Document Document Title
US09387909B2 Mooring device for mooring a ship
Mooring device for mooring a ship and comprising a base, a movable arm construction supported by the base, and at least one magnet mounted in a frame, which frame is supported by the movable arm construction, and wherein for mooring the ship the at least one magnet is arranged to attract the ship's hull, wherein at or near the at least one magnet a force generating device is provided comprising a movable force exerting part for applying a force on the ship's hull in order to test whether the magnet attracting the ship's hull provides at least a required mooring force, and that means for measuring for measuring the distance between the at least one magnet and the ship's hull are provided that are connected or connectable to a detection device for detecting whether or not the magnet is loose from the ship's hull.
US09387907B2 Front body for snowmobile
A snowmobile includes a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, a pair of skis connected to the frame, and a front body including a nose cone, a pair of side panels, and a hood covering a front portion of the frame. The nose cone, the pair of side panels, and the hood are preferably made of plastic.
US09387905B2 Sprocket for bicycle
In a sprocket for a bicycle having a radial bearing acting as a bearing portion, an axial load acting on the bearing can be easily adjusted without having to dismount the components of the bicycle after the bicycle has been assembled; a spring washer is used as a component for an anti-rotation mechanism of an adjusting nut which serves to adjust the axial load of the radial bearing, so that an excessive load is not applied on the radial bearing to avoid a defective rotation, and the axial load acting on the radial bearing can be easily adjusted without having to dismount the components of the bicycle even after the bicycle has been assembled.
US09387903B2 Children balancing vehicle
A children's balancing vehicle comprising a front vehicle rack, a handle set, a rear fork, a seat tube and a fastening component. The front vehicle rack has a front fork. A front wheel is assembled below the front fork while a stand pipe is disposed thereon. A vehicle rack body is disposed at a rear of the stand pipe. The handle set is disposed onto the stand pipe. The rear fork has a plastic main body. A rear wheel is disposed below the rear fork. The seat tube passes between the vehicle rack body and the plastic main body of the rear fork. A seat cushion is disposed onto the seat tube. The fastening component passes through the vehicle rack body, the plastic main body of the rear fork and the seat tube so as to mutually assemble and fasten them. Assembly of the children's balancing vehicle can be completed by using simple fastening components.
US09387900B2 Scooter with rear swivel wheel
A personal mobility vehicle or scooter includes a least one swivel caster wheel supported at the rear of the scooter. The scooter has a body that includes a deck and a handlebar assembly. The scooter includes at least one front wheel with the deck extending between the at least one front wheel and the at least one swivel wheel. The scooter can also include an angled rear portion supporting a rear swivel caster wheel such that the pivot axis of the swivel wheel is inclined with respect to the top surface of the deck. Embodiments of the scooter also include a swivel braking assembly configured to apply a braking force to the at least one swivel wheel.
US09387899B1 Adjustable open-air vehicle windshield implement for forced air displacement
An add-on implement for an open-air vehicle windshield to allow for suitable protection and viewing therethrough while simultaneously forcing blown air over the driver's/rider's/passenger's sight line is provided. Such a device includes a wing that produces a venturi effect when placed a specific range of distances from the windshield's outer surface and having a certain height range relative to the windshield. The venturi action sends air over the top of the windshield as much as four inches higher than a normal open-air vehicle windshield, thereby allowing the driver, etc., the ability to see well over the windshield without the problem of turbulent air in his or her face or on top of his or her head. The device is adjustable to permit the driver on-demand modification of wind displacement height. An open-air vehicle (again, such as a motorcycle) including such a device is also encompassed herein.
US09387893B2 Sound suppressed idler wheel assembly
An idler wheel assembly for a mobile machine is disclosed. The idler wheel assembly may have an idler body defining a cavity between a hub portion and a rim portion. The idler wheel assembly may also have a sound suppression device. The sound suppression device may have a first side plate attached to the idler body and enclosing at least a portion of the cavity to form a closed space, and a second side plate attached to the idler body. The sound suppression device may further have a dampening member disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and dampening material positioned inside the closed space and in contact with a surface of an inner portion of the rim portion.
US09387888B2 Mud flap assembly having enlarged flap panels
Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably including a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
US09387880B2 Multi-axis caster angle control system of an extendable wheel assembly
A wheel assembly for vehicle includes a wheel, at least one lower suspension link and one upper part, the wheel being arranged to rotate at 360°, to steer the vehicle around a pivot line, a projection of the pivot line onto a vertical projection plane including a vertical axis passing through a contact point between the wheel and ground defining a caster angle (α) with the vertical axis. The wheel assembly includes a at least one screw arranged to adjust the caster angle (α) such that the position of the upper part is moveable relative to the vehicle along a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom.
US09387879B2 Electric power steering apparatus
An electric power steering apparatus includes an input shaft to which steering force from a steering wheel is applied, an output shaft to which assisting force generated by an electric motor is applied, and a torque detection sleeve. One of the input shaft and the output shaft includes a cylindrical portion having a female stopper portion and a circumferential groove. The other of the input shaft and the output shaft has a male stopper portion being in concave-convex engagement with the female stopper portion and relatively rotatable in a given angular range. An edge of a base end portion of the torque detection sleeve is clinched to the circumferential groove. The circumferential groove is provided on a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion radially overlapping a stopper engagement region in which the female stopper portion and the male stopper portion are engaged with each other.
US09387876B2 Steering control device and steering system
A steering system includes a steering angle detection unit that detects a steering angle of a steering wheel; a steering torque detection unit that detects a steering torque with respect to the steering wheel; an ECU that calculates a corrected steering angle by nonlinearly correcting the steering angle, a first steering parameter as the product of an angular velocity of the steering angle and the steering torque, a second steering parameter as the product of the corrected steering angle and a time differential value of the steering torque, and a target control amount based on the first steering parameter and the second steering parameter; and a steering support unit that applies a rotation torque to the steering wheel based on the target control amount.
US09387873B2 Power assist apparatus
A power assist apparatus includes an electric motor, a speed reducer, an annular torque sensor, a housing in which the speed reducer and the torque sensor are arranged, and an annular center aligning bracket. The housing includes a first housing element and a second housing element, and one of the first housing element and the second housing element is made of a synthetic resin. The center aligning bracket is fixed to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element by insert molding such that the center aligning bracket is concentric to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element. The first housing element and the second housing element are joined such that the first housing element and the second housing element are engaged with each other in an axial direction of the torque sensor via the center aligning bracket.
US09387869B1 Luggage with mechanically integrated trolley
A luggage unit, a trolley unit having stowed and non-stowed positions, and that, when in the non-stowed position, locks and unlocks such that the trolley unit is free to be raised and lowered when it is unlocked, the trolley unit being fastened to the luggage unit in both the stowed and the non-stowed positions, and including a locking mechanism for locking the trolley unit, an upper trolley body fastened to the luggage unit, a scissor lift mechanism fastened to the upper trolley body, that raises and lowers, a lower trolley body fastened to the lift mechanism, and guided rollers within the upper trolley body and within the lower trolley body, for raising and lowering the lift mechanism when the trolley unit is unlocked, and a release mechanism extending from the luggage unit to the trolley unit through a slit in the luggage unit, for unlocking the trolley unit.
US09387865B2 End member assemblies as well as gas spring assemblies and methods of manufacture including same
An end member assembly dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible spring member of an associated gas spring assembly. The end member assembly can include a base wall and a mounting wall disposed in axially-spaced relation to the base wall. A compliant support structure is disposed between the base and mounting walls. The compliant support structure includes at least one compliant element that includes a compliant element body and one or more reinforcing plies at least partially embedded within the compliant element body. Rigid elements can be disposed between adjacent compliant elements if two or more compliant elements are included. A gas spring assembly and a method of manufacture can include one or more of such end member assemblies.
US09387860B2 Driver behavior from probe data for augmenting a data model
In one implementation, sets of probe data are collected by probe vehicles. The probe data describes the driving characteristics of the probe vehicles. The sets of probe data are sent to a server or a mobile device for analysis. A polycurve, including a piecewise function of map data, is modified based on the probe data. The polycurve may be a spline curve for an advanced driver assistance system. The modified polycurve may be used in the advanced driver assistance system for a vehicle traveling along the same path previously traversed by the probe vehicles. Based on the polycurve modified by the probe data, a driver assistance feature is provided to the vehicle.
US09387859B2 Slip ratio estimation device and slip ratio estimation method
An acquisition part acquires the rotational speeds of a plurality of driving wheels of a moving vehicle, and normal reaction forces acting on the plurality of driving wheels. Subsequently, a friction coefficient information calculation part calculates friction coefficients relating to the plurality of driving wheels on the basis of torque command values for the plurality of driving wheels transmitted from a torque control part and the results of acquisition by the acquisition part. A slip ratio calculation part calculates the slip ratios of the plurality of driving wheels on the basis of the calculated friction coefficients, and the rotational speeds acquired by the acquisition part. Consequently, the slip ratios of the respective driving wheels are easily, rapidly, and accurately estimated.
US09387856B2 Point-of-sale vehicle parameter configuration
A computing device (e.g., a server computer hosted by a vehicle manufacturer or retailer) receives vehicle configuration information obtained via a user interface of a user device. The vehicle configuration information includes one or more user-adjustable settings. The computing device determines whether a conflict exists between the user-adjustable settings and a regulated vehicle parameter (e.g., a vehicle speed limit), which may be associated with greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicle. The computing device transmits feedback information to the user device. The feedback information may include a description of one or more conflicts between the user-adjustable settings and the regulated vehicle parameter, recommended adjustments to the settings, or the like. The recommended adjustments to the settings may, if accepted by a user, improve regulatory compliance for the vehicle, and may remove or reduce the degree of conflicts between the user-adjustable setting and the regulated vehicle parameter.
US09387853B2 Parking assist apparatus
A parking assist apparatus that causes a vehicle to be parked in a target parking position generates a traveling route of a vehicle M from a parking travel start position P0 to a target parking position P2 (S12); generates a plurality of speed patterns having different speeds when the vehicle travels on the traveling route (S14); selects a target speed pattern from the plurality of speed patterns based on information of an object around the traveling route (S18); and controls the traveling of the vehicle M based on the target speed pattern (S24).
US09387847B2 Front-and rear-wheel-drive vehicle
One embodiment provides a vehicle including: a first drive system configured to drive first wheels; and a second drive system configured to drive second wheels, wherein the first drive system includes: an electric motor; a motor controller; an engagement/disengagement unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side; an engagement/disengagement controller; and a one-way power transmission unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side in parallel to the engagement/disengagement unit, and configured, at least, to engage the both sides when a reverse-direction rotational power is inputted from the first wheels side to the electric motor side, wherein, when the vehicle reverses, a reverse driving force to reverse the vehicle is generated at least in the first drive system.
US09387843B2 Method and device for controlling the traction slip of driven wheels of a vehicle with the engine rotational speed as manipulated variable
A method for controlling the traction slip of driven wheels of a vehicle between the wheels and the carriageway, in the case of which a manipulated variable is calculated for a drive engine of the vehicle on the basis of a detection of the instantaneous wheel speed and the calculation of a desired wheel speed, the manipulated variable being formed by an upper limit value for the rotational speed of the drive engine, characterized in that the instantaneous transmission ratio is calculated on the basis of the instantaneous rotational speed of the drive engine and the instantaneous wheel speed, and the upper limit value for the rotational speed of the drive engine is calculated from the desired wheel speed and the instantaneous transmission ratio.
US09387842B2 Control method of electro-mechanical brake
Disclosed is a control method of an electro-mechanical brake, including: a first step of operating a brake to stop a vehicle and generating a target pressure value of the brake; a second step of calculating an electrical angle of a three-phase motor and preparing movement of the electrical angle when the vehicle stops; a third step of checking errors of requested current and pressure; a fourth step of setting a range of the electrical angle when the current and the pressure are normal; and a fifth step of forcibly moving an actual position of the electrical angle to an adjacent electrical angle.
US09387832B2 Supporting device having a mounting unit
A supporting assembly for semi-trailers includes a mounting unit configured to be arranged on a trailer component and a supporting device having an outer supporting tube and an inner supporting tube and extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the mounting unit is configured to fix the supporting device transversely to the longitudinal direction by a form fit and a force fit, wherein the mounting unit has an arrangement region comprising an outer contour of the supporting device about the longitudinal axis thereof such that the supporting device can be fixed in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner, and wherein an additional form-fit connection is provided between the supporting device and the mounting unit, which prevents a displacement of the supporting device and the mounting unit relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.
US09387823B2 Pedestrian air-bag for vehicle
A pedestrian air-bag for a vehicle may include a housing coupled to a lower end surface of a windshield side of a hood of the vehicle and having a cut line formed at an upper portion of a rear surface in the housing, and a hinge part formed at a lower portion, wherein the cut line and the hinge part forms an air-bag door, an air-bag module embedded in the housing, and a thermal damage preventing cover spaced apart from a lower portion of the housing, wherein the thermal damage preventing cover covers a lower surface and a front surface of the housing, and includes a rear end portion supporting the hinge part of the housing.
US09387821B1 Vehicle restraint systems and methods of use and manufacture thereof
Some embodiments are directed to an airbag lid defining a surface configured to cover a portion of an airbag prior to deployment. The airbag lid can be separated from a hinge side portion and a pillar side portion of an outer fringe by a seam that can tear and thereby separate the airbag lid from the hinge side portion and the pillar side portion of the outer fringe upon airbag deployment. The airbag lid includes a hinge portion disposed adjacent a hinge side edge of the airbag lid assembly, the hinge portion remaining attached to a window frame of a vehicle subsequent to airbag deployment. The hinge portion can include a hinge that is configured to enable the airbag lid to bend about the hinge, such that a portion of the airbag lid at an interior side of the hinge is maneuvered away from the structural pillar upon airbag deployment.
US09387806B2 Truck bed extender
The disclosure concerns a truck bed extender for use with a pickup truck. The truck bed extender is configurable in three states: (i) a first state provides for extending a size the enclosed truck bed, (ii) a second state provides a horizontal work surface, and (iii) a third state provides a collapsed storage about the tailgate portion of the pickup truck. Measuring gauges may be embedded or disposed on a surface of the truck bed extender. Additionally, a rectangular cover panel can be implemented for covering a gap disposed between a horizontal surface of the truck bed and the tailgate when extended outwardly.
US09387804B2 Image distortion compensating apparatus and operating method thereof
Disclosed is an image distortion compensating apparatus and an operating method thereof. The image distortion compensating apparatus includes an image composing unit, an edge detecting unit, a first straight line calculating unit, an intersection point calculating unit, a parking space generating unit, a parking space setting unit, and a second straight line calculating unit. The apparatus removes or deduces inconsistency that occurs at a boundary between images for channels in an AVM system.
US09387800B2 Lighting apparatus comprising a control device and aircraft comprising the lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus for an AC voltage supply is provided. A rectifier module of the apparatus converts an AC voltage from the AC voltage supply into a rectified supply voltage. A diode cascade of the apparatus has multiple diode cascade sections connected in series and each having an LED. Each diode cascade section has a connectable bypass device for bypassing the diode cascade section. The diode cascade section is in an illuminated state when the bypass device is deactivated and a dark state when the bypass device is activated. A current source module is provided for stabilizing the cascade current through the diode cascade to a setpoint value. At least one diode cascade section has a control device, which has a switching device for converting the detected illuminated state into a switching signal for reducing the setpoint value.
US09387799B2 Safety sign board system for automobile
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a safety sign board system attached to an inner surface of a trunk lid of an automobile comprises an upper case 20 having a space for receiving a safety sign board and attached to the inner surface of the trunk lid of the automobile, a support coupled with a front portion of the upper case via a hinge, and the safety sign board shaped as a triangle, having an upper plate and a lower plate attached to each other, and attached to the support via a bolt. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or lamps are formed on a surface of the upper plate.
US09387796B2 Headlight light distribution control device and method
Speed of a vehicle is acquired from a speed detecting device, and then a beam switching threshold, according to the acquired speed, of an irradiation direction of a headlight is initially set. When the number of appearance (i.e. frequency of appearance) of a light source in a predetermined time detected by a light source detection means have become the beam switching threshold or more, the headlight is switched to a low beam. When a predetermined time (beam switching prohibition time Tp) has been passed after the irradiation direction of a headlight was switched to the low beam, the irradiation direction of the headlight is switched to a high beam.
US09387795B2 Headlamp device for automobile
A headlamp device of a vehicle is configured as follows: A headlamp housing 30 is provided with a shock-absorbing portion 33 which protrudes from the rear wall of the headlamp housing 30 toward the rear of the vehicle, and whose longitudinal section is formed in a U-shape which opens toward the front of the vehicle. The shock-absorbing portion 33 is provided with a lamp mounting foot which protrudes from a posterior wall 33c of the shock-absorbing portion 33 toward the rear of the vehicle, and which has a leading end attached to a vehicle body 2.
US09387794B2 Vehicle lamp autocut apparatus and method
A vehicle lamp autocut apparatus and method are provided. The vehicle lamp autocut method includes acquiring, by a controller, current positional information of a vehicle when a power supply of the vehicle is turned off and detecting whether the vehicle is safe based on the current positional information. In addition, the controller is configured to detect whether a lamp within the vehicle is a turn on state when the vehicle is safe and whether a vehicle state satisfies a lamp turn off condition when the lamp is in the turn on state. The lamp is turned off when the vehicle state satisfies the lamp off condition, thereby preventing a battery of a vehicle from being discharged.
US09387792B2 Latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis
A latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis is provided. The latching system includes an actuation device disposed on an upper surface of the container chassis, a linkage mechanism disposed below the upper surface, and a connector positioned on a further surface elevated above the upper surface. Placement of the container on the container chassis actuates the actuation device causing the linkage mechanism to move the connector and automatically secure the container to the container chassis.
US09387791B2 Tension absorber
A tension absorber produced from a flexible strand which is only loadable under tension and which tension absorber possesses the advantages of a chain formed from strand material but can be easily and cost-effectively produced. The strand is folded into three or more loop sections. Proceeding from the beginning of the strand a succeeding loop section arranged offset in the direction of the end of the strand follows each preceding loop section arranged offset in the direction of the beginning, until the last loop section has been reached. Each loop section has a loop which encloses a loop opening. At least one bow is formed from the strand by guiding a succeeding loop section by its loop through the loop opening of a preceding loop section arranged adjacent to it.
US09387789B2 Apparatus, system and method for dovetail locking mechanisms
An apparatus, system and method for dovetail locking mechanisms are described herein. A system for locking the dovetail of a trailer in the travel position includes a sled for locking the dovetail of a trailer in the travel position, a railing on the underside of the trailer to accommodate the sled, wherein the sled is moveably attached to the railing such that the sled can slide into a loading position clear of the dovetail or a travel position at least partially beneath the dovetail, and means for actuating the sled to the loading position and travel position. A method for locking the dovetail of a trailer includes moving the dovetail of a trailer into the travel position and sliding a sled from a loading position underneath the trailer to a travel position at least partially underneath the dovetail of the trailer.
US09387783B2 Vehicle seat
Load imparted to a seat back frame is stably absorbed and efficiently absorbed. In a vehicle seat 10, a weak portion 48 is formed by a fixing plate (50). The weak portion (48) continuously extends from an edge portion of a fixing hole (44) in the relative movement direction with respect to a hinge base bracket (40) of a fastening bolt. Thus the weak portion (48) presses against the fastening bolt when the hinge base bracket (40) rotationally moves about the axial line of a support hole (42). Moreover, when the weak portion (48) plastically deforms, deformation so as to press the weak portion (48) wider is suppressed, such that the weak portion (48) is deformed so as to be squashed. Consequently, load imparted to a seatback frame (64) can be stably absorbed by the weak portion (48). Moreover, due to the weak portion (48) continuously plastically deforming when the weak portion (48) is plastically deformed by the fastening bolt, the load imparted by the weak portion (48) to the seatback frame (64) can be efficiently absorbed.
US09387764B2 Regenerative brake control system of electric vehicle
A regenerative brake control system of an electric motorcycle includes an electric motor, a regeneration adjustment lever, sensors which detect vehicle states, respectively, and a control unit which sets reference regenerative torque according to the vehicle state, and the control unit calculates target torque obtained by compensating the reference regenerative torque based on the detected value of a regeneration amount sensor which detects the operation amount of a regeneration adjustment lever and controls the electric motor such that the electric motor generates regenerative torque.
US09387759B2 Flow divider free wheeling valve
A main valve and method assembling for use on a machine is disclosed. The main valve may comprise a body, a free wheeling valve, a bypass valve, a flow divider valve, a free wheeling pilot valve, and a flow divider bypass pilot control valve. Each valve may be disposed inside the body. The body may define a plurality of ports and channels between the valves. The free wheeling valve may be operable between a free wheeling mode and a drive assist mode. The bypass valve may have a flow dividing mode that permits fluid communication between the free wheeling valve and the flow divider valve, and a bypass mode that permits fluid communication between the free wheeling valve and first and second bypass channels.
US09387758B2 In-wheel motor with brake
The invention relates to wheel for a vehicle comprising, inside the wheel: a housing having a first side for mounting to a vehicle, an electrical motor for driving movement of said vehicle, said electrical motor comprising a stator rotation-fixedly connected to said housing and a rotor rotationally coupled to said stator and having an axis of rotation, said stator being arranged within said rotor, and a brake drum, forming an integral piece of equipment with the rotor. The invention further relates to a vehicle provided with such a wheel and a method and an adapter plate for mounting such a wheel to a vehicle, and to such a wheel having a rim system in which the rim forms an integral part with said rotor and with a brake drum of the brake system, i.e. forming one integral price of equipment.
US09387749B2 Sunroof apparatus
A sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel that can open or close an opening formed in a roof of a vehicle; a deflector disposed along a front edge portion of the opening, and having arm portions extending rearward from both end portions of the deflector in a lateral direction, rear end portions of the arm portions being connected to the roof such that the deflector is turnable, and a biasing force is applied to the arm portions in a turning direction in which front ends pivotally move upward; guide rails disposed in both end portions of the opening in the lateral direction, and extending in a longitudinal direction; driving shoes provided to be able to move along the guide rails in the longitudinal direction; and support brackets, front end portions of which are supported by the guide rails.
US09387746B2 Door system, kit for door system, and canopy with storage space
A door system, kit, and canopy for a vehicle. The door system includes a door 1 formed by a door frame and a skin extending over the door frame. A connection element is couplable to the door 1 to removably attach door 1 to a frame of the vehicle. Door 1 is dimensioned so that, when removed from the vehicle frame, door 1 is stowable one of under and within a canopy of the vehicle.
US09387744B2 Window with encapsulated profiled joint and insert attached to the joint, attachment element of the insert for the window and window manufacturing method
The present invention relates to a window (1) including a glazing element (2), at least one profiled joint portion (3), at least one insert (4) such as a trim element, and at least one attachment element (5) for attaching said insert (4) to said profiled joint portion (3), said insert (4) having an inside face (41) with retaining flanges (40, 40′), and said attachment element (5) having a base (50), a head (52) and a body (51) arranged between this base and this head.
US09387740B2 Rear wheel suspension device
A rear wheel suspension device includes a knuckle configured to support a rear wheel, a trailing arm and upper arm and lower arm configured to link the knuckle to a vehicle body, and an actuator configured to drive the knuckle in the general width direction of the vehicle, so as to adjust the rear wheel camber angle and toe angle. The knuckle is linked to the suspension arms via linking portion enabling turning of the knuckle in a direction of changing the rear wheel camber angle and toe angle. A turning axis defined by the linking portion is tilted with respect to longitudinal direction of the vehicle such that the front portion thereof in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is tilted outward in plan view, and is tilted upward in side view.
US09387739B2 Adjustable device for supporting hitch mounted accessories
A hitch device support assembly for securing hitch mounted accessories to a surface for storage or use when not attached to a vehicle hitch. One or more hitch accessory receivers are attached to a support strut by a pin. The pin may be a locking pin for security. The support strut mounts to any surface, preferably a wall or a work bench leg. The position of the hitch accessory receiver assembly relative to the support strut is adjustable by attachment of the hitch accessory receiver assembly through specific holes in the support strut. The hitch accessory receiver assembly can pivot with respect to the support strut. Hitch devices are secured to the hitch accessory receiver assembly by a pin or bolt, which may be a locking pin if security is required.
US09387738B2 Attachment for air valve
An air valve connecting device or attachment includes a housing having a tilted inner peripheral surface, a sliding member slidably engaged in the housing and having a pathway for receiving a pressurized air, a gripping device having two casing members slidably engaged with the tilted inner peripheral surface of the housing and having a passage formed in the casing members, and an inflation valve engageable into the passage of the casing members for moving the casing members into the housing and for allowing the casing members to be forced toward each other with the tilted inner peripheral surface of the housing and in order to grasp the inflation valve with the casing members.
US09387733B2 Method and device for locating the installation position of vehicle wheels in a motor vehicle
A method locates an installation position of vehicles wheels in a motor vehicle having at least one vehicle wheel containing a wheel electronics unit. The method includes: determining from the wheel electronics unit a first rotational angle position of the vehicle wheel associated with the wheel electronics unit; transmitting a transmission signal with a first piece of rotational angle information dependent on the determined first rotational angle position; determining from the vehicle second rotational angle positions of the vehicle wheels, and depending thereon, providing second rotational angle information. The first rotational angle information is compared with the second rotational angle information. The installation position of the vehicle wheel associated with the wheel electronics unit is determined depending on the comparison. A device is provided for performing the method.
US09387732B1 Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) activation method
A method for initiating and verifying operation of one or more tire pressure sensors is described. The process can be performed after installation of the sensors in vehicle wheels.
US09387728B2 Tire tread having a plurality of wear layers
Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread having two or more wear layers comprising an outer wear layer and one or more inner wear layers arranged within the thickness of the tread below the outer wear layer. One or more outer grooves are arranged within the outer wear layer, while one or more inner grooves arranged within at least one of the one or more inner wear layers. The tread further includes a volumetric void ratio equal to approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in a worn condition where the outer, ground-engaging side is arranged along one of the inner wear layers in the worn condition, the tread further having a contact surface ratio equal to approximately 0.66-0.72 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.56-0.66 in the worn condition.
US09387727B2 Hybrid steel-textile reinforcement ply for radial tires
The present invention relates to a hybrid steel-textile reinforcement ply for tires comprising at least one continuous steel cord (2), and at least one textile yarn (3), wherein the continuous steel cord (2) is weft inserted in the textile yarn (3) essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the weft direction and wherein the steel cord (2) in the reinforcement ply (1) has continuous edges (4) as well as to a method for producing such a reinforcement ply.
US09387726B2 Airless tire
The present invention relates to an airless tire, and includes first and second bands that face each other with a distance interposed therebetween, a plurality of spokes that connect the first band to the second band and are provided at intervals, and first and second connecting members that connect the adjacent spokes. The spoke includes a first member of which one end is curved from the first band toward the second band, and a second member of which one end is curved from the second band toward the first band. The other ends of the first and second members are connected to each other, and the first and second members are curved in opposite directions.
US09387724B2 Tire
The present invention aims to provide a tire having improved abrasion resistance and appearance, as well as reduced rolling resistance and therefore improved fuel economy. The present invention relates to a tire including a tread, the tread containing 0.9 to 1.5% by mass of a wax, 0.9 to 1.5% by mass of an amine antioxidant, 0.3 to 1.0% by mass of a quinoline antioxidant, and a tread rubber component containing 3% by mass or more of a polybutadiene rubber, the tread having a rubber thickness between a tread groove bottom and an outermost belt-reinforcing layer of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
US09387723B2 Swivel lock for a caster
A caster comprises a body including a stem cavity with a stem of the caster rotatably mounted in the stem cavity to permit rotation of the stem relative to the body about a stem access. The stem may comprise a spline shaft extending from the stem into the stem cavity. The stem and spline shaft are operatively connected. The stem cavity may have a spline bushing. The spline bushing and the body are operatively connected to each other. The spline shaft and the spline bushing are releasbeably interlockable. One of the spline bushing and the spline shaft may be movable in a direction along the stem axis between the swivel position wherein the spline shaft is not engaged with the spline bushing, and a fixed position wherein the spline shaft is engaged with the spline bushing.
US09387722B2 Wheel oil supply device and wheel driving device
A wheel oil supply device assigned to a wheel of a vehicle includes an oil supply pathway for supplying oil to a hub bearing, which rotatably supports a hub connected to a disk wheel of the wheel, an oil seal which is interposed between the hub bearing and a region outside of the hub bearing to seal the oil supplied to the hub bearing through the oil supply pathway, and an oil guiding pathway for guiding the oil which has leaked from the hub bearing to the region outside of the hub bearing through the oil seal, to an oil reservoir which is a predetermined discharge region.
US09387711B2 Image recording apparatus and method
In an image recording method of an image recording apparatus provided with an inspection unit which inspects the presence/absence of abnormality in each recording element of a print head at regular intervals, the recording element determined to have abnormality by inspection in the inspection unit is disabled during a determination period set in advance. If the disabled recording element is determined to have no abnormality by inspection immediately after the recording element is disabled, recovers the recording element to be enabled. If the disabled recording element is determined to have abnormality again by inspection within a prescribed frequency N from inspection immediately after the recording element is disabled, the recording element is continuously disabled during the determination period. In cases where the recording element is disabled, the use of the disabled recording element is prohibited, image defect due to the use-prohibited recording element is complemented, and an image is recorded.
US09387710B2 Inkjet printer with fan and port selectively blowing outside or recirculated air
Provided is a printer with a blower that is capable of easier maintenance than a conventional printer. In order for this, the printer comprising an access cover and a blower unit, when the access cover is in a closed state, the blower unit blows airflow on a sheet where ink has been applied, when the access cover is in an opened state, the part of the blower unit is/are open together with the access cover to be exposed.
US09387709B2 Gas enclosure assembly and system and related printing maintenance methods
The present teachings relate to various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system that can be readily transportable and assemblable and provide for maintaining a minimum inert gas volume and maximal access to various devices and apparatuses enclosed therein. Various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system of the present teachings can have a gas enclosure assembly constructed in a fashion that minimizes the internal volume of a gas enclosure assembly, and at the same time optimizes the working space to accommodate a variety of footprints of various OLED printing systems. Various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly so constructed additionally provide ready access to the interior of a gas enclosure assembly from the exterior during processing and readily access to the interior for maintenance, while minimizing downtime.
US09387693B2 Two-sided receipt printing method, two-sided receipt printing device, and recording medium storing a program executed by a control unit that controls a two-sided receipt printing device
A two-sided receipt printing method that prints on both sides of paper and produces receipts, and can reduce white space at the leading end of receipts without conveying the paper in reverse. A device that produces two-sided receipts has a cutter, a first printhead that prints on one side of the paper, and a second printhead that prints on the other side of the paper disposed at specific intervals along the paper conveyance path from the paper exit. When an end-of-transaction declaration is received, transaction information is printed by the second printhead and non-transaction information is printed by the first printhead. After printing the transaction information, header information of a length that fits between the cutter and the second print data is printed by the second printhead. The cutter then cuts the paper at a position between where the transaction information was printed and where the header information was printed.
US09387690B2 Image forming apparatus for performing radiation reducing background exposure processing
An image forming apparatus includes a signal generation unit configured to generate a light-emission signal. The signal generation unit stores information relating to a toner non-adherent area oriented light-emission pattern having been set beforehand. The toner non-adherent area oriented light-emission pattern is a light-emission pattern that causes a light irradiation unit to emit light in such a way as to prevent toner particles from adhering to a photosensitive member. When the light irradiation unit scans respective portions corresponding to two pixels adjacently disposed in a scanning direction a based on a part of the light-emission signal generated based on the toner non-adherent area oriented light-emission pattern, at least one of (a) light-emission start timing of light irradiation unit and (b) light-emission termination timing of the light irradiation unit is differentiated between the two pixels.
US09387687B2 Image forming device and image forming method
An image forming device and method are provided which reduce erroneous detection of a border between transfer material areas when forming a new image by using unused portions of partially used transfer material areas. The image forming device forms an image having a first size or a second size which is one-half of the first size or smaller on a recording medium by transferring transfer materials respectively for transfer material areas, while feeding a strip-shaped transfer medium on which the transfer material areas each having the first size and respectively corresponding to the transfer materials are repeatedly arranged in a predetermined sequence in the longitudinal direction thereof. The transfer medium is fed in a forward direction until an unused portion of a subsequent transfer material area adjacent to a used portion of a transfer material area reaches the detection position and thereafter fed in the reverse direction, so that the border between the used and unused portions is detected from the unused portion side, when a second-size image is newly formed by using unused portions in the respective transfer material areas having been used to form a second-size image.
US09387685B2 Image formation device, method, program, and formed image
There are provided an image formation device, an image formation method, a program, and an image forming product capable of preventing noise and granularity of an image from deteriorating even when dots with a plurality of dot sizes are arranged to be aggregated. When a continuous tone image signal is a signal which indicates a tint image, at least one of dot aggregation portions 16, 18, 68, and 72 is formed through arrangement for aggregation of dots 14 (dots 14L and 14S) with two or more dot sizes, on a part of dot images 10, 12, 66, and 70 which are indicated by dot image signals. In addition, the dot aggregation portions 16, 18, 68, and 72 are formed through arrangement for non-aggregation of the dots 14 (dots 14L) with at least one dot size.
US09387678B2 Liquid droplet injection apparatus and method for recovering nozzle of liquid droplet injection apparatus
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus including a head 1 in which a plurality of ink chambers 11 are aligned in one or both of an X direction and a Y direction, liquid droplets are ejected from nozzles 12, and printing is carried out in a print region of a recording medium based on print data, wherein the ink contains a dispersion medium and solid particles having higher specific gravity than that of the dispersion medium, and the liquid droplet ejection apparatus includes a flushing device that performs a flushing operation when the head 1 is present in a non-print region in such a manner that an amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle 11b placed at an end portion in an alignment direction becomes larger than an amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle 11a placed in a central portion in the alignment direction.
US09387647B2 Electronic device and dust cover thereof
An electronic device includes a case having an opening, an electronic circuit and a dust cover. The electronic circuit is disposed in the case and includes a circuit board, a switch, and an expansion card slot. The switch and the expansion card slot are electrically connected at the circuit board. The opening exposes the switch and the expansion card slot. The expansion card slot includes an electrical connector used for electrical connection with an expansion card. The dust cover is detachably disposed at the opening. The dust cover includes a cap portion, a press portion and an elastic portion. The cap portion closes the opening. The press portion faces the switch. The elastic portion is respectively connected to the cap portion and the press portion, so the press portion is capable of moving relative to the cap portion and hence has a trigger position and a release position.
US09387629B2 Composite hat stiffener, composite hat-stiffened pressure webs, and methods of making the same
There is provided a method of making a composite hat stiffener. The method has the steps of curing a composite hat stiffener in a hat tool to form a pre-cured composite hat stiffener. The pre-cured composite hat stiffener has a composite hat section, a plurality of composite stiffening plies with a body ply, a wrap ply, and a base ply, all coupled to the composite hat section, wherein the body ply is coupled to a first side of the composite hat section, the wrap ply is coupled to the body ply, and the base ply is coupled to the body ply and the wrap ply, a pair of radius filler noodles coupled to the composite hat section and disposed between the plurality of composite stiffening plies, and an outer ply coupled to the composite hat section. The method further includes bonding the pre-cured composite hat stiffener to a structure surface.
US09387624B2 Medicine packing apparatus
A device for individually packaging medication comprises: a conveyance member for conveying a long packaging sheet, the packaging sheet being folded in two along the longitudinal direction thereof with a fold line disposed on the lower side; and a sealing member for sealing the packaging sheet. The sealing member is configured by integrating longitudinal and lateral sealing units. The longitudinal sealing unit being adapted to seal the edge of the packaging sheet, located on an opposite side of the fold line, and the lateral sealing unit being adapted to seal the packaging sheet at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. The device further comprises: a support member for supporting the sealing member; and a control unit causing the sealing member to rotate idle while separating the longitudinal sealing unit from the packaging sheet and thereafter causing the longitudinal sealing unit to come into contact again with the packaging sheet.
US09387608B2 Thermosetting resin composition for light reflection, method for manufacturing the resin composition and optical semiconductor element mounting substrate and optical semiconductor device using the resin composition
This invention provides a heat curable resin composition for light reflection, which, after curing, can realize high reflectance in a range of visible light to near ultraviolet light, has excellent heat deterioration resistance and tablet moldability, and is less likely to cause burrs during transfer molding, and a process for producing the resin composition, and an optical semiconductor element mounting substrate and an optical semiconductor device using the resin composition. The heat curable resin composition for light reflection comprises a heat curable component and a white pigment and is characterized in that the length of burrs caused upon transfer molding under conditions of molding temperature 100° C. to 200° C., molding pressure not more than 20 MPa, and molding time 60 to 120 sec is not more than 5 mm and the light reflectance after heat curing at a wavelength of 350 nm to 800 nm is not less than 80%. The resin composition can be used for constructing the optical semiconductor element mounting substrate and the optical semiconductor device.
US09387605B2 Method for producing reinforcement elements from fibre-reinforced plastic
A method for manufacturing a reinforcing member (2) consisting of fiber-reinforced plastic for mineral construction materials, in particular for concrete. In the method, curing the composite fiber rod (1) takes place in at least three stages (7, 16, 25) sequencing one after another, wherein after the first stage of curing (7) at least one radiation-reflecting and/or thermally-insulating covering agent (15) is applied onto the pre-cured composite fiber rod (1), wherein a second stage of curing (16) of the composite fiber rod (1), together with the covering agent(s) (15) applied is executed, in which the composite fiber rod (1) is further cured in the regions (14) not covered by the covering agents (15) by the supply of heat and/or radiation, and wherein the deformation (23) of the composite fiber rod (1) is executed between the second stage of curing (16) and the final stage of curing (25).
US09387601B2 Adjustable width, thin blade, micro-trenching cutting machine
An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for cutting materials such as concrete. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly, and a pair of blades that are mounted at an end of the mounting assembly. Various types of driving assemblies can be provided to supply the force necessary to rotate the two blades. The distance between the blades can also be varied in order to adjust the width of the cut.
US09387600B1 Method of preparing a mold to form an article and method of forming the article with the mold
A method of preparing a mold to form an article is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a quantity of fluid including lightweight oil, submerging the mold in the quantity of fluid such that the fluid at least partially enters internal cavities of the mold, and filling asperities defined in walls of the mold. The filling includes creating a negative pressure in the mold while submerged in the quantity of fluid, and removing substantially all air from the internal cavities.
US09387592B2 Gas-pressure type gravity compensation elevator
There is provided a gas-pressure type gravity compensation elevator for ascending/descending a load object, which includes a control part. The control part is adapted to selectively connect a constant-pressure gas cylinder maintained at a constant pressure according to the grasping state, to a gas cylinder for exerting a driving force in the direction of ascent on an elevating mechanism. Further, the control part is adapted to control a sum of a volumes in the gas cylinder and the constant-pressure gas cylinder such that it equals to a sum of their average volumes, every time the grasping state is changed.
US09387586B2 Robot transmission with a pressure compensation device
The invention relates to a robot transmission (1) for a multi-axis robot, in particular for a painting robot or a hand-held robot of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Said transmission comprises a transmission housing (6) which is filled, when in operation, at least partially with a lubricant according to an operationally-dependent lubricant pressure, in order to lubricate the robot transmission (1), and has a construction-defined maximum pressure for the lubrication pressure. The transmission housing (6) is not air-tight if the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) exceeds the maximum pressure. According to the invention, the robot transmission also comprises a pressure compensation device (7) which compensates the pressure in the transmission housing (6) and thus prevents the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) from exceeding the maximum pressure.
US09387560B2 Operation apparatus and control method
An operation apparatus of this invention includes a main pallet and a sub pallet detachable from the main pallet, and can convey a work and a part. The operation apparatus includes a lifting mechanism disconnecting, from the main pallet, the work placed on the main pallet and lift/lower the work; a moving mechanism detaching, from the main pallet, the sub pallet attached to the main pallet and lift/lower the sub pallet; a rotation mechanism holding the work lifted to a work operation region by the lifting mechanism; and an operation unit extracting the part from the sub pallet lifted to a part preparation region by the moving mechanism and assembling the part to the work.
US09387558B2 Rigging table for assembling trusses and method of use thereof
A rigging table and system for assembling trusses using a rigging table. An embodiment of a rigging table includes a base having a generally longitudinal axis and a generally lateral extent, and at least two bunk assemblies moveable along the base in at least the generally longitudinal axis such that each bunk assembly is capable of being positioned on the base relative to another bunk assembly. Each bunk assembly may include a frame extending along the lateral extent of the base, a pair of guides slidably positioned on the frame to move generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base toward and away from each other and able to be fastened in position on the frame, and a pair of automated clamp members each positioned relative to and moveable with one of the guides on the frame, to accommodate assembly of different sized trusses.
US09387557B2 Riveting method and apparatus
A method of riveting comprising using a punch to push a rivet through a workpiece such that a shank of the rivet is received in a die defined by a die body which is in contact with the workpiece, a slug of material being removed from the workpiece by the rivet and being received in the die, the method further comprising closing or substantially closing the die using a rod and using the rod to upset the shank of the rivet.
US09387551B2 Method, system, and computer program product for simulating friction stir welding
A method for simulating friction stir welding is provided. The method may include restraining first and second parts in a fixture. The method may also include axially forcing a non-rotating friction stir welding tool against a joint between the parts. Thereafter one or more resultant parameters may be measured, such as displacement of the first part, the second parts, and/or the fixture. The resultant parameters may also include the force applied to the first part, the second parts, and/or the fixture. Thereby, movement of the parts and fixture that may occur during friction stir welding may be simulated without actually completing a welding operation. A related system and computer program product are also provided.
US09387546B2 Milling tool
A milling tool for hobbing a workpiece. The milling tool includes a cylindrical tool body having a rotation axis and a plurality of disc-shaped segments. Each of the segments including a hub part and a peripheral cam having a plurality of tangentially spaced-apart milling inserts. Each segment has a through hole situated on the rotation axis. Each of the holes is directed in relation to each other such that a central duct is formed in the cylindrical tool body. Bordering segments are detachably torsionally rigidly interconnected The milling tool also includes a first end piece, which on one side is detachably and torsionally rigidly interconnected with a first one of the segments and which on the other side has coupling members for torsionally rigid coupling to a source of torque, such that all torque from the source is supplied to the cylindrical tool body via the first end piece.
US09387545B2 Honing method with centering of a workpiece on a rolling verification station
A method for honing a workpiece includes moving the workpiece onto an intermediate retention member which is rotatable about a vertical workpiece axis. Then, the workpiece is brought into a rolling engagement with a teaching wheel. An angular transfer position of the workpiece is established by the rotary sensor of the teaching wheel retention member. Next, the workpiece is transferred from the intermediate retention member onto a workpiece spindle, where the workpiece is retained onto the workpiece spindle. Then, the workpiece goes through a honing process by bringing the workpiece into a synchronized rolling engagement with a honing tool by utilizing the angular transfer position of the workpiece, thereby eliminating a separate centering step of the workpiece.
US09387544B2 Smilled spline apparatus and smilling process for manufacturing the smilled spline apparatus
A spline connection apparatus includes a male spline apparatus and a female collar apparatus coupled together. The male spline apparatus includes an external spline and a plurality of first tooth spaces having spline relief portions for tool clearance extending angularly and conically into a shoulder portion and base portion of the male spline apparatus. The female collar apparatus includes and internal spline and a plurality of second tooth spaces having an internal spline relief portion for tool clearance extending angularly and conically into the counterbore engagement surface of the female collar apparatus. The external teeth of the external spline and the internal teeth of the internal are equal in length. The effective face width of the engagement is equal to the length of the external and internal teeth.
US09387542B2 Integrated clamping system for machine tools
An integrated clamping system for a machine tool includes a male locating taper and a tool holder integrally formed therewith and extending therefrom. The male locating taper is configured to be received by a female tapered holding fixture of the machine tool. The tool holder has an axial bore for slidably receiving a machining tool. The male locating taper is also provided with a circumferential groove for receiving cam lobes of a locking cam nut to secure the machining tool to the machine.
US09387541B2 Dual-motor drilling machine with controlled feed speed
A controlled feed speed drilling machine includes an output shaft for driving a cutting tool in motion. The output shaft is connected to first and second motors by a transmission, which includes a rotationally driving ring and a tapped drive nut. The driving ring is rotatable along the longitudinal axis of the output shaft via the transmission and the first motor. The output shaft is rotationally linked to the driving ring and is mobile in translation relative to the driving ring along the longitudinal axis via the transmission and the second motor. The tapped drive nut rotates along the longitudinal axis relative to the output shaft via the transmission and the first motor. The translation speed VT of the output shaft along its longitudinal axis is equal to the product of the rotation frequency FR of the second motor and a constant k according to VT=k. FR.
US09387538B2 Tool holder for machine tool, machine tool assembly, and methods
A tool holder and method for a machine tool includes a rear facing fluid port that will flush the next tool loaded in a gang style tool block while also allowing the fluid, such as coolant, to flow to the tool that is engaged with the workpiece.
US09387537B2 Wedge clamp with fluid port
A wedge clamp includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and a fluid port traversing from the front wall to the rear wall. The fluid port has a front opening and a rear opening to allow cooling fluid to pass therethrough. In one embodiment, the front opening is a rounded isosceles trapezoid in shape with a pair of parallel substantially planar side walls of different length and a pair of arcuate side walls connecting the pair of planar side walls. The rear opening has a greater surface area proximate the rear wall and a smaller surface area proximate the front opening, resulting in a funnel-shaped opening to cause an increase in velocity of the cooling fluid passing through the fluid port.
US09387534B2 Control arm and a method for forming the same
A method for forming a control arm is provided. The method includes providing an insert and a mold and also includes overcasting the insert within a metal in the mold. The insert defines a recess that is shaped for receiving a mating component. After the insert is overcast within the metal, the mating component may be positioned or mounted within the recess of the insert. A related control arm is also provided.
US09387532B2 Composite substrate for LED light emitting element, method of production of same, and LED light emitting element
A substrate for an LED light emitting element having a small difference of linear thermal expansion coefficient with the III-V semiconductor crystal constituting an LED, having an excellent thermal conductivity, and suitable for high output LEDs. A porous body comprises one or more materials selected from silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, diamond, graphite, yttrium oxide, and magnesium oxide and has a porosity that is 10 to 50 volume % and a three-point bending strength that is 50 MPa or more. The porous body is infiltrated, by means of liquid metal forging, with aluminum alloy or pure aluminum at an infiltration pressure of 30 MPa or more, cut and/or ground to a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm and to a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.01 to 0.5 μm, then is formed with a metal layer comprising one or more elements selected from Ni, Co, Pd, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt and Sn on its surface to a thickness of 0.5 to 15 μm, so as to thereby produce the composite substrate for the LED light emitting element.
US09387530B2 Toolpack for vertical bodymaker
A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
US09387506B2 Process for preparing a ceramic body having a surface roughness
A process for preparing a ceramic body having a surface roughness, said process comprising the step of depositing particles of a ceramic material on the surface of a ceramic basic body. The process is characterized in that separate agglomerates comprising at least two particles and a binder binding the particles together are deposited on the surface of the basic body by projecting the agglomerates towards the basic body.
US09387499B2 Variable flow concentration product dispenser
The dispenser comprises an eductor for the drawing of a concentrate fluid from a liquid reservoir container into an input carrier fluid by means of the flow of the other fluid utilizing a venturi effect. In this dispenser the concentration of the concentrate fluid in the input fluid can be varied to differing preset amounts. The dispenser contains an elongated channel having an input for the input fluid and dispensing nozzle at an exit end for dispensing the chemical concentrate fluid in a diluted form. There is a transverse intersecting channel intermediate the input end and the exit end. The transverse intersecting channel has an insert that is moveable in the intersecting channel, apertures of the moveable insert being alignable with apertures in the transverse intersecting channel and the liquid reservoir container holding the concentrate fluid. One aperture is in alignment with the elongated channel and another aperture in alignment with a channel from the liquid reservoir container. The channels from the liquid reservoir container will have a plurality of various sized apertures to provide for the flow of differing amounts of chemical concentrate fluid into the input fluid at a given input fluid flow rate. This results in a product stream of the input fluid diluted to a set concentration. By adjusting the moveable insert in the transverse intersecting channel and/or the input fluid flow rate the concentration of the chemical concentrate in the product fluid is changed.
US09387494B2 Sprinkler with multi-functional, side-load nozzle insert with ball-type valve
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage, a bearing housing in a side wall of the sprinkler body, and a nozzle insert received in an access opening formed in the side wall of the sprinkler body substantially opposite the bearing housing. The nozzle insert includes an insert body having a bearing portion received in the bearing housing, a ball-valve portion connected to the bearing portion and provided with a nozzle bore having an inlet and an outlet orifice, and a lock/release portion connected to the ball-valve portion, the lock/release portion including plural, flexible spring arms extending away from the ball-valve portion. The nozzle insert is rotatable to plural operating positions by manipulation of the spring arms.
US09387493B2 Showerhead with touch based multimodal rechargeable battery operation
A showerhead for personal hygiene is provided that includes a valve actuator that is powered mechanically or electrically to provide variation in spray pattern, variation in water flow, or a combination thereof upon a user initiating valve actuator operation. A power supply, with a recharge capability for the power source, is provided of a battery-electric motor or a spring, the power supply is in mechanical communication with the actuator. A user interface includes buttons corresponding to different multimodal operational programs for the showerhead. A user programmable keypad allowing selection between different spray modes, flow rates and a combination thereof is provided within an integral showerhead housing or a remote control. A user is able to change modes without intervening manual manipulation between modes; as a result an enhanced massage experience is provided. A timed shower period, reduced water flow patterns, or a combination thereof is also provided to save water.
US09387491B2 Centrifugal separator having a valve body provided in an outlet channel
A centrifugal separator includes a centrifuge rotor mounted to a spindle and includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space. Peripheral ports extend from the separation space through the rotor casing. A valve slide is movable between a closed position closing the peripheral ports and an open position opening the peripheral ports. A closing chamber is provided between the valve slide and the rotor casing. An inlet channel supplies hydraulic medium to the closing chamber to hold the valve slide in the closed position. An outlet passage permits an outlet flow of the hydraulic medium for moving the valve slide to the open position. The outlet passage includes outlet channels extending though the rotor casing. A valve body is provided in each outlet channel and is axially movable from a closing position to an opening position against the direction of the outlet flow.
US09387487B2 Erosion-resistant conductive composite material collecting electrode for WESP
A collecting electrode for use in wet electrostatic precipitators, the collecting electrode being fabricated from an electrically-conductive, corrosion resistant and temperature and spark resistant composite material comprising carbon fiber and thermosetting resin so as to pro\ the collecting electrode with an improved arc resistance, as dictated by erosion density and direction, by controlling the weave pattern and/or fabric thickness of the carbon fibers.
US09387485B2 Magnetic separation of particles including one-step-conditioning of a pulp
The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one magnetic particle, or contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one magnetic particle and at least one surface-modifying substance at the same time, contacting of the mixture from step (A) with at least one surface-modifying substance, if this has not been done in step (A), so that the at least one first material, the at least one surface-modifying substance and the at least one magnetic particle become attached to one another, and separation of the addition product by application of a magnetic field.
US09387484B2 Magnetic sample purification
A method and apparatus for extracting magnetic particles from a sample includes placing the sample near a liquid carrier, which is immiscible with it, in a configuration stable under the influence of gravity. The magnetic particles are moved by a magnetic field from the sample and into the carrier. The magnetic particles are non-wetting with respect to the carrier and will therefore form agglomerates in the carrier.
US09387481B2 Rotary drum apparatus comprising a rotary drum and at least one electric motor for driving the drum, with a stator extending against a part of circumference of the drum
A rotary drum apparatus comprising a drum rotatable around a longitudinal axis, and at least one electric motor for driving the drum in rotation around the longitudinal axis, each drive motor comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor comprising at least one ring portion joint together with the drum and extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The stator of each drive motor extending against a part of circumference of the drum perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
US09387480B2 Granulation by agglomeration of ceramic compositions ground in dry phase
The invention relates to the granulation by agglomeration of ceramic compositions ground in dry phase. The invention proposes an alternative to the method of wet-phase grinding and drying by atomization. The method consists of dry-phase grinding and preparing argillaceous ceramic compositions without binders, additives, or deflocculants from argillaceous minerals (about 60%) mixed with inorganic materials, grain sizes of less than 120 micrometers, in a horizontal rotary cylindrical device with deflecting paddles, the intake of said minerals, powdery materials and water takes place at one end of said device; and granules that are moved by said deflecting paddles are formed due to the rotation of said device. The outlet of the granulated material is at the opposite end of said device. The invention offers the following advantages: energy savings of 80%; savings in water consumption during granulation of 75-80% and 10-20% of additional savings in the pressure for pressing the granules. The time necessary to change from one ceramic composition to another is one hour, compared with several days using the current method of atomization. The method of granulation constitutes a novel environmental technology with zero air and water table pollution, and with much lower water consumption.
US09387472B2 Sampling device
The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including an outer sheath; a plurality of tubes within the sheath, in which at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, in which the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and a valve connected to a distal portion of the sheath, in which the valve opens when the tube extends beyond the distal end and closes when the tube retracts to within the sheath.
US09387466B2 Mild acidic catalyst for hydroprocessing of heavy crude oil and residue and its synthesis procedure
This invention reveals a method for synthesizing a hydrotreating catalyst wherein the support is prepared by mixing of peptized alumina with an amorphous silica or crystalline aluminum silicate as one component of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises a group VI metal and/or a group VIII metal of the periodic table. The catalyst exhibits improved hydrocracking, hydrodesulfurization and hydrodemetallization activities and has a relatively stable life with time on stream. Thus, the invention concerns a method for developing a catalyst for hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks which is characterized by two steps: the first step consists of the optimization of a catalyst formulation with respect to the textural properties, number of acid sites, active metal incorporation. The second step consists of the evaluation with real feedstock and catalyst stability with time-on-stream.
US09387463B2 Process for preparing a fischer-tropsch catalyst
A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst includes, in a carbide formation step, treating an initial catalyst precursor comprising a catalyst support supporting cobalt and/or a cobalt compound, with a CO containing gas at a temperature T. T is from 200° C. to 280° C. The cobalt or cobalt compound is converted to cobalt carbide thereby obtaining a cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor. The CO containing gas (when it contains H2) does not have a CO to H2 molar ratio equal to or less than 33:1. The carbide formation step is carried out under non-oxidative conditions. In a subsequent activation step, the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor is subjected to treatment with a hydrogen containing gas at a temperature T2. T2 is at least 300° C. The cobalt carbide is converted to cobalt metal thereby activating the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor and obtaining a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst.
US09387460B2 Metal catalytic composition with silver-oxime complex
A non-aqueous metal catalytic composition includes (a) a complex of silver and an oxime comprising reducible silver ions in an amount of at least 2 weight %, (b) a silver ion photoreducing composition in an amount of at least 1 weight %, and (c) a photocurable component, a non-curable polymer, or a combination of a photocurable component and a non-curable polymer. This non-aqueous metal catalytic composition can be used to form silver metal particles in situ during suitable reducing conditions. The silver metal can be provided in a suitable layer or pattern on a substrate, which can then be subsequently subjected to electroless plating to form electrically-conductive layers or patterns for use in various articles or as touch screen displays in electronic devices.
US09387458B2 Method for regulating the structure and properties of the composite nanoabsorbent
A method for regulating the structure and properties of the composite nanoabsorbent is provided. This method uses nanoporous chloromethylated polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads as the support material and adopts in situ precipitation method to load dissociative functional nanoparticles thereon; the composite nanoabsorbent of different absorption capacity and absorption speed can be prepared through regulating the pore structure, which is realized herein by means of starting crosslinking reactions through heating chloromethylated beads under existence of the swelling agent and the catalyst; through changing the proportions of different components in the reaction system, modes of heating and time of reaction, the polymer support with different pore structures can be prepared. This invention can successfully regulate the distribution and size of inorganic nanoparticles; the composite nanomaterials prepared by the resin of different degrees of crosslinking present different structures and properties, and the specific structure and properties can be selected in order to meet practical requirements.
US09387456B2 Reactor for exothermic or endothermic catalytic reactions
Reactor for Fischer-Tropsch reaction which is carried out in a three-phase system essentially consisting of a reacting gaseous phase, a reacted liquid phase and a solid catalytic phase, wherein the solid catalytic phase consists of packed or structured bodies of catalytic material encaged within at least one honeycomb monolithic structure with a high thermal conductivity.
US09387449B2 Catalytic cracking method and apparatus
Disclosed are a catalytic cracking method and an apparatus for implementing the method. The catalytic cracking is carried out in a primary reactor and a secondary light material reactor, wherein in a first reaction region of the primary reactor, a regenerated catalyst contacts and reacts with a raw oil, the reaction mixture flows upward, and the catalyst is separated out by a separator; the separated catalyst flows to a stripping section, and the reacted oil gas flows upward along a delivery pipe and enters a second reaction region of the primary reactor; the catalyst to be regenerated from the secondary light material reactor enters the second reaction region of the primary reactor, and is mixed with the reacted oil gas from the first reaction region for further reaction; after the completion of the reaction, the oil gas is separated from the catalyst, and fed to a subsequent fractionation system, and the catalyst flows to the stripping section, is stripped together with the catalyst separated by the separator in the first reaction region, and enters a regenerator for regeneration. By using the apparatus and method disclosed herein, the production distribution and production quality are improved, the project investment is reduced, the energy consumption is lowered, and the implementation of the project is convenient.
US09387445B2 Separation membrane element
To provide a separation membrane element that is able to increase the amount of permeate fluid per unit time and also able to improve stability performance, provided is a separation membrane element, comprising a separation membrane and a permeate spacer, wherein a separation functional layer is arranged on the surface of said separation membrane and a nonwoven fabric served as a substrate is arranged on the back surface of said separation membrane, wherein said permeate spacer is arranged on the back surface side of said substrate, wherein said permeate spacer is made of a different material from said separation membrane, and a projection area ratio of said permeate spacer to said separation membrane is 0.03 to 0.80.
US09387444B2 Method to fabricate functionalized conical nanopores
A pressure-based chemical etch method is used to shape polymer nanopores into cones. By varying the pressure, the pore tip diameter can be controlled, while the pore base diameter is largely unaffected. The method provides an easy, low-cost approach for conically etching high density nanopores.
US09387430B2 Methods and systems of enhanced carbon dioxide recovery
Methods and systems of enhanced carbon dioxide recovery from an inlet gas stream are provided, by introducing the gas stream to one or more membrane-based separation units to produce a permeate byproduct gas stream having increased concentration of carbon dioxide compared to the inlet gas stream and then introducing the permeate byproduct gas stream to one or more pressure swing adsorption units or trains to enhance recovery of hydrocarbons, such as methane, lost in the byproduct stream and to produce a substantially pure carbon dioxide stream, while minimizing process compression and eliminating process heat for process regeneration. The methods introduced herein are for enhancing product recovery by enhancing carbon dioxide recovery from gas streams with pressures greater than atmospheric conditions. Further refinement to the methods would be the introduction of hydrogen sulfide polishing units within the process to produce product that meets or exceeds sales quality specifications.
US09387419B2 Method and device for manufacturing a filter element and filter element
In a method for manufacturing a filter element for filtration of a fluid, a filter medium web is treated along at least one treatment line and the filter medium web is cut along at least one cutting line that is adjacent to the at least one treatment line. An apparatus for performing the method has a combination of at least one treatment device and at least one cutting device. The at least one treatment device has at least one treatment element that treats a filter medium web along at least one treatment line. The at least one cutting device has at least one cutting element that cuts the filter medium web along at least one cutting line. The at least one treatment element and the at least one cutting element, viewed in a movement direction of the filter medium web relative to the apparatus, are arranged staggered relative to each other.
US09387414B2 Mass transfer tray
The invention relates to a mass transfer tray of a column with a liquid feed on the tray feed side and a liquid discharge on the opposite tray discharge side, and with multiple profile-shaped channels of a U-shaped cross section that are arranged in the tray between the feed and the discharge, parallel to one another and transversely in relation to the direction of liquid flow, and form between them gas passage slits which are covered over by elongated profile-shaped hoods, which have an inverted U-shaped cross section, wherein the side walls of the channels reach into the hoods, and so the channel side walls are covered over by the hood side walls by a height that is less than the height of the channel side walls and the height of the hood side walls, wherein the liquid flows alternately in opposite directions in the channels, and so in every second channel the liquid flows in one direction and in the channels lying in between the liquid flows in the opposite direction, and wherein the hoods are set higher than the channels in the case of the channels and hoods that are closer to the tray feed side, and consequently the heights over which they cover one another are less than in the case of the channels and hoods that are closer to the tray discharge side.
US09387410B1 Single pull toy vehicle loader and launcher
A loading and launching device for toy vehicles is disclosed that is actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. The device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are coupled to one another, such that as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the toy track set) to a launch position that pushes a toy vehicle into position directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it contacts and launches the toy vehicle.
US09387408B2 Interactive amusement attraction system and method
A waterslide attraction configured to display illuminated visualizations to a rider traveling thereon via one or more lights or LEDs. The waterslide attraction utilizes a slide for supporting a rider, either with a ride vehicle or without. The ride vehicle may be a mat, tube, or board with interactive elements, such as buttons, that allows the rider thereon to manipulate the interactive elements for providing rider input while on the slide. Upon manipulating an element, a signal may be transmitted, the illuminated visualizations being modified in response to such manipulations. Colors, shapes, and/or patterns may be displayed that animate or appear to shift or move in position along the waterslide. Gaming features, such as manipulating the interactive elements that corresponds to one or more displayed illumination visualizations may cause rewards or penalties, for example, based on position of the rider, as the rider travels on the slide.
US09387407B2 Managing objectives associated with a virtual space based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected
Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
US09387406B2 Apparatus, method and computer readable storage medium for guiding game play via a show me button
An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for guiding a player to the completion of a task during game play. The player selects a control device in a graphical user interface device generated by a processor. In response to the selection, a hint is provided to the user in the graphical user interface that presents a game board to a player. The player may use the hint to accomplish the task.
US09387398B2 Video game with state display overlay
A first area and a second area are set in a virtual space. Then, based on first configuration information for configuring a first state of a game world, a first object to be placed in the first area is generated. In addition, a second object to be placed in the second area is generated based on second configuration information for configuring a second state different from the first state at a predetermined position in the virtual space to which the first configuration information is applied.
US09387387B2 Exercise devices having damped joints and related methods
An exercise device may comprise at least one joint. The at least one joint may comprise at least one first surface positioned adjacent to at least one second surface, the at least one second surface movable relative to the at least one first surface at at least one interface. A damping grease having a dynamic viscosity greater than about 100 Pascal seconds at standard temperature and pressure may be positioned at the at least one interface between the at least one first surface and the at least one second surface of the at least one joint.
US09387384B2 Fall protection device
A fall protection device for trampolines includes at least one rope which is preferably substantially non-resilient and can be connected to a user of the trampoline. At least one tautening device is provided for holding the rope taut when the fall protection device is in use. Also provided is at least one device for limiting the rope extension.
US09387379B1 Reversible golf club grip
In some embodiments, a golf club includes a reversible grip that that is universal to dexterity and can be used on a golf club configured for both right-handed golfers and left-handed golfers. Such a reversible golf club grip can provide the golf club with an identical grip configuration without removing the grip from the shaft of the golf club. In some embodiments, a reversible golf club grip as described herein can be used on an adjustable golf club such that as the orientation of the golf club shaft is reversed between a right-handed and left-handed dexterity, the grip can be used for either orientation without being repositioned on the shaft. In some embodiments, a reversible golf club grip can be configured to promote a traditional hands placement on the golf club grip in both right-handed and left-handed orientations.
US09387377B2 Golf club head with adjustable center of gravity
A golf club head comprising a channel and an expandable weight that can be removably fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The weight comprises at least an upper portion, a middle portion, a lower portion, and a bolt, and the upper portion and lower portion preferably are formed of metal materials while the middle portion preferably is formed of a polymeric material. The weight preferably is trapped within the channel so that it cannot fall out of the channel during use. The channel may also have an end that opens into a port, which can be filled with a plug or weight screw to prevent the weight from falling out of the channel, and also can be removed so that the weight can be removed and replaced with another expandable weight having a different overall mass.
US09387374B2 Golf club iron set producing flight having consistent angle of descent
In accordance with the present invention, a set of golf club heads is disclosed. The set includes golf club heads with peripheral weights. The dimensions and configuration of at least the peripheral weights are changed from club-to-club along the set so that the center of gravity rises from the long irons to the short irons. By raising the center of gravity from the long irons to the short irons, a golfer will see a peak trajectory height along a line for each club head that is substantially more consistent along that line throughout the set than prior art clubs provide.
US09387372B2 Golf club set
A golf club set 2 includes a plurality of golf clubs 41 to 45 having different club lengths. Each of the golf clubs 41 to 45 includes a head 6, a shaft 8, and a grip 10. The club length of each of the clubs 41 to 45 is 38.5 inches or greater and 42 inches or less. Face progression of the head 6 is substantially constant. If a moment of inertia of the head about an axis line of the shaft is defined as MI, an MI difference ratio between the adjacent clubs is equal to or less than 3%. Preferably, a loft angle is equal to or greater than 17 degrees in each of all the clubs 41 to 45.
US09387366B2 Golf balls having a multi-layered core with a thermoset rubber center
Golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. The center of the core is made of a thermoset rubber material and preferably has a positive hardness gradient. The intermediate core layers is made of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition. The outer core layer is made of a highly neutralized polymer composition. The inner cover is made of a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ethylene acid copolymer. The outer cover is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. The finished ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties.
US09387360B2 Wrist and forearm strengthening device
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wrist strengthening device having a first handle, a second handle and a tightening mechanism for increasing the resistance between the first handle, the second handle and the tightening mechanism.
US09387359B2 Foot-therapy and toe-aligning device
Described is an exercise tool. More particularly, it is a therapy and exercise tool specifically devised as a foot-therapy and toe-aligning device to align, separate, and stretch toes. The foot-therapy and toe-aligning device comprises a frame with a plurality of posts connected with the frame. The device is formed of an elastic material such that a user may place at least one of the plurality of posts between a user's toes and pull the post to stretch and elongate the post between the toes. Upon release, the elastic material of the post causes the post to attempt to return to its original shape, thereby causing it to expand out and conform its shape to fit snugly against the user's toes. Additionally, the elastic material allows the toe posts to be positioned and maintained at numerous locations between the user's toes for customizable positioning between the toes.
US09387351B2 Support post assembly for a safety line system
A support post assembly for a safety line system for a workman at a height above the ground. The assembly comprises a support post, a safety line mount to which a safety line may be secured, and a shock absorber. The support post has opposite first and second ends, a post axis extending therebetween, and at the first end, a base portion for fixing the assembly to a supporting surface. The safety line mount extends away from the second end of the support post. The shock absorber is within the support post between the ends of the support post, the shock absorber comprising a pivot, such that in the event of a fall by a worker secured to the safety line, lateral forces imparted to the safety line mount by the fall are transmitted to the shock absorber, causing the shock absorber to deflect laterally relative to the post axis.
US09387345B2 Apparatus and method pertaining to determining a spatially-variant normal tissue constraint as a function of dose distribution
A control circuit optimizes a radiation-treatment plan (as regards treating at least one target volume for a given patient) by automatically determining a spatially-variant normal tissue constraint as a function, at least in part, of dose distribution for normal tissue that is proximal to the target volume. If desired, the control circuit can repeatedly determine spatially-variant normal tissue constraints while optimizing the radiation-treatment plan. This automatic determination can comprise evaluating dose distributions at specific different distances from the target volume. So configured, the control circuit can effect such evaluation by penalizing, during the optimization of the radiation-treatment plan, dose distribution levels that exceed a predetermined distribution property (such as an aggregation value for the dose values including, but not limited to, an average value of dose values for each of the given specific different distances) at a given one of the specific different distances.
US09387343B2 Apparatus and method for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body
A medical apparatus for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body is disclosed. The medical apparatus may include a plurality of treatment channels configured to be positioned adjacent a body tissue and a plurality of delivery channels coupled to a corresponding number of treatment channels. The medical apparatus may also include a plurality of source channels configured to receive one or more energy sources, a tracking channel configured to receive a tracking element, and a connecting element configured to connect each delivery channel with either one of the plurality of sources channels or the tracking channel.
US09387342B2 External beam radiotherapy and imaging with radioactive isotope
A method of delivering external radiation beams to a target volume in a body portion includes positioning a radioactive isotope source at a plurality of locations spaced apart around the body portion, and collimating radiation beams of the radioactive isotope source from the plurality of locations, whereby the target volume in the body portion is deposited with a predetermined dose distribution. A radiation device employs a member having a configuration adapted to surround a body portion to be irradiated. The member has a channel and a plurality of collimators spaced apart along and coupled to the channel. The plurality of collimators define a plurality of dwelling locations for a radioactive isotope source in the channel and are configured to collimate radiation beams of the radioactive isotope source.
US09387339B2 Disposable, single-use thermal exchange component
A disposable housing including a single-use thermal exchange component can be configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a receptacle on a cuff positionable around a joint to provide temperature-based therapy to the joint.
US09387338B2 Methods and devices for performing electrical stimulation to treat various conditions
In certain variations, systems and/or methods for electromagnetic induction therapy are provided. One or more ergonomic or body contoured applicators may be included. The applicators include one or more conductive coils configured to generate an electromagnetic or magnetic field focused on a target nerve, muscle or other body tissues positioned in proximity to the coil. One or more sensors may be utilized to detect stimulation and to provide feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy. A controller may be adjustable to vary a current through a coil to adjust the magnetic field focused upon the target nerve, muscle or other body tissues based on the feedback provide by a sensor or by a patient. In certain systems or methods, pulsed magnetic fields may be intermittently applied to a target nerve, muscle or tissue without causing habituation.
US09387331B2 Implantable medical devices having hollow cap cofire ceramic structures and methods of fabricating the same
An implantable medical device (IMD) antenna and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An IMD can include a ceramic structure having at least one wall defining a hollow cavity. The ceramic structure can include a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end being open to provide access to the hollow cavity and the second end being closed. The IMD also includes an antenna cofire-integrated into the at least one wall of the ceramic structure and a housing adjoined to the ceramic structure.
US09387324B2 Apparatus and method for visual stimulation indication
Methods and devices for verifying that proper visual stimulation is applied to the visual prostheses are described. In one of the methods, a retinal stimulation system implanted on a subject is simulated externally. An external testing device is also discussed.
US09387314B2 Expandable iliac sheath and method of use
Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, collapsed cross-sectional configuration, subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration, and subsequent removal in a third, collapsed cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system and has utility in the introduction and removal of implant delivery catheters. The access route is through the femoral arteries and the iliac arteries into the aorta. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, collapsed cross-sectional configuration during advancement to the arteries into the aorta. The distal end of the sheath is then expanded using a radial dilatation device, which is removed prior to the introduction of implant delivery catheters. The distal end of the sheath is subsequently reduced to a diametrically small size for removal.
US09387307B2 Needle assembly and components thereof
Needle assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needle assemblies having a tip protector with a plurality of wall surfaces for preventing contact with the needle tip from a side. Aspects of the tip protectors discussed herein include a first protector body having an arm for blocking a needle tip surrounded by a second protector body having a plurality of wall surfaces.
US09387300B2 Adjustable nasal prong and headgear assembly
The invention is directed to a ventilation interface, which includes a cannula having one or more nasal prongs, a ventilation tube connected to the cannula and headgear. The cannula is secured onto the patient through one or more arced couplers positioned between the cannula and headgear. The cannula has a first side wall, a second side wall and a top wall which form a reservoir. The top wall includes a first portion, a second portion and a notch positioned between the first portion and second portion. The ventilation tube includes one or more bleed ports and provides breathable gas to a patient. The headgear includes a first strap and a second strap. The first strap includes a first portion and second portion that contains two or more slots to connect the second strap. Each portion of the first strap includes an inner layer and an outer layer.
US09387299B2 Improvements to powered air breathing apparatus
A safety breathing apparatus has a sensor for measuring the difference in pressure between two points in the gas delivered to a head unit. The sensor is used to measure the difference in the pressure of the gas supplied through the apparatus between the two points in the gas flow, and the pressure difference is then used to calculate the gas flow rate.
US09387298B2 Fan unit with improved surge characteristics
A fan unit that forms part of a gases supply unit used as part of a breathing assistance system for providing heated gases to a user. The fan has an impeller surrounded by an upwardly sloped surface to facilitate improved airflow performance under surge conditions.
US09387295B1 Filter cartridge with internal gaseous seal for multimodal surgical gas delivery system having a smoke evacuation mode
A system is disclosed for delivering gas during a laparoscopic surgical procedure performed within a patient's abdominal cavity requiring smoke evacuation which includes a gas delivery device having a housing with a port for receiving pressurized insufflating gas from a gas source, a pump assembly for circulating gas throughout the system, and a disposable gas conditioning unit or filter cartridge configured for operative association with the gas delivery device.
US09387288B2 Dosage sensing unit with tactile feedback
A drug infusion assembly comprises a drug delivery device arranged to adhere to a patient's skin and includes a reservoir that holds the drug, a cannula that delivers the drug to the patient, and a pump that causes the drug to flow to the cannula. The assembly further includes a monitor device for providing information about the operation of a drug delivery device. The monitor device includes a housing arranged to be attached to and detached from the drug delivery device, a sensor that senses the operation of the drug delivery device and generates an activation signal, a clock mechanism that generates a time signal, a memory that receives and stores the activation signal and the time signal and creates an information packet coordinating the time signal and the activation signal, an interrogator that interrogates the memory such that the memory generates a memory signal in response thereto, and a responder that receives the memory signal and generates a response.
US09387286B2 Dialysis system including peristaltic tubing pumping cassette
A hemodialysis system includes: a peristaltic blood pump; a first peristaltic dialysate pump; a second peristaltic dialysate pump; and a fluid cassette including an upper portion and a lower portion, a blood pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the blood pumping tube actuated by the peristaltic blood pump, a first dialysate pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the first dialysate pumping tube actuated by the first dialysate pump, and a second dialysate pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the second dialysate pumping tube actuated by the second dialysate pump.
US09387278B2 Medical device or instrument having porous structure
The present invention relates to an inflow cannula for blood circulatory assist devices, having a robust structure and possessing a thrombus anchoring effect. Furthermore, the inflow cannula for blood circulatory assist devices does not deform or exhibit loss of dimensional accuracy during the manufacture process. These features are achieved by a porous structure formed of one or more linear elements or of a porous shaped article.
US09387277B2 Biomedical filler
A bone replacement filler comprising a biomedical ceramic particulate, wherein the filler is able to flow without the application of an external shear stress or compressive force or under a relatively low shear stress or compressive force, but resists flow or does not flow when subjected to a higher shear stress or compressive force, and wherein at least some of the particles in the ceramic particulate have a micro-porous surface structure and/or a micro-porous sub-surface structure.
US09387275B2 One-component bone cement pastes and methods for curing them
One-component bone cement pastes, containing:AI at least one methacrylate monomer suitable for radical polymerization;AII at least one polymer that is soluble in AI;AIII at least one particulate polymer that is insoluble in AI and has a particle size of less than 500 μm;optionally AIV at least one radical-forming initiator or at least one radical initiator that is soluble in AI and subject to thermal decomposition;optionally AV at least one electrically conductive radio-opaquer, in the form of ferromagnetic particles.
US09387270B2 Method and apparatus to dispense fragrance into the air in a bowling structure
A method to condition the air in a bowling alley utilizes an oil mixture which is dispensed by conditioning apparatus which down and up a synthetic bowling lane. The oil mixture comprises original lane oil and a fragrance composition which admixed to the oil mixture to produce a fragrant lane oil which has at 1700 cm−1 a % T which is generally equivalent to the % T of the original lane oil.
US09387269B2 Cold plasma jet hand sanitizer
A cold plasma jet hand sanitizer and method of use are provided. A pair of opposing two-dimensional arrays of atmospheric pressure cold plasma jets is used to create a sterilizing volume. Any object placed into that volume will have its surface sterilized. The opposing arrays of plasma jets are operated electrically 180 degrees out of phase so that the opposing arrays of plasma jets essentially fire into each other in the absence of an intervening object, or directly impinge on the surface of an intervening object.
US09387268B2 Compositions and methods for UV sterilization
Provided herein are systems, ultraviolet (UV) devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, room, space or defined environment. The systems, UV devices, and methods are particularly useful for the UV disinfection and sterilization of a container used in the food and dairy industry and for containers used in the process of fermentation for an alcoholic beverage. Provided are also systems, UV devices, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, room, space or defined environment preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container, room, space or defined environment.
US09387267B2 Iodine-containing radial-shaped macromolecular compounds, preparation method thereof and contrast media compositions for CT comprising the same
Disclosed herein is an iodine-containing radial-shaped macromolecule suitable for an active ingredient of the computed tomography (CT) contrast medium, a method to prepare the same, and a contrast medium composition including the same. With respect to the iodine-containing radial-shaped macromolecule according to the present invention, the duration of contrast enhancement has been significantly improved in comparison to that of the current small molecular contrast media compounds containing iodine.
US09387265B2 Plectin-1 targeted agents for detection and treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Described herein are compositions and methods for cancer cell biomarkers, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell biomarkers, and binding molecules for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, e.g., PDAC. Methods of identifying “accessible” proteomes are disclosed for identifying cancer biomarkers, such as plectin-1, a PDAC biomarker. Additionally, imaging compositions are provided comprising magnetofluorescent nanoparticles conjugated to peptide ligands for identifying PDACs.
US09387259B2 Pyrrolobenzodiazepines and targeted conjugates
This invention relates to pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), in particular pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimers having a C2-C3 double bond and an aryl group at the C2 position in each monomer unit, and their inclusion in targeted conjugates. The differing substituent groups may offer advantages in the preparation and use of the compounds, particularly in their biological properties and the synthesis of conjugates, and the biological properties of these conjugates.
US09387239B2 Meningococcal multivalent native outer membrane vesicle vaccine, methods of making and use thereof
The present technology provides vaccine compositions comprising native outer membrane vesicles (NOMVs) from at least one genetically modified strain of Neisseria which provides protective immunity to meningococcal disease, more preferably subtype B meningococcal disease. The present technology further provides methods of immunizing an animal or human against meningococcal disease comprising administering the vaccine composition of the present invention.
US09387235B2 Cosmetic preparations containing PTH fragments
A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition includes a peptide parathyroid hormone fragment, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, and combinations thereof, where the peptide fragment conforms to the structure R1-NH-AA-R2 where R1 is selected from the group consisting of —H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms optionally functionalized with an —OH, —SH, —COOH or —CONH2 group, or a sterol group which is bonded by a functional group with the peptide; where R2 is —OH, —OH functionalized by a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, or a sterol group; and where AA corresponds completely or partially to the sequence of amino acids according to SEQ ID No. 1 corresponding to the PTH (28 to 34) region.
US09387225B2 Gold-platinum based bi-metallic nanocrystal suspensions, electrochemical manufacturing processes therefor and uses for the same
The present invention relates to novel gold-platinum based bi-metallic nanocrystal suspensions that have nanocrystal surfaces that are substantially free from organic or other impurities or films associated with typical chemical reductants/stabilizers and/or raw materials used in nanoparticle formation processes. Specifically, the surfaces are “clean” relative to the surfaces of metal-based nanoparticles made using chemical reduction (and other) processes that require organic (or other) reductants and/or surfactants to grow (and/or suspend) metal nanoparticles from metal ions in a solution. The invention includes novel electrochemical manufacturing apparatuses and techniques for making the bi-metallic nanocrystal suspensions. The techniques do not require the use or presence of chlorine ions/atoms and/or chlorides or chlorine-based materials for the manufacturing process/final suspension. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions thereof and the use of the bi-metallic nanocrystals or suspensions or colloids thereof for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions for which metal-based therapy is already known, including, for example, for cancerous diseases or conditions.
US09387223B2 Ophthalmic compositions comprising povidone-iodine
A topical ophthalmic composition comprised of povidone-iodine 0.01% to 10.0% combined with a steroid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This solution is useful in the treatment of active infections of at least one tissue of the eye (e.g., conjunctiva and cornea) from bacterial, mycobacterial, viral, fungal, or amoebic causes, as well as treatment to prevent such infections in appropriate clinical settings (e.g. corneal abrasion, postoperative prophylaxis, post-LASIK/LASEK prophylaxis). Additionally the solution is effective in the prevention of infection and inflammation in the post-operative ophthalmic patient.
US09387206B2 Therapeutic approaches for treating Alzheimer's disease
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel combinatorial therapies of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. In particular, the invention concerns compounds which, alone or in combination(s), can effectively modulate synapse function and/or angiogenesis and/or cell stress response. The invention also relates to methods of producing a drug or a drug combination for treating Alzheimer's disease and to methods of treating Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.
US09387200B2 Isothiazole-pyridine derivatives as modulators of HIF (hypoxia inducible factor) activity
The present invention relates to novel compounds according to Formula I or II, methods, and compositions capable of decreasing HIF hydroxylase enzyme activity, thereby increasing the stability and/or activity of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). Formula (I) or (II).
US09387199B2 Compositions and methods for treating clostridium infection and preventing recurrence of infection
C. difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Unfortunately, antibiotic therapy remains as the standard treatment for this antibiotic-induced disease and relapses are common. Antibiotic treatment typically is given for 10 to 14 days for initial or second episode of CDI. For recurrent episodes, more prolonged courses are recommended. It is disclosed herein that lower dose or shorter course of the antimicrobial treatment is sufficient to treat the disease and prevent recurrent disease by enabling a good immunologic response to infection, and perhaps also by better preserving normal flora, thus protecting against relapses or reinfection.
US09387196B2 3-{1-[5-chloro-2-(2-ethylbutoxy)benzyl]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl}propanoic acid in crystalline form and methods for use thereof
The present invention provides 3-{1-[5-chloro-2-(2-ethylbutoxy)benzyl]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl}propanoicacid in crystalline form. The present invention further provides methods for treating disorders associated with DP1, FP, TP, EP1 and EP4 prostaglandin (PG) receptors.
US09387195B2 Methods for treating diseases using isoindoline compounds
Methods of treating a disease selected from dermatomyositis, prurigo nodularis, pyoderma gangrenosum, alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurtiva, rosacea, lichen planus, giant cell arteritis, Sjogren's syndrome, gout, chronic prostatitis, posterior uveitis, vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis in a human are disclosed. Specific methods encompass the administration of (+)-2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, cyclopropyl {2-[(15)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-3-oxoisoindolin-4-yl}carboxamide or a combination thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, metabolite, polymorph, salt, solvate or clathrate thereof.
US09387188B2 Compositions comprising amino acids for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A composition comprising leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine and lysine for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US09387187B2 Administration of 6[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthoic acid for the treatment of dermatological disorders
Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component are treated with pharmaceutical compositions containing on the order of 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously topically applicable gels, creams or lotions.
US09387183B2 Method of treating diabetes-related impaired wound healing
The method of treating diabetes-related impaired wound healing includes the step of administering an effective amount of estrogen replacement therapy to a patient in need thereof to promote wound healing. Alternatively, the method of treating diabetes-related impaired wound healing includes the step of administering an effective amount of a TNF-α inhibitor to a patient in need thereof to promote wound healing. The method of treating diabetes-related impaired wound healing may also include both the step of administering an effective amount of estrogen replacement therapy and administering an effective amount of a TNF-α inhibitor to a patient in need thereof to promote wound healing.
US09387178B2 Modified release tranexamic acid formulation
A modified release dosage form for the oral administration of tranexamic acid.
US09387177B2 Pharmaceutical compositions
Methods and compositions are provided which comprise effective amounts of analgesic to treat a subject, including reducing or eliminating an adverse effect associated with the analgesic.
US09387163B2 Methods for treatment of pelvic pain and/or comorbid conditions
Methods, systems, devices, and medicaments are provided for locally administering to a pelvic-area organ or tissue structure in a patient at least one drug continuously or continually over a treatment period of 24 hours or more in an amount effective to achieve a therapeutic effect in another organ or tissue structure by means of shared or convergent pelvic afferent pathways. The methods systems, devices, and medicaments can be used in the treatment of IC/BPS, chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, orchialgia, urethral syndrome, dysparenia, chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain, levator ani syndrome, irritative bowel syndrome, or a combination thereof. The drug may include anesthetic agents, analgesic agents, antispasmodic agents, antimuscarinic agents, and combinations thereof. The drug may be released from a drug delivery device or a sustained release composition deployed inside the bladder.
US09387157B2 Nipple
There is disclosed a nipple (10) suitable for a soother, feeding bottle or drinking vessel. The nipple (10) has a teat portion (12), an areola portion (14) and a base portion (16). The nipple (10) has an interior wall (15) and a plurality of paths (20), prefereably at least partly recessed, in the interior wall (15). Each path (20) has a first end (25) located in the teat portion (12) and a second end (26) located in the areola portion (14).
US09387152B2 Blood substitutes and uses thereof
The invention relates to blood substitute compositions, and methods of use thereof. Described herein are compositions in which hemoglobin is maintained substantially in the reduced form of hemoglobin as opposed to the oxidized methemoglobin form through inclusion of an oxido-reductase enzyme and reducing agent within a vesicle with the hemoglobin. The vesicles additionally can comprise a dismutase, a catalase, and an electron acceptor, each of which contribute to either the maintenance of hemoglobin in the active oxygen carrying state or provide a benefit not achieved with free hemoglobin.
US09387137B2 Absorbent article package and method of folding the same along folding lines toward opposite sides thereof
An absorbent article package is individually packaged by folding a packaging sheet and an absorbent article in a state where the absorbent article is arranged on the packaging sheet. In a state where the individually-packaged absorbent article is opened, in the packaging sheet and the absorbent article, a first folding line based on which the absorbent article and the packaging sheet are folded towards the topsheet side, and a second folding line based on which the absorbent article and the packaging sheet are folded towards the backsheet side are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.
US09387136B2 Absorbent articles with channel and related methods therefor
An absorbent article includes a fluid pervious top sheet, a fluid impervious bottom sheet, and an absorbent core positioned therebetween. The absorbent core includes a plurality of superabsorbent sections defining a channel therebetween.
US09387126B2 Apparatus for aspirating, irrigating and cleansing wounds
An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. microfiltration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing mate rials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
US09387125B1 Sock for treatment of foot and leg wounds, methods of use and manufacture
A tubular body is configured to be disposed around and to apply compression to an extremity. The tubular body includes a treatment area having a first filament and a second filament. Both the first filament and the second filament are disposed to engage the surface of the extremity. The first filament includes AgNP in a concentration effective to promote healing of a wound on the surface of the extremity. The second filament includes a metal having a composition that forms a galvanic couple with silver. The first filament and the second filament are arranged in the tubular body such that the AgNP and metal form galvanic couples across at least a portion of the treatment area when in the presence of a fluid in the wound of the extremity that produce an electric current in an amount effective to further promote healing of the wound.
US09387117B2 Negative pressure oral apparatus
This invention provides an oral apparatus and method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection between the interface and mouth or teeth and prevents the interface from falling off. The oral interface also provides fixation between upper and lower lips (or tooth) and prevents opening of patient's mouth during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward as well. By moving the tongue and the soft palate in a forward direction, the patency of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth ad prevent air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere. The negative pressure will also pull the soft palate into contact with the rear surface of the tongue to create a seal that prevents the air from entering the oral cavity through the nasal airway.
US09387116B2 Apparatus and methods for treating sleep apnea
Apparatus and methods are provided for treating sleep apnea, snoring, and the like using an implant within an oropharyngeal region adjacent an anterior longitudinal ligament. The implant may include a central region between first and second outer regions. In one embodiment, one of the outer regions is compressible to allow the outer region to be directed through or behind the ligament such that the central region is disposed within or behind the ligament, the outer region being resiliently expandable after passing through or behind the ligament. In another embodiment, the implant may include one or more tines or other features that may be directed into adjacent tissue, e.g., the anterior longitudinal ligament and/or vertebra to secure the implant within the oropharyngeal region.
US09387113B2 Orthopaedic walker
The invention relates to walkers, and in particular, to orthopaedic walker devices for assisting in the stabilization and healing of injuries to the lower leg and/or foot, including fractures to the bones of the foot, such as metatarsal fractures, ‘Jones Fracture or broken phalanges.
US09387109B2 Carpal tunnel brace
A brace for relief of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome employs a strap element having a thumb aperture proximate a first end and a slot adjacent a peripheral edge of the strap element to receive a fifth finger. The strap element extends from the thumb aperture to be received in a central portion across a dorsal portion of a hand. The strap element then extends around the ulnar border and across the palm of the hand past the radial border with a tail portion of the strap element overlapping the central portion. A fastener moiety is provided on the tail portion of the strap element and a mating moiety on an outer surface of the strap element to engages the fastener moiety. The strap element tensioned around the hand produces approximation of carpals and metacarpals in the hand.
US09387107B2 Methods and devices for deploying and releasing a temporary implant within the body
Methods, devices and systems for delivering a device assembly into a gastric or other space within the body, allowing the device to expand to occupy volume within the gastric space and, after an effective period of time, delivering a substance or stimulus to begin breakdown of the expanded device so that it may release from the body.
US09387094B2 Osteoimplant and method of making same
An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.
US09387092B2 Intervertebral implant
An intervertebral implant for being implanted between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The implant includes a generally elongate implant body having a length extending between opposite longitudinal ends thereof, a superior face and an inferior face. The superior face and inferior face include cortical teeth adjacent to the implant body longitudinal ends. Additionally, the superior and inferior faces include longitudinally central teeth intermediate the cortical teeth and have bone engaging ends. The central teeth have a sharper configuration than that of the cortical teeth bone engaging ends for biting into the softer central bone material of the vertebrae. The cortical teeth are arranged in a first density per unit area and the central teeth are arranged in a second density per unit area that is less than the first density.
US09387089B2 Expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device
An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.
US09387088B2 System and method for performing percutaneous spinal interbody fusion
A method of performing percutaneous interbody spinal fusion on adjacent vertebrae in a patient including the steps of: creating a percutaneous access opening on the patient, using indirect visualization to establish a surgical path through the access opening via neural monitoring, creating a cavity in a disc space between the adjacent vertebra, without retraction, evaluating the created cavity, inserting a container sized and configured to fit through the access opening into the cavity and filling the container with fill material.
US09387084B2 Anterior stabilized PCL retaining total knee prosthesis
A knee prosthesis that includes a tibial component and femoral component. The tibial component includes an articular surface, a posterior portion and an anterior portion. The posterior portion includes a recess for receipt of a posterior cruciate ligament. The anterior portion includes a post extending therefrom. The post includes a posterior surface. The femoral component includes a condylar portion and an intercondylar portion. The intercondylar portion includes a posterior recess for receipt of the posterior cruciate ligament, a cam, and an engagement recess for receipt of the post. The cam includes a sliding surface and is disposed between the engagement recess and posterior recess. The sliding surface of the cam slides along the posterior surface of the post for restricting anterior subluxation of a femur bone when the articular surface and the condylar portion articulates through flexion of a knee joint.
US09387079B2 Patient-adapted and improved articular implants, designs and related guide tools
Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures.
US09387074B2 Medical device delivery systems and methods
A delivery system for deploying a medical device includes a first attachment member configured to selectively couple to and radially constrain a first end portion of the medical device. The delivery system also includes a second attachment member configured to selectively couple to and radially constrain a second end portion of the medical device. The first attachment member is configured to move relative to the second attachment member such that the first attachment member applies a first tensile force to the first end portion of a medical device in a first direction and the second attachment member applies a second tensile force to the second end portion of a medical device in a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction.
US09387073B2 Delivery device distal sheath connector
A connector for coupling a distal sheath to an inner shaft of a medical delivery device includes a wedge defining a lumen for accepting the inner shaft of the medical delivery device and a cylindrical ring sized to mate with the wedge. The wedge may be welded or otherwise fixed to the inner shaft. The wedge and the ring are configured to be pressed together and lock a portion of the distal sheath therebetween.
US09387045B2 Grip force normalization for surgical instrument
A teleoperated surgical system includes a surgical instrument with an end effector and a master input device. A servomechanism may be operatively coupled to the end effector to apply a force to the end effector, and at least one processor may operatively couple the servomechanism to the master input device to apply a grip force with the first and second gripping elements in response to input at the master input device. The applied grip force may be based at least in part on a mechanical advantage of the surgical instrument end effector.
US09387036B2 Apparatus and method for selectively heating a deposit in fatty tissue in a body
Heat treatment is applied to tissue in need of such treatment which is surrounded by tissue not in need of such treatment, by positioning a deposit within the surrounding tissue adjacent the tissue in need of treatment. The dielectric constant and/or the conductivity of the deposit is greater than that of the surrounding tissue. A radio frequency antenna or antenna array directs a radio frequency signal at a selected frequency into the deposit. The deposit has a diameter within a range of about 0.5 times to about 0.16 times the wavelength of the radio frequency signal within the surrounding tissue. The deposit is heated, at least partially through resonant heating, to a temperature greater than the surrounding tissue to apply heat treatment to the tissue in need of treatment. The deposit may take the form of a balloon of a Mammosite® type device to provide hyperthermia treatment in conjunction with radiation treatment of a breast after a lumpectomy.
US09387033B2 Device and method for enhanced subcutaneous insulin absorption
Products and methods directed to the improved infusion of fluids are disclosed. Such products and methods can be used to more efficiently and efficaciously administer therapeutic pharmaceuticals to a subject in need of treatment. In many instances, the systems comprise a therapeutic fluid delivery system and a mechanism for enhancing the absorption of the therapeutic fluid. The enhancement of the absorption of the therapeutic fluid is generally performed locally i.e., at or near the site of administration of the therapeutic fluid. The system and methods can be used to deliver any number of therapeutic fluids including but not limited to insulin.
US09387030B2 Catheter with integrated cement delivery balloon
A bone filling device includes a catheter that defines a longitudinal axis and extends between a proximal end and a distal end. A first lumen extends along the longitudinal axis of the catheter and defines a first passageway. A second lumen extends along the longitudinal axis of the catheter and defines a second passageway. An inflatable body includes a wall that defines a fillable cavity. The fillable cavity is in fluid communication with the first passageway. A bone filler delivery port is continuous with the second passageway and is configured to dispense bone filling material.
US09387024B2 Minimal contact circumferential cable/wire system
An improved bone fracture binding has a length of binding having interrupted and discontinuous points of contact. The binding when placed under tension leaving gaps for soft tissue between the bone and the points of contact in the binding while securing and immobilizing the bone fracture. The binding may have a tension cable or wire positioned around the bone spaced above the bone by beads. The beads are closely spaced about the cable or wire to space the wire a distance above the bone. The beads are preferably abutting and spaces between the adjacent beads form the gaps for soft tissue. The beads are round, and preferably shaped as ovals or spheres. The cable or wire in the binding maintains tension force when tensioned around the bone.
US09387019B2 Joint arthrodesis and arthroplasty
An implantable fixation system for fusing a joint between a first bone and a second bone. The system may include an intramedullary nail and an anchor. The intramedullary nail may include a standoff and a compression bolt. The system may be implanted across the joint along an intramedullary trajectory. The length of the system may be adjustable to provide compressive force between the anchor and the compression bolt. The system may be implanted across a tibiotalar joint with the anchor positioned in the sinus tarsi. A spacing member may be inserted between the two bones and the fixation system implanted to extend through an opening in the spacing member. The spacing member may be anatomically shaped and/or provide deformity correction. An ankle arthroplasty system may include a tibial plate, a talar plate, and a bearing insert. The plates may be anchored to the tibia and talus along a single trajectory. The ankle arthroplasty system may be revisable to a fusion system.
US09387013B1 Posterior cervical fixation system
A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.
US09387011B2 Acromioclavicular joint repair system
A system is disclosed for repairing and reconstructing a joint which has been injured by trauma, and especially an acromioclavicular joint. Means are disclosed to strengthen the repair or reconstruction and to maintain alignment while the ligaments in the joint heal, thus allowing more aggressive rehabilitation. A new joint repair tool is disclosed which is inserted into two separated bones adjacent to their respective articular joint surfaces to connect the two bones and approximate the adjacent bearing articular joint surfaces while still allowing motion between the two bones. Instruments to perform the methods are also disclosed.
US09387007B2 Glans retainer
A glans retainer comprises an annular cover for covering a glans during circumcision surgery. The annular cover may comprise a circular or oval cross section, and is sized to generally match the glans. Fixing straps are connected on the periphery of the annular cover for fixing the annular cover to a circumcision apparatus. Each fixing strap comprises an adhesive layer on its bottom. In one embodiment, six fixing straps are used. When the annular cover is placed over the glans and the fixing straps are connected to the circumcision apparatus, the glans is generally restrained from movement relative to the circumcision apparatus by virtue of the tension in the fixing straps as they hold the annular cover to the glans. Therefore, during removal of the necrotic prepuce, pain is reduced and the probability of bleeding is lowered, making the surgical procedure more safe and reliable.
US09387003B2 Handling device for a micro-invasive surgical instrument
A handling device for a micro-invasive surgical instrument includes a gripping device to hold and guide the handling device, a shaft coupling to couple the handling device with a proximal end of a shaft, and a rod coupling that can slide linearly inside the handling device between a distal assembly position and a range of working positions for coupling with a proximal end of a transmission rod that can be slid inside a shaft coupled with the shaft coupling. The slidable rod coupling is configured, in the assembly position, to receive or release a proximal end of a transmission rod and to hold a proximal end of a transmission rod, in the range of working positions. The shaft coupling is configured to block a proximal end of a shaft in a position in which the proximal end of the shaft holds the rod coupling in the range of working positions.
US09387000B2 Analyte detection using a needle projection patch
Apparatus for use in detecting analytes in a subject, wherein the apparatus includes a number of projections provided on a patch, such that applying the patch to the subject causes at least some of the projections to be inserted into the subject and target one or more analytes and a reagent for detecting the presence or absence of analytes.
US09386990B2 Nerve repair with a hydrogel and adhesive
The subject invention provides materials and methods for effective nerve repair. In a preferred embodiment, the subject invention provides nerve repair methods comprising the steps of applying a fibrin glue between severed nerve stumps, coapting the nerve stumps, and applying a polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel to encase the coapted nerve stumps.
US09386989B2 Sutureless vascular anastomosis connection
Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including a connector having a tip configured to be inserted into a graft vessel, a body having a tine configured to engage tissue associated with a graft vessel, and a base having a front wing, a rear wing, and a barb, each of the front wing, the rear wing, and the barb being formed integrally with the base using a memory material, wherein the front wing, the rear wing, and the barb deploy at one or more pre-determined angles when a restraining force is removed, the restraining force keeping the front wing, the rear wing, and the barb in substantially axial alignment with the body.
US09386983B2 Robotically-controlled motorized surgical instrument
A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized and configured for operation in connection with a robotic system. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.
US09386976B2 Method and device for fixating a suture anchor with a suture in hard tissue
A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.
US09386973B2 Magnaretractor system and method
A system and method for performing surgical procedures within a body cavity, e.g. abdomen, uses a magnetized device is utilized to allow a surgeon to control intra-abdominal organs and objects. The system and method allows a surgeon to perform an intra-abdominal procedure without the need to position surgical tools inside of the body cavity. Additional surgical ports are not necessary as the magnetized device allows the surgeon to retract or position various objects within the abdomen.
US09386972B2 Endoscopic ports for minimally invasive surgical access and methods of use thereof
A method for providing an endoscopic port includes inserting a distal portion of an expandable member into soft tissue in a patient's body. The distal portion of the expandable member is inflated to form a passageway in the soft tissue. A rigid tube member is delivered into the passageway formed by the expandable member through the inside of the inflatable member. A port is established between a proximal opening in the rigid tube member and a distal opening in the rigid tube member.
US09386971B1 Systems and methods for performing spine surgery
This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column during a medialized posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure.
US09386958B2 Intra-oral X-ray imaging device equipped with camera
Provided is an intraoral X-ray imaging apparatus having a camera, including: a frame; an X-ray irradiator which is installed to be supported by the frame and of which the one end portion is inserted into the oral cavity and which irradiates X-ray through an X-ray irradiation hole formed on the one end portion inserted into the oral cavity; a camera unit which is installed at the one end portion of the X-ray irradiator to image an interior of the oral cavity; a monitor unit which is connected to a camera unit to output the image captured by the camera unit; and an X-ray detector which is arranged to be separated from the X-ray irradiator in the frame so as to detect the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray irradiator outside the oral cavity.
US09386956B2 X-ray imaging apparatus, x-ray image generation method, and 3D imaging apparatus
The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source that emits X-rays to an object at different original-view positions, an X-ray detector that acquires original-view images by detecting X-rays having passed through the object, and an image controller that reconstructs a 3D volume image representation of the object from the original-view images and generates close-view images by virtually emitting X-rays to the 3D volume image representation of the object at a shorter distance than a distance between the X-ray source and the object.
US09386943B2 Handheld extremity flexibility evaluation and treatment device
A handheld tissue stretching device combined with an extremity flexibility number, stretchscore, enables users to independently evaluate and treat the flexibility of their extremity tissue minimizing physical therapist intervention to evaluate and treat tissue. The distance between handheld stretching devices and the extremity supports changes with a high degree of variability during home treatments; whereas, medical professionals monitor stretch intensity visually and manually. Patients performing home-based stretches impart variable intensity that leads to inconsistent tissue treatment resulting in increased tissue stiffness. The present inventors have discovered when the slack is automatically retracted, the distance between the users hands and the extremity support is continuously proportional to the flexibility of the extremity. This “distance matching” between the handheld stretching device and the extremity support provides a reliable, repeatable, and independent evaluation of extremity flexibility by directly relating this change in distance to the user's flexibility.
US09386940B2 MRI involving a local RF coil being movable relative to a pediatric patient carrier
A pediatric patient handling assembly includes a carrier on which a pediatric patient is positioned and prepared for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The carrier carrying the pediatric patient is set on a support table of an MRI scanner. The support table includes a local RF coil assembly mounted on the support table. The carrier is slid along the support table and into engagement with the local RF coil assembly. Interacting guide surfaces on the carrier and the local RF coil assembly align and engage the carrier along a longitudinal axis of the support table. The local RF coil assembly includes a pivotally mounted anterior coil which is lowered towards a base of the support table into an imaging or operating position. The support table, with the engaged local RF coil assembly, carrier and pediatric patient, is translated into a magnetic imaging region of the MRI scanner.
US09386932B2 Wearable personal information system
A personal information system is provided. The system may include a portable information device having a housing including a top surface defined at least partially by a display, a bottom surface configured with a central region in which an optical sensor, electrical connector, and data connector are positioned, the housing enclosing an internal volume in which a processor is provided, the top surface and bottom surface being coupled by a perimeter side edge extending therebetween, and a mounting structure formed at least partially around the perimeter side edge of the housing. The system may further include a frame, which may be connected to a band, the frame surrounding a void and configured to receive the mounting structure, the frame and mounting structure being releasably securable via a tongue and groove connection. The system may further comprise a dock to which the information device may be connected.
US09386929B2 Aural heart monitoring apparatus and method
A heart monitor is disclosed including an electroacoustic transducer such as an earphone coupled to a controller. The transducer is positioned in a person's ear in acoustic communication with the tympanum. Signals from the transducer are processed to determine the presence of pulsatile blood flow. The heart monitor may be incorporated into a defibrillator to sense the presence of blood flow for use in a shock delivery decision.
US09386926B2 Blood pressure monitor
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating blood pressure measurement. An additional fluid reservoir is arranged to be connected in fluid communication with the blood pressure cuff. The fluid reservoir provides an additional, compliant volume to the fluid volume of the cuff, facilitating blood pressure measurement, particularly for small volume cuffs.
US09386925B2 Device for drug administration and/or monitoring the status of a patient
The invention relates to a device for drug administration and/or monitoring the status of a patient, the device comprising a first and a second measuring means, and the time for using the second measuring means being set in accordance with the data of the first measuring means.
US09386923B2 System and method for automatic sensor position recognition
An automatic sensor position recognition system including a position recognition unit located at pre-determined positions on a person's body and bearing a unique identification; a sensor bearing a unique identification; a communication unit assigned to the sensor and being in communication with the position recognition unit and the sensor; a data processing unit in communication with the communication unit; and a database being in communication with the data processing system and comprising the correlation of the unique identification of the position recognition unit and the pre-determined position of the position recognition unit. The system provides an automatic association between sensors and body segments as well as means to obtain these associations.
US09386908B2 Navigation using a pre-acquired image
A method for imaging, including capturing an initial image of a surface under investigation using a first endoscope, and delineating within the initial image a target region of interest surrounded by an initial image peripheral region, the target region of interest having a location defined with respect to the initial image peripheral region. The method includes capturing a subsequent image of the surface under investigation using a second endoscope and identifying in the subsequent image, by comparison with characteristics of the initial image peripheral region, a subsequent image peripheral region corresponding to the initial image peripheral region. The further includes computing the location of the target region of interest in the subsequent image in response to the identified subsequent image peripheral region.
US09386900B2 Cleaning tool
To provide a cleaning tool which, upon attachment of a cleaning body to a cleaning-body holder, feels good to use. The present invention relates to a cleaning tool comprising a holding tool for holding a cleaning sheet. In the present invention, a first extremity virtual line and a second extremity virtual line are formed. The first extremity virtual line is the shortest line linking a center line in the length direction and a first extremity of a holding part. The second extremity virtual line is the shortest line linking the center line in the length direction and a second extremity of a protruded part. The first extremity virtual line is formed so as to be longer than the second extremity virtual line.
US09386894B1 Vacuum cleaner with edge blower feature
A vacuum cleaner provides a jet of high velocity air into debris resting along a floor edge. The jet of air is aimed down and to the side of the vacuum cleaner vacuum head. The jet of air dislodges the debris urging the debris into the path of the vacuum head. The jet of air is conveniently created from the vacuum cleaner exhaust, and a left or right jet may be manually selected, or automatically selected by a wall detection sensor.
US09386891B1 Urinal device for nighttime use in men
An embodiment of a device that includes a receptacle for urine collection, a flexible tube connecting the receptacle to a storage reservoir that sits on the floor and a receptacle holder that is stabilized by inserting it partially under the mattress, with a protruding section that has an opening used to store the receptacle in an easy to reach location between uses.
US09386881B1 Anti-oxidation frying device
An anti-oxidation frying device includes a frying vessel having an electrically conductive body configured to heat cooking oil carried therein by a heating unit. A removable basket, also formed of electrically conductive material, is configured to be carried within the frying vessel to enable the cooking of food in the heated oil. A rectification circuit is coupled to the heating unit, the body of the frying vessel, and the basket. During operation the rectification circuit converts AC power from an external power source into a rippled, rectified AC current signal that is supplied to the heating unit, body of the frying vessel, and the basket, so as to create a reducing environment of available electrons for absorption by the cooking oil and food as it is prepared, thus extending the life of the cooking oil.
US09386879B2 Holder for a service function object
A hot drinks machine is provided that is configured to perform a cleaning program and a descaling program, both of which require the use of a service function object. The hot drinks machine is formed with a holder for the service function object.
US09386863B1 Child carrier and methods of use
A child carrier adapted to hold a child in front pack and back pack configurations is described. Embodiments of the child carrier include a support device implemented for persons weighing between 7-17 lbs. Generally, the support device can have a first position for persons weighing between 10-17 lbs and a second position for persons weighing between 7-10 lbs. In the first position, a concave face of the support device can be contoured to interface with torso/buttocks of an infant. In the second position, the support device can be folded together providing an area suitable for an infant.
US09386860B2 Movable stand
An article comprising: (a) a first object having a frame, (b) a second object foldable under the frame, and (c) a movable stand, wherein the second object is attachable to the movable stand, wherein the movable stand is attached to the frame so that the movable stand can he stowed under the frame with the second object, and wherein the movable stand can be pulled from under the frame, pivoted to a horizontal position and the second object displayed.
US09386859B2 Sleep system
An apparatus for facilitating sleep is disclosed. Embodiments of the sleep system receive a person's lower arm in an arm cavity of a person laying in a sleep-on-side position. An exemplary sleep system has a trunk rest and head rest. Two separated cantilevered supports extending outwardly from the base portion of the head rest are in contact with and supported by a top edge of the trunk rest, thereby defining an arm aperture that receives the person's lower arm when laying in a sleep-on-side position. An arm cavity is defined by lower surfaces of the two cantilevered supports and a trunk rest cantilevered arm cavity surface that extends generally downward and inward.
US09386858B2 Structure-improved multifunction chassis
A structure-improved multifunction chassis includes a chassis base, a handle and a plurality of pull lines, wherein the chassis base includes a backrest angle adjustment device, a cushion height adjustment device, and a cushion back-and-forth moving device. The chassis base is pivotally connected with a left and right connecting rod of a seat backrest frame. The handle includes a shift arm, a handle fixed block, and a handle base. The handle fixing block is installed in the handle base and is able to swing up and down. The handle fixing block is mounted on the handle base by bolts. One handle controls three pull lines at the same time, and the user adjusts the angle of the backrest, cushion lifting or moving back and forth by operating the handle.
US09386857B2 Zero-wall clearance linkage mechanism for providing additional layout
A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
US09386856B2 Painting support board
A painting support system that includes a painting support board for holding artist's panels or canvases that is colored to mimic the frame for the finished painting. A reference line grid is scribed on the painting support board more accurately draw and observe straight lines. A continuous loop strip of a hook and loop system placed on all four sides of the support board. A mahl stick with a hook patch of the hook and loop system placed on a tip of the mahl stick allows the artist to attach the mahl stick anywhere on the support board to the loop strip to steady and support the hand while painting.
US09386839B2 Cold effect applicator tip
A cold effect applicator tip for cosmetic products is disclosed. The applicator tip is made of a plastic material comprising organic fillers, metallic fillers or a mixture of organic fillers and metallic fillers. A container for cosmetic products with a cold effect applicator tip is also provided, comprising a reservoir to contain a cosmetic product and an applicator tip such as above described.
US09386838B1 Lip balm tube holders
A lip balm tube holder can be constructed and arranged to retain a lip balm tube, e.g., constructed and arranged to retain a lip balm tube vertically. In some embodiments, the lip balm tube holder can include a body comprising an opening sized and arranged to releasably receive a lip balm tube.
US09386814B2 Shell with arm ports
An elongate shell having a longitudinal axis an inner volume sized and shaped to receive a user therein. The elongate shell has a front portion adapted to cover the front of a user during use and a back portion adapted to cover the back of the user during use. The elongate shell has a pair of arm ports. Each of the arm ports is selectively moveable from a closed port position to an opened port position for allowing the user external access from within the shell. Each of the ports comprising includes an inner panel and an outer panel. The inner panel is positioned in overlapping face-to-face engagement with the outer panel in the closed port position. The outer panel is spaced from the inner panel in the opened port position to define a passage for allowing the user to extend their arm through the respective port. The elongate shell further includes a bottom portion and an opening in the bottom portion to allow a user's feet to extend through the opening to the exterior of the inner volume.
US09386813B2 Mask
There is provided a mask that includes a mask body and two strings. The two strings hold the mask body at a predetermined position on the face of a wearer by being caught by both ears or the head of the wearer. Folded portions, which are adapted so as to be capable of rising and falling on the surface of the mask body coming into contact with the face of the wearer, are formed on both sides of the mask body.
US09386809B2 Quick release vest system
A vest incorporating a pull element operatively connected to a plurality of tether lines extending along pathways to panel connection points at which front and rear panels of the vest are adjoined. When the pull element is extended away from the vest, the tether lines are placed into tension thereby causing the connection assemblies to be disengaged and the front and rear panels of the vest can fall away from one another.
US09386806B2 Multi-functional bib and apron
The invention provides a bib and apron apparatus having a first member defining a bib sized to be fitted around a user's neck and a second member defining an apron sized to cover the user's body between the stomach and legs. A pocket is located on the bib for housing snacks or other items essential to the user. The first member includes an attachment mechanism that connects to an attachment mechanism on the second member such that the connected first and second members covers nearly the full body of the user to prevent staining any portion of the user's clothing or for hygienic purposes. An apron having safety pockets for storing apron securing straps therein when the bib is attached thereto. The apron and bib further includes at least one safety flap for selectively covering and protecting the attachment mechanisms and/or a user's body.
US09386804B2 Cigarette holder
A cigarette holder, including a hollow tube having a front end serving as a mouthpiece and a rear end over which the non-burning end of a cigarette is receivable and a clip attached to the tube. The clip includes a pair of cooperating, opposing, openable jaws to removably hold the non-burning end of the cigarette over the rear end of the tube, to form an airtight seal. The jaws each have an opposing end tip and are movable from a closed position where the end tips are in contact with each other to an open position where the end tips are spaced apart from each other. The jaws can also be used to open the non-burning end of the cigarette so that it fits over the rear end of the tube.
US09386803B2 Tobacco smoke filter for smoking device with porous mass of active particulate
A tobacco smoking device comprises a porous mass of active particles adapted to enhance a tobacco smoke flowing over said active particles and binder particles. The active particles comprises about 1-99% weight of the porous mass, and the binder particles comprises about 1-99% weight of said porous mass. The active particles and said binder particles are bound together at randomly distributed points throughout the porous mass. The active particles have a greater particle size than the binder particles.
US09386798B2 Fluidized bed coffee roaster
A fluidized bed coffee roaster controls air flow and/or temperature to maintain a desired time-temperature roast profile. The roaster may also provide a two stage quenching cycle for rapidly cooling roasted coffee beans to ambient temperature. In a first stage of the quenching cycle unheated air is passed through the roasted beans while they are still in the roasting chamber of the fluidized bed roaster. In a second stage of the quenching cycle which is carried out outside of the roasting chamber, in a fluidized bed quenching station, unheated air is flowed through, and fluidizes, the roasted coffee beans cooling them to ambient temperature.
US09386794B2 Nutritional composition to promote healthy development and growth
A nutritional composition having a lipid or fat; a protein source; a source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which comprises docosahexanoic acid; and up to about 2.5% by weight of a source of supplemental calcium which, when dissociated, provides a cation having prebiotic functionality.
US09386791B2 Dairy product and process
The invention relates to liquid nutritional compositions, particularly shelf stable liquid nutritional compositions including compositions comprising non-hydrolyzed whey protein, and methods of producing and using these compositions.
US09386786B2 Equol-containing fermentation product of soybean embryonic axis, and method for production thereof
An object of the invention is to provide an equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material that is useful for foods, pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetic products, etc.The equol-containing fermented soybean hypocotyl material of the invention is obtained by fermenting soybean hypocotyls using at least one microorganism having an equol-producing ability by utilizing at least one daidzein compound selected from the group consisting of diadzein glycosides, daidzein, and dihydrodaidzein.
US09386785B2 Extruded compositions suitable for use in food products and processes of making thereof
A process for the extrusion of a composition from an extruder, which composition is suitable for use in a food product, is disclosed. The process provides a composition which is comprised of a hydrophilicized carrier and surface-active compound which is extruded. The process describes adding the surface-active compound after the carrier is hydrophilicized.
US09386784B2 Method and system for entrapping pressurized gas in powdered food or beverage products
Methods and systems for continuously producing foaming compositions from powders, granules, and/or particulate are provided and/or powders, granules, and/or particulates that contains high pressure gas. The methods and systems are configured to reduce energy costs and overall processing time and, thus, provide advantages over the prior batch processes that have lengthy temperature ramp-up and cool-down times due to the shortcomings of using a large pressure vessel.
US09386780B2 Structure for hanging meat such as belly and/or pieces of bacon
A support hook for moving meat, more specifically for pieces or cubes of bacon/belly during the processing and/or curing thereof includes a framework and a plurality of tips. The plurality of tips are integral with the respective framework via respective heads arranged on both sides and the holes of the framework such that each tip can be inserted and interchanged even at a later time, if any tip should be broken or chipped. This type of hook is generally called comb or bacon comb.
US09386779B2 Tubular film food casing
The present invention relates to a tubular film food casing, a process for its production and a food product comprising the tubular film food casing.
US09386776B2 Calcium fortification of bread dough
Calcium additives useful for fortifying baked goods, such as bread products, with calcium are disclosed. The calcium additives are particularly useful for fortifying leavened baked goods with calcium. Methods for preparing the calcium additives and using the calcium additives to fortify baked goods are also disclosed. Generally, the calcium additives comprise intimate admixtures calcium carbonate and an acid such as citric acid.
US09386772B2 Antimicrobial elastomeric articles
The present invention relates generally to methods of preparing antimicrobial elastomeric articles that include an elastomeric article having an antimicrobial coating provided thereon. The antimicrobial elastomeric articles exhibit enhanced ability to reduce or eliminate microbes that come in contact with the article. Certain aspects of the invention are further directed to methods of packaging the antimicrobial elastomeric articles, where the packaged antimicrobial articles exhibit antimicrobial effectiveness for an extended period of time as compared to unpackaged antimicrobial articles. Antimicrobial elastomeric articles and packaged antimicrobial elastomeric articles prepared in accordance with the methods of the present invention are also provided.
US09386770B2 Use of predissolved pristinamycin-type and polyether ionophore type antimicrobial agents in the production of ethanol
A method of controlling microorganisms such as lactobacilli metabolism in mash in an ethanol production facility includes adding to the mash an effective amount to control such microorganisms of one or more of a substantially water insoluble pristinamycin-type antimicrobial agent, a substantially water insoluble polyether ionophore antimicrobial agent, or both, wherein the term “substantially water insoluble” means the antimicrobial agent has a solubility in pure water at 20° C. of 0.1 grams per liter or less, and wherein at least a portion of the substantially water insoluble antimicrobial agent(s) is added to the mash in the form of: 1) an organic liquid comprising at least one organic solvent having said substantially water insoluble antimicrobial agent(s) dissolved therein, said organic liquid advantageously comprising more than 1 gram per liter of said antimicrobial agent(s); 2) particles comprising said substantially water insoluble antimicrobial agent(s) and having a weight mean average diameter of less than 5 microns; or 3) both.
US09386769B2 Thiazole methylamino pyridine compounds and preparation method therefor
Disclosed are thiazole methylamino pyridine compounds represented by the general formula (I) having fungicidal, insecticidal/acaricidal, and herbicidal activity, the preparation method thereof, the fungicidal, insecticidal/acaricidal, and herbicidal compositions containing the compounds of the present invention, and the use and the method for controlling fungi, insects/acari and weeds of the compounds of the present invention.
US09386768B2 Herbicidal compositions
A herbicidal composition comprising an aqueous suspension of microcapsules, having a capsule wall of a porous condensate polymer, and containing a solution of fluoroxypyr in a rosin solvent system comprising rosin and/or a rosin derivative. There is also provided a herbicidal composition comprising microcapsules, having a capsule wall of a porous condensate polymer, and containing fluoroxypyr and a solvent comprising rosin and/or a rosin derivative. A method of preparing a herbicidal composition is also disclosed, comprising providing a water immiscible phase comprising fluoroxypyr and an isocyanate dissolved in a rosin solvent system comprising rosin and/or a rosin derivative; providing an aqueous phase comprising one or more surfactants; combining the water immiscible phase and the aqueous phase to form a dispersion of the water immiscible phase in the aqueous phase; adding to the resulting dispersion an amine, thereby forming microcapsules of polyurea containing droplets of the water immiscible phase; and curing the microcapsules.
US09386757B1 Mobile animal waste collection station
A mobile animal waste collection station which facilitates the collection and disposal of animal waste in a sanitary manner is provided, which station includes a mobile station having a base frame supported on a plurality of wheels, a shaft extending from the base frame and terminating in a handle section, a waste collection receptacle securable to the base frame, an animal waste pickup tool such as a “pooper scooper” which is detachably securable to the shaft, and other tools and supplies for use in the waste collection and disposal process, whereby the collection station can be easily transported between waste pickup locations.
US09386755B2 Turfgrass varieties having desirable looking turf when mowed infrequently
Turfgrass varieties with desirable looking turf when mowed infrequently are provided. Also provided is a method of producing a turfgrass plant having desirable looking turf when mowed infrequently. The turfgrass plants of the present invention display green leaf chlorophyll concentrations above 1.8 mg/g and a field insitu CM-1000 chlorophyll meter reading of 341.7 or higher, as well as high general turfgrass quality ratings. The turfgrass plants of the present invention retain a dark green color even when scalped back by infrequent mowing.
US09386752B2 Integral dripper with an elongated exit pool
A discrete flat dripper of the non-pressure regulated type of drippers or of the pressure compensated—flow rate regulated type of drippers, suited for being integrally installed within a hose, that comprises a body component whose configuration is essentially rectangular, wherein on its one side that is suited to being affixed to an internal wall of the hose, formed with an exit pool that it is elongated in its dimensions and substantially extends along the entire length of the body component, and with a flow passage circumferentially surrounding a substantial part of the elongated exit pool, and an integral dripper line wherein there are integrated at least one of such discrete flat dripper, and optionally and as enabled by the elongated exit pool, the water outlet opening that is formed at the hose wall opposite the elongated exit pool and within its boundaries, is in a configuration of a thin and long slit.
US09386751B2 Apparatus, system and method for producing fungi for use in a ecosystem
An apparatus, system and method for producing fungi for use in an ecosystem provides a production substrate and a spawn substrate that can be combined on demand to cultivate fungi and fungi byproducts. The substrates go through a systematic process by which they are prepared, positioned in separate sections of the vessel, sanitized, inoculated with a fungi culture, and finally combined at la later time and place demand by cutting the seal. In this manner, the shelf life is extended. The vessel is then placed inside a dispersion container, where the fungi and fungi byproducts disperse towards the ecosystem. The dispersion container comprises a container exhaust for allowing a vessel exhaust to at least partially pass through. The fungi by product directionally releases from the vessel exhaust through a vessel exhaust, such as a mesh or webbed aperture sized to release gases and extraneous liquids.
US09386745B2 Corn header for a forage harvester including a side separating mechanism
A corn header (4) for a forage harvester for harvesting stalked crop includes a set of cutting and intake conveyor mechanisms for cutting the crop in a substantially horizontal direction. A separating mechanism for separating the crop in a substantially vertical direction is positioned on at least one side of the corn header, laterally next to the cutting and intake conveyor mechanisms.
US09386744B2 Plant trimming apparatus and methods of using the same
A plant trimming apparatus comprising a container having top and bottom end regions and a grate supported therein. A cutting blade and a fan blade are rotatably supported within the container. The fan blade is operative to create an air flow from the top end region to the bottom end region+vortex. The apparatus comprises a blade motor including a shaft, wherein the cutting blade and the fan blade are supported on the shaft. The cutting blade includes a plurality of forward or rear leaning blades that cooperate with the grate openings to cut parts off the plant. The blade has an outer ring extending between each of the plurality of blades. A lid assembly is attached to an upper rim portion of the container and supports an agitator motor that is connected to an agitator arm that is disposed within the container above the grate.
US09386739B2 System for controlling mower drive wheels
A zero-turn-radius mower includes a chassis, a pair of drive wheels for supporting the chassis above a ground surface, an engine, and a pair of transmissions or other drive mechanism for driving the drive wheels. A manually-moveable brake lever enables an operator to selectively brake the drive wheels and a manually-moveable bypass lever enables the operator to selectively engage bypass functions of the transmissions. The brake lever and the bypass lever are mechanically coupled such that engaging the brake lever causes the bypass lever to be engaged with the brake lever, but engaging the bypass lever does not cause the brake lever to be engaged. The brake lever and the bypass lever each including a locking mechanism that retains the respective lever in an engaged position.
US09392733B2 Data center cooling
A system includes a substantially sealed, substantially airtight cabinet sized for housing a vertical array of heat-producing units, the cabinet having an exterior shell and the system including an interior divider wall disposed inside the cabinet, the shell and divider wall providing an equipment chamber adapted to support the array such that the array cooperates with the shell and divider wall in use to define a first plenum, the first plenum having a first inlet defined by the divider wall for receiving a flow of cooling gas and having a first outlet defined by a plurality of openings through the array whereby the first plenum communicates with the openings in use to exhaust substantially all of the flow of cooling fluid through the openings and hence through the array, wherein the divider wall is configured to allow the first inlet to admit the gas to the first plenum in a substantially horizontal direction.
US09392732B2 Electronic control unit and rotating electric machine
An electronic control unit is equipped with a semiconductor module having a semiconductor chip electrically connected to the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern. A resin body is wrapped around the semiconductor chip. A first metal plate has a side connected to the semiconductor chip and an other side connected to the first circuit pattern. A radiator projects toward and is connected to the first circuit pattern by a first heat conductor. As a result, heat generated by the semiconductor chip is transmitted to the radiator through the first metal plate, the first circuit pattern, and the first heat conductor during operation of the semiconductor module.
US09392727B2 Cooled electronic system
A sealable module, cooled electronic system and method are described relating to cooling a heat generating electronic device. The sealable module is adapted to be filled with a first cooling liquid and a heat transfer device having a conduction surface defines a channel for receiving a second cooling liquid. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the conduction surface or housing is shaped in conformity with the shape of the electronic component. Control of the second cooling liquid is also described. Transferring heat between the second cooling liquid and a third cooling liquid features in embodiments. A method of filling a container with a cooling liquid is further detailed.
US09392725B2 Electronics chassis adaptable for forced air or liquid conduction cooling
An electronics chassis comprises a frame including at least one fluid flow path along a side of the frame and that is sealed relative to an interior volume of the frame. A first opening to the fluid flow path is at a first end of the frame; and, a second opening to the fluid flow path at a second end of the frame. The first and second ends of the frame are configured to interchangeably receive components for forced air conduction cooling and components for liquid conduction cooling through the fluid flow paths.
US09392721B2 Sliding mechanism with locking function
A sliding mechanism with locking function includes a slide frame and a resilient plate. The slide frame includes opposite front and rear ends and an end plate formed at the front end and extending outward from the front end in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal length of the slide frame. The end plate is formed with a through hole. The resilient plate has a width smaller than that of the slide frame, a rear section fixed to the slide frame and a front section opposite to the rear section and formed with a locking element exposed to an exterior of the through hole in the end plate in such a manner that the locking element is movable limitedly and resiliently in the transverse direction upon an external force applied thereto.
US09392711B2 Electrical junction box with built-in isolation transformer
An electrical junction box with a built-in isolation transformer is provided. The junction box includes an interior base portion having at least one opening, a transformer secured to the interior base portion and in electrical communication with low-voltage and high-voltage terminals, a cover configured to attach to a junction box base plate and housing the interior base I portion and the transformer, and a gasket providing a watertight seal between the cover and the junction box base plate.
US09392707B2 Display device
Provided is a display device that is exceptionally easy to assemble. A display device includes an electroconductive housing. A case body accommodates the display device. A connecting member causes electrification between the housing of the display device and a grounding part of a circuit substrate. The connecting member has a base part that contacts the housing, and an elastic contact armature that contacts the grounding part of the circuit substrate when the circuit substrate is secured to the case body. A securing member secures the display device to the case body so that the base part is held between the housing and the case body. The case body has an elastic locking armature for securing the circuit substrate. The case body has a through-hole through which the elastic contact armature of the connecting member is inserted.
US09392706B2 Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal may be provided that includes a case having a through window formed in front of the case, an optical sensor arranged in the case toward the through window, a glass formed of an opaque material to cover the through window of the case, and a window layer disposed on a behind face of the glass, with a fine hole formed above the optical sensor.
US09392702B2 Method of manufacturing surface mount device
Disclosed is a surface mount device to be mounted on a base member, including plural lead units, each of the plural lead units including, a lead including a body portion and a foot formed at an end of the lead; a solder portion formed at the foot of the lead to protrude toward the direction of the base member to have a summit portion, and a diffusion prevention portion provided on the lead for preventing a diffusion of a solder along the body portion of the lead.
US09392700B2 Transparent conductive film and preparation method thereof
A transparent conductive film includes a transparent substrate and a polymer layer formed on the transparent substrate, a surface of the polymer layer is patterned to define a meshed trench, the meshed trench is filled with a conductive material to form a sending area, a periphery of the sensing area is printed with a lead, the lead is electrically connected to the conductive material in the meshed trench. Besides, a method of manufacturing the transparent conductive film is provided. In the transparent conductive film and the method, the trench is filled with a conductive material to form a sending area, and the lead is formed by printing and electrically connected to the conductive material, the yield of the lead of the transparent conductive film is relatively high.
US09392698B2 Chip-embedded printed circuit board and semiconductor package using the PCB, and manufacturing method of the PCB
A chip-embedded printed circuit board (PCB), a semiconductor package using the PCB, and a manufacturing method of the chip-embedded PCB. The semiconductor package using a chip-embedded printed circuit board (PCB) includes upper and lower semiconductor packages having a package on package (PoP) structure, wherein the lower semiconductor package includes a base substrate including predetermined circuit patterns formed therein; an electronic component electrically connected to the circuit pattern and embedded in the base substrate such that one surface thereof is exposed to an upper surface of the base substrate; and a heat dissipation member installed on an exposed surface of the electronic component to dissipate heat generated from the electronic component to the outside.
US09392686B2 Display device
A display device includes having a display panel, a light source disposed on a rear surface of the display panel, and an optical member disposed between the display panel and the light source. An optical member supporter is configured to support at least one side of the optical member and includes at least one pair of a first hook and a second hook formed on a rear surface. The display device also includes a bottom chassis having a first inserting hole and a second inserting hole into which the first hook and the second hook are respectively inserted, a driving circuit substrate disposed between the bottom chassis and the second hook, and at least one flexible printed circuit board configured to connect the display panel and the driving circuit substrate.
US09392684B2 Wiring substrate and method for manufacturing wiring substrate
A method for manufacturing a wiring substrate includes alternately stacking first wiring patterns and first insulative layers on a first surface of a core substrate and alternately stacking second wiring patterns and second insulative layers on a second surface of the core substrate at an opposite side of the first surface. The number of the second insulative layers excluding the outermost second insulative layer differs from the number of the first insulative layers. The method further includes forming a via hole in the outermost first insulative layer to expose a portion of the outermost first wiring pattern, and exposing the outermost second wiring pattern by reducing the outermost second insulative layer in thickness. The method further includes forming a via in the via hole and forming a wiring pattern, which is connected by the via to the outermost first wiring pattern, on the outermost first insulative layer.
US09392678B2 Target material supply apparatus for an extreme ultraviolet light source
A target material supply apparatus for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source includes a tube that includes a first end, a second end, and a sidewall defined between the first and second ends. At least a portion of an outer surface of the tube includes an electrically insulating material, the first end receives a pressurized target material, and the second end defines an orifice through which the pressurized target material passes to produce a stream of target material droplets. The target material supply apparatus also includes an electrically conductive coating on the outer surface of the tube. The coating is configured to electrically connect the outer surface of the tube to ground to thereby reduce surface charge on the outer surface.
US09392675B2 Digital load control system providing power and communication via existing power wiring
A two-way load control system comprises a power device, such as a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the power device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The power device receives both power and communication over two wires. The controller generates a phase-control voltage and transmits a forward digital message to the power device by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage. The power device transmits a reverse digital message to the controller via the power wiring.
US09392649B2 Organic electroluminescence device with separating foil
An organic electroluminescence device (OLED) has a substrate, a first electrode layer, a layer of organic electroluminescence material, a second electrode layer, a cover layer, a moisture-absorber and a separating foil of resilient material. The separating foil is positioned between the second electrode layer and the moisture-absorber. Spacer structures such as dots are applied on the separating foil between the foil and the cover.
US09392647B2 Window glass sheet fitted with seal member
Provided is a window glass sheet fitted with a seal member and incorporated with a device such as a deicer which facilitates the device and the seal member to be installed in a proper manner. The automotive window glass sheet comprises a laminated glass sheet including a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet placed on an outboard side of the first glass sheet, and a seal member fitted on a peripheral part of the laminated glass sheet. The automotive window glass sheet further comprises a cutout formed on an edge of the first glass sheet, an electrode provided on a part of the inboard side of the second glass sheet corresponding to the cutout, a lead wire connected to the electrode and a spacer extending along an edge of the second glass sheet on the inboard side of the second glass sheet in a part thereof corresponding to the cutout and defining a flat and smooth inboard surface, wherein the inboard surface of the spacer is flush with a plane extrapolated from an inboard side of the first glass sheet, and the seal member is attached to a peripheral part of the inboard side of the first glass sheet and is attached to the inboard surface of the spacer in the cutout.
US09392640B2 Method and system for automatically controlling the insertion of control word in CPRI daisy chain configuration
A method and apparatus automatically controls the insertion of information flow data over a shared CPRI link (561) by providing a hardware control mechanism (504-509) at a local radio base station subsystem (501) connected in a CPRI daisy chain configuration between a downstream RE device (570) and an upstream REC device (560) for determining whether the control word being transmitted is sourced from a downstream device (e.g., forwarded data from a downstream RE device) or from the local device.
US09392626B2 Method and system to support single radio video call continuity during handover
A method and system for managing a plurality of network bearers in a wireless communication network is provided. The method includes identifying at least one of an initiation or an update of an instance of an application session. The method then generates an identifier associated with said instance of the application session. Further, the method assigns said identifier to each of the plurality of network bearers established as a result of said identified initiation or identified update of said instance of the application session. In an embodiment, the method uses the said identifier for managing communication during handover from a first communications network to a second communications. The method manages both video bearers and the voice bearers during the handover based on the said identifier.
US09392616B2 HARQ in spatial multiplexing MIMO system
A method and apparatus for signaling scheduling information in a spatial multiplexing wireless communications system, as well as corresponding methods and apparatus for processing such signaling information, are disclosed. Signaling scheduling information includes scheduling first and second transport blocks for simultaneous transmission during a first transmission interval on first and second data substreams, respectively, and assigning a single re-transmission process identifier for the first transmission interval and transmitting first scheduling information for the first transmission interval. The first scheduling information includes the re-transmission process identifier and first disambiguation data. Additionally, at least one of the first and second transport blocks is scheduled for re-transmission during a second transmission interval. Second scheduling information for the second transmission interval is also transmitted; the second scheduling information including the re-transmission process identifier and second disambiguation data.
US09392614B2 Listen before talk for cellular in unlicensed band
Disclosed in some examples are systems, machine-readable media, methods, and cellular wireless devices which implement a Listen Before Talk (LBT) access scheme for a device operating according to a cellular wireless protocol in an unlicensed channel. A cellular wireless device may utilize the cellular wireless protocol in the unlicensed channel after the LBT access scheme has determined that a channel (a defined range of frequencies) in the unlicensed channel is idle for a particular period of time.
US09392610B2 Operating method for acquiring system information in wireless communication system, and apparatus for supporting same
Provided is an operating method for acquiring system information which is to be performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: transmitting, to a serving cell, a system information acquisition failure report message that requests the transmission of compulsory system information; operating a system based on the acquired compulsory system information upon the acquisition of the compulsory system information as a response to the system information acquisition failure report message; and performing a connection recovery upon the failure of the acquisition of the compulsory system information as a response to the system information acquisition failure report message.
US09392595B2 Control information transmission method, user equipment, and base station
The present invention discloses a control information transmission method, a user equipment, and a base station. The method includes: obtaining a data channel transmission mode configured by a base station; determining a downlink control information DCI format set corresponding to the transmission mode, where the DCI format set includes a first DCI format, and the first DCI format includes single-codeword control information; and detecting, according to the DCI format set, control signaling sent by the base station and corresponding to the DCI format set. The user equipment includes a first obtaining module, a first determining module, and a detecting module. The base station includes a configuring module, a first determining module, and a first sending module.
US09392590B2 Method for transmitting HARQ-ACK information based on transmission diversity
A method for transmitting HARQ-ACK information based on transmission diversity is provided. The method includes configuring two component carriers, referred to as Cells, for a User Equipment (UE); when a base station configures the UE to transmitHARQ-ACK information adopting the transmission diversity technique, the base station indicates dynamically whether an other Cell is scheduled in the same subframe via a PDCCH scheduling a PDSCH of one Cell, so as to enable the UE to know the number of Cells scheduled in the same downlink subframe by the base station, and to generate HARQ-ACK information based on the number of Cells. Unnecessary spatial bundling of the HARQ-ACK information may be avoided, unnecessary downlink data retransmission is reduced and throughput of downlink data is improved.
US09392584B2 User equipment control in a multi-core long term evolution system
In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system, a User Equipment (UE) receives Mobility Management Entity (MME) selection data. The UE processes the MME selection data to select one of multiple MMEs. The UE wirelessly transfers an LTE attachment request to an LTE access point. The LTE attachment request indicates the selected MME. The UE wirelessly receives an attachment acceptance from the selected MME through the LTE access point in response to selecting and indicating the MME in the LTE attachment request.
US09392582B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving activation indicator regarding component carrier in wireless communication system
A method for supporting activation/deactivation of serving cells by a base station (eNB) in a wireless communication system provides decreased overhead and decreased power consumption for a user equipment (UE). The method includes configuring M supportable serving cells in the UE, configuring an indicator indicating activation/deactivation of each of the M serving cells, configuring a medium access control (MAC) message which includes a MAC control element (CE) and a logical channel identifier (LCID), the MAC CE including the indicator configured for each of the M serving cells and having a length corresponding to an integer multiple of 8 bits, the LCID indicating that the MAC CE includes the indicator indicating activation/deactivation of each serving cell, and transmitting the configured MAC message to the UE. Accordingly, a control channel or data channel regarding a component carrier is selectively received depending on whether the component carrier is activated.
US09392576B2 Methods for tranporting a plurality of media streams over a shared MBMS bearer in a 3GPP compliant communication system
An infrastructure device in a 3GPP compliant system performs a method transporting a plurality of media streams over a shared MBMS bearer. The 3GPP compliant system includes a RAN partitioned into a plurality MBMS services areas, wherein each MBMS service area has at least one already existing shared MBMS bearers for transporting the media streams. The infrastructure device: receives a first request to transmit a first media stream to a first communication group; identifies a shared MBMS bearer in a first 3GPP MBMS service area that is already transporting a second media stream to a second communication group; and determines whether the shared MBMS bearer has sufficient capacity to transport both the first media stream and the second media stream simultaneously. When the shared MBMS bearer has sufficient capacity, the infrastructure device simultaneously sends both the first media stream and the second media stream on the shared MBMS bearer.
US09392571B2 Method for measuring position in M2M system and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a method for enabling a machine-to-machine (M2M) gateway to measure the position of an M2M device, and an apparatus therefore, and the method includes the steps of: receiving a request for generating a first resource representing the way of obtaining positional information form a first M2M device; if the generation request contains the information for indicating commonly based positional measurement, determining the device closest to the first M2M device; and setting the positional information of the closest device as the positional information for the first m2M device, wherein if the M2M gateway does not have network topological information, or at least one M2M device connected to the m2M gateway does not have positional information, the M2M topological information, and the at least one M2M device connected to the M2M gateway has positional information, the device having the minimum number of hops from the first M2M device among the at least one M2M device is determined as the closest device, and the first resource represents a data structure capable of being uniquely addressed using address information.
US09392569B2 Systems and methods for a location server to efficiently obtain location information from a location management entity
In one aspect there is provided a method performed by a first location management entity, LME (e.g., an MME or an SGSN), for providing location information to a location server (e.g., a GMLC). The method includes the first LME receiving from the location server a first request for location information pertaining to a terminal. The method also includes the first LME determining whether the terminal is in a connected state. The method further includes the first LME, in response to determining that the terminal is in a connected state, performing a method comprising: i) transmitting a stop paging message to a second LME; ii) obtaining the requested location information pertaining to the terminal; and iii) transmitting the obtained location information to the location server.
US09392529B2 Method and device for selecting serving gateway entity
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to the communication field and disclose a method and device for selecting a serving gateway entity. The method includes: receiving an access request message of a user equipment UE sent by a base station, where the access request message includes location information of the base station; acquiring, according to the location information of the base station, a signaling plane address list of serving gateway entities SGWs serving the UE; and selecting, according to failure information of paths between the SGWs and neighboring network elements of the SGWs and the acquired signaling plane address list of SGWs serving the UE, an SGW having no failed path to a neighboring network element of the SGW to serve the UE. The device includes: a receiving module, an acquiring module, and a selecting module.
US09392527B2 System and method for efficient L3 mobility in a wired/wireless network
A system and method for efficiently handling mobility events includes detecting a mobility event associated with a movement of a mobile unit from a first subnet to a second subnet, forming one or more first flow control messages for updating routing information associated with the mobility event, transmitting the one or more first flow control messages to a core router, forming one or more second flow control messages for disabling layer 2 learning, transmitting the one or more second flow control messages to one or more network switching devices in the first subnet, forming one or more third flow control messages including layer 2 switching instructions for directing network traffic to the mobile unit in the second subnet, and transmitting the one or more third flow control messages.
US09392526B2 Protection against fading in a network ring
A method provided in one example embodiment includes detecting a first current bandwidth of a first link in a network ring, where the first current bandwidth indicates a signal degradation on the first link. The method also includes determining whether the first current bandwidth has degraded more than a second current bandwidth of a second link in the network ring, where the second current bandwidth indicates a signal degradation on the second link. The method further includes routing one or more network flows away from the first link if the first current bandwidth has degraded more than the second current bandwidth.
US09392523B1 Establishing an alternate call path using short-range wireless technology
A device may establish a first communication with a first communication device using short-range wireless communication technology. The device may establish a second communication with a second communication device using short-range wireless communication technology. The device may receive a voice call from the second communication device. The device may determine call information associated with the voice call. The device may compare the call information with stored call information. The device may associate a path condition, previously associated with the stored call information, with the voice call if the call information matches the stored call information. The device may selectively establish a call path to a speaker associated with the device or to the first communication device based on the path condition.
US09392511B1 Assignment of mobility classifications to mobile devices
A method for enhancing assignment of mobility classifications to mobile devices is described. A plurality of mobility classifications are stored in association with a plurality of mobile devices to indicate, for each mobile device, one or more handover parameters used by the mobile device. One or more handover parameters associated with the plurality of mobility classifications are updated based on mobility events. An error determination is made that one or more of the one or more mobile devices are incorrectly associated with the mobility classifications based on the one or more updated handover parameters for the plurality of mobility classifications. In response to the error determination, one or more new criteria are established that adjust how the mobility classifications are assigned.
US09392502B2 Method and system for managing security in mobile communication system
A method, an apparatus, and a system for solving and managing security problems, which may occur during a handover of a User Equipment (UE) between PLMNs in a mobile communication network, by using a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol are provided. By the method, a UE can perform a security mode command and an authentication with a network. Further, the method can prevent interruption of communication due to authentication or security during a handover of a UE between Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs).
US09392489B2 Apparatus and method for providing web service in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a web service in a wireless communication system. The apparatus for providing the web service includes: a proxy unit receiving/sending data through the internet; a packet data conversion protocol (PDCP) unit producing and outputting at least one PDCP protocol data unit (PDU) by using the data; and a control unit monitoring the data received from the proxy unit and controlling the proxy unit to transmit data of a size acceptable by the PDCP unit on the basis of the data capacity of the PDCP unit.
US09392482B2 Method for optimizing the capabilities of an ad hoc telecommunication network
A method is provided for optimizing the adaptation of communication routes in a network consisting of wireless communication nodes, with transfer of information between nodes by relays. This optimization notably enables the communications capabilities to be increased within a self-organized MANET-type network (“Mobile Ad Hoc Network”) which is present notably in radio networks.
US09392478B2 Radio communication system, interference measurement method, radio base station apparatus, and user terminal
The present invention is designed to provide a radio communication system, an interference measurement method, a radio base station apparatus, and a user terminal whereby highly accurate interference measurement is possible. A radio communication system according to the present invention includes a user terminal and a radio base station apparatus that is connected to the user terminal, and, in this radio communication system: the radio base station apparatus has: a determining section that determines a subband pattern for interference measurement; and a transmission section that transmits a reporting signal to indicate the determined subband pattern to the user terminal; and the user terminal has: a receiving section that receives the reporting signal and acquires the subband pattern; andan interference measurement section that performs interference measurement over the entire system band, and, in the interference measurement, averages the interference measurement results in subbands based on the subband pattern.
US09392472B2 Technique for evaluating events in a telecommunication network
A technique for evaluating events in a telecommunication network based on an occurrence of a plurality of the events in the telecommunications network is disclosed. In a first method aspect, the method comprises the steps of selecting at least two parameters of the events; categorizing each of the parameters into a respective finite set of values; defining, for at least a part of conjunctions between the respective finite sets of values, a dedicated counter per conjunction; and altering, upon the occurrence of an individual event, the respective counter if the parameters of the occurred event match the respective conjunction between the finite sets of values.
US09392462B2 Mobile end-user device with agent limiting wireless data communication for specified background applications based on a stored policy
Mobile end-user devices are disclosed having a stored network access policy, applicable to specific applications stored on and executable by the device. The policy specifies, for at least some of the applications, whether or not those applications are individually allowed to initiate access network communication activity using one or more wireless data modems, when those applications are running as a background application. One or more device agents, which may operate at different points within the device in different embodiments, enforce the policies based on a determination as to whether a running application is running as a background application.
US09392459B2 Access network assisted bootstrapping
The Generic Bootstrapping Architecture is used in a method for assigning the bootstrapping transaction ID so that a machine-to-machine server or other device can locate and communicate with a bootstrapping server function. The bootstrapping server function assigns the bootstrapping transaction ID and updates a DNS server with an entry that maps the bootstrapping transaction ID to a network node IP Address.
US09392455B2 Method and apparatus for handling closed subscriber groups in relay-enhanced system
A method and an apparatus for handling closed subscriber groups in a relay-enhanced system are provided in the invention. The method includes: retrieving setting information relating to closed subscriber groups of a donor base station and a relay node of a relay-enhanced cellular system; acquiring a whitelist defining one or more closed subscriber groups in which a terminal is a member, the terminal requesting access to the relay-enhanced cellular system via the relay node; and verifying (i.e. checking and/or validating) a membership of the terminal for both closed subscriber groups of the donor base station and the relay node based on the retrieved setting information and the acquired whitelist. With the method and apparatus of the invention, user access control via the relay node in the relay-enhanced access networks can be improved.
US09392454B2 System and method for computer authentication using image analysis of a shared secret
Client and server computers on a network can be authenticated using a shared secret. During a log-on and authentication process, the server transmits an image to the client. A mobile communication device captures and analyzes the image. If the image contains the shared secret, the mobile device can authenticate the server. The secret in the image can be a geometric relationship between elements of the picture, a mathematical relationship between elements, a particular number or types of elements in the picture, colors of elements, or combinations of the above. A single image may contain multiple shared secrets. The mobile device can readily analyze the image to determine if it contains the shared secret and thereby authenticate the server.
US09392447B2 Security handling for multi frequency band
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for security handling in, for example, cells that support multiple frequency band indication are provided. One method includes receiving, for example by a source evolved node B (eNB) configured to communicate with a user equipment, a multiple frequency band indicator (MFBI) list, the multiple frequency band indicator (MFBI) list comprising at least one frequency band number listed in the same order of priority as broadcast by a target eNB. The method may further include selecting one of the at least one frequency band number for use by the source eNB, calculating a security key (KeNB*) using the DL EARFCN belonging to the selected frequency band number with the highest priority that is also supported by the user equipment, and signaling the calculated security key to the target eNB.
US09392442B1 Secured application communications
Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software for initiating communication for a secured application. In one example, a method for initiating communication on a wireless communication device includes identifying a communication request for a secured application and selecting one or more radio transceivers for the communication request. The method further provides initializing the one or more radio transceivers to search for availability data based on an open operating system command and identifying an appropriate transceiver based on the availability data. The method further includes initializing a communication for the secured application using the appropriate transceiver.
US09392441B2 Method and apparatus for controlling updates to a mobile device
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for controlling updates to a mobile device consisting of checking a ROM installation package and storing the check data, or encrypting a ROM installation package and storing said encrypted ROM installation package. The stored check data is used to check a ROM installation package or to decrypt a stored encrypted ROM installation package when updating a mobile device. If it is verified to be correct or to be decryptable, the verified or decrypted ROM installation package is installed. If it is verified to have errors or to be undecryptable, the installation of the ROM installation package is terminated. The present invention reduces the risks associated with the destruction or disclosure of data when mobile devices are lost.
US09392440B2 Base station, user equipment and methods therein
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a base station (12) for providing feedback to a user equipment (14) for transmissions of a secondary stream out of a primary and a secondary stream of the user equipment (14) in an uplink Multiple Input Multiple Output mode. The base station (12) transmits to the user equipment (14), a preferred transmission rank and an offset for the secondary stream in a channel, wherein the offset is to be used by the user equipment (14) when deciding transport block size of the secondary stream and the preferred transmission rank is to be used by the user equipment (14) when deciding a transmission rank.
US09392427B2 Providing presence information in a personal communications system comprising an interface unit
Presence information is provided in a personal communications system comprising an interface unit (21), the interface unit comprising a computer interface connecting the interface unit (21) to a client computer (1); and a first transceiver exchanging radio signals between interface unit (21) and a mobile telephone (22) according to a first wireless communication protocol; and/or a telephone interface connecting interface unit (21) to a desktop telephone (23). The method comprises the steps of providing a presence message indicating whether the mobile telephone (22) or the desktop telephone (23) is involved in a phone call; and transmitting the presence message to the client computer (1) via the computer interface. Thus better and more reliable presence information taking use of mobile or desktop telephones into account can easily be provided.
US09392426B2 Intelligent delivery agent for short message distribution center
A message distribution center (MDC) and Intelligent Delivery Agent in a wireless Internet gateway interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) based on desired rules using standard SMTP Gateway and other known protocols. The MDC includes an individual queue for each subscriber, and the provider is informed through conventional SMTP messages that the short message has been accepted. If the carrier has specifically disallowed service for a particular mobile identification number (MIN), then the content provider is informed that the recipient is invalid. An MDC provides a single mechanism for interacting with subscribers of multiple carriers, regardless of each carrier's underlying infrastructure. An MDC protects networks by intelligently throttling messages and configuring message delivery parameters. An MDC receives presence information. A content provider communicates with the MDC using SMTP messages, and the MDC communicates with wireless carriers.
US09392417B1 Managing activities performed by a plurality of collocated mobile devices
Systems and methods for managing activities among collocated mobile devices are disclosed. A controller determines a route of travel corresponding to two or more collocated mobile devices prior to a start of travel, and a set of activities to be performed by the two or more collocated mobile devices after the start of travel based, at least in part, on the route of travel. At least a portion of the set of activities is assigned to a first set of subsystems in a first mobile device and a second set of subsystems in a second mobile device of the two or more collocated mobile devices, wherein the first mobile device and the second mobile device are configured to communicate with one another, and the first set of subsystems and the second set of subsystems have at least one subsystem which is different.
US09392416B2 Method and apparatus for predicting and pre-fetching location information
An approach is provided for predicting and pre-fetching location information. A pre-fetching manager determines a predicted location associated with a device. Next, the pre-fetching manager retrieves location information based, at least in part, on the predicted location. Then, the pre-fetching manager determines to cache the location information at the device.
US09392411B1 Item and object location system
A location system for luggage and the like is disclosed. A locator chip is attached to the luggage and an app is downloaded into a smartphone. When the chip's unique ID number is entered through the app into the phone a long range and short range location system is activated. The long range system uses GPS to display the location of both the phone and the identified chip on a map and when the user is close enough the short range system uses NFC (near field communication) to provide a directional arrow pointing to the chip on the phone display.
US09392385B2 Hearing aid
A hearing aid includes: a hearing aid housing; a receiver; and a filter; wherein the hearing aid housing comprises an outer surface, a housing opening at the outer surface, and an internal cavity configured for containing the receiver; wherein the filter is insertable into the housing opening and is releasably mounted to the hearing aid housing; and wherein the housing opening is configured to provide sound emitted from the receiver, and wherein the housing opening and the receiver are relatively sized in order to allow for insertion of the receiver through the housing opening into the internal cavity for containment of the receiver in the internal cavity.
US09392384B2 Integrated speech processor headpiece
An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions.Cochlear implant systems include a circuit board having electronic circuitry configured to generate one or more signals configured to direct electrical stimulation of one or more stimulation sites within a patient, an induction coil configured to transmit a telemetry signal by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between the induction coil and the circuit board. The telemetry flux guide is configured to direct magnetic flux of the telemetry magnetic field away from the circuit board.
US09392377B2 Anatomically customized ear canal hearing apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus suitable for use with hearing devices. A vapor deposition process can be used to make a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to a tissue surface, such as a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to one or more of an eardrum, the eardrum annulus, or a skin of the ear canal. The retention structure can be resilient and may comprise an anatomically accurate shape profile corresponding to a portion of the ear, such that the resilient retention structure provides mechanical stability for an output transducer assembly placed in the ear for an extended time. The output transducer may couple to the eardrum with direct mechanical coupling or acoustic coupling when retained in the ear canal with the retention structure.
US09392374B2 Acoustic generator, acoustic generation device, and electronic device
An acoustic generator according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a frame, a vibration body, and a piezoelectric vibration element. The vibration body is provided at an inner side of the frame. The piezoelectric vibration element is provided on the vibration body. The vibration body has a configuration in which a thin plate-like first portion and a thin plate-like second portion having different elastic moduli are laminated.
US09392367B2 Sound reproduction apparatus and sound reproduction method
Signals obtained by convoluting opposite phase signals of impulse responses corresponding to current positions of sound collection units attached to right and left suppliers out of impulse responses calculated in association with a plurality of positions to sound signals for right and left ears are supplied to the right and left suppliers, respectively.
US09392361B2 Microphone assembly
Described herein is a microphone assembly for an electronic device incorporating a microphone. The microphone assembly includes a microphone interface that enables direct coupling of inputs from the microphone to a preamplifier. For the purpose, the microphone interface includes a DC servo loop. The DC servo loop provides a DC path for supplying a DC bias current to the microphone and an AC path to receive the AC output obtained from the microphone. The AC path and the DC path allow separation of the AC output of the microphone from the DC bias current. The microphone interface is implemented using reduced number of IC pin interfaces and external components to achieve compactness of the device.
US09392355B1 Gaming headset with voice scrambling for private in-game conversations
An electronic device may be configurable to operate in a scrambling mode and a non-scrambling mode while processing chat audio and microphone audio for a first player participating in an online multiplayer game via a game console. While operating in the non-scrambling mode, the electronic device may be configured to transmit the microphone audio to the game console without scrambling the microphone audio. While operating in the scrambling mode, the electronic device may be configured to scramble the microphone audio and transmit the scrambled microphone audio to the game console. The electronic device may be operable to select a scrambling key used to scramble the microphone audio based on a signal received by the electronic device that indicates a role of the player in the online multiplayer game. The role of the player may correspond to which of two or more opposing teams the first player is a member of in the online multiplayer game.
US09392351B2 Earplug-type earphone
An earplug-type earphone is disclosed including: an earplug (10) for producing sound and an elastic support (30). The earplug (10) includes a front housing (200) and a rear housing (500) connected in that order. The elastic support (30) is positioned on an outer side of the rear housing (500). When the earplug (10) is inserted in the external auditory canal, the elastic support (30) is pressed and deformed and then applies resilience to the helix, by which the earplug can be stably positioned in the external auditory canal.
US09392339B2 TV-Internet integration circuit
A TV system for displaying TV broadcast signal and Internet signal. Preferably, the TV system is configured to simultaneously or selectively display the TV broadcast signal and Internet signal.
US09392332B2 Apparatus and method for parental control using V-Chip plus+ and master password
A method and apparatus for exercising access control over television programs using a parental control user interface that has different functions is provided. The method requires a password to enter into a master mode for obtaining access to all the functions of the parental control user interface. Once in the master mode, the user may enter a criterion for blocking a television program from being viewed or recorded or the user can override an already blocked television program.If a user, not in the master mode, attempts to watch or record a program that meets the blocking criterion and the program does not meet the overriding criterion, a prompt is provided to the user to enter the password. Upon entering a correct password, the program is unblocked.
US09392330B2 IPTV follow me content system and method
Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content including (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content.
US09392324B1 Systems and methods for identifying and storing a portion of a media asset
Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that can cause a specific portion of a media asset to be stored based on a user command. For example, if the user requests the closing scene from a given movie, the media guidance application may detect the command, determine that it comprises an instruction to store a portion of a media asset, identify a source of the portion of the media asset, and cause the portion of the media asset to be stored. The media guidance application may also cause the entirety of the media asset to be stored and initiate playback at the start of the requested portion. This may allow users to store and watch portions of particular interest without requiring that the users seek through the entire media asset on their own.
US09392305B2 Method and apparatus for providing ultra high definition television service
A method and apparatus for providing ultra high definition television service is provided. The apparatus for providing UHDTV service sets up a type of the UHDTV service as a first type of HDTV service and a second type different from that of the HDTV service in an environment of the UHDTV service and the HDTV service coexist.
US09392302B2 System for providing improved facilities in time-shifted broadcasts
In a system for time-shifted viewing of television broadcasts, advertisements 41, 43 are provided with headers 50, 52 containing times of day at which that advert may be viewed or not viewed. A Personal Video Recorder (PVR) 60 stores adverts in an advertisement database 70, stores broadcast program segments in a program database 80, and broadcast rules in a rules database 90. For viewing of the program when time-shifted, the PVR checks the time of day, checks the headers of the adverts, and shows only adverts which are permissibly viewed at that time of day.
US09392291B2 Method and apparatus of temporary image frame compression
An image compression method and fast storage device accessing and pixel decompression is achieved by applying variable bit rate to reduce the data amount of each image frame. Several thresholds are predetermined depending on the availability of the bandwidth of the storage device and the image resolution to decide the compression ratio of each image frame. Starting address of each compressed image frame is saved in predetermined location of the storage device for quick random accessing any compressed frame of image.
US09392289B2 Video encoding system, program bank device, and video encoding method
Encoders of a program bank device perform compression coding on video/voice data of a program from program VTRs, and extract an image feature value of video data of the program to be accumulated in a program database. When a time earlier by a predetermined time than a program delivery time indicated by program operation information from a program operation management server is reached, the program database notifies a statistical multiplexing controller of an image feature value and preliminarily calculates a video encoding bit rate by statistical multiplexing analysis processing. When the program delivery time is reached, the video/voice data of the program from the program database is decoded by decoders and output to delivery encoders at a timing when the data is output to the delivery encoders.
US09392287B2 Method for decoding chroma image using luma quantization
Provided is a method that derives a chroma intra prediction mode of a prediction unit, determines a size of a current chroma block using luma transform size information, generates a chroma prediction block of the current chroma block using the chroma intra prediction mode, generates a chroma residual block of the current chroma block using the chroma intra prediciton mode and a chroma quantization parameter, generates a chroma reconstructed block adding the chroma prediction block and the chroma residual block, and the chroma quantization parameter is generated using a luma quantization parameter and information indicating the relationship between the luma quantization parameter and the chroma quantization parameter. Therefore, the coding efficiency is improved by adjusting the chroma quantization parameter per picture. Also, the amount of bits for transmitting the luma and chroma quantization parameters is reduced by encoding the luma quantization parameter using neighboring luma quantization parameters.
US09392279B2 Method and system for generating an instantaneous decoding refresh (IDR) picture slice in an H.264/AVC compliant video data stream
Method for generating an IDR picture slice in an H.264/AVC stream, the method including finding an I-type picture and identifying it as a start picture, modifying and/or adding, in each slice header of the start picture, IDR-specific elements, removing, from each slice header of the start picture, non-IDR-specific elements, removing all reference and non-reference B-slices between the start picture and the next I-picture or P-picture, following the start picture, that is a frame or the first field, in decoding order, of a complementary field pair. Starting from the first picture after the removed slices, for each slice header executing: correcting frame_num so that they are valid with reference to the previous picture, correcting references, in the MMCO, as a function of the removed reference B-pictures, correcting references, found in the “Reference picture list reordering” structure, as a function of the removed reference B-pictures and restoring slice encapsulation for modified slices.
US09392277B2 Image processing device and method
The present technique relates to an image processing device and method that can increase encoding efficiency. A table selection unit (343) compares the difference (distance) dPOC calculated by a distance calculation unit (342) with a distance threshold dPOC_th supplied from a distance threshold acquirement unit (341), and, in accordance with the comparison result, selects a table (a bit sequence assignment pattern) Sn. A binarization unit (335) refers to the table information about the assignment pattern (Sn) that is stored in a table storage unit (334) and is selected by a table selection unit (343), and, in accordance with the assignment pattern, binarizes the predicted motion vector select information (pmv_index) supplied from a predicted motion vector selection unit (332). The present invention can be applied to image processing devices, for example.
US09392276B2 Video encoding apparatus, video decoding apparatus, video encoding method, and video decoding method
A video encoding apparatus appends decoding delay correction information and display delay correction information to encoded video data in order to ensure that even when one or more pictures that are later in encoding order in the video data than a first picture that may potentially be spliced to a trailing end of other encoded video data have been discarded, the first picture and subsequent pictures in the encoded video data can be continuously decoded and displayed by a video decoding apparatus. The video decoding apparatus corrects the decoding delay and display delay of the first picture and its subsequent pictures by using the decoding delay correction information and display delay correction information.
US09392273B2 Adaptive data transmission rate control for a wireless display device
A method, a computer readable medium and an apparatus to adaptively control a data transmission rate of a wireless display device. The method includes determining a current data transmission rate capacity of a wireless channel; and controlling a data transmission rate of a wireless transmission device based on the current data transmission rate capacity.
US09392272B1 Video coding using adaptive source variance based partitioning
Frames of a video stream can be partitioned using source difference variance based partitioning before encoding. Variances between blocks of a current video frame and blocks of a previous unencoded video frame are determined. The current video frame can be partitioned into varying block sizes depending upon the magnitude of the variances. Blocks with low variance may be combined with other low variance blocks to form larger blocks, while blocks with high variance may be further partitioned into smaller blocks to improve encoding efficiency of the blocks. In cases where partitioning of a frame is unlikely to provide improved efficiency, the variation calculations may be skipped in favor of using fixed partitioning.
US09392267B2 System and methods to measure noise and to generate picture quality prediction from source having no reference
Embodiments of the invention include a system and method to generate a quality rating prediction, such as MOS, of a video under test without using a second video as a reference. Instead of using a reference video, embodiments of the invention generate a pseudo reference video from measuring local impairments of the video under test. The local impairments are then accumulated to create a difference image. The difference image is then subtracted from the video under test to create the pseudo reference, to which the video under test is compared to generate the quality prediction rating. In some embodiments the local impairments may be measured by separating high frequency noise from the video under test from the video itself. Once separated, the noise is then measured and bandwidth compensated to generate the measured local impairments.
US09392265B2 Three-dimensional display panel and driving method thereof
A three-dimensional (3D) display panel has a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and each of the rows has at least one sub-row. The 3D display panel includes at least one first group and at least one second group arranged on the first row. The first group and the second group respectively have a first color region, a second color region and a third color region. The first color region and the second color region of the first group as well as the third color region and the first color region of the second group are arranged on one sub-row, while the third color region of the first group and the second color region of the second group are arranged on another sub-row.
US09392264B1 Occluded object recognition
An object observable in various images of an environment is recognized as being the same object, even when partially occluded in some images. In one particular implementation, the object is a hand which may be used for gesture input to an augmented reality system. A flexible similarity measurement metric is computed to aid in determining whether hands captured through 2D images of the environment are the same or different, regardless of whether the hands are fully observed or partially occluded. The similarity measurement metric accommodates for translation, rotation, and scaling of the hand to enable recognition of a common hand through a sequence of images even if that hand is partially occluded in some images.
US09392257B2 Image processing device and method, recording medium, and program
An image processing device includes a viewpoint separating unit configured to separate multi-viewpoint image data, including images of multiple viewpoints and representing intensity distribution of light and the direction of travel of light according to positions and pixel values of pixels, into a plurality of single-viewpoint image data for each of the individual viewpoints; and a parallax control unit configured to control amount of parallax between the plurality of single-viewpoint image data obtained by separation into individual viewpoints by the viewpoint separating unit.
US09392249B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a digital broadcasting signal
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a digital broadcasting signal including a 3-dimensional image. An apparatus for receiving a digital broadcasting signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a tuner for receiving a digital broadcasting signal including a stereoscopic 3D image signal containing edge handling information; a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the received digital broadcasting signal; a decoder for decoding the 3D image signal of the demultiplexed broadcasting signal to extract original images and the edge handling information; an image editor for editing images by cropping and stretching some portions of the original images using the edge handling information; a graphic engine for creating a floating window using the edge handling information; an on screen display (OSD) for overlaying the created floating window over the original images; and a formatter for receiving the edited images or the floating window-overlaid images to output a stereoscopic 3D image signal with the edge handled.
US09392248B2 Dynamic POV composite 3D video system
Systems and techniques are disclosed for visually rendering a requested scene based on a virtual camera perspective request as well as a projection of two or more video streams. The video streams can be captured using two dimensional cameras or three dimensional depth cameras and may capture different perspectives. The projection may be an internal projection that maps out the scene in three dimensions based on the two or more video streams. An object internal or external to the scene may be identified and the scene may be visually rendered based on a property of the object. For example, a scene may be visually rendered based on where an mobile object is located within the scene.
US09392244B2 Transmitting apparatus for transmitting image data with ID information and time code information and receiving apparatus
A transmitting apparatus generates moving image data including first image data and second image data, and generates first time code information corresponding to the first image data and second time code information corresponding to the second image data. The transmitting apparatus transmits, to an external apparatus, the first image data included in the moving image data and the first time code information corresponding to the first image data, and transmits, to the external apparatus, the second image data included in the moving image data and the second time code information corresponding to the second image data. The transmitting apparatus determines, in accordance with a first condition, the first image data from a plurality of image data included in the moving image data, and determines the second image data, in accordance with a second condition, from the plurality of image data included in the moving image data.
US09392241B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
A band processing circuit which generates image signals corresponding to different frequency bands from an image signal in which signals corresponding to different colors are arranged and which suppresses noise by synthesizing the image signals of the different frequency bands, a sampling circuit which generates image signal corresponding to the colors by sampling the image signal input from the band processing circuit in accordance with a predetermined arrangement, and a luminance/color generation circuit which generates a luminance signal in which aliasing is suppressed using an image signal output from the sampling circuit.
US09392236B2 Image processing method, image signal processor, and image processing system including the same
An image processing method includes: receiving image data of a Bayer format comprising red color information, green color information, and blue color information, generating image data of a modified Bayer format by combining the green color information with the red color information and combining the green color information with the blue color information while downscaling the image data of the Bayer format to a target resolution, denoising the image data of the modified Bayer format, and generating RGB image data by demosaicing the denoised image data of the modified Bayer format.
US09392230B2 Endoscopic apparatus and measuring method
An endoscopic apparatus includes an image generation unit generates an image including subject images, a display unit displays the image and a control unit controls measurement of a size of a subject based on the image, the control unit performs first processing of displaying a moving image including one subject image on the display unit, second processing of, after the first processing, displaying all of subject images used for the measurement or all of images based on one subject image used for the measurement on the display unit as still images, and third processing of, after the second processing, designating a measurement point based on an instruction of a user, and measuring the size of the subject at the designated measurement point based on either an image based on all of subject images used for the measurement or all of the plurality of images based on the one subject image.
US09392224B2 Multipoint connection apparatus and communication system
A multipoint connection apparatus (200) includes a video/audio-signal receiving unit (201) that receives video/audio signals from video/audio terminals (100); a volume-level calculating unit (205) that calculates volume levels from the video/audio signals; a volume-display-image generating unit (207) that generates volume display images indicating volume from the volume levels; a layout-setting-information receiving unit (209) that receives layout setting information indicating information about arrangement of videos to be displayed on the video/audio terminal (100); a combined-video/audio-signal generating unit (211) that generates a combined video/audio signal by combining the video/audio signals and the volume display images based on the layout setting information; and a transmitting unit (215) that transmits the video/audio signal to the video/audio terminal (100).
US09392222B2 Video presence method and system
A video presence method and system. The method includes: receiving a multi-viewpoint three-dimensional video signal from a remote end; determining multiple viewpoint image streams in the multi-viewpoint three-dimensional video signal; and alternately displaying the multiple viewpoint image streams in sequence in a viewing area, where a distance between two neighboring viewpoints in the multiple viewpoint image streams displayed in the viewing area is a pupillary distance. By adopting the present invention, remote three-dimensional video presence may be implemented.
US09392203B2 Image sensor and method of correction output signal of the image sensor
A pixel array includes an array of pixels to receive light, a first pixel to be blocked from receiving the light, and a circuit to adjust signals output from pixels in the array based on a signal from the first pixel. The signals output from the pixels in the array include a first error value. The circuit reduces the first error value in the signals from the pixels in the array based on the signal from the first pixel. The circuit may also reduce a second error value in the signals output from the pixels in the array based on a signal from a second pixel. The first and second pixels may be outside of the pixel array. The first and second error values may be storage diode leakage value and a dark current value.
US09392195B2 Image capturing apparatus and image capturing system
An image capturing apparatus performs a global electronic shutter operation in which a plurality of pixels are exposed during the same exposure period. In a first period, charge is accumulated by a photoelectric conversion unit. In a second period, accumulation units of a plurality of pixels accumulate charge. A ratio of saturation charge quantity of the photoelectric conversion unit to saturation charge quantity of the accumulation unit has a certain relationship with a ratio of a length of the first period to the sum of the length of the first period and the length of the second period.
US09392193B2 Image pickup apparatus, control method therefor and image pickup system
In an image pickup apparatus using an image pickup element including a plurality of photoelectric conversion means sharing a microlens, the number of pixels to be read is switched between the case of normal photographing and the case of live view driving. In the case of live view driving, only pixels positioned near the center of the optical axis of the microlens, the number of which is smaller than that in the case of normal photographing, are read. The image pickup apparatus realizes both normal photographing capable of acquiring an image in which the depth of field is small and which can be refocused, and live view photographing capable of displaying an image with a large depth of field and the high frame rate, thereby allowing the framing of the photographed image to be confirmed.
US09392191B2 Method and device for processing video conference
A method and a device for processing a video conference, including receiving, by a video conference server, first video information sent by a first video terminal and second video information sent by a second video terminal, acquiring, by the video conference server, a preset quantity of personal video information from the received second video information and first video information, and synthesizing the preset quantity of the personal video information to generate a synthesized video, and sending, by the video conference server, the synthesized video to a third video terminal to display. The method and device for processing a video conference avoid a poor display effect due to site disparity when the integrated video of the site is used as a basis, and provide flexibility for maximizing the information display efficiency.
US09392184B2 Electronic apparatus and adjustment method thereof
Electronic apparatuses and adjustment methods thereof are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a camera module and a processor. The camera module is enabled into an HDR mode and captures a reference frame according to a first exposure setting, wherein the reference frame corresponds to a plurality of luminance values. The processor calculates a weighted luminance value of the reference frame according to the luminance values, generates a comparison result by comparing the weighted luminance value and a luminance target of the HDR mode, and decides a second exposure setting according to the comparison result.
US09392174B2 Systems and methods for time-lapse selection subsequent to capturing media content
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can capture media content including an original set of frames. A selection of a time-lapse amount can be received. A subset of frames from the original set of frames can be identified based on the time-lapse amount. An orientation-based image stabilization process can be applied to the subset of frames to produce a stabilized subset of frames. A stabilized time-lapse media content item can be provided based on the stabilized subset of frames.
US09392167B2 Image-processing system, image-processing method and program which changes the position of the viewing point in a first range and changes a size of a viewing angle in a second range
An image-processing system includes a receiver which receives an input value defining an output range, a generator which generates a three-dimensional model having a target image attached to a three-dimensional conformation, a decision part which decides a position of a viewing point and a viewing angle in accordance with the input value, and a projector which projects the three-dimensional model from the viewing point, wherein the decision part changes a range of a target image inside a viewing field by changing the viewing angle preferentially when the input value is in a first range, and changes the range of the target image inside the viewing field by changing the viewing point preferentially when the input value is in a second range which is a wider-angle side than that of the first range.
US09392166B2 Super-resolution in processing images such as from multi-layer sensors
Pixels of an array capture values for an input image. The captured values correspond to pixel center points of the pixels that captured the values. Additional values about the input image may be further computed from the captured values. These additional values may correspond to additional center points, which can be different from any of the pixel center points. An output image may be constructed from the captured values plus the additional values. These values may be stored together and/or displayed together as the output image. Embodiments are applicable to images such as from multi-layer sensors. Since the output image can be created from a higher total number of values than those captured by the available number of pixels, such image processing can be called super-resolution, and can be applied to image processing within imaging devices, for still pictures, video and motion pictures, and so on.
US09392165B2 Array camera, mobile terminal, and methods for operating the same
An array camera, a mobile terminal, and methods for operating the same are disclosed. The method for operating an array camera having a plurality of camera modules includes acquiring images through the plurality of camera modules, grouping the acquired images into a first group and a second group by comparing the acquired images, and generating a composite image using images of the first group.
US09392156B2 Extension flash module and camera system using the same
An extension flash module is provided in the present invention. The extension flash module adopts xenon flash light and is for attaching on the headphone jack of a mobile device. When the extension flash module operates, the voltage output from the headphone connector is boosted to provide a high voltage to the extension flash module. When the high voltage is charged to a rate voltage, the extension flash module sends a charging complete signal to the mobile device through the microphone terminal of the headphone connector. When shutter instruction is performed, the mobile device triggers the extension flash module to flash.
US09392150B2 Camera and optical apparatus
A camera includes: a ring-like body mount having an inside diameter smaller than about 48 millimeters; and a solid-state image pickup device arranged oppositely to the body mount, the solid-state image pickup device having a rectangle light receiving section with a diagonal line length of about 43 millimeters or more. An apparent shape of the solid-state image pickup device viewed from a front surface side of the body mount is a rectangle in which one or more corners are oblique.
US09392147B2 Camera module having elastic stiffening material for efficient shock absorbing property and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a camera module, the camera module including: a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), an image sensor mounted on the PCB and formed with an imaging device for converting light to an electrical signal; a housing fixed a bottom end to an upper surface of the PCB, the housing being a case formed with a hole at an upper center and having a bottom-opened inner space: a lens assembly having at least one lens aligned to the lens hole by being positioned at and contacted to an upper surface of the image sensor and accommodated at an inner space of the housing; and an elastic stiffening material inserted between a lens hole periphery at an upper inner side of the housing and an upper edge of the lens assembly.
US09392144B2 Video synchronization based on an audio cue
Techniques are disclosed for manipulating a media player based on the environment in which content is consumed. For example, a user listening to a radio broadcast or some other ambient sound hears a song begin to play. Recognizing the song, the user wishes to watch an associated music video. A smartphone is used to record a portion of the ambient sound using an application configured according to certain disclosed embodiments. The observed audio is compared with one or more archived audio segments, each of which is associated with corresponding video content. If a match is found between the observed audio segment and an archived audio segment, video content corresponding to the matched archived audio segment is played back via a media player installed on the device. The playback is synchronized with the ambient sound. This allows the user to enjoy both the ambient audio and corresponding video content.
US09392140B2 Image processing apparatus
Provided is an image processing apparatus including a correction unit that corrects a tilt of each partial image data item which is a result of plural sensors reading a medium on which an image of image data is formed so that at least part of a reading region which is read by each of the plural sensors overlaps a reading region of an adjacent sensor, an extraction unit that extracts the image data at a position and in a size at and in which the image data matches the respective partial image data, and a comparison unit that compares partial image data corrected by the correction unit with extracted image data extracted by the extraction unit.
US09392136B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus that controls ejecting timings and non-transitory storage medium used in the same
In a liquid ejecting apparatus, a recording medium is conveyed by only a first conveying device during a first period, by only a second conveying device during a second period, and by both the first and second conveying device during a third period. The recording medium is conveyed, in theory, at first and second conveying speeds during the first and second periods respectively. A transition period is set from the first period to the third period or from the third period to the second period. The head controller controls a ejecting head during a period prior to the transition upon assuming that the conveying speed is the first conveying speed, during a period after the transition upon assuming that the conveying speed is the second conveying speed, and during the transition period upon assuming that the conveying speed is a third conveying speed between the first and second conveying speeds.
US09392135B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
There is provided an image processing apparatus for recording an image on a unit region of a recording medium by performing a plurality of relative scanning operations of the recording medium and a recording head including a plurality of recording elements arranged in a certain direction. The image processing apparatus stores, based on image data of the image and ratios of using a plurality of recording element groups for recording the image, each of the plurality of recording element groups including a different recording element, dot count values for the plurality of recording element groups, and determines, based on the stored dot count values, whether density correction data for correcting the image data needs to be generated.
US09392122B2 Seamlessly conferencing a previously-connected telephone call
An already-connected telephone call is conferenced in a seamless manner that is transparent to the call participants, after which one or more additional participants may join the conference. The existing call is preferably moved to a conference bridge responsive to an existing call participant either logging on to a network-accessible user interface (such as a web page or portal-type page) or entering some special key or key combination using the participant's phone (which may be a software application that provides phone-like services). The participant requesting the move may be authenticated, and the authorization of the participant to request the move may be verified, before moving the call.
US09392106B2 System and method for reducing power consumption in telecommunication systems
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method for controlling power consumption in a telecom system. The method includes selecting a power profile command based upon a desired power consumption and performance characteristic, translating the power profile command into at least one subcommand, and initiating at least one power reduction technique in a telecom component based upon the at least one subcommand.
US09392101B2 Wireless mobile image messaging
Non-verbal communications between users of wireless mobile devices are facilitated using image messages. An image message may e.g. convey information about the sender user, in particular, current information about the sender user. In one aspect, a user may select an image message category, and select an image message among the image messages of the selected image message category for transmission, to quickly, efficiently and graphically convey (current) information about the user. The process may be performed to form a mixed media message. Received image message to convey current information may be aged via time and/or color displays.
US09392099B2 Mobile surveillance system
A computer-implemented method may include receiving, via a mobile access network, surveillance data from one or more mobile surveillance devices, wherein the one or more mobile surveillance devices are associated with a monitored location, system, or group. An event condition associated with the monitored location, system, or group is identified based on the received surveillance data, wherein the event condition corresponds to at least one of the one or more mobile surveillance devices. An alert notification is generated and transmitted to one or more user devices based on the event identified condition. A request to view at least a portion of the surveillance data is received from a user device in response to the alert notification. At least the portion of the surveillance data is transmitted to the user device in response to the request.
US09392066B2 Connection persistence across server farms in a network environment
An example method for connection persistence across server farms in a network environment is provided and includes associating a first real server with a first server farm attached to a first virtual Internet Protocol address (VIP), associating a second real server with a second server farm attached to a second VIP, and linking the first real server with the second real server in a particular group. The first real server is configured to service a first connection from a client to the first VIP in a network environment, the second real server is configured to service a second connection from the client to the second VIP in the network environment, and the method further includes facilitating connection persistence of the first connection with the second connection across the first server farm and the second server farm.
US09392061B2 Adaptive private network asynchronous distributed shared memory services
A highly predicable quality shared distributed memory process is achieved using less than predicable public and private internet protocol networks as the means for communications within the processing interconnect. An adaptive private network (APN) service provides the ability for the distributed memory process to communicate data via an APN conduit service, to use high throughput paths by bandwidth allocation to higher quality paths avoiding lower quality paths, to deliver reliability via fast retransmissions on single packet loss detection, to deliver reliability and timely communication through redundancy transmissions via duplicate transmissions on high a best path and on a most independent path from the best path, to lower latency via high resolution clock synchronized path monitoring and high latency path avoidance, to monitor packet loss and provide loss prone path avoidance, and to avoid congestion by use of high resolution clock synchronized enabled congestion monitoring and avoidance.
US09392056B2 Method for operating a network and a network
The invention is directed to a network, and method for operating a network, for allowing an effective traffic localization within an Application-Layer Traffic Optimization (ALTO), wherein an ALTO process is performed with regard to at least one application or resource consumer, and traffic information with respect to the at least one application or resource consumer will be provided and used within the ALTO process.
US09392055B2 Data sharing method and system
A method is provided for sharing data between a plurality of nodes in a communication network. The communication network includes a first sharing router and a second sharing router. The first sharing router and second sharing router each have a memory, the memory including a record table for storing at least one record, wherein each record includes at least a reference describing the data to share and, at least one of the data to share or the address of at least a data node associated with the data to share, so that a collecting node may further collect the data.
US09392048B2 Method, a system, a server, a device, a computer program and a computer program product for transmitting data in a computer network
The invention concerns a method for transmitting data via a data link in a computer network, wherein a device at an endpoint of a section of said data link is selected (203) from devices of said computer network, a computer program adapted to process said data, is transferred (204) to said device and said data is processed (206) by said device by executing said computer program.
US09392040B2 Communication management system, communication method, and recording medium storing communication control program
A communication management system, a communication method, and a non-transitory recording medium storing a communication control program, each of which is capable of determining whether to start a communication session with a third communication terminal that requests to participate in a communication session being carried by at least a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal, based on session identification information and location information that are received from the third communication terminal.
US09392037B2 Method and apparatus for reconstructing a communication session
Each person to a communication session records their contributions to the communication session. Metadata is maintained for each contribution to identify the time of the contribution and any other useful information to enable the content of the contribution to be accessed at a later point in time. When a portion of the communication session is to be recreated, the people involved in the communication session are requested to provide their contributions for a particular period of time or all contributions associated with a particular topic. Users will then select and forward previously recorded contributions that they are willing to have included in the recreation. By collecting contributions from the individuals involved in the communication session, the intended portion of the communication session may be recreated. Since each person is recording their own contribution to the communication session, no explicit permission is required to record the conversation.
US09392029B2 Session initiation protocol message routing method between IP networks using different IP address format
Disclosed are the examples of an interworking system and related methods. The interworking system can be configured to implement a session initiation protocol (SIP) message routing method that may include checking a transmitting subject and a transmission method of a SIP message, applying a network address translation based on the checked message's transmitting subject and its transmission method, and specifying the address of the node selected based on the checked message's transmitting subject in routing path information.
US09392028B2 Apparatus and method for macro operation involving a plurality of session protocol transactions
An apparatus and method for macro operation involving a plurality of session protocol transactions is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a mobile device generates a binary encoded message having an indication from which a server can determine a plurality of session protocol transactions to be performed. The binary encoded message is sent from the mobile device and received by the server. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the server determines the plurality of session protocol transactions to be performed based on the indication in the binary encoded message and attempts the plurality of session protocol transactions. By reducing the number of messages between the mobile device and the server, and by reducing the message size compared to SIP messages, communication resources for the mobile device can be conserved. Also battery power for the mobile device can be conserved.
US09392026B2 Real time collaboration using embedded data visualizations
Scorecard data is received, processed, and visualizations provided by a performance metric application. Real time collaboration between users is facilitated through context based selections from the visualizations through one or more communication applications. Performance metric application may be embedded in the communication application or vice versa through local implementation or in a service based architecture.
US09392023B2 End-to-end secure cloud computing
A method includes receiving, at a control node of a cloud computing network, a first enterprise policy specific to the first enterprise and a second enterprise policy specific to the second enterprise, and managing communications between at least one user device of the first enterprise and the at least one enterprise application hosted on behalf of the first enterprise based on the first enterprise policy. The method also includes managing communications between at least one user device of the second enterprise and the at least one enterprise application hosted on behalf of the second enterprise based on the second enterprise policy.
US09392021B1 Apparatuses, methods and systems for a secure resource access and placement platform
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A SECURE RESOURCE ACCESS AND PLACEMENT PLATFORM (“SRAP PLATFORM”) provides a secure supporting infrastructure within a corporate network framework and applications based thereon for use and placement of corporate resources. A non-trusted device may he authorized to access and use corporate resources, and the corporate network server may manage the placement of resources via the SRAP PLATFORM.
US09392006B2 Method and apparatus for management and troubleshooting of a processing system
The present invention includes an apparatus connected to a processing system including a data collector to gather and store data regarding operation of the processing system, a device relationship manager to send data regarding the operation of the processing system to a remote administrative console, and a security policy manager to control the sending of data regarding the operation of the processing system by the device relationship manager to the remote administrative console based on a security policy.
US09392004B2 Method and system for dynamic protocol decoding and analysis
A method for dynamically decoding protocol data on a computer system is provided using a protocol decoder, which inspects and analyzes protocol data received by the computer system. A protocol decoding program controls the decoding and analysis process. The method may be used by an intrusion prevention system to identify anomalous protocol data that may cause harm to applications receiving the data.
US09391999B2 Method and system for executing applications in a mobile device
A method and system for executing applications in a mobile device including receiving a request for execution of the application; determining whether the mobile device is located in a restricted area where execution of the application is controlled; and determining, when the mobile device is located in a restricted area, whether to execute the application requested for execution, according to a application execution policy that allows for execution of the application in the restricted area.
US09391994B2 Contextual device locking/unlocking
Particular embodiments of a computing device associated with a user may detect an event using a sensor of the computing device. The event may be a lock-triggering event or an unlock-triggering event. The computing device may assess a state of the device. The computing device may also access further information associated with the user. The computing device may also monitor activity on the computing device to detect further events if such further monitoring is warranted. Based on the gathered information, the computing device may update a lock status of the device to lock or unlock access interfaces of the computing device, functionality of the computing device, or content accessible from the computing device. If the event comprised the computing device detecting an attempt by a third party to use the device, the device may attempt to identify the third party to determine if they are authorized to use the device.
US09391992B2 System and method for secure control of resources of wireless mobile communication devices
Systems and methods for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device are disclosed. Each of a plurality of domains includes at least one wireless mobile communication device asset. When a request to perform an operation affecting at least one of the assets is received, it is determined whether the request is permitted by the domain that includes the at least one affected asset, by determining whether the entity with which the request originated has a trust relationship with the domain, for example. The operation is completed where it is permitted by the domain. Wireless mobile communication device assets include software applications, persistent data, communication pipes, and configuration data, properties or user or subscriber profiles.
US09391989B2 Automatic identification of returned merchandise in a data center
A method and system for determining a device identifier assigned to a device within an installation of devices connected via a network is provided. A system determines the device identifier of a device that has been repaired and reinstalled so that the device can be placed in service. Upon receiving an indication that a repaired device has been reinstalled, the system requests and receives a possible device identifier of the repaired device from an interconnect device that connects the repaired device to the network. To verify that the possible device identifier is the actual device identifier, the system directs the repaired device to reboot so that it broadcasts its device identifier. When the repaired device reboots, it broadcasts its device identifier. Upon receiving the broadcast device identifier, the system verifies that the possible device identifier is the same as the broadcast device identifier.
US09391982B1 Network authentication of multiple profile accesses from a single remote device
A network authentication system and method is described for authenticating multiple profile accesses from a single remote device. A device remote from a web server, yet connected to the web server via, for example, the Internet, can allow multiple users to register their profiles within the device. The profiles are registered using a pre-existing user ID and password corresponding to, for example, the user's financial accounts. Multiple profiles and, specifically, the indicia of those profiles, can appear on the display of the remote device allowing each user the ability to select their own registered profile. Access to a profile is granted when the user enters their private PIN. Once the PIN is entered, the private information such as financial account information will be securely forwarded from the web server to the remote device.
US09391968B2 Scored factor-based authentication
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for scored factor-based authentication. A verification service can receive an authentication request from a requestor, wherein the authentication request identifies a transaction. The verification service can determine a risk associated with the transaction, an authentication score based upon the risk, and a plurality of groups of authentication factors, each of which can satisfy the authentication score. The verification service can provide factor group data identifying the plurality of groups of authentication factors to the requestor.
US09391952B2 Methods and systems for dynamically switching between communications protocols
A method for dynamically switching between communications protocols used in communicating with each of a plurality of physical computing devices includes configuring, by a storage delivery management service, a storage system in a storage area network, to communicate, according to a first communications protocol with a first physical computing device executing a virtual machine, the storage system providing, to the virtual machine, access to a virtual storage resource. The storage delivery management service receives a request to migrate the virtual machine from the first physical computing device to a second physical computing device. The storage delivery management service configures the storage system to communicate with the second physical computing device according to a second communications protocol. The storage delivery management service transmits, to the second physical computing device, an identification of the storage system providing access to the virtual storage resource for the virtual machine.
US09391951B2 Communication network with distributed network address translation functionality
In one embodiment, a first network device is configured for communication with at least a second network device, and implements a gateway. The gateway may comprise, for example, a software gateway. The gateway is configured to receive a packet in a format of a first protocol and to determine if the packet includes an identifier of the gateway, for example, encoded within a destination address of the received packet. If the received packet does not include the gateway identifier, the packet is forwarded in the format of the first protocol. If the received packet does include the gateway identifier, a network address translation operation is applied to reconfigure the packet in a format of a second protocol different than the first protocol, and the reconfigured packet is forwarded in the format of the second protocol. The first and second protocols may comprise Internet protocols such as IPv6 and IPv4, respectively.
US09391945B1 System and method of posting coded messages on social networks
The present invention relates generally to a system and method of posting coded messages using a software application program comprising computer executable instruction code configured for displaying a transformed display, which mimics the social network but also includes the most recent message posts from a user's social network wall and including at least one radial button for selecting at least one coded icon corresponding to at least one decoded message; receiving a selection of the at least one coded icon corresponding to the at least one decoded message; converting the selected at least one coded icon into the corresponding decoded message and posting in realtime the decoded message or icons on the user's wall within the application program or a link reference in one or more authorized social networks.
US09391942B2 Symbolic variables within email addresses
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to processing email having symbolic variables in the address. Aspects include receiving, by an email server, an email comprising an email address for an intended recipient and determining whether the email address includes a symbolic variable. Based on determining that the email address includes the symbolic variable, the symbolic variable from the email address are extracted, an email address for an additional recipient by querying a database based on the symbolic variable is identified, and the email is transmitted to the email address of the intended recipient and the email address of the additional recipient. Based on determining that the email address does not include the symbolic variable, the email is transmitted to the email address of the intended recipient.
US09391940B2 Typing indicator for IMAP messaging
A message server may establish an internet message access protocol (“IMAP”) IDLE session with a first client device. The IMAP IDLE session may be used to transmit one or more notifications to the first client device. The message server may determine a status notification associated with a second client device. The status notification may include information associated with an action being performed using the second client device. The message server may determine that the first client device is an intended recipient of the status notification. The message server may transmit the status notification, toward the first client device, via the IMAP IDLE session, based on determining that the first client device is the intended recipient of the status notification.
US09391932B2 Including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network
Methods and devices are disclosed for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network. A conversation is initiated when a text message is received requesting the conversation. A conversation is established using conversation gateways currently unused by users to be included in the conversation. Communication may occur across gateways in order to conserve conversation gateway resources.
US09391927B2 Heterogeneous router clock assignment and packet routing
Technologies generally described herein relate to systems and methods effective to control an operating frequency of routers in a multicore processor. Heterogeneous routers in a multicore processor with different maximum operating frequencies may be clustered together to form groups of routers with homogenous assigned operating frequencies. The groups may be used to identify paths to send packets from a first router to a second router along one or more paths.
US09391925B2 Packet switch methods and systems
The present invention relates to a packet switch and a packet switching method. An example embodiment of the present invention comprises at least three network ports, at least one instrument port, a mux-switch, a packet switch fabric, and an address table. The embodiment updates the address table to include the source address of each ingress packet of each network port and associate the source address with that network port. The mux-switch routes the ingress packet traffic of each network port according to the identity of the network port so that at least a copy of the packet traffic of one of the network ports is routed to an instrument port. The packet switch fabric routes the packets from the instrument ports to the network ports according the destination address of the packet and the identity of the network port that is associated with the destination address as recorded in the address table.
US09391923B2 Using path computation element communication protocol (PCEP) as a signalling protocol during dynamic service provision in networks
The subject matter described herein includes using a path computation element communication protocol (PCEP) as a signaling protocol during dynamic service provisioning in networks. According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a network uses a hard state point-to-point protocol as a signaling protocol during dynamic service provisioning in a control plane of the network. In one implementation, the point-to-point protocol is a path computation element communication protocol (PCEP).
US09391922B2 Computer workload redistribution schedule
A computer system has a capacity planner for creating and updating a workload redistribution schedule. A migration utility provides for redistribution of the workloads. A redistribution orchestrator directs, according to the schedule, the migration utility to implement the workload redistributions.
US09391914B2 Communication packet conversion
Techniques for converting communication packets in a network having multiple nodes are described herein. A node may receive communication packets from one or more neighboring nodes. Each communication packet may include control data and payload data. The node may extract the payload data and store the payload data for a time period. The node may determine whether to concatenate the extracted payload data of the communication packets (e.g., based on destinations to where each of the extracted payload data are to be sent, a supported data rate, an application type associated with the extracted payload data, etc.). The node may concatenate the extracted payload data of the communication packets and send the concatenated payload data to another node in a communication packet.
US09391898B2 Non-congestive loss in HSPA congestion control
A method and a network node for increased utilization of a transport network link over a transport network of a HSPA system. The method comprises detecting a data packet loss in receiving a data packet flow, and detecting data delay information of data packets as received. The method also comprises determining if the detected data packet loss comprise non-congestive data packet loss, based on the detected data packet loss and the detected data delay information. In addition, the method comprises, when the detected data packet loss comprises non-congestive data packet loss, for a pre-determined time period, omitting to perform a congestion action affecting the data packet flow. By determining whether a data packet loss is non-congestive or not, an unnecessary reduction of the bitrate over the transport network can be omitted.
US09391896B2 System and method for packet forwarding using a conjunctive normal form strategy in a content-centric network
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for forwarding packets with hierarchically structured variable-length identifiers (HSVLIs) in a content-centric network (CCN). During operation, the system receives a packet with an HSVLI and determines, based on the HSVLI, a plurality of ports to which the packet should be forwarded. The plurality of ports include a set of individual port groups, and a respective port group includes one or more individual physical ports. The system derives a forwarding strategy based on the set of individual port groups and the one or more individual physical ports. The forwarding strategy is expressed as a formula in conjunctive normal form that indicates a logical conjunction among the set of port groups and a logical disjunction among the one or more individual physical ports. The system then forwards the packet using the derived forwarding strategy.
US09391895B2 Network system and switching method thereof
A network system of the present invention includes a switch and a controller. The controller sets a flow entry, in which are defined a rule and an action used to uniformly control a packet as a flow, in a flow table of the switch. The switch determines whether or not to perform a sampling processing to a received packet, in accordance with the flow table setting, and notifies the controller of a sampling result in a case where a sampling processing is performed to the received packet. The controller updates the flow table in accordance with the sampling result and narrows packets to perform a sampling processing.
US09391892B2 Method and apparatus for managing transport operations to a cluster within a processor
A method and corresponding apparatus of managing transport operations between a first memory cluster and one or more other memory clusters, include receiving, in the first cluster, information related to one or more transport operations with related data buffered in an interface device, the interface device coupling the first cluster to the one or more other clusters, selecting at least one transport operation, from the one or more transport operations, based at least in part on the received information, and executing the selected at least one transport operation.
US09391890B2 Network-initiated method and system for establishing data communication using IP with a wireless terminal
A method and apparatus are provided for establishing data communication between a wireless network and a wireless terminal by means of a packet data protocol connection, using internet protocol. When a determination is made that the wireless terminal is active but does not have an internet protocol address, a page is initiated from the wireless network to the wireless terminal over a control channel requesting that the wireless terminal obtain a temporary internet protocol address. A temporary internet protocol address is then assigned to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal initiated in response to the page so that data communication can be established with the terminal based on the temporary address.
US09391889B1 Methods and systems for using DNS-dip to select codec for a communication session
Example methods and systems for requesting information from the Internet Domain Name System (DNS) based on a destination and one or more codecs of a source specified within a computer-readable invitation to establish a communication session are described. A source gateway or a user agent device can generate the invitation. A DNS record associated with the destination can specify codecs used by the destination or a gateway the destination uses to carry out communication sessions. A proxy server that received the invitation and the DNS record can select a gateway that uses a codec that matches a codec used and preferred by a gateway. The proxy server can forward the codec to selected gateway, in particular, to an IP address and port associated with the selected gateway, for notifying the destinations of the requested communication session. The invitations can comprise SIP INVITE messages.
US09391888B2 System and method for implementation of layer 2 redundancy protocols across multiple networks
The system, method, and article of manufacture of the present invention allows multiple customers connected to a common external network to each implement a layer 2 redundancy protocol, such as the spanning tree protocol, in order to prevent layer 2 loops. Accordingly, a method is presented for providing an independent loop free layer 2 topology between a external network and a customer network comprising tagging control packets originating on the customer network with a unique identifier and tunneling the control packets received from the customer network between a plurality of boundary interface devices at the external network such that the control packets are routed back to the customer network based on the presence of the unique identifier in the control packet. The layer 2 redundancy protocol on the customer network converges based at least in part on the presence of control packets appearing on more than one port on the customer network.
US09391876B2 Better alternate paths for multi homed IS-IS prefixes
A method is executed by a network device to determine a loop free alternate (LFA) for a multi-homed prefix in an IS-IS area or IS-IS domain. The method includes selecting a next node from the IS-IS area or the IS-IS domain and selecting a next prefix for the selected node. A check is made whether the selected prefix is a multi-homed prefix (MHP). A check is made whether a shortest path first (SPF) cost of the selected node and cost to the selected prefix is equal to an SPF cost of the selected prefix, whether a next hop of selected prefix is same as next hop of selected node, and whether a LFA next hop of the selected node is better protection than a current next hop protection of the selected prefix and the LFA next hop of the selected node is then inherited for the selected prefix.
US09391874B2 Re-routing traffic in a communications network
Method of re-routing traffic in a communications network (1) in the event of a fault (3) on a path across the network, the method comprising, determining whether a first node (4), located between the fault and a network ingress node (6), is capable of switching traffic to an alternative path which avoids the fault, and if the first node is determined to be not so capable, then determining whether a second node (8), located upstream of the first node, is capable of switching traffic to an alternative path which avoids the fault.
US09391870B2 Method and system for symmetric transmit and receive latencies in an energy efficient PHY
Aspects of a method and system for symmetric transmit and receive latencies in an energy efficient PHY are provided. In this regard, a delay introduced by a PHY of a network device for outbound traffic and a delay introduced by the PHY for inbound traffic may be controlled such that a transmit delay of the network device is equal, within a tolerance, to a receive latency of the network device. The delays may be controlled based on whether one or more energy efficiency features are enabled in the PHY. The delay introduced by the PHY for outbound traffic may be controlled based on an amount of buffered inbound traffic. The delay introduced by the PHY for inbound traffic may be controlled based on an amount of buffered outbound traffic. The delays may be controlled such that said receive latency and the transmit latency are approximately constant regardless of a mode of operation of the network device.
US09391865B1 Systems and methods for facilitating fault-tolerant backup jobs
A computer-implemented method for facilitating fault-tolerant backup jobs may include (1) receiving, at a media server, a backup assignment from a master server, (2) detecting a communication failure that inhibits communication between the media server and the master server, (3) initiating a backup job at the media server based at least in part on the backup assignment received from the master server, (4) caching, due at least in part to the communication failure, a catalog of the backup job at the media server instead of forwarding the catalog of the backup job to the master server in real-time during the backup job, and then (5) transferring the catalog of the backup job to the master server upon determining that communication between the media server and the master server is no longer inhibited. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09391859B2 Service coordination for a data center
According to an example, a service coordination apparatus may include a processor that is to determine whether each GLB node-pair in a node-pair state table is at a normal state after receiving a DNS request. If a GLB node-pair in the node-pair state table is not at the normal state, a second DNS response may be sent to a node sending the DNS request according to a DNS parsing list. If each GLB node-pair in the node-pair state table is at the normal state, a proximity list may be inquired. If a record corresponding to the DNS request is searched out from the proximity list, a first DNS response may be sent to the node sending the DNS request according to the searched out record. If not, a second DNS response may be sent to the node sending the DNS request according to the DNS parsing list.
US09391858B2 Host information collection
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for collecting information of host devices. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a plurality of information probes to the host device, including an agent probe that queries an agent installed on the host device for a unique agent identifier, monitoring for replies to the information probes from the host device during the host detection phase, ending the host detection phase in response to receiving a reply to the agent probe and that includes the unique agent identifier, resending the plurality of information probes and incrementing a repeat counter in response to not receiving a reply to the agent probe after the expiration of a time period and ending the host detection phase in response to a value of the repeat counter exceeding a maximum repeat value.
US09391857B2 Scheduling requests for data transfers in a multi-device storage system
Apparatus and method for scheduling requests for data transfers in a multi-device storage system. In some embodiments, a system includes at least one server coupled to a pool of storage devices to transfer data from the storage devices to client devices responsive to requests. A request scheduler is adapted to receive into a memory a plurality of requests each having a service identifier (ID) and a payload size, to set a deadline for each request responsive to the service ID and the payload size, to forward the requests to the server for processing in an order based on service ID and, responsive to the deadline being reached for a selected request, to advance the selected request for immediate processing by the server.
US09391856B2 End-to-end monitoring and optimization of a content delivery network using anycast routing
Some embodiments implement systems and methods to monitor CDN performance from the end user's perspective. To achieve full end-to-end monitoring, the systems and methods monitor the performance of Anycast routing for routing an end user to the optimal PoP of the CDN and monitor the performance of different routes that deliver content from the optimally selected PoP back to the end user. Systems and methods are also provided to leverage the monitored performance in order to automatically optimize the performance of the CDN by optimizing or modifying Anycast routing and by performing route grooming as needed to ensure that the optimal route is selected to deliver content to different sets of end users that request content from a particular PoP.
US09391855B2 Systems and methods for simulating a notification system
Systems and methods for a cloud management system which utilizes both technical and business metrics to achieve operational efficiencies. The systems and methods can be used to provide an elastic infrastructure model for an emergency notifications system which delivers near infinite scale with guaranteed near 100% uptime. In an embodiment, a mass recipient emulator can be utilized for testing of the notifications system with actual phone call or message exchange.
US09391854B2 Method and router for packet processing during server failure
Embodiments of the present invention include a method and a router for packet processing during a server failure. In the present invention, a router queries a locally-stored state of a primary value-added service server, thereby immediately learning the state of the primary value-added service server, and when the queried state of the primary value-added service server is a failed state, the router may immediately forward a received request packet to a request routing server for rerouting or forward it to a backup value-added service server, thereby shortening the waiting time of a client when the client requests a video value-added service. In addition, because addresses of backup value-added service servers are stored in the router, disadvantages that client complexity increases and network security is reduced in the prior art are overcome.
US09391847B2 Content delivery methods and systems
Aspects of the present disclosure involve provisioning customers of an aggregator, such as a reseller, of a content delivery network (CDN). In one aspect, content requests to the CDN are processed in accordance with the virtual IP (VIP) address at which the request was received, according to a property template bound to the VIP where the template is selected by the customer and only involves discrete parameters for the reseller. In another aspect, cache fills of the network are processed without direct knowledge of the customer origin through a combination of some request attribute, e.g., alias host of the customer, and an attribute of the reseller to make a DNS request to a name server outside the CDN. Another aspect involves receiving a property template selection, an origin and an alias from a customer of the reseller, and providing appropriate DNS entries to validate the customer and provide origin information to the CDN.
US09391836B2 Method and terminal for loading operator configuration information
The present invention discloses a method and a terminal for loading operator configuration information. The method includes obtaining network identification information of a terminal. The network identification information includes a mobile country code and a mobile network code. Secondary network identification information of the terminal is obtained when it is determined that the terminal corresponds to at least two groups of operator configuration information according to the network identification information. The secondary network identification information includes a group identifier GID. The operator configuration information corresponding to the terminal is obtained and loaded according to the secondary network identification information.
US09391834B2 Apparatus, systems and methods of common-mode rejection ratio based diagnostics
In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided apparatus, systems and methods for detecting a boundary condition via common mode diagnostics; and to apparatus, systems and methods for detecting a fault condition via common-mode rejection ratio diagnostics. For example, in one embodiment such means include, means for injecting differential mode signal probes onto two conductors of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL line); means for measuring a common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of the differential mode signal probes; means for measuring impedance of the differential mode signal probes; and means for identifying which of an asymmetric fault condition or a symmetric fault condition is present on the line based on both: (a) the measured CMRR of the differential mode signal probes and (b) the measured impedance of the differential mode signal probes.
US09391833B2 Fault signaling for ethernet
A method may include receiving a message from a first Ethernet interface in a second Ethernet interface, wherein the message includes a first attribute indicative of an Ethernet service at the first interface according to a first operation, administration, or management (OAM) protocol. The method may further include mapping the first attribute to a second attribute, wherein the second attribute is in accordance with a second OAM protocol different than the first OAM protocol. The method may further include performing an operation at the second interface based on the second attribute.
US09391832B1 Secure surrogate cloud browsing
Surrogate browsing techniques are disclosed. A request for a page is received, from a client, by a surrogate. The specified page is requested by the surrogate. The page is rendered at the surrogate. A representation of the page is transmitted to the client. An event is received from the client. An update is sent to the client after reproducing the received event at the surrogate.
US09391830B2 Dynamic stream processing within an operator graph
A method and system for processing a stream of tuples in a stream-based application is disclosed. The method may include a first stream operator determining whether a requirement to modify processing of a first tuple at a second stream operator exists. The method may provide for associating an indication to modify processing of the first tuple at the second stream operator if the requirement exists.
US09391829B1 Pre-loaded identifiers to identify media content for mobile devices using captured audio
In general, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for determining a user's potential exposure to defined audio content (e.g., television and audio advertisements) using a mobile device. In one example, a method includes receiving first audio content. The method further includes generating a first digital representation of the first audio content. The method also includes accessing a data structure, wherein the data structure contains at least a second digital representation of at least second audio content. The method also includes comparing the first digital representation to at least the second digital representation contained in the data structure and if there is a match between the first digital representation and at least the second digital representation contained in the data structure, transmitting a message to a remote server indicating the match.
US09391828B1 Storing and monitoring computed relationships between network components
Methods and systems of maintaining a computed relationship between components in a network are disclosed. A relationship represents one or more connections between components. Discovered relationships between components in the network are detected. A discovered relationship represents a direct connection between components. A computed relationship between a class of source component and a class of target component is determined. The computed relationship comprises a number of discovered relationships that, when combined, represent connections between one or more types of the source component and one or more types of the target component. The computed relationship is stored. The discovered relationships that comprise the computed relationship are monitored for a change event. The change event may represent a change in the network, such as the addition or deletion of one or more components.
US09391818B1 Pilot sequence design for wireless communications
Techniques are disclosed relating to generating pilot sequences for channel estimation and/or equalization. In some embodiments, a generated pilot sequence has a flat frequency response, a null portion, and low autocorrelation. In some embodiments, a method for generating the pilot sequence includes: starting with a Constant Amplitude Zero Autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence and iteratively performing, until the result has a flat magnitude: padding the sequence with zeros, determining whether a frequency transform (FT) of the zero-padded sequence has a flat magnitude, adjusting a phase of a second sequence (that has a desired frequency response) to match a phase of the FT, determining an inverse FT of the adjusted second sequence and using a result of the inverse FT as the sequence for the next iteration. The disclosed techniques may allow efficient production of pilot sequences for use in cellular networks, for example.
US09391817B2 Method and apparatus of an architecture to switch equalization based on signal delay spread
The 60 GHz channel between the transmitter and receiver can have AWGN characteristics allowing a Time Domain Equalizer (TDE) to be used at the receiver instead of a Frequency Domain Equalizer (FDE). The complexity of performing matrix inversion on a received signal is reduced when directional antennas are used in a 60 GHz system. Incorporating the TDE in place of the FDE saves almost an order of magnitude in power dissipation. For portable units, such a savings is beneficial since the battery life can be extended. The signal quality of wireless channel is based on the characteristics of the received signal to switch the equalization operation from a system performing FDE to TDE and vice versa. The receiver adapts to the received signal to reduce the power dissipation of the system.
US09391814B2 FM receiver that receives FM signal and method for receiving FM signal
A quadrature detector quadrature-detects an FM signal. A first reducer and a second reducer reduce a direct current component included in the FM signal quadrature-detected in the quadrature detector. An FM detector generates a detection signal by FM detecting the FM signal in which the direct current component has been reduced by the first reducer and the second reducer. The offset unit adds an offset to the detection signal generated in the FM detector. An AFC unit generates a control signal for controlling the frequency of a local oscillation signal used in the quadrature detector on the basis of the detection signal to which the offset has been added by the offset unit and feeds back the control signal to a local oscillator that should output the local oscillation signal.
US09391806B2 Method and apparatus for secure communications and resource sharing between anonymous non-trusting parties with no central administration
A unifying network model with a structure and architecture configured to address security, interoperability, mobility, and resource management, including priority and quality of services is provided. The network of the network model is structured as a hierarchical mesh network, with dynamically generated routing tables. The configuration of the network model optimizes routing and distributes communication load. Every device on the network is capable of being both an endpoint and a forwarder of communications. The network model may include underlying networks that are represented with one of two models, the link model or the star model. The nodes are organized in a hierarchical relationship structure to optimizes throughput. The model may include a cryptographic method of dynamically assigning local network addresses.
US09391794B2 Generating worst case test sequences for non-linearly driven channels
Various implementations of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for generating a test sequence for a driver and channel combination, wherein the driver is non-linear. In various implementations of the invention, a test sequence is generated that produces the worst or near worst error rate of the channel. With various implementations of the invention, voltage waves at the driver and impulse response waves of the channel are generated. In various implementations of the invention, the driver voltage waves and impulse response waves are simulated responses of the driver and channel to a digital signal input. With further implementations of the invention, receiver voltage waves are generated by combining the impulse response wave and the driver voltage waves. Subsequently, a test sequence is selected based upon the combined receiver voltage wave.
US09391792B2 System and method for event content stream
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system for providing a live stream of event content is provided. In an embodiment, a method may include defining an online collaborative space associated with an event. A plurality of event participants may be associated with the event. Content contributions may be received from one or more of the event participants. An event content update may be transmitted to a client event application based on the received content contributions to provide a live stream of event content.
US09391788B2 Method and devices to invite a user from an external chat service to a group chat session
This is a method and devices used to invite a user from one message chat service into a preexisting group chat session located on another chat service.
US09391781B2 Systems and methods for intermediate message authentication in a switched-path network
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for intermediate authentication of a message transmitted through a switched-path network, such as an optical transport network (OTN). In one method, a message transmitted through communication nodes of a switched-path network may be authenticated, at least partially, by authentication logic of one or more of the communication nodes. The one or more communication nodes may identify whether a prior communication node has tampered with or corrupted the message or may generate an authentication tag to enable an authentication authority to authenticate the message.
US09391780B2 Method and device for storing secured sent message data
Methods and devices for storing sent message data are described. The sent message data corresponds to a message sent to a destination by a communication device via a server. The method includes compiling a first portion of the message which has a plurality of components; applying security encoding to the first portion; and storing the first portion. The first portion includes at least one but not all of the plurality of components in the message, and pointers to the components not included in the first portion. A method of verifying sent message data on a communication device is also described.
US09391772B2 Key information generation device and key information generation method
In initial generation (for example, shipping from the factory), a security device generates an identifier w specific to the security device, with the PUF technology, generates key information k (k=HF(k)) from the identifier w, generates encrypted confidential information x by encrypting (x=Enc(mk, k)) confidential information mk with the key information k, and stores the encrypted confidential information x and an authentication code h (h=HF′(k)) of the key information k, in a nonvolatile memory. In operation, the security device generates the identifier w with the PUF technology, generates the key information k from the identifier w, and decrypts the encrypted confidential information x with the key information k. At a timing where the identifier w is generated in the operation, the security device checks whether the current operating environment has largely changed from the initial generation (S311). If a change in operating environment is detected (S311→S312), the security device conducts a reset-up process (S312 to S315) of an authentication code h which is confidential information, and the encrypted confidential information x.
US09391762B2 Switch arrangement and apparatus
A switch arrangement is described which enable the design of a flexible front end allowing many individual and combinations of frequency band allocations to share a single antenna simultaneously. An apparatus using the switch arrangement is also described. The switch arrangement provides a single pole switch for each set of band specific filtering. The band specific filtering is connected to the pole of a respective single pole switch. The single pole switch has contact points enabling connection to of the filtering to an antenna switch both with and without a frequency selective component in the signal path. The frequency selective component allows sharing of the antenna by two or more frequency band allocations to enable simultaneous use of different radio access technologies, MIMO or Carrier Aggregation through a single antenna. When not required the frequency selective component can be switched out of the signal path to reduce insertion loss.
US09391759B2 Wireless access network node having an off state
A wireless access network node receives a configuration for a discovery signal for transmission by the wireless access network when in an off state. The wireless access network node in the off state transmits the discovery signal according to the configuration for detection by a user equipment (UE).
US09391752B2 Base station, terminal, communication system, communication method, and integrated circuit
In a radio communication system in which a base station and a terminal communicate with each other, the base station efficiently transmits control information to the terminal.The base station that communicates with the terminal using resource blocks, each of which is constituted by a prescribed time region and a prescribed frequency region, includes a terminal-specific control channel generation unit that generates terminal-specific control channels mapped in a terminal-specific control channel region constituted by a prescribed number of resource blocks and transmitted using the same antenna port as for terminal-specific reference signals, which are reference signals specific to the terminal. The resource blocks in the terminal-specific control channel region are divided into a plurality of resource element groups, and the terminal-specific control channels are mapped in the resource element groups using a distributed mapping rule, in which the terminal-specific control channels are mapped in such a way as to be distributed among a plurality of resource blocks, or a localized mapping rule, in which the terminal-specific control channels are mapped in one of the resource blocks in a localized manner.
US09391750B2 Transmitting apparatus and radio resource assignment method
A transmission apparatus is provided with radio resource assignment means that assigns radio resources to each physical channel according to a type of the physical channel; and transmission means that transmits information to be transmitted by each physical channel using the assigned radio resources.
US09391740B2 Method for demodulating a signal
A method for demodulating a signal in a receiver including at least two antennas, each receiving a signal, the received signals corresponding to a single emitted signal including symbol frames in which certain symbols, referred to as driver symbols, are known to the receiver, the method including: noise whitening in order to form two combined signals, the noise components of which are separate; normalizing the noise components of the combined signals in order to form two signals, the noise components of which are separate and have equal average standards; and performing signal demodulation with the maximum combination of the signal-to-noise ratio on the two signals, the noise components of which are separate and which have equal average standards, wherein during the first noise-whitening step for forming the two combined signals, the latter are determined retroactively using the maximum criterion.
US09391735B2 Method and apparatus for sending feedback for a downlink shared service and estimating a number of wireless transmit/receive units
A method and an apparatus for sending a signal on a contentious feedback channel for a downlink shared service and for estimating a number of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) are disclosed. When a transmission criterion associated with a physical random access feedback channel (P-RAFCH) is satisfied, a physical resource is randomly selected among a plurality of physical resources assigned for the P-RAFCH and a pre-configured signal is sent using the selected physical resource. A Node-B receives the pre-configured signal from a plurality of WTRUs and calculates a number of the WTRUs based on a number of used physical resources. The transmission criterion is at least one of successful reception of a data packet on a downlink physical channel, successful reception of a data block on a data service, reception of a signaling command, occurrence of a measurement event, and failure to receive a transmission after a specified number of times.
US09391730B2 Method and apparatus for interference alignment in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for interference alignment in a wireless communication system. A method in which a terminal aligns interferences in a wireless communication system, which includes a first base station governing a first cell and a second base station governing a second cell, comprises: a step in which the terminal measures a serving channel from the first base station which is a serving base station and an interference channel from the second base station; a step of transmitting null space information orthogonal to the interference channel to the first base station; a step of measuring channels from the first base station and the second base station to which an inference alignment plane generated based on the null space information is applied, and generating a receiving filter; and a step of transmitting, to the first base station, the interference alignment plane, the receiving filter, and effective channel measurement value based on the channel from the first base station.
US09391728B2 Methods and apparatus for precision time stamping
In a network device, apparatus and methods perform precision time stamping. A time agent receives a master pace signal corresponding to a time representation based on a master real time clock in a master clock domain. A time accumulator accumulates time units one fill quantum at a time based on the master pace signal. The time accumulator decreases the accumulated time units by a leak quantum according to a local clock signal running at a higher frequency than the master pace signal. Correction logic periodically generates, at a granularity corresponding to the frequency of the local clock signal, an updated time representation in a target clock domain based on a residual number of time units in the time accumulator before depositing an additional fill quantum of time units in the time accumulator.
US09391727B2 Method and system for sub-audible signaling
Disclosed are various embodiments for a system and method for encoding sub-audible codes within a signal. One exemplary embodiment includes a method that includes receiving a first digital code and a second digital code; receiving a first block and a second block of a signal; embedding an echo of the first block of the signal in the second block of the signal to create a first modified second block of the signal in accordance with the first digital code; modulating the power of the first modified second block of the signal to create a second modified second block of the signal in accordance with the second digital code; and sending a modified signal including the second modified second block of the signal.
US09391723B2 System and method for high speed data communications
A method is disclosed for delivering data to an end user device, the method including receiving an optical signal containing broadband digital data; converting the optical signal to a first radio frequency signal; transmitting the first radio frequency (RF) signal from an RF transmitter to a first RF receiver in a first local region associated with the end user device; and converting the received radio frequency signal to a digital data signal. A system and computer program for performing the method are disclosed.
US09391716B2 Data center using wireless communication
A data center includes a plurality of computing units that communicate with each other using wireless communication, such as high frequency RF wireless communication. The data center may organize the computing units into groups (e.g., racks). In one implementation, each group may form a three-dimensional structure, such as a column having a free-space region for accommodating intra-group communication among computing units. The data center can include a number of features to facilitate communication, including dual-use memory for handling computing and buffering tasks, failsafe routing mechanisms, provisions to address permanent interface and hidden terminal scenarios, etc.
US09391703B2 Transmission of a data stream using enhancement layers of multiple hierarchically modulated optical waves
We disclose an optical transport system configured to transport an additional data stream using hierarchical modulation. In an example embodiment, copies of the additional data stream are encoded onto enhancement layers of multiple hierarchically modulated optical waves transported through the system in a multiplexed manner. An optical receiver coupled to a remote end of the optical transport link is configured to use this redundant transmission of the additional data stream to improve the bit-error rate thereof, e.g., by first extracting the signal components corresponding to the enhancement layers of the different hierarchically modulated optical waves and then combining the extracted signal components in a manner that tends to reduce, through averaging, the relative magnitude of noise in the combined signal compared to that in the individual extracted signal components. The disclosed signal-transmission format is suitable for various types of multiplexing, e.g., any combination of space-, wavelength-, and polarization-division multiplexing.
US09391700B1 Integrated optical receiver skin
A multilayer film or skin for free space optical data transmission includes a first outer layer. The first outer layer has a first laterally extending area that transmits optical data signals received over a range of incident angle. A second layer that includes a second laterally extending area underlies the first layer. At least a portion of the optical data signals received by the second layer from the first outer layer is focused or otherwise concentrated into a substantially reduced area. An optical detector receives the concentrated optical data signals from the second layer. An electrical connection extends from the optical detector to an external receiving device. The multilayer film or skin may be used, for example, in applications involving mobile free space optical communication platforms where low profile, volume and mass and/or enhanced platforms are important.
US09391698B1 Systems and methods for achieving improved eye safety of an optical transceiver
Systems and methods for achieving eye safety of an optical transceiver are provided. An optical module can be configured to output a first optical signal. A first photodetector can be configured to output a signal indicative of a presence or absence of a second optical signal. A controller can be coupled to the optical module and the first photodetector and can be configured to control the output of the optical module. In response to a determination that an output of the first photodetector indicates the second optical signal is absent, the controller can control the optical module to output the first signal at a decreased average optical power. In response to a determination that an output of the first photodetector indicates the second optical signal is present, the controller can control the optical module to output the first signal at an increased average optical power.
US09391697B2 Proactive delay measurement for optical transport network
A network element is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a network element may comprise a network interface configured to communicatively couple to a network, and a controller communicatively coupled to the network interface. The controller may be configured to determine a delay-measurement interval, and to perform a plurality of delay measurements at a respective plurality of randomly determined times within the delay-measurement interval. Performing a delay measurement may comprise sending an outgoing signal, receiving an incoming signal, and determining a delay time based on the outgoing signal and the incoming signal.
US09391692B2 System for dual frequency range mobile two-way satellite communications
A microwave antenna terminal for two-way, in-motion communication systems using geostationary or other orbit satellites, and capable of supporting two-way communication in two different frequency ranges, for example Ku and Ka frequency ranges, is provided.
US09391691B2 Process of spectrum diversity of satellite link for data and internet applications using single antenna and router
A satellite communication system between a source and a destination over multiple satellite communications paths including first identifying the link performance established in multiple spectrums, performing a link comparison among the multiple spectrums (for example C-, Ku-, or Ka-Band) in order to determine a spectrum link that provides the highest throughput within an acceptable reliability criteria, and switching among the multiple spectrum links to provide that determined spectrum link between the source and the destination.
US09391685B2 Computing system with pre-coding mechanism and method of operation thereof
A computing system includes: an inter-device interface configured to determine receiver description for representing a receiver signal corresponding to serving signal contemporaneous with an interference signal from an interference source at an interference-aware receiver; a communication unit, coupled to the inter-device interface, configured to: generate a pre-coding candidate set based on the receiver description for adjusting the serving signal or a subsequent instance thereof, determine a sum-rate condition for representing the serving signal along with the interference signal, and generate a pre-coding adjustment maximizing the sum-rate condition from the pre-coding candidate set for communicating the serving signal or a subsequent instance thereof.
US09391682B2 User equipment and base station
Techniques for providing codebooks extended by gain information that can be transmitted in a reduced amount of signaling are disclosed. A user equipment includes a transmission and reception unit communicating a radio signal with a base station in accordance with MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) transmission and a codebook storage unit stores predefined codebooks to specify precoding matrices for use in the MIMO transmission. The codebooks are arranged to represent phase information and gain information and a channel measurement unit measures channel conditions based on reference signals transmitted from multiple antennas in the base station. A codebook selection unit selects a codebook to be indicated to the base station from the stored codebooks based on the measured channel conditions and instructs the transmission and reception unit to indicate feedback information to the base station and the feedback information includes a codebook index for identifying the selected codebook.
US09391680B2 System and method for multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) full-duplex precoding structures
Embodiments are provided to enable effective cancellation or reduction of the self-interference (SI) introduced when applying full-duplex (FD) transmission to Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems. A method embodiment includes forming, using a precoding matrix generated in accordance with channel conditions, a plurality of beams for a plurality of transmit signals and a plurality of self-interference cancellation signals corresponding to the plurality of transmit signals. The method further includes transmitting, at a plurality of antennas, the plurality of beams for the transmit signals, and receiving, via the plurality of antennas, a plurality of receive signals. A corresponding self-interference cancellation signal is then added to each of the plurality of receive signals to obtain a plurality of corrected receive signals, and the plurality of corrected receive signals are detected at a plurality of receivers.
US09391679B2 Variable size codebook for MIMO system
In a method of selecting a codebook for precoding a wireless transmission signal, a characteristic of a wireless communication channel is measured, and a codebook size is selected using (i) an expected throughput for each of a plurality of different codebook sizes given the measured characteristic of the wireless communication channel, and (ii) channel overhead associated with each of the plurality of different codebook sizes. Based on matrix selection criteria, a best matrix is selected from a codebook of the selected codebook size, and an indicator of the selected matrix is transmitted.
US09391668B2 Method and apparatus for reducing the power of a signal electromagnetically coupled from a PLC medium to a DSL medium
Reducing a power of a signal electromagnetically coupled from a PLC medium to a digital subscriber line (DSL) medium. The method involves transmitting a data signal over the PLC medium at a first average power level from one of a plurality of PLC transmitters coupled to the PLC medium, then measuring first noise associated with a first signal received at a DSL receiver coupled to the DSL communication medium caused at least in part by the data signal transmitted over the PLC medium at a second average power level from the one PLC transmitter, the second average power level different than the first average power level, followed by measuring second noise associated with a second signal received at the DSL receiver coupled to the DSL communication medium caused at least in part by the data signal transmission over the PLC medium at the second average power level. A transmit power spectral density (PSD) for the data signal transmitted by the one PLC transmitter over the PLC medium is then changed, based on a difference between the first noise and the second noise, such that the changed transmit PSD for the data signal transmitted by the one PLC transmitter over the PLC medium reduces the power of the signal electromagnetically coupled from the PLC medium to the DSL medium caused by the data signal transmission from the one PLC transmitter over the PLC medium.
US09391667B2 Cancellation of spurious responses from local oscillator cross-coupling
Interference cancellation techniques may be implemented in a radio transceiver configured to transmit a radio-frequency transmit signal at a transmit frequency and having two or more local oscillators operative to simultaneously generate local oscillator signals, at corresponding local oscillator frequencies, for simultaneously down-converting two or more corresponding received radio-frequency signals. An example method begins with identifying one or more self-interfering frequencies, based on the local oscillator frequencies and the transmit frequency. A baseband cancellation signal is then generated by weighting and frequency-shifting a baseband representation of the transmit signal, based on the identified self-interfering frequencies. The baseband cancellation signal is then combined with a down-converted received signal, to obtain an interference-reduced baseband signal.
US09391661B2 Higher efficiency carbon nanotube antenna
A signal transmitter includes a carbon nanotube antenna and a heat to electricity conversion device, which powers an amplifier in the transmitter. The heat from the inefficiency of the antenna is conducted to the heat to electricity conversion device. Additional heat from the transmitter electronics and any other inefficient processes can also be conducted to the heat to electricity conversion device. In this manner, the overall efficiency of the carbon nanotube antenna can be substantially increased.
US09391659B2 Transmitter harmonic cancellation for carrier aggregation/multiband operation
A method and apparatus for cancelling, from signals received by a radio device in a first frequency band, interference generated by the radio device in the first frequency band when the radio device transmits simultaneously radio signals on at least a second frequency band.
US09391651B1 Amplifier with reduced harmonic distortion
A method and apparatus are disclosed for a configurable amplifier. When operating in a first operating mode, the configurable amplifier may amplify a communication signal and may cancel or attenuate a second harmonic component associated with the communication signal. When operating in a second operating mode, the configurable amplifier may amplify the communication signal without cancelling or attenuating the second harmonic component associated with the communication signal.
US09391646B2 Joint source-channel encoding and decoding for compressed and uncompressed data
A memory controller includes a joint source-channel encoder circuit and a joint source-channel decoder circuit. The joint source-channel encoder circuit source encodes received data independent of whether the received data is compressible data, performs error correction coding on the source encoded data, and stores the source encoded data in a memory device. The joint source-channel decoder circuit performs source decoding of the data read from the memory device between iterations of error correction coding of the read data, and outputs the read data to at least one of a buffer memory and a storage device interface. The joint source-channel decoder circuit performs the source decoding of the read data independent of whether the read data is compressed data.
US09391645B2 Determining soft data using a classification code
Apparatuses and methods for determining soft data using a classification code are provided. One example apparatus can include a classification code (CC) decoder and an outer code decoder coupled to the CC decoder. The CC decoder is configured to receive a CC codeword. The CC codeword includes a piece of an outer code codeword and corresponding CC parity digits. The CC decoder is configured to determine soft data associated with the piece of the outer code codeword, at least partially, using the corresponding CC digits.
US09391644B2 Method of decoding a correcting code, for example a turbo-code, by analysis of the extended spectrum of the words of the code
An improved decoding method is provided making it possible to solve the problem of the error floor of a turbo-code or of an LDPC code, or more generally of a correcting code from the family of “turbo-like codes”, while preserving the same spectral efficiency, without any decrease in the useful throughput of the encoded stream. This result is obtained by an identification, on input to the decoder, of the bits on which an error has a strong impact, and a modification of the likelihoods corresponding to these bits so as to improve the convergence of the decoder.
US09391643B2 Systems and methods for advanced iterative decoding and channel estimation of concatenated coding systems
Systems and methods for decoding block and concatenated codes are provided. These include advanced iterative decoding techniques based on belief propagation algorithms, with particular advantages when applied to codes having higher density parity check matrices. Improvements are also provided for performing channel state information estimation including the use of optimum filter lengths based on channel selectivity and adaptive decision-directed channel estimation. These improvements enhance the performance of various communication systems and consumer electronics. Particular improvements are also provided for decoding HD Radio signals, including enhanced decoding of reference subcarriers based on soft-diversity combining, joint enhanced channel state information estimation, as well as iterative soft-input soft-output and list decoding of convolutional codes and Reed-Solomon codes. These and other improvements enhance the decoding of different logical channels in HD Radio systems.
US09391641B2 Syndrome tables for decoding turbo-product codes
A set of one or more component syndromes associated with a turbo product code (TPC) codeword is obtained from a component syndrome buffer. Component decoding is performed on the set of one or more component syndromes.
US09391634B1 Systems and methods of low power decimation filter for sigma delta ADC
Example embodiments of the systems and methods of low power decimation filter exploit the single bit data input to the filter and the symmetry of the filter response. The input data may be treated as 0 and 1 instead of −1 and +1. The symmetry of the sinc filter may be exploited since the data across different polyphases are combined. The addition of the symmetric data and coefficient multiplication may be replaced with simple muxing based on two bits and the use of unsigned logic for all adders following coefficient multiplication as both data and coefficient are non-negative.
US09391632B1 Method and system for implementing an extended range approximation analog-to-digital converter
A method of implementing extended range successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) starts with a readout circuitry acquiring an image data from a row in a color pixel array. ADC circuitry in the readout circuitry then generates an ADC pedestal for the row. Successive Approximation Register (SAR) included in ADC circuitry then stores ADC pedestal. SAR includes a plurality of bits and an additional bit that is a duplicate of one of the plurality of bits. ADC circuitry samples the image data from the row against ADC pedestal stored in SAR to obtain a sampled input data. ADC circuitry then converts the sampled input data from analog to digital to obtain an ADC output value. Other embodiments are described.
US09391617B2 Hardware-embedded key based on random variations of a stress-hardened inegrated circuit
An IC cell designed to assert one of multiple possible output states, each with equal probability, implemented to assert a pre-determined one of the multiple output states based on random variations within the IC cell, such as random process variations. An array of IC cells is configurable to provide a hardware-embedded key upon power-up that is unique to the combination of random variations of selected IC cells, resistant to tampering prior to and during manufacture, and tolerant to aging, instantaneous thermal noise, and environmental variations, such as voltage and temperature fluctuations. The key may be used as, without limitation, a Platform Root Key, a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) key, an Enhanced Privacy Identification (EPID) key, and/or an Advanced Access Content System (AACS) key. Also disclosed are techniques to measure stability and stress-harden an IC cell based on output states of the IC cell.
US09391616B2 Noise elimination circuit of semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes a pulse generation unit configured to detect a transition of an input signal and generate a preliminary pulse signal, and an error elimination unit configured to determine error of the preliminary pulse signal and output a signal as a pulse signal.
US09391613B2 Calibration methods and circuits to calibrate drive current and termination impedance
Described are on-die termination (ODT) systems and methods that facilitate high-speed communication between a driver die and a receiver die interconnected via one or more signal transmission lines. An ODT control system in accordance with one embodiment calibrates and maintains termination resistances and drive currents to produce optimal output swing voltages. Comparison circuitry employed to calibrate the reference resistance is also used to calibrate the drive current. Termination elements in some embodiments are divided into two adjustable resistive portions, both of which are designed to minimize capacitive loading. One portion is optimized to produce a relatively high range of adjustment, while the other is optimized for fine-tuning and glitch-free switching.
US09391592B2 Methods and systems for dynamically adjusting frequency offsets for mitigating interference
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for dynamically adjusting frequency offsets for mitigating interference. One embodiment takes the form of a process carried out by a mobile radio configured to use an adjustable transmit frequency. The mobile radio estimates an expected base-station-receive power level with respect to transmissions from to a base station. The mobile radio adjusts the transmit frequency to be a center frequency of a radio channel plus a default frequency offset responsive to the estimated expected base-station-receive power level being less than a first threshold. The mobile radio adjusts the transmit frequency to be the center frequency plus a modified frequency offset responsive to the estimated expected base-station-receive power level being greater than a second threshold. The modified frequency offset is greater in magnitude than the default frequency offset. The mobile radio transmits an uplink signal to the base station over the adjusted transmit frequency.
US09391591B2 Optimal factoring of FIR filters
A method and system for the design and implementation of an optimally factored filter is presented. Pairs of angle values are organized in pairing candidates and a threshold is defined to indicate an upper bound on the number of pairing candidates. A first pairing candidate is exchanged above the threshold with a second pairing candidate below the threshold and a matrix is generated based on the pairing candidates below the threshold. A lowest predicted total quantization cost between all pairing candidates represented within the matrix is determined and the pairing candidates that result in the lowest predicted total quantization cost are used to determine the coefficients of the filter.
US09391590B2 Cascaded digital filters with reduced latency
A filter and method for filtering a signal are disclosed. The filter is equivalent to a plurality of bi-quad filters connected in series, and is implemented on a digital processor that receives a sequence of signal values at a sampling rate characterized by a sampling interval and generates a filtered signal value upon receiving each received signal value. The filter has a latency that is less than the sampling interval. The filtered values can be generated by adding a term to a received signal value and multiplying the sum by a gain constant that depends on the filter constants. The added term does not depend on the current received signal value. The filter can be implemented in fixed-point integer arithmetic.
US09391589B2 Surface acoustic wave filter on a lithium niobate substrate
A surface acoustic wave filter includes a θ-rotated Y-cut X-propagation lithium niobate substrate. The cut angle ranges from 20° to 40°. An interdigital transducer can be used for exciting a surface acoustic wave that is formed on the substrate.
US09391585B2 Compact multi-port router device
The invention relates to a multi port router device capable of carrying a number P, which is greater than or equal to three, of frequency channels, from a number M of input ports to a number N of output ports, at least one of the two numbers M and N being greater than or equal to two, characterized in that it includes at least two filters (12, 14, 16, 18), each filter comprising at least two coupled resonators, at least one resonator (Rs1, Rs2) being common to two different filters, and each input port and each output port being connected directly to at least one resonator. The router device is capable of appropriately performing routing in which it is possible to supply on at least one output port an output multiplex having at least a first and a second frequency channel, among which: the first frequency channel has originated from a first input multiplex, supplied on a first input port and comprising said first frequency channel, and at least one further frequency channel forwarded to a second output port of the device; and the second frequency channel is either forwarded from a second input port, or, when the first input multiplex comprises at least three different multiplexed frequency channels, the second frequency channel originates from the first input multiplex, the first second frequency channels, being frequentially disposed on both sides of a third frequency channel, with the said third frequency channel being routed to a different output port.
US09391583B2 Transmission line driver circuit for automatically calibrating impedance matching
A transmission line driver circuit includes: a transmission line driving amplifier having a first transmission terminal and a second transmission terminal; a first signal node; a second signal node; a first adjustable resistor positioned between the first transmission terminal and the first signal node; a second adjustable resistor positioned between the second transmission terminal and the second signal node; a first voltage difference generating circuit coupled with two terminals of the first adjustable resistor to generate a first voltage difference value; a second voltage difference generating circuit coupled with two terminals of the second adjustable resistor to generate a second voltage difference value; sample-and-hold circuits for generating sampled signals according to the first voltage difference value and the second voltage difference value; a comparing circuit for comparing the sampled signals; and an adjusting circuit for adjusting resistance of the first and/or second adjustable resistors according to the comparing result.
US09391582B2 Tunable duplexing circuit
A tunable duplexer circuit is described, wherein the frequency response as well as bandwidth and transmission loss characteristics can be dynamically altered, providing improved performance for transceiver front-end applications. The rate of roll-off of the frequency response can be adjusted to improve performance when used in duplexer applications. A method is described where the duplexer circuit characteristics are optimized in conjunction with a specific antenna frequency response to provide additional out-of-band rejection in a communication system. Dynamic optimization of both the duplexer circuit and an active antenna system is described to provide improved out-of-band rejection when implemented in RF front-end circuits of communication systems. Other features and embodiments are described in the following detailed descriptions.
US09391580B2 Ambient audio injection
An exemplary system comprises a device including a memory with an audio injection application installed thereon. The application comprises an equalizer module that analyzes sound characteristics of individual digital audio samples including a discrete signal, a selector module that applies a selection heuristic to select the discrete signal from the individual digital audio samples based on the sound characteristics, and an audio module that supplies to an output an insert signal generated according to the discrete signal selected by the selection heuristic.
US09391572B2 Driver amplifier systems and methods of their operation
The embodiments described herein provide a radio frequency (RF) driver amplifier and method of operation. In general, the driver amplifier facilitates high performance operation in RF devices while being implemented with only n-type transistors. Using only n-type transistors in the driver amplifier can increase the operating bandwidth of the driver amplifier. Furthermore, using only n-type transistors in the driver amplifier can simplify device fabrication. The driver amplifiers and methods described herein can be used in a variety of applications. As one specific example the driver amplifier can be used in a switch-mode power amplifier (SMPA). Such a SMPA can be configured to amplify a time varying signal, such as an RF.
US09391566B2 Methods and devices for testing segmented electronic assemblies
Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an electronic assembly comprising a number of segments. In one embodiment, a scalable periphery amplifier may comprise a number of amplifier segments. In one embodiment a method of testing the amplifier segments in a scalable periphery architecture is described. One or more of the amplifier segments can be independently turned on and/or turned off to achieve desired impedance characteristics of the overall amplifier to test the scalable periphery amplifier. In another embodiment, the electronic assembly comprises digitally tunable capacitors.
US09391549B2 Motor driving device
A motor driving device includes a clock oscillator configured to generate a clock signal; and a logic unit configured to receive the clock signal, control conduction of a 3-phase brushless direct current (DC) motor, and generate a revolutions per minute (RPM) detection signal. The clock oscillator is configured to switch an oscillation frequency of the clock signal depending on an RPM command signal input to set a target RPM of the 3-phase brushless DC motor.
US09391542B2 Ultrasonic actuator for a linear ultrasonic motor and linear ultrasonic motor having an ultrasonic actuator
An ultrasonic actuator includes at least one primary waveguide resonator, with each primary generator being in flat, at least one auxiliary waveguide resonator, with each auxiliary generator being in contact in order to form an acoustic standing wave, at least one crosspiece that connects one of the at least one primary waveguide resonators and one of the at least one auxiliary waveguide resonators to each other at least in sections, and wherein at least one friction track or friction rail is arranged on the crosspiece wherein the at least one primary waveguide resonator and the at least one auxiliary waveguide resonator is an open linear waveguide, and the at least one crosspiece functions as a totalizing device of the acoustic standing waves propagated in the primary and auxiliary waveguide resonators, so that the at least one crosspiece functions as the generator of a simulated travelling wave.
US09391537B2 Photovoltaic system and power supply system
According to one embodiment, a system includes modules to detect a node voltage and an output current of a converter, a detector to obtain an effective power value, a system condition detector to detect a power supply condition in the electric system or the operating conditions of devices included in the electric system and then output a first signal, a setting unit to switch a set value to a preset first or second value and then output the set value, a unit to calculate an angular frequency of an output voltage of the converter on the basis of an output of the detector, the value, and an output of the system condition detector, and a unit to calculate a target value of the converter.
US09391534B2 Comparator based synchronous rectifier control circuit and synchronous rectifier control method
A synchronous rectifier control circuit an includes a current transformer (CT), a bridge rectifier, and a comparator, where the CT is connected in series to a secondary side, performs sampling on a loop current of the secondary side to obtain a current detection signal, and outputs the obtained current detection signal to the bridge rectifier; the bridge rectifier acquires a secondary-side sampling current according to the current detection signal, and outputs the secondary-side sampling current to the comparator so that the comparator generates a voltage difference; and an output signal of the comparator turns over so as to control on and off of a synchronous rectifier transistor. In this way, high-speed and high-precision control over a synchronous rectifier transistor can be implemented. The control is simple and is low in cost.
US09391531B2 Controlling a switched mode power supply with maximised power efficiency
A control circuit, that controls the duty cycle of a switched mode power supply, comprises a reference voltage generator that, responsive to the input voltage exceeding a threshold value, generates a predetermined reference signal. Responsive to the input voltage not exceeding the threshold value, the reference voltage generator receives a signal indicative of an input voltage of the switched mode power supply and generates a variable reference signal dependent upon the input voltage. The control circuit further comprises an error signal generator that receives a signal indicative of an output voltage of the power supply and generates an error signal based on the reference signal generated by the reference voltage generator and based on the output voltage. The control circuit also includes a duty cycle control signal generator that generates the control signal to control the duty cycle of the power supply in dependence upon the error signal.
US09391526B2 Power supply apparatus with auxiliary winding switching circuit
A power supply apparatus includes a main converter, an auxiliary winding switching circuit and a pulse width modulation controller. The main converter includes a transformer. The transformer includes a primary side winding, a secondary side winding and an auxiliary winding. The auxiliary winding includes a first winding and a second winding. According to a secondary side voltage, the first winding induces to generate a first voltage, and the second winding induces to generate a second voltage. The first voltage is greater than the second voltage. The auxiliary winding switching circuit sends the first voltage to the pulse width modulation controller when the first voltage is not greater than a predetermined voltage. The auxiliary winding switching circuit sends the second voltage to the pulse width modulation controller when the first voltage is greater than the predetermined voltage.
US09391521B2 Chopper apparatus
Positive-side DC terminals P1′ and P′ connected to a positive-side DC bus of a chopper 4 are provided in the chopper 4 and the positive-side DC terminals P1′ and P′ are connected to positive-side DC terminals P1 and P, respectively. With this configuration, a current of a DC bus of an inverter 2 is drawn via the positive-side DC terminal P1′ into the chopper 4 and is returned via the positive-side DC terminal P′ to the DC bus of the inverter 2.
US09391520B2 Discontinuous mode DC-DC converter including a voltage-current conversion circuit for converting into current a difference between an output voltage and an input voltage of switches of the converter
The DC-DC converter includes an inductor cooperating with a first switch and a second switch operating alternately, in order to supply an output voltage of higher, equal or lower level than the level of an input voltage. The converter includes a switching control unit for the switches for determining a first switching time for the first switch and a second switching time for the second switch. The switching control unit includes a voltage-current conversion circuit for converting into current a comparison voltage, which is the difference between the output voltage and the input voltage, a first current being supplied by the conversion circuit for charging a first capacitor to a first voltage threshold to determine the first switching time and a second current being supplied by the conversion circuit for charging a second capacitor to a second voltage threshold to determine the second switching time.
US09391518B2 Current sensing circuit for switching power converters
A current sensing circuit for a switched mode power converter employs a passive current sensing network coupled in parallel with the switched inductor. The passive current sensing network is impedance matched to the inductance its inherent resistance, and provides a current sensing node for single wire current sensing by a current sensing circuit. The passive current sensing network can be employed in each of a plurality of phased switching circuits that each contribute to an output of the power converter.
US09391513B2 Method of current compensation based on division-sigma control for DC/DC converter
A method is provided for current compensation. The method is based on division-sigma (D-Σ) control for a DC/DC converter. Inductance changes are allowed with D-Σ digital control achieved. Loop gain can be quickly adjusted. The disadvantage of average current-mode control (ACMC) is solved, where the disadvantage is a reduction of the response speed caused by the filter within the current loop. The present invention uses midpoint current sampling to ensure taking an average inductor current value in each switching cycle. By doing so, a lack of fidelity of peak current-mode control (PCMC) is solved, where the lack of fidelity is due to the amount of error value between the peak value and the average value. Besides, the present invention uses a table of the inductance following current changes to achieve compensation of duty cycle ratio, where the table is built in a single chip.
US09391511B2 Fast response control circuit and control method thereof
In one embodiment, a control circuit configured to control a switch mode power supply, can include: (i) a compensation signal generating circuit configured to generate a compensation signal according to an error between an output voltage feedback signal and a first reference voltage of the switch mode power supply; (ii) a switching signal generating circuit configured to control a switching operation of a power switching device of the switch mode power supply according to the compensation signal; (iii) a judge circuit configured to determine an operation state of the switch mode power supply according to the output voltage feedback signal; and (iv) a loop gain regulating circuit configured to regulate a loop gain of the control circuit according to the operation state.
US09391503B2 Converter circuit
A converter circuit with short-circuit protection can include a plurality of phase legs having a series connection of normally-on switches, between voltage rails of a DC voltage link, a DC link capacitor, and AC voltage connection points between the normally-on switches. A phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit includes a parallel connection of a resistive component and a controllable switch. The phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit including a first terminal connected to an AC voltage connection point and a second terminal forms an input or an output of the converter circuit; and a controllable switch is connected in series with the DC link capacitor. Upon lack of control of the normally-on switches the controllable switch of the at least one phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit and the controllable switch of the phase leg short-circuit protection circuit are adapted to be controlled to a non-conductive state.
US09391498B2 Methods and systems for use in configuring a coil forming machine
A method for configuring a coil forming machine is provided. The method comprises receiving a 3D model of a production coil, generating a 3D model of the coil forming machine, and comparing the received 3D production coil model to the 3D model of the coil forming machine to obtain a comparison. The method also includes outputting a display of the comparison and adjusting the coil forming machine in response to the comparison.
US09391496B2 Transmission for a vehicle
A transmission for a vehicle is disclosed which includes a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing. A platform is at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities. The platform defines a plurality of first apertures arranged together to define a first group. An interface assembly includes a first support and a plurality of first connectors attached to the first support to define a first bundle. The first support is selectively attached to the platform to position the first bundle relative to the platform such that each of the first connectors are disposed in respective ones of the first apertures of the first group. The first connectors are coupled to a power inverter module and a first motor/generator through the first apertures of the platform to electrically connect the power inverter module and the first motor/generator to each other.
US09391495B2 Predicting motor failure based on relationship of motor pair characteristics
A system and method of predicting motor failure based on relationships of motor pair characteristics, such as temperatures. A motor pair detection module receives temperatures for each motor of a motor pair over a predetermined window. The motor pair detection module determines whether at least one of the temperatures of the first motor and the second motor exceeds a temperature threshold during the predetermined time window. The motor pair detection module further determines whether the temperature of the first motor differed from the temperature of the second motor by at least a difference threshold for at least a percentage threshold of the predetermined time window. Based on the determinations, the motor pair temperature outputs an alarm signal to indicate a potential impending failure of one of the motors of the motor pair.
US09391494B2 Anti-separating structure of sensing magnet for motor
The present invention relates to an anti-separating structure of sensing magnet for motor, wherein, the coupling between the plate and the sensing magnet is effected by the bent unit formed at the plate and a separate cap member to reinforce the coupling power to axial, horizontal and rotational directions by the mechanical structure, and to improve a structural stability and operational reliability, the structure including a plate formed with a plate insertion hole that vertically penetrates the plate; a sensing magnet formed with a magnet insertion hole corresponding to the plate insertion hole; and a plate-shaped cap member including a coupling lug coupled by penetrating the plate insertion hole and the magnet insertion hole.
US09391490B2 Gear housing of linear actuator with opening for power take-off
A linear actuator comprising a cabinet (1), an electric motor (2), a transmission (4), a gear housing (11), a spindle nut (6), a spindle (5), the actuator being furnished with an opening (20) in the gear housing (11), where a gear wheel power take-off (21) is accessible and may be equipped with optional equipment. The gear wheel power take-off (21) is constructed as a tooth gearing on a planetary wheel holder (16) in a planetary wheel and transfers a movement to the optional equipment, which is proportional to the movement of the spindle nut during its travel on the spindle.
US09391489B2 Magnetic coupler having magnets with different magnetic strengths
A coupling apparatus (20) is provided for transferring energy to or from a flywheel. The coupling apparatus comprises first (22) and second (24) movable members, each having one or magnets (30, 34) arranged thereon, wherein the first movable member (22) is arranged to be coupled to a flywheel. The magnetic strength of a first magnet (30) arranged on the first movable member (22) exceeds the magnetic strength of a second magnet (34) arranged on the second movable member (24).
US09391484B2 Actuator unit with conductor stamping
An actuating drive having a housing which comprises receptacles for a step-down gear mechanism and for a very small electric motor, wherein the motor receptacle is connected to a terminal cover. The very small electric motor is held securely without play. The terminal cover comprises a conductor stamping which is encapsulated with plastic material and has motor contact areas which interengage with connection lugs of the very small electric motor, and in that the baffle plate has retaining regions which interengage with housing elements on the housing.
US09391483B2 Rotary electric machine, bearing attaching and detaching jig, and bearing replacement method
To provide a rotary electric machine including a stator iron core, a rotor including a lamination core that is arranged within the stator iron core and is constituted by laminating electromagnetic steel plates and iron core holders that cover both ends of the lamination core, a frame including a cylindrical portion that encloses the stator iron core and the rotor and a rotor-shaft supporting unit that extends in the direction of a rotor shaft and supports the rotor shaft, and cartridges that are detachably attached to the rotor-shaft supporting unit and rotatably support the rotor shaft, in which on the iron core holder and the iron core holder, recessed portions are circumferentially provided, into which end portions of jigs that are inserted through the rotor-shaft supporting unit to enable the cartridges to be detached and attached are fitted.
US09391479B2 Spoke type permanent magnet motor capable of minimizing leakage of magnetic flux
A spoke type permanent magnet motor according to the present invention includes a stator having a stator slot radially disposed according to the center thereof and a stator core radially formed between the stator slots; a spoke type rotor, provided inside or outside the stator, having a rotor core radially disposed in the same direction as the stator slot and stator core and a permanent magnet radially disposed between the rotor core; a first fastening member, made of non-magnetic material, provided at the top and bottom of the rotor, respectively, in the height direction of the rotor; and a second fastening member, made of non-magnetic material, provided to penetrate the rotor core and first fastening member, thereby to maintain high output density and to easily implement miniaturization.
US09391476B2 Power feeding device, wireless power feeding system using the same and wireless power feeding method
An object is to provide a power feeding device, a power feeding system, and a power feeding method which are more convenient for a power feeding user at the power receiving end. The power feeding device includes a means of controlling a frequency of a power signal transmitted to a power receiver, based on a proportion of signals, among power signals output to an antenna circuit, that return from the power receiver to the antenna circuit without feeding power to the power receiver.
US09391473B2 Solar collection assembly, system, and method
Disclosed is a solar collection assembly for collection of incident solar energy and generation of electricity. Such assembly includes a central vertically oriented support column. A solar collection assembly includes a plurality of dual faced solar receptor assemblies, each solar receptor assembly having an upper solar receptor surface and a lower solar receptor surface. The central vertically oriented support column carries each solar collection assembly. A solar collector reflective assembly surrounds the central vertically oriented support column and is oriented to reflect incident solar energy onto the solar collection assembly.
US09391470B2 Energy transfer optimization by detecting and mitigating magnetic saturation in wireless charging with foreign object detection
A method is provided for optimizing wireless charging of a mobile device by a wireless charger. The method comprises determining whether magnetic saturation occurred in at least one of the mobile device and the wireless charger during a first wireless transmission of power from the wireless charger to the mobile device; and, when magnetic saturation is determined to have occurred, successively reducing transmit power in the wireless charger until reaching an operating wireless transmit power, wherein neither the mobile device nor the wireless charger is in magnetic saturation at the operating wireless transmit power.
US09391467B2 Step-up battery charging management system and control method thereof
In one embodiment, a battery charger can include: (i) a step-up converter configured to generate an output signal by boosting a DC input voltage, where a threshold voltage is greater than the DC input voltage; (ii) a charging control circuit configured to receive the output signal from the step-up converter, and to control charging of a battery; (iii) the charging control circuit being configured to regulate the output signal to maintain a charging current for the battery charging as a trickle current when a battery voltage is less than the threshold voltage; and (iv) the charging control circuit being configured to charge the battery directly by the output signal when the battery voltage is greater than the threshold voltage.
US09391466B2 Method and device for battery-charging management
A method, a computer-readable medium, and a system for battery-charging management are provided. The method comprises: recording a respective time that previous trickle charging was carried out by a user; determining that a time interval between a current time and the respective time for the previous trickle charging has reached a preset charging cycle; and prompting the user to carry out next trickle charging in response to determining that the time interval between the current time and the respective time for the previous trickle charging has reached the preset charging cycle. The charging cycle is managed according to recorded charging actions of a user; therefore, the user can be prompted and guided in an intuitive and clear way to carry out charging cycle management, and be prompted intelligently and regularly, so as to extend the service life of a battery.
US09391465B2 Electrical storage device management system
In an electrical storage device management system, a control part monitors the temperatures of electrical storage cells. In electrical storage systems that are in a charging/discharging operating state, if the temperature of any of the electrical storage cells has reached a first threshold temperature, the control part switches an electrical storage system that includes this electrical storage cell to a non-charging/discharging state. The control part also switches one of the electrical storage systems that is in the non-charging/discharging state, to the charging/discharging operating state.
US09391459B2 Mesh delivery system
A mesh delivery system for controlling electricity supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source are disclosed. Signals relating to characteristics of the electrical devices are uniformly or non-uniformly sampled at discrete intervals are provided along with associated sampling time indications via the mesh network to a destination controller. The controller applies a compacting algorithm to the received samples and the received associated time indications to generate a paired vector comprising samples and an associated compacted time indication. The paired vector representing the sampled signal in a time domain is transformed into a discrete Fourier spectrum of the signal in the frequency domain where the discrete Fourier spectrum of the signal is in a uniformly sampled in the frequency domain. A filter is applied in the frequency domain to the discrete Fourier spectrum of the signal to generate a filtered discrete spectral representation, and an inverse discrete Fourier transform of the filtered discrete spectral representation is applied to generate a recovered signal in the time domain that is uniformly sampled.
US09391457B2 Apparatus and method for producing AC power
A multi-input electrical power conversion device is provided for converting multiple DC energies each arising from different junctions in a multi-junction solar cells into AC energy. The device includes a plurality of electrical inputs for receiving the multiple DC energies from at least one multi junction solar cell. The number of DC energies id no less than the number of junctions in the multi-junction solar cell. The device also includes at least one DC-to-AC circuit for receiving the multiple DC energies from the plurality of electrical inputs and at least one electrical output receiving at least one AC energy from the DC to AC circuit. The device also includes at least one MPPT circuit operatively coupled to the DC to AC circuit.
US09391456B2 Current generator
A current generator is disclosed. An example current generator includes a plurality of current cells connected in parallel, each current cell being connected to a switch. The current generator further includes a first summer configured to sum the output of each current cell of a first subset of the plurality of current cells and a second summer configured to sum the output of each current cell of a second subset of the plurality of current cells. The current generator also includes a combiner configured to combine the outputs of the first and second summers. Further, each switch is switchable according to a sequence to generate a summed output of the current cells at a plurality of quantization levels to generate positive and/or negative alternations of a pseudo-sinusoidal, alternating current.
US09391452B1 Method and apparatus for implementing power line communications over a DC power supply cable
Devices and systems for providing reduced cost and increased reliability power line communications (PLC) and electrical power to a network device using a PLC supply unit via a single cable with 2 wires are disclosed. The PLC supply unit receives a PLC power and data signal, extracts the power signal, the data signal and generates a timing signal based on the power signal. The PLC supply converts the electrical power signal from an alternating current (AC) to a direct current (DC) electrical power signal and then recombines the DC electrical power signal with the data signal and the timing signal and sends the composite signal to the network device. The network device receives the composite signal and uses the DC electrical power signal to power the network device and, at an internal PLC processing module, processes the data signal for communication with other network devices using the timing data.
US09391448B2 High current event mitigation circuit
A protection circuit includes a first resistive element configured for coupling to a protected circuit. The first resistive element has a particular resistance value. The protection circuit also includes a voltage regulator coupled to the first resistive element. The particular resistance value is selected to enable a magnitude of a bias current provided to the protected circuit to remain within a first operating current range associated with the protected circuit and to remain below a latchup holding current value associated with the protected circuit.
US09391444B2 Method and component for voltage instability protection in an electric power system
Voltage instability protection for an electric power system is implemented by determining a change in power injected into a region of interest within the electric power system based on synchronized power measurements from different power injection points of the region of interest, and by determining a change in power absorbed by one or more loads in the region of interest based on synchronized power measurements from different load points of the region of interest. A change in power loss for the region of interest is determined based on the difference between the change in power injected into the region of interest and the change in power absorbed by the region of interest. A voltage instability condition is indicated when the change in power loss for the region of interest approximates the change in power injected into the region of interest.
US09391441B2 Zone selective interlocking for optical flash detection suppression
Nuisance tripping is reduced in a power protection and distribution system including an upstream circuit breaker, a power distribution bus, and one or more downstream circuit breakers. A signal indicative of a current or pending downstream circuit breaker tripping action, such as a Zone Selective Interlocking (ZSI) signal, normally used to delay tripping of the upstream breaker, is used to suppress an optical flash detection system from tripping the upstream breaker in response to an optical flash resulting from the tripping of the downstream breaker. In this way, nuisance tripping of the upstream breaker is avoided when the downstream breaker trips (and the ZSI function is preserved).
US09391434B2 Conduit space recovery system
Space in a conduit having at least one cable therein which is surrounded by a duct is recovered by longitudinally cutting the duct and removing the duct from around the cable. The duct may be pulled out of the conduit and past a blade to affect the cutting, or a blade may be pulled through the conduit to cut the duct while still in the conduit.
US09391423B2 Method and applications of thin-film membrane transfer
The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for micro-contact printing of micro-electromechanical systems (“MEMS”) in a solvent-free environment. The disclosed embodiments enable forming a composite membrane over a parylene layer and transferring the composite structure to a receiving structure to form one or more microcavities covered by the composite membrane. The parylene film may have a thickness in the range of about 100 nm-2 microns; 100 nm-1 micron, 200-300 nm, 300-500 nm, 500 nm to 1 micron and 1-30 microns. Next, one or more secondary layers are formed over the parylene to create a composite membrane. The composite membrane may have a thickness of about 100 nm to 700 nm to several microns. The composite membrane's deflection in response to external forces can be measured to provide a contact-less detector. Conversely, the composite membrane may be actuated using an external bias to cause deflection commensurate with the applied bias. Applications of the disclosed embodiments include tunable lasers, microphones, microspeakers, remotely-activated contact-less pressure sensors and the like.
US09391422B2 Polarization stable widely tunable short cavity laser
A tunable source includes a short-cavity laser optimized for performance and reliability in SSOCT imaging systems, spectroscopic detection systems, and other types of detection and sensing systems. A short cavity laser with a large free spectral range cavity, fast tuning response and single transverse, longitudinal and polarization mode operation is disclosed. Methods for obtaining polarization stable operation of the tunable source are presented.