Document Document Title
US09968952B2 Paint-spray line
A paint-spray line comprising a number of sprayers which are provided to discharge paint onto an item to be coated and are connected to a paint supply unit via a common main supply line is also suitable, to a particular extent and at an expense kept particularly low, for a need-based provision of individual quantities of paint which are kept at a particular minimum. For this purpose, the conveying device, provided for feeding paint into the main supply line is configured according to the invention as a single-piston pump.
US09968951B2 Fluidizing unit for powder media
The present invention relates to a fluidizing unit, comprising a cardboard structure 2, a deformable receptacle 3 disposed within the cardboard structure 2, and a fluidizing means 4 disposed within the deformable receptacle 3 and comprising a container 4a and a fluidizing base 4b covering the container 4a, the container 4a and the fluidizing base 4b constituting the outer walls of a pressure chamber 4c which can be charged with compressed air, the fluidizing means 4 further comprising a supply line 4d for compressed air, which opens out via the fluidizing base into the pressure chamber, and also a seal 4e which spans the periphery of the container 4a and is designed such that the interior 5 of the deformable receptacle 3 is separated into two regions 5a and 5b separate from one another.
US09968942B2 Method and apparatus for separating contaminants from compost and other recyclable materials
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for separating stones, fibers and plastics from biodegradable material. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises: an inclined trough having a feed entry at a top end for receiving the feed material, the inclined trough including a plurality of riffles angled to at least partially hinder and unsettle a flow of the feed material flowing down the inclined trough; one or more vibratory motors configured to induce a vibration in the inclined trough; one or more blowers configured to generate an air flow through overhead air vent nozzles positioned over the inclined trough and directing the air flow to one side of the inclined trough; and a material resilience separator for separating the contaminants from the biodegradable materials in the remaining material.
US09968935B2 Devices for cell assays
The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystals and other biophotonically based assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal or other biophotonically based assay formats.
US09968934B2 Test apparatus for fluidic sample
A fluidic sample test apparatus has a mounting part such that the temperature of a fluidic sample, which is inserted into the mounting part, is uniformly maintained. The fluidic sample test apparatus includes a main body having a mounting part into which a sample cartridge is inserted, a metal panel disposed on one surface of the mounting part, and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed on another surface of the mounting part facing the one surface. One side of the metal panel is in contact with the PCB.
US09968931B2 Rapid and efficient filtering whole blood in capillary flow device
This invention provides lateral flow filters with pore size gradients and with features to prevent peripheral flows around the filter. The filters can be laminated composites of two or more planar filter layers. Cartridges employing the filters can include a filtration chamber configured to retain the lateral flow filters including a port for sample application and a capillary channel for filtrate egress. The fluid egress port can be positioned to receive filtrate from one filter layer but not another.
US09968928B2 Plurality of reaction chambers in a test cartridge
A fluidic testing system is presented that includes a plurality of test chambers, a plurality of inlet channels, and a fluidic network that connects the inlet channels to one or more other chambers. The plurality of test chambers are each characterized by a length and a hydraulic diameter. The length of each test chamber is aligned substantially parallel to a gravity vector. Each of the test chambers has only one opening disposed along the length of the corresponding test chamber. Additionally, each of the test chambers is coupled via its respective opening to only one of the plurality of inlet channels.
US09968926B2 Method for producing amino methylated bead polymerizates
The invention relates to a process for preparing aminomethylated bead polymers using condensed formaldehydes and carboxylic anhydrides.
US09968917B2 LEV-type zeolite and production method therefor
The present invention provides an LEV-type zeolite which is less likely than a conventional LEV-type zeolite to have reduced zeolite crystallinity even when exposed to high-temperature, high-humidity environments, particularly high-temperature, high-humidity environments of at least 700° C. The LEV-type zeolite has a molar ratio of silica to alumina of at least 20 and a molar ratio of silanol groups to silicon of at most 1.5×10−2. Such an LEV-type zeolite preferably has a silanol volume of at most 1.5×1020/g.
US09968914B2 Method for producing olefin
The present invention relates to a process for producing olefins, including the step of subjecting an alcohol having not less than 8 and not more than 22 carbon atoms to dehydration reaction in the presence of a solid acid catalyst, in which the solid acid catalyst includes aluminum oxide and an oxide of an element having an electronegativity higher than that of aluminum which is supported on the aluminum oxide.
US09968910B2 Polysaccharide compositions for absorbing aqueous liquid
Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan polymer having an open-cell pore structure with an average pore size of about 100 nm to about 3000 nm in diameter. Such polymers have enhanced aqueous liquid absorption capacity, and can be comprised in various products having aqueous liquid absorption function. Methods of preparing glucan polymers of the compositions provided herein are also disclosed.
US09968909B2 Mn+-exchanged beta zeolite, gas adsorbent comprising same, method for producing same, and method for removing nitrogen monoxide
Provided are: a Mn+-exchanged beta zeolite which is useful for the catalytic removal of nitrogen monoxide contained in a gas to be purified even when oxygen is contained in the gas at a high concentration or when the gas has a low temperature; and a method for producing the Mn+-exchanged beta zeolite. The Mn+-exchanged beta zeolite according to the present invention has a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 7 to 18, and is ion-exchanged by a Mn+ ion (wherein Mn+ represents a n-valent metal cation; n represents a numeral value of 1 to 3; and M represents an element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Sn, Ag, Li, K, Cs, Au, Ca, Mg, Pt, Pd, Rh and Ir). The amount of the Mn+ ion carried on the Mn+-exchanged beta zeolite is preferably from 0.01 to 2.5 mmol/g relative to the amount of the Mn+-exchanged beta zeolite.
US09968899B1 Catalyst transfer pipe plug detection
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for detecting catalyst transfer pipe plugging in a chemical plant or petrochemical plant or refinery. The catalyst transfer pipe may extend from a reactor to a catalyst collector and enable the flow of catalyst from the reactor to the catalyst collector. Specifically, one or more sensors affixed to a catalyst transfer pipe may collect sensor data for analysis. Based on one or more detected changes in the sensor data outside a range, a data collection platform may send one or more alerts and/or send one or more signals to a control platform to adjust a flow rate, a pressure differential, or perform another action to clear a developing catalyst buildup and thereby attempt to avoid a catalyst transfer pipe from becoming plugged.
US09968892B2 Functionalization of nanofibrous microfiltration membranes for water purification
A high flux and low pressure drop microfiltration (MF) membrane and a method for making the MF membrane. The microfiltration membranes are formed by a method that includes: preparing a nanofibrous structure; and modifying the surface of the nanofibrous structure with a surface modifier. The nanofibrous structure includes an electrospun nanofibrous scaffold or a polysaccharide nanofiber infused nanoscaffold or mixtures thereof. The electrospun nanofibrous scaffold can include polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or polyethersulfone (PES))/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or mixtures thereof. The surface modifier includes polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyvinyl amine (Lupamin) cross-linked by ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGdGE)/glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTMACl) or poly(1-(1-vinylimidazolium)ethyl-3-vinylimdazolium dibromide (VEVIMIBr).
US09968890B2 Method for producing filter molded article
A filter molded article using a graphene with water passage holes having a desired size is produced in a simple step.A method for producing a filter molded article having a graphene layer as a filtering material is characterized by including a step of forming a support 3 layer on a surface of a graphene 1 layer formed on initial substrates for a graphene 2 and 9, a step of forming water passage holes in the support 3 layer, a step of removing the initial substrates for a graphene 2 and 9, and a step of forming water passage holes by heating and holding the graphene 1 layer at a low temperature in the air containing oxygen of 160 to 250° C. for a predetermined time.
US09968884B2 Reconfigurable segmental contaminated emissions capture and collection system utilizing a fluidized bed apparatus with a method for tilting and/or agitation
A system for removing contaminants from emissions including a reverse venturi shaped fluidized bed device featuring a method for tilting and/or agitation. The system includes numerous component devices such as, but not limited to, an influent source, a fluidized bed device, a post filter device, and an effluent discharge, each of which are able to be isolated, integrated, bypassed, and/or reconfigured for application specific emissions requirements. The filter media is a mass of reactive material disposed within the fluidized bed which is in intimate contact with the emissions as they pass through the fluidized bed. The mass of reactive material contains an amalgam forming metal which chemically binds with the emissions that are passing through the system. Methods for removing contaminants from gaseous and non-gaseous emissions are also provided.
US09968875B2 Filter segment with a light weight frame
A disc segment adapted to be attached to other disc segments to form a disc assembly, the disc segment including an isosceles trapezoid frame. The frame comprises a left side rail and a right side rail, and a plurality of spaced apart parallel horizontally extending ribs connected between the side rails. The frame defines a first disc side and an opposite second disc side, each disc side including a corrugated left bottom clamp list adjacent the left side rail and supported by the ribs, and a corrugated right bottom clamp list adjacent the right side rail and supported by the ribs. Each disc side also includes a corrugated wire mesh supported by the left and right clamp lists, and supported by the frame ribs.
US09968871B2 Filter device and method for filtering a suspension
The invention relates to a filter device for filtering a suspension, and the method of operation thereof, wherein between a stationary head piece and a movable end piece, the filter device has a pack of a recess plate and an adjacent recess plate, the filter device has a suspension pipe for piping for piping a first stream of the suspension from the head piece into the pack, wherein connecting to the end piece, and a supply pipe for piping a second stream of the suspension into the suspension pipe, forming a filter chamber, the recess plate and/or the adjacent recess plate has a recess, from the suspension pipe, the recess plate has a suspension duct for piping the suspension into the filter chamber, and wherein between the recess plate and the adjacent recess plate, the filter device has at least one filter cloth for filtering a solid content out of the suspension.
US09968866B2 Process for defoaming aqueous compositions containing surfactants
Efficient defoamer and foam prevention formulations contain an organopolysiloxane defoamer and an efficiency promoting waxy β-ketocarbonyl-functional organosilicon compound. The compositions also preferably contain a filler and a silicone resin, and are highly efficient in surfactant-containing aqueous systems such as detergents and cleaners.
US09968863B2 Bobbling toy exciter
A bobbling toy exciter is provided for gently tapping the bobbling portion of the bobbling toy to create a continuous movement of the bobbling portion. A motor drives a flexible arm in periodic movement which causes the arm to strike the bobbling portion, for example the bobbling head of the toy. A bob or other mass may be added to the end of the flexible arm to more effectively strike the toy. The flexible arm may extend transversely from the shaft of a rotating motor. The flexible arm may also transversely extend from a pivoting vertical rod. The present bobbling toy exciter gently creates movement and action in bobbling toys which would require manual excitation, so that the user may continuously enjoy the bobbling movement.
US09968859B2 Swing
A swing includes a body including a concave central portion including an upper surface defining a recessed seat adapted to support a user, a lower surface that is on an opposite side of the central portion as compared to the upper surface, and a peripheral edge surrounding the concave central portion. The peripheral edge includes a plurality of tether openings, and a tether system is engaged with the plurality of tether openings. A first tether section of the tether system extends between first and second ones of the tether openings along the lower surface of the body, and a second tether section of the tether system extends between third and fourth ones of the tether openings along the lower surface of the body, such that the first and second sections of the tether system support the central portion of said body.
US09968850B2 System for providing virtual spaces for access by users
A system configured to provide one or more virtual spaces that are accessible to users. The system may implement a markup language to communicate information between various components. The markup language may enable the communication of information between components of the system via markup elements. A markup element may include a discrete unit of information that includes both content and attributes associated with the content. The implementation of the markup language may enable the instantiation of virtual spaces, and the conveyance to users of views of an instantiated virtual space via a distributed architecture in which the components (e.g., a server capable of instantiating virtual spaces, and a client capable of providing an interface between a user and a virtual space) are capable of providing virtual spaces with a broader range of characteristics than components in conventional systems capable of providing virtual spaces that are accessible to users. This may enable users to access virtual spaces from a broader range of platforms, provide access to a broader range of virtual spaces without requiring the installation of proprietary or specialized client applications, facilitate the creation and/or customization of virtual spaces, and/or provide other enhancements.
US09968842B2 Laser tag bow
A gaming device for use in a laser tag game comprising a bow shaped body, a string coupled to a pair of arms, and an infrared emitter coupled to the bow shaped body. The infrared emitter is configured to generate an infrared beam when the string is pulled away from the bow shaped body and returned to its original static position. The device may further comprise omnidirectional infrared receivers, flex sensors, lights, speakers, or vibration motors. In other embodiments the gaming device may further comprise a battery, a charging, one or more trigger buttons, one or more control buttons, a display screen, microprocessors, and a wireless transceiver. In other embodiments the infrared emitter comprises a lens and an infrared LED. In other embodiments the gaming device may further comprise a quiver device configured to permit a user to reload shots during the game.
US09968840B2 Method and apparatus to provide haptic and visual feedback of skier foot motion and forces transmitted to the ski boot
A system and method to provide haptic and visual feedback of motion of the skier foot and the forces transmitted to the skiboot insole and consequently to the ski/snow interface. This system comprises a motion and force sensors and a haptic actuator embedded in the skiboot insole in communication with a smart-phone based analysis application, configured to calculate insole motion and orientation and the distribution of pressure points inside the skiboot, then to provide haptic feedback to the skier foot instructing on timing and direction of change in the pressure points necessary to achieve optimal turn parameters. Furthermore, analyzed together with GPS coordinates are transmitted by the application to the cloud based server for further processing. Graphical and numerical representation of data is superimposed over a 3D map of a slope which may be viewed on the user smart-phone or on a remote computer terminal.
US09968829B2 Multi-piece solid golf ball
In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a two-layer core consisting of an inner layer and an outer layer, a cover, at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover, and a paint film layer formed on the cover surface, each layer of the two-layer core is formed primarily of a rubber composition, the intermediate layer and the cover are each formed primarily of a resin material, the core has a hardness profile which satisfies specific conditions, and the sphere consisting of the core encased by the intermediate layer has a higher surface hardness than the ball. When used by mid- to high-level golfers, this ball achieves sufficient reduction in the spin rate on full shots with a driver, enabling the distance to be increased, and the spin performance on approach shots is excellent, enhancing the enjoyability of the game.
US09968826B2 Golf club grip with device housing
The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
US09968821B2 Bushing in an exercise machine
An exercise machine includes a joint assembly. The joint assembly includes a pivot rod, a first component connected to the pivot rod, a second component connected to the pivot rod, and a bushing mounted on the pivot rod between the first component and the second component. The bushing includes a body with a first side and a second side, the body comprising an elastic, flexible material; a first plate connected to the first side of the body; and a second plate connected to the second side of the body.
US09968820B2 Rotational exercise device
A rotational exercise device is disclosed. The rotational exercise device includes an upper platform rotatably coupled to a base. The base is configured to rest on the floor. Elastic members located in the base interact with posts located in the upper platform to provide rotatable resistance between the upper platform and base. The elastic members may be exchanged to provide a desired resistance. The rotatable resistance permits the user to perform controlled exercise movements to assist in the physical therapy of rotational joints.
US09968817B2 Unibody fitness system
The Unibody Fitness System allows an individual to receive the highly desirable low impact resistance of working out in a pool without actually being in water. With the Unibody Fitness System, the user can perform a complete workout regiment to build muscles without the use of weights or water as the system uses fluid to create resistance during cardiovascular workout, aerobics, walking, jogging or doing menial tasks. By attaching the Unibody Fitness System device to the body's joints and flex points, such as the elbow and knee, resistance is produce for the muscles in that region of the body every time the user bends or extends the arm or leg which the device is worn.
US09968803B2 Low water stannous fluoride plus zinc citrate dentifrice with improved stability, rheology, and efficacy
A dentifrice composition having a low water phase comprising effective amounts of polyphosphate and ionic active ingredients.
US09968793B2 Method of fabricating a housing for an implantable medical device having integrated features
One aspect is a method of fabricating a housing for an implantable medical device, including forming a first housing portion of metal using an additive manufacturing process such that features are integrated into the first portion. A second housing portion of metal is also formed. The first and second housing portions are joining thereby sealing an internal space of the housing within first and second portions and fully containing the features such that they are hermetically sealed relative to an external space outside the housing.
US09968783B2 Treatment for cardiac conductance abnormalities
Methods and apparatuses are provided for treating cardiac conductive disorders that include implantation of a network of material that adaptively corrects the electrical conductivity of heart tissues and restores “normal” conductance. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein involve the delivery of a material to a subject's heart in order to restore normal conductance in a minimally invasive, tunable, localized, and reversible manner, without artificial electrical stimulation.
US09968781B2 Implantable hearing assistance apparatus and corresponding systems and methods
Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of a head mountable power supply to power an implantable cochlear stimulator.
US09968776B2 Multiple-cable lead with interrupted cable and crimp configuration
Example implantable cardiac electrotherapy leads are disclosed herein. In an example, a lead may include a plurality of cable conductors within an insulating jacket. A first one and a second one of the conductors include a proximal end at a proximal end of the jacket, the second conductor extends to at least the distal end of the jacket, and the first conductor includes a distal end at an intermediate location between the proximal end and the distal end of the jacket. The lead may also include a crimp connector connected to the first one of the cable conductors at the intermediate location, as well as a conductive element that may be connected to the crimp connector. A number of conductors along the proximal portion of the jacket may be greater than a number of conductors along at least a segment of the distal portion of the jacket.
US09968775B2 Method and apparatus for replacing lead extension without tunneling
Tether apparatus may be used to replace an implanted lead extension with a replacement lead extension without tunneling or the use of tunneling tools.
US09968771B2 Mechanical friction enhancement for threaded connection incorporating crushable ribs
A medical connector includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending between the distal end and the proximal end, a helical thread extending radially outward from a surface of the sidewall and comprising a crest portion, flank portions, and a root portion with the flank portions connecting the crest portion to the root portion, and at least one deformable protrusion extending radially outward from the root portion of the helical thread.
US09968766B2 Transdermal absorption sheet and method of manufacturing transdermal absorption sheet
To provide a transdermal absorption sheet with which control of a dissolution rate and suppression of drug diffusion can be achieved, and a method of manufacturing the transdermal absorption sheet. A transdermal absorption sheet 100 is provided with a sheet portion 116, a plurality of frustum portions 114 that is disposed on the sheet portion 116, and needle portions 112 that are disposed on the frustum portions 114, each of the plurality of needle portions 112 includes a first layer 120 containing a drug and a second layer 122 not containing a drug, and at least one of the plurality of needle portions 112 contains an air bubble 124.
US09968763B2 Perfusion catheters and related methods
This patent document discloses perfusion catheters and related methods for treating complications related to CTO interventions or dilating a vessel occlusion while maintaining a passage through the treated vessel segment. A perfusion catheter can include a balloon formed of an inflatable tube and an elongate shaft having a lumen for providing inflation fluid to, or withdrawing inflation fluid from, the balloon. The inflatable tube can be coiled in a helical manner around a central axis into a series of windings. Adjacent windings can be stacked against and bonded to each other, and an inner surface of the series of windings, when inflated, can define the passage. The elongate shaft can be eccentrically attached to a proximal portion of the balloon and the shaft's lumen can be in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon, specifically the inflatable tube. The inflatable tube can include two different polymer tubes, one slightly smaller than the other.
US09968758B2 Devices and methods for treating a lung
Methods and devices for treating a lung are disclosed. The method may include deploying a catheter into an airway of the lung, and discharging a media into the airway through the catheter. The media may be configured to increase elasticity of lung tissue in the vicinity of the airway or occlude the airway.
US09968757B2 Medical kit for facilitation of changing a urinary catheter
The present invention describes a medical kit 1 for facilitation of changing a urinary catheter in a patient, wherein the medical kit 1 comprises a first component in the form of a container 2 and a second component being a clamping unit 3 comprising two opposite clamping portions 4, 5, which container 2 and which clamping unit 3 are adapted to be reassembled so that the clamping unit 3 constitutes an end unit of the container 2 and clamping unit 3, and which clamping unit 3 allows for a catheter 6 to be pulled through and between the clamping portions 4, 5 where the clamping portions 4, 5 have a pressing effect on the catheter 6 but still allows for a sliding contact between the clamping portions 4, 5 and the compressed catheter 6, allowing for gelatinization of a urethra from the inside out when a catheter 6 containing lubricant/anaesthetic gel is pulled out from the patient and through and between the clamping portions 4, 5, said catheter 6 intended to be contained in the container 2 during removal of the catheter 6 and after usage for a hygienic procedure.
US09968756B2 Pressure relief apparatus with brain entrainment
A pressure relief apparatus with brain entrainment includes a resonant wave generating module and a bio-signal measuring unit. The resonant wave generating module includes multiple resonant devices, divided into multiple regions. Each of the resonant regions can respectively generate a resonant wave being changeable or turned off. The bio-signal measuring unit at least measures an energy of autonomic sympathetic nerve system LH and an energy of autonomic parasympathetic nerve system HF. According to a current one of a set of present conditions, a set of feedback control signals is output to the resonant wave generating module to modulate the resonant devices.
US09968736B2 Liquid injector for continuously injecting fixed quantity of charged liquid
A liquid injector that additionally supplies charged liquid to a patient is provided. The liquid injector continuously supplies a fixed quantity of liquid to a patient only when the fixed quantity of liquid has been charged.
US09968721B2 Monitoring fluid volume for patients with renal disease
A method includes monitoring an indicator of fluid volume of a patient via a sensor device, and setting an initial fluid volume removal prescription for a blood fluid removal session based on the monitored indicator of fluid volume. The method may further include transmitting data regarding the indicator of fluid volume from the implantable sensor device to fluid removal device. The system includes a blood fluid removal device and control electronics configured to set the initial fluid removal volume and rate prescription. In some embodiments, the fluid removal device sets or calculated the initial fluid volume removal prescription based on the data received from the implantable sensor. The indicator of fluid volume may be an indicator of tissue fluid volume or an indicator of blood fluid volume.
US09968713B2 Balloon catheter shaft having high strength and flexibility
Method of making a balloon catheter includes melt-extruding a thermoplastic polymeric material into a tube, cooling the extruded tube, placing the extruded tube within a capture member and biaxially orienting the polymeric material of the extruded tube while simultaneously tapering at least a section of the extruded tube by radially expanding the extruded tube with pressurized media in the tube lumen and axially expanding the extruded tube with an external load applied on at least one end of the tube as an external heat supply traverses longitudinally from a first end to a second end of the extruded tube in the capture member, wherein an overall axial load on the tubing is varied as at least a section of the tube is heated. The method includes cooling the expanded tube to form a tapered biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member and sealingly securing a balloon proximate a distal end of the tubular member.
US09968704B2 Method for regenerating alveolar bone and calcium-containing microparticles used to regenerate alveolar bone
A method for regenerating alveolar bone in which bone tissue is regenerated in the gap between an implant or dental root and alveolar bone, which comprises a procedure consisting of making an incision in the gingiva surrounding an implant or dental root embedded in alveolar bone, blowing a first air into the gap between the implant or dental root and the alveolar bone to remove a portion of infected granulation tissue present in the gap, and irradiating the gap with laser light to degenerate the infected granulation tissue remaining in the gap, followed by blowing a second air containing microparticles having calcium as a constituent thereof and water into the gap to remove the degenerated infected granulation tissue and fill in the gap with the wet microparticles.
US09968700B2 Microfluidic delivery system and method
One or more embodiments are directed to a microfluidic delivery system that dispenses a fluid. The microfluidic delivery system may be provided in a variety of orientations. In one embodiment, the microfluidic delivery system is vertical so that fluid being expelled opposes gravity. In another embodiment, the microfluidic delivery system is orientated sideways so that fluid being expelled has a horizontal component. In yet another embodiment, the microfluidic delivery system faces downward.
US09968690B2 Norbornene modified peptides and their labelling with tetrazine compounds
The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid having a norbornene group. Suitably said norbornene group is present as an amino acid residue of a norbornene lysine. The invention also relates to a method of producing a polypeptide comprising a norbornene group, said method comprising genetically incorporating an amino acid comprising a norbornene group into a polypeptide.
US09968683B2 Method for conjugating molecules
Methods of conjugating two molecules are disclosed herein in which a non-polymeric aliphatic dialdehyde or non-polymeric aromatic dialdehyde is reacted with a compound comprising an amine (NH2) moiety to form a stable product under mild conditions.
US09968674B2 Methods and compositions comprising a combination of a VEGF Trap and an anti-CTLA-4 antibody
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a VEGF antagonist and an anti-CTLA-4 antibody, and methods of use thereof. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the treatment of cancers and other diseases and disorders in which anti-angiogenic therapies and/or targeted immune responses may be beneficial.
US09968671B2 Avian reovirus vaccines
The present invention relates to novel strains of avian reovirus that were isolated from clinical cases of viral arthritis/tenosynovitis in chickens in the southeast United States. The invention is directed to these novel group 1 and group 2 avian reoviruses, diagnostic assays using antibodies and/or nucleotide- or amino acid-specific components of such viruses, such as the S1 gene encoding the sigma C protein, and to vaccines that protect chickens from disease caused by such viruses.
US09968649B2 Vasopressin formulations for use in treatment of hypotension
Provided herein are peptide formulations comprising polymers as stabilizing agents. The peptide formulations can be more stable for prolonged periods of time at temperatures higher than room temperature when formulated with the polymers. The polymers used in the present invention can decrease the degradation of the constituent peptides of the peptide formulations.
US09968648B2 Peptide or protein stabilizing formulation
The invention relates to the use of a mixture of tetraethyleneglycol and amino sugars such as glucosamine or galactosamine to protect peptides and proteins and enhance their stability in solution.
US09968642B2 Compositions and methods for treatment of pain
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treatment or prevention of pain resulting from infection, infection related pain, and non-infectious pain as well as treatment or prevention of infections or adverse health consequences associated with infections.
US09968638B2 Compositions and methods for transplantation of colon microbiota
The present invention provides compositions that include an extract of human feces, and methods for using such compositions, including methods for replacing or supplementing or modifying a subject's colon microbiota, and methods for treating a disease, pathological condition, and/or iatrogenic condition of the colon.
US09968628B2 Methods and compositions for treating flaviviruses and pestiviruses
A method and composition for treating a host infected with flavivirus or pestivirus comprising administering an effective flavivirus or pestivirus treatment amount of a described 1′, 2′ or 3′-modified nucleoside or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided.
US09968626B2 Method for treating obesity
The present invention is directed to methods for treating obesity, reducing excessive body weight, treating an obesity-related condition, treating unwanted localized fat deposits, and treating areas of cellulite. The method comprises the steps of first identifying a subject in need thereof, and administering to the subject an effective amount of rhamnolipids. A pharmaceutical composition comprising rhamnolipids can be applied by any accepted mode of administration including oral, intranasal, subcutaneous, percutaneous, intravenous, or intracutaneous administration.
US09968625B2 Synthetic or recombinant fucosylated oligosaccarides for use in the treatment of infections
The present invention relates to synthetic fucosylated oligosaccharide for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with a Norwalk-like Virus or Rotavirus of a mam-mal, wherein the synthetic fucosylated oligosaccharide comprises a non-reducing end and an reducing end, wherein the reducing end comprises a first carbohydrate unit consisting of a galactose (Gal) linked via a β1-4 glycosidic bond to a glucose (Glc), and wherein the non-reducing end comprises a second carbohydrate unit linked via a β1-3 glycosidic bond to the first carbohydrate unit of the reducing end, and wherein the second carbohydrate unit comprises a) at least one or more of a fucose (Fucose) and a Galactose (Gal), and b) at least one or more of a N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) or a N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc).
US09968615B2 Methods for controlled proliferation of stem cells / generating inner ear hair cells using 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indol-2-ol based compounds
The present invention relates to methods of inducing the self-renewal of stem/progenitor supporting cells, including inducing the stem/progenitor cells to proliferate while maintaining, in the daughter cells, the capacity to differentiate into hair cells. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of using compounds comprising a 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indol-2-ol containing moiety having a Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US09968612B2 Method of synthesizing thyroid hormone analogs and polymorphs thereof
The disclosure describes methods of synthesis of pyridazinone compounds as thyroid hormone analogs and their prodrugs. Preferred methods according to the disclosure allow for large-scale preparation of pyridazinone compounds having high purity. In some embodiments, preferred methods according to the disclosure also allow for the preparation of pyridazinone compounds in better yield than previously used methods for preparing such compounds. Also disclosed are morphic forms of a pyridazinone compound. Further disclosed is a method for treating resistance to thyroid hormone in a subject having at least one TRβ mutation.
US09968610B2 Pyrrolopyrimidine derivatives as NR2B NMDA receptor antagonists
Disclosed are chemical entities of formula I: wherein X, Y, Z, R1, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined herein, as NR2B subtype selective receptor antagonists. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a chemical entity of formula I, and methods of treating various diseases and disorders associated with NR2B antagonism, e.g., diseases and disorders of the CNS, such as depression, by administering a chemical entity of formula I.
US09968604B2 Chromene derivatives as phoshoinositide 3-kinases inhibitors
Chromene compounds of formula (I), defined herein, inhibit phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and are useful for the treatment of disorders associated with a PI3K enzyme mechanism, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
US09968593B2 Combination therapy for treatment of resistant bacterial infections
The present invention is directed to combinations of a β-lactamase inhibitor with sulbactam and, optionally, imipenem/cilastatin. The combinations are useful for the treatment of bacterial infections, including infections caused by drug resistant organisms, including multi-drug resistant pathogens. More particularly, the invention relates to a combination of β-lactamase inhibitor compound 1: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with sulbactam, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and, optionally, imipenem/cilastatin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09968586B2 Mast cell stabilizers treatment for systemic disorders
Methods for the treatment of systemic disorders treatable with mast cell stabilizers, including mast cell related disorders, are provided.
US09968577B2 Treatment and prevention of bone loss using resolvins
The invention provides new methods for inducing or promoting bone growth and/or for reducing or preventing bone deterioration in a mammal subject. The inventive methods generally comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of a resolving. In particular, the inventive methods may be useful for treating or preventing conditions associated with bone degradation, deterioration or degeneration such as periodontal disease, osteoarthritis, and metastatic bone disease and osteolytic bone disease. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising at least one resolving are also provided that can be used to performed the inventive methods.
US09968576B2 Composition for preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases, containing Ramalin
The present invention relates to a neurodegenerative disease treatment use, which is a novel use of Ramalin, and, more specifically, to a composition for preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases, containing Ramalin, which has an inflammasome and BACE1 expression inhibitory activity. Ramalin according to the present invention has an effect of improving a cognitive ability by inhibiting the expression of an inflammatory factor, which contains an NLRP inflammasome protein, and BACE1, and is thus useful for preventing or treating memory disorder and neurodegenerative diseases.
US09968572B2 Clonidine and GABA compounds in a biodegradable polymer carrier
Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine and a gamma-aminobutyric acid compound at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.
US09968571B2 Inhibitors and methods of inhibiting bacterial and viral pathogens
Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating viral and bacterial infections, by administering certain thiourea compounds, specifically acylthiourea, carboximidoylthiourea and S-alkyl isothiourea derivatives and analogs, in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed.
US09968569B2 Adjuvant chemotherapy for anaplastic gliomas
The present invention involves the use of 2,4-disulfonyl phenyl tert-butyl nitrone (2,4-ds-PBN) in the treatment and prevention of gliomas. The 2,4-ds-PBN may be used alone or combined with other traditional chemo- and radiotherapies and surgery, to treat or prevent glioma occurrence, recurrence, spread, growth, metastasis, or vascularization.
US09968562B2 Formulations for oral delivery of adsorbents in the gut
The invention relates to a formulation for the delayed and controlled delivery of an adsorbent into the lower intestine of mammals. The formulation includes a carrageenan and an adsorbent, such as activated charcoal. The invention further relates to uses of this formulation, in particular to pharmaceutical uses. In one embodiment, the formulation is used to eliminate or reduce the side effects in the intestine, in particular in the colon, of pharmaceutical agents that are administered as a treatment for a disorder, but that have side effects when they reach the late ileum, the caecum or the colon.
US09968544B2 Cosmetic composition for coating keratin fibres
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for coating keratin fibres of the emulsion type, comprising: an aqueous phase, at least one wax, an emulsifying system comprising: i) at least one C12-C22 monoalkylphosphate, ii) at least one acyl glutamic acid having at least one C12-C22 acyl chain, their salt(s), and their mixture(s). The present invention also relates to a method for coating keratin fibres.
US09968528B2 Stable metal ion containing compositions
Disclosed herein are oral care compositions comprising: a) one or more pyrophosphate compounds, wherein the total concentration of pyrophosphate compounds in the composition is 0.5 wt % to 1.5 wt %, based on the weight of the oral care composition; b) one or more thickening gums, wherein the total concentration of thickening gums in the composition is 1.25 wt % to 1.6 wt %, based on the weight of the oral care composition; and c) a metal ion source.
US09968527B2 Stannous salt and sodium tripolyphosphate oral care compositions and methods
Oral care compositions containing a stannous salt and sodium tripolyphosphate are provided where stannous tripolyphosphate ionic intermediates comprise less than about 1% of the compositions. Tetrasodium pyrophosphate, a methylvinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer and/or a silica oral polishing agent may be added for further efficacy. In a single phase blend, the oral care composition may be effectively limited to comprise less than about 10% water. In a dual-phase blend, a mixture having the stannous salt in a first phase and the sodium tripolyphosphate in a second phase may be generated from a dual chamber storage tube (with each phase provided from a separate chamber) immediately prior to dental care usage.
US09968525B2 Optical blurring pigment composition suitable for use in cosmetics
Compositions comprising a gel system made from a combination of a fractal network of nanoparticles and translucent macroscopic particles, titanium dioxide and other color pigments is disclosed. The compositions are capable of forming an effective film on the biological surface such as skin to blurring fine lines and wrinkles while retaining a natural look of the skin as a consequence of synergy between the fractal particles, the macroscopic particles, titanium dioxide and color pigments. Also disclosed methods for their use.
US09968524B2 Contrast pattern application for three-dimensional imaging
Provided herein are compositions for applying a reference marker pattern or grid to the surface of an object to be imaged three-dimensionally. These compositions can be quick drying for ease of use. Methods of use of the compositions are also provided as well as devices and kits for the application of the compositions.
US09968521B1 Safety mechanism and method for automated medication dispensers
A dispensing system includes a replenishment container. The replenishment container includes a container door, a container lock for the container door, and an identifier to indicate an identification of the container contents. The system also includes a dispenser to receive the replenishment container. The dispenser includes a dispenser door to selectively communicate the dispenser with the container, a container detector to continuously detect a presence or absence of the identifier and provide a signal corresponding to the identification of the contents of the container, a switch to detect when the dispenser door is not fully closed, and a controller. The controller receives the identification signal from the container detector, compares the identification of the contents of the container with an expected identification, unlocks the container lock if the identifications match, and prevents the dispenser from dispensing if the identifications do not match or if no identifier is detected.
US09968520B2 Reconstitution device
A reconstitution arrangement for transferring the contents of a first container (136) with the contents of a second container (110) and subsequently retransferring the mixture to the first container (136), the arrangement including a transfer device (114) having a fluid passageway extending between first and second ends (111, 113), a cartridge holder (138) secured to second end (113) of the transfer device, the cartridge holder (138) having a needle (144, 145) with first and second piercing tips (117, 119), the first piercing tip (117) extending into the fluid passageway of the transfer device, a first container receiving portion (115) having the second piercing tip (119) extending therein and being arranged to receive the first container (136), a housing (118) secured to the cartridge holder with a plunger rod (122) within the housing, and a cover (130) extending over the transfer device (114), cartridge holder (138) and housing (118), the cover and transfer device having an interlocking arrangement to prevent removal of the cover (130) until activated by the second container (110).
US09968517B2 Tube for storing unit doses of a drug, method and device for filling same and dispensing cabinet using same
Tubes for storing unit doses of drugs are disclosed, the tubes may include an elongate outer casing having two open ends, an inner structure inside said casing, which includes two opposite symmetrical walls connected at the ends thereof and ribbed on the inner surfaces thereof such as to enable the insertion and fastening of a blister pack containing a unit dose of a drug in channels opposite to said walls, and a pulling means for inserting and extracting the inner structure from the outer casing. Devices and methods for filling the tube with unit doses of drugs is also disclosed, along with cabinets for dispensing unit doses of drugs from said storage tube.
US09968507B2 Motorized walker
A motorized walker is provided that can enable users to walk without being slowed by the walker and without needing to exert themselves to push the walker forward. The motorized walker provides additional haptic speed cues to inform the user's posture and locomotion control to prevent falling.
US09968505B2 Massage device for tilting inversion exerciser
A tilting inversion exerciser includes a carrier pivotally attached to a supporting stand for mounting a supporting table and for supporting a user, the supporting table includes a number of grooves, and a massage member is engaged with either of the grooves of the supporting table for attaching to the supporting table and for selectively engaging with the user to selectively massage the user. The massage member includes a catch engageable through the grooves of the supporting table for attaching to the supporting table, the catch is coupled to the massage member with a reduced neck member. The catch includes a length (L) greater than the width (D) of the grooves of the supporting table for engaging with the supporting table.
US09968502B2 System and process of locating a medical imaging device
Systems and processes of locating a medical imaging device relative to a person support apparatus and/or a patient are provided. An example system includes an optical sensor disposed at the person support apparatus and/or the imaging device. In embodiments, optical markers may also be disposed on one or more of the medical imaging device, the person support apparatus and/or patient for determining the relative location of the imaging device and the person support apparatus and/or patient. In other embodiments, an optical sensor may use image recognition processes to determine the relative locations. By locating and positioning the medical imaging device without taking recursive medical images to position the device, the imaging device can be positioned for a subsequent image without exposing the patient and healthcare professionals to additional radiation generated while positioning the medical imaging device, thereby reducing risk to the patient and the medical staff.
US09968499B2 Pulmonary prone bed
A pulmonary prone bed is described that reduces the frequency of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) by allowing a patient to rest/sleep in the prone position. In particular, a portion of a mattress and bed frame that supports the upper part of the body may adjust to the length of the torso of each individual patient and a midsection of the mattress and bed frame may adjust to the length of the thighs of each individual patient. This adjustment allows the chin of each patient to reach over the end of the mattress and the bed to fold downward at the patient's waist. By allowing the patient to rest in the prone position, gravity may work to pull mucous secretions forward and out the nose to be expelled. In this fashion, mucous secretions will be nowhere near the lungs such that the patient may not be susceptible to aspiration of mucous secretions.
US09968498B2 Disposable absorbent visor pads and method of use
A disposable absorbent pad is removably attachable to the upper surface of the visor of a helmet, hardhat, cap or other headgear. The pads are made in various sizes, shapes and colors to conform to the visors to which they may be applied. Their obverse sides consist of a high-capacity absorbent material, while their reverse sides contain an adhesive strip, for hard visor surfaces, or hook-and-loop strips, for fabric visors. The pads prevent liquid/moisture from dripping off the visor into the face and eyes of the wearer and are disposably replaceable after each use.
US09968497B2 Absorbent core with curved channel-forming areas
A substantially planar absorbent core includes a core wrap enclosing an absorbent material that is substantially free of cellulose fibers and forms a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The core further comprises at least a pair of curved longitudinally-extending channel-forming areas substantially free of absorbent material, through which the top side of the core wrap is attached to the bottom side of the core wrap along a core wrap bond. Each of the longitudinally-extending channel-forming areas are longitudinally flanked internally by a first flanking absorbent material area and externally by a second flanking absorbent material area, the first and second flanking absorbent material areas following the curvature of the channel-forming area.
US09968496B2 Absorbent article demonstrating controlled deformation and longitudinal fluid distribution
The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles and in particular to a absorbent articles demonstrating controlled deformation and enhanced fluid wicking in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent articles.
US09968495B2 Absorbent article provided with a bodily fluid reception canal
An absorbent including: an absorbent body (AB) having a leak preventer sheet form and absorber for absorbing fluid, minimum one layer arranged above the leak preventer; a connection structure arranged from the AB's front to rear end parts in direction via front, crotch part and rear, the connection structure coupling to the AB at front and rear end parts; the connection structure has right and left belt-like supporters and connection sheet (CS), right and left edge parts of the CS respectively coupling to right and left belt-like supporters, the CS hangs down, on the belt-like supporters underside, toward the absorber in front, crotch part and rear, to form a canal with right and left edge parts vicinities of the CS serving as side surfaces and vicinity of the CS center part in lateral direction serving as bottom surface, the fluid canal enables the fluid from a wearer to the absorber.
US09968494B2 Absorbent article having enhanced leakage protection
An absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) capable of inhibiting leakage of a fluid insult generally extends in a plane defined by a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) contains fluid-shrinkable members (60,61), a topsheet (11;611;711;811), and a base pad (12;812) that includes a baffle (28;828) and an absorbent core (30) positioned between the topsheet (11;611;711;811) and the baffle (28;828). The topsheet (11;611;711;811) extends in the longitudinal direction to define a distal end (153) and an opposing proximal end (152). At least a portion of the proximal end (152) remains generally unbonded to the baffle (28;828). The fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) so that at least a portion of the fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) are located adjacent to the proximal end (152) of the topsheet (11;611;711;811). Thus, when the fluid-shrinkable members (60,61) contract upon contacting a fluid insult, the proximal end (152) of the topsheet (11;611;711;811) can raise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020). The raised area creates a barrier to the leakage of fluids from the center of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) towards its end. Contraction of the fluid-shrinkable members can also cause an outer region of the topsheet (11;611;711;811) to raise outwardly from the plane of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) to create a barrier to the leakage of fluid from the center of the absorbent article (20;620;720;820;920;1020) towards the side edge. Because such barriers are generally created only after contact with a fluid insult, their effectiveness is not diminished through use of the article prior to the insult.
US09968490B2 Absorbent dressing and method
A system that may be adapted to distribute reduced pressure to a tissue site may include a dressing and a sealing member. The dressing may include a manifold layer, a storage layer, and a plurality of retainers. The manifold layer may be adapted to be positioned proximate the tissue site, and the storage layer may be positioned proximate the manifold layer. The plurality of retainers may be disposed in the storage layer. Each of the retainers may define a fluid communication channel through the storage layer. The retainers may be adapted to substantially preclude deformation of the storage layer into the fluid communication channels. The sealing member may be adapted to cover the dressing and to provide a fluid seal between the sealing member and the tissue site.
US09968477B2 Arm immobilization device and associated methods
The present disclosure provides exemplary arm immobilization devices for a person and associated methods of use. Thus, in one aspect, the disclosure provides a device including or comprising an outer shell including an internal cavity and a configurable structure disposed within the internal cavity of the outer shell. The outer shell can be configured and dimensioned to accommodate an arm of a person thereon. Expansion or contraction of the configurable structure can drive expansion or contraction of the outer shell. In another aspect, the disclosure provides methods for immobilizing an arm of a person that include providing an arm immobilization device and supporting the arm of the person with the outer shell and the configurable structure.
US09968470B2 Stent for bifurcation, a system for intravascular implantation of the stent for bifurcation and a method of implantation of the stent for bifurcation
A stent for bifurcation, including two cylindrical parts: a distal part (1.1) of smaller diameter and a proximal part (1.2) of greater diameter, connected by two arranged as opposite longitudinal connectors (1.3) having length (L1) of 0.5 to 8 mm and forming a cell of the stent having an enlarged surface area (1.4), the connectors having a curvilinear shape, in particular a sinusoidal shape. A method of introducing the stent and a system for intravascular implantation are disclosed.
US09968460B2 Dynamic spinal segment replacement
A vertebral body system and method having a polyaxial fastener receiving member, adjustable width plates and a pedicle screw having a pedicle threaded portion and a threaded portion for fastening to the vertebral body.
US09968457B2 Hip joint device and method
A medical device for treating hip joint osteoarthritis in a human patient by providing at least one artificial hip joint surface is provided. The hip joint having a ball shaped caput femur as the proximal part of the femoral bone with a convex hip joint surface towards the centre of the hip joint and a bowl shaped etabulum as part of the pelvic bone with a concave hip joint surface towards the centre of the hip joint. The medical device comprises the artificial hip joint surface comprising at least one of; an artificial caput femur or an artificial caput femur surface comprising, a convex form towards the centre of the hip joint, and an artificial acetabulum or an artificial acetabulum surface comprising, a concave form towards the centre of the hip joint. The artificial convex caput femur or the artificial convex caput femur surface is adapted to be fixated to the pelvic bone of the human patient and the artificial concave acetabulum or artificial concave acetabulum surface is adapted to be fixated to the femoral bone of the human patient.
US09968455B2 Multiple component bone void filling implant
Disclosed herein are implants and methods for filling voids in a cranium of a patient. A craniofacial implant that may be used for filling such voids may include at least first and second components each having outer and inner surfaces, the outer and inner surfaces being curved in an inferior to posterior direction and a medial to lateral direction. The first component includes a flange extending outwardly from a medial side surface thereof and the second component includes a recessed portion extending inwardly from a medial side surface thereof. The first and second components are preferably engageable to one another such that the medial side surfaces of the first and second components are adjacent one another and the flange of the first component is housed within the recessed portion of the second component.
US09968453B2 Device for carrying out a transapical mitral valve annuloplasty
The device is intended to be positioned in a sealed introducer arranged in the thoracic cavity between two ribs in order to penetrate into the left ventricle, passing through the apex of the heart. According to the invention, the device includes a body having a handle and at least one control member capable of acting on an assembly for installing and securing a braid to the mitral annulus by means of suturing elements, the assembly has a mechanism capable of enabling the extraction of a suture through the mitral valve while also being capable of enclosing the braid and becoming anchored to the periphery of the mitral annulus under the clamping effect of the suture, exerting two opposing pressure-bearing forces.
US09968445B2 Transcatheter mitral valve
Described is a transcatheter mitral valve. The mitral valve includes a saddle-shaped annulus frame with two prongs extending therefrom. Two leaflets are attached with the frame and prongs to form a bi-leaflet mitral valve. The frame is collapsible to a collapsed configuration that allows for delivery and implantation at a mitral position. When at the mitral position, the mitral valve expands into an open configuration and is secured in place by a fixture, such as clamps that extend from the frame.
US09968444B2 Stented prosthetic heart valves
A surgical sutureless valve that is attached to a stent frame for delivery to a location in a patient using percutaneous implantation devices and methods.
US09968434B2 Methods and devices for embolic protection
An aortic flow diverter or filter is described that diverts particles away from the carotid vessels and right subclavian artery. The diverter includes a stent-like portion formed from a plurality of braided or woven wires that can radially self-expand. The stent-like portion is generally tubular and is fixed over the distal end of a catheter or shaft. A sheath is located over both the catheter and stent-like portion, maintaining the stent-like portion in a compressed configuration. When withdrawn proximally, the sheath releases the stent-like portion, allowing it to expand against the walls of the vessel.
US09968431B2 Coatings for the manufacture and application of polyhydroxyalkanoate medical devices
Biocompatible coatings and spin finishes that can be applied to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers, and medical devices made from PHA polymers, have been developed. The coatings impart good lubricity to PHA polymers, particularly to fibers and braids made from these materials, making the coatings ideal for use on medical devices such as PHA braided sutures. The spin finishes can be applied to PHA fibers to facilitate their manufacture, and also for their conversion to other products, including medical textiles. The spin finishes serve to protect multifilament fiber bundles, and keep them intact following extrusion, and also to impart lubricity to the fiber bundles and monofilament fibers so that they are not damaged in subsequent processing steps particularly in textile processing. The coating reduces tissue drag of, for example, braided sutures.
US09968425B2 Female part for forming a releasable connection to a male part that is configured to be fastened in the mouth
The female part for forming a releasable connection to a male part (50) that is configured to be fastened in a mouth includes a housing (20), which is configured to be fastened to a dental prosthesis, an insert (1), which is insertable into the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing and in which a portion (51) of the male part can be accommodated, and an adjusting mechanism that is formed in the housing and on the insert and that cause a change in the diameter of the insert when the insert is rotated with respect to the housing. At least one protrusion (5b, 5c) and at least one recess are provided to form the adjusting mechanism. The female part has a locking mechanism, which is formed on the housing and in the insert for defining discretely arranged locking positions, wherein the insert is compressed more in at least one locking position than in at least one other locking position.
US09968422B2 Shapeable bite plates
Improved shapeable bite plates for use with orthodontic vibratory devices and devices offering other treatment modalities. The shapeable bite plates can be manually shaped to fit the Euro arch, arch form I, the Roth arch, and even widest Damon Arch.
US09968417B2 Hands-free lighting system
A hands-free lighting system comprising: a master control unit, a light unit, and a remote control unit. The master control unit is configured for controlling the operation of a remote light unit based on a signal received from a remote control unit. The light unit comprising at least one light source.
US09968415B2 Apparatus and methods for performing brain surgery
Less invasive surgical techniques for performing brain surgery are disclosed in which a dilating obturator and cannula assembly is inserted into brain tissue until the obturator tip and cannula are adjacent to the target tissue. The obturator is removed and surgery is performed through the cannula. In preferred embodiments the obturator and cannula are placed using image guidance techniques and systems to coordinate placement with pre-operative surgical planning. A stylet with associated image guidance may be inserted prior to insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly to guide insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly. Surgery preferably is performed using an endoscope partially inserted into the cannula with an image of the target tissue projected onto a monitor. Dilating obturator structures having a rounded or semi-spherical tip and/or an optical window for visualizing brain tissue during expansion are contemplated.
US09968410B2 Treatment tool
The endoscope treatment system includes an endoscope treatment tool that has an operating part having a distal end and a proximal end, and a sheath that is connected to the distal end of the operating part and is formed with a lumen through that enables a guide wire to be inserted therethrough; a guide wire holder around which a tube member housing the guide wire is wound circumferentially; and a fixing member that couples the operating part to the guide wire holder such that the distal end and the proximal end of the operating part are located outside the circumference of the guide wire holder.
US09968409B2 System for diagnosing bloodflow characteristics, method thereof, and computer software program
This system is a system for analyzing blood flow of a target vascular site by means of simulation, having a fluid analysis unit, by a computer, for determining state quantities of blood flow at each position of a lumen of the target vascular site by means of computation by imposing computational conditions including boundary conditions relating to the blood flow to three-dimensional shape data of the target vascular site; a three-dimensional shape modification unit for modifying the three dimensional shape data by simulating a surgical treatment method and for outputting the three-dimensional shape data after the modification; and a comparison display unit for displaying computed results of before and after the modification of the three-dimensional shape for comparing the results, by causing the fluid analysis unit to re-compute the state quantities based on the three-dimensional shape data after the modification.
US09968396B2 Surgical instrument and method
A surgical instrument includes a jaw assembly having a first jaw that includes a support structure with an opening, an electrically insulative material disposed on the support structure, and an operative element for applying energy to tissue, wherein the electrically insulative material extends through the opening of the support structure to thereby secure the electrically insulative material to the support structure.
US09968391B2 Facet screws
Facet screws comprise a lower portion have lower threads that have a constant outer or major diameter. The lower portion of the facet screws can also have a tapered or conical shape in a direction toward the lower end, and relative to a longitudinal axis, of the facet screw. Therefore, the lower threads closest to the lower end have a greater surface area for engaging the bone of a patient as compared to the lower threads furthest away from the lower end, i.e., closest to the top of the lower threads. One or more of the lower threads also can include certain dimensions and shapes that facilitate insertion and retention of the facet screws in the bone of a patient.
US09968389B2 Fracture plating
A plating system for mending a periprosthetic fracture is provided. The system includes an intramedullary rod, a first and second plate, and a plurality of fasteners. The intramedullary rod has a plurality of transverse holes. The first and second locking plates each have a plurality of openings and is configured to have a contour similar to a surface of a bone to which the plate is applied. Also provided is method of mending fractures by using the disclosed system. In the implanted condition, the first and second locking plates are placed across the periprosthetic fracture and each of the plurality of fasteners is inserted through one opening of the first and second plurality of openings and one transverse hole.
US09968387B2 Rod inserter, system and method
A rod inserter, system and method are provided which allows for insertion of a rod through a freehand method. The inserter can include an extension structure extending from a handle, the extension structure having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis. The inserter can also include a plurality of linkage structures located in a passageway in the extension structure. The linkage structures can cause a rod connection structure to connect to the rod when the distal linkage structure is moved in a first direction, and to cause the rod connection structure to disconnect from the rod when the distal linkage structure is moved in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.
US09968386B2 Systems for vertebral adjustments and rod reduction
An instrument for compression and distraction of a vertebral segment and reducing a surgical rod includes a first arm, a second arm, a coupler, and a reducer. The first arm includes a first aperture for receiving a first screw extender that attaches to a first vertebra. The second arm pivotably couples to the first arm and includes a second aperture for receiving a second screw extender that attaches to a second vertebra. The coupler links the first arm to the second arm to position the first arm relative to the second arm for compression and distraction of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra. The reducer is received within the second aperture for reducing a surgical rod within the second screw extender.
US09968385B2 Instrument for use with a polyaxial bone anchoring device and system including the instrument and a polyaxial bone anchoring device
An Instrument for use with a polyaxial bone anchoring device is provided, where the polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a receiving part for receiving a rod and for accommodating a head of a bone anchoring element. The head can be clamped by exerting a pressure force onto it via a clamping element and the pressure force can be adjusted using the instrument. The instrument includes a first member having a first engagement portion configured to engage the receiving part in a positive-fit manner. The instrument also includes a second member having a front end and a second engagement portion configured to engage the clamping element and apply torque to the clamping element. In a first configuration, the second member is axially displaceable along a longitudinal axis relative to the first member and is restricted from rotational movement. In a second configuration, the second member is rotatable with respect to the first member.
US09968381B2 Translaminar interspinous stabilization system
A translaminar, interspinous stabilization system is provided. The system may comprise an implantable device for placement between two adjacent vertebrae. The device may comprise an inferior section, a superior section, and a flexible midsection extending therebetween and configured to seat against the lamina between the adjacent vertebrae. A pair of lateral plates may extend from at least one of the inferior section and superior section for engaging a laminar surface of one of the vertebra. Each of the lateral plates includes an aperture for receiving a bone screw therethrough. Also provided is a bone screw for placement through at least one lateral plate for securing the device to the laminar surface of one of the vertebra.
US09968370B2 Multi-tine cutting device
A cutting device is provided that includes an outer tube. The outer tube includes an inner surface defining a passageway. An inner tube is movably disposed in the passageway such that a distal end of the inner tube extends beyond a distal end of the outer tube. The distal end of the inner tube includes a first cutting element. An inner surface of the inner tube defines a lumen. A shaft is slidably disposed in the lumen. The shaft has a distal end including a second cutting element. A deployment mechanism is coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The deployment mechanism includes a body, a push button disposed within the body and a collar disposed about the body. The shaft is fixed relative to the collar and the inner tube is fixed relative to the push button. Systems and methods are disclosed.
US09968363B2 Multi-clip applier
A clip applier having a handle at a proximal portion, an elongated portion extending distally of the handle, a jaw mechanism including a pair of jaws movable to a closed position to crimp a clip held therein, a clip feeder mechanism movable in proximal and distal directions, a camming mechanism and a puller mechanism movable in proximal and distal directions. The puller mechanism is operatively connected to the handle such that actuation of the handle a) moves the puller mechanism a first distance in the proximal direction; and b) moves the clip feeder mechanism a second distance greater than the first distance.
US09968362B2 Surgical clip applier
A surgical clip applier is provided and includes a ratchet mechanism having a rack member connected to a drive channel such that axial translation of the drive channel results in axial translation of the rack member, the rack member defining a first set of teeth along a first side thereof and a second set of teeth along a second side thereof. The ratchet mechanism including a first pawl and a second pawl each tiltably supported in the housing and disposed on respective opposed sides of the rack member; and a buckling spring interposed between the first pawl and the second pawl and constrained in a slot formed in the rack member, wherein the buckling spring is dimensioned so as to bow in one of a proximal direction and a distal direction.
US09968360B2 Systems and methods for delivering intravascular implants
Systems and methods are provided for delivering and mechanically detaching embolic coils. The systems disclosed herein comprise a mechanical detachment mechanism to intravascularly release an embolic coil. The methods disclosed herein comprise a various triggering mechanisms to detach embolic coils.
US09968353B2 Catheter based fastener implantation apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods utilize an intraluminal fastener applier having a guide body with a longitudinal axis. The guide body is sized and configured for intraluminal deployment in a hollow body organ. An actuated assembly is carried by the guide body that is selectively operable to generate an implantation force to implant at least one fastener into tissue within the hollow body organ. The actuated assembly includes a driven member extending generally along the longitudinal axis, which is sized and configured to engage a selected fastener. The actuated assembly also includes a drive member coupled to the driven member to impart the implantation force to the driven element in a direction that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the guide body.
US09968350B2 Blunted safety needle
A blunted safety needle is provided, which includes a hollow needle having a sharp distal tip and a stylus having a blunted end. The stylus is positioned within at least a portion of the needle. After the needle is used to deliver or deploy a substance and/or a device, the blunted end of the stylus is positioned to extend through the sharp distal tip of the needle and un-releaseably lock into position, thereby providing a blunted safety needle assembly.
US09968344B2 Surgical instrument with adapter for facilitating multi-direction end effector articulation
A surgical instrument includes a selectively rotatable housing, an adaptor, and a shaft including an end effector. The adaptor is coupled to the housing and is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The shaft is coupled to one or both of the housing and the adaptor. The end effector is articulable in response to the selective rotation of the housing. The end effector is articulable toward a first direction when the adaptor is positioned in the first position and articulable toward a second direction when the adaptor is positioned in the second position. The first and second directions are different.
US09968324B2 Generating a 2D projection image of a vascular system
The embodiments relate to generating a 2D projection image of a vascular system of a body region of interest, including: (1) acquiring a 3D dataset of the body region of interest, (2) acquiring at least one 2D projection image of the body region of interest (S3), (3) generating a modified 3D dataset by eliminating vessels whose size exceeds a predetermined limit value, (4) normalizing the 2D projection image using projection data of the modified 3D dataset, (5) eliminating vessel projections in the normalized 2D projection image whose size exceeds a predetermined limit value, (6) interpolating the areas of the 2D projection image in which the vessel projections have been eliminated, and (7) denormalizing the normalized and interpolated 2D projection image using projection data of the modified 3D dataset.
US09968321B2 Method and imaging system for determining a reference radiograph for a later use in radiation therapy
Disclosed systems and methods may include an imaging system. The imaging system may include a 4D-CBCT apparatus able to generate a plurality of CBCT images corresponding to different temporal phases. The imaging system may also include a radiographic apparatus able to generate a radiograph. Further, the imaging system may include a synchronization device for correlating a radiograph of said radiographic apparatus with a CBCT image generated by said 4D-CBCT apparatus, such that a reference radiograph can be determined.
US09968317B2 Radiation imaging apparatus
A radiation imaging apparatus includes: a housing configured to be hollow and extend along a first axial direction; a radiation emitter configured to be disposed in the housing and emit radiation along an optical axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; protruding units configured to extend along a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction and the optical axial direction, and disposed to be fixed to both sides of the radiation emitter; and pressing units including an inclined unit disposed to contact at least one of the protruding units, so that the inclined unit and the at least one of the protruding units support each other.
US09968308B2 Computed tomographic mammography apparatus and computed tomographic apparatus for breast
A mammographic CT apparatus includes: a gantry, including a front face plate in which an insertion opening is formed for inserting a breast into an accommodation portion a radiation tube and sensing device disposed within the gantry; a driving unit configured to rotate the radiation tube and the sensing device around a rotation axis set in the normal direction of the accommodation portion, at the same angular speed and in the same direction; a collimator disposed between the accommodation portion and the radiation tube, and configured to rotate around the rotation axis integrally with the radiation tube and sensing device; and an annular shield disposed between the rotational path of the collimator and the rotational path of the radiation tube, having an annular gap corresponding to the rotational path of the collimator, wherein an edge of the collimator or sensing device is fit into the gap.
US09968301B2 Body-driven pseudorandom signal injection for biomedical acquisition channel calibration
Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring biopotential signals in biomedical devices. The disclosure provides a mixed signal background calibration that stabilizes the time-varying coupling gain between the body and an electrode due to motion artifacts. The calibration technique involves a low-level test signal in the form of a one-bit pseudorandom bit-sequence that is injected through a reference electrode to the body, detected by the sensing electrode and recorded along with the bio signals. A digital algorithm is employed in the backend to identify the acquisition channel characteristics while maintaining its normal operation of recording. Programmable gain stages in analog or digital domain(s) can be used to stabilize the overall gain of the channel. The disclosed technique is in the background and not interfering with the normal recording operation(s), and provides continuous monitoring of the ETI and continuous correction of the ensuing channel characteristic degradation due to the ETI variation.
US09968298B2 Method and device for folding a cover on a medical sensor
A method and a device for folding a cover material on a medical sensor having a carrier material which is to be fixed to the skin of a patient and which, on the side facing the patient, is provided with an adhesion or adhesive layer to which the cover material is applied, wherein a section of the cover material which is opposite an adhesion-layer-free section of the carrier material forms a tab. The method and the device are based on the use of a tool for folding the cover material which has at least two contact surfaces which intersect at an edge which runs parallel to the plane of the combination of carrier material and cover material. The tool is moved on an axis which runs at an angle to the plane of the combination of carrier material and cover material in such a way that the tab is gripped by the tool and folded over by the tool. After the tab has been folded over, pressure is applied to the folded-over section of the carrier material to produce a folded edge.
US09968285B2 Multispectral medical imaging devices and methods thereof
A multispectral medical imaging device includes illumination devices arranged to illuminate target tissue. The illumination devices emit light of different near-infrared wavelength bands. The device further includes an objective lens, a near-infrared image sensor positioned to capture image frames reflected from the target tissue, and a visible-light image sensor positioned to capture image frames reflected from the target tissue. A processor is configured to modulate near-infrared light output of the plurality of illumination devices to illuminate the target tissue. The processor is further configured to determine reflectance intensities from the image frames captured by the near-infrared image sensor and to generate a dynamic tissue oxygen saturation map of the target tissue using the reflectance intensities. The device further includes an output device connected to the processor for displaying the dynamic tissue oxygen saturation map.
US09968267B2 Processing impedance signals for breath detection
An apparatus includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations that include receiving a signal representative of electrical impedance in a chest of a patient, and, receiving a signal representative of the motion of chest compressions performed on the patient during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) treatment. The operations also include processing the received signal representative of the motion of chest compressions to determine one or more characteristics of the motion, and, processing the received signal representative of the electrical impedance to determine parameters relevant to a production of a signal representative of airflow activities of the patient. Operations also include modifying the one or more determined parameters based on the one or more determined characteristics of the motion to produce the signal representative of airflow activities of the patient.
US09968266B2 Risk stratification based heart failure detection algorithm
A system comprises a risk analysis module and a worsening heart failure (WHF) detection module. The risk analysis module measures at least one first physiological parameter of a subject using a physiological sensor of an ambulatory medical device, and determines a heart failure (HF) risk score for the subject according to the at least one measured first physiological parameter. The HF risk score indicates susceptibility of the subject to experiencing a HF event. The WHF detection module measures at least one second physiological parameter of the subject using the same or different physiological sensor, and generates an indication of prediction that the subject will experience a WHF event when the at least one second physiological parameter satisfies a WHF detection algorithm. The risk analysis module adjusts generation of the indication by the WHF detection algorithm according to the determined HF risk score.
US09968264B2 Detecting physiological responses based on thermal asymmetry of the face
Manifestation of some physiological responses (e.g., stress, mental workload, or a headache) may involve the emergence of asymmetric thermal patterns on the face. Thus, thermal measurements of the face that are indicative of thermal asymmetry can be useful to detect such physiological responses. In one embodiment, a system includes first and second inward-facing head-mounted thermal cameras (CAM1 and CAM2, respectively) that are located less than 15 cm from the user's face, which take thermal measurements of regions on the right and left sides of the face (THROI1 and THROI2, respectively) of the user. The symmetric overlapping between the regions on the right and left sides (ROI1 and ROI2, respectively) is above 60%, and CAM1 and CAM2 do not occlude ROI1 and ROI2. Optionally, the system includes a computer that detects a physiological response based on thermal asymmetry between THROI1 and THROI2.
US09968263B2 Probe, subject information acquisition apparatus, and method for manufacturing the probe
A probe capable of reducing positional displacement of an acoustic lens from a capacitive transducer is provided. The probe includes a transducer having elements and extraction electrodes of the elements, flexible wiring boards having wiring electrically connected to the extraction electrodes, and an acoustic lens having stepped portions which is provided on the elements. The acoustic lens is butted against end portions of the flexible wiring boards at the stepped portions and fixed.
US09968262B2 Optical speculum
A system for direct imaging and diagnosing of abnormal cells in a target tissue includes a disposable optical speculum and an image acquisition system having the speculum assembled on and mechanically secured thereto. The image acquisition system is arranged to capture at least one of a single image or multiple images or video of cells within the target tissue using at least one of bright field or dark field ring illumination divided into independently operated segments to obtain a plurality of data sets. An image analysis and control unit in communication with the image acquisition system analyzes the data sets and applies algorithms to the data sets for diagnosing abnormal cells.
US09968260B2 Guidewire with internal pressure sensor
The present document describes a pressure guidewire comprising: a shaft tube with a proximal section; a middle section extending from the proximal section of the shaft tube, the middle section having greater flexibility than the proximal section; an inner hypotube installed substantially within the middle section for optimal mechanical properties; a pressure sensor with a communication means routed through the middle section and the proximal section; and a sensor housing for receiving the pressure sensor. There are also described methods for joining the inner hypotube to the shaft tube.
US09968259B2 Systems and methods for sensing, enumerating and imaging rare cells with diffuse light
Diffuse fluorescence flow cytometers and methods of using them include a plurality of excitation sources and a plurality of detectors, all circumferentially arranged about a space for accommodating a limb of a subject. Tomographic reconstructions of cells within the limb are made by varying the intensity and direction of excitation and then analyzing the results.
US09968243B2 Guiding device for changing magnetic field to change restrained position for restraining capsule medical device relative to position of capsule medical device, and capsule medical device guiding system
A guiding device is configured to guide a capsule medical device within a subject by means of a magnetic field. The guiding device includes a magnetic field generating unit configured to generate the magnetic field to define a specific position where the capsule medical device is restrained on an arbitrary horizontal plane, a position detecting unit configured to detect a position of the capsule medical device in the subject to output positional information, and a control unit configured to: compare a distance between the specific position and the capsule medical device with a first threshold value based on the positional information; and control the magnetic field generating unit to change distribution of the magnetic field relative to the capsule medical device so as to bring the specific position close to a position of the capsule medical device when the distance is determined to be greater than the first threshold value.
US09968240B2 Method and apparatus for treatment of CTS using endoscopic carpal tunnel release
An apparatus and method for performing endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) surgery, thereby decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.
US09968232B2 Autonomous traveling body
A vacuum cleaner main body includes a main body case, a camera provided in the main body case and that can perform imaging at a given angle of view, a driving wheel that allows the main body case to travel, and a controller. The controller includes at least a traveling mode and an imaging mode. In the traveling mode, the controller controls the drive of the driving wheel to allow the main body case to travel autonomously. In the imaging mode, the controller controls the main body case to autonomously travel to a given imaging position so that the camera sequentially images still images in a plurality of adjacent directions at an angle equal to or smaller than the angle of view. The vacuum cleaner main body can securely image, with the camera, a wide range without any blind spots.
US09968228B2 Towel dispensing system including a bracket and water-resistant container with a handle
Systems and methods for dispensing towels. In one embodiment, the system includes a container configured to receive a roll of towels, and a bracket configured to mount to a support surface. The bracket engages the container to alternately suspend the container from the support surface in a first orientation and in a second orientation that is different than the first orientation.
US09968223B2 Blending appliance with paddle blade
A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and a blade assembly fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The blade assembly includes a lower blade element disposed on a spindle performing blending operations on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container; and an upper working element disposed on a shaft spaced apart from the lower blade element, and including an upper working portion and a lower working portion spaced apart from the upper working portion. The upper working portion acting to reduce cavitation in the lower blades element during the blending process.
US09968222B2 Fluid communication of a blender system
A blender is adapted to process and heat food products. The blender includes a base and a container coupled with the base. Disposed in the container is a work area and a processor component adapted to process food products. Disposed within the processor component is a fluid conduit through which steam may pass. The fluid conduit includes at least one outer wall and an interior lumen. The outer wall of the fluid conduit is separated from an inner wall of the processor component by a gap. The gap is in fluid communication with the work chamber. Disposed in the base is a reservoir (adapted to hold one or more fluids, e.g., water), which is in fluid communication with the interior lumen of the fluid conduit of the container. Steam formed in the reservoir passes from the reservoir into the work chamber by way of the interior lumen and the gap.
US09968214B2 Carbon fiber heating element
This invention relates to a heating element that includes a carbon fiber tow having carbon threads enclosed between semi-rigid laminates, wherein each thread has an electrical resistance in the range of less than 0.25 to 0.50 ohm per centimeter, and wherein the threads are connected in electrical parallel and terminated into a copper braid, whereupon the application of a voltage generates heat for use in a wide range of appliances including a portable food warmer having a chafing pan and wherein the heating element is electrically connected to a power source controllable through one or more sensors for measuring the temperature of the chafing pan interior.
US09968213B2 Roman shade with translucent layer and opaque layer
A Roman shade includes a translucent layer and at least one opaque layer. The translucent layer is connected to the top box. Multiple rows of first magnets are positioned transversely on the translucent layer. A translucent area is formed between any two adjacent rows of the first magnets. The opaque layer includes multiple rows of second magnets positioned transversely thereon, and an opaque area is formed between two any adjacent rows of the second magnets. The at least one opaque layer is folded to attract the second magnets on the at least one opaque layer to the first magnets on the translucent layer to expose the translucent areas.
US09968211B2 Personal egg peeler
An apparatus is described that permits a user to quickly and effortlessly separate an egg shell from the body of a hard-boiled egg. The apparatus has a hollow body into which an egg is inserted, a convex shaped bottom section and a convex shaped top portion. Additionally, the interior surface of the hollow body has a number of protrusions that contribute to peeling action. Eggs are inserted into the apparatus, water is added, the apparatus is sealed, the user agitates the apparatus for a short time, and then pours out the separated egg and egg shell along with the water.
US09968208B2 Display stand and consumer system which encourages a consumer to purchase a sustainable/eco-friendly product
The Eco Fit invention encourages a consumer to take part in significantly impacting environmental issues. Quick information can help with decisions reducing consumables. Consumers need to understand the difference between products designed to be more sustainable than the current consumables. The Smarter Way is analyzing the measurable much like ingredient labels of food products before the purchase. The display must contain indicia which informs the consumer of the carbon imprint for the product. This change over time can bring quality products to the market place that will have longer life spans with reduced costs and consumption. We can influence the process of reducing the manufacturer's energy costs, the purchase price, the transportation and the impact on our environment. Labels and displays can teach the value of greatly reducing consumerism and waste for subsequent generations. The Smarter Way is to show the costs and savings at the point of purchase.
US09968206B2 Product management display system
A product management display system has a surface of the display system, a pusher mechanism having a pusher surface, the pusher mechanism configured to slide across at least a portion of the surface of the display system, and at least one divider for dividing product into rows. The display system further has a front retaining wall configured to attach to the front portion of the display system. The front retaining wall has a bottom surface comprising detents. The front portion of the surface of the display system has correspondingly shaped sockets for receiving the detents when the front retaining wall is attached to the front portion of the display system.
US09968201B2 Active mattress spinner
A device is disclosed for facilitating rotation of a mattress in a horizontal plane carried by a box spring or a platform. In order to facilitate rotation, slick surfaces between the mattress and the box spring or platform are selectively placed in contact in order to reduce the normal friction therebetween. The slick surfaces may be provided by two (2) separate covers; one cover for the mattress and one cover for the box spring or platform. A first cover is provided with a slick and non-slick surface. In order to further facilitate rotation, a second cover includes a slick surface on one side and forms part of a levitation device. The other side of the second cover may be formed with a slick or a non-slick surface. The levitation device creates an air cushion between the mattress and the box spring under the influence of an air supply which lifts the mattress and allows the mattress to be rotated in a horizontal plane virtually effortlessly. Once the mattress has been rotated to the desired position, the air supply is removed and the first cover is attached to the underside of the mattress so that its non-slick side is in contact with the box spring or platform or bed skirt and its slick side is in contact with the slick side of the other cover and the levitation device defining a normal mode of operation. In a rotate mode of operation, the first cover is attached to the box spring or platform so that its non-slick surface is in contact therewith. Alternatively, the first cover may be integrally incorporated into the box spring or a slick surface may be integrally formed on the platform that forms part of the platform bed. In this embodiment, in order to reduce movement of the mattress with respect to the box spring or platform, the mattress is secured relative to the box spring or platform by removable fasteners in a normal mode of operation. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, a portion of the levitation device may be built into the mattress.
US09968194B2 Furniture glide with rigid arcing sidewall
A furniture glide is provided as a snap on cap that is mountable on the terminal end of a furniture leg having an outer surface. The furniture glide includes an interior volume having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving the furniture leg. A sidewall of the cavity may be arced so as to precisely conform to a furniture leg. Matted material is molded into the outer surface of the cup. As a result, the furniture glide may fit snugly and securely without shearing off, though it may still be removable, and the furniture glide may avoid the requirement of adhesives, though adhesives could optionally be used.
US09968190B2 Medication dispensing apparatus having drawer assembly with discrete compartments
A storage device having discrete drawers includes a housing having a frame assembly. A drawer assembly is movably received in the housing. A cover is fixedly mounted atop the drawer assembly preventing access to the contents of the drawer assembly. The drawer assembly is further divided into at least two discrete compartments. An actuator is connected to the frame assembly, the actuator operating to move the drawer assembly along a drawer slide slidably outward from the housing. At least two second actuators are connected to said drawer assembly, each actuator operating to move one of the at least two discrete compartments outward from the drawer assembly such that the cover does not move along with the compartment.
US09968189B2 Storage system employing removable, automatically adjustable platform and removable, automatically adjustable platform employable with said storage system
A platform system removably mountable within an interior compartment of a storage device having a back wall and side walls providing an interior storage compartment. Connecting passages are provided through the back wall and side walls to removably mount the platform system in the interior compartment. The platform system includes a platform and a plurality of connector members attached to the platform and removably connectable through the connecting passages; each connector member including a spring member as part of the construction. The spring members permit automatic downward and movement of said platform as a function of the weight of articles supported on the platform.
US09968187B2 Modular furniture unit having power distribution
A modular furniture unit can be configured to provide power distribution in conjunction with other furniture features. Embodiments of furniture arrangements may utilize one or more modular furniture units to provide one or more of such features (e.g. storage, seating, privacy, work surface, lighting, etc.). In some embodiments, the modular furniture unit includes an elongated upper member having an upper slot that has a first end and a second end opposite its first end. At least one leg is attached to the first end and at least one leg is attached to the second end. The elongated upper member may have a channel through which power cabling passes and outlets that are connected to such cabling. Different elements can be connected to the upper member via the upper slot or a downward facing opening of the upper member and/or to the legs to provide different furniture arrangements.
US09968180B2 Drop prevention apparatus and system for hand tools
A drop prevention apparatus and system for hand tools includes a drop prevention anchor having an anchor body with a proximal body end portion, a middle body portion and a distal body end portion, a leader aperture through the proximal body end portion, a first tool aperture through the middle body portion, and a second tool aperture through the distal body end portion where the drop prevention anchor is securely attached to a hand tool and where one of the first tool aperture or the second tool aperture is configured for attaching a tool lanyard connector and the other is configured for attaching a tool securing connector of a tool pouch such that one of the tool lanyard connector or the tool securing connector are securely connected directly to the drop prevent anchor at all times.
US09968174B2 Antimicrobial cosmetic container containing impregnating material
Provided is a cosmetic container containing an antimicrobial impregnating material made of a polycaprolactone polyol foam in an antimicrobial sealed container, and more particularly, an antimicrobial cosmetic container containing an antimicrobial material which may reinforce disadvantages of polyester polyol foam- and polyether polyol foam-type impregnating materials, such as water resistance (hydrolysis resistance) and oil resistance and inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms.
US09968172B2 Wax applicator
A wax applicator is provided for applying epilation wax to nasal cavities, comprising a stem for handling the wax applicator, a nipple at one end of the stem, and a collar disposed around the stem at a base of the nipple, wherein the nipple has a contoured surface that narrows at its base where it meets the collar, operatively to achieve formlock with hardened epilation wax following cooling of hot epilation wax applied to the nipple, and thereby allowing removal from their roots of hairs set in the hardened epilation wax.
US09968158B2 Shoe wear-out sensor, body-bar sensing system, unitless activity assessment and associated methods
A system assesses activity and displays a unitless activity value. A detector senses activity of a user. A processor reads sensed activity data from the detector. A display displays the unitless activity value. An enclosure houses the detector and the processor. The processor periodically reads the sensed activity data from the detector and processes the data to generate an activity number, the number being used to generate the unitless activity value based upon a maximum number and a display range.
US09968153B2 Helmet safety lighting system
An illuminable helmet assembly is disclosed. The helmet assembly may include a helmet body having an outer shell, an energy management layer and a fit system. A light diffuser is coupled to an outer surface of the helmet body, the diffuser having an illumination surface with an outer perimeter and defining a footprint of the illumination surface extending inward from the illumination surface to a center of the helmet body. A light source is positioned adjacent to and in some cases outside of the outer perimeter and the footprint of the illumination surface. The light source is positioned to emit light toward the illumination surface at an acute angle to the illumination surface.
US09968151B1 Transport hood having perforations
A transport hood protects conveying personnel from exposure to blood and body fluids of a detainee and avoids discomfort and breathing difficulty to the detainee if the blood and body fluids accumulate and are retained within the transport hood. The transport hood includes a top portion made of an open mesh material that is positioned over the head of the detainee to below the eyes of the detainee. A bottom portion made of a breathable material impervious to the blood and body fluids of the detainee is joined to the top portion below the eyes of the detainee and extends downwardly to below the chin of the detainee. The bottom portion has a plurality of perforations formed through the breathable material that allow the blood and body fluids issued by the detainee to drain from the bottom portion of the transport hood under the influence of gravity.
US09968147B1 Garment having an improved pocket construction
A garment having an improved pocket construction. The garment includes a garment body and at least one partial bag pocket attached to the garment body. The garment may also include a finished edge along the lower portion of the at least one partial bag pocket for providing reinforcement. Finally, the garment may also include a closure.
US09968144B2 Protective glove with a floating cuff
A protective glove includes a floating cuff joined with a hand portion, the floating cuff configured to encircle a wearer's wrist and/or forearm, the floating cuff being the only layer of protection over a posterior of the wearer's wrist/forearm. The glove can include a first wing panel and a second wing panel, distal from one another, and extending rearward from a rearward edge of the hand portion. The floating cuff can include a primary cuff portion disposed between the first and second wing panels, with the exteriors of all of the primary cuff portion, first and second wing panels lying at a common level and/or laying generally flush with one another. The floating cuff provides enhanced flexibility to the glove, particularly during wrist extension, and can be configured to ride up a wearer's forearm during such wrist extension to provide increased coverage of the forearm.
US09968143B2 Sleeve with lining layer for body part protection or care
A protective sleeve is provided for the care of fingers, toes or other parts of the body. The sleeve is made of a piece of fabric, preferably including thermoplastic fibers. The piece of fabric includes opposite edges which are assembled to form the body of the sleeve. At least one lining layer, preferably of viscoelastic gel, is fixed onto a face of the piece of fabric, such that the layer at least partially covers the assembled edges of the piece of fabric.
US09968142B2 Nursing bracelet
A nursing bracelet includes an adjustable elongate flexible band with a first fastener on a first side near a first end and a complementary second fastener on a second side opposite the first side at a second end. The nursing bracelet may be formed into a closed loop to hold a garment away from a woman's breast during breastfeeding or while using a breast pump to collect breast milk. The nursing bracelet may be worn on a wrist to remind a woman which breast was last used for breastfeeding a child or for collecting breastmilk, or alternately as a reminder about which breast is to be used for the next breastfeeding or breastmilk collection.
US09968141B2 Sensing garments
The invention generally relates to sensing garments.
US09968132B2 Electronic cigarette with capacitor sensor
An electronic cigarette, cigar or pipe has a capacitor sensor includings a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate configured to form a capacitor circuit. An output of the capacitor sensor is based at least in part on the capacitance of the capacitor circuit. A pressure sensitive component is connected to the first conductive plate and configured to move the first conductive plate based on a pressure differential between two sides of the pressure sensitive component to change a capacitance of the capacitor circuit.
US09968131B2 Assembly drum and system and method using the same for the automated production of e-vapor devices
An assembler system for manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable assembly drum including an outer face and a flute in the outer face. The flute is structured and arranged to hold a first section and a second section of the vapor-generating article. The system also includes a first mechanism that translates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The system additionally includes a second mechanism that rotates the first section relative to the second section while the first section and the second section are in the flute. The translating and the rotating connect the first section to the second section to form the vapor-generating article.
US09968119B2 Composition and method for preparing frozen gelatin dessert
Provided is a gelatin dessert which can be frozen and stored in the freezer for at least 6 months. Upon thawing, the gelatin dessert is a ready to use dessert that has desirable mouthfeel and organoleptic properties. The dessert comprises gelatine, sugar, inulin, wheat fiber, acacia gum, emulsifier, starch and water.
US09968118B2 Protein gel formation
The invention is directed to a method of forming a gel, to a gel obtainable by said method, to a heat treated native potato protease inhibitor, to the use of said protease inhibitor, and to a foodstuff comprising said gel or said protease inhibitor. The method includes: providing a solution of native potato protease inhibitor isolate having an isoelectric point of more than 6.0 and a molecular weight of less than 35 kDa; subjecting the native potato protease inhibitor solution to a heat treatment to a temperature of 65-121° C. for at least 10 minutes, or an UHT treatment at temperatures above 121° C., at an ionic strength of less than 60 mM and a pH of less than 4.5 yielding a heat treated native potato protease inhibitor solution; and setting the ionic strength of the native potato protease inhibitor solution to more than 60 mM.
US09968115B2 Pseudo-loaf food compositions
The invention provides pseudo-loaf food compositions comprising meat analog chunks and gravy, the gravy comprising a thickener selected from the group consisting of a gum present in the gravy in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3.0% of the gravy by weight, a starch present in the gravy in an amount from about 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight, and combinations thereof. The food composition has a moisture content from about 60% to about 74% of the composition by weight and has a loaf-type structure. In an embodiment, the moisture content of the pseudo-loaf food composition is from about 67% to about 74% of the composition by weight. In addition, the invention provides methods of making pseudo-loaf food compositions and also provides blended food compositions comprising one or more pseudo-loaf compositions and one or more comestible ingredients compatible with the pseudo-loaf food compositions.
US09968113B2 Machine for making ice cream
An ice cream machine for making ice cream, including a processing container forming a processing chamber for making an ice cream-type product; a stirrer mounted inside the processing chamber; a cooling system, provided with at least one heat exchanger associated with the processing container, for exchanging heat therewith; a device for receiving and housing a capsule containing a basic preparation; a device for transferring the basic preparation from the capsule to the processing container; a device for injecting a dilution liquid, associated with the receiving and housing device or with the device for transferring the preparation or with the processing container; dispensing means, connected to the processing chamber for delivering the ice cream-type product to the outside.
US09968109B2 Green tea extract composition
Provided is a green tea extract composition, comprising the following components (A), (B), (C), and (D): (A) non-polymer catechins; (B) a sugar; (C) iron; and (D) caffeine, the green tea extract composition having: a content of the non-polymer catechins (A) of from 25 to 45 mass %; a content of the sugar (B) of from 6 to 13 mass %; a mass ratio between the sugar (B) and the iron (C), [(C)/(B)], of from 0.000005 to 0.00016; a mass ratio between the sugar (B) and the caffeine (D), [(D)/(B)], of from 0.2 to 0.7; and a water content of 10 mass % or less.
US09968103B2 Artificial food casing, method for removing and method for manufacturing thereof
The invention relates to an artificial food casing; method for removing said artificial food casing; and methods for manufacturing said artificial food casing.
US09968101B2 Botanical antimicrobial compositions
Disclosed are compositions comprising antimicrobially effective low concentrations of benzyl alcohol, one or more essential oil and one or more botanical extract. The compositions of the application may be used in personal care products including wound care products or in veterinary use. In certain embodiments, compositions are provided having antimicrobial active agents that are substantially or essentially entirely derived from natural sources, thereby allowing the user to avoid harsh and/or toxic chemicals. This may be particularly advantageous in products for use by or on children or pets or for use in households or other environments occupied by children or animals.
US09968100B2 Natural antimicrobials and article comprising the same
There is provided a natural antimicrobial including a mixture of tree essential oils, soybean oil, and a residual hydrocarbon extract extracted from a rutaceae plant, wherein the mixture is supported in a supporter, and an article including the antimicrobial are provided. The antimicrobial is comprised of only natural materials, so it is harmless to human beings and environmentally friendly. Also, in the antimicrobial, tree essential oils is supported together with soybean carrier oil in a supporter, and thus, volatility of tree essential oils is controlled by the soybean oil, whereby the tree essential oils is naturally emitted to have an effective antibiosis for a long period of time. Thus, extra power, driving device (e.g., a fan), or the like, is not required to emit the tree essential oils. In addition, the antimicrobial is actively emitted in the air, having efficacy of continuously annihilate bacteria, virus, or the like.
US09968096B2 Process for preparing antimicrobial microcapsules
More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for producing antimicrobial core-shell microcapsules with immobilized silver particles into and onto the shell. The latter can be used in home or personal care products for delivering a perfuming and malodor-countering effect. The microcapsules obtainable by such a process and the consumer products comprising these microcapsules are also objects of the invention.
US09968087B2 Azoline compounds
The present invention relates to azoline compounds of formula I wherein A, B1, B2, B3, G1, G2, X1, R1, R3a, R3b, Rg1 and Rg2 are as defined in the claims and the description. The compounds are useful for combating or controlling invertebrate pests, in particular arthropod pests and nematodes. The invention also relates to a method for controlling invertebrate pests by using these compounds and to plant propagation material and to an agricultural and a veterinary composition comprising said compounds.
US09968079B2 Collapsible-adjustable rod holder
A collapsible-adjustable rod holder. The collapsible-adjustable rod holder primarily designed to support a rod for ice fishing. The rod holder comprised of a pair end sections in hinged communication with a middle section wherein the sections are articulated and movable in hinged fashion. The end sections include an indent, the indent sized for the cradling receipt of a fishing rod and rod handle.
US09968076B2 Transgenic animals capable of being induced to delete senescent cells
This document provides a transgenic mouse for studying the role of senescent cells in an age-related phenotype. A recombinant polypeptide is expressed in senescent cells under control of a p16INK4a promoter. The polypeptide can be triggered to directly induce cell death in senescent cells. As a result, progression of one or more age-related phenotypes is delayed in the mouse. An example is the INK-ATTAC mouse which also expresses a marker polypeptide in senescent cells.
US09968070B2 Press cover for a cheese mold
A press cover for a cheese mold, in particular for a cheese mold of metal, having a round or polygonal cross section. The shape and dimensions of the press cover correspond to the inner cross section of the cheese mold. The press cover is to be designed in a simple manner, to withstand a press power, and also to satisfy high hygiene demands. This is achieved in that the press cover includes a perforated plate, the shape and dimensions of which corresponds to the inner cross section of the cheese mold, on which a reinforcing rib structure is arranged.
US09968069B2 Milking cluster and milking parlor having such a milking cluster
A milking cluster used for milking a dairy animal in a milking parlor, the milking cluster including a teat cup unit, a teat cup, a drive device, a hose arrangement joined to the teat cup, a hose guide engaging the hose arrangement, and a flexible element that pivots the hose guide between a fixed position and a second position.
US09968068B2 Wild rocket cultivar 89-001 RZ
The present invention relates to a Diplotaxis tenuifolia seed designated 89-001 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including downy mildew resistance, medium to dark grey green leaves, high leaf thickness and very narrow primary lobes. The present invention also relates to a Diplotaxis tenuifolia plant produced by growing the 89-001 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the wild rocket cultivar, represented by wild rocket variety 89-001 RZ.
US09968067B2 Lettuce variety 41-521 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 41-521 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance against downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel) races Bl:1 to Bl:26, Bl:28, Bl:32, Ca-I to Ca-VIII, resistance against currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribignisi) biotype Nr:0, as well as intensely red leaves with a solid main vein, narrow base leaves and very slow bolting. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 41-521 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-521 RZ.
US09968066B2 Lettuce variety 79-36 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-36 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance against downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel) races Bl:1 to Bl:32 and Ca-I to Ca-VIII, currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribignisi) biotype Nr:0 and Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV) race LMV:1, as well as very slow bolting and a small plant size. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-36 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-36 RZ.
US09968058B1 Alfalfa variety 55VR08
A novel alfalfa variety designated 55VR08 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant that comprise crossing alfalfa variety 55VR08 with another alfalfa plant. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 55VR08 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Alfalfa seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing alfalfa variety 55VR08 or a trait conversion of 55VR08 with another alfalfa plant or population. Alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 55VR08, methods for producing other alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 55VR08 and the alfalfa populations and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US09968055B2 Soybean variety 01062064
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01062064. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01062064. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01062064 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01062064 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09968040B2 Plant pollination cover bag
A plant pollination bag including a bag made of a flexible material, a pouch formed out of one or more additional pieces of material fixed to the wall of the bag, where a space is created between the at least one additional piece of material and the wall of the bag; at least one of a releasable closure and a tear line fixed to the one or more additional pieces of material and the wall of the bag, where the one or more of a releaseable closure and a tear line is adapted to seal the space between the one or more additional pieces of material and the wall of the bag; an elongated piece of material attached to the at least one of a releasable closure and a tear line, where the elongated piece of material is designed to extend from the interior of the bag to a location outside of the bag, where the elongated piece of material is further adapted to allow a user to at least one of A) open the releasable closure and B) tear the tear line from outside of the bag. The system of the preferred embodiments is preferably designed to one or more of assist in the pollination of a plant, capture seeds dropped by the plant, and prevent cross-pollination of the plant by unintended plants.
US09968038B2 Plant irrigation system and method of use
A plant irrigation system and method of use, wherein the system accepts a fluid and releases it over time to one or more plants. The system can be fed manually or via an irrigation network capable of feeding fluid to one or more containers. The irrigation network can feed fluid automatically or manually. Fluid flow into each individual container is controlled via a float valve or level switch. Fluid exits the container and waters the ground immediately below via a fluid release valve that can be manually set, regulating the flowrate out of the container. The containers are above the ground, each mounted upon a stake, and utilize a flexible impermeable membrane.
US09968037B2 Short chain hydrocarbon combustor and carbon dioxide generator
A short-chain hydrocarbon combustor and carbon dioxide generator installable into an existing ventilation system venting an interior grow space effects combustion of a gas supply to produce carbon dioxide on demand and maintain a desired atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide interior the grow space. Exhaust gas producible at a high-efficiency burner is drawn through a boustrophedonic flue and passed through each of a first and second heat exchanger wherein heat is conducted into a vented airflow traveling through the existing ventilation system for discard exterior to the grow space. Condensate precipitated during cooling is collectable at a water trap, and drainable for use in the grow space. Carbon dioxide enriched exhaust gas is thereby cooled by an at least 95% reduction in heat previous to emission into the grow space. Temperature and humidity are thereby controllable within desired ranges and yield maximization enabled.
US09968036B2 Methods for controlling a side-shaking mechanism in a combine
A method of controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine is provided. The method includes enabling the side-shaking mechanism, and moving the side-shaking mechanism to a predetermined zero position. The method includes receiving incline data representing the inclination of the combine, and receiving sensed data representing at least one operating condition of a combine system. The method includes causing the side-shaking mechanism to increase the distance of movement of the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion, or decrease the distance of movement of the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion.
US09968029B2 Method for metering granular material and apparatus for metering granular material
In a method for metering granular material, and in a corresponding metering apparatus, the granular material is carried and conveyed by an airflow and/or by its own kinetic energy and directed through a feed tube into a metering unit, where it is guided along an approximately circular arc path and tangentially directed into an outlet tube, which is adjacent to the metering unit and which runs, at least in a section, slightly curved. The granular material is approximately evenly spaced or evenly metered and conveyed in an outer area of the curved outlet tube and is at least partially carried by the airflow being discharged and exiting the metering unit through the outlet tube.
US09968022B2 Pivoting support wheel for a reversible plough
A swivelling support wheel for a reversible plough is proposed that is adjusted with a toothed segment and a catch and gives the working depth of the ploughing tools.
US09974219B2 Tray feeder and component mounting apparatus
A tray feeder extracts one of trays where components are stored from corresponding one of magazines, and moves the extracted tray to a component feed position. The tray feeder includes a rack portion having a plurality of magazine holding portions disposed in a vertical direction, and a tray movement portion that extracts one of the trays from corresponding one of the magazines through a corresponding one of tray extraction ports. The magazine holding portions hold the magazines respectively which are inserted horizontally through magazine exits/entrances. Each of the magazine holding portions includes a block unit which blocks communication between the magazine exit/entrance and the tray extraction port of corresponding magazine holding portion when the magazine is removed from the corresponding magazine holding portion through the magazine exit/entrance.
US09974215B1 Electronic component package for electromagnetic interference shielding and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is an electronic component package for electromagnetic interference shielding. The electronic component package for electromagnetic interference shielding according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a substrate where electronic components are mounted, a molding member formed on the substrate and the electronic components, a magnetic layer formed on the molding member, and a conductive layer formed on the magnetic layer. Electromagnetic waves generated from the electronic components embeded in the molding member are absorbed in the magnetic layer to thus prevent or reduce harmful influence on other electronic components mounted in adjacent places. In addition, harmful electromagnetic waves generated from the outside may be shielded due to the conductive layer formed on the magnetic layer, thereby protecting electronic components embeded in the molding member from being influenced by the electromagnetic waves.
US09974211B2 Server rack-dedicated vertical vortex airflow server cooling
A vortex-producing fan controller uses a variable-speed vortex-producing fan positioned above a server rack to create a helical airflow within the server rack that couples with cooled air entering a data center through a floor opening situated near a bottom of the server rack. A speed of the variable-speed vortex-producing fan and a flow rate of the cooled air coupled within the helical airflow up through the server rack are adjusted responsive to changes in input air temperature of air entering the variable-speed vortex-producing fan detected using a fan input air temperature sensor positioned above the server rack.
US09974210B2 Systems and methods of real time optimum airflow balancing on rack level airflow constraint
A central information management console provides for real time management of airflow across an information handling system or across multiple information handling systems within one or multiple racks within an environment by estimating and prioritizing the volumetric airflow needs of each information handling system within the environment. Each information handling system or group of information handling systems may be given a priority setting based on one or more criteria and volumetric airflow may be provided based on the priority setting and a selected balancing option. Metrics and sensor readings are received by the central information management console in real time or at intervals to use in determining the amount of volumetric airflow to provide to each information handling system so as to balance volumetric airflow for efficient operation of the environment and to maintain volumetric airflow so as not to exceed a volumetric airflow limit.
US09974209B1 Heat sink and method
A heat sink is disclosed comprising a metallic pin extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A lower pin stud is positioned adjacent to the proximal end. An upper pin stud is positioned adjacent to the distal end. A base flange is interposed between the lower pin stud and the upper pin stud and defines a lower base surface and an upper base surface. The lower pin stud engages a source aperture and the lower base surface engages a source surface. A composite pitch fiber encapsulates the upper pin stud and the upper base surface. The metallic pin and the composite pitch fiber transfer the thermal energy from the lower pin stud and the lower base surface, through the upper pin stud and through the composite pitch fiber for dissipating the thermal energy from the source.
US09974204B2 Cable management system
A cable management system including a cable management panel comprising sheet metal having a plurality of parallel concave grooves and a pair of mounting flanges configured for mounting the panel to a rack. A plurality of magnetic cable rings are each magnetically attached to a corresponding one of the plurality of parallel concave grooves. Each cable ring includes a pair of ring halves magnetically attached to each other. At least one of the pair of ring halves comprises a magnetized material whereby one or more cables can be positioned between the pair of ring halves and secured to the cable management panel.
US09974201B1 High power feedthrough for use with a high frequency power converter
A feedthrough includes a flange comprising an inner cylindrical surface and a planar mounting surface. The inner cylindrical surface defines a cylindrical passage within the flange. The feedthrough further includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) mounted on the planar mounting surface of the flange, and an electrically conductive element that extends through the cylindrical passage of the flange.
US09974200B2 Adjustable swinging bracket
A universal cable bracket that enables one or more cables to be secured to a telecommunications chassis accommodates cables of various sizes and styles. The cable bracket is configured to be mounted in one of multiple orientations relative to the chassis. One or more fasteners can be inserted through apertures in the bracket and a chassis mounting surface to secure the bracket into the desired orientation. Cables or fanout arrangements can be secured to a platform of the bracket via cable ties or other windings.
US09974187B2 Power in lead
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide off-board power conversion. A power cable is arranged to distribute power from a power supply to a peripheral component. An active circuit is integrated into the cable, converting the power en route from the power supply to the peripheral component.
US09974186B2 Method of manufacturing printed circuit board with embedded electronic components positioned by using solder paste
A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board with embedded electronic components fixed by a solder paste includes: providing a carrier board with a copper foil layer on the carrier board, an insulating layer on the copper foil layer, and an opening on the insulating layer by laser; putting a solder paste into the opening to form a solder paste layer; performing a high-temperature reflow process of the electronic components on the solder paste layer until the solder paste layer is molten; curing the solder paste layer after cooling to fix the components to the center position of the opening; placing the copper foil layer below the electronic components and removing the solder paste layer; and performing copper plating and electroplating processes in an electroplating space to form a plating copper. The cohesion of the molten solder paste pulls the electronic components towards the center to eliminate position offset produced when the electronic components are installed.
US09974176B2 Mass storage integration over central processing unit interfaces
An apparatus includes a motherboard, a storage module, a first socket arranged on the motherboard, a second socket also arranged on the motherboard, and an interface. A processor is arranged within the first socket and a storage module is arranged within the second socket. The interface is configured to provide intercommunication between the processor and the storage module. The storage module contains a plurality of nonvolatile memory cards.
US09974175B2 Electronic component, electric device including the same, and bonding method thereof
Provided is an electronic component including a pad region including a plurality of pads extending along corresponding extension lines and arranged in a first direction, and a signal wire configured to receive a driving signal from the pad region, wherein the plurality of pads include a plurality of first pads arranged continuously and a plurality of second pads arranged continuously, and extension lines of the plurality of first pads substantially converge into a first point and extension lines of the plurality of second pads substantially converge into a second point different from the first point.
US09974174B1 Package to board interconnect structure with built-in reference plane structure
Embodiments of an interconnect structure are provided, the interconnect structure including: a reference plane structure having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, the reference plane structure including a plurality of through holes from the first major surface to the second major surface; a plurality of conductive columns, each conductive column centered within a through hole; and a plurality of isolation structures, each isolation structure fills an annular region within the through hole between each conductive column and surrounding portion of the reference plane structure.
US09974173B2 Multilayer ceramic substrate and manufacturing thereof
A multilayer ceramic substrate includes stacked ceramic layers, and external electrodes including first conductive layers penetrating through one region of an outermost layer of the stacked ceramic layers to thereby be embedded therein, and second and third conductive layers sequentially stacked on the first conductive layers. Each of the first and second conductive layers is formed of a ceramic powder and a metal powder.
US09974167B1 Wiring board
A wiring board includes: a base member having stretchability; and a wiring including a plurality of conductive thread-like members that are sewn in the base member in a meandering manner and do not have stretchability.
US09974165B2 Electronic component-embedded module and communication terminal device
To prevent decrease of the bonding strength of an electronic component and a multilayer substrate, an electronic component-embedded module may include an electronic component having a plurality of pads and a multilayer substrate which includes a plurality of resin layers and a cavity for containing the electronic component. The multilayer substrate may include a first resin layer having a plurality of first pattern conductors and a space, and a second resin layer having a second pattern conductor and a plurality of third pattern conductors. The plurality of third pattern conductors may be in conduction with either of the first pattern conductors or the pads, with the second resin layer being placed over the first resin layer. The second pattern conductor may be arranged around a first pad with a gap, and the second resin layer is present between the second pattern conductor and at least one of the first pads.
US09974159B2 Eggcrate radio frequency interposer
An radio-frequency (RF) interposer enables low-cost, high-performance RF interconnection of two or more large-area printed wiring boards (PWBs). The RF interposer may be provided as a multi-port coaxial structure embedded in a metal (or metalized) carrier. The RF interposer may include one or more conductive shims having spring fingers to provide contact across air-gaps between a PWB RF ground plane and a ground plane of the RF interposer. Retractable pins may be used as the coaxial transmission line center conductors. The RF interposer may be provided as an N×M grid of unit cells each having one or more RF ports and a cavities to provide clearance for a PWB component.
US09974144B2 Method for detecting environmental illumination and a fixture built-in motion sensor thereof
A method for detecting environmental illumination and a fixture built-in motion sensor thereof, comprising: obtaining the environmental lux level on visible light band through a visible light detection module and the environmental lux level on invisible light band through an invisible light detection module; the lamp is turned on when said environmental lux level of visible light is lower than the preset lux level; obtaining the mixed lux level of the lamplight and the natural light on visible light band and obtaining the mixed lux level of the lamplight and the natural light on invisible light band; calculating the turn-off threshold value for turning off the lamp through the environmental lux level and the mixed lux level. The illumination of natural spectrum is detected accurately without being interfered by the illumination of the artificial spectrum emitted by the lamp itself, thus the lamp can be controlled accurately and stably.
US09974140B2 Light-emitting device and luminaire
A light-emitting device includes: a first light-emitting element array including one of a single first light-emitting element or a plurality of first light-emitting elements connected in series, and having a first emission color; a second light-emitting element array including one of a single second light-emitting element or a plurality of second light-emitting elements connected in series, and having a second emission color different from the first emission color, the second light-emitting element array being connected to the first light-emitting element array in parallel; and a third light-emitting element array including one of a single third light-emitting element or a plurality of third light-emitting elements connected in series, and having a third emission color different from the first emission color and the second emission color, the third light-emitting element array being connected to the first light-emitting element array and the second light-emitting element array in series.
US09974133B2 Optoelectronic circuit comprising light-emitting diodes
An optoelectronic circuit intended to receive a variable voltage containing an alternation of rising and falling phases. The optoelectronic circuit includes assemblies of series-assembled light-emitting diodes, a node coupled to each assembly by a conduction circuit having its electric conductance varying according to a control signal and a control circuit coupled to each conduction circuit and capable of supplying each control signal based on the comparison of a first voltage at said node with at least a second voltage. The control circuit includes a difference amplifier and as many output stages as there are conduction circuits, the control circuit being capable of controlling the first voltage with the second voltage offset by a third voltage, different for each output stage.
US09974131B2 Light-emitting component for backlight module having a plurality of branches connected in parallel between a first positive input end and a first negative input end, and backlight module and liquid crystal display device containing the same
The present invention provides a light-emitting component for a backlight module, which comprises a first positive input end, a first negative input end and a plurality of branches connected in parallel therebetween, each of the plurality of the branches comprising a plurality of LEDs connected in series, wherein, in the case that the numbers of LEDs in the respective branches are not exactly the same, a voltage divider is connected in series in at least one of the branches so that currents flowing through respective branches are the same. Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device. In the present invention, any number of LEDs can be provided in each of the branches in the light-emitting component, which expands the irradiation scope of light, guarantees the safe distance between adjacent LEDs, and further improves product quality.
US09974120B2 Cooktop, household appliance comprising a cooktop, method for assembling a cooktop and method for installing a cooktop
A cooktop includes a burner box, a heat shield pivotably attached to a bottom of the burner box, a lock for locking the heat shield in a transport position, wherein the heat shield is self-pivotable from the transport position to an operational position after unlocking the lock, and when in the operational position the heat shield is pivoted further from the bottom of the burner box than in the transport position.
US09974117B2 Electronic cigarette
An electronic cigarette with a sensor assembly in an isolated and protected location includes a heating member and a cigarette holder having an air suction port opened to the air outside. The sensor assembly includes an inductive chamber. An open end of the inductive chamber is in air communication with the air suction port. The heating member is arranged outside of the inductive chamber. Inhalations on the electronic cigarette cause decrease of air pressure in the inductive chamber, the resulting reduced air pressure being sensed by the sensor assembly, which is located in the inductive chamber.
US09974104B2 Wireless communication apparatus and method for seamlessly communicating data by setting up and switching between multiple networks
A communication apparatus is capable of communicating with another communication apparatus by a first communication scheme and by a second communication scheme for which a communication speed is faster or a communication range is longer than that of the first communication scheme. The communication apparatus, in a case where it is determined that the communication by the second communication scheme was already being performed, includes, in a response corresponding to a request received from an other communication apparatus, information indicating that control for the communication by the second communication scheme based on the request is unnecessary, and transmits the response to the other communication apparatus.
US09974102B2 Device and method
A device includes circuitry that dynamically changes an uplink/downlink configuration of a time division duplex (TDD) carrier. The circuitry notifies a terminal device of a radio resource for device-to-device communication appropriate for the uplink/downlink configuration. The radio resource is a radio resource of at least one uplink subframe of the uplink/downlink configuration.
US09974091B2 Multiple-use wireless network
In embodiments of the present disclosure improved capabilities are described for a dual-use wireless network where the network may be used concurrently by the general public and by a managing agency (e.g., government or other agencies), but limited as deemed necessary in times of access restriction as determined by the managing agency, where network access may be denied to users/entities whose priority value is lower than the minimum allowed priority value set by the managing agency, or is not one of a set of allowed high priority access values or classes set by the managing agency.
US09974089B2 Methods and systems for selection of channels for unlicensed wireless communications
Methods, devices and systems are disclosed to enable the use of unlicensed wireless channels by nodes and devices in a network, such as a mobile or cellular communications network, which primarily operates over licensed wireless channels. A selected channel, or selected channel and node pair for serving a user device are determined based on a combined metric of a signal quality level and a target time share parameter. The time share parameter represents the estimated data rate available for each potential channel, or channel and node pair, in light of the requirement to share the unlicensed wireless channel resources with other equipment. The signal quality level represents an estimated signal quality at the user device for each channel and node based on factors including residual interference from other communications signals transmitted over the unlicensed channels.
US09974086B2 Methods used in control node and radio node and associated devices
The present disclosure discloses a method used in a control node and an associated control node. The method includes selecting one or more client radio nodes based on a Directional Link Interference Map (DLIM) for all active links under control of the control node; for each of the selected one or more client radio nodes, determining one or more candidate links between the client radio node and other radio nodes; for each of the determined candidate links and all active links, determining a set of sounding and sensing related parameters; and transmitting the determined set of sounding and sensing related parameters for each of the determined candidate links and all active links to a transmitting node and a receiving node of the link. The present disclosure further discloses a method used in a radio node under control of a control node and an associated radio node.
US09974076B2 Method, device and system for transmitting uplink information
Disclosed are a method, device and system for transmitting uplink information, which are used for solving the problem that the existing UE uplink transmission mechanism may increase the load of a Macro eNB and increase the uplink interference among UEs, and is not beneficial to power saving of UEs. The method in the embodiments of the present application comprises: a macro eNB determining an uplink transmitting node used for receiving uplink information about a UE this time from a transmission node connected to the UE; determining the effective time of the uplink transmission node determined this time; and after the effective time of the uplink transmitting node determined this time has arrived, receiving the uplink information sent by the UE through the uplink transmitting node determined this time. Under a heterogeneous network, the embodiments of the present application can flexibly determine an appropriate uplink transmission node to transmit uplink information, thereby reducing the load of the Macro eNB, reducing the interference among various UEs, improving the system throughput, and saving the electric quantity of the UEs.
US09974075B2 Method and apparatus for NAN terminal to transceive signal in wireless communication system
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) terminal to transceive a signal in a wireless communication system. To be specific, the present invention discloses a method for the NAN terminal to transceiver a signal in the wireless communication system, when the NAN terminal performs an anchor master selection procedure in a condition where there are a plurality of terminals operating as an anchor master in a cluster.
US09974069B2 Telecommunications method and system
A mobile communications system for communicating data to and/or from mobile units, the system comprising one or more base stations arranged to communicate data to or from the mobile units via a wireless access interface within one or more frequency bands, and one or more of the base stations is arranged to provide a plurality of logically separate carriers for transmitting data to mobile units, wherein each of the logically separate carriers comprises physical communications resources within the one or more frequency bands of the wireless access interface; a first group of one or more mobile units arranged to communicate with the one or more base stations via at least a first carrier of the plurality of carriers; and a second group of one or more mobile units arranged to communicate with the one or more base stations via at least a second carrier of the plurality of carriers. The one or more base stations are operable to provide common information on the first carrier, the common information being for at least one mobile unit in the first group and for at least one mobile unit in the second group. The one or more base stations are operable to provide allocation information in the first carrier, the allocation information comprising an indication of the location of the common informationn within the first carrier. The one or more base stations are further operable to provide allocation information in the second carrier, the allocation information comprising an indication of the location of the common information within the first carrier. At least one mobile unit in the second group is arranged, upon reception of the allocation information in the second carrier, to access the common information provided by the one or more base stations in the first carrier.
US09974065B2 Dynamic control blanking in heterogeneous networks
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate requesting blanking over control resources from one or more interfering eNBs or devices. An eNB, such as a macrocell, femtocell or picocell eNB, can transmit a downlink control blanking message to a UE directing the UE to perform blanking (e.g., for uplink control resources) or request the blanking from the interfering eNBs or devices (e.g., for downlink control resources). The downlink control blanking message can specify the desired control resources and/or information to determine the control resources. Thus, dynamic control blanking is provided such that blanking is requested to mitigate interference over control resources for the small scale eNB. The small scale eNB can subsequently communicate control data to the UE over the control resources; the control data can include a resource blanking message that similarly directs the UE to request blanking of general data resource from the interfering eNBs or devices.
US09974063B2 Radio network control method and radio network controller
A radio network control method and a radio network controller are described. The radio network controller includes: a measurement control unit, adapted to receive radio network information sent by a network node, where the radio network information includes radio channel information and service serving information; a radio network information management unit, adapted to determine, according to the radio network information received by the measurement control unit, a radio network function that needs to be triggered and an algorithm corresponding to the radio network function, and encapsulate radio network information required by the algorithm into a radio network information combination for the algorithm; an algorithm management unit, adapted to determine an execution policy of the algorithm; and a procedure management unit, adapted to generate execution control signaling and send the execution control signaling to the network node.
US09974058B2 Defining a sub-subframe of a subframe
Methods of operating a network node in a RAN may include transmitting control information for a subframe from the network node to a wireless terminal. The control information may include a Time Domain Split (TDS) indication defining a sub-subframe of the subframe, and a duration of the sub-subframe may be less than a duration of the subframe. Moreover, communication of data may be provided between the network node and the wireless terminal during the sub-subframe of the subframe. Methods of operating the wireless terminal may include receiving the control information for the subframe at the wireless terminal from the network node. The control information may include the TDS indication, and communication of the data may be provided between the wireless terminal and the network node during the sub-subframe of the subframe. Related network nodes and wireless terminals are also discussed.
US09974057B2 Method for transmitting HARQ ACK/NACK from user equipment simultaneously accessing multiple cells
One disclosure of the present specification provides a user equipment method. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a time division duplex (TDD) uplink (UL)-downlink (DL) configuration from a frequency division duplex (FDD)-based primary cell; receiving downlink data from at least one secondary cell; determining an uplink subframe of the primary cell to transmit a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK)/negative-acknowledgement (NACK) for the received downlink data, which is transmitted from the at least one secondary cell, according to the TDD UL-DL configuration; and transmitting the HARQ ACK/NACK from the determined uplink subframe to the primary cell.
US09974055B2 Method for managing forwarding plane tunnel resource under control and forwarding decoupled architecture
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a method and device for managing a forwarding plane tunnel resource, wherein the method includes: sending a forwarding plane tunnel resource request message to a forwarding plane device, for enabling the forwarding plane device to allocate a forwarding plane tunnel resource according to the forwarding plane tunnel resource request message; acquiring the allocated forwarding plane tunnel resource from the forwarding plane device; and sending the acquired forwarding plane tunnel resource to a target network element, to establish a packet data network connection with the target network element. By adopting the present invention, the load balancing of the forwarding plane device is achieved, the signaling interaction between the control plane device and the forwarding plane device is reduced as much as possible, and meanwhile, efficient failure processing can also be achieved in the case of a failure occurred in a device.
US09974053B2 Method and apparatus for allocating wireless resources according to resource allocation setting in WLAN
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for allocating wireless resource according to a resource allocation setting in a WLAN. The method for allocating wireless resources according to the resource allocation setting, in a WLAN, may comprise the steps of: an AP transmitting, to a plurality of STAs, resource allocation setting information; the AP allocating, to each of the plurality of STAs, each of the plurality of wireless resources in first resource units or second resource units, based on the resource allocation setting information; the AP transmitting to each of the plurality of STAs, through each of the plurality of wireless resources, each of a plurality of items of downlink data; and the AP receiving, from each of the plurality of STAs, channel feedback information for each of the plurality of wireless resources.
US09974045B2 Systems and methods for contextual discovery of device functions
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for providing notifications relating to context-based features of a mobile device. According to an example implementation, a method is provided for receiving an indication of contextual information and an indication of historical information. The method also includes determining an environmental context of the mobile device from the contextual information and the historical information. The method also includes determining whether a usage criteria associated with a context-based feature associated with the environmental context has been met. The method also includes outputting an indication of the determination that the context-based feature has not met the usage criteria, such that the mobile device outputs a notification related to the context-based feature.
US09974037B2 Synchronizing media presentation at multiple devices
A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device to perform operations including determining a target playback latency not less than a greater of a first playback latency of a streaming media signal at a first media processor and a second playback latency of the first media signal at a second media processor. The streaming media signal includes a first in-content reference. A coordinated playback time is determined according to the target playback latency. A buffer, when adjusted by a buffer value, causes the first in-content reference to be encountered at a coordinated time during playback by the first media processor, which results in a synchronized playback of the streaming media between the first and second media processors. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09974024B2 Circuit, integrated circuit, receiver, transceiver and method for receiving a signal
A circuit according to an example includes a receiver circuit configured to receive a signal including a data stream, the data stream including at least one block of data, a block of the at least one block of data including at least two sub-blocks, a payload of the block being redundantly encoded in the at least two sub-blocks, and the at least two sub-blocks of the block being consistently arranged over time inside the block. The circuit further includes a control circuit configured to switch the receiver circuit into a non-ready-to-receive state during at least a part of at least one of the at least two sub-blocks of the block, when an enable condition is fulfilled.
US09974021B2 Method for reducing battery power consumption of user equipment (UE) during manual CSG selection
A method for connecting to a Registered Public Land Mobile Network (RPLMN) after receiving an accept message with limited service from a user selected CSG cell, which is associated to a different PLMN than the RPLMN during manual CSG selection mode is disclosed. The method includes connecting to the RPLMN based on the availability of the user selected CSG cell in UTRAN. If the user selected CSG cell is not available in UTRAN, then the method includes connecting to the RPLMN by the UE using the stored duplicate value of the RPLMN. If the user selected CSG cell is available in UTRAN, then the method includes sending an ATTACH request to the user selected CSG cell without disabling the EUTRA capabilities. If the ATTACH request is failed, then the method includes connecting to the RPLMN using the stored duplicate value of the RPLMN.
US09974018B2 Systems and methods for processing and transmitting sensor data
Systems and methods for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor, are provided. The data can be displayed on a hand-held display device having a display such as a key fob device including a user interface, such as an LCD and one or more buttons 604 allows a user to view data, and a physical connector, such as USB port.
US09974017B1 Mobile device power management
A method includes executing a user equipment (UE) device in a doze mode, a peek mode, and a normal mode. The doze mode includes terminating any connections with a network, comparing a clock time with a maintenance window schedule of maintenance time windows, and executing the peek mode when the clock time is within a maintenance time window. The peek mode includes receiving a connection request from a mobility management entity (MME) system when the MME system has been notified of at least one buffered downlink packet addressed to the UE device, and executing the normal mode in response to receiving the connection request. The normal mode includes establishing a connection to the network and receiving the at least one buffered downlink packet.
US09974016B2 Power save mode-based operation method and device in wireless LAN
A power save mode-based operation method and device in a wireless LAN are disclosed. The power save mode-based operation method and device in a wireless LAN can comprise the steps of: transmitting, by an STA, a first trigger frame to an AP in a first service interval; receiving, by the STA, a downlink frame transmitted by the AP on the basis of the first trigger frame in the first service interval; receiving, by the STA, traffic indication information from the AP in a second service interval after reception of the downlink frame; determining, by the STA, whether a pending downlink frame of the AP exists on the basis of the traffic indication information in the second service interval; and determining, by the STA, a mode for saving power on the basis of whether the pending downlink frame exists.
US09974015B2 Embedded internet of things (IOT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods
An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network, and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on a modular antenna to be coupled to the embedded IoT hub.
US09973999B2 Method and apparatus for Self Organizing Networks
A method for running a Self Organizing Network (SON) module in a communication network provides an open Application Programming Interface (API) for a SON framework and executes the SON module. The SON module accesses the functionality of the SON framework using the API. The SON module may be built by a developer other than a SON system provider and may be loaded into the SON framework by an operator other than a SON system provider. The SON module may be implemented as a state machine.
US09973998B2 Relay device and air conditioning system
A relay device communicably connects an upper-level air conditioning system and a lower-level air conditioning system that use different protocols. An upper-side communicator is connected to a first bus, and transmits and receives communication packets to and from the upper-level air conditioning system. A lower-side communicator is connected to an outdoor device that is a master device, and transmits and receives communication commands to and from the lower-level air conditioning system. An association information memory stores association information obtained by associating an address in the upper-level air conditioning system allocated to each device in the lower-level air conditioning system with identification information on each device in the lower-level air conditioning system. A processor performs a mutual conversion on the communication packets and the communication commands based on the association information stored in the association information memory.
US09973989B2 Co-location of application service platform with access node and local gateway
A telecommunications network which is accessible to a user equipment (10) via an access node (110) provided with an application service platform (150). The application service platform (150) may be used for locally supporting one or more application services which are accessible to the user equipment (10) via the access node (110). Further, a local gateway node (120) is co-located with the access node (110). The local gateway node (120) carries user plane data of the user equipment (10) between the access node (110) and the application service platform (150). Control plane communication between the local gateway node (120) and at least one central node (212, 214, 216, 218) of the telecommunications network is performed via a central gateway node (210) connected between the local gateway node (120) and the central node (212, 214, 216, 218) of the telecommunications network.
US09973982B1 Controlling reverse-direction neighbor reports based on the characteristics of queued bearer traffic
A wireless communication device (WCD) may determine that the WCD has bearer traffic queued for transmission to a radio access network (RAN). The WCD may be configured to transmit the bearer traffic and neighbor reports over a reverse-direction channel of the RAN. The neighbor reports may contain information related to wireless coverage areas. One or more characteristics of the bearer traffic may also be determined. Based on the one or more characteristics of the bearer traffic, the neighbor reports may be scheduled to be transmitted over the reverse-direction channel at a particular rate. The WCD may transmit the neighbor reports over the reverse-direction channel at the particular rate.
US09973980B2 Communications methods and apparatus that facilitate handover decisions and related measurements
Methods and apparatus that facilitate handover related measurements and decision making in a communications system including user equipment (UE) devices, a macro base station and femto base stations (femtocells) are described. In some embodiments a UE device transmits pilots along with identification information using UE device selected transmission resources from a set of recurring UE pilot transmission resources dedicated by a macro base station for UE pilot signal and related device information transmission purposes. Femto base stations measure the UE transmitted pilot signals and report the signal strength measurement results and corresponding device identifiers to a handoff decision control entity, e.g., an eNodeB or control node, which makes handover decisions. By relying on UE transmitted pilots measured by multiple base stations, e.g., femto base stations, the need for femto cells to transmit pilots can be reduced while well informed UE handoff decisions still being possible.
US09973975B2 Method and system for providing reduced bandwidth acquisition latency
Methods and systems for providing reduced bandwidth acquisition latency may comprise communicating a reservation request for bandwidth allocation for devices operating under a wired network protocol, where the reservation request may be sent by wired network devices via a wireless network protocol over a wireless network. Bandwidth may be allocated in the wired network for the requesting devices by a network controller. Data may be communicated with the requesting devices via the wired network. The wired network communication protocol may comprise a multimedia over cable alliance (MoCA) standard. The wireless protocol may comprise an IEEE 802.11x standard, a Bluetooth standard, and/or any non-public network protocol. The communication of the reservation request via the wireless protocol may decrease a latency of the wired network. A medium access plan (MAP) may be generated by the network controller based on the reservation request and may comprise a bandwidth allocation for the requesting devices.
US09973971B2 Methods, nodes and system for enabling redistribution of cell load
The present invention relates to a method and system for enabling a redistribution of load between cells. The method comprises obtaining a current load value for a first cell, and obtaining a target load value for a neighbor cell. The method also comprises determining the target load value for the first cell as a function of the current load value and the target load value for the neighbor cell, obtaining an update of the target load value for the neighbor cell, and iterating the determining and the obtaining. The method further comprises taking action for a redistribution of load between the first cell and the neighbor cell towards a load distribution represented by the resulting load values.
US09973965B2 Transport protocol layer optimization for managing signaling and power consumption
Systems and methods for optimizing signaling in a mobile network and conserving battery resources based on transport protocol layer such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) layer optimization techniques are disclosed. A distributed proxy system, in various embodiments, can implement one or more optimization techniques including deferring TCP socket closures or closing network sockets with TCP RST instead of TCP FIN to save on signaling in the wireless (e.g., mobile network) and conserve battery resources. In some embodiments, the disclosed system can implement various methods to prevent or reduce number of TCP and/or application level retries, and thereby reduce signaling in the wireless network and conserve battery resources. In other embodiments, the distributed proxy system can multiplex all TCP sockets in a mobile device through a single socket to reduce TCP/IP overhead and thus conserve device and network resources.
US09973961B2 System and method for offloading data in a communication system
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element; de-capsulating the data packet; identifying whether the data packet is an upstream data packet; identifying whether the data packet matches an internet protocol (IP) access control list (ACL) or a tunnel endpoint identifier; and offloading the data packet from the backhaul link. In more specific embodiment, the method can include identifying that the data packet does not match the IP ACL or the tunnel endpoint identifier; and communicating the data packet to a second network element. In other examples, the method can include identifying that the data packet is a downstream data packet; identifying a service to be performed for the data packet that cannot be performed at the first network element; and communicating the data packet to a second network element.
US09973959B2 Method and apparatus for controlling cell aggregation
According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a wireless device operating in a wireless communication network determines the difference in signal arrival times with respect to first and second cells, and the device and/or the involved wireless communication network uses the difference to control one or more aspects of Carrier Aggregation, CA, operation for the wireless device. For example, there may be a maximum timing difference defined for the wireless device, e.g., as a function of its inherent capabilities, and the wireless device may evaluate the timing difference of a second cell that is a candidate of aggregation into its CA configuration, or that may be a candidate for activation as a serving cell within a CA configuration, with respect to a first cell that is already in use as a serving cell for the wireless device.
US09973958B2 Systems, methods, and devices for improved inter-frequency measurement
Systems and methods for improved inter-frequency measurement are disclosed herein. User equipment (UE) may be configured to communicatively couple to an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (eNB). The eNB may determine a measurement pattern indicating when the UE should perform inter-frequency measurements. The measurement pattern may be selected such that the UE performs measurements more often than once per measurement cycle. The measurement pattern may be selected to balance timing requirements for the UE with increased power consumption that may result from more frequent measurements. The eNB may determine the measurement pattern based on an estimate of UE speed and a number of frequencies to be monitored. A default pattern may be used if the UE speed and/or number of frequencies do not exceed predetermined thresholds.
US09973950B2 Technique for data traffic analysis
A technique for providing information derived from data traffic between a telecommunications network and the Internet is disclosed. The telecommunications network provides mobile Internet access to a plurality of mobile subscribers using IP addresses allocated to the mobile subscribers. Data packets in data traffic are analyzed at an interface between the telecommunications network and the Internet. Each analyzed data packet includes an IP address allocated to one of the plurality of mobile sub-scribers. For each of the analyzed data packets, a subscriber identity is retrieved based on the IP address included therein using an allocation function of the telecommunications network. The allocation function associates sub-scriber identities to IP addresses. Information derived from the analyzed data packets is stored in combination with the retrieved subscriber identities in a storing unit. An access interface for accessing the stored information is also provided.
US09973944B2 User equipment and methods for operation in coverage enhancement mode with physical random access channel preamble
Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE) to operate in accordance with a physical random access channel (PRACH) are disclosed herein. The UE may comprise hardware processing circuitry to determine a coverage enhancement category for the UE based on downlink channel statistics related to reception of downlink signals at the UE from an Evolved Node-B (eNB) and an uplink-downlink imbalance parameter related to uplink reception at the eNB. The hardware processing circuitry may be further to select, for use in a coverage enhancement mode, a PRACH preamble from a set of candidate PRACH preambles based on the determined coverage enhancement category for the UE. In some embodiments, at least some of the candidate PRACH preambles may span a different number of sub-frames.
US09973939B2 UAV network design
Methods, apparatuses, and systems relating to drone-assisted mesh network design are disclosed. Exemplary methods for wireless networking and communications may include identifying a geographic area, receiving topographic data obtained by an unmanned air vehicle at a first predetermined height, the topographic data relating to the geographic area, analyzing the topographic data to identify one or more characteristics, determining a location relating to a first wireless network device based at least in part on the analyzing, and determining one or more locations each relating to one or more other wireless network devices within the geographic area based at least in part on the location relating to the first wireless network device.
US09973925B2 Method and apparatus for direct communication key establishment
A method, performed by a User Equipment device (UE), for obtaining a key for direct communication with a device over an air interface, wherein the UE has previously acquired a transaction identifier received from a Bootstrapping Server Function (BSF), in a Generic Bootstrapping Architecture (GBA), procedure, is provided. The method comprises storing the transaction identifier, sending the transaction identifier to the device and requesting key generation for direct communication with the device. If the transaction identifier is invalid, the method further comprises receiving from the device a device identifier and key generation information, deriving a session shared key from at least the key generation information, and deriving a direct communication key from at least the session shared key and the device identifier.
US09973921B2 Conflict detection
A terminal for communication with a communication network and a method of configuring a subscriber identity device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the terminal includes computer storage configured to store a subscriber identity application, a processing unit operable to provide access to the communication network by executing an instance of the subscriber identity application, and a toolkit file assigning a modem of the terminal to handle at least one communication procedure for effecting said communication with the communication network, wherein the transferred terminal profile information assigns a host processor of the terminal to handle at least one communication procedure for effecting said communication with the communication network.
US09973918B2 Method of establishing a connection between a mobile communicating object and a remote server
The present invention relates to a method of establishing a connection between a mobile communicating object and a remote server, by way of a mobile communication network where the communicating object has a list encompassing a determined number of preferred mobile communication networks with which the object can be made to connect. The method comprises a first step where the communicating object establishes a radio connection with one of the networks available so as to transmit a first series of audit information (such as quality of signal, error rate, base station cell identifier) to the remote server, a step of verification by the server of the data received and, in the event of anomaly, of engagement of a procedure for modifying the selection of the mobile communication network to which the mobile object is connected.
US09973909B2 Individual prediction of use and/or individual adaptation of use of a personalised telecommunications terminal
A method for prediction and/or adaptation of use of a telecommunications terminal includes: detecting, by the telecommunications terminal, use actions by a user carried out via a user interface of the telecommunications terminal and context information of the telecommunications terminal over a predetermined time interval; generating or altering, by the telecommunications terminal, at least one specific rules factor out of a plurality of rules factors based on an occurrence of a first event out of a plurality of events subject to the behavior of the user regarding the use actions carried out via the user interface and/or subject to the context information of the telecommunications terminal; and in case of the occurrence of the first event and/or in case of the occurrence of a second event, applying, by the telecommunications terminal, the at least one generated or altered specific rules factor subject to the context information.
US09973907B1 Method and system for service continuity, network preference, and reporting logic with SMS services
Methods and systems for originating and terminating a short message service (SMS) message using an IP network are disclosed. Delivery of an SMS message is attempted on a first network a first predetermined number of times according to a first predetermined time schedule. Delivery of the SMS message on a second network is attempted after a failure to deliver the SMS message on the first network. Reattempted delivery of the SMS message on the first network is followed by reattempted delivery of the SMS message on the second network, according to a second predetermined time schedule.
US09973900B2 Method of displaying location of a device
A system and method are provided that display search results and user location on a map. A floor selector interface may be displayed with the map. The floor selector interface may include one or more floor selectors, each of which correspond to a floor in a multi-story building. Upon selection of a floor selector, first search result and location indicators may be displayed transparently or semi-transparently to indicate whether the user or the search results are on the selected floor. If the user or the search results are on a non-selected floor, such indicators may be displayed differently, such as with a different transparency. The floor selector interface may also include second search result and location identifiers. Such second identifiers may be displayed at particular floor selectors corresponding to the present elevation of the user and search results, respectively.
US09973896B2 Automatically selecting alert modes based on location
Disclosed are various embodiments for automatically selecting alert modes for a mobile device based at least in part on the mobile device location. In one embodiment, a velocity of the mobile device is determined. If the velocity exceeds a threshold, the mobile device refrains from automatically configuring a notification of the mobile device to use a location-dependent alert mode.
US09973888B2 Relaying device, voice communication system, and voice communication method
[Problem] To provide a voice communication system which causes a relaying device to manage communication between terminal devices based on the affiliations of the terminal devices, and manage the current positions of the respective terminal devices.[Solution] In a voice communication system, a relaying device relays voice communication of a plurality of section systems. The relaying device stores, with respect to each of the section systems, a plurality of pieces of area information divided on the basis of the communication range of a wireless access point. A terminal device transmits a voice signal to which the identification code thereof is added. When receiving the voice signal from the terminal device, the relaying device identifies a section system to which this terminal device belongs from the identification code added to the voice signal, and identifies an area in which the terminal device is present on the basis of positional information relating to the terminal device. The relaying device transfers the voice signal to another terminal device which belongs to the identified section system and is present in the identified area.
US09973880B2 Communication device, information display device, communication method and storage medium
A communication device includes a wireless communication unit, a memory and a processor. The wireless communication unit is configured to perform wireless communication with an information display device. The processor is configured to perform operations including: receiving first work data including first setting data from the information display device having the first work data by the wireless communication unit; and registering the first work data as storage data in a case where the memory stores second work data including second setting data and in a case where the first setting data and the second setting data are different from each other.
US09973877B2 Method of handling small data transmission
A method of handling small data transmission for a core network is disclosed, wherein the core network comprises a data base, a network gateway node and a network control node. The method comprises the network gateway node receiving a service request message from a machine-type communication (MTC) server, wherein information of the service request message is eligible for the small data transmission between a mobile device and the network gateway node; and the network gateway node including a small data transmission indicator in the service request message, wherein the small data transmission indicator indicates the small data transmission.
US09973874B2 Audio rendering using 6-DOF tracking
The methods and apparatus described herein optimally represent full 3D audio mixes (e.g., azimuth, elevation, and depth) as “sound scenes” in which the decoding process facilitates head tracking. Sound scene rendering can be performed for the listener's orientation (e.g., yaw, pitch, roll) and 3D position (e.g., x, y, z), and can be modified for a change in the listener's orientation or 3D position. As described below, the ability to render an audio object in both the near-field and far-field enables the ability to fully render depth of not just objects, but any spatial audio mix decoded with active steering/panning, such as Ambisonics, matrix encoding, etc., thereby enabling full translational head tracking (e.g., user movement) beyond simple rotation in the horizontal plane, or 6-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) tracking and rendering.
US09973871B2 Binaural audio processing with an early part, reverberation, and synchronization
An audio renderer comprises a receiver (801) receiving input data comprising early part data indicative of an early part of a head related binaural transfer function; reverberation data indicative of a reverberation part of the transfer function; and a synchronization indication indicative of a time offset between the early part and the reverberation part. An early part circuit (803) generates an audio component by applying a binaural processing to an audio signal where the processing depends on the early part data. A reverberator (807) generates a second audio component by applying a reverberation processing to the audio signal where the reverberation processing depends on the reverberation data. A combiner (809) generates a signal of a binaural stereo signal by combining the two audio components. The relative timing of the audio components is adjusted based on the synchronization indication by a synchronizer (805) which specifically may be a delay.
US09973869B2 Electronic device and noise canceling method thereof
An electronic device and noise canceling method thereof is provided. The electronic device may include a housing; at least one output circuit arranged inside the housing and configured to generate a first signal; an opening formed on one side of the housing; a hole connected to the opening; a receptacle arranged inside the hole, and configured to receive an external connector, and electrically connected to the at least one output circuit; at least one sensor arranged within a predetermined proximity range to at least one of the opening and the receptacle; and a control circuit electrically connected electrically to the at least one output circuit, the receptacle, and the at least one sensor, wherein the control circuit is configured to detect the external connector approaching to at least one of the opening and the receptacle using the at least one sensor, to generate a second signal upon detection of the approaching external connector, and to control the at least one output circuit to change the first signal at least partly based on the second signal.
US09973868B2 Method for estimating the battery life of battery-powered audio systems by means of an amplitude modulated broadband audio signal
Aspects of present disclosure relate to a test signal generator, a method for estimating the battery life of battery-powered audio products by means of a test signal simulating effects of music, and a computer program product for generating a test signal simulating the effects of music. The method may include at least one of: extracting, by a test signal generation controller, one or more general characteristics of music, transmitting, by the test signal generation controller, the one or more general characteristics of music generated to a graphical user interface of a test signal generator, processing, by one or more music characteristics simulators, a white noise signal generated by a white noise generator of the test signal generator according to the one or more general characteristics of music to generate the test signal, and providing the formed test signal through a test signal output device of the test signal generator.
US09973867B2 Moisture resistant headpieces and implantable cochlear stimulation systems including the same
Cochlear implant headpieces with improved moisture resistance.
US09973863B2 Feedback estimation based on deterministic sequences
A hearing system comprises respective input and output transducers operationally coupled via a forward path comprising a configurable output combination unit having first and second signal inputs and a signal output. The first and second signal inputs are a signal of the forward path, and an output probe signal, respectively, and the output signal is electrically connected to the output transducer and configurable to consist of either of the first or second signal inputs, or a mixture thereof. The hearing system further comprises a configurable probe signal generator for generating the output probe signal, an adaptive feedback estimation unit for generating an estimate of an unintended feedback path, and a control unit for generating a control signal for controlling the output probe signal, which may comprise a perfect or almost perfect sequence and/or an almost perfect sweep sequence.
US09973861B2 Method for operating a hearing aid and hearing aid
In a method for operating a hearing aid, an input signal is generated by way of one or more microphones. The input signal is amplified in an amplifier with an adjustable gain factor and output as an amplified input signal by way of a receiver. Furthermore, an OVD (own-voice-detection) parameter is established by an OVD unit. The OVD parameter specifies whether or not the user themselves is speaking. The gain factor is adjusted in a manner dependent on the OVD parameter and additionally adjusted in a manner dependent on noise, in particular stationary noise.
US09973859B2 Amplifiers for parametric loudspeakers
Systems and methods of audio processing and control for improved audibility and performance in a parametric loudspeaker system. The parametric loudspeaker system includes a parametric loudspeaker providing a capacitive load, an output stage having a plurality of switches interconnected in a bridge configuration and connected to the capacitive load of the parametric loudspeaker, and a controller operative to generate a series of pulse width modulation (PWM) pulses, and to generate a plurality of control signals synchronized with the series of PWM pulses for switchingly controlling the plurality of switches in the bridge configuration, thereby driving the capacitive load of the parametric loudspeaker.
US09973857B2 Piezoelectric speaker and electroacoustic transducer
A piezoelectric speaker has a piezoelectric element and vibration plate. The piezoelectric element has a base body with a mounting surface, as well as first and second terminals that are formed on the mounting surface with a distance between them. The vibration plate has a conductive body joined to the piezoelectric element and having a principle surface facing the mounting surface, as well as a first hole with or without a bottom which is formed on the principle surface in a region facing the first terminal to form a space between the body and first terminal. The piezoelectric speaker is capable of preventing the external electrodes of the piezoelectric element from shorting to each other.
US09973856B2 Ultrathin electromagnetic vibration device and its manufacturing method
An ultrathin electromagnetic vibrating device and its manufacturing method, wherein the ultrathin electromagnetic vibrating device includes: a base frame, a vibrating reed, a set of surrounds, a voice coil and a magnetic circuit system, wherein the surrounds include an upper surround and a lower surround, respectively connected with an upper surface and a lower surface of the vibrating reed to fixedly connecting the vibrating reed with a base of the base frame. Due to an application of the lower surround to form a combined action of the upper and lower surround, the vibrating reed is only able to keep vibrating up and down vertically, a first end of the voice coil is fixedly provided on the lower surface of the vibrating reed, similarly, while a stroke of the voice coil drives the vibrating reed to vibrate up and down vertically, the voice coil achieves an up-and-down vertical stroke.
US09973843B2 Ear gear with earpieces interconnected through headband with two legs
The present invention relates to ear gear (100; 200), such as headphones, headset, ear protection or similar, having a pair of earpieces (102, 103; 203), being attached generally to a respective end region (106, 107; 206, 207) of an interconnecting headband (108; 208). Each earpiece is adjustably associated with the headband, for adjustment of the position of the earpieces relative to the headband. The ear gear further comprises at least two extending legs (106A, 106B, 107A, 107B; 206A, 206B, 207A, 207B) provided at the end region (106, 107; 206, 207) at the headband, and arm members (110, 111; 211) that at one end (110A, 111A; 211A) are attached to a respective earpiece. Further, the ear gear comprises an end cap (110E, 111E; 211E) provided at the respective headband end region (106, 107; 206, 207). At least one of the extended legs is rotatably arranged to each end cap (110E, 111E; 211E), such that the end cap can rotate relative to the at least one leg (106A, 106B, 107A, 107B; 206A, 206B, 207A, 207B).
US09973840B2 Waterproof receptacle connector
An electrical receptacle connector includes housing defining a cavity configured to receive a plug portion of a mating connector. A plurality of electrical contacts are secured within a contact assembly that is sealed to the housing with a gasket and held in place by a metallic bracket disposed around an outside surface of the housing.
US09973837B2 Finger-wearable mobile communication device
A mobile communication device configured to be worn on an index finger of a user's hand. The device includes a case, a microphone, a switch, and a power source. The microphone and the switch are strategically located along a shape of the case so that as worn on the user's index finger and when the switch is activated by the thumb of the user's hand, the hand naturally cups about the microphone to form a barrier to ambient noise. Further, the microphone can readily be located near a corner of the user's mouth for optimal speech-receiving conditions and to provide more private audio input.
US09973836B1 Detecting a transceiver using a noise optical signal
A method may include causing a signal to be transmitted that includes a plurality of wavelengths. The signal may be transmitted via an optical fiber that is associated with a particular wavelength. The particular wavelength may be included in the plurality of wavelengths. The method may include filtering the signal, based on the particular wavelength, to generate a filtered signal. The filtered signal may include the particular wavelength. The method may include detecting the filtered signal in association with the optical fiber. The method may include determining the particular wavelength based on the filtered signal. The method may include storing or providing information identifying at least one of the particular wavelength, the optical fiber, or a transmitter that transmitted the signal.
US09973835B2 Signal generator, a decoder, a method for generating a transmit signal and a method for determining speed data
A signal generator comprises a signal provider and a signal processing unit. The signal provider is configured to provide a sensor signal indicating a repeatedly detected event, occurring within differing time intervals. The signal processing unit is configured to generate a transmit signal based on the sensor signal. The transmit signal comprises event information representing the temporal occurrence of the event and additional information representing additional data. The event information comprises pulses associated to detected events, wherein the pulses are temporarily separated within the transmit signal according to the differing time intervals of detected events so that each time interval of the differing time intervals comprises one pulse associated to a detected event. Further, the additional data comprises at least one frame comprising a predefined number of additional data bits. The information of the additional data bits of the at least one frame is distributed over at least two time intervals of the differing time intervals.
US09973833B2 Parameter correction for cascaded signal components
Various examples are directed to crosspoint switches and methods of use thereof. An example cross point switch comprises a first row buffer, a second row buffer, a first column buffer, and a second column buffer. The crosspoint switch may also comprise a first switch that, when closed, electrically couples the second row buffer to the first column buffer, and a correction controller. The correction controller may be configured to send a first correction signal to the first row buffer; send a second correction signal to the second row buffer; receive an indication that the first switch is closed; send a third correction signal to the first column buffer; and send a fourth correction signal to the second column buffer.
US09973822B2 System and method for interactive remote movie watching, scheduling, and social connection
Disclosed is a media sharing system that provides shared experiencing of licensed media content such as movies. The system includes a web server that communicates with multiple client devices over the internet whereby a user's multiple social contacts can participate in a synchronized stream of licensed media content such as movies. The system is able to schedule the multi-user experiencing of the licensed media content and further synchronize the streaming of the licensed content so the participating users receiving the media streams in a substantially synchronized manner. The system still further provides for social content interaction amongst the multiple recipients so that the multiple users can interact in a time-contextual manner consistent with the substantially synchronized receipt of the licensed media content.
US09973821B2 Method and apparatus for concurrent broadcast of media program and social networking derived information exchange
A method and apparatus for presenting a media program concurrently with viewer questions and live commentary about the media program is disclosed. As the media program is broadcasted, messages from the first group regarding the media program are accepted. The accepted messages are filtered to identify suitable messages of interest and to present only those messages to a second group for comment. The identified messages from the first group and comments from the second group are added to the broadcast media program concurrently or in real time.
US09973820B2 Method and apparatus for creating dynamic webpages in a media communication system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television system having a controller to create a template defining a format of presentation of an webpage or HTML page using an iTV or IPTV application system, receive a request for the page from a subscriber of the iTV or IPTV system. The system can access application system subscriber data for the subscriber and a presentation of the page is dynamically adapted according to the application system subscriber data. In one alternative at, the page can be dynamically adapted by changing in content or by changing a look and feel of an HTML page or webpage. In another alternative, the webpage or HTML page can be dynamically adapted by modifying graphic user interface elements based on the application system subscriber data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09973816B2 Media content distribution
A method includes receiving, at a media device, a first content stream via a satellite distribution system, the first content stream including first media content. While receiving the first content stream, the method includes receiving, at the media device, a second content stream via a terrestrial distribution system. The second content stream includes second media content corresponding to an audio portion of the first media content. The method also includes sending the first media content to a display device and detecting a disruption of the first content stream. The method further includes, after detecting the disruption, sending the second media content to an audio output device associated with or included within the display device.
US09973808B2 Streamlined viewing of recorded programs based on markers
A receiving system includes a communication input system to receive a program and a marker file. The program has a total duration when the program is presented in its entirety. The marker file includes a plurality of markers indicating locations of contents-of-interest in the program. The system includes a data storage system to store the program and the marker file. The system includes a user control to receive requests to present the contents-of-interest indicated by the plurality of markers. The system includes one or more processors to determine the locations of the contents-of-interest in the program from the plurality of markers. The system includes a presentation output interface to present the contents-of-interest on a user interface. The presentation of the contents-of-interest skips some content in the program. The contents-of-interest are presented over a shortened duration that is less that the total duration of the program when presented in its entirety.
US09973804B2 Conditional access method and apparatus for simultaneously handling multiple television programmes
A method of operation of an audio/video content receiver having a content decoder capable of decoding an audio/video program from a packetized data stream by using data packets defining decryption information comprises the steps of: receiving encoded audio/video content as a packetized data stream comprising one or more programs having data packets identified by respective sets of one or more packet identifiers and comprising identification data mapping programs to respective sets of the packet identifiers; selecting data packets from the packetized data stream for a required program according to the set of packet identifiers defined by the identification data for that stream in respect of the required program; selecting further data packets from the packetized data stream from which a program is selected which have packet identifiers not included in the identification data for that packetized data stream; generating a composite packetized data stream from the selected packets; generating composite stream identification data indicating packet identifiers of packets included in the composite packetized data stream; and supplying the composite packetized data stream to the content decoder for decoding the program from the composite packetized data stream according to the packet identifiers in the composite stream identification data.
US09973797B1 Video on demand consumption learning system
A user profile including content preferences is evolved by detecting and identifying user actions on network connected digital devices; relating the user actions to digital content; operating a sequencer and a timer to form aggregate user actions from the user actions; operating a second associator in conjunction with the timer and an adjuster to associate weight values with the aggregate user actions and the user actions, forming weighted user actions; and operating a profile server responsive to the second associator to evolve the user profile according to the weighted user actions.
US09973789B1 Quantifying brand visual impact in digital media
Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for receiving a set of frames, each frame being provided as a digital image that depicts a portion of an event and a logo associated with a brand, for each frame in the set of frames, and for each pixel in a frame: determining a weight of the pixel based on a distribution assigned to the frame, providing a quality of the logo depicted in the frame, and calculating a pixel quotient based on the weight and the quality, for each frame in the set of frames: determining a frame quotient at least partially based on a sum of all pixel quotients for the frame, and determining an impact indicator for the logo based on a total size of digital media comprising the set of frames and a sum of frame quotients of the frames in the set of frames.
US09973788B2 Determining interest levels in videos
A video is analyzed to identify interest level for a plurality of frames. The interest level is determined based on analysis of the content of each of the plurality of frames or how often other clients view the frames or take actions while viewing the frames. Frames are clustered and key frame locations are determined for each of the clusters. Key frames are given a higher buffering priority than non key frames. Buffering of key frames is prioritized based on key frame interest level. Key frames are also utilized to enable a client to skip forward or backward between key frames and view content that is likely to be of interest to the user.
US09973784B2 Image processing device and method
The present invention relates to image processing device and method which can suppress block noise. A filter strength determination unit determines the filter strength for every four lines under the control of a control unit. In other words, if a block boundary determination unit has determined to perform filtering, the filter strength determination unit determines at which strength of the strong filter or the weak filter the filtering process is performed, and outputs the determination result to a filter calculation unit. On this occasion, the filter strength determination unit uses the Bs value in the determination formula of the strong filter. For example, in the case of using the Bs value, the threshold of the determination is set in accordance with a linear function of the Bs value from the control unit. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an image processing device.
US09973780B2 Scaled video for pseudo-analog transmission in spatial domain
Scaled video for pseudo-analog transmission in the spatial domain is described. Boundaries are determined for M L-shaped chunks of coefficients of at least one frequency-transformed video frame of a group of pictures (GOP). The boundaries are determined based at least on variances of the coefficients of the M L-shaped chunks, such as by reducing or minimizing the sum of the square roots of the variances of the coefficients. Corresponding power scale factors for the M L-shaped chunks are determined based at least partly on the variances of the coefficients of the M L-shaped chunks, and the coefficients of the M L-shaped chunks are scaled using the corresponding power scale factors. The pixel values of the frames (e.g., the frames in the spatial domain) are transmitted on a pseudo-analog channel. At the receiver, retained spatial redundancy enables denoising in the spatial domain prior to de-scaling in the frequency domain.
US09973777B2 Data encoding and decoding apparatus, method and storage medium
A video data decoding apparatus is configured to detect a control flag associated with at least a part of an encoded image for decoding, in which in a lossless mode of operation, a first control flag state enables sample-based angular intra-prediction but disables edge filtering of prediction samples, and a second control flag state disables sample-based angular intra prediction but enables edge filtering of prediction samples; and in a lossy mode of operation, the first control flag state enables residual differential pulse code modulation coding and enables edge filtering of prediction samples, and the second control flag state disables residual differential pulse code modulation coding but enables edge filtering of prediction samples.
US09973775B2 Video prediction encoding device, video prediction encoding method, video prediction encoding program, video prediction decoding device, video prediction decoding method, and video prediction decoding program
A predicted signal generation unit provided in a video predictive encoding device estimates a zero-th motion vector for derivation of a zero-th predicted signal, selects a zero-th motion vector predictor similar to the zero-th motion vector, and generates zero-th side information containing a zero-th motion vector predictor index to identify the motion vector predictor and a motion vector difference determined from the zero-th motion vector and the zero-th motion vector predictor. The video predictive encoding device selects a motion vector for generation of a first predicted signal having a high correlation with a target region, generates first side information containing a first motion vector predictor index to identify the motion vector as a first motion vector predictor, sets the first motion vector predictor to a first motion vector, and combines the zero-th and first predicted signals to generate a predicted signal of the target region.
US09973774B2 Video coding/decoding system, video coding/decoding method, and storage medium
A video decoding apparatus includes a reference picture list storing unit configured to store picture information of pictures; a motion vector information storing unit configured to store motion vector information including motion vectors of blocks that are spatially and temporally adjacent to a target block to be decoded and reference picture identifiers indicating pictures that the motion vectors refer to; and a vector predictor generating unit configured to scale a vector predictor candidate for a motion vector of the target block based on the picture information and the motion vector information and to correct the scaled vector predictor candidate toward 0 by a predetermined amount.
US09973769B2 Methods and apparatus of encoding real time media content
Methods, apparatus and systems of parallel encoding and publishing media content in a plurality of encoded formats. One exemplary embodiment includes the steps of receiving at least a first portion of a first content stream; communicating the first portion of the stream to a plurality of encoders including a first through Nth encoder, operating said first through Nth encoders in parallel to perform different encoding operations in real time to generate first through Nth encoded versions of said first portion of content; monitoring the encoding status of each of the first through Nth encoders; determining when at least the first through Nth encoders are done processing the first portion of the stream, and publishing, in response to determining that the first through Nth encoders are done processing the first portion of the stream, at the same time, the successfully encoded versions of the first portion of the stream.
US09973766B2 Image processing device, image processing method and computer-readable medium
There is provided an image processing device including circuitry configured to predict, from an image of a first layer, an image of a second layer having a different pixel attribute from the first layer, by using a lookup table in which a combination of a luma component, a first chroma component, and a second chroma component of the first layer is mapped to a predicted pixel value of the second layer corresponding to the combination, wherein a predicted value of a luma component of the second layer is acquired by using a first lookup table, and a predicted value of a first chroma component of the second layer is acquired by using a second lookup table with granularity different from granularity of the first lookup table.
US09973763B2 Image processing device and image processing method for applying filtering determination processes in parallel
An image processing device including a decoding section configured to decode an image from an encoded stream, a determination section configured to perform determination processes of determining whether to apply a deblocking filter to neighboring blocks neighboring across a block boundary within an image to be decoded by the decoding section, a filtering section configured to apply a deblocking filter to neighboring blocks to which the determination section has determined to apply a deblocking filter, and a control section configured to allow the determination section to perform the determination processes for a vertical block boundary and a horizontal block boundary using pixels of the neighboring blocks of a reconstruct image as reference pixels.
US09973754B2 Low power ultra-HD video hardware engine
A low power video hardware engine is disclosed. The video hardware engine includes a video hardware accelerator unit. A shared memory is coupled to the video hardware accelerator unit, and a scrambler is coupled to the shared memory. A vDMA (video direct memory access) engine is coupled to the scrambler, and an external memory is coupled to the vDMA engine. The scrambler receives an LCU (largest coding unit) from the vDMA engine. The LCU comprises N×N pixels, and the scrambler scrambles N×N pixels in the LCU to generate a plurality of blocks with M×M pixels. N and M are integers and M is less than N.
US09973749B2 Method for video coding and an apparatus, a computer-program product, a system, and a module for the same
A method includes encoding information of at least two short-term reference picture sets into a bitstream; encoding into the bitstream a structure of pictures description with an indication being indicative of which one of the at least two short-term reference picture sets to be used for decoding by a picture in question within the structure of pictures, the structure of pictures including one or more consecutive pictures in decoding order; encoding pictures according to the structure of pictures description into the bitstream.
US09973746B2 System and method for presenting and viewing a spherical video segment
Systems and methods for presenting and viewing a spherical video segment is provided. The spherical video segment including tag information associated with an event of interest may be obtained. The tag information may identify a point in time and a viewing angle at which the event of interest is viewable in the spherical video segment. An orientation of a two dimensional display may be determined based upon output signals of a sensor. A display field of view within the spherical video segment may be determined and presented on the display based upon the orientation of the display. The display field of view may be captured as a two dimensional video segment. If the viewing angle of the event of interest is outside the display field of view proximate the point in time, a notification may be presented within the display field of view.
US09973745B2 Stereoscopic focus point adjustment
A method of adjusting depth in a stereoscopic video may include generating a left-eye viewing frame of a stereoscopic video. The left-eye viewing frame may include a plurality of left-eye viewing frame elements. The method may also include generating a right-eye viewing frame of the stereoscopic video. The right-eye viewing frame may correspond to the left-eye viewing frame and may include a plurality of right-eye viewing frame elements. Further, each right-eye viewing frame element may correspond to one of the left-eye viewing frame elements. The method may additionally include determining an offset between each right-eye viewing frame element and its corresponding left-eye viewing frame element. Further, the method may include applying a uniform summing factor to each offset to uniformly shift by substantially the same amount each right-eye viewing frame element with respect to its corresponding left-eye viewing frame element such that a perceived focus point is adjusted.
US09973744B2 3D tracked point visualization using color and perspective size
One exemplary embodiment involves receiving a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) track points for a plurality of frames of a video, wherein the 3D track points are extracted from a plurality of two-dimensional source points. The embodiment further involves rendering the 3D track points across a plurality of frames of the video on a two-dimensional (2D) display. Additionally, the embodiment involves coloring each of the 3D track points wherein the color of each 3D track point visually distinguishes the 3D track point from a plurality of surrounding 3D track points, and wherein the color of each 3D track point is consistent across the frames of the video. The embodiment also involves sizing each of the 3D track points based on a distance between a camera that captured the video and a location of the 2D source points referenced by the respective one of the 3D track points.
US09973743B2 Electronic device having dynamically controlled flashlight for image capturing and related control method
A control method of an electronic device with an image capture function is provided. The control method includes the following steps: detecting a distance between the electronic device and at least one subject in a scene to be captured to generate a distance detection result; and utilizing a controller for referring to the distance detection result to determine whether to turn on or turn off a flashlight of the electronic device to capture the scene.
US09973731B2 Participating in a peer-to-peer communication session
A third party automatically participates in a peer-to-peer communication session established between a first endpoint and a second endpoint. Once the peer-to-peer communication session is established, a third party receives a first user data provided by the first endpoint, and verifies the first user data. If the verification succeeds, the third party automatically participates in the peer-to-peer communication session.
US09973725B2 Modular television system
A modular television system may include a display subsystem and a television module subsystem. The display subsystem has a housing that contains a display panel for displaying images and display subsystem port. The television module subsystem has a housing that contains a main board and a television module port in communication with the main board. In another embodiment, the modular television system may include a main module. The main module may include a main module processor, a display controller, an audio output device, and at least one computing module port. Each of the display controller, audio output device and computing module ports are in communication with the main module processor. The main module processor functions to present audio and video received by the main module processor. In addition, the main module processor is configured to communicate with a removable computing module.
US09973721B2 Processing method and apparatus for misoperation, and display device
A misoperation processing method includes determining, in response to triggering a misoperation cancellation step, display status information of a display device. The display status information is stored in a data storage area of the display device before the misoperation occurs. The method also includes restoring a display status of the display device that existed before the misoperation occurred based on the determined display status information.
US09973719B2 Antiblooming imaging apparatus, systems, and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. In various embodiments, a potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.
US09973717B1 Image sensors with anti-eclipse circuitry
An image sensor may include an array of image pixels arranged in rows and columns. Image pixels arranged along the same column may be coupled to a column line. The column line may be coupled to anti-eclipse control circuitry. In one suitable arrangement, the anti-eclipse control circuitry may include a comparator that compares the output signal on the column line to an anti-eclipse bias voltage. If, during a reset sampling period, the output signal on the column line is less than the anti-eclipse bias voltage, a transistor may be asserted that couples the floating diffusion region in the pixel to a power supply terminal. Using this arrangement, at least a minimum pixel level may be output when the eclipse condition is met and noise from the reset sample will correlated to noise in the incident light sample.
US09973711B2 Content-based zooming and panning for video curation
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for identifying content in video data and creating content-based zooming and panning effects to emphasize the content. Contents may be detected and analyzed in the video data using computer vision, machine learning algorithms or specified through a user interface. Panning and zooming controls may be associated with the contents, panning or zooming based on a location and size of content within the video data. The device may determine a number of pixels associated with content and may frame the content to be a certain percentage of the edited video data, such as a close-up shot where a subject is displayed as 50% of the viewing frame. The device may identify an event of interest, may determine multiple frames associated with the event of interest and may pan and zoom between the multiple frames based on a size/location of the content within the multiple frames.
US09973702B2 Terminal, and apparatus and method for previewing an image
Some embodiments of the application disclose a method of previewing an image on a terminal, including: starting at least one camera of a rear dual camera of the terminal, controlling the at least one camera to enter a low-power monitor state; obtaining brightness information and color temperature information of the current scene using the at least one camera in the low-power monitor state; updating in real time automatic exposure parameters of the current scene using the obtained brightness information, and updating in real time color temperature parameters of the current scene using the obtained color temperature information; obtaining an image of the current scene using a camera upon reception of an instruction for starting the camera; correcting color temperature and brightness of the obtained image using the color temperature and automatic exposure parameters of the current scene updated in real time; and outputting the corrected image as a preview image.
US09973701B2 Monitoring system
There is provided a monitoring system capable of facilitating checking of an installation status of a sensor body, and also capable of reducing personal identification of a worker even in the case of displaying a camera image with the worker appearing therein. The monitoring system is configured of: an intrusion detecting section for detecting an intruding object in a monitoring area, to generate a stop signal for stopping an operation of an external device; a camera for photographing the monitoring area; a detail check image generating section for generating a detail check image for display based on a camera image photographed by the camera; a privacy image generating section for generating a privacy image with lower picture quality than picture quality of the detail check image based on the camera image.
US09973689B2 Device, system and method for cognitive image capture
An image capture device includes a camera lens. A microphone receives a voice command from a user. A network interface establishes a network connection. A memory stores a computer program. A processor executes the computer program to receive the voice command, parse at least one image capture goal of the user and capture image data of a scene observed by a camera lens. Image features are extracted from the scene including a target subject. A first local database is searched for the target subject. A second remote database is searched for the target subject when the target subject is not found. First quality features are extracted from the scene. Second quality features are loaded from a features database. The first and second quality features are compared. Image capture settings adjustment advice is generated based on the image capture goal, the image features, and the first and second quality features.
US09973685B2 Mobile terminal and method of controlling the same
A mobile terminal including a terminal body; a camera; a sensor configured to sense a movement of the terminal body; a display formed on the terminal body to have a first display region configured to display screen information and a second display region distinguished from the first display region; and a controller configured to in response to a sensed predetermined movement of the terminal body from a first position to a second position without a touching of the second display region, change a direction of the displayed screen information corresponding to the sensed predetermined movement of the terminal body, and in response to the sensed predetermined movement of the terminal body from the first position to the second position with the touching of the second display region, activate the camera and display a preview image in the first display region.
US09973680B2 Auto-focus in low-profile folded optics multi-camera system
Embodiments of imaging systems and methods of autofocusing are disclosed, for example, using a folded optics configuration. One system includes at least one camera configured to capture a target image scene, including an image sensor comprising an array of sensor elements, a primary light folding surface configured to direct a portion of received light in a first direction, and an optical element having a secondary light folding surface directing light in a second direction. The system can also include a lens assembly having at least one stationary lens positioned between the secondary light folding surface and the image sensor, the at least one stationary lens having a first surface mechanically coupled to the optical element and a second surface mechanically coupled to the image sensor, and at least one movable lens positioned between the primary light folding surface and the optical element.
US09973674B2 Remote camera user interface
At an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, a remote camera control user interface may be displayed. In some examples, a user may provide input through a gesture at a location corresponding to the touch-sensitive display and/or through a rotation of a rotatable input mechanism to control a camera of an external device. Camera control may include control of the external device's camera features, including image capture, zoom settings, focus settings, flash settings, and timer settings, for example, and may also include access to the external device's library of previously captured images.
US09973672B2 Photographing for dual-lens device using photographing environment determined using depth estimation
A photographing method for a dual-lens device may include acquiring a first image collected at a first moment by a first image sensor and a second image collected at the first moment by a second image sensor; performing scene recognition on the first image and/or the second image, and performing depth estimation on the first image and the second image to determine a photographing environment; and when an instruction for a photographing operation is received, generating a picture using the multi-frame algorithm. When photographing is performed using a multi-frame algorithm, two frames of images can be collected at the same time using a dual-lens device, which can reduce impact caused by a jitter of the device or a motion of a target object, so that ghost detection and an elimination algorithm are not required, thereby reducing a photographing time.
US09973671B2 Method and apparatus for directing data capture devices in a mobile unit with a single operation
In a single operation executed by a mobile device, operation is executed on at least two data capture devices housed in the mobile device with a single trigger operation. The mobile device receives information captured by at least one of a first data capture device and a second data capture device; instructs adjustment of the other of the first data capture device and the second data capture device based on the received information and receives information captured by at least one of the first data capture device and the second data capture device subsequent to the adjustment. The mobile device analyzes the received information, repeats instructing adjustment until appropriated details are retrieved from the received information; and directs data capture and/or an image capture by at least one of the first data capture device and the second data capture device in accordance with the retrieved details.
US09973667B2 Camera housing for adjusting an optical system
A housing for mounting a component that includes an image sensor, a fixed installation space being provided in the interior of the housing for accommodating at least one optical component. The housing has at least one outer receiving recess that is spatially separate from the interior of the housing. This outer receiving recess is provided for receiving at least one positioning element in a way that allows the positioning element to define a support plane relative to the housing, and the component including the image sensor to be placed on the positioning element, so that the component including the image sensor resides in the defined support plane. In this case, the component including the image sensor may be placed in the defined support plane in a way that does not allow any direct contact between the component that includes the image sensor, and the housing.
US09973666B2 Camera module and electronic apparatus including conductive housing and feeding coil
A camera module includes a lens and an image sensor that converts an image formed by the lens into an electrical signal. The camera module is disposed such that the lens is exposed from an opening in a metal housing. A feeding coil to which a feeding circuit is directly or indirectly connected, is disposed, for example, in a space between the image sensor and the lens in a direction of an optical axis of the lens. The feeding coil is coupled to the metal housing by a magnetic field, so that the metal housing defines and functions as a radiating element for communication.
US09973661B2 Cadence analysis for a video signal having an interlaced format
An interlaced video signal can include content of different types, such as interlaced content and progressive content. The progressive content may have different cadences according to the ratio between the frame rate of the progressive content and the field rate of the interlaced video signal. Cadence analysis is performed to identify the cadence of the video signal and/or to determine field pairings when progressive content is included. As described herein, motion information (e.g. motion vectors) for blocks of fields of a video signal can be used for the cadence analysis. The use of motion information provides a robust method of performing cadence analysis.
US09973659B2 Imaging element, image reading device, image forming apparatus, and imaging method
An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixel units configured to each include a plurality of light receiving elements performing photoelectric conversion; a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters configured to be provided to each of the pixel units for sequentially converting an analog signal obtained by photoelectric conversion performed by the light receiving elements to a digital signal; a plurality of first holding units configured to be provided to each of the pixel units for sequentially holding a digital signal obtained by conversion performed by the A/D converters; and a plurality of second holding units configured to receive and hold a digital signal held by the first holding units in a period when the A/D converters do not convert an analog signal to a digital signal.
US09973653B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Read image data is divided into a plurality of regions, and a histogram is generated and edges are counted for each region. Blank page detection is performed based on a variance value computed from the histogram of each region. Also, the variance between regions is computed from the edge count of each region, and blank page detection is performed according to the amount of variance. It is then determined whether the document is blank or content based on the result of detection by histogram and the result of detection by edge count.
US09973650B2 Printing from a handheld device via a remote server
Systems and methods are provided though which a transaction, e.g., in a multi-tier, distributed application may be initiated from a portable or hand-held device, such as a smartphone. A computer system or systems, possibly remote from the device, may approve the transaction, complete it, or both, and the remote computer system or systems may cause a document to be printed, e.g., by a printer physically proximate to the device.Aspects of the invention are illustrated by embodiments in which a drug prescription may be created electronically using a hand-held device. In such an embodiment, the prescription may be transmitted to one or more remote computer systems, such as an application server, for processing. If specified, the remote computer systems may cause a prescription to be printed, e.g., at a printer near the prescriber's location. The prescriber may sign the printed prescription and give it to a patient or pharmacy.
US09973647B2 Suggesting image files for deletion based on image file parameters
The present disclosure describes a system and method to manage image file storage that includes a memory device to store instructions and at least one processing device to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to determine a blur indication or a burst characteristic for each of a plurality of files stored on a storage medium, automatically identify candidate image files to delete based at least in part on the blur indication or the burst characteristic, and delete at least some of the candidate image files based on receiving a delete indication.
US09973639B2 Portable terminal and recording medium
A portable terminal includes a display that displays a message and a controller that controls a cooperative operation with the image forming apparatus. The controller causes the display to display the message when the controller detects a proximity of the portable terminal to the image forming apparatus, and causes the display to stop displaying the message that is displayed on the display when an intensity of radio wave for short-range wireless communication from the image forming apparatus becomes equal or smaller than a predetermined threshold value.
US09973633B2 Pre-distortion system for cancellation of nonlinear distortion in mobile devices
A pre-distortion system for improved mobile device communications via cancellation of nonlinear distortion is disclosed. The pre-distortion system may transmit an acoustic signal from a network to a device, wherein the acoustic signal includes a linear signal and a nonlinear cancellation signal that cancels at least a portion of nonlinear distortions created once a loudspeaker in the device emits the linear signal. Thus, when a loudspeaker of a mobile device is operating and nonlinear distortions are generated by the loudspeaker or adjacent components of the mobile device in close proximity to the loudspeaker, the pre-distortion system may create one or more nonlinear cancellation signals in the network. The nonlinear cancellation signal may be combined with the linear signal sent to the loudspeaker to cancel the nonlinear distortion signal created by the loudspeaker emitting acoustic sounds from the linear signal. Thus, the nonlinear cancellation signal becomes a pre-distortion signal.
US09973632B2 Conference system and process for operating the conference system
Conference systems are often installed in plenary halls or meeting rooms, whereby such conference systems typically consist of a central equipment and equipment for the participants of the discussion. The central equipment is usually used to control the conference system and supply power to the participant equipment. A conference system 1 comprising a plurality of delegate units 2,10, whereby the delegate units 2, 10 comprise a microphone 22 for receiving a speech signal from a speaker, a control device 4 for providing the delegate units 2,10 with power, a network connection 6 for connecting the plurality of delegate units 2,10 with the control device 4, whereby the network connection 6 is operable to transmit the power from the control device 4 to the delegate units 2,10, whereby at least one of the delegate units 2,10 is a control delegate unit 10, whereby the control delegate unit 10 comprises a wake-up interface 11, whereby the conference system 1 is operable to activate the control device 4 and/or the other delegate units 2 from an un-activated state into an activated state as a reaction to the use of the wake-up interface 11.
US09973623B2 Methods, devices and system for logging calls for terminals
A method is provided for notification of an event relating to execution of a procedure for processing a communication session to be supported by a communication device belonging to a set of devices associated with a user. The method includes: reception of a subscription request from a so-called subscriber terminal belonging to the aforementioned set, requesting subscription to an event notification service for at least one so-called event that may occur on a device in the set; reception of information indicating an occurrence of at least one so-called event on a device in the set, other than the subscriber terminal; and sending an event notification to the subscriber terminal, signalling the occurrence.
US09973617B2 Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal is disclosed. The mobile terminal comprises a sound output unit; a display unit displaying a plurality of level objects enabling the user to select a frequency gain predetermined according to the user's age in a sound setting mode; a microphone receiving external noise; and a controller outputting through the sound output unit a sound adjusted with a gain obtained as a summation of a gain adjusted in accordance with a selected level object and a gain adjusted in accordance with the level of input noise.
US09973616B2 Imaging system, imaging device, information processing device, method, and program
An imaging system includes a control unit. Also, an imaging device and an information processing device with a cellular phone function include a fixed state in which the devices are fixed to each other, and a separated state in which the devices are separated from each other. Fixation/separation information indicates the fixed state or the separated state. The control unit performs, for the imaging device or the information processing device, different state controls in accordance with the fixation/separation information and an operation state of the cellular phone function. For example, user-friendliness of both the cellular phone function of the information processing device and an imaging function of the imaging device improves by performing different state controls at the time of reception of an incoming call, an incoming call responding state, and an incoming call response end in accordance with the fixed state or the separated state.
US09973612B2 Mobile terminal with touch screen and method of processing data using the same
A method of processing data in a mobile terminal with a touch screen is presented. The method includes simultaneously displaying a first application and a data list including at least one data item in predetermined regions on the touch screen, selecting at least one data item from the data list, moving the selected at least one data item to the region displaying the first application, and using the selected at least one data item to execute a function provided by the first application in response to the moved selected at least one data item.
US09973608B2 Flexible telematics system and method for providing telematics to a vehicle
A method for providing telematics to a vehicle comprises providing a telematics unit with a Global Positioning System device, a data pump, and a short range wireless personal area network transceiver, communicatively connecting the telematics unit to an integrated communication device of the vehicle, the integrated communication device having a memory holding a list uniquely identifying at least one mobile communication device selected from a currently paired mobile communication device, a previously paired mobile communication device, and a pre-defined mobile communication device, transmitting an alert out from the telematics unit to an off-site telematics provider utilizing a communications path of the data pump, and receiving a channeled response to the alert from the off-site telematics provider automatically through the at least one mobile communication device.
US09973607B2 Headset adapter and a headset system
A headset adapter and a headset system for voice communication comprising a headset and a headset adapter as well as a method of enabling microphone transmission to a host device are provided. The headset comprises at least one earphone having a headset speaker, a headset microphone and a headset transceiver, the headset adapter being configured to interconnect the headset and a host device, the headset adapter comprising an adapter processor, a host interface, such as a host interface interconnecting the adapter processor and the host device, an adapter transceiver configured to establish a wireless communication link with the headset. The adapter furthermore comprises a controller configured to enable and disable the headset microphone. The adapter processor is configured to receive a request for headset microphone activation or microphone deactivation, for example from the host interface, and in response to receiving the request providing a control signal to the controller to enable or disable the headset microphone. The controller may thus activate the transceiver to configure the wireless communication link with the headset.
US09973606B2 Methods, systems, and devices for pairing wireless communication devices
A method in a wireless communication device includes detecting, with one or more control circuits actuation of the user interface actuator. The one or more control circuit can then determine whether the wireless communication device is disposed at a first predefined location, such as a first receiver of a wireless communication device accessory or a second predefined location. Where the wireless communication device is disposed at the first predefined location, the one or more control circuits can cause a wireless communication circuit to enter a first mode of operation, which can be a searching pairing mode of operation. Where the wireless communication device is disposed at the second predefined location, the one or more control circuits can cause the wireless communication circuit to enter a second mode of operation, which can be a listening pairing mode of operation.
US09973605B2 Method and apparatus for storing telephone numbers in a portable terminal
A method and apparatus for storing a telephone number in a portable terminal. The method includes the steps of providing a user with a name input request message; determining whether or not the inputted name exists in a phone book list of the portable terminal; and generating a new entry including the inputted name and its associated telephone number and adding the new entry to the phone book list when the inputted name does not exist in the phone book list.
US09973604B2 Framework for user-created device applications
A method to provide an interface for launching applications is described. The method includes receiving information indicative of a record stored in an electronic device application. The method also includes determining whether the record is associated with a software application command. In response to determining that the record is associated with a software application command, the software application command is activated. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.
US09973601B2 Fault tolerant clock network
Fault tolerant and redundant grand master clock scheme may reduce or eliminate precision time transition caused by a network link or device failure. A primary synchronization message may be sent by a primary grandmaster clock and one or more backup synchronization message may be sent by respective backup grandmaster clocks. The primary and backup grandmaster clocks may be concurrently operated. The primary and backup synchronization messages may be sent to an end station over a network. The end station may derive a local clock based on one, some, or all of the received messages. The end station may or may not distinguish between the messages based on the clock source. The end station may validate messages received from a particular clock source.
US09973600B2 System and methods for scalable packet inspection in cloud computing
A method for packet inspection in a computer network includes receiving a plurality of network streams from a plurality of client systems at a first load balancer; allocating the network streams across a proxy instances; and inspecting and filtering the network streams by the proxy instances. The method further includes forwarding the filtered network streams to a second load balancer; allocating the filtered network streams to a plurality of application instances; and processing and responding to the network streams at the application instances. The method still further includes inspecting and filtering the responses to the network streams by the proxy instances; and forwarding the response to the client systems.
US09973588B2 Managing notifications across multiple devices
Modifying a notification on one client device can trigger the generation and transmission of a silent notification to another client device that is associated with the same user account. The silent notification can include instructions to query for and modify a similar notification, if present, on the other client device. Silent notifications that are undeliverable can be stored in offline storage and delivery can be reattempted at a later point in time.
US09973574B2 Packet forwarding optimization without an intervening load balancing node
According to some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for packet forwarding optimization across multiple nodes may include receiving, via a processor on a network controller, a first packet from a client. The first packet can include information indicative of a target node and a protocol type. The method may further include receiving, via the processor, a balancing node from a packet engine, forwarding, via the processor, the first packet to the target node though the balancing node according to a balancing node address, a target node address, and the protocol type, receiving, via the processor, a registration from the packet engine, and saving the registration to a network controller queue, and forwarding, via the network controller queue, a second packet to the target node based on the registration without the second packet traversing the balancing node.
US09973573B2 Concurrency reduction service
Reducing concurrency in a system comprising a plurality of services sending a plurality of concurrent requests to a back-end service through a concurrency reduction service. The concurrency reduction service maps each concurrent incoming request to a key; and determines if the key to which the concurrent incoming request is mapped matches a key mapped from another concurrent incoming request from the plurality of concurrent requests. If the key to which the concurrent incoming request is mapped matches a key mapped from at least one other concurrent incoming request from the plurality of concurrent requests, then the service groups the concurrent incoming request with the at least one other concurrent incoming request to be sent to the back-end service. The concurrency reduction service sends one outgoing request to the back-end service for each of the keys to which the plurality of concurrent incoming requests were mapped.
US09973572B2 Server load management for data migration
A system and method for controlling a migration of data items in a data directory from a source system to a destination system by setting one or more target properties for implementing the migration are disclosed. A migration controller can be employed to obtain statistical information regarding the migration. The statistical information can then be used to compute the one or more target properties. For example, a target number of network connections for achieving an optimal total throughput and concurrency can be computed based on an average throughput per network connection. The target number of network connections may be determined by a migration monitor, which may set the determined target number of network connections as a policy to be enforced by the migration controller.
US09973569B2 System, method and computing apparatus to manage process in cloud infrastructure
A system, method and computing apparatus to manage process(es) in a cloud computing infrastructure are provided. Application nodes are connected to at least one administration node in a cloud computing infrastructure. The application nodes are configured upon instruction from the administration node to run a process or set of processes for at least one service, to perform the following: initiating a first process on each of the application node by at least one of the administration node; initiating at least one process other than the first process on each of the application nodes by the first process through a first procedure; monitoring operational statuses of all the processes other than the first process through the first procedure, by the first process in each of the application nodes; and the status of all the processes other than the first process is communicated to the at least one administration node.
US09973559B2 Systems and methods for presenting content streams to a client device
Systems and methods for presenting content streams to a client device are provided. In some aspects, a method includes providing an indicator of a plurality of content streams to a client device. Each of the plurality of content streams is associated with a variant feature of content to be delivered to the client device. The method includes monitoring one or more requests, from the client device, for at least one of the plurality of content streams based on the variant feature of the content associated with each of the requested plurality of content streams. The method also includes modifying the indicator of the plurality of content streams based on the monitored one or more requests. The method also includes providing the modified indicator of the plurality of content streams to the client device.
US09973555B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving streaming data using multiple paths
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving streaming data using multiple paths, in which the streaming data is smoothly reproduced without being interrupted, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving streaming data using multiple paths, in which exchange of the streaming data is performed in real-time using the multiple paths regardless of obstacles. The method for transmitting streaming data using multiple paths includes managing and maintaining a path list including sequence information about a transmission path capable of transmitting data, framing the streaming data, and transmitting the framed streaming data via the transmission path according to the sequence information.
US09973554B2 Interactive broadcasting between devices
Methods and systems for providing and utilizing interactive broadcasting are provided. First content of a first file and state information associated with a first state of the first content are sent from a presenter device to one or more viewing devices. The presenter device receives a notification from a first viewing device of the one or more viewing devices indicating additional content to add to the first content in the first state. The presenter device generates second state information associated with a second state of the first content using the notification, the second state relating to the additional content. The second state information is sent from the presenter device to the one or more viewing devices to display the first content in the second state on the one or more viewing devices. The first content in the second state is displayed on the presenter device.
US09973547B1 Method and systems for adaptively managing hypertext transfer protocol sessions in a content delivery network
A system (100) includes an interface portal (116) to receive (401), at a resource locator (402) pointing to media content (101), a request (117) for the media content from a client device (109). A server complex (102) can validate a secure token (403) of the request, and can issue a new token (405) that includes one or more session identification credentials (406). These can include a session identifier (407) indicating a session required to retrieve the media content to the client device, an identifier of an edge server (105) to serve the request for the media content, and other information. A resource management system (106), operable with the server complex and the edge server, can then throttle a data rate of the session as a function of the one or more session identification credentials or terminate the session as a function of the one or more session credentials.
US09973546B1 Dialing approach and implementations therefor
A connection procedure for communications devices is implemented in a variety of embodiments. In one such embodiment, the procedure uses a first set of connection data for attempting to connect and upon failure to connect uses a second set of connection information in addition to the first set of connection information to attempt a connection. In another embodiment, a delay is implemented before transmitting the connection information and a subsequent delay is implemented to allow for additional connection information to be input and transmitted.
US09973533B2 Enforcing application and access control policies in an information management system with two or more interactive enforcement points
A method and apparatus for controlling document access and application usage using centrally managed rules. The rules are stored and manipulated in a central rule database via a rule server. Policy enforcers are installed on client systems and/or on servers and perform document access and application usage control for both direct user document accesses and application usage, and application program document accesses by evaluating the rules sent to the policy enforcer. The rule server decides which rules are required by each policy enforcer. A policy enforcer can also perform obligation and remediation operations as a part of rule evaluation. Policy enforcers on client systems and servers can operate autonomously, evaluating policies that have been received, when communications have been discontinued with the rule server.
US09973531B1 Shellcode detection
According to one embodiment, a threat detection system is integrated with at least a dynamic analysis engine. The dynamic analysis engine is configured to automatically determine whether one or more objects included in received network traffic contains a heap spray attack. Upon detection of a potential heap spray attack, the dynamic analysis engine may copy potential shellcode within an object included in the received network traffic, insert the copy of the potential shellcode into a second region of allocated memory and analyze the execution of the potential shellcode to determine whether characteristics associated with an exploit are present.
US09973525B1 Systems and methods for determining the risk of information leaks from cloud-based services
The disclosed computer-implemented method for determining the risk of information leaks from cloud-based services may include (1) identifying a cloud-based service that provides remote software-services to client organizations, (2) extracting, from a publicly accessible page of the cloud-based service, a list of customers that use the cloud-based service, (3) retrieving, for each customer in the list of customers, at least one link to a customer page on the cloud-based service that represents a method for the customer to access the remote software-services offered by the cloud-based service, (4) analyzing each identified customer page for at least one risk factor, and (5) calculating, based on the analysis, a risk score for the service that represents an overall estimation of security risks to client organizations that utilize the cloud-based service. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09973516B2 Traffic shape obfuscation when using an encrypted network connection
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for obfuscating a traffic pattern associated with a plurality of network traffic within a tunnel connection is provided. The method may include detecting the tunnel connection. The method may also include analyzing a connection environment associated with the detected tunnel connection. The method may then include determining a packet handling technique based on the analyzed connection environment, whereby the packet handling technique provides a way for creating a noise packet that will be discarded by a network stack at a target node or before the target node. The method may include determining a noise strategy based on the determined packet handling technique. The method may also include sending a plurality of noise packets into the tunnel connection based on the determined noise strategy to obfuscate the traffic pattern.
US09973510B2 Contextual device locking/unlocking
Particular embodiments disclose a first device associated with a user that may receive an indication that a second device of a second user of the online system is located within a proximity distance from the first device. The first device may store social-networking information associated with the first user comprising a social-networking connection between the first user and the second user. The first device may access the social-networking information and determine that the second device is a trusted device based on the social-networking connection between the first user and the second user. The first device may determine instructions to update a lock status of the first device based on the determination that the second device is a trusted device.
US09973503B2 Method and internet-connected server for reviewing a computer-executable experiment
An internet-connected server comprising a first module for authorizing a user to access the server for: setting up, on the server, a given configuration for conducting a computer-executable experiment, wherein the given configuration comprises at least an executable instruction and a parameter or input data; executing, on the server, the computer-executable experiment with the given configuration so to produce a numerical result; certifying, on the server, the numerical result so to produce a certified result; and generating, on the server, a certification identifier of the certified result. The internet-connected server further comprises a second module for authorizing a reviewer for: providing the server with the certification identifier; and requesting and/or accessing, on the server, the certified numerical result on the basis of the provided certification identifier.
US09973500B2 Security architecture for authentication and audit
A mechanism for consolidating communications between a computer tenant and a web services layer is provided. The mechanism may include a web services layer. The web services layer may be configured to receive communications, via an authentication validation module, from an authentication service. The authentication service may be in communication with the computer tenant and/or the web services layer. The web services layer may be configured to receive authorization data, via an authorization module, from an authorization data store. The web services layer may also receive and transmit logged calls from a log database. The logged calls may store calls from the computer tenant to the web services layer and calls from the web services layer to the authentication server. The computer tenant may initiate communication with the web services layer. Included in the communications may be a token.
US09973494B2 Upload management system, method for controlling upload management system, and storage medium
An upload management system for managing data upload from a client to a storage system includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires information about data already uploaded by the client from the storage system in response to a request from the client which performs the data upload. The determination unit determines whether the client violates a predetermined condition based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. The control unit performs control to return authentication information for performing the data upload to the client in a case where the determination unit determines that the client does not violate the condition, and performs control not to return the authentication information in a case where the determination unit determines that the client violates the condition.
US09973491B2 Determining an identity of a third-party user in an SAML implementation of a web-service
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates determining an identity of a third-party user in a Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) implementation of a web-service. During operation, the system receives an SAML token profile web service request from the third-party user at the web-service. The system also receives a digital certificate designated by the SAML token profile web service request from the third-party user at the web-service. Next, the system analyzes the digital certificate to identify a third-party associated with the third-party user. The system then determines if the third-party is a trusted party. Next, the system receives one or more attributes associated with the third-party user at the web-service. The system then uses the attributes to identify the third-party user. Finally, the system performs a lookup in a user map to determine a user account that is associated with the third-party user.
US09973489B2 Providing virtualized private network tunnels
Various aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a per-application policy-controlled virtual private network (VPN) tunnel. In some embodiments, tickets may be used to provide access to an enterprise resource without separate authentication of the application and, in some instances, can be used in such a manner as to provide a seamless experience to the user when reestablishing a per-application policy controlled VPN tunnel during the lifetime of the ticket. Additional aspects relate to an access gateway providing updated policy information and tickets to a mobile device. Other aspects relate to selectively wiping the tickets from a secure container of the mobile device. Yet further aspects relate to operating applications in multiple modes, such as a managed mode and an unmanaged mode, and providing authentication-related services based on one or more of the above aspects.
US09973478B2 Controlling write access to a resource in a reload network
Methods and apparatus for controlling write access by one or more accessing nodes to a resource within a Resource Location And Discovery, RELOAD, network. The methods and apparatus configured to: at a node owning the resource, obtain a public key of a peer responsible for the resource, encrypt a write key using the obtained public key and send the encrypted write key to the peer responsible for the resource; at the peer responsible for the resource, decrypt the write key; at an accessing node, sign data to be written to the resource using the write key and send a request to the peer responsible for the resource to write the signed data to the resource; and at the peer responsible for the resource, control write access to the resource based on the decrypted write key and the signed data.
US09973477B2 Method and system for secure requesting of an object via a communications network
A method for requesting an object by means of a client system, which is coupled to a server system operatively via a communications network is provided, wherein a server means of the server system receives via the communications network a request message from an electronic document displayed at a client system, the request message comprises at least a first parameter, which identifies a user of the client system, and a second parameter, which identifies the requested object, the server means evaluates the parameters of the received request message, wherein data for the first parameter assigned to the user and data for the second parameter assigned to the object are determined, wherein the respective data are stored in a storage means of the server system, and after a successful evaluation, the requested object is provided for transmission to the user.
US09973475B2 Data computation in a multi-domain cloud environment
A gateway device for implementing data security is described herein. The gateway device is coupled between a client device and a server device, and is configured to receive encoded data and a set of operations from the server device in response to a request for cloud services from the client device. The gateway device is configured to decode the encoded data, and to provide the decoded data and the set of operations to the client device. The client device is configured to perform the set of operations on the decoded data, and to incorporate the operation results into an application or interface corresponding to the requested cloud service. The gateway device is configured to encode the operation result data, and to provide the encoded operation result data to the server device for storage.
US09973472B2 Methods and systems for orchestrating physical and virtual switches to enforce security boundaries
Some embodiments include methods comprising: writing entries in a forwarding table of a switch through an application programming interface (API) of the switch, such that first data packets from a first host and directed to a second host are forwarded by the switch to an enforcement point; receiving the first data packets; forwarding the first data packets to the enforcement point using the forwarding table; determining whether the first data packets violate a high-level security policy using a low-level rule set; configuring the forwarding table through the API such that second data packets are forwarded by the switch to the second host, in response to determining the first data packets do not violate the security policy; configuring the forwarding table through the API such that the second data packets are dropped or forwarded to a security function by the switch, in response to the determining.
US09973471B2 Protection method and computer system thereof for firewall apparatus disposed to application layer
A protection method, which releases an attack of a malware to a firewall apparatus disposed at an application layer, includes processing a microbatching operation in a plurality of session channels and at at least an operational period according to at least one input information, to generate a plurality of session-specific firewall patterns; and merging the plurality of session-specific firewall patterns to generate an application-specific firewall pattern at the application layer, so as to dispose a script information corresponding to the application-specific firewall pattern in the firewall apparatus for releasing the attack of the malware, wherein the microbatching operation is processed to generate a plurality of independent subset-specific firewall patterns in each session channel, so as to generate a session-specific firewall pattern corresponding to each session channel.
US09973466B2 Space time region based communications
There is disclosed an apparatus including a node with a processor, a communications interface, and a computer readable memory that has other and a space time modules that enable space time region based communication if space time region based criteria are met. There is disclosed a method with steps of: providing an interface; determining if a space time region based criteria is met; and enabling communication over the interface if the space time region based criteria is met. There is disclosed a user interface method having the steps of: providing a view that controls objects rep resenting a spatio temporal information related to a space time based communication rendered on the interface; and displaying information on the user interface in relation to the space time region based communication if a space time region based criteria are met.
US09973465B1 End-to-end transaction tracking engine
A transaction management platform is provided that is configured to perform end-to-end tracking of transactions including messages. The messages may be tracked using universal message identifiers that are generated and associated with messages. The universal message identifiers are generated based on a message list received from a source node. A predicted path is determined for each message based on a message type for each message. The movements of a particular message are tracked by sending queries requesting message statuses to each node within the particular message's predicted path. A record associated with the particular message is updated after receiving query responses.
US09973453B2 Method and system for playing multimedia files
Playing multimedia files includes determining an instant messaging scenario type associated with an instant messaging session, locating multimedia file information that matches the scenario type, and sending the multimedia file information to at least one instant messaging terminal of a plurality of instant messaging terminals participating in the instant messaging session to trigger the at least one instant messaging terminal to play a multimedia file based on the multimedia file information.
US09973443B2 Method and apparatus for processing a multicast packet
The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of computer networks, and disclose a method and an apparatus for processing a multicast packet. The method includes receiving a multicast packet, acquiring a local router interface corresponding to the multicast packet according to a multicast routing entry carried in the multicast packet, and forwarding the multicast packet through the acquired local router interface to a clustered routing system interface for further transfer. The embodiments of the present invention can cluster several routing devices into a virtual routing system which externally acts as a single routing node for supporting a multicast service, so as to implement the efficient and reliable forwarding of the multicast packet in a clustered routing system with virtual aggregation, and enable the clustered routing system to support the multicast service with high efficiency and quality.
US09973435B2 Loopback-free adaptive routing
A method for communication includes, in a network node that includes a plurality of ports, specifying for a given destination address at least one Adaptive Routing (AR) group. The at least one AR group includes two or more ports over which packets destined to the given destination address are to be adaptively routed. A packet destined to the given destination address is received at the network node, via one of the ports serving as an ingress port. An egress port is adaptively selected for the packet, from the ports in the at least one AR group but excluding the ingress port over which the packet was received. The packet is routed to the selected egress port.
US09973433B2 Load balancing in a virtualized computing environment based on a fabric limit
A method manages virtual machines in a virtualized computing environment based at least in part on limitations associated with storage fabrics through which virtual machines may access one or more storage systems in such an environment. The storage fabric limitations may be used, for example, in connection with placing virtual machines on hosts in a virtualized computing environment. As another example, storage fabric limitations may be used in connection with deploying virtual machines into a virtualized computing environment to reduce the likelihood of boot errors. As still another example, storage fabric limitations may be used in connection with load balancing across multiple fabrics in a virtualized computing environment.
US09973428B2 Method for checking IP address collision of ethernet communication module of PLC
A method for checking an IP address collision is provided. The method includes: transmitting an ARP (Access Resolution Protocol) request message by setting an IP address of the PLC Ethernet communication module as a destination; receiving an ARP reply message responding to the ARP request message; determining whether an MAC (Media Access Control) address included in the ARP reply message is identical to an MAC address of the PLC Ethernet communication module; and determining that an IP address collision occurs, when the MAC (Media Access Control) address included in the ARP reply message is not identical to the MAC address of the PLC Ethernet communication module.
US09973424B1 Storage system with flow based services for flash storage
A system is provided that includes a packet routing network that includes routing circuitry to route packets between endpoints coupled to the network; one or more endpoints include a Flash storage circuit; a distributed routing structure defines multiple routes, each route including a different sequence of endpoints, including a Flash storage circuit endpoint; the distributed endpoint routing structure includes routing structure portions that are distributed among endpoints; the endpoints provide services to packets transmitted over routes defined by the distributed routing structure.
US09973421B2 Method and device for connection management in a telecommunication network
The invention relates to connection management in a telecommunication network and particularly relates to a method (30) for managing telecommunication network connections, comprising a step of creating at least one list (L1, L2, . . . , LN, LN+1) of connections, said list being associated to a time interval (DL1, DL2, . . . , DLN, DLN+1) having a predetermined period and used to record at least one active connection (C1), for example, for which a transfer of a packet has been detected, in the time interval associated to the considered list.
US09973418B2 Techniques for change propagation across broker territories
Certain example embodiments described herein relate to techniques for propagating changes across broker territories. Broker territories are formed from broker servers that are placed in different geographical locations. When a territory is formed, a minimum spanning tree (MST) is formed between the brokers in the territory and, as a result, every broker in the territory will know its nearest neighbors and will be able to propagate the changes to these brokers. The MST may be dynamic in certain example embodiments. Each broker may be configured to calculate the cost of the edges based on certain predefined parameters, e.g., in computing the MSTs. Parameters that may be used in determining edge weights may include, for example, response to ping, geographical distance, whether a broker is in a LAN versus in a WAN, whether brokers are embedded in a mobile device, predefined categories (e.g., based on device type, etc.), and/or the like.
US09973416B2 Method and apparatus that provides fault tolerance in a communication network
A system for detecting a fault in a first transmission medium that affects a transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that convey data and that propagate along a surface of the first transmission medium, selecting a backup communication medium from one or more backup communication mediums according to one or more selection criteria, and redirecting at least a portion of the data to the backup communication medium to mitigate the fault. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09973414B2 Device and method for wireless communication used in wireless ad hoc network
A method executed by a wireless communication device used in a wireless ad hoc network includes: designating a bit in a loop detection array added to a received frame in accordance with identification information of the wireless communication device; deciding that a route in which the received frame has been transmitted is not a loop when the bit designated in the loop detection array is not used; deciding that the route is a loop when the bit designated in the loop detection array is used; updating the bit designated in the loop detection array to a state of being used and transmitting the received frame toward a destination node when it is decided that the route is not a loop; and returning the received frame to an adjacent node that is a local transmission source of the received frame when it is decided that the route is a loop.
US09973412B2 Method and system for generating routing tables from link specific events
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for managing routes through a telecommunications network in response to a change of state of a link between components of the network. In particular, a router may determine the nature of the link event and the link upon which the event occurred. If the link event is on the same link or in some way related to a previously detected link event, the component may ignore the occurrence of the received link event in determining when the shortest route path is calculated. In this manner, a toggling link may be ignored by the router when applying a dampening effect to the calculation of the shortest route such that the network can respond to a singular link event faster than when a traditional dampening effect with exponential back-off is applied.
US09973404B2 Connectivity robustness in wireless systems
Systems and methods are contemplated for reconfiguration of one or more MAC instances while the WTRU is operating using dual- or multi-MAC instance connectivity. For example, upon reception of RRC reconfiguration information that modifies one or more secondary MAC instances, the WTRU may transmit a reconfiguration complete message to a Macro eNB (MeNB) and may synchronize to small-cell or secondary eNB (SeNB), for example if triggered by one or more of an RRC flag, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order (MeNB/SeNB), MAC activation information, etc. For example, the WTRU may synchronize to the SeNB for specific type(s) of RRC reconfigurations, but not other type(s) of RRC reconfigurations. Although examples may be described in terms of dual connectivity, the WTRU may establish connectivity and perform mobility procedures with more than two radio access network (RAN) nodes (e.g., eNBs), and the embodiments described may be equally applicable to those scenarios.
US09973401B2 Service function path performance monitoring
Methods, systems, and storage media for monitoring service function path are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a service function chain classifier module may receive a network data packet and applying to it a network packet service control that establishes an ordered chain of network service functions to apply to the network data packet as it traverses a service function path. The service function chain classifier module may incorporate into the network packet service control an indicator to obtain time information relating to application of one or more of the plural service functions to the network data packet. A network service performance module may receive the time information relating to the application of the one or more of the plural service functions to the network data packet and to monitor the time information. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.
US09973395B2 Intelligent network diagnosis and evaluation via operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) transport
An operation, administration, and maintenance data sink may receive an event data packet. The event data packet may be processed and transmitted based on instructions from a controller, wherein the controller may regulate the transmission of the processed event data packet based on network conditions.
US09973392B2 Hierarchical network analysis service
A hierarchical network analytics system operated by a computing device or system is described. In some example techniques, the analytics system may determine results of a plurality of first level analyses each based at least in part on results of a respective plurality of data queries that return respective subsets of a plurality of types of network data. The analytics system may determine a result of a second level analysis based at least in part on results of the plurality of first level analyses.
US09973391B2 Systems, apparatus, and methods of enhanced checkpoint summary based monitoring for an event candidate related to an ID node within a wireless node network
Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for enhanced checkpoint summary based monitoring for an event candidate within a wireless node network of ID nodes, a master node, and a server. The master node listens for ID node signals, detects a first advertising signal, and records a first observed parameter (e.g. sensor data generated by the ID node) based upon the detected first signal. The master node detects a subsequent group of signals broadcast by the ID node and records a group of observed parameters based upon respective ones of those signals. The master node generates a first checkpoint summary representing a first set of advertising signals (the detected first signal and the detected subsequent group of signals). The first checkpoint summary includes a summary observed parameter based upon the recorded observed parameter for the first signal and each of the recorded observed parameters for the subsequent group of signals. The first checkpoint summary is then reported to the server as the event candidate relative to the first ID node.
US09973388B2 Server information management apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having stored therein server information management program, and server information management method
A processor of a server information management apparatus detects an added server to a management target system. Also the processor specifies an attribute of the added server based on a communication state of the added server, first management information related to the added server, and second management information related to a communication destination server of the added server. Therefore, it is possible to precisely determine an attribute of a server which is added to a business system.
US09973384B2 System and method for enterprise java bean support in a multitenant application server environment
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for supporting Enterprise Java Bean (EJB) and other application types in a multitenant application server environment. The system includes an application server domain with a plurality of partitions, an EJB application, and a plurality of partition-aware server components that interact with the EJB container. The EJB application includes partition-specific code deployed as a separate instance to each partition, and shareable resources across two or more partitions. The system can additionally delegate resource-heavy processing functions of each EJB application to one or more of the server components. At runtime, the system receives a request for an EJB application in a particular partition, and creates an object to hold information of the particular partition. The server components, when invoked by the EJB container, obtains the partition information and execute in a context of the particular partition.
US09973383B2 Placement of wavelength shifters in optical networks
Methods and systems enable optimized placement of wavelength shifters in optical networks. The wavelength shifters may include O-E-O regenerators for a single wavelength and all optical wavelength shifters for one or more wavelengths. An auxiliary graph is used to represent various links in a provisioned optical path. By applying cost values to each of the links, different types of optimizations for network resource utilization may be realized.
US09973382B2 Hitless upgrade for network control applications
A method for upgrading a set of controller nodes in a controller cluster that manages a plurality of forwarding elements in a way that minimizes dataplane outages. The method of some embodiments upgrades the control applications of a subset of the controller nodes before upgrading a decisive controller node. Once the decisive controller node is upgraded, the method switches the controller cluster to use a new version of the control applications.
US09973378B2 Implementing gateway redundancy in a network
Implementing gateway redundancy in a network includes sending a message to a first device of multiple devices of a network through a controller where the first device is a master gateway and a second device of the multiple devices is a backup gateway, and making a decision as to whether the first device remains as the master gateway.
US09973375B2 App store portal providing point-and-click deployment of third-party virtualized network functions
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving by an apparatus, via a wide area network, a request for deployment of a selected one of available virtualized network services advertised by the apparatus, the request identifying a host service provider to deploy the one virtualized network service; identifying, by the apparatus, virtualized network functions required by the host service provider for implementation of the one virtualized network service, each virtualized network function having a corresponding and distinct virtualized container specifying attributes for defining execution of the corresponding virtualized network function within one or more physical machines of the host service provider; and sending to the host service provider, by the apparatus, a service container specifying instructions for deploying the one virtualized network service, the service container including instructions for deploying the virtualized network functions as interdependent for implementation of the one virtualized network service by the host service provider.
US09973372B2 Method and device for extracting data from a data stream travelling around an IP network
In a phase of configuration, a state machine is constructed with states and transitions configured according to at least one type of data to be extracted from a data stream travelling around an IP network. The transitions between states are activated by conditions defined as a function of rules of organization of the data of the stream according to an application layer protocol. One or more states are moreover selected for the extraction of data from the stream. Thereafter, in a phase of real-time analysis of the stream, the stream data arising from IP packets travelling successively around the network are observed. When the state machine is in a current state, a search is conducted as to whether a condition of activation of a transition to a target state is realized by the data observed from the stream, and when such an activation condition is realized, the state machine is toggled into the target state. The data from the stream are extracted when the state machine is in a state selected in the configuration phase.
US09973370B1 Memory predistortion in bandwidth limited envelope tracking
An apparatus compensates nonlinearities in envelope tracking (ET) used in a mobile device by limiting a bandwidth of an envelope signal representing an envelope of an input baseband signal to be less than a bandwidth of tracker circuitry, generating a scaled replica of an output signal of the tracker circuitry based on the bandwidth-limited envelope signal, and generating a model distortion signal based on the scaled replica and the input baseband signal, where the model distortion signal emulates ET linearity degradation. The apparatus is further configured to generate an output baseband signal based on the scaled replica, the model distortion signal, and the input baseband signal, where the output baseband signal is pre-distorted relative to the input baseband signal according to the scaled replica, the model distortion signal, and the input baseband signal to compensate for degradations in transmit signal quality due to ET nonlinearities.
US09973360B2 Method and apparatus for generating phase shift control signals
A phase shifter controller arranged to generate phase shift control signals for at least one phase shifter. The phase shifter controller is arranged to receive a first phase value θ1, receive a second phase value θ2, and output phase shift control signals. The phase shifter controller comprises a digital synthesizer arranged to compute a first digital phase shift control value based on the received first phase value θ1, and compute a second digital phase shift control value based on the received second phase value θ2. The phase shifter controller further comprises digital to analogue converters arranged to generate the phase shift control signals based on the derived first and second digital phase shift control values.
US09973358B1 Time-based and frequency-based distortion recovery
A method includes receiving a signal at a receiver device via a channel from a transmitter device and determining a frequency domain representation of the signal. The signal includes multiple modulation symbols. The method further includes detecting a first symbol of the signal and determining a time domain representation of a distortion estimate associated with the first symbol using a distortion recovery receiver (DRR) technique. The method further includes subtracting the distortion estimate from the first symbol to generate an updated estimate of the first symbol. The method further includes determining a frequency domain representation of a second symbol using a value that is based on a frequency domain representation of the distortion estimate and that is further based on a frequency domain representation of a quantized version of the updated estimate of the first symbol.
US09973357B2 Decision feedback equalizer and semiconductor integrated circuit
A decision feedback equalizer includes a comparator configured to output a constant voltage in a reset period and to output a differential voltage corresponding to differential input signals in an evaluation period, a latch circuit configured to hold the differential voltage in the evaluation period, and an adjuster configured to adjust a logical threshold of the latch circuit closer to the output voltage in the reset period.
US09973356B1 Slicer and decision feedback equalization circuitry
One embodiment provides an enhanced slicer. The enhanced slicer includes a first clocked comparator circuitry and a current path circuitry. The first clocked comparator circuitry includes a first comparator circuitry, a first latch circuitry, a first output node (Out_P) and a second output node (Out_N). The current path circuitry is coupled to the output nodes and a reference node. The current path circuitry is to enhance current flow between at least one of the output nodes and the reference node, in response to a clock signal.
US09973354B1 Partial zero forcing equalization
In certain embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a circuit configured to receive a plurality of samples of an input signal. The circuit may update one or more equalizer parameters using partial zero forcing equalization. Further, the circuit may generate an equalized signal based on the plurality of samples of the input signal and the one or more equalizer parameters.
US09973347B2 Protocol converter between CPCI bus and ISA bus and conversion method thereof
The present application relates to the technical field of field bus communication, and in particular to a protocol converter between a CPCI bus and an ISA bus and a conversion method thereof, which are suitable for communication between railway vehicle CPUs and vehicle bus MVB devices. The protocol converter comprises a CPCI local bus interface extension timing module, an ISA bus interface timing module, a CPCI bus matching ISA bus timing interface module, and a clock management module. The CPCI bus realizes communication with the ISA bus by the protocol converter. The traditional conversion bridge chips are replaced with the protocol converters without changing the traction controller structure and other devices in the system; the flexibility is high; and the functions are diverse. In addition, 8-bit data width or 16-bit data width of the ISA bus is supported, and the operation of an ISA bus device by a CPCI bus device in the form of IO or in the form of MEMORY is supported.
US09973345B2 Calculating and signaling segment availability times for segments of media data
An example device for advertising a segment availability time when transporting media data includes a middleware unit configured to determine a playback duration, X, for segments of media data, determine a current time at a first scheduled burst, aburst, of a multicast channel (MCH) scheduling period (MSP) for a first segment having segment number a, determine an MSP duration, DMSP, calculate a segment availability time for a second segment having segment number b according to a formula that uses X, aburst, a, b, and DMSP as inputs, and advertise the segment availability time for the second segment.
US09973306B2 Freshness-sensitive message delivery
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for implementing freshness-sensitive message delivery are disclosed. A stream of events including an earlier event and a later event is received. A first attempt is performed to deliver a message indicative of the earlier event. The first attempt to deliver the message is unsuccessful. One or more additional attempts are scheduled to deliver the message indicative of the earlier event. The additional attempts are scheduled over a period of time following the first attempt. An attempt is performed to deliver an additional message indicative of the later event. The attempt to deliver the additional message is not delayed by the additional attempts to deliver the message.
US09973303B2 Determining timing for transmission or reception of signaling in a coverage enhanced operating mode
Methods and apparatus are provided for a base station to transmit and for a User Equipment (UE) to receive repetitions of an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) transmission or of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission. The UE is configured by the base station a set of numbers of repetitions for an EPDCCH transmission or a PDSCH transmission, respectively. The base station transmits an EPDCCH or a PDSCH according to a first number of repetitions from the set of numbers of repetitions. The UE determines a number, from the set of numbers, of repetitions for an EPDCCH reception in order to determine a first subframe for a reception of a PDSCH or a first subframe for a transmission of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).
US09973301B2 Memory management and path sort techniques in a polar code successive cancellation list decoder
Various embodiments are described of a system and method for improved SCL decoder operation. In particular, various embodiments are described which improve the efficiency of the buffer management based on updated path metric statistics. In some embodiments, the SCL decoder may perform selective replacement to limit the extent of LLR updates per row only to the statistics that have changed since the previous update cycle. In some embodiments, the SCL decoder may perform deferred updates, which may involves in-place calculation of both ûφ=0 and ûφ=1 bit estimate (LLR) updates based on the row from which the updated row will be derived.
US09973300B2 Modulation adaption method for multi-mode modems
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for choosing the modulation mode using packets transmitted by a sender to a receiver, wherein the packets contain data patterns unknown to the receiver. In some embodiments, the sender sends of a data packet in the most robust mode available, such that the packet can be correctly received by the receiver under even the noisiest conditions. The data contained in the packet is demodulated and decoded. A cyclic redundancy check is performed to ensure that the resultant data is error-free. Once the transmitted payload data is known, the original error coding can be re-applied to the payload data to produce the transmitted bit stream. Comparison of the demodulated bit stream to the regenerated transmitted bit stream yields the pattern of errors. The pattern of errors is analyzed and a higher throughput decoding scheme is chosen based on the results of the analysis.
US09973288B2 Method and apparatus for mitigating interference in a wireless communication system
A process, device and computer-readable storage medium that incorporate teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing a first instruction to mobile user equipment to cause the mobile user equipment to perform a first channel quality assessment of a non-reduced power subframe of a wireless signal comprising the non-reduced power subframe, an almost blank subframe and a reduced power subframe. A second instruction is provided to the mobile user equipment to cause the mobile user equipment to perform a second channel quality assessment of the almost blank subframe. A determination is made as to whether the mobile user equipment is performing instantaneous channel quality measurements based on a result of the first channel quality assessment and a result of the second channel quality assessment. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09973276B2 Optical receiving device and method for controlling dispersion compensation amount
An apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a signal that has traveled an optical transmission line without returning output from an optical transmitting device and synchronize with the optical transmitting device in order to demodulate the signal; a dispersion compensator configured to compensate for wavelength dispersion caused by transmission of the signal; an acquisition circuit configured to acquire a transmitting timing at which the signal has been transmitted from the optical transmitting device; a calculation circuit configured to calculate a transmission time period from the optical transmitting device to the receiver from the transmitting timing and a receiving timing at which the signal has been received with the receiver; and an amount setting circuit configured to adjust a dispersion compensation amount of the dispersion compensator in accordance with the transmission time period.
US09973274B1 Fast tracking free space optical module
A fast tracking module for use in free space optical communications includes a primary motion stage supporting receive optics, where the primary motion stage is configured to move the receive optic relative to an optical path.
US09973268B1 Reusing frequencies among high altitude platforms
A method for determining a frequency usage pattern of one or more satellites includes receiving, at data processing hardware, identifications of one or more satellite communication frequencies used by a satellite at corresponding locations of the satellite along a non-geostationary satellite orbit. The method includes determining, by the data processing hardware, a pattern of frequency usage by the satellite at the corresponding locations of the satellite. The method also includes instructing, by the data processing hardware, communication between a high altitude platform and a ground terminal using an identified satellite communication frequency during a non-interfering period of time based on the pattern of frequency usage by the satellite. The high altitude platform has an altitude lower than the satellite.
US09973265B2 Hitless rearrangement of a satellite-hosted switch via propagated synchronization
An apparatus includes an analog front end to receive an analog input including user data, and an analog-to-digital converter to convert the analog input to digital signals including the user data. A digital channelizer may process the digital signals to generate frequency slices of user data, and a digital combiner may assemble the frequency slices to form output sub-bands of user data. A digital switch may route the frequency slices from the digital channelizer to the digital combiner according to a selected map of a plurality of available maps. The apparatus also includes a map selector to communicate map select data that indicates the selected map. The digital channelizer may receive and insert the map select data into the frequency slices in-band with the user data thereof. And the digital switch may interpret the map select data inserted into and route the frequency slices according to the selected map.
US09973262B2 Data delivery to devices on vehicles using multiple forward links
Data content that is to be utilized, as a whole, at a target device on-board a vehicle is apportioned for delivery onto the vehicle via multiple forward links, each of which is included in a different frequency band and/or used a different protocol. A mapping or selection of a specific portion of the data content for a specific forward link may based on a data content type of the specific portion, as well as on other dynamic or static criteria. The target device may operate on the subsets of the data content as it receives each subset. Thus, time critical/foundational portions of the data content may be delivered using a faster forward link, larger elements of the data content may be delivered using a higher-bandwidth forward link, and/or portions of the data content requiring a higher degree of accuracy may be delivered using a more robust forward link, for example.
US09973258B2 Wireless communications system and method
A wireless communications system including a base station, a relay device, and a terminal device. The terminal device is operable to receive from the base station an allocation of uplink resources for transmitting uplink data to the relay device, and to transmit uplink data to the relay device using the uplink resources allocated to the terminal device. The relay device is operable to receive the transmitted uplink data from the terminal device on the allocated resources, to receive an allocation of uplink data resources for relaying the received uplink data to the base station, and to transmit the received uplink data to the base station using the uplink resources allocated to the relay device.
US09973254B2 Communications method and apparatus for carrier aggregation
A communications apparatus and method are provided. The communications method for an apparatus capable of Carrier Aggregation (CA), wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of processing engines and antennas, includes the steps of determining whether the apparatus is configured in a single component carrier for a first group of the antennas, and activating a second group of the antennas when the apparatus is configured in the single component carrier. T the first group of antennas are configured for a first part of the processing engines and the second group of antennas are configured for a second part of the processing engines, and the first part of the processing engines and the second part of the processing engines share a MIMO detector.
US09973252B2 Transmission adaptation
The invention relates to an apparatus including: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: choose a modulation, coding and rank scheme; determine a channel quality indicator based on the modulation, coding and rank scheme, and add a detector class indicator to the channel quality indicator for informing capability to a high order modulation if the high order modulation is chosen. In one particular embodiment the high order modulation is 64-QAM and excludes QPSK and 16-QAM, and the added detector class indictor can be a single bit.
US09973248B2 Per-stream channel gain feedback-based multi-stream MU-CQI estimation method and apparatus
A PSCG feedback-based multi-stream multiuser CQI estimation method and apparatus is provided for estimating multi-stream MU-CQI efficiently based on per-stream channel gain feedback. A feedback information transmission method of a terminal in a wireless communication system according to the present disclosure includes estimating a downlink channel based on a channel state information reference signal transmitted by a base station, determining a number of streams based on the estimated downlink channel, generating the feedback information corresponding to the number of streams, and transmitting the feedback information to the base station.
US09973246B2 Systems and methods for exploiting inter-cell multiplexing gain in wireless cellular systems via distributed input distributed output technology
A multiple antenna system (MAS) with multiuser (MU) transmissions (“MU-MAS”) exploiting inter-cell multiplexing gain via spatial processing to increase capacity in wireless communications networks.
US09973221B2 Nonlinear system distortion correction device and method
The present document discloses an apparatus and method for nonlinear system distortion correction. The apparatus includes: apparatus for nonlinear system distortion correction including: a robustness signal source generator, arranged to generate a robustness signal provided to an adaptive device; the adaptive device, arranged to collect a main link signal output by a signal generator and a feedback signal returned by the main link signal via a feedback link, and generate a correction parameter according to the main link signal, the feedback signal and the robustness signal; and a pre-corrector, arranged to according to the correction parameter perform pre-correction processing on the main link signal output by the signal generator.
US09973218B2 Circuits to enable reconfigurability
An example device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one segment driver circuit having a first circuit and a second circuit, to receive input signals and provide output signals. A given segment driver circuit is to protect reliability and enable reconfigurability by selectively resetting coupling capacitors, and selectively cutting off the input signals from their respective segment driver circuit.
US09973217B2 SISO (soft input soft output) system for use in a wireless communication system and an operational method thereof
An iterative decoding device applied for a SISO (soft input soft output) system is disclosed, which comprises an operational control unit, a first decoder, and a second decoder. The operational control unit is operative to receive an encoded signal and divide the encoded signal into at least one frame. The first decoder is operative to receive each of the at least one frame and derive a renewed intrinsic information by a first iteration operation. The second decoder is operative to derive soft-information by a second iteration operation based on the renewed intrinsic information, and then transmit the soft-information back to the first decoder for the iteration operation of the next renewed intrinsic information. The operational control unit makes the at least one frame to be calculated respectively by the first decoder and the second decoder, thereby improving the efficiency and error ratio of a receiver.
US09973215B1 Controlled multipath data packet delivery with forward error correction
The system described herein provides for the use of FEC in connection with mulithoming/multipathing functionality in a system leveraging multiple pathways and/or access circuits for packet delivery in a data network. In an appliance using multipathing, sophisticated path characterization, scheduling, and sequencing algorithms are used to support path aggregation independent of the heterogeneity in path characteristics. Adding FEC to a controlled multipathing solution may reduce the perceived loss rate, contribute to better performance in terms of delay and throughput, and provide for a more effective use of FEC. A multipathing solution splits network traffic at the packet level according to network and connection conditions. FEC may be added to the packets in connection with transmission of the packets along the multiple paths and the level/amount of the FEC coding may be controlled based on the ratio of the rate at which the packets are split among the multiple paths.
US09973212B2 Decoding algorithm with enhanced parity check matrix and re-encoding scheme for LDPC code
A decoding algorithm with an enhanced parity check matrix and a re-encoding scheme for LDPC codes is disclosed. The decoding algorithm includes the steps of: providing the enhanced parity check matrix; receiving a message part of an original codeword encoded by a generator matrix from the enhanced parity check matrix; setting a LLR for each bit node of the enhanced parity check matrix; processing hard decision on the message part of the original codeword; encoding the message part of the original codeword by the generator matrix to generate a new codeword having a generated parity part; comparing the original parity part with the generated parity part to find out bits of difference; voting candidate error bits to choose the most probably erratic bits; modifying LLR of the chosen bits to have a modified codeword; and processing a conventional iterative decoding procedure on the modified codeword to have a processed codeword.
US09973207B2 Technologies for heuristic huffman code generation
Technologies for heuristic Huffman code generation include a computing device that generates a weighted list of symbols for a data block. The computing device determines a threshold weight and identifies one or more lightweight symbols in the list that have a weight less than or equal to the threshold weight. The threshold weight may be the average weight of all symbols with non-zero weight in the list. The computing device generates a balanced sub-tree of nodes for the lightweight symbols, with each lightweight symbol associated with a leaf node. The computing device adds the remaining symbols and the root of the balanced sub-tree to a heap and generates a Huffman code tree by processing the heap. The threshold weight may be adjusted to tune performance and compression ratio. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09973206B2 Computer-readable recording medium, encoding device, encoding method, decoding device, and decoding method
An encoding device 100 encodes a plurality of input text files to a plurality of encoded files by using a static dictionary unit 121 and a dynamic dictionary unit 122. The dynamic dictionary unit 122 is generated in accordance with word appearance frequencies in the plurality of text files. The encoding device 100 generates a coupled encoded file that includes the plurality of encoded files, information on the dynamic dictionary unit 122, and position information that indicates positions of the respective plurality of encoded files.
US09973202B2 Successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter
A successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter includes a first capacitance digital-to-analog converter (CDAC), a first comparator configured to compare a voltage of an output signal from the first CDAC with a reference voltage, a first SAR circuit configured to control the first CDAC based on an output of the first comparator, a second CDAC to which the output signal from the first CDAC is input, a second comparator configured to compare a voltage of an output signal from the second CDAC with a reference voltage, a second SAR circuit configured to control the second CDAC based on an output of the second comparator and generate a digital signal representing a residual voltage of the output signal of the first CDAC, and a feedback circuit configured to delay the digital signal, generate a residual signal from the delayed digital signal, and output the residual signal to the first CDAC.
US09973192B2 Liquid crystal drive circuit and liquid crystal drive circuit control method
There is provided a semiconductor device including (1) a first power source section that includes a first power source output terminal and a second power source output terminal that output voltages at mutually different voltage levels, (2) a first output section that includes a first output stage switch that is provided between the first power source output terminal and a first voltage output terminal, and a second output stage switch that is provided between the second power source output terminal and the first power source output terminal, and (3) a controller that performs ON/OFF control of the first output stage switch and the second output stage switch such that both the first output stage switch and the second output stage switch are in an OFF state over a predetermined period encompassing a point in time when a signal level of the first signal switches.
US09973183B2 Field-effect transistor device with partial finger current sensing FETs
A lateral semiconductor field-effect transistor (FET) device fabricated on a substrate includes a high-voltage main FET having interdigitated, elongated source and drain electrode fingers each of which is electrically connected to a respective interdigitated, elongated source and drain region disposed in the substrate. The FET device further includes first and second sense FETs each having a drain region in common with the high-voltage main FET. The sense FETS also include respective first and second elongated source electrode fingers each of which is electrically connected to respective first and second elongated source regions of the first and second sense FETs, respectively. The first and second elongated source electrode fingers are disposed length-wise adjacent to one of the elongated drain electrode fingers. The first elongated source finger has a first length, and the second elongated source finger has a second length, the second length being less than the first length.
US09973182B2 Re-timing based clock generation and residual sideband (RSB) enhancement circuit
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and apparatus for generating clock signals. For example, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a clock generation circuit. The clock generation circuit may include a first transistor connected in cascode with a second transistor, wherein an input clock node of the circuit is coupled to gates of the first and second transistors. The clock generation circuit may also include a frequency divider circuit having an input coupled to the input clock node, wherein an output of the frequency divider circuit is coupled to a source of the second transistor, and wherein an output node of the circuit is coupled to drains of the first and second transistors.
US09973179B2 Sense amplifier latch with offset correction
A method and device for input offset cancellation utilizing a latched comparator that is configurable as a linear amplifier capable of sampling and cancelling offset in the inputs to the latched comparator. The latched comparator is configured according to three control signals for operation in three operating intervals. During a first operating interval, the latched comparator is configured as a linear amplifier that samples the offset at the inputs to the latched comparator. Based on the sampled offset, the linear amplifier cancels the offset in the inputs to the latched comparator. During a second operating interval, the latched comparator reverts to operation as comparator and the inputs to the latch are reset. During a third interval, the latch resolves the inputs to the comparator and generates an output signal indicating.
US09973177B1 Clock generator with injection-locking oscillators
In a clock generating circuit having a plurality of injection-locking oscillators, a first one of the injection-locking oscillators is enabled to output a free-running reference clock signal and a control value is generated based at least in part on a frequency relationship between the free-running reference clock signal and an input timing signal. In accordance with the control value, a selected one of the injection-locking oscillators is enabled to generate an output clock signal that is frequency-locked with respect to the input timing signal.
US09973176B2 Circuits for digital and analog controlled oscillators
A circuit may comprise a first node, a ring oscillator, a regulator, and a Kvcc compensation circuit. The first node may be a supply node to provide a supply voltage for the circuit. The ring oscillator may be formed from inverters. The regulator may use a single transistor between the first node and a second node for powering the oscillator. The K compensation circuit may be used to provide to the oscillator a variable capacitive load that is dependent on the supply at the first supply node, and it may drag oscillator frequency down when the first node supply goes up.
US09973171B2 Digital filter
A digital filter includes integrator circuits configured to operate based on a clock of a sampling frequency fS that is equal to a sampling frequency of input data and determine a sum of the input data on a sample-by-sample basis, a frequency converter circuit configured to perform decimation on data of the sampling frequency fS to reduce the sampling frequency fS to a sampling frequency fD=fS/N, one or more differentiator circuits configured to operate based on a clock of the sampling frequency fD and subtract data of an immediately preceding sample from the input data, a differentiator circuit for removal of 50 Hz configured to operate based on the clock of the sampling frequency fD and subtract, from the input data, data preceding the input data by a plurality of samples, and a differentiator circuit for removal of 60 Hz configured to operate based on a clock of the sampling frequency fD and subtract, from the input data, data preceding the input data by a plurality of samples.
US09973168B2 Crystal vibrator package
The crystal vibrator package includes a base substrate, a crystal piece, and a reinforcing patter. The base substrate includes first and second electrode pads formed on an upper surface of the base substrate. The crystal piece includes exciting electrodes formed on upper and lower surfaces thereof and electrically connected to the first and second electrode pads, respectively, at one side of the crystal piece. The reinforcing pattern is formed at corner portions of the crystal piece.
US09973164B1 Power amplifier output power control circuit
A power amplifier output power control circuit includes a first operational amplifier with a negative input terminal configured to receive a power control signal; a first PMOS transistor with a grid electrode connected to an output terminal of the first operational amplifier, a source electrode connected to an external power source, and a drain electrode grounded via a voltage dividing network; a power amplifier with a power end connected to the drain electrode of the first PMOS transistor, an input terminal configured to access to a signal to be amplified, and an output terminal configured to amplify the signal; and a current sampling circuit configured to produce sampling current after sampling current across the first PMOS transistor and providing a negative feedback signal for the positive input terminal of the first operational amplifier according to the sampling current such that total output power of the power amplifier keeps unchanged.
US09973157B2 Method and apparatus for achieving high-output signal swing from class-D amplifier
An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing output signal swings that are greater than the supply voltage in a class-D amplifier. The amplifier circuit boosts the voltage across the amplifier load, such as a loudspeaker, by using capacitors to “charge pump” the voltage across the load and thus increase the voltage temporarily. This is done by using two or more output bridges rather than one, and connecting the bridges through the capacitors. For signals of less than the supply voltage, only an inner bridge, similar to a full bridge of the prior art, operates. For signals above the supply voltage, an outer bridge charges capacitors, which are then used to ‘boost’ the voltage on the bridge output for the short period of the Class-D switching period. Thus, only relatively small value boosting capacitors are needed, as they do not need to supply charge for very long.
US09973152B2 Current-limiting in an amplifier system
One example includes an amplifier system. The system includes a gain stage configured to conduct a gain current in response to an input voltage. The system also includes a current limit stage coupled to the gain stage and being configured to one of source and sink the gain current and to define a limit amplitude of the gain current during a current limit condition. The system further includes an output stage coupled to the gain stage and configured to conduct an output current through an output node in response to the gain current, the output current having a maximum amplitude during the current limit condition that is proportional to the limit amplitude.
US09973137B2 Active front end power converter with boost mode derating to protect filter inductor
Methods and apparatus are presented for controlling a power converter to protect input filter inductors from overheating, in which an active front end (AFE) rectifier is operated in a boost mode to provide a boosted DC voltage at a derated output current value selected according to the DC bus voltage boost amount corresponding to a maximum load condition for which the filter inductors will not overheat.
US09973127B2 Control system for controlling the rotational speed of a drive motor
The rotational speed of at least one drive motor of a motor vehicle is controlled by an electronic control system, wherein the differential rotational speed between a specified target rotational speed and an actual rotational speed of the drive motor is considered as a system value for determining the control parameters that influence the rotational speed control process. As an additional system value, the magnitude and direction of the differential rotational speed gradient are considered when determining the control parameters.
US09973121B2 Magnetic sensor and an integrated circuit
The present teaching relates to a magnetic sensor residing in a housing. The magnetic sensor includes an input port and an output port, both extending from the housing, wherein the input port is to be connected to an external alternating current (AC) power supply. The magnetic sensor also includes an electric circuit which comprises an output control circuit coupled with the output port and configured to be at least responsive to a magnetic induction signal and the external AC power supply to control the magnetic sensor to operate in a state in which a load current flows through the output port. The magnetic induction signal is indicative of at least one characteristic of an external magnetic field detected by the electrical circuit and the operating frequency of the magnetic sensor is positively proportional to the frequency of the external AC power supply.
US09973118B2 Motor drive circuit, method for detecting single phase DC motor rotation direction and method for starting motor
A motor drive circuit including a back electromotive force detecting module and a processing module is disclosed herein. The back electromotive force detecting module is electrically connected to a single phase DC motor and is configured to detect a back electromotive force of the single phase DC motor and to output a detecting signal correspondingly. The processing module is electrically connected to the back electromotive force detecting module and the single phase DC motor. The processing module is configured to determine the rotation direction of the single phase DC motor according to the detecting signal and a hall signal outputted by a hall element located in the single phase DC motor, and is configured to control the single phase DC motor.
US09973115B2 Method for detecting the position of a wiper arm for a vehicle window wiping system
Method for detecting the position of a wiper arm (5) for a system (1) for wiping a vehicle window (3), comprising the steps consisting in: a) measuring or estimating (35) at least one parameter for determining the maintenance or service position, b) comparing (37) the measured or estimated value of said parameter with a reference value or a range of reference values, and c) determining, from the results of the comparison, whether the wiper arm is in maintenance or service position.
US09973113B1 Vehicle electronic power system with energy harvesting
Methods and apparatus are provided for a vehicle electronic power system. In one exemplary embodiment an energy harvesting device is configured to generate electricity in response to vibration of the vehicle occurring during normal vehicle operation. The energy harvesting device may be tuned to a frequency that falls within a peak energy region in a vibration profile of the vehicle. The power system may further include a charging circuit connecting the energy harvesting device to a rechargeable battery provides electrical power to an electro-mechanical vehicle component or system.
US09973110B2 Electrical architecture for converting DC voltage into AC voltage, and vice versa
An electrical architecture (1) for converting DC voltage into AC voltage, and vice versa, comprising: —a DC/AC voltage converter (2), comprising a plurality of arms mounted in parallel, each arm comprising two controllable switching cells (12), in series and separated by a mid-point, the arms being paired in H-bridges (11), —for each H-bridge (11), a dedicated control member (13), such that all of the switching cells (12) of said H-bridge (11) can be controlled by this control member (13), each control member (13) being intended to communicate with a same remote control unit (14) through a potential barrier (15).
US09973109B2 Inverter circuit with current detection circuitry
An inverter circuit with a current detection circuitry includes a main bridge circuit connected between the pair of DC input nodes, the main bridge circuit converting the received DC voltage to a primary AC current so as to output the primary AC current through an output terminal to be connected to a load; a supplementary bridge circuit connected in parallel to the main bridge circuit between the pair of DC input nodes, the supplementary bridge circuit having a circuit configuration identical to that of the main bridge circuit with smaller circuit parameters in at least some of constituent circuit elements so as to generate a detection-use AC current that is a prescribed fraction of said AC current outputted by the main bridge circuit. The detection-use AC current is detected by a current detector so as to calculate the amount of the primary AC current.
US09973102B1 System for power conversion with feedback to reduce DC bus loading
A power conversion system can be implemented to reduce load disturbances on a DC bus which may be caused by load activity, such as a motor starting, stopping and/or ramping up or down. In one aspect, the power conversion system can receive externally supplied multi-phase AC electric power, such as three-phase power from a power grid, and use a converter circuit to generate the DC bus. The power conversion system can then use an inverter circuit to generate multi-phase AC electric power from the DC bus for driving the load with adjustable frequencies and/or amplitudes as desired. The power conversion system can receive feedback signals to sense the load activity and adjust the converter and/or inverter circuits accordingly to reduce the load disturbances on the DC bus.
US09973101B2 Power conversion device that converts AC to AC
A power conversion circuit uses a multiphase AC power source as an input and has a plurality of bidirectional switches each of which is connected to each phase of the multiphase AC power source. A switching control circuit controls the states of the plurality of bidirectional switches and switches a combination of two phases of the multiphase AC power source, relating to interphase voltage to be outputted from the power conversion circuit to a load side. A resonant circuit is connected to an output side of the power conversion circuit. The switching control circuit, at a time of switching of the combination of the two phases that output the interphase voltage to the load side, switches the states of the bidirectional switches relating to the switching, by soft switching.
US09973087B1 Power conversion apparatus
A power conversion apparatus is provided. A detecting circuit detects a current flowing into a boot voltage input pin and converts the current into a corresponding detecting voltage. An adjusting signal generating circuit generates an adjusting signal according to the detecting voltage. A control circuit adjusts control parameters thereof according to the adjusting signal.
US09973073B2 Voltage conversion device that ensures supply of power to a controller even if the input voltage decreases
A voltage conversion device includes a first conversion circuit configured to switch a DC voltage at a DC power supply to convert the DC voltage into an AC voltage, a second conversion circuit configured to rectify the AC voltage converted with the first conversion circuit to convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage, a controller configured to control switching operation of the first conversion circuit, and emergency power supply circuits (a clamp circuit and a constant-voltage circuit) provided between a connection point of an auxiliary switching element and a capacitor and the controller. When an input voltage at the DC power supply decreases due to start-up of a starter motor in releasing idling stop of a vehicle, the emergency power supply circuits obtain a power supply voltage necessary for operation of the controller from a voltage at the connection point, and supply the power supply voltage to the controller.
US09973069B2 Rotor for synchronous reluctance motor with reduced flux leakage and residual stress
Provided is a synchronous reluctance rotating electrical machine that has superior rotor strength, and that can be manufactured at low cost. Asynchronous reluctance motor has a rotor wherein a multiple of quadrature axes are formed in a circumferential direction. The rotor has two neighboring quadrature axis holes sandwiching a center bridge in the circumferential direction of the rotor in order to form one quadrature axis. The quadrature axis holes communicate with an outer periphery of the rotor on a side opposite to that of the center bridge. The center bridge is located on the outer side, in a radial direction of the rotor, of an inscribed circle of the multiple of quadrature axis holes. Also, the rotor 3 has a direct axis projection protruding in the direction of a direct axis between two neighboring quadrature axes.
US09973068B2 Cast copper alloy for asynchronous machines
A copper alloy having the following composition (in % by weight): in each case 0.05 to 0.5% of at least three elements selected from the group consisting of Ag, Ni, Zn, Sn and Al, remainder Cu and unavoidable impurities, optionally 0.01 to 0.2% of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ti, Zr, B, P, As, Sb. Also, a current-carrying structural part made of a copper alloy and a cage rotor having multiple conductor bars and two short-circuiting rings, which are cast in one piece from a copper alloy.
US09973066B2 Multi-layer sandwich-shaped electric wheel
A wheel assembly comprising a wheel-shaped stator plate provided between two wheel-shaped rotor plates, all of which being co-axially attached to a rotation shaft. Each rotor includes a plurality of permanent magnets on the side facing the stator. The stator includes a plurality of coils corresponding in position to the permanent magnets of the rotors. Corresponding magnet faces of the different rotors have opposite orientations, and adjacent magnet faces of the same rotor have also opposite orientations. The rotors are attached to each other to maintain this configuration in place as the rotors rotate. The coils are configured so that each coil generates a magnetic field that extends across the surface of the stator plate to react with corresponding permanent magnets in both rotors, thus maximizing use of the magnetic field generated by the coils and causing the rotor plates to rotate simultaneously. A stream of cooling fluid may be run within the stator plate for reducing overheating.
US09973059B1 Vehicle wheel generator system
An energy recovery system for a machine, and particularly a multi-wheeled vehicle, includes an energy generation component housed within one of said wheel assemblies, coupled to an energy storage component which selectively receives energy from said vehicle motion effect on said energy generation component and delivers said energy to a said energy storage component. In one embodiment, said energy generation is an electric generator, and said storage component is an electric battery.
US09973057B2 Linear generator and linear drive
Device for the reversible transfer of linear motion into rotational motion and for the conversion of rotational motion into electrical energy and vice versa. The device comprises a central rail and a support element which surrounds the central rail or is being surrounded by the central rail, the support element being positioned so as to be capable of performing a linear motion relative to the central rail in the longitudinal direction of the central rail. A number of rolling bodies which are in contact with the central rail are rotationally mounted in the support element. The rolling bodies rotate during the linear motion of the support element relative to the central rail in conjunction with the central rail. The linear motion is also connected to the drive or output of an electric machine. The elastically preloaded rolling bodies are arranged so that the central rail is essentially mounted with zero clearance under pressure, whereby the preload forces cancel each other out and are produced by elastically deformed retaining brackets on the support element. The rotations of at least one rolling body form the drive or output of the electric machine.
US09973056B2 Motor mounting assembly and method of manufacture
A motor mounting assembly for mounting a motor includes a motor base and a motor mounting fixture. The motor base has an elongate slot and a threaded adjusting rod. The motor mounting fixture cooperates with the slot for securing the motor to the base and includes a fixture body and a coupling member. The fixture body includes a fixture base and first and second oppositely disposed legs. First and second apertures extend through the first and second legs and a motor fastener projects proximally from the fixture base to be received in the slot. The coupling member has a through bore aligned with the first and second apertures between the first and second legs. At least one of the first aperture, the second aperture, or the bore includes screw threads engaging the adjusting rod for adjusting a position of the motor.
US09973050B2 Asynchronous machine with optimized distribution of electrical losses between stator and rotor
The invention relates to an asynchronous machine (1) as can be used particularly in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. The asynchronous machine (1) has a rotor (5) and a stator (3). The asynchronous machine is designed and controlled in such a manner that it has a pole pair number p of p=3. Because of the reduced yoke saturation that can consequently be achieved, the stator yoke (9) can be designed with a lesser height hy1, such that a ratio of the outer rotor diameter D2a to the outer stator diameter D1a can assume values between 0.7 and 0.8. As a result, enlarged rotor teeth (19) and correspondingly enlarged rotor grooves (21) can be formed in the rotor (5), such that electrical losses in the material in the rotor grooves (21) acting as the rotor coil element (23) are smaller in comparison to conventional asynchronous machines. The electrical losses occurring to a greater extent in the stator (3) compensating for this lead to a lesser warming of the stator (3) than would be the case with the rotor (5) as the stator (3) can be cooled by simple means. Overall, a higher continuous torque can thus be achieved with the asynchronous machine (1) according to the invention.
US09973042B2 Power transmission system
In a power transmitting device (101) and a power receiving device (201), active electrodes (13, 23), passive electrodes (14, 24), and reference potential electrodes (15, 25) oppose each other so as to make capacitance coupling, so that capacitances Caa, Cpp, and Cgg are generated. Capacitors having capacitances C1a, C1p, C2a, and C2p are connected to between the reference potential electrode (15) and the active electrode (13), between the reference potential electrode (15) and the passive electrode (14), between the reference potential electrode (25) and the active electrode (23), and between the reference potential electrode (25) and the passive electrode (24), respectively. The power transmission system (1) satisfies any one or more of the conditions of Caa+Cpp
US09973041B2 Electronic component that operates stably over a range of temperatures and apparatus including the same
An electronic component includes a first capacitor including a first dielectric material having a permittivity that is inversely proportional to temperature; and a second capacitor connected in parallel with the first capacitor and including a second dielectric material having a permittivity that is directly proportional to temperature.
US09973039B2 Power receiver, wireless power system and related method of transmitting information with a power receiver
A power receiver includes a resonant circuit generating an internal supply voltage. A voltage rectification circuit receives the internal supply voltage and generate a corresponding rectified voltage. A voltage regulator receives the rectified voltage and a modulation signal and is configured to generate a corresponding regulated voltage. A controlled voltage-to-current converter receives the regulated voltage and the modulation signal. The converter operates to deliver, through an output line of the power receiver, an output current having a DC value corresponding to the DC value of said regulated voltage and having an AC value corresponding to said modulation signal.
US09973031B2 Orientation-independent wireless charging
Methods are provided herein for orientation-independent, wireless charging of devices. The methods disclosed herein comprise transmitters and at least one receiver to transmit power wirelessly. The methods described herein comprise generating rotating magnetic fields to induce an electric current in a device.
US09973018B2 Electric storage system
A reference voltage value is calculated by using a current value, a voltage value, and an internal resistance value of an electric storage apparatus. A dischargeable electric power is calculated by using the reference voltage value and a predetermined internal resistance value previously set to be higher than the internal resistance value. The dischargeable electric power is set as an allowable discharge electric power when temporarily increasing the discharge electric power required of the electric storage apparatus. The reference voltage value is calculated from the internal resistance value and is a fixed value regardless of the relationship between the current value and the voltage value. The dischargeable electric power is also constant. Since the predetermined internal resistance value is higher than the internal resistance value, the dischargeable electric power can be set while the deterioration of the electric storage apparatus is taken into account.
US09973015B2 Battery cell with a rapid discharge unit and rapid discharge method for such a battery cell
A battery cell (10) with two battery cell terminals (11, 12) which are contactable from inside and/or outside the battery cell (10), and an electrochemical part (20) comprising at least one separator. Upon the achievement of a predefined temperature, the at least one separator is at least partially impermeable to ions which can be generated in the electrochemical part (20). The battery cell (10) has a rapid discharge unit (30), which is connectable between the battery cell terminals (11, 12) and which, in a switched-in and consequently activated state, has a predefined resistance value. The predefined resistance value is selected such that, with the rapid discharge unit (30) switched-in, the at least one separator achieves the predefined temperature.
US09973013B2 Universal magnetic mounting charger for mobile devices
A mobile device charger with mounting ability is disclosed. An attachment seat is attached to a mobile device, the attachment seat has a charging cable and charging plug that can be plugged into the charge port of mobile device. The attachment seat has an electrode section and a magnet section to interact with a charger mounting support that has a matching charging head with an electrode section and a magnet section. The charger mounting support also has a rotation section and a power converting configuration and port for power supply port.
US09973012B2 Electronic cigarette charger
An electronic cigarette charger, comprising a housing, a charging circuit board, a first electric connecting piece and a second electric connecting piece, a first elastic metal wire, a second elastic metal wire, and a suspension structure arranged on the housing and used for suspending the electronic cigarette charger, wherein one end of the first elastic metal wire and the second elastic metal wire is connected to the charging circuit board in an insertion mode, the other end of the first elastic metal wire is connected to the first electric connecting piece in a buckling mode, and the other end of the second elastic metal wire is connected to the second electric connecting piece in a buckling mode. Therefore, the electronic cigarette charger is convenient to carry and to assemble by skillfully connecting the first elastic metal wire and the second elastic metal wire with remaining components, improving a production efficiency.
US09973009B2 Wireless power transmisson apparatus and wireless power transmisson method
A wireless power transmission apparatus and a wireless power transmission method includes: activating a first wireless transmission unit having a first transmission scheme and deactivating a second transmission unit having a second transmission scheme; transmitting power by the first transmission scheme when a reception scheme of a wireless power reception apparatus is same as the first transmission scheme; deactivating the first wireless transmission unit and activating the second wireless transmission unit when the reception scheme is different from the first transmission scheme; and transmitting the power by the second transmission scheme when the reception scheme is same as the second transmission scheme. Interference between the first wireless transmission unit and the second wireless transmission unit can be prevented from occurring by selectively or sequentially activating the first wireless transmission unit and the second wireless transmission unit.
US09973002B2 Dynamic demand response in a renewable energy-based electricity grid infrastructure
In a renewable energy-based electricity grid infrastructure, distributed data analytics enable modeling and delivery of an appropriate, time-sensitive, dynamic demand response from multiple renewable energy resource components to an intelligent power distribution network. Distributed data analytics also enable the electricity grid infrastructure to virtually, optimally and adaptively make decisions about power production, distribution, and consumption so that a demand response is a dynamic reaction across the electricity grid infrastructure in a distributed energy generation from multiple renewable energy resources responsive to various types of grid demand situations, such as customer demand, direct current-specific demand, and security issues, and so that power production is substantially balanced with power consumption.
US09972995B2 Circuit with a droop compensating mechanism
A method includes charging a capacitor connected to an input node, gradually decreasing an output voltage at an output node, and electrically connecting the input node to the output node. A circuit that performs the method is also disclosed. A system that includes the circuit is also disclosed.
US09972994B2 Systems and methods for over-temperature protection and over-voltage protection for power conversion systems
Systems and methods are provided for protecting a power conversion system. A system controller includes a first controller terminal and a second controller terminal. The first controller terminal is configured to provide a drive signal to close and open a switch to affect a first current flowing through a primary winding of a power conversion system. The second controller terminal is configured to receive first input signals during one or more first switching periods and receive second input signals during one or more second switching periods. The system controller is configured to determine whether a temperature associated with the power conversion system is larger than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to the temperature associated with the power conversion system being larger than the predetermined temperature threshold, generate the drive signal to cause the switch open and remain open to protect the power conversion system.
US09972993B2 System and method for controlling wind power generation systems
An electrical system for controlling a wind turbine is provided. The electrical system includes a first resistive element, a storage element and a controller. The first resistive element and the storage element are coupled to a DC link of the wind turbine. The controller is used for switching between the first resistive element and the storage element in response to a grid side fault condition to minimize mechanical loads induced by the grid side fault condition.
US09972989B2 Optical voltage sensing for underground medium voltage wires
An optical voltage sensor for measuring voltage on an underground power line or for use in other scenarios in which access to a conductor is available through a blind hole. The optical voltage sensor includes a light modulating member, such as a Pockel's crystal. A reflective, conductive member is positioned at one end of the light modulating member and another conductive member is positioned at an opposed end. A voltage capacitively coupled to the reflective conductive member induces a voltage across the light modulating member, thereby impacting the amount of modulation. A beam of light is directed through the crystal and reflected back out of the crystal, where the amount of modulating can be measured. The amount of modulation indicates a measured voltage, and can be transmitted to a monitoring station where processing can determine the status of the power grid or generate other results based on the measured voltage.
US09972982B2 Apparatus for relieving tension of electric cable
An apparatus for relieving tension of an electric cable includes an anchor plate; a bell mouth supporting the cable; a plurality of guide supporting bars directly connecting the anchor plate and the bell mouth; an elasticity controller through which each guide supporting bar is penetrated and inserted; a mobile supporting plate elastically supported by one end of the elasticity controller, the mobile supporting plate selectively pressurizing the elasticity controller according to the tension of the cable and moveable along a longitudinal direction of the plurality of guide supporting bars; a fixed supporting plate provided between the mobile supporting plate and the bell mouth, the fixed supporting plate being supported and fixed to each guide supporting bar, the other end of the elasticity controller being supported by the fixed supporting plate; and one or more spring cleats combined with the mobile supporting plate, the spring cleat adapted for holding and fixing the cable.
US09972979B2 Prechamber spark plug for igniting a fuel-air mixture in an internal combustion engine
A pre-chamber spark plug for igniting a fuel-air mixture in an internal combustion engine, in particular a gasoline engine, comprises a spark plug body (1) having a pre-chamber housing (2) and a cap (4) which at least partially closes the pre-chamber (3), and further comprises a ground electrode (11) in the spark plug body (1) as well as a central electrode (7) which protrudes into the pre-chamber (3); the ground electrode (11) has an annular shape and, on the inner surface thereof, includes at least one ignition area (17) designed as a cam (16) as well as a radially inward extending protrusion (18) as a baffle (19).
US09972977B2 Spark plug for internal combustion engine
A spark plug 5 for an internal combustion engine includes a center electrode 1, an insulator 2, and a housing 3. The insulator 2 includes a distal end side exposed part and an insulator enlarged diameter part 21. The housing 3 includes a lateral electrode 32, an engaging part 33, and a crimping portion 35. A buffer member 4 that restrains the distal end side exposed part 20 by pressing a part of the distal end side exposed part 20 toward the center and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the lateral electrode 32 in a radial direction at a distal end side of the engaging part 33 is disposed at a base end side of the gas pocket 230.
US09972974B1 Methods for fabricating light emitting devices
In an example, the present invention provides a method for fabricating a light emitting device configured as a Group III-nitride based laser device. The method also includes forming a gallium containing epitaxial material overlying the surface region of a substrate member. The method includes forming a p-type (Al,In,Ga)N waveguiding material overlying the gallium containing epitaxial material under a predetermined process condition. The method includes maintaining the predetermined process condition such that an environment surrounding a growth of the p-type (Al,In,Ga)N waveguide material is substantially a molecular N2 rich gas environment. The method includes maintaining a temperature ranging from 725 C to 925 C during the formation of the p-type (Al,In,Ga)N waveguide material, although there may be variations. In an example, the predetermined process condition is substantially free from molecular H2 gas.
US09972971B2 Surface emitting laser, information acquisition apparatus, and imaging apparatus
A surface emission laser includes a first beam, a second reflector disposed in an opening portion formed in the first beam, and a second beam disposed in the opening portion, and extending in a widthwise direction of the first beam to connect the second reflector and the first beam, wherein a length, in a longitudinal direction of the first beam, of the second beam is smaller than a length, in the longitudinal direction of the first beam, of the second reflector.
US09972963B2 Process using a single circular wedge prism for fine alignment of a laser cavity with a single-axis scanning element as the optical Q-switch
The compact, laser cavity with a single-axis scanning element as the optical Q-switch incorporates all optical components required for a short-pulse laser. These optical components are ‘locked’ into alignment forming an optical laser cavity for diode laser or flash lamp pumping. The optical laser cavity does not need optical alignment after it is fabricated. Unfortunately, during the alignment process of the optical laser cavity there are small shifts due to the bonding process of the optical elements. These small shifts introduce alignment errors which results in a decrease in output energy and beam quality. The improvement presented adds a single circular wedge prism that corrects these alignment errors returning the output back to its optimum energy output and beam quality.
US09972962B2 Tuning multi-input complex dynamic systems using sparse representations of performance and extremum-seeking control
Systems and methods for tuning multi-input complex dynamic systems in order to automatically obtain optimal performance are provided. Training is performed by measuring performance of the complex system using an objective function for a sparse sampling of input values over a variety of dynamic regimes. A sparse representation of the performance for each dynamic regime is stored in a library. At run-time, performance is measured and matched to a sparse representation in the library, and the complex system is configured with the optimal input values associated with the matching sparse representation from the library. Performance may then be optimized using an extremum-seeking controller. In some embodiments, the disclosed techniques are applied to a self-tuning mode-locked laser. In some embodiments, the disclosed techniques are applied to other complex systems such as phased array antennas and neurostimulation systems.
US09972961B2 Two-ended pumping of a composite fiber optic amplifier
Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure include a fiber optic amplifier system and a fiber optic oscillator system having a first stage, comprising a first core fiber having a first core diameter and a first cladding size; a second stage, comprising a second core fiber having a second core diameter and a second cladding size; and a double mode adapter connecting the first stage to the second stage, wherein the double mode adapter is configured to provide transitions for the cores and the claddings of the first and second core fibers.
US09972958B2 Press-fitting device
The press-fitting device has: a base; a rear surface plate; and a vertical operation section and mounts PF terminals having a shoulder section and a PF section to the member to be mounted. Provided on the vertical operation section are: an insertion path wherein a continuous PF terminal body formed by consecutive PF terminals is inserted; a movable feeding means that feeds the continuous PF terminal body along; a dividing means that divides the continuous PF terminal body into individual PF terminals; and a mounting means that mounts the PF terminals to the mounting member. A fixed feeding means is fixed to the rear surface plate in a static state relative to the vertical operation section, and restricts continuous PF terminal body movement that is in conjunction with the vertical operation section. The PF terminals are mounted to the mounting member by the vertical movement of the vertical operation section.
US09972955B1 Travel voltage converter and adapter
A portable power converter includes a housing having a front surface and a rear surface, a socket disposed on the front surface and configured to conduct an input waveform, and a plug disposed on the rear surface and configured to conduct an output waveform. The power converter also includes a power conversion circuit disposed within the housing and coupled to the socket and the plug. The power conversion circuit includes a low power conversion circuit coupled to the socket and configured to transform the input waveform into a first waveform, a high power conversion circuit coupled to the socket and configured to transform the input waveform into a second waveform, and a switch circuit coupled to the low power conversion circuit and the high power conversion circuit. The switch circuit is configured to combine the first waveform and the second waveform to generate the output waveform.
US09972953B1 Push-type connector for electrical conductors
A connector may be configured to electrically connect at least first and second electrical conductors to one another. The connector may include first and second connector elements configured to electrically couple the first and second electrical conductors. The first and second connector elements may each include tubular members extending longitudinally between respective conductor ends and connector ends. The tubular members may each define respective exterior surfaces. The exterior surfaces of the first and second connector elements may define respective body portions, and the exterior surface of the first connector element may define a projection. The exterior surface of the second connector element may define a tubular receiver configured to receive the projection. The exterior surfaces may include respective shoulders, and the exterior surfaces may each define a plurality of transverse ridges associated with the respective shoulders to facilitate gripping the first and second connector elements.
US09972952B2 Electrical connector with improved terminals array
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a tongue portion, a number of terminals having a number of first contacts and second contacts, and a shielding shell attached to the housing. The tongue portion defines a first surface and a second surface. Each first contact has a first contacting portion exposed from the first surface, a first soldering portion, and a first connecting portion. Each second contact has a second contacting portion exposed from the second surface, a second soldering portion, and a second connecting portion. The first contacts have a first outermost contact, and the first contacting portion of the first outermost contact offsets outwardly beyond the second contacting portion along a transverse direction.
US09972950B2 Shield case, and connector having the same
A shield case including a first shell having electrical conductivity and a second shell having electrical conductivity. The first shell includes a connecting portion and a cover. The connecting portion is a tube extending in a first direction and including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is a portion of the connecting portion on one side in a second direction, the second direction crossing the first direction. The second portion is a portion of the connecting portion on the other side in the second direction. The cover extends in the first direction contiguously from the first portion of the connecting portion and includes a pair of walls opposed to the second portion, with interstices left between the respective walls and the second portion. The second shell includes a first blocking portion, the first blocking portion blocking the interstices.
US09972948B2 Plug or socket as a component for an electrical connector and electrical connector
A component for an electrical connector, said component bearing a field of electrically conducting signal elements (12) electrically insulated from each other and a field of electrically conducting shield elements (10), the shield elements being electrically interconnected with each other. For each of the signal elements (12), in any partial circumference extending over an angle (α) of more than 160 degrees from this signal element at least one of the shield element (10) is arranged that is closer to this signal element (12) than the any other signal element (12) of the field of signal elements (12). Each of these shield elements extends across an angle (β) of less than 160 degrees from the signal element (12). The number of shield elements (10) is the number of the signal elements (12) times 3 or less.
US09972946B2 Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector includes an insulation body having a base portion and a tongue located at a front end of the base portion. Multiple terminals are fixed on the base portion and partially exposed from a surface of the tongue. An outer metal casing surrounds the base portion and the tongue and forms an insertion space receiving the tongue. The outer metal casing has a bottom wall and two side walls. Each side wall extends downward to form a stop wall. Each stop wall extends downward to form two soldering pins. The four soldering pins are arranged in two rows. A cushion block is located below the bottom wall and fixed on the two stop walls. Four protruding blocks are formed by protruding downward from a bottom surface of the cushion block. At least two of the protruding blocks are located disposed between the soldering pins in the two rows.
US09972943B2 Modular connector receptacles having printed circuit board tongues
Connector receptacles that may be modular, may be reliable and durable, and may provide a high signal quality. Examples may provide modular connector receptacles having a shielded housing around a tongue supporting a number of contacts. They may provide a high signal quality by using printed circuit boards as tongues and for routing signals, and they may be made durable by using through-hole contacting portions soldered to the printed circuit board and mechanically supported by a header.
US09972942B1 Apparatus and methods for insulating an electrically-groundable support surface
An insulated, electrically groundable, support surface includes at least one heat shield configured to be disposed between a ground cover and an electrically-conductive cover(s) of the support surface to insulate the ground cover from heat generated by electric current flowing through the electrically-conductive cover(s).
US09972937B2 Lever type connector
A lever type connector includes a male housing having a hood part, a lever rotatably supported on the male housing, a moving plate for positioning a tab part of a male terminal within the hood part and a female housing to be fitted into and detached from the hood part. By operating the lever forward, it is possible to allow the female housing to move to an inner side of the hood part together with the moving plate, thereby allowing the female housing to be fitted into the male housing. When the male housing is not fitted to the female housing, a rib of the lever abuts against a boss of the moving plate. When the abutment between the rib and the boss is released by operating the lever forward, the female housing is permitted to push the moving plate into the hood part.
US09972935B2 Drainage structure for electrical connection box
Provided is a drainage structure for an electrical connection box capable of preventing an internal circuit board from getting wet even if water has entered. An electrical connection box main body is mounted on a vehicle wherein a main body-side connector is located on an upper side and protrudes from an opening in a horizontal direction, and a protruding end portion of a housing peripheral wall of a lateral electrical component attaching portion protrudes to the outside from a lateral window, the lateral electrical component attaching portion protrudes laterally from on a side edge portion of a circuit board. A first drainage channel is provided inside the electrical connection box main body, and a second drainage channel extends downward and having an upper end portion connected to the first drainage channel in the protruding end portion of the housing peripheral wall of the lateral electrical component attaching portion.
US09972933B2 Contact probe
The present invention intends to suppress a contact probe from interfering with a guide plate to produce shavings. The present invention has stacked structure that sandwiches an intermediate metallic layer 12 between outer metallic layers 11 and 13, and includes: a contact part 2 that is brought into abutting with a test object; an elastic deformation part 4 that is elastically deformed so as to be curved in a predetermine direction of curvature N by compression force in the longer direction; and a fore end part 3 that is formed between the contact part 2 and the elastic deformation part 4 and supported by a through-hole 121 of a guide plate 120 so as to make the contact part 2 movable in the longer direction, in which side surfaces of the fore end part 3 formed in the direction of curvature N and a direction N′ opposite to the N of the elastic deformation part 4 are configured to include the three metallic layers 11 to 13, and on the side surfaces, the intermediate metallic layer 12 is configured to protrude relative to the outer metallic layers 11 and 13.
US09972932B2 Electrical connector with high retention force
An electrical terminal includes an electrically conductive monolithic body including a mating end having a base, a contact beam spaced from the base in an upward direction, a side wall that extends from the base to the contact beam, and a spring assist member. The contact beam can be elastically flexible from an initial position whereby the spring assist member is spaced from the contact beam in the upward direction, to a deflected position whereby the contact beam abuts the spring assist member. The electrical is suited for assembly into a connector assembly which includes and inner core and an outer housing.
US09972929B2 Magnetic contacting array
An adaptive magnetic contacting device is described that comprises a plurality of magnets mounted on a flexible printed circuit board. The mounting configuration allows for local bending of the flexible printed circuit board at the point of attachment of each magnet, allowing for direct mating contact between magnetic arrays of devices despite manufacturing variances. The magnets may serve as a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or both.
US09972920B1 Terminal and terminal-equipped electric wire
A terminal that is connected to an end of an aluminum electric wire obtained by covering core wires with an insulating cover. The terminal is provided with a pair of insulation barrel pieces (crimping pieces) that extend in directions that intersect the longitudinal direction of the aluminum electric wire, and are crimped to the outer circumferential surface of the insulating cover. The pair of insulation barrel pieces have tip end portions that face and abut against each other in a state in which the pair of insulation barrel pieces are crimped to the insulating cover.
US09972913B2 Noise absorbing fabric
An object of the present invention is to provide a noise absorbing fabric in which electromagnetic waves are not susceptible to being reflected and which has superior noise absorbing ability, a noise absorbing fabric having noise absorbing ability across a wide band, a noise absorbing fabric that is soft, highly flexible, thin, and can be incorporated in intricate portions of electronic components or housings and the like by being bent or folded and the like, and a noise absorbing fabric that can be easily and stably produced without using an expensive soft magnetic material, is inexpensive and demonstrates high performance. In the noise absorbing fabric, a metal is subjected to metal processing on at least one side of a fabric, and the common logarithmic value of the surface resistivity of the surface subjected to metal processing is within the range of 0 to 4.
US09972903B2 Communication device
A communication device includes an antenna unit, a switch unit, a matching unit which is connected between the antenna and switch units, a communication unit which is connected to the switch unit, and a switch control unit. When the switch unit is in a conductive state, the matching unit matches a first impedance occurring if the antenna unit is seen from the matching unit and a second impedance occurring if the switch unit is seen from the matching unit. The switch control unit controls the switch unit so that the switch unit is set to the conductive state when the communication unit communicates via the antenna unit, and so that the switch unit is set to an interrupted state when the communication unit is to be protected from overvoltage. The switch control unit and switch unit are semiconductors formed under a first process rule and second process rule, respectively.
US09972891B2 Electronic device antenna with isolation mode
An electronic device may have wireless circuitry with antennas. An antenna resonating element arm for a given antenna may be formed from metal structures supported by a plastic carrier. The antenna resonating element arm may be coupled to switching circuitry to isolate the antenna resonating element arm when the antenna resonating element arm is not being used to handle communications in a communications band. The electronic device may have a metal housing. A slot may separate a peripheral portion of the housing such as a sidewall portion from a planar rear portion. The sidewall portion and the planar rear portion may form an additional antenna that operates at communications frequencies outside of the communications band handled by the given antenna. A parasitic antenna resonating element arm may be formed in the slot to enhance the frequency response of the additional antenna.
US09972887B1 Enclosure for wireless access point
A system for securing the wireless access point within a ceiling or wall. The system includes a rough-in bracket including a frame member defining a window that closely receives an enclosure box sized to contain the wireless access point. The enclosure box includes a rear housing that extends through the rough-in bracket window and two pairs of rotatable dog ears that secure the enclosure box therein. Air vents are provided in only two sides of the enclosure box which are intended to be aligned with the longitudinal space between ceiling joists. Magnets on an inside face of anesthetic cover are attracted to ferromagnetic screws in the enclosure box used to rotate the dog ears. The enclosure box also features flexible arrangement of cable knockouts and includes structure for securing standard and nonstandard wireless access point devices therein.
US09972886B2 Antenna assemblies
According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of antenna assemblies. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna assembly generally includes a feed network and a ground plane. Radiating dipoles or dipole radiating elements are along or on opposite sides of the feed network and the ground plane. The radiating dipoles or dipole radiating elements may be operable simultaneously and may co-locate radio frequency currents for a first frequency band and a second frequency band.
US09972878B2 Adjustable constant impedance phase shifter
An adjustable constant impedance phase shifter is provided. In the adjustable constant impedance phase shifter a conductive circuit path is arranged between a conductive sheet and a parallel plane that is parallel to the conductive sheet; an edge of a dielectric plate and an edge of a conductive plate are adjoined such that the dielectric plate and the conductive plate form a slide member; and the slide member is movably arranged along a slide path between the circuit element and the conductive sheet so that any point of the conducting circuit path is consistently enclosed between the slide member and the parallel plane, and so that the relative permittivity of a medium adjacent to a point on the conductive circuit path is simultaneously changed as the slide member is moved.
US09972876B2 Metal air battery and gas diffusion layer equipped therein
A metal air battery includes at least one gas diffusion layer assembly; a positive electrode layer disposed on a surface of the at least one gas diffusion layer assembly, wherein the positive electrode layer is capable of using oxygen as an active material; a protective electrolyte membrane disposed on the positive electrode layer; and a negative electrode metal layer disposed on the protective electrolyte membrane, wherein the gas diffusion layer assembly includes a first gas diffusion layer and a second gas diffusion layer, wherein the second gas diffusion layer is disposed on a first surface and an opposite second surface of the first gas diffusion layer, and wherein a gas diffusivity of the first gas diffusion layer is greater than a gas diffusivity of the second gas diffusion layer. Also, the gas diffusion layer assembly described above, and a method of manufacturing a metal air battery including the gas diffusion layer assembly.
US09972871B2 Voltage sensing member and battery module employed with the same
Disclosed herein is a voltage sensing member for sensing voltage of battery cells constituting a battery module, the voltage sensing member including a plurality of conductive sensing parts connected to electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells of the battery module, each of the conductive sensing parts having a plate strip shape, a connector for transmitting the voltage sensed by the conductive sensing parts to a battery management system (BMS), and a plurality of wires for electrically connecting the conductive sensing parts to the connector, wherein the conductive sensing parts are coupled to the electrode terminal connection parts in a surface contact manner by welding.
US09972865B2 Rechargeable electrochemical accumulator
The invention relates to a metallic lithium rechargeable electrochemical accumulator, comprising at least one lithium metal electrode and at least one polymeric electrolyte gel. Said accumulator is capable of operating at temperatures from −20 to 60° C., essentially without formation of lithium dendrites on the whole surface of the metallic lithium electrode. The above is also wherein a particularly long life, even with intensive use at low temperature. Said inventive rechargeable accumulator can be produced by use of a production method with particular application of temperature control during the specific production stages. As a result of the extremely high electrochemical performance of said accumulator, in particular the remarkable stability thereof, said accumulator can be used in new application fields such as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and emergency supply systems such as those of the UPS type.
US09972862B2 Secondary battery
Provided is a secondary battery in which a single-layer secondary cell has an all-solid-state secondary cell structure with a storage layer sandwiched between a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer and which is superior to a conventional secondary battery with respect to at least one of volume, operation, and positioning. The present invention provides a secondary battery including a folded single-layer secondary cell formed by folding a sheet-shaped single-layer secondary cell, with a storage layer sandwiched between a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer, two or more times while alternately reversing the folding direction.
US09972852B2 Fuel cell system with variable frequency drive for support equipment
Various embodiments enable the operation of fuel cell system support equipment using variable frequency drives and power from fuel cells and/or grid power sources.
US09972850B2 Fuel cell component having dimensions selected to maximize a useful area
An exemplary fuel cell component includes a generally planar body having a total area defined by a length and width of the body. A first portion of the total area is occupied by a first fuel cell features that renders the first portion unusable for at least one fuel cell function. A second portion of the total area is occupied by a second fuel cell feature that renders the second portion unusable for the fuel cell function. A third portion of the total area is considered an active area of the component that is useful for the fuel cell function. An aspect ratio of the length to the width of the generally planar body is dependent on a dimension of the first portion and a dimension of the second portion.
US09972849B2 Collector member, power generator, and method of manufacturing collector member for power generator
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collector member 10 comprising a sheet-shaped base material 11 having a carbon-containing fiber 11a and catalyst particles 12 adhered to an outer periphery of the fiber 11a, containing a noble metal or an alloy thereof, and having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 2 μm.
US09972835B2 Positive active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method for manufacturing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
Disclosed are a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery including a nickel-containing lithium transition metal composite oxide and a coating layer positioned on the surface of the lithium transition metal composite oxide, wherein the coating layer includes vanadium oxide, lithium vanadium oxide, or a combination thereof, a method of manufacturing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.
US09972831B2 Negative material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the negative material
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising an anode (3), a cathode (2) and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The anode includes composite particles having a carbon material included in a metallic material. As the metallic material, a metal capable of electrochemically reacting with lithium in a nonaqueous electrolyte is included.
US09972828B2 Anode active material for lithium secondary battery and preparation thereof
The present invention relates to an anode active material for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a carbon material, and a coating layer formed on the surface of particles of the carbon material and having a plurality of Sn-based domains having an average diameter of 1 μm or less. The inventive anode active material having a Sn-based domains coating layer on the surface of a carbon material can surprisingly prevent stress due to volume expansion which generates by an alloy of Sn and lithium. Also, the inventive method for preparing an anode active material can easily control the thickness of the coating layer.
US09972826B2 Method for producing cathode active material for solid state battery
A main object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a cathode active material for a solid state battery, which is capable of reducing resistance. The present invention solves the problem by providing a method for producing a cathode active material for a solid state battery comprising steps of: a coating step of coating a coating material represented by LixPOy (2≤x≤4, 3≤y≤5) on a surface of a cathode active material containing an Ni element and being an oxide by using a sputtering method; and a heat-treating step of forming a coating portion in such a manner that the cathode active material coated with the coating material is heat-treated within a range of 400° C. to 650° C. to diffuse the Ni element into the coating material.
US09972817B2 Method for producing a waterproof and ion-conducting flexible membrane
A method for producing a waterproof and ion-conducting flexible membrane intended for protecting a metal electrode. It comprises a synthesis by electrically assisted extrusion of compact fibers forming an ion-conducting fiber array comprising a first material. The fiber array defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. Subsequently, the fiber array is impregnated with a polymer of a second material, to form a metal electrode protection membrane. The fiber array forms paths for conducting ions between the first surface and the second surface and through the second material. The first surface is intended to be in contact with the metal electrode.
US09972816B2 Slurry for forming insulating layer, separator for electrochemical device, method for producing the same, and electrochemical device
A slurry for forming an insulating layer of the present invention includes heat-resistant insulating fine particles, a thickening agent, and a dispersion medium. The insulating fine particles are dispersed in the dispersion medium. The slurry for forming an insulating layer has a viscosity of 5 to 500 mPa·s. The proportion of particles with a particle size of 1 μm or less in the insulating fine particles is 30 vol % or more and the proportion of particles with a particles size of 3 μm or more in the insulating fine particles is 10 vol % or less. An electrochemical device of the present invention includes a separator for an electrochemical device of the present invention that is produced using the slurry for forming an electrochemical device of the present invention.
US09972815B2 Traction battery spacer with retention element
A battery assembly includes a plurality of cells stacked to form an array and a plurality of spacers each disposed between an adjacent pair of the cells. Each cell includes at least one terminal. Each of the spacers includes a retainer extending from an edge portion of the spacer. The retainers are configured to orient and engage a busbar for connecting the terminals of an adjacent pair of cells. The battery assembly may also include a busbar module. The busbar module may engage with the retainers to hold the busbar module to the array.
US09972813B2 Energy storage module comprising a plurality of prismatic storage cells and method for production thereof
The present invention relates to an energy storage module for an apparatus for supplying voltage of a motor vehicle, wherein the energy storage module comprises a plurality of prismatic storage cells which are stacked in at least one row, are arranged one behind the other and are braced between at least two end plates by means of at least one tie rod, wherein at least one of the end plates has a layer structure comprising at least three successive layers, wherein two outer layers surround at least one inner layer, and wherein the inner layer has a wavy and/or diffuse structure.
US09972812B1 Battery and connection apparatus
A battery includes: a casing that includes a plurality of exterior faces having outer faces facing mutually-different directions and has an arrangement concave part formed; a cell that is housed inside the casing; and a connector that includes a connection terminal connected to an electrode terminal of a connection apparatus and is arranged in the arrangement concave part, in which a face forming the arrangement concave part of the casing is formed as a concave part forming face, and the concave part forming face is present between the exterior faces and the connector.
US09972808B2 Display device having a substrate with a polygonal display area and an electronic apparatus
There is provided a display device including an element substrate that has a display area; and a counter substrate. When it is assumed that the length of the shortest edge of the display area is X1, the length of a longest diagonal line of the display area is X3, the thickness of the counter substrate is L1, the refraction index of the counter substrate is n1, the refractive index of the air is n2, and the minimum value of an angle, which is generated between a progress direction of light emitted from the organic EL elements and a normal vector direction is totally reflected in the surface, is α, the relationship of X1/(2 tan α)≤L1≤X3/(tan α) is realized.
US09972806B2 Display Device
A light-emitting element display device includes: a display area which has an organic insulating layer that is made of an organic insulating material; a peripheral circuit area which is disposed around the display area and which has the organic insulating layer; and a blocking area that is formed between the display area and the peripheral circuit area. The blocking area includes: a first blocking area configured by only one or a plurality of inorganic material layers between an insulating base substrate and an electrode layer which covers the display area and is formed continuously from the display area, and which configures one of two electrodes for allowing the light emitting area to emit the light; and a second blocking area including a plurality of layers configuring the first blocking area, and a light emitting organic layer.