Document Document Title
US09168705B2 Rotor blade for a wind turbine, method and manufacturing mold for the production thereof
A rotor blade and a method and a manufacturing mold for the production of a rotor blade for a wind turbine, which extends longitudinally in the operational state from a blade root area to the connection to a rotor hub of the wind turbine and which is divided into at least two segments for its production, wherein at least one subdivision is provided approximately transverse to its longitudinal extension between the blade root area and the blade tip. The method facilitates and shortens the production of the rotor blade, in particular for a series production and to still provide the completed rotor blade as a familiar uniform rotor blade. In the method, the at least two segments, preferably after they have been at least partially produced or partially produced mainly parallel in time, are interconnected in an integration device.
US09168697B2 Additive manufacturing system with extended printing volume, and methods of use thereof
An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the system comprising a heatable chamber with a port, a print foundation, a print head configured to print a three-dimensional part onto the print foundation in a layer-by-layer manner along a printing axis, and a drive mechanism configured to index the print foundation along the printing axis such that, while the print head prints the three-dimensional part, the print foundation and at least a portion of the three-dimensional part pass through the port and out of the heated chamber.
US09168695B2 Biaxially stretched polyamide resin film and production method thereof
Disclosed is a biaxially stretched polyamide resin film which is a biaxially stretched film having a layer of a polyamide resin with caproamide as a repeating unit thereof and has an amount of the caprolactam monomer extracted from the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film of 0.1% by mass or less, and also disclosed is a packaging material including the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film.
US09168686B2 Apparatus for forming a composite component
Apparatus 200 for forming a composite component is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a deformable mold tool 204 that at least partially defines a mold cavity 212; an interface layer 222 formed on an external surface of the mold tool 204; and at least two peristaltic actuators 206, mounted to contact the interface layer 222 and to generate a peristaltic pressure wave in the mold tool 204. The peristaltic actuators comprise rollers 206, pistons 306 or bi-metallic blocks 406. A method of forming a composite component is also disclosed, the method employing a mold tool 204 that at least partially defines a mold cavity 212. The method comprises: placing reinforcing fibers into the mold cavity 212, forcing a matrix material into the mold cavity 212 through the reinforcing fibers, and generating a peristaltic pressure wave within the mold tool 204 during forcing of the matrix material into the mold cavity 212.
US09168684B2 Method of making an elastomeric skin and skin obtained by that method
The present invention relates to a method of making an elastomeric skin (1) wherein droplets of at least one first skin forming composition (2) are applied onto a mould surface to form a layer of the first skin forming composition thereon and wherein one or more second skin forming compositions (4) are applied at least partially onto the back of the layer of said first skin forming composition (2) to produce the skin (1). In order to obtain a special visual appearance when using of differently colored first and second skin forming materials, or in order to reduce the effect of the first skin forming composition (2) on the overall physical properties of the skin (1), the droplets of the first skin forming composition (2) are applied onto the mould surface and are allowed to coalesce to form a non-continuous layer of the first skin forming composition which comprises a plurality of gaps (3). The second skin forming compositions (4) are applied not only on the back of the first skin forming composition (2) but also in these gaps (3). The first skin forming composition preferably forms islands on the mould surface which are interconnected by means of the second skin forming compositions.
US09168682B2 Medium supply appartus
A medium supply apparatus includes: a storage part storing, in advance, information indicating a relation between a change in the amount of medium supplied by a medium drive part and a change in a frequency obtained by conversion in an inverter in accordance with a pipe resistance in a state that an electric motor is operated in a given condition; a frequency detection part detecting the frequency of the inverter in a case that the electric motor is operated in the given condition; a medium amount calculation part, on the basis of the frequency detected by the frequency detection part and the information stored in the storage part, calculating the amount of medium to be supplied by the medium drive part; a setup part setting up a necessary amount for the medium; and a frequency control part, on the basis of the necessary amount of medium set up by the setup part, the detected frequency, and the calculated medium amount, controlling the frequency to be obtained by conversion in the inverter.
US09168672B2 Knife with disposable inserts
A knife with disposable inserts. Either (1) a front side of the knife body has a cutting edge, the front side of the insert is removably mounted to a rear side of the knife body, and either (A) a rear side of the insert has a cutting edge, or (B) the rear side of the insert has a blunt face that forms a rear side of the knife; or (2) a rear side of the knife body has a blunt face that forms the rear side of the knife, the rear side of the insert is removably mounted to the front side of the knife body, and the front side of the insert has a cutting edge.
US09168670B2 Battery driven electric power tool with brushless motor
An electric power tool (100) includes a power source (102) enclosed in a casing (104). The power source (102) is a brushless DC motor (202) which drives a drive mechanism (106) for a cutting device. Further, an oil pump is at least partly housed in the casing (104) of the electric power tool (100). The oil pump is also driven by the brushless DC motor (202).
US09168668B2 Device for assisting in cutting a layer of fiber texture wound on an impregnation mandrel of a winding machine
A device for assisting in cutting of a fiber texture layer wound on an impregnation mandrel of a winding machine, the device including two positioning stops each configured to be positioned on a respective side plate of the impregnation mandrel, and a plate forming a cutting jig that is configured to be positioned on the fiber texture layer that is to be cut in register with the protective film, the plate including a slot extending in position between the side plates of the impregnation mandrel and serving to guide a cutting tool.
US09168658B2 Panel pickup and placing method and combined pickup device for performing the method
A panel pickup and placing method includes providing a liquid crystal panel, a machine table, a panel pickup device, and a vacuum suction device; coupling the panel pickup device and the vacuum suction device together; moving the panel pickup device to have the vacuum suction device engaging a surface of the liquid crystal panel; the vacuum suction device sucking and adhering to the liquid crystal panel; moving the panel pickup device to have the vacuum suction device lifting the liquid crystal panel for transfer to the machine table; the vacuum suction device releasing the liquid crystal panel; and moving the panel pickup device to have the vacuum suction device departing from the liquid crystal panel in order to position the liquid crystal panel on the machine table. The combined panel pickup device includes a panel pickup device and a vacuum suction device mounted to the panel pickup device.
US09168652B2 Hand-held power tool, in particular electric hand-held power tool
A hand-held power tool has a housing including at least two separate and interconnected housing parts, wherein one housing part forms a handle housing for holding and guiding the hand-held power tool. The handle housing includes a handle and a fastening component. The fastening component is connected to the other housing part and to the handle, and a vibration reduction element is arranged between the fastening component and the handle.
US09168643B2 Driving rotation tool
A driving rotation tool includes a socket base, a socket clearance hole inside the socket base and surrounded by three first gripping surfaces, three second gripping surfaces and six third gripping surfaces for development of edge planes around the socket clearance hole wherein the third gripping surface is located between the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface for circular permutation of first gripping surface, third gripping surface and second gripping surface. The first gripping surface is a cambered surface. The second gripping surface is an angled surface consisting of two adjoining planes which form an obtuse angle. As such, the tool facilitates not only normally driving a nut or a bolt head but also screwing or unscrewing the nut or the bolt head with edges or corners worn out or damaged and further promotes overall convenience, practicability and market competitiveness.
US09168635B2 Humidity control for abrasive blasting systems
An abrasive blasting system includes an air subsystem being adapted to provide pressurized air, a fluid subsystem being adapted to provide fluid, a mixer being adapted to mix the fluid with the pressurized air, and a media subsystem being adapted to provide abrasive media. The method includes pressurizing the air, mixing the fluid with the air, thereby changing the relative humidity of the air, and blasting a surface of a structure with abrasive media mixed with the fluid and the pressurized air.
US09168634B1 Waterjet removal of coverings from tangled wire and loose coils
A system for impacting a flow of fluid onto a wire, a bundle of wires, coil of wires and/or cables or other electrical/electronic materials/components that are oriented in a tangle or loose coils etc., and having one or more outer covering materials, and methodology of its use to remove the one or more outer coverings.
US09168633B2 Milling and grinding device and machining method using the same
A milling and grinding device, for machining a workpiece, includes a rack, a positioning tool, a spindle, a tool magazine, a milling cutter, a grinding wheel, and a controller. The rack defines a receiving chamber, and includes a workstation at a bottom of the receiving chamber. The positioning tool is mounted on the workstation to position the workpiece. The milling cutter and the grinding wheel are received in the tool magazine. The milling cutter is capable of milling the workpiece to form a hole. The grinding wheel is capable of grinding the hole of the workpiece. The controller is mounted on the rack, and capable of controlling the spindle to receive the milling cutter or the grinding wheel from the tool magazine, to mill or grind the workpiece. The tool setting gauge is mounted on the workstation, and capable of sharpening the grinding wheel in a different grinding precision.
US09168630B2 User-input functions for data sequences in polishing endpoint detection
A method of controlling polishing includes receiving user input through a graphical user interface selecting a function, the function including at least one parameter that can be varied, polishing a substrate, monitoring a substrate during polishing with an in-situ monitoring system, generating a sequence of values from measurements from the in-situ monitoring system, fitting the function to the sequence of values, the fitting including determining a value of the at least one parameter that provides a best fit of the function to the sequence of values, determining a projected time at which the function equals a target value, and determining at least one of a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the projected time.
US09168621B2 Pin clamp with multi-thickness clamping feature
A pin clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a housing and a locating pin extending through the housing and having a longitudinal axis. The locating pin is sized to be positioned within an opening of the workpiece. A finger is positioned adjacent to the locating pin and movable in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis to retain the workpiece on the locating pin. A linear actuator is configured to move the locating pin in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. A locking arrangement is carried by the housing. A sequence cam is connected with the linear actuator in a manner allowing axial movement of the linear actuator to be converted into transverse movement of the sequence cam. The sequence cam includes an engagement surface which engages the locking arrangement to lock the locating pin and the finger against the workpiece upon retraction of the linear actuator.
US09168620B2 Lens module assembling device
A lens module assembling device includes a platform, a deformable support member, a deformable limiting unit and a gas blowing device. The platform includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the platform includes a receiving recess configured for receiving the deformable support member. The platform includes a bottom surface defines a plurality of through holes. The through holes through the bottom surface and the second surface. The deformable support member is placed on the bottom surface in a way such that the through holes are exposed. The deformable limiting unit is arranged on the first surface. The deformable limiting unit defines a limiting hole limiting the lens barrel in the recess. The gas blowing device is arranged below the second surface of the platform and configured for blowing gas to the lens module through the through holes.
US09168611B2 Laser cutting method
The laser cutting method for cutting a pair of plate materials, each of which has a different thickness and melting point, by irradiating them with a laser is provided with a plate material placement process for placing the pair of plate materials side by side so that, out of the pair of plate materials, an opposite surface of a laser irradiated surface of a plate material with a lower melting point protrudes more than an opposite surface of a laser irradiated surface of a plate material with a higher melting point, a focus adjustment process for aligning a focus position of the laser with an undersurface opposite the laser irradiated surface of the plate material with a higher melting point out of the pair of plate materials, and a plate material cutting process for cutting the pair of plate materials through irradiation with the laser according to a series of operations while sustaining a focus position of the laser to the pair of plate materials.
US09168606B2 Electrospark deposition process and system for repair of gas turbine
A system and method for repairing a metal substrate includes an electrospark device and an electrode removably supported in the electrode holder. The electrospark device applies a coating of a material when placed into contact with the metal substrate. A cooling device to lowers the temperature of shielding gas flow below an ambient temperature. A conduit is arranged to direct a flow of the shielding gas to the interface of the electrode and the substrate to cool the area of the substrate receiving the coating.
US09168605B2 Soldering assembly for detachable tip
A soldering assembly comprises a heater, a lock member, and a bias member. The lock member is moveable relative to the heater, includes a ramp feature, and is configured to receive a tip or a tip holder. The bias member is configured to urge movement of the lock member away from a distal segment of the heater.
US09168600B2 Rasp for smoothing irregularly shaped surfaces
A surface shaping rasp for use in removing material to shape or smooth a substrate such as an animal's hoof. The rasp has a plurality of blades spaced sufficiently apart to provide relatively rigid surface yet providing enough open space to allow passage of removed material and placed in a holding frame. The rasp is especially useful for smoothing rough and irregularly shaped surfaces such as after trimming an animal's hoof.
US09168598B2 Forward extending workpiece support
A power saw arrangement includes a saw blade, a base, a table and a supplemental support. The base defines a support surface and includes first and second stops. The table is movably coupled to the base and rotates about a table axis. The handle extends from the table and is movable relative to the base between first and second positions. In the first and second positions, the handle engages the first and second stops, respectively. A handle space is defined by movement of the handle between the first and second stops. The supplemental support does not provide the first or second stop. The supplemental support is movably coupled to the base and is moveable between extended and retracted positions. In the extended and retracted positions, the supplemental support is positioned within and without the handle space, respectively.
US09168597B2 Table saw with foldable tabletop and legs
Provided is a table saw assembly including a base portion, a saw blade opening, a saw assembly and a first leg assembly. The base portion includes a base work piece support surface which defines a support plane. The base portion includes a lower surface opposite the base work piece support surface. The saw blade opening is defined in the base work piece support surface. The saw assembly includes a saw blade which is positionable to extend upwardly through the saw blade opening. The first leg assembly includes a first foot portion. The first leg assembly is pivotable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first foot portion is positioned lower than the lower surface of the base portion. In the second position, the first foot portion is positioned above the lower surface of the base portion.
US09168596B2 Blade guard for a saw
A blade guard for a circular saw blade. The blade guard includes at least two pieces coupled together. The blade guard also includes at least one bottom plate having a slot formed therein for accommodating the circular saw blade and at least one top cover. Additionally, the blade guard includes a plurality of fastening rods for coupling the bottom plate with the top cover, the plurality of fastening rods further configured to secure the at least two pieces to the at least one bottom plate and the at least one top cover.
US09168595B2 Tool
The invention relates to a tool for the outside milling or for the rotary broaching of tools that rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof during machining. A disk-shaped tool carrier includes peripherally arranged cutting inserts or cartridges having cutting inserts. According to the invention, the cutting inserts or the cartridges are arranged on a ring-shaped or partially ring-shaped, segment-shaped carrier that is removably fastened to a machine spindle either directly or indirectly by an adapter.
US09168589B2 Indexable drill insert
A quadrangular indexable drill insert includes: a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface adjoining the top and bottom surfaces from four sides of the insert, four cutting edges configured at the intersection of the side surface and the top surface, and a screw hole disposed at the center of the insert. Each cutting edge includes: a first part edge; a second part edge extending from the first part edge; a third part edge extends away from a reference axis, a nose portion adjoins the first part edge with the third part edge of a succeeding cutting edge and a transitional edge joining the second and third part edges. The transitional part edge forms an angle of about 10° to about 90° with respect to the reference axis and forms a convex curve with the second part edge and a concave curve with the third part edge.
US09168586B2 Stopper rod
Stopper rod having an elongate body with an inlet at an upper first end and an outlet at a lower second end. The second end of the body defines a nose for insertion into a tundish outlet. A continuous axial bore extends through the body from the inlet in the first end to the outlet in the second end. A restrictor having an inlet, an outlet and a passageway therebetween is positioned in the axial bore such that the inlet of the restrictor is closer to the first end than the second end. A gas supply conduit is arranged to supply gas into the axial bore above the inlet of the restrictor.
US09168581B2 Electro-hydraulic rivet and method of riveting and welding parts
A method of riveting two metal parts through a hole with an electro-hydraulic riveting tool. The electro-hydraulic riveting tool includes a tube that is inserted in the hole and an electrode that is inserted within the tube. A liquid is contained within the tube and the electrode is immersed in the liquid. A stored charge is discharged through the electrode to create a shockwave within the fluid that forms the tube into a rivet structure and creates solid state weld between the rivet flanges and the parts that are joined.
US09168577B2 Bending machine for helically bending an elongated workpiece
A bending machine for helically bending an elongated workpiece (T) has at least three bending rollers (2) that, being rotatable integrally with respective supporting shafts (3) with parallel axes (y), co-operate in bending the elongated workpiece (T). Each bending roller (2) is arranged to shift along its own supporting shaft (3) by way of a prismatic coupling for a limited stroke and to swing with respect to the axis of the supporting shaft (3) by way of a partially spherical body (8) forming a rotary coupling with the supporting shaft (3) in a limited amount of angular displacement according to an arc of meridian of the partially spherical body (8), so that each bending roller (2) is orientated coplanar to the elongated workpiece (T) that takes an inclined position on the basis of a desired helix pitch.
US09168561B2 Apparatus including a fixed temporary stage for manufacturing molded product
An apparatus for manufacturing a molded product, which has a highly homogeneous thin film, at low cost by operating an injection molding machine and a film forming device at a high rate of operation is provided. A molded product formed by an injection molding machine is conveyed to a temporary stage by a first conveying device. The molded products corresponding to several times of an injection molding step are pooled on the temporary stage by the repetition of an injection molding step. A second conveying device collectively conveys all the molded products, which are pooled on the temporary stage, to a film forming device. Films are formed on the molded products by the film forming device, and the molded products are conveyed to the outside by a third conveying device. The injection molding step is continuously performed while a film forming step is performed.
US09168559B2 Facility and method for coating the inside of a pipe element
A facility suitable for coating the inside of a pipe element with a mortar that comprises a transport device (32) for feeding dry matter of the mortar that includes a transport chamber (48) and a transport member (54) for transporting the dry matter arranged in the transport chamber, the transport chamber being provided with a dry matter inlet (50) and a dry matter outlet (52); a mixing and projection device (34) for mixing the dry matter with liquid matter to obtain the mortar having a mixing member (82) and a mixing chamber (74) wherein the mixing chamber has a dry matter inlet (76) fed by the dry matter outlet (52), a liquid matter inlet (78) and a mortar outlet (80).
US09168555B2 Method for transporting a liquid for atomization and a method and devices for atomizing the same
Ultrasonic nozzle devices without a central channel but employing a design of cascaded multiple Fourier horns in resonance produce micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets with greatly reduced electrical drive power requirements. The liquid to be atomized is brought externally to or adjacent to the endface of the nozzle tip. The above liquid transport method is equally applicable to the ultrasonic nozzle-array devices that are made up of a plurality of ultrasonic single-nozzle devices configured in parallel. The longitudinal length, transverse width, shape, and area of the nozzle endface of single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices may be tailored or designed (e.g. enlarged) to obtain optimum or large quantities of product droplets to achieve high throughput. By increasing the drive frequency to 8 MHz or higher, sub-micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets can be produced using the ultrasonic single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices or any solid endface.
US09168548B2 Liquid dispensing device
A liquid dispensing device for a trash container spray system may be provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the liquid dispensing device is activated upon the trash receptacle being lifted and placed back on the ground, moving a piston and actuator component of the liquid dispensing device from a first to second position, back to the first position, and providing the force needed to spray the liquid compound into the interior of the trash receptacle. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a manually activated pump feature may be provided for spraying a liquid compound into the interior of a trash receptacle via the liquid dispensing device. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a float valve feature may be provided for spraying the liquid compound into the interior of the trash receptacle via the liquid dispensing device.
US09168539B2 Method of applying thermoplastic liquid onto a substrate
Apparatus and methods for applying liquid onto a substrate include a nozzle configured to be connected to a liquid source. The nozzle further includes a distribution passage with a length that can receive the liquid. A piston is positioned in the distribution passage and a slit-shaped nozzle opening is in fluid communication with the distribution passage. The piston is movable in the distribution passage so as to vary the length that can receive the liquid. The nozzle opening communicates with the distribution passage via a plurality of spaced apart outlet channels having respective outlet ends. The outlet channels are formed between first and second nozzle pieces each having a tip portion at the outlet ends. At least one of the first or second nozzle pieces is flexible at the tip such that the outlet ends open when under positive fluid pressure and close when the fluid pressure is reduced. An application valve is coupled to the nozzle for selectively interrupting or enabling a flow of liquid to the distribution passage.
US09168526B2 Hinged cap for diagnostic device
A hinged cap for engaging a housing of a diagnostic device comprises a central body; two arms extending from opposing sides of one end of said central body, said arms being substantially parallel; each of said arms comprising a cap hinge member for engaging a housing hinge member on said housing, wherein said cap hinge member and said housing hinge member define a hinge axis around which said cap is pivotable between an open and a closed position with respect to said housing.
US09168521B2 Microfluidic device with deformable valve
A microfluidic device includes a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a valve comprising at least an input port and an output port, the ports respectively connected to the first microchannel and the second microchannel, the valve designed to control a flow of a liquid along a flow direction (z) defined by the ports; wherein the valve further comprises one or more walls joining the ports and defining a hollow chamber that is wider than each of the microchannels in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction, the walls at least partly deformable along a deformation direction (−y) intersecting the flow direction, such that the walls can be given at least a first deformation state and a second deformation state, such that the liquid can be pulled along the flow direction substantially more in the second deformation state than in the first deformation state.
US09168516B2 Solvothermal synthesis process of SAPO molecular sieves and catalysts prepared thereby
A solvothermal synthesis process of the SAPO molecular sieves and catalysts prepared thereby are provided. The synthesis process comprises the following steps: a) an organic amine, an aluminum source, a phosphorus source, a silicon source, and water are mixed in a molar ratio of 6-30:1:0.5-5:0.01-1.0:0.1-15, to obtain an initial mixture for preparing the SAPO molecular sieves, wherein the molar ratio of water to the organic amine is less than 2.0; b) the initial mixture obtained in the step a) is maintained at 30-60° C. to and aged with stirring for not more than 24 hours, to obtain an initial gel; c) the initial gel obtain in the step b) is crystallized at 150-250° C. for 0.5-15 days. The SAPO molecular sieves prepared thereby are used, after being calcined at 400-700° C. in air, as catalysts for acid-catalyzed reactions or for conversion reactions of oxygen-containing compounds to olefins.
US09168513B2 Process for preparation of zeolitic material
The present invention relates to a process for process for the preparation of a zeolitic material which process comprises (i) providing a boron-containing zeolitic material and (ii) deboronating the boron-containing zeolitic material by treating the boron-containing zeolitic material with a liquid solvent system thereby obtaining a deboronated zeolitic material, which liquid solvent system does not contain an inorganic or organic acid, or a salt thereof.
US09168506B2 Additive for hydroconversion process and method for making and using same
An additive for hydroconversion processes includes a solid organic material having a particle size of between about 0.1 and about 2,000 μm, a bulk density of between about 500 and about 2,000 kg/m3, a skeletal density of between about 1,000 and about 2,000 kg/m3 and a humidity of between 0 and about 5 wt %. Methods for preparation and use of the additive are also provided. By the use of the additive of the present invention, the hydroconversion process can be performed at high conversion level.
US09168499B1 Arrangements for removing entrained catalyst particulates from a gas
An arrangement for removing entrained catalyst particulates from a gas may include a pressure vessel, a filter assembly, and a dip leg. The pressure vessel may contain a fluidized bed of catalyst particulates suspended in the gas. Some of the gas and entrained catalyst particulates may be directed to the filter assembly where the entrained catalyst particulates are filtered from the gas by a filter medium. The catalyst particulates pass generally tangentially along a feed side of the filter medium, where they scour the feed side of the filter medium, and then pass into the dip tube which guides the catalyst particulates away from the filter medium.
US09168475B2 Separator for a gas/liquid flow
The invention is separator for separating a fluid flow of gas with droplets (G, L), comprising an inlet (10) for the gas to be separated to a rotor (4) with a mesh (5) for coalescing the droplets (L) and releasing coalesced liquid (L′) from a peripheral part (50) of the rotor (4). Novel features of the separator is that—the mesh (5) generally forms an axial passage for said gas (G) from the inlet (10), through said rotor (4), to an outlet (20) for liquid depleted gas (G′), and—the rotor (4) with the mesh (5) is arranged for transporting the coalesced liquid (L′) laterally out of the axial passage to a wall (6) arranged for receiving the coalesced liquid (L′).
US09168474B2 Inertial particle separator with heat exchange
The inertial particle separator with heat exchange is a system for separating particulate matter from a mixture of fluid and particles, such as, for example, oil mixtures, natural gas mixtures, or combinations thereof. A rotating pipe first receives the mixture and imparts a tangential velocity thereto. A first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the rotating pipe for decreasing the temperature of the mixture. An inlet of a convergent-divergent nozzle is connected to an outlet of the rotating pipe for receiving the mixture. The convergent-divergent nozzle accelerates the mixture to a supersonic axial velocity. The accelerated mixture flows into a temperature-controlled pipe which is in thermal communication with a second heat exchanger for further decreasing the temperature of the mixture. The mixture then flows into a concentric diffuser, such that the particulate matter of the mixture is separated from the fluid of the mixture under centrifugal force acting thereon.
US09168467B1 Assembly for separating gas mixtures in fractionating columns
The invention relates to cryogenic technology, namely, to devices for obtaining components of gas mixtures by rectification method, particularly, neon isotopes. The device comprises housed in jackets rectification columns, forming connected in series head and N−1 consecutively installed sections, containing contact spaces, whose upper areas are connected with condensers, whose inner surfaces contact with the mixture to be separated in the rectification columns, and outer surfaces—with the cooling medium, which, through gas recuperative heat exchangers, are connected by the line of the working body return flow to the compressor and the working body separator with the connecting pipe of the gas phase, condensers are grouped into blocks of condensers in sections which have common cavities of the cooling medium and, at least, one of N installed sections consists of groups of nj (j=1 . . . N) rectification columns connected in parallel.
US09168466B2 Multi-layer steam grid for heat and mass transfer in a tailings solvent recovery unit
A grid of pipes for conducting steam at a pressure greater than a vessels' operating pressure and delivering the steam throughout the grid forms the internals for a tailings solvent recovery unit. The delivery of steam throughout the grid aids in maintaining a relatively low partial pressure throughout the vessel to act as a driver for mass transfer. Conducting the steam at the higher pressure through the pipes in the grid permits a surface of the pipes to be heated to a temperature higher than possible in a conventional vessel, increasing the heat transfer to the feed stream which flows through the grid.
US09168459B1 System and method for dynamically altering an in-game experience based on a user's connection to the game
One aspect of the disclosure relates to dynamically altering an in-game experience based on a user's connection to the online game. The online game may monitor connection strength of a device of the user to a network via which the user may access the online game. The online game may dynamically alter the user's experience based on the connection strength of the device. The online game may make available or remove the availability of one or more modes of game play to the user based on the connection strength of the users device.
US09168446B2 Protective padding
A protective padding assembly for covering a section of chain link fence of the character found in sports venues, such as baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields and the like, wherein the section of chain link fence includes a hingeably connected swinging gate. The protective padding assembly uniquely includes a fence covering section, a gate covering section and an intermediate, wedge shaped portion for covering the gate hinges in a manner that will not interfere with opening and closing the gate.
US09168444B2 Miniature golf game
A first embodiment of the invention presented herein describes a miniature golf game that has three components, a putting green, a tee base, and obstacles. The putting base comprised of a tee platform, a tee and bumps representing obstacles. The putting green has one or more depressions simulating sand trap hazards and/or water hazards and a rotatable disk having hole simulating a golf cup, the center of hole positioned away from the center of the rotatable disk By positioning the putting green in various orientations relative to the tee base, orienting the tee base in various positions relative the putting green, placing the obstacles in various positions between the putting green and the tee base, and finally rotating the rotatable disk relative to the putting position so the hole from the putting green, a virtually infinite number layouts may be created. Other embodiments are presented.
US09168432B2 Golf club heads with turbulators and methods to manufacture golf club heads with turbulators
A golf club head including a face portion defining a loft plane, a rear portion opposite to the face portion, a heel portion, a toe portion opposite to the heel portion, a crown portion having a crown surface extending between the face portion, the rear portion, the heel portion and the toe portion, a sole portion opposite to the crown portion and having a sole surface extending between the face portion, the rear portion, the heel portion and the toe portion, and a leading edge portion between the face portion and the crown portion, the leading edge portion defining a leading edge plane forming a leading edge angle with the loft plane; and a plurality of crown turbulators disposed on the crown surface, each crown turbulator having a front portion defining a portion of the crown turbulator being closest to the face portion, the front portion of at least one of the plurality of crown turbulators being at least partly located on the leading edge portion and between the leading edge plane and the rear portion, but not extending beyond the leading edge plane.
US09168428B2 Hollow golf club head having sole stress reducing feature
A hollow golf club head incorporating a stress reducing feature including at least one sole located stress reducing feature located at least partially on the sole. The location and size of the sole stress reducing feature, and their relationship to one another and other club head engineering variables, play a significant role in selectively influencing deflection and performance of the face.
US09168425B2 Mesh racket
The present invention discloses a mesh racket and its manufacturing method, comprising a handle (1), a frame (2) and a string (3), wherein the handle (1) is fixed to one end of the frame (2) along the horizontal direction of the frame (2), a plurality of holes (4) are arranged on the side wall of the frame (2) for installing the string (3), characterized in that the string (3) includes the first string set (301), the second string set (302) and the third string set (303) composed by a number of parallel strings respectively, wherein the said mesh holes formed by each string set are triangular. Such a mesh racket not only features the better face performance, but also the firmer triangular mesh holes. Therefore, it is not easily deformed, thereby reducing the string changeover frequency and maintenance costs.
US09168415B2 Foldable treadmill
A foldable treadmill includes a base for running or walking, a frame set pivotally connected with the base, and a folding mechanism for folding the frame set. The folding mechanism has a control assembly and a sliding rod connected with the frame set and capable of being locked or released by the control assembly. When the control assembly locks the sliding rod at a first position, the frame set cannot be rotated, and when the control assembly releases the sliding rod, the frame set can be rotated to a storage position thus pulling the sliding rod to a second position.
US09168404B2 Vapor barrier structure
A barrier system including a plurality of buoyant members, at least some of the plurality of buoyant members having a heat-resistant core, a median layer thrilled on an outer surface of the heat-resistant core, and an antistatic layer formed on an outer surface of the median layer, wherein at least some of the plurality buoyant members are configured for adhering to other buoyant members.
US09168399B2 Descent device with automatic and manual control
A descent device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a housing; an inlet capstan; a drive wheel coupled to a centrifugal brake, the drive wheel rotatable with respect to the housing about an axis, the drive wheel including a groove formed along its outer perimeter, the groove having a first inner side wall, a second inner side wall, and a bottom, a distance between the first and second inner side walls decreases from the outer perimeter to the bottom in a direction toward the axis, wherein at least a portion of a radial extent of the inner side walls includes a pattern of protrusions positioned between inner side walls to form an irregular rope path along the groove; an outlet capstan; and a rope extending through the rope inlet, around the inlet capstan, around the drive wheel, around the outlet capstan, and through the rope outlet.
US09168397B2 Powdery emulsifying composition of alkyl polyglycosides, use thereof for preparing cosmetic emulsions, and method for preparing same
A powdery composition C1 contains for 100% of the mass: 5 to 70 mass % and more particularly 10 to 50 mass % of at least one compound of formula (I): R—O-(G)x-H, wherein R is a linear saturated aliphatic radical including 12 to 22 carbon atoms, G is the remainder of a reducing sugar selected from the group including glucose, xylose and arabinose, and x is a decimal number greater than or equal to 1 and lower than or equal to 10; 95 to 30 mass % and more particularly 90 to 50 mass % of one or more alcohols of formula (II): R′—OH, wherein R′ is a linear saturated aliphatic radical including 12 to 22 carbon atoms identical to or different from R as defined in formula (I), wherein at least 90 vol % of the particles have a diameter lower than or equal to 250 micrometers, more particularly a diameter lower than or equal to 150 micrometers.
US09168395B2 Hair care products with selected amino functional silicones and cationic keratin
Hair treatment agents include selected aminofunctional silicones and a selected cationic keratin hydrolysate.
US09168392B1 Charged particle cancer therapy system X-ray apparatus and method of use thereof
An imaging system apparatus and method of use thereof is described in combination with a co-movable charged particle beamline apparatus element, such as one or more elements held and dynamically positioned by a gantry, where the method and apparatus are optionally elements of a positively charged particle cancer therapy system. In one embodiment, an X-ray imaging element is rigidly and semi-permanently attached to and co-moved with a proton directing element. For example, as the gantry relocates one or more elements of a proton beamline arc, the X-ray beam is mechanically forced to co-relocate with the proton directing element and/or the final proton beam path.
US09168389B2 Harmonic generation for activation of species and/or delivery of species to a target environment
Systems and methods for the activation of species and/or the delivery of species to a target environment using harmonic generation materials are generally described.
US09168386B2 Adaptation of the common notebook, laptop computer, netbook and tablet PC computer to enable each to be used as an automated external defibrillator (AED) to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest
A notebook, laptop computer, tablet PC (personal computer) or desktop computer having an automated external defibrillator (AED) capability, and methods of utilizing the notebook, laptop computer or tablet PC (personal computer) defibrillator to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest. A notebook, laptop computer or tablet PC (personal computer) having the technology to enable each to be used as an automated external defibrillator (AED). Methods and apparatuses for implementing the common notebook, laptop computer, tablet PC, common cell phone and the common personal digital assistant (PDA) as an automated external defibrillator (AED).
US09168372B2 Temporary leadless implantable medical device with indwelling retrieval mechanism
A method and system are provided for removing, from an implant chamber of a heart, a leadless implantable medical device (LIMD) having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is configured to be actively secured to tissue in the implant chamber of the heart. The proximal end is configured to be coupled to a distal end of an indwelling retrieval mechanism (IRM). The IRM extends from the heart along a vessel, the IRM having a proximal end configured to be anchored at a temporary anchor site. The method comprises detaching the IRM from the anchor site, loading a retrieval tool over the proximal end of the IRM and along the body of the IRM. The retrieval tool has a lumen therein that receives the IRM as the retrieval tool re-enters the vessel, thereby allowing the retrieval tool to engage the LIMD.
US09168369B2 Electrode array having a rail system and methods of manufacturing the same
A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface and a distal end. The lead includes a longitudinal rail disposed within the distal end of the lead. The longitudinal rail includes at least two prongs, each prong being configured and arranged to receive at least one segmented electrode. The lead further includes a plurality of segmented electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. Each of the plurality of segmented electrodes is coupled to one of the at least two prongs of the rail.
US09168363B2 Implantable device for the treatment of hydrocephalus syndrome and the corresponding method
Implantable device or the treatment of hydrocephalus in a patient, comprising movement means designed to move the cerebrospinal fluid in the patient's skull to control the intracranial pressure; an assembly consisting of a rotary volumetric micropump; a catheter connected at one extremity to the micropump; and a bag fitted at the other extremity of the catheter and designed to contract and expand, wherein said assembly is filled with a given volume of a service fluid which remains constant over time, and wherein electronic monitoring and control means are designed to process the values (Pmis), as detected by a sensor of the instant pressure of cerebrospinal fluid and to generate a corresponding control signal which in turn drives the micropump and consequently controls the contraction and expansion of the bag so that the amplitude of the variable component of the intracranial pressure due to the cardiac cycle is minimized.
US09168362B2 Drug eluting balloon for the treatment of stenosis and method of manufacturing the balloon
A drug eluting angioplasty balloon (1, 101) suitable to adopt a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration, the balloon having an outer wall (10) disposed around a core (11) defining an axis (X). The balloon (1, 101) comprising in the collapsed configuration a plurality of folds (12, 12′, 112) that are laid in a tangential direction about the core (11) and form a plurality of cavities (13a, 13b, 113) loaded with a drug (14), the cavities (13a, 13b, 113) are comprised between the folds (12, 12′, 112), wherein the folds (12, 12′, 112) originates from distinct longitudinal lines (25, 25′, 125, 125′) along the outer wall (10), are arranged in pairs and are circumferentially wrapped about the core (11) in such a way that a fold of one pair overlaps an adjacent fold of another pair and are wrapped in opposite directions.
US09168360B2 Method and a balloon catheter assembly for treating bifurcation lesions
A balloon catheter assembly for delivering nano-carriers to bifurcation lesions in one or more of a main branch and a side branch of a blood vessel bifurcation within 30 to 90 seconds is provided. The balloon catheter assembly includes two or more balloons designed for use in the blood vessel bifurcation. The balloon catheter assembly may also include one or more stents. A surface of one or more of the two or more balloons is coated with the nano-carriers. Stents, when included, may also be coated with the nano-carriers. The nano-carriers include one or more drugs encapsulated with one or more biological agents.
US09168359B2 Modular introducer and exchange sheath
In accordance with the present invention there is provided exemplary embodiments of an introducer sheath in accordance with the present invention, wherein the introducer sheath of the present invention is formed of multiple components which are resiliently assembled to form a single introducer sheath. One embodiment of the introducer sheath includes a hub, a retaining member and an elongated tubular member. The hub has a lumen that has a groove. The elongated tubular member has a proximal end that includes a flared portion. The distal end of the retaining member is configured to be received in the groove formed in the lumen of the hub. The distal end of the retaining member contacts the flared portion of the tubular member when distal end of the retaining member is disposed in the groove such that the tubular member is retained within the lumen of the hub in a sealed engagement.
US09168345B2 Breathing device comprising a support for speech valves and/or heat and moisture exchange devices without fixing to the cannula
A breathing device for placing on a tracheostoma of a patient comprising a cylindrical housing, an annular housing support, a flexible flat part with sealing and adhesive functions, a filter or a speech valve, and a cover plate. The housing comprises, in the wall thereof, recesses for introducing and extracting inhaled air, and on the proximal opening thereof, an outer edge comprises at least three edge segments which are on the outer wall and at least three edge recesses. Holding rods support the filter on the proximal opening, the housing support comprises an annular flange having at least three inner wall support projections and an annular outer wall base. The support projections have a receiving area, the housing support supports the housing with the filter or speech valve into which the edge segment can be introduced in a precise manner into the support projections.
US09168339B2 Injection device
In an injection device a rotary indicator element (20) indexes angularly between a pre-firing position to an injection complete position to create a visual and audible/tactile signal as the drive plunger (28) arrives at or near its fired position. The indicator element (20) has a saw tooth profile which co-operates with respective abutments (34, 40) on the plunger and a housing part of the device to control and energise indicator movement.
US09168330B2 Device and method for wound therapy
A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.
US09168328B2 Layered manufacturing utilizing foam as a support and multifunctional material for the creation of parts and for tissue engineering
A solid freeform fabrication method of creating a three-dimensional article built at least in part from scaffolding layers, the method includes providing a scaffolding material, providing a supporting material in a shape of a foamy layer, and contacting the scaffolding material with the foamy layer to form at least one scaffolding layer and thereby creating the three dimensional article.
US09168327B2 Bone/collagen composites and uses thereof
A composition includes bone and collagen, wherein the collagen has been acid treated, and cross-linked via dehydrothermal treatment or by a cross-linking agent (e.g., a citric acid derivative) under a compressive force of at least approximately 40 MPa.
US09168324B2 Production of polyurethane foams for wound management
The present invention provides novel polyurethane-based wound dressing foams, obtained by foaming and curing silane-terminated polyurethanes.
US09168319B2 Device and procedure for continuous treatment of waste
An apparatus and procedure for efficiently sterilizing waste material or products. The apparatus includes a reactor in the form of a cylindrical container housing two cylindrical tubes, a larger first tube and a smaller second tube. A first helical blade extends inwardly from the inner surface of the second tube, and a second helical blade bridges the outer surface of the second tube to the inner surface of the first tube. As the set of tubes is rotated in unison, material flows in one direction within the second tube and in the opposite direction in the space between the tubes. This axially compact design allows non stop introduction and extraction of waste, efficient use of heat energy, provided by steam injected into the reactor through a steam port, and allows for material to be input into and extracted from the device both at one end of the reactor.
US09168315B1 Cost-effective remote monitoring, diagnostic and system health prediction system and method for vapor compression and heat pump units based on compressor discharge line temperature sampling
A diagnostic monitoring system and method is employed for one or more vapor compression systems such as air conditioners and heat pumps having a compressor, an indoor air handler fan coil and an outdoor condensor. Temperature, voltage and current sensors are provided at the outdoor condensor to determine that at least one vapor compression system is operating properly. Data obtained from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a receiving-device for use by the systems' custodian or repair service provider and includes information concerning an occurrence of periods when one or more of the vapor compression systems are operating at an abnormal state.
US09168290B2 Product and process for mucus viscosity normalization
Disclosed are compositions and methods for decreasing the viscosity and/or cohesiveness of and/or increasing the liquefaction of excessively or abnormally viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum. The composition contains a protein or peptide containing a thioredoxin monocysteinic active site in a reduced state and optionally further contains a reducing system.
US09168284B2 Biological activity of placental protein 13
The present invention relates to the biological and pharmacological effects of placental protein 13 (PP-13), an effect that may be used as a treatment and/or prevention of preeclampsia and placental insufficiencies, in pregnant female mammals, especially pregnant women. The invention relates to a method to treat female mammals with the purpose to precondition the uterine arteries and prevent and/or reverse the pathological conditions associated with placental insufficiency such as preeclampsia, HELLP and/or eclampsia.
US09168280B1 Botanical composition and method for treating pain and discomfort of various conditions
A botanical composition made from a plurality of plant materials selected from Gota Kola (Centella asiatica), Turmeric Root (Curcuma longa), White Willow (Salix alba), Rosehips (Rosa canina), Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), and Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), or phytochemicals or extracts or oils derived from the plant materials has beneficial application in addressing retinopathy and recurring peripheral neuropathy. The botanical composition can include a number of additional agents such as antioxidants, benfotiamine, thiamine (vitamin B1), and lipoic acid.
US09168278B2 Use for cannabinoid
The invention relates to the use of one or more cannabinoids in the manufacture of medicaments for use in the treatment of diseases and conditions benefiting from neutral antagonism of the CB, cannabinoid receptor. Preferably the cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). Preferably the diseases and conditions to be treated are taken from the group: obesity, schizophrenia, epilepsy, cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's, bone disorders, bulimia, obesity associated with type II diabetes (non-insulin dependant diabetes) and in the treatment of drug, alcohol and nicotine abuse or dependency.
US09168277B2 Nutraceutical compositions produced from co-products of corn or milo ethanol fermentation and methods of making and using thereof
Described herein is a process for producing nutraceutical compositions that includes fermenting a species of Monascus in the presence of one or more co-products produced during corn ethanol fermentation, milo ethanol fermentation, or a combination thereof. During fermentation, the Monascus species produces valuable nutraceuticals that have numerous health benefits. In one aspect, the nutraceutical composition containing the microbial cells and nutraceuticals is then processed directly into animal feed in order to improve animal health. The processes and compositions described herein represent significant savings of time and materials and optionally make use of co-products of biofuel production. In other aspects, one or more nutraceuticals can be extracted from the nutraceutical composition and used to improve human health in pharmaceutical applications.
US09168276B2 Formulations for the treatment of disorders of the upper respiratory tract
The present invention relates to formulations containing extracts of Vaccinium myrtillus or other species rich in anthocyanosides, Punica granatum, Echinacea, and optionally Krameria triandra. Said formulations are useful in the treatment of disorders of the mouth and its adnexa, the throat and respiratory tract, and in the treatment of influenza.
US09168272B2 Bioactive glass composition
A bioactive glass composition comprising one or more glasses comprising Si02, P205 and a fluoride, the Si02 content being less than 40 mole %, the P205 content being at least 4 mole %, and the fluoride content being greater than 1 mole %. The bioactive glass or glass-ceramic can be used in a number of medical applications, including dental applications such as toothpaste.
US09168270B2 Water-insoluble, iron-containing mixed metal, granular material
There is provided a granular material comprising (i) at least 50% by weight based on the weight of the granular material of solid water-insoluble mixed metal compound capable of binding phosphate of formula (I): MII1-xMIIIx(OH)2An-y.ZH2O (I) where MII is at least one of magnesium, calcium, lanthanum and cerium; MIII is at least iron(III); An- is at least one n-valent anion; x=Σny; 0
US09168264B2 Treatment of excessive menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids
The present invention relates generally to benign gynecological diseases and in particular to a method and compositions for reducing heavy menstruation associated with said gynecological diseases following treatment with vascular occlusion methods or thermal related treatment methods.
US09168251B2 High dose buprenorphine compositions and use as analgesic
The present disclosure relates to a method of providing prolonged analgesia to a mammal in need thereof. Specifically, the current disclosure is directed to a method of treating pain in a mammal for a prolonged period of time using a single high dose of a buprenorphine formulation.
US09168244B2 Compounds for use in the treatment of filariasis
A method for a therapeutic treatment of filariasis includes administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the general formula (1) or at least one of racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers, solvates, hydrates, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and esters of general formula (1), wherein, R is selected from the group comprising n-propyl, n-butyl, and at least one of structural elements (2a), (2b), (3a), (3b), (4), (5), (6a), (6b), (7a), and (7b):
US09168242B2 Isolation of a dual COX-2 and 5-lipdxygenase inhibitor from Acacia
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for alleviating inflammatory-associated diseases and conditions. These methods include administering individual and/or a mixture of multiple flavans isolated from a single or multiple Acacia genus of plants. The present disclosure also includes methods for isolating and purifying from an Acacia genus of plants a composition of flavans having dual specificity for cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzymes.
US09168240B2 Pet food compositions and methods for weight loss and maintenance
The present invention provides food compositions and methods for companion animals that are effective in preventing or treating obesity.
US09168235B2 Aqueous patches containing diclofenac sodium
An aqueous patch containing diclofenac sodium, wherein the patch contains a homogeneous mixed solution of diclofenac sodium, wherein the solution is obtained by mixing crotamiton, diclofenac sodium and water in the mixture ratio of crotamiton/diclofenac sodium of 8.0 or less and the mixture ratio of (water+crotamiton)/diclofenac sodium of 3.0-20.0.
US09168233B2 Treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease and thrombosis
Provided herein are compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and methods of application and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disease with compounds that inhibit the production of TMA in the gut, such as 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) or other compounds represented by Formula I or as shown in FIGS. 20-23.
US09168220B2 Eye cream and preparation method
An eye cream comprises the following components: 2-16 parts of pearl, 0.2-2 parts of borax, 10-28 parts of VE, 0.005-0.05 parts of muscone, 0.2-3 parts of borneol, 30-90 parts of eye circles 338Y324 and 0.05-2 parts of zinc carbonate hydroxide in weight. The eye cream has good effects of increasing moisture, continuously locking water, inhibiting melanin, increasing the skin brightness and the skin texture.
US09168219B2 Compositions comprising Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts and uses thereof
Provided are compositions comprising an extract of Paulownia tomentosa wood and methods of use thereof.
US09168218B2 Use of photoluminescent polymers in cosmetic products
Disclosed are cosmetic compositions and methods for making up keratinous tissue using the compositions, as well as methods of making the compositions. The compositions contain a photoluminescent polymer (PLP) which is an oligomeric polyester synthesized from a multifunctional monomer and a diol, and which has grafted thereon an amino acid or an amino acid derivative. The compositions achieve a colorizing and/or UV-protectant effect when applied to keratinous tissue.
US09168207B2 Compositions comprising Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts and uses thereof
Provided are compositions comprising an extract of Paulownia tomentosa wood and methods of use thereof.
US09168204B2 Teat unit
A teat unit has a teat, a securing device for securing the teat on a liquid container, and an air valve, the securing device having a first securing part and a second securing part. The air valve has a first valve part, which is arranged in the first securing part, and a second valve part, which is arranged in the first or in the second securing part. The air valve opens and closes with respect to the second securing part. The valve is preferably a diaphragm valve, and the first valve part is a valve diaphragm. This teat unit functions very reliably even at very small pressure differences between the bottle and the environment. Moreover, the range of function of the various teat units of the same type is relatively narrow, such that different teat units function very similarly and the air valves are actuated at similar pressure differences.
US09168196B2 Self-massage device
A massage device comprises a body having a body-contacting head adjacent one end and a handle adjacent the other end, the body shaped to permit the user to reach the back of his/her body with the head when the handle is at the user's front or side; and having a rest pivot extending from the body and terminating at a distal end in a support-contacting face, the rest pivot being positioned so that when the device is between a support surface and the user with the head in contact with the user's body and the handle positioned for contact by the user's hand, (a) the user's bodyweight stabilizes the rest pivot against sliding movement on the support and (b) any pivoting force about the rest pivot applied by the user's hand to the handle is substantially less than the force exerted against the user's body by the head.
US09168192B2 Pillow for the treatment and/or prevention of cranial deformities in babies and infants
A pillow for the treatment and/or prevention of cranial deformities in babies and infants, of the type comprising a depression to receive the head, the depression comprising a curved inclined portion located around an opening, which is closed off by a supporting portion for the head of the baby or infant, located at an intermediate height in the pillow, in which the supporting portion comprises a deformable material and the inclined portion forms an angle of more than 130° with the supporting portion in the area where the inclined portion and the supporting portion merge.
US09168187B2 Fastening strap for disposable absorbing articles, method for manufacturing the same and disposable absorbing articles including the same
The present invention provides a fastening strap for disposable absorbing articles comprising a fabric backing and a hook strap on which a plurality of hooks are formed for releasably engaging loops on a loop strap of the disposable absorbing articles, wherein the hook strap is secured directly to the fabric backing by means of fusion bonding to form patterns on the fastening strap to thereby producing a fastening strap for disposable absorbing articles in a more simple process without using any adhesive. A method for manufacturing this fastening strap and a disposable absorbing article including this fastening strap are also provided.
US09168185B2 Absorbent article comprising a temperature sensor and a temperature change material
An absorbent article including a temperature sensor, and at least one temperature change material arranged such that it is capable of affecting a temperature change due to a supply of excrement, and such that said temperature sensor is capable of being responsive to said affected temperature change. Also disclosed is a system for detecting a supply of excrement into an absorbent article, the system including an absorbent article being arranged to generate an output signal representative of the temperature, and a processing unit adapted to process an output signal generated by the temperature sensor. The processing unit is adapted to determine a change of temperature, wherein said change of temperature is affected by the temperature change material, and to detect a supply of excrement into the absorbent article based on the change of temperature.
US09168178B2 Energy-delivery system and method for controlling blood loss from wounds
An energy delivery system for controlling blood loss is provided. The system includes an energy-activated patch configured for placement on tissue. The patch includes an energy-delivering layer configured to deliver energy to the tissue. The system also includes an energy source in operative engagement with the energy-activated patch for energizing the energy-delivering layer.
US09168169B2 Penis enhancing condom
An elongated male condom is constructed with a basic latex sheath, and least partially covered by a sponge-like material for moisture absorption. The sponge-like material is covered by a smooth latex layer having multiple apertures for moisture migration.
US09168166B2 Ankle-foot orthosis
An inventive ankle-foot orthosis which transfers a portion of a wearer's weight normally applied to a wearer's foot and ankle to a wearer's calf thereby removing weight bearing stress from the wearer's foot and ankle.
US09168162B2 Methods and apparatus for treating a type 2 endoleak from within an endoluminal stent
A repair device includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a seal member. The first elongate member includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defines a lumen therebetween. The second elongate member includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and is movably disposed within the lumen. The distal end portion of the second elongate member is configured to puncture an endoluminal stent graft disposed within an artery of a patient and to be inserted, at least partially, into an aneurysm sac. The seal member is releasably coupled to the distal end portion of the first elongate member. The seal member is configured to be coupled to the endoluminal stent graft to seal an opening formed by the distal end portion of the second elongate member.
US09168157B2 Sealing sheath for prosthetic liner and related methods
The sealing sheath is for use with a prosthetic socket and associated liner. The sealing sheath includes a textile tube for surrounding at least a portion of a liner that is configured to wear on a residual limb. An annular seal, e.g. an elastomeric or silicone seal, is positioned adjacent a proximal end of the textile tube and continuously extends from an inside of the textile tube configured to be adjacent the liner, through the textile tube to an outside thereof configured to be adjacent an inside of the prosthetic socket. The annular seal may include a first wing on an inside of the textile tube configured to be adjacent the liner, a second wing on an outside of the textile tube configured to be adjacent an inside of the prosthetic socket, and a base connecting lower ends of the first and second wings to define a v-shaped cross-section of the annular seal.
US09168156B2 Trial coupler systems and methods
Embodiments of the present invention provide a trial coupler system for use in preparing a patient for an implant. Certain embodiments provide a system including a coupling device (20) and a trial component interface (40) that allows a trial stem (100) to be offset in relation to the respective trial components at an orientation that matches the geometry of the patient. Once the precise positioning is obtained, the trial coupler device (10) can be locked while on the patient's bone so the assembly can be removed without disturbing the desired orientation.
US09168146B2 Artificial disc replacements with natural kinematics
This invention improves upon prior art total disc replacements (TDRs) by more closely replicating the kinematics of a natural disc. The preferred embodiments feature two or more fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and an optional variable COR (VCOR) as the artificial disk replacement (ADR) translates from a fixed posterior COR that lies posterior to the COR of the TDR to facilitate normal disc motion. The use of two or more CORs allows more flexion and more extension than permitted by the facet joints and the artificial facet (AF). AF joint-like components may also be incorporated into the design to restrict excessive translation, rotation, and/or lateral bending.
US09168141B2 Medical prosthetic devices and implants having improved biocompatibility
Disclosed are medical prosthetic device or medical implants which exhibit improved biocompatibility. The devices or implants include a metal material, e.g., titanium, in which the metal surfaces are coated with a corresponding hydride material that contains one or more biomolecule substance. The biomolecule substance may contain one or more biologically active molecules, e.g., bio-adhesives, biopolymers, blood proteins, enzymes, extracellular matrix proteins, extracellular matrix biomolecules, growth factors and hormones, peptide hormones, deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, receptors, inhibitors, drugs, biologically active anions and cations; vitamins; adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP), marker biomolecules, amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides (RNA and DNA bases), or sugars.
US09168137B2 Transvalvular intraannular band for aortic valve repair
Aortic regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the aortic annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the aortic valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.
US09168136B2 Methods for deploying self-expanding heart valves
A method for delivering and implanting a prosthetic heart valve in a native aortic valve is provided. The method comprises advancing the prosthetic heart valve through a patient's vasculature while the prosthetic heart valve is coupled to a mechanical deployment mechanism along a distal end portion of a catheter shaft. The prosthetic heart valve is permitted to self-expand from a contracted configuration to an initial expanded configuration. The mechanical deployment mechanism is then actuated via an operating handle to further expand the prosthetic heart valve to a fully expanded configuration while equilibrating the rate of the expansion of the proximal and distal ends of the prosthetic heart valve. The prosthetic heart valve is locked in the fully expanded configuration via a mechanical locking device disposed on the prosthetic heart valve.
US09168126B2 Fail-safe silicone breast implant delivery device
A tapered sleeve is provided for implant delivery. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicone breast implant) is introduced into a large proximal end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized distal end of the device. Sized appropriately to the implant, the sleeve remains intact during implant run-through of the sleeve.
US09168119B2 Surgical systems and methods for transvaginal apical suspension
Systems and surgical methods and procedures for performing transvaginal apical suspension are provided.
US09168118B2 Implantable attachment device, implant for treating prolapse of the pelvic floor comprising such a device and kit comprising said device
The present invention relates to an implantable attachment device comprising an elongate element which is tubular flexible and hollow delimiting an internal volume comprising a tightening loop, having a first circumference in the inactive position, formed by the portion of said tubular element in said internal volume between intake and outlet openings distant by a length. The device comprises blocking means of said portion in the internal volume of said elongate element, which can be deactivated under the effect of manual traction exerted on the first or second end of said elongate element, said traction enabling the sliding of said elongate element between said orifices and correlatively the formation of the tightening loop having a second circumference in the active position, the second circumference being less than the first circumference.
US09168109B2 Mold for dental copings and copings produced by using the mold
A mold for producing a coping used in a dental implant includes a male component having a protrusion and a female screw forming part. The mold further includes a female component having a recess and a male screw forming part having a different rotation direction from that of the female screw forming part. A cavity for producing the coping is formed by combining the male and female components. Since the mold includes a male component having a female screw forming part, and a female component having a male screw forming part with a different rotation direction than the female screw forming part, a produced coping may be easily separated from the male and female components.
US09168108B2 Dispensing device
A dispensing device with at least one container for the accommodation of components to be dispensed, with an applicator that can be releasably fixed to and/or on the at least one container and with a coupling means for releasable fixing of the applicator to at least one container. The coupling means may include at least one spring arm which has a radially pivotable free end for locking the applicator in place on at least one container and may further comprise a moveable locking ring.
US09168105B2 Device for surgical interventions
A device for locating an operational unit within a patient's body within the framework of a minimally-invasive surgery intervention includes a shaft having a distal end carrying an operational unit. The device includes an illuminator located at the distal end of the shaft. The illuminator is selectively adjustable to provide a selectively variable lighting field in correspondence with the operational unit. The device may be, for example, a delivery system for a heart valve or a balloon device for post-dilation of such a heart valve once implanted.
US09168089B2 Method and system for controlling output of RF medical generator
A control system for controlling the output of an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The control system includes a control module configured to receive an optical signal from a surgical site, the optical signal being related to an optical tissue characteristic, the control module configured to process the optical signal using a closed loop control loop and provide continual control of the output of the electrosurgical generator in response to the optical tissue characteristic.
US09168085B2 Monitoring and controlling energy delivery of an electrosurgical device
A method is disclosed for delivering energy to a region of tissue within a patient's body using a medical treatment system. The medical treatment system comprises an energy delivery device coupled to an energy source. Energy is delivered through the energy delivery device positioned within the patient's body. An energy delivery parameter associated with the delivery of energy by the medical treatment system is monitored and if one or more values of the energy delivery parameter exceed a predetermined magnitude threshold, one or more errors are detected. The extent of the detected errors is determined or assessed and the delivery of energy is controlled if the extent of the errors detected exceeds a sensitivity threshold before the expiry of a predetermined time period.
US09168084B2 Brazed electrosurgical device
Disclosed herein is a distal end electrode assembly for use in connection with electrosurgical devices, particularly those adapted for the modification, sculpting, resection, removal, or vaporization of tissue, configured for coagulation, cauterization or hemostasis purposes, or utilized for thermal treatment of normal and tumorous tissues. In the context of the present invention, mechanical fastening means, epoxies and other high-temperature adhesives connecting electrode(s) to insulator(s) are replaced with brazed joints to yield electrosurgical devices capable of safely and reliably operating at high power densities and elevated temperatures without thermal failure of the bonds between the electrode and the insulator. The use of brazed joints further permits the construction of miniaturized, compact electrosurgical devices, of both monopolar and bipolar configurations, having utility in a number of divergent fields, from arthroscopy to otolaryngology to oncology, and applicable to both laparoscopic and open surgery techniques. Thus, active electrodes and electrosurgical devices of the present invention maximize efficiency, safety and reliability while minimizing manufacturing cost and device profile.
US09168083B2 HR surgical generator
A high-frequency surgical generator including a power supply for supplying rectified electrical energy, a power oscillator for supplying a potential-free, DC current-free and DC voltage-free high frequency voltage and a control device for controlling the high frequency voltage wherein the power supply is configured as a current source for supplying a load-independent output current, such that the load-independent output current of the power supply serves as the control variable for controlling the high-frequency voltage. The target value of the load-independent output current is pre-determined by the control device. The high-frequency surgical generators configured as such achieve improved modulation capability.
US09168079B2 Method and system to prevent complete obstruction in catheter in case of a kink
A medical device comprising a shaft having a kink radius; a tube disposed within the shaft; a fluid source in fluid communication with the tube; an elongate member disposed within the tube, and the elongate member imparting a kink radius on the tube, the imparted kink radius of the tube being larger than the kink radius of the shaft.
US09168070B2 Growing spinal rod system
A growing spinal rod system is configured to grow in response to the growth of a patient. The growing spinal rod system includes a housing, a spacer, and a sliding spinal rod. The housing includes a stepped passage therethrough. The spacer is disposed within the stepped passage and defines a through hole. The spacer includes a plurality of ribs biased inwards and into the through hole. The sliding spinal rod is slidably inserted through the through hole of the spacer. The sliding spinal rod moves the plurality of ribs outwards. The plurality of ribs permits the sliding spinal rod to extend from the housing and inhibit the sliding spinal rod from retracting into the housing.
US09168069B2 Polyaxial bone anchor with pop-on shank and winged insert with lower skirt for engaging a friction fit retainer
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert having a sub-structure, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.
US09168060B2 Introducer sheath
An introducer sheath and methods of making the introducer sheath are described. The introducer sheath may include a hub portion and a tubular portion. The hub portion may include a substantially non-planar valve portion in a relaxed state. The valve portion may include an aperture configured to receive a medical device. A hub portion may be formed using a forming device. An aperture may be formed through a distal surface of the valve portion.
US09168058B2 Laparoscopic scalpel and method for use
A laparoscopic scalpel includes a shaft and a recess disposed in a surface of the shaft proximal to a distal end of the shaft. A blade is attached to the shaft. The blade includes a cutting edge having a portion exposed by the recess and oriented outwardly from the recess. A proximal end of the portion of the cutting edge exposed by the recess is disposed further from the surface than is a distal end of the portion of the cutting edge exposed by the recess.
US09168057B2 Surgical apparatus
A single use morcellator utilizes a disposable housing, cutting tube, battery and motor in combination with an attached and adjustable trocar to enable the surgeon to selectively utilize the cutting edge of the tube. The battery and control circuit are completely contained within the integral morcellator such that no separate components are needed.
US09168047B2 Minimally invasive discectomy
Systems and methods for minimally invasive discectomy procedures are described herein. The systems include a bendable flexible cannula may have a straight configuration suitable for insertion and withdrawal into spinal tissue, and a curved configuration suitable for accessing certain areas of a vertebral disc that may be difficult to reach in the straight configuration. A cannula is straightened by inserting a straight stylet therethrough. The straight stylet may have a deflectable region that facilitates its insertion into the cannula. Removal of a straight stylet from a cannula may allow the cannula to assume its curved configuration. The systems may be used with tissue removal devices, and certain variations of tissue removal devices may include a collector for aspiration, as well as a travel limiter to restrict inadvertent motions of the tissue removal devices within a vertebral structure.
US09168046B2 Surgical sliding shaft instrument and sliding shaft
In order to improve a sliding shaft for a surgical sliding shaft instrument, wherein the sliding shaft defines a longitudinal direction and comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part which are arranged such that they are displaceable relative to each other, wherein said first shaft part carries a first tool element and said second shaft part carries a second tool element, wherein the second shaft part has a cut material collector with an inlet opening which is bounded by the second tool part and extends therefrom in the proximal direction, such that the cut material collector can be emptied in a simple and rapid manner, it is proposed that the cut material collector should have at least one emptying opening which is formed on the proximal side of the inlet opening and that the at least one emptying opening should be open in a lateral emptying direction which is oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction and parallel or substantially parallel to a contact plane defined by a lower surface of the second shaft part.
US09168040B2 Apparatus and method for surgical fastening
Apparatus and methods for applying fasteners during endoscopic surgery are provided. The apparatus generally comprises a handle portion, a triggering mechanism and a fastener applicator. One embodiment of the invention forms the fastener around a single focal point on an anvil. Another embodiment vertically stacks the fasteners in a fastener applicator which is readily detachable from the handle portion by virtue of a rotational locking system and which may be replaced with a new fastener applicator having a fresh load of vertically stacked fasteners. The various embodiments may be variously combined together in a single device. The methods generally include the following steps: forming a fastener by placing it over a single focal point anvil and pressing the fastener against the single focal point anvil using a slide.
US09168034B2 Suture anchor
There is described a suture anchor with anchor members moveable as between a suture-unlocked configuration and suture-locked configuration. In one embodiment, the anchor members include an outer anchor member with features, e.g., flexible barbs, configured to secure the suture anchor in the suture-locked configuration to material proximate a pre-formed hole in bone material. The outer anchor member is also configured with a bore to receive suture material, and which is sized and shaped to receive an inner anchor member therein. The inner anchor member includes securing features such as projections that compress the suture material against the surface of the bore when the suture anchor is actuated from the suture-unlocked configuration to the suture-locked configuration.
US09168028B2 Cartridge for a biological sample
An assay device comprising a compartment adapted to receive a sealed removable cartridge, wherein said cartridge is adapted to contain a biologic sample and internally comprises two or more assay locations, wherein said cartridge is adapted to facilitate two or more assays of said biologic sample; and an actuator adapted to interface with said cartridge to transport said biologic sample towards at least one of said assay locations.
US09168025B2 Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic inspection apparatus
An ultrasonic probe includes a substrate, a diaphragm, a thin-film piezoelectric element, a communication passage, and an air hole. The substrate has first and second cavities thereon. The diaphragm is configured at the first cavity. The thin-film piezoelectric element is configured to the diaphragms. The communicating passage is configured in the substrate and extending from the first cavity to the second cavity. The air hole extends between the communicating passage to an outside of the substrate.
US09168023B2 Method and apparatus for continuously monitoring intracranial pressure
A method and apparatus for continuously measuring the absolute intracranial pressure in a non-invasive manner is described by using an ultrasonic Doppler device which detects the pulsatility indexes of the blood flow inside the eye artery for both intracranial and extracranial eye artery portions. The eye in which the blood flow is monitored is subjected to a small pressure, sufficient to equalize the pulsatility index measurements of the internal and external portions of the eye artery. The pressure at which such equalization occurs is used as a reference for autocalibration of the apparatus so that continuous absolute intracranial pressure measurements may be taken over a particular sampling period.
US09168019B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic device
An ultrasonic diagnostic device is characterized by being provided with a cooling mechanism for cooling an ultrasonic vibrator by circulating a refrigerant in a cable of an ultrasonic probe in which the ultrasonic vibrator is provided, a cooling abnormality detecting means for detecting the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism, and an operating means for, when the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism is detected by the cooling abnormality detecting means, performing a degraded operation in which the transmission/reception condition of the ultrasonic vibrator is changed according to the detected abnormal state.
US09168018B2 System and method for classifying a heart sound
A method and system for electronically classifying a pre-processed heart sound signal of a patient as functional (normal) or pathological is provided. The pre-processed patient heart sound signal is segmentised and features are extracted therefrom (104) to build up a feature vector which is representative of the heart sound signal. The feature vector is then fed to a diagnostic decision support network (105) comprising a plurality of artificial neural networks, each relating to a known heart pathology, which is in turn used to conduct the classification.
US09168015B2 Method and apparatus for gate specific MR-based attenuation correction of time-gated PET studies
A method for attenuation correction of a plurality of time-gated PET images of a moving structure includes establishing an ACF matrix, based on a baseline MR image of the structure; developing a plurality of image transforms, each of the image transforms registering the baseline MR image to a respective cine MR image of the moving structure; applying each of the image transforms to the ACF matrix to generate a corresponding cine ACF matrix; time-correlating each of the cine MR images, and its corresponding cine ACF matrix, to one of the plurality of time-gated PET data sets; and producing from each of the time-gated PET data sets an attenuation-corrected time-gated PET image.
US09168013B2 Breast density assessment
The present invention relates to mammography. To provide breast density assessment with improved accuracy in the results, a method (100) is proposed for providing mammography information about an object of interest, the region of interest comprising a tissue structure, with the following steps: a) acquiring (110) first image data (112) with first image acquisition parameters (114), wherein the first image parameters are adapted to a first radiation spectrum of a dual energy mode; and wherein the first image acquisition is performed with a low X-ray dosage of a pre-scan; b) acquiring (116) second image data (118) with second image acquisition parameters (120), wherein the second image parameters are adapted to a second radiation spectrum of the dual energy mode, and wherein the second image acquisition is performed with a higher X-ray dosage than the first image acquisition, and wherein the second image acquisition is a Mammography scan; c) performing (122) a dual energy basis material decomposition (124) based on the first and second image data to generate decomposed basis material image data (126); and d) deriving (128) a density information (130) of the tissue structure of the region of interest from the decomposed basis material image data; and providing (132) the density information to a user.
US09168008B2 Coarse segmented detector architecture and method of making same
A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, the rotatable gantry having a detector mounting surface, an x-ray source attached to the gantry and configured to project an x-ray beam toward the object, a plurality of detector modules each mounted within one field-of-view (FOV) and mounted directly to the detector mounting surface of the rotatable gantry, a data acquisition system (DAS) configured to receive outputs from at least one of the plurality of detector modules, and a computer programmed to acquire projections of imaging data of the object from the DAS, and generate an image of the object using the imaging data.
US09168000B2 Meal detection devices and methods
Devices and methods for detecting meal intake are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can be used to detect or monitor physiological parameters of a user (e.g., heart rate, body movements, temperature, pH, impedance, gastric stretch, sound emissions, and the like). The outputs of the sensors can be received by a computer system configured to analyze the sensor data and make a determination as to whether meal intake has occurred or is presently occurring. The computer system's determination can be used to trigger, modulate, or otherwise control one or more therapeutic devices. Other types of devices can also be controlled using this determination, such as monitoring or logging devices.
US09167988B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method for color-coding tissue based on T1 values
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a memory, a specifying unit, and a display controller. The memory stores a corresponding color table representing correspondence relationships between T1 values of which value ranges with respect to each tissue are known and colors to be assigned to pixels with the T1 values. The specifying unit analyzes a T1-valued image and specifies colors to be assigned to each pixel on the basis of T1 values converted from pixel values of each pixel and the corresponding color table. The display controller displays on a display the image color-coded with the specified colors.
US09167981B2 ECG device, ECG lead signal generating circuit, and related method
Embodiments of the invention disclose an ECG device, an ECG signal processing method, an ECG lead signal generating circuit, an ECG signal generating method, another ECG device, another ECG signal processing method, and an ECG electrode assembly. The ECG device has an electrode assembly and an ECG lead signal generating circuit. The electrode assembly has three cardio enclosure electrodes for acquiring three cardio enclosure voltages, respectively. The ECG lead signal generating circuit has a first precordial lead generator. The first precordial lead generator is configured to generate a first modified precordial lead according to the three cardio enclosure voltages, wherein the three cardio enclosure voltages are sufficient for generating the first modified precordial lead.
US09167977B2 Systems, methods and devices for a skull/brain interface
Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for directing and focusing signals to the brain for neuromodulation and for directing and focusing signals or other energy from the brain for measurement, heat transfer and imaging. An aperture in the skull and/or a channel device implantable in the skull can be used to facilitate direction and focusing. Treatment and diagnosis of multiple neurological conditions may be facilitated with the disclosed systems, methods and devices.
US09167976B2 Systems, methods and devices for a skull/brain interface
Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for directing and focusing signals to the brain for neuromodulation and for directing and focusing signals or other energy from the brain for measurement, heat transfer and imaging. An aperture in the skull and/or a channel device implantable in the skull can be used to facilitate direction and focusing. Treatment and diagnosis of multiple neurological conditions may be facilitated with the disclosed systems, methods and devices.
US09167973B2 Portable sensor device and patient monitor
The portable sensor device is connected with the arterial pressure measurement catheter by way of a pressure hose. The electronic pressure sensor is accommodated in the sensor housing. The analog sensor signal is output to the patient monitor by way of a cable. Aside from the channel for the analog sensor signal, additional channels are provided for communication between sensor device and patient monitor. A bidirectional channel serves for writing to and querying the memory module, in which patient data, such as age, gender, height/weight, etc., can be stored. The three-way cock possesses the settings “M” (measurement operation) and “0” (calibration measurement), in which the contactor is brought into connection with the contact. The switching contact is transmitted to the patient monitor, which thereby automatically recognizes zeroing of the sensor.
US09167968B2 Apparatus to measure the instantaneous patients' acuity value
In a patient monitoring system (10), shorter interval physiological parameters and longer interval clinical data are collected from a monitored patient (12). A composite acuity score generator (70) generates or updates a composite acuity score indicative of wellbeing of the patient (12) based at least on the sensed physiological parameters and the longer interval data. A monitor (22, 56) displays current values of at least one of selected sensed physiological parameters, longer interval data, and the composite acuity score.
US09167964B2 Method of motion correction in optical coherence tomography imaging
An image data set acquired by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is corrected for effects due to motion of the sample. A first set of A-scans is acquired within a time short enough to avoid any significant motion of the sample. A second more extensive set of A-scans is acquired over an overlapping region on the sample. Significant sample motion may occur during acquisition of the second set. A-scans from the first set are matched with A-scans from the second set, based on similarity between the longitudinal optical scattering profiles they contain. Such matched pairs of A-scans are likely to correspond to the same region in the sample. Comparison of the OCT scanner coordinates that produced each A-scan in a matching pair, in conjunction with any shift in the longitudinal scattering profiles between the pair of A-scans, reveals the displacement of the sample between acquisition of the first and second A-scans in the pair. Estimates of the sample displacement are used to correct the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of the A-scans in the second set, to form a motion-corrected OCT data set.
US09167962B2 Airway management
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate improving visualization associated with intubation. A dynamical articulating laryngoscope can include a handle assembly and a blade assembly. The blade assembly can further include a main blade assembly, a proximal blade assembly, and a distal blade assembly. A medium control articulation point can couple the main blade assembly and the proximal blade assembly, and a fine control articulation point can couple the distal blade assembly and the proximal blade assembly. Further, the proximal blade assembly can pivot relative to the main blade assembly around the medium control articulation point and/or the distal blade assembly can pivot relative to the proximal blade assembly around the fine control articulation point. Pivoting about the medium control articulation point and/or the fine control articulation point can be effectuated by one or more blade control components.
US09167959B1 Illumination for enhanced contrast in debridement apparatus and method
Light is directed between the arms of a forceps to illuminate an area under debridement of foreign material with a color selected to enhance contrast of foreign material that needs to be removed. The light comes from a multicolor source such as an LED chip having RGBW dies and is transmitted by a light transmitting element such as an elongated waveguide or a light pipe to illuminate the area under examination. The color is selectable so as to obtain a color that has good contrast for the foreign material. The apparatus has a docking station to install the forceps so that it is properly located with respect to the illumination. A camera can be part of the apparatus to transmit imagery to a display.
US09167947B2 System and method for autonomous mopping of a floor surface
A mobile robot configured to travel across a residential floor or other surface while cleaning the surface with a cleaning pad and cleaning solvent is disclosed. The robot includes a controller for managing the movement of the robot as well as the treatment of the surface with a cleaning solvent. The movement of the robot can be characterized by a class of trajectories that achieve effective cleaning. The trajectories include sequences of steps that are repeated, the sequences including forward and backward motion and optional left and right motion along arcuate paths.
US09167941B2 Sheet product dispenser with auxiliary feed button
A sheet product dispenser includes a housing having a front cover, a main controller, a motor, a dispensing mechanism, a maintenance switch, and an auxiliary feed push button. The motor, main controller and dispensing mechanism are configured to dispense a length of sheet product in response to a signal representative of a request for sheet product. The maintenance switch is internally disposed within the housing and accessible for actuation when the front cover is open, in operable communication with the main controller to facilitate operation of the motor when actuated. The auxiliary feed push button is disposed in operable communication with the maintenance switch, and is disposed to be accessible and actuatable when the cover is closed. The main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor in response to a signal from the maintenance switch when actuated by the auxiliary feed push button.
US09167940B2 Method of manufacturing and installation of prefabricated shower bench and associated shower bench
A prefabricated shower bench for installation in a tiled shower includes an upper surface having a plurality of peripheral edges, and at least three sidewalls. Each sidewall has an upper edge and a lower edge. Each upper edge is connected along a corresponding peripheral edge of the upper surface. The lower edge of each sidewall terminates in a common plane. One sidewall includes a setback area along the entire lower edge which has a height greater than the height of a sidewall of a prefabricated shower module. The upper surface is horizontal or pitched downwards toward the shower module when the shower bench is installed adjacent to the sidewall of the shower module such that the sidewall of the shower module resides within the setback area, thereby preventing the weight of the shower bench from resting on the sidewall of the shower module.
US09167938B2 Food processor mixer attachment
A food processor attachment assembly for a stand mixer includes a coupling hub adapted to be received in an attachment hub of the stand mixer. A gear housing includes a gearing mechanism disposed therein to translate an output drive from the attachment hub to the coupling hub to drive an output shaft along a vertical rotational axis. The output drive is accessible at a coupling portion for attaching to various food processing discs as housed within a top housing assembly. The output drive is further accessible for coupling to the food processing attachment at a lower coupling portion for powering food processing attachments within a bowl assembly.
US09167923B1 Pillow having cross-flow mesh inserts
A pillow and a pillow cover are provided. The pillow and pillow cover include a cover layer defining an interior volume, the cover layer having a first side facing outward substantially in a first direction, a second side facing outward substantially in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and a perimeter formed at a boundary of the first side and the second side. The cover layer includes a body portion, a first mesh portion and a second mesh portion formed separately and spaced apart from the first mesh portion. The pillow includes a filler material disposed in the interior volume. The interior volume is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the first and second mesh portions.
US09167919B2 Cover for a mattress
A cover for a mattress includes a lateral panel for extending across the lateral surface of the mattress and a top panel for covering the top surface of the mattress. The top panel includes a breathable inner liner made of a non-woven material, a breathable outer shell covering the inner liner, and a silk floss fill retained between the inner liner and the outer shell. A mattress also includes the inner liner, outer shell and silk floss fill. A cover having an adjustment feature which includes a channel, an elongate elastic strip extending therein, a first connector and plurality of complementary second connectors disposed along the strip.
US09167917B2 Adjustable display apparatus
An adjustable display brochure holder component comprising opposed spaced apart front and rear surfaces, opposed spaced apart first and second side surfaces and a supporting base surface. The rear surface is formed or oriented in a single plane and the rear surface includes a plurality of attachment points therein. Each one of the attachment points is located at or near side edge portions of the rear surface. Each of the attachment points is adapted to engage with a clip, thereby enabling the display brochure holder component to be clipped to, and secured with, an adjacent like display brochure holder component.
US09167908B1 Replaceable shroud for an adjustable bed
The technology of the present application provides an adjustable bed having a stationary base and a shroud. The shroud may be provided in multiple pieces or a solitary strip of material. The shroud has a height sufficient to inhibit the view of the bottom of the adjustable bed. The shroud has either a plurality of protrusions or a plurality of receptacles. The stationary base conversely has a corresponding plurality of receptacles or a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are sized to slidingly fit into the receptacles in a telescoping fashion. In one aspect, the shroud and stationary base have both protrusions and receptacles.
US09167905B2 Tray table with rotatable inner tray
A tray table that facilitates consumption of entertainment and various other media via a portable electronic device is disclosed herein. The tray table includes an inner tray secures the portable electronic device for hands free operation. One or more channels at the inner tray receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device. The inner tray is capable of rotating between an open and closed position, while the tray table itself may rotate between a stowed and service position.
US09167900B2 Seat furniture having a rapidly adjustable frame
Seat furniture includes a frame which is adjustable such that the height and inclination of the seat supported by the frame can be easily and rapidly varied. The seat furniture includes a seat platform, which is supported by an adjustable frame, in which two pairs of legs are integrated, the height-adjustment devices of which have locking devices which are operated by operating elements located near the seat platform. When the front operating device is operated, the movable locking devices of the front pair of legs are released. The height of the front pair of legs can then be varied. The set of the corresponding rear elements functions in the same manner. Articulated hinges integrated in the frame permit each adjustment while the support area on the floor does not change. The adjustable frame is configured in such a way, in particular in regard to the rear legs and the frame braces, that a cavity remains for a stacking fit which is compatible with the shape and the dimensions of the seat platform and the other structural elements and the operating elements, and consequently several units can be stacked one on top of the other.
US09167897B2 Slide arrangement for cable drawer
A drawer slide having first and second rails interconnected by a center rail. The center rail includes a spool configured to provide half-speed travel of the center rail relative to the travel of the first rail. The drawer slide is configured for use with a drawer assembly having a drawer and a chassis. The drawer assembly further includes a radius limiter secured to the center rail. The radius limiter travels at half-speed relative to the drawer. The radius limiter also automatically rotates relative to the travel of the drawer. The chassis includes sides including threaded backing plates, and mounting brackets. The mounting brackets include tri-lobed holes for receipt of a reciprocally shaped washer and a fastener for mounting the brackets to the chassis sides.
US09167895B2 Retractable utility rack
A utility storage rack comprises a wall mount, mountable to a generally vertical wall, and a storage bed, removably and pivotally coupleable to the wall mount. The storage bed includes at least two components that are adjustable relative to one another to adjust a length of the storage bed. At least one leg is pivotally coupled to the storage bed, the at least one leg being adjustable in length to allow a height or a grade of the storage bed to be adjusted. At least one locking key is removably coupleable with the storage bed, the at least one locking key being coupleable to the storage bed to lock the at least one leg in a downwardly extending orientation, and coupleable to the storage bed to lock the at least one leg in a rotated position, nestable against the storage bed.
US09167891B2 Brush cover
A protective brush cover is described for use with a makeup brush. In some versions, the protective brush cover comprises a body and a closing feature. In some versions the protective brush cover comprises a body, a lid, and a securing feature. In some versions, the body is operable to hold the head of a makeup brush, and the body may further have an opening such that the handle of the makeup brush may extend through the opening.
US09167890B2 Oral care implement having a decorative member and a method of forming the same
An oral car implement (100) having a decorative member (150) recessed in a handle (120) of the oral care implement and having at least a portion thereof exposed via an aperture (140), and a method of forming the same. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement (120) comprising: a handle having a longitudinal axis and a head (110) connected to the handle; the handle comprising a first transverse section (122) and a second transverse section (121), the first transverse section coupled to the second transverse section; a decorative member disposed between the first transverse section and the second transverse section; and an aperture extending through the first transverse section that exposes at least a portion of the decorative member.
US09167888B2 Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
An oral care implement having a head with a soft tissue cleaner disposed on a second side thereof. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle and having a first side and a second side; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements attached to the first side of the head; and a soft tissue cleaner disposed on the second side of the head, the soft tissue cleaner including a first portion comprising a plurality of projections and a second portion comprising a plurality of bristles.
US09167883B2 Backpack
A backcarrying including a carrying portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two sides. A strap arrangement can also be included for carrying the carrying portion as a backcarrying. The strap arrangement can have a pair of carrying straps. Each carrying strap can be secured to the carrying portion at about the bottom and extend upwardly along respective sides of the carrying portion, and redirected at about the top of said respective sides to extend around to the rear of the carrying portion, and being redirected at about the top of the rear to extend downwardly for securement at about the bottom of the carrying portion at the rear. The strap arrangement can redirect forces to support a load in the carrying portion from the sides of the carrying portion.
US09167881B2 Container for storing and displaying a cosmetic product
A container system includes a bottle body having an inner cavity and a threaded rim, an inner housing compatible with the inner cavity, a layer of a sample of contents placed between the inner cavity of the bottle body and the inner housing, a receptacle removeably placed within the inner housing and storing contents, and a lid to form a seal with the bottle body, when attached to the threaded rim. There can also be a brush attached to the lid to dispense the contents. The contents are protected from degradation due to environmental exposure, while the layer still displays features of the contents. The receptacle has a first portion and a second portion. The portions have different shapes, but are made integral into a single cavity. The single cavity resists settling of the contents and facilitates stirring of the contents for actual use.
US09167876B2 Waterproofing case and method of manufacturing waterproofing case
A waterproofing case with a first case and a second case includes a non-annular groove that has a start point side and an end point side and is arranged in parallel by a barrier rib of a certain length, in one of annular bonding portions. The waterproofing case also includes a cutout portion provided at a middle portion of the barrier rib so as to allow a groove portion at the start point side and the end point side to communicate with each other and a plastic elastomer that is disposed within the non-annular groove by curing after being coated. Furthermore, the waterproofing case includes a protrusion that bisects an exposed portion of the plastic elastomer disposed within the non-annular groove toward opposite walls of the non-annular groove at bonding two cases, in other annular bonding portion of the first case and the second case.
US09167874B2 Mat and a system and method for converting the mat to a bag
A system and method converts a mat between a first position and a second position. A perimeter of the mat may be weighted to maintain the mat in the first position wherein the mat is substantially flat in the first position. A rope may be provided that extends around the perimeter of the mat. The rope may be pulled to move the mat into the second position wherein the mat forms a bag in the second position. A locking mechanism may slide in a first direction on the rope to secure an opening formed by the mat in the second position.
US09167873B2 Cantilever parasol
A cantilever parasol has a mast, two main arms proceeding laterally from the mast and coupled to each other in a scissors-type manner, and a linkage of bars for supporting a cover. A first main arm extends from an upper mast bearing through a slit in the cover to a vertical arm of the linkage of bars. At least one sealing structure is provided for sealing the slit in the cover.
US09167870B2 Touch-and-close fastener part and method for producing a touch-and-close fastener part
A touch-and-close fastener part (32) includes a functional layer forming a backing surface and formed from a thread system with at least two line elements (12a-12d, 14a-14c) forming meshes (16a-16b″, 20a-20a″) and connected to one another. At least one further individual functional layer, formed and/or formable with connecting elements (30, 30″), is formed from a further thread system incorporated at least in individual sections into the thread system. The thread systems are connected to one another with the formation of passage sites (24a-24d) whose free cross-sectional area takes up more than 20% of the corresponding backing area.
US09167869B2 Shoe with multi-component embedded strap
Provided are, among other things, shoes and shoe components, together with systems, methods and techniques for manufacturing the same. One representative embodiment involves a shoe that includes: a sole having a main structure; a strap anchor that has attachment points and is at least partially embedded within the main structure; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through one or more of such attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot. Also, in this embodiment, the strap anchor includes a number of strap anchor components attached in a unit, each such strap anchor component including a number of the attachment points and being at least partially embedded within the main structure.
US09167868B1 Shoe with embedded strap anchor
Provided are, among other things, shoes, portions of shoes and processes for manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, a shoe includes: a sole comprised of a base material and a strap anchor, the strap anchor being stronger than the base material, including a number of attachment points on opposite sides of the shoe, and being at least partially embedded within the base material; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through at least one of the attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot. According to another embodiment, a shoe includes: a sole comprised of a base material and a strap anchor, the strap anchor including a number of attachment points on opposite sides of the shoe, and the base material having been injection molded around the strap anchor; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through at least one of the attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot.
US09167866B2 Shoe sole ornamentation apparatus and related method
The present invention is directed toward a device, kit, and related method for an adhesive film for application to the sole of a shoe. More specifically, the film is easily attached to the shoe sole so that a user may decorate their shoe soles and continuously change the appearance of the soles of a single pair of shoes instead of purchasing multiple shoes of a variety of styles. It also serves as a shoe sole protector, as it covers the original sole protecting it from wear and abrasion. A cutting device to trim the film to size without trimming the shoe material is also contemplated.
US09167864B1 Footwear with dynamic arch system
The present invention is footwear having a convex shaped outsole with opposing wedge shaped configurations in the bottom of the front sole section and the back sole section which provide rotation of the front sole section and the back sole section in opposite directions when weight is applied. The present invention is also footwear convex shaped in the longitudinal direction with a split sole having opposing wedge shaped configurations in the bottom of the front sole section and the back sole section that provide rotation of the front sole section and the back sole section in opposite directions when weight is applied. The invention further includes footwear having at least one pair of wedges on the outsole which provide footwear having improved arch support. The invention is also footwear with a flexible, elastic, member between the front sole section and the back sole section of the sole.
US09167860B2 Protective modular helmet with integrated lighting system
The disclosure relates to a protective modular helmet with an integrated lighting system, for example for use by a rider/driver of a vehicle such as a snowmobile, a motorcycle, or an all-terrain vehicle. A light source is mounted at chin level in the helmet. A moveable chin bar covers or conceals the light source when lowered. When the chin bar is raised, the light source is exposed and can be used for illumination.
US09167859B2 System for mounting a helmet-mounted device to a helmet
Systems for mounting a helmet-mounted device to a helmet are disclosed. One such system comprises a frame configured to be movably coupled to the helmet, and an interconnect mechanism rotatably coupled to the frame. The interconnect mechanism is configured to receive the helmet-mounted device. The interconnect mechanism is rotatable relative to the frame between a use position for the helmet-mounted device and a stow position for the helmet-mounted device.
US09167857B2 Waist belt for automatically measuring waist circumference
Provided is a waist belt for automatically measuring a waist circumference. The waist belt includes a belt part (10) and a buckle part (20). The belt part has a plurality of magnets (11) attached thereto at a predetermined interval. The buckle part includes two or more magnetic field sensors sensing the plurality of magnets attached to the belt part, an operation processor processing and analyzing signals obtained by the magnetic field sensors, and a display displaying a measurement result of a waist circumference obtained by the operation processor.
US09167844B1 Instant hot water drinks
A product having an internal substance protected by a rugged exterior shell is disclosed. The internal substance is reactive with the exterior shell but is separated therefrom by a coating on an interior surface of the external shell so that the product can be stored for a long period of time without the internal substance reacting with the exterior shell. The coating is meltable so that, when desired, the product may be heated (e.g. immersed in hot water or exposed to heat) in order to melt the coating so that the internal substance can react with the external shell so that the internal substance can excrete out of the exterior shell.
US09167842B2 Functional food preparation and use thereof
The invention concerns a functional food preparation based on milk/dairy products added with botanical products containing various active principles. The milk/dairy products, which can be obtained from fresh or pasteurized animal milk, soy milk or rice milk, comprise Saccharum officinarum containing polycosanols, Monascus purpureus containing plant statins, and Glycine max containing isoflavones and coenzymes. Further components can be added to the preparation to improve its organoleptic properties. The invention also refers to the use of the preparation as a food with functional features which are useful to stabilize the cholesterol and triglycerides amount, having an antioxidant action and protective of arteries and the cardiocirculatory system.
US09167834B2 Preparing oil seed for ruminant feed
Compositions of ruminant feed and feed components are disclosed, as well as methods for preparing oil seeds for ruminant feed. Oil seeds may be subjected to heat and an aqueous alkaline solution until the seed coat is broken, exhibiting splits, cracks, wrinkles, and deformations. Preferably, the heat is applied until the mix of seeds and alkaline solution reach between about 160-220° F. Preferably, the heat and alkaline solution treatment is maintained for between 20 and 100 minutes, in order to thoroughly “cook” the seeds, as exhibited by swelling, splitting, cracking, wrinkling and/or deforming of the seed coat. Then, the hot, wet, treated seeds may be subjected to, for example, a screw extruder or other process for mashing, macerating, or otherwise forming the treated seeds into a damp noodle or other pasty, mashed, and/or mealy material.
US09167825B2 Method for manufacturing liquid fermented milk
A method is directed to producing liquid fermented milk, suppressing an increase in acidity and a decrease in pH over time during refrigerated storage, keeping a refreshing flavor (sour taste) originating from yogurt lactic acid bacteria for a long time, and suppressing production of an acid during storage to maintain good quality, without requiring heating after a fermentation step, use of a particular additive, and the like. The method for producing liquid fermented milk which uses a rod-shaped lactic acid bacteria and a coccus-shaped lactic acid bacteria as lactic acid bacteria to be added to a raw material for fermented milk, and which includes a homogenization step of obtaining the liquid fermented milk at a homogenization pressure of from 50 MPa to 100 MPa.
US09167812B2 Biocide compositions comprising amides based on 2-furoic acid and its derivatives
Suggested are biocide compositions, comprising (a) 2-Furoic and/or Tetrahydro-2-furoic acid amides; (b) Biocides and optionally (c) Oil components or co-solvents and/or (d) Emulsifiers. The compositions show high solubility for biocides and improved emulsification properties.
US09167810B2 Compounds derived from herbicidal carboxylic acids and tetraalkylammonium or (arylalkyl) trialkylammonium hydroxides
Compounds formed by combining a carboxylic acid herbicide with N—((C1-C16)alkyl or arylalkyl) tri((C1-C16)alkyl)ammonium hydroxide have herbicidal activity on an acid equivalent basis at least as active as the commercially used carboxylic acid herbicide salts, but are less volatile.
US09167800B2 Systems for determining animal metrics and related devices and methods
In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a positioning member positioned relative to a datum structure, the positioning member being configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the positioning member and the datum structure, the positioning member being arranged at an angular bias away from the datum structure relative to a floor surface and being configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.
US09167795B2 Non-dehiscent sesame IND variety Sesaco 38
Non-dehiscent sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) (IND) designated Sesaco 38 (S38) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S38 suitable for mechanized harvesting and for selection for sesame crop growth in most geographical locations.
US09167785B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV247671
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV247671. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV247671, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV247671 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV247671 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV247671.
US09167784B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV442915
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV442915. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV442915, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV442915 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV442915 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV442915.
US09167777B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH185329
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH185329. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH185329, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH185329 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH185329.
US09167767B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV111461
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV111461. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV111461, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV111461 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV111461 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV111461.
US09167761B2 Cucumber hybrid SV5479CN and parents thereof
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid SV5479CN and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid SV5479CN and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US09167740B2 Row unit for agricultural implement
In one embodiment, an agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame. A support member is pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the support member relative to the attachment frame, and at least one furrow-closing device is mounted on the support member. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the support member for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. The hydraulic cylinder includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for urging the ram in a first direction that pivots the support member in a first vertical direction. An accumulator has a fluid chamber containing a pressurized gas for urging the ram in a second direction that pivots the support member in a second vertical direction.
US09173328B2 Heat dissipation system and rack-mount server using the same
A heat dissipation system includes a chassis, a number of heat absorbing boxes, a number of pipes, a first water tank and a second water tank received in the chassis, a number of fins sandwiched between the first water tank and the second water tank, a number of fans aligning with the fins, and a water pump connected between the first water tank and the second water tank. Each heat absorbing box includes a water inlet and a water outlet, and heat from electrical components is gathered by the boxes, transferred to the water tanks, and the fans blow air through the fins to dissipate the gathered heat.
US09173279B2 Compact X-ray generation device
An x-ray transmitter, which may be compact, may be in the form of a housing with an x-ray transparent window sputtered with a metal on one wall, and tribocharging electron source on another wall.
US09173259B1 Light emitting diode driving system and light emitting diode lamp
A light emitting diode driving system includes a plurality of light emitting diode driving apparatuses and a transmission line. The transmission line is electrically connected to the light emitting diode driving apparatuses. The light emitting diode driving apparatus includes a voltage regulator, a synchronous signal generation circuit and a synchronous control logic circuit. The voltage regulator sends a first voltage to the synchronous signal generation circuit. The synchronous signal generation circuit generates a second voltage after the synchronous signal generation circuit receives the first voltage. The synchronous signal generation circuit subtracts the second voltage from the first voltage to obtain a synchronous signal. The synchronous signal generation circuit sends the synchronous signal to the synchronous control logic circuit. The light emitting diode driving apparatuses drive the light emitting diodes synchronously according to the synchronous signals.
US09173255B2 Adaptive heating system with exchangeable heat sources
An adaptive heating apparatus for heating a recreational vehicle, including a first heat unit configured to be powered by a first energy type, a second heat unit configured to be powered by a second energy type that is different than the first energy type, and a forced-air circulation unit. The adaptive heating apparatus is operable to employ the first heat unit during a first heating operation, or alternatively to employ the second heat unit during a second heating operation. The forced-air circulation unit is configured to circulate air through the both heat units during the first heating operation and to circulate air through both heating units during the second heating operation.
US09173254B2 Infrared ray detection device, heating cooker, and method of measuring temperature of cooling chamber of heating cooker
A heating cooker including an infrared ray detection device is disclosed. The heating cooker includes a body, an inner case disposed within the body, and provided therein with a cooking chamber to cook food, a detection hole formed at one side wall of the inner case, to allow an infrared ray generated in the cooking chamber to exit outwardly from the cooking chamber, a path change unit disposed in the vicinity of the detection hole, to change a path of the infrared ray passing through the detection hole, and an infrared sensor disposed to be spaced apart from the path change unit, to receive the infrared ray, the path of which has been changed. The path change unit is rotatable to enable the infrared sensor to receive infrared rays having different paths while being generated in different regions in the cooking chamber.
US09173250B2 Method for making heater
A method for making a heater is provided. A support and a flexible substrate are provided. The flexible substrate is stretched along a first direction and is fixed on a surface of the support. A carbon nanotube film is drawn from a carbon nanotube array. One end of the carbon nanotube film is attached on the flexible substrate. The carbon nanotube film is wrapped around the support by whirling the support to form a carbon nanotube layer. The flexible substrate is separated from the support and shrinks along the first direction. The carbon nanotube layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes aligned in the first direction. A plurality of electrodes are electrically connected with the carbon nanotube layer.
US09173246B2 Information management system, wireless terminal, and management method
An information management system is disclosed that includes a wireless terminal configured to store identification data of the wireless terminal used to identify the wireless terminal in the system; a broadcasting device configured to transmit position data which represents a position at which the device is located for a predetermined area; and a server configured to store position data indicating a position at which the terminal is located. The terminal includes a collection unit configured to collect environmental data which represents a state of an environment around the terminal; a receiving unit configured to receive the position data from the device when the terminal is located in the predetermined area; and a transmission unit configured to transmit, via the device, to the server, the identification of the terminal, the position data received from the device, and the environmental data collected by the collection unit.
US09173241B2 Radio-link establishment for multi-state cells
A radio link is established for multi-state cells. User equipment is operated in a connected mode with a serving cell. A transition is determined of a neighbor cell from dormant to active. At least a set number of out-of-synchronization events are detected with respect to the serving cell. It is determined that the neighbor-cell reference-signal received power is greater than the serving-cell reference-signal received power plus a threshold after determining the transition of the neighbor cell from dormant to active. A radio-resource-control connection-establishment message is sent to the neighbor cell when the neighbor-cell reference-signal received power is greater than the serving-cell reference-signal received power plus a threshold.
US09173236B2 Method for transmitting packets in a mobile station
A method of performing uplink transmission at a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes determining whether a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission collides with a random access transmission in a transmission time interval (TTI); and performing the HARQ retransmission if the HARQ retransmission does not collide with the random access transmission in the TTI, wherein a current value of information indicating a redundancy version (RV) for the HARQ retransmission is incremented by 1 if the HARQ retransmission does not collide with the random access transmission in the TTI.
US09173235B2 Apparatus and method for self-scheduling in a wireless communication system
The present disclosure provides channel sensing in an efficient manner in a cognitive radio MAC protocol and improves channel utilization. Proposed is an Adaptive Channel Sensing (ACS) for variably sensing a channel in accordance with a Fixed Channel Sensing (FCS) and a channel state so as to perform the channel sensing in an efficient manner while reducing the power consumption of a terminal. Further proposed is a self-scheduling mechanism which enables multiple terminals to simultaneously transceive data by means of a slot-based contention on the basis of the results of the FCS and ACS, which are proposed by the present disclosure.
US09173230B2 Method for scheduling data burst
A method for scheduling data burst is provided. The method is adapted for a mobile apparatus. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a data burst is generated, and a maximum delay time is calculated according to a delay constraint of the data burst. Next, whether to receive a downlink data burst before the maximum delay time is determined. If yes, a base station is requested to schedule the data burst to at least one available scheduling time near the downlink data burst. Afterwards, the data burst is sent according to the at least one available scheduling time.
US09173228B2 Bluetooth packet scheduling rules for LTE coexistence
To mitigate potential interference between radio access technologies (RATs) on a multi-RAT device, traffic scheduling rules may be implemented so that communications of the individual RATs are timed in a manner that reduces interference. For example, communications of a Bluetooth/WLAN RAT may be scheduled such that initial and responsive communications of the Bluetooth/WLAN RAT occur during sub-frames of an LTE RAT that are less likely to cause cross-RAT interference.
US09173226B2 Network element, wireless communication units and methods for scheduling communications
A method for scheduling multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) transmissions in radio frames comprising subframes comprises receiving a plurality of different multimedia broadcast and multicast service (MBMS) user data for broadcasting to a plurality of wireless communication units. The method further comprises scheduling the different MBMS user data for broadcasting in respective subframes within a first radio frame; and scheduling a different subframe order of the different MBMS user data for broadcasting in respective subframes within a second radio frame wherein the varied subframe order is based on the MBMS service to be broadcast.
US09173221B2 Apparatus, system and method of establishing a wireless beamformed link
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of establishing a wireless beamformed link. For example, an apparatus may include a wireless communication controller to control a first wireless communication device to communicate millimeter-wave (mmWave) signals with a second wireless communication device over a mmWave frequency band, the mmWave signals including signals transmitted according to a plurality of different transmit (Tx) beamforming settings, the wireless communication controller is to control the first wireless communication device to communicate feedback information, which is based on the mmWave signals, over a non-mmWave frequency band, and to control the first wireless communication device to establish with the second wireless communication device a beamformed link over the mmWave frequency band, the beamformed link using a Tx beamforming setting, which is determined based on the feedback information.
US09173216B2 Method and arrangement in a relay node and a controlling node
According to various embodiments, a method is provided at a relay node for enabling subframe allocation between a backhaul link and an access link of the relay node. The relay node is connected to a controlling entity via the backhaul link, and is connectable to at least one user equipment via the access link. The relay node receives a trigger or configuration information from the controlling entity from the controlling entity. Based on the received trigger or configuration information, the relay node sends information to the controlling entity, indicating a resource utilization of the access link and/or indicating a quality of the access link.
US09173214B2 Method, user equipment, base station and system for determining component carrier scheduled in cross-carrier scheduling
A method, user equipment, base station and system for determining a component carrier scheduled in cross-carrier scheduling. The method for determining the scheduled component carrier includes: a user equipment (UE) detects scheduling information sent by a base station in a first dedicated searching space corresponding to a scheduling component carrier, the first dedicated searching space includes at least one candidate physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) (101); detecting at least one candidate physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to obtain a current physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) which belongs to the user equipment (UE) (102); determining a scheduled component carrier corresponding to the current physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) according to the location of the current physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and the carried carrier indicator field (CIF) value thereof (103).
US09173213B2 Search space for non-interleaved relay physical downlink control channel R-PDCCH
The present invention relates to providing control information within a search space for blind decoding in a multi-carrier communication system. In particular, the control information is carried within a sub-frame of the communication system, the sub-frame including a plurality of control channel elements. The control channel elements may be aggregated into candidates for blind decoding. The number of control channel elements in a candidate is called aggregation level. In accordance with the present invention, the candidates of lower aggregation levels are localized, meaning that the control channel elements of one candidate are located adjacently to each other in the frequency domain. Some candidates of the higher aggregation level(s) are distributed in the frequency.
US09173208B2 Mobile station apparatus, base station apparatus, method and integrated circuit
To provide a mobile station apparatus, a base station apparatus, a method and an integrated circuit which are capable of dissolving complexity of setting by the base station apparatus and performing efficient scheduling by improving the orthogonality of resources of a reference signal for every antenna. A mobile station apparatus which transmits a sounding reference signal to a base station apparatus using a plurality of antenna ports, wherein based on one value set specifically to a mobile station apparatus by a parameter notified of by a higher layer from the base station apparatus, a cyclic shift applied to a sounding reference signal corresponding to the plurality of antenna ports is determined.
US09173206B2 Method of making a coexistence decision on hybrid topology
Disclosed is a radio technology independent method for coexistence among dissimilar or independently operated TV Band Device (TVBD) networks and dissimilar TV Band Devices. A resource allocation method on Hybrid topology is disclosed, which comprises steps of receiving at least one available resource; performing a neighbor set calculation based on the received at least one available resource; calculating the resource according to the neighbor set calculation; receiving at least one channel list set from each of the coexistence manager (CM) entity; determining whether there is any conflict channel list set among the received channel list set, and either transmitting a confirmation message or a channel list set changing request message to CM entity based on the determination result.
US09173193B2 Support for broadcast control header for wireless networks
Various example embodiments are disclosed herein related to broadcast control headers for wireless networks. According to an example embodiment, a method may include allocating resources for a broadcast channel for a wireless network may include determining a set of physical resource units (PRUs), each PRU including a plurality of contiguous subcarriers, selecting one or more subsets of the PRUs, each subset including a plurality of PRUs distributed across the set of PRUs, and determining a plurality of logical resource units (LRUs) from each subset of PRUs, including permutating the subcarriers independently within each subset of PRUs to obtain the plurality of LRUs for each subset of PRUs, each LRU including a plurality of distributed subcarriers.
US09173184B2 Mobile communication system supporting service centralization and continuity and method thereof
Mobile communication system supporting service centralization and continuity and method thereof. A mobile communication system may include a home subscriber server and a service centralization and continuity application server. The mobile subscriber server may be configured to register a location of a user equipment and to transmit location registration information of the user equipment. The service centralization and continuity application server may be configured to receive the location registration information of the user equipment from the home subscriber server.
US09173176B2 Wireless multi-cell communication system and method for managing resource power to provide high speed downlink packet access services
A method and wireless multi-cell communication system for providing high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) services. The system includes a radio network controller (RNC) in communication with a plurality of base stations. The RNC sends a control signal to at least one base station having a plurality of timeslots, e.g., in a time division duplex (TDD) system and/or frames including transmission timing intervals (TTIs), e.g., in a frequency division duplex (FDD) system assigned thereto for the establishment of HSDPA channels. The control signal indicates a maximum allowed HSDPA transmit power for each of the timeslots and/or TTIs. The base station sends a feedback signal to the RNC indicating the results of measurements of the power of the transmitted HSDPA timeslots and/or TTIs during a predetermined time period.
US09173172B2 Communication control apparatus and communication control method
A communication control apparatus includes an acquirer that acquires operation information of a moving object having a shielded space therein, and a controller that controls at least one of a channel between a first base station installed in a car in the moving object and a second base station installed on each floor where the car is stoppable, transmission power of the first base station and transmission power of the second base station, and location information for locating a position of a mobile terminal for each floor where the car is stoppable, on the basis of the operation information.
US09173165B2 Power saving for a communication device
A communication device comprising: a first radio capable of communicating according to a first protocol and having a set of operational modes; and a second radio capable of communicating according to a second protocol, the communication device being configured to, in dependence on one or more communications by the second radio in accordance with the second protocol, selecting one mode of operation for the first radio from the set of operational modes, wherein said one or more communications comprises: sending a first message; and a response or non-response to the first message.
US09173163B2 Altering communication interface parameters based upon mobility
Altering communication interface parameters based upon mobility. A novel approach is presented in which at least one operational parameter is changed as a function of the mobility of a wireless terminal. The changing of the operational parameter (which can be performed by either the wireless terminal, a WAP, or cooperatively by both) can include changing an entire protocol or only one operational parameter within the protocol. The mobility measure can be any one or combination of velocity (rate of change of position), acceleration, position within the network, or other measure. The mobility can be an average mobility over a period of time, or it can be an instantaneous mobility. The operational parameter can be changed by either communication device at each end of a communication link or in part, by both (e.g., either by a WAP (Wireless Access Point) or a communication device connected thereto, or by cooperation there between).
US09173161B2 Peer-to-peer pre-association discovery operations
A method for discovering P2P service capabilities of peer devices in a Wi-Fi network is disclosed. A client device scans one or more channels of the P2P network to discover peer devices, and receives one or more data frames from a set of peer devices. Each of the data frames includes management information to enable the client device to establish a connection with a corresponding peer device. Each data frame further includes a first set of service information, which includes data indicating whether the corresponding peer device is configured to provide a P2P service. The client device then selectively establishes a P2P connection with a peer device from the set based, at least in part, on the first set of service information.
US09173155B2 System and method for managing tracking area identity lists in a mobile network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a plurality of queries associated with common tracking areas in a wireless network; identifying a set of serving gateways that serve the common tracking areas; generating a tracking area identity (TAI) list to be used in provisioning network resources for user equipment; and selecting a first serving gateway from the set of serving gateways for the user equipment, wherein the first serving gateway is selected based on the common tracking areas served by the set of serving gateways. In more specific embodiments, the queries are domain name system (DNS) queries that are supported by a network element and that have no cached DNS response.
US09173143B2 Method of controlling a communication control entity
A method of controlling a communication control entity in a mobile communication network and a corresponding communication control entity are described. The communication control entity is a part of a pool of communication control entities. In accordance of the invention, when acting as a primary communication control entity and receiving a request for adding a new secondary communication control entity to the overall control procedure, the communication control entity of the invention is arranged to determine whether the requested new secondary communication control entity is a part of the pool or not. If it is a part of the pool, then the primary communication control entity established a direct connection to the access part. The requested communication control entity is not added to the control procedure as a relay.
US09173137B2 Selection of packet data protocol context for handover from cellular network to femto cell
System(s) and method(s) are provided to manage packet data protocol (PDP) contexts upon cellular-to-femto handover, wherein femto network has disparate capabilities to support applications with distinct access point names (APNs) and quality of service (QoS) profiles. Based at least on activity factors of applications associated with PDP contexts, a QoS-based ranking of PDP contexts, and subscriber input, cellular network platform selects active PDP contexts to retain and suspend upon handover. A group of active PDP contexts is handed off in accordance with femto coverage capability, with remaining active PDP contexts suspended during handover. When a suspended PDP context, and application associated therewith, is resumed through femto coverage, a PDP context modification is conducted with a new APN and the application is routed to a corresponding femto gateway node and application server. Additionally, femto network platform performs a radio access bearer reconfiguration to meet QoS requirements of the resumed PDP context.
US09173135B2 Providing service continuity between heterogeneous wireless networks
The disclosure is related to providing service continuity between heterogeneous networks in user equipment. A first cell change procedure may be performed from a packet switched network to a circuit switched network in a first idle mode. Availability of a packet switched domain of the circuit switched network may be determined. A location area update (LAU) may be initiated when a packet switched domain of the circuit switched network is barred.
US09173133B2 Mobile device with guaranteed QoS
A mobile device includes a transceiver that receives data from a network, and transmits data to the network, an input interface that receives input data from a user of the device, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an input from the input interface indicating a desired quality of service (QoS) requested by the user for a communication session through the network. The processor is also configured to append a code corresponding to the desired QoS to a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite message relating to set-up of the communication session, and transmit the SIP invite message to the network by the transceiver to control the network to provide the desired QoS during communication between the mobile device and another device via the communication session through the network.
US09173131B2 Mobility load balance processing method, relay node, donor base station, and communication system
A mobility load balance processing method includes: sending, by a donor base station DBS, indication information to a relay node RN of the donor base station DBS, where the donor base station DBS uses the indication information to instruct the relay node RN to perform mobility load balance processing to hand over at least one user equipment UE in a cell of the relay node RN to a neighboring cell. A relay node, a donor base station, and a communication apparatus are also disclosed. Through UE handover, a cell to which a UE is attached can be adjusted, so that load balance between cells is achieved after an RN is introduced. In this way, network resource utilization is maximized, and system capacity and system performance are improved.
US09173129B2 IPV6 address management method and gateway performing the same
A management method for an IPv6 address for use in a gateway is provided. The method includes receiving a packet including an IPv6 address, extracting a MAC address from the IPv6 address of the packet, generating a compressed address by inserting a previously defined bit sequence into the MAC address, and storing the compressed address and the IPv6 address in a mapping table. The packet is received from a WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) node.
US09173128B2 Radio-awareness of mobile device for sending server-side control signals using a wireless network optimized transport protocol
System and method of radio-awareness of mobile device for sending server-side control signals using a wireless network optimized transport protocol are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of sending a message over an alternate channel to a mobile device in the presence of an open TCP connection with a mobile device, including sending the message over the alternate channel to the mobile device, without utilizing the open TCP connection, responsive to determining that a timing criteria has been met. The alternate channel utilized need not cause a radio of the mobile device to switch on.
US09173127B2 Multi-carrier communication systems employing variable symbol rates and number of carriers
A multi-carrier communication system such as an OFDM or DMT system has nodes which are allowed to dynamically change their receive and transmit symbol rates, and the number of carriers within their signals. Changing of the symbol rate is done by changing the clocking frequency of the nodes' iFFT and FFT processors, as well as their serializers and deserializers. The nodes have several ways of dynamically changing the number of carriers used. The selection of symbol rate and number of carriers can be optimized for a given channel based on explicit channel measurements, a priori knowledge of the channel, or past experience. Provision is made for accommodating legacy nodes that may have constraints in symbol rate or the number of carriers they can support. The receiver can determine the correct symbol rate and number of carriers through a priori knowledge, a first exchange of packets in a base mode that all nodes can understand, or an indication in the header of the data packet which is transmitted in a base mode of operation that all nodes can understand.
US09173125B2 Mobile communication system, base station apparatus and mobile station apparatus
A mobile station (MS) that transmits uplink data on a PUSCH, the PUSCH being assigned by using a PDCCH. The MS receives a radio resource control signal including first information instructing the MS apparatus to periodically transmit first reception quality information (RQI) and receives, on the PDCCH, second information instructing the MS to transmit second RQI on the PUSCH. The MS transmits only the second RQI on the PUSCH in a case that the transmission of the first RQI which is instructed by using the first information and the transmission of the second RQI which is instructed by using the second information would occur at the same time, where the second RQI is transmitted together with the uplink data on the PUSCH and an amount of resources for the second RQI is determined based on a size of the PUSCH assigned by using the PDCCH.
US09173121B2 Method and apparatus for restricted measuring in a wireless network
Methods and apparatuses are provided that include determining resources over which to measure signals from a base station. One or more parameters related to a resource restriction pattern can be provided to the device for measuring signals over indicated resources. The resource restricted pattern can correspond to a bitmap where each bit relates to a time period over which signals can be transmitted by the base station, and the bit can specify whether a signal received over the resource should be measured. The resource restriction pattern can correspond to a set or protected resources negotiated using a resource partitioning scheme.
US09173120B2 System and method for processing received data in a wireless network
A method for communicating data within a wireless network includes receiving an indication of a measurement type from a wireless communication device and receiving a first wireless transmission pertaining to a first measurement performed by the wireless communication device. The method also includes, in response to the received transmission, obtaining a value of a second measurement of the measurement type. The second measurement is performed by a sensor associated with the base station. In addition, the method includes determining a value of the first measurement based on the received transmission and a value of a second measurement performed by the sensor associated with the base station.
US09173118B2 Method and base station for selecting working remote radio unit for user equipment
The present invention provides a method for selecting a working remote radio unit for a user equipment. By comparing isolation of a current working RRU set of a user equipment with a preset isolation threshold, resource utilization and signal interference can be effectively balanced and a working remote radio unit of the user equipment can be accurately determined.
US09173117B2 Enhancing a mobile backup channel to address a node failure in a wireline network
A method performed by a slave network edge node (e.g., a Broadband Network Gateway BNG2) for enhancing a Long Term Evolution (LTE) backup channel in the event of a failure of a master network edge node (e.g., BNG1) in a wireline network. When BNG2 detects the failure of BNG1, BNG2 sends a failure update message to a Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW) of an LTE network. The PDN GW provides a backup channel for the CPE to reach the wide area network over a mobile tunnel. Before the failure the mobile tunnel has an end point at BNG1, and the failure update message notifies the PDN GW that the end point of the mobile tunnel has changed from BNG1 to BNG2. After BNG2 receives a failure acknowledgement message from the PDN GW, BNG2 routes the traffic from the PDN GW over the mobile tunnel to the wide area network.
US09173115B2 Network device configuration by mobile device
In one implementation, a wireless network device is automatically accessed and configured through a mobile device. The mobile device receives provisioning data encoded for installation and operation of a network device and decodes the provisioning data to identify at least one access parameter for the network device. The mobile device accesses a wireless network of the network device according to the access parameter. Once access has been established, the mobile device transmits a configuration signal including a network configuration setting through the wireless network to the network device for the installation of the network device. The network device is provisioned based on the network configuration setting.
US09173112B2 Method for transferring data and information enabling an estimate of a wireless link between a source and at least one receiver
In a wireless communication system a frame composed of plural single carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplex symbols is transferred between a source and a receiver. The frame includes at least one hybrid symbol which is composed of at least one pilot sequence which is mapped on one subcarrier in two of at least a part of subcarriers on which the hybrid symbol is mapped and of discrete Fourier transformed data which are mapped on at least subcarriers comprised between two subcarriers on which the at least one pilot sequence is mapped. The at least one pilot sequence has the property that the variations of amplitudes obtained after performing a discrete Fourier transform over the at least one pilot sequence are limited. The frame also includes other symbols composed of discrete Fourier transformed data only.
US09173111B2 System and method for convergence and automatic disabling of access points in a wireless mesh network
One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for convergence and automatic disabling of access points in a wireless mesh network. Specifically, an access point within a wireless mesh network computes one or more network metrics to determine whether the metrics are unfavorable or favorable. If the network metrics are favorable, then the access point disables the access point's network connection. An access point turns the network connection back on based on whether a routing was lost for at least a preset amount of time, utilization of one or more neighboring access points is above a preset value, or one or more network metrics have degraded by a certain percentage value. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings may be achieved when the number of access points dynamically changes to accommodate varying communications conditions.
US09173109B2 Radio link quality monitoring
Disclosed herein is a method of radio link monitoring (RLM) in a UE comprising the steps of: selecting a control channel type to perform RLM on, wherein the control channel type includes one or more of: a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); or an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH); receiving a transmission on a carrier, the transmission comprising one or more reference signals; and determining the quality of the radio link using the selected control channel type and the one or more reference signals.
US09173108B2 Parallel inter-radio access technology (IRAT) measurement in a communication system
A UE is configured to collect multiple absolute radio frequency channel numbers (ARFCNs) in parallel via a wideband receiver during a transmission gap. Inter-radio access technology (IRAT) measurements are performed based on the collected AFRCN samples.
US09173103B2 Signal security for wireless access point
A wireless access point receives a set of invalid passwords from at least one wireless device attempting to connect to a network through the wireless access point. The wireless access point reduces RF signal power in response to receiving the set of invalid passwords.
US09173082B2 Preventing roaming user terminal re-authentication
A method and device for preventing a roaming user terminal from re-authentication are provided. The method includes: when Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) of a roaming user terminal changes, change information of the roaming user terminal is reported to a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) via an Access Controller (AC) and the BRAS reports modified information of the roaming user terminal to an Authentication, Authorization, Accounting server (AAA server).
US09173077B2 Method in a UE, a network node and a client node in a wireless communications network
A method and nodes for enabling a client node such as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) or Location Services (LCS) client to set up a communication to a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communications network. The method enables the client node to provide solutions that enable location aware non-voice based emergency services by means of new signalling and a new architecture. A text message may be sent from the UE to the client node via a network node, wherein the text message includes UE location information and a client indicator. The UE location information and the client indicator are then utilized to determine a client node which is most appropriate for communication with the UE.
US09173075B2 Communication device and message transmitting method
A message transmitting method of a communication device, the communication devices stores an information matching table. The information matching table includes a telephone directory column recording a plurality of predetermined telephone numbers and a message column recording a plurality of predetermined messages in advance. When an incoming call is received, whether a phone number of the incoming call is recorded in the telephone directory column of the matching information table is determined. If the phone number of the incoming call is recorded in the telephone directory column, a prompt message stored in the information matching table is determined as a prompt message to prompt a user according to the phone number of the incoming call.
US09173070B2 Receiving an emergency alert message via a broadcast data channel
A mobile device may be configured with multiple receivers (e.g., a cellular receiver, a broadcast receiver such as FM, AM, DTV, a satellite receiver, a NWR receiver, etc.). Upon receipt of an emergency alert message via at least one of the receivers, the mobile device, via an application installed on the mobile device, may extract the emergency alert message from a data channel of the broadcast. The mobile device, via the application, may process the extracted emergency alert message to determine if the emergency alert message is to be rendered via the device. And, if the emergency alert message is to be rendered, the mobile device, via the application, may format the extracted emergency alert message to conform to a standard format (e.g., Commercial Mobile Alert System, CMAS, format).
US09173066B1 Methods and systems for controlling an electronic device
According to embodiments illustrated herein there is provided a method for controlling an electronic device. The method includes detecting, in a mobile device, a contact with the electronic device at a predetermined reference location on the electronic device. The method further includes tracking a movement of the mobile device from the predetermined reference location to a second location on the electronic device, wherein the second location corresponds to a first component of the electronic device. Additionally, the method includes receiving an input from a user to control one or more functionalities of the first component.
US09173048B2 Method and system for generating a matrix-encoded two-channel audio signal
In some embodiments, a method for generating a matrix-encoded two-channel audio signal in response to a horizontal B-format signal by performing a mixing operation. In other embodiments, a method for generating a matrix-encoded two-channel audio signal, including steps of generating microphone output signals (by capturing sound with a microphone array), and performing a mixing operation on the microphone output signals, where the mixing operation is equivalent to generating a horizontal B-format signal in response to the microphone output signals, and generating the matrix-encoded two-channel audio signal in response to the horizontal B-format signal. The microphone array is typically a small array of cardiod microphones (e.g., an array consisting of three cardiod microphones). Other aspects include systems (e.g., encoders) programmed or otherwise configured to perform any embodiment of the method for generating a matrix-encoded two-channel audio signal.
US09173047B2 Methods for manufacturing ultrasound transducers and other components
The invention features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the inventions provides methods of patterning electrodes, e.g., in the connection of an ultrasound transducer to an electrical circuit; methods of depositing metal on surfaces; and methods of making integrated matching layer for an ultrasound transducer. The invention also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein.
US09173041B2 Enhancing perception of frequency-lowered speech
Among other things, a sound processing device system is disclosed to assist a hearing-impaired human listener recognize speech sounds or phonemes. The device system may be configured at least to generate an output audio signal at least by transposing and causing a negative rank ordering of frequency of at least a portion of the input audio signal. Compression also may be performed on the at least the portion of the input audio signal as part of generating the output audio signal. The negative rank ordering may be performed on a high-frequency portion of the input audio signal that becomes a low-frequency portion of the output audio signal by the transposing. The low-frequency portion of the output audio signal may represent an inverted ordering of frequencies or frequency segments present in the high-frequency portion of the input audio signal.
US09173030B2 Speaker system and speaker driving method
A speaker system includes: a display panel having a display screen; a structure having a plate part functioning as an acoustic diaphragm located outside of a perimeter of the display screen and being supported by the display panel; and an actuator attached to the structure so that a displacement direction of the actuator may be a direction of a plate surface of the plate part.
US09173028B2 Speech enhancement system and method
A system for speech enhancement in a room having a directional lapel microphone arrangement for capturing an audio signal from a speaker's voice; audio signal processor for generating a processed audio signal from the captured audio signal, and an adaptive beamformer unit for imparting directivity to the microphone arrangement provides maximum sensitivity towards the speaker's mouth and minimum sensitivity towards noise sources identified by the beamformer unit. A unit shifts the frequency of components of the audio signal above a frequency threshold value only. A feedback cancelling unit has an adaptive filter and a selection unit which automatically switches between a first mode causing the audio signal to by-pass the adaptive filter and a second mode in which the audio signal is filtered by the adaptive filter. A loudspeaker arrangement generates sound according to the processed audio signal and has plural loudspeakers arranged to form a directional loudspeaker array.
US09173025B2 Combined suppression of noise, echo, and out-of-location signals
A system, a method, logic embodied in a computer-readable medium, and a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed carry out a method. The method processes: (a) a plurality of input signals, e.g., signals from a plurality of spatially separated microphones; and, for echo suppression, (b) one or more reference signals, e.g., signals from or to be rendered by one or more loudspeakers and that can cause echoes. The method processes the input signals and one or more reference signals to carry out in an integrated manner simultaneous noise suppression and out-of-location signal suppression, and in some versions, echo suppression.
US09173020B2 Control method of sound producing, sound producing apparatus, and portable apparatus
A control method of sound producing, sound producing apparatus, and portable apparatus are provided. The control method of sound producing is for a portable device, including the following steps. (a) A first detected parameter indicating a detected excursion of a speaker of the portable device is generated. (b) A second audio signal is generated based on a first audio signal, wherein the second audio signal is generated selectively by compensation according to at least the first detected parameter. (c) A gain value is determined according to at least the first detected parameter and a third audio signal is generated based on the second audio signal according to the gain value.
US09173017B2 Circumaural earphone and decorating strap thereof
A circumaural earphone and a decorating strap thereof are provided. The circumaural earphone includes two earphone cups, a main strap, a decorating strap, a photosensitive switch, a power supplier and a light emitter. Two ends of the main strap are connected with the two earphone cups. Two ends of the decorating strap are detachably connected with the two earphone cups or the main strap. The photosensitive switch is disposed in one of the two earphone cups, the main strap or the decorating strap. The power supplier is disposed in one of the two earphone cups, the main strap or the decorating strap. The light emitter is disposed in the decorating strap and electrically connected with the power supplier through the photosensitive switch.
US09173000B2 Automatic discovery and mirroring of server-client remote user interface (RUI) session on a companion device and synchronously controlling both sessions using RUI on companion device
A server sends to a video device such as a TV a remote user interface (RUI) that is presented on the TV and manipulable to send control commands back to the server. A companion device such as a tablet computer discovers the RUI session and is provided by the server with its own RUI, which mirrors that on the TV, modified as appropriate for the screen of the companion device. The server maintains the two RUIs synchronized such that the RUI on the companion mirrors the RUI on the TV.
US09172998B2 Excluding specific application traffic from customer consumption data
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for excluding specific application traffic from customer consumption-based data billing counts. This is useful for excluding traffic from consumption totals where the application traffic has been accounted for using other means, such as through billing as a separate or technically distinct service. In practice, a tablet computer (or other end user device) can run a video application that uses a high-speed data network via a cable modem. This video application may be included as part of a core video package associated with a distinct cable television service. The system then provides accurate consumption billing of customer traffic that is outside of any other managed services by creating separate logical data service flows at a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) for excluding specific traffic counts.
US09172997B2 Methods and apparatus to collect media exposure information
Methods and apparatus to collect media exposure information are described. An example metering device to collect media exposure information includes a housing; an input carried by the housing; a display carried by the housing to present a list of media stations which may be tuned by a media device different than the metering device, the metering device incapable of tuning to the media stations; a processor carried by the housing to identify which of the media stations is displayed when the input is selected; and memory carried by the housing to store an indication of an exposure to the identified media station via the media device, the indication including the identified media station and a timestamp corresponding the selection of the input.
US09172996B2 Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
A computer may be configured to identify, using data received wirelessly from an identification device associated with a home entertainment system, a user of an entertainment session. The computer may retrieve a user profile that includes set physical positioning, physical orientation, and viewing information of a primary display device and a secondary display device. The computer may wirelessly control adjustment of a physical position of the primary and secondary display devices in association with the user profile.
US09172992B2 Remote device access
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for accessing a remote source device, comprising a network interface for receiving a media stream from a remote media encoding device, the remote media encoding device generating the media stream from media signals generated by the remote source device, a media decoder for decoding the received media stream, and a user input device for generating signals in response to actuation of the use input device and for transmitting the generated signals to the media encoding device for delivery to the remote source device.
US09172991B2 Apparatus of processing an image and a method of processing thereof
The disclosure is disclosed an apparatus of processing an image and a method thereof. According to the present invention, the method of transmitting a broadcast signal for a 3-dimensional, 3D, service, the method may include encoding video data for a 3D service into a stream and transmitting a broadcast signal including the encoded stream and service information for signaling the 3D service, wherein the service information comprises a first descriptor includes first information for specifying that a type of the stream is a video stream and second information for specifying a type of a component included in the video stream is a 3D video component, and wherein the first and second information including values for indicating presence and attribute of subtitles of the 3D service.
US09172985B2 Video playback system allowing multiple mobile communication devices to control the same video decoder and related computer program products
A video playback system includes a content provider server for providing video signals of a first and a second video; a video decoder; a display for displaying video content outputted from the video decoder; a playback control server for controlling the video decoder; a first mobile communication device for transmitting a first selection message to the playback control server via internet at a first time point; and a second mobile communication device for transmitting a second selection message to the playback control server via internet at a second time point. The playback control server utilizes the video decoder to receive video signals of the first video according to the first selection message, and utilizes the video decoder to receive video signals of the second video according to the second selection message after the second time point.
US09172971B2 Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, and image decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes: deriving a candidate for a motion vector predictor from a neighboring motion vector; adding the candidate to a list; selecting a motion vector predictor from the list; coding a current block; and coding a current motion vector. In the deriving, the candidate is derived according to a first derivation scheme when each of a current reference picture and a neighboring reference picture is determined to be a long-term reference picture, and the candidate is derived according to a second derivation scheme when each of a current reference picture and a neighboring reference picture is determined to be a short-term reference picture.
US09172966B2 System and method for adaptive coding tree mode decision
A system and method for encoding video is provided. The system may partition a video frame into multiple coding units. The system may determine a memory bandwidth budget and selectively code each coding unit based on a memory cost as compared to the memory bandwidth budget.
US09172963B2 Joint coding of syntax elements for video coding
In one example, a video decoder is configured to determine whether a component of a transform unit of a coding unit of video data includes at least one non-zero coefficient based on a codeword for the transform unit, determine whether the transform unit is split into sub-transform units based on the codeword, and decode the transform unit based on the determinations. In another example, a video encoder is configured to determine whether a component of a transform unit of a coding unit of video data includes at least one non-zero coefficient, determine whether the transform unit is split into sub-transform units, select a codeword from a variable length code table, wherein the variable length code table provides an indication that the codeword corresponds to the determinations, and provide the codeword for the transform unit.
US09172960B1 Quantization based on statistics and threshold of luminanceand chrominance
Embodiments are directed towards modifying a quality of an image without affecting a bit rate associated with a video sequence of images. For each macro-block (MB) or sub-block within a MB for a target image to be encoded, various statistics are determined for a luminance component and chrominance components that provide at least average values for the chrominance components that may then be used to identify saturation thresholds. The saturation thresholds are used to determine a Qlevel. An average Qlevel from at least a previous frame is used to generate a Q modulation factor that may be combined with an activity based modulation factor and/or variance based modulation factor, or used singly. The final quantizer is calculated by bit-rate controller base quantizer multiplied by the Q modulation factor, and may be used to encode a MB or sub-block within a MB.
US09172950B2 Method and system using automated workflow for monitoring of video assets
A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports.
US09172948B2 Display apparatus and method of controlling the same for displaying a three-dimensional video
When a user views a three-dimensional video on an external apparatus, the user cannot always simultaneously view the three-dimensional video on another video display apparatus, because of the difference between the display methods used by these apparatuses, for example. In such case, when a three-dimensional video signal is output to the external apparatus, a display unit of the video display apparatus displays a two-dimensional video. In this way, even when the external apparatus is displaying a three-dimensional video, a user can simultaneously view the display unit of the video display apparatus easily.
US09172945B2 Method of creation of a virtual three dimensional image to enable its reproduction on planar substrates
A method of creation of a virtual three dimensional image to enable its reproduction on at least one planar substrate includes creating a virtual three dimensional space that includes a ground plane. A virtual model of an object is merged into the virtual three dimensional space and located at a desired position on the ground plane. A first virtual camera is placed at a first position in the virtual three dimensional space. Virtual lighting is added to the virtual three dimensional space to create shadows of the virtual model on at least the ground plane. The first virtual camera is used for rendering of the virtual model and the shadows to obtain a rendered image. The virtual model is removed and the rendered image is projected onto the ground plane. A second virtual camera is placed vertically above the projection of the rendered image on the ground plane and is used to capture the virtual three dimensional image of the projection of the rendered image on the ground plane to enable reproduction of the virtual three dimensional image on the at least one planar substrate.
US09172941B2 Moving image processing device and moving image processing method
A moving image processing device is configured such that a frame data acquisition unit configured to acquire frame data in which a parallax image for the left eye and a parallax image for the right eye are arranged across an active space. An image processing unit configured to subject the frame data to image processing. An active space setting unit configured to identify the position of the active space processed by the image processing unit and to set the pixel values of the active space to be fixed values.
US09172930B2 Electronic apparatus, electronic apparatus control device, method of driving electronic apparatus, and method of driving electro-optic device
An electronic apparatus includes first and second panels. A scanning line driving circuit is formed in each of the first and second panels. The scanning line driving circuit can perform a scanning to select k scanning lines for every k lines from m scanning lines. A first start pulse signal supplied to the first panel and a second start pulse signal supplied to the second panel can be temporarily shifted only an integer multiple of half of a horizontal scanning period of the scanning. Thus, even when a high-definition image is displayed at a high speed using the scanning, the position of a display image can be minutely adjusted, and thus a high-quality image can be displayed.
US09172921B1 Doorbell antenna
Doorbells can communicate wirelessly with remotely located computing devices. In some embodiments, doorbells include an antenna configured to enable the doorbells to communicate wirelessly with remotely located computing devices. The antenna can exit the back side of a doorbell and enter a hole of a building such that the antenna is located in the same hole as electrical wires that provide electricity to the doorbell.
US09172920B1 Doorbell diagnostics
A doorbell can be configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing device. In some cases, components that enable the doorbell to wirelessly communicate with the remote computing device could make the doorbell incompatible with certain types of chimes. In some embodiments, the doorbell is configured to diagnose chime compatibility issues.
US09172911B2 Touch control of a camera at a remote video device
A device, computer program product, and method control the operation of one or more cameras associated with a video conference endpoint in a video conference call. A camera control unit (remote control) includes a touch enabled end user component that presents to the user graphical objects representing video conference endpoints currently connected in a conference call, and/or one or more live video feeds currently captured by the video conference endpoint's cameras, and allows the user to manipulate a camera's pan, tilt and zoom using a touch screen display embedded in said camera control unit.
US09172909B2 Panoramic video conference
In one embodiment, video is transmitted between a sending device and a receiving device. The sending device is configured to receive adjacent camera views and encode the adjacent camera views independently into video streams. The sending device performs an image analysis on the adjacent camera views in order to generate a projection matrix to relate the adjacent camera views. The projection matrix and the encoded video streams are sent to at least one receiver. The receiver is configured to receive the encoded video streams and the projection matrix relating the encoded video streams. The receiver calculates an aggregate video stream using the projection matrix. The aggregate video stream includes portions of at least two of the encoded video streams. Other receivers may receive the same encoded video streams and generate a different aggregate video stream having a varying size, resolution, or number of views.
US09172906B2 Mobile communication terminal and data input method
A mobile communication terminal includes a display module to display image data on an image display area, an input module to generate touch data according to a touch input in a touch area, and a storage module to store the touch data associated with the image data. A data input method includes displaying image data on an image display area, generating touch data according to a touch input in a touch area, associating the touch data with the image data, and storing the touch data associated with the image data.
US09172901B2 Techniques for localized perceptual audio
Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column. In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery.
US09172900B2 Video multiviewer system with switcher and distributed scaling and related methods
A video multiviewer system may include a plurality of video scalers operating in parallel for generating initially scaled video streams by performing video scaling in at least one dimension on a plurality of video input streams. The video multiviewer system may also include at least one video cross-point switcher coupled downstream from the video scalers, and a processing unit coupled downstream from the video cross-point switcher for generating additionally scaled video streams by performing additional video scaling on the initially scaled video streams. The video multiviewer system may also include a display cooperating with the processing unit for displaying multiple video windows based upon the additionally scaled video streams.
US09172899B2 Method and apparatus for determining that received broadcasting signals from different input ports are the same content
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for receiving broadcasting signals. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a channel number of contents included in a first broadcasting signal; and allocating a channel number into contents included in a second broadcasting signal by using the obtained channel number. The method is characterized in that the same contents included respectively in the first and second broadcasting signals have the same channel number.
US09172898B2 Video display apparatus and method of setting user viewing conditions
A method of setting user viewing conditions of a video display apparatus including determining whether a detected terminal is registered by receiving address information of the detected terminal; measuring a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the detected terminal, if the detected terminal is registered, comparing the RSSI of the detected terminal with preset reference RSSI; comparing a priority order of the detected terminal user profile with a priority order of a preset user profile, if a value of the measured RSSI is larger than a value of the reference RSSI; loading the detected user profile of the terminal, if the priority order of the detected terminal user profile is higher than the priority order of a preset user profile; and setting user viewing conditions based on the loaded user profile.
US09172895B2 Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device including pixels, each pixel having a reset transistor, a selection transistor, an amplification transistor, and a photoelectric conversion unit. The photoelectric conversion unit has a photoelectric conversion film which performs photoelectric conversion, a pixel electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that faces the semiconductor substrate, and a transparent electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that is opposite to the pixel electrode, and the amplitude of a row reset signal applied to the gate of the reset transistor is smaller than at least one of (a) the maximum voltage applied to the drain of the amplification transistor, (b) the maximum voltage applied to the gate of the selection transistor, (c) the power source voltage applied to an inverting amplifier, and (d) the maximum voltage applied to a transparent electrode.
US09172894B2 Electronic components matrix of enhanced reliability and method for locating a fault in the matrix
Enhancement of the reliability of an imaging device comprising several pixels is provided, each of the pixels comprising several first blocks of electronic components organized as a matrix and joined by links to row buses and column buses of the matrix allowing the powering and control of each of the first blocks for its nominal operation. Each of the pixels moreover comprises, associated with the first block, programmable means for disconnection of the first block from the at least one of the buses. Locating of a fault in a device is also provided, the fault occurring in one of the first blocks and leading to a generalized fault in several first blocks.
US09172886B2 Method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing image shutter of image sensor and light source
A method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing operation of an image sensor of an endoscopic video camera unit having a wireless transmitter with operation of a portable endoscopic light source unit includes transmitting a message packet with a target camera shutter period, light source target phase/trigger time/OFF time and light source target ON time to the light source unit. The light source unit controls the start time and the ON time for light output by a light source. The video camera unit includes a light detector for detecting the actual light source start time and duration of light output to provide closed-loop feedback. A camera controller ensures synchronization between the shutter period of the image sensor and actual operation of the light source based on the actual phase and actual ON time sensed by the light detector and the previously communicated target phase/trigger time/OFF time and target ON time.
US09172874B2 Imaging apparatus and image generation method for generating one piece of image including a moving image and still image
An imaging apparatus generates one piece of image including a moving image and a still image which are continuously shot. The apparatus includes an imaging unit, a still image acquisition instruction unit, a moving image acquisition start instruction unit, a time measuring unit, and a moving image time determination unit. The imaging unit acquires the moving image and the still image. The moving image acquisition start instruction unit instructs to start acquisition of the moving image prior to acquisition of the still image. The time measuring unit measures a time from a start of acquisition of the moving image to acquisition of the still image. The moving image time determination unit determines a moving image time which is a time of the moving image included in the image.
US09172873B2 CTIA in-pixel correlated double sampling with snapshot operation for IR readout integrated circuits
An image sensor array that has a buffer amplifier, having a capacitor which receives photogenerated energy from a photodetector, and stores the photo generated energy in a capacitor of the buffer amplifier. A reset across the buffer amplifier is applied at a time which is sufficient to allow the amplifier to settle transiently prior to applying the clamp voltage. There is also a source follower that is enabled to operate at a time just before snapshot operation, and then turned off when the snapshot is over, to save on power.
US09172866B2 Electronic device, driving method of the same, and computer readable recording medium
An electronic device includes: a display unit capable of displaying a rotational pathway which rotates on a screen and with which an operation of the electronic device is associated according to a position on the rotational pathway; a touch screen that detects a touch from an outside and receives an input of a positional signal according to a position of the touch; a display controller that converts the position of the touch corresponding to the positional signal received by the touch screen into a position on the rotational pathway and causes a mark to be displayed at the position converted; and an operation controller that controls an operation of the electronic device according to a display position of the mark on the rotational pathway.
US09172854B2 Configurable lens actuator driver system
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for utilizing any of a plurality of disparate types of lens actuators on a mobile device. The method may include launching a configurable actuator driver and identifying a particular type of lens actuator that resides on the mobile device. Based upon the particular type of lens actuator that resides on the mobile device, lens-actuator-specific parameter values are obtained that facilitate control interfacing with the particular type of lens actuator. In addition, tuning parameter values are obtained that characterize a displacement-response of the particular type of actuator to control signal values, and the tuning parameter values for the particular type of lens actuator are provided to a configurable lens-actuator driver. The particular type of lens actuator that resides on the mobile computing device is then operated using the tuning parameter values.
US09172851B2 CMOS linear image sensor with motion-blur compensation
Time delay and integration sensor comprising a matrix of photosensitive pixels organized in rows and columns. Each pixel of a column comprises a photosensitive element, a storage node, and a first transfer transistor connecting the photosensitive element to the storage node. Each pixel of a column, except for the last one, further comprises a second transfer transistor which connects the storage node of the pixel to the photosensitive element of the next pixel of the column. The two transfer transistors are connected to be active at the same time. With such a configuration, it is possible to define a sliding group of several consecutive pixels in a column, to expose the group of pixels, to aggregate the information of the pixels of the group, and to start again after shifting the group of pixels by one pixel.
US09172849B2 Method and apparatus for color transformation by addressing a look-up table
A method for image processing of digital image pixels. Pixels are preferably filtered spatially and dithered, and the value for at least one color component is bit reduced. The space freed by the bit reduction is used to allocate a look-up table selection bit that indicates which look-up table (LUT), from a plurality of small LUTs partitioned from a bigger LUT, should be used for the color transform. The transformed pixels are then selected according to the used LUT, format converted and output. The invention, which also covers an apparatus and a pre-processing module, enables an apparatus with a LUT to be used both as a single full-rate LUT apparatus and as a lower-rate n smaller LUT apparatus.
US09172824B2 Apparatus, system, and method of inspecting image, and recording medium storing image inspection control program
An apparatus, system, method, and non-transitory recording medium storing an image inspection control program, each of which is capable of inspecting a printed image are provided. While generating an inspection image to be used for inspecting a read image obtained by reading the printed image, attribute data indicating, for each pixel in the inspection image, whether the pixel belongs to drawing data in the inspection image is generated. The attribute data is used to process inspection of the read image based on comparison between the read image and the inspection image.
US09172820B2 Identifying an account and destination for a communication based on dialed number and origination number
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for identifying an account and destination for a communication based on a dialed number and origination number associated with the communication. One computer-implemented method includes identifying a first communication associated with an origination address and an access method; determining whether the first communication is associated with a destination address record in response to identifying the first communication; initiating the second communication to the destination address included in the destination address record in response to determining that the first communication is associated with the destination address record; determining whether a call recipient at the destination address accepts the second communication; and charging the account included in the destination address record for charges associated with the first communication and the second communication in response to determining that the call recipient at the destination address accepts the second communication.
US09172815B2 System and method for initiating a conference call
The present invention is a system and method for initiating conference calls via an instant messaging system to reduce the effort required to initiate and manage the call. The system uses an IM connection between a requesting party and a conference call server to inform the conference call server of the desire to initiate the conference call. The conference call server may initiate the conference call by having involved parties called by a conference bridge, thus reducing the effort required by the parties to join the call.
US09172814B1 Facilitating call continuity when transferring calls between a mobile access network to a VoIP network
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating call continuity when transferring calls between mobile access networks to voice over internet protocol networks. The method includes recognizing availability of a voice over internet protocol network during a voice call established via a wireless access network. Thereafter, a data connection between a user device and the voice over internet protocol network is established. A transfer of the voice call from the wireless access network to the voice over internet protocol network is initiated by initiating a three-way call. Such a three-way call includes a first portion routed to a destination device via a public switch telephone network and a second portion routed to the user device via the voice over internet protocol network.
US09172803B2 System and method for integrating runtime usage statistics with developing environment
A self-help application such as in an interactive voice response (IVR) platform serving users is enabled for providing an integrated development (IDE) and monitoring environment. This provides real-time reporting and analysis on user behavior, application performance and transaction success. The application is coded in software objects (VoiceObjects) specific to the context of the application. These are pre-built objects that include dialog components, resource management, logic, actions, layer and business tasks. This object-oriented approach uncouples the underlying technology from the application and allows designers to build user-friendly applications. In one embodiment, Java or VoiceXML codes are generated dynamically from these objects and executed by a browser in the IVR. A set of core metrics is defined for each object type as well as configurable levels for these metrics. Data associated with individual objects are collected, aggregated, analyzed and displayed in context by the IDE.
US09172791B1 Noise estimation algorithm for non-stationary environments
Features are disclosed for estimating a noise level using a variable step size. An acoustic echo canceller (AEC) may be configured to perform echo cancellation. The acoustic echo canceller may determine an estimated echo using a playback signal. The acoustic echo canceller also may determine an estimated error using the estimated echo and a microphone signal. A variable step size may be determined using the estimated error and the microphone signal. Noise reduction may be performed using the variable step size.
US09172785B2 Method for data communication in a vehicle and data communication device
A method for data communication in a vehicle between an in-vehicle device and a mobile device coupled with the vehicle includes transmitting, by the in-vehicle device, data via a data bus of the vehicle to an in-vehicle data communication device, a first data protocol being used for this purpose, in which an arbitration occurs. The data communication device converts the data, and the data communication device transmits the converted data via a data link to the mobile device. A second data protocol is used in the data transmission from the in-vehicle data communication device to the mobile device, in which no arbitration occurs. A data communication device by which the method of the invention may be implemented is also described.
US09172782B2 Flush mounting stand, hanger/carry handle for mobile electronic device
The present invention relates to a flush mounting stand, hanger, carry handle for mobile device. The device has a unique attachment member which can perform as a stand to support the mobile device on a flat surface or perform hanging function to support the mobile device over an object such as a door handle, a cabinet handle, etc. The device according to the principles of the present invention comprises an attachment member that can bend around a hinge or stay straight as desirable.
US09172778B2 Portable terminal device and state switching structure of portable terminal device
Solved is a problem of difficulty in operating, with an operation unit casing held by one hand, both of a touch panel and a key operation unit without changing the hand which holds the unit.A portable terminal device comprising an operation unit casing 10 having a key operation unit 15 formed of a key switch and a display unit casing 20 having a display unit and a touch panel 30, in which the display unit casing is laterally positioned with respect to the operation unit casing such that both of the key operation unit 15 and the touch panel 30 are operable by one-handed operation by a hand which holds the operation unit casing 10.
US09172776B2 PCC control at PCRF failure
A method for policy control in an infrastructure network comprising a Gateway (GW) an Access Function (AF), and at least one Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: (a) the GW establishing a Gx or Gxx session in order to set the current PDN connection under PCC control, (b) the GW further providing information about the current PDN connection to a first PCRF, (c) the first PCRF performing authorization and policy decision based on the PDN connection information and sends it together with restoration instructions to the GW, (d) the GW when detecting that the first PCRF is not available, applying the restoration instructions, said instructions requiring the GW to try to regain PCC control and/or requiring the GW to gracefully delete the services associated with the PCC control.
US09172774B2 Technique for managing communications at a router
A router can process the data received from the local area network at a network protocol stack local to the router, while processing data received from the wide area network normally. The offloading of the stack processing from the source of the data to the router reduces the number of network hops that both packets based on the received data, and acknowledgements from the destination of the packets, must travel, thereby reducing communication latency. In addition, offloading the stack processing to the router can reduce the processing load at the data source. Further, the router can implement different quality of service or other processing protocols for the local area and wide area traffic.
US09172773B2 Managing technology resources across multiple platforms
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing technology resources across multiple platforms. Embodiments of the invention can be used to manage the configuration of a plurality of different devices. A management server/service can utilize native management capabilities of different devices to provide configuration management without requiring agents to be installed on the devices. In general, the management server/service adapts to the unique characteristics and behaviors of different devices, platforms, and external systems to provide configuration management for the different devices, platforms, and external systems. As such, configuration management can be provided in a unified fashion across different platforms, both on-premise and off-premise, and indirectly. When client agents are present, the management server/service can adjust to compatibly operate with the client agents.
US09172768B2 Method and apparatus for creating webpages in a media communication system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television system having a controller to receive an identification of a first presentation device, select a webpage graphical user interface (GUI) template from a library according to the identification of the first presentation device, receive a request to present a customization of the webpage GUI template at a second presentation device, identify an adaptation process to accommodate presentation of the customization of the webpage GUI template at the second presentation device, customize the webpage GUI template according to one or more directives received from the first presentation device, thereby generating a customized webpage GUI, adapt the customized webpage GUI according to the adaptation process, present the customized webpage GUI at the first presentation device, and present the adapted customized webpage GUI at the second presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09172766B2 System and method for extending cloud services into the customer premise
A cloud extension agent can be provided on a customer premise for interfacing, via an outbound secure connection, cloud based services. The cloud extension agent can reach the cloud based services through existing firewall infrastructure, thereby providing simple, secure deployment. Furthermore, the secure connection can enable substantially real-time communication with a cloud service to provide web-based, substantially real time control or management of resources on the customer premises via the cloud extension agent.
US09172765B2 Polling-based secure network message notification system and method with performance enhancing features
A method for the dissemination of an alert message to a plurality of personal computers using a network communications protocol from a server is disclosed that includes a first step wherein the client contacts the central server and requests the value of said alert ID number in said memory, a second step wherein said server transmits said value to said client, a third step wherein said client compares a stored value at the client with the value of the transmitted alert ID number, and if said transmitted value exceeds said stored value, a fourth step wherein said client transmits a second message to said server and requests for the server to transmit all unread alert messages in a GetUnreadAlerts SOAP request from said server that are specific to said client.
US09172762B2 Methods and systems for recommending a context based on content interaction
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for recommending a context to a user of a social network service, based on detecting an interaction with some item of web content. With some embodiments, after detecting an interaction with a web document, a topic to which the web document is related is determined. A context, such as an online or offline forum, known to be associated with the topic is then identified. Finally, the identified context is presented to the user as a recommendation for a content source that is likely to be of interest to the user.
US09172760B2 Method and device for monitoring service usage amount
A method and a device for monitoring a service usage amount includes: determining, according to one of quintuple information, protocol information, and URL information in received service request information, whether the service request information is the same as specified service stream information in one or multiple session level service monitoring tasks, where the session level service monitoring task includes a session level service monitoring class identity, a monitoring task identity, and the specified service stream information; the monitoring class identity indicates that the monitoring task is used to monitor a usage amount of a specified service stream in a session; when determining yes, accumulating a usage amount of the service request information in the one or multiple session level service monitoring tasks; and reporting the monitoring task identity and an accumulated usage amount of the service request information in the session level service monitoring task to a PCRF.
US09172759B2 Fabric network
Systems and methods relating to communication within a fabric network are presented. The fabric network includes one or more logical networks that enables devices connected to the fabric to communicate with each other using various profiles known to the devices. A device sending a message may follow a general message format to encode the message so that other devices in the fabric may understand the message regardless of which logical networks the devices are connected to. Within the message format, a payload of data may be included for the receiving device to forward, store, or process the message. The format and the contents of the payload may vary according to a header within the payload that indicates a profile and a message type within the profile. Using the profile and message type, the receiving devices may decode the message to process the message.
US09172758B1 Agent-assisted and directed web-channel customer care apparatus, method, and computer program
An agent-assisted and directed web-channel customer care apparatus, method, and computer program is provided to receive, from a first device, an inbound message via an inbound messaging channel and create a web session utilizing a web session server. Session identification is received from the web session server and a unique identifier is transmitted to the first device in order for a second device to connect to an agent device via a web session. Communications is simultaneously maintained with the first and second device via the inbound messaging channel and the web session.
US09172753B1 Methods for optimizing HTTP header based authentication and devices thereof
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and application management computing device includes receiving at an application management computing device a request from a client computing device which requires authentication. A determination is made by the application management computing device whether user network identification information currently is stored for the requesting client computing device. The stored user network identification information for the authentication is obtained by the application management computing device when the user network identification information is determined to be currently stored for the requesting client computing device. The authentication is completed by the application management computing device with the obtained user network identification information.
US09172752B2 Communicating with a user device
A methods and systems for communicating are disclosed. A request is received at a first device to communicate with a second device. Contact is initiated with the second device via a data center. A first form of communication is transmitted to the second device without requiring the transmitting to be routed through a central server. The first form of communication is received from the second device without requiring the receiving to be routed through a central server. A second form of communication is transmitted to the second device without requiring the transmitting to be routed through a central server.
US09172729B2 Managing message distribution in a networked environment
A method for managing message distribution in a networked computing environment. The method includes determining, for a particular topic, at least a first subscriber messaging engine and a second subscriber messaging engine to receive a topic message. The method includes determining that the first subscriber messaging engine is to act as a cache for the second subscriber messaging engine. The method includes sending the topic message to the first subscriber messaging engine. The method then includes sending a reference message to the second subscriber messaging engine, the reference message being able to be used to retrieve the topic message from the first subscriber messaging engine.
US09172728B2 Mobile fast alerting
Systems and methods of operating a communication session control server. A first communication session initiation message is received from a first communication terminal, the first communication session initiation message indicating a second communication terminal with which the first communication terminal is requesting a communication session. A second communication session initiation message is sent to the second communication terminal, the second communication session initiation message indicating a delay to be used by the second communication terminal to determine when to initiate an alerting process.
US09172727B2 Customer premise equipment and microprocessor resource management method of customer premise equipment
A customer premise equipment (CPE) with the ability to manage its own resources. When a communication device request establishment of a voice communication with an external terminal. A usage rate of a microprocessor of the CPE is detected, and the usage rate of the microprocessor is determined and classified as being between a number of usage levels. When the usage rate of the microprocessor is in a high level, two virtual channels are created, to divide a network bandwidth of the CPE. One of the virtual channels is used for packets of voice communication, and the other virtual channel is used for transmission of other kinds of data packages.
US09172709B2 Secure network portal
According to one embodiment, a secure network portal includes a number of application servers coupled to one or more clients through a portal server. The application servers serve a number of secure services that may be consumed by clients. The portal server creates a login session with a graphical user interface in which the login session is associated with a particular authorization level. The portal server then displays a service access point for each of the plurality of secure services and restricts access to each of the secure services according to the authorization level of the login session.
US09172705B1 System and method for remote, interactive network and browsing supervision, monitoring, and approval
A system for interactive network access approval includes a server, a first application running on a first device for requesting access to a website on the network, and a second application running on a second device for approving access to the website. The server receives a request via the first application for access to the website, immediately transmits the request to the second application, receives via the second application approval for access to the website, and immediately grants access to the website to the first application. A method for granting access to a website is also described.
US09172692B2 Systems and methods for securely transferring authentication information between a user and an electronic resource
Systems and methods for securely transferring authentication information between a user and an electronic resource are disclosed herein. The methods include providing an authentication image to a user interface. The authentication image is associated with a resource-side coordinate system and the providing includes encoding the resource-side coordinate system to generate a user-side coordinate system that is different from the resource-side coordinate system and transmitting the authentication image and the user-side coordinate system to the user interface. The methods further include receiving an encoded coordinate set, which uniquely identifies an authentication location in the user-side coordinate set and that is user-selected from the authentication image, from the user interface and decoding the encoded coordinate set to generate a decoded coordinate set that uniquely identifies the authentication location in the resource-side coordinate set. The systems include systems that perform the methods.
US09172685B2 System and method for providing a secure book device using cryptographically secure communications across secure networks
A system for integrating access to separate and physically partitioned networks from a single client device is described. The system is interposed between the client device and the networks to allow communication between the client device and the networks, such that data remains partitioned between networks. The system includes a scrambler configured to mix portions of data of variable bit lengths. Typically, the scrambler receives the portions of data from each of the plurality of networks, intermixes the portions of data from the networks, then selects different paths for transporting the intermixed portions of data to the client device. Each of the different paths for transporting the intermixed portions of data are physically and/or logically partitioned from each other. Only when the data arrives on the client device is it able to be reassembled, and then only in particular partitioned locations on the client device corresponding to the particular network from which the data originated.
US09172684B2 Information gathering system
A host computer adds a keycode to e-mail and a terminal unit leads an information gathering candidate to add reply information to the e-mail. When the host computer receives the e-mail to which reply information has been added, the host computer stores the reply information in one of data storage areas having a memory address corresponding to a memory address associated the keycode of the e-mail.
US09172679B1 Secure intermediation system and method
In an intermediation system, an intermediary is positioned along a communications path between a client and a server. The client sends a payment message over the communications path to consummate a payment. The intermediary receives the payment message and detects whether the message includes an account number, such as a credit card number. The intermediary replaces the account number with a limited-use payment number, such as a one-time-use credit card number. The intermediary may request the limited-use payment number from a credit card issuer. The intermediary may send a verification message to the client to verify that the client approves of the replacement of the account number with a limited-use payment number.
US09172676B2 Computer or microchip with its system bios protected by one or more internal hardware firewalls
A computer or microchip, comprising at least one protected portion, at least one network portion a system BIOS located in a first protected portion, and at least one internal hardware firewall located between the first protected portion and a first said network portion. The first protected portion being protected by at least a first internal hardware firewall, said first network portion having a connection for a network of computers including the World Wide Web and/or the Internet; the first internal hardware firewall denies access to at least said first protected portion of said computer or microchip from the network. The computer or microchip also includes hardware network communications components located in the first network portion and one or more microprocessors that are not hardware network communications components, located in the first network portion and are separate from the at least one internal hardware firewall. The location of at least the first internal hardware firewall permits unrestricted access by the network to the first network portion so that processing operations other than network communications and firewall operations conducted by said computer or microchip with the network are executed by one or more of said microprocessors in said first network portion.
US09172671B2 Filtering message posts in a social network
A social media mechanism processes messages for content that may require filtering of recipients of the message, and informs a user who drafted the message when the message might need to be filtered so it is not sent to all potential recipients of the message. The user may then select to send the message to all potential recipients, or to filter the recipients so the message is sent to less than all of the potential recipients. User profiles are created and maintained, and may include information that helps to determine when filtering of messages is desirable. Feedback buttons are also provided to provide feedback when a user does not like a message.
US09172668B2 Systems and methods for email tracking and email spam reduction using dynamic email addressing schemes
An email redirection server handles email sent by subscribers or intended for subscribers, obfuscating the subscriber's identity through replacement of the subscriber's native email address with a proxy address in the message header and forwarding the email with only the proxy address. Acquiring a proxy address includes assignment by the email redirection server of a child domain in the DNS namespace for the subscriber's exclusive use. When a subscriber intends to send an email to a particular recipient without revealing the subscriber's native email address to the particular recipient, the subscriber addresses the message by putting the recipient's full email address in the local part of the “To” field, replacing the “@” symbol with a known replacement character, and placing the subscriber's assigned subdomain in the domain part of the “To” field, assuring that the email gets to the email redirection server for appropriate readdressing and forwarding.
US09172656B2 Method and device for managing priority during the transmission of a message
Method of managing priority during the transmission of a message, in an interconnections network comprising at least one transmission agent which comprises at least one input and at least one output, each input comprising a means of storage organized as a queue of messages. A message priority is assigned during the creation of the message, and a queue priority equal to the maximum of the priorities of the messages of the queue is assigned to at least one queue of messages of an input. A link priority is assigned to a link linking an output of a first transmission agent to an input of a second transmission agent, equal to the maximum of the priorities of the queues of messages of the inputs of said first agent comprising a first message destined for that output of said first agent which is coupled to said link, and the priority of the link is transmitted to that input of said second agent which is coupled to the link.
US09172654B2 Transfer device and transfer method
A transfer device increments a value of a phase ID at predetermined time intervals, and registers a packet ID of a transmitted data packet and a phase ID on a determination table in an associated manner. When having received a response packet from a receiving-side transfer device, the transfer device determines an unarrived packet on the basis of received packet IDs contained in the received response packet and packet IDs of transmitted data packets. Then, the transfer device determines whether a data packet corresponding to the unarrived packet is lost or on-the-fly from a relationship between a phase ID of the unarrived packet and the maximum phase contained in the received response packet, and retransmits the corresponding data packet only if it is lost.
US09172646B2 Dynamic reconfiguration of network devices for outage prediction
A system and technique for dynamic reconfiguration of network devices for outage prediction is disclosed. The system includes a host and a plurality of network devices aggregated to form a link bundle; and wherein the host comprises a configuration manager operable to: identify a quality of service level of data throughput needed by at least one workload utilizing the link bundle; monitor a parameter of each of the network devices of the link bundle; determine whether the monitored parameter indicates a predicted data throughout quality of service level decrease by a network device being utilized by the workload below the quality of service level for the workload; and responsive to determining that the monitored parameter indicates a predicted quality of service level decrease by the respective network device, dynamically reconfigure the link bundle to maintain the quality of service level for the workload utilizing the link bundle.
US09172638B2 Global IP-based service-oriented network architecture
Data is transferred. A data packet associated with an application flow is received. A Pseudowire label is determined based at least in part on an application header associated with the data packet. The data packet is encapsulated with the Pseudowire label. The data packet is transferred over a Pseudowire using the Pseudowire label.
US09172636B2 Efficient link repair mechanism triggered by data traffic
In one embodiment, an intermediate device transmits a data message away from a root device toward a receiver device in a computer network, the data message transmitted by utilizing, in reverse, a link that had been previously selected by the receiver device toward the root device. In response to detecting that the data message did not reach the receiver device, a discovery message is may be sent to one or more neighbor devices, wherein the discovery message carries an identification (ID) of the receiver device and a discovery scope indicating how many hops the discovery message is allowed to traverse to reach the receiver device, and wherein the receiver device, upon receiving the discovery message, triggers a local link repair of the link from the receiver device toward the root device.
US09172628B2 Dynamic distribution of nodes on a multi-node computer system
I/O nodes are dynamically distributed on a multi-node computing system. An I/O configuration mechanism located in the service node of a multi-node computer system controls the distribution of the I/O nodes. The I/O configuration mechanism uses job information located in a job record to initially configure the I/O node distribution. The I/O configuration mechanism further monitors the I/O performance of the executing job to then dynamically adjusts the I/O node distribution based on the I/O performance of the executing job.
US09172627B2 Device and related method for dynamic traffic mirroring
A function is provided in a network system for the dynamic mirroring of network traffic for a variety of purposes including the identification of characteristics of the traffic. Multiple criteria are established for when, what and where to mirror the traffic. The criteria include what frames of traffic to mirror, what portions of the selected frames to mirror, one or more portals through which to mirror the selected frames, a destination for the mirroring and the establishment of a mirror in a device to carry out the mirroring. The criteria may also include when to stop the mirroring. The mirroring instructions can be changed based on the detection of a triggering event, such as authentication, device type or status, ownership of an attached function attached to the device, flow status, but not limited to that. The function may be established in one or more devices of the network.
US09172625B2 Systems and methods of communicating path status in optical networks
The present disclosure may include a method to be performed by an electronic device in an optical network. The method may include generating a message associated with a slot and at least one connection identification (ID) corresponding to the slot. The message may include a slot counter region configured to identify the slot, a request region configured to activate a protect path utilizing the slot, a connection ID counter region configured to identify the at least one connection ID, and a status region configured to convey status of the at least one connection ID corresponding to the slot. The method may also include transmitting the message to other electronic devices in the optical network. The disclosure also includes associated systems and apparatuses.
US09172623B1 Communication of historical and real-time information about devices in a building
Electrical usage of devices in a building may be monitored to provide information about the operation of the devices to a user. The information communicated to a user may include historical information that is retrieved from a server and real-time information that is received from a power monitoring device. The historical information may be transmitted to the user device over a first network connection where the historical information is retrieved using an identifier received from the user device. The real-time information may be received from a power monitoring device and transmitted to the user device over a second network connection.
US09172605B2 Cloud device identification and authentication
Methods and apparatuses for authentication and/or provisioning of wireless network devices, and in particular, methods and apparatuses for authentication and/or provisioning of wireless network devices that are communicating with and may be monitored and/or controlled by a remote (e.g., cloud) server.
US09172599B1 Fault tolerant folded Clos networks
Systems and methods are described to provide fault tolerant folded Clos networks. A folded Clos network is disclosed including a set of tier 1 routers interconnected with a set of tier 2 routers. Tier 1 routers are configured to view a set of tier 2 routers as a single aggregate router. Accordingly, tier 1 routers are unaware of faults between tier 2 routers and additional tier 1 routers. A throwback router is connected to each tier 2 router to facilitate handling of data under such fault conditions. When a tier 2 router receives undeliverable data, the data is passed to a throwback router, which retransmits the data to an additional tier 2 router. Data that is retransmitted multiple times can be disregarded by the throwback router.
US09172594B1 IPv6 to web architecture
A system allows first users to connect through an IPv4 web interface to access content (e.g., information and services) of second users who provide the content using IPv6. The second users are effectively mobile web servers. In an implementation, the system is a streaming media network (e.g., lifecasting) where first users are video viewers and second users are streaming video providers. In the system, a second user runs a home agent client (e.g., plug in) that connects to a home agent server using IPv6. The home agent client and server encapsulate and deencapsulate the IPv6 information. Information is transmitted and routed using IPv6 in an IPv4 environment. Any number of second users connect to the first user's content via an IPv4 web interface.
US09172584B1 Method and system for high-availability cluster data protection
High-availability cluster data protection is described. A computer executes a framework and a task dispatcher. The framework disables caching of internet protocol addresses queried from a network interface configuration of the computer. The task dispatcher receives a request to execute a data protection task, and determines whether the request is for a current cluster node. If the request is not for a current cluster node, the task dispatcher determines whether the request is for a logical host. If the request is for the logical host, the task dispatcher queries the network interface configuration to determine whether the internet protocol address of the logical host is locally available. If the internet protocol address of the logical host is locally available, the task dispatcher directs the request locally. If the internet protocol address of the logical host is not locally available, the task dispatcher directs the request to a remote node.
US09172582B2 Cellular network call management
Management of a call between a calling party that is a mobile terminal in a first cellular network and a called party that is a mobile terminal in a second cellular network is provided by: receiving at an Application Server, AS, of the first cellular network a request to establish a call with the called party from the calling party, the called party being identified in the indication by a circuit-switched identifier; identifying a registration for the called party in the first cellular network using the circuit-switched identifier for the called party, the registration providing a packet-switched identifier for the called party; and setting up a call between the calling party and the called party of the first cellular network by initiating a packet-switched connection from the AS in the first cellular network to the called party in the second cellular network using the packet-switched identifier for the called party.
US09172576B2 Base station and method of adjusting reference timing on base station
An FFT processing unit performs an FFT process on an OFDM signal received by a reception unit. Based on an output signal of the FFT processing unit, an interference wave level acquisition unit obtains a signal level of an interference wave in a unit radio resource not used by the base station with respect to each of a plurality of candidate timings for the reference timing in the base station. A reference timing adjustment unit determines a new timing of the reference timing from the plurality of candidate timings based on the signal level of the interference wave obtained by the interference wave level acquisition unit.
US09172575B2 Correlator and demodulation device including correlator
The present invention provides a correlator and a demodulation device including, first and second filter sections having different non-overlapping pass-frequency characteristics, first and second delay circuits that delay the signals output from the first and second filter section by one effective OFDM symbol period, first and second complex conjugate circuits that take the complex conjugates of the delayed signals, first and second complex operation sections that compute the complex-multiplies of the signals from the first and second filter sections and the respective signals for the first and second complex conjugate circuits, first and second moving average processing sections that take moving averages of GI lengths, proportion determination circuit that compares the maximum values of the autocorrelations from each of the first and second moving average processing circuits, and selection-combination circuit that selects the autocorrelation having the largest maximum value based on the comparison result.
US09172571B2 System access and synchronization methods for MIMO OFDM communications systems and physical layer packet and preamble design
A method and apparatus are provided for performing acquisition, synchronization and cell selection within an MIMO-OFDM communication system. A coarse synchronization is performed to determine a searching window. A fine synchronization is then performed by measuring correlations between subsets of signal samples, whose first signal sample lies within the searching window, and known values. The correlations are performed in the frequency domain of the received signal. In a multiple-output OFDM system, each antenna of the OFDM transmitter has a unique known value. The known value is transmitted as pairs of consecutive pilot symbols, each pair of pilot symbols being transmitted at the same subset of sub-carrier frequencies within the OFDM frame.
US09172570B1 Compensation of oscillator frequency pulling
A transmitter includes an amplitude modulation path, and a frequency modulation path including a phase locked loop (PLL) having a controllable oscillator and a phase detector. The transmitter further includes an amplitude to frequency distortion compensation unit configured to generate a compensation signal based on amplitude data from the amplitude modulation path, error data based on an output of the phase detector, and data reflecting a transfer function from the controllable oscillator to the output of the phase detector, and is further configured to provide the compensation signal to a node in a feedforward path of the PLL.
US09172568B2 Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
A tuner receives a received signal using one of a plurality of transmission formats that use at least one of either a first frequency or a second frequency band. A determination unit determines the transmission format being used in the received signal from among the plurality of transmission formats. In the determination unit, a pattern matching unit stores in advance a plurality of patterns respectively expressing a received waveform of a preamble in each of the plurality of transmission formats, conducts a pattern matching process between the received signal and the each of the plurality of patterns, and obtains a correlation value. A transmission mode determination unit determines the transmission format being used in the received signal on the basis of the correlation value.
US09172566B1 Methods and apparatus for multiple-stage CTLE adaptation
A method of equalizing an input data signal using a multiple-stage continuous-time linear equalization (CTLE) circuit. A zero-forcing least-mean-square (ZF LMS) procedure is applied to adapt the settings of the CTLE stages. The amplitude settings and the frequency boost settings of the CTLE stages are adapted within the ZF LMS procedure. In an exemplary implementation, an error screening threshold may be applied to an error signal within the ZF LMS procedure to generate a reduced error signal such that weight updates do not occur if the error signal is below the error screening threshold. In addition, if an accumulated sign error signal within the ZF LMS procedure reaches a predetermined maximum indicative of a high loss channel, then a setting for a variable gain amplifier may be increased, and an amplitude setting for the CTLE circuit may be decreased. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
US09172559B2 Method, apparatus, and network system for terminal to traverse private network to communicate with server in IMS core network
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, and a network system for a terminal to traverse a private network to communicate with a server in an IMS core network. The method includes: the terminal sets a source address of service data to be sent as a virtual IP address, sets a destination address of the service data to be sent as an address of an internal network server, and obtains a first service packet, where the virtual IP address is an address allocated by the IMS core network to the terminal, encapsulate the first service packet into a first tunnel packet, and send the first tunnel packet to the security tunnel gateway over a VPN tunnel between the terminal and a security tunnel gateway, then the security tunnel gateway sends the first service packet in the first tunnel packet to the internal network server.
US09172557B2 Load balancing overlay network traffic using a teamed set of network interface cards
A system includes a server including: logic adapted for receiving traffic from a virtual machine (VM), the traffic including at least one packet, logic adapted for hashing at least a portion of the at least one packet according to a hashing algorithm to obtain a hash value, and logic adapted for selecting an uplink based on the hash value; at least one accelerated network interface card (NIC), each accelerated NIC including: network ports including multiple Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) ports adapted for communicating with the server and a network, each network port including an uplink, logic adapted for encapsulating the at least one packet into an overlay-encapsulated packet, logic adapted for storing a media access control (MAC) address corresponding to the selected uplink as a source MAC (SMAC) address in an outer header of the overlay-encapsulated packet, and logic adapted for sending the overlay-encapsulated packet via the selected uplink.
US09172555B2 Distribution apparatus, communication system and communication method
Distribution apparatuses include databases for storing data received from ECUs, and further include receiving buffers and sending buffers. The distribution apparatus continuously performs, in parallel, an operation for storing received data on the receiving buffer, operation for synchronizing contents of the database with the databases, and an operation for sending data from the sending buffer. Further, the distribution apparatus periodically copies data of the receiving buffer onto the database and data of the database onto the sending buffer.
US09172550B2 Management of a multicast system in a software-defined network
A system and method are provided for of a Multicast system by a controller in a software defined network. The method may include, receiving a request for a multicast stream from a first switch of the software defined network. The request may have originated from a requestor using an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). The method may further include, adding the request to a table, wherein the table is designated to have requests from IGMP using requestors for multicast streams. The method may further include, determining whether the request for the multicast stream matches with a multicast data transmission from a sender received by the controller. The method may further include, initiating a connection of the multicast between the requestor and the sender if the request matches the multicast data transmission.
US09172549B2 Reducing network power consumption
Path computation involves determining (120, 930) an aggregate cost for a portion of the path, based at least on the power consumption attributable to use of interfaces along that portion, comparing (130, 930) the portion of the first possible path with a different portion corresponding to a different possible path for the traffic request, based at least on their respective aggregate costs, and selecting (140, 930) which portion to use for the traffic request based on the comparison. Having path selection influenced by the power consumption values, can lead to lower overall consumption in operation than relying only on optimizing nodes individually without regard to how the nodes are used. Path selection can take into account indications of which parts are in a power down mode, and can involve powering up such parts if needed.
US09172548B2 Communication apparatus, control method and storage medium
A communication apparatus receives, from a first apparatus which has established a communication session, a signal indicating a state in which the communication session should be maintained. If the signal is not received from the first apparatus within a predetermined period of time while the communication session with the first apparatus is established, and a communication session establishment request is received from a second apparatus, the communication apparatus disconnects the communication session with the first apparatus.
US09172533B2 Method and system for securing communication
A method for securing communication between members. The method includes a first member obtaining a secret. An n-bit generator executing on the first member generates a message digest using the first secret. The first member extracts algorithm selector bits and an encryption key from the message digest, and selects an encryption algorithm identified by the algorithm selector bits. The method further includes the first member encrypting a communication using the encryption algorithm and the encryption key to obtain an encrypted communication, and the first member sending, to a second member of the group, the first encrypted communication.
US09172530B2 Apparatus and method for generating secret key for ID-based encryption system and recording medium having program recorded thereon for causing computer to execute the method
A private key generation apparatus for generating a private key corresponding to a user ID using the user ID as a public key is disclosed. When a user ID is input, an ID conversion unit outputs a specific element value of a discrete logarithm cyclic group having a one-to-one correspondence relationship with an input user ID. A private key calculation unit calculates a discrete logarithm result value based on the output specific element value of the discrete logarithm cyclic group and calculates a private key having a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the user ID. According to the present invention, it is possible to concretely propose a method of calculating a secret key, capable of guaranteeing a one-to-one correspondence relationship between the ID and the private key by applying a method of calculating a discrete logarithm using the pre-computation table in an ID-based encryption system.
US09172528B2 Method and apparatus for allowing software access to navigational data in a decrypted media stream while protecting stream payloads
A method, apparatus and system enabling software access to navigational data in a decrypted media stream while protecting stream payloads. In one embodiment, a filter may route an encrypted content stream and associated information to a secure partition having a trusted computing component for decryption. Upon decryption, the trusted computing component may store the decrypted payload of the content in a secure storage location accessible to the trusted computing component. Thereafter, the decrypted navigational header information of the content may be used to navigate to the decrypted content via a trusted component such as a trusted rendering unit in the secure partition.
US09172507B2 Signal protection
A signal protector utilizes a variable latency station to provide error correction.
US09172503B2 System and method for improving signaling channel robustness
A system and method for improving signaling channel robustness. Additional error correction is provided for (L1) dynamic signaling that is carried in P2 symbols in such way that high time diversity can be provided. In other embodiments, transmitted services are scheduled such that services will rotate or “move” between frames, thereby ensuring that a first slot for a service is not always transmitted in the same frequency.
US09172494B2 Modulator device
Devices, chips and methods are provided which involve the use of either a first modulator path or a second modulator path depending on a level of a signal to be processed.
US09172493B2 Caller-identity based security
A method, system and computer-readable medium for providing a user identity-based secure channel between a digital telephone and a service provider is presented. At the service provider, an encrypted voice transmission from a digital telephone is decrypted. The voice transmission was encrypted at the digital telephone by using a user voice encryption key that was created in the digital telephone. The user voice encryption key was created at the digital telephone by inputting a telephone identifier and a called telephone number into a public encryption key algorithm that is supplied by the service provider. By decrypting the encrypted voice transmission, the service provider is able to extract the voice transmission, the telephone identifier, and the called telephone number, thus allowing the service provider to route the voice transmission to an appropriate answering party at the service provider.
US09172491B2 Method, topology and point of presence equipment for serving a plurality of users via a multiplex module
A number of users interface with a network via a multiplex module, on a communication path established between the multiplex module and a point of presence. Some users may be served by one or more first channels of the communication path while one or more remaining users may be served by one or more additional channels of the communication path. Users having a basic service level agreement may be served by the first channels while users having an extended service level agreement may be served by the one or more additional channels. Allocation of users to distinct channel types based on their service level agreements may apply at a primary point of presence or may apply at a redundant point of presence.
US09172486B2 Apparatus and method for time-division multiplexing of dedicated channel
Disclosed are apparatus and method for time division multiplexing of a dedicated channel. In one aspect, the apparatus and method are configured to assign a common spreading code to two or more User Equipments (UEs); encode a downlink (DL) dedicated channel (DCH) with the common spreading code; time-division multiplex a Dedicated Physical Data Channel (DPDCH) data for each of the two or more UEs on the encoded DL DCH; and transmit the multiplexed data on the DL DCH to the UEs.
US09172481B2 Automatic multi-generational data caching and recovery
An electronic system comprising a receiver module and a mobile device, whereby the receiver module is capable of receiving data transmissions from a network of ground stations and buffering the data for future use, and whereby the receiver module provides a means for making requests for access to this buffered data, and the mobile device is capable of generating requests to the receiver module in order to access the buffered data and of displaying the data or playing the data to an operator.
US09172480B2 Radio-frequency communication controlled by a microcircuit
The invention relates to a method for the radio-frequency communication of data, in which the receiving of and/or access to said data is controlled by control means, including an electronic microcircuit, on the basis of access rights. The transmitted data includes time information, and the access rights are controlled on the basis of said time information. The invention also relates to a device for controlling access rights as well as to a radio-frequency receiving device including same.
US09172472B2 Method for modulating a carrier light wave
Method for modulating a carrier light wave to achieve, a modulated light wave which carries information by symbols selected from a set of at least two different symbols. The light led through each path is phase-shifted by a respective total variable part phase shift, which for each path is the sum of at least three respective variable part phase shifts. Each variable part phase shift for each modulation state assumes one of two respective predetermined values, and each symbol is modulated using a respective combination of two such total variable part phase shifts. The modulation performed by the two paths is a PSK (Phase Shift Keying) modulation scheme, the group of symbols includes 2N unique symbols, the light led through each respective path is phase shifted using 2N−1 variable part phase shifts, and the respective difference between the respective predetermined values is the same for all variable part phase shifts.
US09172457B2 Frequency re-use for service and gateway beams
A method is presented for communicating data in multibeam satellite system utilizing frequency re-use. The method comprises establishing uplink service beams and downlink service beams between a satellite and a plurality of subscriber terminals. A plurality of the uplink service beams are transmitted to the satellite by re-using at least one common uplink frequency channel. A plurality of the downlink service beams are transmitted from the satellite by re-using at least one common downlink frequency channel. The method further comprises establishing at least one uplink feeder beam and at least one downlink feeder beam between the satellite and a gateway terminal. The at least one uplink feeder beam is transmitted to the satellite by further re-using the at least one common uplink frequency channel. The at least one downlink feeder beam is transmitted from the satellite by further re-using the at least one common downlink frequency channel.
US09172454B2 Method and system for calibrating a transceiver array
A system and method for compensating phase differences between multiple local oscillators and group delay differences between multiple transceivers. The system may include; an antenna array; a plurality of transceivers connected to said antennas and operatively associated each with a local oscillator (LO), wherein at least some of the transceivers do not share a common LO, and wherein at least some of the LOs are using a common reference oscillator; a common digital beamformer circuit connected to the transceivers; a baseband processor configured to operate the system at a specified communication scheme; and a calibration circuit and software modules configured to eliminate or reduce mismatches and phase deviations between the different transceivers, wherein the calibration circuit and software modules are incorporated in system such that the elimination or reduction of mismatches and phase deviations is non-interrupting with a continuous operation of the system at the specified communication scheme.
US09172452B2 Method for acquiring signal to noise ratio, signal receiving device and signal sending device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for acquiring a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a signal receiving device and a signal sending device. Through the embodiments of the present invention, an SNR of the signal receiving device (i.e., a receiving end) can satisfy the setting requirement, that is, the test condition that an SNR does not contain a precoding gain, so that a subsequent test is valid.
US09172451B2 Method and devices for multiple station sounding in a wireless local area network
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for obtaining sounding measurements between an access point and a wireless station within a wireless local area network are described. Some embodiments relate to Wi-Fi networks and networks operating in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 standards. Some embodiments may allow an access point to request that multiple stations compute sounding measurements with minimal time delay between measurements. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09172445B2 Multi-user multiple input multiple output radio communications
A radio communications system conducts radio communications using basic physical channels. Each basic physical channel defines a time slot and a radio frequency for transmission. Radio communication is established between a radio base station and multiple UEs over the same basic physical channel. Three or four subchannels are provided in the same basic physical channel to simultaneously support three or four full rate UE communications, seven or eight half rate UE communications, or other equivalent combinations. A first baseband transmitter chain can map full rate data corresponding to first and second full rate UE communications (or equivalent) as adaptive quadrature phase shift keying, AQPSK, signals onto a first and a second of the three subchannels. A second baseband transmitter chain can map full rate data corresponding to a third and/or fourth full rate UE communication (or equivalent) as phase shifted signals onto a third of the three subchannels.
US09172443B2 Layer swapping in EGPRS MIMO
A network node for an EGPRS system, equipped with a plurality of transmit antennas and arranged to transmit at least a first and a second data stream as MIMO streams, with the first data stream being transmitted from a first antenna and the second data stream being transmitted from a second transmit antenna. The network node is arranged to transmit the data streams as bursts comprising a training sequence and payload. The network node is arranged to swap parts of the data streams between the transmit antennas, i.e. to transmit all or parts of one or more bursts belonging to the first data stream from the second transmit antenna and to transmit corresponding all or parts of one or more bursts belonging to the second data stream from the first transmit antenna.
US09172439B2 Configuring channel-state information resources used for reference-signal-received-power feedback
The initialization of the CoMP Resource Management Set for a given mobile terminal is based, at least in part, on an estimation of the mobile terminal's geographical location, which can be estimated using network positioning of the mobile terminal. One example method begins with the acquisition (410) by a network node of a geographical position estimate for the mobile terminal of interest. The network node then selects (420) a set of one or more CSI-RS resources for measurement by the mobile terminal, based on the estimated geographical position of the mobile terminal. Finally, the network node configures the mobile terminal to measure the selected CSI-RS resources by sending (430) control information identifying the set to the mobile terminal.
US09172436B2 Wireless power transfer device and wireless power transfer method
A wireless power transfer device including: a power transmitter 1 including a power transmission resonator composed of a power transmission coil and a resonant capacitance; and a power receiver including a power receiving resonator composed of a power receiving coil and a resonant capacitance. The wireless power transfer device further includes a power-transmission auxiliary device including an auxiliary resonator composed of an auxiliary coil and a resonant capacitance. The power-transmission auxiliary device and the power transmitter are configured to be disposed so as to face each other, forming a power receiving space for disposing the power receiving coil between the power transmission coil and the auxiliary coil. An efficient power transfer can be performed without providing an adjusting circuit in the power receiver even when the power receiving coil is not appropriately disposed with respect to the power transmission coil.
US09172432B2 Device and system for communicating on a supply line
This system for coupling between a wire communication link exhibits a characteristic line impedance suitable for transporting a single signal simultaneously comprising an electrical power supply and data, and a control unit comprising an electrical power supply terminal and a data terminal, said system exhibiting an input impedance. This system comprises means for adapting the input impedance so as to match the characteristic line impedance.
US09172422B2 Communication systems with enhanced isolation provision and optimized impedance matching
A communication system has multiple paths including one or more Tx paths for processing Tx signals and one or more Rx paths for processing Rx signals, one or more PAs coupled respectively to the one or more Tx paths for amplifying the Tx signals, one or more LNAs coupled respectively to the one or more Rx paths for amplifying the Rx signals, one or more Tx filters coupled respectively to the one or more Tx paths for filtering the Tx signals, one or more Rx filters coupled respectively to the one or more Rx paths for filtering the Rx signals, and an antenna comprising multiple feeds coupled to the multiple paths, respectively, to provide physical separation of the multiple paths from each other. Physical separation among the multiple paths and impedance matching provides isolation among the multiple paths, and relaxes rejection considerations on the filters.
US09172418B1 User identity module protocol switch
A method for switching a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) transmission protocol includes: setting an operational mode of the UICC to an ISO 7816-12 USB UICC transmission protocol mode (USB mode); and in response to a user input, enabling the UICC to fallback from the USB mode to an ISO 7816-3 T=0/T=1 transmission protocol mode (ISO mode).
US09172411B2 Advanced signal processors for interference cancellation in baseband receivers
An interference canceller comprises a composite interference vector (CIV) generator configured to produce a CIV by combining soft and/or hard estimates of interference, an interference-cancelling operator configured for generating a soft projection operator, and a soft-projection canceller configured for performing a soft projection of the received baseband signal to output an interference-cancelled signal. Weights used in the soft-projection operator are selected to maximize a post-processing SINR.
US09172406B2 Pressure resistant housing device for protecting an electromagnetic transmitter
A pressure resistant, impact resistant, and corrosion resistant electromagnetic transmitter for pipeline uses and other applications. During use, the ferromagnetic core, the electromagnetic windings, and the other electromagnetic transmission components of the transmitter are entirely contained and sealed within a rugged outer housing.
US09172405B2 Light device and positional information management system
A light device includes a substrate on which a light source is provided; and a positional information transmitter that is provided on a surface of the substrate on which the light source is provided and transmits predetermined positional information to a terminal device.
US09172396B1 Apparatus and method of compressing spatial data and apparatus and method of restoring compressed spatial data
Provided are an apparatus and method of compressing spatial data and an apparatus and method of restoring compressed spatial data, the method of compressing spatial data including: determining the size of actual data of the spatial data stored in a unit storage space having a predetermined size; selecting the size of a compression storage space in which the spatial data is to be compressed and to be stored, in consideration of the determined size of the actual data of the spatial data; generating flag information considering the size of the actual data of the spatial data; and storing the generated flag information in a predetermined region of the compression storage space having the selected size and storing the actual data of the spatial data in the other regions of the compression storage space.
US09172392B2 Transmitter noise shaping
Embodiments of the disclosed invention address a method, apparatus and computer program product for enabling enhanced transmitter noise shaping. Thereby, a first digital-to-analog conversion is performed on a digital signal resulting in first analog signal, a noise shaping on the digital signal is performed for obtaining a noise shaped signal and performing a second digital-to-analog conversion on the noise shaped signal resulting in a second analog signal, and the first analog signal and the second analog signal are added for obtaining an output signal.
US09172390B2 Driving voltage generator and digital to analog converter
A digital to analog converter is disclosed. The digital to analog converter includes a voltage selector, M voltage transmitting switches and a selecting signal decoder. The voltage selector receives N first voltages among a plurality of analog input voltages, and receives a plurality of digital selecting signals. The voltage selector selects at most one of the first voltages for providing to an output terminal. One terminals of the voltage transmitting switches receives M second voltages among the input voltages respectively, and the voltage transmitting switches are turned on or off according to M transmitting enable signals respectively. The selecting signal decoder generates the transmitting enable signals according to the selecting signals. Wherein, M and N are positive integers.
US09172386B2 Method and system for time interleaved analog-to-digital converter timing mismatch estimation and compensation
Methods and systems for time interleaved analog-to-digital converter timing mismatch calibration and compensation may comprise receiving an analog signal on a chip, converting the analog signal to a digital signal utilizing a time interleaved analog-to-digital-converter (ADC), and reducing a blocker signal that is generated by timing offsets in the time interleaved ADC by estimating complex coupling coefficients between a desired digital output signal and the blocker signal. A decorrelation algorithm may comprise a symmetric adaptive decorrelation algorithm. The received analog signal may be generated by a calibration tone generator on the chip. An aliased signal may be summed with an output signal from a multiplier. The complex coupling coefficients may be determined utilizing the decorrelation algorithm on the summed signals. A multiplier may be configured to cancel the blocker signal utilizing the determined complex coupling coefficients.
US09172383B2 Induction-coupled clock distribution for an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit package including an induction-coupled clock distribution system is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure includes a transmission module coupled to a main clock line, a clock reception module coupled to the transmission module, the clock reception module including a clock output line, and an electronic circuit coupled to the clock output line of the clock reception module, the electronic circuit including at least one clocked element and configured to operate synchronously with a clocking signal received through the clock output line of the clock reception module. The transmission module may be disposed on the supporting case of the IC package, and the electronic circuit and the clock reception module may be disposed on the semiconductor die of the IC package.
US09172382B2 Semiconductor device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor device includes first and second circuits disposed separately from each other. The first circuit may include: a counting unit suitable for generating count codes, each bit of which is cyclically changing, wherein the count codes include a number of toggles of a sampling signal toggling with a preset frequency representing a distance of single round trip of the sampling signal between the first and second circuits; and a pulse generation unit suitable for generating a measurement pulse according to the count codes representing the distance, wherein the pulse generation unit determines a pulse width of the measurement pulse according to the distance.
US09172380B2 Method and apparatus for supporting self-destruction function in baseband modem
A method and an apparatus for supporting a self-destruction function in a baseband modem are provided. Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a self-destruction method and apparatus in which a self-impossible state is autonomously entered if the baseband modem of a receiving terminal which supports mobile communication is necessary. Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for deleting information stored in memory when a command is received over a mobile communication network in which a baseband modem has been constructed and then entering a self-impossible state so that the terminal is not recovered although it is booted up again.
US09172372B2 Apparatuses, circuits, and methods for reducing metastability in data synchronization
Apparatuses, circuits, and methods are disclosed for reducing or eliminating unintended operation resin ling from metastability in data synchronization. In one such example apparatus, a sampling circuit is configured to provide four samples of a data input signal. A first and a second of the four samples are associated with a first edge of a latching signal, and a third and a fourth of the four samples are associated with a second edge of the latching signal. A masking circuit is configured to selectively mask a signal corresponding to one of the four samples responsive to the four samples not sharing a common logic level. The masking circuit is also configured to provide a decision signal responsive to selectively masking or not masking the signal.
US09172367B2 Drive unit for switching element
In a drive unit for a switching element, a drive circuit changes the switching element between an on-state and an off-state, by controlling a potential difference between a reference terminal, which is one of a pair of ends of a current path of the switching element, and an opening-closing control terminal of the switching element. A determination section determines, if an on-operation command or an off-operation command is inputted as an operation signal for the switching element, whether or not the potential difference has reached a specific value toward which the potential difference shifts, in response to one of the operation commands, with respect to a threshold value by which the switching element is turned on. A forcible processing section removes charge for turning on the switching element from the opening-closing control terminal, if the determination section determines that the potential difference has not reached the specific value.
US09172350B2 Elastic wave apparatus
An elastic wave device includes a first unbalanced terminal, a second unbalanced terminal, a first balanced terminal, a second balanced terminal, a first filter part, and a second filter part. A phase of an electric signal transmitted from first unbalanced terminal to the first balanced terminal in the first filter part is different from a phase of an electric signal transmitted from the second unbalanced terminal to the first balanced terminal in the second filter part. A phase of an electric signal transmitted from the first unbalanced terminal to the second balanced terminal in the first filter part is different from a phase of an electric signal transmitted from the second unbalanced terminal to the second balanced terminal in the second filter part.
US09172343B2 Volume adjustment based on user-defined curve
In some implementations, a user can specify an audio control curve for an audio track. The audio track can include an audio signal that is sampled at a specified rate. The audio control curve can be used to generate an audio control signal that can be sampled at the same rate as the audio signal. The audio signal and the audio control signal can be combined to produce sample-accurate adjustments of the audio signal. In some implementations, the audio control curve can correspond to gain adjustments for the audio signal. In some implementations, the audio control curve can be used to adjust the amplitude of the audio signal at particular frequencies. The audio control curve can be used to adjust treble or bass levels during the playback of an audio track, for example.
US09172341B2 Power supply pre-distortion
There is disclosed a method of generating a supply voltage (230) for a power amplifier (114) arranged to amplify an input signal (228), comprising: generating (104) a target supply voltage tracking the input signal (228); predistorting (400) the target supply voltage to compensate for effects on a supply voltage in the amplifier (114); and generating (102) the supply voltage for the amplifier (114) in dependence on the predistorted target supply voltage (414).
US09172335B2 Optical receiver module
An optical detector module includes a carrier, a photodetector secured to a top surface of the carrier and having a light detecting portion, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal, an amplifier circuit secured to the top surface of the carrier and having a first edge, an input terminal, and a GND terminal. The input terminal and the GND terminal are located along the first edge. A first wire connects the anode terminal to the input terminal, and to a composite component secured to the top surface of the carrier and having a metal portion and a resistive portion integrated together. The metal portion is in contact with the carrier. A capacitor, having a top surface electrode and a bottom surface electrode is secured to the carrier.
US09172329B2 Harmonic suppression in switching amplifiers
Configurable suppression of harmonics in a radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuit having two class-D switching amplifiers that produce a differential output signal having introduced harmonics is contemplated. A selected harmonic is used to determine a time duration. A harmonic suppression circuit modifies a radio frequency polar modulated data signal that is encoded using an amplitude component and a phase component. The modification is responsive to the determined time duration. The switching power amplifiers amplify the modified polar modulated data signal to produce an amplified signal. The amplified signal includes three signal levels, a high signal level, a middle signal level and a low signal level. The timing of transitions between the high and low signal levels represents the phase component, and the transitions include the middle signal level for the time duration, thereby suppressing the selected harmonic.
US09172323B2 Power saving driving circuit including power factor correction for an induction motor
A power saving driving circuit for a motor including power factor correction comprises an induction motor; a power factor correction capacitor; a first switching element allowing the motor to operate in a positive sine wave period of an power supply voltage; a diode allowing the power factor correction capacitor to be charged during the first switching element being OFF; a second switching element allowing the motor to operate in a negative sine wave period of the power supply voltage; another diode allowing the power factor capacitor to be charged during the second switching element being OFF; a third switching element connected in parallel to the diode; a fourth switching element connected in parallel to the other diode; and a controller controlling the motor to save power by controlling the third and fourth switching elements when a charged voltage in the power factor correction capacitor reaches a predetermined set value.
US09172315B2 Driving apparatus for analyzing apparatus
Disclosed is an analyzing apparatus including a first drive part (71) for rotating a turntable (101) on which an analyzing device is set, a second drive part (72) selectively engaged with the first drive part (71) to reciprocate the analyzing device, and a third drive part (73) for relatively moving the first drive part (71) and the second drive part (72) a position where the first and second drive parts are engaged with each other and a position where the first and second drive parts are not engaged with each other. Thus in the mixing and agitation of a small amount of fluid, necessary acceleration can be obtained even in a short time.
US09172305B2 DC-to-DC converter with adaptive dead-time control
A DC-to-DC converter includes first and second switches connected to each other at a node and biased by PWM pulses. A timing module determines a first time difference between a first edge of a first signal at the node and a first edge of a second signal at a control terminal of the first switch, and a second time difference between a second edge of the first signal and a second edge of the second signal. The first and second edges of the second signal correspond to first and second edges of one of the PWM pulses, respectively. A delay module delays the first and second edges of the second signal based on the first and second time differences, respectively. The delay module delays an edge of one of the PWM pulses based on an amount of change in a voltage output by a charge pump.
US09172298B2 Fully-controlled bridge rectifying device with surge suppression function
The present invention is suitable for a power supply control field, and provides a fully-controlled bridge rectifying device with surge suppression function. In the embodiment of the present invention, the electric equipment uses a fully-controlled bridge rectifying device with surge suppression function comprising a driving module, a first controllable half-bridge module, an isolation driving module, a second controllable half-bridge module, a half-bridge module and a current limiting resistor. At the starting moment of the electric equipment, the first controllable half-bridge module cooperates the half-bridge module to carry out the bridge rectifier for the alternative current to charge the filter capacitor quickly, and the surge is suppressed by the current limiting resistor, when the electrical equipment work from starting state transits to a stable work state, the first controllable half-bridge module cooperates the second controllable half-bridge module to carry out the fully-controlled bridge rectification for the alternative current to provide direct current to the electric device, the whole fully-controlled bridge rectifying device has the advantages of simple structure, low cost and small volume, and also effectively reduces the power consumption of the equipment.
US09172295B2 Magnetic gear arrangement
A magnetic gear arrangement is provided having a first gear member that generates a first magnetic field and a second gear member that generates a second magnetic field. A plurality of interpoles are disposed between the two gear members for coupling the first and second magnetic fields to control a gear ratio between the gear members. At least one interpole has wiring associated with it that can be activated to alter the magnetic flux at the interpole, so as to vary the coupling between the first and second magnetic fields. The wiring is electrically connected to an electronic filter, which modifies the current passing through the wiring, so as to modify the influence of the wiring on the magnetic flux at the interpole.
US09172283B2 Electric motor
A housing assembly for an electric motor having a rotor shaft rotatable about an axis includes a housing cover and a housing case. The housing cover defines a first bearing seat for rotatably supporting a first portion of the rotor shaft. The housing case defines a second bearing seat for rotatably supporting a second portion of the rotor shaft. At least one of the housing cover and the housing case includes a plurality of mounting lugs substantially circumferentially evenly spaced about the shaft axis for mounting the electric motor to a surface.
US09172269B2 Device and method using a keyboard controller and voltage detection circuitry for battery charging
A charging device including a charging circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a keyboard controller is provided. The charging circuit receives a charging power source, and produces a battery-charging power source at a first node by the charging power source to charge a battery. The voltage detection circuit detects a voltage at the first node, and produces a voltage detection result. The keyboard controller determines whether the voltage at the first node is less than a predetermined voltage according to the voltage detection result, and determines whether a predetermined condition has been satisfied, wherein the predetermined condition includes the voltage at the first node being less than the predetermined voltage, and the keyboard controller is arranged to force the charging circuit to stop producing the battery-charging power source at the first node when the predetermined condition has been satisfied.
US09172264B2 Capacitor charge circuit
A circuit can be used for charging a capacitor with an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a capacitor coupled to be charged with the AC voltage. An adjustment is configured to adjust a capacitor charge speed according to a value of the AC voltage. The adjustment circuit includes at least one bipolar transistor coupled to receive a voltage at a base of the bipolar transistor. The voltage is a function of the value of the AC voltage.
US09172262B2 Charging device and charging system
A charging device includes a power adapter, a cable assembly, and a control module. The power adapter is used for converting a power supplied from an external power source to a form suitable for charging a battery of an electronic device. The power adapter includes a first magnetic element. The cable assembly is used for electrically connecting the power adapter with the electronic device such that the battery can be charged. The cable assembly includes a first plug connected to the power adapter and a second magnetic element disposed in the first plug. The control module is used for controlling the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element to engage with each other to disconnect the first plug from the power adapter when the battery has been fully recharged.
US09172258B2 Circuit for balancing cells
A cell balancing circuit controlling balanced discharge of a plurality of battery cells, the cell balancing circuit having a balancing part sensing voltages of the battery cells, a controller responsive to an output of the balancing part to select one of the battery cells for discharge of the cell, and a resistance controller controlling discharge of the selected cell. The resistance controller includes at least one discharge circuit connected to the battery cells; and a plurality of resistors connected to output signal channels of the discharge circuit, the resistors being selectively connected in series according to a control signal of the controller to discharge the selected cell.
US09172253B2 Apparatus and method for charging a battery pack
A battery pack charger and a method of charging a battery pack may properly charge a battery pack regardless of the number of cells in the battery pack. The battery pack charger includes a voltage sensing unit configured to sense an output voltage of the battery pack being charged with a predetermined voltage for a predetermined period, a controller configured to determine a number of cells in the battery pack in accordance with the output voltage, and a power source charge and discharge unit configured to supply a charge voltage to the battery pack, the charge voltage being determined in accordance with the number of cells in the battery pack.
US09172245B1 Intelligent electrical outlet for collective load control
Various technologies described herein pertain to an electrical outlet that autonomously manages loads in a microgrid. The electrical outlet can provide autonomous load control in response to variations in electrical power generation supply in the microgrid. The electrical outlet includes a receptacle, a sensor operably coupled to the receptacle, and an actuator configured to selectively actuate the receptacle. The sensor measures electrical parameters at the receptacle. Further, a processor autonomously controls the actuator based at least in part on the electrical parameters measured at the receptacle, electrical parameters from one or more disparate electrical outlets in the microgrid, and a supply of generated electric power in the microgrid at a given time.
US09172239B2 Methods and apparatus related to a precision input power protection device
In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an input terminal and an overvoltage protection device coupled to the input terminal and configured to receive energy via the input terminal. The overvoltage protection device can have a breakdown voltage at an ambient temperature less than a target maximum operating voltage of a source configured to be received at the input terminal. The apparatus can also include an output terminal coupled to the overvoltage protection device and a load.
US09172236B2 Overvoltage protection device having at least one surge arrester
The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device, comprising at least one surge arrester and one switchgear assembly, which is connected in series to the surge arrester and which can be triggered thermally, wherein the aforementioned components form a structural unit, and the thermal tripping means is arranged in the area of the expected heating up of the surge arrester when overloaded. According to the invention, the thermal tripping unit is configured as a stop element through which operating current or surge current does not flow. In the event of thermal overload, the stop element opens a releasing device of the switchgear assembly, wherein said switchgear assembly has an increased self-extinguishing capacity.
US09172233B2 System and method for monitoring an electrical device
Disclosed herein is a device for monitoring the condition of a branch circuit. A device contains a switch that is normally open to prevent the occurrence of electric shock. An optical prong detector is provided to determine weather both the hot and neutral prongs of a plug have been inserted into the receptacle. The receptacle provides conductance upon determination of insertion of a plug into the receptacle. Additional features include GFI detection, current detection heat detection warning lights and an audible alarm. The receptacle includes communication abilities with remote devices to transmit data indicative of the state of the device.
US09172231B2 Arrangement configuration of bus bars
In an arrangement configuration of bus bars including a plurality of bus bars having a connecting portion provided at a center portion thereof and a housing integrally molded while exposing the connecting portions of the plurality of bus bars, the bus bar has a pair of bending portions that is bent so that both edge sides come close to each other, the plurality of bus bars is arranged in parallel to each other so that the pair of bending portions is located adjacent to each other, and the housing is integrally molded so as to cover the pair of bending portions of each of the plurality of bus bars.
US09172224B2 Wire or rope puller
A puller device for pulling a wire or rope through a conduit includes first and second motor-driven capstans about which a wire or rope can be wound for wire or rope-pulling purposes and an elongated arm arrangement having an end which is positionable adjacent the conduit through which the wire or rope is to be pulled. The first elongated arm member is connected to the second arm member for movement about a pivot axis, and there are provided a plurality of rollers adjacent the pivot axis having surfaces along which the wire or rope bears against so that forces which are exerted adjacent the pivot axis by the wire or rope are distributed between the rollers. In addition, a conduit-engaging assembly mounted upon the elongated arm arrangement holds the conduit in a fixed positional relationship with respect to the elongated arm arrangement during a wire or rope-pulling operation.
US09172211B2 Heating elements for multi-wavelength DBR laser
A multi-wavelength distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) semiconductor laser is provided where DBR heating elements are positioned over the waveguide in the DBR section and define an interleaved temperature profile that generates multiple distinct reflection peaks corresponding to distinct temperature dependent Bragg wavelengths associated with the temperature profile. Neighboring pairs of heating elements of the DBR heating elements positioned over the waveguide in the DBR section are spaced along the direction of the axis of optical propagation by a distance that is equal to or greater than the laser chip thickness b to minimize the impact of thermal crosstalk between distinct temperature regions of the interleaved temperature profile.
US09172208B1 Raman beam combining for laser brightness enhancement
An optical source capable of enhanced scaling of pulse energy and brightness utilizes an ensemble of single-aperture fiber lasers as pump sources, with each such fiber laser operating at acceptable pulse energy levels. Beam combining involves stimulated Raman scattering using a Stokes' shifted seed beam, the latter of which is optimized in terms of its temporal and spectral properties. Beams from fiber lasers can thus be combined to attain pulses with peak energies in excess of the fiber laser self-focusing limit of 4 MW while retaining the advantages of a fiber laser system of high average power with good beam quality.
US09172206B2 Fiber laser system
A laser system includes a seed laser configured to generate a plurality of optical pulses; a controller configured to receive the plurality of the optical pulses and obtain chirped pulses, each chirped pulse having a chirping amount different from each other; an optical waveguide, having a characteristic of anomalous dispersion, configured to cause soliton self-frequency shifts while the chirped pulses propagating so that each center wavelength of a pulse which output from the optical waveguide is different from each other.
US09172204B2 Method for adjusting electro-optic modulator in laser device, and laser device
A laser device includes: a signal light source that outputs seed light; an electro-optic modulator that chops a portion of the seed light outputted from the signal light source and outputs signal light; an optical amplifier that amplifies the signal light outputted from the electro-optic modulator; a wavelength conversion optical element that wavelength converts the signal light amplified by the optical amplifier; a converted light detector that detects the signal light that has been wavelength converted by the wavelength conversion optical element; and an EU control unit that controls the operation of the electro-optic modulator, wherein the EU control unit is adapted, in the state in which the seed light is being outputted, to adjust bias voltage of the electro-optic modulator on the basis of the applied voltage when the intensity of the signal light after wavelength conversion detected by the converted light detector becomes substantially maximum.
US09172202B2 Laser apparatus and laser materials processing apparatus provided with same
A laser apparatus of the present invention has a first laser oscillator that emits a first laser beam; a passive fiber that is a double-clad fiber that transmits the first laser beam through a core; and a second laser oscillator that emits a second laser beam that is coupled into inner cladding of the passive fiber. Additionally, a laser materials processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with the laser apparatus; and an irradiation optical system having a collimating lens and a condenser lens.
US09172197B2 Method of assembling an aircraft
An aircraft pressure bulkhead electrical connector comprising a first connection terminal proximate at least one side of the electrical connector and a pressure seal arranged to maintain an applied air pressure differential across the electrical connector in use.
US09172190B2 Connector
A connector to be detachably fitted with a connecting object such as a flexible printed circuit board or flexible flat cable, includes a plurality of contacts each having a contact portion adapted to contact the connecting object, a housing arranging and holding therein the contacts and having a fitting opening into which the connecting object is inserted, and a pivoting member rotatably or pivotally mounted on the housing. According to the invention, an auxiliary member having an engaging unit for engaging the pivoting member is mounted on the pivoting member at its predetermined position. With the aid of the auxiliary member, the pivoting member can be easily rotated or pivotally moved.
US09172188B2 Plug for a data and/or telecommunication cable comprising several conductors
A plug-in terminal for a data or telecommunication cable comprising terminal elements for connecting at least one electrical or optical conductor, further comprising connecting elements for connecting the electrical or optical conductor(s) with an electronic device, wherein the plug-in terminal comprises a storage for data and a means for reading out and/or archiving data in the storage by means of the electronic device, and a method of use thereof.
US09172187B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a housing body and a cover. The housing body includes a terminal accommodating hole that accommodates a terminal fitting, and a ferrite accommodating portion that accommodates a ferrite core. The cover covers the terminal fitting and the ferrite core attached to the housing body. The ferrite accommodating portion includes a ferrite accommodation chamber into which the ferrite core is inserted in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction in which the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating hole, and protrusions provided on both inner side surfaces of the ferrite accommodation chamber facing in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. The protrusions are engaged with concave portions formed on both side surfaces of the ferrite core to regulate movement of the ferrite core in the second direction.
US09172181B2 Coaxial connector and tool for disconnecting the coaxial connector
A coaxial connector includes a lip portion on one end thereof and an extension section coaxially extends from the lip portion. The extension section has a tubular portion coaxially mounted thereto and at least one protrusion extends from the outer surface of the tubular portion. A tool for disconnecting and connecting the coaxial connector includes a mounting portion for being mounted to the coaxial connector and the mounting portion has a yield slot defined therein which is located corresponding to the at least one protrusion of the coaxial connector.
US09172180B2 Canalphone coupler system and method
A canalphone system may include a canalphone coupler, and four connectors carried by the canalphone coupler of which at least two of the four connectors carry an acoustical signal. The system may also include a mechanical joint that joins the canalphone coupler to a cable where the mechanical joint is assembled and disassembled by a user.
US09172174B2 Electrical connection socket having insulating seats stacked together
An electrical connection socket includes: at least two insulating seats each having a base and terminals to form at least one contact interface, wherein one end of the base of at least one insulating seat is projected to form at least one tongue, the base is thicker than the tongue, the tongue has the contact interface, and the bases of the at least two insulating seats are stacked; a metal casing covering the at least two insulating seats and having one end formed with an opening, the metal casing at least directly resting against one of the insulating seats; and at least two connection slots disposed in the metal casing, wherein the tongue is disposed in a connection slot, and the contact interface to be electrically connected to a plug is disposed in each connection slot.
US09172171B2 Connector housing with fixed ended lance and removal jig for the same
A connector housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber, a lance and a pair of arms. The terminal accommodating chamber is formed with an opening configured such that a terminal is inserted therethrough. The lance extends from a top wall of the terminal accommodating chamber toward the opening in an extending direction. The pair of arms are respectively formed integrally to both lateral side surfaces of the lance, extend from both the lateral side surfaces to front and back sides of the lance in the extending direction, and are connected to a bottom wall of the terminal accommodating chamber. An unlocking protrusion is formed in one of the arms.
US09172157B2 Post-less coaxial cable connector with formable outer conductor
A post-less coaxial cable connector comprising coupler, a formable outer conductor, body, and actuating insert. The coupler is adapted to attach the coaxial cable connector to a terminal. The outer conductor positions in and rotatably retains the coupler. Body attaches to the outer conductor and positions about the coupler. Actuating insert is movably positionable within the body and is configured to advance toward the coupler and urge the outer conductor of the coaxial cable connector radially inwardly to form the outer conductor about outer conductor of coaxial cable. In this manner, the coaxial cable connector is configured to attach to a coaxial cable other than by using a post.
US09172156B2 Connector assembly having deformable surface
A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector body is configured to receive a coaxial cable through the second end, a first cooperating surface disposed within the connector body, wherein the first cooperating surface is a surface of a clamp, the clamp is configured to threadably engage an outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second cooperating surface, wherein the second cooperating surface cooperates with the first cooperating surface to collapse an outer conductor of the coaxial cable, wherein at least a portion of the second cooperating surface malleably deforms to a variable axial thickness of a non-uniform collapsed portion of the outer conductor is provided. An associated method is also provided.
US09172155B2 Connector having a conductively coated member and method of use thereof
A connector having a conductively coated member is provided, wherein the connector comprises a connector body capable of sealing and securing a coaxial cable, and further wherein the conductively coated member, such as an O-ring, physically seals the connector, electrically couples the connector and the coaxial cable, facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise.
US09172154B2 Coaxial cable connector with integral RFI protection
A coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal and providing RF shielding is disclosed. The coaxial cable connector has a coupler, body, post and/or retainer with an integral contacting portion that is monolithic with at least a portion of the post or retainer to establish electrical continuity. In this way, electrical continuity is established through the coupler, the post, and/or the retainer of the coaxial cable connector other than by the use of a component unattached from the coupler, the post, the body, and the retainer to provide RF shielding such that the integrity of an electrical signal transmitted through coaxial cable connector is maintained regardless of the tightness of the coupling of the connector to the terminal. When assembled the coupler and post or retainer provide at least one circuitous path resulting in RF shielding such that spurious RF signals are attenuated.
US09172152B2 Pressure welding terminal
Embodiments of pressure welding terminals are provided including a pair of spring portions and a slit for press-fitting and retaining a conductive body disposed between the pair of spring portions by a fixed push-in amount. An upper edge of the conductive body is retained by the slit at a fixed position from an opening of the slit, and a region is provided where an area of a cross section of at least one of the spring portions on the lower side of the upper edge of the conductive body is smaller than an area of a cross section of the at least one spring portion at a position of the upper edge of the conductive body.
US09172135B2 Horizontal radiation antenna
This disclosure provides a horizontal radiation antenna including a grounded conductor plate on the back surface of a multilayer substrate, a radiation element to which a microstrip line is connected on a front surface of the multilayer substrate, and a passive element on an end portion side of the multilayer substrate compared with the radiation element. An intermediate grounded conductor plate is provided within the multilayer substrate between insulation layers and faces the microstrip line. The intermediate grounded conductor plate defines a notch portion whose end portion side is open. The intermediate grounded conductor surrounds the radiation element and the passive element in the notch portion. The intermediate grounded conductor is electrically connected to the grounded conductor plate.
US09172128B2 Antenna pointing system
An antenna pointing system for selectively moving a payload relative to a mounting surface includes at least one rotary actuator having a moving part movable relative to a fixed part mounted on the surface. A connecting rod movably connects to the moving part and to the payload. A flexible mounting structure movably attaches the payload to the mounting surface.
US09172120B2 Battery pack fault communication and handling
A method of handling a fault in a battery pack, the method comprising: a battery module supplying a voltage to a high-voltage circuit; a battery management system transmitting a heartbeat signal to the battery module via a fault bus; the battery module preventing the heartbeat signal from being transmitted back to the battery management system in response to the battery module detecting a critical condition; and the battery management system shutting off the supply of voltage from the battery module to the high-voltage circuit in response to the battery module preventing the heartbeat signal from being transmitted back to the battery management system. The battery module transmits battery data to the battery management system via a communication bus, which is distinct from the fault bus, and the battery management system transmits one or more commands to the battery module via the communication bus.
US09172116B2 System and method for remote management of electric vehicle charge profiles
The described principles provide a method and system for assisting a user of an electric vehicle in maintaining a charge state of the chargeable onboard energy storage system. In an implementation, an intuitive remote interface allows the user to create, modify, save and select profiles. The user may select a profile to apply at a current time as well as optionally at a later time. A profile may have a date limitation or day of week limitation in addition to a time limitation. In an implementation, the user may opt to apply a selected profile to a plurality of vehicles. A linkage with utility data allows for the use of rate-based criteria in an implementation.
US09172110B2 Solid electrolyte and lithium based battery using the same
A solid electrolyte includes an interpenetrating polymer network, a plasticizer and a lithium salt. The plasticizer and the lithium salt are dispersed in the interpenetrating polymer network. The interpenetrating polymer network includes CH2—CH2—On segments, and is formed by polymerizing a first monomer R1—OCH2—CH2—OnR2 with a second monomer R3—OCH2—CH2—OmR4 under an initiator. The “R1”, “R2” or “R3” respectively includes —C═C— group or —C≡C— group. The “R4” includes an alkyl group or a hydrogen atom. The “m” and “n” are integers. A molecular weight of the first monomer or a molecular weight of the second monomer is greater than or equal to 100, and less than or equal to 800. The first monomer is less than or equal to 50% of the second monomer by weight. The lithium salt is less than or equal to 10% the second monomer by weight. A lithium based battery using the solid electrolyte is also provided.
US09172107B2 Composite proton conducting electrolyte with improved additives for fuel cells
Additives can be used to prepare polymer electrolyte for membrane electrode assemblies in polymer electrolyte fuel cells in order to improve both durability and performance. The additives are chemical complexes comprising certain metal and organic ligand components.
US09172101B2 Attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system and electronic portable device equipped therewith
An attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system is described. The attachment thermally conducts heat generated from an electronic component to the fuel tank. The attachment further affixes to the electronic component by a securing portion. In one aspect, the attachment is comprised in a fuel cell powered electronic device. In another aspect, the attachment is integral to the fuel tank.
US09172096B2 End plate for fuel cell including sandwich insert
The present disclosure provides an end plate for a fuel cell including a sandwich insert, in which a metal insert has a sandwich insert structure including a plurality of stacked plates, thereby securing strength and achieving a lightweight structure. The sandwich insert is manufactured by staking two or more plates, each having a specific shape, followed by injection molding the sandwich insert with a plastic injection molded body, thereby securing strength and also achieving a lightweight structure, contrary to a conventional integral metal insert.
US09172093B2 Electrode active material for lithium secondary battery, electrode for lithium secondary battery including the same, and lithium secondary battery including the electrode
In an aspect, an electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, the electrode active material including a silicon-based alloy and a coating film containing a polymer that includes a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene repeating unit and an oxyalkylene repeating unit, coated on the surface of the silicon-based alloy are provided.
US09172081B2 Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
The invention relates to a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, including an inner layer including a material being capable of doping and dedoping lithium, a carbon layer outside the inner layer, and an outer layer disposed on the carbon layer and including a material being capable of doping and dedoping lithium. The materials being capable of doping and dedoping lithium may be the same or different from each other. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the negative active material including: preparing a tube-shaped template with a hollow part; forming an outer layer including a material which can dope and dedope lithium inside the template; forming an inner precursor layer including a material which can dope and dedope lithium modified with an organic functional group inside the outer layer; annealing the template; and removing the template.
US09172079B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery includes a case having an interior and an exterior, an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode, the electrode assembly being disposed in the interior of the case, an electrode terminal, an electrode connection portion, the electrode connection portion being electrically connected to the electrode terminal through a fuse portion, the fuse portion being positioned between and extending between the electrode connection portion and the electrode terminal.
US09172069B2 Battery sealing structure, electrolyte circulation type battery cell frame, electrolyte circulation type battery cell stack, and electrolyte circulation type battery
An easy-to-assemble battery sealing structure is provided. A cell frame includes a battery plate-like member (bipolar plate), a pair of frames for holding a peripheral portion of bipolar plate therebetween and pressing the peripheral portion from the front and the rear, and an annular packing made of an elastic material. Frames are provided with an annular groove between respective surfaces of the frames facing each other, for accommodating the peripheral portion of bipolar plate. Packing is mounted on the peripheral portion of bipolar plate, arranged in annular groove, and press-contacted between frames and the peripheral portion of bipolar plate. Packing includes a pair of legs for holding the peripheral portion of bipolar plate therebetween, and a base connecting legs together.
US09172068B2 Battery pack
A battery pack including a plurality of battery units with improved insulating and cooling properties between the battery units is provided. In one embodiment, a battery unit includes a battery cell and an insulating wall including a plurality of protrusions contacting the battery cell. The protrusions extend at least partly between opposite edges of the insulating wall and define space between the battery cell and regions between the protrusions.
US09172049B2 Solution-processable electron-transport materials and related organic optoelectronic devices
Charge transport compounds are provided. The compounds are useful in optoelectronic devices that include the compounds incorporated as a charge-transport layer. Methods for forming films of the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods are provided for forming films of a charge-transport layer on an active layer of an optoelectronic device. The films are formed from a solution with solubility orthogonal to the solubility of the active layer, such that the active layer is not solvated during deposition of the charge-transport layer.
US09172046B1 Organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device includes a first electrode; a second electrode; and an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode and including an emission layer. The emission layer includes at least one first material represented by any one of Formulae 1-1 and 1-2 and at least one second material represented by Formula 2:
US09172043B2 Charge-transporting varnish for spray or ink jet application
Disclosed is a charge-transporting varnish containing a charge-transporting organic material, a good solvent, at least one poor solvent with high leveling properties, and at least one volatile poor solvent. The charge-transporting organic material is composed of a charge-transporting material consisting of a charge-transporting monomer or a charge-transporting oligomer having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 5000, or alternatively composed of such a charge-transporting material and an electron-accepting dopant material or a hole-accepting dopant material. This charge-transporting varnish enables to form a uniform and smooth charge-transporting thin film by a spray method or an ink jet method on an exposed electrode portion such as ITO or IZO of a substrate on which a structure of a simple or complicated pattern is formed beforehand.
US09172038B2 Nonvolatile memory element and method of manufacturing the same
A variable resistance layer between a first electrode and a second electrode includes: a first variable resistance layer contacting the first electrode; and a second variable resistance layer contacting the second electrode and having a lower degree of oxygen deficiency than the first variable resistance layer. A principal face of the first variable resistance layer which is close to the second variable resistance layer is flat. The second variable resistance layer is in contact with both the first variable resistance layer and the second electrode in a polygonal region including a vertex inward of an outline of the variable resistance layer and vertices along the outline when seen from a direction perpendicular to the principal face of the variable resistance layer, and is not in contact with at least one of the first variable resistance layer and the second electrode in a region outside the region inside the polygon.
US09172032B2 Magnetic tunnel junction device with perpendicular magnetization and method of fabricating the same
A magnetic tunnel junction device with perpendicular magnetization including a reference layer, a tunneling dielectric layer, a free layer and a capping layer is provided. The tunneling dielectric layer covers on the reference layer. The free layer covers on the tunneling dielectric layer. The capping layer is consisted of magnesium, aluminum and oxygen, and disposed on the free layer.
US09172030B2 Magneto-electronic devices and methods of production
A magneto-electronic device includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and an electric-field-controllable magnetic tunnel junction arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electric-field-controllable magnetic tunnel junction includes a first ferromagnetic layer, an insulating layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer formed on the insulating layer. The first and second ferromagnetic layers have respective first and second magnetic anisotropies that are alignable substantially parallel to each other in a first state and substantially antiparallel in a second state of the electric-field-controllable magnetic tunnel junction.
US09172014B2 Optoelectronic semiconductor chip and method for producing an optoelectronic semiconductor chip
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor layer sequence having an active layer that generates an electromagnetic radiation and a light exit side, and a light coupling-out layer applied to the light exit side, wherein the light coupling-out layer includes of radiation-inactive nanocrystals composed of a material transmissive to the radiation generated, and a refractive index of the radiation-transmissive material for the radiation is at least 1.9.
US09172012B2 Multi-chip light emitter packages and related methods
Light emitter packages having multiple light emitter chips, such as light emitting diode (LED) chips, and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a light emitter package can include a ceramic submount. An array of light emitter chips can be disposed over a portion of the submount, and each light emitter chip can include a horizontal chip structure having positive and negative electrical contacts disposed on a same side. The positive and negative electrical contacts can be adapted to electrically communicate to conductive portions of the submount. Light emitter packages can further include a lens overmolded on the submount and covering a portion of the array.
US09172006B2 Lighting apparatus
The invention relates to a lighting apparatus comprising a conversion material (2) for converting primary light (4) into secondary light (5), wherein the conversion material (2) comprises converting photolummescent material (15), which degrades to non-converting photolummescent material over time when the conversion material (2) is illuminated by the primary light (4). The conversion material (2) is adapted such that, when the conversion material (2) is illuminated by the primary light (4), the relative decrease in concentration of the converting photolummescent material (15) within the conversion material (2) is larger than the relative decrease in intensity of the secondary light (5). This allows the lighting apparatus to provide an only slightly reduced absorbance of the primary light, even if a large part of the photolummescent material has been bleached, and thus a longer lifetime, with the same or a slightly reduced intensity of the secondary light.
US09172005B2 Semiconductor light emitting diode having a contact portion and a reflective portion
A semiconductor light emitting diode of the present invention includes a semiconductor layer including a light emitting portion, and a pad electrode located on the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor light emitting diode further including, between the semiconductor layer and the pad electrode, a reflective portion including a light transmitting insulating layer serving as a current blocking layer located on the semiconductor layer, and a reflective layer located on the light transmitting insulating layer; a contact portion formed from an ohmic electrode in contact with the reflective portion, located on the semiconductor layer; and a conductive hard film between the reflective layer and the pad electrode, the conductive hard film having HV×t>630, where the Vickers hardness is HV (Hv) and the thickness is t (μm).
US09172003B2 Light emitting device, super-luminescent diode, and projector
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a laminated body formed by stacking a first cladding layer, a first active layer, a second cladding layer, a third cladding layer, a second active layer, and a fourth cladding layer on the substrate in this order, a first electrode connected to the first cladding layer, a second electrode connected to the second cladding layer and the third cladding layer, and a third electrode connected to the fourth cladding layer, the first active layer generates first light using the first electrode and the second electrode, the second active layer generates second light using the second electrode and the third electrode, and a side surface of the first active layer is provided with an emitting section for emitting the first light, and a side surface of the second active layer is provided with an emitting section for emitting the second light.
US09171997B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device is provided including a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer including at least one quantum barrier layer made of InxGa(1-x)N, wherein 0≦x
US09171992B2 Ultraviolet light emitting device incorporating optically absorbing layers
A light emitting device includes a p-side, an n-side, and an active layer between the p-side and the n-side. The p-side includes a p-side contact, an electron blocking layer, a p-side separate confinement heterostructure (p-SCH), and a p-cladding/current spreading region disposed between the p-SCH and the p-side contact. The n-side includes an n-side contact, and an n-side separate confinement heterostructure (n-SCH). The active layer is configured to emit light in a wavelength range, wherein the p-side and the n-side have asymmetrical optical transmission properties with respect to the wavelength range emitted by the active layer.
US09171991B2 Flexible solar cell interconnection systems and methods
Disclosed is a highly automated method of interconnecting flexible solar cells to form solar modules having a wide variety of sizes and electrical characteristics. The method is fast and economical, providing many attributes of a “pseudo monolithic integration” scheme that has previously been attainable only on rigid substrates.
US09171989B2 Metal bond and contact formation for solar cells
A method for fabricating a solar cell is disclosed. The method can include forming a dielectric region on a surface of a solar cell structure and forming a first metal layer on the dielectric region. The method can also include forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer and locally heating a particular region of the second metal layer, where heating includes forming a metal bond between the first and second metal layer and forming a contact between the first metal layer and the solar cell structure. The method can include forming an adhesive layer on the first metal layer and forming a second metal layer on the adhesive layer, where the adhesive layer mechanically couples the second metal layer to the first metal layer and allows for an electrical connection between the second metal layer to the first metal layer.
US09171980B2 Photovoltaic apparatus, photovoltaic module and fastener thereof
A photovoltaic apparatus includes at least one photovoltaic panel, at least one frame and at least one fastener. The frame includes at least one pair of holding parts, a sidewall and at least one protrusion. The photovoltaic panel is positioned between the holding parts. Part of the sidewall connects the holding parts. The sidewall includes an outside surface opposite to the photovoltaic panel. The protrusion is connected to the outside surface of the sidewall, and includes at least one slot thereon. The fastener includes a buckle part at the top of the fastener. Portion of the buckle part is used for engaged into the slot.
US09171971B2 Encapsulated sensors
An encapsulated sensors and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. The method includes forming an amorphous or polycrystalline material in contact with a layer of seed material. The method further includes forming an expansion space for the amorphous or polycrystalline material. The method further includes forming an encapsulation structure about the amorphous or polycrystalline material. The method further includes crystallizing the amorphous or polycrystalline material by a thermal anneal process such that the amorphous or polycrystalline material expands within the expansion space.
US09171969B2 Mounting member having die pad unit and terminals, and photocoupler having the mounting member
A mounting member includes: an insulating substrate, a first die pad unit, first and second terminals. The insulating substrate has a rectangular first surface, a second surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, and a fourth side surface. A through hole is provided from the first surface to the second surface. The first die pad unit is provided on the first surface. The first terminal has a conductive region covering the first side surface, the first surface, and the second surface. The second terminal has a conductive region covering the second side surface and the second surface, connected to the first die pad unit by conductive material provided in the through hole or on a side wall of the through hole. The first die pad unit, the first terminal, and the second terminal are apart from one another.
US09171967B2 Schottky barrier diode
A Schottky barrier diode is provided with: an n-type semiconductor layer including Ga2O3-based compound semiconductors with n-type conductivity; and a Schottky electrode layer which is in Schottky-contact with the n-type semiconductor layer. An n− -type semiconductor layer, which has a relatively low electron carrier concentration and is brought into Schottky-contact with the Schottky electrode layer, and an n+ semiconductor layer, which has a higher electron carrier concentration than the n semiconductor layer, are formed in the n-type semiconductor layer.
US09171962B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate; a floating gate formed on the gate insulating film; a control gate formed on the floating gate and has a side coplanar with a side of the floating gate; a tunnel diffusion layer facing a portion of the floating gate; and a tunnel window formed in a portion of the gate insulating film between the floating gate and the tunnel diffusion layer, the tunnel window being formed to be thinner than a remaining peripheral portion of the gate insulating film.
US09171960B2 Metal oxide layer composition control by atomic layer deposition for thin film transistor
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film transistor (TFT) device on a substrate. In one aspect, the TFT device includes a gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate insulator between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer includes at least two metal oxides, with the two metal oxides having a varying concentration relative to one another between a lower surface and an upper surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. The TFT device also includes a source metal adjacent to a portion of the oxide semiconductor layer and a drain metal adjacent to another portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The composition of the oxide semiconductor layer can be precisely controlled by a sequential deposition technique using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
US09171951B2 Multigate dual work function device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a drain region, a source region, a channel region, a first gate insulator film provided on the channel region, a second gate insulator film provided on the channel region to be adjacent to the first gate insulator film on the source region side of the first gate insulator film, a first gate electrode provided on the first gate insulator film, and a second gate electrode provided on the second gate insulator film. An electrical thickness of the second gate insulator film is less than an electrical thickness of the first gate insulator film. A portion of the first gate electrode is provided on the second gate insulator film. A work function of the second gate electrode is higher than a work function of the first gate electrode.
US09171944B2 Self-adaptive composite tunneling field effect transistor and method for fabricating the same
The present invention provides a tunneling field effect transistor and a method for fabricating the same which refer to a field effect transistor logic device and circuit in a CMOS ultra-large integrated circuit (ULSI). The inventive concept of the invention lies in that, in a case of an N-type transistor, a side portion of a doped source region adjacent to an edge of the control gate is further implanted with P+ impurities on a basis of the doped source region being initially doped N− impurities, so that the initial N− impurities in the implanted portion are completely compensated by the P+ impurities, and in a case of a P-type transistor, a side portion of the doped source region adjacent to an edge of the control gate is implanted with N+ impurities on a basis of the doped source region being initially doped P− impurities, so that the initial P− impurities in the implanted portion are completely compensated by the N+ impurities. In the transistor, the source region is implanted twice with different doping concentrations, such that a large current characteristic of the MOSFET can be effectively combined to increase an on-state current of the transistor, and also, the threshold adjustment for the MOSFET portion and the TFET portion of the transistor can be achieved in a self-adaptive way.
US09171935B2 FinFET formation with late fin reveal
A FinFET semiconductor device fabrication process includes forming a plurality of FinFET fins upon a semiconductor substrate, forming a first dielectric layer upon the semiconductor substrate so that an upper surface of the first dielectric layer is coplanar with upper surfaces of the FinFET fins, forming a plurality of dummy gates upon the FinFET fins and the first dielectric layer orthogonal to the FinFET fins, revealing the FinFET fins by removing first portions of the first dielectric layer from source-drain regions, removing the dummy gates, and subsequent to the removal of the dummy gates, revealing the FinFET fins by removing second portions of the first dielectric layer from channel regions.
US09171924B2 SOI bipolar junction transistor with substrate bias voltages
A circuit configuration and methods for controlling parameters of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) fabricated on a substrate. A bias voltage is electrically coupled to the substrate and can be adjusted to alter the working parameters of a target BJT.
US09171918B2 Semiconductor device with an electrode buried in a cavity
A semiconductor device includes an active device region formed in an epitaxial layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate and a buried electrode disposed below the active device region in a cavity formed within the semiconductor substrate. The buried electrode includes an electrically conductive material different than the material of the semiconductor substrate.
US09171916B1 LDMOS with thick interlayer-dielectric layer
Semiconductor devices, such as LDMOS devices, are described that include an interlayer-dielectric layer (ILD) region having a thickness of at least two and one half (2.5) microns to increase the maximum breakdown voltage. In one or more implementations, the semiconductor devices include a substrate having a source region and a drain region formed proximate to a surface of the substrate. A gate is positioned over the surface and between the source region and the drain region. An ILD region having a thickness of at least two and one half (2.5) microns is formed over the surface and the gate of the device. The device also includes one or more field plates configured to shape an electrical field generated between the source region and the drain region when a voltage is applied to the gate.
US09171914B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having small leakage current and high breakdown voltage during reverse blocking, small on-state resistance and large output current at forward conduction, short reverse recovery time at shutoff, and high peak surge current value is provided. An n-type layer is made of a group-III nitride, and a p-type layer is made of a group-IV semiconductor material having a smaller band gap than the group-III nitride. The energy level at the top of the valence band of the n-type layer is lower than the energy level at the top of the valence band of the p-type layer, so that a P-N junction semiconductor device satisfying the above requirements is obtained. Further, a combined structure of P-N junction and Schottky junction by additionally providing an anode electrode to be in Schottky contact with the n-type layer also achieves the effect of decreasing voltage at the rising edge of current resulting from the Schottky junction.
US09171904B2 FinFET device with dual-strained channels and method for manufacturing thereof
A FinFET device and a method for manufacturing a FinFET device is provided. An example device may comprise a substrate including at least two fin structures. Each of the at least two fin structures may be in contact with a source and drain region and each of the at least two fin structures may include a strain relaxed buffer (SRB) overlying and in contact with the substrate and an upper layer overlying and in contact with the SRB. The composition of the upper layer and the SRB may be selected such that the upper layer of a first fin structure is subjected to a first mobility enhancing strain in the as-grown state, the first mobility enhancing strain being applied in a longitudinal direction from the source region to the drain region and where at least an upper part of the upper layer of a second fin structure is strain-relaxed.
US09171898B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor layout pattern, method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a mask layer formed thereon, providing a first photomask having a first layout pattern and a second photomask having a second layout pattern, the first layout pattern including a plurality of active area portions and at least a neck portion connecting two adjacent active area portions, transferring the first layout pattern from the first photomask to the mask layer to form a plurality of active area patterns and at least a neck pattern connecting two adjacent active area patterns in the mask layer, and transferring the second layout pattern from the second photomask to the mask layer to remove the neck pattern to form a patterned mask. The patterned mask includes the active area patterns. A slot is at least formed between the two adjacent active area patterns.
US09171893B2 Mother substrate for organic light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display device
A mother substrate for an organic light-emitting display device includes a base substrate, a plurality of display areas arranged in an array on the base substrate, the array having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns that are perpendicular to the plurality of rows. The mother substrate further includes a plurality of first dummy patterns formed between the plurality of rows of display areas, and a plurality of second dummy patterns formed between the plurality of columns of display areas. The plurality of first dummy patterns are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of cut portions.
US09171891B2 AMOLED display panel and AMOLED display device
An Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) display panel is disclosed. The display panel includes first and second substrates, and a glass frit layer bonding the first and the second substrates in an edge encapsulation area of the AMOLED display panel. The second substrate includes an electrode overlapped with the glass frit layer, and the electrode is connected to a heat conduction component.
US09171888B2 Magnetic memory device and driving method for the same
According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a magnetic unit, a switching part, and a reading part. The magnetic unit includes a magnetic wire, and first and second magnetic parts. The magnetic wire includes magnetic domains and has one end and one other end. The first magnetic part is connected with the one end and has a first magnetization. The second magnetic part is connected with the one end, and has a second magnetization. The switching part includes first and second switches. The first switch is connected with the first magnetic part and flows a first current between the first magnetic part and the magnetic wire. The second switch is connected with the second magnetic part and flows a second current between the second magnetic part and the magnetic wire. The reading part is configured to read a magnetization of the magnetic domains.
US09171887B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
A semiconductor device includes: a transistor on a main surface side of a semiconductor substrate; and a resistance change element on a back-surface side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the transistor includes a low-resistance section in the semiconductor substrate, the low-resistance section extending to the back surface of the semiconductor substrate, an insulating film is provided in contact with a back surface of the low-resistance section, the insulating film has an opening facing the low-resistance section, and the resistance change element is connected to the low-resistance section through the opening.
US09171873B2 Light sensing integrated circuit and manufacturing method of sensing integrated circuit
A manufacturing method of a sensing integrated circuit including the following acts. A plurality of transistors are formed. At least one dielectric layer is formed on or above the transistors. A plurality of connecting structures are formed in the dielectric layer. The connecting structures are respectively and electrically connected to the transistors. A plurality of separated conductive wells are respectively formed in electrical contact with the connecting structures.
US09171872B2 Method of manufacturing an offset printing substrate and method of manufacturing a display substrate using the same
In a method of manufacturing an offset printing substrate and a method of manufacturing a display substrate, the method includes forming a first coating layer on a base substrate on which is formed a first concave pattern having a first width. An intermediate substrate is also formed upon the first coating layer of the base substrate, the intermediate substrate having a pattern corresponding to the first concave pattern. An offset printing substrate is also formed upon the pattern of the intermediate substrate, the offset printing substrate having a second concave pattern is formed to correspond to the pattern of the intermediate substrate, and the second concave pattern has a second width smaller than the first width.
US09171871B2 Method for fabricating array substrate for FFS mode liquid crystal display device
An array substrate for a field switching mode liquid crystal display device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The array substrate for an FFS mode LCD device includes: a plurality of gate lines formed on the substrate; a plurality of data lines arranged to cross the gate lines; a common line formed at the subpixel regions of the substrate; an auxiliary common line formed on the common line; TFTs formed at crossings of the gate lines and the data lines; a protective film formed on the substrate; and a pixel electrode and a common electrode formed on the protective film and connected with the TFTs and the auxiliary common line, respectively.
US09171870B2 Light-emitting device and driving method thereof
In a light emitting device, luminance irregularities caused by fluctuation in threshold of TFTs for supplying a current to EL elements among pixels hinder the light emitting device from improving the image quality. A voltage equal to the threshold of a TFT 110 is held in capacitor means 111 in advance. When a video signal is inputted from a source signal line, the voltage held in the capacitor means is added to the signal, which is then applied to a gate electrode of the TFT 110. Even when threshold is fluctuated among pixels, each threshold is held in the capacitor means 111 of each pixel, and therefore, influence of the threshold fluctuation can be removed. Since the threshold is stored in the capacitor means 111 alone and the voltage between two electrodes is not changed while a video signal is written, fluctuation in capacitance value has no influence.
US09171867B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a pixel portion having a first thin film transistor and a driver circuit having a second thin film transistor. Each of the first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor includes a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer. Each of the layers of the first thin film transistor has a light-transmitting property. Materials of the gate electrode layer, the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer of the first thin film transistor are different from those of the second transistor, and each of the resistances of the second thin film transistor is lower than that of the first thin film transistor.
US09171860B2 Three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device
A three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same include a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of active pillars, and a plurality of gate electrodes. The semiconductor substrate includes a memory cell region and a contact region. The active pillars extend in the memory cell region perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrodes include a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode. The first gate electrode is disposed on the memory cell region to intersect the active pillars. The second gate electrode is disposed on the contact region, connected to the first gate electrode and comprising metal material.
US09171857B2 Dense arrays and charge storage devices
There is provided a monolithic three dimensional array of charge storage devices which includes a plurality of device levels, wherein at least one surface between two successive device levels is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing.
US09171852B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells including a tunneling insulating film provided on a substrate including silicon, a floating gate provided on the tunneling insulating film, an inter-gate insulating film provided on the floating gate, and a control gate provided on the inter-gate insulating film; and an element separation trench provided between the plurality of memory cells, the element separation trench having a gap in an interior of the element separation trench. The inter-gate insulating film is provided also above the element separation trench. An upper end of the gap is provided in an interior of the inter-gate insulating film provided above the element separation trench.
US09171838B2 Integrated semiconductor device
An integrated semiconductor device having a stabilization function includes a substrate layer, an insulating layer, ground plane layer formed between the substrate layer and the insulating layer and a signal plane layer formed on a surface of the insulating layer facing away from the substrate layer. An n-port, e.g. a transistor, is formed within the substrate layer on a first side of the substrate layer. A via hole is formed through the insulating layer. A resistor is formed within the ground plane layer.
US09171833B2 Semiconductor structure for enhanced ESD protection
A semiconductor structure for enhanced ESD protection is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a plurality of fingers, wherein each finger of the plurality of fingers includes a plurality of voltage clamps, and each voltage clamp of the plurality of voltage clamps includes at least a first well having a first conductivity type and a second well having a second conductivity type, and a connection between a well tie of the first well of a first voltage clamp of the plurality of voltage clamps and a well tie of the first well of a second voltage clamp of the plurality of voltage clamps, wherein the connection is enabled to couple a bias voltage associated with a current flow in the first voltage clamp to the second voltage clamp, and the first voltage clamp and the second voltage clamp are thereby enabled to trigger on substantially simultaneously.
US09171828B2 DC-DC converter having terminals of semiconductor chips directly attachable to circuit board
A power supply system (200) has a QFN leadframe with leads and a pad (201). The pad surface facing a circuit board has a portion recessed with a depth (270) and an outline suitable for attaching side-by-side the sync (210) and the control (220) FET semiconductor chips. The input terminal (220a) of the control FET and the grounded output terminal (210a) of the sync FET are coplanar with the un-recessed portion of the pad (switch node terminal) so that all terminals can be directly attached to contacts of a circuit board. A driver-and-control chip (230) is vertically stacked to the opposite pad surface and encapsulated in a packaging compound (290).
US09171822B2 Method of sealing and contacting substrates using laser light and electronics module
The invention concerns a method of fusing and electrically contacting a first insulating substrate (28A) having at least one first conductive layer (29A) thereon with at least one second insulating substrate (28B) having at least one second conductive layer (29B) thereon, the method comprising: stacking the first and second substrates (28A, 28B) such that an interface zone is formed between them, the interface zone comprising an electrical contacting zone where at least one first conductive layers (29A) faces and is at least partially aligned with at least one second conductive layer (29B), and a substrate fusing zone where the insulating substrates (28A, 28B) directly face each other; focusing to the interface zone of the substrates (28A, 28B) through one of the substrates (28A, 28B) a plurality of sequential focused laser pulses from a laser source, the pulse duration, pulse frequency and pulse power of the laser light being chosen to provide local melting the substrate (28A, 28B) materials and the conductive layers (29A, 29B); and moving the laser source and the substrate with respect to each other at a predetermined velocity and path so that a structurally modified zone is formed to the interface zone, the structurally modified zone overlapping with said electrical contacting zone and said substrate fusing zone. The invention provides a convenient way of manufacturing well-sealed joints and electrical contacts for multifunction electronic devices, for example.
US09171819B2 Semiconductor package
Provided is a semiconductor package that may prevent deformation of stacked semiconductor chips and minimize a semiconductor package size. The semiconductor package includes a package base substrate, a lower chip stacked on the package base substrate, an upper chip stacked on the lower chip, and a first die attach film (DAF) attached to a bottom surface of the upper chip to cover at least a portion of the lower chip. The first DAF may be a multi-layer film including a first attaching layer contacting the bottom surface of the upper chip and a second attaching layer attached to a bottom of the first attaching layer to cover at least a portion of a side surface of the lower chip.
US09171813B2 Substrate including a dam for semiconductor package, semiconductor package using the same, and manufacturing method thereof
A substrate for a semiconductor package includes a substrate body having a first surface and a second surface which faces away from the first surface, and formed with at least one bump land on the first surface, and a dam formed and projected over an edge of the first surface of the substrate body, and having an underfill member discharge unit.
US09171806B2 Method of making a semiconductor chip including identifying marks
A semiconductor chip includes a first mark for identifying a position of the chip within an exposure field. The semiconductor chip includes a first matrix in a first layer of the chip and a second mark within the first matrix identifying a position of the exposure field on a wafer.
US09171804B2 Method for fabricating an electronic component
A carrier and a semiconductor chip are provided. A connection layer is applied to a first main face of the semiconductor chip. The connection layer includes a plurality of depressions. A filler is applied to the connection layer or to the carrier. The semiconductor chip is attached to the carrier so that the connection layer is disposed between the semiconductor chip and the carrier. The semiconductor chip is affixed to the carrier.
US09171802B2 Semiconductor wiring patterns
A semiconductor device includes a rectangular semiconductor element mounted on a substrate formed with an external input terminal, an external output terminal, and a plurality of wiring patterns connected to each of the external input terminal and the external output terminal. The semiconductor element includes, a plurality of first electrodes formed along a first edge of a surface thereof, a plurality of second electrodes formed along an edge opposite to the first edge of the surface, a plurality of third electrodes formed in the neighborhood of a functional block, and an internal wiring for connecting the first electrodes and the third electrodes. The substrate includes, a first wiring pattern for connecting the external input terminal and the first electrodes, a second wiring pattern for connecting the external output terminal and the second electrodes, and a third wiring pattern for connecting the first electrodes and the third electrodes.
US09171796B1 Sidewall image transfer for heavy metal patterning in integrated circuits
A method for fabricating a plurality of conductive lines in an integrated circuit includes providing a layer of conductive metal in a multi-layer structure fabricated upon a wafer, forming a spacer in a layer of the multi-layer structure residing above the layer of conductive metal, wherein the spacer is formed from a metal-containing atomic layer deposition material, and transferring a pattern from the spacer to the layer of conductive metal using a sidewall image transfer technique, wherein the transferring results in a formation of the plurality of conductive lines in the layer of conductive material.
US09171773B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a base plate, an insulating layer provided on an upper surface of the base plate, a metal pattern provided on an upper surface of the insulating layer, a semiconductor element bonded to the metal pattern, and an insulating substrate disposed to be in contact with an upper surface of the semiconductor element. An end of the insulating substrate is located outside the semiconductor element in plan view. The end of the insulating substrate and the metal pattern are directly or indirectly bonded. The semiconductor element includes an electrode on the upper surface. A portion of the insulating substrate, in which the electrode on the upper surface of the semiconductor element overlaps in plan view, is provided with a through-hole.
US09171761B2 Resin sealing type semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same, and lead frame
The invention is directed to firm bonding between semiconductor dies etc bonded to a lead frame and wire-bonding portions of the lead frame by ultrasonic Al wire bonding, and the prevention of shortcircuit between the semiconductor dies etc due to a remaining portion of the outer frame of the lead frame after the outer frame is cut. By extending the wire-bonding portion etc on the lead frame in a wire-bonding direction and connecting the wire-bonding portion etc to the outer frame of the lead frame through a connection lead etc, the ultrasonic vibration force in the ultrasonic Al wire bonding is prevented from dispersing and the Al wire and the wire-bonding portion etc are firmly bonded. The outer frame is cut after a resin sealing process is completed. Even when a portion of the outer frame remains on the side surface of the resin package, connection between the connection lead etc and other hanging lead etc are prevented by providing a notch etc in the outer frame between the connection lead etc and the hanging lead etc.
US09171759B2 System and method for die to die stress improvement
A semiconductor wafer having a plurality of chip die areas arranged on a wafer in an array, each chip die area including a seal ring area with one or more first sets of polygonal structures. The wafer further comprises scribe line areas between the chip die areas, the scribe line areas including one or more second sets of polygonal structures. The presence of proximate polygonal structures between the scribe line and seal ring areas balance stresses between the chip die areas during wafer dicing operation.
US09171751B2 Method and system for fabricating floating guard rings in GaN materials
A method for fabricating an edge termination structure includes providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface and a first conductivity type, forming a first GaN epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the substrate, and forming a second GaN epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The second GaN epitaxial layer is coupled to the first GaN epitaxial layer. The method also includes implanting ions into a first region of the second GaN epitaxial layer to electrically isolate a second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer from a third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer. The method further includes forming an active device coupled to the second region of the second GaN epitaxial layer and forming the edge termination structure coupled to the third region of the second GaN epitaxial layer.
US09171740B2 Quad flat non-leaded semiconductor package and fabrication method thereof
A method for fabricating a quad flat non-leaded (QFN) package includes: forming die pads and bump solder pads by pressing a metal plate, wherein each of the die pads and the bump solder pads has at least a cross-sectional area greater than another located underneath along its thickness dimension, thereby enabling the die pads and the solder pads to be securely embedded in an encapsulant. The method further includes removing the metal plate after forming the encapsulant so as to prevent the encapsulant from overflowing onto the bottom surfaces of the bump solder pads.
US09171735B2 Method for fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit with a litho-etch, litho-etch process for etching trenches
Methods are provided for fabricating semiconductor integrated circuits including isolated trench features. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with an overlying process layer. A trench pattern to be etched into the process layer is determined and that trench pattern is decomposed into first and second patterns, the second pattern including an isolated trench. First and second lithographic masks are formed to implement the first and second patterns, the second mask implementing the second pattern, the isolated trench, and a plurality of density balancer patterns symmetrically positioned with respect to the isolated trench. A first resist layer is patterned with the first lithographic mask and the process layer is etched with the first resist layer. A second resist layer is patterned with the second lithographic mask and the process layer is etched with the second resist layer to implement the required trench pattern in the process layer.
US09171731B2 Method of forming the gate with the LELE double pattern
The invention relates to microelectronic technology and, more specifically, relates to a method of forming a gate with a LELE double pattern. The method adopts an ONO structure (Oxide-SiN-Oxide). The ONO structure is exposed twice, and the advanced patterning film is used as a mask in the processing of polysilicon etching. The ONO structure is used to replace the traditional hardmask of silicon oxide, and the substructure of ODL (Organic Under Layer) which is based on the spin-on, and the middle layer structure of SHB (Si-based hardmask). The method saves cost and improves the process of advanced patterning film as a mask with the nodes in 40 nm and above which is applied to the process with the nodes in 22/20 nm and below. Consequently, the maturity and stability of the process for poly gate with the nodes in 22/20 nm and below are improved.
US09171727B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
After forming a first film over the main surface of a semiconductor substrate, the first film is patterned, thereby forming a control gate electrode for a non-volatile memory, a dummy gate electrode, and a first film pattern. Subsequently, a memory gate electrode for the non-volatile memory adjacent to the control gate electrode is formed. Then, the first film pattern is patterned thereby forming a gate electrode and a dummy gate electrode.
US09171722B2 Method of vapor-diffusing impurities
A method of vapor-diffusing impurities into a diffusion region of a target substrate to be processed using a dummy substrate is provided. The method includes loading the target substrate and the dummy substrate in a substrate loading jig, accommodating the substrate loading jig loaded with the target substrate and the dummy substrate in a processing chamber of a processing apparatus, and vapor-diffusing impurities into the diffusion region of the target substrate in the processing chamber having the accommodated substrate loading jig. The vapor-diffused impurities are boron, an outer surface of the dummy substrate includes a material having properties not allowing boron adsorption.
US09171713B2 Device and method for controlling supply voltage/frequency of process variation
A device capable of controlling a supply voltage and a supply frequency using information of a manufacturing process variation includes a data storage device storing data indicating performance of the device, a decoder decoding the data stored in the data storage device and outputting decoded data, and a frequency control block outputting a frequency controlled clock signal in response to the decoded data output from the decoder. The device further includes a voltage control block outputting a level controlled supply voltage in response to the decoded data. The voltage control block outputs a body bias control voltage controlling a body bias voltage of at least one of a plurality of transistors embodied in the semiconductor device in response to the decoded data. The performance is operational speed of the device or leakage current of the semiconductor device.
US09171711B2 Method and system for vacuum driven mass spectrometer interface with adjustable resolution and selectivity
A mass spectrometer system and method of operating same are provided. The system comprises an ion conduit for receiving ions; a boundary member defining a curtain gas chamber containing the ion conduit; a curtain gas supply for providing a curtain gas to an inlet of the ion conduit to provide a gas flow into the conduit, and a curtain gas outflow out of a curtain gas chamber inlet; a mass spectrometer at least partially sealed to, and in fluid communication with, the conduit for receiving the ions from the conduit; a vacuum chamber surrounding the mass spectrometer operable to draw the gas flow including the ions through the conduit and into the vacuum chamber; and, a gas outlet for drawing a gas outflow from the gas flow located between the conduit and the mass spectrometer to increase the gas flow rate through the conduit.
US09171709B2 Analysis of microbes by MALDI mass spectrometry
The invention relates to methods for the mass spectrometric analysis of microbes, in particular to a transfer method of microbes that are required to be identified from agar plates onto mass spectrometric sample supports and their preparation for ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). Microbes from microcolonies which have grown on the agar plates after a culture time of only six to eight hours are transferred with a high transfer yield onto contact surfaces of suitable size by direct contact and cell disrupted on the contact surface; the released proteins are prepared with matrix material on the contact surface as MALDI samples. The ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption also takes place on the contact surface.
US09171698B2 Drawing apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
A drawing apparatus for performing drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, includes: a controller configured to control a dose of the charge particle beam at each of a plurality of positions of the charged particle beam on the substrate based on information of displacement of each of the plurality of positions from a target position corresponding thereto and a target dose of the charged particle beam at the target position corresponding to each of the plurality of positions.
US09171692B2 Drive for rotary anode with stator with yoke winding
An x-ray arrangement includes a vacuum container in, which a rotary anode and a rotor of an electrical machine are disposed. The rotary anode and the rotor have a torque-proof connection to one another and are rotatably supported in the vacuum container, so that the rotary anode and the rotor are rotatable around an axis of rotation. Viewed in a direction of the axis of rotation, a laminated stator core is disposed in an area of the rotor. The area of the rotor, in relation to the axis of rotation, surrounds the vacuum container radially outwards. A stator winding system is disposed in the laminated stator core. The stator winding system has windings embodied as a yoke winding.
US09171690B2 Variable field emission device
A field emission device is configured as a heat engine, wherein the configuration of the heat engine is variable.
US09171685B2 Power source circuit shutoff apparatus
In a power source circuit shutoff apparatus, with the lever rotated from a connector mating start position to a connector mating completion position, a pair of first signal terminals and a pair of second signal terminals are brought into on-state after a pair of first main terminals and a pair of second main terminals are brought into on-state. With the lever rotated from the connector mating completion position to the connector mating start position, a pair of first main terminals and a pair of second main terminal are brought into off-state after a pair of first signal terminals and a pair of second signal terminals are brought into off-state. The pair of first signal terminals and the pair of second signal terminals are each disposed along a straight line extending in a direction perpendicular to a rotational spindle direction of the lever.
US09171682B2 Operation switch
An operation switch where a switch unit can be separated from an operation unit in a simple manner even when the operation switches are densely fitted is disclosed herein. The operation switch of the invention includes an operation unit that is disposed on a front surface side of a panel and operated by external pressing force, a switch unit that can be separated from a rear surface side of the panel from the operation unit, a latching unit formed on an external circumferential surface of the operation unit along an axial center direction, a latching receiving unit which is formed along an external circumferential surface of the switch unit and to which the latching unit is latched, and a release lever that releases a latching state of the latching unit and the latching receiving unit so that the switch unit is separated from the operation unit.
US09171681B2 Electromagnetic switch
An electromagnetic switch is provided which includes: a coil generating magnetomotive force; a frame accommodating the coil and generating a flux path; a resin cover covering an opening of the frame; and a current-supply terminal member energizing the coil. The current-supply terminal member includes: a blade-shaped terminal whose end is connected to the coil and whose another end is drawn out of the resin cover in the axial direction of the electromagnetic switch; and a plate-shaped external connection terminal whose end is joined to an end of the blade-shaped terminal and whose another end is drawn out in the direction intersecting the axial direction. A portion between the ends of the external connection terminal is insert-molded in a terminal anchor block provided with the resin cover. A female terminal of a power supply connector provided at an electric supply line is fitted and electrically connected to the external connection terminal.
US09171678B2 Supercapattery and method for controlling charge/discharge of the supercapattery by using a magnetic force
A supercapattery includes at least one tank filled with a conductive material. The conductive material has an arrangement-variable crystal lattice. The conductive material is graphite, grapheme, graphene oxide, a composite of graphite, metal, and a polymer, or a composite of graphene, metal, and a polymer. A magnetic member is mounted outside of the at least one tank. The magnetic member can be supplied with electricity to create a magnetic field. A method for controlling charge/discharge of a supercapattery includes supplying electricity to a supercapattery filled with a conductive material having an arrangement-variable crystal lattice. The crystal lattice of the conductive material supplied with electricity is transformed from an isotropic phase into an electro-nematic phase and absorbs electrons. An external magnetic field is created to return the crystal lattice of the conductive material from the electro-nematic phase to the isotropic phase, releasing the electrons.
US09171675B2 Electrical storage device, lithium ion capacitor and negative electrode for lithium ion capacitor
An electrical storage device includes a positive electrode, and a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material layer containing a fluorine-containing acrylic binder, the negative electrode active material layer having a density of not less than 0.75 g/cc and not more than 1.10 g/cc.
US09171674B2 Ionic electron conductive polymer capacitor
Technologies are generally described for an electron conductive polymer capacitor may incorporate a conductive polymer mixture embedded with carbon nanoparticles between electrodes to rapidly charge and store large amounts of charge compared to conventional electrolytic capacitors. Such a capacitor may be constructed with a laminate sheet including layers of inner and outer electrodes, an electrolyte mixture between the electrodes, a conductive polymer mixture, and a composite mixture of carbon nanoparticles embedded in the conductive polymer between the inner electrodes. The laminate sheet may be wound into a roll and the inner and outer electrodes are coupled electrically. When an electric field is applied, cations within the electrolyte mixture move towards the outer electrodes and anions towards the inner electrodes. Further, the inner conductive polymer layer is ionized causing electrons to move toward the inner electrodes to be deposited onto high surface area carbon nanoparticles where charge is stored.