US09957682B2

Provided is a method and a system for removal of oil under ice through an opening made into ice. The system includes oil booms extending under ice in two different directions from the opening so as to constitute an angle of less than 180 degrees between each other; an oil collection device placed in the opening; and a propulsion device placed on the level of the lower surface of ice at a distance from the opening in the area of the angle so as to provide a flow directed towards the opening between the oil booms in the area of the angle.
US09957679B2

A snow plow system for an automobile features a frame connectable to a hitch receiver, a blade movable by an electrically powered actuator between a lowered snow-clearing position a raised transport position, a power unit placed within a trunk space of the automobile, a power connection line between the power unit and the actuator, and a wireless remote operable from a passenger cabin of the automobile. The power connection line traverses through a gasket sealed space between the trunk lid and trunk walls, thereby powering the device without any modification to the automobile. A flexible member connected between the actuator and the blade is operable to raise and lower the blade in a controlled manner under operation of the actuator, while allowing the blade to momentarily trip over ground level obstructions during use. A biasing mechanism forces the blade back into the snow-clearing position once the obstruction is cleared.
US09957675B2

A control system for a cold planer having a conveyor configured to transfer material into a first receptacle is disclosed. The control system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an amount of material being transferred into the first receptacle, a communication device configured to transfer information between the cold planer and the first receptacle, and a controller electronically connected to the first sensor and the communication device. The controller may be configured to receive an input from the first receptacle via the communication device and determine a fill level of the first receptacle based on the first signal and the input from the first receptacle.
US09957674B2

The invention relates to a device for manufacturing coated materials, the device comprising: a furnace comprising an enclosure (2) that is designed to be caused to rotate, that has an inside wall (2A) and that is provided with a main inlet (3) designed to receive non-coated new granular materials (25) or recycled granular materials (25) or a mixture of both of these types of granular materials, and an outlet for the bituminous coated materials that are manufactured inside the enclosure (2); heater means defining a combustion zone (4) inside the enclosure (2) and generating a drying flow suitable for drying the granular materials (25); and protective means for protecting the inside wall (2A), which means are situated in the combustion zone (4); said device being characterized in that the protective means are formed by a plurality of plates (13) that extend at some distance away from or else against the inside well (2A), and that are mutually overlapping in part so as to protect the inside wall (2A) thermally. Methods and devices for bituminous coated materials.
US09957672B2

A roadway track (10) for a vehicle (T) is provided, the roadway track having a roadway face and being suitable for being rolled up and designed to be placed on the ground and presenting a rolled-up position and a deployed position in which the roadway track extends substantially parallel to the ground. The roadway track includes at least a first track portion (14) and a second track portion (16), the first and second track portions being connected to each other by a pivot connection (18) having a pivot axis (A) that extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the roadway face, whereby the first track portion can pivot relative to the second track portion about the pivot axis so as to form a bend (V).
US09957669B2

A fish plate clamp for unloading rails 1. The fish plate clamp includes a support element (11, 12) with a first piece (11) and a second piece (12) each one located on a face of the rail (1). Each piece of the support element (11, 12) includes an internal mortise (13) in the area of the web (3) of the rail (1). The fish plate clamp also includes a gripping element (14) located in an internal mortise (13) of the support element (11, 12). The internal mortises (13) have an inclined surface (15) in a manner that, when the gripping element (14) moves along the length of the inclined surface (15) of the internal mortise (13) in the direction of the pull of the rail (1), the gripping element (14) latches onto the web (3) of the rail (1).
US09957667B2

An absorbent cellulosic sheet made by a method that includes forming an aqueous cellulosic web on a structuring fabric in a papermaking machine, non-compactively dewatering the cellulosic web on the structuring fabric, and drying the cellulosic web to form the absorbent cellulosic sheet. A portion of the structuring fabric on which the cellulosic web is formed has an adjusted planar volumetric index of at least about 27.
US09957645B2

A method for synthesizing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution is disclosed. The preferred PAN polymer has a PDI (Mw/Mn) of about 2 or less. Such PAN polymer is synthesized by controlled/living radical polymerization using a special RAFT (Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer) agent. Also disclosed is a method for producing carbon fibers from PAN polymer with low PDI.
US09957644B2

The invention provides a composition for the production of a fiber having organic solvent resistance, a fiber obtained by spinning the composition, and a biocompatible material containing the fiber. The composition contains (A) a polymer compound containing a unit structure represented by the formula (1) wherein each symbol is as described herein, (B) a crosslinking agent, (C) an acid compound, and (D) a solvent.
US09957630B2

According to one embodiment, a pattern transfer mold includes a base body, first and second stacked bodies, first and second electrodes. The base body includes a base unit including a first surface, a first protrusion provided on the first surface and having a first side surface, and a second protrusion provided on the first surface, separated from the first protrusion, and having a second side surface opposing the first side surface. The first stacked body is provided on the first side surface, and includes first conductive layers and a first insulating layer. The second stacked body is provided on the second side surface, separated from the first stacked body, and includes second conductive layers and a second insulating layer. The first electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the first conductive layers. The second electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the second conductive layers.
US09957627B2

Broadly, the present disclosure relates to sidewall features (e.g. inner sidewall or hot face) of an electrolysis cell, which protect the sidewall from the electrolytic bath while the cell is in operation (e.g. producing metal in the electrolytic cell).
US09957625B2

The invention relates to an electrode unit for an electrochemical device, comprising a solid electrolyte (3) and a porous electrode (7), the solid electrolyte (3) dividing a compartment for cathode material and a compartment for anode material and the porous electrode (7) being extensively connected to the solid electrolyte (3), with a displacer (23) being accommodated in the anode material compartment, where the displacer (23) is manufactured from a stainless steel or from graphite foil and bears resiliently against the internal geometry of the solid electrolyte (3) in such a way that the displacer (23) does not contact the solid electrolyte over its full area, or with the displacer comprising an outer shell (62) of stainless steel or graphite, and a core (64) of a nonferrous metal, the nonferrous metal being thermoplastically deformable at a temperature which is lower than the temperature at which the stainless steel is thermoplastically deformable, and where for production the shell (62) of stainless steel or graphite is pressed onto the solid electrolyte (3) by introduction and heating of the nonferrous metal, and on cooling forms a gap between solid electrolyte (3) and shell (62) of stainless steel.
US09957618B2

Described herein are reactors capable of sequentially or simultaneously depositing thin-film polymers onto a substrate by oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD), initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD), and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The single-unit CVD reactors allow for the use of more than one CVD process on the same substrate without the risk of inadvertently exposing the substrate to ambient conditions when switching processes. Furthermore, the ability to deposit simultaneously polymers made by two different CVD processes allows for the exploration of new materials. In addition to assisting in the deposition of polymer films, plasma processes may be used to pretreat substrate surfaces before polymer deposition, or to clean the internal surfaces of the reactor between experiments.
US09957613B2

A laminate includes: a base material having a top surface; an under coat layer formed on at least a part of the top surface of the base material, having a membranous shape or a film shape and containing an organic polymer having an OH group; and an atomic layer deposition film formed in a membranous shape to cover an exposed surface of the under coat layer, the atomic layer deposition film being formed by a precursor as a material thereof. At least a part of the precursor is coupled to the OH group of the organic polymer.
US09957610B2

A high-frequency wave supplying structure includes a center conductor that extends in a specified direction, an outer conductor that is coaxial with the center conductor and grounded, and a cylindrical insulating member that is provided between the center conductor and the outer conductor. The distal end of the center conductor is a support portion that supports a workpiece W. A shield member is provided outward of the outer conductor to be coaxial with the outer conductor and the center conductor. The distal end of the shield member is located closer to the support portion in the specified direction than the distal end of the outer conductor. The insulating member includes a protruding portion that protrudes toward the support portion from an opening of the outer conductor. The protruding portion is opposed to the distal end of the outer conductor in the specified direction.
US09957608B2

A composite shield assembly is for use in deposition apparatus defining a work piece location. The assembly includes a first shield element for position circumjacent the work piece location and a second shield element for extending around and carrying the first element. The thermal conductivity of the first element is greater than that of the second element, and the elements are arranged for intimate thermal contact.
US09957605B2

A substrate fixing apparatus includes a metal frame body. A central portion of the metal frame body is provided with a through hole; a recess configured for bearing a substrate is formed on the metal frame body along an edge of the through hole; the recess is recessed towards an inside of the metal frame body along a thickness direction of the metal frame body; and a first insulating pad is disposed at the bottom of the recess.
US09957599B2

Powder compositions are described having, as constituents: an aluminum donor powder, an aluminum-containing activator powder comprising at least 50 wt. % KAlF4, and an inert filler powder. Related methods and coatings are also described.
US09957594B2

A high strength, high toughness steel alloy is disclosed. The alloy has the following weight percent composition. Element C0.30-0.55 Mn 0.6-1.75 Si0.9-2.8 Cr0.6-2.5 Ni2.70-7.0  Mo + ½ W0.25-1.3  Cu0.30-1.25 Co 0.01 max. V + ( 5/9) × Nb0.10-1.0  Ti 0.01 max. Al0.015 max. Ca0.005 max. The alloy further includes a grain refining element selected from the group consisting of 0.0001-0.01% Mg, 0.001-0.025% Y, and a combination thereof. The balance of the alloy is iron and the usual impurities found in commercial grades of steel alloys produced for similar use and properties. In this regard phosphorus is limited to not more than about 0.01% and sulfur is limited to not more than about 0.001%. Also disclosed is a hardened and tempered article that has very high strength and fracture toughness. The article is formed from the alloy having the weight percent composition set forth above. The alloy article according to this aspect of the invention is further characterized by being tempered at a temperature of about 500° F. to 600° F.
US09957585B2

A steel strip continuous annealing device has a vertical annealing furnace 10 in which a heating zone 14, a soaking zone 16, and a cooling zone 18 are arranged in this order, and anneals a steel strip P passing through the zones 14, 16, and 18 in the order while being conveyed in the vertical direction in the vertical annealing furnace 10. The heating zone 14, the soaking zone 16, and the cooling zone 18 communicate through an atmosphere separation portion 36. One of a gas delivery port 38 and a gas discharge port 40 is positioned in an upper part and the other one of the gas delivery port 38 and the gas discharge port 40 is positioned in a lower part in each of the heating zone 14, the soaking zone 16, and the cooling zone 18.
US09957584B2

A joined sheet stack and a method and system for forming the stack are disclosed. The stack may include a steel sheet and a second sheet. The steel sheet may include a bulk portion having a first tensile strength and one or more fastener regions having a second tensile strength that is lower than the first tensile strength and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may extend through each fastener region joining the steel sheet to the second sheet. The method may include heat treating one or more regions of a steel sheet to form one or more fastener regions having a tensile strength that is lower than a bulk tensile strength of the steel sheet and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may then be inserted into the one or more fastener regions to join the steel sheet to a second sheet.
US09957583B2

A method for repairing break of a universal connecting rod of a universal coupling includes steps of: cleaning and detecting cracks, providing primary anneal, depositing alloys, providing secondary anneal, manually milling and controlling a quality; wherein depositing the alloys includes forming gradient in an order of a bonding layer, a transition layer, a working layer and a processing layer; wherein the bonding layer: S and P in the depositing area are diluted with an FGM-KM1# material, for removing or reducing the S and P, so as to avoid cold and hot cracks; the transition layer: which is formed by an FGM-KM2# material for improving impact toughness and evacuation stress, and appropriate increasing hardness; the working layer: which is formed by an FGM-KM3# material for improving heat resistance, wear resistance and load capacity; and the processing layer: an FGM-KM4# material is used to reduce surface hardness and improve processing performance.
US09957580B2

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol.
US09957572B2

Clinical management of human cancer is dependent on the accurate monitoring of residual and recurrent tumors. We have developed a method, called personalized analysis of rearranged ends (PARE), which can identify translocations in solid tumors. Analysis of four colorectal and two breast cancers revealed an average of nine rearranged sequences (range 4 to 15) per tumor. Polymerase chain reaction with primers spanning the breakpoints were able to detect mutant DNA molecules present at levels lower than 0.001% and readily identified mutated circulating DNA in patient plasma samples. This approach provides an exquisitely sensitive and broadly applicable approach for the development of personalized biomarkers to enhance the clinical management of cancer patients.
US09957566B2

The present invention relates to clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or early-stage Alzheimer's disease in the live patient. In particular, the invention provides a screening method which can be used to assist with diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in live human subjects, or to identify human subjects with a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.
US09957557B2

A process of quantifying the extent of degradation present in a human DNA sample is described. The process makes use of a real time PCR system to separately quantitate within a sample a first retrotransposon interspersed element and a relatively longer second retrotransposon interspersed element, where the longer element is expected to be disrupted at a faster pace than is the shorter element as the sample degrades. In one embodiment, the process makes use of the appearance of the relatively young (on an evolutionary scale) Alu Yb-lineage subfamily sequences appearing in every human genome and their virtual absence in non-human samples. In a preferred embodiment, the process quantifies longer 290 bp sequences of “SVA” elements and shorter 80 bp sequences of Alu Yb8-lineage. Newly designed primers and TaqMan probes that are useful in the process are presented. A related process additionally quantifies male specific human DNA.
US09957551B2

Systems and method for validation of sequencing results can amplify a target region of a nucleic acid sample in the presence of a primer pool including target specific and variant specific primers. The variant specific primers can include variant specific barcodes and variant specific sequences. An amplicon can be sequenced to determine the sequence of the variant specific barcode. The variant can be identified based on the sequence of the variant specific barcode, and the location of the variant can be determined by mapping the amplicon to a reference sequence.
US09957546B2

The present invention is directed to a phospholipid-based NIR molecular beacon, having a phospholipid moiety; with an NIR fluorophore moiety covalently linked to a phospholipid glycerol backbone and a quencher moiety covalently linked to the phospholipid glycerol backbone. Additionally, provided herein is methods of analyzing a sample for the presence of a phospholipase and methods of identifying the activity of a phospholipase in vivo utilizing phospholipid-based NIR molecular beacon.
US09957541B2

An expression system for expressing a protein comprising: a eukaryotic host cell carrying a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) deficiency; and an expression vector, the expression vector encoding the human growth hormone gene; a expression vector, the expression vector comprising: a eukaryotic selectable marker including a minimal SV 40 early promoter driving expression of a sequence encoding dihydrofolate reductase for complementing the DHFR deficiency in the host cell; a prokaryotic selectable marker conveying Ampicillin resistance to a prokaryotic host cell; a prokaryotic Origin of Replication; a plurality of multiple cloning sites (MCS); and at least one protein expression module comprising: a Simian Vacuolating Virus 40 (SV40) early promoter, inclusive of its 72 bp enhancer repeats; and a rabbit β-globin intron sequence being separable from a SV40 p A sequence by a first multiple cloning site, for receiving a coding sequence and expressing a desired protein therefrom.
US09957539B2

A method for producing a hexenol glycoside using a hexenol glycosyltransferase. A transformant transformed with a gene encoding a hexenol glycosyltransferase and a method for preparing such a transformant.
US09957529B2

The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism with improved butanol production ability which has an acetyl-CoA synthesis pathway and a butyryl-CoA synthesis pathway, wherein a pathway converting acetyl-CoA to acetate is inhibited and a pathway converting acetyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA is promoted. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing butanol using the recombinant microorganism.
US09957528B2

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a sugar product from ligno-cellulosic material, comprising the following steps: a) optionally pre-treatment of the ligno-cellulosic material; b) optionally washing of the optionally pre-treated ligno-cellulosic material; c) enzymatic hydrolysis of the optionally washed and/or optionally pre-treated ligno-cellulosic material using an enzyme composition comprising at least two cellulase and whereby the enzyme composition at least comprises GH61; and d) optionally recovery of a sugar product; wherein during part of the time of the enzymatic hydrolysis, oxygen is added to the ligno-cellulosic material and during part of the time of the enzymatic hydrolysis less oxygen is added to the ligno-cellulosic material compared to the other part of the time of the enzymatic hydrolysis, preferably no oxygen is added to the ligno-cellulosic material.
US09957523B2

The present invention relates to methods for controlling pest infestation using double stranded RNA molecules. The invention provides methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, as well as pesticidal agents and commodity products produced by the inventive plants.
US09957521B2

Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants with increased tolerance to abiotic stress (e.g., high or low temperature, drought, flood).
US09957519B2

The invention provides a novel DGAT1 protein with improved properties over known DGAT proteins, particularly known DGAT1 proteins from plants. The novel DGAT1 protein of the invention can be expressed in cells to increase cellular lipid accumulation. Expression of the DGAT1 protein of the invention in cells results in a higher level of lipid than any of several other plant DGAT1 proteins tested by the applicants. The invention provides polynucleotides encoding the novel DGAT1 protein of SEQ ID NO:39, constructs, cells, plant, plant parts and progeny comprising the polynucleotides, and methods of use of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention.
US09957513B2

The present invention relates to the development of genetically engineered yeasts that can produce hydrocarbons in a controllable and economic fashion. More specifically the invention relates to the production of liquid alkanes and alkenes that can be used for liquid transportation fuels, specialty chemicals, or feed stock for further chemical conversion.
US09957508B2

Oligonucleotides with activity in preventing poly(A) adenylation at intron 9 of the KCNH2 gene, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the oligonucleotides and methods of using the oligonucleotides to treat long QT syndrome in a subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotides include antisense sequences corresponding to sites termed DSE-1 and DSE-2 in intron 9.
US09957505B2

The present invention includes bivalent or multivalent nucleic acid molecules or complexes of nucleic acid molecules having two or more target-specific regions, in which the target-specific regions are complementary to a single target gene at more than one distinct nucleotide site, and/or in which the target regions are complementary to more than one target gene or target sequence. Also included are compositions comprising such nucleic acid molecules and methods of using the same for multivalent RNA interference and the treatment of a variety of diseases and infections.
US09957504B2

Provided herein are oligomeric compounds with conjugate groups targeting apoplipoprotein (a) [apo(a)]. In certain embodiments, the apo(a) targeting oligomeric compounds are conjugated to N-Acetylgalactosamine. Also disclosed herein are conjugated oligomeric compounds targeting apo(a) for use in decreasing apo(a) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) and/or Lp(a). Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) and/or Lp(a) include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The conjugated oligomeric compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.
US09957503B2

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of a Lipid transport and metabolism gene, in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotide of a Lipid transport and metabolism gene. The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of a Lipid transport and metabolism genes.
US09957501B2

The present disclosure is in the field of genome engineering, particularly targeted modification of the genome of a hematopoietic cell.
US09957498B2

The invention relates to a method for photoreleasing a moiety G from a compound of the formula A-G. The methods of the present invention comprise irradiating a composition comprising the compound of the formula A-G at a wavelength of >500 nm, so as to photorelease the moiety G from the moiety A; wherein the moiety A comprises a chromophore and the moiety G comprises an organic compound.
US09957497B2

A hydrocarbon synthase gene encoding protein having excellent capacity to synthesize a hydrocarbon such as alkane and novel functions is provided. The gene encodes a protein comprising an amino acid sequence comprising a motif sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and having activity of synthesizing a hydrocarbon with a carbon number one less than that of an aldehyde compound from the aldehyde compound.
US09957492B2

Provided are isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding modules. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or carbohydrate binding modules.
US09957487B2

Luciferases which are different from those known heretofore have been desired. A luciferase mutant comprising an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of valine at the position of 44, alanine at the position of 54 and tyrosine at the position of 138 is substituted with other amino acid(s) in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
US09957468B2

Shaped particles having a longitudinal length (L) and a predetermined complex cross-sectional shape extending on a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal length (L). The cross-sectional shape has at least one vertex. An edge extends along the length L from the vertex. The particles further comprise an anchoring element disposed away from the edge. The ratio of said length (L) to a perimeter-equivalent diameter of said predetermined cross-sectional shape “ECD PHull” is between about 0.5 and about 5.
US09957466B2

A solid free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition including: (a) from 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % polymer particle comprising: (i) from 70 wt % to 90 wt % co-polymer and (ii) from 10 wt % to 30 wt % salt; and (b) from 35 wt % to 80 wt % spray-dried particle including: (i) from 8 wt % to 24 wt % alkyl benzene sulphonate anionic detersive surfactant; (ii) from 5 w % to 18 wt % silicate salt; (iii) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % sodium carbonate; and (iv) from 0 wt % to 5 wt % carboxylate polymer.
US09957464B2

Methods and devices for economically producing a purified biodiesel product from feedstocks. Some embodiments of the methods comprise using at least one of a crude feedstock pretreatment process and a free fatty acid refining process prior to transesterification and the formation of crude biodiesel and glycerin. The crude biodiesel is then subjected to at least one biodiesel refining process which, in conjunction with feedstock pretreatment and free fatty acid refining produces a purified biodiesel product that meets multiple commercial specifications. A wide variety of feedstocks may be used to make biodiesel that otherwise would not meet the same commercial specifications, including corn oil, used cooking oil, poultry fats, fatty acid distillates, pennycress oil, and algal oils. The combination of feedstock refining and biodiesel refining processes is necessary to reduce problems associated with feedstocks having waxes, high free fatty acid levels, unacceptable color, high unsaponifiables levels, and high sulfur levels.
US09957462B2

The present disclosure concerns engine lubricant compositions including at least one base oil, at least one viscosity index improver polymer and at least one polyalkylene glycol, obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of alkylene oxides comprising from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, including at least one butylene oxide, the quantity of polyalkylene glycol being from 1 to 28% by mass with respect to the total mass of lubricant composition. Using at least one polyalkylene glycol, obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of alkylene oxides including from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, further including at least one butylene oxide in a base oil improves engine cleanliness while not increasing, or indeed while decreasing, the consumption of petrol or diesel fuels by the engine.
US09957461B2

A polyester composition, suitable for use as a dispersant in lubricating oils, is disclosed. The polyester composition is prepared by reacting (a) an acylating agent selected from an aliphatic-substituted succinic acylating agent, an aromatic polycarboxylic acylating agent, and combinations thereof; and (b) a hydroxyalkyl-substituted tertiary amine compound of the following structure: wherein R′ is a C1-24 aliphatic group; R in each of the x (RO), y (RO) and z (RO) groups is independently C2-4 alkylene; x+y is in a range of 2 to 7; and z is in a range of 1 to 5.
US09957459B2

A low transition temperature mixture (LTTM) or deep eutectic solvent (DES) useful as a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil including a eutectic mixture of at least a first component and at least a second component. The at least first component comprises a hydrogen bond acceptor and the at least second component comprises a hydrogen bond donor. The eutectic mixture includes an equilibrium phase between the at least first component and the at least second component. The equilibrium phase does not exhibit physical characteristics of the at least first component in an unmixed state and the at least second component in an unmixed state. The at least first component and the at least second component form an intermolecular interaction between each other sufficient to prevent crystallization of the at least first component and the at least second component in the eutectic mixture. The eutectic mixture is a liquid at 20° C.
US09957455B2

The use of a polyalkylene glycol of formula HO-(A-O)p—(CH2CH2—O)m-(A-O)q—H wherein A is a C3- to C20-alkylene group or a mixture of such alkylene groups, m is a number of from 2 to 100 and p and q are each numbers of from 1 to 100, as an additive in a fuel.
US09957444B2

An apparatus for pyrolyzing a carbonaceous material and producing char and volatiles includes a vessel having an inlet for the carbonaceous material, an outlet for the char and the volatiles, and a first pathway therebetween. The vessel has wall portions with interior surfaces that define the first pathway. Further, the vessel has a heat exchange medium inlet, outlet and a second pathway therebetween. The first and second pathways are in heat exchange proximity to each other and the second pathway is defined by interior surfaces of the, or other, wall interior portions of the vessel. At least some of the interior wall portions of the vessel project into an interior space of the vessel such that at least one of the first and second pathways is non-linear.
US09957443B2

Disclosed herein are flame retardant materials, and in particular materials and processes for phosphorylating materials for flame retardant applications.
US09957435B2

Formulations and method for preventing and inhibiting the formation of iron sulfide in hydrocarbon producing wells are disclosed. The methods may include treating at least one of an oil well, a production fluid, and downstream field equipment with an additive including a DL-aspartic acid polymer. Other formulations and methods are disclosed including methods for reducing microbial counts in hydrocarbon producing wells and/or methods for dispersing iron sulfide in hydrocarbon producing wells.
US09957433B2

Date seed powder can be used as a fluid loss additive for drilling fluids by mixing a quantity of date seed powder with a volume of fluid resulting in a mixture. The date seed powder or the mixture can be added to a drilling fluid. The drilling fluid that includes the date seed powder or the mixture can be used to drill a wellbore.
US09957431B2

In a known composite material with a fused silica matrix there are regions of silicon-containing phase embedded. In order to provide a composite material which is suitable for producing components for use in high-temperature processes for heat treatment even when exacting requirements are imposed on impermeability to gas and on purity, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the composite material be impervious to gas, have a closed porosity of less than 0.5% and a specific density of at least 2.19 g/cm3, and at a temperature of 1000° C. have a spectral emissivity of at least 0.7 for wavelengths between 2 and 8 μm.
US09957427B2

Disclosed is an aqueous adhesive composition including a surface-deactivated solid isocyanate and a blend of two different polyurethanes. A method of making an article that includes a coated adhesive layer and article made thereby are also disclosed.
US09957426B2

Provided are a photocurable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition including an acrylic polymer, an epoxy resin, a crosslinking agent and a photopolymerization initiator, an organic electronic device having an encapsulant including the composition using a film-state product, that is, a curable pressure-sensitive adhesive film, including the composition, and a method of manufacturing an organic electronic device using the curable pressure-sensitive adhesive film. Particularly, the method includes assembling a photocurable pressure-sensitive adhesive film including an acrylic polymer, an epoxy resin, a crosslinking agent and a photopolymerization initiator with an top substrate; and assembling the top substrate to the bottom substrate on which an organic light-emitting element is formed to cover an entire surface of the organic light-emitting element with the curable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and radiating light only to an edge of the assembled top and bottom substrates in which the organic light-emitting element is not disposed to photocure. Therefore, mechanical strength may be ensured due to entire encapsulation, the simplification of a process by photocuring may be achieved without direct radiation of light to the organic light-emitting element, and lifespan of the element may be increased.
US09957424B2

The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, a pressure-sensitive adhesive optical member, a pressure-sensitive adhesive polarizing plate, and a display device. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition of the present invention can form a pressure-sensitive adhesive having excellent durability and light leakage prevention property under severe conditions such as a high temperature condition, a high temperature and high humidity condition, or under a severe condition where a high temperature/high humidity and a normal temperature/low humidity are repeated.
US09957421B2

Provided are a sealing tape that can prevent tape width misalignment, air bubble inclusion, and creasing even when the sealing tape is affixed in a folded state, a phosphor sheet using the same, a lighting device, a liquid-crystal display, a method for manufacturing a phosphor sheet, and a sealing method. The sealing tape (10) includes an adhesive layer (11), a gas barrier layer (12), a bonding layer (13), and a support film layer (14) laminated in stated order, and has an incision (15) into the support film layer (14) in a thickness direction. The incision (15) is located substantially centrally in a width direction and extends in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, tape width misalignment, air bubble inclusion, and creasing can be prevented even when the sealing tape is affixed in a folded state.
US09957419B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond dispersion. The method comprises adjusting pH of zeta negative carboxylated nanodiamond suspension to at least 7, and subjecting the pH adjusted suspension to beads milling. The present invention further relates to zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond dispersion comprising zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond particles and a liquid medium, wherein zeta potential of the zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond dispersion is over −37 mV measured at pH over 7, zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond particle concentration in the dispersion is over 2 wt-% and D90 average primary particle size distribution of the zeta negative single digit carboxylated nanodiamond particles is from 2 nm to 12 nm.
US09957415B2

A composition that includes at least one silane-functional polymer P and 20 to 60% by weight of aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide or mixture thereof, is disclosed. The composition has a viscosity of 500 to 20,000 mPa·s measured according to DIN 53018 at a temperature of 20° C. The composition is suitable as a liquid membrane and has very good flammability properties, i.e., it is difficult to ignite and is self-extinguishing.
US09957411B2

An underfill material achieving a wide margin for mounting and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same are provided. The underfill material contains an epoxy resin, an acid anhydride, an acrylic resin, and an organic peroxide, wherein a minimum melt viscosity attainment temperature and a minimum melt viscosity obtained when melt viscosity of the underfill material is measured under a temperature increase rate condition in a range of 5 to 50° C./min are in a range of 100° C. to 150° C. and in a range of 100 to 5000 Pa·s, respectively. Since variation in the minimum melt viscosity attainment temperature measured under different temperature increase conditions is small, voidless mounting and good solder bonding properties can be achieved without strict control on the temperature profile during thermocompression bonding, and a wide margin for mounting can be achieved.
US09957409B2

An fibrous insulation product is provided that includes a binder comprising a polyol and a phosphorus crosslinking agent derived from a phosphonic or phosphoric acid, salt, ester or anhydride to form crosslinked phosphodiester linkages. The polyol is polyvalent, but may be monomeric or preferably polymeric; and may be synthetic or natural in origin. Carbohydrate polysaccharides are exemplary polyols, including water-soluble polysaccharides such as dextrin, maltodextrin, starch, modified starch, etc. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In exemplary embodiments, the binder may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, and other additives. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of residential and commercial insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous products is also provided.
US09957397B2

The present invention relates to a fire resistant glazing unit (10), and in particular to novel curable gelling compositions which may form a fire-resistant hydrogel interlayer (3) between the glass panes (1) of the glazing unit (10). The gelling compositions of the invention comprise 5-40% w/w of a curable hydrogel-forming component (typically an acidic vinyl monomer such as acrylic acid or its metal salt); 20-60% w/w of one or more salts (e.g. magnesium salts); 40-90% w/w of an aqueous vehicle; and the gelling compositions have an acidic p H between p H 1 and 7. Such gelling compositions, when cured to form a hydrogel interlayer, provide excellent fire-resistant properties and also an excellent radiation barrier in the event of a fire.
US09957389B2

The present disclosure provides: a thermosetting resin composition comprising: (a) bisphenol M-type epoxy resin; (b) bisphenol M-type cyanate ester resin; (c) polyphenylene ether having two or more vinyl groups at both ends of a branched chain, or oligomers thereof; and (d) a cross-linking curing agent, a prepreg comprising the composition, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board simultaneously has an excellent low dielectric loss characteristic, a great moisture-absorbing and heat-resistant characteristic, a low thermal expansion characteristic, thermal stability and the like.
US09957376B2

The present invention provides an optical material composition, including: (a) an acrylate-based material; (b) an anti-yellowing agent, selected from the group consisting of an inorganic phosphorus-containing acid, a phosphate and a combination thereof; and (c) an initiator. After being cured, the composition of the present invention has good transmittance, anti-yellowing performance and high-temperature resistance.
US09957370B2

The invention relates to metallic effect pigments with coating, comprising a platelet-shaped substrate, where the coating comprises at least one hybrid inorganic/organic layer, the hybrid layer having at least partly an inorganic network that has one or more inorganic oxide components, and having at least one organic component, the organic component being at least partly an organic oligomer and/or polymer which is covalently bonded at least partly to the inorganic network via one or more organic network formers. The invention further relates to a method of producing these metallic effect pigments, and to their use.
US09957364B2

Various embodiments disclosed related to modified elastomer surfaces and methods of making and using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of modifying the surface of an elastomer. The method can include contacting a polymerizable composition and at least part of a surface of an elastomer. The polymerizable composition can include a free-radical polymerizable monomers, an organoborane-organonitrogen free-radical initiator, and an amine-reactive compound. The method can include at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable composition, to provide a polymerization product of the polymerizable composition on the surface of the elastomer.
US09957362B2

The present invention employs the printable process to fabricate a multi-layered laminate gas barrier film. According to an embodiment of the present invention, after providing a plastic substrate, a first organic layer is printed with a first pattern on the plastic substrate. A first inorganic layer is printed to the first organic layer, filling up openings within the first pattern of the first organic layer and covering a surface of the first organic layer. A second organic layer is printed with a second pattern on the first inorganic layer. A second inorganic layer is printed to the second organic layer, filling up openings within the second pattern of the second organic layer and covering a surface of the second organic layer.
US09957349B2

A resin composition for transparent substrates comprises an epoxy resin (A) and a curing agent (B), wherein the curing agent (B) comprises a cyclohexane tricarboxylic anhydride.
US09957348B2

The present invention relates to a pyridinium-based compound of chemical formula 1, an epoxy resin composition comprising the same, and an apparatus manufactured by using the same.
US09957343B2

The invention relates to a copolymer that can be used as wetting agent and dispersant and contains i) 40-73 mole percent of a base structural unit (A) and ii) 27-60 mole percent of a substituted dicarboxylic acid derivative structural unit (B), the structural unit (B) containing species having a bisamide structure and species having quaternized amino groups.
US09957342B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing grafted polyalkyl(meth)acrylates (PAMAs) containing dispersant repeating units in the polymer backbone as well as in the grafted layer, which polymers are characterized by a low sulfur content, the products available by this process and their use as an additive to fuels, especially to middle distillates and blends thereof. The present invention further relates to a composition comprising the grafted polyalkyl(meth)acrylates prepared by the process according to the present invention and the use of said composition as an additive component to fuels, especially to middle distillates and blends thereof, and for improving the cold flow properties of fuel oil and fuel oil compositions, especially to middle distillate fuels and blends thereof.
US09957341B2

Biodegradable graft copolymers derived from a carbohydrate, including nitrogen-containing carbohydrates and modified carbohydrates, and at least one α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivative having superabsorbent properties are disclosed in addition to the substantially adiabatic polymerization process by which the graft copolymers are made. The methods disclosed can be carried out in a variety of currently available stirred and/or continuous commercial reactors. Polymerizations carried out with starch have surprisingly produced substantially quantitative yields of graft copolymer free of residual monomer produced as a moist copolymer. Product work-up typically involves an optional neutralization and drying.
US09957330B2

The present disclosure relates to a class of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), and provides a CAIX binding polypeptide comprising the sequence EX2X3X4AX6X7EIX10X11LPN LX16X17X18QX20 X21AFIX25X26LWD. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such a CAIX binding polypeptide as a diagnostic, prognostic agent and/or therapeutic agent.
US09957328B2

The present invention provides a recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising an expression vector comprising a recombinant polynucleotide encoding DsbC and one or more polynucleotides encoding an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof specifically binding to CD154.
US09957321B2

The present invention is directed to therapeutic methods using IL-6 antagonists such as anti-IL-6 antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6 to prevent or treat mucositis (e.g., oral mucositis) including persons on a treatment regimen with a drug or chemotherapy and/or radiation for cancer (e.g., head and neck cancer) that is associated with increased risk of mucositis, including oral mucositis.
US09957316B2

Gastrokine-1 (Gkn-1) is a stomach protein that protects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and has properties to manipulate smooth muscle contraction, prevent NSAID-induced ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal, inhibit growth and survival of cancer cells and induce weight loss in a mammal. Previously this protein was designated AMP-18.
US09957314B2

A method of treating an injury to hyaline cartilage in a subject in need thereof. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of amelogenin.
US09957310B2

Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.
US09957294B2

A peptide is disclosed of the general structure: Z—W—Y, wherein Z and Y are independently a one to eight amino acid sequence wherein the amino acids are selected from glycine and alanine and W is a non-hydrolyzable pHis analogue. Such peptides can be used to produce sequence-independent anti-phosphohistidine antibodies. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to a peptide comprising a phosphohistidine (or a non-hydrolyzable pHis analogue) but fail to specifically bind to an identical peptide containing histidine instead of phosphohistidine.
US09957290B2

Disclosed are derivatives of amphotericin B (AmB) characterized by improved therapeutic index compared to AmB. The AmB derivatives include C16 ureas, carbamates, and amides according to Formula (I); C3′-substituted C16 ureas, carbamates, and amides according to Formula (II); C16 acyls according to Formula (III); C2′epi-C16 ureas, carbamates, and amides according to Formula (IV); and C16 oxazolidinone derivatives according to Formula (V). Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the AmB derivatives, and therapeutic methods of using the AmB derivatives.
US09957289B2

The present invention encompasses compounds and methods for treating and preventing bacterial infections specifically urinary tract infections and those caused by bacteria containing type 1 pili and FimH. The present invention also encompasses compounds and methods for treating inflammatory bowel disease specifically Crohn's Disease.
US09957287B2

The present disclosure is directed to novel methods of treating type-1 or type-2 diabetes by inactivating TLR2 and TLR4 genes together in cells capable of producing insulin and/or regenerating β cells, and providing the cells to a subject in need thereof.
US09957280B2

A chemical compound is provided having a structure that includes at least one donor moiety covalently bonded to at least one acceptor moiety. For example, the compound may include an indolocarbazole moiety covalently bonded to at least one furylpyridine moiety. The compound may exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence and an accompanying ΔEST of no greater than about 0.25 eV. The compound finds use in OLED display technology.
US09957279B2

The present invention generally relates to a process for preparation of 9-halo-3-(2-haloacetyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[c,g]chromen-8(9H)-one of Formula I, which is an intermediate in the preparation of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) inhibitors.
US09957278B2

Compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds are set forth. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US09957275B2

The invention provides compounds of Formula I or Formula II: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester, thereof, as described herein. The compounds and compositions thereof are useful for treating Pneumovirinae virus infections. The compounds, compositions, and methods provided are particularly useful for the treatment of Human respiratory syncytial virus infections.
US09957259B2

Provided herein are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with HDAC activity, particularly diseases or disorders that involve activity of HDAC1 and/or HDAC2. Such diseases include cancer, sickle-cell anemia, beta-thalassemia, and HIV.
US09957258B2

Disclosed are oxime ester compounds which have specific benzo (unsaturated 5-membered ring)-carbonyl group and their use as photoinitiators in photopolymerizable compositions, in particular in photoresist formulations for display applications, e.g. liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) and touch panel.
US09957255B2

A series of substituted benzotriazole derivatives, being potent modulators of various human ailments, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders; neurological and neurodegenerative disorders; pain and nociceptive disorders; cardiovascular disorders; metabolic disorders; ocular disorders; and oncological disorders.
US09957254B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US09957242B2

This disclosure provides compounds and compositions which may be modulators of MAGL and/or ABHD6 and their use as medicinal agents, processes for their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions that include disclosed compounds as at least one active agent. The disclosure also provides for method of treating a patient in need thereof, where the patient is suffering from indications such as pain, solid tumor cancer and/or obesity comprising administering a disclosed compound or composition.
US09957231B2

A process for fluorination of aromatic compounds employing iodonium ylides and applicable to radiofluorination using 18F is described. Processes, intermediates, reagents and radiolabelled compounds are described.
US09957223B2

The invention provides a compound of the formula: wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of aryl, monosubstituted aryl and polysubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, monosubstituted heteroaryl and polysubstituted heteroaryl; Ar′ is selected from the group consisting of aryl, monosubstituted aryl and polysubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, monosubstituted heteroaryl and polysubstituted heteroaryl; R is an alkylene radical having 2-20 carbon atoms; and n=1-20. The compounds of the invention are used with polymer resins to enhance their gas barrier properties.
US09957220B2

The present disclosure provides treprostinil derivatives that can act as prodrugs of treprostinil. The treprostinil derivatives can be used to treat any conditions responsive to treatment with treprostinil, including pulmonary hypertension, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension.
US09957218B2

Various embodiments disclosed relate to isomerization of muconic acid. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of forming trans,trans-muconic acid. The method includes heating a starting material composition to form a product composition including trans,trans-muconic acid. The starting material composition includes cis,cis-muconic acid, cis,trans-muconic acid, or a combination thereof. The starting material composition also includes an electrophilic compound, an organic solvent, or a combination thereof.
US09957210B2

The invention provides a process for the preparation of 1234yf comprising (a) contacting 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropene (1216) with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (236ea); (b) dehydrofluorinating 236ea to produce 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene (1225ye); (c) contacting 1225ye with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (245eb); and (d) dehydrofluorinating 245eb to produce 1234yf.
US09957207B2

The present invention relates to a process for the selective hydrogenation of a feed of hydrocarbons containing polyunsaturated molecules comprising at least 3 carbon atoms, using a single principal fixed bed reactor R1 containing at least two catalytic beds A1 and A2 and a fixed bed guard reactor which is reduced in size, said hydrogenation reactors being disposed in series for use in a cyclic manner in accordance with a sequence of steps which can be used to short-circuit the catalytic bed or beds of the principal reactor which have been at least partially deactivated with the aid of the guard reactor, while ensuring the continuous operation of the process.
US09957202B2

The present invention relates to a process for restabilizing free-radically polymerizable monomers. The process comprises the steps: (a) introduction of a solution of an inhibitor of the free-radical polymerization by means of an inert pressurized gas into a vessel (1) comprising the monomers via a line (10) which comprises an ascending region, and (b) mixing of the contents of the vessel and the inhibitor solution by blowing gas through the line (10). In step (a), the flow velocity of the pressurized gas is set so that plug flow or annular flow is obtained as flow regime of the inhibitor solution and in step (b) the superficial gas velocity is set to ≥0.1 mm/s. The present invention further relates to a supply unit (11) for carrying out the process.
US09957195B2

A process and device separate off a volatile component from the off-gases in cement clinker production. Raw materials for cement clinker production are passed through a preheater with heat exchange with the off-gases and are then burnt in a rotary kiln. Owing to the heating in the preheater, the volatile component bound in the raw materials is vaporized and separated off. A first raw material stream having a relatively high concentration of the volatile component is applied to a first line of the preheater and a second raw material stream having a lower concentration of the volatile component is applied to a second line. The volatile component is separated off from the first substream of the off-gases. The first raw material stream heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. with the first substream of the off gases in the first line is combined with the second raw material stream.
US09957193B2

A single glass panel for a fire door and a double glazed glass panel for a fire door that have a fireproofness with which the glass sheet passes an international standard ISO 0834 flame insulating performance test and are as inexpensive as possible. For example, the single glass panel for a fire door is obtained by forming a heat reflecting coating with a low emissivity on at least one surface of a glass sheet that is a heat strengthened glass sheet or is more thermally strengthened than a heat strengthened glass sheet, and the double glazed glass panel for a fire door includes a first glass sheet (2B) obtained by forming a heat reflecting coating (4) with an emissivity of 0.07 or less on at least one surface of a glass sheet that is a heat strengthened glass sheet or is more thermally strengthened than a heat strengthened glass sheet and a second glass sheet (2C) that is a heat strengthened glass sheet or is a glass sheet more thermally strengthened than a heat strengthened glass sheet, the first glass sheet (2B) and the second glass sheet (2C) being arranged to face each other with a gap therebetween such that at least one layer of said heat reflecting coating (4) is placed between the two glass sheets (2B) and (2C).
US09957169B2

An energy recovery apparatus usable in a seawater desalination system. The energy recovery apparatus includes a plurality of chambers to pressurize the seawater by pressure energy of the concentrated seawater by supply and discharging the concentrated seawater and the seawater, a first flowmeter for integrating a flow rate of the seawater or the concentrated seawater which flows into the chamber, a second flowmeter for integrating a flow rate of the seawater or the concentrated seawater discharged from the chamber, a switching valve in each of the chambers to switch the inflow and the discharge of the concentrated seawater, and a controller to control the respective switching valves of the chambers on the basis of integrated flow rate of the chamber obtained from the flow rate of the flowmeter. The controller inputs a single input signal to the respective switching valves of the chambers to control the respective switching valves.
US09957163B2

The present invention includes an apparatus and a method of making a three dimensional graphite structure with a controlled porosity comprising: plating a metal layer on at least one of a nickel, an iron or a cobalt foam substrate; annealing the metal and the nickel, iron or cobalt foam into a porous metal-nickel, iron or cobalt catalyst, wherein the catalyst has a smooth and a porous surface; etching the smooth surface of the annealed porous metal-nickel, iron or cobalt catalyst; growing a carbonaceous layer on the porous surface of the annealed porous metal-nickel, iron or cobalt catalyst; and completely etching the porous metal-nickel, iron or cobalt catalyst to obtain the graphite layer.
US09957161B2

Provided are processes for production of hydrogen to be used in various industrial processes, including in processes for production of ammonia and urea. Included are polygeneration processes that result in ultra-low emissions.
US09957159B2

The present invention generally relates to an ovenized platform and a fabrication process thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to an ovenized hybrid Si/SiO2 platform compatible with typical CMOS and MEMS fabrication processes and methods of its manufacture. Embodiments of the invention may include support arms, CMOS circuitry, temperature sensors, IMUs, and/or heaters among other elements.
US09957156B2

An embodiment method includes forming a first plurality of bond pads on a device substrate, depositing a spacer layer over and extending along sidewalls of the first plurality of bond pads, and etching the spacer layer to remove lateral portions of the spacer layer and form spacers on sidewalls of the first plurality of bond pads. The method further includes bonding a cap substrate including a second plurality of bond pads to the device substrate by bonding the first plurality of bond pads to the second plurality of bond pads.
US09957152B2

A fluid dispensing apparatus is provided and is configured to dispense two fluids to a vehicle. A rigid diesel spout delivers diesel, while a urea spout is slidably disposed on the diesel spout and configured to deliver urea to the vehicle. The urea spout includes a guide that cooperates with a rail on the diesel spout such that insertion of the diesel spout into the vehicle can slide the urea spout relative the diesel spout. A valve in the urea spout includes an area for receiving a projection member on the vehicle to open the urea spout when inserted into the vehicle. The vehicle correspondingly includes a diesel intake and a urea intake. A projection or pin is provided to cooperate with the dispensing apparatus to open the valve and allow urea to flow into the vehicle.
US09957137B2

The elevator car includes a floor, a ceiling, and side walls connecting the floor and the ceiling. At least the inner surface of at least some of the side walls of the elevator car may be covered with sheets of board. The board includes a fire retardant plywood having a front surface and an opposite back surface. The front surface of the fire retardant plywood may be coated with a first material layer including a fire retardant laminate. The fire retardant laminate may be attached with heat resistant or fire retardant glue to the fire retardant plywood. The back surface of the fire retardant plywood may be coated with a second material layer having a same thickness and a same material properties as the laminate.
US09957136B2

The invention relates to an elevator guide rail straightness measuring system, for measuring the straightness of elevator guide rails, which measuring system comprises at least one plumb line mounted vertically in the runway adjacent to the guide rail and at least one sensor arrangement to be mounted on a carrier to travel vertically along the guide rail, which sensor arrangement comprises a frame, at least one guide shoe connected to the frame for sliding/rolling along a guide surface of the guide rail, a bias means for placing and biasing the frame against the guide surface, and at least one sensor means for sensing the position of the plumb line with respect to the frame, such elevator system allows easy and exact measurement of the guide rail straightness. The invention also relates to an elevator having such a system.
US09957135B2

An elevator includes an elevator car, a counterweight and suspension roping, which connects the elevator car and counterweight to each other, and which suspension roping includes one or more ropes, which include a load-bearing composite part, which includes reinforcing fibers in a polymer matrix. The elevator car and the counterweight are arranged to be moved by exerting a vertical force on at least the elevator car or on the counterweight. The elevator includes a device separate from the suspension roping for exerting the force on at least the elevator car or on the counterweight.
US09957128B2

A sheet conveying device includes: a sheet discharge roller disposed in a conveying path of sheets so as to discharge a sheet being conveyed to a sheet discharge tray; a conveying unit that conveys sheets on a side of the conveying path closer to an upstream side than the sheet discharge roller; a motor that rotates at a constant system speed during conveying of sheets to drive the conveying unit; a transmission mechanism that transmits power of the motor to the sheet discharge roller to rotate the sheet discharge roller; and a controller that controls an operation of the transmission mechanism, wherein the transmission mechanism changes a circumferential speed of the sheet discharge roller, and the controller performs speed reduction control of controlling the operation of the transmission mechanism to temporarily reduce the circumferential speed of the sheet discharge roller when a sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray.
US09957124B2

A media conveyance apparatus includes a first conveyer configured to convey media along a conveyance path, a first detector configured to detect overlap-feed of the media conveyed by the first conveyor; and a controller programmed to control operation of the first conveyor based on a detection value from the first detector, a first threshold for detection of single-feed of the media, and a second threshold for detection of overlap-feed of the media.
US09957119B2

A linear drive transport system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. In addition, the linear drive transport system includes a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.
US09957116B2

A system for providing vacuum to a moving element of a transport system, the system includes: a vacuum chamber on the moving element for storing vacuum; a vacuum source; a vacuum inlet provided on the vacuum chamber and for connection to the vacuum source; and a vacuum outlet in communication with the vacuum chamber and positioned on the moving element. The vacuum source may be provided on and travel with the moving element or on the transport system and periodically engage with the vacuum chamber. Where the vacuum source is provided on the moving element, a vacuum chamber may not be required. Further, the vacuum source may be driven by electrical energy and/or mechanical energy in various configurations.
US09957113B1

An automated vial feed system for an automated prescription filling system. The system has a plurality of sensors located above a vial distribution table for controlling the pace of vial delivery to the table. The sensors determine the load of vials on the table and a control system uses the information as feedback to the vial delivery system.
US09957111B2

A conveyor device for conveying test tube holders in a laboratory distribution system is presented. The conveyor device is a screw conveyor device comprising a helical track having a helix axis and a drive shaft having an axis of rotation parallel or coaxial to the helix axis, which drive shaft is adapted to be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation for causing a movement of one test tube holder or a plurality of test tube holders contacting the helical track between an entry region and an exit region. The entry region and the exit region are spaced in a direction of the helix axis. A laboratory distribution system for conveying test tube holders and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory distribution system are also presented.
US09957101B2

A disposable brewing device including an inner compartment formed at least partly by a liquid-permeable material and having an entrance opening for introducing liquid into said brewing device, the disposable brewing device also including aroma material contained within the inner compartment and an outer compartment forming a brewing container, where the brewing container is formed by a liquid-impermeable material, where the inner compartment is integrated within the outer compartment and the outer compartment further includes a discharge arrangement including an exit opening through which the liquid exits the brewing device, where a liquid-impermeable barrier is arranged between the at least one inner compartment and the exit opening substantially blocks the aroma material and liquid in the inner compartment from passing directly from the at least one inner compartment and out through the exit opening, when the liquid is poured out of the exit opening.
US09957097B2

A food tray has a lower tray containing a first food product and an upper tray nested stably at least partly inside the lower tray, with the upper tray containing a second food product. An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking. A cover is provided for the food tray. Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave or conventional oven. Various constructions may be used to create the air permeable interface, such as lugs, ledges and lips. The upper tray may sit above the lower tray. The trays are nested loosely for ease of removal of the upper tray from the lower tray. Various configurations of cover may be used such as a sleeve, carton or lid. The upper tray may contain the higher value food product.
US09957079B2

The present teachings are direct at tray, components in a tray, methods for assembling trays, and articles, such as boxes that include a tray. The covers and/or tray inserts include one or more features that result in one or more of the following benefits: improved performance during or after assembly of a tray, improved ease of assembling a tray, or improved appearance of a tray, or any combination thereof. The features can be used alone. However, a number of the features, when combined, result in particularly robust assembly processes.
US09957077B2

A plastic container for storing liquid under a low overpressure having a container body, to whose one longitudinal end a container neck is connected, which neck has a pour opening. A bottom section has a container bottom and an edge area pulled up on the sides and that turns into the container body, is connected to the other longitudinal end of the container body. The container bottom has a curved concave section, whose periphery is connected via an axially projecting, graduated transition area to a platform that runs into the edge area pulled up on the sides. The platform and at least one partial area of the graduated transition area are interrupted by a first number of grooves. In the concave section, a second number of panel-like projections are made, which essentially extend between the graduated transition area and the longitudinal axis and end before the graduated transition area.
US09957074B2

A method of controlling an upstream and a downstream process wherein the upstream process conditions a stream of product delivered to the downstream process is provided. The control method uses an empirically determined formula to determine a metric for adjusting the activity of the upstream process to thereby adjust the rate with which the upstream process conditions and feeds a stream of conditioned product to the downstream process. The empirically determined formula determines the metric using two input variables: a duty cycle setting of the upstream process and an output rate of the downstream process expressed as a decimal amount of the output rate set-point.
US09957068B2

A space vehicle system, a method of manufacturing the space vehicle system, and a method of launching the space vehicle system are disclosed. The method of manufacturing the space vehicle system may include disposing a first space vehicle with an upper core structure upon a second space vehicle with a lower core structure such that loads of the first space vehicle are transmitted to the lower core structure of the second space vehicle.
US09957064B2

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform includes a stationary base constructed and arranged to reside over a fixed location on a surface (e.g., a ground location, a ship's deck, a trailer or other vehicle, etc.). The UAV platform further includes a set of UAV interfaces constructed and arranged to interface directly with a UAV (e.g., a launcher, a net apparatus, etc.). The UAV platform further includes a turntable assembly which couples to the stationary base. The turntable assembly is constructed and arranged to couple to each UAV interface and control angular direction of that UAV interface over the fixed location. A method of operating a UAV platform includes deploying the UAV platform over a fixed location, preparing a UAV interface on a turntable assembly of the UAV platform, and rotating the turntable to control angular direction of the UAV interface over the fixed location.
US09957063B2

According to one implementation, a structure for an aircraft includes a first structural member, a second structural member coupled to the first structural member, a fastener and a conductive object. The fastener couples the first structural member to the second structural member. The fastener is inserted into an insertion hole formed in a portion where the first structural member is overlapped with the second structural member. The fastener is in electrically non-contact with the first and second structural members in the insertion hole. The conductive object is embedded inside at least either one of the first and second structural members. The conductive object prevents a spark between the fastener and each of the first and second structural members by forming a current pathway that leads current, flowing inside the at least either one of the first and second structural members, to the other structural member.
US09957055B2

A propulsion system for an aircraft including a plurality of primary engines is provided. The plurality of primary engines includes at least a first primary engine and a second primary engine, each configured for mounting to a respective one of a pair of wings of the aircraft. The propulsion system additionally includes an aft engine configured for mounting at a tail section of the aircraft. The plurality of primary engines are sized to provide an amount of thrust sufficient for the aircraft to takeoff without use of the aft engine, such that the aft engine may be configured as a non-prime reliable engine.
US09957053B2

A system includes a signal monitor to monitor a time rate of change of a revolutions per minute (RPM) trim signal that is received from an RPM command path to control a velocity of a helicopter rotor. An icing detector detects for the presence of ice accumulation on the helicopter rotor by comparing the time rate of change of the RPM trim signal to a predetermined threshold for the time rate of change.
US09957048B2

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.
US09957042B1

A bimodal propeller aircraft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the aircraft is flown using a cruise propeller and a hover propeller. The hover propeller has one or more folding blades optimized to provide lift to the aircraft in a first flight mode. The cruise propeller is optimized to provide thrust in a second flight mode. In the second flight mode, the one or more folding blades of the hover propeller may remain in a stowed position.
US09957040B2

A propeller system includes a propeller located at a tail section and a drive shaft operably connected to the propeller to drive the propeller about a propeller axis. A propeller gearbox connects the propeller to the drive shaft and a propeller gearbox lubricant cooler is operably connected to the propeller gearbox and disposed circumferentially about the drive shaft. The propeller gearbox lubricant cooler transfers thermal energy from a flow of lubricant flowing therethrough to a flow of air flowing through the tail section across the propeller gearbox lubricant cooler. A method of cooling a gearbox for a propeller includes circulating a volume of lubricant through a propeller gearbox and flowing the lubricant into a propeller gearbox cooler. Thermal energy is transferred from the lubricant to a flow of air flowing across the propeller gearbox cooler and the flow of air is vented from the tail section of the rotorcraft.
US09957031B2

A system and method determine a size and a shape for identical geodesic modules that are used to form a structure. The system and method may include analyzing input data regarding a size and a shape of the structure to be formed, and determining the size and the shape for each of the identical geodesic modules based on the size and the shape of the structure to be formed. The structure may include a framework including the identical geodesic modules. Each of the geodesic modules has a size and a shape that are the same as all of the other of the geodesic modules. A forming system and method position a framework and a covering skin of the structure in relation to a mandrel, and drill and rivet the framework to the covering skin with a plurality of operating heads.
US09957027B2

An outboard drive device (10) comprising a motor (11) having a crankshaft (16), wherein said outboard drive device (10) further comprises a propeller shaft (12) with a propeller which propeller is below the hull (13) of a boat when said outboard drive device (10) is operated, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor (11) to the propeller shaft (12). The motor (11) is an automotive motor or an industrial base engine, wherein the crankshaft (16) is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the propeller shaft (12) when said outboard drive device (10) is operated. The power coupling system comprises a power transfer device (17), a transmission (18) and a transmission drive shaft (19). The power transfer device (17) connects the crankshaft (16) with the transmission drive shaft (19) for transferring the output power from the crankshaft (16) to the transmission drive shaft (19). The transmission (18) comprises a forward gear (23) and a reverse gear (24), so that the output power is reversible.
US09957026B2

A device for providing buoyancy comprising; —a bladder capable of being inflated; —a vessel containing fluid for inflating the bladder; and —one or more valves for controlling the passage of fluid between the bladder and the vessel; wherein one or more of the valves are capable of being opened to permit the passage of fluid from the vessel to the bladder in response to at least one of exposure of the device to a pre-determined pressure level and detection of blood oxygen concentration below a pre-determine threshold in an individual using the device.
US09957024B2

A boat lifting device for lifting a ship, such as a motorboat, a utility boat, a prefabricated rubber boat, a shipping boat, a cruise yacht, or a dinghy yacht, above the surface or for floating the same on the surface and, more particularly, to a boat lifting device operated by a hydraulic cylinder, air, water pressure, a worm gear, or a rotor.
US09957023B1

Proactive control of watercraft movement based on water surface features. A method obtains, from a plurality of floating sensors at least partially surrounding a watercraft in a body of water, information about movement of a surface of the body of water, the plurality of floating sensors being arranged in multiple sets, the floating sensors of each set of the multiple sets being interconnected by a respective tether extending from the watercraft. The method builds a surface model of the surface of the body of water based on the obtained information about movement of the surface, the surface model including indications of force and directional movement of features of the surface of the body of water, and determines, based on the surface model, at least one control maneuver for controlling movement of the watercraft.
US09957021B2

A fin plug (10) for a water craft, said fin plug (10) including: a top surface (15) and a bottom surface (20); at least one fin cavity (25), for receiving a base element of a fin, extending inwardly from at least one opening in the top surface (15); and at least one hole (35) or recess in the top surface (15) adapted to be filled with foam.
US09957017B2

The present invention relates broadly to a floating structure and more particular to a floating structure formed by a plurality of modular floating units, a method for forming a floating structure, and a method for stabilising a plurality of modular floating units lined abreast. The method for forming a floating structure comprises providing a plurality of modular floating units including three or more tunnel thrusters; aligning the plurality of modular floating units wherein each of the three or more tunnel thrusters of each of the plurality of modular floating units are aligned to each of a corresponding three or more tunnel thrusters on an adjacent modular floating unit; and operating at least one of the three or more tunnel thrusters of each of the plurality of modular floating units to generate at least one horizontal pillar of water flow, wherein the at least one horizontal pillar of water flow skewers each of the plurality of modular floating units longitudinally through one of the three or more tunnel thrusters thereof.
US09956999B2

A wiper module assembly for a vehicle lift gate having an inner panel with a spoiler formed as a one-piece part of an outer panel. The outer panel of the lift gate is connected to the inner panel to form an exterior surface of the lift gate. A cavity is formed in part of the spoiler and receives a carrier forming a removable module connected to the cavity of the vehicle lift gate. The carrier includes a wiper, motor and drive assembly for operating a wiper for a window on the lift gate.
US09956986B2

An automobile steering system for controlling the steering of left and right front wheels of an automobile, a left support shaft being provided on the left front wheel, and a right support shaft being provided on the right front wheel, the automobile steering system having a steering wheel, a steering transmission device, a left rotary table, a right rotary table and a steering device, wherein the steering wheel is connected to one end of the steering transmission device, and the other end of the steering transmission device is jointed with the steering device; the left and right rotary tables are respectively located at two ends of the steering device, the left rotary table being connected to the left support shaft, and the right rotary table being connected to the right support shaft; and the steering device has a left steel wire rope, a right steel wire rope and a synchronous belt, two ends of the left steel wire rope are respectively wound around the left rotary table and the synchronous belt, and two ends of the right steel wire rope are respectively wound around the right rotary table and the synchronous belt. The steering system cleverly adopts the steel wire ropes for the steering control of the wheels, has a simple structure, low manufacturing difficulty, low manufacturing costs and high accuracy, and is especially suitable for use in an electric vehicle.
US09956981B1

A canopy assembly is provided for a ride-on vehicle including a canopy and a canopy frame assembly. The canopy frame assembly has a housing, a release member connected to the housing, a canopy support extending through the housing, and a connector connected to the canopy support. The canopy support has a first stop adjacent a first end of the canopy support and a second stop adjacent a second end of the canopy support. The release member engages the canopy support at the first stop to maintain the canopy support in the first position, wherein the canopy support is retracted, and at the second stop to maintain the canopy support in the second position, wherein the canopy support is in the extended position.
US09956979B1

A support device is provided that can attach to or be integrated with a baby stroller, that combines a mirror, a charging apparatus, an electronic device support and a remote control system in a manner that allows simultaneous charging of the electronic device, accessing of electronic device content and two way interaction between the user and the baby seated in the forward facing stroller.
US09956972B2

Systems and methods for detecting the dynamic train-to-rail shunting performance of a train as it is moving along the rails of a railroad track. The systems and methods use portable equipment temporarily installed at a site where it is desired to test the shunting of one or more trains or the electrical equipment installed at the track. The systems and method use sensor plates and a high speed recording system to simultaneously capture measured train-to-rail shunting characteristics and the positioning of a train's axles and any rail conditions impacting the measurements. The captured information can be used to fine tune the train, the electrical equipment installed at the track and/or to design new devices.
US09956969B2

An apparatus includes a housing structure and a magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly is configured to slide within the housing structure in a first direction associated with a direction of travel of the housing structure and in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction. The magnetic assembly includes a first pole plate having a first polarity and a second pole plate having a second polarity that is opposite of the first polarity.
US09956949B2

A device is disclosed that performs highly accurate control in a low-torque region and improves the response of the hydraulic system, taking advantage of hydraulic sealed-type hydraulic control devices. The hydraulic sealed-type hydraulic control device includes: a first characteristic (sealed pressurization) obtained by closing an on-off valve and driving an oil pump; a second characteristic (sealed depressurization) obtained by disabling drive of the oil pump and opening the on-off valve; and a third characteristic (flow-rate control) obtained by opening the on-off valve and driving the oil pump. In a low-torque region, the device performs control according to the third characteristic. In a high-torque region, the device performs control according to the second characteristic. In the process of depressurization, the device performs control according to the second characteristic. Moreover, the device performs control to increase commanded hydraulic pressure in immediate response to an accelerator's change amount larger than a predetermined value.
US09956926B2

A magnet fastener assembly includes a carrier having a body including a magnet seat with a conical bottom wall and an outer rim wall. A magnet cup is received within the rim wall overlying the conical bottom wall. Further a magnet is held in the magnet cup.
US09956921B2

A wheel holder for a bicycle carrier for a vehicle includes at least one body having at least one wheel receiving surface, a first plane aligned with a rotation plane of the bicycle wheel after the bicycle wheel has been mounted to the wheel holder, and at least one fastening member configured to retain the bicycle wheel to the at least one wheel receiving surface of the body. The fastening member has a released position in which the bicycle wheel can be positioned in the wheel holder and a secured position in which the wheel holder retains the bicycle wheel. The at least one fastening member is configured to extend in a diagonal direction across the first plane when positioned in the secured position.
US09956915B2

A dump truck having a periphery monitoring apparatus is adapted to display an image of surroundings of the dump truck on a display apparatus. A rearward camera is attached to a vehicle body of the dump truck underneath a vessel of the dump truck and positioned forward of a rear edge portion of the vessel. A rearward camera image captured by the rearward camera includes the rear edge portion of the vessel, an area below the vessel, and an area rearward of the vehicle body. A display control section is configured to display the rear edge portion of the vessel in an upper region of the rearward camera image, to display a ground surface below the vessel in a lower region of the rearward camera image, and to display a vehicle body outer edge line obtained by vertically projecting an outer edge of the vessel onto the ground surface.
US09956914B2

In a parking assistance device, a ground mark indicating the coil axis direction and position of a ground coil is placed at a parking space, and a vehicle mark indicating the coil axis direction and position of a vehicle coil is displayed in an image displayed on a display unit. Then, the vehicle mark is displayed in the image in such a way as to be superimposed on the ground mark when the vehicle on which the vehicle coil is mounted reaches a position and angle at which the vehicle can be wirelessly charged.
US09956911B2

The present disclosure provides for a vehicle warning system. The warning system includes a sensor configured to detect a presence of a foreign object and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller is operable to periodically communicate with the sensor to identify the presence of the foreign object while the vehicle is parked. The controller is further operable to output a warning signal in response to the presence of the foreign object. The warning signal is configured to communicate a detection of the foreign object having entered a path of the vehicle during a period while the vehicle is parked.
US09956909B2

Systems and methods are described for monitoring movement of a trailer relative to the towing vehicle and providing driver-assistance information to the driver of the towing vehicle. The system determines a velocity vector for the host vehicle at a location near a rear of the host vehicle at a defined lateral distance from a trailer hitch installed on the host vehicle. The system also determines a velocity vector for the trailer at a corresponding location on the trailer—that is a location on the front of the trailer at approximately the same defined lateral distance from the trailer hitch. The system compares the velocity vector for the host vehicle to the velocity vector for the trailer and determines, based on the comparison, whether a jack-knife condition is likely to occur. If a jack-knife condition is likely to occur, the system generates a warning signal.
US09956907B2

A controller for a vehicle having a continuous track for vehicle propulsion. The controller is programmed to: process (i) a speed value indicative of a speed at which the vehicle is being driven; and (ii) a time value indicative of a period of time for which the vehicle has been driven at that speed; determine an overheating parameter value based on the speed value and the time value; compare the overheating parameter value with a threshold value, wherein the threshold value is representative of undesirable operation for the continuous track; and generate an output signal for the vehicle in accordance with a result of the comparison of the overheating parameter value with the threshold value.
US09956896B2

A temperature adjustment control device includes a heat diffusion layer, a heat flux sensor, and a temperature changing body provided in this order from a surface making contact with a human body. The heat flux sensor is disposed on the temperature changing body and outputs a sensor signal corresponding to a heat flux. The heat diffusion layer is disposed opposite to the temperature changing body through the heat flux sensor. The heat flux sensor outputs the sensor signal corresponding to the heat flux passing through the heat flux sensor in a direction in which the heat diffusion layer, the heat flux sensor, and the temperature changing body are arranged. A control portion controls a start and a stop of the power supply to the temperature changing body based on the sensor signal outputted from the heat flux sensor.
US09956886B2

A shielded wire is connected to a high-voltage system and conducting high-voltage communication. The shielded wire includes a wire section and a first shielding layer. The first shielding layer covers the wire section. The first shielding layer is grounded to the high-voltage system or an object with the same potential as the high-voltage system.
US09956884B2

A vehicle includes a power reception device which receives electric power from a power transmission device in a non-contact manner. The power reception device can be mounted on a bottom surface side of the vehicle. An accommodation space of the power reception device is defined between a base and a protective cover. Within the apparatus accommodation space of the power reception device is a frame that has a plurality of radial ribs extending radially from a center of the frame toward an outer peripheral portion of the frame. In addition, a side of an apparatus within the accommodation space closer to the vehicle abuts on the base, and a side of the apparatus opposite to the vehicle abuts on the protective cover.
US09956883B2

A straddle electric vehicle comprises a charging connector to which an outside connector connected to an outside electric power supply is detachably attached; a battery which charges therein electric power supplied from the outside electric power supply with the outside connector attached to the charging connector, and discharges the electric power stored therein to supply the electric power to an electric motor; a battery case accommodating the battery; and a seat on which a passenger is seated, wherein the battery case is disposed between the seat and a front wheel, the charging connector is attached to an upper portion of the battery case, and a charging port of the charging connector is located forward relative to the seat so as to face rearward.
US09956880B2

A drivable exercise machine may include an electric vehicle with human power input provided by a high output, variable-resistance pedal-driven generator. The vehicle may include a computing device with a user interface that mimics an electric exercise bicycle. Using one or more program modes, a user may activate pre-set, custom and dynamic terrain-based exercise program profiles while commuting.
US09956877B2

An upper-limit vehicle speed should be prevented from being set to speed different from an intention of a driver. When it is detected that a speed limit is changed, an upper-limit vehicle speed setting ECU temporarily switches a control mode from a normal mode to an inquiry mode. An ASL operation unit serves a function for a change operation of upper-limit vehicle speed in the normal mode, and serves a function for a reply operation about whether the speed limit is accepted in the inquiry mode. When the ASL operation unit is operated in the normal mode, the upper-limit vehicle speed setting ECU does not switch the control mode to the inquiry mode, even if a change of a speed limit is detected, until a certain period of time (a certain period during which a mode switching prohibition period is set) has passed since the operation.
US09956876B2

In one embodiment, location and route information of a route associated with the autonomous vehicle is obtained, where the route includes a starting location and a destination. Real-time traffic information of the route is obtained based on the location and route information. A driving mode of the autonomous vehicle is determined based on the location and route information and the real-time traffic information. A content item is selected from a list of content items obtained from a content database based on the determined driving mode. The selected content item is displayed in a display device within the autonomous vehicle.
US09956874B2

A method and apparatus for controlling traction of a vehicle with independent drives or motors connected to the wheels or other ground engaging apparatuses. Nominal torque allocations can be determined for a set of motors, the motors connected to ground engaging elements and including a front set of motors and a rear set of motors. The nominal torque allocations can be modified based on a lateral differential correction and a fore-aft differential correction to produce modified torque commands and the modified torque commands can be applied to the set of motors.
US09956870B2

A drive axle assembly for a heavy goods vehicle includes a hollow hub, a wheel body rotatably mounted to the hollow hub, and a planetary gear including first and second planetary gear stages, each having a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier with planetary wheels mounted rotatably in the planetary carrier and meshing with the sun gear and the ring gear. A drive shaft is axially guided through the hollow hub and the sun gear of the second planetary gear stage, with the sun gear of the first planetary gear stage being non-rotatably mounted on a vehicle-distal outer end of the drive shaft. Non-rotatably connected by a screw and pin connection to the hollow hub is an annular disk which has an axial opening and a plurality of boreholes in radially surrounding relationship to the axial opening.
US09956860B2

In a rear structure for an electric vehicle including, at the rear of the vehicle body, an article storage unit supported on a rear frame, and a first lid configured to cover the article storage unit from above, the electric vehicle includes sub batteries serving as a drive source thereof, the sub batteries are stored in a battery storage unit disposed below the article storage unit, the article storage unit and the battery storage unit include an upper opening and a lower opening, respectively, which are open to the rear side of the vehicle, and a second lid configured to cover the upper opening and the lower opening is formed as a member different from the first lid. Such a rear structure for a vehicle is easy to use, and allows many articles be loaded on the article storage unit and be stored therein.
US09956859B2

A vehicle battery mounting structure includes a battery frame that is disposed at a vehicle lower side of a floor panel, and is made from resin; a ductile member that includes a main body joined to the battery frame and a flange contiguously formed at a vehicle width direction outside end of the main body, the flange having a hole, and the ductile member being fastened to a lower face of the floor panel using a fastener inserted through the hole; and a fastening portion that is formed in a region including the hole, having a substantially hat shaped cross-section profile projecting toward a vehicle upper side and having ridge lines on vehicle front-rear direction sides of the region, and the ridge lines being formed with curved or bent shape toward directions heading away from the hole on progression toward a vehicle width direction inside in plan view.
US09956854B2

A system for improving safety while providing privacy for a vehicle. The system includes a display screen located within the vehicle, configured to alternate between a displaying state and a non-displaying state. The system includes a window configured to alternate between an opaque state and a transparent state. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine whether the display screen is powered on. The ECU is configured to alternate the display screen between the displaying state and the non-displaying state at a predetermined frequency when the display screen is powered on. The ECU is configured to alternate the window between the opaque state and the transparent state at the predetermined frequency, the display screen being in the displaying state when the window is in the opaque state and the display screen being in the non-displaying state when the window is in the transparent state.
US09956852B2

An air vent apparatus for a vehicle, which is disposed to supply air into an interior of a vehicle may include a duct housing opened at front and rear sides thereof, at least one blade disposed at a rear side in the duct housing horizontally in a width direction of the vehicle, and having both ends rotatably coupled, a knob mounted on one blade among the at least one blade so as to be slidable in the width direction of the vehicle and a front and rear direction of the vehicle, and adjust an angle of the blade, and a diffuser device mounted in the duct housing at a position spaced apart from a front side of the blade, connected with the knob, adjusting an angle in a left and right direction, and selectively diffusing the supplied air in accordance with a manipulation of the knob.
US09956846B2

A blower unit for a vehicle heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is disclosed. The blower unit includes a case member that defines at least one exterior air intake aperture and at least one interior air intake aperture. The blower unit also includes a sealing member, a first door, and a second door. The first and second doors can move independent of each other. The first and second doors can be positioned in a mixture position to allow air flow into the blower unit through both the exterior and interior air intake apertures. The first door, in the mixture position, is sealed against the sealing member. As such, the first door and the sealing member cooperate to reduce air flow out of the blower unit through the interior air intake aperture.
US09956845B2

A vehicle climate control system. An air conditioner and heater are operatively connected to a controller and control the temperature of the cabin area of a vehicle. A processor, operatively connected to the controller, determines the amount of time for an operator of the vehicle to travel between their location and the location of the vehicle. The processor determines an amount of time required to adjust the temperature of the cabin area of the vehicle to a selected temperature by using one of the air conditioner and the heater. The processor automatically operates one of the air conditioner and the heater to begin adjusting the temperature of the cabin area to the selected temperature when the amount of time required for the operator to travel between their location and the location of the vehicle is less than or equal to the amount of time required to adjust the temperature of the cabin area vehicle to the selected temperature.
US09956843B2

A climate control system having a housing with an air inlet, a cooling element for providing cooled air, a heating element located downstream of the cooling element, a cold air duct for directing cooled air located downstream, a bypass duct for directing cooled air located downstream of the cooling element, a hot air duct for directing heated air, a first mixing chamber for mixing cooled air from the cold air duct and heated air from the hot air duct into blended air, a second mixing chamber located downstream of the bypass duct and downstream of the first mixing chamber for mixing cooled air from the bypass duct and blended air from the first mixing chamber, an air outlet located downstream of the second mixing chamber for delivering air to a passenger compartment, and an air deflector device is located downstream of the bypass duct.
US09956840B2

A rotational damper includes a damper housing surrounding an electromagnetic damper motor and connected to a first mass via a fastening part; a coupling lever supported for pivoting relative to the damper housing and connected with a second mass; a strain wave gear mechanism for damping vibrations and including a rigid unit having an internal spline and being connected with the damper housing, and a flexible unit having an external spline and being fastened with the fastening part, wherein the first and second units are coupled with each other via the internal and external splines; a wave generator rotatably supported in the flexible unit, wherein a rotation of the wave generator causes a deformation of the flexible unit; and a wrap spring connected on one side in rotative fixed relationship with the coupling lever, and on another side connected in rotative fixed relationship with the fastening part, wherein at a predetermined pivoting of the coupling lever relative to the fastening part the wrap spring deforms the flexible unit thereby blocking the strain wave gear mechanism.
US09956836B2

A flexible decorative display device for attachment to a hitch receiver. The flexible display device is formed from a bendable sheet having a distal front surface, a proximal rear surface, an outer shaped outline, and interior shaped edges. The interior shaped edges form both a central opening to accommodate the trailer hitch receiver and a tongue. The tongue has tongue alignment cavity edges that define an interior tongue pin-receiving cavity. The tongue bends backwardly at a flexure line to fold back over the outside of the receiver tube, aligning the tongue pin-receiving cavity with the pin-receiving hole of the receiver.
US09956828B2

A heavy duty pneumatic tire includes a clinch portion extending from the sidewalls to the beads. A concave curved surface extends on an outer surface of the clinch portion in a circumferential direction. A convex curved surface is engageable with the concave curved surface. A ratio R1/R2 of a radius of curvature of the concave curved surface to a radius of curvature of the convex curved surface, satisfies 1.7≤R1/R2≤3.9, a ratio D1/R2 of a depth of the concave curved surface to the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface satisfies 0.05≤D1/R2≤0.09, and the radius of curvature R1 of the concave curved surface and the radius of curvature R2 of the convex curved surface are each a radius of curvature of an arc on a cross section as taken along a plane including a center axis of the tire.
US09956818B2

A method for making the composite material wheel rim includes the steps of: configuring a plurality of inner lining chunks individually to the desired position where the spokes are to be mounted to allow the inner lining chunks to be integrated with an inner annular portion of the wheel rim, next, integrating the formed inner annular portion with an outer annular portion of the wheel rim to form a semi-finished wheel rim, and then, creating the requested threaded holes for connecting the spokes in the inner lining chunks of the inner surface of the semi-finished wheel rim subject to the requested amount and angles of the spokes. By the present method, the semi-finished wheel rim allows drilled, threaded holes subject to needs to fit different types of wheel hub units to increase the yield rate and reduce the inventory of the wheel rims.
US09956811B2

This document discloses magnetic sewing rulers, cutting mats, magnetic holders and magnetic ruler sewing kits are disclosed that provide tools to securely and easily hold fabrics and other sewing materials in place on a cutting mat for laying out, measuring, cutting, pinning, etc. when engaged in sewing projects. The magnetic rulers, cutting mats, and magnetic holders provide security in holding projects to allow a person to use their hands freely during sewing projects.
US09956810B2

A scented writing instrument may include a moveable barrel and a writing implement coupled to the moveable barrel. The writing implement may be adapted to emit a selective scent. The writing instrument may also include an outer casing and a top casing coupled to the moveable barrel. The outer casing may have an interior cavity configured to coupleably receive the writing implement and the moveable barrel. The top casing may be configured to extend the writing implement in an axial direction between a retracted position and an extended position. Related methods of manufacturing the scented writing instrument are also provided.
US09956808B2

Disclosed is an automatic circulation binder, comprising a housing (1), a pair of pivotable hinged plates (2) which are located in the housing (1) and are tightly clamped by the housing (1), and multiple pairs of half ring elements (3) respectively fixed on the pair of hinged plates (2), wherein the half ring element (3) extends out of an upper surface of the housing (1); the automatic circulation binder also comprises a push rod (4) which is located in the housing (1) and capable of moving in an axial direction of the housing, the push rod (4) is located below the hinged plates (2), and a first through groove (5) and a second through groove (6) are successively provided on the push rod (4) from the left to the right in the axial direction of the housing, wherein an automatic rotation push rod locating sleeve (7) is provided in the first through groove (5) and an upper end of the automatic rotation push rod locating sleeve (7) is fixedly connected to an inner surface of the housing (1), a return spring (8) is provided in the second through groove (6), and the return spring (8) is connected to the hinged plates (2); and a plurality of ejection strips (9) are provided on the upper end of the push rod (4), through grooves (10) are correspondingly provided on the hinged plates (2) such that the ejection strips (9) penetrate through the through grooves (10), and snap grooves (11) matched with the front end of the ejection strips (9) are also located on the inner surface of the housing (1). The automatic circulation binder has a simple structure, and a circulating process of opening and closing can be completed by means of circular pushing with one hand, and the operation is comfortable, easy, and convenient, the usage costs are reduced, and the market demands are met.
US09956806B1

An article includes a first layer comprising a substrate having one or more images applied thereto. A second layer applied on each image and comprising one or more first and second portions, the first portion and second portions each in communication with a first image area and a second image area of an image, respectively. The second layer comprises a coating composition comprising fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene. The first and second portions comprise first and second detectable properties, respectively, having a value correlated with the graphene. The first and/or second detectable properties each comprise a first X-ray diffraction pattern, a first electrical conductivity, and one or more of a thermal conductivity, an optical property. The first and second detectable properties together create a distinctive signature for the article.
US09956801B2

An imaging member surface contains a swellable elastomer doped with a release oil. This aids in complete transfer of ink to a receiving substrate when a thin film of release oil forms upon the surface during application of pressure at the nip.
US09956790B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a forming section which forms an image on a medium, a transport section which transports the medium in a first direction, and a heating section which heats a transport path on which the medium is transported, in which the forming section includes a first forming section which forms a pre-treatment liquid layer that includes a thermosetting resin on the medium, a liquid ejecting head which forms an image layer on the medium by ejecting liquid, and a second forming section which forms a post-treatment liquid layer that includes a thermosetting resin and is different from the pre-treatment liquid layer on the medium, and B
US09956788B2

A device of the present disclosure has a board reception plate coupled on a first side to a first side plate and coupled on a second side to a second side plate, and the board reception plate is adapted for supporting a board. The apparatus further has a first spring-loaded sliding bar coupled to the first side plate that has a first channel for receiving a first edge of the board and a second spring-loaded sliding bar coupled to the second side plate that has a second channel for receiving a second edge of the board.
US09956780B2

An electronic device includes a first substrate including a structure body protruded from one surface; and a second substrate stacked and disposed facing the one surface through a spacer, in which the first substrate and the spacer are bonded to each other by an adhesive, and in which the adhesive is extended up to the structure body along the one surface.
US09956776B2

A liquid-ejection head including: a substrate on or above which a plurality of actuators are formed, the plurality of actuators generating energy for ejecting a liquid; and a flow-passage-forming member on or above the substrate, the flow-passage-forming member defining ejection ports through which the liquid is ejected and a plurality of liquid chambers each having a corresponding one of the plurality of actuators, the flow-passage-forming member including an orifice plate defining the ejection ports and liquid-chamber side walls defining side walls of the plurality of liquid chambers, the flow-passage-forming member being formed of an inorganic material and having a depressed portion between the liquid chambers, and the depressed portion being filled with a photosensitive resin.
US09956771B2

An example provides a fluid ejection apparatus including a fluid feed slot to supply a fluid to a plurality of drop ejectors, a first rib at a first side of the fluid feed slot and supporting drop ejection circuitry to control ejection of drops of the fluid from the plurality of drop ejectors, and a second rib at a second side, opposite the first side, of the fluid feed slot supporting a thermal sensor to facilitate determination of a temperature of the first rib and the second rib.
US09956753B2

The invention concerns a processing method of lining material for bags and luggage comprising: preparing a fabric; bonding the lightguide fiber on the fabric surface; coating a fluorescent layer on the fabric surface with lightguide fiber; setting a nano-antibiotic silicone layer on the fluorescent; setting the LED luminous tube and driving power at the end of the lightguide fiber. In this way, the first layer of the lining material is a nano silicone layer, the second the fluorescent layer, the third the fabric, a lightguide fiber between the second and third layer, LED luminous tube at the initial end of the lightguide fiber, which to light the luggage interior with the guiding characteristic of fiber by lighting up the LED.
US09956752B2

In certain example embodiments, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be disposed on a deformable and flexible backbone sheet and chained together in an array, e.g., via flexible wiggle wires. Such flexible wiggle wires may also provide an electrical connection to an external power source. An optical out-coupling layer stack (OCLS) system may help serve as an index matching layer, heat sink, étendue conserver, etc. The backbone may be formed to a shape tailored to its ultimate application. Applications may include, for example, automotive (such as Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) applications), lighting, signage, and/or other applications. In an example CHMSL application, the deformable sheet with the LED array thereon has a step, sinusoidal, or other shape matched to the angle and/or curvature of the glass such that the LEDs produce light primarily in a direction parallel to a surface on which a vehicle is located.
US09956751B2

A thin film polymer structure having a functional substance on the face (A surface) and reverse face (B surface) of the film, obtained by the steps of: (a) causing polyfunctional molecules to adsorb to an area of an arbitrary shape in an interface between a substrate body and a liquid phase; (b) polymerizing and/or crosslinking the adsorbing polyfunctional molecules to form a polymer thin film; (c) bonding a functional substance to the A surface of the formed thin film and then (d) forming a soluble support film thereon; exfoliating the thin film and the soluble support film from the substrate body; (e) bonding to the B surface of the thin film a functional substance identical to or different from the abovementioned functional substance and then dissolving the soluble support film with a solvent.
US09956749B2

According to one or more embodiments, a polymeric article includes a first polymeric layer defining a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, the first side being exposed to atmospheric air, and an ink layer and a second polymeric layer, the ink layer being positioned between the second polymeric layer and the second portion of the first polymeric layer.
US09956748B2

A gas-barrier laminate (10) of a structure in which a first inorganic barrier layer (3), a water-trapping layer (5) and a second inorganic barrier layer (9) are provided in this order on a plastic base material (1), wherein the water-trapping layer (5) is a layer in which a granular moisture-absorbing agent is dispersed in a matrix of an ionic polymer, the granular moisture-absorbing agent being capable of absorbing moisture to a degree lower than that attained by the matrix, and an organic layer (7) is provided between the water-trapping layer (5) and the second inorganic barrier layer (9), the organic layer (7) serving as an underlying layer for forming the second inorganic barrier layer. The water-trapping layer has excellent barrier property against water and is, at the same time, effectively suppressed from swelling despite it has absorbed moisture. The water-trapping layer is, further, effectively suppressed from losing its activity.
US09956743B2

Devices, systems and techniques are described for producing and implementing articles and materials having nano-scale and microscale structures that exhibit superhydrophobic, superoleophobic or omniphobic surface properties and other enhanced properties. In one aspect, a surface nanostructure can be formed by adding a silicon-containing buffer layer such as silicon, silicon oxide or silicon nitride layer, followed by metal film deposition and heating to convert the metal film into balled-up, discrete islands to form an etch mask. The buffer layer can be etched using the etch mask to create an array of pillar structures underneath the etch mask, in which the pillar structures have a shape that includes cylinders, negatively tapered rods, or cones and are vertically aligned. In another aspect, a method of fabricating microscale or nanoscale polymer or metal structures on a substrate is made by photolithography and/or nano imprinting lithography.
US09956742B2

A composite, a high-frequency circuit substrate using the same and method thereof are discussed. The composite includes the following solid components: a DOPO (9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide) derivative compound of 10-70 wt %, a curing agent of 10-50 wt %, one or more epoxy of 10-90 wt % and an inorganic filling material of 10-40 wt %. The non-halogen low dielectric epoxy composite uses a high-purity DOPO (9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide) derivative as tiny particles dispersing in the composite. The crosslinking yield of the composite is not reduced, while the heat resistance and flame retardancy are increased. The prepreg and copper foil covered laminate for use in printed circuit board, made from the epoxy composite, has great dielectric property and high glass transition temperature (GTT), satisfying the need of high frequency in electronic signal transmission and high speed in data processing of the industry of copper covered printed circuit board.
US09956738B1

Automated bag forming systems and methods for their use are disclosed. The automated bag forming systems described herein can be configured to receive a web of bag material and produce individual bags through a sealing and cutting process possessing a high degree of speed, precision, and reproducibility.
US09956736B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing of waste and in particular processing involving a volumetric reduction of waste materials. There is an apparatus for processing waste material comprising a compaction compartment for receipt of waste material, the compaction compartment have a screw vane for processing waste material through the compaction compartment and a waste material outlet. In one aspect the apparatus comprises a heating zone including an arrangement for heating the waste material received from the waste outlet, the apparatus further comprising a cooling zone including a cooling arrangement for cooling the waste material received from the heating zone. In another aspect, at least one of the screw vane or wall comprises one or more ports therein for transfer of liquid from the waste material, the one or more ports having a port inlet and a port outlet, wherein the area of the opening defined by the port inlet is different to the area of the opening defined by the port outlet. In a further aspect, a heating zone for receiving waste material from the waste material outlet is provided where the heating zone includes an arrangement for heating the waste material in the heating zone, and a blocking element for impeding movement of waste material from the heating zone.
US09956734B2

The present invention provides a tapered line production device and method for efficiently producing line of varying thickness. An additional aspect of the present invention is to employ a heat transfer media to provide a tapered fishing line production device and method that operates at high rates of production. Further, the device may be configured to create tapered fishing line with minimal transitional distances between tapered sections.
US09956732B2

The invention relates to systems and methods for creating a foamed part. An example method includes providing a polymer processing system, providing a mold having at least one expandable mold cavity in fluid communication with the polymer processing system, mixing polymeric material and blowing agent within the polymer processing system to produce a unfoamed mixture, injecting a volume of the mixture of polymeric material and blowing agent from the polymer processing system and into the expandable mold cavity, and expanding the mold cavity to expand the unfoamed mixture within the mold cavity and form a foamed preform. Thereafter, the foamed preform may be inserted into a compression mold to press-form the foamed preform into a finished part.
US09956727B2

A printer apparatus and a method for continuously printing a three-dimensional (3D) object. The printer apparatus has an elongated container for containing build fluid comprising a monomer from which the 3D object is made. A means for continuous conveying a build platform has a build surface that descending down into the build fluid. A matrix of light emitting elements are disposed above the elongated container, and emit a predetermined pattern of a reactive light toward the continuously conveyed build surface and at the upper surface of the build fluid. The reactive light has a predetermined pattern that polymerizes and/or agglomerates a portion of the upper surface of the build fluid into a build material having a build pattern comprising the build material. The build platform can have a plurality of build surface segments attached in series along a continuous conveyor.
US09956724B2

An insulated drinking vessel, e.g., a wine glass, and methods of making the same is disclosed. The vessel basically comprises a pre-molded inner vessel formed of a plastic material having a sidewall, a pre-molded outer vessel formed of a plastic material, and a ring. The ring is formed of a plastic material and is molded in-situ on a top portion of the inner vessel to cause portions of the plastic material of the inner vessel to melt and intermingle with the plastic material of the ring to form a non-superficial homogenous joint therebetween. The inner vessel is disposed within the outer vessel and the ring is welded to a top portion of the outer vessel. The ring forms the rim or lip of the insulated drinking vessel and that vessel includes an insulating air space between the sidewall portions of the inner and outer vessels.
US09956722B2

There are provided a method and device for thermocompression bonding of possibly preventing any warping of a resin member to be caused by thermocompression bonding, and of possibly reducing the time to be taken for processing. The method for thermocompression bonding, includes: preheating a resin member using an infrared radiation section; and subjecting the resin member to thermocompression bonding using a heating section and a pressurization section.
US09956718B2

A method of forming a structural tube may include urging a substantially flat thermoplastic sandwich sheet against a mandrel and heating the thermoplastic sandwich sheet to a temperature below a glass transition temperature. The method may further include allowing the thermoplastic sandwich sheet to cool and removing the mandrel, thereby forming a tube portion.
US09956716B2

Disclosed is a multilayered container having an intermediate layer comprising an oxygen-absorbable barrier resin composition showing excellent processability upon molding. Specifically disclosed is a multilayered container which comprises an inner layer and an outer layer each comprising an olefin resin and an intermediate layer provided between the inner layer and the outer layer and comprising an oxygen-absorbable barrier resin composition, wherein the oxygen-absorbable barrier resin composition has a cooling crystallization peak temperature lower than that of a base resin (an oxygen barrier resin) which constitutes the oxygen-absorbable barrier resin composition, the multilayered container is formed by a solid-phase-forming process at a temperature lower by 1 to 15° C. than the cooling crystallization starting temperature (Tc2) of the base resin, and the body of the container shows a calorific value of less than 0.5 J/g by the isothermal crystallization after heating from 30° C. to 130° C. at a heating rate of 100° C./min in a thermal analysis of the body.
US09956709B2

A co-rotating twin screw extruder for forming fragments is disclosed. The extruder comprises of an intake zone for receiving one or more excipient(s) suitable for oral dosage or one or more excipient(s) suitable for oral dosage along with one or more active pharmaceutical ingredient, a melt zone for softening at least one excipient to form a viscous mass or melt and a fragmenting zone for fragmenting and cooling the viscous mass into cooled fragments and an extruder outlet for recovering the cooled fragments from the extruder.
US09956707B2

A process includes: supplying a main resin from outer and inner flow channel, to a joined flow channel at a predetermined supply velocity for a predetermined time; supplying a second resin from a middle flow channel to the joined flow channel simultaneously with the main resin at a predetermined supply velocity for a certain time within the predetermined time; and sliding a shut-off pin to bring the pin forefront to a predetermined position near an outlet of the inner flow channel, open to the joined flow channel, before the second resin is supplied, or during a time starting after a time from the start of the second resin supply and ending with the termination of the supply, so that the velocity of main resin supply from the inner flow channel to the joined flow channel is reduced to a predetermined level by adjusting the degree of aperture for the outlet.
US09956696B2

A knife blade with a back, and a cutting edge with a shoulder, characterised in that the knife blade has a blade profile perpendicular to the blade edge that, starting at the shoulder and moving towards the back, has the following thickness, as ground prior to any polishing or subsequent steps, at the position indicated: at the shoulder a thickness of AA; at about 1/16″ from the shoulder a thickness of BB; and at about ⅛″ from the shoulder a thickness of CC; where AA is about 16 to 23 thousandths of an inch (0.41 mm to 0.58 mm); BB is AA plus about 3 thousandths of an inch (0.076 mm); and CC is BB plus about 2 thousandths of an inch. (0.051 mm).
US09956691B1

The automated gripping tool enables a user to move a food product from a first position to a second position while maintaining the integrity and appearance of the food product. The gripper tool makes use of flexible bands on a pair of gripping arms. The flexible bands are positioned to sandwich a food product between them with sufficient force to allow the food product to be repositioned and without damaging the integrity and appearance of the food product.
US09956688B2

A system for predicting a robotic power disconnection includes: a controller; and a robot controllable by the controller, the robot including: a power connector configured to provide power to the robot; and a sensor operably connected to the controller, the sensor configured to detect a change in a field that varies with a changing condition of the power connector, the sensor further configured to alert the controller regarding the change in the field, the controller configured to adjust current through the power connector in response to the alert.
US09956686B2

A measured mark is arranged on a link of an articulated robot. A camera for measuring a position of the measured mark is arranged at a position distant from the articulated robot. A control apparatus of the articulated robot changes posture of the articulated robot, measures positions of the measured mark respectively before and after a change of the posture by the camera, and calculates an actual deflection amount of the link based on a movement amount between the position of the measured mark measured before the change of the posture and the position of the measured mark measured after the change of the posture.
US09956680B2

A component part has an over-molded integrally formed insert member. The insert member has a predetermined feature. In addition, an end portion of the predetermined feature is exposed and free from over-molding.
US09956678B1

The rechargeable drill having rotatable prongs is a cordless drill with a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is accessible via a battery compartment cover, which is removable. The rechargeable battery is wired to a set of rotatable prongs. The set of rotatable prongs are located in a recess provided on a bottom surface of the cordless drill. The set of rotatable prongs are adapted to be inserted into a standard electrical outlet in order to recharge the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery provides electricity to a motor located inside of the rechargeable drill.
US09956671B2

A selectively one-way wrench includes a lever, a toothed wheel inserted in the lever, two claws inserted in the lever, a switch operable to engage a selected one of the claws with the toothed wheel and disengage the other claw from the toothed wheel to cause the lever to rotate the toothed wheel via the selected claw only in a selected one of two directions. The selectively one-way wrench further includes a central spring and two lateral springs. The central spring includes two reduced sections each connected to a lateral face of a corresponding one of the claws and an enlarged section formed between the reduced sections. Each of the lateral springs includes a connecting section connected to a rear face of a corresponding one of the claws and an end for abutment against a portion of the lever to push the corresponding claw to engagement with the toothed wheel.
US09956666B2

A cutting element includes a substrate and a cutting layer disposed on a surface of the substrate. The cutting layer includes an ultra hard material. The substrate includes tungsten carbide and a metal binder. The substrate has a magnetic saturation value in the range of from 80 to less than 85%. In another aspect, the magnetic saturation value may increase within the substrate along a gradient, wherein proximal to the interface with the cutting layer, the substrate has a magnetic saturation value in the range of from 80 to less than 85%. Drill bits incorporating such cutting elements and methods of manufacturing such cutting elements are described.
US09956659B2

A dust collecting device 140 is provided which is attached to an electric hammer 101 having a side handle 110 which is removably attached to a body 103. The dust collecting device 140 has a dust collecting hood 141 and a hose holder 145. The side handle 110 has a mounting ring 111 which is mounted on the body 103, a grip 121 and a grip securing part 131. The grip 121 is secured by moving relative to the grip securing part 131 in a direction crossing an axial direction of the hammer bit 200. By this relative movement for securing the grip 121, the hose holder 145 is held between the grip 121 and the grip securing part 131.
US09956657B2

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for fabricating components, for example, 3D decorative items. In an embodiment, a method including positioning a spoil board on a worktable of a computer numeric control (CNC) machine; operating the CNC machine in a first mode to create an outline in the spoil board; positioning a first workpiece on the spoil board and over at least a portion of the outline; and operating the CNC machine in a second mode to cut into a portion of the first workpiece.
US09956652B2

A method for producing a rotor, particularly a turbine disk or a turbine ring for a turbine stage of a turbomachine, wherein at least the following steps are carried out: producing a blade ring (14) including a plurality of rotor blades (12), welding adapters (22) together which are disposed in the region of blade footings of the rotor blades (12), wherein at least substantially radial weld seams (30a) having predetermined welding depths are generated, disposing a rotor disk (32) or a rotor ring on the blade ring (14), and welding the rotor disk (32) or the rotor ring to the adapters (22) of the rotor blades (12), wherein at least one further weld seam (30b) is generated. A rotor, particularly a turbine disk or a turbine ring for a turbine stage of a turbomachine is also disclosed.
US09956642B2

A novel copper and steel composite pipe, a manufacturing method, application and a welded structure body is described herein. The novel copper and steel composite pipe includes a copper pipe and a steel pipe. The steel pipe includes a first end, a second end and a middle part. The copper pipe includes a first end and a second end. The length of the copper pipe is less than that of the steel pipe. The copper pipe and the steel pipe are sleeved. The distance from an end surface of the first end of the copper pipe to an end surface of the first end of the steel pipe is less than 10 mm. The second end of the copper pipe is positioned at the middle part of the steel pipe, and the copper pipe and the steel pipe are welded and connected in a way of melting base materials.
US09956639B2

A three stage power source for an electric arc welding process comprising an input stage having an AC input and a first DC output signal; a second stage in the form of an unregulated DC to DC converter having an input connected to the first DC output signal, a network of switches switched at a high frequency with a given duty cycle to convert the input into a first internal AC signal, an isolation transformer with a primary winding driven by the first internal high frequency AC signal and a secondary winding for creating a second internal high frequency AC signal and a rectifier to convert the second internal AC signal into a second DC output signal of the second stage; with a magnitude related to the duty cycle of the switches and, a third stage to convert the second DC output signal to a welding output for welding wherein the input stage and the second stage are assembled into a first module and the third stage is assembled into a second module connectable to the first module.
US09956637B2

A system and method for repairing a metal substrate includes an electrospark device and an electrode removably supported in the electrode holder. The electrospark device applies a coating of a material when placed into contact with the metal substrate. A cooling device to lowers the temperature of shielding gas flow below an ambient temperature. A conduit is arranged to direct a flow of the shielding gas to the interface of the electrode and the substrate to cool the area of the substrate receiving the coating.
US09956635B2

To provide a method for estimating a concentration of carboxylic acid gas, which is capable of measuring safely the concentration of carboxylic acid gas such as formic acid gas or the like in a chamber of a soldering apparatus in real time, and a soldering apparatus capable of estimating the concentration of the carboxylic acid gas in the chamber. The method includes the steps of measuring a surface temperature of a same object placed in the chamber at a same point in time by using a thermometer (first thermometer) for measuring a temperature without any influence of infrared absorption by carboxylic acid, and a radiation thermometer (second thermometer) for measuring a temperature by infrared in a wavelength region that the carboxylic acid absorbs, and estimating the concentration of the carboxylic acid gas in the chamber on the basis of a temperature difference (ΔTx) between temperatures indicated by the first and second thermometers. The soldering apparatus includes a heating stage (30), a gas introducing part (25) for introducing a mixed gas of an inert gas and a carboxylic acid gas, a gas discharging part (26), first thermometer (37) and second thermometer (38).
US09956624B2

A beveling method for beveling the edge of the opening of a cross hole (2-1) formed in a workpiece (W) while rotating a conical tool (1), which has conical cutting blade sections (11-1, 11-2), wherein beveling is carried out so that a surface of the same width is formed on the edge of the opening of the cross hole (2-1) by controlling the height of the conical tool (1) and/or the position of the rotation shaft of the conical tool (1) on the basis of a conic section, which is generated when a cutting blade section (11-1, 11-2) is cut with an imaginary plane (V) that contacts the processing point (P) of the conical tool (1) on the cross hole (2-1), and the shape of the edge of the cross hole (2-1) opening.
US09956623B2

A guide pad for a cutting tool includes a sliding surface, which is convexly curved in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guide pad. A channel-shaped recess is formed in the sliding surface that extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the guide pad and terminates before reaching an end of the sliding surface at an end of the guide pad.
US09956622B2

A chucking apparatus for a workpiece with honeycomb structure includes a table that can be supplied with vacuum and a clamping plate which can be placed on the table and which accommodates the workpiece in the region of an already profiled surface determined by the face ends of the honeycombs, whose receiving surface, which corresponds to the profiled surface of the workpiece, is provided with suction openings to the table. In order to provide advantageous chucking conditions, the clamping plate has an open-cell structure.
US09956615B2

A method and apparatus for producing titanium metal powder from a melt. The apparatus includes an atomization chamber having an inner wall that is coated with or formed entirely of CP-Ti to prevent contamination of titanium metal powder therein. The inner surfaces of all components of the apparatus in a flow path following the atomization chamber may also be coated with or formed entirely of CP-Ti.
US09956614B2

The invention relates to an assembly (1) at least comprising a first metal component (2) having a first surface region (5) and a second metal component (3) having a second surface region (7), wherein the two surface regions (5, 7) face each other, and the first and the second component (2, 3) are connected cohesively together at least in a subregion of the two surface regions (5, 7), and wherein at least one of the two metal components (2, 3) is a sintered component, wherein that surface region (7) of the sintered component that has the cohesive connection has a higher density than the adjoining further surface region of the sintered component.
US09956611B2

A device for manufacturing a cutting insert green body by compacting a powder includes a die having an upper die part and a lower die, an upper punch and a lower punch, at least one of which is moveable along a pressing axis in relation to the die. The upper and lower die parts, when joined, define a die cavity that defines the shape of the green body to be formed by the compaction. At least one of the lower and upper die part has a pressing bore extending from the cavity for receiving the lower and upper punch. The upper die part has an upper surface that, at least in one direction, extends rectilinearly, and the upper die part has an upper opening in the upper surface, through which the upper punch is arranged to be forwarded into the cavity.
US09956600B2

A flexible but strong universal die is disclosed, that is flexible enough to be elastically deflected into different curvatures by actuating forces and moments, while being strong enough to support the die forces and moments that it has to apply to parts to form them to the shape corresponding to its shape. A design of the die and actuation locations that makes it easy to deflect it into different constant curvatures, as well as into shapes with gradients of curvature along the length of the die, and the use of these dies for stretch roll forming are disclosed.
US09956595B2

An ultrasonic cleaner is provided. The ultrasonic cleaner includes: a first ultrasonic vibrator configured to generate a first ultrasonic wave; a first oscillator configured to drive the first ultrasonic vibrator; a wash tank configured to store a detergent solution; and an attenuation mechanism configured to damp vibration of the wash tank. The wash tank includes a parabolic surface which is a recessed surface facing a vibration surface of the first ultrasonic vibrator, and is configured to reflect the first ultrasonic wave to a focal position where an object to be cleaned is placed. The vibration of the wash tank is generated by the first ultrasonic wave impinging on the wash tank.
US09956592B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for systems, apparatuses, and methods of securing screen assemblies. Embodiments include a system having a compression assembly with a compression pin and a pin assembly having a pin. The compression assembly may be attached to a first wall member of a vibratory screening machine and the pin assembly may be attached to a second wall member of the vibratory screening machine opposite the first wall member such that the compression assembly is configured to assert a force against a first side portion of a screen assembly and drive a second side portion of the screen assembly against the pin of the pin assembly. The pin assembly may include a pin that is internally or externally mounted and that is adjustable and/or replaceable.
US09956590B2

A piezo shaker for shaking a probe is disclosed. The piezo shaker comprises a platform operatively connected with at least one piezo element, wherein the at least one piezo element deforms for controlled movement of the platform, wherein the piezo shaker further comprises transmission means connecting the at least one piezo element and the platform, and wherein the transmission means transmit the movement to the platform. The piezo shaker may comprise two piezo elements, arranged to operate along different directions, in particular perpendicularly.
US09956589B2

A method of repairing a semiconductor processing component is provided, in which the method includes preparing a semiconductor processing component including a tantalum carbide (TaC) coating layer on which a silicon carbide (SiC)-deposited layer is formed, and performing a thermal process on the semiconductor processing component at a temperature of 1,700° C. to 2,700° C. under a gaseous condition using at least one gas selected from the group consisting of a gas including hydrogen, a gas including chlorine, and an inert gas, or under a vacuum condition.
US09956586B2

Methods for producing composite structures with a plurality of absorbent foam particulates between substrates, wherein the method includes providing a carrier substrate. The carrier substrate may comprise a pre-determined pattern. The pre-determined pattern may comprise z-directional deflections. The methods may also comprise placing a plurality of absorbent foam particulates onto the carrier substrate, forming a loaded carrier substrate. The methods may further comprise providing a particulate settling means enabled to affect the loaded carrier substrate, affecting the loaded carrier substrate, forming a settled carrier substrate. The methods may further comprise associating a cover with the settled carrier substrate, forming a composite structure.
US09956579B2

A method and device for dispensing granules in a pattern on a moving sheet, the device having: a granule source; a pattern roll, the pattern roll having a hollow interior and cylindrical outer surface comprising: a granule transfer zone; and an opening to the hollow interior, the method comprising: providing a flow of granules from a granule source directed toward the cylindrical outer surface of the pattern roll; rotating the pattern roll about a longitudinal axis through a granule transfer cycle comprising: a receipt portion wherein the granule transfer zone receives granules from the granule source; a retention portion wherein granules are retained in the transfer zone while the pattern roll rotates; and a release portion wherein granules dispensed onto the moving sheet; capturing a bypass flow of granules that flow through the opening into the hollow interior; and recycling the bypass flow of granules.
US09956576B2

A coating system and related method for coating a part. The coating system having a process tank filled with a fluid coating material to a fluid coating level and an inert gas blanket formed above the fluid coating level. The coating system also having a process tank conveyor to support a part to be coated. The process tank conveyor having a submerge section which transfers the part through the inert gas blanket and below the fluid coating level, a coating residence section which maintains the part submerged below the fluid coating level for a coating period, a coating removal section which raises the part above the fluid coating level but below the inert gas blanket level, and an inert gas blanket residence section which maintains the part within the inert gas blanket level but above the fluid coating level for a drying period.
US09956575B2

A holding device (1) holds a lens (6) at its lens edge (5) with the aid of an adhesive connection (16, 17). The adhesive connection (16, 17) is applied only at one adhesive point or only at two spaced apart adhesive points (16, 17). Each holding device (1) provided with a lens (6) is positioned on the dip frame in such a manner that the lens (6) is positioned above its holding device (1). A method is provided for finishing lenses (6) wherein the lenses (6) are subjected to various sequential finishing steps of a finishing process and the lenses (6) are cemented to the same holding device during finishing. The application of adhesive is only at one adhesive point or at two spaced apart adhesive points (16, 17).
US09956569B2

A spray coating application system for dispensing a liquid coating includes an elongated guide rail and a longitudinal slide plate slideably attached to the guide rail. The longitudinal slide plate is movable along a longitudinal axis of the guide rail between a first and second longitudinal positions. A transverse slide plate is attached to the longitudinal slide plate for concurrent movement therewith along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail. The transverse slide plate is moveable relative to the longitudinal slide plate in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail. A spray nozzle is attached to the transverse slide plate for dispersing the liquid coating as a spray. A cam follower is attached to the transverse slide plate and engagable with a cam for moving the spray nozzle relative to the longitudinal slide plate between a first transverse position and a second transverse position.
US09956564B2

A centrifuge device displays a workflow diagram during operation. The workflow diagram includes a loading step-indicator, a running step-indicator, and an unloading step-indicator. The loading step-indicator is displayed when the centrifuge device is operating in a loading mode. The running step-indicator is displayed when the centrifuge device is operating in a running mode. The unloading step-indicator is displayed when the centrifuge device is operating in the unloading mode. A centrifuge system includes the centrifuge device and a handheld device operable remote from the centrifuge device, which displays a status of the centrifuge device. Methods of operating a centrifuge device and a centrifuge system are also disclosed.
US09956561B2

A method for producing basic products from ash, which includes the provision of a starting material in particle form, crushing the particles of the starting material by high-frequency pressure impulses and the in situ separation of at least two fractions with different average particle sizes, where the energy-efficient production of a basic product with a defined particle size and high reactivity is effected, such that the produced basic products can be used directly for further product production, e.g. as alkalizing agent, for ground stabilization or as filler.
US09956560B2

A pipette tip container includes an elongate tube that includes a sidewall that defines an interior region and an open end of the elongate tube. The elongate tube further includes an annular protrusion that extends along an inner circumference of the sidewall, wherein the annular protrusion is configured so that a pipette tip contacts the elongate tube at the annular projection and at a point along the sidewall located near the open end of the elongate tube when the elongate tube is lying on its sidewall. The pipette tip container further includes a cap secured to the open end of the elongate tube and formed to allow passage of the pipette tip.
US09956557B2

Reconfigurable microfluidic systems are based on networks of microfluidic cavities connected by hydrophobic microfluidic channels. Each cavity is classified as either a reservoir or a node, and includes a pressure port via which gas pressure may be applied. Sequences of gas pressures, applied to reservoirs and nodes according to a fluid transfer rule, enable fluid to be moved from any reservoir to any other reservoir in a system. Such systems are suitable for automated microwell plate interfaces.
US09956552B2

We provide a process for regenerating a spent acidic ionic liquid, comprising contacting the spent acidic ionic liquid with hydrogen and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst; wherein a conjunct polymer content is decreased in the spent acidic ionic liquid to produce regenerated acidic ionic liquid. We also provide a process for making an alkylate gasoline blending component, comprising: a) alkylating a mixture of isoparaffins and olefins using an acidic ionic liquid and an alkyl halide or a hydrogen halide, wherein a conjunct polymer accumulates in a spent acidic ionic liquid; and b) feeding the spent acidic ionic liquid and a hydrogen, and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst, to a regeneration reactor operated under selected hydrogenation conditions to produce a regenerated acidic ionic liquid that is used for the alkylating, wherein the conjunct polymer in the regenerated acidic ionic liquid is decreased by at least 50 wt %.
US09956544B2

Heterogeneous catalysts with optional dopants are provided. The catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to C2+ hydrocarbons. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.
US09956542B2

The invention relates to a method for preparing molecular imprint polymers (MIP) by radical polymerization that uses at least one primer including at least two chemical functions capable of forming reactive radicals, thereby providing a locally high radical concentration for priming the polymerization on or about the imprint entity or molecule. The invention also relates to molecular imprint polymers (MIP) that can be obtained by the method of the invention, and to the use thereof in the production of biomimetic biosensors, biomimetic biochips, chemical sensors, specific adsorption separation devices, as a coating, particularly for releasing active ingredients.
US09956536B2

The present disclosure discloses a triple-responsive starch-based microgel and a preparation method thereof. The present disclosure prepares C6 oxidized starch and PNIPAM semi-interpenetrating network microgel, namely the triple-responsive starch-based microgel, mainly with pH sensitive C6 oxidized starch and temperature sensitive NIPAM (N-isopropylacrylamide) as raw materials, and using an inverse emulsion polymerization method. The triple-responsive starch-based microgel according to the present disclosure is a spherical particle with the particle diameter of 15-25 μm, has pH, temperature and ionic strength-sensitivity, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and can be widely used in the fields of nutrient protection, controlled drug release, protein separation and purification and the like. Meanwhile, its preparation process is simple and controllable with mild reaction conditions, and is suitable for large-scale production.
US09956532B2

An apparatus and method for generating a swirl is disclosed that is used to induce an axi-symmetric swirling flow to an incoming flow. The disclosed subject matter induces a uniform and axi-symmetric swirl, circumferentially around a discharge location, thus imparting a more accurate, repeatable, continuous, and controllable swirl and mixing condition of interest. Moreover, the disclosed subject matter performs the swirl injection at a lower pressure drop in comparison to a more traditional methods and devices.
US09956529B2

A microfabricated filtration membrane including a substrate containing a plurality of micropores, an ion-selective layer, and at least two conductive layers configured to apply a voltage across the micropores. The geometry of the conductive layers matches the geometry of the micropores (or nanopores).
US09956528B2

Apparatus for energy-efficient conductive-gap membrane distillation includes a feed-liquid source and a distillation module. The distillation module includes a feed-liquid chamber in fluid communication with the feed-liquid source. The feed-liquid chamber includes a selectively porous material that allows a component of the feed liquid to pass through the selectively porous material and exit the feed-liquid chamber in vapor form but not in liquid form. The distillation module also includes a conductive-gap chamber adjacent to the selectively porous material on an opposite side of the selectively porous material from the feed-liquid chamber; a heat-transfer surface maintained at a lower temperature than the feed liquid in the feed-liquid chamber, wherein the heat-transfer surface is in thermal contact with the conductive-gap chamber; and a thermally conductive material extending across the conductive-gap chamber.
US09956526B2

A poison-resistant catalytic converter includes a washcoat having a support material comprised of titania and/or silica and a plurality of platinum group metal particles disposed in the support material. The washcoat is disposed on a substrate having a plurality of cells that define respective apertures. The catalytic converter is resistant to poisoning from sulfur and phosphorous compounds while operating at low temperatures. Applications include spark ignited internal combustion engines in combined heat and power systems, vehicles, combustion turbines, boilers and other applications for utilities, industry and vehicle emissions control.
US09956523B2

A flue gas desulfurization unit is converted from operating with lime or magnesium enhanced lime under inhibited oxidation into a unit that operates using limestone under inhibited oxidation conditions. A ball mill grinding unit may be installed to crush the limestone thereby producing a suspended slurry of fine limestone particles which is pumped to the reaction vessel. When installed, the ball mill may be installed in the process immediately downstream of the existing slaking equipment. The suspended solution may be maintained at a pH in the range of 3.0 to 6.5, optimally at approximately 5.0 to increase the dissolution rate of the limestone reagent produced by the ball mill. The post-conversion process may also require the addition of organic acids and oxidation inhibitors to achieve better SO2 removal from the flue gas.
US09956522B2

Methods of reducing the water content of a wet gas are presented. In one case, the method includes exposing the gas to an amine-terminated branched polymer solvent to remove a substantial portion of the water from the wet gas, exposing the diluted solvent to carbon dioxide to phase separate the solvent from the water, and regenerating the solvent for reuse by desorbing the carbon dioxide by the application of heat. In another case, the method includes exposing the gas to a cloud-point glycol solvent to remove a substantial portion of the water from the wet gas, heating the diluted solvent to above a cloud point temperature for the solvent so as to create a phase separation of the solvent from the water so as to regenerate the solvent for reuse, and directing the regenerated solvent to a new supply of wet gas for water reduction.
US09956514B2

An air filter mounting/demounting apparatus for a microwave oven having easy mounting and demounting of the air filter is provided. The apparatus includes a base plate having an inlet port through which air is admitted to serve as a hood, an air filter installed at a position corresponding to the inlet port and configured to filter foreign substances being admitted through the inlet port, an air filter bracket coupled to the base plate, an air filter holder at which the air filter is assembled coupled to the air filter bracket to enable a sliding movement along the guide rail, a latch unit configured to be coupled to the base plate to maintain and release engagement of the air filter holder aged, and a spring installed at an inside the latch unit to deliver an elastic force to the air filter holder.
US09956512B2

The present invention describes a hybrid device (1) for a recirculation shower, allowing purification and either recycling of water or discarding of water, wherein said hybrid device (1) comprises a recirculation loop (2), a filter system (4) with a nano-filter (5) such as for instance an electropositive nano-ceramic filter, e.g. a nano alumina (fiber) filter, at least one filter quality sensor (3), at least one pre-filter (6), and wherein the hybrid device (1) is arranged to redirect the water from recirculation to drainage when the at least one filter quality sensor (3) indicates the need thereof.
US09956500B2

A liquid mixing collector includes first and second sump zones, a first and optionally a second liquid collection region, first and second interspersed sets of spaced apart liquid collection channels positioned in the first liquid collection region, the first and second sets of collection channels being associated with the first and second respective sump zones, wherein adjacent liquid collection channel sets are vertically displaced in parallel horizontal planes. The invention also relates to the process of using the collector within a heat or mass transfer column.
US09956496B2

An inflatable flying disc isincludes an inflatable annular body having an air inlet to inflate and deflate the flying disc; a base membrane being attached to the inflatable annular body along a peripheral edge; a first membrane being attached to the base membrane along the perimeter of the first membrane. The base membrane and the first membrane is form a water-tight compartment.
US09956495B2

A decorative bead toy includes: a body portion formed into a granular shape and made of a water insoluble material; and a recess engagement portion provided in the body portion so as to engage a plurality of fusible bead toys made of water soluble resin. The recess engagement portion is formed into an annular shape.
US09956494B2

An element having a holding mechanism, adapted for interacting with a functionally aligned holding mechanism of a similar element, and including a holding state and a released state. The holding mechanism in the holding state is engaged with the aligned holding mechanism of the similar element for holding the element positioned with respect to the similar element. The holding element in the released state is disengaged with the aligned holding mechanism. The element also includes a sensing mechanism for providing grab-detection, the grab-detection including detection of an action leading to a grip of the element, having a grip on the element, an action of releasing a grip of the element, and a combination thereof. The sensing mechanism is functionally coupled to the holding mechanism for upon the grab-detection actuating at least one of the functionally aligned holding mechanism between the holding state and the released state.
US09956491B2

A mobile toy and a stunt figure attachable with the mobile toy are described. In a desired aspect, the mobile toy is a skateboard-shaped toy having a skateboard deck with a flywheel positioned within the skateboard deck. The stunt figure is detachably attachable with the skateboard-shaped toy through snap-fit connection mechanisms on the skateboard-shaped toy. In a desired aspect, the stunt figure comprises at least one appendage and the stunt figure is attached with the skateboard-shaped toy through at least one appendage. The stunt figure can be formed in a variety of shapes to alter the form and center of gravity of the toy to provide for a variety of stunts.
US09956488B2

A method of video game skill level adjustment includes determining a first genre of a first video game played by a user, extracting single-player progress data of the user for the first video game, multi-player result data of the user for the first video game and meta-goal data of the user for the first video game from at least one storage device. A history profile is created of the user for the first genre including the single-player progress data for the first video game, the multi-player result data for the first video game, and the meta-goal data for the first video game. A second genre is determined of a second video game played by the user. A starting value of an in-game skill of the second video game is adjusted prior to the user playing the second video game, based on the history profile for the first genre.
US09956486B2

A game processing system that controls a display to display a plurality of graphic forms each indicating an identifier; identifies a trajectory of a continuously drawn input selecting a plurality of the graphic forms; identifies the identifiers of the graphic forms corresponding to the input trajectory; identifies at least a first command based on an arrangement of the identifiers when detecting an end of the input; and controls a game operation of attacking an opponent based on the command.
US09956482B2

A server includes drawing means for drawing an item by lottery from among an item group including a plurality of types of items with different scarcity values and providing the item to a user, and additional item providing means for providing an additional item to the user in accordance with a provision count of the number of times an item is provided by the drawing means.
US09956480B2

A server device is provided that includes a registration unit configured to accept information identifying a target application for pre-registration and information identifying a user from a terminal device and register the accepted information, and a providing unit configured to provide registration information to a management service for performing a verification with respect to the information identifying the target application and the information identifying the user accepted from the terminal device after the target application is released. The registration information may be provided in a batch or each time the verification is performed.
US09956479B2

An information processing apparatus capable of near field wireless communication with an information storage medium includes a reading/writing module which reads and/or writes data from and/or into first and second information storage media by establishing near field wireless communication with the first and second information storage media and a data processing module which processes data read as a result of reading of data from the first and second information storage media by a first application program executed by the information processing apparatus. The data processing module performs first processing affecting progress of a game based on the data read from the first information storage medium and performs second processing not affecting progress of the game based on the data read from the second information storage medium.
US09956478B2

Upon receiving first operation information indicating a first operation member to which an operation input has been made, an information processing apparatus changes, based on correspondence information, the first operation information to second operation information indicating a second operation member associated with the first operation member indicated by the first operation information and outputs the second operation information to the processing for the game.
US09956477B2

A non-limiting example information processing apparatus that functions as a game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and usually, a game screen of a single-play game is displayed on the first LCD and a list screen is displayed on the second LCD. The list screen displays at least an icon of a player of another game apparatus capable of performing a communication with the information processing apparatus. In addition, icons of a player who is registered in the game apparatus as a friend and a player who is determined as an acquaintance are also displayed whether a communication can be performed. By performing a communication with using the game apparatus with a passer-by player with whom no communication has been performed, for example, the player is automatically determined as an acquaintance player.
US09956465B1

Devices, systems, and methods for training baseball and softball batters, to identify types of pitched balls (fast ball, curve ball, slider and changeup) and locations (strike or non-strike zone) of pitched balls in order to increase hitting accuracy. A motion sensor can be triggered by the leading foot of a pitcher. The motion sensor can use cone or fan shaped sensor to detect the passage of a pitched ball from the pitcher. When the motion sensor is triggered, a signal can be sent to a black out lens that blocks the vision of a hitter being trained to identify the types and locations of the pitched balls. The training includes changing the lens from transparent to opaque at selected distances between the hitter and the pitcher. Batters can be trained to keep their eyes on the pitched balls until the ball reaches the batter. Baseball and softball batters can be trained to focus on the contact point between the ball and a swinging bat.
US09956463B2

Ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, have a head that includes a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear side located behind the face, a rear member connected to the rear side of the face member, a first connection member connecting the face member to the rear member, and a resilient material separating the rear member from the face member. The first connection member is directly engaged with the rear member, and the club head further includes a first spacer separating the first connection member from the face member. The first spacer is flexible, and the first connection member indirectly engages the face member by compressing the first spacer against the face member. The resilient material engages the rear member and the face member and is configured to transfer momentum between the face member and the rear member.
US09956458B2

The present disclosure relates to a game ball and methods for stitching a thread with a high coefficient of friction upon a stripe member present on the game ball. At least one stitching is thus formed upon the stripe member. The stitching formed from the thread enhances the grip and/or spin characteristics of the resulting game ball, improving handling and playability.
US09956448B2

Novel fluorosurfactants are provided that contain perfluoroalkyl groups no longer than perfluorohexyl (C6). The surfactants are useful in the preparation of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) and alcohol-resistant film-forming foams (AR-AFFF) for firefighting. Unexpectedly, these compounds have activity in AFFF and AR-AFFF applications that is comparable and even superior to conventional surfactants that contain perfluoroalkyl groups that are perfluorooctyl (C8) and longer. Also provided are methods of making the novel surfactants, as well as foam concentrates, methods of making foam and methods of fighting fires using foam containing the novel surfactants.
US09956443B1

Systems and methods for the protection of an attic or concealed combustible space defined by a ceiling base and a roof deck disposed above a ceiling base defining a peak are provided. A plurality of fluid distribution devices are spaced above the ceiling base and below the roof deck to define a peak region. At least one fire detection assembly is disposed in the peak region above the fluid distribution devices to detect a fire in the attic space. A controller couples the plurality of distribution devices to the fire detection assembly. The fluid distribution devices are disposed at a working clearance distance above the ceiling base to provide an extended protected eaves region of the attic space.
US09956436B2

A fall restraint kit for rope access work may include a length of rope (1), at least two rope braking devices (2a, 2b) permanently attached to the rope, at least two rope ascender devices (3) at least five karabiners (4, 5) at least two rope pulleys (6) and at least two slings (7, 8). The application discloses improved roping arrangements suitable for working at heights using a number of those components. In one basic fall restraint arrangement a first rope braking device (2a) is attached to an anchor point (18), a second rope baking device (2b) is attached to a person (22), typically via a harness and a length of rope (1) extends between the first and second rope braking devices. In the event of a fall, or accident, the person may safely lower themselves to ground using the second rope braking device (2b), or may be lowered to ground by a colleague/operator (20) located at the anchor point (18) operating the first rope braking device.
US09956434B2

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture: of hydrophobic silica aerogel particles having a specific surface area per unit of mass (SM) ranging from 500 to 1500 m2/g and a size expressed as the volume-average diameter (D[0.5]) ranging from 1 to 1500 μm, and of at least one first linear silicone oil having a viscosity greater than 50 mm2/s and of at least second and third linear silicone oils having a viscosity less than or equal to 50 mm2/s. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic composition comprising a mixture: of hydrophobic silica aerogel particles having a specific surface area per unit of mass (SM) ranging from 500 to 1500 m2/g and a size expressed as the volume-average diameter (D[0.5]) ranging from 1 to 1500 μm, and of at least one first linear silicone oil having a viscosity less than 10 mm2/s and of at least one second linear silicone oil having a viscosity greater than or equal to 10 mm2/s. The mixture of silica aerogel particles and linear silicone oils makes it possible to obtain compositions that are comfortable and soft on application, having mattifying and soft-focus properties.
US09956430B2

A remote control system is configured to support communication between a first environment having a first neutron radiation level and a second environment having a second neutron radiation level includes a first computing device and a second computing device. The first computing device is configured to control a treatment system in the first environment. The second computing device is configured to issue commands in the second environment for the treatment system. The first computing device is further configured to determine whether to enable or disable a function supported by the treatment system, determine whether there is pending time-sensitive data to transmit, and periodically transmit a first radiation therapy data collected in the first environment and a first interrupt to the second computing device in a servo loop.
US09956428B2

Multiple tumors are grouped into multiple treatment groups. Tumors in different treatment groups are treated by a radiosurgery in different treatment sessions than the tumors in the same treatment groups. The tumors can be grouped so as to decrease the biologically effective dose received by normal tissue in the treatment area. The radiosurgical planning system can divide the tumors into groups based on their location relative to each other and the radiation the tumors will be treated with and create a plan for treating the tumors according to the treatment groups.
US09956420B2

An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a shield member defining a first portion of an interior cavity of the implantable medical device and a skirted feedthrough assembly. The feedthrough assembly includes a shield extender having a top face and a sidewall that extends from the top face so that the top face and the sidewall are a single continuous component. At least one feedthrough aperture extends through the top face.
US09956408B2

A method for reducing spasticity applied with an electrical stimulation device to electrically stimulate a target zone of an organism suffering from spasticity. The electrical stimulation device comprises at least one electrical stimulation unit. The electrical stimulation unit includes at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode. The method includes the following steps. The electrical stimulation unit is placed near the target zone. The electrical stimulation unit generates an electrical stimulation signal and the electrical stimulation signal is introduced to the target zone so as to stimulate the target zone. An electric field is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode and covers the target zone. The strength of the electric field ranges from 100 V/m to 1000 V/m.
US09956405B2

Described herein are methods and apparatuses for the application of transdermal electrical stimulation (TES) in order to modulate a user's cognitive state to induce a state of calm or relaxation. The apparatuses described herein include neck-worn devices having electrodes (or configured to connect to electrodes, including automatically self-connecting to electrodes) adapted to couple to the midline of the back of user's neck. A neck-worn controller may be configured as a cord, band, wire, torc, necklace, loop, strap, or the like, and may be rigid or semi-rigid and may be worn at least partially around the subject's neck. The controller may controllably apply one or more waveforms to the electrodes of the electrode pad (e.g., patch) to deliver TES adapted to induce or enhance a relaxed cognitive state.
US09956400B2

Delivery devices, systems, and methods for delivering implantable leadless pacing devices are disclosed. An example delivery device may an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer tubular member. A distal holding section may extend distally of a distal end of the inner tubular member and define a cavity therein for receiving an implantable leadless pacing device. The device may further include a hub portion including at least a first hub portion affixed adjacent to the proximal end of the outer tubular member and a second hub portion affixed adjacent to the proximal end of the inner tubular member. A first locking mechanism configured to releasably couple the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member may be disposed within the hub portion.
US09956392B2

A wearable therapeutic device includes a garment configured to be worn on a torso of a patient. The garment has an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The garment is configured to house at least one defibrillator component, a first therapy electrode disposed in the anterior portion of the garment, a second therapy electrode disposed in the posterior portion of the garment, and an alarm module configured to alert the patient of an impending defibrillation shock from the at least one defibrillator component to be delivered by at least one of the first therapy electrode and the second therapy electrode. The first therapy electrode and the second therapy electrode are configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one defibrillator component. At least one of the first therapy electrode and the second therapy electrode is at least one of woven into the garment and comprises a textile material.
US09956389B2

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a reduced pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters. Certain embodiments are directed to connectors used to connect fluid passage tube used in transmitting negative pressure to a fabric channel used in a suction adapter.
US09956388B2

According to some embodiments herein, systems for delivering therapeutic agents and/or methods of using such systems are provided. The systems can be configured to administer solution comprising therapeutic agent to a subject, and can further comprise an ultrasound applicator for applying ultrasound energy to the subject.
US09956387B2

An article of clothing is provided for topically delivering a pharmaceutical composition to a wearer of the article of clothing. The clothing typically includes at least three layers, an optional outer surface layer, a middle layer, and an inner layer. A pharmaceutical composition is applied to the inner layer. The middle layer prevents the pharmaceutical composition from passing from the inner layer to the outer surface layer. A method for delivering a pharmaceutical is also disclosed, wherein a pharmaceutical composition is applied to the inner layer of an article of clothing and the clothing is worn by a person. A pharmaceutical preparation delivery kit is also provided, wherein the kit includes an article of clothing for topically delivering a pharmaceutical composition and a pharmaceutical composition.
US09956376B2

An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous elastic frame, a liner, and a jacket.
US09956374B2

An isolation chamber and disinfection system. The novel system includes an enclosure for providing a sturdy, lightless and soundproofed environment and for containing a solution for supporting a user in a state of floatation; a disinfection system for disinfecting the solution, the disinfection system including an ultraviolet disinfection system and an ozone injection system; and a pump for removing the solution from the enclosure and circulating it through the disinfection system at a predetermined flow rate. The enclosure is formed from interlocking, foam-insulated panels and lined with a potable liner that holds the solution. In relationship to the isolation chamber, in accordance with the present teachings, an improved method of disinfection is taught using UV radiation with ozone injection. Ozone has a short half-life and leaves substantially no toxic byproducts. Verification of disinfection can be accomplished by monitoring the dissolved ozone, which can be determined accurately utilizing a dissolved ozone sensor system.
US09956366B2

Systems, methods, and apparatus for securing nasal tubes are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a bridle, a magnetic portion connected to the bridle, a delivery probe, a retrieval probe, and a clamp. The delivery probe includes an elongated member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end configured to deliver the magnetic portion, and a bridle lock configured to release the bridle upon actuation of an actuator. The retrieval probe includes an elongated member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including a magnetic portion configured to magnetically couple with the other magnetic portion, and a magnetic coupling indicator configured to provide an indication in response to a magnetic coupling. The clamp includes a channel portion with an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of a nasal tube. The clamp is configured to secure the nasal tube following placement of the bridle by the delivery and retrieval probes.
US09956358B2

Pressure conditioning systems for supplying insufflation gas to an open-ended body conduit such as a rectal cavity during a transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) procedure can reduce billowing of walls of the body conduit. A pressure conditioning system can include a pressure storage component, an accumulator, and a flow restrictor. The pressure storage component can include a variable volume reservoir that is biased to a relatively low volume state. The flow restrictor can include insufflation tubing with a restrictor plate having a relatively low diameter orifice. The pressure storage component, accumulator, and flow restrictor can be fluidly connected in various orders in series or as side branches from a gas flow conduit. Despite a pulsed or otherwise discontinuous insufflation gas flow and leakage and absorption from the body conduit, the pressure conditioning system can maintain a constant pressure within the body conduit.
US09956355B2

A handheld cryoanesthesia or analgesia device for cooling a target area on cutaneous membranes, mucous membranes, and tissue of the mucocutaneous zone having an elongated body and a thermoelectric cooling system disposed within the elongated body. The thermoelectric cooling system is configured to physically contact and thermally couple the target area of the cutaneous membranes, mucous membranes, and tissue of the mucocutaneous zone to induce cryoanesthesia or analgesia. The thermoelectric cooling system includes a thermally-conductive cold tip, a thermally-conductive cooling power concentrator thermally coupled to the cold tip, at least one Peltier unit module thermally coupled to the cooling power concentrator, a heatsink thermally coupled to at least one Peltier unit module, a power source, at least one thermal sensor, and a controller operably outputting a control signal to the Peltier unit module to maintain a predetermined temperature.
US09956348B2

A dosing mechanism (6) for delivering a plurality of single metered doses includes a dose delivery mechanism; and a non-return mechanism (10), arranged to prevent the dose delivery mechanism from returning toward a primed position until a full metered dose has been delivered. The non-return mechanism includes a track defining an actuation path and a return path and an engagement member arranged to be received within the track. The track and engagement member are relatively moveable such that the engagement member is arranged to move along the actuation path during actuation of the dose delivery mechanism and along the return path during priming of the dose delivery mechanism. At least a portion of the actuation path is provided with a toothed profile to prevent reverse movement of the engagement member in the actuation path.
US09956339B2

Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may be configured to provide a desired level of resistance to liquid ingress to the pump casing while contemporaneously providing air transmissibility for equalization of air pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of the pump casing. Further, some embodiments can detect when moisture inside a casing of the infusion pump system is greater than or equal to a threshold level and can initiate one or more patient safety countermeasures.
US09956337B2

Systems and methods for the washing and processing of biological fluid/biological cells are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a disposable fluid circuit including a spinning membrane separation device to wash the biological cells.
US09956335B2

Flexible manifolds configured for use in a wearable artificial kidney are provided and can include an array of manifold plates defining one or more flow path and which are adapted to receive dialysis components including cleaning columns and dialyzers. Wearable artificial kidneys are also provided. For example, a wearable artificial kidney can include a flexible manifold, a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, a first cleaning column, a first dialyzer, a second dialyzer, a second cleaning column, and at least one pump. Systems for performing dialysis are further provided. The systems can include a wearable artificial kidney and manifold inlet and outlet lines for connecting the peritoneum of a dialysis patient to the wearable artificial kidney. Methods for performing dialysis utilizing the flexible manifolds, wearable artificial kidneys, and systems containing the same, are also provided.
US09956327B2

Apparatus (130) for use in wound therapy of mammals is described, the apparatus (130) comprising: a dressing covering the wound, the dressing being substantially sealed to prevent ingress of ambient atmospheric air to the wound; aspiration means (132) operably connected to a space between the dressing and the wound by an aspiration conduit (142) sealed to the point of entry between wound and dressing against ingress of ambient atmosphere, said conduit (142) being for aspiration of said wound and for removal of fluid from said space between said wound and said dressing; a waste container (148) for receiving aspirated fluid to be discarded operably connected to said aspiration conduit; and heating means (144) for heating said fluid in order to increase the vapor pressure thereof and to cause evaporation to reduce the volume of the fluid in the waste container (148). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the waste fluid is also provided with a sparge gas.
US09956326B2

A portable suction pump unit for aspirating body fluids and/or air from a patient has a pump module housing for a pump module and a fluid collection container. The pump module housing has a pump-side suction connector, and the fluid collection container has a container-side suction connector for leaktight connection to the pump-side suction connector. The two suction connectors define a common axis. The fluid collection container can be secured on the pump module housing via a repeatedly releasable and restorable connection. This connection is releasable and/or restorable by means of a rotation movement of the fluid collection container relative to the pump module housing about said axis. The suction unit according to the invention is inexpensive to produce and permits an easily manageable connection between housing and container.
US09956325B2

A portable negative pressure wound therapy system includes a dressing assembly for positioning over a wound to apply a negative pressure to the wound and a canister assembly. The canister assembly includes a control unit having a vacuum source and a controller and a collection canister in communication with the dressing assembly operable to receive fluid from the wound. The collection canister has a filter assembly having a filter and a passageway between the filter and a wall of the collection canister. The collection canister also includes a canister interface having a suction port, an inlet port, and a channel. The vacuum source draws air through the suction port from the channel which draws air from the passageway connected to the channel, the air in the passageway is drawn from the collection canister through the filter, and the air in the collection canister is drawn through the inlet port.
US09956314B2

An adhesive composition for bonding to bone and bone-like structures includes a polymerizable, multifunctional acidic monomer having a concentration ranging from about 5% to about 45% by weight of the adhesive composition, one or more multifunctional monomers with one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups having a concentration ranging from about 20% to about 60% by weight of the adhesive composition, an organically modified calcium phosphate salt with one or more pendant polymerizable groups having a concentration ranging from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the adhesive composition, and a polymerization initiator system. A method of forming the adhesive composition is also provided.
US09956312B2

An absorbent article that includes a backsheet, a wetness indicator composition having good stability, and an absorbent core. The wetness indicator composition includes a stabilizer, a colorant, and a matrix. The colorant has first and second color states associated with first and second wetness indicator states. The wetness indicator exhibits no color change after 10 days when measured according to the CTH Stability Test.
US09956306B2

A room decontamination systems, controllers and methods for decontaminating a room. The room decontamination system may be a UV room decontamination system that uses UV radiation to perform a decontamination operation in the room. A controller may determine whether safe conditions for decontamination exist and initiate a decontamination operation on the basis of whether they exist. Determination of safe conditions for decontamination may be based on light actuation detection and/or sensor data, which may include presence detector data and door sensor data. Determination of safe conditions for decontamination may include a determination of whether sensors are functioning properly. The controller may also determine whether decontamination operations are required on the basis of the historical condition data, for example on the basis of whether the room has been occupied since the last decontamination operation.
US09956304B2

Provided is a protein contrast agent for enhancing an MRI image and comprising a polypeptide having a conformation presenting at least five oxygen atoms positioned to chelate at least one paramagnetic metal ion such as Gd3+, each oxygen atom being between about 2 angstrom units and about 5 angstrom units from the metal ion; the metal ion has at least one water molecule electrostatically interacting a distance of less than about 10 angstrom units a target-specific moiety conjugated thereto, at least one polyethylene glycol molecule, and a paramagnetic metal ion. Also provided is a method of obtaining an enhanced MRI image using the protein contrast agent to a T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio of the MRI image; and (d) obtaining an image of the T2/T1 or T1/T2 intensity ratio.
US09956299B2

Conjugates of specific PBD dimers with an antibody that binds to CD22, the antibody comprising a VH domain having the sequence according to SEQ ID NO. 1.
US09956290B2

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for topical or transdermal delivery, and treatment of metabolic conditions. 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. 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.
US09956282B2

Provided are compositions containing combinations of bacteria useful for the maintenance or restoration of a healthy microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract, or other niche of a mammalian subject, and methods for use thereof, in particular for the treatment, inhibition, or prevention of immune disorders such as allergies and asthma.
US09956277B2

Herein a Bacillus exosporium antigen delivery (BEAD) system that provides a means to introduce recombinant proteins or small molecules into the exosporium of members of the B. cereus family of bacteria, i.e. B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, is disclosed. The system results in the surface display of recombinant proteins or small molecules such that they can stimulate an immune response. In addition, methods of making and using the system are described.
US09956275B2

Methods of inhibiting platelet activation and aggregation using peptide vaccine or antibodies that have binding specificity for the β subunit of the (Na++K+)-ATPase are provided, along with methods for inhibiting or preventing thrombosis in a subject using such peptide vaccine or antibodies.
US09956266B2

The invention relates to treatment of heart failure in a mammal. Accordingly, the invention is directed to establishing a dosing regimen whereby the therapeutic benefits conferred by administration of a neuregulin such as glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) or a subsequence thereof are maintained and/or enhanced, while concomitantly minimizing any potential side effects.
US09956265B2

The present invention relates to a composition comprising erythropoietin (EPO) as an active ingredient for aiding surgical procedures for treating ischemic vascular diseases. The present invention also relates to a method for treating ischemic vascular diseases using a combination of the composition and the invasive procedure for sufficient disruption of the physical barriers for new neovascularization. The composition for aiding surgical or invasive procedures according to the present invention would be beneficial for the success rate and safety issue of a variety of surgical procedures such as minimally invasive operations performed on a patient suffering from a variety of cerebral ischemic vascular diseases including ischemic stroke and moyamoya disease, and can be widely used in the treatment of a variety of ischemic vasculopathies in cardiac or peripheral artery system.
US09956261B2

The present invention relates to particulate forms of anamorelin monohydrochloride or a composition comprising anamorelin monohydrochloride having controlled chloride content, preferably isolated in an amorphous and/or fine particulate state, processes for making the particulate forms, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the particulate forms.
US09956260B1

Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of a patient having an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS. More specifically this invention provides treatment of an HIV-1 infection and/or AIDS using small molecule compounds, such as inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1. Inhibitors for the activation and/or activity of caspase-1 also prevent the cell death of CD4 T-cells in a population of CD4 T-cells comprising HIV-1 infected CD4 T-cells and uninfected CD4 T-cells, In addition, caspase-1 inhibitors inhibit inflammation, and pyroptosis.
US09956253B2

A method for preparing placenta membrane tissue grafts for medical use, includes obtaining a placenta from a subject, cleaning the placenta, separating the chorion tissue from the amniotic membrane, mounting a selected layer of either the chorion tissue or the amniotic membrane onto a drying fixture, dehydrating the selected layer on the drying fixture, and cutting the selected layer into a plurality of tissue grafts. Preferably, the drying fixture includes grooves or raised edges that define the outer contours of each desired tissue graft, after they are cut, and further includes raised or indented logos that emboss the middle area of the tissue grafts during dehydration and that enables an end user to distinguish the top from the bottom side of the graft. The grafts are comprised of single layers of amnion or chorion, multiple layers of amnion or chorion, or multiple layers of a combination of amnion and chorion.
US09956251B2

The present invention relates to a preparation method for a therapeutic agent of a bead-type chondrocyte and, more specifically, to: a preparation method for a therapeutic agent of a bead-type chondrocyte without a support, comprising the steps of: a) dispensing chondrocytes and/or cells having chondrogenic differentiation capability in a 96-well deep well plate having a V-shaped bottom; b) centrifuging the plate; c) three-dimensionally culturing the plate in an incubator; and d) recovering pellets from each well, thereby being capable of easily and stably preparing cartilage tissues of a uniform quality, in large quantities; and a therapeutic agent of a bead-type chondrocyte without a support, prepared by the method, having effectiveness to repair damage by simply being implanted into cartilage damage by injection.
US09956244B2

A biomarker Hsp90 for predicting an efficacy of a c-Met inhibitor, selecting a subject for application of a c-Met inhibitor, or monitoring an efficacy of a c-Met inhibitor, and a relevant method of using Hsp90.
US09956233B2

The present invention provides modified metformin compounds, particularly mito-metformin compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of using the compounds to provide neuroprotection and in the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases are also described.
US09956220B2

The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of Formula (I) inhibit protein kinase activity thereby making them useful as anticancer agents.
US09956215B1

The present invention relates to the field of cancer therapy. Specifically, provided are methods of treating cancer, for example, peripheral T-cell lymphoma (“PTCL”), with a farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) that include determining whether the subject is likely to be responsive to the FTI treatment based on gene expression characteristics.
US09956213B2

The invention provides a chemical entity of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, Y, and n have any of the values described herein and compositions comprising such chemical entities; methods of making them; and their use in a wide range of methods, including metabolic and reaction kinetic studies, detection and imaging techniques, and radioactive treatments; and therapies, including inhibiting MAO, and MAO-B selectively, enhancing neuronal plasticity, treating neurological disorders, providing neuroprotection, treating a cognitive impairment associated with a CNS disorder, enhancing the efficiency of cognitive and motor training, providing neurorecovery and neurorehabilitation, enhancing the efficiency of non-human animal training protocols, and treating peripheral disorders (including obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic disorders) and their associated co-morbidities.
US09956204B2

The present disclosure relates to a composition for exterminating scuticociliates in fish, comprising Mebendazole as an active ingredient, and to a method for exterminating scuticociliates by performing oral administration or immersion administration of Mebendazole in fish. According to the present disclosure, the composition and the extermination method have excellent effects in exterminating scuticociliates in fish, and can be efficiently used in the aquaculture industry by performing oral administration or immersion administration.
US09956203B2

The present invention provides and a plastic container and multilayered films, which comprises a heat-sealable seal layer, a cyclic polyolefin layer, and an outermost layer, wherein the seal layer comprises polypropylene, the cyclic polyolefin layer comprises a cyclic polyolefin polymer or a cyclic polyolefin copolymer, and the outermost layer comprises a layer containing polypropylene, and which further comprises a resin composition layer comprises a blended product of a propylene polymer and a styrene elastomer. The plastic container of the present invention can suppresses a reduction in the medicament content of a liquid-state medicament and is excellent in terms of shock resistance, handling ability during the filling of the container with the medicament, and the moldability and transparency of the container.
US09956197B2

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating a pediatric epilepsy or epilepsy-related syndrome comprising the phenyl carbamate compound as an active ingredient, and a use of the phenyl carbamate compound for preventing and/or treating pediatric epilepsy or pediatric epilepsy-related syndromes.
US09956196B2

This invention is related to a novel sugar-like chemical composition and its use for diabetes therapy. Particularly, the present invention teaches the use of monosaccharide-like glycylated sugar alcohol compounds to block or reduce sugar absorption in diabetes patients, so as to prevent the risk of hyperglycemia symptoms. Glycylation of sugar alcohols is a totally novel reaction that has never been reported before. Therefore, the novelty of the present invention is that for the first time glycylated sugar alcohols not only was found but also was found to be useful for treating Diabetes mellitus. In addition, the present invention teaches a method for producing these glycylated sugar alcohols. In sum, the present invention includes not only a kind of novel sugar-like chemical compositions and its use for treating diabetes but also a state-of-the-art protocol and methodology for producing such a novel composition via glycylation of sugars and sugar alcohols.
US09956190B2

The present invention relates to TRPV1 selective agonist compositions including a capsaicinoid, a surfactant and an extended release agent, and to methods of manufacture and methods of providing pain relief as well as treating a variety of disorders with such compositions.
US09956188B2

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods of manufacturing the same, comprising a eutectic of Cyclobenzaprine HCl and mannitol or Amitriptyline HCl and mannitol.
US09956181B2

A nano-composition and a method of using the composition. The composition includes nanoparticles. Each nanoparticle includes a shell encapsulating lycopene. The shell includes oligomerized (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (OEGCG) electrostatically bonded to chitosan. The method of using the composition includes administering the nano-composition to a human being.
US09956180B2

A method and apparatus for continuous removal of sub-micron sized particles and other materials attached thereto such as cancer cells and bacteria from blood and other liquids. A centrifuge rotor having a curved shape is offset on a spinning rotor base and creates contiguous areas of low to high centrifugal force depending on the distances from the axis of the rotor base. This creates a density gradient field that separates materials of different densities input to the centrifuge that exit via different outputs. A monitor detects components of the fluid that are mixed with the particles before they exit the centrifuge. If there are any unwanted components detected with the particles logic circuitry changes the speed of rotation of the rotor, and the flow rate of pumps inputting and removing separated fluid and particles to and from the centrifuge until there are no unwanted components in the fluid exiting with the particles from the centrifuge.
US09956177B2

A method of making a sustained release microsphere formulation, wherein the release rate of a bioactive ingredient is manipulated by controlling the crystallinity of said bioactive ingredient, includes the steps of combining the active ingredient and an encapsulating polymer in at least one solvent, or mixtures thereof, to form a dispersed phase and processing the dispersed phase without filtering, filtering the combined dispersed phase with a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic filter, or filtering the active ingredient and encapsulating polymer individually with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic filter before combining them to form the dispersed phase. The dispersed phase is then combined with a continuous phase to form the microsphere formulation.
US09956171B2

The present invention relates to a liquid pharmaceutical composition suitable for administration by inhalation which comprises a diluent and a suspension of particles of 9,10-dimethoxy-2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimino)-3-(N-carbamoyl-2-aminoethyl)-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one (RPL554) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also described is a liquid pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for use in the treatment of the human or animal body.
US09956170B2

A method of making a dry powder pharmaceutical composition comprising: providing inactive ingredient particles; providing a micronized active ingredient; mixing the inactive ingredient particles with surface-modified nanoparticles to provide an inactive ingredient comprised of particles having surfaces with the surface-modified nanoparticles deposited on the surfaces; and/or mixing the micronized active ingredient with surface-modified nanoparticles to provide a micronized active ingredient comprised of particles having surfaces with the surface-modified nanoparticles deposited on the surfaces; and then mixing the micronized active ingredient with the inactive ingredient; the dry powder compositions made by the method; a use of said composition for the manufacture of a medicament for being delivered to the lungs of a mammal by administering a therapeutic amount of the dry powder pharmaceutical composition, and a dry powder inhalation device comprising a mouth piece, a powder containment system, and the dry powder pharmaceutical composition are disclosed.
US09956168B2

Contact lenses are described that include particles of polymer fiber mat incorporated into a polymer lens wherein the polymer fiber mat is formed by electrospinning a prepolymer solution. Methods for making the contact lenses with improved oxygen permeability are also described. Methods for making the contact lens with optional therapeutic drug delivery and refractive correction are also described.
US09956164B2

A veterinary pharmaceutical composition, including at least one active veterinary pharmaceutical substance which is selected among gonadorelin and gonadorelin analogs as well as salts of gonadorelin and of the gonadorelin analogs, is provided. The composition includes a liposome-free matrix which delays the release of the active veterinary pharmaceutical substance from the composition, which matrix includes a basic material which is selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic triglycerides, vegetable oils, diacylpropanediols, diacylbutanediols and mixtures of these substances, the veterinary pharmaceutical composition including no biodegradable polymer.
US09956161B2

Cosmetic preparations and formulations are described, comprising high concentration (from at least 75% to at least 95%) of thermal mineral waters within the aqueous portion of the formulation. In preferred embodiments, the thermal mineral waters are rendered more bioavailable by pre-fermentation with a microorganism such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Formulations are also described in which at least a portion of the thermal mineral water is incorporated into phospholipid liposomes.
US09956153B2

The antimicrobial foaming composition of the present invention comprises a cationic active ingredient, a cationic compatible surfactant, a foam booster, a foam structure enhancing agent, dermal adjuvants, and a carrier. The present antimicrobial compositions are free of the antimicrobial agents triclosan (i.e., 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′hydroxy-diphenylether) and lower alcohols. They are also free of anionic surfactants. The foaming compositions have rapid cidal activity, provide stable, copious foam, and exhibit enhanced tissue (e.g. skin) compatibility.
US09956150B2

The present invention provides a method for dental cutting including the steps of providing a dental unit water line irrigation system, the dental unit water line irrigation system including a container surrounding a solution chamber; providing a lubricant for use in the dental unit water line irrigation system, the lubricant defining a composition including 10 to 25% by weight of ethanol; 5 to 25% by weight of glycerol; 10 to 25% by weight of xylitol; 0.5 to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; and 45 to 60% by weight of water; and selectively operating the water line irrigation system to express the lubricant onto a dental cutting site.
US09956142B2

A transfer arrangement comprising a syringe (110) having a side wall defining a cavity (116) which is sealed by plunger (114), a needle (119) being connected to a second syringe end (113), an adaptor (124) having a first adaptor end (121) connecting to the second syringe end (113), the adaptor (124) extending about the needle (119), second adaptor end (123) having a luer connector (126), and a transfer member (128) having first and second transfer member ends (131, 133) with the first transfer member end (131) being connected to the second adaptor end (123) while the second transfer member end (133) receives the neck of a vial (130).
US09956140B2

People can damage their medicines by taking them outside in hot or cold weather. On the other hand, some people need to carry their medicines with them wherever they go (even if the weather is extremely hot or cold). Specially constructed storage systems can protect medicines from damage due to hot and cold weather without requiring bulky structures or expensive components that consume electricity to regulate temperature.
US09956137B2

The present invention relates to an access assembly to provide access to the interior of a vessel and comprising: a base to extend through a sidewall of the vessel and having a tubular sealing portion providing a passageway axially extending therethrough, a pierceable sealing member arranged across the sealing portion to obstruct the passageway, at least one closure member axially displaceable relative to the base between a sealing position, in which the closure member completely obstructs and seals the passageway, and a leakage position, in which the closure member leakily obstructs the passageway.
US09956131B2

A walker device is described herein including two side frames, each side frame including a front vertical support, a rear vertical support and at least one connecting member extending between the front and rear vertical supports. The walker device further includes a cross bar extending between the two side frames and pivotally connecting to the front vertical supports of the two side frames. The walker device also includes a tension device which applies a resistive force to the pivoting motion between the first cross bar and the two side frames. The walker device is therefore capable of a pivoting configuration which enables the user to learn or re-learn a more natural gait pattern including rotation of the upper and lower body. Some embodiments of the walker device include a second, auxiliary cross bar that is parallel to the first cross bar and horizontally offset from the first cross bar.
US09956128B1

A hospital bed provides improved handling of non-ambulatory patients and others who cannot easily be moved, such as to a hospital room toilet. The hospital bed includes a flexible mattress and a belt attached to the flexible mattress ends. The hospital bed frame has a pallet for supporting the flexible mattress and a chute attached to the frame beneath the pallet that receives the end of the flexible mattress. Multiple rollers direct the flexible mattress and belt. A motor supplies rotational force to one of the rollers and one of the rollers also provides for bending the flexible mattress to enter the chute, so that the end of the flexible mattress is guided underneath the pallet. A system includes the hospital bed with a detachable sanitary station. The sanitary station includes a toilet top and unites with the bed to deliver the patient to a position atop the toilet.
US09956124B2

A pant-type absorbent article includes a front and a back portion, longitudinally extending side seams and a connecting portion between the front and back portions. The connecting portion forms a crotch region and leg openings. Part of the front portion, back portion, and the connecting portion is made of an elastic laminate extending transversely across the front, back and connecting portions. Elongated leg elastic members extend along the leg openings in at least part of the connecting portion and terminate at a distance from the respective side seam thus leaving an area corresponding to a peripheral length of at least 50 mm along the respective leg opening where the leg elastic members are absent and wherein the connecting portion in the area where the leg elastic members are absent is made of the elastic laminate in at least 90% of the peripheral length.
US09956123B2

In an embodiment, a garment, such as a smart pull-up, includes at least one outer section and a midsection attached to the outer section. The midsection includes a first antimicrobial membrane patch layer configured to contact a wearer's body, a second antimicrobial membrane patch layer disposed adjacent to the first antimicrobial patch layer, and an air gap disposed between the first patch and second antimicrobial patch layers. The first and second antimicrobial patch layers each are formed from respective balanced warp big tows and fill tows in a plain-weave pattern, and each layer include copper filaments disposed in a plurality of the tows, each of the copper filaments including at least Cu+/Cu+++ ions. Such a smart pull-up may be suitable for either adult who cannot use the toilet, or child, or healthy adult and, therefore, may urinate and defecate himself/herself.
US09956118B2

A tool communication adapter system is provided. One exemplary system described herein includes a tool communication adapter having an adapter body including first and second mechanical attachment ends, a first electrical connector proximate the first mechanical attachment end and a second electrical connector proximate the second mechanical attachment end, a first supply channel having an opening extending through the body between the first and second mechanical attachment ends, and including a first supply channel connector at the first attachment end and a second supply channel connector at the second mechanical attachment end, and a control unit in communication with the first and second electrical connectors. The control unit is configured to provide a filter command signal to a protective filter in response to a signal received at the first electrical connector. An exemplary tool communication adapter thus allows communication between a tool and personal protective equipment.
US09956117B2

The invention relates to a face cover device providing a closure over a predetermined area of a face, having a functional part (2) and a face rest part (1) which are interconnected by one connecting section or a plurality of connecting sections (3, 8), characterized in that the one connecting section or at least one of the plurality of connecting sections is an adjustable connecting section (3) that allows for adjusting the position of the face rest part relative to the functional part.
US09956110B2

A washable ostomy pouch configured for accumulating discharged waste and also for draining and washing it without detaching the pouch from the user. The washable pouch has a draining duct and a washing duct which is elevated above the waste level and enables pouring water without waste overflow. The washable pouch has a flat structure. Both the washing and draining ducts have seals. The washing duct has a funnel shape which facilitates pouring water into the pouch, whereby liquefying the discharged waste and enabling easier draining. The abdominal inlet coupling can detachably secure the washable pouch to a snugly fitting abdominal adhesive faceplate coupling which is attached to an abdominal adhesive faceplate that is configured to adhere to the user's abdominal skin surrounding the user's stoma. This allows the user to replace the pouch multiple times without having to detach the abdominal adhesive faceplate.
US09956109B2

Disclosed is a penile constriction device comprising a body including an aperture (4) for surrounding a penis wherein the aperture (4) defines an inner edge (6,7). According to the present invention an elastic strap (8) is arranged within the aperture (4) or at least in alignment with the aperture (4) wherein the ends of the strap (8) are connected to connection points (10) at the inner edge (6,7) of the aperture (4) or at portions of the body (2) adjacent to the aperture (4), and where in the connection points (10) are positioned opposite to each other relative to the aperture (4) and the length of the strap (8) between its both ends is greater than the distance between the connection points (10) so that the strap (8) is able to be optionally brought into a first position (FIG. 4a) so as to limit the aperture (4) for defining a first aperture cross-section area (4.1) or a second (FIG. 4d) position opposite to the first position relative to the aperture (4) so as to limit the aperture (4) for defining a second aperture cross-section (4.2) area which is larger than the first aperture cross-section area (4.1).
US09956103B2

A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.
US09956096B2

This invention relates generally to an endoluminal prosthesis, and more particularly, to a stent graft assembly and method for treating branched vessels. The assembly comprises a first prosthesis having an overall shortened length comprising a main body formed of biocompatible graft material having a tapered proximal end. A bifurcated portion extends distally from the main body. The bifurcated portion comprises a first tubular portion defining a first lumen and a second tubular portion defining a second lumen. The assembly further comprises a second prosthesis having a tubular body of biocompatible graft material with a flared distal end portion. The flared distal end portion of the second prosthesis is configured to sealingly engage with the tapered main body of the first prosthesis.
US09956095B2

The present disclosure provides a stent graft comprising (a) a self-expandable stent structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the self-expandable stent structure defines a lumen, (b) at least one restraint configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of the stent graft in a compressed condition, and wherein the at least one restraint is configured to be broken to permit the stent graft to transition to an expanded condition, and (c) a first plurality of anchoring projections coupled to the exterior surface of the stent graft adjacent to the first end of the self-expandable stent-structure.
US09956094B2

Prosthesis devices can include sockets having adjustable features. In one example, a socket includes one or more panels that can move outwardly or inwardly relative to a receptacle portion of the socket. The panels can be moved by tightening a tensioning line.
US09956074B2

The present invention provides a valved stent that can provide a valve function without blocking a branch blood vessel, and also can provide a valve function with minimum covering of blood vessel tissue in a stent indwelling section. Specifically, a cylindrical stent body 4 is provided. A leaflet 5 that can open/close a blood vessel 2 in a blood flow direction is provided. The leaflet 5 is composed of connective tissue and protrudes radially inward from the stent body 4. An inside and an outside of the stent body 4 radially communicate with each other. The stent does not block a branch blood vessel 8. An area of the blood vessel covered with the stent is reduced.
US09956065B2

A system and method of treating and protecting an injured claw of an animal. A claw cap is provided. The claw cap is an elastomeric cap that defines an interior compartment. A medicated compound may be provided within the interior compartment of the claw cap. The injured claw is advanced into the claw cap through the open end of the claw cap. The injured claw is exposed to the medicated compound within the interior compartment of the claw cap. The claw cap then engages the exterior of the injured claw with a friction fit. The claw cap remains on the injured claw as the animal resumes normal activities. The claw cap is removed once the medication has affected a significant degree of healing.
US09956050B2

Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for controlling a motor of a robotic surgical system are provided.
US09956049B2

Apparatus for generating an organ timing signal relating to an inspected organ within the body of a patient, including a medical positioning system, and a processor coupled with the medical positioning system, the medical positioning system including at least one reference electromagnetic transducer placed at a reference location, at least one inner electromagnetic transducer attached to a surgical tool inserted in a blood vessel in the vicinity of the inspected organ, and a medical positioning system processor coupled with the reference electromagnetic transducer and the inner electromagnetic transducer, the medical positioning system processor determining the three-dimensional position of the inner electromagnetic transducer, by processing transmitted electromagnetic signals transmitted from one of the reference electromagnetic transducer and the inner electromagnetic transducer with detected electromagnetic signals detected by the other of the reference electromagnetic transducer and the inner electromagnetic transducer, the medical positioning system processor further generating medical positioning system data sets, each of the medical positioning system data sets including a collection of three-dimensional position coordinate readings demonstrating the motion trajectory of the surgical tool over time, the processor generating the organ timing signal from the medical positioning system data sets by detecting and identifying periodic motion frequencies in the medical positioning system data sets, and filtering the periodic motion frequencies from the medical positioning system data sets.
US09956045B2

An apparatus for cleaning cannulated surgical tools comprises a hollow body with lavage fluid holes and a brush adaptor at a first end and an inlet adaptor affixed to a second end. A body hub, consisting of inlet channel and drain channel is in liquid communication with an inner lavage fluid tube. A lavage connection tube is in liquid communication with the hollow body at the brush adaptor and through the upper connecting lavage fluid orifice. An inner lavage fluid tube, having an inner channel, extends within the hollow body with a distal end in liquid communication with the inner channel within the inlet adaptor. There are multiple spray openings proximate the distal end of the inner lavage fluid connection tube and a tube brush is dimensioned to fit within the inner channel. The apparatus can be combined with a reservoir to make the unit self-contained.
US09956034B2

A system for controlled sympathectomy procedures is disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. Systems and methods for accessing target tissues as part of a neuromodulation procedure from within a lumen are disclosed.
US09956033B2

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical device for modulating nerves. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. A balloon may be coupled to the distal region. An electrode may be disposed within the balloon. A virtual electrode may be defined on the balloon. The virtual electrode may include a conductive region having an edge and a peripheral region disposed at least partially along the edge of the conductive region. The peripheral region may be configured to dissipate forces, electrical current, or both accumulating along the edge of the conductive region.
US09956032B1

An internally-cooled RF electrode can have a construction that provides for an electrode hub having reduced weight and size.
US09956029B2

An electrosurgical device includes a first shaft defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough. A fluid delivery tube is disposed within the lumen, the fluid delivery tube defining a proximal end a distal end. An electrically conductive treatment element is in electrical communication with and coupled to the distal end of the first shaft, the electrically conductive treatment element includes a conductive fluid conduit in fluid communication with and affixed within a portion of the fluid delivery tube. A second shaft is in electrical communication with the first shaft, the first shaft being slideably disposed within the second shaft and movable from a first position in which the electrically conductive treatment element is proximate to the distal end of the second shaft to a second position in which the electrically conductive treatment element is advanced a distance away from the distal end of the second shaft.
US09956019B2

A mixing device comprises a mixing space for mixing bone cement, at least one mixing element supported in the mixing space such that it can rotate, a gear for rotating the at least one mixing element, and at least one elastically deformable energy-storing element that is connected to the gear such that the gear can be driven by an elastic energy from the energy-storing element and such that the at least one mixing element can be rotated in the mixing space by means of the gear upon the release of elastic energy from the energy-storing element. Additionally, a vacuum mixing system and mixing method comprise the mixing device for mixing the bone cement.
US09956018B2

A bone screw includes a screw shaft with an external thread. The screw shaft anchors the bone screw in a bone. A proximal end of the screw shaft includes a screw head. The ratio between the outer thread diameter and the thread core diameter increases toward the screw head in a proximal screw shaft portion or in the area of the thread's run-out.
US09956016B2

A member of a modular bone plate is provided, the member comprising a top surface defining a top plane; a bottom surface defining a bottom plane; a connection portion including a hole with a center axis that intersects the top plane and the bottom plane; wherein a first portion of the edge of the hole is provided with a projection forming a first free end of the member and wherein a second portion of the edge of the hole is provided with a groove that is configured to accommodate a projection of a connection portion of a second member of the modular bone plate. Furthermore, a modular bone plate having at least two such members is provided.
US09956010B2

An orthopedic fixation device comprising a bearing and a retaining portion. The bearing defines a bearing internal bore and has a rounded exterior surface, an upper surface, an intermediate surface, and a lower surface, and at least one slot in the bearing extending from the exterior surface to the internal bore. The retaining portion defines a recess shaped to accept the exterior surface of the bearing therein such that in a steady state of the bearing, the bearing can move within the recess, and, when at least one force is imparted against one of the upper and lower surfaces of the bearing, the bearing deforms outwardly to fix the bearing in place within the recess.
US09956002B2

A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having at least one transition portion and cooperating outer sleeve, both the transition portion and sleeve being disposed between the two bone anchors. The transition portion includes a rigid length or rod having apertures therein and a molded plastic length that extends through the apertures, thus attaching the plastic length to the rigid length. The sleeve surrounds the transition portion and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible in a longitudinal direction between the bone anchors.
US09955996B2

An instrument manipulator and a robotic surgical system including an instrument manipulator are provided. In one embodiment, an instrument manipulator includes a plurality of independent actuator drive modules, each of the plurality of actuator drive modules including an actuator output, wherein each of the actuator outputs are configured to independently actuate a corresponding actuator input of a surgical instrument without force input from another actuator output. The instrument manipulator further includes a frame housing the plurality of independent actuator drive modules, the frame including a distal end from which each of the actuator outputs distally protrude for engaging the corresponding actuator inputs of the surgical instrument.
US09955995B2

A puncture device and method are disclosed, the puncture device includes a puncture member having a puncture needle for puncturing a biological tissue, a shaft portion, and a connection portion for connecting the puncture needle and the shaft portion to each other. The puncture needle includes a needle main body for puncturing the biological tissue, and an extension needle provided for movement relative to the needle main body along a longitudinal direction of the needle main body and configured to puncture the biological tissue. The puncture device includes, as extension means for moving the extension needle in a direction toward the distal end of the needle main body with respect to the needle main body to extend the puncture needle, and/or a pusher for pushing the extension needle to move in the direction toward the distal end of the needle main body.
US09955993B2

A surgical tool system with a handpiece and a cutting accessory that has inner and outer hubs. The handpiece has a spring biased lock ring that abuts a complementary stop member integral with the accessory outer hub to hold the accessory to the handpiece. An RFID chip is disposed against an inner wall of the accessory outer hub. An elastomeric seal pressed against the inner wall of the accessory outer hub provides environmental protection for the RFID chip. The seal has a rib that extends around the outer perimeter of the proximal end of the outer hub so as to form a seal between the accessory and an adjacent inner wall of the handpiece. Stop tabs extend inwardly from the seal to prevent the drive hub disposed inside the outer hub from falling out.
US09955990B2

Systems and methods for creating autologous monocuspid and bicuspid valves can include a catheter having a single expandable element or a double expandable element. Once the leaflets of the valve are created, various techniques can be used to fix the leaflets to the vessel wall or to each other, including clips, tissue anchors, adhesives, and heat.
US09955984B2

A system for augmenting a glenoid in preparation for implantation of a glenoid implant includes an augment guide block. The augment guide block includes a body having a guide slot angularly extending from a first surface to a second surface at an angle α, a plurality of alignment members extending from the first surface of the body that couple the body to the glenoid at locations that correspond to locations where a central peg and a peripheral peg will couple the glenoid implant to the glenoid. The system also includes an augmenting device that is configured to be received within the slot, and that is operable to augment the glenoid at the angle α, wherein the angle α corresponds to a surface of the glenoid implant.
US09955981B2

A surgical bur including primary flutes and auxiliary flutes. The primary flutes include (i) first clearance surfaces, and (ii) first rake surfaces with first cutting edges. The primary flutes extend from a proximal end of the surgical bur to a distal end of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes are localized in central regions or distal regions of the surgical bur. The auxiliary flutes include (i) second clearance surfaces, and (ii) second rake surfaces with second cutting edges. At least one of the auxiliary flutes is located between a pair of adjacent ones of the primary flutes.
US09955976B2

Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature are described. The devices include implants made of woven braided mesh having a variable mesh density, i.e., the average size of pores in one region are a different than the average size of pores in another region. Additionally, there is a transition zone between the two regions. The implants have a low profile radially constrained state and an expanded state that is axially shortened. Methods of using the device to treat a cerebral aneurysm are also described. Methods of forming a tubular braid are also described. Methods of forming a tubular braid with variable braid densities are described. Methods of forming a tubular braid using a castellated mandrel are also described.
US09955973B2

An apparatus for coaptation of first and second severed nerve segments. The apparatus includes a plurality of nerve-engaging features or coupling members that each connect to another coupling member to form coupling pairs. The coupling pairs are advantageously movable relative to each other to permit nerve swelling, inhibit nerve compression, and facilitate delivery of pharmaceutical agents.
US09955965B2

The present disclosure provides a surgical device, comprising: a jaw assembly defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw; an elongated body defining a second longitudinal axis and coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly, wherein the jaw assembly is configured to articulate about an articulation axis transverse to the second longitudinal axis relative to the elongated body; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the elongated body and comprising at least one motor mechanically coupled to the jaw assembly; and a control assembly coupled to the handle assembly, the control assembly including a first control button, a second control button, a first rocker device disposed about the first control button and configured to rotate thereabout, and a second rocker device disposed about the second control button and configured to rotate thereabout.
US09955962B2

A suture delivery tool releasably secures a self-retaining suture to permit delivery of the self-retaining suture to a surgical site in a patient through an access port. Suture delivery tools are disclosed suitable for manual operation and operation using robotically-assisted surgical systems. In some embodiments, a suture spool is part of a cartridge which is releasably attached to the suture delivery tool. Cartridges is, in some embodiments, replaced after deployment of the self-retaining suture and different cartridges having different self-retaining suture are, in some embodiments, selected and attached to the suture delivery tool as required for a procedure.
US09955941B2

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system scans a plurality of planar slices in a volumetric region containing tissue which has been perfused by a contrast agent. The plurality of slices scanned are parallel to each other. Following detection of the image data of the slices the slice data is combined by projecting the data in the elevation dimension to produce an elevationally combined slice image. Combining may be by means of an averaging or maximum intensity detection or weighting process or by raycasting in the elevation dimension in a volumetric rendering process. The elevationally combined slice image is processed to produce a qualitative or quantitative measure of perfusion, such as an image with degrees of perfusion indicated by a range of brightness levels, an image of color perfusion parameters, or a perfusion curve or curve parameter indicating rate of perfusion.
US09955934B2

A method includes dynamically varying a data acquisition sample rate between at least two data acquisition sample rates during a contrast enhanced perfusion scan based on a level of contrast in image data generated during the scan. A system includes a computed tomography scanner and a console that controls the scanner based on a scan protocol, wherein the console dynamically varies a data acquisition sample rate of scanner during a contrast enhanced perfusion scan based on a level of contrast in the image data generated during the scan. A method for optimizing dose of a scan includes reducing a data acquisition sampling rate during at least a sub-portion of the scan in which a state of interest is not being scanned.
US09955933B2

A medical imaging system comprises at least an image plate, X-ray device for producing an image of an object on said image plate, and a reading device for reading image information held by the image plate. In connection with the image plate there is a tag containing information for controlling the arrangement in such a manner that when the arrangement has read the information in the tag the arrangement is adapted to perform at least one operation controlled by the information read.
US09955931B2

A housing of an electronic cassette has an inclined surface which is formed between a side surface and a rear surface thereof and inclined relative to the side surface and the rear surface. An antenna opening through which a radio wave is transmitted is formed on the inclined surface. Since the antenna opening is formed on the inclined surface, the antenna opening is not blocked by a rear plate of a holder of an upright radiographic stand or a supine radiographic stand, and the antenna opening is not blocked by a side panel of an outer grid. Both in the case where the electronic cassette is set to the holder and in the case where the outer grid is attached to the electronic cassette, it is possible to perform stable wireless communication.
US09955926B2

A graphical audio station of a nurse call system is operable to permit a user to perform one or more of the following functions: establish a two-way voice communication link with another computer device in another patient and/or with a another computer device located in another staff work area and/or with a wireless communication device carried by caregiver and/or with a telephone of the healthcare facility; broadcast a voice page to a group of other selected computer devices; compose and send a text message to a portable device that is carried by a caregiver and that has wireless communication capability; browse web pages and/or view multimedia content, such as videos, hosted on servers of the healthcare facility and/or that are accessible via the Internet; view and/or acknowledge and/or answer and/or cancel alerts or nurse calls originating in a plurality of patient rooms.
US09955925B2

Drowsiness onset detection implementations are presented that predict when a person transitions from a state of wakefulness to a state of drowsiness based on heart rate information. Appropriate action is then taken to stimulate the person to a state of wakefulness or notify other people of their state (with respect to drowsiness/alertness). This generally involves capturing a person's heart rate information over time using one or more heart rate (HR) sensors and then computing a heart-rate variability (HRV) signal from the captured heart rate information. The HRV signal is analyzed to extract features that are indicative of an individual's transition from a wakeful state to a drowsy state. The extracted features are input into an artificial neural net (ANN) that has been trained using the same features to identify when an individual makes the aforementioned transition to drowsiness. Whenever an onset of drowsiness is detected, a warning is initiated.
US09955917B2

A sensor connection element of a catheter or an electrode line, which has a plate-like substrate including at least one recess and layer-like electrical conductors with sensor connection faces and/or actuator connection faces on or beneath at least one sensor surface.
US09955915B2

A method for calculating the location of the center-of-rotation of a joint with an attached member. The method employs an inertial measurement unit (IMU) having an angular rate gyro and an accelerometer and coupling the inertial measurement unit to the member for detection of movement of the member. The inertial measurement unit outputs data representative of angular velocity and acceleration of the member mounted IMU in response to movement of the joint. The method further comprising analyzing the angular rate and acceleration data to determine the center-of-rotation of the joint.
US09955910B2

Dimensions of a surface feature are determined by capturing an image of the surface feature and determining a scale associated with the image. Structured light may be projected onto the surface, such that the position of structured light in the captured image allows determination of scale. A non-planar surface may be unwrapped. The surface may alternatively be projected into a plane to correct for the scene being tilted with respect to the camera axis. A border of the surface feature may be input manually by a user. An apparatus and system for implementing the method are also disclosed.
US09955906B2

The present invention relates to a system and a method for selecting an audio file using motion data from a mobile computing device connected to or held by a user, the mobile computing device comprising or coupled to motion sensors. The method comprising steps of moving the mobile computing device, obtaining motion data from the motion sensors, computing from the motion data step data based on a number of steps taken by the user in a specific period of time, computing a metronome beat based on the step data and generating a metronome beat file, selecting a stored audio file having a predefined beat parameter matching the metronome beat of the metronome beat file, and playing the audio file. The present invention provides a technology solution delivered through a mobile computing device, such as smart phone, or other computing device, such as a laptop or a PC, a wrist or smart watch, or an accelerometer, pedometer or other external computing device having computer processor means, that improves the gait of people with Parkinson's disease. In use, the user's daily mobility is assessed through application software on a mobile computing device which is operable to calculate a required individually prescribed treatment for a user. The treatment is then delivered through speakers of the mobile computing device in the form of metronome therapy which is form of auditory cueing that is used to treat people with Parkinson's disease.
US09955886B2

Neural signal recording apparatus and method is described, in which a micro electrode array is utilized for performing a weighted matrix as a moving window providing superpositioning of electrode signals. A voltage distribution across the electrode array is determined as a Laplacian. The apparatus and method can be utilized in a variety of electrode sensing applications involving registering neural activity, and for electrode stimulation applications, or combinations thereof.
US09955874B2

This invention provides a phantom whose light propagation characteristics and acoustic propagation characteristics are similar to those of human tissues and which allows detection of an absorber also with an ultrasonic wave diagnostic apparatus and allows adjustment of the oxygen saturation.A phantom has light absorbers 12a to 12d in a phantom base material 11, in which the light absorbers 12a to 12d approximate the light absorption coefficient ratio at two or more wavelengths to that of biological tissues, and the acoustic propagation characteristics of the phantom base material 11 and the light absorbers 12a to 12d are different from each other.
US09955864B2

The invention relates to a device for measuring the subjective refraction of a person in near and/or medium vision, which comprises, according to the invention, for each eye of the person, a correction mounting (3) provided with at least one corrective lens, the correction mountings (3) being arranged such that the person looks through the lenses. The position of each correction mounting (3) is variable such as to adjust an angle (a) between the axes of the lenses.
US09955859B2

A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulatable instruments such as surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. The camera instrument is manipulatable by a camera manipulator, which has a first mechanism for pivoting a focal point of the camera instrument about a pivot of the camera instrument and a second mechanism for positioning the pivot within a three-dimensional space in response to translational commands received from one or a coupled pair of input devices. The system also includes a controller which is configured to receive sensed movement of the input devices, and cause actuation of the first mechanism in response to the sensed movement if the system is in an orientational mode and cause actuation of the second mechanism in response to the sensed movement if the system is in a translational mode.
US09955857B2

An endoscope device includes a flexible insertion portion; a flexible tube portion; a first bending portion; a second bending portion; an observation portion; a first drive portion bending the first bending portion; a second drive portion bending the second bending portion; a position detection portion detecting a position of a rigid distal end portion of a medical instrument; first and second bending detection portions detecting radii of curvature of axes of channels formed in the first and second bending portions and directions in which the channels are bent when an input signal generated by the position detection portion is received, respectively; and a control portion configured to control generating a second drive signal driving the second drive portion based on a first drive signal driving the first drive portion, and sending the second drive signal to the second drive portion while sending the first drive signal.
US09955853B2

A distal end structure of an endoscope according to the present invention includes a distal end member formed of a metal material, an insulating ring provided in an annular shape around an insertion axis on a proximal end side of the distal end member, a cover formed of a flexible insulative material that covers the distal end member, a projecting section provided integrally with the insulating ring and projecting in a direction crossing the insertion axis, a through-hole provided in the cover and engaging with the projecting section, and a to-be-tom-apart section provided near the through-hole, in which force is applied to the to-be-torn-apart section to tear apart the cover along the insertion axis direction and remove the cover from the distal end member.
US09955850B2

A rack for a domestic dishwasher includes a frame and a base. The base can be swung and folded out in order to increase a loading volume of the rack. The base includes a first portion articulated to a first side of the frame via a first articulation, and a second portion articulated to a second side of the frame opposite the first site via a second articulation, and articulated to the first portion via a third articulation. The second portion is configured to change its length between the second and third articulations.
US09955847B2

Provided herein are a dishwasher comprising a washing chamber arranged for holding soiled items to be washed, a filter, and a circulation pump, and methods of operating the same. The washing chamber may be arranged such that, when the flow of washing liquid passes through the washing chamber, soil is released from the items to be washed and caught in the flow. The filter may be such arranged that, when the flow of washing liquid with soil passes through the filter, soil is separated from the flow of washing liquid and caught at the filter. The dishwasher may further include a soil trap, which is located separate from the circulation flow, and a soil removing unit including a transport unit for transport of the soil caught at the filter into the soil trap.
US09955843B2

The object of this invention is a valve body of a cleaning appliance, specifically a dosing device, whose valve body can open and close the inlet and outlet pipes of the dosing chamber of the dosing device, to release a correct amount of detergent for soaking a cleaning cloth.
US09955838B2

A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle attached to a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a first duct and a second duct. The first duct pivots relative to the second duct about a pivot axis, and the first duct and the second duct rotate collectively relative to the handle about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is then orthogonal to the pivot axis.
US09955834B2

A cleaner comprises a body configured to generate a suction force, a handle including a first manipulation part configured to select a function of the cleaner, an extension pipe detachably coupled to the handle and an accessory assembly configured to be coupled to the handle to clean a cleaning surface. The accessory assembly comprises an accessory body, a dusting tool on which a brush is mounted, a crevice tool to clean a gap, and an Upholstery tool to clean fabrics. The upholstery tool is rotatably coupled to the accessory body, the crevice tool is rotatably coupled to the accessory body so that a suction port of the crevice tool is rotatable with respect to the accessory body, and a central axis of the accessory body is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a rotation axis of the crevice tool.
US09955833B2

A vacuum cleaner to suction dust by applying vibration includes a motor, an eccentric load applied to a rotating shaft of the motor which when rotated by a rotation of the rotating shaft produces vibration force, a vibration plate to apply the vibration force to an object to be cleaned, and a vibration transfer member to transfer vibration force to the vibration plate.
US09955829B2

Methods and apparatus for controlling odors in an enclosed space, such as a pit latrine, include providing an oxidizer, such as a catalytic heater and an optional mechanical ventilation unit, such as an inline fan, both flow connected to a vault (pit) of the latrine. The heater is also connected to a source of fuel, for example, propane. Fresh air is drawn through vents in the latrine housing and thereafter through toilets in the latrine and through the vault, providing oxygen for the reaction. The fan and/or oxidation process draws both fresh air and accompanying odorous compounds directly from the latrine and into the oxidizer wherein the odorous components are substantially destroyed.
US09955821B2

The invention relates to a device for processing foodstuffs, including an upper part, a drive and a lower part and a working unit that can be driven and set rotating by means of the drive, the drive being a manually cord-operated drive and the device having a holding-operating element on the upper part. The upper part of the device has an opening and is designed to feed the foodstuff to be processed to the working unit and to hold the device in position.
US09955819B2

A combustion cooker with an integrated and optionally removable thermoelectric generator and methods for making and using the same. The combustion cooker can include a fire basket that comprises a bottom region and a lateral region that is coupled with the bottom region and that defines a central combustion chamber. Being disposed about a periphery of the fire basket, the thermoelectric generator can include a cold side heat sink and a hot side heat sink. The cold side heat sink can be cooled via exterior air available outside the housing; whereas, the hot side heat sink can be in direct thermal communication with the periphery of the fire basket. Thereby, the thermoelectric generator advantageously can generate electrical power based upon a thermal differential between the cold side heat sink and the hot side heat sink.
US09955817B2

A grate assembly for cooking food products and a grilling apparatus which uses the grate assembly for supporting the food during cooking. The grate assembly comprises: (a) a lower grate element having a series of parallel peak structures with valleys therebetween and (b) an upper grate element having a series of parallel food support ribs which are sized and spaced such that each rib will be positioned over the top of a corresponding peak structure. The upper food contacting surfaces of the ribs will remain substantially rust-free at atmospheric and cooking conditions.
US09955812B2

Embodiments of the present invention are related to a parcel receiving apparatus that may comprise a parcel bin, a frame assembly, and a locking system. The frame assembly may be configured to fit inside a support structure aperture and circumscribe the parcel bin. Additionally, the parcel bin may be rotatably attached to the frame assembly along a fixed axis. The locking system may be operable to permit or deny a user from rotating the parcel bin into an open position. Applications of the parcel receiving apparatus may include remote access and automatic rotating functionality.
US09955805B2

A dual compartment zipper adjustable pillow includes a main body portion having front and rear panels having four sides, and sealed along three of the sides. The main body portion defines an interior space. A neck support portion is connected to the main body portion at a adjacent to the fourth side. A full open end zipper defines first and second zipper portions disposed on the main body portion front panel and openable to access the interior space. One half of a full open zipper defines a third zipper portion disposed on a rear side of the neck support portion. In dual compartment configuration, the neck support portion is outside of the main body portion interior space and the first and second zipper portions are closed to enclose the main body portion. In a single compartment configuration, the neck support portion is positioned in the main body portion interior and the first and third zipper portions are closed to enclose the main body portion.
US09955804B2

A pillow is provided that includes a latex foam to provide comfort and support to the body of a user. The pillow includes a latex foam layer connected to at least one additional foam component. An internal foam layer is also included in the pillow, with the latex foam layer and the additional foam component disposed about the internal foam layer.
US09955800B2

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a children's bouncer apparatus. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a support frame, seat assembly configured to support a child, and bouncer control device. The support frame includes one or more semi-rigid support arms that extend above a base portion and suspend the seat assembly above the base portion. The bouncer control device is configured to impart a driving force on the seat assembly via a magnetic drive assembly, thereby causing the seat assembly to continuously oscillate at the natural frequency of the children's bouncer.
US09955792B2

Extendable mobility assistance devices for use with a bed are disclosed herein. The mobility assistance devices include base legs that are inserted between a mattress and a box spring and a support rail that extends upward from the base legs. The support rail has an adjustable longitudinal dimension. The support rail and base legs are configured to be reversibly arranged in a first orientation or a second orientation, for use on either side of a bed.
US09955791B2

Mattress assemblies are provided that make use of air bladders to provide a level of climate control to the mattress assemblies. The mattress assemblies include a body supporting portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, an air bladder positioned adjacent to the second surface of the body supporting portion, a frame portion including a bottom surface and a border defining a well for receiving the air bladder, and an air pump that is operably connected to a climate control system for delivering heated or cooled air into the air bladder. A method of controlling the temperature of a mattress assembly is also provided.
US09955784B1

This new desk bureau possesses a unique arrangement of components in a mobile and more satisfactory style for use in this modern era office environment, as well as a more economical method of fabrication of this unique and new desk bureau design. The invention also possesses more convenient outlet plugs for power and data outlets, which are often located in an inconvenient manner in prior art desk models. Not only can users access the outlet ports with ease, but multiple mobile devices and papers can be displayed on the present invention simultaneously while the devices can be recharged. Moreover, support horizontal planes allow for easy placement of baggage and briefcases, and internal storage bin areas are provided on a lower storage support unit.
US09955781B2

A furniture module can include a cupboard, book shelf, chests of drawers and like furniture. The module (1) is formed of two opposite sides (2, 3) and a top (5) and bottom (4) placed at opposite ends of the sides (2, 3), forming a frame. At least two columns of mounting openings (6, 7, 8, 9) are placed on the inside of the sides (2, 3) for attaching shelves, drawers, doors etc. The mounting openings (6, 7, 8, 9) of each column are placed at even spacing, giving an equal distance (M) between adjacent mounting openings (6, 7, 8, 9). The distance between the uppermost mounting opening (6, 7, 8, 9) in each column of mounting openings and the upper side of the module (1) is one and a half (M+½M) of the distance between adjacent mounting openings (6, 7, 8, 9). Also the distance between the lowermost mounting hole in the column of mounting holes and the lower side of the module (1) is one and a half (M+½M) of the distance between adjacent mounting openings (6, 7, 8, 9).
US09955771B2

Applicator (3) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising: —a stem (8), and—an applicator member (10) located at one end of the stem (8) and comprising: —a perforated support (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and carrying applicator elements (12), and—an applicator part (14) over molded on the perforated support (11).
US09955757B1

A magnet buckle includes: a first part and a second part, the first part includes a shell, a first magnet and a stop mechanism; the shell is provided with a groove, the first magnet is disposed inside the groove, the second part includes a main body and a second magnet, the second magnet is disposed inside the main body, the first part and the second part can be fixed with each other through magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet, such that the main body can be accommodated in the groove and fixed by the stop mechanism; the groove is provided with a top opening configured to allow the main body to be inserted inward, and a side opening through which the main body can be detached from the first part.
US09955749B2

An article of footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The sole structure may include an exposed outer member configured to contact the ground, the exposed outer member including a first aperture, and a sensory feedback member disposed at least partially within the first aperture in the outer member, the sensory feedback member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the sensory feedback member may include a projection extending through the first aperture and configured to contact the ground. In addition, the second end of the sensory feedback member may include a plurality of flexible bristles extending through a portion of the sole structure and exposed to the internal cavity.
US09955741B2

Making a control top garment includes forming a pocket bag from a first fused composite material and a second material, the first fused fabric composite having stretch and recovery properties in at least one direction thereof; and attaching the pocket bag to an garment by (i) attaching a top side of the pocket bag to a waistband of the garment; (ii) attaching a first side of the pocket bag to a side of the garment; and (iii) attaching a second side of the pocket bag adjacent a connector of the garment.
US09955734B2

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette for convenient injection of cigarette liquid, manufacturing method thereof, and a method for injecting cigarette liquid into the electronic cigarette. A liquid injection hole is opened at a bottom of a liquid storage cup of the electronic cigarette, and the liquid injection hole is sealed by a sealing element which is self-closing once an injection device has been pulled out from the sealing element. The components of the electronic cigarette of the present invention can be assembled together first prior to the injection of cigarette liquid. Therefore, the problem of leakage and contamination of cigarette liquid during the manufacture of existing electronic cigarettes can be overcome. The automated injection of cigarette liquid can be carried out at places where the electronic cigarettes are sold.
US09955733B2

An aerosol delivery device includes a housing, a cartridge coupled to the housing, a control component contained within the housing, and a camera system including a digital camera on the housing. The control component is configured to control operation of the aerosol delivery device in response to detection of airflow through at least a portion of the housing or cartridge. The digital camera is configured to capture images of an object or scene in a field of view thereof, with the images being transferrable locally to a memory configured to store the images, or externally to a computing device configured to store or display the images.
US09955718B2

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.
US09955717B2

The invention is directed to a nystose crystal-containing powder that has excellent fluidity suitable for handling, and shows a suppressed powder-blown-up phenomenon. The nystose crystal-containing powder has a nystose content of 83 to 89 wt %; the powder has 0.2 to 18.6 wt % of gluconic acid relative to a total weight of nystose crystals contained in the powder; and the powder has a water content of 8 to 14 wt %.
US09955714B2

This invention is directed to a composition and application of marinades that contain, as key active ingredients, a combination of organic salts derived by fermentation of sugars. The resulting all natural marinades substantially improve cook yield, juiciness, flavor, and color in meat and in seafood, in a surprisingly effective way.
US09955708B2

Fish oil is thickened using a thickening agent, such as one or both of silica and wax dispersed in the fish oil to thereby facilitate ease of delivery of the fish oil to an animal. The fish oil and the thickening agent form a viscous liquid blend that functions as a delivery medium of nutrients naturally present in the fish oil. The thickening agent is inert to the animal and chemically inert to the fish oil so that the naturally present nutrients of the fish oil are not substantially degraded by the thickening agent. The viscous liquid blend may also be used as a carrier liquid to deliver an added dietary supplement to the animal.
US09955707B2

The present invention concerns a hard candy comprising a mixture of sugars composed of glucose and non-fructosylated α-galacto-oligosaccharides in particular proportions. It also concerns a method of manufacturing said candies, as well as the utilization, for manufacturing a hard candy, of a composition that includes the aforementioned mixture.
US09955699B2

A polymeric tubular conduit including a polymeric tubular conduit wall having an outer tubular layer coaxially overlaying an inner tubular layer which defines a continuous tubular passage along a polymeric tubular conduit length of the polymeric tubular conduit; whereby the outer tubular layer, the inner tubular layer, or combinations thereof, include an amount of antimicrobial agent. The amount of antimicrobial agent can be sufficient to kill or inhibit growth of microorganisms in contact with a corresponding polymeric tubular conduit wall external surface, polymeric tubular conduit wall internal surface, or combinations thereof, of the polymeric tubular conduit wall.
US09955693B2

Phytopathogenic filamentous fungi other than oomycete microorganisms are controlled using at least one compound selected from among tetrazoyloxime derivatives represented by formula (I) and salts thereof. In formula (I), X represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or the like, n represents an integer of 0 to 5, Y represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group, Z represents a hydrogen atom or an amino group or the like, Q represents a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C8 alkyl group or the like, R represents a halogeno group or a C1 to C6 alkoxy group, and m represents an integer of 0 to 3.
US09955690B2

A fungicidal composition containing a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula I-V and at least one fungicide selected from the group consisting of epoxiconazole, prothioconazole, azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, penthiopyrad, isopyrazam, bixafen, boscalid, prochloraz, and chlorothalonil provides synergistic control of selected fungi.
US09955689B2

The present invention provides a method for promoting plant growth, which comprises treating a plant with at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a compound represented by the following Formula (1): and an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof, provided that a method for promoting plant growth which comprises treating plants with a compound corresponding to any one of the following (1) to (5) and an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof is excluded: (1) 4-(Trifluoromethyl)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, (2) 5-(Trifluoromethyl)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, (3) 6-(Trifluoromethyl)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, (4) 7-(Trifluoromethyl)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, and (5) Benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid.
US09955686B2

Wipes for preventing quaternary ammonium (“quat”) depletion suitable for commercial applications (e.g., industrial and consumer disinfectant wipes) are provided. The wipe includes at least one nonwoven layer, at least one pulp layer, and a cationic additive. The at least one nonwoven layer and the at least one pulp layer may be hydroentangled to form a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric having a first surface and a second surface. Additionally, the cationic additive may be disposed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface.
US09955677B2

Non-human animals, and methods and compositions for making and using the same, are provided, wherein the non-human animals comprise a humanization of a Programmed cell death 1 (Pdcd1) gene. The non-human animals may be described, in some embodiments, as having a genetic modification to an endogenous Pdcd1 gene so that the non-human animals express a PD-1 polypeptide that includes a human portion and an endogenous portion (e.g., a non-human portion).
US09955674B2

A system comprising an animal management label, a pedometer, each provided with a transmitter and receiver device, and a smart tag for detecting movements of an animal provided therewith. The system comprises a plurality of readers for wirelessly reading out the label, and a central computer configured for communication with the readers. The system is configured for updating the label. The central computer is configured to supply update data the readers.A random one of the readers transmits the update data when the label is within wireless reading distance.The system comprises recording means for keeping a record of data received by the label. The random one of the readers resumes transmitting update data within, which update data according to the recording means was not yet received by the label.
US09955659B1

A novel maize variety designated X13K465 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 X13K465 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13K465 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13K465, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13K465. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13K465.
US09955653B1

A novel maize variety designated X95K897 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 X95K897 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95K897 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95K897, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95K897. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95K897.
US09955645B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01063902. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01063902. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01063902 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01063902 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09955644B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV309345. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV309345, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV309345 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety.The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV309345 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV309345.
US09955638B2

The invention relates to the field of Citrullus lanatus, in particular to a new variety of watermelon designated NUN 31208 WMW as well as plants, seeds and watermelon fruits thereof.
US09955636B2

An irrigation mitigation runoff system that includes an irrigation system having at least one water outlet and a sensor that detects flow of water through a boundary. A controller is operatively coupled to the irrigation system and the sensor. Responsive to the sensor detecting flow of water through the boundary above a pre-defined threshold, the controller signals the irrigation system to pause irrigation.
US09955628B2

An example agricultural harvesting machine includes a header and a feed system configured to feed material from the header through a threshing section along a conveyance path. The feed system includes a conveyance mechanism that conveys the material from the header to a rotating feed mechanism. The feed system also includes a drive system configured to rotationally drive the feed mechanism during a first state to convey the material along the conveyance path, and to reverse rotation of the feed mechanism during a second state. In one example, a drive system includes first and second drive mechanisms and a coupling mechanism configured to selectively couple one of the first or second drive mechanisms to an output mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a rotating feed mechanism in an agricultural harvesting machine.
US09955624B2

A wide area turf mower has a wheel supported main frame and cutting units movably connected to the main frame and positioned in rows in a staggered order to form a mower cutting configuration for cutting a continuous swath of turf between any two outer cutting units located respectively on opposite sides of the main frame. One row of the cutting units includes a first pair of pivotally interconnected outer and inner cutting units at a first side of the main frame, and a second pair of pivotally interconnected inner and outer cutting units at the second side of the main frame. First hydraulic cylinders cause the outer cutting units to fold in a direction towards the rear end of the main frame. Second hydraulic cylinders cause the inner cutting units to lift in an upward direction. A controller operates all of the hydraulic cylinders.
US09955623B2

Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling the downforce applied to a row unit of an agricultural implement having multiple row units. A downpressure control device in fluid communication with a down chamber of the least one actuator maintains as a selected downpressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the downpressure chamber. A lift pressure control device in fluid communication with a lift chamber of the at least one actuator for controlling pressure in the lift chamber maintains as a selected lift pressure, any one of a continuous range of pressures in the lift chamber.
US09961819B2

An auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) through an opening on a side surface of a shielding cover above the PCB, and the auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus includes a flow guiding groove, an adhesive-injection opening connected to an end of the flow guiding groove, and a fixing part connecting the flow guiding groove and the PCB. The auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus is connected to a PCB through an opening on a side surface of a shielding cover above the PCB. By means of the auxiliary adhesive dispensing apparatus, an adhesive dispensing operation can still be performed after a shielding cover is mounted, so that the adhesive dispensing operation can be performed after second-reflow soldering processing.
US09961800B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a liquid cooling apparatus, which includes a cold plate (202), a fast connector (204), and a first interface (2011), where the fast connector (204) includes a first connector (2041) and a second connector (2042), where the first connector (2041) is fixedly connected to the cold plate (202); the first interface (2011) is configured to connect to a second interface (2012) corresponding to the first interface; and the liquid cooling apparatus further includes a guide rail (203), where the guide rail (203) is a moving rail of the second connector (2042), and when the first connector (2041) and the second connector (2042) are in a connected state and the second connector (2042) is located at an end on the guide rail (203) that is close to a board (201), a distance between the first interface (2011) and the second interface (2012) is greater than 0.
US09961797B2

An air-cooled electronics module is disclosed. The air-cooled electronics module includes a housing and a heat exchanger disposed within the housing and separating the housing into a first portion and a second portion. The air-cooled electronics module also includes one or more electronic components disposed within the first portion, and one or more additional electronic components disposed within the second portion. The air-cooled electronics module further includes at least one fan configured to blow air into the second portion. The air in the first portion is substantially stagnant.
US09961796B1

A server includes a casing, a fan module, at least two processor holders and an air baffle. The casing has an accommodating space. The fan module is located in the accommodating space. The processor holders are located in the accommodating space. The air baffle includes a base and an airflow guiding member. The airflow guiding member is pivoted on the base. The airflow guiding member is shiftable among a plurality of air guiding positions. A processor module is mounted on one of the processor holders, and the base is mounted on the other processor holder. The airflow guiding member is at one of the air guiding positions in order to guide airflow from an air outlet side of the fan module.
US09961787B1

Chassis for an automated test system including a housing and at least a first and a second backplane in the housing. The first backplane provides electrical connections for at least one functional module of a first type when engaged with the first backplane, while the second backplane provides electrical connections for at least one functional module of a second type different than the first type when engaged with the second backplane. The first and second backplanes include electrical circuitry to enable signals to be provided for the functional modules when engaged therewith. A bottom of the housing includes ducts to enable cooling of both types of functional modules when engaged with the housing.
US09961785B2

A wiring substrate includes a core, a first wiring layer formed on a first surface of the core, and a second wiring layer formed on a second surface of the core. The first wiring layer includes a first opening, and the second wiring layer includes a second opening. The core includes a plurality of electronic component accommodating bores that extend through the core at portions exposed from the first and second openings. An electronic component is arranged in each electronic component accommodating bore. The electronic component accommodating bores are filled with an insulating layer. The core includes a partition located between adjacent electronic component accommodating bores. The partition is formed by part of the core.
US09961784B2

A manufacturing method of a circuit substrate includes the following steps. The peripheries of two metal layers are bonded to form a sealed area. Two insulating layers are formed on the two metal layers. Two including upper and bottom conductive layers are formed on the two insulating layers. Then, the two insulating layers and the two conductive layers are laminated so that the two metal layers bonded to each other are embedded between the two insulating layers. A part of the two insulating layers and a part of the two conductive layers are removed to form a plurality of blind holes exposing the two metal layers. A conductive material is formed in the blind holes and on the remained two conductive layers. The sealed area of the two metal layers is separated to form two separated circuit substrates.
US09961782B2

A printer deposits material onto a substrate as part of a manufacturing process for an electronic product. At least one mechanical component experiences mechanical error, which is mitigated using transducers that equalize position of a transported thing, e.g., to provide an “ideal” conveyance path; a substrate conveyance system and/or a printhead conveyance system can each use transducers in this manner to improve precise droplet placement. In one embodiment, errors are measured in advance, with corrections being “played back” during production runs to mitigate repeatable transport path error. In a still more detailed embodiment, the transducers can be predicated on voice coils, which cooperate with a floatation table and floating, mechanical pivot assembly to provide frictionless, but mechanically-supported error correction.
US09961781B2

An optoelectronic assembly may include a substrate, which has a first contact region at a first side thereof, an optoelectronic component arranged on the first side of the substrate, which has a first contact coupled to the first contact region, a printed circuit board with conductor tracks, which is coupled to the first side of the substrate at a first side of the printed circuit board and which has a central cutout, in which the optoelectronic component is exposed, and which has a first contact cutout, which overlaps the first contact region, at least one electronic component arranged on a second side of the printed circuit board, which is coupled to the conductor tracks, and a connection element, which is arranged in the first contact cutout and electrically couples the first contact region to the conductor tracks, wherein the connection element fixes the substrate to the printed circuit board.
US09961779B2

A method for producing an electronic assembly in which an electronic component supported on a wiring support is encapsulated with an encapsulation material, the method including: —arranging the electronic component on the wiring support in such a manner that a stress applied onto the electronic component by the encapsulation material falls below a predetermined value; and —encapsulating the electronic component with the encapsulation material.
US09961776B2

The present invention provides a photo-curable composition that requires a small mold-releasing force in a method of producing a cured product and also provides a method of producing a cured product with a small mold-releasing force. The method of producing a cured product includes applying a photo-curable composition onto a base material; pressing a mold to the photo-curable composition to form a pattern in the photo-curable composition; irradiating the photo-curable composition provided with the pattern with first light to generate a cured product having the pattern; and releasing the mold from the cured product, wherein a gas-generating region is formed from a gas-generating agent between the cured product and the mold; the gas-generating region is irradiated with second light to generate a gas in the gas-generating region; and the mold is released from the cured product after the generation of the gas or simultaneously with the generation of the gas.
US09961766B2

A stretchable circuit board includes a stretchable base, a stretchable wiring portion, a reinforcement base having in-plane rigidity higher than that of the stretchable base, and a draw-out wiring portion. The stretchable wiring portion having stretchability is formed on a main surface located on at least one side of the stretchable base. The draw-out wiring portion is formed at least on a main surface that is one side of the reinforcement base. The main surface of the reinforcement base is overlaid with a part of an area where the stretchable wiring portion is formed, in which the main surface faces the main surface of the stretchable base. A part of the stretchable wiring portion and a part of the draw-out wiring portion are joined together, and they are electrically continuous.
US09961765B2

A method of making a security mesh comprises forming on a conductive substrate an alumina film having through-holes in which metal, e.g., copper, through-wires are formed. First surface wires are formed on one surface of the alumina film and second surface wires are formed on the second, opposite surface of the alumina film in order to connect selected through-wires into a continuous undulating electrical circuit embedded within the alumina film. The security mesh product comprises an alumina film having a continuous undulating electrical circuit comprising copper or other conductive metal extending therethrough. A stacked security mesh comprises two or more of the mesh products being stacked one above the other.
US09961762B2

The present invention relates to a circuit board for COF (Chip on Film) package, which is capable of preventing an influence of coupling noise on a core block of an integrated circuit. The circuit board may include: a base film defined a core block region overlapping a predetermined location of a core block within an integrated circuit and having the same area as or larger area than the core block; first routing patterns formed on the base film; and a first block pattern covering the core block region. The first routing patterns may be formed outside the first block pattern at the same layer as the first block pattern.
US09961757B2

The present disclosure relates to a magnet pole for an isochronous sector-focused cyclotron having hill and valley sectors alternatively distributed around a central axis, Z, each hill sector having an upper surface bounded by four edges: an upper peripheral edge, an upper central edge, a first and a second upper lateral edges. The upper peripheral edge of a hill sector may be an arc of circle whose center is offset with respect to the central axis, and whose radius, Rh, is not more than 85% of a distance, Lh, from the central axis to a midpoint of the upper peripheral edge. Furthermore, the midpoint may be equidistant to the first and second upper distal ends.
US09961753B2

A portable XRF analyzer includes a hand shield and a handle. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises a power component spaced-apart from an engine component. The handle and the hand shield extend in parallel between the engine component and the power component, attaching the engine component to the power component. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer further comprises two housing portions, each integrally formed in a single, monolithic body formed together at the same time. The two housing portions are joined together to form an XRF analyzer housing. In another embodiment, the hand shield is shorter than the handle.
US09961750B2

An advanced lighting control system including systems for commissioning a network of lighting fixtures preferably includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, each having a sensor and control module. The sensor and control module includes occupancy and light sensing elements, and a first transceiver. The lighting fixtures can send wireless signals to a second transceiver located in a room controller and/or a network coordinator. The room controller being configured to interpret the occupancy and light sensing information and make decisions thereon, while the network coordinator can rank the lighting fixtures according to a determined signal strength. The network coordinator can command each of the lighting fixtures to illuminate, and based on an observation of the lighting fixture, a determination is made about whether the lighting fixture is located in a particular room. The network coordinator can also include a third transceiver for receiving wireless commands from a remote device.
US09961748B2

According to one embodiment, a vehicle lighting device includes a first circuit portion that has at least one light emitting element and a first resistor connected in series to the light emitting element; a second circuit portion that is connected in parallel to the first circuit portion and has at least a control portion; and a third circuit portion that is connected in series to the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion, and has at least one light emitting element.The control portion measures an input voltage and causes a current to flow through the third circuit portion in a case where the measured input voltage is a predetermined value.
US09961746B2

A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.
US09961744B1

Devices such as electronic book readers, televisions, and so forth may use reflective display technologies. Described herein are devices and methods for ambient light sensing for use in conjunction with displays. A light guide panel is coupled to a light sensor to measure ambient light impinging on the light guide panel. Where the display is reflective, the light guide panel may be configured to provide for illumination of the display.
US09961740B2

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting control. Presence of an optical element (110, 310, 312, 710A-E, 712, 810) is identified over one or more LEDs (323, 327) and at least one property of the optical element is identified. At least one property of light output of light sources associated with and/or covered by the optical element is adjusted based on the property of the optical element.
US09961739B2

A controller for a lamp, comprising an input terminal for receiving a requested-color-signal representative of a requested-color-value to be provided by the lamp and one or more temperature-values associated with the lamp. The controller includes a full-color-module for providing a full-color-lamp-control-signal for an output terminal; a stabilization-module for providing a stabilized-lamp-control-signal for the output terminal; and a mode controller for comparing the requested-color-value with a threshold value. If the requested-color-value satisfies the threshold value, then the stabilization-module provides the stabilized-lamp-control-signal to the output terminal. If the requested-color-value does not satisfy the threshold value, then the full-color-module provides the full-color-lamp-control-signal to the output terminal. The stabilization-module is configured to: generate stabilized-color-values based on the temperature-values; and provide the stabilized-lamp-control-signal based on the requested-color-value and the stabilized-color-values. The full-color-module is configured to provide the full-color-lamp-control-signal based on the requested-color-value.
US09961733B2

Provided is a power supply device capable of preventing a drop in the voltage supplied to another machine that is connected aside from LED lighting devices, and continues driving the other machine. This power supply device is equipped with a plurality of LED drive circuits provided in parallel, corresponding respectively to a plurality of LED lighting instruments to drive each of the LED lighting instruments in a predetermined light-emission mode. The plurality of LED drive circuits and the other machine are connected to a DC supply unit having such constitution that a direct current power supply voltage is converted into a predetermined direct current voltage and supplied thereby. The power supply device is further provided with a constant current circuit whereof the input side is connected to the DC supply unit and the other machine, and the output side is connected to the plurality of LED drive circuits.
US09961731B2

Illumination systems with selectively adjustable illumination patterns which reduce the need for a utility or luminaire distributer to stock luminaires with different illumination patterns and reduce the need for pre-planning installations. Implementations may allow scheduled dimming of luminaires, dimming in defined physical directions and scheduled adjustment of light patterns. The efficiency and/or color contrast of a luminaire may be improved by using wavelength shifting material, such as a phosphor, to absorb less desired wavelengths and transmit more desired wavelengths. A transmissive filter may reflect desired wavelengths such as red and green, while passing less desired wavelengths (e.g., blue) toward the wavelength shifting material which emits such as light of more desirable wavelengths.
US09961723B2

This invention is related to a heating plate for a heated clothing and a connecting structure of the same. The heating plate comprises a heater strip which two ends are connected with two electric wires respectively, and each electric wire comprises sequentially a first right angle, a horizontal segment, a second right angle, and a vertical segment. The vertical segments of the electric wires go out from a covering piece which covers the heater strip and the electric wires. Therefore, when the electric wires of the heating plate are pulled, the pull strength is dispersed at the right-angle bend to be decreased, avoiding the heater strip moving. Furthermore, when the heating plate is set on the heated clothing, according to different size of the heated clothing, the length of an assembly electric wire is relative to the distance between the heating plates.
US09961720B2

One aspect of the present invention relates to user equipment supporting an IMS function, comprising: an application layer configured to provide a user interface for a user to set ON or OFF the IMS function; a SIP layer configured to enable or disable transmission of a SIP signal to a resident network corresponding to user's setting ON or OFF the IMS function in the user interface; and a modem layer configured to change an IMS related Capability of the user equipment related to the IMS function corresponding to user's setting ON or OFF the IMS function in the user interface and communicate with the resident network based on the changed Capability.
US09961719B2

A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless stations communicating using a first air interface protocol a relay device, and an access point, wherein the plurality of wireless stations communicate with entities in a wide area network via the access point without establishing a direct wireless link with the access point, and wherein the relay device communicates with the plurality of wireless stations using the first air interface protocol and communicates with the access point using a second, different, wireless communication protocol. The second communication protocol, e.g., could be a backhaul protocol that is used by the access point to communicate with other access points in the system.
US09961716B2

Methods for operating a Base Station (BS) and a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system using a primary frequency and one or more secondary frequencies, and apparatuses for the BS and UE for carry out the methods, are provided. The method for operating the BS includes determining whether to activate or deactivate at least one of the one or more secondary frequencies, and transmitting a message comprising a bitmap indicating the activation or deactivation of the at least one of the one or more secondary frequencies to the UE. The method for operating the UE includes receiving a message comprising a bitmap indicating activation or deactivation of at least one of the one or more secondary frequencies from the BS, and activating or deactivating the at least one of the one or more secondary frequencies based on the received message.
US09961714B2

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications. Disclosed are a state switching method and device for a small cell base station and a computer storage medium. The method comprises: acquiring state switching information comprising a state switching mode and performing state switching on the small cell base station according to the state switching information.
US09961713B2

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for supporting network slicing. One apparatus includes a processor that receives a data packet to be transmitted via a mobile communication network, identifies an application category associated with the data packet, and requests a network connection corresponding to the identified application category. In some embodiments, requesting a network connection corresponding to the identified application category comprises transmitting a connection setup message indicating the identified application category. In certain embodiments, identifying the application category associated with the data packet comprises applying a category selection policy to the data packet, the category selection policy comprising one or more rules for selecting an application category based on data packet characteristics. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a transceiver that communicates with the mobile communication network supporting a plurality of application categories.
US09961709B2

A mobile communication method in which a radio terminal connects to a network so as to perform a communication, comprises: a step in which the radio terminal detects an occurrence of a connection failure with the network in a connected state; and a step of sending a radio link failure (RLF) report regarding the detected connection failure, from the radio terminal to the network. In the step of sending the RLF report, the radio terminal sends time information, which is contained in the RLF report, for identifying a time of occurrence of the connection failure, to the network.
US09961708B1

Among other features, a communications device includes a wide area communications transceiver and a local wireless communications transceiver. The device is configured to recognize, via the local wireless communications transceiver, the presence of one or more peripheral wireless devices available for transferring data to the communications device. The device transmits to a remote site a list of the one or more recognized peripheral devices, and receives from the remote site an instruction to establish communications with a particular one of the one or more recognized peripheral devices. The device establishes communications with the particular recognized peripheral device in response to the received instruction, for example by pairing.
US09961705B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques for encoding beacon signals in wireless power delivery environments. More specifically, techniques are disclosed for encoding beacon signals to isolate client devices for wireless power delivery in wireless power delivery environments. The beacon signals can be encoded or modulated with a transmission code that is provided to selected clients in the wireless power delivery environment. In this manner, beacon signals from the select clients can be identified and the corresponding client devices isolated for wireless power delivery. In some embodiments, the transmission code can be a pseudorandom sequence that is used by the wireless power delivery clients to encode transmitted beacon signals.
US09961692B2

Network-side and device-side methods and apparatuses improve transmit link adaptation for devices operating in a cellular network that have interference-canceling receivers. Own-cell link adaptation towards a device in a current transmission interval exploits a determined mapping between the interfering-signal cancelation efficiency of the device versus the interfering-signal transport format, in combination with actual knowledge of the transport format that will be used to make an interfering neighbor-cell transmission in the current transmission interval. For example, a serving radio node uses the known transport format of the interfering transmission, to accurately determine the expected cancelation efficiency for the device with respect to the interfering transmission, and uses the expected cancelation efficiency to obtain a more accurate estimate of the own-cell channel quality expected for the device in the current transmission interval. Link adaptation towards the device in the current transmission interval uses this more accurate estimate of own-cell channel quality.
US09961687B2

A base station according to a first feature uses a plurality of carriers for radio communications. The base station includes: a receiver that receives neighbor base station information on user terminals connected to a neighbor base station, wherein the neighbor base station information is transmitted from the neighbor base station; and a controller that changes a carrier configuration of at least one carrier among the plurality of carriers based on the neighbor base station information.
US09961685B2

A method in a network node is disclosed. The method comprises allocating a pool of radio resources for vehicle-to-other (V2x) communication by a plurality of wireless devices, and dividing the allocated pool of radio resources for V2x communication into a plurality of orthogonal sets of radio resources, each set of radio resources having an associated set identifier comprising one of a plurality of positive integers. The method further comprises assigning one or more radio resource sets to each wireless device among the plurality of wireless devices based at least in part on a radio-compatibility characteristic, and communicating to each wireless device the assigned set of radio resources to use.
US09961677B2

A method for determining a search space, method for detecting downlink control information and apparatuses thereof. The method for determining a search space includes: determining eCCEs occupied by ePDCCH candidates in each carrier according to a first offset, a second offset and other related parameters; wherein the first offset denotes an offset of adjusting the eCCEs occupied by ePDCCH candidates in the same carrier in different eREG groups, and the second offset denotes an offset used for coordinating collision occurs among the eCCEs occupied by ePDCCH candidates in different carriers. In a case of cross-carrier, in configuring a search space, the first offset and the second offset are introduced to avoid collision between the ePDCCHs of the CCs as possible and avoid the ePDCCH candidates in each of the CCs from falling into the same eREG group as possible, thereby solving the problems in the prior art.
US09961675B1

An automatic allocation system for a network, the automatic allocation system comprising a controller, the controller defining a control plane that provides a common language to communicate with each OSI layer within the network, the controller further is in communication with at least one data source, the at least one data source including real time performance data for the network, wherein the controller monitors the real time performance data to identify an allocation need, wherein the controller adds or removes at least one of a physical resource, a network device, a virtual instance and a virtual network function based on the allocation need.
US09961673B2

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus receives, by a user equipment (UE) during a first subframe, an indication of a dynamic uplink/downlink (UL/DL) subframe configuration. The apparatus determines an uplink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing based on an uplink reference subframe configuration and at least one of the dynamic UL/DL subframe configuration or a downlink reference subframe configuration. The apparatus selects an uplink subframe for communication based on the determined uplink HARQ timing.
US09961663B2

A method and apparatus for moving network equipment is provided herein. During operation, an optimal base station configuration will be determined. Currently-employed network equipment will be moved based on a determination if adequate coverage will be provided to users of the system.
US09961661B2

A communication object can be determined based on wireless communication technologies. A method can include determining a communication object according to sensor data of a target device and image information of a visual object; and sending a connection request to a determined communication object. A communication object can be determined according to sensor data of a target device and image information of a visual object, which can accurately match a signal source and a physical device, thereby providing a more reliable basis for communications between mobile network terminal devices.
US09961660B2

A network access node (eNodeB for example) changing status from active to deactivated sends a message to a location server indicating the changed status. The location server collects from uplink messages indications of which of a plurality of cells have a deactivated status and stores this information in its local memory. Then the location server utilizes the stored indications to ensure that all cells in a list provided to a user equipment for location assistance will have an active status. In various embodiments: the message is sent only when the status is changed for energy saving purposes; a list of cells included in a location request message may have some deactivated cells so the location server sends a message to the eNodeB to activate deactivated cells in the list which is done prior to providing the list to a user equipment; and a partial-activation for a probing/beacon mode is disclosed.
US09961648B2

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for transmitting a power headroom report (PHR) by a terminal which is set to be dually connected to at least two heterogeneous base stations through uplink wireless connection. A method for transmitting a power headroom report (PHR) by a user equipment performing wireless communication based on dual connectivity. The method may include triggering the PHR based on at least one of a path loss change and a periodic timer; and transmitting at least one PHR to at least one base station according to the dual connectivity.
US09961635B2

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for operating based on a power save mode in a wireless LAN. The method for operating based on the power save mode in a wireless LAN may comprise the steps of: an AP receiving, from a first STA, a first trigger frame for triggering the transmission of first downlink data which has been buffered for the first STA; the AP determining a temporary halt of the transmission the first downlink data, which is transmitted as a response to the first trigger frame, based on a first priority rank of the first downlink data which has been buffered for the first STA, a second priority rank of second downlink data which has been buffered for a second STA, and a point when the second STA is switched to an awake state; and the AP transmitting, to the first STA, a temporary halt setting frame for indicating the temporary halt.
US09961627B2

Disclosed are a method and a device for performing machine-to-machine communication. The method for performing communication according to the present invention comprises: a step of searching a second device for supporting machine-to-machine communication; a step of receiving an access network query protocol (ANQP) message from the found second device; a step of determining whether a mirroring service is supported based on the ANQP message received from the second device; a step of acquiring information on the service of the second device from the ANQP message if it is determined that the second device supports the mirroring service; and a step of determining either a first device or the second device as a group owner based on the acquired information on the service of the second device and the information on the service of the first device.
US09961623B2

A communication control is used in a communication system capable of using a plurality of network selection schemes for selecting, from a cellular RAN and a wireless LAN, an access network in which traffic of UE 100 is to be accommodated. The communication control method includes a step of receiving, from the cellular RAN by UE 100 existing in a cell included in the cellular RAN, a network selection configuration related to a network selection scheme decided by the cellular RAN from among the plurality of network selection schemes.
US09961610B2

Provided is a method for communicating performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system. The method comprises receiving a traffic routing configuration from a first access network, the traffic routing configuration specifying a traffic routing criteria for routing and processing traffic, discovering at least one second network entity by searching a second access network, conducting a traffic routing evaluation to determine whether the at least one second access network satisfies the traffic routing criteria, reporting a routing evaluation result to the first access network when the traffic routing criteria are satisfied, receiving a traffic routing indication from the first access network, and processing the traffic based on the traffic routing indication. When the traffic routing indication indicates traffic of the first access network is processed through the second access network, the traffic of the first access network is processed through the second access network.
US09961604B2

Embodiments disclose a radio network information management method and a network device. A radio network information management method is disclosed, where the method includes determining that a user equipment UE exists in a first mobility management unit, and determining radio network information of the first mobility management unit according to measurement statistic information of the UE in the first mobility management unit. It is therefore implemented that a granularity of acquiring and managing radio network information in a cell is per mobility management unit, and for a complex cell coverage environment, difference a neighboring cells between different areas of the cell and difference about interference between different areas of the cell are specified. The embodiments further disclose a network device.
US09961596B2

A method for determining a capability of a user equipment. The user equipment is served by a non-shared network in a first place. The non-shared network is configured to transmit a message to the user equipment, the message including information on at least two PLMN identities. The user equipment is configured to deliver a response message from which it is determined if the response message includes information field reserved for at least one PLMN identity in the transmitted message. On a basis of an existence of the information field in the response message it can be determined that the user equipment supports network sharing. In other case it is determined that the user equipment is not supporting network sharing. A network node and a system implementing at least part of the method are also described.
US09961594B2

A terminal device includes a wireless communication unit performing wireless communication; a connection control unit connecting to a first base station device to wirelessly communicate with the first base station device via the wireless communication unit, the first base station serving as a primary, the connection control unit connecting to a second base station device to wirelessly communicate with the second base station device via the wireless communication unit, the second base station device serving as a secondary; a detection unit determining whether quality of wireless communication between the terminal device and the first base station device is in a low state based on a predetermined condition; and a signal transmission control unit wirelessly transmitting via the wireless communication unit, a predetermined signal toward at least either the first or second base station device when the quality is determined to be in the low state by the detection unit.
US09961592B2

A method and an apparatus for operating a timer in an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed herein. The IC includes a timer, a receiver configured to receive a circuit switched (CS) service notification, a transmitter configured to transmit an evolved packet system mobility management extended service request (ESR) message, and a processor configured to start the timer in response to transmitting the ESR and stop the timer in response to reception of a handover command and completion of a CS fallback procedure by the receiver, wherein the handover command directs the IC to handover to another radio access technology (RAT) so that a CS call may be established. The processor may be configured to stop the timer in response to reception of a cell change command and completion of a CS fallback procedure by the receiver, wherein the cell change command directs the IC to perform a cell change procedure.
US09961591B2

Circuit-switched fallback (CSFB) is a technique to deliver voice-services to a mobile, when the mobile is camped in a long-term evolution (LTE) network. Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques that may help reduce delays in call setup related to CSFB and, in some cases, avoid unnecessary paging.
US09961590B2

According to a method and apparatus for controlling data transmission in a wireless communications network, a service quality request message is sent to a PCRF when a data request message of a terminal is received; and the PCRF queries a current network status, so as to determine a processing instruction for a data request message of the terminal according to the current network status and the data request message, and process the data request message of the terminal according to the processing instruction. Therefore, processing on the data request message of the terminal not only depends on a parameter carried in the data request message of the terminal, but also uses the current network status as a constraint condition, so that a processing manner for the data request message can be adaptive to a real-time change of the wireless communications network.
US09961578B2

An apparatus for identifying failed or suspect RF transmitting devices while the devices are in normal operation transmitting over-the-air RF signals, each of the RF transmitting devices including an identifier and being mobile, portable or stationary, includes an RF signal sensor receiving the RF signals and responsive thereto, an analyzer, and a GUI. The analyzer measuring signal parameters and determines operating characteristics of a device therefrom, determining the identifier, if each RF signal conforms to packet structure specifications, and bit-field information of each RF signal to discern therefrom a transmission type, measures RF frequency offset, correlates the bit-field information with the RF frequency offset utilizing the identifier; and repeats the last three steps to determine a range of RF frequency offset deviations over time. The GUI displays the range in a form used to identify an RF frequency offset range of the RF transmitting device.
US09961573B2

The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for performing measurements on a carrier associated with a deactivated cell in a cellular communications system. In some embodiments, a method of operation for a wireless device for determining whether to perform one or more measurements on a carrier associated with a deactivated cell comprises acquiring at least one parameter related to a periodicity (Dp) of a discovery signal transmitted on one or more cells of a carrier with the deactivated cell, acquiring a measurement cycle parameter (Sc) for performing one or more measurements on one or more cells on the carrier, comparing the periodicity (Dp) of the discovery signal and the measurement cycle parameter (Sc), and deciding whether to perform the one or more measurements for the cells on the carrier based on the comparison of the periodicity (Dp) of the discovery signal and the measurement cycle parameter (Sc).
US09961570B2

There is provided a wireless communication device including a control-message creation/transmission-instruction unit which sends notification information via a wireless communication network and also sends response information in the case of receiving notification information sent from another device, a reception/interpretation processing unit which receives, from another device which has received the notification information of the wireless communication device, response information of such other device and also receives the notification information sent from such other device, and an operation mode determination unit which determines, based on operation mode determination information included in the notification information of such other device or the response information of such other device, that the wireless communication device is caused to operate as one of a master device and a slave device.
US09961565B2

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive a request to perform directional signal strength measurements and provide location data associated with the WTRU. The WTRU may transmit directional signal strength measurements, based on the request and the location data associated with the WTRU, to facilitate generation of a directional radio environment map (DREM). The WTRU may receive a request to switch to a new transmission and reception beam pair based on the DREM.
US09961559B2

Positioning determination of a communication device in a wireless communication network is supported by a positioning device receiving [230] tight synchronization signals from a master positioning cell; determining [232] therefrom a plurality of time differences between their actual and theoretical times of arrival; synchronizing [234] a positioning cell clock based on the received tight synchronization signals adjusted by the time differences; and emitting [236] to the communication device a positioning signal at a time determined by the synchronization. The positioning signal includes an identifier of the positioning cell, and it is transmitted so as not to interfere with positioning pilot signals transmitted by the wireless communication network. The positioning device may alternatively receive synchronization signals from another positioning cell instead of a master positioning cell.
US09961555B2

Methods, apparatuses and computer programs for providing a lock control signal for a mobile logistic destination including obtaining information about a delivery request, providing an authorization request for opening the mobile logistic destination, obtaining information about an authorization for opening the mobile logistic destination during the probable delivery period from the mobile device, obtaining information about a lock enquiry and delivery agent location information from a mobile device of a delivery agent for the delivery, obtaining logistic destination location information from the logistic destination, determining a delivery agent authorization for opening the mobile logistic destination, computing a delivery agent location difference between the logistic destination location information and the delivery agent location information, comparing a timestamp of the lock enquiry with the probable delivery period, determining the lock control signal for the mobile logistic destination, and providing the lock control signal for the mobile logistic destination.
US09961554B2

Techniques to manage applications, such as mobile apps, across multiple management domains are disclosed. In various embodiments, a set of one or more application management policies to be enforced with respect to a mobile device is received from a management entity to which a scope of authority to manage applications with respect to the mobile device has been delegated. A management agent on the mobile device is used to enforce the one or more application management policies with respect to applications and application data that are within the scope of authority delegated to the management entity.
US09961553B2

The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus and system for readily and conveniently getting network access for a smart device. The method for network access for a smart device includes receiving, by a server comprising a processor and a non-transitory storage medium, a first identification identifying a wireless access point and a first terminal identifier; receiving a second identification identifying a smart device and a second terminal identifier; associating the wireless access point with the smart device if the first terminal identifier corresponds to the second terminal identifier, and sending the second identification for the associated smart device to the wireless access point. The wireless access point provides network access authentication information to the smart device so that the smart device can get access to a network provided by the wireless access point with the network access authentication information.
US09961549B2

A batch rights objects (ROs) acquisition method and system is provided to enable a mobile terminal to acquire multiple rights objects in a batch processing manner. A rights object acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes transmitting a rights object request message requesting one or more rights objects of content objects from a mobile terminal to a rights issuer; creating, at the rights issuer, a rights object response message containing at least one of rights objects indicated by the rights object request message and at least one signature in response to the rights object request message; and transmitting the rights object response message from the rights issuer to the mobile terminal.
US09961536B2

A communication network and software for its implementation that controls a mobile device based on historical user activity is provided. The mobile device communicates with a server and includes a function that is dependent on the user activity. The server senses the user activity over time and produces a histogram of that activity. The rate at which the server attempts to sense the user activity depends on the histogram. An application might change the function depending on the result of detecting the user activity and the rate at which it does so.
US09961532B2

An apparatus and method is disclosed to receive location data identifying the current location of a vehicle. A database, storing radio device records, is then queried. Each radio device record in the database identifies a radio device (e.g., a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, transponders, etc.) and a location of the radio device using a suitable coordinate system. Radio device records associated with radio devices likely to be within communication range of the vehicle may then be retrieved from the database. These radio device records may be used to generate a radio device list that may be presented to an occupant of the vehicle.
US09961526B2

A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide an emergency call support service in which a network device of a visited network obtains user profile data of a wireless device from a home network of the wireless device, and provides the user profile data to a location server of the visited network. The emergency call support service allows an emergency call, when initiated by a roaming subscriber of the wireless device via the visited network, to include the user profile data and be provided to a public safety access point.
US09961507B1

Utilizing a series of beacons deployed within an urban environment to support Location Based Services (LBS). Each beacon emits a beacon signal comprising LBS supporting information within an identification portion of the beacon signal. The emitted beacon signal is received by any mobile device, decoded, the LBS supporting information is extracted from the signal and acted upon accordingly. The information can provide the recipient with information, initiate a link to another device, initiate a LBS, etc. The information can be relayed using intermediary mobile devices. The identification portion can include information for location, beacon ID, marketing, emergencies, services, traffic, etc. A sensor can be integral with the beacon to provide additional benefits.
US09961493B1

There is disclosed herein a system and method for enabling access to media. The method includes receiving media and a media location indicating a location from which the media was shared, storing the media in conjunction with a geofence area defined by the media location plus a pre-determined area around the media location, receiving a request for any media from a device along with a device location indicating a location of the device making the request, and comparing the device location with the geofence area and, when the device location is within the geofence area, providing access to the media, and when the device location is outside of the geofence area, denying access to the media.
US09961485B2

A communication device may perform a predetermined communication using a first type communication link via a wireless interface with the target device being a first type device, determine, by using attribute information, which of the first type device or a second type device the target device is, execute an authentication of the target device being the second type device, disconnect the second type communication link without executing an authentication of the target device in a case where it is determined that the target device is the first type device, and perform the predetermined communication using the first type communication link via the wireless interface with the target device being the first type device in a case where the first type communication link is established between the communication device and the target device being the first type device after the second type communication link has been disconnected.
US09961480B2

In one embodiment, a computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that is programmed for performing an automatic speaker setup is provided. The computer-program product includes instructions for wirelessly receiving, via Near Field Communication (NFC), speaker information for at least one speaker in a speaker system. The computer-program product further includes instructions wirelessly transmitting the speaker information to an audio control unit that transmits audio data to the at least one speaker based on the speaker information.
US09961476B2

A terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes a communication interface unit configured to receive image data of an application installed in another terminal device that is streamed from the another terminal device, a display unit configured to display the image data, a control unit configured to receive an installation file associated with the application through the communication interface unit while the image data is being displayed, and to execute the received installation file when authentication of the installation file is completed, and a storage unit configured to allow the application to be installed therein according to execution of the installation file.
US09961471B2

Techniques for personalizing audio levels, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, provide different audio volumes to different locations in a room allowing for two of more users to enjoy the same audio content at different volumes. Differential level and delay compensation filtering based on a position of each of a plurality of speakers, the location of each user and the preferred relative audio volume of each user are utilized to produce different effective audio levels in localized regions of a room.
US09961466B2

The present invention relates to an audio signal processing apparatus and an audio signal processing method to perform binaural rendering. To this end, provided are an audio signal processing apparatus to perform binaural filtering an input audio signal, including: a first filtering unit configured to filter the input audio signal by a first lateral transfer function to generate a first lateral output signal; and a second filtering unit configured to filter the input audio signal by a second lateral transfer function to generate a second lateral output signal, wherein the first lateral transfer function and the second lateral transfer function are generated by modifying an interaural transfer function (ITF) with respect to the input audio signal and an audio signal processing method using the same.
US09961463B2

An example implementation may involve a control device receiving, from a first playback device of a media playback system, a calibration state variable indicating that the first playback device is uncalibrated. The control device may cause a graphical interface to display an indication that the first playback device is uncalibrated. The control device may also cause the graphical interface to display a selectable control that, when selected, initiates calibration of the first playback device. Based on detecting selection of the selectable control, the control device may initiate calibration of the first playback device.
US09961461B2

An audio processing apparatus is configured to process audio signals from a plurality of sources. The audio processing apparatus may include a digital interface to receive status data indicating a status of at least one source, and an optical output device having a plurality of groups of graphics display areas which are respectively assigned to one of a plurality of audio channels of the audio processing apparatus. The audio processing apparatus may also include a control device configured to receive the status data, to determine at least one group of graphics display areas based on the received status data, and to control a graphics display area of the determined at least one group to display graphics generated based on the received status data.
US09961460B2

A vibration source estimation device, method and computer-readable medium are provided. The vibration source estimation device comprises a processor configured to execute instructions to receive data samples of a plurality of vibration signals generated at a vibration position, the data samples being associated with a plurality of frames. The processor is also configured to execute instructions to calculate a cross correlation function for each frame based on the data samples, calculate a weight for each frame based on a signal-to-noise ratio calculated from the cross correlation function, multiply the cross correlation function for each frame by the weight, calculate a sum of weighted cross correlation functions for respective frames as a weighted-cross-correlation function, and estimate the vibration position based on the weighted-cross-correlation function.
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