US09260132B2
A steering apparatus includes: a steering angle zero point detection unit configured to detect a zero point of a steering angle of a steering wheel; a history recording unit configured to record a detection history of the zero point; a characteristic variation determination unit configured to determine whether or not characteristic variation has occurred in a steering transmission system on the basis of the detection history; a pressure measurement unit configured to measure a pressure in one of a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder that apply a braking force to a vehicle wheel; and a prohibition unit configured to prohibit for a predetermined prohibition period one of detection of the zero point by the steering angle zero point detection unit and updating of the detection history by the history recording unit, when the pressure equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US09260131B2
A steering column assembly comprises an adjustable shroud which at least partially surrounds a steering shaft and a clamp mechanism operable between a clamped position in which the adjustable shroud part is locked in position and an unclamped position in which the adjustable shroud part can be moved to set the reach and/or rake of the steering column assembly, in which the clamp mechanism comprises a clamp pin, a locking handle and a cam mechanism fitted to the clamp pin, in which the cam mechanism comprises first and second cam portions which can be moved relative to each other by operation of the locking handle to vary the overall length of the cam mechanism, the unclamped position of the cam mechanism being defined by contact of a first end stop of the first cam portion with a second end stop of the second cam portion. At least one of the end stops comprises a resilient cushioning element which provides cushioning as the at least one end stop engages the other end stop upon the clamp mechanism reaching the unclamped position.
US09260124B1
Disclosed is a folding golf cart including a front frame having a bag bottom carrier, two rear wheel frames connected to the front frame via connecting bars, vertical pivot frames installed to the rear wheel frames so as to be pivotable upward and toward a front wheel, a bag support frame connected to the vertical pivot frames via pillars, the bag support frame having a bag support member and a pull handle, a longitudinal prop installed between the front frame and the bag support frame, and a transverse prop installed between the rear wheel frames. The golf cart ensures easy folding thereof, takes the form of a small volume box in a folded state thereof, and is convenient in handling owing to a relatively light weight.
US09260119B2
A full butt joint structure of a connection joint between a side frame and a cross beam of a bogie frame, characterized in: the side frame is connected to the cross beam by a connecting seat to realize the full butt joint, a side frame connecting end of the connecting seat, a transport column and a side frame inside vertical plate form a plate-plate butt joint structure, and a cross beam connecting end of the connecting seat and the cross beam form a tube-tube butt joint structure. An assembly welding process comprises: the connecting seat is assembled and welded to the cross beam; a cross beam unit is assembled and welded; the connecting seat is assembled and welded to the transport column and the side frame inside vertical plate; a side frame strengthen partition plate is assembled and welded to an upper plate; and the bogie frame is welded.
US09260111B2
A control device of a hybrid vehicle has an engine and an electric motor, the hybrid vehicle being configured to perform motor running using only the electric motor for running and engine running using at least the engine for running, the control device comprising: a first starting portion starting the engine by using the electric motor; and a second starting portion starting the engine without using the electric motor, the control device being configured to expand a range of performing the motor running when the engine is started by the second starting portion as compared to when the engine is started by the first starting portion.
US09260110B2
It is provided a control device of a hybrid type vehicle power transmission device having a prime mover and an electric motor each coupled to a drive shaft in a power transmittable manner, including: a slow change processing means, when any of a torque of the drive shaft, a torque of the prime mover, and a torque of the electric motor changes and passes through zero, slowly changing the torque at a change rate set in advance for suppressing gear rattling noise; and a torque compensating means, if the slow change processing means slowly changes the torque of one of the prime mover and the electric motor, compensating a shortage of the torque of the drive shaft occurring due to the slow change with the other torque not slowly changed.
US09260107B2
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch transfer function may be adapted in response to engine operating conditions during closing of the driveline disconnect clutch.
US09260097B2
A vacuum brake servo includes a force input element, a control valve actuated by the force input element, a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum source, and an operating chamber which, depending on the actuation of the force input element, can be connected to either the vacuum chamber or the surrounding atmosphere. The control valve has a control piston that can be actuated by the force input element and, together with a valve element, forms a seal seat having a seal seat diameter between the operating chamber and the surrounding atmosphere. In the area close to the seal seat, a guide channel is provided. When the seal seat is opened, air from the surrounding atmosphere flows into the operating chamber. The guide channel extends axially with a constant flow diameter over a predetermined length, wherein the flow diameter is less than or equal to the seal seat diameter.
US09260094B2
An electronic control device for controlling operations of an electric parking brake and a service brake: determines a release impossible state in which release operation cannot be performed, based on a fact that a motor current that is supplied to an electric motor of the electric parking brake during release control is maintained in a state of a locked rotor current; and performs, when the release impossible state is determined, back-up pressurization for pressing the piston by generating a brake fluid pressure in the wheel cylinder using the service brake and for pressing the friction-applying member against the friction-applied member.
US09260089B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a deceleration arrangement (10) of a motor vehicle with at least one regenerative braking device (12) which is designed to decelerate the motor vehicle by means of a variable braking torque and to generate electrical energy corresponding to the braking torque. A return speed of an operating element for driving the motor vehicle, in particular an accelerator pedal (22), is detected (S2). A predefined braking torque is exerted (S5) by the regenerative braking device (12) if the return speed and/or a variable correlating thereto exceed(s) or fall(s) below a predefined threshold value.
US09260086B1
A system for cleaning vehicles that includes at least one drain beneath the vehicle for collecting spent water used in the cleaning of the vehicle; at least one filter for filtering the spent water; a storage tank for receiving and storing the filtered water; a boiler for receiving water from the storage tank, said boiler heating the water so as to produce steam that is useable in cleaning the vehicle; and an oil recovery apparatus for receiving oil from the vehicle and re-claiming the vehicle oil in order to operate the boiler.
US09260082B2
A wiper arm assembly is adapted to support a wiper blade as it moves across a surface to be wiped. The wiper arm assembly includes a body and a head supported by the body and adapted to be mounted to a pivot shaft that defines a pivot axis P and drives the wiper blade in an oscillating manner across the surface to be wiped. The body also includes an opening providing access to the head mounted to the pivot shaft. The wiper arm assembly includes a cover pivotally mounted to the body at the opening and is movable about an axis A substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis P from a first position closing the opening to a second position allowing access to the head. A locking mechanism on the cover locks the cover to a nut on the pivot shaft to retain the cover in the first position closing the opening.
US09260080B2
A service disconnect including a lock actuatable between a first state that prevents a removal of a service disconnect from a closed position and a second state that permits the removal.
US09260079B2
A keyless entry system includes an on-vehicle unit and a mobile device, and controls on-vehicle equipment using a wakeup signal and a command signal. The on-vehicle unit radio-transmits a first transmission signal including the wakeup signal and a second transmission signal relating to the detection of an interference wave to the first transmission signal to the mobile device using radio signals having different frequencies. When the first transmission signal has been normally received, the mobile device radio-transmits a third transmission signal including the command signal to the on-vehicle unit and receives a second transmission signal. When the first transmission signal could not be normally received, the mobile device performs the detection of the interference wave to the first transmission signal and radio-transmits a fourth transmission signal for requesting the retransmission of the first transmission signal to the on-vehicle unit.
US09260077B2
A pretensioner comprising a gas generating unit; a pretensioner body to whose inside the gas is supplied; a spool driving member disposed inside the pretensioner body and causing a spool to rotate to retract webbing onto the spool; a gas flow rate adjusting portion disposed in the spool driving member and whose inner peripheral shape is set in accordance with a flow rate of the gas to be passed through the gas flow rate adjusting portion; and a filter unit having a vent portion that is communicated with a space between the gas generating unit and the spool driving member and is also communicated with the gas flow rate adjusting portion. The open shape of the gas flow rate adjusting portion has a portion that does not coincide in a plan view with the open shape of the vent portion, and the overall open area of the vent portion is set larger than the open area of the gas flow rate adjusting portion.
US09260073B2
A warning system applied to a vehicle includes a control module, a detecting module, a warning module, and a pressure sensor module. The pressure sensor module is assembled to a seat, and configured to measure a pressure value of the seat and transmit the pressure value to the control module. The detecting module is configured to obtain information of the environment around the vehicle and transmit the information to the control module. The control module is configured to determine whether there is at least one person sitting on the seat based on the pressure value on the seat, and to determine whether there is a passing vehicle based on the information of the environment surrounding the vehicle, and warn the passing vehicle when there is someone sitting on the seat and there is a passing vehicle.
US09260059B2
A collision warning system for a host vehicle includes a false warning reduction arrangement. A collision sensor senses a presence of a target object within a forward path of a vehicle and a navigation system senses the global position of the vehicle. The collision warning system receives the location information and the target object to provide a collision warning to a vehicle operator. To avoid false alerts, the collision warning system compares target object and location to target objects and locations stored in a false alert database. When the target object is provided in the database, a warning is delayed or suppressed. The collision warning system also senses driver reactions to a warning. When a warning results in no reaction by a vehicle operator, the warning is considered a false alert, and the target object and location are stored in the false alert database.
US09260052B2
A method is described for controlling a headlight system of a vehicle. The method includes a step of reading in an aerosol signal which represents a recognized intensity of an aerosol in a field of vision of a camera of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes a step of activating a change in a light emission in a lighting area ahead of the vehicle with the aid of the headlight system as a response to the aerosol signal.
US09260050B2
A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.
US09260045B2
A camera crane carrier includes a vehicle having a front end and a back end. A front elevator is movable vertically between up and down positions, at a forward position on a deck vehicle. A back elevator is movable vertically between up and down positions, at a rearward position, below the deck. A ramp may be provided on the vehicle, with the ramp extendible from the deck at the back end of the vehicle to the ground. The elevators allow a camera crane to be more easily loaded onto the vehicle, and also allow lowering the center of gravity of the loaded vehicle. The vehicle may optionally be used as a camera car when not carrying a camera crane.
US09260036B2
A system and method for controlling a rotating E-machine and for correcting a rotational position signal output by an angular position sensor operatively connected to the E-machine in conjunction with a sensor digital converter is disclosed. For each angular operating speed of interest, a set of signals as a function of position is taken such that the harmonics (or sub-harmonics) related to the position sensor may be determined and isolated from errors due to an associated digital converter. From this information, the magnitude and phase of the position sensor harmonics is determined. The effects of the sensor digital converter (or other signal processing equipment) are then determined and accounted for, allowing the control system to apply the total position error signal to the position sensor output signal to determine a corrected position sensor signal for use in controlling the E-machine.
US09260035B2
Disclosed herein are an electric bicycle and a control method thereof. The control method of the electric bicycle in which a motor is rotated using electric energy stored in a battery to drive the electric bicycle, includes receiving an acceleration instruction value to accelerate the electric bicycle, input by a driver, during traveling, calculating a reference value according to a traveling velocity of the electric bicycle, and increasing time taken for a rotating velocity of the motor to reach a target velocity, if the received acceleration instruction value is more than the calculated reference value.
US09260032B2
A battery charge/discharge control device which performs battery charge/discharge control in a working machine with a battery capable of storing electric energy generated by a generator motor coupled to an engine and driving the generator motor or at least one of other electric actuators by the stored electric energy and a controller which controls a distribution of the electric energy among the battery, the generator motor, and the electric actuator, wherein the controller performs the charge/discharge control in which the electric energy of the battery is discharged when the engine is driven and recharging to the battery is permitted on a condition that a state in which an engine speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined engine speed is maintained for a predetermined time after the battery is completely discharged.
US09260018B2
Systems and methods of semi-centralized energy storage and mobile power outflow for vehicle propulsion comprise at least one energy storage facility receiving energy via an electric grid and at least one mobile vehicle. The energy is generated at a first location, and the energy storage facility is at a second location different from the first location. The second location is closer to end users of the energy than the first location. The energy storage facility produces an energy storage medium at the second location and stores the energy from the first location at the second location in the energy storage medium. The energy storage medium comprises liquid air, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, or a combination thereof. The mobile vehicle includes a prime mover and a cryogenic storage vessel and is configured to carry at least a portion of the energy storage medium in the cryogenic storage vessel and use power from the energy storage medium for mobile vehicle propulsion.
US09260007B2
A cooling system to be mounted in a hybrid vehicle including a motor driven and a generator includes a cooling path and a pressurizing unit. In the cooling path, coolant for cooling the motor and the generator is recirculated. The pressurizing unit pumps the coolant. The motor is disposed downstream of the pressurizing unit in a recirculating direction of the coolant. The generator is disposed downstream of the motor and upstream of the pressurizing unit in the recirculating direction.
US09259995B2
An energy absorber for improving passenger safety in a vehicle during an impact to the vehicle, the energy absorber comprising a hollow body having a base defining a proximal end of the body, the base being configured to affix the body to a portion of the vehicle, the body further including a sidewall extending from the base and terminating in a distal end of the body, the sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a portion defining an interior step transition, the exterior surface including a portion defining an exterior step transition, the interior and exterior step transitions being provided at locations axially offset from each other along the sidewall.
US09259990B2
A vehicle heating system comprising: a coolant circuit that circulates coolant between an engine and a heater core; heating device that heats coolant, which is interposed in the coolant circuit; a pump for coolant circulation, which is interposed in the coolant circuit; and a switching valve that switches the coolant flowing through the coolant circuit between a heater-core-side circuit that circuits the coolant among the heater core, the pump and the heating device and an engine-side circuit that circulates the coolant into the engine, wherein the switching valve has a thermo valve that switches channels so that the coolant coming from the engine-side circuit enters either one of the heater-core-side circuit and the engine-side circuit according to temperature of the coolant, and a bypass that delivers the coolant, which comes from the heater-core-side circuit, to the heater-core-side circuit.
US09259988B2
An adjustable wheel suspension for the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle is disclosed, wherein each wheel is guided by means of wheel guide elements and each wheel is operatively connected to an adjustable torsion bar, the torsion bars associated with the respective wheels being partially aligned with each other and each torsion bar being associated with an adjusting device that can be regulated and/or controlled by a controller for adjustment and each torsion bar being mounted on an auxiliary frame via its adjusting device and the controller. The adjusting devices and the adjusting mechanism are mounted in a common housing, which can be mounted on the auxiliary frame as an integral structural component.
US09259978B2
The wheel locations for wireless tire pressure monitoring sensors are automatically learned by comparing the timing of sensor message transmissions to directly measured wheel rotation, such as from an anti-lock brake system. In order to synchronize the data to be detected and compared across a distributed electronic system, first timestamps are applied to RF sensor messages upon reception in a receiver. Second timestamps are applied to decoded sensor data in the receiver when transmission of the data and the first timestamps to a control module begins. The control module applies third timestamps upon reception by the control module. The control module calculates sensor message times by subtracting a difference of the first and second timestamps from the third timestamp.
US09259976B2
A tire wear state estimation system includes a tire pressure measuring device affixed to a vehicle tire for measuring tire inflation pressure and generating tire inflation pressure data; tire torsional mode measuring means for measuring tire torsional mode frequency and generating tire torsional mode frequency data; and tire identification means for generating tire-specific torsional mode coefficients using tire-specific identification data. A tire wear estimation is made based upon the tire inflation pressure data, the torsional mode frequency data, and the tire identification derived torsional mode coefficients.
US09259975B2
The invention relates generally to a pneumatic rubber tire which contains an outer, annular, circular groove which contains a flexible tube bonded to the walls of the groove.
US09259969B2
A pneumatic tire including an inner liner made of a polymer sheet is made of a polymer composition. The polymer composition includes a polymer component of a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer by 5 mass % to 40 mass %, and a rubber component of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, isoprene rubber, and isobutylene-isoprene rubber by 20 mass % to 95 mass %, and sulfur by 0.1 mass parts to 5 mass parts with respect to the polymer component by 100 mass parts. The polymer sheet has a thickness of 1.6 mm to 4.0 mm. A tread is made of a rubber composition including carbon black by 60 mass parts to 200 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of a rubber component including styrene-butadiene rubber by greater than or equal to 50 mass %.
US09259967B2
An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.
US09259964B2
A wheel bearing having a sensor holder (8) to hold a sensor that detects the rotational movement of a wheel, including: a rotating inner race (1) onto which a wheel of the motor vehicle can be mounted, a stationary outer race (2) attached to a motor vehicle, an encoder (4) associated with the rotating inner race (1), a cover (4) arranged on the stationary outer race (2), whereby the sensor holder (8) is formed by a recess that is provided in the cover (3) and that is arranged opposite from the encoder (4), said recess being closed on the side facing the encoder (4) by a partition (7) that is permeable to the magnetic alternating field between the encoder (4) and the sensor.
US09259962B2
An asymmetrical hub bearing assembly for the wheel of a motor vehicle provides a flanged hub rotatable around an axis of rotation (x), a flange transversal to the axis (x), an outer ring with raceways axially spaced from one another, and two rows of balls, of which the axially outer row has a pitch circle with a diameter greater than that of the axially inner row. The flanged hub includes a tubular portion which protrudes in the axially outer direction beyond the flange and provides a thread for a single central threaded fastener adapted to releasably lock a wheel on the hub.
US09259961B2
An embodiment is a method and apparatus for ultrasonic contact imaging. A thin-film transistor (TFT) array is deposited on a substrate. A receiver having a plurality of receiver elements is deposited on the TFT array to receive a received signal. A transmitter adjacent to the receiver generates a transmit signal at an ultrasonic frequency. The transmit signal is reflected from a surface to produce a reflected signal. The received signal is a superposition of the transmit signal and the reflected signal as result of interference. The received signal is representative of differences in acoustic impedances across the surface.
US09259960B1
A paint can assembly that prevents spilling and seeping of paint. The assembly includes a receptacle, a liner bag for holding the paint, a mounting ring, and a removable lid. The mounting ring has several projections along its periphery that are aligned with holes in the liner bag. The holes in liner bag are sized to fit over the projections of the mounting ring that holds the liner in place within the reservoir of the receptacle. After paint is poured into the liner bag, a lid that has slots to fit the projections of the mounting ring is placed over the projections and rotated to lock the lid to the mounting ring and receptacle, and sandwiching the liner to prevent paint from seeping out of the liner bag. The liner bag may have bulges near its top periphery that rest within recessed threading in the mounting ring.
US09259958B2
A T-square for measuring and marking a panel comprises a housing; a rule mounted to the housing and arranged to engage a flat surface of a panel; a blade guide for receiving a blade, the blade guide mounted on the rule; and two moveable arms coupled to the housing and arranged to engage an edge of the panel.
US09259957B2
A combination binding and perforation assembly, which includes a base portion, binding rings, perforating rods, guiding plates, a wall portion, a perforation slot, and a lever. The binding rings protrude from the base portion. Each perforating rod is coupled with a respective binding ring via a respective connector. The perforation slot is defined by a gap between the guiding plates and wall portion, which is disposed at an edge of the base portion. The lever is coupled with the binding rings, and can be manually raised and lowered. When the lever is raised, the binding rings open and the perforating rods advance toward the perforation slot to perforate at least one paper sheet inserted in the perforation slot. When the lever is lowered, the binding rings close and the perforating rods retract from the perforation slot. The perforated sheet can then be inserted into the binding rings through the perforations.
US09259951B2
A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.
US09259941B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a driving unit that feeds a treatment object; a pretreatment unit that performs pretreatment on a surface of the treatment object fed by the driving unit; a retaining unit that retains the treatment object on which the pretreatment has been performed in the pretreatment unit; an image forming unit that performs image formation on the treatment object after being retained in the retaining unit; and a drive control unit that controls the driving unit so as to return the treatment object from the retaining unit at least to the pretreatment unit if the treatment object has been retained in the retaining unit for a time longer than a predetermined time after being subjected to the pretreatment in the pretreatment unit, and to feed the treatment object on which the pretreatment has been performed again in the pretreatment unit to the retaining unit.
US09259940B2
There are provided an image formation device, method, and program capable of forming an image, which is appropriate for a combination of dot sizes, with high flexibility in design for optimizing halftone processing in a case of using a plurality of dot sizes. Two or more combinations are selected among combinations of a plurality of types of threshold matrix and at least one type of division information for classifying a whole range of threshold values covered by the types of threshold matrix into a plurality of divisions. Then, by respectively applying the two or more combinations, dot sizes of pixels are determined on the basis of assigned two or more code values.
US09259925B2
In one example, a drop detector includes a light source for illuminating drops passing through a drop zone, multiple light detectors near the light source for detecting light scattered off drops passing through the drop zone, and multiple lenses each configured to focus light from the drop zone on one of the light detectors. In one example, each light detector is arranged in the same plane with all of the other light detectors. In one example, the lenses are configured to focus light from two different spaces in the drop zone on different detectors or groups of detectors. In one example, the lenses are configured to focus light from a single space in the drop zone on multiple detectors.
US09259923B2
A method of driving a liquid ejection head includes preparing a liquid ejection head including first and second flow paths, and a piezoelectric element, a first step of applying a first voltage, which expands the second flow path, to the piezoelectric element while a meniscus of a liquid recessed from an orifice toward the second flow path is formed in a first flow path to move the meniscus to the second flow path, a second step of applying a second voltage, which contracts the second flow path, to the piezoelectric element while the meniscus that moves toward the first flow path is positioned in the second flow path to move the liquid to the first flow path, and a third step of applying a third voltage, which expands the second flow path, to the piezoelectric element to eject the liquid from the orifice after the liquid projects from the orifice.
US09259915B2
Described herein is a transfer member for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a surface layer of a cross-linked polydiphenylsiloxane network formed from a silanol terminated dialkylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane copolymer and a trialkoxy- or trihydroxysilane terminated polydialkylsiloxane. The diphenylsiloxane moieties are from about 5 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of the network. The trialkoxy- or trihydroxysilane terminated polydialkylsiloxane are from about 1 weight percent to about 60 weight percent of the network. All silane molecules are bonded together via silicon oxide (Si—O—Si) linkages in a single system. The network is insoluble in solvents selected from the group consisting of: ketones, chlorinated solvents and ethers.
US09259914B2
A system for adjusting and monitoring the pressures of the printing rollers of a flexographic printing machine, which comprises at least one reader which is adapted to be placed at the printing rollers of the printing machine. The reader is adapted to detect the contrast of the print on the printing material wrapped around the central drum of the printing machine and is connected to a processing unit which is adapted to determine and control, as a function of the contrast detected by the reader, the position of the printing rollers with respect to the central drum in order to achieve the desired print.
US09259908B2
A method for manufacturing a resin decorative plate capable of shaping a body using a shaping sheet. The shaping sheet is a sheet including a base material having thereon at least a partially or entirely provided ink layer and a surface shaping layer existing on the ink layer, coming into contact therewith and covering over the whole surface including a region where the ink layer is formed and a region where the ink layer is not formed, wherein the surface shaping layer is a layer obtained through crosslinking and curing of a curable resin composition, and in the surface shaping layer, the surface of the surface shaping layer which is located just above the ink layer and in an upper part in the vicinity thereof has a convex shape and additionally has a concave pattern.
US09259903B2
A method of applying graphics to a set of articles with a graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The method includes a step of selecting an article from a set of articles comprising different types of articles. After selecting a last that may be associated with the article, the last may be attached to a last assembly of the graphic transfer assembly. With the article attached to the graphic transfer assembly, a deformable membrane may apply graphics to curved portions of the article. A protective member can be used to protect a portion of the article during the graphic transfer process.
US09259900B2
A porous film which is produced using a resin composition containing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin and a polyolefin wax having a weight average molecular weight of 3000 or less, in which the number of branches per 1000 carbon atoms that constitute the main chain of the polyolefin wax is 15 or less; a porous film which is produced using a resin composition containing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin and a polyolefin wax having a weight average molecular weight of 3000 or less, and which does not substantially contain a component that melts at a temperature of 60° C. or lower; a laminated porous film which comprises one of the porous films and a heat-resistance porous layer laminated on at least one surface of the porous film; and a separator for batteries, which comprises the porous film or the laminated porous film.
US09259886B2
A composite part is cured out-of-autoclave using an inductively heated, stand-alone tooling. The part in placed on a tool and is covered by a heating blanket. One side of the part is heated by inductive coil circuits in the tool, and the other side of the part is heated by inductive coil circuits in the blanket.
US09259883B1
A lacrosse head pocket and a related method of manufacture are provided to facilitate consistent, repeatable and/or custom manufacture of lacrosse equipment. The pocket can be constructed from multiple different sections joined with one another, or can be knitted, weaved or otherwise assembled on an automated assembly machine from strands, and/or can be formed as a unitary textile material having regions/sections with different physical and/or mechanical properties. The pocket can be integrally molded within portions of a lacrosse head to eliminate manually constructed connections between the pocket and lacrosse head. The lacrosse head can be integrally molded with a lacrosse handle to provide a one-piece unitary lacrosse stick. Related methods of manufacturing also are provided.
US09259881B2
A task of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a formed article comprised of a fiber without using a frame having a fixed form. A method for producing a formed article having a layer comprising a fiber, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (1) forming a linear framework; and (2) allowing the fiber to adhere onto the linear framework to form the layer.
US09259880B2
A three-dimensional printing apparatus including a tank filled with a liquid-state forming material, a platform disposed at the tank, a rotating shaft, a rotating arm, and at least one light source is provided. The rotating shaft is disposed under the tank or above the tank. The rotating arm connects to the rotating shaft such that the rotating arm is driven by the rotating shaft to rotate. The light source disposed on the rotating arm rotates along with the rotating arm and generates light projecting toward the forming material along with the part of the platform moving in the forming material, such that the forming material is solidified in layers and forms a three-dimensional object on the platform.
US09259868B2
An insert injection-molded case that provides a better appearance and a reduced defective rate of manufacture can be utilized for a number of products, including but not limited to a cover for portable communication devices. The case preferably includes: a metal plate having one or more fixing portions coupled to fixing members formed in a mold respectively; an injection-molded case body injection molded with the metal plate; and one or more holding portions formed in the injection-molded case body during the injection molding and coupled to the fixing members respectively to prevent deflection of the injection-molded case body caused during a cooling operation after the injection molding.
US09259862B2
A method of molding a plastic container body having at least one grip recess includes providing a mold assembly having an internal projection that is constructed and arranged to form the grip recess. A low friction surface is provided on at least a portion of the projection in order to reduce friction between the formable plastic material and the projection during the molding process. The low friction surface permits the formable plastic material to stretch with less resistance before it solidifies to the point where additional stretching is not possible. As a result, molding of features that provide resistance to material distribution during molding, such as deep grip recesses, is enabled.
US09259857B2
A continuous process wherein polymers or polymeric materials can be subjected to multiple sequential processing systems of differing temperatures and process conditions to synergistically enhance the pelletization and conditioning of those polymers and polymeric formulations, dispersions, and solutions. The multiple sequential processing systems include the processes and equipment for mixing/extrusion, pelletization, multiple transportation processes, conditioning, multiple defluidizing processes, and optional post-processing manipulations of pellets formed. Multiple serial and/or parallel conditioning processing systems are disclosed.
US09259840B1
Described is a system for localizing and controlling a tool tip with a robotic arm. The system receives three-dimensional (3D) visual information of a scene having a tool with a tool tip proximate a target. A depth disparity map is generated based on the 3D visual information. The depth disparity map is filtered by depth continuity to generate boundaries of the tool. The boundaries of the tool are initially loose to ensure that the tool is contained within the boundaries. Thereafter, using level set segmentation, the boundaries of the tool are shrunk and extracted. Ends of the tool tip are identified based on the extracted boundaries, which are then used to generate a pose of the tool tip.
US09259832B2
A handheld electrical power tool may include a plurality of grasping portions, and at least one manipulating member to actuate and deactuate a drive source of the electrical power tool. The at least one manipulating member is positioned to correspond to all of the grasping portions.
US09259827B2
A tool for holding and applying torque to a nut including a keyway. The tool includes a longitudinal body having a longitudinal axis and a body channel. A longitudinal key is disposed in the body channel with one end of the key configured to engage the keyway of the nut. A first key portion contacts the body channel while a second key portion extends over the body channel forming a gap between the key and the body channel prior to insertion of the key into the keyway of the nut. The second key portion is configured to be resiliently deflected radially inward toward the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal body when the second key portion engages the keyway of the nut.
US09259825B2
A tool for archery broadheads or other fasteners is provided including an engagement end having an aperture, socket or drive feature to accommodate the broadhead or engage a fastener. The tool is constructed at least partially from an elastomeric material. Upon application of a moment to the tool by a user, part of the tool deforms or twists so that indicia elements move relative to one another and output torque or moment information to a user based on the spatial orientation of the indicia elements relative to one another.
US09259818B2
A method of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) a diamond containing surface includes providing a slurry including a plurality of particles, at least one oxidizer, and at least one acid, wherein the slurry has a pH≦3 or pH greater than 11. At least an outer surface of the plurality of particles is softer than the diamond surface or the particles are diamond particles averaging less than (<)2 μm in size. The diamond surface is pressed with respect to a polishing pad providing a Shore D Hardness less than 99 having the slurry in between while rotating the polishing pad relative to the diamond surface to form a smooth diamond surface having a root mean square (rms) surface roughness less than 15 nm.
US09259811B2
An apparatus for segregating and positioning work-pieces and other objects at different desired positions includes a main body, a segregating system, and a plurality of dispensing channels defined in the main body. The segregating system has a receiving chamber and a plurality of gas inlets both defined in the main body. The receiving chamber is configured to house the work-pieces. The gas inlets are configured to allow a high-pressure gas fed therethrough into the receiving chamber. Each dispensing channel has a connecting end communicating with the receiving chamber and a positioning end opposite to the connecting end. The work-pieces are able to be driven by the high-pressure gas to move to the positioning ends through the connecting end.
US09259807B2
A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
US09259790B2
A power tool having a tool portion, a chuck and a lock. The tool portion has a housing, a motor, and a spindle driven by the motor. The chuck has a body coupled to the spindle for rotation therewith, and a sleeve rotatably disposed about the body. The lock has a first lock structure pivotally coupled to the housing about a pivot axis, and a second lock structure. The first lock structure has a first locking feature. The second lock structure has a second locking feature and is coupled to the sleeve for rotation therewith. Pivoting the first lock structure into a first pivot position positions the first locking feature in a rotational path of the second locking feature. Engagement of the first and second locking features inhibits rotation of the sleeve so that rotation of the spindle will cause corresponding rotation of the body relative to the sleeve.
US09259788B2
A cutting tool assembly includes a parting blade and a blade holder for holding same. The cutting tool assembly is configured for conveying pressurized coolant via the blade holder to a cutting portion of the parting blade. The blade holder includes a deceleration chamber configured for reducing impact of the pressurized coolant against the parting blade.
US09259779B2
A riveting tool including a magnet, a magnetically attractive housing, a non-magnetically attractive bucking bar received in the housing, the bucking bar being moveable relative to the housing along a bucking bar axis, and an actuation mechanism to move the bucking bar along the bucking bar axis.
US09259752B2
A bottle for dispensing a fluid product including a body in which a container intended for packaging the product is formed, the bottle also including an extraction device equipped with a pushbutton reversibly movable over a stroke for actuation of the device between a resting position and a depressed position in which the dispensing orifice is in communication with the container via the device, the body being equipped with a valve for filling the container by suction of the product contained in a product source, an upper wall being integrated in the body by way of a sealed connection that can be destroyed manually, the extraction device being mounted in the body with the pushbutton held in the depressed position on the upper wall so as to place the connection in communication with the container.
US09259749B2
An electrostatic painting apparatus includes a painting gun having at one end thereof a paint spray section, and a connection section detachably connectable to an external paint supply section for receiving a supply of paint from the supply section and supplying the received paint to a paint storage section that stores and supplies the supplied paint to the painting gun. The connection section is surrounded and protected by a peripheral wall, so that paint can pass by the other end of the painting gun without reaching the connection section. Consequently, the connection section can be prevented from being undesirably smeared with the paint.
US09259742B2
A device for collecting particles in air comprising a collecting chamber (4), a capillary tube (12) whereof one end (12.1) terminates in the chamber (4), a collecting electrode, the capillary tube (12) containing polarisable liquid. Sufficient difference in voltage is applied between the liquid and the collecting electrode (16) for a corona effect between the drop of liquid at the end of the capillary tube (12) and the collecting electrode (12) and the spraying of the drop (20) by electrospray. The corona discharge causes flow of air through the collecting chamber (4) and the electrospray ensures wetting of the collecting electrode (16).
US09259738B2
A hammer assembly for attachment to a rotor of a rotary material crusher. The hammer assembly has an adaptor for attaching to the rotor, having a base portion and a hammer mounting portion, with the base portion being attachable to the rotor at the periphery portion thereof, and a hammer for mounting on the adaptor, having at least one impact portion, for crushing material, and a mounting portion for engagement with the hammer mounting portion of the adaptor. The hammer mounting portion of the adaptor includes bearing surfaces facing a direction of impact when crushing material, and the mounting portion of the hammer includes bearing surfaces for mating with the bearing surfaces of the hammer mounting portion of the adaptor. The hammer assembly further includes a retainer rod for preventing demounting of the hammer from the adaptor. The retainer rod passes through an opening formed by a retainer rod groove in the hammer and a retainer rod groove in the adaptor which face each other. The size of the retainer rod and the size of the grooves are selected such that the hammer is free to move to enable the bearing surfaces of the hammer to bear on the bearing surfaces of the adaptor and transfer impact forces when impact forces from crushing material are present, with the retainer rod being free from any of the impact forces.
US09259737B2
A lab member for use in a laboratory liquid handling system including a pipetting module and a drive system, the pipetting module including first and second pipettors, the first and second pipettors including first and second pipettor shafts, respectively, a first pipetting tip extending from an end of the first pipettor shaft, and a second pipetting tip extending from an end of the second pipettor shaft, includes a lab object and first and second integral adapter structures. The first and second adapter structures are configured to engage the first and second pipettor shafts, respectively. The first adapter structure is configured to releasably secure the lab member to the first pipettor shaft.
US09259735B2
The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs.
US09259722B2
In a process for producing cumene, benzene and a C3 alkylating agent comprising isopropanol are supplied to an alkylation zone comprising a molecular sieve alkylation catalyst under alkylation conditions such that the isopropanol reacts with the benzene to produce a reaction product comprising cumene. Subsequently, the supply of benzene and C3 alkylating agent to the alkylation zone is ceased and a gaseous stripping agent is supplied to the molecular sieve alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to remove nitrogenous impurities deposited on the catalyst during the preceding alkylation reaction. The supply of benzene and C3 alkylating agent to the alkylation zone is then reinitiated.
US09259716B2
Compositions and methods for the preparation of ZPGM oxidation catalyst systems are disclosed. ZPGM catalyst systems may be employed within catalytic converters under lean hydrocarbon, air to fuel ratio condition to oxidize toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons that may be included in exhaust gas. ZPGM oxidation catalyst systems are completely free of PGM catalyst and may include: a substrate, a washcoat, and an overcoat. Washcoat may include silver as ZPGM catalyst, and carrier material oxides. Similarly, overcoat may include at least one ZPGM catalyst, carrier material oxides and OSMs. Overcoat of the disclosed ZPGM catalyst system may include copper and cerium as ZPGM catalysts. Suitable known in the art chemical techniques, deposition methods and treatment systems may be employed in order to form the disclosed ZPGM catalyst systems. ZPGM catalyst systems may include high surface area, low conversion temperature catalysts that may exhibit high efficiency in the conversion of exhaust gases.
US09259715B2
A hydrogenation catalyst comprising nickel, rhenium, and cadmium is disclosed. Process of using hydrogenation catalyst for producing propylene glycol from polyol feedstock are also disclosed. The present invention relates generally to catalysts and more particularly, to catalysts having an enhanced ability to produce propylene glycol from sugar alcohols while reducing the production of by-products.
US09259704B2
This disclosure relates to a static mixer (1) with a plurality of nozzles, and more generally, to a mixer and method of use thereof for mixing phosgene and amine with shaped jets or at least two rows of nozzles (15,16) where the second row (16) is used to enrich an area of deficit of the phosgene flow within the static reactive jet mixer (1). Configurations of enriching secondary flow include the use of concentric, eccentric, or offset jets of amine/phosgene, and the use of nozzles with different and irregular geometries to help focus amine/phosgene to a specific area of the principal phosgene flow.
US09259701B2
A method of forming solid beads, the method comprising:Providing a first liquid comprising a solute and a solventForming liquid droplets of the first liquidContacting the liquid droplets with a second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads,the solute comprising a polymer, the concentration of polymer in the first liquid being at least 7% w/v.,the solubility of the solvent in the second liquid being at least 5 g of solvent per 100 ml of second liquid.
US09259700B2
The invention concerns a composition comprising as component (A): 10% to 97% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of one or more monocarboxylic esters of the general formula R1—CO—OR2, in which R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight-chain, aliphatic group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms and R2 is a branched or straight-chain aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group or aromatic group having 1 to 13 carbon atoms, and the sum of the carbon atoms of the groups R1 and R2 is not more than 30, the monocarboxylic ester or esters possessing a boiling point of more than 250° C. under a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa, and as component (B): 3% to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of one or more dispersants, the composition possessing a viscosity at 25° C. of less than 5000 mPas. The invention further concerns the use of the composition as a dispersion medium, millbases obtained from the composition, and the use of the millbases.
US09259699B2
An apparatus for disposing of solid refinery waste is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mixing apparatus for mixing refinery solid waste in a mobile tank. The mixing apparatus may include an agitator, an external support, and an actuator connectable to the external support. The external support may be configured for disposition adjacent to a manhole opening in a top of the mobile tank for supporting the agitator in the mobile tank.
US09259696B2
A mixing apparatus comprising: a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml; b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well; and c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear.
US09259694B2
A fluid mixer which can mix fluid while making the distribution of concentration or distribution of temperature of the fluid in the direction of flow uniform without any unevenness and which is both compact and easy to install piping for is provided. This fluid mixer has a fluid inlet, a first flow path connected to the fluid inlet, a spiral flow path connected to the first flow path, a plurality of branch flow paths branched from the spiral flow path, a second flow path to which the plurality of branch flow paths are connected, and a fluid outlet connected to the second flow path, the plurality of branch flow paths branching from different positions of the spiral flow path and being connected with the second flow path at different positions of the second flow path.
US09259682B2
A gas compressing system includes a compressor that provides a flow of compressed gas, a first desiccant tower, and a second desiccant tower separate from the first tower. The system also includes a first separator, a second separator separate from the first separator, an outlet, a first set and second set of no more than three valves each movable between an open position and a closed position. The flow flows along a flow path from the compressor to the first tower, to the first separator, to the second tower and out the outlet when the first set of valves is open and the second set of valves is closed. The flow of compressed gas flows from the compressor to the second tower, to the second separator, to the first tower and out the outlet when the first set of valves is closed and the second set of valves is opened.
US09259681B2
An air dryer with a rotor and desiccant positioned within an interior chamber of the rotor. The desiccant is positioned within the interior chamber of the rotor between the inlet and the outlet. The desiccant is configured to adsorb at least some of the water contained within air flowing from an inlet to an outlet of the rotor. As the rotor is rotated at a regeneration speed at least some of the water adsorbed by the desiccant moves to the outer surface of the desiccant and at least some of the water is separated from the outer surface of the desiccant. The rotor directs water separated from the outer surface of the desiccant to at least one opening in the rotor. A method for drying air by sending the air through desiccant and rotating the desiccant at a regeneration speed to separate water from the desiccant.
US09259680B2
A solvent for absorbing H2S and CO2 is regenerated using two regenerators. Rich solvent is fed to a first regenerator producing a first acid gas stream from the top, and a partially regenerated solvent from the bottom. The partially regenerated solvent is fed to a second regenerator producing an overhead vapor stream from the top and a lean solvent stream from the bottom. A portion of the second regenerator overhead vapor stream is cascaded to the first regenerator to contact rich solvent. The first acid gas stream and the remaining second regenerator overhead vapor stream are respectively fed to the first and second reaction zones of a two-stage Claus reaction furnace. Substantially all volatile organic contaminants are stripped in the first regenerator, and thus favorably destroyed in the first reaction furnace zone by virtue of higher local combustion temperatures and closer approach to oxidizing conditions.
US09259668B2
A cleaning method of an immersion liquid includes supplying an immersion liquid on a surface of a cleaning substrate. The immersion liquid is to be used in a liquid immersion lithography apparatus. The cleaning substrate has a substrate and an organic film laminated on a top face side of the substrate. The immersion liquid is allowed to move on the substrate to remove contaminants from the immersion liquid.
US09259660B2
Enhanced building blocks may be shaped as platonic solids. The building blocks include a flange on one or more edges, where each flange and each compressed tetrahedral vertex may include magnetic materials (e.g., magnets, ferromagnetic metals). The building block flanges may be used to capture kinetic energy from a fluid. Multiple building blocks may be combined to form larger structures, and the included magnetic materials may be used to retain the formed geometric structure shape.
US09259654B2
An example video game program download system and method apparatus for downloading a video game program to a target video game platform in which a processing system receives a download request from the target video game platform requesting downloading of a video game program that executes on a native video game platform different than the target video game platform. In response thereto, the requested video game program is sent along with a program for providing compatibility between the target and native video game platforms.
US09259644B2
As an example, a value obtained by adding the magnitudes of a plurality of angular velocities around respective axes indicated by angular velocity data obtained from an input device including gyroscopic sensors, is used to calculate a rotation parameter indicating a rotation amount. A predetermined object which is rotated, depending on the rotation amount corresponding to the rotation parameter, is displayed on a display device. As another example, when it is determined, based on the angular velocity data, that the attitude of the input device is stable, a stability flag which indicates that the attitude of the input device has been at least once stable is set and updated to ON. When there is an input device whose stability flag is OFF, the aforementioned determination is performed and a screen including a result of the determination is displayed on a display device.
US09259641B2
An entertainment device comprises a detector operable to detect whether a representation of a game feature of one or more games associated with the entertainment device should be obtained from the one or more games in response to a predetermined game event of the one or more games, a processor operable to obtain the representation of the game feature from the one or more games, a storage arrangement operable to store the representation of the game feature obtained from the one or more games, and a renderer operable to render the obtained representation of the game feature stored in the storage arrangement as a game feature within a virtual environment associated with the entertainment device, the rendered game feature within the virtual environment being a trophy object.
US09259635B2
A golf training system includes at least one target/connecting member having a top wall defining a central opening and a perimeter wall defining a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other about the circumference of the perimeter wall. The target/connecting member is configured to be used as a target by fastening the target/connecting member to the ground using a golf tee or to other surfaces using an integrated anchoring system. Alignment rods are configured to be inserted through the openings in the perimeter wall. Target/connecting members can attach multiple alignment rods together in predetermined configurations for use as golf training aids.
US09259634B1
Devices, systems, and methods for training players of team sports are presented. A robot athlete emulates a sports player and includes a motive system for moving about a sports field. The robot athlete also includes an anthropomorphic figure with mechanisms for rotating the torso, raising the arms, and a lifting the torso to emulate a stretch or jump. An inventive method and system for controlling the robot athlete may include resetting the body of the robot athlete to a neutral position and determining if one of a plurality of modes of operation has been selected. Exemplary modes of operation may include an automatic mode, a pursuit mode, and a remote control mode. In the automatic mode, the robot athlete may monitor an array of sensors with a control system that responds to human player movement with one or more sets of predefined motion routines.
US09259629B2
A golf club including a club head having a club head main body including a hitting face and a face support, and a support extension. The support extension extends between the face support and a back flange to define a lower cavity.
US09259610B2
An exercise device comprises a frame, a rotational mechanism, a left and a right coupling mechanism, and an adjusting assembly. A post structure is upwardly extended from the front portion of the frame. The rotational mechanism is arranged at the post structure. The left and right coupling mechanisms are arranged at a side of the post, respectively. One end of the left and right coupling mechanism couples to the rotational mechanism, and the other end respectively comprise a left and a right pedal assembly making a moving path. The adjusting assembly comprises a left and a right linkage structures with two ends, in which one end couples to the post and the other end moveably couples to the left and right pedal assembly. By changing the angles between the left and right linkage structures and the post structure, the pedal assemblies are moved to determine a step distance.
US09259608B2
A muscle stretching and massaging apparatus enables stretching of the calf at varying levels of intensity and massaging of muscles of the leg while those muscles are in a relaxed state. A support frame provides a stable base for the apparatus and means for receiving and supporting a lateral roller at a plurality of heights and a stretch board at a plurality of angles relative to a supporting surface. The stretch board enables calf stretching at varying levels of intensity, depending on the severity of the angle formed between the stretch board and the surface upon which the support frame rests. The adjustable height of the roller further enables the apparatus to provide calf and hamstring massaging while the muscles are in a relaxed state.
US09259593B2
A substantially rigid defibrillator carrying case having a hinged side, a latch disposed on a latch side opposite the hinged side, and a handle disposed on a handle side disposed between the hinged side and the latch side. The carrying case is constructed without protrusions and with a rigid handle, which combine to allow easy removal and deployment of the contents from a vehicle storage location to a cardiac arrest patient. The carrying case is further constructed with a bracket or optional test fixture for a CPR Meter.
US09259587B2
The disclosure is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. Alternatively, an amplitude of the first electrode combination is maintained at a target amplitude level while the amplitude of the second electrode combination is incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find an efficacious electrode combination. Additionally, the techniques may be used for shifting between different electrode combinations associated with different stimulation programs or program sets.
US09259582B2
An implantable medical device may include a case which houses components of the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. The inductive coil may be operative to inductively couple to an external coil and to transfer energy from the external coil to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a cutout formed in the case of the implantable medical device and filled with a dielectric material. The cutout may be operative to reduce eddy currents in the case during recharge of the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a slot antenna disposed within the case. The slot antenna may be operative to communicate with an external device through the cutout in the case.
US09259577B2
The present disclosure involves a method of determining electrode configuration and positioning for neurostimulation. A virtual representation of an implant lead is provided. The implant lead is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implant lead. A predefined electrode activation pattern is provided. The electrode activation pattern identifies a plurality of subsets of the electrodes that can be activated one subset at a time. The electrodes in each subset are programmed with their respective electrical stimulation parameters. The subsets of the electrodes are activated one subset at a time. Each activated subset of electrodes delivers electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient.
US09259575B2
Various system embodiments comprise an implantable lead, an implantable housing, a neural stimulation circuit in the housing, and a controller in the housing and connected to the neural stimulation circuit. The lead has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to deliver neural stimulation pulses to the ventral nerve root and the dorsal nerve root. The proximal end of the lead is adapted to connect to the housing. The neural stimulation circuit is adapted to generate neural stimulation pulses to stimulate the ventral nerve root or the dorsal nerve root using the implantable lead. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver a neural stimulation treatment.
US09259573B2
A device and method is provided for increasing the functional residual capacity of lungs of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.
US09259569B2
Devices, systems and methods for treating pain or other conditions while minimizing possible complications and side effects. Treatment typically includes electrical stimulation and/or delivery of pharmacological or other agents with the use of a lead or catheter. The devices, systems and methods provide improved anchoring which reduces migration of the lead yet allows for easy repositioning or removal of the lead if desired. The devices, systems and methods also provide for simultaneous treatment of multiple targeted anatomies. This shortens procedure time and allows for less access points, such as needle sticks to the epidural space, which in turn reduces complications, such as cerebral spinal fluid leaks, patient soreness and recovery time. Other possible complications related to the placement of multiple devices are also reduced.
US09259568B2
Various system embodiments comprise a lead having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a plurality of electrodes. The lead is configured to be fed into a dorsal epidural space of a human to a desired region of a spinal column and to be fed laterally to at least partially encircle a spinal cord in the desired region to place at least one stimulation electrode in position to stimulate a dorsal nerve root and at least another stimulation electrode in position to stimulate a ventral nerve root. The desired region may include cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, or lumbar vertebrae. Some embodiments stimulate the spinal cord in the T1-T5 region.
US09259567B2
A method of manufacturing an implantable electronic device, including: providing a silicon wafer; building a plurality of layers coupled to the wafer including an oxide layer coupled to the silicon wafer; a first reactive parylene layer coupled to the oxide layer, an electrode layer coupled to the first reactive parylene layer, and a second reactive parylene layer, coupled to the electrode layer, that chemically bonds to the first reactive polymer layer, and a second polymer layer coupled to the second reactive parylene layer; coating the plurality of layers with an encapsulation, and modifying the encapsulation and at least one of the plurality of layers to expose an electrode site in the electrode layer.
US09259565B2
A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the medical valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a rigid member movably mounted within the housing, and a resilient member with a sealing portion. The housing also has at least one relief zone that is in fluid communication with the outlet when the valve is in the closed mode. The rigid member may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow channel. The relief zone may be radially outward from the sealing portion. The sealing portion may seal the valve and prevent fluid from passing through the valve when in the closed mode.
US09259557B2
A shaft suppresses a rise in operation resistance as it is pushed and pulled even inside an extremely winding blood vessel and thus secures sufficient torque transmission characteristics and operability. A guidewire may employ the above-described shaft. The shaft is twisted along its longitudinal axis and has a cross section that forms a substantially rectangular shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Moreover, the cross section of the shaft has a projection that projects arcuately.
US09259551B2
A telescopic device comprising a first tubular element and an extension member displaceably arranged in an axial direction within the first tubular element, wherein a coupling member is provided relatively displaceable to the extension member, between at least, a first axial position wherein the extension member is displaceable within the first tubular element, and a second axial position wherein the coupling member engages between the extension member and the first tubular element limiting displacement in at least one longitudinal direction, where the coupling member engages the interior of the first tubular element.
US09259548B2
A patient nasal interface is provided that includes a female portion and a first registration feature. The female portion receives a male portion of a generator head. The female portion wraps around and over the male portion when the male portion is inserted into the female portion of the patient nasal interface. The first registration feature is configured for mating with a second registration feature associated with the male portion of the generator head and wherein the mating of the first registration feature with the second registration feature provides a feedback to an operator upon proper insertion of the male portion into the female portion.
US09259540B2
A nozzle, an inhaler with a nozzle and a method for producing a nozzle are proposed, which nozzle comprises two holes formed in a flat plate which plate is then deformed such that the axes of the holes intersect so that jets of fluids moving through the holes impinge with each other.
US09259536B2
An automatic injection syringe assembly having an integrated and fillable medicine container that includes a medicine container within a housing and a conduit assembly. The medicine container includes a piston having an aperture at a distal end thereof for the passage of fluid therethrough. The conduit assembly includes a conduit member that is releasably connected to the housing and has an open proximal end and an open distal end. The open distal end of the conduit member is releasably engaged with the piston and in fluid communication with the piston aperture. The open proximal end and the open distal end of the conduit member are m fluid communication via a conduit within the conduit member.
US09259534B2
A casing for an injection device of the type having a safety device which prevents operation of the device, incorporating an actuator means by which the safety means of the device can be actuated to allow operation of the device. Also a casing for a medicament container having an opening closed prior to use by a break-off tip, having relatively moveable first and second casing parts, which on relative movement apply a breaking force to the break-off tip. A preferred embodiment includes both such features.
US09259533B2
A safety needle is provided. The safety needle includes a substantially hollow body and a needle assembly that includes a needle supported on a needle hub. The needle hub is movable in relation to the hollow body from an advanced position wherein a sharp tip of the needle extends from the hollow body to a retracted position wherein the sharp tip of the needle is positioned within the hollow body. The safety needle also includes a spring biased retraction mechanism that includes a constant force spring operatively connected to the needle hub. The constant force spring is a generally flat strip of prestressed material that is formed into constant coils around itself. The constant force spring is configured to bias the needle hub towards the retracted position wherein the spring provides a substantially constant force to the needle assembly while the needle assembly moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.
US09259515B2
Medical devices, such as stents, fabricated from a polymer including degradable polymer segments joined by di-urethane linkages with radiopaque functional groups chemically bonded to the polymer are disclosed.
US09259513B2
An implantable catheter is provided that may be disinfected without removal from the body of a patient, using a photocatalytic method to activate a reaction on the catheter surface that generates oxidizing agents in the form of Reactive Oxygen Species (“ROS”) and thus destroy microorganisms in a biofilm that is present or forming. A catheter system includes the implantable catheter, a light source, and a source of power operably connected to the light source. Methods are also provided for disinfecting the implantable catheter in vivo.
US09259511B2
A method of producing a modified acellular tissue matrix (mATM) from an acellular tissue matrix (ATM), where the mATM has a reduced stretchiness relative to the ATM, without substantially compromising its associated structural or functional integrity. The method includes providing an acellular tissue matrix (ATM) and exposing the ATM to elastase for a period of time.
US09259509B2
The invention relates to materials comprising siloxanes, preferably the materials have thermal-responsive properties. In some embodiments, the invention relates to silsesquioxane groups functionalized with polymers. In another embodiment, silsequioxane-polymer conjugates comprise polylactone segments. The silsequioxane-polymer conjugates may be crosslinked together to form a material, and these materials may be functionalized with bioactive compounds so that the materials have desirable biocompatibility or bioactivity when used in medical devices. In further embodiments, the invention relates to composite materials that contain a polymer matrix and aggregates, and in some embodiments, methods of making, and methods of using these materials. Preferably, the aggregates are calcium phosphate aggregates. Preferably, the material is resistant to fracture. In further embodiments, the materials are used in surgical procedures of bone replacement. In further embodiments, the materials contain polyhedral silsesquioxanes and/or biodegradable segments.
US09259505B2
Biologically compatible polymers carry an imide and can be used as an adhesive, a hydrogel or both. A second biologically compatible polymer reactive with the imidated polymer can be used therewith to seal openings.
US09259496B2
The present invention relates to technetium imaging agents comprising radiolabeled c-Met binding peptides suitable for SPECT or PET imaging in vivo. The c-Met binding peptides are labelled via chelator conjugates. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of preparation of the agents and compositions, plus methods of in vivo imaging using the compositions, especially for use in the diagnosis of cancer.
US09259491B2
The present invention relates to a new class of diazepine-derivatives as chelating agents for paramagnetic metal ions, the process for their preparation, and use of such paramagnetic complexes as contrast agents, particularly suitable for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) analysis. The present invention refers to a new class of derivatives of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09259485B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a kidney-imaging agent which is composed of bioabsorbable materials, transiently accumulates in a kidney for a short period of time, and does not remain in the kidney for a prolonged time after accumulation. The present invention provides a kidney-imaging agent which comprises a gelatin-like protein.
US09259484B2
The present invention relates to methods for preventing or treating head and neck squamous cell cancer and bladder cancer using an immunotoxin comprising (a) a ligand that binds to a protein on the cancer cell attached to; (b) a toxin that is cytotoxic to the cancer cell. In a specific embodiment, the invention is directed to the prevention or treatment of head and neck squamous cell cancer or bladder cancer using Vb4-845, which is a recombinant immunotoxin comprising a humanized, MOC31-derived, single-chain antibody fragment that is fused to a truncated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. Also encompassed by the invention are combination therapy methods, including the use of reduced dosages of chemotherapeutic agents, for the prevention or treatment of cancer. Also encompassed by the invention are formulations and methods for direct administration of the recombinant immunotoxin to the carcinoma, for the prevention or treatment of cancer.
US09259483B2
The invention provides, in one aspect, peptides and a complex comprising one of the peptides and a cargo molecule, wherein the peptide and the cargo molecule are coupled by non-covalently. The peptides of the invention were found to facilitate the delivery of siRNA molecules into cells and to function in siRNA mediated silencing of cellular targets.
US09259482B2
Conjugates of a polymer having attached thereto an angiogenesis targeting moiety and a therapeutically active agent such as an anti-cancer agent or anti-angiogenesis agent, and processes of preparing same are disclosed.Pharmaceutical compositions containing these conjugates and uses thereof in the treatment of angiogenesis-related medical conditions such as cancer and cancer metastases are also disclosed.
US09259472B2
The present invention relates to artificial tear formulations and ophthalmic formulations suitable for drug delivery. The formulations comprise galactomannans such as guar or hydroxypropyl guar and a borate source such as boric acid. The formulations further comprise a cis-diol such as sorbitol that interferes with the cross-linking of galactomannan and borate. Optionally, the formulations are substantially free of divalent cations.
US09259463B2
Compositions and methods for the treatment of Chlamydial infection are disclosed. The compositions provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a Chlamydia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines and diagnostic kits are also disclosed.
US09259456B2
This invention provides compositions comprising a protein and an omega-3 fatty acid, method for treating diabetes mellitus, comprising administering same, and methods for oral administration of a protein with an enzymatic activity, comprising orally administering same.
US09259451B2
The present invention provides use of alcohol extract of longan seeds for manufacturing a drug for treating kidney tissue dysfunction. Preferably, an ethyl acetate sub-fraction of the alcohol extract of longan seeds has a better effect in treating kidney tissue dysfunction.
US09259444B2
The subject of the present invention is a bioactive cell homogenate produced from cells belonging to the MIC-1 stem cell line derived from growing deer antlers (Cervidae) deposited at the DSMZ under the accession DSM ACC2854, a method of producing and using it. The present invention also encompasses a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition containing the above-mentioned homogenate.
US09259439B2
Disclosed are dual-phase cement precursor systems and related methods and kits. The cement precursor systems are composed of a first and second discrete phases, at least one of which is aqueous. When combined, the cement precursor phases form a cement that is suitable as a bone graft material for bone repair procedures. In preferred embodiments, the materials are highly biocompatible, osteoinductive, and bioresorbable. A number of different but not mutually exclusive cement chemistries may be employed in the cement precursor systems. For instance, hydrogel-forming polymer cements, carboxyl/calcium cements, or calcium phosphate cements may be employed.
US09259435B2
Materials capable of delivering stabilized free radicals to targeted treatment sites. The materials comprise semi-crystalline, hydrolytically degradable polymers that are subjected to ionizing radiation to create stabilized free radicals therein. Upon exposure to oxygen containing aqueous media, the materials generate reactive oxidative species which are useful in biological processes.
US09259421B2
There is provided pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of e.g. opioid dependency comprising microparticles of a pharmacologically-effective amount of buprenorphine, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, in associative admixture with particles comprising a weak acid, or particles comprising weakly-acidic buffer forming materials. The composition may further comprise a disintegrant and/or particles of a pharmacologically-effective amount of naloxone, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. The compositions are useful in the treatment of opioid dependency/addiction and/or pain.
US09259420B2
Drug formulations, methods and their use in treatment of diseases using the free base formulations of tetrandrine family members, especially d-tetrandrine, combined with a pharmaceutical diluent or carrier.
US09259396B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a solid form of soy isoflavone (e.g. genistein). In particular, the present invention relates to a method of preparing a solid form of soy isoflavone by precipitation with compressed antisolvent using a supercritical fluid to produce nano-sized particles of soy isoflavone with an improved dissolution rate and bioavailability. An oral composition or aerosolized formulation comprising the nanoparticles of the soy isoflavone prepared by the method of the present invention is also disclosed herein. The dissolution rate and bioavailability of the nanoparticles of the soy isoflavone prepared by the method of the present invention have a 2-fold increase and a 2.6-fold increase respectively as compared to those of the raw soy isoflavone.
US09259394B2
A dosage form comprising a tablet core containing at least one active ingredient and having at least one modified release coating that partially surrounds the tablet core is disclosed. The tablet core is preferably in the form of a compressed core wherein the at least one modified release coating is provided on a position of the exterior surface of the compressed core using dipping technology. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the dosage form and a method of treatment using the dosage form.
US09259388B2
The invention relates to a method for treating overactive bladders and a device for storing and administering non-occluded oxybutynin topical compositions.
US09259386B2
Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade to release the drug into the bloodstream to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be operably coupled to delivery means having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US09259379B2
A oral care composition comprising a triple polymer system and a source of fluoride ions for combating (i.e. helping to prevent, inhibit and/or treat) dental erosion and/or tooth wear is described. Such compositions are also of use in combating dental caries.
US09259375B2
A prescription pill vial with dosage indexer is disclosed. The prescription pill vial includes a body having a sidewall and bottom forming an enclosure for prescription medications. The sidewall extends below the bottom forming a cavity beneath the enclosure. A rosette is on the bottom of the body. The rosette has a plurality of detents thereon. An indexer is configured to fit into the cavity and rotate therewithin. The indexer has a spring-biased pawl that engages the detents on the rosette, limiting the rotation of the indexer to a number of predefined positions corresponding to the detents on the rosette.
US09259368B2
A patient transporter having sponsons that provide buoyancy when deployed on water is provided. A sponson assembly formed by two sponsons connected to each other by a material, and which can be positioned beneath a patient transporter to provide buoyancy, is also provided.
US09259366B2
A disposable wearing article including a tape tab being capable of fix the used disposable wearing article by a simple handling. The disposable diaper includes a chassis, an absorbent structure attached to a skin-contact surface of the chassis and a tape tab attached to a non-skin-contact surface. The tape tab is attached to a rear waist sheet and folded back so as to define a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section is provided with a mechanical fastener which is substantially not retained on the second section. Outside in the longitudinal direction of a fastening portion provided with the mechanical fastener, first temporary joint spots for temporarily joining part of the first and second sections and second temporary joint spots for temporarily joining part of the first through third sections are provided.
US09259359B2
A device including: a main folding mechanism for folding a diaper body in two at the crotch portion by rotating first and second main pads having first and second holding surfaces, respectively; and a sub-folding mechanism for folding the flap by rotating a side pad having a sub-holding surface for holding the flap with respect to the first main pad, wherein; a cut-out is formed at a position corresponding to the attachment portion of the second main pad, wherein the cut-out does not allow the attachment portion to be held by the second main pad but instead expose the attachment portion; with the first and second holding surfaces being closed while opposing each other and with the main body folded in two, the cut-out allows the flap to be attached to the attachment portion; and the side pad rotates from a position where it is open while lying next to the first main pad in the girth direction to a position where the sub-holding surface is closed while opposing the first holding surface, fitting into the cut-out.
US09259358B2
Reduced pressure wound therapy is performed on a sacral region of a patient using an adhesive dressing comprising a flexible planar layer and a non-planar fold-sealing region configured to seal to the intergluteal cleft of a patient. The fold-sealing region is located on an outer edge of the adhesive dressing and comprises a tapered configuration.
US09259357B2
A thin chitosan-based material can be used for biomedical applications. The chitosan has been treated in a nitrogen field by applying energy to ionize nitrogen in and around the chitosan material. A single or multiple such treatments may be employed. For example, the chitosan material may be irradiated under nitrogen using γ-irradiation, treated under a nitrogen plasma, or both. A thin chitosan material can be readily treated by surface modifying treatments such as irradiating under nitrogen using γ-irradiation, treating under a nitrogen plasma, or both.
US09259352B2
Punctal plugs for delivering therapeutic agents have a body, a portion into which the therapeutic agent is held, a winding about the body, and an enlarged portion or anchor at an end.
US09259348B2
A transatrial intravascular temperature management catheter has a lower heat exchange segment positionable in the inferior vena cava and an upper heat exchange segment positionable in the superior vane cava, with a connecting segment lying between the two and positionable in the right atrium. A temperature sensor on the distal tip of the upper heat exchange segment provides accurate core body temperature signals for feedback purposes since the blood flowing past the sensor has not yet reached the heat exchange segment.
US09259347B2
New bodily cooling techniques are provided. In some aspects of the present invention, a new rapidly-evaporating cooling gel or fluid is sprayed or doused over or about an athlete's body and/or worn garments in thermal-reduction-optimized gravitational, diffusion and movement-induced patterns, to maximize cooling during exercise. In some aspects, a worn garment may serve as the matrix or platform for this distribution of the fluid. In other aspects, tuned, heat-absorbing port-controlling devices cause the release of the cooling gel or fluid from distribution tubes or other channels (e.g., integral to the flexible fabric itself) upon local underlying body heat exceeding a threshold, and resealing (halting release) upon body or regional heat dropping below a threshold. In still other aspects, heat-expanding sub-elements rise away from a body heat source toward a wider region for heat release, while other cooled sub-elements descend and exchange places with them, to absorb more body heat.
US09259346B2
A method comprises preparing a cooling device for use in a therapeutic cooling apparatus. The cooling device comprises a self-contained unit. The therapeutic cooling apparatus comprises a cavity being configured to accept a portion of a user's body part, a quantity of a liquid for surrounding the body part and an apparatus portion being configured to retain the cooling device. The apparatus portion further comprises a divider separating the apparatus portion from the cavity. The divider is configured to be operable for transferring heat from the liquid to the cooling device. The method further comprises chilling the cooling device, placing the body part into the cavity, and filling the cavity with the liquid to surround the body part enabling a heat transfer from the body part to the liquid and a heat transfer from the liquid through the divider to the cooling device to cool the user.
US09259345B2
The disclosure includes embodiments of an improved catheter bag comprising a bag portion, a top tab portion and a bottom tab portion with a one way entry valve extending through said top tab portion to permit fluid to enter the bag portion. A draining valve is provided in the bottom tab portion operable from an open to a closed position. The catheter bag is provided with pairs of parallel vertical slots sized and shaped to retain straps for retaining the bag against the body.
US09259339B1
A biodegradable stent prosthesis formed from a degradable polymeric material, having a plurality of luminal, abluminal, and side surfaces, where at least some of the abluminal surfaces are concave and optionally the side surfaces are convex.
US09259338B2
In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.
US09259334B2
A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.
US09259331B2
A joint spacer for an orthopedic procedure including a first plate, a second plate, a coupling device, and a spacer insert receiving portion. The first plate includes a first bone facing surface and a first inner surface. The second plate includes a second bone facing surface and a second inner surface facing the first inner surface. The coupling device couples the first plate and the second plate together. The spacer insert receiving portion of at least one of the first inner surface or the second inner surface is configured to receive at least one spacer insert between the first plate and the second plate to space the first plate and the second plate apart a distance corresponding to an optimal interval between bones of a joint.
US09259324B2
A spinal implant having a series of sections or units hinged together and a balloon connected to at least some of the sections, the balloon having a curved configuration. The implant has a first delivery configuration and a second curved placement configuration, wherein it has a more linear configuration in the first delivery configuration than in the second curved configuration. The implant assumes the first delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and maintains the curved configuration after placement within the disc space. The curved configuration can result from filling or expanding the balloon.
US09259322B2
A Canine internal stifle stabilizing (CISS) system is provided as a three part modular, stifle stabilizing device that can be permanently or temporarily surgically implanted and attached onto the medial side of the distal femur and proximal tibia of quadrupeds. The stabilizing device is centered over the medial aspect of the quadruped stifle joint. The device includes three parts: a femoral component, a tibial component and an articular sliding insert component. The tibial and femoral components are fastened to the medial aspect of the femur and tibia by a varying number of fasteners. The distal end of the femoral component contains a ball and stem. The ball and stem is attached to the femoral component. The proximal tibial component has a rectangular space that accepts and holds the articular sliding insert component, such as by a pressure fit into the rectangular space provided on the proximal tibial component. The articular sliding insert component includes a groove that accepts and holds the ball that is attached to the femoral component. This locks the femoral and tibial components together. Also on the underside of the articular sliding insert component is a flange. In operation, the flange is located between the femoral and tibial components and has a bevelled edge (for example a ten (10) degree bevelled edge) on either side. This bevelled edge allows for a maximum internal and external rotation of the stabilized stifle joint. This device permits normal stifle joint movement in all planes, while continually providing support.
US09259317B2
A method and system according to one embodiment may include a plurality of apparatus configured to percutaneously deliver a heart valve implant. The method and system may include an implant comprising an anchor configured to engage cardiac tissue, a shaft coupled to the anchor, and a valve body coupled to the shaft. The method and system may further include at least partially collapsing the heart valve implant and percutaneously inserting the heart valve implant into a heart. The percutaneously inserted implant may be secured within the heart and may then be expanded.
US09259307B2
The present disclosure relates to a fixation device. The fixation device includes a base portion including a first leg, a second leg, and a groove located between the first and second legs and a top portion extending from the base portion. A tissue repair device and a method of tissue repair are also disclosed.
US09259303B2
A container for separating, storing, and dispensing dental picks includes a container to receive a sheet of dental picks, wherein the sheet of dental picks includes multiple interconnected dental picks, a separating device to separate the sheet of dental picks into singular dental picks, and a dispensing device to dispense the singular dental picks, one at a time. A method for separating and dispensing dental picks includes obtaining a sheet of dental picks, wherein the sheet of dental picks includes multiple interconnected dental picks, loading the sheet of dental picks into a container, separating the sheet of dental picks into singular dental picks, and dispensing the singular dental picks one at a time.
US09259302B2
The toothbrush includes a sensor system for determining pressure on the teeth by a direct force measurement such as displacement, and a system for determining pressure on the teeth by a dynamic load measurement system, such as phase shift. These different pressure results are combined with peak-to-peak bristle motion values of Hall effect output values and compared to a table to obtain a more accurate value of bristle pressure against the teeth and to raise, lower or maintain the trigger threshold of excessive pressure accordingly.
US09259301B2
With a device and a method of treatment of gums and teeth, two pulsating fluid jets are directed to two opposite sides of a gum or teeth and can include two pulsating jets of a carbonated fluid.
US09259299B2
In certain embodiments, a combination of a thread forming tool and an implant is disclosed. The thread forming tool can have a thread forming section with a helical thread having at least one cutting surface for cutting a thread in bone. The implant can include a bone apposition surface having at least one helical thread for position at least partially in the thread of the bone. A longitudinal cross-sectional shape of at least a portion of the helical thread of the thread forming section in certain embodiments, substantially corresponds to a longitudinal cross-sectional shape of at least a portion of the helical thread of the implant.
US09259297B2
A multi-unit dental implant system including a dental implant, a straight abutment, an angled abutment, and a plurality of copings or other components configured to universally fit on the cone-section of the straight abutment and the cone-section of the angled abutment.
US09259295B2
A series of polymeric orthodontic appliances is made by providing a set of tooth analogs, each having a model crown that represents the shape of a corresponding tooth of the patient. The tooth analogs are moved along respective guides as needed in order to bring the associated model crown an incremental step toward or away from its desired position. The polymeric appliance is formed by placing a sheet of polymeric material over the model crowns after at least one tooth analog has been moved to create a desired model tooth arrangement.
US09259285B2
A one time use cleansing device for inhibiting catheter associated urinary tract infections. An absorbent body includes a plurality of fingerlings extending outwardly from a front side of the absorbent body. First and second wings extend from a back side of the absorbent body. One or more liquid containing frangible vials are disposed between the first and second wings such that squeezing the wings together causes the vials to rupture, thereby releasing the contents of the vials into the absorbent body. The absorbent body and/or the one or more vials contain a cleansing agent of castile soap and tea tree oil designed to aid in the inhibition and/or prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).
US09259277B2
A system includes a medical instrument that includes a termination fixture, an actuated element, and drive members coupled to the actuated element and extending to the termination fixture. The termination fixture provides an interface that exposes portions of the drive member to direct movement by an external system that may include a manipulator and a sterile barrier.
US09259275B2
Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.
US09259268B2
An end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a microwave antenna assembly and a shielding member including a metallic plate coupled to ground and a dielectric material. The end effector assembly also includes a splitter configured to receive an active signal from a source of microwave energy and split the active signal into a first signal transmitted to the microwave antenna assembly in one of the jaw members and a second signal transmitted in the microwave antenna assembly in the other jaw member.
US09259264B2
Transducer-based systems and methods may be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected elements. Transducer activation characteristics, such as initiation time, activation duration, activation sequence, and energy delivery characteristics, can vary based on numerous factors. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers. Activation requests for a set of transducers can be denied if it is determined that a transducer in the set of transducers is unacceptable for activation.
US09259261B2
One aspect of the present disclosure includes a catheter. The catheter includes a catheter body having a temperature-controlled anchor element thereon that is configured to attach the catheter body to tissue by forming a congealed adherence layer between the anchor element and the tissue. The catheter also includes an ablation element connected to the catheter body. The ablation element is axially spaced apart from the anchor element. The ablation element is configured to ablate tissue when the anchor element is attached to the tissue.
US09259256B2
A method of applying bone cement for an orthopedic procedure of a patient includes coupling a proximal end of a nozzle component to a bone cement applicator and applying bone cement on a surface of an implant or on a bone surface through an elongated distal opening of a distal portion of the nozzle component. The method includes separating the distal portion from an intermediate portion of the nozzle component at a frangible connecting portion and exposing a circular distal end of the intermediate portion.
US09259254B2
The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.
US09259253B2
The present invention relates to a series of orthopedic plates for use in repair of a bone. The plate has a Y-shaped profile or an X-shaped profile which includes an elongate central trunk with a complex contour and either one or two terminal pairs of arms that have a first arm and a second arm that form differing angles and lengths relative to the trunk portion of the plate. The arms include locking screw holes where the screws converge toward each other to provide for multiplanar fixation but which do not impinge.
US09259250B2
Bone fixation methods and devices with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and having a flexible state and a rigid state, a plurality of grippers, a rigid hub connected to the elongated body, and an actuator operably connected to the grippers to deploy the grippers from a first shape to an expanded second shape. One method can include inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device in a flexible state on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a rigid hub on another side of the fracture, and operating an actuator to deploy a plurality of grippers of the fixation device to engage an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone.
US09259243B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.
US09259231B2
An apparatus is configured to deliver destructive energy to a stone. The apparatus includes a detector operative to obtain image data from the stone, a generator operating according to one or more producing parameters for producing the destructive energy, and a video processor unit receiving the image data from the detector. The video processor unit is operative to analyze the image data to determine a displacement of the stone relative to a previous location of the stone. A controller linked to the video processor unit and to the generator is operative to vary the one or more producing parameters of the generator responsively to the displacement of the stone. Methods carried out by the apparatus are further provided.
US09259221B2
An absorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The head portion includes a driver receiving configuration on its outer surface. The screw fastener further includes a cannulated center lumen with an opening extending from the head portion through the longitudinal length of the body portion.
US09259213B1
The proposed retractor blade is designed to function with a number of the currently available retractor systems with only minor modifications to those systems. The retractor blade has a hinge allowing it to flex and thereby allow a lateral approach to the discs at L1-L2 and L4-L5 despite the angle to these discs caused by coming in under the ribs or over the iliac crest.
US09259212B2
Wound closure apparatus is provided having a force-transmitting surface operable to be placed in a proximal, external, wound-closing position on a patient, together with a force-exerting assembly operable to exert a wound-closing pressure against the patient's tissue. The force-transmitting surface is preferably three-dimensionally asymmetric to generate different forces along the length of the surface. The apparatus is especially designed for the closure of wounds attendant to endovascular interventions, e.g., a femoral artery puncture wound. The apparatus is positioned and operated so as to partially close the patient's artery upstream of the arteriotomy. The apparatus and methods hereof may also be used for the closure of wounds created during venous intervention procedures. A smaller wound closure apparatus is provided for the closure of brachial and radial wounds, and has a wrist or arm strap for securing the apparatus onto the wrist or bicep region of a patient.
US09259210B2
A sampling tool for isolating and collecting a tissue biopsy includes a hollow sampling cylinder that includes a first end and an opposing second end. The first end being a sharpened, annular cutting edge and a central bore extending completely from the first end to the second end. The sampling tool also includes a plunger having a first end and a second end. The plunger includes an air evacuation feature in the form of an air evacuation channel that extends from one end of the plunger to the other end and is open at both ends. The sampling tool has particular utility in isolating and collecting cylindrical core placental biopsies of a standardized size that can be used for multiple downstream applications, including the sampling of other harvested solid, soft-tissue organs such as brain, liver, kidney, and spleen.
US09259201B2
It is possible to reliably avoid a problem that radiation irradiation does not stop even when an accumulated radiation dose reaches a target radiation dose. An AEC unit starts monitoring an integrated value of a radiation dose detection signal from a detection pixel and an output of an irradiation continuation signal at the same time, and continuously transmits the irradiation continuation signal in a predetermined period while the integrated value does not reach a threshold value. When the integrated value reaches the threshold value, the output of the irradiation continuation signal is stopped. The irradiation continuation signal is transmitted to an irradiation signal I/F of a radiation source control device through an irradiation signal I/F by wireless. The radiation source control device stops X-ray irradiation by an X-ray source when the irradiation signal I/F does not receive the irradiation continuation signal.
US09259200B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for obtaining a sequence of x-ray images are disclosed. An object of interest in a first x-ray image is detected and an area of interest, based on a predicted motion of the object of interest, is determined. A second x-ray image of the area of interest is acquired using spatial x-ray modification to control an x-ray to pass through a portion of a patient corresponding to the area of interest.
US09259198B2
A radiological imaging device has a panel section which houses radiation conversion panels for converting radiation to a radiological image, and a control section which is disposed on the panel section and which controls the radiation conversion panels. The control section is thicker than the panel section, or protrudes from the panel section.
US09259195B2
A guide apparatus is provided for use with an associated imaging device to direct movement of an associated interventional implement relative to a patient disposed on the imaging device. A gripping area is adapted to the guide apparatus for manual gripping by an associated operator. A holding area is adapted to hold the associated interventional implement in an orientation suitable for motion relative to said patient along a selected linear path and also operative to translate the associated interventional implement along said selected linear path in response to manual force applied by the associated human operator at said gripping area.
US09259193B2
The present invention provides a projection method of 3D ray tracing, so as to construct a geometric factor required for the reconstruction of a medical image in the imaging field. The present invention mainly projects a radiation field and a voxel detected by each detector on two 2D planes, then calculates the geometric ratio of a rectangular unit, corresponding to each voxel on the two 2D planes, to the radiation field, respectively, and multiplies the geometric ratios to obtain a sub-geometric factor with respect to the voxel. The sub-geometric factors gij of all voxels i corresponding to all detectors j are combined to form a geometric factor matrix Gij.
US09259183B2
The invention provides a sensor for measuring both impedance and ECG waveforms that is configured to be worn around a patient's neck. The sensor features 1) an ECG system that includes an analog ECG circuit, in electrical contact with at least two ECG electrodes, that generates an analog ECG waveform; and 2) an impedance system that includes an analog impedance circuit, in electrical contact with at least two (and typically four) impedance electrodes, that generates an analog impedance waveform. Also included in the neck-worn system are a digital processing system featuring a microprocessor, and an analog-to-digital converter. During a measurement, the digital processing system receives and processes the analog ECG and impedance waveforms to measure physiological information from the patient. Finally, a cable that drapes around the patient's neck connects the ECG system, impedance system, and digital processing system.
US09259177B2
Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. These include initiating loop recording in an implantable medical device upon determination of a neurological event, wherein loop recording comprises storing a data record of a plurality of data records in a data structure, the plurality of data records representing information about determined neurological events. Methods and apparatus can further include determining a priority index for the plurality of data records based on severity levels of the determined neurological events and replacing older data records of the plurality of data records on the data structure with new data records according to the priority index, wherein the new data records selectively replace those data records in the data structure having the lowest associated priority index.
US09259175B2
A wearable, conductive textile patch is provided that may include any of a number of features for monitoring body analytes and/or delivering fluids to a body. In one embodiment of the invention, a single, patch-mounted system monitors glucose levels of a diabetic person and provides appropriate doses of insulin in response to the glucose measurements. A hand-held user interface can be provided for wirelessly controlling the system and/or receiving information from it. Conductive pathways can be formed in the fabric of the patch. Components that can be integrated into the flexible patch include a power source, controller, transmitter, antenna, temperature and other sensors, fluid pump, infusion set, electrical pathways, switches, controls, electrodes, connectors, resistors and other circuit elements. Such components can be embedded, interwoven or coated on to the flexible patch instead of or in addition to surface mounting. Methods associated with use of the flexible patch system are also covered.
US09259172B2
A method of providing feedback to a user of an orthopedic alignment system, which displays: a portion of an orthopedic system; a parameter of the orthopedic system; a portion of an orthopedic insert in the display; and a parameter of the orthopedic insert. Where the method detects movement of the orthopedic system, and moves the displayed portion of the orthopedic system in response to the movement of the orthopedic system. Where the method additionally detects changes of the parameter of the orthopedic insert and of the parameter of the orthopedic system during movement of the orthopedic system, and displays the changes of the parameter of the orthopedic insert and the parameter of the orthopedic system.
US09259168B2
An electrical capacitance tomography sensor comprised of a sensor having a plurality of electrodes, where each electrode is further comprised of a plurality of capacitance segments. Each of the capacitance segments of each electrode can be individually addressed to focus the electric field intensity or sensitivity to desired regions of the electrodes and the sensor.
US09259159B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an eardrum recognition unit configured to recognize a position of an eardrum based on image information regarding the eardrum, a temperature measurement unit configured to acquire a temperature within an external ear canal including the eardrum, and a temperature processing unit configured to determine a temperature of the eardrum based on a recognition result of the eardrum recognition unit and a measured temperature of the temperature measurement unit.
US09259155B2
A therapy system (10) includes one or more processors (98, 100). The processors (98, 100) are programmed to receive one or more of: (1) dosimetric data from dosimeters (26, 28, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212) implanted within a patient and/or positioned on a vest (200); and (2) motion data from surrogates (18, 20, 22, 24) implanted within the patient. Based on the motion data, a current location and/or shape of a surrogate (18, 20, 22, 24) is determined and deviations between the current location and/or shape and a reference location and/or shape are determined. Based on the dosimetric data, a delivered dose distribution is compared with a planned dose distribution and deviations therebetween are determined. The deviations determined from the motion data and/or the dosimetric data are employed for adaptive planning, alignment, post treatment analysis, and safety.
US09259148B2
A method for measuring the axial length of an eye using optical coherence tomography, during which a plurality of A-scans of the OCT measurement are combined to an axial length, taking into account the alignment with which they were obtained, and taking into account the topography of the cornea. The distance of the front of the cornea from the retina is determined using OCT while measuring or controlling the alignment of the measuring device to the eye in that the topography of the front of the cornea is measured or made available. The calculation of an axial length from an A-scan of the OCT takes into account a corneal topography registered to the A-scans and is the basis for an intraocular lens calculation. The invention exhibits an increased tolerance range with regard to an imprecise alignment of the measuring device to the eye.
US09259137B2
A dishwasher appliance includes a mid-level spray arm assembly and a diverter disposed in a conduit of the assembly. The diverter includes a disk positioned within a chamber and rotatable about an axis, the disk defining an aperture for selectively controlling fluid flow from the chamber into outlet channels, the disk movable along the axial direction between a first position and a second position, the disk defining a channel and a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The diverter further includes a biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss extending from the housing into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact so that movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.
US09259136B1
A tubular frame assembly for a door type warewashing machine includes four tubular legs, and two upper cross-braces and two lower cross-braces. The cross-braces are received through cross-brace receiving openings in the tubular legs, and the cross-braces are bolted together within the legs by nut and bolt assemblies.
US09259135B2
A condition warning system for an apparatus such as a pot and pan washing machine, a control system and control methods for a pot and pan washing machine are provided. The condition warning system includes a control system that monitors operational, safety or compliance parameters of an apparatus, and a light that illuminates a location below (or above) an operator's direct line of sight, and which is outside of the operator's direct line of sight. The control system and control methods include a punitive wash action lockout, an extended wash cycle time, and a deep clean wash cycle.
US09259132B2
A disposable cellulosic wiper includes a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 mil. The microfibers are selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits a capillary pressure at 10% saturation by extrusion porosimetry of at least twice that of a like sheet prepared without regenerated independent cellulose microfibers.
US09259128B2
A vacuum cleaning device comprises a unit (1) for aerodynamically affecting dust particles and/or a surface to be cleaned. The unit (1) comprises a housing (30) having a housing wall (31) encompassing two internal sections (20, 22), and a movable surface (11) arranged at an interface of the two sections (20, 22), wherein a portion (32) of the housing wall (31) delimiting a first section (20) is provided with at least one opening (21), and wherein means for actuating the movable surface (11) are arranged in a second section (22). A portion (33) of the housing wall (31) delimiting the second section (22) is adapted to at least hinder exchange of air between an inside of this section (22) and an outside of the housing (30) at the location of this section (22), in order to at least hinder a migration of dust to the second section (22).
US09259127B2
A pipe coupling for a central vacuum cleaning pipeline is adapted to be connected with at least one pipe to form a central vacuum cleaning pipe line. The pipe coupling comprises at least a first and a second opening defined by an envelope wall, the envelope wall comprises an inner and an outer surface, wherein at least said first opening is arranged to receive a pipe introduced into the first opening along a first insertion and retraction direction, so that the pipe coupling overlaps the pipe with a part of the inner surface of the pipe coupling at an attachment section. The attachment section comprises in turn an annular seal member arranged in the attachment section to effectively seal between the inner surface of the pipe coupling and the outer surface of said pipe. The attachment section further comprises an annular recess which defines a stop surface. The annular recess is configured to form a smooth transition between the pipe and the pipe coupling. A manufacturing method for the pipe coupling is also described.
US09259118B2
The invention relates to a beverage extraction device with easy rejection of capsules including a housing, a first frame and a second frame. The first frame has a length and a chamber with a side wall. Each jaw is movably connected to a side support of the second frame. The first shaft is formed on the front portion of each jaw, the second shaft is formed on the back portion of each jaw. The device further includes two guiding grooves and two guiding plates, each guiding groove has a front end that bends outwardly; each guiding plate has a pushing portion protruding toward the central line of the housing, the first shaft of each jaw slides inside the leading groove defined on each guiding plate.
US09259114B2
An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, the blender module initiates a cleaning mode.
US09259104B2
The electric display apparatus with a lighting system, comprising: an electric display column, a support frame, a display shelf, some lamps, some plastic strips and coppers. The electric display column includes some grooves and grids. The plastic strips are installed in the grooves; the coppers are installed in the plastic strips, and they are connected to the power supply. The multiple rectangular hanging holes distributing along the longitudinal direction of the grids; the hanging arms are installed on both ends of the support frame. The middle part of the hanging arm is installed with the guide groove, which bottom installed the positioning bolt. The insulating plastic material movable plug is fixed in the hanging arms, the interior of the movable plug inlaid with the electric copper, which is installed in the guide groove of the hanging arm. The display shelf is fixed to the support frame by the screw connection.
US09259100B2
A childcare device including a base in the shape of a closed loop; a cavity bounded and defined by the closed loop; and wherein the device is adapted to receive a part of a child's body through the cavity; and the base is independently usable as a baby sling, a walking aid or a seat safety strap.
US09259098B2
A patient support surface includes a cushion and an inflatable patient positioning unit. The cushion is adapted to support a patient. The inflatable patient positioning unit is arranged over a portion of a top side of the cushion at a foot end of the cushion. The inflatable patient positioning unit includes a plurality of positioner bladders shaped so that when inflated a distal end of each positioner bladder is taller than a proximal end of the positioner bladder.
US09259093B2
A folding sofa bed comprises a bed frame, a seat mattress and a seat back. The bed frame comprises two armrest borders and a front horizontal bar and a rear horizontal bar connecting the two armrest borders. A central portion of the armrest border is disposed with a long sliding groove of backwardly disposed and downwardly inclined sliding groove, two hinges and two connecting bars. Each of the hinges comprises a front hinge plate and a rear hinge plate, the front hinge plate is connected to the seat mattress, the rear hinge plate is connected to the seat back, the front hinge plate is disposed with a guide bar, the guide bar is slidably disposed inside the sliding groove, the two ends of the connecting bar are respectively hinged to the armrest border and the seat back.
US09259092B2
A cup holder for a chair includes a cup holder fixing seat, a cup holder middle sleeve and a cup bottom. The fixing seat includes a connecting part and a first limiting rim. The middle sleeve includes second and third limiting rims and at least one first detention. The cup bottom includes a fourth limiting rim and at least one second detention. The second limiting rim is slidable along an inner wall of the fixing seat, and the fourth limiting rim is slidable along an inner wall of the middle sleeve. When unfolded, the second limiting rim of the middle sleeve is seated on and supported by the first limiting rim of the fixing seat, the fourth limiting rim of the cup bottom is seated on and supported by the third limiting rim of the middle sleeve.
US09259087B1
A front connecting device of a concealed slide includes a metal base, an elastic fastener, a level adjusting member and a vertical adjusting member. The metal base is mounted to a drawer, and the elastic fastener, the level adjusting member and the vertical adjusting member are movably installed to the metal base, and the elastic fastener is connected to an end of the concealed slide for adjusting a horizontal position and/or a vertical position of the concealed slide. The elastic fastener is integrally formed by plastic injection and includes a fastening portion, a handle, and an elastic portion disposed between the elastic fastener and the fastening portion. The handle may be pressed to deform the elastic portion and separate the fastening portion from the concealed slide. The device not only provides a convenient operation, but also lowers the manufacturing cost while maintaining the original functions.
US09259083B1
A solid-surface article may include a surface layer including at least one of gel coat, epoxy, glass, silicone, diamonds, and mica. The article may also include a sub-layer including a resin, curing agent, a color pigment, and resin filler/fillers. The composite article may resemble a countertop, such as granite, marble, polished concrete, quartz, glass, laminate, wood, stone, and copper countertops.
US09259076B2
An electronic tablet case includes a body configured to receive an electronic tablet and one or more sets of finger loops on a rear surface of the body. The finger loops are configured to receive a user's individual fingers thereby allowing the user to hold the case and electronic tablet with one hand while operating the electronic tablet with the other hand. In one version, there are four sets of finger loops spaced (i.e., one set along each edge) about a perimeter of the rear of the body. The case may be fabricated of four layers of materials comprising: a waterproof outer layer, rigid protective layer, durable padded layer and non-scratch inner layer. A neoprene face perimeter layer connected to a body defines a sleeve for receiving a tablet Distinguishable portions of the case identify functional tablet buttons thereunder allowing a user to operate the tablet by pressing the distinguishable portions.
US09259074B2
A cosmetic application tool is provided which includes an applying portion attached and integrated with a leading end portion of a brush shaft. The applying portion includes a flat, plate-shaped portion surrounded by a hollow, skirt-shaped portion at its distal end. When the brush shaft is drawn out of a cosmetic container, the skirt-shaped hollow portion of the applying portion is flattened by a wiper provided in a surrounding manner within the cosmetic container, so that some of the liquid cosmetic that has been pooled in the skirt-shaped hollow portion is pushed out over the flat plate-shaped portion while some is retained in the skirt-shaped hollow portion of the applying portion. Accordingly, when the brush shaft is inserted into and drawn out of the cosmetic container, the amount of liquid cosmetic retained by the applying portion includes not only the liquid cosmetic that can be retained by both surfaces of the plate-shaped applying portion but also the portion of the liquid cosmetic retained in the hollow portion.
US09259073B2
A cosmetic applicator includes: a seat that has a ventilation channel extending through an outer surface; an adjusting member that is disposed in a sleeve and that has several adjusting plates, an axial hole, and a gap formed in the adjusting plates and communicating the hole with the ventilation channel; and a core that extends through the hole, absorbs liquid cosmetic from a cartridge and defines a communicating channel with the adjusting member. The ventilation channel, the gap and the communicating channel define an air passage. The cartridge, the core and a bristle member define a liquid passage. Air is introduced into the cartridge through the air passage after the liquid cosmetic flows out of the cartridge through the liquid passage.
US09259071B2
A method of creating designs on the surface of a finger nail or toenail is disclosed. A first amount of a flowable protective coating is applied over at least a first portion of a surface of a cuticle adjacent the nail. A first nail polish is applied to the surface of the nail. An additional amount of the flowable protective coating is applied over one or more portions of the surface of the nail coated with the first nail polish. A second nail polish is applied over exposed portions of the nail not covered by the additional amount of the flowable protective coating. The first amount of flowable protective coating and the additional amount of the flowable protective coating are removed by peeling the first amount of flowable protective coating and the additional amount of the flowable protective coating from the cuticle and the nail.
US09259069B2
A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool may have a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position in which the styling arm is distant the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm is proximate to the cylinder, such as contacting the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate.
US09259066B2
Soft sided bags having a flexible frame system are disclosed and described herein. A plurality of structure forming frame members engage guides in the bag body to provide the soft sided bag with a resilient structure, and to further provide content protection and accessibility. Soft sided bag may use structure forming frame members with varying levels of stiffness to provide a desired structure to the soft sided bag. A unique structure forming frame member is disclosed which includes an outer sheath and inner rod that gives the bag body structure, durability, flexibility, resiliency, and differing degrees of restorative force along one continuous member. Various non-limiting configurations are disclosed that provide the soft sided bag with a desired shape as well as the ability to collapse to smaller configurations.
US09259060B2
A mushroom-type hook strap for mechanical fasteners has a series of hooks integrally formed on the strap, with each hook formed by a polygonal shape situated on top of an axis of a single stem, thereby forming a mushroom type hook having a polygonal head portion on the axis of the single stem, with protruding portions in substantially every direction for engaging fabric loops of a loop strap.
US09259056B2
A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.
US09259051B2
A method for producing a regionalized-firmness midsole utilizing a heat press, and a description of the resultant product, are provided. Initially, the method involves providing a plurality of pre-formed phylon biscuits. Typically, the plurality of biscuits includes at least a first biscuit that has a first density and a second biscuit that has a second density. The method may further include the steps of arranging the biscuits into a receiving area of the heat press, and integrating the plurality of biscuits to form the midsole by activating the heat press. Integrating the biscuits includes raising the biscuits above a threshold temperature, and causing the biscuits to expand such that each of the plurality of biscuits couples with another of the biscuits to form a midsole with two or more degrees of firmness located at distributed regions thereon.
US09259049B2
A heel member includes a base portion, a medial portion and a lateral portion. The lateral portion is a wall-like portion including a plurality of windows. The medial portion comprises a plurality of projecting portions that extend upwardly from the base portion. The medial portion may be taller than the lateral portion. The medial portion may be more flexible than the lateral portion.
US09259048B2
An article of footwear with straps is disclosed. The article includes provisions for releasably securing the straps to a sole structure of the article. End portions of the straps are provided with separable portions that can be individually inserted through apertures in the sole structure. In addition, a thong portion includes separable portions that can be individually inserted through an aperture in the sole structure.
US09259033B1
A cigarette snuffing, cutting and storage system for extending the life of a cigarette through multiple smoking events has a generally cylindrical storage receptacle with a storage tube with a storage lid. The storage lid is pivotally connected to a storage tube top and rotates about an axis located on and in line with a storage tube side wall. A storage lid bottom has an annular cutting blade for severing a cigarette located, inside. The annular cutting blade has a cutting edge located on an interior edge that has a shape of a circle. For operation, a cigarette is inserted into the storage receptacle from a storage tube bottom. The cigarette extends through a storage component cavity and into a storage lid cavity. Upon rotation of the storage lid, an end is removed from the cigarette using the cutting blade, preparing it for use.
US09259013B2
Method of and system for automatically deboning poultry breast caps containing meat and a skeletal structure to obtain breast fillets. The method includes providing a mandrel with a plane of symmetry in a vertical orientation and supporting a breast cap with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel. The breast cap being held to the mandrel with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry. By moving the mandrel through a conveying path extending through a substantially horizontal plane in a direction of travel it passes a cutting implement of a breast cutter engaging the meat along the keel bone. The cutting implement causes at least one incision along the area where the meat is attached to the keel bone and a breast fillet remover downstream of the breast cutter engages between the skeletal structure and the meat and separates the meat as a pair of single fillets from the skeletal structure. The arrangement is such that the mandrel moves through the conveying path with the plane of symmetry aligned with the direction of travel.
US09259007B2
Stabilized biological pesticides comprising Chromobacterium species, filtrate, supernatant, extract or pesticidally active substance derived therefrom with pesticidal activity having improved shelf life due to maintenance of physical uniformity and longer insecticide activity after use due to higher resistance to degradation when exposed to sunlight are disclosed.
US09259005B2
The present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting growth of pathogens and to substrates with selenium nanoparticles or selenium nanoclusters having antipathogenic properties.
US09259001B2
5-phenyl-substituted N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamides of the general formula (I) are described as herbicides. In this formula (I), W, X, Y, Z and R are radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen. A and B are N and CY.
US09258999B2
Provided are liquid compositions comprising inactive biopesticide precursors comprising a glucosinolate concentrate, a plant material comprising a myrosinase enzyme complex, and a water soluble polyol. Further provided are methods of making and using such compositions.
US09258992B2
The disclosure is directed to a manhole cover, comprising: an upper transparent disc; a lower transparent disc coupled to the upper disc; and means for emitting electromagnetic radiation at a predetermined wavelength that is narrower than full spectrum, the means for emitting electromagnetic radiation operably coupled to the lower disc, wherein: the upper disc has a diameter larger than the lower disc, and the predetermined wavelength is configured to inhibit vermin from inhabiting the volume irradiated by the means for emitting electromagnetic radiation.
US09258991B2
An embodiment of a bait station comprises a rotatable lid and air-tight bait compartments. An additional compartment also contains bait and is accessible to rodents as they enter the station. The rotatable lid is configured to hold the bait within the compartments and can be rotated in order to replace the previously accessible bait with fresh bait from a different compartment. A key can be attached to an extension pole in order to unlock and rotate the rotatable lid without requiring a person to kneel down or bend over. A base having two entrances provides an inviting environment for rodents.
US09258966B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV576465. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV576465, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV576465 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV576465 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV576465.
US09258946B2
A continuous baling method comprising conveying crop material on a rotating conveyor toward a baler while the baler is traversing a field, the conveyor comprising a conveying surface having an entire crop material-carrying width of a first distance; narrowing the flow of the crop material to transition the crop material flow from the conveyor to the baler; and receiving the narrowed flow at an inlet to a baling chamber of the baler, the inlet comprising a width having a second distance smaller than the first distance.
US09265186B2
A camera system and associated method for aligning a component with a footprint on a PCB including: a housing having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side; a first image sensor positioned on the first side of the housing and pointing to a first direction away from the housing to capture an image of the component and generating a first image signal, wherein the first image sensor includes a first lens assembly without a prism; a second image sensor positioned on the second side of the housing and aligned with the first image sensor pointing to a second direction opposite to the first direction to capture an image of the footprint on the PCB and generating a second image signal, wherein the second image sensor includes a second lens assembly without a prism; a mixing circuit for mixing the first image signal with the second image signal and generating a mixed image signal; and a processor for processing the mixed image signal and displaying a superimposed image of the component and the footprint on a display monitor.
US09265185B2
An electronic device including a main body, a cover and an assembling structure is provided. The main body has two first positioning structures. The assembling structure includes two sliding components, two second positioning components and two elastic components. Each sliding component is slidably disposed on the cover and has a pressing portion. The second positioning structures are connected to the sliding components respectively and aligned to the first positioning components respectively. The elastic components are connected to the cover and connected to the sliding components respectively. Each second positioning component is positioned at the corresponding first positioning component by elastic force of the corresponding elastic component, so as to stop the cover separating from the main body. When the pressing portions receive forces at the same time to drive the second positioning structures to move away from the first positioning structures respectively, the cover is separated from the main body.
US09265178B2
Cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic assemblies are provided which include a thermal transfer structure configured to couple to one or more sides of an electronics card having one or more electronic components to be cooled. The thermal transfer structure includes a thermal spreader coupled to the one side of the electronics card, and the apparatus further includes a coolant-cooled structure disposed adjacent to the socket of the electronic system. The coolant-cooled structure includes: one or more low-profile cold rails sized and configured to thermally couple to the thermal spreader along a bottom edge of the thermal spreader with operative docking of the electronics card within the socket; and one or more coolant-carrying channels associated with the low-profile cold rail(s) for removing heat from the low-profile cold rail(s) to coolant flowing through the coolant-carrying channel(s).
US09265177B2
Methods for fabricating a coolant-cooled component assembly are provided, which include providing a multi-component assembly and a module lid with openings aligned over respective electronic components. Thermally conductive elements are disposed within the openings, each including opposite coolant-cooled and conduction surfaces, with the conduction surface being thermally coupled to the respective electronic component. A manifold assembly disposed over the module lid includes inner and outer manifold elements, with the inner element configured to facilitate flow of coolant onto the coolant-cooled surfaces. The outer manifold element is disposed over the inner manifold element and coupled to the module lid, with the inner and outer manifold elements defining a coolant supply manifold, and the outer manifold element and module lid defining a coolant return manifold. The coolant supply openings are in fluid communication with the coolant supply manifold, and the coolant exhaust channels are in fluid communication with the coolant return manifold.
US09265175B2
A fan chassis includes: a wall panel; and an upper panel that is connected to an upper end of the wall panel, and a lower panel that is connected to a lower end of the wall panel. A cross sectional shape of the upper panel and the lower panel is substantially U-shape. The wall panel includes a plurality of projections to be inserted into mounting holes of a fan. At least either one of the upper panel and the lower panel includes a through hole into which an upper end part or a lower end part of the fan is to be fitted. An inner dimension between the upper panel and the lower panel is shorter than an outer dimension of the fan in a vertical direction. The upper panel and the lower panel deform elastically in a direction in which the upper panel and the lower panel move apart from each other.
US09265173B1
A storage device slow descent structure includes a chassis (100) and an elevating element (200). The chassis (100) includes a front load plate (110), a rear load plate (120), and a sliding unit (130). An end portion (132) of the sliding unit (130) is slidably connected to one side of the rear load plate (120). The elevating element (200) includes two linkages (210) respectively having a front end (212) and a rear end (214). The two linkages (210) are respectively connected to the front load plate (110) and the end portion (132). The rear end (214) is pivotally connected to the slide member (134). The front end (212) is pivotally connected to the front load plate (110). A self-weight of the front load plate (110) drives the rear end (214) to slide from one end to the other end of the slide member (134).
US09265163B2
Electrical socket apparatus comprises a frame-shaped square front plate and a circular socket box which, in use, is set in a similarly shaped opening formed in the wall or other surface. The front plate includes fixing elements” positioned to engage complementary fixing elements present on or in an inwardly extending lip around the periphery of the open end of the socket box. The front plate is dimensioned to cover, in use, the entire periphery of the open end of the socket box. In use, the front plate is trapped between a switch and the wall surface within which the socket box is located.
US09265151B2
A printed-circuit board arrangement electrically connects the at least one transmitter and/or receiver unit with at least one antenna element, whereas the at least one transmitter and/or receiver unit and the at least one antenna element are at least partially integrated into the printed-circuit board arrangement. In this context, the printed-circuit board arrangement includes different printed circuit boards, which are mechanically connected to one another in a rigid manner. A first part of the printed-circuit board arrangement is formed by at least one printed-circuit board, of which the substrate is made from a first material which is suitable for high-frequency, and a second part of the printed-circuit board arrangement is formed by at least one printed-circuit board, of which the substrate is made from a second material different from the first material, which is still sufficiently suitable for a low frequency and/or for a direct-voltage range.
US09265147B2
A multi-layer wiring board includes a resin base, a wiring pattern, an adhesive layer, and a via. The wiring pattern includes a land provided on the resin base. The adhesive layer is stacked on the resin base. The via is formed in the adhesive layer and has an end connected to the land. At least a portion of a side surface of the land contacts the via.
US09265139B2
An electron cyclotron resonance ionization device includes a sealed vacuum chamber configured to contain a plasma, an electromagnetic wave injector to inject an electromagnetic wave into the sealed chamber, a magnetic structure for generating a magnetic field in the chamber and for generating a plasma along the magnetic field lines, the modulus of the magnetic field forming a magnetic mirror structure, with at least one electron cyclotron resonance region. The sealed chamber is a waveguide having a length that is greater than or equal to the guide wavelength corresponding to the frequency of the injected electromagnetic wave, and the plasma is ignited without prior injection of gas.
US09265131B2
The invention relates to an intelligent lighting device with multiple luminaires, which are at least partially coupled to each other with a wireless communication device. For this purpose, the luminaires preferably have communication modules with transmitter/receiver devices, via which the luminaires can communicate with each other. It is thereby provided that in accordance with the current operating mode of one of the luminaires at least one of the other luminaires can adopt a different predefined operating mode. Said luminaire can, for example upon the switching on of a luminaire or when one of the luminaires detects a person by means of a sensor device in the area of the luminaire, go into a working level with a predefined light intensity and the other luminaires located in the vicinity of said one luminaire go into a background illumination, i.e. in an illumination with a lower illumination level (background level).
US09265115B1
A system and method to illuminate an emergency exit pathway during an event is provided. The system includes a receiver in communication with a transmitter, a lighting device wired to the receiver, and a power source configured to power the lighting device and the receiver. The transmitter is configured to communicate a signal indicative of an even to the receiver. The event is an emergency event requiring evacuation of a space. The space is an enclosed space. The lighting device surrounds at least a portion of an exit for the space and is configured to emit light and illuminate the portion of the exit when the signal is received by the receiver. The lighting device is a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged along at least three sides of the exit The power source is a battery pack.
US09265106B2
In first mode, controller is configured, when receiving a dimming instruction signal, to control voltage-adjusting part to provide a DC voltage with a magnitude corresponding to a luminous level, across output ends of DC power supply, and apply a control voltage with a magnitude kept constant to a control terminal of switching element. In second mode, controller is configured, when receiving the dimming instruction signal, to apply the control voltage with a magnitude corresponding to luminous level to the control terminal of switching element, and control voltage-adjusting part to provide the DC voltage with a magnitude kept constant, across the output ends of DC power supply. Controller is configured to operate in one of first and second modes when luminous level is predetermined level or more, and in the other of first and second modes when luminous level is less than predetermined level.
US09265105B2
A power conversion and control system suitable for use with solid-state lighting and conventional TRIAC dimmer switching includes an alternating current to direct current (AC-DC) converter configured to convert AC power from the AC mains to DC power and a controller configured to control dimming of a light-emitting load depending on the magnitude of a distorted AC voltage from an external TRIAC dimmer switch relative to the magnitude of the DC voltage Vdc produced by the AC-DC converter. To prevent the TRIAC in the external TRIAC dimmer switch from turning off in situations where the AC-DC converter is disconnected from the AC mains or not drawing any current from the AC mains, the power conversion and control system may further include circuitry that maintains the current through the TRIAC above its minimum holding current.
US09265098B2
A system for displaying images employing an organic electroluminescent device is provided. The organic electroluminescent device includes a first substrate with an inside surface; an organic electroluminescent pixels array disposed on the inside surface of the first substrate; a second substrate with an inside surface, wherein the inside surface of the second substrate is opposite to the inside surface of the first substrate; a color filter layer disposed on the inside surface of the second substrate; and an opaque frit sealing layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the opaque frit sealing layer is separated from the organic electroluminescent pixels array by a dummy region and is encapsulating the organic electroluminescent pixel array between the first substrate and second substrate, and wherein the dummy region is filled up with a black matrix material, a frit sealing layer.
US09265094B2
In an induction cooking device according to the present invention, a boiling-over detection portion is adapted to perform a heating-output suppression operation, on detecting boiling over, when the capacitances of electrodes have been changed by an amount equal to or more than a predetermined value. Further, the boiling-over detection portion is prevented from performing the heating-output suppression operation, if the boiling-over detection portion detects that the capacitances of the electrodes have been changed by an amount equal to or more than the predetermined value, due to the fact that the heating output of another heating coil in a heating area which is not subjected to boiling-over detection has been changed by an amount equal to or more than a predetermined change width.
US09265091B2
Disclosed herein are a filament lamp for heating a disk-shaped workpiece in such a way that the filament lamp rotates relative to the workpiece and radiates light thereonto. Further, the present invention provides a structure that enables the filament lamps to uniformly heat the workpiece even with respect to the radial direction of the workpiece. For this, the filament lamp includes an arc-shaped emitting part which extends in a circumferential direction of the relative rotation, and an auxiliary emitting part which is disposed inside a circle extending along the arc-shaped emitting part and extends from the arc-shaped emitting part in a direction crossing the circle. In addition, the present invention is configured such that areas of the workpiece that correspond to spaces between the arc-shaped emitting parts of the adjacent filament lamps pass just below the corresponding auxiliary emitting parts.
US09265083B2
Devices and methods are provided for expedited recovery from radio link failure or the like. In one embodiment, the method involves collecting at least one optional system information block (SIB) during connected mode, wherein the at least one optional SIB comprising neighbor information. In another embodiment, the method involves storing dedicated information provided by a base station through a dedicated channel. The method generally involves using the neighbor information and/or dedicated information for cell selection, in response to the radio link failure.
US09265077B2
A method and system for connecting a peripheral device to a user device via a Bluetooth protocol, comprising: at the user device: initiating a device scan process, comprising: detecting a device discovery message from the peripheral device; and determining whether the device discovery message includes a predetermined identifier designated for a social networking service associated with a social networking application executing on the user device; upon determining that the device discovery message includes the predetermined identifier designated for the social networking service associated with a social networking application executing on the user device, sending, to the peripheral device, a connection request corresponding to the device discovery message; and establishing a Bluetooth connection to the peripheral device.
US09265067B2
A device receives a pilot channel from an access network, without connecting to the access network. The pilot channel includes information identifying an actual usage associated with the access network. The device determines whether the actual usage of the access network is greater than a particular usage associated with the access network, and selectively connects to the access network based on whether the actual usage of the access network is greater than the particular usage. The device connects to the access network, to provide data to a core network, when the actual usage of the access network is not greater than the particular usage. The device does not connect to the access network when the actual usage of the access network is greater than the particular usage.
US09265066B2
In methods and devices for scheduling uplink transmission in a cellular radio system for a number of user equipments transmitting data over an air-interface each user equipment is associated with an individual uplink load factor. Further a cost function is formed based on the load factor for each user equipment that is to be scheduled for uplink transmission, wherein the cost function is approximated by a quadratic function. The throughput of all scheduled user equipments is maximized using a convex optimization of the sum of the individual cost functions, and the grant for uplink transmission is scheduled in accordance with the optimized cost functions.
US09265063B2
Provided is a downlink control information transmitting and receiving method which can maximize the use of limited radio resources by effectively forming an uplink signaling message to be transmitted from a base station to a terminal and transmitting the formed uplink signaling message with a minimum amount of radio resources occupied. The method for transmitting downlink data generation indication information for a base station to inform a terminal of packet data transmission in a packet-based cellular system, includes the steps of: a) generating the downlink data generation indication information; b) recording radio resource allocation information in downlink scheduling information for transmitting the downlink data generation indication information, and allocating information for the downlink data generation indication information to downlink-shared radio resources; and c) transmitting the downlink scheduling information and the information for the downlink data generation indication information according to a transmission cycle.
US09265047B2
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for activating opportunistic relays. A combination of uplink and downlink pilots may be used to switch on user equipment relays (UeNBs) in an effort to make more accurate measurements in an effort to enable handovers. According to aspects of the present disclosure, a relay may evaluate one or more channel conditions, determine whether or not to transmit downlink reference signals to a UE based on the evaluation, and transmit downlink reference signals to the UE based on the determination. According to aspects, a relay may determine a set of resources reserved for transmission of uplink pilots by UEs, monitor the set of resources to detect transmission of uplink pilots, and report, to an eNB, a power at which the uplink pilots were received.
US09265046B2
A radio transmission device and a radio communication method employ sequence length decision units which hold a correspondence in which one basic sequence length is set for a plurality of transmission bandwidths. The sequence length decision units acquire transmission bandwidth information and decide a sequence length corresponding to the acquired transmission bandwidth information. A decision is made as to which of the cyclic extension process or the truncation process is to be executed on a Zadoff-Chu sequence according to the sizes of the acquired transmission bandwidth information and the basic sequence length. Then, a difference between the transmission bandwidth and the basic sequence length, i.e., the number of possible cyclic extension/truncation symbols, is obtained.
US09265039B2
Wireless transmissions between a base station and a user equipment device may be performed using resource mapping rules. The resource mapping rules may be generated based on resource block descriptions. The resource block descriptions may be determined by matching symbols included in a resource block to a predefined set of symbol types. The symbol types may be determined based on transmission characteristics.
US09265038B2
A method for limiting a spurious emission; and a user equipment (UE) therefore are discussed. The method according to one embodiment includes, if a radio frequency (RF) unit of the UE is configured to use a band 1, configuring the RF unit of the UE to limit a maximum level of spurious emission to −50 dBm for protecting other UE using a band 5; if the RF unit of the UE is configured to use the band 5, configuring the RF unit of the UE to limit the maximum level of spurious emission to −50 dBm for protecting the other UE using at least one of bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 38, 40; and transmitting an uplink signal through the configured RF unit.
US09265037B2
The disclosure is related to transmitting a control channel, multiplexing an uplink control channel, and multiplexing a sounding reference signal for user equipment configured with carrier aggregation.
US09265031B2
A lightweight communication protocol reduces overhead for small data transmissions from a wireless device to a base station over an uplink channel. The wireless device is preconfigured with a device identifier that is known to the base station. The preconfigured device identifier is associated with a static tunnel between the base station and a serving gateway. The wireless device transmits application data to the base station in a medium access control packet without using higher layer protocols. When the base station receives the medium access control packet, it maps the application data to the tunnel associated with the preconfigured device identifier.
US09265024B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining the location of a mobile device. Specifically, the method comprises: receiving the location message from a neighboring mobile device, the location message comprising the location of the neighboring mobile device at the current time which is obtained by the neighboring mobile device through calculation utilizing signals received from satellites; and estimating the location of the mobile device at the current time based on stored locations of the mobile device at historical time, stored locations of the neighboring mobile device at the historical time, and the received location of the neighboring mobile device at the current time.
US09265023B2
Location of a mobile handset is facilitated. A system includes three or more location measurement units that each correspond to a sector of the cell site. The location measurement units transmit location related information to a computation component. The computation component receives the location related information and performs a triangulation calculation on the information to define the location of the mobile handset.
US09265020B2
One embodiment described herein, a method of supporting wireless stations in a wireless distribution system having a portal and one or more access points is described. The method comprises accepting by a first access point (AP) a set of filters from a station; receiving by the first AP signaling that the station enters into an idle mode and signaling the same to a server in the wireless distribution system; forwarding by the first AP the set of filters to the server, the set of filters being applied to messages directed to the station received by the server in the wireless distribution system; receiving a buffered message for the station from the server in response to the buffered message matching at least one of the set of filters; and forwarding the buffered message to the station in response to receiving the buffered message from the server.
US09265005B2
Methods of throttling video streaming downloads in burst transmissions to a mobile device are driven by the network client. By knowing various input parameters such as the media bitrate, the current (average) network link bitrate, transceiver state timeout characteristics (e.g., inactivity timers), and power consumption information for various mobile device operating states, the network client can decide the proportion of each repeating burst interval duration to spend in an idle state. From a control parameter and the other input parameters, it can calculate the amount of media data it then needs to request in each burst transmission. Other calculations further inform this decision, such as the relative average power consumption (as compared to staying at a high activity state continuously).
US09265003B2
Various embodiments for reducing power consumption and radio frequency (RF) interference in a mobile computing device are described. In one or more embodiments, the mobile computing device may support cellular voice communication, wireless wide area network (WWAN) data communication, and wireless local area network (WLAN) data communication. The mobile computing device may be arranged to disable WWAN data communication whenever an available WLAN is detected to reduce RF interference and/or power consumption. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09265001B1
Systems and methods systems and methods for altering a state of system using a remote device that processes gestures are described herein. The electronic device can communicate with the system in response to monitoring a user generated gesture or other interaction. For example, a user can wave the personal device or wave to the personal device, and in response thereto, the personal device can transmit an instruction to the system that causes it to change its operational state. Thus, embodiments discussed herein enable a user to perform remote gestures with a first device to affect the operation of a second device.
US09264996B2
Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g., a first field for a first wireless communication device, a second field for a second wireless communication device, etc.).
US09264993B2
The present invention relates to a wireless access system, and more particularly, to a method for saving power of a femto base station. The present invention includes obtaining reference synchronization information used in a prescribed area to enable a first femto base station to perform a sleep mode operation, shifting to a sleep mode if a mobile station does not exist within the first femto base station, and enabling the first femto base station to be synchronized with at least one second femto base station belonging to the prescribed area using the reference synchronization information, wherein each of the femto base stations included in the prescribed area achieves synchronization of the sleep mode operation using the reference synchronization information. Accordingly, it is able to minimize power consumption of a femto base station and interference with a macro cell in a wireless access system supporting a femtocell. And, a mobile station within a femtocell is able to perform reliable communications.
US09264982B2
The present invention relates to a method and a network node for selecting a gateway for a user equipment in a communications system. The communications system comprises the network node and one or more gateways, configured to provide packet data network connectivity to the user equipment. The network node detects (401) the presence of local gateways among said gateways and obtains (403) a first set of information indicating the type of the user equipment. Based on the first set of information, the network node selects (406) one of the detected local gateways to provide packet data network connectivity to the user equipment when the user equipment type is of a fixed type.
US09264978B2
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving system information in a wireless communication system and method thereof are disclosed. In method of receiving system information at a mobile station (MS) in a wireless communication system, the present invention includes the steps of transmitting a version of a broadcast message stored in the mobile station to a base station when failing to receive a broadcast message at a transmission time of the broadcast message or in a transmission interval of the broadcast message, and receiving a response message including the system information contained in the broadcast message being transmitted by the base station from the base station when the version of the broadcast message stored in the mobile station is different from that of the broadcast message being transmitted by the base station.
US09264974B2
Systems, methods and computer readable media for mobility integration with fabric-enabled networks are described. Some implementations can include a method comprising terminating, using one or more processors, an access tunnel at an edge switch of a fabric-enabled network, and establishing, using the one or more processors, a mobility tunnel with the edge switch. The method can also include mapping, using the one or more processors, a mobility network to a service identifier associated with the mobility network. The method can further include forwarding, using the one or more processors, traffic for the mobility network from the edge switch to another edge switch across the fabric enabled network, wherein the traffic includes the service identifier.
US09264972B2
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may be an intermediate gateway. The intermediate gateway may receive a first Internet protocol (IP) packet of a first data flow for transmission to a device, determine a first quality of a cellular communication link established with the device and a second quality of at least one local area communication link established with the device, attach a header to the first IP packet when the second quality is closer to a quality requirement of the first IP packet than the first quality, the header being used to tunnel the first IP packet to the device via the at least one local area communication link, and transmit the first IP packet to the device via the at least one local area communication link based on at least the first and second qualities.
US09264954B2
Neighbor relation information management involves, for example: acquiring, reporting, and exchanging neighbor relation information. In some cases, neighbor relation information is acquired and/or reported in a manner that does not significantly impact other functionality of the access terminal. For example, an access terminal may be configured to acquire and/or report neighbor relation information only during one or more defined radio states. In some cases, the acquisition of neighbor relation information is based on a neighbor relation threshold. In some cases, an access terminal does not immediately report measured neighbor relation information and instead stores the information for reporting at a later time. In some cases, a transmitted indication is used to facilitate retrieval of neighbor relation information from an access terminal. In some cases, neighbor relation information acquired from an access terminal is exchanged over a direct interface between access points.
US09264948B2
A method and device for accessing and obtaining user equipment (UE) context and UE identity are provided. The method for access includes: when a UE accesses a System Architecture Evolution (SAE) network, judging, by a network node, whether a Globally Unique Mobility Management Entity Identifier (GUMMEI) carried by the UE or a Mobility Management Entity Group Identity (MMEGI) in the GUMMEI is allocated or mapped by the SAE network; if the GUMMEI or MMEGI is allocated by the SAE network, selecting, by the network node, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) according to the GUMMEIA network device includes an identity attribute obtaining module and a network resource node allocation module. Therefore, the access of the UE is achieved.
US09264947B2
A router includes a plurality of wireless network carrier cards, each of the network carrier cards adapted for use with one of a like plurality of different carrier networks, means for determining which of the plurality of network carrier cards provides a suitable connection to a carrier network and means for selecting one or more suitable connections to one or more carrier networks and for connecting the router to the carrier network through a particular one of the plurality of network carrier cards and a load balancing processor for load balancing between a plurality of different backbone networks and wherein the load balancing processor directs traffic among multiple networks to provide a desired throughput. In one embodiment, the router is provided as an evolution-data optimized (EVDO) wireless router.
US09264937B2
A method, device and system are provided for scheduling the delivery of messages from a wireless device in order to reduce congestion on the wireless network used by the wireless device. A message scheduler application operating on the wireless device intercepts messages being sent from at least one application running on the wireless device to a device layer for transmission, where intercepted messages are collected and held in a message queue for later transmission. The message scheduler monitors operation of the wireless device to detect the establishment of a communication connection, such as a voice call or packet data session, and causes the messages in the message queue to be transmitted from the wireless device utilizing logical channels assigned to the wireless device when setting up the communication connection that are different from the traffic channel assigned for the communication connection to transmit voice or data content.
US09264934B2
This disclosure provides example details for a method and apparatus for controlling the transmission of streaming content from a wireless communication network to a wireless device, including temporarily increasing the size of a buffer used at the device for streaming content buffering and correspondingly initiating a transmission burst of the streaming content towards the device. These operations are undertaken responsive to determining that there is an expectation that a required QoS will be violated with respect to the device and among their several advantages, they lessen the likelihood that the expected QoS violation will disrupt streaming content playback at the device.
US09264933B2
In embodiments, apparatuses, methods, and storage media may be described for identifying subframes in a radio frame on which a UE may receive a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) or enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) transmission. Specifically, the UE may receive multiple indications of uplink/downlink (UL/DL) subframe configurations and identify one or more subframes in which the UE may receive the PDCCH or ePDCCH transmission. The UE may then monitor one or more of the identified subframes and base discontinuous reception (DRX) timer functionality on one or more of the identified subframes.
US09264932B2
A system may be configured to multiplex traffic, on a per-application basis, over multiple networks. The traffic may be multiplexed based on weights, associated with each application, and key performance indicators (“KPIs”) associated with the networks. The system may output a first proportion of traffic, associated with the application, via a first network, and may output a second proportion of traffic, associated the application, via the second network.
US09264925B2
Systems and methods are provided for identifying whether a signal is an LTE signal. The method includes receiving, using control circuitry, a signal. The method includes computing a measurement of the received signal, determining a signal parameter corresponding to a system parameter specific to an LTE standard, and identifying whether the received signal is an LTE signal based on the determined signal parameter.
US09264915B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, discloses a method and a device for setting a channel status information (CSI) measuring resource in a wireless communication system. The present invention provides a way to transmit/receive the CSI more accurately and efficiently by setting a virtual reference resource for measuring the CSI.
US09264906B2
A user is provided with access to a systems interface to back-end legacy systems using voice inputs. The user dials-in to the voice server using an access device. A voice recognition server performs voice authentication, speech recognition, and speech synthesis. The voice server authenticates the user based on a voice exemplar provided by the user. Using speech synthesis, the voice server provides a menu of operations from which the user can select. By speaking into the access device, the user selects an operation and provides any additional data needed for the operation. Using speech recognition, the voice server prepares a user request based on the spoken user input. The user request is forwarded to the systems interface to the legacy systems. The systems interface includes a protocol server for providing a protocol interface and a transaction server for receiving user requests and generating legacy transactions. The systems interface retrieves information from the legacy systems based on the user request and forwards this information to the voice server. The voice server formats the information and outputs the information to the access device as speech and/or text.
US09264898B2
In general, techniques are described for emulating mobile authentication methods to establish authenticated connectivity between a mobile service provider gateway and a wireless device attached to an alternate access network. For example, a system operating according to the described techniques includes a mobile service provider network, an alternate access network having an access gateway, and an authentication server of the mobile service provider network that receives a network access request. A subscriber database responds to the network access request with virtual mobility information, wherein the network access request does not include an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and wherein the virtual mobility information comprises a virtual IMSI. The access gateway uses the virtual mobility information to signal a mobile network gateway of the mobile service provider network to establish a service session for the wireless device over the alternate access network that is anchored by the mobile network gateway.
US09264896B2
The accessory is capable of connecting to a host device, which is physically separated from the accessory. The accessory includes a first communication module and a contactless module. The first communication module is used to wirelessly coupled to the host device, and receive a first credential from the host device. The contactless module is coupled to the first communication module. The contactless module includes a controller, a first security element, an antenna, and a storage unit. The controller receives the credential from the first communication module. The first security element is coupled to the controller for receiving and storing the first credential. The antenna is coupled to the controller to wirelessly communicate with a first reader for a first application by using the stored first credential. The storage unit stores at least one first transaction record generated during the first application is operating.
US09264882B2
In order to enable a communication system introduced with a femtocell base station using an IMS network, to perform PS service similar to that of the existing 3G network, a service control apparatus (SGSN functional unit), based on the UE's message transmitted to the femtocell base station (FAP), acquires UE's subscriber information for PS (Packet Switching) service, from a HLR and registers the subscriber information in a VLR that is present on the IMS network. Then, service control apparatus performs PS service based on the subscriber information registered in the VLR.
US09264869B2
An apparatus and method for processing call services in a mobile terminal are provided. The method for processing call services in a mobile terminal includes entering into, when a call is generated, a call handling mode, recognizing and analyzing voice signals sent and received in the call to produce speech analysis information, detecting a state change of the mobile terminal using a sensing unit to produce user behavior information, and predicting, when a state change of the mobile terminal is detected, an application corresponding to the speech analysis information, and activating the application as a follow-up service.
US09264866B2
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for delivering enhanced message content to subscribers and for overcoming common incompatibilities found in message delivery mechanisms. Exemplary embodiments profile an intended recipient's network capabilities, the intended recipient's device, and/or the recipient's service feature profile. This profile is leveraged to predictively and adaptively adjust the subsequent enhanced message content delivery process. Further, content modification can be applied for those cases where there is a defined mismatch that can be handled in order to facilitate delivery of the substance of the enhanced content. Finally, in cases where the content needs to be delivered intact to the intended recipient, but where the recipient network, the recipient's device and/or the recipient's service profile do not allow for delivery, the content may be delivered to an alternative device or system. These alternative devices or systems may be managed by the sender, the recipient, or a service provider's network.
US09264864B1
A data message service system comprises a communication transceiver and a processing system. The communication transceiver is configured to receive a data message from a first wireless communication device for delivery to a second wireless communication device, wherein the data message indicates a delivery receipt request. The processing system is configured to, responsive to the delivery receipt request, store an identifier of a service node serving the first wireless communication device. The processing system is further configured to direct the communication transceiver to transfer the data message for delivery to the second wireless communication device, and transfer a delivery receipt for delivery to the first wireless communication device using the identifier of the service node serving the first wireless communication device.
US09264862B2
Methods and mobile devices determine an exit from a vehicle. Sensors of a mobile device can be used to determine when the user is in a vehicle that is driving. The same or different sensors can be used to identify a disturbance (e.g., loss of communication connection from mobile device to a car computer). After the disturbance, an exit confidence score can be determined at various times, and compared to a threshold. A determination of the exit of the user can be determined based on the comparison of the exit confidence score to the threshold. The mobile device can perform one or more functions in response to the exit confidence score exceeding the threshold, such as changing a user interface (e.g., of a navigation app) or obtaining a location to designate a parking location.
US09264861B1
Contextual spatial models for indoor and outdoor structures are created from a plurality of devices using crowdsourcing. A method for creating a contextual spatial model for a premises includes receiving location information and contextual information from a plurality of devices. For each of the plurality of devices, the method receives location information of the device's location, and contextual information related to at least one of the device and a user associated with the device when the device is at the location. The method then determines a designation for each subject location within the premises by applying the received contextual information associated with the subject location to a location model (e.g., rules-based model or a machine learning model).
US09264854B2
A content selection system, in which a management apparatus, a distribution apparatus and a wireless terminal are provided, includes the distribution apparatus's distribution unit for distributing, within a predetermined spatial range, location information indicating a location at which the distribution apparatus is installed; the wireless terminal's obtaining unit for obtaining the location information distributed by the distribution unit; the wireless terminal's transmission unit for transmitting the obtained location information to the management apparatus; the management apparatus's reception unit for receiving the transmitted location information; the management apparatus's determination unit configured to determine whether the received location information indicates a predetermined location; and the management apparatus's selection unit for selecting a content associated with the predetermined location for output thereat in response to the determination by the determination unit that the received location information indicates the predetermined location.
US09264853B2
A handheld device including a memory, a wireless interface, and a non-wireless interface. The memory is configured to store authentication information in the handheld device. The authentication information identifies a user of the handheld device. The wireless interface is configured to interface the handheld device to a wireless network, and to permit the user of the handheld device to communicate with the wireless network based on the authentication information stored in the memory of the handheld device. The non-wireless interface is configured to interface the handheld device to a remote device including an interface compatible with the non-wireless interface of the handheld device, and to permit the remote device to communicate with the wireless network via the wireless interface of the handheld device.
US09264842B1
A device management (DM) server. The server comprises a memory, a processor, and an application programming interface (API), wherein the secondary DM server makes available a subset of the functionality of a DM server and when accessed through a portal, initiates a DM session with a short message service (SMS) system type message, notifies the mobile communication devices associated with a trusted third party of secondary DM server via the short message service system type message, and makes available firmware to be downloaded from a sandbox of the secondary DM server and tested by a limited number of the mobile communication devices associated with the third party, wherein the sandbox is an area in a memory to isolate untested firmware or firmware under test from the environment outside the sandbox.
US09264833B2
The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated microphone structure. The integrated microphone structure includes a first silicon substrate patterned as a first plate; a silicon oxide layer formed on one side of the first silicon substrate; a second silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate through the silicon oxide layer such that the silicon oxide layer is sandwiched between the first and second silicon substrates; and a diaphragm secured on the silicon oxide layer and disposed between the first and second silicon substrates, wherein the first plate and the diaphragm are configured to form a capacitive microphone.
US09264821B2
A hearing aid system includes a first (1) and a second (11) hearing aid, each having link means for establishing a short-range wireless connection (20) between the first and the second hearing aid. At least the first hearing aid has means to monitor whether the link to the second hearing aid is active and alert means to issue an alert based on a condition of the link or on a condition of the second hearing aid. The alert can be a spoken message, a visual indicator, or a message sent to an external unit (30). The invention further provides a method to issue an alarm in a first hearing aid.
US09264815B2
A silicon condenser microphone is disclosed. The silicon condenser microphone includes a substrate having a top surface, a lower surface opposed to the top surface, and a recess concave from the top surface toward the lower surface. The recess includes a bottom for carrying a chip thereon. The microphone further includes a transducer spanning the recess. By virtue of this configuration, the size of the microphone is reduced, and acoustic performance of the microphone is accordingly improved.
US09264814B2
Provided is a microphone. The microphone includes a substrate including an acoustic chamber, a lower backplate disposed on the substrate, a diaphragm spaced apart from the lower backplate on the lower backplate, the diaphragm having a diaphragm hole passing therethrough, a connection unit disposed on the lower backplate to extend through the diaphragm hole, and an upper backplate disposed on the connection unit, the upper backplate being spaced apart from the diaphragm. Thus, the microphone may be improved in sensitivity and reliability.
US09264812B2
According to one embodiment, a sound localization apparatus includes a storage unit, a selection unit, and a first operation unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of acoustic transfer characteristics each corresponding to a sound image direction and an emphasis degree of feeling of localization. The selection unit is configured to select a suitable acoustic transfer characteristic from the plurality of acoustic transfer characteristics. The suitable acoustic transfer characteristic is most suitable for the sound image direction indicated by a direction indication information and the emphasis degree indicated by an emphasis degree indication information. The first operation unit is configured to convolute the suitable acoustic transfer characteristic with a first audio signal to obtain a second audio signal.
US09264811B1
A software-based equalization method corrects for effects of impedance interactions of a source device and an output device, on an aggregate frequency response, in audio playback of a system. The correction results in perceived sound remaining consistent from any source device and output device combination. The method does not require any hardware modifications and a cloud-based database of source devices and output devices provides corrections for a wide array of possible device pairings.
US09264810B2
Embodiments provide apparatuses and systems which include a front surface, a back surface, and a second back surface. A speaker may be disposed between the front surface and the back surface. The speaker is to direct audio substantially orthogonally through the back surface. The second back surface is to enable an acoustic response from the speaker. A method is also provided which enables a computing device to determine whether it is engaging a surface. In response to the determination, the computing device may adjust the audio signal provisioned to a speaker directed orthogonally to the surface, and output the audio signal to provision an omni-directional acoustic response.
US09264808B2
In accordance with methods and systems of the present disclosure, an integrated circuit for implementing at least a portion of a personal audio device may include an output including an anti-noise signal, a reference microphone input, an error microphone input, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may implement an adaptive filter having a response that generates the anti-noise signal from the reference microphone signal to reduce the presence of the ambient audio sounds heard by the listener, wherein the processing circuit may implement a coefficient control block that shapes the response of the adaptive filter in conformity with the error microphone signal and the reference microphone signal by adapting the response of the adaptive filter in accordance with a calculated narrow-band-to-full-band ratio, wherein the narrow-band-to-full-band ratio is a function of a narrow-band power of the reference microphone signal divided by a full-band power of the reference microphone signal.
US09264806B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for tracking locations of a plurality of sound sources. According to the apparatus and the method, a task for searching sound source candidates is repeated at respective predetermined frames of microphone signals to collect sound source candidates, and only the collected sound source candidates are verified through beamforming, thereby more rapidly and accurately tracking the plurality of sound sources in spite of using a small number of microphones.
US09264799B2
Systems and methods are provided to create an acoustic map of a space containing multiple acoustic sources. Source localization and separation takes place by sampling an ultra large microphone array containing over 1020 microphones. The space is divided into a plurality of masks, wherein each masks represents a pass region and a complementary rejection region. Each mask is associated with a subset of microphones and beamforming filters that maximize a gain for signals coming from the pass region of the mask and minimizes the gain for signals from the complementary region according to an optimization criterion. The optimization criterion may be a minimization of a performance function for the beamforming filters. The performance function is preferably a convex function. A processor provides a scan applying the plurality of masks to locate a target source. Processor based systems to perform the optimization are also provided.
US09264791B1
A portable audio speaker system includes at least one speaker/housing assembly, each speaker/housing assembly including a speaker disposed inside of a housing, wherein the housing includes at least one of a magnet or a metal plate allowing the speaker/housing assembly to be attached to an item magnetically. The portable audio speaker system may include wired or wireless communication connection to the speaker/housing assembly, such as from a portable music player or other audio source.
US09264790B2
A tray moving mechanism includes: a unit base having an internal space formed as a containing space; and a tray movable between a retracted position in which the unit base is contained in the containing space and a projected position in which a music player formed in a substantially rectangular shape can be placed on the tray and in which a part of the tray is projected from the base unit, wherein the tray is moved with respect to the unit base such that the orientations of the tray with respect to the unit base in the retracted and projected positions are substantially 90 deg different from each other.
US09264788B2
A method and system for inter-channel spectral shaping in optical ring networks may involve selectively applying an attenuating notch filter at a spectral boundary between adjacent wavelength slots passed by a wavelength selective switch (WSS). In this manner, instability from net loop gain values exceeding unity may be prevented in the optical ring network.
US09264785B2
Audio fingerprinting and other media matching technologies can be used to identify broadcast media, such as television shows and radio broadcasts. A user device can record image, audio, and/or video information and upload information to a matching service that is able to use matching technology to identify the media and provide supplemental content or information to the user. The user might receive information identifying a product in an advertisement, identifying an actor on screen in a movie at a particular time, or other such information. In some embodiments, the user can receive access to a digital copy of the captured media, such as the ability to download a copy of a program in which a user expressed interest. Since a user might capture media information after the point of interest, a device can buffer a window of recently captured media in order to attempt to identify the intended media.
US09264776B2
Disclosed an apparatus and method of rendering user interface for playing the broadcast program, which is effective to enable a user to view the broadcast program without being limited to the past or future time zone, in the case that a user makes the current viewing point be located in the past or future time zone compared to the current broadcasting point when the broadcast program is played.
US09264775B2
An intelligent television can store and retrieve data about various functions of the television or associated with user behavior. The stored data streamlines the processes of providing electronic programming guide information, providing search results, providing statistics about content, providing channel information, etc. The unique set of data services in the intelligent television receive, store, manage, and retrieve the data for various of the applications or components.
US09264768B2
Methods and computer program products for reporting application and device data retrieved from within an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network environment are provided. IPTV system usage data is retrieved from at least one IPTV device and normalized into a predetermined data format. The IPTV system usage data is parsed according to predetermined criteria. The parsed IPTV system usage data is delivered to a dedicated data mart for storage, the IPTV system usage data that is stored within at least one dedicated data mart is accessed, and the IPTV system usage data that is stored at the at least one dedicated data mart is used to generate a report.
US09264764B2
The MEDIA CONTENT BASED ADVERTISING SURVEY PLATFORM METHODS (“AD-SURVEY”) transforms user advertisement exposure data via AD-SURVEY components, into ad effects data including user responses to survey questions. A method is disclosed, comprising: obtaining TV program schedule listing data including a plurality of ad tags at a server; providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device, receiving a user media program selection message from the user mobile device; retrieving an ad tag associated with the user selected media program from the TV program schedule listing data; extracting key terms from the ad tags based by parsing ad contents; querying a survey question list based on the extracted key terms; generating and sending a survey question from the query to the user mobile device; and obtaining a user reaction to the survey question.
US09264762B2
An apparatus, system and method for performing dispatch operations using a signal physical interface are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus is for use in a wireless communication system for communicating with a wireless network and comprises a host processor, a transceiver, a physical interface coupling the host processor and the transceiver, and a memory accessible by the host processor and the transceiver to exchange information between the host processor and the transceiver. The transceiver is operable to store data in the memory for the host processor to send data to the host processor using the memory and asserts a control signal to the host processor to notify the host processor that the memory contains data for the host processor, and the host processor is operable to access the memory to obtain the data thereafter. The data is associated with a remote device in the wireless network and is stored as one or more packets at a first storage location in the memory with a first identifier identifying the remote device.
US09264761B2
Methods of operating a communications system comprise, in one example, inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program steam. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. In one example, the receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.
US09264750B2
One or more servers in an IP network receive, from a user device, a selection of live streaming content and assemble an index file including links to chunks of the selected live streaming content and links to advertising files for insertion within the selected live streaming content. The one or more severs send, to the user device, a link to the index file associated with the selected live streaming content and receive, from the user device, a streaming request for the selected live streaming content. The one or more servers send, to the user device, the index file including the links to chunks of the selected live streaming content and the links to advertising files for insertion within the selected live streaming content. The user device may use the links to combine the chunks of the selected live streaming content and the advertising files into a single linear presentation. A standards-based client for the user device is used with the server side implementation. Multiple groupings of index files, based on various location and business criteria, allow for reduction in media stream creation, and granularity of addressing each subscriber.
US09264749B2
Various technologies described herein pertain to performing collaborative rendering. A GPU of a mobile device can generate a mobile-rendered video stream based on a first instance of an application executed on the mobile device. A GPU of a server can generate one or more server-rendered video streams based on instance(s) of the application executed on the server. Based on the one or more server-rendered video streams, the server can generate a compressed server-manipulated video stream. The mobile device can further combine the mobile-rendered video stream and the compressed server-manipulated video stream to form a collaborative video stream, and a display screen of the mobile device can be caused to display the collaborative video stream. The mobile-rendered video stream can have a first level of a quality attribute and the collaborative video stream can have a second level of the quality attribute greater than the first level of the quality attribute.
US09264747B2
A data communication architecture delivers a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architecture employs channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architecture communicates content according to an initial bonding configuration. The communication architecture may adjust the bonding configuration to adapt to bonding environment changes affecting the communication capabilities or requirements associated with transmitting the content.
US09264744B1
In one aspect, an example method for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system involves: a computing device receiving a first video-stream that represents first video-content; the computing device generating a first signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the first video-content; the computing device receiving a second video-stream that represents second video-content; the computing device generating a second signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the second video-content; the computing device making a determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity; and responsive to the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing device outputting an alert.
US09264738B2
A method and apparatus for encoding video by using deblocking filtering, and a method and apparatus for decoding video by using deblocking filtering are provided. The method of encoding video includes: splitting a picture into a maximum coding unit; determining coding units of coded depths and encoding modes for the coding units of the maximum coding unit by prediction encoding the coding units of the maximum coding unit based on at least one prediction unit and transforming the coding units based on at least one transformation unit, wherein the maximum coding unit is hierarchically split into the coding units as a depth deepens, and the coded depths are depths where the maximum coding unit is encoded in the coding units; and performing deblocking filtering on video data being inversely transformed into a spatial domain in the coding units, in consideration of the encoding modes.
US09264732B2
A method for decoding a residual block, includes: obtaining residual data from encoded data; identifying one or more conditions for enabling an inverse quantization and an inverse transform; skipping both of the inverse quantization and the inverse transform for the obtained residual data to thereby reconstruct a residual block directly from the obtained residual data, when the one or more identified conditions indicate skipping of both the inverse quantization and the inverse transform; inversely quantizing the obtained residual data and skipping the inverse transform for the inversely quantized residual data to thereby reconstruct a residual block using the inverse-quantized residual data, when the one or more identified conditions indicate skipping of the inverse transform; and inversely quantizing the obtained residual data and inversely transforming the inversely quantized residual data to thereby reconstruct a residual block using the inverse transformed residual data.
US09264730B2
When a block (MB22) of which motion vector is referred to in the direct mode contains a plurality of motion vectors, 2 motion vectors MV23 and MV24, which are used for inter picture prediction of a current picture (P23) to be coded, are determined by scaling a value obtained from averaging the plurality of motion vectors or selecting one of the plurality of the motion vectors.
US09264721B2
A video encoding/decoding apparatus, a deblocking filter and filtering method based on intra-prediction directions for same, and recording media are disclosed, and the deblocking filter includes: a boundary strength determiner for determining strength of boundary of current block; an intra-block identifier for confirming intra-block identity of a subblock enclosing first pixel at a certain location with reference to the boundary; an intra-prediction direction identifier for identifying an intra-prediction direction of the subblock if the subblock is identified as an intra-block; a filtering pixel selection unit for selecting pixels for filtering based on the first pixel and the identified intra-prediction direction; and a filtering unit for filtering in horizontal direction, vertical direction, or diagonal direction depending on the intra-prediction direction and relationships between pixel values of the selected pixels to eliminate deblocking artifacts within diagonal edges at a boundary between blocks by deblocking filtering in the intra-prediction direction.
US09264719B2
Provided is a moving picture coding apparatus for increasing a compression ratio of a moving picture signal while maintaining high image quality. To minimize the number of bits required for a residual block, quantized transform coefficients are adaptively divided into a plurality of subsets according to a size of a transform block, and non-zero quantized transform coefficients of each subset are scanned and encoded. Also, an intra prediction mode of the current block is determined using reference pixels obtained by filtering reference pixels of the current block. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the amount of data required for the residual block of the current block.
US09264718B2
Provided is a moving picture coding apparatus for increasing a compression ratio of a moving picture signal while maintaining high image quality. To minimize the number of bits required for a residual block, quantized transform coefficients are adaptively divided into a plurality of subsets according to a size of a transform block, and non-zero quantized transform coefficients of each subset are scanned and encoded. Also, an intra prediction mode of the current block is determined using reference pixels obtained by filtering reference pixels of the current block. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the amount of data required for the residual block of the current block.
US09264713B2
Techniques are described for coding residual data of a prediction residual block with transform skipping. A transform may be skipped for a residual block when the residual block is coded using either a lossless coding mode or a lossy coding mode in a transform skip mode. According to the techniques, based on a transform being skipped for a residual block, a rotation unit included in a video encoder or a video decoder determines whether to rotate the residual block prior to coding residual data of the residual block. In some examples, a rotation value may be explicitly signaled between the video encoder and the video decoder. In other examples, the video encoder and the video decoder may each independently determine whether to rotate the residual block based on a type of boundary at two or more edges of the residual block.
US09264709B2
The invention relates to a method and device for mixing video streams in a video mixer device, by means of which a plurality of input video streams from different subscribers which are encoded with code words for macroblocks and in which the code words have interdependencies are combined into an output video stream. The input video streams are at least entropy-decoded to such a degree that the dependencies among the code words are dissolved, wherein the macroblocks are re-organized and mixed with each other, and the mixed macroblocks are entropy-encoded to obtain a new dedicated video stream.
US09264703B2
A method of testing analog and digital paths of a pixel in a row of an imager, includes the following steps: (a) injecting first and second charges into the analog path of the pixel, wherein the first charge is in response to a light exposure, and the second charge is in response to a built-in test; (b) sampling the first and second charges to form an image signal level and a test signal level, respectively; and (c) converting, by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the image signal level and the test signal level to form image data end test data, respectively. The method then validates the image data based on the test data.
US09264696B2
An optical system for capturing three-dimensional images of a three-dimensional object is provided. The optical system includes a projector for structured illumination of the object. The projector includes a light source, a grid mask positioned between the light source and the object for structured illumination of the object, and a first Wavefront Coding (WFC) element having a phase modulating mask positioned between the grid mask and the object to receive patterned light from the light source through the grid mask. The first WFC element is constructed and arranged such that a point spread function of the projector is substantially invariant over a wider range of depth of field of the grid mask than a point spread function of the projector without the first WFC element.
US09264687B2
Various embodiments relate to a multimedia system comprising a plurality of multimedia sources and a playback unit being configured to perform a requested playback. The multimedia system comprising a control unit configured to automatically extract at least portions of the playback as tracks. The tracks being characteristic audio and/or video parts of the playback. The multimedia system further comprises a communication interface being configured to connect to the Internet and to automatically send first data comprising the tracks to a remote server and further being configured to automatically receive second data in response to the sent first data from the remote server. The second data comprises identification information of the playback. The identification information being determined based on the tracks and uniquely identifying the playback.
US09264686B2
A method for displaying a webpage is described. The method involves receiving a broadcast stream including a program, playing the program in the broadcast stream to a viewer, displaying an icon to the viewer and receiving viewer input in response to display of the icon, pausing the playing of the program in response to receiving the viewer input, displaying a web page to the viewer in response to receiving the viewer input, and resuming the playing of the program.
US09264684B2
The color distortion of an image caused by improper white balance when illuminated using a dual light source can be alleviated by masking a weighted central area of the image, and then determining an impact metric indicating the combined impact of the brightness and pixel color components for the masked weighted central area.
US09264671B2
A video transmission system includes a video server module that selectively operates in a unicast mode and a multicast mode, wherein the video server module generates a video signal that includes a unicast video signal when the video server module is in the unicast mode and that includes a multicast video signal when the video server module is in the multicast mode. A wireless access device transmits the video signal to at least one mobile video device.
US09264669B2
Data can be provided via devices based on levels of functionalities of the devices. In one example, a broker receives content from a data source and sends the content to devices in a network for presentation to a user. The devices may have different functionalities and the broker may modify the data content in accordance with each devices level of functionality. Modification of the data content may include, for example, re-formatting or changing the amount of content to be displayed or provided at the respective devices in the network.
US09264652B2
A method may include storing a number of programs on a digital video recorder (DVR) and assigning a score or ranking to each of the programs. The method may also include receiving a request to store another program on the DVR and determining whether the DVR has adequate storage space for the other program. The method may further include forwarding, when the DVR does not have adequate storage space for the other program, one of the programs having a lowest score or ranking to a secondary storage located remotely from the DVR.
US09264650B1
A video system comprises a camera, an enclosure, and an interface system integrated with the enclosure. The interface is configured to receive, on a link external to the enclosure, video captured by the camera and transfer the video on a link internal to the enclosure. The video system further includes a conversion module and a processing system. The conversion module is configured to receive the video on the internal link and transfer the video for delivery to the processing system on another internal link which has a different characteristic impedance than the first internal link. The processing system is configured to receive the video on the other internal link and encode the video. The video system further includes a monitoring system which is configured to display and store the video.
US09264649B2
A medical communication system includes a plurality of end-user audio/video recording and playback devices (40) disposed with recipients of medical assistance, and a medical server (10) configured to receive audio/video messages (90′) generated by the end-user audio/video devices and to generate and transmit audio/video responses (94) to targeted end-user audio/video devices. The medical server includes an audio/video recording and playback device (12) configured to playback received audio/video messages and to record audio/video responses, and the end user audio/video recording and playback devices are configured to playback audio/video responses (94′) received from the server. In some embodiments, each end-user audio/video device includes: a video recording lens (62); a microphone (64); and an automatic lens cover (63) arranged to physically block the video recording lens except during recording of audio/video content. In some embodiments, each end-user audio/video device includes a consumer entertainment device (50, 52).
US09264647B2
Provided is technology avoiding situation where content cannot be viewed in the middle, due to insufficient amount of power remaining in a battery, in a television having a monitor unit separated from a tuner unit. A location free TV 1 includes an STB 10 and a monitor unit 30 separately, as independent configurations. Broadcasting received by the STB 10 is wirelessly transmitted to the monitor unit 30, and displayed on the monitor unit 30. The STB 10 is connected to an external recorder 94 and an external storage 96 in a recordable, playable state. Connection to a network storage 92 is performed via a network 90 in a recordable, playable state. The location free TV 1 has general TV functions, and, when insufficient amount of power remains in a battery of the monitor unit 30, a viewed program is recorded in the external recorder 94 etc., via the STB 10.
US09264646B2
A video playing method for an electronic device, the electronic device includes a display and an image capturing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus captures images in real-time while a video is being displayed by the electronic device. The electronic device determines whether each of the images captured by the image capturing apparatus includes facial characteristics. If one or more images do not include the facial characteristics, the video is automatically paused.
US09264642B2
Conventionally, in order to obtain a difference signal between an A+N signal and an N signal and a difference signal between an A+B+N signal and the A+N signal, the A+N signal needs to be held in two different capacitors. Hence, there is a problem in that, due to variations in capacitance of the two capacitors, the difference signal between the A+N signal and the N signal and the difference signal between the A+B+N signal and the A+N signal may not accurately be obtained. An imaging device generates a signal obtained by subtracting the same digital N signal from each of the digital A+N signal and the digital A+B+N signal.
US09264641B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus which can enhance photo responsibility. A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: a photoelectric conversion element configured to output a photo current generated by a photoelectric conversion; a detecting unit configured to detect a potential of an output terminal of the photoelectric conversion element; a feedback input unit configured to input a feedback signal based on the potential detected by the detecting unit; a current detecting unit configured to detect the photo current; and a current amplifier unit configured to generate an amplified current based on the photo current detected by the current detecting unit, and to output the amplified current to the feedback input unit, wherein the feedback input unit outputs a current derived by adding the photo current to the amplified current.
US09264636B2
A digital signal processing unit 17 of a digital camera which includes a solid-state imaging element 5 having an imaging pixel cell 30 and a pair of focus detecting pixel cells 31R and 31L determines whether a captured image signal obtained by imaging by the imaging element 5 has a region affected by at least one of the flare and the ghost. And, when it is determined that there is the region, the digital signal processing unit 17 performs correction processing by signal interpolation using an output signal of imaging pixel cells around the focus detecting pixel cell included in the captured image signal on an output signal of all the focus detecting pixel cells included in the captured image signal.
US09264621B2
An electronic viewfinder is configured to magnify an image and provide adjustable diopter for different observers. The electronic viewfinder includes an aperture stop, a lens group totally with positive power, and a display. The components in the electronic viewfinder are arranged sequentially between the observer and the image. The lens group is utilized to enlarge the image, and the lens group includes a first lens with positive power and a second lens with negative power. The display is for showing the image. A first planar lens is disposed between the aperture stop and the lens group. A second planar lens may be disposed between the lens group and the display. A polarizer may be arranged between the second planar lens and the lens group.
US09264616B2
An image capturing apparatus comprises a shake detection unit configured to detect a shake, a motion vector detection unit configured to detect a motion vector indicating movement of an image from a captured image signal, a motion vector output control unit configured to selectively output an output of the motion vector detection unit and an output of the shake detection unit, a correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a shake correction amount based on at least one of the output of the motion vector output control unit and the output of the shake detection unit; and a correction unit configured to correct the image blurring of the captured image based on the shake correction amount.
US09264613B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling current consumption of a mobile device. The method includes measuring weather in an environment of the mobile device and comparing the measured value with an operating threshold. When the measured value is out of the operating range, current consumed by the mobile device is controlled.
US09264609B2
An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing section that receives input images of a plurality of frames, divides an image of each input frame into a plurality of blocks for each image of the frame, and generates an image corresponding to each frame by performing predetermined image processing on each division block; and an overlap width control section that separately saves overlap width data to be used in each of a plurality of image processing operations by the image processing section for generating the image corresponding to each frame for each piece of the overlap width data corresponding to each image processing operation when image data included in an overlap width area in which block areas overlap within the image of each frame is saved as overlap width data, and switches the overlap width data to be used when the image processing section performs each image processing operation.
US09264608B2
A control for a power saving of an electronic device is disclosed. The device includes a camera configured to be activated and then obtain an image when no input event is received within a given time after activation of a selected function. The device further includes a control unit configured to, if the obtained image contains a specific pattern, determine whether the specific pattern corresponds to a human face pattern, and to, if the specific pattern does not correspond to the human face pattern, perform a power saving control of the electronic device.
US09264597B2
Systems and methods are provided to implement a state map to control operations of a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The state map can be a table comprising one or more locations. Each of the locations can comprise a destination state to define the operations of the sensor and an exit criterion to advance to a next location in the state map. For example, an operation sequence can be implemented using the state map to instruct the CMOS sensor to perform a specific set of operations. Further, a data value to represent the destination state and/or a variable input can be stored in a writable address of a register. Thus, a simplified architecture can be provided to implement CMOS sensor operation states, for instance, to improve interactions between real time and non-real time signals and to increase functionality of the CMOS sensor.
US09264596B2
In a security camera system, the power to the illumination system is controlled based on the quality of the images generated by the imaging system. Specifically, the images in the frames detected by the imaging chip of the security camera are analyzed to determine whether or not there is adequate or inadequate power to the illumination system. The controller then changes the power to the illumination system until optimal illumination of the scene is achieved. Generally the power to the illumination system is reduced in response to increasing blur in the images or halos around edges in the images.
US09264594B2
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.
US09264583B2
According to one example, there is provided a printing system. The printing system comprises a support having a plurality of spaced apertures and a color sensor moveable to measure light from each aperture. The printing system further comprises a controller to control the color sensor to measure characteristics of light emitted through each aperture, and to determine, for each aperture, light calibration data. The printing system is particularly adapted for use with substrates that are intended to be viewed when backlit, that is in conjunction with backlighting.
US09264569B2
An optical scanner includes a substrate, and a tunable laser on the substrate, wherein the tunable laser is configured to emit light, and to sweep a wavelength of the emitted light through a waveband. The optical scanner further includes a grating over a top surface of the substrate, the grating configured to diffract light emitted from the tunable laser, and an angled reflective surface configured to reflect the diffracted light from the grating. The optical scanner further includes a refractive element configured to receive the reflected light from the angled reflective surface. The refractive element is configured to focus the reflected light in a first direction and to diverge the reflected light in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US09264562B2
A printer includes a scanner unit which reads a document; and a recording portion which records information read by the scanner unit. In the recording portion, the maximum recordable size of a paper sheet is greater than a size of a document reading area in the scanner unit. At a base end side of a cover, which opens and closes the document reading area, a gap is formed which passes the document to an outer side of the scanner unit when the document is pushed out from the document reading area.
US09264561B2
The disclosure relates to a multi-functional printer. The multi-functional printer comprises an automatic document feeder member located in a scanner device and being movable between a unlifted position and a lifted-up position; a pen door located in a printer device and being movable between an open position and a closed position; and a link mechanism positioned between the automatic document feeder member and the pen door, such that when the automatic document feeder member is moved between the unlifted position and the lifted-up position, the pen door moves with the automatic document feeder member to open or close the pen door.
US09264556B2
Embodiments attribute network data transfers to applications executing on a computing device. A data transfer service executes on the computing device to receive and process data transfer requests. The data transfer requests, populated by the applications, have identifiers attributed thereto to enable monitoring of the network data transfers per identifier. For example, network data transfers associated with different mail accounts of a mail program or different web sites of browser are attributed separately. Data usage statistics relating to the network data transfers for each identifier may be generated and presented to the user for review.
US09264540B2
A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call, and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, to allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him or her, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his or her local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.
US09264538B2
A mobile device stores a service-creation application and presents, via the service-creation application, a user interface to solicit a service definition for client mobile devices. The mobile device stores a service-engine for providing the service and announces availability of the service to the client mobile devices. The mobile device receives, in response to the announcing, a registration request from one of the client mobile devices and validates the registration request. The mobile device then provides, to the one of the client mobile devices, the service via the service engine.
US09264535B2
Various embodiments are directed to techniques managing telephone numbers and other telecommunication identifiers when placing and receiving calls or messages from a single device. In some embodiments, one of a plurality of outbound telephone numbers or other identifiers associated with the device or an application executing on the device may be selected when making an outbound telephone call or sending a message. In another embodiment, an outbound telephone number or other identifier is automatically selected when making an outbound telephone call or sending a message based on an association of that outbound telephone number with the intended recipient of the call or message.
US09264527B2
A hands-free telephone conversation apparatus can reduce negative influence of an echo on a sound to be transmitted to a far-end user without deteriorating the sound. When a MPU determines that a mobile phone receives an incoming call, and a user starts to talk on the mobile phone, in accordance with an operation of an input device connected to an in-vehicle bus line, a MPU controls the mobile phone to have the mobile phone output, to the DSP, a sound signal indicative of a sound to be transmitted to the far-end user, and to have a switch select a loudspeaker, installed in an vehicle without being directed to the microphone, as a loudspeaker for outputting a sound received from the far-end user.
US09264521B2
Methods and systems for encapsulating and de-encapsulating a customer frame component of a Provider Backbone Bridging header are provided. The customer frame component includes a customer local area network identifier and a customer destination address. The customer frame component can be received at an ingress port of a network device for transmission. Header information can be determined from the customer local area network identifier and the customer destination address. A key can be set in the header information to a predefined value for a Provider Backbone Bridging protocol. A backbone service instance identifier can be determined from the customer local area network identifier. The header information and backbone service instance identifier can be concatenated with the customer frame component to form a frame. The frame can be provided to an egress port of the network device for transmission, where the egress port is determined from the header information.
US09264513B2
A content delivery system coupled to a computer network can provide large volumes of content to large numbers of recipients. The content is collected into digests and individual articles to be sent in email via an email channel established by the content delivery system to the recipients through the computer network. Content producers submit content for aggregation into various email deliveries and submit initial scheduling information. The scheduling information may specify target characteristics of preferred recipients of the content as well as general and initial scheduling preferences for email delivery. The content delivery system utilizes the initial scheduling information as a starting point for scheduling email deliveries. The system measures levels of content interaction by the recipients to gauge corresponding interest levels in the content. Using recipient interest levels as feedback, the content delivery system is able to modify and extend scheduling details to optimally schedule further deliveries of content.
US09264508B2
Apparatus and methods for providing reduced channel switching delays in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, switching delays are reduced by caching background content at reduced quality and/or resolution. A manager entity is provided which manages which, and how many, background channels are cached. Additionally, the manager entity may classify each device in the network according a status thereof. When a particular device is in one status or mode, background content is cached; however, when the device is in another status or mode, it will no longer require background content caching. The provision of background content and the determination of a status may be based on for example the user or device behavior and patterns, user preferences or favorites, bandwidth availability, time of day, subscription level, type of program, recentness of channel change requests on the device (or associated devices), etc.
US09264504B2
A system and method are provided for enabling access to presence status for mobile devices. The method comprises receiving, via an application programming interface, a subscription request, the subscription request requesting a presence data for at least one mobile device; registering a subscription for a subscriber device according to the subscription request; obtaining network data from one or more network infrastructure nodes associated with providing service to the at least one mobile device; determining that at least a portion of the network data is associated with the subscription; and providing the at least a portion of the network data to the subscriber device via the application programming interface.
US09264501B1
Features are disclosed for facilitating content consumption and communication among a group of users. A content consumption group may be formed including any number of users, and content may be selected. Group members may consume roughly the same portion of the content at roughly the same time and share the consumption experience regardless of geographic location, user device, content format, on-demand consumption preferences, and the like. Policies may be defined or selected regarding the rate of content consumption, the communications and other inputs that may be submitted by group members, and the like. A shared content consumption management system may receive data from various user devices regarding each group member's current content consumption position, enforce group policies, and distribute group inputs. Group members may also communication in real time through various chats and other interactive features.
US09264500B2
Apparatus and methods are described herein for optimizing an object search. A communications device may be configured to initiate a request for a data set. The communications device may transmit its current location to a server, for example, which may return a data set including data representing each of one or more objects that may be located within a first search area proximate to the current location of the communications device. The communications device may then perform a search for an object of interest by comparing the data representing each of the one or more objects in the data set to data representing the object of interest.
US09264498B2
Methods and apparatus for creation, advertisement, and discovery of peer-to-peer overlay networks. A method includes detecting one or more communication links that allow a node to communicate with other nodes, determining that a universal overlay network is accessible using at least one communication link, selecting a selected communication link from the at least one communication link, and joining the universal overlay network using the selected communication link. An apparatus includes a transceiver configured to detect one or more communication links that allow a node to communicate with other nodes, and a processor configured to determine that a universal overlay network is accessible using at least one communication link, select a selected communication link from the at least one communication link, and join the universal overlay network using the selected communication link.
US09264494B2
Machines, systems and methods for recovering data objects in a distributed data storage system, the method comprising storing one or more replicas of a first data object on one or more clusters in one or more data centers connected over a data communications network; recording health information about said one or more replicas, wherein the health information comprises data about availability of a replica to participate in a restoration process; calculating a query-priority for the first data object; querying, based on the calculated query-priority, the health information for the one or more replicas to determine which of the one or more replicas is available for restoration of the object data; calculating a restoration-priority for the first data object based on the health information for the one or more replicas; and restoring the first data object from the one or more of the available replicas, based on the calculated restoration-priority.
US09264489B2
A peer-to-peer network comprises a plurality of intelligent terminal nodes, each intelligent terminal node being operable to establish, maintain, and tear-down communication sessions with another intelligent terminal node, a plurality of network service nodes coupled to the plurality of intelligent terminal nodes, the plurality of network service nodes comprise at least one of the plurality of intelligent terminal nodes, at least one user P2P function module operable to store, locate and distribute service resource information related to user policies, and at least one network P2P function module operable to store, locate and distribute service resource information related to operator provider policies, and operable to exert stricter security control than the at least one user P2P function module.
US09264484B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing content, comprising: identifying a social action that includes a preference designation for an object; determining a location of an individual user associated with the social action or a location associated with the object that is the subject of the preference designation; attributing the preference designation to both the location and to the individual user, where the attributed preference designation can be used to target further content to either the individual user or other users; and receiving a request for content that is related to the location and providing, responsive to the request, one or more content items based on the attributed preference designations.
US09264483B2
A communication system capable of enabling one or more communication devices to remotely execute one or more applications includes one or more communication devices that are coupled to a data connection. At least one of the one or more communication devices is operable to communicate a request to establish a communication session over the data connection. The system also includes one or more application servers that are coupled to the data connection. At least one of the one or more application servers is adapted to execute an application to establish the requested communication session with the at least one communication device. The at least one application server resides at a location remote from the at least one communication device. The at least one application server communicates a request for processing service to the at least one communication device. The request for processing service is communicated to the at least one communication device over the data connection.
US09264467B2
A method, user equipment, and system are provided which can open an ad-hoc Push-To-Talk (PTT) over Cellular (PoC) session for a call target group whose group identifier is managed in a remote network domain when the ad-hoc PoC session is opened. A PoC client requesting session initiation sends, to a first PoC server of a home network, a session INVITE message containing information of at least one group identifier. The first PoC server checks the group identifier information and sends a group list information request message to a second PoC server hosting a group identifier when identifier information of a network group other than the home network is included. The second PoC server acquires list information about a group in the request message and sends the information to the first PoC server.
US09264462B2
A system and method for confirming attendance for in-person meetings or events is provided. The method includes the steps of transmitting, to a plurality of user terminals, data configured to display at least one graphical user interface configured to facilitate users to organize and join a plurality of meeting groups associated with a plurality of in-person meetings or events; receiving, from at least one user terminal of the plurality of user terminals, a conditional confirmation of attendance for at least one in-person meeting or event, the conditional confirmation based on an indicated condition; monitoring the indicated condition for the at least one in-person meeting or event; and when the condition is met, modifying the conditional confirmation of attendance to a non-conditional confirmation of attendance.
US09264457B2
A hosted private branch exchange (PBX) platform includes associated application programming interfaces (APIs) that provide a range of integration points with the PBX platform that, in turn, enables the development of a broad range of applications that can customize and/or enhance the basic functionality of the underlying PBX platform.
US09264453B2
A communication gateway which includes a short-message-system network element is disclosed. The communication gateway includes a short-message-system network element to transmit short-message data to a plurality of session-initiation-protocol endpoints and a front-end processor coupled with the short-message-system network element to provide session-initiation-protocol services for translating the short-message data transmitted between the plurality of session-initiation-protocol endpoints.
US09264451B2
Attributes relevant to at least one existing authorization system are identified. Noise removal from identified attributes of the at least one existing authorization system is performed. An attribute based access control (ABAC) policy is generated from remaining identified attributes to derive logical rules that grant or deny access.
US09264448B2
An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates security at a wireless device, such as a wireless device comprising a mobile computing platform. A security decision engine is provided that monitors for an event necessitating a security decision. When a security decision is required, request is made of a knowledge fetcher, provided by a trusted third-party, installed at the wireless device for the security decision. The knowledge fetcher obtains the security decision, such as by obtaining the security decision from a remote, trusted third-party server, and provides the security decision to the decision engine. Use is made of the security decision pursuant to a setting for which the security decision is needed.
US09264436B2
A technique for intelligent automated consent is described by which a client may be automatically authorized to access a resource owner's protected information (e.g., a profile) based on the owner's previous authorization decisions and/or other client classifications. Using this approach to granting consent, the resource owner is not required to intervene during the authorization step for each client that is requesting access. Clients may be categorized, and authorization given to individual clients based on the category to which they belong and/or the scope of the access request. The technique may be implemented with user-centric identity protocols, as well as with delegated authorization protocols. The technique provides for policy-based consent grants.
US09264434B2
There is described a module for detecting an electronic file, the module embodied on a computer readable medium and configured for: receiving a portion of a file and extracting content from the portion; applying an initial hashing function numerous times to the content, the initial hashing function being applied to each one of a plurality of blocks of elements within the content and resulting in a representation for each one of the blocks; selecting one of the representations from multiple representations as an initial imprint for the file portion; comparing the initial imprint to contents of a first memory containing a plurality of detection imprints for known electronic files to be detected, the detection imprints having been created using at least the initial hashing function; and determining a match when the initial imprint corresponds to a detection imprint in the first memory.
US09264431B2
A system and method for securely storing, retrieving and sharing data using PCs and mobile devices and for controlling and tracking the movement of data to and from a variety of computing and storage devices.
US09264425B1
An anonymity authentication method in multi-server environments is provided. When a user switches between various remote servers, it is not necessary to perform many times of complicated verification procedures, only a set of user identity and password is required for switching between the different remote servers. Moreover, the operation of the transmitted messages uses only hash function and XOR operator, and a random number is also applied thereto. Therefore, the anonymity authentication method of the present disclosure has high computational efficiency and high security.
US09264421B2
A method of operation includes detecting that a wearable device is being worn, receiving a certificate from a primary device over a secure wireless link where the wearable device is paired to the primary device using the secure wireless link, storing the certificate in memory of the wearable device, and sending the certificate, over the secure wireless link, to the primary device to unlock the primary device. The method may further include detecting that the wearable device is no longer being worn, and eradicating the certificate from memory of the wearable device in response to detecting that the wearable device is no longer being worn. In some embodiments, the method may also include detecting that the secure wireless link is disconnected, and eradicating the certificate from memory of the wearable device in response to detecting that the secure wireless link is disconnected. The present disclosure also provides a wearable device.
US09264419B1
Representations of authentication objects are provided for selection via an interface. An authentication object may be generated to include information obtained from one or more sensors of a device. A selected authentication object may contain information sufficient for authentication with a corresponding system. The interface may provide multiple representations of authentication objects that are usable with different service providers. The interface, executed by a first device, may be configured to authenticate a second device.
US09264412B1
In one embodiment, a method includes retrieving and storing settings of a first user account of a plurality of accounts of a social network. The method also includes receiving a request from a first user to access a first application on the computing device, the first user being associated with the first user account of the social graph. The method further includes determining whether the first user is permitted to access the first application on the computing device based on the one or more settings of the first user account of the social network.
US09264406B2
A cryptographic method, comprising receiving a public key belonging to a message recipient having a private key corresponding to the public key, selecting a numerical seed, having a first entropy, using the numerical seed and the public key, generating key recovery information having a second entropy, which is less than the first entropy, and generating a message key having a third entropy, which is less than the first entropy, encrypting a message using the message key, and transmitting the encrypted message and the key recovery information to the message recipient, whereby the recipient reconstructs the message key using the key recovery information and the private key and decrypts the encrypted message using the reconstructed message key. Related systems and methods are also included.
US09264405B2
A switch equipment and data processing method for supporting link layer security transmission are provided. The switch equipment for supporting link layer security transmission comprises a switch module and multiple port modules, each port module is electrically connected with the switch module respectively; the port module supports a link layer key management capability, and is used for establishing a share key for encrypting and decrypting data frames between the switch equipment and other network nodes.
US09264403B2
The invention relates to a visualization platform (9) arranged to provide at least one virtual operating system instance (9A, . . . , 9N) to at least one remote network (3) over a packet-based communication network (5). The visualization platform is characterized in that it comprises at least one first termination point (4b) of a virtual private network VPN tunnel (10) which enables the establishment of at least one VPN tunnel between said at least one first termination point and at least one second termination point (4a) in said at least one remote network over said packet-based communication network; and in that it is arranged to map said at least one virtual operating system instance to said at least one first termination point of said at least one VPN tunnel. The invention also relates to a method for virtualization and a computer program product.
US09264401B2
Disclosed is a network system and a control method thereof, the network system including a gateway connected to a plurality of home appliances through a home area network, an outdoor apparatus connected to the gateway through a network, and a dynamic domain name system (DDNS) server to manage dynamic internet protocol (IP) address information about an apparatus using a dynamic IP address. A communication connection is achieved through a dynamic IP between a gateway inside the home and an apparatus outside the home in a smart grid network environment, so a user can easily access in-home services based on a dynamic IP. In addition, unauthorized traffic, which may be introduced into the home, is automatically blocked, so that the quality of the home network service is improved.
US09264399B1
A computer-implemented method updates a domain name system blacklist in a lock-free manner is disclosed. In the method, an entry of the domain name blacklist is read at a DNS resolver in a plurality of DNS resolvers. The entry specifies a policy for the DNS resolver to execute when the DNS resolver receives a request to resolve a domain name. Before the reading is complete, an updated entry of the domain name blacklist is received, a new record to the domain name blacklist is added, and the entry being read is placed into a garbage pool having a current version number. Independently from the reading of the entry, the current version number is incremented and a new garbage pool is created for the incremented version number. When the reading is complete, the current version number is assigned to the DNS resolver.
US09264395B1
An identification of a first domain name is received from a first Domain Name Service (DNS) information source. A determination is made that the received first domain name is not already present in an asset repository. The first domain name is added to the asset repository. The first domain name is provided to a job scheduler that is configured to facilitate a scan of a computing resource reachable via the first domain name.
US09264386B2
To reduce the communications in an IM conversation between two devices, two or more IM events of the conversation at the first device are confirmed by sending to the second device a single IM communication that confirms the most recent of the events. In order that the user of the second device not experience undue delay in receiving the confirmation, the method may be applied where the time interval between any two consecutive ones of the events is less than a predetermined time.
US09264375B2
Embodiments relate to a software-defined networking (SDN) interface between multiple platform managers. An aspect is a computer-implemented method for receiving, at an SDN controller of a network, provisioning data from a first network provisioning application associated with a first platform manager of a first computing platform. Provisioning data are received at the SDN controller from a second network provisioning application associated with a second platform manager of a second computing platform. The SDN controller compares the provisioning data from the first network provisioning application to the provisioning data from the second network provisioning application to identify provisioning issues. The SDN controller determines a modified provisioning that resolves the provisioning issues. The SDN controller configures the network to comply with the modified provisioning. The modified provisioning is reported to the first and second network provisioning applications.
US09264373B2
The present invention relates to an arrangement for point-to-point transmission over links between first and second link (end) terminals in a system implementing time division duplex (TDD) and wherein information is sent over the links in frames divided into time slots. It is adapted to determine the lengths of the frames on a per link basis using one or more link parameters, the frame length hence being variable.
US09264371B2
An exemplary router is provided for an integrated circuit that has distributed buses and is arranged on a transmission route that leads from a transmission node to a reception node on the distributed buses to relay data. The distributed buses include first and second routes, each leading from the router to the reception node. The router includes a notifying section which sends a data transfer permission request to a second router on the first route and a third router on the second route and which determines whether or not the request is approved before a predetermined standby period passes to see if there is any abnormality in the first and second routes.
US09264364B2
A first device may receive data associated with a second device from within a first network and independently of a second network. The second device may include a sensor or an application to form or process a data record. The first device may establish a bearer between the first device and a particular user device, of multiple user devices, in accordance with a bearer policy; and provide the data towards the particular user device via a first sub-network, of multiple sub-networks, of the second network and via the bearer. The first sub-network may be independent of a second sub-network of the multiple sub-networks. The second sub-network may permit user device data to be transmitted between the multiple user devices. The first sub-network and the second sub-network may consume different levels of network resources.
US09264363B2
A method for controlling network traffic based on a token ring includes: acquiring, by a node that obtains a token, network congestion situation information carried in the token, where the network congestion situation information includes the total number of to-be-retransmitted messages requested by nodes in a current token passing period; comparing the total number of to-be-retransmitted messages requested by the nodes in the current token passing period with a congestion threshold; determining according to a comparison result, the number of messages that can be transmitted; and transmitting messages according to the number. Because the total number of to-be-retransmitted messages requested by nodes in a current token passing period is added into a token to reflect a network congestion situation, a node is capable of reducing the number of messages to be transmitted when a network is severely congested, thereby reducing network load and improving cluster availability.
US09264359B2
The invention concerns a method for transmission of a data signal from a transmitting device (BS) to a receiving device (RAH1) using a LINC amplifier (LINC1, LINC2) for signal amplification, wherein the data signal is represented by two phase modulated signal components of constant amplitude in a first part of the LINC amplifier (LINC1, LINC2) located in the transmitting device (BS), at least one of the two phase modulated signal components of constant amplitude is transmitted over at least one optical connection (OF1, 0F2, 0F4) from the transmitting device (BS) to the receiving device (RAH1), and the at least one of the two phase modulated signal components of constant amplitude is converted from an optical signal into an electrical signal in at least one opto-electrical converter (OE1, 0E2) located in said receiving device (RAH1), a LINC amplifier, a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a communication network therefor.
US09264342B2
In a network system based on a content name, a terminal device may generate and transmit a block query requesting a plurality of segments, and may receive segments corresponding to the block query based on a transmission direction of the block query.
US09264339B2
Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate the evaluation of hosted computing devices in accordance with target patterns. A set of target patterns can be developed for elements common to a plurality of hosted computing networks. The set of target patterns can be defined utilizing a detailed pattern language to describe elements of a hosted computing device network and relationships between the elements. Thereafter, a hosted computing device network management component can utilize the set of target patterns to verify and validate a deployed hosted computing network or to process purposed modifications/configurations to a deployed hosted computing network.
US09264328B2
Systems and methods with dynamic Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) and Continuity Check Messages (CCMs) that enable dynamic configurations to avoid limitations associated with static reconfigurations. Variously, a network, a method, and a network element are configured to implement a dynamic CFM method for dynamic notifications and actions taken based thereon between Maintenance End Points (MEPs). The systems and methods may also include a CCM attribute adjustment method between two MEPs, a CCM suspension and/or resumption method between two MEPs, and a MEP auto-discovery and leaving method. Advantageously, the systems and methods may be utilized in a variety of contexts including controlled maintenance, in-service software upgrades, network congestion, discovery of new remote MEPs, and the like to enable dynamic configurations between MEPs. The systems and methods may also apply to Carrier Ethernet, Multiprotocol Label Switching-Transport Profile (MPLS-TP), and the like.
US09264327B2
A communication network management system has: a communication network including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links connecting between the plurality of nodes; and a management computer connected to the plurality of nodes. A loop-shape communication route in the communication network is a loop route. The management computer transmits a frame to one node on the loop route. When receiving the frame, each node on the loop route forwards the received frame to a subsequent node along the loop route and, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, returns a response back to the management computer. The management computer determines whether or not a failure is occurring, based on reception state of the response.
US09264326B2
A network management device connects to a device on the network, receives a trigger for an operation command, supplies to the device a command line interface command for the operation command, wherein a randomly generated string is included at the end of the command line interface command. The network management device receives the output of the operation command from the device, detects the end of the operation command output and parses the output using an XML-based parser. XML based configuration files are used for configuration of different network devices. XML based report files are used to generate different network reports.
US09264324B2
An application provides server performance decision support to end-users. The application monitors the transaction data of servers. The transaction data includes network communications as well as server specific information such as resource utilization. The application captures a sample of the transaction data. The captured sample can be random or predetermined. The sample is limited in length according to a preset time value. The application analyzes the sample to determine performance metrics for the server. The application presents the performance metrics within a business intelligence data structure to enable an end-user to data mine the performance metrics according to additional variables.
US09264323B2
Some embodiments are directed to a computer node that communicates a report message containing information to a social media server to cause publishing of the information to other computer nodes tracking publishing on the social media server by the computer node. The computer node receives a response message from one of the other computer nodes through the social media server, and operates based on the response message. Related embodiments are directed to another computer node that communicates with a social media server to track information published by report messages from other computer nodes, generates a response message based on the information published by one of the other computer nodes, and communicates the response message to the social media server to cause publishing of content of the response message to the other computer nodes.
US09264310B2
A method for event processing within a complex event processing environment. The method includes monitoring a plurality of event processing paths of the complex event processing environment. The method includes determining that utilization of server resources in the complex event processing environment has exceeded a threshold value and identifying one or more event processing paths responsible for the high utilization of server resources. The method includes determining that the one or more event processing paths contain an independent rule, wherein an independent rule includes a rule or a rule subset where data for processing of the rule or rule subset is accessible by a client computing device. The method then includes determining the client computing device can perform processing of the independent rule and transferring processing of the independent rule to the client computing device.
US09264307B2
A networking system, method, and device is provided for improving network communication performance between client sites at a distance from one another such that would usually require long haul network communication. The networking system includes at least one network bonding/aggregation computer system for bonding or aggregating one or more diverse network connections so as to configure a bonded/aggregated connection that has increased throughput; and at least one network server component implemented at an access point to a high performing network. Data traffic is carried over the bonded/aggregated connection. The network server component automatically terminates the bonded/aggregated connection and passes the data traffic to the network backbone, while providing a managed network path that incorporates both the bonded/aggregated connection and a network path carried over the high performing network, and thereby providing improved performance in long haul network connections.
US09264297B2
A method includes processing an event data associated with an item in transit between a source location and a destination location based on a scan data of a logistical node between the source location and the destination location. The server determines if the event data associated with the item in transit between the source location and the destination location based on the scan data of the logistical node between the source location and the destination location associated with a response action defined in a matching table by the multimodal communication server using a processor and a memory. The server automatically initiates the response action when the event data associated with the item in transit between the source location and the destination location based on the scan data of the logistical node between the source location and the destination location is defined in the matching table on the multimodal communication server.
US09264296B2
The present invention is directed towards methods and systems for performing maintenance on computers included in a group of load balanced computer. A maintenance agent identifies a computers in the group as requiring maintenance, and a second computer as having up-to-date maintenance and a load level below a limit. The load balancer may assign a request to the second computer responsive to the identification. Responsive to a determination that spare capacity from the plurality of computers available to receive requests is above the threshold and that the first computer is idle, the maintenance agent may remove, for maintenance, the first computer from the plurality of computers available to receive requests. The maintenance agent may identify the first computer as having up-to-date maintenance responsive to the maintenance.
US09264291B2
A printer searching device may comprise a first acquiring unit, a second acquiring unit, a searching unit, and a providing unit. The first acquiring unit may acquire a plurality of a first kind of global IP addresses that is allotted to a plurality of printers and register the plurality of the first kind of global IP addresses to a memory. The second acquiring unit may acquire a second kind of global IP address that is allotted to the terminal device. The searching unit may search, from the plurality of printers, one or more printers to which a value that is identical to a value of a network address part of the second kind of global IP address is allotted as a value of a network address part of the first kind of global IP address. The providing unit may provide a search result to the terminal device.
US09264289B2
An endpoint broker to provide application launch endpoints from multiple data centers having different tenancy sets. Upon accessing a request for an application launch endpoint connection for a user, the broker selects a data center, from amongst multiple data centers that have different tenancy sets, that is to provide an endpoint in satisfaction of the request. The endpoint broker identifies an endpoint from the selected data center, and then associates the identified endpoint with the user. The user is then provided access to the identified endpoint using the association. Thus, a user is not restricted to having an endpoint from a single data center. If there are concerns with providing an endpoint from one data center, an endpoint may be provided from another data center in a manner that is transparent to the user.
US09264286B2
The invention relates to a method and device for playing a content. The method comprising: reading a pre-stored content which include information relevant to a downloaded content; detecting available bandwidth; sending a request for downloading the downloaded content according to the information relevant to the downloaded content, wherein the request includes the information of the bandwidth; receiving the downloaded content according with the detected bandwidth; and playing the downloaded content combined with the pre-stored content. Because said method and device according to the present invention adopts the automatic real-time detection for the current usable bandwidth of the network playback device connected to, and it changes the quality of content requiring downloading, seamless playback can be realized, while avoiding the trouble due to the quality selection by the user himself.
US09264274B2
An apparatus and method for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system is disclosed, in which the apparatus for OFDM transmission in the WLAN system includes a signal repetition unit to repeat an encoded signal based on a block unit and output the encoded signal and a repeated signal, an interleaver to interleave the encoded signal and the repeated signal and output an interleaved signal, a modulator to modulate the interleaved signal and output modulated symbols, and a phase rotation unit to phase shift the modulated symbols.
US09264270B2
Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring signal transition times for a four-level pulse modulated amplitude (PAM4) transmitter. During a test procedure, a PAM4 transmitter is configured to repetitively transmit a PAM4 symbol test pattern, which is captured as a signal waveform. The test pattern includes at least one rising signal sequence having a PAM4 symbol pattern of at least three −1 PAM4 symbols followed by at least three +1 PAM4 symbols and at least one falling signal sequence having a PAM4 symbol pattern of at least three +1 PAM4 symbols followed by at least three −1 PAM4 symbols. A voltage modulation amplitude (VMA) level for each of a −1 and +1 PAM4 signal level is measured for at least one rising signal sequence and falling signal sequence to derive 20% and 80% VMA levels. A rise transition time is then determined by measuring the time interval between when a rising signal crosses the 20% and 80% VMA levels, and a fall transition time is determined by measuring the time interval between when a falling signal crosses the 80% and 20% VMA levels.
US09264259B2
The described method and system selectively provide an instructional ring tone, configurable for both message content and frequency of playback, to aid a user in answering an incoming call via a hands free telecommunications device. The instructional ring in one aspect contains a message instructing a user as to a method of answering an incoming call. This message may be set to play the first time that an incoming call is encountered, and it may be set, e.g., by a service provider advisor, to play for a certain interval, i.e., a defined number of received calls. In this manner, the initially untrained user may become trained as to proper system operation. According to another aspect, the described system and method also improve the ease of use and operation of redundant controls for HFC or hand-held cell phone operation.
US09264253B2
A network system has lower switches and upper switches connected to the lower switches. Each of the upper switches includes a connection information notifying means for notifying connected lower switch list informations each of which includes an identification information on each of the lower switches connected to each of the upper switches, to the lower switches connected to each of the upper switches. Each of the lower switches includes a comparison determination means for comparing the connected lower switch list informations notified by the connection information notifying means, in order to determine a connection state between the upper switches and the lower switches.
US09264241B2
A new table-side device is seamlessly and securely integrated to an existing (primary) Wi-Fi network within an operating environment at a restaurant location. The location includes a data management server (DMS) for managing the local operations of devices operating there. The device being installed at the location is auto-configured into the primary Wi-Fi network by being provided with a default Wi-Fi profile that only enables the device to be activated on an activation Wi-Fi network also available at the location. Once the device activates to the Wi-Fi activation network, it requests activation onto the primary Wi-Fi network from a cloud-based data center. The data center requests an activation password from the local DMS. The local DMS generates an activation bundle, which is then returned and eventually instantiated on the device to complete the activation. Once activated, the device updates its Wi-Fi profile to now executed on the primary Wi-Fi network.
US09264239B2
In order to increase the number of the powered devices that can be supported by the Ethernet power supply system, the present invention proposed to equip the powered device with an electrical energy storage device, namely shift the power timely shift the power supplying capability of the power sourcing equipment. The power sourcing equipment charges the electrical energy storage device, and then the powered device is supplied by the electrical energy storage device under usual situations. Thus the number of the powered devices that can be supported by the Ethernet power supply system is increased without increasing the supplying capability of the electrical quantity of the power sourcing equipment. Using the solution in the present invention, the capacity of the powered devices in the POE system is increased without having to change the hardware of the power sourcing equipment, and without having to change the wiring.
US09264237B2
The subject disclosure is directed towards processing requests for accessing a service provider. After examining at least one security token, a public key and a portion of attribute information are identified. An authentication component is accessed and applied to the public key. A unique user identifier is employed in generating the public key. The authentication component is generated using information from at least one revoked security token or at least one valid security token. The authentication component is configured to prove validity of the at least one security token.
US09264233B2
A system and method for logging a non-reader into a corresponding user account is disclosed. A system can include a processor, a user interface, a display, and a camera. The processor can be programmed to display a first plurality of pictures and configure the user interface to allow the user to select a first picture corresponding to the user from the first plurality of pictures to provide a first authentication step and allow the user to select a second picture from a second plurality of pictures providing a second authentication step. The system can log the user into the corresponding user account if the second picture selected from the second authentication step corresponds to the first picture selected from the first authentication step. A system and method for logging multiple users into corresponding user accounts is also disclosed.
US09264229B1
A method for performing a cryptographic function on text to generate converted text comprises producing a random key stream having a first block size in a first frequency domain; converting the random key stream having a first block size in the first frequency domain to a random key stream in a second frequency domain; converting the random key stream having the first block size in the second frequency domain into smaller block sizes, thereby producing smaller block-sized random key stream of the second frequency domain; and converting the text using the smaller block-sized random key stream of the second frequency domain to produce the converted text. The frequency in the first frequency domain is preferably lower than the frequency in the second frequency domain.
US09264224B2
Systems and methods are provided for creating and using a sharable file-level key to secure data files. The file-level key is generated based on a workgroup key associated with the data file and unique information associated with the data file. The file-level key may be used to encrypt and split data. Systems and methods are also provided for sharing data without replicating the data on an end user machine. Data is encrypted and split across an external/consumer network and an enterprise/producer network. Access to the data is provided using a computing image generated by a server in the enterprise/producer network and then distributed to end users of the external/consumer network. This computing image may include preloaded files that provide pointers to the data. No access or replication of the data on the enterprise/producer network is needed in order for a user of the external/consumer network to access the data.
US09264216B1
A method and apparatus for low power timing recovery is provided. In an embodiment, different gains are used to estimate timing errors during different portions of the data packet. In an embodiment, timing errors are only estimated during known sequences of a data packet. In further embodiments, errors are initially estimated independently in a first portion of the data packet in order to determine a phase shift between the errors. In the second portion of the data packet, the total error is derived from one estimated error and the phase shift between the errors.
US09264210B2
The present invention relates to a method for receiving a signal between a user equipment and a base station in a wireless communication system, and to an apparatus for same. More particularly, a method for the user equipment receiving the signal in the wireless communication system, which is operated by a time division duplex (TDD), comprises the steps of: confirming a subframe which is reconfigured as a downlink, from a plurality of subframes that are configured according to a TDD uplink-downlink configuration; and receiving the signal from the subframe, which is reconfigured, wherein an index of the last orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, from which the signal can be received, is decided in the subframe that is reconfigured.
US09264207B2
The invention relates to a control channel signal for use in a mobile communication system providing at least two different scheduling modes. Further the invention relates to a scheduling unit for generating the control channel signal and a base station comprising the scheduling unit. The invention also relates to the operation of a mobile station and a base station for implementing a scheduling mode using the control channel signal proposed by the invention. In order to facilitate the use of different scheduling schemes for user data transmission while avoiding an additional flag for indicating the scheduling mode in the control signaling, the invention proposes the use of code points in existing control channel signal fields. Further, the invention proposes a specific scheduling mode for use in combination with the proposed new control channel signal according to the invention. According to this scheduling mode control channel information is only provided for retransmissions, while initial transmissions are decoded using blind detection.
US09264200B2
A method is described for transmitting, by a user equipment (UE), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in a wireless communication system. A cyclic shift field is received through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) from a base station. The cyclic shift field indicates first, second, third and fourth cyclic shifts, first orthogonal cover code (OCC) and a second OCC. A first DMRS sequences is generated by using the first cyclic shift and the first OCC. A second DMRS sequence is generated by using the second cyclic shift and the first OCC. A third DMRS sequence is generated by using the third cyclic shift and the second OCC. A fourth DMRS sequence is generated by using the fourth cyclic shift and the second OCC. The first, second, third and fourth DMRS sequences are transmitted to the base station.
US09264194B2
A preamble generation method of a station includes: generating a base sequence for channel estimation; generating an antenna channel estimation sequence for at least one or more antennas of the station; generating a preamble by allocating at least one or more modified sequences to frequency domains for at least one or time periods. The modified sequences are generated by using the base sequence, the antenna channel estimation sequence, and a control sequence for estimating at least one or more channels.
US09264193B2
The present invention relates to a method for receiving control information within a subframe of a multi-carrier communication system supporting carrier aggregation, the method comprising the following steps performed at a receiving node: performing a blind detection for the control information within a search space by means of a first search pattern, wherein the first search pattern is one of a plurality of search patterns, each of the plurality of search patterns comprising a plurality of candidates distributed on any of a plurality of aggregation levels, and wherein the plurality of search patterns further comprises a second search pattern whose candidates are non-overlapping the candidates of the first search pattern on the same aggregation levels.
US09264190B2
A method scheduling data packets and control information in a telecommunication network for transmission in a group of OFDM symbols available in a transmission time interval. A set of the data packets to be scheduled is first selected by a scheduler, which then searches control solutions for scheduling control information associated to the set of data packets in a predetermined number of OFDM symbols of the OFDM symbol group. The scheduler searches data solutions for scheduling the selected data packets in other OFDM symbols available. The scheduler repeats searches of data and control solutions considering different sets of data packets and different numbers of OFDM symbols for scheduling control information. Finally, the scheduler schedules data packets and control information according to a scheduling solution, wherein control information is scheduled according to a control solution and data packets are scheduled according to a data solution associated to the control solution.
US09264186B2
A technique for supporting newly defined Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) categories without an occurrence of an interpretation error when using a legacy Mobile Station (MS) and a legacy Base Station (BS) in a broadband wireless communication system is provided. A method of transmitting a capability negotiation message includes determining an HARQ parameter set to be allocated, setting a value of a second field for informing whether to indicate an HARQ parameter set which corresponds to an index greater than a maximum value that can be indicated by using a first field for indicating an index of the HARQ parameter set, and transmitting the capability negotiation message including the second field.
US09264181B2
A receiver of a communication system includes: an input module, a group-based pre-decoding module and a reconstructing module. The input module is for receiving a received data. The group-based pre-decoding module is for combining the received data with a grouped decoding matrix into an encoded equation matrix (EEM) based on a group parameter and for performing a group operation on the EEM. The reconstructing module is for reconstructing the EEM obtained from the group operation into an output data.
US09264180B2
According to a first aspect, it is presented a method for decoding at least one signal from a sequence of symbols. The method is executed in a network node of a mobile communication system and comprises the steps of: receiving a sequence of symbols using a radio receiver; identifying at least one corrupted symbol by identifying a corruption of at least the first received symbol of the plurality of symbols; obtaining a working set of symbols, by omitting the at least one corrupted symbol from the sequence of symbols; and de-spreading the working set of symbols using a subset of a first de-spreading code, wherein the subset of the first de-spreading code comprises code elements corresponding to the working set of symbols, to thereby provide a first decoded signal. A corresponding network node, computer program and computer program product are also presented.
US09264175B2
A method and an apparatus for detecting a collision in a wireless multi-access channel are disclosed. The method of detecting the collision in the wireless multi-access according to an exemplary embodiment includes generating a request-to-send (RTS) message by a transmission terminal, transmitting the RTS message to a reception terminal, and receiving a response message from the reception terminal and determining whether a collision occurs based on a number of pieces of tone information included in the response message.
US09264172B2
Proposed is a method of optical data transmission. The method comprises different steps. A first optical signal and a second optical signal are generated, such that the optical signals possess a same wavelength, respective phases, which are modulated in dependence on respective data values, and respective polarization states, which are essentially orthogonal to each other. A combined optical signal is generated, by combining the optical signals, such that the combined optical signal possesses a polarization state with a predetermined variation. The combined optical signal is transmitter over an optical transmission line and received. Two time-discrete sampled signals are generated, by sampling the received optical signal along two orthogonal polarization planes. Two filtered signals are generated, by filtering the time-discrete sampled signals in the time-discrete domain, using a function that is indicative of the respective predetermined variation. Finally, respective data values are derived from the filtered signals.
US09264171B2
An optical transmission apparatus includes: a transmission light source configured to generate single-mode light of a specific wavelength; a power coupler configured to split the light generated by the transmission light source into a plurality of light sections; at least one modulator configured to modulate an electrical signal carrying different data into at least one optical signal using the light section from the power coupler; and a mode multiplexer configured to convert the modulated optical signal into a different mode, and to transmit the mode-converted optical signal to a fiber.
US09264152B2
A method for avoiding signal interference between a first RF circuit and a second RF circuit is provided. The first and second RF circuits are co-located and the first RF circuit is configured to operate in a first frequency range. The second RF circuit is configured to operate in a second frequency range, where the first frequency range overlaps, at least in part, the first frequency range. The method initiates with a controller that is coupled to the first RF circuit and the second RF circuit. Then, the second RF circuit is configured to avoid RF signal collisions with the first RF circuit. An apparatus where two RF devices are co-located without causing interference for each other is also provided.
US09264148B2
We describe an integrated waveguide device that creates entanglement between a sequence of periodically spaced (in time) photons in a single input and output mode. The device consists of a polarization maintaining integrated waveguide chip containing a number of delay lines, integrated multimode interferometers with the potential for rapid switching, a polarization controller and off chip computer logic and timing. The device is capable of creating a diverse array of outputs such as linear cluster states and ring cluster states in a single output mode.
US09264147B2
A burst-mode phase shift keying (PSK) communications system according to an embodiment of the present invention enables practical, power-efficient, multi-rate communications between an optical transmitter and receiver. Embodiments may operate on differential PSK (DPSK) signals. An embodiment of the system utilizes a single interferometer in the receiver with a relative path delay that is matched to the DPSK symbol rate of the link. DPSK symbols are transmitted in bursts, and the data rate may be varied by changing the ratio of the burst-on time to the burst-off time. This approach offers a number of advantages over conventional DPSK implementations, including near-optimum photon efficiency over a wide range of data rates, simplified multi-rate transceiver implementation, and relaxed transmit laser line-width requirements at low data rates.
US09264146B2
Embodiments of the disclosure include a method and apparatus for detecting and removing cycle slip. A phase-modulated signal having a plurality of phase-modulated symbols is received at an optical receiver, and, for each phase-modulated symbol, a phase-error estimate of a phase error of the phase-modulated symbol is generated. The presence of a cycle slip is then detected based on the phase-error estimates, and, a phase of each of one or more of the received phase-modulated symbols is adjusted to remove the detected cycle slip without adjusting a local oscillator.
US09264145B2
An optical receiver having an electronic dispersion-compensation module with two parallel signal-processing branches configured to provide a greater range of dispersion compensation than that provided by a prior-art device of comparable implementation complexity. In an example embodiment, each of the signal-processing branches includes a respective bank of finite-impulse-response filters that are configured in accordance with a different respective approximation of the group delay that needs to be compensated. The two group-delay approximations used by the filter banks rely on different respective step functions, each having a respective plurality of quantized steps, with the transitions between adjacent steps in one step function being spectrally aligned with the flat portions of the corresponding steps in the other step function. The filter banks may be further configured to apply different respective frequency-dependent phase-shift and/or amplitude-scaling profiles designed to reduce signal distortions associated with the transitions between adjacent steps in the step functions.
US09264142B2
In an optical transmission system using an RZ code, in order to improve the quality of the modulated transmission signal, an RZ optical modulator includes an RZ carver that outputs a optical pulse train of the RZ code, a polarization adjustment device which improves and outputs a polarization extinction ratio of optical pulse train outputted from the RZ carver and an optical modulator which modulates and outputs the optical pulse train outputted from a polarization adjustment device.
US09264136B2
Free space optical communication is plagued by interruptions in the connections caused by atmospheric phenomena, such as weather. A wireless beam transmission system includes at least one transmitter (110) and accommodates several wavelengths, and at least one transmission wavelength is arranged to be chosen based on spectral absorption measurements of the atmosphere in the carrier beam path of communication. The invention concerns also a transceiver for repeating wireless optical communication signals. The long range and high reliability of spectroscopically sensitive light beams at a penetrating frequency allow the affordable provisioning of high bandwidth optical or IR communication connections to devices and buildings that were previously either very expensively connected to the fiber optic backbone networks, expensive low bandwidth radio or microwave networks, or unreachable by traditional free space optics solutions.
US09264134B2
A communication system may include a first control circuit to detect a break on a first optical link; a first optical source to supply a first optical signal on a second optical link in response to detecting the break on the first optical link, the first optical signal propagating in a first direction on the second optical link; a second control circuit to detect a presence of the first optical signal on the second optical link, and output a control signal in response to detecting the presence of the first optical signal; and a second optical source to supply a second optical signal on the second optical link, the second optical signal propagating in a second direction opposite the first direction, where the Raman pump is disabled in response to the control signal.
US09264132B2
The notion of a “PTP aware” path is one current proposed approach to reduce asymmetry effects. In a fully PTP aware path there is the notion of on-path support mechanisms such as boundary clocks and transparent clocks at every switching or routing node. However, on-path support methods only address time-transfer errors introduced inside network elements and any asymmetry in the transmission medium, such as, for example, the fiber strands for the two directions of transmission, cannot be compensated for by on-path support mechanisms. Furthermore, in a real operational network, which may traverse different operational domains administered by different entities, full on-path support is a difficult challenge. In certain managed network scenarios full on-path support can be contemplated. Nevertheless, the universal asymmetry compensation method described herein mitigates the asymmetry in a network path, without requiring on-path support mechanisms such as transparent clocks and boundary clocks.
US09264130B2
An upper node is provided for use in a wireless communication system using a relay scheme. The upper node includes means for transmitting, upon a request of a lower relay station for an initial connection of the lower relay station, downlink section information for communication with the lower relay station for a relay service to the lower relay station; and means for transmitting, after the initial connection with the lower relay station, frame configuration information for communication with the lower relay station for a relay service to the lower relay station through the downlink section. The downlink section information includes configuration information of the downlink section for communication with the lower relay station for a relay service.
US09264129B2
A handheld diabetes manager has a flight mode that cooperatively interacts with an external medical device and includes a port configured to receive a test strip for blood glucose measurement, a blood glucose measurement module operable with the test strip, a communications module and a user interface module. The communications module selectively communicates wirelessly with an external medical device. The user interface module communicates with the blood glucose measurement module and the communications module and operates to provide a graphical user interface on a display of the diabetes manager. The graphical user interface includes a screen with a flight mode option. When the flight mode option is enabled and the external medical device is paired and currently communicating with the diabetes manager, the user interface module interacts with the communication module to send a command to the external medical device to turn off wireless communication of the external medical device.
US09264128B2
A receiving circuit, method for receiving a signal, and use of a detection circuit and a control circuit of a receiving circuit of a node of a radio network is provided to deactivate an analog signal processing and/or determination of digital data from a signal received over an antenna of the node, when a stored current frame of the digital data has been recognized as valid, and to activate the analog signal processing and/or the determination, when the transmission of the current frame over an interface of the control circuit has been confirmed, whereby the control circuit is connected to the detection circuit and/or an input circuit for deactivation and activation, and whereby the detection circuit is formed to determine the digital data from the received signal.
US09264125B2
A decentralized communication device is provided that facilitates optimal positioning and orientation of one or more antennas for wireless communication with external devices. The decentralized communication device includes one or more master components and one or more slave components. The master and the slave components are physically separate and communicate wirelessly. In some embodiments the slave acts as a carrier frequency translator between the master and an external wireless device, where it communicates with the external device using a first frequency and communicates with the master using a second frequency which is different from the first frequency. In another embodiment the slave has most or all the physical layer to do the digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formatting and data packetization for communicating with an external device, in which case digital coding and digital modulation is distributed between the master and the slave.
US09264118B1
A method for decoding data symbols modulated with a corresponding codeword from a constellation set of codewords expands the constellation set of codewords with a set of basis functions to produce a basis-expanded constellation set and projects projecting a received modulated data symbol onto orthogonal complements of the basis expanded constellation set to obtain a set of distance metric of a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) for each codeword of the constellation set. The set of basis functions includes a Fourier exponential basis function in a frequency domain, a Legendre polynomial basis function in a time domain, and a Fourier-Legendre product basis function in the frequency domain. The method selects a codeword corresponding to a minimal distance metric or a maximal correlation metric and decodes the data symbol from the received modulated data symbol using the codeword.
US09264111B2
A data communication system has a station that includes multiple antenna elements. The station communicates to the antenna elements by way of digital data channels. Each antenna is connected to an RF module that receives data by way of a corresponding digital data channel, encodes and transmits the data. Adaptive beamforming may be performed for interference mitigation. Embodiments use the strength of pilot signals and/or error vector magnitudes as cost functions for an adaptive beamforming alogorithm such as optimum combining. Unused sub-carriers may be applied to provide in-band communication to facilitate channel switching, data reallocation and other interference mitigation strategies.
US09264106B2
A method for controlling flows of a logical link layer in a near field communication (NFC) software stack includes steps of: arranging a Send Window and a Receive Window in the logical link layer for controlling flows of transmitted data frames; adjusting the size of the Send Window and the size of the Receive Window according to a transfer rate determined based on upper-layer application, communication delay time determined based on channel quality, and the size of a data frame; and controlling flows of the output terminal according to the size of the Send Window, and controlling flows of the input terminal according to the size of the Receive Window.
US09264102B2
Distortions of both amplitude and phase along a transmission line are compensated for by a trace canceller inserted between a transmitter and a receiver. The trace canceller has an equalizer that compensates for a trace length between the transmitter and the trace canceller. A variable gain amplifier between the equalizer and an output buffer has its gain controlled by an automatic gain control circuit that compares low-frequency swings of the input and output of the trace canceller. The gain of the variable gain amplifier is reduced to prevent the output buffer from saturating and clipping peak voltages on its output. Thus both the variable gain amplifier and the output buffer remain in the linear region. Training pulses from the transmitter are passed through the trace canceller without clipping of peak voltages, allowing the transmitter and receiver to adjust transmission parameters to best match the transmission line.
US09264099B1
A method (of operating an end node) includes: wirelessly receiving an instance of a non-hopping beacon signal, B, periodically-transmitted from a central node; interpreting a frequency-block hopping guide (FBHG) according to FN(i) and IDCN thereby to determine a corresponding set, CSET(i), of at least two channels available to the end node for transmission, respectively, during frame FN(i); selecting, at least pseudo-randomly, at least one channel amongst the set CSET(i); and wirelessly transmitting at least one message from the end node using the at least one selected channel, respectively. Each instance B(i) includes: a corresponding frame number, FN(i); and an identification, IDCN, of the central node. The FBHG establishes: a total of L frames; a set of channels CSET for each frame, respectively; and that, for any two consecutive ones of the L frames, FN(j) and FN(j+1), the corresponding sets CSET(j) and CSET(j+1) will be different, CSET(j)≠CSET(j+1).
US09264088B2
A protective case for an electronic device includes first and second case portions, a rechargeable battery, first and second electrical connectors, a switch, and electrical circuitry. The second case portion is removably attachable to the first case portion. The first electrical connector is accessible at an outer surface of the second case portion for electrically connecting to an external power source. The second electrical connector is accessible at an inner surface of the second case portion for electrically connecting the protective case to the electronic device. The switch is accessible on the second case portion and is user operable. The electrical circuitry distributes the received electrical power to the electronic device and to the rechargeable battery. The electrical circuitry also distributes stored electrical power from the rechargeable battery to the electronic device. Distribution of the stored electrical power to the electronic device is conditioned upon a state of the switch.
US09264086B2
A mobile unit includes a handset and a removable storage module having a unique storage module identity, for storing information specific to a user, including an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Additional information regarding a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) which uniquely identifies the subscriber is also stored in the removable storage module. Upon successfully camping on a cell of a mobile network, the IP address is forwarded to an IP-based network capable of communicating with the mobile unit. In an alternate embodiment, the mobile unit has multi-network capabilities which allow it to communicate with an IP-based network and a cellular network at the same time. In another embodiment, existing cellular network services for the mobile unit having multi-network capabilities are routed through the IP-based network.
US09264079B2
An apparatus and a method for Direct Current (DC) offset calibration in a signal transmission device of a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a first DC calibration unit for removing a DC offset from a signal, which is output from a Current-to-Voltage Converter (IVC), by using a first DC calibration value, a Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA) for amplifying the signal output from the IVC, a second DC calibration unit for removing a DC offset from a signal output from the VGA by using a second DC calibration value, a Low Pass Filter (LPF) for filtering the signal output from the VGA, a third DC calibration unit for removing a DC offset from a signal output from the LPF by using a third DC calibration value, and a controller for determining the first DC calibration value, the second DC calibration value and the third DC calibration value.
US09264071B2
A method and apparatus for applying Forward Error Correction (FEC) in 66b systems. For a user data, the apparatus uses a method comprising the steps of generating one or more data blocks using a 66b code format and the user data; generating one or more FEC parity blocks using the 66b code format, wherein the parity is calculated over the data blocks; and generating an FEC codeword using the data blocks and the FEC parity blocks.
US09264068B2
A compression algorithm replaces duplicative strings with a copy pair indicating a location and length of a preceding identical string that is within a window from the duplicative string. Rather than a replacing a longest matching string within a window from a given point with a copy pair, the longest matching string may be used provide it is at least two bytes larger than the next longest matching string or is at a distance that is less than some multiple of a distance to the next longest matching string. In another aspect, the length of the window in which a matching string may be found is dependent on a length of the matching string. In yet another aspect, rather than labeling each literal and copy pair to indicate what it is, strings of non-duplicative literals are represented by a label and a length of the string.
US09264061B2
An apparatus for generating sinusoidal waves may includes a look-up table storage unit including a plurality of sampling points with respect to a base frequency, a waveform-synthesizing unit calculating an integer ratio between an input target frequency and the base frequency and loading at least some of the plurality of sampling points from the look-up table storage unit according to the integer ratio, a correction unit substituting a digital value of at least one sampling point among the sampling points loaded from the look-up table with a digital value of a sampling point among the plurality of sampling points included in the look-up table storage unit having a maximum value, and a sinusoidal generation unit generating sinusoidal waves using the sampling points changed by the correction unit.
US09264048B2
An integrated circuit includes a programmable logic device and optionally a control circuit coupled to the programmable logic device (PLD). The control circuit may detect that a reconfiguration criterion is satisfied. Responsive to the reconfiguration criterion being satisfied, the control logic may configure, using one or more randomizations, the PLD to implement a secret operation, wherein a first randomized configuration of the PLD results in a first circuit implementation that is different from, but functionally equivalent to, a second circuit implementation that results from a second randomized configuration of the PLD.
US09264043B2
A level shifter comprising a first driver transistor for receiving an input signal. A gate-controlled transistor coupled to the first driver transistor. A second driver transistor coupled to the gate controlled transistor. An output coupled to the second driver transistor, wherein the gate-controlled transistor is for receiving a predetermined gate voltage when the output voltage exceeds a predetermined value.
US09264041B2
A digital control device for a parallel PMOS transistor board, includes: an operative memory for digitally storing error data between a target voltage and a setpoint voltage as well as control data, each datum being provided with a time marker, a digital selected order filter (36) for computing setpoint incrementation data from error data in the operative memory selected based on input error data, and for storing the input error data with a corresponding time marker in the operative memory, and a control computer (38) for computing new control data from the control incrementation data and control data in the operative memory selected based on input error data and for storing the new control data in the operative memory.
US09264039B2
An on-die termination (ODT) circuit includes a calibration unit, an offset-code generating unit, an adder, and an ODT unit. The calibration unit generates a pull-up code and a pull-down code. The offset-code generates a pull-up offset code and a pull-down offset code based on a mode-register-set signal, the pull-up code, and the pull-down code. The adder adds the pull-up offset code and the pull-down offset code to the pull-up code and the pull-down code, respectively, and generates a pull-up calibration code and a pull-down calibration code. The ODT unit changes ODT resistance in response to the pull-up calibration code and the pull-down calibration code.
US09264033B2
A hysteresis generator provides a hysteresis parameter V_hyst to a hysteresis comparator of a voltage regulator. The hysteresis parameter V_hyst is a function of circuit components of the hysteresis generator, a voltage output Vout of the regulator, a voltage input Vin of the regulator, and a signal that drives one of a plurality of switches of the regulator. A switch driver drives the switches based on the hysteresis parameter. One or more of the circuit components of the hysteresis generator that provide the hysteresis parameter also define a hysteresis time period T_hyst. The hysteresis time period T_hyst defines in combination with a delay time period T_Td of the regulator, a switching time period T for the regulator that is substantially constant.
US09264025B2
A glitch filter is disclosed herein. The glitch filter includes a high glitch filter circuit, a low glitch filter and a control circuit. The high glitch filter circuit is configured for generating a pull-up control signal in accordance with the input signal. The low glitch filter circuit is configured for generating a pull-down control signal in accordance with the input signal. The control circuit is configured for determining the logic level of the output of the glitch filter in accordance with the pull-up control signal and the pull-down control signal. A filtering method for filtering glitches is disclosed herein as well.
US09264022B2
Provided is a high-reliability level shift circuit not prone to faulty operation due to noise. A level shift circuit 1 is provided with: first and second current control elements 12a and 12b into control terminals of which a reverse-phase input signal and an in-phase input signal are input, respectively; first and second load circuits 13a and 13b which are connected at one end to a high-side power source terminal Vb and at the other end to each of first terminals of the first and second current control elements 12a and 12b; a comparator 14 in which a pair of differential input terminals Np and Nn are connected separately to each of the first terminals of the first and second current control elements 12a and 12b; a current generating circuit 3 in which first and second current output terminals Na and Nb are connected to second terminals of the first and second current control elements 12a and 12b, and which separately generates a current which flows through the respective first and second current control elements 12a and 12b; and voltage suppressing circuits 15a and 15b which are connected separately or commonly to the first and second current output terminals Na and Nb, respectively, and suppress voltage from rising in the first and second current output terminals Na and Nb, respectively.
US09264020B2
Systems and methods for improving the timing alignment of non-overlapping waveforms are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a waveform synthesizer that generates a plurality of input waveforms and inverters having inputs and outputs, wherein the inverters receive the input waveforms at the inputs of the inverters and invert the input waveforms, producing a plurality of inverted waveforms at the outputs of the inverters. The system also includes NOR gates having inputs and outputs, wherein the NOR gates receive the plurality of inverted waveforms at the inputs of the NOR gates and pass through one of the inverted waveforms at the outputs of the NOR gates.
US09264008B2
A filter apparatus includes at least one filter, each filter being tunable and including at least one capacitor arrangement. The capacitor arrangement includes a plurality of first capacitors, a plurality of second capacitors, and a plurality of switches. Each switch is switchable between a non-conducting mode and a conducting mode. The plurality of second capacitors and the plurality of switches are arranged to connect or disconnect the second capacitors on different potentials in order to tune the filter by adjusting the capacitance of the filter. An electrical power transmission or distribution system includes such a filter apparatus. A method is provided for filtering harmonics in an electrical power transmission or distribution system by means of such a filter apparatus.
US09263998B2
A low-noise amplifier accepts a single-ended input signal at an input port and provides a differential output signal at an output port. Each of a pair of transistors in the amplifier has a pair of input terminals and a pair of output terminals that share a common terminal. A feedback circuit is electrically connected between the non-common output terminal and the non-common input terminal of a closed-loop one of the transistors and is electrically disconnected from any two terminals of an open-loop one of the transistors. The input port has a signal-carrying input terminal electrically connected to the non-common input terminal of both of the transistors and a ground terminal. The output port has a positive terminal electrically connected to the common terminal of the open-loop transistor and a negative terminal electrically connected to non-common output terminal of the closed-loop transistor.
US09263995B2
A multi-mode OPAMP-based circuit is provided. An input amplifying stage amplifies a pair of input differential signals to provide a pair of intermediate differential signals. An output amplifying stage amplifies the pair of intermediate differential signals to provide a pair of output differential signals. A first capacitor is disposed in a first negative feedback loop of the output amplifying stage. A second capacitor is disposed in a second negative feedback loop of the output amplifying stage. A third capacitor is selectively disposed in a first positive feedback loop of the output amplifying stage or coupled to the first capacitor in parallel according to a control signal. A fourth capacitor is selectively disposed in a second positive feedback loop of the output amplifying stage or coupled to the second capacitor in parallel according to the control signal.
US09263991B2
In one embodiment, a digital internal amplified voltage of power management circuitry is forced to an input threshold voltage upon a determination that a set of emergency conditions is satisfied, and is set to an input minimum battery voltage upon a determination that the set of emergency conditions is not satisfied. The emergency conditions may include determining that a battery voltage is less than a threshold voltage and determining that an input minimum battery voltage is less than an input threshold voltage.
US09263984B2
A high efficiency refrigerant compressor standby heating method reduces vibrations and noise in a bearing of the compressor. The compressor comprises a motor, an inverter, an inverter controller, and a bus voltage detector to detect a bus voltage of the inverter. The inverter controller includes a dormant refrigerant detector to detect a dormant state of refrigerant in the compressor, a high-frequency AC voltage generator to output a high-frequency AC voltage command, which is out of a range of an operating frequency when the compressor is running, to a coil of the motor on the basis of an output of the dormant refrigerant detector, an amplitude, and a phase. A pulse width modulation signal generator to cause the inverter to generate a high-frequency AC voltage by generating a signal on the basis of the output of the high-frequency AC voltage generator and the output of the bus voltage detector.
US09263966B2
A circuit for converting an A.C. power supply voltage into a D.C. voltage, including: a first branch capable of providing a first power level; and a second parallel branch capable of providing a second power level greater than the first one, the second branch including a bidirectional activation switch.
US09263962B2
An exemplary power conversion system includes a first power conversion module, a second power conversion module, and a controller. The first power conversion module includes a first source side converter, a first load side converter, and a first DC link coupled between the first source side converter and the second load side converter. The second power conversion module includes a second source side converter, a second load side converter, and a second DC link coupled between the second source side converter and the second load side converter. The controller is configured to generate a number of switching signals according to a circuit structure of the power source module or a circuit structure of the load module. The switching signals are provided to the first power conversion module and the second power conversion module to balance a first DC link voltage and a second DC link voltage.
US09263961B2
A DC/DC resonant converter system includes a primary converter unit having a split resonant tank circuit. The resonant converter unit further includes a plurality of primary switching units that control the current flowing into the split resonant tank circuit. A controlled secondary rectifier unit includes a plurality of rectifier switching units to reduce reactive power in the primary converter unit. A phase-shift controller is in electrical communication with the primary converter unit and the controlled secondary rectifier unit. The phase-shift controller is configured to determine a rectifier phase-shift angle based on the plurality of primary switching units and to control switching of the plurality of rectifier switching units based on the rectifier phase-shift angle.
US09263958B2
An example power supply includes an energy transfer element, a switch, and a controller. The switch is coupled to the energy transfer element to control a transfer of energy from an input to a galvanically isolated output of the power supply. The controller includes a delayed ramp generator, an integrator, an arithmetic operator, and a drive signal generator. The integrator generates a first signal responsive to integrating an input current of the power supply. The arithmetic operator generates a second signal responsive to the first signal and responsive to a ratio of a rectified input voltage to a dc output voltage of the power supply. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal in response to a delayed ramp signal and the second signal to control switching of the switch to provide power factor correction of the power supply and to provide a regulated current at the output.
US09263953B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a power supply apparatus, including an AC/DC rectifying unit converting an AC voltage into a DC voltage, a power factor correction unit correcting a power factor of the DC voltage, and a DC/DC conversion unit converting the DC voltage having the corrected power factor into a DC voltage having a different magnitude therefrom. According to various embodiments, the power supply apparatus further includes an auxiliary winding connected to a primary side winding of a transformer of the DC/DC conversion unit and generating the DC voltage having a predetermined magnitude, and an internal power generation unit connected to an output terminal of the power factor correction unit and the auxiliary winding and using a voltage of the output terminal of the power factor correction unit and a voltage generated by the auxiliary winding to generate temporary Vcc power and supply the generated temporary Vcc power as internal power of the power factor correction unit.
US09263945B2
A constant on time control circuit, configured to control a converting circuit to transform an input voltage into a stable output voltage, is disclosed. The constant on time control circuit comprises a comparing circuit and a logic circuit. The comparing circuit compares a reference signal and a voltage signal indicative of the output voltage and accordingly outputs a compared result signal. The logic circuit periodically controls the converting circuit to perform voltage transformation and makes a time period of a duty cycle in every cycle being substantially constant. A start point in time of every cycle is determined according to the compared result signal. The comparing circuit comprises a differential pair, a base current source and an extra current source. The base current source provides a bias current to the differential pair. The extra current source provides a substantial ramp current to one channel in the differential pair.
US09263925B2
The blower comprises: a blower case; a motor case; and a shaft pierced through the both cases. A first communication hole, which is formed in one of axial end faces of the motor case, introduces a part of compressed air into the motor case. A second communication hole, which is formed in the other axial end face of the motor case, discharges the compressed air to outside of the motor case. An external guidance path introduces the discharged air toward an outside face of the motor case. By actuating a motor, the compressed air, which has been introduced from the blower case into the motor case via the first communication hole, is discharged from the second communication hole, and the discharged air is introduced by the external guidance path and blown out toward the outside face of the motor case.
US09263923B2
A rear frame has a fastening portion, which radially extends from an outer peripheral surface of the rear frame and receives a fastening force of a through bolt. A circuit board, which includes a control circuit, is installed to an axially outer surface of a main body of the rear frame. A reinforcing portion is provided in the fastening portion to limit deformation of the main body of the rear frame, which is induced by the fastening force of the through bolt.
US09263920B2
A permanent magnet rotor includes a shaft, a rotor core fixed to the shaft, a bracket fixed to the rotor core, and a plurality of permanent magnets contacting an outer surface of the rotor core. The bracket includes a base at one axial end thereof, a plurality of arms axially extending from the base and spaced in a circumferential direction, and an end ring connecting the arms at the other axial end thereof. The base has an opening for the insertion of the shaft. The rotor core is positioned between the arms. Each magnet is sandwiched between two adjacent arms. An inner diameter of the end ring is greater than an outer diameter of the rotor core.
US09263918B2
A motor is provided for use in a machine. The motor includes a segmented stator and a resiliently flexible clip. The stator includes a core having spaced apart arms and a yoke. The arms define an opening therebetween, and the yoke spans the opening. The clip is removably retained on the core so as to apply pressure against each arm toward the yoke such that the arms are retained in contact with the yoke.
US09263912B2
A computer-implemented method and information handling system manage a rate of decreasing full capacity of a rechargeable battery by using a projected/target rate of decreasing charge capacity for the battery. The method includes determining an actual rate of decreasing charge capacity of the battery, comparing the actual rate of decreasing charge capacity to the projected/target rate of decreasing charge capacity to determine whether the actual rate of decreasing charge capacity is greater than the projected rate of decreasing charge capacity, and if the actual rate of decreasing charge capacity is greater than the projected/target rate of decreasing charge capacity, modifying one or more variable parameters to slow down the actual rate of decreasing charge capacity of the battery such that the actual rate of decreasing charge capacity remains within a range of the projected/target rate of decreasing charge capacity, and charging and discharging the battery using the modified parameters.
US09263910B2
A wireless charging system provides charging to a multi-display device. A docking station in the system includes at least two transmission sources positioned so that a charger on the device is in range of at least one of the transmission sources when docked. In some embodiments, the docking station receives the device in a non-planar configuration and the charger receives charge on whichever side of the docking station it is docked on. In some embodiments, the system determines which side of the docking station is activated to provide charging. The multi-display device can be activated in a mode of operation associated with the side of the docking station determined to be providing charge.
US09263906B2
A control apparatus controlling charge and discharge of a lithium-ion secondary battery includes a temperature sensor obtaining the temperature of the lithium-ion secondary battery and a controller. The controller controls the charge and discharge of the lithium-ion secondary battery to maintain the temperature obtained by the temperature sensor at a level lower than an upper limit temperature allowed in the lithium-ion secondary battery. The controller estimates the amount of precipitation of lithium in the lithium-ion secondary battery and reduces the upper limit temperature in accordance with an increase in the amount of precipitation.
US09263903B2
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for detecting and switching battery polarity in a battery charger. In various embodiments, a method includes grounding a first terminal of a battery inserted in a charger and sensing a bipolar voltage from a second terminal of the battery. The bipolar voltage is converted to a reduced unipolar voltage for sensing by an input to a microcontroller. A low resistance analog switch connects the battery to a charging circuit. The switch state of the analog switch is controlled using an output of the microcontroller, to present the proper battery polarity to the charging circuit based on the unipolar voltage. The battery is charged using the charging circuit, in various embodiments.
US09263893B2
An electricity storage control device that transmits a charging rate of at least one of electricity storage devices to a management device that manages electric power interchange between the electricity storage devices, the electricity storage control device including: a charge information acquisition unit that acquires the charging rate of the at least one electricity storage device as a first charging rate; a communication unit that transmits the first charging rate to the management device; and a control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit, instead of the first charging rate, a second charging rate that charge and discharge determining information defines as the charging rate at which the charge and discharge are prohibited, when the charge and discharge determining information defines the first charging rate as the charging rate at which the charge and discharge are permitted.
US09263891B2
The present invention relates to a method and a system to reduce losses of energy due to ripples, especially at the power grid, the ripples being short term power shortages or excess power. The method is based on the idea of shutting off energy consuming devices during a period of power shortage, if their operation is not necessary, and optionally to turn on such energy consuming devices during periods of excess power, if energy may be stored in them, especially when energy may be stored as some physical parameter or variable, being a part of the operation of the energy consuming devices, such as the temperature of a freezer.
US09263888B2
A cable tray and at least one side wall bracket secured to the cable tray wherein the cable tray has a plurality of transverse and longitudinal wires. The side wall bracket has angled legs defined by a U-shaped inside leg portion and a hook that leads to an outside leg portion. The inside leg portion of each angled leg engages a first surface of side longitudinal wires and bottom longitudinal wires and the outside leg portion of each angled leg engages a second surface opposite the first surface of side longitudinal wires and bottom longitudinal wires to secure the side wall bracket to the cable tray.
US09263886B2
An information processing apparatus includes: a plurality of electric power generating elements; detection means for determining whether each of the plurality of electric power generating elements has an electromotive force equal to or higher than a predetermined value; determination means determining an input operation performed by a user by identifying an electric power generating element having an electromotive force below the predetermined value when at least one of the plurality of electric power generating elements is determined as having an electromotive force below the predetermined value according to the detection means; processing means carrying out a process associate with the input operation determined by the determination means; and bypass means which is provided in parallel with the electric power generating elements and through which a current flows when the electric power generating elements have an electromotive force below the predetermined value.
US09263883B2
A first power line configured to receive a first voltage, a second power line configured to receive a second voltage which is lower than the first voltage, a first clamping unit configured to be connected to the first power line, a second clamping unit configured to be connected between the first clamping unit and the second power line, and a discharging unit configured to, when an abnormal voltage introduced through the first power line or the second power line is applied, discharge the abnormal voltage by coupling with the first clamping unit or the second clamping unit are included.
US09263880B2
An object is to obtain a low-frequency circuit breaker which has a simple configuration and a small size as a whole and is advantageous in view of costs. There is provided a low-frequency circuit breaker, in which a semiconductor switch and a mechanical switch are connected in parallel with each other. The semiconductor switch is configured by connecting a thyristor and a thyristor in anti-parallel with each other. These members are controlled by the circuit breaker control circuit.
US09263874B2
A gas-insulated substation having an enclosure filled with dielectric gas under pressure, comprising one electrical conductor (1) designed to be live that is of longitudinal axis (X) and placed inside the enclosure (6), and two grading shields (10, 12) surrounding in part the conductor (1), at least one of the grading shields (10) comprising a hollow electrically conductive body (14) of longitudinal axis that is substantially coaxial with the axis of the casing (6), said body (14) comprising an annular depression (22) in its outer surface and orifices (26) passing through said body (14) made in a bottom of said annular depression. Said orifices (26) ensure that the dielectric gas flows between an inside zone and a zone that is outside the grading shield (10) by convection exchange.
US09263871B2
A clamp assembly includes a body member having a first and second ends. A cable groove is formed in the body member between the first and second ends thereof to receive a conductor. A keeper is connected to the body member and has a lower surface to engage the conductor received in the cable groove. A threaded fastener connects the keeper to the body member. A biasing member is disposed between the keeper and the body member on the threaded fastener to bias the keeper in a direction away from the body member.
US09263860B2
A mounting member for a switchgear assembly is provided. The switchgear assembly includes a mounting element, an electrical switching apparatus having a number of terminals and being coupled to the mounting element, a metering module having a number of terminals and being spaced from the electrical switching apparatus, a number of electrical conductors electrically connecting the terminals of the metering module to the terminals of the electrical switching apparatus, and a support member adjacent the electrical switching apparatus. The mounting member includes a base portion structured to retain the metering module; a number of coupling portions structured to couple the mounting member to the support member; and a number of directing portions, each directing portion being structured to receive a corresponding one of the electrical conductors.
US09263859B2
A new connector for attaching conductor wires to a metersocket is disclosed. The design of the connector allows the wires to be laid in along the side of the connector and requires little bending and slack in the wire. Once seated in place, the connector can be secured using a set screw that keeps the conductor wire in place.
US09263850B2
The invention relates to a Nd-doped, aluminate-based or silicate-based, laser glass having a peak emission wavelength that is longer than 1059.7 nm, an emission cross section (σem) of ≧1.5×10−20 cm2, and/or an emission bandwidth (Δλeff) of ≧28 nm, while maintaining properties that render the glass suitable for commercial use, such as low glass transition temperature Tg and low nonlinear index, n2.
US09263845B2
Embodiments of an air-cooled gas laser with heat transfer resonator optics are disclosed herein. A laser configured in accordance with one embodiment includes resonator optics having an optical element, a first heat sink element in surface-to-surface contact with a first side surface of the optical element, a second heat sink element in surface-to-surface contact with a second side surface of the optical element, and a carrier member carrying the optical element and the first heat sink element, and including a forward facing surface in surface-to-surface contact with the backside surface of the optical element. The resonator optics further include first and second biasing elements biasedly coupled to the carrier member and configured to bias the first and second heat sink elements against the first side and second side surfaces, respectively, of the optical element.
US09263843B2
The patent refers to one or more droplets of chiral liquid crystals used as point source(s) of laser light. The source is shaped as a droplet of chiral liquid crystals (1) and an active medium preferably dispersed in the liquid crystals. The source is spherical and with a size of preferably between a few nanometres and 100 micrometres. A droplet consists of chiral liquid crystals (1) that have selective reflection in the range of the active medium's emission and can be cholesteric liquid crystals, a mixture of nematic liquid crystals and a chiral dopant or any other chiral liquid-crystal phase, preferably the blue phase, the ferroelectric phase, the antiferroelectric phase, any of the ferrielectric phases or another chiral phase of a soft substance, that need not be chiral by itself.
US09263841B2
An electrical connector includes a seat having a signal contact receiving slot and a grounding contact receiving slot, and a signal contact and a grounding contact retained therein. The seat includes a first insulating member and a second insulating member surrounding the first insulating member, wherein the grounding contact receiving slot is defined on the first insulating member, the first insulating member further includes a through hole substantially parallel to the grounding contact receiving slot, a shielding member is defined on at least the inner surfaces of the grounding contact receiving slot and the through hole, the second insulating member includes a column formed into the through hole, the signal contact receiving slot is defined on the column of the second insulating member.
US09263835B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a rear wall and a mating cavity running through a front end of the insulative housing from the rear wall, the rear wall defines an inner surface facing the mating cavity. A plurality of conductive terminals are fixed in the insulative housing and include a plurality of grounding terminals, each conductive terminal defines a body portion and a first contacting arm extending into the mating cavity. And a grounding plate is disposed in the rear wall and defines a plurality of contacting portions running through the inner surface and extending into the mating cavity and a plurality of connecting portions connecting to the respective body portions of the grounding terminals.
US09263832B2
A male connector having an electrostatic discharge (ESD) function includes a metal portion, an insulating portion and a cable. The metal portion is inserted into a female connector. One end of the insulating portion is connected to the metal portion and another end of the insulating portion is connected to the cable. The cable includes a plurality of sub-cables and a grounded metal layer. The metal layer surrounds the sub-cables, and is in electrical contact with the metal portion. Static electricity on the metal portion is conducted to ground via the metal layer.
US09263815B2
A rechargeable battery socket and the manufacturing method of making the same is disclosed. The rechargeable battery socket includes an insulating housing defining a number of terminal channels, a number of terminals received in the insulating housing, and a shell assembled to one side of the insulating housing. Each terminal includes a contacting portion received in corresponding terminal channel and a tail extending out of the insulating housing. Each terminal channel provides a pair of ribs on two opposite inside faces thereof. The contacting portion of the terminal cooperates with the rib to thereby secure the terminal in the insulating housing.
US09263814B2
A metallic material for an electrical electronic includes a CU—Sun alloy layer (2) provided on a conductive base (1). A Cu concentration of the Cu—Sn alloy layer gradually decreases from the base side to the surface (3) side.
US09263775B1
Battery pack with intelligent display and methods to make various types of a battery pack with an intelligent display for the benefit of a user. One embodiment is a method of making a battery pack with intelligent display. A second embodiment is a battery pack with intelligent display that can display one or more parameters, such as charge remaining, current out, current in, watts out, watts in, time remaining, time to recharge one or more batteries, battery temperature, battery voltages, the age of the battery, and clock time.
US09263771B2
[Problem] An object of the invention is to provide a lithium secondary battery that shows good cycle performance and at the same time prevents a battery thickness increase due to charge-discharge cycles, and a method of manufacturing such a battery.[Means for Solving the Problem] A lithium secondary battery includes a negative electrode (2) having a negative electrode current collector (11) and a negative electrode active material layer (12) disposed on the negative electrode current collector (11), a positive electrode (1) having a positive electrode active material, a separator (3), and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode active material layer includes negative electrode active material particles and a negative electrode binder, and the negative electrode active material particles include silicon particles and/or silicon alloy particles. The silicon particles and the silicon alloy particles have a crystallite size of 100 nm or less.
US09263768B2
Disclosed are a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a lithium salt and a solvent, the electrolyte containing, based on the weight of the electrolyte, 10-40 wt % of a compound of Formula 1 or its decomposition product, and 1-40 wt % of an aliphatic nitrile compound, as well as an electrochemical device comprising the non-aqueous electrolyte.
US09263767B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrochemical device having an electrolytic solution having high current density and high oxidation resistance, as well as high safety, where dissolution and deposition of magnesium progress repeatedly and stably.The present invention relates to the electrolytic solution for an electrochemical device comprising (1) the supporting electrolyte composed of a magnesium salt and (2) at least one or more kinds of the compound represented by the following general formula [2], as well as the electrochemical device comprising said electrolytic solution, a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator.
US09263762B2
A lithium ion battery having a plurality of cells connected in series, in parallel, or both internally within a sealed case. Each of the plurality of cells has a cathode in contact with a positive current collector and an anode in contact with a negative current collector. The battery also includes a single positive terminal in electrical contact with at least one positive current collector and a single negative terminal in electrical contact with at least one negative current collector. One or more cross-over connectors electrically connect adjacent positive and negative current collectors. Also provided is a lithium ion battery having externally connected cells, the battery also having a single negative terminal in electrical contact with at least one negative current collector and one or more cross-over connectors that electrically connect adjacent positive and negative current collectors of the cells.
US09263761B2
An electrode assembly includes a positive electrode including a positive active material layer on each of first and second surfaces of a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode including a negative active material layer on each of first and second surfaces of a negative electrode current collector, and an inner separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein each of the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes a side end uncoated region at respective side ends of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the side end uncoated regions of each of the positive and negative electrodes including no active material layers on respective electrode current collectors, and wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode has an inner uncoated region positioned at a center of the electrode assembly, the inner uncoated region including no active material layer thereon.