Document Document Title
US09180751B2 Air conditioner for vehicle
The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle that includes: a mode door having a thin. plate member, solidly operating inside an air-conditioning case to control the degree of opening of a defrost vent, a face vent and floor vents, and a gear shaft, engaged with the thin plate member for its operating; and constant discharging means disposed at a rail portion. of the thin plate member and at a guide part of an air-conditioning case overlapped with the rail portion, so that air of a fixed quantity is discharged to side vents of the face vent, thereby providing a simple structure and reducing manufacturing costs because the gear holes of the rail portion and the cut portions of the guide portion serve as the constant discharging means, without a need for additional structure to constantly discharge air toward the side vent.
US09180750B2 Vehicular thermo-control device
A vehicular thermo-control device adjusts a temperature of a battery. The device has a primary system through which cooling water circulates, and a secondary system through which a refrigerant circulates. The primary system has a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the battery and the cooling water, and a heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between the cooling water and an ambient air. The secondary system is a refrigerating cycle. Both heat exchangers on a high temperature side and a low temperature side of the refrigerating cycle are thermally coupled with the primary system. Only one heat exchanger provides heat exchange with the ambient air. The pump of the primary system can switch circulating direction of the cooling water. A controller controls devices to perform cooling and heating operation.
US09180742B2 Tire position determination system having tire pressure sensors and using axle rotation detectors
A tire position determination system including tire pressure detectors respectively attached to tires, axle rotation detectors respectively corresponding to axles, and a receiver located on a vehicle body. Each tire pressure detector detects when reaching a specific position on a rotation trajectory of the corresponding tire and transmits a radio wave including the tire ID. An ID temporary registration unit temporarily registers tire IDs to the memory that are received from the tire pressure detectors existing in a signal receivable area of the receiver. An ID registration acquires axle rotation information from each axle rotation detector whenever receiving the radio wave from each tire pressure detector, and specifies a tire ID of a tire that rotates in synchronism with rotation of each axle to determine the tire position of the tire.
US09180736B2 Wheel axle for a constant-velocity drive type driveshaft joint with adjustable axial positions
Disclosed herein is a multi-axle component for a constant-velocity drive type driveshaft joint system, comprising: a rotation shaft comprising an end distal to a joint region, and an end proximate to the joint region; a generally cylindrical ball receiving housing located at the proximate end, comprising a cylindrical wall adapted to receive at least a partially spherically shaped shaft end; at least two holes provided in the cylindrical wall that are axially displaced from one another along a rotation axis of the multi-axle component; and a pin that extends through only one of the axially displaced holes at a time to join the shaft end with the multi-axle component. Furthermore, a wheel axle system for a constant-velocity drive type driveshaft joint, is provided that uses the multi-axle component
US09180734B2 Machining tool for vehicle hub unit and vehicle hub unit
In a machining tool, multiple tooth forming portions for plastically forming spline teeth on an axial end face of a vehicle hub unit, the axial end face facing inward in the vehicle lateral direction, are formed in a circular pattern about the central axis of the machining tool. In the machining tool, a rounded-portion forming portion is formed to form a rounded portion between a tooth flank and a top land of each spline tooth, and the radius of the rounded-portion forming portion gradually changes in the radial direction about the central axis.
US09180733B2 Variable-diameter wheel
A variable-diameter wheel 1 includes at least one rim or hub 11 having a predetermined diameter, to which at least one drive axle 14 of the wheel 1 is connected; at least one outer surface external to the hub 11, having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the hub 11. At least one diameter-variation mechanism 3 is secured to the axle 14 and adapted to vary the actual diameter of the wheel 1 according to the torque applied to the drive axle 14 by at least one propulsion system.
US09180732B2 Non-pneumatic wheel assembly with removable hub
A non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided having a removable hub i.e., a hub that may be separated from the remainder of the wheel assembly. The hub may be reused and other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel assembly replaced as needed. In addition, the hub may be constructed from a different material than used for other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel.
US09180730B2 Turkey mount and process
A new and novel turkey mount and a process for manufacturing said turkey mount.
US09180715B2 Donor film and thermal imaging method using the same
A donor film and a thermal imaging method, the film including a base layer; a first light-to-heat conversion layer on the base layer; and a second light-to-heat conversion layer on the first light-to-heat conversion layer and to which an organic material is deposited, wherein the first light-to-heat conversion layer and the second light-to-heat conversion layer respectively absorb light of different wavelengths.
US09180708B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit that ejects ink onto paper, a first removal portion that removes adhering objects that have adhered to the paper by making contact with a first surface of the paper during transport of the paper, and a second removal portion that removes adhering objects that have adhered to the paper by making contact with a second surface of the paper during transport of the paper. The first removal portion and the second removal portion are disposed so as to partially overlap in the transport direction of the paper and so that ends of the first removal portion and the second removal portion on an upstream side in the transport direction are distanced from each other in the transport direction.
US09180707B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a supporting stage that supports a recording medium; a recording processing unit, which includes a recording unit that opposes the recording medium that is supported by the supporting stage, and bridges an X axis direction so as to cross the supporting stage; and a Y axis movement unit causes the recording processing unit to move in relation to the supporting stage in a Y axis direction that is perpendicular to the X axis direction and is parallel to a supporting surface of the supporting stage, in which the Y axis movement unit includes a drive mechanism, which causes the recording processing unit to move in the Y axis direction in relation to the supporting stage, and a linear guide mechanism, which is disposed on a rear surface side of the supporting stage, and supports the recording processing unit to be free sliding in the Y axis direction in relation to the supporting stage.
US09180701B2 Recording medium post-processing apparatus, printer unit with the same, recording medium post-processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing recording medium post-processing instructions
A recording medium post-processing apparatus includes: a stacker which is stacked with a plurality of sheet-like recording media with images being recorded thereon; an receiving device which receives at least one of information regarding the images to be recorded on the recording media and information regarding the recording media; an alignment device which applies an external force to the recording media stacked on the stacker so as to align the recording media; a controller which sets, on the basis of the at least one information received by the receiving device, at least one of (i) stacked-sheet number that is the number of the recording media, and (ii) a magnitude of the external force that is applied to the recording media and which controls the alignment device on the basis of the setted at least one of the stacked-sheet number and the magnitude of the external force.
US09180697B2 Recording device
The recording device includes recording unit for recording on a recording medium, conveying unit for conveying a recording medium upstream of the recording unit in the downstream direction, and an ejection unit for ejecting the recording medium which is downstream of the recording unit and which has undergone recording. The ejection unit has a drive roller and a driven roller urged toward the drive roller, the driven roller is capable of switching between a state of being urged by a first load and a state of being urged by a second load that is lower than the first load, the driven roller is set to the first-load selected state at least during rear end recording in which recording is performed on a rear end region of the recording medium, and the driven roller is set to the second-load selected state during ejection when the recording medium is ejected.
US09180690B2 System and method for decurling media in a printing system
Embodiments described herein include an upstream measurement module, a curler downstream of the upstream measurement module, and a print station downstream of the curler. The upstream measurement module includes a transport on which media is tacked to flatten the media and a curl sensor to generate a curl signal corresponding to a media curl of the media on the transport. The curler curls the media in response to the curl signal to reduce a magnitude of the media curl. The print station includes a marking unit to dispose a marking material on the media and a transport to transport the media past the marking unit, wherein the first and second transports apply a substantially equivalent hold down force to the media.
US09180685B1 Printer apparatus
A printer apparatus comprises an insertion and discharging port; a first paper conveyance path configured to convey a first printing medium in a form of booklet inserted from the insertion and discharging port in a downstream direction towards a given printing position, and convey the first printing medium in a direction opposite to the downstream direction to discharge the first printing medium from the insertion and discharging port; a first printing section configured to carry out printing on the first printing medium conveyed to the printing position; a second printing section configured at the downstream side of the first printing section when seen from the direction of the insertion and discharging port to carry out printing on a second printing medium in a printing method different from that of the first printing section; a second paper conveyance path configured to merge with the first paper conveyance path at the downstream side of the first printing section of the first paper conveyance path to discharge the printed second printing medium through the first paper conveyance path from the insertion and discharging port; and a new booklet issuing section configured to insert an unused first printing medium in the second paper conveyance path as a newly issued medium.
US09180673B2 Liquid supply
In one example, an ink supply assembly that may be installed into a printer as a single unit while holding ink includes a first sub-assembly having a primary container to hold ink and a secondary container enclosing the primary container and configured to fit inside the printer. The assembly also includes a a second sub-assembly having an ink supply to receive ink from the primary container through a conduit and to deliver ink to a printhead.
US09180672B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a head that discharges liquid having a component which settles down; a storage section that stores the liquid; a supply path that supplies the liquid from the storage section to the head through a path which extends in a horizontal direction; and an acceleration section that accelerates a part of the supply path which includes at least the path with acceleration having a downward acceleration component in the vertical direction. The supply path may include a upstream part which is connected to the storage section, a first connection part which is connected to the upstream part, a horizontal part which is connected to the first connection part and which extends in the horizontal direction, a second connection part which is connected to the horizontal part, and a downstream part which is connected to the second connection part and the head. At this time, the acceleration section accelerates the horizontal part relatively to the upstream part and the downstream part with the acceleration.
US09180669B2 Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A common liquid chamber that communicates with a plurality of pressure chambers includes at least one inflow port into which a liquid flows, a plurality of supply openings, arranged in a row, for supplying the liquid to each of the pressure chambers, and a slanted surface that, when viewed from a second direction that is orthogonal to an arrangement direction in which the supply openings are arranged and that follows a substrate in which the common liquid chamber is formed, is slanted so that the slanted surface overlaps with the arrangement of some of the supply openings including supply openings located at ends of the arrangement direction and approaches the arrangement of the supply openings at the end areas of the arrangement direction. At least part of the inflow port is located within the range of the arrangement of the stated some of the supply openings when viewed from the second direction. An angle of the slanted surface and a position of the inflow port are set so that a flow rate of the liquid is no less than 0.025 m/s in the vicinity of an end of the inflow port in the arrangement direction when the liquid is sucked from the nozzle openings by applying negative pressure to the nozzle openings.
US09180667B2 Liquid-ejecting head and liquid-ejecting apparatus
A liquid-ejecting head includes a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening and includes a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric layer and electrodes. The piezoelectric layer contains bismuth sodium potassium titanate and satisfies the inequality 0≦Pr/Pm≦0.25 at 25° C., where Pm and Pr are the saturation polarization and remanent polarization, respectively, of the piezoelectric layer.
US09180666B2 Image recording device
An image recording device includes a head unit having a print head and a first substrate, a second substrate provided separate to the head unit, a support member that supports the head unit and the second substrate while a first positional relationship in which the head unit and the second substrate are close to each other and a second positional relationship in which the head unit and the second substrate are away from each other are changed. Moreover, in the first positional relationship, the head unit and the second substrate are connected to each other to form an electric signal supply path from the second substrate to the head unit, and, conversely, in the second positional relationship, the connection between the head unit and the second substrate is released such that the head unit is dismountable from the support member.
US09180662B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus and head unit
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an original drive signal generation section that generates an original drive signal, a signal modulation section that modulates the original drive signal and generates a modulation signal, a signal amplification section that amplifies the modulation signal and generates an amplification modulation signal, a signal conversion section that converts the amplification modulation signal into a drive signal, a piezoelectric element that deforms by the drive signal, a cavity that expands or contracts due to deformation of the piezoelectric element, a nozzle that communicates with the cavity and ejects a liquid in response to increase and decrease of a pressure inside the cavity, and a temperature detection section that detects a temperature of the signal conversion section.
US09180658B2 Image recording method
An image recording method includes an intermediate image-forming step of forming an intermediate image by applying an ink to an intermediate transfer body, a temperature adjusting step, and a transfer step of transferring the intermediate image onto a recording medium, in this order. The ink includes polymer particles and a surfactant which is at least one selected from a compound represented by general formula (1) and a compound represented by general formula (2). In the temperature adjusting step, a temperature of the intermediate image is adjusted to a temperature higher than or equal to a cloud point of the surfactant.
US09180655B2 Convertible buffers for web presses
In one example, a web press includes a web press station and a convertible buffer near the web press station, the convertible buffer being configured to convert to a platform for accessing the web press station. A method for performing web press maintenance is also disclosed.
US09180652B2 Microfluidic chips with optically transparent glue coating and a method of manufacturing microfluidic chips with optically transparent glue coating for a microfluidic device
A microfluidic chip for a microfluidic system includes a PDMS substrate having a first thickness, at least one microfluidic pathway in the substrate, a coating along the microfluidic pathway, and a glass layer having a second thickness on the substrate and above the microfluidic pathway, wherein the coating contains an optically transparent material, and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The coating includes cyanoacrylates, an UV curable epoxy adhesive, a gel epoxy or epoxy under trade name of EPO-TEK OG175, MasterBond EP30LV-1 or Locite 0151.
US09180648B2 Laminate for laminated glass
A laminate for a laminated glass, comprising an interlayer film for a laminated glass laminated with a retardation element interposed between an adhesive layer A and an adhesive layer B, wherein the retardation element contains a liquid-crystal compound and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (1), a compound represented by the following formula (2), and a compound represented by the following formula (3). In formula (1), n represents an integer from 3 to 10 and R2 represents a —CH2—CH2— group, a —CH2—CH(CH3)— group, or a —CH2—CH2—CH2— group. In formula (2), R3 represents a —(CH2)p— group or a phenylene group and p represents an integer from 4 to 8. In formula (3), R4 represents a substituted phenylene group. R1-1, R1-2, and R1-3 in formulas (1) to (3) are the same or different, each representing an alkyl group that has a branched structure and that contains at least 5 carbon atoms.
US09180640B2 Method of making a floor tile with overmolded pads
A plastic floor tile is formed by molding a body of a first polymer compound and overmolding features onto the body from a second polymer compound. The compounds may be different from each other in hardness and/or color. The overmolded features may include raised pads on the upper surface of the tile. The pads on the upper surface may be injection-molded from the lower surface through through-holes, which are smaller in area than the area of the pads.
US09180636B2 Variable focus ophthalmic device
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel.
US09180633B2 Methods for formation of an ophthalmic lens precursor and lens
This invention discloses methods for generating one or both of an ophthalmic lens precursor with at least a portion of one surface free-formed from a Reactive Mixture. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens precursor is formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of Reactive Mixture.
US09180631B2 Molded-in insert and method for fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite structure
In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a molded-in insert for high strength retention in a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite structure. The insert has a cylindrical body and at least one circumferential groove formed in the cylindrical body, the groove having a substantially concave configuration, having a groove radius of 0.025 inch or greater, and having the groove radius greater than or equal to a groove depth.
US09180629B2 Method for producing an integral fiber composite part
The method according to the invention allows the production of a complex, integral (onepiece) fiber composite part having a plurality of internal and undercut stiffening elements employing removable cores. Because connection elements are no longer necessary, a high weight savings potential results, because, for example, rivets and rivet flanges required for this purpose, as in the case of conventional assembly from individual parts (differential construction), become superfluous.
US09180627B2 Process for manufacturing articles in carbon fiber and article manufactured with this process
The invention relates to a heat compression molding process for the manufacturing of composite material articles, the process comprising the steps of i) providing a mold (20) in which the negative shape (31, 32) of an article (30) to be manufactured is formed; ii) inserting into said mold (20) an SMC semi-finished product (10) comprising one or more sheets of composite material comprising a matrix of a heat-hardening resin and carbon fibers, the mold being pre-heated at a temperature suitable to allow the cure of said heat-hardening resin; iii) closing the mold (20) and carrying out a compression cycle in an autoclave according to a predefined time-pressure law; and iv) extracting the article (30), wherein the amount of SMC semi-finished product (10) inserted in the mold (20) is calculated by weighing on the basis of the volume of the article (30) to be manufactured. The size of the surfaces of the SMC semi-finished product (10) intended to contact the surfaces of the shape (31, 32) are calculated so as to cover said surfaces in a percentage comprised between 70 to 99%, in particular higher than 80% and less than or equal to 99%. Thanks to these characteristics it is possible to obtain manufactured articles substantially free from surface defects and suitable for both structural and aesthetic uses.
US09180622B2 Method and device for the transverse drawing of a material web
The invention relates to a method for the transverse drawing of an unoriented or longitudinally-oriented film web made from thermoplastic plastic. According to said method, an undrawn or longitudinally-drawn film (8) is introduced into a transverse drawing frame in which heater fields (1) are heated to a transverse drawing temperature TQ, in the attached drawing fields (2) a clip chain is drawn in the transverse direction by divergent (V-shaped) guides and a temperature TF is applied to fixing fields where TQ>TF. In the drawing fields and/or the heating fields (1) the boundary zones (5) of the film (8) are heated or thermally insulated such that the boundary zones (5) of the film (8) have a higher temperature than the middle of the film web (6) on transverse drawing and/or fixing.
US09180615B2 Method of making a multiple-layered plastic part
In some embodiments, a tool includes, in an injection molding machine, a movable internal core configured to receive a molded plastic layer thereon, the molded plastic layer having a thickness. The tool also comprises an injection nozzle configured to inject plastic material over the movable internal core to form the molded plastic layer; an ejection plate connected to the movable internal core; and multiple, movable support plates each having a thickness. The multiple, movable support plates are located behind the ejection plate. A movable support plate of the multiple, movable support plates is configured to determine the thickness of the molded plastic layer.
US09180614B2 Method for producing a decorative part
The invention relates to a method for producing a decorative part, comprising the method steps, in sequence, of: placing and locating a decorative element in a mold, applying an initially substantially liquid plastics coating over the entire surface of the decorative element, reinforcing the decorative element by solidifying the plastics coating, and subsequently applying a support structure to the substantially solidified plastics layer of the reinforced decorative element.
US09180613B2 Side actuated shooting pot
An injection molding system having a shooting pot assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the shooting pot assembly is in fluid communication with a mold and has an actuation direction that is substantially perpendicular to an injection axis of material injected into a mold cavity. In another embodiment, a shooting pot actuation system is a mounted on a side of a hot runner. In certain embodiments, the shooting pot actuation system includes a linear actuator operatively coupled with the shooting pot assembly to actuate the shooting pot assembly.
US09180607B2 Mold and method for molding resin foamed molding
Provided is a mold configured to properly exhaust gas from a cavity and to prevent resin from entering into a vent hole, and a method for molding resin foamed molding using the mold. The mold (1) includes lower mold (2), upper mold (4), and core mold (3). The core mold (3) is provided at wall portions (3b), (3c) thereof with respective vent holes (6). Annexed members (7) are detachably attached to the outer surface sides of wall portions (3b), (3c). Each of the annexed members (7) has a tubular shape having an air passage in communication with the vent hole, and a sectional dimension smaller than that of vent hole (6). A nonwoven cloth (10) is attached to core mold (3) so as to cover each surface thereof facing the cavity, and cover wall portions (3b), (3c), thereby covering vent hole (6) from the cavity side.
US09180593B2 Analyser for optical analysis of a biological specimen
An analyzer is disclosed for optical analysis of a biological specimen. In at least one embodiment, the analyzer includes optics which includes a camera, intermediate optics and front optics. The intermediate optics is movably arranged and the front optics is fixedly arranged. An analyzer for optical analysis of a biological specimen, in at least one embodiment includes a robot for transporting a slide to be analyzed. The robot is controlled by at least three motors to allow movement of the robot in three dimensions. The robot includes a handling device configured to grip the slide.
US09180588B2 Handgrip
A handgrip device configured to be removably coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The handgrip device may include a first portion that includes an opening with a center axis. The opening may be configured to receive a portion of a handle that includes a center rotational axis such that the center rotational axis is substantially aligned with the center axis of the first portion. The handgrip device may also include a second portion that is coupled to and fixed with respect to the first portion. The second portion may include a proximal end that is coupled to the first portion and a distal end that may extend away from the proximal end. The second portion may also include a first concaved side coupled between the proximal and distal ends. The first concaved side may face a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the first portion.
US09180587B2 Non-welding device powered by a welding power supply
A non-welding device powered by a welding power supply is provided. One device, a power tool, includes a connector configured to be coupled to a trigger receptacle of a welding power supply and to receive power from the trigger receptacle. The power tool also includes control circuitry electrically coupled to the connector and configured to receive power from the welding power supply and to use the power to operate the power tool.
US09180584B1 Duct assembly tool
A combination tool for installing and crimping a cleat for fastening sections of ductwork, and for adjusting the threaded on support rods of strut channel for leveling the ductwork. The tool has an installing plate for holding a cleat and a removable handle that threads to the back of the installing plate. The handle has a hollow tubular body with a nut driver formed in the other end, for engaging and driving a threaded nut. The nut driver end is made by milling a rectangular slot transverse the axis of the hollow tubular body to form a pair of nut-engaging. A shank can be provided for attachment to the chuck of a power drill for rapid driving of the nuts. The tool also has a hinged crimping plate with threaded set screws for crimping the cleat securely to the flanges of the ductwork.
US09180579B2 Combination screwdriver
A combination screwdriver includes a handle having a receiving chamber, a fixed plate secured in the receiving chamber of the handle, a push button movably mounted in the receiving chamber of the handle, a compression spring mounted in the receiving chamber of the handle and biased between the fixed plate and the push button, a tool holder movably mounted in the receiving chamber of the handle and holding a plurality of tips, and a restoring spring mounted in the receiving chamber of the handle and biased between the fixed plate and the tool holder. Thus, the tool holder is sprung outward and partially protruded from the handle by pressing the push button to expose the tips for selection of the user so that the user can take and operate the tips easily and quickly.
US09180575B1 Systems and methods for constructing mosaic wood flooring panels and/or more complex mosaic wood structures
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for constructing flooring constructed from a plurality of pieces such that the flooring can include a mosaic pattern. Further, the systems and methods also can be used to produce more complex mosaic structures constructed from at least one mosaic flooring panel. The mosaic flooring panels can be constructed of solid wood and/or other materials.
US09180561B2 Mobile reservoir system and method for reusing unused clean water
The present invention supports a reservoir system and method that allows a household or user to collect, retain and reuse unused clean water (i.e. clean water left in buckets, glasses, cups, etc.) instead of dumping it down a drain. Rain water may also be collected, retained and used. The reservoir system includes a reservoir tank for storing the water, dump bucket to receive the water, a piping and water releasing mechanism to release the water being stored and a mobility mechanism to allow for transportability of the system. The reservoir system is designed to help combat the current green initiative to save water for more practical uses.
US09180557B1 Two-piece replacement nozzle
This invention provides an improved replacement nozzle configuration. The nozzle is provided in two pieces. A first nozzle piece is a relatively thin-walled cylinder that is inserted into the counterbored opening of a pressure vessel after the protruding portion of the original nozzle has been removed. A weld pad is attached to the pressure vessel, to which the first replacement nozzle piece is welded. Due to the reduced dimensions of the thin-walled first nozzle portion, a much smaller weld pad and pad-to-nozzle weld can be used. A second nozzle piece is positioned within the first nozzle piece and welded thereto. The existing instrumentation piping is connected to the free end of the second nozzle piece. This two-piece replacement nozzle can be implemented in approximately half the time required for the one-piece design.
US09180553B2 Electrode for GMAW hybrid laser arc welding
A welding electrode hybrid laser arc welding is provided which is either a solid or metal core electrode. The electrode contains at least carbon, manganese, silicon, sulfur and phosphorus. The electrode has is no more than 0.02% carbon, manganese in the range of 0.6 to 1.2%, silicon in the range of 0.3 to 0.6%, no more than 0.01% sulfur, and no more than 0.01% phosphorus in % by weight of the electrode.
US09180545B2 Wire feeder with electrode power routing
An apparatus is provided which is a wire feeder for a welding operation having two or more wire driving devices and a switching device which directs the welding current to the appropriate wire driving device for a welding operation.
US09180544B2 Method and apparatus for wireless remote control communication of a welder
A method and apparatus of communicating control signals to a welding power source from a remote location includes a welding system operated by control signals transmitted by a wireless remote control that can be remotely located from the welding power source. A plurality of welding parameters in the welding system are set and adjusted in response to wireless command signals transmitted to a receiver that is connected to the welding power source via a connection port and is further connected to a controller in the welding power source. In this regard, an operator is able to quickly and efficiently control a welding system from a remote location, with no more cables than are necessary to perform the intended task.
US09180530B2 Rotary tool and method of producing
Rotary tool, such as a drill or milling cutter, having a main tool body, which extends along a center longitudinal axis, which has a flute and which, at a distance from the center longitudinal axis, has an insert seat which is introduced into the flute wall and in which a cutting insert, in particular made of a superhard material such as PCD or PCBN, is fastened integrally, wherein, for fixing both a radial and also an axial position of the cutting insert, the insert seat has an abutment wall which has a contour for positioning the cutting insert in a rotationally locked manner.
US09180529B1 Drilling system using a pocket hole joint method
A drilling system for joining pieces of wood using a pocket hole joint method features a first wood block having a planar first wood block mating surface and a second wood block having as planer second wood block mating surface and a second wood block drilling surface. A pocket having a cylindrical side wall and a planar front wall is angularly located on the second wood block drilling surface. The system features a drilling unit having a cylindrical outer sleeve and a cylindrical inner sleeve with a cylindrical shaft located in the inner sleeve. A drill bit is located on a shaft first end. A drill is activated to rotate the drill bit while a user applies force to the drill for pushing the drill bit through the second wood block into the first wood block.
US09180522B2 Coated cutting tool insert
A cutting tool insert for machining by chip removal includes a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, polycrystalline diamond or cubic boron nitride based materials onto which a hard and wear resistant coating is deposited by physical vapour deposition (PVD). The coating includes at least one layer of a NaCl-structured (TicAlaCrbMed)(CzOyNx) where Me is one or more of the elements Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W and/or Si, 0.100.20, c>0.05, 0≦d<0.25, 0.7525 GPa.
US09180519B2 Three-dimensional nanostructures and method for fabricating the same
A three-dimensional nanostructures and a method for fabricating the same, and more particularly to three-dimensional structures of various shapes having high aspect ratio and uniformity in large area and a method of fabricating the same by attaching a target material to the outer surface of patterned polymer structures using an ion bombardment phenomenon occurring during a physical ion etching process to form target material-polymer composite structures, and then removing the polymer from the target material-polymer structures. A three-dimensional nanostructures with high aspect ratio and uniformity can be fabricated by a simple process at low cost by using the ion bombardment phenomenon occurring during physical ion etching. Also, nanostructures of various shapes can be easily fabricated by controlling the pattern and shape of polymer structures. In addition, uniform fine nanostructures having a thickness of 10 nm or less can be formed in a large area.
US09180517B2 Powder magnetic core
A powder magnetic core having a high electrical resistivity and a high magnetic flux density, including at least a composite magnetic particle the composite magnetic particle including: a core particle containing iron as the main component; and an insulating passivation layer formed on the core particle, wherein: the insulating passivation layer at least has an inner layer formed on the core particle and the outermost layer formed on the inner layer; and the outermost layer contains iron oxide as the main component.
US09180511B2 Thermal isolation for casting articles
Some embodiments provide methods and systems for casting articles. One example of a method includes providing and positioning a thermal blanket within a mold cavity and then introducing a molten material into the mold cavity and into contact with the thermal blanket. The method allows the molten material to remain in a molten state during a dwell time that extends from the introduction of the molten material at least until the mold cavity is filled. In another example, a method of using a thermal blanket includes keeping a molten material in a molten state during a dwell time extending from first introduction of the molten material until pressurization. Systems including a variety of mold types, one or more thermal blankets, and in some cases preforms and/or inserts are also provided. Also described is a novel thermal blanket and method of manufacturing the same.
US09180507B2 Turk's head stand
In a Turk's head stand, double inner frames are disposed inside an outer frame. A first inner frame is disposed so as to be adjusted in the vertical direction, and a second inner frame is disposed so as to be adjusted in the horizontal direction. Four-way straightening rolls and position adjusting devices are incorporated inside the second inner frame. Mechanical structures for convexo-concave engagement are disposed on faces of the respective roll chocks and yokes and the inner frames opposed to each other, thereby to guide the respective roll chocks and yokes, by utilizing descending motions of the inner frames, after connection with a pressing device has been released, to form the stack body in series, and to enable the stack body to be withdrawn from the roll stand.
US09180502B2 Rolling mill stand and related rolling mill for longitudinally rolling rod-shaped bodies
A rolling mill stand and related rolling mill for rolling rod-shaped bodies, even large in size, which meets the requirement of stiffness uniformity of the rolling mill stands in the transversal direction, all the hydraulic capsules being firmly fixed to the external structure of the rolling mill and providing for the side change of the rolls of each stand. The arrangement of rolling rolls and related extensions of each rolling mill stand is such to avoid problems of corrosion and damaging to the extensions themselves and to the reducers due to the drainage of the cooling waters.
US09180498B2 Beverage bottling plant configured to fill already used, returned, returnable beverage bottles which includes a cleaning machine, and a cleaning machine
A beverage bottling plant configured to fill already used, returned, returnable beverage bottles which includes a cleaning machine, and a cleaning machine configured to clean used, returnable, cleanable containers in a container filling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US09180492B2 Screening machine for superfine powder
A screening machine for superfine powder. The screening machine includes a casing, a screen drum, a funnel, a negative pressure chamber, a rotary air spray pipe, a drive motor, a blast pipe, and a feed pipe. The screen drum is disposed in the middle part of the inner cavity of the casing. The funnel is disposed beneath the casing. The opening of the screen drum is arranged on the bottom of the screen drum and communicates with the upper opening of the funnel. The inner cavity of the casing communicates with the external induced draft fan via the negative pressure chamber disposed on the upper part of the casing. The rotary air spray pipe is arranged in the space between the screen drum and the casing. The middle part of the transverse pipe is connected via a transmission with the drive motor.
US09180491B2 Ultrasound transducer, ultrasound probe and manufacturing method of ultrasound transducer
The purpose is to provide an ultrasound transducer and ultrasound probe without the complexity of the manufacturing process of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer while ensuring the electric conductive path. Pluralities of two-dimensionally arranged piezoelectrics are comprised in the ultrasound transducer. Electrodes are provided for each piezoelectric. Furthermore, the non-conductive acoustic matching layer with the first surface on the electrode side and the second surface on the opposite side of the first surface is comprised in the ultrasound transducer, and moreover, the electric conductive acoustic matching layer arranged on the second surface side of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer is comprised in the ultrasound transducer. Moreover, the substrate arranged on the opposite side of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer is arranged with respect to the electric conductive acoustic matching layer. The plurality of grooves penetrating the non-conductive acoustic matching layer, leading up to mid-way of the piezoelectrics of the first surface side or mid-way of the electric conductive acoustic matching layer of the second surface side is formed between the first surface and the second surface of the non-conductive acoustic matching layer. Moreover, the electrode and the substrate are electrically conducted via the groove.
US09180488B2 Fuser manufacture and article
According to an embodiment a method of making a fuser member is described. The method includes, obtaining a silicone layer disposed on a substrate and coating a primer composition including an aqueous dispersion of a fluorelastomer and a curing agent on the silicone layer. A topcoat composition is coated on the primer composition which includes a fluoroplastic dispersion. The primer composition and the topcoat composition are heated to form the fuser member.
US09180486B2 Method for preparing a porous anti-reflection thin film composed of hollow polymeric nanoparticles
A method for preparing a porous anti-reflective thin film composed of hollow polymer nano-particles is provided in the following steps: Firstly, an aqueous dispersion having mass percent of 3-7% is prepared using polymer nano-capsules. A thin film comprising polymer nano-capsules is formed by spin coating on one side or both sides of the substrate using a spin coater. The thin film comprising polymer nano-capsules is dried in vacuum at high temperature. After the core materials of the polymer nano-capsules evaporate completely, the polymer nano-capsules turn into hollow polymer nano-particles, and a porous anti-reflective thin film composed of hollow polymer nano-particles is prepared. The thickness and refractive index of the thin film are adjusted conveniently and effectively by changing the concentration of polymer nano-capsules aqueous dispersion and the hollow volume rate of the polymer nano-particles. The thin film has the advantages of high mechanical intensity and abrasion resistance.
US09180485B2 Methods and apparatuses for coating balloon catheters
Methods and apparatus for coating a medical device are provided. In one embodiment, the method for preparing a substantially uniform coated medical device includes (1) preparing a coating solution comprising a solvent, a therapeutic agent, and an additive; (2) loading a metering dispenser with the coating solution; (3) rotating the medical device about the longitudinal axis of the device and/or moving the medical device along the longitudinal or transverse axis of the device; (4) dispensing the coating solution from the metering dispenser onto a surface of the medical device and flowing the coating solution on the surface of the medical device while the medical device is rotating and/or linearly moving; and (5) evaporating the solvent, forming a substantially uniform coating layer on the medical device.
US09180483B2 Integrated coating system
Provided is an integrated coating system. An integrated coating system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a unwinding means provided with a roll to supply a web; a worktable roll configured to support the web supplied from the unwinding means; a plurality of printing means configured to perform printing or coating on the web supplied from the unwinding means; a plurality of curing means each of which is modulated to cure a printing material on the web passing through at least one printing means; and a winding means around which the web, of which printing or coating work is completed by passing through the curing means, is wound in a roll shape.
US09180481B2 Programmable paint station
A paint station may include a frame with a table attached to it. A track may run along the length of the table. A bridge may be connected to the track and may move along the track. The bridge may extend across the width of the table. A painting component may be attached to the bridge and may move along the bridge. Therefore the painting component may run along two axes over the table. A computer may be connected to the paint station to direct the movement of the painting component along the two axes. A user may place a clothing apparel on the table and may input a command to paint a desired design on the clothing apparel.
US09180471B2 Two-substance nozzle and method for spraying a liquid-gas mixture
A two-substance nozzle for spraying a liquid-gas mixture, including a nozzle housing including at least one liquid inlet leading into a mixing chamber and at least one gas inlet leading into the mixing chamber, a swirl insert, an outlet chamber between the swirl insert and an outlet opening on the downstream end of the outlet chamber, wherein a restrictor is provided on the downstream end of the mixing chamber and an intermediate chamber is provided between the restrictor and the swirl insert.
US09180469B2 Rotary atomizer and method for the control of the spraying body of said rotary atomizer
Exemplary illustrations of a bell cup for a rotary atomizer and method of using the same are disclosed. The exemplary illustrations are generally directed to the control of the rotating bell plate of a rotary atomizer used for the serial coating of work pieces. An air flow component may be created by the structural design of the bell plate and/or of an element of the rotary atomizer and by the rotation of the bell plate. The air flow component may correspond to the bell plate design, and the element may be adjacent to the bell plate and stationary relative to same. The air flow component may be measured and compared to a predefined reference value.
US09180467B2 Continuously operating centrifuge
A continuously operating centrifuge for centrifuging sugar massecuites has an upwardly flaring conical sieve basket (20) which rotates about a vertical axis (16). A product distributor (40) flares downwardly and extends into the bottom region of the sieve basket (20). The product distributor (40) is substantially coaxial with respect to the sieve basket (20), has a discharge rim and rotates about the same vertical axis (16) as the sieve basket (20). Within and in the upper region of the product distributor (40), there is provided a distributor pot (30) which serves as a feeding device for the sugar massecuites in the axial region of the centrifuge. The peripheral wall of the product distributor (40) is divided up into a plurality of ring elements (41, 42, 43) which overlap in the direction of the axis (16) and the internal diameters of which differ from each other. A bell (50) surrounds the product distributor (40) and flares conically downwardly. A device (61, 62) incorporating air directing elements is provided between at least two of the ring elements (41, 42, 43) of the product distributor (40).
US09180462B2 Method of preparing a liquid extract of cereal grain and apparatus suitable for use in such method
The present invention provides a continuous method of preparing a liquid extract of cereal grain by comminuting cereal grain at a rate of at least 100 kg of dry cereal grain per hour and extracting the comminuted cereal grain with a liquid, said method comprising: continuously combining cereal grain with a liquid; continuously disintegrating the grain particles contained within the liquid by colliding freely suspended grain particles with one or more rotating blades, thereby producing a milled suspension; continuously transferring at least a part of the milled suspension, optionally after further treatment, to a separation device for separation into spent grain and liquid extract; wherein the one or more rotating blades are rotating at a tip speed of at least 10 m/s; the total mechanical energy transferred into the milled suspension by the one or more rotating blades is in the range of 5-1000 kJ per kg of dry cereal grain; and the distance between a tip of said one or more rotating blades and the axis of rotation is in the range of 2-25 cm. The invention also provides a system for comprising a milling apparatus and a separation device suitable for use in the aforementioned method.The present method and system offer several advantages, including savings on capital expenditure and maintenance, short milling times and hygienic design.
US09180460B2 Apparatus and method for transferring test tubes
An apparatus has a) a flat, flexible test tube holder ring, and b) a mechanism to manipulate the angular orientation of the flat flexible test tube holder ring. The test tube holder ring includes: (1) an outer circumference, (2) an inner circumference, and (3) apertures to hold test tubes, wherein alternate apertures have circumferential walls to enable positioning the test tubes higher compared to their adjacent test tubes. The mechanism includes an engagement mechanism that orients the angle of the test tube holder ring. When the test tube holder ring is at one angle, the test tube holder ring is flat and planar, and when the test tube holder is at a different angle the test tube holder ring has a conical shape.
US09180459B2 Devices and methods for thermally-mediated chemical reactions
One aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a conductive member for heating the interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a plurality of conductive members for heating an interior volume. Another aspect of the invention provides a container for thermal cycling a plurality of samples in a microfluidic array. The container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior volume and a first conductive member located in the interior volume and adapted to contact a first end of the microfluidic array.
US09180458B2 Biosensor having identification information and apparatus for reading identification information of biosensor
A biosensor is provided, including an identification information recording unit having identification information of the biosensor recorded thereon, where the identification information recording unit is a color tag that is attached on the biosensor and indicates the identification information by color, chroma of color, or arrangement pattern of colors. An apparatus for reading identification information of a biosensor is provided, including: a biosensor sensing unit detecting the biosensor; a light-emitting unit emitting light on an identification information recording unit when the biosensor sensing unit detects the biosensor, the identification information recording unit having the identification information of the biosensor recorded thereon; a light-receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, and reflected or refracted by or passing through the identification information recording section; and an identification information reading unit analyzing the light received by the light-receiving unit and reading the identification information of the biosensor.
US09180453B2 Method and apparatus for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes that is simple, robust, and versatile. It is a fluidic device that partitions a sample by exploiting the interplay between fluidic forces, interfacial tension, channel geometry, and the final stability of the formed droplet and/or discretized volume. These compartmentalized volumes allow for isolation of samples and partitioning into a localized array that can subsequently be manipulated and analyzed. The isolation of the discretized volumes along with the device's inherent portability render our invention versatile for use in many areas, including but not limited to PCR, digital PCR, biological assays for diagnostics and prognostics, cancer diagnosis and prognosis, high throughput screening, single molecule and single cell reactions or assays, the study crystallization and other statistical processes, protein crystallization, drug screening, environmental testing, and the coupling to a wide range of analytical detection techniques for biomedical assays and measurements. The minimal fluid interconnects and simple flow geometry makes the device easy to use and implement, economical to fabricate and operate, and robust in its operations.
US09180448B2 Method and apparatus for identification of bacteria
An automated system for identifying in a biological sample microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility (AST). The system provided an automated platform for preparing, from a single biological sample, inoculates for both ID and AST. The system loads a plate for ID testing as samples are being prepared for AST testing. The system tracks the sample and the inoculates from the samples to link the test results to the sample and the patients from whom the sample was obtained.
US09180442B2 Porous graphene oxide materials
A method of preparing a porous graphene oxide material. The method includes the steps of: (1) preparing graphene oxide sheets from graphite at 40 to 170° C.; (2) providing a graphene oxide suspension containing the graphene oxide sheets; (3) heating the graphene oxide suspension with a base at 25 to 300° C. for 0.1 to 48 hours to obtain base-treated graphene oxide sheets; and (4) heating a mixture of the base-treated graphene oxide sheets and an acid at 25 to 300° C. for 0.1 to 48 hours to yield the porous graphene oxide material. Also disclosed are novel porous graphene oxide materials and methods of using these materials as catalysts.
US09180441B2 Method of forming zeolite shaped body with silica binder
A method of forming a zeolite shaped body is carried out by preparing an aqueous mixture containing a zeolite, a silica binder material and an extrusion aid. The extrusion aid is at least one of PVAc-PVA1 (80-89) and polyacrylamide. The mixture is formed into a body having a selected shape. The shaped body is heated to form the zeolite shaped body.
US09180437B2 Method of preparing magnesium oxide structure with meso-macro pores
Provided are a method of preparing a magnesium oxide structure and a magnesium oxide structure prepared by using the method. The magnesium oxide structure has meso-macro pores, a large specific surface area, and high strength, thereby enabling production of a catalyst with high catalytic activity.
US09180436B1 Optimized fischer-tropsch catalyst
A cobalt containing catalyst supported on a metal oxide suitable for performing a Fischer-Tropsch reaction. A pore volume of a metal oxide support, before loading of cobalt thereon, is within the range of 0.35 to 0.6 cc/g. The support has an average pore diameter before the cobalt loading and reduction such that the effective average pore diameter after cobalt loading and reduction is 14 nanometers or higher. A cobalt loading of 11 weight % or higher is also provided. An alpha value higher than 0.89 in a diesel to wax weight ratio below 1.07 is provided.
US09180435B2 Process for the preparation of a catalyst using a rapid drying stage and use thereof for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising an active phase comprising at least one metal from group VIII selected from cobalt, nickel, ruthenium and iron, alone or as a mixture, and an oxide support which can be used in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process comprises at least once the linked sequence of a stage for impregnation of said oxide support, a drying stage in which said impregnated oxide support is entrained by means of a gas, said impregnated oxide support being subjected in said stage to a temperature rise ramp of between 250 and 600° C./min, the residence time of said impregnated oxide support in said drying stage being between 1 second and 1 minute, and a stage for calcination of said dried impregnated oxide support. The invention also concerns a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process using the catalyst prepared according to the preparation process.
US09180434B2 Catalytic system
The present invention relates to a structured catalyst based on sintered metal fibers (SMF) coated by a non-acidic metal oxide layer impregnated with Pd and Agnanopartides, characterized in that the ratio of the Pd:Ag is 1:1 to 10:1, as well as the use of such a catalyst in selective catalytic hydrogenations of organic compounds.
US09180432B2 NOx storage and reduction catalyst, preparation method, and NOx removing system
A catalyst for NOx storage and reduction may include a carrier that contains alkali metal and Al, or alkali earth metal and Al, a NOx storage element of alkali metal, alkali earth metal or rare earth element, and one or more noble metals that are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ag, Au and Rh. The catalyst for NOx storage and reduction shows excellent NOx storage and reduction capability, maintains excellent storage and reduction capability especially before and after deterioration and sulfation, and shows excellent catalytic activity under low temperature environment, while maintaining unusually high hydrophobicity.
US09180420B1 Tuning and synthesis of metallic nanostructures by mechanical compression
The present invention provides a pressure-induced phase transformation process to engineer metal nanoparticle architectures and to fabricate new nanostructured materials. The reversible changes of the nanoparticle unit cell dimension under pressure allow precise control over interparticle separation in 2D or 3D nanoparticle assemblies, offering unique robustness for interrogation of both quantum and classic coupling interactions. Irreversible changes above a threshold pressure of about 8 GPa enables new nanostructures, such as nanorods, nanowires, or nanosheets.
US09180417B2 Combined mixing and discharging device
A discharging device (1), for mixing and discharging a product, comprising a housing (110) with a reservoir (112). An advancement element (120), displaceable in the housing (110), has a product mixing element (112). A piston (140) displaceable in housing longitudinal direction, serves to eject the product from the reservoir (112) through an outlet opening. The piston (140) has an uncoupled state, in which it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction through the advancement element (120), and a coupled state in which it is coupled to the advancement element (120), and in which it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing (110) by the advancement element (120). In the coupled state, the piston (140) and advancement element (120) airtight seals the reservoir (112) and, in the uncoupled state, the piston (140) and/or the advancement element (120) free/frees at least one proximal venting opening (144) outwardly.
US09180411B2 Apparatus and process for treatment of water
The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature, followed by any of membrane distillation or forward osmosis (FO), may be combined with a subsequent process of ceramic ultra-filtration (UF filtration) employed to treat water. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.
US09180406B2 Exhaust gas processing device
An exhaust gas processing device includes a cylindrical metallic member and an insulating layer. The insulating layer has a thickness of about 20 μm to about 400 μm and is densely formed such that no through pores exist in a thickness direction of the insulating layer. The insulating layer is provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical metallic member.
US09180404B2 Method for mist control
A method for capturing CO2 from a CO2 containing gas (1), such as en exhaust gas from a thermal power plant fired on carbonaceous fuel, or any other CO2 containing industrial gas, where CO2 is captured from the gas by causing the gas to flow counter current to a CO2 absorbing solvent introduced into a CO2 absorption section (3) in an absorber (2) so that CO2 present in the gas is absorbed by the CO2 absorbing solvent to form a CO2 rich solvent (5), where CO2 rich solvent is collected on the bottom of the of the absorption column and withdrawn for regeneration, and where the treated exhaust gas (8) is released to the atmosphere after being subjected to one or more washing step(s) (6,7), wherein the temperature of the CO2 absorbing solvent (4) introduced into the CO2 absorption section has a temperature that is less than 5° C. lower than the maximum temperature in the absorption section of the absorber, is described.
US09180400B2 Electrified desorption device for dehumidification
An electrified desorption device, including a conductive water-absorbing material containing titanosilicates, wherein a ratio of silicon atoms to titanium atoms in the titanosilicates of the conductive water-absorbing material is 1 ≤ Si Ti ≤ 10 ; a conductive layer selected from the group consisting of a metal component, an alloy material, a conductive oxide component, and a mixture including either (a) more than one of the foregoing components or (b) the metal component, the alloy material, and graphite, attached to end surfaces at two sides of the water-absorbing material; a pair of electrode structures, coupled to two sides of the water-absorbing material respectively, and each having multiple sub-electrodes insulated from each other; and a voltage source, coupled to the pair of electrode structures.
US09180394B2 Multi-layer composite for use in an air filter
The invention relates to a multi-layer composite for use in an air filter, comprising at least one upstream ply and a support ply that is connected to the upstream ply. The upstream ply is made of a non-woven fabric and has a finer porosity than the support ply. The aim of the invention is to form and further develop a multi-layer composite for use in an air filter, in particular in a filter bag in such a manner that the upstream ply can be connected in a stable and economical manner to the support ply. The invention is characterised in that the upstream ply is embodied as a spun bonded non-woven, the continuous filaments of which are at least partially twisted or interwoven with the support ply.
US09180391B2 Water filtration system and water filtration system housing with closing assembly
A water filtration system utilizes a housing configured to utilize various types of filter media and having a press-sealed closing system. The closing system includes a head portion defining a head opening, a lock member, and a lid member. The lock member releasably engages the head portion such that an abutment section of the lock member projects into the head opening. The lid member is received by the head portion to cover the head opening, and has an outward-facing press section configured to abut an inward facing portion of the abutment section of the lock member when the lid member is covering the head opening. Pressure generated within the housing during water filtration presses the lid member in an outward direction and causes the lid member press section to press against the abutment section of the lock member to substantially prevent disengagement of the lock member from the head portion.
US09180385B2 Cold trap and method of controlling cold trap
A cold trap includes two individually controllable cooling units. The cold trap is provided in an evacuation path for connecting a vacuum chamber to a turbomolecular pump, The first cooling unit includes a first panel unit provided in the evacuation path such that the panel is exposed, and a first refrigerator thermally coupled to the first panel unit so as to cool the first panel unit. The second cooling unit includes a second panel unit provided in the evacuation path such that the panel is exposed, and a second refrigerator thermally coupled to the second panel unit so as to cool the second panel unit. The first panel unit is spaced apart from the second panel unit.
US09180372B2 Dynamic update of contact information and speed dial settings based on a virtual world interaction
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for updating contact information according to metadata associated with a virtual world. In response to an avatar of a first user interacting with an avatar of a second user in a virtual world, information comprising a name of the avatar of the second user and metadata associated with the avatar of the second user is sent to the first user. In response to receiving the information, contact information associated with the name of the avatar of the second user is determined. The contact information is organized based on the metadata to form organized contact information. The organized contact information is prioritized according to the metadata to form prioritized contact information. The prioritized contact information is stored.
US09180365B2 Polymorphic firearm controller
A game controller includes a first mock firearm action associated with a first weapon mode and a second mock firearm action associated with a second weapon mode. If first mock firearm action is enabled, it can generate a load command when the first mock firearm action is operated. If second mock firearm action is enabled, it can generate a load command when the second mock firearm action is operated. The game controller includes a mode selector, to enable the first mock firearm action when the game controller is in the first weapon mode and to enable the second mock firearm action when the game controller is in the second weapon mode.
US09180357B2 Multiple antenna interference rejection in ultra-wideband real time locating systems
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media are disclosed for providing interference rejection in ultra-wideband real time locating systems. In one embodiment, an ultra-wideband (UWB) receiver is configured to: receive an interference signal from a source positioned outside a monitored region; receive a composite signal transmitted from a tagged object moving about a playing field within the monitored region, wherein the composite signal comprises a location signal and a component of the interference signal; detect whether the component of the interference signal exceeds a threshold value; and adjust, via a processor, filtering of the composite signal to attenuate the component of the interference signal based on whether the component of the interference signal exceeds the threshold value. Some embodiments provide for filtering of the composite signal using a combiner while others employ a tunable notch filter. Corresponding systems, methods, and computer-readable storage medium are also provided.
US09180347B2 Golf ball with single layer core having specific regions of varying hardness
A golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface; a hardness of the outer surface is greater than a hardness of the geometric center. An inner core region is disposed about the geometric center and has a first hardness that is less than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; an outer core region is adjacent the outer surface and has a second hardness that is greater than those of the geometric center and the outer surface; and an intermediate core region is disposed between the inner and outer core regions and extends radially from about 5 mm to about 15.75 mm from the geometric center and has at least a third hardness and a fourth hardness, each of which are related to the first hardness and the second hardness in various ways.
US09180345B2 Golf ball
A golf ball 2 includes a spherical core 4, an adhesive layer 6 covering the core 4, and a cover 8 covering the adhesive layer 6. The core 4 includes a spherical center 10 and a mid layer 12 covering the center 10. The adhesive layer 6 is formed from an adhesive. The base polymer of the adhesive is a two-component curing type epoxy resin obtained by curing a bisphenol A type epoxy resin with a curing agent including a polyamine compound. The gel fraction of the adhesive is equal to or greater than 40% but equal to or less than 80%. The ratio of the epoxy equivalent to the amine active hydrogen equivalent in the adhesive is equal to or greater than 2.0/1.0 but equal to or less than 13.0/1.0. The amine active hydrogen equivalent of the curing agent is equal to or greater than 100 g/eq but equal to or less than 800 g/eq. In the adhesive, the proportion of water to the entire volatile component is equal to or greater than 90% by weight.
US09180343B2 Joint Commonality Submersible (JCS)
An underwater propulsion device includes a number of modules allowing it to be used in a range of configurations including a tow/pull type scooter 300, a thigh strap configuration 700, a calf strap configuration 1100, a push configuration 1200, a tank mount configuration 1300. The device may include an underwater changeable battery canister 1600, a hand controller 216 that senses movement about the radius bone to generate direction and speed control signals and/or a front mounted headlight 224.
US09180338B2 Exercise device for push ups
An apparatus for push-ups is provided that includes a base comprised of one or more sockets, a pin, friction material supporting at least one rotatable handle with a hand support and friction cap having one or more resistance bands with eye hooks capable of being connected to a harness eye hook mounted on the front of a harness worn by an athlete to perform resistance push-ups without the need of a spotter.
US09180337B2 Support frame for exercise apparatus
A support frame for an exercise apparatus includes a base providing a fulcrum, and a moving arm member having a rotating portion located at one end thereof, and a swinging portion located at an opposite end thereof and equipped with a seat unit. The rotating portion is equipped with a wheel pedal unit and is rotatably supported on the fulcrum of the base. The swinging portion is swingable on the center of the rotating portion between a high position located far apart from the base, and a low position located in closer proximity to the base. The support frame is configurable to change the elevation difference between the seat unit and the wheel pedal unit in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. Thus, the elevation difference is relatively changed by means of moving the moving arm member relative to the base. This causes the relative position between the wheel pedal unit and the seat unit to change for allowing the user to exercise in a normal upright, or elevated, sitting exercise mode or a recumbent sitting exercise mode.
US09180322B2 Portable rescue tool and method of use
A portable, hand-operated rescue tool is provided for rescue and extreme duty operations where an object needs to be cut, crushed, pierced and separated, or lifted. The rescue tool includes a body, a support handle and articulating jaw force members used to impart high forces on an object. The tool includes a manually-operated, pivoting actuation handle connected to a high pressure fluid displacement system to pivotally rotate the jaw force arms in a selected direction or mode of operation to suit the situation.
US09180321B2 Cosmetic compositions containing liposoluble polymers and tackifiers
A cosmetic composition containing: (a) at least one tackifier component having a solubility parameter corresponding to δ; (b) at least one liposoluble polymer having at least one segment with a solubility parameter corresponding to δ+2; (c) at least one solvent; and (d) optionally, at least one colorant.
US09180306B2 Portable magnetic stimulation type medicalcare device
Provided is a magnetic stimulation type medical care device including a main body for generating a magnetic stimulation and various probes electrically connected to the main body to stimulate a skin of a patient through non-contact deep penetration. The magnetic stimulation type medical care device includes a main body for generating a voltage and at least one probe in which a coil for generating a magnetic field from the voltage generated in the main body is built, the at least one probe being electrically connected to the main body.
US09180304B2 Determination for effective defibrillation
A method for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac is disclosed and involves monitoring, with an external defibrillator, multiple parameters of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance; determining from at least one of the parameters, an indication of trans-thoracic impedance of the person receiving emergency cardiac care; determining, from at least one of the parameters corresponding to an electrocardiogram of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance, an initial indication of likely shock effectiveness; determining, as a function of at least the indication of trans-thoracic impedance and the initial indication of likely shock effectiveness, an indication of whether a shock provided to the person receiving emergency medical assistance will be effective; and affecting control of the defibrillator by a caregiver as a result of determining the indication of whether a shock will be effective.
US09180298B2 Extended pain relief via high frequency spinal cord modulation, and associated systems and methods
Extended pain relief via high frequency spinal cord modulation, and associated systems and methods. A method for treating a patient in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting a neural modulation site to include at least one of a dorsal root entry zone and dorsal horn of the patient's spinal cord, and selecting parameters of a neural modulation signal to reduce patient pain for a period of time after ceasing delivery of the signals, the period of time being at least one tenth of one second.
US09180297B2 System and method for spinal cord modulation to treat motor disorder without paresthesia
A method for of performing a medical procedure on a patient suffering from a movement disorder. The method comprises delivering electrical current having a defined pulse rate equal to or greater than 1500 Hz and/or a defined pulse duration equal to or less than 200 μs to spinal cord tissue of the patient in a manner that modulates neuronal traffic in at least one dorsal column (DC) nerve fiber of the patient, thereby treating symptoms of the movement disorder without causing the patient to perceive paresthesia from the delivered electrical current.
US09180296B2 Method and system for providing stimulation inputs to a visual prosthesis implant
Stimulation inputs are provided to a visual prosthesis implant. The images captured by a video decoder are received and digitized to provide a plurality of video frames; integrity of the video frames is checked, the checked video frames are filtered, and the filtered video frames are converted to stimulation inputs. A similar system is also disclosed.
US09180291B2 Side load lead anchor and methods and systems using the lead anchor
A lead anchor includes an anchor body defining an open lead channel; and a rotatable locking element shaped as a portion of a ring and defining a central cavity, an entrance slit, and a protruding nodule extending into the central cavity. The anchor body further defines a locking element channel arranged perpendicular to the lead channel to receive the rotatable locking element. In an open position, the entrance slit of the locking element is aligned with the lead channel of the anchor body so that a lead can be loaded into the lead channel and, in a closed position, the entrance slit is not aligned with the lead channel to prevent a lead disposed in the lead channel from disengaging from the lead anchor. In the closed position, the nodule on the locking element engages the lead and resists rotation of the locking element to the open position.
US09180288B2 Medical equipment electrodes
An electrode assembly includes an electrode configured for externally defibrillating a subject. The electrode assembly also includes a camera configured to capture an image of at least a portion of the subject's body. The image has sufficient information to enable the position of the electrode assembly relative to the subject's chest to be determined.
US09180282B2 Implantable drug delivery system having periodic drug delivery regimen to avoid granulomas
An implantable drug delivery system including: a biocompatible or bio-inert housing containing a drug infusion pump, a drug chamber from which a liquid drug is dispensed when the pump applies a force to the drug chamber, and an internal controller actuating the pump; a delivery catheter extending from the housing to one or more drug delivery treatment sites in a target tissue, wherein the catheter includes a lumen having an inlet to receive a drug pumped from the drug chamber and an outlet are positioned at the target tissue, wherein the drug flows through the outlet to the target tissue, and wherein the internal controller stores and executes an automatic periodic flow regimen which commands the pump and drug chamber to periodically dispense an intermittent bolus or pulse of the liquid drug, wherein the periodic flow regimen provides a prophylactic treatment for granuloma.
US09180272B2 Instrument for treating patient with semicircular canal injury and method for producing same
Disclosed is an instrument for treating a patient with semicircular canal injury, which is an instrument in the form of an exact enlarged model of human three semicircular canals having a structure wherein a liquid and a plurality of otolithic models, having a specific gravity larger than the specific gravity of said liquid, are enclosed within a hollow annular member made of a transparent resin and equipped with a screen at the position corresponding to the cupula in each of the three semicircular canals. Therein, said screen has such a mesh size as allowing the passage of said liquid but not allowing the passage of the otolithic models. Thus, an instrument for treating a patient with semicircular canal injury, whereby physical and mental pains can be alleviated in treating a patient with semicircular canal injury such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is provided.
US09180261B2 Preservative free insulin formulations and systems and methods for aerosolizing
One embodiment describes an insulin formulation that is specifically adapted for aerosolization. The formulation includes a major amount of water and a minor amount of insulin. Further, the formulation is preservative free, without meta-cresol, cresol or phenol, to permit the formulation to be aerosolized using a vibrating aperture plate without substantial foaming of the insulin formulation.
US09180245B2 System and method for administering an infusible fluid
A method, computer program product, and infusion pump assembly for administering a sequential, multi-part, infusion event, wherein the sequential, multi-part, infusion event includes a plurality of discrete infusion events. If a one-time infusion event is available to be administered, the administration of at least a portion of the plurality of discrete infusion events included within the sequential, multi-part, infusion event is delayed. The one-time infusion event is administered.
US09180243B2 Detection of infusion pump conditions
An ambulatory infusion system and a method of operating including a disposable infusion cartridge having a collapsible reservoir and a substantially rigid shell disposed over the collapsible reservoir having an interior volume, a pump device, a pressure sensor in communication with the interior volume and a processor. The method includes actuating the pressure sensor to take pressure measurements at regular time intervals; periodically assessing a preselected number of the pressure measurements with statistical analysis to identify statistical measures associated with the pressure measurements; and using the statistical measures to assess the status of the flexible reservoir and the pump device.
US09180241B2 Tube roller pump including pivoting cover and medical device for extracorporeal blood treatment
Tube roller pumps for a medical device for extracorporeal blood treatment are disclosed. The pumps include a pump housing having a bearing surface and a rotor inside the bearing surface, wherein a tube is introduced between the bearing surface and the rotor in loop shape. Means for mounting the tubing segment are provided so the tubing segment can be pivot by pivoting a tilting element on which the tubing segment is at least partly mounted. A cover is mounted on the pump housing so that when closed upon pivoting the tubing segment toward the closed cover it constitutes a counter-bearing for the tilting element by which the tubing segment can be aligned with the pump housing. Means for automated unthreading of the tubing segment from the bearing are also included. Medical devices for extracorporeal blood treatment including the tube roller pump are also disclosed.
US09180240B2 Medical fluid pumping systems and related devices and methods
This disclosure relates to medical fluid pumping systems and related devices and methods. In some aspects, a medical fluid pumping system includes a medical fluid pumping machine including a piston head that can be linearly displaced and a medical fluid cassette that can be secured to the medical fluid pumping machine. The medical fluid cassette includes a fastening member attached to a region of a flexible membrane overlying a fluid pump chamber, and the piston head is configured to be mechanically connected to the fastening member of the cassette.
US09180236B2 Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation with concurrent hypothermia
Devices, systems and methods for treating disorders characterized by low cardiac output. The devices, systems and methods use intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in combination with hypothermia of all or a portion of a human or veterinary patient's body to improve coronary perfusion and cardiac output. To effect the hypothermia, a heat exchange catheter may be positioned in the a patient's vasculature separately from the intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation catheter. Alternatively, a combination Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation/heat exchange catheter may be utilized. Such combination catheter comprises a) a catheter sized for insertion into the aorta, b) a counterpulsation balloon and c) a heat exchanger. A drive/control system receives temperature and electrocardiograph signals and drives the inflation/deflation of the counterpulsation balloon as well as the heating/cooling of the heat exchanger.
US09180219B2 Compositions comprising honey and a super-absorbent material
A composition comprising honey and a super-absorbent material. A method of treating a lesion comprising applying a composition comprising honey and a super-absorbent material to the lesion. A method of manufacturing the composition of the invention, comprising: (a) providing at least one type of honey; (b) providing at least one super-absorbent material; and (c) combining the honey and super-absorbent material.
US09180212B2 β-amyloid plaque imaging agents
Various compounds, compositions, and methods for binding to β-amyloid plaque and norepinephrine transporters are presented. Especially preferred compounds include those with a PET-detectable label.
US09180210B2 Nanocrystal nano-emulsion
A nanocrystal formulation in the form of a nano-emulsion includes a continuous aqueous phase and at least one dispersed oily phase, in which the oily phase has at least one amphiphilic lipid and at least one solubilising lipid, and in which the aqueous phase has a cosurfactant. The invention also relates to a method for the production of the formulation as well as uses within the fields of medical imaging, thermotherapy or phototherapy.
US09180208B2 Composition and methods for enhancing surface reflectance
Microspheres, typically sterile, inert, silica glass microspheres, are dispersed in a carrier suitable for use relative to the object to be imaged and analyzed. In the case of ophthalmic imaging, an ophthalmically-acceptable gel is used and the resulting composition is dispensed into a mammalian eye. The gel and microspheres dispersed therein coat and conform to the surface of the eye. The microspheres enhance reflectance from the eye which improves signal-to-noise ratio and improves imaging quality.
US09180198B2 Slow-release cilostazol tablet having an improved elution rate and minimal side effects
Provided is a slow-release tablet including cilostazol as a pharmacologically active component, which is efficacious in suppressing aggregation of blood platelets and promoting vascular relaxation by inhibiting phosphodiesterase types. The slow-release cilostazol tablet has an extended elution time so that the slow-release cilostazol tablet can be taken once daily for convenience of drug use, and minimizes the manifestation of headache which is one side effect caused when women, the elderly and children take conventional cilostazol preparations so that the convenience of drug use can be improved. Also, the slow-release cilostazol tablet exhibits a stable elution pattern with no variation in elution rate according to changes in pH in the stomach and intestines, as well as an effect of delaying the release of a drug, using a mixture of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and a carbomer as a release-controlling polymer.
US09180191B2 Treatment of suicidal ideation or behavior using inhibitors of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
The invention concerns methods of treating suicidal ideation or behavior in a subject in need thereof, comprising decreasing endogenous nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) activity in the subject; therapeutic packages for treating suicidal ideation or behavior; and methods for determining the efficacy of a treatment for suicidal ideation or behavior. In some embodiments, the treatment methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an inhibitor of a nAChR, such as a lithium compound, mecamylamine, clozapine, or asenapine.
US09180187B2 Medicament for treating and/or preventing cancer
This invention relates to a medicament for treating and/or preventing a cancer, comprising a combination of an antibody against a cancer antigen CAPRIN-1 protein that is specifically expressed on the surface of the cancer cell, and an antitumor agent, wherein the antibody and the antitumor agent are combined together or separately, and to a use of the medicament.
US09180181B2 H3 influenza A virus
The invention provides an isolated H3 equine influenza A virus, as well as methods of preparing and using the virus, and genes or proteins thereof.
US09180179B1 Development of a marker foot and mouth disease virus vaccine candidate that is attenuated in the natural host
We have generated novel molecularly marked FMDV A24LL3DYR and A24LL3BPVKV3DYR vaccine candidates. The mutant viruses contain a deletion of the leader coding region (LL) rendering the virus attenuated in vivo and negative antigenic markers introduced in one or both of the viral non-structural 3Dpol and 3B proteins. The vaccine platform includes unique restriction endonuclease sites for easy swapping of capsid proteins for different FMDV subtypes and serotypes. The mutant viruses produced no signs of FMD and no shedding of virulent virus in cattle. No clinical signs of disease or fever were observed and no transmission to in-contact animals was detected in pigs inoculated with live A24LL3DYR. Cattle immunized with chemically inactivated vaccine candidates showed an efficacy comparable to a polyvalent commercial FMDV vaccine. These vaccine candidates used in conjunction with a cELISA provide a suitable target for DIVA companion tests.
US09180177B2 Bacterial ribonucleic acid cell wall compositions and methods of making and using them
The present invention relates to novel bacterial and mycobacterial compositions containing RNA and cell walls, and methods for making and using these compositions. These compositions have immune stimulating and anti-cancer activity.
US09180174B2 Conjugates comprising mannan and myelin oligodentrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)
A first aspect of the invention relates to a conjugate including mannan and at least one epitope comprising a peptide fragment of a protein selected from myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodentrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and proteolipid protein (PLP), said peptide fragment being in linear or cyclic form; and wherein said epitope is linked to mannan via a [(Lys-Gly)n] bridge, where n is an integer from 1 to 10.Further aspects of the invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said conjugates, and their use in the preparation of a medicament for treating an immune disorder.
US09180168B2 Use of glycomacropeptide to improve women's health
Methods for improving the health of a female human or non-human animal are disclosed. The methods include the step of administering to the animal compositions including an effective amount of glycomacropeptide (GMP) for effectuating the methods. Specifically, the methods can be used to increase the rate of fat metabolism or fat oxidation, decrease percentage of body fat, increase the rate of bone mineralization, increase bone mineral content, increase bone mineral density, and/or increase bone strength in the animal.GMP-containing compositions can be used according to the disclosed methods to treat obesity and related metabolic conditions, or to treat or prevent osteoporosis, osteopenia, and other conditions related to loss of bone mineral content or bone strength.
US09180167B2 Activators of CXCR3 for the treatment of angiopathies of the eye
The present disclosure describes methods of treating angiogenic disorders of the eye, such as macular degeneration, restenosis following glaucoma treatment or diabetic retinopathy, by administering an activator of C-X-C chemokine receptor 3(CXCR3). In some embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is interferon-γ-inducible 10 kDa protein (IP-10), or a fragment or variant thereof, such as a fragment comprising or consisting of the C-terminal α-helix of IP-10. In other embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is platelet factor 4 (PF4) or a fragment or variant thereof.
US09180156B2 Composition for controlling increase in blood glucose
The present application describes a composition for blood glucose control containing green tea extracts (GTE) with gallated catechins (GC) and macromolecule to prevent the intestinal absorption of GC.
US09180143B2 Decellularisation of tissue matrices for bladder implantation
The invention provides an improved method of producing a natural, acellular matrix scaffold for subsequent use in tissue-engineered replacement of tissues such as the bladder. Decellularization is carried out on an expanded or distended bladder and the product retains the strength and compliance of natural material. The invention also provides use of the matrix scaffolds as wound healing material and to investigate tissue structure and function in vitro.
US09180142B2 Wound dressings, methods and apparatus for making same and storage and use thereof
Provided is a wound dressing prepared from whole blood that is clotted ex vivo to form a sheet of clotted blood that is applied onto the skin over a sight of skin injury.
US09180138B2 2′-fluoronucleosides
2′-Fluoro-nucleoside compounds are disclosed which are useful in the treatment of hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, HIV and abnormal cellular proliferation, including tumors and cancer. The compounds have the general formulae: wherein Base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R1 is OH, H, OR3, N3, CN, halogen, CF3, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino, or alkoxy; R2 is H, phosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving benzyl, a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R3 is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09180128B2 Stable pharmaceutical compositions of 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate
This invention relates to stable pharmaceutical compositions of 5,10-methylene-(6R)-, -(65)- or -(6R,S)-tetrahydrofolate (MTHF), by adjusting to a basic pH and the simultaneous use of citrate. Stabilisation is effected even in the absence of a reducing agent. The present invention is particularly suitable for producing lyophilisation solutions and lyophilisates or dry powders and dry mixtures, since the stable MTHF solutions can be used in high concentrations for filling corresponding vessels such as vials, ampoules, etc. The lyophilisates have a surprisingly long shelf life and are surprisingly stable. They can be reconstituted without problems by adding water or aqueous solutions, and the final clear injection solutions again exhibit excellent stability properties. Moreover, the present invention even makes it possible to prepare difficultly soluble calcium 15 or acidic salts of MTHF in high concentrations and as physiologically compatible isotonic solutions.
US09180126B2 Formulations and methods for treating rhinosinusitis
The invention involves methods and formulations for treating or preventing rhinosinusitis, including fungus-induced rhinosinusitis in mammals. In one embodiment, the formulation of the present invention comprises a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent having a specific particle size distribution profile. The formulation may also comprise an antifungal agent, antibiotic or antiviral agent.
US09180124B2 Nicotine containing formulation
Disclosed is nicotine containing solid oral transmucosal dosage forms containing a therapeutically effective amount of nicotine polacrilex, citric acid monohydrate, sucrose and liquid glucose. The dosage form is preferably in the form of lozenge.
US09180120B2 Substituted N-phenethyltriazoloneacetamides and use thereof
The present application relates to novel substituted N-phenethyltriazoloneacetamides, to processes for preparing them, to their use alone or in combinations for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases and also to their use for the production of medicaments for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, more particularly for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disorders.
US09180110B2 Pharmaceutical compositions of fenofibrate
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising unmicronized fenofibrate in admixture with a wetting agent and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the admixture is not comicronized before processing. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of such compositions.
US09180106B2 Sigma receptors ligands with anti-apoptotic and/or pro-apoptotic properties, over cellular mechanisms, exhibiting prototypical cytoprotective and also anti-cancer activity
The present invention involves new and original sigma receptors ligands: (Mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl)-γ-butyrolactones, their analogues aminotetrahydroturanes, the (1-adamantyl)benzene alkylamines, the N,N Dialkyl α-[(adamantyl-1)benzyloxy-2]alkylamines and the 3-cyclopentyl adamantyl-amines or alkylamines or -alkyl phenylamines, their enantiomers or diastereoisomers, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and Quinacrine Me-thylene blue, Asteinizole and their relative analogues with pro-apoptotic and/or anti-apoptotic properties over cellular biochemical mechanisms, with prototypical anti-cancer, antimetastatic and antiviral activities associated with antagonism of the neuropatic pain and, at very low doses, with cytoprotective and cytoregenerative activity against the cytodegenerative diseases.
US09180101B2 Pharmaceutical composition simultaneously having rapid-acting property and long-acting property
Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition simultaneously having a rapid acting property and a long-acting property, comprising a sustained-release part coated with a water-insoluble polymer on the surface, comprising a first active pharmaceutical ingredient, at least one release control base selected from the group consisting of water-insoluble polymer, and water-soluble viscous polymer, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and, an immediate release part comprising a second active pharmaceutical ingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition exhibits independent release properties of the immediate release part and the sustained-release part by coating the surface of the sustained-release part comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient, a release control base and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier with a water-insoluble polymer to separate it from the immediate release part, and it may be prepared by a relatively simple process without specification limitation to the contents and the kinds of usable pharmaceutically active ingredients.
US09180096B2 Formulation of diclofenac
The present invention relates to methods for producing particles of diclofenac using dry milling processes as well as compositions comprising diclofenac, medicaments produced using diclofenac in particulate form and/or compositions, and to methods of treatment of an animal, including man, using a therapeutically effective amount of diclofenac administered by way of said medicaments.
US09180095B2 Formulation of diclofenac
The present invention relates to methods for producing particles of diclofenac using dry milling processes as well as compositions comprising diclofenac, medicaments produced using diclofenac in particulate form and/or compositions, and to methods of treatment of an animal, including man, using a therapeutically effective amount of diclofenac administered by way of said medicaments.
US09180092B2 Vaporized medicants and methods of use
A method and formulation for delivering an active compound in a vaporized state using low temperatures to vaporize the formulation. The formulation contains an inert non-reactive compound that lowers the heat of vaporization of the formulation, and the active compound. The formulation may optionally contain glycerin, alcohol, and/or water. Examples of inert non-reactive compounds that can sufficiently lower the heat of vaporization of the formulation include propylene glycol and polysorbate. The formulation can be vaporized using a hand-held low temperature vaporizer or atomizer.
US09180084B2 Cassia derivatives
This invention relates to a cationically and amphiphilically modified polygalactomannan having repeating units with an average D-mannosyl to D-galactosyl residue ratio of at least 5 to 1 and to compositions containing same. A portion of the hydrogen atoms of hydroxyl groups situated on the mannosyl and galactosyl residues of the galactomannan are replaced with an amphiphilic and a cationic substituent.
US09180083B2 Personal care compositions containing volumizing, fixative, and conditioning particles for fine hair
The present invention is directed to a personal care composition comprising: a personal care composition comprising a particle complex consisting of a hydrolyzed corn starch, a starch/cellulose polymer, a hydrogenated phospholipid, and gum arabic; and an aqueous carrier. The personal care composition is suitable for delivery as a sprayable composition which provides volumizing, hair fixing, and conditioning as a leave-on treatment. The present invention is also directed to a method for forming a particle complex wherein the complex provides volumizing, hair fixing, and conditioning benefits when applied to hair.
US09180082B2 Biotin-conjugated hexapeptide-2 derivative and use thereof
The present invention relates to a biotin-conjugated hexapeptide-2 derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and use thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a biotin-conjugated hexapeptide-2 derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a preparation method thereof, a composition including the same as an active ingredient, and a method for improving wrinkles and inhibiting skin aging using the same.
US09180080B2 Chiral compounds, compositions, products and methods employing same
Compounds that function, alone or in combination, as inhibitors of pigmentation for the improvement of mammalian skin are described herein. Specifically, the compounds of the present disclosure, namely chiral, non-racemic compounds, function as pigment formation inhibitors thereof to beautify skin and discourage the production of melanins. One or more products, consumer and otherwise, comprising the chiral, non-racemic compounds are disclosed herein. Methods of employing both the compounds of the present disclosure and the products incorporating the present compounds are also disclosed herein.
US09180074B2 O/W emulsion cosmetic
A cosmetic composition in the form of an O/W emulsion includes: (A) 1 to 20% by weight of a plate-like powder that has been surface-treated with an alkylalkoxysilane, (B) 0.1 to 10% by weight of an oil that is solid at a temperature of 25° C., (C) 0.3 to 50% by weight of an oil selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon oil, an ester oil, and an ether oil, each having a viscosity of 500,000 mPa·s or less at a temperature of 25° C., (D) 0.1 to 20% by weight of a nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of 8 or less, (E) 0.05 to 10% by weight of a water-soluble polymer having a hydrocarbon group with a carbon number of 8 to 30 and an anionic group in a molecule thereof, and (F) water.
US09180056B2 Medical bandages with a skin adhesion reducing material
A bandage that facilitates the removal of the bandage from the skin is shown and described. The bandage has a selectively releasable adhesion reducing material contained in structures such as a selectively rupturable reservoir or a selectively deformable synthetic or natural matrix. When the adhesion reducing material is released from the reservoir, it contacts the bandage's skin adhesive and reduces its adhesion to the skin.
US09180055B2 Electronic hearing protector with quadrant sound localization
An electronic hearing protector includes an ear cup assembly comprising a front exterior microphone that provides a front microphone signal and a rear exterior microphone that provides a rear microphone signal. A processor receives and digitizes the front microphone signal and the rear microphone signal, and provides a front channel signal and a rear channel signal indicative thereof respectively. A filter receives the rear channel signal and has a cut-off frequency value that provides a high-frequency roll-off and a notch at a notch filter frequency value that is less than the cut-off frequency value, where the filter provides a filtered signal. A first signal indicative of the front channel signal and a second signal indicative of the filtered signal are summed, and a signal indicative of the summed signal is provided to a speaker within the ear cup that provides an audio signal within the first ear cup indicative of the summed signal.
US09180053B2 Central vision impairment compensation
A method, system, and processor-readable medium for non-invasive visual compensation for a person suffering from central vision impairment. Digital images of a target field of view can he obtained and processed to generate processed images thereof, wherein central regions of the digital images that normally would reach an impaired portion of a retina of the person are moved to other regions of the target field of view. The processed images can be presented to the person such that the central regions are now directed at an unimpaired peripheral portion of the retina of the person.
US09180052B2 Method and device for non-invasive temperature determination in biological tissue treated with treatment radiation
A method for non-invasive temperature determination in biological tissue treated with treatment radiation wherein a reaction which depends on the treatment temperature is generated and detected. Measurement radiation pulses and pulses of the treatment radiation are applied to the tissue to be treated successively, in particular in an alternating way, from the same radiation source. A device includes a radiation source, an irradiation lens system, detectors for determining a reaction and a system control suitable for controlling treatment radiation and measurement radiation pulses. The system control generates successive, in particular alternating, pulses of treatment radiation and measurement radiation pulses from one radiation source only, in particular a laser which can be modulated.
US09180046B2 Reservoir device for intraocular drug delivery
A delivery device that allows for the sustained release of an agent, particularly useful for the sustained release of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions, such as the posterior chamber of the eye and inner ear. The delivery device is minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area. The delivery device includes a hollow body with an inlet port at its proximal end for insertion of the agent, a reservoir for holding the agent and a delivery mechanism for the sustained delivery of the agent from the reservoir to the patient.
US09180045B2 Treatment medium delivery device and methods for delivery of such treatment mediums to the eye using such a delivery device
A device for delivering a treatment medium to an eye includes a first body portion configured to be removably inserted and secured in an opening of the eye, and a second body portion supported by the first body portion. At least the second body portion includes a treatment medium, and a coating having an opening through which the treatment medium elutes out of the device.
US09180038B2 Walker having height adjustment and method for doing the same
A walker having height adjustment, and a method of use thereof, generally includes a base. Length adjustable strut assemblies are provided to allow the walker to be converted between a fully extended configuration, a high top walker configuration, and a fully retracted, low top walker configuration, as well as to numerous configurations having incremental heights between the fully extended and the fully retracted configurations. Thus, a modular support is provided that can be used to provide different levels of immobilization and can be used for various therapeutic purposes, can accommodate different patient leg lengths with one device, and allows practitioners to carry a reduced inventory.
US09180031B2 Stent with varying radius between struts
A stent comprising a stent body and a plurality of cells is disclosed. Each cell includes two structural members extending in an undulating pattern. Each structural member includes a plurality of cell segments defining a plurality of peaks and valleys therebetween. A first segment and a second segment defining a first peak, the second segment and a third segment defining a first valley, the third segment and a fourth segment defining a second peak, the fourth segment and a fifth segment defining a second valley, the fifth segment and a sixth segment defining a third peak. The first peak, the second peak and the first valley include a first radius of curvature. The third peak and the second valley include a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is larger than the second radius of curvature.
US09180028B2 Structural hydrogel polymer device
The present invention relates generally a manufacturing process which results in a completely hydrogel polymer device that maintains lumen patency which allows for numerous applications. Catheters and stents are particular examples, and their composition, mechanical characteristics, and the significantly unique ability to conduct and allow fluids to pass from one end to the other without physiological rejection, inflammation, or manifestation of complications due to implant or otherwise undesirable outcomes when used for ambulatory and or therapeutic interventions is the purpose of the invention.
US09180022B2 Spinal alignment clip
An instrument system for performing spinal surgery that helps provide optimal plate selection as well as an improved temporary alignment and retention means, without the need to penetrate the vertebral bodies with temporary fixation pins. The instrument system of the present invention has a clip that possesses features that temporarily center, align and position the plate to the interbody cage. This clip mates with the cage by hugging the outside parameters of the cage, as well as within the window (central through-hole) of the cervical plate.
US09180021B2 Systems and methods for spinal fusion
A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites.
US09180020B2 System for stabilizing a portion of the spine
A system for stabilizing a portion of the spine comprising an elongate plate attached to one or more vertebrae by a number of bone anchors, with the system including one or more features that provide visualization of an implant disposed within a vertebral space and/or the interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral tissue. A holding instrument is included that is engageable to the plate for positioning the plate adjacent the spinal column.
US09180016B2 Concave resurfacing prosthesis kit
A kit for use in shoulder arthroplasty includes a tamp configured to form a generally oval cavity in grafting material in a glenoid vault, the tamp including a body and a forming portion shaped complementary to the oval cavity, and a glenoid component including a body having a stem portion with an oval cross section for inserting at least partially into the generally oval cavity, the stem portion configured to substantially fill the glenoid vault.
US09180011B2 Implantable circulating lubrication system for joints
A lubrication device for lubricating a joint of a human or mammal patient, which is entirely implantable in a patient's body, comprises a reservoir for storing a lubricating fluid and a fluid connection for introducing the lubricating fluid into the joint when the device is implanted in the patient's body. Further, the fluid connection comprises a fluid connection device connecting the reservoir with the joint such that a lubricating fluid flow is established from the reservoir into the joint. The fluid connection comprises either an infusion needle adapted to be intermittently placed into the joint for injecting the lubricating fluid, or a tube adapted to be permanently placed into the joint for continuously injecting the lubricating fluid.
US09180004B2 Delivery and retrieval systems for collapsible/expandable prosthetic heart valves
A system for delivering a collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve into a patient includes a valve support structure (140) around which the valve (10) is disposed in a collapsed condition. A sheath structure (110) surrounds the collapsed valve, but can be moved relative to the valve to uncover it for expansion at the desired implant site in the patient. The sheath structure may be variously mounted and moved to deploy the valve in various ways. For example, the sheath structure may include multiple parts, each of which can be moved separately to separately deploy various parts of the valve. The apparatus may have other aspects, such as the ability to reverse deployment of the valve, the ability to pass other instrumentation through the valve delivery apparatus, the ability to be smoothly withdrawn from the patient after deployment of the valve, etc.
US09179997B2 Thermochromic polyvinyl alcohol based hydrogel artery
A method of creating a thermochromic artificial blood vessel includes physically cross-linking a polyvinyl alcohol solution in a mold shaped to mimic a blood vessel to create an artificial blood vessel. The artificial tissue is then chemically cross-linked with a solution including a chemical cross-linking reagent. A coagulation solution is then applied to the artificial blood vessel to both inhibit the chemical cross-linking and promote physical cross-linking of the artificial blood vessel. The artificial blood vessel can be used to test an ablation catheter. The vessel, when heated by the ablation catheter, changes color and/or transparency at locations where the temperature of artificial blood vessel increases.
US09179995B2 Methods of manufacturing slotted vascular treatment devices
Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
US09179985B2 Biopsy guidance by electromagnetic tracking and photonic needle
A system for providing integrated guidance for positioning a needle in a body has two levels of guidance: a coarse guidance and a fine guidance. The system includes a non-invasive tracking system for tracing the biopsy device in the body, for providing the coarse guidance. Furthermore, the system includes an optical detector mounted on the needle for obtaining optical information discriminating tissue in the body, for providing the fine guidance.
US09179979B2 Medical robot system
A medical robot system includes a forceps arm provided with a forceps manipulator and a camera arm provided with an endoscope. The forceps manipulator and the endoscope are inserted into a living body through a common insertion implement. The system further includes an operating unit that generates a control signal to control the forceps manipulator and the forceps arm, a forceps motion control unit that controls motions of the forceps manipulator and the forceps arm according to the control signal from the operating unit, an endoscope motion control unit that controls motions of the endoscope and the camera arm, and an interference avoiding unit that controls an interference avoiding motion of the camera arm to avoid interference between the camera arm and the forceps arm while a visual point of the endoscope is kept constant.
US09179975B2 Passing tray for surgical instruments
A passing tray for surgical instruments includes a holder having a base portion, opposing side portions open at a first end and an end portion. A sliding member having front and rear edges is slidably supported within the holder. At least one support member projects upwardly from a surface of the sliding member toward its front edge, and an actuator projects upwardly from the surface of the sliding member intermediate the front and rear edges thereof and has front and rear surfaces facing toward the front and rear edges of the sliding member, respectively. In use an elongated surgical instrument may be retained transversely between opposing surfaces of the support member and the open first end of the holder under force of the actuator.
US09179973B2 Feedback systems and methods for renal denervation utilizing balloon catheter
A renal denervation system includes an ablation catheter and an inflation balloon. The renal denervation catheter is insertable into a renal artery to perform a renal denervation procedure. The inflation balloon is inflatable within the renal artery, wherein one of a blood pressure condition in the renal artery resulting from operation of the inflation balloon and a performance characteristic of the inflation balloon indicates efficacy of the renal denervation procedure.
US09179971B2 Printed electrode catheter
An elongate medical device may comprise an elongate tubular body, an electrode, and a trace. The elongate tubular body may comprise a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the body defining a longitudinal axis. The electrode may comprise electrically-conductive ink extending circumferentially about a portion of the distal end portion. The trace may comprise electrically-conductive ink, electrically coupled with the electrode, extending proximally from the electrode.
US09179970B2 Precision ablating method
Methods of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract are provided. The methods include advancing an ablation structure into an alimentary tract while supporting the ablation structure with an endoscope. The methods further include a step of moving at least part of the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope and toward a tissue surface, before activating the ablation structure to ablate a tissue surface.
US09179968B2 Irrigated finned ablation head
An irrigated finned ablation head that provides enhanced cooling. The irrigated finned ablation head comprises a plurality of radial fins that are distributed about a central axis and that extend axially from a common base. The plurality of fins are arranged to define a central passageway along the central axis, as well as a plurality of slots therebetween, the slots extending in an axial direction along the irrigated finned ablation head. In one embodiment, the central passageway extends through the irrigated finned ablation head, defining an opening at the distal extremity, with the slots extending from the base to the opening. In another embodiment, the irrigated finned ablation head includes a cap portion at a distal portion that is common to all the radial fins, so that the slots are terminated at the distal portion of the irrigated finned ablation head. The radial flow distribution along the central axis can be tailored by the configuration of the central passageway.
US09179956B2 Orthopedic fixation pin with bioresorbable layer
An orthopedic pin is used in a fixation device for treating fractures. The device has a body with holes to accept the pins. The pins have a layer of bioresorbable material thereon. Engagement between the pins and the body is initially through the bioresorbable material, which engagement rigidly fixes the relative angular orientation between the pins and the body when the device is applied to a bone. As the bioresorbable material is resorbed, the angular relation between the pins and the body is no longer rigidly fixed, thereby effecting a transformation from rigid osteosynthesis to flexible osteosynthesis to allow micromotion between the bone fragments which promotes healing.
US09179955B2 Orthopedic fastener
An orthopedic fastener has a head and a shank. The shank has a leading end portion adjacent a distal tip and a trailing end portion adjacent a head. An intermediate portion is positioned between the leading and trailing end portions. At the intermediate portion, the shank increases in diameter. The leading end portion has a first thread which includes one or more self-tapping cutting grooves extending adjacent the distal tip and through a plurality of the first threads. The intermediate portion has second threads extending toward the head from the leading end portion. The second threads of the intermediate portion are larger in outer diameter than the first threads in the leading end portion. The intermediate portion has one or more cutting grooves traversing at each of a leading transition at the leading end portion and at a trailing transition.
US09179952B2 Implant for stabilizing bones or vertebrae
An implant for stabilizing bones or vertebrae is provided, the implant comprising an implant body (1, 100, 100′) which can be fixed by at least one screw (2) to the bone or a vertebra, wherein the implant body comprises at least one hole (9a, 9b, 9c, 9a″, 9b′, 900a, 900b′) which has a threaded portion (91) with an internal thread for cooperating with the screw thread, characterized in that a guiding member (11,11′,11″,111) is provided in the hole which guides the screw when the screw is screwed through the threaded portion (91).
US09179951B2 Orthopedic Plate Blocking Assembly
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an orthopedic plate blocking assembly that can be used for the fixation or fastening of an orthopedic plate to bone tissue. In particular, the present invention, in one embodiment, provides an orthopedic plate having a plurality of cavities where each cavity is configured and dimensioned to receive a bone anchoring member. The orthopedic plate further provides a blocking mechanism having a plurality of blocking members that block the bone anchoring members to prevent the bone anchoring members from “backing out” of cavities once the bone anchoring members are finally seated in the cavities.
US09179950B2 Adjustable suture-button construct for ankle syndesmosis repair
An adjustable, knotless button/loop construct for fixation of ankle syndesmosis tibio-fibular diastasis and an associated method of ankle repair using the same. The knotless construct comprises a pair of buttons attached to a flexible, continuous, self-cinching, adjustable loop integrated with two splices that are interconnected. The knotless construct is passed through fibular and tibia tunnels and the buttons are secured on the cortical surfaces of tibia and fibula. One of the buttons (for example, an oblong button) is secured on the medial side of the tibia by passing the button and the flexible, adjustable loop though the fibular and tibia tunnels and then flipping and seating the button outside the tibia. The length of the flexible adjustable loop is adjusted so that the second button (for example, a round button) is appropriately secured on the lateral fibula.
US09179945B2 Minimally invasive spinal fixator implant surgical device
The minimally invasive spinal fixator surgical device contains a support member; a guiding member adjustably joined to the support member; at least two sliding members correspondingly and adjustably joined to the guiding member; a first extension member adjustably joined to a sliding member; a second extension member adjustably joined to another sliding member; a first pulling member joined to the first extension member; a second pulling member joined to the second extension member; a tubular member joined to a side of the first pulling member; and a probe member plugged into the tubular member for conducting implant location determination and then removed. With the assistance of the present invention, the wound and damage to the muscle tissue of the patient are minimal and there is little bleeding. The operation team is also exposed to the X-ray for a minimum amount of time. The patient would also enjoy fast recovery.
US09179942B2 Holding device having a longilineal element adapted for maintaining a predetermined intervertebral spacing
The subject matter of the present invention relates to a maintaining device suitable for maintaining a predetermined intervertebral spacing, comprising a) a slender component, which is preferably substantially flat, of predetermined main width having a first end and a second end capable of being placed around the spinous processes, b) a rigid support comprising two side parts mounted between front and rear parts, and c) a blocking component mounted so as to slide on the side parts.
US09179941B2 Surgical cross connector
Example embodiments relate generally to an apparatus operable to couple a pair of implantation rods that are surgically implanted adjacent to a plurality of vertebrae. Each implantation rod is secured by at least one fastener element having a head. The apparatus comprises at least one main assembly, said main assembly operable to move relative to a head of one of the fastener elements when not in a locked position. The apparatus also comprises a center link extending in an axial direction, said center link operable to move relative to the main assembly when not in a locked position. The main assembly is operable to receive the center link and a head of one of the fastener elements and secure the center link and the head relative to the main assembly when in a locked position.
US09179937B2 Polyaxial screw
The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.
US09179933B2 Gear driven triangulation
A surgical access port and method for achieving triangulation is disclosed, the surgical access port comprising a housing and an articulation structure. The housing is comprised of a cylindrical member having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis. The articulation structure is comprised of at least two lumens, each of the at least two tubular members disposed in a respective lumen, at least two rotating members disposed along each of the at least two tubular members, an actuating member, and a rigid member connecting each rotating member to each tubular member. The tubular members are configured to receive instruments for use in minimally invasive procedures.
US09179931B2 Shape-set textile structure based mechanical thrombectomy systems
A biomedical shape-set textile structure based mechanical thrombectomy systems and methods are described. In one of the embodiments, the mechanical thrombectomy device can be customized to the length of the clot in each patient. In one of the embodiments, the mechanical thrombectomy device because of the textile structure has a very low overall profile or thickness that is less than 0.0125 inches (0.317 mm) and therefore can be deployed within microcatheters with inner lumen diameter as small as 0.014 inches (0.355 mm).
US09179924B2 Driving apparatuses for surgical devices and surgical devices equipped with such apparatuses
Driving apparatuses for surgical instruments are provided. Such apparatuses are capable of reuse without having to be sterilized in an autoclave. This reduces time as well as costs associated with surgical interventions in the areas of orthopaedic surgery and surgery related to trauma, for example.
US09179923B2 Ribbed surgical bur
The bur includes a shaft to which a bur head is attached. The bur head includes a plurality of flutes. Each flute at least has a rake surface, a cam surface and a cutting edge. The rake surface extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the head. The rake surfaces define the flute cutting edge (38). The associated cam surface curves away from the rake surface. One or more ribs extend radially outwardly from the cam surface.
US09179921B1 Inflatable balloon stent
A medical device consists of a dual lumen catheter with three intra-connecting balloons comprising a balloon stent. The adjustable tissue approximation using negative pressure exerted between device and mucosa of stomach/esophagus/colon with improved injury site isolation via adjustable balloon stent and added potential of negative pressure application to injury site for active healing process and distal feeding potential.
US09179918B2 Vascular remodeling device
A generally spherical vascular remodeling device is permanently positionable at a junction of afferent and efferent vessels of a bifurcation having an aneurysm. After positioning the device at the junction to substantially conform the device to the shape of the junction, the device acts as a scaffolding to inhibit herniation of objects out of the aneurysm and the device permits perfusion to the efferent vessels. Positioning the device may include deployment and mechanical or electrolytic release from a catheter. Embolic material may be inserted in the aneurysm before or after positioning the device. The device may have a first end, a second end substantially opposite to the first end, and a plurality of filaments extending between and coupled at the first end and the second end. Such devices may be football shaped, pumpkin shaped, or twisted. The device may include a plurality of loops forming a generally spherical shape.
US09179903B2 Tissue retractor and method of use
Systems, devices and methods related to retractor systems that retract tissue to allow access to a surgical site are described. The retractor systems can include a first rotatable arm attachable to a first blade, a second rotatable arm attachable to a second blade and a third linearly translatable arm attachable to a third blade. An attachment mechanism that is attachable to a fourth blade can be removably coupled to a mount on the frame. The retractors systems can also include two blade systems whereby when the retractor is in a closed configuration, the two blades form an oval opening.
US09179897B2 Vascular closure devices and methods providing hemostatic enhancement
Drug eluting vascular closure devices and methods for closing a blood vessel puncture site disposed at a distal end of a tissue tract are described. The devices and methods rely on a combination of the body's own natural mechanism to achieve hemostasis with chemical and/or biological agents to accelerate the hemostatic process. One method includes the steps of introducing a closure device through the tissue tract and deploying an expansible member at a distal end of the device within the blood vessel to occlude the puncture site. A chemical and/or biological sealing member disposed proximal the expansible member is then displaced so as to expose a chemical and/or biological region or release region of the device. At least one chemical and/or biological agent is thereafter released from the device and into the tissue tract to accelerate the occlusion process in the tract.
US09179894B2 Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus
There is provided an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus capable of reducing an unnecessary signal component in a reception signal. A sign data array formed of a plurality of sign data items arranged in an element arranging direction is extracted from a plurality of element reception signals having been subjected to delay processing but having not been subjected to summing processing. A factor computing unit computes a first factor indicating a level of sign coherence in the sign data array and a second factor indicating a sign transit density in the sign data array. The factor computing unit then computes a factor (evaluation value) for adjusting gain of the reception signal, based on the first factor and the second factor.
US09179891B2 Ultrasound probe
An ultrasound probe (100) includes an elongate handle (102) with first and second end regions (101, 103). The probe (100) further includes first and second blade sections (104, 112). The first blade section (104) is attached to the first end region (101) and extends in a direction away from the first end region. The second blade section (112) is movably attached to the first end region (101) and extends in the same direction as the first blade section (104). The second blade section (112) is configured to move between a first position in which the second blade section (112) is next to the first blade section (104) and a second position in which the second blade section (112) is further away from the first blade section (104). The probe (100) further includes transducer array (110) affixed to the first blade section (104) opposite the first end region (101) and in between the first and second blade sections (102, 104).
US09179888B2 System and method for providing patient registration without fiducials
A method for providing patient registration without fiducials comprises the steps of: spatially placing an ultrasound image of a patient randomly at different starting positions relative to a preoperative image; creating an independent registration corresponding to each different starting positions, by optimizing a spatial transformation between the preoperative image and the ultrasound image to provide a first batch of registrations; executing a second registration to fine-tune the alignment between the preoperative image and the ultrasound image; and concatenating the spatial transformation to obtain spatial transformation between the patient in an operating room and a corresponding preoperative image.
US09179878B2 Non-rotational computerized tomography system
A non-rotational CT system according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of X-ray generation units which are radially arranged by being spaced at certain intervals around an inspected object, and in which position correcting sensors are equipped on one side thereof; a plurality of X-ray detection units which are arranged in separated spaces between the X-ray generation units, are provided alternately with the X-ray generation units, and in which position correcting sensors are equipped on one side thereof; a control unit which receives signals from the position correcting sensors equipped in the X-ray generation units and the X-ray detection units, and adjusts the positions of each of the X-ray generation units and the X-ray detection units which face each other to precisely correspond with each other; a data processing unit which stores two-dimensional X-ray images obtained from the X-ray detection units, and applies an image interpolation technique to calculate two-dimensional X-ray images between two directions; and an image processing unit which converts data of the data processing unit into CT image data.
US09179875B2 Insertion of medical devices through non-orthogonal and orthogonal trajectories within the cranium and methods of using
The invention comprises an elongated device adapted for insertion, including self-insertion, through the body, especially the skull. The device has at least one effector or sensor and is configured to permit implantation of multiple functional components through a single entry site into the skull by directing the components at different angles. The device may be used to provide electrical, magnetic, and other stimulation therapy to a patient's brain. The lengths of the effectors, sensors, and other components may completely traverse skull thickness (at a diagonal angle) to barely protrude through to the brain's cortex. The components may directly contact the brain's cortex, but from there their signals can be directed to targets deeper within the brain. Effector lengths are directly proportional to their battery size and ability to store charge. Therefore, longer angled electrode effectors not limited by skull thickness permit longer-lasting batteries which expand treatment options.
US09179874B2 Optical-based physiological sensor assembly with disposable barrier layer
A physiological sensor assembly includes a physiological sensor having at least one light source and at least one optical receiver. A substantially transparent barrier layer is disposed between the physiological sensor and the patient's skin such that the barrier layer is removably adhered to the physiological sensor and removably adhered to the patient's skin.
US09179873B2 Estimating visceral fat by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
A system and a method of using dual-energy absoptiometry to estimate visceral fat metrics and display results, preferably as related to normative data. The process involves deriving x-ray measurements for respective pixel positions related to a two-dimensional projection image of a body slice containing visceral fat as well as subcutaneous fat; at least some of the measurements being dual-energy x-ray measurements, processing the measurements to derive estimates of metrics related to the visceral fat in the slice; and using the resulting estimates.
US09179872B2 Lancets for bodily fluid sampling supplied on a tape
A supply of lancets for a multi-use lancing device are carried by a tape and sequentially brought from a storage position to an activating position by advancing the tape around a bend. In the lancets' activating position they extend from the tape such that their sharp tips are available for lancing tissue. The carrying tape can be arranged in reel-to-reel format in a housing having a lancing opening. The lancets can be integral with the tape and activated to move the lancet through the lancing opening by moving the tape along its tape path or by translating a dedicated service loop of the tape. The lancets can also be independent from the tape and activated through the lancing opening by a separate lancing actuator. A test media can be included on the carrying tape and the housing can contain a sensor to yield an integrated lancing and testing device.
US09179868B2 Fingerstall oximeter
Disclosed is a fingerstall oximeter including a soft gum coat and a case, a display screen for displaying measurement results is provided on the upper part of the case and an open corresponding to the display screen is provided on the soft gum coat. The soft gum coat is slipped over the outside of the case, the case is used to accommodate and protect a circuit board, and a chamber for accommodating finger is formed and rounded by the upper part of the case and the bottom of the soft gum coat, for accommodating a finger to be measured. A first measurement module is provided on the bottom of the soft gum coat and a second measurement module is provided within the case at a position corresponding to the first measurement module.
US09179855B2 System and method for pain reduction
Systems and methods for treating pain are described. Systems and methods for treating pain using video games, tilt tables and bio-sensors are described wherein the level of the video game is controlled by a computer based on the feedback from a patient. Corresponding systems are also disclosed.
US09179851B2 System and method for high resolution wireless full disclosure ECG episode monitoring and analysis
High resolution full disclosure ECG data is transferred from a body sensor device to a handheld device via a wireless protocol. The handheld device transfers the full disclosure ECG data via a network to a center for analysis.
US09179848B2 Biological information detector, biological information measuring device, and method for designing reflecting part in biological information detector
A biological information detector includes a light-emitting part, a reflecting part, a light-receiving part, a protecting part, and a processing part. The reflecting part has a curve shaped reflecting surface that is configured to reflect light emitted by the light-emitting part. The light-receiving part is configured to receive incident light that is emitted by the light-emitting part and reflected at a detection site of a user. The protecting part is configured to protect the light-emitting part, and the protecting part haw a contact surface adapted to contact with the detection site. The processing part is configured to process a light-receiving signal outputted from the light-receiving part. The light-emitting part has a light-emitting surface substantially in parallel to the contact surface, and a distance between the light-emitting surface and the contact surface is within a range of 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm.
US09179846B2 Method and system for characterizing cardiac function based on dynamic impedance
A method and system are provided for characterizing cardiac function. The method and system comprise collecting cardiac signals associated with electrical or mechanical behavior of a heart over at least one cardiac cycle; identifying a timing feature of interest (FOI) from the cardiac signals; collecting dynamic impedance (DI) data over at least one cardiac cycle (CC), designated by the timing FOI, along at least one of i) a venous return (VR) vector or ii) a right ventricular function (RVF) vector; and analyzing at least one morphologic characteristic from the DI data based on at least one of i) a VR-DI correlation metric to obtain a VR indicator associated with the CC or ii) a RVF-DI correlation metric to obtain a RVF indicator associated with CC.
US09179845B2 Sharp fibrous needle probe for the in-depth optical diagnostics of tumours by endogenous fluorescence
An optical sharp fibrous needle probe includes an optical fiber in a hollow needle ending in a cutting point. The optical fiber is inserted and bonded in the hollow of the needle and then polished to take on the exact needle cutting shape. The material to be explored is pricked by the needle. A light injection and recovery device is placed at the inlet of the fiber. The material located at the sharp end of the needle backscatters the incident light and generates an endogenous fluorescence signal. A part of this luminous flux is recovered by the point of the needle and sent back to the injection and recovery device. The same analyses the light in strength, duration and wavelength and enables a diagnostics without taking the in-depth explored material. An optical telemeter placed on the outer tip of the needle enables the depth of the explored area to be known.
US09179843B2 Method and system for optically evaluating proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve in situ
A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises an interferometry sub-system and a processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber. The probe system comprises a light detector and a processor for determining a distance to the artery using the Beer-Lambert law of light absorption with a value for surrounding tissue attenuation coefficient (μeff). A probe system combining low coherence interferometry and spectral absorption is also provided.
US09179836B2 Compact wavefront sensor module and its attachment to or integration with an ophthalmic instrument
One embodiment disclosed is a compact wavefront sensor module to be attached to or integrated with an ophthalmic instrument for eye examination and/or vision correction procedures. The front lens for relaying the wavefront from the eye to a wavefront sampling plane is positioned at the optical input port of the wavefront sensor module. The front lens is shared by the wavefront sensor and the ophthalmic instrument, and the wavefront sensor module can be made very compact while still being able to cover a large eye wavefront measurement diopter range. Another embodiment disclosed is an ophthalmic device for measuring properties of a subject eye including an ophthalmic instrument integrated with the wavefront sensor module.
US09179831B2 Visualization instrument
A visualization instrument comprising a display support component removably coupled to a component insertable into a target space. The insertable component includes a camera providing images of the target space. The images are presented in a display device supported by the display support component. The insertable component may be discarded after a permitted number of uses.
US09179826B2 Distal tip channel ramp
An endoscope and endoscope shaft having an adaptor that where the internal diameter of the adaptor increases along its longitudinal direction from the proximal end of the adaptor to the distal end of the adaptor. The adaptor guides an instrument through the working channel of the endoscope and prevents bumps from forming in the working channel of the endoscope shaft.
US09179824B2 Endoscopic sheath assembly
A sheath assembly for an endoscope includes an elongate tubular body and a plug. The endoscope has a handle portion and a scope portion extending therefrom to a tip. The body includes first (40) and second (42) wall sections and extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second distal openings located at distal and proximal ends thereof, respectively. The first wall section (40) extends radially about the longitudinal axis to define a scope lumen (44). The scope portion is receivable in the scope lumen with the distal and proximal ends. The second wall section (42) extends radially about a portion of the first wall section (40) and longitudinally between second distal and proximal end openings. The first and second wall sections define an integral suction lumen (50) in fluid communication with a first source of negative pressure. The plug is mated with the distal end opening and includes a lens surface through which energy is transmissible.
US09179822B2 Endoscopic observation supporting system, method, device and program
A virtual endoscopic image generating unit for generating, from a 3D medical image representing an interior of a body cavity of a subject formed by a 3D medical image forming unit and inputted thereto, a virtual endoscopic image, in which a position of a structure of interest identified by a position of interest identifying unit is a view point of the virtual endoscopic image, a real-time position of at least one of an endoscope and a surgical tool detected by an endoscope position detecting unit or a surgical tool position detecting unit is contained in a field of view of the virtual endoscopic image, and the position of at least one of the endoscope and the surgical tool is shown in an identifiable manner in the virtual endoscopic image, is provided. A display control unit causes a WS display to display the generated virtual endoscopic image.
US09179821B2 System for use in surgical procedures
The present disclosure relates to a system for use in surgical procedures. The system includes an endoscope; an imaging device coupled to the endoscope; an imaging processor coupled to the imaging device; and at least one management system coupled to the imaging processor, wherein a function of the management system is automatically adjusted upon receipt of a communication from the imaging processor. A method of adjusting an image of a surgical site during a surgical procedure is also disclosed.
US09179817B2 Household appliance, in particular dishwasher, with an acoustic sealing frame for noise reduction
A household appliance includes appliance walls which delimit a space. A covering plate is arranged on an outer face of at least one of the appliance walls so as to leave free a gap. The gap is sealed in an edge region of the covering plate by an acoustic sealing frame.
US09179814B2 Cleaning article comprising lines of frangibility with marked indicia
A melamine-based foam block for cleaning has lines of frangibility that separate the melamine-based block into pads that are delineated. A melamine-based foam block for cleaning has lines of frangibility that separate the melamine-based foam block into pads that are different sizes and that are delineated.
US09179810B2 Insert wall anchor for a grab bar
A grab bar is attached to a wall with at least one anchor assembly. The anchor assembly can be removed and repeatedly used as needed. The anchor assembly includes a vertical support beam, a flange arm assembly having a base portion and an arm portion, and a spring. The spring is attached to the vertical support beam and cooperates with the arm portion to hold the flange arm assembly in place during installation. The base portion of the flange arm assembly has a flange that fits against a wall surface of the wall structure, and the arm portion is received within a slot formed within the vertical support beam. The flange prevents the flange arm assembly from falling behind the wall structure.
US09179806B2 Beach bucket
An equipment storage device has a container to enable a user to comfortably stand within the container. A reservoir for retaining fluid is coupled with the container. A fluid injection device is coupled with the reservoir. At least one retaining receptacle is positioned on a peripheral wall of the container.
US09179804B2 Sink towel
A sink towel for being disposed about a bathroom, restroom or washroom sink bowl for absorbing water that may be inadvertently or accidently splashed with water upon a surrounding counter top. The towel is comprised of natural or synthetic, water absorbent material which may include paper, cloth or fabric, and is preferably formed of cotton or terry cloth. One or more pockets are included for storing personal items such as tooth brushes, toothpaste, razors, and/or small containers of medicine, shampoo, perfume, or similar items. The towel includes weights or weighted material for holding the towel in place over the sink bowl and also permit the towel to be folded for travel and for hanging on a hook for storage and/or drying between uses.
US09179795B1 Cooking pan system having foldable handle
A cooking system comprises: a pan; a support having a neck and a ball attached through the neck to the pan, the ball having a protrusion and an elongate opening to receive a pin rod having inflated ends; a cover unit rotatably covering the ball and having a first and second cover, the first cover having an arc opening to receive and rotatably guide the protrusion in the arc opening; an elastic media provided between the first and second covers to elastically contain the rod in the elongate opening of the ball; and a handle extending from a selected one of the first and second covers, the rod ends being manually pulled out of the ball against elastic pushing of the elastic media.
US09179792B2 Dispenser assembly
A dispenser assembly secures an object, such as a bottle of nail polish, within a tilting repository at an orientation and angle efficacious for accessing the object with one hand. Pressure applied to the repository tilts it to a desired angle for facilitated access and manipulation of the object. After the pressure is removed, the center of gravity for the repository and object is met, and the repository returns to its starting position prior to receiving the exerted force. A bracket portion provides a support for the assembly. Sidewalls that extend form a base in the bracket portion include slots. The repository portion includes rods that slide into the slots, thereby forming a cradle. The repository may then tilt in response to an exerted force applied to the object in the repository. A brace hinges up from the base to hold the repository at a desired angle.
US09179787B2 Method and device for carrying young humans
A wrap for carrying a young human comprising two rectangular pieces of fabric and a fastening device comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein the first end of the first piece of fabric is secured to the portion of the fastening device disposed between the inner aperture and the first middle aperture, and wherein the third end or the second piece of fabric is secured to the portion of the fastening device disposed between the inner aperture and the third middle aperture.
US09179783B2 Bed bug protection device
A bed bug protection device for protecting humans, animals and objects from crawling pests such as bed bugs. The device includes a top component for contacting the top surface of bedding such as a mattress or box spring. The top component includes barrier material suitable for preventing pests from biting humans or animals resting on the bedding. The device further includes a fitted side skirt joined to the periphery of the top component that hinders bed bugs and similar pests from climbing up the covered bedding and gaining access to humans, animals, or objects resting atop the bedding. The device may be part of a system including pillow protectors, headboard and/or footboard protectors for preventing contact by traditional bed coverings with walls or bed structures that may be infested by bed bugs.
US09179781B2 Method for manufacturing a mattress or a mattress-pillow combination and components used therein
Method to manufacture a personalized mattress (1) from a basic part (2) with a recess (2) and inserts (3, 4, 5), which comprises the following steps: determination of the anthropometric data of a person; determination of the optimum distances over which the mattress (1) has to be deformed in a number of positions so that the spine of the person in this position has the same shape, insofar possible, as when the person is standing upright; determination of the deformation characteristics that a mattress (1) must have at these positions; selection of inserts (3, 4, 5); fitting of the inserts (3, 4, 5) in the basic part (2).
US09179778B2 Folding chair
A folding chair comprises a supporting leg with two same or symmetrical sides, a seat cushion and a backrest, wherein the supporting leg comprises a front supporting rod and a back supporting rod which are crossed mutually. The front supporting rod extends outwardly to the upside of the seat cushion to form backrest sections. The seat cushion is mounted on a seat cushion rod. The front part of the seat cushion rod is movably hinged on the upper end of the back supporting rod. The back part of the seat cushion is movably hinged on the middle part of the front supporting rod. The front supporting rod or the back supporting rod is hinged with a sliding sleeve. The back supporting rod or the front supporting rod is penetrated through the sliding sleeve to form a movably crossed structure and a stressed support.
US09179776B2 Height adjustment mechanism for chair armrest and driving block thereof
A height adjustment mechanism for a chair armrest contains: an inner tube, an adjusting member, an outer tube, a driving block, a fixing member, and a resilient element. The inner tube includes a base, an accommodating groove, and an elongated hole. The adjusting member includes a guiding slot, two toothed racks, and a plurality of guide teeth, wherein each guide tooth has a first crown portion, a first root portion, and a first bottom face. The outer tube includes a support plate an orifice. The driving block includes a pressing portion, two flanges, and plural positioning teeth, wherein a number of the plural positioning teeth is less than that of the plurality of guide teeth. The fixing member includes a first segment and a second segment. The resilient element is fixed in the inner tube and includes a first end abutting against the driving block and the fixing member.
US09179770B2 Multi-orientation modular furniture having an energy releasable design
A multi-orientation modular furniture piece includes a work surface; a seat surface; a stool surface; and a base surface. The base surface has a non-flat surface to facilitate a minimal left to right rocking motion of the multi-orientation modular furniture piece when the multi-orientation modular furniture piece is in a seat orientation. The minimal left to right rocking motion of the multi-orientation modular furniture piece allows the participant to realize a positive non-disruptive distraction to facilitate a non-disruptive release of energy so as to assist in re-focusing the occupant during the learning.
US09179764B2 Tongue-mounted cleaning article
The invention is directed to a tongue-mounted cleaning article for caring for the teeth and gums having an elongated body defining an inner cavity formed in the configuration of the tongue for receiving and accommodating the tongue, and a slot for receiving and accommodating the frenulum on the undersurface of the tongue; an open end sized to permit insertion of tongue; and a closed end being narrower than the open end and configured in the shape of the tip of the tongue, the closed end comprising a plurality of pyramidal protuberances or bristles disposed over a portion or entirety of its surface, wherein the pyramidal protuberances or bristles project outwardly for cleaning the teeth and gums by appropriate movement of the tongue.
US09179749B2 Combination beverage container and storage vessel
Combination beverage containers and storage vessels. Various embodiments are configured to store a consumable beverage or otherwise consumable liquid as well as at least one second item which may comprise an edible foodstuff, toy, novelty, etc. all in one convenient container. In some embodiments, the second items may be stored directly in the vessel separated from the liquid or the second items may be stored in a second container that may be removably seated in a portion of the vessel or in a lid that, once installed on the body, is not removable by the end user. The vessels may or may not be hand-held.
US09179742B2 Latching fastener with locking feature
Latching fastener with male and female parts configured to separatably latch. One embodiment has a male part with a latch coupler, a female part with a bistable actuator and a plurality of latches with lower latch levers. To fasten, the latching fastener is configured so that when the female part is pressed down over the male part, the lower latch levers contact the latch coupler, the latch coupler pushes up the lower latch levers, causing rotation of the latches into a latched position. To separate, the latching fastener is configured so that in response to an actuator member of the bistable actuator moving from an upper to a lower stable position, the actuator member pushes down the lower latch levers, the lower latch levers rotate the latches to an unlatched position, and the lower latch levers push down the latch coupler, separating the male and female parts.
US09179734B2 Heated insole with removable and rechargeable battery
A heated insole for a shoe has an insole body and a battery. The insole body has a battery-receiving portion. The battery is configured to be removable from and insertable into the battery-receiving portion while the insole is disposed within the shoe.
US09179732B2 Article of footwear with medial contact portion
An article of footwear with a medial contact portion disposed on the medial side of the article is described. The medial contact portion includes a plurality of raised elements that extend outwards from the surface of the upper on the medial side. The raised elements are configured to contact a ball during passing or trapping to absorb and dampen forces associated with the impact of the ball with the article to provide cushioning. The sizing and spacing arrangement of the raised elements on the medial contact portion provide sufficient surface area to allow a portion of the surface of the upper to contact a ball. In one embodiment, the upper is made from a synthetic leather material that has substantially the same coefficient of friction under dry conditions and wet conditions.
US09179725B2 Rollable sun cap
A rollable sun cap having a visor (10) having a body (10a) having upper and lower outer skins (13 and 14) adapted to cover the upper and lower portions of a core material thereof and a finishing edge (16) coupled by sewing to the outer circumference of the body (10a) and a band type hair portion (20) provided on the inner circumference of the visor (10) and having male and female magic tapes (24 and 25) detachably mounted on both ends thereof, the rollable sun cap including: adhesive surfaces (13a) formed on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower outer skins (13 and 14) facing the core material; and band type core materials (11) provided as the core material of the body (10a) of the visor (10).
US09179724B1 Beverage dispensing headwear
A wearable sombrero-style hat with a refillable reservoir is disclosed. The sombrero-style, or type, hat has a generally conical crown with an opening at the top of the conical crown. The opening allows the use of a reservoir that is adapted for insertion through the opening in the conical crown. The reservoir also includes an upper end with a fill neck that has a cantilevered collar or protrusion that extend from the fill neck in a generally radial manner. The collar or protrusions engages the edge of the edge of the opening at the top of the generally conical crown to support the fill neck at or near the top of the conical crown, while the lower end and outlet of the reservoir are positioned below the fill neck, and thus allow the connection of a dispensing tube to the outlet of the reservoir, and thus allow the user to drink from the reservoir through the dispensing tube.
US09179723B1 Method of reforming eyelashes
Disclosed is a method of reforming eyelashes. According to the present invention, a method of reforming eyelashes is provided, which is capable of preventing eyelashes from being damaged and pulled out, maintaining an effect of beauty care for a long time, and reducing a cosmetic procedure time.
US09179721B2 Press and go wig and lace wig snap cap and kit
The invention concerns a wig or lace wig cap, to be worn by the user underneath a wig or lace wig. The cap is comprised of a plurality of panels using stretchable and breathable material, an elasticized banding and a plurality of sew on snap fasteners affixed to, said banding to form the Press and Go Wig and Lace Wig Snap Cap. Cooperating snaps are then affixed to a wig or lace wig around the entire circumference of the outer inside wig weft, concealing the application process, thereby producing a comfortable, airy and secure fit to the user. An additional banding is included, affixed with a plurality of snap fasteners designed to fit cooperating snaps of a wig or lace wig. Also included is a tension strap affixed with two cooperating snap fasteners designed to be used as an adjustment strap to the cap banding or separate banding.
US09179710B2 Hookah with multiple tobacco bowls
The present invention relates to a Hookah otherwise known as a water pipe or Nargile. The hookah is used to smoke tobacco or other herbs that are heated using a hot charcoal. With multiple tobacco bowls, this hookah allows the user to consume a mixture of smoke from different flavored tobaccos. The various bowls are independent from each other and spaced apart so that the heat from one does not affect the others. The spacing of the bowls also protects the user from burn injuries while replacing the tobacco or charcoal in each bowl. The smoke from each bowl is directed into a stem tube where it is mixed before being filtered and cooled by water in preparation for consumption. Each tobacco bowl can be connected to a flow control device that allows the user to fine tune the amount of smoke from each bowl and achieve the preferred flavor.
US09179707B2 Smoking articles and methods of manufacturing smoking articles
A smoking article comprising a first part moveable relative to a second part, and defining an interface between the first and second parts located around the first part are provided, among other aspects. A cover is configured to cover the interface and obstruct ingress of air into the smoking article directly at the interface.
US09179700B2 Hydrosol based flavor delivery device
A handheld hydrosol delivery device includes a canister which is at least partially filled with a liquid formulation of one or more liquids and optional particles, and one or more propellants where at least one of the liquids, propellants, particles and combinations thereof is a flavor; a pressure valve which expels at least a portion of the liquid formulation and at least a portion of the propellant from the canister while dispersing the propellant into the liquid formulation forming a consumable flavored hydrosol comprising one or more gases dispersed within the liquid formulation, through a nozzle delivering the hydrosol to a user.
US09179696B2 Apparatus and system for popping kernels
The present invention relates to improved devices and methods for popping popcorn, comprising moving popcorn kernels within a heating chamber with airflow and subjecting the popcorn kernels to focused microwave energy sufficient to cause the popcorn kernels to pop. In some embodiments, the devices and methods utilize a single-mode resonant microwave applicator to generate a standing microwave energy field comprising an array of one or more anti-node high intensity microwave regions and subjecting popcorn kernels to the microwave energy in the one or more high intensity microwave regions.
US09179695B2 Xylitol containing comestible product
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a comestible product comprising xylitol said method comprising: (a) subjecting a composition comprising xylitol in an amount ranging from about 60% to about 100% by weight to extrusion treatment inside an extrusion apparatus under conditions sufficient to form and maintain the xylitol in a slurry and (b) then shaping the extruded slurry and cooling the product to form a solid. The present invention additionally is directed to a product produced therefrom.
US09179694B2 Method and composition for enhancing milk production and milk component concentrations
A method of feeding a ruminant that entails providing a feed that comprises sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component, where the feed is free of rumen-protected fatty acid or comprises less than 10 weight percent rumen-protected fatty acid, based on the total weight of the feed and further entails orally supplying the feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, where the ruminant ingests the feed and sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period.
US09179687B2 Yeast fermentation of rice bran extracts
Heat-stabilized defatted rice bran (HDRB) is fermented with yeast to afford a food product having superior prebiotic for probiotic properties. Fermentation of HDRB with yeast yields a prebiotic composition that can promote the growth and/or activity of beneficial intestinal bacteria (probiotic) when consumed by an animal or human. The prebiotic and/or probiotic compositions can afford substances having desirable health effects when consumed. The yeast fermented, and the probiotic fermented extracts and residues will have several nutraceutical compounds including protein, phenolics, phytic acid, arabinose, bioactive isoflavones, dietary fibers and several others that will have health benefits. Inclusion of legumes during fermentation can synergistically enhance the bioactivities of HDRB. HDRB can be a source of growth medium for yeast/mold/microorganisms.
US09179684B2 Method and installation for handling poultry
The present invention relates to a method for handling poultry, such as chicken, turkey, geese, duck and quail, comprising the steps of (i) taking the poultry; (ii) placing the poultry in a confinement such that the poultry legs extend from the confinement; and (iii) coupling the poultry legs to a handling unit, and to an installation for handling poultry, such as chicken, turkey, duck and quail that takes the poultry and places the poultry in a confinement such that the poultry legs extend from the confinement; and the poultry legs are coupled to the handling unit.
US09179668B2 Use of glycerol ethers as activators of the biological effects of a herbicide, fungicide or insecticide substance
The invention relates to the use of glycerol ethers as agents that activate the biological effects of at least one substance selected from a herbicide, fungicide or insecticide. The invention essentially relates to the use of glycerol ether as an agent that activates the biological effects of at least one substance selected from a herbicide, or fungicide or insecticide, said glycerol ether having formula (1), wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having between 1 and 18 carbon atoms and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having between 1 and 18 carbon atoms, preferably a methyl or ethyl group. The invention also relates to a phytosanitary composition containing one such glycerol ether, as well as to a phytosanitary treatment method using said composition.
US09179662B1 Fly trap and method of use
A method for catching flies comprising the steps of providing a fly trap that includes a fruit bowl having an inner surface and an outer surface, a fly paper holding chamber beneath the fruit bowl shaped to hold fly paper, and a plurality of apertures through the fruit bowl and in communication with the fly paper holding chamber. Fly paper is inserted into the fly paper holding chamber, and fruit is positioned in the fruit bowl, such that flies attracted to the fruit in the fruit bowl may move through the apertures to the fly paper holding chamber, where they are trapped by the fly paper.
US09179654B2 Inhibition of angiogenesis
The present invention relates to the microRNA miR-126 and to inhibitors of miR-126 that regulate angiogenesis. The present invention provides compositions and methods for the inhibition of miR-126 and for the inhibition of angiogenesis in vivo.
US09179643B2 Self-cleaning litter box
A self-cleaning litter box. The self-cleaning litter box includes a rake drive housing that is securable to and removable from a litter tray. The rake drive housing contains the rake drive control system. The rake drive control system automatically cleans the litter tray after each use and/or on a periodic basis by combing the litter with a sweeping rake. The sweeping rake is paired with a spade that loosens waste products that is stuck to the litter tray. At the disposal end of the self-cleaning litter box, a disposal rake cooperatively rotates with the sweeping rake to transfer waste products into a waste receptacle.
US09179635B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV096310
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV096310. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV096310, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV096310 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 CV096310 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 CV096310.
US09179632B1 Canola hybrid 45S52
A novel canola variety designated 45S52 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred canola varieties. Methods for producing a canola plant that comprises crossing canola variety 45S52 with another canola plant. Methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 45S52 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the canola variety 45S52, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of canola variety 45S52. This invention further relates to methods for producing canola varieties derived from canola variety 45S52.
US09179628B2 Soybean variety A1036005
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1036005. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1036005. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1036005 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1036005 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09179627B2 Soybean variety A1035408
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035408. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035408. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035408 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035408 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09179619B1 Soybean variety XB72D12
A novel soybean variety, designated XB72D12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB72D12, cells from soybean variety XB72D12, plants of soybean XB72D12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB72D12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB72D12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB72D12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB72D12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB72D12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB72D12 are further provided.
US09179614B2 Tomato line CHI-XF-LOEM
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line CHI-XF-LOEM. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line CHI-XF-LOEM, 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.
US09179607B2 Fence post mountable for displaying flowers, plants, and the like
An apparatus for releasable mounting to a fence post is provided. The apparatus includes a leg portion, a basket portion, and a mounting portion. The leg portion defines a first end and a second end. The basket portion is coupled to the leg portion at the first end of the leg portion and extends from the leg portion in a first direction. The mounting portion is coupled to the leg portion at the second end of the leg portion and extends from the leg portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. The mounting portion is configured for mounting about a fence post.
US09179606B2 Floral assembly
A floral display comprising a frame for securing water retaining florist foam in a decorative shape that may be hung for display. The floral display frame provides for simple securing of the foam and allows access to the foam for complete floral coverage.
US09179594B2 Seeding machine controller for automatically switching between multiple seed varieties
A seeding machine, such as a row crop planter, is adapted to switch between two or more seed varieties as the machine traverses a field. The control system uses a programmed quantity of seed representing a number of seeds in the seed meter that need to be substantially consumed once the flow of a first seed variety is stopped before introducing a second seed variety to minimize seed mixing. The seed quantity can be determined by a calibration process or published from the manufacturer or third parties. The seed quantity can also be part of a seeding prescription that includes assignment of where each seed variety is to be planted in a field. The seed quantity and the distance traveled to empty the meter can be used to optimize the planting operation including the machine direction which can also be part of the prescription.
US09185830B2 Thermoelectric-enhanced, liquid-based cooling of a multi-component electronic system
Methods are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The methods include providing: a liquid-cooled structure, a thermal conduction path coupling the electronic component and the liquid-cooled structure, a coolant loop in fluid communication with a coolant-carrying channel of the liquid-cooled structure, and an outdoor-air-cooled heat exchange unit coupled to facilitate heat transfer from the liquid-cooled structure via, at least in part, the coolant loop. The thermoelectric array facilitates transfer of heat from the electronic component to the liquid-cooled structure, and the heat exchange unit cools coolant passing through the coolant loop by dissipating heat from the coolant to outdoor ambient air. In one implementation, temperature of coolant entering the liquid-cooled structure is greater than temperature of the outdoor ambient air to which heat is dissipated.
US09185828B2 Rack mounted electronics having connectors with heat cooling fingers
A system and method for cooling a plurality of connectors interfacing electrical and optical signals to circuit boards in an electronics cabinet, such as backplane connectors routing signals to circuit boards housed in card cage assemblies. Heat pipes coupled to the connectors efficiently remove heat from the connectors and sink the connector heat to a cold junction of a liquid cooling system, which cooling system may also extract heat from air flow cooling the circuit boards such that the system is room neutral, meaning that the ambient temperature remains constant during operation of the system. The heat connector cooling system is effective where connectors are outside of an air flow cooling envelope that may cool the circuit boards.
US09185821B2 Bracket and electronic device having the same
The present invention discloses a bracket for an electronic device comprising a first shell at least including a first track and a second shell at least including a second track, the bracket being adapted to connect the first shell with the second shell The bracket comprises a first shaft adapted to be connected with the first shell and movable along the first track and a second shaft adapted to be connected with the second shell and movable along the second track. The present invention also discloses electronic device comprising a first shell at least including a first track and a second shell at least including a second track, and a bracket being adapted to connect the first shell with the second shell, wherein the bracket comprises a first shaft adapted to be connected with the first shell and movable along the first track and a second shaft adapted to be connected with the second shell and movable along the second track.
US09185817B2 Display panel
The present invention provides a display panel including: a first input terminal group in which input terminals are disposed at intervals along first long side of a rectangular driver IC facing a panel end portion; a second input terminal group in which input terminals are disposed at intervals along the second long side of the driver IC facing a display section; a first wiring group connected to the first input terminal group, that extends under the first short side of the driver IC and extends out from between the driver IC and the panel body; and a second wiring group connected to the second input terminal group, that passes under the second long side of the driver IC and extends out from between the driver IC and the panel body.
US09185807B2 Integrated circuit structures having off-axis in-hole capacitor
Various embodiments include integrated circuit structures having an off-axis in-hole capacitor. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit (IC) structure includes: a substrate layer having an upper surface; an IC chip at least partially contained within the substrate layer and aligned with a minor axis perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate layer; an aperture in the substrate layer, the aperture physically separated from the IC chip; and a capacitor in the aperture and at least partially contained within the substrate layer, the capacitor being physically isolated from the IC chip, wherein the capacitor is aligned with an axis perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate layer and offset from the minor axis of the IC chip.
US09185791B2 Manufacturing method of printing circuit board with micro-radiators
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a printing circuit board. The manufacturing method mainly includes: forming one or more cylindrical micro-radiators by cutting a high conductive and electrical insulating substrate according to predetermined size; manufacturing one or more mounting holes in copper clad plates and prepregs; embedding the cylindrical micro-radiators into the mounting holes. The present invention combines the micro-radiator with high thermal conductivity and traditional stiffness printing circuit board. The printing circuit board with micro-radiators has the advantages of high thermal conductivity and stable heat transfer, and also has the advantages of routing flexibility and reliable electrical connections.
US09185789B2 Magnetic shims to alter magnetic fields
An example particle accelerator includes a coil to provide a magnetic field to a cavity; a cryostat comprising a chamber for holding the coil, where the coil is arranged in the chamber to define an interior region of the coil and an exterior region of the coil; magnetic structures adjacent to the cryostat, where the magnetic structures have one or more slots at least part-way therethrough; and one or more magnetic shims in one or more corresponding slots. The one or more magnetic shims are movable to adjust a position of the coil by changing a magnetic field produced by the magnetic structures.
US09185786B2 Laser-driven light source
An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.
US09185783B2 Wireless pairing system and associated methods
A wireless pairing system and method are presented, the system having a network and a luminaire, which may include an electrical base, an enclosure, and a heat sink, as well as a light source, a network interface, a camera, and a controller in communication with the electrical base. The light source, the network interface, and the camera may be in communication with the controller, the controller having a central processing unit (CPU), and an input/output (I/O) interface. The controller, the camera, the light source and the network interface may be carried by the enclosure. The camera may capture an image having a configuration code associated with the network and the CPU may analyze the image to determine the existence of the configuration code. The CPU may then configure the network interface to connect the luminaire to the network so that the luminaire may be operated or monitored through the network.
US09185777B2 Ambient light control in solid state lamps and luminaires
A luminaire comprising a solid-state light source and a photosensitive transducer each operatively coupled to a controller. The photosensitive transducer is oriented to be within an illumination path of the solid-state light source. When the solid-state light source is in an ON state in which at least some light is produced, the controller controls the solid-state light source to be in the OFF state in which no light is produced for a brief measurement period imperceptible to a human. During the measurement period the controller obtains an ambient light level measurement from the photosensitive transducer without interference from the solid-state light source, which is in the OFF state. The controller may record turn ON and turn OFF times of the solid-state light source for use in controlling the solid-state light source in various circumstances.
US09185769B2 Light source apparatus and vehicle headlight using the same
There are provided a light source apparatus and a vehicle headlight using the same. The light source apparatus includes a light emitting device array unit, a first detection unit, a driving unit, a second detection unit, and an interruption unit. A uniform quantity of light can be maintained and damage can be prevented.
US09185761B2 White LED device having LED chips directly driven by alternating current
An Alternate Current (AC) white Light-Emitting Diode (LED) device is provided, which belongs to the technical field of white LED manufacturing. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to low-costly overcome a series of deficiencies such as the stroboflash of an AC driven LED, and the heat dissipation difficulty caused by an integrated packaging of multiple LEDs. A white LED unit includes an LED chip and a light emitting material that can emit light when being excited by the LED chip. The luminous lifetime of the light emitting material is 1-100 ms. The LED chip only comprises one PN junction. The light emitted by the LED chip is mixed with the light emitted by the light emitting material to form white light. The white LED unit is driven by AC with a frequency not more than 100 Hz. The white LED device of prevent invention uses the single PN junction chip, rather than the prior integrated packaged AC multi-LED chip.
US09185760B1 Alternating current (AC) line voltage determination
In various embodiments, there is provided a method comprising receiving a waveform; rectifying the waveform to generate a rectified waveform; comparing the rectified waveform with a first voltage to generate a first compare signal, wherein a first edge of the first compare signal occurs at a first time when an instantaneous value of the rectified waveform becomes higher than the first voltage; comparing the rectified waveform with a second voltage to generate a second compare signal, wherein a first edge of the second compare signal occurs at a second time when the instantaneous value of the rectified waveform becomes higher than the second voltage; and based at least in part on the first time and the second time, estimating a voltage of the waveform.
US09185756B2 Load driving device and system, limiting point control method and device
A load driving device and system, and a limiting point control method and device. The load driving device comprising: a voltage/current regulative main circuit placed under the control of an output current controller, for use in conducting a voltage conversion on an input voltage, and in supplying electric power to a subsequent load unit; a sampling unit connected to an output terminal of the main circuit, for use in sampling an output feature parameter of the main circuit; the output current controller, for use in controlling a limiting point of the main circuit, and on the basis of the adjustment direction of the limiting point and on changes of the output feature parameters of the main circuit before and after an adjustment, determining a steady working point for the main circuit, and controlling the main circuit to work at the steady working point. The load driving device and system enable an increase in driver reliability and a reduction in circuit complexity.
US09185754B2 Interconnectable LED module for use in a direct current circuit
A system and method for interconnecting LED modules that receive electrical energy from a direct current electrical energy power supply includes a first type of mating connector to provide an input of direct current electrical energy to a printed circuit board contained within an interconnectable LED module and a second type of mating connector to provide an output of direct current electrical energy to and interconnecting with another interconnectable LED module. The second type of mating connector attaches to the first type of mating connector in the next LED module in a string of interconnectable LED modules.
US09185753B2 Lighting system
A lighting system includes a main power source, a power switch, a daylight white color light source driver, an incandescent color light source driver, a first light source unit, and a second light source unit. The power switch includes a first terminal connected to the main power source, a second terminal and a control terminal. The two drivers are connected to the second terminal of the power switch. The first light source unit is driven by the daylight white color light source driver. The second light source unit is driven by the incandescent color light source driver. A switch driving circuit for applying power-saving switch signals is connected to the control terminal of the power switch, and a signal processing circuit for outputting instruction signals is connected to the switch driving circuit.
US09185744B2 Uplink transmissions for type 2 relay
A method for providing user agent data. The method includes an access node receiving an indicator sent from a relay node as an indication that the relay node has received data from the user agent.
US09185742B2 System and methods for a cloud based wireless personal area network service enabling context activity handoffs between devices
A system includes a cloud server component, operative to associate a plurality of devices with a single network identifier and define a network including each device. The cloud server component obtains and stores a device profile for each device, maintains a database including the stored device profiles and that has context activity information for each device, and receives updates of the context activity information from each device. A service module installed on each device of the network communicates with the cloud server component and is operative to monitor a respective device for context activity changes, provide updates of the respective device context activity to the cloud server component, and perform a context activity handoff with any one of the devices of the network that is a context active device, in response to context activity changes or status changes of the context active device recorded in the database.
US09185740B2 Method of and system for performing access control and radio resource management entity
The present invention discloses a method of and system for performing the access control as well as a radio resource management entity. The method includes: detecting, by a hybrid radio resource management entity, an access control trigger event, determining, by the hybrid radio resource management entity, a non-Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) User Equipment to be removed, and disconnecting, by the hybrid radio resource management entity, the connection with the non-CSG User Equipment to be removed.
US09185739B2 Method and apparatus for handling cell reselections and transitions to and from an enhanced Cell—FACH state
A method and apparatus for handling cell reselections and transitions includes executing a cell reselection. A medium access control (MAC)-ehs reset is performed.
US09185738B2 Discontinuous reception start offset coordinated with semi-persistent scheduling system and method
An apparatus and method are provided for configuring a user agent to receive semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) transmissions independent of the user agent monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). Also provided are an apparatus and method for configuring a user agent to monitor a PDCCH in a subframe to which one of a downlink assignment or an uplink grant is configured.
US09185734B2 Method for establishing Bluetooth connection, mobile terminal, Bluetooth device, and system
A method for establishing a Bluetooth® connection, where the method includes: establishing data connections with at least two Bluetooth® devices; obtaining a voice connection instruction, where the voice connection instruction includes identification information of a target Bluetooth® device selected by a user from the Bluetooth® devices; and establishing a voice connection between the mobile terminal and the target Bluetooth® device according to the voice connection instruction; and a mobile terminal, a Bluetooth® device, and a system. A voice connection is established with a Bluetooth® device selected by a user, so as to improve an extent to which a Bluetooth® connection is established intelligently and a capability of interacting with the user. Therefore, the user can, according to needs, freely select a Bluetooth® device with which a connection is established, thereby improving convenience of the user in using the Bluetooth® device.
US09185731B2 Self-configuration of an E-node-B
A method of configuration of an e-Node B device, on order to integrate the e-Node B device in a telecommunication network, comprising the following steps, performed by the e-Node B device: —entering a user equipment mode, —establishing a communication link with the telecommunication network, —receiving configuration data, —self-configuring using the received data, and —entering an operational state, wherein the establishment of the communication link comprises transmitting a data element indicating that the establishment of the communication originates from an e-Node B behaving as a user equipment.
US09185729B2 Wireless communication method and apparatus
A method and apparatus are provided for enabling a user to effectively use a wireless network using a contention free channel access service. The wireless communication method includes receiving a contention free channel access request frame from at least one device in a wireless network in a superframe, and broadcasting a traffic information message including contention free channel access information in the superframe after the contention free channel access request frame is received.
US09185722B2 Contention based access optimization
The mobile station described herein comprises a transmission buffer, a receiver, a transmitter, and a controller. The controller triggers a scheduling request and buffer status report when data enters the transmission buffer. When the receiver receives a contention-based scheduling grant allocating contention-based uplink resources, the transmitter transmits one or more data packets retrieved from the transmission buffer along with the buffer status report on the contention-based resources to the network station. If one or more data packets remain in the transmission buffer after transmission of the buffer status report on the contention-based resources, the controller maintains the pending status of the buffer status report and the corresponding scheduling request.
US09185715B2 Inter-system call switching between co-existence wireless systems
Techniques for switching a user equipment (UE) between wireless systems by first establishing a connection with a target system before disconnecting from a serving system are disclosed. In one design, the UE may initially communicate with a first wireless system (e.g., a WLAN system) of a first radio technology. The UE may receive a page to establish a connection with a second wireless system (e.g., a cellular system) of a second radio technology. The first and second wireless systems may be part of a small cell. The page may be sent by the second wireless system to the UE in response to a decision by a network entity to switch the UE from the first wireless system to the second wireless system. The UE may establish a connection with the second wireless system in response to the page and may thereafter terminate communication with the first wireless system.
US09185713B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a RACH signal in SC-FDMA system
Embodiments of the present invention may provide an apparatus and a method for transmitting and receiving a random access channel (RACH) in a single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system. A frequency domain RACH signal may be mapped to a localized sub-frequency band of an entire frequency band available to the SC-FDMA system. A guard band including at least one sub carrier may be allocated between the RACH signal band and other channel signal bands. A guard time may be allocated between the RACE signal and other channel signals in the time domain. The RACH signal may include a short message including information related to a mobile station. The RACE signal may be detected in a frequency based method, a time based method or a sliding matched filter based method. Receiver complexity can be decreased if the RACH signal includes a CAZAC code sequence for a preamble. In such a case, a receive delay may be simply calculated and then adjusted more accurately.
US09185704B2 Data reception device and corresponding reception method, computer program and recording medium
A data reception device in a communication network using a plurality of radio frequency channels. At least two adjacent radio frequency channels are concatenated so as to form a concatenated channel. The device is configured to receive “received” data transmitted in at least one radio frequency channel of the concatenated channel; transpose the received data at an intermediate frequency, thus outputting data at an intermediate frequency; filtering the data at the intermediate frequency with a filter including at least two separate filtering channels, each filtering channel including a band-pass filter, the frequency band of which corresponds to the frequency band of a separate radio frequency channel of the concatenated channel such that the total frequency band of the filters is equal to the frequency band of the concatenated channel; activating at least one of the filtering channels; and recombining data from the filtering channels.
US09185701B2 Method for scheduling distributed virtual resource blocks
A method for efficiently scheduling virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks is disclosed. In a wireless mobile communication system, for distributed mapping of consecutively allocated virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks, when nulls are inserted into a block interleaver used for the mapping, they are uniformly distributed to ND divided groups of the block interleaver, which are equal in number to the number (ND) of physical resource blocks to which one virtual resource block is mapped.
US09185700B2 Method and device for communication between terminals in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and device for communication between terminals in a wireless communication system. According to the present invention, a resource configuration method, a channel configuration method, a transmission power control method, etc. for communication between terminals can be provided.
US09185693B2 Mobile communication method, mobile station, and radio base station
In a mobile communication method according to the present invention, a mobile station (UE) receives downlink data transmitted from a radio base station by using a downlink radio resource assigned to the mobile station by predetermined scheduling information, in a predetermined cycle. The method includes the steps: (A) notifying, to the mobile station (UE), the predetermined cycle and information on the downlink radio resource; (B) notifying, to the mobile station (UE), the predetermined scheduling information; and (C) transmitting downlink data in the predetermined cycle by using the downlink radio resource assigned by the predetermined scheduling information, the transmission starting at a certain point determined on the basis of the received predetermined scheduling information. In the step (C), the predetermined scheduling information is discarded, when the information on the downlink radio resource and information notified by the predetermined scheduling information are inconsistent with each other.
US09185691B2 Method for transmitting and receiving control channel in wireless communication system
Provided is a communication system that transmits a control channel using a downlink. The communication system may transmit, to the terminal, transmission information of uplink allocation information that indicates whether uplink allocation information is transmitted using a downlink, and the terminal may determine whether the uplink allocation information is included in a downlink frame, based on the transmission information of uplink allocation information. The base station may transmit, to the terminal, information associated with a resource which has a possibility of being used for transmission of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the terminal may decode the PDCCH in the resource which has a possibility of being used for transmission of the PDCCH.
US09185685B2 Method and apparatus for minimizing redundant enhanced uplink allocation requests and fault-isolating enhanced uplink transmission failures
A method and apparatus for minimizing redundant enhanced uplink (EU) allocation requests and fault-isolating EU transmission failures that occur between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a Node-B. The WTRU transmits an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) allocation request to the Node-B over an uplink (UL) EU channel. In one embodiment, if E-DCH allocation cannot be provided within a predetermined time period, the Node-B sends an acknowledgement message to the WTRU via a downlink (DL) EU signaling channel without sending E-DCH allocation information. The request is queued in the Node-B and the WTRU refrains from transmitting the same request until after the time period expires or resources become available. In another embodiment, appropriate actions are taken to correct EU transmission failures by determining whether an E-DCH allocation request was unsuccessfully delivered via the UL EU channel or whether channel allocation information was unsuccessfully delivered via the DL EU signaling channel.
US09185683B2 Apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system and method thereof
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system method thereof are disclosed. In a terminal of a wireless communication system, the present invention includes receiving a physical downlink control channel (hereinafter abbreviated PDCCH), receiving a physical downlink shared channel (hereinafter abbreviated PDSCH), and demodulating the PDSCH by interpreting the PDCCH according to a type of a subframe including the PDCCH and the PDSCH.
US09185682B2 Methods to support continuous MBMS reception without network assistance
In an LTE/LTE-A system, a UE subscribes to an MBMS service in a source cell. In one embodiment, the UE with ongoing MBMS service handovers to a target cell. The UE obtains MBMS information of the target cell before or after the handover. The UE then determines MBMS service continuity in the target cell based on the obtained MBMS information. In another embodiment, the UE with ongoing MBMS service reselects a new cell. The UE makes cell reselection decision based on obtained MBMS information of its neighbor cells. If the subscribed MBMS service is discontinued after handover or cell reselection, the UE releases MBMS bearer and informs a NAS entity. If the subscribed MBMS service is available after handover or cell reselection, the UE keeps MBMS bearer during handover or cell reselection. By acquiring MBMS information, the UE is able to maintain continuous MBMS reception after handover or cell reselection.
US09185666B2 Power headroom reporting related to power management maximum power reduction
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which a difference between a previous power management maximum power reduction (P-MPR) and a current P-MPR is determined. The previous P-MPR is the P-MPR when an indication is communicated that a power backoff is applied due to the previous P-MPR. A power headroom report (PHR) is triggered when the difference is greater than a threshold and the current P-MPR is greater than a sum of a maximum power reduction (MPR) and an additional MPR (A-MPR). Moreover, an apparatus is provided in which whether and how a P-MPR has changed is indicated in a PHR, and the PHR is transmitted. An apparatus is also provided in which a request is received from an evolved Node B (eNodeB) to report a P-MPR, and a PHR is transmitted including information related to the P-MPR.
US09185664B2 Method and apparatus for power control and load balancing based on load estimation of neighbor cell in wireless communication system
A Base Station (BS) operation method for reducing load terminals based on load estimation of a neighbor cell in a wireless communication system includes receiving information for estimating a load of a neighbor BS, determining whether to determine the power control and handover terminal set using the number of terminals serviced by the neighbor BS, the number of overload terminals among the terminals serviced by the neighbor BS, and the backoff counter value, and, when it is determined to determine a power control and handover terminal set, deciding the power control and handover terminal set to minimize load terminals, based on the first power variation and the second power variation.
US09185662B2 Coordinated wireless communication and power delivery
The present disclosure is directed to a method, apparatus, and system for managing wireless communications between wireless devices, including providing radiative power delivery to the wireless devices. The wireless devices may include a communication transceiver to wireless communicate with other wireless devices and a radiative power harvester to receive radiative power transmissions from the other wireless devices. The wireless devices may also include a switching unit to selectively provide a connection to the communication transceiver and the wireless power harvester based on the mode of operation of the wireless devices.
US09185661B2 Performing power control based on nominal packet size
Performing power control by determining a maximum required signal-to-interference plus noise ratio for a nominal packet size of a received data signal, wherein the maximum required signal-to-interference plus noise ratio corresponds to a quantity of physical resource blocks used for the nominal packet size of the data signal. A received signal-to-interference plus noise ratio of the received data signal is compared with the maximum required signal-to-interference plus noise ratio. In response to the received signal-to-interference plus noise ratio exceeding the maximum required signal-to-interference plus noise ratio, power control is performed for the data signal to reduce the received signal-to-interference plus noise ratio.
US09185659B2 Two-dimensional transmit power compensation
Exemplary embodiments are related to two-dimensional maximum power compensation. A method may include calibrating an output power level of a transmitter across a range of frequencies at a constant temperature. The method may further include characterizing the output power level of the transmitter for each temperature of a plurality of temperatures for each frequency of the range of frequencies.
US09185658B2 Uplink power control method and user equipment
The present invention relates to an uplink power control method and user equipment, which involve determining a power correction factor by considering the number of antenna ports. According to the present invention, even when a base station transmits the same power control information to the user equipment, the user equipment maps the power control information to another power correction factor and determines an uplink transmission power depending on an uplink transmission condition. Thus, uplink power control can be performed in a more efficient manner.
US09185655B2 Dynamic power mode switch in a wireless ad-hoc system
In ad-hoc wireless networks, functionality can be implemented to dynamically enable/disable an ad-hoc power save mode depending on whether or not the WLAN device is in a continuous traffic environment. The WLAN devices in the ad-hoc wireless network can use beacon frames to transmit a power mode switch request, to respond to a received power mode switch request (to indicate acceptance or rejection of the received power mode switch request), and to indicate a power mode switch status. The WLAN devices switch the power mode if all the WLAN devices in the ad-hoc wireless network accept the power mode switch request. Changing the power mode depending on the environment can improve power savings, data throughput, and reliability.
US09185652B2 Bluetooth low energy module systems and methods
Disclosed are various embodiments of Bluetooth low energy (BLE) modules and methods implemented therein. An embodiment of the disclosure can obtain in a BLE module an advertiser packet transmitted by a BLE advertiser. An advertiser cache can be checked to determine whether the advertiser cache in the BLE module contains an entry associated with an advertiser address from the advertiser packet. The BLE module can determine whether a payload value of the advertiser packet has changed relative to a previous advertiser packet associated with the advertiser address. The BLE module can then suppress forwarding of the packet to a host processor and/or on-board processor executing firmware. The BLE module can also suppress sending a scan request packet back to the BLE advertiser.
US09185643B2 Mobile bandwidth advisor
A wireless communication device is provided that includes a cellular telephony module to access a cellular network, a wireless communication module to access a non-cellular network, an antenna configured to be in wireless communication with a plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks including the cellular and non-cellular networks, a mobile network analyzer operable to determine network information about cellular and non-cellular communication networks, and a mobile network selector to determine, based on network information supplied by the mobile network analyzer whether a currently accessed communication network is sufficiently capable to perform a device activity already initiated or to be initiated by a user.
US09185641B2 Using discoverable peer-to-peer services to allow remote onboarding of headless devices over a Wi-Fi network
The disclosure relates to using discoverable peer-to-peer (P2P) services to remotely “onboard” headless devices over a Wi-Fi network. In particular, an onboardee device may enter an onboarding mode in which the onboardee device becomes a Wi-Fi access point (AP) and an onboarder device connected to a private Wi-Fi network may discover the onboardee device and establish a secured session to engage with the P2P services running thereon. The first time that the onboarder device and the onboardee device engage with one another, the secured session may be established based on a key exchange that uses a well-known secret (e.g., a default passphrase), which may be immediately changed to a shared secret. The onboarder device may then transfer an onboarding configuration to the onboardee device, which may be instructed to validate the onboarding configuration and connect to the Wi-Fi network prior to entering the connected mode.
US09185637B2 Updating of network selection information
A mechanism for updating network selection information (such as ANDSF information) as stored at a user device is described. An ANDSF server requests network selection policy signatures from a user device and compares those signatures with signatures calculated at the server. The ANDSF server instructs the user device to delete any policy whose signature is not found at the ANDSF server and instructs the user device to add any policy whose signature is found at the ANDSF server, but is not stored at the user device.
US09185635B2 Method and apparatus for supporting proximity-based services
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate ProSe operation. In the context of a method, a mobile terminal is camped on to a second cell that does not proximity-based services (ProSe), while in a state in which context information not stored by a network. The method also determines whether signals are received from a first cell that does support ProSe and that satisfy a predefined condition, such as a predefined strength of the signals from the first cell, a predefined reliability metric, an allowed transmit power or a time for which one or more parameters will remain effective. In an instance in which the predefined condition is satisfied, the method also includes receiving discovery messages from a mobile terminal camped in the first cell, while being camped in the second cell.
US09185634B2 Method and apparatus for enhancing receiving efficiency of an multimedia broadcast multicast service in a wireless communications system
A method for enhancing receiving efficiency of a multimedia broadcast multicast service, know as MBMS, in a wireless communications system includes setting an indicator for indicating whether an MBMS service is transmitted on an MBSFN, an abbreviation of MBMS over a Single Frequency Network, carrier or not, and sending the indicator to a user equipment of the wireless communications system.
US09185631B2 Determination of whether to admit a mobile device to a hot spot
Systems, methods and apparatuses of determining whether to admit the mobile device to the hot spot are disclosed. One method includes establishing communication between a hot spot and a mobile device, determining a first level of communication directly between the mobile device and a cellular network, determining a second level of communication between the mobile device and the cellular network through the hot spot, and identifying a fraction of other mobile devices having a level of communication directly with the cellular network. The method further includes determining whether to admit the mobile device to the hot spot based on a comparison of the first level of communication with the second level of communication, and the fraction of other mobile devices having a level of communication directly with the cellular network that is either better or worse than the first level of communication.
US09185613B2 Handover in heterogeneous wireless networks
A first base station in a network initiates handover of a wireless device in connected mode to a second base station. The first base station and the second base station have substantially different transmit powers. The first base station initiates a handover employing a first criterion, if the wireless device is in an active call from a first call category with the first base station. The first base station initiates a handover using a second criterion, if the wireless device is not in an active call from a first call category with the first base station.
US09185608B2 Apparatus and method for performing handover in wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for handover in a wireless communication system are provided. The handover method includes, when handing over to another Base Station (BS) while being serviced by a serving BS, determining whether there exists data to transmit in an uplink, and, when the data to transmit in the uplink exists, requesting bandwidth from the serving BS before commencing a network re-entry to a target BS for the handover.
US09185603B1 Dynamically reconfiguring satellite pools of bandwidth based on real-time and predetermined factors
A process for managing satellite bandwidth available to a moving vessel includes configuring a satellite to associate the vessel with a group of multiple vessels; configuring the satellite to guarantee a committed information rate (CIR) bandwidth to the vessel and to associate a maximum information rate (MIR) with the vessel, and to combine the CIR of the vessel into a CIR bandwidth pool for the group of vessels, and to combine the MIR of the vessel into a MIR bandwidth pool for the group of vessels, and to provide the vessel with a priority burst rate up to the combined CIR bandwidth of the group of vessels, and to provide the vessel with a burst rate up to the combined MIR bandwidth of the group of vessels, conditional on availability of bandwidth beyond the combined CIR bandwidth of the group of vessels; and re-configuring the satellite to release the guarantee of CIR bandwidth for the vessel upon the vessel gaining access to a terrestrial network connection of higher speed than the satellite connection.
US09185602B2 Transmission device, bandwidth control method and computer program
In a transmission network of a multi-hop connection in which a transmission bandwidth between relay stations changes, it is possible to prevent congestion from occurring due to a change in the transmission bandwidth between the relay stations. A transmission device connected to a network constituted of a plurality of relay stations includes a transmission section configured to transmit a signal to the network, and a bandwidth control section configured to control a transmission bandwidth of the transmission section based on a lowest transmission bandwidth among transmission bandwidths between the relay stations.
US09185598B2 Methods and apparatus for controlling channel utilization
Methods and apparatus for determining a portion of a channel, e.g., a peer discovery channel, to use in a communications network, e.g., an ad hoc peer to peer network, are described. In the communication network, the channel includes a recurring set of time/frequency resources. A device monitors the congestion level and decides to use a whole channel or a fraction of a channel (e.g., ½. ¼) as a function of the congestion level. The device may change the fraction of the channel it occupies as the congestion level changes. The device broadcasts control information indicating the fraction of the channel it occupies. The device may be a mobile wireless terminal.
US09185578B2 Systems and methods for measuring available bandwidth in mobile telecommunications networks
A network device receives probe packets communicated by a user equipment device. The network device communicates response packets back to the user equipment device, including timestamps, and/or other information. The user equipment device may be configured to test the performance of different portions of a wireless network (i.e., determine an available bandwidth measurement throughput (ABMT) of the wireless network) by accessing different network devices (or information associated with different network devices).
US09185570B2 Method and apparatus for performing channel measurement in a distributed multi-node system
The present description relates to a method for receiving a reference signal (RS) in a distributed multi-node system, comprising: a step of receiving, from a base station, channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) configuration information which indicates the configuration of the channel state information reference signal the power of which is nonzero; and a step of receiving a channel state information reference signal for at least one node in a cell on the basis of the channel state information reference signal configuration information, wherein said channel state information reference signal with non-zero power has at least one configuration, and is received via at least one subframe.
US09185564B2 Devices for sending and receiving feedback information
A User Equipment (UE) for sending feedback information is described. The UE includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The UE determines a primary cell (PCell) configuration. The UE also determines a secondary cell (SCell) configuration. The SCell configuration is different from the PCell configuration. The UE further determines a feedback parameter Mc based on the PCell configuration and the SCell configuration. Mc indicates a number of subframes that require Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) association for a cell c in a given uplink subframe. The UE also determines SCell HARQ-ACK information. The UE additionally sends the SCell HARQ-ACK information based on the feedback parameter.
US09185562B2 Coordination of multipath traffic
In one implementation, traffic in a mobile network is directed across multiple paths to a single cloud server or security server (e.g., a security as a service). The mobile device detects a cloud connector through a primary connection based on an attachment or connection via a first interface of a mobile device. The mobile device sends a request to the cloud connector for an identification of a cloud security server associated with the cloud connector. After receiving the identification of the cloud security server, the mobile device directs one or more subsequent data flows or subflows for a second interface or another interface of the mobile device to the cloud server or security server. The second data flow and the second interface are associated with another network that is external to the enterprise network and trusted network connection or not associated with the enterprise network and the trusted network connection.
US09185549B2 Method for sending and receiving terminal capability change information following terminal connection to an external apparatus
The present invention relates to concerns a capability information transmission method in a wireless mobile communication system wherein, when a terminal having a predetermined capability reports the capability of the terminal to a base station, the reporting comprises the steps of: connecting to an external apparatus comprising at least an antenna; and reporting, to the base station, information giving the capability as changed by the connection with the external apparatus.
US09185545B2 Local breakout session establishment method and apparatus in wireless communication system
A local breakout session establishment method and apparatus in an Evolved Packet System (EPS) is provided for an HeNB to efficiently route local IP packets. A local breakout service method for a wireless communication system including a macro evolved Node B (eNB) and a Home eNB (HeNB) having a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (PGW) and a serving gateway (SGW) includes selecting, at a Mobility Management Entity (MME), the PGW of the HeNB and transmitting a Create Default Bearer Request message to the HeNB in response to a local breakout service request message including a local breakout Access Point Name (APN); assigning, at the HeNB, an IP address to a user equipment transmitted the local breakout service request message and transmitting a Create Default Bearer Response message including a Tunnel Endpoint Identifier (TEID) to the MME; transmitting a Bearer Setup Request message including the TEID from the MME to the HeNB; and configuring, at the HeNB, a radio bearer with the user equipment and routing data transmitted by the user equipment through the radio bearer to an Internet Protocol (IP) network by means of the internal PGW.
US09185542B1 System and method for measuring the quantity, type and transmission quality of mobile communication devices within a defined geographical area
A system and method for measuring the quantity, type, transmission quality and visit history of mobile communication devices within a defined geographical area is disclosed herein. A data server is configured to receive new transmission data for mobile devices from each of a plurality of sensor devices and associate the new transmission data with a corresponding sensor device of the plurality of sensor devices. Sensor devices positioned within the venue are utilized to determine a geographical location of a mobile communication device based on a statistical analysis of received signal strength at each of the sensor devices.
US09185539B2 Apparatus and method of establishing credit on a cash register or printer
A method and system is provided for establishing credit on a cash register or printer. A currency amount is established on a cash register or printer in order to pay for a product or service using a cellular telephone, or other personal wireless communication device. The personal wireless communication device activates an applet, which may be downloaded at the site, to establish a link with a vending universal wireless interface (VUWI) coupled to the cash register or printer's microprocessor controller to establish a link with a remote server for authorizing credit for the payment of the transaction to complete a purchase by a consumer.
US09185538B2 Wireless subscriber application and content distribution and differentiated pricing
Systems and methods for pricing and distributing applications and content to a wireless client device are disclosed. A first group can be formed by associating at least one item from a main catalog with a first subscriber ID (SID) associated with a first client device. A shopping catalog can be generated for the first client device from the main catalog based on at least one of platform ID, runtime API, and language. The first group can be included with the shopping catalog based on a first SID associated with the first client device. The pricing of the same item can be different in the first group and the main catalog.
US09185537B2 Systems and methods for alternative routing of voice over IP originated emergency calls
Systems and methods are described for routing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) originated emergency calls. Where registered location information is not available, the present invention can attempt to identify an appropriate emergency call receiving office based on available information regarding the caller's physical location. Such information can include the IP address of the caller and, where the VoIP device is a dual mode device, the location of the last cellular base station accessed by the device. Where registered location information does exist, the present invention offers methods for ensuring that the registered location information is not obsolete and in need of updating and, in some cases, providing a manual override of call routing to the caller.
US09185535B2 Method and device for synchronization of speech and data concerning location information for location-related services
A method, system, and device are provided for transmitting emergency calls by means of a mobile device via a speech channel and a data channel. The data channel serves to transmit location information. The location information may be transmitted in encoded form. The information also may be transmitted via the speech channel. The information may then be compared for consistency in the service center.
US09185529B2 Wireless reliability architecture and methods using network coding
Network-coding-enabled reliability architectures and techniques are provided that are capable of enhancing data transfer reliability and efficiency in next generation wireless networks. In some embodiments, the techniques and architectures utilize a flexible thread-based coding approach to implement network coding. The techniques and architectures may also, or alternatively, utilize systematic intra-session random linear network coding as a packet erasure code to support reliable data transfer.
US09185528B2 WiFi mapping and motion detection
An apparatus includes a plurality of transceivers positioned to transmit and/or receive signals that pass through at least a portion of a structure of interest, wherein each of the transceivers receives a signal from at least one of the other transceivers, and a processor using the strength of the received signals, the locations of the transceivers, prior knowledge of building practices, and exterior characteristics of the structure to produce a map of the structure of interest and/or to detect movement of persons in the structure of interest. A method of producing a map of the structure of interest and/or detecting the movement of persons in the structure of interest is also provided.
US09185525B2 Automatic activation of speed measurement in mobile device based on available motion indicia
A system and method for speed measurement of a mobile device using a speed which does not need to be continually activated. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for determining a speed of a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device including a speed sensor and an input device, comprising: determining whether the mobile electronic device is travelling at a speed in excess of a first threshold based on input from the input device other than speed determined by a speed sensor; activating the speed sensor to determine the speed of the mobile electronic device responsive to determining that the mobile electronic device is travelling at a speed in excess of the first threshold based on input from the input device; determining whether a speed of the mobile electronic device sensed by the speed sensor exceeds the first threshold in responsive to the activating; and performing an action responsive to the speed of the wireless communication device sensed by the speed sensor exceeding the first threshold.
US09185524B2 Method and apparatus for mapping of mobile devices unique identifiers to individuals
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for accessing user data and determining one or more nearby individuals at a first time, receiving one or more device identifiers transmitted from other computing devices, and mapping the one or more device identifiers with the one or more nearby individuals. The method, apparatus, and computer program product may also be configured for determining whether each of one or more device identifiers are mapped to a specific individual, and if not, access stored data from previous occurrences in order to map the device identifiers to specific individuals.
US09185520B2 Enhanced location based services
Location information (e.g., GPS information) pertaining to the location of a device may be integrated into a distributed antenna system (DAS) to enhance location based services. This may be accomplished via a system that filters and combines GPS information with DAS information. Utilization of the enhanced location based services system may enhance accuracy performance of indoor location services and improve round-trip time (RTT) location responses associated with network assisted GPS (e.g., A-GPS) location requests for services from indoor calls.
US09185518B2 Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
Disclosed are a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which geographical information including POI (point of interest) of a user can be displayed. The present invention includes a memory storing at least one of a POI (point of interest) information including a POI time information and a geographical information, a display unit configured to display the POI information and the geographical information, and a controller, if a command for displaying the geographical information and the POI information is received, searching the memory for the POI information and the geographical information in a prescribed distance with reference to random reference coordinates, the controller controlling the display unit to display the found POI information and the found geographical information.
US09185517B2 Long-life asset tracking
A method and system for long-life asset tracking is disclosed. One example utilizes an activation module to provide an activation signal to at least a portion of the long-life asset tracker. A position determiner receives the activation signal and determines a location of the long-life asset tracker with a first level of accuracy or a second level of accuracy, wherein the second level of accuracy is more accurate than the first level of accuracy and wherein a default mode of operation is to utilize a radio locator for position determination instead of a navigation satellite system module to extend the life of a power source of the long-life asset tracker. An information provider module to broadcast the location of the long-life asset tracker is also disclosed.
US09185503B2 Domes for a receiver-in-the-canal hearing instrument
A receiver for a receiver-in-the-canal hearing instrument can be securely held by a dome comprising a receiver receptacle that selectively receives and holds the receiver. After the dome has been assembled, pulling on the electrical cable connected to the receiver will not dislodge the receiver from the dome.
US09185491B2 Reinforced diaphragm for a low profile loudspeaker transducer with two sets of inner and outer magnets
A diaphragm for use in a loudspeaker transducer is disclosed. The loudspeaker transducer may include a voice coil, a former, a first magnet assembly having a circular inner magnet, a top plate having a annular outer top plate and a circular inner top plate, a second magnet assembly having an annular outer magnet and a circular inner magnet, an air gap defined by the circular inner magnet of the first magnet assembly, annular outer top plate, circular inner top plate, annular outer magnet and circular inner magnet of the second magnet assembly, and a surround suspension member.
US09185486B2 Ophthalmic lens with micro-acoustic elements
The present invention discloses an ophthalmic device with micro-acoustic electromechanical elements and associated methods. In some embodiments, the micro-acoustic electromechanical elements may be useful for the purpose of providing audible warnings and/or messages to a user. The audible warnings and/or messages can include, for example, messages transmitted wirelessly through a communication element of the ophthalmic device and/or generated within the ophthalmic device. In addition, in some embodiments the ophthalmic device can be an energized contact lens that is used both for optical correction and the transmission of sound through bone resonance to the inner ear of a user.
US09185483B2 Headphones with removable headband pad
A mono-body set of headphones having a fixed length of headband between ear pads is provided. Although the distance between the ear pads is fixed, the fit of the headphones can be adjusted to the head of the user by coupling or decoupling a removable/insertable headphone pad. More particularly, a pad is provided that can be mated with, or removed from, the headband of the headphones, thus raising or lowering the lower surface of the headband relative to the crown of the user's head, in order to change the position of the ear pads relative to the user's ears. The mono-body headphones are, preferably, flexible and durable, permitting the headphones to be straightened, twisted or bent without breaking.
US09185481B2 Earpiece and method for forming an earpiece
An earpiece is provided containing a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer, the thermal activator layer being separated from the tympanic membrane of the user's ear by an air gap, and an acoustical reflector layer, containing a second polymer and pigment particles, adjacent to the thermal activator layer. The earpiece may be produced by sequential introduction of various liquefied components in layers within the ear canal, with the components being cured to provide the thermal activator layer and the acoustical reflector layer.
US09185477B2 Suspension for sound transducer
The present invention relates to a suspension for a sound transducer. The present invention discloses a suspension for a sound transducer, to which a diaphragm and voice coil of the sound transducer are attached and which guides the vibrations of the diaphragm and voice coil, comprising: a central portion to which a voice coil is attached; an outer peripheral portion resting on a frame; and a connecting portion connecting the central portion and the outer peripheral portion, wherein the central portion has a mold portion, which is molded by heat or pressure to take the place of a center diaphragm.
US09185476B2 Automated customization of loudspeakers
In general, in some aspects, a loudspeaker includes a horn including a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. Edges of at least the first and second side panels define a diffraction slot opening. A plurality of manifold components each has an output opening coupled to the diffraction slot opening. The output openings of the plurality of manifold components together constitute a diffraction slot source at the diffraction slot opening. A plurality of electro-acoustic transducers are each coupled to an input opening of one of the manifold components.
US09185475B1 Signal quality in bi-directional optical links using optical circulators
Implementations of an apparatus including an optical circuit switch (OCS) having a plurality of OCS input/output ports, at least one optical circulator having a port optically coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of OCS input/output ports and a reflection mitigation positioned in the optical path between each optical circulator port and its corresponding OCS input/output port and/or in the optical path inside the OCS. A corresponding optical transceiver is optically coupled to each of the at least one optical circulators. Each optical transceiver includes a transmitter optically coupled to one port of the optical circulator and a receiver optically coupled to another port of the optical circulator.
US09185470B2 Remote processing of content
Features of content may be identified using a server that is coupled with a client unit via a bandwidth-limited communications link. In one embodiment, the client unit forwards a subset of representations of the content, such as a lossy compressed version of an image, to the server. The server analyzes the image and forwards information regarding the features included in the content to the client unit. If the server determines that a sufficient number of representations are not available, the server requests the client unit to forward additional representations. An embodiment of the present invention reduces usage of the bandwidth used by the bandwidth-limited communications link by having the server request subsets of representations of the content rather than transmitting all representations for remote processing in a manner supporting a division of labor by the client unit and the server.
US09185458B2 Signal-driven interactive television
A method for displaying supplemental content with a content stream on a display is provided. A content stream for a program is received, and a portion of the received content stream is sampled. The sampled portion is analyzed to determine a media identifier for the content stream, the media identifier being transmitted to a content server. Supplemental content is retrieved from the content server using the media identifier. And the content stream is rendered on the display with the supplemental content. The supplemental content provides access to an interactive feature, the interactive feature providing internet communication during the receipt of the content stream.
US09185447B2 Methods and systems for selecting customized control schemes based on brain activity
Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that selects a control scheme based on a number of user input types that are distinguishable based on brain activity monitored by a user device. For example, if the media guidance application determines that only two different user input types may be based on brain activity, the media guidance application will select a control scheme that only requires two different functions to select any available media guidance application operations.
US09185436B2 Method and system for determining coding parameters on variable-resolution streams
A method of determining the coding parameters of a variable-resolution video stream by a video coder, said video stream including multiple resolution layers and being compressed so as to be transmitted at a given rate or a given quality through a heterogeneous network to multiple users, said method including a classification step to associate each resolution level with a group of users and to determine the optimal coding parameters for each resolution level as a function of the requirements of each group of users.
US09185435B2 Methods and apparatus to characterize households with media meter data
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to characterize households with media meter data. An example method includes identifying, with a processor, a target set of household categories associated with a target research geography, when a quantity of households within the target research geography representing the target set of household categories does not satisfy a threshold value, generating a first subset of categories and a second subset of categories from the target set of household categories, identifying a first set of households representing the first subset of categories from the target set of household categories and identifying an associated total number of household tuning minutes and a total number of household exposure minutes associated therewith, for each category in the second subset of categories from the target set of household categories, calculating a household tuning proportion and an exposure proportion, the household tuning proportion and exposure proportion based on the total number of household tuning minutes and exposure minutes, respectively, and calculating the panelist behavior probability based on the exposure proportion and the household tuning proportion.
US09185433B2 System and method for receiving broadcast content on a mobile platform during travel
A vehicle information system for passenger vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The vehicle information system includes a broadband communication system with a broadband antenna system and a broadband control system. Exploiting the advent of high-speed connectivity solutions, the vehicle information system supports a low-cost, high-capacity bidirectional data connection with a terrestrial content system and thereby can be established as another node on the “Worldwide Net.” The vehicle information system likewise provides wireless access points for communicating with passengers' personal media devices. As desired, the vehicle information system can support mobile telephone connectivity and/or presentation of live integrated digital television (IDTV) programming. The vehicle information system thereby provides enhanced information, entertainment, and communication services during travel.
US09185423B2 Frame buffer compression for video processing devices
For compressing a video signal, a local multiscale transform is applied to a frame of the video signal to obtain coefficient blocks. The coefficients of each block are distributed into coefficient groups associated with that block. A plurality of the coefficient groups associated with a block are processed. The processing of one of the groups comprises determining an exponent for encoding the coefficients of that group. Mantissas are determined for quantizing the coefficients of the plurality of groups in combination with the exponents respectively determined for these groups. Coding data including each exponent determined for a coefficient group and the mantissas quantizing the coefficients of the group in combination with this exponent are stored in an external frame buffer. The mantissas determined for quantizing the coefficients of one of the groups are represented in the coding data by a respective number of bits depending on the exponents determined for the plurality of coefficient groups.
US09185420B2 Moving image coding apparatus and moving image coding method
A moving image coding apparatus is provided. The moving image coding apparatus includes a processing unit having an information amount control processor determining a quantization parameter in such a manner that while a lead-in of the set of the pictures is set as a reference, upon a position of the inter-coded picture being after a predetermined position corresponds to a first position at a predetermined cycle shorter than the number of pictures included in the set of the pictures, the number of coding bits allocated to the inter-coded picture is a value obtained by adding a first predetermined amount to a predetermined reference value, and upon the position of the inter-coded picture being after the predetermined position and also at a second position different from the first position, the number of coding bits is a value obtained by subtracting a second predetermined amount from the reference value.
US09185409B2 Image prediction encoding/decoding system
An encoding target region in an image can be partitioned into a plurality of prediction regions. Based on prediction information of a neighboring region neighboring a target region, the number of previously-encoded prediction regions in the target region, and previously-encoded prediction information of the target region, a candidate for motion information to be used in generation of a predicted signal of the target prediction region as a next prediction region is selected from previously-encoded motion information of regions neighboring the target prediction region. According to the number of candidates for motion information selected, merging block information to indicate generation of the predicted signal of the target prediction region using the selected candidate for motion information and motion information detected by prediction information estimation means, or either one of the merging block information or the motion information is encoded.
US09185407B2 Displaying audio data and video data
Presented herein are a system, method, and apparatus for audio and video synchronization. In one embodiment, there is presented a method for displaying audio data and video data. The method comprises examining a plurality of portions of the audio data, where each of said plurality of portions of audio data is associated with a time stamp; examining a plurality of portions of the video data, where each of said plurality of portions of the video data is associated with a time stamp; decoding one of the portions of the video data; and decoding one of the portions of the audio data while decoding the one of the portions of the video data. The difference between the time stamp associated with the one of the portions of the video data and the time stamp associated with the one of the portions of the audio data is within a certain margin of error from a predetermined offset.
US09185405B2 Coded block flag inference in video coding
A video decoder determines whether a first condition is satisfied. The first condition is satisfied when any sibling residual quad tree (RQT) node of a current RQT node is associated with a significant luma coefficient block. In addition, the video decoder determines whether a second condition is satisfied. The second condition is satisfied when a chroma transform block of a parent RQT node of the current RQT node is significant and is split along with a luma transform block of the parent RQT node. In response to determining that neither the first nor the second condition is satisfied, the video decoder determines that a luma coded block flag (CBF) for the current RQT node is omitted from the bitstream.
US09185401B2 Method and apparatus for camera network calibration with small calibration pattern
A method for calibrating a camera network includes generating a projection matrix by each of cameras in respect of a calibration pattern that is disposed at a plurality of different positions in a photography zone. A portion of the projection matrix is produced as a sub-projection matrix. Sub-projection matrixes are arranged widthwise and lengthwise to generate one sub-measurement matrix. A singular value decomposition (SVD) is performed on the sub-measurement matrix to change the sub-measurement matrix into a matrix having a rank of 3 and a SVD is performed on the changed sub-measurement matrix. A rotation value of the calibration pattern, and an internal parameter and a rotation value of each camera are extracted to thereby calibrate the camera network.
US09185398B2 Method and apparatus for providing three-dimensional content
A system providing three-dimensional content may include a portable multimedia device that generates a composite video signal from 3D content. The portable multimedia device may also generate a synchronization signal for the composite video signal based on an automatic calibration and/or a manual calibration between the portable multimedia device and a display on which the content is to be displayed. The synchronization signal may be transmitted from the portable multimedia device to the active 3D glasses, so that activation of the 3D glasses may be synchronized with content displayed on the display.
US09185397B2 3-dimensional image display device including a barrier panel having openings and driving method thereof
A 3-dimensional image display device and a driving method thereof, the method including using a first array of a matrix of unit pixels to form an image while a remaining array of the unit pixels displays black, and forming openings in a barrier panel to expose the unit pixels of the first array, the width of the openings ranging from 1.5 to 2 times the width of the exposed unit pixels.
US09185392B2 System and method for 3-D object rendering of a moving object using structured light patterns and moving window imagery
A moving object to be subject to 3-dimensional rendering is illuminated by a repeated sequence of a number N different two-dimensional structured light patterns. For each illumination, the illuminated object is captured by two spaced apart cameras, thereby creating a series of pairs of two-dimensional images. A set of N adjacent pairs of the two-dimensional images is used to form a single three-dimensional image frame. A moving window of N adjacent pairs of the two-dimensional images provides a train of such three-dimensional image frames. The object may furthered be illuminated by non-structured light whose captured image reflection may be used as an overlay over the three-dimensional rendered object.
US09185389B2 Imaging device and imaging method
An imaging device includes: an image acquisition unit configured to receive light fluxes passing through different regions in a single imaging optical system and acquire two images; a ghost detection unit configured to detect a ghost from the two acquired images; a first determination unit configured to determine whether the ghost is detected from any of the two acquired images; and a control unit configured to perform at least one of an automatic focus control, an automatic exposure control and an automatic white balance control based on an image for which it is not determined that the ghost is caused out of the two images in a case where the first determination unit determines that the ghost is detected from any of the two images.
US09185388B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for creating three-dimensional video sequences
Methods and systems for creating three-dimensional video sequences of a scene are disclosed. An example method can include receiving multiple frames of a scene. The method may include selecting a target frame from among the multiple frames; selecting a first subset of frames, N, from among the multiple frames that are associated with the target frame that is representative of a large stereo baseline; and analyzing the first frame subset to identify two images for forming a stereoscopic pair of frames. Further, the method includes extracting depth data of static objects in the stereoscopic pair. The method includes selecting a second subset of frames that are associated with the target frame that is representative of a smaller stereo baseline than that represented by N; and utilizing the second frame subset to calculate depth of moving objects. The method includes generating a three-dimensional video frame based on the depth data.
US09185384B2 Tiling in video encoding and decoding
Implementations are provided that relate, for example, to view tiling in video encoding and decoding. A particular method includes accessing a video picture that includes multiple pictures combined into a single picture (826), accessing information indicating how the multiple pictures in the accessed video picture are combined (806, 808, 822), decoding the video picture to provide a decoded representation of at least one of the multiple pictures (824, 826), and providing the accessed information and the decoded video picture as output (824, 826). Some other implementations format or process the information that indicates how multiple pictures included in a single video picture are combined into the single video picture, and format or process an encoded representation of the combined multiple pictures.
US09185376B2 Apparatus and method of reducing noise of image
Provided is an apparatus and method for reducing noise in an image, the apparatus including a reference image creator unit to create a reference image based on chrominance about a plurality of channels included in an output image obtained from an image sensor of a camera, and a noise reduction unit to perform noise reduction for the respective channels using the created reference image. The plurality of channels may include at least one of a green channel, a red channel, and a blue channel.
US09185371B2 Liquid crystal projector having shade member preventing deterioration of polarizing plate
A liquid crystal projector which prevents deterioration of the aluminum grid inorganic polarizing plate due to dust in the cooling air for cooling the liquid crystal panel module. A shade member along the surface of the inorganic polarizing plate prevents the surface from being directly hit by the cooling wind and thus prevents dust from attaching to the surface of the plate.
US09185369B2 Solid state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device is capable of simplifying the pixel structure to reduce the pixel size and capable of suppressing the variation in the characteristics between the pixels when a plurality of output systems is provided. A unit cell (30) includes two pixels (31) and (32). Upper and lower photoelectric converters (33) and (34), transfer transistors (35) and (36) connected to the upper and lower photoelectric converters, respectively, a reset transistor (37), and an amplifying transistor (38) form the two pixels (31) and (32). A full-face signal line 39 is connected to the respective drains of the reset transistor (37) and the amplifying transistor (38). Controlling the full-face signal line (39), along with transfer signal lines (42) and (43) and a reset signal line (41), to read out signals realizes the simplification of the wiring in the pixel, the reduction of the pixel size, and so on.
US09185367B2 Image processing device and image processing method
Provided is an image processing device including a selection section configured to select, from a plurality of transform units with different sizes, a transform unit used for inverse orthogonal transformation of image data to be decoded, a generation section configured to generate, from a first quantization matrix corresponding to a transform unit for a first size, a second quantization matrix corresponding to a transform unit for a second size from a first quantization matrix corresponding to a transform unit for a first size, and an inverse quantization section configured to inversely quantize transform coefficient data for the image data using the second quantization matrix generated by the generation section when the selection section selects the transform unit for the second size.
US09185362B2 Method of controlling network camera
Provided is a method of controlling an operation of a network camera that is capable of improving a delay time occurring when a monitoring device controls the network camera, by using a virtual image map and a multi-streaming technique. The method includes displaying a first view image; and performing a panning/tilting control operation, the performing the panning/tilting control operation including: displaying a first virtual image from a virtual image map; and replacing the first virtual image with a second view image.
US09185345B2 Video conference system and method for performing the same
A video conference system comprising: a control device located at each of the at least two conference sites, the control device being connected to the video camera and the display device; and a server connected to the control device via a communication network, the control device comprising: a control terminal configured to control the display device; and an image display format selecting unit connected to the control terminal, wherein the image display format includes at least one format in which a predetermined process is performed to image data of the video image, the control device controls transmission and reception of the image data, and the display device located at a site displays the video image of another site with the selected image display format.
US09185343B2 Methods and systems for mobile telepresence
Exemplary methods and systems relate to telepresence at mobile devices. In one example the method can be performed on the mobile device. The mobile device can determine real-time availability of resources. The mobile device can further determine the composition of the telepresence session. The mobile device can further communicate the determined composition of telepresence data to a remote server. The mobile device can further receive telepresence data and perform a portion of the telepresence session data. Additionally, the present system can be configured to operate on a server or other electronic device.
US09185339B2 Method and system for increasing frame-display rate
Embodiments of the present invention provide an efficient and cost-effective implementation of a method and system for increasing the frame-display rate of a video display device. Video data is often input to a video-display device in a compressed form that includes encoded and compressed motion vectors. The motion vectors provide information about portions of successive video frames which change in relative position. The motion vectors are decompressed and decoded along with the frames. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a first frame and an accompanying motion-vector table are transmitted from a processing component to a timing-controller component of a video-display device, using which the timing-controller component can generate a second frame that is displayed following display of the first frame.
US09185335B2 Method and device for reception of video contents and services broadcast with prior transmission of data
The invention relates to a method for reception of video contents and services streamed or broadcast by a television operator towards a multitude of reception devices, the encoded video contents and services being split into a first data stream and a second data stream, comprising a step for receiving the first data stream streamed or broadcast in a first transport session, a step for receiving the second data stream transmitted in a second transport session, the second data stream being transmitted prior to the first data stream and the second data stream not being able to be decoded without the first data stream, a step for recording the second data stream in a storage means of the device, a step for continuously synchronizing the second data stream with the first data stream into a stream being sent to the decoding means.
US09185330B2 Laser driving circuit, laser driving method, projector apparatus and apparatus which uses laser light
Disclosed herein is a laser driving circuit, including: a plurality of laser driving video current generation circuits configured to generate a plurality of kinds of laser driving current for driving a plurality of laser light sources configured to emit laser light having wavelengths different from each other based on an inputted video signal; a high frequency superposition section configured to superpose a high frequency signal having a frequency higher than a frequency band of the video signal on the laser driving current generated by the laser driving video current generation circuits; and a waveform correction section configured to correct a waveform of the high frequency signal.
US09185327B2 Image display device, method for indicating connector, and connector
An image display device and a connector are disclosed. The image display device includes: a connector connected with a cable through which a video signal is transmitted; a display panel for displaying an image based on the video signal inputted via the cable to the connector from an external apparatus; and a display controller for displaying a connector indication indicating the connector on the display panel. The connector includes a cable detection mechanism for detecting presence or absence of a connection of the cable, and the display controller changes a connector indication mode displayed on the display panel, according to a detection result of the cable detection mechanism.
US09185323B2 Systems and methods for providing social media with an intelligent television
An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.
US09185320B2 Solid-state imaging device, method for driving solid-state imaging device, and electronic device
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit composed of pixels including photoelectric conversion elements which are arranged in a matrix, and a pixel drive unit configured to perform a row selection operation of simultaneously selecting plural rows when a row is selected in accordance with an address signal for the respective pixels in the pixel array unit in a read period where signals are read out from the pixels.
US09185319B2 Pixel-grouping image sensor
The invention relates to matrix image sensors organized into pixel rows and columns, and more specifically to image sensors produced with active pixels in MOS technology. The matrix is organized into groups of at least two pixels with means for grouping the charges engendered in the two pixels into one pixel, with the aim of improving sensitivity. Provision is made for at least one gate for temporarily storing charges, of dissymmetric form, arranged between the photodiode of the first pixel and the photodiode of the second pixel, and means for applying to the temporary storage gate a succession of potentials that allow prohibition first of all of the passage of charges between the first and second photodiodes during the charge integration period, then collection, under the gate, of the charges accumulated in the photodiodes, then discharge of these charges only into the second photodiode, on account of the dissymmetry of the gate. The charges grouped in this way in a single photodiode are read in the pixel.
US09185315B2 Anti-eclipse circuitry with tracking of floating diffusion reset level
An anti-eclipse circuit for an imager is formed from pixel circuitry over the same semiconductor substrate as the imaging pixels. More specifically, two adjacent pixel circuits are modified to form an amplifier. One input of the amplifier is adapted to receive a reset signal from one of the pixel circuits while another input is adapted to be set at a predetermined offset voltage from the output of the amplifier. The amplifier is preferably a unity gain amplifier, so that the output of the amplifier set to a voltage level equal to the predetermined offset from the voltage level of the reset signal. Accordingly, the anti-eclipse circuit outputs a reference voltage at predetermined level from the reset voltage of a pixel and does not need to be calibrated for fabrication related variances in reset voltages.
US09185311B2 Image sensor with a split-counter architecture
A split-counter architecture is implemented within an image sensor system. A first counter within an image sensor region counts image data from pixel regions within the image sensor region, and outputs the most significant bits of the image data to a second counter external to the image sensor region, reducing the bandwidth required between the image sensor region and the second counter, and reducing the size of the counters within the image sensor region.
US09185310B2 Solid-state imaging device, illuminance measuring method performed by solid-state imaging device, and camera module
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes an illuminance value calculating unit and an illuminance value output unit. The illuminance value calculating unit calculates an illuminance value based on an integration result of luminance values. The illuminance value output unit outputs the illuminance value calculated by the illuminance value calculating unit by setting, as a target, a subject image obtained through application of one of two or more illuminance measurement conditions. The two or more illuminance measurement conditions are set in advance by varying at least one of an electronic shutter time and an analog gain.
US09185308B2 Imaging apparatus and imaging method
The device control section 8 continuously performs a plurality of times of imaging by the imaging element 5. Whenever each of the plurality of times of imaging is terminated, if the terminated imaging is the first time of imaging, the encoder 15 causes the image obtained with the imaging to be displayed on the display section 14, and if the terminated imaging is the second and subsequent imaging, the encoder 15 causes the synthetic image of the image obtained with the second and subsequent imaging and the image obtained all imaging prior to the second and subsequent imaging among the plurality of times of imaging to be displayed on the display section 14.
US09185306B1 Imaging module and reader for, and method of, illuminating and imaging targets to be read over an extended range of working distances
Targets to be read by image capture are illuminated and imaged over an extended range of working distances. A near imager captures return light over a relatively wide imaging field of view from a target located in a close-in region of the range. A far imager captures return light over a relatively narrow imaging field of view from a target located in a far-out region of the range. A single illuminating light assembly is shared by both the near and far imagers. An illumination light source emits illumination light, and an illuminating lens assembly optically modifies the emitted illumination light, and simultaneously illuminates a wide illumination field to illuminate the target located in the close-in region of the range, and a narrow illumination field to illuminate the target located in the far-out region of the range.
US09185303B2 Array camera imaging system and method
Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to an imaging system and method in which an array camera is employed along with an image processor to make use of parallax convergence differences in color and luminance between different cameras or groups of cameras within an array camera to provide improved super resolution performance.
US09185302B2 Image processing apparatus and method for previewing still and motion images
An image processing apparatus and method for regulating viewing image output of the image processor which processes motion and still images in a time divisional manner are provided. The image processing apparatus includes an image processor processing the viewing and still images in a time divisional manner, a timing manager storing the viewing image processed by the image processor temporarily and outputting the viewing image at a preset time of a frame period, and a controller controlling, in response to a capture request, the image processor to process the still image at a residual part of a current frame to be at a beginning part of a next frame and to process the buffered viewing image to be at the residual part of the next frame, wherein the residual part of the next frame is a part which remains after processing the still image completely.
US09185301B2 Drive system for imaging device
A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.
US09185299B2 Electronic apparatus and program
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a storage device which stores first image files includes location information and time information and a display processor which displays, on a screen, a map image, a plurality of objects on the map image, and lines on the map. Locations of the plurality of objects correspond to location information of the first image files. Shapes of the lines are determined based on location information and time information of the first image files. A line is drawn between a first object corresponding to first time information regarding a first timing of photographing and a second object corresponding to second time information regarding a second timing of photographing next to the first timing of photographing.
US09185295B2 Imaging apparatus and electronic device
An imaging apparatus includes: a base; an image sensor; and a correction mechanism that prevents an image blur, the correction mechanism including: a movable frame that holds the image sensor; a device for moving in an X-direction; a device for moving in a Y-direction; and an attracting and holding device including: an iron plate provided on one of the movable frame and the base; a magnet plate provided on the other one; and an iron ball provided between the iron plate and the magnet plate, the attracting and holding device attracting and holding the movable frame to the base by attracting the iron plate to the magnet plate via the iron ball, and wherein a guide device moves the movable frame to a side of the base when the movable frame is moved by the devices for moving in the X- and Y-directions in a predetermined direction.
US09185294B2 Image apparatus, image display apparatus and image display method
An image apparatus, comprising a image capture device that captures an image, a display device that displays the image, a display control block that enlarges and displays a first area, included in a first image, on the display device, a target setting block that sets an object in the first area as a target for tracking and a detecting block that detects a second area, including the object, in a second image which is specified to be displayed next on the display device in place of the first image, the display control block enlarging and displaying the second area on the display device.
US09185293B2 Method and apparatus for capturing images based on detected motion vectors
A digital photographing method and apparatus include determining a motion vector of an object in a preview image, determining whether the motion vector meets a predetermined condition and, when it does, generating an image capturing signal to photograph a scene desired by a user.
US09185292B2 Apparatus and method for controlling actuator in optical image stabilizer and optical image stabilizer using the same
Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for controlling an actuator in an optical image stabilizer. The apparatus includes a hand-shake frequency determination unit configured to determine a hand-shake frequency based on distance data output from a distance calculator which is configured to calculate a distance based on an output from a motion sensor. The apparatus further includes a proportional-integral-derivative coefficient selection and switching controller configured to apply proportional-integral-derivative coefficients suitable for the determined hand-shake frequency to a PID controller.
US09185291B1 Dual aperture zoom digital camera
A dual-aperture zoom digital camera operable in both still and video modes. The camera includes Wide and Tele imaging sections with respective lens/sensor combinations and image signal processors and a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections. The Wide and Tele imaging sections provide respective image data. The controller is configured to combine in still mode at least some of the Wide and Tele image data to provide a fused output image from a particular point of view, and to provide without fusion continuous zoom video mode output images, each output image having a given output resolution, wherein the video mode output images are provided with a smooth transition when switching between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value or vice versa, and wherein at the lower ZF the output resolution is determined by the Wide sensor while at the higher ZF value the output resolution is determined by the Tele sensor.
US09185288B2 Apparatus and method for generating and consuming three-dimensional (3D) data format to generate realistic panoramic image
An apparatus and method for generating and consuming a three-dimensional (3D) data format to generate a realistic panoramic image are provided. The apparatus may include an image preprocessing unit to search for a matching point between images captured by a plurality of cameras, and to extract, as image information, at least one of a depth value, a texture value and object division information from each of the captured images, an image information structuring unit to structure 3D data to use the extracted image information to generate a realistic image, a 3D data format storage unit to store format information of the structured 3D data in a database (DB), realistic image generating unit to generate a realistic panoramic image using the stored format information of the 3D data, and a realistic image rendering unit to perform rendering on the generated realistic panoramic image.
US09185286B2 Combining effective images in electronic device having a plurality of cameras
An image combining method in an electronic device having a plurality of cameras. In response to a photographing signal, images successively photographed through at least a first camera are successively stored. A first image is selected from the successively photographed images which satisfies a predetermined classification reference, such as a degree of blurring, a facial expression, and/or a shooting composition. A second image is captured through a second camera; and the first and second images are then combined. The combined image may be a picture-in-picture (PIP) type combination image. The first and second cameras may be front and rear cameras of a portable terminal, or vice versa. The successive image capture and selection technique may also be applied to the second camera.
US09185285B2 Method and apparatus for acquiring pre-captured picture of an object to be captured and a captured position of the same
Digital photographing apparatus and methods of providing picture at the digital photographing apparatus are disclosed. An example digital photographing apparatus transmits a picture of an object to be captured to a server, acquires at least one pre-captured picture of the object and a captured position of the at least one pre-captured picture from the server, and presents the at least one pre-captured picture and the captured position. The digital photographing apparatus selectively provides the at least one pre-captured picture in consideration of whether the captured position of the object is the same capture position or a different capture position.
US09185276B2 Methods of manufacturing array camera modules incorporating independently aligned lens stacks
Array cameras, and array camera modules incorporating independently aligned lens stacks are disclosed. Processes for manufacturing array camera modules including independently aligned lens stacks can include: forming at least one hole in at least one carrier; mounting the at least one carrier relative to at least one sensor so that light passing through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier is incident on a plurality of focal planes formed by arrays of pixels on the at least one sensor; and independently mounting a plurality of lens barrels to the at least one carrier, so that a lens stack in each lens barrel directs light through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier and focuses the light onto one of the plurality of focal planes.
US09185275B2 Control flap
An apparatus can include a processor; memory operatively coupled to the processor; a display operatively coupled to the processor; a camera that includes a lens, an active state and a dormant state; a housing that houses at least the processor and the camera and that includes a surface where the surface comprises an aperture aligned with the lens of the camera; a flap where, in a first orientation, the flap covers the aperture and where, in a second orientation, the flap exposes the aperture; and circuitry that determines the state of the camera based on the orientation of the flap. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09185269B2 Imaging device, information processing device, information processing method, and method for synchronizing frame data output
A shift time monitoring section of a host terminal monitors a shift between the input timing of frame data from an imaging device and the ideal input timing for the frame data, the ideal input timing being obtained from the output frequency of a display. An operation cycle adjusting section transmits a request signal for adjusting the operation cycle per frame in the imaging device according to the magnitude of the shift in the input timing. An H-counter section of the imaging device counts the outputting of the horizontal synchronizing signal with a vertical synchronizing signal in the imaging device as a starting point, and generates a signal at a predetermined scanning line. A VSync adjusting counter section counts a pixel clock with the signal from the H-counter section as a starting point, and generates a vertical synchronization signal at a value set to the pixel clock.
US09185268B2 Methods and systems for displays with chromatic correction with differing chromatic ranges
There are provided methods and systems for color correcting displays with different color gamuts. A method includes performing color correction on source picture content, using at least one of a non-reference type display having a non-reference color gamut and a reference type display having a reference color gamut. The performing step includes mastering the source picture content to provide mastered color corrected picture content for display on the non-reference type displays having a non-reference color gamut. The performing step further includes generating metadata for a color gamut mapping that color transforms the mastered color corrected picture content for display on reference type displays having a reference color gamut. The source picture content is mastered only for the non-reference type displays having the non-reference color gamut.
US09185266B2 Method of creating an ICC profile for a printing system
A method of characterizing an imaging system is described includes printing a color chart having a plurality of predetermined color patches; measuring the color patches to obtain colorimetric data; initializing a Neugebauer model with the Neugebauer solids of said colorimetric data; optimizing the global parameters of the Neugebauer model; optimizing the parameters associated with Demichel terms based on the Neugebauer primary associated with the Demichel term; optimizing parameters that vary with device coordinates; creating a characterization file for the imaging system.
US09185264B2 Print control device capable of generating image data using plurality of error matrices
A print control device acquires image data. Each pixel data has a gradation value represented by a first number of levels of gradation. The print control device acquires a first error matrix and a second error matrix and generates print image data representing an image by performing a halftone process on the image data using the first and second error matrices to convert each gradation value in the image data into a set of dot data. Each dot data represents one of a second number of types of dot formation. The second number is smaller than the first number. The print control device uses the first error matrix for pixel data corresponding to a pixel to be printed in a forward direction. The print control device uses the second error matrix for pixel data corresponding to a pixel to be printed in a reverse direction.
US09185263B2 Image scanning apparatus and method
An image scanning apparatus is provided. The image scanning apparatus includes an image sensor configured to scan a manuscript, a sensor driving unit configured to allow the image sensor to move on a scanning path, a driving control unit configured to generate a driving signal for the sensor driving unit, and a control unit configured to control the image sensor to scan the shading patch during moving to scan the manuscript.
US09185254B2 Printer and printing method
A flatbed type printer includes a table on or over which a print medium including a flat print surface is placed, a print head, a projecting unit configured to project a Gray code pattern on the table, an image taking unit configured to take an image of the projected Gray code pattern, a generating unit configured to generate a first spatial code image using an image taken with no print medium placed and to generate a second spatial code image using an image taken with the print medium placed, a generating unit configured to generate an image of the print surface using the first and second spatial code images, a normalizing unit configured to normalize the print surface in the image of the print surface, and a converting unit configured to convert print data edited on the normalized print surface into data printable on the pre-normalization print surface.
US09185249B2 Method of creating a label, a printing apparatus, and a computer-readable medium
A method of creating a label to be printed on a label printing apparatus comprising: determining at least one option to be made available to a user relating to a label-creating process; displaying said at least one option on a display; and enabling a user to select said at least one option; wherein said determination of the at least one option to be made available to the user is based upon at least one parameter.
US09185247B2 Central processor with multiple programmable processor units
A central processor for installation in an imaging device with a CMOS image sensor. The central processor had an image sensor interface for receiving data from the CMOS image sensor and multiple processing units configured to operate in parallel for processing data from the image sensor interface. Each of the processing units has rewritable memory for microcode that operatively controls that processing unit. The multiple processing units and the image sensor interface are integrated onto a single chip.
US09185239B2 Tone advisor, a tone assisting system and a method of associating tones with callers
A tone advisor, a tone assisting system and a method of associating tones with callers. In one embodiment the method includes: (1) monitoring calls to and from a user, (2) obtaining information based on the calls and (3) categorizing a caller associated with at least one of the calls into a contact group according to the information and (4) assigning a genre of tones to the contact group.
US09185237B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for adjusting a quota consumption rate
The subject matter described herein includes systems, methods, and computer readable media for adjusting a quota consumption rate. An exemplary method occurs at a first policy node. The method includes detecting a trigger for adjusting a quota consumption rate associated with a subscriber. The method further includes in response to detecting the trigger, adjusting the quota consumption rate associated with the subscriber.
US09185226B2 Voicemail server monitoring/reporting via aggregated data
A device receives, from a voicemail server, log information associated with voicemail transactions performed by the voicemail server, and determines data elements, of the log information, to be aggregated. The device also aggregates the determined data elements of the log information, determines a time period to provide the aggregated log information to a database for storage, and provides the aggregated log information to the database at the determined time period.
US09185225B1 Method and apparatus for modifying digital messages containing at least audio
A voice and/or video message for a user in the form of a voicemail or a video mail is edited in accordance with editing of text corresponding to audio of the message. Speech contained in the audio of the voice or video message is automatically converted to corresponding text and presented to the user via a graphical user interface. In response to various user inputs in relation to the presentation of the corresponding text, the corresponding text is modified and the digital representation of the voice or video message is modified in a manner corresponding to the modification of the corresponding text. New versions of the modified voice or video message including the modified digital representation of the voice or video message can be created and saved.
US09185224B2 Method and system for managing interactive communications campaigns with call pacing
A Web-based hosted system through which business entities create and manage communications campaigns. The system carries out a communications campaign on behalf of a client. A campaign is a series of calls to a contact list using one or more sub-campaigns. A sub-campaign associates a list of contacts, a script, and a timeframe. An agent typically is a contact center operator. A skill group is a set of agents that are trained to handle a given script. Call pacing enhancements are implemented to allow simultaneous progress on multiple sub-campaigns under a skill group. The techniques enable control over the pacing of individual sub-campaigns when multiple sub-campaigns are running under a single skill group. The service also provides a framework by which a set of “pluggable” pacing models are provisioned and managed, preferably on a per-model basis.
US09185216B2 System and method for indicating emergency call back to user equipment
A method is provided for indicating an IMS (Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem) emergency call back to a user equipment and an access network. The method comprises including in a message from a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) to the user equipment and the access network an indication that the emergency call back is from the PSAP.
US09185213B2 Advanced calling
Systems, devices, and methods are described that allow more comprehensive interaction between users of a telecommunication system. For example, a described method comprises: receiving, from a first communication unit, a request to establish a voice communication call between a first user of the first communication unit and a second user of a second communication unit; receiving, from said first communication unit, additional information with regard to said request; and presenting, by said second communication unit, an indication of said request to establish said voice communication call and said additional information to said second user.
US09185202B2 Alert management utilizing mobile devices
Methods, computer systems, and computer-storage medium are provided for managing patient alerts using a mobile device. A mobile device associated with a patient caregiver receives a critical alert related to the patient, and the alert is presented on the mobile device. The alert includes important contextual information that enables the caregiver to make a quick assessment of how to effectively address the alert. The alert includes options for accepting the alert or rejecting the alert. Acceptance of the alert enables the caregiver to communicate the alert to selected caregivers that can assist in managing the alert. Rejecting the alert causes the alert to be automatically communicated to additional caregivers associated with patient.
US09185192B2 Method and system of power saving and portable device using the same
Provided is a method for saving power of a portable device that exists in a location where a fixed telephone network is available, the method including transferring a mobile communication network-based call connection request message transmitted to the portable device into a fixed telephone network-based call connection request message; and receiving the transferred call connection request message in a fixed telephone network support communication module included in the portable device, and forming a fixed telephone network-based call channel in place of the mobile communication network based call.
US09185178B2 Interface gateway and method of interfacing a property management system with a guest service device
An interface gateway interfaces between a first device and a second device serving a hospitality establishment. The first device is one of a property management system (PMS) and a guest service device, and the second device is the other of the property management system (PMS) and the guest service device. One or more communication ports perform data communications with the first device and the second device. One or more processors receive a message from the first device, determine that the message is in a first format, convert the message from the first format to an internal data structure, parse the message in the internal data structure to determine that the message is applicable to the second device, determine that the second device supports a second format, convert the message from the internal data structure to the second format, and send the message in the second format to the second device.
US09185171B2 Method and system of specifying application user interface of a remote client device
Examples of systems and methods are provided for designing a remote view of a local application. A system may receive a request from a remote client device to launch a local application at a local server. The system may select a configuration file associated with the local application and with the remote client device. The configuration file may comprise a control code for at least one user action to control the local application. The system may provide the configuration file directed to the remote client. The system may receive from the remote client device, a control code from a configuration file previously provided to the remote client device. The system may control the local application based on the received control code. The system may provide display output data of the local application directed to the remote client device.
US09185161B2 Systems and methods for synchronizing non-destructive testing devices
A non-transitory computer readable medium may include executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to transmit device identification information and to receive a space requirement based on a digital content. The instructions further cause the processor to compare a memory space to the space requirement, and if the memory space is greater than the space requirement, receive a digital content based on the device identification, wherein the digital content is configured to be executed by, used by, or displayed by a non-destructive testing (NDT) device, or a combination thereof.
US09185149B2 Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing frame aggregation with screen sharing
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing frame aggregation with screen sharing including, for example, means for receiving, at a server, a stream of delta frames from a publishing client as part of a screen sharing session with one or more viewing clients; establishing a FIFO buffer for each of the respective one or more viewing clients on 1:1 basis; queuing a copy of the stream of delta frames into each of the FIFO buffers corresponding to the one or more viewing clients, wherein the stream of delta frames are transmitted from the respective FIFO buffers to the corresponding one or more client viewers; monitoring each of the respective FIFO buffers for each of the one or more viewing clients to determine if two or more delta frames are concurrently queued in any single one of the respective FIFO buffers at any given time; aggregating the two or more delta frames into a single aggregated delta frame; re-queuing the aggregated delta frame; and transmitting the aggregated delta frame to the respective viewing client. Other related embodiments are disclosed.
US09185138B2 Method and apparatus for providing access to real time control protocol information for improved media quality control
Various embodiments provide methods and systems operable to provide access to real time control protocol (RTCP) information for improved media quality control. An example embodiment includes a message processor to receive a message, the message including information indicative of an RTP port identifier, and to add to the received message information indicative of an auxiliary RTCP port identifier; and a message communication component to communicate the information indicative of an auxiliary RTCP port identifier to a node.
US09185132B1 Techniques for sensor based attack reflection
Techniques for sensor based attack reflection are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for sensor based attack reflection comprising detecting an attack at a sensor, identifying a portion of memory associated with the attack, redirecting at least the identified portion of memory to a secure network using an access point, extracting data associated with the attack on the secure network, redirecting a response to the attack from the secure network to the sensor, transmitting the response from the sensor to a network location associated with the attack, receiving a subsequent attack communication based on the response at the access point, redirecting the subsequent attack communication to the secure network, and analyzing the subsequent attack communication.
US09185131B2 Method and apparatus for blocking malicious access to process
An apparatus for blocking an external access to a browser includes an access monitor for monitoring whether a program is accessing the browser; and a document-object acquisition detector for detecting whether the program detected to access the browser by the access monitor acquires a document object of the browser; and an injection blocker for blocking the access of the program to the browser when the document object acquisition detector detects the document object acquisition by the corresponding program.
US09185122B2 Methods and systems for managing security in a network
Methods, systems and computer readable mediums storing computer executable programs for managing security in a network are disclosed. A plurality of security policies associated with a plurality of network data anomalies are provided at a network management system. Each one of the plurality of security policies defines a network data anomaly specific mitigation response for each one of the plurality of network data anomalies. A first network data anomaly is detected at the network management system. A determination is made at the network management system regarding whether a first one of the plurality of security policies defines a first network data anomaly specific mitigation response to the first network data anomaly. A first mitigation command is issued from the network management system to at least one network system to implement the first network data anomaly specific mitigation response for a pre-defined period of time in accordance with the first security policy based on the determination.
US09185117B2 User authentication by geo-location and proximity to user's close network
Embodiments provide user authentication based on proximity to a close network of a user. Embodiments receive from a user a request to execute a user action associated with an application, wherein execution of the user action requires validation of one or more authentication credentials; collect a set of data comprising information related to a physical location of the user; determine a close network score associated with the user; determine a level of authentication associated with the close network score; determine which one or more authentication types are associated with the level of authentication associated with the close network score; request one or more authentication credentials corresponding to the determined one or more authentication types; receive credentials from the user; validate the credentials, thereby resulting in a successful validation of the credentials; and, in response to the successful validation of the credentials, execute the user action.
US09185115B2 Secure access using location-based encrypted authorization
A computer sends a request to an authorization source to access a resource and includes its own location information. The computer receives a reply that includes the unencrypted location information of the computer and the resource encrypted such that a decryption key of the computer decrypts the encrypted resource. The entire reply is encrypted such that a decryption key of a third-party computer can decrypt the reply. The computer sends the encrypted reply to the third-party computer, and the reply is decrypted and returned to the computer if a distance between the computer and the third-party computer fulfills a proximity condition, as determined by the location of the computers.
US09185106B2 Access control method and mobile terminal which employs an access control method
An access control method for accessing an embedded system includes: performing a first access control operation for an access system by a first authentication subject, wherein the first access control operation includes performing a first authentication for the access system; when the first access control operation is passed, receiving at the first authentication subject a result of a second access control operation for the access system which is performed by a second authentication subject that is separate from the first authentication subject performing a second authentication for authenticating whether the access system is an access system that is authenticated by a second authentication subject that is separate from the first authentication subject, and receiving the result of the authentication; and allowing the access system to access the embedded system if the first authentication and the second authentication are successful.
US09185097B2 Method and system for traffic engineering in secured networks
Aspects of a method and system for traffic engineering in an IPSec secured network are provided. In this regard, a node in a network may be authenticated as a trusted third party and that trusted third party may be enabled to acquire security information shared between or among a plurality of network entities. In this manner, the trusted third party may parse, access and operate on IPSec encrypted traffic communicated between or among the plurality of network entities. Shared security information may comprise one or more session keys utilized for encrypting and/or decrypting the IPSec secured traffic. The node may parse IPSec traffic and identify a flow associated with the IPsec traffic. In this manner, the node may generate and/or communicate statistics pertaining to said IPSec secured traffic based on the flow with which the traffic is associated.
US09185095B1 Behavioral profiling method and system to authenticate a user
Methods and systems for behavioral profiling are described. In some embodiments, a method includes observing behavioral characteristics of user interactions during a current session with the user through one of a plurality of channels. Variations between the behavioral characteristics of the user interactions observed during the current session and a behavioral profile previously developed based on prior usage patterns of the user through the plurality of channels are identified, in real-time or near real-time. For the user to proceed in the session, a challenge level is implemented based on the variations between the behavioral characteristics and the behavioral profile.
US09185094B2 Systems, methods and apparatuses for the secure transmission and restricted use of media content
The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein permit encrypted media content to be displayed by an apparatus for a restricted time period. The apparatus may comprise a communication interface configured to couple to a controlling device to transmit a first nonce and to receive the encrypted media content and an association encryption envelope. The association encryption envelope may comprise at least a second nonce and a first time restriction expressed as a first time interval. The apparatus may further comprise a counter, a storage configured to store a value of the counter representing a time of when the first nonce is transmitted, and an engine configured to perform operations according to the first time restriction.
US09185087B2 Medical device communication using encryption based on correlated motion
Devices, systems, and techniques for generating an encryption key using detected motion from a device. In one example, a method may include receiving movement information indicative of motion detected by a first device during a period of time in which the first device and a second device were bumped together, determining a set of values that represent at least one characteristic of the movement information, and generating, based on the set of values, an encryption key for at least one of encrypting and decrypting data communicated between the first device and the second device. In some examples, the first device may include a sensor configured to detect each time the first device is bumped with the second device during the period of time. The first and second devices may be an implantable medical device and a programmer for the implantable medical device.
US09185080B2 Data transmitting devices, data receiving devices, methods for controlling a data transmitting device, and methods for controlling a data receiving device
In an embodiment, a data transmitting device may be provided. The data transmitting device may include a ciphering method selector configured to select a ciphering method based on a type of data to be transmitted. The data transmitting device may further include a ciphering circuit configured to cipher the data based on the selected ciphering method. The data transmitting device may further include a transmitter configured to transmit the ciphered data to a data receiving device.
US09185078B2 Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing cross organizational data sharing
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing cross organizational data sharing including, for example, means for storing customer organization data in a database of the host organization; allocating at least a sub-set of the customer organization data to be shared as shared data; configuring a hub to expose the shared data to a proxy user and configuring the proxy user at the hub with access rights to the shared data; configuring one or more spokes with access rights to the shared data of the hub via the proxy user; receiving a request from one of the hubs for access to the shared data of the customer organization via the proxy user at the hub; and returning a response to the hub having made the request. Other related embodiments are disclosed.
US09185074B2 Method and system for generating ranges of internet protocol addresses
Exemplary embodiments are directed to generating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses using a mask that is applied to a plurality IP addresses to generate plural groups of IP addresses. A range of IP addresses is generated for each of the groups when the plurality of groups is less than or equal to a predetermined number of groups. When a range of IP addresses is selected from the plurality of ranges IP addresses, the network nodes associated with the selected range are displayed.
US09185067B1 System and method for analyzing communications
The invention provides a system and method for analyzing a collection of communication messages. The communication messages may be any one of a collection of electronic mail messages, voicemail messages, instant messaging dialogs and other forms of communications. The collections of communications, such as electronic mail messages, may be selected by a user and then subsequently processed to determine the identity of any of the user's contacts within the communications. The contacts may then be arranged in a relative priority arrangement whereby contacts which have been identified as engaging in prior reciprocal communications with the user are given higher priority. Higher priority may also be given to contacts which engage in more recent communications with the user. Specific contact relationships may be inferred from the communications depending on whether specific contacts are repeatedly mentioned within the communication messages.
US09185062B1 Message user interfaces for capture and transmittal of media and location content
A device provides user interfaces for capturing and sending media, such as audio, video, or images, from within a message application. The device detects a movement of the device and in response, plays or records an audio message. The device sends the recorded audio message in response to detecting a movement of the device. The device removes messages from a conversation based on expiration criteria. The device shares a location with one or more message participants in a conversation.
US09185056B2 System and methods for controlling network traffic through virtual switches
A network may include network switches with network switch ports that may be coupled to end hosts. The network switches may be controlled by a controller such as a controller server. Virtual switches may be formed using the controller from groups of the network switch ports and the end hosts. Each virtual switch may include virtual interfaces associated with end hosts or network switches. Virtual links may be formed that define network connections between the virtual interfaces and end hosts or between two virtual interfaces. Virtual network policies such as selective packet forwarding, packet dropping, packet redirection, packet modification, or packet logging may be implemented at selected virtual interfaces to control traffic through the communications network. The controller may translate the virtual network policies into network switch forwarding paths that satisfy the virtual network policies.
US09185050B2 Heterogeneous media packet bridging
Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network device comprises network interfaces (netmods), including a first and second set operable to receive packets encapsulated within a first and second set of media transmissions, respectively, and each having a first and second framing media format, respectively. A single bridging domain is provided by a shared bridging application. A memory stores data structures for translating between the first and second framing media formats via an intermediate format. The netmods pass a received packet, through a switching fabric, to the bridging application, which determines a relay location for the packet and whether the relay location is among the other set of netmods. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the bridging application uses the translation data structures to translate the packet before relaying the packet to the relay location.
US09185045B1 Transport protocol for interactive real-time media
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for transporting data from a sender to a receiver with low delay for interactive real-time media applications are described.
US09185038B2 Technique for controlling a load state of a physical link carrying a plurality of virtual links
A control method is provided for controlling a load state of a physical link between two physical network nodes in a physical network. A physical link carries a plurality of virtual links, and a virtual link connects together two virtual nodes belonging to a virtual network. First and second metrics are associated with the virtual link. The control method includes the following steps implemented by one of the two physical network nodes: a step of detecting a load state of a physical link; a step of identifying a virtual link for which a present metric is the first metric; and a step of sending a command to the virtual node carried by the physical node and to which the identified virtual link is connected, the command requesting a modification of the present metric from the first metric to the second metric for the virtual link.
US09185032B2 Radio apparatus that receives packet signal containing predetermined information
An RF unit, a modem unit and a processing unit receive packet signals sent from other radio apparatuses and broadcast packet signals. If no packet signals are received over a predetermined period of time, a timing control unit has the RF unit, the modem unit and the processing unit perform an intermittent receiving processing and has them stop broadcasting the packet signals. When the packet signals are received while no packet signals has been received over the predetermined period of time, the timing control unit has them perform continuous receiving processing and has them start broadcasting the packet signals.
US09185030B2 Virtual machines in a packet switching device
In one embodiment, a packet switching device creates multiple virtual packet switching devices within the same physical packet switching device using virtual machines and sharing particular physical resources of the packet switching device. One embodiment uses this functionality to change the operating version (e.g., upgrade or downgrade) of the packet switching device by originally operating according to a first operating version, operating according to both a first and second operating version, and then ceasing operating according to the first operating version. Using such a technique, a packet switching device can be upgraded or downgraded while fully operating (e.g., without having to reboot line cards and route processing engines).
US09185026B2 Tagging and synchronization for fairness in NOC interconnects
Systems and methods described herein are directed to solutions for NoC interconnects that provide end-to-end uniform- and weighted-fair allocation of resource bandwidths among various contenders. The example implementations are fully distributed and involve tagging the messages with meta-information when the messages are injected in the interconnection network. Example implementations may involve routers using various arbitration phases, and making local arbitration decisions based on the meta-information of incoming messages. The meta-information can be of various types based on the number of router arbitration phases, and the desired level of sophistication.
US09185015B2 Application aware elephant flow identification
A network device identifies elephant flows. The network device filters received network data according to an application-specific criteria and identifies the elephant flow from the filtered network data. To do so, the network device can employ a multi-stage filtering process to identify an elephant flow in the received network data. The network device separates the filtered network data into multiple macroflows using a first hash function, and identifies the macroflow with the highest rate. Then, the network device disaggregates the high rate macroflow into multiple microflows using a second hash function and identifies the highest rate microflow as the elephant flow. The network device maintains an elephant flow cache with entries for currently identified elephant flows. The network device may also take management actions on the elephant flows, and the management actions may be application specific.
US09185013B1 Systems and methods for compensating a channel estimate for sampling phase jitter
A system including a channel estimator configured to generate an estimate of a communication channel based on a data packet received via the communication channel. A circuit is configured to determine a data rate at which the data packet was received via the communication channel, determine whether the data rate at which the data packet was received via the communication channel is greater than a threshold, and selectively compensate the channel estimate generated by the channel estimator for sampling phase jitter based on the determination of whether the data rate at which the data packet was received via the communication channel is greater than the threshold.
US09185011B1 System and method for reducing latency during data transmissions over a network
A system and method is provided whereby more data packets than are necessary may be transmitted in order to prompt a node of network to more quickly increase the number of packets that will be accepted by the node. In one aspect, a single packet of data is split into multiple packets. In another aspect, a single packet of data is padded so that multiple packets need to be sent.
US09185008B1 Operational reporting in a computing environment
In a system that provides network-based computer infrastructure services, a monitoring agent is installed on a computer to gather and report operational metrics from various sources, which may include infrastructure support services as well as elements of the computer itself. Metrics to be gathered and reported by the monitoring agent, as well as the format in which metrics are to be reported, are specified declaratively so that they can be changed without altering the procedural aspects of the monitoring agent.
US09185007B2 Proactive monitoring tree with severity state sorting
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that displays performance data for a computing environment. During operation, the system first determines values for a performance metric for a plurality of entities that comprise the computing environment. Next, the system displays the computing environment as a tree comprising nodes representing the plurality of entities and edges representing parent-child relationships between the plurality of entities. While displaying the tree, the system displays the child nodes for each parent in sorted order based on values of the performance metric associated with the child nodes.
US09185003B1 Distributed clock network with time synchronization and activity tracing between nodes
Systems and methods are described for coordinating clocks in a distributed computing environment. In one embodiment, a plurality of groups of nodes are formed. Nodes within a group may be time-synchronized and time differences between groups may be tracked. Clock adjustments between groups may be accumulated for tracked activities. The accumulated clock adjustments may be used to determine an ordering of the tracked activities.
US09184994B2 Downtime calculator
A downtime calculator for a computer network system has a downtime request module, a user activity computation engine, and a downtime computation engine. The downtime request module receives attributes of a downtime request for the computer network system. The user activity computation engine determines activities of the computer network system based on geographic regions and local times of users accessing the computer network system. The downtime computation engine calculates a recommended downtime of the computer network system based on the attributes of the downtime request and user activities on the computer network system.
US09184988B2 Providing configurable workflow capabilities
Techniques are described for providing clients with access to functionality for creating, configuring and executing defined workflows that manipulate source data in defined manners, such as under the control of a configurable workflow service that is available to multiple remote clients over one or more public networks. A defined workflow for a client may, for example, include multiple interconnected workflow components that are specified by the client and that each are configured to perform one or more types of data manipulation operations on a specified type of input data. The configurable workflow service may further execute the defined workflow at one or more times and in one or more manners, such as in some situations by provisioning multiple computing nodes provided by the configurable workflow service to each implement at least one of the workflow components for the defined workflow.
US09184982B2 Balancing the allocation of virtual machines in cloud systems
Methods, systems, and machine-readable and executable instructions are provided for balancing the allocation of a number of virtual machines (VMs) in clouds systems. Balancing the allocation of VMs in cloud systems can include determining a number of relationships of a plurality of nodes in a cloud system. Balancing the allocation of VMs in cloud systems can include assigning a number of VMs to the plurality of nodes in response to a request based on a criteria of the request and the number of relationships of the plurality of nodes to balance VMs in the cloud system, where the criteria include a type and a priority for each of the number of VMs.
US09184973B2 Method and receiver for receiving a binary offset carrier composite signal
A data processor selects a set of BOC correlations in accordance with a BOC correlation function for the sampling period if the primary amplitude exceeds or equals the secondary amplitude for the sampling period. The data processor selects a set of QBOC correlations in accordance with a QBOC correlation function for the sampling period if the secondary amplitude exceeds the primary amplitude for the sampling period. The data processor uses either the BOC correlation function or the QBOC correlation function, whichever with greater amplitude, at each sampling period to provide an aggregate correlation function that supports unambiguous code acquisition of the received signal.
US09184970B2 Pilot patterns for OFDM systems with multiple antennas
The present invention relates to orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) communication systems with four transmit antennas and one or more receive antennas, and in particular to methods for inserting scattered pilots (SPs) into the transmit signals of such OFDM systems, for estimating channel properties on the basis of the scattered pilots, a multi-antenna OFDM transmitter, and an OFDM receiver. In this context, it is the particular approach of the present invention to keep the same SP pattern like in the single-transmitter case, to partition the pilots into as many subsets as there are transmitters (transmit antennas), and to interleave these subsets both in time and in frequency. In this manner, the granularity of pilots of the same subset is reduced. This offers increased flexibility in designing the scattered pilot patterns and greater accuracy of the estimated channel properties.
US09184968B2 Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for selecting a cyclic prefix length
Methods, devices, and computer program products for energy and/or cost efficient selection of cyclic prefix length, based at least in part on consideration of propagation and channel conditions, are disclosed. The conditions can relate to, for example, the frequency selectivity and time dispersion of a radio channel, as well as its radio propagation profile and environmental conditions.
US09184964B2 Low symbol rate rapid carrier acquisition with extremely large frequency offset for digital communication receiver
A method of rapid non-data aided carrier signal acquisition for a low symbol rate carrier signal, comprising receiving and converting an analog intermediate frequency carrier to a digital carrier signal, down-converting the signal to substantially baseband, reducing a sampling rate of the digital carrier signal using a decimation filter, determining a highest Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) based on a result of one or more FFT's generated by an FFT module using a peak finder, selecting an input source for the FFT module using a multiplexer, generating a frequency estimate of the digital carrier signal using a walking coarse detector, tuning a carrier recovery loop (CRL) based on the frequency estimate generated by the walking coarse detector, determining a final carrier frequency offset estimate using a result of the FFT module, modulation removal, and the peak finder, and programming an oscillator within the CRL to the final carrier frequency offset estimate.
US09184963B2 Transmitting device, receiving device and communication method for an OFDM communication system with new preamble structure
A transmitting device, a receiving device, and a communication method for transmitting and receiving data modulated on frequency subcarriers of an OFDM communication system. An OFDM burst includes a preamble part and payload data part, whereby the preamble includes a section of pilot symbols mapped onto every n-th frequency subcarrier and signaling data mapped onto the frequency subcarriers between the frequency subcarriers with the pilot symbols. A first channel estimation on the basis of the received pilot symbols is performed, the result of which is used to reconstruct the entire section of the received preamble as a training pattern for an accurate channel estimation, which is used for a channel equalization of the received payload part.
US09184959B2 Method and apparatus for joint packet detection and radio frequency (RF) pulse synchronization in a super-regenerative receiver (SRR)
A method of increasing a performance of a super-regenerative receiver (SRR), includes initializing a quench rate to be greater than or equal to 2 based on a parameter, and comparing a decision metric to a lower threshold value, the decision metric established from a first receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The method further includes estimating a phase offset, using an over-quench method, and aligning quench signals at the quench rate of 1, and comparing the decision metric to a higher threshold value to minimize a false alarm probability. The method further includes confirming packet detection and the phase offset, using the over-quench method.
US09184957B2 High speed receivers circuits and methods
The present invention provides GPA embodiments. In some embodiments, a GPA stage with a negative capacitance unit is provided.
US09184949B2 Pilot design for universal frequency reuse in cellular orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing systems
Systems and methods are provided for transmitting information between an intended source and a receiver to minimize co-channel interference from at least one interfering source. Pilot subcarriers and data subcarriers may be broadcast from an intended source and at least one interfering source. The pilot subcarriers may be shared across base stations or distributed among base stations in frequency, in time, or both. In addition, the frequency reuse factor of the pilot subcarriers may be different than the frequency reuse factor of the data subcarriers A receiver receives a composite signal that corresponds with an intended signal from an intended source and an interfering signal from at least one interfering source. The portion of the received signal that corresponds to the intended signal may be recovered by the receiver based on the broadcast of the pilot subcarriers.
US09184942B2 Automatic gain control in a communications system
An automatic gain control technique generates one or more gain control signals based on a known sequence of samples received in a preamble of a packet received over a particular communications link and generates one or more adjusted gain control signals based on a previously unknown sequence of samples received in a payload of a packet. In at least one embodiment of the gain control technique, time domain samples of the preamble of a symbol are used to generate the one or more gain control signals. In at least one embodiment of the gain control technique, frequency domain samples are used to generate the one or more adjusted gain control signals. The one or more gain control signals include digital and/or analog gain control signals that are provided to digital signal processing modules and/or analog circuits in an interface circuit, respectively, to adjust the gain applied to a received signal.
US09184941B2 Channel estimation method and apparatus for cooperative communication in a cellular mobile communication system
A channel estimation method and apparatus are provided for a terminal in a cellular mobile communication system including a plurality of base stations. The method includes maintaining a maximum number of CSI processes supported by the UE; receiving CSI process report information; determining a number of CSI to be updated based on the maximum number of CSI processes supported by the UE; generating at least one CSI report based on the determined number of CSI to be updated; and transmitting the at least one CIS report to an evolved Node B (eNB).
US09184937B2 Methods and apparatus to provide messages to television users
Methods and apparatus to provide messages to television users are disclosed. An example method includes determining an identifier associated with a television device in response to detecting a request for a list of voicemail message information, querying a database to determine a voicemail mailbox associated with the identifier, initiating a terminal session in accordance with a remote desktop protocol for the television device, and sending the list of voicemail message information to the television device via the terminal session.
US09184935B2 Network communication method and network node device
A network communication method includes: allocating a pseudo wire (PW) label and/or an Ethernet (ETH) label through a layer 2 label allocation protocol; and performing data communication according to the allocated PW label and/or the allocated ETH label. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the label is allocated through the layer 2 label allocation protocol, thus maintaining the node device as a layer 2 device, meanwhile implementing label allocation, and reducing the complexity and improvement cost of network access.
US09184929B2 Network performance monitoring
A method for use in a broadband network includes displaying the cumulative amounts in a hierarchy of network issues, the hierarchy including a summary category including summary values indicating total cumulative amounts of time that the network elements in the at least a desired portion of the network were considered at corresponding qualities of performance, the hierarchy further including a plurality of sub-categories contributing to the summary category, and the sub-categories each further comprising at least one sub-sub-category contributing to the sub-categories.
US09184917B2 Method and system for registering a DRM client
A client, method and system for registering a DRM client is disclosed. The method (100) includes the steps of: initiating (110) a registration request via a DRM client with an encrypted registration message including an asymmetric key cryptographic identity, a customer identifier and an application specific information (AINFO) field including a digital signature and a device certificate chain; validating (120) information in the application specific information (AINFO) field by a DRM registration server; and receiving (130) a registration response, the registration response being encrypted and including access information, to obtain content. Advantageously, this method provides an enhanced and reliable means of authentication.
US09184904B2 Communication system, receiver, and eye-opening measuring method
A communication system includes: a plurality of lanes; a plurality of transmission circuits respectively outputting data to the lanes in accordance with a transmission clock; and a plurality of reception circuits respectively receiving data from the lanes, each reception circuit includes: a clock data recovery circuit extracting own clock information from received data: a clock information switch circuit selecting either one of the own clock information of the reception circuit or another own clock information of an another reception circuit; a phase shifter generating a phase adjusted clock from a common reception clock source in accordance with clock information selected by the clock information switch circuit; and an input circuit taking in transmitted data in accordance with the adjusted clock, and the clock information switch circuit selects the own clock information in a normal operation and selects the another own clock information in an eye-opening measurement operation.
US09184903B2 Systems and methods for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals
System and methods are provided for processing time-division signals and frequency-division signals using a multi-mode transceiver. The example system includes a power amplifier, a switching component, and a duplexer. The power amplifier is configured to receive a first time-division signal from the transceiver and to generate an amplified time-division signal based on the first time-division signal if the transceiver is in a time-division mode. The power amplifier is further configured to receive a first frequency-division signal from the transceiver and to generate an amplified frequency-division signal based on the first frequency-division signal if the transceiver is in a frequency-division mode. The switching component is configured to receive the amplified time-division signal from the power amplifier, and to output the amplified time-division signal for transmission. The duplexer configured to receive the amplified frequency-division signal from the switching component, and to output a transmission signal for transmission.
US09184889B2 Method and system having reference signal design for new carrier types
A method and network element for providing reference signals to a user equipment, the method determining a reference signal pattern at the network element; and sending the reference signals to the user equipment using a reference signal mapping based on the reference signal pattern. Further a method and user equipment for receiving reference signals from a network element, the method determining a reference signal mapping at the user equipment; and detecting the reference signals at the user equipment using the reference signal mapping.
US09184882B2 Method and apparatus for synchronous HARQ operation and interference avoidance
A method and apparatus for avoiding a collision. A collision may be avoided by allocating a first set of subframes to a backhaul link transmission, and allocating a second set of subframes to an access link transmission. In one example, the second set of subframes may be a non-overlapping set of subframes with respect to the first set of subframes. In a second embodiment, a collision may be avoided by receiving a data transmission from an evolved Node-B (eNB) and transmitting an uplink (UL) grant to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a first acknowledgement (ACK) to the eNB. The transmission may be in response to the received data transmission. The RN may avoid a collision by further transmitting an automatic ACK to the WTRU and transmitting a second UL grant to the WTRU. In a third embodiment, a collision between an access link transmission and a backhaul link transmission may be avoided by detecting a collision and determining an interface priority based on a collision occurrence type.
US09184876B2 Method and apparatus for detecting symbols received wirelessly using probabilistic data association with uncertainty
A method detects symbols in a signal received via a wireless channel by generating a statistical model for each symbol, and determining contribution from all other symbols in the signal as an expected interference. The expected interference is subtracted from the signal to obtain an interference-free signal. Then, the symbol is inferred based on the statistical model and the interference-free signal.
US09184874B2 Storing log likelihood ratios in interleaved form to reduce hardware memory
An apparatus and method for storing log likelihood ratios in an interleaved form comprising receiving a plurality of interleaved codewords; obtaining at least one log likelihood ratio (LLR) for the plurality of interleaved codewords; storing the at least one LLR in a memory; deinterleaving the plurality of interleaved codewords after the at least one LLR has been stored in the memory; and performing a bit decision of the deinterleaved codewords using the stored at least one LLR.
US09184873B2 Ultra-high-speed optical transport based on adaptive LDPC-coded multidimensional spatial-spectral scheme and orthogonal prolate spheroidal wave functions
Systems and methods for transmitting data, including encoding one or more streams of input data using one or more adaptive Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoders, wherein the encoders generate one or more signal constellations; modulate one or more signals using hybrid multidimensional coded modulation; apply orthogonal prolate spheroidal wave functions as electrical basis functions; generate one or more spectral band group signals by selecting and combining two or more spectral band groups with center frequencies that are orthogonal to each other; and spectral-mode-multiplex and transmit the one or more adaptive LDPC-coded data streams including the one or more spectral band group signals combined into corresponding spatial modes over a transmission medium.
US09184869B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method in which a terminal transmits control information in a wireless communication system, comprising the following steps: selecting a PUCCH resource for control information from among a plurality of PUCCH resources; transmitting, through the selected PUCCH resources, a PUCCH signal carrying the modulation value corresponding to the control information; and transmitting a reference signal for the demodulation of the PUCCH signal, wherein the control information is identified by a combination of the PUCCH resource and resources for the modulation value and the reference signal.
US09184865B2 Optical switch, optical demodulator, and optical demodulation method having feedback control of temperature regulator based on optical detector output
An optical switch includes a substrate, a ring resonator formed on the substrate, a first waveguide formed on the substrate in optical coupling with the ring resonator, the first waveguide being configured to guide a WDM signal, an optical detector configured to detect an optical signal component in said ring resonator, a temperature regulator driven in response to an output signal of the optical detector, the temperature regulator being configured to change a temperature of the ring resonator, the ring resonator having a resonant wavelength corresponding to a wavelength of an optical signal component that constitutes the WDM signal, the ring resonator, the optical detector and the temperature regulator constituting together a feedback control system that locks the resonant wavelength of the ring resonator to the wavelength of the optical signal component in the WDM signal.
US09184864B2 Optical transmission system, optical transmitting apparatus, and optical receiving apparatus
An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitting apparatus that includes a polarization controller configured to change a polarization state of a signal light at an operating frequency included in a frequency range at which polarization trackability is obtained on a receiving side, based on a notified monitoring result, the optical transmitting apparatus being configured to output the signal light having the changed polarization state, and an optical receiving apparatus that is provided on the receiving side and includes a monitoring control unit configured to receive the signal light having the changed polarization state and monitor transmission quality of the received signal light, the optical receiving apparatus being configured to notify the optical transmitting apparatus of the monitoring result.
US09184857B2 Direct conversion transceiver enabling digital calibration
A method for calibrating a transceiver includes selecting one of a plurality of available calibration paths on the transceiver to be active. The transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. The selected one of the plurality of available calibration paths couples the transmitter to the receiver through a circuit that is external to the transceiver. A calibration signal may be provided to enable calibration of the transceiver via the selected one of the plurality of available calibration paths. The calibration signal may be received after it has passed through the selected one of the plurality of calibration paths. Characteristics of the transceiver may be measured using the received calibration signal.
US09184855B2 Opto-isolator including a vertical cavity surface emitting laser
An opto-isolator is disclosed that include a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a photodetector and a package enclosing the VCSEL and the photodetector. The photodetector is optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL.
US09184849B2 Bidirectional submarine repeater using unidirectional amplification
A bidirectional submarine transmission using unidirectional amplification transmits first and second communication signals bidirectional to each other over a repeater path with common end-to-end points, the repeater path includes a single unidirectional amplifier, the repeater path has a first branch path for the first communication signal through the single amplifier and a second branch path for the second communication signal through the single unidirectional amplifier, the first and second communication signals originating and leaving opposite ends of the repeater path, respectively.
US09184842B2 Apparatus for communicating a plurality of antenna signals at different optical wavelengths
A remote radio unit is disclosed that includes antenna interfaces, RF receivers, and a digital-to-optical converter. The antenna interfaces each receive an antenna signal from a different antenna. The RF receivers downconvert the antenna signals to baseband signals, and convert the baseband signals to digital streams of user data. The digital-to-optical converter converts each of the digital streams of user data to optical signals having different optical wavelengths for output to an optical fiber for communication to a radio equipment control unit. Related radio base stations and network control points are disclosed.
US09184840B2 Optical module
An optical module includes first optical elements disposed on a first surface side of optical waveguides, first signal wirings disposed on the first surface side in parallel with each other in a direction intersecting with a transmission direction of an electrical signal transmitted by a first signal wiring, second optical elements disposed on a second surface side of the optical waveguides, and second signal wirings disposed on the second surface side in parallel with each other in a direction intersecting with a transmission direction of an electrical signal transmitted by a second signal wirings, the optical waveguides being disposed in parallel with each other in a direction intersecting with an optical waveguide direction of an optical signal guided by an optical waveguide at an interval which is narrower than an interval between the adjacent first signal wirings and narrower than an interval between the adjacent second signal wirings.
US09184837B2 Mobile terminal capable of localization, localization server and method for localizing the mobile terminal using the localization server
A mobile terminal capable of localization, a localization server, and a method for localizing the mobile terminal using the localization server are disclosed. The disclosed localization server includes a control unit configured to control transmissions of visible-light signals from a multiple number of visible-light transmitting devices; and a position computing unit configured to compute a position of a mobile terminal based on time information regarding when the visible-light signals transmitted respectively from the plurality of visible-light transmitting devices were received at the mobile terminal, where the control unit controls the transmissions such that each of the plurality of visible-light transmitting devices sequentially transmits the visible-light signal for a particular first time period with no overlapping of transmission times of the visible-light signals transmitted respectively from the plurality of visible-light transmitting devices.
US09184836B2 Data transmission system and method for transmitting data in a data transmission system
A data transmission system has a light-emitting transmitter, a light-receiving receiver and a data transmission channel based on incoherent light. A pre-equalization device connected upstream of the transmitter is provided for the purpose of pre-equalizing a data signal which is to be transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver via the data transmission channel. The data transmission channel has constant transmission conditions within prescribed limits. The data signal to be transmitted is transmitted using a prescribed maximum bandwidth of the transmitter.
US09184834B1 Method and apparatus for detection and correction of time skew in an optical transmitter
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optical transmitter system that defines an interferometric structure and has an in-phase portion and a quadrature portion. The optical transmitter system has a transmission configuration and a calibration configuration. The interferometric structure can produce an output associated with a skew between the in-phase portion and the quadrature portion of the optical transmitter system when in the calibration configuration. The skew is associated with a digital domain, an analog domain and an optical domain of the optical transmitter system.
US09184822B2 Medical apparatus and methods including an array system for segmenting signals and generating a complex waveform at a focal point using recombination of segmented signals
An apparatus and methods are provided to realize an input waveform using wavelet processing and reconstruction via separated antenna array systems having different beam paths and different frequency components which can include phased array transmitters to recreate the input waveform in medical applications. One aspect of the invention can include a wavelet function used for the examples shown herein which includes a first and second moments of a statistical function, i.e. the mean and variance used with an inverse wavelet to create rectangular pulses that lend themselves to use in the invention herein. Other embodiments of the invention can use other input waveform separation functions paired with signal separation and recombination at a focus point. A selected function can be matched to its application associated with avoidance of sending the input waveform along a single beam path, a desired a focus point, and separation of an input signal.
US09184814B2 Method for pre-distorting and a pre-distorter
The document discloses a pre-distorter, which comprises: a pre-distortion module, which is configured to pre-distort a plurality of baseband input signals by an equal number of pre-distortion functions to obtain an equal number of pre-distorted signals respectively, wherein all of the baseband input signals input into every pre-distortion function, and each pre-distortion function has one output; an adder, which is configured to combine all of the pre-distorted signals output from every pre-distortion function into one combined signal; and a power amplifier (PA), which is configured to amplify the combined signal, wherein the cascade of the pre-distortion functions and the PA are linear overall. And the document also discloses a method for distorting. The document reduces the implementation cost of a pre-distorter.
US09184805B2 Fractal dipole antenna communication systems and related methods and use
A communication system and method for using a communication system is provided. An embodiment of an exemplary system can include different communication sets adapted to communicate with each other in different orientations/while moving in a highly secure manner. A first communications system embodiment can include a plurality of segmented fractal antennas and a communications data encoding and/or decoding system adapted to receive communication data and parse such communication data into groups or bins for transmission through an associated segment of the segmented fractal antennas. A second communication system embodiment of the invention has an identical or substantially identical segmented fractal as the first communication system embodiment's plurality of segmented fractal antennas and a communications data encoding and/or decoding system which receives signals sent by the first system and decodes received communications data.
US09184799B2 Smart NFC antenna matching network system and user device including the same
A Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna matching network system is provided for connection with an NFC. The NFC antenna matching network system includes a source coil connected between a first terminal and a second terminal of the NFC transceiver; and a resonant coil physically separated from the source coil.
US09184791B2 Selective adaptive audio cancellation algorithm configuration
Audio processing devices and methods. An ambient microphone picks up ambient sound and a voice microphone picks up a speaker's voice. The voice microphone is located farther from the speaker's mouth when a device is held to one side of the speaker's face than when held to the other side. A signal indicates whether an expected position of the handheld body is a position on a left side or right side of a speaker's face. Ambient sound in the voice signal is reduced by applying a first algorithm configuration selected to process voice signals with lower signal-to-noise ratio when the expected position in on one side of the speaker's face, and by applying a second sound cancellation algorithm configuration selected to process higher signal-to-noise ratios when the expected position is on the other side of the speaker's face.
US09184778B2 Vehicle information gathering system
A vehicle information gathering system comprises an onboard communication device, an onboard storage device and an onboard controller. The onboard communication device communicates with external data sources. The onboard storage device stores a data set comprising at least one data subset reference. The onboard controller automatically determines an availability of each of the external data sources, assigns a respective communication priority to each data subset reference based on the availability of each of the external data sources and at least one priority criteria, assigns at least one external data source to each data subset reference based on the availability and the priority criteria, and controls the communication device to communicate with at least one external data source based on the respective communication priority assigned to each data subset reference to receive at least one data subset via the assigned external data source for storage on the storage device.
US09184776B2 Signal tuning with variable intermediate frequency for image rejection and methods
In a method and apparatus for operating a super-heterodyne receiver, a tuning circuit has a local oscillator for frequency shifting a desired channel to a selected frequency and a controller for controlling the local oscillator. The controller determines for each of a number of identified channels, whether an image signal is present at frequencies in the spectrum that when tuned to a first selected frequency interfere, and is operable to select a modified selected frequency at which interference between the image signal and the identified channel is reduced.
US09184768B2 Data-processing device and data-processing method
When an LDPC code having a code length of 16200 bits is mapped to 16 signal points, a demultiplexer performs exchanging such that when a (#i+1)-th bit from a most significant bit of code bits of 4×2 bits and a (#i+1)-th bit from a most significant bit of symbol bits of 4×2 bits of 2 consecutive symbols are represented by a bit b#i and a bit y#i, respectively, for an LDPC codes having coding rates of 7/15, b0 is allocated to y0, b1 is allocated to y2, b2 is allocated to y6, b3 is allocated to y3, b4 is allocated to y4, b5 is allocated to y1, b6 is allocated to y5, and b7 is allocated to y7.
US09184766B1 Decoding circuit
A decoding circuit is disclosed, which relates to a technology for changing a decoding structure without changing a circuit structure. A decoding circuit for decoding N input signals to generate output signals corresponding to elements of 2N binary information includes: a controller configured to generate control signals; a decoding unit configured to generate output signals by decoding the N input signals, wherein the number of output signals is controlled in response to the control signals; and a combination unit configured to output a first output signal by logically combining the output signals of the decoding unit.
US09184765B1 Power efficient noise-coupled delta-sigma modulator
A method and apparatus for a feed-forward delta-sigma modulator are provided. The apparatus includes a first adder configured to receive a feedback signal and an input signal and a first integrator configured to receive an output from the first adder. The apparatus also includes a noise-coupled summer/integrator (NCSI). The NCSI includes a second adder configured to receive a differentiation path from the first integrator, an output from the first integrator, and a delayed feedback path from the output of a second integrator. The NCSI also includes the second integrator configured to receive an output from the second adder. The apparatus also includes a quantizer configured to receive the output of the second integrator, feed back the output to the first adder and the NCSI and produce the output from the feed-forward delta-sigma modulator.
US09184763B2 Capacitive digital to analog converter
Some examples relate to a digital to analog converter (DAC). The DAC includes a digital signal input configured to receive a multi-bit digital input signal, and an array of cells. Respective cells in the array comprise respective capacitors. The DAC also includes a control circuit configured to, based on the multi-bit digital input signal, selectively induce one or more corresponding capacitors to discharge current to an output terminal of the DAC.
US09184752B2 Low power digital fractional divider with glitchless output
A digital circuit that divides a high speed digital clock by a fractional value is described. The circuit utilizes a divider circuit and shifts the divider clock by a fraction of a phase to achieve the desired fractional division. A clock mux is used to perform the clock shift, and a masking mux is used to eliminate glitches during the clock shift.
US09184741B2 Switch apparatus and test apparatus
There is provided a semiconductor switch apparatus that can handle a wide range of input voltages. The switch apparatus includes a main switch that is provided between a first terminal and a second terminal, and a switch controller that, to turn on the main switch, supplies the same gate-source voltage to the main switch irrespective of a direction of a current flowing through the main switch. To turn on the main switch, the switch controller supplies the gate-source voltage that is determined based on at least one of a voltage of the first terminal and a voltage of the second terminal to a gate of the main switch.
US09184736B2 Current mode controlled power converter
A current mode controlled power converter controllable in a digitally processing current mode even during an on time. In the power converter, each control period based on a reference signal includes a slope calculation period in which a slope compensation signal for the control period is calculated by a slope compensation unit. During each slope calculation period, the slope compensation unit negates the slope compensation signal calculated previous to the control period including the slope calculation period, and a reset signal generation unit compares a current detection signal detected by a current detection unit with a current instruction set to an error signal generated by an error signal generation unit to generate a reset signal.
US09184732B2 Apparatus and method for generating vibration based on sound characteristics
A method and apparatus for generating vibration based on sound characteristics in a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes converting audio data into an audio signal upon generation of a sound play request; determining whether to generate vibration based on a sound volume of the audio signal; setting an actuator to be driven for the audio signal among at least two actuators based on frequency distribution characteristics of the audio signal if it is determined upon determining to generate the vibration; and driving the actuator being set for the audio signal when outputting the audio signal.
US09184729B2 Reconfigurable Nth-order filter
The reconfigurable Nth-order filter includes a CCII adopting active current division networks for implementing the proposed filter. This digitally programmable second generation current conveyor leads to wide control of filter coefficients for reconfiguration of the filter. Programmability characteristics are demonstrated through experimental results obtained from integrated circuit chips fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process.
US09184726B2 Piezoelectric vibrating strip, piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic device, and radio timepiece
A piezoelectric vibrating strip includes a pair of vibrating arm portions in parallel with a central axis therebetween, and a base portion integrally cantilevering base end portions of the pair of vibrating arm portions in a length direction. Each of the pair of vibrating arm portions has a first groove portion and a second groove portion in a main face, the first groove portion being placed closer to a leading end portion in the length direction of the vibrating arm portions and having a groove width along a width direction orthogonal to the length direction and a thickness direction of the vibrating arm portion. The second groove portion is closer to the base end portion than the first groove portion and has a groove width along the width direction. The groove width ratio of the second groove portion to the first groove portion is between 0.4 and 1.0.
US09184717B2 Power control device
The invention relates to a power control device for a power output stage. A forward signal corresponding to a wave advancing on a wall feed line and a return signal corresponding to a wave returning on the wave feed line is obtained by means of a directional coupler and is supplied to a controller after narrow-band selection for controlling the output of the power output stage. Narrow-band selection is not carried out in the baseband but on an intermediate frequency level above the baseband.
US09184716B2 Low noise amplifier and receiver
A low noise amplifier is disclosed. The low noise amplifier comprises a current mirror circuit, a bias circuit, a cascode amplifying circuit and a power gain compensating circuit. The current mirror circuit is used for providing a first current and third current. The bias circuit is used for receiving a first current and third current and outputting a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage according to the first current and third current. The cascode amplifying circuit respectively receives the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage, and accordingly to work at an operation bias point. The power gain compensating circuit is used for receiving a RF output signal and accordingly outputs a gain compensating signal to the current mirror circuit so as to dynamically adjust current value of the first current and third current and further to compensates power gain of the low noise amplifier in order to increase 1 dB gain compression point (P1 dB).
US09184699B2 Variable-size mixer for high gain range transmitter
Implementations of a high gain range transmitter with variable-size mixers are described.
US09184693B2 Supporting device for solar panel
The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic system and, more particularly, to a supporting device for a solar panel employed in a photovoltaic system. A supporting device for a solar panel includes a buoyant member including an upper body in which a plurality of protrusions are formed upwardly and first and second props are formed on the protrusions to prop a solar panel, respectively, and a lower body in which a wing part is formed to be protruded from the side thereof and a lower surface is formed to be protruded downwardly, and a connector formed to have a box shape and connecting the buoyant members in a vertical direction or horizontal direction, wherein the buoyant members are coupled to the connector as the wing parts are coupled to the connector.
US09184688B2 Inverter device and electric motor drive system
An inverter device according to an embodiment includes a constant power controller. The constant power controller computes and outputs, when a value of a voltage reference to an AC motor exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a d-axis current reference correction value on the basis of the value of the voltage reference and the predetermined threshold value. Moreover, the constant power controller generates the d-axis current reference correction value by using a constant power model determined by a torque reference or a speed reference and a supplied direct voltage at an output switching timing determined based on a winding switching signal and outputs the d-axis current reference correction value for a predetermined time.
US09184687B2 Motor control apparatus and motor control method
A motor control apparatus includes a calculator, a determinator, and a selector. The calculator calculates a zero vector current predicted to flow through a three-phase AC motor when an inverter operates in a first mode for applying no voltage to the motor. The determinator determines whether a difference between the zero vector current and a command current on a αβ stationary coordinate system falls within an allowable range. The selector selects the first mode as a switching mode of the inverter when the difference falls within the allowable range, and selects a second mode as the switching mode of the inverter upon determination that the difference falls outside the allowable range. The second mode corresponds to a non-zero current vector closest to the command current among six non-zero current vectors defined in fixed directions with respect to the zero vector current on the αβ stationary coordinate system.
US09184682B2 Control of a permanent-magnet electric machine
A method of controlling a permanent magnet synchronous machine including a stator and a rotor. The method includes determining an estimated position of the rotor, and determining a second in-phase voltage setpoint that, in alternation, is equal either to a first in-phase voltage setpoint or else to the first in-phase voltage setpoint plus a predetermined periodic signal. The determining an estimated position of the rotor includes determining a coupling term, determining a speed of rotation of the rotor as a function of the coupling term, and determining the estimated position of the rotor by integrating the speed of rotation of the rotor.
US09184679B2 Method for predicting the duration of a future time interval
A method for predicting a value for a length of a future time interval in which a physical variable changes is described, in which at least one measured value for the length of a past time interval and an instantaneously measured value for a length of an instantaneous time interval are taken into account, m values for lengths of past time intervals being added. A first value precedes the instantaneously measured value by k−1, and an mth value precedes the instantaneously measured value by k−m. The m added values are divided by a value for a length of a past time interval which precedes the instantaneously measured value by k. A ratio of the mentioned values is formed. For determining the value to be predicted, an average error is initially added to the instantaneously measured value, forming a sum. The formed ratio is subsequently applied to this sum.
US09184670B2 Power conversion device
A power conversion device comprises a main circuit section that has a semiconductor module with a switching element therein and including a main electrode terminal, a capacitor with a capacitor element therein and that includes a capacitor terminal, and a bus bar that connects the main electrode terminal and the capacitor terminal. The capacitor terminal extends from a capacitor main body including the capacitor element therein towards the main circuit section. The bus bar provides a bending section on a base end side of a connecting section between the bus bar and the capacitor terminal. The bus bar and the capacitor terminal are connected such as to overlap in a state in which respective tip directions match.
US09184667B2 Switching power converter with primary-side dynamic load detection and primary-side feedback and control
A switching power converter provides regulated voltage to a load. The switching power converter comprises a transformer including a first primary winding coupled to an input voltage, a second primary winding, a secondary winding coupled to an output of the switching power converter, and an auxiliary winding, a first switch coupled to the first primary winding, and a second switch coupled to the secondary primary winding. A controller generates a first control signal to turn the first switch on or off at a first switching frequency, and a second control signal to turn the second switch on or off at a second switching frequency that is higher than the first frequency. During off cycles of the switches, feedback voltage representing the output voltage of the power converter is generated across the auxiliary winding. The controller controls switching of the first switch to regulate the output voltage based on the feedback.
US09184661B2 Power conversion with controlled capacitance charging including attach state control
An electronic system includes a controller that actively controls a rate of charging and discharging of an energy storage capacitor to maintain compatibility with a dimmer. The controller actively controls charging of a capacitor circuit in a switching power converter to a first voltage level across the capacitor circuit. The controller further allows the capacitor to discharge to obtain a second voltage level across the capacitor circuit. The second voltage level is sufficient to draw a current through a phase-cut dimmer to prevent the dimmer from prematurely resetting. The first voltage is sufficient to allow the capacitor to discharge to the second voltage level during each cycle of the line voltage.
US09184659B2 Self-adaptive current-mode-control circuit for a switching regulator
A current-mode-control circuit for a switching regulator is provided. The circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a power supply voltage, a second transistor, and an inductor. The circuit further includes a slope compensation generation circuit coupled to the output of the current control circuit through a feedback loop, the slope compensation generation circuit generating a slope compensation current related to the output voltage, an inductor current sensing circuit coupled to the first transistor and the second transistor, and configured to calculate a current through the inductor and output a inductor sense current, and a pulse-width modulation control circuit coupled to the slope generation circuit and the inductor current sense circuit, the pulse-width modulation control circuit receiving the output of the current control circuit, the slope compensation current and the inductor sense current as inputs.
US09184650B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices
Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include at least one power source for selectively providing power to one or more power semiconductor devices controlled by a gate driver. The gate driver may include at least one controller coupled to at least one power semiconductor device interface via a first channel and a second channel configured to provide galvanic isolation of information communicated between the controller and the at least one power semiconductor device interface.
US09184649B2 Electrical machine with contra-rotating rotors
An electrical machine comprising: a first stator member (16) having a field magnet (22); a second stator member (18) forming an armature, the second stator member (18) being spaced from the first stator member (16); and a pair of contra-rotatable rotors (12a, 12b) disposed between the first and second stator members (16, 18); wherein at least a portion (14) of each of the rotors (12a, 12b) is magnetisable so as to transmit magnetic flux between the field magnet (22) and the armature.
US09184646B2 Starter machine system and method
Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine control system including an electronic control unit. The control system can include a starter machine that is in communication with the electronic control unit. The starter machine can comprise a solenoid assembly that includes at least one biasing members and a coil winding. The starter machine can also include a motor that is coupled to a pinion. The motor can include a field assembly and an armature assembly. The field assembly can include a support body and permanent magnets that are supported within the support body. A plurality of flux members can be disposed between the permanent magnets. A plurality of windings can be disposed around the flux members and can be coupled to a control circuit.
US09184643B2 Electric machine
Electric machine (10), in particular an alternating current generator, comprising a rotor (20) having a rotational axis (26), a stator (16) made of a stator iron (17) and a stator winding (18) inserted therein, said winding having conductor ends (228), which are interconnected with a rectifier device (139), a controller (231) for controlling an excitation current, and a cooling device in the rectifier device (139), comprising a first cooling body (53), which has at least one receptacle (66) on which a current rectifier (147) is received, and a second cooling body (117), wherein the cooling body (117) has at least one receptacle (120) on which a current rectifier (150) is received, an interconnection unit (144), which interconnects the current rectifiers (147, 150) into a bridge circuit, wherein the interconnection unit (144) comprises a plurality of integral guide sockets (225) in which conductor ends (228) of the stator winding (18) are received, wherein a guide socket (225) is disposed between the end shield (13.2) and the controller (231) in the direction of the rotational axis (26).
US09184636B2 Electric rotating machine
An electric rotating machine includes a stator having a plurality of stator teeth facing a rotor. The rotor has a plurality of pairs of permanent magnets. Permanent magnets of each pair are located in a “V” shape configuration and form a magnetic pole. Every other tooth of the plurality of stator teeth is a long stator teeth and an adjacent tooth is a short stator teeth. Adjusting recesses formed in the rotor are at symmetrical, about a d-axis of each magnetic pole, locations in a way that each of the adjusting recesses has a width made equal to a width of one of the stator teeth and their deepest levels are equidistant from a d-axis of the magnetic pole in one and the opposite circumferential directions angularly about the axis of the rotor by 56° in electrical degrees.