement thereof after the blood collection procedure. In certain embodiments, a distal end of the device is configured to connect with a medical connector, such as a needleless IV access device.
US09848809B2

Systems and methods for processing sensor data and self-calibration are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided which are capable of calibrating a continuous analyte sensor based on an initial sensitivity, and then continuously performing self-calibration without using, or with reduced use of, reference measurements. In certain embodiments, a sensitivity of the analyte sensor is determined by applying an estimative algorithm that is a function of certain parameters. Also described herein are systems and methods for determining a property of an analyte sensor using a stimulus signal. The sensor property can be used to compensate sensor data for sensitivity drift, or determine another property associated with the sensor, such as temperature, sensor membrane damage, moisture ingress in sensor electronics, and scaling factors.
US09848805B2

A new biostable glucose permeable polymer has been developed which is useful, for example, in implantable glucose sensors. This biostable glucose permeable polymer has a number of advantageous characteristics and, for example, does not undergo hydrolytic cleavage and degradation, thereby providing a composition that facilitates long term sensor stability in vivo. The versatile characteristics of this polymer allow it to be used in a variety of contexts, for example to form the body of an implantable glucose sensor. The invention includes the polymer composition, sensor systems formed from this polymer composition, and methods for making and using such sensor systems.
US09848799B2

A method includes displaying a position of a distal end of a medical probe that is being navigated in an organ of a patient on a three-dimensional (3D) map of the organ. In response to an event, a plane of interest including the distal end is selected, a real-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) slice of the organ is acquired at the selected plane, and the MRI slice is displayed overlaid on the 3D map.
US09848797B2

A patient table includes a table body configured for bearing a patient, a connecting rod structure configured for supporting the table body, and a spring structure. The connecting rod structure is operable such that the table body may perform a lifting motion between a high position and a low position. Both ends of the spring structure are fixed. At least a first end of the spring structure is hinged to the connecting rod structure. The spring structure may be used for driving the lifting motion of the connecting rod structure and/or bearing the table body. The patient table may be used for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging equipment.
US09848769B2

Provided is an ophthalmic diagnosis support apparatus which enables an operator to easily acquire a tomographic image suitable for detailed observation of a candidate lesion without spending time and effort to search for the candidate lesion. The ophthalmic diagnosis support apparatus includes an acquiring unit for acquiring a wide-range image of a fundus, a candidate lesion detection unit for detecting the candidate lesion on the fundus by analyzing the wide-range image, a calculating unit for determining a degree of abnormality of the candidate lesion based on a result of the detection of the candidate lesion, and an acquiring position setting unit for setting an acquiring position of the tomographic image of the fundus based on the degree of abnormality of the candidate lesion.
US09848765B2

A method for quantifying a blood vessel reflection parameter associated with a biological subject, the method including, in at least one electronic processing device determining, from a fundus image of an eye of the subject, edge points of at least one blood vessel in a region near an optic disc, processing the fundus image, at least in part using the edge points, to identify blood vessel edges and central reflex edges, determining blood vessel and central reflex parameter values using the blood vessel edges and determining a blood vessel reflection parameter value at least partially indicative of blood vessel reflection using the blood vessel and central reflex parameter values.
US09848764B2

A catheter and method for managing fluid in a patient, the catheter having an elongated shaft with a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft defines at least one lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of drainage holes along a distal portion of the shaft, with the drainage holes in fluid communication with the lumen. The catheter further has a substantially transparent tip portion attached to the distal end of the shaft with an outer distal leading surface that is substantially rounded to assist insertion through tissue.
US09848749B1

A cleaning device is provided with at least removable lamp console. When the lamp console is attached, the device can be used as a floor or desk lamp to illuminate a room and/or a table-top. The lamp console is removable to enable the device and/or lamp console to be used as a cleaner to clean a floor or other cleaning surface. Each lamp console is provided with a coupling mechanism that enables selective and electro-mechanical communication with a coupling mechanism of a cleaning device. This coupling enables interchangeability of various lamp consoles. Embodiments provide for a lamp console that acts as a handle-extension. Further embodiments provide for a second illumination display disposed on a portion of the cleaning device.
US09848747B2

A floor cleaning device includes a floor covering compartment having a cleaning opening, a vacuum generating device, a suction pipe that connects the floor covering compartment to the vacuum generating device so that suction force is applied on the surface covered by the cleaning opening, a cleaning head body that holds the floor covering compartment, and a vibrating device that causes vibration of the floor covering compartment relative to the cleaning head body. The periphery of the cleaning opening is adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned so that a sealed cleaning space is formed inside the floor covering compartment and over the portion of the surface covered by the cleaning opening. Strong negative pressure is built up in the sealed cleaning space to enhance suction efficiency. Vibration temporarily breaks the sealed state to facilitate moving of the floor covering compartment.
US09848737B2

There is provided an appliance including a base having a housing, a motor-fan assembly disposed in the housing, a working implement which is operated by the motor-fan assembly when energized, a pocket integrally formed in a sidewall of the housing configured for use as a carrying handle, and one or more apertures formed in the pocket configured to allow cooling air to enter the housing to cool the motor-fan assembly.
US09848736B2

Coffee mill hopper assembly (1), comprising a hopper (10) with multiple compartments (18a, 18b) for storing coffee beans and at least one outlet (22) through which coffee beans may be released from the respective compartments, and a compartment selector (30) comprising a rotatable control knob for adjusting the position of a closure member (36) that cooperates with the at least one outlet (22) to provide for at least one outflow aperture that, depending on the rotational position of the closure member, selectively enables a release of coffee beans. The compartment selector (30) further comprises two toothed members that are rotationally locked to the control knob (34) and the hopper (10), respectively, wherein at least one of said toothed members (50a, 50b) is movably arranged and spring-biased to force the teeth (54a, 54b) of the toothed members towards each other in a meshing relationship.
US09848727B2

Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.
US09848726B2

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for peeling and cutting vegetables and other foods is provided. A plurality of blades form an aperture within a frame. This aperture expands as the vegetable passes through it. This method of food surface removal expedites the process by removing all sides of the vegetable surface at the same time, providing heightened safety features for users, allowing users to easily clean the apparatus, and allowing users to easily remove and replace broken blades or change blade types for a variety of culinary purposes.
US09848714B2

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a play yard configured for providing an enclosed space for a child. According to various embodiments, the play yard comprises a rigid support frame and removable, washable liner. The frame includes one or more channels configured to receive engagement members positioned on the liner in order to form a bounded play yard space. By permitting the liner to be secured to the frame via the retention members, a user is able to easily secure the liner to the frame for use and remove the liner from the frame for washing.
US09848700B2

A slidable kitchen organizer apparatus comprised of a combination of “V” shaped wire baskets and “L” shaped wire baskets. Each basket includes an extruded aluminum slatwall and is individually mounted on sliding assemblies within separate portions of a cabinet carcass. Each slide assembly is capable of independently sliding from a stored position within the cabinet to a deployed position outside of the cabinet. Removable, adjustable, and interchangeable hooks and shelves can be attached to the slatwalls.
US09848698B2

A display and enclosure apparatus for supporting a television includes a cabinet that has a back face and at least one flange extending from the back face for holding the television. A decorative member is connected to the flange of the cabinet. The decorative member defines a hollow that extends in a non-linear shape and terminates at a mouth. A bracket interconnects the cabinet and decorative member. The bracket includes a plate that overlies and is connected to the flange of the cabinet, and at least one wing that extends from the plate. The wing has a shape that substantially matches the non-linear shape of the hollow of the decorative member and nests in the hollow for interconnecting the flange of the cabinet and the decorative member.
US09848693B2

An oral care implement and a method of forming the same. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement having a handle and a head. The head has a basin cavity formed therein which includes a basin floor and a basin sidewall and which has an open top end. An aperture is formed into the basin floor or the basin sidewall. An applicator is positioned within the basin cavity so that a delivery portion of the applicator protrudes through the aperture. The oral care implement also includes a head plate with a plurality of tooth cleaning elements mounted thereon. The head plate is coupled to the head and encloses the open top end of the basin cavity.
US09848687B2

A strap height adjustment apparatus including a backpack, a locking strap adjuster, a non-locking strap adjuster, an adjusting strap, and a shoulder strap. The locking strap adjuster is secured to the backpack at a first attachment point. The non-locking strap adjuster secured to the backpack at a second attachment point. The adjusting strap is configured to be carried by the locking strap adjuster and the non-locking strap adjuster. The shoulder strap is secured to the adjusting strap at a shoulder strap attachment point.
US09848684B2

A tubular container includes an applicator that not only easily controls a slope degree of the support body, by installing a rotation control part at an inner side of a support body, when applying contents onto skin by using an applicator or massaging, but also prevents the deformation of an upper portion of the support body which is coupled with the applicator through a rotation control part, such that assemblability with the applicator is improved and thus separation of the applicator is prevented.
US09848681B1

A travel luggage includes a luggage body including a bottom panel and a back panel connected at right angles and first handle grooves and second handle grooves respectively located on the bottom panel and the back panel and respectively connected in lines, and a direction-changeable retractable handle assembly including a retractable handle and two pivots pivotally connecting the retractable handle to the luggage body so that the retractable handle can be selectively set in a first operation mode position where the retractable handle is positioned in the first handle grooves, or a second operation mode position where the retractable handle is positioned in the second handle grooves.
US09848680B2

A contact lens case having integrated lens data stowage compartments is provided. The contact lens case includes a left and a right bowl section in an upper portion of a case body for storing a pair of contact lenses, and two lens data stowage compartments in a lower portion of the case body. Each of the bowl section has a closed bottom and an open top detachably closed by a closure cap. Each lens data stowage compartment is positioned underneath one bowl section, and is assessable from a side or a lower base of the contact lens case. The height of the compartments is proportioned for receipt of a lens data sheet having thereon lens data corresponding to a contact lens located in the bowl section thereabove. The lens data stowed in each compartment can be viewed or accessed from the contact lens case.
US09848678B2

A ring assembly includes an annular ring platform having a recess formed in a portion thereof and a column with an opening therein. A collar is received on the ring platform and has a sleeve that mates with the column. An ornamental portion has an anchor that extends through the collar and selectively mates with the column opening. A biasing spring is received in the recess of the ring platform and urges the collar outwardly from the ring platform. The ornamental portion selectively rotates relative to the ring platform whereby the anchor locks with the column and the spring urges the ornamental portion toward locked relation therewith.
US09848674B2

An article of footwear is disclosed that includes a cinching apparatus that is configured to move the upper between an open position and a closed position. The cinching apparatus includes a spring pad with a first, second, and third portion. The third portion is elastic and configured to deform elastically from a first position toward a second position. The third portion is configured to move the first portion relative to the second portion generally in the longitudinal direction as the third portion deforms between the first position and the second position. Also, the cinching apparatus is configured to move the upper from the open position toward the closed position as the third portion of the spring pad moves from the first position toward the second position.
US09848673B2

A vacuum formed knit sole system for an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component is described. The article of footwear includes a knitted component including a lower portion forming the knit sole system and an upper portion forming a portion of the upper of the article of footwear. A method of vacuum forming the knitted component using an insert member to form the knit sole system is also described. The insert member can be used to form the shape of the knit outsole, including the shape of cleat members, as well as remain within the interior of the upper to reinforce the knit sole system.
US09848667B2

An article of headgear that has a head-covering article, a lens moveably attached to the head-covering article, and a seal attached to the lens, the seal comprising a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material, the first polymeric material having a greater tensile modulus than the second material. In an exemplary embodiment, the lens is moveable from a first, lowered position to a second, raised position, and when in the first, lowered position, the seal sealingly engages the head-covering article. In some embodiments, the tensile modulus of the first polymeric material is at least about 5× greater or even about 10× greater than the tensile modulus of the second material.
US09848662B2

Described is a system and method for attaching the artificial eyelashes to a tape strip. The system includes an elongated tape strip having at least one surface with an adhesive and having opposing edges that run along a length of the elongated tape strip. A plurality of artificial eyelashes having lash ends are attached with the at least one surface along the length of the elongated tape strip. Further, each of the plurality of artificial eyelashes have physical characteristics such that at least two of the plurality of artificial eyelashes have physical characteristics that are different than one another.
US09848657B2

A pair of socks is provided. The first sock defines a first toe end and a first upper end. The first sock includes an elastically deformable first aperture formed through the first sock proximate the first upper end. The second sock defines a second toe end and a second upper end. The second sock includes an elastically deformable second aperture formed through the second sock proximate the second upper end. When the first toe end of the first sock is drawn through the second aperture of the second sock and the second toe end of the second sock is drawn through the first aperture of the first sock the first and second socks are secured together.
US09848656B2

An electronic smoking article includes an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction, an inner tube within the outer tube and including a pair of opposing slots, a liquid supply comprising a liquid material, a coil heater, a wick and a mouth end insert. The coil heater is located in the inner tube. The coil heater is formed of an iron-free, nickel-chromium alloy and has substantially uniformly spaced windings. The wick is surrounded by the coil heater such that the wick delivers liquid material to the coil heater and the coil heater heats the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol in the inner tube.
US09848652B2

Disclosed is a cotton-free electronic cigarette preventing liquid spill, comprising a vaporizer assembly, a mouthpiece assembly and a battery control assembly. The vaporizer assembly comprises an outer sleeve, a liquid storage cup, a vaporizer unit and a heat insulation sleeve. An air passage is formed between an exterior longitudinal flat surface of the liquid storage cup and the heat insulation sleeve. The liquid storage cup is sheathed with the outer sleeve, an inner wall of the outer sleeve and an exterior arc surface of the liquid storage cup forms an arc-shaped slit. An inner wall of the outer sleeve and the exterior longitudinal flat surface of the liquid storage cup forms a vapor flow passage. The vapor flow passage is interconnected to the arc-shaped slit. The mouthpiece assembly is fixed to one end of the outer sleeve to seal an outlet of the arc-shaped slit.
US09848650B2

An exemplary atomizer includes a main body, an atomizing component received in the main body, and a liquid chamber configured for receiving tobacco liquid. The atomizing component is configured for generating aerosol from the tobacco liquid. The atomizing component and the liquid chamber cooperatively define a liquid passage therebetween. The atomizer further includes a liquid blocking element defining a notch. The liquid blocking element is capable of rotating relative to the main body between a first position where the liquid blocking element prevents the tobacco liquid in the liquid chamber from flowing into the liquid passage, and a second position where the notch is in alignment with the liquid passage, so that the tobacco liquid flows to the atomizing component via the liquid passage.
US09848648B2

A portable, personal storage and carrying case for an e-liquid e-cigarette PV in which the case includes a movable holder or chassis into which the PV can be inserted to bring electrical charging contacts on the PV into direct or indirect engagement with electrical charging contacts in the case that are connected to a power source in the case.
US09848643B2

An electronic cigarette, in which an atomizer assembly protective cartridge is provided outside of the atomizer assembly, and a battery assembly protective cartridge is provided outside of the battery assembly. An atomizing seat fitted with the holder is provided at an inner end of the atomizer assembly. At least a coating layer is provided outside of the atomizer assembly protective cartridge, the holder and the battery assembly protective cartridge, and enables connection between the atomizer assembly protective cartridge, the holder and the battery assembly protective cartridge. In the overall process of assembling the electronic cigarette, since there is no pushing or squeezing action between the atomizer assembly and the battery assembly, it is possible to effectively avoid oil leakage caused by an inclination and a deformation of the atomizing seat under uneven force is effectively avoided.
US09848641B2

The present invention relates to a nicotine inhaling device and a method for making the same. Such device allows a user to ingest nicotine vapours orally and it is primarily intended to be used as a smoking cessation aid.
US09848639B1

A novel water pipe smoking system features a base chamber having a base chamber cavity connected to a hose. The base chamber is designed to contain a water level and a vapor headspace. The system features one or more stacked filtering liquid lock chambers each having a filtering liquid lock chamber cavity. The filtering liquid lock chamber is designed to contain a water level and a vapor headspace. The system features one or more chamber connecting lids each having an open tube. The filtering liquid lock chamber is attached to either another filtering liquid lock chamber or the base chamber via the chamber connecting lid. The system features a stem cap having an open tube that is attached to a topmost filtering liquid lock chamber at a filtering liquid lock chamber top. The system features a medicine bowl located on the filtering liquid lock chamber lid.
US09848636B2

A filter for a smoking article comprises a mouth end filter segment and a rod end filter segment. The rod end filter segment has a passage extending longitudinally therethrough. The passage has a diameter of about 1.0 mm or greater. In one embodiment, the rod end filter segment is comprised of an infinite pressure drop material. In another embodiment, the rod end filter segment is comprised of a low pressure drop material having a hollow tubular element disposed within to define the passage with an inner diameter greater than about 1.55 mm. Air dilution means are disposed in one of said filter segments to admit ventilating air into the filter.
US09848629B1

The present invention provides improved apparatus and methods for the monitoring and control of apparatus designed to remove moisture from an initially wet product, such as a continuous dryer (14). The net rate of water removal from the wet product (16) is determined during drying thereof, preferably on a real-time basis. A control assembly (20) is operatively coupled with the dryer (14) and includes sensors (24, 26, 28, 34), which are operatively coupled with a digital controller (38). The controller (38) has a PID controller operable to continuously determine the average net rate of water removal from the product (16).
US09848622B2

Compositions and methods useful to enhance the development of the immune system of a growing animal are disclosed.
US09848619B2

Chewing gums and chewing gum bases which are cud-forming and chewable at mouth temperature contains a block copolymer having at least two hard crystallizable polymeric blocks and at least one soft polymeric block. At least one hard polymeric block is a hard crystallizable polymeric block has a melting point greater than 20° C. The hard, crystallizable polymeric blocks and the soft blocks each have a degree of polymerization of at least 15 Characteristics of the block copolymers can be selected to produce gum bases and chewing gums having desired properties. In some cases, chewed cuds formed from the gum bases may exhibit improved removability from environmental surfaces to which they may become undesirably attached.
US09848618B2

A method for producing a confectionary product (1), comprises the steps of extruding a confectionary substance to form a confectionary string, shearing an end portion (5) from a remaining part (7) of the confectionary string (2), resting the end portion (5) on a conveying surface (8) already before the separation of the end portion (5) and completing the separation of the end portion (5) from the remaining part (7) of the confectionary string (2) while the end portion (5) is resting on the conveying surface (8).
US09848613B2

A method of protecting a dairy product, including fresh milk and milk powder from oxidation by adding an efficacious amount of a composition including rosmarinic acid.
US09848602B2

The present invention relates to the novel use of Prothioconazole for inducing host defence responses in a plant. In particular, the present invention relates the use of Prothioconazole for inducing systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in a plant.
US09848601B2

To provide a pesticidal composition having a stable and high pesticidal effect. The pesticidal composition comprises a pyridine compound represented by the formula (I): (wherein R1 is CH2CN or and each of R2 and R3 which are independent of each other, is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkoxy) or its salt and at least one potency-enhancing component selected from the group consisting of a nonionic surface active agent, an anionic surface active agent, a cationic surface active agent, an amphoteric surface active agent, an animal or plant oil, a mineral oil, a water-soluble polymer, a resin and a wax.
US09848597B1

A deer hunting decoy has a central post within a flexible cover having front and rear faces with coloration simulating the hind quarters of a deer, with each including a lighter colored central portion surrounded by a darker colored border. The lighter colored central portions are covered by tail flaps. The tail flaps are joined for rotational movement to an axle that extends across the central post and through holes in the flexible cover. A pull cord is directly or indirectly joined to the axle. Tugging the pull cord causes rotation of the axle and movement of the tail flaps to simulate tail movement of a deer. The central post is staked to a ground. Different decoy deer heads are interchangeably attachable. A buck head silhouette terminates in a tube connector that releasable fits within a proximal end of the central post. A grazing doe silhouette has a hook portion at one end and a doe head at the opposite end. The hook portion is inserted over an edge of an opening in the flexible cover and the head portion is pinned to the ground.
US09848593B2

A method for the extermination of burrowing vermin is disclosed. The method employs a smoke generating fluid formed of castor oil or castor oil in a mix with secondary components. The fluid is heated to a smoking temperature and the smoke is mixed with a pressurized airflow to communicate the smoke to the tunnels occupied by the burrowing vermin to remove them, and to leave a residue from the smoke which exudes an order deterring the re-occupancy of the tunnels.
US09848589B2

One object is to provide a knob of a fishing reel that can be fabricated easily at low cost and with high strength. In accordance with one aspect, a knob of a fishing reel includes a core rotatably supported via a spindle, and a tubular grip member formed of an elastic material and fitted round the core, wherein the core is provided with a deformation-applying portion for contacting the inner surface of the grip member and causing the outer shape of the grip member to deform and bulge in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the spindle.
US09848586B2

In an exemplary embodiment, an Environmental Optimization System (“EOS”) provides a system for the intelligent control and monitoring of a poultry or livestock house environment through the utilization of a solar thermal collection system, a variety of environmental and livestock behavior sensors, apparatus for controlling the thermal collection and existing interior heating/air conditioning/ventilation (“HVAC”) systems, and Internet or cloud based intelligent control and monitoring capabilities of the system. In various embodiments central sensor data aggregation is utilized to provide improved optimization control for individual structures based on data from multiple structures.
US09848585B1

The bone or chew toy holder is a device that is adapted to support a chew toy or a pet treat at an elevation that is adapted to be consistent with an applicable pet animal. The bone or chew toy holder is constructed of a base that may be weighted. The base includes a pole that extends vertically from the base. The pole is attached to a spring member that in turn is attached to a bracket. The bracket is used to attach to at least one clamp member. The at least one clamp member is adapted to support a chew toy or pet treat.
US09848584B1

A leash booster adapter is descripted which is attach to each end of a section of pet leash, and comprises an elastic member between shorter than the pet leash section to which it attached. In use, the device applies progressive resistance to the pet proportional to the stretching force provided by the pet pulling on the leash: the harder the pet pulls, the more resistance is felt. Rather that a hard jerk felt by the pet when it pulls, a gentle resistance is first felt, increasing in force as the pet pulls harder.
US09848581B1

A pet nail trimmer includes a pair of handles, a housing, a guillotine assembly, and a light. The guillotine assembly extends from the housing and is actuated by the handles. The assembly includes a blade and a frame that are in parallel to one another and that define a cutting opening that includes a first end nearest the handles, a second end opposite the first end, and two sides. The light is disposed within and along a side of the cutting opening, adjacent the blade and the frame, and is oriented to direct light across the cutting opening from one side thereof toward the other. The light is directed in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the handles.
US09848580B2

A tug toy that includes at least two gripping members and a central portion, wherein the at least two gripping members are attached to the central portion, and wherein the central portion further includes a noise maker.
US09848554B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV509109. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV509109, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV509109 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV509109 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV509109.
US09848553B1

A novel maize variety designated X80H130 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 X80H130 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X80H130 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X80H130, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X80H130. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X80H130.
US09848548B1

The invention provides seed and plants of the watermelon line designated TCSEJ12-2622. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of watermelon line TCSEJ12-2622, and to methods for producing a watermelon plant produced by crossing a plant of watermelon line TCSEJ12-2622 with itself or with another watermelon plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of watermelon line TCSEJ12-2622, including the fruits and gametes of such plants.
US09848545B2

Growing systems may include a number of modular growing chambers adapted to be configured in a stacked arrangement with each growing chamber surrounding a corresponding portion of the plant. The grow chambers may be selectively added or removed during plant growth, such that different sections of the growing plant may be influenced differently using aeroponic, hydroponic or other growing techniques. The grow chamber stack may be portable and provided with integrated or independent lifting devices to assist an operator in adding or removing chambers from the stack. Three growing processes may be facilitated using such systems. These include a process for producing assorted product from a single plant for simultaneous harvest, a process for producing an extended harvest of a desired size product from a single plant, and a process for extending the productive life of a plant and provide for multiple, continued, and perpetual harvest.
US09848543B2

A method for subsurface irrigation having the steps of; providing one or more hydrophobic porous uncoated tubes having a hydro head (HH), locating the tubes with at least a portion of their length within the rhizosphere of plants to be irrigated, and passing an aqueous irrigation liquid into the tubes during the growth phase of the plants to be irrigated at an applied pressure at or below HH. The tubes may be located in the proximity of seeds which become the plants to be irrigated following their germination. In this embodiment, aqueous irrigation fluid is passed into the tubes during a germination phase of the seeds at an applied pressure that is at least 10% higher than the applied pressure during the growth phase of the plants.
US09848542B2

The instant invention relates to methods for increasing or promoting microbial activity in soil selected for treatment.
US09848537B2

A combine harvester with an axial flow crop processor with a rotor mounted for rotation inside a rotor housing arranged longitudinally with respect to the harvester. A feed beater is mounted for rotation on a substantially transverse axis and serves to tangentially impel crop material into the crop processor. A drive system drives the rotor and feed beater, wherein the drive system includes a rotor drive device for transmitting torque from a drive stage to the rotor, and a drive connection between the rotor drive device and the beater.
US09848527B2

A furrow following device includes an attachment bracket having a portion provided for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. An arm is provided with a ground-facing surface for engagement with the soil during planting. A mount of the furrow following device has a first portion coupled to the attachment bracket, and a second portion at least partially defining a pivot connection with the arm. The pivot connection provides relative rotation between the arm and the mount. The mount is a compliant mount provided with a spring that exhibits an elastic bias force as the arm is raised toward the attachment bracket.
US09854715B2

A flexible two-phase cooling apparatus for cooling microprocessors in servers can include a primary cooling loop, a first bypass, and a second bypass. The primary cooling loop can include a reservoir, a pump, an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and flexible cooling lines extending from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The flexible cooling lines can be routable within server housings and can be fluidly connected to two or more series-connected heat sink modules that are mountable on microprocessors of the servers. The flexible cooling lines can be configured to transport low-pressure, two-phase dielectric coolant. The first bypass can include a first pressure regulator configured to regulate a first bypass flow of coolant through the first bypass. The second bypass can include a second pressure regulator configured to regulate a second bypass flow of coolant through the second bypass.
US09854706B2

A heat sink includes a bottom surface, a top surface, plural first fins and plural second fins. The plural first fins and the plural second fins are alternately and separately arranged between the top surface and the bottom surface along a specified axis direction. Moreover, plural airflow channels are defined by the plural first fins, the plural second fins, the top surface and the bottom surface collaboratively. The first fin has a first non-overlapped zone and a second non-overlapped zone with respect to a projection area of the second fin along the specified axis direction. The first non-overlapped zone is located at an airflow inlet. In the first non-overlapped zone, the lower portion is wider than the upper portion. The second non-overlapped zone is located at an airflow outlet. In the second non-overlapped zone, the upper portion is wider than the lower portion.
US09854702B2

A compressed-air rack for an electric locomotive includes an electric assembly that is inserted between sheet metal walls of the compressed-air rack and is provided with electric modules which are accessible from the front. In order to be able to produce the electric assembly in a comparatively inexpensive manner and to mount the same with relative ease in the compressed air rack, the electric assembly includes a frame that has no rear wall and has open sides and reinforcing transverse members similar to a skeleton, and electric modules are mounted on the transverse members.
US09854697B2

Modular network switches and other computer systems are described herein. A modular network switch can include a latching device for installing and removing computer modules (e.g., line cards) from an associated cabinet or enclosure. The network switch can also include interconnected computer modules (e.g., line cards, fabric cards, control modules, etc.) that include circuit boards oriented parallel to the flow of cooling air through the cabinet in the absence of a backplane or midplane oriented perpendicular to the air flow. The absence of such backplanes and/or midplanes provides a more direct air flow path through the cabinet, thereby enabling a more efficient flow of cooling air and lower operating temperatures. Additionally, the network switch can include an orthogonal arrangement of data planes, control planes, and/or power planes that can be efficiently interconnected to increase operational speed and further facilitate the flow of cooling air through the computer cabinet.
US09854695B1

A storage blade apparatus includes a blade housing, a first drive drawer, a second drive drawer, and at least first and second redundant controllers. The first drive drawer is included in the blade housing and includes a first set of drive bays. The second drive drawer is included in the blade housing and includes a second set of drive bays. The first and second redundant controllers are contained within the blade housing and each of the first and second redundant controllers is operably connected to each of the first set of drive bays and each of the second set of drive bays. The blade housing is configured to fit within a blade slot of a chassis.
US09854694B2

Various components of an electronic device housing and methods for their assembly are disclosed. The housing can be formed by assembling and connecting two or more different sections together. The sections of the housing may be coupled together using one or more coupling members. The coupling members may be formed using a two-shot molding process in which the first shot forms a structural portion of the coupling members, and the second shot forms cosmetic portions of the coupling members.
US09854691B2

The electrical-accessory module (130) for engaging in an electrical box (110) includes a casing (131) that is made of insulating material and that includes: a side wall (132) that is closed at the rear by a rear wall (133) so as to define an inside space for receiving at least one electrical connection element; and an outer collar (135) that borders the side wall at the front so as to bear against the front edge (115) of the electrical box. The casing further includes a front wall (134) that closes the inside space at the front and that includes: an access window (137) for accessing each electrical connection element, the access window being closed by trim (139) that gives the electrical-accessory module its electrical function; and securing elements (138) for securing a finishing plate (150).
US09854689B2

A display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a display body including a curved part; a case including a bottom plate part through which a through hole is provided at a position opposed to the curved part; and a printed circuit board that is fixed to a surface of the bottom plate opposite to the display body side with the electronic component is mounted on a surface opposed to the bottom plate and with the electronic component arranged inside the through hole.
US09854688B2

A display apparatus includes a frame, a panel module and an adjusting pad. The frame has a supporting surface, and the panel module includes a substrate and a plurality of chips. The substrate is disposed on the supporting surface and has a bonding region at a side of the substrate. The chips are disposed on the bonding region, wherein the chips and the supporting surface are located at two opposite surfaces of the substrate. The adjusting pad is disposed between the supporting surface and the bonding region, and the thickness of the adjusting pad is gradually reduced from a center portion of the adjusting pad toward two sides of the adjusting pad. Another display apparatus, in which a frame and an adjusting pad are integrated into one piece, is provided.
US09854687B2

This disclosure generally relates to high-speed fiber optic networks that use light signals to transmit data over a network. The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to header subassemblies and/or optoelectronic subassemblies. In some aspects, the disclosed devices and methods may relate to a header subassembly that can include: a multi-layer substrate with a bottom layer, a top layer having top thin film signal lines, and one or more intermediate layers having thick film traces between the top layer and the bottom layer, the thick film traces electrically coupled to the top thin film signal lines; and optoelectronic components positioned over the multi-layer substrate and electrically coupled with the signal lines.
US09854656B2

An X-ray detector is disclosed, including a detection unit to generate a detection signal for incident X-ray radiation; a signal analysis module to determine a set of count rates for incident X-ray radiation based upon the detection signal and signal analysis parameters for X-ray radiation; and a switchover control unit for switching between first signal analysis parameters and second signal analysis parameters. When an amount of X-ray radiation is incident on the detection module, a first set of count rates is generated for a first time interval based upon first signal analysis parameters and a second set of count rates is generated for a second time interval based upon second signal analysis parameters, different from the first signal analysis parameters. An X-ray imaging system including the detector; a method for determining count rates for X-ray radiation; and a method for calibrating signal analysis parameters are also disclosed.
US09854654B2

A computing device that displays graphic user interface (GUI) icons that represent index mapping of one or more functions of a firmware of a programmable apparatus, enabling transmission of a command as a command control signal packet to control the programmable apparatus by selection of any GUI icon.
US09854647B2

Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for controlling a lighting unit are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a controller may be operably coupled with one or more light sensors. The controller may, in some embodiments, be configured to receive, from the one or more light sensors, one or more signals indicative of light detected by the one or more light sensors. The controller may facilitate transition of one or more light sources of a lighting unit between first and second lighting states responsive to a determination, based on the one or more signals, that a change in a property of the light detected by the one or more light sensors satisfies a predetermined criterion, such as a threshold rate of change of the property of the detected light.
US09854638B1

An improved lighting apparatus includes a direct current power supply unit, a light emitting unit, and a voltage control unit located between the direct current power supply unit and the light emitting unit to control a level of a voltage applied from the direct current power supply unit to the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit includes first light emitting groups having a first correlated color temperature and being turned on at a first turn-on voltage or above and second light emitting groups having a second correlated color temperature and being turned on at a second turn-on voltage greater than the first turn-on voltage. The voltage control unit includes at least one variable resistor to control such that the second light emitting groups emit light or are prevented from emitting light, achieving a desired correlated color temperature according to a preset proportion.
US09854637B2

A system allows a light fixture to have a wider range of color temperatures (CCT) while limiting the warmest temperature reached at full intensity. The CCT of the light output may be controlled independently of intensity across a certain range of CCT and dependent on intensity across another range. In an implementation, both intensity and CCT may be adjusted from a single handle, where the interface positions may be divided into multiple zones. In another implementation, intensity may be adjusted from a first handle, while CCT may be adjusted from a second handle. The CCT of the light output may be limited to cooler levels when the intensity is higher, and/or the intensity of the light may be limited to lower levels when the CCT is warmer.
US09854635B2

An embodiment of the present application provides a temperature adaptive control circuit for a light emitting diode and a lighting and/or signaling apparatus. The control circuit includes: a light emitting diode load circuit unit in which one or more light emitting diodes are connected; and a temperature adaptive circuit unit comprising a positive temperature coefficient thermistor and a negative temperature coefficient thermistor connected in series, wherein the temperature adaptive circuit unit is configured such that current flowing through the one or more light emitting diodes in the light emitting diode load circuit unit is a function of sum of resistance of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor and resistance of the negative temperature coefficient thermistor. It not only can compensate the variation of the luminescent intensity with the temperature in a desired working temperature for the LEDs, but also can achieve overheating protection for the LEDs to avoid damage thereof.
US09854632B2

An optoelectronic circuit for receiving a variable voltage having alternating increasing and decreasing phases. The optoelectronic circuit includes an alternating arrangement of resistive elements and light-emitting diode sets mounted in series. Each set contains two terminals. Each resistive element is inserted between two consecutive sets. The optoelectronic circuit includes, for each set among a plurality of said sets, a depletion mode metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, the drain and the source of which are coupled with the terminals of said set and the gate of which is coupled with one of the terminals of the next set. An additional resistive element is, for at least some of the transistors, coupled between the drain or the source of the transistor and one of the terminals of the set.
US09854627B2

The present invention intends to run one induction heating apparatus using a three-phase AC power supply without use of a Scott connection transformer while preventing an occurrence of a phase where no current flows. An induction heating system uses the three-phase AC power supply to run the induction heating apparatus including an induction heating coil, and has an intermediate apparatus including a coil that is wound on an iron core with an even number of turns, forming a closed magnetic circuit. Additionally, a winding start point of the induction heating coil is connected to the U phase of the three-phase AC power supply and a winding end point of the same is connected to a midpoint of the intermediate coil. The winding start point and end point of the intermediate coil are connected to the V and W phases of the three-phase AC power supply, respectively.
US09854623B2

Embodiments of an enhanced Node B (eNB) and method to provide system information (SI) updates to user equipment (UE) in sleep or idle mode with an extending paging cycle are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a paging message configured to include an optional field to indicate whether there has been a system information (SI) update since a last paging occasion for a UE in sleep or idle mode with an extending paging cycle. System information updates are transmitted by the eNB during a system information modification period that is shorter than a period the extending paging cycle. The optional field may indicate whether or not the UE is to acquire the latest SI update during the current paging occasion.
US09854622B2

There are provided measures for configuration of carrier-related reference signal transmission. Such measures exemplarily include setting of a transmission mode for reference signal transmission on a carrier out of at least a long-cycle discontinuous transmission mode and a short-cycle discontinuous transmission mode, said long-cycle discontinuous transmission mode having a longer transmission discontinuity period than the short-cycle discontinuous transmission mode, and configuration of a transmission of at least one reference signal on the carrier according to the set transmission mode. The transmission mode setting may for example be based on at least one of an activation state of the carrier as serving cell and/or secondary cell and/or measurement object cell and a period of radio resource management measurement on the carrier.
US09854617B1

A to-be-charged electronic client device is placed on a wireless base device. An information member of the wireless base device provides pairing information to a wireless first charging member which transmits electricity signals including the pairing information in a wireless manner to the electronic client device. The electronic client device is charged by the electricity signals. In the meantime, the electronic client device pairs with a wireless first pairing member of the wireless base device. The wireless first pairing member passes a connectivity information provided by the information member to the electronic client device so that it can linked with the Internet automatically and accordingly. The present invention allows the electronic client device to access the Internet automatically while being wireless charged.
US09854608B2

A method for uplink timing alignment in a wireless transmit/receive unit is provided. The method includes receiving control signaling from an evolved Node B, receiving on a primary cell (PCell) a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order, the PDCCH order including a carrier indicator field indicating a secondary cell (SCell) to transmit a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission. In response to the PDCCH order, transmitting the PRACH transmission, and in response to the PRACH transmission, monitoring the PCELL for a random access response (RAR). In response to detecting an RAR associated with the PRACH transmission, adjusting timing for the SCell in response to a timing advance included in the RAR.
US09854599B2

A terminal device sets a first UL-DL configuration, sets a subframe for monitoring a physical downlink control channel accompanied with information indicating a second UL-DL configuration, monitors the physical control channel accompanied with information indicating the second UL-DL configuration in the set subframe during an active time based on a first subframe set as a downlink subframe or a subframe including a DwPTS based on the first UL-DL configuration, and monitors a physical downlink control channel accompanied with a C-RNTI in a second subframe set as a downlink subframe or a subframe including the DwPTS based on the second UL-DL configuration during the active time.
US09854587B2

A data routing method includes: receiving a route distinguisher of an MME serving UE sent by the MME; determining an information transmission manner supported by the MME; receiving_a query message sent by an MTC-IWF, where the query message carries a user equipment UE identifier and an information transmission manner that needs to be used; determining according to the information transmission manner supported by the MME, the UE identifier, and the information transmission manner that needs to be used, that the MME serving the UE supports the information transmission manner that needs to be used; and sending a route distinguisher of the MME that corresponds to the information transmission manner that needs to be used to the MTC-IWF, so that the MTC-IWF performs routing according to the route distinguisher. Therefore, a most effective transmission path is selected for information transmission, thereby improving service experience of a user.
US09854584B1

A wireless communication connecting system includes a at least one wireless access point, a wireless electronic device, a position obtaining module, a position determining module, and a controlling module. A rotatable directional antenna is installed in the wireless electronic device. The position obtaining module determines first relative positions between each wireless access point and the wireless electronic device. A position determining module determines angles of relative positions between the directional antenna and each wireless access point according to a position information of the directional antenna and the first relative positions. The controlling module controls the directional antenna to point to the strongest-signal wireless access point. A wireless communication connecting system method is also disclosed.
US09854580B2

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a wireless device. The wireless device determines a first subset of resource units (RUs) of a set of RUs that extends across a bandwidth of a channel in a transmission time period, the first subset of RUs including less RUs than the set of RUs, each RU of the set of RUs including at least 26 tones. The wireless device communicates at least one of data or control information in the first subset of the RUs.
US09854573B2

The disclosure is related to reception and configuration of a downlink control channel. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus (e.g., user equipment) for receiving a downlink control channel located in a data region, and a method and an apparatus (e.g., a transmission/reception point) for configuring and transmitting the downlink control channel.
US09854572B2

The present invention discloses a data transmission method and apparatus, and a user equipment. The method includes: classifying, by using a transmission time interval TTI as a classification basis, TTIs on a carrier in a cell into a time division multiplexing TDM TTI and a code division multiplexing CDM TTI; and sending, to a user equipment UE, control information carrying a classified result, so as to instruct the UE to send uplink data according to the classified result and a data scheduling type of the UE in the TDM TTI or the CDM. By using the foregoing technical solution, a data transmission resource can be well saved and scheduling flexibility can be improved.
US09854569B2

A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) format for transmission of uplink control information (UCI) in unlicensed spectrum is either short PUCCH or long PUCCH. The short PUCCH occupies less than 1 subframe in the time domain and spans an entire system bandwidth in the frequency domain with interlacing on a resource block level. The long PUCCH occupies one subframe in the time domain and spans the entire system bandwidth in the frequency domain with interlacing on a resource block level.
US09854566B2

A method and apparatus for using resources for a device-to-device (D2D) operation in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) receives D2D resources used for transmission of D2D signals in radio resource control (RRC) idle mode, and transmits the D2D signals by using the D2D resources in the RRC idle mode. The D2D resources may be used in the RRC idle mode only, or may be used after entering the RRC connected mode. Alternatively, the UE receives D2D resources used for transmission of D2D signals in RRC connected mode, and transmits the D2D signals by using the D2D resources in the RRC idle mode.
US09854554B2

The present invention provides an IP address assignment apparatus and method. A packet data gateway receives a connection establishment request that is sent by a mobility management network element and that carries user location information, assigns an IP address to the terminal according to a correspondence between the user location information and an IP address pool, and feeds back the IP address to the mobility management network element. In the present invention, effects that the packet data gateway can assign an IP address according to a location of a terminal, and different IP addresses are assigned at different regions are achieved.
US09854548B2

A method for implementing a distributed boundary clock in situations where book-end devices such as microwave TX/RX pairs must collaborate in achieving PTP on-path support is described. A dedicated channel, generally low-speed compared to the main channel is used to transfer timing from the master side to the slave side using framing and super-framing applied to the digital channel. Time-stamps of events such as super-frame boundaries are communicated between the two sides to enable timing transfer.
US09854547B2

A wireless communication device including a first media access control device and a first transceiver. The first media access control device is configured to selectively generate a first timestamp having a first length and a second timestamp having a second length. The first timestamp indicates a first synchronization time of the wireless communication device, the second timestamp indicates only a first portion of the first synchronization time, and the first synchronization time is used by a client station to synchronize timing between the wireless communication device and the client station. The first media access control device is further configured to generate a beacon including either the first timestamp or the second timestamp, and an indication of whether the beacon includes the first timestamp or the second timestamp. The first transceiver is configured to transmit the beacon from the wireless communication device to the client station.
US09854545B2

Uplink synchronization establishment in a base station which operates a plurality of component carriers according to one embodiment of the present description, is performed in that the base station is connected to a user equipment, sets component carrier aggregation information, generates an uplink timing groups in the set component carrier aggregation, and transmits information on the thus-generated uplink timing groups to the user equipment.
US09854542B2

A method and apparatus for configuring Power Headroom Report (PHR) of a User Equipment (UE) efficiently in a mobile communication system supporting carrier aggregation are provided. The method includes generating a header including a LCID for identifying extended PHR and L indicating a length of the extended PHR, and inserting Power Headrooms (PHs) of multiple activated carriers into the extended PHR of one of the carriers.
US09854541B2

A communication device for power saving and a method for controlling power thereof are provided. The communication device includes a power amplifying unit and a control unit. The power amplifying unit generates an output signal obtained by amplifying a downlink signal, using a supply voltage, and outputs the output signal. The control unit determines a current state by comparing predetermined downlink reference information with output signal information on the output signal, and, if the current state is an active state as a comparison result, controls the supply voltage to correspond to the output signal information. Accordingly, power for amplifying a signal can be controlled according to communication traffic, thereby preventing consumption of unnecessary power.
US09854531B2

An integrated circuit system includes a first integrated circuit for which signal modes set to a plurality of first I/O ports in the active mode are maintained in the sleep mode and a second integrated circuit for which a plurality of second I/O ports are placed in a floating state in the sleep mode, wherein the first integrated circuit transmits a first notification signal that indicates an operation mode to the second integrated circuit, wherein the second integrated circuit transmits a second notification signal that indicates an operation mode to the first integrated circuit, and wherein the signal modes of the plurality of first I/O ports and the plurality of second I/O ports are set such as to suppress steady currents persistently flowing between the first I/O ports and the second I/O ports, and to suppress through currents flowing.
US09854526B2

A method of controlling power consumption of a voice activation system in a mobile platform includes monitoring one or more sensors of the mobile platform. Next, it is determined whether a microphone of the mobile platform is concealed or obstructed in response to the monitoring of the one or more sensors. If so, the mobile platform transitions one or more components of the voice activation system from a normal power consumption power state to a low power consumption state.
US09854525B2

A method and an apparatus for performing a handover in an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) sends a measurement report to a source evolved Node B (eNB), and receives a handover command from the source eNB. The WTRU initiates reception and processing of a primary broadcast channel (P-BCH) at the target cell after receiving the handover command. The WTRU then sends a random access preamble to the target eNB, receives a random access response from the target eNB, and sends a handover complete message to the target eNB. The reception and processing of the P-BCH may be initiated immediately after receiving the handover command or after sending the handover complete message. The WTRU may apply default configuration or source cell configuration in the target cell until a target cell SFN and/or P-BCH information are acquired.
US09854522B2

Methods of combining semi-persistent resource allocation and dynamic resource allocation are provided. Packets, such as VoIP packets, are transmitted on the uplink and downlink using respective semi-persistent resources. For each mobile device, awake periods and sleep periods are defined. The semi-persistent resources are aligned with the awake periods so that most of the time the mobile device can turn off its wireless access radio during the sleep periods. In addition, signalling to request, and to allocate, resources for additional packets are transmitted during the awake periods, and the resources allocated for the additional packets are within the awake windows.
US09854521B2

A method of canceling interference by a signal receiving apparatus in a communication system supporting a multi-user Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) scheme and a signal receiving apparatus is provided. The method includes determining whether there is a need for using an interference cancellation scheme while performing a signal detecting operation; and performing the signal detecting operation using the interference cancellation scheme, or performing the signal detecting operation without using the interference cancellation scheme based on determining whether there is the need for using the interference cancellation scheme.
US09854517B2

Systems and methods of scheduling data in background services on mobile devices are disclosed. An example method includes identifying data consumption patterns on a mobile device. The method also includes determining sensitivity of data arriving at the mobile device based on the data consumption patterns. The method also includes aggregating network access by background services on the mobile device according to a schedule based on the sensitivity of the data arriving at the mobile device.
US09854513B2

A cell is recommended to a first user equipment for selection during its cell selection process, wherein the recommendation is based on a performance parameter between the cell and a second user equipment, wherein the recommendation is based on a determined degree of similarity between the first user equipment and the second user equipment.
US09854499B2

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that determines each of a default downlink forwarding address of a first interface of a user plane and a currently used downlink forwarding address of the first interface of the user plane. One of an uplink user data packet comprising an origination address of a second interface of the user plane, a downlink user data packet comprising a destination address of the second interface of the user plane or both are received, by way of the user plane. One of the default downlink forwarding address, the currently used downlink forwarding address or both can be modified based on the uplink origination address, the destination address or both. Modification of the default downlink forwarding address, the currently used downlink forwarding address or both results in a redirection of an associated packet flow within the user plane. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09854496B2

A novel and efficient connected mode cell reselection procedure is proposed to improve the mobility performance for user equipments (UEs) configured with extended connected mode Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle in LTE systems. A UE-centric mobility mechanism with which a UE performs cell reselection in RRC connected mode is proposed. The UE is allowed to select a target cell without handover signaling in the source cell and when needed to initiate signaling with the target cell, for which signal quality is much better. In this way, handover failures due to failed signaling in the source cell can be avoided. More specifically, the proposed mobility mechanism reduces signaling overhead and is inherently robust towards different DRX cycle settings, i.e., longer DRX cycles do not cause more failures, or more overhead, or more battery consumption.
US09854490B2

Generally, this disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for subframe restricted Channel State Information (CSI) reporting with Rank Indicator (RI) inheritance. A User Equipment (UE) device may include an RI generation module to generate RIs based on a received CSI configuration from an evolved Node B (eNB) of a serving cell of the UE. The UE may also include an RI Reference Process CSI generation module to generate a first Reference CSI including a first selected RI of the generated RIs, the first selection based on a first subframe set of the received CSI configuration, and to generate a second Reference CSI including a second selected RI of the generated RIs, the second selection based on a second subframe set of the received CSI configuration. The UE may further include a Linked Process CSI generation module to generate a linked CSI including an inherited RI from the first Reference CSI.
US09854489B2

A heterogeneous network which supports multiple communication technologies (e.g., communication in accordance with multiple air interface standards) in a unified architecture can provide near-term solutions to capacity problems. Specifically, in one embodiment, a heterogeneous network that includes both macro-base cells and pico cells and that incorporates longer range wireless air interfaces (e.g., second, third, or fourth, generation wireless air interface standards) and shorter range wireless air interfaces (e.g., Wi-Fi) can be provided. Such a heterogeneous network can include the coordination of security, quality of service, assessment of mobility of user equipment, authentication, provisioning systems, and location information.
US09854487B2

A server device may identify an ongoing call associated with a received handover call. The handover call may have been placed via a first network, and the ongoing call may be associated with a second network. The server device may detect that the user device has performed a handover of the ongoing call from the second network to the first network; and may process the ongoing call via the first network based on the detecting. A user device may establish a first call via a first network; detect a handover condition associated with the first network; place, based on detecting the handover condition, a second call via a second network, the second call being placed while the first call is in progress; receive an instruction to perform a handover; and send and receive, based on receiving the instruction to perform the handover, call traffic via the second call.
US09854483B2

This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication networks, and more particularly to methods and systems for managing X2 links in wireless communication networks. In one embodiment, a method includes computing a set of configuration parameters associated with at least one Neighboring Base Station (NBS) using measurement reports received from a plurality of User Equipment (UEs). Thereafter, the method includes determining feasibility of setting up at least one X2 link between a Serving Base Station (SBS) and the at least one NBS based on at least one configuration parameter. Based on the feasibility, the at least one X2 link are created by performing one of activation of an X2 link and initiation of setup of an X2 link for each of the at least one X2 link. Finally, the method includes consolidating the at least one of X2 links based on associated current usage and associated predicted future usage.
US09854482B2

A method, system and computer program product for controlling the delivery of voice communications. A profile is created for the user of a mobile device that specifies the thresholds for switching between a cellular network and a wireless network to conduct voice communications as well as stores a list of contacts and associated security levels. If the signal strength of the cellular radio signal is below a threshold, then the mobile device detects one or more wireless networks that are in the area of the user of the mobile device. The profile of the user of the mobile device is then checked to determine if the mobile device is authorized to switch to one of the detected wireless networks to deliver voice communications based on a security level associated with the party communicating with the user. In this manner, the user is able to control the delivery of voice communications.
US09854480B2

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies and discloses a method for selecting an LTE network and a device, so as to ensure continuity of a PS service, avoid unnecessary inter-PLMN handover, and improve user experience. The method mainly includes: acquiring, by an MSC/VLR, an identity of an LTE PLMN in which UE is registered, where the MSC/VLR is an MSC/VLR after the UE falls back to a 2G/3G network because of performing a CS service; and sending, by the MSC/VLR, a notification message to the UE, where the notification message includes the identity of the LTE PLMN, which is used to indicate the LTE PLMN that the UE returns to, and the LTE PLMN is used as a registered PLMN in the 2G/3G network. Embodiments of the present invention are mainly used in a process of fallback to an LTE network after a CSFB service ends.
US09854475B2

A process for selecting an optimal individual user solution including an optimal rate allocation and associated price for a predetermined bandwidth of cellular network resources includes application of an iterative process and selection from multiple proposed user solutions. The inputs to the iterative process include at least an initial user bid, an initial network rate allocation, a generated user utility function and the cost data. The user utility function includes multiple application user functions. Optimal solution selection includes comparing each multiple proposed user rate allocation with the initial network rate allocation for the user and selecting the closest multiple proposed user rate allocation to the initial network rate allocation. The process may be applied to aggregated cellular carrier scenarios.
US09854463B2

A method and apparatus for transmitting split availability of a cell in a wireless communication system is provided. A first eNodeB (eNB) may transmit a split availability of a first cell, managed by the first eNB, to neighbor eNBs. The split availability of the first cell may indicate whether the first cell supports cell split operation or not. Alternatively, the split availability of the first cell may indicate whether the first eNB supports an active antenna system (AAS).
US09854462B2

A method of establishing communication links during a failure within a mobile communications network includes detecting disruptions in communications between a plurality of base stations and a plurality of mobile terminals. Survivability components are activated within the base station and the mobile terminal to operate in a survivability mode. The survivability mode enables communications and services to be provided by the surviving base stations to mobile terminals through activated survivability components. The alternate communication links may operate for as long as a disruption exists.
US09854459B2

Techniques for supporting communication by base stations are disclosed. In an aspect of the present disclosure, for network-based alarming, a base station may notify a designated user equipment (UE) whenever certain trigger events occurred at the base station. The base station may send notification messages for detected trigger events to the UE for timely intervention. In another aspect of the present disclosure, for network-based reconfiguration, a base station for a small cell may be reconfigured by a network server based on performance metrics for base stations in a wireless system. The reconfiguration may improve the performance of the base station and possibly other base stations in the wireless system.
US09854456B2

Various aspects of an approach for managing multi-hop networks are described herein for an apparatus associated with a network that includes detecting, by the apparatus, an event corresponding to a state of association of a first device with the network; updating at least one network parameter based on the detection of the event; and generating a notification based on the update of the at least one network parameter. Another aspect of the disclosed approach includes receiving, by the apparatus, a first notification corresponding to a state of association of a first device with the network, wherein the first notification comprises a first timestamp corresponding to the state of association of the first device; comparing the first timestamp with a second timestamp corresponding to a table stored by the apparatus; and, updating the table with the first timestamp if the first timestamp is more recent than the second timestamp.
US09854450B2

A method and corresponding apparatus configured to collect raw data from a plurality of wireless devices. The raw data includes activity recorded when the wireless devices are at a selected topographic region. The raw data is combined to produce aggregated data representative of the activities of the individual wireless devices. Either the aggregated data or the raw data are selected for analysis depending on whether the raw data meets a threshold activity or subscriber density level. The selected data are analyzed to identify activity patterns of users of the wireless devices.
US09854446B2

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for transmitting a signal to an unlicensed band of a base station in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting at least one of a preamble and a reservation signal, if it is determined through carrier sensing that the unlicensed band is available; and transmitting a PDSCH on the unlicensed band immediately after the transmission of at least one of the preamble and the reservation signal. the preamble enables a terminal to acquire reception synchronization for at least one of the reservation signal and the PDSCH.
US09854445B1

Protecting a mobile device is provided. A first set of IoT devices in a first domain at a first geographic location is established by communicating with respective members of the first set of IoT devices. Respective ones of the first set of IoT devices are identified within the first domain as registered to a user corresponding to a mobile device based on a list of registered devices generating a registered subset of IoT devices that includes the mobile device. It is determined that the mobile device is in an unsecure environment based on establishing proximity to unknown IoT devices that are not members of the registered subset of IoT devices. A self-protection mode of operation is launched on the mobile device in response to determining that the mobile device is in the unsecure environment based on establishing proximity to the unknown IoT devices.
US09854433B2

An apparatus, system, and method for determining the presence of a mobile device located in a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle are disclosed. A detection module receives a communication signal, determines that the communication signal was transmitted by a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, and a control module transmits a control signal to the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone. The system further includes a monitoring logic to monitor a functional system of the vehicle activating the transmission of the control signal by the control module when the monitored functional system is activated and the detection module determines that the communication signal was transmitted by the mobile device located within the predetermined detection zone.
US09854429B2

A method for configuring a mobile terminal and system are provided. The method includes: a mobile terminal sending local information to a server, wherein the local information comprises MSID, MDN and NAI information and expected target customer brand information predefined by the mobile terminal; the mobile terminal acquiring configuration information sent by the server, wherein the configuration information is brand information in the server, which is matched with the local information sent by the mobile terminal; and the mobile terminal acquiring a configuration parameter corresponding to the brand information according to the brand information, and completing configuration according to the configuration parameter.
US09854421B2

Methods and nodes for coordinating communication sessions are described herein. A method includes providing, by a control system, a signaling anchor point at a domain transfer function in a visited multimedia subsystem for an access signaling leg and a remote access signaling leg for a communication session between a user element and a public service access point and coordinating call signaling for the communication session via the access signaling leg and the remote signaling leg.
US09854418B1

A computer-implemented method for recommending a friend for a network utilizing a host site. The method includes obtaining, using a processor system, a first audio recording from a first user device associated with a first member having a first member profile affiliated with the host site and a second audio recording from a second user device associated with a second member having a second member profile affiliated with the host site. Determining if the first and second user are in proximity by comparing the first and second audio recordings; and based on a determination that the first and second users are in proximity, initiating steps for associating the first member profile with the second member profile via the host site.
US09854417B2

A method and system are described for servicing a second line service (“SLS”) based communication request originating from a subscriber's telecommunications device (“TD”) even if the call signal does not include sufficient information to identify the phone number from which the subscriber initiated the call. The method involves associating the SLS phone number of the subscriber, the primary number of the subscriber and the primary number of a third party via a special relationship number.
US09854415B2

A method and system enables converting Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging to Person-to-Person (P2P) messaging. Customer replies to short code A2P messages are diverted to alternate destinations in an enterprise. Enterprise destinations include call center operations and data enabled devices in various departments in an enterprise. Information collected from the reply messages can be used to determine the appropriate destination and can be used to analyze support and marketing statistics.
US09854411B2

Systems, methods, and modes are disclosed for sharing presentation content displayed on a meeting room display during a meeting. The system comprises one or more presentation gateways each associated with a network address and configured for receiving and transmitting presentation content to a meeting room display during a meeting. The system further comprises one or more RF beacons each associated with a presentation gateway and configured for broadcasting information. The system also comprises a portable electronic device that pairs with the presentation gateway to share presentation content by: receiving from at least one of the one or more RF beacons the broadcasted information, estimating a distance to the at least one of the one or more RF beacons according to a detected signal strength of the RF beacon broadcast, determining a location of the portable electronic device based on the distance to the at least one of the one or more RF beacons, identifying a presentation gateway network address based on the determined location, and pairing with a presentation gateway using the identified presentation gateway network address.
US09854395B2

A method of providing destination information to a user through a location-based service includes: determining whether the user has approached a destination along a guided route for the user based on mapped location information for the user, the destination being designated by the user; and activating a visual notification function associated with the destination when the user is determined to have approached the destination.
US09854391B2

Zero touch configuration support for a universal serial bus (USB) modem is described herein. For example, as described herein, an identifier of a modem connected to an access point may be determined. Location information corresponding to the access point may also be determined. Based on the identifier of the modem and the location information, the access point may select a particular configuration, for the modem, where the particular configuration is suitable for a geographical location associated with the location information.
US09854389B1

A first indications from a first beacon of one or more beacons at a first time is received. A transmission number is requested from a server device. The transmission number is received from the server device. Responsive to receiving the first indication from the first beacon, whether the first time is within the transmission number is determined. Responsive to determining the first time is within the transmission number, the first indication is transmitted to the server device.
US09854387B2

A system which enables an image forming apparatus to give priority to executing a job sent from a mobile information terminal. The mobile information terminal sets an operating mode of the image forming apparatus. When a near-field wireless communication is started by the mobile information terminal coming close to the image forming apparatus, information on the set operating mode is sent to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus provides operating mode shifting control based on the information on the operating mode sent from the mobile information terminal by the near-field wireless communication.
US09854378B2

An audio spatial rendering apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, The audio spatial rendering apparatus includes a rendering unit for spatially rendering an audio stream so that the reproduced far-end sound is perceived by a listener as originating from at least one virtual spatial position, a real position obtaining unit for obtaining a real spatial position of a real sound source, a comparator for comparing the real spatial position with the at least one virtual spatial position; and an adjusting unit for, where the real spatial position is within a predetermined range around at least one virtual spatial position, or vice versa, adjusting the parameters of the rendering unit so that the at least one virtual spatial position is changed.
US09854377B2

In general, techniques are described for performing an interpolation with respect to decomposed versions of a sound field. A device comprising one or more processors may be configured to perform the techniques. The processors may be configured to obtain decomposed interpolated spherical harmonic coefficients for a time segment by, at least in part, performing an interpolation with respect to a first decomposition of a first plurality of spherical harmonic coefficients and a second decomposition of a second plurality of spherical harmonic coefficients.
US09854369B2

The present subject matter relates to the wireless stereo reception of first and second audio information by wireless hearing communication devices. One type of device which may employ the present subject matter is a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Various forms and protocols of signal transmission are employed in varying embodiments. The present subject matter includes various communication modes such as eavesdropping modes and relaying modes.
US09854365B2

A loudspeaker includes a voice coil in a balanced state. In the loudspeaker, at least a first suspension element acts on a first side of the voice coil, and at least a second suspension element acts on a second side of the voice coil. The loudspeaker includes a symmetric magnet assembly. The voice coil aligns with the symmetric magnet assembly. The symmetric alignment contributes to the loudspeaker yielding substantially symmetric motor force (BL), suspension stiffness (K), and inductance (Le).
US09854345B2

An in-ear headphone comprises an earbud body constructed and arranged for positioning at an ear of a wearer. The earbud body extends along a first axis in a first direction. A nozzle extends from the earbud body for positioning at an ear canal of the ear, and for directing an audio output at the ear canal of the ear. A cable exit interface is at an edge of the earbud body along a second axis that extends in the first direction along a region proximal to an edge of the earbud body, the second axis offset from the first axis. A cable extends from the cable exit interface at the edge of the earbud body. The cable exit interface is constructed and arranged to impart a force on the nozzle in a direction of the ear canal in response to a force imparted on the cable in a direction away from the first axis and tangential to the second axis.
US09854339B2

A speaker system including a speaker device and a cabinet. The cabinet is composed of; a front wall having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is provided with a speaker device affixed thereto; a rear wall opposing to the front wall; and two pairs of side walls arranged between the front wall and the rear wall. A first duct communicating with the interior space of the cabinet is provided through the side wall of the cabinet. A first opening that makes the interior space of the cabinet communicated with a first opening is provided at an area that encompasses a center portion of the one side wall in the one pair of the side walls having the shorter mutual distance therebetween in the two pairs of the side walls.
US09854334B2

A method and device are provided for managing transmissions of a plurality of sets of measurements performed periodically by a measurement sensor capable of communicating with a collection device via a radio network. The method determines, according to a random distribution law, a date of transmission for each set of measurements of the plurality and transmits a message relating to at least one set of measurements, on one of the dates of transmission determined for the plurality.
US09854331B2

Methods and devices are provided to embed a watermark message in a multimedia content to facilitate acquisition of associated information. One such method includes obtaining a server code that is assigned by a registrar entity and identifying a particular domain name that is registered to a registrant entity. Such a server code provides a mapping to an Internet address of a metadata server that includes information associated with the content. After obtaining one or more interval code, a watermark payload is formed that includes the server code and an interval code and embedded in the content. The identifies a particular segment of the content and upon distribution of such embedded content, a query based on the server code and one interval code allows metadata associated with the content to be acquired.
US09854320B2

A method for accessing TV programs and applications on a smart TV may include receiving a channel selection command from a user, and determining an index number corresponding to the channel selected by the user according to the command. The method may also include searching for a program resource or an application corresponding to the determined index number through a preset index table, and starting and displaying the identified program resource or application. A system for accessing TV programs and applications on a smart TV may change a channel management mode of conventional systems of smart TVs and set-top boxes, such that information of TV programs and applications can be displayed together and called conveniently. A user can conveniently and rapidly switch between programs and applications without the need to switch between TV channel and application interfaces.
US09854316B1

Methods and systems to provide and manage on-demand sessions are described herein. A request is received from a client to start an on-demand session. It is determined if there are sufficient resources to start the on-demand session for the client. The request is inserted into a queue if there aren't sufficient resources to start the on-demand session for the client. The on-demand sessions is started when there are sufficient resources available and it is the client's turn in the queue.
US09854315B1

A broadcast audience interaction and feedback system may discover and activate a recording function of a portable device of a user to record audio and/or video of media content output by a media device in proximity to the user. The audio or video data may be used to identify the content by matching audio or video fingerprints or signatures of the data recorded by the portable device with separately generated signatures or fingerprints associated with the content. Additional entities may be automatically associated with the content via capturing of metadata or closed captioning data during the content, OCR of displayed text in the content, or detection of other such entities. In some implementations, the portable device may also capture feedback from the user, including cheering, applause, and laughter, as well as explicit questions or comments, voting choices, etc. The feedback may be identified, and queries generated or additional functions performed based on the identified feedback, the identified media content, and/or one or more entities associated with the identified media content.
US09854314B1

Methods and systems are presented for selecting a preferred source of ratings (e.g., Metacritic.com) and integrating the ratings into the electronic program guide (EPG) such as displaying the ratings alongside program listings. By allowing the user to select the source of ratings, the media guidance application ensures that the ratings provided are meaningful to the user. The media guidance application retrieves the ratings from the source of ratings selected by the user and displays the retrieved ratings in the corresponding program listing so that the user may make an informed decision about his or her television viewing. The media guidance application may also incorporate the retrieved ratings into media guidance functions such as setting reminders, scheduling recordings, or recommending programs.
US09854313B2

Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that presents information about a media asset by modifying graphical properties of a progress bar associated with the media asset. For example, based on one or more events in the media asset, the media guidance application may modify the dimensions of the progress bar to include textual descriptions, may modify a color, brightness, transparency, etc. of the progress bar, and/or may modify an animation of the progress bar or a graphic associated with the progress bar.
US09854300B2

A device providing an automatic channel changing function includes: a receiving unit, receiving recommended program data, first user data and second user data from a first AV playing device; a storage unit, storing reference data; a look-up unit, generating channel changing data according to the recommended program data, the first user data, the second user data and the reference data; and a transmitting unit, transmitting the channel changing data to a second AV playing device according to the second user data.
US09854292B1

Systems and methods are described for measuring audience engagement for a media asset using user motion. For example, a media guidance application may receive movement logs from a plurality of user equipment. These movement logs may contain information indicating when each of the plurality of users moved, as detected by motion sensors, while the user equipment was generating for display a media asset. The movement logs may be analyzed to determine time periods during the media asset during which greater than a certain number of the plurality of users were moving. These time periods may in turn be used to infer how engaged the plurality of users were during the media asset or what portions of the media asset the plurality of users viewed. This data may be used to determine in what media assets, or portions thereof, supplemental video content should be inserted.
US09854290B2

These teachings concern smart insertion of advertisements in a video, and specifically include selecting locations in a video to place such advertisements. For a specific video there is determined an integer number k of locations for advertisements when streaming the specific video to a specific user that requests the specific video. A set of advertisements is selected to deliver with the specific video, and user feedback is utilized to determine an integer number k of discrete locations within the specific video at which to place advertisements of the set. The specific video is electronically or optically delivered to the specific user, with the set of advertisements dispersed among the k discrete locations for rendering on a local display device.
US09854286B1

A method for optimizing the broadcast of multimedia is described. Multimedia is broadcast to at least one multimedia user device. User information is received from the at least one multimedia user device. The user information relates to user behavior from the at least one multimedia user device. The user information is processed to select future multimedia to broadcast. The future multimedia is broadcast.
US09854282B2

In one example embodiment, a method of adaptive video streaming includes receiving, by a server, a request for a video segment from an end user device and determining, by the server, a plurality of variables, the plurality of variables including at least one of a download time of a previously requested video segment by the end user device, a fullness of a buffer at the end user device and a size of the buffer. The method further includes determining, by the server, a rate of the requested video segment based on one or more of the determined plurality of variables and sending, by the server, the requested video segment at the determined rate to the end user device.
US09854281B2

The invention relates to a method for packaging media and data for transmission over a broadband communications network link for display at a terminal destination. Features of the method included creating desired media segments for transmission to the terminal destination and for creating targeting information, for example in whole or in part in the form of metadata, for transmission to the terminal destination. Other features include packaging the created media segments and the created targeting information in a single package and unpacking the single package for display of the targeted media at the terminal destination. In another aspect, the invention can provide a method for unpacking media and data for display at a terminal destination implementing, at the terminal destination, receiving a single package containing media segments and instructions regarding handling of the media segments, quickly unpacking the media segments and the instructions from the single package and, based on the unpacked instructions, assembling one or more of the media segments for display at the terminal destination.
US09854279B2

A demultiplexer 630 routes only one or more transport stream packets with a single packet identifier value to each physical layer pipe. A header compression unit 620 replaces the packet identifier of the transport stream packet with a short packet identifier of one bit length indicating at least whether the transport stream packet is a NULL packet.
US09854275B2

In an example, aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of coding video data that includes determining a quantization parameter (QP) for coding residual video data, where the QP is indexed to a quantizer step size. The method also includes determining a quantization scaling value for scaling the quantizer step size, and applying the quantization scaling value scaling to the quantizer step size. The method also includes coding the residual video data using the scaled quantizer step size.
US09854271B2

Hybrid video decoder supporting intermediate view synthesis of an intermediate view video from a first- and a second-view video which are predictively coded into a multi-view data signal with frames of the second-view video being spatially subdivided into sub-regions and the multi-view data signal having a prediction mode is provided, having: an extractor configured to respectively extract, from the multi-view data signal, for sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, a disparity vector and a prediction residual; a predictive reconstructor configured to reconstruct the sub-regions of the frames of the second-view video, by generating a prediction from a reconstructed version of a portion of frames of the first-view video using the disparity vectors and a prediction residual for the respective sub-regions; and an intermediate view synthesizer configured to reconstruct first portions of the intermediate view video.
US09854266B2

A candidate list construction unit selects a plurality of blocks each having one or two pieces of motion information containing at least information about a motion vector and information about a reference picture from a plurality of neighboring encoded blocks of an encoding target block and constructs a candidate list containing candidates of the motion information used for the motion compensation prediction from the motion information of the selected blocks. A selected candidate generator generates a new candidate of the motion information by combining the motion information of a first prediction list derived by the first motion information deriving unit and the motion information of the second prediction list derived by a second motion information deriving unit.
US09854253B2

A method for motion vector difference (MVD) coding of screen content video data is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes determining an MVD between a predicted motion vector and a current motion vector and generating a binary string comprising n bins via binarizing the MVD. The method further includes determining whether an absolute value of the MVD is greater than a threshold value and encoding a subset of the n bins via an exponential Golomb code having an order that is greater than one in response to the absolute value of the MVD being greater than the threshold value.
US09854246B2

Embodiments of the present invention may provide a video coder. The video coder may include an encoder to perform coding operations on a video signal in a first format to generate coded video data, and a decoder to decode the coded video data. The video coder may also include an inverse format converter to convert the decoded video data to second format that is different than the first format and an estimator to generate a distortion metric using the decoded video data in the second format and the video signal in the second format. The encoder may adjust the coding operations based on the distortion metric.
US09854244B2

Coefficient coding for transform units (TUs) during high efficiency video coding (HEVC), and similar standards, toward simplifying design while enhancing efficiency. Elements of the invention include coefficient coding for TUs with up-right diagonal scans being modified, and selectively applying multi-level significance map coding.
US09854240B2

A moving picture coding apparatus includes an inter-pixel filter having filters for filtering decoded image data so as to remove block distortion which is high frequency noise around block boundaries. The inter-pixel filter includes filters having different filtering strengths. The coding apparatus also includes a filter processing control unit for determining a filtering strength of the inter-pixel filter.
US09854227B2

A depth sensor comprises at least one imaging sensor, at least one multifocal lens, and a focus analyzer. The depth sensor analyzes the in-focus status of electromagnetic radiation, directed by the multifocal lens(es) onto sensing zone(s) of the imaging sensor(s) from spatial zone(s) in a measurement field, to detect the presence of object(s) in the spatial zone(s).
US09854225B2

An imaging unit includes a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture images of an object; a circuit substrate configured to generate image data based on the images captured by the imaging devices; a chassis that holds the imaging devices; and a heat transfer member including a contacting portion configured to contact an installed member in a case where the imaging unit is installed on the installed member. The heat transfer member contacts the chassis or the circuit substrate, and heat conductivity of the heat transfer member is greater than the heat conductivity of the chassis.
US09854223B2

A stereoscopic picture generating apparatus comprising: a storage unit to get stored with a first image containing partial images and a second image containing partial images corresponding respectively to the partial images contained in the first image; and an arithmetic unit to extract a first position defined as an existing position of a first partial image contained in the first image and a second position defined as an existing position of a second partial image contained in the first image, to calculate a first differential quantity defined as a difference between the first position and the second position, to calculate a third position defined as a new existing position of a third partial image contained in the second image that corresponds to the first partial image based on the first differential quantity, and to generate a third image based on the third position of the third partial image.
US09854220B2

An information processing apparatus includes a content reproduction unit, a content part specification unit, a clustering unit, a class detection unit, a common class extraction unit, and a content retrieval unit. The content reproduction unit is configured to reproduce a reproduction content. The content part specification unit is configured to specify a plurality of content parts included in the reproduction content. The clustering unit is configured to classify the plurality of content parts into a plurality of clusters. The class detection unit is configured to detect a class from the plurality of content parts included in each of the plurality of clusters. The common class extraction unit is configured to extract a common class common to the plurality of clusters from the classes detected by the class detection unit. The content retrieval unit is configured to retrieve a content corresponding to the common class.
US09854204B2

A communication system includes, a first projection unit configured to project an image on a first projection surface, an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an object positioned in front of the first projection surface, a determination unit configured to determine a processing parameter for image processing to be performed on the object image captured by the imaging unit, based on a distance between the first projection surface and the object, a processing unit configured to perform the image processing on the object image based on the processing parameter determined by the determination unit, and a second projection unit configured to project the object image having undergone the image processing on a second projection surface.
US09854200B2

A video display device includes a video obtaining unit that obtains a video represented in an input video format for displaying, at a predetermined frame frequency, frames each including an effective pixel region having n rows and m columns, p1 columns of a horizontal blanking period, and q1 rows of a vertical blanking period; a video format conversion unit that converts a format of the video to an output video format for displaying, at the predetermined frame frequency, frames each including the effective pixel region having n rows and m columns, p2 columns of the horizontal blanking period, and q2 rows of the vertical blanking period, where q2 is less than q1; and a display driver unit that displays the video row by row in a display unit at a horizontal scanning frequency in the output video format.
US09854196B2

A head-mounted electronic device and an audio processing method includes a fixing unit, by which the head-mounted electronic device can be worn on the wearer's head; a processing unit, provided in the fixing unit and configured to perform audio processing and output a first audio signal; a first bone conduction unit, provided on the inner side of the fixing unit, configured to generate vibrations according to the first audio signal, so that the wearer can hear the first audio through the generated vibration, wherein the inner side of the fixing unit is the side which is closer to the wearer's head when the head-mounted electronic device is worn on the wearer's head, and when the head-mounted electronic device is worn on the wearer's head, the first bone conduction unit contacts the wearer's head, so wearer can sense vibrations generated by the first bone conduction unit.
US09854195B2

An image capturing apparatus comprises a unit pixel including a plurality of light receiving elements, a plurality of column output lines provided, for each column, at a number greater than or equal to at least a number of the light receiving elements of each unit pixel, and a switching unit configured to switch between a first readout mode for reading out signals from the plurality of light receiving elements via respectively different column output lines and a second readout mode for reading out signals from the plurality of light receiving elements via the same column output line for each unit pixel.
US09854193B2

A high definition (HD) camera and a method for implementing the HD camera is described. A CMOS sensor of high frame rate captures frame images and provides light to N consecutive frame images with an interval of M consecutive frame images in the captured frame images using an auxiliary light source when the auxiliary light source is on. The auxiliary light source turns on and off according to a duty cycle. The M is 0 or a positive integer. The N is a positive integer. The mechanism has good light performances, reduced deformation of moving objects, and reduced costs.
US09854189B2

An imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion section and a wiring layer. The photoelectric conversion section is configured to photoelectrically convert light incident from a subject. The wiring layer is provided on an opposite side of the subject with respect to the photoelectric conversion section and includes a wire connected to an element that constitutes a pixel including the photoelectric conversion section. The wire includes a plurality of wires extending long in a predetermined direction. The plurality of wires are arranged in a direction almost perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the wiring layer. The wire is provided with a protrusion protruding in a direction different from the predetermined direction.
US09854180B2

In one embodiment, a camera includes an image sensor within a camera housing that converts light entering the camera housing through an optical filter into digital image data. The optical filter can have a variable opacity. A processor in communication with the image sensor identifies operation settings for the optical filter and adjusts an opacity level of the optical filter over an exposure period in accordance with the operation settings for the optical filter. In addition, the processor modifies values of the digital image data based at least on the operation settings for the optical filter.
US09854178B2

An image pickup apparatus which is capable of calculating light amount changing characteristics of an object with high accuracy and enlarging a dynamic range during photometric measurement. An image pickup device of the image pickup apparatus has a plurality of unit pixel areas arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and a first pixel and a second pixel are included in each of the unit pixel areas. When a flicker detection mode in which an image signal for use in calculating the light amount changing characteristics of the object is obtained is selected, a first accumulation period and a second accumulation period for the first pixels and the second pixels, respectively, are set such that a first barycentric position which is a barycentric position of the first accumulation period and a second barycentric position which is a barycentric position of the second accumulation period correspond to each other.
US09854177B2

An imaging apparatus combines images output from imaging units, and reduces such scenes that an image of a displaced subject is captured. The apparatus includes a driving unit that drives at least one imaging unit serving as a driving target among the imaging units, in predetermined driving modes, and a combining unit that combines pieces of image data acquired by the imaging units. The imaging units each include an imaging sensor in which photoelectric converters for converting light into an electrical signal are arranged in rows and columns. The driving unit divides a region for acquiring the image data into a plurality of regions each corresponding to a unit formed of one or more rows of the imaging sensor. The driving modes include a first driving mode in which the imaging unit serving as the driving target is sequentially switched for each exposure or readout of the unit.
US09854175B2

In an implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a digital signal from an image acquisition sensor, the digital signal encoded with an initial resolution. A video image is constructed from the digital signal to display on a micro display of an optical system, an initial linear dimension of the video image smaller than a linear dimension of an active area of the micro display. A display of the video image is initiated on the micro display using monochrome sub-pixels configured to act as independent pixels for display of the video image. A magnification request is received for the video image on the micro display, and the video image is adjusted on the micro display by increasing a linear dimension of the video image on the micro display by combining groups of monochrome sub-pixels to collectively represent a single pixel of the video image at the initial resolution.
US09854172B2

An image stabilization apparatus includes a fixed barrel member, a movable barrel member configured to hold an optical lens, a support member configured to movably support the movable barrel member with respect to the fixed barrel member within a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical lens and a drive unit configured to drive the movable barrel member with respect to the fixed barrel member, in which the fixed barrel member or the movable barrel member includes a support member disposing portion configured to rotatably accommodate the support member and limit an amount of movement of the support member within a plane and a small spatial region portion formed by notching part of the support member disposing portion so as to communicate with the support member disposing portion, an interior of the small spatial region portion being filled with a lubrication member.
US09854170B2

Embodiments relate to adjusting an image frame based on motion sensor data. An image frame including image data for a plurality of rows of the image frame is captured sequentially row-by-row. Motion sensor data corresponding to the image frame is also captured. Motion vectors describing motion between each row of the image frame are determined based on the motion sensor data. An image data translation is calculated for each row of image frame based on the motion vector for the row. The image frame is adjusted based on the image data translation for each row of the image frame to generate an adjusted image frame.
US09854168B2

A device is disclosed comprising a memory configured for holding video and a processor coupled to the memory. The memory contains computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device to perform operations to stabilize the video, the operations comprising buffering consecutive original video frames, determining transformation matrices from subsets of the original video frames, wherein the transformation matrices represent estimates of stable camera motion, using the transformation matrices to warp the original video frames and generate video that is stabilized relative to the original video frames, and adjusting a size of a subset of original video frames in response to detecting a condition.
US09854166B2

An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit that picks up an object to generate moving image data. A detection unit detects one of a shooting direction of the image pickup unit and an attitude of the image pickup apparatus. A storage unit temporarily stores moving image data generated by the image pickup unit. An instruction unit instructs operation to photograph a still image. A recording unit reads out the moving image data traced back by a predetermined time period from a time point when still image photographing is instructed by the instruction unit, from the storage unit, and records the read-out moving image data in a recording medium. The recording unit records, relatedly with the moving image data, information concerning the detected one of the shooting direction and the attitude of the image pickup apparatus.
US09854157B1

A camera comprises a camera body, an image sensor internal to the camera body for capturing images, a lens assembly, a display screen on an external face of the camera body, and a touch controller. The lens assembly comprises one or more lens elements to direct light to the image sensor. The one or more lens elements includes a lens window on the external face of the camera body that comprises a transparent integrated touch sensor to detect a position of a touch on the lens window and to generate a touch signal indicating the position of the touch. The touch controller processes the touch signal and updates a display on the display screen in response to the touch signal.
US09854154B2

An infrared recording device and infrared recording method in the invention relates to an infrared recording device and an application field of infrared detection. In the prior art, corresponding record between infrared files and object information is inconvenient. According to the infrared recording device and infrared recording method in the invention, based on prestored object information, special object information is designated, and the object information is record with the infrared file when recording. It is not necessary or is convenient to find and select the object information. Thereby, the present problems are solved.
US09854153B2

An imaging apparatus receive light fluxes passing through and incident on different pupil regions of an imaging optical system and generates at least image data of one pair of subject images. Imaging surface correction information regarding a manufacturing error or optical characteristics of design of an imaging lens is transmitted from a lens control unit of the imaging lens to a system control unit of a camera body, and then the system control unit receives the imaging surface correction information. The system control unit performs a process of generating a defocus map based on a parallax between at least one pair of images and performs imaging surface correction through correction of the calculated defocus amount. In the imaging surface correction process, influences of the optical characteristics of the imaging lens and an inclination of an imaging surface of an image sensor are corrected, and thus a more accurate distance map is generated.
US09854145B2

In the case of a camera module (1) including at least two camera functional units (2, 3, 4, 5, 22) arranged one behind another in a stack arrangement, it is provided to form the camera functional units (2, 3, 4, 5, 22) on a common main body (11), wherein the camera functional units (2, 3, 4, 5, 22) are aligned with respect to one another in the use position by a folding or bending process.
US09854131B2

Personal settings for each user and each application are stored in personal setting holding units 311 and 310. When a personal setting is to be exported, synchronous control information indicating whether or not synchronization is to be performed for each personal setting is exported. In the case where the firmware version of an apparatus that is to import the information indicates synchronization of the personal setting, the personal setting is rewritten in accordance with the synchronous control information.
US09854130B2

An image reading apparatus includes an image reading chip for reading an image. The image reading chip includes a plurality of pixel units which include a light receiving element which receives light from the image so as to perform photoelectric conversion, an analog circuit, a logic circuit, and a power source pad to which a power source voltage is supplied. The image reading chip has a shape which includes a first side and a second side shorter than the first side. A distance between the analog circuit and a median point of the first side is shorter than a distance between the logic circuit and the median point of the first side, and a distance between the analog circuit and the power source pad is shorter than a distance between the logic circuit and the power source pad.
US09854126B2

A system is provided for marking intentionally blank pages in a document. The system includes a processor that processes a document in an electronic form; a blank page detection routine that is run by the processor, the blank page detection routine being configured to detect a blank plank page in the document; and a blank page indicating routine that is run by the processor, the blank page indicating routine being configured to indicate with an indication that the blank page is an intentionally blank page. The indication is configured to be read by a marking device such that the marking device marks the blank page as intentionally blank.
US09854120B2

An optical scanning apparatus includes a deflector for scanningly deflecting a beam; a scanning lens for imaging the beam deflected by the deflector on a surface; a casing for a light source, the deflector and the lens; and an elastic member urging the lens toward the casing along an optical axis. The lens is provided with an abutment at a beam emergent side of the lens, the abutment abutting to the casing, and is provided with a limiting portion at a side opposite from the emergent side, the limiting portion limiting movement in the opposite direction. The elastic member and the limiting portion limits the movement of the lens in the direction opposite to the direction of the lens. When the lens contacts a positioning portion of the casing, a gap is provided between the elastic member and the limiting portion with respect to the direction.
US09854116B2

An image processing apparatus includes a registration unit configured to register a destination of file transmission, a selection unit configured to select whether to require a user to input, at time of transmission, authentication information required for the file transmission for each destination registered by the registration unit, a transfer unit configured to transfer received image data, and a control unit configured to prevent a destination for which it is selected to require the user to input the authentication information at time of transmission from being set as a transfer destination of the image data.
US09854115B2

It is possible to read a document at an optimal speed according to an operation mode selected by a user while improving productivity at a low cost, without forcing the user to perform a complicated operation for changing a document reading speed. A method for controlling a reading unit to read a document with a first reading resolution in a case where a reading resolution is the first reading resolution, to read a document with a second reading resolution in a case where the reading resolution is the second reading resolution smaller than the first reading resolution and a predetermined mode is not set, and to read a document with the first reading resolution in a case where the reading resolution is the second reading resolution smaller than the first reading resolution and the predetermined mode is set.
US09854112B2

A communication system includes an information display apparatus and an information providing apparatus which perform communication with each other. The information display apparatus transmits, through the network, an information transmission request for requesting transmission of specific information related to the information providing apparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network by broadcast communication, receives the specific information transmitted, through the network, from the information providing apparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network by broadcast communication, as a response to the information transmission request, and controls a display unit to display the specific information received as the response to the information transmission request.
US09854109B2

The invention relates to printing and other output of documents using data processors, and particularly to methods, apparatus, and computer programming useful for controlling output processes. In various aspects the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for minimizing the number of command inputs required from a user to complete printing or other output of multiple documents. In other aspects, the invention provides systems, methods, and computer programming useful for printing documents using content data received from users or other sources, together with previously-provided form data, according to predetermined formats.
US09854108B2

A printing management server includes an identification information management unit that manages identification information uniquely associated with an email address assigned to a printer, a print request receiving unit that receives a print request that is a request to print content and that accompanies the identification information, and a print instructing unit that designates an email address, corresponding to the identification information accompanying the print request specified by the identification information management unit, to an email printing server that causes a printer corresponding to a designated email address to execute a print, and instructs the email printing server to cause the printer corresponding to the designated email address to print content included in the print request.
US09854107B2

An allocation apparatus configured to allocate a plurality of information processing devices to two or more management apparatuses that perform distributed management of the plurality of information processing devices, the allocation apparatus includes: an allocation unit configured to allocate an address range on a network, allocatable to a plurality of information processing devices, to the two or more management apparatuses; and an acquisition unit configured to obtain, from each of the two or more management apparatuses, management information indicating a state of the information processing device whose address belongs to a range allocated to the management apparatus, wherein the allocation unit dynamically performs allocation of the address range on the network based on the management information that has been obtained by the acquisition unit.
US09854099B1

A method for creating a push notification at a call center includes: receiving a call from a caller device; receiving, from the caller device, caller identification information; receiving, from the caller device, an inquiry; generating an encrypted token including the caller identification information and the inquiry; and when an agent is available, sending a push notification to the caller device for connecting the caller to the agent, the push notification being associated with the encrypted token, and wherein the agent uses the caller identification information from the encrypted token when the agent is addressing the inquiry.
US09854093B2

A PBX system complements the mobile phones of users. Custom incoming and outgoing call rules are dynamically activated for users when the users begin utilizing a facility having at least one phone number and a number of internal phones. A custom rule causes outgoing calls made from an internal phone used by a user to have a caller ID phone number of the user's personal mobile phone rather than the facility's phone number. Another custom rule causes incoming calls made to the facility's phone number that have a source caller ID phone number matching a phone number in the user's mobile phone address book to be automatically forwarded directly to an internal phone currently utilized by the user. The user may install an application on their mobile phone, and another custom rule causes incoming calls at the user's mobile phone to be twinned while the user is at the facility.
US09854092B1

A computerized system and related method for assisting a user with placing a telephonic call, comprising a user specifying an originally-specified telephone number to place an intended telephonic call, which telephone number, as originally-specified, for at least one particular reason, cannot be used to successfully complete the intended telephonic call; after specifying the originally-specified telephone number, later specifying later-specified telephone number elements, including the possible deleting, ignoring or changing of part of the originally-specified telephone number and/or related dialing elements; and causing the telephonic call to be successfully signaled using the originally-specified telephone number in combination with the later-specified telephone number elements, without the user having to re-specify the originally-specified telephone number; wherein: the originally-specified telephone number is stored in a redial memory, for purpose of the deleting, ignoring or changing and signaling, until the user initiates a brand new dialing effort to place a new telephonic call.
US09854088B2

Phone calls may be tagged with the importance or the context of the call to be displayed along with the caller ID information on the display of a receiving phone. The context information is thus made available even before the call is answered to aid the user in determining whether or not to answer the call or how long thereafter it would be appropriate to wait before the call is returned.
US09854087B1

Systems and methods for identification of a controlled-environment facility resident in possession of a contraband communications device capture or otherwise accept managed access data and/or contraband communications device assessment data for contraband communications devices operating in the controlled-environment facility. Controlled-environment facility resident call data for each resident of the controlled-environment facility is gathered from the controlled-environment facility resident communications system. Correlations in the managed access data and/or assessment data with the controlled-environment facility resident communications system call data are analyzed to identify each resident of the controlled-environment facility in possession of a contraband communications device.
US09854079B2

A method for contact list prioritization according to predicted reachability includes loading a contact list of contacts and retrieving a reachability value for each corresponding contact in the contact list that has been computed for each corresponding contact according to usage data of each corresponding contact for an associated mobile telephone. Thereafter, contacts in the contact list that are determined to be most reachable according to a corresponding reachability value are displayed first.
US09854078B2

A display device includes: a display panel configured to display an image; a sound element on a rear side of the display panel; and a rear chassis configured to receive the display panel and protect the rear side of the display panel, and including a protruding portion protruding away from the rear side of the display panel and corresponding to the sound element. The sound element includes a pair of electrodes, and a vibration material layer between the electrodes.
US09854077B2

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method of fabricating the same. The mobile terminal includes a frame made of a metal and provided within a terminal body, a printed circuit board spaced apart from one surface of the frame and having various electronic components mounted thereon, and a shield can disposed on the printed circuit board in a manner of facing the frame, and capable of shielding electromagnetic waves by covering the electronic components, wherein the shield can is provided with a ground unit that is formed at least one region and protruding toward the frame so as to be electrically connected to the frame.
US09854074B2

An external device for an electronic device includes a first cover portion configured to cover at least a portion of the electronic device, an insert coupled to the first cover portion, and a second cover portion coupled to the insert and covering at least a portion of the insert. At least an outer layer of the first cover portion or the second cover portion is made of a non-moldable material. The insert includes various mechanical structures and electrical circuits.
US09854072B1

An egress packet modifier includes a script parser and a pipeline of processing stages. Rather than performing egress modifications using a processor that fetches and decodes and executes instructions in a classic processor fashion, and rather than storing a packet in memory and reading it out and modifying it and writing it back, the packet modifier pipeline processes the packet by passing parts of the packet through the pipeline. A processor identifies particular egress modifications to be performed by placing a script code at the beginning of the packet. The script parser then uses the code to identify a specific script of opcodes, where each opcode defines a modification. As a part passes through a stage, the stage can carry out the modification of such an opcode. As realized using current semiconductor fabrication process, the packet modifier can modify 200M packets/second at a sustained rate of up to 100 gigabits/second.
US09854069B2

A network apparatus comprising: a packet payload compressor (PPC) operable to: receive a packet copied from a network, the packet comprising a source, destination, and a payload; extract a value of a field comprised in the payload; provide a computed value of the field based on the source and destination of the packet; compare the extracted value and the computed value; and compress the field if the extracted value is the same as the computed value, and a traffic shaper operable to transmit a compressed packet comprising the compressed field.
US09854064B2

A website optimization system is integrated with a website by applying generic code to the website, that being the only code needed to be applied to the native source code of the website to enable the website optimization system to optimize the website by altering one or more of: the data, functions or content assets of web pages in the website. Integration can be achieved on a one-time basis. The generic code can be placed into a website's page template or global page header, or manually to all pages in a website. The generic code can be just a single line of code, such as JavaScript® code. The generic code remains the same irrespective of any differences in the data, functions or content assets of the web pages. The generic code includes code for all commands that enable tracking of the actions that relate to the optimization objectives.
US09854062B2

A relay node includes interfaces, a request statistical table that stores therein information concerning a request in an entry generated for each chunk, a request statistics processor that records a reception time and sending source information concerning a request in the request statistical table, a target request determining unit that determines whether or not a currently received request is a target request, a delay amount determining unit that determines a delay amount for a received request, which is a target request, and a delay processing unit that delays forwarding a received request or content data for a delay amount.
US09854056B2

An instruction to delete a first managing tenant among managing tenants in a system is accepted. Information included in management information of the first managing tenant and customer information unique to a customer managed by the first managing tenant is held as transfer information of the first managing tenant, and is managed using an access authority assigned to information of the customer. The held transfer information of the first managing tenant is transferred to the second management tenant when the second management tenant is determined to be a destination of the transfer from the first managing tenant.
US09854054B2

Systems and methods for caching data and generating responses to data requests are disclosed. A content delivery system for sending requested data to a client based on a client request in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a server for compiling data into a data cache, and a headend, coupled to the server, for obtaining the data, categorizing and storing the data in groups in an object cache, receiving a client request, picking data from the object cache and generating a response, and returning the response while caching the response in a response cache that is used to directly respond to future client requests.
US09854050B1

Techniques are described for using sensor data derived from a monitoring system to drive personalized content. Sensor data captured by a monitoring system may be used to determine attributes of users of the monitoring system and/or attributes of a property monitored by the monitoring system. The determined attributes may be used to select content to present to users of the monitoring system. Content presentation may be made through the monitoring system and may be triggered based on events detected by the monitoring system.
US09854046B2

The invention relates, in particular, to a method for registering at least one public address in an IMS network including a terminal that interacts with a security element. According to the invention, the security element includes an application that invites the user of the terminal, upon the occurrence of an event, to enter a public address, selected by the user, via the man/machine interface of the terminal, the application transmitting the public address, accompanied by at least one identifier of the security element, to a remote network via the terminal such that the remote network associates the public address with the identifier.
US09854039B2

In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for synchronizing a server and an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for synchronizing a server and an on-demand database service can enable embodiments to synchronize a larger amount of data. The ability of embodiments to provide such feature can enable more effective synchronization of a user-level sharing entity database with a multi-user on-demand database service.
US09854031B2

Provided is a cloud service agent based on a Service Level Agreement (SLA). The cloud service agent includes: a cloud service user manager configured to manage information on cloud service users; a cloud service manager configured to register cloud services provided by cloud service providers, and to generate and manage virtual cloud services based on the registered cloud services; a cloud service SLA broker configured to manage a matrix of an Service Level Agreement (SLA) of the cloud services, to measure a quality of the cloud services, and to provide information on the SLA or on the measured quality; and a cloud service executor configured to execute the virtual cloud services generated by the cloud service manager and to provide a result of the execution to the cloud service users.
US09854024B2

Example embodiments relate to the display of operating status information in a remote desktop session. In example embodiments, a client transmits operating status information to a server via a remote desktop session established with the server. In response, the client may receive graphics information including displayed status information inserted by the server based on the operating status information. Finally, the client may output the graphics information on an available display. Other embodiments relate to a corresponding server and processing performed in the server.
US09854023B2

A method for disseminating content over an overlay network having a plurality of routers in communication with providers and consumers of content is disclosed. A router in the overlay network receives a content descriptor corresponding to a query for content from a node, and generates a subscriber interface list based on the query for the content. The subscriber interface list is transmitted to a plurality of subsequent routers in the overlay network, wherein a content identified by the subsequent routers that correspond to the query will be routed to the router based on the subscriber interface list. The router receives first and second documents corresponding to the query for the content from the node. If the second document is the duplicate, the router deletes the second document and transmits the first document to the node or if not the router transmits both the first and second documents to the node.
US09854018B2

In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a streaming media client includes electronically receiving, from a network, information regarding component access points of a first multiplexed representation of a streaming content. The first multiplexed representation of the streaming content includes a plurality of media components, and each component access point defines an independently coded access point for one of the plurality of media components. The method further includes selecting a first segment of the first multiplexed representation of the streaming content based on the information regarding the component access points, and requesting the selected first segment of the first multiplexed representation of the streaming content from the network.
US09854017B2

Systems, methods, and devices enabling scalability to be incorporated into a media presentation such that the media presentation at a client end may be continuous or at least substantially continuous in the presence of missing segment files. In an embodiment, the loss of one or more segment file may not require a media presentation interval associated with the missing segment file to be skipped at the client end. Systems, methods, and devices enable scalability in live streaming and/or on-demand presentations.
US09854016B2

The multimedia client-server system provides a multimedia client program with a set of features and a server system that creates feature access information that determines which features are to be made available to a particular user. The server system may send the feature access information to the user such that the information is accessible to the multimedia client program. The multimedia client program may dynamically control the user's access to the program's feature set by using the feature access information to validate and verify the user. In addition, the feature access information may be accessible to the server system, such that the server system may periodically update the feature access information, such as, for example, when the user accesses the server system to download multimedia content.
US09854011B2

Data reports are received from a plurality of clients including action reports and timing reports. Action reports describe actions performed by users of the clients at location within an eBook. Timing reports describe reading speeds of users of the clients. The data reports are analyzed to identify an action that is performed by the users of the clients at a location within the eBook frequently relative to other actions. Action information is generated for automatically performing the identified action at the location within the eBook. The action information is transmitted to a client. The client is configured to automatically perform the action at the location within the eBook. The reading location of a user of the client is determined based on the timing reports.
US09854001B1

A system enforces policies in connection with requests to access resources. Users are provided the ability to obtain information about the policies the system enforces. Some of the users have associated restrictions such that, when those users request information about the policies, the information provided is incomplete. The information provided may lack information about one or more policies that apply to the users.
US09853995B2

System and method for detecting malicious activity in a computer network that includes hosts and connectors between the hosts. Network pathways to a plurality of investigated hosts are explored. A graph is formed based on results of the exploring of the network pathways. The graph represents topology of explored portions of the computer network, including connectors (e.g., communication links) between the investigated hosts and intermediary hosts situated along explored pathways that include the investigated hosts, and an indication of a prevalence of connectors in pathways to each of the investigated hosts. The prevalence of connectors along pathways to each of the investigated hosts is compared against a threshold, and any suspicious host situated along pathways to a common investigated host that is associated with a connector having a low prevalence that is below the prevalence threshold is identified. An access restriction can be associated with the suspicious host.
US09853987B2

Provided are a method, apparatus and system for realizing security detection in a heterogeneous network. UE establishes cross-Evolved NodeB (eNB) double/multiple connections with a MeNB and a LPN in an access network which is a kind of heterogeneous network, the LPN is responsible for data distribution, and the distribution is layered by RB; the MeNB receives a report message from the LPN through a backhaul interface between the MeNB and the LPN, and the report message contains the data count sent/received between the LPN and the UE; and the MeNB transmits CP information with the UE to compare the data counts actually sent/received between the access network and the UE to detect whether there is insertion of an attacker or not. According to the present disclosure, the heterogeneous network is deployed with the MeNB and the LPN, so that joint transmission service is provided for the UE; and moreover, the security performance of the network is further improved, the present disclosure is applicable to various backhauls, and good joint transmission service can be securely and efficiently provided for the UE.
US09853984B2

Methods, systems, and products verify an identity claimed by a person. A signature, representing the presence of a device, is acquired. The signature is compared to a reference signature. Should the signature favorably compare to the reference signature, then the identity is verified.
US09853982B2

An image of users of an application may be received from a computing device on a home network. The image may comprise representations of a group of users. Recognition techniques may be applied to the image. Unclaimed profiles may be created for users who are not recognized. The unclaimed profiles may be utilized by applications prior to being claimed by a user or group. Access to the unclaimed profiles may be controlled based on the identity of the network gateway used in the transmission of the image used as the basis for forming the profile.
US09853970B2

Examples are disclosed for techniques for wireless docking. According to some embodiments, a mobile device may scan for an available docking device, for example a device with one or more I/O devices such as a display. The mobile device may automatically establish a secure wireless link with the docking device, for example, if the docking device is known to the mobile device. However, I/O services to be provided by the docking device are not activated. Instead, the docking device will prompt a user for identification data. If the identification data passes verification, the I/O services may be activated. According to some embodiments, the identification data obtained by the docking device may also be used to wake the mobile device, to login to the mobile device, and/or to unlock the mobile device for user access.
US09853962B2

A flexible and extensible architecture allows for secure searching across an enterprise. Such an architecture can provide a simple Internet-like search experience to users searching secure content inside (and outside) the enterprise. The architecture allows for the crawling and searching of a variety of sources across an enterprise, regardless of whether any of these sources conform to a conventional user role model. The architecture further allows for security attributes to be received at query time, for example, in order to provide real-time secure access to enterprise resources. The user query also can be transformed to provide for dynamic querying that provides for a more current result list than can be obtained for static queries.
US09853957B2

Techniques are disclosed for secure playback of protected multimedia content on a game console using a secret-less application. An SSO model can be used for client authentication at a key server, which eliminates the need of storing or using any secret information in the client application. Further, an encrypted content key generated by a content packager using a public key can be deployed in the key URI of a playlist file, which is sent to the key server. The key server can be configured to decrypt the content key using a corresponding private key. Further, the content key and unencrypted samples are protected in the game console client application from debugging and replay attacks by using additional security checks at both the client and key server. By storing secret information remotely from the game console and using the SSO model, DRM policies can be enforced on an untrusted client application.
US09853929B2

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided that can reduce problems associated with updates of various applications on various devices, including addition of new services for communicating with another device. A compatibility version (e.g., a minimum compatibility) for a first communication service on a first device can be checked against a compatibility version for communication service on a second device. A comparison of the compatibility versions can determine whether a message can be sent using the first communication service to the second device.
US09853927B2

An application such as a mail transfer agent (MTA) enforces a resource quota within a multi-tenant environment. An email associated with a tenant is managed based on decisions evaluating the email against a queue quota and an association between the email and an email storm. The email is also managed based on another decision evaluating the email against a processing quota. In addition, the email is managed based on a cross MTA aggregate of usage information associated with the first, second, and third decisions.
US09853920B2

A method for performing packet reorder processing is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, at a packet receive buffer, a data packet, the packet receive buffer comprising a plurality of N-sized pages. The method also comprises storing the received data packet across a plurality of pages of the packet receive buffer. The method further comprises writing, at storage of each of the plurality of pages, a pointer to a next page in which a subsequent portion of the data packet is stored. The method also comprises transmitting the pointer to a ring buffer. The method further comprises calculating an offset to the ring based on a sequence number of the corresponding packet, and storing the pointer to a first page in the calculate offset of the ring buffer.
US09853916B2

Described is an apparatus comprising one or more router circuitries. One or more of the circuitries may be a shared-bus router circuitry including a plurality of shared-bus ports and a shared-bus datapath, and one or more of the circuitries may be a crossbar router circuitry including a plurality of crossbar ports and a crossbar datapath. Also described are methods of making the apparatus, which may include: providing one or more design files modeling the apparatus, the shared-bus datapath, and the crossbar datapath; incorporating a configuration parameter for the datapath into the one or more design files; and setting an RTL configuration parameter to instantiate either the shared-bus backbone or the crossbar backbone. The methods may also include loading the one or more design files with a design tool and compiling the one or more design files with the design tool.
US09853907B2

An information terminal 10 successively receives a plurality of packets that configure distribution data from an information distribution server 20, and requests the information distribution server 20 to change a bit rate of the packets that configure the distribution data, if it is judged that congestion occurs in communication with the information distribution server 20 based on a change in time interval from transmission to reception of each of the successively received packets, and if it is judged that a packet loss rate, which is a rate of a loss packet corresponding to a loss included in the packets transmitted from the information distribution server 20 and calculated based on the successively received packets, is increased as compared with a value obtained by multiplying a packet loss rate before the packets that configure the distribution data are received, by a predetermined weight.
US09853896B2

The present invention discloses a method for advertising routing information, and embodiments of the present invention further provide a virtual private network server device, an IP edge node device, and a client-based virtual private network system. In the technical solutions of the present invention, a virtual private network server first collects MAC address routing information of each site on a local virtual private network and then sends MAC address routing information of each site except a destination site in a unicast manner to a customer edge node that corresponds to each site on the virtual private network. This solves the problem that CE nodes in sites on the virtual private network cannot exchange routing information with each other by using a routing protocol because multicast packets are filtered by an access node of the data center network.
US09853892B2

A control method executed by an information processing device including a memory configured to store information on a plurality of temporary routes set for each kind of service, the control method includes receiving a routing request from a switch among a plurality of switches; extracting, from the memory, a temporary route corresponding to a service related to the routing request when it is determined that processing congestion of the information processing device occurs; setting the extracted temporary route for one or more related switches among the plurality of switches; determining a route corresponding to the service, based on a predetermined condition of the service, when it is determined that the processing congestion of the information processing device has subsided; and setting the determined route for the one or more related switches among the plurality of switches.
US09853883B2

In one embodiment, a device in a network receives a notification from a neighbor of the device indicative of a child node of the device requesting a parent change from the device to the neighbor. The device updates an existing routing path from the device to the child node to be routed through the neighbor, in response to receiving the notification from the neighbor. The device receives an instruction to remove the updated routing path from the device to the child node through the neighbor. The device removes the updated routing path from the device to the child node, in response to receiving the instruction to remove the updated routing path.
US09853875B1

Methods, systems, and media for detecting the presence of a digital media device on a network are provided. In some embodiments, methods for detecting a presence of a particular type of digital media device is provided, the methods comprising: identifying cached device details for devices previously associated with the network; performing a simple device discovery protocol (SSDP) on the network, and substantially concurrently sending a unicast message to an address associated with the identified cached digital media device using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP); and indicating the presence of a digital media device on the network in response to either (i) receiving a response to the unicast message, or (ii) determining that a type of a device discovered using SSDP is the same as the particular device type.
US09853874B2

Techniques for performing flow-specific failure detection in SDN networks are provided. In one embodiment, a computer system (e.g., an SDN controller) can determine a flow to be monitored in a network. The computer system can then transmit first and second messages to first and second network devices in the network respectively, where the first network device is an upstream device in the flow, where the second network device is a downstream device in the flow, and where the first and second messages instruct the first and second network devices to collect local data rate information for the flow.
US09853873B2

An example method for diagnosis and throughput measurement of FC ports in a SAN environment is provided and includes generating, by a control processor at a generator in the SAN, a control packet requesting a link test to be performed with a reflector in the SAN, sending the control packet to the reflector through a media access controller (MAC) of the generator, receiving, at the MAC of the generator, an acknowledgement from the reflector indicating ability to perform the requested link test, generating, at the MAC of the generator, a test data packet for the link test, performing the link test with the reflector, and analyzing, at the generator, network parameters based on results of the link test.
US09853868B2

Cloud computing has emerged as an extremely popular implementation option for a wide range of computing services. However, provisioning services into the cloud is an extremely difficult technical challenge. This is due in part to the regular emergence of new cloud service providers, as well as the routine changing and reconfiguration of the disparate computing platforms, services, assets, supported technical components, and other features offered by the service providers. An analysis architecture determines how to map a particular technical component into the execution environment of any particular service provider.
US09853866B2

According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for parallel processing a network of nodes having at least one ordering constraint and at least one conflict constraint is provided. The method may include breaking a plurality of loops caused by the at least one ordering constraint. The method may also include determining a node order based on the at least one ordering constraint. The method may then include determining a conflict order based on the at least one conflict constraint, whereby no new loops are created in the network. The method may further include performing parallel processing of the network of nodes based on the node order and the conflict order.
US09853858B2

A communication device including a registration unit that registers an IP address of the communication device and a method information including a first method information indicating a first setting method for setting a dynamic IP address and a second method information indicating a second setting method for setting a static IP address. The registration unit includes a change unit that changes registered contents of a memory in accordance with a user's instruction. When the first method information and a first IP address are registered in the memory, the change unit does not change the method information in the memory from the first method information to the second method information in a case where a method change instruction for changing the first setting method to the second setting method is given by the user under a state where the first IP address has not been changed to another IP address.
US09853855B2

Methods and systems for standby controller aided failover are provided. According to one embodiment, an active control channel and an active data channel are established by an active controller with a managed device via a management protocol. A standby control channel and a standby data channel are established by a standby controller with the managed device via the management protocol. A keep-alive message is periodically sent by the standby controller to the active controller. When a response to the keep-alive message is not received by the standby controller within a predefined time, failover from the active controller to the standby controller is initiated by: (i) taking over for the active controller; and (ii) notifying the managed device to direct subsequent management protocol messages to the standby controller via the standby control channel.
US09853854B1

An example method includes selecting, by a network device, a remote LFA next hop as an alternate next hop for forwarding network traffic from the network device to a destination, wherein the selected remote LFA next hop provides node protection to a primary next hop node on the shortest path from the network device to the destination. The method includes, for each candidate remote LFA next hop, performing a forward shortest path first (SPF) computation having the respective candidate remote LFA next hop as a root to compute a path segment between the respective candidate remote LFA next hop and the destination, wherein each of the candidate remote LFA next hops is the egress of a respective potential repair tunnel between the network device and candidate remote LFA next hop, and selecting the remote LFA next hop based at least in part on the computed path segments.
US09853848B2

In a multi-carrier wireless system, potential problems from reconfiguring mobile station resources to accommodate changes in component-carrier configuration are mitigated by inserting a guard period each time the configuration of component carriers changes, so that transceiver reconfiguration can be carried out without interfering with ongoing transmission. A base station is configured to transmit data to a mobile station according to a first configuration of two or more component carriers, to determine that a change of configuration to a second component-carrier configuration is required, and to signal the change of configuration to the mobile station, using the first configuration of component carriers. The base station then refrains from transmitting data to the mobile station during a pre-determined guard interval of at least one transmission-time interval subsequent to the signaling of the change of configuration. After the guard interval, data is transmitted to the mobile station according to the second component-carrier configuration.
US09853842B2

The present invention is directed to data communication systems and methods. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a CML that uses one or more equalization modules to apply equalization via secondary windings of transformers that are coupled, directly or indirectly, to the CML outputs. The equalization modules comprises a DAC component that generates switching signals based on control signals received from an external equalization module. The equalization module also includes switchable resistors and/or capacitors. The switching signals are used to select switchable resistors and/or capacitors. By switching resistors and/or capacitors at the equalization module, the outputs of the CML are equalized. There are other embodiments as well.
US09853837B2

A magnetic communications transmitter includes a magnetic field generator and a controller. The magnetic field generator is configured to generate a magnetic field. The controller is configured to control the magnetic field generator by controlling an electrical current supplied to the magnetic field generator, and causing the magnetic field generator to generate an optimized variable amplitude triangular waveform.
US09853833B2

In one embodiment, a plurality of virtual private local area network services (VPLSs) are operated among a plurality of packet switching devices, with the plurality of VPLSs including a first VPLS and a different second VPLS. In response to a conversion declaration including a particular Service Instance VLAN ID (I-SID), the first VPLS corresponding to the particular I-SID is converted to a different type of virtual private network (VPN) service, while continuing to operate the different second VPLS which is not related to the particular I-SID. In one embodiment, the different type of VPN service is Provider Backbone Bridging Ethernet VPN (PBB-EVPN). In one embodiment, the conversion declaration is a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Network Layer Reachability Information (NLRI) of Route Type 3 Inclusive Multicast Ethernet Tag (IMET) route.
US09853831B2

A control module for use within a control network, the control module comprising: interface circuitry for enabling communication with an external device; communication means configured to communicate with the external device over the control network by communication with the interface circuitry; coupling means configured to mechanically couple the control module to an adjacent control module and provide a data connection between the communication means and the adjacent module; and an electrical isolation in the data connection between the communication means and the coupling means.
US09853829B2

The disclosure provides an intelligent wireless router and a wireless communication system. The intelligent wireless router comprises a setting unit receiving initial setting information, connection setting information and device control information input from outside; a processing unit conducting initial setting on the intelligent wireless router according to the initial setting information, establishing or disconnecting wireless connection among a plurality of designated WIFI wireless terminals according to connection setting information, and controlling running states of the wireless terminals according to the device control information; a WIFI wireless communication unit establishing or disconnecting the wireless connection among the plurality of designated wireless terminals under the control of the processing unit, sending the device control information to the designated wireless terminals, and forwards a file among a plurality of wireless terminals; and a storage unit storing the setting information and the file to be forwarded.
US09853826B2

The disclosure generally relates to enabling communication among one or more Internet of Things (IoT) device groups. In particular, various heterogeneous IoT devices that may need to interact with one another in different ways may be organized into IoT device groups to support efficient interaction among the IoT devices. For example, pre-defined IoT device groups may be formed organize certain IoT devices that perform similar activities and certain IoT devices may be dynamically allocated to ad-hoc IoT device groups for certain contexts (e.g., the ad-hoc IoT device groups may include IoT devices that can implement a desired function and therefore be dynamically formed to implement the desired function). Furthermore, the IoT groups may communicate hierarchically, wherein messages may be exchanged among IoT group owners or ranking members to support efficient communication between different IoT groups.
US09853824B2

A method, computer program product, and system for injecting content in collaboration sessions is described. A method may comprise receiving, via one or more computing devices, a request from a third party to inject content into a collaboration session between two or more users. The method may further comprise monitoring, via the one or more computing devices, one or more communication platforms to detect a qualifying event associated with the request from the third party to inject the content into the collaboration session between the two or more users. The method may additionally comprise, in response, at least in part, to detecting the qualifying event associated with the request from the third party to inject the content into the collaboration session between the two or more users, injecting, via the one or more computing devices, the content into the collaboration session between the two or more users.
US09853817B2

A system comprises a memory, interface, and processor. The system is operable to store a plurality of attestations, where at least one of the plurality of attestations comprise a reason statement for signing an artifact. The system is further operable to display at least one of the plurality of attestations and receive a first selection of a first attestation. The system generates an expanded artifact by concatenating the artifact and the first attestation. The system creates a first digital signature based on the expanded artifact creates a first enhanced digital signature by applying the first digital signature and the first attestation. Further, the system stores the first enhanced digital signature.
US09853808B2

An initial cell searching method includes: receiving at least one frame data sequence including synchronization channel signals; performing a correlation process between all synchronization sequences stored in user equipment and the received at least one data sequence to obtain correlation sequences, and calculating correlation power sequences corresponding to each of the correlation sequences; searching a highest peak and a secondary peak for each of the correlation power sequences, and recording the highest peak and corresponding position and the secondary peak and corresponding position; and determining a target cell ID based on a first target sequence. which corresponds to a synchronization sequence corresponding to a correlation power sequence of which a relative distance between the corresponding position of the highest peak and the corresponding position of the secondary peak meets a condition, and the highest peak of the correlation power sequence has a maximum peak value among highest peaks of all the correlation power sequences.
US09853805B1

A method for configuring a transfer of signals associated with an iterative and synchronized, time-based data acquisition (DAQ) operation between at least one input device and at least one output device is disclosed herein. The method includes requesting and receiving signal data samples (SDSs) from the at least one input device. A series of the SDSs are mapped to a buffer. The time indicators of SDSs are compared to confirm that SDSs are incrementally-next in time relative one another. A missing signal data sample is retransmitted if necessary. The series of SDSs is remapped in the buffer as necessary to arrange the series in time sequence. The method also includes transmitting in real time at least a portion of the present signal data sample to an output device prior to receiving the missing signal data sample.
US09853804B2

A method for transferring data over a half-duplex wired communications link, comprises, in each of a plurality of frames: transferring a synchronization data pattern in a first direction; transferring first payload data in the first direction; transferring second payload data in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and transferring control data, wherein the format of the frame is such that, irrespective of whether the control data is transferred in the first direction or in the second direction, there is only one pair of reversals of a direction of data transfer in each frame.
US09853800B2

Method and radio node (500) for controlling a change of communication mode between transmit mode and receive mode according to a Time Division Duplex, TDD, scheme. The radio node has at least two parallel branches (504, 06) for transmission and reception of radio signals, wherein the branches currently operate in a first communication mode. The radio node obtains one or more indication signals (S1A, S1B) generated by one or more of the branches to indicate that the first mode has been turned off. When it is determined that the first communication mode has not been turned off in a faulty branch, e.g. by not receiving an indication signal in time from that branch, the first mode is disabled in the faulty branch, and/or the faulty branch is reported to a supervision center (510). Thereby, it can be discovered when one of the branches is misaligned or otherwise faulty and suitable actions can be taken for repairing or replacing the faulty branch.
US09853790B2

Embodiments described relate to a Resource Partitioning Node (RPN) associated with scheduling nodes and a method performed by the RPN for allocating reference demodulation reference signal (DMRS) parameters to user equipments (UE). The method comprises assigning a first partition of at least one type of DMRS parameters to the at least one UE of the first scheduling node and a second partition of the same type of DMRS parameters to the at least one UE of the second scheduling node, and signaling, to the first and the second scheduling node, the respective partition of the at least one type of DMRS parameter to be used by the respective at least one UE. A scheduling node and a method thereof are also described.
US09853783B2

An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a signal in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is provided. A method for determining an initial state in a DAS includes receiving a value through high-level signalling and determining an initial state based on the value, in which the value includes a value in which is set an initial state of a scrambling sequence, which differs according to a transmission point.
US09853782B2

Information about a set of cells potentially taking part in coordinated multipoint transmission is obtained, information about at least one of reference signal configuration and data region size configuration for each of the set of cells is obtained, further an indication of which of the reference signals configuration and the data region size configuration should be assumed in resource mapping for data is obtained, and data according to the resource mapping is received. Information about at least one of reference signal configuration and data region size configuration for each cell of a set of cells potentially taking part in coordinated multipoint transmission is provided, and an indication of which of the reference signals configuration and the data region size configuration should be assumed in resource mapping for data is provided.
US09853781B2

Methods and apparatus for cell aggregation are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect information regarding a predefined maximum number of cells that can be aggregated by a communication device on a single carrier resource is sent by the communication device. Said Information is received by a network node where after control on cell aggregation can be based on the information, and the communication device can support cell aggregation on the single carrier resource up to said maximum number of cells.
US09853773B2

A method, an apparatus, and a system for transmitting information bits, where the method for transmitting information bits includes: dividing the information bits to be transmitted into at least two groups; encoding the information bits to be transmitted in each group; modulating the coded bits obtained by the encoding to obtain modulation symbols, in which each modulation symbol is obtained by using the modulation of the coded bits in the same group; and mapping and transmitting the modulation symbols. In this way, the receiving end easily reduces the algorithm complexity, thereby ensuring the performance of the receiving end.
US09853757B2

An outdoor satellite receiving unit (ODU) receives several independent satellite signals, selects two signals with a switch matrix, downconverts the two signals to a bandstacked signal with a high and a low band signal, and outputs the bandstacked signal on the same cable to receiver units. Several satellite signals can be selected in groups of two or more and output to independent receiver units. Signal selecting is performed at the received radio frequency (RF) and bandstacking is performed with a single downconversion step to an intermediate frequency (IF). Channel stacking on the same cable of more than two channels from several satellites can be achieved by using frequency agile downconverters and bandpass filters prior to combining at the IF output. A slow transitioning switch minimizes signal disturbances when switching and maintains input impedance at a constant value.
US09853751B2

In a digital communication system there is provided a method for OFDM channel estimation that jointly considers the effects of coarse timing error and multipath propagation. The method uses an iterative channel estimation technique, which considers the practical scenario of fractional timing error and non-sample space echo delays. The method does not require channel state information such as second-order statistic of the channel impulse responses or the noise power. Moreover, timing error can be conveniently obtained with the proposed technique. Simulation shows that, when comparing OFDM channel estimation techniques under DOCSIS 3.1 realistic channel conditions, the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms conventional methods.
US09853741B2

A fiber optic encryption method is provided. The method includes transmitting an initial security key to a laser receiver apparatus over an out of band (OOB) signaling channel of a plurality of channels of a laser transmitter apparatus. The OOB signaling channel is secured based on the initial security key resulting in a secure OOB signaling channel. A secure bundle is generated. The secure bundle includes the secure OOB signaling channel and a group of channels and associated transmission frequencies. Data is transmitted via the secure bundle and it is determined if any channels do not transmit the data.
US09853740B1

Adaptive communications focal plane arrays that may be implemented in, e.g., a specially-configured camera that can be utilized to receive and/or process information in the form of optical beams are presented. A specialized focal plane array (FPA) having a plurality of optical detectors is utilized, where one or more optical detectors are suppressed such that data is not allowed to be output from the one or more suppressed optical detectors, and only a significantly smaller number or subset of optical detectors receiving optical beams are allowed to output data. In this way, the rate at which data is to be output by an adaptive communications FPA (ACFPA) can be significantly reduced.
US09853729B2

The present disclosure provides an inter-vehicle communication system configured to detect a vehicle as a communication target of DSRC to properly establish an automatic driving system. In the inter-vehicle communication system configured to perform communication between a plurality of vehicles using DSRC, each of vehicles includes an identification code (ID) of the vehicle in information to be transmitted by a DSRC unit. Each vehicle includes: an individual communication unit (optical communication unit) for optical communication, which is configured to transmit/receive IDs of vehicles through communication between individual vehicles; and a unit configured to detect information having a corresponding ID by collating the ID received by the individual communication unit with the ID included in the information received by the DSRC unit. Through ID collation, a communication counterpart vehicle of DSRC is detected.
US09853727B2

A detection system for monitoring the intensity of a stream of modulated pulses, the system comprising a controller configured to provide a control signal to a component outputting modulated pulses the control signal controlling the level of modulation for each pulse exiting the component and a detector configured to measure the intensity of the pulses in the stream of pulses exiting the component outputting modulated pulses, wherein the detector comprises a gated detector, the controller being configured to send a gating signal to said detector, wherein said gating signal varies the gain of the detector with the control signal, such that pulses with a selected modulation level can be detected.
US09853718B2

A system and method for transmitting a data stream between a server and a user terminal, comprises at least one satellite gateway associated with a satellite router communicating with at least one satellite terminal associated with a terminal router, wherein the terminal router is configured, when it receives a stream request from a user terminal, to search for it in its memory resources and, if appropriate, transmit it to the user terminal, the satellite router is configured to transmit the request to the server, estimate a popularity of the stream and transmit a message of correspondence between the stream and broadcasting parameters then convert the stream into a point-to-multipoint stream adapted to the broadcasting parameters, the terminal router is configured to convert point-to-multipoint streams into point-to-point streams and transmit them to the user terminals.
US09853717B2

A method and apparatus for providing half-duplex communications for a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) operating on a continuous received stream is disclosed. The method includes: decoding the continuous received stream to establish synchronization with the continuous received stream; locating, in the continuous received stream, a time plan including a receiving timeslot and a transmitting timeslot; demodulating the continuous received stream by adapting to a timing and frequency variation of the continuous received stream in the receiving timeslot, freewheeling the adapting of the continuous received stream during the transmitting timeslot, and resuming the adapting of the continuous received stream when the transmitting timeslot ends; stopping a receiving of the continuous received stream during the transmitting timeslot; and transmitting from the VSAT during the transmitting timeslot. The freewheeling includes saving a signal acquisition parameter at the start of the transmitting timeslot and restoring the saved signal acquisition parameter at the end of the transmitting timeslot.
US09853715B2

The present disclosure describes the system and methods for providing broadband internet access to homes and enterprises using a network of aerial platforms such as drones/UAVs/balloons. The drone communication system is composed of an antenna sub-system, a radio sub-system and a data switching sub-system. Drones form and point beams toward ground terminals in different areas in a space division multiple access scheme. Ground terminals are composed of an antenna sub-system and a radio sub-system. Ground terminals search for the drone from which they receive the strongest signals. Drone and ground terminals comprise of methods and systems to calibrate receive and transmit antenna elements. Drone radio sub-system keeps track of the drone's position and orientation changes and adjust drone's antenna beam accordingly to point to the same location on the ground as the drone moves. Depending on the changes in drone's position and orientation, the drone radio sub-system may switch the antenna aperture and/or the antenna fixture that is used to form a beam toward a specific ground terminal. Drones communicate with the terminals using a space and time division multiple access scheme.
US09853713B2

Systems and methods configured to form and manage different types of beams toward target ground terminals to “optimally” communicate with the terminals. In one set of embodiments, the UAV generates a set of beams to cover cells on the ground, the beams are divided into groups, and the UAV communications system deterministically and sequentially turns a subset of the beams on/off to reduce cross-beam interference and increase system throughput. In another embodiment, in order to increase throughput, the UAV communications system determines the highest data rate on the downlink and uplink that are decodable at the receiver given the received signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) while maintaining a low packet error rate. Systems and methods are described to determine the UAV antenna pattern toward different terminals needed for SINR calculation and data rate determination.
US09853712B2

The present disclosure describes the system and methods for providing broadband internet access to homes and enterprises using a network of drones/UAVs. The drone communication system is composed of an antenna sub-system, a radio sub-system and a data switching sub-system. Drones form and point beams toward ground terminals in different areas in a space division multiple access scheme. Ground terminals are composed of an antenna sub-system and a radio sub-system. Ground terminals search for the drone from which they receive the strongest signals. Drone and ground terminals comprise of methods and systems to calibrate receive and transmit antenna elements. Drone radio sub-system keeps track of the drone's position and orientation changes and adjust drone's antenna beam accordingly to point to the same location on the ground as the drone moves. Depending on the changes in drone's position and orientation, the drone radio sub-system may switch the antenna aperture and/or the antenna fixture that is used to form a beam toward a specific ground terminal. Drones communicate with the terminals using a space and time division multiple access scheme.
US09853709B2

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, a repeater operation method and apparatus are disclosed. A method for supporting a repeater by a base station in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: determining whether a relay communication about a target user equipment (UE) is required; and transmitting the repeater activation message to one or more repeater candidates. The activation message may include one or more parameters among an activation cycle, location, or a signal strength threshold for the one or more repeater candidates. A repeater satisfying the condition given by the one or more parameters from among the one or more repeater candidates can be activated as a repeater for the target UE.
US09853703B2

Channel state information (CSI) feedback in a wireless communication system is disclosed. User equipment transmits a CSI feedback signal via a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH). If the UE is configured in a first feedback mode, the CSI comprises a first report jointly coding a Rank Indicator (RI) and a first precoding matrix indicator (PMI1), and a second report coding Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) and a second precoding matrix indicator (PMI2). If the UE is configured in a second feedback mode, the CSI comprises a first report coding RI, and a second report coding CQI, PMI1 and PMI2. The jointly coded RI and PMI1 employs codebook sub-sampling, and the jointly coding PMI1, PMI2 and CQI employs codebook sub-sampling.
US09853695B2

Described herein are techniques related one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc. for reducing induced currents in a apparatus chassis. For example, a fractal slot is constructed in the apparatus chassis to reduce the induced currents, and enhance passage of magnetic fields through the apparatus chassis. In this example, the fractal slot may include a no-self loop fractal space filling curve shape to provide high impedance to the induced currents.
US09853685B2

RF duplexing and methods of operating the same are described herein. In one embodiment, an RF duplexing system may include a control circuit and a duplexer with a first tunable RF filter and second tunable RF filter. The control circuit is operable in a full duplexing transmission mode and a half duplexing transmission mode. The control circuit tunes the first tunable RF filter in the full duplexing transmission mode so that the first tunable RF filter defines a transmission passband and tune the second tunable RF filter so that the second tunable RF filter defines a receive passband. Also, the control circuit tunes one of the tunable RF filters so that the tunable RF filter defines the passband while the other tunable RF filter enhances the passband. In this manner, the tunable RF filters in the duplexer are both utilized to get better performance during the half duplexing mode.
US09853684B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a communication device including a matching network for impedance tuning and pairs of antennas that can be utilized as primary and diversity antennas, respectively, and can provide high radiation efficiency. An RF switch can be utilized for re-configuring the primary and diversity antennas. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09853673B2

A cradle device removably stores a terminal device having a first recess. This cradle device includes a second recess, a locker, and a push up member. The second recess is capable of storing at least a part of the terminal device, the part including the first recess. The locker is formed to be engageable with the first recess of the terminal device, and the locker being engaged with the first recess, which is stored in the second recess, of the terminal device to hold the terminal device. The push up member is connected to the locker, and pushes up the locker engaged with the first recess to push up the terminal device from the second recess with the state in which the terminal device is held by the locker.
US09853672B2

Disclosed is a mobile terminal having a differentiated structure from the conventional one. The mobile terminal includes a neck band unit configured to be wearable on a user's neck, and having a main power supply unit; and a glass unit having a frame configured to be wearable on a user's head, having an input/output module installed at the frame, and electrically-connectable to the neck band unit so as to be provided with power from the main power supply unit, wherein the neck band unit is provided with accommodation recesses formed such that at least part thereof corresponds to the frame, and wherein the glass unit is coupled to the neck band unit when two ends thereof are inserted into the accommodation recesses, respectively, and wherein the glass unit is separated from the neck band unit when the two ends thereof are withdrawn from the accommodation recesses, respectively.
US09853664B2

A apparatus for radio frequency power amplification, a radio frequency power amplification method, a transmitter, and a base station that can reduce nonlinear signal distortion factors are disclosed. The radio frequency power amplification system includes: a radio frequency signal generation circuit, configured to process a baseband digital signal, to obtain an original radio frequency signal; a radio frequency signal processing circuit, configured to process the original radio frequency signal, to obtain N processed radio frequency signals, where N is greater than or equal to 2; a power amplifier, configured to perform power amplification on each of the N processed radio frequency signals, to obtain N amplified radio frequency signals; and a combiner, configured to combine the N amplified radio frequency signals.
US09853663B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to provision a matching network that controls one or more operational characteristics of one of a receiver portion and a transmitter portion of the communication device according to a profile describing one or more characteristics of a communication system from which the communication device operates. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09853660B1

Techniques and apparatus for parallel data compression are described. An apparatus to provide parallel data compression may include at least one memory and logic for a compression component, at least a portion of the logic comprised in hardware coupled to the at least one memory, the logic to provide at least one data input sequence to a plurality of compression components, determine compression information for the plurality of compression components, and perform a compression process on the at least one data input sequence via the plurality of compression components to generate at least one data output sequence, the plurality of compression components to perform the compression process in parallel based on the compression information.
US09853650B1

An apparatus having a digitally controlled timing adjustment circuit configured to receive a first clock and a second clock and output a third clock and a fourth clock in accordance with a noise cancellation signal and a gain control signal, an analog phase detector configured to receive the third clock and the fourth clock and output an analog timing error signal, a filtering circuit configure to receive the analog timing error signal and output an oscillator control signal, a controllable oscillator configured to receive the oscillator control signal and output a fifth clock, a clock divider configured to receive the fifth clock and output the second clock in accordance with a division factor, a modulator configured to receive a clock multiplication factor and output the division factor and the noise cancellation signal, wherein a mean value of the division factor is equal to the clock multiplication factor, a digital phase detector configured to receive the third clock and the fourth clock and output a digital timing error signal, wherein the digital phase detector is self-calibrated so that a mean value of the digital timing error signal is zero, and a correlation circuit configured to receive the timing error signal and the noise cancellation signal and output the gain control signal.
US09853646B2

A system and method for system, method and apparatus for phase hits and microphonics cancellation. In addition to a first RF synthesizer source, a device also includes a second stable reference signal source that operates at a lower frequency as compared to the RF synthesizer source. The second stable reference signal source is selected with good phase noise characteristics and can be used to correct phase error events.
US09853642B1

An example output driver includes a plurality of output circuits coupled in parallel between a first voltage supply node and a second voltage supply node. Each of the plurality of output circuits includes a differential input that is coupled to receive a logic signal of a plurality of logic signals and a differential output that is coupled to a common output node. The output driver further includes voltage regulator(s), coupled to the voltage supply node(s), and a current compensation circuit. The current compensation circuit includes a switch coupled in series with a current source, where the switch and the current source are coupled between the first voltage supply node and the second voltage supply node. An event detector is coupled to the switch to supply an enable signal and to control state of the enable signal based on presence of a pattern in the plurality of logic signals.
US09853633B1

Systems and methods associated with reducing clock skew are disclosed. In some exemplary embodiments, there is provided circuitry associated with lock loop circuits such as a phase lock loop (PLL). Such circuitry may comprise output clock tree circuitry and phase averaging circuitry. In other exemplary embodiments, there is provided circuitry associated with delay lock loop (DLL) circuits. Such circuitry may comprise output clock tree circuitry and/or phase averaging circuitry.
US09853630B2

A flip-flop includes a master latch configured to receive a data signal and a scan input signal. The master latch provides one of the data signal or the scan input signal to a slave latch based on a scan enable signal. The flip-flop includes circuitry configured to generate clock signals based on one or both of an input clock signal and the scan enable signal. A first clock signal is provided to the master latch and a second clock signal is provided to the slave latch. The first clock signal does not include edge transitions that occur at same times as edge transitions of the second clock signal when the scan enable signal has a first logic level. The first clock signal includes edge transitions that occur at same times as edge transitions of the second clock signal when the scan enable signal has a second logic level.
US09853629B2

An oscillator circuit may include a multivibrator for generating an oscillator signal, a supply circuit having a first, second and third current path, and a current mirror for mirroring a current through the second current path into the first current path, the third current path and a current path of the multivibrator. A first transistor in the first current path is operated in weak inversion and saturation on the basis of a first gate voltage. A second transistor in the second current path may be operated in weak inversion and saturation on the basis of the first gate voltage. A third transistor in the second current path may be operated in strong inversion and in the linear region on the basis of a second gate voltage. A fourth transistor in the third current path may be operated in strong inversion and in saturation on the basis of the second gate voltage.
US09853625B2

An acoustic wave device includes: an acoustic wave chip including an acoustic wave element formed therein; a multilayered substrate including the acoustic wave chip mounted on an upper surface thereof; a first ground terminal formed on a lower surface of the multilayered substrate and electrically coupled to a ground electrode of the acoustic wave chip; a second ground terminal formed on the lower surface; a signal terminal formed on the lower surface and electrically coupled to a signal electrode of the acoustic wave chip; and a shield layer formed at least on the upper surface, on the lower surface, or between the lower surface and the upper surface of the multilayered substrate so as to overlap with at least a part of the acoustic wave chip, not electrically coupled to the first ground terminal in the multilayered substrate, and electrically coupled to the second ground terminal.
US09853616B2

Variable feedback architecture and control techniques for variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) concurrently maintain, across a wide range of VGA gain settings, minimal input and output impedance variations, a low noise figure, low rates of change in noise figure, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), high quality of service (QoS), low distortion, high and relatively constant output third order intercept point (i.e., IP3 or TOI). Variable feedback counteracts impedance variations caused by gain variations. Compared to conventional high performance VGAs, noise figure is lower (e.g. 3 dB lower at maximum gain and 12 dB lower at minimum gain) and relatively constant, IP3 is higher and relatively constant, small signal third order intermodulation signal (IM3) tone slope is relatively constant and input and output impedances are relatively constant. As gain decreases, the noise figure advantage is nearly dB per dB compared to conventional high performance VGAs.
US09853604B2

An amplifier arrangement comprises N amplifier stages, wherein N is an integer equal or greater than four. The amplifier arrangement comprises a cascade of quarter wavelength transmission lines coupled between an output of an amplifier of a first amplifier stage and an output node of the amplifier arrangement, wherein the cascade comprises N−1 quarter wavelength transmission lines. An amplifier of the Nth stage is coupled to the output node, and remaining amplifiers between the first and Nth stages coupled to successive junctions in the cascade of quarter wavelength transmission lines. The amplifier arrangement is further configured such that the amplifier of the Nth stage is coupled to the output node via a connecting quarter wavelength transmission line, and whereby each of the remaining amplifiers of the N−2 stages closest to the output node is coupled by a respective connecting quarter wavelength transmission line to a respective junction of the cascade of quarter wavelength transmission lines.
US09853603B2

Power amplifiers for amplifying a radio frequency signal are provided. The power amplifier may include an envelope tracking power supply, a carrier amplifier coupled with the envelope tracking power supply and configured to amplify the radio frequency signal, an input matching network configured to split the amplified radio frequency signal from the carrier amplifier such that one part of the amplified radio frequency signal passes along a peak amplifier path and another part of the amplified radio frequency signal passes along an impedance transformer path, a peak amplifier coupled with the envelope tracking power supply and configured to amplify the one part of the amplified radio frequency signal from the input matching network, an impedance transformer configured to perform impedance transformation on the other part of the amplified radio frequency signal from the input matching network, an output matching network configured to combine the output of the peak amplifier and the impedance transformer, wherein the peak amplifier is configured to be switched off in a lower power mode and switched on in a high power mode based at least in part on an input power level of the radio frequency signal. With the claimed solutions, more powerful and efficient power amplifiers that are capable of operating over broader frequency ranges may be achieved.
US09853598B2

A solar module frame includes two first borders and two second borders. At least one first border includes a first segment and a second segment, where one end of the first segment is connected to one end of the second border, and one end of the second segment is connected to one end of the other second border. The solar module frame includes at least one connection component. One end of the connection component is connected to the other end of the first segment, and the other end of the connection component is connected to the other end of the second segment. Each of the first segment, the second segment, and the connection component includes an external wall, a support wall, a first clamping wall, and a second clamping wall. Each of the first segment and the second segment includes an internal wall.
US09853597B2

A system and method are disclosed for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the system includes various couplings having a first engaging portion adapted to engage a first PV module and a second engaging portion adapted to engage a second PV module. At least one of the engaging portions allows variable positioning of the engaged PV module along the engaging portion.
US09853595B1

A fixture includes a substitutive roof member that includes a base part, a base opening, a tubular wall that is erected from a peripheral edge of the base opening, a top face that extends inwardly from a top end of the tubular wall and forms a top face opening, and a pair of guide surfaces that each extend downward from peripheral sides of the top face opening, the substitutive roof member being made of a metal; and a mounting base that includes a pair of planar bottom plates that is provided in such a size as to pass through the top face opening, a pair of rising walls that are each erected from inner sides of the bottom plates, a connection part that connects upper sides of the rising walls, and a fixing member mounting part that is exposed at the connection part for mounting a bolt.
US09853591B2

An inverter control device for controlling a rotating electric machine drive device that includes an inverter and a DC link capacitor, the inverter being connected to a DC power supply via a contactor, being connected to an alternating current rotating electric machine, and performing power conversion between direct current and three-phase alternating current, an arm for each alternating current phase being formed by a series circuit including an upper side switching element and a lower side switching element, and the DC link capacitor smoothing a DC link voltage, which is a DC-side voltage of the inverter, the inverter control device performing switching control on the switching elements that form the inverter.
US09853565B2

A power harvesting system including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels. Multiple voltage-compensation circuits may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages to the photovoltaic strings to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings.
US09853560B2

Congruent power and timing signals in a single electronic device. In an embodiment, a circuit may include just one isolation transformer operable to generate a power signal and a timing signal. On the secondary side, two branches may extract both a power signal and a clock signal for use in the circuit on the isolated secondary side. The first branch may be coupled to the transformer and operable to manipulate the signal into a power signal, such as a 5V DC signal. Likewise, the second circuit branch is operable to manipulate the signal into a clock signal, such as a 5 V signal with a frequency of 1 MHz. By extracting both a power supply signal and a clock signal from the same isolation transformer on the secondary side, valuable space may be saved on an integrated circuit device with only having a single winding for a single isolation transformer.
US09853554B2

The present invention provides a power converter, and a control circuit and a standby power saving method thereof. The power converter provides an output voltage from an output terminal through an enable switch circuit to a power receiver. A detection signal shows whether a voltage at a signal transmission pin of the power converter is in a predetermined range, if not, the enable switch circuit is turned OFF. The power converter adjusts a feedback signal according to the detection signal or according to the detection signal and the output voltage, so as to adjust the output voltage to be lower than a normal operation level in a normal operation mode, to save power in a standby mode.
US09853552B2

A method of operating a power converter includes applying a first signal sequence to one or more terminals of the power converter to unlock a controller of the power converter and cause the controller to enter a programming mode, applying a second signal sequence to the one or more terminals of the power converter to program a controller parameter of the power converter, and applying a third signal sequence to the one or more terminals to lock the controller of the power converter and cause the power converter to enter a locked mode. The one or more terminals of the power converter includes one or more input terminals of the power converter that converter are adapted to be coupled to a programmable ac or dc supply, or one or more output terminals of the power converter that are adapted to be coupled to a programmable electronic load.
US09853551B2

A power transfer system includes DC-DC power conversion circuitry that has a first switch and a second switch on either side of a first transformer and a first capacitor and a second capacitor on either side of a second transformer that is connected in parallel with the first transformer. Primary secondary sides of the DC-DC power conversion circuitry are aligned based a direction of power transfer. A quantity of power transfer through the DC-DC power conversion circuitry is determined based on power and voltage characteristics of electrical components. A duty cycle and a switching frequency for the first switch or second switch is determined based on the quantity of power to be transferred. The primary and secondary switches are controlled using switching.
US09853547B2

An example apparatus includes a first switch having a control terminal, coupled to a voltage source and coupled to a switch node; a second switch having a control terminal, coupled to the switch node and to a voltage reference; a first inductor coupled to the switch node and to a load; a third switch having a control terminal, coupled to the voltage source and to an auxiliary node; a fourth switch having a control terminal, coupled to the auxiliary node and to the voltage reference; a second inductor coupled to the switch node and the auxiliary node; a fifth switch having a control terminal, coupled to the switch node and to the auxiliary node; and timing circuitry configured to output signals to the control terminals of the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, the fourth switch and the fifth switch to supply current to the load.
US09853544B2

A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a power supply system to avoid an over-voltage event across one or more switching devices of the power supply system, the controlling step based on switching overlap information that includes instructions for either advancing or retarding a switching signal associated with at least one of the switching devices.
US09853542B2

A control circuit is provided for a buck converter that includes at least an inductor coupled to an output of the buck converter. The control circuit includes a power switch configured for coupling to a line voltage and configured for charging the inductor, an input line voltage sampling circuit, and a constant-voltage (CV) and constant-current (CC) control module coupled to the power switch. During a charging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to control the power switch to provide a constant output current by maintaining a constant peak inductor current, even when the input line voltage changes. During a discharging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to monitor the sensed output voltage to control the power switch to provide a constant output voltage.
US09853541B2

A switched-capacitor DC-to-DC converter includes a logic cell and a capacitor cell vertically overlapping with the logic cell. The logic cell has a plurality of active elements disposed over a first substrate. The capacitor cell has a capacitor over a second substrate. A first interlayer insulation layer disposed over the first substrate is bonded to a second interlayer insulation layer disposed over the second substrate. A first through via connected to any one of interconnection patterns of the logic cell and a second through via connected to a lower electrode pattern of the capacitor cell are connected to each other through a first external circuit pattern. A third through via connected to an upper electrode pattern of the capacitor cell and a fourth through via connected to another one of the interconnection patterns of the logic cell are connected to each other through a second external circuit pattern.
US09853540B2

A power supply circuit is intended to suppress power consumption when a load is not driven and to shorten a required time to be taken until a boosted voltage to be supplied to a high-side MOS transistor is stabilized when the load is changed from a deactivated state to an activated state.The power supply circuit (power supply circuit 3) supplying power to a load driving circuit (motor driving circuit 2) that drives a load by controlling a high-side MOS transistor M1 on the basis of an input load control signal includes a booster circuit (charge pump 23) configured to boost a voltage of input power and supplies the power of which the voltage is boosted as power for driving the high-side MOS transistor. The booster circuit has power supply capability which varies depending on the load control signal.
US09853530B2

A linear motor unit includes at least one first linear motor in which an armature is disposed spaced from a shaft guide supporting section which is provided at a distal end of a frame, and a shaft guide is disposed on a proximal side of the shaft guide supporting section; and at least one second linear motor in which an armature is disposed in contact with the proximal side the shaft guide supporting section which is provided at the distal end of the frame, and the shaft guide is disposed on the distal side of the shaft guide supporting section, wherein the first linear motors and the second linear motors are alternatively arranged in a width direction of the frame with the respective shaft guides of the linear motors aligned with each other, the shaft guide is rotated by a rotary motor.
US09853523B2

An electric wheel motor cooling system includes first and second electric wheel motors and gear reducers which use hydraulic fluid for cooling and lubrication. Each of the electric wheel motor housings includes a sump and a scavenge pump for return of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic fluid reservoir. A remotely located hydraulic pump interconnected with the hydraulic fluid reservoir supplies and powers first and second locally located hydraulic motors which supply the electric motors and gears with an equal flow of lubricating and cooling oil. The first and second hydraulic motors, in turn, drive a common output shaft which, in turn, drives first and second scavenge pumps. The first and second scavenge pumps have a higher fluid flow rate than the hydraulic motors ensuring that oil is removed from the first and second electric wheel motor housings thus eliminating any churning losses of the motors or gears.
US09853522B2

A cooling fan is provided at an axial end portion of a rotor. The cooling fan generates a cooling air when rotated integrally with the rotor. On a stator core arranged at a position on a radially outer side of the rotor, a plurality of stator coils are arrayed in a circumferential direction of the stator core. Each stator coil includes a coil end that protrudes from an axial end surface of the stator core. A front housing covering the cooling fan includes: an exhaust port for passing the cooling air therethrough, at least part of the exhaust port being located at a position on a radially outer side of the coil end; and a recess portion opposed to the coil end in an axial direction.
US09853521B2

An actuator includes an electric motor having a shaft, an output member coupled to the shaft, a casing having a wall, a mounting structure, and a tubular body sleeved around the shaft and coupling the mounting structure to the wall. The motor is mounted to the casing via the mounting structure.
US09853513B2

The present description relates to an insulation cover of a resolver and a method for winding a coil of the insulation cover, which has a slack part formed on a coil by: a slit part formed on a body part so as to correspond to a terminal pin when winding the coil on the terminal pin of a terminal part formed at one side of the insulation cover; and a winding guide part protrudingly formed on a winder so as to correspond to the slit part such that the coil is inserted into or withdrawn from the slit part, relieves the tension, applied to the coil, by the slack part so as to minimize a break in the coil according to the thermal deformation or the deterioration of the coil, has a compact structure, is easily manufactured and reduces manufacturing costs.
US09853503B2

In a case where a power transmission device operating as a master disappears, a wireless power feeding system selects a power transmission device to operate as a master instead based on predetermined priority levels.
US09853500B2

A power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit configured to wirelessly supply power to a power receiving device, a first communication unit configured to perform short-range wireless communication and include a first communication mode and a second communication mode, a second communication unit configured to perform wireless communication, a selection unit configured to select the first communication mode or the second communication mode as a communication mode of the first communication unit in accordance with whether the power supply apparatus is in a first mode, a second mode, or a third mode, and a control unit configured to control the communication performed by the first communication unit in accordance with the communication mode of the first communication unit selected by the selection unit.
US09853499B2

An apparatus comprises a structure including a cavity that, when excited with electromagnetic energy, produces an electric field having randomized distribution of field amplitude and polarity. The apparatus further comprises a sensor within the cavity. The sensor has a plurality of antennas for wirelessly harvesting operating power along different paths within the cavity.
US09853496B2

According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system comprising an input configured to receive input AC power, an output configured to provide output AC power to a load, a DC power source coupled to a DC bus, an inverter having an input coupled to the DC bus and an output coupled to the output of the UPS system, the inverter configured to receive DC power at the input from the DC bus and provide AC power having a voltage to the output, and a controller coupled to the output of the inverter and configured to operate the inverter based on an average voltage of the AC power at the output of the inverter.
US09853494B2

A system for providing backup power to a facility includes a generator and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the generator until a condition is met, determine a load history that occurs while operating the generator until the condition is met, determine a cool-down time based on the determined load history, and run the generator to the point when the condition is met and in an unloaded condition for the cool-down time.
US09853492B2

An automatic transfer switch module includes an automatic transfer switch. The automatic transfer switch may receive a first power from a first power source and a second power from a second power source. The automatic transfer switch may selectively provide one of the first power and the second power to a power supply module.
US09853480B2

Disclosed is a wireless charging device for charging electronic devices placed within proximity of the transmitter of the wireless charging device. The wireless charging device includes an inductive coupler, a reflected power detector, a power source and a power control system. The inductive coupler is configured to charge at least one electronic device present in the charging area. The inductive coupler takes power form the power source. The inductive coupler is also capable of communicating with electronic devices being charged to exchange a set of information. In addition to notebook PCs, this solution can be extended to desktop and tablet PCs, slates and office furniture as pervasive means of wireless charging multiple devices.
US09853478B2

Exemplary embodiments are directed to detection and validation of wirelessly chargeable devices positioned within a charging region of a wireless power transmitter. A device may include a wireless power transmitter configured detect a change in at least one parameter at the transmitter. The transmitter may further be configured to determine whether at least one valid chargeable device is positioned within a charging region of the transmitter upon detecting the change in the at least one parameter.
US09853477B2

Systems and methods of charging battery power that can be selectively controlled by the overall voltage of a battery pack and specified voltages of battery cells within the battery pack, and that can selectively perform current-controlled and voltage-controlled battery charging (referred to herein as “adaptive battery cell charging”). The systems and methods employ a digital core for managing the charging of battery power provided by the battery pack. By using the overall voltage of the battery pack and specified voltages of battery cells to selectively control the charging of battery power, battery charging times can be reduced. By employing current/voltage sense amplifiers to monitor the battery pack voltage, the battery cell voltage(s), and a battery charging current, the effect of cable resistance to/from the battery pack can be reduced. By performing adaptive battery cell charging, battery charging times and battery stress can be reduced, while increasing battery charge/discharge life cycles.
US09853473B2

A battery pack assembly includes a first battery cell supplying electric current to an electronic load, a second battery cell supplying electric current to the electronic load, and a first switch operatively coupled with the first battery cell and the electronic load. The first switch stops conduction of the electric current to the electronic load responsive to an increase in electric demand of the electronic load above a designated threshold. A method of powering an electronic load using a battery pack assembly also is provided.
US09853472B2

A battery charging device includes a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells connected in series, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to change a series connection of the battery cells in response to a variation in output voltage of a solar battery.
US09853469B2

A charging system is provided, including a charging device and an electronic device. The charging device includes a housing, a metal connector, a power supply source electrically connected to the metal connector, a first magnetic member, and a second magnetic member. The electronic device includes a main body, a power storage member, an electronic contact electrically connected to the power storage member, and a third magnetic member. The third magnetic member has a first surface and a second surface adjacent to the first surface. When the electronic device is disposed on the charging device, the metal connector contacts the electronic contact, the first surface faces the first magnetic member, and the second surface faces the second magnetic member.
US09853460B2

A power conversion circuit includes multiple input-side capacitors connected in series between input terminals; series circuits composed of high-side switching elements and low-side switching elements connected in parallel to the multiple input-side capacitors; and output-side capacitors connected between nodes and a node. The circuit further includes an output-side inductor connected to the node and a controller that alternately turns on and off the high-side switching elements and the low-side switching elements. Each of the low-side switching elements and the high-side switching elements is a MOSFET and causes current to flow from the low side to the high side using a body diode. Accordingly, there is provided a power conversion circuit that has high conversion efficiency and that is capable of realizing reduction in size, a power transmission system, and a power conversion system.
US09853452B2

A power control apparatus includes: a direct current bus serving as a path for supplying direct current power; a first conversion apparatus that applies DC/DC conversion to direct current power from a power generator for generating power using natural energy, and outputs the resultant direct current power to the direct current bus; a second conversion apparatus that applies DC/DC conversion to the direct current power and charges a power storage unit with the resultant direct current power, and also applies DC/DC conversion to direct current power from the power storage unit and discharges the resultant direct current power to the direct current bus; a third conversion apparatus that applies DC/AC conversion to the direct current power from the direct current bus and supplies alternating current power to a power system and an alternating current load; and a controller that controls driving of the first to third conversion apparatuses.
US09853442B2

A protection device, externally connectable to an existing circuit breaker with zone selective interlock functionality, enables a circuit breaker to implement directional zone selective interlock. The protection device includes a first input port and a first output port connectable to a circuit breaker, and second and third ports for connecting to a protection device of another circuit breaker and for transmitting interlock signals via an input bus and an output bus inside the EDP. A control unit is configured to enable one of the second and third ports as a second input port and the other as a second output port according to the direction of current currently flowing through the circuit breaker; and configured to forward an interlock signal from the first input port to the output bus and to forward an interlock signal on the input bus received from the second input port to the first output port.
US09853441B2

Disclosed are advances in the arts with novel and useful voltage transient protection circuitry in configurations which include a bridge circuit in combination with one or more voltage reference, load to ground circuit, and/or snub circuit such that the output node is held at a selected voltage level, preferably mid-rail, and potentially damaging transient voltages are avoided.
US09853437B2

A liquid-tight strain relief includes a tubular-shaped bushing and a dome-shaped gland. The bushing includes a flange, a centrally-located aperture, a plurality of resilient outer fingers, and a plurality of resilient inner fingers extending from an inner wall into the aperture. The gland includes a head having a centrally-located membrane. The head is co-molded with and encapsulates the flange, resulting in a strain relief having a unitary construction. The strain relief is adapted to be inserted within an orifice of a work piece, and the outer fingers frictionally engage the work piece. A cable is inserted within the strain relief by piercing the membrane, which stretches and provides a seal against the cable. The cable is inserted through the aperture of the bushing and the resilient inner fingers flex outwardly to enable the cable to pass through, while engaging and digging into the cable to clasp it and provide strain relief.
US09853414B2

A connection structure for a laser and a laser assembly are provided. The connection structure for a laser includes a first insulation substrate, where the first insulation substrate includes a conductive path separately on an upper surface and a lower surface thereof. A second insulation substrate is disposed on the upper surface of the first insulation substrate. An upper surface of the second insulation substrate includes a conductive path. The conductive path on the upper surface of the second insulation substrate is electrically connected to the conductive path on the lower surface of the first insulation substrate via a through-hole. The connection structure for a laser and the laser assembly in the present disclosure are configured to supplying power to a laser.
US09853411B2

Gain switched laser diode pulses are used as seed pulses for optical pulse generation. ASE is reduced by applying a prebias to the laser diodes at an amplitude less than that associated with a laser diode threshold. An electrical seed pulse having an amplitude larger than that associated with laser threshold is applied within about 10-100 ns of the prebias pulse. The resulting laser diode pulse can be amplified in a pumped, rare earth doped optical fiber, with reduced ASE.
US09853409B2

A self-adjusting pliers-type crimping tool includes a crimping arrangement having movable and fixed levers that are pivotally displaced from an open condition toward a fully closed condition, thereby to generate a first crimping force for crimping an electrical contact upon a bare conductor. When the levers are at an intermediate position, a predetermined compensating energy from a caged spring assembly is released and is applied to the crimping arrangement to complete the crimping process. The spring assembly may comprise a stack of spring washers, a helical spring arrangement, or a stack of resilient elastomeric blocks.
US09853401B2

A mounting plate for an electrical outlet includes a central region having a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening for accessing an outlet. A first mounting tab and a second mounting tab extend from the central region at an angle. The mounting plate may be used to attach an outlet to an outlet housing having a wiring compartment and a panel at least partially enclosing the wiring compartment. The panel has a front wall and an opening for receiving an outlet.
US09853398B2

A plug connector is adapted to be connected to a receptacle connector. The plug connector includes an insulation body, a plurality of terminals and a metal housing. The terminals are fixed in the insulation body. The metal housing wraps the insulation body and the terminals and has a mating end. The insulation body and the metal housing construct a slot, which is adapted to couple a tongue portion of the receptacle connector. These terminals extend to the slot. The insulation body extends outward to the mating end from internal of the metal housing to cover at least a part of the mating end. Moreover, an electronic assembly including an electronic apparatus and the plug connector is also provided.
US09853393B2

An electrical connector comprises: an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a base portion and a mating tongue. The mating tongue comprises a stepped portion extending from the base portion and a tongue portion extending from the stepped portion. The insulative housing defines an outer periphery. The stepped portion defines a front face. The base portion defines a rear face. The terminal defines a connecting portion buried in the base portion and the stepped portion, a contacting portion extending from the connecting portion. The insulative housing defines a sealing member filling in the periphery of the connecting portion. The sealing member not extends out the front face of the stepped portion, the rear face of the base portion and the out periphery of the insulative housing. It is favorable for improving the waterproof effect of the electric connector.
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