Document Document Title
US09988039B2 Method for operating a drive apparatus and corresponding drive apparatus
A method for operating a drive apparatus including an internal combustion engine and an electric engine. An output shaft of the drive apparatus can be operatively connected to the internal combustion engine by way of a shifting clutch and can be permanently operatively connected to the electric engine, so that the output shaft is disengaged from the internal combustion engine in a first shifting state of the shifting clutch and is engaged with it in a second shifting state.
US09988037B2 Driving scenario prediction and automatic vehicle setting adjustment
A vehicle processor may track vehicle input during vehicle traversal of a travel path within a location region, match the vehicle input against a condition of a rule, such that when the vehicle input matches the condition, a driving scenario indication of a type corresponding to the rule is associated with the location region, and update a location demand identifier associated with the location region based on the driving scenario indication. The vehicle processor may further identify a location demand identifier for an approaching location region, the location demand identifier determined according to vehicle input satisfying a rule identifying a driving scenario and indicative of a level of likelihood of occurrence of the driving scenario; and when the location demand identifier exceeds a vehicle sensitivity level, provide a settings update to the vehicle to improve vehicle maneuverability during occurrence of the driving scenario.
US09988032B2 Relay valve, valve device, and vehicle associated therewith
A relay valve (2) includes a housing having a pressure medium inlet that can be connected to a pressure medium source, at least one pressure medium outlet that can be connected to a consumer, at least one control input, and at least one ventilation (32) leading to the atmosphere. The relay valve (2) has further a relay valve piston (14), which is arranged in the housing along a relay valve piston axis (16) in a slidable manner. The relay valve (2) has a first sealing element (54) fixed to the housing, and a second sealing element (56) fixed to the relay valve piston for sealing the relay valve piston (14) with respect to the housing. An annular space (58) having a connection to the atmosphere is defined by the first sealing element (54), the second sealing element (56), the relay valve piston (14), and the housing.
US09988026B2 System and method for independently controlling wheel slip and vehicle acceleration
The present disclosure relates to a system for real time control of a wheel slip of each slipping wheel of a pair of wheels associated with an axle of a motor vehicle, simultaneously and independently with real time explicit control of said motor vehicle's acceleration provided by each non-slipping wheel associated with the axle. The system makes use of a total controller and an asymmetric controller associated with the axle of the vehicle for generating two torque signals used to control the total and asymmetric dynamics respectively of the axle, and a distributor for distributing the two said torque signals into available actuators' targets. The two said controllers each contain feedback and feed forward control elements, is operable to sense wheel slippage condition of each wheel on the axle, and augments the feedback and feed forward control based on the sensed wheel slippage conditions.
US09988023B2 Activation device for a parking brake
The invention relates to an activation device (1) for a parking brake with a parking brake lever (2) swivel-mounted on a bearing block (3) and with a blocking device comprised of a pawl (13) on the parking brake lever (2) and a locking segment (12) on the bearing block (3). The parking brake lever (2) is fixed in place in a swivel position via the engagement of the pawl (13) with the locking segment (12). The swivel position of the parking brake lever (2) is transmitted via a transmission element to the parking brake and with a transfer device in or on the parking brake lever (2). The engagement of the pawl (13) with the locking segment (12) is released by actuating the transfer device. To form a swivel bearing, a shaft is provided to which a holder (7) for the transmission element and the parking brake lever (2) can be affixed in different rotational positions. As an alternative, or in addition, a linear movement of the pawl (13) is brought about by means of the transfer device.
US09988019B2 Flat wiper blade assembly
A flat wiper blade assembly may be provided that includes: a wiper strip 10 which wipes a wiping surface; a guide spring 30 which supports the wiper strip 10; a first spoiler 41 and a second spoiler 42 which are coupled to the guide spring 30; a seating part 100 which is coupled to the guide spring 30 in an attachable and removable manner; and an adaptor 200 and 200′ which is coupled to the seating part 100. The seating part 100 includes a first fitting portion 110 formed on one end thereof and a first catching portion 120 formed on the other end thereof. The adaptor 200 and 200′ includes a second fitting portion 210 and 210′ which is formed on one end thereof and coupled to the first fitting portion 110 and includes a second catching portion 220 and 220′ which is formed on the other end thereof and coupled to the first catching portion 120.
US09988015B2 Apparatus for cutting off dark current, vehicle comprising the same, and method for controlling the same
An apparatus for cutting off dark current, and a method of controlling the apparatus are provided. The apparatus for cutting off dark current includes: a communicator to receive an input signal of a remote keyless entry (RKE) remote control from a body control module (BCM); a controller to determine whether the received input signal of the RKE remote control satisfies conditions for changing a dark current control mode of the apparatus, and to send out a control signal to change the dark current control mode upon determination that the input signal of the RKE remote control satisfies the conditions for changing the dark current control mode; and a switch to maintain the changed dark current control mode based on the sent out control signal.
US09988014B2 Methods and apparatus for impeding a vehicle entry system relay attack
Some embodiments are directed to a vehicle remote keyless entry system that can control functions of a vehicle can include a transceiver, a processor based controller, and a remote device. The controller is configured to predefine one or more substantially concentric radio frequency authorization zones around the controller that includes at least a first zone and a second zone, a boundary of the second zone being predefined as closer around the controller than a boundary of the first zone. The controller is configured to instruct the transceiver to transmit a polling signal, which can be received by the remote device within the one or more concentric authorization zones, with different polling intervals for each of the first zone and the second zone. The controller selectively enables one or more of the vehicle functions when the controller determines the remote device is located outside of the second zone.
US09987997B2 Apparatus for securing objects
A multifunctional rack configured to secure various objects is described herein. The multifunctional rack is configured to be adjusted to secure various objects of varying size and number. The multifunctional rack is configured to secure and/or lock objects within the rack.
US09987992B2 Blind especially for storage compartment in a motor vehicle
A blind for closing a storage compartment in a motor vehicle is provided. The blind has slats arranged on rod-shaped guide elements which are slidably guided in guideways. According to the invention, each slat covers two guide elements and is attached to one of the guide elements and rests on the other guide element. The invention enables slats to be long in a sliding direction of the blind while the guideways have a small radius of curvature.
US09987991B2 Cargo space cover
A cargo space cover for vehicles including a roller blind which is fixated with a first edge at a winding shaft and which includes a tension rod at a second edge that is remote from the winding shaft; a winding shaft drive which acts against a pull out movement of the roller blind and which moves the roller blind from a pulled out position into a pulled in position; and a support device which cooperates with the tension rod and by which the roller blind is movable into an intermediary position that releases a vehicle cargo space at least partially, wherein a positioning drive is provided in addition to the winding shaft drive, wherein the positioning drive moves the tension rod which moves the roller blind into at least one intermediary position.
US09987989B2 Adjustable rearview device, method and motor vehicle
An adjustable rearview device, especially a side-view mirror for a motor vehicle, has a mirror head, a mirror base and at least one joint device. The joint device is arranged between the mirror head and mirror base and includes at least one elastomeric element and an axis of rotation around which the mirror head can move. The mirror head is configured to move, particularly by rotating or folding relative to the mirror base, from a first functional position to at least one second functional position. In the first functional position, the elastomeric element holds the mirror head. In at least one second functional position, the elastomeric element is stretched or compressed. The adjustable rearview device has at least one electrical conductor, which extends at least between the mirror base and mirror head. The electrical conductor is elastically deformable at least in the direction of its longitudinal dimension.
US09987987B2 Adjustment instrument for an exterior mirror unit for a vehicle
The invention relates to an adjustment instrument for an exterior mirror unit for a vehicle. The adjustment instrument comprises a housing which is pivotably adjustable between a park position, a drive position and a fold-over position with respect to a base. The adjustment instrument further comprises an electrical drive unit provided in the housing, and a drive ring for coupling with the electrical drive unit.
US09987986B2 Driving support device
A limited display space provided in a vehicle is used to effectively provide driving support information to a driver. When a notification condition for driving support information is satisfied, an information processing unit generates the driving support information, and determines whether the driving support information is prioritized driving support information or non-prioritized driving support information. When the driving support information is the prioritized driving support information, the information processing unit transmits an output request for the driving support information to an HUD ECU. As a result, the driving support information is displayed on a head-up display. On the other hand, when the driving support information is the non-prioritized driving support information, the information processing unit transmits an output request for the driving support information to a meter ECU. As a result, the driving support information is displayed on a meter display.
US09987985B2 Vehicle and method for controlling vehicle
A vehicle is provided and configured to allow a driver to recognize a degree of proximity of another vehicle by turning on a warning light differentially based on a degree of proximity of the other vehicle driving in a blind spot. The vehicle includes a rear lateral side detection unit that is configured to detect a rear lateral side including a blind spot and a side mirror including a mirror. A first indicator is disposed in the mirror and is configured to be turned on when a blind spot detection function is activated and a second indicator includes a plurality of indicators and is configured such that the number of a turned-on indicator is increased in a predetermined direction as a distance between the other vehicle, which is approaching in a blind spot, and a subject vehicle decreases, according to a detection result of the rear lateral side detection unit.
US09987983B2 Parking assist system for a vehicle and method of using the same
A parking assist system and method that uses one or more cameras on the side of a vehicle to provide modified video output to an electronic display unit that can assist a driver with parallel parking. The modified video output provides the driver with real time visual feedback of the position of the vehicle, with respect to a curb or other barrier, and may also indicate if the current position is compliant with local parking regulations, as determined based on the vehicle's current location. The modified video output includes one or more visual indicators that may be graphically superimposed over top of the video output from the side camera so that the driver can see in real time when the vehicle is or is not lawfully parallel parked.
US09987977B2 Vehicular control mode signaling system
A vehicular control mode signaling system includes a Driving Automation Level Electronic Control Unit that is communicatively linked to a vehicle computer and a signaling unit that is disposed along the vehicle. The control unit includes a processor, a vehicle controller, an interface controller, and a memory. The processor determines a vehicular control mode based on a comparison of a stored automation nomenclature and operating information received from the vehicle computer. The signaling unit includes at least one signal light that is disposed along the vehicle, and a transmitter that are selectively activated by the processor based on the determined vehicular control mode.
US09987976B1 Foldable warning device having a plurality of indications
A foldable warning device includes a number of illuminated display elements attached to one another to move along a flat plane, a number of permanent magnets for the attachment of the display to a vehicle, and a support illuminated element that can be moved from a position extending along the flat plane to a position extending away from the flat plane to support the device on a road surface, Alternately, the device may be attached to extend outward from a window on either side of the vehicle.
US09987960B2 Vehicle seat
[Purpose] To provide a vehicle seat having a garnish attached thereto, which is simplified in structure for easy secure attachment of the garnish to a seat cushion of the seat, and also highly improved as to outer appearance quality of the seat cushion.[Means for Achieving the Purpose] A vehicle seat of the present invention includes: a frame 4 formed from a sheet metal, the frame standing upright in a vertical direction thereof; a garnish 1 engaged with and fitted to the frame 4 so as to cover an outer peripheral surface of that frame; a cushion element 3 supported by the frame 4; and a trim cover element 2 covering the cushion element 3. In this vehicle seat, a terminal end portion 20 of the trim cover element 2 is fixedly secured to an outer surface of the garnish 1.
US09987959B2 Seat cover and vehicle seat
A seat cover of a vehicle seat configured to cover an outer surface of a seat pad, wherein a part of the seat cover which is configured to cover at least a seating surface of the seat pad consists of a seating surface piece made of a piece of cloth, and wherein, when covering the outer surface of the seat pad, the seat cover is bonded only to the seating surface.
US09987946B2 Apparatus for controlling state of charge of hybrid vehicle and method using the same
An apparatus for controlling a SOC of a hybrid vehicle comprises a data detector for detecting data including a SOC of a battery, a vehicle speed, an amount of operating of a brake pedal sensor, an amount of operating of an acceleration pedal sensor, and a driving state of a vehicle to control a SOC of a hybrid vehicle. Included are a correction value calculating unit configured for calculating a correction value of the SOC based on the data; a SOC calculating unit configured for calculating a virtual center SOC based on the correction value of the SOC and an actual SOC; and an engine-on/off determining unit configured for determining whether an engine is turned on or turned off based on the virtual center SOC.
US09987943B2 Method for transmitting data in a battery management system
The invention relates to a method for transmitting data in a battery management system (1) having at least one main control device (2) and a number of module control devices (6-1, 6-2, . . . , 6-n) which transmit measurement values to the main control device (2) via a communications channel (5). One of the module control devices (6-1, 6-2, . . . , 6-n) is a reference module control device. The method comprises the method steps: a) the reference module control device transmits a reference measurement value on the communications channel (5), b) the module control devices (6-1, 6-2, . . . , 6-n) determine differential values of their own measurement values to the reference measurement value, c) the module control devices (6-1, 6-2, . . . , 6-n) transmit the differential values of their own measurement values to the reference measurement value on the communications channel (5) and d) the main control device (2) reconstructs the measurement values of the module control devices (6-1, 6-2, . . . , 6-n) using the differential values and the reference measurement value. A computer program, a battery management system (1) and a battery which are designed to carry out the method are also described.
US09987942B2 Method of operating vehicle powertrain based on prediction of how different chemical type batteries connected in parallel will operate to output demanded current
A powertrain having a battery system including at least two batteries of different chemical types connected in parallel is operated according to predicted responses of the batteries to a demanded current command for the battery system to output a demanded current. The battery responses are predicted directly from the demanded current using a backward-looking model of the battery system.
US09987939B2 Method of docking an electric vehicle for charging
A method of docking an electric vehicle with a charging station includes periodically transmitting data from the vehicle to the charging station. The transmitted data may include a distance travelled by the vehicle location towards the charging station and its speed. An incremental distance travelled by the vehicle in a time interval between when the data is collected and received is calculated, and the distance corrected based on this calculated value. The relative position of the vehicle with respect to the charging station is determined based on the corrected distance, and a charge head of the charging station is automatically connected with the charging interface of the vehicle based on the determined relative position.
US09987938B2 Energy storage device, exchange apparatus, and method for exchanging an energy storage device
A battery exchange apparatus (e.g., for a battery exchange station positioned at a wayside location of a vehicle route) includes a receptacle mounted to at least one rail for lateral movement along the rail and for pivotal movement around a working axis generally orthogonal to the rail. The receptacle has an open end for receiving a battery from a direction generally orthogonal to the working axis. The apparatus further includes a recharge connector provided within the receptacle and opposite the open end of the receptacle. The open end of the receptacle includes at least two laterally flared surfaces, which are configured to impose at least one of lateral motion or pivotal motion on the receptacle in order to align the receptacle to the battery that is at least one of laterally or angularly misaligned from a lateral midline of the receptacle.
US09987923B2 Control device for vehicle
A vehicle includes a fuel tank, a canister, a closing valve and a filler door. A control device for the vehicle includes a valve controller that performs depressurization control for decreasing a tank pressure by opening the closing valve, a door controller that issues a normal driving command to a drive unit that opens the filler door when the tank pressure becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure by the depressurization control, a detector that detects an open/close state of the filler door and a determiner that determines whether or not detection by the detector can be performed. If the detection by the detector cannot be performed, the door controller issues, when the tank pressure is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure, a forced driving command for causing the drive unit to generate output power higher than normal power preferentially to the normal driving command.
US09987917B2 Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle and control method for hybrid vehicle
An electronic control unit is configured to select one of a series mode, a series-parallel mode and a parallel mode as a running mode. A load level of a hybrid vehicle is set to a value that is high in the order of a load level at which the parallel mode is selected, a load level at which the series-parallel mode is selected, and a load level at which the series mode is selected. That is, the electronic control unit selects the series-parallel mode in an intermediate load region, selects the series mode in a low load region, and selects the parallel mode in a high load region.
US09987915B1 Engine mount for vehicle
An engine mount for a vehicle, in which of the inside of the engine mount is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by an orifice plate, and an encapsulated hydraulic liquid flows through a center hole provided at the center of the orifice plate in accordance with a change in volume of the upper chamber, is provided. The engine mount is configured to include: a coil which is mounted in the orifice plate and forms a magnetic field in the center hole as electric current is applied; and a drive device which is formed to have a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the center hole, is configured to be inserted and disposed into the center hole, and selectively closes the center hole by moving upwards or downwards in the center hole by the formed magnetic field.
US09987905B2 Method of torque prediction for automotive air conditioning compressor
The torque of a vehicular air-conditioning compressor is predicted by the steps of starting a vehicle air-conditioning system having an engine and engine control module for controlling multiple vehicle functions, calculating a steady state torque value using an rpm value from the engine, calculating an engine RPM transient torque value using the rpm value from the engine, calculating a electronic control valve current transient torque value using a current value applied to an electronic control valve, selecting a final torque value from a group consisting of the steady state torque value, the engine RPM transient torque value, and the electronic control valve transient torque value, and providing a final torque value to the vehicle engine control module to control a predetermined vehicle function.
US09987895B2 Suspension tower
A suspension tower has: a top plate at which an upper end side of a front suspension is fixed at a fixing portion that is disposed apart from a stroke axis of the suspension; and a gradually changing rib that is provided upright from the top plate and extends from the stroke axis side toward an outer peripheral side at the top plate. The gradually changing rib has a constant level portion whose height from the fixing portion is constant, and a gradually changing portion whose height from the fixing portion is gradually decreased from the constant level portion toward the outer peripheral side. A boundary between the constant level portion and the gradually changing portion is disposed adjacent to the fixing portion.
US09987894B2 Vehicle trailer system
A vehicle trailer system for loading, transporting and unloading a load includes a trailer front structure for attachment to a towing vehicle; a pivotable structure pivotally coupled to the trailer front structure and including a transversely-movable structure for a load to slide or roll thereupon. An actuator allows causing transverse movement of the transversely-movable structure relative to a main body of the pivotable structure. A carriage mounted for bidirectional travel on the main body of the pivotable structure, the carriage including a carriage hitch for pivotably coupling a load. The transversely-movable structure in combination with the pivotably coupling carriage hitch allow correcting virtually any misalignments between the cargo container and the trailer, and clearing virtually any obstacle, in such a way that cargo containers will be able to be loaded and unloaded by small vehicles and in practically any location.
US09987893B2 Dolly stabilizer
A dolly stabilizer is mounted onto a rear end of a trailer and has a stabilizer plate, a stabilizer pin, and a control box. The stabilizer plate is mounted to a chassis having at least one pair wheels. The stabilizer plate may comprise a plurality of mounting holes. It includes a dolly tongue stabilizer pin hole that receives the stabilizer pin. The stabilizer plate includes an internal piston that is selectively driven into a recess or opening in the stabilizer pin to straighten a position of a subsequent trailer or dolly relative to a preceding one. The control box includes a pneumatic input for receiving pressurized air and a pneumatic output to brakes on the dolly. A speed sensor may be coupled to the control box for allowing speed control of the dolly wheels. Electrical connections accept power for operating lights and other electrical devices on the dolly.
US09987887B2 Aircraft tire with carcass reinforcement including first and second families of carcass layers
Aircraft tire comprises carcass reinforcement (5) comprising a first family of carcass layers extending between two beads (3), having at least one carcass layer wrapped, within each bead, from the inside towards the outside of the tire, around a bead wire (6) to form turn-up (511) having free end (E1) radially outside of radially outermost point (E) of the bead wire. The second family comprises at least two carcass layers, adjacent each to the next, extending, within each bead, from outside towards inside of the tire, as far as their respective ends (E2) which are radially inside of axial straight line (DY) through centre (O) of bead wire (6) and axially inside of a radial straight line (DZ) through centre (O) at axial distance (d2) at least equal to 5 mm. The carcass layers of the second family are axially inside of at least one turn-up of a carcass layer of the first family.
US09987878B2 Reinforcing structure of carbon fiber rim
A reinforcing structure of a carbon fiber rim is provided. A rim body is made from a carbon fiber material. The rim body includes an external diameter edge to be assembled with a tire, an inner diameter edge to be assembled to a hub via spokes, and two side sections between the outer diameter edge and the inner diameter edge. Metal reinforcing sheets are respectively disposed on the spoke assembling positions of the inner diameter edge and wrapped by the carbon fiber material, and each reinforcing sheet has two opening edges and a middle ring section connecting the two opening edges. The middle ring section is disposed with a reinforcing part corresponding to the inner diameter edge of the rim body and two reinforcing edge parts corresponding to two side edge sections.
US09987875B2 Optically variable security element with tilt image
(EN) The invention relates to an optically variable security element (20) for securing data carriers, having a flip image comprising first and second identifiers (24, 26) which can be detected from different first and second viewing directions (40, 42). According to the invention, the first and second identifiers (24, 26) of the flip image are present in an optically variable recording layer (30), which has a reflective layer (52) produced by a vacuum deposition process, and the security element (20) contains a viewing element screen (32) which is spaced apart from the recording layer (30) and which, when viewed from the first or second viewing direction (40, 42), reveals the first or second identifiers (24, 26), respectively.
US09987873B2 Optical security component with reflective effect, production of such a component and secure document provided with such a component
According to one aspect, the invention relates to an optical security component intended for being observed under direct reflection. The component comprises a structure engraved on a layer of a material having a refraction index n2, a thin layer of a dielectric material having a refraction index n1 other than n2, deposited on the structure, and a layer of a material having a refraction index n0 other than n1, encapsulating the coated structure of the thin layer. The structure has a first pattern modulated by a second pattern such that, in at least one first region (61, 86), the first pattern comprises a low-relief with a first set of facets, the shapes of which are determined such as to generate at least one first concave or convex cylindrical reflective element, and the second pattern forms a first subwavelength grating acting, after depositing the thin layer and encapsulating the structure, as a first wavelength-subtractive filter; in at least one second region (62, 86), the first pattern comprises a low-relief with a second set of facets in which the shapes are determined such as to generate at least one concave or convex cylindrical reflective element (64), and the second pattern forms a second subwavelength grating acting, after depositing the thin layer and encapsulating the structure, as a second wavelength-subtractive filter, separate from the first wave-length-subtractive filter. Each subwavelength grating can be a zero order diffraction grating such as a DID.
US09987866B2 Marking comprising a chiral liquid crystal polymer and a luminescent substance
Described is a marking for a substrate. The marking comprises at least one luminescent substance (a) and at least one chiral liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) material (b) having a reflection wavelength range that overlaps at least a part of the luminescence wavelength range of (a), provided that at least a part of (b) is not located underneath (a).
US09987862B2 Ink-jet recording apparatus
An ink-jet recording apparatus is provided. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a plurality of rollers that convey a sheet in a conveyance direction; a platen; a recording unit; a plurality of first ribs provided in the platen; and a plurality of second ribs provided between the first ribs and the rollers in the conveyance direction. The plurality of rollers, the plurality of first ribs, and the plurality of second ribs are each disposed in a position where at least parts of them overlap in the width direction, and a length in the width direction of each of the supporting surfaces of the plurality of second ribs is longer than that in the width direction of each of the supporting surfaces of the plurality of first ribs, and is shorter than that in the width direction of an abutting surface on the sheet in each of the plurality of rollers.
US09987855B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus is used for processing of reproducing a target object by applying color onto a structure formed based on a concavo-convex signal indicating a shape of the target object. The image processing apparatus determines, based on concavo-convex data, color data, and color reproducibility, a correction area which is an area in which color reproduction represented by the color data is decreased according to the shape represented by the concavo-convex data. The image processing apparatus corrects the concavo-convex data by smoothing the concavo-convex signal corresponding to the determined correction area.
US09987854B2 Liquid discharge head and recording device
A liquid discharge head may reduce possibility that pressure from a discharge unit reaches a third channel and a fourth channel. The liquid discharge head includes a plurality of discharge units each including a discharge hole, a pressurization chamber communicating with the discharge hole, a first channel for liquid supply to the pressurization chamber, and a second channel for liquid collection from the pressurization chamber, a pressurizing part configured to pressurize the pressurization chamber, a third channel connected commonly to the first channels of the plurality of discharge units, the third channel for liquid supply to the discharge units, a fourth channel connected commonly to the second channels of the plurality of discharge units, the fourth channel for liquid collection from the discharge units, and a fifth channel connecting the discharge units and having channel resistance larger than channel resistance of the first channel and the second channel.
US09987850B2 Printhead assembly
A printhead assembly is provided, the printhead assembly including a printhead die, a black fluid slot formed in the printhead die to deliver black printing fluid, and a color fluid slot formed in the printhead die to deliver color printing fluid.
US09987847B2 Inkjet printing apparatus and a flushing method therefor
An inkjet printing apparatus includes a transport speed detector for detecting transport speed of a printing medium, an inkjet head having a plurality of discharge portions for discharging ink droplets from the discharge portions for printing, and a flushing controller for carrying out discrete flushing from the discharge portions. For an acceleration area of the printing medium where the transport speed detector detects an increase in transport speed before printing, a first discharge rate is set as discharge rate of the ink droplets per unit time for the discharge flushing. For a constant speed area of the printing medium where the transport speed detector detects a substantially constant transport speed during printing, a second discharge rate lower than the first discharge rate is set as discharge rate of the ink droplets per unit time for the discharge flushing.
US09987846B2 Recording apparatus
A printer includes a cap unit, a transporting driving roller, a power transmitting unit, and a pump. At least a part of each of the cap unit, the transporting driving roller, the power transmitting unit, and the pump has the same height in a height direction of the apparatus (a Z-axis direction) and the cap unit, the transporting driving roller, the power transmitting unit, and the pump are arranged along a direction (a Y-axis direction) intersecting with a rotational axis line direction (an X-axis direction) of the transporting driving roller. Therefore, it is possible to arrange so as to suppress each dimension of the cap unit, the transporting driving roller, the power transmitting unit, and the pump in a height direction and it is possible to contribute to the miniaturization of the apparatus.
US09987844B2 Ink-jet printing head, ink-jet printing method and ink-jet printing device
Disclosed are an ink-jet printing head, an ink-jet printing method using the ink-jet printing head and an ink-jet printing device including the ink-jet printing head. The ink-jet printing head includes a chamber for accommodating ink and nozzle sets provided on a sidewall of the chamber where ink is sprayed. The nozzle sets are used for ink-jet printing on pixels at different positions, respectively. Each of nozzle sets includes sub-nozzles and the sub-nozzles in each nozzle set can spray different volumes of ink. In the printing head, by providing sub-nozzles having different ink spraying volumes in each nozzle set, ink droplets having desirable volumes can be sprayed from nozzle sets such that total volumes of ink droplets sprayed at different positions from nozzle sets could be more accurate. Therefore, a thickness of a film layer formed by ink-jet printing can be flexibly controlled and adjusted, while having a significantly improved accuracy.
US09987832B2 Honeycomb sandwich panel paint ready surface
A method for curing a composite panel, including the steps of inserting a Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene release film into a mold, and curing the panel using a cold-in/cold-out process at a lowermost temperature within the panel's temperature curing range. The process further includes the use of a twice smoothed caul sheet, where the smoothing includes a coarse sanding and a fine sanding.
US09987830B2 Method for processing a carrier and method for transferring a graphene layer
According to various embodiments, a method for processing a carrier may include: forming a layer structure over the carrier, the layer structure including a support layer and a two-dimensional layer over the support layer; wherein the layer structure has at least one opening that exposes a portion of the carrier; forming an auxiliary layer structure, wherein the auxiliary layer structure at least partially covers the layer structure and at least partially fills the at least one opening; and removing the support layer of the layer structure.
US09987814B2 Method of co-molding
The disclosure is directed to a method for co-molding. A first element has a top surface, an edge, and a protuberance with a base extending down from the top surface. A second element has an edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface.The mold includes a first mold portion defining a co-molding upper surface, and a second mold portion defining a co-molding mold cavity. The first element is placed into the second mold portion with the protuberance base in contact with the second mold portion. The second element is placed on top of the first element. The mold is closed, thereby producing the second element as a chamber.Fluid under pressure introduced into the chamber forces the second element to conform to the shape of the mold, thereby to affix the first element to the second element. Energy is applied to the mold to co-mold the elements together.
US09987813B2 Apparatus for mounting tread ring on tire base and method for manufacturing retreaded tire
An apparatus 1 for mounting an annular tread ring R on an outer peripheral surface TS of a tire base T, which includes a tire base holding section 2 which is movable between a first position P1 and a second position P2 while holding the tire base T, and a tread ring mounting section 3 for mounting the tread ring R on the outer peripheral surface TS of the tire base T. The tread ring mounting section 3 comprises a tread holder 10 for holding the inner circumferential surface of the tread ring R, and a tread pushing-out device 11 for pushing out the tread ring R in the axis direction. At the second position P2, after placing the tread ring R on the outer peripheral surface TS of the tire base T in the tire base holding section 2, the tread ring mounting section 3 pushes out the tread ring R from the tread holder 10 toward the first position P1 by the tread pushing-out device 11. And the tire base holding section 2 moves toward the first position P1 at the same speed as the pushing-out speed of the tread pushing-out device 11. Thereby, the tread ring R is mounted on the outer peripheral surface TS of the tire base T.
US09987807B2 Automotive repair systems including handheld extruder
A repair system that includes a handheld device comprising a first extruder tip having an interior passageway extending between an inlet and a tip outlet, wherein the inlet is configured to receive a solid thermoplastic material and the tip outlet is configured to dispense a fluidic thermoplastic material; a nozzle surrounding the first extruder tip to form an annulus between an interior surface of the nozzle and an exterior surface of the first extruder tip; and a heater that is configured to heat the interior passageway of the first extruder tip such that the solid thermoplastic material becomes the fluidic thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, the repair system also includes a gas source in fluid communication with the annulus such that a skirt-shaped curtain of gas extends from the annulus and in a direction towards the tip outlet of the extruder tip.
US09987800B2 Systems and methods of simulating intermediate forms for additive fabrication
According to some embodiments, a method of optimizing an additive fabrication process for an object is provided, the method comprising obtaining a representation of an intermediate form of the object, the intermediate form being an expected shape of the object when partially fabricated by the additive fabrication process, simulating one or more forces expected to be applied to the intermediate form of the object during the additive fabrication process, evaluating one or more results of the simulating step against one or more criteria, and adapting the additive fabrication process based at least in part on a result of the evaluating.
US09987795B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for automated sealant application
Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for shaping sealant applied to a fastener. Tools disclosed herein include a housing that includes a first end, a second end, and a chamber, the first end including a first opening defining a first portion of the chamber, the second end being configured to be coupled to a robotic sealant applicator, the housing further including a second opening configured to transfer a solvent from an external reservoir to the chamber. The tools may also include a porous member included in the chamber, the porous member being configured to store an amount of solvent, the porous member being further configured to apply a designated shape to the sealant applied to the fastener in response to the sealant contacting the porous member, and the porous member being further configured release at least a portion of the solvent in response to the sealant contacting the porous member.
US09987794B2 Thermoplastic components with reduced coefficient of thermal expansion
A composite structural component includes a longitudinally extending elongated base element and a plurality of longitudinally extending elongated reinforcing members each secured to the base element along a length of the reinforcing member at spaced apart locations on the base element. The base element is of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a first modulus of elasticity. The plurality of longitudinally extending elongated reinforcing members are of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity, such that the composite structural component has an effective coefficient of thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction that is less than 25% of the first coefficient of thermal expansion.
US09987789B2 Liquid jet diameter control
A system and method for hydraulic blow molding a plastic preform into a container. The system includes a nozzle having a nozzle body with a main bore extending therethrough and an outlet for ejecting molding medium into a preform positioned within a mold. A minimum internal diameter is defined within the body of the preform, which is bound on opposing ends between an open end and a closed end. To form the container, a liquid stream is injected into the preform. The liquid stream is defined by the outlet so as to have an external diameter that is less than the minimum inner diameter of the preform, allowing the stream to impinge upon the close end of the preform without impinging upon a transition of the preform, where the minimum inner diameter of the preform is reduced from the diameter of the finish.
US09987788B2 Apparatus for forming handle-equipped container, transport jig, and container handle
An apparatus for forming a handle-equipped container comprises: a transport section 150 provided with a transport line 151, the transport line 151 alternately transporting a first transport jig 152 holding a preform, and a second transport jig 153 holding a container handle 20, the transport section 150 transporting the preform 200 and the container handle 20 to a blow molding section 140 along the transport line 151; and a supply section 160 for lowering the container handle 20, held in an inverted state, and supplying the container handle 20 to the second transport jig 153. The second transport jig 153 supports at least a pair of opposite side surfaces of the container handle 20.
US09987786B2 Production of TPO roofing membrane via counter-rotating extrusion
The present disclosure is directed to a process for producing thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane. The process includes directly adding components of a high-load flame retardant TPO formulation to a counter-rotating twin screw extruder. The process includes extruding the formulation with counter-rotation of the twin screws and forming a TPO roofing membrane having a tensile strength of greater than 10 MPa and a flame retardance of rating of classification D as measured in accordance with EN ISO 1 1925-2, surface exposure test.
US09987776B2 Composite panel
Composite panel which comprises a layer of foamed material having a density of less than 100 kg/m3 which layer is sandwiched between 2 layers of fiber reinforced polyisocyanurate material.
US09987775B2 Production of polyisocyanurate foam panels
The present invention discloses the production of panels by a discontinuous process. The panels are produced by injecting a polyisocyanurate foam forming composition into the mold cavity at reduced pressure. The combination of certain polyisocyanurate foam forming formulation and the reduced pressure in the mold cavity allows production of and resulting sandwich panels in a discontinuous process where the produced panels are characterized by improved fire resistance.
US09987773B2 Process for producing articles formed from polylactic acid and articles made therefrom
PLA polymers that can be expanded into microporous articles having a node and fibril microstructure are provided. The fibrils contain PLA polymer chains oriented with the fibril axis. Additionally, the PLA polymers have an inherent viscosity greater than about 3.8 dL/g and a calculated molecular weight greater than about 150,000 g/mol. The PLA polymer article may be formed by bulk polymerization where the PLA bulk polymer is made into a preform that is subsequently expanded at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer. In an alternate embodiment, a PLA polymer powder is lubricated, the lubricated polymer is subjected to pressure and compression to form a preform, and the preform is expanded to form a microporous article. Both the preform and the microporous article are formed at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer.
US09987766B2 Method and apparatus for preparing ceramic body segments
A method including providing a ceramic log (300) with a first end and an opposing second end; providing one or more cutting devices (100) comprised of a dual bladed cutting member (200); and removing material by cutting at least the first end with the dual bladed cutting member (200), wherein a first blade (210) of the dual bladed cutting member (200) provides a finished surface and a second blade (220) removes a percentage of scrap above the finished surface. An apparatus (100) for cutting a ceramic log (300).
US09987758B2 Protective weapon
A self-defense weapon for women and others, comprising a lightweight, portable single or multi-bladed weapon adapted to be held in the hand and when activated by squeezing, one or more blades are exposed outwardly between the fingers. When the hand is relaxed, the weapon is deactivated, and the blades retract into the body of the weapon (sheath) protecting the user, so the weapon may be safely carried in the user's pocket or purse.
US09987753B1 Linear force control of rotation of a knob controller
Example implementations may relate to a controller system having a moveable member. In particular, the controller system may include a rotatable knob having a curved surface, at least one motor that is operable to apply torque to the rotatable knob, a curved touchpad arranged to sense touch gestures on the curved surface, and a moveable member that is mechanically adjustable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the moveable member is coupled to the rotatable knob and extends radially from the curved surface along a radial axis, such that application of a force perpendicular to the radial axis to the moveable member causes rotation of the rotatable knob. While in the second position, the moveable member provides accessibility to the curved surface of the rotatable knob.
US09987749B2 Control interface for robotic humanoid avatar system and related methods
A system and method for controlling a humanoid robot from a remote location are provided. One or more sensing devices are used to sense positions and movements of a user at an inhabiter station. A computing device generates a virtual character based upon the sensed positions and movements of the user and provides a plurality of outputs for controlling the humanoid robot based upon motion of the virtual character. The computing device includes a master controller to generate the virtual character and its behaviors and to transmit instructions to control motion of the humanoid robot to a slave controller located at the humanoid robot, providing smooth and natural motion of the humanoid robot. The method permits switching between multiple virtual characters in a single scene to control and alter the behavior of one or more humanoid robots located in several geographic locations.
US09987734B2 Flat clinch anvil assembly
A flat clinch assembly fits upon or within a base of a stapling device. The assembly preferably includes a slot with extended resiliently biased arms or toggles, where a rest position has the arms at or near a level of a working surface. An ejecting staple deflects and energizes the arms to cause the arms to rotate and create a clearance recess whereby points of the staple legs slide inward along the anvil. A restorative bias acting on the arms causes the arms to rebound to a rest position and to bend the legs upward. The legs thereby are normally pressed flat against the back sheet of a paper stack at the working surface. The arms or toggles are lightweight whereby the inertia of a fast-moving staple moves the arms or toggles. The toggle may include an upward facing staple leg guide channel.
US09987732B2 Systems and methods for preloading a bearing
A system for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft and a press mechanism in fluid communication with a source of fluid and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The press mechanism includes a switch having a base and a piston in communication with the fluid such that an increase in a pressure of the fluid results in the piston extending upwardly from the base and a decrease in the pressure of the fluid results in the piston retracting toward the base. The switch includes a lower proximity sensor and a higher proximity sensor. The piston is configured to extend upwardly from the base past the lower proximity sensor and to trip the higher proximity sensor. The switch is configured to control the increase in the pressure in response to the piston tripping the higher proximity sensor.
US09987730B2 Dual function adapter and method
An adapter comprising an elongated member having an intermediate body region to be received by a tool in locking engagement, a first region extending in a first direction axially from the intermediate body region and having a first keyed free end having a cross-section of a first size, and a second region extending axially from the intermediate body region in a second direction opposite the first direction and having a second keyed free end having a cross section of a second size different from the first size. The adapter can be used to actuate sockets of different size.
US09987719B2 Method and assembly for grinding and/or cutting a slider bar on a lapping carrier
One or more slider bars are attached to at least one component of a multi-component carrier device. The multi-component carrier device is attached to a lapping arm of a lapping machine and the one or more slider bars attached to the carrier device are lapped. The at least one component of the multi-component carrier device is attached to a grinding/cutting machine. At least one of a grinding operation or a cutting operation is performed on the one or more slider bars.
US09987717B2 Finishing device
A finishing device includes a finishing belt, a finishing belt holding device, a first drive configured to rotationally drive a workpiece about a workpiece axis, and a second drive configured to oscillate the workpiece and the finishing belt relative to another along the workpiece axis. The finishing belt holding device has a holding section configured to hold a portion of the finishing belt. The portion has an active area configured to finish a circumferential workpiece surface. The portion extends in a plane which is vertical when referring to the direction of gravity and extends in a horizontal direction when referring to the direction of gravity and when viewing in the running direction of the finishing belt. The finishing device includes a workpiece holding device defining a workpiece holding axis which is vertical when referring to the direction of gravity.
US09987703B2 Plasma spraying apparatus
The plasma spraying apparatus includes a cathode, a first gas nozzle defining a first gas path between the cathode and itself, a second gas nozzle defining a second gas path between the first gas nozzle and itself, and a third gas nozzle disposed between the first and second gas nozzles to define a third gas path between the first and second gas paths. A wire is disposed at a distal end thereof in front of a nozzle opening of the second gas nozzle. A first gas sprayed through the first gas nozzle is turned into plasma flame, which melts the wire into droplets, and the droplets are sprayed onto a target by a second gas sprayed through the second gas nozzle. The third gas absorbs heat from the plasma flame to thereby turn into a high-temperature gas flow externally of the plasma flame.
US09987697B1 Faucet thread cleaner
A one piece hand tool is provided for cleaning and chasing water faucet threads. The hand tool has an engagement end and an operating end spaced along a central tool axis. Intermediate the engagement end and operating end, an external surface is provided with an overall hexagonal configuration. The engagement end is open for accessing an internal threaded surface for engagement with water faucet threads to be cleaned. Four equally spaced vertical grooves parallel with the central tool axis are provided in the internal threaded surface of the hand tool and disrupt the internal threaded surface to contain debris during operation of the tool. The internal threaded surface has sharp leading and trailing edges for cleaning and chasing the water faucet threads during engagement and disengagement with the hand tool.
US09987689B2 Balancing or measuring device
A balancing or measuring device includes a main body which is rotatable about an axis and includes an opening for accommodating a coupling shaft of a component to be balanced or measured, and having a centering element which can be axially displaced within the main body against a spring arrangement to center the component in the main body. In order to ensure maximum concentricity also in a balancing or measuring device having a small number of parts, the spring arrangement is designed to be integral with the centering element.
US09987686B2 Complex, method for producing complex, dispersion liquid, method for producing dispersion liquid, and optical material
A complex includes a flat plate-like metal fine particle formed of at least one type of metal or a compound thereof and at least one piece of finely-disintegrated cellulose combined with the flat plate-like metal fine particle. At least a part of each piece of the finely-disintegrated cellulose is incorporated into the flat plate-like metal fine particle, and a remaining part is exposed from a surface of the flat plate-like metal fine particle.
US09987673B2 Manufacturing apparatus for heat exchanger fins
The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing device for heat exchanger fins that is capable of adjusting for differences between a number of punches and a number of through-holes or cutaway portions in an actual product without causing a metal strip to sag or having punches punch the same positions twice. As a solution, a mold (46) is provided with a plurality of punches (75) and a plurality of dies (76) that form a plurality of through-holes or cutaway portions along a conveying direction of a metal strip (49) and also includes a feeding apparatus (50) that feeds the formed plurality of through-holes or cutaway portions in the feeding direction in a single feeding operation, and a cutoff device (60) that cuts the metal strip (49) into predetermined lengths has an equal number of cutoff punches (68) to a number of the punches and dies disposed along the conveying direction of the metal strip (49), includes a plurality of cutoff punch driving units (72) that respectively and individually operate the cutoff punches (68), and also includes a control unit (80) that controls each of the cutoff punch driving units (72).
US09987671B2 Sheet metal member shape forming system and method
A sheet metal member shape-forming system and method includes a mold consisting of a sealing die defining therein a sealing cavity and an air hole and a shape-forming die defining therein a shape-forming cavity, a compressed gas guided through the air hole into the sealing cavity, a sheet metal member placed on the shape-forming die that is pre-heated in an out-mold heating zone prior to deliver to the molding zone, a lift unit controlled to move the shape-forming die and the sheet metal member to the sealing die and to impart an upward pressure on the shape-forming die against the sheet metal member and the sealing die during continuous supply of the compressed gas into the sealing die cavity to compress the sheet metal member against the upward pressure, enabling the sheet metal member to be rapidly compression-molded into a shaped metal component.
US09987665B2 Separation of machinable parcels from non-machinable parcel stream
A parcel processing system and method. A method includes inducting a plurality of parcels in a non-machinable parcel stream by a non-machinable parcel processing system. The method includes recording physical characteristics of each of the parcels. The method includes comparing the recorded physical characteristics of each parcel to machinable requirements. The method includes identifying machinable parcels based on the comparison. The method includes sorting the identified machinable parcels to an automation discharge. The method includes transporting all non-machinable parcels to workstations, by the non-machinable parcel processing system, for manual processing.
US09987664B1 Item size grader
A grade sorting system and method. The grade sorting system is designed to sort items of various size grades into bins or other containers having items of similar size grades.
US09987658B1 Method of manufacturing a humidity sensing material
A method is provided for manufacturing a humidity sensing material. Particles of a trivalent rare earth hydroxide or oxide (such as lanthanum hydroxide) are mixed with particles of barium oxide and titanium dioxide in specified proportions. The particle mixture is heated to generate a sintered mixture that is milled. The resulting milled particles are mixed with glass particles, an organic surfactant, a solvent, an organic vehicle, and an alkali hydroxide. The resulting liquid mixture is deposited as a layer thereof onto a substrate. The substrate and layer thereon are processed to remove liquid portions of the liquid mixture. Such liquid removal processing includes at least one cycle of heating the layer followed by a corresponding cycle of cooling the layer in a nitrogen atmosphere containing less than 25 parts per million of oxygen.
US09987657B2 Method for coating ultrafine particles, system for coating ultrafine particles
The invention provides a method for dispersing particles within a reaction field, the method comprising confining the particles to the reaction field using a standing wave. The invention also provides a system for coating particles, the system comprising a reaction zone; a means for producing fluidized particles within the reaction zone; a fluid to produce a standing wave within the reaction zone; and a means for introducing coating moieties to the reaction zone. The invention also provides a method for coating particles, the method comprising fluidizing the particles, subjecting the particles to a standing wave; and contacting the subjected particles with a coating moiety.
US09987651B2 Exhaust pit, system, and methods of using the same
The present invention relates to floor exhaust pits. Specifically, the present invention relates to a raised basement with an exhaust system therein for use in numerous locations. More specifically, the present invention provides an enclosed area having a floor and a ceiling, wherein said floor and ceiling comprise exhaust systems for circulating air into and out of the enclosed area. Additionally, the floor exhaust removes contaminants from the enclosed area.
US09987637B2 Process and apparatus for refining sand
A process for refining sand for use as frac sand includes the steps of passing the sand through a first fines separation stage to remove fine particles of contaminant from the sand, reducing the water content of the sand (such as to less than 20%), passing the sand into an attrition scrubber unit containing moving blades to delaminate clay and other contaminants from the sand grains, passing the sand from the attrition scrubber unit through a second fines separation stage to separate fine contaminants from the sand, and dewatering the resulting sand product in a further dewatering stage.
US09987631B2 Selective particle capture and collection device
A particle processing device includes a chamber and at least one capturing structure. The chamber is connected to a first port and a second port to provide a space between the first and second ports for flowing of a fluid having a particle. The capturing structure is provided in the chamber to form a fluidic channel, wherein the fluidic channel has a first opening and a second opening and a capturing region is formed between the first and second openings such that the capturing region has a changeable sectional shape for capturing the particle in the fluid flowing from the first port to the second port.
US09987629B2 Methods, systems, and devices relating to open microfluidic channels
The various embodiments described herein relate to fabricating and using open microfluidic networks according to methods, systems, and devices that can be used in applications ranging from home-testing, diagnosis, and research laboratories. Open microfluidic networks allow the input, handling, and extraction of fluids or components of the fluid into or out of the open microfluidic network. Fluids can be inserted into an open microfluidic channel by using open sections of the open microfluidic network. Passive valves can be created in the microfluidic network, allowing the creation of logic circuits and conditional flow and volume valves. The fluid can be presented via the microfluidic network to diagnostic and analysis components. Fluids and components of the fluid can be extracted from the open microfluidic network via functional open sections that are easily interfaced with other microfluidic networks or common laboratory tools.
US09987627B2 Method and molecular diagnostic device for detection, analysis and identification of genomic DNA
At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a molecular diagnostic device that comprises a cartridge configured to eject samples comprising genomic material into a microfluidic chip that comprises an amplification area, a detection area, and a matrix analysis area.
US09987609B2 Multiplexed surface enhanced Raman sensors for early disease detection and in-situ bacterial monitoring
Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
US09987607B2 Method for producing powder from a granular, thermoplastic material and device for producing chips from a powdery, thermoplastic material
A method for producing powder from a coarsely granular, thermoplastic material, comprising a homogenizing first device produces a first melt from a non-homogeneous pre-mixture of the material; first chips are produced from the first melt in a second device; the chips are milled to a powder; the powder is separated into at least two fractions with coarser and finer particle sizes; and a selected fraction with finer particle sizes is returned to the method prior to milling; wherein a second melt is produced from the selected fraction in a non-homogenizing third device, with second chips being produced from the latter, and the second chips are combined with the first chips and milled with each other.
US09987602B2 Enhanced heat transfer to water
A beverage dispensing apparatus which includes a tank, a liquid inlet and a fluid dispensing system which includes a dispensing fluid conduit having a helical portion at least substantially vertically oriented within the interior volume of the tank. The beverage dispensing apparatus also includes a fluid circulating system that includes at least one fluid circulation conduit having an inlet portion positioned proximate the bottom portion of the tank and at least one outlet. A fluid cycling device is also included in the beverage dispensing apparatus and is configured to move fluid from the bottom portion of the tank to the fluid circulation conduit. The at least one outlet is configured to produce a fluid flow tangential to the orientation of the dispensing fluid conduit configuration. Evaporator coils extend around a perimeter of the tank's exterior sidewall surface and are configured to chill the fluid within the tank.
US09987600B2 Method for making gas-separation membranes having improved flux and selectivity
A polymeric fiber for use in gas separation is formed from a spin dope which includes solvent and non-solvent materials. The fiber is passed through a quench bath, and then a leach bath, in which the solvent and non-solvent are removed. The quench bath and the leach bath include sets of rollers which transport the fiber through the system. Each set of rollers in the leach bath operates at a speed which is greater than or equal to the speed of the rollers which are immediately upstream. Thus, the fiber is stretched, in different amounts, at the same time that the solvent and non-solvent are being removed, and while the fiber is still wet. The resulting fiber has been found to exhibit superior flux and selectivity properties.
US09987599B2 Asymmetric membranes based on BuPBI
Asymmetric membranes in hollow fiber and flat sheet forms are disclosed herewith. The process of preparation of the membranes is further disclosed. The membranes are characterized and find application in the separation of gases and solutes.
US09987585B2 Drying agent cartridge
A drying agent cartridge is provided for detachable fastening to a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle. A device is also provided for the detachable fastening of a drying agent cartridge to a housing of a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle. The drying agent cartridge include a cartridge housing which contains a drying agent, having a cover, a carrier element, a thread, which is arranged on the carrier element, and a corresponding counterpart thread, of a compressed-air treatment installation. The drying agent cartridge furthermore includes a seal groove on the carrier element underside, a sealing element in the seal groove, and a fluidic connection between the seal groove and a pressurizable chamber within the drying agent cartridge, via which fluidic connection the sealing element can be acted on, when the drying agent cartridge is in an installed position, with a system pressure of the compressed-air treatment installation.
US09987582B2 Plugged honeycomb structure and plugged honeycomb segment
A plugged honeycomb structure includes: a plurality of honeycomb segments, a bonding layer, and plugging portions to plug open ends of cells of the honeycomb segment. Each honeycomb segment is configured so that the cells having at least two types of different shapes have a predetermined repeated sequence pattern. A circumferential-wall partially surrounded cell in which a partition wall and a segment circumferential wall are disposed so as to surround the cell has an area of open end that has a specific ratio to an area of open end of a partition-wall entirely surrounded cell including the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential-wall partially surrounded cell. The repeated sequence pattern of the cells is kept at a boundary between two of the honeycomb segments bonded with the bonding layer at an inflow end face and an outflow end face.
US09987575B2 Filter and method for filtering a liquid
An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure.
US09987571B2 Filter insert piece comprising a pleated filter element
A filter insert piece has a filter element with first and second pleated sections each having parallel pleats. The first and second pleated sections each have an inflow side. A first flat outflow side of the first pleated section and a second flat outflow side of the second pleated section adjoin a common clean chamber of the filter element. A length of the pleats of the first and second pleated sections is such that a spacing of an outwardly positioned pleat end face of the pleats at the first or second inflow side, respectively, relative to the center axis increases or decreases monotonic from pleat to pleat. The respective end pleats of the first and of the second pleated sections have a different length extension measured from the outwardly positioned pleat end face of the first end pleats or the second end pleats relative to the center axis.
US09987570B2 Filter element and filtering device
In a filter element, plates are provided in a manner of covering ends of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. A packing having a substantially hollow annular plate shape is provided on the plate. A filtering material is provided between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The packing is abutted against a surface of the case in parallel with the plate and a cylindrical outflow portion having a surface parallel to the inner cylinder.
US09987566B2 Hybrid contact tray for a mass transfer column
A hybrid contact tray for a mass transfer column is provided. The contact tray includes a tray deck for passage of liquid along a liquid flow path thereon. The tray deck has a plurality of orifices for passage of ascending vapor through the tray deck, a cross-current vapor-liquid mixing section having a first portion of the plurality of orifices, and a co-current vapor-liquid mixing section including at least one co-current mixing device associated with a second portion of the plurality of orifices. The tray deck also has features capable of altering liquid head levels with respect to the plurality of orifices such that the liquid head level within the co-current vapor-liquid mixing section is greater than the liquid head level within the cross-current vapor-liquid mixing section.
US09987565B2 Crying doll
A crying doll having a head with eyes, each endowed with a tear hole, a mouth, a device housed in the head for producing the visual effect of the doll shedding tears that has a fluid tank connected to the outside and able to accumulate a fluid above the level of the tear holes, and at least one flexible supply duct that hydraulically connects with one or both of the tear holes. The device includes a throttle for the supply duct and an actuating cam for the throttle for arranging the throttle against the supply duct, flattening it locally and impeding the passage of fluid through it. The actuating cam is mounted in the proximity of the mouth and operable upon inserting a nipple of an accessory element, separate or not from the doll, in the mouth.
US09987558B2 Game system with interactive show control
An interactive game system that stage lighting style cues as part of the game, where the stage lighting cues cause external stage lighting equipment to create effects that are based on outputs from the game. Steerable lights can be steered to the player and sounds can be created that are directed to the player. A simulation system can also simulate the actions that occur.
US09987555B2 System and method for providing haptic stimulus based on position
A method of producing a haptic effect includes receiving a sensory content signal from a user interface device, receiving a sensor signal of a body position of a first body part of a user with respect to a second body part of the user, generating the haptic effect using the sensory content signal and the sensor signal, and applying a drive signal to a haptic actuator to produce the haptic effect.
US09987554B2 Gaming device with volumetric sensing
A method for enhancing detection of a user's hand relative to a head-mounted display (HMD) is described. The method includes sensing a disrupted portion of energy by sensors integrated within a pad device. The disrupted portion of the energy is generated when the hand of the user interferes with the energy. The plurality of sensors that sense the disrupted portion of the energy produce an energy image that mirrors a current position of the hand. The method includes repeating the sensing continuously to produce a stream of energy images. The method includes communicating the stream of energy images to a game console for processing each of the energy images to produce a model of the hand and movement of the model of the hand. The model of the hand is at least partially rendered as a virtual hand in a virtual environment that is displayed in the HMD.
US09987551B2 Gear-based mechanical puzzle
A multi-surfaced gear-based mechanical puzzle where the objective is to choose the proper sized gear and position on the surface(s) from available holes to have the gears align and rotate in unison on one or multiple surfaces, flat or curved, from a dictated start point to a dictated finish point.Challenges such as going from “a” point to “c” point directly or additionally through way point “c” are outlined in an accompanying instruction booklet. Additionally, challenges may be presented as using a specific number or specific size of gears, for example, to achieve the objective.In achieving the right combination of gear sizes and positions, the objective of going from one start point to a finish point by turning one gear to cause all other gears in the train to turn in unison can be accomplished.The puzzle and components may be made from wood, plastic, metal or a composite material.
US09987549B2 Game pieces and a set of such game pieces
Game piece in the form of a polyomino or polycube or similar, consisting of a number of blocks (5) that are put together in an orthogonal pattern, characterized in that the game piece (4) comprises at least two parts (6) that are each formed by a number of aforementioned blocks (5) connected together in a fixed way, whereby these parts (6) are slidably coupled with respect to one another in such a way that they enable a number of forms of game pieces (4) to be formed with the game piece (4) concerned.
US09987548B2 Automatic method for applying non-slip treatment to pin deck of a bowling lane
A lane maintenance machine has a cleaning system that includes at least one liquid dispensing head that reciprocates back and forth transversely of the lane as the machine travels along the length of the lane. The dispensing head includes a dispensing tip therein that emits a pin deck treatment product and applies it to a pin deck. The system provides accurate, precise metering of the pin deck treatment liquid and affords board-by-board control of the dispensing action. A wiping assembly immediately behind the dispensing head provides a web of cloth-like material looped under a compressible backup roller to wipe or smear the applied liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing head is a double head, and it includes a second tip for dispensing a cleaning solution so that pin deck treatment can take place with the same piece of equipment, after lane cleaning has taken place, making the entire process automated.
US09987545B2 Cambered snowboard
At least one embodiment of the inventive technology relates to a snowboard having three cambers, a first of which may be disposed immediately inboard of a first tip section, a second of which may be disposed immediately inboard of a second tip section, and a third of which may be centrally disposed between tip section termina of the snowboard, and between said first and second cambers. The third camber may be part of a centrally disposed rocker.
US09987532B2 Golf clubs and golf club heads
Golf club heads which may include an iron-type golf club head body and an adjustable member configured to be engaged with iron-type golf club head body. The adjustable member may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a first orientation. Additionally, the second surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a second orientation, which is different from the first orientation.
US09987530B2 Grooves of golf club heads and methods to manufacture grooves of golf club heads
Embodiments of grooves of golf club heads and methods to manufacture grooves of golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09987516B1 Curved treadmill
A curved treadmill has a frame, a handrail assembly, and a belt assembly. The frame has a support frame, two arced guide tracks and multiple guide wheels. The two arced guide tracks are downwardly concave, and the multiple guide wheels are disposed at a front end and a rear end of the support frame. The belt assembly is mounted around the frame and has at least one connection belt mounted around the guide wheels and multiple pedals fixed with the at least one connection belt. The pedals are adjacent and connected to each other, the pedals are covered on an outer side face of each of the at least one connection belts, and each pedal has a plate fixed to the at least one connection belt and multiple bearings mounted on two ends of the plate and selectively abutting against the two arced guide tracks.
US09987512B1 Tricep rope with perpendicular handles
A tricep rope with a perpendicular handle includes a rope with a bracket positioned in a center for mounting the rope onto a cable machine and a perpendicular handle attached to each end of the rope by a proximal part. A human user holds a distal part of the handle that positions a human body in a proper alignment during exercising. The handle also allows the user to effectively disinfect the handle after exercising.
US09987508B2 Hybrid composite flame cell
A flame cell of a flame arrestor may include a body of a first material having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of channels formed in the body and extending from the first end to the second end of the body. The flame cell may also include an element of a second material coupled to the body, the second material being different from the first material. The element may be configured to draw heat away from fluid flowing through the plurality of channels.
US09987504B2 Portal dosimetry systems, devices, and methods
Systems, devices, and methods for dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by selective evaluation of measurement points. Systems, methods, and computer program-products for providing dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by evaluating measurement points using different evaluation criteria.
US09987500B2 Human antibodies to PD-1
The present invention provides antibodies that bind to the T-cell co-inhibitor programmed death-1 (PD-1) protein, and methods of use. In various embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are fully human antibodies that bind to PD-1. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides multi-specific antigen-binding molecules comprising a first binding specificity that binds to PD-1 and a second binding specificity that binds to an autoimmune tissue antigen, another T-cell co-inhibitor, an Fc receptor, or a T-cell receptor. In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention are useful for inhibiting or neutralizing PD-1 activity, thus providing a means of treating a disease or disorder such as cancer or a chronic viral infection. In other embodiments, the antibodies are useful for enhancing or stimulating PD-1 activity, thus providing a means of treating, for example, an autoimmune disease or disorder.
US09987498B2 Medical device with interactive control panel
Medical devices and methods in which a user can treat a patient or monitor a parameter of the patient or both may include a housing, a patient module located within the housing that is used for treating the patient, monitoring the patient or both, and a control panel. The control panel is attached to the housing and has a first surface and a second surface and is positionable between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing. The first position exposes a user to a first surface of the control panel and the second position exposes the user to a second surface of the control panel. A first set of user controls are located on one or the other of the first surface and the second surface and are structured to allow the user to interact with the patient module.
US09987495B2 Methods, devices, and systems for communicating with an implantable medical device of a last far field communication session during a subsequent far field communication session while using a same session key
An external device transfers a key to an implantable medical device over a proximity communication and then establishes a first far field communication session with the implantable medical device where the key is used for the first communication session. This first communication session may occur before implantation while the implantable medical device is positioned outside of the sterile field so that using a proximity communication is easily achieved. Once the implantable medical device is passed into the sterile field for implantation, the external device may then establish a second far field communication session with the implantable medical device where the last key that was used for the first communication session is again used for the second communication session which avoids the need for another proximity communication to occur within the sterile field.
US09987493B2 Medical devices and methods for delivery of current-based electrical stimulation therapy
A medical electrical stimulator provides selective control of stimulation via a combination of two or more electrodes coupled to respective regulated current paths and one or more electrodes coupled to unregulated current paths. Constant current sources may control the current that is sourced or sunk via respective regulated current paths. An unregulated current path may sink or source current to and from an unregulated voltage source that serves as a reference voltage. Unregulated electrodes may function as unregulated anodes to source current from a reference voltage or unregulated cathodes to sink current to a reference voltage.
US09987492B2 Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production by cholinergic agonists and vagus nerve stimulation
A method of inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine in a cell is disclosed. The method comprises treating the cell with a cholinergic agonist. The method is useful in patients at risk for, or suffering from, a condition mediated by an inflammatory cytokine cascade, for example endotoxic shock. The cholinergic agonist treatment can be effected by stimulation of an efferent vagus nerve fiber, or the entire vagus nerve.
US09987484B2 Method and system for lead delivery
A system and method enables delivery of an implantable medical lead to an implant location. A delivery tool of the system defines the delivery angle of the lead at the implant location. The delivery tool includes an elongate body having at least one lumen extending from a distal portion to a proximal portion. A suction cup is coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body. The suction cup may be configured to be collapsible in a first configuration, prior to deployment, and expandable in a second configuration. The system may include a suction source for drawing tissue at the implant location into the suction cup of the delivery tool that is disposed at the distal portion. The delivery angle of the lead tip is based on the interior cavity of the suction cup rather than the angle of insertion with the suctioned tissue.
US09987477B2 Split septum assembly for an intravenous injection site
An intravenous injection site having a split septum assembly interfit with the site for the intravenous administration of fluids to a patient. The split septum assembly has a resilient and compressible split septum having an axially-formed slit for receipt of a blunt cannula, needle, or other medical device through said slit, a septum holder for receipt of the split septum, and a septum housing for receipt of the combined septum holder and split septum. The septum includes a body and a flange extending radially from the body. A projection extends from the flange. The septum is mounted within the septum holder, and the septum holder is mounted within the septum housing to provide axial compression of the flange. This axial compression presents a double hermetic seal that significantly minimizes or prevents proximal leakage of fluid through the slit or around the septum holder when the cannula is removed.
US09987460B2 Medical tubing having variable characteristcs and method of making same
The invention primarily is directed to a medical tubing adapted for insertion into a body tissue or cavity and method of manufacturing different variations of the tubing along a length of the tubing. The tubing comprises a plurality of individual, discrete, generally ring-shaped elements arranged in series and fused or bonded together forming a continuous tubular structure. The ring-shaped elements may include a combination of flexible and rigid ring-shaped elements assembled along different portions or sections of the tubular structure. In another aspect of the invention, the medical tubing may further comprise a secondary lumen and a pull wire to control the tubular structure. In another aspect of the invention, the ring-shaped elements may vary in diameter and/or composition in different portions or sections of the tubular structure.
US09987456B2 Humidifying device for breathing mask
The present invention relates to a humidifying device for a breathing mask. The breathing mask includes a breathing tube assembled thereto. The humidifying device includes a body, a liquid discharger, a liquid receiver, and a water-absorbent member. The body is connected to the breathing tube. The body includes a passage communicating with the breathing tube. The liquid discharger is fixed to the body. The liquid discharger includes a liquid outlet communicating with the passage. The liquid receiver is fixed to the body and is disposed below the liquid discharger. The liquid receiver includes a liquid inlet communicating with the passage. The water-absorbent member consists of a filtering material. The water-absorbent member is accommodated in the passage and disposed between the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet.
US09987455B2 Respiratory gas humidification system
A humidification system comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. The first and second sensors are adapted to sense flow characteristics within the system. The first and second sensors are isolated from the flow by barriers formed by respective first and second sealing members. The sealing members extend through apertures formed in the system and have a portion that contacts the sensing elements of the respective first and second sensors. A cartridge can hold the sensors and provide repeatable penetration depths into a flow passage of the system. A medical tube has a composite structure made of two or more distinct components that are spirally wound to form an elongate tube. One component can be a spirally wound elongate hollow body; the other component can be an elongate structural component spirally wound between turns of the spirally wound hollow body.
US09987454B2 Rainout protection for respiratory therapy including humidification
A system for providing respiratory therapy to a subject using a subject interface (180). The system responding and/or adapting to a detection of the subject exerting a heat influence on the system, e.g. the subject increasing the temperature of the subject interface. For respiratory therapy that includes the use of a humidifier (150), condensation or rainout is commonly a problem. The response and/or adaptation may inhibit condensation from forming along the subject interface.
US09987452B2 Ventilation analysis and monitoring
A ventilation analysis system comprising an interface module adapted to receive a carbon dioxide (CO2) signal and a breath flow dynamics signal, and control logic adapted to produce a ventilation indicator, based on a mutual analysis of the CO2 signal and the breath flow dynamics signal. The ventilation indicator may be, for example, an estimated CO2 waveform, an End-Tidal CO2 (ETCO2) value, and/or a minute CO2 value.
US09987451B2 Cushion with selectively variable softness/stiffness
A cushion (16) for use with a mask (10) in delivering a flow of breathing gas to a user includes a first portion adapted to contact a surface of a user, a second portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell (18), and a wall portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. The wall portion includes a chamber formed therein, the chamber having one of an electro-rheological fluid or a magneto-rheological fluid disposed therein. The cushion further includes a means (44, 50) for selectively varying the apparent viscosity of the fluid disposed within the chamber.
US09987447B2 Breathing apparatus and method for the use thereof
A breathing assistance apparatus includes an inner volumetric member pressurizable from a first pressure to a second pressure and an outer volumetric member surrounding at least a portion of the inner expandable volumetric member. The inner volumetric member pressurizes the outer volumetric member as the inner volumetric member is pressurized from the first pressure to the second pressure. In another embodiment, a breathing assistance apparatus includes exhalation and inhalation chambers with respective biasing members providing for the exhalation chamber to apply a pressure to the inhalation chamber and thereby provide assisted inhalation. Methods for assisting breathing are also provided.
US09987446B2 System for automated adjustment of a pressure set by a respiration device
There is suggested a system for automated adjustment of a pressure set by a respiration device, in particular a positive end-expiratory pressure and/or a maximum airway pressure, comprising: an arrangement for electrical impedance tomography for detecting an electrical impedance distribution along at least a two-dimensional cross-section through the human thorax at least at the end of an inspiration phase and at the end of an associated expiration phase; a device for dividing the detected electrical impedance distribution at the end of the inspiration phase and at the end of the expiration phase into a plurality of EIT pixels and for determining a value of the electrical impedance at the end of the inspiration phase and at the end of the expiration phase, as associated with a respective EIT pixel; and a device for automated adjustment of the pressure set by the respiration device on the basis of a comparison (i) of a deviation between the value of the electrical impedance at the end of the inspiration phase associated with an individual EIT pixel and the value of the electrical impedance at the end of the expiration phase associated with the respective individual EIT pixel (ii) with a deviation between the value of the electrical impedance at the end of the inspiration phase and the value of the electrical impedance at the end of the expiration phase, as determined on the basis of the entirety of EIT pixels.
US09987439B2 Insufflating system, method, and computer program product for controlling the supply of a distending media to an endoscopic device
The present invention is directed to a system, method, and computer program product for controlling the supply of a distending media (such as an insufflating gas) from a distending media source to an endoscopic device so as to prevent the excess venting and/or waste of distending media. More specifically, the present invention provides for the detection of a pressure level within a lumen of an endoscopic device and adjusts a supply parameter of the distending media based at least in part on the detected pressure level, and in some cases, on the relationship between the detected pressure level and a user-defined threshold.
US09987436B2 Medicament delivery device
A medicament delivery device includes a housing having proximal and distal ends; a delivery member connected to the housing; a medicament container operably arranged within the housing; a drive mechanism configured to act on the medicament container for priming and for expelling a dose of medicament; and an activator mechanism configured to interact with the drive mechanism, such that a first interaction between the activator mechanism and the drive mechanism causes the container to move toward the delivery member, in which the container is primed, and such that a subsequent interaction between the activator mechanism and the drive mechanism causes a dose of medicament to be expelled through the delivery member.
US09987430B2 Safety syringe and safety dose combination kit
A syringe including a barrel having an internal reservoir for containing a volume of medication, a plunger received within the barrel and axially moveable relative thereto to change the volume of the medication in the reservoir, a first set of indicia marked on the barrel indicating volumetric dosage of the medication calibrated based on a predetermined patient characteristic, and a second set of indicia marked on the barrel having a correlation with the first set of indicia, the second set of indicia indicating volumetric dosage of the medication calibrated based on a medication unit of measurement. A kit including a syringe and a pre-filled medication container calibrated based on a patient characteristic.
US09987417B2 Implantable drug-delivery devices, and apparatus and methods for filling the devices
In various embodiments, a tool is employed in filling a drug-delivery device. The tool may include, for example, a needle that is admitted through a fill port of the drug-delivery device.
US09987416B2 Sterile assembled liquid medicament dosage control and delivery device
A liquid medicament dispenser includes a housing and a pump carried by the housing, a reservoir applied to the housing and containing a pre-filled sterile liquid medicament, a sterile tubing set routed through the pump, a sterile administration line carried outside of the housing and coupled aseptically to the sterile tubing set in fluid communication, and an aseptic connector coupled to the reservoir and the sterile tubing set and changeable from a storage state to a use state. In the storage state, the aseptic connector prevents the liquid medicament in the reservoir from moving to the sterile tubing set. In the use state of the aseptic connector, the aseptic connector defines a sterile passageway for the flow of the liquid medicament from the reservoir to the sterile tubing set.
US09987411B2 Methods and systems for priming a biological fluid processing circuit
Methods and systems for priming biological fluid processing systems are disclosed. In accordance with such methods and systems, the disposable fluid processing circuit is primed by introducing a first priming solution into a portion of the circuit and a second priming solution into a portion of the circuit. The amount of citrate returned to the biological flood source is minimized.
US09987407B2 Blood circuit assembly for a hemodialysis system
A blood circuit assembly for a dialysis unit may include an organizing tray, a pair of pneumatic pumps mounted to the organizing tray for circulating blood received from a patient through a circuit including a dialyzer unit and returned to the patient, an air trap mounted to the organizing tray arranged to remove air from blood circulating in the circuit, a pair of dialyzer connections arranged to connect to the inlet and outlet of a dialyzer unit, and a pair of blood line connectors, one inlet blood line connector for receiving blood from the patient and providing blood to the pneumatic pumps and the other outlet blood line connector for returning blood to the patient.
US09987404B2 Motor assembly with heat exchanger for catheter pump
A catheter pump is disclosed. The catheter pump can include an impeller and a catheter body having a lumen therethrough. The catheter pump can also include a drive shaft disposed inside the catheter body. A motor assembly can include a chamber. The motor assembly can include a rotor disposed in the at least a portion of the chamber, the rotor mechanically coupled with a proximal portion of the drive shaft such that rotation of the rotor causes the drive shaft to rotate. The motor assembly can also comprise a stator assembly disposed about the rotor. The motor assembly can also include a heat exchanger disposed about the stator assembly, the heat exchanger may be configured to direct heat radially outward away from the stator assembly, the rotor, and the chamber.
US09987403B2 Medical/surgical lavage unit with a control assembly that can be set to a momentary on state or a constant on state
A medical/surgical lavage unit that includes a tip assembly with an irrigation tube and a suction tube. The irrigation tube is disposed within and axially offset from the suction tube. The suction tube has a lumen has with a relatively wide cross-sectional length that reduces clogging of waste in the lumen.
US09987402B2 Apparatus and method for wound volume measurement
A method and apparatus for measuring a volume of a wound are described, the method comprising the steps of: applying a dressing over a wound, the volume of which is to be measured, the dressing including at least a sealing drape over the wound so as to create a sealed wound cavity; creating a vacuum in said wound cavity by vacuum pump means so as to produce a predetermined vacuum in the wound cavity; measuring a volume of air extracted from said wound cavity in producing said predetermined vacuum; and, calculating a volume of said wound.
US09987389B2 Articles with odor-controlling composition
Articles are treated with a reduced amount of a halo active aromatic sulfonamide compound of Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, COOR′, CON(R″)2, alkoxy, CN, NO2, SO3R″, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, sulfonamide, halosulfonamide, and substituted or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl; R′ is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, substituted C1-C12 alkyl, or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl; and R″ is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl, where the two R″ groups in CON(R″)2 may be independently selected; X is halogen; M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal; and n is the number of water molecules per molecule of the sulfonamide compound. The compound effectively suppresses odors pre-use, in use, and post-use for extended periods of time.
US09987384B2 Case for sanitizing and transporting tattoo machines
A storage and sterilizing case shaped and dimensioned for storing a tattoo machine therein. The case has a cover and a base. The cover is connected to the base via a hinge securing the cover to the base along adjacent edges thereof. The base includes a tray for supporting the tattoo machine within the case. The interior of the case is provided with an electronic circuit board and at least one ultraviolet light.
US09987375B2 Method and composition for treatment of dyslipidemia and other diseases
Anionic liposomes and apolipoprotein B-100 targeted immunoliposomes as therapeutic agents for dyslipidemia and related diseases, and compositions and methods for preparing same.
US09987367B2 Hyaluronic acid-based drug delivery systems
The present invention relates to novel hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels comprising vesicles loaded with a drug or a protein or a nucleic acid. The new HA hydrogels provide sustain release formulations that are useful for several clinical and surgical applications, including but not limited to ophthalmology (e.g. glaucoma, corneal, ocular inflammatory, vitreoretinal and medical retinal diseases) and dermatological conditions.
US09987364B2 Water-swellable polymers
A water-swellable linear polyurethane polymer is formed by reacting a polyethylene oxide (e.g. PEG 4000 to 35,000), a difunctional compound (e.g. a diamine or diol such as 1,10-decanediol) with a diisocyanate. The ratio of the three components is generally in the range 0.1-1.5 to 1 to 1.1-2.5. The polyurethane is water-swellable in the range 300 to 1700% and soluble in certain organic solvents such as dichloromethane. It can be loaded with pharmaceutically active agents, particularly of high molecular weight, to produce controlled release compositions, such as pessaries etc.
US09987338B2 Mitrecin a polypeptide with antimicrobial activity
The present invention provides a Mitrecin A polypeptide useful in prevention and treatment of one or more bacteria. Also provided is a method to kill or prevent growth of one or more bacteria comprising contacting the one or more bacteria with a Mitrecin A polypeptide. The target bacteria can be selected from the group consisting of a Gram-positive bacterium, a Gram-negative bacterium, or both. In one embodiment, the present invention is drawn to a polynucleotide encoding a Mitrecin A polypeptide, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a host cell comprising the polynucleotide, or a composition comprising the Mitrecin A polypeptide, the polynucleotide, the vector, or the host cell.
US09987334B2 Treatment of short bowel syndrome patients with colon-in-continuity
Intestinal absorption is enhanced in short bowel syndrome patients presenting with colon-in-continuity by treatment with a GLP-2 receptor agonist, such as teduglutide.
US09987328B2 Factor XII inhibitors for the administration with medical procedures comprising contact with artificial surfaces
An inhibitor of FXII/FXIIa for the prevention of the formation and/or stabilization of thrombi during and/or after a medical procedure performed on a human or animal subject comprising contacting blood of said human or animal subject with artificial surfaces, wherein said inhibitor of FXII/FXIIa is administered before and/or during and/or after said medical procedure.
US09987327B2 Methods for treating myocardial infarction comprising administering sonic hedgehog
The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for cardioprotection of subjects who experienced a myocardial infarction. In particular, the present invention relates to a ligand of the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway for use in the cardioprotection of a subject who experienced a myocardial infarction.
US09987326B2 Klotho protein and related compounds for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer
Disclosed is the use of a klotho protein or related compounds for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, alone or together with other active pharmaceutical ingredients such as chemotherapeutic agents or hormone-regulating agents.
US09987323B2 Process to enhance the bioactivity of Ashwagandha extracts
The invention relates to an extract of Ashwagandha that exhibit enhanced bioactivity and bioavailability comprising of enriched withanolide glycosides and saponins; with negligible amount of alkaloids, withanolide aglycones and oligosaccharides. The extract as disclosed prepared from root, stems, leaves and whole plant of Ashwagandha further shows improved immunomodulatory activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti stress activity, antidiabetic activity and sleep quality. The disclosure also provides a method of improving bioactivity of withanolide glycosides even at lower doses, by the administration of an enteric coated formulation of extract of Ashwagandha to humans. The enteric coating protects the composition from hydrolysis in the acidic environment of the stomach to release the withanolide glycoside in neutral/alkaline pH in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) thus enhancing the absorption. Further the process of preparation of the extract of Ashwagandha enriched with withanolide glycosides and saponins are disclosed along with various formulations.
US09987321B2 Use of flaxseed and flaxseed derivatives for treatment of neurological disorders and viral diseases
The invention provides compositions and methods for treating neurological disorders and viral infection using whole-grain flaxseed, flaxseed lignans such as Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), human lignans metabolized from flaxseed such as Enterodiol (ED) or Enterolactone (EL), and synthetic flaxseed lignan analogs.
US09987317B2 Cardio-protective agents from kiwifruits
The invention relates to cardio-protective agents. In particular, the present invention relates to cardio-protective extracts and fractions thereof prepared from kiwi fruit.
US09987316B2 Probiotic controlling fungi and uses thereof
A method for controlling detrimental oral organisms in various individuals includes administering a priobiotic composition that includes one or more species or strains of beneficial fungi and/or one or more compounds produced therefrom that control one or more species of detrimental oral bacteria and/or other organisms.
US09987306B2 Materials and methods for prevention and treatment of diarrhea and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract
The present invention pertains to the use of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR)-activating nutrients (designated as “CaSR-based nutrients”) for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrheal diseases and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. In one embodiment, the current invention is formulated for oral administration. The anti-diarrheal composition of the present invention is useful for treating diarrheal and gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions in infants and young children.
US09987305B1 Antimicrobial skin cream
Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a cream for treating the skin. The cream may include gray clay kaolin; sodium lauryl ether sulfate; blue tartarzine; sodium chloride; menthol; metabisulfite sodium; gelatin; mineral oil; olive oil; oil of cloves; water; green tea; honey; and aloe vera. The cream may also include talc, apple perfume, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin B5, vitamin H, vitamin B6, and vitamin D. The cream may also include fatty acids.
US09987294B2 Mitochondria-targeted anti-tumor agents
Described are mitochondria-targeted anti-tumor agents, and methods of making and using the same for the treatment of disorders associated with unwanted cell proliferation.
US09987292B2 Method for treatment of diseases
The invention provides a method of inhibiting vascular hyperpermeability in an animal in need thereof. The method comprises administering a vascular-hyperpermeability-inhibiting amount of a danazol compound to the animal. The invention also provides a method of modulating the cytoskeleton of an endothelial cell in an animal. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a danazol compound to the animal.
US09987286B2 Compositions and methods for the treatment of addiction, psychiatric disorders, and neurodegenerative disease
The present invention features, inter alia, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions that include metyrapol as the sole pharmaceutically active agent; compositions that include metyrapol and at least one additional pharmaceutically active agent; compositions in which the agent targeting the HPA axis is, itself, new or modified (e.g., a bi-specific antibody designed to traverse the blood-brain barrier or a known compound redesigned by, for example, conjugation to a substance that traverses the blood-brain barrier); and compositions in which the agent targeting the HPA axis is newly formulated in such a way that it fails to significantly inhibit cortisol production in the adrenal gland. For example, the composition can be formulated to include a dosage that is too low to reduce plasma cortisol levels or formulated to preferentially affect the skin.
US09987280B2 SIRT1 inhibitors and stem cell rejuvenation
Provided herein are, inter alia, methods and compositions for treating or preventing diseases using SIRT1 inhibitors. The methods provided herein are particularly useful for treating or preventing age-related hematological diseases as well as cancerous hematological diseases. Further provided herein are hematopoietic cells useful for treating or preventing hematological diseases.
US09987279B2 Pharmaceutical composition for prevention and/or treatment of urinary incontinence
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a novel pharmaceutical composition for prevention and/or treatment of urinary incontinence, which differs from conventional drugs. The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for prevention and/or treatment of urinary incontinence having 1-[2-({[trans-3-fluoro-1-(3-fluoropyridin-2-yl)cyclobutyl]methyl}amino)pyrimidin-5-yl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.
US09987277B2 Carboxamide 4-[(4-pyridyl)amino] pryimidines for the treatment of hepatitis C
The present invention relates to the use of carboxamide 4-[(4-pyridyl)amino]-pyrimidines as inhibitors of HCV replication as well as their use in pharmaceutical compositions aimed to treat or combat HCV infections.
US09987263B2 Methods for treatment of Fabry disease
Provided are in vitro and in vivo methods for determining whether a patient with Fabry disease will respond to treatment with a specific pharmacological chaperone.
US09987262B2 Solid forms of {[5-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyl]amino}acetic acid, compositions, and uses thereof
Provided herein are solid forms comprising {[5-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyl]amino}acetic acid, compositions comprising the solid forms, methods of making the solid forms and methods of their use for the treatment of various diseases and/or disorders.
US09987260B2 Tiotropium inhalation solution for nebulization
The present invention relates to a sterile pharmaceutical composition comprising tiotropium or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for inhalation via nebulization to a subject (e.g. a human). The invention also relates to a process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition and its use in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a subject.
US09987255B2 5,5-bicyclic oxazole orexin receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to 5,5-bicyclic oxazole compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. The present invention is also directed to uses of the compounds described herein in the potential treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these compositions in the potential prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US09987254B2 Ophthalmic composition for correcting presbyopia
Ophthalmic composition for the correction of presbyopia. Composition consisting of 2% Pilocarpine, characterized by being diluted to 1% with sterile Balanced Salt Solution (BSS), obtaining 1% pilocarpine (2.5 ml)+bromfenac, 1.8 mgrs of bromfenac (2.5 ml)+sterile Balanced Salt Solution (BSS) (2.5 ml), finally obtaining eye drops of 7.5 ml. It is also possible to obtain a 1.5% and 2% pilocarpine.
US09987253B2 Cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists useful for treating metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes
The present invention provides novel, diastereomeric pyrazolines that are useful as cannabinoid receptor blockers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, inflammatory disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, hepatic disorders, and/or cancers.
US09987246B2 4-benzylsulfonyl-2-butenenitrile
The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and 4-benzylsulfonyl-2-butenenitrile, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. The present invention is directed to a method for treating inflammation, inflammatory-related disorders, or pain, by administering 4-benzylsulfonyl-2-butenenitrile, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof to a subject in need thereof.
US09987245B2 Therapeutic regimen and methods for treating or ameliorating visual disorders associated with an endogenous retinoid deficiency
Disclosed herein are therapeutic regimens for treating or ameliorating a visual disorder associate with an endogenous retinoid deficiency in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a synthetic retinal derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a synthetic retinal derivative according to the therapeutic regimen which leads to local recovery of visual functions such as visual fields, visual acuity and retinal sensitivity, among others.
US09987243B2 Use of trans-palmitoleate in identifying and treating metabolic disease
The present invention provides for a novel lipokine, trans-C16:1n7-palmitoleate, which also serves as a biomarker for metabolic status. More specifically, low concentrations of trans-C16:1n7-palmitoleate the serum indicates a risk of metabolic disease. Additionally, administering trans C16:1n7-palmitoleate to a subject (via pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or other means), positively impacts glucose metabolism.
US09987242B2 Treatment of Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias
Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID). In particular, M4 muscarinic receptor (M4R) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) are administered to reduce dyskinetic behavior.
US09987240B2 All-natural enteric soft capsules
Described herein are soft capsules and enteric soft capsules comprising cationic Type A gelatin and acid insoluble enteric polymers. In particular, the compositions and methods for manufacturing all-natural enteric soft capsules comprising Type A gelatin and matrix fills are described. In one embodiment, the enteric soft capsules comprise active ingredients such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In another embodiment, the enteric soft capsule comprises matrix fills of omega-3 fatty acids.
US09987238B2 Reduced dose intravenous acetaminophen
Described herein are compositions and methods for intravenous administration of acetaminophen at a single dose level of less than about 1000 mg for the treatment or prevention of pain (e.g., postoperative pain) and/or fever.
US09987237B2 Methods and devices for using isoperillyl alcohol
The present invention provides for a method of treating a disease such as cancer, comprising the step of administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of an isomer or analog of monoterpene or sesquiterpene (or its derivative), such as an isoperillyl alcohol. The present invention also provides for a method of treating a disease comprising the step of administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a derivative of an isomer or analog of monoterpene or sesquiterpene, such as an isoperillyl alcohol carbamate. The derivative may be an isoperillyl alcohol conjugated with a therapeutic agent such as a chemotherapeutic agent. The route of administration may vary, including inhalation, intranasal, oral, transdermal, intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.
US09987231B2 Compositions and methods for delivery of omeprazole plus acetylsalicylic acid
The present disclosure is directed to a method for delivering a pharmaceutical composition to a patient in need thereof, comprising: administering to said patient a pharmaceutical composition in unit dose form comprising acetylsalicylic acid, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and omeprazole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09987227B2 Inhaled surfactant-modified liposomal formulations providing both an immediate and sustained release profile
Methods for formulating and compositions of immediate and sustained release liposomal products which comprise a surfactant that interacts with liposomes to effect drug release therefrom, and delivery of such for treatment of respiratory tract infections and other medical conditions, and devices and formulations used in connection with such are described.
US09987222B2 Method for administration of a probiotic
The present invention relates to a method for the administration of a probiotic composition to a vaginal cavity and to compositions, devices and kits for use in this method.
US09987217B2 Blackberry extract
The invention concerns a blackberry leaf extract and its uses, in particular to slow down skin aging, to treat the oral and pharyngeal cavity, and there in particular to prevent and slow down periodontitis and the excessive degradation of the periodontal connective tissue as well as damage to the teeth caused by matrix metalloproteinases.
US09987207B1 Foaming warming cleanser
The present disclosure relates to anhydrous foaming cleanser compositions, which generally include: a) one or more foaming surfactants selected from the group consisting of sodium lauroyl glutamate and diethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, wherein the total amount of foaming surfactant is at least about 8% by weight of the total weight composition; b) a first and a second polyol; c) from about 28% to about 50% by weight of a third polyol selected from the group consisted of PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-8, and mixture thereof; d) a thickener agent selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate crosspolymer-1, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, polyacrylate crosspolymer-9, polyacrylate crosspolymer-11, and the mixtures thereof.
US09987205B2 Oil-rich composition and use thereof in a lightening or non-lightening direct dyeing process
The present invention relates especially to a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising: (i) one or more fatty substances in a content ranging from 40% to 85% by weight relative to the total weight of the dye composition, (ii) one or more oxyethylenated fatty alcohols with an oxyethylene number of less than or equal to 10, and (iii) one or more nonionic surfactants of alkylpolyglucoside type, (iv) optionally one or more alkaline agents, (v) one or more direct dyes which are preferably cationic, anionic or neutral. The present invention also relates to a process for dyeing keratin fibers, comprising the application to the said fibers of an above mentioned composition, optionally in the presence of a composition comprising one or more chemical oxidizing agents; the dye composition possibly resulting from the mixing of several compositions. Finally, the invention relates to devices that are suitable for performing this process.
US09987203B1 Methods of reducing red wine stains on teeth
A method of improving the cosmetic appearance of human teeth comprising the step of contacting the teeth with a whitening powder composition after ingesting a chromogenic, tannin-containing food or beverage and thereby reducing staining of the teeth caused by tannins and/or chromogens. The tooth-whitening tablet is comprised of (i) at least one abrasive powder; (ii) at least one buffering powder; (iii) a complexing agent; and, optionally, (iv) an anti-cavity sweetener.
US09987192B2 Massaging devices
A massaging device is provided. The massaging device includes a shell having first end and a second end, the first end being a massaging head, a size and a shape of the shell configured to massage a body part of a user. The massaging device also includes an opening disposed close to the second end. The massaging device further includes a housing to house a vibrating motor, the housing configured to be inserted into the shell through the opening. The massaging device also includes a rolling member disposed at the opening, and the rolling member is configured to control the vibration of the vibrating motor when being operated by a user.
US09987178B2 Wheelchair braking and steering system
A wheelchair braking system having a brake control mechanism, having a mounting member, an operation mechanism, and a link mechanism, a first braking circuit capable of applying a braking force to a first wheel, and a second braking circuit capable of applying a braking force to a second wheel.
US09987172B2 Disposable diaper with compressed units
An absorber of a disposable diaper includes a first region extending from an end at the side of the rear waistline region of the absorber towards a side of the crotch region, and a second region arranged adjacent to the first region at the side of the crotch region from the first region, and having a lower bending rigidity than the first region. The end at the side of the rear waistline region of the leg stretch unit and the end at the side of the rear waistline region of the contracted unit in the leg side stretch unit are arranged at the side of the crotch region from the end at the side of the rear waistline region of the first region, and are also arranged at the side of the rear waistline region from the end at the side of the crotch region of the first region.
US09987168B2 One step tympanostomy tube and method for inserting same
A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion. The second flange includes a perimetral edge having an incising portion sufficiently sharpened to cut as a knife through the tympanic membrane during insertion of the tympanostomy tube in the tympanic membrane.
US09987166B2 Patient interface for ophthalmologic diagnostic and interventional procedures
An ophthalmic system may comprise an imaging device having a field of view oriented toward the eye of the patient; a patient interface housing defining a passage therethrough, having a distal end coupled to one or more seals configured to be directly engaged with one or more surfaces of the eye of the patient, and wherein the proximal end is configured to be coupled to the patient workstation such that at least a portion of the field of view of the imaging device passes through the passage; and two or more registration fiducials coupled to the patient interface housing in a predetermined geometric configuration relative to the patient interface housing within the field of view of the imaging device such that they may be imaged by the imaging device in reference to predetermined geometric markers on the eye of the patient which may also be imaged by the imaging device.
US09987162B2 Mammalian head cooling system and method
Described herein is a head cooling system comprising: a source of compressed breathable gas; a vortex tube comprising an inlet, a hot gas outlet and a cold gas outlet, the inlet operably connected to the source of compressed breathable gas; and an interface for delivering cooled gas to a nasopharyngeal cavity in fluid communication with the cold gas outlet. The head cooling system may be used in a method to reduce neurodegeneration in a subject, for example neurodegeneration from ischemia, anoxia, cardiac arrest, trauma or neurodegenerative disease. The head cooling system may also be used in a method to prophylactically protect a subject at risk of neurodegeneration, for example neurodegeneration from ischemia, anoxia, cardiac arrest, trauma or neurodegenerative disease.
US09987161B2 Urine passing structure
A urine passing structure comprises a penis covering portion, a glans protection portion, and a urine guiding portion. The penis covering portion and the urine guiding portion are respectively fluidly communicated with the glans protection portion. A diameter of one end of the glans protection portion fluidly communicated with the penis covering portion is larger than the diameters of the penis covering portion and the urine guiding portion. It is tapered from a top end of the glans protection portion toward a tail end of the urine guiding portion. An accommodating space is defined in the glans protection portion. A passage is passing through the penis covering portion and fluidly communicated with the accommodating space. A urine guiding channel is passing through the urine guiding portion and fluidly communicated with the accommodating space. A one-way urine passing member is arranged in the urine guiding channel.
US09987159B2 Back supporter
Disclosed herein are device embodiments for supporting a person's back. An embodiment comprises an adjustable belt and a pair of underarm supports attached to the sides of the belt. Each support comprises an underarm rest and a first spring, a second spring, and a third springs. Each support further comprises a first pin attached to the underarm rest, the first pin coupled to a top end of the first spring; a second pin coupled to a bottom end of the first spring and a top end of the second spring; and a third pin coupled to a bottom end of the second spring and a top end of the third spring. Each support further includes a base bottom coupled to a bottom end of the third spring and attached to the adjustable belt.
US09987158B2 Orthopedic device for treating complications of the hip
An orthopedic device is provided for treating complications of the hip and has means for trochanter compression, pelvis support, lumbar compression, variously directed straps, and thigh support. The trochanter compression and an internal/external rotation strap provide pain relief through compression and skin protection, unloading of joints through compression and sealing, and unloading by load transfer. Means for adjustably dosing of straps enables pain management and ease of use.
US09987157B1 Medical device for sleeve gastrectomy surgery
A dual-purpose surgical bougie is disclosed for vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) procedures, and other related operations, that can serve the purpose of both operating as a guide or dilator for stapling and resecting a stomach and also securing, containing, and trans-orally extracting the resected stomach, thereby promoting faster patient recovery, minimizing and reducing the size and number of incisions, and further minimizing VSG procedure related complications, among other advantages. In one aspect of the disclosure described herein, the dual-purpose medical device can include a surgical bougie having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the bougie can be made of at least one of rubber, silicone, plastic, and metal. In addition, the bougie can include a channel or passage disposed within its central axis extending from its distal end to the proximal end, and a securement member coupled to the bougie. Here, the securement member can extend from the distal end of the flexible member, such that the securement member securely couples to a resected body tissue thereby allowing the bougie to trans-orally extract the resected body tissue.
US09987153B2 Vascular elastance
A device includes a balloon and an interface. The balloon has an outer surface and a central lumen aligned on a longitudinal axis. The balloon is configured to receive a compressible fluid. The interface is coupled to the outer surface and has an external surface configured to bond with a tissue.
US09987150B2 Attachment system for prosthetic device
The present invention is directed to prosthetic device for attaching a mechanical limb to a user. The prosthetic device includes a liner, a prosthetic socket worn over the liner and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism includes a belt that is guided over rollers coupled to the outside of the socket. A portion of the belt passes from the outer surface of the socket to the inner surface of the prosthetic socket to contact and matingly engage the liner, thereby fixing the position of the prosthetic socket with respect to the liner and the users limb.
US09987148B2 Acetabular cup prosthesis positioning instrument and method
A method for assisting in positioning the acetabular cup comprises orienting a cup positioning instrument with a cup thereon in an initial reference orientation relative to an acetabulum of a pelvis with the cup forming a joint with the acetabulum, the cup positioning instrument comprising an inertial sensor unit with pre-planned orientation data for a desired cup orientation based on at least one landmark of the pelvis, The cup positioning instrument is rotated to a desired abduction angle as guided by an interface of the cup positioning instrument, based on movements relative to at least one landmark. The cup positioning instrument is rotated to a desired anteversion angle as guided by the interface of the cup positioning instrument, based on movements relative to the at least one landmark. Upon reaching the desired cup orientation as indicated by the interface, the cup is impacted into the acetabulum.
US09987146B1 Spinal implant with lateral expanding coaxial drive system
A lateral expanding coaxial spinal implant. The system consists of a centrally located drive screw with lateral actuators. The actuators contain pins positioned through angular slots located on sidewalls attached to endplates. The angular slots provide angular positioning when the actuator pins translate through them. A carriage contains a drive screw for operating of the actuators. Alignment pins provided on each endplate allow the endplates to rotate laterally relative to the carriage. An adjustment nut is axially retained by the carriage, but allowed to rotate. To expand/contract the endplates, the drive screw and adjustment nut are rotated together, with no relative motion between them. To change the angle of the endplates, the drive screw is rotated.
US09987145B2 Lateral block plate
A spine stabilization and fusion system includes a lateral cage and a lateral block plate. The lateral cage is configured to be placed between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra, and a face of the lateral cage includes one or more first holes configured to receive fasteners and a first shaft bore configured to receive a shaft. The lateral block plate includes one or more second holes extending from a lateral face of the lateral block plate to a medial face of the lateral block plate and configured to receive the fasteners. The one or more second holes are configured to align with the one or more first holes of the lateral cage. The lateral block plate also includes a second shaft bore configured to receive the shaft, where the second shaft bore is configured to align with the first shaft bore of the lateral cage.
US09987144B2 Intervertebral spacer and plate
Embodiments herein are generally directed to spinal implants, systems, apparatuses, and components thereof that can be used in spinal fusion and/or stabilization procedures, as well as methods of installation. The spinal implants may include an intervertebral spacer and a plate member.
US09987143B2 Expandable inter-body fusion devices and methods
An expandable inter-body fusion device is presented. The expandable inter-body fusion device can have a first plate, a second plate, and an insert positioned substantially therebetween the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the insert define an interior cavity. Moving the insert longitudinally with respect to the first and second plates increases or decreases the distance of the first plate with respect to the second plate, effectively expanding the inter-body fusion device and increasing the volume of the interior cavity.
US09987137B2 Programmable implant having curved or arced struts
Various embodiments of implant systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described herein. In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure, including a space truss, configured to interface with human bone tissue. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes. Implants are optimized for the expected stress applied at the bone structure site.
US09987125B2 Intraocular lens with shape changing capability to provide enhanced accomodation and visual acuity
An intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision, an extended depth of focus, or enhanced performance through the asymmetric transfer of ocular forces to the lens. The intraocular lens contains an optic and a haptic. The shape and/or material of the haptic results in the transmission of ocular forces to particular regions in the optic. Greater forces applied to particular regions result in deformation of that region and increased power.
US09987117B2 Thromboembolic protection device
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for protecting a subject from embolisms during TAVR percutaneous valve procedures. Various embodiments include an intravascular embolism protection device that includes an elongated, compliant wire frame made from a material having a shape-memory function, and a mesh sleeve coupled to the compliant wire frame, the mesh material having a pore size selected to allow blood to pass therethrough while retaining potential emboli. In some embodiments, the embolism protection device has a collapsed state wherein device fits within the lumen of a deployment/retrieval catheter and an expanded state wherein the embolism protection device expands to span the width of the aorta and the distance between the aortic valve and the puncture site in the femoral artery.
US09987113B2 Implantable article and method
An implantable article and method are disclosed for treating pelvic floor disorders such as vaginal vault prolase. A surgical kit useful for performing a surgical procedure such as a sacral colpopexy is also described.
US09987109B2 Mechanically-driven, sonic toothbrush and water flosser
A sonic toothbrush system including an electric motor, a brush shaft, a drive assembly, a fluid conduit connected to a pressurized, pulsed water source, and a water jet nozzle positioned on the brush head and connected to the fluid conduit. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush supported on an end of the brush shaft. The drive assembly further forms part of the fluid conduit to deliver a pulsed water stream to the jet nozzle.
US09987102B2 Orthodontic protection device
An easily applied device is described that protects the soft tissues inside of the mouth from abrasion by orthodontic braces. The device consists of a putty-like, moldable material that may be pressed onto and into and molded about the brackets and wires of orthodontic braces, and a plasticized and dehydrated or partially dehydrated hydrogel-forming layer on those surfaces of the device that contact the braces and teeth so as to absorb saliva and dry to some extent the surfaces to which the device is pressed and to offer initial adhesion of the device to the teeth and/or braces.
US09987098B2 Apparatus for cleaning medical instruments
A rack for holding and washing surgical instruments in a washer/disinfector includes a frame assembly having tubular sections, a rotary spray arm mounted to the frame assembly, a fluid inlet positioned on the frame assembly to connect the frame assembly to the washer/disinfector, a first fluid path defined from the fluid inlet to the spray nozzles through one or more of the tubular sections to direct fluid from the washer/disinfector to the spray nozzles, a second fluid path defined from the fluid inlet to connectors through the tubular section, a filter for fluids from the fluid inlet, and a securing system to secure the surgical instruments.
US09987089B2 Device and a method for imaging-guided photothermal laser therapy for cancer treatment
This invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring and optimizing photothermal therapy, using a high-power continuous-wave laser beam and a pulsed laser beam, both transmitted through a single soft, multi-mode optical fiber with a diffuse active tip, to interstitially irradiate the target tissue at the same time. The continuous-wave laser light induces photothermal effect and increases tissue temperature and the pulsed laser light produces a photoacoustic signal. The photoacoustic signal intensity is used to monitor the temperature changes in the target tissue and to guide the irradiation of the high-power laser to optimize the photothermal effect by adjusting the light intensity and irradiation time.
US09987086B2 Multiple electrode RF ablation catheter and method
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to radio frequency (RF) ablation catheters. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including an ablation catheter, multiple RF electrodes positioned along a distal end of a catheter, an electrical stimulation generator, and a control circuit electrically connected to the stimulation generator. According to various embodiments, the RF electrodes are each connected to the stimulation generator using a switch, and the control circuit is configured to distribute RF power from the stimulation generator to the RF electrodes using the switches to provide ablation therapy.
US09987083B2 Apparatus and method for intra-cardiac mapping and ablation
An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure.
US09987080B2 Method and device for uterine fibroid treatment
Methods and devices for both imaging and treating uterine fibroid tumors in one real-time system are provided. One minimally invasive method comprises introducing a sheath into a uterus and determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath. Upon identification, a portion of the sheath is steered to position at least one treatment needle at the determined location. The needle is then anchored in uterine tissue and the fibroid treated with the needle.
US09987074B2 Adjustable electrosurgical pencil with slidable vent tube
An electrosurgical pencil for use in performing surgery on a surgical site includes a main body forming a handle grippable by user and having open front and rear ends. The pencil has a vent tube open at its forward end, and slidably mounted in the body. The tube is adjustable independently from a retracted position to various extended positions. An elongate electrode is mounted in the tube and independently slidable therein. The electrode is adjustable manually in its longitudinal direction from a retracted position to extended positions. A first conducting strip can be mounted in the vent rube in contact with the electrode. A second conducting strip can be mounted in the main body and is in sliding contact with the first strip in order to provide power to the electrode.
US09987068B2 Systems and methods for optimizing emissions from simultaneous activation of electrosurgery generators
A method for optimizing emissions from simultaneous activation of electrosurgery generators is presented including delivering first energy to a first target tissue via a first energy module, the first energy represented as a first waveform having a first phase, delivering second energy to a second target tissue via a second energy module, the second energy represented as a second waveform having a second phase, applying the first energy in a first energy mode, and applying the second energy in a second energy mode. The method further includes the steps of comparing the first phase of the first energy waveform with the second phase of the second energy waveform and adjusting a relative phase between the first and second energy waveforms based on the comparison step.
US09987064B2 Anti-over tightening bone screw fixing arrangement
A fixing arrangement comprises a retaining element and a clamping sleeve which receives a bone screw. The bone screw has a head and a secondary thread and is pivotally mounted in the clamping sleeve. The clamping sleeve has a radially protruding section on the outer casing of the clamping sleeve and at least one track of a clamping thread, which complements the secondary thread, in the interior of the clamping sleeve. In the unclamped state, a free path is formed by a clearance on the clamping sleeve. A protruding section engages into an opening on the receiving seat in a formfitting manner, and the thickened section is shaped to expand towards the rear in the form of a cone. The cone angle is selected such that the free path divided by the tangent of the half-cone angle corresponds to 0.5 to 2.5 times the thread pitch of the secondary thread.
US09987053B2 Surgical instruments and methods
Various surgical instruments, implants, and their methods of use are disclosed. The surgical instruments are usable to insert various implants into a patient through an access portal in a minimally-invasive manner. The implants are rotatable between different orientations using the instruments to change the footprint of the implant and allow the implant to be inserted through the minimally-invasive access portal.
US09987051B2 Interbody spacer
An interbody spacer is disclosed and includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The body portion includes a cavity defined through the top and bottom surfaces that increases in width at a medial position thereof. The cavity is configured to retain biological material therein. A method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.
US09987048B2 Vertebral osteosynthesis equipment enabling iliac anchoring of a vertebral bar
This equipment comprises an iliac rod (2), a connection assembly (3, 4) for connecting that iliac rod to a vertebral bar, an iliac anchoring member and an iliac part connecting the iliac rod to that iliac anchoring member; said connecting assembly (3, 4) is independent of the iliac rod (2) and comprises two portions, namely: —a first portion (3), for connecting to said vertebral bar (50), that forms a closed conduit (10) for engagement of that portion (3) on that bar (50); and —a second portion (4), for connecting to said iliac rod (2), that forms a conduit (12) for the engagement of that second portion (4) on the iliac rod (2). According to the invention, —said first portion is formed by a first connecting part (3) and said second portion is formed by a second connecting part (4), said first and second connecting parts (3, 4) being independent of one another; said first connecting part (3) comprises a portion (3a) that forms said closed conduit (10) and a threaded rod (3b) protruding from said portion (3a); said second connecting part (4) forms a passage (11) through it for the engagement of said threaded rod (3b) of the first connecting part (3), with a pivoting capacity of said second connecting part (4) relative to said first connecting part (3).
US09987045B2 Method and system for trans-lamina spinal fixation
A method of providing spinal stabilization is provided herein. More specifically, the method includes positioning a plurality of fixation assemblies within a plurality of vertebrae in a trans-lamina orientation wherein each fixation assembly includes a proximal portion configured to securely receive a stabilization element (e.g., a stabilization rod). The proximal portions of the various fixation assemblies can be aligned so as to secure at least one stabilization element in a desired position (e.g., along and above a midline of the patient's spine, adjacent and parallel to the midline). A system for providing spinal stabilization is also provided which utilizes trans-lamina delivery and positioning of fixation assemblies within target vertebrae thereby providing stronger fixation and a significant reduction in associated tissue damage.
US09987042B2 General uterine manipulator and system
A medical instrument configured to be inserted into a body cavity comprises a body comprises a first probe at a first end, the first probe comprising a first cylindrical portion with a first outer circumferential surface of a first diameter; a first circumferential edge at a distal end of the first probe; a first distal lip projecting outwardly from the first outer circumferential surface beyond the first circumferential edge and extending for at least a part of a circumference of the first circumferential edge; and a first marker lip projecting outwardly from the first outer circumferential surface and extending for at least a part of a circumference of the first outer circumferential surface; wherein the first distal lip is positioned distal to the first marker lip; and wherein the body comprises a hollow cavity to enable a second medical instrument to pass therethrough.
US09987041B2 Disposable needle hair transplanter
A disposable needle hair transplanter includes: a plunger structure having an outer barrel defining a passage, a plunger assembly having at least one push needle movable within the passage of the outer barrel, and a hair transplantation depth controller drivingly connected with the plunger assembly via a link; a needle having a needle seat connected with the outer barrel and at least one needle tube in which a hair follicle is loadable, the hair transplantation depth controller serving to restrict the depth by which the needle tube is thrust into the scalp; and a hair follicle depth controller having a cylindrical structure fitted around the needle seat and a shaft tube connected with the cylindrical structure and coaxially disposed around the needle tube. The hair transplantation depth controller is disposed around the shaft tube and movable along the shaft tube toward or away from the scalp.
US09987039B2 Medical intervention apparatus
Disclosed is a medical intervention apparatus. The medical intervention apparatus includes a needle rotation unit configured to include a first needle rotation member, a second needle rotation member that is disposed to be separated from the first needle rotation member, and a first driver that drives the first and second needle rotation members to rectilinearly move in opposite directions and a needle insertion unit configured to insert a needle, which is inserted between the first needle rotation member and the second needle rotation member, into a target.
US09987038B2 Follicle punch for use with curled follicles
A punch that is particularly useful for removing curled hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body disposed about a generally longitudinal axis and having a distal cutting end region terminating distally in a plurality of distally-extending circumferentially disposed, generally prong-like members carrying distally diverging cutting edges and separated by follicle-accommodating slits. In practice, the punch is oriented during the extraction process at the donor site so that the curled hair root passes into, and is spared from the advancing cutting edge by, a slit as the punch is inserted into and penetrates the tissue. The punch may then rotated slightly so that the cutting edges cut most of the tissue surrounding the follicle without making damaging contact with the follicle. It may be noted that a rotary motion may not be necessary and, if rotation is desired, it may be in one direction or be in the form of an oscillatory rotary movement, depending on characteristics of the donor site and targeted follicle.
US09987035B2 Surgical instrument with end-effector assembly including three jaw members and methods of cutting tissue using same
A method of cutting tissue includes providing a surgical instrument including an end-effector assembly including first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to a third jaw member disposed therebetween to at least one second position closer to the third jaw member wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the first and second jaw members includes an electrically-conductive sealing plate. A cutting member is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the third jaw member. The method also includes positioning the first, second and third jaw members about tissue, applying energy to the electrically-conductive sealing plates so that energy passes between the electrically-conductive sealing plates and through tissue to effect a tissue seal, and activating the cutting member to cut through tissue overlying the upper surface of the third jaw member.
US09987031B2 Specimen retrieval device including an integrated sliding grasper
A specimen retrieval device is provided. The specimen retrieval device includes a housing including an outer shaft extending distally therefrom. An inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft and includes at least one tissue engaging device configured to engage tissue and at least one spring. A pouch is coupled to the inner shaft and the at least one spring. The pouch includes an open proximal end and a closed distal end and is movable from a first configuration for deployment from the outer shaft to a second configuration for receiving tissue therein. The at least one tissue engaging device is positionable within the pouch and movable along the inner shaft for engaging tissue and pulling the tissue within the pouch.
US09987028B2 Partially covered braided funnel aspiration catheter
Methods and devices are described for removing a blockage from an anatomical passageway, for example thrombus or clot from a blood vessel. Devices and methods are provided for removing a blockage from an anatomical passageway. For example, a braided funnel is provided that may be placed adjacent a blockage. The braided funnel may be attached to an elongate tube and the blockage may be aspirated through the tube.
US09987027B2 Device and method for removing occlusions in a biological vessel
A device for use within an occluded biological vessel and a method of using same to remove occlusion material from a vessel are provided. The device includes an elongated body configured for delivering projections arranged around a distal portion thereof into the biological vessel. Each of the projections includes a leaf-like structure connected to a stem portion having a higher axial rigidity than the leaf-like structure.
US09987014B2 Occlusion device
A catheter includes a detachable tip assembly that when detached from the catheter may be used to occlude a body lumen or vessel. The detachable distal tip assembly may include an inflatable balloon disposed over and secured to a tubular member. The inflatable balloon may be in fluid communication within an inflation lumen extending within the catheter body. Upon reaching a target site within a body lumen or vessel, the detachable distal tip assembly may be released from the distal end of the catheter upon inflation of the balloon to a predetermined size.
US09987008B2 Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
A shaft assembly is provided for interconnecting at least one rotatable drive shaft of a hand-held electromechanical surgical device, and an end effector actuatable by an axial drive force. The shaft assembly includes a flexible drive cable rotatably supported in an outer tube, the flexible drive cable includes a proximal end operatively connected to a respective rotatable drive shaft of the hand-held surgical device. The flexible drive cable being off set a radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the outer tube. The shaft assembly includes an articulation rod at least partially slidably supported in the outer tube, and an articulation link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the distal end of the articulation rod and a distal end pivotally connected to a distal neck housing. The articulation rod being off set a radial distance from the central longitudinal axis of the outer tube.
US09987007B2 Surgical fastener applying apparatus
A surgical fastener applying apparatus (10) including a cartridge supporting section (200) and an anvil supporting section (100). The cartridge supporting section includes a distal section (206) and a proximal section (210) and the anvil supporting section and cartridge supporting section are configured to clamp tissue therebetween. The anvil supporting section has a distal fastener receiving region (102), a proximal clamping region (104) and an intermediate region (106) between the fastener receiving region and the clamping region. The proximal clamping region is positioned on a first side of the cartridge supporting section and the fastener receiving region is positioned on a second opposing side of the cartridge supporting section.
US09987002B2 Surgical instrument having a multi-layered drive beam
A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. The movable handle is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a plurality of layers and at least one layer has a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly. At least one of the layers of the drive beam is affixed to an adjacent layer of the drive beam via at least one spot weld.
US09987000B2 Surgical instrument assembly comprising a flexible articulation system
A surgical instrument can include a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to rotate relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further comprise a first articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a first direction and a second articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a second direction. The articulation actuators can be configured to push the end effector. The articulation actuators can assume different configurations depending on whether they are experiencing a compressive load or a tensile load. The articulation joint can comprise an articulation frame which forms a proximal joint with the shaft and a distal joint with the end effector. The joints can comprise fixed axis joints and/or ball-and-socket joints, for example. The articulation joint can comprise links having different sizes to facilitate the articulation of the articulation joint.
US09986998B2 Cartridge interface for surgical suturing device
A surgical suturing system comprises a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends, and receiver on the distal end with a rotary drive. A cartridge is selectively attachable to and detachable from the receiver. The cartridge has a surgical needle, a length of suture connected to the needle, a needle driver operative to engage and move the needle relative the cartridge, a transmission operatively connected to the needle driver, and a torsional interface rotationally coupling the rotary drive to the transmission.
US09986992B2 Suture anchor and associated methods of use
A method for securing a sleeve in a bore hole in bone. The method includes disposing at least a portion of a length of filament into the bore hole, and implanting the sleeve into the bore hole such that a first pathway extending through first and second ends of the sleeve opens in a direction toward the opening of the bore hole and in a direction toward the base of the bore hole. The method also includes pulling at least a portion of the length of filament through the first pathway of the sleeve, thereby forming a first loop configuration extending from the first end and at least one free end of the length of filament extending from the second end. Also included is passing the at least one free end through the first loop configuration to create a one-way cinch.
US09986987B2 Apparatus and method for fascial closure device for laparoscopic trocar port site and surgery
A suture placement device provides a lateral extension element, such as a slotted t-bar or wings, which is inserted into a trocar and deployed to position receptor ports about 1 cm from the trocar. The trocar is removed, and stylet guides are deployed to create a path from the housing to the receptor ports, thereby creating a suture path with segments from the outside of the device to each port, and between ports. A stylet is inserted through the suture path, and used to pull a suture of choice through the path. A stylet guide has a partially extended position to permit precise intra-muscular location of an anesthetic injection before being fully deployed. The t-bar is rotated back to a vertical position to permit removal to of the suture placement device so that the suture can be tied.
US09986970B2 Apparatus and method for aiding extremity ultrasonography
An apparatus for releasably coupling an ultrasound probe with an extremity comprises a housing adapted to substantially surround the extremity. The housing comprises a first opening adapted to receive the ultrasound probe and position the probe in contact with the extremity.
US09986961B2 X-ray CT apparatus and image diagnostic apparatus
In an X-ray CT apparatus of an embodiment, an X-ray tube emits X-rays. A detector detects the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube and having passed through a subject. Processing circuitry collects projection data based on data detected by the detector. The Processing circuitry generates a reconstructed image from the projection data. A display displays a display image based on the reconstructed image. A input circuitry receives an operation to rotate a first display image based on a first reconstructed image generated by the processing circuitry on a screen of the display, and specify a certain region on a second display image whose axis is in a direction different from a slice direction. The processing circuitry generates a second reconstructed image from the projection data, having higher resolution than that of the first display image, for the certain region.
US09986956B2 Image sensor and oral sensor device using same
The present invention provides an X-ray image sensor comprising: a sensor panel which is bendable, generates an electrical signal by detecting an X-ray, and has a first elasticity; a printed circuit board which transmits the electrical signal to the outside, has a second elasticity that is smaller than the first elasticity, and has a flexible property; and an elastic adjustment member which is made of an elastic material having a third elasticity that is larger than the first elasticity, and which adjusts the elasticity of the sensor panel and the printed circuit board so as to be greater than or equal to the third elasticity.
US09986946B2 Device and method for evaluating and monitoring physical pain
In order to assist in evaluating/monitoring pain, a touch-sensitive graphics tool (TG) is provided with a local application (TGapps) for displaying a graphical representation of a patient's body, on which the patient can delimit a zone. A control application cooperates with the local application (TGapps) in order to record each delimited zone together with the corresponding surface data. The control application is configured to control a patient auto-calibration function that can determine deviations between a plurality of target points designated by contact on the patient's physical body and the corresponding points that the patient points to on the graphical representation displayed on the screen. The delimitation by the patient of a zone on the graphical representation is altered according to the patient auto-calibration deviations.
US09986945B2 Devices, systems, and methods for obtaining and analyzing urine flow rate data using acoustics and software
Flow rate measurement devices and systems for accurate urine analysis to determine benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or urethral stricture disease (USD) generally comprise a recording unit, an analysis unit, and a transmission unit. The recording unit includes device hardware and/or software configured to record data related to urinary flow rate. The analysis unit includes device hardware and/or software configured to assess, analyze, evaluate, or otherwise appraise the recorded data. The transmission unit includes device hardware and/or software configured to transmit the recorded and analyzed data.
US09986944B2 Blood and biological sample collection device and method
Specially designed collection strips and their processing. By using specially designed collection strips, having a backer and one or more absorbent pads, in conjunction with a unique processing method, the processes of analyzing biological samples such as blood, or the like, may be done efficiency with the elimination of cross contamination risk. Identification of the sample stays with the sample throughout the process as it resides on the collection strip. The strip absorbs a known volume. The sample with identification is placed directly in an elution solution, without mechanically separating the sample from its identification information. Elimination of the need for mechanical separation tends to reduce cross contamination, as well as reducing sample processing time.
US09986942B2 Analyte sensor
Biointerface membranes are provided which can be utilized with implantable devices, such as devices for the detection of analyte concentrations in a biological sample. More particularly, methods for monitoring glucose levels in a biological fluid sample using an implantable analyte detection device incorporating such membranes are provided.
US09986941B2 Methods and apparatus for rapid monitoring of hemostatic state
Improved monitoring of one or more blood coagulation factors is provided. Factor-specific molecular probes having a dye-quencher arrangement are employed. In preferred embodiments, a compact integrated optical source and detector device is used for fluorescence measurements. Continuous and real-time monitoring of the activity of one or multiple blood factors is provided. Such real-time information can be used to automatically control delivery of drugs such as coagulants and/or blood thinners.
US09986939B2 In-situ compensation of acoustic measurements
The present disclosure relates to a method for estimating one or more compensation parameters from impedance measurements of an acoustic load. The method comprises a series of steps including providing a probe assembly measurement setup and the disclosure also relates to a system to perform impedance measurements. The compensation parameters are estimated through a minimization process, preferably minimizing an error estimate of a first real and second imaginary part of the reflectance. The resulting compensation parameters are used to restore causality of the reflectance and accordingly provide more accurate impedance measurements.
US09986938B2 Method and device for determining a geometrical parameter of a blood vessel
The various aspects relate to a method of determining a geometrical parameter of a side branch of a main branch of a blood vessel, comprising receiving a multitude of cross section data sets, the data sets representing geometries of cross sections of the main branch over a length of the main branch and receiving position data of a cut plane of the main branch, the cut plane intersecting the side branch and the cut plane being defined under an angle with the cross-sections. The method further comprises, based on data in at least a part of the cross section data sets, constructing image data of a constructed cross section of the main branch in the cut plane. The method comprises receiving contour data defining a contour in the constructed cross section, the contour being provided in the side branch and determining the parameter by determining a parameter of the contour.
US09986935B2 On-airway pulmonary function tester
A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.
US09986930B2 Electrode with charge-operated indicator
An electrode includes separate first and second electrical contacts to contact the skin of a subject. A charge-holding structure is electrically connected between the first and second contacts. An indicator is operatively coupled to the charge-holding structure so that the indicator changes visibly in response to a change in the charge stored in the charge-holding structure. The electrode can include a rectifier across the contacts. A container for electrodes includes an electrical supply and a plurality of receptacles for electrodes so that a voltage difference is maintained across conductors of each receptacle (and contacts of an electrode therein) for at least one week. A method of making electrodes includes arranging the contacts over a support, connecting the charge-holding structure between them, arranging the indicator over the support, and charging the charge-holding structure so that the indicator has a first visual appearance.
US09986925B2 Two electrode apparatus and methods for twelve lead ECG
Described herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for heart monitoring of a patient. The heart monitoring system can be used to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using only two electrodes. A handheld device can be used to sequentially measure the electrical signal between different positions on a patient's body. The electrical signals can be processed and analyzed to prepare an ECG for the patient, including a 12-lead ECG.
US09986918B2 Systems and methods to indicate heart failure co-morbidity
Systems and methods to indicate heart failure co-morbidity are described. In an example, one or more physiological signals can be analyzed for a specified time period to determine at least one of an indication of a heart failure event or a characteristic of heart failure co-morbidity, such as a characteristic of a non-heart failure physiological event. At least one of the different physiological signals can be compared to a specified criterion indicative of the heart failure event to provide a comparison value, where the comparison value is indicative of whether the at least one of the different physiological signals contributed towards the indication of the heart failure event. An indication of a non-heart failure physiological event can be determined using the heart failure event indication, the non-heart failure physiological event characteristic, and the comparison value indicative of whether the one or more physiological signals contributed towards the heart failure event.
US09986915B2 Systems and methods for a short wave infrared device
Systems and methods for a short wave infrared (SWIR) otoscope device are provided. The SWIR otoscope device can capture images of a patient's middle ear to aid in diagnosing one of a plurality of maladies. In one embodiment, the SWIR otoscope device can include a SWIR detector, a light source, and a plurality of optics that can enable the SWIR otoscope device to capture images of the middle ear of a patient.
US09986914B2 Method of fabricating a probe
An optrode may provide a cylindrical substrate two or more electrodes deposited said cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate and electrodes may be coated by an insulating layer with openings or vias over certain portions of the electrodes that may provide a contact for the neural probe or may be utilized to connect lead lines. Manufacturing of an optrode may utilize a jig that secures a cylindrical substrate coated by a conductive material and a resist. A first mask may be positioned in an opening provided by the jig, and the cylindrical substrate may be exposed ions or neutral particles to define one or more electrode patterns. After regions of the resist and conductive material are removed to form the electrodes, a second mask may be utilized to define vias regions in which portions of the electrodes are exposed and uncoated by an insulating layer.
US09986907B2 System and method for objective chromatic perimetry analysis using pupillometer
The present invention relates to a system, device and a method for objective visual field testing and in particular, to such a system and method in which provides objective chromatic perimetry test or color vision test using a pupillometer.
US09986900B2 Endoscope
A first housing region A which is provided in the operation portion and in which a bending drive mechanism is housed, a second housing region B which is provided in the operation section and in which a flexible member is housed, and a third housing region C which is provided in the operation portion and in which an electric part is housed are provided, the first housing region A and the second housing region B are located to be lined up in an orthogonal direction Q, and the third housing region C is located to be adjacent to both of the first housing region A and the second housing region B so that a first boundary line T1 is orthogonal to a second boundary line T2.
US09986892B2 Operational interface in a multi-viewing element endoscope
The present specification describes an endoscopy display system including an endoscope with a distal tip having at least three image capturing components, and a handle with an actuator that, when activated, generates a video processing command; a controller including a video processing system adapted to transmit commands to the three image capturing components and receive an image feed from each of said three image capturing components; and a display system, including at least one monitor that concurrently receives and concurrently visually displays each of said processed image feeds, where the video processing system is adapted to process each of said image feeds in accordance with the video processing command to cause at least one of changing a position of, zooming into or out of; recording; freezing; highlighting; or superimposing a navigation indicator upon the at least one of the processed image feeds.
US09986884B2 Dish washer and method for controlling same
Provided are a dish washing machine and a controlling method thereof. When water is sprayed from a nozzle while a vane is positioned at a reference position during a drainage operation, since a deflection angle of the vane is bent back and the water is sprayed toward a rear wall of a washing tub, the water forms a fast and strong water current over a bottom plate of the washing tub to remove garbage which remains at a filter while flowing over the bottom of the washing tub. Accumulation at a filter at a top end of a sump and that may block the filter during washing such as preliminary washing, main washing, etc., is washed, thereby eliminating the inconvenience of having to separate and wash the filter, and effectively improves performance by avoiding poor circulation of water that may occur due to a filter blockage or generation of bubbles.
US09986874B2 Absorbent sheet dispenser having improved hand sensor performance
A hands-free dispenser for dispensing lengths of absorbent sheet products, includes: a dispenser body containing a dispensing mechanism; a hand sensor for detecting the presence of a user's hand in the vicinity of the dispenser; an elongated metallic conductive element having a proximate end in electrical communication with at least one metal surface of the dispenser positioned at a first location relative to the hand sensor, and a distal end in electrical communication with at least one charge receiver positioned at a second location relative to the hand sensor, the second location being at a greater distance from the hand sensor than the first location.
US09986873B2 Kitchen device with suction foot
The invention relates to a kitchen device (100) comprising: —a grip (120) for manually holding the device, the grip defining a grip area (112), —a first suction foot (130) attached to the device (100) and arranged to secure the device (100) to a surface (150) by means of suction against the surface (150), —an actuator (110) connected to the first suction foot (130) and extending in the grip area (112), the actuator (110) being arranged to transfer an actuating force (111) acting on the actuator (110) into a releasing force (131) acting on the first suction foot (130) to release the first suction foot (130) from the surface (150). This device can be released from the surface with an improved ease of use, because holding the device and releasing the device from the surface effectively have become a single, intuitive manual action by the user.
US09986868B2 Brewing device with ground coffee quantity control and coffee machine comprising such a device
A brewing device (2) for an espresso-type coffee machine including a brewing chamber (12) for receiving ground coffee, a movably mounted pressure piston (13) in translation with a stroke that extends from an upper retracted position in which the pressure piston (13) is located above the brewing chamber (12) to a lower tamping position in which the pressure piston (13) enters said brewing chamber (12) and a potentiometer controlled by driving means during the stroke of the pressure piston (13) to measure the tamping position of said pressure piston and to thereby calculate the height of the compressed cake of ground coffee. The driving means only act on the potentiometer for a portion of the stroke of the pressure piston (13).
US09986867B2 Nasal rinse system
A method of controllably heating nasal rinsing solution inside a neti pot is provided. The method comprises the following steps: providing a nasal rinse system comprising: a neti pot having a main body forming a cavity for receiving a rinsing solution; a spout extending from a top portion of the main body; an opening defined by a top portion of the main body, wherein the opening communicates with the cavity; a lower portion of the main body incorporating a heating element electrically connected to a power source, wherein the heating element provides a thermostat for determining the heat at the heating element; and at least one indicator light that is electrically connected to the thermostat so that the at least one indicator light is activated when the said heat reaches a predetermined temperature; pouring the rinsing solution through the opening; and waiting for the at least one indicator light to by activated.
US09986866B2 Watermelon slicer
A slicer device and a method of using a slicer device for slicing and removing a fleshy part of a watermelon surrounded by a rind. The device includes a cutter piece, at least one cutter, and at least one support member attached to an outer surface of the cutter piece. The cutter piece has an outer surface and in inner surface defining an interior for receiving the fleshy part of the watermelon. The at least one cutter is within the interior of the cutter piece.
US09986865B2 Retrofittable system and apparatus for hanging articles on pre-installed supports
Systems and apparatuses for hanging articles while avoiding removal and/or damage to pre-installed supports and even surfaces are provided. In an embodiment, a device comprises a body configured to mechanically rest on or grip a portion of the pre-installed support, or even to be forcibly strapped to the pre-installed support. Additionally, a linking member, such as a clip, groove, channel, or hook, may be disposed along the body to join an article to the support. In practice, a plurality of devices may be applied to a variety of different types of head rails and other supports to join, for example, curtains to the head rail or other support, whether by forcibly gripping such curtains or supportively receiving a rod fitted with curtains.
US09986862B2 Single-handed food tray with advertising panel
Trays are designed to allow an individual to carry their food on a tray where the individual has complete control of the tray with one hand. The tray can be customized for a particular food vendor's menu. At the same time, the tray allows for advertising information on the front view. The tray is constructed for a one time use and therefore is made from a thin plastic or cardboard.
US09986851B2 Double ended cup dispenser
A dispenser configured to simultaneously dispenses a plurality of liquid retaining members from a plurality of different areas of the dispenser. Preferably, the liquid retaining members are drinking cups. Preferably, the dispenser is configured to simultaneously dispense a first stack of a plurality of drinking cups and a second stack of a plurality of drinking cups from corresponding ends of the dispensers. The dispenser includes a body having a first end and a second end. The first end has a first opening through which drinking cups in the first stack of a plurality of drinking cups can be individually dispensed one after the other. The second end has a second opening through which drinking cups in the second stack of drinking cups can be individually dispensed one after the other. Preferably, at least one biasing member biases the first stack of a plurality of drinking cups towards the first end of the body and biases the second stack of a plurality of drinking cups towards the second end of the body.
US09986848B2 Chair assembly method
A method of assembling a chair component includes providing a first chair member adapted to support a user and that includes forwardly and a rearwardly-facing surfaced, wherein the first chair member further includes at least one raised portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, wrapping a cover member about a portion of the first chair member, providing a drawstring operably coupled with the cover member, drawing the cover member about the portion of the first chair member by the drawstring, aligning the cover with the at least one raised portion to properly align the cover with respect to the first chair member, and securing the drawstring to the first chair member with at least one fastener that is received within the at least one raised portion.
US09986846B1 Slide fastener
Zippers with two sliders used for certain applications function better if the tooth pitch of the zipper teeth is extremely precise, and the pin/box assembly mounted to each end of the zipper is mounted so that the pins of each pin/box assembly are mounted on one zipper stringer and the boxes of each pin/box are mounted on the other zipper stringer. A zipper of such construction is well-suited for use in fastening a mattress cover, a boat cover, an automobile soft-top, and similar articles.
US09986840B2 Adjustable chair support system
An adjustable chair support system includes a first seat back support member spaced from a second seat back support member, and a seat back tensioning assembly that extends between the first and second seat back support members. The seat back tensioning assembly includes a carrier coupled to the first seat back support member, the carrier including an adjustable tension member and a first guide member, a pair of second guide members coupled to the second seat back support member, and a cable extending from the adjustable tension member into engagement with one of the pair of second guide members, with the first guide member, with the other of the pair of second guide members, and then returning to the adjustable tension member.
US09986839B2 Banquet chair with outer spring
A banquet chair comprises a seat and a backrest carried by a plurality of legs. A pair of arcuate leaf springs flexibly couples the backrest to the plurality of legs. The pair of arcuate leaf springs is spaced-apart, and each is located closer to a different outside edge of the seat and the backrest than to each other or a middle of the seat and the backrest. Each of the pair of arcuate leaf springs has an outermost edge exposed through a lateral perimeter of the backrest.
US09986835B2 Furniture member having cam tilt mechanism
A furniture member may include a base frame and a seat assembly mounted on the base frame. The seat assembly may include a seat frame, a seatback, a seat bottom, a rocker member, a legrest mechanism, and a tilt mechanism. The rocker member is attached to the seat frame and rollingly contacts the base frame. The rocker member supports the seat assembly relative to the base frame such that the seat assembly is movable between a rocked-back tilt position and a rocked-forward tilt position. The legrest mechanism is mounted to the seat frame and attached to a legrest platform. The legrest mechanism may include a drive rod coupled to a pantograph linkage that is movable relative to the seat frame between retracted and extended positions. The tilt mechanism selectively locks the seat assembly in one of an infinite number of tilt positions between the rocked-back and rocked-forward tilt positions.
US09986825B1 Assembly storage rack
An assembly storage rack includes two pair of support legs, two rail members, and a plurality of drawers. Each rail member includes a pair of connection portions and a plurality of rail portions. The pair of connection portions and the plurality of rail portions are integrally formed with each other. The pair of connection portions and the plurality of rail portions are respectively formed at two opposite sides of each rail member. The pair of connection portions of each rail member is detachedly mounted to each pair of support legs. Each drawer is slidably mounted between two rail portions of the two rail members facing each other.
US09986820B2 Filament having unique tip and surface characteristics
A filament for use in a brush implement comprises an external material and at least a first internal material. The filament includes an elongated flexible body having a length, a longitudinal axis, and a longitudinal outer surface comprising the external material, the elongated body terminating with a tip having a tip surface comprising the external material, wherein the tip surface has therein a plurality of craters distributed throughout the tip surface in a predetermined pattern, each of the craters having a surface edge of a predetermined size and a predetermined shape, walls extending longitudinally from the surface edge and comprising the external material, and a bottom comprising the at least first internal material and situated at a depth from the surface edge, the surface edge being formed by the walls and the tip surface.
US09986814B1 Personal item management apparatus
An embodiment personal item management apparatus includes a wearable band having a fixed circumference that defines a first outer diameter; and a clasp coupled to the wearable band, the clasp having a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter and being adapted to couple a personal item to the wearable band. In an exemplary embodiment, the ratio of the second outer diameter to the first outer diameter is about 0.4.
US09986810B2 Hand held appliance
A hairdryer including a heater, a fluid flow path and a thermal fuse wherein the fluid flow path extends from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, the heater extends within the fluid flow path from an upstream end of the heater to a downstream end of the heater and the thermal fuse extends across the downstream end of the heater. The heater may be generally cylindrical in shape and the thermal fuse may extend at least partially radially across the downstream end of the heater. The heater may be annular in cross-section and the thermal fuse may extend at least partially radially across the annular downstream end of the heater. The heater may comprise an element, a scaffold around which the element is wound and an outer wall wherein the outer wall extends about the element and the scaffold.
US09986809B2 Aerosol hairspray product comprising a spraying device
The present invention relates to an aerosol hairspray product. The product comprises: a pressurizable container comprising a container wall which encloses a reservoir for storing a hairstyling formulation and a liquefied gas propellant; and a spraying device attached to the container for dispensing the hairstyling formulation from the reservoir of the container. The spraying device comprises a valve and a nozzle and the valve comprises a valve body, a stem and a spring means. The valve body houses an insert and the insert comprises an insert orifice and at least two channels. The channels are tangentially disposed about the insert orifice. Also the valve body comprises at least two vapor taps. Furthermore the insert orifice is capable of being in liquid communication with the hairstyling formulation in the reservoir.
US09986808B2 Locking drawstring bag
An improved tote bag with a locking mechanism is disclosed. The bag provides a high degree of security yet still remains soft, unstructured, and fashionable.
US09986806B1 Enclosures with dispensed seals
This disclosure relates generally to enclosure members that include a seal dispensed onto the enclosure surface, and methods of dispensing such seals. A dispensed seal may be formed from an elastomeric material using a dispensing apparatus. The seal may be formed as a continuously dispensed bead that begins as a first ramped portion, continues as a second portion, and ends as a third portion positioned over the first ramped portion such that the first and second portions are have a combined cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the second portion. The seal may also be non-contiguous and formed from two or more members with multiple ramped portions. The ramped and inverted ramp portions prevent protrusions and depressions in the thickness of the seal. The seal may include one or more secondary structures dispensed on the surface of the seal and/or a surface of the enclosure surface.
US09986800B1 Reversible purse
This invention relates to a reversible purse including two receptacles and flaps to secure the receptacles.
US09986797B2 Walking stick and walking assistance device
A walking stick includes a main part that is stick-like, a sensor that detects at least one of an acceleration of the main part and an angular velocity of the main part, a light emitter that emits light on a ground, a balance evaluator that evaluates a user's walking balance stability based on at least one of the detected acceleration and the detected angular velocity, and an emitting controller that controls a light emitting direction of the light based on a result of the evaluation and an inclination angle of the main part.
US09986788B2 Automated assembly and stitching of shoe parts
Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated manner. For example, shoe parts may be retrieved and temporarily assembled according to preset relative positions to form part stacks. The part stacks may be retrieved with the relative positioning of the shoe parts being maintained and placed at a stitching machine for more permanent attachment via stitching of the parts to form a shoe assembly. Movement during stitching of a conveyance mechanism that transfers the part stack from the stacking surface to the stitching machine and movement of a needle associated with the stitching machine may be controlled by a shared control mechanism such that the movements are synchronized with respect to one another. Vision systems may be leveraged to achieve movement and position information between and at machines and locations.
US09986787B2 Induction heating apparatuses and processes for footwear manufacturing
An apparatus for making an article of footwear is provided. The apparatus may include a last shaped to resemble a human foot and being formed at least in part from a susceptor material that is thermally reactive to an electromagnetic field. The apparatus may also include an induction coil disposed proximate to the last and configured to produce an electromagnetic field that causes the susceptor material in the last to increase in temperature by induction heating.
US09986785B2 Laminate and method for making laminate
A method of insert molding comprises placing in a first mold a curable rubber composition comprising a reactive species; placing on a surface of the rubber composition a first thermoplastic material in a film or layer comprising a group reactive with the reactive species of the rubber composition; curing the rubber composition in the mold to form a first molded article of cured rubber having a first thermoplastic material layer covalently bonded through reactive of the reactive species and the group; placing the first molded article as an insert into a second mold, the cured rubber contacting an inside surface of the second mold and the thermoplastic layer facing into the second mold cavity; closing the second mold and injecting into the second mold a second thermoplastic material that to form a second molded article comprising the first molded article thermally welded and/or covalently bonded to the second thermoplastic material.
US09986784B2 Flexible forefoot protection for insoles and shoes
An invention pertaining to footwear is described, including a flexible protection plate, an insole, and a shoe with three forefoot pads and three toe compartments. The sections of the protection plate are hinged or separated to allow a greater degree of independent movement of the three main groups of muscles and bones in the forefoot in response to varying walking, hiking and running terrain. A separate insole is described that incorporates the forefoot protection plate and that can be inserted into and removed from footwear in order to provide additional protection as needed. A shoe including outersole, midsole and upper, are also described in which the forward portion is divided into three toe compartments that are configured to allow independent articulation of corresponding individual toes and/or pairs of toes inserted in the footwear.
US09986780B2 Method for manufacturing an integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing
An integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A structure of the shoe includes: a lining sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening; and a surface sock body that uses a knitting manner and includes an opening and a sole, where the opening of the lining sock body is nested inside the surface sock body; the two sock bodies are properly mounted on a sock machine; low melting point yarn and nylon elastic filament are mixed into knitting of the lining sock body; low melting point yarn, nylon elastic filament, and set yarn are mixed into knitting of the surface sock body; after the sock machine weaves and molds the two sock bodies into a whole, a hollow mold is nested inside the surface sock body; the whole is heated and baked to slightly damage surface tissues of the yarn, and is then cooled to make the set yarn in knitwear be reorganized and extended according to the shape of an external fixing mold, to present a predetermined pattern; and after the surface sock body presents the predetermined pattern, the sole is directly bonded to the bottom of the surface sock body so as to achieve bonding of the sole and the surface sock body, to complete the integrally-formed shoe having no machine sewing, so that a user feels more comfortable due to no machine sewing.
US09986777B2 Balaclava hood system
A disposable aspirated inflatable safety protection balaclava hood system and apparatus designed to protect the human head and neck from injury resulting from sports impacts with a crash sensor arrangement in which acceleration, angular, rotational, extension or flexion motion resulting from an impact force requires deployment of an apparatus protection device. The method embodies an inherent bladder airbag system that is deployed with resulting impact force on the sensor arrangement using an actuation mechanism and an inflation interconnected bladder system, or tube(s) resulting in release of the inert compressed inert gas in a cartridge actuation mechanism using a triggering mechanism, which is held in an interior pocket of the hood resulting in aspiration of the inflatable safety bladder protection hood.
US09986776B2 Fabric flower maker
An artificial flower maker including a board or other flat surface, a plurality of arms each positioned along the flat surface and forming a generally circular shape, and a center attachment mechanism for constructing and securing an artificial flower. Each flower is constructed by strategically folding a series of petals from a type of material, and using the artificial flower maker to hold down each folded petal until all folded petals are completed and ultimately secured to form an artificial flower. A further embodiment may incorporate a box or other enclosure for storage and transport of the flower maker.
US09986770B2 E-cigarette personal vaporizer
A user-replaceable e-liquid reservoir for dispensing e-liquid, the reservoir being inserted into, or otherwise attached to, a portable, personal e-cigarette device and engaging with an electrical or electronic pump fluid transfer system in the device, the device including: an electrical or electronic pump, being configured to transfer e-liquid from the e-liquid reservoir to an atomizing unit in the device, the pump delivering a pre-defined or variable quantity of e-liquid from the reservoir; and in which the reservoir is not user-refillable.
US09986760B2 Electronic smoking article
An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply region including liquid material and a heater-wick element operable to wick liquid material and heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol. The heater-wick element comprises a plurality of fused metal beads or particles.
US09986746B2 Filleting device
A filleting device and method for harvesting fillets from a poultry carcass that is moved in a conveyor-line and supported on a carrier. Fillets may be guided to a pulling device that may be placed in or adjacent to the path of the poultry carcass. Harvesting of the fillets may be completed with the pulling device while keeping the fillets pushed against the first guide rail or rails and/or the pulling device. Harvested fillets may be moved to at least one outlet for the fillets.
US09986744B2 Clipping machine with easy access
The present invention relates to a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products, like sausages, by filling a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing with filling material and closing said filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. The clipping machine includes a filling tube through which the filling material is fed into said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing which is stored on said filling tube, a casing brake assembly arranged on the filling tube for limiting the movement of the tubular packaging casing at least while being filled, gathering means for gathering said filled tubular packaging casing and for forming a plait-like portion thereto, and a clipping device for applying at least one closure means, like a closure clip, to the plait-like portion formed on the filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing in a closing region. The clipping machine further comprises a housing defining at least a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls of the clipping machine, for enclosing at least the clipping device and the gathering means. The housing includes at least one housing element arranged in the front wall of the housing for covering at least the closing region, wherein the at least one housing element is coupled to the clipping machine by a linking device including a shifting mechanism for reversibly shifting the housing element relative to the clipping machine, in a shifting direction, for granting access to the closing region of the clipping machine.
US09986743B2 Baking paper coated with a silicone-containing emulsion
Baking papers suitable for a wide range of baked goods have a non-stick coating prepared by coating a suitable substrate with an aqueous coating composition comprising an EVA copolymer dispersion and a hydrosilylation curing silicone emulsion, wherein the EVA copolymer dispersion has an EVA copolymer particle size of less than 500 nm and is surfactant-stabilized.
US09986742B2 Durable antimicrobial treatments for textiles and other substrates
This invention relates to regenerable antimicrobial coatings with long-lasting efficacy for use in medical applications including implants, medical instruments or devices, and hospital equipment. The same coatings would also have broad utility in the consumer, industrial, and institutional markets. The coating technology would be based on sequestration of hydrogen peroxide (HP) by zinc oxide binders incorporated into the coatings.
US09986739B2 Microbicidal composition
A synergistic microbicidal composition having two components. The first component is a nonionic surfactant with structure: R1O(CH2CH(CH3)O)5(CH2CH2O)9H, where R1 is a C8 alkyl group. The second component is 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine. The weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine is from 1:0.0286 to 1:0.1143 or 1:0.32 to 1:0.9143.
US09986735B2 Compositions and methods for enhancing microbial stability
Described herein are compositions and methods for increasing the survivability of one or more beneficial microorganisms.
US09986727B2 Fish glove/mitt with integral netting
A fishing glove/mitt device comprises: a fingers component; a thumb netting support, a flexible netting element between the wearer's fingers and thumb, and a palm-cuff wrap. The wearer of this device can manipulate the netting portion between his/her fingers and thumb to at least partially close it about the fish being caught. An optional net frame support may extend angularly outwardly and upwardly between the thumb and fingers or between side supports of this netting element.
US09986724B2 Genetically modified non-human animals and methods of use thereof
Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that may be used to model human hematopoietic cell development, function, or disease. The genetically modified non-human animals comprise a nucleic acid encoding human IL-6 operably linked to an IL-6 promoter. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal expressing human IL-6 also expresses at least one of human M-CSF, human IL-3, human GM-CSF, human SIRPa or human TPO. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is immunodeficient. In some such instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is engrafted with healthy or diseased human hematopoietic cells. Also provided are methods for using the subject genetically modified non-human animals in modeling human hematopoietic cell development, function, and/or disease, as well as reagents and kits thereof that find use in making the subject genetically modified non-human animals and/or practicing the subject methods.
US09986713B2 Lettuce variety 81-90 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 81-90 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1-32 and Ca-I to Ca-VIII, resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri), resistance to lettuce mosaic virus (LMV), and resistance to corky root rot (Sphingomonas suberifaciens). The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 81-90 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 81-90 RZ.
US09986708B1 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH206372
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH206372. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH206372, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH206372 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH206372.
US09986703B2 Inbred corn line IV3
Inbred corn line, designated IV3, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line IV3, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line IV3 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line IV3 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line IV3 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line IV3.
US09986699B2 Methods of seed breeding using high throughput nondestructive seed sampling
Novel methods are provided to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. A method for introgressive hybridization, for example, generally includes removing tissue samples from individual seeds using an automated seed sampler without affecting germination viability of the seeds, and analyzing nucleic acids extracted from the tissue samples for at least one genetic marker. The method then further includes selecting the sampled seeds that possess the at least one genetic marker, cultivating fertile plants from the selected seeds, and crossing the fertile plants with other plants.
US09986695B1 Planting pot
A planting pot comprises a container with an open top portion and a closed bottom portion, the bottom portion having at least one drainage opening for drainage of water therefrom, a planting medium for a plant located within the container, the planting medium comprising a top, an irrigation system comprising an irrigation line in fluid communication with at least two vertically oriented posts, the posts comprising an upper portion above the top of the planting medium and a lower portion within the planting medium, at least the lower portion of the posts being hollow. The lower portion has multiple openings to permit irrigation water to flow there through into the planting medium, and a shade supported by the upper portions of the posts for shading a plant in the container.
US09986693B2 Plant surface structure and modules and method for forming the same
Plant surface structure, comprising plastic base elements, each base element having a deck carried by a series of pillar elements, wherein at least a number of the pillar elements have an open top end in said deck, wherein at least a membrane is placed over said deck and is provided with slits or cut-outs or water permeable elements, such that they open into at least some of the open top ends of pillars, wherein a growing medium is provided on the membrane and a growing medium is provided in said pillars, the growing medium in said pillars preferably being in fluid contact with the growing medium on said membrane.
US09986692B2 Debris blower
A debris blower includes an engine mounted to an engine mount and connected to a turbine. The engine mount and housing of the turbine are respectively mounted between a second side of a frame and first and second longitudinal supports connected to and between first and second sides of the frame. A screen guard is secured utilizing bolts extending in a non-rotatable manner from a top plate connected between the second longitudinal support and the second side. Due to the frame and engine mount having a parallelism and flatness tolerance, the engine and turbine can be aligned without shimming. A sensor senses first and second trip devices positioned at circumferential locations on the exit nozzle to rotate the exit nozzle to preset angles. Remote and hard wire controls each include direction and speed switches. A resume switch throttles the engine between idle and operating speeds.
US09986685B2 Controlling a positioning system for an agricultural implement
A method and apparatus for controlling positioning of an agricultural implement relative to the ground is disclosed. The method involves receiving first and second position signals representing respective first and second positions of the agricultural implement relative to the ground and providing input to a controller for controlling the positioning of the agricultural implement. The method involves receiving an intermediate position signal representing an intermediate position of the agricultural implement and being associated with an intermediate location between locations respective first and second positions. When the intermediate position signal represents a position that is closer to the ground than a threshold intermediate distance due to a ground inconsistency, the method involves modifying the first and second position signals based on the intermediate position signal to represent positions that are closer to the ground to cause the controller to lift the agricultural implement to clear the ground inconsistency.
US09986681B2 Fertilizer tube system
A fertilizer tube system for efficiently dispensing and placing fertilizer within a furrow to minimize germination injury. The fertilizer tube system generally includes a fertilizer tube having an input opening at an upper end of the fertilizer tube and an output opening at a lower end of the fertilizer tube, a tab attached to the fertilizer tube between the input opening and the output opening and a guard scraper attached to a lower portion of the fertilizer tube. The guard scraper includes a mounting portion having a receiver channel adapted to be removably attachable to a mounting member of a planter shank of a planter implement, wherein the mounting member is comprised of an inverted T-shaped structure.
US09986676B2 Mowing device with a working configuration and a transport configuration and a method of operation
A mowing device has an elongate frame with opposing longitudinal ends and two mowing units disposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the frame. Each mowing unit has an elongate support with a first pivot joint (G1) by which a first of the opposing longitudinal ends of the support is hinged on one of the longitudinal sides to pivot about a horizontal rotational axis (A) extending in the longitudinal direction (LR1) of the frame. A bar-shaped mower is hinged on a second the opposing longitudinal ends of the support in order to extend, in a working position, longitudinally horizontally and transversely to the longitudinal direction (LR1). A second pivot joint (G2) provides a rotational axis (A2) that extends vertically, transversely to the first rotational axis (A1) to allow for mower pivoting to a transport position.
US09986675B1 Trailer for a self-propelled swather
A trailer is provided for having a self-propelled swather mounted thereon. The trailer includes first and second caster wheel supports and first and second drive wheel supports. The caster wheel supports are selectively movable being stowed and support positions. The drive wheel supports are selectively movable between horizontally disposed and vertically disposed positions. Each of the caster wheel supports includes a caster wheel turning assembly to partially pivot the associated caster wheel as the swather is backed onto the trailer. The trailer also includes extenders for attachment to first and second ramps. The extenders may be stowed on the bumper.
US09986672B2 Land roller
A land roller is provided with an over-center locking linkage arrangement to help lock a roller frame of the land roller into a raised transport configuration to reduce the likelihood that a failure of the actuator system could cause the roller frame to inadvertently fall and injure a person or cause damage to property. The land roller may be further provided with actuators that are controlled in temporal series from a single controller to simplify and increase the safety of both converting the land roller between the transport configuration and a working configuration and converting side frame sections of the land roller between folded and unfolded positions.
US09992918B2 Method for mounting electronic component
Provided is a method for mounting an electronic component having a plurality of board insert type leads on a board. The method includes a holding process which chucks one of the plurality of leads of the electronic component to hold the electronic component, and an inserting process which inserts the leads of the electronic component held by the mounting head respectively into lead insert holes provided in the board.
US09992916B2 Thermal control process for a multi-junction electronic power device and corresponding electronic power device
A thermal control process for an electronic power device including a multi-junction integrated circuit may include defining a first and at least one second groups of junctions, with each group including one first and at least one second junctions, and associating a thermal detector with each group. A first group control may be executed which detects group electric signals representative of the temperature detected by the thermal detectors, processes the group electric signals with reference to a group critical thermal event, identifies a critical group when the corresponding group electric signal detects the critical group thermal event, and generates group deactivating signals suitable for selectively deactivating the first and the at least one second junctions of the identified critical group with respect to the remaining junctions of the integrated circuit.
US09992915B2 Power conversion device
Size reduction of a power conversion device is intended. A power conversion device according to the present invention includes: a first power semiconductor module; a second semiconductor module; and a fixing member which fixes the first power semiconductor module, wherein the first power semiconductor module has a first power semiconductor device, a first case which houses the first power semiconductor device, and a first flange portion connected to the case, the second power semiconductor module has a second power semiconductor device, and a second case which houses the second power semiconductor device, the second case is connected to the first flange portion so as to provide a first flow path space for allowing a coolant to flow between the second case and the first case, and the first flange portion is fixed to the fixing member while supporting the first case and the second power semiconductor module.
US09992894B2 Docking station for a mobile robot
A docking station for a mobile robot including a first side portion and a second side portion and housing an electrical system having power input means. The power input means includes a first power input socket provided on the first side portion and a second power input socket provided on the second side portion. The two power input sockets allows a user flexibility in their choice of location for the docking station in an environment.
US09992892B2 Connecting device for connecting electrical lines to electrical contacts
A connecting device electrically connects electrical lines to electrical contacts. The connecting device includes a flexible circuit board or printed circuit board, a base support and a cover. The electrical lines are disposed on the flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board has a contact-making region, in which at least one electrical line is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact. The electrical contacts are disposed on the base support. The flexible circuit board is disposed between the base support and the cover. The base support and the cover form a sealed housing of the contact-making region. The circuit board and the cover are each composed of a flexible material, and the physical material properties of the circuit board and of the cover are substantially identical.
US09992891B2 Insert molding around glass members for portable electronic devices
An electronic device having an enclosure formed from at least one glass cover and a peripheral structure formed adjacent the periphery of the glass cover is disclosed. The peripheral structure can be secured adjacent to the glass cover with an adhesive. The peripheral structure can be molded adjacent the glass cover so that a gapless interface is formed between the peripheral structure and the periphery of the glass cover. In one embodiment, the peripheral structure includes at least an inner peripheral structure and an outer peripheral structure.
US09992890B1 Modules and systems for damping excitations within fluid-filled structures
A system or structure subject to external mechanical dynamic loading excitations propagated within the system or structure comprising a fluid filled structure and a fluid volume operable to facilitate fluid flow about at least part of the structure. Excitations within the structure can be propagated throughout. The system can further comprise a tuned mass damper (TMD) located within the fluid volume. The TMD can leverage the viscous properties of the fluid to attenuate the excitations within the structure. The TMD can comprise a mass and a spring operably connected to the mass. The TMD can further comprise a fluid resistance facilitating fluid flow about the mass and the spring for damping and a secondary tuning feature operably connected to at least one of the mass and the spring and the supporting fluid-filled structure.
US09992885B1 Retention system
A screen retention system for mounting of smartphones, tablet computers and other flat screen displays. A screen display is held against the inner surfaces of the opening of a semi-rigid arc by a post extending from the inner surface of the arc toward the opening. A screen based device may be inserted into the arc and retained within the opening by contact between the pressure plate and the opposing ends, thereby securing the screen based device within the arc by three points of pressure, at least one point of pressure supporting the screen based device against the inside surfaces of the opposing ends.
US09992876B2 Method for manufacturing an integrated circuit package
This disclosure relates to integrated circuit (IC) packages and methods of manufacturing the same. In one method, a printed circuit board is provided with semiconductor die. The semiconductor die includes a Back-End-of-Line (BEOL) region, a Front-End-of-Line (FEOL) region, and a semiconductor handle such that the BEOL region, the FEOL region, and the semiconductor handle are stacked. A first polymer layer is provided over the printed circuit board so as to cover the semiconductor die. The semiconductor handle of the semiconductor die is exposed through the first polymer layer and removed. A second polymer layer is then provided so that the BEOL region, the FEOL region, and at least a portion of the second polymer layer are stacked. The second polymer layer may be provided to have high thermal conductivity and electric isolation properties thereby providing advantageous package characteristics.
US09992874B2 Metal foil with carrier
Provided is a metal foil with a carrier as a laminated body in which a carrier A and a metal foil B are placed alternately, wherein the carrier A and the metal foil B respectively have a glossy surface, so-called ‘S surface’, and the said surfaces are laminated to face each other. The present invention relates to a copper foil with a carrier which is used for producing a single-sided laminated plate or a multilayer laminated plate of two or more layers for use in a printed wiring board. In particular, this copper foil with a carrier is used for producing a laminated plate, and its objective is to improve the handling performance during the production process of a printed board and reduce costs by increasing the yield.
US09992871B2 Systems and methods for controlled effective series resistance component
Discussed generally herein are methods and devices for altering an effective series resistance (ESR) of a component. A device can include a substrate including electrical connection circuitry therein, a first via hole through a first surface of the substrate and contiguous with the electrical connection circuitry, a first conductive polymer with a resistance greater than a resistance of the electrical connection circuitry filling the first via hole, and a component electrically coupled to the first conductive polymer.
US09992862B2 Display device with overlapping flexible printed circuits
A display device includes: a lower substrate; an upper substrate facing the lower substrate; a printed board assembly disposed on a rear surface of the lower substrate; a first flexible printed circuit board having a first end and a second end that are respectively connected to the lower substrate and the printed board assembly; and a second flexible printed circuit board having a first end and a second end that are respectively connected to the upper substrate and the printed board assembly. One of the first flexible printed circuit board and the second flexible printed circuit board has an opening at a central portion, and the other flexible printed circuit board at least partially overlaps the opening in a plane view.
US09992861B2 Heavy-wire bond arrangement and method for producing same
The invention relates to a heavy-wire bond arrangement, having a substrate (2), a heavy wire (1) and a high-voltage heavy-wire bond connection, in which an end bond section (4) of the heavy wire (1), which extends towards the end (7) of the heavy wire (1), is bonded to the substrate (2), such that in the area of the bond section (4) a bond contact (5) between the heavy wire (1) and the substrate (2) is formed, the heavy wire (1) having a tapering section (6) which adjoins the end of the wire (7) and in which the wire cross-section tapers towards the end of the wire (7). The application additionally relates to a method for producing a heavy-wire bond arrangement.
US09992858B2 Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes a first printed circuit substrate and a second printed circuit substrate. The first printed circuit substrate includes a substrate layer and a first conductive circuit layer. The first conductive circuit layer is formed on the substrate layer. The substrate layer includes at least two first grooves. The first conductive circuit layer includes at least one signal wire. The first grooves are defined in both sides of the signal wire. The second printed circuit substrate is formed on the first printed circuit substrate. The second circuit substrate includes a third copper layer. A second groove is defined in the third copper layer. The first grooves are opposite to the second groove. The first grooves and the second groove form a space.
US09992857B2 Light source and photolithography apparatus containing the same, calibrating apparatus and method
The present disclosure provides an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source. The EUV light source includes a droplet array with a plurality of nozzles arranged along a straight scanning direction, the plurality of nozzle sequentially and intermittently ejecting droplets downward to a radiating position; a laser source configured to generate at least two laser beams and scan the at least two laser beams along the straight scanning direction, the at least two laser beams alternately bombarding droplets arriving at the radiating position to form EUV light; and a condenser with a condenser mirror having a reflective ellipsoidal surface, configured to collect the EUV light and converge collected EUV light at a center of focus.
US09992841B2 Systems and methods for controlling color temperature
Controlling the color temperature of a composite light source including at least one discrete-spectrum light source is disclosed. For example, the color temperature of a composite light source including at least one discrete-spectrum light source may be determined and/or adjusted based on one or more of the ambient color temperature of a space, the actual temperature of the space, the relative brightness of the space, the occupancy of the space, a time clock, a demand response command (e.g., from an electrical utility), the absolute location of the composite light source, the location of the composite light source relative to other light sources, inputs from a camera or other external devices, the operation of appliances or other machines in the vicinity of the composite light source, media content being utilized in the vicinity of the composite light source, and/or other sensor inputs.
US09992838B1 Automated luminaire identification and group assignment devices, systems, and methods using dimming function
The disclosed devices, systems, and methods may be used to automatically identify, locate, and assign luminaires into groups such that lighting systems may be more efficiently configured, used, and maintained especially in large buildings, etc. For example, a Lucas-Kanade function may be used with a system of sensors which are capable of detecting light patterns from individual and groups of luminaires to form virtual maps of luminaire locations which may be correlated with actual luminaire floor plans to efficiently identify, locate, and group the luminaires.
US09992837B1 Lighting device, luminaire, and control method for the lighting device
A lighting device includes: a variable voltage source; a transistor which controls a current flowing through a light-emitting element; and a control circuit which causes the transistor to pass a current corresponding to a received instruction for a dimming level through the light-emitting element. When the received instruction instructs at least a predetermined dimming level, the control circuit causes a voltage drop in the transistor to become a first voltage by controlling the variable voltage source, and when the received instruction instructs a dimming level less than the predetermined dimming level, the control circuit causes the voltage drop to become a second voltage higher than the first voltage, by controlling the variable voltage source.
US09992818B2 Protocol translation device
A protocol translation device for use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol. The protocol translation device can include a battery casing sized to fit within the battery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator having a first antenna operable to communicate with the first apparatus, a second antenna operable to communicate with the second apparatus, and a translator circuit operably connected between the first antenna and the second antenna; and a battery operably connected to power the translator. The translator circuit is operable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol. The translator and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.
US09992811B2 Radio connection re-establishment method, user equipment and base station
The present invention discloses a radio connection re-establishment method, including: starting a first timer if a first preset number of out-of-synchronization indications are obtained continuously, where the first preset number and/or a duration of the first timer corresponds to a cell of highest signal quality measured by a user equipment UE; and triggering a radio resource control RRC re-establishment procedure if a second preset number of synchronization indications are not received before timeout of the first timer. The radio connection re-establishment method in the present invention reduces overhead.
US09992804B2 Device and method of handling non-access stratum procedure
A communication device for handling a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) procedure comprises instructions of transmitting a first session management (SM) message related to an access point name (APN) to a network; receiving a second SM message comprising a SM cause of insufficient resources and a back off timer value of a back off timer indicating that the back off timer is deactivated from the network in response to the transmission the first SM message; being forbidden to transmit a third SM message for the APN to the network, when the back off timer is deactivated for the APN; receiving a fourth SM message from the network indicating to deactivate and to reactivate an activated SM context associated with the APN, when the back off timer is deactivated for the APN; and transmitting a fifth SM message related to the APN to the network.
US09992791B2 Method for controlling uplink signal transmission and apparatus thereof
The invention discloses a method for controlling uplink signal transmission, a user equipment, and a base station. The method for controlling uplink signal transmission includes receiving uplink signal configuration information sent by a base station; sending an uplink signal to the base station according to the uplink signal configuration information before a first timer expires; stopping sending an uplink signal to the base station when the first timer expires; receiving trigger information sent by the base station, and restarting the first timer according to the trigger information; and sending an uplink signal to the base station before the restarted first timer expires.
US09992790B2 Time division duplex (TDD) subframe structure supporting single and multiple interlace modes
Aspects of the present disclosure provide a time division duplex (TDD) subframe structure that supports both single and multiple interlace modes of operation. In a single interlace mode, control information, data information corresponding to the control information and acknowledgement information corresponding to the data information are included in a single subframe. In a multiple interlace mode, at least one of the control information, the data information corresponding to the control information or the acknowledgement information corresponding to the data information is included in a different subframe. Both single and multiple interlace modes can be multiplexed together within the TDD subframe structure.
US09992784B2 Base station frequency resource allocation method and network device
Disclosed is a base station frequency resource allocation method, for achieving proper allocation of base station frequency resources to avoid or reduce inter-cell interference. The method comprises: determining each basic frequency resource in each allowed operating band conforming to selectable operating bandwidth of a cell; determining a frequency priority coefficient of each basic frequency resource, the frequency priority coefficient representing interference from each neighboring cell that is adjacent to the cell in location with the cell in the basic frequency resource, and/or load of each neighboring cell in the basic frequency resource; and allocating frequency resources to the cell according to the frequency priority coefficients of the basic frequency resources. Also disclosed is a network device.
US09992776B2 Wireless device and radio frequency channel calibration method
A wireless device and a radio frequency channel calibration method, where the wireless device includes a first radio frequency circuit and a second radio frequency circuit that operate on a same frequency band, and a processor. The first radio frequency circuit is configured to send a calibration signal using a calibration antenna. The second radio frequency circuit is configured to receive the calibration signal using each of at least two to-be-calibrated antennas. The second radio frequency circuit corresponds to at least two radio frequency channels, the at least two radio frequency channels respectively correspond to the at least two to-be-calibrated antennas. The processor is configured to determine a device phase difference of each of the at least two radio frequency channels, and calibrate a corresponding radio frequency channel using the device phase difference of each of the at least two radio frequency channels.
US09992775B2 Band preference in wireless networks
Method, systems, and apparatuses are described for wireless communications. More particularly, a wireless station may connect to a wireless network using a first radio frequency (RF) band and detect a signal strength of the first RF band is greater than a roaming threshold. The wireless station may perform a plurality of scans for support by the wireless network of a second RF band in response to the detected signal strength. Each scan may occur when the signal strength of the first RF band is greater than the roaming threshold. The wireless station may selectively connect to the wireless network using the second RF band based at least in part on the scanning and a throughput supported by the wireless network over the second RF band. The first RF band may be a 2.4 GHz band and the second RF band may be a 5 GHz band.
US09992774B2 Acknowledgment for multiple user communication in a WLAN
A first communication device generates a multi-user (MU) physical layer (PHY) data unit having independent data for multiple second communication devices. The first communication device also generates respective control frames to prompt second communication devices to transmit an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) PHY data unit to acknowledge that the second communication devices received the MU PHY data unit. The MU PHY data unit and the respective control frames are transmitted to the multiple second communication devices. The first communication device receives the OFDMA PHY data unit from at least some of the second communication devices. The first communication device processes the OFDMA PHY data unit to determine whether the multiple second communication devices received the MU PHY data unit.
US09992768B2 Method for processing in-device coexistence configuration information, apparatus and system
A method for processing in-device coexistence configuration information, apparatus and system. The method includes: notifying, by a source base station to a target base station, first in-device coexistence configuration information configured by the source base station for terminal equipment, when handover from the source base station to the target base station occurs in the terminal equipment. In this way, the source base station may notify the first in-device coexistence configuration information configured by it for the terminal equipment to the target base station; the target base station receives the first in-device coexistence configuration information, determines whether to configure the terminal equipment with in-device coexistence configuration information, and then notifies the source base station of related configuration information via a handover command. Wherein, when handover occurs in the terminal equipment, the in-device coexistence configuration information may be processed effectively.
US09992761B2 Systems and methods for transmitting information used to estimate a position of a mobile device
Transmitting information used to estimate a position of a mobile device. This disclosure describes NEAD-based and external location server (ELS)-based positioning systems and methods that determine when an identifier of a mobile device is not known or when the identifier of the mobile device is known but cannot be detected during a search by reference points, and to then provide a location of a reference point that had previous contact with the mobile device instead of an estimated position of the mobile device. The provided location of the reference point can be used by a location server to generate an estimate of mobile device position.
US09992760B2 Method for updating RPLMN information and user equipment
A method can be implemented by a user equipment to update RPLMN information. A PLMN identifier is selected from an available PLMN identifier set that includes PLMN identifiers with RPLMN information, HPLMN information, UPLMN information, and OPLMN information separately. A location update request message that carries the PLMN identifier is sent to a mobile switching center. A TMSI reallocation command is acquired from the mobile switching center according to the location update request message. It is determined whether location update acceptance information that is returned by the mobile switching center according to the location update request message is currently acquired. An operation of updating the PLMN identifier to registered public land mobile network RPLMN information is performed when the location update acceptance information is acquired and the operation of updating the PLMN identifier to RPLMN information is skipped when the location update acceptance information is not acquired.
US09992758B2 Search method and apparatus for a communication system
A method of searching of base stations in a mobile communication system has a first stage of detecting at least one slot boundary, a second stage of detecting at least one frame boundary and a scrambling code group, and a third stage of detecting a scrambling code. Multiple possible base stations are identified by determining a first threshold based on correlation values of correlating the input signal with a primary synchronization channel code. For each hit, the input signal is aligned to the corresponding slot boundary, an average correlation value is based on all correlations with secondary sequences, and a second threshold based on the average correlation value is set. Any delay and codewords that have a correlation value above the second threshold are correlated with the codes in the detected group so as to determine multiple base stations.
US09992757B2 Donor unit, remote unit, and mobile communication base station system having same
The present invention relates to a mobile communication base station system comprising: a donor unit connected to a baseband unit; and a remote unit installed at the base station antenna side, wherein the donor unit has a baseband signal processing part including a digital signal processing part for processing interface with the baseband unit, a wireless communication part for processing a wireless communication signal between the baseband signal processing part and the remote unit, and a synchronization and communication control part for processing a synchronizing signal and a communication control signal from the baseband unit, and wherein the remote unit has a service signal processing part for processing MIMO interface with a base station antenna, a wireless communication part for processing a wireless communication signal between the service signal processing part and the donor unit, and a synchronization and communication control part for processing a synchronizing signal and a communication control signal from the donor unit. The donor unit and the remote unit can be easily expanded in a daisy-chain fashion, thereby broadening coverage, and can also be utilized for multihop relay, and thus are suitable for small cell-based next generation communication systems for capacity expansion.
US09992756B2 Methods and apparatus for wireless network connectivity
Methods and apparatus which allow a wireless terminal (302) to simultaneously maintain connections with multiple base stations (304, 306) are described. Each wireless terminal (302) is capable of supporting multiple separate timing and/or other control loops one, for each base station connection thereby allowing the connections to operate independently and in parallel. Different control signals and/or data are transmitted on each connection that is established with a base station (302, 306). In this manner base stations (302, 306) receive different data allowing for asynchronous data transmission. The data received by the base stations (302, 306) can be supplied to a wired asynchronous network (308) without the need to combine the received data prior to supplying it to the wired network (308). The communications techniques of the invention can be used to implement soft handoffs without the need to duplicate data transmissions to multiple base stations.
US09992746B2 Uplink power control in multi-user unlicensed wireless networks
Methods and systems of providing uplink (UL) transmission power control are provided. The UL transmission power control is provided between access points (APs) and wireless stations in a multi-user (MU) unlicensed wireless network. The disclosed method includes participating in a first wireless communication between an AP and at least one station of a plurality of stations in an unlicensed wireless network, and using an uplink UL transmission power parameter transmitted from the AP to the at least one station to regulate UL power control of UL transmissions between the at least one station and the AP.
US09992745B2 Extraction and analysis of buffered audio data using multiple codec rates each greater than a low-power processor rate
A processor is configured to transition in and out of a low-power state at a first rate and to operate in a first mode or a second mode. In a particular method, the processor while coupled to a coder/decoder (CODEC) retrieves audio feature data from a buffer after transitioning out of the low-power state. The CODEC is configured to operate at a second rate in the first mode and at a third rate in the second mode, the second rate and the third rate each greater than the first rate. The audio feature data indicates features of audio data received during the low-power state of the processor. A ratio of CODEC activity to processor activity in the second mode is less than the ratio in the first mode.
US09992737B2 Automatic channel selection in wireless local area network (WLAN) controller based deployments
Wi-Fi channels are automatically selected in a WLAN controller based deployment. Scan results received from each of the plurality of access points comprise a list of neighboring access points from the plurality of access points relative to each access point. Responsive to a number of the plurality of access points exceeding a number of non-interfering channels, assigning each of the plurality of access points to a non-interfering channel with sharing of at least one of the non-interfering channels, using a GCA (Graph Coloring Algorithm) in which each color assignment corresponds to a non-interfering channel assignment in order to prevent neighboring access points from sharing a non-interfering channel. Lowest RSSI measurements collected by access points can also be a factor in channel selection.
US09992728B2 Information processing device and information processing method
Generation and management of a communication path between a plurality of information processing devices are properly performed.An information processing device is an information processing device equipped with a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit performs exchange of a signal for generation or updating of a multi-hop communication path using wireless communication with another information processing device. In addition, the control unit performs control to change a metric value included in the signal for generation or updating of the multi-hop communication path based on a state of the information processing device.
US09992724B2 Cell selection and reselection using a vehicle antenna
A mobile vehicle communications system adapted to perform a method of cellular reselection using vehicle telematics unit coupled to a vehicle antenna. The method includes: performing a measurement of a reference signal from a serving cell that is connected to the telematics unit; determining whether to perform a measurement of a target cell based on both a serving cell signal strength value (Srxlev) and a measured serving cell signal quality value (Qqualmeas); and when the measurement of the target cell is performed, then determining whether to reselect to the target cell based on cell selection values of the serving and target cells.
US09992720B2 Methods and arrangements for identifying a neighbouring base station
A method in a base station (110) for enabling the base station (110) to identify a neighboring base station (120) is provided. A request is being sent (303) to a user equipment (130), commanding it to send an identification requesting message to the neighboring base station (120). In response to reception of the sent identification requesting message, a neighboring base station identifier that is associated with and identifies the neighboring base station (120), is received (303). Thereby the base station (110) is enabled to identify the neighboring base station (120). By receipt of the neighboring base station identifier, the base station becomes aware of and is enabled to contact, or connect with, the neighboring base station more directly, without the need of doing it through the user equipment. This can be done at some later point in time, for example in order to request the neighboring base station to perform handover measurements with regard to the same or another user equipment.
US09992719B2 Detection of neighbor cell relation
There is provided a method, performed by a network node (e.g. an RNC), for detecting a neighbor cell relation between different radio access technologies in a cellular communication network. The method comprises the step (S1) of triggering a User Equipment, UE, served in a first cell of a first radio access technology (e.g. WCDMA cell) under the control of the network node (e.g. RNC), to perform a cell selection process by initiating a connection release with redirection to a second radio access technology (e.g. GSM), causing the UE to select a second cell of the second radio access technology (e.g. GSM cell). The method also comprises the step (S2) of receiving information representing the identity of the second cell selected by the UE (e.g. CGI), and the step (S3) of identifying, based on the received information representing the identity of the second cell and information representing the identity of the first cell, a neighbor cell relation between the first cell and the second cell. In this way, an efficient way of detecting a neighbor cell relation between different radio access technologies is provided.
US09992718B2 Openflow controller and control method for supporting handover in mobile IPv6 based on software definition network
The openflow controller include a storage device that stores an application to performing a handover based on a handover policy; and a processor that executes the application stored in storage device; wherein in response to execution of the application, the processor decides handover of the mobile node connected to a first mobile access gateway, and selects a second mobile access gateway as a handover target, and in order to allow a localized mobility anchor connected to the openflow controller to deliver data packets to the mobile node through the second mobile access gateway, instead of the first mobile access gateway, the processor sends a message to each of the first mobile access gateway, the second mobile access gateway, and the localized mobility anchor in response the handover policy.
US09992717B2 Service processing method, network controller and forwarding device
Disclosed are a service processing method, a network controller and a forwarding device, wherein the method includes: after learning that a terminal leaves a network, a network controller acquiring information of a home forwarding device when the terminal leaves the network; the network controller determining a caching policy flow table, and sending the caching policy flow table to the home forwarding device. With the embodiment of the present document, in an IP network architecture in which control and forwarding are separated, after a WLAN terminal switches to a new radio access device, the service continuity can be maintained.
US09992710B2 Communication apparatus
A communication system that allows for automatic switching between cellular and a wireless local area network is disclosed.
US09992707B2 Apparatus and method of reporting logged measurement in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of reporting logged measurements of an user equipment in a wireless communication system is provided. The user equipment in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode receives from a base station a Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) configuration. The user equipment transitions from the RRC connected mode to an RRC idle mode and logs measurements based on the MDT configuration. The user equipment transmits to the base station a logging indicator indicating an availability of the logged measurement.
US09992704B2 Radio access network based traffic steering to non-cellular access
Various communication systems may benefit from traffic steering. For example, radio access network based traffic steering can be used to benefit of communications by steering traffic to Wi-Fi leveraging Hotspot 2.0. A method can include determining that an off-load condition exists in an area of a radio access network. The method can also include commanding a user equipment to off-load to non-cellular radio access based on the determining.
US09992702B2 Wireless communication apparatus, a method of wireless communication, and a program for wireless communication
In wireless communication with another communication apparatus in a predetermined wireless network, overhead information defined in a media access control layer is divided into a header of information necessary for the common access control and a header of information necessary for each payload. Address information is added to the header of information necessary for the common access control to transmit the generated header attached to the transmission data. For example, in a case of forming a physical burst in which a plurality of data payloads are combined into one, a frame structure is provided without useless repetition of address information.
US09992699B2 Son control system, son control method, and mobile communication system
A mobile communication system (100) in which a SON is implemented includes a load control unit (150). The load control unit (150) obtains D-SON apparatus information including at least a load state of the D-SON apparatus (190) from the D-SON apparatus (190) and also adjusts, based on the obtained D-SON apparatus information, a timing for instructing the D-SON apparatus (190) to execute the C-SON process so that a load on the D-SON apparatus is not concentrated on a time axis. In such a mobile communication system, it is possible to attempt to stabilize an operation of the entire SON even when the load on the D-SON apparatus is heavy.
US09992697B2 Method and apparatus for reporting of measurement data
An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided to collect measurement data that may be useful for coverage optimization without having to rely as extensively upon drive tests. In this regard, an apparatus, method and computer program product may be provided for collecting and reporting upon measurement data. Additionally, an apparatus, method and computer program product may be provided for directing the collection of the measurement data and for then receiving a report of the measurement data. A corresponding system for collecting measurement data may also be provided.
US09992691B2 Systems and methods for managing high network data rates
A wireless communication device includes a physical (PHY) layer module, a media access control (MAC) layer module (102) coupled to the PHY layer module. The MAC layer module is configured to generate a limited acknowledgement (LACK) response that indicates successful receipt of a data transmission, and to reduce a data rate used to transmit data to the wireless communication device.
US09992682B2 System and apparatus for adapting operations of a communication device
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, at a base station, communicating with a mobile phone where the base station comprises a premises wireless access point, at the base station, communicating with a mobile communication system by way of a broadband connection, and instructing a landline phone communicatively coupled to the base station to communicate with a remote end user device via the mobile communication system utilizing identification information of the mobile phone and responsive to communications between the base station and the mobile phone. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09992670B2 Machine-to-machine cellular communication security
Facilitating authentication on communication between a mobile terminal and a server is achieved. The communication is made through a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) of a network in which the mobile terminal is operating. A Home Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) of the mobile terminal generates a ciphering key for encryption of packet-switched data between the mobile terminal and the server. As part of a message from a network entity in the Home PLMN to the SGSN in which the SGSN expects to receive the ciphering key, alternative data is communicated in place of the ciphering key. Secure communication between the mobile terminal and the server is performed by applying encryption using a ciphering key generated by a network entity in a Home PLMN of the mobile terminal in messages between the mobile terminal and the server.
US09992666B2 Apparatus, program, and method
[Object] To be able to perform management involved with wireless communication without routing via a base station.[Solution] Provided is an apparatus including: a generation unit configured to generate information related to data wirelessly transmitted or received without being routed via a base station; and a control unit configured to control transmission of the information to a node which is not involved in the transmission or reception of the data.
US09992654B2 Policy driven emergency traffic handling for machine-to-machine device communication
Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to policy driven emergency traffic handling for machine-to-machine (“M2M”) device communication. According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, an M2M application server can receive a plurality of emergency messages from a mobility management entity (“MME”) over a control plane interface. The plurality emergency message can be generated by a plurality of M2M devices in response to an emergency event. The M2M application server can filter, based upon a policy, the plurality of emergency messages to remove duplicate messages of the plurality of emergency messages in order to create a clean group of emergency messages. The M2M application server can forward the clean group of emergency messages to at least one public safety answering point (“PSAP”).
US09992649B1 Mobile broadband management
As the variety of client devices has increased and the demand for mobile broadband internet access has increased, a mobile Hotspot is commonly used. The mobile Hotspot device includes a modem for mobile broadband access and a Hotspot Access Point to distribute the internet to local devices. When accessing the internet through a mobile Hotspot, the client device may not have visibility on the status of the mobile network, the modem and the USIM/UICC. A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable a client device to connect the mobile Hotpot as a virtual mobile broadband device over a local connection when a mobile Hotspot uses AT commands. This may be used to present more detailed information to the user about the status of mobile network connection, the modem, and the USIM/UICC. This enables the user to configure and control the modem functionality which may lead to improved user experience.
US09992647B2 Tag based filtering on geographic regions, digital assets, messages, and anonymous user profiles
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for performing region monitoring using tag matching to more closely match the monitored regions to a user's preference. A user enters user tags of interest, which are persisted to the region monitoring web server. The web server returns the closest regions having a region tag matching user tag first and the closest regions without matching tags secondary. An application at the mobile device then performs region monitoring of the identified closest region(s). When the mobile device enters a monitored region, it reports this event to the web server. The web server then determines whether any messages and/or assets associated with the region have matching message tags or asset tags and returns such messages or assets to the mobile device.
US09992645B2 Universal connection station
An intelligent connection station has at least one wireless transceiver operating in a wireless protocol, at least one speaker and one microphone, a connection to a wide area network, and software executing on the connection station from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function seeking compatible communication appliances within range of the wireless transceiver operating in the wireless protocol, and a second function enabling wireless pairing, providing a wireless link between the intelligent connection station and any communication appliance discovered within range and activated to pair. The pairing enables digital communication between the paired device and a remote communication appliance over the wireless link, through the intelligent connection station and the wide area network.
US09992643B2 Session establishment, maintenance, and termination by end device based on SMS messaging
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide to receive a trigger to initiate a media session that is to be supported by a control channel and a media channel; generate a first Short Message Service (SMS) message, which includes a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message configured to initiate the media session, in response to the trigger; transmit, via non-access stratum as the control channel, the first SMS message that includes the first SIP message to a server via a mobility management entity, in response to the generation; determine whether a bearer for the media channel is already established; establish the bearer in response to a determination that the bearer is not already established; use the bearer as the media channel in response to the establishment; and use the bearer as the media channel in response to a determination that the bearer is already established.
US09992641B2 Electronic device, server, and method for outputting voice
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a camera module obtaining image data of a user, a controller configured to detect at least one feature corresponding to an intention of the user from the image data obtained by the camera module, to obtain a pattern based on the at least one feature, to determine text data corresponding to the pattern, and to convert at least a portion of the text data into voice data, and an output module outputting the voice data. Other various embodiments of the pattern recognition are also provided.
US09992638B1 System and method of facilitating management of common channel based services
Disclosed is a method of facilitating management of common channel based services. The method includes receiving at least one query comprising each of the primary access code and the sub access code. The method further includes searching a registry based on the at least one query to determine availability of each of the primary access code and the sub access code. Further, the method includes associating each of the primary access code and the sub access code with at least one common channel based service. Yet further, the method includes receiving at least one request call comprising each of the primary access code and the sub access code. Further, the method includes identifying the at least one common channel based service. Moreover, the method includes processing the request call based on the identifying of the at least one common channel based service.
US09992635B2 Device-to-device broadcast communication method and user equipment
Disclosed are a device-to-device broadcast communication method and a user equipment. The method comprises: performing device-to-device (D2D) broadcast communication outside a coverage area of a network in a centralized manner, and broadcasting data on a shared channel via a centre node; alternatively, performing the device-to-device (D2D) broadcast communication outside the coverage area of the network in a distributed manner, and broadcasting data on a shared channel via resource competition.
US09992630B2 Predicting companion data types associated with a traveler at a geographic region including lodging
Various embodiments relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices for identifying activities and/or destinations of relative importance. More specifically, a system, a device and a method are provided to predict a type of companion with whom a traveler collaborates to, among other things, predict activities (e.g., preferential activities) available at a geographic region association with lodging. In one or more embodiments, a method can include determining a location at which a user computing device associated with a user is disposed, and calculating that a computing device associated with a candidate companion is within a region coterminous with the location. Also, the method may include predicting data representing a companionship type for data representing the candidate companion based at least the location at which the user and the candidate companion are co-located.
US09992625B2 System and method for location reporting in an untrusted network environment
An example method is provided and may include retrieving by a user equipment (UE) an access point (AP) Media Access Control (MAC) address for an AP to which the UE is connected; reporting location information for the UE to an evolved Packet Data Gateway over an SWu interface using Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) protocol, wherein the location information includes, at least in part, a UE location in GPS coordinates, a service set identifier, the retrieved AP MAC address and cell identity information for the UE; and populating a location database with the location information. The method can include embedding the location information in an identity initiator (Idi) of an IKE Authentication Request (IKE_AUTH_REQ) message using a Network Access Identifier (NAI) and communicating the location information from the ePDG to a PGW over an S2b interface using a private extension information element of GPRS Tunneling Protocol version 2 (GTPv2).
US09992619B2 Network device based proximity beacon locating
A proximity beacon signal transmitted by a network device-coupled proximity beacon transmitter is received at a network device. A RSSI reporting message is generated at the network device based on the proximity beacon signal. A position of the network device-coupled proximity beacon transmitter with respect to the network device is determined using the RSSI reporting message. A location of the network device within a region is determined using the RSSI reporting message and network device map data for the region. The location of the network device-coupled proximity beacon transmitter in the region is determined based on the position of the network device-coupled proximity beacon transmitter with respect to the network device and the location of the network device within the region.
US09992618B2 Systems and methods for using caller data to set an operational mode of a phone switch
Systems and methods for using caller data to add a phone number to an outbound-call list. In one aspect, a method involves (i) a device receiving caller data corresponding to a phone call sent by a phone switch to a phone terminal; (ii) retrieving a school record corresponding to the received caller data; (iii) making a determination that the school record is associated with a type of operational status; and (iv) responsive to making the determination that the school record is associated with the type of operational status, setting an operational mode of the phone switch, wherein in the operational mode, the phone switch refrains from sending any phone calls to the phone terminal.
US09992617B1 Near field communication devices, methods and systems
A Near Field Communication (NFC) tag placed inside a light fixture is provided with information by using a commissioning device such as a smartphone or other dedicated tool. For example, in one implementation, a light fixture in a smart lighting control system can be provided with a microcontroller that has access to the memory of a NFC tag. A commissioning device or tool with GPS and NFC capabilities obtains and writes GPS coordinates to the memory of the NFC tag. After the fixture is connected to the network, the smart system can then access the written GPS coordinates from the memory in the NFC tag. Based on this information, a user with access to the microcontroller (e.g., via computer network) can view the map of fixtures based on the obtained coordinates.
US09992605B2 Methods for providing serving network information and communications apparatuses utilizing the same
A communications apparatus is provided. A processor is coupled to a subscriber identity card and a radio transceiver module. The subscriber identity card camps on a cell operating in a serving network having a serving network identifier via the radio transceiver module. The processor at least includes a first processor logic unit obtaining information regarding the serving network identifier, a second processor logic unit carrying the information regarding the serving network identifier in a message to be transmitted to the serving network, and a third processor logic unit transmitting the message to the serving network via the radio transceiver module.
US09992602B1 Decoupled binaural rendering
Techniques of performing binaural rendering involve generating separate locations of virtual sources on the sphere for each ear of a listener. Along these lines, consider a set of actual audio sources that are not equidistant from a central point. To provide a listener with ambisonic audio, a sphere is defined with the listener at its center. When a source is not on the surface of the sphere, respective rays from the source to each of the listener's ears may not intersect the sphere at the same point. Rather, to provide a more accurate representation of the actual source, virtual loudspeakers are placed at each of the sphere intersections, a first virtual loudspeaker propagating audio to the left ear, a second virtual loudspeaker propagating audio to the right ear.
US09992600B2 Rendering of audio objects with apparent size to arbitrary loudspeaker layouts
Multiple virtual source locations may be defined for a volume within which audio objects can move. A set-up process for rendering audio data may involve receiving reproduction speaker location data and pre-computing gain values for each of the virtual sources according to the reproduction speaker location data and each virtual source location. The gain values may be stored and used during “run time,” during which audio reproduction data are rendered for the speakers of the reproduction environment. During run time, for each audio object, contributions from virtual source locations within an area or volume defined by the audio object position data and the audio object size data may be computed. A set of gain values for each output channel of the reproduction environment may be computed based, at least in part, on the computed contributions. Each output channel may correspond to at least one reproduction speaker of the reproduction environment.
US09992599B2 Method, device, encoder apparatus, decoder apparatus and audio system
Method for processing a stereo signal includes encoding an N-channel audio signal in a stereo signal (Lo, Ro) and spatial parameters (wl, wr), processing the stereo signal using the spatial parameters for generating a processed stereo signal (low, Row). The matrix of the processed stereo signal is described as the matrix of the stereo signal, multiplied by a filter matrix (H) having element that are filter functions (H1, H2, H3, H4) operated with spatial parameters (wl, wr) and a constant (a). The filter functions are time invariant and selected so that the matrix is invertible.
US09992596B2 High displacement acoustic transducer systems
Acoustic transducer systems are described herein and in particular, acoustic transducer systems involving high displacement are described. An example acoustic transducer system includes an acoustic driver, a diaphragm position sensing module for generating a position signal corresponding to a displacement of a diaphragm of the acoustic driver, and a controller operable to: receive an input audio signal; generate a control signal based at least on the input audio signal and the position signal; and transmit the control signal to a voice coil operably coupled to the diaphragm so that the voice coil moves within an air gap within the acoustic driver at least partially in response to the control signal. A height of the voice coil can correspond substantially to a gap height in some embodiments.
US09992586B2 Method of optimizing parameters in a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system
A method of optimizing parameters in a hearing aid system (100) with respect to a user's preference and a hearing aid system (100) adapted to carry out such a method.
US09992579B2 Integrated yoke and armature in a receiver
An integrated armature and yoke for an acoustic receiver is disclosed. The armature includes a generally u-shaped member having a first portion arranged substantially parallel to a second deflecting portion. The yoke includes a central portion connected to the first portion, and first and second wall portions extending from opposite sides of the central portion toward the second deflecting portion. In a receiver, the second portion of the integrated armature and yoke is disposed through a receiver coil and extends into a space between permanent magnets, wherein an excitation signal applied to the coil causes the second deflecting portion of the armature to deflect between the magnets and to drive an acoustic sound generating diaphragm.
US09992577B2 Speaker basket
Embodiments for a speaker basket of a speaker assembly are provided. A speaker basket may include a central opening through which a speaker sub-assembly may be mounted and a conductive material that includes: (i) a central portion molded within the speaker basket, (ii) an input portion configured to be coupled to an output of an audio source, and (iii) an output portion configured to be coupled to an input of the speaker sub-assembly.
US09992576B2 Speaker including damper having deformation prevention member
A speaker includes: a diaphragm; and a damper configured to adjust vibration of the diaphragm and including a first and second metal plates having polarities that are different from each other and symmetrical with each other, wherein the damper further includes first and second deformation prevention members disposed on bottom surfaces of the first and second metal plates, respectively, and wherein first and second deformation prevention members protrude downward and extend along a major-axis direction of the diaphragm, and the first and second deformation members are configured to prevent deformation of diaphragm caused by a vertical load.
US09992556B1 Automated creation of storyboards from screenplays
Computing resources may automatically generate a rough draft of storyboard by using textual analysis to extract meaning from a screenplay. The storyboard may be accompanied by spoken dialogue, sound effects, and a soundtrack. Users may provide pre-production decisions regarding appearance of characters and backgrounds. The users may include a community of different individuals who contribute content and suggest modifications to the storyboard. The computing resources may also access logic to select visual elements for the storyboard from libraries of existing content or from custom content prepared by one of the users. Pagination of the screenplay and location of dialogue and action on the pages of the screenplay may be used to create a timeline for the storyboard and any accompanying audio.
US09992554B2 Interpolated video tagging
Interpolated video tagging techniques are described. An example method includes identifying, a sequence of video frames included in a plurality of video frames of a video, where an object exists in at least one video frame of the sequence of video frames, determining an interpolation function associated with the existence of the object in the sequence of video frames, where the interpolation function specifies a time domain of the video in which the interpolation function is valid, and transmitting the video, an indication of the object, and an indication of the interpolation function.
US09992553B2 Video advertising system
A video advertising system, methods, and apparatus are disclosed, which may include an advertising system, including an advertising server and advertising console, and a user device, which may cooperate to select video advertising campaigns and display video advertisements. In an example embodiment, a method includes playing a video on a display, overlaying markings on the video while the video plays, at a first time while the video plays, measuring a first refresh rate of the video, at a second time while the video plays, performing a first operation on the markings, measuring a second refresh rate of the video at the second time, and determining an estimated area of the video displayed on the display based on the first refresh rate and the second refresh rate. In an example embodiment, a prediction model is trained to output a viewability inference for a video.
US09992549B2 Transmission method, reception method, transmission apparatus, and reception apparatus
A transmission method includes: generating one or more transfer frames that each store one or more streams used for content transfer; and transmitting the one or more generated frames through broadcast, each of the one or more streams storing one or more second transfer units, each of the one or more second transfer units storing one or more first transfer units, and each of the one or more first transfer units storing one or more Internet Protocol (IP) packets. In at least one stream among the one or more streams, each of the first transfer units positioned at a head contains reference clock information indicating time used for reproduction of the content.
US09992540B2 Metadata system for real-time updates to electronic program guides
Novel tools and techniques to enable more robust electronic program guides in television distribution systems. Some solutions can obtain data (e.g., from the Internet) about a program listed on an electronic program guide and integrate that data with electronic program guide. In some cases, this information can be obtained and/or updated dynamically, in real-time or near real-time, for example to provide, up-to-date information can be provided in the electronic program guide, rather than requiring the viewer to tune to an information channel. In some cases, the system can provide a generalized electronic program guide that can be rendered by the system to be displayed on a plurality of different devices.
US09992538B2 Systems and techniques for determining user engagement with video advertisements to determine optimized cost per impressions
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for determining changes in the device engagement data as a video advertisement is played on a video application executing in a mobile computing device. A user engagement engine collects device engagement data over multiple intervals of playback of the video advertisement. The device engagement data includes data indicating the spatial orientation of the mobile computing device and data indicating the volume level. The user engagement engine also calculates the differences in the device engagement data from a first interval of playback to a second interval of playback of the video advertisement. The mobile computing device transmits the changes in the device engagement data to an advertising server. The advertising server uses the changes in the device engagement data to determine a cost-per-impression value of the video advertisement.
US09992522B2 Video display apparatus and operating method thereof
Provided are a video display device and a method of operating the same. The video display device request content recognition configuration information to a third party server that is not dependent on any single channel, and receives the content recognition configuration information from the third party server. The video display device extracts a plurality of content recognition configuration information items from the content recognition configuration information and configures the plurality of content recognition configuration information item in the video display device. The video display device obtains contents information of uncompressed content on the basis of the plurality of content recognition configuration information item, obtains an application on the basis of the content information, and executes the application.
US09992518B2 Method and system for remotely controlling consumer electronic devices
A media system replaces content in a first sequence of media content. The media system presents the first sequence of media content to an end-user and generates a fingerprint of the sequence of media content. The fingerprint is for comparison with a plurality of reference fingerprints so as to identify the first sequence of media content and determine a reference position within the first sequence of media content. The media system sends a request for a replacement sequence of content to a content replacement system, and receives replacement media content selected based on the identified first sequence of media content. The media system presents the replacement media content to the end-user instead of the first sequence of media content. Presenting the replacement media content begins at a position in the first sequence of media content that is determined based on the reference position.
US09992510B2 Method for encoding/decoding motion vector and apparatus thereof
A method performed by a video encoding apparatus for encoding a current motion vector of a current block in a current picture, includes: encoding, into a bitstream, mode information for use in selecting a motion vector prediction mode among a plurality of motion vector prediction modes; and when the mode information indicating a first motion vector prediction mode among the plurality of motion vector prediction modes is encoded, deriving a set of candidate motion vectors from motion vectors of a plurality of neighboring blocks of the current block, and selecting a candidate motion vector from the set of the candidate motion vectors; setting the prediction motion vector of the current block into the selected candidate motion vector; and generating a differential motion vector of the current block by subtracting the prediction motion vector from the current motion vector, and encoding the differential motion vector into the bitstream.
US09992502B2 Apparatus and methods for video compression using multi-resolution scalable coding
Apparatus and methods for digital video data compression via a scalable, multi-resolution approach. In one embodiment, the video content may be encoded using a multi-resolution and/or multi-quality scalable coding approach that reduces computational and/or energy load on a client device. In one implementation, a low fidelity image is obtained based on a first full resolution image. The low fidelity image may be encoded to obtain a low fidelity bitstream. A second full resolution image may be obtained based on the low fidelity bitstream. A portion of a difference image obtained based on the second full resolution image and the first full resolution may be encoded to obtain a high fidelity bitstream. The low fidelity bitstream and the high fidelity bitstream may be provided to e.g., a receiving device.
US09992498B2 Method and device for generating parameter set for image encoding/decoding
A method of generating a parameter set includes obtaining common information inserted into at least two lower parameter sets which belong to the same upper parameter set; determining whether the common information is to be added to at least one among the upper parameter set and the at least two lower parameter sets; and adding the common information to at least one among the upper parameter set and the at least two lower parameter sets, based on a result of the determining.
US09992497B2 High throughput significance map processing for CABAC in HEVC
A system utilizing high throughput significance map processing for CABAC in HEVC is described. The system includes a first and second electronic device. The first electronic device encodes a block of level values, and transmits a bitstream to the second electronic device based on the encoding. The second electronic device decodes the bitstream using a high throughput significance map processing technique in order to recover video data corresponding to the block.
US09992494B2 Method of depth based block partitioning
A method of simplified depth-based block partitioning (DBBP) for three-dimensional and multi-view video coding is disclosed. In one embodiment, the derivation of a representative value of a corresponding depth block or a reference texture block in a reference view for generating a segmentation mask and selecting a block partition are unified. In another embodiment, the first representative value, the second representative value, or both are calculated from partial samples of the corresponding depth block or the reference texture block. In yet another embodiment, a first representative value for first samples in a first partitioned block of the corresponding depth block or the reference texture block, and a second representative value for second samples in a second partitioned block of the corresponding depth block or the reference texture block for each of block partition candidates are determined.
US09992487B1 Stereoscopic viewer
Features for a lightweight stereoscopic viewing client are described. The client can generate accurate ground point coordinates from selections within the lightweight viewer by accumulating the transformations from original image sources to the images used to render the stereoscopic scene to accurately predict error for a point selection. The viewer may also be decoupled from a permanent image store allowing on-demand retrieval of images via a network for stereoscopic viewing.
US09992485B2 Backlighting for head tracking and time multiplexed displays
A major component within a backlight device for liquid crystal displays (LCDs), in particular those backlights used in lighting and optical techniques to produce autostereoscopic 3D images and high resolution images.
US09992480B1 Apparatus and methods related to using mirrors to capture, by a camera of a robot, images that capture portions of an environment from multiple vantages
Using mirrors to capture, by a camera of a robot, images that capture portions of an environment from multiple vantages. In various implementations, multiple images, that each capture a portion of an environment from a different vantage, may be captured by a camera sensor of a robot via the adjustment of one or more mirrors viewable by the camera sensor—and the multiple images may be captured independent of locomotion of the robot and/or independent of adjusting a camera sensor pose of that camera sensor. One or more processors associated with the robot may utilize the multiple images to determine one or more features about those portions of the environment captured from different vantages in the images.
US09992471B2 Generating hi-res dewarped book images
Systems and methods for generating high resolution dewarped images for an image of a document captured by a 3D stereo digital camera system, or a mobile phone camera capturing a sequence of images, which may improve OCR performance. Example embodiments include a compact stereo camera with two sensors mounted at fixed locations, and a multi-resolution pipeline to process and to dewarp the images using a three dimensional surface model based on curve profiles of the computed depth map. Example embodiments also include a mobile phone including a camera which captures a sequence of images, and a processor which computes a disparity map using the captured sequence of image frames, computes a model of the at least one document page by generating a cylindrical three dimensional geometric surface using the computed disparity map, and renders a dewarped image from the computed model.
US09992466B2 Projector with calibration using a plurality of images
A position detection portion of a projector detects an operation on a screen based on a captured image obtained by capturing the screen. A control portion executes a calibration in which positions in a projection image and positions in the captured image are associated with each other based on the captured image obtained by capturing the projection image projected by a calibration control portion based on auto calibration images in which marks for specifying positions are arranged. In addition, the calibration control portion executes the calibration based on the captured image corresponding to the plurality of auto calibration images which are different in arrangement states of the marks.
US09992465B1 Vehicular navigation system utilizing a projection device
A method includes: receiving an indication of a destination from a user; determining a route from a current position of a vehicle to the destination; detecting whether the user has exited the vehicle; and projecting an image of the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination onto ground nearby the vehicle using a projection device equipped in the vehicle, such that the projected image is viewable by the user upon exiting the vehicle, in response to detecting that the user has exited the vehicle.
US09992463B2 Alignments for a projection system with a shaped projection screen using alignment content
A projection system capable of projection alignment includes a projector, a shaped projection screen, an image sensor, and a processing unit. The projector is configured to project a series of alignment content to the shaped projection screen. The image sensor is configured to capture a series of projected alignment content. The processing unit is electronically coupled to the image sensor and configured to receive the series of captured alignment content and determine at least part of general boundary of the shaped projection screen based on the series of captured alignment content.
US09992462B2 Multi-screen projector setting
A projection assembly comprising at least a first screen (14) and a second screen (10). The first screen (14) is at an angle with the second screen (10). The first screen (14) is adapted to reflect light projected onto it predominantly or exclusively in one or more angular ranges that do not intersect with the second screen (10). The invention also pertains to a method for projecting images with such a projection assembly, comprising projecting a first image with the first projector (16B) on the first screen (14), and projecting a second image with the second projector (16A) on the second screen (10).
US09992449B1 System and method for sharing sensed data between remote users
A method and a system for sharing in video images, captured by a video image capturing device mounted on a source user and having a wide field of view, with a destination user, are provided herein. The method may include: receiving video images and respective positions and orientations thereof, captured by the video image capturing device at the source location; receiving a request from a destination user equipment, to view video images captured at the source location, wherein the request includes a line of sight of the destination user, as derived by an orientation sensor of a destination user headset; mapping the request to a respective region of interest of the destination user based on the line of sight; cropping the video images based on the respective region of interest and further based on said respective positions and orientations; and transmitting the cropped video images to the destination user.
US09992436B2 Scaling down pixel sizes in image sensors
In various embodiments, methods and related apparatuses for scaling down pixel sizes in quantum film-based image sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, an image sensor circuit is disclosed that includes circuit includes an optically sensitive layer, a first pixel having a first electrode coupled to a first region of optically sensitive layer, a second pixel having a second electrode coupled to a second region of optically sensitive layer, and a readout circuit having at least one transistor that is shared among the first pixel and the second pixel. In a first time interval, the transistor is used in a readout of a signal related to illumination of the first pixel over an integration period. During a second time interval, the transistor is used in a readout of a signal related to illumination of the second pixel over an integration pixel. The signals thusly read constitute a time-domain multiplexed (TDM) signal.
US09992427B2 Facilitating detection, processing and display of combination of visible and near non-visible light
A digital camera accesses, processes and displays a combination image composed of visible light and near non-visible (“NNV”) light. A method can include accessing, by a digital camera, raw data having first information associated with a first electromagnetic spectrum range and second information associated with a second electromagnetic spectrum range. The first electromagnetic spectrum range is substantially within the visible spectrum and the second electromagnetic spectrum range is substantially within the NNV spectrum. The method can also include optimizing the raw data for the visible spectrum, thereby generating a first visual image representation, and optimizing the raw data for the NNV spectrum, thereby generating a second visual image representation. The method can also include combining the first visual image representation and the second visual image representation to generate a combination image. The digital camera can then initiate the display of the combination image.
US09992419B2 Display control apparatus for displaying a virtual object
A display control apparatus includes: an image acquisition section that acquires a captured image obtained by imaging an imaging range; and a display control section that controls a display section in such a way that a virtual object corresponding to an imaging subject reflecting on the captured image is displayed. The display control section displays the virtual object in such a way that a ratio of an amount of movement of the virtual object in a virtual image to an amount of movement of the imaging range in real space changes according to an imaging magnification of the captured image.
US09992414B2 Imaging system
An imaging system includes an imaging body having an optical system and an imaging element, a power supplier configured to supply power to the imaging element, and a housing configured to hold the imaging body and the power supplier, wherein the optical system includes at least one optical element projecting from the housing, and a distance AP between a gravity center A of a portion including the optical system and a gravity center P of the entire imaging system and a distance BP between a gravity center B of the power supplier and the gravity center P of the entire imaging system satisfy the following condition. AP>BP
US09992413B2 Method and system for creating a display with a distributed aperture system
A method for displaying images captured by a distributed aperture system (DAS) includes determining a display line of sight (LOS) and display field of view (FOV) corresponding to an operator display of a DAS, mapping the display LOS and the display FOV to a set of sensors of a plurality of sensors of the DAS, for each sensor of the set of sensors: identifying a set of sensor elements that define a minimum image capture area corresponding to the display LOS and the display FOV, processing image data collected by the identified set of sensor elements; and generating an image for the operator display from the processed image data.
US09992406B2 Electronic device, control method, and non-transitory storage medium for image correction responsive to environment change
According to one aspect, an electronic device includes an image acquiring unit; a display that is configured to display an image acquired by the image acquiring unit; a first sensor that is configured to measure a first information on an environment around the electronic device for detecting a change in the environment; at least one controller that is configured to detect the change and, when the change is detected, conduct correction of an image acquired by the image acquiring unit; and a second sensor that is configured to measure a second information on a movement of the electronic device. The at least one controller is configured to, when shooting of a movie has been started by the image acquiring unit before the change is detected, set the adjustment duration time for correction of the image in accordance with the second information.
US09992402B2 Imaging apparatus and imaging control apparatus having synchronous type wireless communication function
The present invention is to perform synchronous shooting using synchronous type wireless communication more effectively. An imaging apparatus 1 includes: a synchronous communication unit M1 configured to perform synchronous type wireless communication to send/receive data in a communication synchronized state in which a communication clock of a communication partner and an own communication clock are synchronized; a synchronous communication control unit M2 configured to make a transition to the communication synchronized state to perform the synchronous type wireless communication with other imaging apparatuses that are to perform synchronous shooting; a broadcast reception unit M4 configured to receive a broadcast wireless signal transmitted to plural imaging apparatuses in the communication synchronized state; and a first control unit 104a configured to perform shooting at timing when the broadcast wireless signal is received.
US09992401B2 Configuring a device in a network
A method is disclose that may include sending, from a management device to a monitoring device, a request for a network address associated with a configuration setting for the service provided by the monitoring device that generated the event message. The method may include receiving, in the management device and from the monitoring device, the network address. The method may also include requesting a resource identified by the network address, wherein the resource includes a web page hosted by a web server and displaying the web page to a user, wherein the web page is configured to enable the user to alter the configuration setting of the service that generated the event. The method may also include transmitting the altered configuration setting to the web server, wherein the web server initiates an update of the configuration setting of the service based on the altered configuration setting.
US09992395B2 Interchangeable lens and communication method thereof, and imaging device and communication method thereof
Provided is an interchangeable lens including: at least one shared communication terminal configured to be shared and used in synchronous communication that is communication performed synchronously with a synchronization signal and in asynchronous communication that is communication performed asynchronously with the synchronization signal.
US09992388B2 Integrated automotive system, pop up nozzle assembly and remote control method for cleaning a wide angle image sensors exterior surface
A pop-up external lens washing system has an extendable aiming fixture configured to aim a lens cleaning spray at an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. The extendable nozzle assembly is configured to be aimed toward the external lens by the extended aiming fixture during the washing operation only and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface.
US09992382B2 Color table compression
In some examples, a print cartridge includes a memory device comprising quantized coefficients derived from a compression of a difference table including a plurality of difference nodes in which each difference node represents a value that is a difference of a value of a node of a color table and a value of a corresponding node of a reference table, the quantized coefficients useable to produce a reconstructed difference table, and a plurality of residue nodes in which each residue node represents a value that is a difference of a value of a node of the color table and a value of a corresponding node of the reconstructed difference table.
US09992372B2 Image processing device, computer program product for controlling image processing device and image processing system
An image processing device is provided that allows a user to readily know identification information of the image processing device without performing any particular operation on the image processing device. Each of image processing devices includes a motion sensor which detects a person, a display unit, and a control unit which causes the display unit to display identification information for distinguishing the image processing device from other image processing devices in response to detection of the person by the motion sensor.
US09992356B2 Image-outputting apparatus for outputting notification image sent from server
An image-outputting apparatus includes a network interface, a storage, an output unit for outputting images, a user interface for receiving user operations including a login operation, and a controller. The controller determines whether the login operation is accepted, and determines what type of machine operation is permitted for the logged user according to the account thereof. The controller receives notification data from a server. The notification data contains information to be transmitted to an authorized user to whom a specific account is assigned. In response to receiving notification data, the controller determines whether an authorized user is logged in. When the authorized user is logged in, the controller controls the output unit to output a notification image represented by the notification data. When the authorized user not is logged in, the controller stores the notification data in the storage.
US09992352B2 Toll-free telecommunications and data management platform
A Toll-Free Management Platform (TFMP) includes methods and systems for number administration, customer administration, call management services, texting services and text registry, and a smart services registry. The TFMP may allow users to receive through a web-based interface, an activate request from a user, wherein the request includes at least a customer record template reference and an indication of when to active a toll-free telecommunications number associated with the request. The request may include at least one IP address datum associated with the toll-free telecommunications number. A user interface may allow activating a toll-free number, and users may access the TFMP to create and access existing templates of toll-free call routing templates, and utilize a routing tree engine to create customized call routing trees for the toll-free numbers of interest to the user.
US09992348B2 System and method for establishing a call on a packet network
A method for establishing a call over a packet network may include receiving a call request on a packet network from an originating call device. Status one or more segments of a transmission path may be determined. If the status of the segments are within a first range, the call between the originating and terminating call device over the determined transmission path at a first data rate may be established. Otherwise, if the status of one or more segments is within a second range, a determination as to whether the originating trunk and terminating segment can operate at a second data rate may be made, and, if so, the call may be established over the transmission path between the originating call device and terminating call device at the second data rate.
US09992347B2 Method and apparatus for managing conference calls
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve from an address book a communication identifier for each of a plurality of participants, determine from the address book a conferencing type for each of the plurality of participants, and initiate according to the conference type and the communication identifier of each participant a Voice over Internet Protocol conference call directed to communication devices of the plurality of participants. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09992345B1 Performing automated event services to registered end users
A method and apparatus are disclosed of transmitting live event notification information to a user device. One example method may include retrieving event user preference information from an event user database based on prestored user preferences. The method may also include transmitting an initial event notification message to an end user communication device based on the event user preference information to notify the end user of an upcoming event and receiving a response message from the end user communication device indicating a current availability of the end user. The user device may receive notification information via more than one communication channel and respond in a number of different ways.
US09992334B2 Multi-modal customer care system
Customer service and/or care providers generally have multiple communications channels (i.e., modes of communications, such as an Internet webpage, live agent telephones, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system) of communication with which a customer may interact with the customer service provider. Currently, customers must select the communications channel by guessing which communications channel would best accommodate the customer's purpose/need for communicating with the customer service provider. In some scenarios, the customer may select the wrong communications channel because the selected channel is not able to service the customer's need. In another scenario, the customer may select a channel that is more cumbersome to service the customer's particular need than another channel of the customer service provider. Embodiments of the present invention provide an interface that integrates the multiple channels of the customer service provider and recommends a channel based on an identification of a customer service need of the customer.
US09992332B2 System, method and computer program product for service call identification
A method, system, and computer program product, include determining whether a service receiver has authorized a request for registration and upon the service receiver having authorized the request for registration, registering characteristic information of the service call for the service receiver.
US09992329B2 Communication apparatus, control method for communication apparatus, and storage medium
A communication apparatus, which captures a line in response to an off-hook operation, includes a first adjustment unit, a detection unit, and a second adjustment unit. The first adjustment unit performs first impedance adjustment according to detection of the off-hook operation. The detection unit detects a line current and a dial tone signal. The second adjustment unit performs second impedance adjustment based on the line current according to a result of detection of the dial tone signal by the detection unit after the first impedance adjustment is performed by the first adjustment unit.
US09992328B2 Tracking driving without mobile phone distraction
A mobile communication device has a plurality of modes, including a normal mode and a driving mode. In the driving mode, one or more features of said device are at least partially disabled, including one or more features relating to communication supported by the device. The device tracks particular information about the device's modes and reports some of the particular information to at least one location off the device. The particular information about said device's modes is usable to determine when the device was in driving mode.
US09992325B2 Mobile electronic device, control method, and computer program
A mobile electronic device according to an embodiment includes an annunciator that performs notification about an event, and a controller that causes the annunciator to perform the notification about the event when a lifting operation that lifts the mobile electronic device has been detected. A mobile electronic device includes an annunciator performing notification about an event, and a controller causing the annunciator to perform the notification about the event when it is detected that the mobile electronic device has made a transition to a handheld state.
US09992312B1 Mobile device
A mobile device includes a speaker element and an antenna element. The speaker element includes a conductive portion and a nonconductive portion. The nonconductive portion has a first surface and a second surface which are opposite to each other. The antenna element is adjacent to the nonconductive portion. The antenna element includes a signal source, a first radiation element, and a second radiation element. The signal source is coupled to a feeding point. The first radiation element is coupled to the feeding point. The first radiation element extends from the first surface onto the second surface. The second radiation element is coupled to the feeding point. The second radiation element is disposed on the second surface. The second radiation element is separate from the first radiation element. A coupling gap is formed between the first radiation element and the second radiation element.
US09992310B2 Multi-hop Wan MACsec over IP
An egress frame processing method, an Ethernet frame is received. Information defining an Internet Protocol (IP) tunnel between the network device and a peer network device over a public wide area network is determined. A media access control security (MACsec) policy that defines how to protect the Ethernet frame is determined based on the information defining the IP tunnel. The Ethernet frame is protected according to the MACsec policy. The following fields are appended to the protected Ethernet frame: (i) an unprotected layer 3 (L3) encapsulation identifying a layer 2 (L2)-over-L3 tunnel protocol; (ii) an unprotected IP header corresponding to the IP tunnel; and (iii) an unprotected outer Ethernet header, to produce a partly protected egress frame. The partly protected egress frame is transmitted to the peer network device over the IP tunnel of the public wide area network.
US09992306B2 Dynamic execution
The disclosed embodiments relate to provisioning of a service, such as a financial service, to a device, such as a mobile device operative to access the service wirelessly or otherwise, in a manner which efficiently provides a consistent user experience which meets a user's expectations as to the functionality and quality of the service, including the user interface therefore and service delivery, which leverages the available capacities of the devices through which the service is provided so as to maximize the functionality and quality of the provided service without diminishing the experience, i.e. without substantially reducing the quality or functionality.
US09992302B2 Resource request management
A resource management system may use information regarding the bandwidth status of a downstream communication path to determine what portion of queued content should be sent in the current available bandwidth timeslot. In some embodiments, multiple versions of the same requested content may be available, and the system may select a lower-quality version to send if needed to meet a time deadline included in the original content request.
US09992298B2 Relationship-based WAN caching for object stores
A method for pre-fetching objects from an object store and storing them in an object cache is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes monitoring access to objects in an object store. The objects have metadata tags, such as user-defined or pre-defined metadata tags, associated therewith. The method further maintains a database for metadata tags associated with the objects, and keeps track of a number of object accesses per metadata tag. In the event a threshold number of object accesses for a particular metadata tag is reached, the method promotes objects having the metadata tag and/or a related metadata tag to an object cache. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
US09992293B2 Adaptable push-notification state
Adaptation of a push-notification state is disclosed. The adaptation can be based on a proximity of a first and second user equipment. The adaptation can affect push-notifications received at each device. By adapting a push-notification state, redundant push-notifications that can unnecessarily consume telecommunication resources, battery power, etc., for devices that are proximate to each other can be affected. Information relating to push-notification enabled services, services account information, device focus state information, or device environment information can be used in adapting a push-notification state. Adaptation of the push-notification state can employ a peer-to-peer or client-server topology.
US09992291B2 Updating time-related information in post to make it more relevant for the requester on subsequent retrieval of post
A method, system and computer program product for updating the time-related information in a post to make it more relevant for the requester on a subsequent retrieval of the post. A post with a reference to an event or activity (e.g., “leaving for Florida in 3 days”) is identified using natural language processing. Upon receiving a request from a requester to retrieve the post prior to the expiration of the event/activity, the post is updated by substituting a time countdown in the post with an up-to-date time countdown or with a current status of the referenced event/activity. If, however, the request is received after the expiration of the event/activity, then the post is removed or updated with an indication that the referenced event/activity has expired. In this manner, the requester will be receiving more accurate and relevant time-related information concerning the event or activity referenced in the post.
US09992289B2 Application-specific data in-flight (DIF) services along a communication path selected based on a DIF services policy associated with a VM
Embodiments provide data in-flight (DIF) services to software applications such as virtual machines (VMs) at an application level without requiring modification to established storage protocols. In exemplary embodiments, a software application is associated with a DIF services policy indicating one or more DIF services to apply to the software application. Data transmitted by the software application to a destination is tagged based on the DIF services policy associated with the software application and transmitted to the destination.
US09992285B2 Techniques to manage state information for a web service
Techniques to manage state information for a web service are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor circuit, and an application program for execution by the processor circuit to provide a set of operations to modify a state of a network resource provided by a network service. The application program may comprise a state manager component arranged to record state information for the network resource provided by the network service as state changes occur to the network resource during a first communication session, and store a resource identifier and associated state information for the network resource in a state database, the state information for use in automatically reproducing a state of the network resource during a second communication session. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09992282B1 Enabling heterogeneous storage management using storage from cloud computing platform
In one aspect, a method includes reading a configuration file to obtain settings of device drivers for a cloud computing storage array, enumerating a backend driver as the cloud computing storage array in a data storage system, instantiating a default port for the cloud computing storage array and accessing the cloud computing storage array using the data storage system.
US09992275B2 Dynamically managing a system of servers
A method and system for managing servers. A message received by a first server specifies multiple servers to be updated via an update. The message identifies a server type of each specified server, an old server name of each specified server prior to the update, and a corresponding new server name of each specified server after the update. First servers of the multiple servers are identified. Second servers that have a corresponding old server name within a local configuration of the first server are identified. For each server of the second servers, local configuration changes are scheduled to update the corresponding old server names with corresponding new server names at corresponding specified times. Each corresponding old server name is replaced with corresponding new server names.
US09992270B2 Enhanced method to deliver/ pre-load corrective how-to information to an end user
A system for providing an information guide of a first end user device to a second end user device is provided. The system receives an identifier of the second end user device from a user of the first end user device. The identifier of the second end user device is stored in a database in association with the first end user device. The information guide of the first end user device is transmitted to the second end user device based on the identifier of the second end user device in response to a predetermined condition of the first end user device being detected. A transmission of the information guide is configured to perform a predetermined action on the second end user device based on the predetermined condition of the first end user device.
US09992263B2 Predictive prioritized server push of resources
Systems and techniques for improving network performance are described. In some embodiments, an intermediary device can intercept a response from a server to a client, wherein the response corresponds to a request for a document. Next, the intermediary device can assign priorities to a plurality of resources in the document. The intermediary device can then push the plurality of resources in the document to the client in accordance with the assigned priorities.
US09992247B2 Method and system for dispatching received sessions between a plurality of instances of an application using the same IP port
A logical module, referred as Load Balancer Module (LBM), is disclosed which listens to one of certain common predefined port number. These well-known ports for receiving communication video conference signaling and control protocols is thereafter load balanced and multi-plexed to a number of instances of protocol stack applications. By balancing the multi-media data stream across a multitude of application instances multiple multi-media data streams may be serviced and processed by a single internet protocol host processor. A multipoint control unit (MCU) may therefore process multiple input data streams containing multi-media video conferencing information.
US09992243B2 Video conference application for detecting conference presenters by search parameters of facial or voice features, dynamically or manually configuring presentation templates based on the search parameters and altering the templates to a slideshow
In a method for customization of contextual information during a web conference presentation, a computer system executes a presentation program during a conference presentation. The computer system receives a request to access presentation templates based on parameters of a presenter, wherein the presentation templates including parameters identifying one or more of template texture, template font, template name of the presenter or template photo of the presenter of the conference presentation. In addition, the computer system determines an identity of the presenter during the conference presentation and matching the identity of the presenter against the parameter of the presenter. Moreover, the computer system extracts the presentation templates in the repository based on the match. The computer system further applies the extracted presentation template to presentation contents of the presentation program. In one aspect, the extracted presentation template alters visual characteristics of the presentation content based on the applied presentation template.
US09992240B2 Preserving S1-AP UE contexts on SCTP failover
According to some embodiments, a method in a network node of a wireless communication network comprises determining that a plurality of S1-AP UE contexts maintained by the network node remain valid after a SCTP failure; generating an S1 Setup Request message comprising an indication that the UE contexts remain valid; and communicating the S1 Setup Request message to a MME. In particular embodiments, a method in an MME comprises receiving an S1 Setup Request message from a network node comprising an indication that UE contexts maintained by the network node remain valid after a SCTP failure. The MME determines a plurality of UE contexts maintained by the MME remain valid after a SCTP failure; generates an S1 Setup Response message comprising an indication that UE contexts maintained by the MME remain valid; and communicates the S1 Setup Response message to the network node.
US09992232B2 Policy block creation with context-sensitive policy line classification
Presented herein are techniques for creating a policy block comprised of a group of lines of rules/statements across configuration files for network devices. An algorithm is provided that determines when multiple policies are to be merged together into one policy. In one embodiment, data is uploaded from a network that includes a plurality of network devices. The data represents policy rules configured on the plurality of network devices. The data representing the policy rules is compared for similarities in order to group together policy rules based on their similarities. Data is stored representing a plurality of clusters, each cluster representing a group of policy rules that have been grouped together. One or more configuration policies are generated to be applied across the plurality of network devices using the data representing each of the plurality of clusters, while maintaining context of policy rule processing.
US09992221B1 System, method, and computer program for utilizing a decoy in response to a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack in a communication network
A system, method, and computer program product are provided that utilize a decoy in response to a distributed denial of service attack in a communication network. In use, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack directed at one or more resources of a communication network is detected. Additionally, at least one first communication channel associated with the communication network that is subject to the DDoS attack is identified. Further, at least one second communication channel to implement functionality of the at least one first communication channel is initiated, while maintaining the at least one first communication channel subject to the DDoS attack to use as a decoy for the DDoS attack. Moreover, the at least one second communication channel is utilized to implement the functionality of the at least one first communication channel while the at least one first communication channel subject to the DDoS attack is used as the decoy for the DDoS attack.
US09992219B1 Framework and methodology for supply chain lifecycle analytics
The various technologies presented herein relate to pertaining to identifying and mitigating risks and attacks on a supply chain. A computer-implemented representation of a supply chain is generated comprising nodes (locations) and edges (objects, information). Risk to attack and different attack vectors can be defined for the various nodes and edges, and further, based upon the risks and attacks, (difficulty, consequence) pairs can be determined. One or more mitigations can be generated to increase a difficulty of attack and/or reduce consequence of an attack. The one or more mitigations can be constrained, e.g., by cost, time, etc., to facilitate determination of how feasible a respective mitigation is to implement with regard to finances available, duration to implement, etc. A context-free grammar can be utilized to identify one or more attacks in the supply chain. Further, the risks can undergo a ranking to enable mitigation priority to be determined.
US09992218B2 Method and system for managing compliance of one or more network devices
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and a device for managing compliance of one or more network devices. The method comprises receiving one or more configuration changes of the one or more network devices. Also, the method comprises identifying each configuration change as one of a compliant configuration change and a non-compliant configuration change by correlating, the one or more configuration changes using a first set of parameters. Further, the method generating an impact value of the one or more configuration changes and generating a recommendation for the one or more network devices based on the impact value.
US09992214B1 Generating malware signatures based on developer fingerprints in debug information
Techniques for generating malware signatures based on developer fingerprints in debug information are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system, process, and/or computer program product for generating malware signatures based on developer fingerprints in debug information includes receiving a sample, in which the sample includes a binary executable file; matching one or more paths in content of the binary executable file based on a plurality of patterns; extracting meta information from the one or more matched paths; and automatically generating a signature based on the extracted meta information.
US09992213B2 Risk-adaptive access control of an application action based on threat detection data
Risk-adaptive access control techniques are disclosed. In various embodiments, a value for a threat level attribute is determined based at least in part on threat detection data generated by a security system or process. The determined value for the threat level attribute is used to make, at least in part, an access control decision with respect to a request to access the resource. In various embodiments, the threat level attribute is used as an environment attribute provided as input to an XACML-based access control system.
US09992212B2 Technologies for handling malicious activity of a virtual network driver
Technologies for handling malicious activity of a virtual network driver include a network computing device on which a virtual machine is being executed and the virtual network driver is managing communication between the physical network interface controller and the virtual function network adapter. The network computing device is configured to monitor events handled by the virtual network driver to detect malicious activity and update one or more malicious event tracking variables corresponding to a type of malicious activity event detected. The network computing device is further configured to compare one or more of the malicious event tracking variables to a corresponding malicious event threshold and perform an action on the virtual function driver in response to a determination that one or more of the malicious event tracking variables indicates that the corresponding malicious event threshold has been violated. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein.
US09992204B2 Virtual machine access control in mobile computing device based on positional range from beacon signal
A system is provided and includes a broadcasting device configured to emit a beacon signal over a predefined range and a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is configured to run a host operating system at any location. The mobile computing device is further configured to run a virtual machine associated with the beacon signal within the host operating system but only when the computing device is in range of the beacon signal of a predefined strength.
US09992196B2 Information processing device, wireless communication system, information processing method, and program
[Object] To propose an information processing device, wireless communication system, information processing method, and storage medium which can mutually authenticate communication partners simply and safely.[Solution] The information processing device including: an acquisition unit configured to acquire first identification information for identifying another terminal; and a communication unit configured to transmit information for mutual authentication between an own terminal and the other terminal to the other terminal specified based on the first identification information through a network service.
US09992185B1 Virtual desktop accelerator support for network gateway
The subject disclosure relates to a method for initiating an accelerated desktop session between a client device and a remote server. In some aspects, the method includes steps for receiving, via a network gateway, a remote desktop connection request, initiating a first connection with a client device via the network gateway using a first communication protocol and sending a token to the client device via the network gateway. In certain aspects, the method further comprises initiating a second connection with the client device, via a proxy, wherein the second connection is established using a second communication protocol. A client device and computer-readable medium are also provided.
US09992171B2 Method and system for digital rights management of encrypted digital content
Various aspects of a method and system for digital rights management of encrypted digital content are disclosed herein. The method includes determination of a seed value from a pre-stored vault file that corresponds to a registered user. The determination of the seed value is based on biometric information provided by the registered user. The method further includes generation of a set of intermediate values based on the determined seed value. The generation of the set of intermediate values is based on a pre-determined rule. The method further includes determination of a content key based on the generated set of intermediate values.
US09992169B2 Mapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on a social network map
Mapping and obscuring digital representations of a number of user accounts on a social network map includes identifying a primary user account from a number of user accounts of a social network, determining, based on metadata associated with the user accounts, a relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, mapping, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, a digital representation of each of the user accounts to a territory on a social network map, determining, based on the relationship for each of the user accounts relative to the primary user account, an obscurity level for each of the user accounts, and obscuring, based on the obscurity level, the territory associated with the digital representation of each of the user accounts on a social network map from the primary user account.
US09992165B2 Detection of undesired computer files using digital certificates
Methods and systems for detecting undesirable computer files based on scanning and analysis of information contained within an associated digital certificate chain are provided. According to one embodiment, a file having associated therewith a certificate chain is received. A type and structure of the file are identified. A location of the certificate chain is determined based on the identified type and structure. A signature of the file is formed by extracting a targeted subset of information from the certificate chain. The file is evaluated by comparing the signature with a set signatures having a known desirable or undesirable status. The file is classified based on a result of the evaluating into a category of multiple categories, including one indicative of an associated file being an undesired file or a file suspected of being undesired. The file is handled in accordance with a policy associated with the category.
US09992164B2 User based stateless IPv6 RA-guard
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium for filtering routing assignment (RA) messages in a computer network. Methods, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may receive an RA message, extract information included in an RA message when identifying whether that particular RA messages should be forwarded or blocked. Information used to identify when to forward or block particular RA messages may be related to information that identifies a user of a computer or that identifies a computer that sends RA messages over a computer network.
US09992161B2 DDOS protection infrastructures using IP sharing across wide area networks
According to some embodiments, a plurality of geographically remote distribution points may be established, each distribution point being associated with a traffic cleaning or scrubbing center. Incoming traffic at each distribution point may be received and not legitimate network traffic may be detected, wherein the not legitimate network traffic may include DDOS traffic. When not legitimate network traffic is detected, the system may filter the incoming traffic via the clearing or scrubbing center at each distribution point, or across a plurality of distribution points simultaneously (thereby diluting the attack across multiple network nodes and scrubbing centers). The filtered traffic may then be transmitted from each distribution point to a customer network via an active association, wherein responses from the customer network utilize customer infrastructure to deliver the response with or without involving the clearing or scrubbing centers.
US09992152B2 Hub based clearing house for interoperability of distinct unified communications systems
A hub-based clearing house for interoperability of distinct unified communication systems is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a database that stores configuration information for the system; an administrator module that maintains the configuration information; a federation server that is connected to a first unified communications system and a second unified communications system. The federation server comprises a first translator that translates a first formatted message received from the first unified communications system into a common language formatted message, a second translator that translates the common language formatted message into a second formatted message, and a routing engine that routes the second formatted message to the second unified communications system.
US09992150B2 Event planning on online social networks
In particular embodiments, a computer server may receive information regarding an event proposal from an event organizer, where the information includes an identification of multiple invitees, and where the information is missing one or more significant details of the event proposal. The computer server may send the information regarding the event proposal to one or more client devices, where each of the client devices is associated with one of the invitees. The computer server may receive feedback regarding the event proposal from at least one of the invitees, and based on the received feedback, the computer server may determine at least one of the missing significant details of the event proposal. The computer server may send information regarding final details of an event based on the event proposal to one or more of the client devices associated with the invitees.
US09992148B2 Notifying a user about a previous conversation
Notifying a user about a previous conversation includes based on an analysis of the previous conversation between a first user and second user determining a characterization between the first user and the second user, in response to the first user selecting, via a user device, an option to open a subsequent conversation with the second user, notifying the first user via an alert as to the characterization of the previous conversation that the first user had with the second user before reengaging the second user in a subsequent conversation, and based on an analysis of the subsequent conversation between the first user and the second user, updating the characterization to a current characterization in a database.
US09992143B2 Providing centralized message notification
Providing centralized message notification for user interface is described. A method includes receiving a plurality of message notifications. The plurality of message notifications are generated in an operating system and an application. The method also includes comparing content of a message corresponding to a message notification among the plurality of message notifications with a plurality of rules for analysis of message content. When the content of the message matches with a rule of the plurality of rules, determining whether the matching rule comprises a black list rule. The black list rule comprises excluding the message notification among the plurality of message notifications indicated to be displayed at a user device. The method further includes preventing the message notification among the plurality of message notifications to be displayed at the user device in response to determining that the rule is comprises the black list rule.
US09992142B2 Messages from absent participants in online conferencing
In one embodiment, a method includes displaying, by a participant processor on a display device and during an online conference, a list of invited participants of the online conference. The list includes a declining one of the invited participants whom declined to participate in at least a part of the online conference. The method also includes indicating, by the participant processor on the display device and for the one of the invited participants whom declined to participate, a message having a reason for declining.
US09992139B1 Virtualized computing resource scheduler
A technology to schedule a virtualized computing resource is described. A scheduling request electronic message is received. The scheduling request electronic message has a resource identifier, an action and a trigger condition. The scheduling request is authenticated by verifying a sender of the scheduling request is on an approved list defined for the virtualized computing resource, using an electronic challenge sent to a requestor of the scheduling request electronic message. An action is performed on the virtualized computing resource referenced by the resource identifier when the trigger condition is met.
US09992132B1 Dynamic resource expansion of mobile devices
The resources available for performing computing tasks or functions on a mobile device may be dynamically expanded by wirelessly linking the mobile device with other devices over a network, such as a Bluetooth® network. Where the mobile device is charged with performing tasks or functions that would exceed its available resources, the mobile device may allocate the performance of those tasks or functions to other devices on the network. Conversely, where a local device on a network has available, unused computing resources, the local device may permit other devices on the network to utilize its computing resources for the performance of other tasks or functions.
US09992128B2 Error correction optimization
A method for data communication between a first node and a second node over a data path coupling the first node and the second node includes transmitting a segment of data from the first node to the second node over the data path as a number of messages, the number of messages being transmitted according to a transmission order. A degree of redundancy associated with each message of the number of messages is determined based on a position of said message in the transmission order.
US09992122B2 Method and device for processing packet
The present invention relates to a method and a device for processing a packet. The method for processing a packet, according to one embodiment of the present invention, can comprise the steps of: receiving a packet processing rule that includes filter information and policy information corresponding to the filter information; obtaining preset lower filter information indicated by a filter name when the filter information contains the filter name; and processing a receiving packet according to the lower filter information and the policy information. According to the one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a device and a method for processing a packet, which can efficiently generate and apply a packet processing rule.
US09992121B1 Dynamic advertisement routing
Dynamic advertisement routing is disclosed. For example, a plurality of internet protocol (“IP”) addresses associated with respective plurality of target nodes is stored in a routing pool. Each IP address in the routing pool is pinged through each of first and second load balancer network interfaces. Network routes associated with target nodes are updated based on a first plurality of ping responses. Communications sessions are established with target nodes through respective network routes. IP addresses are pinged and respective latencies in a latency cache are updated based on a second plurality of ping responses. A first request directed to the plurality of target nodes is received and is determined to be sent to a first target node based on the latency cache forwarded to the first target node via the first network route.
US09992118B2 System and method for optimizing transportation over networks
A system and method for efficient transfer of data over a network. A data source and a destination are coupled to one another via a network. The data source is configured to transmit data to the destination and determine a network latency associated with the transmission. In response to determining a first transmission parameter may not be optimized, the source is configured to modify the first transmission parameter and evaluate its effect on data throughput. The source may repeat such modifications as long as throughput is increased. Once the first transmission parameter is deemed optimized, the source may perform a similar procedure for a second transmission parameter. In various embodiments, the first transmission parameter may correspond to a packet size and the second transmission parameter may correspond to a number of streams being processed by the source.
US09992115B2 Method and device for controlling traffic of mobile router
A method and a device for controlling traffic of a mobile router are provided. The method includes: generating a traffic control widget and displaying the traffic control widget on a control interface of the mobile router according to a total amount of traffic available to the mobile router; receiving a traffic operation on the traffic control widget; and limiting traffic of the mobile router according to the traffic operation.
US09992109B2 Data transmission method, apparatus and system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications, and provide a data transmission method, apparatus and system. The method includes: detecting whether data transmitted in a received GTP-U data packet is data of a predetermined type; if a result of the detection is that data transmitted in the GTP-U data packet is data of a predetermined type, decapsulating the GTP-U data packet, to obtain the data of the predetermined type and a destination address of the data of the predetermined type; and sending the data of the predetermined type and the destination address to a message gateway, so that the message gateway forwards the data of the predetermined type according to the destination address. A gateway includes: a detection module, a decapsulation module, and a sending module. A message gateway includes: a receiving module and a forwarding module.
US09992107B2 Processing data packets using a policy based network path
Methods and systems are provided for processing data packets in a data network using a policy based network path. A policy enforcing point receives a data packet associated with a service session and routes it toward its destination along a network path which is determined according to data packet information and one or more packet processing criteria. The data packet information may include one or more of information associated with the packet, information associated with prior packets, and information obtained from a network computer. The network path may be selected from a database of network paths. The network path may include an order list of further policy enforcing points and corresponding network application appliances. The policy enforcing point may generate a new data packet based on the data packet and the policy based network path and send the new data packet to a next policy enforcing point.
US09992100B2 System and method for multicast routing using peer groups
A system and method for multicast routing using peer groups includes a router. The router includes a control unit and a memory coupled to the control unit. The memory stores one or more first multicast routing entries. The control unit is configured to receive a multicast packet on an input interface, determine one or more properties of the multicast packet, determine one or more output interfaces based on the properties and the first multicast routing entries, and forward copies of the multicast packet on each of the output interfaces. The router is configured to be coupled to a peer router via an inter-chassis link (ICL). The first multicast routing entries include one or more second multicast routing entries associated with multicast routing trees associated with the router and one or more third multicast routing entries associated with multicast routing trees associated with the peer router.
US09992097B2 System and method for piggybacking routing information in interests in a content centric network
One embodiment provides a system that facilitates routing updates outside of a routing protocol. During operation, the system receives, by an intermediate node, a first interest that indicates an originator name which is a routable name prefix for a sender of the first interest and is used by a content producing device in a subsequent interest. In response to not obtaining a matching entry in a forwarding information base (FIB) based on the originator name, the system adds a first entry to the FIB, wherein the first entry includes the originator name as a name for the first entry and further includes an arrival interface of the first interest as an outgoing interface for the first entry. In response to receiving the subsequent interest which has a name that includes the originator name, the system forwards the subsequent interest to the outgoing interface for the first entry.
US09992095B2 Communication apparatus, method for controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium
A communication apparatus that includes a buffer, an acquisition unit, a packet processing unit, and a control unit performs packet communication of image data as audio data via a first channel and performs procedure signal exchange via a second channel. The buffer temporarily stores transmitted and received packets to synchronize the packets between a transmitting and a receiving side. The acquisition unit acquires a number of packets stored in the buffer. The packet processing unit performs packet processing by discarding a packet stored in the buffer where the number of acquired packets exceeds a first threshold value, and inserting a silent packet in the buffer where the number of acquired packets does not exceed a second threshold value. The control unit performs procedure signal exchange according to a packet stored in the buffer in which the number of packets is adjusted upon completion of the performed packet processing.
US09992091B2 Performing network topology traces with minimal data collection
In one embodiment, a device in a network receives privatized network trace data that comprises round trip time information for hops along a communication path. The device groups the trace data into a plurality of network segments based on the round trip time information. The device calculates a segment trip time metric for one or more of the network segments based on the round trip time information associated with the one or more network segments.
US09992089B2 Parameter obtaining method and apparatus
The present invention discloses a parameter obtaining method and apparatus. In this method, multiple signals are received over a communications link on a network, where each of the received signals is corresponding to a point on a complex plane; decision is performed on each of the received signals; for each of the received signals, an error signal between the received signal and a corresponding decision signal is determined; and a complex-plane distribution feature parameter used to indicate a distribution feature, on the complex plane, of the signals received over the communications link is determined according to all the determined error signals. In this method, an inaccurate maintenance result in manual analysis of a constellation diagram is avoided.
US09992083B1 System to detect network egress points
Described are techniques for detecting network egress points. A source device on a first network may generate a probe data with loose source route data that includes internal routing data to a designated subnet within the first network. The ultimate destination of the probe data is outside the first network. Once at the designated subnet, the probe data is handled by the egress network devices, such as a router, that services the subnet. Ultimately, the probe data may arrive at a destination device by way of a second network. The destination device determines the egress point from the first network used by the probe data. By comparing the actual route data with known egress points, known egress network devices may be confirmed and unknown egress network devices may be determined.
US09992080B2 Using discovered virtual-infrastructure attributes to automatically generate a service-catalog entry
A method and associated system of automatically generating an entry of a service catalog of a cloud-computing environment as a function of discovered attributes of a virtual machine provisioned in a non-cloud computing environment. A cloud-management platform of the cloud-computing environment analyzes and compares results of infrastructure-discovery and application-discovery tools that describe a business application or a virtual service provisioned on the virtual machine. The cloud-management platform, or a related service-catalog generating entity, uses these analyzed and compared results to automatically generate a service-catalog entry that represents or describes a cloud business application or service associated with the virtual machine, and enters the automatically generated entry into the service catalog. When a user of the cloud-computing environment requests the cloud business application or service, the cloud-management platform may then offer the business application or service as a function of the automatically generated entry.
US09992071B2 Application and infrastructure performance analysis and forecasting system and method
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer implemented web based application and infrastructure performance analysis and forecasting system and method for improving the performance of at least one application and infrastructure and reducing complexity of analyzing the performance of the application and infrastructure. The system and method receive infrastructure input from a user regarding application and infrastructure configuration, as well as performance objective(s). Based on the infrastructure input received from the user, a modeling engine determines at least one application and infrastructure performance model. The system and method then receive model specific input from the user for each model. Based on the information received from the user, a model computation engine computes output for the models which is then displayed to the user.
US09992051B2 System and method for guard band utilization for synchronous and asynchronous communications
Embodiments are provided for guard band utilization for synchronous and asynchronous communications in wireless networks. A user equipment (UE) or a network component transmits symbols on data bands assigned for primary communications. The data bands are separated by a guard band having smaller bandwidth than the data bands. The UE or network component further modulates symbols for secondary communications with a spectrally contained wave form, which has a smaller bandwidth than the guard band. The spectrally contained wave form is achieved with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation or with joint OFDM and Offset Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (OQAM) modulation. The modulated symbols for the secondary communications are transmitted within the guard band.
US09992050B2 System and apparatus and associated methods for multiple channel signal generating and analyzing with wide bandwidth
The multi-channel signal processing device includes a multi-channel continuous waveform (CW) phase shifter module configured to generate phase control and filter interference therein for multiple local oscillator (LO) signals at a same frequency, a multi-channel up-converter module configured to up-convert the multiple LO signals to a desired frequency and filter respective image signals therein, and a multi-channel wideband mixer module configured to receive and mix the up-converted LO signals at the desired frequency from the multi-channel up-converter module with radio frequency (RF) signals.
US09992042B2 Pipelined hybrid packet/circuit-switched network-on-chip
A packet-switched request from a first router of a network-on-chip is received. The packet-switched request is generated by source logic of the network-on-chip. Circuit-switched data associated with the packet switched request is also received. The circuit-switched data is stored by a storage element. The circuit-switched data is sent towards destination logic identified in the packet-switched request.
US09992041B2 Scaling address resolution for massive data centers
There is provided a network device disposed at an interface between an access segment and an interconnecting layer of a data center. The network device includes an address cache and an address resolution processor configured to receive an address request addressed to virtual machines in a transmission domain of the network device. The address request requesting a layer 2 address of a target virtual machine in the data center, and specifying a layer 3 address of the target virtual machine. In response to receiving a reply, the network device updates the address cache to include an entry specifying the layer 2 address of an edge device of an access segment which has the target virtual machine having a respective layer 3 address corresponding to the specified layer 3 address.
US09992040B2 Method for extending bridge domain of overlay SDN network
Provided are method for extending a bridge domain of a first overlay SDN network to a second overlay SDN network using a repeater, the method comprising registering a relay switch of repeater as a switch included in first overlay SDN network and second overlay SDN network; generating a tunnel which connects relay switch with switches included in first overlay SDN network; generating a tunnel which connects the relay switch with switches included in second overlay SDN network; receiving route information for being connected to a virtual machine (VM) belonging to first overlay SDN network, from a first SDN control unit of first overlay SDN network; converting route information; and transmitting converted route information to second SDN control unit.
US09992037B2 Method for automatically mapping smart plug and electronic device connected thereto in home gateway and device therefor
A method according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for automatically mapping a smart plug and an electronic device connected thereto in a home gateway. The method may comprise the steps of: deleting pre-stored mapping information when a signal received from the smart plug satisfies a condition requiring remapping to the electronic device; configuring a mapping candidate group on the basis of data included in the signal received from the smart plug and information stored for the electronic device when a status change notification signal is received from a predetermined electronic device within a preconfigured time; and when it can be determined that one particular electronic device from among the configured candidate group has been mapped to the smart plug, automatically mapping the corresponding electronic device and the smart plug in a state that the corresponding electronic device is connected to the smart plug.
US09992027B1 Signing key log management
Cryptographic keys can include logging properties that enable those keys to be used only if the properties can be enforced by the cryptographic system requested to perform one or more actions using the keys. The logging property can specify how to log use of a respective key. A key can also include a mutability property for specifying whether the logging property can be changed, and if so under what circumstances or in which way(s). The ability to specify and automatically enforce logging can be important for environments where audit logs are essential. These can include, for example, public certificate authorities that must provide accurate and complete audit trails. In cases where the data is not to be provided outside a determined secure environment, the key can be generated with a property indicating not to log any of the usage.
US09992018B1 Generating cryptographic challenges to communication requests
Embodiments of a system or method useful in forcing a computing system to perform a target amount of computations is disclosed. The actual amount of computations may vary from the target amount to within a selected maximum variation. Embodiments of the system or method involve generating a cryptographic challenge to which the computing system needs to compute a response to validate a request from the computing system.
US09992015B2 Method and apparatus for providing a scalable service platform using a network cache
An approach is provided for building a scalable service platform by initiating transmission of encrypted data from a public network cache. An access control server platform determines a first authorization key for a user and a second authorization key for a resource, and then encrypts the resource with the second authorization key, and encrypts the second authorization key with the first authorization key. The access control server platform initiates distribution of the encrypted second authorization key with the encrypted resource over a network. The access control server platform further initiates caching the encrypted second authorization key with the encrypted resource that meets a predefined threshold value (e.g., a data size, an access frequency, a modification frequency, or an auditing requirement) in a cache in the network, and initiates transmission of the cached and encrypted second authorization key with the cached and encrypted resource from the cache to at least one authorized entity.
US09991977B2 Smart testing management
The invention is related to a smart testing apparatus and preferably a method for testing at least a first DUT and a second DUT using a mobile communications testing device. The method comprises the steps of determining, whether a first RF test signal from/to the first DUT interferes with a second RF test signal from/to the second DUT. It determines, whether the second RF test signal from/to second DUT interferes with the first RF test signal from/to the first DUT. It predetermines, whether at least measuring the first measuring result obtained by applying the first RF test signal is disturbed above a first disturbance threshold value. It predetermines, whether at least a second measuring result obtained by applying the second RF test signal is disturbed above a second disturbance threshold value.
US09991973B2 Integrated circuit calibration architecture
A calibration architecture that enables accurate calibration of radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits (ICs) chips used in transceiver RF systems in a relatively simple testing environment. Embodiments of the invention include one or more on-chip switchable internal calibration paths that enable direct coupling of a portion of the on-chip circuit to an RF test system while isolating other circuitry on the chip. Some embodiments allow interconnection of switchable internal calibration paths between separate IC chips. Still other embodiments utilize internal switches and antenna mutual coupling to provide over-the-air calibration, alone or in combination with direct signal coupling via internal calibration paths. Periodic self-calibration of an RF IC can be performed after initial factory calibration, so that adjustments in desired performance parameters can be made while such an IC is embedded within a final system, and/or to take into account component degradation due to age or other factors.
US09991964B2 Hybrid free space multiplexer for multichannel transmitter optical subassembly
Embodiments described herein include a multichannel transmitter optical subassembly that includes a plurality of lasers and a signal combiner. The plurality of lasers may be configured to emit light each with a different one of a plurality of light signals, each of the plurality of light signals having a wavelength within one of a plurality of wavelength bands. The signal combiner may be disposed relative to the plurality of lasers to receive the plurality of light signals. The signal combiner may include at least one surface having an optical coating that reflects at least one of the light signals of the plurality of light signals and transmits at least one of the light signals of the plurality of light signals.
US09991963B2 Multi-channel tunable laser
A multi-channel tunable laser includes: a frequency selective optical multiplexer comprising: a plurality of channel terminals for receiving/transmitting light; a plurality of channel waveguide blocks, each channel waveguide block comprising at least one reflectively terminated channel waveguide; and an optical coupling element optically coupling the plurality of channel terminals with the plurality of channel waveguide blocks, each of the channel waveguides of the plurality of channel waveguide blocks having a different length; a plurality of channel paths, each channel path coupled to a respective channel terminal of the plurality of channel terminals and comprising a gain element, a phase element and a reflective element; and a plurality of optical tuners, each one configured to tune the channel waveguides of a respective channel waveguide block of the plurality of channel waveguide blocks.
US09991962B2 Stackable fiber optic transmitter/receiver modules
An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a first stackable transmitter/receiver module. The first stackable transmitter/receiver module comprises a housing having first and second ends and multiple sides between the first and second ends, a first signal connector arranged at the first end of the housing, a second signal connector arranged at the second end of the housing, and one or more sets of interconnects arranged on respective ones of the sides of the housing. The first stackable transmitter/receiver module is configured for mated stacking with one or more additional stackable transmitter/receiver modules via the one or more sets of interconnects. A given one of the sets of interconnects of the first transmitter/receiver module is configured to mate with a corresponding complementary set of interconnects arranged on a side of a housing of one of the additional stackable transmitter/receiver modules when the first and additional modules are stacked.
US09991961B2 Multimode fiber for modulatable source
Examples include generating a signal using a modulatable source. The signal may be propagated using a multi-mode fiber to receive the signal from the modulatable source. The fiber has a diameter d and a far-field divergence angle associated with the propagated signal that corresponds to a product of the diameter (d) and the far-field divergence angle. The product may be substantially between 1 micron radian and 4 micron radian. In some examples, the propagated signal may be received at a receiver from the multi-mode fiber.
US09991958B2 Satellite tracking with a portable telescope and star camera
A portable optical ground station can track a satellite with an amateur telescope mounted on a two-axis gimbal. The telescope is aligned with respect to an inertial, Earth-fixed frame using a wide field of view star camera. Star cameras are accurate to the arcsecond level and have the advantage of providing orientation with a single measurement. Using multiple star sensor measurements at different gimbal angles, it is possible to calculate the alignment of the gimbals in the Earth-fixed frame and the alignment of the star sensor in the gimbal frame. Once the alignment is obtained, satellite tracking can be achieved with a known orbit and precise Earth rotation model, such as the International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service (IERS). This alignment procedure can be carried out in less than one hour, making it practical to move and deploy the portable ground station.
US09991952B2 Optical signal monitoring
Some embodiments provide a device that includes an optical module manager, an optical power manager, and a notification manager. The optical module manager may be configured to poll an optical module coupled to the device for received optical power values. The optical module manager may be further configured to receive a received optical power value. The optical power manager may be configured to determine a baseline power value based on the polling of the optical module. The notification manager may be configured to generate a notification when the received optical power value differs from, e.g., falls below, the baseline power value by a threshold amount. The notification indicates that a tampering of optical signals transmitted to the device may have occurred.
US09991950B2 Communication-satellite system with enhanced capacity in designated locations
A communication-satellite system for providing communication services to the entire Earth is based on a plurality of satellites in low-earth-orbit (LEO). The satellites orbit the Earth in a plurality of orbits, with multiple satellites in each orbit. This orbital arrangement results in some locations on the surface of the Earth receiving redundant satellite coverage. Embodiments of the present invention can selectively and adaptively rotate the orientation of some of the satellites so as to transfer some of the redundant coverage from locations where it is not needed to locations where the redundant coverage is advantageous.
US09991948B2 Low cost cableless ground station antenna for medium earth orbit satellite communication systems
A ground station antenna is described herein including a moving feed plate with a first power transfer unit arranged on the moving feed plate. The ground station antenna also includes a fixed plate. The moving feed plate is configured to rotate with respect to the fixed plate. The fixed plate has a second power transfer unit. The first power transfer unit and the second power transfer unit are configured to transmit and receive modulated power signals between one another through a charging link. The modulated power signals comprise wireless charging power and data signals.
US09991940B2 Multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) feedback protocol
In a wireless network having a plurality of devices configured to communicate using a beamforming technique, a method includes sending a trigger packet from a first device of the wireless network to a plurality of second devices of the wireless network. The trigger packet includes trigger data configured to cause the plurality of second devices to perform channel measurement based on the trigger data. The method also includes receiving feedback information from each of the plurality of second devices in response to the trigger packet.
US09991936B2 Door lock and arrangement for transferring power to door lock
Lock arrangement and method for transferring electrical power with a lock arrangement that includes a counterpart of the lock and an electrical lock including a lock case. A device for wirelessly sending electrical power to the lock case and/or into connection with the lock case is arranged in connection with the counterpart of the lock, and arranged in the lock case and/or in connection with the lock case are a device for wirelessly receiving electrical power from the device for sending electrical power that is arranged in connection with the counterpart of the lock. The counterpart of the lock wirelessly sends electrical power to the lock case and/or into connection with the lock case with the device that is for sending electrical power, and the lock case wirelessly receives electrical power from the counterpart of the lock with the device that is for receiving electrical power, when the lock and the counterpart of the lock are at a certain distance from each other. The electrical power received from the connection of the lock is measured and the power level of the electrical power sent is increased and/or decreased in such a way that the measured level of the electrical power received is between certain predetermined upper and lower values or essentially at a given preset level.
US09991931B2 System and method to reduce crosstalk of digital subscriber lines
A method includes identifying, at a processor of a crosstalk analyzer, a first communication line of a plurality of communication lines and a second communication line of the plurality of communication lines. The first communication line and the second communication line identified based on a correlation of a crosstalk parameter with respect to the first communication line and the second communication line. The method also includes, responsive to identifying the first communication line and the second communication line, assigning, by the processor, the first communication line to a first port of an access node and the second communication line to a second port of the access node.
US09991929B1 Streaming compression of periodic binary avionic data
Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a system, apparatus, and method for streaming compression of periodic binary data. A data transmitter of an aircraft can receive flight data from a flight data acquisition unit. The data transmitter can store the flight data. The data transmitter can compare words corresponding to a first data frame to words corresponding to a second data frame. The data transmitter can identify a word block of consecutive unchanged words, consecutive changed words, or one changed word and one unchanged word. The data transmitter can generate and transmit a header identifying a number of consecutive unchanged words in a word block. The data transmitter can generate a header identifying a number of consecutive changed words in a word block and transmit the header and the word block. The data transmitter can generate a header identifying two words in a word block and transmit the header and the word block.
US09991927B2 Protective case for a mobile electronic device
A protective case for a mobile electronic device is disclosed, the protective case comprising a receiving part for fastening the device, and a covering part, which is arranged relative to the receiving part such that it can be folded into a closed position, for covering, in the closed state, the device which, in the fitted state, is fastened at the receiving part, wherein the receiving part and the covering part are connected to one another in a pre-tensioned fashion via at least one elastic member in such a manner that the receiving part automatically moves from an opened position into the closed position.
US09991925B2 Electronic apparatus
A cover panel is disposed on a surface of an electronic apparatus and is made of sapphire. A flexible printed wiring board extends in a state of being curved in the electronic apparatus. A gap reduction member is in contact with at least a curved portion of the flexible printed wiring board from the cover panel side.
US09991920B2 System and method for dynamically modifying settings of a communication device
Disclosed is a system for dynamically modifying settings of a communication device based on an activity state of a user of the communication device. A data capturing module captures values corresponding to a plurality of physiological parameters associated to a plurality of activity states of a user. The values may be captured by using one or more wearable devices worn by a user. A configuration module enables the user to configure one or more rules and one or more events, to be triggered, corresponding to each of the one or more rules for modifying settings of the communication device. An activity state determining module determines an activity state, in real-time, from the plurality of activity states. An event triggering module triggers an event, of the one or more events, based on a rule configured corresponding to the activity state in order to dynamically modify the settings of the communication device.
US09991917B2 Demodulator, receiver and method of data communications
A demodulator is configured to demodulate a modulated signal responsive to a first carrier signal. The demodulator includes a filter and a bandwidth adjusting circuit. The filter is configured to filter a first signal. The first signal is a product of the first carrier signal and the modulated signal. The filter has a bandwidth adjusted based on a set of control signals. The bandwidth adjusting circuit is coupled to the filter, and configured to generate the set of control signals based on at least a frequency of the filtered first signal and a frequency of the first signal. The bandwidth adjusting circuit includes a frequency detector configured to generate a second signal based on a frequency relationship between the frequency of the filtered first signal and the frequency of the first signal.
US09991913B1 Discrete levels envelope tracking
An envelope tracking arrangement is disclosed and includes a level select component, a chunk supply component and a power amplifier. The level select component is configured to segment an input signal into chunks based on time and to select a chunk level for each chunk based on information or envelope information. The chunk supply component is configured to selectively provide a discrete supply voltage according to the selected chunk level. The power amplifier is configured to generate a radio frequency (RF) output signal based on the input signal and utilizing the discrete supply voltage.
US09991910B2 Transmitter power supply with selective source and regulation
An apparatus for powering an electrical circuit includes a first voltage input configured to receive power from a first voltage source, a second voltage input configured to receive power from a second voltage source, wherein the second voltage source has a lower voltage than the first voltage source, a voltage regulator connected to the first voltage input, and a voltage output configured to switchably receive power from the first voltage input through the voltage regulator or from the second voltage input.
US09991901B2 Method of optimizing CMOS IDAC linearity performance using golden ratio
A layout method for a current source array. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a plurality of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices. Current sources for the CMOS devices are uniformly arranged in a one-dimensional array. The spacing between the current sources in the one-dimensional array is determined using a golden ratio.
US09991895B2 Wireless radio-frequency transmission apparatus
A wireless radio-frequency transmission apparatus includes a phase frequency detector, a charge pump, a loop filter and a twin voltage-controlled oscillator. The twin voltage-controlled oscillator includes a first oscillator and a second oscillator. When the twin voltage-controlled oscillator is in a reception mode, the first and the second oscillators are coupled to each other to form a quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator, and the quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator, the phase frequency detector, the charge pump and the loop filter constitute a phase-locked loop to generate quadrature carriers. When the twin voltage-controlled oscillator is in a transmission mode, the first oscillator, the phase frequency detector, the charge pump and the loop filter constitute a phase-locked loop, and the second oscillator performs frequency modulation on transmitted data. The present disclosure can maintain a carrier frequency to be stable during high data rate transmission, and have a relatively short locking time of frequency hopping.
US09991885B2 Switching circuit for radio frequency isolation in a portable transceiver
Semiconductor switches in portable transceivers switch between outgoing and incoming radio frequency signal paths. The isolation can be limited by the capacitive coupling between the switch input and the switch output. Ultra-high isolation can be achieved by adding a coupled transmission line to the semiconductor switch. The coupled transmission line introduces inductive coupling, which cancels at least a part of the capacitive coupling between the switch input and the switch output.
US09991880B2 Discrete power switching devices with reduced common source inductance
Routing of a gate signal for controlling a discrete power switching device (such as in an inverter for an electric vehicle drive) is configured to compensate for the common source inductance inherent in the switching device as a result of its integrated circuit packaging. The power device has a gate signal path via a gate pin and a power signal path via first and second power pins, wherein the gate signal path and the power signal path have a first mutual inductance. A circuit board apparatus provides a gate wiring loop juxtaposed with the power signal path, wherein the gate wiring loop and the power signal path have a second mutual inductance substantially canceling the first mutual inductance. The resulting reduction in common source inductance avoids the reductions in switching speed and the increased switching losses otherwise introduced by the common source inductance.