US10167394B2

Corrosion-inhibiting coating materials comprise a sol-gel and a corrosion-inhibiting compound with at least one disulfide group. The corrosion-inhibiting compound is contained within the sol-gel. Coated and/or laminated structures may include the corrosion-inhibiting coating materials on a metal substrate, and may include a secondary layer (e.g., a paint, etc.) adhered to the coating material opposite the metal substrate. Methods of forming a corrosion-inhibiting sol-gel comprise mixing organo-metallic compounds and the corrosion-inhibiting compound into a sol solution and incubating (e.g., reacting) the sol solution to form the corrosion-inhibiting sol-gel with the corrosion-inhibiting compound contained within the sol-gel. Generally, corrosion-inhibiting coating materials are hexavalent chromium free.
US10167391B2

The present invention provides a novel azo compound having a quenching ability for the material that exhibits a luminescent phenomenon at an excited energy level, a quencher comprising the novel azo compound, a use of the quencher and a method for preparing the azo compound. The quencher according to the present invention may exhibit excellent characteristics in a wavelength absorption region.
US10167379B1

Embodiments of a hybrid fiber layup used to form a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite, and a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite produced therefrom are disclosed. The hybrid fiber layup comprises one or more dry fiber strips and one or more prepreg fiber strips arranged side by side within each layer, wherein the prepreg fiber strips comprise fiber material impregnated with polymer resin and the dry fiber strips comprise fiber material without impregnated polymer resin.
US10167377B2

Epoxy containing phosphonate monomers, polymers, copolymers, oligomers and co-oligomers and methods for making the same are describes herein. These materials can be used to make polymers, and can be combined with other polymers, oligomers or monomer mixtures to make resins with excellent fire resistance that can be used in a variety of industrial and consumer products.
US10167367B2

A block copolymer includes a water-soluble block that is bonded to one or more hydrophobic polycarbonate blocks that include pendant fluoroaryl substituents.
US10167350B2

Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. The catalyst systems can include a plurality of silica particles and a metallocene catalyst and an activator supported on the plurality of silica particles. The polymerization catalysts have a particle size distribution in which about 10% of the particles have a size less than about 17 to about 23 micrometers, about 50% of the particles have a size less than about 40 to about 45 micrometers, and about 90% of the particles have a size less than about 72 to about 77 micrometers.
US10167347B2

The invention relates to a carboxylate ester of polysaccharide characterized in that it possesses ester bonds with trimellitic anhydride and is soluble in water. The polysaccharide is esterified with trimellitic anhydride and the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide lies in the range of from 0.5 to 3. The invention further relates to methods for the manufacture of these polysaccharides esters in organic solvents, in water or in an extruder or a kneader and to their use in fabric and home care formulations.
US10167343B2

The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human antibodies, that bind to human Cluster of Differentiation 73 (CD73) with high affinity, and inhibit the activity of CD73, and optionally mediate antibody dependent CD73 internalization. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting the growth of a tumor cell expressing CD73 using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating various cancers.
US10167337B2

Agonists to ICOS in combination with a blocking agent to a T cell inhibitory receptor (e.g., CTLA-4, PD-1, etc.) are demonstrated herein to be useful for the treatment of tumors.
US10167336B2

This document provides methods and materials involved in treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying a mammal as having an elevated level of PD-1+/CD11ahigh CD8 T cells having the potential to exert anti-cancer effects are provided. In addition, methods and materials for identifying a mammal as having an elevated level of PD-1+/CD11ahigh CD8 T cells and administering a PD-1 inhibitor to such a mammal are provided.
US10167335B2

The present invention is directed to antigen binding proteins and in particular to IL-1β antigen binding proteins. The present invention further provides compositions comprising the antigen binding proteins, use of the antigen binding proteins and methods for production.
US10167334B2

The present disclosure relates, in general, to combination therapy using an inhibitor of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and an inhibitor of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) for treating cancer or preventing recurrence of cancer diseases such as lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, fibrotic cancer, glioma and melanoma, and metastases thereof.
US10167324B2

Compositions having pesticidal activity and methods for their use are provided. Compositions include isolated and recombinant polypeptides having pesticidal activity, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides, DNA constructs and vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, host cells comprising the vectors, and antibodies to the polypeptides. Nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptides can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in organisms of interest. The compositions and methods provided are useful for producing organisms with enhanced pest resistance or tolerance. Transgenic plants and seeds comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a pesticidal protein of the invention are also provided. Such plants are resistant to insects and other pests. Methods are provided for producing the various polypeptides disclosed herein, and for using those polypeptides for controlling or killing a pest. Methods and kits for detecting polypeptides of the invention in a sample are also included.
US10167319B2

The caged cell-penetrating peptide (cCPP) conjugates of this invention are ideal for intracellular delivery of a broad variety of cargoes including various nanoparticulate pharmaceutical carriers (liposomes, micelles, microparticles, nanoparticles, polymer-conjugates). The conjugates comprise a detectable agent or a therapeutic agent, and the conjugates provide a novel strategy for site-specific delivery of the same to appropriate tissues in the subject. Versatile application of the conjugates in diagnostics and imaging is described.
US10167313B2

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, IA, II, IIA, III, or IIIA and their pharmaceutical uses. Particular aspects of the invention relate to the use of those compounds for the selective inhibition of one or more caspases. Also described are methods where the compounds of Formula I, IA, II, IIA, III, or IIIA are used in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases and conditions in subjects, including caspase-mediated diseases such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases).
US10167299B2

Provided are 1-(3-aminopropyl) substituted cyclic amine compounds as represented by frmula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomers, diastereoisomers, racemates and mixtures thereof, and a method of synthesizing said 1-(3-aminopropyl) substituted cyclic amine compounds by using aromatic heterocyclic formaldehyde as raw material. Said compounds can be used as CCR 5 antagonist for the treatment of HIV infection.
US10167297B2

The present invention provides a substituted pyridine compound of the formula I or an agriculturally suitable salt or N-oxide thereof, wherein the variables in the formula I are defined as in the description. Substituted pyridine compounds of formula I are useful as herbicides.
US10167291B2

In some embodiments, the invention relates to crystalline solid forms, including hydrates, polymorphs, and salt forms, of (S)-4-(8-amino-3-(1-(but-2-ynoyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazin-1-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamide. In some embodiments, the invention relates to amorphous solid forms of (S)-4-(8-amino-3-(1-(but-2-ynoyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazin-1-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamide. In some embodiments, the invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the solid forms, and methods for treating conditions or disorders by administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition that includes the forms, including pharmaceutical compositions and methods for overcoming the effects of acid reducing agents.
US10167289B2

The present teachings provide a compound represented by the following structural formula: (Formula (I)); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof.
US10167284B2

This invention relates to compounds that are agonists of the muscarinic M1 and/or M4 receptor and which are useful in the treatment of muscarinic M1/M4 receptor mediated diseases. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and the therapeutic uses of the compounds. Compounds provided are of formula where p, q, r, s, X, Z, Y, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein.
US10167283B2

The present invention relates to a compound of Formula (I)-(IV) useful as β-lactamase inhibitor, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, solvate or stereoisomer thereof, wherein R1, R2, M and ring A have definitions as those in the specification. The present invention further relates to methods for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and uses of these compounds. For example, the compounds of the present invention can be used as β-lactamase inhibitors, for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases caused by bacterial infections, solving drug-resistance problems caused by β-lactamases, especially bacterial drug-resistant diseases caused by type B metallo-β-lactamases.
US10167281B2

The present invention refers to novel substituted thiazole and oxazole compounds of formula (I) having P2X7 receptor (P2X7) antagonistic properties: The compounds are useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases associated with P2X7 receptor activity in animals, in particular humans.
US10167280B2

The invention relates to substituted oxopyridine derivatives and to processes for preparation thereof, and also to the use thereof for production of medicaments for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially of cardiovascular disorders, preferably thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders, and oedemas, and also ophthalmic disorders.
US10167278B2

The present invention relates to new cyclopropanecarboxamide modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator proteins, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US10167272B2

This invention relates to compounds that are agonists of the muscarinic M1 receptor and/or M4 receptor and which are useful in the treatment of muscarinic M1/M4 receptor mediated diseases. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and the therapeutic uses of the compounds. Compounds include those according to formula (1a) or a salt thereof, wherein p, q, r, s, Q, R3 and R4 are as defined herein.
US10167268B2

An ester composition including at least 90% wt of the dialkyi ester of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as starting dialkyi ester concentration and up to 5% wt of the monoalkyi ester of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as starting monoalkyi ester concentration, the percentages being based on the weight of the ester composition, is purified in a process which includes subjecting the ester composition to melt crystallization to yield a purified dialkyi ester composition containing a dialkyi ester concentration higher than the starting dialkyi ester concentration and a melt residue containing a monoalkyi ester concentration higher than the starting monoalkyi ester concentration. From the melt residue a purified monoalkyi ester composition and a contaminants-rich residue can be prepared via melt crystallization. The purified dialkyi ester composition and/or the purified monoalkyi ester composition can be hydrolyzed to yield purified 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid.
US10167265B2

Disclosed is a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, having a structure of: X1-L-X2 wherein L is a linking moiety comprising an enone; and X1 and X2 are each independently an optionally-substituted N-heterocycle. Also disclosed are method for treating pulmonary conditions and other organ or system conditions with the compounds.
US10167260B2

Aminopyridine compounds, as can be used in conjunction with methods for modulation of nitric oxide synthase activity.
US10167256B2

Novel amisulpride derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are disclosed. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may have better membrane permeability compared to amisulpride. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may be used for antagonizing dopamine and/or serotonin (e.g., 5-HT2a) and/or α2 receptor in a subject, either individually or in combination with other CNS active agents. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may be used for treating one or more conditions responsive to modulation of dopamine and/or serotonin (e.g., 5-HT2a) and/or α2 receptor in a subject, either individually or in combination with other CNS active agents. The amisulpride derivative disclosed herein or a pharmaceutical composition thereof may be used for treating one or more disorders associated with an abnormality in levels of dopamine and/or serotonin in the brain, either individually or in combination with other CNS active agents.
US10167249B2

N-alkyl, N-alkenyl, N-cycloalkyl, N-aryl amino or imino propionic acids with an alkyl chain ranging from 6 to 18 carbons, or alkenyl chain from 8 to 30 carbons, are obtained from a reaction process in the absence of solvent at a temperature range from 30 to 180° C. and a time of 1 to 10 hours at atmospheric pressure. Formulations composed of N-alkyl or N-alkenyl or N-cycloalkyl or N-aryl amino or imino propionic acids, polyethers derived from propylene oxide or ethylene oxide or copolymer thereof and a solvent consisting of aromatic compounds such as toluene or xylene, diesel or gasoline or alcohols such as isopropanol and ethanol, or mixtures thereof, are obtained inhibit ferrous metal corrosion of pipelines and storage tanks and transport crude oil and liquid fuels. A method inhibiting corrosion of ferrous metals adds an effective amount of the corrosion inhibitor to a petroleum based material such as crude oil and liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel.
US10167239B2

A process for production of a pelleted feather meal and soybean meal based organic fertilizer includes combining feather meal and soybean meal to create a combination of feather meal and soybean meal and processing the combination of feather meal and soybean meal into pellets. In one embodiment, the pelleted feather meal and soybean meal based organic fertilizer includes meat and bone meal.
US10167232B1

A process to make a cementitious material includes blending 29 wt % to 40 wt % of a magnesium oxide dry powder containing 80 wt % to 98 wt % of magnesium oxide based on a final total weight of the cementitious material with 14 wt % to 18 wt % of a magnesium chloride dissolved in water and reacting to form a liquid suspension, mixing from 2 to 10 minutes, adding a phosphorus-containing material, and allowing the liquid suspension to react into an amorphous phase cementitious material. A portion of the amorphous phase cementitious material grows a plurality of crystals. The plurality of crystals is encapsulated by the amorphous phase cementitious material forming a nano-molecular veneer.
US10167226B2

A composition includes glass fibers and a polyether antistatic agent. The polyether antistatic agent has a molecular weight of less than about 2000, or less than about 1000. Exemplary polyether antistatic agents include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, a glycerol polyether, and combinations thereof. The polyether antistatic agent has a viscosity of less than about 600 cSt at 75° F., or less than about 200 cSt at 75° F. The composition may further include a solvent for the polyether antistatic agent; the solvent may include one or more organic soluble electrolytes, water or a combination thereof. Exemplary organic soluble electrolytes include calcium acetate, lithium acetate, an amine acetate, sodium benzoate, and combinations thereof. The composition may be used in various insulation applications, including in an insulation batt, insulation roll, insulation board, insulation pipe or unbonded glass fiber insulation. Methods for making glass fibers for use in insulation and methods for installing unbonded glass fiber insulation are also described.
US10167223B2

The present invention relates to a hydrothermal method for preparing a doped vanadium dioxide powder, the doped powder having a chemical composition of V1-XMXO2, 0
US10167222B2

UV- and IR-absorbing materials with brown tint for sunglasses are described. The sunglass materials are prepared from a base glass through a post-fabrication process that includes ion exchange with silver. The tint of the sunglass material can be adjusted by controlling the level of ion exchange of the base glass with silver by varying the conditions of ion exchange. A wide range of tint is possible, including multiple shades of brown tint. In a typical process, a base glass having strong absorption in the UV and IR is fabricated and the resulting glass is subjected to a post-fabrication silver ion exchange process to control tint. The post-fabrication silver ion exchange process permits control of tint while maintaining strong UV and IR absorption and adequate transmittance in the visible.
US10167221B2

A prefiner (28) is described and includes a chamber (34) for receiving molten glass exiting a submerged combustion melter. The prefiner (28) also includes a foam breaker (36) and an exit conduit (38). The molten glass holding chamber includes a top portion (42), a bottom portion (40), and an enclosing sidewall (44). The top portion (42) includes an opening to accommodate the foam breaker (36), which is positioned to break the glass bubbles within the chamber. The exit conduit (38) resides within the chamber (34) and is in fluid communication with an outlet (68) in the sidewall (44). The exit conduit (38) is positioned to permit molten glass to flow from the lower section of the chamber to the outlet (68) and to the next stage of processing, typically a finer.
US10167216B2

A High Efficiency Treatment System (system) wastewater treatment system including a tank with a multi-chamber tank system that is designed to remove pollutants from domestic wastewater. Embodiments of the system consist of a pretreatment chamber, which is in fluid communication with an anoxic chamber, which is in fluid communication with an aeration chamber, which is in fluid communication with a clarification chamber, and which is in fluid communication with a polishing chamber. The system can be applied to remove suspended solids, BOD, ammonia, nitrate and TKN from wastewater.
US10167211B2

A method of filtering a fluid includes flowing a fluid into a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a vessel defining a pressure chamber and a filter screen disposed within the vessel. The screen divides the pressure chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber. In addition, the method includes flowing the fluid from the first subchamber to the second subchamber, and controlling a first pressure of the first subchamber relative to a second pressure of the second subchamber to induce cavitation in the flowing fluid. Further, the method includes precipitating out dissolved impurities within the fluid during the cavitation.
US10167209B2

A treatment system for treating water, such as produced water that is produced during hydraulic fracturing. The system employs a combination of a plasma spark discharge and an RF oscillating electric field. The plasma spark discharge and the RF oscillating electric field may be employed simultaneously or in an overlapping manner within a chamber to treat the water. The treatment system is able to kill microorganisms as well as reduce or eliminate fouling due to, for example, bicarbonates. In some embodiments, grids are employed to further enhance the heat produced by the RF oscillating electric field.
US10167208B2

A sterilizing system according to the present invention includes a water supply apparatus provided with a filter unit having a plurality of filters, a water tank storing water purified by the filter unit, a water cock and water tank connection passages, and a sterilizer to sterilize the water supply apparatus, wherein the sterilizer comprises a sterilizing water generator, a circulation pump, a circulation passage, a rinsing water supply passage, a first drain passage and a first drain valve.
US10167205B1

A wastewater purification system is provided. The wastewater purification system comprises a chamber. One or more wastewater nozzles are positioned near the top of the chamber. An intake duct is further provided to supply chilled air into the chamber, and one or more exhaust ducts are provided to remove the chilled air from the chamber. One or more perforated receptacles positioned near the bottom of the chamber to collect solid byproducts, and a watertight receptacle at the bottom of the chamber to collect a liquid product. The wastewater enters the chamber as wastewater droplets via the one or more wastewater nozzles, wherein the wastewater undergoes freeze separation due to heat exchange with a high mass flow of the chilled air between the intake duct and the one or more exhaust ducts.
US10167203B2

A method for preparing a suspension of LDH particles comprising the steps of: preparing LDH precipitates by coprecipitation to form a mixture of LDH precipitates and solution; separating the LDH precipitates from the solution; washing the LDH precipitates to remove residual ions; mixing the LDH precipitates with water; and subjecting the mixture of LDH particles and water to a hydrothermal treatment step by heating to a temperature of from greater than 80° C. to 150° C. for a period of about 1 hour to about 144 hours to form a well dispersed suspension of LDH particles in water, wherein said LDH particles in suspension comprise platelets having a maximum particle dimension of up to 400 nm.
US10167202B2

Process for enhanced metal recovery from, for example, metal-containing feedstock using liquid and/or supercritical fluid carbon dioxide and a source of oxidation. The oxidation agent can be free of complexing agent. The metal-containing feedstock can be a mineral such as a refractory mineral. The mineral can be an ore with high sulfide content or an ore rich in carbonaceous material. Waste can also be used as the metal-containing feedstock. The metal-containing feedstock can be used which is not subjected to ultrafine grinding. Relatively low temperatures and pressures can be used. The metal-containing feedstock can be fed into the reactor at a temperature below the critical temperature of the carbon dioxide, and an exotherm from the oxidation reaction can provide the supercritical temperature. The oxidant can be added to the reactor at a rate to maintain isothermal conditions in the reactor. Minimal amounts of water can be used as an extractive medium.
US10167201B2

A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized and designated as UZM-54. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula: Mmn+R1 r1p1+R2 r2p2+Al1-xExSiyOz where M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as sodium or strontium, R1 and R2 are organoammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium, iron, boron, or indium. These zeolites are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns, high meso-surface areas and low Si/Al2 ratios and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes.
US10167200B2

A method is disclosed for synthesizing zincoaluminosilicate molecular sieve SSZ-41 having high aluminum content from a combined source of silicon oxide and aluminum oxide selected from one or more a FAU framework type zeolite and a colloidal aluminosilicate.
US10167198B2

There is provided a method for producing relatively easily handleable exfoliated graphite by exfoliating graphite without complicated steps, and exfoliated graphite obtained by the method. A method for producing exfoliated graphite, comprising steps of preparing a composition which comprises graphite or primary exfoliated graphite and a polymer and in which the polymer is fixed to the graphite or primary exfoliated graphite; and pyrolyzing the polymer contained in the composition to exfoliate the graphite or primary exfoliated graphite and remove the polymer by pyrolysis.
US10167191B2

A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, includes, in part, growing a first layer of oxide on a surface of a first semiconductor substrate, forming a layer of insulating material on the oxide layer, patterning and etching the insulating material and the first oxide layer to form a multitude of oxide-insulator structures and further to expose the surface of the semiconductor substrate, growing a second layer of oxide in the exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate, and removing the second layer of oxide thereby to form a cavity in which a MEMS device is formed. The process of growing oxide in the exposed surface of the cavity and removing this oxide may be repeated until the cavity depth reaches a predefined value. Optionally, a multitude of bump stops is formed in the cavity.
US10167187B2

A physical quantity sensor includes a first sensor element, and an outer edge portion arranged in at least part of the outer periphery of the first sensor element, and a first groove extending in a first direction provided in the outer edge portion in a plan view of the outer edge portion.
US10167185B2

A filling adapter for a container to be filled with media, in particular for the filling of containers on assembly lines for the production of motor vehicles where the filling adapter is equipped with a hose packet, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic lines. A filling adapter according to the disclosure achieves better fluid flow properties while reducing the overall size, production costs, and weight of the filling adapter. The filling adapter is equipped with a coaxial valve in the region of the adapter head of the filling adapter, which coaxial valve, starting from the inlet cross section, is initially provided with a flow contour extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve, which in the further flow course transitions into a flow contour extending at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the valve to the outlet cross section.
US10167168B1

A casting reel spooling device includes a base having an upright support arm perpendicularly secured adjacent a first base end. A pair of spool arms are each secured to the support arm and project out over the base. Each spool arm has a spring positioned between a plurality of moveable fishing spool support tumblers. The device is configured to support a plurality of fishing line spools which facilitate fishing line from an individual fishing line spool to be reeled into a given fishing reel into which the respective fishing line is secured.
US10167157B2

A station (100, 110) for inspecting rolled strips wound in coils, comprises: —a first pair of mutually opposed pinch rolls (3, 4), adapted to receive and feed a rolled strip (1) from a coil (10); —a carriage (7) sliding between a first start position, near said first pair of pinch rolls (3, 4), and a second end position, said sliding carriage (1) comprising a gripping member to grasp said rolled strip (1) coming from said first pair of pinch rolls (3, 4), said carriage allowing the strip to be unwound without contact with a surface (S1) to be inspected.
US10167155B2

A system includes a component inspection system having a radiation source configured to generate radiation and a radiation detector configured to detect the radiation after the radiation passes through components to be inspected. The system also includes a fixture configured to receive multiple reels that are each configured to receive a tape in or on which the components are located. The fixture includes a base configured to be secured to a support, a shaft, one or more motors mounted to the shaft and configured to rotate the reels, and one or more joints coupling the shaft and base. The one or more joints are configured to allow (i) rotation of the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft to change an orientation of the shaft with respect to the base and (ii) rotation of the shaft to change a direction at which the shaft extends away from the base.
US10167154B2

The invention relates to a vacuum system for securing items in printing machines, comprising a printing table (2) with a perforated surface and, in relation thereto, a vacuum system for securing the items to be printed, which comprises a box structure (8) connected to a suction system and provided with a perforated wall in relation to the surface of the printing table (2), said box structure (8) having lateral panels that vertically close the interior thereof, which panels can be moved in order to adjust the gap between them in relation to the width of the items to be printed.
US10167153B2

Baseline values for metal detection readings associated with an item inserted into an infeed mouth of a depository are obtained before the item is pinched on a pathway of the depository. The baseline values are adjusted by additional readings obtained when the item is pinched on the pathway for transport. The adjusted baseline values are processed with calculated values from ongoing and fluctuating current readings to determine at least one final value. A determination is made as to whether the item includes at least some metal based on comparison of the at least one final value and a predefined value.
US10167143B2

A method for adapting motion profiles of a plurality of individually controllable transport elements for transporting containers in a container treatment system along a transport path, wherein the plurality of transport elements are movably arranged along the transport path, the method includes the following steps: determining a treatment state of at least one container carried along by a first transport element, and/or determining an operational state of at least one first container treatment unit which is arranged downstream with respect to a position of the first transport element along the transport path, wherein the first transport element is moved by an open- and/or closed-loop control unit of the container treatment system as part of a stream of transport elements, and wherein the motion profile of the first transport element is adapted by the open- and/or closed-loop control unit in response to the determined treatment state and/or the determined operational state.
US10167142B2

A ceiling guided vehicle includes a travel driving portion, an elevation driving portion, and a control portion that controls the operation of the travel driving portion and the elevation driving portion. An auxiliary unit that supplies, to the ceiling guided vehicle, one or both of power for driving the travel driving portion and the elevation driving portion and a control signal is provided so as to be attachable to and removable from the ceiling guided vehicle. The auxiliary unit includes a supported portion configured to be supported in a suspended state on a supporting portion provided on the ceiling guided vehicle; and an abutment portion configured to abut against the ceiling guided vehicle in a plurality of abutment areas disposed at different positions in plan view, and the abutment areas are provided at positions lower than the supporting portion in a vertical direction.
US10167141B2

A device for transporting molds for chocolate or confectionery is provided with at least one rod that extends below, above or next to the molds, whereby this rod is movable back and forth in its longitudinal direction and is provided with a number of catches for the molds that are placed along its longitudinal direction, whereby the rod is rotatable around its axis so that the catches can rotate from a first position, whereby they can take along the molds, to a second position whereby they are situated below or above the plane of the molds or next to the molds.
US10167138B2

A cargo container is modified to carry a fracing proppant such as sand from a quarry or source to the frac site. Openings are cut in the top and bottom of a cargo container and hydraulically operated sliding doors are placed there under. A hopper module with the walls being inclined to approximately the angle of repose for the proppant is installed inside the cargo container. The hopper module is sealed inside the cargo container so that a proppant enters through the top opening at the quarry and flows out through the bottom opening at the fracing site. Once transported to the frac site, the modified cargo container is lifted, emptied and set aside.
US10167136B2

Stackable frac tanks for storing fluid which include a first tank and a second tank stackable atop of the first tank. A fluid connection device is affixed to the first and second tanks to fluidly connect the first and second tanks together. The stackable frac tanks may include a structural support frame interposed between the first and second tanks.
US10167135B2

The present invention discloses a single-portion package (1) presenting a flow distribution element (4) provided so as to divide the internal volume into a first free space (1.1) and a second compartment (1.2) containing at least one substance, and whereby said flow distribution element (4) is displaced along successive positions along and relative to the sidewall (3.1) under the fluid pressure developing on said first space (1.1), and so that it initially confines said substance and it then confines and/or compresses said substance. The present invention further relates to a system (10) for preparing liquid products and comprising at least two of said single-portion packages (1, 1′) preferentially presenting different flow distribution elements (4, 4′) so that it results for example in different first spaces (1.1, 1.1′) and respective compartments (1.2, 1.2′).
US10167133B2

A shaker has an outer container and an inner container moveable inside the outer container. The outer container side wall has an opening through which a first portion of the inner container side wall can be grasped. A space between the outer container side wall and the inner container side wall accommodates an energy accumulator. The inner container, at rest, is pressed with the first portion of the inner container side wall against the opening in the outer container side wall by the energy accumulator and covers the opening. The inner container is movable, counter to the energy accumulator force, transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer container into a displacement position. The inner container has a discharge opening which, when the inner container moves away from the rest position, is moved across a sieve provided in the dispensing opening of the outer container floor.
US10167131B2

A content dispensing package apparatus is provided. The content dispensing package apparatus can be configured to elevate contents for immediate dispensing to the user, the user able to raise the contents from outside an outer container. For example, a container for dispensing edible contents can include a first container portion and a second container portion that is configured to move between a first position and a second position. By one approach the apparatus includes a tab coupled to the second container portion. The tab can be accessible from the outside of the container and used to move the second container.
US10167121B2

A container has an opening and an automatic closure. A closure flap is secured to a pivot arm, the other end of which has a weighted portion. The closure flap and pivot arm are located within the container. When the container is in a normal upright position, the weighted portion biases the closure flap into a closed position. When the container is rotated in a first direction, the weighted portion causes the pivot arm and closure flap to rotate in a second, opposite direction so that the opening is exposed.
US10167116B1

In an embodiment, a flexible bag is provided and includes opposing flexible films composed of a polymeric material. The flexible films define a common peripheral edge. The flexible bag includes a microcapillary strip located between the opposing flexible films and extending along a portion of the common peripheral edge. A peripheral seal extends along at least a portion of the common peripheral edge. The peripheral seal seals the microcapillary strip between the opposing flexible films. The peripheral seal forms a closed compartment. The flexible bag includes an amount of a flowable solid particulate material (FSPM) in the storage compartment.
US10167100B2

The invention relates to a package (10) containing a cosmetic product (12), the package comprising a basic body (14), a neck (18) and a closure member or product dispensing member (20) mounted on the neck (18), so as to form an internal volume (16) containing the cosmetic product.According to the invention, the package resists an increase in pressure of at least 0.245 bar within the internal volume (16) together with a rise in the temperature of the product to above 85° C., in particular between 85° C. and 150° C.
US10167097B2

An apparatus for the transverse welding of a tape traveling in a machine direction, comprising: a stationary structure, a rotary structure rotatable with respect to the stationary structure about a rotation axis perpendicular to said machine direction, a plurality of welding units carried by said rotary structure and spaced apart in a circumferential direction, wherein each of said welding units comprises an inner welding element fixed relative to the rotary structure and an outer welding element cyclically movable with respect to the rotary structure between a release position and an operative position, and vice versa, wherein each of said outer welding elements during the movement from said release position to said operative position, and vice versa, performs an angular rotation movement about a respective radial axis perpendicular to said rotation axis, and a linear translation movement along said radial axis.
US10167095B2

A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with a feed device for feeding a wire from a wire reel rotatably mounted on a binding machine body, a braking device for braking a rotation of the wire reel, and a control device that starts a braking to the rotation of the wire reel by the braking device after the wire is fed to a predetermined amount by the feed device.
US10167094B2

Method and apparatus for making a filled sachet are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a downtube for delivering a content into an end portion of a sock, a sealer positioned proximate to the downtube for sealing the sock at a first seal position such that the content is confined between the first seal position and the end portion of the sock, and a separator positioned proximate to the downtube for separating the sealed portion of the sock from the sock.
US10167093B2

Provided is an apparatus for controlling an orbiting satellite by sensing a change in a yaw angle of the orbiting satellite and calculating a ground sample distance (GSD) based on the yaw angle. The apparatus may include a sensor configured to sense a yaw angle corresponding to yaw steering of the orbiting satellite, and a processor configured to calculate, based on the yaw angle, a GSD corresponding to a length of a pixel projected onto a planetary surface scanned by the orbiting satellite.
US10167085B2

An aircraft anti-icing system includes an inlet lip that includes an outer shell attached to a bulkhead. The inlet lip encloses an annular housing volume. The system further includes one or more vanes extending from the bulkhead into the annular housing volume. Each vane of the one or more vanes includes a first end coupled to the bulkhead, a free end extending into the annular housing volume, and a vane body extending therebetween. The one or more vanes are positioned downstream from a nozzle configured to direct a high temperature gas stream into the annular housing volume in a first direction. The one or more vanes are configured to redirect the high temperature gas stream through a first turn angle from the first direction to a second direction. The second direction is configured to reduce a direct impingement of the high temperature gas stream on an inner surface of the inlet lip.
US10167080B2

A tiltrotor aircraft having a VTOL flight mode, a forward flight mode and a storage mode includes a fuselage having a wing rotatably mounted thereto. The wing has an orientation generally perpendicular to the fuselage, in the flight modes, and an orientation generally parallel to the fuselage, in the storage mode. First and second pylon assemblies are positioned proximate outboard ends of the wing. First and second mast assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second pylon assemblies and have generally vertical orientations, in the VTOL flight mode, and generally horizontal orientations, in the forward flight mode and the storage mode. First and second proprotor assemblies are respectively rotatable relative to the first and second mast assemblies. Each proprotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades and has a radially extended orientation, in the flight modes, and a stowed orientation, in the storage mode.
US10167073B2

A window mounting assembly includes a multi-piece bezel having a first portion having an attachment feature, and a second portion having a retention feature. The retention feature is configured to engage the attachment feature such that an inner opening is defined having an inner wall. The inner wall defines a channel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the opening and configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall.
US10167068B2

Apparatus for rowing in the direction the rower is facing has a base frame. A main bearing for a lever with hand grip and another for a lever with oar are in the base frame. A linkage connects the lever with hand grip and lever with oar to form a counteracting four-bar linkage system. The oar lever is the driven arm of the four-bar linkage and is linked to a rotary drive that has a main axle and virtually coaxial actuator rod. The hand grip lever rotates about its axis and is mounted to a bearing body within the base frame. The hand grip lever actuates an actuator that is virtually coaxial to the main axle on the bearing body. The actuator engages with a seesaw mounted on the base frame to shift the actuator rod of the rotary drive to rotate the oar.
US10167065B2

One or more exemplary embodiments comprise a system having: a primary ballast tank; an auxiliary ballast tank; and a Venturi valve having a fluid input channel, a first fluid output channel, and a second fluid output channel that outputs fluid at a pressure that is higher than that of the first fluid output channel, wherein the first fluid output channel of the Venturi valve is coupled to the primary ballast tank for filling the primary ballast tank with fluid, and the second fluid output channel of the Venturi valve is coupled to the auxiliary ballast tank for filling the auxiliary ballast tank with fluid.
US10167061B2

A buoyancy device (1) comprises a support structure 2, which can be connected to an underwater application (3) and one or more buoyancy spheres (4) having a specific weight of less than 500 kg/m3 connected to the support structure (2) and having a light metal spherical shell (5) defining a spherical inner volume (6) and which has an outer diameter (d) greater than 0.5 cm, and a radial thickness (t) greater than 0.08 mm, wherein the spherical shell (5) is obtained in one piece in nano-crystalline metal with an average grain size of less than 1000 nanometers.
US10167060B2

A buoyant structure with a hull, a main deck, a lower inwardly-tapering frustoconical side section; a lower generally rounded section extending from the lower inwardly-tapering frustoconical side section; a generally rounded keel; a fin-shaped appendage secured to a lower and an outer portion of the hull proximate the generally rounded keel. In embodiments, the keel has a first frame extending from the keel and a first keel extension connected to the first frame.
US10167059B2

A chain stopper is connectable to a support structure, such as a platform, and comprises: a chain locking portion for automatically engaging a first chain link of a chain so as to prevent the chain from being pulled in a first direction and; an activation portion connected to the chain locking portion. The activation portion is configured such that, upon pulling the chain in a second direction, the activation portion is adapted to be engaged by the chain so as to disengage the chain locking portion from the first chain link, allowing the chain to be pulled in the second direction.
US10167052B2

A linear gear shift mechanism for chainless vehicles includes a gear shift unit having a support rotator, transmission balls and driving posts, with the transmission balls disposed in the support rotator, with a cylindrical receiving portion disposed on each transmission ball radially, with the driving posts disposed in the cylindrical receiving portions along radial direction of the support rotator and rotating from radial direction thereof to but not reach axial direction of the support rotator; an axial power input rotator having an inward-tilted power input annular surface; an axial power output rotator having an inward-tilted power output annular surface, with the transmission balls clamped between inward-tilted power input and output annular surfaces and support rotator; a tread-required transverse power source meshing with axial power input rotator; an axial power transfer portion meshing with axial power output rotator axially; a transverse power output portion meshing with axial power transfer portion.
US10167045B2

A two wheel tandem vehicle is propelled by hand-grasped poles. A front wheel on a forward member and a rear wheel on a rearward member align along a longitudinal axis. The forward member pivots about a substantially vertical steering axis. A saddle and footholds support the rider and together with an accessory contact means allow the rider to balance and steer the device. The rider's hands do not contact the vehicle but are used to propel the vehicle with the poles.
US10167035B2

A blow molded toy cycle has a female bearing area with tapered and recess sections. A fork has a corresponding male bearing area that includes a tapered section and an annular protrusion section. A protrusion spaced at a distance from the annular protrusion extends from the shaft and has a surface to contact a top surface of the body to secure the fork when the male and female bearing areas are in contact. The fork has integrally formed tabs that to bend around an axle to form a bearing area for the axle that allows the axle to rotate within the fork. A blow molded pedal attaches to a section of the axle and has a series of ribs disposed between side sections to form a bearing area that allows the pedal to rotate around the axle. Two rear and one front wheels attach to the body and fork respectively.
US10167034B2

The invention relates to a vehicle (10), e.g. of the scooter type, comprising: a deck (12); tail gear (30) having single contact means (32); a steering assembly (16) comprising at least a steering column (18) having a first axis (X1), the first axis and the plane of the support forming a first angle (a1); nose gear (22); the nose gear being mounted to pivot relative to the deck about a second axis (X2); the steering column being arranged in such a manner that pivoting the steering column about the first axis causes the nose gear to pivot about the second axis; and the first and second axes sloping relative to each other, thereby defining a second angle (a2). The invention is characterized by the fact that the first angle (a1) is not variable while the vehicle is in use.
US10167033B2

An airflow shaping enclosure is mounted to the rear of a cyclist riding a bicycle. The airflow shaping enclosure is wide at its front and tapers toward its rear, maintaining and shaping airflow streamlines behind the cyclist. The forward section of the airflow shaping enclosure is shaped to match the rear of the cyclist and to fill space behind the cyclist's buttocks, back, and calves. The rear section of the airflow shaping enclosure is shaped to form a streamlined extension of the cyclist's body. The airflow shaping enclosure fore-aft and height locations are adjustable to minimize the gap between the airflow shaping enclosure and the cyclist's buttocks, back, and thighs. The airflow shaping enclosure is configured to carry luggage.
US10167032B2

An arrangement is composed of an elastic to highly elastic tool carrier which has a number of cavities that protrude from the tool carrier and are formed preferably integrally therewith. The cavities have pocket-like receiving spaces which are configured to hold vehicle tools. The cavities are configured and arranged in pairs such that in each case one end-side tool portion can be introduced into and removed from, in each case, one of the pocket-like receptacles of the cavities. During the introduction and removal of the tools, the cavities can be moved or elastically displaced, on account of their elasticity, from a storage position (starting position) into an insertion or removal position (displaced position), such that the respectively other end of the tool slips out of or can be removed from the pocket-like receptacle.
US10167027B2

A modular counterweight system includes a housing, a bracket, and an actuator. The housing is configured to selectively interface with a plurality of counterweights, facilitating incremental adjustment of an overall weight of the modular counterweight system. The bracket is configured to couple the housing to the vehicle, and the housing is at least one of (i) pivotally coupled to the bracket, (ii) extensionally coupled to the bracket, and (iii) translationally coupled to the bracket. The actuator is positioned to selectively reconfigure at least one of the housing and the bracket and thereby change the center of gravity of the modular counterweight system.
US10167020B2

A roof segment for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, wherein the roof segment has a flat base element with a wall, wherein the wall is created from a single, plastically deformed starting material, forms a closed hollow cross section, and encloses one or more cavities. The invention further relates to a method for producing a roof segment that may include plastic deformation of a single starting material to produce a blank that has a wall with a closed hollow cross section, and hotforming the blank to produce the flat base element.
US10167014B2

The actuator control device includes an assist control circuit for calculating a first assist component and an automatic steering control circuit for calculating a second assist component. The automatic steering control circuit is allowed to calculate the second assist component while a steering torque is less than a first threshold value. The automatic steering control circuit calculates the second assist component by performing PID control that uses an integral term obtained on the basis of an angle deviation. When the steering torque is less than the first threshold value but not less than a second threshold value, the automatic steering control circuit limits the integral term in such a manner that it is harder for the integral term to increase while the steering torque is not less than the second threshold value than while the steering torque is less than the second threshold value.
US10167013B2

A driving support device may be configured to calculate a target steering angle for allowing a vehicle to travel along a target course; set, as a reference steering angle, a steering angle when a difference between the steering angle and the target steering angle is small; calculate an indication value indicating intention of a driver's steering operation as a sum of a first product of a corrected steering angle and a steering torque, a second product of a derivative of the corrected steering angle and the steering torque, and a third product of the corrected steering angle and a derivative of the steering torque; and correct the target steering angle based on the indication value so that a target driving support torque is corrected in accordance with the intention of the driver's steering operation.
US10167012B2

With an object of allowing steering wheel operation to be carried out easily at a normal time and when an abnormality occurs, the invention includes a motor having two windings and a control unit having two control systems that supply control signals to each winding of the motor and when an abnormality occurs in one winding of the motor or in one system inside the control unit, a supply of current to the winding in which the abnormality has occurred is cut to zero, and the motor is driven by a predetermined current necessary at a normal time being supplied to the other winding, while at a time of a normal drive when no abnormality has occurred, the current supply is shared between the two windings, whereby the motor is driven.
US10167009B2

An electric power steering system includes a rack housing configured to accommodate a rack shaft, a pinion shaft meshed with the rack shaft, a speed-reducer including a worm wheel connected to a portion of the second pinion shaft protruding from the rack housing, a speed-reducer housing configured to accommodate the speed-reducer, and a seal member having an annular shape. The seal member is disposed closer to the second pinion gear than the worm wheel is, in the speed-reducer housing. The sear member seals a clearance between the second pinion shaft and the speed-reducer housing.
US10167008B1

A stroller frame has a body, two front wheel assemblies, a seat supporting mechanism, and a rear wheel folding mechanism. The two front wheel assemblies are respectively and pivotally disposed on the body. The seat supporting mechanism is moveably disposed below a seat plate of the body. The rear wheel folding mechanism is disposed on a rear side of the body and has two rear wheel assemblies and two linkage assemblies. The two rear wheel assemblies are moveably disposed on a first transverse rod of the body. The two linkage assemblies are respectively disposed on two ends of a second transverse rod of the body. When the stroller frame is folded, two rear wheels of the two rear wheel assemblies move between two front wheels of the two front wheel assemblies to decrease the overall width and volume of the folded stroller frame.
US10167007B2

Cart apparatuses and related methods are described that are configured to traverse uneven terrain while carrying heavy loads such as game animals or equipment. In one example, the cart has a frame that has a handle structure and at least one cargo support portion. At least one wheel support assembly is configured to pivot around an axle connected to the frame. A first wheel and a second wheel may also be included, with the first and second wheels each being pivotable relative to the at least one wheel support assembly. The first wheel may have a first axis of rotation offset from and parallel to the axle, and the second wheel may have a second axis of rotation offset from and parallel to the axle. These carts and methods may make travel through uneven terrain and wilderness areas faster and more conveniently for outdoorsmen.
US10167002B2

A meter gauge power bogie and a meter gauge vehicle, the meter gauge power bogie includes two wheelsets, a framework arranged on the wheelsets and a driving device, the wheelset includes an axle extending along the width of the vehicle body and wheels press-fitted with the axle and located at both ends of the axle, a traction motor is arranged at a front side or a rear side of a rolling axial suspension box, and via the rolling axial suspension box enclosing an axle of the driving device of the bogie and a gearbox being arranged between ends of the traction motor and the rolling axial suspension box at the same side and the corresponding wheel, the rolling axial suspension box, the traction motor and the gearbox are fixedly connected, and thus form an integral structure.
US10166998B2

An image processing device applied to a driving assistance system, which includes: a driving assistance device that detects a relative position of a lane marking with respect to a vehicle and assists a driving of the vehicle based on a detected positional information; and a head-up display device that projects a display image on a projection area arranged on the vehicle to visually recognize a virtual image of the display image, includes: an acquisition device that acquires the positional information; and a generation device that generates the display image including a predetermined display element. The generation device generates the display image to visually recognize the display element at a position associated with the positional information and to visually recognize the display element as a shape inclined toward the vehicle from the lane marking.
US10166988B1

A powertrain system including an internal combustion engine and an electric machine that are configured to generate torque that is transferred via a geartrain to a vehicle driveline is described. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a desired output torque, and determining an engine torque command and an electric machine torque command based upon the desired output torque. An engine-out NOx setpoint associated with operating the engine at the desired output torque is determined. The electric machine is operated in response to the electric machine torque command. The engine is operated to generate torque in response to the engine torque command and engine operation is controlled to achieve the engine-out NOx setpoint.
US10166980B2

A vehicle having a drivetrain is controlled based on a difference between a torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle has constant non-zero speed and the torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle is accelerating. The drivetrain torque may be measured by a drivetrain torque sensor. The effective vehicle mass is computed from the torque difference. The computed mass of the vehicle is used to adjust the activation of a collision warning system or a collision avoidance system. A method of operating a vehicle where the activation of a collision avoidance system is adjusted based on a difference between a torque transmitted by a drivetrain when the vehicle has constant non-zero speed and the torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle is accelerating is disclosed. The torque difference is used to compute a vehicle mass that is used to adjust a collision warning distance.
US10166977B2

One aspect of the present invention increases or reduces an amplitude or amplitudes of a steering angle sensor output signal and/or a motor rotational angle signal, and outputs a motor instruction signal based on a substitute signal for a torque sensor output signal that is calculated based on at least one of the steering angle sensor output signal and the motor rotational angle signal that is subjected to the adjustment of the amplitude thereof, and the other of the steering angle sensor output signal and the motor rotational angle signal, when an abnormality is detected in the torque sensor output signal.
US10166976B2

Connecting a first autonomous vehicle with a second vehicle to control the second vehicle during the transfer of goods to the first autonomous vehicle while moving. The first autonomous vehicle: receives a request from the second vehicle to connect to the second vehicle; initiates control over the second vehicle, such that the first autonomous vehicle synchronizes driving control with the second vehicle; initiates physical connection of the first autonomous vehicle with the second vehicle for transfer of the goods when the first and the second vehicles are in motion; after the physical connection between the first and the second vehicle is established, initiating transfer of the goods from the second vehicle to the first autonomous vehicle; and when the transfer of goods between the first and the second vehicle is complete, the first autonomous vehicle breaking the connection with the second vehicle and relinquishing control of the second vehicle.
US10166974B2

A control system of a power transmission system of a vehicle is provided. The power transmission system includes an electric motor for running the vehicle, and a mechanical speed change mechanism. The control system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: perform regeneration control of the electric motor for running the vehicle during coasting of the vehicle, such that regenerative torque of the electric motor for running the vehicle provides regenerative torque produced according to braking operation; perform shift control of the mechanical speed change mechanism according to a predetermined relationship; determine whether a rate of change of the regenerative torque is within a predetermined range; and when a downshift of the mechanical speed change mechanism is determined during coasting, execute the downshift under a condition that the rate of change of the regenerative torque is within the predetermined range.
US10166973B2

The present disclosure discloses a shifting control method for a hybrid vehicle. The shifting control method includes: detecting operating parameters of the hybrid vehicle, where the operating parameters of the hybrid vehicle includes vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration as reflected from an accelerator-pedal signal and a current gear of the hybrid vehicle; determining a work mode of the hybrid vehicle; performing speed adjustment and shifting control to the first motor-generator according to a work mode and the operating parameters of the hybrid vehicle to implement shifting control of the hybrid vehicle, where the work mode includes an electric-vehicle mode and a hybrid-electric-vehicle mode. The method considers performing speed adjustment and shifting control under various working conditions. This improves smoothness and comfort of the vehicle and enlarges the use scope. The present disclosure further discloses a power transmission system of a hybrid vehicle and a hybrid vehicle.
US10166969B2

A method and apparatus for recuperating energy in a hybrid vehicle, having an internal combustion engine an electrical machine, and on-board electrical system with an energy store that can be charged with electrical energy during a recuperation operation. A recuperation power for a recuperation operation of the electrical machine is set to a first value that allows a recuperation operation with a maximum generator capacity of the electrical machine if an actual energy level of the energy store is lower than or equal to a threshold value. However, the recuperation power for a recuperation operation is set to a second value lower than the first value and allows a recuperation operation with a reduced generator capacity of the electrical machine if the actual energy level of the energy store is greater than the threshold value.
US10166967B2

A shifting control method for a hybrid vehicle may include motor torque determination step, of determining the condition of a motor torque, by a controller, in a power-off downshift shifting process, gear mesh step, by the controller, of releasing a clutch of a releasing side and meshing a target shifting stage gear connected to a clutch of engaging side when the motor torque is positive (+) torque, an assist control step, of controlling, by the controller, the motor torque to 0 Nm, a rising step, by the controller, of controlling the motor speed to rise and follow a target motor speed predetermined higher than at least an input shaft speed of an engaging side after releasing the assist control, and an engaging step, by the controller, of engaging the clutch of the engaging side by a clutch torque of the engaging side when the motor speed exceeds the input shaft speed of the engaging side.
US10166966B2

Hybrid vehicles and methods for providing electrical energy to motor-generators of hybrid vehicles are disclosed. A hybrid vehicle includes a first motor-generator comprising an output shaft mechanically coupled to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a second motor-generator comprising an output shaft mechanically coupled to a plurality of drive wheels, a primary electrical energy storage device, and a secondary electrical energy storage device. The hybrid vehicle provides a first amount of electrical energy from the primary electrical energy storage device and the secondary electrical energy storage device to the first motor-generator in order to increase an engine speed of the internal combustion engine, and simultaneously provides a second amount of electrical energy from the primary electrical energy storage device and the secondary electrical energy storage device to the second motor-generator in order to increase a rotational speed of the plurality of drive wheels.
US10166958B2

A system may be configured for controlling an auto vehicle hold (AVH) for a vehicle, which is configured for implementing an AVH function by improving a brake hydraulic circuit, wherein an electronic system for controlling an AVH for a vehicle, in which a pair of AVH valves for implementing an AVH function is additionally formed in a hydraulic brake circuit of an active hydraulic brake (AHB), so that the implementation of the AVH function may be continuously maintained even in a state where an electronic parking brake (EPB) is not mounted.
US10166948B2

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal system for the remote starting and management of a vehicle, and provides a mobile terminal system for the remote starting and management of a vehicle, the system comprising: a wrist watch terminal provided in a wrist watch form, generating a response signal by being converted from an idle state into an activated state when a wake-up signal wirelessly transmitted from the outside is received, wirelessly transmitting the response signal to the outside, and performing a task for communicating with a vehicle on the basis of a real-time operating system; and a vehicle terminal provided to the vehicle, wirelessly transmitting the wake-up signal to the outside of the vehicle, receiving the response signal wirelessly transmitted from the wrist watch terminal by responding to the wake-up signal, and controlling an operation of the vehicle by analyzing the response signal.
US10166935B2

In a dimmable trim component for a vehicle interior, a trim article includes a reflective member having a photoreactive or an electro-optic coating disposed over the reflective member. The reflective member is configured to reflect ambient light. The coating is a bistable coating and is operable between a first light transmissive state and a second light transmissive state. When in the first light transmissive state, ambient light is transmitted to the reflective member for reflection by the reflective member through the coating. When in the second light transmissive state, a portion of the ambient light is absorbed by the coating and therefore, not reflected by the reflective member, such that the coating provides a dimming effect to the trim article in high ambient conditions.
US10166933B2

A fastening arrangement for securing a unit mount and a stabilizer mount to a vehicle component of a motor vehicle includes a bearing seat, which is provided on a side of the vehicle component, and a fastening element, which is adapted for detachable connection to the vehicle component and supporting the stabilizer mount, with the unit mount being arranged between the bearing seat and the fastening element.
US10166927B2

A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with a planar front surface and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. A mounting element is disposed at the rear of the mirror reflective element and includes a pivot element that is configured to pivotally mount the mirror reflective element at the vehicle. A plastic molding receives the mirror reflective element therein such that a portion of the plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate. The portion of the plastic molding provides a curved rounded transition from the front surface of the glass substrate to a side surface of the plastic molding. The plastic molding includes at least a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly.
US10166926B2

A rear-view mirror arrangement for motor vehicles that includes a housing and a mirror assembly arranged thereon and which is to observe following traffic. The mirror assembly has a front side and a rear side, in which a reflectance thereof that it is variable by a control device. The mirror assembly has an electrically drivable liquid crystal cell arranged between transparent carrier layers, and at least one reflection coating. One of the transparent carrier layers which faces toward the housing on the rear side is an optically transparent plastic film that is provided with the reflection coating on the rear side.
US10166925B2

A rear view element folding device is disclosed for approaching at least one pivot position of an element housing relative to an element foot that can be mounted on the motor vehicle. The rear view element folding device locks or unlocks at least one resting position of the element housing relative to the element foot. A method for triggering such a rear view element folding device is also disclosed.
US10166919B2

The invention is related to a method and vehicle comprising a driver seat and at least one passenger seat for providing a co-driver and/or fellow passenger with information on a currently experienced driving situation. In an estimating unit at least one driver parameter is estimated. The driver parameter describes at least one aspect of current driving action performed by the driver of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the estimating unit at least one traffic situation parameter is estimated describing at least an aspect of the traffic situation encountered by the vehicle. From the at least one driver parameter and/or from the at least one traffic situation parameter then information that is related to the currently experienced driving situation is generated. This information is then output to a co-driver and/or fellow passenger via a dedicated interface unit.
US10166917B2

A method and apparatus are described, for providing short-range uncompressed video service in a cellular network. The method comprises the steps of: establishing a communication link between at least one local sensor to a base station or to a first user equipment (UE), by using a non-cellular technology; establishing a radio communication channel by using a cellular technology between at least one second user equipment (UE) and the base station or between at least one second UE and the first UE by using a device-to-device (D2D) cellular technology; transmitting over the radio communication channel, uncompressed video data representing at least one area of the video image that was received from the at least one local sensor or control information resulting from processing the received data; and providing the received data or the control information to at least one mobile application residing at the at least one second UE or to at least one control element associated with the at least one second UE.
US10166915B2

A setting aid for a rear-view mirror in a motor vehicle has one or more illumination means in spatial proximity to one or more edges of a rear window or at the rear of the motor vehicle. The one or more illumination means are arranged such that if the motor vehicle is in dark surroundings and the one or more illumination means are switched on, the edge of the rear window or a lateral contour of the motor vehicle stands out, when looking in the rear-view mirror, at least in certain regions from the surroundings behind the motor vehicle. A first means is provided which automatically switches on the one or more illumination means during the setting of the rear-view mirror if a setting of the rear-view mirror is required, which is assumed to be required if a change in the setting of the driver's seat has been noticed.
US10166914B2

A display article includes a film formed from a stretchable plastic and including a first plurality of micro-light emitting diodes and a second plurality of micro-light emitting diodes disposed adjacent to the first plurality and embedded in the plastic. The article includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion, and a tear seam disposed between the first and second portions. The film is attached to the substrate such that the tear seam is located between the first and second pluralities. A component includes the display article and an airbag disposed adjacent the substrate and configured for transitioning between a stowed position in which the airbag does not extend through the substrate, and a deployed position in which the airbag extends through the substrate and the film. The first and second portions are separated at the tear seam when the airbag is disposed in the deployed position.
US10166896B2

A seat belt attachment structure for an off-road vehicle comprising a seat including a seat frame and at least two occupant sitting positions. A seat belt is provided for each sitting position that includes a shoulder belt, a waist belt, and a tongue plate. When fastened, the seat belt is fixed at three points including a retractor housing the shoulder belt, an anchor fixing the waist belt on the same side of the sitting position as the retractor, and a buckle positioned on the other side of the sitting position that detachably engages the tongue plate. At least a first appendage is positioned along the frame between the first and second sitting positions, and the waist belts of the first and second sitting positions are fixed to the first appendage when the seat belts of the first and second sitting positions are fastened.
US10166892B2

A pad includes: a first pad which is elastically bendable and deformable by pressure, the first pad including a pressed portion on which a pressing force is applied; and a second pad which is harder to bend compared to the first pad, wherein the first pad and the second pad are integrally formed, wherein the pressed portion is disposed to be adjacent to the second pad in a direction orthogonal to a pressing direction of the pressing force, and wherein at least one pad of the first pad and the second pad includes a facilitating part which facilitates the pressed portion to be bent and deformed with respect to the second pad, and the facilitating part is formed of the one pad itself.
US10166889B1

Methods and apparatus are provided for a shock absorbing vehicle seating system. In one embodiment the seating system includes a seat moveably attached to a vehicle by a seat guide apparatus configured to constrain seat movement to a stroking direction. The system further includes a spring damper with opposed first and second ends, configured to compress along a longitudinal axis extending through the ends in response to an external compressive load, and an energy attenuating component with a deformable portion disposed between a first end and a second end thereof. The spring damper and energy attenuating component are arranged serially with respect to one another, and together form a seat supporting assembly disposed between the seat and the vehicle. The energy attenuating component is configured to deform in a predictable manner in response to a shock load that reaches a predefined threshold value, allowing the seat to stroke in the stroking direction as the energy attenuating component absorbs energy.
US10166885B2

The present invention concerns a method and a device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks. A first rolling stock: —detects a traction command or a regeneration command of a second rolling stock in the neighborhood of first rolling stock, —increases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the motor drive of the first rolling stock when a regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected, —decreases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the motor drive of the first rolling stock when a traction command of the second rolling stock is detected.
US10166884B2

A power conditioning system that includes a fuel cell to be connected to a load, a fuel cell converter connected between the fuel cell and the load, the fuel cell converter converting an output voltage of the fuel cell at a predetermined required voltage ratio, a battery connected in parallel with the fuel cell with respect to the load, the battery serving as a power supply source different from the fuel cell, a battery converter connected between the battery and the load, the battery converter converting an output voltage of the battery at a predetermined required voltage ratio. The power conditioning system includes a converter direct coupling unit configured to directly couple an input side and an output side of the fuel cell converter during startup of the power conditioning system and a fuel cell output voltage increasing unit configured to increase the output voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined voltage by supplying oxidant gas during startup of the fuel cell.
US10166881B2

A charge-discharge controller includes a resetter for executing a SOC reset charging and a timing calculator for executing a timing calculation process that calculates an execution timing of the SOC reset charging by the resetter. The timing calculator calculates a profit reduction amount by an execution of the SOC reset charging for each of a plurality of time ranges, and sets the execution timing of the SOC reset charging in one or more time ranges to minimize the profit reduction amount, in consideration of an economy of charging of battery besides SOC.
US10166879B2

Disclosed herein is a battery discharge preventing system for a hybrid vehicle including a high voltage battery that drives a motor of the vehicle, a low voltage battery that supplies power to a black box, a first voltage sensor that measures a voltage level of the low voltage battery, a converter that charges the low voltage battery using the high voltage battery, a first relay that selectively regulates a current path between the high voltage battery and the converter, and a control unit that controls the first relay according to a measurement value of the first voltage sensor.
US10166876B2

A vehicle accumulator connected to a charging device is charged by controlling a configurable charge program executed by a control unit of the charge device. The configurable charge program is obtained from a charge program memory, so that the vehicle accumulator can be charged in an optimal manner with an individual charging characteristic.
US10166862B2

A method for detecting a sticking tank vent valve in a motor vehicle, a temperature sensor being situated in a tank vent line between the tank vent valve and an inlet point into an intake manifold or into a turbocharger and sticking of the tank vent valve being detected when the absolute value of a correlation of a calculated tank ventilation mass flow and of a signal value of the temperature sensor violates a predefinable threshold value.
US10166856B2

A system, method, and device for operations of an electrically motorized vehicle. The electrically motorized vehicle can utilize an electrically motorized wheel to convert a non-motorized wheeled vehicle to an electrically motorized wheeled vehicle. A user of the device for the electrically motorized wheel can be profiled by receiving data from a sensor system of the device and creating a profile of the user operating the vehicle from the data.
US10166853B2

A transmission unit includes: input shafts, each of the input shafts being provided with a shift driving gear thereon; output shafts, each of the output shafts being provided with a shift driven gear configured to mesh with a corresponding shift driving; a motor power shaft configured to rotate together with one of the output shafts; and an output unit configured to rotate with one of the output shafts at different speeds and configured to selectively engage with one of the output shafts so as to rotate together with one of the output shafts. A power transmission system including the transmission unit and a vehicle including the power transmission system are also provided.
US10166842B2

To provide a grill installation structure that is capable of firmly supporting an air outlet of a grill body of an air-conditioning grill to a grill installation part of an installation member even when the grill installation part of the installation member is designed to have a notched shape. A finisher of the grill installation part is formed in a notched shape such that an air-conditioning grill unit is insertable in a direction (grill insertion direction Ig) orthogonal to an opening direction of the air outlet, and the finisher includes a grill fixing part on the back. The air-conditioning grill unit includes an outer peripheral flange disposed frontward to a front surface side of the finisher, and the air-conditioning grill unit includes a grill holding plate that is installed in the grill fixing part from a back thereof.
US10166839B2

A vehicle display system includes: a display arranged in a cabin of a vehicle and configured to display settings of a plurality of setting items of an air conditioner; and an electronic control unit configured to calculate an index value indicating a level of an operating load of the air conditioner on the basis of the setting of the setting item that influences a load state of the air conditioner among the plurality of setting items, and display, on the display unit, the index value and the setting of the setting item used to calculate the index value among the plurality of setting items.
US10166833B2

An actively adjustable wheel suspension for the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle, wherein each wheel is articulated on the body side of the motor vehicle via a plurality of wheel control elements, includes for each wheel on the axle a rotary actuator which is supported on the body side and includes a torsion bar. The two rotary actuators can be activated for active adjustment via a control unit, with the rotary actuators and the torsion bars of the rotary actuators being oriented in motor vehicle longitudinal direction. The rotary actuators include each at least one strut, which is oriented in motor vehicle transverse direction, for torque support.
US10166826B2

A universal hitch adapter system includes a universal hitch adapter with at least one force sensor operable to measure push-and-pull forces and coupled to a) one of a front end and a rear end of an aircraft tractor and b) an aircraft tow bar coupled to a nose gear of an aircraft. The system also including a memory; a user input interface operable to receive a user's selection of one of a plurality of aircrafts stored in the memory and a user's input associated with one of a shear pin; a processor operably configured to determine at least one shear pin breaking force threshold for each of the plurality of aircrafts based on the user's input; and an indicator operable to emit an alert as a result of the force sensor measuring a force that meets or exceeds the at least one shear pin breaking force threshold.
US10166825B2

A joint contains: a body, at least one locking block, at least one controller, and at least one resilient element. The body has an inlet segment, an outlet segment, and an air channel. The outlet segment has a connection orifice. Each locking block has a tooth and a driving portion. The tooth is controlled to move between a first position and a second position. Between the first position and the second position is defined a reverse driving travel path obliquely extending to the inlet segment. Each locking block also has a coupling shaft. The reverse driving travel path is arcuate, and the driving portion and the coupling shaft are on opposite sides of the tooth. Each resilient element urges the tooth to move to the first position and is pressed so that the tooth moves to the second position along the reverse driving travel path.
US10166823B2

A tire air pressure monitoring system for a vehicle is disclosed. The tire air pressure monitoring system includes a detector configured to detect tire air pressures of tires of the vehicle; and a processing device. The processing device is configured to output a first notification that is an alarm representing a reduced tire air pressure state based on at least one of the tire air pressures less than or equal to a first threshold, detect a predetermined opportunity at which the tires can be filled with air, and output a second notification, differently from the first notification, based on a detection of the predetermined opportunity and at least one of the tire air pressures less than or equal to a second threshold but greater than the first threshold, the second threshold being greater than the first threshold.
US10166822B2

Each of a plurality of tire air pressure detectors includes an information retention portion that retains one or more pieces of timing information indicating the time at which the tire air pressure detector has rotated to a specific detector angle in a first time band for withholding transmission of a radio wave signal, and a radio wave transmission control portion that transmits one or more of the pieces of timing information retained in the information retention portion to a receiver in a second time band enabling transmission of the radio wave signal. The receiver includes an axle rotation amount reader portion that receives axle rotation amount information generated in each of a plurality of axle rotation detection portions, and a position determination portion that calculates an axle rotation amount at the point in time at which the tire air pressure detectors have rotated to the specific detector angle.
US10166819B2

A pneumatic tire is provided with at least three circumferential main grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction, and a plurality of land portions defined by the circumferential main grooves. The belt layer is formed by laminating a pair of cross belts having belt angles, as an absolute value, of not less than 10° and not greater than 45° and of mutually opposite signs, and a circumferential reinforcing layer having a belt angle within a range of ±5° with respect to the tire circumferential direction. In a cross-sectional view in the tire meridian direction, the distance Dcc from the circumferential reinforcing layer to the terminal wear surface on a tire equatorial plane and the distance De from an end portion of the circumferential reinforcing layer to the terminal wear surface have the relationship such that De/Dcc≤0.94.
US10166810B2

The present invention relates to the field of the protection of value documents and value commercial goods against counterfeit and illegal reproduction. In particular, the present invention relates to security threads or stripes to be incorporated into or onto security documents. The security threads or stripes comprise i) an optically variable layer; ii) a magnetic code; and iii) a non-metallized substrate, wherein the magnetic code has a color matching the color impression of the optically variable layer at one viewing angle and wherein the optically variable layer and the magnetic code are jointly visible from one side of the security thread or stripe.
US10166808B2

Optically variable security threads or stripes to be incorporated into or onto security documents, relate to the field of the protection of value documents and value commercial goods against counterfeit and illegal reproduction. The security threads or stripes comprise a) an optically variable layer; b) a color constant layer having a color matching the color impression of the optically variable layer at a viewing angle; c) a holographic metallic layer; and d) and a transparent substrate, wherein the optically variable layer, the color constant layer and the holographic metallic layer are at least partially jointly visible from at least one side of the security thread or stripe.
US10166803B2

A recording medium including a substrate and an ink-receiving layer provided on the substrate. The ink-receiving layer contains a silica particle and a water-insoluble resin. The silica particle satisfies the following expressions 1 and 2 when the average pore radius thereof determined by the BJH method is taken as r (nm), and the oil absorption thereof measured by the linseed oil droplet method is taken as V (ml/100 g): r≤5.0 (nm)  expression 1: V/r≥80 ((ml/100 g)/nm).  expression 2:
US10166796B2

Provided is an unwinding device for unwinding a sheet from a sheet roll, the sheet roll being inserted onto the device. The unwinding device includes a shaft, a first rotating member and a second rotating member which are inserted onto the shaft, configured to be rotatable with rotation of the sheet roll, the sheet roll being inserted onto the first rotating member and the second rotating member, a first elastic member disposed between the first rotating member and the shaft, the first elastic member being configured to provide first back tension to the sheet when the first rotating member rotates, a second elastic member disposed between the second rotating member and the shaft, the second elastic member being configured to provide second back tension to the sheet when the second rotating member rotates, and a back tension controlling member disposed between the second elastic member and the shaft.
US10166794B2

A printing apparatus, including a sheet conveyer unit with a first roller unit, a printer unit, and a controller, is provided. The controller executes a first-face printing process, wherein an image is printed on a first face of a sheet; a switchback process, wherein the sheet after the first-face printing process is conveyed in a reverse direction by the first roller unit; a second-face printing process, wherein the image is printed on a second face of the sheet; a first ink amount determining process to determine whether an ink amount discharged in the first-face printing process at an end area of the sheet is one of greater than and equal to a first threshold amount; and a switchback setting process, wherein, if the ink amount is smaller than the first threshold amount, a rotation speed of the first roller unit is set at a higher rotation speed.
US10166793B2

A serial-type recording apparatus includes a controller configured to execute continuous recording processing in which, before completion of image recording on a first sheet fed before a second sheet, the second sheet is fed from a feed tray, wherein the controller is configured to: set a first current limit value in a first motor and drive the first motor having the first current limit value to feed the second sheet from the feed tray; and set a second current limit value in the first motor and drive the first motor having the second current limit value to refeed the second sheet from the feed tray, on condition that driving of a second motor has completed a last intermittent conveyance of the first sheet and feed failure of the second sheet has been determined based on a detection signal from a sheet sensor.
US10166792B2

Method for reducing banding effects in images, in particular gloss banding effects, by means of a printing module, a hardening unit and a medium feeder, wherein the printing module provides printed lines with a line width B in a print scan direction, whose ends forming the line margin define a printing texture, and wherein the hardening unit provides essentially completely hardened lines with a line width H, whose ends forming the line margin define a wet/dry texture, wherein a printed line of a printing scan partially, but not fully, overlaps with the hardened line of a hardening scan, in a print scan direction.
US10166789B2

A printing device for printing tickets in public places, with an anti-paper jam system in which an optical sensor for detecting the presence of paper is arranged at a zone where a rise of the paper occurs in case of occlusion of the paper outlet mouth; before the start of a print, the paper is retracted with respect to the sensor, whereby the sensor is OFF; when the print starts, the paper advances until arriving in front of the sensor, whereby the sensor turns ON; from this moment on, if the sensor returns OFF, it means that the paper is no longer detected by the sensor, because it has been raised by an occlusion, whereby the advancing of the paper is interrupted.
US10166785B2

A method of fixing an artwork on a surface of a rigid substrate includes providing an ink receptive layer comprised of a dispersing pigment in a binder selected from the group consisting of: PVOH, EVA, PUD, latex polymer, and combinations of these, applying the ink receptive layer to the surface of the rigid substrate, drying the ink receptive layer, and printing the artwork onto the ink receptive layer by inkjet.
US10166782B2

The positions and widths of a shared printing area and the gradients of printing ratios are made different between front surface printing and back surface printing.
US10166781B2

Container printing arrangement for printing bottles or similar containers on an outer surface thereof. The container printing arrangement comprises one or more printing stations and a container conveyor. The printing station has a print head, a conveyor arrangement, and transfer elements which are moved by the conveyor arrangement. The transfer elements each comprise a first resilient layer and a second resilient layer which supports the first resilient layer. The first resilient layer has a transfer surface which receives a print image from the print head, and then transfers the print image onto a container.
US10166770B2

A heating device along a slot of a print head is selectively actuated to form temperature gradients within fluid along the slot to facilitate convective fluid flow within and along the slot.
US10166765B2

A method and apparatus for subdividing and printing regions of a substrate with multiple print heads or multiple print head assemblies which substantially decreases printing time is described. The method includes a feathering method which reduces overlap artifacts which is useful in any printing situation where adjacent regions are printed that could be misaligned, offset, or have slightly different colors.
US10166764B2

An element substrate comprises: a data latch unit for latching, based on a first signal, first print data and second print data which have been received by a reception unit; a first driving unit for driving printing elements based on a timing of a second signal and a logical operation result of printing element selection data and the first print data latched by the data latch unit; a delay unit for delaying the second signal by a predetermined time; an operation result latch unit for latching, based on the delayed second signal, a result of a logical operation of the printing element selection data and the second print data latched by the data latch unit; and a second driving unit for driving the printing elements in accordance with the latched operation result and the delayed second signal.
US10166755B2

Provided are a planographic printing plate precursor for furnishing a planographic printing plate in which edge stain does not occur, adhesion to interleaving paper is prevented, and the water width with respect to edge stain at the time of printing is wide; a method of producing the same, and a printing method using the same. The planographic printing plate precursor including: a support; an image recording layer formed on the support; and a water-soluble compound having a molecular weight in a range of 60 to 300 and a solubility of 10 g/L or greater in water at 20° C., in which a content of the compound per unit area in a region on the image recording layer side from an end portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to a portion inside the end portion by 5 mm is greater than a content of the compound per unit area in a second region other than the first region by an amount of 50 mg/m2 or greater.
US10166744B2

Laminated structures comprise a metal sheet including a first face and a second face with a thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm extending between the first face and the second face. The laminated structure further includes a first chemically strengthened glass sheet including a thickness of less than or equal to about 1.1 mm and a first interlayer attaching the first chemically strengthened glass sheet to the first face of the metal sheet. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a laminated structure comprise the steps of laminating with a metal sheet and a first chemically strengthened glass sheet together with an interlayer.
US10166740B2

The disclosure is directed to methods of forming metallic glass multilayers by depositing a liquid layer of a metallic glass forming alloy over a metallic glass layer, and to multilayered metallic glass articles produced using such methods.
US10166736B2

Described herein are substrates comprising: a core comprising a plurality of open cells; a first facing layer attached to a first major side of the core by a first adhesive; and a second facing layer attached to a second major side of the core by a second adhesive; wherein the glass transition temperature of the second adhesive is greater than the glass transition temperature of the first adhesive.
US10166734B2

A mold apparatus includes a first pivot arm having a first mold surface, a second pivot arm having a second mold surface opposing the first mold surface, and a driving cam member having a first driving cam surface configured to engage a first driven cam surface of the first arm to pivot the first arm in a first direction, and a second driving cam surface configured to engage a second driven cam surface of the second arm to pivot the second arm in a second direction opposite the first direction. The driving cam member moves between a first position, in which the first mold surface of the first arm and the second mold surface of the second arm form a continuous mold surface, and a second position, in which the first arm and the second arm are separated to enable removal of a molded element having an undercut mold surface contour.
US10166732B2

The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.
US10166730B2

In manufacturing a contact lens, a contact lens mould arrangement in which the engagement between the mould halves is unconstrained and at least one mould half is sufficiently pliable or flexible that during the curing of the contact lens composition at one mold half may move or flex relative to the other to define a post-cure mould cavity of smaller volume than the pre-cure mould cavity and during which the curvatures of the first and/or second mould surfaces are allowed to change provides a significantly more efficient manufacturing process and enables one mould half to be readily utilized as a blister cup for contact lens packaging.
US10166725B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for three dimensional print adhesion reduction using photoinhibition include, in one aspect, a method including: moving a build plate in a vat of liquid including a photoactive resin; creating a photoinhibition layer within the liquid directly adjacent a window of the vat by directing a first light through the window into the liquid, the first light having a first wavelength selected to produce photoinhibition; and creating a solid structure on the build plate from the photoactive resin within a photoinitiation layer of the liquid by directing a second light through the window into the liquid, where the photoinitiation layer resides between the photoinhibition layer and the build plate, and the second light has a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
US10166723B2

A method of edge sealing for a secondary lithium battery, including: (1) drawing a 3D model of a battery edge of a secondary lithium battery, and inputting it into a 3D printer; (2) positioning the secondary lithium battery in a 3D printing area, and fixing a relative position of the secondary lithium battery in the 3D printing area; (3) stimulating, by the 3D printer, the battery edge according to the 3D model and setting a printing path; (4) adding edge sealing glue in a printing head of the 3D printer, the printing head moves according to the set printing path and meantime performs at least one time of printing, so that printed edge sealing glue covers the battery edge; (5) solidifying the edge sealing glue. The method of edge sealing of this application has broader application, which can be applied to batteries of any shape.
US10166712B2

A plurality of preforms are positioned in relation to each other and an incompressible fluid is injected into a cavity of each of the preforms to induce them to expand into containers. A portion of the surface of each of the preforms comes into abutment with a portion of the surface of at least one other preform during the injecting step, such that the expansion of the preforms is constrained.
US10166708B2

An injection tooling is configured to inject a polymer resin into a fiber preform for fabricating a part in the form of a body of revolution out of composite material, the part having an internal cavity with back-draft. In order to enable the part to be unmolded after the polymer resin has been injected and polymerized, the tooling includes, arranged at least in the internal cavity, firstly a sectorized ring made up of at least three mutually touching inserts including one forming a keystone, the ring having an outside surface that matches the internal cavity with back-draft and an inside surface that presents natural draft, and secondly a conical drum secured to the inside surface of the sectorized ring to support it and that is withdrawn, once separated from the sectorized ring, relying on the natural draft created by the inside surface of the sectorized ring.
US10166704B2

A method of making a laminated trim component at a pair of spaced first and second molding stations is provided. A heated plastic composite sheet is pressed against a heated laminated sheet to bond a plastic cushioning layer of the laminated sheet to the composite sheet at the first molding station. The step of pressing compresses a portion of the laminated sheet spaced inwardly from an outer periphery of the laminated sheet to locally compact and thin the cushioning layer at the portion to form a compressed portion of the cushioning layer. The bonded sheets are transferred to the second molding station where a plastic compatible with the plastic of the composite sheet is molded around the composite sheet to form at least one component at the inner surface of the composite sheet.
US10166696B2

A safety device for a waste processing system having a powered cutting system including a rotor rotatably mounted within a housing is disclosed wherein the improvement relates to a safety device which includes a first safety device disposed within the housing, spaced from the rotor and thereby defining a first gap therebetween through which a cable that has been captured by the rotor assembly is automatically cleaved when disposed between the first safety device and rotor assembly.
US10166695B1

A wood supporting apparatus for use with a wood splitting device having a splitting wedge which translates along a substantially vertical splitting axis for dividing a segment of wood into separate segments, the wood supporting apparatus having a base member with a vertical support member for supporting and rotatably positioning the segment of wood.
US10166691B2

A power tool has a sprocket wheel cover mounted on a housing and a guide bar secured between housing and sprocket wheel cover and having a guide groove for a saw chain. The guide bar has a guide slot extending in a longitudinal direction of the guide bar and guiding the guide bar on a guide element for longitudinal movement relative to the housing. The guide bar has a first exterior side extending in a first plane and facing the housing and a second exterior side extending in a second plane and facing the sprocket wheel cover. The guide bar has an oil supply opening extending from the second exterior side into the guide groove and connected by an oil supply channel with an oil supply device. The oil supply channel has a channel section separate from the guide bar and extending from the first to the second plane.
US10166680B2

Using various embodiments, an autonomous robot using data captured from a living subject are disclosed. In one embodiment, an autonomous robot is described comprising a robotic skeleton designed similar to that of a human skeleton to simulate similar movements as performed by living subjects. The movements of the robotic skeleton are resultant due to control signals received by effectors present near or on the robotic skeleton. The robot can be configured to receive sensor data transmitted from a sensor apparatus that periodically gathers the sensor data from a living subject. The robot can then process the sensor data to transmit control signals to the effectors to simulate the actions performed by the living subject and perform a predictive analysis to learn the capability of generating spontaneous and adaptive actions, resulting in an autonomous robot that can adapt to its surroundings.
US10166678B2

It is an object to provide a surgical robot which can enhance flexibility of treatment while ensuring sufficient safety of a surgery. The surgical robot has a robot body, an input unit for inputting control information of the robot body, a control unit for controlling the robot body based on the control information input to the input unit, an input side abnormality detection unit for detecting abnormality of an operator, an output side abnormality detection unit for detecting abnormality of a surgery state, an abnormality countermeasure unit for dealing with the abnormality of the surgery state detected by the output side abnormality detection unit, contents of an abnormality countermeasure action being changed based on a detection result of the input side abnormality detection unit.
US10166672B1

A magnetic robot crawler designed to efficiently adhere and traverse a ferrous surface partially or fully underwater, regardless of orientation. The crawler includes a vehicle body, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, and a plurality of gearmotors. The vehicle body houses the necessary electronical components. The drive wheel assemblies are peripherally and externally mounted to the vehicle body in order to support the vehicle body. Each of the drive wheel assemblies is torsionally coupled to a corresponding gearmotor. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a tubular housing, a wheel, an annular cavity, and a semi-annular magnet. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body through a tubular housing and is torsionally coupled to the corresponding gearmotor through a magnetic coupling. The annular cavity laterally traverses into the wheel and receives the semi-annular magnet. The semi-annular magnet stays stationary while the wheel turns about the semi-annular magnet.
US10166665B2

A hand tool for releasing a quick-detach coupling (QDC) from engagement with a mating component includes a handle having first and second spaced-apart forks defining a gap therebetween, a generally U- or V-shaped elastic element attached to the handle and having first and second arms with distal ends disposed adjacent opposite sides of the gap, and first and second contact elements attached to the ends of the respective arms and projecting toward the gap. The tool is adapted to be positioned adjacent to and urged toward a QDC so the forks encircle the QDC. Outward pressure on the contact elements causes the elastic arms to flex outwardly until the contact elements come to bear against and depress latch tabs on the surface of the QDC, thereby releasing a latching mechanism of the QDC so that it may then be pulled axially out of engagement with a mating component.
US10166660B2

A screw locking control system includes a host, a control unit controlled by the host, an electric screw driver and a holder. The control unit includes a processor, a voltage detecting module, a power outlet for providing electricity to the electric screw driver, and a lighting signal control module electrically connected to a plurality of indicator lamps of the holder. As a result, the control unit can turn on the indicator lamps sequentially via the light signal control module, guiding operators to carry out each screw locking operation and detecting a voltage variance of the electric screw driver to determine whether each screw locking operation is qualified. Thus, the quality of the manufacturing process is consistently maintained.
US10166658B2

A wrench and a method for performing gunsmithing operations is disclosed. The wrench may have a first end and a second end. The first end may have an integrated two-sided castle nut and flash hider wrench aperture, and the second end may have a tool interface. The aperture may have a plurality of raised elements for engaging indentations in a castle nut, each of the raised elements extending at least one of inwardly from a wall section of the aperture and upwardly from a first face of the wrench. The aperture may have a flash hider cutout portion.
US10166657B2

An impact socket includes a socket body having a first end and an opposing second end, the socket body defining a first fastener driving structure at the second end. The impact socket includes a collar assembly carried by the socket body, the collar assembly defining a second fastener driving structure. The collar assembly includes a support sleeve and a base sleeve that define a chamber configured to constrain movement of a securing mechanism relative to the socket body, the securing mechanism configured to selectively secure the collar assembly to the socket body when the collar assembly is disposed in at least one of a first position relative to the second end of socket body and a second position relative to the second end of socket body.
US10166649B2

A machining apparatus for a workpieces includes an upper turn table support mechanism supporting an upper turn table from above to be vertically movable by a cylinder extending along a rotational axis direction of the table, a horizontal plate fixed to the cylinder so that a main surface thereof becomes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder, at least three displacement sensors which measure horizontal plate surface height positions when the upper turn table has moved down to a fixed position, and a control apparatus to calculate a relative upper turn table height position and an angle formed between the upper turn table rotational axis and the cylinder longitudinal axis from the horizontal plate surface height positions measured by the displacement sensors. A workpiece holding abnormality can be accurately and quickly detected before machining the workpiece to avoid damage, and an cylinder eccentric angle can be detected during machining.
US10166640B2

A method and apparatus for performing operations on a work piece comprises a flexible rail system and a multi-axis carriage. The flexible rail system may be capable of being attached to a work surface. The multi-axis carriage may be coupled to the flexible rail system. The multi-axis carriage may be capable of moving along the flexible rail system and may be capable of moving a tool in axes relative to the work surface. The tool may be single use or multi use and may be removably coupled to the frame and or carriage.
US10166636B2

A composite hard-surface material preparation method and a composite hard-surface material prepared thereby, the preparation method comprising: dispersedly fixing a plurality of cemented carbide sheets (2) to a surface of a metal substrate (1); and surfacing the cemented carbide sheets (2) and the metal substrate (1) with a solder (3) to obtain a composite hard-surface material, the solder (3) comprising nickel-based alloy powder, tungsten carbide particles and boron nitride powder. The solder (3) used in the preparation of the composite hard-surface material comprises nickel-based alloy powder, tungsten carbide particles and boron nitride powder, wherein the nickel-based alloy powder can increase fluidity and corrosion resistance, the tungsten carbide particle can improve hardness, and the boron nitride powder can effectively reduce friction coefficient. The present solder has good fluidity, high hardness and good solderability, using said solder, the obtained composite hard-surface material may enjoy good wear resistance.
US10166631B2

A laser processing head apparatus with a camera monitor includes a light source for illumination having a near-infrared laser diode that generates a near-infrared laser beam of which upper limit value is a wavelength of a laser beam for processing, and out of processing point-emitted light, a processing point-reflected laser beam and illumination light for imaging, which have passed through a condensed lens and a laser beam reflection mirror and are directed to the camera respectively. An optical filter blocks transmission of the processing point-emitted light and the processing point-reflected laser beam, and transmits the illumination light for imaging.
US10166628B2

Even a region where powder is melted is scanned by an electron beam at the highest speed. A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes an electron gun that generates an electron beam, at least one first deflector that deflects the electron beam one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, at least one lens that is provided between the electron gun and the first deflector and focuses the electron beam, and a second deflector that is provided between the electron gun and the first deflector and deflects the electron beam one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally.
US10166621B2

A welding device which performs butt welding of tubes includes a table. The table supports a rotary member of a circular-arc shape to which a welding torch is mounted, and a gear train that rotates the rotary member around a center axis of the tubes. The welding device includes a first movement mechanism that moves the table in a first direction perpendicular to the center axis of the tubes, and a second movement mechanism that moves the first movement mechanism in a second direction perpendicular to the center axis of the tubes and the first direction.
US10166614B2

Disclosed is an orbital cutting apparatus that is capable of freely and selectively controlling forward and backward movement of a plurality of cutting tools, allowing the cutting tools to move forward and backward and to move in an axial direction of a material to be cut so as to enable processing of various shapes as well as cutting and chamfering, and is capable of simultaneously carrying out cutting and chamfering operations for a pipe material or a heavy pipe having a thickness of dozens of mm or more.
US10166608B2

A wood-drill adapter system having a wood-drill adapter assembly. The wood-drill adapter assembly includes a core-bit-blank, an adapter-insert, and a set-screw. The core-bit-blank includes a hollow-tubular body, with the hollow-tubular-body including a hole; and the cap includes a cap-plate, and a threaded-coupler. The wood-drill adapter assembly is useful for allowing a user to use a coring-rotary-tool typically used for concrete drilling/coring to drill a circular-opening in a wooden-material using the wood-boring tool. The adapter-insert includes an upper-disc, a tubular-body, a lower-disc, and a set-screw-receiver. The upper-disc includes an upper-face, a lower-face, an outer-circumference, and an upper-aperture. The lower-disc includes an upper-surface, a lower-surface, an external-circumference, and an internal-circumference. The tubular-body includes an outside-circumference, an inside-circumference, an upper-rim, and a lower-rim.
US10166607B2

A cutting tool includes a two-way indexable cutting insert retained in a tool holder by a clamping member. The cutting insert has a tetrahedral basic shape and includes two cutting edges at opposite ends of thereof. The insert holder includes a forwardly located mounting portion that includes three spaced apart mounting jaws which together define an insert receiving pocket having a pocket opening. The clamping member is attached to the insert holder body so that a clamping portion of the clamping member protrudes into the pocket opening. When the cutting insert is releasably attached to the insert holder in a fastened position of a cutting tool, the cutting insert is located in the insert receiving pocket and clampingly engaged therein by the clamping portion.
US10166605B2

The problem addressed by the present invention is providing a method for producing microparticles. At least two fluids to be processed, a raw material fluid that contains a raw material and a processing fluid that contains a substance for processing the raw material are mixed in a thin film fluid formed between at least two surfaces for processing that are disposed so as to face each other, that can approach and separate from each other and at least one of which rotates relative to the other, and microparticles of the raw material that is processed are obtained. At this time, the proportion of the microparticles of the raw material which has been processed that coalesces with each other is controlled by controlling the circumferential speed of the rotation in a confluence section in which the raw material fluid and processing fluid flow together.
US10166603B2

A metal 3D printer includes: a housing (1) forming a molding chamber (1B); a recoater head (3) reciprocating in the direction of a horizontal U axis in the molding chamber to form a powder layer of a metal; a laser irradiation device (9) irradiating an irradiation region in the powder layer with a laser beam to form a sintered layer; and an inert gas supply device (4). The inert gas supply device includes: a first suction port (V1) disposed on one (14) of the side walls facing each other in the direction of the U axis, which is far away from the irradiation region; a first blowout port (F1) disposed on a side of the recoater head to face the first suction port; and a second blowout port (F2) disposed to face the first suction port across the irradiation region.
US10166602B2

A formulation containing nanometric single-crystal metallic copper particles, and a method of producing the formulation.
US10166600B2

In a formed body manufacturing method, molten metal is led out from a molten metal surface of the molten metal held in a holding furnace and is passed through a shape defining member configured to define a sectional shape of the formed body, and the formed body manufacturing method includes: measuring a surface temperature of the formed body formed such that retained molten metal that has passed through the shape defining member solidifies; adjusting a height of a coating material spray nozzle based on a result of the measurement of the surface temperature of the formed body so that the surface temperature of the formed body to which the heat dissipation coating material is blown becomes a solidifying point of the molten metal or less; and spraying the heat dissipation coating material to a surface of the formed body from the coating material spray nozzle.
US10166596B2

The invention relates to a forging apparatus, comprising forging rams (4) that are guided in the direction of stroke and accommodate forging tools (3), and lifting drives (7) which can be driven by a shaft (10) and which are supported in a non-positive manner on an abutment (12) of the forging rams (4) held under pretension in contact on the lifting drives (7). In order to provide simple constructional conditions it is proposed that the shafts (10) of the lifting drives (7) comprise two drive cams (11) which are angularly offset by 180° in relation to each other, are centrally symmetric with respect to the shaft axis, and cooperate with the abutments (12) of the forging rams (4).
US10166579B2

A gas vent for a landfill includes a sub-surface gas collection manifold for collecting sub-surface gas from beneath a geomembrane. Preferably, the collection manifold includes a plenum for receiving sub-surface gas. A conduit is connected to and extends upwardly from the plenum, with the conduit communicating with the interior volume of the plenum and having an upper discharge end. The conduit is adapted and provided for communicating sub-surface gas from within the interior volume of the plenum through the geomembrane. A low-pressure relief valve is operative for opening when positive pressure exists within the conduit. The low-pressure relief valve comprises a valve membrane normally resting upon a seat and which is lifted off the seat by low positive pressure.
US10166578B2

A surgical drape plume evacuator includes a filter enclosure. An operating aperture disposed in the filter enclosure defines an area within the filter enclosure. A pressure source for creating at least one of a negative and positive air pressure in the filter enclosure. A fluid opening in the operating aperture connects the interior of the operating aperture to the interior of the filter enclosure.
US10166573B2

An eccentric assembly controlled by a rotational speed thereof. The eccentric assembly includes: a housing driven and rotated by a motor; an eccentric shaft installed in the housing to have a changeable angular position by rotating relative to the housing; a locking device adopted to lock the eccentric shaft by engaging with one side of the eccentric shaft and to unlock the eccentric shaft when a rotational speed of the housing is greater than a locking critical speed; a clamping device adopted to clamp an opposite side of the one side of the eccentric shaft that engages with the locking device and to release clamping to the eccentric when a rotational speed of the housing is greater than a clamping critical speed; and a stopper installed in the housing so as to limit a rotation angle of the eccentric shaft generated when locking and clamping to the eccentric shaft are released.
US10166572B2

A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.
US10166568B2

The invention relates to an assembly, in particular a play fountain, comprising a floor for carrying people, a plurality of electrical devices, such as electric motors coupled to pumps and nozzles for generating jets of liquid, distributed over the area of the floor, and a control system for operating the electrical devices. The assembly comprises a plurality of rechargeable batteries connected to the electrical devices.
US10166567B2

A coating apparatus for coating a perimeter surface of a pipeline. A frame selectively mounts a sprayer on the pipeline. The sprayer can spray fluid along a flow path in a spraying mode and preparation mode. In the preparation mode, a fluid diverter moves into the flow path to divert the fluid delivered from the sprayer away from the pipeline. In the spraying mode, the fluid diverter moves out of the flow path to permit the sprayer to coat the perimeter surface of the pipeline with a curable liquid. A vacuum system can draw a vacuum through the diverter to remove the fluid the sprayer sprays in the preparation mode. The flow path can be located in a spray shroud. The diverter can fluidly couple the vacuum system to the shroud interior in the spraying mode to remove overspray.
US10166566B2

A flexible tubular tape product includes a hollow tape tube formed from a spiral wound strip of overlapping pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape. The hollow tube defines an empty interior core space. The outside surface of the hollow tape tube is coated with the pressure sensitive adhesive. A flexible core shaft is positioned inside the interior core space of the hollow tape tube in order to impart some body and ease of handling to the tape tube product.
US10166564B2

A fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir; a dispenser member mounted on the reservoir and that includes an actuator rod; a pusher mounted on the actuator rod; and a covering shell in which an assembly, formed by the reservoir and its dispenser member, is held in removable manner. The pusher is held captive by the covering shell, the pusher is axially movable in the covering shell over a limited stroke defined by a low abutment and a high abutment. A magnetic device acts between the covering shell and the pusher so as to hold the pusher, by magnetic attraction/repulsion, in a determined position that is stationary relative to the covering shell, when the actuator rod is disconnected from the pusher.
US10166561B2

The present invention also provides a liquid reservoir assembly 10 of the type that can store and release a fluid under pressure, the assembly 10 having an outer body formed of an open ended tube 20 which is closed by end formations 70, 80 which engage respective ends of the open ended tube 20 and are held stationary with respect to the open ended tube 20, the end formations 70,80 holding between them an elongated elastic inner tube 30 sealing secured to the end formations, the elastic inner tube 30 being axially pre-tensioned or stretched from its natural or rest state, and secured to the ends in the pre-tensioned or stretched condition.
US10166558B2

The invention relates to a cooling device for a spraying nozzle, in particular for cold gas spraying, and to a spraying nozzle assembly equipped with such a cooling device. The spraying nozzle is surrounded by an enclosure forming the cooling device, wherein it is provided according to the invention that a cooling line within the enclosure forms a closed system which can be supplied with a cooling medium by way of an inlet and an outlet. The cooling medium therefore advantageously does not come into contact with the spraying nozzle, which is inserted into a receiving opening in the enclosure by means of a loose fit. The closure may also advantageously taper conically towards the mouth of the spraying nozzle, and therefore coatings can also be applied to difficultly accessible components by means of the spraying nozzle assembly according to the invention.
US10166556B2

A pulsating high pressure air and water nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle includes an impeller adapted to rotate about an axis, a housing adapted to secure the impeller therein, and a supply conduit secured to the housing. The supply conduit is orientated to direct a stream of pressurized fluid to impact the impeller to cause the impeller to rotate. The nozzle also includes a discharge port secured to the housing and is adapted to discharge a pulsating stream of fluid directly from the housing. The impeller includes a plurality of radial spaced vanes secured to a hub, where a cavity is disposed between each vane of the plurality of vanes. The plurality of vanes is adapted to intermittently block the discharge port as the impeller rotates. In addition, the nozzle includes a cover adapted to be removably secured to the housing to access an inside of the housing.
US10166546B2

A light weight plate segment configured to be mounted on a disc of a disperser or refiner for comminuted cellulosic material including: a front face having disperser teeth or refining bars; a back face having a raised post surrounding a fastener attachment structure and a raised plate positioning section; side edges of the plate segment; and a radially outer edge and a radially inner edge extending between the side edges; wherein the back face lacks raised structures along the side edges.
US10166544B2

A unit for making available a fluid for a biochemical analysis device includes a lid element and a bottom element with a bottom recess lying opposite the lid element. A film is arranged between the lid element and the bottom element. A fluid bag with a force introduction surface for introducing a force into the fluid bag is folded and/or arranged in the bottom recess such that, without pressure acting on the film, the force introduction surface and a main plane of the film are oriented in different directions. The film is pressed against the force introduction surface when pressure acts on the film in the direction of the bottom recess to thereby introduce the force into the fluid bag. The fluid bag has at least one closure seam that opens when the force is introduced.
US10166542B2

A microfluidic apparatus, systems and methods for microfluidic crystallization based on gradient mixing. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes (a) a first layer, (b) a plurality of first channels and a plurality of vacuum chambers both arranged in the first layer, where the plurality of vacuum chambers are each coupled to at least one of the first channels, (c) a membrane having first and second surfaces, where the first surface of the membrane is coupled to the first layer, (d) a second layer coupled to the second surface of the membrane, (e) a plurality of wells and a plurality of second channels both arranged in the second layer, where the wells are each coupled to at least one of the plurality of second channels and (f) a plurality of barrier walls each disposed in the plurality of second channels and arranged opposite to one of the plurality of vacuum chambers.
US10166534B2

A method for the reduction organic molecules comprising a Ruthenium-Triphosphine complex with aromatic ligands at the phosphors which are ortho or meta substituted.
US10166530B2

Disclosed is a method for reducing organic compounds using catalysts containing nickel (0) from metal hyperaccumulator plants. The method can be implemented in a green manner and is advantageous compared to methods using the known catalysts.
US10166529B2

A process for the production of coating graphene, and other carbon allotropes, onto carbon-coated magnetic nanoparticles while maintaining high magnetic moment and adsorption properties is disclosed.
US10166527B2

The present invention relates to new separation materials with improved binding capacity, its manufacturing, and application, especially for binding protein A.
US10166524B2

Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.
US10166515B2

A method and device of preparing an emulsion comprising a first liquid and a second liquid, said method comprising the step of dispersing the first liquid into the second liquid, characterized in that the method comprises:—passing the first liquid through an injection nozzle (108) for creating a spray of droplets of the first liquid, and—injecting thus created droplets of first liquid into the second liquid such that Q, where Q is equal to the square of the speed of the droplets, is at least 225 m2/s2; wherein W, wherein W is sg*Q*d divided by St with sg being the specific gravity of the first liquid in kg/m3, d being the mean Sauter droplet diameter in meter of the spray leaving the injection nozzle in air, and St being the surface tension of the first liquid in Newton/meter; is at least 250 kg*m/N*s2.
US10166512B2

There is provided a method for cleaning a ceramic filter which can shorten an operation time required to clean the ceramic filter. The method for cleaning the ceramic filter includes: reducing a pressure of a space on a secondary side of the uncleaned ceramic filter, while supplying a cleaning medium to a space on a primary side of the uncleaned ceramic filter, thereby passing the cleaning medium through the ceramic uncleaned filter, so that the uncleaned ceramic filter is cleaned.
US10166509B2

A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) delivery system and method for operating same. The method includes determining, by an electronic processor, an operating pressure, and receiving, from a pressure sensor of the DEF delivery system, a system pressure. The method further includes determining, by the processor, a dosing request and a pressure disturbance based on the dosing request. The method further includes determining, by the processor, a control request based on the system pressure and the operating pressure, and a feed forward control value based on the pressure disturbance. The method further includes generating, by the processor, an adjusted control request based on the control request based and the feed forward control value. The method further includes controlling, by the processor, a dosing valve of the DEF delivery system based on the dosing request, and a pressure adjustment component of the DEF delivery system based on the adjusted control request.
US10166501B2

The present invention provides a gas generator in which short-passing of combustion gas is prevented.A cylindrical filter 30 including a first annular end surface 32 abutted against a top plate 12 and a second annular end surface 33 abutted against a bottom plate 21 is disposed inside a housing 10. A corner portion 75 formed by a bottom surface 71 and an outer circumferential wall 74 of a support member 70 is abutted against an abutting portion between the second annular end surface 33 and the bottom plate 21 to prevent the short-passing of the combustion gas from this portion.
US10166500B2

An exhaust gas treating device includes a honeycomb structure including an inner honeycomb structure body, an outer honeycomb structure body disposed at a position which surrounds a part of a circumference of the inner honeycomb structure body and is away from the inner inflow end face of the inner honeycomb structure body, and plugging portions arranged in parts of cells; a can member which stores the honeycomb structure and has an inlet and a second outlet for an exhaust gas; and an opening/closing valve to open and close the second outlet of the can member.
US10166499B2

A filter assembly for a fluid filter includes a plurality of filter units assembled in series, and each filter unit includes: a connecting member, an input member and an output member. The input member of each of the filter units has an extending pipe connected to a connecting pipe of another filter unit, so that the filter units can be easily assembled by directly screwing the connecting pipe of the connecting member of one filter unit into the extending pipe of the input member of another filter unit, without using tools or fasteners. Hence, the assembling cost is relatively reduced.
US10166495B2

A filter cartridge includes a radio frequency identification, RFID, tag positioned on a casing. A compressed cellulose foam is positioned over the RFID tag on the casing. An impermeable material is positioned over the cellulose foam on the casing at an outer surface of the casing. The impermeable material defines a passage that extends through the impermeable material to the cellulose foam. The passage is configured such that water is flowable through the passage to the cellulose foam. The compressed cellulose foam is configured for wicking the water from the passage to the RFID tag.
US10166494B1

The system and method for remediation of oil-contaminated sand provides for washing and separation of sand from oil and oil-based contamination. The system for remediation of oil-contaminated sand includes a soil washing system for receiving a volume of oil-contaminated sand. The soil washing system mixes the volume of oil-contaminated sand with water to produce a mixture. This mixture is then delivered to a sand separator for separation into a volume of treated sand and a volume of oily wastewater. A flocculation tank receives the volume of oily wastewater. In the flocculation tank, the oily wastewater is mixed with at least one coagulant to separate the oily wastewater into treated water and oily sludge. A sludge hopper receives the oily sludge for collection. A treated water tank receives the treated water for collection and storage.
US10166493B2

A mobile flocculation and water treatment system includes at least one tank, preferably a series of adjoining tanks separated by weirs, and an adjacent pump house mounted on a mobile platform. At least one pump is mounted in the pump house. Fluid conduits run from the pumps to the tank. An overflow is mounted between the downstream tank and the pump house whereby fluid overflow from the tanks is directed into the pump house. The pump house provides a substantially water-tight reservoir zone to provide secondary containment. Water to be treated enters the upstream end of the tanks and is discharged from the downstream end.
US10166491B2

An apparatus for extracting organic compounds from plant materials using subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide is described. The apparatus has a sealable pressure chamber into which carbon dioxide dry ice and the plant materials are inserted, the pressure chamber, once sealed, self-pressurizing as the container and contents are warmed to a chosen temperature, converting the solid CO2 to liquid, or to a super-critical fluid as the temperature and pressure are raised above the Critical Point. The chamber can be rotated when subcritical CO2 liquid is employed to improve mixing between the liquid and the plant material. After a suitable extraction time, the carbon dioxide solvent containing the extracted material is directed into a separator such that the carbon dioxide and extracted material can be effectively separated, thereby avoiding significant quantities of viscous and waxy extracted materials remaining in the chamber and valves after the carbon dioxide solvent is warmed and allowed to exit the chamber.
US10166487B2

The present invention relates to a powered, flight capable, air-filled balloon which mimics the movement of a helium-filled balloon.
US10166486B2

A process for self-righting an inverted remote controlled model vehicle is provided. The process includes the method of determining a current pitch angle and a current angular rocking rate of the model vehicle and accelerating or decelerating a mass on the model vehicle based on the current pitch angle and the current angular rocking rate of the model vehicle to create a rocking motion by the model vehicle. In addition, the method also includes terminating the self-righting process when the model vehicle is upright. In which, the model vehicle body contacts the ground and provides a fulcrum for the rocking motion by the model vehicle.
US10166476B2

A method includes receiving an input artefact and a set of shared parameters comprising a coding frame, one or more positioned elements, a travel path, and an initial position, and receiving an input artefact. The method includes initializing an output string and a head index and a tail index. The method includes traversing the travel path by, for each position: (i) determining whether the next position includes any positioned element; (ii) responsive to the next position not including any positioned element, filling the head index with a content character from the next position and incrementing the head index; (iii) responsive to next position including any positioned element, filling the tail index with a content character from the next position, and decrementing the tail index. The method includes setting said next position based on an attack position for the positioned element according to a variant of chess.
US10166471B2

A system, method, and graphical user interface for playing games and/or executing applications on a tablet-based client. One embodiment of a graphical user interface (GUI) for playing a video game on a tablet-based client device comprises: a virtual controller rendered on a display of the tablet computer, the virtual controller substantially mimicking the control provided by a thumb stick of a physical game controller and providing omnidirectional, free-form movement in a synchronous direction in which a user moves a finger on the display of the tablet-based client.
US10166470B2

A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having base virtual world functionality, including providing a virtual world layer having virtual world layer functionality beyond the base virtual world functionality, coupling the virtual world layer to the base virtual world and coupling the virtual world layer to the user. User access to the base virtual world functionality and to the virtual world layer functionality by the virtual world layer is provided.
US10166469B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for initiating direct-connection multiplayer game sessions and for resuming a previously-adjourned multiplayer game session using a stored game object representing a state of the game session. In one exemplary method, a multiplayer gaming application may be executed on a first terminal, which may be associated with a first user. The first terminal may access a game object stored on a content management server that contains data representing a state of a previously adjourned session of the multiplayer gaming application. Further, the first terminal may determine, from the game object, a second terminal associated with a second user. The first terminal may host a session between the first terminal and the second terminal. Finally, an updated game object reflecting an updated state of the session may be stored on the content management system.
US10166468B2

An example system includes a server and multiple information processing apparatuses. The server includes a competition request acceptance unit accepting a competition request from the information processing apparatus, and an opponent decision unit deciding an opponent of a user concerning the request accepted by the competition request acceptance unit. The information processing system includes a history storage unit storing competition history information for a user in a tournament, an exchange processing unit performing processing of exchanging at least a part of the competition history information between competing users, based on the decision made by the opponent decision unit, and a competition processing unit performing processing concerning a competition between the users. The opponent decision unit decides an opponent based on at least a part of competition history information stored in the history storage unit.
US10166463B1

A pie game of chance and strategy is disclosed herein. The pie game includes a plurality of sector-shaped game pieces with favorable and unfavorable pie indicia printed thereon; a plurality of pans configured to be distributed to players of the pie game, each of the plurality of pans configured to hold a portion of the plurality of sector-shaped game pieces therein such that, when the pan is circumferentially filled with the portion of the plurality of sector-shaped game pieces, a complete circular pie is formed in the pan; and at least one die, the at least one die configured to determine an action taken by one or more of the players of the pie game when the at least one die is rolled by one of the players. A method for playing a pie game of chance and strategy is also disclosed herein.
US10166460B2

A process and a system for managing a bowling center, which includes one or more bowling lanes along which a bowl is rolled, one or more pin setting up machines at one end of the lane and one or more bowlers' bays at the opposite end of the lane, one or more overhead monitors or videos above the lane, one or more consoles or keyboards located at the one or more lanes, respectively, and allowing a user to enter data, an electronic control system set up to manage the bowling center, and in particular, a score program which calculates the score of the games played at the bowling center and displays the score, in particular at the respective overhead monitor. A visual signal is emitted at the respective lane to indicate that the lane is open and waiting for users.
US10166454B2

A swing analysis device includes an angle calculator that calculates an upper limit angle and a lower limit angle during a predetermined period of swing of a sporting apparatus based on a plurality of angles of the sporting apparatus for predetermined planes; and an index setting unit that sets an upper limit plane based on the upper limit angle and a stroke direction, and sets a lower limit plane based on the lower limit angle and the stroke direction.
US10166452B2

The present invention is a bat swing training device and methods of using the device to increase accuracy when hitting a ball with a bat. The training device has a bottom end having a knob, a handle next to the knob and a shaft next to the handle and a top end having a barrel for hitting the ball. The handle is a non-round-cylinder shape and the shaft has a means for maintaining a desired orientation of the bat at the moment of contacting a ball. The method includes the steps of gripping and swinging the training device while maintaining the desired orientation and repeating the swing improving hitting accuracy.
US10166449B2

A combined golf club cover and stand comprises a substantially rigid base and a cover portion configured to securely hold a head of a golf club against the substantially rigid base. The substantially rigid base includes a bottom platform, a first side wall, and an opposing second side wall with a bottom ledge that extends toward the first side wall, such that when the head of the golf club is held against the substantially rigid base, a toe end of the head is in contact with an interior surface of the first side wall, and a heel end of the head sits on the bottom ledge of the second side wall. The assembled golf club and combined golf club cover and stand is thus capable of standing upright, without any outside support, when the bottom platform is on a substantially flat underlying ground surface.
US10166448B2

A golf club equipment grouping includes a golf club and a golf club cover. The golf club includes a shaft and a club head attached to the shaft. The golf club cover includes a main body comprising first, second, and upper panels; a sleeve attached to the main body; and a pull member attached to the upper panel of the main body. The pull member in turn includes a first attachment point fixing the pull member to the main body and a second attachment point fixing the pull member to the main body. A body distance, which is the shortest distance between the first attachment point and the second attachment point as measured along the exterior of the main body, is greater than or equal to the minimum upper panel width.
US10166445B2

A head assembly for a golf putter includes a head piece, a hosel or connector for attaching a putter shaft to the head piece, and a releasable clamping element. A body portion of the hosel is formed with a concavity defined by a cylindrical concave surface. A finger extension of the hosel has a bore for receiving an end of a putter shaft. The head piece includes an elongate body having a putting face on one side and a cylindrical convex surface on an opposite side. The cylindrical convex surface is insertable into the concavity in the hosel body and is engageable with the cylindrical concave surface thereof. The clamping element adjustably fixes the hosel and the head piece to one another.
US10166438B2

Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for tracking physical activity. One apparatus includes a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to detect, by use of the apparatus held by a first person, a second person in close proximity to the first person. The code is executable by the processor to track physical activity of the first person. The code is executable by the processor to transmit at least a portion of the tracked physical activity of the first person to an electronic identity corresponding to the second person to enable attaching at least the portion of the tracked physical activity of the first person to the electronic identity corresponding to the second person.
US10166434B2

An exercise bike comprising: a base; a frame having a head tube; and a steering stem mounted in the head tube, and operable to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the stem by a user, wherein a lower part of the frame is pivotally mounted to the base to allow rotation of the frame, relative to the base, about a substantially horizontal axis, wherein a first resilient mounting is provided between the frame and the base, and a second resilient mounting is provided between the steering stem and the base, the first and second resilient mountings, together, configured to bias the frame towards a substantially upright position relative to the base, the second resilient mounting further configured to urge the stem substantially into rotational alignment with a predetermined point on the base.
US10166431B2

A selectorized dumbbell has a plurality of nested weights that provide a stack of left weight plates and a stack of right weight plates. A handle is dropped between the stacks and a selector is inserted into one of a plurality of vertically spaced positions on the handle to couple a selected number of the weights to the handle. The selector has a continuous periphery enclosing an open interior. A user who is exercising with the dumbbell will be alerted to unintended dislodgement of the selector since a portion of the selector's periphery will contact a portion of the user's grip hand, wrist or forearm during such dislodgement. This prevents complete dislodgement and prompts the user to restore the selector to a fully installed position. Side walls of the selector may become curved when the selector is installed to provide an additional frictional force resisting dislodgement of the selector.
US10166426B2

A running exercise device is provided having a waist engaged belt connected to a first shoulder strap and second shoulder strap. Elastic bands extend between the waist belt and each of first and second leg bands positionable on the upper legs of the user. Lower leg bands may also be employed which have elastic leg bands extending between each lower leg band and a respective shoe on the foot of the user.
US10166422B2

A trampoline support frame comprises transversal and longitudinal branch pipes. The transversal ones are connected to form an annular frame. Each longitudinal one is provided with a fitting portion and two reinforcing portions integrally extended from the fitting portion to corresponding two side surfaces of the transversal one and then fixed to the transversal one by welding. The two reinforcing portions of each longitudinal one are extended from and integrally formed with the fitting portion, such that each transversal one is fixed to the two reinforcing portions by welding directly after the transversal one is placed between the two reinforcing portions without precision alignment, whereby the manufacturing process for the trampoline support frame is simplified, and manufacturing energy consumption is reduced to meet requirements for environment protection. Assembling strength between two opposite outer side surfaces of each transversal one and each longitudinal one is strengthened by the two reinforcing portions.
US10166417B2

A respirator comprising an outer mask in which is defined a main volume and an oronasal mask located within the outer mask and defining a secondary volume. Air for breathing enters the mask via a one-way valve and filter. Exhaled air exits the mask via an exhale conduit fitted with an exhale valve. A conduit is provided for the passage of air from the outer mask to the oronasal mask. The conduit is fitted with a one-way valve and a filter. The filter is such as to filter either particular or vapor challenges, or a mixture of these, as required.
US10166416B2

Speech enhancement apparatus and respirator masks including speech enhancement apparatus, as well as methods of enhancing speech transmission for the wearer of a respirator mask are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the speech enhancement apparatus and methods described herein detect acoustic energy within a first frequency range in the clean air envelope of a respirator mask and deliver compensating acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope using a speaker. The compensating acoustic energy is, in one or more embodiments, delivered in one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges that cover less than all of the detected first frequency range. In one or more embodiments, the compensating acoustic energy may be delivered with an attenuated amplitude profile that uniform or that is non-uniform over the one or more attenuated frequency ranges.
US10166414B1

A handheld forcible entry device includes a tubular housing. A torque-input drive shaft is rotationally assembled to the housing, wherein the input shaft rotates about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing. A helical pressure applicating lead screw is rotationally assembled to the housing, wherein the lead screw rotates about an axis parallel to the housing longitudinal axis. The input shaft and lead screw are rotationally synchronized by a gear assembly. A pressure applicator is threadably engaged with a helical threaded segment integrated in the lead screw. Rotation of the threading advances or retracts the pressure applicator from a stationary wedge plate. The separation of the pressure applicator and the stationary wedge plate separates a locked member from the associated frame, thus forcibly opening the locked member. The input shaft can be operated using a manually applied rotation or power applied rotation.
US10166413B1

Embodiments include a system for controlled release of a descent line that can include a shaft secured to a first end of a descent line. Embodiments can include a magnet cradle housing fixedly coupled with the shaft, a first magnet retained by the magnet cradle housing, a coil assembly secured in magnetic proximity to the magnet assembly to generate an electric current by magnetic interaction with the magnet when the shaft is rotated. Embodiments can include a braking assembly powered by the magnet and coil assembly such that the decent of a user is slowed to a safe rate of speed.
US10166408B2

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor with positively charged particles, comprising the steps of: (1) transporting the positively charged particles sequentially from an accelerator, along a beam transport path, through a nozzle system, and along a treatment beam path and (2) while scanning the treatment beam path along each of a set of vectors for treating the tumor, on average for the set of vectors, intentionally deviating the treatment beam path from a current vector of the set of vectors off of the current vector by at least one-eighth of a treatment beam diameter at least once for every twenty movements of the treatment beam.
US10166406B2

Collision free regions are predetermined for one or more class solutions. Each class solution has defined limits for allowed field geometry variations. Collision free regions in planning can be defined as a set of allowed isocenter positions relative to a fixation device. The collision free regions may be visualized by a user to plan for field geometry and isocenter position tradeoffs. Collision free regions in delivery can be defined as a set of allowed couch support coordinates. The treatment fields in a radiation treatment plan can be checked against the collision free regions in delivery to determine whether they will pose any collision risks.
US10166405B2

A method of image-guided radiotherapy for treatment of a radio-resistant or radio-sensitive tumor. A three-dimensional visualized tumor image is obtained and the boundary of the tumor is identified. A boosted radiation dose of treatment is designated and applied to a boost region within the tumor boundary. A predetermined prescribed radiation dose is simultaneously applied with the boosted radiation dose within the tumor boundary and in a planning target volume region, which is outside of the tumor boundary. The boosted radiation dose outside of the boost region decreases at a boost dose decreasing rate such that the boosted radiation dose is equal to the predetermined prescribed radiation dose at the tumor boundary.
US10166398B2

An apparatus comprises a stimulus circuit, a switch circuit, and a control circuit. The stimulus circuit is configured to provide electrical pulse stimulation to the plurality of electrodes. The switch circuit is configured to electrically couple different combinations of the electrodes to the stimulus circuit. The control circuit is to configure a stimulation vector that includes a first vector electrode and a plurality of other electrodes electrically coupled together to form a second combined vector electrode. The control circuit includes a capture detection sub-circuit configured to determine individual capture stimulation thresholds between the first vector electrode and each single electrode of the combined vector electrode. The control circuit is configured to determine a capture stimulation threshold of the stimulation vector using the determined individual capture thresholds.
US10166397B2

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for applying intermittent multipoint pacing. An implantable cardiac device includes a plurality of electrodes, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to cause the plurality of electrodes to alternate between applying multipoint pacing (MPP) and standard biventricular pacing (BiV) to a patient's heart.
US10166394B1

Described is a system for automatically tuning the sensor feedback of a prosthetic device. The system comprises an electrode or plurality of electrodes in contact with a peripheral nerve of a user wearing a prosthetic device for administering the sensory feedback and an additional stimulus that evokes a muscle response in the user. A sensor is used to measure the muscle response. One or more processors generate a current stimulation pattern that encodes a posture of the prosthetic device. The current stimulation pattern is used in a spinal cord simulation to produce predicted muscle activations. Using the muscle response and the predicted muscle activations, an adjusted stimulation pattern is determined.
US10166391B2

Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for monitoring the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time and a control system for adjusting stimulation parameters to maintain stimulation in the neural fulcrum zone based on detected changes in the physiological response to stimulation.
US10166387B2

A wound dressing according to the present invention comprises at least two impedance reference electrodes, a frame like counter-electrode and stimulation electrodes in a form of an array; and a bioadhesive affinity layer surrounding the stimulation electrodes; said wound dressing being suited for applying on top of the wound so that the stimulation electrode array is on the wound area, and that the at least two impedance reference electrodes and the frame like counter-electrode are suited for placing in contact with the healthy skin surrounding the wound area; which electrodes, are suited for applying LIDC type electrical stimulation current to the wound area and for bioimpedance measurement. The wound dressing according to the present invention provide a continuous, non-invasive and objective solution for monitoring chronic wound healing without disturbing the delicate healing process.
US10166383B2

Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for providing a metallized film electrode having a metallized film and an electrical connector. The metallized film has a base layer and a metal coating disposed on a bottom surface of the base layer. The metallized film has at least one metal-coated area and may be formed into various shapes for application of therapeutic electrical stimulation to a patient's tissue. The connector provides electrical communication to the first metal-coated area.
US10166381B2

An antiseptic dead-end cap includes a base having first and second sides, a first annular wall extending from the first side of the base, a cylindrical center plug extending from the first side of the base, and a second annular wall extending from the second side of the base. The first annular wall has an outer and an inner surface. The cylindrical center plug has an outer and an inner surface, and is positioned within the first annular wall to form an annular chamber. The second annular wall has an outer and an inner surface, and defines a second chamber having an open end. The second chamber is further defined by the inner surface of the cylindrical center plug. An antiseptic material is on at least one of the first annular wall inner surface, second annular wall inner surface, second annular wall outer surface, and cylindrical center plug outer surface.
US10166380B2

An implantable venous device includes a catheter including a passage; a locking nut including a channel for receipt of the catheter and an annular convex end; an injection seat including a base, a peripheral wall, and a mounting member projecting out of the wall; a connecting tube projecting out of the mounting member and including a bulged central portion and an annular curved outward end with the locking nut secured onto the bulged central portion; a base member including a groove; a housing including a top opening, a clamping portion on a periphery of the top opening, and a passageway through a bottom edge for receipt of the base member with the injection seat fastened in the housing, and with the locking nut in the groove; and an implant member in the top opening and including a peripheral flange urged downward by the clamping portion.
US10166377B2

A spinal treatment method and device are provided. The treatment method includes a catheter introduction step of inserting a balloon catheter into a treatment site between nerves extending from a spine, while being bifurcated, and a lesion area that compresses the nerves; and a treatment step of dilating a balloon, on which anti-inflammatory agent is disposed, of the balloon catheter at the treatment site, and applying the anti-inflammatory agent to the treatment site.
US10166374B2

A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.
US10166367B2

A medical device for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body and method for fabricating the same are provided. The device includes comprises a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft includes a longitudinal axis, and the second shaft includes a second shaft axial end disposed within the first shaft. The second shaft is connected to the first shaft by a first nested lap joint formed between the first shaft and the second shaft.
US10166363B2

A catheter includes a catheter shaft having an inner layer, a reinforcing body covering the inner layer, and an outer layer covering the reinforcing body. Additionally, a tubular metallic distal end tip is provided at the distal end of the catheter shaft, and a slit is formed on the distal end tip. An outer peripheral surface of the distal end tip is provided with outer coating such that the outer coating is disposed within the slit. Thus, the metallic distal end tip may bend easily and the distal end tip is not easily caught on, for example, a lesion.
US10166338B2

A system comprising first and second drug delivery devices (1) based on the same technology platform, each comprising a main portion (3) with a reservoir holding a type of drug, a drug outlet, and drug expelling means for expelling drug from the reservoir through the drug outlet, as well as a cap (100) releasably mountable to the main portion to enclose the drug outlet, each cap comprising a unique user-identifiable marking indicating the corresponding type of drug. The cap and main portion of each drug delivery device comprise a pair of corresponding key structures preventing the first cap from being mounted on the second main portion, and the second cap from being mounted on the first main portion.
US10166334B2

A medicine injector in which a barrel with a receiving cavity is adapted to slidably receive a syringe subassembly for axial movement therein. Upon removal of a safety and release of a syringe driver, the syringe driver moves forward and injects the syringe needle. Penetration controls are shown for controlling needle penetration depth. In one form the penetration control uses a sleeve and spring which are radially adjacent. A cushioning ring or other cushion may be used to reduce syringe breakage. A load distribution and guide ring may be used to distribute loading applied to the syringe and help guide the moving syringe.
US10166333B2

The present invention relates to method for generating a monitoring signal by monitoring laboratory values of a patient using a medical app (122). The medical app (122) is executed on a mobile device (102) of the patient, wherein the execution of the medical app (122) on the mobile device (102) of the patient is supervised by a supervising entity or safety module (106, 128), the supervising entity or safety module (106, 128) comprising at least executable program instructions (130). The medical app (122) comprises executable instructions for executing at least one sequence of processes for generating the monitoring signal. The processes comprise safety critical processes. The sequence of processes is triggered by the measurement of the blood glucose level of the patient. The method comprises executing a first process of the sequence of processes, wherein the execution results in the generation of an information, forwarding the information of the executed process to the supervising entity or safety module (106, 128), evaluating the received information by the supervising entity or safety module (106, 128) and executing a second process of the sequence of processes depending on the result of the evaluation.
US10166331B2

Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary method of operating an infusion device capable of delivering fluid to a user involves identifying a condition of the user that is likely to influence a response to the fluid in the body of the user and classifying the condition as a first type of a plurality of types of conditions. After classifying the condition as the first type, the method continues by adjusting control information for operating the infusion device based on the first type and operating the infusion device to deliver the fluid to the user in accordance with the adjusted control information.
US10166327B2

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.
US10166325B2

A packaging for a medical device and medicament comprising a packaging body having a first region and a second region. A medicament delivery device comprises a delivery mechanism for administering medicament to a patient. The medicament delivery device is received in the first region and a medicament container is received in the second region. The medicament delivery device includes a chamber configured to receive the medicament container. The packaging body includes a hinge between the first and second regions such that the first and second regions are pivotable about the hinge from a storage position in which the first and second regions are spaced apart to a loading position in which the first region lies adjacent the second region. The chamber and medicament container are equidistantly spaced from the hinge such that the medicament container is loaded into the chamber when the first and second regions are pivoted into the loading position.
US10166324B2

Provided is an arthritis treatment method and an arthritis treatment system which can be effective for the short-term attainment of a pain relief effect. An arthritis treatment method includes an instrument introducing step of causing at least one instrument having a tubular shape to communicate with a lesion area in which crystal-induced arthritis occurs, and a treatment step of removing a causative agent of the crystal-induced arthritis from the lesion area by perfusion and discharge of a lavage fluid through the instrument.
US10166323B2

Systems and methods for cleansing blood are disclosed herein. The methods include acoustically separating undesirable particles bound to capture particles from formed elements of whole blood. After introducing the capture particles to whole blood containing undesirable particles, the whole blood and capture particles are flowed through a microfluidic separation channel. At least one bulk acoustic transducer is attached to the microfluidic separation channel. A standing acoustic wave, imparted on the channel and its contents by the bulk acoustic transducer, drives the formed elements and undesirable particles bound to capture particles to specific aggregation axes. After aggregating the particles, the formed elements exit the separation channel through a first outlet and are returned to the patient. The undesirable particles, bound to the capture particles, exit through a second outlet and can be discarded to saved for later study.
US10166321B2

The present invention relates to a multi-reservoir port, catheter and non-coring needle systems that support high-flow applications such as hemodialysis and apheresis. In particular, the present invention relates to improvements to each of these systems to provide optimal flow rates and septum life with minimal intraluminal pressure; both individually and in combination.
US10166316B2

Improved randomized porous structures and methods of manufacturing such porous structures are disclosed. The scaffold of the porous structures are formed from by dividing the space between a plurality of spatial coordinates of a defined volume, where the plurality of spatial coordinates have been moved in a random direction and a random finite distance according to a predetermined randomization limit.
US10166315B2

A composition may comprise a plurality of polymeric electrospun fiber fragments, and a carrier medium comprising an effective amount of chitosan. Such a composition may further include a plurality of polymeric electrospun fiber fragment clusters. A kit may comprise a first component of a plurality of polymeric electrospun fiber fragments, and a second component of a carrier medium comprising an effective amount of chitosan. A method of treatment may comprise injecting into a portion of a body a composition which may comprise a plurality of polymeric electrospun fiber fragments, and a carrier medium comprising an effective amount of chitosan. The treatment may be directed to one or more of joint inflammation, osteoarthritis, a tissue injury, a muscle tear, a ligament tear, a tendon tear, a void, incontinence, an aneurysm, and a tumor.
US10166314B2

The present disclosure relates to a corneal implant comprising a matrix material and a core part wherein the core part is arranged essentially in the middle of the matrix material. The core part is anti fouling in order to stop cell proliferation across said part. The present disclosure further relates to a method of preparing the said product and the use of the same.
US10166312B2

An absorbent article is disclosed having a topsheet, a backsheet joined with the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a synthetic superabsorbent polymer derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound, wherein said superabsorbent polymer exhibits a defined Saline Flow Conductivity value and Absorption Against Pressure value. Alternately, an absorbent article is disclosed having a synthetic polyolefin derived from a first renewable resource via at least one intermediate compound. The synthetic polyolefin exhibits defined performance characteristics making the polyolefin particularly useful in certain components of the absorbent article. Methods for making the aforementioned absorbent articles are also disclosed.
US10166307B2

An adhesive device with an ultraviolet element is disclosed. The adhesive device with an ultraviolet element can be used to provide a treatment of a surface of an object. The treatment can include cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and sanitization. The adhesive device with an ultraviolet element can also be used as a self-adhesive bandage.
US10166303B2

The present invention is directed to compositions and method for providing radio-imaging and radiotherapy for cancer. In particular, methods for making and using radio-labeled anti-HAAH antibodies for tumor imaging and immunotherapy are provided.
US10166287B2

present application discloses an immunogenic composition comprising N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y conjugated to a carrier protein to produce a N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugate, wherein the average size of each N. meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa.
US10166281B2

Provided is a method for modulating an immune response which is not derived from alphavirus infection comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising an alphavirus virus like particle.
US10166274B2

The present invention provides methods of treating LAL deficiency comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of lysosomal acid lipase with an effective dosage frequency. Methods of improving growth and liver function, increasing LAL tissue concentration, and increasing LAL activity in a human patient suffering from LAL deficiency are also provided.
US10166268B2

The present disclosure provides methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and OSA induced cardiorespiratory diseases. The disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for treating or alleviating: OSA or OSA induced hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, sudden cardiac death or stroke, by administering oxytocin. The disclosure further provides methods for improving sleep satisfaction in OSA patients by administering oxytocin.
US10166264B2

The present invention relates to a bacteriophage having a specific bactericidal activity against Salmonella, a composition for the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient, an antibiotic comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient, an animal feed or drinking water comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient, and a sanitizer or cleaner comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient. The bacteriophage of the present invention has a specific bactericidal activity against Salmonella choleraesuis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella derby, Salmonella infantis or Salmonella newport with no influences on beneficial bacteria, as well as excellent acid- and heat-resistance and desiccation tolerance.
US10166262B2

The invention is directed to a novel strain of Lactobacillus plantarum AMT14 and compositions comprising the same.
US10166260B2

A wound care product in the form of a gel is provided, and contains protein from egg shell membrane. The gel is made by first hydrating the egg shell membrane powder and then adding carbomer to partially neutralize the egg shell membrane. The neutralization is completed with the addition of triethanolamine, so as to form a homogeneous gel with a smooth consistency. An antimicrobial compound and a tissue growth accelerator are added to the gel. The gel, infused with egg shell membrane, is applied directly to the wound tissue to form a barrier trapping the active ingredients adjacent the wound site and inhibiting penetration of outside bacteria into the wound site.
US10166249B2

Disclosed are compounds of Formulas (I), (II), (III), (IV), and (V): and/or a salt thereof, wherein R1 is —OH or —OP(O)(OH)2, and X1, X2, X3, R2, R2a, Ra, Rb, and Rc are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease.
US10166246B2

Provided herein are complexes of metformin or metformin analogues and a TGR5 ligand that are useful in treating diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
US10166243B1

The present invention provides a method for optimizing levels of mifepristone in a patient suffering from Cushing's syndrome. The method comprises the steps of treating the patient with seven or more daily doses of mifepristone over a period of seven or more days; testing the serum levels of the patient to determine whether the blood levels of mifepristone are greater than 1631 ng/mL; and adjusting the daily dose of the patient to achieve mifepristone blood levels greater than 1631 ng/mL.
US10166238B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising inhibitors of human histone methyltransferase EZH2 and their use for the treatment of cancer.
US10166236B2

This disclosure provides compounds, such as compounds of Formula I: pharmaceutical formulations thereof, and related methods of use for the treatment of defects of cholesterol homeostasis including lysosomal storage disorders such as Niemann-Pick Type C disease.
US10166232B2

The present invention discloses ophthalmic and otic compositions of facially amphiphilic antimicrobial polymers and oligomers and their uses, including their use in methods for treating and preventing ophthalmic infections and otic infections in humans and animals.
US10166231B2

The present invention relates to a freeze-dried (also called lyophilized) drug nanosuspension. The present freeze-dried drug nanosuspension composition has an acceptable stability of the particle size distribution during storage, including long term storage.
US10166214B2

3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-6-carboxylic acid amide derivatives which are agonists of somatostatin receptor subtype 4 (SSTR4), useful for preventing or treating medical disorders related to SSTR4.
US10166207B2

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to acamprosate formulations, methods of use of the formulations, to methods of using the formulations optionally in combination with at least one other medication, and to combination products and compositions comprising acamprosate and at least one other medication, such as neuroleptic (antipsychotic) and/or antidepressant drugs.
US10166206B2

The present invention relates to improved topical gel compositions comprising an active agent, and uses thereof.
US10166205B2

A gel composition for topical administration that includes: naftifine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a solvent; a non-carbomer rheology modifier; a polysorbate solubilizing agent; and an amine pH adjuster.
US10166202B2

The compounds D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and capsaicin are useful for prevention, treatment, or both, of hepatic encephalopathy. The compounds capsaicin, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), HU-308 and cannabidiol are useful for prevention, treatment, or both, of liver cirrhosis.
US10166200B2

An oxygen therapeutic composition, which includes a perfluorocarbon material having a boiling point of about 4 degrees Celsius to about 60 degrees Celsius, a lipid; a viscosity modifier; a buffer.
US10166199B2

The present invention relates to a transdermal patch comprising a pharmaceutical formulation, the formulation comprising ropivacaine or an opioid, a pharmaceutically-acceptable adhesive and optionally one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of carrier oils, penetration enhancers and hydrophilic materials. The present invention also relates to methods of preparation of such a pharmaceutical formulation, as well as the use of such a transdermal patch in the treatment of pain (e.g. nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain).
US10166198B2

A nanoparticle having a solid core comprising a biologically active substance, said core being enclosed by an inorganic coating, a method for preparing the nanoparticle, and the use of the nanoparticle in therapy. A kit comprising the nanoparticle and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the nanoparticle.
US10166186B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a nutritional and medicinal oral composition for veterinary use, comprising the following steps: a) providing cores of extruded products of complete feed, and b) coating the cores of extruded products of complete feed provided in step a) with at least one layer of a fatty material comprising at least one medicinal agent, said medicinal agent comprising (i) at least one pre-conditioned active substance in the form of a solution or a suspension of said active substance in an oily liquid, or (ii) at least one pre-conditioned active substance in the form of waxy granulates, at a temperature lower than 40° C.
US10166185B2

The present invention is directed to an excipient which can be used to manufacture tablets containing oily active ingredients such as oily drugs, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.
US10166184B2

Lyophilized liposomal formulations with two or more encapsulated drugs are disclosed. These formulations display superior drug retention profiles and also maintain size distribution following lyophilization and reconstitution.
US10166180B2

Described are methods for treating a keratinized tissue condition in a subject in need thereof. The method may include providing the subject including the keratinized tissue condition. The method may include conducting one or more treatment cycles on the keratinized tissue. Each treatment cycle may include contacting the keratinized tissue with an acid-activated gas-generating composition. Each treatment cycle may include contacting the keratinized tissue with an acid composition. Each treatment cycle may include allowing the acid composition and the acid-activated gas-generating composition to react effective to generate a gas at the keratinized tissue. The one or more treatment cycles may be effective to at least partly ameliorate the keratinized tissue condition in the subject.
US10166175B1

A hair coloring mixture including a carrier liquid with alumino-silicate micro-tubes having a hair dye agent loaded into the lumen of the micro-tubes. The micro-tubes may be present in the carrier liquid in a concentration of between about 5 mg/ml and about 50 mg/ml, while the mixture will have a pH of between about 4 and about 7.
US10166171B2

An acupuncture device and a needle wakening method are disclosed. The acupuncture device includes a plurality of acupuncture needles, and each acupuncture needle includes a needle body and a needle handle; an end of the needle body is a needle tip, and the other end of the needle body is fixedly connected with the needle handle. The acupuncture device further includes a driving device, and the driving device includes a driving component and a first timing component; the first timing component is configured for setting an interval of time to start the driving component, and the driving component is configured for driving the acupuncture needle to rotate alternately in forward and reverse directions when the interval of time is arrived.
US10166164B2

Systems, devices and methods for providing active and/or passive compression therapy to a body part can include a compression device worn over a compression stocking. The compression device can have a pulley based drive train that is driven by a motor to tighten and loosen compression elements, such as compression straps, in a precise, rapid, and balanced manner. Sensors can be used in the compression device and/or compression stockings to provide feedback to modulate the compression treatment parameters.
US10166155B2

An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region, wherein the first waist region and second waist region are joined with each other such that a pair of side seams are formed and the absorbent article has two leg openings and a waist opening. At least one of the first waist region or the second waist region include a first graphic zone, a second graphic zone, and a third graphic zone, wherein the first graphic zone, the second graphic zone, and the third graphic zone are disposed at a side seam of the absorbent article.
US10166143B2

A light-guided, ophthalmic-treatment-system for administering therapeutic agents to, into or through the scleral wall of the eye globe using any one of a variety of therapeutic applicators in conjunction with either transcorneal or transpupillary viewing methods or both.
US10166140B2

An oral negative-pressure therapy system includes a container and absorbent insert for the container. The container includes a baffle inside an interior of the container. A fluid passageway extends along the baffle for delivering fluid (e.g., a mixture of air and saliva) into the container. The absorbent insert for absorbing liquid (e.g., saliva) in the container may is over the baffle. At least one of the baffle and the absorbent insert is configured to maintain a fluid flow path between the baffle and the absorbent insert to maintain fluid communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the container. The absorbent insert and/or the container may be designed and constructed to burst air bubbles in the aspirated liquid. In one or more embodiments, the absorbent insert is replaceable so that a spent absorbent insert can be replaced with a new, fresh absorbent insert.
US10166136B2

A method of implanting a penile prosthetic includes providing a tool having a barrel with a first groove formed in an exterior surface of the barrel and a second groove formed in the exterior surface of the barrel; capturing opposing lateral edges of a deflated penile implant into the respective the first groove the second groove; placing the barrel of the tool and the deflated penile implant into a corpora cavernosum of a penis; removing the barrel from the corpora cavernosum of the penis and leaving the deflated penile implant in the corpora cavernosum of the penis.
US10166135B2

A posture corrective brace including a device for correcting asymmetry of the pelvis so as to surround the circumference of the pelvis, and/or a device for correcting asymmetry of the lower part of the thorax attached so as to surround the circumference of the lower part of the thorax, including: the innominate front compression part capable of abutting the abdominal part near the front side of the right or left innominate, and the innominate rear compression part capable of abutting the pelvis near the rear side of the right or left innominate; and/or the thorax front compression part capable of abutting the vicinity of the front side of the lower part of the right or left thorax, and the thorax rear compression part capable of abutting the vicinity of the rear side of the lower part of the right or left thorax.
US10166121B2

An orthopedic implant system includes a set of provisional orthopedic implants having different implant sizes, in which each provisional implant facilitates an intraoperative selection of the next-smallest implant size without removing the provisional implant from the bone. All of the implant sizes share a common sagittal configuration of distal and anterior bone contacting surfaces, but have variable sagittal configurations only in the posterior bone contacting surfaces. Thus, where a relatively larger femoral provisional component is mounted to a femur, changing to a smaller provisional component (i.e., “downsizing”) can be accomplished by recutting only two of five original femoral cuts. Cut slots provided in each provisional implant are sized and positioned to correspond to the posterior bone contacting surface geometry of the next-smallest provisional implant size. Thus, the cut slots in a mounted, relatively larger implant can be used to further resect posterior femoral surfaces to accept the next smallest implant component size.
US10166118B2

An assembly tool for assembly of a first component of a prosthesis to a second component of the prosthesis for use in joint arthroplasty. The tool includes a first member operably associated with the first component and a second member operably associated with the second component. The second member includes a cap having a threaded recess and further includes a threaded rod adapted to engage the threaded recess so as to move the second member relative to the first member and the threaded rod is made of a harder metal than the threaded recess.
US10166117B1

An expandable interbody fusion implant device has a frame, two ramp assemblies, a threaded drive shaft and at least one base plate, preferably two. The frame has a first lateral side and a second lateral side and a distal end and a proximal end. Each ramp assembly has a translating ramp with a threaded opening, a first pivoting hinged ramp and a second pivoting hinged ramp. Each base plate is hinged to a first lateral side of the frame. Each base plate is hinged to the distal ramp assembly and the proximal ramp assembly at an end of one of said pivoting hinged ramps of each ramp assembly. The drive shaft has a distal drive shaft component having threads for translating the distal ramp assembly and a proximal drive shaft component having threads for translating the proximal ramp assembly.
US10166113B2

An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower prosthesis plates locatable against respective vertebrae and having opposing, concavely curved recesses therein, and a core located between the plates. The core has opposed, convexly curved surfaces received in the recesses of the plates to allow the plates to slide in articulated manner over the core. The opposed surfaces of the core and the recesses of the plates have cooperating spherical curvatures. The recess of each plate surrounds a locating peg projecting centrally from the base of the recess and is bounded by an annular rim, such that the annular rims of the plates are arranged to contact one another at a predetermined limit of sliding movement of the plates over the core. The peg locates loosely in an opening located centrally in a curved surface of the core, whereby the plates can slide over the core in all directions while the peg holds the core captive.
US10166110B2

A total ankle replacement prosthesis may comprise a tibial implant, a talar implant, and an intermediate implant. The intermediate implant may fixedly attach to the tibial implant and may articulate with respect to the talar implant. The intermediate implant may have unequal front and back angular extent, so as to discourage a particular direction of subluxation, and a kit may be provided containing various such intermediate implants. Various features may be provided in regard to dovetails, fins, recesses, the placement of fins and pegs, and the shape of the perimeter of the tibial implant. Recesses may allow a surgical blade to slice a latch off of an already-installed intermediate implant, in order to allow its removal from the tibial implant.
US10166107B2

A femoral stem for use in hip replacement surgery, specifically hip replacement surgery in dogs and similar animals but also inclusive to implants used in humans. More particularly, the invention is directed to a femoral stem that includes a lateral bolt or post that protrudes through the cortex or wall of bone opposite the neck of the femoral stem. The lateral bolt or post reduces the occurrence of subsidence in implanted femoral stems. The lateral bolt or post provides an anchor point on the cortex or wall of bone as opposed to relying solely on the compression of the femoral stem against the wall of the bony canal of the femur being implanted.
US10166102B2

A tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. The device comprises a first anchor and a second anchor adapted to be deployed by a catheter to engage a vessel wall while the first anchor is adapted to resist the compression of a first part of the first anchor and resist the expansion of a second part of the first anchor in response to a compressive force on the first part.
US10166091B2

A method and system for designing a dental appliance for an individual. A 3D model of the individual's features including a portion of their face and arches is displayed on a 3D display. The 3D model includes an augmented reality dental appliance. The 3D model can be manipulated by inputs detected by a motion sensor, a brain-computer interface, both, or other sensors. In response to gestures neural activity, or other inputs, the augmented reality dental appliance or other aspects of the 3D model are modified. The 3D model is updated in response to the modified dental appliance or other changes, and repositioned to provide an updated 3D model. The updated 3D model is displayed on the 3D display. This system and method facilitates modification of the augmented reality dental appliance and observation of the resulting aesthetic effects.
US10166088B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed enabling an orthodontist or a user to create an unified three dimensional virtual craniofacial and dentition model of actual, as-is static and functional anatomy of a patient, from data representing facial bone structure; upper jaw and lower jaw; facial soft tissue; teeth including crowns and roots; information of the position of the roots relative to each other; and relative to the facial bone structure of the patient; obtained by scanning as-is anatomy of craniofacial and dentition structures of the patient with a volume scanning device; and data representing three dimensional virtual models of the patient's upper and lower gingiva, obtained from scanning the patient's upper and lower gingiva either (a) with a volume scanning device, or (a) with a surface scanning device. Such craniofacial and dentition models of the patient can be used in optimally planning treatment of a patient.
US10166086B2

A dental therapy apparatus which enables a dental therapy more surely and less invasively is provided. A dental therapy apparatus (10A) comprises a laser light source (11) emitting laser light (L) having a wavelength within a wavelength region of 5.7 to 6.6 μm; a controller (12) pulse-driving the laser light source and controlling at least one of pulse width and repetition frequency of pulsed laser light emitted from the laser light source; and an irradiation optical system for irradiating a tooth (20) including a carious part (21) with the light emitted from the laser light source. In this dental therapy apparatus, the controller controls at least one of the pulse width and repetition frequency of the pulsed light, so as to selectively cut the carious part (21).
US10166084B2

A tool for inserting a marker into tissue at a biopsy site includes an elongate plunger having a blind bore. A plunger rod has a proximal end received within and secured to the blind bore so that the plunger rod moves conjointly with the plunger and a spring is secured to the distal end of the plunger rod. A cannula has a lumen that receives a distal end of the plunger rod and a crimp is formed in the cannula near its distal end. The cannula has a side exit port where a marker is ejected from the lumen. A ramp is formed in communication with the side exit port and the ramp has a preselected slope that controls the angle at which the marker is ejected. The marker is ejected from the side exit port into tissue when the spring unloads abruptly as the marker clears the crimp.
US10166081B2

Example embodiments relate to surgical devices, systems, and methods. The system may include an end-effector assembly. The end-effector assembly may comprise an instrument assembly and a wrist assembly. The instrument assembly may comprise an instrument for performing a surgical action. The instrument assembly may further comprise an instrument driven portion configurable to be driven in such a way as to move the instrument relative to a first axis. The instrument assembly may further comprise an instrument insulative portion providable between the instrument and the instrument driven portion. The instrument insulative portion may be configurable to electrically isolate the instrument from at least the instrument driven portion when the instrument insulative portion is provided between the instrument and the instrument driven portion. The wrist assembly may include a wrist driven portion configurable to be driven in such a way as to move the instrument relative to a second axis.
US10166079B2

Methods and systems of performing intraoperative image registration during a medical procedure are described. A depth-encoded marker is provided to an object of interest. The marker is imageable by at least two imaging systems. The marker has asymmetry in at least a depth dimension. First and second sets of image data are obtained. Tracking data is obtained. The first image coordinate space, the second image coordinate space and the tracking coordinate space are independent from each other. Transformation mapping is performed to register the first and second sets of image data and the tracking data to each other. The first and second sets of image data are mapped to each other based on the depth-encoded marker. The first or second set of image data and the tracking data are mapped to each other based the same or different marker.
US10166072B2

Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.
US10166071B2

A method of assessing a tissue ablation treatment, including positioning a medical device adjacent a target tissue; measuring a first impedance magnitude a first frequency with the medical device; measuring a first impedance phase at a second frequency with the medical device; ablating at least a portion of the target tissue with the medical device; measuring at second impedance magnitude at a third frequency with the medical device; measuring a second impedance phase at a fourth frequency with the medical device; comparing at least one of (i) the first and second impedance magnitudes and (ii) the first and second impedance phases; and providing an indication of the efficacy of the ablation treatment based at least in part on the comparison.
US10166069B2

A neuromodulation catheter in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element operably connected to the shaft. The shaft includes a proximal hypotube segment at its proximal end portion and a jacket disposed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the hypotube segment. The jacket may be made at least partially of a polymer blend including polyether block amide and polysiloxane. The neuromodulation element includes a distal hypotube segment and a tubular jacket disposed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the distal hypotube segment. The jacket has reduced-diameter segments spaced apart along its longitudinal axis. The neuromodulation element further includes band electrodes respectively seated in the reduced-diameter segments and respectively forming closed loops extending circumferentially around the jacket.
US10166068B2

Apparatus and methods are provided to concentrate energy delivery in non-superficial target tissue within a trigone region of a human bladder wall to modulate bladder function.
US10166063B2

A device for detecting metal with sparking electrosurgical instruments. The device contains a metal detector, which decides, on the basis of the current and voltage delivered to the instrument, whether a spark originating from the instrument contacts biological tissue or a metal part. The component of the current is determined that is inconsistent with a linear equivalent circuit. The elements of the linear equivalent circuit may be determined in a regression calculation. As first decision criterion, the spark characteristic variable Frel is determined from the current. As second decision criterion, a resistance characteristic variable R is determined, which characterizes the tissue resistance. Both characteristic variables are compared with threshold values. If the tissue resistance falls below the resistance threshold value and the spark characteristic variable exceeds the spark size threshold value, a signal is generated that characterizes the activation of the spark against a metal part.
US10166057B2

Storage and mixing systems and methods for pasty multicomponent polymethylmethacrylate bone cements, the systems and methods comprise a first tubular cartridge with a first cylindrical internal space containing a first starting component, a first dispensing plunger, a second tubular cartridge that is arranged within the first tubular cartridge. The external wall of the second cartridge touches against the internal wall of the first cartridge and is attached to the internal wall of the first cartridge, whereby the second cartridge contains a second starting component and has a second dispensing plunger arranged in it, whereby a pressing device with a clamping edge for compressing the second cartridge that can be propelled axially in the internal space of the first cartridge is arranged, as seen from the cartridge head, behind the first dispensing plunger and the second dispensing plunger. The pressing device can be propelled appropriately in the direction of the cartridge head such that the second cartridge is being progressively compressed axially during the motion of the pressing device such that, in the process, the first dispensing plunger and the second dispensing plunger are propelled in the direction of the cartridge head.
US10166053B2

A distractor, such as a pediatric mandibular distractor, includes a housing member elongated along a longitudinal axis. At least one distal footplate is attached to the housing member. A drive rod and at least one proximal footplate configured to be driven by the drive rod are provided. A housing engaging member is configured to engage a drive rod engaging member to prevent the housing from being rotated in either a first or second direction of rotation relative to the drive rod when a rotational force less than a predetermined force is applied to the housing or drive rod. The drive rod can be rotated relative to the housing in either the first or second rotational direction when a force greater than the predetermined force is applied to the drive rod or the housing.
US10166052B2

A bone plate has a first and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a deformable contact surface region. The plate has a through hole defining a through hole axis and an inner surface of the bone plate and extending from the first surface through the bone plate to the second surface. The contact surface may be formed by at least part of the inner surface, wherein the deformable contact region comprises a plurality of cavities at least partially surrounding the through hole and each extending in a height direction of the bone plate. Alternately, the deformable contact region may comprise at least one cavity surrounding the through hole in a circumferential direction of the through hole. Also provided is a bone plate system comprising the bone plate and a fastening member being configured to cooperate with the deformable contact region of the bone plate.
US10166049B2

A tool set for implanting bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws includes a pair of independently mountable and manipulatable elongate guide tools that form a unitary tool guide when desired. Each guide tool includes attachment structure for independent operable connection of the guide tool to an arm of the bone screw. The bone screw/guide tool attachment includes an undercut and/or recess so as to resist separation of the guide tool member from an attached bone screw. Further tools include a removable stabilizer, a cooperating bone screw driver with an attached stabilizer, a closure starter/reduction tool, a closure driver and a counter torque tool.
US10166040B2

It is an object to provide a surgical tool for excising a hard solid organ such as cirrhotic liver or cutting the organ into a groove without causing bleeding. The inventors of the present invention have found that an organ resection tool including a brush-like structure capable of performing microwave irradiation and/or a brush-like structure capable of receiving a microwave can achieve the above-mentioned object, to thereby arrive at the present invention (organ resection tool including a brush structure capable of performing microwave irradiation). For example, an organ can be crushed or scraped away by manually abrading the organ with a brush of a solid organ resection tool including a brush structure capable of performing microwave irradiation according to the present invention. Further, the organ can be concurrently coagulated through the microwave irradiation to stop bleeding.
US10166036B2

An apparatus including a housing, an electrical conductor, and a suction control valve. The housing forms a handle and a shaft. The housing defines a suction channel from a distal end of the shaft. The electrical conductor extends to the distal end of the shaft. The suction control valve is connected to the suction channel at the handle. The suction control valve includes a valve body having a first channel and a second channel connected to the first channel, where the first channel forms a portion of the suction channel; and a valve barrel rotatably connected to the valve body. The valve barrel includes a rotatable ring extending around the handle and forming a portion of the housing. The ring includes an orifice configured to be rotated into and out of registration with an end of the second channel as the ring is rotated about the valve body.
US10166032B2

A set of surgical components for use in a joint arthroplasty to reconstruct a head of a joint is provided. The set of surgical components can include a head member having a first articulating surface opposite a first fixation surface. The first fixation surface can define a first portion that extends outwardly from the first fixation surface. The set of surgical components can include a base member having a fixation peg with three generally triangular fins and a second fixation surface defined as a recess within a top surface of the fixation peg. The first portion of the head member can be received within the recess of the base member to couple the head member to the base member.
US10166030B2

A surgical tool system includes a surgical tool shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of surgical tool tips detachably connect to the distal end of the shaft. The surgical tool shaft includes a low power electrical interface, a high power electrical interface, and a mechanical interface.
US10166026B2

A staple cartridge is disclosed which comprises a cartridge body, staples cavities defined in the cartridge body, and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge comprises features for properly aligning and preventing the misalignment of the staples within the staple cavities.
US10166025B2

A surgical stapling instrument comprising a staple cartridge assembly configured to be attached to the surgical stapling instrument, staples removably stored within the staple cartridge assembly, and a first jaw is disclosed. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a lock system configured to permit the second jaw to move to the unlocked position when the staple cartridge assembly is attached to the surgical stapling instrument, and wherein the lock system is further configured to lock the second jaw in the locked position when the staple cartridge assembly is not attached to the surgical stapling instrument.
US10166017B2

Medical devices that have a releasable intermediate member and tubular member are described. Methods of using medical devices that have a releasable intermediate member and tubular member are also described. An example of a medical device comprises an elongate member, an intermediate member, and a tubular member. Each of the intermediate member and tubular member is releasably disposed on the elongate member.
US10166012B2

A holding device for surgical instruments, in particular for minimally invasive surgery, is provided. The device includes a holding arm that holds an instrument support at the distal end of the holding arm. The instrument support can have which a surgical instrument is mounted thereon. The surgical instrument is operated by way of a drive device. To permit a simple replacement of the instrument support, the drive device is connected to the holding arm by way of a holding device, such that the drive device can easily be changed from a drive position to a replacement position.
US10166007B2

Data is communicated from an implanted section to an external location. The implanted section includes a transducer such as a piezoelectric element with an ultrasound reflecting surface that moves in response to an applied driving signal. A sensor generates an output signal that depends on a sensed parameter, and a control circuit drives the transducer based on the sensor's output. The transducer's response to the driving signal is repeatable such that the value of the output signal can be determined by measuring the variations in the velocity of the surface using externally applied Doppler ultrasound, and computing the value of the sensor's output from the measured variations in velocity.
US10166005B2

The disclosure provides medical devices comprising improved coatings for ultrasound detection, which provide optimal ultrasound images. Methods for preparing such devices are also provided.
US10166003B2

The invention generally relates to intravascular ultrasound imaging and to systems and methods to improve line density and image quality. The invention provides an intravascular imaging system that uses a clock device to provide a set of trigger signals for each revolution of the imaging catheter and capture various patterns of scan lines for each set of trigger signals. The system can be operated to capture two scan lines of data for each trigger signal thereby doubling scan line density compared to existing systems. The clock device can be provided by hardware, such as a rotary encoder, that is configured to define a maximum number of trigger signals that the module can provide per rotation of the catheter.
US10166002B2

A computerized bone motion tracking system according to one exemplary embodiment is configured to: provide a non-invasive means for accurate measurement and tracking of the motion of a bone using a volumetric ultrasound transducer and a three dimensional position measurement system; provide relative measurements of one bone relative to another bone of a joint; decompose relative joint motion into specific components; and measure joint instability and range of motion.
US10165998B2

A method and a system for determining an angle between two parts of a bone that are twisted relative to one another about the axis of a bone shaft. The system is particularly suitable for determining the antetorsion angle of a femur. In order to determine an antetorsion angle of a bone easily intraoperatively, a method with the following steps is proposed: establishing the position of a first orientation feature assigned to a first part of the bone, in particular a femoral neck axis, using an imaging method, establishing the position of a second orientation feature assigned to a second part of the bone, in particular a condyle tangent or a condyle plane, using an imaging method, and determining the angle, in particular the femoral antetorsion angle, from the positions of the two orientation features.
US10165992B2

An x-ray imaging system, such as a mobile radiography unit, includes a plurality of stationary carbon nanotube based x-ray sources to be selectively energized. A circuit enables a selected subset of the radiation sources to be energized while another subset may be disabled. A light source may be attached to the support arm of the mobile radiography unit and a source of electric power is configured to energize the light source upon operator contact with the unit. The plurality of stationary x-ray sources may be used to capture a plurality of 2-D projection images of a subject to reconstruct a 3-D image thereof. The 3-D image is used to generate a 2-D projection image of the subject.
US10165991B2

The invention relates to an orthodontic diagnostic method wherein at least one initial two-dimensional X-ray image (1) of a first zone (2) of a head (3) is taken. Then at least one three-dimensional X-ray image (4) of a second zone (5) of a dental situation is taken, and the three-dimensional X-ray image (4) is combined with the initial two-dimensional X-ray image (1) using a registration process in order to obtain a full image (8).
US10165983B2

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for identifying when a subject is likely to be affected by a medical condition. For example, at least one processor may be configured to receive information reflective of an external soft tissue image of the subject. The processor may also be configured to perform an evaluation of the external soft tissue image information and to generate evaluation result information based, at least in part, on the evaluation. The processor may also be configured to predict a likelihood that the subject is affected by the medical condition based, at least in part, on the evaluation result information.
US10165975B2

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring pregnancy of a female pregnant subject. For example, a pregnancy monitoring system can detect movement or motion of a pregnant subject and/or of the fetus in the pregnant subject. Additionally or alternatively, the pregnancy monitoring system can detect internal and/or external source loads applied to the pregnant subject. In an embodiment, the pregnancy monitoring system can compare and/or correlate two or more loads, one to another (e.g., to produce an output that is in part based on such comparison and that is related to the wellbeing of the pregnant subject and/or of the fetus). For example, the pregnancy monitoring system can include a controller that is configured to determine and compare two or more loads based on signals received from one or more sensors that can be positioned on the pregnant subject.
US10165967B2

Systems and methods for a continuous monitoring of analyte values received from an analyte sensor system are provided. One method for a wireless data communication between an analyte sensor system and a mobile device involves storing identification information associated with a transceiver of the analyte sensor system, the identification information entered by a user of the mobile device via a custom application running on the mobile device; causing the custom application to enter a background mode; searching for advertisement signals; receiving an advertisement signal from the transceiver; authenticating the transceiver based on the identification information; prompting the user to bring the custom application to a foreground mode; causing the custom application to request a confirmation from the user that a data connection with the transceiver is desired; receiving the confirmation from the user; and completing the data connection with the transceiver.
US10165962B2

An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to intravascular introduction of the catheter. The ultrasound probe includes user input controls for controlling use of the ultrasound probe in an ultrasound mode and use of the tip location sensor in a tip location mode. In another embodiment, ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart.
US10165959B2

An apparatus for use in diagnosing the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a patient includes a sensing module structured to measure a parameter indicative of a tremor in the patient's neck, tongue and/or throat muscles while the patient is awake, the parameter not being airflow through the patient's airway. The sensing module generates one or more electrical signals based on the measured parameter. The apparatus also includes a processor operatively coupled to the sensing module, the processor being structured to receive the one or more electrical signals, perform an analysis of the one or more electrical signals, and based on the analysis determine whether the tremor has a frequency in at least one predetermined frequency range that is indicative of OSA.
US10165958B2

A method for detecting a position of a signal source in a living body includes: arranging three electrodes on a surface of the living body and alternately connecting a first external resistance and a second external resistance in parallel between the electrodes and a ground potential; measuring first voltages Vi (i=1, 2, 3) generated at the respective electrodes when the first external resistance is connected in parallel between the electrodes and the ground potential, and second voltages Vi (i=1, 2, 3) generated at the respective electrodes when the second external resistance is connected in parallel between the electrodes and the ground potential; and calculating three ratios Vi/V′i (i=1, 2, 3) from the first and second voltages Vi and V′i, and detecting the position of the signal source in the living body based on the three ratios Vi/V′i (i=1, 2, 3).
US10165946B2

Physiological monitoring can be provided through a wearable monitor that includes two components, a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a removable reusable monitor recorder. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum oriented top-to-bottom. The placement of the wearable monitor in a location at the sternal midline (or immediately to either side of the sternum) benefits extended wear by removing the requirement that ECG electrodes be continually placed in the same spots on the skin throughout the monitoring period. The wearable monitor can interoperate wirelessly with other physiology and activity sensors and mobile devices. An application executed by the sensor or device can trigger the dispatch of a wearable monitor to the patient upon detecting potentially medically-significant events. The dispatched wearable monitor would then be capable of providing precise medically-actionable data, not merely an alert that some abnormality may be present. The patient can then use the sensor or device to physically record the placement and use of the medically-actionable wearable monitor, thereby facilitating the authentication of the data recorded.
US10165929B2

The present specification is directed towards endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that provide a broader field of view and allow extended access of surgical tools and also enable efficient packing of all necessary elements in the tip section, while maintaining their functionality. Also described are methods and systems for capturing and displaying still and video images using an endoscope corresponding to a left-side looking, a front-looking and a right-side looking viewing element of an endoscopic tip generated in a native aspect ratio.
US10165927B2

A holding assembly for holding one or more stemmed objects in a dishwasher is provided. The holding assembly may include an elongated gripping unit frame and two or more gripping units arranged at the elongated gripping unit frame. The two or more gripping units may be arranged to grip a respective stemmed portion of the one or more stemmed objects. At least one of the two or more gripping units may be displaceably arranged along a longitudinal direction of the elongated gripping unit frame. The embodiments herein may also relate to a rack of a dishwasher and a dishwasher comprising a rack.
US10165925B2

The present disclosure relates to a dishmachine that includes at least two tanks and methods of using the tanks to isolate, substantially isolate, or incrementally isolate different chemistries from each other during a cycle. The disclosed dishmachine design and method allows for the use of two different, and potentially incompatible, reactive, or offsetting chemistries to be used in the same dishmachine cycle.
US10165920B2

A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle, a duct, a valve assembly, and a cover. The handle is attached to the duct, which has an inlet end, an outlet end, and a bleed aperture between. The valve assembly includes a valve and an actuator. The valve is moveable between closed and open positions by the actuator to close and open the bleed aperture. The cover surrounds the duct such that an upper part overlies the bleed aperture and valve. Holes are formed in a lower part of the cover. Suction at the outlet causes a primary airflow to be drawn into the duct via the inlet. When the valve is in the open position, the suction causes a secondary airflow to be drawn in through the holes, around the space between the duct and the cover, and into the duct via the bleed aperture.
US10165908B1

A hand dryer with reduced air-intake noise includes a housing, a flow-guide plate, and an air supply module. The housing includes an accommodating space and a plurality of narrow air inlets. The flow-guide plate is disposed inside the accommodating space, but the flow-guide plate is not contacted with the housing. The flow-guide plate includes a plurality of narrow air guide holes. The air supply module is disposed inside the accommodating space, and includes a blower that extracts air inside the accommodating space to generate a drying air flow after being started and an air-guide piece connected to the blower to receive the drying air flow. An interval between the narrow air inlet and the narrow air guide hole interferes with transmission of a sound wave formed by the air flowing between the narrow air inlet and the narrow air guide hole, so that generated noise can be greatly reduced.
US10165905B2

A curbless shower base includes a subbase structure having a sloped floor and a zero entry. At least one side wall can be mounted flush with drywall during an installation so that a tile or other wall covering is installed flush over the at least one side wall to a floor of the subbase structure A drainage channel in the subbase structure extends substantially from a first side of the subbase structure to an opposite second side of the subbase structure. The drainage channel is sloped from the first side of the subbase structure to a drain outlet in the drainage channel, and the drainage channel is sloped from the second side of the subbase structure to the drain outlet in the drainage channel. A drain assembly has a drain outlet to connect with plumbing during the installation. A protective structure of the drain assembly at least partially surrounds the drain outlet.
US10165896B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing foodstuff, the apparatus comprising a receiving portion for receiving foodstuff; a heating source for processing the foodstuff so as to effect a change of a chromatic property of first and second surface areas of the foodstuff; wherein the apparatus is arranged to obtain information that is indicative of the chromatic property of the first surface area of the foodstuff, and control the change of the chromatic property of the second surface area of the foodstuff using the obtained information and predetermined calibration data.
US10165894B2

A cooking system is disclosed which includes a wok for receiving food, the wok being placed on top of a base unit housing a heating element for heating up the wok, a lid substantially covering the wok, at least a portion of the lid being able to rotate relative to the wok, a shaft secured to the rotating portion of the lid, a stirrer pivotally mounted to the shaft, a controller housed in the base unit controlling the heating element and rotations of the shaft and the lid, the rotation of the shaft causing a part of the stirrer to sweep from an edge of the wok to approximately a center of the wok in a low path and return to an edge of the wok in a high path, in the low path the part of the stirrer approximately touching a surface of the wok, in the high path the part of the stirrer being high above and not touching the surface of the wok, and a computing device residing outside of the base unit and signally coupled to the controller, the computing device storing a computer program upon execution instructing the computing device to send operating commands to the controller, the operating commands controlling the heating element and the rotations of the shaft and the lid.
US10165890B2

Filtration unit (12) for use in a beverage preparation machine using a container for preparing the beverage; the unit being adapted to engage a container holder (3) intended to be inserted in the machine; said filtration unit comprising a filter (14) and a protective casing (12) encompassing the filter; said casing comprising an inlet wall with at least one liquid inlet (24) and an outlet wall with at least one liquid outlet (25) for delivering filtered liquid to a container lodged in the container holder wherein the filter (14) is arranged in a removable manner from the casing.
US10165887B2

Technologies are described for devices and methods to utilize an ingredient cartridge assembly. The devices may comprise a cooking pot, a heat source, a loading track, a propulsion system, a loading compartment, and a controller. The loading compartment may be located along the loading track. The controller may be in communication with the heat source and the propulsion system. The propulsion system may be configured to receive an ingredient cartridge assembly including a cartridge. A protective film on the cartridge may be contacted with the propulsion system. The propulsion system may pull the protective film to peel the protective film from the cartridge and slide the cartridge along the loading track towards the loading compartment. An ingredient inside of the cartridge may deposit into the loading compartment as the cartridge passes over the loading compartment. The loading compartment may be configured to deposit the ingredient into the cooking pot.
US10165886B2

A button manipulation device and method of use thereof for directly controlling a button are disclosed. The button manipulation device directly engages and secures a button for greater control while fastening the button through the buttonhole, which may be particularly useful for those with limited use of their hands. Furthermore, directly controlling the button through the buttonhole, rather than pulling the button through the buttonhole by the button thread, reduces the risk of damaging the thread and the material surrounding the buttonhole.
US10165877B2

The present invention is directed to a stackable container system. The stackable container system can comprise a beverage container, a beverage container lid, a plurality of smaller containers, and a plurality of smaller container lids. The smaller containers and smaller container lids are configured to allow any of the smaller container lids to be used on any of the smaller containers. The bottom of the beverage container and the bottom of each smaller container is also configured to allow the beverage container or smaller container to be interlocked with the top of any of the smaller container lids. In addition to storing beverage ingredients, the stackable container system can also be used to store other edible and inedible ingredients.
US10165874B2

Disclosed is a bagging clip that couples to a bag holder hook of a shopping bag bagging station. The bagging clip helps to keep shopping bags hung from the bag holder hook in place as one of the shopping bags is opened, filled and removed. The bagging clip includes a plate with at least one slot in the plate. The slot is a cutout in the plate extending from a front surface to a back surface of the plate. The slot is configured to couple with a rail of the bag holder hook of the bag holder, in order to couple the bagging clip to the bag holder hook. Once the bagging clip is coupled to the bag holder hook, shopping bags hung from the bag holder hook will stay in place as individual shopping bags are filled and removed from the bag holder hook.
US10165871B2

A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam.
US10165866B2

A bench for a bed frame having a headboard includes a base frame and a back frame. The base frame includes a seat frame and a leg frame downwardly extended from the seat frame. The back frame is upwardly extended from the seat frame, wherein a shape of the back frame matches with a shape of the headboard of the bed frame. In particular, an ornamental design of the back frame matches with an ornamental design of the headboard of the bed frame, so as to enhance an aesthetic appearance of the bench which serves as a bedroom bench.
US10165856B2

A household appliance includes a loading level, and a receiving area for receiving the loading level. A guide device guides the loading level when the loading level is selectively displaced into or out of the receiving area along the guide device. Secured to the guide device is a retraction device for automatically displacing the loading level into the receiving area.
US10165854B2

A modular cabinet assembly has at least a first sub-cabinet and a second sub-cabinet. Each sub-cabinet includes a back board having at least two separate back board pieces that are pivotably connected to each other, a left side board pivotably connected to one of the at least two back board pieces, and a right side board pivotably connected to another of the at least two back board pieces. At least one shelf board having opposite ends is removably connected to the left side board and the right side board of either the first sub-cabinet or the second sub-cabinet. A first end board is connected to either an upper end of the first sub-cabinet or a lower end of the second sub-cabinet. A first connector removably connects the left side boards of the first and second sub-cabinets, and a second connector removably connects the right side boards of the first and second sub-cabinets.
US10165848B2

An apparatus for suspending a plurality of articles from a user having a torso comprising a belt securable around a mid-torso of the user and an inner stationary flexible member suspended beneath the belt and extending completely around a lower torso of the user. The apparatus further comprises an outer rotary flexible member suspended from and rotatable about the inner stationary flexible member, the outer rotary flexible member extending at least partially around the torso of the user and being operable to attach a plurality of objects thereto.
US10165846B1

Backpacks with cooperatively adjusted hip belt segments and compression strap segments. A backpack includes a pack body, a shoulder strap, and a belt assembly. The pack body includes a back panel and an exterior panel. The belt assembly includes a compression strap segment, a hip belt segment, an adjustment strap, and a releasable fastener. The backpack includes a belt assembly waist loop with a belt assembly waist perimeter. Each adjustment strap is configured to selectively adjust each of the pack volume and the belt assembly waist perimeter. The belt assembly is configured such that, responsive to the user applying a tension force to the adjustment strap, each of a pack volume and the belt assembly waist perimeter decreases by a respective degree that depends upon a ratio of the force required to decrease the pack volume to the force required to decrease the belt assembly waist perimeter.
US10165844B2

A diffuser includes a plastics baffle which has an air inlet end, an air outlet end and an outwardly tapering wall extending between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, and which defines a diffusing air chamber. A plurality of circumferentially spaced weld ribs is upstanding from the air outlet end. A plastics grille has a plurality of air outlets and an annular shelf to which the weld ribs of the baffle are ultrasonically welded.
US10165840B2

A fastener system that provides the ability to attach objects together. The fastener system includes a key and a housing, which connect together by insertion of a prong and a magnetic attachment. The key includes a prong that fits into a recess at a center point. The housing includes an aperture at the lower end to allow attachment to an item, and a slot at the upper end to receive insertion of the key.
US10165838B2

Some embodiments include a protective cover for a mobile display device including a housing, a backplane, a liner, and a lip. The housing includes an outer portion and an inner portion, where the outer portion of the housing has a rectangular frame structure to provide a protective shell along an outer edge of the mobile display device, and where the inner portion receives and secures the mobile display device. The backplane is comprised of a rigid material and is coupled to a backside of the housing and provides a protective shell along a back side of the mobile display device. The liner has a corrugated soft rubber or polymer construction including a successive pattern of protrusions separated by a distance and is coupled to the inner portion of the housing. The lip is coupled to a front side of the housing to retain the mobile display device within the housing.
US10165835B2

The specification relates to a gemstone setting. The gemstone setting includes a gemstone, a mounting surface and a braze joint. The braze joint is formed from a reactive metallic alloy with the reactive metallic alloy adhering the gemstone to the mounting surface. The braze joint is substantially concealed from a direct line of sight from a top portion of the gemstone by preventing excessive alloy from getting outside a desired braze area.
US10165825B2

A sole includes an outer sole assembly including a plurality of outer sole members spaced apart from each other by a plurality of gaps. In addition, the sole includes a middle sole assembly defining a plurality of grooves, and an intermediate layer comprising an elastomer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer sole assembly and the middle sole assembly. The intermediate layer connects the middle sole assembly to the outer sole assembly. The intermediate layer is more elastic than each of the plurality of outer sole members. The intermediate layer is more elastic than the middle sole assembly. At least one of the gaps is vertically aligned with one of the grooves.
US10165819B2

A system for use in connection with a protective helmet having at least one accessory connection mechanism includes a visor accessory which includes a frame including at least one rearward extending member. The system further includes an adapter including a helmet connector adapted to form a releasable connection with the accessory connection mechanism of the protective helmet and an accessory connector adapted to form a releasable connection with the at least one rearward extending member of the visor accessory. The accessory connector is adapted to be stowed on the at least one rearward extending member when the adapter is not in use to connect to the accessory connection mechanism of the protective helmet.
US10165818B2

A protective helmet including an outer shell including at least one aperture, an elastomeric diaphragm connected to an inner surface of the outer shell and covering the at least one aperture, an inner shell slidingly connected to the outer shell where the inner shell is spaced apart from the outer shell, and at least one expandable bladder positioned between the outer shell and the inner shell and operatively arranged to displace the elastomeric diaphragm in the at least one aperture of the outer shell.
US10165803B2

The disclosure concerns a lingerie item comprising at least one holding element (3) capable of holding said lingerie item when it is being worn, said holding element (3) consisting of a textile material provided, on the inner surface (31) of same intended to come into contact with the skin, with a discontinuous coating (4) of elastomeric material capable of preventing said lingerie item from slipping. According to the disclosure, said discontinuous coating (4) of elastomeric material comprises a pattern of protrusions (41) of elastomeric material in the form of grains of rice having a distribution of omnidirectional orientation in the reference system of the inner surface (31) of the holding element (3), said protrusions (41) comprising dimensions and a distribution such that the density of protrusions per surface unit of the holding element (3) is at least 10 protrusions per square centimetre, and preferably between 10 and 40.
US10165787B2

A GH10 xylanase variant is disclosed herein. This GH10 xylanase variant has increased thermostability compared with a parent GH10 xylanase enzyme comprising at least 90% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the variant has been modified at two or more of the following positions 7, 33, 79, 217 and 298 corresponding to the amino acid numbering of SEQ ID No. 1.
US10165767B1

A variable speed motor driven fishing reel is powered by a brushless DC motor and adapted for remote control operation by adapting a salt water bait-casting reel with a motorized drive assembly including an end plate having an environmentally sealed cover removably connected thereto, and mounted on the opposite side of the reel from the manual crank, the drive assembly including a brushless DC out-runner motor having an output shaft connected to a planetary gear system configured to power rotation of the fishing reel spool axel for driving the spool. A power cable provides 12.0 volt DC power from a suitable on-board vessel power source. An electronic motor control system allows for variation of DC motor speed via a manually actuated speed control knob. A remote control device is adapted for wireless communication with the electronic motor control system to allow for remote activation of the DC motor in low and high speed modes.
US10165759B2

A novel vp trainer for training and exercising dogs without the need for dog ever leaving a predetermined radius is disclosed herein. The vp trainer includes a telescopic pole, a handle grip on one end and a clip on the other end to attach a tug or an animal attachment such as a bird. For connecting to the telescopic pole, a tether is used inside the tug and animal attachments for integrity and durability.
US10165756B1

A collar-mounted GPS and stimulation unit includes a body. Quick-mount retention clips extend from the superior and inferior lateral edges, bend in a 90 degree angle towards the center, and extend for a short distance before terminating. The preferred embodiment collar mounted GPS unit is preferably slightly wider than a standard nylon dog collar. The collar is made of a flexible material, such as nylon, leather and most other common collar materials, and can operatively be pinched to fit in between the quick-mount clips, then released to expand into normal shape within the space between the retention clips and the ends of the collar-mounted GPS and stimulation unit. A special stimulation unit is used in combination to protect the animal from harm.
US10165755B1

An assisted zone guidance system automatically activates a stored assisted guidance region based upon collar position at initiation, relative location of one or more assisted guidance regions, and possible query results. The assisted guidance regions are stored within a look-up table that is defined by at least one reference point, and rows and columns that are offset from the reference. The table rows and columns correspond to geographic locations. The value retrieved from the indexed array is used to either create a new assisted guidance region, select an assisted guidance region that contains the current collar location, or if the collar is not within a region to select an adjacent assisted guidance region. Each assisted guidance region contains a plurality of guidance zones that each have an associated set of characteristics used to provide behavioral guidance to an animal.
US10165752B1

A novel maize variety designated PH2RTF and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2RTF with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2RTF through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2RTF or a locus conversion of PH2RTF with another maize variety.
US10165748B1

A novel maize variety designated PH42AN and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH42AN with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH42AN through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH42AN or a locus conversion of PH42AN with another maize variety.
US10165747B1

A novel maize variety designated PH41VW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH41VW with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH41VW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH41VW or a locus conversion of PH41VW with another maize variety.
US10165743B2

There is described an isolated rhizobacterial strain for enhancing total lipid yields in an oilseed crop having a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO.:1; or the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 having a substitution, a deletion and/or an addition of one or more nucleotide; or a nucleotide sequence having sufficient homology with the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO.:1 for enhancing total lipid yields, or a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridization with a first primer consisting of SEQ ID NO.:2; and/or a second primer consisting of SEQ ID NO.:3; and/or a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridization with a probe consisting of SEQ ID NO.:4; and variants thereof.
US10165741B2

An irrigation system with steady state speeds of movement achieves and maintains substantial straight alignment of multiple interconnected spans with continuous movement over a range of speeds in a forward and reverse movement direction. A variable-speed drive controller monitors and processes the output of the corresponding alignment detector and, based on the output of the alignment detector, selects from memory and continuously furnishes to the corresponding span motor a predetermined progressively increasing speed profile, a predetermined progressively decreasing speed profile, or a new fixed current speed.
US10165731B2

A mechanical discharger (a) combined with an extractor device (b) of the bulk product (c) stored in a silo bag (d), of the type comprising a winding tube (10) driven by rotation and which is mounted on support arms (11) hinged to a wheeled (2) frame (1) and wherein the product extractor device (b) is a continuous conveyor structure having a lower loading part (5) substantially horizontally and transversely positioned within the bag-silo (d). From the discharge end, the silo-bag wall (d) is cut with two lateral longitudinal cuts, being the wall divided into an upper part (d1) and a lower one (d2). The winding tube (10), draws by rotation and by the corresponding end the upper half portion (d1) of the silo bag (d). A second winding tube (20) is mounted underlying and parallel to the first tube (10) through support and positioning means (30) and though a mechanical transmission (40). The second winding tube (20) draws by rotation and by the same end, the lower half part (d2) of the silo bag (d). It is thus achieved that the extractor device (b) only draw the product (c) in good condition, while the lower layer of the spoiled product (cl), is drawn by the lower part (d2) of the bag wall and then discarded through the open end of the bag.
US10165728B2

An edger has a main frame that can be advanced controllably relative to subjacent terrain and a cutting assembly on the main frame. A drive rotates the cutting assembly around a first axis. The cutting assembly is configured to produce a trench in underlying terrain as the cutting assembly is rotated by the drive in operation. The cutting assembly has a perimeter edge with a contour extending over an axial distance. A shielding assembly defines a radially inwardly facing surface that resides radially outside of the perimeter edge of the cutting assembly. The radially inwardly facing surface has a shape that is at least nominally matched to the contour of an axial extent of the perimeter edge of the cutting assembly so that as the cutting assembly rotates the radially inwardly facing surface and perimeter edge of the cutting assembly cooperate to each avoid buildup of foreign matter on the other.
US10172263B1

Electronic assembly includes a printed circuit having a plurality of thru-holes. The electronic assembly also includes a conductive shield having a plurality of sidewalls. The sidewalls define a cavity. Edges of at least some of the sidewalls interface with the printed circuit along a perimeter line. The perimeter line intersects the thru-holes or extends immediately adjacent to the thru-holes. The electronic assembly also includes a plurality of grounding contacts that are each discrete with respect to the conductive shield. Each of the grounding contacts of said plurality includes a pin segment and a wall-engaging segment. The pin segments include compliant pins that are insertable into the thru-holes. The wall-engaging segments are connected to respective sidewalls. The grounding contacts are distributed along the perimeter line and electrically couple the conductive shield to the ground conductor of the printed circuit.
US10172262B2

A direct-interface liquid-cooled (DL) Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) includes liquid cooled (LC) nodes that include a system of conduits supplying cooling liquid through the node enclosure and including a supply conduit extending from a node inlet coupling and a return conduit terminating in a node outlet coupling. The node inlet port and the node outlet port are positioned in an outward facing direction at a rear of the node enclosure and aligned to releasably seal to the respective inlet liquid port and outlet liquid port in the node-receiving slot for fluid transfer through the system of conduits. An air-spring reducer conduit is in fluid communication with the system of conduits and shaped to trap an amount of compressible fluid that compresses during sealing engagement between the node inlet coupling and node outlet coupling and the inlet liquid port and outlet liquid port, respectively.
US10172244B1

Method of constructing a printed circuit board, preferably with one lamination step: constructing multilayer cores wherein each multilayer core includes a sheet of cured dielectric material having a layer of metal on each side of the sheet of cured dielectric material; patterning each layer of metal to form wiring traces; forming a sheet of uncured dielectric material; embedding a solder element in the sheet of the uncured dielectric material; alternately stacking the multilayer cores with the sheets of uncured dielectric material, the sheet of the uncured dielectric material having the embedded solder element positioned so as to be aligned with wiring traces in adjacent layers of metal in adjacent multilayer cores; heating the solder element so as to cause the solder element to melt; and hot pressing the stack of multilayer cores and sheets of uncured dielectric material to cause curing of the sheets of uncured dielectric material.
US10172243B2

In some embodiments, methods include drilling one or a plurality of PTHs with any industrial grade drill to fabricate holes with positive etch back, flooding the PTHs with a dilute solution of an acrylate monomer/oligomer containing an appropriate level of peroxide initiator, polymerizing the acrylate, and then rising the PTHs with the solvent used in the formulation of the acrylate material. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board may include a substrate comprising a plurality of metal layers separated by a plurality of insulating layers; a plurality of plated through holes formed in the substrate, each plated through hole comprising: recesses formed at each insulating layer, copper lands between the recesses, a polymer coating in each recess, and a metal layer lining the plated through hole.
US10172240B2

A disclosed circuit arrangement includes a flexible substrate. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is directly adhered to a first major surface of the substrate. One or more metal foil pads and electrically conductive wire are attached directly on a surface of the PSA layer. The wire has a round cross-section and one or more portions directly connected to the one or more metal foil pads with one or more weld joints, respectively. An electronic device is attached directly on the surface of the layer of PSA and is electrically connected to the one or more portions of the round wire by one or more bond wires, respectively.
US10172238B2

A multilayer capacitor includes a capacitor body including first and second internal electrodes alternately stacked with dielectric layers interposed therebetween. The first and second internal electrodes are exposed at a mounting surface of the capacitor body. The capacitor body includes first and second groove parts at the mounting surface, spaced apart in a length direction of the capacitor body, and contacting exposed portions of the first and second internal electrodes, respectively. The multilayer capacitor includes first and second external electrodes in the first and second groove parts, respectively, and electrically connected to the exposed portions of the first and second internal electrodes, respectively.
US10172236B2

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a narrow frame display panel, comprising: an integrated circuit input pad, being located on a lower side of the display panel and comprising a plurality of input terminals; a flexible printed circuit bonding pad, being located on a lower edge of the display panel and below the integrated circuit input pad, and the flexible printed circuit bonding pad comprising a plurality of bonding terminals, and bonding terminals of at least one end of the flexible printed circuit bonding pad are first bonding terminals, wherein each of the first bonding terminals comprising at least one three-side bracketing structure extending outward in a horizontal direction; wires, electrically connecting the integrated circuit input pad with the flexible printed circuit bonding pad. The embodiment of the present invention further discloses a display. By utilizing the present invention, being advantageous for narrow frame design is achieved.
US10172233B2

A display device includes: a flexible substrate including a display unit and a plurality of peripheral units which surrounds the display unit and are bent to overlap a part of the display unit; a display member positioned at the display unit and which displays an image; and a signal line positioned at the plurality of peripheral units, where the plurality of peripheral units is bent in a way such that parts of the signal line, which are respectively positioned at adjacent peripheral units, are in contact with each other.
US10172222B2

A method and system for automatically determining a utility light malfunction is provided. The method includes receiving, from a first hardware device, luminance data specifying current luminance levels associated with utility light apparatuses. Location data specifying a geographical location for each utility light apparatus is retrieved and the luminance data and location data are analyzed with respect to historical luminance data and historical location data associated with the utility light apparatuses. The analysis results in determining that a group of utility light apparatuses include first current luminance levels differing from previous luminance levels of the group. A list and associated map specifying a group of geographical locations associated with the group is generated. A control signal enabling control of a vehicle is transmitted to the vehicle and associated video data is retrieved via the vehicle during travel in accordance with the map.
US10172220B1

Access devices broadcast a first command signal, and each of luminaires transmits first information as a reply to access devices. The first information includes identification information of the luminaire and a radio field intensity of the first command signal. After receiving plural pieces of the first information, each access device transmits second information to an illumination controller. The second information includes identification information of the access device and the plural pieces of the first information. The illumination controller: determines, when determining that a predetermined luminaire has transmitted the first information to only one access device, that the predetermined luminaire and the one access device are to be paired; and determines, when determining that the predetermined luminaire has transmitted the first information to the plural access devices, that the predetermined luminaire and an access device among the plural access devices which has a highest radio field intensity are to be paired.
US10172213B2

A programmable lighting control system integrates time-based, sensor-based, and manual control of lighting and other loads. The system includes one or more groups of controlled lighting areas, which may be, e.g., floors of a building. Each group may have one or more lighting zones, which may be, e.g., individual rooms or offices on a building floor. Each lighting zone includes occupancy and/or daylight sensors that may be wirelessly coupled to a gateway of the group. Each gateway is coupled to a network, such as, e.g., a local area network (LAN). Control software, residing on a computer (e.g., a personal computer or a server) coupled to the network and accessible via the network, remotely communicates with and controls the lighting zones either individually, groupwise, or globally. Each lighting zone can also be locally controlled at the gateway and can function independently of the control software and the gateway.
US10172208B1

Disclosed in the present invention is a method for adjusting a color temperature of an LED in a single light fixture. In the method, at least two light-emitting modules in a single light fixture are respectively electrically connected to a switch, each light-emitting module is independently adjusted by a switch corresponding to the light-emitting module, and the light-emitting modules have different color temperatures. Therefore, the brightness of each light-emitting module can be respectively controlled by using each switch, so that emitted light of the single light fixture has more than three color temperatures.
US10172203B2

A lighting apparatus includes first light emitting elements and second light emitting elements, and a control circuit. The first light emitting elements the second light emitting elements are dispersedly disposed in a predetermined region. The first light emitting elements are more densely disposed in a periphery portion than in a center portion of the predetermined region. The second light emitting elements are more densely disposed in the center portion than in the periphery portion of the predetermined region.
US10172202B2

A circuit arrangement for controlling the brightness of at least one LED unit is described by the disclosure. The circuit arrangement, in one example, includes an input for receiving a phase-cut operating voltage from a power supply, a signal processor, connected with the input and adapted to provide a dimming signal for the at least one LED unit from the operating voltage. To allow an efficient reduction of noise in the dimming signal but simultaneously to allow an improved dimming of the LED unit, the signal processor are configured to operate at least in a noise suppression mode and a dimming mode. A control device is provided, connected with the signal processor and configured to set the mode of the signal processor in dependence of the variation in the operating voltage.
US10172201B2

An electronic converter allows a power transfer from an AC voltage source, connected between an input terminal and a common terminal, to a load connected between an output terminal and a reference terminal, the AC voltage including positive alternations interspersed with negative alternations at a first frequency. The converter includes an input inductance connected to the input terminal; an output inductance connected to the output terminal; a storage capacitor between the inductances; a chopper circuit that: in a first state, charges the input inductance via the AC voltage source and discharges the storage capacitance in the output inductance by supplying the load; in a second state, discharges the input inductance in the storage capacitance and discharges the output inductance by supplying the load; and a device for controlling the chopper circuit to activate, during each alternations, consecutive operating cycles at a second frequency higher than the first frequency.
US10172188B2

A cooking heater (1) of the present invention includes a cooking heater body (2) which includes a heating chamber; a drawing body (3) which is configured to be allowed to be pulled out of the cooking heater body (2) and pushed into the cooking heater body (2); a rotating tray (22) which is arranged inside the drawing body (3) and which is configured to be allowed to be mounted to the drawing body and removed from the drawing body; a rotating tray drive motor (25) which is provided in the cooking heater body (2); and a rotation transmission mechanism (29) which, with the drawing body (3) being pushed into the cooking heater body (2), transmits rotational force from the rotating tray drive motor (25) to the rotating tray (22) and, with the drawing body (3) being pulled out of the cooking heater body (2), blocks the transmission of the rotational force to the rotating tray (22).
US10172181B2

The disclosure relates to methods and systems for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system with technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The disclosure is applicable to intelligent services based on 5G communication and IoT-related technologies. A method for configuring a connection by a terminal is provided, which includes receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message from a base station, determining whether semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) and transmission time interval (TTI) bundling are configured based on the RRC message, determining whether dual connectivity is configured, if the SPS and the TTI bundling are configured, determining whether the TTI bundling is configured for master cell group (MCG) and the SPS is configured for secondary cell group (SCG), if the dual connectivity is configured, and configuring an RRC connection based on the RRC message, if the TTI bundling is configured for the MCG and the SPS is configured for the SCG.
US10172180B1

A first network interface and a second network interface of a wireless network device are respectively controlled to operate as a station in a first wireless network and as an access point in a second wireless network. A beacon message, which includes a first signal strength of a first bridge node that is an access point in the first wireless network, is transmitted through the second network interface. A probe response message, which includes a second signal strength of a second bridge node that is an access point in a third wireless network, is received at the second network interface. Conditioned on determining that the second signal strength is greater than the first signal strength, the first network interface is disconnected from the first bridge node and is connected to the second bridge node to operate as a station in the third wireless network.
US10172176B2

A method at a first device for enabling a device-to-device wireless link, the method detecting whether a presence signal of a second device is received over a first time period, the presence signal of the second device having a time-slot boundary; and if the presence signal of the second device is not detected, initiating a time-slot boundary by the first device including: transmitting a first presence signal of the first device in a selected time-slot; and checking for an acknowledgment to the first presence signal.
US10172174B2

A base station (eNB) selects between a cellular communication link and a device-to-device (D2D) communication link for communication between a first user equipment (UE) device and a second UE device. The eNB instructs each UE device to transmit a reference signal that is received by the other UE device and the eNB. Each UE device reports D2D channel characteristic information indicative of the received reference signal. The eNB determines first cellular channel characteristic information of a first portion of a cellular communication link between the first UE device and the eNB and determines second cellular channel characteristic information of a second portion of the cellular communication link between the second UE device and the eNB. Based on at least one of the first cellular channel characteristic information, the second cellular channel characteristic information, and the D2D channel characteristic information, the eNB selects cellular communication or D2D communication for communication between the UE devices.
US10172171B2

A system and method for connecting a mobile device to a wireless network of an aircraft, for automating and securing the connection of a mobile device to a wireless network of an aircraft. A connection system includes: a management module installed in a secured area of the aircraft and linked to an access point of the wireless network, the management module being configured to generate connection parameters and to configure the access point according to the connection parameters; and a wireless transmission module installed in the secured area and linked to the management module, the transmission module being configured to deliver the connection parameters to the mobile device according to a range restricted to the secured area, the connection parameters being adapted to allow the mobile device to be connected by a simple scan and securely to the wireless network of the aircraft via the access point.
US10172170B2

The present invention discloses a method for changing an association ID in a wireless communication system and an apparatus therefor. Specifically, a method for changing an association identification (AID) of a first station (STA) communicating directly with a second STA in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: receiving, from an access point (AP), a reassignment response frame containing new AID information to be newly allocated to the first STA; the first STA transmitting an update request frame containing the new AID information to the second STA; and as a response to the update request frame, receiving an update response frame from the second STA.
US10172169B2

Disclosed is a method for controlling connection between a first device and a second device using Bluetooth by a control device including obtaining a first device information related to the first device from the first device, obtaining a second device information related to the second device from the second device, transmitting a connection request message for requesting connection with the second device to the first device based on the first device information and the second device information, and receiving a first response message including a result of connection with the second device in response to the connection request message.
US10172167B2

Disclosed are an electronic device for making a connection with an external electronic device and a method of operating the same. A method of operating a first electronic device includes acquiring virtual device information associated with a second electronic device and connection information between the second electronic device and one or more third electronic devices, which is generated based on the virtual device information, and making a connection with the one or more third electronic devices through short range wireless communication by using the virtual device information and the connection information.
US10172160B2

The present disclosure discloses a channel contention method, an access point, and a station. The method includes: sending, by an AP, an RTS frame, where the RTS frame carries group response indication information, and the group response indication information is used to instruct multiple STAs to return CTS frames; receiving, by the AP, a CTS frame that is returned according to the group response indication information by a STA among the multiple STAs that receives the RTS frame; and determining, by the AP according to the received CTS frame, that a transmission opportunity is obtained. According to the channel contention method, the access point, and the station in the embodiments of the present disclosure, data transmission between an AP and multiple STAs can be effectively protected with a relatively small overhead, and system efficiency can be improved.
US10172157B2

A method, an apparatus, and a computer readable-medium for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus receives data via a first group of component carriers (CCs) of a plurality of groups of aggregated CCs. The first group of CCs correspond to unlicensed or shared frequencies. The apparatus selects a CC from at least two CCs of the first group of CCs for transmission on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The selection of the CC is based on at least an uplink-transmission clearance status of each of the at least two CCs. The apparatus transmits the PUCCH via the selected CC.
US10172151B2

The embodiments herein relate to method in a network node (301) for handling scheduling of a wireless device (305) in a communications network (300). The network node (301) is adapted to communicate with the wireless device (305) over a radio channel (310). The network node (301) dynamically allocates a set of non-consecutive subframes in which the network node (301) is to transmit data to the wireless device (305) or receive data from the wireless device (305). The network node (301) transmits a multi-Time Transmission Interval, TTI, scheduling message to the wireless device (305), which multi-TTI scheduling message comprises information indicating the dynamically allocated non-consecutive subframes.
US10172148B2

A data-storing-terminal counting unit counts the number of communication terminals in which each of a number of data are stored. Based on the results of the counts, a communication terminal count estimation unit estimates the number of communication terminals that will transmit data with the same timing. An adjustment reference value calculation unit computes an adjustment reference value for constraining the number of communication terminals estimated by the communication terminal count estimation unit to be less than or equal to a preset allowable number. On the basis of the adjustment reference value computed by the adjustment reference value calculation unit, a determination unit determines whether or not to permit transmission of data stored by a storing means. If the determination unit permits the transmission of said data, a data transmission unit transmits the data to a communication terminal in which said data is not stored.
US10172144B2

A user apparatus in a mobile communication system supporting carrier aggregation includes a measurement unit configured to measure an rs-sinr (reference signal-signal to interference and noise ratio) for a reference signal in a physical downlink control channel transmitted from a base station; and a reporting unit configured to report the measured rs-sinr to the base station in accordance with a predefined reporting trigger.
US10172137B1

A multi-user uplink transmission is performed by analyzing, by a first wireless station, a spatial reuse field in a first frame, and generating, by the first wireless station, a second frame, wherein the second frame includes a spatial reuse field that is generated based on the spatial reuse field of the first frame. The first frame and the second frame are within the same transmission opportunity (TXOP) and the first frame is transmitted prior to the second frame during the TXOP.
US10172120B2

A communications system is described in which user devices are allocated sub-carriers on which to transmit uplink data to a base station. ACK/NACK messages for the data transmitted on the uplink are then transmitted by the base station on sub-carriers that depend on the sub-carriers used to carry the uplink data. A direct mapping function is preferably used to determine the sub-carriers to be used for the ACK/NACK messages from the uplink sub-carriers. In another embodiment, the ACK/NACK messages are transmitted to the user devices on sub-carriers that are previously identified to the user devices, preferably by transmitting one or more index values to the user device in a control channel thereof.
US10172117B2

Embodiments herein relate to a transmitting node and method therein for transmitting channel information in subframes to a receiving node. Each subframe comprises a number of control channel elements and a set of control channel candidates. The transmitting node transmits control channel information in a subframe when a start control channel element index of a control channel candidate is smaller than or equal to the number of available control channel elements in a predefined subframe, and refrains from transmitting control channel information when the start control channel element index of the control channel candidate is larger than the number of available control channel elements in the predefined subframe. The embodiments also relate to a receiving node and method therein.
US10172113B2

Transfer of Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (MBMS) over a Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) service and idle mode unicast service for a mobile entity from a source base station to a target base station may be managed by a base station or mobile entity of a cellular wireless communications system (WCS). Operations related to the transfer may include obtaining an MBMS status of the mobile entity, and/or obtaining MBMS support information for the base station. A network entity may facilitate MBMS discovery by a mobile entity, by transmitting a data element to the mobile entity including service identifiers mapped to corresponding cell identifiers to indicate respective MBMS services to be broadcast in an WCS area on adjacent cells identified by respective ones of the cell identifiers. The MBMS services may be broadcast within the WCS area using the adjacent cells previously indicated in the data element.
US10172112B2

A core network node (e.g., Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)), a radio access network node (e.g., Base Station Subsystem), and various methods are described herein for realizing time coordinated cells and maintaining a reliability of paging a wireless device (e.g., Machine Type Communications (MTC) device, mobile station).
US10172107B2

The disclosure of the present invention proposes a method for transmitting a sidelink synchronization signal (SLSS). The method may be performed by a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) terminal and comprise: performing measurements during a predetermined evaluation time; determining whether values resulting from performing the measurements are below a threshold value; and if the values resulting from performing the measurements during the predetermined evaluation time are below the threshold value, transmitting the SLSS to a neighboring V2V terminal. If the V2V terminal is in radio resource control (RRC) idle state and if the V2V terminal is configured to use 1.28 s or 2.56 s of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle length, the V2V terminal may calculate the predetermined evaluation time by using the number of DRX cycles which is not greater than 3.
US10172106B2

A communication method and a device for reducing data transmission interruption during handovers are provided. The method includes: receiving instruction information, where the instruction information is used to instruct user equipment to establish and/or maintain uplink synchronization of the user equipment with a first cell controlled by a first base station; when the user equipment is in uplink synchronization with the first cell according to the instruction information, the user equipment is in a radio resource control RRC connected state, and a serving cell of the user equipment is a second cell controlled by a second base station; and handing over the user equipment from the second cell to the first cell that is in uplink synchronization with the user equipment, and performing communication based on the first cell.
US10172095B2

Provided is a method and apparatus for executing an uplink channel power control in dual connectivity configuration when power is limited. An appropriate power controlling method may be determined based on a priority, and may be applied to a UE that has dual, connectivity with a Master eNB (MeNB) and a Secondary eNB (SeNB) in a network.
US10172094B2

An apparatus, system and method for monitoring power to a communication device and switching operation modes. The system is monitored in order to detect a power interruption to the communication device. A first signal is supplied to the communication device to indicate the occurrence of a power interruption and/or activation of a backup power supply. The communication device is then switched to a low power mode which limits one or more operating functions.
US10172089B2

Disclosed herein are techniques for reducing power consumption of an electronic tracking device. The electronic tracking device includes a wireless communication subsystem and an always-on low-power sensor for sensing the motions of the electronic tracking device. A controller of the electronic tracking device controls the operations of the wireless communication subsystem based on the detection signals from the always-on low-power sensor such that the wireless communication subsystem is only activated when motions of the electronic tracking device have stopped for a threshold period of time, or when a query from a server is received when the wireless communication subsystem is in a standby mode.
US10172073B2

Wi-Fi-based location determination methods may include receiving location information and/or identifier information regarding a Wi-Fi hot spot, at a database. The methods may include transmitting the location information and/or identifier information regarding the Wi-Fi hot spot, from the database to a positioning receiver. Related systems are also described.
US10172067B2

A first gateway receives, from a source user equipment, an uplink packet addressed to a target user equipment and identifies a pairing between the source user equipment and the target user equipment. The first gateway routes the received uplink packet to the target user equipment on a communication path that bypasses an Internet. A first mobility management entity (MME) receives, from a source user equipment, a first request to pair the source user equipment with a target user equipment and transmits a second request to a gateway to pair the source user equipment with the target user equipment. The first MME transmits messages to the source user equipment and the target user equipment including an identifier of the pairing received from the gateway in response to the second request.
US10172066B2

Embodiments presented herein relate to bearer handling, and particularly to a method, a network node, a computer program, and a computer program product for flexible bearer handling in a communications network. Packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs) are acquired. Individual PDCP PDUs are encapsulated into individual frames at at least one protocol layer above a bottom-most protocol layer. The individual frames are switched towards a packet switched network.
US10172061B2

A method and apparatus for transmitting a cell shaping/un-shaping indication in a wireless communication system is provided. A first eNodeB (eNB) transmits a cell shaping/un-shaping indication which indicates cell shaping/un-shaping of a cell, managed by the first eNB, in an active antenna system (AAS) to a second eNB. The cell shaping means that main coverage of the cell is maintained unchanged but an edge of the cell can be adapted to load demand. The cell un-shaping means that coverage of the cell goes back to original coverage.
US10172059B2

Various communication techniques and related systems for a fusion between a 5th generation (5G) communication system and Internet of Things (IoT) technology are provided. A user equipment (UE) is required to select a dedicated core network so as to receive a suitable service. In a method for transmitting and receiving a signal, an enhanced Node B (eNB) of a mobile communication system transmits a first request message to a first mobile management entity (MME), receives a reroute command message based on the first request message from the first MME, and transmits a second message to a second MME based on the reroute command message. Herein, the reroute command message contains the first request message, at least one MME identifier, and a UE identifier.
US10172057B2

A system, method, node and computer program for handling re-selection of a RAN (120, 130, 140) by a UE (100) is described. The UE (100) is attached via a first RAN (120, 130) to a CS control node (110) for execution of a CS service. The method comprises that the CS control node (110) receives an indication that the execution of the CS service shall be terminated. The CS control node (110) then determines whether the UE (100) shall perform re-selection of the RAN (120, 130, 140). If so, the CS control node (110) determines selection criteria for the re-selection of the RAN (120, 130, 140) and sends them to the UE (100) using Non-Access Stratum related signaling. The UE (100) receives the determined selection criteria from the CS control node (110) and re-selects the RAN (120, 130, 140), considering the received selection criteria.
US10172056B2

The invention provides a mobile communication system, a network node, and a mobile communication method, which can cause user equipment of a particular type to attach to a dedicated network regardless of whether or not the user equipment supports a low access priority indicator (LAPI). An MME (60) acquires subscriber information on UE (10) from an HSS (70) based on an attachment request from the UE (10) forwarded by an eNB (50), the subscriber information including availability for the UE (10) to use the dedicated network, and sends the eNB (50) a selection instruction to select the dedicated network based on the acquired subscriber information. When the eNB (50) receives the selection instruction from the MME (60), the eNB (50) determines a dedicated MME (60D) constituting the dedicated network, and transmits the attachment request from the UE (10) to the determined dedicated MME (60D).
US10172048B2

A method and system for the UE and RNC to reduce transmission latency and potentially prevent loss of PDUs upon a MAC-hs layer reset. The RNC generates a radio resource control (RRC) message with a MAC-hs reset indication. The MAC reset indication requires the UE to flush buffers for configured HARQ processes, disassemble MAC protocol data units (PDUs) in the reordering buffers, deliver MAC-d PDUs to a MAC-d layer, and configure the MAC-hs to receive new data.
US10172046B2

A mobile communication system includes a first Home Node B (HNB); a second HNB; and a HNB gateway (HNB-GW) that is connected to a core network, wherein the first HNB is configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE) before a relocation of intra HNB-GW in which the UE is relocated from the first HNB to the second HNB, wherein the second HNB is configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE) after the relocation and send Iu-UP Initialization comprising an RFCI information to the HNB-GW during the relocation, and wherein the HNB-GW is configured to receive the Iu-UP Initialization.
US10172045B2

A system and method for implementing fallback on a wireless device for circuit switched fallback from a first network that does not provide a circuit switched domain service is presented. A paging message is received from the first network. The paging message instructs the wireless device to implement circuit switched fallback to a circuit switched network. The paging message is inspected for information indicative of a service associated with the paging message, and a channel type suitable for the service is determined from the information indicative of the service. A request message for initiating the establishment of a radio connection is transmitted. The request message identifies the suitable channel type, and the service is used on the circuit switched network.
US10172044B2

A first base station of an access network exchanges with a first peer device and a network element of a core network to establish a peer-to-peer connection and associated first access network bearer for the first peer device. The first access network bearer is unbound to a core network bearer. The first base station receives a data packet from the first peer device over the first access network bearer, wherein the data packet is addressed to a second peer device. The first base station further forwards the data packet to the second base station for the second peer device.
US10172042B2

A method, apparatus and system for establishing S1 signaling connections in an evolved network are disclosed. A source evolved NodeB (eNodeB) sends a handover request message to a target eNodeB to initiate a handover procedure during that a user equipment (UE) is handed over from the source eNodeB to the target eNodeB. The handover request message includes information about an original S1 signaling connection parameter. When the UE enters the target cell, the target eNodeB allocates a new S1 signaling connection parameter and sends a handover complete message to an evolved packet core (EPC). The handover complete messages carries the original S1 signaling connection parameter received from the source eNodeB and the allocated new S1 signaling connection parameter about the target eNodeB. With the present disclosure, the inability of the target eNodeB to establish an S1 signaling connection with the EPC in the related art is effectively solved.
US10172039B2

A node is included in a communication control system including a plurality of nodes 31, and a master device 30 for performing flow control of multihop communication in a network including the plurality of nodes 31. To the node 31 in use of second service, a time obtained by subtracting, from a frame period of the network, a total one frame transmission time of each node, used for first service is allocated as one frame transmission time used for second service having a priority set lower than that of the first service.
US10172034B2

Method and communication network node for enabling a radio base station to adjust a Radio Access Network, RAN, capability within a RAN, such as handover or scheduling, dependent on a data transport characteristics of a backhaul network, such as data transfer rate, network delay and bandwidth. The RAN and the backhaul network are parts of a telecommunication network, and the first communication network node is arranged in the telecommunication network to communicate data between the RAN and a core network node in the telecommunication network.By acquiring knowledge of variations of transport characteristics in backhaul networks, RAN capabilities may be adjusted, e.g. by performing handover of UEs to other radio base stations which have better backhaul transport characteristics. Thereby, user experience for the users of the UE may be increased. In addition, an operator of the communication network may make better use of installed transport capacity.
US10172021B2

A first node included in a first layer determines whether there has occurred a failure in a sink node included in a second layer subordinate to the first layer. The first node requests a second node included in the second layer to collect information of a third node included in a third layer subordinate to the second layer when the first node determines that there has occurred a failure in the sink node. The first node determines a fourth node serving as a substitute for the failed sink node included in the second layer on a basis of the information of the third node collected by the second node.
US10172018B2

A wireless communication system uses millimeter wave band asymmetric directivity signals. The system includes a base station configured to transmit in a downlink direction millimeter wave band low directivity signals having a wide beamwidth. The system includes a plurality of communication devices configured to transmit in an uplink direction millimeter wave band high directivity signals having narrow beamwidth. The millimeter wave band high directivity signals are transmitted by the communication devices in different frequency channels. The base station is configured for a wide receive beam and the communication devices are configured for a narrow receive beam.
US10172011B2

An example apparatus for control channel determination and detection in an opportunistic wireless network environment is provided and includes a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor. The processor configured is to send, by a first device, a request for a whitespace map, the whitespace map including a list of whitespace frequency channels available for use within a particular geographical area. The processor is further configured to receive the whitespace map by the first device, and determine, by the first device, a control channel map from the whitespace map using a probability algorithm. The control channel map is a subset of the white space map and includes a list of control channel frequencies.
US10172007B1

Methods and systems described in this disclosure receive a call from a device associated with a caller and determine whether the caller is eligible for biometric authentication via the device by sending, via a communications network, an eligibility determination request to an issuer of the device. In response to the caller being eligible for biometric authentication, a request to initiate a biometric authentication process on the device is sent to an issuer of the device, where biometric credentials are received by the device and an indication of whether the biometric credentials were verified is received from the issuer of the device.
US10171998B2

An authentication server may be adapted to (a) authenticate an authentication peer seeking to establish communications via a first network access node; (b) retrieve user profile information associated with the authentication peer; and/or (c) send the user profile information to a network gateway node that facilitates communication services for the authentication peer. A PMIP network node may be adapted to (a) provide wireless network connectivity to an authentication peer via a first network access node; (b) provide a PMIP key to both ends of a PMIP tunnel between the first network access node and a PMIP network node used to provide communications to the authentication peer; (c) provide the PMIP key to a first authenticator associated the first network access node; (d) receive a request at the PMIP network node from a requesting entity to reroute communications for the authentication peer; and/or (e) verify whether the requesting entity knows the PMIP key.
US10171993B2

Techniques are provided for protecting the privacy of user equipment during identity request operations in a communication system. In one example, a method includes receiving a current identity request at given user equipment of a communication system. The method further includes making a determination at the given user equipment whether or not to respond to the current identity request in a manner requested based on a count of previous identity requests received by the given user equipment.
US10171981B2

A method for emergency communication includes encoding a message for visual display including a message to field and a message from field. The visual display is revealed to a reading device in communication with a broadcast center, which stores the visual display. The messages are decoded and sorted from visual displays at the broadcast center. On an index channel, a time and channel number for when a message body of the message will be broadcast on a message channel is broadcasted. The message body is broadcasted on the message channel.
US10171976B2

A remote location monitoring arrangement within a wireless communication network. The monitoring arrangement comprises a tracking device for securing to an object. The monitoring arrangement further comprises one or more sentinel devices arranged within at least one of (i) around a boundary area or (ii) within the boundary area, wherein the boundary area is an area in which a user wishes the object to remain. The monitoring arrangement also comprises a monitoring device in communication with at least one of (i) the one or more sentinel devices or (ii) the tracking device such that at least one of (i) at least one of the one or more sentinel devices or (ii) the tracking device alerts the monitoring device over the wireless communication network that (i) the tracking device has left the boundary area or (ii) another object has entered the boundary areas.
US10171975B2

In one embodiment, a system for replicating settings in an HVAC network includes a first control unit including a first internal clock, the first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display. The system may also include a second control unit comprising a second internal clock, the second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display. The system may include a communications network, wherein the first control unit detects the second control unit over the communications network and the first internal clock and the second internal clock have the same time.
US10171974B2

A server that may receive information from a computer, store the information in a database at the server, determine a reader device that is configured to receive and/or process credential information and/or a unique identifier and to receive the information based on an analysis of a reader device identifier, and transmit the information to a mobile device having a particular user where the information does not pertain to the particular user of the mobile device.
US10171968B2

The disclosed subject matter provides a proactive device initiated mechanism for notifying a network device regarding device supported machine-type communication (MTC) features. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes identifying, by a device comprising a processor, machine-type communication related parameters of the device using a subscriber identity module application stored on a subscriber identity module card of the device. The method can further include generating, by the device using the subscriber identity module application, parameter information that identifies the machine-type communication related parameters of the device based on the identifying, and sending, by the device, the parameter information to a network server device of a wireless communication network based on the generating.
US10171964B2

A location of a first mobile device associated with a first user is determined, and a location of a second mobile device associated with a second user is determined. A relationship between the first user and the second user is determined, and a proximity of the first mobile device relative to the second mobile device is determined. A location-oriented data service is provided to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device.
US10171959B2

An apparatus for Internet-Protocol based communications in a wireless network includes a network interface, a controller, and memory. The interface receives a series of multicast data packets. The controller identifies one or more receiving nodes in the wireless network requesting data corresponding to the series of multicast data packets and determines that the effective unicast rate for one or more unicast data packets exceeds a minimum data rate of the series of multicast data packets using an 802.x protocol. The memory stores instructions that may be executable by a processor. Upon execution of the instructions by a processor, the received series of multicast data packets is converted into one or more unicast packets, the execution and conversion occurring in response to instructions received from the controller. A system for Internet-Protocol based communications in a wireless network implements such an apparatus in the context of an access point.
US10171957B2

The broadcast/multicast service according to the present invention is transmitted/received in a partial frequency region rather than the entire system bandwidth of a cell. The user equipment of the present invention may receive information regarding the frequency region set in the cell for receiving the broadcast/multicast service and receive the broadcast/multicast service over the frequency region based on the information.
US10171955B2

A method for the communication of vehicles including receiving a first message from a first vehicle by a second vehicle via vehicle-to-vehicle communication and/or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication and allocating the first message to the first vehicle based on the content of the first message by the second vehicle The method includes sending a second message from the second vehicle to the first vehicle via a separate communication channel by using information from the first message. Also disclosed is a method for vehicles to exchange data unrelated to traffic with one another.
US10171940B1

Systems, methods and tools for a geofence creator to select a specific mode of transportation during the geofence creation process to target a specific subset of customers. The geofence creator may select geofence properties during the creation, including size, location, mode of transportation and a message displayed to active users entering the geofence under the correct mode of transportation. The geofence system use different mechanisms for identifying the mode of transportation being utilized by the user of a client device. The client device may include hardware or software measuring devices or sensors capable of identifying the location of the user, the rate of change in the user's location, changes in the user's position, the acceleration of the user and/or the velocity of the user. If the correct mode of transportation is identified when the user enters the location of the geofence, the message will be displayed, otherwise no message may display on the user's client device.
US10171936B2

A device comprises an input component configured to receive an event identification request from a provider. The event identification request comprises one or more requirements usable to identify an actionable event for resolution. The requirements specify a geographical boundary and one or more goods. The device also comprises a processor communicably coupled to the input component. The processor is adapted to transmit the event identification request to a repository configured to match the event identification request with one or more actionable events based on the one or more requirements.
US10171932B2

A communication method includes: a first transmission step of transmitting first setting information and first network organization information regarding one information processing apparatus of a second network via a first communication path; a first determination step of determining a role of communication with a first master apparatus via a second communication path on the basis of the first network organization information and role adjustment information; a second transmission step of transmitting second setting information and second network organization information to the first master apparatus via the first communication path; a second determination step of determining a role of the communication with a second master apparatus via the second communication path on the basis of the second network organization information and role adjustment information by the first master apparatus; and a first communication start step of starting the communication via the second communication path with another information processing apparatus.
US10171930B1

Several embodiments of a localized audibility sound system are disclosed. In an embodiment designed for persons playing a video game, configurations are disclosed which limit propagation of low-frequency sound to nearby areas or rooms, both for group and single-person play. Other embodiments are disclosed for use in trade shows and the like, which limit propagation sound to nearby booths and areas, while providing a rich audio experience for persons in a defined area. Embodiments for use in conference-calling are disclosed which facilitate selective telephonic transmission or recording of sounds spoken by persons around a conference table, while attenuating telephonic transmission or recording of other sounds created in the conference room such as typing on computer keyboards.
US10171926B2

The present technology relates to a sound processing apparatus and a sound processing system for enabling more stable localization of a sound image.A virtual speaker is assumed to exist on the lower side among the sides of a tetragon having its corners formed with four speakers surrounding a target sound image position on a spherical plane. Three-dimensional VBAP is performed with respect to the virtual speaker and the two speakers located at the upper right and the upper left, to calculate gains of the two speakers at the upper right and the upper left and the virtual speaker, the gains being to be used for fixing a sound image at the target sound image position. Further, two-dimensional VBAP is performed with respect to the lower right and lower left speakers, to calculate gains of the lower right and lower left speakers, the gains being to be used for fixing a sound image at the position of the virtual speaker. The values obtained by multiplying these gains by the gain of the virtual speaker are set as the gains of the lower right and lower left speakers for fixing a sound image at the target sound image position. The present technology can be applied to sound processing apparatuses.
US10171923B2

A system (202) for binaural signal processing. A first speaker (210) and a second speaker (220) are respectively mounted proximal to, and deliver respective first and second acoustic signals to, the left and right ears of a user. A first microphone (212) and a second microphone (222) are respectively mounted proximal to the left and right ears. A binaural processing device receives signals from the microphones and, based on the microphone signals, determines the first and second acoustic signals. The binaural processing device operates at a distance from both the left and right ears of the user. The speakers, microphones and the binaural processing device are connected by a signal network.
US10171921B2

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for performing a microphone matching of a hearing aid comprising a first microphone, a second microphone and a receiver in a predetermined spatial arrangement to each other. The method comprises the steps of: generating an output sound signal by means of the receiver; picking up a first and second input sound signal by the first and second microphones while the output sound signal is generated; converting the first and second input sound signals into a first and second electrical microphone output signal by means of the microphones; determining a first and second microphone response of the microphones; determining a microphone response difference between the first microphone response and the second microphone response; determining a matching difference between the microphone response difference and a predetermined reference microphone response difference; and adapting at least a first microphone gain of the first microphone according to the matching difference to reduce the matching difference.
US10171913B2

The invention relates to a suspension device for a loudspeaker, comprising an annular outer edge that is able to fasten the suspension device to a frame, an annular inner edge that is able to fasten the suspension device to a membrane, a suspension hoop that extends annularly between the edges, said suspension hoop being able to absorb movement stresses produced at the inner edge by means of a deformation that thus forms a resonance mode, the suspension hoop comprising at least one annular protuberance that is positioned so as to minimize the at least one resonance mode of the suspension hoop, the mass of the at least one annular protuberance being between 150% and 400% the mass of a part of the suspension hoop on which the at least one annular protuberance is positioned.
US10171912B2

Examples associated with analog device connection are disclosed. One example includes a control device detecting an analog connection to an audio playback device. The control device transmits a first signal to the audio output device using the analog connection. The control device selectively enables a feature of the control device when a second signal is received by the control device from the audio output device using the analog connection. The second signal indicates the audio output device is an approved audio output device for the feature.
US10171911B2

Provided is a method of processing an audio signal, the method performed by a device and including dividing the audio signal into a main signal and a background signal; obtaining position information about a main speaker and an auxiliary speaker; mixing the main signal and the background signal, based on the position information; and outputting the mixed main signal and the mixed background signal to the main speaker and the auxiliary speaker, respectively.
US10171905B2

The present invention is directed to a headphone device including zones to separate different frequency ranges for enhancing and improving sound quality. The headphone device includes more than one cavities and second auxiliary holes. The second auxiliary holes are configured for most bass or low-frequency to enter a second cavity through the second auxiliary holes and to have a better frequency division effect and to improve the audio quality of the headphone device.
US10171903B2

A portable binaural recording and playback device includes headphones with embedded outside facing microphones attached to a dongle with embedded stereo microphone preamplifier or audio codec containing a microphone preamplifier, analog to digital converter/digital to analog converter (or digital signal processor), allowing for the recording and playback of high quality binaural audio by connecting the dongle digitally to a mobile phone or electronics device, or via an analog cable to a camera or device with an analog microphone input.
US10171902B2

An improved in-ear monitor that incorporates high frequency balanced armature driver tuning, both low frequency dynamic driver and balanced armature driver tuning, mid range and high range frequency balanced armature driver tuning. It also utilizes a stacked metalized plastic film chip capacitor style of crossover component to filter the mid and low frequency signals from the high frequency driver/s for enhanced clarity and to impart a wider image to the fidelity sound. I has a spout that has a series of stanchions or stanchions and resonator box cavities for the simplified connection and disconnection of sound tubes and resonator boxes.
US10171874B2

Disclosed herein is a receiving device for receiving an AV content broadcast by a broadcasting wave, including: an obtaining section adapted to obtain a description document described in a predetermined computer language for displaying another content different from the AV content; a determining section adapted to determine whether the obtained description document is managed by a broadcaster which broadcasts the AV content or is managed by a different operator other than the broadcaster; and a controlling section adapted to control execution of the obtained description document in response to a result of the determination by the determining section.
US10171871B2

One or more of a system, method, apparatus, and computer-program product to identify or approximate or estimate where a particular television receiver is geographically located using spot beam transport information as described in the specification and/or shown in any of the drawings.
US10171870B2

Described herein are systems and methods for providing hardware based security to software applications in a television receiver. The system can include a television receiver having a trusted hardware environment that includes a security processor and a standard environment that includes an application processor. The security processor can ensure that at least a portion of the software application executed by the application processor is secure. A portion of the software application code can be placed in an interrupt service routine memory space. During execution of the software application, the security processor can security check the portion of the software application in the interrupt service routine memory space, making it trusted code. The security processor can force the application processor to execute the trusted code by triggering an interrupt. Such forced execution can allow the security processor to not only ensure that code is trusted, but that it is executed.
US10171864B2

An interactive user interface (AW) of an interactive application is provided simultaneously with a programme display (P) within a display area of a television receiver, wherein a proportion of the display area occupied by the interactive user interface (AW) increases in response to user interaction with the interactive user interface (AW).
US10171856B2

A method, apparatus, and system for providing viewer-derived content for broadcast presentation in conjunction with a broadcast of a media program by a provider of the media program is disclosed. The disclosed system and method (1) simplifies the process for viewers to provide viewer-authored media to broadcasters, while minimizing the data transmission requirements between portable viewer devices and the broadcaster, (2) allows advance approval for the broadcasters to use that viewer-generated content to generate and disseminate viewer-authored-content and (3) provides for management of viewer-generated content (4) integrates with social networks that can be used to at least preliminarily assess the popularity and suitability of the viewer-generated content for broadcast to other viewers.
US10171855B2

The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing video live broadcast. In the present invention, a video stream synchronization request is sent to a network side device; a video stream playback position synchronization parameter sent by the network side device is received, where the video stream playback position synchronization parameter includes a playback position parameter at a video stream sending moment and a system frame number SFN at the video stream sending moment; an SFN at a video stream receiving moment is acquired; and the playback position parameter at the video stream sending moment is adjusted according to the SFN at the video stream sending moment and the SFN at the video stream receiving moment, so as to coincide with a current playback position parameter of the network side device.
US10171841B2

Methods and devices for encoding/decoding a video bitstream are provided. The decoding method includes: a slice bitstream is received, wherein the slice bitstream carries parameter set indication information for indicating a camera parameter set; the camera parameters are acquired from the camera parameter set indicated by the parameter set indication information; and the slice bitstream is decoded according to the acquired camera parameters. By the present invention, the technical problem of lower encoding/decoding efficiency caused by the fact that encoding/decoding can only be normally implemented by carrying the camera parameters in the slice bitstream in the conventional art is solved, and the technical effect of improving the encoding/decoding efficiency is achieved.
US10171837B2

A data set may be compressed by predicting a value for the values of the data set. A comparative value may then be determined between a predicted value and an actual value for the particular points of the data set. The comparators for the particular points of the data set may then be encoded.
US10171835B2

A method of encoding a video data including a plurality of pictures includes storing data of at least one picture in the video data that is already encoded, and referring to the stored data and using intra-prediction to encode blocks in a current picture.
US10171833B2

Innovations in adaptive encoding and decoding for units of a video sequence can improve coding efficiency. For example, some of the innovations relate to encoding/decoding that includes adaptive switching of color spaces between units within a video sequence. Other innovations relate encoding/decoding that includes adaptive switching of color sampling rates between units within a video sequence. Still other innovations relate encoding/decoding that includes adaptive switching of bit depths between units within a video sequence.
US10171832B2

A motion vector predictor candidate generating unit makes a prediction based on a motion vector of one of coded neighboring blocks that are neighboring to a coding target block in space or time and generates a plurality of motion vector predictor candidates. A motion vector predictor redundant candidate removing unit removes the motion vector predictor candidates having identity among the motion vector predictor candidates predicted based on a coded neighboring block that is neighboring in space from a motion vector predictor candidate list with at least one being left. A motion vector predictor selecting unit selects a motion vector predictor from the plurality of motion vector predictor candidates. A first bitstream generating unit codes information representing the selected motion vector predictor.
US10171813B2

A video decoder is configured to obtain an index value for a current video block. The video decoder obtains a partition type for a current video block. The video decoder selects one of a plurality of defined sets of ordered candidate predictive video blocks based on the partition type of the current video block. A video decoder selects a predictive video block from a selected one of the plurality of defined sets of ordered candidate predictive video blocks based on an index value. A video decoder generates a motion vector for a current video block based on motion information of the predictive video block.
US10171808B2

A video encoder may use an adaptive Wiener filter inside the core video encoding loop to improve coding efficiency. In one embodiment, the Wiener filter may be on the input to a motion estimation unit and, in another embodiment, it may be on the output of a motion compensation unit. The taps for the Wiener filter may be determined based on characteristics of at least a region of pixel intensities within a picture. Thus, the filtering may be adaptive in that it varies based on the type of video being processed.
US10171804B1

Disclosed is a method, a system and a computer readable medium for encoding a video stream. The method includes determining a first time period based on a first estimated processing time algorithm, determining a second time period based on a second estimated processing time algorithm, comparing an encoding time period of the video frame to the first time period and the second period, and changing an encoding scheme for encoding a subsequent video frame if two times the encoding time of the video frame is one of less than the first time period and greater than the second time period.
US10171797B2

A autostereoscopic display system includes an autostereoscopic display configured to project images representing a left-eye view and a right-eye view of an image, an emitter configured to emit a tracer beam having a directional relationship to that of the projected images, a sensor configured to detect reflections of the tracer beam, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to control an emission of the tracer beam, receive feedback data from the sensor, use the feedback data to determine an impact site on the viewer corresponding to the tracer beam and adjust a direction of the tracer beam based on the impact site.
US10171795B2

A system for generating a disparity map includes: an image obtainer obtaining a left image and a right image; a matching cost calculator calculating a matching cost for each of a plurality of pixels of the left image and the right image; an accumulation and summation calculator calculating an accumulation value of one of the pixels based on the calculated matching cost, and calculating a relaxation accumulation value, which is an average of values obtained by multiplying each of relation coefficients between a disparity value of the one pixel and disparity values of surrounding pixels of the one pixel with the accumulation value of the one pixel; a disparity value deliver deriving a disparity value for each of the pixels based on the calculated relaxation accumulation value; and a disparity map generator generating the disparity map based on the derived disparity value.
US10171794B2

In a method, M (M is a natural number smaller than N) cameras capturing images to be displayed are selected from N (N is a natural number equal to or larger than 2) cameras capturing images of a same scene. The method includes obtaining positions and image capture angles of the N cameras and selecting M cameras from the N cameras on the basis of the obtained positions and image capture angles of the N cameras.
US10171790B2

An image capture method performed by a depth sensor includes; emitting a first source signal having a first amplitude towards a scene, and thereafter emitting a second source signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude towards the scene, capturing a first image in response to the first source signal and capturing a second image in response to the second source signal, and interpolating the first and second images to generate a final image.
US10171785B2

Embodiments provide techniques for adjusting coloration of an image. A first selection of first one or more reference points within a first image is received. A second selection of a second one or more reference points within a second image is also received. Embodiments determine a coloration difference between a coloration of the first one or more reference points within the first image and a coloration of the second one or more reference points within the second image. The coloration of at least a portion of the first image is then adjusted, based on the determined coloration difference.
US10171779B2

Light projection systems and methods may comprise combining light from two or more projectors. Each projector may be controlled so that the combined light output of the projectors matches a target for the projected light. In some embodiments optimization is performed to generate image data and control signals for each of the projectors. Embodiments may be applied in image projecting applications, lighting applications, and 3D stereoscopic imaging.
US10171772B2

A virtual presence system includes a display having a structural matrix configured to arrange a plurality of spaced pixel elements. A plurality of spaced pixel elements collectively form an active visual area wherein an image is displayable. At least one image capture device is disposed within the active visual area for capturing an image.
US10171762B2

A conventional image sensing device has a problem of a large variation of a reset voltage of a floating diffusion. According to an embodiment, an image sensing device includes a reset circuit switching a voltage to be supplied to a floating diffusion when the floating diffusion is reset. In a first reset operation (PD reset) performed prior to a light-exposure period for exposing a photoelectric conversion element with light, the reset circuit supplies a first reset voltage generated based on a power-source voltage to the floating diffusion. In a second reset operation (FD reset) performed during the light-exposure period for exposing the photoelectric conversion element with the light, the reset circuit supplies a second reset voltage generated based on a reset correction voltage lower than the power-source voltage to the floating diffusion, and then supplies the first reset voltage.
US10171761B2

The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic device that enable a reduction in the voltage of an AD conversion circuit. A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels; a vertical signal line configured to output a pixel signal of the pixel; and a clipping circuit configured to limit a voltage of the vertical signal line to a predetermined voltage. The clipping circuit includes a transistor configured to generate the predetermined voltage in accordance with a voltage of a gate, and a sample holding circuit configured to hold a reset level of the pixel that is output to the vertical signal line, and input the reset level to the gate of the transistor. The present technology can be applied to a CMOS image sensor, for example.
US10171759B2

A first projection controller of an imaging device controls a first infrared projector, capable of projecting infrared light with multiple wavelengths, to selectively project the infrared light with the multiple wavelengths. An imaging unit of the imaging device images an object in a state where the first infrared projector projects the infrared light. A synchronous signal transmitter transmits outward a synchronous signal for synchronizing a timing of projecting infrared light from a second infrared projector controlled by a second projection controller included in another imaging device other than the imaging device, with a timing of projecting the infrared light from the first infrared projector controlled by the first projection controller.
US10171756B2

Systems and methods for identifying a fault in an electrical distribution system may include capturing an image of a corona event associated with a component of the electrical distribution system and processing the image of the corona event to identify the center and boundary of the corona event. An overlay for display with the image of the corona event may be generated, where the overlay identifying at least a center of the corona event and may be displayed to a user via a user interface device. In some cases, an unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise one or more image sensors capable of capturing the image of the corona event and communicate the images to a remote device for processing and display to the user. The image captured by the image sensors may include an ultraviolet image, a visible spectrum image, an infrared image, or a combination of image types.
US10171755B2

A method for detecting light sources. The method includes capturing an image including a sub-infrared light emitter, applying a filter to a pixel of the captured image to isolate a signal strength of a range of frequencies, and comparing the signal strength of the filtered pixel to an expected signal strength of a background spectra for the range of frequencies. As a result of a difference between the signal strength of the filtered pixel and the expected signal strength exceeding a predetermined threshold, the method includes identifying the pixel as corresponding to a light emitter. As a result of the difference between the signal strength of the filtered pixel and the expected signal strength not a predetermined threshold, the method includes identifying the pixel as not corresponding to a light emitter.
US10171753B2

A shooting method, a shooting device and a computer storage medium. The shooting method comprises: continuously collecting images; reading the collected images and identifying a light painting region in the currently read image; extracting the light painting region and superposing the light painting region on a foundation image at a corresponding position to perform image synthesis and generate a synthesized image, and using the synthesized image as the foundation image for the next time of image synthesis; capturing the synthesized image and performing coding processing on the captured synthesized image; and converting image data after the coding processing into video file after the shooting is completed.
US10171747B2

An image capturing apparatus to communicate with an external apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a receiving unit, a control unit, a determining unit, and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives, from the external apparatus, a synthesizing command for controlling an operation of synthesizing images that have been captured by the image capturing unit under different exposure conditions, and an exposure setting command for controlling an operation of obtaining an image that has been generated under a set exposure condition. The control unit controls an operation that is performed based on the synthesizing and exposure setting commands, where the receiving unit receives the synthesizing and exposure setting commands. The transmitting unit transmits, to the external apparatus, operation information indicating operations which are specifiable by the synthesizing command and the exposure setting command received by the receiving unit, in accordance with a determination result obtained from the determining unit.
US10171744B2

With respect to a subject included in an image, the illuminating condition by an ambient light source in an environment where the image was captured is estimated, and based on the estimation result, the effect of a virtual light source that was non-existent at the time of image capture is computed. More specifically, the effect of the virtual light source is computed using an illumination direction of the virtual light source and the reflective characteristics of the subject illuminated by the virtual light source, which have been determined based on the estimation result, and an image derived from addition of the effect of the virtual light source is output.
US10171740B2

A method and apparatus for use in a digital imaging device for correcting image blur in digital images by combining plurality of images. The plurality of images that are combined include a main subject that can be selected by user input or automatically by the digital imaging device. Blur correction can be performed to make the main subject blur-free while the rest of the image is blurred. All of the image may be made blur-free or the main subject can be made blur-free at the expense of the rest of the image. Result is a blur corrected image that is recorded in a memory.
US10171737B2

An imaging device includes: a shake detection unit that holds a gyro sensor inside the shake detection unit; a first sheet metal and a second sheet metal that sandwich the shake detection unit in two facing directions; a first cushion member that abuts on the first sheet metal and faces the shake detection unit via the first sheet metal; and a second cushion member that abuts on the second sheet metal and faces the shake detection unit via the second sheet metal.
US10171730B2

An apparatus comprises an unit configured to obtain captured images captured at a plurality of positions/orientations; an unit configured to generate a guidance instruction for causing a captured image corresponding to a position/orientation substantially the same as a captured image of a stipulated state to be obtained; an unit configured to output the guidance instruction; an unit configured to determine whether or not one captured image obtained after output of the guidance instruction was captured at a position/orientation substantially the same as the captured image of the stipulated state; and an unit configured to, if the one captured image is determined to be captured at the position/orientation, generate or update a three-dimensional map from three-dimensional coordinates of a feature included in a captured image based on the plurality of captured images including the one captured image.
US10171725B1

A focus state reference subsystem comprising a focus state reference object (FSRO) and reference object optics (ROO) is for use in a variable focal length (VFL) lens system comprising a VFL lens, a controller that modulates its optical power, and a camera located along an imaging path including an objective lens and the VFL lens. The ROO transmits image light from the FSRO along a portion of the imaging path through the VFL lens to the camera. Respective FS reference regions (FSRRs) of the FSRO include a contrast pattern fixed at respective focus positions relative to the ROO. A camera image that includes a best-focus image of a particular FSRR defines a best-focus reference state associated with that FSRR, wherein that best-focus reference state comprises a VFL optical power and/or effective focus position of the VFL lens system through the objective lens.
US10171720B2

An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receive a user input; and based on the user input, provide an open instance of a first camera control application on a first apparatus as a corresponding open instance of an at least related camera control application on a second apparatus.
US10171715B2

A camera module includes a circuit board, a camera device and an image processing chip. An image sensation chip of the camera device is directly integrated with the circuit board by means of chip-on-board (COB) manufacturing process to minify the total volume of the camera module, whereby the camera module can be disposed in a narrow space.
US10171707B2

An image forming apparatus includes a communicator; a medium color input device; an image processor including a color image generator, an edge detector, and a corrector; and an image forming unit. The image processor performs a correction process that corrects first image data corresponding to a first color and second image data corresponding to a second color. The image processor performs the correction process by causing, based on medium color of the recording medium, a first edge of a first image that is in the first image data and a second edge of a second image that is in the second image data and initially correspond, to be distanced from each other. The image forming unit forms the first image and the second image in this order on the recording medium, based on the first image data and the second image data that are corrected by the image processor.
US10171702B2

An image reading apparatus includes: a contact glass provided at an upper surface of a main body of the apparatus to set a manuscript thereon, an image sensor being positioned below the contact glass and having a reading surface on contact glass side for reading an image from the manuscript on the contact glass, a carriage supporting the image sensor accommodated in a sensor container formed to have a recess open to the contact glass side, a rail member slidably supporting the carriage, and a biasing member biasing the image sensor to the contact glass side via a biased portion adjacent to the reading surface of the image sensor. An upper end of the biasing member is positioned below the contact glass and above the lower surface of the image sensor.
US10171696B2

An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit, a character recognition unit, an operation unit, and a file generation unit. The image reading unit generates image information which includes at least one of a character string and a table. The character recognition unit recognizes characters and generates character information corresponding to each character included in one of the at least one of the character string and the table. The operation unit receives, from a user, a selected file format of an electronic file to be generated. The file generation unit generates an electronic file including the generated character information in accordance with the selected file format. The character recognition unit recognizes the characters and generates the character information in the generated image information in accordance with the one of the at least one of the character string and the table that corresponds to the selected file format.
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