Document	Document Title
US09169404B2	Process for removing paint overspray from a paint spray booth The present invention relates to a specific aqueous separation liquid and to a process for removing paint overspray from a paint spray booth comprising: i) directing a gas stream through a paint spray booth; ii) contacting paint overspray with the gas stream flowing through the paint booth thereby forming a paint loaded gas stream containing paint particles or droplets dispersed therein, iii) forming a flowing substantially continuous liquid film of the aqueous separation liquid on a surface positioned within the flow path of the gas stream; iv) directing the paint loaded gas stream to said surface, in order to bring the gas stream in contact with the flowing substantially continuous film of the aqueous separation liquid, thereby transferring paint particles or droplets from the gas stream into the separation liquid to form a first paint loaded separation liquid; and v) removing the first paint loaded separation liquid and the gas stream having a reduced paint load.
US09169398B2	Rhodamine dyes and conjugates The present invention relates generally to novel rhodamine dyes which upon conjugation with another molecule form single isomeric conjugation products. These novel rhodamine dyes contain only one single functional group on the rhodomine molecule for conjugation so that their conjugation products are single isomeric conjugation products.
US09169397B2	Manufacturing method for resin composition containing fine paper powder A resin composition containing fine paper powder used in molding is obtained by using a fully-intermeshing type co-rotating twin-screw kneading extruder (10) having two material feeding ports (15 and 16) to knead a raw material containing a fine paper powder having an average particle diameter of 10 to 100 μm from 20 to 70 parts by weight and a thermoplastic resin from 30 to 80 parts by weight, a sum of the fine paper powder and the thermoplastic resin being 100 parts by weight, by feeding the thermoplastic resin through a main material feeding port (15) and the fine paper powder through a sub material feeding port (16).
US09169390B2	Polycarbonate-siloxane copolymer compositions with improved appearance properties Disclosed herein are methods and compositions polycarbonate blend compositions with improved appearance characteristics and impact characteristics. The resulting compositions, comprising a polycarbonate polymer, a first polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, a second polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, and optionally a color composition, can be used in the manufacture of articles while still retaining advantageous mechanical properties, melt flow properties, and appearance characteristics such as the ability to achieve deep black and bright white colors. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
US09169386B2	Organic vegetable oil based resin and preparation method thereof Disclosed are organic, UV resistant epoxy resins derived largely from vegetable oil. More specifically, the present invention provides a virtually non-toxic, hypoallergenic UV resistant resin that gives off substantially no VOCs or disagreeable odors. The composition comprises a vegetable oil-based polyfunctional carboxylic acid, a cycloaliphatic anhydride, and an epoxy compound either of bicyclic difunctional epoxy resin, epoxidized vegetable oil or epoxidized polymer chains. The composition further comprises a catalyst and a wetting agent. In its cured state the material is leather like and exhibits high tensile strength as well as unusually high, totally reversible elongation. In an alternative embodiment, the resin comprises a cyclic anhydride. With increased amounts of cyclic anhydride, increased heat distortion temperature is exhibited while maintaining a high reversible elongation and high tensile strength In an additional alternative, an increased amount of Chromium III Octoate is used and in another alternative Phosphoric Acid.
US09169385B2	Powdered resins with fillers Particulate binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. The binder composition for producing composite lignocellulose products can include an aldehyde based resin and a filler, an extender, or a combination thereof. The binder composition can be in the form of particulates. The particulates can each comprises the filler, the extender, or the combination thereof and the aldehyde based resin.
US09169384B2	Extrusion bonded laminates for absorbent articles Absorbent articles in which the outer cover has an extrusion bonded laminate.
US09169380B2	Use of aqueous polymer dispersions for improving resistance to chemical influences Coating compositions containing an aqueous polymer dispersion having improved resistance toward chemicals. The aqueous polymer dispersion is prepared by polymerizing a first composition containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated group (monomers) by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization and then, in the presence of a product mixture from the previous polymerization, polymerizing a second composition containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated group (monomers) by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization. The coating compositions are such that the difference between a glass transition temperature of a polymer prepared from the first polymerization and a glass transition temperature of a polymer prepared from the second polymerization is at least 50° C.
US09169373B2	Method for preparing a thermoplastic polyurethane of improved yellowness index, and optical articles made therefrom Method for converting a composition into thermoplastic polyurethane, said composition comprising polyurethane resin, said method comprising the steps of combining the composition with a chemical compound, and converting said mixture into thermoplastic polyurethane, characterized in that said chemical compound is 1,4-Di(2,6-dibromo-4-methylphenylamino)anthracene-9,10-dione. Article obtained according to this method.
US09169362B2	Method and system for treating elastomers and articles made therefrom A method and system for treating rubber-containing elastomers to produce materials suitable for blending with thermoplastic or thermoset polymers are disclosed. The elastomers may comprise virgin or recycled particulate rubber such as from used tires. The blended rubber and polymer materials possess thermoplastic properties and can be reused many times.
US09169361B1	Self-assembling polymers—VI Disclosed are self-assembling block copolymers including diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1 is —(CHR—CH2—O)p—R′, p=2-6, R is H or methyl, and R′ is H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C3-C11 cycloalkyl, R2 is C1-C22 alkyl or C3-C11 cycloalkyl, one of R3 and R4 is C6-C14 aryl and the other is C1-C22 alkoxy, n and m are independently 2 to about 2000, and 0
US09169358B2	Polyetherimides, methods of manufacture, and articles formed therefrom A polyetherimide manufactured by reaction of an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound of the formula MO—Z—OM wherein M is an alkali metal salt and Z is an aromatic C6-24 monocyclic or polycyclic moiety optionally substituted with 1 to 6 C1-8 alkyl groups, 1 to 8 halogen atoms, or a combination thereof, with a bis(halophthalimide) composition comprising, based on the weight of the bis(halophthalimide) composition, from more than 45 to less than 75 weight percent of a 3,3′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula less than 10 weight percent of a 3,4′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula and from more than 45 to less than 75 weight percent of a (4,4′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula
US09169355B2	Biocompatible agent for dispersing nanoparticles into an aqueous medium using mussel adhesive protein-mimetic polymer Provided are a mussel adhesive protein-mimetic dispersion stabilizing agent to disperse nanoparticles in an aqueous medium, a colloidal solution including nanoparticles dispersed and stabilized by the dispersion stabilizing agent, and a contrast agent including the colloidal solution. More particularly, the mussel adhesive protein-mimetic dispersion stabilizer is a polyethyleneimine-graft-(poly-ethyleneglycol;polyDOPA) PEI-graft-(PEG;PDOPA). The graft polymer is formed of two parts. One is polyethyleneglycol grafted with a polyethyleneime which has an affinity to an aqueous medium, and the other is polyDOPA which has an affinity to the surface of nanoparticles. Because of those characteristics, the stabilizer shows a stable dispersion of nano particles in the aqueous medium.
US09169350B2	N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives The invention is directed to multi-functional N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having a terminal carbon, such as a poly(alkylene glycol), the terminal carbon of the polymer backbone being directly bonded to the nitrogen atom of a N-maleimidyl moiety without a linking group therebetween. The invention also provides two methods of preparing such linkerless N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives.
US09169348B2	Baby bottles comprising polyester compositions which comprise cyclobutanediol This invention relates to a baby bottle made from a polyester composition comprising a polyester further comprising 80 to 100 mole % terephthalic acid residues, 0 to 20 other diacid residues, 30 to 40 mole % 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 60 to 70 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein the total diol residues equal 100 mole % and the total diacid residues equal 100 mole %. These baby bottles are unique in that they provide an alternative to baby bottles made from polycarbonate and they provide good heat resistance, good toughness, and good chemical resistance.
US09169342B2	Highly abrasion-resistant imprint material containing urethane compound There is provided an imprint material forming a film having high abrasion resistance even after a pattern has been transferred thereto, specifically an imprint material forming a film having a small number of pieces of scratch when the film after a pattern has been transferred thereto is subjected to a steel wool abrasion test. An imprint material comprising: a component (A): a compound having at least one ethylene oxide unit and having at least one polymerizable group; a component (B): a polycaprolactone-modified urethane compound having a C13-25 long chain alkyl group and at least one polymerizable group; and a component (C): a photopolymerization initiator.
US09169336B2	Modification of propylene polymers The invention relates to a process for increasing the melt flow index of a propylene polymer, the process comprising melt mixing the propylene polymer in the presence of aqueous hydrogen peroxide.
US09169327B2	Targeting of podoplanin with lectin for use in the prevention and treatment of cancer Lectin compositions and methods for reducing tumor cell growth and preventing or treating cancer are provided.
US09169326B2	Recombinant monoclonal antibodies and corresponding antigens for colon and pancreatic cancers The present invention provides for purified or highly pure recombinant monoclonal antibodies that bind to human colorectal and pancreatic carcinoma-associated antigens (CPAA), along with nucleic acid sequences encoding the antibody chains, and the amino acid sequences corresponding to said nucleic acids and uses for said sequences.
US09169325B2	Antibodies that bind human CD27 and uses thereof Isolated monoclonal antibodies which bind to human CD27 and related antibody-based compositions and molecules are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies.
US09169321B2	Activatable binding polypeptides and methods of identification and use thereof Activatable binding polypeptides (ABPs), which contain a target binding moiety (TBM), a masking moiety (MM), and a cleavable moiety (CM) are provided. Activatable antibody compositions, which contain a TBM containing an antigen binding domain (ABD), a MM and a CM are provided. Furthermore, ABPs which contain a first TBM, a second TBM and a CM are provided. The ABPs exhibit an “activatable” conformation such that at least one of the TBMs is less accessible to target when uncleaved than after cleavage of the CM in the presence of a cleaving agent capable of cleaving the CM. Further provided are libraries of candidate ABPs, methods of screening to identify such ABPs, and methods of use. Further provided are ABPs having TBMs that bind VEGF, CTLA-4, or VCAM, ABPs having a first TBM that binds VEGF and a second TBM that binds FGF, as well as compositions and methods of use.
US09169316B2	Production of antibody formats and immunological applications of said formats The invention concerns an in-vitro method for introducing a targeted genome modification into an oocyte or an egg and a method for performing a random insertion in the genome of a host cell.
US09169313B2	Method of treatment of cancers characterized by ligand-dependent activating mutations in FGFR2 with FGFR1 ECD proteins The present invention relates to the use of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor I (FGFR1) extracellular domain (ECD) polypeptides for treatment of cancers characterized by ligand dependent activating mutations in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2). For example, the present invention relates to the treatment of endometrial cancers and other cancers wherein tumor cells express FGFR2 mutants in the IgII-IgIII hinge region or IgIII domain of the protein, such as at amino acid positions 252 and/or 253.
US09169306B2	Endoplasmic reticulum localization signals The invention relates to cellular localization signals. In particular, the invention relates to endoplasmic reticulum localization signals in monomeric or multimeric form. The localization signals are utilized as research tools or are linked to therapeutics. Disclosed are methods of making and using polypeptides and modified polypeptides as signals to localize therapeutics, experimental compounds, peptides, proteins and/or other macromolecules to the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells. The polypeptides of the invention optionally include linkage to reporters, epitopes and/or other experimental or therapeutic molecules. The invention also encompasses polynucleotides encoding the localization signals and vectors comprising these polynucleotides.
US09169304B2	Process for purifying recombinant Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein The present invention relates to processes for purifying high-quality recombinant Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein at high yields.
US09169303B2	Vault compositions for immunization Methods and compositions are provided herein for immunizing a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunogenic peptide or an immunogenic fragment or variant thereof incorporated within a vault-like particle carrier. The methods and compositions advantageously exhibit enhanced ability to induce cell-mediated immunity and/or antibody-based immunity.
US09169302B2	Hyperbaric device and methods for producing inactivated vaccines and for refolding/solubilizing recombinant proteins The invention relates to hyperbaric devices for inactivating microorganisms and viruses while retaining their immunogenicity and for making and producing the soluble, disaggregated, refolded or active immunogenic or therapeutic proteins from inclusion bodies produced from prokaryotes or eukaryotes. The invention encompasses hyperbaric methods for inactivating pathogenic organisms, and methods for producing vaccine compositions using the inactivated pathogens. The hyperbarically inactivated microorganisms are safer and more immunogenic than chemically inactivated microorganisms. Similarly, the solubilized proteins have superior properties compared to more heavily aggregated proteins, including reduced non-specific immune reactions.
US09169299B2	AAV capsid proteins for nucleic acid transfer Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsid proteins are provided. Methods for generating the recombinant adeno-associated viral capsid proteins and a library from which the capsids are selected are also provided.
US09169297B2	Subgenomic replicons of the flavivirus dengue The present invention discloses the construction of dengue virus subgenomic replicons containing large deletions in the structural region (C-preM-E) of the genome, which replicons are useful as vaccines to protect against dengue virus infection.
US09169290B2	Peptides and their use The present invention relates to peptides for use as antifungal agents. The peptides comprise a sequence of 5 to 15 basic amino acids wherein substantially all of the amino acids in said sequence are the same.
US09169285B2	Methods for purifying steviol glycosides and uses of the same Methods for purifying steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside X, are provided herein. Sweetener and sweetened containing Rebaudioside X are also provided herein. Methods of improving the flavor and/or temporal profile of sweetenable compositions, such as beverages, are also provided.
US09169282B2	Metal complexes The present invention relates to metal complexes and to electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, comprising these metal complexes.
US09169281B2	Mononuclear metal complex, hydrogenation reduction catalyst, dehydrogenation catalyst, method for producing hydrogenation reduction product, method for producing hydrogen (H2), and method for producing dehydrogenation reaction product The present invention provides: a mononuclear metal complex that has high catalytic activity and can be used as a hydrogenation reduction catalyst that allows efficient hydrogenation reduction of a substance to be reduced; a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof; or a salt thereof. Provided is the mononuclear metal complex represented by the following formula (1), a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof; or a salt thereof. In the formula (1), Ar1 is an aromatic anionic ligand or an aromatic ligand, or is not present, Ar2 is a ligand having aromaticity and may or may not be substituted, and when Ar2 is substituted, the number of substituents may be one or more, M is an atom or ion of a transition metal, A1 and A2 are both carbon atoms, or one of A1 and A2 is a carbon atom and the other is a nitrogen atom, Y is an anionic group or a cationic group, or is not present, L is any ligand or is not present, and m is a positive integer, 0, or a negative integer.
US09169280B2	Methods for the synthesis of plasmalogens and plasmalogen derivatives, and therapeutic uses thereof A method for preparing plasmalogens and derivatives thereof represented by Formula B, wherein R1 and R2 are similar or different, derived from fatty acids; R3 is selected from hydrogen and small alkyl groups. The synthetic route involves production of novel cyclic plasmalogen precursors of Formula A and their conversion to plasmalogens and plasmalogen derivatives of Formula B. Also disclosed is the therapeutic use of plasmalogens and derivatives thereof as produced by the synthetic route of the present invention.
US09169273B2	Absorbent and passivation layer for optical element comprising the same This invention relates to an absorbent and a passivaton layer for an optical element including the same, which may suppress infiltration of moisture without blocking light, may be applied to flexible substrates and may prevent deterioration of optical elements thus maintaining emission properties during extended use.
US09169272B2	Cytotoxic benzodiazepine derivatives The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepine compounds of formula (I)-(VII). The invention also provides conjugates of the benzodiazepine compounds linked to a cell-binding agent. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention.
US09169270B2	1-phenyl-substituted heterocyclyl derivatives and their use as prostaglandin D2 receptor modulators The present invention relates to 1-phenyl-substituted heterocyclyl derivatives of the formula (I), wherein Y, Z, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described in the description and their use as prostaglandin receptor modulators, most particularly as prostaglandin D2 receptor modulators, in the treatment of various prostaglandin-mediated diseases and disorders, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and to processes for their preparation.
US09169265B2	Process for preparing pharmaceutical compounds and intermediate compounds The object of the present invention is a process for preparing the 2-acetoxi-5-(2-fluor-α-cyclopropyl-carbonyl-benzyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-4H-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine (prasugrel) of the formula (I). The process starts from crystalline 5-trityl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine of the formula (VI).Further objects of the present invention are two novel crystalline forms of 5-trityl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[3,2-c]pyridine of the formula (VI) and the use thereof for preparing the compound of the formula (V) and process preparing thereof.
US09169262B2	Crystalline salts of Asenapine with organic di-acids and tri-acids Novel crystalline salts of Asenapine (I) with organic di-acids and tri-acids and to methods of their preparation are disclosed along with related pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating psychotic diseases or disorders.
US09169255B2	Caffeinated compounds and compositions for treatment of amyloid diseases and synucleinopathies Compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts for treatment of β-amyloid diseases, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease and synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease.
US09169254B2	Spiroimidazolone derivative The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein W, X, Y, R1, R2, R33, R34, m and n are as defined in the claims, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
US09169250B2	Compounds modulating c-fms and/or c-kit activity and uses therefor Compounds active on the receptor protein tyrosine kinases c-kit and/or c-fms are provided herewith. Also provided herewith are compositions useful for treatment of c-kit mediated diseases or conditions and/or c-fms-mediated diseases or conditions, and methods for the use thereof.
US09169245B2	Inhibitors of PDE4 enzyme and antagonists of muscarinic M3 receptor Compounds of formula (I) described herein are both inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme and muscarinic M3 receptor antagonists, and are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract characterized by airway obstruction.
US09169244B2	Tyrosine kinase inhibitors containing a zinc binding moiety The present invention relates to tyrosine kinase inhibitors that contain a zinc-binding moiety and their use in the treatment of tyrosine related diseases and disorders such as cancer. The said derivatives may further act as HDAC inhibitors.
US09169236B2	Efficient process for the preparation of lapatinib and salts thereof by means of new intermediates The present invention refers to a new efficient process for the synthesis of the active pharmaceutical ingredient Lapatinib and salts thereof. In particular, the present synthesis is carried out employing new intermediates in which the amine function is protected by a group cleavable in basic milieu that provides a higher overall yield of the synthesis process.
US09169235B2	Phthalazinone derivatives Compounds of the formula (I): wherein A and B together represent an optionally substituted, fused aromatic ring; X can be NRX or CRXRY; if X═NRX then n is 1 or 2 and if X═CRXRY then n is 1; RX is selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, C5-20 aryl, C3-20 heterocyclyl, amido, thioamido, ester, acyl, and sulfonyl groups; RY is selected from H, hydroxy, amino; or RX and RY may together form a spiro-C3-7 cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group; RC1 and RC2 are both hydrogen, or when X is CRXRY, RC1, RC2, RX and RY, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, may form an optionally substituted fused aromatic ring; and R1 is selected from H and halo.
US09169231B2	Anti-obesity agent comprising compound containing benzotropolone ring The object of the present invention is to provide an anti-obesity agent which contains a tea-derived component and which is safe and does not compromise the flavor of foods and beverages.According to the present invention, a safe and palatable anti-obesity agent can be provided by incorporating a benzotropolone ring-containing compound which has tea-derived, high inhibitory activities against lipase and alfa-glucosidase. The anti-obesity agent of the present invention does not compromise the flavor of foods and beverage, has palatability, and can be used in various use applications including foods and beverages intended for health enhancement such as reduction in triglycerides.
US09169230B2	(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate derivatives for inhibiting proteasome A method of reducing tumor cell growth, the method including administering an effective amount of a compound having the formula:
US09169224B2	Piperazinyl and piperidinyl ureas as modulators of fatty acid amide hydrolase Certain piperazinyl and piperidinyl urea compounds are useful as FAAH inhibitors. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity. Thus, the compounds may be administered to treat, e.g., anxiety, pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or movement disorders (such as multiple sclerosis).
US09169218B2	Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for treating disorders associated with the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors This invention is related to the alkyl-piperazine-phenyl 4 (3H)-quinazolinones general formula (I) compounds, pharmacologicaly active and able to act on the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors in a manner that promotes the control, relief or cure of disorders associated with these receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds for the treatment of disorders associated with these receptors. These compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions are useful in the treatment of conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, addictions, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, panic, psychotic, eating and sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and female sexual dysfunctions, among other disorders associated with these receptors.
US09169215B2	LPAR—substituted cyanopyrazole compounds Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I), as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and disorders such pulmonary fibrosis.
US09169213B2	Method of weight management Provided are methods of determining if an individual is a responder to treatment with (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof. Also provided are methods for selecting an individual for treatment with (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof from a plurality of individuals in need of weight management. Also provided are methods for weight management in an individual in need thereof. Also provided are compounds, compositions, and kits for use in a method of weight management in an individual.
US09169209B2	Compounds and compositions for the inhibition of NAMPT The present invention relates to compounds and composition for inhibition of NAMPT, their synthesis, applications and antidotes. An illustrative compound of the invention is shown below.
US09169207B2	Curaxins for use in treating carcinogen-induced cancer The present invention relates to the treatment of breast cancer which is estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and/or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2) and/or progesterone receptor positive (PR) and/or facilitates chromatin transcription positive (FACT+) with a curaxin, including curaxin 137. The present invention also pertains to a method of identifying a subject who has a breast cancer tumor and is likely to respond to treatment with a curaxin.
US09169206B2	Organic semiconductor compound, method for preparing the same, and organic semiconductor composition, and organic semiconductor thin film and element containing the same The present invention relates to a novel polycyclic aromatic organic semiconductor compound having a polycyclic aromatic core, a method for preparing the same, and electronic, optical or electro-optical devices such as an organic semiconductor composition, organic semiconductor thin film, organic field effect transistor and solar cell containing the compound. The novel organic semiconductor compound according to the present invention has high crystallinity and control capability, and facilitates control of doping conditions in the manufacture of organic semiconductor element so that it can be used for diverse applications. The compound can be mass-produced at low cost and has high solubility in organic solvents so that a liquid phase process can be applied to the manufacture of semiconductor elements and the like, thus enabling the mass-production of semiconductor elements and solar cells at low cost.
US09169195B2	Amides, use of amides as solvents for organic compounds, compositions and emulsions containing amides, and method for treating a plant The present invention relates in general to the use of amides of the following general formula (I) wherein R1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbyl group containing 9 to 14 carbon atoms; R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and benzyl; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl, as solvents for organic agriculturally active ingredients, compositions comprising organic agriculturally active ingredients and such amides, methods for treating a plant utilizing such compositions, as well as some of the amides as such and methods for their production.
US09169193B2	Method for producing O-Alkylated aminoalcohols A process for preparing O-alkylated amino alcohols by reacting N-unsubstituted or N-monosubstituted amino alkoxide salts with alkyl halides, the amino alkoxide salts being formed by means of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides.
US09169185B2	Method for the preparation of polyether polyols The invention relates to methods for the preparation of polyether polyols by DMC-catalysed alkylene oxide addition to starter compounds comprising acidic sulfuric acid salts, to the use thereof for the preparation of polyurethanes, and to polyurethanes comprising the polyether polyols according to the invention.
US09169174B2	Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent that includes nitric acid to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. Methods of refining a natural oil are described.
US09169164B2	Polymers useful in agricultural applications Methods of coating seeds with polymers and seeds coated with such polymers are disclosed herein. The polymers can be phosphonates, sulfonates, polymers of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate, polysuccinic oligomers, acrylic acid/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, blends of acrylic acid/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid with polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate, sulfomethylated acrylic acid/acrylamide, blends of sulfomethylated acrylic acid/acrylamide with polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate, polymaleic acid, acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers, polyacrylic acid, trimethylglycine hydrochloride, blends of polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonate with trimethylglycine hydrochloride, and any combination or salt of such polymers. Methods of monitoring, determining, and controlling the concentration of scale inhibitors in an agricultural irrigation system are also disclosed herein.
US09169163B2	Method of treating a preceramic material A method of treating a preceramic material includes providing a preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane material that includes a moiety Si—O-M, where Si is silicon, O is oxygen and M is at least one metal, and thermally converting the preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane that includes the moiety Si—O-M material into a ceramic material.
US09169157B2	Formaldehyde free binder An aqueous binder composition, useful for making fiber products, especially fiberglass insulation, comprising an aqueous substantially alkaline (pH of at least 5.0) solution of a polyol and a hydrolyzed (solubilized) copolymer of maleic anhydride and a vinyl aromatic compound, preferably styrene (i.e., a SMA copolymer); the copolymer is solubilized using ammonia, an ammine, a primary alkanolamines (preferably monoethanolamine), a secondary alkanolamine (preferably diethanolamine (DEA)), a tertiary alkanolamine (preferably triethanolamine (TEA)), or a mixture thereof and the binder composition is cured as a consequence of cross-linking, esterification reactions between pendant carboxyls on the solubilized (hydrolyzed) copolymer (SMA) chains and hydroxyl groups of the polyol, including the diethanolamine and/or triethanolamine preferably used in the solubilization of the SMA.
US09169154B2	Method of cutting chemically toughened glass A method of cutting chemically toughened glass which is chemically toughened in a chemical toughening process of creating compressive stress in the surface of glass by exchanging first alkali ions in the glass with second alkali ions. The method includes the steps of applying a paste on a portion of the chemically toughened glass that is to be cut, heating the paste, and cutting the chemically toughened glass along the portion on which the paste is applied. The paste contains alkali ions. The ion radius of the alkali ions in the paste is smaller than an ion radius of the second alkali ions which substitute the first ions in the chemical toughening process.
US09169151B2	Method of manufacturing an optical fiber A manufacturing method that enables stably making a high-quality optical fiber is provided. The manufacturing method of the present invention comprises: a softened portion falling step in which an optical fiber preform is heated in a heating furnace and a dropping part of softened portion of the preform thus heat-softened is allowed to drop; and a drawing step for drawing the preform such that the softened glass is drawn into a fiber by applying a tension with a take-up means after the softened portion falling step, whereas the preform is rotated about its axis at the softened portion falling step.
US09169149B2	Vacuum glass sealing device The present invention discloses a vacuum glass sealing device. The device comprises an air extraction table, an upper pressing plate and a heating device, wherein the air extraction table is provided with an accommodating groove for placing glass plates to be sealed, the upper pressing plate is pressed on the glass plates to be sealed in the accommodating groove and air-tightly connected with the air extraction table around the periphery of the accommodating groove; and the air extraction table and/or the upper pressing plate are provided with air extraction ports, and the heating device heats the glass plates to be sealed from the exterior. The air extraction table and the upper pressing plate form a closed space in the sealing device, and the upper pressing plate is directly pressed on the glass plates to be sealed, so the volume of the closed space is greatly reduced, and conditions are created for quick vacuumizing of the closed space and quick sealing of the vacuum glass. The closed space in the sealing device is only used for providing a vacuum environment, and the heating device for welding is separately arranged at the exterior, so equipment operation is convenient, equipment construction is simplified, and a condition is created for large-scale processing of the vacuum glass.
US09169147B2	Precision lime stabilization system and method for treatment of sewage sludge A lime stabilization system for treatment of sewage sludge, and method is provided in which dewatered sludge and lime are provided to a mixer. Lime and sludge are mixed to raise the pH during which volatiles are driven off with or without supplemental heat. A forced air draft prevents steam from backing up into the lime supply. The sludge goes to a discharge station via a transfer apparatus, and air containing any dust, odors, steam or ammonia is cleaned via a scrubber. The system is computer-controlled via gravimetric load cells and/or volumetric means. The system includes computer controlled means for dissolving scale resulting from exposure of surfaces to lime, using acid, water or combinations thereof.
US09169143B2	Wastewater pretreatment method and sewage treatment method using the pretreament method A pretreatment method is provided, which comprises the following steps: (1) wastewater feed is introduced into a first end of a first aeration basin, and is mixed with a first concentrated mixed liquor to obtain a first mixed liquor; (2) the first mixed liquor is aerated in the aeration stage of the first aeration basin to obtain a second mixed liquor at a second end of the first aeration basin; (3) the second mixed liquor is introduced into a first sedimentation basin to obtain a supernatant and the first concentrated mixed liquor; (4) the supernatant is discharged and at least a part of the first concentrated mixed liquor is returned to the first end of the first aeration basin. At the same time, a sewage treatment method using the wastewater pretreatment method is provided. The pretreatment method can be used steadily for a long time without discharging sludge.
US09169135B2	Method and apparatus for hydrolyzing organic solid A method and an apparatus for hydrolyzing an organic solid are described. The method includes mixing an organic solid and a nanobubble water having a plurality of nanobubbles, to form an organic liquid, in which the nanobubbles contain a combustible gas; and applying an ultrasonic wave on the organic liquid, such that the nanobubbles generate an additional cavitation effect. A preprocessor is applicable to an organic solid processing system having an anaerobic digestion tank, in which the anaerobic digestion tank has anaerobic microbes for generating a combustible gas. The preprocessor includes a nanobubble water generator, a digestion tank, and an ultrasonic wave generator. With the method and the structure, the nanobubbles are used to increase the probability of generation of the additional cavitation effect, and the combustible gas is used to improve an impact force of bursts produced by the cavitation effect.
US09169130B1	Device to filter the effluent of a septic tank A component filter device which is added to a new or existing multi-chamber septic tank to filter the effluent of the septic tank to improve the quality of the water entering a method of dispersal. The device uses a spiral wound membrane filter to filter the effluent. The membrane filter contains open channel spacers to channel the bubbles which scour the membrane leaves. An air lift pump is used to pump permeate. A three-way actuator valve directs the airflow to either the pump or to a bubble diffuser. A two-way actuator valve directs the flow of permeate. A low water indicator directs the operation of the device. The device uses bubble scouring and back washing to clean the membrane leaves. A blower, two actuator valves and a low water indicator are the only moving parts of the device.
US09169129B2	Composition based on cerium, zirconium and tungsten, preparation process and use in catalysis A composition based on cerium, zirconium and tungsten is described. The composition has a content expressed as an oxide, of which cerium is from 5% to 30% of the composition, tungsten is from 2% to 17% of the composition, and the remainder of the composition is zirconium. After aging at 750° C. under an air atmosphere including 10% water, it has a two-phase crystallographic structure having a tetragonal zirconia phase and a monoclinic zirconia phase, with no presence of a crystalline phase including tungsten. The composition can be used as a catalyst, especially in an SCR process.
US09169123B2	Method for producing sodium chromite According to this production method, the water content of a mixture of a chromium oxide (Cr2O3) powder and a sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) powder is brought to 1000 ppm or less, and the mixture is heated in an inert gas atmosphere at a calcination temperature (850 DEG C.) where the sodium carbonate and the chromium oxide undergo a calcination reaction. Sodium chromite is thereby obtained.
US09169110B2	Method for determining the probability of a handling truck's tipping over A method for determining the probability a handling truck tipping over includes determining a respective normal force acting in the z direction for at least two of at least three wheels of the handling truck. At least two normal forces are compared and the probability of the tipping of the handling truck is determined on the basis of the comparison.
US09169108B2	Performance line display unit A performance line display unit includes an imaging device which is attached near a leading end of an extensible boom provided on a rotation platform rotatably placed on a vehicle of a crane, a display configured to display an image imaged by the imaging device, and a performance line arithmetic part configured to obtain a performance line regarding a suspended load maximum performance of a crane, wherein the performance line arithmetic part is configured to overlap the performance line with a position of the image corresponding to the obtained performance line to be displayed on the display.
US09169092B2	Sheet feeding device, image forming apparatus provided with the same, and image reading device provided with the same A sheet feeding device includes a housing, a conveyor roller, a first shaft, a second shaft, and drive units. The conveyor roller includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first shaft has a first engaging portion. The second shaft has a second engaging portion. The drive units drive and rotate the first and second shafts. The first side portion has an engaged portion to be engaged with the first or second engaging portion. The second side portion is formed with a bearing portion configured to be supported by the first or second engaging portion in relatively rotatable manner. The conveyor roller is mountable in the housing in a first mounted state, in which the conveyor roller is integrally rotated with the first shaft, and in a second mounted state, in which the conveyor roller is integrally rotated with the second shaft.
US09169091B2	Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus provided with same A sheet feeder includes a casing, a sheet stacking portion, a sheet conveyance path, a feed roller, a separation pad, a holder, a mounting portion and a guiding member. The sheets are placed on the sheet stacking portion and fed in a predetermined direction in the sheet conveyance path. A nip portion, through which the sheet passes, is formed between the feed roller and the separation pad. The holder fixedly supports the separation pad and is mountable into and removable from the mounting portion of the casing. The guiding member guides the holder. The posture of the holder is changeable between a first posture in which a predetermined clearance is formable between the guiding member and the holder when the holder is mounted into the mounting portion and a second posture in which the holder is pressed against the guiding member when the sheet passes through the nip portion.
US09169088B2	Adhesive dispensing device having optimized cyclonic separator unit An adhesive dispensing device includes a heater unit for melting adhesive material, a receiving space for feeding the heater unit, and a cyclonic separator unit for delivering adhesive pellets to the receiving space. The cyclonic separator unit includes a tangential inlet pipe proximate to a top end of a generally cylindrical pipe, which is connected to the receiving space at an open bottom end. The tangential or spiral flow of air and adhesive pellets generated through the cyclonic separator unit reduces the speed of the air and adhesive pellets to avoid splashing of molten adhesive material while maintaining enough speed to avoid adhesive build up on the generally cylindrical pipe.
US09169082B2	Variable metering system for heterogeneous, sensitive and non-pumpable foodstuffs having a low liquid portion A variable metering system for heterogeneous, sensitive and non-pumpable foodstuffs having a low liquid portion, in which a carrier plate system is set into a stroke motion by a drive cylinder which is in horizontal alignment. The foodstuff, which is brought into the metering chambers on the carrier plates using vacuum, is conveyed by said stroke motion to a discharge position where it is ejected under the effect of compressed air. By the type of connection of the two carrier plates, it is possible to change the distance of the carrier plates from each other by means of a rod system and an associated servomotor or by a hand wheel. This distance variation leads to a change in volume in the metering chambers, can be controlled by an external scale and can be readjusted by an automatic control of the rod system. The design of the metering system ensures that it can be easily dismantled and cleaned for cleaning or maintenance purposes.
US09169081B1	Bulk material conveyor belt scraper and method of forming the same A bulk material conveyor belt scraper comprises a base portion having a C-channel. The belt scraper also comprises a polymeric portion that protrudes outwardly from a corner of the C-channel. The C-channel of the belt scraper is adapted to engage with and partially encircle a support member having a square portion in a manner such that the support member is able to bias the belt scraper against a conveyor belt.
US09169075B2	Conveyor having dual-direction drive A conveyor includes a frame having first and second spaced frame elements having outer sides and facing inner sides, first and second drive rollers between the first and second frame elements, a flexible belt mounted on the first and second drive rollers, first and second drive wheels connected to the first and second drive rollers, and a drive operably connected to the first and second drive wheels and configured to drive the belt in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US09169061B2	Containment bag Containment bag for an industrial container embraces a non-self-supporting container having a top, sides, and a bottom, which define an interior space; in at least one of the top and sides, at least one opening for introduction of material into the interior space; and for the at least one opening a flap that can be sealed at or beyond the at least one opening. Sealing is provided through at least one of a hook and loop closure system and an adhesive system. The bag can be employed with the industrial container.
US09169056B2	Thermally insulating member A thermally insulating member includes a plane sheet having two ends spaced in a length direction and two sides spaced in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction. The plane sheet includes a plurality of rows of slits between the ends of the plane sheet. Each row of slits extends from one of the sides through the other side of the plane sheet. A first spacing between two adjacent rows of slits in the length direction is larger than a spacing between two adjacent slits in the same row of slits in a width direction perpendicular to the length and width directions by a second spacing. A thermally insulating strip is defined between two adjacent rows of slits. A stretchable rib is formed between two adjacent slits in the same row of slits. Each end of the plane sheet is a coupling portion free of the slits.
US09169048B2	Hinged closure A hinged closure for a container, particularly a drinking bottle, includes a lower part and an upper part, a hinge section, with which the upper part can be pivoted from a first position to a second position, in which the upper part is pivoted away from the lower part by an opening angle, and a retaining device, having a first retaining section and a second retaining section, both being detachably connected when the upper part is moved into the second position.
US09169031B2	Aerial vehicle hold-down harpoon The present invention regards an aerial vehicle harpoon device for securing an aerial vehicle (31, 55) to a grid (9) of a landing site, the aerial vehicle (31, 55) comprises an undercarriage (11) having a supporting surface (13) for supporting the aerial vehicle (31, 55) when being in contact with the ground (15), the harpoon device (1) further comprises a securing element (4) arranged adjacent the supporting surface (13). The harpoon device (1) further comprises a resilient actuating device (23) which is adapted to extend the securing element (4) beyond the supporting surface (13) in an unloaded state, and which in a loaded state is compressed by the weight of the aerial vehicle (31, 55) when contacting the ground (15) so that the securing element (4) retracts and the supporting surface (13) contacts the ground (15).
US09169026B2	Turbojet engine nacelle The invention relates to a nacelle (1) for a turbojet engine (8) comprising: an air intake structure (4) able to channel a flow of air towards a fan (7) of the turbojet engine (8), comprising an air intake lip (21) upstream of the nacelle (1) and attached at its ends to an outer panel (25) and an inner panel (23); a central structure (5) intended to surround said fan (7) and to which the air intake structure (4) is attached in such a way as to ensure aerodynamic continuity, said central structure (5) comprising a secondary, or bypass, flow path outer ring section (11) intended to surround the engine and a central outer cowl (13), and a downstream section (6), the outer panel (25) comprising a moving part (25a) attached to the air intake lip (21) and extending downstream of the inner panel (23) and at least one fixed part (25b) fixed to the central structure (5) or to the downstream section (6) and intended to nest together with the moving part (25a) through their having complementary shapes.
US09169016B2	Method and device for the installation of systems, and a freight loading system Disclosed is a method for the installation of systems in an aeroplane fuselage, a device with a rails system for the execution of the method, and a freight loading system, which uses the rails system as a guidance system for cargo.
US09169015B2	Countermeasure decoy system intended to be mounted on an aircraft In order to allow decoy projectiles (6) to be launched with optimal quality of flight, the projectiles respectively include external cylindrical bodies (80) which are dimensionally identical, housed in the tube and each having a deployable-fins (9) aerodynamic stabilization device, that adopt a folded position inside the body when the projectile is in the tube, and a deployed position outside of the tube. To achieve that, the system includes a projectile ejection system (8), with an axial passage (12), arranged fixedly as a continuation of the tube, at the opposite end to the advance mechanism, and containing, in succession, after the control mechanism, the projectile (6) that is to be ejected by a controllable ejection device (25) connected to the module.
US09169010B2	Offset stacked yoke hub for tiltrotor aircraft A tiltrotor rotor hub comprises first and second configurations of yokes arranged in two parallel and axially offset planes, each having an equal number of two or more yokes substantially equally spaced about a mast, wherein a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke. Another tiltrotor rotor hub is selectively positionable for operation in helicopter/airplane/transition modes and comprises substantially parallel and axially offset first and second planes, each containing a plurality of blade yokes arranged about a central axis and a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke. Another tiltrotor rotor hub is coupled to a tiltrotor mast and comprises a stacked arrangement of blade yokes wherein a portion of each yoke overlaps with a portion of each azimuthally adjacent yoke, and a plurality of mounting components coupling each yoke to the overlapping azimuthally adjacent yoke.
US09169006B2	Method of managing parking braking in a braking system for a vehicle fitted with electric brakes The invention relates to a method of managing parking braking in a braking system for a vehicle fitted with at least one electric brake including at least one electric actuator having a pusher actuated by an electric motor for selectively applying a force against friction elements of the brake, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a series of direct adjustment tables for parking braking, corresponding to braking situations at different energy levels; when applying parking braking, selecting a direct adjustment table corresponding to a braking situation preceding the application of parking braking; and directly adjusting a parking braking force in application with the selected direct adjustment table.
US09169005B2	Drive unit for aircraft running gear A drive unit (16) for an aircraft running gear (2) having at least a first wheel (4) and a second wheel (6) on a common wheel axis (A) is characterized in that the drive unit (16) is drivingly coupleable to the first and second wheels (4, 6) such that a direction of longitudinal extension (C) of the drive unit (16) is in a plane orthogonal to the common wheel axis (A).
US09168999B2	Propeller blade with internal stiffener A propeller blade includes a foam core having a slot formed through it from a camber side to a face side, an internal stiffener disposed through the slot and including flanges in contact with both the camber and face sides and a structural layer that surrounds at least a portion of the foam core and in contact with the flanges on both the camber and face sides.
US09168992B2	Fuel supply system of outboard motor A fuel supply system of an outboard motor for supplying a fuel stored in a fuel tank to an intake port of an engine includes: a vapor separator which is disposed on one of left and right sides of the engine in terms of a traveling direction of a hull and to whose upper portion a vapor vent pipe having a tip open to an atmosphere is connected; and an in-line high-pressure fuel pump which is connected to the vapor separator via a fuel pipe and to whose upper portion an air vent pipe passing a position higher than the fuel pipe is connected, wherein the vapor vent pipe includes a folded portion formed so as to extend toward the other side out of the left and right sides of the engine and thereafter return to the one side.
US09168990B2	Variable buoyancy profiling float In various embodiments a variable buoyancy profiling float is disclosed. The variable buoyancy profiling float may comprise a spherical glass housing comprising a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere. The first and second hemispheres may be coupled by a partial vacuum within the spherical glass housing. A buoyancy system may be located at least partially within the spherical glass housing. The buoyancy system may be configured to provide variable buoyancy control to the variable buoyancy profiling float. A sensor bundle may be mounted to the spherical glass housing and may be configured to measure at least one environmental parameter.
US09168988B2	Method of cleaning a rotating object A method of cleaning a rotatable object including obtaining a flexible line having a plurality of cleaning elements disposed along the central portion and further including engaging the cleaning elements disposed along the central portion with a rotatable object and affixing a first line end to a first support having a fixed location proximate a first end of the rotatable object and affixing a second line end to a second support having a fixed location proximate a second end of said rotatable object; and rotating the rotatable object to clean the rotatable object with the plurality of cleaning elements.
US09168986B1	Elongated recreational flotation device A flotation device includes an elongated and flexible member with a channel extending between longitudinal ends of the flexible member. The flexible member is configured to support an individual within water during a recreational activity. A cap is secured to the flexible member having a shaft suitably dimensioned to fit within the channel of the flexible member to secure the cap to the flexible member. A sleeve having a body member is dimensioned to fit over the flexible member and act as the flexible member's skin. The sleeve can also be dimensioned to fit over the flexible member and the cap for acting as the flexible member's and the cap's skin. The flexible member has at least one cut-out which corresponds to or is aligned with at least one cut-out of the sleeve.
US09168977B2	Vehicle suspension system A driven wheel suspension system for a vehicle (100) having a chassis (12) suspended from a driven wheel (10) is disclosed. The suspension system includes a suspension mechanism including a driven wheel carrier member (11) rotatably connected to the driven wheel (10). The suspension mechanism is configured to isolate the movement of the driven wheel 10 from the movement of the chassis (12). The driven wheel (10) is movable a distance relative to the chassis (12) which defines a suspension travel. The driven wheel suspension system further includes a drive train including a looped power transmission element configured to transmit power between the driven wheel (10) and a power source mounted on the chassis (12). An idler member (31) is rotatably mounted on an idler carrier member (20) that is movable relative to both the chassis (12) and driven wheel earner member (11). The idler member (31) is configured to engage with a power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element and move to follow a predetermined path as a function of suspension travel, to thereby alter a path of said power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element. Altering the path of the power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element results in a lengthening or shortening of the power transmitting segment (33) of the looped power transmission element. The driven wheel suspension system of the present invention has many applications, including but not limited to a rear wheel suspension system for a bicycle.
US09168974B2	Cable-actuated disc brake for a bicycle The invention relates to a cable-actuated disc brake for a bicycle. The cable-actuated disc brake has a lever with dual, opposing piston assemblies that limit the movement of brake pads in relation to a brake disc of the bicycle. The lever includes symmetrical lever arms respectively engaged with symmetrical piston assemblies that are axially spaced, coaxially aligned and rotate about a pivot axis to selectively engage brake pads with a brake disc of the bicycle.
US09168967B2	Frame unit for bicycle and method of manufacturing the same A frame unit for a bicycle may include a left frame body in which a part of an adjusting portion, a part of a seat tube, a part of a frame, and a left stay are integrally formed; and a right frame body in which a part of the adjusting portion, a part of the seat tube, a part of the frame, and a right stay are integrally formed, in which the seat tube and the frame are integrally formed by adjusting a length of the adjusting portion, and the left frame body and the right frame body are coupled integrally.
US09168964B1	Bicycle equipped with electric generator at saddle area A bicycle includes a bicycle body, an electric generator disposed in a saddle area of the bicycle body and an electronic device connected to the electric generator to be powered by the latter. The electric generator includes a piezoelectric transducer, a storage battery and an electric power output port connected to the piezoelectric transducer and the storage battery. The piezoelectric transducer is configured to transform mechanical vibration energy available on the saddle area into electricity during cycling. The storage battery is coupled to the piezoelectric transducer for storing the electricity generated by the piezoelectric transducer. The electronic device is connected to the electric power output port to be powered by either the piezoelectric transducer or the storage battery.
US09168963B2	Systems and methods employing limbed vehicle and spaced posts Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems including a limbed vehicle having a plurality of controllably movable limbs (e.g., a limbed machine, limbed robot, etc.) and a plurality of spaced posts that the limbed vehicle may travel on using the limbs. As non-limiting examples, such disclosed embodiments of systems may be used to service an agriculture field, to enable travel over an environmentally-sensitive area or an area impassable by a conventional wheeled or tracked vehicle, and may be used in many other different applications. Embodiments disclosed herein also relate to methods of operating a limbed vehicle to travel on a plurality of spaced posts.
US09168961B2	Tracklaying gear In a tracklaying gear of a road finishing machine or a feeder with a drive chain wheel comprising circumferential teeth and being rotatably driven about an axis, and at least one idler wheel freely rotating about an axis inside a caterpillar track damping layers having damping material and exclusively radial sliding guides are integrated in the drive chain wheel and/or the idler wheel between the axis and the caterpillar track.
US09168956B2	Vehicle body having rear side member A vehicle body includes: rear side members disposed at both sides of the vehicle body; a rear cross member rear having both end portions fixed to the rear side members; a rear cross member front having both end portions fixed to the rear side members, and disposed in front of the rear cross member rear; and a rear cross panel having a lower surface that is supported on and joined to the rear side members, the rear cross member rear, and the rear cross member front.
US09168944B2	System for electrically locking a steering column, and steering column including such a locking system The invention relates to an electric locking system (1) for locking the position of a steering column of a vehicle relative to the dashboard of said vehicle, the steering column including a tube-body movably mounted in a supporting assembly for enabling the manual adjustment of said steering column. The locking system includes means (2) for locking the tube-body on the supporting assembly, an electric motor (4) coupled to the locking means (2) for driving the latter and placing the steering column in an unlocked state or a locked state, motor control means providing motor actuation instructions for placing the steering column in the locked state and/or in the unlocked state, and means for detecting the state of the steering column and for generating an electric signal representative of the state of the column.
US09168942B2	Vehicle The vehicle a pair of left and right wheels includes a seating section configured such that a driver is able to take a seat by straddling the same, foot placement sections located beneath the seating section to be respectively provided at left and right positions with the seating section interposed therebetween, the foot placement sections being respectively supported by lower arms connected to the wheels, feet of the driver being placed on the foot placement sections, and a grip section gripped with a hand of the driver. Left and right steering may be performed by twisting the feet placed on the foot placement sections by the driver.
US09168928B2	Operating system for a motor vehicle An operating system for a motor vehicle, having a first operating unit for detecting user gestures, at least one second operating unit for detecting user inputs, and an evaluation unit which assigns the user gestures and user inputs detected by the operating units to operating functions. The evaluation unit checks whether a user gesture and a user input have been detected at the same time within the same time window and within the same spatial area. The evaluation unit modifies or suppresses the operating function assigned to the user gesture in the event of a positive result of the check.
US09168927B2	Accessory control with geo-fencing A vehicle accessory can transmit a first signal to a mobile device, the first signal including a location of a vehicle. The mobile device can monitor its own location. The mobile device can assess whether one or more location-based criteria have been satisfied based on the location of the mobile device and the location of the vehicle. Upon determining that a location-based criterion has been satisfied, the mobile device can transmit a second signal to the vehicle accessory indicating that a function of the vehicle is to be controlled. Thus, for example, the mobile device can activate or de-activate vehicle features (e.g., door locking, vehicle defrosting, etc.) in a manner that capitalizes on efficient signal transmission.
US09168925B2	Method for estimating grade and rolling direction Systems and methods for determining vehicle rolling direction and road grade are disclosed. In one example, a vehicle rolling direction is determined from a correlation coefficient. The vehicle rolling direction is applied to a kinematic equation to determine road grade.
US09168921B2	Method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle of an obstacle present in a side area next to a side flank of the vehicle and motor vehicle with a driver assistance system The present invention relates to a method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle (2) of an obstacle (1) present in a side area (19) next to a side flank (13) of the vehicle (2) with the help of a driver assistance system (3), wherein during a motion of the vehicle (2) the obstacle (1) is detected by an ultrasonic sensor (5, 7) stationarily arranged on a vehicle bumper (6, 8), before the obstacle (1) leaves a detection area (10) of the ultrasonic sensor (5, 7) and enters the side area (19) next to the side flank (13). After the obstacle (1) leaves the detection area (10) a current position of the obstacle (1) in the side area (19) relative to the vehicle (2) is estimated by the driver assistance system (3), wherein the driver is warned by the driver assistance system (3) in dependency on a result of the estimation.
US09168918B2	Power transmitting apparatus for vehicle A power transmitting apparatus may include: an electric supplementary drive unit; a torque converting device having first, second, and third rotation elements, wherein the first rotation element is connected to the electric supplementary drive unit, the second rotation element is connected to an engine, and the third rotation element is operated as an output element; a first input shaft directly connected to the second rotation element, and a second input shaft directly connected to the third rotation element; a direct coupling device selectively connecting two rotation elements among the first, second, and third rotation elements, a first speed output unit having first and second synchronizer modules, and a second speed output unit having third and fourth synchronizer modules; and a reverse speed device having an idle gear and engaging to any one input gear on the first and second input shafts.
US09168911B2	Drive control device for hybrid vehicle A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle which is provided with: a first differential mechanism and a second differential mechanism which have a total of five rotary elements; and an engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to four rotary elements of said five rotary elements, and which has at least a first drive mode and a second drive mode in which the engine is operated and which are established by selectively connecting a rotary element of said five rotary elements which is connected to said engine, and a rotary element of said five rotary elements which is not connected to any of said engine, said first electric motor, said second electric motor and said output rotary member, to each other through a clutch, or selectively fixing the rotary element connected to said engine and the rotary element not connected to any of said engine, said first electric motor, said second electric motor and said output rotary member, to a stationary member through a brake, the drive control device comprising: a drive mode control portion configured to place the hybrid vehicle selectively in the first drive mode in which said engine is operated, in an engaged state of said brake and in a released state of said clutch, and the second drive mode in which said engine is operated, in a released state of said brake and in an engaged state of said clutch, said drive control portion inhibiting the hybrid vehicle from being placed in said second drive mode when an operating point of said engine lies in a predetermined region, and permitting the hybrid vehicle to be placed in said first drive mode when the operating point of the engine lies in said predetermined region.
US09168904B2	Input and output rods for vacuum brake booster An input rod for connecting a vacuum brake booster to a pedal linkage member, wherein the input rod includes a connecting portion adapted to be connected to the pedal linkage member. The input rod further including a hollow body portion formed from a stamped flat blank.
US09168903B2	Vehicle brake hydraulic controller One embodiment provides a vehicle brake hydraulic controller including a wheel speed acquiring section; a wheel deceleration calculator; a vehicle velocity calculator; and a locking tendency determination section. The vehicle velocity calculator calculates a vehicle deceleration based on a temporary vehicle deceleration corresponding to an acceleration sensor value and calculates a vehicle velocity based on the calculated vehicle deceleration. The vehicle velocity calculator calculates the temporary vehicle deceleration by offsetting a first correction amount to a deceleration side in relation to the acceleration sensor value. When a brake pedal operation amount by a driver is equal to or smaller than a first threshold and that an absolute value of the wheel deceleration is equal to or larger than an absolute value of a second threshold are met, the first correction amount is set to be smaller than when the conditions are not met.
US09168897B2	Windscreen wiper device A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for a oscillating arm comprising two longitudinal arm sections connected to each other by means of a curved intermediate section, wherein said oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis, with the special feature that the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about the pivot axis, with the interposition of a joint part, wherein the joint part comprises a resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in the oscillating arm, and wherein the joint part and the connecting device are pivotally connected to each other by mutually cooperating protrusion/hole means, the protrusion/hole means, the protrusion/hole means being located below the longitudinal center plane between the two longitudinal arm sections.
US09168894B2	Methods and systems for closure notification Apparatus are provided for notifying a driver of an open vehicle access. The apparatus includes an electronic control module for informing a vehicle driver that a vehicle access is not secured, the electronic control module configured to determine if a transmission of the vehicle is in either a park status or a neutral status, determine if all keys for the vehicle are located outside a predetermined distance from the vehicle and determine if a displacement sensor indicates that a vehicle access is not closed. When the vehicle is in the park or neutral status, the key is located at a distance greater than the predetermined distance from the vehicle, and at least one vehicle access is indicated as being not closed, then an access open message is generated and sent to the driver.
US09168892B2	Detector device for detecting the locking state of a seat belt lock, insert, and seat belt lock equipped with a detector device A detector device for detecting the locking state of a seat belt lock, such as for an automobile restraint system, is disclosed, which has a swivel lever that is designed like a strap and that is hinged to a switch housing via a swivel axis (A) that is arranged eccentrically and that has at least one operating arm projecting from the swivel axis (A), which arm extends above the switch housing and can move into a second end position by interaction with a component of a locking mechanism of the seat belt lock that can move in translation against a return force from a first end position, in which its at least one operating arm extends above the switch housing. The detector device has a sensor device for detecting the change in position of a section of the swivel lever that can swivel from the starting position into its laterally and vertically changed end position.
US09168886B2	Motor vehicle having a rollover protection system A motor vehicle with a rollover protection system has at least one rollover support body. For the connection of the rollover support body to the body structure of the motor vehicle, a wide-based receiving device is provided in the area of a rear wheel house and/or of a side panel area. The fastening takes place by screws which are oriented in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle.
US09168884B2	Vehicle having actuator for door and methods for same A vehicle includes a body, a door, an actuator, and a controller. The body includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a pillar member. The actuator is coupled with the pillar member and includes a movable member that is movable between deployed and retracted positions. The controller is electrically coupled with the actuator and is configured to facilitate movement of the actuator from the retracted position to the deployed position in response to detection of a collision. When the movable member is in the deployed position with the door closed, the movable member is in an abutting relationship with the door. When the movable member is in the retracted position, the movable member is spaced from the door.
US09168879B2	Sealing arrangement for vehicle windows, method for the production thereof, and use thereof A sealing arrangement for vehicle windows is described. The sealing arrangement has at least a holding rail that has a locking channel, which is formed by a guide rail and a resilient leg, and is fastened to a window and a cover that has a guide channel, which is formed by a locking rail and a positioning stop. The guide rail is arranged in the guide channel and the locking rail is latched in the locking channel. A locking hook is latched onto the resilient leg in a projecting region of the locking rail and a resilient element is clamped in the guide channel between a stop face on the underside of the cover and the guide rail.
US09168876B2	Electronic device support for vehicles A support for portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort. The support may comprise an elongated cavity or slot configured to accept one or more portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices may be held at various viewing angles relative to the passenger. In some embodiments, the support may be rotatable. In this manner, a passenger may be permitted to adjust the angle at which his or her portable electronic device is positioned. Likewise, an operator or the like may rotate the support for cleaning or other maintenance.
US09168875B2	Quick release ATV rack system A quick release ATV rack system for allowing a user to selectively increase the amount of cargo storage space on an ATV without removal of passenger seating with a removable rack. The quick release ATV rack system comprises a base frame and a two pairs of fastener assemblies. The base frame is defined by a top tier and a bottom tier and additionally includes a proximal end configured to attach to a factory ATV rack and a distal end having an elevated backstop. The top tier provides the primary support structure and an attaching structure embodied as a pair of top fastener assemblies. The bottom tier provides an additional stabilizing aspect in the form of a pair of bottom fastener assemblies which assists the quick release ATV rack system in fastening to the factory rack on an ATV.
US09168864B2	Reduced profile lamp having enhanced illumination and method of construction thereof A lighting assembly for a vehicle, and in particular, an interior lighting assembly having a reduced profile using solid state illuminators is provided along with a method of construction thereof. The assembly includes a housing; a lens attached to the housing; a printed circuit board disposed between the housing and the lens; at least one light source attached in operable electrical communication to the printed circuit board; and a light blade. The light blade has opposite sides disposed between the printed circuit board and the lens. One of the sides has a first configuration of optics and the other of the sides has a second configuration of optics, wherein the first and second configurations of optics are different from one another.
US09168862B2	Helmet apparatus for automated vehicle heading alert A helmet apparatus for automated vehicle heading alert includes a carrier detachable from headwear of a driver, a plurality of light emitting elements, a gyroscopic device, a signal processing and decision-making (SPDM) processor, and a power device. The light emitting elements are installed on the carrier and include left and right light emitting elements. The gyroscopic device is installed on the carrier and includes a gyroscope for detecting an operation of a vehicle and outputting gyroscope signals corresponding to the operation. The SPDM processor receives the gyroscope signals to form operation signals, processes the operation signals, performs a discriminant decision-making procedure, generates consecutively discriminant signals corresponding to the operation signals, and drives accordingly at least one of the light emitting elements to turn on, turn off, or flashing. The power supply device is used for supplying power required by the light emitting elements, the gyroscopic device, and the SPDM processor.
US09168857B2	Auto-rack railroad car vehicle wheel chock A vehicle wheel chock for a vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which secures a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The vehicle wheel chock is configured to be positioned on a grating adjacent to a tire of the vehicle.
US09168848B2	Vehicle seating assembly A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback having a panel movable to a reclined position and a cushion slidably coupled with the panel to slide down in the reclined position. A base is pivotally supporting the panel and has a concave portion. A seat has a bottom portion slidably coupled with the concave portion for sliding the seat to an upward angle when the panel moves to the reclined position.
US09168844B2	Methods and systems for diagnosing performance of active cooling system in an electric vehicle Methods and electric vehicle diagnostic systems are provided for diagnosing performance of an active cooling system for cooling a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) with a coolant. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, via a controller, whether the coolant temperature (TC) is less than the ambient temperature plus a first calibrated value (TA+V1). The method also includes determining, via a controller, whether the coolant temperature (TC) is less than the RESS temperature plus a second calibrated value (TR+V2). When the coolant temperature is less than the ambient temperature plus the first calibrated value and less than the RESS temperature plus the second calibrated value, the method provides for recording a diagnostic pass.
US09168842B2	Method and device for controlling the authorization of charging operations of electrically operated vehicles A method and a control unit for controlling the authorization of charging operations of electrically operated vehicles. A control unit is provided between a main terminal and a plurality of electric coupler sockets, which are connected to the control unit via a power line. A vehicle to be charged is connected to one of the electric coupler sockets, and the total charging current, which is conducted from the main terminal to the electric coupler sockets via the control unit, is measured. Charging-current requests are transmitted to the control unit by each of the vehicles connected to the electric coupler sockets, and the total charging current is compared to the sum of the charging currents reported by the vehicles connected to the charging outlets. The charging outlets are switched off if the total charging current exceeds the sum. The connecting of a vehicle to be charged includes transmitting authorization information from the vehicle to the control unit. The authorization information is compared to a list of authorized vehicles by the control unit, in order to check the authorization of the vehicle. The transmitting of charging-current requests and authorization information is provided by modulating an alternating current signal upon the power line, the alternating current signal representing the authorization request or the charging-current request.
US09168840B2	Charging port device for electric vehicle A charging port device for an electric vehicle has an electrical driving mechanism for electrically applying a torque using a motor to move a restricting member to an inner-side position short of a predetermined position corresponding to a locked state or an unlocked state, and a mechanical driving mechanism for mechanically applying a torque to move the restricting member from the inner-side position to the predetermined position, when the restricting member is to be moved to the predetermined position, and a part of the restricting member overlaps the engaging member, when viewed from the direction of separation, at the inner-side position that corresponds to a movement to the locked state.
US09168838B2	Charging control system and charging control method Charging control section 17 controls charging such that when the charging of an EV satisfies a predetermined condition, the EV is charged with electricity from a stationary energy storage and when the charging of the EV does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the EV is charged with electricity from an electric power grid and information communication grid 1 and the stationary energy storage is charged from electric power grid and information communication grid 1 based on the state of stored electricity of the stationary energy storage. Charging scheduling section 15 performs scheduling for the EV based on an electric power demand that cause electric power grid and information communication grid 1 to charge the EV with electricity, the electric power demand including electric power demand created by charging performed under the control of charging control section 17.
US09168830B2	Plastic fuel tank comprising a noise reduction baffle and process for manufacturing it Plastic fuel tank comprising a noise reduction baffle and interference sections for suppressing tank deformation in the case of application of negative pressure to said tank, the interference sections projecting inward in the tank from an upper surface and a lower surface thereof respectively, and being disposed so as to be substantially opposed with a specified interval between them, one of these sections being part of a fixation device which secures the baffle to the tank wall.
US09168817B2	Structure of folding type sunroof deflector A folding type sunroof deflector structure may include a deflector gate formed penetrating the front frame in the widthwise direction of the vehicle a first deflector which is stored inside the front frame to be moved up and down through the deflector gate and projectable outside of the opening section; a second deflector, an upper part of which is rotatably connected to a hinge joint located at a bottom of the first deflector and which is projectable outside of the opening section according to a movement of the first deflector; and a pair of deflector arms having a rear end portion of which is rotatably coupled to a pair of side frames to be connected to sides of the opening section; and a front end portion of which is coupled to both sides of the first deflector to move the first deflector up and down.
US09168815B2	Support component for a motor vehicle window lifter with reinforcing structure A support component for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle door is provided. The support component defines a support plane and defines two opposed side faces for the arrangement of functional components of a motor vehicle window lifter, wherein the support component includes at least one reinforcing structure for reinforcing the support component, wherein the support component forms at least two surface segments which on both side faces are arranged in the direction of extension along the support plane. The reinforcing structure is formed such that on the one side face it extends in a manner protruding with respect to both surface segments transversely to the support plane and on the other side face extends in a manner set back with respect to a surface segment of the two surface segments and protruding with respect to the other surface segment of the two surface segments.
US09168809B2	Air conditioning system An air conditioning system is provided, particularly for a vehicle having a main air conditioning unit, an auxiliary air conditioning unit, wherein both the main air conditioning unit and the auxiliary air conditioning unit contain a blower, an evaporator and a heater core, a cold pass is attached to the evaporator, a hot pass is affiliated to the heater core and the cold pass is separated from the hot pass by at least one temperature door. By an air conditioning system, especially for a vehicle, which uses the conditioned air in the vehicle cabin for engine cooling, an additional pass is arranged before the heater core in the auxiliary air conditioning unit wherein said hot pass ends in a body exhauster during the cooling mode of said auxiliary air conditioning unit.
US09168786B2	Mobile robot A mobile robot configured to be widely versatile in its use. For example, the mobile robot can be configured for being used on a wide assortment of surfaces, regardless of the orientation and/or shape of the surfaces. Alternatively or in combination, the mobile robot can be configured for effective and efficient movement on the surfaces it traverses. In some cases, the mobile robot is configured with two or more component units. In some cases, the component units are configured with magnets and a control system for orientating the magnets. In some cases, one or more component couplings join the component units. In some cases, the mobile unit is configured with Mecanum wheels.
US09168780B1	Removable insert for a file folder A divider for a file folder includes a primary sheet made of transparent plastic and having an integrally formed tab that protrudes from a top of the primary sheet. The divider further includes a secondary sheet made of transparent plastic and welded to a surface of the primary sheet to define at least one accessory compartment and a tertiary sheet made of transparent plastic and welded to the surface of the primary sheet to define a business card compartment. A portion of the business card compartment is located adjacent to the tab of the primary sheet and is sized to accommodate a business card.
US09168775B2	Sealed stamp cartridge and round stamp movable into positioning setting for rotation of printing plate about the axis of movement A stamp includes a printing unit and an actuator unit. The printing unit is connected to the actuator unit by a connecting element. The printing unit includes a support element and a printing plate the cross section of which is round. The printing plate is stabilized by the support element. The printing unit is moveable from a neutral setting into a print setting through axial displacement by the actuator unit. The printing plate can be moved further by axial displacement into a positioning setting wherein the printing plate can be rotated in its angular position relative to the actuator unit.
US09168770B2	Roll paper supplying device and recording apparatus A roll paper supplying device and a recording apparatus include an unwinding shaft and a bearing that support a roll having a roll paper wound around a core in a manner that the roll paper can be fed out from the roll, a fixed braking section and a movable braking section that is configured to come into contact with an outer peripheral end face of the roll and brake a rotation of the roll in feeding out of the roll paper, and a radial direction movement section that is configured to move the fixed braking section and the movable braking section in a radial direction of the roll according to a diameter of the roll which decreases as the roll paper is fed out.
US09168762B2	Image forming system having intermediate apparatus that does not have a reverse unit An image forming system of one aspect of the present invention includes a first image forming apparatus arranged on the upstream side in a sheet conveyance direction, a second image forming apparatus arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and an intermediate apparatus arranged between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. The image forming system includes a sheet conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus through the intermediate apparatus. The sheet conveyance path is formed so that the rear end of a sheet having stopped on the sheet conveyance path is located on the sheet conveyance path within the intermediate apparatus.
US09168761B2	Disposable digital camera with printing assembly A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead.
US09168755B2	Inkjet printhead assembly An inkjet printhead assembly includes: an elongate ink supply structure having a plurality of longitudinally extending ink supply channels corresponding to a plurality of different colored inks and a plurality of outlet openings; and a plurality of individual printhead modules arranged along a length of the ink supply structure. Each printhead module includes: a carrier having a plurality of inlets for receiving ink from a respective set of the outlet openings, a mounting surface having a plurality of ink supply slots defined therein and a plurality of converging walls extending from the inlets towards the ink supply slots, the converging walls defining a plurality of converging ink galleries for supplying the plurality of different colored inks. A printhead segment is bonded to each mounting surface, the printhead segment receiving the different colored inks from the plurality of ink supply slots.
US09168746B2	Printing apparatus and printing method A printing apparatus includes a carriage having a recording head movable in a first direction relative to a medium, a color ink nozzle row and a clear ink nozzle row that are provided in the recording head and that respectively eject photo-curable color ink and photo-curable clear ink, and a light irradiation section. A first period of time from when the color ink is deposited on the medium to when light is emitted by the light irradiation section is equal to or longer than a second period of time from when the clear ink is deposited on the medium to when the light is emitted by the light irradiation section.
US09168745B2	Ink jet print head assembly having an angled carrier body and method An ink jet print head assembly includes a carrier body, plural pistons, and a printing plate. The pistons are configured to actuate in ejection directions in order to engage a diaphragm plate of the printing plate and cause fluid to be ejected from orifices of the printing plate along printing directions. The ejection directions in which the pistons are actuated are transversely oriented with respect to printing directions in which the fluid is ejected from the printing plate.
US09168743B1	Nozzle device A nozzle device includes an upper cover module having a cavity, a plurality of stacked piezoelectric plate modules, a plug module, and a lower cover module. Each piezoelectric plate module includes a substrate, a piezoelectric material, an electrical connection, an upper electrode, and a lower electrode. The substrate includes multiple first through holes disposed correspondingly to the cavity. The piezoelectric material is located on the upper surface of the substrate. The electrical connection extends from the lower surface of the substrate, through the substrate, and to the bottom of the piezoelectric material. The lower electrode is located below the lower surface of the substrate and electrically connects to the electrical connection. The plug module includes plugs and second through holes corresponding to the first through holes. The lower cover module includes openings disposed according to the plugs of the plug module.
US09168741B2	Substrate for liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting head, and recording apparatus A substrate for a liquid ejecting head according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first area having a plurality of ejection heaters and a driving circuit that is configured to supply electric energy to the plurality of ejection heaters disposed thereon, a second area having a signal supplying circuit that is configured to supply an electric signal to the driving circuit disposed thereon, and a heater that is configured to heat the substrate and that includes a first portion disposed in the first area and a second portion disposed in the second area. The magnitude of a current supplied to the first portion differs from the magnitude of a current supplied to the second portion.
US09168739B2	Print head die Various configurations of print head die are described. In an example, a first print head die has first print structures disposed along a major dimension thereof perpendicular to the media path, the first print structures including a leading print structure with respect to the media path. A second print head die independent of the first print head die has second print structures disposed along a major dimension thereof perpendicular to the media path, the second print head die being staggered with respect to the first print head die along the media path, the second print structures including a leading print structure with respect to the media path. An extent between respective leading print structures of the first and second print head dies is between a minimum value and a maximum value computed from a function of expected variation in position of the media and maximum allowable dot placement error for the first and second print structures.
US09168733B2	Device for managing printing solution in printing machine In a printing machine that carries out printing while circulating a printing solution, the device inhibits foaming of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is efficiently controlled.In a printing machine that carries out printing while circulating the printing solution containing a resin component to be transferred to the surface to be printed and a surfactant through a circulation route (10), the device supplies a viscosity adjusting solution that controls the viscosity of the printing solution to the printing solution containing foam generated on the circulation route (10) to break the foam.
US09168732B2	Method for imparting different visually detectable features to a plurality of items, and a package comprising items each having a different visually detectable feature A method of continuously imparting different visually detectable features to a plurality of items using a printing and/or embossing roll is provided. The circumference of the roll differs from the whole number of the item lengths. In a production series, the number of items each having a different visually detectable feature provided before said visually detectable features repeat themselves is greater than the number of items imparted after one full turn of the roll. Also disclosed is a package including a plurality of items each having a visually detectable feature that is different from the visually detectable features of all other items within the package, such that a first item includes a first visually detectable feature, and a second item includes a second visually detectable feature including at least a portion of the first visually detectable pattern element, wherein the first and second visually detectable features are different.
US09168730B2	Printing layers of ceramic ink in substantially exact registration by differential ink medium thermal expulsion A method of partially imaging a substrate, for example glass, with a print pattern comprising layers of ceramic ink in substantially exact registration. The method relies on a mask ink layer defining the print pattern and differential thermal expulsion of ceramic ink medium during a heat fusing process between the areas outside the print pattern and within the print pattern. This results in pigment and glass frit forming a durable image material adhered to the substrate within the print pattern and non-durable material outside the print pattern, enabling its removal outside the print pattern to leave the desired layers of ceramic ink within the print pattern in substantially exact registration.
US09168722B2	Low glossiness-metallic luster decorative sheet, and laminated body laminating same A low glossiness-metallic luster decorative sheet with a low glossiness feeling added to a metallic luster feeling, and a laminated body thereof. Glossiness change at the time of molding is reduced. In a configuration with a metallic luster layer, and a low glossiness-resin layer containing a delustering agent provided to a substrate sheet in the order of the low glossiness-resin layer and the metallic luster layer from the closer side when viewed from one side, the low glossiness-resin layer has a large number of minute opening parts such that the metallic luster layer can be observed in the minute opening parts without the low glossiness-resin layer. By laminating the same onto the substrate by such as a molding method, a laminated body can be provided. The metallic luster layer viewed in the minute opening parts realizes a high brilliance metallic luster feeling while providing low glossiness.
US09168715B2	Packaging pillow device with upstream components The disclosure describes a device for inflating and cutting a material web. The device can include a web advancement mechanism to advance a material web in a longitudinal path, an inflation mechanism for inserting a fluid into the material web to create one or more inflated pillows, a fluid inlet for providing the fluid to the inflation mechanism, and a cutting mechanism configured to cut the material web in the longitudinal path.
US09168713B2	Machine press The hydraulic drive system of a machine press comprises at least two independent hydraulic drive units. In each of said hydraulic drive units at least one hydraulic cylinder, which is connected via valves and a main pressure line under supply pressure to a pump driven by a motor, raises and lowers the upper tool carrier. The rotational speed of the motor is adjustable via the numeric machine control, in which a rotational speed profile defined across the work cycle is stored. Furthermore, a pressure-limiting unit limiting the level of the supply pressure is provided, which at least during a part of the work cycle limits the supply pressure to the lower pressure of a pressure profile defined across the work cycle and stored in the numeric machine control and the actual load pressure increased by an extra amount at the at least one hydraulic cylinder.
US09168707B2	Methods for manufacturing an embosser drum for use in pre-formatting optical tape media Various embodiments herein include utilities for generating embosser drums that are used to pre-format optical media such as optical tape with a pattern of nanostructures such as wobbled grooves. One utility includes generating a plurality of replicas from an embossing master, bonding the replicas together to form a bonded replica structure having a surface with the nanostructure pattern imprinted therein, creating a replica of the bonded replica structure and electroforming a metallic layer onto the bonded replica structure replica to create a single, one piece, metallic shim which can be used to create a weld-less embosser drum.
US09168706B2	Joint element made of fiber-reinforced plastic and production process and use therefor A joint element made of fiber-reinforced plastic having at least three tubular and/or profile-shaped connection regions. The joint element has at least one V-shaped or U-shaped rigid wall element, which is arranged between two connection regions and is connected to the fiber-reinforced plastic.
US09168704B2	Manufacturing method of an activated-carbon filter element A manufacturing method of an activated-carbon filter element has the steps of preparing a non-woven cloth, spreading activated-carbon powders, combining the activated-carbon powders with the non-woven cloth, and winding. In the step of spreading the activated-carbon powders, the activated-carbon powders are scattered onto the non-woven cloth by a scattering device. In the step of combining the activated-carbon powders with the non-woven cloth, the non-woven cloth is hot pressed by a hot pressing cylinder, and is melted. The activated-carbon powders are securely combined with the non-woven cloth.
US09168703B2	Curable compositions, processes for using such compositions to prepare composites and processes for preparing composites having superior surface finish and high fiber consolidation Curable compositions, such as oxazine-based ones, are useful in applications within the aerospace industry, such as for example as a thermosetting resin composition for use as a matrix resin in processes, such as resin transfer molding, vacuum assisted transfer molding, resin film infusion, prepregging and towpregging, where the composites or laminates so prepared have superior surface finish and high fiber consolidation.
US09168696B2	Marked thermoplastic compositions, methods of making and articles comprising the same, and uses thereof In an embodiment, a method of inscribing a substrate comprises contacting the substrate with a laser beam to generate a mark, wherein the mark results from increasing the reflectivity of the thermoplastic material, wherein the substrate comprises a composition comprising a non-reflective thermoplastic material. In an embodiment, a method for generating a mark on an article comprises bonding a first component to a second component with a laser beam having a wavelength of greater than or equal to 800 nanometers, wherein the first component composition comprises a thermoplastic composition absorbing light having a wavelength of less than or equal to 500 nanometers and wherein the second component comprises a thermoplastic composition absorbing light having a wavelength of greater than or equal to 800 nanometers.
US09168694B2	Transparent resin composition The present invention relates to a transparent resin composition which comprises (a) a (meth)acrylate based resin comprising one or more (meth)acrylate based derivatives; and (b) an aromatic based resin having a chain having the hydroxy group containing portion and an aromatic moiety.
US09168681B2	Method for making hollow stiffening elements A method for making hollow stiffening elements with co-curing technique on a structure made of composite material 1 includes the use of at least a lamination and polymerization spindle 2 upon which is positioned at least a rolled section 3. The rolled section 3 forms at least a hollow structure 11 where there is the spindle 2, including the following operational phases: coating the spindle 2 with at least a first anti-adherent layer 41; coating the spindle 2 with at least a second heat-shrinking layer 42; heating the coated spindle 2; positioning the spindle 2 on the surface of the structure 1; laminating the surface 1 through at least a rolled section 3; heating the structure 1 with at least a positioned rolled section 3; extracting the spindle 2 from the hollow structure 11.
US09168675B2	Method for producing resin composition A method for producing a resin composition using an extruder, the extruder having a cylinder and a screw disposed inside the cylinder, the cylinder being provided with a main feed port and further optionally provided with a side feed port disposed downstream in an extrusion direction from the main feed port, and the method comprising: supplying a resin (A) in the total amount to the extruder from the main feed port; supplying a fibrous filler (B), whose a weight average fiber length is 1 mm or more, in the total amount to the extruder from the main feed port, or, with the extruder being provided with the side feed port, supplying the fibrous filler (B) partly to the extruder from the main feed port and the remainder to the extruder from the side feed port; melt-kneading the supplied resin (A) and the fibrous filler (B); and extruding the melt-kneaded material.
US09168666B2	Device and method for ripping gum of conveyor belt Provided are a device and a method for ripping gum of a conveyor belt in which the burden and danger to workers can be reduced, and gum around each of the steel cords can be cut off nearly completely and sufficiently uniformly, regardless of worker skill, and with higher work efficiency. The device is for ripping gum of a conveyor belt in which individual steel cords embedded in gum of a conveyor belt are separated between each other, and gum is stripped off around each of the steel cords after the separation. The device includes a V-shaped cutting blade having a shape such that the upper end and the lower end of the cutting blade are protruded with respect to the traveling direction of the conveyor belt for separating between the individual steel cords, and a cylindrical cutting blade for stripping gum off around each of the steel cords.
US09168662B1	Lighted razor A lighted razor that directs light in one or more different directions. The directed light enables a user to shave when in dark environments, and to adjust the amount of light that emanates from the razor. The lighted razor generally includes a body with a blade for shaving. A light is attached to the body, and may be powered and controlled by mechanisms in the body. A sleeve is adjustably positioned over the light to adjust an amount of light emanating from the razor.
US09168659B2	Tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link arms and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge.
US09168653B2	Microrobot, and associated control method, simulation method, and computer programs The invention relates to a microrobot that is microfabricated using microelectromechanical system technology, including i pairs of drive modules wherein i ranges from 1 to n, where n is no less than 1, the microrobot comprising: a mounting arranged so as to support at least two drive modules aligned in a first direction, said drive modules forming a pair of drive modules; i pairs of primary connecting-rod assemblies, each primary connecting-rod assembly being pivotably connected to the drive pin of a drive module of the ith pair of drive modules; a pair of secondary connecting-rod assemblies, each secondary connecting-rod assembly being pivotably connected to the primary connecting-rod assembly of the nth pair of drive modules and to the mounting; and an actuating member pivotably connected to each secondary connecting-rod assembly.
US09168650B2	Oscillating rotary electric power tool An oscillating rotary electric power tool, in which a spindle with a distal end tool attached thereto is projected downward from a front end portion of a housing accommodating a motor, and the housing also accommodates a coupling member rotatable integrally with an output shaft of the motor, a crankshaft fitted with the coupling member in a depression and projection fitting structure, and a link member to which the spindle is fixed and power is transmitted from the crankshaft to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in an oscillating manner so that the link member will be driven by the motor to rotate the spindle clockwise and counterclockwise in the oscillating manner, wherein an elastic body is interposed between the coupling member and the crankshaft in the same axial direction as the output shaft.
US09168649B2	Hammer drill A hammer-drill including a body in which is mounted a motor and a hammer mechanism which is driven by the motor; a tool holder mounted on the front of the body and which is capable of holding a cutting tool, the hammer mechanism being capable of imparting impacts to the cutting tool, when held by the tool holder; a rear handle, moveably mounted onto the rear of the body via at least one movement control mechanism and which is capable of moving towards or away from the body; a biasing mechanism which biases the rear handle away from the body.
US09168646B2	Calibrated clamping device A straight threaded rod has three reference elements spaced apart from each other. A shoulder and a knob having a fourth reference element are screwed onto the rod. A spring is mounted on the rod between the knob and the shoulder. The rod is inserted through two axially aligned holes in two abutting pieces, with the shoulder bearing on a first surface of one of the two pieces. By adjusting the position of the shoulder and the knob along the rod it is possible to apply a calibrated clamping force to a pair of abutting pieces, regardless of the thickness of the pieces.
US09168641B2	Bar clamp with ratchets A clamp with a fixed jaw; a groove with the fixed jaw mounted thereon; a moveable jaw slidably mounted on the groove; a connecting member having one end secured to the moveable jaw and including a hollow cylinder at an other end disposed in the fixed jaw, and a strap interconnecting the cylindrical element and the hollow cylinder; a gear including a plurality of teeth disposed on the fixed jaw; a biasing member disposed on the fixed jaw opposite to the gear; a bifurcated handle put on the fixed jaw to cover both the gear and the biasing member; a first pawl in the handle; a lever secured to the first pawl; a rotatable pin with the hollow cylinder fastened thereon, the pin being for fastening the handle, the biasing member, the fixed jaw, the hollow cylinder, and the gear together; and the second pawl in the fixed jaw.
US09168631B2	Two-part retaining ring with interlock features A retaining ring includes an annular lower portion and an annular upper portion. The annular lower portion has a main body with a bottom surface for contacting a polishing pad during polishing, an inner rim projecting upward from the main body, an outer rim projecting upward from the main body and separated from the inner rim by a gap, and a plurality of azimuthally separated interlock features positioned between the inner rim and the outer rim, each interlock feature projecting upwardly from the main body. The annular upper portion has a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of azimuthally separated recesses in the bottom surface, the recesses defining thin portions of the upper portion, the plurality of interlock features fitting into the plurality of recesses. The lower portion is a plastic and the upper portion is a material that is more rigid than the plastic.
US09168627B2	Knife sharpener for asian and european/american knives A knife sharpener sharpens a wide range of knives and blades. The knife sharpener includes an angle guide associated with a first stage abrasive surface at an angle in the range of 12-18 degrees. A second stage is provided at an angle in the range of 17-23 degrees. A third stage is provided at an angle in the range of 19-25 degrees. The abrasive surface in the first and second stages is in the range of 240 to 400 grit while the abrasives in the third stage is in the range of 600 to 2000 grit.
US09168615B2	Repair device This repair device includes a casing, a slide shaft slidably arranged with respect to the casing, a turn table rotatably arranged with respect to the slide shaft, and a cutting mechanism installed on the turn table and including cutting tools. The turn table is rotationally displaced while the slide shaft slides in an axial direction, so that the cutting tools helically turn to cut an inner periphery of a nozzle. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting-tool switching unit that switches the cutting tools.
US09168612B2	Laser material processing tool An apparatus for laser drilling including a laser beam emitter disposed within a housing having at least one laser beam outlet and at least one purge fluid outlet. At least one actuated nozzle is disposed within the housing for providing a purge fluid through the purge fluid outlet and having functional control for synchronized programmable activation patterns. Laser beam control is provided for directing a laser beam over a target surface.
US09168609B2	Spot welding cap changer The invention relates to a spot welding cap changer (1) with a cap puller (2) and two cap magazines (3, 3A), the cap puller (2) having a gripper (20) with spring-loaded, pivotable jaws (21, 22), which in response to a turning and axial pulling-off movement detaches a spot welding cap (K) of a pincer spot welding head introduced into it from a shaft of the pincer welding head in such a way that it is clamped to prevent it twisting, and the cap magazines (3, 3A) holding spot welding caps respectively in a round cap carrier (31) such that they are circularly arranged in a directed and oriented manner and are respectively transported individually one after the other into an access position against a stop (32) by an advancing force (P).
US09168608B2	Welding head for rail welding This invention concerns a welding head for welding the extremities of two sections of rail and comprises two half-heads (10) aligned and sliding with regard to one another in a longitudinal direction. Each half-head comprises grip means (12, 13) to grasp a respective section of rail and two electrodes (16) suitable for contact with respective sections of rail in order to carry out a flash butt weld. The head also comprises traction actuator means (20) which extend in a longitudinal direction and are connected to the two half-heads (10) to shift the two half-headsin a longitudinal direction one towards the other, said traction actuator means (20) having a stroke suitable for allowing, during a cycle of welding two sections of rail, simultaneous regulation of rail tensions.
US09168599B2	Saw disk with improved chip discharge A cutting disk for a rotary cutting machine includes a disk body having a central axis of rotation and a circumferentially extending outer periphery. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth is mounted to the outer periphery of the disk body. A chip pocket is defined in the circumferential outer periphery of the disk body between each of the circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth. Each chip pocket is formed by a chip clearance surface extending radially inwardly into the disk body to form the chip pocket between circumferentially adjacent cutting teeth. The chip pocket is adapted to receive a tooth-produced chip therein, thereby providing more room for chip discharge and thus reducing disk wear.
US09168583B2	Non-rotating shaft for a continuous casting machine The invention comprises a non-rotating shaft for supporting a mechanical element of a roll segment in a continuous casting machine, having an essentially circular cross-section. The circular cross-section presents a portion having a smooth peripheral, wherein the distance between any point of the portion and a center of the circular cross-section is shorter than a radius of the circular cross-section. Furthermore, the circular cross-section presenting the portion extends axially, which defines a section of the shaft meant to a least partly receive the mechanical element, and the section of the shaft is meant to receive a load at least partly at the portion. In addition, according to a second aspect, the invention comprises a segment roll for a continuous casting machine, which comprises the non-rotating shaft according to the first aspect.
US09168571B2	Apparatus and method for controlled access to pressurized fluid lines and to exhausted lines A method and apparatus for controlled access to pressurized fluid lines and to exhausted lines. The apparatus includes a rod body having a bore; a packing fitting attached to a first end of the rod body and a ball valve attached to a second end of the rod body; a transverse arm between the first and second ends of the rod body, the transverse arm having a bore communicating the rod body bore; and a slideable rod in the bore of the rod body, in a first position of the rod a first end extends through the packing fitting to outside of the rod body and a second end is completely within the rod body, in a second position of the rod the first end extends through the packing fitting to outside of the rod body and the second end of the rod extends through and past the ball valve.
US09168570B2	Cleaning processing device for biological implant Provided is a cleaning processing device that is for a biological implant and that is capable of quickly eliminating ozone generated by ultraviolet-ray radiation after completion of ultraviolet-ray radiation towards the biological implant. The cleaning processing device for a biological implant performs cleaning processing of the biological implant by means of radiating ultraviolet rays at the surface of the biological implant and by causing ozone to contact the surface of the biological implant, and the cleaning processing device is characterized by being provided with a housing, an ultraviolet-ray radiating lamp that is disposed within the housing and that radiates ultraviolet rays at the biological implant, an ozone-removing filter disposed within the housing, and a fan that introduces the ambient gas within the housing to the ozone-removing filter, and is further characterized by the fan being driven in response to the end of cleaning processing of the biological implant.
US09168567B2	Polymer membranes, processes for production thereof and use thereof The invention relates to improved polymer membranes, to processes for production thereof and to the use thereof.
US09168558B2	Glue dispensing apparatus with heating unit and glue dispensing method A glue dispensing apparatus includes a container, a glue dispensing head and a heating unit. The container receives glue, and the glue dispensing head is connected to the container. The heating unit is mounted on the container. The heating unit includes a temperature sensor, a heating component, and a controller electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the heating component. The controller compares the temperature of the glue with a predetermined temperature range, controls the heating component to heat the glue when the temperature of the glue is equal to or less than a lower limit of the predetermined temperature range, and controls the heating component to stop heating when the temperature of the glue is equal to or greater than an upper limit of the predetermined temperature range.
US09168550B1	Reusable valve assembly A reusable valve assembly includes a cap that may be removably coupled to the aerosol can. A conduit is coupled to the cap so the conduit is selectively operationally coupled to the aerosol can. A wheel is movably coupled to the cap so the wheel may adjust a rate of delivery of a fluid from the conduit. A tip is operationally coupled to the cap so the tip may selectively direct the delivery of the fluid from the aerosol can.
US09168547B2	Thermal metal spraying apparatus A thermal metal spraying apparatus for use with a thermal metal spraying torch for applying a metal coating to a workpiece through a torch spraying nozzle having a spraying orifice. The thermal metal spraying apparatus provides a substantially tubular shroud having a first end and a second end adaptable to concentrically receive the torch spraying nozzle. The shroud has an opening at the second end, wherein the opening is selectably alignable with the spraying orifice. A drive mechanism is connected to the shroud and is operable to translate the shroud between a first position, wherein the opening at the second end is not aligned with the spraying orifice, thereby preventing the spraying of the metal coating on the workpiece, and a second position, wherein the opening at the second end is aligned with the spraying orifice permitting the spraying of the metal coating toward the workpiece.
US09168532B2	Microwell plate A microwell plate comprises a skirt and frame portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, and having a plurality of holes; and a well and deck portion comprising a plurality of wells integrated with a planar deck; wherein the well and deck portion is overmolded or adhered onto the skirt and frame portion such that the plurality of wells extends through the plurality of holes in the top surface of the skirt and frame portion; and wherein the well and deck portion is formed from a thermoplastic composition including a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate comprising soft block ester units, derived from monomers comprising an alpha, omega C6-20 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a dihydroxyaromatic compound, and a carbonate source.
US09168525B2	Method for producing a fluidic device A method for producing a microfluidic device includes: a) forming a carrier plate in an injection compression molding tool; b) arranging at least one functional element on one side of the carrier plate; c) forming a cover plate in an injection compression molding tool, wherein the injection compression molding tool is the same or different than that used to form the carrier plate; and d) arranging the cover plate on the carrier plate to cover the at least one functional element and to seal the fluidic device in an airtight manner.
US09168512B1	Stable support for Fischer-Tropsch catalyst A process has been developed for preparing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst precursor and a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst made from the precursor. The process includes contacting a gamma alumina catalyst support material with a first solution containing a vanadium compound and a phosphorus compound, to obtain a modified catalyst support material. The modified catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature of at least 500° C. The calcined modified catalyst support has a pore volume of at least 0.4 cc/g. The modified catalyst support is less soluble in acid solutions than an equivalent unmodified catalyst support. The modified catalyst support loses no more than 6% of its pore volume when exposed to water vapor. The modified catalyst support is contacted with a second solution which includes a precursor compound of an active cobalt catalyst component to obtain a catalyst precursor. The catalyst precursor is reduced to activate the catalyst precursor to obtain the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. The catalyst has enhanced hydrothermal stability as measured by losing no more than 10% of its pore volume when exposed to water vapor.
US09168508B2	Method for producing biodiesel fuel and biodiesel fuel composition Provided is a method for producing biodiesel fuel having an excellent oxidative stability and fluidity at low temperature, wherein the method provides selective hydrogenation of a poly-unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester to the mono-unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester while inhibiting the formation of the trans-isomer, and a biodiesel fuel composition. In the method for producing biodiesel fuel, a fatty acid alkyl ester prepared from fat and/or waste edible oil by transesterification reaction, and/or (2) a fatty acid alkyl ester treated by esterification reaction of a fatty acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst containing at least one of noble metals selected from those of Groups 8-10 in the periodic table under low hydrogen pressure.
US09168507B2	Methods for quantitating water using ionic liquid salts This disclosure provides methods and devices for quantitating, separating and/or detecting water in a liquid, gas or solid sample comprising one or more chemicals, the method comprising: providing the liquid, gas or solid sample comprising water and the one or more chemicals; and exposing said liquid, gas or solid sample to at least one solid support including at least one dicationic and/or tricationic species of Formula I or II adsorbed, absorbed or immobilized on the solid support.
US09168505B2	Carbon dioxide adsorbents and production methods thereof, carbon dioxide capture module including the same, and methods for separating carbon dioxide using the same A carbon dioxide adsorbent may include an amorphous mixed metal oxide including a divalent first metal (M1), a trivalent second metal (M2) different from the divalent first metal (M1), an alkali metal (M3), and an element (A) with an electronegativity of about 2.0 to about 4.0. The alkali metal (M3) may be present in the form of a crystalline halide, an oxide, or a combination thereof. The carbon dioxide adsorbent may also be used in a method of separating carbon dioxide.
US09168500B2	Gasifier fluidization A method of producing synthesis gas by introducing a feed material to be gasified into a gasification apparatus comprising at least one fluidized component operable as a fluidized bed, wherein the gasification apparatus is configured to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising synthesis gas; and maintaining fluidization of the at least one fluidized component by introducing a fluidization gas thereto, wherein the fluidization gas comprises at least one component other than steam. A system for producing synthesis gas is also provided.
US09168495B2	Self-supporting wine aerators and protective covers therefore A liquid aerator includes (i) a porous diffuser; (ii) a stem connected to the porous diffuser; (iii) an insert connected to the stem; and (iv) a manual air pump connected sealingly to the insert, the manual air pump configured such that the aerator can be set onto a supporting structure with the stem and the porous diffuser extending upwardly from the manual air pump.
US09168494B2	Unit for establishing contact between a gas and a liquid for a floating platform A unit for establishing contact between a liquid and a gas includes: a chamber having a vertical axis; a first series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber; a second series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber, alternated with the contact sections of the first series; and a liquid circulation system designed to circulate a liquid in the contact sections of the first series and in the contact sections of the second series in a separate manner.
US09168493B1	Waste water treatment system Methods and systems for treating waste water in residential, industrial and agricultural environments are disclosed. The methods and systems for treating waste water can be localized and self-contained with no need to channel sewage to a remote location. The waste water treatment methods and systems result in recycled clean water, concentrated effluent, and disposable solids. The recycled water can be used for landscaping and domestic use. The concentrated effluent can be channeled to an anaerobic digester to generate biogas, such as hydrogen, methane, and/or carbon dioxide, which can be used to generate power or as fuel for heating and/or cooking. The disposable solids may be used as fertilizer for farming or gardening.
US09168492B2	Elements for separating substances by distributing between a stationary and a mobile phase, and method for the production of a separating device The invention relates to elements for separating substances by distributing between a stationary and a mobile phase. Said separating elements comprise any stationary phase and a support element. The separating elements are part of a set that is provided with at least two separating elements Ti (i=2) encompassing different stationary phases Si (i=2). The set comprises at least three pieces of each type of separating element Ti with a specific stationary phase Si. The separating elements can be coupled to each other or interconnected in another manner so as to form a separating device. The invention further relates to a method for producing an optimized device for separating substance mixtures.
US09168487B2	Alkanolamine-based carbon dioxide absorption solutions with reduced corrosivity An aqueous carbon dioxide-absorbent solution comprising at least one alkanolamine and at least one quaternary ammonium salt is disclosed. A method of recovering carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-containing gaseous mixture and a method of reducing metal corrosion in an alkanolamine-based exhaust gas treating process are also disclosed.
US09168486B2	Aerosol trapping A household appliance having a drying apparatus, such as a dishwasher, a washer-drier, a washing machine or the like, is shown according to the invention, wherein a contact zone is provided in a contact chamber for extracting moisture out of the air, which originates from a working chamber of the household appliance, by means of contact between the air and a hygroscopic liquid and wherein a separating element is present for separating hygroscopic liquid out of the air, characterized in that a separating surface is formed downstream of the contact chamber in the direction of flow by the surface of the wall of an air duct.
US09168478B2	Fine particle collecting filter A fine particle collecting filter includes a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of honeycomb segments are integrally joined by a joining material, and has a constitution where an exhaust gas allowed to flow from an inlet end surface into cells passes partition walls, and then flows out from an outlet end surface to the outsides of the cells. In the partition walls, SiC which is an aggregate is bound by Si which is a binding agent, at least one of an average open diameter of the pores of an inlet side of the exhaust gas passing the partition wall and an average open diameter of the pores of an outlet side is from 0.1 to 5 μm, an average pore diameter of the whole partition wall is from 10 to 30 μm, and a thermal conductivity of the partition walls at room temperature is from 50 to 80 W/mK.
US09168477B2	Support tube for a filter element A filter element has a support grid structure with a first axial end and a second axial end. A filter medium surrounds annularly the support grid. The support grid has structural web members that are connected and form a hollow-cylindrical grid structure that surrounds a cylindrical interior. At least three of the structural web members or structural web sections connect to each other to define a through opening. A fluid flow is enabled in radial direction relative to a center axis of the hollow-cylindrical grid structure through the through openings. A first average opening cross-section of the through openings in a first region adjacent to a first axial end is greater than a second average opening cross-section of the through openings in a second region adjacent to the second axial end.
US09168473B2	Vacuum loader for conveying powder Plastic powder/dust is cyclonically pulled into the loading chamber by vacuum. The finer dust rises due to the flow of air upwardly through a separation chamber, and a coaxially arranged intensifying chamber communicates with the lower portion of the loading chamber by a tube that recovers the finer dust. At least two filters between the vacuum unit and the separator, are sequentially activated during phases of successive cycles, so the inactive filter can be cleared of dust by admitting ambient air so the cleared dust is delivered to the loading chamber. Multiple miniature cyclonic separators are provided atop the primary loader in a version without filters.
US09168464B2	Baseplate assembly for use with toy pieces A baseplate assembly, used with releasably coupleable playing pieces, includes a baseplate operably coupled to an image generating device. The baseplate includes a display region, having playing pieces coupling elements, and means for transmitting images generated by the image generating device to the display region. An image generating and playing-piece-interacting assembly includes a receptor operably coupled to an image generating device, having a display screen for generated images, including integrated visual and optically encoded message images, a playing piece at a location relative to the display screen having an optical display message sensor, and a messaging transponder. The optical display message sensor receives the generated images and generates a first signal at least partially based upon the optically encoded message image. The messaging transponder receives the first signal and generates and sends the receptor a second signal at least partially based thereon.
US09168462B2	Doll with dress that transforms to wings Interactive and reconfigurable toy dolls are disclosed. The toy dolls have one or more associated movable components that may be actuated through user manipulation so as to transform a doll's dress into wings.
US09168460B2	System and method of automatic entry creation for blogs, web pages or file-sharing sites based on game events Systems and methods are provided for at least partially automating content generation of blog entries chronicling an entity's interaction with a multiuser environment. The same may combine automatic data generation with user-generated and/or user-edited or created narrative. The systems and methods may be employed for automatically generating and publishing descriptions, such as posting blog articles. In one implementation, a system automatically posts blog articles with automatic screenshots and automatically-generated descriptive copy of events that occur within a video game, such as in a massive multiplayer online role-playing game.
US09168458B2	Adaptive task assignment for online games Software at an online game website assigns to a player of an MMO game a first game task in a conditional series of game tasks. Each game task includes a specified duration. At least one of the game tasks in the conditional series of game tasks is a social game task. The software determines whether the player completed the first game task within the specified duration. If the player did not complete the first game task within the specified duration, the software assigns the player a second game task in the conditional series of game tasks that is less difficult to complete than the first game task. Then the software provides a reward to the player upon termination of the conditional series of game tasks. The reward depends on the game tasks in the conditional series of game tasks that are completed by the player.
US09168456B2	Gaming system and method for providing a casual wagering game Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a casual wagering game including a matrix having a plurality of positions. A plurality of path endpoints are positioned along a perimeter of the matrix. Each path endpoint is associated with one of an award, a symbol indicating advancement to a subsequent level, and a terminator symbol. Each position, except a starting position, is configured to accommodate one of a plurality of tiles. Each tile includes one or more path segments. When the tiles are placed in certain configurations, path segments of bordering tiles form a complete path between the starting position and one or more of the path endpoints. The objective of the game is for a player to place tiles at positions in the matrix such that connecting path segments form a complete path between the start position and one or more path endpoints to win the path endpoint award(s).
US09168454B2	Integrating three-dimensional elements into gaming environments In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a first indication to toggle a presentation of wagering game content from a two-dimensional mode to a three-dimensional mode and toggling the three-dimensional mode in response to detecting the first indication. In some embodiments, the operations can further include automatically toggling the presentation of the wagering game content back to the two-dimensional mode in response to detecting a second indication. In some embodiments, the operations can further include detecting a condition that specifies a degree of three-dimensional presentation to enable for the three-dimensional mode and presenting the wagering game content with the degree of three-dimensional presentation. In some embodiments, the operations can further include detecting a change to the condition and automatically adjusting the degree of the three-dimensional presentation based on the change to the condition.
US09168442B2	Gaming surface and game styled after american football In one embodiment, the present invention is a surface for playing a game based on the rules of American football using a golf putter and golf ball. The playing surface comprises two end zones and a grid representing the yard lines of a football field. A first down putting target is positioned adjacent to each yard line that is a multiple of ten, and a scoring putting target is positioned in each end zone. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for playing the game. Two teams compete against one another and are given alternating offensive possessions. In each offensive possession, the offensive team has four downs to either putt the ball in a first down target, thereby obtaining a new set of four downs, or putt the ball in the scoring target. With each first down achieved, the ball advances closer to the scoring target.
US09168440B1	Digital memory golf green repair tool systems An apparatus is provided which is capable of repairing a golf green as well as concealing a detachable electronic component, providing digital audio and LCD display screen components, and having a GPS chip and RFID device, in multiple embodiments of the present invention. The electronic component comprises a port which is a USB-compatible device, and may also be connected to a flash memory device to allow a user to save data files captured by the memory device and upload to any device with a USB port.
US09168439B2	Golf club head A recess 14 is formed in a sole 9 of a head 4. The recess 14 is an example of an opening part. A socket 10 is mounted to the recess 14. A weight body 12 capable of being attached/detached is attached to the socket 10. The weight body 12 has an engaging part 32 and an exposed part E1. The socket 10 has an interposition part 11. The interposition part 11 is interposed in at least a part between the exposed part E1 and a head body h1 in an attached state where the engaging part 32 is placed at an engaging position EP. The exposed part E1 is exposed to the outside in the attached state. The interposition part 11 does not fix the weight body 12.
US09168429B2	Golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods Embodiments of golf club heads with optimized characteristics presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US09168424B2	Multi-piece solid golf ball In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the core is formed primarily of a thermoplastic elastomer, the envelope layer is formed of a rubber composition containing primarily a rubber material, the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition containing primarily an ionomer, and the cover is formed of a resin composition containing primarily a urethane. The relationships among the specific gravities and the surface hardnesses of the respective layers are optimized. This golf ball enables an increased distance on full shots with a driver and improved controllability in the short game to be achieved, and also makes it possible to obtain a further reduction in the spin rate on full shots.
US09168418B2	Portable physical therapy/rehabilitation/exercise device, system and method A portable physical therapy/rehabilitation/exercise device is provided for evaluating the condition of a patient and for evaluating and tracking the progress made by a patient over time. The device is hand held and has an evaluation mode to determine the current condition of the patient. The device also has a manual exercise mode and a preset exercise mode. During exercises in each mode all of the data pertaining to the forces (compression, tension, torque, and the like) are all stored in the device along with other kinds of quantitative and qualitative data. The stored data may be uploaded to the internet or external computer system in order to be further analyzed. The device is suitable for use by doctors, health care providers, insurance companies and other entities having an interest in the medical condition of the user.
US09168410B2	Method and device for agitating a grouping of cushioning articles An apparatus and method for agitating and rearranging a grouping of individual cushioning articles in an enclosed container are disclosed. The method and device may protect and individual from an injury resulting from landing in the enclosed container when the individual cushioning articles are overly compressed and lack appropriate spacing in order to absorb the kinetic energy of an individual landing in the enclosed container. The apparatus may include an air actuated inflatable bladder with inflatable extensions that may be utilized to lift and/or separate the cushioning articles, thus allowing the cushioning articles to be repositioned in a random, non-uniform, fashion. Additionally, the repositioned cushioning articles may have additional air space introduced between the individual cushioning devices, thereby allowing the cushioning device to absorb the kinetic energy and an individual without inducing as large an impact force, and providing a more compressive landing zone free of compacted and lodged pieces.
US09168409B2	Thermal treatment of a contaminated volume of material A method for treating a volume of porous contaminated material is described. A combustible mixture (24) comprising a porous matrix and a distributed combustible contaminant is conveyed to a reaction vessel (12) having an ignition system (16). The ignition system is activated to initiate a smoldering combustion process in the reaction vessel and an oxidizer is distributed into the reaction vessel to sustain the smoldering combustion process. The porous matrix may comprise drill cuttings (324) with residual drilling fluid.
US09168402B2	Rope grab A rope grab for a vertical fall protection system is provided. The rope grab includes a housing with an elongated member passage. The elongated member passage is configured to receive an elongated member. A locking cam is pivotally coupled to the housing and selectively engages an elongated member received in the elongated member passage. A cam biasing member positioned to provide a relatively slight biasing force on the locking cam in a direction towards an elongated member received in the elongated member passage. A locking arm, pivotally coupled to the housing, has a first end that is configured to be coupled to a safety harness of a user and a second end that selectively engages the locking cam to lock the locking cam on an elongated member in the elongated member passage during a fall event.
US09168396B2	Composition and method A depilatory composition comprising a source of cyanate ion, an organic acid or a salt thereof and a peroxide compound; and methods of removing hair from the skin using such compositions.
US09168388B2	System, devices, and methods for optically clearing tissue Embodiments of the present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for non-invasively modifying, maintaining, or controlling local tissue optical properties. Methods and devices of the disclosure may be used for optically clearing tissue, for example, for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. A method of optically clearing a tissue may comprise contacting the tissue with an optical clearing device having a base, an array of pins fixed to one side of the base, a brim fixed to the base, an inlet port in the base, an exit port in the base, and a handpiece interface tab fixed to the side of the base opposite the array of pins, applying a mechanical force to the tissue, and illuminating said tissue with at least one wavelength of light through the optical clearing device. A method may further comprise controlling the temperature of the tissue illuminated.
US09168387B2	Reserve battery operated power supplies A power supply including: a reserve power source for providing power, the reserve power source including: a liquid reserve battery which requires activation to produce power; an activator having a liquid electrolyte for activating the liquid reserve battery upon a mechanical activation such that the liquid electrolyte is forced from the activator into the liquid reserve battery through a communication between the activator and the liquid reserve battery; a pair of terminals operatively connected to the liquid reserve battery for outputting the produced power; and a mechanical stop for preventing the activator from activating the liquid reserve battery, the stop being selectively removable when activation is desired. Where the activator includes a container having the liquid electrolyte contained therein and the activator further includes: a top and a bellow attached on one end to the top and to a portion of the liquid reserve battery at an other end.
US09168380B1	System and method for triggered pacing A medical device system including an intracardiac pacemaker is configured to receive by an implantable medical device sensing module a first cardiac signal using a first pair of electrodes implanted outside the cardiovascular system and identify a P-wave from the first cardiac signal. The system transmits a wireless trigger signal to the intracardiac pacemaker in response to identifying the P-wave. The intracardiac pacemaker delivers a pacing therapy in response to the trigger signal.
US09168379B2	Therapy delivery method and system for implantable medical devices Recent advancements in power electronics technology have provided opportunities for enhancements to implantable medical device circuits. The enhancements have contributed to increasing circuit miniaturization and increased efficiency in the operation of the implantable medical devices. Stimulation therapy waveforms generated by the circuits include a stepped leading-edge that may be shaped having a varying slope and varying amplitudes associated with each of the segments of the slope. A charging circuit having a single primary transformer winding and a single secondary transformer winding that is coupled to a plurality of capacitors is utilized to generate the therapy stimulation waveforms. The stimulation waveform of the present disclosure may be dynamically shaped as a function of an individual patient's response. Such stimulation waveforms facilitate achieving lower capture thresholds which reduces the device's supply consumption thereby increasing longevity of the device and facilitate a reduction of tissue damage.
US09168378B2	Methods and devices for treatment of non-neuropathic conditions using electrical stimulation A method of treating a non-neuropathic condition includes implanting an electrical stimulation lead near a dorsolateral funiculus of a patient, the electrical stimulation lead including a plurality of stimulation electrodes; and applying electrical stimulation energy through one or more of the electrodes of the electrical stimulation lead to the dorsolateral funiculus to treat the non-neuropathic condition.
US09168376B2	Implantable device with opposing lead connectors An implantable active medical device includes a chassis plate and a first and second elongate lead connector fixed to and extending orthogonally away from the chassis plate in opposing directions. The first and second elongate lead connectors are disposed within hermetic housings.
US09168371B2	Features for routing conductors in medical electrical lead electrode assemblies An insulative body of a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes a pre-formed channel having a section extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. An electrode portion of a conductive component has an electrode contact surface facing outward from a first side of the body and a coupling portion embedded in the body. A conductor, which is coupled to the coupling portion of the component, is disposed in the channel.
US09168368B2	Method for applying pulsed radio frequency energy to the spinal canal A flexible catheter includes two electrical contacts in a distal region of the catheter and a distal aperture of a hose line. The electrical contacts are connected to a high frequency pulse generator for applying pulsed radio frequency energy for nerve stimulation. A temperature sensor is located in the distal region of the catheter. The flexible catheter is inserted into a region in the spinal canal and the pulsed radio frequency generator is operated, thereby applying pulsed radio frequency energy to a localized region to be treated. The temperature at the distal region of the catheter can also be monitored, and the pulsed radio frequency energy is applied in dependence on the monitored temperature. With the catheter, pain and other medical conditions being related to and influenced by a nervous system are treated.
US09168365B2	Implantable medical device for improved placement in the body An implantable port includes a bottom portion having a needle-penetrable region running continuously along a majority of a perimeter of the implantable port. A method for customized suturing of an implantable port also includes creating a port pocket, and advancing a suture needle through the needle-penetrable region. The needle-penetrable region could be a self-sealing elastomer, such as silicone. The method could include the step of determining suture locations after the port pocket is created.
US09168361B2	Balloon catheter exhibiting rapid inflation and deflation A catheter capable of rapid inflation and deflation and operation by one individual.
US09168356B2	Robotic catheter system A catheter system including a housing and a drive mechanism supported by the housing is provided. The drive mechanism includes an engagement structure configured to engage and to impart movement to a catheter device. The engagement structure defines a path for the catheter device, and the engagement structure is moveable between an engaged position in which the engagement structure engages the catheter device and a disengaged position in which the engagement structure does not engage the catheter device. The catheter system includes a biasing element configured to bias the engagement structure toward the engaged position, and the biasing element is aligned generally parallel to the path defined by the engagement structure.
US09168355B2	Acute hemodialysis catheter assembly A medical catheter includes an elongate catheter member defining a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, and having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate catheter member includes an outer member and at least one longitudinal lumen within the outer member for passage of fluids. The outer member has an elongate opening therethrough in communication with the at least one longitudinal lumen and being spaced from the distal end and bound by wall portions of the outer member. The elongate opening permits fluids to pass between the at least one longitudinal lumen and locations external to the elongate catheter member, and defines a transverse dimension increasing from proximal to distal.
US09168351B2	Instrument for continuous discharge of anesthetic drug The present invention is directed towards instruments and methods for discharging an anesthetic drug on a continuous basis for use as a nerve block. In accordance with the present invention, a catheter assembly is provided that comprises an electrically conductive wire, a protective sheath and an inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon is at the distal end of the catheter capable of being inflated and deflated. A balloon channel terminates within the inflatable balloon at the distal end of the catheter and extends proximally along the length of the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter. The balloon channel has a balloon channel opening at a distal end of the balloon channel within the inflatable balloon, capable of releasing an injected substance into the inflatable balloon. The balloon channel further has a balloon channel injection opening at a proximal end of the balloon channel, capable of receiving an injected substance.
US09168350B2	Breathing assistance apparatus A breathing assistance apparatus and method of controlling a breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed. Particularly, the breathing assistance apparatus is controlled such that it has a drying cycle to enable drying of the tubing that supplies gases to a user and prevent the harboring of pathogens within the tube. The drying cycle is preferably operated automatically by internal controllers in the apparatus. However, it may be manually activated by pressing a button on the apparatus. The drying cycle is preferably activated at the end of a user's treatment session.
US09168343B2	Dispensing device A medicament dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament includes an actuator housing having a longitudinally extending cavity and a container disposed in the cavity and having a cylinder with a first outer diameter. The cylinder is adapted to hold the medicament. The container is reciprocally moveable relative to the actuator housing along a longitudinal axis. An indicating device includes an indicator housing having a tubular portion connected to said container, with the indicating device being reciprocally moveable with the container relative to the actuator housing. The tubular portion has a second outer diameter that is of substantially the same diameter as the first outer diameter. A longitudinally extending side wall has a viewing window formed therein. An indicator is rotatably mounted in the indicator housing, with a surface thereof having indicia visible through the viewing window.
US09168341B2	Delivery devices A delivery device for and method of delivering substance, the delivery device having an outlet member through which substance is in use delivered in an entraining gas flow, and a substance supply unit for supplying substance to be entrained by an entraining gas flow as one or both of a vapor or a fine aerosol mist, wherein the substance supply unit has a flow channel which is fluidly connected to the outlet member, and a substance supporting element for supporting substance, at least a surface of which is in use disposed in the flow channel.
US09168338B2	Syringe with a blocking structure A syringe with a blocking structure, and the structure includes a one-way engagement unit having a propping portion, a flange extended outwardly from a rod and abutted with a cylindrical body, and a flexible bracket extended outwardly from the rod and isolated from the propping portion, and the flexible bracket has an external diameter greater than the propping portion. When the rod is moved forward with respect to the cylindrical body to pass through the flange, the flange abuts the flexible bracket to tilt backward. When the rod is moved backward with respect to the cylindrical body, the flange abuts the flexible bracket to tilt the flexible bracket forward, and the propping portion blocks the flexible bracket.
US09168337B2	Fluid injecting apparatus A fluid injecting apparatus includes: a cartridge portion which has a tube that transports a fluid, a plurality of fingers that press the tube, and a blocking member that blocks the tube; and a main body portion which has a cam that presses the plurality of fingers. When the cartridge portion is detached from the main body portion, the blocking member blocks the tube. When the cartridge portion is mounted to the main body portion, the cam presses at least one of the fingers such that the tube is blocked at the position of the pressed finger and the blocking of the tube by the blocking member is released.
US09168333B2	Dialysis system including disposable cassette A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine having a pump actuator, a valve actuator and a sorbent device, and a disposable cassette including (i) a housing having a dialyzer inlet port, a dialyzer outlet port, a pump portion configured to operate with the pump actuator, a valve portion configured to operate with the valve actuator, a venous port, and an arterial port, (ii) at least one dialyzer in fluid communication with the housing, the at least one dialyzer including a dialysate inlet, and a dialysate outlet; (iii) an arterial line for connecting to a patient, the arterial line connected to and extending externally from the arterial port of the housing; (iv) a venous line for connecting to a patient, the venous line connected to and extending externally from the venous port of the housing; and (v) first and second dialysate fluid connections in fluid communication with the sorbent device.
US09168326B2	Collagen materials and methods for obtaining same The invention relates to novel collagen materials and, specifically, collagen membranes, tubes and threads. Said materials combine enhanced properties of resilience and strength. The invention also relates to a method for preparing collagen materials using acid fibrous collagen comprising coagulation and, optionally, cross-linking of the collagen in the presence of ammonia gas.
US09168325B2	Hemostatic foam The invention discloses a pharmaceutical hemostatic liquid foam base preparation comprising albumin as foaming agent and a fibrinogen precipitating substance and optionally a coagulation inducing agent, wherein albumin as foaming agent is present in native form; a method for the production of a transient hemostatic liquid foam; the transient hemostatic liquid foam; and a kit for making the foam.
US09168320B1	Ultraviolet plasma-shells Method and apparatus for generating UV and for treating a material with UV utilizing gas filled plasma-shells that emit UV during gas discharge. The UV treatment may include sterilization, purifying, or curing of liquids, gases, or solids. Applications include water treatment, chemical reactions, cosmetic tanning, and medical uses.
US09168310B2	Glycerophospholipids for the improvement of cognitive functions The invention described herein provides a preparation comprising a non-mammalian derived mixture of serine glycerophospholipid conjugates with a specific content and specific conjugation patterns of LA, linolenic acid (alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid) DHA and EPA which depend on utilizing different sources of lipids, and uses of such preparations.
US09168303B2	Intravaginal delivery system The present invention in general relates to an intravaginal delivery system as well as uses thereof and methods for manufacturing and use of the same. In particular the present invention relates to an intravaginal delivery system for the controlled release of one or more organic acids, such as lactic acid; said intravaginal delivery system being characterized in that it comprises a combination of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers and carboxylic polymers, such as for example methacrylic acid-methacrylic ester copolymers.
US09168296B2	Detection and treatment of autoimmune disorders Disclosed herein are methods of treatment of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as clinical assays for detection of autoimmune disease activity in patients utilizing a PD1 ligand.
US09168295B2	Vaccine peptide combinations The present invention relates to compositions comprising peptides for preventing or treating allergy to cats, and in particular to optimal combinations of peptides.
US09168291B2	β-mannosylceramide and stimulation of NKT cell anti-tumor immunity β-mannosylceramides or salts or solvates thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use as a Type I NKT cell agonist in conjunction with a therapeutically effective amount of α-galactosylceramide or a salt or a solvate thereof, and/or at least one or more T-cell co-stimulatory molecules, disclosed. Compositions comprising β-mannosylceramide, as well as methods of treatment of tumors are also provided.
US09168288B2	Methods for treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract using a GLP-1 agonist The invention provides a method of treating a subject having, or at risk of developing, a condition in which functioning of the small or large intestine is impaired, enhancing functioning or preventing damage to the small or large intestine in a subject, or ameliorating inflammation of the small or large intestine in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a GLP-1 receptor agonist. A GLP-1 receptor agonist may also be provided in a pharmaceutically acceptable form in an amount effective to treat or prevent conditions of the small or large intestine. Further, pharmaceutical compositions are provided for the treatment or prevention of conditions of the small or large intestine comprising a GLP-1 receptor agonist, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or vehicle.
US09168286B2	Methods and compositions for use in treatment of patients with autoantibody positive disease The present invention relates to methods and compositions for use in treatment of patients with autoantibody positive disease. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating a patient that has an ANA titer of 1:80 or greater and/or greater than or equal to 30 IU/ml of anti-dsDNA antibodies in his/her blood plasma or serum comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an immunomodulatory agent, such as an antagonist of Neutrokine-alpha. Additionally provided is a method of reducing the frequency and/or quantity of corticosteroid administration to patients. In preferred embodiments, the patient has systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods for determining if a lupus patient is responding to medical treatment are also provided.
US09168265B2	Tetracycline derivatives with reduced antibiotic activity and neuroprotective benefits The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods which utilize the tetracycline scaffold, preferably the scaffold of tetracycline or minocycline, and which significantly lack antibiotic activity. The compounds have neuroprotective attributes without interfering with the drugs capacity to pass through the blood brain barrier. These compounds have neuroprotective activity because of their inhibition of neuronal cell cycle progression. The compounds are characterized in part by a fifth ring joining positions 9 and 10.
US09168254B2	Polymorphs of ARRY-380, a selective HER 2 inhibitor and pharmaceutical compositions containing them Polymorphs of N4-(4-([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-7-yloxy)-3-methylphenyl)-N6-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)quinazoline-4,6-diamine are provided herein. Processes for preparing the polymorphs and pharmaceutical composition comprising the polymorphs are also disclosed.
US09168252B2	Abuse-resistant controlled-release opioid dosage form Abuse-resistant, controlled release opioid tablets are a combination containing an opioid antagonist such as naloxone at a level above that needed to suppress the euphoric effect of the opioid, if the combination were crushed to break the controlled release properties causing the opioid and opioid antagonist to be released as a immediate release product as a single dose. The controlled release nature of the table prevents the accumulation of orally effective amounts of opioid antagonist when taken normally. The opioid antagonist is contained in a controlled-release matrix and released, over time, with the opioid.
US09168248B2	Spiro compounds useful as inhibitors of stearoyl-coenzyme A delta-9 desaturase Heteroaromatic compounds of structural formula (I) are selective inhibitors of stearoyl-coenzyme A delta-9 desaturase (SCD1) relative to other known stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturases. The compounds of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of conditions related to abnormal lipid synthesis and metabolism, including cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis; obesity; diabetes; neurological disease; metabolic syndrome; insulin resistance; and liver steatosis.
US09168247B2	Beta carboline derivatives useful in the treatment of proliferative disorders The invention provides novel beta-carboline derivatives of formulae (Ia) and (Ib) useful in the treatment of proliferative disorders including cancer, intermediates used in their preparation, processes for preparing the same and uses thereof.
US09168243B2	Pharmaceutical compositions comprising 8-substituted dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans Therapeutic compositions comprising at least one 8-substituted-dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan, preferably a lignan is selected from the group of nortrachelogenin, diasteromeric forms of nortrachelogenin, isomeric forms of nortrachelogenin and combinations thereof as well as 8-methylmatairesinol and 8-methyldimethylmatairesinol, for use in a method of treating cancer or a similar condition wherein the growth factor signaling pathway of a mammal is deregulated. The invention also provides therapeutic pharmaceutical combinations comprising a hydroxy-dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan and at least one TRAIL receptor agonist. The hydroxy-dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans and a TRAIL receptor agonist can be used as a combined preparation for administration to a patient simultaneously, separately or spaced out over a period of time in treating cancer.
US09168238B2	Levothyroxine formulations A levothyroxine composition includes levothyroxine sodium and mannitol. The composition is a lyophilized solid. The composition may include from 100 to 500 micrograms levothyroxine sodium and from 2 to 4 milligrams mannitol.
US09168232B2	Transdermally absorbable preparation Disclosed is a transdermally absorbable preparation, in which an adhesive agent produced by crosslinking at least one copolymer is contained in an adhesive layer and the aging period in the production of the adhesive layer can be shortened. The transdermally absorbable preparation comprises a support and an adhesive layer arranged on the support and containing an adhesive agent and a medicinal component. The transdermally absorbable preparation is characterized in that the adhesive agent comprises a resin mixture comprising 100 parts by mass of a specific acrylic copolymer (A) and 0.1 to 30 parts by mass of a specific acrylic copolymer (B) or 0.05 to 2 part(s) by mass of a polyamine compound, and the adhesive layer additionally contains an organic acid.
US09168231B2	Fibrous polymer scaffolds having diametrically patterned polymer fibers Fibrous polymer scaffolds having at least one layer of diametrically patterned fibers, as well as methods of manufacture, are provided. The scaffolds can be formed of multiple layers and the extent and direction of alignment of each layer can be controlled. Fabrication systems and methods for producing such scaffolds including apparatuses and processes are also provided.
US09168230B2	Tetrary gene delivery system for gene therapy and methods of its use Delivery systems and their methods of formation are generally provided. The delivery system can protect a delivery molecule (e.g., DNA/RNA) and deliver it into a cell via serum. In one embodiment, the method can include binding a delivery molecule with polyethylenimine such that an end of the delivery molecule is exposed; capping the end of the delivery molecule with a first biocompatible polymer to form a core; and encapsulating the core with a second biocompatible polymer. The resulting delivery system can include a delivery molecule bonded with polyethylenimine such that an end of the delivery molecule is exposed; a first biocompatible polymer electrostatically bonded to the end of the delivery molecule to form a core; and a second biocompatible polymer encapsulating the core.
US09168229B2	Soft gelatin capsules The present invention relates to soft gelatin capsules characterized in that the shell includes a cyclodextrin and in that the filling material contains a liposoluble drug capable of forming a complex with said cyclodextrin for improving the solubility of the active ingredient upon disintegration of the soft gelatin capsule.
US09168227B2	Multi-encapsulated microspheres made with oxidized cellulose for in-situ reactions A microsphere and methods for forming the same are disclosed. The microsphere includes modified cellulose and at least one first microsphere disposed within a multi-encapsulating microsphere, the at least one first microsphere comprising at least one first hydrogel precursor; and at least one second microsphere disposed within the multi-encapsulating microsphere, the at least one second microsphere comprising at least one second hydrogel precursor cross-linkable with the at least one first hydrogel precursor upon degradation of the at least one first microsphere and the at least one second microsphere.
US09168225B2	Nano-hybrid delivery system for sequential utilization of passive and active targeting The present invention features nanohybrid drug delivery composition which combines both passive and active targeting for the prevention and treatment of disease. The composition is shell-encapsulated multivalent polymeric scaffold with a therapeutic agent and targeting agent attached thereto.
US09168223B2	Custom-pill compounding system with filler-free capability A system and associated aspects thereof are disclosed regarding custom-compounding of drug products such as pills and polypills for particular patients, herein involving adaptations of “micro-dosing” technology to permit sufficiently small and precise amounts of drug substances or optionally formulations thereof to be controllably and automatably handled and dispensed so as to help create customized drug products that do not necessitate bulking or dilution of the drug substances.
US09168211B2	Method of making an anhydrous, pigmented composition The invention relates to a method of making an anhydrous, pigmented sunscreen composition. The method comprises first adding a hydrophobic silica to a lipid phase comprising a dispersed color pigment and an organic UV-filter and homogenizing the mixture. Next, a hydrophilic silica is added and re-homogenization is performed.
US09168209B2	Pigmented skin-care compositions A pigmented skin care composition including a dermatologically acceptable carrier and at least a first and second interference pigment. The composition according to the invention is useful in improving the appearance of the skin and in particular in reducing the appearance of skin discontinuities.
US09168203B2	Connectors for fluid containers Connector for enabling fluid transfer between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, which connector comprises a first component that is arranged to be connected to a first fluid container and a second component that is arranged to be connected to a second fluid container. The first component is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to said second component before a second fluid container is connected to said second component and/or before a first fluid container is connected to the first component. The connector comprises a locking and rotation-enabling element that is arranged to be activated once a second fluid container has been connected to said second component, and/or once a first fluid container has been connected to the first component, which locking and rotation- enabling element enables the first component and the second component to rotate freely with respect to one another.
US09168201B2	Ampoules An ampoule made of plastics material, for liquid or suspension pharmaceuticals, has a reservoir linked to a removable head by a channel in a neck portion. The channel has a trap, thus located between its reservoir and the head, in the form of an elongated restriction and/or a bend to trap liquid or suspension which may settle during storage, and prevent either reaching the head.
US09168200B2	Microneedle patch container The present invention provides a microneedle patch container for effectively and hygienically securing a microneedle patch from manufacture to use. The container has a bottom surface recessed from the peripheral portion towards the center, a side surface connected to the bottom surface and the peripheral portion, and a bottom-surface protruding portion protruding from the bottom surface. The flexible release-type sheet portion of the microneedle patch is secured to the protruding portion on the bottom surface. A lid can also be used which has a recessed portion pressing against the microneedle patch secured to the bottom-surface protruding portion of the container in the position corresponding to the bottom-surface protruding portion. This is preferably housed inside a pouch molded from sterilized paper or sterilized film in order to keep the microneedle patch in an aseptic state.
US09168190B2	Ramp comprising a lateral barrier The invention relates to a boarding aid (20) for a motor vehicle, in particular a sliding step of a door entry of a passenger transportation vehicle, said boarding aid being capable of being moved from an idle position into a usage position and back in a direction, which runs parallel to the side edges (28), and encompassing a planar element (22), a front side, two side edges (28), and a rear side. The planar element (22), on its side edges (28), encompasses barriers (30), which can be moved from a first upright position, in which they extend upwards in relation to a stepping surface of the planar element (22), into a second lowered position and vice versa, wherein the movement of the barriers (30 is effected by moving the planar element (22).
US09168189B2	Tank retaining bracket The gas tank retaining device of the present invention is particularly usable for retaining oxygen cylinders with respect to emergency equipment such as mobile stretchers that need to be transported in vehicles. Security of heavy oxygen or gas tanks is achieved by providing a housing with an access opening and a uniquely configured locking mechanism for retaining a generally cylindrical tank preferably in a horizontal orientation. The locking mechanism is steady state biased in a closed or retaining position for holding the tank within the housing and can be moved to a releasing position responsive to manual manipulation thereof.
US09168184B2	Tampon with penetrating groove segments The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene. In particular, it relates to methods for producing such a tampon having relatively deep, penetrating grooves in which adjacent penetrating jaws pass through the same tampon press space during manufacture and to an apparatus useful in making such a tampon as well as the tampons made therewith.
US09168181B2	Method of forming a containment system for an absorbent article A method of forming a containment system for an absorbent article that includes a front end region, rear end region, a first elasticized leg cuff and a second elasticized leg cuff. The method includes providing a first containment flap and a second containment flap that can each include a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The method can further include securing the outer flap projection of the first containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region and securing the outer flap projection of the second containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region.
US09168177B2	Slip-over light blocking sleep mask This invention describes a slip-over sleep mask, having a tubular-shaped body consisting of a soft cloth or fabric material, which is to be used to effectively block out any light from entering a person's eyes while sleeping. The sleep mask is to be slipped over and worn around a person's head, as one piece, covering the eyes and ears. Permanently attached to the inside lower frontal portion of said tubular-shaped body is a separate ruffled or pleated piece of soft cloth or fabric material. This attached material fills in any gaps of space that exist in the areas between the eyes and nose of a person's face which would otherwise allow for any unwanted light to enter inward. The one piece, slip-over design of the sleep mask stretches and clings naturally to a person's face, thus preventing any movement or shifting of itself during sleep.
US09168176B2	Combination ear and eye protection system and related method A combination headgear and eyewear system including eyewear that magnetically attaches to the headgear. A magnetic ball and disc joint allows the eyewear to pivot on the headgear and into a position wherein the eyewear rests upon a user's face. Adjustable temples allow the eyewear to be configured so to accommodate a large range of head sizes.
US09168161B2	Flexible stent design The present invention relates to tissue-supporting medical devices and drug delivery systems, and more particularly to tubular flexible stents that are implanted within a body lumen of a living animal or human to support the organ, maintain patency and/or deliver drugs or agents. The tubular flexible stent has a cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal axis and includes a helical section having of a plurality of longitudinally oriented strut members and a plurality of circumferentially oriented hinge members connecting circumferentially adjacent strut members to form a band. The band is wrapped about the longitudinal axis in a substantially helical manner to form a plurality of helical windings. At least one connector member extends between longitudinally adjacent helical windings of the band.
US09168154B2	Prosthesis installation systems and methods A system and method for allowing any surgeon, including those surgeons who perform a fewer number of a replacement procedure as compared to a more experienced surgeon who performs a greater number of procedures, to provide an improved likelihood of a favorable outcome approaching, if not exceeding, a likelihood of a favorable outcome as performed by a very experienced surgeon with the replacement procedure.
US09168144B2	Prosthesis for replacement of cartilage A cartilage replacement or repair prosthesis comprises a layer of streamlined elastomer elements, preferably in the form of spheres, supported in a matrix material so that the radially opposed surfaces of the spheres are positioned on opposite surfaces of the layer and make contact with the opposed surfaces of the femur and tibia and the forces exerted between these bones extend through the streamlined elements. The matrix material has a substantially lower resistance to deformation than the spheres to control the position of the spheres relative to one another without significantly restraining their load-responsive deformation under forces exerted between the femur and tibia. The layer, with its elastomeric inserts, is sufficiently thin and flexible to allow it to be rolled for arthroscopic insertion into a knee joint.
US09168142B2	Porous surface layers with increased surface roughness and implants incorporating the same Systems and methods for providing tissue-interfacing surface layers with increased roughness can be attained by providing a metallic powder to a machined or previously machined tissue-interfacing surface of a porous foam structure. The metallic powder can have sizes and characteristics such that the porous structure can have an increased roughness at the tissue-interfacing machined surface while inhibiting the occlusion of the open pores in the porous metallic foam structure.
US09168138B2	Aspirating implants and method of bony regeneration Devices and methods for in situ drawing, filtering and seeding cells from the marrow of surrounding bone into a fusion cage without any of the challenges mentioned above. Various implants and devices with aspiration ports that enable in-situ harvesting and mixing of stem cells. These devices may include spinal fusion cages, long bone spacers, lateral grafts and joint replacement devices. Each device utilizes at least one aspiration port for harvesting of stem cell-containing marrow via aspiration from adjacent bony elements.
US09168134B2	Method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve with an expansion member Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.
US09168124B2	Methods of making reinforced soft grafts with suture loop/needle construct Surgical constructs and methods for tissue to bone repair employing a tissue construct reinforced with a reinforcement (reinforcing) material such as suture, tape, weave or mesh, among many others. The reinforced construct preferably includes a stitched reinforced region formed by employing a suture loop construct with a free floating needle that is attached to the suture loop, and also with a piece of material (a reinforcement or reinforcing material) attached to the suture loop. The reinforced construct may be attached to any fixation device and/or any bone tunnel.
US09168122B2	Vascular device and method for valve leaflet apposition A vascular device having a plurality of struts having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion of the struts are retained in a converged position. The struts diverge radially outwardly. A plurality of vessel penetrating members extend from the proximal portion of the struts for engaging the internal wall of the vessel, wherein release of the retention of the distal portions of the struts causes the distal portions to move outwardly away from the longitudinal axis and the proximal portions of the struts to move inwardly toward the longitudinal axis such that the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly.
US09168121B2	Vein filter A vessel filter comprising a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and the second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second region includes a vessel engaging portion at the second end portion. The first region includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated struts with adjacent struts being joined.
US09168120B2	Medical device and methods of delivering the medical device The present invention discloses a medical device and a method of placing the medical device within a patient's body. The medical device includes a support member, a first elongate member, a second elongate member and a coupling member. The first elongate member and the second elongate member extend from the support member. The coupling member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the coupling member is coupled to a distal end portion of the first elongate member and the second portion of the coupling member is coupled to a distal end portion of the second elongate member.
US09168115B2	Bristled toothpick assembly and method of using the same A toothpick assembly including a toothpick and a case within which the toothpick is detachably engaged. The toothpick includes a tapered tip which is generally triangular in cross-section having opposed sides connected by a generally flat end and an apex. A bristle array is provided on each side and the end and apex are free of bristles. The bristle array is configured as a sinuous or serpentine wave. Bristles in each array are smallest closest to an end of the tip and progressively increase in size as you move away therefrom. The toothpick is movable within the case's bore between a fully retracted, a partially extended and a fully extended position. A locking mechanism selectively locks the toothpick in any of these positions. When the toothpick is to be changed, the locking mechanism is disengaged and the toothpick is slid out of the bore and is replaced with another toothpick.
US09168114B2	Method of making a dental prosthesis A method of making a dental crown or bridge restoration includes forming a precursor crown outside of a patient's mouth with a first restorative material, with a buccal contour on the buccal wall substantially the same as a buccal contour on a final crown restoration, and an open space on or around at least one of the mesial side wall or the distal side wall; and filling and securing a second material, different from the first restorative material, inside the open space or pocket of the precursor crown while outside the patient's mouth, and with the precursor crown having a strength substantially equivalent to the final crown restoration, and with the buccal contour being substantially the same as the buccal contour on the final crown, prior to filling and securing the second material.
US09168103B2	Sterile optical sensor system having an adjustment mechanism Systems, methods and a sensor alignment mechanism are disclosed for medical navigational guidance systems. In one example, a system to make sterile a non-sterile optical sensor for use in navigational guidance during surgery includes a sterile drape having an optically transparent window to drape the optical sensor in a sterile barrier and a sensor alignment mechanism. The alignment mechanism secures the sensor through the drape in alignment with the window without breaching the sterile barrier and facilitates adjustment of the orientation of the optical sensor. The optical sensor may be aligned to view a surgical site when the alignment mechanism, assembled with the sterile drape and optical sensor, is attached to a bone. The alignment mechanism may be a lockable ball joint and facilitate orientation of the sensor in at least two degrees of freedom. A quick connect mechanism may couple the alignment mechanism to the bone.
US09168101B2	Apparatus and method for sterilization and organization of a tamper resistant lock and receptacle A multicompartment envelope or sterilization receptacle for receiving and storing medical instruments includes an adhesive flap for sealing multiple compartments within a single envelope. Individual compartments within the multicompartment enveloped can be opened while still keeping the seal of other compartments, thus keeping unused instruments sterilized. The multicompartment envelope or sterilization receptacle has an aperture for insertion of a heat-deforming color changing sterilization indicator device, where, after exposure to extreme heat, the sterilization indicator device deforms and cannot thereafter be inserted or removed from an aperture of a sterilization receptacle fitted for an unsterilized sterilization indicator device. Thus, the practitioner is assured of sterilized instruments in a sterilization receptacle, when an intact, color changed sterilization indicator device is within the aperture of the sterilization receptacle. Several multicompartment envelopes can further be organized within a binder by procedure or instrument type.
US09168092B2	Surgical instrument with protective sheath An electrode tip for use in performing electrosurgical operative procedures is disclosed. The electrode tip includes a main body that can receive electrical energy from an electrosurgical generator. The main body includes a working surface that communicates the electrical energy to patient tissue during the operative procedure. An insulative sheath is disposed around a portion of the electrode tip to prevent electrical energy from being communicated from the covered portions of the electrode tip to patient tissue. The insulative sheath has a leading edge that is shaped to minimize resistance to the movement of the electrode tip through patient tissue. The leading edge can be arcuately shaped or angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the electrode tip to provide the resistance reducing characteristics.
US09168088B2	Surgical forceps An end effector of a forceps includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions for grasping tissue. Each jaw member includes a tissue sealing plate that is selectively energizable. The tissue sealing plates are configured to conduct energy therebetween and though tissue to seal tissue. A knife includes a distal surface and an upper surface. The knife is selectively translatable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the knife extends between the jaw members. The distal surface is configured for dynamic tissue cutting upon translation of the knife from the retracted to the extended position. The upper surface is configured for static tissue cutting with the knife in the extended position. The knife is selectively energizable and is configured to conduct energy between the knife and one or both of the tissue sealing plates and through tissue to electrically cut tissue.
US09168077B2	Self-drilling self-tapping bone screw A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw includes a body having a head at one end and a cutting end at an opposite end, the cutting end having a generally flat cutting surface supporting two symmetrical cutting edges which extend from the longitudinal centerline to diametrically opposed thread start points. A recess is formed in the head for receiving an end of an insertion tool. A dual lead thread extends outwardly from the body in a spiral path from the cutting end towards the head. The dual lead thread pitch is tapered towards the cutting end, and transitions to a straight or slightly tapered thread towards the head.
US09168074B2	Resorptive intramedullary implant between two bones or two bone fragments The invention relates to an intramedullary implant for use between two bones or two bone fragments. The implant includes a single-piece body having a generally elongate shape and having, at each end, areas for anchoring to the bone portions in question, characterized in that one of said areas has a generally cylindrical shape while the other area has a flat cross-section.
US09168073B2	Spinous process fixator The present invention is directed to an interspinous spacer assembly for implantation and/or affixation between spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae and associated tools and methods for stabilizing the human spine. The interspinous spacer assembly includes a spacer body, a first lateral plate, a second lateral plate and a locking mechanism extending through a channel provided in the spacer body and coupling the first and second lateral plates to the spacer body.
US09168072B2	Inflatable interspinous spacer The present invention is directed to an inflated interspinous spacer. The interspinous spacer is inserted into the interspinous space between adjacent spinous process in a deflated or unexpanded state, and is inflated or expanded with an injectable filler material. Upon inflation, the spacer preferably distracts the spinous processes and assumes a shape that retains the spacer in position and preferably mechanically locks with the spinous processes. The spacer includes two separate balloons configured to have different compressive modulus so that one balloon is softer and more deformable than the other balloon.
US09168068B2	Spinal stabilization system A spinal stabilization system includes an elongated loop member and a bone screw. The elongated loop member includes a pair of opposing elongate bodies defining a gap therebetween and a pair of connection members connecting the pair of opposing elongate bodies at opposite ends of the elongate bodies. The bone screw includes a head portion defining a slot, a shank extending longitudinally from the head portion and a set screw. The slot includes a leading end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the elongated loop member and a trailing end portion adapted to receive the set screw. The gap defined by the pair of opposing elongate bodies is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the bone screw securely connected to one of the pair of opposing elongate bodies. The gap is configured and dimensioned to facilitate unilateral adjustment of the elongated loop member relative to the bone screw.
US09168051B2	Laparoscopic device with three jaws Methods and devices are provided utilizing an end effector having three jaws movably coupled thereto for grasping and/or dissecting tissue. In one embodiment, each of the three jaws are movable between an open position in which the distal ends of the three jaws are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the distal ends directly contact one another. The jaws can define an opening therebetween when the jaws are in the closed position.
US09168049B2	Method for intracorporeal lithotripsy fragmentation and apparatus for its implementation Electro-impulse intracorporeal lithotripsy comprises bringing electrodes of a probe in immediate electrical contact with the calculus and supplying to the electrodes of very short high voltage impulses capable to ignite electrical spark discharge and establish a discharge channel within the bulk of the calculus. The channel goes through the calculus and creates tensile stresses, destroying the calculus.
US09168045B2	Device to reduce SLOSH energy absorption and its damaging effects through the reduction of the flow of one or more outflow vessels of the cranium A first embodiment can be a device comprising a means to reduce SLOSH energy absorption in a fluid containing organism by reducing the flow of one or more outflow vessels of the cranium by compressing said vessels.
US09168033B2	Interspinous implants and methods for implanting same A spinal implant for treating lumbar spinal stenosis or as an adjunct to spinal fusion. The implant includes a body portion having an interior cavity. A plurality of locking wings are adapted and configured to move between a stowed position retracted within the interior cavity of the body portion and a deployed position extended from the interior cavity of the body portion. In the deployed position, the wings fix the implant in a selected interspinous space. A cable and wheel arrangement moves the plurality of locking wings from the stowed position to the deployed position and a ratchet/pawl assembly prevents backward movement of the wings.
US09168030B2	Envelope and procurement stand for placental transport and stem cell collection A device for the transport of a placenta and a stand for the collection of stem cells from the placenta. The placental transport device comprising a cylindrical top portion and a cylindrical bottom portion together defining a placental storage region, with a hinge coupling the portions such that the placenta is enclosed inside the placental storage region when the cylindrical top and bottom portions are in a closed configuration. The stand comprising a base with a recess adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection solution loading, an upright back support, and an upper platform with a recess adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells.
US09168026B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, phase shift transmission/reception control method, and ultrasonic probe According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe has a laminated structure of an acoustic matching layer, transducer layer with arrayed transducers, and backing layer. A transmission/reception unit transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from an object via the transducers. A control unit controls the transmission/reception unit to synchronize ultrasonic-wave generation by a specific transducer of the transducers with ultrasonic-wave reception by a different transducer. A phase shift detection unit detects a phase shift between an output signal from the transmission/reception unit and a reference signal, the output signal corresponding to synchronization between the ultrasonic-wave generation and the ultrasonic-wave reception.
US09168017B2	Ambient noise canceling physiological acoustic monitoring system and method The present invention is an ambient noise canceling physiological acoustic monitoring system and method. The system and method utilizes a plurality of microphones to collect input data including ambient noise signals, bed frame noise signals and patient respiratory and cardiac data signals. The system and method cancels the ambient noise and bed frame noise signals, and calculates a filtered audio output signal with an algorithm that utilizes ECG rhythm patterns and impedance pneumography. The set of input data and the filtered audio output signal are then displayed in real time.
US09168016B2	Radiographic image capturing apparatus, radiographic image capturing system, and method of supplying electric power to radiographic image capturing apparatus A radiographic image capturing apparatus has a radiation source device including a radiation source for outputting radiation, and a detector device including a radiation detector for detecting radiation that is transmitted through a subject when the subject is irradiated with radiation by the radiation source, and converting the detected radiation into a radiographic image. At least one of the radiation source device and the detector device has an electric power supply limiting unit for limiting supply of electric power, and the electric power supply limiting unit controls supply of electric power between the radiation source device and the detector device, depending on timing of an image capturing process.
US09168014B2	Gamma radiation breast imaging apparatus A gamma radiation breast imaging apparatus, comprising an object positioning device, defining an imaging space and having as an intended insertion direction of the breast to be imaged, and a gamma camera positioned to image a volume in said imaging space. The gamma camera comprises a collimator with a first plurality of focused pinholes, the individual fields of view of the first pinholes defining a common central field of view having a geometrical center. The apparatus also has a gamma sensitive detector to receive images from the collimator. The first pinholes are provided non-symmetrically with respect to a first plane through said geometrical center that is perpendicular to the collimator and parallel to said intended insertion direction. Hereby, more angular information about the scanned volume can be obtained for the same detector size, in particular when combined with a similar opposite camera.
US09168010B2	X-ray imaging apparatus and medical image processing apparatus An X-ray imaging apparatus including: an imaging unit which includes an X-ray tube that emits an X-ray to a subject and an X-ray detector that is so disposed as to face the X-ray tube; an input unit which inputs a plurality of imaging conditions including a tube current and a tube voltage of the X-ray tube, and sets an imaging protocol of the imaging unit; and an image creation unit which calculates an exposed dose when at least the tube voltage or the tube current is varied, and creates an index image that is made by overlapping an image showing the exposed dose on a two-dimensional map that is represented by the tube voltage and the tube current.
US09168006B2	Systems and methods for wirelessly controlling medical devices Systems and methods for wirelessly controlling medical devices are provided. One system includes a portable user interface having a housing and a communication module within the housing configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one medical device. The portable user interface also includes a display displaying a graphical user interface to control the at least one medical device remotely, wherein the displayed graphical user interface corresponds to a control interface of the at least one medical device.
US09168005B2	Minimally-invasive procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ A minimally-invasive surgical procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision in the body to enable access to the organ. An endoscopic instrument is then inserted through the first incision and a second incision is made therewith through an external wall of the organ and into the internal cavity thereof. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that the second incision is occluded by the unit and a proximal end of the unit is outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element adapted to sense the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The first incision is closed, after which a readout device outside the body telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.
US09168004B2	Machine learning in determining catheter electrode contact Cardiac catheterization is carried out by memorizing a designation of a contact state between an electrode of the probe and the heart wall as one of an in-contact state and an out-of-contact state, and making a series of determinations of an impedance phase angle of an electrical current passing through the electrode and another electrode, identifying maximum and minimum phase angles in the series, and defining a binary classifier adaptively as midway between the extremes. A test value is compared to the classifier as adjusted by a hysteresis factor, and a change in the contact state is reported when the test value exceeds or falls below the adjusted classifier.
US09167994B2	Light-source sensor integrated photoelectric conversion device A photoelectric conversion device including a substrate having opaque interconnection layers, an insulating film formed on the substrate, and having a plurality of openings, light-emitting elements formed of the openings, each light-emitting element having an upper electrode layer, and light-receiving elements formed of the openings, each light-receiving element having an upper electrode layer, wherein a semiconductor material is different in the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, the upper electrode layer both of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are formed as common electrodes, and each interconnection layer is formed on a region outside a region specified by the opening.
US09167991B2	Portable monitoring devices and methods of operating same The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device to calculate calorie burn of a user, comprising a motion sensor to detect motion of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user, and an altitude sensor to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude of the user. The portable monitoring device may include processing circuitry to: calculate data which is representative of a change in elevation of the user using (i) the data which is representative of motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user, calculate first calorie burn using the data which is representative of motion of the user, and calculate second calorie burn by adjusting the first calorie burn based on data which is representative of a change in elevation of the user. The portable monitoring device may include a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user.
US09167989B2	Systems and methods for measuring parameters in joint replacement surgery A computer-implemented method for determining changes in parameters of a hip joint due to modification of the hip joint comprises establishing a first position of a pre-operative center of rotation of the joint in a first coordinate space. The method further comprises estimating a second position of the pre-operative center of rotation of the joint in the first coordinate space, when the estimated pre-operative center of rotation is maintained in a constant position in a second coordinate space. A change in a parameter associated with the joint is determined based on the first and second positions of the pre-operative center of rotation of the joint.
US09167984B2	Device for blood flow property measurement and method of its connection The device for blood flow property measurement in the body and the method of its connection to the subject enables to measure electrical impedance in the main parts of body simultaneously. The impedance is spatially localized in the particular scanning channels (5) both by the placement of the current electrodes (9) of the alternating current source (2) and by setting their frequencies, and by proper spatial placement of the voltage electrodes (6). For the purpose of the whole body measurement at least three current generators (1) and twelve scanning channels (5) are used. The number of scanning channels (5) can be adjusted as necessary. By means of this device it is possible to monitor blood pulse waves or blood flow in the particular parts of human body.
US09167983B2	Imaging method for obtaining spatial distribution of nanoparticles in the body A well-posed magnetic imaging method is disclosed that exploits the non-linear behavior of the characteristic time scale of the Néel relaxation for obtaining accurate high-spatial resolution images of magnetic tracers. The method includes placing an object in a selection field (static field) generated by three pairs of orthogonally arranged coil (drive coils), supplying prudently choice currents to the drive coils, a zero field voxel (ZFV) is formed that can be positioned anywhere in the local region of interest (ROI), switching the magnetizing field off, and collecting an image.
US09167980B2	Detection and monitoring using high frequency electrogram analysis A method for analyzing a high frequency (HF) electrogram signal including (a) providing at least one electrogram signal from an electrode located within a subject's body, (b) measuring the electrogram signal at a high frequency during a specific segment of a cardiac cycle, generating a HF electrogram signal, and (c) having a computer measure at least one time-varying parameter of the HF electrogram signal. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US09167970B2	Non-invasive optical imaging for measuring pulse and arterial elasticity in the brain An optical imaging system and a method for generating a report regarding elasticity of arteries in the brain of a subject under test. Light output from the light source of the imaging system non-invasively illuminates at least one blood vessel or region of interest in the brain and, upon the interaction with the vessel, is registered with an optical detector to obtain a shape parameter of a hemodynamic pulse in the vessel. The shape parameter is further correlated to an elasticity parameter of the blood vessel(s) feeding the brain region of interest and presented in a form of report that may be a two- or a three-dimensional image of the parameter across the tested region of the brain.
US09167966B2	Dissipation device and MRI-safe catheter system A dissipation device having a proximal end, which is located outside the body, and a distal end, which is suited in particular for elongate medical instruments, in particular electrophysiological catheters or temporary electrode leads, placed temporarily in the body. The dissipation device including a dissipation sleeve which extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the dissipation device, and a lumen which extends from the proximal end to the distal end, and in which the instrument can be displaceably guided, wherein the lumen is enclosed by the dissipation sleeve. The dissipation device is characterized in that the dissipation sleeve is composed, at least partially, of electrically conductive material, and/or the dissipation sleeve includes dissipation means composed of electrically conductive material and, therefore, the dissipation sleeve is designed to dissipate or divert electrical energy induced by electromagnetic radiation.
US09167961B2	Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.
US09167958B2	Endoscope having auto-insufflation and exsufflation An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.
US09167951B2	Dishwasher appliance having energy recovery features Dishwasher appliances are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning, a sump for collecting liquid from the chamber, a fluid circulation conduit for circulating liquid in the tub, and a first pump downstream of and in fluid communication with the sump. The dishwasher appliance further includes an adsorption assembly, the adsorption assembly including a desiccant module and an adsorption conduit extending through the desiccant module. The dishwasher appliance further includes a second pump downstream of and in fluid communication with the adsorption conduit, the second pump further upstream of the sump. The dishwasher appliance further includes a first heater spaced from the adsorption assembly, the first heater operable to heat liquid flowed therethrough from the first pump.
US09167950B2	Dishwasher with filter assembly A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
US09167946B2	Autonomous floor cleaning robot An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem; for providing the energy to power the autonomous floor-cleaning robot, a motive subsystem operative to propel the autonomous floor-cleaning robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem operative to control the autonomous floor-cleaning robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly mounted in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly disposed in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush assembly to pivot the deck with respect to said chassis. The autonomous floor-cleaning robot also includes a side brush assembly mounted in combination with the chassis and powered by the motive subsystem to entrain particulates outside the periphery of the housing infrastructure and to direct such particulates towards the self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem.
US09167942B1	Vacuum cleaner with hose fence and tool storage A new vacuum cleaner has a removable rack that combines both tool storage elements and hose fence elements in a compact arrangement. The rack is snapped in place. Laterally-spaced fence elements help hold the hose against the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and hooked upper ends help to retain the hose in place. The outer surfaces of the fence element have adjacent concave outer surfaces that form parts of two separate tool storage elements. One of the retainers has opposed ends that form a clip that can hold a vacuum hose accessory in place. The other retainer has a lower lateral end that extends radially outwardly to an upwardly projecting stem section. The stem section is sized to fit within an interior portion of a vacuum hose accessory.
US09167939B2	Shower door assembly A shower door assembly is disclosed comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame having a window, an upper frame, and an adjusting assembly. The adjusting assembly further comprises an adjusting block and a fixing block. The adjusting block is disposed between the stationary frame and the movable frame and at least partially received in the stationary frame, and the adjusting block further includes an extension portion on a surface of which a first engaging element is disposed. The fixing block is received in the upper frame and includes an eccentric rotary block having a second engaging element and a base portion having a passage for receiving the extension portion. The eccentric rotary block is rotatable about the base portion.
US09167937B2	Tool for frying a tortilla with a semi-pliable center A tool and method allow cooking a tortilla in a generally flat state, in a shallow amount of oil. A central strip is held out of the oil and isn't fried. Side strips to the central strip are less fried. This produces a taco shell that is flexible at the bottom, allowing a living hinge, while crispy in its main portions. A raising bar and left and right hold-downs comprise described tools.
US09167933B2	Beverage preparation machines A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packed cartridges of beverage ingredients. The cartridges may be designed so that air becomes entrained so as to produce a desired foam or crema. Air inlets are provided in an outlet nozzle to allow air to enter the beverage preparation machine and so be available for entrainment. Advantageously, the air inlets extend through the sides of the nozzle in an elevated position at a widened portion of the nozzle. This reduces the flow of beverage into and through the air inlets, aiding cleanliness.
US09167924B2	Ergonomical pillow for head rest An ergonomical pillow for head rest, comprising: a pillow surface, a pillow, a shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion, the pillow surface and the pillow are made from soft buffer material, the pillow has at least one hollow pore, the shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion covers top of the hollow pore, the pillow surface covers top of the shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion. The pillow surface and shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion can settle into a groove, where the level of which is subject to user's weight, to provide appropriate support for a body type. The present invention provides excellent extent for coverage and user's head positioning such that the head and neck are settled in a proper position, and guides user to rest his/her shoulder near bottom edge of the pillow to avoid neck muscle spasm, and can offer equalized pressure relief.
US09167921B2	Baby headrest A headrest designed for an infant. The headrest has a sleeve with flat top and bottom surfaces. The inner cavity of the sleeve is filled with a dry, visco-elastic polymer cushioning material having a 50% compression force deflection in a range of 2.5 to 3.5 psi. The cushioning material also has a 25% compression force deflection in a range of 0.25 psi to 1 psi. The sleeve has a dimension of between 3 inches to 12 inches and is between ¼ inch and 2 inches thick. The sleeve has a specialized cover to protect it from dirt and damage. The cover contains an opening and closing mechanism to allow insertion and removal of the polymer filled sleeve.
US09167910B2	Chair assembly A chair component includes a first chair member adapted to support a seated user, a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member, a cover member wrapped about at least a portion of the first chair member and at least a portion of the second chair member, and a single-piece drawstring operably coupled with the cover member to draw the cover member about the at least a portion of the first chair member and the at least a portion of the second chair member when the second chair member is in the first position.
US09167906B2	Computer component mounting device for a chair A computer component mounting apparatus configured to be coupled to a chair and to support a computer component, such as a laptop, a computer monitor, or a keyboard. The computer component mounting apparatus includes a mounting post defining a swing axis, an elbow including a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, a swing arm assembly, and a deck tilt mount. The vertical leg of the elbow is rotatably coupled to the mounting post about the swing axis. The swing arm assembly is rotatably coupled to the horizontal leg of the elbow about a tilt axis. The deck tilt mount is rotatably coupled to the swing arm assembly about a pitch axis. A keyboard support, a computer monitor support assembly, or a laptop table may be coupled to the deck tilt mount.
US09167903B2	Therapeutic back support and stabilization A therapeutic back support device including a back support portion that automatically and repeatedly moves forward to maintain engagement with a user's back as the user moves forward with respect to a chair seat. The back support portion substantially resists backward motion and provides substantially continuous therapeutic support to the user's spine pending a release signal.
US09167899B2	Sleigh-type rocking chair and method of manufacture A sleigh-type rocking chair includes a pair of armrest/stile/riser assemblies joined to a pair of rocker/leg assemblies, a seat joined by mortise and tenon joints to the armrest/stile/riser assemblies, a front stretcher and a rear stretcher joined to each of the rocker/leg assemblies, a crest rail joined to an upper portion of the armrest/stile/riser assemblies, and a plurality of spindles joined to and extending upwardly from the seat and joined on the other end of the spindle to the crest rail. The assemblies, stretchers, seat, spindles and crest rail are preferably formed using a computer numerical control cutting device.
US09167889B1	Reversible snowbrush scraper A scraper comprising an elongated handle, a blade head at a first end of the elongated handle, and a set of brush bristles at a second end of the elongated handle is provided. The blade head includes first and second scraping edges spaced from each other and extending parallel to the brush bristles. The elongated handle may be held in a right handed orientation in which the first scraping edge may engage a surface to be scraped or a left handed orientation in which the second scraping edge may engage the surface to be scraped for comfortably removing ice, snow, or debris from the surface.
US09167875B2	Protection case for electronic device A protecting case for protecting an electronic device from external impact includes a hollow main body filled with water and a number of buffering modules received in the main body. The electronic device is received in the main body. The buffering modules are deformed to release active metal powder into the water when the main body falls to the ground. The active metal powder is a chemical that reacts with water to generate hydrogen gas.
US09167871B2	Slide fastener slider A slide fastener slider has a body including an upper wing, a lower wing and a coupling pillar mutually coupling the respective upper and lower wings. The slide fastener slider has been cast molded to have a configuration where the post to which a pull is attached extends over the upper wing substantially in parallel with the upper wing, and then a logo or a pattern or the like has been engraved on the upper surface of the post.
US09167867B2	Article of footwear with multi-part sole assembly An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole beneath the upper, and an outsole beneath the midsole. The midsole includes a substantially U-shaped outer member defining a pair of forwardly extending arms spaced from one another and formed of a first material. An inner member is positioned between the arms of the outer member and is formed of a second material that is more resilient than the first material.
US09167843B2	Mechanical processes for separating tallow and lean beef from a single boneless beef supply A method for separating fat from beef pieces containing fat. The method includes, with an apparatus, reducing the size of beef pieces containing fat when the fat is in a brittle condition into a mixture of particles that comprise predominantly fat and particles that comprise predominantly lean; and, with an apparatus, separating the fat particles from the lean particles based on color differences or size differences.
US09167840B2	Production and extraction of procyanidins from plant cell cultures A method of preparing cocoa oligomeric procyanidins from cocoa cell cultures grown in the presence of monosaccharide can increase production of procyanidins as follows: culturing cells sufficient to result in production of cocoa oligomeric procyanidins at a first rate; and introducing a monosaccharide to the cells sufficient for inducing the cells to produce the cocoa oligomeric procyanidins at a second rate that his higher than the first rate. The method can further include extracting the cocoa oligomeric procyanidins from the cells, and such extracting can occur between 1 day to 21 days after introduction of the monosaccharide. Optionally, the monosaccharide can be introduced in an amount about 0.5% to about to about 20% by volume of the culture medium. The monosaccharide can be glucose, sucrose, fructose, or the like. The monosaccharide can be introduced during or after a last phase of an exponential growth state.
US09167839B1	Multivitamin-mineral regimens for longevity and wellness Dietary vitamin-mineral supplements featuring various vitamins and minerals for benefiting individuals suffering from conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, vitamin deficiencies, aging, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, coronary artery disease, fatigue, and stroke. Vitamins and minerals may include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, pregnenolone, coenzyme Q10, Vitamin K2, acetyl L-carnitine arginate, L-glutathione, among others.
US09167838B2	Infant formulation containing an aroma composition for use as fragrance The invention relates to a nutraceutical composition such as infant formula or infant food comprising a) a defined aroma composition; b) a methodology for developing, maintaining certain aroma constituents in the infant formula and an aroma or fragrance composition to be used to increase the acceptance of a person or an object by the baby or new born.
US09167832B2	Low flouride crustacean concentrated hydrolysate fraction compositions Fluorine being present in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, and especially krill represents a problem for using krill as a source for food, feed, food additives and/or feed additives. There has been developed a process for removing such fluorine from krill material by subjecting the krill to disintegration and to an enzymatic hydrolysis process prior to or simultaneously with a removal of the exoskeleton particles producing a fluorine-reduced product. Inherent in the disclosed process is the ability to process krill material with a high polar lipid content for producing superior quality, low fluorine, products suitable for the food and feed as well as the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industry.
US09167829B2	Oil/fat composition Provided is a fat or oil composition, comprising 50 mass % or more of diacylglycerols satisfying the following (1) to (3): (1) from 5 to 50 mass % of a disaturated diacylglycerol (SS) in the diacylglycerols; (2) 35 mass % or less of a monosaturated-monounsaturated diacylglycerol (SU) in the diacylglycerols; and (3) 1.5 or less as a ratio (mass ratio) [(SS)/(UU)] of a content of the disaturated diacylglycerol (SS) in the diacylglycerols relative to a content of a diunsaturated diacylglycerol (UU) in the diacylglycerols.
US09167822B2	Antifungal compositions The present invention relates to new antifungal compositions and their use in the treatment of agricultural products.
US09167816B2	Antimicrobial composition for inhibiting microbial organisms and the method thereof The invention relates to a method of controlling or combating microbial organism by applying an antimicrobial peptide to the microbial organisms, wherein said antimicrobial peptide derived from Lilium ‘Stargazer’ glycine-rich protein 1. In addition, the present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising an antimicrobial peptide of the invention, an additional biocidal agent and pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles, excipients, diluents, and adjuvants.
US09167798B2	Apparatus and method for maintaining pet waste The invention provides an apparatus and method for maintaining pet waste in a fully-encapsulated environment whereby waste may be removed and litter may be added/replaced in a substantially sealed, dust-free, and clean manner. In one aspect, the pet waste management system comprises a sealed means by which litter may added and/or removed and/or exchange with fresh litter without the substantial release of contaminated dust and materials from the litter system. The invention also provides a vessel or container for receiving spent litter and/or for housing fresh litter where said vessel or container comprises a connection means for sealably connecting the vessel or container to an enclosed pet management system so that litter may be added and/or exchanged therewith. Further, the invention provides a continuous bagging dispenser fitted to a pet management system which allows for continuous removal of pet waste from the pet management system.
US09167794B1	Soybean variety 01045663 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045663. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045663. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045663 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045663 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09167793B1	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH491297 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH491297. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH491297, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH491297 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 CH491297.
US09167791B1	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH010506 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH010506. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH010506, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH010506 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 CH010506.
US09167781B2	Plants and seeds of corn variety CV799972 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV799972. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV799972, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV799972 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 CV799972 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 CV799972.
US09167768B2	Plants and seeds of corn variety CV808659 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV808659. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV808659, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV808659 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 CV808659 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 CV808659.
US09167764B2	Bean variety WAXC6V1003 The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated WAXC6V1003. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line WAXC6V1003, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line WAXC6V1003 with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line WAXC6V1003, including the pods and gametes of such plants.
US09167759B2	Tomato line PSQ 23-2278 The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line PSQ 23-2278. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQ 23-2278, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato 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.
US09167758B2	Generation of plants with altered protein, fiber, or oil content The present invention is directed to plants that display an improved oil quantity phenotype or an improved meal quality phenotype due to altered expression of an IMQ nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an improved oil quantity phenotype or improved meal quality phenotype.
US09167757B2	Irrigation system and method An irrigation system is provided and includes a main irrigation line, one or more lateral driplines, each lateral dripline being divided into zones and including a plurality of emitters at each zone and a plurality of controllable valves disposed along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders. Each one of the plurality of controllable valves is actuatable to activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone in a zone by zone cycle and each one of the plurality of emitters is replaceable to vary an amount of deliverable fluid by the zone by zone cycle.
US09167756B2	Methods of managing timberland A method of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically measuring the plot growth of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop. A method of managing timberland to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes periodically measuring the total plot volume of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop.
US09167755B1	Trellis support device A trellis support device includes first and second subassemblies, and each subassembly having one or more elongate support members joining together a plurality of ring portions. The ring portions are configured to align and connect together adjacent first and second subassemblies. The first and second subassemblies are configured to engage an underlying support material and to provide a structurally supported growth area for plants.
US09167750B2	Stuffer chute fill indicator A stuffer chute assembly including: a curvilinear duct defining a passageway, the duct having a lower inlet opening and an upper outlet opening, the duct including a lower surface with plural slots located proximal to the upper outlet; plural rotating devices arranged transversely across the duct, the plural rotating devices extending at least partially both through the plural slots and into the passageway, each of the plural rotating devices including plural fingers along the circumference of the rotating device to engage crop material in the duct; and a sensor coupled to at least one of the plural rotating devices, the sensor configured to sense a parameter corresponding to density of the crop material in the duct.
US09167744B2	Forming bar with liquid distribution passageway A device for attaching to a shank of a planting unit. The device may include liquid delivery tubing for delivery fertilizer to a planting furrow and a forming bar configured for securing to the shank. The forming bar may include a passageway extending therethrough for receiving and passing through fertilizer or other liquid that is delivered to the liquid delivery tubing. The forming bar may include a shank connecting portion, a rib portion, and a foot portion. The rib and foot portions may define the passageway. Further, the foot portion may protect the tubing. A method for using the device to deliver fertilizer to a seed furrow is also described.
US09167742B2	Method and apparatus for planting seed crops A process and apparatus for controlling the moisture content of soil deposited in a furrow during seed planting comprises tilling the soil to an adjustable depth to expose soil corresponding to a reference soil moisture setting, selecting covering soil from the exposed soil having a moisture content that matches the moisture content of the reference soil moisture setting, and depositing the covering soil over the seed.
US09173334B2	Insolation machine for panels fitted with a panel turner Machine and insolation method for panels for turning a panel and successively insolating its first and second faces. According to the invention, this machine comprises at least one first insolation station (10), and a panel turner (30), having a first face and a second face, the latter comprising a prehension device (53, 54), configured to grip a panel (90), a displacement device, configured to displace the prehension device at least between the first and second insolation stations (10, 20), and a pivoting device, configured to pivot the prehension device (53, 54) and in this way have the panel (90) pivot about a pivoting axis (A) parallel to said panel (90), the turner (30) being configured so that it can grip the panel (90) by any one of its faces and release the panel (90) also by any one of its faces.
US09173332B2	Lightweight audio system for automotive applications and method A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration.
US09173330B2	Back frame composed of assembling pieces of different heat transfer capabilities and backlight system comprising same The present invention provides a back frame of flat panel display device, which includes at least two primary assembling pieces. The at least two primary assembling pieces are joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame. According to practical needs of the main frame structure, different materials are used for primary assembling pieces at different locations. The at least two primary assembling pieces are connection through mating and joining corresponding joint sections. The joint section of at least one of the primary assembling pieces includes a reinforcement structure. The present invention also provides a backlight system. The back frame and the backlight system of the present invention have a simple back frame structure, reduce the expenditure of the back frame mold, and also save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the cost of flat panel display device and also improve the strength of a joining site of the back frame in order to have the overall strength of the back frame meeting a required strength.
US09173320B2	Targeted cooling to specific overheating rack-mounted servers In one embodiment of the present invention, a system selectively cools a set of at least one rack-mounted server in a chassis. The system comprises: a chassis; a chassis manager; a set of at least one thermal sensor coupled to each rack-mounted server in a chassis; a trolley track oriented functionally proximate to the multiple rack-mounted servers; and a cold air trolley movably mounted to the trolley track. The cold air trolley moves along the trolley track in order to be selectively oriented next to a particular overheating rack-mounted server in the chassis, thus providing a fluid conduit from a cold air source to the particular overheating rack-mounted server in response to the chassis manager detecting that the particular overheating rack-mounted server is exceeding a predetermined temperature.
US09173317B2	USB flash disk and assembly method thereof A USB flash disk includes a metal head with a cavity, a support received in the cavity and a USB flash disk chip disposed on the support. The support includes an upper support and a lower support. One end of the upper support is connected to an end of the lower support. The upper support and the lower support form a receiving cavity therebetween to receive the USB flash disk chip. The upper support is provided with a latching structure with an opening on an outer surface thereof. The opening is defined at one end of the upper support connected to the lower support. The latching structure includes an inclined block located in a middle portion thereof and a latching groove defined on the latching structure away from the end of the upper support connecting to the lower support. An inner wall of the cavity is provided with a latching block latched in the latching groove. The USB flash disk chip includes an integrated circuit packaged inside configured for storing, the USB flash disk chip is provided with a first set of metal contacts on a surface thereof compliant with the USB interface protocol. The users can independently choose the characteristics of each component of the USB flash disk and then complete the USB flash disk assembly according to their own preferences.
US09173311B2	Power supply apparatus for sliding structure A power supply apparatus for sliding structure includes a wiring harness having an exterior member wired from a fixed structure-side power supply device to the sliding structure side, the fixed structure-side power supply device including an outer member fixed to the fixed structure, an inner member supported to the outer member so as to rotate in a horizontal direction and configured to support one end portion of the exterior member, and a harness trajectory regulation wall configured to rotate integrally with the inner member. When the sliding structure is fully-opened, the harness trajectory regulation wall projects outward from the outer member in a thickness direction of the sliding structure, such that the exterior member arranged along the harness trajectory regulation wall is moved away from the fixed structure toward the sliding structure side, preventing interference between the exterior member and the fixed structure.
US09173310B2	Latch for securing a compute node in a component storage rack A latch comprises a frame securable to a device enclosure, and a handle slidably secured to the frame, wherein the handle can slide between an inward position and an outward position, and wherein the distal end of the handle has a drive pin. The latch further comprises a rigid pawl having a latch key, a distal end pivotally secured to the frame, and a slot that receives the drive pin. Inserting the handle causes the drive pin to move within the slot, push the pawl toward a side of a chassis bay, and deploy the latch key into engagement with a slot in the side of the chassis bay. Withdrawing the handle causes the drive pin to move within the slot, pull the pawl away from a side of the chassis bay, and withdraw the latch key out of engagement with the slot in the side of the chassis bay.
US09173301B2	Printed circuit board and method of manufacturing same A wiring cover layer is formed on a base insulating layer with a conductor trace sandwiched therebetween. A cover insulating layer is formed on the base insulating layer to cover the wiring cover layer. A terminal cover layer is formed to cover a terminal portion of the conductor trace. A projection of the wiring cover layer projects from an upper surface of the wiring portion to a position above the terminal portion. An end surface of the projection is positioned inward from an end of the cover insulating layer. An insert portion of the terminal cover layer is formed between an upper surface of the terminal portion and a lower surface of the end of the cover insulating layer. A projection of the terminal cover layer is formed between the upper surface of the terminal portion and a lower surface of the projection of the wiring cover layer.
US09173296B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and board manufacturing system An information processing apparatus is configured to compute the shape of a conductive pattern to be formed on a board by a drawing apparatus that performs drawing on the board using conductive liquid droplets. The information processing apparatus includes an image data generation unit configured to generate image data in which dots each having a diameter determined according to a drawing condition of a conductive pattern by the drawing apparatus are arranged at respective positions which are indicated by data of a conductive pattern and at which conductive liquid droplets are to be landed.
US09173294B2	Multilayer ceramic electronic component to be embedded in board and printed circuit board having multilayer ceramic electronic component embedded therein A multilayer ceramic electronic component to be embedded in a board includes: a ceramic body including dielectric layers; first and second internal electrodes formed in the ceramic body; and first-polarity external electrodes connected to the first internal electrodes, and second-polarity external electrodes connected to the second internal electrodes, wherein the number of the first-polarity external electrodes and the number of the second-polarity external electrodes may be two or more, the first-polarity and second-polarity external electrodes may include first-polarity and second-polarity base electrodes and first-polarity and second-polarity terminal electrodes formed on the first-polarity and second-polarity base electrodes, respectively, when L denotes a length of the ceramic body and W denotes a width thereof, W/L≧0.6 may be satisfied, and a width BW of each of the first-polarity and second-polarity external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body may satisfy 150 μm≦BW≦350 μm.
US09173291B2	Circuit board and method for manufacturing the same The present invention relates to a circuit board. A circuit board in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a base substrate; an interlayer insulating layer covering the base substrate; a via structure passing through at least the interlayer insulating layer of the base substrate and the interlayer insulating layer in the vertical direction; and an etch stop pattern disposed on the interlayer insulating layer in the horizontal direction to surround the via structure and made of an insulating material.
US09173286B2	Flexible-rigid circuit board composite and method for producing a flexible-rigid circuit board composite A flexible circuit board for producing a flexible-rigid circuit board composite made of at least one flexible circuit board and at least one rigid circuit board, the at least one flexible circuit board having at least one first planar segment, which interacts as intended in the installed state with at least one second planar segment of the at least one rigid circuit board, wherein the at least one first planar segment comprises at least one flexible connecting element, which is elastically connected to a face of the at least one first planar segment. Furthermore, a flexible-rigid circuit board composite is provided having at least one flexible circuit board, a flexible-rigid circuit board arrangement, and a method and a device for producing a flexible-rigid circuit board composite.
US09173285B2	Mounting structure for electronic component, input device, and method of manufacturing mounting structure An input device includes a flexible base, a sensor member that is provided on the surface of the flexible base and can detect the operation position of a finger, connection portions that are provided on a back of the flexible base, a printed circuit board of which an area is smaller than the area of the flexible base and which includes terminal portions on the surface thereof facing the back, and an electronic component that is mounted on a surface of the printed circuit board opposite to the surface of the printed circuit board on which the terminal portions are provided and is electrically connected to the terminal portions. The flexible base and the printed circuit board are bonded to each other with an adhesion layer interposed therebetween so that the connection portions come into contact with the terminal portions.
US09173275B2	Alarm clock integrated with lamp and method for controlling operation of lamp thereby Provided is an alarm clock integrated with a lamp and a method for controlling an operation of a lamp by the same, and the alarm clock integrated with the lamp further includes a luminance sensor (181) and a sensor connection unit (182), the microcomputer (120) outputs a sensor operation control signal to a sensor connection unit (182) at a lamp operation time set by a lamp operation time setting unit (111), compares a current luminance value input from a luminance sensor (110) and an initial operation luminance value of a lamp (140) stored therein after a luminance sensor (181) is operated, and outputs a pulse control signal to the lamp current adjustment unit (150) so as to change an output of the lamp (140) so that a luminance value of the lamp (140) is changed to a set luminance value when the initial operation luminance value is smaller than the current luminance value.
US09173273B2	Solid state lightening driver with mixed control of power switch In order to control of dimming of solid state lighting devices (SSL) a driver circuit drives the SSL subject to an input voltage using a phase-cut dimmer. The driver circuit comprises a transistor operable in two modes, either alternating between on/off states or continuously controlling a current through the transistor. A power converter network provides a switched-mode power converter in conjunction with the transistor when operated in the first mode generating a drive voltage for the SSL. The control unit controls the transistor to selectively operate in one of the two modes; to control the transistor to determine that the input voltage exceeds an input voltage threshold; and to control a drive current through the SSL based on a measurement of a phase-cut angle thereby controlling an illumination level of the SSL device.
US09173272B2	Organic electroluminescent display device and method for driving the same An organic electroluminescent display device includes an organic electroluminescent display panel including top emission pixels to emit light toward a top side of a substrate and bottom emission pixels to emit light toward a bottom side of the substrate, the top emission pixels and the bottom emission pixels being formed such that corresponding ones thereof share a common transparent area, a scan driver for supplying a scan signal to scan lines each connected to selected ones of the top and bottom emission pixels, and a data driver for supplying a data voltage to data lines each connected to selected ones of the top and bottom emission pixels. The top emission pixels and the bottom emission pixels are formed on the substrate to alternate with each other on a pixel basis, on a scan line basis, or a data line basis.
US09173269B2	Lighting system for accentuating regions of a layer and associated methods A lighting system for accenting a region of a target surface comprising a color matching engine, a plurality of light sources, a color capture device configured to measure light reflected by a target surface, and a computerized device configured to operate the plurality of light sources to emit an analysis light so as to be incident upon the target surface and identify a region of the target surface that reflects two or more wavelength ranges of light using a pattern recognition algorithm, defining a detected pattern having wavelength ranges. The color matching engine is configured to perform a matching operation that operates to determine dominant wavelength(s) of the wavelength ranges and polychromatic lights including or excluding dominant wavelength(s). The computerized device operates the light sources to emit a combined light being sequentially each of the polychromatic lights.
US09173266B2	Illumination apparatus and method for generating white light An illumination apparatus includes a first light-emitting device, a second light-emitting device, and a third light-emitting device. The light emitted from the third light-emitting device is selectively mixed with the light emitted from the first light-emitting device or the second light-emitting device to form a white light having a chromaticity coordinate point substantially located on a Black Body Locus. A color of the light emitted from the third light-emitting device is determined by linear relationships between chromaticity coordinate points corresponding to wavelengths of the lights emitted form the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device and corresponding to a color temperature of the white light. A method for generating a white light is also disclosed herein.
US09173261B2	Secondary-side alternating energy transfer control with inverted reference and LED-derived power supply A single magnetic storage element is used to provide power to multiple lighting devices, which may be strings of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different color. A switching circuit controls alternating application of energy among the multiple lighting devices and another switching circuit may charge the primary winding to different energy levels to control the intensity of the multiple lighting devices. In particular, the multiple lighting devices may be controlled to provide a desired color profile while dimming the lighting devices, while requiring only a single magnetic storage element for supplying energy to the lighting devices.
US09173258B2	Lighting apparatus including a current bleeder module for sinking current during dimming of the lighting apparatus and methods of operating the same A lighting apparatus includes an input power terminal, a light source element coupled to the input power terminal, and a current bleeder module that is connected to the input power terminal and is configured to draw a current from the input power terminal responsive to a phase cut input power signal received at the input power terminal during a first portion of a period of the phase cut input power signal and is configured as an open circuit so as not to draw current from the input power terminal during a second portion of the period of the phase cut input power signal.
US09173253B2	Ionic adder dryer technology A method for RF dielectric heating an object having a variable weight including a medium is provided The method comprises: (A) placing the object having the variable weight including the medium into an enclosure; (B) adding an ionic substance to the medium; (C) initiating a heating process by subjecting the medium including the object to a variable AC electrical field; and (D) controlling the heating process. The method further comprises using an air flow having an ambient temperature, or being heated before getting into the enclosure, to carry away the evaporated medium from the enclosure.
US09173243B2	Wireless communication system, relay station, base station, and wireless communication method A wireless communication system is provided in which a relay station relays wireless communication between a base station and a mobile station. The relay station includes an acquiring unit and a notifying unit. The acquiring unit acquires, from the base station that retains information on the mobile station used for the wireless communication, identification information on the base station. The notifying unit notifies the mobile station of the identification information acquired by the acquiring unit. Furthermore, the mobile station includes a reconnecting unit. When connection with the relay station is released, the reconnecting unit performs a reconnection request with respect to the base station that is identified by the identification information that is notified by the relay station.
US09173237B2	Communication method of relay, terminal, and communication method of the terminal A relay, a terminal, and a communication method of the same are provided. The terminal acting as a relay receives a message including scan duration information from a superordinate HR-BS, and the terminal transmits a message including the scan duration information to a subordinate HR-MS. The terminal receives an A-preamble from the superordinate HR-BS according to the scan duration information.
US09173234B2	Protection mechanisms for multi-user MIMO transmissions Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for medium reservation in the case of multi-user (MU) communications. Multiple mechanisms are supported for protecting MU transmissions, wherein appropriate control messages can be exchanged between an access point and served user stations before transmitting downlink data packets.
US09173232B2	Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data in wireless access system for supporting multi-radio access technology The present invention, relates to a method of a terminal transmitting/receiving data to/from first base stations for supporting a first radio access technology (RAT) and second base stations for supporting a second RAT in a wireless access system, includes performing a scanning process for at least one second base station; receiving a first message for reordering the scanning process for the at least one second base station after predetermined time; transmitting a first scanning report message indicating the result of the scanning process for the at least one second base station based on the first message; receiving a second message for ordering the connection with one second base station of the at least one second base station; performing a connecting process for the at least one second base station based on the second message; and simultaneously transmitting/receiving the data to/from the first base stations and the second base stations.
US09173225B2	Method and arrangement in a wireless communication system Method and arrangement in a base station for scheduling physical resources in a transmission bandwidth to a user equipment served by the base station. The physical resources may be physical channels or radio resource blocks. Some physical resources within the transmission bandwidth are subjected to a performance requirement power restriction value. The method comprises scheduling physical resources based on the performance requirement power restriction value of the physical resources to be scheduled. Also, a method and arrangement in a user equipment for assisting a base station in scheduling physical resources in a transmission bandwidth to the user equipment is described.
US09173223B2	Method of transferring data in a wireless communication system A method of transferring data in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A method of transferring data in a transmitting side of a wireless communication system includes checking whether at least one priority change condition is satisfied, changing a previously set priority of a plurality of upper layer channels if the at least one priority change condition is satisfied, and allocating radio resources of a lower layer channel to data of each of the plurality of upper layer channels in accordance with the changed priority.
US09173220B2	Base station apparatus and resource allocation method A wireless communication terminal apparatus wherein even when a SC-FDMA signal is divided into a plurality of clusters and the plurality of clusters are then mapped to respective discontinuous frequency bands (when C-SC-FDMA is used), the improvement effect of system throughput can be maintained, while the user throughput can be improved. In the apparatus, a DFT unit (210) subjects a symbol sequence of time domain to a DFT process, thereby generating signals of frequency domain. A setting unit (211) divides the signals input from the DFT unit (210) into a plurality of clusters according to a cluster pattern that is in accordance with an MCS set, an encoding size, or the number of Ranks occurring during MIMO transmissions, which is indicated in those signal input, and then maps the plurality of clusters to the respective ones of a plurality of discontinuous frequency resources, thereby setting a constellation of the plurality of clusters in the frequency domain.
US09173209B2	Subframe configuration management in LTE HetNets with time domain EICIC and VoIP A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication where a macro eNB or similar device may be configured to adjust an ABS configuration that is used for designating ABS subframes are provided to provide a VoLTE service to a UE. The ABS configuration may be adjusted by imposing one or more restrictions, such as alignment of the DRX OnDuration of a UE with some offset to the serving cell non-ABS subframes, and imposing restrictions on the ABS subframe settings at the macro eNB. The method or apparatus may initiate or terminate a wireless communication feature for a UE, and may adjust an ABS configuration based on the wireless communication feature, such that a maximum limit is set on a number of ABS subframes or a minimum limit is set on a number of non-ABS subframes based on the wireless communication feature.
US09173201B2	Method and base station system for providing access to a mobile communication network The invention pertains to a method for providing access to a mobile communication network comprising at least one base transceiver station, wherein the communication network is being visited by a piece of user equipment having a home operator in a home network. The method comprises at the base transceiver station: receiving a channel request from said user equipment, creating a virtual machine associated with said home operator of said user equipment, establishing a channel using said virtual machine, and allocating channel resources of said at least one base station to accommodate said channel. The invention also pertains to a base station system to carry out the method of the invention.
US09173190B2	System and method for controlling paging delay The disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling a delay probability distribution associated with receiving a response to a page. The method entails performing a series of page operations, wherein each page operation entails transmitting a page and scanning for a page response. The method further entails adjusting at least one timing parameter associated with performing the series of page operations based on a characteristic of one or more scans for the page performed by the at least one remote device. The characteristic may be the period of periodic page scans performed by the at least one remote device.
US09173179B2	Synchronization method and apparatus for broadcast multicast service There is provided a method for synchronization between one or more base stations to provide broadcast multicast service, including: receiving a session start request message, and extracting a service start setting time set to start broadcast service from the session start request message; comparing the service start setting time to a modification check time being a check time which is later than and closest to the service start setting time, among check times at which it is determined whether or not broadcast service has changed, the check times having a predetermined time interval; deciding, when the modification check time is later than the service start setting time by a predetermined internal slack time period or more, the modification check time as a service start time at which broadcast service starts; and transmitting information indicating the service start time to the base stations.
US09173177B2	Satellite transmission system A satellite transmission system comprises at least: one satellite and two stations comprising transmission means transmitting simultaneously and in the same frequency band a first, high-bit-rate signal and a second, low-bit-rate signal, the second signal allowing changing of frequency of the carrier signal. The station(s) include reception means for receiving simultaneously and in the same frequency band the first and second signal. The system includes means for detecting interference on the frequency band. The transmission means and reception means respectively switch the transmission and reception of the second signal from a low bit rate to a medium bit rate and deactivate the transmission of the first signal in presence of interference, and the transmission means and reception means respectively switch the transmission and reception of the second signal from a medium bit rate to a low bit rate and activate transmission of the first signal in absence of interference.
US09173175B2	Information processing apparatus and communication apparatus An information processing apparatus and a communication apparatus for accurately recognizing at the base station the current receiving quality of the mobile terminals for improving the throughput of the base station. A mobile terminal determines its own receiving quality based on the signal received from the base station for generating the receiving quality message indicating the receiving quality and generates the power control information requesting the transmission power of the base station. The receiving quality message is transmitted at a frame rate and power control information is transmitted at the slot rate to the base station. Based on both the receiving quality message and power control information, the base station estimates the current receiving quality of the mobile terminal and adaptive modulation and coding is performed based on the estimated value. The present invention may be applied to cellular phones and base stations.
US09173159B2	X2 handover method and device The disclosure provides an X2 handover method and device, the method comprises: after sending a Handover Request Acknowledge message, a target eNB sets, for handed-over UE, a flag for indicating whether or not a Sequence Number Status Transfer message is received and sets the flag to be ‘not received’; and after receiving an RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message, the target eNB directly sends a Path Switch Request message to a core network without determining whether or not the Sequence Number Status Transfer message is received. With the technical scheme provided in the disclosure, the problem in the current X2 handover is solved that handover delay is increased as an RRC Connection Reconfiguration completion message is received by a target side prior to a Sequence Number Status Transfer message, thus simplifying the processing of a target eNB and increasing handover speed.
US09173154B2	Method of enabling a wireless device to make a network connection without using a network operator's home location register A wireless device can initiate a network connection without using a network operator's home location register. The wireless device sends data to a server that defines a call request;and the server decides on the appropriate routing over all available networks for that call request. But, unlike a conventional HLR, the server can receive communications from the device using any one of several different protocols, and is not limited to the MAP (mobile application part) protocol. For example, the wireless device can use SMS or HTTP over the internet to communicate with the server. The server then determines the appropriate least cost routing.
US09173153B2	Mobile layer 2 virtual private network over internet protocol networks The present disclosure relates to a technique for maintaining communication established between a mobile node (20) and a home network (100) of the mobile node (20). A method embodiment comprises the step of: determining whether the mobile node 20 has moved to a foreign network (120) different from the home network (100); wherein, when it is determined in the step of determining that the mobile node (20) has moved to the foreign network (120), the method embodiment further comprises the steps of: signalling, by the mobile node (20), a foreign address assigned by the foreign network (120), to a home agent (10) of the home network (100); and maintaining the communication between the mobile node (20) and the home network (100) by establishing communication between the mobile node (20) and the home agent (10) of the home network (10) for transmission of Data Link Layer (“DLL”) frames through an Internet Protocol (“IP”) based network (140), wherein the mobile node (20) is addressed by the home agent (10) by means of the foreign address assigned by the foreign network (120).
US09173150B2	Method and apparatus for handling a cell change A user equipment for handling a cell change from a first cell to a second cell in a wireless communications network alters a duration of a measurement time over which at least one measurement is performed and alters a measurement bandwidth of the at least one measurement. The alterations may be performed based on associated bandwidths of the first and second cells. A network node sends, to the user equipment, a notification of a cell change and information associated with the cell change and also receives measurement data of at least one measurement performed over an altered measurement bandwidth and an altered duration of measurement time where the alterations are based on the information associated with the cell change.
US09173145B2	Handling call transfer in a communication network A method and apparatus for handling a call transfer from a circuit switched access network to a packet switched access network. A Mobile Switching Center Server receives a notification that a call for a terminal requires handover from a circuit switched access network to a packet switched access network. The MSC Server determines whether the terminal is currently registered in an IMS network and/or whether the MSC Server is registered such that it can perform handover from the circuit switched access network to the packet switched access network. If so, then return Single Radio Voice Call Continuity is invoked to perform a handover of the call from the circuit switched access network to the packet switched access network. If not then the MSC Server invokes error handling procedures.
US09173144B2	Self-adjusting mobile platform policy enforcement agent for controlling network access, mobility and efficient use of local and network resources Presented is a method for controlling network access for the mobile device. The method includes analyzing a first plurality of network parameters, collected by the mobile device, based on one or more local network policies. The method further includes receiving an update for the one or more local network policies from a policy server based on a second plurality of network parameters received by the policy server from a plurality of mobile devices. The method also includes rerouting data traffic for the mobile device from a first wireless network configuration to a second wireless network configuration based on the analyzing of the second plurality of network parameters and the update from the policy server. Rerouting data traffic for the mobile device may include maintaining a constant IP address utilizing a virtual network adapter within the mobile device to provide split tunneling over two or more network connections of the second wireless network configuration.
US09173138B2	Method for handoff during connected mode of a multimode mobile station in mixed deployment Methods for handoff of a multimode mobile station (MS). The MS, in connected mode, moves from a cell of a legacy base station to a cell of an ABS and scans base stations from a list of neighboring base stations, wherein at least the ABS is listed as another legacy base station in the list of neighboring base stations. The MS performs the handoff to connect to a legacy zone of the ABS. Further, the multimode MS switching from the legacy zone of the ABS to a advanced zone of the ABS based on a Zone Switch request or command is triggered by either the multimode MS or the ABS. The Zone Switch request is triggered after detecting capabilities of either the multimode MS or the ABS that they support advanced zone. The capabilities are detected by using MAC versions of the multimode MS and the ABS or an indicator for the advanced zone. The multimode MS can also performs handoff to the advanced zone from the cell of the legacy base station by receiving one or more information for ranging in the advanced zone from the ABS during the handoff.
US09173132B2	Method and apparatus for configuring communication resource sets and method and system of resource management A method for configuring a wireless communication resource set, a resource set configuration apparatus, a method and system of wireless communication resource management, and a base station with the system of wireless communication resource management are provided, wherein the method for configuring wireless communication resource sets includes: ordering the resource sets according to the preset mode; dividing the ordered resource sets into segments, wherein the segments include segments with different types and different functions; and further dividing the segments into sections, wherein every section is used for a corresponding type of service.
US09173124B2	Systems and methods for wireless signal measurement and reporting for device to-device communication Methods, systems, and devices for configuration and reporting of proximity detection measurements are disclosed herein. User equipment (UE) is configured to receive and store a PD-RS list from an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) node B (eNB). The PD-RS list includes a radio resource configuration for at least a first proximity discovery reference signal (PD-RS). The UE is configured to measure at least the first PD-RS to determine a signal parameter for the first PD-RS. The UE reports the signal parameter for the first PD-RS to the eNB.
US09173106B2	Efficient cell site outage mitigation To efficiently mitigate cell coverage disruptions caused by either unplanned equipment failures or planned outages during maintenance activities, an efficient cell site outage mitigation system is provided to calculate an optimal configuration for neighboring cell site devices before adjusting the cell site configuration settings to cover the coverage gap. The optimal configuration is determined using an offline model learner. Radio frequency propagation models and user demand and distribution models can be used to determine the offline solution. The optimal configuration setting learnt using an offline model is then implemented when an outage is determined to have occurred in the operational field.
US09173105B2	Method of preventing fraudulent use of a security module A method includes preventing fraudulent use of a security module in a device, and the security module is designed to perform the following steps of: retrieving a device identifier of the device from the device; checking whether negative allowance information is stored in the security module for the retrieved device identifier and transmit a security module identifier of the security module and the retrieved device identifier to a server; and receiving a response from the server regarding whether the security module is allowed to operate with the identified device and store negative allowance information in the security module for the retrieved device identifier, if the security module is not allowed to operate with the identified device according to the server response. A security module may execute the method, and a system may include the device and the server.
US09173104B2	Mobile device with device agents to detect a disallowed access to a requested mobile data service and guide a multi-carrier selection and activation sequence An end-user mobile device has a cellular network modem that is capable of communication over multiple carrier access networks. Prior to activation of the device with any cellular carrier, a secure credential memory stores a set of pre-activation credentials. One or more device agents detect an attempt by a user to use the device in a manner that would require a cellular connection to communicate Internet data, where such attempt is not allowed by a pre-activation service policy. Such an occurrence triggers the device agents to guide a device activation sequence that uses the pre-activation credentials to connect via a carrier access network to an activation server, which downloads service options to the device for multiple cellular service carriers. When the user selects one of the options, the activation sequence further guides the device to receive and securely store permanent credentials. The device subsequently uses the permanent credentials to access the network of the selected service carrier.
US09173101B1	Acquiring client device data In one implementation, a processing system receives a request from a client device to access a user account of the user. In response to receiving the request, the processing system transmits credential data, which corresponds to a credential and which indicates client device data to transmit in response to receiving the credential data. The processing system receives the client device data from the client device, identifies an issuer of the credential, and transmits the client device data to the issuer of the credential.
US09173094B2	Method and apparatus for performing handover in consideration of authentication procedure A method and device for performing handover is provided. A terminal acquires information related to a target base station (BS) through scanning, transmits a ranging request message to the target BS, the ranging request message including authentication information used for a connection with a serving BS and indication information indicating direct handover to the target BS, receives a ranging response message including a handover procedure optimization flag from the target BS and performs a network entry procedure to the target BS according to the handover procedure optimization flag.
US09173090B2	Method for activating services associated with a product via a service center supporting a variety of products A service center receives a request for activating a subscribed service on a first device that has been registered with the service center, where the service center provides services to a plurality of products on behalf of a plurality of product providers. In response to the request, device information about the registered first device is retrieved from an internal database, where the device information was collected when the first device was registered with the service center. Subscription information including credentials of a user who has subscribed the subscribed service is obtained for authentication. The device information and the credentials are transmitted to a service provider that provides the subscribed service to allow the service provider to activate the subscribed service on the first device, without having the user to directly contact the service provider for activating the subscribed service.
US09173081B2	System and method for enabling interactions between a policy decision point and a charging system A system and method for telecommunications operators to enable group based dynamic policy controls for both pre-paid and post-paid subscribers, who are typically not managed in an Online Charging System (OCS), but rather in an Charging System or a Billing System. Examples of policy controls that may be enabled by this invention include tracking spending for post-paid subscribers, managing subscriber usage across fixed-line and mobile networks, and so on. This is achieved by introducing a new component called the Enhanced Charging System (ECS) and creating a new reference point and interface between the Policy Management System and the ECS.
US09173080B2	Method and related communication device for transmission and reception of natural disaster warning notification message in a wireless communication system A method of handling notification message transmission for a network of a wireless warning communication system includes when content of a notification message comprising a message identity is changed, modifying the message identity, wherein the message identity is included in a system information block, hereinafter called SIB, and indicates which notification message a notification message content in the SIB belongs to; and sending the SIB and a paging message comprising at least one of a flag and an element, wherein the flag is used to notify a user equipment of a change of the SIB, and the element is a notification indication used to notify the user equipment to acquire the SIB when the element is found in the received paging message.
US09173078B2	Management of multiple subscriber identity modules Management of multiple subscriber identity modules by server is disclosed. Instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a server, for a plurality of users of mobile terminals, to: cause an analysis on use of each subscriber identity module belonging to a set; cause a prediction of a future use of the each subscriber identity module belonging to the set on the basis of the analysis; cause a selection of at least one optimal subscriber identity module for use by the mobile terminal on the basis of the prediction such that the use of the subscriber identity modules is optimized for the plurality of the users of the mobile terminals; and cause a transmission of the selection of at least one optimal subscriber identity module for use by the mobile terminal.
US09173073B2	Method and apparatus for processing group event notifications and providing group policy in a communication system A group event processing entity receives and processes a group event notification wherein a set of policy rules is determined that controls the performance of an action as relates to at least one of a member user equipment of a group session or an access network resource for the group session. Additionally, a group policy decision entity receives a request to establish a group access network resource for a group of user equipment and determines a set of applicable policy rules for establishing the group access network resource, wherein the set includes a policy rule that controls performance of an action when a base station in a wireless access network is unable to provide resources to support the requested group access network resource. The group policy decision entity provides the set of applicable policy rules to a group policy enforcement entity.
US09173058B2	System and method for locating WiMAX or LTE subscriber stations A system and method for estimating a location of a subscriber station receiving a first signal from a first base station and receiving a second signal from a second base station where the first and second base stations are nodes in a WiMAX or LTE network. A message may be received from the subscriber station containing first and second information, and a range ring determined from the first base station using the first information. A location hyperbola may be determined using the second information wherein the location hyperbola has the first and second base stations as foci. A location of the subscriber station may be estimated using the range ring and the location hyperbola.
US09173055B2	Managing of application access to centrally stored place-related data on a mobile device A method of managing place data for a mobile device, the method comprising storing place data for a place in a centralized place database and receiving input to specify which one or more applications on the mobile device are to have access to the place data for the place. In response to a place data request from a data-requesting application executing on the mobile device, the device determines if the data-requesting application has access to the place data for the place and provides the place data to the data-requesting application only if the data-requesting application has access. This technology enables the device to control the sharing of place data among applications on the device.
US09173053B2	Systems and methods for providing one or more functionalities to a wearable computing device Computationally implemented methods and systems include detecting presence of one or more electronic devices near a wearable computing device, the wearable computing device being a computing device designed to be worn by a user; determining which of the one or more electronic devices that are detected as being near the wearable computing device are at least designed to provide one or more specific functionalities that are being sought by the wearable computing device; and acquiring, by the wearable computing device based at least, in part, on said detecting and said determining, one or more specific functionalities that are available through at least one electronic device that was detected as being near the wearable computing device and that was determined to provide the one or more specific functionalities. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09173050B2	Application store system and development method using the application store system The disclosure discloses an application store system and a development method using the application store system. The application store includes a developer community function entity, an application network store function entity and a telecommunication capability resource function entity. The telecommunication capability resource function entity includes a service execution module, configured to call, through an interface, a telecommunication capability in an integrated service access gateway to execute a service with the telecommunication capability, wherein the service is configured to be embedded in an application; the service with the telecommunication capability executed by the service execution module of the telecommunication capability resource function entity is embedded in the application uploaded in the developer community function entity. With the disclosure, development of the application with the telecommunication capability is accomplished, thereby the profit of operator is guaranteed and the viability of operator in the future is enhanced.
US09173042B2	Bone anchor fixture for a medical prosthesis A screw-shaped anchoring fixture for anchoring a prosthesis in the skull bone. The anchoring fixture comprises a main body configured to be implanted into the bone and a flange configured to function as a stop to prevent the main body from completely penetrating through the bone. The main body comprises a distal tapered apical portion, a first portion, and a second portion. The inner diameter of the second portion is greater than the inner diameter of the first portion. The method for inserting the anchoring fixture includes providing the anchoring fixture, drilling a hole, and inserting the anchoring fixture into the hole until the flange contacts the skull bone, wherein the hole has a diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the first portion and less than the outer diameter of the second portion.
US09173037B2	Vibrating body for acoustic transducer and speaker device A vibrating body for an acoustic transducer is provided, in which the high resonance frequency associated with inverse resonance can be outside the audible range and which can improve the acoustic characteristic of a speaker device. The vibrating body 1 for an acoustic transducer includes: a diaphragm 2 including a first vibrating part 2a and a second vibrating part 2b formed in proximity of the outer circumferential edge of the first vibrating part 2a; and an edge portion 3 formed in proximity of the outer circumferential edge of the diaphragm 2. In the vibrating body 1 for an acoustic transducer, first reinforcing portions 6a and 6b are formed so as to extend from the second vibrating part 2b to the edge portion 3 in a radial direction.
US09173034B2	Ring shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker Ring-shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker, where said membrane comprises two or more dome-shaped annulus concentrically arranged around a central portion through which an imaginary axis of symmetry passes, where an outer periphery of said membrane is suitable to be attached to a surround; where the central portion is attached to a tower, which again is fastened to the loudspeakers driver, wherein the angle between a plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and the attachment of the membrane to the surround resp. the tower is in the interval 0° to 40°, most preferred around 30°.
US09173022B2	Acoustic transducer An acoustic transducer (104) is shown, which may be configured as either a loudspeaker or a microphone. The acoustic transducer includes a magnet system (401), and a diaphragm (303) having a conductive element (402) disposed on it. The conductive element has a first outer conductive portion (405) and a second outer conductive portion (407) for generating force parallel to the magnet system. It also has a central conductive portion (406) for generating force normal to the magnet system. In this way, application of an audio frequency signal to the conductive element, possibly via positive and negative input terminals (202, 203), causes oscillation of the diaphragm.
US09173015B2	Microphone module with sound pipe A microphone module has a substrate with an aperture to allow sound waves to pass through the substrate, a lid mounted to the substrate to define a first interior volume, a microphone mounted to the substrate within the first interior volume, and a housing coupled to the substrate and covering the aperture. The housing forms a second interior volume and includes an acoustic port configured to allow sound to enter the second interior volume. The module further includes a pipe extending from the acoustic port in the housing, and at least one exterior interface pad outside of the second interior volume. The pipe has an open end to receive sound waves and direct them toward the acoustic port in the housing. Moreover, the at least one exterior interface pad electrically couples to the microphone.
US09173014B2	Speaker apparatus providing with visual screen A speaker apparatus having a video screen function is disclosed, in which a cone paper of a conventional speaker is substituted with a flexible OLED for thereby displaying various images and video sources in sync with an audio source. A flexible OLED is provided for displaying a video source and an externally upgraded video source in a speaker apparatus which comprises a sound output apparatus having a sound coil, a magnet, and a damper, and an electric circuit apparatus of the sound output apparatus.
US09173012B2	High capacity switching system An exemplary apparatus is provided for a high capacity switching system for use in a transport network, which contains a number of input and output subsystems and a central interconnection means configurably interconnecting the input and output subsystems. The subsystems have input and output line modules for receiving and transmitting data signals to and from transmission lines of the network, one or more link modules connecting the subsystems to the interconnection means, and local switching means switching data signals in time and space domain between the input and output modules and the one or more link modules within one subsystems. The link modules are adapted to aggregate data signals from different input and output line modules of the same input and output subsystems and destined to input and output line modules of another one of the input and output subsystems into signal bursts and add a payload gap to each signal burst.
US09173010B2	Television system to extract television product placement advertisement data and to store data in a remote control device A television advertisement system whereby a viewer retrieves product placement contact information for a product, that has been promoted on the viewer's television by using a wireless remote control device. The invention provides the means for a viewer to easily obtain in-hand product contact and detailed information which can then be used at-will. Teletext data, which contains product information, is associated with a product's video signal and is automatically decoded and stored in the television's or TV set-top box's memory. The viewer retrieves on demand the product's teletext data stored in memory by using a remote control device. The product data is transferred to and stored in a remote control device's memory. The data is displayed on the remote's screen. The data stored in the remote control can be used to contact an advertiser for further information, or to purchase a product or service. This is achieved by wirelessly transferring pertinent contact information from the remote control to various communication devices, such as a computer, a telephone, a television set-top box, an electronic game console, etc.
US09173005B1	Displaying information on a TV remote and video on the TV A handheld screen is used as a supplement to a television screen. Specifically, messages are displayed on a handheld screen to supplement a video displayed on a television (TV) screen. Display of social media messages and/or promotional messages on a handheld screen is coordinated with the display of video on the television screen. The social media messages on the handheld screen are selected by a computer system to match a specific video being displayed on the TV screen. The display of social media messages occurs simultaneously or contemporaneously relative to the video display e.g. the two displays are made to overlap in time by the computer system transmitting the social media messages within a predetermined duration of transmission of the video to the television. Display of supplementary information on a handheld screen in a timely manner relative to video display on the TV screen provides a richer viewing experience.
US09173001B1	Media content access systems and methods In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to process a flagging request, which designates a scene within the media content instance as a flagged scene. The processing subsystem is further configured to generate an actionable data module containing additional content corresponding to the flagged scene.
US09172999B2	Behavioral keyword identification based on thematic channel viewing A method, performed by a computer device, may include obtaining a viewing history, associated with a customer, from a set-top box associated with the customer, wherein the viewing history relates a particular television channel to a duration time associated with the particular television channel. The method may further include determining a keyword, associated with the customer, based on the obtained viewing history; calculating a keyword score for the keyword based on the obtained viewing history; selecting an advertisement, associated with the keyword, based on the calculated keyword score; and providing the selected advertisement to the set-top box associated with the customer, based on selecting the advertisement.
US09172990B2	Method and device for optimizing storage of recorded video programs A method of managing video programs and associated program components on a storage unit of an electronic device is provided. A total number of playbacks of each video program stored in the storage unit and a total number of playbacks of each program component stored in the storage unit for each of the video programs are tracked. A percentage of playbacks of each program component stored on the storage unit relative to the total number of playbacks of its corresponding video program is determined. From this, candidates of program components for deletion from the storage unit are identified based on the values of the determined percentages. The tracking, determining and identifying steps of the method are performed by electronic components of the electronic device. A device is also disclosed.
US09172989B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, television program broadcasting method, program, and information storage media Of the types of content included in a broadcast signal, a type of content different from broadcast content is selectively stored. A broadcast signal reception block receives a broadcast signal of a selected channel. A display control block controls such that broadcast content included in the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal reception block is displayed on a display block. If storage content that is content identified to be stored is included in the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal reception block, then a storage content output block outputs this storage content to a storage block.
US09172988B2	Analog front end for DTV, DTV system having the same, and operation methods thereof Provided is an analog front end of a digital TV, a digital TV system having the same, and a method of operating the same. The analog front end includes: a first selection circuit which selectively outputs differential sound intermediate frequency signals or differential TV broadcast signals in response to a first selection signal; a second selection circuit which outputs a clock signal among a plurality of clock signals having a different sampling frequencies, in response to a second selection signal; and an analog-to-digital converter which converts output signals output from the first selection circuit to a digital code, according to a sampling frequency of a clock signal output from the second selection circuit.
US09172982B1	Audio selection from a multi-video environment A method and system for audio selection is disclosed. Multiple active videos are rendered in a single video stream and the multiple active videos are simultaneously displayed on a client machine. A user selects a video from among the multiple active videos for which associated audio is presented. As the user selects different videos the previous audio is stopped and the new audio is played. The new audio is synchronized to the selected video.
US09172976B2	Context reduction for context adaptive binary arithmetic coding A reduction in the number of binarizations and/or contexts used in context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) for video coding is proposed. In particular, this disclosure proposes techniques that may lower the number contexts used in CABAC by up to 56.
US09172975B2	Method and system for encoding and transmitting high definition 3-D multimedia content One particular implementation of the present invention may take the form of a method and system for encoding and/or transmitting high definition 3-D multimedia content. In one embodiment, the frames for each eye of a viewer may be transmitted in a frame sequential manner to a display device, with an occasional null frame included in the frame stream. The null frame may be ignored by the display device and not presented to the viewer. In another embodiment, a synchronization signal may be presented to the display device to instruct the display device on how to display the frame-sequenced frames such that the 3-D effect of the content may be achieved. The synchronization signal may be presented to the display device embedded within the frames of the content or embedded within the null frames. The synchronization signal may also be provided out of band, such as on a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable.
US09172974B2	Apparatus and method of compressing and restoring image using filter information Provided is method and apparatus of compressing and restoring an image using filter information. The image compression apparatus may generate a reduced image by sampling an input image, determine filter information based on the input image and a decoded reduced image, and code the filter information and the decoded reduced image. Accordingly, a deterioration in an image quality may be prevented in transmitting the image using a limited bandwidth.
US09172968B2	Video coding using directional transforms In one example, an apparatus for encoding video data includes a video encoder configured to calculate a residual block for a block of video data based on a predicted block formed using an intra-prediction mode, and transform the residual block using a transform mapped from the intra-prediction mode. In another example, an apparatus includes video encoder configured to receive an indication of a first intra-prediction mode in a first set of intra-prediction modes for a block of video data, determine a second intra-prediction mode from a second set of intra-prediction modes, smaller than the first set of intra-prediction modes, to which the first intra-prediction mode is mapped, determine a directional transform to which the second intra-prediction mode is mapped, and apply the directional transform to residual data of the block.
US09172957B2	Coding video data with an alternate reference frame generated using a temporal filter Implementations of the teachings herein include coding video data with an alternate reference frame generated using a temporal filter. The alternate reference frame is generated by determining a first weighting factor, for each corresponding block of a respective frame of a filter set, that represents a temporal correlation of the block with the corresponding block, determining a second weighting factor, for each pixel for each corresponding block of the respective frame of the filter set, that represents a temporal correlation of the pixel to a spatially-correspondent pixel in the block, determining a filter weight for each pixel in the block and for each spatially-correspondent pixel is each corresponding block based on the first weighting factor and the second weighting factor, and generating a weighted average pixel value for each pixel position in the block to form a block of the alternate reference frame based on the filter weights.
US09172942B2	Method and apparatus for generating header information of stereoscopic image data A method and apparatus for using header information of stereoscopic image data is provided. The method includes using three-dimensional reproduction period information related to three-dimensionally reproduced stereoscopic image data of image data recorded in a payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream, in a header region of the stereoscopic image bitstream; recording camera information related to cameras used for obtaining a stereoscopic image, in the header region; recording parallax information between base and additional images of the stereoscopic image in the header region; and recording the image data in the payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream.
US09172940B2	Two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video conversion based on movement between video frames A method for converting two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video. The method includes the steps of comparing at least part of video frame x to a corresponding at least part of video frame y to determine movement therebetween, calculating a movement direction and movement extent based on the determined movement, determining viewing frame L and viewing frame R based on the movement direction, and modifying viewing frame R based on the movement direction and the movement extent to create modified viewing frame R′. One alternative embodiment is a video display device for converting two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video. Another alternative embodiment includes one or more device-readable media storing executable instructions that, when executed, configure a video display device to convert two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video.
US09172937B2	Timed events during recorded media playback A system and method are provided for providing a timed event to a user viewing recorded media content at a defined time interval. The recorded media content may be any media viewed on a time-shifted basis. For example, the recorded media may be television content recorded by a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), media content recorded on a Digital Video Disc (DVD), streaming media content providing by a network such as the Internet, or the like. In general, the timed event may be, for example, presenting audio, visual, or audio-visual content and is configured to occur periodically at a time interval such as, but not limited to, every half-hour, every hour, or once a day. Once the timed event is configured, the timed event is periodically effected at the time interval to provide an indication of time while the user is viewing recorded media content.
US09172936B2	Inter-video corresponding relationship display system and inter-video corresponding relationship display method To enable a utilization frequency of each segment in a source video to be readily assessed between videos in a corresponding relationship during a creation process. Relationship information that is information indicating a segment in a corresponding relationship between a source video and a plurality of derived videos created using at least a part of segments of the source video is stored in a relationship information storing unit, and a corresponding relationship of the segment between the source video and the plurality of derived videos and a utilization frequency of each segment of the source video by the plurality of derived videos are displayed based on the relationship information stored in the relationship information storing unit.
US09172934B2	Method for white balance adjustment of images A white balance adjustment method includes capturing a raw image by an image capturing device where an arrangement format of the raw image is BGb/GrR, a predetermined sampling width is used to sample RGB pixels, and obtaining color scale values of each channel. Each channel includes a first buffer space and a second buffer space, the first buffer space storing smaller color scale values, the second buffer storing larger color scale values, an average value of the minimum color scale values stored in the first buffer space is calculated to obtain a reference black, an average value of the maximum color scale values stored in the second buffer space is calculated to obtain a reference white. A color histogram stretching method using the obtained reference black and white adjusts the white balance of the raw image.
US09172927B2	Imaging device, and image processing method According to the present invention, since a color image for a moving image including that for live view display includes image data on pixel lines including first and second phase difference pixels, phase difference AF can be accurately performed during the moving image taking. A color image for the moving image includes not only the image data on the pixel lines including the first and second phase difference pixels, but also image data on pixel lines that do not include the first and second phase difference pixels and only include normal pixels. Accordingly, the image quality of the color image for the moving image is improved, an image interpolation process can be accurately performed, and reduction in image quality of a taken image (still image and moving image) through the phase difference pixels can be prevented or alleviated.
US09172926B2	Imaging device, and image processing method One aspect of the present invention thinning-reads pixel signals from the multiple pixels according to a thinning pattern from an image pickup element, or extracts pixel signals from the multiple pixels according to the thinning pattern from a color image that is read from the image pickup element and corresponds to the color filter array, and acquires a thinned color image. Then, moving image data is generated on the basis of the thinned color image. Adoption of the thinned color image as a target image to be subjected to moving image processing can facilitate reduction in processing time per frame, and prevent the frame rate from decreasing. Furthermore, thinning-reading pixels from the image pickup element can facilitate reduction in time of reading an image from the image pickup element.
US09172918B2	Systems and methods for managing live video data Described herein are systems and methods for managing live video data. These include the likes of video management systems, camera servers, methods for providing access to video data, methods of operating camera servers, and software for allowing the implementation of such methods in a computer system. In overview, a video management system is configured such that, upon the failure of a camera server, cameras assigned to that server are automatically reassigned to a backup camera server.
US09172915B2	Method of operating a channel recommendation system The invention provides a method of operating a channel recommendation system, including, providing a channel recommendation bid interface, receiving a bid request on the interface, and displaying a recommendation link to the channel on at least one user recommendation display device based on the bid request. Real time viewership information may also be used in the operation of the channel recommendation system.The invention further provides a method of operating a shared information system, including, receiving a recorded clip recommendation request, determining a recipient based on the recommendation request, wherein the recipient is a user different from the recommendation source, determining a recorded video clip based on the recommendation request, determining an ad based on a profile associated with the recipient, and associating the determined clip and the determined ad with the recipient. Real time viewership information may also be used in the operation of the shared information system.
US09172913B1	Automatic counter-surveillance detection camera and software A counter-surveillance detection system includes a camera with an integrated illumination source and a processor for performing analytic software algorithms. The counter-surveillance detection system and method is configured to detect foreign objects within a defined field of view (FOV) using an analytic software method operating on imagery data from the camera that is synchronized with the illuminator source. In some applications, the system is used to detect a human performing remote observation of snooping.
US09172907B2	Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting aspect ratio of images during a video call A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting an aspect ratio of an image during a video call is described herein. Specifically, a method for dynamically adjusting the aspect ratio of an image during a video call may include obtaining at least one display parameter of a display device, performing a comparison of the at least one display parameter to at least one image capture parameter of a capture device, capturing an original image, modifying the original image based on the comparison performed, wherein the modified image has an adjusted aspect ratio different from an aspect ratio of the original image, and sending the modified image to the display device.
US09172904B2	Information processing apparatus displaying indices of video contents, information processing method and information processing program In order to quicken switching of indices and reduce the time required for display after switching, a mobile phone includes a video content specifying portion to specify at least one video content, an index element generating portion to generate a thumbnail for a video content when accepting a generation instruction and to stop generation of the thumbnail when accepting a cancellation instruction, an index element generation requesting portion, in response to the event that a video content is specified by the video content specifying portion, to output a generation instruction including identification information identifying the specified video content to the index element generating portion, and a cancellation instructing portion to output a cancellation instruction to stop generation of the thumbnail for the already specified video content when a new video content is specified before completion of generation of the thumbnail for the already specified video content.
US09172892B2	Imaging systems with image pixels having varying light collecting areas An image sensor may have an array of image sensor pixels having varying light collecting areas. The light collecting area of each image pixel may vary with respect to other image pixels due to varied microlens sizes and varied color filter element sizes throughout the array. The light collecting area may vary within unit pixel cells and the variability of the light collecting areas of pixels within each pixel cell may depend on the location of the pixel cell in the pixel array. Each unit pixel cell may include at least one clear pixel having a light collecting area that is smaller than the light collecting areas of other single color pixels in the unit pixel cell.
US09172891B2	Display device, method of controlling display device, and computer program product A display device including a display section configured to display an image; a display control section configured to arrange a plurality of display areas in a display range of the display section and display an image in each of the display areas; an image selection section configured to select the image to be displayed in each of the display areas from a plurality of input images; and a multi-screen display control section configured to display an image designation panel designating an image of a display object out of the plurality of input images on the display section, determine the images to be displayed in all of the display areas in a lump if the images to be displayed in all of the display areas are designated during display of the image designation panel and a determination operation is performed, and make the image selection section select the images determined.
US09172890B2	Method, apparatus, and manufacture for enhanced resolution for images from high dynamic range (HDR) interlaced sensors A method, apparatus, and manufacture for generating an HDR image is provided. An original image is received from an HDR interlaced sensor that includes at least two fields captured with different exposures. The fields are separated from each other to provide separate images, and each of the separate images is upscaled. Next, blending is performed on each of the upscaled separate images to generate a high-dynamic range image, and ghost identification is performed on the high-dynamic range image. Subsequently, detail identification is performed on the high-dynamic range image. The detail identification includes identifying areas in the non-ghost areas of the high-dynamic range image that have details, and modifying the high-dynamic image by replacing each of the areas identified to have details with the corresponding area from the original image.
US09172879B2	Image display control apparatus, image display apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and image display control method An image display control apparatus includes a memory, a determination unit, and a display controller. The memory stores plural sets of information each set including image information indicating an image to be displayed on a display and at least one attribute concerning the image information, which are associated with each other. When one of plural images displayed on the display is selected, the determination unit determines whether or not the image information stored in the memory includes image information stored in association with an attribute relevant to an attribute associated with the selected image. The display controller performs display control to display a mark for a relevant image when displaying the plural images on the display in accordance with the image information stored in the memory and displaying on the display a relevant image based on the image information included in the stored image information.
US09172877B2	Image pickup unit and electronic apparatus There is provided an image pickup unit capable of suppressing occurrence of false color and color mixture and acquiring a color image with high image quality. The image pickup unit includes: an image sensor including a plurality of pixels and acquiring an image pickup data; a variable filter provided on a light receiving face of the image sensor, and transmitting a selective wavelength; and a filter drive section (a wavelength selection circuit and a system control section) driving the variable filter and thereby setting its transmission wavelength. By acquiring the image pickup data while time-divisionally switching the transmission wavelength of the variable filter, pixel data corresponding to the transmission wavelength of the variable filter are acquired in a temporally-successive manner.
US09172862B2	Information processing device, information processing method, and program An information processing device includes a detecting unit configured to detect a motion of a subject included in an image generated by an imaging device including multiple phase difference detecting pixels which generate a signal arranged to perform focus determination by phase difference detection, and multiple image generating pixels which generate a signal arranged to generate an image; and a determining unit configured to determine thinning-out processing when reading out a signal from the imaging device, according to the detected motion of a subject.
US09172858B2	Apparatus and method for controlling settings of an imaging operation An information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform control for selecting settings for an imaging operation of an imaging unit based on surrounding sound obtained by a sound obtaining unit and an image generated by the imaging unit.
US09172855B1	Pendant housing for a camera A pendant housing for a camera. The housing comprises a substantially cylindrical casing. The substantially cylindrical casing further includes a top end portion that may be removeably mounted to a tube without a tool, a dome structure that may house at least a lens portion of a camera, a bottom end portion that may be removeably mounted to the dome structure without a tool, and a waterproof seal positioned between the bottom end portion and the dome structure.
US09172848B2	Image reader for correcting an image Provided is an image reader, including a reading unit that reads an image of a read body, an optical unit that forms the image of the read body on the reading unit, a filter unit that is disposed in the optical unit and eliminates infrared light by an interference film, a calculating unit that calculates a coefficient matrix during a color correction based on a reading position of the reading unit and spectral field angle characteristics of the filter unit in the reading position, and a correction unit that performs the color correction with respect to the image read by the reading unit using the coefficient matrix.
US09172846B2	Scanning device and operations thereof A scanning device includes: a reading unit; a communication unit; a storage unit configured to store identification information for identifying a external apparatus; an operation unit, and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: generating an image file from read signal received from the reading unit, transmitting the image file generated to the external apparatus through the communication unit, and determining whether a size of the document on which the image read by the reading unit is recorded is equal to or smaller than a preset setting size. When the controller receives a signal corresponding to a scan command from the operation unit, the controller, in the generating, generates an image file having a password added, in a case where it is determined that a size of the document is equal to or smaller than the setting size.
US09172845B2	Management apparatus, image forming apparatus management system for managing usage of the image forming apparatus A management apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus for managing usage of the image forming apparatus is disclosed. The management apparatus includes a user data storage part for storing user identification data and use restriction data corresponding to the user identification data, and a use restriction data acquiring part for acquiring the use restriction data corresponding to the user identification data.
US09172842B2	Image binarization for optical character recognition Systems and methods convert to binary an input image having pixels defining text and background. Thresholds are determined by which pixels in the input image and a corresponding blurred image will be defined as either binary black or binary white. Thresholds derive from grouped together neighboring pixels having pixels separated out that correspond to the background. For pixels of the input image defined as binary black and having corresponding pixels in the blurred image defined as binary black relative to their thresholds, those are set to black in the binary image, else they are set white. Techniques for devising thresholds, blurring images, grouping together pixels, statistical analysis, etc., typify the embodiments.
US09172840B2	Image processing apparatus and method for controlling image processing apparatus An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit configured to perform image processing, a storage unit configured to be capable of storing an application program installed in the image processing apparatus, a first determination unit configured to determine whether the application program had ever been installed in the image processing apparatus, and a control unit configured to selectively control the image processing unit to be operable and control the image processing unit not to operate according to the determination by the first determination unit if an error has occurred in the storage unit.
US09172835B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing system, image forming apparatus, image forming system, and computer readable medium An information processing apparatus includes: an information storage that stores information; a request accepting section that accepts a predetermined request for the information; a setting section that, for each of the information, sets whether the predetermined request is allowed; a setting storage that stores a setting by the setting section; a determining section that, with respect to the information corresponding to a request accepted by the request accepting section, reads out a corresponding setting from the setting storage, and that determines allowance/non-allowance of the predetermined request; and a process executing section that, in a case where the determining section determines allowance of the predetermined request, executes a process corresponding to the predetermined request on the information.
US09172834B2	Image forming system and method for recovering image forming apparatus from three different power saving modes An image forming apparatus has the following three power saving modes: (1) a first power saving mode for cutting off power supply to the load; (2) a second power saving mode for cutting off power supply to the load and setting at least the CPU of the controller to STR state; and (3) a third power saving mode for providing power supply only to a wireless LAN module and the power supply cutoff controller, wherein to recover the image forming apparatus from the power saving mode, an external terminal implements both a second method of transmitting a certain type of packet to the wired LAN module and a third method of transmitting a certain type of packet to the wireless LAN module when the external terminal accesses the image forming apparatus at the application level.
US09172833B2	Multifunction device A multifunction device includes a case having a document tray provided in an upper part, a cover section provided above the case and covering the document tray, a reading section held in an inside part of the case and scanning a document that is placed in the document tray, a recording section held in the inside of the case and recording on a paper as a recoding medium, an inserting section inserting the document between the document tray and the cover section, and an opening section for discharging a recording medium provided in the case and discharging the paper recorded by the recording section. The inserting section functions as an exit that discharges the document from between the document tray and the cover section.
US09172832B2	Image forming apparatus and method of controlling image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the image forming apparatus are provided. The method includes detecting a conflicting option that is impossible to be set simultaneously with a plurality of options selected for a job of the image forming apparatus, reflecting the detected conflicting option to display an option setting screen for the job of the image forming apparatus, and if a conflicting option is selected on the displayed option setting screen, displaying an option list user interface (UI) window in an area of the displayed option setting screen, wherein the option list UI window includes a replaceable option that replaces an option that is impossible to be set simultaneously with the conflicting option.
US09172831B2	Image handling apparatus, image processing system, image process controlling method, and image process controlling program product An image handling apparatus is disclosed, including an operation panel, hardware resources, a transferring part, and an image generation controlling part. The transferring part transfers image handle information input at the input screen to an external apparatus. The image generation controlling part receives and parses image generation information for at least one of the hardware resources to execute an image generation based on the image handle information, from the external apparatus in response to an instruction of the image generation, so that at least one of the hardware resources executes the image generation.
US09172826B2	Processing apparatus, terminal apparatus, and control methods therefor This invention provides a technique in which even if a job by a processing apparatus is interrupted during execution, another apparatus continues the processing using completely the same function without further billing the user. Upon receiving a print job, a printing apparatus executes billing processing for the job, in which the printing apparatus communicates with a billing server. The printing apparatus writes, in the memory of an NFC unit, setting values about the received print job, the identification information of the printing apparatus itself, and the identification information of another alternative processing apparatus. While executing the print job, the printing apparatus writes progress information about an unprocessed portion of the job in the memory of the NFC unit every time a preset processing unit is executed during execution of the job.
US09172822B2	Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing a user record deletion notification Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing a user record deletion notification are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises determining, at a subscriber data management (SDM) node, that a service subscription to an access network is to be terminated, wherein the service subscription is associated with a subscriber user, generating, at the SDM node, a notification message that includes a deletion notification attribute, and sending the Diameter notification message to an application server associated with the access network. The method further includes terminating, at the application server, a communication service connection established between the subscriber user and the access network in response to detecting the deletion notification attribute in the notification message and deleting, in the SDM node, a user record associated with the service subscription after receiving notification of the connection termination.
US09172819B2	File transfers based on telephone numbers Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to file transfers based on telephone numbers. In example embodiments, a request to transfer a file from a first user (305) associated with a first telephone number (309) to a second user associated (310) with a second telephone number (314) is received. In example embodiments, the second telephone number (314) is determined based on access to call records. In example embodiments, the file is then stored in or transferred to a location identified using the second telephone number (314).
US09172812B2	System and method for assisting a callee and a caller in establishing telephonic communications Systems and methods are disclosed to assist a caller and a callee in establishing successful telephonic communications. In embodiments of the systems and methods, a telephonic call set-up network node or a callee user device of the callee may receive a call set-up request to establish a telephonic call between the caller user device of the caller and the callee user device. If the call-set up request is determined to be unsuccessful, one or more proximate user devices nearby the callee user device may be identified. Another telephonic call may be induced, this time between the caller user device and one of the proximate user devices identified to be nearby the callee user device. In this manner, success telephonic communications may be established despite the callee not being able to answer the callee user device during the original telephonic call set-up request.
US09172811B2	Method and system for restoring mobile device functions This provides for controlling mobile device functions and features. For example, it limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity. In an example, it enables other mobile device features based on occurrence of events related to the user or environment. Another example addresses controlling the mobile device features, such as SMS, while the user is in a vehicle or driving. Another example restricts the ability of the driver of a vehicle to text, while the vehicle is in motion, by automatically disabling the texting ability of mobile device within and around the perimeter of the driver's seat. Other variations, examples, improvements, detection mechanisms, models, techniques, calculations, verification mechanisms, and features are also described in details.
US09172805B1	Edge injected speech in call centers Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving an input from an agent during a call with a caller where the input directs one or more processors to inject a recorded statement in the agent's voice into the call, and where the recorded statement in the agent's voice is stored in a computer-readable file. Obtaining the recorded statement in the agent's voice based on data associated with the input and in response to receiving the input. And causing the recorded statement in the agent's voice to be inserted into a media stream of the call.
US09172801B2	Method and apparatus for event notification A method (300) and apparatus are disclosed for event notification. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence services system (PSS) (102) can have a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110). The controller can be programmed to monitor (302) presence information of a plurality of communication devices of an end user operating in a communications system, and receive (316) a request from a calendar reminder system (CRS) for access to the presence information. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09172800B2	Systems and methods to disable a call block A computer implemented method includes outputting a dial tone from a call block system. The dial tone indicates to a calling party that a call block feature is enabled for a party. The computer implemented method includes storing messages for the party when the call block feature is enabled.
US09172784B2	Vehicle system for managing external communication A hands-free system for a vehicle is provided, where the hands-free system sends and receives communication from a personal electronic device. The hands-free system includes a vehicle control module that is in communication with at least one vehicle system for determining if the vehicle is in a condition to receive input regarding operation, a display, and a hands-free control module. The hands-free control module is in communication with the display and the vehicle control module. The hands-free control module is in communication with the personal electronic device for sending and receiving an external communication from the personal electronic device. The hands-free control module has a memory and a message delivery filter algorithm.
US09172781B1	Waterproof acoustic chambers for smartphones A waterproof acoustic chamber that is adapted to hold and protect a smartphone is disclosed. The chamber includes a body portion that is configured to encapsulate a smartphone, which exhibits an internal dimension that accommodates, at a user's option, a smartphone with (or without) its own protective casing. The body portion is configured to prevent water from entering an internal area of the body portion when exposed to water. The body portion includes at least one speaker area that includes a material through which audio content that is generated by the smartphone may leave the body portion. The chamber further includes a compartment having an open side that is configured to receive and attach to the backside of the body portion. The compartment includes two sides that each extend beyond a parallel side of the body portion, with the speaker area and compartment being effective to amplify and channel the audio content that is generated by the smartphone.
US09172779B1	Wireless broadband modem for mobile device connector A cellular modem device that is integrated with a proprietary dock connector of a mobile device, such as the proprietary 30 pin dock connector of an iPod Touch or iPad, permits the mobile device to connect for Internet access to the associated cellular carrier. The device is usable in circumstances where the mobile device does not contain internal cellular modem circuitry, and/or the device is unable to use WiFi-based Internet and/or the device's internal cellular circuits are out of range of cellular service of the carrier for which those circuits are designed, and/or the internal cellular circuits are not activated on the associated cellular network.
US09172775B2	Network communication system, device, and method for reducing a network addressing header A method for reducing a network addressing header is executable by a network communication device. Upon receiving a network packet, a first address in an IPv4 header of the packet is converted to a mapping index. A least significant segment of an address field of an IPv6 header of the packet is generated based on the mapping index, and the IPv6 header is utilized to encapsulate the packet. The IPv4 header is recoverable via the least significant segment of the IPv6 header, so that the IPv4 header may be optionally omitted in transmission of the packet.
US09172764B2	Generating a platform for social interaction The disclosure includes a system and method for identifying discussion groups related to a video that a user would find to be interesting. A recognition application receives a captured image from a user, identifies an indexed image that matches the captured image, identifies a timestamp for the indexed image, determines a segment in the video that encompasses the timestamp, determines whether the user is interested in the segment of the video based on the timestamp and a user profile and provides suggested discussion groups to the user that are ranked based on what the user is interested in.
US09172757B2	Method and apparatus of performing simultaneous multi-agent access for command execution through a single client One example procedure of managing agents via a session client may include selecting multiple endpoint devices to manage, establishing a connection to a server, and identifying at least two agent identifiers identifying multiple agents corresponding to the multiple endpoint devices. The procedure may also include transmitting a session setup command to the server including the at least two agent identifiers and receiving a confirmation that a session has been established between the session client and the multiple agents of the multiple endpoint devices.
US09172755B2	Remote information collecting device and computer readable medium A building-facility information storage stores data sizes of process data to be collected from building-side communicating devices. A schedule generating unit generates a collection schedule of the process data from the building-side communicating devices so that, in a collection period including a plurality of unit periods continuous in terms of time, a first communication load representing a total data volume received from the building-side communicating devices per unit period and second communication loads each representing a data volume transmitted from each of the building-side communicating devices per unit period are balanced among the unit periods. A network communicating unit collects the process data from the building-side communicating devices in accordance with the collection schedule.
US09172746B2	Information processing system An information processing system includes multiple network segments to which one or more information processors are connectable. The network segments includes a first network segment to which at least one first information processor configured to store predetermined information is connected, a second network segment to which at least one second information processor is connected, and a third network segment to which at least one third information processor is connected. The second network segment includes multiple predefined application programming interface (API)s, and the at least one second information processor executes a process corresponding to a called one of the APIs using the predetermined information stored in the at least one first information processor. In response to receiving a request from outside the information processing system, the at least one third information processor controls a process corresponding to the request by calling one of the APIs which corresponds to the request.
US09172744B2	Scalable storage with programmable networks Described is a technology by which a scalable distributed file system is provided by deploying intelligent storage devices that are directly connected to the network. A server receives a request for data from a requester, and sends corresponding requests to the storage devices. The storage devices send data blocks directly to the requester instead of back to the server, while identifying the server as the sender, e.g., by programming a switch to participate in such an operation.
US09172740B1	Adjustable buffer remote access A method and apparatus for adjustable buffer remote access is provided. Adjustable buffer remote access may include generating, at a client device, a client display buffer request indicating a portion of a display area of an operating environment of a host device, transmitting the client display buffer request to the host device receiving a rendering of a representation of the portion of the display area of the host device, presenting a client display portion of the rendered buffer portion as a window into the display area of the operating environment of the host device, receiving an indication of a client display portion change presenting an updated client display portion based on the rendered buffer portion and the client display portion change, transmitting an updated client display buffer request to the host device, receiving an updated rendered buffer portion, and presenting the updated client display portion.
US09172738B1	Collaborative logistics ecosystem: an extensible framework for collaborative logistics The system describes a collaborative machine social network system with several elements. There is at least one system participant which communicates with the network. The participant's communications include short bursts of information not directed to a particular recipient but rather the network as a whole. The network further includes propagator nodes and integrator nodes to process communications from participants.
US09172734B2	Methods, devices, systems, and computer program products for managing and delivering media content Managing and delivering media content are provided. A device includes a media recording structure for capturing a live data stream. The device further includes a media management application executable by a processor. The media management application provides a graphical user interface via an input/output component, the graphical user interface including a user-selectable option for managing the network-based storage of media files captured by the media recording structure. When selected, the user-selectable option generates an alert indicating an amount of recording time remaining for the live data stream before a storage capacity of the network-based storage is reached. The recording time is determined as a function of an encoding rate at which the live data stream is being captured. Consumption of the network-based storage is monitored for the live data stream, and an alert is generated pursuant the encoding rate.
US09172731B2	Call processing system and method based on answer mode of push to talk over cellular user A call processing system and method based on an answer mode of a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) user are provided. A data format is defined, which inserts an indicator indicating a manual answer override into a payload of a Real-time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) in a format of a new data field. When a PoC communication requester instructs the MAO to perform PoC communication regardless of an answer mode of a reception side PoC user, an auto-answer mode is immediately executed without any procedure of checking the instruction. In addition, when the reception side PoC user establishes an early session with a home PoC server in its own PoC terminal, the call processing can be performed at a quicker speed.
US09172722B2	Method for network access, related network and computer program product therefor A method of providing access of a mobile terminal to an IP network includes establishing a security association between the mobile terminal and a first security gateway of a first router in said plurality of routers. The mobile terminal is provided access to the IP network via the first router, and the data exchanged between the mobile terminal and the first router is encapsulated by using the security association. The security association is made available to at least one second router having a second security gateway. The mobile terminal is provided access to the IP network via said the second router, and data exchanged between the mobile terminal and the second router is encapsulated by using the same security association. Establishing the security association includes assigning a Security Parameter Index that identifies univocally the first security gateway and the security association. Making the security association available to the second router includes making available to the second router the Security Parameter Index. The second router may thus have access to the security association either by requesting it from the first router or by identifying it in a set of security associations sent from the first router to a set of routers candidate to become the second router as result of the mobility of the mobile terminal.
US09172721B2	Scalable inline behavioral DDOS attack mitigation Methods and systems for a scalable solution to behavioral Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks targeting a network are provided. According to one embodiment, a method to determine the scaling treatment is provided for various granular layer parameters of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model for communication systems. A hardware-based apparatus helps identify packet rates and determine packet rate thresholds through continuous and adaptive learning with multiple DDoS attack mitigation components. The system can be scaled up by stacking multiple DDoS attack mitigation components to provide protection against large scale DDoS attacks by distributing load across these stacked components.
US09172720B2	Detecting malware using revision control logs Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for detecting malware using revision control logs are presented. In some embodiments, a computing device may gather one or more revision control logs, and the one or more revision control logs may identify one or more code changes. Subsequently, the computing device may determine, based on one or more risk factors, that at least one code change identified in the one or more revision control logs is potentially malicious. Based on determining that the at least one code change is potentially malicious, the computing device may generate a notification indicating that the at least one code change is potentially malicious.
US09172719B2	Intermediate trust state Embodiments of the invention relate to implementation of an intermediate trusted state of an electronic account based upon questionable account communication(s). A profile of malicious or unauthorized activity is created, and a profile of account activity is created. As account activity takes place, the activity is assessed against one or both of the profiles to statistically determine if the activity resembles that associated with malicious or unauthorized intent. The state of the account is placed in the intermediate trusted state if the activity statistically matches the unauthorized activity profile. An authentication activity enables the trusted state to be removed and for the account activity to resume.
US09172717B2	Security-aware admission control of requests in a distributed system Systems and articles of manufacture for security-aware admission control of requests in a distributed system include identifying a request dropped by a first application component in a distributed system, determining one or more actions to take with respect to the dropped request, said determining comprises identifying one or more policies of the first application component responsible for the dropped request and identifying one or more additional application components in the distributed system to be affected based on the identified one or more policies, and executing said one or more actions to control admission of one or more requests associated with the dropped request at the one or more additional application components.
US09172715B2	Stealth network attack monitoring A particular failed connection attempt initiated by a particular source asset in a network is identified and subsequent failed connection attempts initiated by the particular source asset in the network during a time period are tracked. A low frequency sequence of failed connection attempts involving the particular source asset is detected during the time period and the source asset is designated as a potential security risk based on the detected low frequency sequence of failed connection attempts.
US09172706B2	Tailored protection of personally identifiable information A negotiation-based mechanism enables a user to share personally identifiable information with a requesting website, for example, a third party website such as an aggregator website that might be gathering information about the user. The user, rather than being limited to a pre-set collection of privacy options, is free to negotiate with the requesting website and agree to share more or less information with based on the user's trust of the requesting website.
US09172701B2	Techniques for secure debugging and monitoring Techniques for secure debugging and monitoring are presented. An end user requests a secure token for logging information with a remote service. A secure monitoring and debugging token service provides the secure token. The remote service validates the secure token and configures itself for capturing information and reporting the captured information based on the secure token.
US09172691B2	System for secure enrollment and secure verification of network users by a centralized identification service A system and method for providing, as a service over a computer network (especially a packet-switched computer network) to a body of merchants connected to the computer network, verification of consumer identification based on data provided over the computer network by scanning devices attached to the computers operated by consumers.
US09172690B2	Apparatus and methods for multi-mode asynchronous communication A method includes receiving at a host device a first communication associated with a transaction from at least one electronic device included in a set of electronic devices. The host device includes at least a memory, a processor, and a database. The first communication received at a first time and via a first communication mode. The method includes sending a response to the first communication at a second time after the first time and independent of the first time. The host devices receives a second communication associated with the transaction from the at least one electronic device at a third time. The first communication, the response to the first communication, and the second communication are displayable in a persistent record of the transaction regardless of a difference between the first time and the third time.
US09172689B2	Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the same and storage medium thereof An image processing apparatus that communicates with a server that has a microblogging function performs user authentication processing and follows a user authenticated by the user authentication processing in accordance with the performing user authentication processing succeeding.
US09172687B2	Query system and method to determine authentication capabilities A system, apparatus, method, and machine readable medium are described for determining the authentication capabilities. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: receiving a policy identifying a set of acceptable authentication capabilities; determining a set of client authentication capabilities; and filtering the set of acceptable authentication capabilities based on the determined set of client authentication capabilities to arrive at a filtered set of one or more authentication capabilities for authenticating a user of the client.
US09172686B2	Facilitating heterogeneous authentication for allowing network access A method comprises an operation for facilitating authentication of a client device attempting to connect to a port of a network element. Facilitating authentication includes determining whether the client device is configured for being authenticated using a first authentication mechanism and, in response to determining that the client device is not configured for being authenticated using the first authentication mechanism, determining whether the client device is configured for being authenticated using at least one other authentication mechanism. For each one of the authentication mechanisms, an operation is provided for providing the client device with network connectivity dependent upon a respective first classification policy structure in response to the client device being successfully authenticated and an operation is provided for providing the client device with network connectivity dependent upon a respective second classification policy structure different that the first classification policy structure in response to the client device failing to be successfully authenticated.
US09172673B2	Systems and methods for domain name exchange A system, method, and computer-readable medium, is described that enables a domain name registrant the ability to exchange their existing domain in favor of a new domain without incurring additional domain registration fees and without affecting the other data fields of the existing domain. Once the domain exchange service is added to the domain registration, the registrant can exchange the domain name as often as it likes in accordance with the business rules of the registry until the domain exchange service expires.
US09172670B1	Disaster-proof event data processing Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing fault tolerant processing of events. The system includes multiple consensus computers configured to communicate with one another and multiple event processors configured to process data such as events. Each consensus computer is further configured to receive a request to process a unit of data from an event processor. A consensus computer communicates with at least one other consensus computer to reach consensus as to whether the unit of data has previously been assigned to an event processor for processing. Then, a consensus computer sends a message to the event processor that sent the inquiry including instructions to either process the unit of data or not process the unit of data. Because the consensus computers determine whether a unit of data has previously been assigned to an event processor, the system ensures that an event is not processed more than once.
US09172666B2	Locating a user based on aggregated tweet content associated with a location A user submitting a query from a computer at an unknown location is located using a language model. The language model is derived from an aggregation of tweets that were sent from known locations.
US09172665B2	Minimizing the time required to initiate and terminate an instant messaging session A system for minimizing the time required to initiate and terminate an instant messaging session. An initial message in an instant messaging session is checked to determine whether it has any significant content. If the received initial message has insignificant content, then a non-intrusive notification is provided to the user, without changing the current focus in the user interface. A pre-composed response message may also be automatically transmitted to the initiating user, requesting that a more significant message be sent. When an initial message in an instant messaging session is received that is determined to have significant content, the user is promptly notified in a different manner, which may be intrusive such that the current focus of the user interface is changed to a new window or the like containing the newly initiated instant messaging session.
US09172655B1	Systems and methods for quality of service in networks System and methods for providing quality of service (QOS) in networks. The method includes determining whether a transmit segment of a port of a network device has received a grant from a scheduler to transmit a packet. The port includes a plurality of sub-ports that share the transmit segment to transmit packets and a receive segment to receive packets. When the transmit buffer has received the grant, a virtual queue associated with the grant is mapped to a QOS bin that includes a minimum bandwidth limit threshold value, a maximum bandwidth threshold value, and a counter for counting actual bandwidth consumed. The QOS bin monitors bandwidth consumed by a source traffic group for adjusting QOS priority and the source traffic group includes the virtual queue.
US09172653B2	Sending request messages to nodes indicated as unresolved Techniques are provided for sending request messages to destination nodes. Destination nodes may be indicated as unresolved. Request messages are sent to destination nodes indicated as unresolved.
US09172642B2	Wireless communication method and apparatus thereof To provide a stable high speed wireless network, the relay process is solved at the lower layers (PHY layer, MAC layer) without depending on upper layers to reduce the load of the upper layers to the utmost. Discrimination is made between a packet of one's own station and a relay packet to process the presence and absence of the relay packet without using a CPU to construct a wireless network executing the relay processing at a high speed. Further, the retransmission is executed without using a CPU to provide a stable wireless network. In addition, the table for relay process (routing table) is constantly updated to add to the table the information of the packets of which processes are not executed to eventually suppress unnecessary processes.
US09172641B2	Server interconnection system, server, and data forwarding method A server interconnection system includes three switches each having n downlink ports and an uplink port, wherein n is an integer equal to or larger than 2; and m servers each having at least two network interface cards respectively connected to downlink ports of different switches, wherein m=3p/2, p is an even number equal to or larger than 2 but equal to or less than n, wherein every three servers form a group. A first server connects to a downlink port of a first switch and a downlink port of a second switch via two network interface cards. A second server connects to a downlink port of the first switch and a downlink port of a third switch via two network interface cards. A third server connects to a downlink port of the second switch and a downlink port of the third switch via two network interface cards.
US09172633B2	Traffic engineering system for preventing demand deadlock and achieving uniform link utilization Exemplary traffic engineering solutions are described herein. According to exemplary embodiments, multiple tiered thresholds representing allocatable capacities of links in the network may be provided. The tiered thresholds may effectively limit the amount of data that a traffic engineering system is permitted to allocate on links in the network. The traffic engineering system may attempt to allocate data flows in the network according to the smallest threshold. If the network cannot accommodate the data flows according to the smallest threshold, then the next-smallest threshold may be attempted. The thresholds may be sequentially tested in increasing order until the largest threshold is attempted. If a workable threshold is found, then the data flow may be allocated to a path in the network. If the traffic engineering system is unable to accommodate the data flows at any of the tiered thresholds, then the traffic engineering system may report a failure.
US09172631B2	Link path discovery A method includes identifying, by a first router, a number of label switched paths from the first router to a destination router, wherein each of the label switched paths includes less than a predetermined number of routers. The method may also include storing, for each of the label switched paths, information identifying each router in the label switched path. The method may further include identifying a least cost label switched path based on the stored information.

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