US09937921B2

A method for providing swerve assistance for a motor vehicle, in which a threatening or imminent collision of the motor vehicle is detected, the driver is notified to steer the vehicle onto a collision-avoiding swerve trajectory, it is detected whether the driver heeds the warning and initiates a swerve maneuver, and if the driver initiates a swerve maneuver, a driver-independent implementation of a steering or braking intervention assisting in the steering onto the swerve trajectory takes place.
US09937920B2

A drive system for a vehicle comprises two electrical machines arranged between a combustion engine and an input shaft to a gearbox. The first machine rotor is connected with a planetary gear component, and the input shaft of the gearbox with another planetary gear component. The second machine rotor is connected with the output shaft of the combustion engine, which is also connected with another planetary gear component. A first locking means movable between a locked position, wherein the planetary gear's three components rotate at the same rotational speed, and a release position, wherein the components rotate at different rotational speeds. A second locking means movable between a locked position, and a release position wherein the combustion engine's output shaft is locked to a stationary element in the locked position and disconnected in the release position to rotate with the second machine rotor and a planetary gear component.
US09937919B2

A system and method for controlling engine starting in a hybrid vehicle having first and second electric machines include starting the engine in response to an engine start request using the first electric machine and releasing second electric machine reserved engine starting torque for use in propelling the vehicle. The first electric machine may be controlled to start the engine in response to the first engine start after key-on and when the vehicle speed is below a corresponding threshold, with the second electric machine used when vehicle speed is above the threshold. The first electric machine may be an integrated starter-generator.
US09937916B2

Systems and methods for operating a transmission of a hybrid powertrain that includes a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods may permit or inhibit transmission shifting in response to objects or conditions in a vehicles travel path. Transmission shifting is not permitted when conditions indicate the possibility of excessive transmission shifting.
US09937908B2

A method for controlling an active aerodynamic element in a vehicle having road wheels with tires in contact with a road surface includes receiving driver input signals and vehicle kinematics data. The driver input signals correspond to a requested aerodynamic performance operating point. Tire coefficients of friction in the longitudinal and lateral directions are provided to the controller. Desired longitudinal and lateral forces acting on the tires are determined using the input signals, kinematics data, and actual force data. Additionally, a desired total aerodynamic downforce for meeting the aerodynamic performance operating point is determined as a function of the tire forces and coefficients. A position of the aerodynamic element(s) is controlled such that the total aerodynamic downforce is achieved. A system includes the aerodynamic element(s), actuator(s), and controller. A vehicle includes the body, road wheels, active aerodynamic element(s), actuator(s), and controller.
US09937887B2

An apparatus (10) is provided for controlling an actuatable restraint (14, 16) in a vehicle (12). An sensor (24) is mounted in the vehicle (12) and outputs an electrical signal having a characteristic indicative of a vehicle event. A discrimination circuit (42) is coupled to the sensor (24) and determines if a predetermined event occurred. A safing circuit (50) is copied to the sensor (24) signal and sequestered from the discrimination circuit (42) for determining if the predetermined event occurred. An actuation device is actuates the restraint when both the discrimination circuit (42) and the safing circuit (50) determine the predetermined event occurred.
US09937885B2

A front under-run protection assembly for a medium duty truck. The front under-run protection assembly includes a front bar assembly and a support assembly. The support assembly includes a beam and attachment plates. The front bar assembly has a bar positioned under the bumper of the truck and shaped to match the bumper shape. The front bar assembly includes a plurality of strengthening gussets attached to a back side of the bar. The bar assembly is attached to the support assembly which is in turn attached to the frame of the truck.
US09937882B2

An attachment device for mounting a bumper cross-beam having a vertical front wall and a vertical rear wall spaced apart by a transverse wall onto a vehicle structure, the attachment device having a first end to be fixed to the vehicle structure and a second end configured to be attached to the bumper cross-beam, the attachment device being made from a hollow section profile, the periphery of which includes opposite side walls and substantially parallel opposite outer walls; the second end includes a flange, which can extend substantially beyond the vertical front wall after mounting the bumper cross beam, and on which a component is attached to the flange in front of said vertical front wall.
US09937878B2

The invention relates to a load compartment cover having sound-absorbing characteristics. A load compartment is provided between the rear seats and a tailgate. The load compartment cover is embodied from a sound-absorbing partition that is arranged in a space above a base of the load compartment and is embodied from a material that is in part permeable to sound waves. A load compartment cover of this type is to be easily handled in practice and is not to comprise any disadvantages associated with known load compartment covers. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the partition is formed from multiple, preferably two, thin sheets that are arranged spaced apart one above the other. The thin sheets are provided with a micro perforation and only one air cushion is provided between the thin sheets.
US09937869B2

A vehicle-bed storage box includes a container having an interior volume, an interface plate disposed within a vehicle-bed sidewall that selectively receives the container against the vehicle-bed sidewall and over a vehicle-bed wheelhouse, the interface plate including a securing recess and an interface bracket extending from at least one sidewall, the interface bracket including a rotating mechanism operable between a plurality of rotational positions, including an engaged position and a secured position when the interface bracket is received by the interface plate, the engaged position being defined by the rotating mechanism being free of engagement with the securing recess and further defined by the interface bracket being at least partially operable within the interface plate, and wherein the secured position is defined by the rotating mechanism being engaged within the securing recess and the interface bracket being substantially free of movement within the interface plate.
US09937866B2

A structure of a damper for a glove box includes: a rod which has a guide provided on an upper portion thereof, and a rack gear provided along one side thereof; a housing which has a guide groove that is correspondingly coupled to the guide; a damper which is installed on the housing; a slot hole which is provided at one end of the housing and to which a rotating shaft provided on the damper is correspondingly and movably coupled; and a pinion gear which is provided at an end of the rotating shaft and engages with the rack gear.
US09937865B1

An upper component has a top and an inner side with a lower free end and has an outer side with a lower free end. A lower component has a bottom and an inner side with an upper free end and has an outer side with an upper free end. The lower free ends are coupled to the upper free ends respectively forming a cylindrical configuration with a chamber there within. A support beam within the chamber extends vertically with an upper end adjacent to the top and a lower end adjacent to the bottom.
US09937854B2

A door handle includes a casing inside which an accommodation space is provided, and a lamp unit disposed in the accommodation space. The lamp unit includes a light emission element, a circuit board on which the light emission element is mounted, and a combination member including a housing and a light guiding lens. The housing supports the circuit board, and the light guiding lens guides light emitted from the light emission element in a predetermined direction. In the door handle, a connection wire that supplies driving current to at least the light emission element is connected to the circuit board, and a portion of the connection wire is wound around a portion of the combination member.
US09937851B2

A device for adjusting high and low beam shape of automotive headlamp comprising a fixed bracket, an adjusted assembly and an up/down and left/right adjusting mechanism. The low beam unit is disposed on the fixed bracket and the high beam unit is disposed on the adjusted assembly. The cylindrical inner hole disposed on the fixed bracket is fitted with the fixed ball head disposed on the adjusted assembly, whereas the elastic waist hole slot disposed on the fixed bracket is fitted with the adjusting bar disposed on the adjusted assembly.
US09937846B2

An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.
US09937835B1

A vehicle seat includes a cushion and a seatback coupled with the cushion. At least one of the cushion and the seatback includes a base and an extension portion moveable along an axis toward and away from the base, an expandable fabric member coupled between the base and the extension portion, and an expandable support structure positioned on an interior of the expandable fabric member.
US09937829B2

In a seat device for a vehicle, a dynamic damper comprises a damper case that is formed from first and second case halves joined together so as to be capable of separating from each other to define a damper chamber therebetween, a weight that is housed in the damper chamber, and an elastic member that is disposed between the weight and an inner face of the damper chamber so as to allow vibration of the weight, the damper case being provided with a mounting part that is mounted on a frame of the seat. Thus, it is possible to provide a seat device for a vehicle in which replacement of a weight and an elastic member in order to adjust or change the damping characteristics is possible, and the ease of mounting a damper case on a seat is good.
US09937827B1

A sliding armrest for a vehicle is provided that includes a lower cover having a rotatable hook that is detachably coupled to a console and opening and closing a storage space of the console An upper cover slides between a protruding position in a length direction and an initial position and a moving part is rotatably provided at the upper cover that rotates the hook at the initial position of the upper cover to detach the hook from the console. A stopper fastens to the lower cover to restrain sliding of the upper cover or released from the lower cover by the moving part to allow the sliding of the upper cover An interlock is disposed at the upper cover and that rotates the hook corresponding to an operation of the moving part at the protruding position of the upper cover, to detach the hook from the console.
US09937824B2

A seat assembly includes a seat frame having a first end connected to a vehicle and a second end cooperating with a latching system having a latching mechanism to releasably secure to at least one receiving portion. A seat structure adjustably positionable on the seat frame includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat structure. A seat adjustment system includes a first guide member proximate the latching mechanism having a first channel portion and a second guide member proximate the seat structure having a second channel portion configured to align with the first channel portion. A coupling element operatively connected to a first actuator includes an elongate projection that is translated from a locked position in the first channel portion to an unlocked position in the second channel portion to release the latching mechanism from the at least one receiving portion.
US09937820B2

A vehicle seat comprises a seat cushion frame configuring a frame member of a seat cushion, and a seat unit that is supported by the seat cushion frame and on which an occupant sits, that has a higher seating face rigidity in a seat front-rear direction than a seating face rigidity in a seat width direction, and that has the seating face rigidity in the seat width direction set lower at a seat front-rear direction rear side than at a seat front-rear direction front side.
US09937818B2

A vehicle has a body forming a passenger compartment. The vehicle also has a chassis supporting the body. The chassis includes a frame structure having a pair of side rails running longitudinally along the body, a plurality of rigid cross rails extending perpendicular to the side rails and attached at opposing ends to the side rails, and at least one bay defined between the plurality of cross rails. The vehicle also has a battery system including a battery pack. The battery pack has a plurality of electrical storage devices. The battery pack is secured to the side rails and removably positioned in the at least one bay.
US09937817B2

A vehicle includes an electrical storage device, an auxiliary load, a charger configured to charge the electrical storage device with power supplied from a power supply outside the vehicle, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to create an actuation schedule of the auxiliary load during charging of the electrical storage device, before initiation of the charging. The electronic control unit is configured to learn charging power of the electrical storage device for each actuation pattern of the auxiliary load during the charging. The electronic control unit is configured to estimate a required time period for the charging based on a learned value of the charging power, an execution time period of each of the actuation patterns, and a total charging power amount of the electrical storage device. The electronic control unit sets initiation time of the charging in accordance with the estimated required time period.
US09937816B2

A method for managing the temperature of a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle includes recording a temperature value at which the cooling or heating of the battery is triggered. The method further includes, for two consecutive values in a predefined sequence of states of charge: a step of comparing a real gradient to a reference gradient of the battery temperature; and a step of modifying, depending on the comparison, the value of the trigger temperature, or the value of the power output by cooling or heating the battery; and also includes applying the modified trigger temperature or output power for the following two consecutive values of the state of charge of the battery in the predefined sequence.
US09937815B2

A method is provided for balancing an energy storage system that includes a plurality of connected battery cells in a vehicle including an electric machine arranged for propulsion of the vehicle. The method includes monitoring a need for balancing of the cells, initiating a request for the balancing based on the operational condition related to the battery cells, discharging or charging the energy storage system until the state of charge of the energy storage system has reached a predetermined level, and balancing the voltage of the battery cells. The method further includes allowing input instructions representing a time schedule for the balancing upon initiating the request for balancing, and initiating the discharging so that the energy storage system reaches the predetermined level of the state of charge in accordance with the input instructions. An arrangement for balancing an energy storage system is also provided.
US09937808B2

A charging system for drones has a base structure connected to a power grid, a connector extendable from the base structure and ending in a charging interface compatible with a charging port of a drone, and a computerized controller at the base structure enabled to communicate with a drone and to initiate, control and stop charging power. As a drone approaches the charging-system, the controller directs the drone into position for charging, manages connection of the charging interface to the charging port of the drone, initiates charging power, monitors progress of charging, and upon completion of charging, disconnects the charging interface from the charging port of the drone.
US09937805B2

Disclosed are a battery charging system and method. The battery charging system according to the present invention includes a first connector connected to both ends of a battery of a charging providing car; a second connector connected to both ends of a battery of a charging target car; a converter configured to convert a voltage transmitted from the battery of the charging providing car through the first connector and transmit the converted voltage to the battery of the charging target car through the second connector; and a controller connected to each of a battery management system (BMS) of the charging providing car and a BMS of the charging target car to control a voltage conversion ratio of the converter based on a state information on each of the batteries transmitted from each of the BMSs.
US09937799B2

A pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to a machine is disclosed. The pantograph assembly may include a pantograph base detachably mounted to the machine, an articulated linkage assembly having a linkage assembly lower end operatively connected to the pantograph base and a linkage assembly upper end pivotally connected to the linkage assembly lower end, a collector rail assembly operatively connected to the linkage assembly upper end, and a stop member. The stop member may be connected to the pantograph base and engaging the articulated linkage assembly, or connected to the articulated linkage assembly and engaging the pantograph base, to prevent the articulated linkage assembly from being lowered toward the pantograph base below a predetermined down position or lower limit position. A latch assembly may be mounted on the pantograph base and operable to move between a latch locked position and a latch unlocked position.
US09937797B2

Provided in the present disclosure is a fingerprint bookmark system which may be implemented in a vehicle with one or more configurable interior settings. The fingerprint bookmark system may contain a scanner which may be configured to record a fingerprint from a vehicle occupant such that a fingerprint image showing the fingerprint and a duration data for the fingerprint image are recorded by the scanner. The system may contain one or more processors which may be configured to compare the duration data associated with the fingerprint image with a duration threshold. The one or more processors may be configured to initiate a search to obtain a bookmark for the fingerprint shown in the fingerprint image when the duration data is less than the duration threshold. The one or more processors may be further configured to create a new bookmark when the duration data exceeds the duration threshold.
US09937790B2

A mounting assembly for a vehicle shift mechanism is provided and includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion. The mounting assembly also includes a column clamping structure of the stationary portion surrounding a portion of the moveable portion of the steering column. The mounting assembly further includes a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column at a first coupling position located on a first side of the column clamping structure and at a second coupling position located on a second side of the column clamping structure. The mounting assembly yet further includes a stationary portion aperture defined by the stationary portion of the steering column, the stationary portion aperture extending from the second side of the column clamping structure in a longitudinal direction of the steering column, the second coupling position located within the stationary portion aperture.
US09937786B2

Methods and systems are provided for regulating fuel flow in a fuel tank. In one example, a method may comprise fueling a fuel tank by receiving a nozzle into a filler tube which extends into a fuel tank to fuel the fuel tank, and directing fuel through the tube against vanes in a baffle which forms a compartment within the tank. Additionally, the method may comprise enabling the vanes to open so that pressure within the compartment remains below a level which would otherwise cause shut off the nozzle during the fueling.
US09937782B2

There is provided a vehicle having a drive system. The drive system includes an engine for providing electrical power for propelling the vehicle, an electrical energy storage device, a first motor for driving a rotation of a first shaft of the vehicle, and a second motor for driving a rotation of a second shaft of the vehicle. The drive system is configured to operate in a first mode, wherein in the first mode, power for each of the first motor and the second motor is provided exclusively by the electrical energy storage device.
US09937777B2

A belt molding includes: a molding body, which includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a connection wall that connects an upper end of the inner wall and an upper end of the outer wall; a design lip, which is formed at the upper end of the inner wall of the molding body; and a design portion, wherein the design portion includes a first portion, which covers at least a part of the molding body, and a second portion, which covers at least a part of the design lip, and wherein a step is formed between the first portion and the second portion, such that a level of a surface of the first portion is different from a level of a surface of the second portion.
US09937770B2

A method for controlling an air flow for a vehicle may include mode selecting, that includes an input portion receiving an input for selecting at least any one of a plurality of discharging modes provided so as to select a discharge pattern of air discharged to the inside of the vehicle and an air flow controller determining the discharge mode, and air volume selecting, that includes the input portion receiving an input for selecting an air volume in the determined discharging mode after the discharging mode is determined and the air flow controller determining the air volume.
US09937749B2

Adapter for a rolling assembly having an axis of rotation comprising a tire having two beads, a rim with rim well (13) between two rim seats (12) each with an axially outer end, and width W between axially outer ends of these rim seats. The adapter, coupled between each bead and each rim seat, has two axially outer ends (2) each comprising seat (3) and bearing face (4) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Body (5) connects outer axial ends (2) and comprises a main reinforcement, face (16) in contact with each seat (12) and with well (13) and positioned radially on the inside. The adapter has a total axial width L between each seat (3), and 60%≥W/L≥20%. Body (5) comprises immobilizing element (8) to wedge the adapter in the rim well (13).
US09937748B2

Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a bead lock wheel line in scaled vehicles. The bead lock wheel line may include a wheel center section and a bead lock ring. The bead lock ring may be configured to be overlaid on the wheel center section, wherein screws may be inserted through orifices positioned within the bead lock ring and into orifices positioned on the wheel center section.
US09937738B2

Inkjet printer for the labeling of goods having a print head having a cylindrically shaped housing. A latching lug, and a circumferentially extending groove are formed on the housing in a rear region thereof, in the vicinity of a rear face of the housing. Further, it has an annular collar having an inner wall adapted to the housing. On the one hand, the housing is capable of being fixed and, on the other hand, it is rotatable and axially movable, relative to the annular collar. The annular collar has a bore hole axially aligned with the groove, and a fixing projection located in the bore hole. Further, it has several latching recesses for the latching lug. When the latching lug is positioned in one of the latching recesses, the bore hole is located radially above the groove.
US09937729B2

A thermal print head includes a semiconductor substrate, a resistor layer and a wiring layer. The resistor layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate and has a plurality of heat generating portions arranged in the main scanning direction. The wiring layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate to be included in a conduction path for energizing the plurality of heat generating portions. The conduction path includes a path or paths provided by the semiconductor substrate itself.
US09937726B2

A controller provided in a control device calculates an index value indicative of an amount of a specific type of ink in a specific type of color to be used in printing at least a part of a target image including a first image and a second image. In response to determining that the index value is not greater than a threshold value, the controller controls a printer to print the first image and the second image using the specific type of ink for reproducing the specific type of color. In response to determining that the index value is greater than the threshold value, the controller controls the printer to print the first image using the specific type of ink and to print the second image using a different type of ink different from the specific type of ink for reproducing the specific type of color.
US09937724B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid, a subsidiary tank connected to the liquid ejecting head, and a main tank capable of supplying the liquid to the subsidiary tank. The subsidiary tank is provided with a liquid introducing portion that receives the liquid from the main tank. The liquid introducing portion includes a receiving member that receives the liquid from the main tank. The receiving member is a porous member that seals the pressure chamber by being impregnated with the liquid. The main tank includes a reservoir portion in which the liquid is stored and a connecting flow path that extends from the reservoir portion. The connecting flow path includes a terminal portion that is connectable to and disconnectable from the liquid introducing portion.
US09937714B2

Staggered fluid ejection dies may include first, second and third fluid ejection dies, each of the dies having fluid feed passages between first and second long edges. And electrical interconnect may extend from a location proximate the first long edge of each of the fluid ejection dies. A temperature sensor may be supported proximate the second long edge of each of the fluid ejection dies. Each of the fluid ejection dies may omit temperature sensors proximate the first long edge.
US09937712B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a modulation circuit which generates a modulated signal obtained by performing pulse modulation with respect to a source signal as a source of a driving signal; a boosting circuit which outputs a voltage boosted by at least a first capacitor; a pair of transistors which generates an amplified-modulated signal based on the modulated signal; a low pass filter which generates a driving signal by smoothing the amplified-modulated signal; a voltage generating circuit which outputs an offset voltage from an output terminal; and a second capacitor which is electrically connected to the output terminal, in which at least the boosting circuit and the voltage generating circuit are integrated in an integrated circuit, and a distance between the first capacitor and the integrated circuit is shorter than a distance between the second capacitor and the integrated circuit.
US09937710B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that is provided with a plurality of nozzle openings that discharge a liquid, and pressure generation units that generate pressure changes in pressure generation chambers that are respectively in communication with the nozzle openings, a detection unit that detects a discharge fault of liquid droplets of the liquid ejecting head for each of the nozzle openings, and a control unit that controls the pressure generation units, in which the control unit has a discharge prohibition mode in which the driving of a pressure generation unit that corresponds to a nozzle opening in which a discharge fault is detected, is prohibited after the corresponding discharge fault is detected while recording is underway.
US09937709B2

A surface treatment liquid for a porous sound-absorbing material, the surface treatment liquid comprising water and a colorant-fixing component, and the colorant-fixing component comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of cationic water-dispersible resins, inorganic particles having a median size measured by a dynamic light scattering method of less than 1 μm, and polyvalent metal salts.
US09937706B2

This object is solved by a device for inspecting a print material, including evaluation value acquisition means for inspecting a plurality of print materials and acquiring an evaluation value indicating quality of each print material, allowed-number-of-failed-product acquisition means for acquiring an allowed number of failed products among the plurality of print materials, determination criterion determination means for determining a determination criterion in which the number of failed products is equal to or smaller than the allowed number of failed products and a sum of evaluation values of passed products becomes a highest-quality value, pass and fail determination means for determining pass or fail of each print material on the basis of the determination criterion and the evaluation value of each print material, and output means for outputting a determination result of the pass and fail determination means.
US09937705B2

A non-contact web guide includes a wall having a curved exterior surface and a hollow interior containing a pressurized liquid. A first row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide entry position, second and third rows of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide exit position, and an intermediate array of liquid ejection holes is provided between the first and second rows. A total number of liquid ejection holes in the intermediate array is less than a total number of liquid ejection holes in the second row. This configuration of ejection boles provides the advantage that stable web guidance is achieved at low liquid flow rates.
US09937703B2

A device for automated implementation of preliminary reverse exposure, main exposure, and development of digitally imagable flexographic printing elements, and a method for producing flexographic printing plates starting from digitally imaged flexographic printing elements, using said apparatus.
US09937686B2

The present disclosure relates to a multi-layer barrier film comprising: a first layer of an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layer or a polyamide layer having a thickness in the range of 3 micron to 15 micron; a second layer of a polyamide layer having a thickness in the range of 3 micron to 15 micron in contact with the first layer; and a third layer of an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layer having a thickness in the range of 3 micron to 15 micron.The present disclosure also relates to a multi-layered laminate comprising the multi-layer barrier film, and the process of making the same.
US09937680B2

A pellet press machine, comprises a die block assembly for receiving powder to be compacted, and a press assembly for compacting the powder, the die block assembly laterally movable along a linear horizontal axis between the filling location at which an array of dies are filled with the powder to be pressed at the pressing location in which the powder in dies is pressed to form pellets. The filling assembly includes an auger driving by a motor to force the powder directly into dies. The auger further has a sharp edge sits right above the dies to force the powder directly into dies and the sharp edge scrapes the top surface of the dies so as to allow the high degree accuracy of filling dose for each die. With this filling assembly, the pellet press machine can product high density and small diameter pellet with high density and sticky density powder.
US09937679B2

To form a tire carcass, a body ply is wound about a drum, which has two half-drums movable axially in opposite directions to and from a center plane of the drum, and having respective turn-up bladders, on each of which is laid a respective annular lateral portion of the body ply; each annular lateral portion being turned up about a respective bead bundle and onto a sidewall of a toroidal-shaped annular central portion of the body ply by inflating the relative turn-up bladder and controlling distension of a given annular portion of the turn-up bladder so that, when inflation is completed, the annular portion assumes a given final position, in which an intermediate portion of the turn-up bladder rolls outwards along the relative sidewall of the annular central portion of the body ply.
US09937674B2

A method for shaping an optical component so that it has an aspherical optical surface. In the method: the optical component is heated and mechanical stresses are applied thereto; heating and applying the mechanical stresses are stopped; an optical surface of the component is polished into a planar or spherical shape; and viscous elastic deformation of the optical component is relaxed. The method for example has applications in manufacturing aspheric mirrors having great dimensions.
US09937673B1

A method of repairing a conduit includes generating, from a sensor, a signal representative of an unmanufactured opening in the conduit. The conduit includes a liner material positioned therein. The liner material is operatively engaged to the sensor. The method also includes sealing the unmanufactured opening using the liner material upon generation of the signal by the sensor.
US09937671B2

A low-cost method of manufacturing an all-composite composite torque tube includes winding fiber tow around a cylindrical mandrel and a plurality of eyelet forms held by an end fixture on the mandrel, whereby a flanged end coupling is formed. The method may include the use of a pre-woven composite fiber end sleeve configured to define the flanged end coupling. The wound fiber, and the end sleeve, are cured together in a single step. Metal eyelets may be installed in the bolt holes.
US09937670B2

A powder filtering mechanism includes a connecting part, a main body, a duct, a suction device and a bracket. The connecting part is in communication with a powder inlet. Moreover, plural filters are disposed within an accommodation space of the main body. The suction device is in communication with the main body. The bracket supports a micro-particle adsorption structure. During operation of the suction device, flying dust of excess construction powder is inhaled into the powder inlet, and a portion of the flying dust is transferred to the accommodation space. After the portion of the flying dust is filtered by the plural filters in multiple filtering steps, micro-particles of flying dust passing through the plural filters are transferred to the micro-particle adsorption structure so as to be adsorbed by the micro-particle adsorption structure.
US09937654B2

A molding device of an inbuilt component fixing section of a fuel tank includes: a projection member that projects out at a placement face onto which a resin sheet that will form a tank configuration member is disposed in a molten state, and that molds a hollow bulge section in the resin sheet; an elastic body that covers the projection member, and that expands and applies pressure to the bulge section from the inside due to a non-compressible fluid being supplied into a sealed space formed between the elastic body and the projection member; a fluid supply device that supplies the fluid into the sealed space in a state in which the bulge section has penetrated through a fixing hole provided in an inbuilt component; and a fixing member that fixes a location of the elastic body corresponding to a leading end portion to the leading end portion.
US09937651B2

Apparatus has a vacuum pump for conveying granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers retaining and dispensing the resin when needed by a process machine with a flow limiter connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump, and a second flow limiter controlling and limiting to a maximum value vacuum flow through a conduit carrying auxiliary additives to the receivers.
US09937650B2

An operating unit includes a touch-sensitive display screen for displaying an operating program, a control or regulating unit for communicating operating signals to injection molding machine elements, and the operating program is stored in the control or regulating unit, and at least one operating button, upon the actuation of which the control or regulating unit triggers an action of an injection molding machine element. The operating program has a hierarchical system architecture with at least one upper installation-specific level and an upper task-specific level. A selection can be made between different installation regions in the installation-specific central level, between different task regions in the task-specific central level, and a plurality of sublevels. Process-relevant program pages associated only with the selected installation region or only with the selected task region can be displayed in each selected sublevel.
US09937641B1

The present invention is a method and apparatus for quick and easy rubber sleeve exchanges on chill rolls, such as are used in film extrusion processes. The apparatus includes chill roll or mandrel, a rubber sleeve covering the exterior face of the mandrel, an automated cantilever system, and an air booster. The rubber sleeve is easily removed by tilting the mandrel and inserting a layer of air between the rubber sleeve and the mandrel, thereby allowing the sleeve to slip off the mandrel and allowing for a new rubber sleeve to be placed onto the mandrel.
US09937639B2

A powder heating assembly of a rapid prototyping apparatus includes a powder feeder and a heating module. The powder feeder includes an accommodation space and a powder falling port in communication with the accommodation space. The heating module is disposed under the powder feeder, and includes a thermally conductive cap and a heat conduction structure. The powder falling port is capped by the thermally conductive cap. The thermally conductive cap includes a powder exhaust port. The powder exhaust port is in communication with the powder falling port. The heat conduction structure is arranged between the accommodation space of the powder feeder and the thermally conductive cap and includes a heater. The heat generated by the heater is transferred to the construction powder within the powder feeder to preheat the construction powder, remove the moisture contained in the construction powder and dry the construction powder.
US09937636B2

A concrete mixing transport truck chute washout system with (a) a container unit with an upper region located above and fluidly communicating with a lower region, the upper region having a container unit sealing and seating feature, the upper region having a container unit open mouth, (b) a drainage valve positioned on the lower region of the container portion, and (c) a tray unit that detachably fits in the upper region of the container unit in the container unit open mouth, wherein the tray unit has a bottom with at least one opening formed therein and a tray unit sealing and seating feature, which tray unit sealing and seating feature engages with the container unit sealing and seating feature when the tray unit is placed in the upper region of the container unit.
US09937634B2

A composition for treating cellulosic materials is provided. The composition comprises a dispersion of micronized additives. The dispersion comprises additive particles with diameters in the range of 0.001 to 25 microns. Also provided is a method for the application of the additive-containing composition to wood, as well as wood products which have been treated with the composition.
US09937617B2

A device and method of marking an elongated element for bending. A template is provided that has a body with a first end, an opposite second end, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The body also includes a concave surface that extends between the first end and the second end. Length indicia are disposed on the body adjacent the first straight side edge. Angle indicia are disposed on the body adjacent the first end. Utilizing a marker and the template, a start line and a finish line are marked onto the elongated element. Additionally, a guideline is marked on the elongated element that extends from the start line to the finish line. At least one bend is formed in the elongated element between the start line and the finish line. The bends progress along the marked guideline.
US09937611B2

A device in a hydraulic rock drilling machine (1) has a distribution valve (7, 7′, 7″) for controlling hydraulic flow to different parts of the rock drilling machine. The distribution valve has a valve body (8, 8′, 8″) which moves to and from in an axial direction inside a valve chamber (33). The valve chamber is limited in axial direction by two valve end walls (10, 11; 10′, 11′; 10″, 11″). One of the valve end walls is movable in an axial direction against an abutment (12, 12″) to define an end position for the valve body, and a pressing device (13, 13′, 13″) is provided for pressing at least one of the valve end walls against the abutment. A rock drilling machine includes the device.
US09937607B2

A tool, such as, a socket, that is adapted to remove a stripped or otherwise difficult to remove fastener. The socket includes a body having first and second ends, a first axial bore in the first end adapted to receive the stripped or cylindrical fastener head, and one or more cutting channels in the body between the first and second ends forming internal cutting edges adapted to engage the stripped or cylindrical fastener head. The one or more cutting apertures may have an elongated diamond-like shape and extend a portion of the way around the body and toward the second end.
US09937604B2

An abrasive article has an abrasive portion with a bond and abrasive particles. A core is mounted to the abrasive portion. The core may include a plurality of segments that are interconnected to form the core. The abrasive article may include forming a plurality of core segments; assembling the core segments into a core; and then mounting the core to the abrasive portion to form the abrasive article. Forming an abrasive article may include mixing a phenolic resin, fillers and abrasive particles to form an abrasive matrix; injecting the abrasive matrix directly into a mold, such that the abrasive matrix is injection molded into a final wheel geometry; at least partially curing the abrasive matrix while it is inside the mold; and then removing the abrasive article from the mold.
US09937603B2

A method and apparatus are provided for coupling a first and second wheeled vehicle. The apparatus includes a first area with a stop to engage an undersurface of the first wheeled vehicle and a second area with spaced apart openings to receive wheels of the second vehicle. The apparatus also includes a hook member positioned between the first and second areas and including surfaces to engage a perimeter of the frame of the first wheeled vehicle. The method includes engaging a perimeter of the frame of the first wheeled vehicle with the hook member. The method further includes rotating the stop about an engagement point between the hook member and the frame of the first wheeled vehicle until the stop engages an undersurface of the frame. The method further includes positioning a pair of wheels of the second vehicle in the spaced apart openings.
US09937602B2

In a substrate processing method according to an embodiment, a surface of an object to be polished disposed on a substrate is polished on a polishing pad supplied with slurry. After the polishing process using the slurry, the surface of the object to be polished on the polishing pad is polished, while supplying water on the polishing pad where a residue including the slurry or a sludge of the polishing pad adhered. After the polishing process using the water, the surface of the object to be polished is cleaned on the polishing pad by supplying rinse liquid on the polishing pad.
US09937591B2

A welding device provided for welding automobile parts received in a pallet to a vehicle body includes: an aligner configured to grip and align the parts received in the pallet; a mover configured to move the aligner to take out the parts and let the taken out parts adhere to an installation position of the vehicle body; and a welding machine configured to weld the adhering portion between the parts and the vehicle body.
US09937590B2

Laser processing machines, such as laser cutting machine (LM), including a work table receiving workpiece (W), and work arm (1) with a laser cutting head (2). Laser cutting head (2) includes nozzle receiving device (7) and nozzle (D). Via nozzle (D) laser beam (11) may be directed onto work piece (W). Machine (LM) includes main drives moving work arm (1) and/or the laser cutting head (2) on X-Y-Z axes to process work piece (W), as well as an alignment unit to adjust laser beam (11). An adjusting station (3) includes receiving unit (31) fixing nozzle (D) and/or the nozzle receiving device (7) during centering of nozzle (D). The alignment unit has head element (5B) in laser cutting head (2). Head element (5B) receives nozzle (D) and/or the nozzle receiving device (7) and is slidable in X-Y directions, via the main drives. Head element (5B) may be fixed in a selected position, within the laser cutting head (2), via clamping device (12) releasable during nozzle centering at adjusting station (3).
US09937589B2

A method, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and controller for manufacturing a predetermined object. The method includes machining a plurality of separate components of a work piece based on a final geometry of the predetermined object. The plurality of separate components is selected based on the final geometry of the predetermined object. A first material is added to the work piece such that a first single continuous surface is formed over, or together with, the machined surfaces of the plurality of separate components which is selected based on the final geometry of the predetermined object.
US09937584B2

A method for producing an electrical component is provided. The method includes steps of providing a continuous strip material and separating a section from the continuous strip material using an electron beam.
US09937583B2

A welding assembly including a current generator, a first electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the first electrode including a first engagement surface, a second electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the second electrode including a second engagement surface, a width-determining fixture positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode to define a welding volume having a width, and an electrically nonconductive material positioned to electrically insulate at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode from an electrical conductor outside the width.
US09937581B2

The invention relates to an electric arc-welding welding head comprising a contact device and one or more wire feeder units, the contact device encompassing an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising at least two fusible continuously-fed wire electrodes arranged in a contact device. An electrically insulated duct is provided for electric insulation of at least one of the electrodes so that the electrode is electrically insulated from other electrodes in the electrode assembly. The invention also relates to an electric arc-welding contact device and an electric arc-welding welding head assembly.
US09937578B2

A welding system including a helmet having one or more sensing devices configured to detect a position and an orientation of a welding torch relative to a workpiece during performance of a welding session, and a controller coupled to the one or more sensing devices and configured to receive arc parameters corresponding to the performance of the welding session.
US09937569B2

A cutting insert for a tool for machining a workpiece, wherein the cutting insert has a 180° rotational symmetry about a bore axis extending perpendicularly and centrally through two opposing, identical base surfaces of the cutting insert, and has two identical parts which are connected along a center plane, wherein said center plane extends orthogonally to the bore axis and has the same distance from each of the two base surfaces, wherein each part has two identical mutually opposite main sides and two identical mutually opposite secondary sides, wherein each main side has a rectilinear main cutting edge extending parallel to the center plane, and each secondary side has a planar bearing surface extending orthogonally to the center plane, wherein the two main cutting edges of each part extend parallel to one another and transversely to the two main cutting edges of the respective other part, and wherein the two main cutting edges of each part extend parallel to the two bearing surfaces of the respective other part, wherein each main cutting edge transitions at its respective first end into a first segmental cutting edge which is arranged on a first protrusion provided on an adjacent secondary side of the respective part, and wherein each main cutting edge transitions into a second segmental cutting edge at its respective second end, opposite the first end, which is arranged on a second protrusion provided on the respective other adjacent secondary side of the respective part, wherein the first and the second protrusions each adjoin the bearing surface arranged on the respective same secondary side and project with respect to the respective bearing surface.
US09937557B2

A method and apparatus for forming objects. Layers of precursor material may be placed on top of each other. The layers of precursor material may be selectively cured as the layers of precursor material are placed on top of each other to form an object and a frame associated with the object.
US09937547B2

An electrohydraulic forming device comprising a framework, a tank, a movable enclosure comprising a cover, a mold connected to the cover by a support structure, a forming chamber and a discharge chamber with at least one electrode device. The enclosure is movable between a first position in which the tank is closed by the cover and a second position in which the discharge chamber and the forming chamber are outside the tank.
US09937545B1

A mandrel support device includes a mandrel sleeve positionable on a mandrel to form a reservoir in fluid communication with a mandrel passage, and with. The sleeve may include a bore configured to receive a portion of the mandrel, a lubrication channel formed on the sleeve exterior, and a lubrication passage extending between the channel and the bore to permit fluid communication therebetween. A mandrel base may define a socket for interchangeably receiving the sleeve, and a lubrication bore may extend from the socket to the base to align with the lubrication channel when the sleeve is received in the socket. A fluid fitting mounted on the base in fluid communication with the lubrication bore and the lubrication channel of the sleeve such that fluid moving through the fluid fitting enters the bore, the channel and passage to reach the reservoir and mandrel passage at any rotational position of the sleeve with respect to the base.
US09937541B1

A skin guard apparatus including a cover in the form of a flexible sheet that comprises a first layer and a complementary second layer bonded together. The first layer is formed of a compliant material sufficient to buffer an impact, and the second layer is formed of a magnetized material. The cover may be magnetically removably attachable upon a roller to protect the roller from mill marks. Related methods of use may include the step of attaching the cover upon a roller receivable in a mill stand. The cover may have the form of a flexible sheet that includes a first layer and a complementary second layer bonded together, with the first layer comprising a compliant material configured to buffer an impact in order to protect the roller from mill marks and the second layer comprising a magnetized material. Related methods of use may include the step of mounting a second roller in the mill stand while the cover is magnetically removably received upon the first roller.
US09937540B2

A piercing mandrel for piercing heated round blocks of metal for the production of seamless pipes, having a piercing mandrel nose and a piercing mandrel main body which can be connected to a mandrel bar. The outer diameter of the piercing mandrel nose is formed in a conically tapering manner in the longitudinal direction towards the piercing mandrel main body in order to increase the durability of the piercing mandrel when used for piercing round blocks of metal, in particular higher-alloyed steel materials which are difficult to work, by means of skew rolling providing a qualitative improvement of the inner surface of the pierced round block and reducing tool costs.
US09937538B2

Sorbent polymers which are selective to taking up hydrocarbons are provided for separating hydrocarbons from fluids and taking up hydrocarbons from off of and intermixed with solid materials. The hydrocarbons may at least partially be expressed out of and recovered from the polymer by squeezing. The polymers may be re-used for picking up additional hydrocarbons. Methods for producing and using the polymers are also provided.
US09937537B2

A liquid treatment system includes: a filter casing including a structural wall, a first screen formed though the structural wall, and a second screen formed though the structural wall; and a liquid treatment cartridge configured for placement in the filter casing between the first and second screens. The liquid treatment cartridge includes a cartridge casing having an upper end and a lower end, and an inflatable seal surrounding the cartridge casing at an intermediary position between the upper end and lower end. A method of servicing a groundwater treatment installation includes: vertically displacing a liquid treatment cartridge within a filter casing having a structural wall, a first screen formed though the structural wall, and a second screen formed though the structural wall.
US09937536B2

Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for cleaning a polishing module of a semiconductor polishing apparatus. Purge air flow can be supplied into the polishing module (e.g., directed towards a polishing unit, a shield, and/or other polishing components) to create turbulence air flow within the polishing module. An auxiliary exhaust can be invoked to exhaust one or more particulates removed from the polishing module by the turbulence air flow. A purge air flow cycle can be performed by cycling the purge air flow and the auxiliary exhaust between on and off states. One or more purge air flow cycles can be performed during a main air flow cycle where laminar air flow is supplied into the polishing module and exhausted using a main exhaust. In this way, one or more particulates can be cleaned from the polishing module.
US09937535B2

A clean-in-place process may begin with a pre-rinse step in which soil (e.g., contaminants, residual product) is flushed from industrial equipment prior to circulating a cleaning agent through the equipment. To determine when the equipment has been suitably flushed, pre-rinse fluid exiting the industrial equipment and containing soil may be fluorometrically analyzed. A concentration of the soil is determined from fluorescent emissions emitted by the soil itself. Based on this information, the pre-rinse flushing process can be controlled, for example, to minimize water usage, maximize pre-rinse cleaning, or based on any other suitable metric.
US09937534B2

A poultry feed distribution system includes a feed storage, a conveyor line and feeding devices. Each feeding device has an attachment part that is rotatable around the line. The attachment part has a drop tube of the device hingedly connected thereto. The attachment part together with the hinge connection to the drop tube is rotatable around the line between a feeding and a cleaning position, with an inlet of the drop tube getting distanced from the line when the attachment part together with the hinge connection to the drop tube is rotated from the feeding to the cleaning position.
US09937531B2

The present publication discloses a method and system for delivering goods from main system (S1) via subsystem (S2) to an end address (D1-Dn) of the customer (3). According to the invention the end address (D1-Dn) of the customer (3) is enquired (4) from the customer via telecommunications network by a multiple choice enquiry (4), the end address (D1-Dn) selected by the customer is received (5) and the goods are delivered to the selected end address (D1-Dn).
US09937525B2

This invention relates to a highly optically clear, composite film having a predominantly thermoplastic polyester base layer and a primer layer of a polyester and polyurethane blend composition. The base layer preferably has an A/B/C layered structure with a substantially particle-free core layer B of polyester and outer layers A and C of polyester containing nonpolyester, organic and/or inorganic particles. The primer layer is preferably applied to the base layer from solution that is organic solvent-free and is crosslinked using a carbodiimide crosslinking agent. The primer layer and base layer composite can be laminated with a protective layer of primarily acrylic polymer for a solar control film. Various layers of the composite and solar control films can contain effective amounts of functional additives, such as UV light blockers. Polyurethane in the primer, especially in combination with crosslinking by the carbodiimide, provides the acrylic coated polyester base solar control film with notably reduced iridescence and durable adhesion between polyester and acrylic layers in moist and warm service conditions.
US09937519B2

A kit for converting a gun-type sauce dispenser to dispense flowable materials such as sauces from flexible-walled containers comprises a nose piece, a dispensing tube and a supplemental piston. The nose piece has a forward end adapted to be attached to an end stop of the sauce dispenser. An opening extends axially through the nose piece. The nosepiece is adapted to be coupled to the dispensing tube such that the dispensing tube is held axially relative to the nose piece. A top sheet of a flexible-walled container may be retained between the nose piece and the dispensing tube. The nose piece may comprise a member arranged to tension the end sheet of the container.
US09937506B2

A motion guide apparatus cooling nozzle is provided which can gas-cool a motion guide apparatus. Cooling nozzles 1a and 1b of the present invention are mounted on a block 4 of the motion guide apparatus to cool at least one of a guide rail 2 and a block 4 that is assembled to the guide rail 2 via a rolling element 6 in such a manner as to be movable relatively. The cooling nozzles 1a and 1b include an inner passage 18 into which gas is introduced, an opening 12a configured to emit a gas flow introduced into the inner passage 18, a deflection surface 22a that is provided adjacently to the opening 12a to bend the gas flow emitted from the opening 12a, and a guiding surface 32a configured to attract gas outside the cooling nozzles 1a and 1b.
US09937505B2

A cyclone separator for separating a heavy fraction from a multiphase fluid comprising a mixture of the heavy fraction, a medium fraction and a light fraction includes an elongated cyclone tube which comprises a fluid inlet, a heavy fraction outlet and a flow bore that extends between the fluid inlet and the heavy fraction outlet. A mandrel is positioned concentrically within the cyclone tube and comprises a light fraction outlet that extends generally axially therethrough and an outer diameter surface that together with the cyclone tube defines an annular flow path for the multiphase fluid which extends between the fluid inlet and the flow bore. The outer diameter surface comprises a generally cylindrical section which extends from proximate the fluid inlet to a convergence section which extends toward an outlet port that connects the light fraction outlet with the flow bore, and the mandrel further comprises a plurality of outlet holes which extend through the convergence section between the flow path and the light fraction outlet.
US09937502B2

A bifurcatable mobile rock crusher and method of transporting the same comprising providing a first segment which is separately towable on the highway and providing a second segment which is separately towable on the highway, where each segment is configured to be combined into one unit and towed as a unit on the highway.
US09937501B2

A gyratory crusher outer crushing shell and a crushing shell assembly. The crushing shell includes a radially inward facing crushing surface and a radially outward facing mount surface provided with radially outward projecting contact regions to contact the topshell or an intermediate spacer ring. A ledge or groove providing an abutment face is positioned at or axially above the upper contact region to positionally support a sealing ring for positioning between the crushing shell and the topshell or intermediate spacer ring.
US09937500B2

A jaw crusher including a body, a fixed jaw, a shaft which is arranged horizontally and in direction of a crushing surface of the fixed jaw, and a pitman which is eccentrically movable in relation to the shaft, wherein an electric motor is arranged between the pitman and the shaft. A mineral material processing plant. A method for driving a jaw crusher including a body, a fixed jaw, a shaft which is arranged horizontally and in direction of a crushing surface of the fixed jaw, and a pitman which is forming a crushing chamber with the fixed jaw, the method including moving the shaft eccentrically in relation to the pitman, the method further including the steps of arranging an electric motor between the pitman and the shaft and rotating the shaft by the electric motor.
US09937498B2

Disclosed herein is a device for electrophoresis comprising: a separation channel in a substrate; and a plurality of capillary-well motifs cascading along the separation channel, each of the plurality of capillary-well motifs comprising a well and a plurality of non-intersecting capillaries, wherein the capillaries are downstream from the well and fluidly connected thereto, an interface between the well and the capillaries comprises a step profile. Also disclosed is a method comprising: obtaining a substrate comprising an insulator layer of an insulator material; forming a well and a plurality of trenches in the insulator layer so that only the insulator material is exposed to an interior of the well and the plurality of trenches; nonconformally depositing a film into the plurality of trenches until the film pinches off top openings of the trenches and forms a tubular void therein; transforming the tubular void into a capillary by annealing the film.
US09937493B1

Pipette tip coupler and a disposable pipette tip for a pipette device comprises a stepped coupler shoulder complementary to an axially stepped pipette tip shoulder; a first elastomeric element carried by the coupler at a location superior to the coupler shoulder; and a second elastomeric element carried by the coupler at a location inferior to the coupler shoulder wherein the first elastomeric element has a compressed radially expanded state that provides a sealing abutment with a first working surface formed in the interior surface of the pipette tip while compressing the second elastomeric element into sealing abutment with a second working surface formed in the interior surface of the pipette tip and while abutting the proximally facing axial stop surface of the pipette tip with the distally facing axial stop surface of the pipette coupler to define an axial coupling position of the pipette tip on the pipette device.
US09937492B2

A method of processing a liquid sample containing an initial quantity of nucleic acids that involves providing a plastic, disposable laboratory implement having at least one transparent wall segment made of a polypropylene mixed with an amount of a clarifier additive that is at least twice as high as is necessary to obtain transparency in the polypropylene, wherein the transparent wall segment exhibits a surface gloss greater than 160 as measured per DIN 67530 at an angle of 60°, bringing the liquid sample into contact with the at least one transparent wall segment and removing the liquid sample from the at least transparent wall segment, wherein the nucleic acid adsorption ratio for the transparent wall segment is less than 3 (wt/wt) relative to relative to the initial quantity of nucleic acids in the liquid sample.
US09937488B2

An extruded, solid honeycomb body comprises a copper-promoted, small pore, crystalline molecular sieve catalyst for converting oxides of nitrogen in the presence of a reducing agent, wherein the crystalline molecular sieve contains a maximum ring size of eight tetrahedral atoms, which extruded, solid honeycomb body comprising: 20-50% by weight matrix component comprising diatomaceous earth, wherein 2-20 weight % of the extruded, solid honeycomb body is diatomaceous earth; 80-50% by weight of the small pore, crystalline molecular sieve ion-exchanged with copper; and 0-10% by weight of inorganic fibers.
US09937482B2

Disclosed herein are a superabsorbent polymer resin comprising agglomerated particles with a size of 450 μm or less, and a method for preparing the same. The superabsorbent polymer resin exhibits significant improvement in absorption rate and permeability.
US09937471B1

A method including introducing seawater into an electrodialysis unit including at least one cell including a basified solution compartment, a bipolar membrane, an acidified solution compartment and an anion exchange membrane; acidifying the seawater; removing acidified seawater from the acidified solution compartment; removing CO2 from the acidified seawater to form a decarbonized seawater; introducing the decarbonized seawater into the basified solution compartment of the electrodialysis unit. A system including an electrodialysis unit including an acidified solution compartment, a basified solution compartment, a bipolar membrane, an input to the acidified solution compartment and an input to the basified solution compartment; and a desorption unit coupled to an output of the acidified solution compartment, the desorption unit operable to remove CO2 from a solution from the acidified solution unit, the desorption unit including a solution output that is coupled to the input to the basified solution compartment.
US09937469B2

The present invention relates to separation of desired target products from biological, plant, and waste-type material, wherein the desired target products include renewable fuels such as ethanol, biobutanol, and biodiesel, wherein the separation is conducted with a cross-flow filtration system having the ability to separate desired products from both non-viscous and viscous medium.
US09937463B2

Provided is a gas separation apparatus advantageous in suppression of increase in pressure loss and achievement of reduced size and weight, thereby reducing costs. The gas separation apparatus causes an absorbent to flow down along the surface of a packing arranged in a treatment chamber, and supplies to the treatment chamber a gas to be treated which contains a target gas component, and then causes the gas to be treated and the absorbent flowing down along the surface of the packing to come into gas-liquid contact. Thus the target gas component contained in the gas to be treated is absorbed into the absorbent and separated or recovered from the gas to be treated. The packing has at least one packing unit configured by a plurality of expanded metal plates standing vertically and being aligned.
US09937462B2

The present invention relates to an aqueous alkanolamine solution for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen sulfide. The aqueous alkanolamine solution comprises (i) an amino compound with the formula: R1R2NCH2CH(OH)CH2OH wherein R1 and R2 independently represent lower alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, (ii) piperazine, and (iii) optionally a physical solvent, wherein said solution does not contain a strong acid. Further, the present invention relates to a process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen sulfide, and additionally other acid gases, if present, for example carbon dioxide, comprising the step of contacting the gaseous mixture contain hydrogen sulfide with the aqueous alkanolamine solution, preferably wherein the temperature of the aqueous alkanolamine solution is equal to or greater than 140° F. Examples of the gaseous mixtures include natural gas, synthesis gas, tail gas, and refinery gas.
US09937458B2

A method and apparatus for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by the on-hoard treatment of a portion or all of the hydrocarbon fuel used to power an internal combustion engine mounted in a conventional transportation vehicle, utilize known decarbonization technology to break the fuel's hydrogen-carbon bond. The compounds are then cooled and separated into (1) elemental carbon powder that is stored on-board for later recovery and industrial use, and (2) hydrogen, or a hydrogen-rich gas stream, that is burned as a fuel in the ICE and/or diverted to other on-board energy related applications.
US09937456B2

The present invention provides an air purification device which cleans and purifies pollutants contained in air by using a spray liquid sprayed when air is transferred and, particularly, the air purification device can control the transfer speed of the air transferred in a transfer space so as to increase air purification efficiency. To this end, the air purification device comprises: a body (4) provided with a movement passage having an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) through which air flows in and out; and a spraying means formed to receive washing water from the outside and to spray the washing water into the movement passage of the body (4), thereby purifying the air moving along the movement passage by using the washing water, wherein the body (4) is provided with the movement passage which is a pipe having a circular tube shape, and the movement passage includes a filtering means for transferring the air while controlling the moving speed of the air passing through the movement passage, and filtering foreign substances when the air passes there through.
US09937455B2

An air filter media construction or arrangement is disclosed. The air filter media construction or arrangement includes media comprising opposite inlet and outlet flow faces, with a perimeter housing seal. Also described are serviceable filter cartridges and air cleaners including the filter cartridges. Methods of assembly and use are also provided.
US09937454B2

An apparatus and method for collection of particulate matter includes a plenum chamber formed in an funnel or a frustum configuration that discharges into a distribution chute assembly. The distribution chute assembly includes a number of individual chutes, each equipped with a circular collar or collar groove at the outlet which facilitates the attachment of the cylindrical dust collection sacks. The plenum chamber, distribution chute assembly, and individual dust collection sacks are carried by a frame assembly.
US09937443B2

A mobile flocculation and water treatment system includes at least one tank, preferably a series of adjoining tanks separated by weirs, and an adjacent pump house mounted on a mobile platform. At least one pump is mounted in the pump house. Fluid conduits run from the pumps to the tank. An overflow is mounted between the downstream tank and the pump house whereby fluid overflow from the tanks is directed into the pump house. The pump house provides a substantially water-tight reservoir zone to provide secondary containment. Water to be treated enters the upstream end of the tanks and is discharged from the downstream end.
US09937442B2

A primary separation apparatus for separating natural gas from high pressure, high velocity production streams comprising a liquid dispersion of water, sand, natural gas, and isolation plug cuttings.
US09937440B2

An adsorption carrier-packed column includes a central pipe, adsorption carrier, plate A, and plate B, wherein an insertion material C is inserted between the adsorption carrier and the plate A; an insertion material D is inserted between the adsorption carrier and the plate B; the ratio of the deformation rate of the insertion material C (C1) to the deformation rate of the adsorption carrier (E0) is 1
US09937438B2

The present invention relates to a process for the vacuum purification of chemical compounds and to an apparatus for carrying out this process.
US09937436B2

In this method for refining silicon by vacuum melting, the falling of impurity condensate from an impurity trap located above a crucible and contamination of the molten silicon are prevented. A crucible for housing molten silicon, and a heating means for heating the crucible are located inside a treatment chamber equipped with a vacuum pump; further provided are: an impurity trap having an impurity condensation unit for cooling and condensing the vapor of impurities evaporating from the liquid surface of the molten silicon; and a contamination prevention device for preventing contamination of the molten silicon, having an impurity catch unit for catching impurities when impurities trapped by the impurity trap fall.
US09937431B2

A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
US09937430B2

A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
US09937427B2

The device includes an accelerometer for sensing movement in more than one direction, a sound chip for generating a pre-recorded sound in response to the sensed movement and a circuit for controlling the speed at which the pre-recorded sound is generated in response to the sensed movement, as a function of the direction of the sensed movement. The accelerometer senses the magnitude of movement. The sound chip generates sound in response to movement of a magnitude exceeding a pre-set level. The accelerator senses movement in at least two, preferably three directions. The sound chip includes an oscillator which determines the speed at which a pre-recorded sound is processed. The control means provides a control signal which sets the sound chip to generate the sound signal with a speed which is a function of the number of directions of sensed movement.
US09937418B2

A computer device is described, comprising a computer storage holding a plurality of identifiers, each associated with an address; an interface connected to receive from a first computer device, game data including a completed first board of a game; and a processor configured to receive the game data to access an address associated with a player identifier and to formulate a message for transmission to a second computer device identified by the address, the message including some or all of the game data, whereby a player at the second computer device receives the message prior to accepting an invitation to play the game. Methods for providing feedback and tile selection are also disclosed in the context of a word matching game.
US09937410B2

A tile-on-shape puzzle game is disclosed using a plurality of unique shape designs having one or more tile projections disposed on one or both faces of the shape. The tile projections are adapted to fit in a recess on a play tile. Optional play cards are used to provide clues or shape designations and scores. Shapes are played to form a puzzle, with each player selecting where to place a shape, thereby forming a unique puzzle each time the game is played. Tiles must fill every play space on a shape to form a word or numerical/shape sequence. Gameplay may be varied based on age and skill level, such as limiting the word or sequence direction to left-right, up-down, diagonal, or a combination thereof, or forming pathways with the puzzle.
US09937401B2

An dribblefield simulator improves a dribbler's dribbling skills where the invention simulates a partition of a game dribblefield where dynamic negative space exists between players. The dribblefield simulator can be a moving unit mounted on a fixed chassis with a plurality of dribblefield limiting parts mounted on the fixed chassis and a plurality of dribblefield limiting parts mounted on the moving unit. The chassis can also be a moving chassis. An optional dynamic feedback control system can be mounted on either the fixed or moving chassis that can receive signals from a game projectile and from a dribbler and control the moving units. Multiple moving units can be mounted on either the fixed chassis or the moving chassis.
US09937399B1

The present invention provides an improved shuttlecock for use in a racquet sport games. The shuttlecock has a core housing with an upper portion and a lower half round shaped portion secured in a flexible nose cone. Tail fins having strengthened base areas are secured to the core housing. The flexible nose cone has an interior impact cushion zone against which the half round shaped portion rests for absorbing and redistributing forces applied to the nose cone by a racket, or the like.
US09937391B2

A hollow golf club head having a face part, a sole part, a side part, a crown part, and a hosel part, comprises one or more of inner ribs that are disposed on at least one of the sole part and the side part and that inwardly project from an inner surface of the one, one or more of outer ribs that are disposed on at least the one of the sole part and the side part and that outwardly project from an outer surface of the one, and one of the inner ribs is arranged between the outer ribs in a toe-to-heel direction.
US09937384B2

In a golf ball having, in order, a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the following conditions are satisfied: (I) ball surface hardness>intermediate layer surface hardness>envelope layer surface hardness0.05 mm, (IV) (intermediate layer thickness−envelope layer thickness)>0.05 mm, and (V) (Cs−C10)/(C10−Cc)>1.0 (where Cs denotes the JIS-C hardness at the core surface, C10 the JIS-C hardness at a position 10 mm from a center of the core, and Cc the JIS-C hardness at the core center). The ball provides an excellent flight performance when struck by the average golfer, a feel that is both soft and solid, and an excellent durability to repeated impact.
US09937381B2

Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods, many of which utilize, in some manner, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) data, provide data and information to athletes and/or to equipment used by athletes during an athletic event. Such systems and methods may provide route information to athletes and/or their trainers, e.g., for pre-event planning, goal setting, and calibration purposes. Such systems and methods optionally may provide real time information to the athlete while the event takes place, e.g., to assist in reaching the pre-set goals. Additionally, data and information collected by such systems and methods may assist in post-event analysis for athletes and their trainers, e.g., to evaluate past performances and to assist in improving future performances.
US09937378B2

An exercise machine includes a frame and a resistance mechanism attached to the frame. A crank assembly is in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism, and the crank assembly includes a crank arm, a roller connected to the crank arm, and at least one internal load bearing surface integrated into the roller. A pedal assembly is movably attached to the crank assembly and movable in a performance of an exercise. The pedal assembly includes a pedal beam and a tensioned element that spans a first portion of an underside of the pedal beam. The tensioned element guides the roller with at least one internal load bearing surface during the performance of the exercise.
US09937365B2

The invention encompasses combinations of bioactive glass composition and potassium salts that are useful in conjunction with delivery agent such as, for example, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and oral gels. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention form a rapid and continuous reaction with body fluids (e.g., saliva) to promote the immediate and long-tem release of Ca and P ions to produce a stable crystalline layer deposited onto and into the dentin tubules for the immediate and long term reduction of dentin hypersensitivity and tooth surface remineralization.
US09937363B2

An irradiation apparatus attached to a rotary gantry includes a middle housing unit and a lower housing unit. Touch sensor apparatuses are attached to a middle housing unit, and touch sensor apparatuses are attached to a lower housing unit. The touch sensor apparatus includes a cover, a pair of cover support apparatuses for attaching the cover to a support member of the middle housing unit, and a sensor unit attached to each cover support apparatus. When the cover comes into contact with a bed and moves toward the support member during rotation of the irradiation apparatus, a link such as a cover support apparatus activates the sensor unit, and a contact signal is output. The touch sensor apparatuses also function in the same manner.
US09937355B2

A remote alarm for use with a wearable medical device. The remote alarm is configured to receive alarms, voice messages and prompts issued by the wearable medical device and to repeat those alarms, voice messages and prompts in a manner that can more easily be perceived by a patient wearing the wearable medical device or a bystander. The remote alarm can be configured to receive a communication from the wearable medical device, and in response, to identify one or more messages to be provided to the patient or a bystander. The messages may be provided audibly, visually, tactilely or combinations thereof. The remote alarm may further be configured to take certain actions depending upon the content of the communication, such as sending a telephone message to alert emergency personnel to the identity, location and medical condition of the patient, or sending an email.
US09937352B2

An implantable rate responsive pacemaker includes a sensor module configured to produce an activity signal correlated to a metabolic demand of a patient and a posture signal correlated to patient posture. The pacemaker further includes a pulse generator configured to generate and deliver pacing pulses to a patient's heart via a pair of electrodes coupled to the pacemaker. A control module is coupled to the pulse generator and the sensor module and is configured to determine a sensor indicated pacing rate from the activity signal, compare the posture signal to verification criteria for confirming an exercising posture of the patient, and withhold an adjustment of a pacing rate to the sensor indicated pacing rate responsive to the verification criteria not being met.
US09937342B2

The disclosure provides techniques for parameter-directed shifting of electrical stimulation electrode combinations. An external programmer permits a user to shift electrode combinations, e.g., along the length of a lead or leads. The external programmer accepts shift input and causes an electrical stimulator to shift electrode combinations as indicated by the input. Different sets of electrodes may have different electrode counts. For example, an array of electrodes carried by one lead may have a greater number of electrodes than an array of electrodes carried on another lead. The disclosure provides techniques for shifting electrode combinations among leads with different electrode counts. For example, an external programmer may execute shifts in a series of shift operations, where the number of shift operations along the length of a lead having a greater electrode count is greater than the number of shift steps along the length of a lead having a lesser electrode count.
US09937332B2

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for treating a vascular occlusion and preventing or reducing ischemic consequences of such an obstruction. The medical device of the present invention may include an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, where the elongate body may also define an injection lumen, an exhaust lumen, and a guidewire lumen. A first expandable element may be coupled to the elongate body, where the first expandable element is in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen. Further, a perfusion path may be disposed within the elongate body, and a sheath may be movably disposed about at least a portion of the elongate body. The medical device may further include a second expandable element disposed about the elongate body, as well as second inflation and exhaust lumens.
US09937331B2

A balloon catheter is provided for dilating hardened stenoses. The balloon catheter has dilation elements integrally formed on the outer surface of the balloon. The dilation elements have cross-sectional shapes that improve the performance of the balloon catheter.
US09937315B2

A mask for delivering breathable gas to a patient at positive pressure to treat sleep disordered breathing, may comprise: a rigid mask frame having a bore and an interfacing structure, the interfacing structure being located on the rigid mask frame and along a peripheral edge of the bore, said mask frame having no built-in or integral headgear attachment points; a sealing cushion provided to the rigid mask frame and adapted to form a seal with the patient's face, the rigid mask frame and the sealing cushion together forming, at least partly, a breathing cavity; and a headgear connector adapted to engage the interfacing structure with a snap-fit, said headgear connector including a pair of lower headgear clip anchors adapted to be engaged with respective ones of a pair of tower headgear clips to attach a pair of lower side straps, said headgear connector including a fixed forehead support.
US09937314B2

A connecting system for connecting a ventilation tube to a respiratory humidifier (1) is provided, wherein the ventilation tube comprises an electrical line and the respiratory humidifier (1) comprises a housing (2) and a liquid container (4), the connection system including a first connection element (6) arranged on the liquid container (4); a first electrical contact element (24) arranged on the housing (2); and a second connection element (14), which can be connected to the ventilation tube (7, 9) and comprises a second electrical contact element (16), which can be connected to the electrical line of the ventilation tube (7, 9); wherein the first connection element (6) and the second connection element (14) can be connected to each other in a first connecting direction in such a way that, by establishment of the pneumatic connection of the ventilation tube (7, 9) to the liquid container (4), the electrical connection of the first contact element (24) to the second contact element (16) is produced. The electrical connection of the first contact element (24) to the second contact element (16) can be established in a second connecting direction different from the first connecting direction, preferably in a direction essentially perpendicular to the first connecting direction.
US09937310B2

A manually actuated, self-inflating bag valve mask provides users with a positive pressure ventilation device that reliably provides a proper tidal volume to the patient and controls the rate of ventilation of the patient. The bag valve mask is lightweight, compact, durable, and quickly deployable in the field. The device is preferably operable with one hand and can be configured for use in low-light environments.
US09937305B2

A system and method for communicating data from a medical device to a lighting device is provided. The system may include the medical device, the lighting device, and/or one or more interface devices. The medical device may be configured to transmit data to the lighting device, which for example, may include information relating to the medical device, dosage information, diagnostic data, medical device training feedback, health monitoring information, and/or air quality information. The lighting device may be configured to receive data from the medical device and control one or more lighting characteristics based on the received data. A characteristic of the light may include one or more of color, color temperature, intensity, flashing or steady-state, on or off, and/or the like. The system may provide for a home based adherence and/or compliance monitoring system, in which a patient's interaction with a medical device may be monitored and an alert/indication provided.
US09937301B2

A tamper-evident syringe tip cap is provided and includes an outer housing with an outer shell, and a tip cover secured to an upper end of the outer shell. An inner core has a female Luer lock fitting, a spindle projecting vertically from the fitting, and a sleeve matingly engaging the spindle and being constructed and arranged for releasably securing the outer housing to the inner core. The outer housing is movable relative to the inner core between a first, pre-activated position and a second, activated position.
US09937299B2

A syringe is provided with an assembly received on the distal end for adjusting the penetration depth. In embodiments, the assembly includes a collar attached to the syringe hub which moves with respect to the needle between axial positions depending on the desired needle penetration depth. The adjustable penetration depth syringe is useful in the context of self-administered drugs such as insulin, where a longer length needle is needed to fill a syringe from a vial, but a shorter penetration depth is preferred for administering a subcutaneous injection.
US09937293B2

Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor, including a receiver, a medicament delivery device, and optionally a single point glucose monitor are provided. Manual integrations provide for a physical association between the devices wherein a user (for example, patient or doctor) manually selects the amount, type, and/or time of delivery. Semi-automated integration of the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components aids the user (for example, patient or doctor) in selecting, inputting, calculating, or validating the amount, type, or time of medicament delivery of glucose values, for example, by transmitting data to another component and thereby reducing the amount of user input required. Automated integration between the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components provides for full control of the system without required user interaction.
US09937290B2

A wearable, self-contained drug infusion device is disclosed that is capable of achieving the precise flow rate control needed for dose-critical drugs such as insulin. In preferred embodiments of the device, at least two flow channels are utilized in conjunction with a series of valves for providing a user with selectable, constant flow rate control. The device can be made with small dimensions so that it can be worn by the user with a minimum of discomfort and inconvenience. In addition, the simple mechanical nature of the device provides the user with close control over the flow rate, which is required for safe and effective delivery of insulin and other drugs. Also, the absence of electronic components allows the device to be manufactured inexpensively. The device is provided with a first channel that is long and narrow, functioning as a flow restrictor. The first channel is preferably provided in a serpentine pattern. A second channel is also provided that has a larger cross section so that flow is not restricted. A series of valves are used to force the flow of fluid through a selectable portion of the serpentine portion of the first channel before entering the remainder of the second channel and flowing to the delivery cannula. In one embodiment of the device, a needle port is provided in fluid communication with the delivery cannula for delivering bolus injections. In another embodiment, a bolus button is provided for delivering bolus injections. A flow restrictor is preferably included in the bolus button to limit the rate at which the bolus button refills.
US09937283B2

Adjunct material is provided that has multiple reservoirs formed therein and releasably carrying a plurality of vessels that each retain at least one medicant. An implantable adjunct has at least one bioabsorbable polymer configured to maintain the vessels within a reservoir. Disruption of the at least one bioabsorbable polymer allows release of the vessels from at least one of the reservoirs. A rate of the vessels' release can be controlled by a degradation rate of the at least one bioabsorbable polymer. The released vessels are, in turn, disrupted to thereby cause at least one medicant disposed therein to release and thus provide a desired effect on tissue in-growth.
US09937273B2

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for the storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) such that a single facility can serve as both a SNF storage facility and a gamma ray irradiation facility are disclosed. In one embodiment, the SNF is encapsulated inside of a container. The SNF bearing container prevents the escape of fission products into the environment but allows the escape of gamma rays from the container. In this embodiment, several of these containers are evenly spaced throughout a room within a fortified facility and a conveyor system transports products through the room such that gamma rays emitted by the SNF deposit a desired amount of energy into the products. A passive heat removal system is formed by the coupling of the SNF bearing container to a thermal conduction element such that the SNF remains sufficiently cool even when the SNF is generating large heat loads.
US09937270B2

A synthetic gene delivery platform with a dense surface coating of hydrophilic and neutrally charged PEG, capable of rapid diffusion and widespread distribution in brain tissue, and highly effective gene delivery to target cells therein has been developed. Nanoparticles including nucleic acids, are formed of a blend of biocompatible hydrophilic cationic polymers and they hydrophilic cationic polymer conjugated to hydrophilic neutrally charged polymers such as polyethylene glycol. The nanoparticles are coated with polyethylene glycol at a density that imparts a near neutral charge and optimizes rapid diffusion through the brain parenchyma. Methods of treating a disease or disorder of the brain including administering a therapeutically effective amount of nanoparticles densely coated with polyethylene glycol are also provided.
US09937261B2

A method of treating neoplasia in a subject in need of treatment is provided by administering to the subject an amount of a prodrug of mitomycin C that yields a therapeutically effective amount of mitomycin C, in combination with radiation therapy. In one embodiment, the prodrug of mitomycin C is a liposomal-prodrug of mitomycin C. Together, the prodrug of mitomycin C and radiation therapy provide a synergistic antineoplastic effect.
US09937258B2

A composition designed for application to a mucosa comprises a tonicity-adjusting agent, a methylcellulose, and a liquid diluent, wherein the methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.
US09937257B2

The present invention relates to a method for providing an embedded mammalian cell, comprising the steps of providing an alginate sulfate in aqueous solution; reacting the alginate sulfate to form a hydrogel in a gelation step, providing a precursor cell, and embedding the precursor cell in the sulfated alginate hydrogel in an embedding step, thus yielding an sulfated alginate hydrogel embedded cell. The invention further relates to sulfated alginate hydrogels, and cellular grafts comprising a mammalian cell embedded in sulfated alginate hydrogel.
US09937251B2

The present invention concerns to recombinant influenza viruses and modified Vaccinia Ankara viruses (MVA), and to a process for construction of recombinant influenza viruses and modified vaccinia Ankara viruses (MVA) with genes that encode for the T. gondii parasite SAGI (MVA) and SAG2 (MVA and influenza) proteins, by means of a homologous recombination technique between two transfer vectors (for construction of MVA virus) and reverse genetics (for construction of influenza virus). Additionally, the present invention describes a vaccine composition using recombinant influenza viruses and modified vaccinia Ankara viruses (MVA), or recombinant adenoviruses and modified vaccinia Ankara viruses (MVA), for immunization against infections caused by the T. gondii parasite.
US09937246B2

The present invention relates to a therapeutic composition including a ceramidase mixture and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, where the ceramidase mixture includes an inactive acid ceramidase precursor and an active acid ceramidase. The invention also relates to a method of acid ceramidase treatment, including formulating the acid ceramidase used in said treatment as a ceramidase mixture, where the ceramidase mixture includes an inactive acid ceramidase precursor and an active acid ceramidase. The invention further relates to a method of producing a therapeutic composition including providing a medium containing an inactive acid ceramidase precursor; incubating the medium under conditions effective to transform a portion of the inactive acid ceramidase precursor to active acid ceramidase; and recovering the incubated medium as a ceramidase mixture comprising the inactive acid ceramidase precursor and an active acid ceramidase. The present invention also relates to preparation of a therapeutic composition of a ceramidase lacking acid sphingomyelinase.
US09937243B2

The present application relates to sialylated glycoprotein compositions and methods of their use in treating various conditions and disorders.
US09937230B2

Disclosed herein are methods of treating ophthalmic conditions such as dry eye and uveitis by administering a pharmaceutical composition including a toxin-based therapeutic peptide. The peptide can include an acid or amide at the C-terminus and can be attached to an organic or inorganic chemical entity that has an anionic charge.
US09937229B2

The present invention relates generally to a method of purifying proteins. More specifically, the present inventions relates to a method of purifying haptoglobin and hemopexin from the same starting material, and uses thereof.
US09937227B2

Described herein are methods of enhancing chemotherapeutic treatment of a hyperproliferative disorder by, in part, administering a composition comprising one or more humanin polypeptides to a subject receiving chemotherapy.
US09937225B2

Provided herein include formulations for topical administration, such as ophthalmic formulations, and methods of using such formulations. In some aspects and embodiments the formulations may include a polyoxyl lipid or fatty acid, and or a polyalkoxylated alcohol and may include nanomicelles. Also include methods of treating or preventing diseases or conditions, such as ocular diseases or conditions.
US09937221B2

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for topical or transdermal delivery. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide and/or peptides such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and/or GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). The nitric oxide and/or peptide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other structures containing nitric oxide, peptides, or both. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin. The composition can also be applied to a mucosal surface in some instances. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US09937208B2

The invention provides methods for treating pathological conditions associated with an undesirable inflammatory component. The invention is generally directed to reducing inflammation by administering cells that have one or more of the following effects in an injured subject: interact with splenocytes, preserve splenic mass, increase proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, increase IL-4 and IL-10, decrease IL-6 and IL-1β, and increase M2:M1 macrophage ratio at the site of injury. The invention is also directed to drug discovery methods to screen for agents that modulate the ability of the cells to have these effects. The invention is also directed to cell banks that can be used to provide cells for administration to a subject, the banks comprising cells having desired potency for achieving these effects.
US09937202B2

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for transdermal drug delivery. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications, including treating erectile dysfunction or sexual dysfunction, treating wounds, or causing or promoting hair growth. For example, in one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to compositions for delivery of nitric oxide. The nitric oxide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, e.g., onto the penis, vulva, or other suitable portion. The composition can also be applied to a mucosal surface. In some embodiments, a composition comprising nitric oxide is unexpectedly stable.
US09937200B2

Compositions and methods useful for delivering an agent to a subject are described. The methods include applying to the subject's skin a composition comprising a reactive reinforcing component, a cross-linking component, and one or more agents, wherein the cross-linking component catalyzes an in situ reaction on the skin, thereby delivering the agent to the subject.
US09937195B2

The disclosure relates to an edible energy composition that includes a methylated xanthine, a choline derivative and a flavorant.
US09937193B2

The present invention relates to a method for treating a cancer with the combination of a topoisomerase II inhibitor (TOP2 inhibitor) and a histone deacetylation inhibitor (HDACi), provides synergistic cancer cell-killing effects, and prolonged overall survival, especially when the expression of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK-1) is low.
US09937187B2

The present teachings relate to compounds and compositions for treatment of cancers. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a platinum (IV) complex having at least one reacting group for reacting with a functional group on a protein, engineered protein, antibody, antibody fragment, peptide, agonist, antagonist, aptamer or ligand which may be capable of recognizing a selected target cell population, and/or derivatives/analogs/mimics thereof.
US09937186B2

A genus of arylsulfonamide derivatives of aminocycloalkanols is disclosed. The compounds are of the following genus: The compounds induce FOXO1 transcription factor translocation to the nucleus by modulating PP2A and, as a consequence, exhibit anti-proliferative effects. They are useful in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including as a monotherapy in cancer treatment, or used in combination with other drugs to restore sensitivity to chemotherapy where resistance has developed.
US09937185B2

This invention generally relates to substituted imidazopyridine compounds, particularly substituted 4-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)benzamide compounds and salts thereof. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising such a compound, uses of such a compound (including, for example, treatment methods and medicament preparations), processes for making such a compound, and intermediates used in such processes.
US09937183B2

Methods and compounds for treating, preventing, reducing the risk of and/or delaying the onset of a microbial infection in a subject are disclosed herein, wherein the microbial infection is caused by one or more microorganisms (e.g., one or more bacteria) which can be used as a biological weapon, such as Bacillus anthracis, Franciscella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Burkholderia mallei, and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions or kits for treating, preventing, reducing the risk of and/or delaying the onset of a microbial infection.
US09937179B2

The present invention provides a method for treating a cancer, comprising (a) identifying a patient with acquired resistance to an EGFR kinase inhibitor; and (b) administering to the patient an anti-cancer agent, and treating the patient with radiation therapy.
US09937174B2

The invention relates to pharmaceutical combinations comprising an HDAC inhibitor and bendamustine; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same; and methods of using such combinations and compositions for treating lymphoma in a subject in need thereof.
US09937169B2

Provided herein are methods for treating or preventing a cancer, comprising administering an effective amount of a Dihydropyrazino-Pyrazine Compound and an effective amount of an androgen receptor antagonist to a patient having a cancer.
US09937161B2

Embodiments described here are combinatorial compositions and methods using these compositions for treating melanomas having activated mutations. The compositions comprises combinations of inhibitors of a MAPK pathway, ERK inhibitors, EGFR inhibitors, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) inhibitors, inhibitors of B-Raf, mitochondrial inhibitors, c-KIT inhibitors, MEK inhibitors and tigecycline or a derivative thereof.
US09937159B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinusitis, including cystic fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neoplasia. The method involves administration, preferably oral, nasal or pulmonary administration, of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drugs (rapamycin or paclitaxel and their analogs) and an additive.
US09937157B2

The present disclosure relates to novel dosage forms of xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitors.
US09937153B2

The present invention is directed to stable, oral pharmaceutical formulations of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, such as omarigliptin. Such pharmaceutical formulations comprise omarigliptin; and neutral excipients, wherein the neutral excipient is present in the amount of at least 75% by weight of the pharmaceutical formulation and comprises at least one non-reducible sugar diluent or a mixture of non-reducible sugar diluents.
US09937152B2

The present invention provides a group of novel SMA derivatives and a covalent conjugate of the derivatives and an active substance. More specifically, the present invention provides: an SMA derivative which contains (i) a styrene-maleic acid copolymer (SMA) and (ii) a side chain (b) that contains a functional group (a) selected from among —NH2, —SH, —OH, —COOH, —NH—(C═NH)—NH2 and —C(CH2—OH)3 and introduced into a carboxyl group of a maleic acid residue of the SMA via an amide bond or an ester bond, and wherein when a plurality of side chain (b) is introduced into the SMA, the side chains (b) may be identical or different from each other; and a conjugate of this SMA derivative and an active substance.
US09937139B2

β-Substituted γ-amino acids, β-substituted γ-amino acid derivatives, and β-substituted γ-amino acid analogs and (bio)isosteres and their use as chemotherapeutic agents are disclosed. The β-substituted γ-amino acid derivatives and β-substituted γ-amino acid analogs and (bio)isosteres are selective LAT1/4F2hc substrates, capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier, and exhibit rapid uptake and retention in tumors expressing the LAT1/4F2hc transporter. Methods of synthesizing the β-substituted γ-amino acid derivatives and β-substituted γ-amino acid analogs and (bio)isosteres and methods of using the compounds for treating tumors are also disclosed. The β-substituted γ-amino acid derivatives and β-substituted γ-amino acid analogs and (bio)isosteres exhibit an improved selectivity toward tumor cells expressing the LAT1/4F2hc transporter and accumulate in cancerous cells when administered to a subject in vivo. The β-substituted γ-amino acid derivatives and β-substituted γ-amino acid analogs and (bio)isosteres exhibit an increased efficacy on a variety of tumor types.
US09937136B2

Methods of preventing, ameliorating and/or treating radiation induced gastrointestinal tract injury comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of Mesna to a patient are provided. Methods for preventing, treating and/or ameliorating gastrointestinal tract injury induced by radiation therapy, alone or in combination with other therapies for diseases or conditions such as gastrointestinal malignancies, urogenital malignancies, gynecologic malignancies, and osteogenic and other sarcomatous malignancies in which pelvic structures are involved.
US09937134B2

The present invention provides compositions suitable for topical administration to a mammalian subject including sodium hyaluronate and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The present invention also provides methods for making and using the same.
US09937133B2

The present invention relates an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor for use in the treatment or prevention of fibrosis.
US09937132B2

A dual release oral dosage system/dosage form comprising an immediate release component/composition and a delayed release component/composition is described. Each of the immediate release component/composition and delayed release component/composition comprises one or more of doxylamine, an analog thereof, a derivative thereof, a prodrug thereof, a metabolite thereof and/or a salt thereof, and one or more of pyridoxine, a salt thereof, a metabolite thereof and/or a salt of the metabolite. The dual release oral dosage system/dosage form exhibits an improved pharmacokinetic profile relative to the current Diclectin® formulation and is useful for example for the alleviation of the symptoms of nausea and vomiting, for example in the case of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP).
US09937129B2

This invention relates to devices, systems and methods for delivering preprogrammed quantities of an active ingredient to a biological system over time without the need for external power or electronics.
US09937120B2

This document relates to methods and materials involved in providing a tooth, tooth component, or inorganic dental material (e.g., a human tooth, a human tooth component, or an inorganic dental material within a human's mouth) with a white appearance. For example, a whitening adhesive containing a conjugate of at least a polyamine, a polyphosphate, and one or more whitening agents (e.g., titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and/or hydroxyapatite) can be used to provide a tooth, tooth component, or inorganic dental material with a whiter appearance.
US09937109B2

A particle comprising:—(a) a spacer which is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain with molecular weight Mw (and therefore the required length) of the spacer extending from the particle from 3000 to 400,000; (b) a deposition aid; and (c) a benefit agent, wherein the spacer is attached directly to the particle and the deposition aid is attached to the end of the spacer.
US09937108B2

A wet wiper for cleaning accumulated oral debris from removable dental appliances. The wet wiper comprises a water insoluble substrate and a physiologically acceptable cleansing composition, wherein the cleansing composition comprises: (i) a liquid carrier consisting of a solution of water and ethyl alcohol, wherein the ethyl alcohol is about 3% to about 90% by weight of the cleansing composition, and wherein the water is q.s. to 100%; and (ii) about 0.001% to about 5% by weight of the cleansing composition of a flavor. Methods for cleaning removable dental appliances are also provided, such methods comprising the step of contacting, for a time sufficient to reduce oral debris, the removable dental appliances, with a wet wiper of the present invention.
US09937106B2

The invention relates to a kit of parts comprising part A and part B, part A comprising a polymerizable component having an acid group in the molecule, an initiator, part B comprising an activator, and a film former with a molecular weight of at least 1000.The invention also relates to a composition obtainable by mixing the components contained in the kit of parts and to a process for producing the kit of parts comprising the steps of bringing the components contained in part B of the kit in contact with a surface, drying the surface to form a film.
US09937100B1

A pharmaceutical order filling system receives pharmaceutical orders and uses a loading device to label containers and load the labeled containers onto a pallet. The loading device is configured with at least one container drop assembly that receives containers to be labelled and loaded onto the pallet and that is in communication with a label assembly configured to print and apply labels to the containers. The loading device also includes at least one loading rotary wheel configured to receive the labelled containers and hold the labelled containers in a pick position to be moved from the pick position to a predetermined position on the pallet. The loading device may be configured to accommodate multiple sizes of containers and to consolidate multiple sizes of labelled containers into a single loading rotary wheel for loading onto the pallet.
US09937099B2

An article is described including an article surface and a coating set comprising an optional tie coating or layer, a barrier coating or layer, and a pH protective layer. The respective coatings or layers can be applied by chemical vapor deposition of a polysiloxane or polysilazane precursor in the presence of oxygen. Examples of such an article are a prefilled thermoplastic syringe or thermoplastic pharmaceutical vial with a coated interior portion containing a pharmaceutical preparation or other fluid with a pH of 4 to 8, alternatively 5 to 9. The barrier coating or layer prevents oxygen from penetrating into the thermoplastic syringe or vial. The tie coating or layer, if present, and the pH protective coating or layer protect the barrier layer from the contents of the syringe or vial.
US09937053B2

An expandable interbody implant adapted for insertion at least into a disc space, between two adjacent vertebrae of a spine. An upper member and a lower member are pivotally connected at least by a drive link. A bone graft storage portion packed with a selected volume of bone growth material. A translational wall is provided between the bone graft storage portion and a trailing end of the implant. An actuator engages the bone graft storage portion, pushing it forward into engagement with the drive link, which pivots upward, moving the upper member upward away from the lower member. Upward movement of the upper member raises the translational wall to a position to assist in retention of the selected volume bone graft material within the hollow portion of the bone graft storage portion. Upward rotation of the drive link brings a face thereof into contact with a front of the bone graft storage portion, thereby retaining near constant volume of the bone graft material.
US09937050B2

This disclosure provides vertebral implants, fastening devices for vertebral implants, and implant instrumentation, and various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the implant comprises a peripheral wall extending according to a vertical axis between upper and lower surfaces of the implant, with each such surface configured to be placed in contact with a vertebral structure, respectively, at the top and the bottom of the vertebral segment replaced by the implant. Some embodiments comprise fastening means, deployment of which anchors the implant in the lower and upper vertebral structures. Some fastening means may be deployed by sliding parallel to the vertical axis of the implant, and may comprise a plate with at least one part remaining in contact with the peripheral wall of the implant when deployed and a pointed end projecting from one of the upper and lower surfaces of the implant to enter a vertebral structures on completion of deployment.
US09937049B2

An orthopedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The femoral component includes a posterior cam configured to contact a spine of the tibial bearing and a condyle surface curved in the sagittal plane. The radius of curvature of the condyle surface decreases gradually between early-flexion and mid-flexion. Additionally, in some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the condyle surface may be increased during mid-flexion.
US09937048B2

An orthopedic prosthesis for use in a hip replacement surgery. The orthopedic prosthesis includes an elongated stem component that has a proximal body, a neck extending superiorly and medially from the proximal body and a tapered stem extending inferiorly from the proximal body. An anchor is positioned on the neck and is configured to be engaged by a surgical instrument. A system for use in assembling the orthopedic prosthesis and a method of assembly are also disclosed.
US09937042B2

An anchor deployment tool is provided that includes a flexible tube, which defines an anchor storage area in which tissue anchors are stored before deployment, and a distal anchor manipulation area that has a length of at least 3 cm. The tool also includes a rotating deployment element, which is positioned within the flexible tube, and is configured to, while the distal anchor manipulation area is disposed within a lumen defined by a wall of a sleeve, (i) directly engage the anchors in the anchor storage area a single one at a time, (ii) advance each of the anchors, while thus directly engaged, in a distal direction into the anchor manipulation area, and (iii) anchor the sleeve to tissue of a subject by deploying each of the tissue anchors through a distal end of the flexible tube, through the wall of the sleeve, and into the tissue.
US09937041B2

A tricuspid remodeling annuloplasty ring having two free ends that are upturned in the inflow direction to help avoid unnecessary leaflet abrasion. The free ends are separated across a gap that is large enough to reduce the risk of passing sutures through the conductive system of the heart, yet not too large that support of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid annulus is degraded. The ring may have four sequential segments looking from the inflow side and extending in a clockwise direction from a free end located adjacent the antero septal commis sure after implant. The ring may define an inflow bulge in the first segment and/or an inflow bulge in the fourth segment that help the ring conform to the natural bulges created by the adjacent aorta, thereby reducing stress and the potential for ring dehiscence. Desirably, the ring has variable flexibility, either gradual and/or between or within different segments.
US09937039B2

A system for replacing a deficient native aortic valve includes an implantable prosthetic valve having a self-expandable frame and a valve assembly formed with three valve leaflets. The self-expandable frame includes a plurality of support beams, each support beam having a plurality of preformed bores for allowing the valve assembly to be anchored to the frame at least in part by stitching that extends through the leaflets and through the preformed bores of the support beams. The system also includes a restriction tube adapted for insertion into a patient's body. The prosthetic valve is capable of being crimped for insertion into the restriction tube and capable of self-expansion upon release from the restriction tube for deployment in the deficient native aortic valve.
US09937033B1

A method of corneal lenslet implantation with a cross-linked cornea is disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the method includes the steps of: (i) forming a two-dimensional cut into a cornea of an eye; (ii) creating a three-dimensional pocket in the cornea of the eye in tissue around the two-dimensional cut to gain access to tissue surrounding the three-dimensional pocket; (iii) applying a photosensitizer inside the three-dimensional pocket so the photosensitizer permeates at least a portion of the tissue surrounding the three-dimensional pocket to facilitate cross-linking of the tissue surrounding the three-dimensional pocket; (iv) irradiating the cornea to activate cross-linkers in the portion of the tissue surrounding the three-dimensional pocket, and thereby stiffen the cornea, prevent corneal ectasia of the cornea, and kill cells in the portion of the tissue surrounding the three-dimensional pocket; and (v) inserting a lens implant into the three-dimensional pocket through a small corneal incision.
US09937032B2

Devices and methods for fixating a graft tendon in a bone tunnel for a ligament reconstruction or repair procedure are provided. In general, the described implantable tissue fixation device includes first and second elongate, substantially rigid support members that are discrete elements separated from each other, and at least one flexible member connecting the rigid support members. The tissue fixation device can have changeable dimensions such that it has at least one dimension that is smaller in a delivery configuration than in a deployed configuration. In both delivery and deployed configurations, the first and second rigid support members are positioned in a non-intersecting orientation with respect to one another. A graft retention loop coupled to the tissue fixation device has the graft tendon coupled thereto and extending into the bone tunnel so as affix the graft into the bone.
US09937031B2

Ureteral stents include a tubular body defining a lumen and have (i) a distal kidney section to be placed in or near a patient's kidney, (ii) a proximal bladder section to be placed within or near the patient's bladder, and (iii) a ureter section between the distal and proximal sections to be placed within the patient's ureter. A first anti-migration feature may be provided at the proximal bladder section and may include one or more projections extending outward from the tubular body. The first anti-migration feature may extend less than a total length of the proximal bladder section, and may be configured to not enter the patient's bladder. Furthermore, a second anti-migration feature may be provided at the distal kidney section, the proximal bladder section, or both.
US09937027B2

An electric toothbrush comprises a toothbrush handle (1), a toothbrush rod (2) and a toothbrush head. The toothbrush head comprises a left-rotating hairbrush and a right-rotating hairbrush (3, 3′), which are oppositely and rotatably fixed on a toothbrush shaft (4). The right end of the toothbrush shall (4) is arranged in a shaft hole at the upper end of the toothbrush rod (2) and is axially positioned on the shaft hole through the right-rotating hairbrush (3′) and a shaft cap arranged at the right end of the toothbrush shaft (4); and the bristles of each of the left-rotating hairbrush and the right-rotating hairbrush (3, 3′) comprise an inner ring of bristles and an outer ring of bristles (6, 6′, 7, 7′).
US09937024B2

An axially elongate dental machining portion includes a machining region machinable by a dental machining device, and a fixing region for fixing the axially elongate dental machining portion to a holder of the dental machining device. In the fixing region is a fixing projection oriented transversely relative to a longitudinal axis. In a condition of the machining portion being mounted in the holder, the fixing projection bears against a holding nose positioned in complementary relationship on the holder. The machining region has a machinable surface which has a maximum spacing relative to the longitudinal axis, measured normal to the longitudinal axis, and the fixing projection has a maximum spacing relative to the longitudinal axis, measured normal relative to the longitudinal axis, that is greater than the maximum spacing of the machinable surface relative to the longitudinal axis.
US09937022B2

A three-dimensional model of an object is employed to aid in navigation among a number of images of the object taken from various viewpoints. In general, an image of an object such as a digital photograph is displayed in a user interface or the like. When a user selects a point within the display that corresponds to a location on the surface of the object, another image may be identified that provides a better view of the object. In order to maintain user orientation to the subject matter while navigating to this destination viewpoint, the display may switch to a model view and a fly-over to the destination viewpoint may be animated using the model. When the destination viewpoint is reached, the display may return to an image view for further inspection, marking, or other manipulation by the user.
US09937012B2

A surgical robot comprising an articulated arm, the arm having a terminal portion comprising: a distal segment having an attachment for a surgical instrument; an intermediate segment; and a basal segment whereby the terminal portion is attached to the remainder of the arm; a first articulation between the distal segment and the intermediate segment, the first articulation permitting relative rotation of the distal segment and the intermediate segment about a first axis; and a second articulation between the intermediate segment and the basal segment, the second articulation permitting relative rotation of the intermediate segment and the basal segment about a second axis; wherein: the intermediate segment comprises a third articulation permitting relative rotation of the distal segment and the basal segment about third and fourth axes; and the first, second and third articulations are arranged such that in at least one configuration of the third articulation the first and second axes are parallel and the third and fourth axes are transverse to the first axis.
US09937011B2

A computer-implemented method for providing FEA analysis of at least a portion of at least one bone in a patient, the method comprising steps of: providing at least one image of at least a portion of a bone; selecting at least a portion of the bone; automatically performing an FE analysis of the selected portion of the bone; and displaying at least one result of the FE analysis. Bone selection and display of the bone, the selected portion thereof, and the results of the FE analysis occur via a hand-held device, with processing and data storage performed remotely.
US09936992B2

The invention features bone screws having a threaded screw body and a screw head attached to one end of the screw body, the bone screw further including: a) an interior channel extending longitudinally through the screw head and through at least a portion of the screw body, wherein the interior channel has a width of less than 5.0 millimeters; and b) a plurality of radially-disposed delivery channels connecting the interior channel to the exterior of the screw body, each delivery channel having exterior openings. The invention further features devices that include a bone screw and a delivery manifold detachably attached to the screw head of the bone screw. In addition, the invention features methods of treating a patient having a bone defect by using a bone screw described herein.
US09936988B2

A surgical instrument includes a body having an actuator and being connectable with a pressurized fluid source. A first member is connected with the body and the fluid source. The first member is configured for connection with an implant disposable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. A second member defines a cavity configured for disposal of the first member and the expandable implant. The second member is connected with the actuator for selective translation relative to the first member to position the implant in the contracted configuration. Systems, implants and methods are disclosed.
US09936986B2

A guide assembly includes a spinal screw assembly having a bone screw and a spinal rod holder; and a spinal rod guide having first and second elongated arc portions defining a pair of longitudinal slots extending along the first and second arc portions, each of the first and second arc portions further defining at least one recess extending transversely from each of the longitudinal slots, the at least one recess configured to receive at least a portion of a reduction tool to enable reduction of a spinal rod received within the spinal rod holder.
US09936985B2

An interspinous process spacer includes a main body, a first wing, and a screw. The main body includes a first securing member extending from a top portion of the main body that engages a first vertebra and a bottom portion of the main body that engages a second vertebra. The first wing pivotably couples to a distal portion of the main body and includes a second securing member extending parallel to the first securing member to form a first clamp. The screw is positionable within the main body and includes a distal end that positions the first wing between a first position and a second position. The first clamp includes a first diameter in the first position and a second diameter in the second position.
US09936978B2

An anchoring element for a stabilization device for bones or vertebrae, with which a bone or vertebra can be connected to a rod-shaped element is described. By providing for at least one degree of rotational freedom between the rod and an anchoring element that is firmly connected to the bone or vertebra, the transfer of torque (M) onto the anchoring element and can be prevented as well as loosening or even separation of the bone anchoring element from the bone or vertebra. Moreover, the invention provides a stabilization device, in which such bone anchoring elements are used.
US09936973B2

An apparatus and method for inserting prosthesis implants into a patient pocket. The apparatus has two openings including a prosthesis opening and a proximal opening. The prosthesis bag is a container with a wide sealed distal end and passage to a narrow apex. The apparatus reduces infection; eases insertion and placement of a cohesive silicone gel implant; and reduces complications. In use, the prosthesis bag is placed through the patient incision while allowing the bag to be manipulated to force the prosthesis into a surgical pocket of a patient.
US09936972B2

A method for automatically monitoring the penetration behavior of a trocar held by a robotic arm and monitoring system is provided. The method and system automatically monitors the penetration behavior of a trocar held by a robotic arm and/or an instrument guided through the trocar into a body cavity through an incision in the surface of the body of a patient during a surgical procedure. At least one measured value is recorded, by which a change in a force effect on the surface of the body of the patient may be determined, and automatic evaluation of the measured value with regard to a reference measured value is conducted. Comparison of the change in the measured value or the change in the force effect with a threshold value is made, and an indication in the event of the threshold value being exceeded is outputted.
US09936970B2

The present invention is directed in various methods, devices and systems relating to rotational atherectomy. More specifically, an oscillating driver is connected to a drive shaft, or torque transfer tube, with abrasive element mounted thereon. The result provides a rotational working diameter for the rotating abrasive element that is larger than its resting diameter. Generally, the preferred abrasive element is concentric in profile and/or with center of mass collinear with the drive shaft's rotational axis. However, eccentric abrasive elements, both in terms of offsetting center of mass and/or geometric eccentricity may also be employed.
US09936969B2

The invention relates to a method for generating ultrasonic waves focused on a focal zone (5) in order to carry out biological lesions, comprising the activation of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements (3).According to the invention: a target zone, in which homogenization of the supply of energy of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transducer elements is desired, is chosen, the focusing effect and the acoustic attenuations of the ultrasonic waves on their path between the target zone and the ultrasonic transducer elements (3) are determined, the focusing effect and the acoustic attenuations of the ultrasonic waves are compensated, with ultrasonic transducer elements (3) at least some of which have non-identical emission surfaces such that in the target zone, the supply of energy of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the different ultrasonic transducer elements (3) is more or less identical.
US09936966B2

An end effector actuation system includes a shaft assembly having an outer shaft with an internal lumen and an actuation rod slidably received in the lumen, the outer shaft having a distal end portion that is compressible only when the actuation rod is absent from the lumen in the distal end portion, a locking boss provided on the distal end portion; and an end effector assembly having a receiving opening and a retention pocket, wherein the receiving opening is sized to receive the compressed distal end portion of the outer shaft and the retention pocket is sized to receive the locking boss when the distal end portion is uncompressed due to the presence of the actuation rod in the lumen of the distal end portion.
US09936961B2

Surgical feedback systems and methods include a surgical tool having a functional tool and a handle for manipulation by a surgeon in a surgical environment. At least one sensor connected to the surgical tool generates a signal indicative of an acoustic signal and/or a vibration signal generated by the functional tool. The signal may be modified and supplied to an output device.
US09936959B2

A hemostatic device includes a flexible band adapted to be wrapped around a patient's limb at a site on the limb where bleeding is to be stopped, a portion for securing the band in a wrapped state to the limb, a curved plate which is made of a material more rigid than the band and at least a portion of which is curved toward the inner peripheral side thereof, a main balloon which is provided on the inner peripheral side of the curved plate and which inflates when a fluid is introduced therein, and a pressing member which is provided between the curved plate and the main balloon so that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the balloon and which is adapted for pressing against the balloon. The device provides an excellent hemostatic effect and prevents numbness and poor circulation in areas peripheral to the site of attachment.
US09936956B2

Surgical and percutaneous devices for closing tissue, for example, the left atrial appendage, may have an elongate body with a stiffened proximal portion, a flexible middle portion, a distal portion, a closure element with a loop having a continuous aperture therethrough, and a suture loop. The closure devices may have a malleable member attached to the elongate body that may be configured to retain a curve after a force is applied to the malleable member. System and methods for closing the left atrial appendage may utilize a closure device and a curved guide device, and the closure device and curved guide device may be self-orienting.
US09936951B2

A surgical device including an end effector that is configured and adapted to receive an interchangeable tip is disclosed. Also disclosed are several interchangeable tips that are configured and adapted for different surgical procedures. The interchangeable tips facilitate the performance of different surgical procedures while using the same device.
US09936946B2

A suture passer includes a stylet and a cannula having an open distal end defining a cannula outer diameter. The stylet has a proximal segment configured for receipt within the cannula and including a suture retention notch, and a distal segment having an expanded outer diameter substantially matching the cannula outer diameter. The distal segment of the stylet terminates at a distal cutting edge. The suture passer includes a retracted position in which the proximal segment of the stylet is received within the cannula through the open distal end and a shoulder defining a transition between the proximal segment and the distal segment abuts the open distal end of the cannula, and an extended position in which the suture retention notch is distally disposed relative to the open distal end of the cannula.
US09936944B2

An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes proximal section having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the proximal section; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the proximal section, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the proximal section to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
US09936939B2

The present disclosure relates to an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes an anchor defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity; and a headless insertion member configured for arrangement within the anchor cavity, the insertion member including a body having a threaded proximal portion, a non-threaded distal portion, and a cannulation extending a partial length of the insertion member. Other anchor assemblies, anchors, and delivery devices are also disclosed.
US09936938B2

In intervertebral operative spinal procedures, using separate or pre-attached spreader blocks to control the directional growth of a distracting balloon.
US09936934B2

An apparatus, method, and computer program product for calibrating a CT scan without the use of an external calibration phantom, to enable quantitative assessment of internal body tissues and organs and additionally for any application that would benefit from a calibration of the scan attenuation data, such as viewing CT images in a consistent fashion. Embodiments are described with applications to quantitative assessment of bone density in the spine and hip, mineral content in blood vessels, hepatic-fat content in the liver, and gray-to-white matter ratio in the brain. The primary advantages of the method are that it does not require the use of an external calibration phantom, it is robust across different CT machines and scanner settings, and it is also highly precise, lending itself to a high degree of automation.
US09936932B2

An X-ray imaging apparatus can include an X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray data by detecting X-rays and an image processor configured to segment a first image generated based on the acquired X-ray data into two or more segmentation regions, to identify one or more materials present in one segmentation region of the two or more segmentation regions, and to acquire an image relating to an object which includes abnormal materials.
US09936927B2

A control apparatus for an X-ray imaging system obtains examination information including a plurality of imaging techniques and a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to the plurality of imaging techniques. When the content of a condition item of the imaging condition selected from the plurality of imaging conditions is changed in accordance with an operation input from the operator, the control apparatus applies the change to an imaging condition other than the selected imaging condition of the plurality of imaging conditions.
US09936921B2

Apparatuses and methods for the prevention of bodily injuries through active monitoring of bodily postures, supporting a body while in or restricting a body from entering predetermined postures which heighten the body's susceptibility to injury, and alerting one or more entities (e.g., an apparatus user) of a body's susceptibility to injury is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method may include one or more operations including monitoring one or more bodily postures and/or bodily movements, storing data associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements, determining a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements, and alerting one or more entities when a risk of injury associated with bodily postures and/or bodily movements reaches a predetermined level.
US09936918B2

A method of providing a metal coating on a substrate (10), and electrically insulating sections/parts of the metal coated substrate from each other. A substrate is provided with an insulating material in the substrate, the insulating first material extending through the thickness of the substrate and protruding above one surface of the substrate. It forms an enclosed section/portion (14) of the substrate. A protective structure (15) is provided on the insulating material such that it covers the entire circumference thereof. The insulating material is selectively etched to create an under-etch (18) under the protective structure. Finally conductive material (19) is deposited to provide a metal coating over the substrate, whereby the under-etch will provide a disruption in the deposited metal coating, thereby electrically insulating the enclosed section from the surrounding substrate.
US09936906B2

One variation of the method for managing blood loss of a patient includes: receiving an image of a physical sample; extracting a feature from an area of the image corresponding to the physical sample; estimating a blood volume indicator of the physical sample according to the extracted feature; estimating a patient blood loss based on the blood volume indicator; estimating a euvolemic patient hematocrit based on an estimated patient blood volume and the estimated patient blood loss; receiving a measured patient hematocrit; and generating a volemic status indicator based on a comparison between the measured patient hematocrit and the estimated euvolemic patient hematocrit.
US09936905B2

A device for detection or measurement of a carbohydrate analyte in fluid comprises: an optical sensor comprising components of an assay for carbohydrate analyte, the readout of which is a detectable or measurable optical signal, and a light guide having a distal portion optically coupled to the assay components and a proximal portion; and a reader for interrogating the optical sensor, the reader comprising an assay interrogating system including a lens; and an interface portion forming part of at least one of the optical sensor and the reader, the interface portion being capable of removably constraining the proximal portion of the light guide and the lens of the assay interrogating system in an optically coupled arrangement. The device may be combined with an insulin-infusion system.
US09936904B2

Perioperative patient blood glucose concentrations are determined by imposing patient effluent ultrafiltrate through a sample cell incorporated in an automated polarimeter. The device includes an optical platform, fluid handling subassembly, controlling electronics, and integration software. A stable collimated light source of known intensity and distinct specified wavelength is passed through an optical platform including a polarizer, retarder, bandpass filters, sample flow cell, analyzer and detector. The angular rotation of the transmitted light resulting from the glucose contained in patient ultrafiltrate collected in the sample flow cell is recorded and provides a measure of the glucose concentration.
US09936902B2

Techniques for monitoring and detecting ergonomic hot spots associated with movements of subjects are disclosed. For example, data may be collected by way of sensors attached to a plurality of subjects and may be analyzed to determine forces (e.g., vibration, jerks, acceleration, etc.) associated with the movements of the subjects. The analyzed data can be compared to ergonomic conditions to detect the ergonomic hot spots.
US09936901B2

Accelerometer data that is received from multiple accelerometers can be synchronized to identify a known movement. This synchronization occurs in real time as the accelerometer data is received from the multiple devices. The orientation of an accelerometer can be compensated for dynamically. By dynamically compensating for the orientation, the user can wear the accelerometers in various orientations without needing to calibrate a portable computing device to account for a particular orientation. Portable devices can have one or more detachable accelerometers. The accelerometers can be detached and placed at virtually any location of a user's body to allow for the detection of custom movements.
US09936899B2

A tremor reduction device has a mechanical flap having a flap portion arranged to apply pressure on part of an inner arm in order to reduce tremor. The pressure can be manually adjusted by moving a rod in a channel in the tremor reduction device. The tremor reduction device has a case for pivotably mounting the mechanical flap and the pressure is at least partly determined by the angle of the mechanical flap relative to the case. The rod has a tapered section and the mechanical flap has a pin in contact the tapered section for changing the angle of the mechanical flap. Optionally a sensor is placed near the pressure applying location to sense the tremor and to provide a sensing signal to a driving mechanism which causes the rod to move in order to adjust the pressure.
US09936898B2

An alignment system for the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The system supports parameter measurement and alignment. The system comprises a sensored device, a reference position tool, and a remote system configured to receive and display sensor data. The sensored device includes a three-axis accelerometer configured to measure position, rotation, and slope. The reference position tool comprises a body, a first arm coupled to a proximal end of the body, and a second arms coupled to a proximal end of the body. The sensored device couples to the reference position tool. The first and second arms of the reference position tool couples to the muscular-skeletal system in predetermined locations to allow a position of the muscular-skeletal system to be referenced. The body of the reference position tool can extend and retract to adapt to different sized muscular-skeletal systems.
US09936893B2

A device for detecting electric potentials includes a plurality of measuring inputs (9) for connecting to measuring electrodes (11), which can be placed on the body of a patient (3), a plurality of measuring amplifiers (Op1, . . . , OpN), and a potential output (27) for connecting to an additional electrode (31), which can be placed on the body of the patient (3), to which a preset voltage can be applied. A summing unit (17) sends a signal, which is an indicator of the mean value of the signals sent by the measuring amplifiers (Op1, . . . , OpN). A current-measuring device (29) sends a current signal, which is proportional to the current flowing through the potential output. An analyzing unit (35) is connected to receive a potential output voltage signal, the summing unit output (19) signal and the current-measuring device signal. The analyzing unit is configured to generate an impedance signal from the fed signals.
US09936892B1

This invention relates generally to medical devices, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing a fiducial marker. In one embodiment, a device includes, but is not limited to, one or more markers; and one or more connectors configured to link the one or more markers, wherein at least a portion of the device is detectable via medical imaging.
US09936880B2

A system for estimating a photoplethysmogram waveform of a target includes an image processor configured to obtain images of the target and a waveform analyzer. The waveform analyzer is configured to determine a weight of a portion of the target. The weight is based on a time variation of a light reflectivity of the portion of the target. The time variation of the light reflectivity of the target is based on the images. The waveform analyzer is further configured to estimate a PPG waveform of the target based on the weight of the portion and the time variation of the light reflectivity of the portion.
US09936878B2

An implantable medical device system is provided with multiple medical devices implanted in a patient's body and a wireless mesh communication network providing multiple communication pathways between the multiple medical devices. A communication pathway between a first and a second implanted device of the multiple medical devices can comprise one or more of the other implanted multiple medical devices.
US09936871B2

A non-sliding, non-sutured hands-free contact lens assembly for ophthalmic procedures utilizes a number of microstructures strategically placed on the bottom of either the contact lens or the bottom of a contact lens holder ring. After the contact lens, or the contact lens assembled with the contact lens holder ring, is placed on the cornea of the eye and centered, a surgeon applies downward pressure either on the contact lens itself or on the lens holder ring. This secures the lens assembly to the cornea due to increased friction between the microstructures and the tissues of the eye when the microstructures penetrate through the tear film and, optionally, viscous solution film and into the contact with superficial layer of cornea or other parts of the eye, thus temporarily anchoring the contact lens, or lens holder, to the desired surgical site.
US09936870B2

In an embodiment, cross sectional image storage stores a cross sectional image group including multiple cross sectional images each of which is associated with time. Phase image storage stores a phase image group including multiple phase images each of which is associated with time. Blood flow information storage stores a blood flow information group including multiple blood flow information each of which is related to blood flow in a blood vessel of the living body and is associated with time. Display synchronously displays a cross sectional image included in the cross sectional image group and a phase image included in the phase image group using time associated with the cross sectional image and the phase image, and displays a blood flow image. The display performs the same change as the change to the change operation to the cross sectional image, the phase image and the blood flow image.
US09936868B2

A system for obtaining low-angle circumferential optical access to an eye of a subject. The system includes a light source to generate a beam of light; a beam steering mechanism to steer the beam of light a focusing lens to focus the beam of light; and a contact lens to direct the beam of light into the eye of the subject, the contact lens including a tapered reflective surface to direct the beam of light into the eye of the subject.
US09936865B2

Fiber scanning optical probes and medical imaging apparatuses including the same are provided. The fiber scanning optical probe includes an optical fiber; an actuator attached onto the optical fiber and configured to drive the optical fiber at a driving resonance frequency; a mass provided at a side of the optical fiber and configured to control the driving resonance frequency; and a frequency separator provided on a portion of the optical fiber between the actuator and the mass, the frequency separator being configured to separate the driving resonance frequency into separate resonance frequencies.
US09936864B2

An image pickup apparatus includes a head portion including an image pickup device, and a connector portion integrally connected with the head portion via a cable. The head portion includes: an electronic shutter register configured to store a set value for controlling an image pickup device, among control data transmitted from the connector portion; and a communication circuit configured to, based on information indicating whether or not to transmit the set value for controlling the image pickup device, among the control data transmitted from the connector portion, to a register provided in the image pickup device, perform control of whether or not to transmit the set value stored in the electronic shutter register to the register provided in the image pickup device.
US09936858B2

Apparatus and methods are described including apparatus (21) for capturing and processing a color video of an interior of a body of a human subject (20). The apparatus (21) includes a medical scope imaging device (22) configured to capture the video, and a medical image processing system (24), which includes a memory (26) and a processor (28). The memory (24) stores a color-reduction table (30), which specifies a plurality of low-occurrence-rate colors. The processor (28) is configured to use the color-reduction table (30) to identify for replacement one or more of the low-occurrence-rate colors in at least one of the frames of the video, and to replace one or more instances of each of the identified low-occurrence-rate colors with a replacement color. Other applications are also described.
US09936855B1

A spatula cleaning assembly for cleaning a spatula includes a scraper that may be manipulated. The scraper frictionally engages a spatula such that the scraper removes debris from the spatula. A panel is hingedly coupled to the scraper. The panel is manipulated to compress the spatula between the scraper and the panel.
US09936853B2

Disclosed is a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a washing tub to form a dish receiving space; a sump disposed at a lower side of the washing tub; a heater which heats washing water received in the sump to generate a stream; a dish rack disposed inside the washing tub so that a plurality of dishes are inserted and stand; and a steam nozzle disposed in a direction facing edges of the plurality of dishes to flow the stream between gaps of the dishes inserted into the dish rack.
US09936848B2

A user touchless mopping system comprising: a rinse tank with a top receptacle for receiving a mop cleaning head; a holding tank; a cleaning mechanism in fluid communication with the rinse tank and the holding tank; a sensor in communication with the mop cleaning head, and configured for determining that it has been received in a rinse tank receptacle; and, a control module configured to direct the cleaning mechanism to clean the mop head when it is placed into holding tank receptacle and detected by the sensors. The holding tank comprises an automated water filtering system configured to provide clean and disinfected water to the mop head; and, the rinse tank comprises an automated touch-less mop head rinsing, wringing mechanism. The system can include suctioning of contaminated water out of the rinse tank, through the holding tank filtering and disinfectant system to recycle the water for later usage.
US09936844B2

Provided is a self-propelled electronic device in which performance for running over a level difference of a floor surface of a room is improved.The self-propelled electronic device includes: a housing which has a bottom plate; a pair of right and left drive wheel units which support the housing; and a resilient member which resiliently urges the drive wheel units in a direction to project toward a lower side from the bottom plate, each of the drive wheel units having a drive wheel and a drive wheel holder which holds the drive wheel to be rotatable around a first shaft center, in which the drive wheel holder is attached to the housing so as to be rotatable around a second shaft center which is arranged further toward a rear side than the first shaft center and which is parallel to the first shaft center, and an urging force of the resilient member is applied to the drive wheel units such that a pressing force, which is exerted in a direction perpendicular to a straight line connecting the first shaft center and the second shaft center toward an outer periphery of the drive wheel from the first shaft center, is exerted further toward a front side in a traveling direction than toward a gravity direction of the housing.
US09936842B2

Apparatus including a receptacle for holding therein organic waste, a first dispenser operative to dispense an oxidizing agent to the organic waste so as to cause an exothermic reaction that results in combustion of the organic waste, and a second dispenser operative to dispense a reducing agent that neutralizes a residual amount of the oxidizing agent that remains after the exothermic reaction.
US09936838B2

A countertop device and related methods of use in food preparation for rotatably coupling a kitchen utensil to an anchored retention member. The countertop device can include a kitchen utensil having a manipulation end and a retaining end. The retention member can have a retention body defining a suction cup on a mounting surface. The retention member can be anchored to a flat surface using the suction cup. A retaining ball and socket mount can be utilized to rotatably attach the kitchen utensil to the retention member. The kitchen utensil can include a manipulation member and a mounting member capable of positioning a food item there between.
US09936835B2

A coffee maker and a method of brewing coffee are disclosed. The coffee maker includes a first roaster fitted, a second roaster fitted, and a funnel detachably attached to the first roaster providing a passage for a first amount and a second amount of coffee beans. Further, a grinder including a discharge door and a blade is detachably attached to a bottom of the funnel, a brewing container detachably attached to the bottom of the grinder. A color panel is included with a plurality of buttons, each of the plurality of the buttons corresponds to a color of a coffee desired after brewing, and a coffee-color controller configured to control the first temperature and the second temperature of the first roaster and the second roaster, respectively, based on the color of the coffee selected from the color panel.
US09936832B2

A dressing aid device comprising a shaft, and a pants supporting head portion coupled to a distal end region of said shaft, wherein the pants supporting head portion is configured to support pants along a waistline portion of the pants and provide an arcuate waistline opening, wherein the arcuate waistline opening is sized and shaped to allow a user to advance at least one leg through the arcuate waistline opening.
US09936826B2

A system for displaying a product is disclosed. The system includes a wall having a recess therein and a display structure that defines the recess. The display structure extends through a front surface of the wall and includes a frame having a top panel, a bottom panel, and two side panels. The top and bottom panels are longer than the side panels. The system further includes a plurality of modular display units disposed within the display structure. Each modular display unit extends from the bottom panel to the top panel. At least a first one of the modular display units includes a frame open to a front exterior of the display structure and at least a second one of the modular display units is not open to the front exterior of the display structure. The system further includes a plurality of display elements disposed within the plurality of display units.
US09936822B2

A self-replenishing garnish dispenser comprising a carrier base and a plurality of separate bins receivable in the carrier base, the carrier base having a horizontally elongated channel for receiving and aligning bins side-by-side, each bin having walls forming a J-shaped space open at an upper end and a mid-height open end, the bin space being adapted to temporarily store condiments or garnish pieces received at the open upper end and dispensed at the mid-height end.
US09936819B2

An enclosure that lies flat when side panels are lowered for storage. The enclosure can have play elements for small animals or infants.
US09936812B2

A leg support assembly includes a lower frame including a pair of arms orientated parallel to each other. A pad is attached to the arms. An upper frame has an open end and an open central area. The open end is directed towards the pad. A plane of the upper frame is orientated parallel to a plane of the lower frame. A flexible material is attached to the upper frame and extends across the open central area. The flexible material supports an elevated leg of a person. A plurality of supports is attached to and extends between the upper and lower frames and retains the upper frame vertically above the lower frame. The plurality of supports is hingedly coupled to the lower and upper frames to allow lowering or raising of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.
US09936808B2

An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.
US09936804B2

A method of manufacturing an electromechanical locker system may include providing a set of lockers with coin-operated locks. The coin-operated locks may be removed from the set of lockers. A conduit may be extended along and connected to a frame member from which the coin-operated locks had previously been positioned. Electromechanical lock units may be attached to the conduit so as to replace the coin-operated locks. A retrofitted coin-operated locker bank may include a coin-operated locker bank including a multiple lockers having respective doors, where the coin-operated locker bank is free of coin-operated locks. A conduit may be connected to a frame member and extend vertically adjacent to the hinged doors of a column of lockers. Multiple electromechanical lock units may be attached to the conduit so as to replace the coin-operated locks.
US09936796B2

A toothbrush having an applicator for applying an oral care material to a users oral cavity. In one aspect, the toothbrush comprises a body comprising a handle portion and a head portion; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the head portion; and a treatment device detachably coupled to the body so as to be alterable between a storage state and a use state, the treatment device comprising: a housing; a store of an oral care material in the housing; an applicator fluidly coupled to the store of the oral care material; and a bite guard protruding from the housing adjacent the applicator.
US09936783B2

A hair straightening device which in some embodiments may include an applicator and a hair press. The applicator may have a shaft with a handle and a hair hook. The hair press may have a first press member, a second hair press member, a first hinge assembly, and a cavity. The first press member may include a first press surface, a first elongated locking side, and a first elongated hinge side. The second press member may include a second press surface, a second elongated locking side, and a second elongated hinge side. The first hinge assembly may be configured to pivotally couple the first elongated hinge side of the first press member to the second elongated hinge side of the second press member. The cavity may be formed between the first press surface and second press surface when the press surfaces are moved proximate to each other.
US09936779B1

A reusable garment bag with a detachable tote which allows for ease of packing, storage and travel. Hanging clothes can be stored in the garment bag, while the detachable tote can be used to carry other items of clothing, shoes, accessories, and toiletries. The garment bag and detachable accessory disclosed can be rolled into a compact configuration that allows for easy transport.
US09936777B1

A sidewalker mobility aid for use in assisting an individual in walking. The device is configured to be used with one hand, on one side of the body of the user, rather than out in front, like a traditional walker. The sidewalker has features that place it between a cane and a walker, in terms of benefits provided. The device provides more lateral resistance (stability) than a typical cane, but less than a traditional walker, while having collapsible features that allow the device to take up less space than a traditional walker.
US09936772B2

Provided is a buckle for a chest strap of a knapsack, including a plug member including a plug plane portion formed at a front side of a base so as to be connected to the base via a plug inner-side slope, a plug front-end slope extending forward from the plug plane portion, a first magnet embedded in a middle portion of the plug plane portion, and coupling protrusions protruding from opposite sides of the first magnet, and a socket member including a socket plane portion formed at a front side of a base so as to be connected to the base via a socket inner-side slope, a socket front-end slope extending forward from the socket plane portion, a second magnet embedded in a middle portion of the socket plane portion, and coupling recesses formed in opposite sides of the second magnet so as to correspond to the respective coupling protrusions.
US09936770B2

A buckle for adjusting a length of a strap includes a first body and a locking unit. The first body has a first body unit having a first main body surrounding a containment space, a first through hole and a second through hole disposed separately on the first main body, and a first rod disposed in the containment space. The locking unit has a columnar shape and disposed in the containment space, the locking unit further having two flat surfaces, a side surface connected between an edge of each flat surface, and a supporting aperture accepting the first rod. Each side surface further has a first curved portion, a vertical surface connected to the first curved portion at one end and a second curved portion connected to another end of the vertical surface, and a first protrusion connected to both of the first curved portion and the second curved portion.
US09936761B2

A shoe assembly includes a front sole section, a rear sole section, a heel, and a hinge. The front sole section has a front sole section rear edge. The rear sole section includes a rear sole section front edge, a shank, and a release button. The heel may be removably attached to the shank and may be released from a locked position by the release button. The hinge connects the front sole section and the rear sole section. The hinge is perpendicular to a rear sole section axis.
US09936757B2

An article of footwear includes an upper with a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component has a first edge and a second edge. The knitted component also includes a base portion configured to be disposed adjacent the sole structure and to be disposed under a foot. The knitted component further includes a heel portion, a forefoot portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion. The knitted component additionally includes a collar with a rim. The second edge is joined to the first edge at a seam. The seam has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is located generally at the rim of the collar on one of the medial side and the lateral side of the upper. The second end is spaced from the first end.
US09936755B2

A garment includes at least one garment panel made of a fabric including a first yarn having a first denier and a second yarn having a second denier, the first denier being greater than the second denier. The first yarn forms an auxetic structure comprising a pattern of interconnected segments on the garment panel. The second yarn forms a fill portion extending between the interconnected segments of the auxetic structure.
US09936744B2

A tunic includes pockets to accommodate infusion equipment. Each pocket for accommodating infusion equipment is formed as an openable storage compartment from a textile material and a semi-rigid spacer layer material arranged in the textile material. The semi-rigid spacer layer material maintains its form so that each pocket stores infusion equipment in a comfortable well-protected and discreet manner.
US09936735B1

An electronic cigarette includes a housing, a heating assembly, a mouthpiece and a vapor passage. The heating assembly is positioned within the housing and adapted to heat a liquid solution sufficient to transform the liquid solution to a vapor. The mouthpiece is detachably coupled to the housing and includes a heat sink, an external mouthpiece opening, and a vapor channel recessed into the heat sink and in fluid communication with the external mouthpiece opening. The vapor passage extends from the heating assembly towards the mouthpiece. The vapor passage is in fluid communication with the vapor channel and adapted to pass vapor from the heating assembly to the vapor channel such that when vapor is withdrawn through the external mouthpiece opening, the vapor passes through the vapor passage, through the vapor channel recessed into the heat sink, and through the external mouthpiece opening.
US09936728B2

A method and device for forming a cigarette filter rod. The method is as follows: in a process of continuously conveying forward cigarette filter materials that tend to converge to have a rod shape, multiple granular additives are continuously output in accordance with a certain time interval, and are sprayed into the cigarette filter materials that converge forwards under the action of continuous transporting flows, so that after the cigarette filter materials converge to form a continuous filter rod, multiple groups of additive unit combinations formed of different granular additive units are embedded in an axial direction of the filter rod. With the method and device for forming a cigarette filter rod, a filter rod containing multiple granular additives can be formed in one step; multiple granular additives can be combined and arranged in any way along an axial direction of the filter rod; dosage positions and intervals of various granular additives can be adjusted and changed randomly; a production process is simplified and the production cost is reduced.
US09936725B2

A metering device with a product conduit section, through which a base product forcibly flows, with at least one storage container for an additive, which is connected with an associated metering point respectively via a removal conduit, which is arranged on or respectively in the product conduit section, with a mechanism for forcibly conveying the additive, with quantity-based capturing of the base product and of the additive, with sterile steam and with a control device assigned to the metering device. The metering point is provided within a metering valve, which forms a product chamber, into which the product conduit section opens and from which it exits, an initial chamber and a partial chamber as well as a receiver of an end section and of a terminal side.
US09936717B2

The present invention concerns compositions and methods relating to the addition and use of par-baked and milled coffee beans in food products, beverages, and dietary supplements. Par-baked and milled coffee beans are a novel alternative to more costly chlorogenic acid extracts, and are edible and palatable as a food ingredient. The ingredient is prepared from the entire Coffea robusta or arabica green coffee bean and provides substantially increased amounts of dietary chlorogenic acid antioxidants compared to roasted beans. When the green coffee bean is appropriately par-baked at a temperature significantly lower than coffee roasting temperatures, the bean retains significant moisture, yet becomes embrittled, enabling milling to produce fine and beneficially hydrophilic particles, without any significant loss of bioactive chlorogenic acid and without significant pyrolysis occurring. As described herein, the par-baked coffee bean is superior to both the green coffee bean and the traditionally roasted coffee bean for adding chlorogenic acids to foods, beverages and dietary supplements.
US09936716B2

A physical method for maintaining the freshness of vegetables and fruits via the technology of the optical signal and optical signal generator are disclosed. By adopting the computer programmable pulsed scanning signal generator, it controls the light-emitting device mounted with red, green and blue light sources group to generate optical signal with pulsed or pulsed periodical scanning combined spectrum. The optical signal irradiates the fresh-cut fruits and vegetables preserved in the storage assembly at room temperature or at controlled temperature and humidity. By regulating the optical signal with periodical pulsed spectrum or pulsed scanning spectrum or periodical pulsed scanning combined spectrum, the irradiated vegetables and fruits obtain photon energy needed in light reactions of photosynthesis from the lighting environment of artificial optical signal which is in bright and dark periodic variation. The metabolism of the cellular tissue is recovered and maintained, and the growth inertia is kept at slow speed. It effectively prolongs the freshness state of vegetables and fruits which are preserved in the storage assembly.
US09936715B2

Compositions and methods for lowering counts of pathogenic microorganisms in food products such as ready to eat meat and poultry products are disclosed. In various embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise antimicrobial compositions with one or more essential oils added.
US09936711B1

The present invention relates to a continuous on-board drying method for Antarctic krill and a continuous on-board processing method of shelled Antarctic krill. The drying method includes the following steps: 1) subjecting fishing materials to cleaning, sorting, and dewatering with a vibrating screen; 2) rapidly heating the krill to the temperature of up to 70° C. using infra-red rays; 3) hot-air drying; 4) impurity removal by vacuum; 5) cooling to obtain dried krill. The processing method includes the following steps: a) subjecting fishing materials to cleaning, sorting, and dewatering with a vibrating screen; b) rapidly heating the krill to the temperature of up to 70° C. using infra-red rays; c) hot-air drying; d) subjecting the dried krill to shelling treatment to separate shell from meat, to obtain shelled krill; e) impurity removal by vacuum to obtain shelled krill product. The methods in the present invention are highly efficient, energy saving, green and environmental protection, and the krill products have high quality and safety.
US09936705B2

The present invention is related to a biocide formulation to protect, prevent or treat skin infections in a combination of pentahydrate copper salts and heptahydrate zinc salts as active biocide compounds. Preferably, the copper salt is pentahydrate copper salt and the zinc salt is heptahydrate zinc salt. In a preferred realization, the formulation comprises agents to enhance adhesion to the skin. In another preferred realization of the invention, the formulation is suitable to be applied to the teats or udders of the milking animals, inter milking, for the treatment and prevention of mastitis.
US09936700B2

The invention relates to novel compounds of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Y1 and Y2 have the meanings given above, to a plurality of processes and intermediates for their preparation and to their use as acaricides and/or insecticides for controlling animal pests. The compounds of the formula (I) are also suitable as nematicides for plant-damaging pests and/or anthelminthics for endoparasites in humans and animals.
US09936698B2

The present invention discloses a mixed herbicide containing aminopyralid and clomazone, which belongs to the technical field of pesticides. The main active ingredients in the herbicide are aminopyralid and clomazone, and the weight ratio of aminopyralid to clomazone is 0.1-80:0.1-80. The present mixed herbicide is useful in weed control in non-arable land, orchards, woodland, corn fields, and rapeseed fields, and has the advantages of quick action, broad herbicidal spectrum, long-lasting effect, thorough weed eradication, low residue, low toxicity, safety, and environmental friendliness, thus being a good chemical herbicide for non-arable land, orchards, woodland, corn fields, and rapeseed fields.
US09936696B2

An agrochemical composition containing dicamba or its salt, a sulfonamide herbicide free acid and a solid base. A method of controlling field weeds with the use of the composition. A method of reducing and/or removing agrochemical composition residues in an application tank, as well as a method of preparing an agrochemical composition, including the mixing of a solid base with dicamba or its salt and a sulfonamide herbicide free acid.
US09936694B2

This invention describes novel food bait compositions that can be used alone or in combination with blends of attractive compounds to induce attraction and feeding by mice and rats. Said compositions and blends can be used to induce mice and rats to be captured in traps or to approach and remain in a location where they will be exposed to a rodenticide.
US09936686B2

A method and apparatus for the management of a soil pest is disclosed and which includes a source of high voltage electricity; at least one capacitor for storing the high voltage electricity; a multiplicity of electrodes inserted into a soil location having a soil pest to be managed, and an electrical switch which is controllably opened and closed so as to form a pulse of electricity which is passed through the soil location and between the electrodes so as to effect the management of the soil pest.
US09936682B1

A device for loading a fishing reel with line from a line supply spool by a single person. This device has a base with two side walls with corresponding holes, a plastic bendable tension rod, and suction cups attached to the bottom of the base. The tension rod produces downward pressure on supply spool when threaded through side wall hole, then through center hole of supply spool, then through corresponding through hole on the other side wall, holding it in place. The tension rod when in place as above also produces tension on fishing line which can be loaded to reel by attaching line to reel through rod guides and turning reel crank. The suction cups attached to base allow line loader to be used by one person anywhere you have a non-porous surface.
US09936680B2

A system for remote care of an animal includes a robotic animal caregiver that includes a housing, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and a microprocessor in communication with the wireless data communication system disposed within the housing. The system further includes a smart collar to be worn by the animal operable to determine a geo-location information of the animal and communicate with the microprocessor.
US09936678B2

A pressure distribution element holding a ring, attachable to the horizontal chest strap of a chest harness which is closable-openable by a hook-and-loop fastener, by connecting the chest strap loop section and the chest strap hook section comprising a chest strap connecting portion, and a vertical connecting element connecting the horizontal chest strap of the dog harness to the belly strap, forming a loop around the belly strap by folding back on itself, comprising at least a loop section, continued in a lower loop portion resting on the belly strap of the dog harness.
US09936668B1

A novel maize variety designated X13K494 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X13K494 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K494 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K494, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K494. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K494.
US09936664B1

A novel maize variety designated X05K698 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X05K698 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05K698 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05K698, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05K698. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05K698.
US09936663B1

A novel maize variety designated X13K484 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X13K484 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K484 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K484, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K484. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K484.
US09936649B2

Grow light systems and methods for controlling the systems are described herein. The grow light system can include an integrated lamp and light emitting diodes (LEDs) structure that produces an energy signature highly conducive to plant growth, and that uses minimal energy.
US09936645B2

An agricultural baler having a baling chamber is provided. The baling chamber includes a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall. The first wall and the second wall extend longitudinally between a first end and a second end of the baling chamber, and the second wall forms a bottom surface of the baling chamber. The baler also includes a hinge disposed proximate to the first end of the baling chamber. The hinge is coupled to the second wall, and the second wall is configured to rotate about the hinge from a first position in which the second wall supports a bale within the baling chamber to a second position that enables the bale to move out of the baling chamber.
US09936644B2

A round baler is provided with a bale-forming chamber that is surrounded by a pressing apparatus in the form of a single pressing belt or several pressing belts arranged one next to the other, wherein the pressing apparatus contacts a roller that can be driven and freely co-rotating rollers, of which at least one pre-tensioned roller is loaded by pre-tensioning apparatus in the sense of tightening the pressing apparatus such that it pre-tensions the pre-tensioned roller more strongly the farther this roller moves in a direction for loosening the pressing apparatus. The two ends of the pre-tensioned roller are each pre-tensioned by the pre-tensioning apparatus and can move independently of each other.
US09936630B2

A mounting assembly for an agricultural product conveying system includes a mount having a seed tube mounting feature and a biasing member mounting feature. The mounting assembly also includes a biasing member configured to support a powered agricultural product conveyor. The seed tube mounting feature is configured to engage a corresponding mounting feature of a seed tube to support the seed tube on the mount, and the biasing member mounting feature is configured to engage a corresponding mounting feature of the biasing member to support the biasing member on the mount.
US09936629B2

A sectioned metering system and method is provided. One metering system for distributing an agricultural product in a field includes a drive input and a rotary shaft assembly coupled to the drive input and configured to be driven in rotation by the drive input. The metering system also includes a first metering section driven by the rotary shaft assembly and at least two additional metering sections. Each additional metering section is selectively engageable to drive the respective additional metering section by the rotary shaft assembly. Each additional metering section is also selectively disengageable to interrupt driving of the respective additional metering section by the rotary shaft assembly while the first metering section remains driven.
US09936626B2

An agricultural product distribution system includes first and second product meters configured to meter first and second amounts of agricultural product from a product tank over first and second periods of time, respectively. The system also includes first and second motors coupled to the first and second product meters, respectively, and configured to turn the first and second product meters a first number of turns and a second number of turns, respectively, over the first and second periods of time to meter the first and second amounts of agricultural product. Further, the system includes a controller configured to receive inputs indicative of the first amount of agricultural product, the first number of turns, the second amount of agricultural product, and the second number of turns and to compare the signals to determine first and second calibration rate of the first and second product meters.
US09936625B2

A system for planting multiple types of seed and automatically switching between the varieties during planting in a single planting pass of a planting session of row-crop planting of an agricultural field while controlling seed delivery speed to mitigate seed bounce and/or provide desired seed spacing distances. The system may include a bulk storage system, an on-row storage system, and a charging system that selectively delivers seeds of different varieties from the bulk storage system to the on-row storage system and a seed delivery speed control system that regulates seed delivery speed.
US09943019B2

A method for providing a chassis is described. A chassis base that includes at least ninety-five weight percent of a first metal element that is one of Aluminum or Magnesium is provided. The chassis base is doped at an edge section, which extends around the circumference and that is located adjacent a center portion of the chassis base, with at least five weight percent of at least one second metal element that is selected from the group including Lithium, Titanium, Tungsten, Chromium, Hafnium, Lanthanum, and Ytterbium, such that the center portion is not doped with the at least one second metal element. The chassis base is heat treated such that the center portion includes at least ninety-five weight percent of the first metal element and the edge portion of the chassis base includes at least five weight percent of the at least one second metal element.
US09943012B2

A rack-based information handling system (RIHS) includes: a rack chassis having a plurality of interconnected panels forming a volumetric space having a front section and a rear section, both with opposing side panels forming a front access space and a rear access space, respectively, between corresponding opposing side panels; one or more IT gear sleds that are inserted into the front section of the rack chassis; and a pair of front expansion panels that are added to the rack chassis and which extend past an end of the opposing side panels at the front section of the rack chassis to provide a deeper IT bay within the front section and enable insertion of longer-than-standard depth IT gear within the rack chassis. The front expansion panels are cable management panels that include at least one strap that is utilized to secure one or more cables extending from one or more IT gear inserted into the rack chassis.
US09943006B2

A cabinet for housing electronic equipment such as radio base station transceivers. The cabinet has one opening comprising at least one inlet section and at least one outlet section, a fan assembly and a baffle assembly arranged to force and direct an incoming air flow entering through the inlet section of the opening of the cabinet so it can pass through an electronic component storage area housing the electronic equipment and exit through the outlet section of the same opening in the cabinet.
US09943005B2

A modular data center includes a plurality of first containers and a plurality of second containers. The plurality of first containers and second containers are partitioned into a plurality of functional modules respectively, the functional modules of the plurality of first containers being arranged in parallel, and the functional modules of the plurality of second containers being arranged in parallel on one side of the plurality of first containers and corresponding to the functional modules of the plurality of first containers respectively. The present disclosure combines the functional modules of the plurality of first containers and the plurality of second containers into modular data centers with different forms, capacities, and data center usability tiers, and the assembly of the plurality of first containers and second containers with standardized sizes may facilitate the transportation and reduce the time and cost of assembling and delivery of the modular data center.
US09942976B2

A boss-type metal-based sandwich rigid-flex board and preparation method thereof are disclosed. The boss-type metal-based sandwich rigid-flex board comprises a rigid sub-plate, a flexible sub-plate, a dielectric layer, and a metal core layer, wherein the metal core layer has front and back sides on which at least one metal boss and at least one heat dissipation area are arranged respectively, the dielectric layer, and the rigid sub-plate and/or the flexible sub-plate are sequentially stacked on the front and back sides of the metal core layer respectively, and each of the rigid sub-plate, the flexible sub-plate and the dielectric layer is provided with a first window area fit with the metal boss, and a second window area corresponding to the heat dissipation area. The boss-type metal-based sandwich rigid-flex board (with a metal boss and a heat dissipation area arranged on the front side) prepared according to the present disclosure uses a metal core layer for heat dissipation. In this way, not only the need of heat dissipation of the locally heating electronic components (through the metal boss) but also the heat dissipation of the high density wirings at work can be satisfied (through the metal core layer and the heat dissipation area) with good reliability.
US09942970B2

One variation of a method for automatically mapping light elements in light structures arranged in an assembly includes: defining a sequence of test frames—each specifying activation of a unique subset of light elements in the assembly—executable by the set of light structures; serving the sequence of test frames to the assembly for execution; receiving photographic test images of the assembly, each photographic test image recorded during execution of one test frame by the assembly; for each photographic test image, identifying a location of a particular light element based on a local change in light level represented in the photographic test image, the particular light element activated by the set of light structures according to a test frame during recordation of the photographic test image; and aggregating locations of light elements identified in photographic test images into a virtual map representing positions of light elements within the assembly.
US09942969B1

The disclosure is directed to an obstruction lighting and power line control system. The system includes at least one light source, at least one controller coupled to and configured to control the at least one light source, a power line cable providing power to the at least one light source, and a power supply coupled to the power line cable and configured to provide power to the at least one light source over the power line cable. The disclosure further includes a system controller configured to control the power supply to provide power over the power line cable to the at least one light source and the at least one controller that indicates at least one of the following: operating parameters and operating modes.
US09942962B2

An electronic device is provided in which a dedicated area of the device substrate is patterned to form a resistive track so that it can be contacted by a readout arrangement. The resistive track is used to encode information. The information is provided to a driver which can then derive information about the type of device being driven. The driver can thus be controlled accordingly.
US09942957B1

A light emitting diode driving circuit is provided for driving a first LED unit and a second LED unit. The light emitting diode driving circuit includes a power supply, a detection unit, a serial-parallel circuit, and a control unit. The serial-parallel circuit is coupled to the first LED unit and the second LED unit and establishes a serial connection or a parallel connection for the first LED unit and the second LED unit. The detection unit is coupled to an output end of the power supply for generating a corresponding detection signal according to an output voltage of the power supply. The control unit is arranged between the detection unit and the serial-parallel circuit. The control unit determines the first LED unit and the second LED unit to be set up in the serial connection or in the parallel connection according to the corresponding detection signal.
US09942950B2

A method of applying RF energy to an object in a cavity is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include applying to the object a first amount of RF energy at power increasing from an initial power level to a final power level; and if an electrical discharge occurs, stopping RF energy application for a period sufficient to allow the electrical discharge to decay. The method may further include applying to the object a second amount of RF energy after the period ends. The second amount of RF energy may be applied at intermediate power, higher than the initial power level and lower than the final power level.
US09942947B2

Disclosed is a heater comprising a PTC heating resistor based on barium titanate. The PTC heating resistor is printed onto a substrate. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such a heater.
US09942933B2

At least one processor and at least one memory coupled thereto associated with a first user terminal (UT) perform processes of previously storing pre-configuration information not derived from a base station, designating an area of resources for transmitting control information, determining a plurality of first radio resources within the area of resources for transmitting control information from the first UT to a second UT in a case that the first UT is out of coverage of the base station, and directly transmitting to the second UT the control information in each of the plurality of first radio resources by Device-to-Device (D2D) communication, each resource indicating a same at least one subframe of second radio resources to be used for transmitting data by the D2D communication. A second UT includes least one processor and at least one memory coupled thereto receives the control information from the first UT via D2D communication.
US09942929B2

There is provided a radio communication device including a reception unit which receives information indicating a connection state or a communication capability of another radio communication device which the radio communication device attempts to connect to, and a selection unit which selects, depending on the information received by the reception unit, which communication is to be performed from among first communication in which a direct connection to such other radio communication device is established and direct communication with such other radio communication device is performed, second communication in which a connection to such other radio communication device via a base station is established and direct communication with such other radio communication device is performed, and third communication in which a connection to such other radio communication device via the base station is established and indirect communication with such other radio communication device via the base station is performed.
US09942916B2

Disclosed are an uplink control information transmission method and device for addressing a lack of a solution that a terminal provides feedback of downlink carriers scheduled by different base stations in a dual-connectivity scenario. The method in an embodiment of the present application comprises: a terminal receives data over a first carrier and a second carrier, the data over the first carrier being scheduled by a first base station and the data over the second carrier being scheduled by a second base station; the terminal generates first uplink control information for the first carrier, and/or the terminal generates second uplink control information for the second carrier; the terminal transmits the generated uplink control information over one uplink carrier according to a TA value and a reference carrier, the uplink control information comprising at least one of the first uplink control information and the second uplink control information. Therefore, the terminal can simply transmit over one uplink carrier the uplink control information corresponding to the downlink carriers scheduled by different base stations scheduling data for the terminal.
US09942908B2

Techniques for resource sharing among wireless service providers in a wireless network cloud (WNC) are provided. In one aspect, a method for spectrum sharing in a WNC that hosts multiple wireless service providers is provided. The method includes the following steps. A spectrum usage is predicted for each of the wireless service providers during a given future time-window. An excess amount of spectrum, if any, each of the wireless service providers will have during the given time-window is determined. The excess amount of spectrum is allocated from the wireless service providers having the excess amount of spectrum to those of the wireless service providers having a spectrum usage that will exceed an allocated spectrum capacity during the given time-window.
US09942907B2

Techniques for resource sharing among wireless service providers in a wireless network cloud (WNC) are provided. In one aspect, a method for spectrum sharing in a WNC that hosts multiple wireless service providers is provided. The method includes the following steps. A spectrum usage is predicted for each of the wireless service providers during a given future time-window. An excess amount of spectrum, if any, each of the wireless service providers will have during the given time-window is determined. The excess amount of spectrum is allocated from the wireless service providers having the excess amount of spectrum to those of the wireless service providers having a spectrum usage that will exceed an allocated spectrum capacity during the given time-window.
US09942898B2

The wireless device receives one or more messages comprising configuration parameters for a logical channel in a plurality of logical channels. The configuration parameters indicate a mapping restriction of the logical channel to one or more radio resource types in a plurality of radio resource types. The wireless device triggers a buffer status report (BSR) transmission when data becomes available for the logical channel with the mapping restriction and when a selected set of one or more logical channels with the same mapping restriction meet a first criteria. The wireless device receives an uplink grant indicating radio resources of a first radio resource type. The wireless device constructs a transport block comprising the BSR. The wireless device transmits the transport block via the radio resources of the first radio resource type.
US09942893B1

In systems and methods for allocating physical resources in a communication system, a common periodicity of two or more allocations for a communication between a wireless device and an access node is determined. A permissible division of a data unit in at least two transmission time intervals in a single carrier within one of the two or more allocations is also determined.
US09942892B2

Systems, methods, and apparatus for self-optimizing Mobile Satellite System (MSS) resources are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves determining, with at least one processor, a communication demand for at least one cell in a MSS network. The method further involves determining, with at least one processor, whether the communication demand for at least one cell exceeds the capacity threshold for at least one cell. Further, the method involves reallocating, with at least one processor, when the communication demand for at least one cell exceeds the capacity threshold for at least one cell, at least a portion of the MSS resources such that at least one cell is able to meet the communication demand.
US09942883B2

Provided are a bandwidth-allocation method and apparatus for a wireless network based on a time division transmission mechanism, and a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data on the wireless network. The data transmission method includes at least one wireless device belonging to the wireless network transmitting a frame to a network coordinator, the frame including a transmission mode of data and used to request a time slot, receiving a beacon frame containing information about the transmission mode and a time slot duration from the network coordinator, and transmitting the data in the transmission mode to other wireless devices belonging to the wireless network during the duration of the time slot, wherein the transmission mode indicates whether the data is transmitted by a wide-band signal or a narrow-band signal.
US09942882B2

To alleviate interference by a transmission signal on the uplink and downlink of a femto base station to a transmission signal on the uplink and downlink of a macro base station and/or a micro base station. A mobile station 9-2 and a femto base station 5-1 located within a macrocell 6 and a microcell 7 receive the HCS priority level of the macrocell 6 and the microcell 7 from a macro base station 3 or a micro base station 4. The mobile station 9-2 selects the microcell 7 having a higher HCS priority level, and performs communication by using a radio frequency RF3. Meanwhile, the femto base station 5-1 communicates with a mobile station by using a radio frequency RF1 used in the macrocell 6 having a lower HCS priority level.
US09942880B2

An apparatus includes a plurality of antennae, one or more receiver chains, non-volatile memory and a signal processor. The non-volatile memory stores instructions for executing by the processor. The processor, when executing the instructions, is configured to determine a first threshold value, apply, to each of a plurality of signals individually received through different antennae, windowing in the frequency domain, and to determine as a windowing result, for individual window frequency positions, a number of data values above the first threshold, to merge the windowing results determined for the individual signals for corresponding windowing positions, to identify as noise bands spectral areas with merged windowing results above second threshold, and to transmit and/or receive signals in spectral bands outside of the noise band spectral areas.
US09942877B2

Technologies are generally described for providing multicasting services. In some examples, a method performed under control of a first user equipment may include receiving a first level of signal and a second level of signal from a base station during a first time slot and transmitting the second level of signal to a second user equipment during a second time slot.
US09942874B2

Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for transmitting system information, and a method and an apparatus for receiving system information. The method includes: acquiring, by a base station, a preset modification period of enhanced system information, where the enhanced system information is system information on which enhanced transmission needs to be performed; the modification period of the enhanced system information is an integer multiple of a modification period of non-enhanced system information; and the non-enhanced system information is system information that is transmitted, based on scheduling by using a control channel, in a system information window; and transmitting the enhanced system information in an enhanced transmission manner in the modification period of the enhanced system information according to a configured time-sequence location. According to the methods or the apparatuses in the present disclosure, occupied transmission resources can be reduced.
US09942865B2

Disclosed are a method and a device for synchronously counting a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) service. Through technical solutions of embodiments of the present invention, synchronization time point information is carried in a message sent to a base station by an MBMS coordinating entity (MCE), so that the base station counts the MBMS service at the corresponding synchronization time point, collects the counting information and feeds back the counting information to the MCE. Whereby, the base station can count the MBMS service for each terminal device served by the base station at the same time point and collect and transmit the MBMS service counting information to the MCE, thereby ensuring synchronization of MBMS service counting time, ensuring synchronization of multicast control channel (MCCH) contents at the air interface, and solving the problem that synchronization of MBMS service counting time cannot be ensured in the prior art.
US09942859B2

A wireless communications system and a method for performing wireless communication in a wireless communications system. The wireless communications system includes: a first base station node; a second base station node; and a wireless communications apparatus, performing communication with the first base station node and the second base station node. The first base station node and the second base station node perform scheduling coordination, to reduce a probability that the wireless communications apparatus sends an uplink signal to the first base station node and the second base station node simultaneously. The system and method can reduce a probability that a wireless communications apparatus sends an uplink signal to a first base station node and a second base station node simultaneously, thereby effectively ensuring uplink/downlink transmission performance.
US09942858B1

A method includes determining a quality indicator designating a quality of packet reception at a wireless local area network transceiver. A Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index value is selected based on the quality indicator. A supply voltage provided to a radio frequency power amplifier is determined based on the quality indicator.
US09942855B2

A method for managing power in a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes determining whether residual power indicative of residual battery power of the mobile terminal is less than or equal to predetermined reference power, if a power management mode is run; generating guide data to be provided to a user based on the residual power, if the residual power is less than or equal to the reference power; and displaying the guide data.
US09942840B2

A method of communicating between a wireless security device and a security server through an access point includes estimating a link latency between a time of transmission of a message from the wireless security device and a time at which a response is received from the security server. A polling mode is enabled in which the access point will hold messages received by the access point that are directed to the wireless security device while the device is in a sleep state, without discarding the messages for a threshold period of time. The wireless security device may be placed in a sleep state and woken after a wake time determined based on the estimated link latency, and receives any messages received by the access point during the sleep state.
US09942836B1

After determining that a P2P discovery process is to commence, at least a portion of the P2P discovery process is delayed to permit communication via a non-P2P communication link, and/or at least a portion of the P2P discovery process is not performed to permit communication via the non-P2P communication link. Communications are performed via the non-P2P communication link during a time period that, prior to the act of delaying the P2P discovery process and/or deciding not to perform the P2P discovery process, would have been allocated for the P2P discovery process.
US09942835B2

An example of the present disclosure provides a method of selecting access. The method of selecting access may include the steps of: selecting a first access point name (APN) that does not support IP flow mobility and seamless offload (IFOM) according to a first setting related to APN-based routing; checking a preferred flag when wireless local area network (WLAN) access for the IFOM is selected according to a second setting related to routing resulting in a collision between the first setting and the second setting; and using any one of the first setting and the second setting according to the preferred flag.
US09942828B2

A wireless communication apparatus determines the ratio of sockets which are allocated to a first wireless interface using a first communication network and sockets which are allocated to a second wireless interface using a second communication network, on the basis of the radio quality of the first communication network and the radio quality of the second communication network. The wireless communication apparatus generates the sockets in accordance with the determined ratio and performs wireless communication. The wireless communication apparatus measures the amount of traffic through the first wireless interface and the amount of traffic through the second wireless interface in the wireless communication using the sockets which are generated in accordance with the determined ratio. The wireless communication apparatus corrects the number of sockets allocated to the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface on the basis of the measured amounts of traffic.
US09942827B2

A dynamic crossband link method includes utilizing a local forwarding module to receive packet data from a client device via a first frequency band, obtaining a first communication quality indicator corresponding to a first uplink forwarding module and a second communication quality indicator corresponding to a second uplink forwarding module, and determining to transmit the packet data to a wireless access device via the first uplink forwarding module or via the second uplink forwarding module according to the first communication quality indicator and the second communication quality indicator.
US09942821B2

The wireless communication terminal includes: a plurality of communication interfaces each of which corresponds to at least one of a plurality of wireless access systems; a first unit receiving an instruction from a prescribed control apparatus, the instruction including a wireless access system determined by the control apparatus based on a status of the wireless communication terminal, which changes along with movement of the wireless communication terminal; and a second unit communicating by using a communication interface corresponding to the instructed wireless access system.
US09942818B2

In a cellular telecommunications network, a mobile communication system to offload data traffic from base stations to small-node devices, includes a radio base station, a plurality of small-node devices, a macro-base-station-to-the-small-node-device (BS2D) communication section configured to receive a first control-plane message from the radio base station over a BS2D communication link, a small-node-device-to-user-equipment (D2UE) communication section configured to transmit user-plane data to a user equipment over a wireless D2UE communication link established responsive to the first control-plane message, and a center small-node device. The center small-node device includes a buffer section, a backhaul communication section configured to receive the user-plane traffic data from a server over a backhaul link, and is configured to manage D2UE connections between the plurality of small-node devices and the mobile station, buffer data to be transmitted in downlink and uplink for the plurality of small-node devices, and conduct a link adaptation for the D2UE connections.
US09942810B2

A connection setup method of a wireless communication device adapted to be operated in a heterogeneous cellular communication network is disclosed. The heterogeneous cellular communication network comprises at least a first cell and a second cell, respectively associated with a first cell layer and a second cell layer of the heterogeneous cellular communication network. The wireless communication device is adapted to use a serving cell associated with the first cell layer or the second cell layer when the wireless communication device is in an active mode, and to use a camping cell associated with the first cell layer when the wireless communication device is in an idle mode. The method comprises detecting, when the wireless communication device is in the active mode and uses the second cell as the serving cell, that the serving cell is associated with the second cell layer. In response to detecting an upcoming transfer to the idle mode, the method comprises storing connection setup parameters of the second cell and transferring to the idle mode, wherein transferring comprises selecting the first cell as the camping cell. The method also comprises, when the wireless communication device is in the idle mode, detecting an upcoming transfer to the active mode and transferring to the active mode, wherein transferring comprises setting up a connection to a cell of the heterogeneous cellular communication network based on the stored connection setup parameters of the second cell. Corresponding computer program product, arrangement and wireless communication device are also disclosed.
US09942809B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for accessing a network by a UE, and an access device. The method includes: sending, by a source side access device, an access indication message to a UE, where the access indication message is used to instruct the UE to access a target side access device; or sending, by a source side access device, a first notification message to a target side access device, where the first notification message is used to instruct the target side access device to send, to a UE, access information used to instruct the UE to access the target side access device; and in a process in which the UE accesses the target side access device, maintains a connection between the UE and the source side access device, therefore, a service interruption is not caused.
US09942808B2

A user equipment (UE) receives, from a wireless access network node of a source cell, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message identifying a subframe containing information relating to an uplink grant to be sent by a target cell. The UE detects the uplink grant in the identified subframe transmitted by a target wireless access network node of the target cell. The UE sends, in response to the UE successfully accessing the target cell or detecting the information relating to the uplink grant, an RRC message to the target cell to handover from the source cell to the target cell.
US09942807B2

A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium having instructions to detect a triggering event that invokes a T311 timer, while the device is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state; and invoke an extended cell selection procedure that does not use an S criterion value as a basis to select a candidate cell to re-establish an RRC connection, based on a detection of the triggering event.
US09942806B2

In Inter-eNB handover with “full configuration”, UL-PDCP-PDUs are handled appropriately. A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes, in Inter-eNB handover of a mobile station UE from a radio base station eNB#1 to a radio base station eNB#2, the step of causing the radio base station eNB#1 to discard all the UL-PDCP-PDUs having been successfully received, if the radio base station eNB#2 instructs the mobile station UE to once delete all the configuration set between the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNB#1.
US09942803B2

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may determine that a voice over long term evolution (VoLTE) service has encountered a threshold quantity of failures within a particular period of time. The apparatus may transfer from a VoLTE mode associated with the VoLTE service to another mode for a voice call based on determining that the VoLTE service has encountered the threshold quantity of failures within the particular period of time.
US09942800B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for load balancing network traffic in a wireless network. In one aspect, an access point may determine a plurality of client devices that are associated with an overloaded channel of the wireless network. The access point may identify a first client device of the plurality of client devices based, at least in part, on an airtime consumed on the overloaded channel. The access point may determine one or more alternate paths between the access point and the first client device. The access point may forecast airtime to be used by the first client device on channels of the one or more alternate paths, and steer wireless network traffic of the first client device to a first alternate path of the one or more alternate paths based, at least in part, on the forecasted airtime.
US09942794B2

A user of a communications network is prevented from consuming an excessive amount of channel bandwidth by restricting use of the channel in accordance with the type of data being downloaded to the user. The user is provided an initial number of credits. As the user consumes the credits, the data being downloaded is checked to determine if is permissible or non-permissible. Non-permissible data includes file-sharing files and movie downloads if user subscription does not permit such activity. If the data is permissible, the user is provided another allotment of credits equal to the initial allotment. If the data is non-permissible, the user is provided an allotment of credits less than the initial allotment. Various restriction policies also can be applied, such as levying additional fees and/or terminating the user's access to the channel. Also, incentives can be provided to entice the user curb the misuse.
US09942789B2

A mobile station is configured with a logged MBSFN measurement in which a reception status of an MBMS is measured and collected by a logged MDT. The mobile station transmits an availability indicator to a network at a predetermined timing except when the logged MBSFN measurement is still ongoing, the availability indicator indicating an availability of the logged MBSFN measurement.
US09942785B2

A method, system, and device for transmitting a preamble signal and for signal measurement, for use in solving the problem found in the prior art that the transmission power of each antenna unit is greatly reduced as a result that each antenna unit transmits one preamble signal and that the complexity of a user equipment is increased when the antenna units are of a great number. The method of embodiments of the present disclosure comprises: a network side device transmits to the user equipment determined CSI feedback configurations, where one CSI feedback configuration corresponds to one CSI-RS resource, and the preamble signal corresponding to each port of the one CSI-RS resource is transmitted via one set of antenna unit corresponding to the port. Employment of the solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure increases the transmission power of the antenna units, allows the user equipment to correctly perform signal measurement, increases the performance of data transmission, and reduces the complexity of the user equipment when the antenna units are of a great number.
US09942780B2

A method or corresponding apparatus for performing an automated action based on a roaming satisfaction indicator (RSI). A roaming satisfaction indicator for each individual mobile subscriber at a given time is evaluated by determining an age for each stored event by comparing the time the event was identified and the given time, assigning a current value to each of the stored events as a function of the determined age, the predetermined event type, and the predetermined impact level, and compiling the assigned current values of the events, resulting in the roaming satisfaction indicator at the given time. Based on the evaluated RSI, an action is automatically performed.
US09942777B1

Traditional configuration of infrastructure equipment relates to the adjustment of horizontal tilt for antennas. Given the potential overlap of infrastructure equipment, varying tilt angles can result in either interference with nearby equipment (“over-tilt”) or reduced coverage areas within a specific infrastructure equipment (“under-tilt”). A tool for determining appropriate tilt angles for infrastructure antennas across a mobile network is provided. The tool automatically determines a range of tilt angles between a selected source antenna and adjacent antennas and optimizes based on a threshold intersecting point. Additionally, the tool can update calculated tilt angles based on network congestion information.
US09942767B2

In one embodiment, a network interface receives a communication request over a communication link of a radio access network. A processor then determines one or more characteristics associated with the communication request and applies one or more policy rules to the one or more determined characteristics associated with the communication request. The processor terminates the communication request based in part on the application of the one or more policy rules to the one or more determined characteristics.
US09942766B1

Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to validate calls to end telephone numbers. In one implementation, a method of operating a call state service includes obtaining and storing call state information for one or more communication in at least one data structure. The method further provides receiving a call state request for a communication of interest, wherein the request includes relevant call state information. The method also provides determining whether the relevant call state information matches a communication in the one or more communications based on the at least one data structure, and, if a match is identified, returning a call state match notification to the requesting end service.
US09942763B2

Method for authenticating and automatic transmission of user information between a mobile device and a wireless router, establishing communication to the mobile device for authentication, transmitting the device identifier and pre-stored user information of an application to the wireless router, determining the match between the received information and an encrypted database of the wireless router, establishing a link between the user's information and the mobile device's information, logging in the application with received user information, and triggering the service provided by the application.
US09942761B1

Embodiments are directed to a method of providing access verification for a system that includes activating a security control device, which is in communications with a host device. The method also includes having the security control device receiving a verification signal coming from outside the system while being locally-based, and comparing the verification signal to a table of stored criteria values. The device then chooses a response based on that comparison and sends an access determination signal based on the response.
US09942760B2

The disclosure relates in general to a wearable device for serving as a personal id towards electronic devices. In particular the disclosure provides a wearable device for storing credential data or password from an electronic device, which device is configured for serving as personal id towards an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or other smart devices.
US09942758B2

A method and apparatus for providing radio communication with an electronic object in a local environment are disclosed. For example the method receives via a mobile endpoint device of a user at least one first digital certificate associated with the local environment from a trusted source, and a second digital certificate from the electronic device deployed in the local environment via a wireless connection. The method then authenticates the electronic device using the at least one first digital certificate and the second digital certificate.
US09942753B2

A system and method for promoting safe usage of a mobile device. The system allows one or more administrators (or patents) to transparently and automatically implement preconfigured use restriction policies (e.g., restricted time periods, restricted features of the device, restricted vehicle speed) on multiple managed devices. The restriction policies may be stored locally at a managed mobile device and/or remotely at a remote server and database. The mobile device can be controlled locally by a client application or remotely by the remote server based on the restriction policies.
US09942749B2

Sensor based information from a base station is received by a configuration management device and is used to determine orientation, altitude and/or location. In some embodiments, the configuration management device compares measurement based information to corresponding expected values in a deployment plan to determine whether or not the base station has been correctly deployed. In some embodiments, the configuration management device uses received sensor based information from a base station to control re-configuration of the base station, e.g., re-orient an antenna or change an antenna pattern.
US09942744B2

The present invention provides a system and method to selectively negotiate different delivery styles for different types of packets sent from the Mobile Node to the Foreign Agent, which will allow the Mobile Node to negotiate a delivery style that will permit the Foreign Agent to transmit certain selected outbound traffic directly without reverse tunneling that traffic back to the home network. Specifically, the present invention allows the Foreign Agent to distinguish between certain types of BC/MC packets that are designated to be processed and routed to their destinations by the Foreign Network directly, as opposed to reverse tunneling the outbound traffic from the Foreign Agent back to the Home Agent on the home network. By selecting processing by the Foreign Network, the efficiency of the system will improve because the transmission of outbound traffic and inbound responses will not need to be tunneled through the Home Network.
US09942740B2

A method and system for providing emergency call (e-call) services is disclosed. A third-party service center receives a communication from a vehicle over a communication pathway. Signaling is automatically sent to the vehicle from the third-party service center over the communication pathway. Location information is received from the vehicle at the third-party service center in response to the signaling. Information is forwarded from the voice call and the location information to a public safety answering point (PSAP) determined by the third-party service center.
US09942733B1

An alert message application running on a first mobile communication can be controlled to operate in a training mode and a normal mode of operation. In the training mode of operation, the application can receive over a short range wireless link a training message response uttered by a user of a second wireless communication device and associate audio information in the utterance with a response code that the user is prompted by the application to enter. In the normal mode of operation, the user can respond to an alert message played by the first wireless communication device with a verbal utterance, and if the response utterance matches the training message response utterance, the application generates and sends a response message to an event notification system that includes the response code.
US09942732B2

A mobile device may create a message rule to establish a causal relationship between a messaging activity and a device activity or vice versa. A message rule user interface displayed on the mobile device may receive from a user a message parameter, describing at least one of a message format and a message content of a hypothetical received mobile message. The message rule user interface also may receive a response action directive describing a device action to be performed by the mobile device in response to receiving an incoming mobile message corresponding to the message parameter. The mobile device may store a message target rule associating the message parameter with the response action directive. The mobile device may receive the incoming mobile message corresponding to the message parameter and execute the device action according to the response action directive.
US09942727B2

A mobile communication system of the present invention is a mobile communication system including a mobile station, base stations each of which forms a cell and transmits MBMS data to the mobile station existing in the cell, control stations each of which controls a base station connected thereto, and further including a core network node that instructs each of the control stations connected thereto with respect to the frequency and timing for transmitting MBMS data in the cell, wherein each of the control stations establishes time synchronization with another control station and instructs the connected base station to set the cell to the frequency designated by the core network node and transmits, to the connected base station, the MBMS data in accordance with the transmission timing designated by the core network node and the mobile station then receives the MBMS data.
US09942726B2

A group trigger method, apparatus, and system include an interworking function IWF entity, configured to send a trigger delivery request to an entity that has a trigger function; and the entity that has a trigger function, configured to, after receiving the trigger delivery request sent by the IWF entity, return a trigger delivery acknowledgement message to the IWF entity, and delivers, according to the trigger delivery request, an acquired group trigger payload to a user equipment UE. The entity that has a group trigger function delivers the group trigger payload to the UE, so as to effectively implement group trigger, avoid point-to-point trigger, and save system resources.
US09942721B2

The use of semi-autonomous vehicles (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles) as a means to profile an airspace for prospective service, determine the characteristics of a radio-based problem, and temporarily host a service in response to emergency, unexpected outages, or other things are discussed herein. Functionalities of the solution may include probing and profiling, line-of-sight verification, and problem determination.
US09942717B1

A method of direction-aware device location includes establishing a region of interest comprising a plurality of wireless devices. A reference frame is then determined based on the established region of interest. A plurality of initial positions of the plurality of wireless devices is determined. A plurality of wireless signal strengths is measured as a function of time at each of the plurality of wireless devices. A topology of the plurality of wireless devices is determined as a function of time based on the plurality of measured wireless signal strengths as a function of time and the reference frame for each of the plurality of devices. Location and movement information is then determined as a function of time for each of the plurality of wireless devices based on the determined topology as a function of time.
US09942716B2

A mobile phone (mobile electronic device) includes an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration, a communication module that performs communication, and a controller. When the number of steps based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor has reached a first step count during an ON-state of the communication function of the communication module, the mobile phone shifts from a stop state to a walking state. The controller maintains the ON-state of the communication function of the communication module when the mobile phone shifts from the stop state to the walking state. The controller turns OFF the communication function of the communication module when the number of steps based on the acceleration has reached a second step count larger than the first step count.
US09942714B2

The present invention provides a method and device for transmission on unlicensed spectrum in a UE and a base station. In view of the problem of DFS constraints and PHICH resource waste that is caused by communication of an uplink synchronous HARQ on unlicensed spectrum, in the present invention, logical information is configured so that PUSCHs transmitted through different sub-frames on different physical carriers form one logical carrier, and PHICH resources are reserved for the logical carrier. As an embodiment, downlink signaling is sent in a sub-frame for sending a PHICH so as to indicate transmission bandwidth for data retransmission. The solution provided in the present invention saves PHICH resources and eliminates the constraints on the DFS by the synchronous HARQ. Besides, the present invention reuses the CA scheme in the existing LTE as much as possible, and has high compatibility.
US09942710B2

Determination of a current location of a mobile device based on exchange of messages between the mobile device and a remote device. The determination can be originated from the remote device and can be performed, in certain embodiments, by a system within a network that provides services to the mobile device. The location of the mobile device can be determined without reliance on a dedicated location service module (e.g., software or firmware) at the user equipment. The system can utilize signals from a global navigation satellite system or signals time-of-flight terrestrial signals emitted and/or received at the mobile device. In addition, the system can provide location information associated with the mobile device in response to a prompt from the remote device in instances in which the remote device is authorized to receive location information. An authorized remote device can be or can include a device associated with the user equipment or a third-party device.
US09942708B2

A device and method to track individuals. The device has a processing unit, and a memory containing instructions executable by the processing unit. The device receives a location with which at least one individual is to be associated, receives an indication of a geographical area in which the individual is allowed to move with respect to the location, and registers a first event in a database at a first time in response to a message received indicating that the individual is within the indicated geographical area. Further, the device tracks, in response to registering the first event, a geographical position of a mobile terminal of the individual, and registers a second event in the database at a second instant of time based on the tracked geographical position of the mobile terminal indicating that the individual no longer is within the indicated geographical area.
US09942700B2

A wireless device includes a user interface that generates a pairing signal in response to an indication from a user to pair the wireless device to at least one remote device and generates a first location request signal in response to a second indication from a user to locate the at least one remote device. A short-range wireless transceiver communicates RF signals to pair the wireless device to the at least one remote device and that transmits a first RF paging signal to the at least one remote device in response to the location request signal.
US09942690B2

Method and device for information push are provided in the disclosure, which may include: obtaining a keyword input by a user, identifying an Application Program (APP) package name corresponding to the keyword input based on a first data table stored in the smart device, the first data table including correspondence relationships between APP package names and keywords, determining whether the APP corresponding to the APP package name is installed in the device, pushing the keyword to the APP if the APP is installed in the device. The technical solutions of the disclosure may push the keyword related with the user behaviors to an APP, so that the APP may locate operations related with the keyword, and push the operations to the user in the form of operation prompt messages, and thus facilitate the user quickly starting the related operations of the APP with simple action.
US09942689B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for managing information in a smart storage device. In one aspect a smart storage device is provided that is configured to be coupled to a wireless communications apparatus operating in a wireless communications network. The smart storage device includes a memory configured to store network access information for accessing services of the network. The smart storage device further includes a controller configured to send a message to the wireless communications apparatus including data notifying the wireless communications apparatus of an update to the network access information. The data further includes a command that the wireless communications apparatus suspend an active operation of the wireless communications apparatus and initiate updating information managed by the wireless communications apparatus based on one or more conditions. The updating of the information is based on at least a portion of the updated network access information.
US09942686B1

A process for reproducing sound using a loudspeaker array that is housed in a loudspeaker cabinet includes the selection of a number of sound rendering modes and changing the selected sound rendering mode based on changes in one or both of sensor data and a user interface selection. The sound rendering modes include a number of mid-side modes and at least one direct-ambient mode. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09942685B2

Mechanisms for navigation via three dimensional audio effects are described. A current location of a device and a first point of interest are determined. The point of interest may be determined based on a web service and the current location of the device may be determined via mobile device signals. A zone that includes the point of interest may be determined. A three dimensional audio effect that simulates a sound being emitted from the zone may be generated. The three dimensional audio effect may be transmitted to speakers capable of simulating three dimensional audio effects. The transmitted three dimensional audio effect may aid in navigation from a current location to the point of interest.
US09942684B2

An audio signal processing method and an audio signal processing apparatus for synchronizing audio based on synchronization error between audio signals.
US09942683B2

Methods and systems for sound propagation and perception for autonomous agents in dynamic environments are described. Adaptive discretization of continuous sound signals allows one to obtain a minimal, yet sufficient sound packet representation (SPR) for human-like perception, and a hierarchical clustering scheme to facilitate approximate perception. Planar sound propagation of discretized sound signals exhibit acoustic properties such as attenuation, reflection, refraction, and diffraction, as well as multiple convoluted sound signals. Agent-based sound perceptions using hierarchical clustering analysis that accommodates natural sound degradation due to audio distortion facilitate approximate human-like perception.
US09942676B1

Method of throttling a pilot tone for thermal monitoring of an electro-mechanical actuator starts by computing a power estimate based on a driving signal. A first temperature estimate is then computed based on the power estimate. The pilot tone may be generated by adjusting a level of the pilot tone based on at least one of the power estimate or the first temperature estimate. The pilot tone is injected into the driving signal to generate a driving output signal that is outputted by an electro-mechanical actuator. Other embodiments are also described.
US09942668B2

Various system embodiments comprise a plurality of devices configured to wirelessly communicate with each other. The plurality of devices includes a battery-operated hearing aid configured to communicate with another device using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication technology. A BLE tester is configured to test the hearing aid for the performance of BLE wireless communication via a wireless link. One embodiment uses a wireless test mode as a diagnostic tool for analyzing the wireless communication environment, such as when the communication with the hearing aid is interfered in a noisy environment.
US09942667B2

A mobile communication device (50) receives an audio stream as input and delivers a processed audio stream as output. The mobile communication device has a data connection providing access to the Internet, and a short range data connection for delivering a processed audio stream as output to a specific hearing aid (10). The mobile communication device acquires a data set containing hearing aid settings for said specific hearing aid from a remote server (71), and adjusts the emulation software application by means of the data set containing hearing aid settings for said specific hearing aid (10). The mobile communication device transmits the control signals and a processed audio stream to the specific hearing aid via said short range data connection and the specific hearing aid outputs the audio signal to the user without additional amplification. The invention also provides a method of signal processing in a mobile communication device.
US09942664B2

A speaker includes a frame having an accommodation space; a magnetic circuit system accommodated in the accommodation space; and a vibration system accommodated in the accommodation space for generating sound. The vibration system includes a diaphragm and a voice coil. The diaphragm includes a first part fixed with the frame and a second part arranged between the first part and the frame. One end of the second part is connected with the first part. The accommodation space is divided by the second part into a first accommodation space for accommodating the magnetic circuit system and a second accommodation space for accommodating the voice coil.
US09942660B2

A sound output device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of sub-sound outputting devices which are combined with or separated from each other and are connected to each other electrically or through a short range communication network; and a controller being mounted in one of the plurality of sub-sound outputting devices. The controller can determine the type of a sound channel to realize based on how the plurality of sub-sound outputting devices are combined and disposed and determine the roles of the plurality of sub-sound outputting devices in the determined sound channel.
US09942653B2

A narrow-angle directional microphone includes: a microphone case; an acoustic tube fit in the microphone case with a gap between the acoustic tube and the microphone case; a microphone element arranged at one end side of the acoustic tube with a clearance that allows a front acoustic terminal and a rear acoustic terminal to communicate into each other between the microphone element and the microphone case; and an acoustic resistance body having elasticity positioned over between the one end side of the acoustic tube and the microphone element to block a passage between the front acoustic terminal and the rear acoustic terminal, whereby adjustments of a degree of compression of the acoustic resistance body are achieved by changes to an interval between the acoustic tube and the microphone element.
US09942624B2

An on-premises restaurant communication system for communicating a particular customer's table number to a food server at a central service station. Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) tags are mounted on the underside of the restaurant's tables. The customer is provided with a pager having a pager ID associated with the customer's food order. The pager is modified to include an RFID reader and an RF transmitter. When the customer places the pager on a selected table, the RFID reader reads an RFID number from the table's RFID tag. The RF transmitter transmits the pager ID and RFID number to the central station, which uses this information to associate the food order with the table number. The table number is provided to the food server for delivery of the food order to the proper table.
US09942623B2

Data center network architectures that can reduce the cost and complexity of data center networks. The data center network architectures can employ optical network topologies and optical nodes to efficiently allocate bandwidth within the data center networks, while reducing the physical interconnectivity requirements of the data center networks. The data center network architectures also allow computing resources within data center networks to be controlled and provisioned based at least in part on a combined network topology and application component topology, thereby enhancing overall application program performance.
US09942622B2

A system synchronizes one or more media streams, such as video stream or audio streams, by embedding frame identifiers in each compressed media stream, and then by using synchronizing signals to render each frame simultaneously by referencing the embedded frame identifier. Since the frame identifier is embedded in between encoded frames of the compressed media stream without altering any of the compressed, encoded data, the frame identifier information could be rapidly embedded without creating lag associated with manipulating existing data. This technique could be used, for example, to synchronize a single HD video on a plurality of display devices (e.g. a football game on a wall of video monitors), or to synchronize a plurality of HD video streams on a single display device (e.g. a plurality of live video feeds on a single computer monitor).
US09942619B2

The present disclosure relates to a content supply device, a content supply method, a program, and a content supply system, which are capable of extending the DASH and seamlessly switching reception and reproduction of unicast transmission, multicast transmission, or broadcast transmission. A content supply device includes a HTTP transmitting unit that unicast-transmits a segment file of streaming data according to HTTP, an RTP transmitting unit that stores the segment file in an RTP packet without change, and transmits the RTP packet through at least one of multicasting and broadcasting according to RTP, and a metafile generating unit that generates a metafile in which a temporal correspondence relation between the segment file transmitted according to the HTTP and the segment file transmitted according to the RTP is described, and supplies the metafile to a reception side. The present disclosure can be applied to a system that delivers content in a streaming manner.
US09942610B2

Systems and methods are provided herein for automatically overriding an auto-skip command embedded in a media asset annotation when a user profile indicates a preference for content that is to be auto-skipped. To this end, a media guidance application may play back a media asset to a user, and detect therein a skip annotation that corresponds to a portion of the media asset that is to be played back. The media guidance application may, in response to detecting the skip annotation, access metadata indicating content of the portion, compare the metadata to entries of a profile of the user, and determine whether the user prefers the content based on the comparing. If the user prefers the content, the media guidance application may refrain from executing a skip command indicated by the skip annotation.
US09942607B2

Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first media data and audience identification data via a metering device. Audience member behavior data is developed based on the first media data and the audience identification data. Second media data is accessed after the metering device has been removed. The second media data is collected by a service provider associated with the second media data. The removal of the metering device occurring after the audience member behavior data has been developed. Audience members associated with the second media data are identified based on the audience member behavior data.
US09942601B2

A method is provided for a reception apparatus to store non-real-time (NRT) content. The method includes receiving, by the reception apparatus, the NRT content included in a digital television broadcast signal broadcast from a content source. The received NRT content, included in the digital television broadcast signal broadcast from the content source, is stored in a memory of the reception apparatus. The reception apparatus outputs the NRT content stored in the memory for presentation to a user. The reception apparatus receives a request to store the NRT content in an external device and, in response, sends an instruction via a communication network to store the NRT content in the external device.
US09942598B2

A wideband receiver system comprises a mixer module, a wideband analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module, and digital circuitry. The mixer module is configured to downconvert a plurality of frequencies that comprises a plurality of desired television channels and a plurality of undesired television channels. The wideband ADC module is configured to digitize the swatch of frequencies comprising the plurality of desired television channels and the plurality of undesired television channels. The digital circuitry is configured to select the desired plurality of television channels from the digitized plurality of frequencies, and output the selected plurality of television channels to a demodulator as a digital datastream.
US09942588B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can include computer instructions to execute a web server application in the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable cause the mobile device server to detect a media resource center while roaming in a communication zone of the media resource center, transmit a pairing key to the media resource center, and receive from the media resource center authorization to pair with one or more resources selected by the media resource center according to the pairing key. In one embodiment a billing system can be operable to determine whether to apply a monetary charge to a subscriber account based on the pairing key. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09942584B2

An example apparatus to generate media monitoring information includes a processor to collect a first data record corresponding to a first media presentation session, and collect a second data record corresponding to a second media presentation. The example apparatus also includes a memory in circuit with the processor, the memory to: store a first end timestamp in the first data record indicative of a first time at which the first media presentation session ended; store a second end timestamp in the second data record indicative of a second time at which the second media presentation session ended; and store the first end timestamp in the second data record.
US09942578B1

A novel live on demand origin architecture in one embodiment can enable the provision, operation and management of massively scalable, highly efficient, high availability content access services that offer random access to linear feeds without playback restrictions, supporting live, near-live, catch-up, start-over and VOD access modes regardless of Origin, Network and Player limitations.
US09942577B1

Techniques are described for caching dynamic objects for media content playback. A media server can provide a cache key representing a set of instructions used to select a subset of manifest data. The cache key can be provided to a viewer device, which can then contact a content delivery network (CDN) for a dynamic manifest file corresponding to the cache key. The CDN can contact the media server to have the dynamic manifest file generated using the cache key if it is not in its cache.
US09942573B2

Several methods and systems for reducing blocking artifacts are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a pair of adjacent blocks having an edge being positioned between the adjacent blocks. The pair of adjacent blocks is associated with one or more coding blocks. The one or more coding blocks comprise one or more coding information associated with the coding of the pair of adjacent blocks. The method also includes conducting a determination of whether the pair of adjacent blocks is coded in a skip-mode based on the one or more coding information. The edge is filtered based on the determination. Filtering the edge comprises disabling a de-blocking filtering of the edge based on a determination that the pair of adjacent blocks is coded in the skip-mode; and enabling the de-blocking filtering of the edge based on determination that the pair of adjacent blocks is not associated with the skip-mode.
US09942559B2

A system for decoding a video bitstream includes receiving a frame of the video that includes at least one slice and at least one tile and where each of the at least one slice and the at least one tile are not all aligned with one another.
US09942555B2

There is provided a picture coding device that performs intra prediction coding of a picture signal including a luma signal and a chroma signal in units of blocks and codes information relating to an intra prediction mode. When the intra prediction of a picture signal is made in units of coding blocks, in a case where a chroma format is 4:2:2, in a mode for setting a chroma intra prediction mode in accordance with the luma intra prediction mode, an intra prediction unit sets the chroma intra prediction mode based on the luma intra prediction mode and the chroma format and makes an intra prediction of the chroma signal.
US09942539B2

A display system for creating three dimensional (3D) imagery for a viewer wearing 3D glasses such as wavelength multiplex visualization (WMV) technology glasses with a first lens passing colored light in a first range of wavelengths and with a second lens passing colored light in a second range of wavelengths. The system includes a first WMV light source outputting a first light stream onto a display surface, with the first light stream having a wavelength in the first wavelength range. The system includes a second WMV light source outputting a second light stream onto the display surface concurrently with the second light stream, with the second light stream having a wavelength in the second wavelength range. The WMV light sources are scanning lasers that each may be a scanning laser providing red, green, or blue coherent light or a full red, green, and blue (RGB) scanning laser.
US09942538B2

A stereoscopic image display apparatus that is capable of being efficiently aligned using a remotely controlled alignment function and a method of displaying a stereoscopic image using the same are disclosed. The stereoscopic image display apparatus includes a polarizing beam splitter for spatially splitting image light emitted by a projector into at least one transmitted beam and at least one reflected beam based on polarized components, at least one modulator for adjusting the transmitted beam and the reflected beam such that the transmitted beam and the reflected beam have different polarization directions when a left image and a right image are projected by the transmitted beam and the reflected beam, an angle adjustment unit for adjusting the position on a screen on which the transmitted beam is projected in response to a first remote control signal, a remote-control alignment type reflecting member for adjusting the path of the reflected beam in response to a second remote control signal such that the reflected beam overlaps the transmitted beam projected on the position on the screen adjusted in response to the first remote control signal in order to form a single image, and a remote controller remotely connected to the angle adjustment unit and the remote-control alignment type reflecting member for transmitting the first remote control signal and the second remote control signal to the angle adjustment unit and the remote-control alignment type reflecting member, respectively.
US09942537B2

An image processing device including means for: inputting two parallax images composed of images of first and second viewpoint directions; generating first and second smoothed images by applying, respectively to the images of the first and second viewpoint directions, a smoothing filter in a direction joining the first and second viewpoints; generating a reference image formed by a value based on a product of values of the first and second smoothed images; generating gain distribution data by dividing a value of the reference image by the value of the first smoothed image; performing gain correction of each pixel on the image of the first viewpoint direction, based on the gain distribution data; and outputting the gain corrected image of the first viewpoint direction as a parallax image, the smoothing filter having a filter diameter approximately equal to a parallax amount between the images of the first and second viewpoint directions.
US09942536B2

A stacked display has the different color layers (20r), (20g), (20b) ordered with respect to the wavelength-dependency of the lens focus so that there is better focus of the colors on the display layers that modulate those colors. The optical system (30), (32) can be designed to have a wavelength-dependent focus that matches the position of each of the light modulating layers.
US09942534B2

An image processing system includes an acquisition unit, a candidate value estimation unit, a cutoff frequency acquisition unit and a candidate value modification unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image of a sample taken via an optical system. The candidate value estimation unit is configured to estimate a candidate value of a 3D shape of the sample based on the image. The cutoff frequency acquisition unit is configured to acquire a cutoff frequency of the optical system based on information of the optical system. The candidate value modification unit is configured to perform at least one of data correction and data interpolation for the candidate value based on the cutoff frequency and calculate a modified candidate value.
US09942529B2

Provided is an image projection device that carries out high precision gesture detection. An image projection device has a projection unit that optically projects image and a gesture detection unit that detects human gestures and generates a signal for operating the projected image on the basis of the detection results. The gesture detection unit controls a range for detecting gesture according to the direction that the projection unit projects light and/or the placement state of the image projection device. The device has a laser light source and photodiode for detecting gestures, or has a pyroelectric sensor for detecting infrared rays.
US09942528B2

The invention relates to a wavelength conversion element including: a substrate including a light-reflecting surface and rotatable around an axis of rotation; and a wavelength conversion layer supported by the light-reflecting surface. The wavelength conversion layer has a distribution of reflectance, along a circle centered on the axis of rotation, with respect to excitation light to excite the wavelength conversion layer. An average reflectance of the wavelength conversion layer with respect to the excitation light per the circle varies depending on a radius of the circle.
US09942520B2

The disclosure is related to an interactive and targeted monitoring service. The interactive and targeted monitoring service may be provided in cooperation of a service server and a control system. The service server may perform: providing a target object recognition signal to the user equipment and the control signal in response to a service request message from the user equipment, requesting the control system to provide the interactive and target monitoring service on a target object recognized based on the target object recognition signal using the plurality of monitoring devices, performing, by the service server, a protection procedure in response to a protection request from at least one of the control system and the user equipment, and requesting, by the service server, the control system to terminate the interactive and targeted monitoring service in response to termination notification from the control system.
US09942516B1

The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for optimizing video conferences. For instance, systems and methods described herein optimize both the transmission and display of one or more video conference data streams. Systems and methods described herein optimize the transmission and display of one or more video conference data streams by identifying a context associated with the one or more video conference data streams and optimizing the one or more video conference data streams based on the identified context.
US09942514B1

The disclosure generally relates to optimizing power consumption while one or more users are inactive during a video call. More particularly, according to various aspects, a current camera view may be captured at a first user equipment (UE) during a video call with at least a second UE. In response to the first UE determining that a user associated with the first UE is inactive on a camera at the first UE (e.g., when no faces are visible in the current camera view), the first UE may reduce uplink transmissions that are allocated to video content corresponding to the current camera view while the user associated with the first UE is inactive on the camera.
US09942492B2

An image sensor pixel may include a photodiode, a charge storage region, a floating diffusion node, and a capacitor. A first transistor may be coupled between the photodiode and the charge storage region. A second transistor may be coupled between the charge storage region and the capacitor. The photodiode may generate image signals corresponding to incident light. Multiple image signals may be summed at the charge storage region. The second transistor may determine a portion of the image signal that may be sent to the capacitor for storage. The portion of the image signal that is sent to the capacitor may be a low gain signal. A remaining portion of the image signal may be a high gain signal. The image sensor pixel may also include readout circuitry that is configured to readout low and high gain signals stored at the floating diffusion node in a double-sampling readout operation.
US09942490B2

The present invention involves a CMOS image sensor including: a plurality of pixels distributed in a plurality of subsets, each subset defining a measurement support; and a circuit capable of implementing a compressive image sensing method, the method including: for a given integration time of the sensor pixels, reading, for each measurement support, a single output value based on the output values of a pseudo-random selection of one or a plurality of pixels of the support.
US09942484B2

A method for displaying an image in an electronic device provided. The method includes displaying an image and if a filter effect list request is input, dividing at least a portion of the image into a plurality of filter areas, and displaying a preview image in which different filter effects are applied to the plurality of filter areas.
US09942476B2

A panoramic image is to be easily generated.A driver 12 displaces at least one of a lens unit 11a and an image capturing element 21 with respect to an optical axis. A control unit 50 displaces, using the driver 12, at least one of the lens unit 11a and the image capturing element 21 in accordance with a motion of an image capturing apparatus 10. When generating a plurality of captured images while shifting an image capturing direction in order to generate a panoramic image from the plurality of captured images, the control unit 50 changes a position of the lens unit 11a and/or the image capturing element 21, the position being a position at the start of exposure of each of the captured images, in a direction set according to a direction in which the image capturing direction shifts, thereby performing correction of deviation caused by a motion of the image capturing apparatus.
US09942472B2

A photographing method including: displaying, at an image acquisition device, a scene that includes a first person; displaying, at the image acquisition device, a first score in the scene, wherein the first score is indicative of the first person's contentment with the way he or she looks in the scene; and acquiring, at the image acquisition device, a photograph of the scene when the first score is equal to or greater than a threshold value.
US09942454B2

An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed two-dimensionally, a driving unit that bends the image sensor, and a control unit that controls the driving unit to bend the image sensor at a predetermined curvature. The control unit controls the driving unit so that stress acting on the image sensor in the case where an image capture operation is not carried out is lower than stress acting on the image sensor in the case where an image capture operation is carried out.
US09942449B2

Novel methods and systems for image processing and gamut mapping are disclosed, where image parameters in a first color space are transformed into parameters in a second color space. In one example, the gamut mapping system processes the image parameters in a parametrized space using substantially rectangular spectral functions. In another example, the gamut mapping system processes the image parameters in a parametrized space using smooth spectral functions. The smooth spectral functions may include a linear combination of functions, including at least a cosine square function. Image parameters may include an intensity parameter, a center wavelength parameter, and a saturation parameter.
US09942448B2

A display control apparatus includes one or more processors, a conversion unit configured to convert a color of the image based on a predetermined condition, and a display control unit configured to perform control such that, in a case where a non-color-converted image is displayed in which the color of the non-color-converted image is not converted, a display item is displayed at a superimposed position at which the display item is superimposed on the image, and in a case where a color-converted image is displayed in which the color of the color-converted image is converted, the display item is displayed at a non-superimposed position at which the display item is not superimposed on the color-converted image.
US09942435B1

In order to mitigate image defects caused by unwanted disturbances as a carriage module travels from a continuous velocity transport module across a CVT ramp to a platen module, a bottom surface of the CVT ramp is recessed relative to bottom surfaces of the CVT glass and platen glass to facilitate a smooth transition as the CIS carriage passes the CVT ramp during scanning. An additional carriage button is also provided on the carriage surface to ensure that at least two carriage buttons are biased against the CVT-platen assembly at all times, thereby mitigating vibrational disturbance in the system during scanning motion. The carriage module may be a contact image sensor (CIS) carriage module, a Full Width Array (FWA) carriage module, or a folded Charged Coupled Device (CCD) carriage module.
US09942434B1

A document feeder includes a document loading unit loaded with a document thereon and supported to be movable between (i) a loading position where the document can be loaded and (ii) an opened position where a space at a lower side of the document loading unit in a direction of gravity is opened, a separation unit including a feed roller and a separation roller being in pressure contact with the feed roller, the separation unit that separates the document fed from the document loading unit by a nip between the feed roller and the separation roller, and a guide member that guides the document fed from the document loading unit to the nip of the separation unit. When the document loading unit moves to the opened position, the separation roller and the guide member move to be spaced apart from each other.
US09942431B2

An image forming apparatus capable of receiving a raster image from an image processing controller includes: a transmitting unit transmitting device information of the image forming apparatus to an external device via the image processing controller; a determining unit determining whether the image processing controller is in a first power condition or in a second power condition consuming lower power than the first power condition; and a control unit allowing the transmitting unit to transmit the device information to the external device in a case where the determining unit determines that the image processing controller is in the first power condition, and in a case where the determining unit determines that the image processing controller is in the second power condition, restrict the transmitting unit to transmit the device information to the external device until the image processing controller returns to the first power condition from the second power condition.
US09942428B2

A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
US09942426B2

A system comprising a multifunctional peripheral device comprising a processor and a display device, in which the display device presents to a user an electronic document, in which, with an editing module, the multifunctional peripheral device receives input indicating edits to be made to the electronic document, and in which the edits are saved as a separate image.
US09942422B2

An image forming apparatus includes: a display; a setting change determining section configured to, after the receipt of a command to execute a function, determine whether or not any of setting items for the function has been changed; a change frequency value storage section configured to store a change frequency value indicating a frequency of change of the individual setting item; a shortcut screen creating section configured to create one or more shortcut keys each for receiving a command to change one of the setting items in different sizes depending upon the change frequency value stored in the change frequency value storage section and create a shortcut screen on which the shortcut keys are arranged; and a display control section configured to read the shortcut screen created by the shortcut screen creating section and allow the display to display the shortcut screen.
US09942410B2

A caller ID based call routing feature. A processing system in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) receives first identifying information for identifying the source of a telephone call and associates additional information stored in a memory with the first identifying information. The additional information may then be transmitted to the subscriber via the Internet for display. Another feature is a branch calling feature where the subscriber may program a processing system within the PSTN to forward an incoming call to two or more end units (e.g., telephones) simultaneously. If the call at an end unit is answered, answer supervision signaling is transmitted back to the processing system which then terminates all other calls. The processing system then connects the calling party to the subscriber. The branch calling may be made for any combination of local, long distance, and cellular telephone numbers.
US09942409B1

A system and method for translating a coding language for graphical scripts used by a communication routing system into a preferred language. The original script files are received, and translation and validation rules are applied to produce translated script files. The coding language may be translated into an intermediate language which may be translated into the preferred language. A cross-reference and nodes resource is queried to gather associated contextual information for understanding and analyzing the translated script files. The translated script files and the associated contextual information are stored in a database. Thereafter, in response to a query from a user, the database is searched for information of interest from the translated script files, and the information is reported. In one possible application, the technology facilitates performing a path analysis of an individual call flow in which all possible outcomes of a communication are determined from initiation to completion.
US09942407B2

A method, system, and computer program product for providing call loop detection and prevention for VoIP SIP based wholesale traffic termination when multiple carriers are involved in handling the same phone call is provided. A method of detecting a call loop includes receiving an originated call, determining whether an origination number of the originated call is a valid phone number, when the origination phone number is invalid, determining a number of calls in a Provisional State with an invalid origination number and the same destination number that were started during a time interval, when the origination phone number is valid, determining a number of calls with the same origination number and the same destination number that were started, but not answered, during the time interval, and when the number of calls per time interval exceeds a threshold for the number of calls, determining that a call loop has been detected.
US09942394B2

A system and method for communicating presence information that can include at a first server of a communication platform, receiving an authorization token of a first client application; verifying at least one permission associated with the authorization token; registering a presence status of the first client application upon verifying the at least one permission of the authorization token; at a second server of the communication platform, accepting an incoming communication request; retrieving communication instructions according to the incoming communication request; identifying an instruction to communicate with a communication destination of the first client application; accessing the presence status resource of the first client application; establishing communication with the first client application according to the accessed presence status resource.
US09942387B2

A method, apparatus and computer program for receiving first orientation signals indicative of orientation of a first portion of a body of an apparatus, which body is capable of being flexed during use of the apparatus at least by any of: bending; and twisting; the body having the first portion and a second portion that move with respect to each other when the body is being flexed; receiving second orientation signals indicative of orientation of the second portion of a body of an apparatus; and determining motion of at least one of the first portion and second portion based on the first orientation signals and the second orientation signals.
US09942385B2

A system and a method for preventing and/or limiting use of mobile devices are provided. The method includes receiving, by a mobile device, a message indicating that the mobile device is in a certain location, and determining a user-configured security policy of the mobile device based on the certain location. The method further includes at least one of disabling and enabling, by the mobile device, one or more functions of the mobile device based on the determined user-configured security policy.
US09942380B2

An electronic device and a method for data communication with such an electronic device. The electronic device combines, on the one hand, a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface, including an antenna and a circuit for generating a modulated electromagnetic wave, and on the other hand a user interface including a touch-sensitive display configured to present an object relating to a communication action executable by means of the NFC interface. A control unit connected to the NFC interface and the user interface, is configured to trigger the NFC interface to execute the communication action responsive to simultaneous detection of the presented object being touched and the NFC interface being in communicative connection with a second NFC interface of a second device.
US09942378B2

Disclosed is a display device and a method for implementing an incoming notification function with respect to an MHL signal source. The display device includes: a control module, configured to control, when the display device is in a non MHL signal source pattern, a first MHL interface transfer switch, disposed between a signal decoding processor and an MHL signal source interface of the display device, to be on, and configured to start a background monitoring module electrically connected to the first MHL interface transfer switch, and further configured to display, if an MHL signal source is monitored to be connected, incoming reminder information according to a pre-configured incoming notification information or switch a current signal source pattern of the display device to be the MHL signal source pattern; and the background monitoring module, configured to monitor whether the MHL signal source is connected.
US09942375B2

Digital imagery is composed or composited within a smartphone or other portable electronic device to merge foreground and background subject matter acquired simultaneously with different cameras or acquired at different times with the same camera. A processor stores the digital imagery along with information derived or used by an operation to differentiate the foreground subject matter from the background scene, which may be a digital matting operation, and/or may involve finding an edge or an outline of the foreground subject matter. The foreground subject matter and the background scene may be stored as different graphical layers in the memory. A user control such as a touchscreen may enable a user to select and resize or reposition the foreground subject matter on a background scene of a separately acquired image. The digital imagery may constitute a still image or a sequence of images representative of motion video.
US09942366B2

Techniques for presenting communication by two or more stations in a WLAN environment are provided. Specifically, methods are presented, that when taken alone or together, provide a device or group of devices with an efficient way for bandwidth adaptation using echo cancellation.
US09942362B2

Client requests for electronic files (e.g., requests for download from a website) can be leveraged by augmenting the electronic files with unique identifiers and/or enriching (e.g., dynamic) content, and tracking distribution or usage of the files based on network requests associated with the electronic files, such as attempts to upload a previously downloaded file or content requests originating from links included in the augmented electronic files.
US09942361B2

Distributed applications are monitored and page composition metrics are reported in terms of a plurality of phases of a page loading lifecycle. The phases may include first byte received, page rendering time, onload time, post page load time, and other phases. For each phase, data regarding different types of requests may be reported. Data regarding AJAX and iFrame requests may be reported for each phase in a page load, providing more information regarding what is loaded and when. The data may be provided in a graphical ‘cascade’ format based on the phase. Information for AJAX, iFrame and other requests may include the number of such requests occurring in each phase, the average execution time of the requests, and other data. The requests and phases can be determined for multiple types of browsers based on data collection techniques compatible for each particular browser.
US09942360B2

A system includes hardware processors and a token exchange module configured to create a uniquely identified first digital token including an owner ID field identifying the current possessor of the digital token, associate the first digital token with digital content presented to the first user in a mixed reality environment, present the digital within the MR environment, make the first digital token available for acquisition, receive a request to acquire the first digital token, assign possession of the first digital token, via the owner ID field, to the first unique user ID of the first user based on the request to acquire the first digital token, receive a request to transfer the first digital token from the first user to the second user, the second user having a second unique user ID, and changing the owner ID field to the second unique user ID based on the request to transfer.
US09942349B2

A method for incrementally fingerprinting a computing device includes steps for executing device-identification code programmed to retrieve a complete set of device configuration metrics from a web browser of the computing device, interrupting execution of the device-identification code after retrieval of a first subset of the device configuration metrics, generating a partial device fingerprint from the first subset, generating a temporary device identifier from the partial device fingerprint, and generating a subset indicator identifying the device configuration metrics that compose the first subset. Additional steps include writing the temporary device identifier and the subset indicator to browser-based storage of the computing device, resuming execution of the device-identification code, querying the browser-based storage for presence of the temporary device identifier, and retrieving, responsive to detecting the temporary device identifier, a second subset of the device configuration metrics, the second subset comprising device configuration metrics not identified by the subset indicator.
US09942344B2

Certain examples described herein relate to configuring a call control context in a media gateway. The media gateway has a set of digital signal processors, each having one or more digital signal processor cores. The cores implement digital signal processor channels that are grouped into digital signal processor contexts. When a request to configure a call control context is received, certain examples described herein are configured to assign a set of digital signal processor contexts to process data streams associated with the call control context. In particular, certain examples described herein couple a first digital signal processor context to at least a second digital signal processor context using at least one digital signal processor channel in each of the first and second digital signal processor contexts.
US09942331B2

A method to connect an application to an application service includes accessing code corresponding to an application to determine a reference to an application service, determining a service connection driver corresponding to the application service, invoking the service connection driver, and receiving connection information in response to the service connection driver establishing a service connection between the application and the application service. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
US09942330B2

Session Manager anti-looping creates a model that is an effective barrier to looping, efficiently identifying a loop condition by maintaining temporary individual call counters for header sets within temporal parameters and terminating the loop condition upon detection. The system provides an administrator with adjustable parameters for loop detection count and loop detection interval, thereby allowing protection against loop conditions, both inadvertent and intentional.
US09942328B2

A system and method are described for implementing latched attributes within an IoT system. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: specifying an attribute for each of a plurality of items of data managed in an Internet of Things (IoT) device and/or an IoT service, at least some of the attributes comprising latched attributes having a current value and an indication of state changes to the latched attribute over a period of time; when an IoT device is unable to connect with the IoT service for a period of time maintaining an indication of any state changes occurring to the latched attribute over the period of time; upon establishing a successful connection between the IoT device and the IoT service after the period of time, transmitting the indication of state changes of the latched attribute from the IoT device to the IoT service; and analyzing the indication of state changes to determine whether to generate an alert condition on the IoT service.
US09942326B1

An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a plurality of compute nodes each having a processor coupled to a memory. The apparatus further comprises a storage system configured for communication with the compute nodes over at least one network, with the storage system comprising a software-defined storage controller configured to implement an in-memory database accessible as a unified memory cluster to respective processors of the compute nodes. The in-memory database comprises portions of respective memories of the compute nodes. The in-memory database may be expanded, for example, using an additional portion of the memory of one of the compute nodes, responsive to an overflow event associated with the memory of another one of the compute nodes. The compute nodes may illustratively comprise respective analysis nodes that run respective applications configured to utilize analytics functionality of the in-memory database. Other illustrative embodiments include systems, methods and processor-readable storage media.
US09942317B2

Technologies for establishing and utilizing a decentralized cloud infrastructure using a plurality of mobile computing devices include broadcasting for the formation of the decentralized cloud computing and storage infrastructure and establishing wireless communications between the plurality of mobile computing devices. The plurality of mobile computing devices self-organize and cooperate with one another to establish a structured decentralized cloud infrastructure to expose and sharing resources, services, and/or applications for ad hoc or socially-driven decentralized, cloud computing purposes.
US09942315B2

Techniques are described for anonymous peer storage. In one example, techniques include invoking an action of backing up one or more files utilizing distributed storage for a node Ni in a multi-node network; encrypting the one or more files into a combined encrypted file with a private key required to decrypt the combined encrypted file; splitting the combined encrypted file into Pi portions (P1, P2 . . . Pn) and associating a file identifier Fi to each Pi; anonymously distributing the Pi portions and associated identifier Fi to other nodes Nj and Nk wherein each of j and k is different from i; retaining a look up file containing for the each Pi, the (Nj, Nk) pairs, the Fi, and the private key for future retrieval and decryption; and responsive to receiving an anonymous request containing the Fi by one of the Nj and the Nk, returning the Pi.
US09942314B2

In a computer system having multiple servers, services are coordinated among nodes as a result of each node tracking the node state of each other node (such as the services it currently performs) and performing coordinator functions (such as controlling which servers provide which services) only if it determines itself to be a coordinator node and only if all nodes are in agreement as to the node state of every node. Each node communicates, to each of the other nodes, its node state, a coordinator node identifier indicating which node it has determined to be the coordinator node, and a global state of all nodes it determines based on the node states and coordinator nodes of all the nodes. A node performs coordinator functions only if it is a coordinator node and only if all nodes have the same global state.
US09942307B2

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided comprising: determining if a portion of a script of web application code within a web application is migratable to a remote infrastructure, wherein the portion of the script contains one or more functions; and modifying the portion of the script if the portion of the script is migratable, such that execution of the portion of the script results in the one or more functions being executed on the remote infrastructure, wherein the remote infrastructure is not restricted to the device on which the web application was designed or distributed.
US09942294B1

A data storage device may comprise a network interface configured to couple to a computer network; a memory configured to store at least one of a first, second and third media file, at least two of the first to third media files being configured differently from one another; and a processor coupled to the memory and to the network interface. The processor may be configured to generate a media stream by at least sequentially applying at least one filter to one or more of the first to third media files; sequentially reformatting one or more of the first to third media files such that each or some substantially conforms to a common format; ordering the filtered and/or reformatted media files according to a selectable metric; aggregating the media files together to generate the media stream; and making the media stream accessible to the computer network over the network interface.
US09942285B2

Techniques described herein may be used to enable a user to have a call transferred between user devices regardless of how the user devices are connected to a wireless telecommunications network. For example, a user may register a first and second user device for a service that allows calls to be transferred between the user devices. A server may detect a call involving the first user device and may identify the second user device based on the prior registration. The server may detect a type of connection between the second user device and the wireless telecommunications network and may notify the second user device of the call based on the type of connection detected. In response to the notification, the user may request that the call be transferred to the second user device, and the server may cause the call to be transferred accordingly.
US09942284B2

Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for recording WebRTC communications at a network edge. In a particular embodiment a method provides, in an edge system of a communication network, receiving identification information that identifies a first endpoint and a second endpoint between which a first WebRTC communication will be established. The method further provides establishing the first WebRTC communication between the first and second endpoints through the edge system using the identification information. Also, the method provides identifying packets for the first WebRTC communication and recording the packets to a storage system.
US09942278B2

An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit, a storage unit, and a controller. The communication unit communicates with a service on a network in which a plurality of users are capable of participating and devices of the plurality of the users. The storage unit stores user information on the plurality of users and device information on the devices of the plurality of users in relation to each other. A controller controls the communication unit so that the communication obtains, from the service, social graph information, generates group information on a group consisting of a plurality of users, generates a partial network including devices of users in the group based on the generated group information, the stored user information, and the stored device information, and controls communication between the devices in the generated partial network.
US09942268B1

The disclosed computer-implemented method for thwarting unauthorized attempts to disable security managers within runtime environments may include (1) monitoring a runtime environment that (A) facilitates execution of an application and (B) includes a security manager that prevents the application from performing unauthorized actions while running within the runtime environment, (2) detecting, while monitoring the runtime environment, an attempt to disable the security manager such that the security manager no longer prevents the application from performing the unauthorized actions, (3) identifying a source of the attempt to disable the security manager, (4) determining that the source of the attempt is not authorized to disable the security manager, and then (5) blocking the attempt to disable the security manager such that the security manager continues to prevent the application from performing the unauthorized actions while running within the runtime environment. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09942264B1

The disclosed computer-implemented method for improving forest-based malware detection within an organization may include (i) receiving, at a backend computing system, organization data from at least one organization computing device within an organization computer network, (ii) adjusting, at the backend computing system, a general use forest model based on the organization data to generate an organization-specific forest model for detecting malicious computer files within the organization computer network, and (iii) sending, from the backend computing system, the organization-specific forest model to the at least one organization computing device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09942258B2

Protecting a runtime Web service application. A web service application is instrumented to log its operation and allow recreation of its execution trace. Trace point vulnerabilities are identified using one or more data payloads. Candidate trace point operations associated with the trace point vulnerabilities are identified. Supplementary candidate operations are computed based on the existing trace point operations and the one or more data payloads. The Web service application is further instrumented with the one or more supplementary candidate operations.
US09942249B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus is configured to communicate a first plurality of phishing emails to a first plurality of users, each phishing email of the first plurality of phishing emails is of a first type or a second type. The apparatus is configured to determine a first response rate of the first plurality of users to phishing emails of the first type and to determine a second response rate of the first plurality of users to phishing emails of the second type. The apparatus is configured to determine a second plurality of phishing emails comprising phishing emails of the first type and the second type, wherein an aggregate response rate of a second plurality of users to the second plurality of phishing emails is predicted to be closer to a target response rate than one or more of the first response rate and the second response rate.
US09942246B2

A computerized method of preemptive event handling, The method comprises monitoring, in run time at kernel level, a plurality of events of a plurality of processes executed by an operating system (OS) running on a computing device, detecting, in run time, a first event of the plurality of events, the first event being performed by a first process of the plurality of processes on the computing device, classifying, in run time, the first process as a malware in response to the detection of the first event, and preventing, in run time, the first process from running on the computing device before the first event is processed by the OS.
US09942216B2

A method for routing IP packets with IPSec AH authentication is disclosed. The method includes locating overlay edge routers between private domains and their associated NAT routers. Outbound packets from a source private domain are modified by its overlay edge router to include IPSec AH authorization data computed using IP source and destination addresses that match a packet's final source and destination IP address upon final NAT translation immediately prior to delivery to a host of a destination private domain.
US09942211B1

Performing cryptographic operations such as encryption and decryption may be computationally expensive. In some contexts, initialization vectors and keystreams operable to perform encryption operations are generated and stored in a repository, and later retrieved for use in performing encryption operations. Multiple devices in a distributed system can each generate and store a subset of a larger set of keystreams.
US09942209B2

Technologies for secure I/O redirection include a provider device, a consumer device, an authentication server, and a messaging server. The provider device and the consumer device establish an authenticated I/O redirect pairing. The authentication server authenticates the consumer device, and, if authenticated, generates a pairing identifier and provides the pairing identifier to the provider device and the consumer device. The redirect pairing is associated with the shared pairing identifier, a shared encryption key, and one or more shared message topics. The provider device and the consumer device subscribe to the messaging server as publisher and/or listener using the shared message topics. The provider device and the consumer device encrypt I/O data using the shared encryption key and encapsulate the encrypted I/O data into messages using the shared message topics. The provider device and the consumer device exchange the messages using the messaging server. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09942205B2

An improved method and system for digital rights management is described.
US09942204B2

A provider computer announces content to the provider computer and establishes a secure connection to a VPN server. Requests for the content are received in one protocol (HTTPS) from the consumer computer and forwarded to the VPN server in a less secure protocol (HTTP) by a protocol conversion proxy, which then forwards the request to the provider computer. A public URL and secure URL may be associated with the same content. The public URL is announced to a consumer computer. A public server receives the public URL and returns the secure URL, which consumer computer uses to establish a secure connection to the provider computer. Upon the secure URL being compromised, a new secure URL is associated with the public URL. The source IP addresses of requests for the public and secure URLs may be compared to determine whether the secure URL is compromised.
US09942202B2

Techniques for trust status of a communication session are described. According to various embodiments, different networks cooperate to facilitate routing of communication sessions between different devices. According to various embodiments, a network involved in routing a communication session ascertains whether an authentication status of a communication session is received, and categorizes a trust status of the communication session accordingly.
US09942199B2

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that provides a virtual private network (VPN). The system includes a routing apparatus on a public network. The routing apparatus accepts a first connection with a client on the VPN and a second connection with a gateway in a private network extended by the VPN. Next, the routing apparatus receives a first set of packets from the client over the first connection, wherein the first set of packets is encrypted. The routing apparatus then routes the first set of packets to the gateway. The system also includes the gateway, which establishes the second connection with the routing apparatus. Next, the gateway decrypts the first set of packets and routes the decrypted first set of packets to a host in the private network.
US09942194B1

Methods, systems and computer program products to communicate using a synthetic Media Access Control (synMAC) addresses are provided. The method includes receiving a first message assigning a first synMAC address and a second synMAC address to the device and storing the first synMAC address and the second synMAC address in a memory. The method further includes receiving a second message and processing the second message when the second message includes the first synMAC address or the second synMAC address.
US09942180B2

A system and method for private text chatting. A request to a remote device to establish a private text chat session is either sent or received. Based on the sending or receiving, an acceptance from the remote device accepting the request is received. Based on the sending or receiving, a separate user interface to conduct the private text chat session is presented. Private text chat messages are exchanged in association with the private text chat session based on and subsequent to the receiving and the presenting.
US09942173B2

One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a port to couple to a second switch. The switch also includes a control mechanism configured to maintain a set of configuration information for a virtual cluster switch which includes a number of member switches. The set of configuration information includes global configuration information for the virtual cluster switch and switch-specific configuration information for one or more member switches. In addition, the set of configuration information is replicated and stored at each member switch.
US09942168B2

The use of traffic flag symbols allows a large number of CPEs to transmit traffic notifications to a network controller. In some such embodiments, hundreds of CPEs simultaneously transmit traffic flags on different subcarriers of a channel. For example, in a MoCA2 based access network, up to 480 CPEs can transmit flags in only 5 μs in the 100 MHz-wide channel.
US09942162B2

Provided are methods and systems for load balancing client requests between sites associated with a domain name. A method comprises determining a first active response delay time between a local Domain Name System (DNS) server and a first site. The method further comprises determining a first application response delay time between the first site and one or more first servers associated with the first site. According to the method, the first active response delay time and the first application response delay time are compounded to produce a first compounded response delay time. The method further comprises determining a second active response delay time and a second application response delay for a second site to produce a second compounded response delay time. The first compounded response delay time and the second compounded response delay time are compared to perform load balancing between the first site and the second site.
US09942160B2

Efficient logging in a control system is provided. A temporary history record corresponding to a message transaction placed onto a message queue data structure is generated. A total processing time for the received message transaction is determined. The total processing time is compared with a previously determined peak processing time value. In response to determining that the total processing time exceeds the previously determined peak processing time value, the temporary history record corresponding to the received message transaction is stored in an event log.
US09942158B2

An information handling system (IHS) network includes a switch IHS that coupled together a plurality of server IHSs. A source software-defined (SD) virtual appliance is located on one of the plurality of server IHSs. A destination SD virtual appliance is located on one of the plurality of server IHSs. An SD network controller is located on at least one of the plurality of server IHSs. The SD network controller is configured to receive a data traffic flow identifier and policy information that is associated with at least one data traffic flow policy from the source SD virtual appliance. The SD network controller determines a plurality of ports located between the source SD virtual appliance and the destination SD virtual appliance using the data traffic flow identifier. The SD network controller then configures each of the plurality of ports using the at least one data traffic flow policy.
US09942156B1

Exemplary embodiments allocate network traffic among multiple paths in a network, which may include one or more preferred paths (e.g. shortest paths) and one or more alternative paths (e.g., non-shortest paths). In one embodiment, network traffic in form of flows may be allocated to the preferred paths until the allocation of additional network traffic would exceed a predetermined data rate. Additional flows may then be sent over the alternative paths, which may be longer than the preferred path. The paths to which each flow is assigned may be dynamically updated, and in some embodiments the path assignment for a particular flow may time out after a predetermined time. Accordingly, the flow traffic of each path may be balanced based on real-time traffic information.
US09942154B2

A method of operating a network that contains a plurality of nodes is disclosed. The plurality of nodes include a first node and a second node with the first and second nodes being connected via a first path and a second path that are different. The method includes operating the network in first and second modes of operation. In the first mode, traffic between the first and second nodes is transmitted over the first path and not the second path. In the second mode, traffic is transmitted over the first and second paths. The mode of operation is selected based upon a level of traffic between the first and second nodes.
US09942153B2

A multiple persistent load balancer system includes a routing sub-network having a plurality of routing sub-network nodes that are coupled to a plurality of load balancer devices. A controller provides a common routing algorithm and a destination distribution list to each of the routing sub-network nodes and the load balancer devices. A first persistent load balancer device receives a first data flow from at least one of the routing sub-network nodes, and uses the common routing algorithm and the destination distribution list to determine whether the first data flow should be redirected to a second persistent load balancer device. If not, the first persistent load balancer device processes the first data flow to retrieve a resource from a server. If so, the first persistent load balancer device forwards the first data flow through at least one of the sub-network nodes to the second persistent load balancer device.
US09942152B2

Methods and systems are provided for forwarding data packets in a service network using a service-based policy. A gateway node may receive data packets from a service session and send the data packets for a forwarding node. The forwarding node may match the service session data packet against a service address and forwarding policy, the forwarding policy being based on capabilities and service configurations of the servicing nodes in the service network. Forwarding node may then forward the service session data packet to a servicing node in accordance with the forwarding policy, and send the service session data packet to a server for processing.
US09942148B1

In general, techniques are described for enhancing operations of virtual networks. In some examples, a network system includes a plurality of servers interconnected by a switch fabric comprising a plurality of switches interconnected to form a physical network. Each of the servers comprises an operating environment executing one or more virtual machines in communication via one or more virtual networks. The servers comprise a set of virtual routers configured to extend the virtual networks to the operating environments of the virtual machines. A virtual router of the set of virtual routers is configured to aggregate a plurality of inbound tunnel packets according to a same virtual network identifier in order to generate an aggregate tunnel packet. The virtual router is further configured to route the aggregate tunnel packet to a host associated with a virtual network identified by the same virtual network identifier.
US09942144B1

Techniques are described for supporting Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) link aggregation groups (LAGs) between a server and a data center switch in a data center. The techniques enable an access switch in the data center switch to assign class identifiers to each member link in an FCoE LAG between an FCoE node (Enode) of the server and the access switch. In this way, the access switch is able to redirect FCoE traffic from a Fiber Channel forwarder (FCF) of a storage area network (SAN) toward the Enode on the correct member link of the FCoE LAG. The techniques also enable scaling of FCoE initialization protocol (FIP) and FCoE sessions by installing FIP snooping filters that use on a source media access control (MAC) address hit determination in ingress filter processors (IFPs) of the access switch to avoid session limitations of virtual local area network (VLAN) filter processors (VFPs).
US09942142B2

Packet transmission techniques are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes receiving a packet that identifies an internet protocol (IP) address assigned to more than one destination node; selecting a virtual routing and forwarding table based, at least in part, on a segmentation identification in the packet; identifying a designated destination node in the packet based, at least in part, on the selected virtual routing and forwarding table; and transmitting the packet to the designated destination node.
US09942137B2

A network component comprising a generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) control plane controller configured to implement a method comprising transmitting a message to at least one adjacent control plane controller, wherein the message comprises a Type-Length-Value (TLV) indicating Routing and Wavelength Assignment (RWA) information, wherein the TLV comprises a Node Attribute TLV, a Link Set TLV, or both, and wherein the TLV further comprises at least one sub-TLV indicating additional RWA information. A method comprising communicating an open shortest path first (OSPF) link state advertisement (LSA) message comprising a TLV with at least one sub-TLV to a GMPLS control plane controller, wherein the TLV comprises a Node Attribute TLV, a Link Set TLV, or both, and wherein the TLV further comprises at least one sub-TLV indicating RWA information.
US09942128B2

A method of determining a path in an optical server network (31) comprises obtaining an indication of an amount of premium traffic from a client network (21). The method further comprises considering paths (48) utilising an elastic capability of one or more network elements (30) of the optical server network, and selecting a path from the considered paths, wherein the path is selected based at least partially on having at least a capacity to carry the amount of premium traffic.
US09942127B2

The proposed methodology enables finding the most efficient roots in the network to carry multicast traffic, while further providing a theoretical basis for such selection. It guarantees the minimum expected delivery cost for multicast frames in the absence of any knowledge about the source and receivers.
US09942121B2

Embodiments are provided for ephemeral eventing. Ephemeral eventing may involve sending metadata portions associated with content items from a user device to a content management system prior to uploading the content portions of the content items. The content management system may then assign the content items to one or more events. The event assignments may then be sent back to the user device, allowing the content items to be locally displayed according to their events as if the content items had already been uploaded to the content management system.
US09942118B1

A computing system includes one or more processors and memory that includes instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to receive, by a sentinel device of a data interface of a distributed computing environment, command instructions that instruct a plurality of networking devices to change state to implement network configuration requests from a synchronization node of a distribution interface of the distributed computing environment utilizing a communication protocol. The data interface includes a networking group that includes the sentinel device and the edge devices. The instructions also cause the processors to identify, by the sentinel device, distribution latency patterns of the command instructions based on distribution delay of the command instructions and generate, by the sentinel device, an alarm based on a determination that the distribution delay of one of the command instructions exceeds a threshold value.
US09942107B2

A computer system includes a plurality of computer nodes, each including an external communications unit. An application unit executes processing in accordance with a processing request. A synchronization unit establishes synchronization of the processing between each computer node and other computer nodes. The processing is executed by each computer node, and an inter-node communications unit executes transmission/reception of information between each computer node and the other computer nodes. The synchronization unit transmits the processing request to the other computer nodes via the inter-node communications unit, the processing request being received by the external communications unit. Also, the synchronization unit receives processing requests from the other computer nodes as well via the inter-node communications unit. Based on the number of the computer nodes that have received the same processing request via the external communications units, the synchronization unit selects a processing request that should be executed by the application unit.
US09942103B2

A method for predicting a computerized service delivery organization workload including collecting data of a computer implementing service delivery routine including overlapping samples of load values, overlapping samples of performance values, overlapping samples of event outputs, ticket values and ticket volumes, building a first correlation of said load values with said performance values for predicting new performance values based on new data, building a second correlation of said performance values with said event outputs, said ticket values and said ticket volumes, combining said first and second correlations into a third correlation for correlating said load values with a ticket volume and an event volume, and determining at least one projected event volume or projected ticket volume value using said third correlation and at least one projected load value of said computer.
US09942102B2

A change to a state of a particular managed server within an administrative domain is processed. The administrative domain includes a plurality of managed servers that use management instructions to configure management modules so that the configured management modules implement an administrative domain-wide management policy that comprises a set of one or more rules. A first description of the particular managed server is modified to indicate the particular managed server's changed state, thereby specifying a second description of the particular managed server. The unmodified first description is compared to the second description, thereby specifying a description change. A determination is made, based on the description change, regarding whether to update management instructions previously sent to the particular managed server.
US09942081B2

Embodiments are provided for guard band utilization for synchronous and asynchronous communications in wireless networks. A user equipment (UE) or a network component transmits symbols on data bands assigned for primary communications. The data bands are separated by a guard band having smaller bandwidth than the data bands. The UE or network component further modulates symbols for secondary communications with a spectrally contained wave form, which has a smaller bandwidth than the guard band. The spectrally contained wave form is achieved with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation or with joint OFDM and Offset Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (OQAM) modulation. The modulated symbols for the secondary communications are transmitted within the guard band.
US09942072B1

A wireless communications device may include a wireless receiver, and an adaptive demodulator coupled to the wireless receiver. The adaptive demodulator is configured to apply first and second bandpass filters to amplitude information of a received signal at first and second frequency bands, respectively, and classify the received signal as one of a PSK modulation type, a second PSK modulation type, and a third FSK modulation type based upon whether a tone exists in the amplitude information of the received signal in one or more of the first and second frequency bands. The adaptive demodulator is configured to adjust a demodulating parameter based upon a classified modulation type of the received signal.
US09942054B2

An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a customer edge device coupled to a provider edge device. The customer edge device provides a default virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) instance that receives a multicast stream from the provider edge device. The information handling system also includes a plurality of host devices and a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs). Each of the VLANs includes at least one of the host devices and is assigned to a subscribing VRF instance, with each of the subscribing VRF instances subscribing to the default VRF instance in order to receive a copy of the multicast stream from the provider edge device. The single copy of the multicast stream is transmitted over the PE-CE link regardless of the number of subscribing VRFs.
US09942052B2

Provided is a method by a user equipment (UE) for providing a sponsoring service in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: determining at least one UE to be provided with the sponsoring service, accessing to a server providing the sponsoring service, and registering to the server providing the sponsoring service; and transmitting a request of the sponsoring service comprising identification information of the at least one UE, to the server providing the sponsoring service.
US09942048B2

A method for distributed trust authentication of one or more users attempting to access one or more service providers operating on a network includes performing primary authentication of a user using a first authentication factor, generating a first partial digital signature for a first authentication response to the primary authentication, performing secondary authentication of the user using a second authentication factor, generating a second partial digital signature for the second authentication response to the secondary authentication, combining the first and second partial digital signatures to form a composite digital signature, and validating the composite digital signature.
US09942038B2

Various embodiments relate to a device for generating code which implements modular exponentiation, the device including: a memory used to store a lookup table; and a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to: receive information for a generated randomized addition chain; output code for implementing the modular exponentiation which loads elements from the lookup table including intermediate results which utilize the information for a generated randomized addition chain; and output code for implementing the modular exponentiation which uses the loaded elements to compute the next element.
US09942024B2

An example communication system comprises a media access control (MAC) scheduler in a cable network, and a full band transceiver. The MAC scheduler implements a two-dimensional transmission-reception (T-R) coordination scheme among a plurality of cable modems in the cable network. According to the T-R coordination scheme, the cable modems are categorized into interference groups, such that no cable modem of any one interference group transmits upstream in a frequency range simultaneously as another cable modem in the same interference group receives downstream in the frequency range, facilitating full duplex communication in the cable network across the frequency range. The full band transceiver implements an adaptive interference cancellation scheme, which suppresses at a receiver of the respective component, a signal transmitted by a transmitter of the respective component. The communication system further includes a full band amplifier, implementing the adaptive interference cancellation scheme and a ringing suppression scheme with echo cancellation.
US09942022B2

This invention relates to a proposal of an uplink resource assignment format and a downlink resource assignment format. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the new uplink/downlink resource assignments in methods for (de)activation of downlink component carrier(s) configured for a mobile terminal, a base station and a mobile terminal. To enable efficient and robust (de)activation of component carriers, while minimizing the signaling overhead, the invention proposes a new uplink/downlink resource assignment format that allow the activation/deactivation of individual downlink component carriers configured for a mobile. The new uplink or downlink resource assignment comprises an indication of the activation state of the configured downlink component carriers, i.e., indicate which downlink component carrier(s) is/are to be activated or deactivated. This indication is for example implemented by means of a bit-mask that indicates which of the configured uplink component carriers are to be activated respectively deactivated.
US09942017B2

Techniques for facilitating and performing frequency-offset estimation are disclosed. The disclosed techniques include methods and apparatus for maintaining phase coherence among reference symbols on different transmission-time intervals (TTI) for an accurate estimation of frequency offset. Corresponding techniques utilize channel estimation or measurements of channel-related parameters based on multiple reference symbols belonging to different TTIs. An example method in a radio transceiver for facilitating frequency offset estimation at a remote receiver begins with determining that phase coherence between reference symbol transmissions in a first TTI and a second TTI is required. The radio transceiver selectively maintains phase coherence between reference symbol transmissions in the first and second TTIs, in response to said determining. The radio transceiver then transmits during at least part of a third TTI, following the second TTI, without maintaining phase coherence to the reference symbol transmissions in the first and second TTIs.
US09942015B2

This disclosure relates to orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication in wireless local area networks (WLANs). According to some embodiments, an indication may be transmitted to receiving devices that a first frame is an OFDMA frame. Channel information indicating allocation of bandwidth portions of the first frame to respective receiving devices may also be transmitted to the receiving devices. The first frame may be transmitted to the receiving devices, including transmitting data to each respective receiving device on the bandwidth portion(s) allocated to the respective receiving device.
US09942014B1

Provided is a cooperative multimedia communication system. The source node includes a first hierarchical modulation constellation diagram, modulates two data streams and transmits a first signal and a second signal. The relay node includes a protection-level-exchanging modulation and a second hierarchical modulation constellation diagram, modulates the second signal to generate a third signal and transmits the third signal. The destination node receives the first signal and the third signal and performs optimal decoding. The present disclosure designs a pair of optimal hierarchical constellation diagrams respectively for the source node and the relay node. Moreover, the present disclosure further provides a cooperative multimedia communication method.
US09942003B2

An apparatus in a network such as an optical passive network (PON) includes a first decoder configured to decode an encoded data signal using a first code to generate a decoded signal. When the encoded data signal comprises unknown information that was not successfully decoded by the first decoder and would otherwise be ignored, the unknown information is included in the decoded signal. The apparatus may further include a second decoder configured to decode the decoded signal using a stronger code than the first code.
US09941997B2

A method and system, in a long term evolution architecture utilizing adaptive modulation and coding requiring periodic channel quality indication reports, the method having the steps of: waiting for an idle channel indication; and upon detection of the idle channel indication, decreasing the rate of periodic channel quality indication reports.
US09941991B2

Aspects of the disclosure provide systems and methods which avoid the negative effects of Spectral Hole Burning when spectral changes are made for an optical communication system (OCS). Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems which preform spectral holes for the range of wavelength channels expected to be used in the OCS. Embodiments include a configurable idle tone source for providing power to each of a set of idle tone wavelengths distributed across the spectral band used in the optical communication system. The configurable idle tone source is communicatively coupled to an output fiber of an optical network element and controlled such that optical power is present in the output optical fiber at each one of the set of idle tone wavelengths.
US09941985B2

The present invention provides a method of transmitting broadcast signals. The method includes, formatting input streams into Data Pipe, DP, data; Low-Density Parity-Check, LDPC, encoding the DP data according to a code rate; bit interleaving the LDPC encoded DP data; mapping the bit interleaved DP data onto constellations according to one of QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), NUQ (Non-Uniform QAM) or NUC (Non-Uniform Constellation); Multi-Input Multi-Output, MIMO, encoding the mapped DP data by using a MIMO encoding matrix having a MIMO encoding parameter; building at least one signal frame by mapping the MIMO encoded DP data; and modulating data in the built signal frame by an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, method and transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data.
US09941976B2

A high data rate, high sensitivity, low power optical link using low-bandwidth components and low-bandwidth E/O drivers and receivers and method of building same. The method is based on the idea of making the optical part of the link look like a bandwidth limited lossy electrical channel, so that the powerful equalization methods used in the wireline electrical links can be applied to recover the transmitted data in a situation with low bandwidth and/or high loss and strong inter-symbol interference. Linear and non-linear optical channel components, E/O drivers and receivers can benefit from the apparatus and the methods of the invention.
US09941973B2

A phase modulator with reduced Residual Amplitude Modulation includes a main path; a correction path; a first coupler configured to split, at a first ratio, an input to the main path and the correction path; and a second coupler configured to combine outputs from the main path and the correction path and to split the combined outputs, at a second ratio, with a first output comprising an output of the phase modulator with the reduced Residual Amplitude Modulation. The correction path can include a correction signal with a proper amplitude and phase that, when combined with an output signal from the main path by the second coupler, cancels the Residual Amplitude Modulation from the output signal.
US09941967B2

A system for reducing the cost and increasing the rate and reliability of data transmission from space to ground includes a network of relay satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Each relay satellite is configured to receive data from one or more client satellites, and configured to transmit data from LEO to ground using optical communications. The system may also include multiple optical ground stations configured to receive the data and transmit the received data using terrestrial networks to client locations. The network may provide an alternative to downlinking large amounts of data for new satellite operators without an existing ground network and for established satellite operators seeking higher data rates, lower latency, or reduced ground system operating costs.
US09941966B2

The present invention provides a method for information exchange in an access network, an apparatus, and a system, and relates to the communications field. The method includes: receiving, by an access device, a configuration command from a network management server; converting the configuration command into an OpenFlow-protocol-based openflow message; and sending the openflow message to a terminal device, so that the terminal device configures an openflow flow table according to the openflow message.
US09941965B2

Techniques for charging and optical communication with electronic devices are provided. Specifically, systems and methods to provide charging through laser or optical means and to provide optical communications are presented. Even more specifically, in one embodiment, the systems and methods comprise standard USB interfaces, USB protocols and USB connectors.
US09941964B2

A digital credential is generated for a user device. The digital credential is transmitted to the user device via an optical wireless communication access point (OWC AP). The user device is located in a coverage area of the OWC AP. The digital credential is provided to a wireless local area network (WLAN AP) associated with the OWC AP for authentication of a request from the user device to access the WLAN.
US09941952B2

A satellite terminal and a machine-implemented method are provided for encoding a burst header of a burst for transmission on an inroute. One component of a group of satellite terminal components consisting of an ASIC, a FPGA, and a DSP, generates a burst header having five information bits encoded therein. The five information bits may be encoded using a Reed-Muller code, a (32, 5) block code or a convolutional code having a code rate of either 1/5 or 1/10. The five information bits may represent one or more of a modulation type for a payload of the burst, a code rate for encoding the payload, a code type, and a spreading factor for spreading the payload during transmission. A satellite gateway and a machine-implemented method are also provided for decoding a burst header of a burst received on an inroute as described above.
US09941949B2

A method of managing wirelessly transmitted use-data in a wireless data transmission environment, the method comprising: Receiving the wirelessly transmitted use-data by a first receiver and estimating a reception quality of the use-data received by the first receiver by applying a quality criterion. In case the reception quality meets the quality criterion, the method moreover comprises using a second receiver for background scanning the wireless data transmission environment, and in case the reception quality does not meet the quality criterion, the method moreover comprises using the second receiver additionally for reception of the use-data, thus providing both receivers for a diversity reception of the use-data.
US09941937B1

Example near-field electromagnetic induction (NFEMI) antenna, including: an electric antenna having a first surface and a second surface; a magnetic antenna having a first, second and third coils; a first feeding connection coupled to one end of the first coil and the first surface; a second feeding connection coupled to another end of the first coil and coupled to one end of the second coil; wherein another end of the second coil is coupled to one end of the third coil; wherein another end of the third coil is coupled to the second surface; wherein the first, second and third coils are configured to carry a time varying current from the first and second feeding connections in a same direction; wherein the first and second coils are configured to have a first coupling coefficient; and wherein the first and third coils are configured to have a second coupling coefficient.
US09941935B2

An electronic device includes an antenna, an irremovable component, a removable component, an impedance matching circuit, and a controller. The impedance matching circuit is arranged in a first configuration corresponding to the removable component connected to the irremovable component. The impedance matching circuit has a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor. The controller is configured to arrange the impedance matching circuit in a second configuration corresponding to the removable component being disconnected from the irremovable component.
US09941929B2

Embodiments of methods and systems for supporting coexistence of multiple technologies in a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. A long coexistence preamble sequence may be transmitted by a device that has been forced to back off the PLC channel multiple times. The long coexistence sequence provides a way for the device to request channel access from devices on the channel using other technology. The device may transmit a data packet after transmitting the long coexistence preamble sequence. A network duty cycle time may also be defined as a maximum allowed duration for nodes of the same network to access the channel. When the network duty cycle time occurs, all nodes will back off the channel for a duty cycle extended inter frame space before transmitting again. The long coexistence preamble sequence and the network duty cycle time may be used together.
US09941925B1

Reference sequence re-modulation techniques and systems are disclosed. A communication system includes a communication data path having a demodulation module configured to demodulate a modulated signal. The system also includes a re-modulation module configured to receive an output message from the communication data path and re-modulate the output message to produce a re-modulated reference sequence. Such a re-modulated reference sequence supports generation of high-precision position, navigation, and timing (PNT) measurements without imposing additional reference sequence overhead on the communication system.
US09941920B2

An adaptive matching RF architecture and an associated matching method are provided. The RF architecture comprises a power amplifier module, a receiving module, an antenna, an RF processing module, a baseband control module and at least one adjustable matching network module, the at least one adjustable matching network module being connected between the power amplifier module and the RF processing module, and/or between the receiving module and the RF processing module, and/or between the antenna and the RF processing module. The baseband control module is pre-stored with multiple matching values corresponding to multiple different application scenarios, the matching values of the at least one adjustable network module being applied based on the application scenarios to attain the optimum RF performance.
US09941908B2

In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a plurality of filter circuits having a first port, a second port and a third port, where a second port of a first of the plurality of filter circuits is coupled to a first port of a second of the plurality of filter circuits, and each of the plurality of filter circuits includes a first passive filter, a second passive filter, a first coupler and a combining network. The first coupler includes an input port coupled to the first port, an isolated port coupled to the second port, a first phase shifted port coupled to the first passive filter and a second phase shifted port coupled to the second passive filter, and the combining network includes a first input coupled to the first passive filter, a second input coupled to the second passive filter, and an output coupled to the third port.
US09941907B2

A memory management method, a memory storage device and a memory control circuit unit are provided. The method includes: configuring a default encoding rule for a first physical erasing unit which includes encoding data to be stored to the first physical erasing unit based on a default code rate; configuring a first encoding rule, for the first physical erasing unit according to error estimating information of the first physical erasing unit, which includes encoding data to be stored to a first-type physical programming unit and a second-type physical programming unit belonging to the first physical erasing unit based on a first code rate and a second code rate respectively, where a value of the first code rate is greater than a value of the default code rate, and a value of the second code rate is less than the value of the default code rate.
US09941900B1

Techniques for general-purpose lossless data compression using a neural network including compressing an original content item to a baseline lossless compressed data format. The baseline lossless compressed data format is binarized to a binarized format. The binarized format is arithmetically coded based on probability estimates from a neural network probability estimator. The neural network probability estimator generates the probability estimates for current symbols of the binarized format to be arithmetically coded based on symbols of the binarized format that have already been arithmetically coded.
US09941894B1

A multiple output, multiple impedance string digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit can provide a first output having a first resolution in response to a first digital input signal and a second output having a second resolution in response to a second digital input signal. A main impedance string and a secondary impedance string can be coupled using switching networks to provide a first DAC output. By coupling additional switches to the main impedance string and by sharing the main impedance string, a second DAC output can be realized.
US09941888B2

An oscillator includes an oscillation source, multiple temperature control elements, and a controller adapted to perform control to suppress an increase in current consumed in one or more of the temperature control elements during at least part of a period from when operation of the oscillation source initiates to when the oscillation source reaches a specified temperature.
US09941883B2

A transmission gate circuit includes a pass gate and a control circuit and provides High Voltage protection to a flash memory in a characterization mode and a low resistive path with true open-drain functionality in a normal mode. A native NMOSFET in series with the pass gate provides overvoltage protection for additional circuitry. Well biasing, gate tracking and internal node clamping circuits ensure that all of the devices of the pass gate and control circuit operated within safe operational voltage levels. The two modes of operation can be selected by an enable signal. The transmission gate circuit can support up to a 5.5 volts input in a true open drain mode while an input/output supply voltage of 3.3 volts is supplied.
US09941880B1

A system includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip with connections to plurality of external pins. An integrated voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide an internal supply voltage to the IC chip. Isolation circuitry is configured to inhibit tampering of the internal supply voltage through the external pins. An analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit is configured to monitor parameters of the internal supply voltage. Security circuitry is configured to detect, using the monitored parameters, indications of tampering and to generate an error signal in response to detecting an indication of tampering.
US09941879B2

A keyboard input device including a plurality of key assemblies, at least one of the key assemblies comprising: a key cap having a top surface configured to be pressed by a user; a rigid conductive substrate (e.g., metal) coupled to a bottom surface of the key cap; a translation mechanism configured to allow translation of the key responsive to user input; and a capacitive sensor substrate disposed between the key cap and the rigid conductive substrate, the capacitive sensor substrate comprising a plurality of sensor electrodes configured to detect input objects in a sensing region of the key assembly.
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