US10174203B2

Magnetic pigments containing a transparent flaky homogeneously composed substrate having two parallel major surfaces and a coating containing maghemite, a process for the production of said pigments as well as their use.
US10174202B2

Compounds of formula I are disclosed: wherein X1, X2, X3, X4 are independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, NO2, OR1, SR1, NR1R2, COR1, COOR1, CONR1R2, PO3R1R2, SO2R1, SO3R1 or R3; R1 and R2 are, e.g., H, alkyl or aryl or optionally a ring; R3 is, e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or cycloalkyl; Y is OR1, NR1R2, or NR1R3; Q is O, S, SO2, NR, C(R3)2, Si(R3)2, Ge(R3)2, P(═O)R3 or P(═O)OR3; Q and X1 can optionally form part of a ring; L and M are independently OR1, SR1, NR1R2 and R3; L and M can optionally form part of a ring; Z is O, S, NR1, CR1R3 or aryl; and Z and X4 can optionally form part of a ring.
US10174201B2

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a crosslinked product prepared by ionically crosslinking a solid grade oligomer and a polymer using an ionic crosslinking agent. In some embodiments, the polymer is derived from a hydrophobic monomer and/or a gas-phase mono-mer. In some embodiments, the solid grade oligomer is reacted with a polymer comprising a hydrophobic monomer and/or a gas-phase monomer. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making the disclosed compositions. The compositions disclosed herein can be used in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, asphalt compositions, paints, coatings, carpet compositions, paper binding and coating compositions, foams, or adhesives.
US10174187B2

Provided are a room temperature crosslinked type halogen-free flame retardant resin composition and a method of preparing the same. Specifically, a room temperature crosslinked type halogen-free flame retardant resin composition according to the present invention including a polyethylene resin, a olefin-based elastomer, a metal hydroxy compound, a radical initiator, a crosslinked type alkoxysilane-based compound, a condensation catalyst of the crosslinked type alkoxysilane-based compound, and one or more crosslinking aids selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic acid and an aliphatic acid metal salt, and a method of preparing the same are provided. Further, a compound material and a masterbatch which are compositions for preparing the room temperature crosslinked type halogen-free flame retardant composition, and methods of preparing the same are provided.
US10174182B2

Compositions containing a polycarbonate and a linear and cyclic phenyl containing siloxanes are disclosed. Specifically, a composition comprising: (a) a branched polycarbonate resin, (b) a flame retardant, (c) at least one linear phenyl containing siloxane and at least one cyclic phenyl containing siloxane, and (d) a linear polycarbonate resin when said branched polycarbonate is less than 100% based upon weight percent of total polycarbonate in said composition, wherein the amounts of said branched and linear polycarbonate resins, said linear siloxanes and cyclic siloxanes, and flame retardant are in amounts effective to provide a molded article from said composition with a UL94 V0 p(FTP) value of 0.90 or greater at a thickness of between 1 mm and 2.5 mm or at 2.5 mm or at 1.5 mm or at 1 mm is disclosed. In addition, a composition comprising: (a) a linear polycarbonate resin, (b) a flame retardant, (c) at least one phenyl-containing linear siloxane and at least one phenyl-containing cyclic siloxane, wherein the amounts of said linear polycarbonate resins, said phenyl-containing linear siloxanes and said phenyl-containing cyclic siloxanes, and said flame retardant are in amounts effective to provide a molded article of said composition with a UL94 V0 p(FTP) value of 0.90 or greater at a thickness of between 1 mm and 2.5 mm or at 2.5 mm or at 1.5 mm or at 1 mm is disclosed.
US10174180B2

Present application discloses a thermoplastic composition comprising a) 42.5 wt. % to 94 wt. % of thermoplastic matrix resin; b) 1 wt. % to 7.5 wt. % of a laser direct structuring additive; and c) 5 wt. % to 50 wt. % fibrous reinforcement agent; wherein the wt. % is relative to the total weight of the composition; wherein the laser direct structuring additive is represented by formula ZnxNi(1-x)Fe2O4, wherein the x is higher than 0.60 and lower than 0.85; wherein the composition is capable of being plated after being activated using a laser.
US10174175B2

The present disclosure provides methods of improving adhesion of a non-di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to an acrylic-based polymer or an ABS-based polymer. Such methods may comprise blending the acrylic-based polymer or ABS-based polymer with an impact modifier so that a rubber content in the acrylic-based polymer or ABS-based polymer is greater than 12% (w/w). Also provided are components of a device (e.g., a medical device) made by the disclosed methods.
US10174171B2

A nanoporous film formed from a series of vinyl addition block polymers derived from functionalized norbornene monomers are disclosed and claimed. The nanoporous films as disclosed herein are useful as pervaporation membranes and antireflective coatings among various other uses. Also disclosed herein are the fabrication of nanoporous films into pervaporation membranes which exhibit unique separation properties, and their use in the separation of organic volatiles from biomass and/or organic waste, including butanol, phenol, and the like. The fabrication of nanoporous films into antireflective coatings are also disclosed.
US10174160B2

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as aliphatic hydroxy-carboxylic acid and hydroxyl-carboxylic acid derivatives. These aliphatic hydroxy-carboxylic acids are, in turn, polymerized. The polymerization is carried out using a thin film evaporator or a thin film polymerization/devolatilization device. Conversion of lactic acid to poly lactic acid is an especially useful product to this process.
US10174159B2

Methods of functionalizing α-halogenated hydroxy acid-based polymers and coupling α-halogenated hydroxy acid-based polymers are provided. Suitable α-halogenated hydroxy acid-based polymers include α-halogenated polyesters and α-halogenated acrylate-based inimers. Methods include coupling α-halogenated polyesters and functionalizing α-halogenated polyesters without polymer cleavage. Certain α-halogenated hydroxy acid-based polymers may be functionalized, crosslinked or, intiate polymerization by inducing the α-halogenated hydroxy acid-based polymers to make a dioxolenium ion intermediate. The α-halogenated hydroxy acid-based polymers may also be functionalized using a radical trap.
US10174144B2

The present invention relates to cationic copolymers, a process for the production of these cationic copolymers and the use of these cationic copolymers as dispersants for geopolymer binder systems. These cationic copolymers where the cationic charge is due to the presence of certain cyclic and/or polycationic groups are stable towards Hoffmann elimination that would otherwise occur at very high pH values. Moreover, the dispersing effect of cationic polymers can be further enhanced through the addition of polyvalent anions.
US10174142B2

Polyolefin polymerization performed by contacting in a reactor an olefin monomer and optionally a comonomer with a catalyst system in the presence of induced condensing agents (ICA) and optionally hydrogen. The ICA may include two or more ICA components where the composition of the ICA (i.e., the concentration of each ICA component) may affect the polyolefin production rate. Changes to the relative concentration of the two or more ICA components may be according to ICA equivalency factors that allow for increasing the polyolefin production rate while maintain a sticking temperature, increasing polyolefin production rate while increasing the dew point approach temperature of the ICA, or a combination thereof.
US10174127B2

The present invention provides influenza neuraminidase (NA)-binding human antibodies, which are capable of neutralizing at least one influenza A virus strain comprising NA of the N1 subtype, and antigen-binding fragments thereof. In certain embodiments, the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments furthermore are capable of neutralizing at least one influenza A virus strain comprising NA of the N2 subtype. The invention furthermore relates to the use of said antibodies or antigen-binding fragments in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of influenza infection.
US10174125B2

The invention provides compound of the general formula: in which each X independently represents a polymer chain; n represents an integer greater than 1; Q represents a linker; Y represents an amide group; and Z represents either —CH.(CH2L)2 or —C(CH2L)(═CH2), in which each L independently represents a leaving group. The compounds are useful reagents for the conjugation of polymers to proteins, the resulting conjugates being novel and also forming part of the invention.
US10174123B2

Disclosed is a method for searching, identifying, or validating a marker CACNA2D1 of tumor-initiating cells. The method comprises a step of immunizing an animal using HEP-12 cells originating from a recurrent tumor and rich in originating cells. Also disclosed is a monoclonal antibody specially recognizing CACNA2D1 or antigen-binding fragments thereof, and the use thereof for treating or preventing tumors or diseases or conditions related to CACNA2D1.
US10174122B2

Provided are anti-human 4-1BB antibodies and fragments thereof with one or more structural features that are not found in a reference anti-human 4-1BB antibody, where said features may improve certain characteristics of the antibody relative to a reference antibody. Various in vitro and in vivo methods and reagents related to anti-human 4-1BB antibodies described herein are also provided. Methods include, for example, inducing T-cell proliferation, inducing T cell secretion of IFNγ, as well as detection, prevention, and/or therapeutic treatment of cancer using an anti-human 4-1BB antibody or fragment thereof.
US10174121B2

The present invention encompasses antagonist anti-CD40 antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to humanized anti-CD40 antibodies. In certain embodiments, antibodies of the invention neutralize human CD40 (hCD40) activity. Antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting CD40 and for inhibiting CD40 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which CD40 activity is detrimental.
US10174115B2

The present invention relates to anti-metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (mGluR2) conformational single domain antibodies and uses thereof in particular in the therapeutic and diagnostic field.
US10174106B2

The present invention relates to a neutralizing antibody which is capable of binding to neurotensin with high affinity. The antibody of the present invention neutralizes the activity of neurotensin, in particular the oncogenic activities of neurotensin. In particular, the present invention relates to a neutralizing antibody which binds to the human neurotensin long fragment, and having a heavy chain variable region which comprises a H-CDR1 region having at least 90% of identity with SEQ ID NO:2, a H-CDR2 region having at least 90% of identify with SEQ ID NO:3 and a H-CDR3 region having at least 90% of identity with SEQ ID NO:4; and a light chain variable region comprising a L-CDR1 region having at least 90% of identity with SEQ ID NO:6, a L-CDR2 having at least 90% of identity with SEQ ID NO:7 and a L-CDR3 region having at least 90% of identity with SEQ ID NO:8. The present invention also provides the use of such antibodies in the treatment of cancer.
US10174104B2

The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing CLD18, including tumor-related diseases such as gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, hepatic cancer, head-neck cancer, and cancer of the gallbladder.
US10174099B2

The present invention provides a cell which co-expresses a first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and second CAR at the cell surface, each CAR comprising an antigen-binding domain, wherein the antigen-binding domain of the first CAR binds to CD19 and the antigen-binding domain of the second CAR binds to CD22.
US10174096B2

A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.
US10174094B2

The present invention relates to the use of a compound containing a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for linking a compound of formula R1—H which comprises a first functional moiety of formula F1 to a second functional moiety of formula F2 wherein X, X′, Y, R1, F1 and F2 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides related processes and products. The present invention is useful for creating functional conjugate compounds, and specifically conjugates in which at least one of the constituent molecules carries a thiol group.
US10174093B2

Provided herein are peptides and variant peptides that exhibit enhanced activity at the GLP-1 receptor, as compared to native glucagon.
US10174091B1

The present application provides for IL-2 muteins, compositions comprising the same, and methods of using the same.
US10174085B2

The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions useful in prevention and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infection. In particular, the disclosure provides delta toxin and phenol-soluble modulin peptides as well as mutants, fragments, variants or derivatives thereof. The disclosure further provides multivalent oligopeptides, fusion proteins comprising two or more staphylococcal proteins, e.g., DT, PSM, alpha hemolysin, leukocidin, superantigen, or any fragments, variants, derivatives, or mutants thereof fused together as a single polypeptide in any order.
US10174072B2

In one aspect, the invention relates methods and compositions for treating parasitic diseases, for example, leishmaniasis. In a further aspect, the compounds of the methods and compositions are isolated from Pentalinon andrieuxii. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US10174069B2

The invention provides methods and materials for use in the detection of influenza viruses which utilise a nanoparticle, for example gold nanoparticle, probe comprising a plurality of glycoconjugate ligands, each glyconjugate ligand (GL) having a plurality of sialic-acid containing recognition group (Y) coupled to the nanoparticle via a multivalent core (X), wherein the multivalent core (X) is a trivalent core, whereby there are 3 recognition groups per ligand, wherein the recognition groups on the bioconjugate specifically bind to the hemagglutinin on the target influenza virus. The probes may include further ligands bound to the nanoparticle which do not bind specifically to an influenza virus—for example polyethylene glycol groups. These can modulate density of the glycoconjugate ligand on the surface of the nanoparticle. Binding of probes is detected by a plasmonic signal which is specific to the influenza virus.
US10174055B2

A synthetic method of a fused heteroaromatic compound includes preparing a first intermediate represented by Chemical Formula 1, obtaining a second intermediate by reacting the first intermediate and an aldehyde compound, obtain a third intermediate by performing deprotection and reduction reactions on the second intermediate, and obtaining a fused heteroaromatic compound by performing a cyclization reaction on the third intermediate.
US10174054B2

Described herein are novel compounds and methods for the treatment and/or prevention of cerebral amyloidoses such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and/or cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA).
US10174042B2

The present disclosure provides novel poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) compounds, methods for synthesizing these compounds, and materials and substances incorporating these compounds. The various PPEs show antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity.
US10174041B2

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use to inhibit the interaction of menin with MLL1, MLL2 and MLL-fusion oncoproteins. The compositions and methods of use are useful for the treatment of leukemia, solid cancers, diabetes and other diseases dependent on activity of MLL1, MLL2, MLL fusion proteins, and/or menin.
US10174038B2

Compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters and compositions thereof, for treating viral infections are provided. The compounds and compositions are useful for treating Pneumovirinae virus infections. The compounds, compositions, and methods provided are particularly useful for the treatment of Human respiratory syncytial virus infections.
US10174028B2

Provided herein are compounds of the General Formula I: and stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, in which A, B, D, E, X1, X2, X3 and X4 have the meanings given in the specification, which are inhibitors of RET kinase and are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases which can be treated with a RET kinase inhibitor, including diseases or disorders mediated by a RET kinase.
US10174026B2

The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer and neoplastic disease. Provided herein are substituted pyrrolopyridine derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition of histone demethylase. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer and/or melanoma and the like.
US10174022B2

Provided herein is a compound, 1-(4-(3-amino-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-4-yl)phenyl)-3-(3-chlorophenyl)urea, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and crystal forms thereof. Also provided are particles (e.g., nanoparticles) comprising the compound, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, that are mucus penetrating. Also provided herein are methods and kits for using the compound, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with abnormal or pathological angiogenesis and/or aberrant signaling of a growth factor (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)), such as proliferative diseases (e.g., cancers, benign neoplasms, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases) and ocular diseases (e.g., macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, edema, uveitis, dry eye, blepharitis, and post-surgical inflammation) in a subject in need thereof.
US10174021B2

The present application relates to novel substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines of the formula (I-A) to processes for preparation thereof, to the use thereof, alone or in combinations, for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and to the use thereof for production of medicaments for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disorders.
US10174015B2

The present invention relates to a class of substituted heterocyclic derivative and preparation method thereof. The chemical structure of the substituted heterocyclic derivate is as follows,
US10174012B2

Compounds are provided for use in treating polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and in associated methods that include a method of modulating (e.g., activating) Liver kinase B1 (LKBI); and a method of modulating (e.g., decreasing activity) mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The methods may include introducing the compound in a therapeutically effective amount to a subject having PKD. The methods may include introducing the compound in a therapeutically effective amount to a subject having Autosomal Dominant PKD. The compounds can be used in methods of treating a disease modulated by a mTOR pathway, which can include introducing the compound in a therapeutically effective amount to a subject having the disease modulated by the mTOR pathway. The disease modulated by mTOR is selected from the group consisting of multiple types of cancer, leukemia, kidney disease, obesity, neuro disorders and alcohol-related chronic diseases.
US10174007B2

Provided herein are substituted 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes as ketohexokinase inhibitors, processes to make said compounds, and methods comprising administering said compounds to a mammal in need thereof.
US10174005B2

The present invention is directed to certain fused pyrimidines having a homo or hetero cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl ring as the pyrimidine fusion partner; having an amino benzyl or substituted amino benzyl group at the 4 position of the pyrimidine ring; and a 5:6 heterobicyclo ring with at least one N, O or S at the 2 position of the pyrimidine ring. These compounds are useful for treatment of cancer by inhibition of the p97 complex.
US10174004B2

The present invention provides an industrially advantageous method of producing a pyridazinone compound. The present invention relates to the following method of producing a pyridazinone compound: Formula (II), (IIIa), (IV) or (IV″), Formula (IIIb), (Vb) or (V″b), Formula (VI), (I) or (I″), wherein each symbol is as described in the specification.
US10174002B2

A compound having the structure of Formula II, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofthat is useful as CFTR modulator. Further, a method of using the compound and pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound are provided for treating diseases in lungs, pancreas, gastrointestinal system, sinuses, reproductive system, and the sweat glands.
US10173999B2

A compound exerts an analgesic effect against pain, in particular, neuropathic pain and/or fibromyalgia syndrome. A cyclic amine derivative represented by the following general formula, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: Methods using the compound including the cyclic amine derivative or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof to treat pain, neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia syndrome.
US10173996B2

Provided herein are substituted pyrazolylpyridine, pyrazolylpyridazine, and pyrazolylpyrimidine derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition histone demethylase. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer and/or melanoma and the like.
US10173983B2

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined in the claims. The invention further provides compositions which comprise these compounds and to their use in agriculture or horticulture for controlling or preventing infestation of plants by phytopathogenic microorganisms, preferably fungi.
US10173978B2

Small molecule carbazole compounds for use as androgen receptor inhibitors are provided herein. Also provided herein are methods for using the carbazole compounds in treating prostate cancer, including castration-resistant prostate cancer and enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer. The methods include administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound or composition as described herein.
US10173969B2

The invention relates to a method for producing aniline, comprising the steps of: a) providing o-aminobenzoate, wherein said o-aminobenzoate comprises anthranilate anion and a suitable cation, b) converting said anthranilate anion to aniline by thermal decarboxylation in the presence or absence of a catalyst, c) extracting the aniline produced in step b) in an organic solvent at least once, and d) purifying the aniline produced in steps b) and c) by distillation, wherein said distillation produces aniline and a water phase.
US10173967B2

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an azo polymer forms a complex with a lithium ion and a sodium ion among alkali metal ions, but does not form a complex with a potassium ion. Therefore, the azo polymer is expected to be utilized as a material for a sensor capable of selectively detecting a specific alkali metal ion, or as a novel material capable of selectively trapping a specific alkali metal ion from a solution in which metal ions are mixed.
US10173951B2

Processes and systems for olefin and diluent recovery utilizing one or more side columns, including a side rectifier column and/or a side degassing column, in combination with a heavies column.
US10173948B2

The present disclosure relates to a method for oligomerization of olefins. The method for oligomerization of olefins according to the present disclosure not only provides excellent catalytic activity and stable process operation, but also exhibits high selectivity to 1-hexene or 1-octene by using a catalyst system including an activity modifier.
US10173942B2

This invention relates to stable liquid formulations of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin comprising polar solvents that are stabilized with small amounts of compounds which help to reduce the tendency of polar solutions of nitrapyrin to corrode metal surfaces. Many of the formulations disclosed herein exhibit useful physical, chemical, and bioactive properties including reduced levels of corrosion when in contact with ferrous metals.
US10173938B2

Process for producing a biofertilizer, comprising the following steps: a) solid-state fermentation to produce enzymes and nutrients critical for plant nutrition; b) immobilization through allophane nanoparticles of the enzymes and substrates produced during stage a); and c) a second fermentation to favor the development of microorganisms that improve the quality of the biofertilizer. Protection is also sought for the biofertilizer that is produced from this process.
US10173935B2

Solvent systems for the formulation of alkyl thiophosphoric triamide urease inhibitors, that provide stable dispersion of alkyl thiophosphoric triamides for even distribution (in low or high concentrations) onto fertilizers containing urea in liquid or solid form.
US10173933B2

Systems and methods for rapid drying of ceramic greenwares having a high graphite content are disclosed. The methods include employing microwave drying to bring the dryness of the ceramic greenware to a first select dryness and then employing close-coupled hot-air drying to bring the dryness to the final target dryness. The judicious use of close-coupled hot-air drying reduces end defects due to unevenness in the microwave drying process while also substantially speeding up the drying process. Various configurations for and combinations of microwave drying and close-coupled hot-air drying are disclosed.
US10173927B2

The invention provides novel carbonatable calcium silicate compositions and carbonatable calcium silicate phases that are made from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production. The method of the invention is flexible in equipment and production requirements and is readily adaptable to manufacturing facilities of conventional cement. The invention offers an exceptional capability to permanently and safely sequesters CO2.
US10173922B2

A glass composition SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, and RO, where RO represents one kind or two or more kinds selected from MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO, and allows two or more kinds of crystals selected from a SiO2—Al2O3—RO-based crystal, a SiO2-based crystal, and a SiO2—Al2O3-based crystal to precipitate in a temperature range of from a liquidus line temperature to (the liquidus line temperature—50° C.)
US10173920B2

Compounds, compositions, articles, devices, and methods for the manufacture of light guide plates and back light units including such light guide plates made from glass. In some embodiments, light guide plates (LGPs) are provided that have similar or superior optical properties to light guide plates made from PMMA and that have exceptional mechanical properties such as rigidity, CTE and dimensional stability in high moisture conditions as compared to PMMA light guide plates.
US10173909B2

A tubular fluid purification apparatus includes a guide part provided with an inlet port into which fluid is drawn, a discharge part provided with an outlet port from which the fluid is discharged, a conduit part configured to provide a space for flow of the fluid between the guide part and the discharge part, and a purification of unit supported on an inner surface of the conduit part and disposed to face the fluid flowing from the guide part to the discharge part. The purification unit includes a vortex generation part including a support and an opening formed in the support, and a light emitting diode disposed on the support at a position adjacent to the opening and configured to provide ultraviolet light.
US10173901B2

The invention provides silica particles, formed from an alkoxysilane serving as a raw material, characterized in that the silica particles satisfy the following requirements (a) to (c): (a) the silica particles have an alkali metal element content of 5 ppm or less, with respect to the silica solid content; (b) the silica particles exhibit a moisture absorption of 0.25 mg/m2 or less at 50% relative humidity, and a refractive index, as determined through the liquid immersion method, of 1.450 to 1.460; and (c) the silica particles have a mean primary particle size, derived from a specific surface area as determined through the nitrogen adsorption method, of 10 to 100 nm.
US10173896B2

An olivine cathode material having the formula LiaFe1−x−y−zMnxD(y+z)(PO4)c, wherein a, c, x, y and z represent molar amounts, wherein D=Mg and/or Cr, wherein y represent the amount of Mg and z represents the amount of Cr, wherein 1.04
US10173891B2

There is provided a MEMS device which includes a second substrate which is disposed with an interval from a first substrate, and an interposed member which is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and which has space which is defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the interposed member, in which the first substrate includes a wiring which extends from a first surface side which is a surface on a side opposite to the second substrate toward a second surface side which is a surface of the second substrate side and is made of a conductor, in which an end portion of the first surface side of the wiring is covered by a first protective film provided on the first surface side, and in which an end portion of the second surface side of the wiring faces the space.
US10173881B2

A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.
US10173870B1

A system and a method for a swivel winch are described for rotating a winch about an axis such that friction is reduced when letting out or pulling in a line. The swivel winch includes a fairlead with an orifice and sensors which sense the pressure from the cable and send the retrieved data to a controller which generates commands for an actuator, causing the swivel mount coupled to the winch to swivel in a direction that will relieve pressure.
US10173856B2

A sheet supporting apparatus includes first and second units. The first unit includes a first housing, first and second lock portions, a first shaft configured to be supported rotatably with respect to the first housing and to turnably support the first lock portion, and a second shaft configured to be supported rotatably with respect to the first housing and to turnably support the second lock portion. The second unit includes a second housing and first and second engagement portions provided in the second housing and configured to engage respectively with the first and second lock portions. The first and second shafts are disposed such that extension lines of rotational axes of the first and second shafts cross with each other in a plan view.
US10173848B2

The invention relates to a conveying arrangement comprising at least one mover (20) which has at least one permanent magnet (19) connected to the mover (20), said permanent magnet (19) cooperating with at least one coil plane (18) of a drive surface (13) to drive the mover (20) particularly without contact, and further comprising at least one conveying system (30, 38), preferably conveying products (32), characterized in that the conveying system (30, 38), preferably a conveyor belt, is arranged between the drive surface (13) and the mover (20).
US10173840B2

A novel system for operating a hydrogen storage cavern is provided. Particularly, the system involves storing high purity hydrogen into a salt cavern without seepage or leakage of the stored hydrogen through the salt cavern walls, by confining the high purity hydrogen gas within the storage cavern under certain pressure conditions.
US10173838B2

Load-receiving device (1) for storing a cuboidal load (2) in a rack and for retrieving it therefrom, comprising two extendable telescopic arms (3, 4) which are spaced apart in parallel and on which there are arranged drivers (30, 40, 31, 41, 32, 42) situated opposite one another in pairs, which drivers can be pivoted into a swung-up position and into a position projecting at a right angle thereto, wherein the distance (d) between the telescopic arms (3, 4) is fixed or can be set in dependence on the width of the load. There is provision that each of the drivers (30, 40) situated opposite one another in pairs can be pivoted independently of the respective opposite driver, and/or that at least one of the drivers (30, 40) can be pivoted into at least one oblique intermediate position, that at least two mutually opposite edge detectors (300, 400, 302, 402) are arranged on the telescopic arms (3, 4) and are assigned to two mutually opposite drivers (30, 40, 32, 42), and that the drivers (30, 40) can be pivoted independently of one another in dependence on the output signal from the edge detectors (300, 400, 302, 402).
US10173837B2

A multi-story goods storage arrangement comprising a plurality of levels of storage lines arranged in parallel and transport lines extending between opposing ends of said storage lines, wherein a transfer cart is operable along each transport line. It further comprises a top shuttle suspending from top rail arrangement on said transfer cart and moveable out from said transfer cart into a suspension rail arrangement in said storage lines, and lifting means arranged on said top shuttle to lift goods stored in said storage lines and to transport lifted goods to the transfer cart.
US10173822B2

An air bag packaging arrangement and a self-adhesive checking valve, the air bag packaging arrangement includes an air bag and an air valve which is the self-adhesive checking valve. The air bag includes first and second cell overlapped layers to form an air chamber and a valve opening. The air valve includes first and second sealing films overlapped between the first and second cell layers, and a strengthening film provided between the first valve film and the first cell film to strengthen a joint strength between the first valve film and the first cell film, so as to prevent the first valve film from being broken, so as to further avoid an air leakage.
US10173815B2

A discharge head for a fluid container, including a discharge opening and a switching valve which closes and opens a fluid path between the fluid container and the discharge opening. The discharge head has an inner component fixedly connected to a fluid store and an outer component movable relative to the inner component and non-separably connected thereto. The outer component is moved relative to the inner component between a first relative closure position and a second relative open position. The switching valve is opened and closed by movement of the inner component relative to the outer component, is closed in the first position and open in the second position. The inner and outer components are locked in the first position by a child-resistant mechanism, and displacement of the outer component from the first position into the second position is prevented in a locking position of the mechanism.
US10173812B2

A wafer container with a latch mechanism that provides sealing for large wafer containers, such as for 450 mm wafers, accomplishes secure door closing and latching with reduced torque requirements for rotating the central rotatable cam plate. In various embodiments, a camming slot formed in the rotatable cammed plate is arcuate and defined by opposing cam surfaces which are selectively engaged by a cam follower, such as a roller, attached to a proximal end of a latch arm. The roller can include unitary axle portions that snap into the proximal end of the latch arm and is supported at both axial ends of the roller. The proximal end of the latch arm can include parallel extensions separated by a gap, and have guide in surfaces to deflect the extensions as the axle portions of the roller are forced into position thereby seating the roller at both axial ends.
US10173809B2

A resealable flexible package is provided comprising polymeric wall panels and a peel-reseal feature sealed therebetween. A peel-off portion is removed to transition the package from a closed position to an open position, removal of the peel-off portion both opening the package and exposing a pressure sensitive adhesive of the peel-reseal feature. The exposed pressure sensitive adhesive is coupled to one of the wall panels and moved into adhesive engagement with an exterior surface of another wall panel to transition the package to a reseated position.
US10173808B2

A bucket handle retainer with a substantially flat rectilinear resilient plate. The plate has an upper tip that corresponds to the inside dimension of the internal cavity of the handle holding portion of a standard five gallon bucket. The plate includes a spring biased finger capable of frictionally engaging the inside wall of the handle holding portion. The plate also includes a holding portion capable of being grasped by a user's fingers to insert or remove the plate from the handle holding portion of the bucket. A preferred embodiment includes the handle retainer is injection molded from nylon plastic.
US10173807B1

An anti-dumpling pallet structure includes a pallet body and at least one supporting module. At least one chamber is formed inside the pallet body. The at least one supporting module includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member. The first supporting member and the second supporting member are movably connected to the pallet body. The first supporting member and the second supporting member protrude from the pallet body to provide support for preventing the pallet body acted by an external force from falling over when the at least one supporting module is located at a first position relative to the pallet body, and the first supporting member and the second supporting member are received inside the at least one chamber when the at least one supporting module is located at a second position relative to the pallet body.
US10173805B2

A carton for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps. The plurality of panels at least partially defines an interior space of the carton, and includes a first side panel and a second side panel foldably connected to the first side panel. At least a portion of the first side panel and at least a portion of the second side panel are reconfigurable between an open position allowing access to the interior space and a closed position wherein the access to the interior space is restricted. The plurality of end flaps is respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels and form a closed end portion of the carton. The closed end portion is removable from the carton to allow access to the interior space.
US10173801B2

Disclosed is a polygonal shaped container 101. The polygonal shaped container 101 may comprise a top surface 105 a bottom surface 205 and a plurality of side walls 206. Each edge (201, 203) connecting two side walls of the polygonal shaped container 101 may be filled with additional reinforcement material. The additional reinforcement material along with the polygonal shape of the polygonal-shaped container 101 may facilitate in enhancing compressive strength of the polygonal-shaped container 101. One of the side walls 206 may further comprise a discharge valve 202 fixed entirely within a cavity 204 formed on a lower surface of said one of the side walls 206 such that lowest level of a fluid, contained in the polygonal-shaped container 101, may be discharged from the discharge valve 202. The polygonal-shaped container 101 may be capable of being rolled for portability.
US10173799B2

A tube holder is disclosed for carrying a tube to multiple processing stations of a tube filling machine. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tube holder includes a body comprising a receptacle configured for retaining a tube. The tube includes a dispensing end and an opposite open end for filling a cavity therein with a product. A retractable tube shaping device is movably disposed in the tube holder. The shaping device is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the shaping device is in the extended position, the shaping device engages the tube proximate to the open end and removes ovality which might interfere with the tube filling operation. In various embodiments, the shaping device comprises a plurality of vertically retractable straightening elements that engage the sidewalls of the tube to ensure circularity of the open tube end.
US10173795B2

An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a film dispenser for dispensing a film web, at least one guide rollers configured to engage the width of the film web, and at least one roping element. The at least one roping element may be a cable rolling roper configured to roll a portion of the film web into a rolled cable of film. The apparatus may also include means for providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap a roped portion of the film web around a base of the load/top portion of a pallet supporting the load.
US10173791B2

A system and method for magnetically launching projectiles or spacecraft includes an electromagnetic launcher including a launch tube, and a launch craft. The launch tube includes electrically conducting rails energized along the length of the rails, and a transverse direct current magnetic field is generated along the launch tube, and upper and lower conductors and loops of conducting material on the launch craft are provided for magnetic levitation, stabilization and propulsion of the launch craft in cooperation with the transverse direct current magnetic field. A transverse direct current magnetic field is applied to the launch tube and the launch craft during launching of the launch craft, and the launch craft is magnetically levitated and stabilized to minimize contact between the launch craft and the launch tube as the launch craft travels within the launch tube.
US10173787B1

A rotor speed indication system configured to communicate a rotor speed operating range for a twin engine rotorcraft having a rotor during one engine inoperable conditions. The rotor speed indication system includes a governing reference indicator located on a display and configured to communicate an upper operating range threshold. A droop reference indicator located on the display and configured to communicate a lower operating range threshold. A sensor configured to measure a current rotor speed of the rotor. A dynamic rotor speed indicator located on the display and configured to communicate the current rotor speed of the rotor such that when the dynamic rotor speed indicator is positioned between the governing reference indicator and the droop reference indicator on the display, the current rotor speed of the rotor is within the rotor speed operating range.
US10173786B2

The present invention relates to an aid system (30) for piloting an aircraft, the aircraft including at least two piloting units each having at least one piloting member that can be actuated by a pilot to command at least one control surface of the aircraft.The piloting aid system (30) includes a module (32) for detecting actions performed on at least one piloting unit and a feedback module (34) indicating, via a man-machine interface (24A, 24B) separate from the piloting members, the movement of said piloting member and/or the force exerted on said piloting member.
US10173783B2

A rotorcraft comprising a cowling for closing an opening in the fuselage, the cowling being linked to the fuselage by means of a fastening system having a supporting means pivotally attached to the interior of the fuselage and a translation means coupled to the supporting means to respectively enable movements of rotation and translation of the cowling.
US10173779B2

Arrangements for safety and comfort in vehicles.
US10173757B2

Watersport board fins with fin retention systems and associated watersport boards and methods. A fin includes a hydrodynamic blade and a fin base extending from the hydrodynamic blade. The hydrodynamic blade defines a fin plane and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a foil surface. The fin further includes a fin retention system with a selective retention system that includes a retainer and an actuator coupled to the retainer via a pivot shaft. The actuator forms a portion of the hydrodynamic blade when the selective retention system is in a locked configuration and is configured to rotate away from the fin plane when the selective retention system transitions from the locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. The retainer is configured to rotate away from the fin plane when the selective retention system transitions from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.
US10173756B2

Embodiments of water activity board 10 that may be configured with several components 210A-H to form a WABS 200, where the components 210A-H may be securely and removably coupled to the board 10 via one or more rail modules 100A-I. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US10173751B1

Pontoon hulls, devices, systems and methods for providing lower friction surfaces on the hulls to increase the efficiency of motorized pontoon boats moving through the water. The inner side walls and the tunnel ceiling surface between the pontoons in a motorized pontoon boat can be provided with a plurality of longitudinal vent channels in a U shaped configuration. The vent channels can have open ends facing the rear end (stern) of the water craft and opposite closed ends facing the forward end (bow) of the water craft. As the water craft moves forward, a bubbling effect can occur in low pressure zones about the rear (stern) facing open ends of the plurality of vents to reduce the water surfaces in contact with the pontoon hull surfaces. A plurality of open rear (stern facing) ends of the vents and closed front (bow facing) ends of the vents can be arranged in series with two parallel vent series on a left inner sides of the left pontoon, two parallel vent series on a right inner sides of the right pontoon, and two parallel vent series on top of the tunnel between the pontoons.
US10173749B2

An electrically assisted bicycle includes a motor controller that calculates a command value which determines a magnitude of an assisting torque based on at least an output of a pedal torque detector. The motor controller switches between a first control and a second control, in which a time required for the assisting torque to change to meet a change in the pedal torque is shorter and the amount of change in the assisting torque to meet a change in the pedal torque is greater than in the first control.
US10173742B2

One embodiment provides a rear portion structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle. The structure includes: seat frames inclined rearward and upward and supporting a riding seat; and a rear cowl having an upper cowl and a lower cowl. The upper cowl includes: a first cowl; and a second cowl which is connected to the first cowl and forms an opening upper edge portion of an opening for exposing a tail light. The lower cowl includes: a third cowl; and a fourth cowl which is connected to the third cowl and forms an opening lower edge portion of the opening. An approximately-U-shaped recessed portion is opened at a rear end of the third cowl. The fourth cowl forms the opening lower edge portion while covering the U-shaped recessed portion.
US10173741B2

A forward view mirror housing is coupled to an adjustable frame attachment which attached to the handle bar of a conventional bicycle allowing a user to view forward while riding in a forward leaning position.
US10173739B2

A method for constructing an integrated end structure for a vehicle includes placing a center module for an integrated end structure for a vehicle in a fixture separate from the vehicle, attaching a side bracket to the center module in the fixture to form an assembly, the side bracket configured for holding a light unit of the vehicle, mounting the assembly onto at least a bracket in the vehicle that provides adjustability of the assembly in at least a z-direction, and, after mounting the assembly, mounting a storage compartment module onto the center module and the side bracket.
US10173736B2

Aerodynamic device for a motor-vehicle including a panel structure located under the front part of the motor-vehicle and elastically biased towards a raised position and configured to be moved towards a lowered position due to an airflow which invests the motor-vehicle during travel. The aerodynamic device includes a bag structure provided inside of a cavity for receiving in its interior the airflow which invests the motor-vehicle during travel, in such a way that above a predetermined threshold value of the motor-vehicle speed, the bag structure is inflated and pushes the panel structure towards its lowered position.
US10173732B2

A crosspiece for a vehicle dashboard extends in a longitudinal direction and has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is made of a first material and has a closed cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a hollow joining end. The second portion has a main part extending in the longitudinal direction, and a joining part fitted into the joining end of the first portion. The main part has an open cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is adapted for demolding in a demolding direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction during manufacture of the second portion of the crosspiece. The joining part has a closed hollow cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is adapted for demolding in the longitudinal direction during manufacture of the second portion of the crosspiece.
US10173721B2

Disclosed is a steering motor, comprising a spring damping valve, and an oil distributor which is fitted with the spring damping valve to form a cavity in which a buffering assembly is provided. A cylinder assembly is provided on a lower side of the oil distributor, and comprises a cylinder, an elastic oil bag provided in the cylinder, and a piston which is provided in the cylinder and fixedly connected to the elastic oil bag, the piston being capable of sliding axially along the cylinder. In addition, the oil distributor is further provided with an oil flow passage; the spring damping valve protrudes out of a hollow column having an inner cavity; a directional control valve having a valve core is inserted in the cavity of the hollow column; the hollow column is further provided with an oil flow port in communication with the oil flow passage; an oil inlet groove is provided on and in communication with the oil flow port; and the valve core protrudes into the hollow column and is fitted with the oil flow port and the oil inlet groove. The steering motor adopts an oil passage combination design to simplify the structure, and also adopts the elastic oil bag to reduce the frictional wear of a shock absorption mechanism, so as to prolong the service life of steering motor and reduce the costs.
US10173717B2

[Problem]An object of the present invention is to provide an electric power steering apparatus that can accurately suppress a vibration, a noisy sound and so on whose vibration source is a power spectrum occurring from a relationship between an operation period of torque control and an operation period of current control, and which occur regardless of presence or absence of a mechanical resonance.[Means for solving the problem]In an electric power steering apparatus that comprises a torque control section which calculates a current command value based on at least a steering torque and a current control section which controls a motor current flowing to a motor based on the current command value, an operation period of the torque control section is longer than or equal to an operation period of the current control section, and the current control section comprises a specific frequency band eliminating section that attenuates at least one frequency component having a frequency obtained by multiplying about half of an operation frequency of the torque control section by a natural number in the current command value.
US10173715B2

A stator is fixed to a frame of an electric motor. A rotor is rotatably mounted to the frame to face the stator in a radial direction. A heat sink, to which a control substrate is attached, is mounted in an opening of the frame. A motor cover is attached to a front end of the frame to cover the heat sink. An adhesive groove, which has a fixed depth and is filled with an adhesive, is formed on the front end. A joining portion is formed on the rear end of the motor cover, and is inserted into the adhesive groove is an axis of rotation direction to join the motor cover with the frame in a liquid-tight manner.
US10173713B2

A steering wheel decorative member is used for being attached to a resin member covering a periphery of a ring core of a steering wheel. The decorative member includes a hollowed-out portion including an opening that is formed on a surface of the decorative member facing the resin member and that extends in a longitudinal direction of the decorative member.
US10173698B2

A communication system and method receive, at an energy management system disposed onboard a vehicle system formed from a lead vehicle and one or more remote vehicles, trip data that represents one or more characteristics of an upcoming trip of the vehicle system along a route. A selected portion of the trip data is communicated from the energy management system to a distributed power system also disposed onboard the vehicle system. The selected portion includes identifying information and one or more orientations of the one or more remote vehicles. Using the distributed power system, communication links between the lead vehicle and the one or more remote vehicles are established using the identifying information and the one or more orientations.
US10173693B2

Method for operating a motor vehicle having at least one sensor for detecting a user state and/or at least one parameter from which the user state can be deduced, wherein a function and/or a device of the motor vehicle is automatically controlled by a control device, depending on a detected user state and/or a detected change in the user state, a level of autonomy which specifies to what extent a function and/or a device of the motor vehicle is controlled automatically by a control device of the motor vehicle or is manually controlled by a user, changes at least one function and/or at least one device of the motor vehicle and the function and/or the device is controlled according to the level of autonomy.
US10173690B2

A vehicle includes a detection section and a automated drive controller. The detection section detects actual behavior of the vehicle. The automated drive controller generates a automated drive action plan for the vehicle, issues an instruction relating to behavior of the vehicle based on the generated action plan to a drive source controller that controls a drive source of the vehicle, and compares predicted behavior of the vehicle predicted based on the issued instruction and actual behavior of the vehicle detected by the detection section. In cases where the predicted behavior of the vehicle and the actual behavior of the vehicle detected by the detection section differ from each other by more than a preset range, the automated drive controller issues an instruction to decelerate the vehicle to a brake device of the vehicle.
US10173688B2

A method of determining a driving tendency and a system of controlling shift using the same are disclosed. A system of controlling shift for a vehicle may include: a data detector detecting data for a shift control; and a controller determining a short term driving tendency index and a long term driving tendency index, and controlling an engine or a transmission according to the long term driving tendency index, wherein the controller determines the short term driving tendency when an accelerator pedal position reaches a predetermined position value while the vehicle is coasting.
US10173671B2

A method for calibrating an internal sensor in a vehicle with an external sensor which is designed to detect external positional data dependent on a position of the vehicle. The method includes: detecting the external positional data using the external sensor; sending the external positional data to the vehicle and filtering the internal positional data based on the external positional data and dependent on the position of the vehicle and by an internal sensor.
US10173667B2

A vehicle includes an occupant monitoring system and a processing circuit coupled to the occupant monitoring system. The occupant monitoring system is configured to acquire occupant data regarding an occupant of the vehicle. The processing circuit is configured to receive the occupant data; determine a vehicle operation command based on the occupant data, the vehicle operation command configured to affect operation of the vehicle while the vehicle is in a robotic driving mode; and provide the vehicle operation command to a vehicle system.
US10173665B2

A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle is provided, the drive train featuring a first drive assembly formed as an internal combustion engine a second drive assembly formed as an electric motor, a start-up element and a transmission). The start-up element features a converter and a lock-up clutch and is connected between the electric motor and the transmission. The electric motor is connected between the internal combustion engine and the start-up element. If a decoupling of the lock-up clutch is requested, the lock-up clutch of the start-up element is initially brought into slip. If the slip at the lock-up clutch of the start-up element reaches a threshold or is greater than the threshold, a target rotational speed is subsequently predetermined for the electric motor and the rotational speed of the electric motor is adjusted to such target rotational speed.
US10173664B2

A method of determining a regeneration schedule for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a plurality of yaw rate actuators. The method includes determining an allowable yaw rate change based on dynamic conditions of the hybrid vehicle, a combined mitigation potential of the yaw rate actuators, and a regeneration torque command that causes an actual yaw rate change. Determining the regeneration torque command includes comparing the allowable yaw rate change to the combined mitigation potential. If the combined mitigation potential is less than the allowable yaw rate change, the regeneration torque command causes or limits the actual yaw rate change to be lower than the allowable yaw rate change. If the combined mitigation potential is greater than the allowable yaw rate change, the regeneration torque command causes or limits the actual yaw rate change to be substantially equal to the allowable yaw rate change.
US10173662B2

A method for determining a control parameter of a power or torque distribution regulator for a hybrid drive of a work machine having the steps of automatically determining a work cycle that has just been performed by the work machine, and selecting of the control parameter as a function of the work cycle determined in the previous step.
US10173661B2

A brake-by-wire system includes an actuator to initiate a brake for decelerating a vehicle. A brake fade management system of the brake-by-wire system includes an actuator target arbitrator module, a compliance module, and an output loss module. The compliance module calculates and delivers displacement adjusted actuator target data to the actuator target arbitrator module. The output loss module calculates and delivers output adjusted actuator target data to the actuator target arbitrator module. The actuator target arbitrator module processes the displacement adjusted actuator target data and the output adjusted actuator target data, and outputs an actuator target command signal to the actuator.
US10173650B1

A pedal with snap-fit bushing includes a pedal arm having a tubular sleeve oriented perpendicular and fixed to the pedal arm. A mounting pin is rotatably received within a tubular sleeve annular bore and extends partially beyond tubular sleeve opposed ends. A first pivot bushing is rotatably mounted to a first end of the mounting pin extending outward of the tubular sleeve. A second pivot bushing is rotatably mounted to a second end of the mounting pin extending outward of the tubular sleeve. A pedal housing includes a first wall having a first “L” shaped slot and a second wall having a second “L” shaped slot. The pivot bushings are received in a retention portion of the first and second slots to releasably retain the mounting pin and allow rotation of the pedal arm and the tubular sleeve about a rotational axis of the mounting pin.
US10173646B1

Systems and methods for cleaning one or more sensors on an autonomous vehicle according to a sensor cleaning system are provided. A method can include obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, data indicative of a sensor condition for the autonomous vehicle. The method can further include determining, by the computing system, a sensor cleaning sequence for one or more sensor cleaning units of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data indicative of the sensor condition. The one or more sensor cleaning units can be configured to respectively clean one or more sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The method can further include controlling, by the computing system, the one or more sensor cleaning units to sequentially clean the one or more sensors based at least in part on the sensor cleaning sequence.
US10173644B1

An activation method and system is provided that, in response to an external signal, initiates a timed activation of a vehicle camera system, including for instance a series of cameras and a digital video recorder. The disclosed activation system generally includes a system control module having a timer and a series of relays connected to external devices such as, for example, an alarm system, an ignition system, etc. The relays receive signals from an external source and trigger the system control module to send a timed signal to the vehicle camera system. The activation system may also include a beeper control module including a beeper and connected to the timer such that the timer is activated in response to an external signal transmitted to the beeper by an external device such as a smartphone or home alarm system.
US10173639B1

The seat belt indicator light is a supervisory system monitors a seat belt reminder signal within a vehicle. The seat belt indicator light comprises a visual indicator, a control system, and a communication system. The visual indicator monitors the seat belt reminder signal and illuminates the externally visible signal when the seat belt reminder signal is illuminated. The logic module monitors and logs status of the seat belt reminder signal while the vehicle is in operation. The communication system provides remote and local wireless communication services between the control system and an appropriate authority.
US10173637B2

A webbing take-up device includes a spool taking up webbing worn by an occupant, that is rotated in a pull-out direction by the webbing being pulled-out; a base lock that is provided capable of rotating integrally with the spool and restricts rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction in vehicle-emergency; a pawl that is rotated together with the spool and, by being displaced, engages with a winding ring and transmits rotation force of the spool to the winding ring, and a trigger ring including a restricting portion that is disposed in a restricting position at which displacement of the pawl is restricted in a state prior to the spool being rotated with respect to the base lock, and is disposed in a permitting position at which displacement of the pawl is permitted when the spool has been rotated in the pull-out direction with respect to the base lock.
US10173635B2

A webbing adjustment device for a seat belt system has a frame and a slider. The frame has a first hole and a second hole below the first hole. A front section of a webbing extends through the second hole of the frame. The slider is detachably connected to the frame. The slider has a first end portion, a second end portion, a connecting portion, and a through groove. The connecting portion is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The through groove is formed through the connecting portion. The connecting portion of the slider is inserted through the first hole, and a rear section of the webbing is passed through the first hole and the through groove, and the rear section is locked or unlocked by a relative motion between the frame and the slider.
US10173632B2

An airbag unit comprising an airbag which is fillable with a gas in order to protect a vehicle occupant is provided. The airbag comprises two material layers which are connected to each other at their circumferential edge by means of a connection, wherein the connection is interrupted at least in one portion, in order to form an outflow opening, via which gas can escape from the airbag during the filling and/or after the filling, at least one covering device for covering the outflow opening, wherein the covering device comprises at least one closure element which is arranged moveably in relation to the outflow opening in order to vary the size of the outflow opening, and a control unit which is designed to move the at least one closure element in relation to the outflow opening in such a manner that the outflow opening is opened up, covered or partially covered.
US10173631B2

The present invention relates to a thorax occupant protection device (10) comprising a side airbag (12), especially for being mounted in a door or the seat of an automotive vehicle, which in the inflated and mounted state of the side airbag (12) at its upper end includes at least one occupant-side inflatable inner wing (22) for shifting the occupant's adjacent arm forward and at least one door-side inflatable outer wing (24) for protecting the thorax, wherein the inner and outer wings (22, 24) in the inflated state are juxtaposed at least in portions and are separated from each other by an indentation (26) of the airbag wall (13) extending from the upper end in the downward direction. The present invention further relates to a method of protecting the thorax of a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact.
US10173630B2

Provided is an airbag device that is to be mounted in a vehicle, and includes: an inflator configured to generate a gas; an airbag configured to be inflated with the gas generated by the inflator; a holding member housing the airbag in a folded state and being provided with an opening which allows inflation and deployment of the airbag therethrough; and a flap configured to restrict inflation and deployment of the airbag through the opening, the airbag including a roll folded portion being roll-folded and disposed on an occupant side, and two flip folded portions each being accordion-folded or tucked inside and disposed on a vehicle front side, the flap including a first restricting portion covering the roll folded portion and being held between the roll folded portion and the holding member, and a second restricting portion being secured to the airbag between the two flip folded portions.
US10173625B2

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting hazards in anticipation of opening vehicle doors. Vehicle sensors (e.g., rear viewing cameras) can be used to detect and classify traffic, for example, as pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, wheel chair, etc., approaching on the side of a vehicle. When there is a possibility of a vehicle occupant opening a door into approaching traffic, a warning can be issued in the vehicle cabin to alert vehicle occupants of the approaching traffic. In one aspect, a vehicle prevents a door from opening if opening the door would likely cause an accident.
US10173624B2

An occupant protecting device for a vehicle, including: a pretensioner applying tension to a webbing that is configured to restrain an upper body of a vehicle occupant seated in a vehicle seat; a vibrating unit configured to vibrate a contact portion to which the vehicle occupant contacts; a single operating section operating the vibrating unit in a case in which an instruction to operate the vibrating unit is received, and operating the pretensioner in a case in which an instruction to operate the pretensioner is received; and a control section, in a case in which the vibrating unit is to be vibrated, outputting an instruction to vibrate the vibrating unit to the operating section, and, in a case in which the pretensioner is to be operated, outputting an instruction to operate the pretensioner to the operating section.
US10173617B2

The invention relates to a bumper arrangement with a crossmember and two crashboxes which are in each case connectable on one side to the crossmember on an outer region thereof and are arrangeable on the other side on a vehicle-side longitudinal member. It is distinguished in that the crossmember has a hollow chamber profile with a hollow chamber which is round at least in sections in cross section, which hollow chamber profile is arranged in a crossmember longitudinal axis running perpendicularly to the vehicle center longitudinal axis.
US10173614B2

A vehicle mounted charger converts external power into drive power, and supplies the power to a drive battery. A first converter supplies the power to an auxiliary device battery by converting the external power into the power for an auxiliary device. A second converter supplies the power to the auxiliary device battery by converting the drive power which is stored in the drive battery into the power for the auxiliary device. In a normal charging mode, the auxiliary device battery is charged by the first converter. Moreover, in a travelling mode or a rapid charging mode, the auxiliary device battery is charged by the second converter.
US10173612B2

A wiring attachment assembly includes a stud having at least one channel, a gripping washer engaging the stud in the at least one channel and a wiring conduit including a receiver engaging and holding the stud. A wiring system, incorporating the wiring attachment assembly and an insulator element, as well as a method of wiring for a power folding seat are also disclosed.
US10173608B2

A sensor bracket includes a bracket on which a camera that detects a state around a vehicle is mounted, and a planar portion of the bracket that holds the camera to the bracket by engaging with an engagement protrusion of the camera. The camera is detached by being slid against the bracket. The bracket is provided with a vertical rib that prevents the camera front proceeding in a sliding direction by having a portion of the camera abut thereagainst in the course of the camera moving from a mounted state to a separated state.
US10173607B1

The automotive phone holder with integrated air freshener combines a phone holder that mounts to the louvers within an automobile air vent with an air freshener with replaceable fragrance strips.The resulting automotive phone holder with integrated air freshener has three main parts: the head, the adjustment mechanism, and the mounting mechanism.
US10173606B2

A structure is for attaching an in-vehicle device including a display 20 standing on a dashboard 1 of a vehicle, and a controller 30 placed inside the dashboard 1. The structure includes a connecting bracket 40. The controller 30 is fixed to the dashboard 1. The controller 30 and the display 20 are connected together via the connecting bracket 40. The connecting bracket 40 is attachable to and detachable from the controller 30 and the display 20 independently.
US10173601B2

A carrier apparatus for a vehicle may include a bumper back beam to be drawn out and received in the bumper back beam, an adapter cover rotatably disposed at an upper portion of the carrier in an up and down direction and having an upper portion depressed to form an installation space, and a loading cover detachably connected to the installation space of the adapter cover and provided with a fixture for fixing a luggage loaded at an upper portion thereof.
US10173598B2

A main body includes a front engaging part on a front side thereof. The front engaging part is engaged with an interior part of the vehicle. The main body is pivotable about the front engaging part. A first string includes a first connecting part connected to the main body rearward of the front engaging part and a first engaging part engaged with a pivotable back door. A second string includes a second connecting part connected to the main body rearward of the front engaging part and a second engaging part engaged with a vehicle main body. The first string is subjected to tension due to weight of the main body and the second string is loosened when the back door is opened. When the main body is moved to a direction that causes the first string to loosen in said state, the second string is subjected to tension.
US10173588B2

Described herein are systems and methods for motorbike collision avoidance. One or more sensors or devices can be used to monitor the operating conditions of a motorbike and, upon a determination that a collision or drop has occurred, or is likely to occur, an alert system can be activated. The alert system can comprise one or more auxiliary illumination devices and/or acoustic devices configured to draw the attention of other motorists. The alert system may aid the other motorists in noticing the motorbike and approximating the motorbike's position, size, distance, or speed. The alert system can also be activated by the motorbike rider to communicate to other motorists that the rider believes a collision is possible or that a situation requires caution.
US10173586B1

Disclosed are systems and methods for activating turn indicators of a motor vehicle. The disclosed methods includes determining a traffic condition of the motor vehicle using an external sensor of the motor vehicle. Responsive to determining that the traffic condition of the motor vehicle is suitable for changing a direction of the motor vehicle, a change in driver behavior is detected using a driver sensor of the motor vehicle. A target direction of the motor vehicle is determined based on the traffic condition of the motor vehicle and on the determined change in driver behavior, and a turn indicator of the motor vehicle is activated accordingly.
US10173577B2

A projection method for a motor vehicle, for projecting at least one image onto a projection surface by means of a light module suitable for projecting a light beam, wherein the projection method includes the steps of detecting an observation position of an observer in a light module reference frame, calculating the observation position of the observer in an image reference frame, and projecting the image onto the projection surface according to the observation position of the observer in the image reference frame, the image being integrated into the light beam of the light module.
US10173576B2

A first lamp assembly has a first attachment surface, a first transparent surface, a first side surface extending from the first transparent surface to the first attachment surface, and a first lighting member positioned to emit light through a portion of the first side surface. A second lamp assembly has a second attachment surface, a second transparent surface opposite the second attachment surface and a second side surface extending from the second transparent surface to the second attachment surface. The second side surface has a first projection extending therefrom that defines a first light deflecting surface such that when the second side surface and the first side surface are adjacent to one another with the light deflecting surface and first lighting member being aligned, the first light deflecting surface reflects and disperses light in a first area between the first lamp assembly and the second lamp assembly.
US10173571B2

A cooling and heating apparatus for a vehicle cup holder is provided that has an improved performance for cooling and heating a drink by directly cooling or heating the drink in the cup. The apparatus includes a cup having a thermoelectric module and a first electroconductive part on an outer surface thereof and a cup holder that has a heat dissipating member and a second electroconductive part. Additionally, a controller is connected to the thermoelectric module to realize an electrical closed circuit and is configured to adjust an amount of an electric current applied to the thermoelectric module based on a desired temperature to heat or cool a drink in the cup.
US10173566B2

A seat pad (10) is formed from a foamed molded body. A passenger contact surface (11) which, in a plan view of the seat pad (10), is formed in the shape of a rectangle that is long in the lengthwise direction (X) and short in the widthwise direction (Y), is provided. The passenger contact surface (10) comprises a main pressure-receiving area (11a) with which the buttocks or the waist of a passenger come into contact, and a subsidiary pressure-receiving area (11b) that is adjacent to the main pressure-receiving area (11a) in the lengthwise direction (X). The passenger contact surface (11) is provided with partitioning grooves (15) that extend in the lengthwise direction (X) and that are arranged across the main pressure-receiving area (11a) and the subsidiary pressure-receiving area (11b). The partitioning grooves (15) are arranged so as to lie parallel to each other in the widthwise direction (Y). Additional grooves (16) are formed on the bottom surfaces of the partitioning grooves (15). In the partitioning grooves (15), the average volume, which is the ratio of the volume of the additional grooves (16) per unit area of the bottom surfaces of the partitioning grooves (15), is smaller in a first section (15a) located in the main pressure-receiving area (11a) than in a second section (15b) located in the subsidiary pressure-receiving area (11b).
US10173562B2

An airbag module-equipped seat in which the periphery of an attachment portion of a guide member that guides a deployment direction of an airbag has a compact size and the guide member can be attached easily while maintaining satisfactory deployment performance of the airbag. This seat includes an airbag module attached to a side frame, a guide member that guides a deployment direction of the airbag module, and an attachment member for attaching the guide member to the side frame. The side frame has an attachment hole for the attachment member at a position different from a shaft portion for attaching the airbag module. The attachment member has a holding space in which an end of the guide member is held in a detachable manner, and is inserted into the attachment hole in a state in which the end of the guide member is held in the holding space.
US10173549B2

Electromechanical systems using magnetic fields to induce eddy currents and generate lift are described. Magnet configurations which can be employed in the systems are illustrated. The magnet configuration can be used to generate lift and/or thrust. Arrangements of hover engines, which can employ the magnet configurations, are described. Further, vehicles, which employ the hover engines and associated hover engines are described.
US10173547B1

A system for drainage avoidance includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive an indication to power on. A wake up voltage is increased after a power on signal is received. The processor is configured to perform a boot sequence, determine whether the boot sequence completed successfully, and in the event the boot sequence completed successfully, provide a reset indication to reset the wake up voltage.
US10173543B2

A charging system for an electric vehicle and a method for controlling charging of an electric vehicle are provided. The charging system comprises: a power battery (10); a charge-discharge socket (20); an external power supply device (1002); a charging connection device (1001); and an energy control device (1003), comprising: a three-level bidirectional DC-AC module (30); a charge-discharge control module (50); and a control module (60) configured to control the charge-discharge control module (50) according to a current working mode of the electric vehicle. The energy control device (1003) and the external power supply device (1002) communicate by transmitting a modulated PWM signal to each other via the charging connection device (1001), and the control module (60) controls the three-level bidirectional DC-AC module (30) and the charge-discharge control module (50) to charge the power battery (10) by the external power supply device (1002).
US10173536B2

An electricity converter for controlling an output of the fuel cell, a battery for storing electricity of the fuel cell, and a load device that operates by electricity of at least one of the fuel cell or the battery are included. Further provided is a controller that calculates current chargeable electricity of the battery, load device electricity currently consumed by the load device and current generable electricity of the fuel cell, and decreases the output of the fuel cell by the electricity converter when the generable electricity is equal-to or more-than a combined value of the chargeable electricity and the load device electricity.
US10173535B2

The present invention discloses methods and systems for managing power supply at a device. The device is capable of receiving power via a plurality of power inputs. The device first determines whether or not a first condition is satisfied. A first switch is maintained in a closed position if the first condition is satisfied. When the first switch is in a closed position, the device is capable of receiving power from a first power supply. Alternatively, when the first condition is not satisfied, the device determines whether or not a second condition is satisfied. If the second condition is satisfied, the first switch is maintained to be in a closed position. If the second condition is not satisfied, the first switch is opened after a predefined time period.
US10173529B2

A method for controlling illumination of operational controls in a motor vehicle, using a passenger-compartment camera for photographing a driver, in which a visual perception capability of the driver is determined with the aid of the passenger-compartment camera, and in which the illumination of an operational control is adjusted as a function of the visual perception capability of the driver.
US10173527B2

A meter cluster includes a meter trim assembly and a combination meter. The meter trim assembly includes a meter cluster lid, a meter ring with a groove, and a seal portion having a connecting portion disposed within the groove to couple the seal portion to the meter ring. The combination meter has a transparent display cover disposed relative to the meter ring so as to form a gap between the meter ring and the transparent display cover. The seal portion is arranged to block transmission of light from a first portion of the meter cluster to a second portion of the meter cluster.
US10173525B2

A differential apparatus includes a differential mechanism, a differential case that accommodates differential mechanism, and a clutch mechanism that transmits a driving force between the differential case and the differential mechanism. The clutch mechanism includes a slide member movable inside the differential case in an axial direction and an actuator for moving the slide member in the axial direction. The actuator is located outside the differential case. The slide member includes a first meshable portion and an engaging portion engaging with a pinion shaft of the differential mechanism. The differential case has a second meshable portion to mesh with the first meshable portion and a wall portion having multiple insertion holes for transmitting a moving force of the actuator to the slide member. The slide member is located between the second meshable portion and the wall portion.
US10173523B2

A mouthpiece assembly of a fuel tank for vehicles has a box defining a recessed housing wherein a hole is obtained to access a duct leading to the fuel tank of the vehicle, a lid hinged to the box, and a closing device having a translating pin translatingly mounted, a cap disposed on the translating pin, and a push-push lock mechanism connected to the translating pin. The upper part of the translating pin has a plurality of longitudinal tabs that are elastically flexible outwards in such manner to deform the cap, forming a collar that protrudes outwards and is engaged tightly inside the seat of the lid of the fuel tank in order to hold the lid of the fuel tank in closed position.
US10173519B2

A motor vehicle having a frame-like assembly carrier as a component of a bodywork in the front end region of the motor vehicle which is driven by means of an internal combustion engine. The assembly carrier has an inner side and an outer side and includes a plurality of web-like carriers. In the installation position of the assembly carrier, two lateral carriers spaced apart from each other are connected by an upper carrier with a frame being formed. The upper web-like carrier has at least one air passage defined by the upper carrier which leads from the outer side to the inner side of the assembly carrier. A suction system is arranged on the inner side of the assembly carrier for supplying the internal combustion engine with air. At least one air inlet opening of the suction system adjoins at least one air passage of the upper carrier.
US10173516B2

A method for controlling operating modes of a hybrid powertrain mechanism including a first epicyclic train having first and second sun gears and a planetary gear couplable to these sun gears; a second epicyclic train having third and fourth sun gears and a planetary gear couplable to these sun gears; a first electric machine having one end coupled to the second sun gear; a second electric machine having one end coupled to the fourth sun gear; a first clutch having one end coupled to another end of the first electric machine; a first brake having one end coupled to another end of the first clutch and another end coupled to the third sun gear; and an engine coupled to the first sun gear. Various driving modes are provided by changing the states of the first clutch and the first brake and the operating modes of the first and second electric machines.
US10173514B2

A motor vehicle planetary axis transfer gearbox system includes a connective housing connecting an engine to a transmission of a motor vehicle with the transmission being positioned forward of the engine. An axis of an engine output shaft is oriented substantially parallel to an axis of a transmission input shaft. Both the axis of the engine output shaft and the axis of the transmission input shaft are oriented substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the motor vehicle. A planetary gear set is connected to one of the engine output shaft or the transmission input shaft acting to reverse a direction of rotation of either the engine output shaft or the transmission input shaft to match a direction of rotation of both the engine output shaft and the transmission input shaft. A drive chain connects the engine output shaft to the transmission input shaft.
US10173508B2

A top of a convertible vehicle is proposed, comprising a top cover and a top linkage which can be displaced between a closed position, in which a vehicle interior is covered, and a storage position, in which the vehicle interior is open toward the top, and which has a linkage arrangement on both sides with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, each linkage arrangement comprising two main links, which are pivotably mounted on a main bearing fixed to the vehicle and one of which is driven by means of a main drive. Panel bows extend between the bilaterally arranged linkage arrangements, a first one of said panel bows being a front bow, a second one being a front center bow, a third one being a rear center bow and a fourth one being a rear window bow. In the storage position, the rear center bow is arranged below the rear window bow.
US10173506B2

An apparatus for covering a pickup truck bed is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible cover for selectively extending to at least partially cover the pickup truck bed and at least partially retracting to form a roll. A first motor is provided for extending the flexible cover, and a second motor is provided for driving the roll to retract the flexible cover. A front wall adjacent to an operator's cab of the pickup truck may include a housing for the roll. The flexible cover may include at least one support extending transverse to a travel direction secured at least partially within a pocket formed therein. A water management system may be provided for keeping water from entering the bed. A controller may tie operation of the flexible cover to the operation of any of a light, a tailgate, a remote control, or a control connected with the vehicle.
US10173502B2

A door structure for a vehicle may include an external panel; an internal panel that is mounted to the external panel; and an impact member coupled to the internal panel between the external panel and the internal panel, wherein a protrusion that protrudes to an outside thereof toward a side external panel of a vehicle body from inside the internal panel is integrally provided in the impact member.
US10173501B2

A vehicle door standing pillar sash includes a first member and a second member combined together, the first member comprising a glass run holding portion that has a recessed shape opened toward a window opening side, the second member comprising a bag-shaped portion that protrudes toward a vehicle inner side with respect to the glass run holding portion; a pair of opposed portions formed at a bottom part of the glass run holding portion, the pair of opposed portions including the first member and the second member, the first member and the second member being opposed to each other; and a protruding portion provided on one of the pair of opposed portions, the protruding portion protruding toward the other of the pair of opposed portions, the protruding portion laminated and bonded to the other of the pair of opposed portions by welding.
US10173499B1

A vehicle visor includes a visor body having an inner cavity with first and second channels disposed therein. A blade is slideably mounted to the first and second channels between extended and retracted positions by first and second rails of the blade that are slideably received in the first and second channels of the visor body. An adjustment knob is mounted on the visor body and includes a toothed outer perimeter that gearingly engages a toothed track disposed on the blade within the inner cavity. The adjustment knob further includes an exposed portion that is disposed outside of the inner cavity and accessible to a user for incremental rotation resulting in deployment or retraction of the blade.
US10173497B2

A vehicle air-conditioning system includes a primary loop coupled to an air-conditioner that cools a refrigerant in the primary cooling loop for delivery to a primary heat exchanger, a secondary cooling loop in communication with the primary heat exchanger, wherein cooling from the refrigerant is transferred to a coolant in the secondary cooling loop and a secondary heat exchanger for transferring cooling from the coolant to air delivered to a rear of a vehicular passenger cabin.
US10173484B2

A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.
US10173483B2

An electronic air pump pressurizes object in either manual or automatic mode. In automatic mode, the electronic air pump determines air pressure needed to adjust an object to a set target pressure. The electronic air pump inflates or deflates the ball automatically until the air pressure inside the ball matches the preset value. In manual mode regulation of the air pressure is adjusted by a user.
US10173479B2

A method and a device locate wheels of a vehicle, according to which method at least one wheel has wheel electronics. In accordance with the method, a signal is received on the vehicle side by the wheel electronics, which signal allows conclusions to be drawn about a point in time at which the wheel assumed a first rotation angle position. The signal contains a plurality of packets. At least one time interval between the packets is determined, and at least one estimated value for the at least one time interval is provided on the basis of the at least one determined time interval.
US10173478B2

A filter device for a conduit includes a gas-permeable pre-filter element and a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable filter element. The filter device is configured to be fluidly coupled to a conduit such that a gas can flow, in sequence, through the pre-filter element, the filter element and then the conduit. The filter device can be used in each of a vehicle hollow driveshaft and a hollow wheel stub axle forming a CV joint having a compressed air supply line which passes therethrough. Compressed air can be supplied via the air supply line without the need for an additional fluid transfer device fluidly connecting the driveshaft and the stub axle's conduits.
US10173470B2

Provided is a steel cord for reinforcing a rubber article in which both the rubber penetrability (rust prevention), and the cord strength and shear resistance are highly achieved. Provided is a steel cord for reinforcing a rubber article including: one core strand 11 having a layered-twisted structure formed by twisting a plurality of steel filaments 1; and a plurality of sheath strands 12 having a layered-twisted structure formed by twisting a plurality of steel filaments 2, wherein the sheath strands are twisted around the core strand. An average value Lc of an amount of clearance between outermost layer sheath filaments constituting an outermost layer sheath of the core strand is from 0.073 to 0.130 mm, and the number of the outermost layer sheath filaments is from 7 to 10.
US10173469B2

There is provided a polymer film which includes: a base film layer including a polyamide-based resin having a particular relative viscosity and a copolymer including a polyamide-based segment and a polyether-based segment having a specific content; and an adhesive layer formed on at least one side of the base film layer, wherein a ratio of the melt viscosity of the copolymer to the melt viscosity of the polyamide resin is 0.65 to 1.2 at a shear rate of 1000 s−1 and a temperature of 260° C.
US10173467B2

The present invention relates to an axle unit comprising an axle tube and an axle stub, wherein the axle stub is formed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a stub axis in some regions and has a channel which extends substantially parallel to the stub axis, wherein the axle stub has a first connection portion which has an engagement geometry for fluid-tight connection to the channel, wherein the axle tube is formed to be substantially rotationally symmetrical about a tube axis and wherein the axle tube and the axle stub are fixed on/to one another by way of a cross-member in such a way that the tube axis and the stub axis are spaced from one another.
US10173466B2

A releasable wheel assembly is presented. The releasable wheel assembly includes a base plate and a bracket coupled to the base plate. The bracket includes multiple bosses and each boss includes a hole. An axle passing through the hole of each boss. The axle includes a circumferential groove adjacent to each end of the axle. Additionally, a brace is coupled to the base plate and the axle.
US10173461B2

A wheel with a rim as well as a wheel spider, where the wheel spider has a hub and spokes. The wheel includes spokes including one or more linearly stretched textile strands as reinforcement material of a fiber composite and each linearly stretched textile strand runs at least once from the rim to the hub and back without interruption and thus forms at least one spoke. The textile strands are connected in a positive-locking manner and/or in substance with the hub and the rim. A process is provided for the manufacture of the wheel.
US10173446B2

According to one embodiment, a printer includes a housing that has an outlet, a drawer unit, first, second and third print medium support units and a printing unit. The drawer unit slides in the outlet between an open position and a closed position. The first supporting unit is disposed in the drawer unit and supports a roll of printable media when the drawer unit is in the open position so that an outer surface of the roll of printable media does not extend above the height of the outlet. The second supporting unit is disposed in the housing and rotatably supports the roll of printable media when the drawer unit is in the closed position so that a portion of the outer surface of the roll of printable media extends above the height of the outlet. The printing unit prints on printable media fed from the roll of printable media.
US10173445B2

A sheet transporting apparatus is provided, including a transport mechanism provided with a roller, a motor, a controller, and a measuring input unit, wherein a transport route has a curved area for inverting the sheet, and the controller is constructed such that the control on the motor is executed by a closed loop control system by using a measured value of an control output at an initial stage of the transport of a sheet from a tray, and the control on the motor is switched from the control performed by the closed loop control system to control performed by an open loop control system on condition that a preset phenomenon arises after the sheet is taken out of the tray.
US10173444B2

A printer includes a conveying device that conveys a printing medium and a cutting device that makes a trim cut in at least one of a plurality of corners of a region where a printed material has been printed. The conveying device conveys the printing medium to the cutting device before the cut is made.
US10173439B2

A printing press arrangement has a plurality of processing stations for processing sheets. The plurality of processing stations are arranged one after another in a transport direction of the sheets for in-line processing of the sheets. At least one of the processing stations is configured as a non-impact printing device. A transfer device, which is arranged upstream of the active region of the non-impact printing device, is provided for transferring the sheets from a first processing station, which is arranged upstream of the non-impact printing device, to the non-impact printing device. The transfer device aligns, in each case, at least one of the axial register and the circumferential register and the diagonal register of each of the sheets in register relative to the printing position of the non-impact printing device.
US10173436B2

There is provided a liquid circulation apparatus for circulating liquid through a plurality of discharge heads that includes discharge nozzles. The liquid circulation apparatus includes a liquid circulating channel to circulate the liquid via the plurality of discharge heads, a first manifold connected to each supply port of the plurality of discharge heads, a second manifold connected to each discharge port of the plurality of discharge heads, a discharging channel to discharge the liquid in the second manifold, and a bubble-discharging channel separate from the discharging channel, to discharge bubbles in the second manifold.
US10173435B2

A fluid ejection device including, at least, one recirculation system is disclosed. Such recirculation system contains, at least, one drop generator, recirculation channels that include an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connection channel and a fluid feedhole that communicates with the drop generator via the inlet channel and the outlet channel of the recirculation channel. The recirculation channels can be asymmetrical with reference to the drop generator.
US10173432B2

A decrease in the capacity of an ink tank can be easily avoided while downsizing a printer. A printer includes a printing head, an ink tank, a carriage provided with the printing head movable back and forth, and a medium conveyance device that conveys a printing medium on a conveyance path intersecting the carriage moving direction. An axis line along the carriage moving direction is an X axis and an axis line orthogonal to the X axis is a Y axis, an axis line orthogonal to the X and Y axises is defined as a Z axis. When viewed along the Z axis, the ink tank is located in a region outside a movable region of the carriage along the Y axis, and is arranged so as to extend across a region outside the conveyance path along the X axis and a region that is overlapped with the conveyance path.
US10173419B2

The printing apparatus is provided with a transport mechanism section that transports work, a printing mechanism section that has nozzles, which carry out printing by discharging an ink, as liquid droplets, onto the work transported by the transport mechanism section, and an adjustment section that adjusts a volume per single droplet of the ink discharged from the nozzles on the basis of a separation distance between the nozzles and the work, which is positioned directly below the nozzles.
US10173417B2

In some examples, a print head includes a plurality of nozzles, a test result register to store a drive bubble detect (DBD) test result for a first nozzle of the plurality of nozzles, and a result-ready register to store a status indication set to a predetermined value provided responsive to storing of the DBD test result in the test result register, where the test result register and the result-ready register are accessible by a control unit outside the print head to evaluate a nozzle condition based on the DBD test result in the test result register.
US10173416B2

A printing apparatus (droplet discharge apparatus) includes a discharge portion that has a nozzle discharging ink to a medium and a control device that allows the discharge portion to discharge the ink depending on execution of a print job defining a mode for discharging the ink to the medium. Before the print job is executed, the control device calculates a discharge amount fluctuation which is a fluctuation in a discharge amount of liquid per unit time by the discharge portion based on the print job and determines whether or not maintenance for recovering ink discharge performance of the discharge portion is required at the time of executing the print job based on the discharge amount fluctuation.
US10173406B2

A composite wall assembly edge joint including a first composite buildup pad having a first tapered section is secured to and extends along a first composite face sheet. A second composite buildup pad having a second tapered section is secured to and extends along a second composite face sheet, wherein the first and second composite buildup pads are positioned between spaced apart first and second composite face sheets. A composite flute core member includes a tapered first portion positioned between and secured to the first tapered section and to the second tapered section. A second portion of the composite flute core member extends in a direction away from the tapered first portion of the composite flute core member and is positioned between, extends along and is secured to the first and second composite face sheets.
US10173405B2

A process and a transfer film for transferring microstructures to a flexible or rigid final substrate that offers advantages in both speed and precision is provided. The inventive process involves subjecting a transfer film in a continuous roll-to-roll process to the following operations: either forming microstructures on, or transferring microstructures to a surface of the transfer film; and then transferring the microstructures from the transfer film onto a surface of the final substrate. The microstructures are single or multi-layer structures that are made up of: voids in a substantially planar surface, the voids optionally filled or coated with another material; raised areas in a substantially planar surface; or combinations thereof.
US10173399B2

The present disclosure discloses an anti-yellowing composition comprising at least a phosphorus-containing compound and at least a pentaerythritol ester, wherein the phosphorus-containing compound is selected from a phosphate salt, and a concentration of the phosphorus-containing compound is 100-1600 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the pentaerythritol ester. The present disclosure also discloses a resin composition containing the anti-yellowing composition, and a metal-resin composite formed with the resin composition and a metal substrate, and a preparation method and use thereof. The present disclosure further discloses an electronic product shell formed with the resin composition and a metal shell body.
US10173392B2

The present invention pertains to a process for producing an article from a layered hard coat object including a hard coat layer and a transparent-resin film layer in this order from the outermost layer side, the process comprising: a step (A) in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of a support having the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on at least one surface thereof is temporarily applied to at least one surface of the layered hard coat object to obtain a temporarily support-bearing layered hard coat object; a step (B) in which at least one processing method selected from the group consisting of router processing, water-jet processing, laser processing, and punching is applied to the temporarily support-bearing layered hard coat object to cut the temporarily support-bearing layered hard coat object into a given shape, thereby obtaining a temporarily support-bearing cut article; and a step (C) in which at least one kind of energy selected from the group consisting of heat and actinic rays is applied to the temporarily support-bearing cut article to reduce the strength of tackiness between the support and the article to 2 N/2.5 cm or less.
US10173390B2

According to one embodiment, a fiber molded article includes fiber impregnated with thermoplastic resin, a plane base portion molded from the fiber, and a wall portion molded from the fiber and extending to an outside of a surface of the base portion to form an outer edge of the base portion. The wall portion has a through-hole. An entire periphery of an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole is covered with a film. The film is formed by melting the thermoplastic resin soaked into the fiber on the inner peripheral surface.
US10173385B2

A detection unit for detecting a data row of a press position and a load at the press position; an input/storage unit for inputting and storing a value serving as a reference for determining a bend point in a relation between the press position and the load at the press position; a data-row calculation unit for calculating a data row of a press position and a load at a constant distance interval based on the data row of the press position and the load detected; a slope calculation unit for calculating a slope of the load based on the press position and the load at the press position detected; and a bend-point determination unit for determining a point, at which the calculated slope of the load exceeds the value serving as the reference for determining the bend point, as the bend point are provided.
US10173383B2

A method for controlling the thickness of a continuous elongated element made of elastomeric material, applied according to coils wound on a forming support, includes: advancing a head end of the continuous elongated element toward the forming support; subjecting, during the advancement, the continuous elongated element to a first stretching with a first stretch coefficient before applying on the forming support; and subjecting, during the advancement, the continuous elongated element to a second stretching with a second stretch coefficient during the application on the forming support. During the first stretching, a span of the continuous elongated element adjacent to the head end is stretched with a supplementary stretch coefficient greater than the first stretch coefficient, in a manner so as to confer, also to the span adjacent to the head end, a stretch and a section similar or substantially equivalent to those of the rest of the continuous elongated element.
US10173382B2

A blow molding machine with a stationary and a rotating part, comprising a tempering device for tempering blow molds of the blow molding machine using a medium, and a respective method, characterized in that the tempering device is arranged within the blow molding machine.
US10173380B2

An arcuate fiber composite plastic preform and a method for the production of curved profiles with any fiber layer structure are disclosed, which include a layered fiber structure with a base and an arcuate outer contour, an inner edge and an outer edge. The fiber layer structure is configured with a first inner area provided with elevations and depressions, a second adjacent central area with no elevations and depressions and a third outer area and provided with radially oriented open recesses. The method of producing curved profiles from fiber composite plastic preforms having any fiber layer structure includes a molding step, whereby the outer area of the preform with wedge-shaped recesses is being compressed while the inner relief-shaped area is being completely stretched thereby flattening the relief.
US10173374B2

A three-dimensional printing device includes a base, a holder disposed above the base, a printing head fixed on the holder and including a nozzle configured to discharge a resin material, a stage disposed in the base below the printing head configured to hold the resin material discharged from the nozzle, and a stage moving mechanism configured to move the stage with five or more degrees of freedom.
US10173365B2

The disclosed spray deposition systems and methods use spray charging and discharging techniques to assist with digital deposition of spray droplets on a substrate. For example, the disclosed systems and methods have a charging system that generates spray droplets from a spray generator and charges the droplets. Focusing electrodes help to collimate the droplets into a tight droplet stream and, optionally, steering electrodes help direct the tight droplet stream. A charge removal system neutralizes or removes the charge from the droplets, either during the deposition of the droplets on a substrate or after the droplets have been deposited on a substrate.
US10173345B2

A separation lock member is provided in a main body cover. When a fixing cover is rotated with respect to the main body cover at a predetermined opening/closing angle (opening angle θ1) and then an unlock operation of the separation lock member is performed, a rotation support shaft can be separated from a support groove 23a, such that the main body cover can be separated from the fixing cover.
US10173342B2

An arrangement for curing concrete products, which contains a curing chamber having several curing cells arranged in at least one column, in which curing cells are located on a vertical stack. The curing cells are formed to curing cell groups, in which one curing cell group contains at least one curing cell, advantageously 2-4 curing cells, and wherein the curing cell group is insulated in respect of other curing cell groups of the curing chamber. A method for curing concrete products in a curing chamber, which includes several curing cells arranged in at least one column, in which the curing cells are located on a vertical stack. In the method the moisture level of curing cells is controlled such that in the curing cells the temperature is desired.
US10173338B2

Method (500) and calculating unit (620) for curve sawing of a block (100) in a cutting direction (S) with at least a first circular saw blade (110). The method (500) comprises determining (501) a radius (R) of the curve sawing, by measuring the curvature of the block (100) in the direction of cutting (S); calculating (502) a vertical inclination angle (β) of the first circular saw blade (110) in a vertical plane (V) relative to the cutting direction (S) in the block (100), based on the determined radius (R) of the curve sawing; inclining (503) the first circular saw blade (110) with the calculated (502) vertical inclination angle (β); and sawing (508) the block (100) in the cutting direction (S) with the inclined (503) first circular saw blade (110) along the determined (501) radius (R) of the curve sawing.
US10173332B1

A pair of safe pet nail clippers includes a first handle and a second handle correspondingly disposed and pivotedly connected to each other. The first and second handles respectively include a blade portion and a handle portion. Blades of the blade portions of the first and second handles are provided in a concave shape. When the handle portions of the first and second handles are relatively opened to the maximum extent, an initial trimming hole is formed between the concave blades of the first and second handles. The first and second handles are provided therebetween with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relative opening of the handle portions of the first and second handles and the caliber of the initial trimming hole.
US10173324B2

Robot positioning is facilitated by obtaining, for each time of a first sampling schedule, a respective indication of a pose of a camera system of a robot relative to a reference coordinate frame, the respective indication of the pose of the camera system being based on a comparison of multiple three-dimensional images of a scene of an environment, the obtaining providing a plurality of indications of poses of the camera system; obtaining, for each time of a second sampling schedule, a respective indication of a pose of the robot, the obtaining providing a plurality of indications of poses of the robot; and determining, using the plurality of indications of poses of the camera system and the plurality of indications of poses of the robot, an indication of the reference coordinate frame and an indication of a reference point of the camera system relative to pose of the robot.
US10173312B2

An architectural covering, comprising a rail and a repositionable handle assembly. The rail has a groove. The assembly comprises a handle with a hole for receiving a fastener, and a fastener receiving member. The fastener receiving member is free to slide along the groove when in an undamped state. A fastener is also provided for mechanically connecting the handle to the fastener receiving member and for clamping the handle and the fastener receiving member in a desired position on the rail.
US10173305B2

A screw fastening method includes reversely rotating a shaft part of a fastening tool in a direction of loosening one of an external thread and an internal thread, which is engaged with the shaft part, while one of the external thread in a non-screwed state and the internal thread in a non-screwed state, which is engaged with the shaft part, is pressed against the other thread, detecting collisions between thread ridges of the external thread and the internal thread using a sensor while the shaft part remains rotated reversely, determining whether or not a time interval between collisions detected by the sensor matches a theoretical cycle of collisions calculated from rotation speed of the shaft part, and fastening the external thread and the internal thread to each other by normally rotating the shaft part when it is determined that the time interval matches the theoretical cycle.
US10173295B2

A machining device includes: a spindle unit including a spindle that rotates a workpiece; and a device base having the spindle unit mounted thereon. The spindle unit includes upper and lower rolls that rotate the workpiece by contacting the workpiece, upper and lower rotary shafts that rotate integrally with the upper and lower rolls and serves as the spindle, and a support member that supports the workpiece. The device base has mounted thereon the spindle unit, a motor that rotates the upper and lower rotary shafts, and a grindstone to be brought into contact with the workpiece. The spindle unit is detachably mounted on the device base.
US10173292B2

A magnetic attachment system for attaching a first object to a second object. A first magnet structure is attached to the first object and a second magnet structure is attached to the second object. The first and second objects are attached by virtue of the magnetic attraction between the first magnet structure and second magnet structure. The magnet structures comprise magnetic elements arranged in accordance with patterns based on various codes. In one embodiment, the code has certain autocorrelation properties. In further embodiments the specific type of code is specified. In a further embodiment, an attachment and a release configuration may be achieved by a simple movement of the magnet structures. In a further embodiment, the magnetic field structure may comprise multiple structures based on multiple codes.
US10173287B2

Provided is a solder material which enables a growth of an oxide film to be inhibited. A solder ball which is a solder material is composed of a solder layer and a covering layer covering the solder layer. The solder layer is spherical and is composed of a metal material containing an alloy including Sn content of 40% and more. Otherwise the solder layer is composed of a metal material including Sn content of 100%. In the covering layer, a SnO film is formed outside the solder layer, and a SnO2 film is formed outside the SnO film. A thickness of the covering layer is preferably more than 0 nm and equal to or less than 4.5 nm. Additionally, a yellow chromaticity of the solder ball is preferably equal to or less than 5.7.
US10173285B2

A laser cutting head powered by a laser emission apparatus includes a collimation device to collimate a laser beam coming from the laser emission apparatus and a focusing lens which focuses a collimated laser beam from the collimation device. The lens is supported in a casing and is movable along an adjustment direction to change a focal point of the laser beam. A cooling unit is connected with the casing and includes at least one Peltier cell and a heat dissipation element. A thermal conductive element connects a support for the lens with the cooling unit to extract heat generated by the laser beam passing through the lens by thermal conduction from the support and from the lens.
US10173282B2

The bonded body of the present invention includes: a ceramic member made of ceramics; and a Cu member which is made of Cu or a Cu alloy and bonded to the ceramic member through a Cu—P—Sn-based brazing filler material and a Ti material, wherein a Cu—Sn layer, which is positioned close to the ceramic member and in which Sn forms a solid solution with Cu, and a Ti layer which is positioned between the Cu member and the Cu—Sn layer, are formed at a bonded interface between the ceramic member and the Cu member, a first intermetallic compound layer made of Cu and Ti is formed between the Cu member and the Ti layer, and a second intermetallic compound layer containing P is formed between the Cu—Sn layer and the Ti layer.
US10173277B2

A band saw that is convertible between a vertical cutting position and a horizontal cutting position includes a work table extension that extends from a work table when the band saw is used in the horizontal cutting position. The work table extension is removable from the work table and is attachable to a blade guide when the band saw is used in the vertical cutting position.
US10173273B2

A forming tool for forming leading edges of turbine blades is disclosed. In various embodiments, a forming tool may comprise a cylindrically-shaped body having a notch around the circumference of the cylindrically-shaped body. The notch may be positioned perpendicularly to a center axis of the cylindrically-shaped body. Further, the notch may have a notch contour with an upper notch contour and a lower notch contour, and where the notch contour is a relief of a selected turbine blade leading edge. The forming tool may be a grinding tool or a cutting tool. Moreover, a forming process may comprise forming, by a forming tool, a first portion of a turbine blade leading edge with a rough edge result, and forming, by a milling cutter, a second portion of the turbine blade leading edge with a rough edge result.
US10173271B2

A tool shank has a head receiving pocket at a forward end, and a plurality of chip flutes extending rearwardly therefrom along a longitudinal axis. The head receiving pocket has a support surface transverse to the longitudinal axis. A central recess is formed in the support surface and extends rearwardly therefrom. The central recess has a plurality of resiliently displaceable abutment portions circumferentially alternating with and spaced apart by a plurality of intermediate portions. Each abutment portion has a radially inward facing abutment surface, and each intermediate portion has an intermediate surface intersecting two circumferentially adjacent abutment surfaces. A rotary cutting tool includes the shank and a cutting head releasably mounted thereto. The cutting head has a mounting portion provided with a base surface and an engagement member protruding therefrom. In an assembled position, the engagement member is resiliently retained in the central recess against the plurality of abutment surfaces.
US10173269B2

The embodiment is an L-shaped housing with a configuration that provides both for support to a small hand-held workpiece and to specific drill bit alignment toward the task of placing multiple, immediately adjacent, aligned channels within the body of a model car. To optimize car speed in the Pinewood Derby event, the child can specifically align and strategically place channels in the model car for the optimal loading of cylindrical weights. As an alternative to free-hand drilling with an attempt at sighting drill bit direction in two planes, the device provides for precise drill bit alignment to small hand-held workpieces. As an alternative to more complex drill jig and machine shop equipment, the device enables a child to safely and effectively introduce multiple, aligned channels with precision into the model car.
US10173262B2

Under one aspect, a method of processing a material includes heating a region of the material with a first energy source; exciting an acoustic wave in the material; and transmitting the acoustic wave through the heated region, the heated region changing at least one property of the acoustic wave. The method also can include detecting the change in at least one property of the acoustic wave; characterizing a temperature of the material in the heated region based on the detected change in at least one property of the acoustic wave; and comparing the characterized temperature of the material in the heated region to a threshold. The method further can include, based on the characterized temperature of the material in the heated region being less than the threshold or being above the threshold for an insufficient amount of time, modifying a property of the heated region with a second energy source.
US10173258B2

The present invention relates to a steel for a mold, having a composition containing, on a % by mass basis, 0.25%
US10173256B2

The invention provides a radial ring rolling process for controlling strain distribution of a ring product. In the process, a ring blank is rolled by a main roll and a mandrel that are driven to rotate, while a gap between the main roll and the mandrel continuously decreases in the radial direction of the ring blank. The process includes (A) according to dimensions of the ring product and expected strain, a rolling ratio is firstly determined, dimensions of the ring blank is calculated based on the rolling ratio and the dimensions of the ring product; (B) a rotation speed curve of the mandrel is determined based on the rotation and the radial feeding speeds of the main roll; (C) the ring blank is rolled according to the rotation and radial feeding speeds of the main roll and the calculated rotation speed of mandrel in step (B).
US10173254B2

A molding apparatus that molds a metal pipe with a flange is disclosed. The molding apparatus includes a first mold and a second mold that are paired with each other, a slide that moves at least one of the first mold and the second mold, a drive unit that generates a driving force for moving the slid, a holding section that holds a metal pipe material between the first mold and the second mold, a gas supply section that supplies gas into the metal pipe material held by the holding section, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, the holding section, and the gas supply section. The first mold and the second mold are provided with a first cavity portion that molds a pipe portion of the metal pipe, and a second cavity portion that molds a flange portion.
US10173250B2

A method is provided involving a gas turbine engine system. The method includes configuring a plug within a fluid passage in the gas turbine engine system, where the plug is between first and second portions of the fluid passage. Material is removed from an interior surface of the fluid passage in the first portion of the fluid passage to provide removed material, where the plug substantially prevents the removed material from entering the second portion of the fluid passage. The removed material is directed out of the fluid passage. The plug is removed from the fluid passage.
US10173248B2

Disclosed herein is a method. The method includes applying a fluid to a perforated upper layer. The perforated upper layer forms an exposed surface of a multi-layer structure. The method also includes allowing the fluid to pass through the perforated upper layer and contact a contaminant within a core layer of the multi-layer structure. The core layer is disposed beneath the perforated upper layer, opposite the expose surface, and is coupled to the perforated upper layer. The method also includes applying ultrasonic energy to the exposed surface of the multi-layer structure using an ultrasonic generator to loosen the contaminant into the fluid. The method also includes removing the fluid with the loosened contaminant from the multi-layer structure.
US10173242B2

Provided is a method of manufacturing an aromatic polyketone film, the method including: applying a coating liquid to at least a part of a surface of a substrate to form a coating liquid layer, the coating liquid including a solvent and an aromatic polyketone having a structural unit represented by Formula (1) or (2); drying the coating liquid layer; and after the drying, subjecting the coating liquid layer to a heat treatment. In Formula (1) or (2), each R1 independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; each R2 and each R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; X represents a specific divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group, or a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms; and Y represents a specific divalent functional group.
US10173240B2

The present invention provides a mask having a plurality of elongate openings formed in a substrate, including: a plurality of reinforcement portions having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the substrate and bridging the openings across a longitudinal direction thereof on one side of the substrate; and a recess portion having a step formed by excavating an area around the openings on each side of the reinforcement portions along the longitudinal direction. The mask accordingly achieves and retains high mechanical strength without increasing the mask thickness.
US10173239B2

A set for dispensing and processing a light-curing material contained in a reservoir of an applicator includes a light source for curing the material dispensed from an outlet opening of the reservoir by the effect of pressure on the reservoir. The set further includes a modeling device having at least one of a smoothing surface and a working edge for processing the dispensed light-curing material. The light source can be fastened detachably or undetachably to the applicator or to the modeling device.
US10173236B2

A system for controlling nozzle flow rate includes a master node having an expected overall flow rate module configured to generate an expected overall flow rate of an agricultural product based on one or more sprayer characteristics, and an adjustment module configured to generate an error correction based on a difference between the expected overall flow rate and an actual overall flow rate of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are in communication with the master node, each of the smart nozzles includes an electronic control unit in communication with one or more control valves and one or more nozzle assemblies. Each of the smart nozzles includes a target smart nozzle flow rate module configured to generate a target smart nozzle flow rate of the agricultural product based on the one or more sprayer characteristics. The target smart nozzle flow rate is adjusted according to the error correction.
US10173232B2

A spray system includes a fluid source, a sprayer, a pump cylinder, a plunger, a pump motor, first and second inlet and outlet valves, a plurality of valve seals, a seal lubricant reservoir, and gravity fed seal lubricant lines. The pump cylinder is disposed fluidly between the fluid source and the sprayer. The plunger is situated within the pump cylinder and positioned by a displacement rod. The pump motor is configured to drive the displacement rod so as to reciprocate the plunger within the pump cylinder. The valve seals are disposed about the each of the first and second inlet and outlet valves. The lubricant seal lines carry seal lubricant from the reservoir to each of the valve seals.
US10173230B2

A foam generating device for a high-pressure water gun has a supporting body defining part of a conduit, which extends along an axis and has a mixing chamber communicating with a lower inlet, and subject, in use, to a vacuum to aspirate a liquid from said lower inlet; the device has a first sleeve which is fitted around one end of the supporting body, is axially fixed, is rotatable and is provided with an end portion carrying a nozzle; such a nozzle defines the outlet of the conduit and is adjustable so as to vary the outgoing flow type between a fan-like jet and a solid stream jet; the device has, in addition, a second sleeve which is coupled to the first sleeve in a fixed axial position and in a rotatable manner and is provided with cams to adjust the nozzle in response to a rotation of the second sleeve with respect to the first sleeve.
US10173229B2

An electrostatic atomizing device includes: a spray electrode and a reference electrode across which and the spray electrode a voltage is applied, the reference electrode being provided near the spray electrode, the spray electrode and the reference electrode being provided in an opening and an opening, respectively, which are provided on a device surface of the electrostatic atomizing device, and the opening being provided so as to reduce a ratio in which an atomized substance adheres to the device surface.
US10173228B1

A flow-adjustable shower unit comprises a water path connector, a water outlet assembly, and a connecting base arranged between the water path connector and the water outlet assembly to make the water path connector communicate with the water outlet assembly; the connecting base is a cylindrical cavity, a fixed baffle transversely dividing the cavity of the connecting base is arranged in the connecting base, and a first through groove is formed in the fixed baffle in a penetrating mode; a movable baffle is further movably mounted on the connecting base and abuts against the fixed baffle, and a second through groove is formed in the position, corresponding to the first through groove, of the movable baffle; the overlapping area between the first through groove and the second through groove can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the movable baffle, and thus the flow of the connecting base is adjusted.
US10173226B2

The invention concerns a device for controlling the charge of an aerosol comprising: —an aerosol inlet area; —a discharge area having dielectric barriers, in which charged species are generated, the discharge area and the aerosol inlet area being arranged relative to one another in such a way that the aerosol introduced in this way does not flow via the discharge area; —a mixing area for mixing the aerosol with a portion of the charged species from the discharge area; —a post-discharge area linked to the discharge area, the aerosol inlet area and the mixing area being arranged in such a way that at least a portion of a stream flowing in the post-discharge area drives at least a portion of the charged species formed in the discharge area and expelled from the discharge area by electrostatic repulsion towards said mixing area.
US10173216B2

A particle capture system that can be used in the context of a lab-on-a-chip platform for particle- and cell-based assays is described. The system comprises a capture chamber comprising a plurality of capture sites, the capture sites defining a capture area configured to receive individual particles travelling within the capture chamber. By rotating the chamber, the individual particles are biased towards the capture sites where they may be captured.
US10173215B2

A flow cell having at least one storage zone connected to a duct for conducting fluid out of, into or/and through the storage zone. The duct includes a duct section which is delimited by a substrate and a film joined to the substrate and in which the duct is sealed and can be opened at a predetermined breaking point by deflecting the film. The film covers a recess in the substrate which forms the duct section. A sealing wall that seals the duct and is integrally joined to the substrate is placed in the recess. The predetermined breaking point is formed by a breakable joining region between the film and an edge portion of the sealing wall facing the film. The dimensions of a peripheral area of the sealing wall which is formed in the edge portion and runs parallel to the film determine the surface area of the joining region.
US10173207B2

A catalyst that is used in the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass is regenerated by oxidation and washing with a liquid to remove minerals and restore catalyst activity and selectivity to aromatics.
US10173194B2

We provide systems for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion that comprise a modular reactor comprising a plurality of mixer modules. The mixer modules may be arranged in series. One or more feed modules are disposed between the mixer modules. Such systems may be used for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation reactions. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion are also disclosed.
US10173193B2

An apparatus includes a base having first and second inlets. Inner and outer cylinders are disposed on the base, with the outer cylinder being concentric with the inner cylinder. An inner surface of the inner cylinder defines an internal volume. An outer surface of the inner cylinder and an inner surface of the outer cylinder define a chamber space. An ultraviolet lamp is disposed within the internal volume. A top cover is positioned over the inner and outer cylinders and in a sealing relationship with the cylinders. The top cover has a first passageway in flow communication with the chamber space, and a second passageway in flow communication with the internal volume. The first inlet is in flow communication with the chamber space and the second inlet is in flow communication with the internal volume. A system including a process chamber and an ammonia radical generator also is described.
US10173192B2

A quad-centric nozzle and system for hydrocapsule encapsulation is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a quad-centric nozzle is disclosed for encapsulating discrete droplets of liquid by generating a continuous coating or layer of a polymerizable liquid which is substantially immiscible with the core liquid. In at least one embodiment, the quad-centric nozzle includes: a material feed port assembly, a polymer feed port assembly, a first water feed port assembly, a second water feed port assembly and an encapsulated material exit port assembly. In at least one embodiment, the quad-centric nozzle is configured for use in a system for hydrocapsule encapsulation having a pressure control system, a water control system and sparging column, and an ultraviolet exposure chamber system.
US10173190B2

A tube reactor for heterogeneous catalyzed gas phase reactions having a thermal tube with a catalyst material around which a fluid heat transfer medium, a temperature-sensitive optical waveguide surrounded by a capillary tube that extends into the catalyst material and has measuring points having a predetermined spacing between adjacent measurement points, and can be connected to a source for optical signals and to an evaluation unit (31) for optical signals reflected by the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide has measuring points having a spacing between adjacent measuring points in the axial direction of the thermal tube which is 0.8 to 5 times the shortest edge length of all imaginary cuboids which, having a minimum volume in the cases in which nominal external dimensions are associated with particles of the catalyst material.
US10173189B2

The present invention concerns a method for preparing a suspension of carbon nanotubes in an aqueous solution comprising the following successive steps consisting of subjecting an aqueous solution containing carbon nanotubes and a surfactant to at least one cycle of freezing in liquid nitrogen and thawing; and subjecting said thawed solution to an ultrasound treatment. The present invention also concerns a suspension of carbon nanotubes, and in particular a suspension of long carbon nanotubes, that can be prepared by such a method.
US10173186B2

A pulsed gas mixing apparatus is provided. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus may include a mixing plate having a top side that is substantially smooth, and a bottom side that includes a plurality of ribs. The pulsed gas mixing apparatus may also include a supply tube configured to be coupled to the mixing plate and supply a mixing gas that is used to mix the contents a container in which the pulsed gas mixing apparatus is installed.
US10173184B2

An apparatus and method are disclosed for mixing and pumping solids and fluids and includes use of a blender including: a casing defining a cavity; a drive shaft extending through a casing opening into the cavity; a slinger having an outer edge, a center, a bottom slinger surface, a top slinger surface, and a plurality of slinger blades extending upwardly from the top slinger surface, wherein the slinger is attached to the drive shaft, and wherein the height of the top slinger surface above the bottom slinger surface continuously increases from the outer edge to the center; and an impeller having a bottom impeller surface and a plurality of impeller blades extending downwardly from the bottom impeller surface, wherein the impeller is positioned below the slinger and is attached to the drive shaft.
US10173183B2

An assembly made up of a pump, a container and an augmented fluid-recirculating system for increased working fluid agitation, and a method of agitating a liquid within a container—as well as dispensing such a liquid from the container—where the liquid has been subjected to such augmented agitation prior to such dispensing. The pump cooperates with the fluid-recirculating system that includes an eductor such that the liquid resident within the container may be recirculated in a manner to promote its own agitation. In addition, air or a related fluid may be passively introduced upstream of the pump such that it also may pass through the eductor. In one form, the assembly defines a closed-loop system such that the air or other gas already present in the container may be introduced selectively, while in another form, the assembly defines an open-loop system that retrieves air from a local external environment. In either case, the introduction of such air or related gas may be selective, thereby permitting an operator to dictate if such air should be recirculated. In addition, the use of a diaphragm pump helps avoid damage to the portions of the pump that are exposed to a mixed phase fluid flow made up of the air and recirculated liquid.
US10173178B1

A carbon dioxide membrane structure, a method of making the same, and a carbon dioxide separator including the same. The membrane structure may include a carbon dioxide separation membrane containing PVA and a carrier, and a polysulfone-based support having an average pore size ranging from about 40 to about 90 μm.
US10173177B2

The invention relates to a process for the production of membranes based on ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymers having a melting temperature not exceeding 200° C. The process relies on the diffusion induced phase separation of the ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymer from a solution and comprises the steps of providing a solution comprising an ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymer having a melting temperature not exceeding 200° C. in a solvent; casting the polymer solution into a film; immersing the film in a non-solvent bath to precipitate the polymer. Membranes made of compositions comprising an ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene polymer having a melting temperature not exceeding 200° C. and at least one second polymer are also disclosed.
US10173175B2

A gas sparger produces an intermittent flow of bubbles even if provided with a continuous gas flow. The sparger has a housing to collect a pocket of gas and a conduit to release some of the gas from the pocket when the pocket reaches a sufficient size. The housing is integrated with the potting head of a module. The conduit passes through the potting head.
US10173151B2

Provided are filter elements or cells and filtration assemblies or capsules for purifying and/or clarifying fluids used during various biopharmaceutical applications, for example, chromatography or depth filtration, and processes for making and using the same. A filter element comprises a media pack comprising two sides and a separator element located between the two sides, at least one side comprising a filtration media, wherein an inner edge periphery and/or an outer edge periphery of the filtration media comprise a bond directly to a portion of the separator element.
US10173145B2

A treatment tower of a carbon dioxide separation system includes a treatment container of a tower shape, having inner space which is virtually dividable into a regeneration treatment chamber, drying treatment chamber, and adsorption treatment chamber arranged in this order from the top to the bottom, by two hindrances which are upper and lower hindrances and hinder the downward movement of the adsorbent while maintaining the bedded (layered) flow of the adsorbent, a first passage member formed with ejection holes which eject a gas used in a treatment in each of the treatment chambers to a lower portion of each of the treatment chambers, and a second passage member formed with a gas discharge hole which discharges the gas having contacted the adsorbent from an upper portion of each of the treatment chambers. In the two treatment chambers on the lower side, gas discharge holes are formed below the hindrances.
US10173144B2

A lift system for lifting a load includes a counterweight, a base unit, a fly line, a load line, and pulleys. The base unit includes a movable cam assembly coupled to a fixed frame. The cam assembly includes a cam member that is rotatable relative to a carriage of the cam assembly. The cam assembly can be moved between first and second positions relative to the frame member, and prevents movement of the fly line through the base unit in the first position, while movement of the fly line through the base unit is allowed when the cam assembly is in the second position.
US10173136B1

Methods and systems described in this disclosure are directed at gamification. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for tracking actions taken by a user at predetermined gaming levels in a gaming application, the gaming application also facilitating users to interact with the gaming application in the form of questions and answers relating to topics in the military and armed forces. If the user is unable to provide a minimum number of correct responses to the questions presented, the gaming application displays actions that are to be performed by the user to continue playing the game. In some embodiments, a game is paused temporarily by a pause signal sent to the gaming application. The game resumes when a resume signal is sent to activate the gaming application.
US10173133B2

A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a device comprising a processor, a first signal from a motion-sensitive component of the device; receiving, by the device, a second signal from a touch-sensitive interface of the device, detecting, by the device, from a combined signal comprising the first signal and the second signal, a selection of a portion of the device; and causing, by the device, a sensory feedback generator to provide a feedback signal in accordance with the combined signal. The feedback signal may comprise an audible sound, a visual effect, a tactile effect, or any combination thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US10173128B2

A variety of games and methods for enhancing game play are provided. In one aspect, a secondary or ancillary game is played in parallel with a first game, such as a lottery ball draw. Yet another embodiment of game play provides for the repurposing of an existing taped game show. The previously recorded game show would be segmented into subsets of issues, for example, presentation of questions or answers (as in the case of Jeopardy), those issues would be presented to one or more players, a response would be received from those players, and the answer would be compared to the correct answer. Scoring would then rank players relative to one another or to indicate the amount of the prize.
US10173119B2

A punching shield is provided. The punching shield includes an outer casing and a padding disposed within the outer casing. The outer casing includes a front surface (striking surface), a rear surface opposite the front surface, and an angled surface running from an outer edge of the front surface to an outer edge of the rear surface. A plurality of protrusions extend from the angled surface and are radially disposed from the outer edge of the rear surface to the outer edge of the front surface. An indent is formed between a pair of protrusions, thereby forming a plurality of indents on the angled surface.
US10173113B2

A golf bag includes a collapsible sub-assembly including a divider top and a base, a plurality of first snap-fit connectors provided around a portion of an outer perimeter of the divider top, and a flat having a divider top end opposite a base end, an interior side, and an exterior side. The flat includes a plurality of second snap-fit connectors provided along a portion of the divider top end. The flat attaches to the sub-assembly by mating snap-fit engagement of the plurality of first snap-fit connectors around the divider top with the plurality of second snap-fit connectors along the divider top end.
US10173112B2

A golf bag includes a collapsible sub-assembly including a divider top and a base, a plurality of first snap-fit connectors provided around a portion of an outer perimeter of the divider top, and a flat having a divider top end opposite a base end, an interior side, and an exterior side. The flat includes a plurality of second snap-fit connectors provided along a portion of the divider top end. The flat attaches to the sub-assembly by mating snap-fit engagement of the plurality of first snap-fit connectors around the divider top with the plurality of second snap-fit connectors along the divider top end.
US10173110B1

A golf club head comprising multiple means of adjusting the location of the center of gravity, and the bias, is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the golf club head comprises a non-metal medallion comprising a channel that is affixed to one of the crown and the sole, a slidable weight sized to fit within the channel, and a cover that attaches to the medallion and locks the slidable weight within the channel at a location selected by a user. The cover preferably includes at least one cutout so that the slidable weight is at least partially visible to the user when it is locked within the channel. The cover also includes additional cutouts that receive protrusions extending from the medallion to more securely attach the cover to the medallion.
US10173109B1

An iron-type golf club head comprising a body with a striking face and a hollow cavity portion, a medallion, and a damping insert that is spaced from, and does not contact any portion of, the striking face is disclosed herein. The damping insert is trapped between the medallion and a support structure that extends from the body of the club head approximately parallel with the striking face, and is at least partially suspended over or in the cavity portion. The structure may be an elongated stiffening member that connects upper and lower portions of the body to one another, or a rectangular lip section. The damping insert is affixed to only one of the medallion and the structure with an adhesive material, and damps vibration in the striking face after the striking face makes contact with a golf ball, while the striking face is rebounding from impact.
US10173108B2

A golf club head with at least one cavity including a weight that is co-molded with a fill material comprising a polymer and a plurality of microscopic bubbles, and methods of manufacturing such golf club heads, are disclosed herein. The plurality of microscopic bubbles constitutes at 5-70% of the volume of the fill material, and more preferably approximately 20-30% of the volume of the fill material. The polymer material preferably is a polyurethane having a Poisson's ratio of 0.40-0.50. The weight is preferably composed of a metal alloy with a density greater than 4 g/cc, such as steel or tungsten alloy.
US10173107B2

A head 2 includes a head body h1 and a face plate p1 fixed to the head body h1. The face plate p1 includes a plate front surface f1 having a hitting face, a plate back surface b1, and a plate side surface s1. The head body h1 includes a body side surface v1 opposed to the plate side surface s1, and a receiving surface u1 which supports the face plate p1 from rear. A first contact part c1 is formed by contact between the body side surface v1 and the plate side surface s1. A hollow part sp1 is provided at a position adjacent to the first contact part c1.
US10173104B2

The invention provides a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer encasing the core, wherein the core is formed of a rubber composition that includes a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent and an organic peroxide. The core has a center portion and a surface portion that are unfoamed regions, and has an intermediate portion that contains a foamed region. A method of manufacturing such a golf ball is also provided.
US10173094B2

An adjustable rehabilitation and exercise device, including a rotary member rotatably mounted on a hub; a mount having a ring located adjacent to the rotary member with a lock selectively engageable with the rotary member to lock the ring at an angular position relative to the rotary member, and an arm connected to the ring and extending radially relative to the rotary member and having a movable carriage associated therewith to move radially relative to the rotary member and lockable to position the carriage at a radial position relative to the rotary member; and a patient engagement member connected to the mount and movable with the carriage.
US10173092B2

A plank support exercise apparatus and related methods is provided. The plank support exercise apparatus has a hand grip and a frame member extending from the hand grip. At least one arm support pad is connected to the frame member, wherein a distance between the hand grip and the at least one arm support pad is adjustable. A ground-interface surface is positioned along at least a portion of the frame member.
US10173080B2

A regime or regimen for artificially coloring the skin entails topically applying thereon at least a) dehydroascorbic acid and/or a monomeric derivative thereof of formula (I) below and/or an isomeric form thereof of formula (I′) below and/or a polymeric derivative thereof: in which: OR1 and OR2, which may be identical or different, are each OH; a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C1-C30 and more preferentially C1-C18 alkoxy radical; a glycoside and more preferentially glucose; an ester of a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C1-C30 (preferably C1-C18) aliphatic carboxylic acid, which may be substituted with an aryl radical or a heterocycle; an aryl or heterocyclic carboxylic acid ester, which may be substituted with at least one saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C1-C30 (more preferentially C1-C18) alkyl radical; a phosphate group; a sulfate group, and b) at least one amine compound.
US10173078B2

Methods of two-dimensional x-ray imaging of a target volume and tracking a target structure contained within a target volume are described.
US10173073B2

A delivery catheter for delivery, then photo-activation of photo sensitive material has a photo-sensitive substance-delivery part and an activation part. The catheter delivers substances such as biomaterials to a target site, followed by illumination of the target using optics located at the distal tip of the catheter which are optically coupled to an extracorporeal light source. The light may be delivered by a single or multi-lumen needle, or a separate light guide passed over the catheter.
US10173065B2

Systems and methods for producing asynchronous neural responses to treat pain and/or other patient conditions are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting a target stimulation frequency that is above a threshold frequency, with the threshold frequency corresponding to a refractory period for neurons of a target sensory neural population. The method can further include producing a patient sensation of paresthesia by directing an electrical signal to multiple sensory neurons of the target sensory neural population at the stimulation frequency, with individual neurons of the sensory neural population completing corresponding individual refractory periods at different times, resulting in an asynchronous sensory neuron response to the electrical signal.
US10173060B2

A peripheral nerve stimulator can be used to stimulate a peripheral nerve to treat essential tremor, Parkinsonian tremor, and other forms of tremor. The stimulator can have electrodes that are placed circumferentially around the patient's wrist or arm. Specific nerves in the wrist or arm can be targeted by appropriate spacing of the electrodes. Positioning the electrodes on generally opposing sides of the target nerve can result in improved stimulation of the nerve. The stimulation pattern may alternate between the nerves. Improved stimulation algorithms can incorporate tremor feedback, external data, predictive adaptation, and long-term monitoring data.
US10173058B2

This invention controls stimulation levels and cycling cadence on an FES ergometer to minimize or prevent the occurrence of spasm in spinal cord injured or other neurologically impaired patients.
US10173056B2

The present invention is directed to methods for improving male fertility inter alia by increasing sperm count in a male subject. The methods of the invention comprise applying a positive electrical current below sensation level to at least one site of a scrotum of a subject in need thereof.
US10173053B2

This document describes an apparatus including an implantable medical device having a printed circuit board. The apparatus can include a connector block for a lead terminal of the implantable medical device mounted directly to the printed circuit board.
US10173050B2

Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.
US10173048B2

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including nasal or paranasal sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches). The devices and methods may also be used to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, or rhinosinusitis, irrespective of whether those disorders are co-morbid with a headache. They may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine or cluster headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated.
US10173047B2

The invention relates to a method and device for neuromuscular stimulation of one or more muscles, or muscle groups, with one or more beneficial effects selected from increasing arterial, venous and capillary blood flow, increasing flux of interstitial fluid and lymphatic drainage, increasing tissue oxygenation, enhancing heat distribution, enhancing the distribution of pharmaceutical products, and enhancing performance and recovery from exertion in horses.
US10173045B2

A medical connector for minimizing leakage of fluids during connection and disconnection is described. The medical connector includes a body having an inlet port, at least one outlet port adjacent to a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable seal adjacent to the male luer portion of the body and blocks the outlet ports of the body when the male luer portion of the medical connect is in a disconnected state. The retractable seal is positioned on the body such that it is moved away from the outlet ports upon insertion of the male luer portion of the medical connector into a medical access device thereby unblocking the outlet ports and creating a fluid path through the medical connector.
US10173042B2

A microsensor and method of manufacture for a microsensor, comprising an array of filaments, wherein each filament of the array of filaments comprises a substrate and a conductive layer coupled to the substrate and configured to facilitate analyte detection. Each filament of the array of filaments can further comprise an insulating layer configured to isolate regions defined by the conductive layer for analyte detection, a sensing layer coupled to the conductive layer, configured to enable transduction of an ionic concentration to an electronic voltage, and a selective coating coupled to the sensing layer, configured to facilitate detection of specific target analytes/ions. The microsensor facilitates detection of at least one analyte present in a body fluid of a user interfacing with the microsensor.
US10173036B2

An apparatus operable to facilitate the flow of fluids through an intravenous site including a main body. The main body includes a first pair of securing members extending outward from the main body and a second pair of securing members extending outward from the main body. The apparatus further includes a splinting member with a longitudinal and latitudinal profile that includes a bell curved frustum shape.
US10173032B2

A catheter is provided having a catheter tube which has excellent interlayer bonding strength between a polyamide-based resin and a modified polyolefin resin, and which can ensure visibility with a suitable color degree. A catheter is provided having a catheter tube. The catheter tube includes a first polyamide layer, a modified polyolefin layer arranged on an inner surface of the first polyamide layer, and a second polyamide layer arranged on an outer surface of the first polyamide layer. Among the first polyamide layer, the second polyamide layer, and the modified polyolefin layer, only the second polyamide layer includes a coloring agent.
US10173031B2

A combination flush catheter and selective catheter as one convertible catheter and methods of using the same. The selective catheter may be a reverse curve or guide catheter. The additional steps of removal of the flush catheter and re-insertion of the selective catheter may be eliminated, reducing the possibility of errors and making the procedure smoother and shorter.
US10173028B2

A method, consisting of passing a cylindrical carbon fiber through a press so as to produce a flat ribbon. The method further includes weaving multiple strands of the flat ribbon together to create a cylindrical braid.
US10173020B2

Some embodiments are directed to a compliance monitor for monitoring usage of a medicament delivery device that includes a store of medicament, and a medicament dispenser for delivering a dose of medicament. The compliance monitor includes a compliance monitor housing configured to attach to the medicament delivery device, a dose detector for determining when a dose of medicament is dispensed, and a recognition module for identifying the properties of the medicament delivery device.
US10173015B2

Systems and methods encourage users to rotate injection sites and avoid lipodystrophy. Sleeves and/or lost-tooth gear dials and/or microswitches in or on injection pens or their caps, on vials, and on other portable devices manually adjust an indicator before or after an injection to show a current or next injection site in accordance with a site rotation plan. Injected medicine packaging and related printed indicia encourage site rotation. Optical devices employing optical mouse or projection technology help locate and/or distribute injection sites within a body area. A mobile phone app tracks injections and locations to select next injection site, and can use imaging to locate a target injection site and optionally diagnose lipodystrophic conditions and record them. Tactile and print media educational tools are presented to help users palpate and identify lipos in body areas having injection sites.
US10173013B2

Laminated gasket free from liquid drug leakage. A gasket (13) for a medical syringe, with main body (14) made of elastic material, and film (15) provided on a surface of main body (14). Gasket (13) has a circumferential surface portion (17) for contact with an inner peripheral surface of a syringe barrel (11) and an annular groove (22) formed circumferentially in a surface portion of the film in the circumferential surface portion thereof. Annular groove (22) has outer edge portions (24) provided along opposite edges (23) thereof as projecting from an unprocessed surface portion of the film. Annular groove (22) has a groove formation start point and a groove formation end point connected to each other in a groove connection region. Outer edge portions (24) provided along the opposite edges of the annular groove have a maximum-to-minimum height difference of ≤5 μm in the groove connection region.
US10173012B2

A medicament delivery device includes a case, a first plunger, a second plunger arranged telescopically with the first plunger, a first drive spring biasing the second plunger relative to the case, and a second drive spring biasing the first plunger relative to the second plunger.
US10173011B2

Medical device assemblies capable of aspirating liquid into a syringe barrel or other medical devices while evacuating any air from the syringe are described. An exemplary medical device includes a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within either the stopper or the plunger rod. Described is a medical device including a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within chamber between the stopper and plunger rod wherein the plunger rod includes a sealing edge and is moveable relative to the stopper. Exemplary medical devices may include a vent for allowing air that permeates through the porous portion to escape to atmosphere. Methods for aspirating a syringe barrel with a liquid are also provided.
US10173006B2

The invention relates to a methods and systems for determining an insulin dosing recommendation. The invention employs Linear Quadratic methodology to determine the insulin dosing recommendation based on a patient's present physiological state, which is estimated by an adaptive filter methodology employing a dynamic model, which utilizes real-time measurements of blood glucose concentration.
US10172999B2

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.
US10172989B2

A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a disposable cartridge and a reused dialysis machine. The disposable cartridge includes a dialysate flow path and a blood flow path which flow in opposite directions through a dialyzer. The disposable cartridge includes a filter for removing waste products from the dialysate. The reused dialysis machine possesses a reservoir for dialysate, various sensors including a blood leak sensor assembly, and a processor connected to the various sensors for controlling and monitoring hemodialysis treatment. The blood leak sensor assembly includes a light source for emitting light through the dialysate flow path and a light sensor for receiving light having passed through the dialysate flow path. The processor is connected to the light source for determining whether blood has leaked from the blood flow path into the dialysate flow path. Preferably, the light source emits light having two peak wavelengths.
US10172977B2

A synthetic osteoinductive porous biomaterial is provided comprising: a network of interconnected micropores, wherein the microporosity is 23% by volume or more; wherein the surface free energy of the biomaterial is 19 mJ/m or more; and the mean interconnection diameter and the mean interconnection diameter and the surface free energy are chosen to provide a permeability resulting from the micropores of 0.206 nm2 or greater and a capillary pressure difference in water of 3.7 kPa or more. The biomaterial contains hydroxyapatite and silicon.
US10172973B2

Surgical adjuncts and medicants for promoting lung function are provided. In general, an implantable adjunct can have one or more medicants releasably retained therein that are configured to promote lung function. The adjunct can be configured to be applied to lung tissue in conjunction with surgical staples using a surgical stapler. The one or more medicants can be configured to promote lung function in a variety of ways. For example, the one or more medicants can be effective to increase oxygen concentration. For another example of the one or more medicants being configured to promote lung function, the at least one medicant can be configured to treat contaminants in lung tissue.
US10172969B2

Disclosed is a clothes treating device. A clothes deodorizing device includes: a bag body for accommodating clothes; an ozone supply device to supply air with ozone into the bag body; an exhaust part arranged on the bag body and used for air exhausted outside the bag body to pass through; and an ozone removing filter arranged on the exhaust part and used for removing ozone in air passing through the exhaust part. The exhaust part is formed by material harder than material forming the bag body and is installed on a first opening part formed in the bag body.
US10172964B2

A compound having a high tumor accumulation rate, or a salt thereof, and a contrast agent for optical imaging are provided. A compound having at least one specific organic dye covalently bound to polyethylene glycol, or a salt thereof is provided.
US10172957B2

The present application discloses an acid labile lipophilic molecular conjugate of cancer chemotherapeutic agents and methods for reducing or substantially eliminating the side effects of chemotherapy associated with the administration of a cancer chemotherapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof.
US10172952B2

The invention relates to inhibitory compounds of a p38 MAP kinase having a structure of type (I)-(VII) which can be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of adhesion. Pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed containing an effective amount of the substance SB203580 or one or more of the conjugated compounds of type (I)-(VII) or a combination thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a diluent or an excipient. Also disclosed is the use of the substance SB203580 as an agent having anti-adhesion activity. Also disclosed is a method for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease or a condition in which there is a possibility of the formation and/or growth of adhesions, which makes it possible to dispense with the additional administration of a preparation in the post-operative period.
US10172945B2

A composition in a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion is disclosed. The composition comprises: (a) a continuous aqueous phase, comprising H2O; (b) an oil phase or an oil shell, dispersed in the continuous aqueous phase; and (c) a hydrophilic polymer, stabilizing an interface between the continuous aqueous phase and the oil phase or the oil shell to form the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion. The oil phase or the oil shell comprises: (i) oil; (ii) an internal aqueous phase, dispersed within the oil or the oil shell; and (iii) a lipophilic sorbitan-polyester conjugate, stabilizing an interface between the oil and the inner aqueous phase to form a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion. The lipophilic sorbitan-polyester conjugate comprises: (1) sorbitan; and (2) poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) or polylactic acid (polylactide), conjugated to the sorbitan.
US10172944B2

An excipient composition having good bulk density and improved flow characteristics is provided. The present invention particularly provides a coprocessed excipient composition and a method of producing the same. The coprocessed excipient comprises cellulose derived polymer and a deagglomerated coprocessing agent. The coprocessing agent is fumed silica, colloidal silica or silicon dioxide. The coprocessed excipient is prepared in a continuous process and has excellent compactability and improved flow property as measured by Johanson flow rate number increase from 1.1 to 5.0 fold, is characterized by a Brookfield cohesion factor of less than 0.2 kPa and a bulk density of at least 0.249 g/ml.
US10172936B2

A composition as disclosed is comprised of a plurality of groups of particles. The particles are comprised of a biocompatible polymer which may be a co-polymer such as PLGA combined with a peptide of a sequence of interest, e.g. a sequence which corresponds to a sequence presented on a surface of a cell infected with a virus. A plurality of different groups of particles are provided in the formulation wherein the particles within any single group include peptides of identical amino acid sequence. The particles are sized such that they are sufficiently large so as to prevent more than the contents of a single particle from being presented to a single immune system cell.
US10172928B2

A purification method for the capsular polysaccharide of type II GBS in which the capsular polysaccharide is filtered using a membrane with a cut-off of less than 30 kDa.
US10172924B2

The present invention provides, among other things, methods of treating Pompe disease, including administering to a subject in need of treatment a composition comprising an mRNA encoding acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) at an effective dose and an administration interval such that at least one symptom or feature of Pompe disease is reduced in intensity, severity, or frequency or has delayed in onset. In some embodiments, the mRNA is encapsulated in a liposome comprising one or more cationic lipids, one or more non-cationic lipids, one or more cholesterol-based lipids and one or more PEG-modified lipids.
US10172919B2

Disclosed herein is a method of treating influenza A virus (IAV) infection by a fusion protein. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fusion protein comprises a HBD peptide and a IgG1 Fc region. According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the fusion protein comprises a DcR3 protein and a IgG1 Fc region. The present fusion protein is found to possess inhibitory effects on IAV-induced secretion of the inflammatory cytokine, and IAV-induced infiltration of inflammatory cell into the lung tissue. Accordingly, the fusion protein is useful for developing a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of IAV infection and/or ameliorating pulmonary injury caused by excessive inflammation associated with IAV infection in a subject.
US10172917B2

The invention provides formulations and methods for ameliorating symptoms associated with metabolic disorders, such as hypoglycemia, obesity, diabetes, and the like by targeted administration to the oesphagus of a subject of Zn-α2-glycoproteins or a functional fragment thereof, alone or in combination with additional agents, such as β adrenergin receptor agonists, β adrenergin receptor antagonists, and/or glycemic control agents.
US10172916B2

Methods of treating individuals for heart failure are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to methods of treating individuals for heart failure with agonists of hypocretin receptor 2. The invention further relates to the use of genetic analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs7767652, which resides immediately upstream of the HCRTR2 gene, to identify individuals in need of treatment for heart failure who are predicted to be more responsive to medical intervention.
US10172912B2

The present invention describes a method of inducing lactation in non-human mammals by using a single administrations of an estrogen compound, a dopaminergic antagonist, and oxytocin. For example, the estrogen compound may be a long acting composition and is administered at least one week before the dopaminergic antagonist. However, the oxytocin administration may be given the day after the dopaminergic antagonist, after which lactation may begin immediately. Preferred compounds may comprise a non-17β estradiol and domperidone. Such an injection protocol may result in the production of commercially viable volumes of milk from prepubescent non-human mammals, such as prepubescent female non-human mammals.
US10172889B2

Novel adult liver progenitor cells (called H2Stem Cells) have been have been characterized on the basis of a series of biological activities and markers. Methods for producing H2Stem Cells allow providing such cells in the form of adherent cells and three-dimensional cell clusters in suspension that can be differentiated into cells having strong liver-specific activities and/or that can be used for treating liver diseases or for evaluating the efficacy, the metabolism, and/or toxicity of a compound.
US10172883B2

The invention described herein is directed to copper-containing compounds for the treatment of toxin exposure (including pore-forming toxin exposure) in a subject in need thereof. The invention is further directed to methods of treating toxin exposure in a subject in need thereof.
US10172875B2

Therapeutic combinations of immunoconjugates that bind to FOLR1 (e.g., IMGN853) with anti-VEGF agents (e.g., bevacizumab), a platinum-based agent, and/or doxorubicin are provided. Methods of administering the combinations to treat cancers, e.g., ovarian cancers, with greater clinical efficacy and/or decreased toxicity are also provided.
US10172874B2

Disclosed herein are antimicrobial compounds compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, the use and preparation thereof. Some embodiments relate to cyclic boronic acid ester derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents.
US10172868B2

Chemical entities that are kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described.
US10172865B2

The present invention generally relates to the transdermal delivery of various compounds. In some aspects, transdermal delivery may be facilitated by the use of a hostile biophysical environment. One set of embodiments provides a composition for topical delivery comprising a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor and/or a salt thereof, and optionally, a hostile biophysical environment and/or a nitric oxide donor. In some cases, the composition may be stabilized using a combination of a stabilization polymer (such as xanthan gum, KELTROL® BT and/or KELTROL® RD), propylene glycol, and a polysorbate surfactant such as Polysorbate 20, which combination unexpectedly provides temperature stability to the composition, e.g., at elevated temperatures such as at least 40° C. (at least about 104° F.), as compared to compositions lacking one or more of these.
US10172853B2

Pharmaceutical compositions containing dihydroergotamine (DHE) and methods in which DHE is administered to patients for treatment of migraine without side effects or adverse effects are disclosed. Methods for rapid treatment of migraine with DHE are disclosed comprising: dampening the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and slightly delaying the peak such as to avoid activating the dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors, while achieving sufficient active binding to the serotonin receptors to provide relief from migraine symptoms within a timeframe that permits rapid resolution of migraine symptoms. Inhaler devices suitable for the methods are disclosed. Kits for practicing the methods of invention are disclosed.
US10172852B2

The present invention relates to a method of increasing the bioavailability and/or prolonging ophthalmic action of a drug, the method comprising instilling into the eye an aqueous suspension comprising reversible clusters of drug loaded nano-resin particles, said clusters having a D50 value of at least 2 micrometer and said drug loaded nano-resin particles have a particle size distribution characterized in that the D90 value is 70 nanometer to 900 nanometer. The present invention further relates to an aqueous suspension comprising reversible clusters of drug loaded nano-resin particles, said clusters have a D50 value of at least 2 micrometers and said drug loaded nano-resin particles have a particle size distribution characterized in that the D90 value is 70 nanometers to 900 nanometers.
US10172842B2

The present invention provides a sustained release oral dosage form containing dalfampridine that can be administered once daily. The dosage form includes dalfampridine as the active pharmaceutical ingredient and the excipients comprising osmotic agents in a tablet core. The sustained release oral dosage form of the present invention can be administrated once daily and can provide a proper fluctuation index to reduce undesired adverse effect, prevent alcohol-induced dose dumping and release drug at a rate sufficient to maintain certain drug plasma concentration.
US10172838B1

A solid self-micro/nano emulsifying formulation comprising CARP-1 functional mimetics (CFM; e.g., CFM-4.16 or CFM-4.17) for oral administration, and methods of fabrication and use thereof to treat cancer (e.g., breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, resistant lung cancer, and non-resistant lung cancer) and reduce tumor volume. Solid self-micro/nano emulsifying formulation of CFM compounds was found to have significantly enhanced drug loading, aqueous solubility, and oral bioavailability of the formulation.
US10172833B2

The invention is directed to sublingual spray formulations containing ondansetron, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a solvent consisting of ethanol and glycerin, suitable for administration to humans, and methods for treatment with sublingual formulations.
US10172832B2

The present invention relates to novel amide derivatives of N-urea substituted amino acids, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor.
US10172822B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and 3-benzylsulfonylpropionitrile, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compound for treating inflammation or inflammatory-related disorders and pain.
US10172817B2

The present invention discloses novel agents and methods for diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Also disclosed are related arrays, kits, and screening methods.
US10172805B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising Levetiracetam, Brivaracetam or Seletracetam as active ingredient, the invention relates specifically to a prolonged release formulation.
US10172797B2

The present disclosure relates to an oral, extended release, abuse deterrent pill containing at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient susceptible to abuse which is homogenously spread throughout a matrix used to deter abuse. The pill can be prepared using a hot melt extrusion process and a forming unit. The formed pill meets regulatory guidelines for extended release formulations and is abuse deterrent to parenteral administration due at least to particle size, viscosity, or purity limitations.
US10172785B2

The invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising at least one extract from the orchid Dendrobium chrysotoxum as an active agent and at least one cosmetically acceptable excipient.The invention relates to the use in a cosmetic composition of an extract from the orchid Dendrobium chrysotoxum as an active agent for preventing or delaying the appearance of the signs of skin ageing or for slowing or attenuating the effects thereof, or else also for promoting cell or tissue longevity.The invention in particular relates to an orchid extract inhibiting the expression and/or the activity of the mitochondrial protein Smac/DIABLO.
US10172784B2

The present invention relates to bioactive compositions comprising blends of camellia and feverfew serum fractions and/or kelp and parsley serum fractions.
US10172778B2

Methods of making personal care compositions, such as dentifrices, involving the addition of rheology modifiers at a later stage in the personal care composition formation process.
US10172776B2

Disclosed herein is a hair treatment composition containing a polymer selected from crosslinked copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and (C1-C6)alkyl esters, cross-linked anionic acrylate polymers, and acrylic associative polymers; a carbomer compound; a fatty alcohol that is liquid at room temperature; a fatty substance other than the fatty alcohol that is liquid at room temperature; an anionic surfactant; an amphoteric surfactant; a basic compound; a cosmetically acceptable solvent; and optionally, a colorant compound. Also disclosed is a process for altering the color of hair involving applying onto hair, a composition comprising the hair treatment composition and an oxidizing composition.
US10172772B2

Compositions and methods for lightening skin are provided. A method for lightening skin may include the step of identifying skin where lightening or whitening is desired and topically applying to the skin a composition including (a) a skin lightening agent comprising a canola extract and (b) a cosmetically acceptable carrier. A method for treating hyperpigmentation may include the step of identifying skin containing areas of hyperpigmentation and topically applying to the skin a composition including (a) a canola extract and (b) a cosmetically acceptable carrier.
US10172759B2

Adjustable elbow crutch with a main single piece that acts as leg-arm on which a handle and cuff are fixed, for which the handle includes an opening through which the leg-arm passes, said opening constituting an anchor for the handle on the leg-arm, where furthermore the leg-arm is made out of composite material, with an oval cross-section, and the leg-arm disposes of an initial lower segment that is vertical and which is followed in its upper part by a curved segment which defines a support angle. In this way a crutch is obtained that is light, easy to handle, easy and safe to adjust, which covers a continuous range of adjustments and which covers the largest number of possible user categories.
US10172753B2

A patient support apparatus includes a frame supported relative to a floor, the frame configured to support a deck for supporting a patient thereon, and a lift assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the floor. The lift assembly includes lifting legs coupled to the frame and an actuator with a body and an extendible member. The body and the extendible member define a stroke length extending along a stroke axis, with the actuator mounted in the lifting assembly between two levers.
US10172749B2

The present invention relates to a collapsible rack for storing and transporting cadavers and human bodies.
US10172743B2

A venous compression element is provided which is useful in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, such as varicose veins. The compression element comprises a central core of fluid filled cells and an outer layer of soft material suitable for maintaining contact with skin for a prolonged period of time and which covers the core. A particular embodiment comprises a folded or rolled cylindrical core of air or nitrogen filled bubble wrap sheet material covered by a skin compatible bandaging material. The compression elements described are particularly useful in providing consistent compression to a blood vessel after endovenous endothelial wall damaging techniques.
US10172742B2

A hearing protection device is provided. The hearing protection device can include a speaker to relay sounds, such as conversations, to the user of the hearing protection. The hearing protection device can be powered by a rechargeable battery pack or separately by standard batteries.
US10172738B2

A thermotherapeutic pad for applying heat or cold to a body part. The pad has a material for releasing or absorbing heat and a thermally conductive envelope for containing the granular material. The pad also has a holder for removably holding a cold pack adjacent to the envelope. The thermotherapeutic pad may provide heat by heating the material and placing the envelope against the body part, and the thermotherapeutic pad may absorb heat by placing a cooled cold pack into the holder and placing the portion of the pad comprising the cold pack against the body part.
US10172735B2

A device for treating obesity by limiting absorption of food through a wall of a duodenum of a patient including a sleeve inserted into the duodenum of a patient. The sleeve includes a plurality of first blocking areas and a plurality of first food absorption areas, the first blocking areas providing duodenum wall covers to prevent food absorption through the duodenum wall and the first blocking areas together defining a first total blocking area. The first food absorption areas providing access to the duodenum wall to enable food absorption through the duodenum wall and the first food absorption areas together defining a first total absorption area.
US10172719B2

A method for treating a spine is provided. The method includes the steps of: pre-operatively measuring a first portion of intervertebral tissue adjacent to a neural foramen; intra-operatively measuring a second portion of the intervertebral tissue adjacent to the neural foramen; generating a threshold value based on the measured portions; and selecting an interbody implant based on the threshold value. Spinal implants, surgical instruments and systems are disclosed.
US10172708B2

A percutaneous prosthetic heart valve assembly comprising a radially expandable anchor docking member, the anchor docking member having an unexpanded state and an expanded state, in the expanded state, the anchor docking member comprising a mechanism for receiving and engaging an implantable heart valve and a bioabsorbable gasket member disposed about the anchor docking member, the bioabsorbable gasket member comprising a bioabsorbable polymer material, the bioabsorbable gasket member having an unexpanded and an expanded state.
US10172695B2

A method for producing a dental mill blank, characterized in that the method includes contacting an inorganic filler molded article produced by subjecting an inorganic filler to press molding and a polymerizable monomer-containing composition, and allowing the polymerizable monomer to polymerize and cure. When the method of the present invention is used, a dental mill blank having a high inorganic powder content and excellent mechanical strength is obtained. In addition, the dental mill blank obtained is suitably used in the fabrication of a dental prosthesis having high mechanical strength and excellent gloss retention, by machining a mill blank using a CAD/CAM system.
US10172693B2

Methods and devices utilizing a dental appliance for dental retainer wire attachment are disclosed. One such wire attachment appliance includes a shell having one or more cavities formed therein and shaped to receive one or more teeth, at least two wire attachment members provided on the shell, and at least one attachment material reservoir provided on the shell, wherein the attachment material is provided to attach a wire to a tooth adjacent to a particular reservoir of the at least one attachment material reservoir.
US10172689B2

A pulp chamber dental spacer constructed of cold water soluble material, which may include portions of polyvinyl alcohol, to protect the pupal floor of a pulp chamber from a drilled hole following a root canal treatment or procedure. The spacer may be spherical or cubical in shape and that protects the pupal floor by providing a solid “space” for a practitioner to feel the end of a temporary filing such that the drill does not descend to and possibly damage the sensitive pupal floor. The dissolvable material preferably is non-linting, thereby providing for complete removal and preventing the “wicking” of contaminated salivary fluids and causing coronal damage.
US10172685B2

A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.
US10172679B2

A medical-robotic device that has a kinematic chain of movable components with an end effector at one end, with at least one force or torque sensor for the detection of at least one force or torque value on the kinematic chain. A control processor that controls the kinematic chain. An additional mechanical component is attached directly to the end effector or one of the movable components so that the additional component can transmit a force external to the device or a torque external to the device to the end effector or the movable component. The control processor determines the force external to the device or the torque external to the device on the basis of the at least one force or torque value detected, and controls the kinematic chain in dependence on the determined force external to the device or the determined torque external to the device, in order to increase the accuracy of the medical-robotic device.
US10172677B2

Methods and systems for determining a patient specific soft tissue location within a joint are discussed. For example, a method can include imaging a target location for an orthopedic implant to collect image data regarding a morphology of the patient, the morphology including at least one of bone size and bone feature. The method can additionally include accessing stored soft tissue data and bone data corresponding to the target location of the orthopedic implant, locating a soft tissue of the patient based at least in part upon the soft tissue data and bone data and the image data, and displaying data including the location of the soft tissue of the patient. This data can be used to created patient specific surgical jigs according to one example of the present application.
US10172673B2

Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with the system including a pulse waveform signal generator for medical ablation therapy, and an endocardial ablation device includes at least one electrode for ablation pulse delivery to tissue. The signal generator may deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulse waveform. The system may include a cardiac stimulator for generation of pacing signals and for sequenced delivery of pulse waveforms in synchrony with the pacing signal.
US10172671B2

A grasping treatment device includes a first electrode portion provided at least one of in a part between a jaw and a probe electric conducting portion in opening-and-closing directions of the jaw and in the probe electric conducting portion, and a second electrode portion provided at least one of in a part between the jaw and the first electrode portion in the opening-and-closing directions of the jaw and in a jaw electric conducting portion. The grasping treatment device includes an inter-electrode distance changing unit changing an inter-electrode distance so that a second distance between the electrode portions in a second treatment mode, in which the high-frequency current alone is transmitted to the first electrode portion and second electrode portion, is smaller than a first distance between the electrode portions in a first treatment mode, in which at least an ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to a probe electric conducting portion.
US10172670B2

Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.
US10172669B2

A surgical instrument can comprise a lock movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock can be engaged with a drive shaft in order to prevent the drive shaft from being advanced when the lock is in its locked position. The surgical instrument can further comprise an electrical input and, in addition, a switch movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position, wherein the electrical input is electrically disconnected from an electrode when the switch is in its unactuated position, wherein the switch is configured to electrically couple the electrical input and the electrode when the switch is in its actuated position, and wherein the switch and the lock are operably coupled such that the movement of the switch from its unactuated position to its actuated position moves the lock from its locked position to its unlocked position.
US10172666B2

An electrosurgical system including or connected to an output circuitry comprising an electrosurgical device and an electrical cable is modelled during a cable interrogation phase using a transfer matrix in order to determine a leakage capacitance in the electrosurgical system. After the leakage capacitance is assigned or set to a virtual capacitor in the transfer matrix, an output parameter of the electrosurgical system, such as output voltage, output current, output impedance or output electrical power, may be determined by applying an actual input voltage to the output circuitry and measuring a resulting input current, and multiplying the input voltage and measured current by the transfer matrix.
US10172665B2

An electrosurgical system including or connected to an output circuitry comprising an electrosurgical device and an electrical cable is modelled during a cable interrogation phase using a transfer matrix in order to determine a leakage capacitance in the electrosurgical system. After the leakage capacitance is assigned or set to a virtual capacitor in the transfer matrix, an output parameter of the electrosurgical system, such as output voltage, output current, output impedance or output electrical power, may be determined by applying an actual input voltage to the output circuitry and measuring a resulting input current, and multiplying the input voltage and measured current by the transfer matrix.
US10172657B2

The invention relates to a bone screw and a method for locking a bone screw into a bore. The bore can be provided in e.g. an implant, a plate, a nail or the like. The bone screw comprises a head portion with a first axis, a proximal shaft portion with a second axis, and a distal shaft portion with a third axis. The first axis is a center axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the head portion, the second axis is a center axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the proximal shaft portion, and the third axis is a center axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the distal shaft portion. The first and third axes are aligned to each other. The second axis is displaced relative to the first and third axes.
US10172651B2

Bone implant compositions and methods are provide that have a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface comprising a demineralized bone matrix and having a plurality of perforations configured to receive demineralized bone; and a third surface of the bone implant comprising cortical bone, the third surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The bone implant compositions and methods provided are osteoinductive and allow rapid bone fusion.
US10172648B2

A bone screw assembly includes an anchor portion and a head portion, such as a rod-receiving portion, movably mounted to the anchor portion to allow for controlled angulation between the anchor portion and the head portion. The anchor portion is pivotable in one or more selected directions about an axis relative to the head portion. A restriction member, which may be a rod seat, prevents the anchor portion from pivoting in one or more different directions about another axis relative to the head portion and/or a spinal fixation element received in the head portion. The restriction member may be inserted in the head portion to control direction that the anchor portion pivots relative to the head portion. The restriction member may also serve as a compression member and/or rod seat for seating a spinal rod coupled to the bone screw assembly.
US10172640B2

A device for producing a pneumoperitoneum in a medical procedure includes a main body having a ring portion defining a main opening, and a domed portion extending from the ring portion to an apex. The ring portion is adapted to form a positive seal with the skin of the patient upon application of a suction force within the main body abutting the patient. The device includes a suction port extending from the domed portion of the main body and is configured to facilitate application of the suction within the main body. The access port is operably engaged with the domed portion of the main body proximate to the apex and is adapted to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. A pair of opposed grips operably engaged with the domed portion of the main body is adapted to facilitate one-handed application and removal of the main body with respect to the patient.
US10172638B2

A multi-purpose vascular device defines a lumen allowing fluid communication there through and has a coil with a side of the coil winds having solid physical connections between the coil winds to prevent the connected coil wind side from expanding following the application of force by an actuating member which causes the connected coil winds to have a predetermined configuration in an unstressed state. The application of longitudinal force causes the unconnected coil winds to expand, resulting in the vascular device assuming a different configuration.
US10172635B2

Methods and devices for using surgical devices with articulating end effectors are provided. Surgical devices with articulating end effectors can provide rotary driven pivoting of the end effector. In some embodiments, the device can include a handle, a first and a second tube extending from the handle, the second tube disposed within the first tube, and an end effector that includes a pair of distal jaws configured to move in response to rotation of the first tube about a longitudinal axis thereof and rotation of the second tube about a longitudinal axis thereof. The jaws can move in two different ways depending on whether the first and second tubes are rotating in a same direction as one another or in different ways than each other. The jaws can open/close and articulate using the same mechanical mechanism. The device can be powered, or the device can be non-powered.
US10172632B2

An occlusion bypassing apparatus for re-entering the true lumen of a vessel after subintimally bypassing an occlusion in a vessel. The apparatus includes an outer shaft component having a needle lumen there-through. A proximal end of the outer shaft component is fixed within a handle of the apparatus at a first attachment point. A stabilization tube of the apparatus is disposed within the needle lumen. A proximal end of the stabilization tube is fixed within the handle at a second attachment point that is spaced apart from the first attachment point and an elongated body and a distal end of the stabilization tube are not attached to the outer shaft component. A needle component of the apparatus is configured to be slidably disposed within the stabilization tube and removable therefrom, and the stabilization tube minimizes resistive forces exerted onto the needle component by the outer shaft component.
US10172629B2

The present invention relates to an implant system that comprises an implant, a handle configured to removably receive the implant, and, in some embodiments, a spacer tool configured to be mounted on the implant. In further embodiments, a k-wire is employed to guide the implant to a desired location. The handle has a hole for receiving a first portion of the implant. Using the handle to implant the implant, along with an associated spacer, provides a quick and convenient method for implanting the implant as described herein and in the associated drawings.
US10172628B2

A detachable vertical cutter for insertion into a cylinder or tube is formed as a single unitary structure. The single blade has a pair of tool attachment end portions and a cutting blade extending in a loop between the attachment ends. The cutting blade is inclined vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of a cylinder or tube into which the attachment ends can slide into. The cutting blade has a cutting edge, a portion of which when extended free of the cylinder or tube will extend a distance greater than the tube outside diameter. The cutting edge when pushed inwardly and pulled outwardly between adjacent vertebrae scrapes and cuts disc material. When retracted the cutting blade deflects into the cylinder or tube for insertion or extraction into or from the disc space.
US10172627B2

Embodiments of the invention include a system and method for coupling a graft to a bone. A graft preparation tool may be used to place one or more holes in a graft and an offset measurement tool may be used to determine the distance of the one or more holes from an edge of the graft to be aligned with a portion of the bone. One or more complementary holes may then be created in the bone and fasteners applied through the holes to couple the graft to the bone.
US10172623B2

Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.
US10172620B2

A staple cartridge assembly is used with a surgical stapler. The staple cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge including a cartridge body, a cartridge deck, and a plurality of staples deployable from the cartridge body through the cartridge deck. The staple cartridge assembly includes a compressible adjunct positionable against the cartridge deck. The compressible adjunct includes a plurality of unaltered fibers and a plurality of altered fibers that are melted and resolidified. The unaltered fibers include a first fiber including a first fiber portion and a second fiber including a second fiber portion extending over the first fiber portion. The compressible adjunct further includes a node which comprises the first fiber portion, the second fiber portion, and at least a portion of the plurality of altered fibers, wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of altered fibers affixes the first fiber portion and the second fiber portion.
US10172616B2

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of staples and a cartridge body. The cartridge body comprises an elongate slot extending along a first longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge body. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of first staple cavities arranged in a first row. Each first staple cavity defines a first axis and comprises a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of second staple cavities arranged in a second row. Each second staple cavity defines a second axis and comprises a second proximal end portion and a second distal end portion. Each first axis and each second axis are transverse to the first longitudinal axis. Each first axis is transverse to each second axis.
US10172602B2

Exemplary embodiments describe soft robotic actuators for medical use, such as during surgeries and other medical procedures. According to one embodiment, a soft robotic incision retractor is provided. According to another embodiment, a soft robotic body tissue retractor is provided. The incision retractor and body tissue retractor may be used together, for example by using the incision retractor to hold open an incision while the body tissue retractor manipulates biological matter or an object accessible through the incision. Described embodiments offer the ability to conform to a given space, reduced risk of damage to surrounding structures as compared to traditional retractors, the ability to deliver varying amounts of force, the ability to be made from medically safe materials, and the potential for re-use or disposability.
US10172593B2

Apparatus and methods are described including apparatus for monitoring a female subject that includes a sensor, configured to monitor the subject without requiring compliance of the subject, and to generate a sensor signal in response to the monitoring. A computer processor is configured to receive the sensor signal, analyze the sensor signal, in response to the analyzing, identify whether the subject is in a pregnant state or a non-pregnant state, and generate an output in response thereto. Other applications are also described.
US10172590B2

An ultrasonic transducer device 100 includes a substrate 130, an ultrasonic transducer element array 110 that is provided on the substrate 130 and in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements 111 are arranged, and an identification ultrasonic transducer element array 120 that is provided on the substrate 130 and in which a plurality of identification ultrasonic transducer elements 121 are arranged. Identification information of the ultrasonic transducer device 100 is set by some of the plurality of identification ultrasonic transducer elements 121 being set to a receivable state and the rest being set to a non-receivable state.
US10172582B2

The disclosure relates generally to the field of vascular system and peripheral vascular system data collection, imaging, image processing and feature detection relating thereto. In part, the disclosure more specifically relates to methods for detecting position and size of contrast cloud in an x-ray image including with respect to a sequence of x-ray images during intravascular imaging. Methods of detecting and extracting metallic wires from x-ray images are also described herein such as guidewires used in coronary procedures. Further, methods for of registering vascular trees for one or more images, such as in sequences of x-ray images, are disclosed. In part, the disclosure relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images. The registration can be performed relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).
US10172578B2

An X-ray apparatus performs image processing on an image of an object photographed by using a camera, and uses the image-processed image as an image marker in an X-ray image. A display is configured to display the X-ray image and the image marker on the region of the X-ray image.
US10172575B2

The invention relates to a protection system (10) and a method for protecting a staff member (6) against X-ray scatter radiation, an X-ray system and a computer readable medium having stored a computer program element for controlling such system. The protection system (10) comprises a location unit (20), and a determination unit (30). The location unit (20) is configured to detect the position of a shielding device (3) and the position of the staff member (6) to be protected. The determination unit (30) is configured to determine an origin (5) of potential X-ray scatter radiation and to determine if the shielding device (3) is positioned to protect the staff member (6) to be protected based on the origin (5) of potential X-ray scatter radiation, the position of the shielding device (3) and the position of the staff member (6).
US10172564B2

A apparatus for detecting a biological data of a target patient from an attachable sensor attached to the target patient includes a circuit and a storage that stores therein a first correspondence relationship between a state of a battery included in the sensor and a measurement error of the sensor. The circuit obtains the biological data and battery data indicating the state of the battery, the obtained biological data and the obtained battery data being collected by the sensor, and generates corrected biological data by correcting the biological data according to the battery data, wherein the generating of the corrected biological data includes generating correction data that depends on the battery data by referring to the storage that stores the first correspondence relationship, and generating the corrected biological data by correcting the biological data using the correction data.
US10172558B2

A high aspect ratio shadow mask and a method of making and using the high aspect ratio shadow mask can provide multiple conductive trace pathways along high aspect ratio electrodes. The high aspect ratio shadow mask can include a substantially planar base layer and a plurality of hollow high aspect ratio projections extending from the substantially planar base layer. The high aspect ratio shadow mask can further include a plurality of openings along the hollow projections which define trace deposition patterns.
US10172557B2

A wearable biometric device includes a biometric sensor system adapted to measure a predetermined physiological property of a user's body at two or more different locations at the body surface and to provide for each such location an associated primary signal indicative of said measured physiological property. The device also includes a detector system adapted to detect a level of coupling of the biometric sensor system with the body at each of the locations and to provide for each of the locations an associated secondary signal indicative of said detected level of coupling and also includes a signal processing unit adapted to generate an output signal indicative of said physiological property as a function of the primary and secondary signals.
US10172556B2

A wearable patch system includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having electrodes configured to contact a subject. An electronic stethoscope has a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject. The ECG sensor and the electronic stethoscope are co-located to measure respective parameters concurrently from a same position. A housing is configured to support the diaphragm structure and the electrodes. The housing includes a mechanical interface configured to mount on the subject. A communications circuit is disposed on or in the housing to communicate with a remote component.
US10172539B2

Quantitatively determining an amount of reperfusion in an artery after angioplasty and quantitatively assessing an effectiveness of thrombolysis by non-invasively sensing from outside the subject mechanical vibrations from a mechanical contraction of at least one ventricle to simultaneously measure (a) IVCT (time duration of an isovolumetric contraction portion of a systole phase) and (b) a peak endocardial acceleration (PEA) during the IVCT. PEA is measured before and after opening the artery (or before and after thrombolysis) and in some embodiments one calculates a myocardial contractility index (MCI) of the subject, for example MCI=PEA/IVCT. A determination unit compares the first and second PEA (or the first and second MCI), and then determines an amount of reperfusion based on the comparison. The amount of reperfusion is proportionate to a viable myocardium and, in the case of thrombolysis, the amount of reperfusion quantitatively assesses the effectiveness of thrombolysis.
US10172538B2

Devices, systems, and methods for the localization of body lumen junctions and other intraluminal structure are disclosed. Various embodiments permit clinicians to identify the locations of intraluminal structures and medical devices during non-surgical medical techniques, such as cardiac ablation, by determining the intralumen conductance and/or cross-sectional area at a plurality of locations within the body lumen.
US10172536B2

A catheter system includes a mapping catheter including a plurality of mapping electrodes, each mapping electrode configured to sense signals associated with an anatomical structure. The catheter system further includes a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of mapping electrodes and configured to receive the signals sensed by the plurality of mapping electrodes, characterize the signals sensed by the plurality of mapping electrodes based on a signal parameter of the sensed signals, and generate an output of a quality of contact of the plurality of mapping electrodes with the anatomical structure based on the signal characterization.
US10172528B2

This disclosure relates generally to biomedical signal processing, and more particularly to method and system for physiological parameter derivation from pulsating signals with reduced error. In this method, pulsating signals are extracted, spurious perturbations in the extracted pulsating signals are removed for smoothening, local minima points in the smoothened pulsating signal are derived, systolic maxima point between two derived local minima are derived, most probable pulse duration and most probable peak-to-peak distance are derived, dicrotic minima is removed while ensuring that every dicrotic minima is preceded by a systolic maxima point and followed by a beat start point of said systolic maxima, diastolic peak is derived while ensuring that every dicrotic maxima is preceded by a diastolic notch followed by next beat start point of that maxima, and physiological parameters are derived from the derived local minima points, systolic maxima points, dicrotic notch and diastolic peak.
US10172519B2

Technology for transmitting and receiving a biosignal based on a pattern related to the biosignal and a feature point included in the biosignal. A biosignal transmitter includes a biosignal obtaining unit configured to obtain a biosignal comprising a plurality of unit signals, a parsing unit configured to parse the biosignal to extract a first unit signal of the plurality of unit signals, a pattern obtaining unit configured to obtain a pattern related to the biosignal based on the first unit signal, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit information related to a feature point of the first unit signal based on the first unit signal and the pattern.
US10172517B2

An apparatus for assessing heart failure can include an image sensor configured to capture image data of a patient, a sensor configured to capture sensor data for the patient, a memory configured to store the image data and the sensor data, and a processor coupled to the image sensor, the sensor, and the memory. The processor is configured to receive image data in response to detecting a biological condition from the sensor data, wherein the biological condition is indicative of psychophysiological health and cardiac health. The processor is further configured to detect a visual characteristic from the image data, wherein the visual characteristic is indicative of heart health, and, in response to detecting the visual characteristic, provide an indication that the patient is experiencing a worsening of heart failure.
US10172514B2

A cannula system and method for accessing a blood mass in the brain. The system comprises a cannula with a camera mounted on the proximal end of the cannula with a view into the cannula lumen and the surgical field below the lumen. A prism, reflector or other suitable optical element is oriented between the camera and the lumen of the cannula to afford the camera a view into the cannula while minimizing obstruction of the lumen. The system may also include an obturator with a small diameter shaft and a large diameter tip which is optically transmissive, so that a surgeon inserting or manipulating the assembly can easily see that the obturator tip is near brain tissue (which is white) or blood (which is red).
US10172510B2

A medical instrument (10) comprises an effecting device (40), which is movable in a first direction (48) from a first effecting position into a second effecting position, a pushbutton (60), which is movable manually in a second direction (68) from a first button position into a second button position, and a lever (70), which is pivotable about a pivot axis (78). The lever (70) mechanically couples the pushbutton (60) and the effecting device (40) in such a way that a movement of the pushbutton (60) in the second direction (68) is accompanied by a movement of the effecting device (40) in the first direction (48), which is opposite to the second direction (68). The lever (70) does not have an area that is rotationally symmetrical to the pivot axis (78) in the region of the pivot axis (78).
US10172484B2

One embodiment of the CapPalace is a furniture style Stackable/wall mountable headwear storage/display cabinet with manual/remote controlled dimmable lighting, a sliding drawer, external magnetic stacking guides for good adhesion between units, external elastic pressure electrical contacts for power between units, internally placed insulation piercing electrical contacts for power within the unit, and an outwardly opening translucent front door. A plurality of adjustable head forms are set to desired hat sizes with an Allen wrench and mounted on the drawer. In alternate embodiments without head forms the CapPalace can be made in any size or material for storage/display of collectibles, shoes, clothing, etc. The stacked configuration's base has a low voltage power supply for the lighting system in it and magnetic stacking guides and elastic pressure electrical contacts on the top surface. Use of quick connect/disconnect bolts and bolt receptors on the inner walls of units, flexible flanges on female magnetic stacking guide retainer rings, and elastic pressure and insulation piercing electrical contacts are designed so low tech users with a few hand tools can easily assemble a unit. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US10172482B2

A shelf management device including a guide member having a front end and a rear end, and a pusher device guided for movement by the guide member. Wherein the pusher device includes a rotatable spool upon which is wound a flexible drive member, an end part of the drive member being secured to the guide member at or adjacent the front end thereof. A spring is provided to urge the spool for rotation to take up the drive member and thereby apply a load to the pusher device urging the pusher device towards the front end of the guide member.
US10172463B2

Disclosed herein are portable, collapsible rocking chairs for outdoor use. These rocking chairs have a plurality of chair arms (each chair arm having a proximal end and a distal end), a removable seat coupled to and supported by the distal ends of the plurality of chair arms, and a rocker assembly for rocking. An exemplary rocker assembly includes two rocker rails, one or more cross bars coupled to the rocker rails, and a plurality of arm ports for removably receiving the proximal end of each chair arm. Some rocker assemblies also include one or more hubs coupled to each rocker rail. The chair arms may comprise one or more hollow pole segments and an elastic cord coupling the pole segments and the rocker assembly.
US10172462B2

A seating furniture includes a seat device and a backrest device connected via at least one first rotatable coupling in respective coupling portions (P) of the backrest device and at rear portion (B) of the seat device. A base supports the seat device and the backrest device. The backrest device comprises a portion extending in a direction towards the base and past the first rotatable coupling, and the portion is rotatably coupled to and supported on the base via at least one respective link arm. The seat device is rotatably coupled to and supported on the base via a second rotatable coupling attached closer to front end (F) of the seat device than the first rotatable coupling. A lockable control device controls the movements between the backrest device and the seat device. The construction is well-balanced, and low forces are required to adjust the chair in all positions.
US10172458B2

A bracket device includes a bracket, a fastening member and a supporting frame. The bracket includes a side wall and at least one mounting member adjacent to the side wall. The fastening member is movably mounted to the bracket and includes a supporting leg. The supporting frame is movably mounted to the bracket and includes a supporting structure. When the supporting frame is moved relative to the bracket from one position to another position, the supporting structure of the supporting frame is configured to drive the fastening member to switch from a first state to a second state relative to the at least one mounting member through the supporting leg.
US10172452B2

A shelving system includes first and second side members. A cross member is coupled to the side members. A guide member is coupled to the cross member such that the guide member is movable relative to the cross member. A container including a rail is coupled to the guide member. The rail includes a first locking element and a second locking element that is connected to the first locking element. The container includes a handle having a third locking element that engages the first locking element. The locking elements are configured to move the container between a first orientation in which the container is provisionally fixed to the guide member and a second orientation in which the container can translate relative to the guide member.
US10172442B2

An oral care implement including a body comprising a handle, a head at an end of the handle, and at least one fluid outlet, the head having at least one oral care element extending therefrom; a reservoir, in the body, for storing an oral care fluid; and a pump for pumping the oral care fluid from the reservoir towards the fluid outlet, wherein the pump comprises a first check valve downstream of the reservoir, and a second check valve downstream of the first check valve and upstream of the fluid outlet. One of the first and second check valves comprises a valve seat defining an opening through which the oral care fluid is flowable, a valve member separate from the valve seat and comprising a stopper movable linearly relative to the valve seat, and a resilient element separate from the valve member and biasing the stopper towards the valve seat.
US10172440B2

A toothbrush can include tufted bristles and tongue brush bristles that emanate from the same surface of the head. The tufted bristles can function primarily to clean the teeth whereas the tongue brush bristles can function primarily to clean the surface of the tongue. The tongue brush bristles can also insert between teeth and along the gum line when the toothbrush is used to brush the teeth thereby enhancing the toothbrush's effectiveness for removing bacteria, food particles, and/or soft plaque from the teeth.
US10172439B2

A mobile phone case is provided having a cover shaped to fit snugly around and cover sides and a back of a mobile phone inserted into the cover, the cover having a flat back portion, and a slit formed in the cover between the flat back portion of the cover and sides of the cover for mounting the mobile phone case to a belt. The flat back portion is configured to open with respect to the sides of the cover along the slit such that the mobile phone case is capable of tightly receiving a belt within the slit between the flat back portion and sides of the case.
US10172438B2

A portable vessel includes a hard shell front hull section, a hard shell aft hull section, a flexible water tight material hull section affixed to the front hull section and the aft hull section in a water tight manner, the material section forming the middle portion of the hull of the vessel, and a tension-adjustable frame assembly. Tensioning of the frame assembly during assembly of the vessel causes tensioning of the material hull section from a less than taught state to a taught state about the frame assembly and wherein the disassembled components of the vessel may be configured into a backpack configuration for portage by a user.
US10172431B2

A pen including an ink reservoir to store an ink; a pen tip which has a proximal end and a distal end opposite to the proximal end and applies an ink to a coating target; an ink guide to guide the ink in the reservoir toward the pen tip; and a holder part which has a through hole through which the pen tip is inserted and holds at least the proximal end of the pen tip while exposing the distal end of the pen tip with the pen tip inserted through the through hole. The holder part includes: an ink holding part capable of holding the ink from the ink guide and formed at least partially around a circumference of the through hole; and a first opening opening on an inner circumferential surface that defines the through hole and communicating with the ink holding part.
US10172430B2

The present invention is to provide a gel nail photocuring machine with multicolor light effects, comprising: a machine body and a control module. The machine body has a curing cavity and one or a plurality of multicolor indicator light module provided on the machine body to produce color light effects on a housing of the machine body, wherein the multicolor indicator light module has a composite light source and a uniform illumination unit provided on one side of the composite light source. The control module is provided on the machine body and is connected to the multicolor indicator light module on the machine body, wherein the control module provides a color difference control instruction to the multicolor indicator light module according to a preset instruction in order to control an output power of each of a plurality of base-color light-emitting units of the composite light source, thereby instructing the multicolor indicator light module to emit light of various colors.
US10172420B2

An article of footwear includes an upper for securing the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a bladder that contains a fluid. The bladder has a posterior portion, an anterior portion, and a middle portion disposed between the posterior and anterior portions. The posterior portion has a heel recess that is approximately coincidental with a center of a heel of the wearer. The middle portion includes a neck chamber that extends between the posterior and anterior portions. The neck chamber is elongate and has a width that is less than both the posterior and anterior portions, and the anterior portion has a plurality of toe recesses that extend generally away from the neck chamber.
US10172418B2

An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs.
US10172395B2

An article for carrying a concealed weapon having a main body forming an undergarment, at least one holster body incorporated with said main body, said holster body defining a holster cavity, and at least one magnet positioned inside or adjacent to said holster cavity.
US10172392B2

An aerosol delivery device is provided. The aerosol delivery device comprises a control component and a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor is configured to measure a property thereof that is variable with relative humidity in an environment of the aerosol delivery device to which the humidity sensor is exposed. The humidity sensor is also configured to generate a corresponding signal that indicates a value of the property from which the relative humidity is calculable. The control component, or the humidity sensor, is configured to calculate the relative humidity from the value indicated by the corresponding signal, and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on the relative humidity so calculated, including output of the relative humidity for presentation by a display.
US10172390B2

A non-combustion-type flavor inhaler includes a shape extending from a non-mouthpiece end to a mouthpiece end in a predetermined direction. The non-combustion-type flavor inhaler includes: an aerosol source generating aerosol; an atomizer atomizing the aerosol source without combustion; a power source supplying electric power to the atomizer; and a controller controlling an electric energy supplied from the power source to the atomizer. The controller randomly controls the electric energy supplied to the atomizer.
US10172381B2

Methods and compositions for the production of non-meat consumable products are described herein. A meat substitute is described which is constructed from a muscle analog, a fat analog, and a connective tissue analog.
US10172377B2

There is provided pet food for dogs, in which the pet food is gel type pet food, the moisture content is 50% by weight or greater, the viscosity measured by a rotational viscometer is in a range of 30 dPa·s to 70 dPa·S, the viscosity measured by a Bostwick viscometer is in a range of 0.1 cm/min to 5.0 cm/min, and one or more gelling agents and one or more thickeners are contained.
US10172372B2

A machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products of the ice cream sector including a processing container forming a processing chamber for making an ice cream product; a stirrer mounted inside the processing chamber; a cooling system equipped with at least one heat exchanger associated with the processing container, for exchanging heat with the container and cooling the processing container; a unit for receiving and treating a capsule containing a basic preparation for an ice cream product, configured to allow the capsule to be compressed in such a way so as to deform lateral walls of the capsule and to squeeze the basic preparation out of the capsule and transfer it to the processing container; a device for injecting a dilution liquid, associated with the processing container, for injecting the dilution liquid into the processing container.
US10172362B2

Biofilms are provided which are capable of regulating their own thickness, reducing contamination and preventing biofouling. Constructs are introduced into bacteria that comprise nucleic acid molecules encoding an autoinducer synthase polypeptide, a transcriptional regulator and a biofilm dispersal protein. Nucleic acid molecules may also be introduced which encode a nitric oxide synthase, an epoxide hydrolase, or both. Biofilms of the bacteria may be used to reduce biofouling and contamination of a surface.
US10172361B2

Nanoparticle composites comprised of a metal oxide and ions of a metallic element included within a crystal lattice of said metal oxide are disclosed. Process of preparing the nanoparticle composites per se and incorporated in or on a substrate are also disclosed. Uses of the nanoparticle composites and of substrates incorporating same, particularly for reducing a formation of a load of a microorganism or of a biofilm, are also disclosed.
US10172360B2

Methods and apparatuses for the direct electrochemical generation of high concentration, stable aqueous solutions comprised of mixtures of free halogen species, N-halosulfamate compounds, N-halosulfonamide, and other compounds for biocidal applications is disclosed. Solutions containing the desired content of these species, with the desired concentration and pH value, is achieved through the electrolysis of aqueous brines containing mixtures of metal halide compounds, sulfamic acid, and other additives as desired. Controlling the relative compositions of the brines used to prepare the desired biocidal solutions, as well as the electrolysis conditions, can produce the biocidal solution with the desired composition and properties.
US10172350B2

Primarily, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) defined below and to their use as herbicides, in particular for controlling broad-leaved weeds and/or weed grasses in crops of useful plants and/or as plant growth regulators for influencing the growth of crops of useful plants. The present invention also relates to herbicidal or plant growth-regulating compositions comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I). Moreover, the present invention relates to processes for preparing the compounds of the formula (I).
US10172346B2

A waterfowl decoy apparatus provides simulated head pumping movement of a bird's head in an up and down vertical path defined by a cam support and cam follower rod. A cam follower rod with flat base is inserted into a holed frame which sits on an off center cam. The cam supports the decoy head positioned on the cam follower rod, and a small battery operated motive device moves the off center cam in circular direction. This cam mechanism causes the decoy head to move in an up and down vertical motion. In addition an alternative method for decoy head to move in a vertical path is defined by a “level wind” mechanism having a channel guide mounted for traversing a reversible groove shaft by means of a follower as the shaft is rotated. The device is mounted and enclosed inside a hollow duck decoy with a detachable back to access internal components.
US10172332B2

Provided is a method for regenerating hair follicles by transplanting a composition containing CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells (DSc) to a human. The composition may be prepared by sorting CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells from a hair follicle tissue by use of a cell-sorting technique along with an antibody to CD36. The composition may also contain dermal papilla cells (DPc).
US10172321B1

The portable pet ramp is configured for use with a pet access door. The portable pet ramp is an inclined structure that joins the horizontal plane that contains the threshold of the host door with the horizontal plane that contains the threshold of the pet access door. The portable pet ramp attaches the threshold of the pet access door to the horizontal surface that supports the threshold of the host door such that a pet may walk up the portable pet ramp to pass through the pet access door. The portable pet ramp is removably attached to the pet access door such that the host door may be further used for the ingress and egress of humans. The portable pet ramp comprises a plate, one or more brackets, and a slide stop. The one or more brackets and the slide stop attach to the plate.
US10172319B2

An inline analyzer for a milking machine system includes an outer body having a central axis, a fluid input channel, an upper cover attached to the fluid input channel, a central portion attached to the upper cover, a lower portion attached to the central portion, and a fluid output channel attached to the lower portion, wherein the fluid input channel, the central portion and the fluid output channel each have a hollow central channel. A float portion is disposed loosely within the outer body and is free to move axially along the central axis such that milk flows around the float portion. Electrode(s) extend through an upper portion of the float portion. A battery, processor(s), memory and actuator are disposed within float portion. The actuator causes the float portion to move axially along the outer body central to regulate the flow of milk through the outer body.
US10172315B2

The invention relates to the field of Cucumis sativus, in particular to a new variety of Cucumis sativus designated NUN 55513 CUP plants, seeds and cucumber fruits thereof.
US10172313B1

A novel maize variety designated X13M676 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 X13M676 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13M676 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X13M676, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13M676 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13M676 and methods of using maize variety X13M676 are disclosed.
US10172309B1

A novel maize variety designated X05K736 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 X05K736 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05K736 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05K736, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05K736. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05K736.
US10172304B2

A system for inoculating soil with microalgae is provided. The system is portable and can be used with many different water sources to culture microalgae and form an inoculate that is added to irrigation water used for watering crops. The system provides improved crop production metrics as compared to crops grown without the microalgae-based inoculation system. The system can be integrated into existing irrigation systems to add macronutrients and micronutrients into the water, thereby providing highly bioavailable nutrients to crops.
US10172303B2

An improved pivot irrigation tower system is provided. The system includes a pivot operatively connected to a water source, a plurality of movable towers, a plurality of spans, and a plurality of sprinklers. One or more inverted airfoils are connected to, or incorporated into the design of, the pivot irrigation system to generate a downward force and/or to reduce drag on the system in response to the relative wind at a specific angle of attack. The system may include opposing pairs of inverted airfoils along a majority of the spans. The inverted airfoils may have means for removal of liquid from the top surfaces. The inverted airfoils may be rigidly and/or pivotally connected to the movable towers and/or the spans. The inverted airfoils may be designed with high camber and/or high camber angle. The quantity of the inverted airfoils may be greater at distances farther from the pivot.
US10172302B2

A drip irrigation emitter includes first and second members and a deformable membrane. The membrane is located between the members, and pins that are located on the first member are received within holes formed in the second member. End portions of the pins that project out of the holes are deformed and by that press the first and second members together and compress the membrane.
US10172299B2

A rover includes a base having wheels and a propulsion system coupled to the wheels to propel the rover around a field. A tower is coupled to the base and extends over the base. Sensors are set on the tower and the base and are configured to sense environmental conditions around the rover at different elevations. A computing system includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to receive measured data from the sensors and determine an amount and manner of water to be dispensed on plant life in the field.
US10172293B2

Disclosed herein is a soil remediation and soil pore stabilising composition comprising at least one electrolyte and at least one cofactor.
US10172288B2

A harvesting attachment for a harvester comprises a frame which includes a rear wall and a base wall. The base wall includes at its end a fastening region for fastening a harvesting unit.
US10172285B2

Disclosed herein is a system for evaluating agricultural material which comprises, in one embodiment, a housing having a passage in or through an interior of the housing with an inlet for receiving agricultural material and an outlet for outputting the agricultural material. The system further comprises a wall opening in a wall of the passage. An imaging device having a lens is located inward from a border of the imaging device. The imaging device is pivotally mounted for rotation with respect to a housing such that in a closed state the border of the imaging device rests on, engages or interlocks the wall opening of the housing, and in an open state the border exposes the wall opening and an interior of the housing.
US10172282B2

A plate spring may be adapted to hold a tool to a tool holder, where the tool and the tool holder are adapted to be arranged in a robotic work tool. The plate spring includes a first part which is adapted to fixate the plate spring to the tool holder, and a second part which is adapted to hold the tool to the tool holder. A middle part connects the first part of the plate spring to the second part. The plate spring enables convenient, quick-shifting of tools on robotic work tools, such as quick-shifting of knife blades on a robotic lawn mower.
US10172280B2

A cutter guard assembly for a knife drive of an agricultural farm implement is provided. The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a window frame, and a floor sheet. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar and a reciprocating knife assembly operatively connected to a knife drive. The window frame is rigidly attached to the cutter bar. The window frame includes an opening through which a knife arm of the reciprocating knife assembly extends through. The floor sheet extends rearwardly from the cutter bar and pivots relative to the window frame.
US10172278B2

A device for attaching to a shank of a planting unit. The device may include liquid delivery tubing for delivery fertilizer to a planting furrow and a forming bar configured for securing to the shank. The forming bar may include a passageway extending therethrough for receiving and passing through fertilizer or other liquid that is delivered to the liquid delivery tubing. The forming bar may include a shank connecting portion, a rib portion, and a foot portion. The rib and foot portions may define the passageway. Further, the foot portion may protect the tubing. A method for using the device to deliver fertilizer to a seed furrow is also described.
US10172276B2

An implement frame having a carriage frame for coupling to a towing vehicle and wheels to support the frame for movement over a ground surface. A pivot frame is rotationally mounted to the carriage frame and a lift assembly is coupled to the pivot frame via a shift assembly. A tool bar is mounted to the lift assembly. The shift assembly moves the tool bar forward as it is moved from the field use position to the transport position. The wheels are mounted to swing arms to move the wheels inward for a narrow transport position. All motion is accomplished through actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders, to automate the process making it quick and easy.
US10178820B2

A cut and clinch device includes a movable section slidable with respect to a main body section. A first insertion hole is formed in main body section, and a second insertion hole is formed in the movable section. A lead is cut by the movable section being slid with the lead inserted into the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole. A recognition mark is provided on the movable section and the main body section, and the types of the movable section and the main body section are recognized based on image data of the recognition marks. By this, it is possible to appropriately check the type of the portion that cuts a lead.
US10178815B1

An apparatus and method of making the same is presented. The apparatus may comprise a front portion comprising a front exterior panel and a front interior panel, a back portion comprising a back exterior panel and a back interior panel, the back connected along two sides of the back exterior panel to two corresponding sides of the front exterior panel; and a closure part connecting the non-connected sides of the front exterior panel and the back exterior panel. The front interior panel and the back exterior panel may each comprise a slit opening for a pocket. The closure part may comprise a zipper having a key tab. The apparatus may comprise an RF blocking material. The front may further comprise a flat portion having embossed text, and may also comprise a key chain band. The apparatus may be a wallet, handbag, or other luxury accessory, and/or a wearable item.
US10178802B2

A liquid supply device includes a casing, a cover, a plunger, a driving unit and a sensing unit. The casing has a liquid outlet. The cover is connected to the casing. A chamber is formed between the casing and the cover. The chamber communicates with the liquid outlet. The plunger is movably disposed in the chamber. The driving unit is disposed in the chamber and used for driving the plunger to move. The sensing unit is selectively disposed on one of the cover and the plunger. The sensing unit outputs a sensing signal according to a current position of the plunger.
US10178799B2

A superconducting fault current limiter (10) is provided with superconducting elements (71, 72) that are in a superconducting state during electrification with a current value in a fixed range and in a normal conducting state during electrification with a fault current in which the current value exceeds the fixed range and is further provided with a coolant vessel (20), which accommodates a liquid coolant (60) and a plurality of superconducting elements, and a cooling means (40) that cools the liquid coolant within the coolant vessel. Within the liquid coolant, the superconducting element (71) for which the critical current is smallest among the plurality of superconducting elements is disposed on the upper side of any other superconducting elements (72). Thus, the superconducting element (71) is cooled, and the life of the superconducting fault current limiter as a whole is extended.
US10178794B1

A modular utility room a mobile enclosure is positionable adjacent to an information technology (IT) enclosure of a modular data center (MDC). One of a first and second equipment cabinet is selected for installing in the mobile enclosure. Each equipment cabinet contains functional equipment having a lower electrical coupling component that are connectable to substrate-installed conduits below the mobile enclosure and an upper electrical coupling component that connect to and support rack-based information handling systems (IHSs) in the IT enclosure. An interface panel is received in an interface panel opening in the mobile enclosure correspond to the selected equipment cabinet and will not receive the other equipment cabinet. The interface panel positions the lower electrical coupling over a conduit opening in alignment with a defined location relative to the mobile enclosure for alignment with the substrate-installed conduits at a deployed location of the mobile utility room.
US10178788B2

In order to manufacture an input and output device industrial use as cost-effectively as possible, while also fulfilling the demanding requirements in an industrial environment, it is provided that the frame of the input and output device is assembled from a plurality of individual frame sections which are connected to one another at the corners in order to form the frame and which are firmly bonded at the adjoining connecting surfaces in order to form a fully sealed external front face of the frame and a fully sealed external peripheral surface of the frame.
US10178785B2

A spark-preventing element embedded in a printed circuit board includes a capacitive output electrode, a capacitive input electrode, an interlayer conductive member electrically connecting the capacitive output electrode to a signal line, and an interlayer insulation member electrically insulating the capacitive input electrode from the signal line, The capacitive input electrode is spaced apart from the capacitive output electrode with an air gap disposed between the capacitive output electrode and the capacitive input electrode, surrounds the capacitive output electrode, and is electrically connected to the ground layer. The spark-preventing element has an improved electrical characteristic and an increased durability.
US10178779B2

A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus according to the present invention comprises a display panel with which a source PCB is combined in one side; a rear cover disposed in a rear surface side of the display panel; and a housing supporting at least one of the display panel and the rear cover from a lower surface side of the display panel and being equipped with at least one PCB, wherein the rear cover is made of transparent material through which light passes and at least one penetrating hole corresponding to at least one area of the source PCB is formed in at least one area of the rear cover. According to the present invention, the display panel and the rear cover can be combined easily with each other.
US10178774B2

In an electronic component, a peripheral portion of an external terminal electrode is thicker than a center portion thereof, and at least a portion of the peripheral portion is buried in a component main body. A surface of the external terminal electrode and a principal surface of the component main body are located on the same plane. An electrically insulating coating layer is arranged along the principal surface of the component main body so as to cover at least a portion of the peripheral portion of the external terminal electrode. An end portion of the coating layer is in contact with a thickest portion of the peripheral portion of the external terminal electrode in the principal surface of the component main body. The coating layer and the surface of the external terminal electrode are located on the same plane.
US10178769B2

A bonded assembly including: a first electronic component including a first substrate and a plurality of first electrodes disposed in a pressed area at a first height from a surface of the first substrate; a second electronic component including a second substrate and a plurality of second electrodes disposed at a second height from a surface of the second substrate, a second electrode overlapping with a corresponding first electrode to face the first electrode; a conductive bonding layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode overlapped with each other to bond the first electrode and the second electrode; and at least one spacer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to overlap the pressed area, the at least one spacer having a thickness that is greater than a value obtained by summing the first height and the second height.
US10178766B2

A stretchable cable 1 includes a sheet-shaped stretchable base material 2 exhibiting elasticity and elongated in one direction, and a stretchable wiring 3 formed on one surface of the stretchable substrate 2 and exhibiting elasticity. The stretchable base material 2 is made of a material exhibiting elasticity. The stretchable wiring 3 is made of a conductive composition including elastomer and a conductive filler filling the elastomer.
US10178758B2

A printed wiring board includes a digital circuit, an analog circuit, and a power supply path that is disposed on an insulating layer between the digital circuit and the analog circuit. A plurality of open stub EBG structures are disposed at an end of a bridge section in a power supply plane. The open stub EBG structure is an open stub state whose one end is connected to the power supply path and other end is in an open state.
US10178757B2

A compartment EMI shield is provided that is suitable for use in system module packages having thin form factors and/or smaller widths and/or lengths. The compartment EMI shield comprises a fence arranged along a compartment boundary at least in between first and second sets of electrical components of the system module package and a substantially horizontal conductive structure that is coupled to the conductive fence. The fence being configured to attenuate EMI of a frequency of interest traveling in at least one of a first direction and a second direction, where the first direction is from the first set of electrical components toward the second set of electrical components and the second direction is from the second set of electrical components toward the first set of electrical components.
US10178755B2

A circuit board includes a first dielectric layer, a first circuit layer, a second circuit layer, a plurality of conductive vias, a second dielectric layer, a patterned seed layer, and a plurality of bonding layers. The first circuit layer is disposed in the first dielectric layer. The second circuit layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer. The conductive vias are disposed in the first dielectric layer and connect the first circuit layer to the second circuit layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer and the second circuit layer and has a plurality of openings to expose a plurality of parts of the second circuit layer. The patterned seed layer is disposed on the exposed parts of second circuit layer and sidewalls of the openings. The bonding layers are respectively disposed on the patterned seed layer and made of porous copper.
US10178754B2

A circuit board module includes: a first electronic component of a surface mounting type; a second electronic component of an insertion mounting type including a lead terminal; a circuit board; and a heat transfer body provided in the circuit board. The first electronic component is mounted on a front surface of the circuit board so as to overlap the heat transfer body in a board thickness direction. The heat transfer body is provided so as to transfer heat generated in the first electronic component to a back surface side of the circuit board. The second electronic component is mounted on a back surface of the circuit board. The second electronic component and the heat transfer body are thermally connected to a heat radiation body provided on the back surface side of the circuit board.
US10178751B2

An ignition plug includes a center electrode; a cylindrical insulator that surrounds at least the circumference of a front end portion of the center electrode and that includes a bottom portion at the front side; and a cylindrical metal shell that holds the insulator from the outer circumference side. The center electrode includes a shaft portion that extends along an axial line and a head portion disposed at a front end of the shaft portion. The head portion has a width greater than that of the shaft portion in the radial direction. The insulator includes a first and second insulator. The first insulator has an axial hole and a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the head portion. The second insulator is joined to the first insulator. The shaft portion is disposed in the axial hole of the first insulator. The second insulator encloses the head portion.
US10178747B1

Systems, devices and methods for providing a controller to be wired between a transformer and zones of landscape lights to provide power to and for turning on and off different landscape lights, creating and deleting landscape light zones based on a schedule loaded onto the controller by a wireless communication from a portable digital device, such as a smart phone having a landscape scheduling App thereon. Additional embodiments include wireless receivers in the landscape lights which allow for the portable digital device to remotely change colors of the landscape lights. Additional embodiments for controlling other accessories used in landscapes such as but not limited to sprinkler systems, speakers, and the like.
US10178746B2

Apparatus, systems, and methods for controlling light output in a lighting system based on defined light profiles are provided. In one example implementation, a light fixture can include a first light emitting diode (LED) array having one or more LED light sources and a second LED array having one or more LED light sources. The light fixture can include a power circuit configured to provide power to the first LED array and the second LED array according to a power distribution among the first LED array and the second LED array. The light fixture can include one or more control devices configured to control the power circuit to adjust the power distribution among the first LED array and the second LED array based at least in part on a signal indicative of a real time clock and a defined light profile associated with a user identified to be present in a space illuminated by the light fixture.
US10178745B2

A method of charging a light bulb is disclosed. A processor within the light bulb detects a state-of-charge of the battery and if it is below a predetermined dynamic battery state-of-charge threshold then the transceiver sends a wireless signal from the light bulb to a remote light switch with instructions to supply power to the light bulb. The predetermined dynamic battery state-of-charge threshold may be determined based on historical light use data during an on-peak energy time period. The predetermined dynamic threshold allows a battery in the light bulb to supply energy to the light bulb during on-peak hours and recharge during off-peak hours.
US10178744B2

A street light management method includes: receiving from a server at predetermined intervals and updating at least one of information about a node that is at least one street light, information about a gateway that communicates with the node and the server, and information about a communication channel between the node and the gateway; displaying the node in a corresponding position on a digital map displayed on a screen using position information included in the information about the node and displaying the gateway in a corresponding position on the digital map using position information included in the information about the gateway; and displaying corresponding information in at least one of information display windows on the screen according to the received information or a user operation.
US10178742B2

A light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus includes: a first circuit connected to a primary winding of a transformer, and configured to receive input power and transfer the input power to the primary winding of the transformer; a second circuit connected to a secondary winding of the transformer to generate output power for driving a plurality of LEDs; and a controller including a control circuit configured to control the second circuit, and a power detection circuit configured to compare a magnitude of the input power with a predetermined reference power magnitude range, and transmit a control command to the control circuit in response to determining that the magnitude of the input power is outside the predetermined reference power magnitude range.
US10178726B2

A solid-state light source (SSLS) structure with integrated control. In one embodiment, a SSLS control circuit can be integrated with a SSLS structure formed from a multiple of SSLSs. The SSLS control circuit controls the total operating current of the SSLS structure to within a predetermined total operating current limit by selectively limiting the current in individual SSLSs or in groups of SSLSs as each are turned on according to a sequential order. The SSLS control circuit limits the current in each of the individual SSLSs or groups of SSLSs as function of the saturation current of the SSLSs. In one embodiment, the individual SSLSs or groups of SSLSs has a turn on voltage corresponding to a voltage causing a preceding SSLS or group of SSLSs in the sequential order to saturate current.
US10178708B1

A method and apparatus for providing a summary of what is being and/or has been discussed or experienced by members of a talkgroup is provided herein. Upon a new member joining a talkgroup, or just prior to the new member joining the talkgroup, the new member will be placed on a private channel to provide the new member with knowledge on previous discussions/experiences of talkgroup members. Preferably, the prior knowledge will be conveyed to the user audibly by, for example, use of a digital assistant.
US10178704B2

A method is disclosed for enabling device-to-device, D2D, communication when a communicating device is out of public land mobile network, PLMN, coverage for a first radio access technology, RAT. The method comprises scanning a carrier associated with a carrier predetermined for D2D communication for any signals, and if the scanning determines that D2D communication is present on the carrier, initiating out-of-coverage D2D communication, or if the scanning cannot determine that D2D communication is present on the carrier, determining a signal strength of other signals on the carrier and if the signal strength is below a threshold initiating out-of-coverage D2D communication. Alternatively, the method comprises scanning a carrier for at least a second RAT, and if a second RAT is detected, determining a PLMN of the detected RAT and accessing data on the determined PLMN about out-of-coverage D2D permissions, and if out-of-coverage D2D communication is permitted in the determined PLMN initiating out-of-coverage D2D communication. A communication device and computer program accordingly are also disclosed.
US10178694B2

Computing readable media, apparatuses, and methods for random access with carrier sensing are disclosed. An apparatus is disclosed including processing circuitry configured to: decrement a value of an orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA) backoff (OBO) field based on a number of the resource units (RUs) indicated for random access in a trigger frame. The processing circuitry may be further configured to: when the value of the OBO field reaches a predetermined value, randomly select one of the RUs indicated for random access and determine a virtual carrier sense (CS) based on one or more network allocation vectors (NAVs) and perform a physical CS on the selected RU, and if the virtual CS and the physical CS both indicate that the selected RU is idle, transmit a physical (PHY) layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDU) on the selected RU in accordance with OFDMA.
US10178680B2

It is provided a method for assisting downlink interference estimation in a cellular network. The method is performed in a network node of the cellular network and comprises the steps of: estimating an average transmit power of the network node in a future time period, resulting in a scaling factor indicating the average transmit power of the network node in relation to a reference transmit power of the network node; transmitting, in a resource element allocated to interference estimation, a reference signal for downlink interference estimation with a transmission power which is based on the scaling factor; and refraining from transmitting in a resource element in at least one instance where another network node transmits a reference signal for downlink interference estimation. A corresponding network node, computer program and computer program product for assisting downlink interference estimation are also presented.
US10178675B1

In a wireless communication base station device, a modulation unit carries out modulation processing for Dch data after coding to generate a Dch data symbol. A modulation unit carries out modulation processing for Lch data after coding to generate an Lch data symbol. An allocation unit allocates the Dch data symbol and Lch data symbol to each sub-carrier composing an OFDM symbol and outputs the allocated sub-carrier to a multiplex unit. In this case, the allocation unit allocates the Dch data symbol to a plurality of resource blocks where one Dch is arranged at an interval equal to integral multiples of the number of resource blocks composing a resource block group.
US10178666B2

The invention relates to a method for transmitting messages in a computer network of a real-time system comprising components in the form of computing nodes and star couplets. A first group of components sends, relays or receives time-controlled messages according to a communication schedule, and a second group of components does not communicate according to a communication schedule. For example, the computing node 104 does not execute a communication schedule, i.e. the computing node 104 does not send time-controlled messages. Instead, the computing node 104 reacts to receiving a message 1-201a by sending a message 1-104a in response. According to the invention, the message 1-201a is sent in a time-controlled manner, for example by a star coupler 201. The computing node 104 receives the message 1-201a at time 17-104a and reacts to receiving the message 1-201a by sending the message 1-104a at time 17-104b to the star coupler 201. The star coupler 201 receives the message 1-104a at time 14-201b. Preferably an upper limit OBS of the maximum time interval between the receiving time 17-104a and the sending time 17-104b is determined in the computing node 104. In this way, the star coupler 201 can schedule the relaying time 14-201c, at which the message 1-104a is relayed in the network, as a time-controlled time. Alternatively, the computing node 104 reacts by reading a current value from a local sensor, by altering the state of an actuator.
US10178664B1

Devices, systems, and methods to reduce interference in heterogeneous networks having a plurality of access nodes, such as combinations of macro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. are disclosed. Interference caused in sectors of two or more access nodes that face each other is minimized by dividing a total number of resource blocks into resource block sets that are uniquely numbered and allocated across each sector of each access node. The allocation is rotated based on a different time stamp or a different starting number, or may be a random sequence of sets per access node. These independent allocations for each access node generally distribute the interference across the system, and provide better interference reduction, resulting in an increase in system capacity per sector of each cell.
US10178661B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for estimating one or more channel properties of a downlink from a cellular communications network based on quasi co-located antenna ports with respect to the one or more channel properties. In one embodiment, a wireless device receives a downlink subframe including a downlink control channel from the cellular communications network. The wireless device estimates one or more large-scale channel properties for an antenna port of interest in the downlink control channel based on a subset of reference signals that correspond to antenna ports in the cellular communications network that are quasi co-located with the antenna port of interest with respect to the one or more large-scale channel properties. As a result of using the quasi co-located antenna ports, estimation of the one or more large-scale channel properties is substantially improved.
US10178657B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving SPS operation in a wireless communication system. The method includes configuring an user equipment (UE) with a downlink (DL) assignment or an uplink (UL) grant through a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) addressed by a SPS C-RNTI (Semi-Persistent Scheduling Cell Radio Network Temporary Identity). The method also includes receiving, at the UE, a reconfiguration message for a SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling) operation in a higher layer, such as a RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer. The method further includes reconfiguring, at the UE, the SPS operation based on the reconfiguration message if the reconfiguration message includes a release of the SPS operation.
US10178652B2

The invention refers to a method (33) for operating a wireless communication network (11) or a network element (13) thereof, the network (11) comprising a plurality of baseband processing devices (13). In order to allow for performing baseband processing tasks by multiple cooperating baseband processing devices (13) such that the real time constraints are met, it is proposed that the method (33) comprise determining (39) a delay metric (RTT_BBU) that depends on a network delay between the network element (13) and at least one baseband processing device (13) of the plurality of baseband processing devices (13), wherein the delay metric (RTT_BBU) is determined before an event (e) occurs that triggers allocation or reallocation of processing resources of the at least one baseband processing device (13), and selecting (55, 65) the at least one baseband processing device of the plurality of baseband processing devices for remote processing depending on the delay metric (RTT_BBU).
US10178650B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a mobility management entity (MME) receives a downlink data notification (DDN) message sent by a serving gateway (SGW), where the DDN message carries an identity of user equipment, and the DDN message is used to instruct the MME to send a paging message to a base station in a tracking area list (TA list) of the user equipment. After enabling an aggregate paging function, the MME determines, according to the DDN message, whether a priority of the user equipment is higher than a preset level. If the priority of the user equipment is higher than the preset level, the MME directly sends the paging message to the base station. The present disclosure is applicable to a paging message sending process.
US10178649B2

In an embodiment, an apparatus (e.g., eNB) pages UEs on a shared communication. The apparatus obtains paging message(s) for transmission to UEs with different coverage levels. The apparatus transmits an extended common ePDCCH, followed by a paging ePDCCH, followed by repetitive transmissions of the paging message(s) over a plurality of PDSCH subframes. In a further embodiment, the apparatus obtains first and second sets of paging messages for transmission to different paging groups. The apparatus establishes non-overlapping POWs for the first and second paging groups to avoid a paging ePDCCH collision.
US10178647B2

A paging method for use in a network access device, includes: acquiring an identifier of a terminal being called in a voice service of a Packet Switched domain; generating a paging message according to the identifier of the terminal being called, the paging message including a core network domain name field and a value of the core network domain name field corresponding to the voice service of the Packet Switched domain; and sending the paging message to the terminal being called.
US10178645B2

Disclosed is an electronic device including a memory that stores grid information corresponding to a plurality of grids corresponding to a cell. The electronic device also includes a processor configured to acquire location information of an external electronic device and cell information related to a cell of the external electronic device corresponding to the location information, to calculate at least one active grid corresponding to the location information of the electronic device among the plurality of grids at least based on the location information, to acquire dominant values corresponding to the at least one active grid based on the cell information, to designate the at least one active grid as at least one dominant grid when the dominant values meet a predetermined condition, and to update the cell information when a number of at least one dominant grid meets a predetermined condition. Various embodiments are possible.
US10178639B2

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a timing of a terminal in a wireless communication system. The method for controlling a timing of a terminal by a base station in a wireless communication system may comprise the steps of: determining a target timing of a terminal so as to locate an uplink signal reception timing of the terminal in a cyclic prefix (CP) interval; transmitting, to the terminal, a timing control command including information on the target timing; receiving an uplink signal from the terminal; and compensating for a time offset value of the received uplink signal on the basis of the target timing.
US10178635B1

Embodiments include a method that includes receiving, by a first device, a first synchronization beacon frame over a first communication channel, wherein the first device is configured to receive synchronization beacon frames over the first communication channel and a second communication channel; indicating, by the first device, that the first synchronization beacon frame received over the first communication channel is not to be considered while determining a state of the first device; and indicating, by the first device, that any synchronization beacon frame received over the second communication channel is to be considered while determining the state of the first device.
US10178628B2

A system that incorporates aspects of the subject disclosure may perform operations including, for example, obtaining performance measurements, identifying a performance measurement from the performance measurements that is below performance threshold and, in turn, initiating corrective action to improve the performance measurement of an affected network element falling below the performance threshold. The performance measurements can be determined from measurements associated with signals generated by communication devices, noise levels in a spectral portion used by communication devices to transmit the signals, and interference signals exceeding an adaptive inter-cell interference threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US10178626B2

Provided are a method and an apparatus for controlling uplink transmission power. A method for controlling uplink transmission power by a terminal may include allocating transmission power of one or more uplink control channels and/or one or more uplink data channels in order to transmit the uplink control channels and/or the uplink data channels in two or more cells and transmitting the uplink control channel and/or the uplink data channel to one or more base stations according to the allocated transmission power.
US10178624B2

In one implementation, satellite coverage provisioning for a service area may be performed by updating power consumption states for satellites in a constellation of satellites and determining whether each satellite of the constellation is required to be in the minimal power consumption mode based on its updated power consumption state. For satellites that are not required to be in the minimal power consumption mode, a power consumption score may be calculated and these satellites may be sorted according to their respective power consumption scores. Based on the sorted order, it may be determined whether at least some of these satellites can be put into a reduced power consumption mode based on their respective power consumption scores and coverage of the service area. Then it may be determined if each of the satellites that are in the reduced power consumption mode can be put into the minimal power consumption mode.
US10178608B2

A method for cross-system network information interaction, and a network element of a terminal system network, and the method includes: receiving, by a terminal, a request message for acquiring history information of the terminal, transmitted by a network element of a specified system network, after the terminal successfully establishes a connection with the system network or the terminal transmits a connection establishment success message or reestablishment success message to the system network; transmitting, by the terminal, history record information of the terminal staying in all the system networks, other system networks except the system network, or a specified system network, to a network element of the system network. In the embodiments of the present document, based on a definition of history record information of the terminal in the WLAN system, a cross-system interaction of the history record information of the terminal in 3GPP-WLAN system may be realized.
US10178599B2

The proposed technology generally relates to sending a data packet from a first node to a second node, wherein there is a direct link to the second node from the first node. The method comprises the steps of: determining a first power metric associated with transmitting the data packet from the first node to the second node on the direct link; when the determined first power metric is above a first power level then determining a first set of aggregation nodes, being within reach of the first node, wherein each aggregation node in the set is comprised in a respective alternative transmission path from the first node to the second node; for each aggregation node in the first set determining a second power metric associated with transmitting the data packet to from the first node to the second node via the aggregation node; selecting a transmission path for sending the data packet from the first node to the second node based on a comparison of the first power metric and the second power metric(s) and sending the packet on the selected transmission path. One aspect of the proposed technology relates to a method and ending a data packet from the first node to a second node as well as a corresponding device and computer program.
US10178598B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe systems, devices, and methods for interworking between a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) network and a wireless local area network (WLAN). Various embodiments may include utilizing traffic steering rules based on radio access network assistance parameters to perform traffic steering between the UMTS network and the WLAN. Other embodiments may be described or claimed.
US10178597B2

The present disclosure relates to a communication field, and provides a method for calling in a network congestion state. The method includes: sending a connection request by a smart terminal to a base station of an enabled cell, and starting a timer; when the smart terminal does not receive a connection response after the timer passes a first preset time period, determining a timeout of the enabled cell and setting the enabled cell as being disabled in a second preset time period; repeating actions of sending, starting, determining and setting, until the smart terminal receives the connection response within the first preset time period; and establishing a connection by the smart terminal with a base station of a third cell feeding back the connection response. The present disclosure has an advantage of improving a call completion rate.
US10178589B2

The present disclosure relates to a method (200) in a first radio access node for obtaining neighboring cell information. The method comprises the steps of transmitting via an interface a radio access node request (Si2) for set-up information related to the neighboring cell to at least one second radio access node, and receiving a radio access node response (Si3) over the interface from said at least one second radio access node. The radio access node response (Si3) comprises set-up information including an indicator related to the neighboring cell's capability for uplink transmission. The present disclosure also relates to said first radio access node.
US10178576B2

Various communication systems may benefit from the appropriate logging of measurements. For example, communication systems employing multimedia broadcast multicast service may benefit from logging multicast-broadcast single-frequency network measurements. A method can include logging, by a user equipment, a multicast-broadcast single-frequency network measurement corresponding to a logging period. The method can also include storing, at the time the multicast-broadcast single-frequency network measurement is made, cell measurement results.
US10178557B2

A first network node and a second network node are disclosed. The first network node comprises a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive a first signal S1 comprising a network information message indicating network information associated with a first network operator in a region. The processor is configured to determine an allocation of frequency resources for operation W1, for the first network operator or a second network operator in the region, based on the network information, and the processor is further configured to determine a density of network nodes for operation λb or a frequency spectrum access price, for the first network operator or the second network operator, based on the network information. Corresponding methods, a computer program, and a computer program product are also disclosed.
US10178555B2

A master beacon device emits a data packet that is received and retransmitted by servant beacon devices in a wireless mesh network that enables the beacon devices to detect the received signal strength indicator (“RSSI”) of beacon devices in proximity. Each servant beacon device transmits survey data packets comprising the RSSIs and hardware identifiers of proximate beacon devices to the master beacon device, which constructs a first virtual map of the mesh network. At a later time, each servant beacon device transmits authentication data packets, which are retransmitted, each retransmitting beacon inserting an RSSI and hardware identifier of the beacon device from which the authentication data packet was received, until they reach the master beacon device, which constructs a second virtual map of the mesh network. The master beacon device compares the first virtual map to the second virtual map to determine if the network is secure.
US10178554B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for offloading data of a subscriber from a first radio access technology type to a second radio access technology type. Embodiments may relate to a method comprising: receiving an access request from an access point based on a connection request received from a user equipment, transmitting an authentication request to the user equipment to authenticate a subscriber; receiving an access point name and packet gateway identifier from the home subscriber server; altering the access point name received from the home subscriber server; transmitting the connection request to a packet gateway for authorizing the subscriber for offloading, updating the APN name and the packet gateway identifier at the home subscriber server; and offloading the data from the first radio access technology type to the second radio access technology type, wherein the data is identified based on the subscriber profile.
US10178547B2

Provided are a method for receiving/decoding a system information block by a terminal and a device for supporting same. The terminal can receive one or more MIBs and receive/decode a first SIB on the basis of the received MIBs and a first time offset. The first SIB is an SIB which has been newly defined for a terminal having low complexity.
US10178546B2

Methods, systems and apparatus that facilitate activation of mobile devices, such as communication devices or multi-function devices, via a computer are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a mobile device can be forced into a limited service mode until properly activated with a service provider for a wireless network. According to another aspect of the invention, a mobile device can defer its attempt to send a location update request to a wireless network. According to still another aspect of the invention, a mobile device can be automatically controlled to reset a portion of its internal hardware to initiate a location update request.
US10178532B2

A communication method using a communication system including a first communication apparatus, a second communication apparatus, and a communication management apparatus, the communication method includes acquiring, by the communication management apparatus, communication information used for the first communication apparatus to be coupled to a communication network via the second communication apparatus, from the first communication apparatus or the second communication apparatus, transmitting, by the communication management apparatus, the communication information to the first communication apparatus or the second communication apparatus, and based on the transmitted communication information, establishing communication between the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus by the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus.
US10178529B2

The present invention relates to a wireless connection system, and in particular, relates to methods of retransmitting data in a machine-to-machine communication system, methods of managing the data, and devices for supporting machine-to-machine communication. As one aspect of the present invention, the method of retransmitting data in the wireless connection system supporting the machine-to-machine communication may include: allocating a data slot for retransmitting data from a first machine, from among two or more peer machines, by transmitting a transmit request message to a second machine; receiving a transmit response message transmitted form the second machine in response to the transmit request message; and retransmitting data to the second machine through the allocated data slot.
US10178526B2

Wireless communication network access is facilitated via multiple logic-capable storage (MLCS) devices. One method comprises: scanning a record of records stored in a MLCS device to determine whether a communication device associated with a request for communication establishment has a defined functionality; and generating information indicative of the communication device failing to have the defined functionality based on identifying a value range inclusive of an identifier of the communication device and based on determining that the MLCS device is a negative logic storage device, wherein the MLCS device is programmable to have a first type of logic at a first time and a second type of logic at a second time. The first type of logic can be the negative logic type and the second type of logic can be a positive logic type.
US10178517B1

An apparatus and method for sending video content to a mobile device is described. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprising embedding a widget in a website, the widget generating a form. The form is provided when a user visits the website so as to execute the widget. The form includes a first field to enter a recipient phone number, a send selector, and one or more non-visible fields, the non-visible fields containing a content service provider identifier, and a video URL. A data packet is generated with the widget when the user selects the send selector, the data packet including the recipient phone number, the video URL, and the content service provider identifier. An encoded version of the data packet is sent to the content service provider and a video link message is sent to the recipient phone number.
US10178510B1

A plurality of communication devices are configured for communicating with the server via the internet. Each communication device is configured for communicating with other communication devices, via short range signals. At least a property of the received short range signals is measured and converted to signal data. Each communication device is associated with a user, and each user is associated with respective user data stored. Location data of at least a first communication device is known at a first time. When a second communication device is inside the communication ranges of two or more first communication devices with known respective locations, the server processes the known locations to yield a location of the second communication device.
US10178509B1

Embodiments described herein are directed to a tracking objects using a cognitive heterogeneous ad hoc mesh network. Participant objects transmit notification signals to inform other participant objects in line-of-sight of their position and movement. The participants also utilize echoes of the notification signals to detect and estimate the position and movement of non-participant objects. Participant objects can then share this positional information with one another to refine the estimated position and movement of non-participant objects. The position of each other participant and non-participant object is updated based on an individualized update rate that dynamically changes based on the distance and velocity of closure between the participant and the other participant or non-participant object.
US10178495B2

Systems and methods to determine a location of a mobile device by combining a radio frequency navigation system and an inertial navigation system, where the radio frequency navigation system determines a location of the mobile device in reference to a map of radio frequency signals and the inertial navigation system based on dead reckoning the position of the mobile device based on measurements from motion sensors. When a set of successive locations determined by the radio frequency navigation system is found to have a predetermined pattern (e.g., within a minimum distance from each other, or separated by more than a maximum distance), the mobile device discards the location results from the radio frequency navigation system for the period of time, in favor of the location results from the inertial navigation system.
US10178493B2

An electronic device identifies a location of a physical object that is away from a listener. The electronic device convolves sound so the sound externally localizes as binaural sound to the physical object. The sound plays to the listener through earphones so the listener hears the sound as emanating from the physical object.
US10178487B2

In order to achieve an enhanced audio experience, audio information, for example a movie soundtrack having binaural components, may be stored on a mobile device prior to the beginning of a movie presentation in a theater. Responsive to an audio sync signal presented to the mobile device, the audio information may be played back from the mobile device in a manner synchronized to display of the movie on a theater screen. The audio sync signal may be a high-frequency signal emitted by a loudspeaker in the theater. The audio information may be customized for a user. For example, via use of a binaural audio system, a user of a first mobile device may experience a movie presentation in a theater in a first language, and user of a second mobile device may experience the same movie presentation in the theater in a second language.
US10178482B2

An audio transmission system and an audio processing method thereof are disclosed. The audio transmission system includes a wireless communication module, a sound receiving module, a memory module, a sound adjustment module, and an output module. The wireless communication module is used for receiving a wireless communication signal or a wireless audio signal from an electronic device. The sound receiving module is used for receiving an ambient sound signal. The memory module stores a first parameter, a second parameter, and a third parameter. The sound adjustment module adjusts the received wireless communication signal, the wireless audio signal, or the ambient sound signal according to the first parameter, the second parameter, or the third parameter so as to generate an adjusted sound signal. The output module is used for outputting the adjusted sound signal.
US10178470B2

Provided is an electronic machine including a speaker unit; a housing; and a rotating device. The rotating device rotates the speaker unit with respect to the housing, wherein the speaker unit is provided with an opening portion and a member which is supported by the housing and extends substantially in parallel to a rotational axis of the speaker unit is adapted to passing through the opening portion.
US10178469B2

Embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure relate to vibration transducers. Such a transducer includes an electromagnet having a conductive coil. The conductive coil is configured to be driven by an electrical input signal to generate magnetic fields. The transducer further includes a magnetic diaphragm that is configured to mechanically vibrate in response to the generated magnetic fields. Additionally, the transducer includes a pair of cantilevered arms formed from damping steel. The cantilevered arms couple the magnetic diaphragm to a frame. The magnetic diaphragm vibrates with respect to the frame when the electromagnet is driven by the electrical input signal. Additionally, the pair of flexible support arms are connected to opposing sides of the magnetic diaphragm.
US10178460B2

An earphone including a housing, a speaker and an eartip is provided. The housing has an accommodating space and a first sound outlet communicated with each other. The speaker is disposed in the accommodating space. The eartip is assembled to the housing. The eartip has a second sound outlet and an incline extension surface. The incline extension surface is configured to fit into a cavum of a user's auricle and withstand an antihelix of the user's auricle.
US10178457B1

A head-mounted display (HMD) includes a housing defining an enclosure having an aperture. A is speaker positioned within the enclosure, the speaker having a back side facing an interior surface of the housing and a front side facing away from the interior surface of the housing, a back volume defined between at least a portion of the housing and the back side of the speaker for enhancing sound generated by the speaker. A sound conduit having an end open to the enclosure and extends outside the housing through the aperture. The sound conduit has another end open toward a rear direction to transmit the sound generated by the speaker.
US10178449B1

A sensor system is provided. The sensor system includes: a battery that powers the sensor system; a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag that stores a unique identifier of the sensor system; a sensor that provides a sensing data for the sensor system; an internet of things (IoT) transceiver that communicates with an access point in an IoT system; and a processor that receives the sensing data from the sensor and controls an activation of the sensor and a frequency of communication of the IoT transceiver with the access point.
US10178443B2

Methods, systems and devices enable enhanced delivery of metadata, as well as auxiliary programs and services associated with a primary content. In one method, a primary content with pre-existing watermarks is received at a content distributor device. The pre-existing watermark include specific fields that allow retrieval of a first metadata. The values and boundary locations of the symbols of the pre-existing watermark messages are determined, and symbols of a new watermark message are embedded in the primary content to render the pre-existing watermarks undetectable. The new watermark message includes symbol values that different from those in the pre-existing watermark messages and enable retrieval of a second metadata. Upon transmission of the primary content to a client device, detection of the new watermark message, and initiation of a request by the client device, access to the first or the metadata, as well as associated programs or services, are enabled.
US10178432B2

A viewer's rights to view content is determined instantly, without exposing any data externally, by capturing both a facial image and speech of the viewer. The data, which can be captured each viewing session, is matched to a secure profile which may have other security information assigned to it, such as service login IDs and passwords, or credit card numbers. If both the facial image and voice match respective templates, the viewer is allowed access to, e.g., cloud-based content (such as email) or is allowed to make a purchases within applications via account level access. Banking transactions may similarly be permitted upon face/voice match without the need to input a code. Personalization of content based on profiles recognized automatically during a viewing session is also facilitated.
US10178424B2

A method of operating a content delivery system that includes a terminal device and a server includes storing, within the memory element, a channel configuration that has been customized for the terminal device. The method also includes authenticating the terminal device with the server and receiving, by the server, a request for the channel configuration from the terminal device. The method further includes sending, by the server to the terminal device, the channel configuration in response to the request for the channel configuration after authenticating the terminal device. Also, the method includes receiving, by the server, a request for content from the terminal device. The request for content corresponds to the channel configuration. Additionally, the method includes sending, by the server to the terminal device, a content element for populating a terminal device channel by the terminal device according to the channel configuration.
US10178414B2

An indication is received, from each of multiple content viewing devices used by multiple remote viewers, that each specifies a respective individual video content sub-area of interest within streamed video content viewed by each of the multiple remote viewers. An aggregated video content area of interest is defined that includes a combination of each individually-specified video content sub-area of interest within the streamed video content. Video content outside of the aggregated video content area of interest is designated as a region not of interest (RNOI) within the streamed video content. A transmission rate of image changes of video content within the RNOI is reduced within the streamed video content. Bandwidth consumed to transmit the streamed video content is reduced in relation to the reduced transmission rate of the image changes of the video content within the RNOI.
US10178408B2

In a video coding device, an intra prediction unit 11 generates a predicted block, based on an adjacent reconstructed image. A intra first chroma prediction mode coding unit 12 codes an intra prediction mode of a first chroma component based on an intra prediction mode of a luma component. A intra second chroma prediction mode coding unit 13 codes an intra prediction mode of a second chroma component depending on the intra prediction mode of the first chroma component.
US10178407B2

A moving image encoding/decoding system may include a video predictive encoding device, which may include: an encoding device which encodes each of a plurality of input pictures to generate compressed picture data including a random access picture, and encodes data about display order information of each picture; a restoration device which decodes the compressed picture data to restore a reproduced picture; a picture storage device which stores the reproduced picture as a reference picture; and a memory management device which controls the picture storage device. Following completion of an encoding process of generating the random access picture, the memory management device refreshes the picture storage device by setting every reference picture in the picture storage device, except for the random access picture, as unnecessary immediately before or immediately after encoding a picture with display order information larger than the display order information of the random access picture.
US10178405B2

A decoding method wherein a motion vector is associated with a block of pixels of a current image, wherein the image is subdivided into spatial subdivisions, wherein the block of pixels belongs to a current spatial subdivision and is to be predicted using an Intra Block Copy mode, using a predictor block of pixels of the image designated by the motion vector, and wherein the predictor block designated by the motion vector may belong to any one of previously decoded spatial subdivisions in the current image. Embodiments provide enhancements to the Intra Block Copy Mode of the HEVC standard.
US10178397B2

In an example, a method of coding video data includes coding one or more non-video coding layer (VCL) network abstraction layer (NAL) units of a layer of a multi-layer bitstream, where the one or more non-VCL NAL units contain a decoded picture hash SEI message. The method also includes determining a set of layers of the multi-layer bitstream to which the decoded picture hash SEI message is applicable based on a layer identifier of the one or more non-VCL NAL units containing the decoded picture hash SEI message.
US10178394B2

Video coding techniques are disclosed for resource-limited destination display devices. Input video data may be coded by converting a first representation of the input video to a resolution of a destination display and base layer coding the converted representation. Additionally, a region of interest may be predicted from within the input video. The predicted ROI may be converted to a resolution of the destination display, and the converted ROI may be enhancement layer coded. The base layer coded data and the enhancement layer data may be transmitted to the destination display where the coded base layer data is decoded and displayed until a zoom event occurs. When a zoom event occurs, both the coded base layer data and the coded enhancement layer data may be decoded and displayed. Thus, the switchover from a first field of view to an ROI view may be performed quickly.
US10178365B1

A method for combining a plurality of video files with a tune and a recording medium storing an executable program for implementing the method. The method comprises transmitting a service request from an electronic device to a synchronizing server, wherein the service request includes meta information of a plurality of video files, a display order of the plurality of video files, and meta information of a tune, detecting a plurality of beats from the tune; and selecting, from the plurality of beats, a set of beats that synchronize with the plurality of the video files; and transmitting a service response from the synchronizing server to the electronic device, wherein the service response includes time frames associated with the set of beats.
US10178353B2

The invention relates to the forest video monitoring. A method and system are provided for automatically binding a video camera to the absolute coordinate system and determining changes in the video camera binding. In one aspect, the method comprises the steps of: in each of at least two predetermined time moments, aiming the video camera at an object a position of which in the absolute coordinate system centered in a point in which the video camera resides is known at said moment, and determining an orientation of the video camera in a native coordinate system of the video camera; and, based on the determined orientations of the video camera and positions of the object, calculating a rotation of the native coordinate system of the video camera in the absolute coordinate system. The calculated rotation of the video camera's native coordinate system is used to recalculate coordinates of an observed object from the video camera's native coordinate system into the absolute coordinate system. The technical result relates to the improved accuracy of locating the observed object.
US10178350B2

A technique processes an initial recording of a meeting. The technique involves receiving the initial recording of the meeting, and performing a content classification operation that electronically classifies the initial recording of the meeting into a set of relevant conference portions and a set of irrelevant conference portions. The technique further involves, based on the initial recording of the meeting, providing a shortened recording of the meeting. The shortened recording includes the set of relevant conference portions and omits the set of irrelevant conference portions.
US10178346B2

Various embodiments enable a video messaging experience which permits the exchange of short video messages in an asynchronous manner. The video messaging experience preserves the video intimacy and experience of synchronous-type video communications, while at the same time provides the convenience of SMS-type message exchange.
US10178342B2

An imaging apparatus causes an external output I/F to output raw image data to an external recording device and output image correction data to the external recording device every plurality of frames. The external recording device records the image data from the imaging apparatus in a moving image file in a recording medium and records the image correction data in a correction data file in the recording medium.
US10178331B2

A method for noise reduction in an imaging device comprises a 4T pixel in operation, whereby the 4T pixel comprises a pinned photodiode and a floating diffusion node. The method includes the steps of: detecting a signal impinging on the 4T pixel of the imaging device and integrating the charge of the detected signal simultaneously in the photodiode potential well and the potential well of the floating diffusion node; deriving a linear signal proportional to the detected signal from the charge in the photodiode potential well; deriving a compressed signal from the charge in the potential well of the floating diffusion node, while keeping the compressed signal separate from the linear signal, and the compressed signal being a non-linear function of the detected signal; and summing the linear signal and a linearized version of the compressed signal and performing a non-linear conversion on the summation signal to fit the imaging device's output range.
US10178321B2

A method for providing an extended depth of field (EDOF) image includes: Periodically modulating an imaging system focus position at a high frequency; using an image exposure comprising discrete image exposure increments acquired at discrete focus positions during an image integration time comprising a plurality of modulation periods of the focus position; and using strobe operations having controlled timings configured to define a set of evenly spaced focus positions for the image exposure increments. The timings are configured so that adjacent focus positions in the set are acquired at times that are separated by at least one reversal of the direction of change of the focus position during its periodic modulation. This solves practical timing problems that may otherwise prevent obtaining closely spaced discrete image exposure increments during high frequency focus modulation. Deconvolution operations may be used to improve clarity in the resulting EDOF image.
US10178315B1

This disclosure describes optimizing a clarity of images captured by a camera exposed to vibrations, such as a camera mounted on an aerial vehicle. The vibrations can be caused by rotors, motors, forces (e.g., lift, drag, etc.) acting on the UAV, environmental factors (e.g., wind, turbulence, etc.), or any other force that may cause asymmetry. An inertial measurement unit can measure the vibrations and determine a vibrational pattern imposed upon the camera. The inertial measurement unit can identify one or more dead points in the vibrational pattern, and times associated therewith. The inertial measurement unit can send the one or more dead points and/or the times associated therewith to the camera, and cause the camera to capture and/or store images at times corresponding to the one or more dead points to enable capture of images with little or no blur.
US10178312B2

An image processing apparatus for synthesizing continuously captured images includes a positioning unit configured to position images to be synthesized by using a motion vector indicating a positional deviation of the images between the images, and a synthesis unit configured to synthesize the images positioned by the positioning unit. The image processing apparatus further includes a group classification unit configured to classify the images into groups based on an order of imaging, and a setting unit configured to set a reference image in each group. The positioning unit includes a first positioning unit configured to position the images within the groups with respect to the respective reference images, and a second positioning unit configured to position the reference images between the groups.
US10178308B2

Disclosed is a method for photographing a panoramic image including the steps of recognizing movement of a corresponding photographing apparatus by comparing a current real-time input image with a previous image through a motion estimation mechanism with exposure compensation, determining a time to photograph each next picture by determining whether movement in a photography direction reaches a preset threshold value, and photographing each next picture by manual or automatic operation at the determined time.
US10178307B2

An image processing system includes camera modules each including an imager configured to acquire an image at the timing of a vertical synchronization signal, and a phase controller configured to control the phase of the vertical synchronization signal, and each configured to output the vertical synchronization signal together with a corresponding one of image signals of images of different imaging fields; a phase monitoring unit configured to compare the phases of the vertical synchronization signals from the camera modules; a relative phase control unit configured to output a relative phase control signal to the phase controller of each camera module at a predetermined cycle such that the vertical synchronization signals monitored by the phase monitoring unit are synchronized with each other; and an image synthesizing unit configured to synthesize the images at the timing of the synchronized and controlled vertical synchronization signal to generate a single synthesized image.
US10178306B2

An electronic device includes a housing including a front panel and a rear panel, the rear panel arranged on a side of the housing opposite the front panel, the housing further including side edges connecting the rear panel to the front panel. The electronic device further includes, a processor configured to execute instructions and the processor being arranged within the housing, a display device configured to generate an interface based in part in response to the processor, wherein the display device is arranged in the front panel, a touchscreen associated with the display device and configured to sense a user input, wherein the user input is provided to the processor and wherein the touchscreen comprises part of the front panel, and a rear input arranged on the rear panel of the housing and configured to provide a dedicated input to the processor.
US10178302B2

A safety control device causes an appropriate safety function to operate based on the positional relationship between an operator and a hazard source, the positions of which vary from moment to moment. A hazard source detection section and an operator detection section detect an image of the hazard source and an image of the operator, respectively, from an image of a monitoring area taken by an imaging instrument. A shortest distance search section searches for a shortest distance between the image of the hazard source and the image of the operator. A safety function allocation section selects a safety function based on the shortest distance found by the shortest distance search section. A safety signal generation section transmits a safety signal, which indicates the selected safety function, to an external safety-related instrument using an external communication unit.
US10178294B2

Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for controlling an operation of a video capture device (e.g., in a cognitive robotic device). In an embodiment, a set of conditions is obtained using a cognitive computer system. Each of the obtained conditions includes a specific individual and a potential action that may be performed by the individual. The cognitive computer system analyzes video being captured by the video capture device to determine whether the video satisfies any of the set of conditions (e.g., the individual in the video is performing the action). If the cognitive computer system determines that one of the set of conditions has been satisfied, the operation of the video capture device (e.g., capture rate of the video) is modified to account for the satisfied condition.
US10178288B2

A driver monitoring system for a motor vehicle has: at least one camera device including a cylindrical lens holder having at least one lens; at least one lighting element configured as an infrared radiator, and at least one plug-on module having a plate-shaped bearer on which the at least one lighting element is situated, the at least one plug-on module being configured to be plugged onto the lens holder.
US10178279B2

An image forming device includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium in response to an input of image data representing the image, a reading unit that reads a first image formed by the image forming device, and a second image formed by another image forming device to respectively generate a first read image and a second read image, the first image and the second image being formed based on identical image data, a discrimination unit that discriminates the first read image and the second read image from each other, and a color correction unit that performs, on the image formed by the image forming unit, a color correction that cancels out a difference in color between the first read image and the second read image.
US10178275B2

An information processing system includes an apparatus and an information processing apparatus coupled to an external device via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a first transmitting unit configured to perform authentication using authentication information provided by the apparatus, and to transmit first data denoting a completion of the authentication to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a first identifying unit configured to identify user identification information of the operator of the apparatus, and an acquisition unit configured to receive the authentication information from the operator, to obtain the first data from the information processing apparatus by sending the authentication information, and to store the first data with the user identification information into a first storage unit. When the first data correlated with the user identification information has already stored in the first storage unit, the acquisition unit does not request the operator to input the authentication information.
US10178268B2

A communication system includes a server device and a client device. The server device includes an encoding unit that encodes information about characters contained in a first image to generate an encoded image, a generation unit that generates a second image in which the generated encoded image is embedded at a position specified from a position of the characters on the first image in place of the characters, and a transmission unit that transmits the second image to the client device in response to a request for the first image from the client device. The client device includes an extraction unit that extracts the encoded image from the received second image, a decoding unit that decodes the extracted encoded image, and a replacement unit that replaces the encoded image on the second image with characters specified from decoded information to generate the first image.
US10178263B2

An information processing apparatus includes a setting-change-information receiver, a state-change-necessity-information memory, and a setting processor. The setting-change-information receiver receives setting-change information, which contains a setting item and a set value for the setting item, from a terminal device via a communication line. The state-change-necessity-information memory stores the setting item in association with state-change-necessity information indicating whether or not a physical state of the information processing apparatus has to be changed. The setting processor changes a setting of the information processing apparatus based on the setting-change information. The setting processor reserves changing of the set value for the setting item if the setting item contained in the setting-change information requires a change in the physical change.
US10178253B2

An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a cover, and a hinge mechanism connecting the cover to the reading unit pivotably about a pivot axis which extends in a first direction. A center of gravity of the cover is closer to a first end of the cover in a first direction than to a second end of the cover. A first hinge is spaced from the center of gravity toward the second end of the cover in the first direction. A second hinge is disposed closer to the center of gravity in the first direction than the first hinge. The first hinge includes a base member disposed movably in the reading unit, a pivot member coupled to the cover, and an urging member exerting an urging force between the base member and the pivot member so as to maintain the cover at a pivoted position.
US10178248B2

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.
US10178247B2

A systematic approach to producing multi-dimensional photon images on a computer platform having applications to a plurality of input image(s) from various sources, and applications to coordinate and adjust numerous variables which determine the quality of the image, such as the size of the imported images, the output image size, the resolving power of the viewing screen and the width of the resolving elements, the dots per inch of the output device (or pixels per inch), the desired nearest object, the desired furthest object and the determination of the central or the “key subject”, rules of interphasing, the number of frames or layers, the minimum parallax, and the maximum parallax, and, thus, provide a digital multi-dimensional image without jumping images or fuzzy features or other visual distortions by creating high quality output images both in the form of a printed hardcopy or as a viewed image on an appropriate viewing device. The digital multi-dimensional image platform based system controls the position and path of light from the original object to the human visual system.
US10178242B2

Techniques for managing a plurality of mobile communications devices by an enterprise server are described. The mobile communications devices may be configured to communicate on a mobile communications network operated by a mobile network operator. A communicative link is established with a proxy interface configured to implement a standardized interface for exchanging information between the enterprise and the mobile network operator. Data is received by the enterprise server via the proxy interface. The data is associated with subscription services for a plurality of mobile communications devices that are operable on the mobile communications network. The subscription services are associated with the mobile network operator. Requests are sent by the enterprise server via the proxy interface. The requests are for updating the subscription services of the mobile network operator.
US10178240B2

A multiple subscriber identity module cards (multi-SIM) resource management method, device and multi-SIM terminal. The method comprises: acquiring a subscriber identity module card list in a terminal, the subscriber identity module card list comprising all subscriber identity module cards in the terminal; and if a remaining quantity of a service resource on a subscriber identity module card currently used in the terminal is less than or equal to a preset remaining quantity threshold, then automatically switching to a subscriber identity module card having a sufficient service resource and in the subscriber identity module card list.
US10178224B2

Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to use of biometric identification during a call for detecting an anomaly occurring in the call, such as a change in the parties participating on the call. Communication between parties of a call is monitored and biometric identification is performed using the communication. According to one exemplary embodiment, biometric prints, such as voice prints, face prints, etc., are obtained for parties that are authorized to participate on a call. The call is then monitored and biometric data (e.g., audio, video, etc.) captured from communication during the call is compared with the biometric prints of the authorized parties to detect changes in the parties participating on the call, such as a new, unauthorized party joining the call. Thus, a call processing system can detect anomalies occurring during monitored calls, such as three-way calling, a handoff of a call, etc.
US10178215B2

Systems and methods for establishing communication between a terminal and a device are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, a method used in the device includes receiving a plurality of multicast packets from the terminal. The method also includes determining, according to the multicast packets, wireless connection information of a wireless network. The method further includes connecting to the wireless network according to the wireless connection information. The method further includes generating a notification indicating a password associated with the device.
US10178200B2

In some implementations, a mobile device can be configured to monitor environmental, system and user events associated with the mobile device and/or a peer device. The occurrence of one or more events can trigger adjustments to system settings. The mobile device can be configured to keep frequently invoked applications up to date based on a forecast of predicted invocations by the user. In some implementations, the mobile device can receive push notifications associated with applications that indicate that new content is available for the applications to download. The mobile device can launch the applications associated with the push notifications in the background and download the new content. In some implementations, before running an application or communicating with a peer device, the mobile device can be configured to check energy and data budgets and environmental conditions of the mobile device and/or a peer device to ensure a high quality user experience.
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