| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09381954B2 |
Body supporting structure for a vehicle body
A body supporting structure for a vehicle body has a passenger-compartment section, a front-structure section and a rear-structure section. In order to form the body supporting structure, at least one supporting-structure body is configured as a three-dimensional flat structure which extends in all vehicle directions (x, y, z direction) and includes flat elements, the flat elements which extend in different vehicle directions (x, y, z direction) are connected with the formation of soft transitions, the flat elements are configured with cross-sectional areas which are structured depending on the applied loads, and flat elements with low applied loads or non-loadbearing regions are configured with apertures. |
| US09381952B2 |
Vehicle body bottom structure
Provided is a vehicle body bottom structure capable of restricting retraction of a front pillar by improving absorption performance for a collision load at a time of a narrow offset collision. The vehicle body bottom structure includes a dash lower for partitioning a vehicle compartment and a power mounted room as well as partitioning the vehicle compartment and a wheel house, a front pillar erected at a vehicle-widthwise end portion of the dash lower, and a gusset bridged between the dash lower and the front pillar, wherein the gusset is joined to the dash lower at one end thereof, and is spaced further from the dash lower the nearer to the front pillar, to be joined to the front pillar at the other end thereof, and wherein a crushing space is formed in a portion surrounded by the dash lower, the front pillar, and the gusset. |
| US09381948B2 |
Cowl top cover
A cowl top cover is disclosed that can be placed flush with a windshield and that makes it possible to efficiently absorb an impact load by appropriately allowing the windshield to deform, when the windshield is subjected to the impact load. The cowl top cover according to the present invention includes: a glass-parallel portion including an outer surface that is flush with the windshield at a rear end portion of a cover-main-body portion. The glass-parallel portion includes at least single linear fragile portion having a reduced thickness of the glass-parallel portion along the vehicle width direction. The fragile portion is configured to be deformable or breakable when the cover-main-body portion is subjected to a load equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude. |
| US09381947B2 |
Divisional cowl-top cover
The present invention is directed to a divisional cowl-top cover. In an upper cowl-top cover, a first engaging claw is formed on a front face side of a supporting portion configured to support a sealing member, and at an upper end of a lower cowl-top cover, a second engaging-receiving portion configured to engage with the first engaging claw from an upper side is formed. If an impact load acts on a hood and then the upper cowl-top cover moves downward, the first engaging claw and the second engaging-receiving portion are disengaged from each other, and the upper cowl-top cover lowers while supporting lowering of the hood, and is capable of absorbing the impact load while lowering. |
| US09381946B2 |
Multi-functional support for a motor vehicle
A multi-functional support for a motor vehicle, wherein the multi-functional support comprises a plurality of mounts for accommodating, in a supporting manner, motor vehicle front elements, wherein the motor vehicle front elements are visible in the installed state in an outside top view of the motor vehicle, wherein the multi-functional support together with the received motor vehicle front elements can be fixed so as to be mounted in a floating manner on a body of the motor vehicle, wherein the floating mounting is designed such that, by releasing the fixing and by displacing the multi-functional support relative to the body, a joint line, which is visible in an outside top view of the motor vehicle, between the motor vehicle front elements and outer motor vehicle trim parts directly adjacent to the motor vehicle front elements can be adjusted in a predefined manner. |
| US09381943B2 |
B-pillar unit for vehicle
A B-pillar unit for a vehicle is provided. The B-pillar unit includes a B-pillar that is connected to a vehicle body. In particular, the B-pillar includes a roof surface, a left surface, a right surface and a floor surface that are connected in a substantially circular shape. |
| US09381932B1 |
Portable, mountable case for wheeled luggage and rolling tool bags
The present invention provides a portable, mountable utility case that mounts on top of, and, in combination with, the handle of wheeled luggage, rolling tool bags and hand trucks for anyone who requires a portable work station. The portable utility case mounts to the top of the handle of the vertical, telescopic or non-telescopic support members of wheeled luggage, rolling tool bags and hand trucks and secured to the handle by means of an integral, mechanical clamping device. The universal design of the mechanical clamping device can accommodate handles of varying widths and thicknesses. |
| US09381926B2 |
Rider controlled zip line trolley brake system
An improved zip line trolley allowing a rider control of his or her speed while traversing along a suspended cable. The trolley comprises front and back wheels conjoined via left and right trolley plates and a handle bar. Front and back hand brake levers are mounted onto the handle bar. When front and back hand brake levers are squeezed by the rider, they create a constricting force which applies friction to the suspended cable via brake pads. This frictional force slows the rider's speed to his or her desired rate and brings the rider to a safe stop at a precise location along the suspended cable. The rider is able to quickly and easily remove the trolley from the suspended cable and transport it to another. |
| US09381917B1 |
Predictive reasoning for controlling speed of a vehicle
Methods and systems for predictive reasoning for controlling speed of a vehicle are described. A computing device may be configured to identify a first and second vehicle travelling ahead of an autonomous vehicle and in a same lane as the autonomous vehicle. The computing device may also be configured to determine a first buffer distance behind the first vehicle at which the autonomous vehicle will substantially reach a speed of the first vehicle and a second buffer distance behind the second vehicle at which the first vehicle will substantially reach a speed of the second vehicle. The computing device may further be configured to determine a distance at which to adjust a speed of the autonomous vehicle based on the first and second buffer distances and the speed of the autonomous vehicle, and then provide instructions to adjust the speed of the autonomous vehicle based on the distance. |
| US09381916B1 |
System and method for predicting behaviors of detected objects through environment representation
Aspects of the invention relate generally to autonomous vehicles. The features described improve the safety, use, driver experience, and performance of these vehicles by performing a behavior analysis on mobile objects in the vicinity of an autonomous vehicle. Specifically, the autonomous vehicle is capable of detecting nearby objects, such as vehicles and pedestrians, and is able to determine how the detected vehicles and pedestrians perceive their surroundings. The autonomous vehicle may then use this information to safely maneuver around all nearby objects. |
| US09381915B1 |
Vehicle side impact control
A vehicle system includes a sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to detect an impact vehicle. The processing device is programmed to predict an impact zone, define a passenger zone relative to a host vehicle, and generate a control signal to move the impact zone away from the passenger zone. The passenger zone is defined at least in part on a location of at least one occupant inside the host vehicle. |
| US09381913B2 |
System for cooling vehicle-mounted power control device and method for diagnosing abnormality
A system for cooling a power control device of a hybrid vehicle includes a cooling device for cooling a power control device, an electronic control device for controlling the cooling device, and an intake temperature sensor. The electronic control device determine whether the vehicle is in a reference traveling state with an intake amount ensured to be greater than or equal to a reference intake amount. When determining that the vehicle is in the reference traveling state, the control device determines presence or absence of abnormality in the cooling device using an intake temperature detected by the intake temperature sensor. When determining that the vehicle is not in the reference traveling state, the control device refrains from determining presence or absence of abnormality in the cooling device. |
| US09381909B2 |
Methods and systems for transitioning between braking modes
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between driveline braking and wheel brakes is provided. |
| US09381903B2 |
Variable channel type fan clutch
A variable channel type fan clutch apparatus may include a storage chamber and an operation chamber in which oil may be collected, wherein a fan clutch rotor may be interposed between the storage chamber and the operation chamber, an oil circulatory channel which fluid-connects the storage chamber and the operation chamber to circulate the oil therethrough, and a variable value which may be located in the oil circulatory channel, wherein the variable value may be configured to close the oil circulatory channel when an engine may be stopped or when a fan clutch exceeds an operation temperature, and wherein the variable value may be configured to open the oil circulatory channel when the engine may be operated or when the fan clutch does not exceed the operation temperature. |
| US09381902B2 |
Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles
A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source; determining a longitudinal acceleration, parallel to the desired movement vector and to output at vertical acceleration signal and a longitudinal acceleration signal; determining an inclination of the desired movement vector relative to the gravitational acceleration; and processing the vertical acceleration signal, the longitudinal acceleration signal, and the inclination signal to produce an absolute vertical acceleration signal and an absolute longitudinal acceleration signal. |
| US09381898B2 |
Actuator for brake fluid pressure control
An actuator for brake fluid pressure control includes a block formed with a brake pipe, an electric component provided on a surface of the block, a circuit board formed with an electric circuit for driving the electric component, and a case that houses the circuit board and includes a first open part in which the electric component is accommodated, the case having a top surface opposite the surface of the block across the circuit board and being fixed to the block at the side opposite to the top surface. An insertion hole is formed in a side surface of the case at a position corresponding to a plane position of the circuit board. The insertion hole is sized to enable inserting the circuit board into the case therethrough to be fixed to the case. |
| US09381895B1 |
Parking brake safety system
An air brake system is equipped with a service brakes and a parking brake. A control valve for the parking brake vents air therefrom to apply the parking brake. The system is configured to apply indications of driver presence and absence to effect automatic control of the parking brake control valve, including automatically applying the parking brake upon an indication of driver absence and preventing release of the parking brake without an indication of driver presence. The driver absence indication can include the combination open driver's door and an empty driver's seat. The driver presence indication can include authorized driver identification through entry of a code or other authorization mechanism, as well as a requirement that the service brakes be applied. |
| US09381894B2 |
Integrated braking system
Disclosed is an integrated braking system including a hydraulic piston cylinder unit that is operated by a brake pedal, a pressure medium storage unit that is connected to the hydraulic piston cylinder unit, a pressure generating unit that is driven by a motor, and has first and second hydraulic chambers that are divided by a piston movable within a housing, and a pressure control unit that transmits a pressure to a wheel unit from the hydraulic piston cylinder unit and the pressure generating unit. A hydraulic line directly connects the first hydraulic chamber and the pressure medium storage unit. |
| US09381892B2 |
Hydraulic connector for a windshield wiper blade having guidance by a longitudinal arm
The invention relates to a hydraulic connector for a wiper system, said wiper system also comprising a blade holder intended to move a blade over the surface to be wiped, a blade (3) and a mechanical connector (10) fixed to said blade in order to attach it to the blade holder, said hydraulic connector (30) having at least one line (31, 32) for supplying a liquid to the blade (3) via the mechanical connector (10). Said hydraulic connector is characterized in that it comprises at least one guide means (34) able to engage with a corresponding element (14) of the mechanical connector (10) in order to be aligned thereon while the blade (3) is being fitted on the blade holder. |
| US09381890B2 |
Method and apparatus for biometric vehicle activation
A system includes a processor configured to detect push-to-start (PTS) button engagement. The processor is also configured to scan a finger positioned on a vehicle fingerprint scanner for a fingerprint. The processor is further configured to verify that the fingerprint corresponds to an authorized driver and engage a vehicle ignition when the fingerprint corresponds to an authorized driver. |
| US09381889B2 |
Antenna core and method of manufacturing the same, and antenna and detection system using the same
An antenna core includes a laminate of a plurality of Co-based amorphous magnetic alloy thin strips in which a length ratio of a long axis to a short axis is greater than 1. 60% or more of the Co-based amorphous magnetic alloy thin strips in terms of the number of the thin strips as percentage have a line-shaped mark formed along the long axis on at least one surface thereof. An antenna includes the antenna core and a winding wound around the antenna core along the long axis. |
| US09381888B2 |
Sealed locking retractor
An apparatus and method are provided for sealing locking components of a retractor, wherein the retractor has a spool shaft extending therefrom. A base of a housing defines an opening therethrough, and an outer surface of the base is mounted to the retractor with the spool shaft extending into the opening. The locking components are arranged on an inner surface of the base of the housing. A sealing member engages the base of the housing and extends about a periphery of about the opening, and also extends about and engages a periphery of the spool shaft, to form a seal between the spool shaft and the base of the housing to block ingress of moisture and particles to the locking components. A cover is hermetically attached to the housing about a periphery thereof with the locking components sealed between the cover and the base of the housing. |
| US09381887B2 |
Pyrotechnic tensioner
A pyrotechnic pretensioner (10) for a safety system in a vehicle has an inflator (22) including a propelling charge (26) and an igniter (32) and including a housing (12) in which a pressure chamber (14) is provided into which gas can flow and in which a piston can be displaced by the gas, an end piece (16) which closes the pressure chamber (14) and in which a chamber (24) is formed into which the propelling charge (26) is filled and whose wall constitutes the wall of the propellant is provided on the housing (12). |
| US09381880B2 |
Multi-strip beam-forming apparatus, method and beam
A multi-sheet beam includes sheets pre-shaped and/or pre-formed to have integral features and to cause a final beam shape with non-radiused corners and optimal impact properties when assembled, including beams with constant or varied cross sectional shapes. The non-radiused corners offer excellent impact strength over radiused corners. The sheets are selected to have desired (different) thicknesses and material properties for optimal impact results and low beam weight. To assemble, the sheets are fixtured together and welded to form box beam, such as a two-tube monoleg beam, preferably using welding processes having low heat-affected-zones around the weld. The multiple sheets can include grades of aluminum with high tensile strength well above extrudable grades of aluminum. Alternatively, the multiple sheets can be any grade of steel, such as high strength and ultra high strength steels. The fixturing and assembly technique minimizes capital expense on extruding machines and/or roll forming machines. |
| US09381879B2 |
Local energy absorber
A vehicle hood covering an underhood object includes an inner surface of the vehicle hood facing the underhood object and spaced from the underhood object, and an outer surface of the vehicle hood opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. The local energy absorber is a multiply-connected structure. The local energy absorber includes a wall defining an interior surface having symmetry about a central plane normal to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. A plurality of apertures is defined in the wall symmetrically about the central plane to initiate buckling and fracture in the wall during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds. |
| US09381878B2 |
Vehicle and power transmission/reception system
A vehicle includes a power reception unit for receiving electric power in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic field resonance, and a device power feeding unit for transmitting electric power to be supplied to an in-vehicle electrical device in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic induction. A distance over which the electric power is transmitted from an external power transmission unit to the power reception unit in a non-contact manner is longer than a distance over which the electric power is transmitted from the device power feeding unit to the in-vehicle electrical device in a non-contact manner. The vehicle further includes a main battery for supplying electric power to a motor generator, and an auxiliary battery. The auxiliary battery has a voltage lower than a voltage of the main battery. The device power feeding unit receives electric power from the auxiliary battery and transmits the power to the in-vehicle electrical device. |
| US09381872B2 |
Shelving systems
A shelving system includes side members that each define a first channel having a slide disposed therein. A cross member extends between and connects the slides. The cross member defines a second channel having a guide member disposed therein. The guide member defines a third channel and a flange. A container includes side walls having a rail. One of the rails is movably disposed in the third channel. The rails include a first locking element and a second locking element. The handle includes a third locking element that engages the first locking element. The handle is movable between a first position in which the second locking element engages the flange and the container is fixed relative to the guide member and a second position in which the second locking element is spaced apart from the flange and the container can translate relative to the guide member. |
| US09381866B2 |
Crossbar clamp devices
Racks are used to carry cargo on top of vehicles. Racks include crossbars and assemblies configured to secure specific cargo items to the crossbars. Clamps for connecting cargo-specific assemblies to the crossbars, include first and second jaws, and an adjustment device for selectively controlling horizontal relative movement between the jaws. |
| US09381865B2 |
Cargo management system for use with motor vehicles
The present disclosure relates to a cargo management system for use in a cargo area of a motor vehicle. The system may have a floor pan configured to be fixedly secured to a surface of the cargo area and a back wall. The back wall may be pivotally secured to the floor pan adjacent an edge of the floor pan. At least first and second divider wall panels may be provided which are each pivotally secured to the back wall and spaced apart from one another. Each may be moveable between a collapsed orientation, wherein the plurality of divider wall panels rest parallel and closely adjacent a surface of the floor pan, and an upright orientation wherein each of the divider wall panels, along with the back wall, form at least one compartment for containing cargo items therein. |
| US09381864B2 |
Panelless cargo screen and vehicle having the same
A cargo screen device for a vehicle may include a housing unit which has a screen drawing groove, and a screen unit which includes a screen member that may be wound in the housing unit, or deployed from the housing unit through the screen drawing groove, wherein the screen unit includes a wire member which may be made of a flexible material, and coupled to the screen member along a tip of the screen member. |
| US09381861B2 |
Automobile mirror control system
A control system for mirror in a vehicle as well as a method for controlling the side mirrors of a vehicle are disclosed. The control system may include a processor module and a memory module as well as a control console. The control console may include a mirror toggle switch, a mirror control switch, and two sets of memory recall switches. The first set of memory recall switches may be associated with set side mirror positions in a first operation state of the vehicle, which could for instance occur when the vehicle is operating in a drive gear. The second set of memory recall switches may be associated with set side mirror positions in a second operation state of the vehicle, which could for instance occur when the vehicle is operating in a reverse gear. |
| US09381860B2 |
Apparatus for processing on-screen display and system for reprogramming camera module having the same
There is provided an apparatus for processing an on-screen display (OSD), the apparatus including: a buffer unit receiving first dynamic guideline image information, a color determining unit determining colors for previously divided sections included in the first dynamic guideline image information from the buffering unit, and an image synthesizing unit synthesizing second dynamic guideline image information having the colors for each of the sections, determined by the color determining unit with an image from a camera. With the apparatus for processing an OSD, a user freely sets colors of a warning message, a static guideline, and a dynamic guideline, whereby the warning message, the static guideline, and the dynamic guideline can be displayed on a screen without obscuring a rearview image. In addition, a dynamic guideline can be set as different colors according to sections divided into distances from the rear of a vehicle and an image can be continuously displayed. Further, the camera module can be reprogrammed. |
| US09381858B2 |
Laser guided docking apparatuses and methods of making and using the same
The present invention relates to laser guided tractor trailer docking apparatuses and methods of making and using the same. Specifically, apparatuses are provided for projecting a laser line emanating from a tractor trailer loading dock to guide a tractor trailer driver backing the tractor trailer into proper position at the loading dock. |
| US09381856B1 |
Vehicle temperature alarm for occupants and pets
Systems, devices and methods of using motion detectors and temperature sensors inside vehicles for activating alarms to protect vehicle occupants that include babies, children, infirm, elderly and pets. Headrest mounted motion detector(s) and a temperature sensor detect both motion and selected temperatures to remotely transmit alarm signals to the vehicle horn that can play an SOS alarm. The detectors and temperature sensor can sound alarms when unsafe cold and warm interior vehicle temperatures are reached. |
| US09381855B1 |
Vehicle temperature alarm for vehicle occupants and pets
Systems, devices and methods of using motion detectors and temperature sensors inside vehicles for activating alarms to protect vehicle occupants that include babies, children, infirm, elderly and pets. Headrest mounted motion detector(s) and a temperature sensor detect both motion and selected temperatures to remotely transmit alarm signals to the vehicle horn that can play an SOS alarm. The detectors and temperature sensor can sound alarms when unsafe cold and warm interior vehicle temperatures are reached. Low battery indicators such as audible alarms, chirp sounds and lights can be used to indicate low battery power supplies. |
| US09381850B2 |
Compact adjuster for headlight
An adjustment device for headlights with an adjustment screw extending in a predetermined direction of adjustment. The adjustment screw engages a thread of a light module of the headlight for pivoting it about a horizontal or vertical axis. The adjustment screw also engages with a drive means arranged coaxially in reference thereof at a rear end of the adjustment screw. A latching sheath and a drive element surrounding the latching sheath are provided as drive means, receiving the rear end of the adjustment screw. The latching sheath comprises fastening digits elastic in the radial direction, which in the assembled position press against the interior of the drive element. The latching sheath and the drive element are coupled to each other via latching means in the axial direction and in a latching fashion. |
| US09381848B2 |
Information provision device for vehicle
An information provision device for a vehicle is provided. The information provision device comprises an output device that reports notification information to a driver of the vehicle through an audible or visible message, an information selection unit that selects the notification information from among information items based on content of a driving operation of the vehicle, a preference determination unit that determines a reporting manner of the audible or visual message in the output device based on preference of the driver, and an output control unit that controls the output device in such a way that the notification information, which is selected by the information selection unit, is reported in the reporting manner determined by the preference determination unit. |
| US09381846B2 |
Haul bodies and related apparatus
The invention relates to a tipping haul body such as a tipping trailer (10). The tipping trailer (10) includes at least one axle (12) and a tub base (40). The tub base (40) is arranged to support the load of a payload receiving tub (20) of the trailer (10) and to transmit that load via the at least one axle (12) to a ground surface. The tub base (40) and the tub (20) are arranged to be connected together and to pivot together about a pivot axis (P1) when the trailer (10) is activated to dump a payload from the tub (20). The invention also relates to a tipping and suspension unit for a haul body such as trailer or a dolly. |
| US09381840B2 |
Seat
The seatback has a seat surface curving and gradually bulging in the up-down direction, along the occupant's shoulder blades, and curving in the left-right direction and receding to support the occupant's ribs. Preferably, the seat surface of the seatback extends upward to support the lower part of the occupant's neck, thus supporting the same in the up-down direction, and recedes to support the occupant's shoulder blades in the left-right direction. |
| US09381839B2 |
Vehicle seat and method for producing an upholstered vehicle seat part
The invention relates to a vehicle seat having a seat part, having a backrest part and having an upholstery part for upholstering the seat part, wherein the upholstery part comprises an upholstery part cover element, a carrier layer element for supporting the upholstery cover element, an upholstery core element, a main upholstery element and a barrier layer, and wherein the main upholstery element is spatially separated by the barrier layer from the carrier layer element, the upholstery core element and the upholstery part cover element, the barrier layer having a seamless barrier layer element, which is arranged continuously as a strip product directly on the main upholstery element. |
| US09381838B2 |
Seating device, in particular flight passenger seating device
A seating device, in particular on a flight passenger seating device includes a moveably mounted primary unit and a moveably mounted secondary unit. The seating device has a locking unit which, depending on at least one operating position of the secondary unit, avoids a movement of the primary unit relative to a mounting unit. |
| US09381834B2 |
Child safety seat
The child safety seat disclosed in the present invention includes a seatback, a headrest and a belt. The headrest is disposed on the seatback, and is adapted to move relative to the seatback up and down. The headrest includes an inclined guiding portion disposed on a bottom portion of the headrest, and an indentation of the inclined guiding portion points upward. The belt is disposed between the seatback and the headrest. The belt slidably contacts the headrest when a passenger sits the child safety seat and is constrained by the belt, and the headrest moves downwardly so that the inclined guiding portion drives the belt to be close to a center of the headrest. A height of the headrest is adjustable, a shoulder belt of the belt automatically moves when the height of the headrest is adjusted, and the neck of the passenger can be constrained by the shoulder belt. |
| US09381830B2 |
Reclining apparatus for rear seat in a car
A reclining apparatus for a rear seat in a car may include a plurality of links provided on both sides of a cushion frame and each being rotatably coupled at both sides to the cushion frame or a car floor, and a locking module configured to couple a back frame hinge-connected to the cushion frame with a car body and slidably and rotatably connected with the back frame so as to allow the back frame to tilt at a variable angle in response to movement of the cushion frame by the rotation of the links. |
| US09381826B2 |
Battery configuration for an electric vehicle
A power delivery system for an electric vehicle provides efficient power management for either continuous or intermittent high-performance operation, using a boost stage and an on-board charging circuit. A main battery, configured as a high-capacity power source, supplies power to the electric motor under normal load conditions. An auxiliary boost battery assists the main battery in supplying a high-level current at a higher discharge rate thereby causing the motor to operate in a high-performance drive mode. A charging circuit recharges the boost battery from the main battery during operation of the motor. The charging circuit also maintains a charge balance between the boost battery and the main battery when the two batteries have different chemistries. In one embodiment, participation of the boost battery in powering the electric motor can be controlled automatically according to sensed changes in the load. In another embodiment, power management can be based on timed intervals. |
| US09381824B2 |
Circuit and method for detection of battery cell drain
A vehicle includes a traction battery and a battery management system. The battery management system includes a controller programmed to output a drained cell diagnostic indicator. The drained cell diagnostic indicator is based on a magnitude of a difference between an average cell state of charge at a start of a battery rest period and a cell state of charge estimated at predetermined intervals during the battery rest period being greater than a predetermined value. A response to the drained cell diagnostic indicator depends on the magnitude of the cell drain rate and may include operating the traction battery at a reduced power level and notifying an operator of the diagnostic condition. |
| US09381823B2 |
Real-time battery estimation
Vehicle systems and methods can include a traction battery and a controller to implement a state estimator configured to output battery state based on internal resistance of the traction battery and a system dynamics estimation of the traction battery using discrete battery measurements of voltage and internal resistance, and operate the traction battery according to output of the state estimator. For example, the controller can identify a system dynamics model of the traction battery using a battery input current profile and a battery output voltage profile measured within a predefined time period, transform the identified system dynamics model to a state-space model having a diagonal system matrix consisting of system Eigenvalues through the Eigendecomposition, estimate battery current limits and available power limits from the transformed system dynamics model, and operate the traction battery according to system dynamics model identified using estimated battery current limits and available power limits. |
| US09381816B2 |
Method for reconnecting a relay in a vehicle battery management system
A method for reconnecting a relay in a vehicle battery management system includes: measuring an insulation resistance between a positive electrode or a negative electrode of a battery and a vehicle chassis; turning off each of relays connected between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery and a load when the measured insulation resistance is less than a reference value; re-measuring the insulation resistance; and performing a relay-on sequence for turning on each of the relays when the resistance value of the re-measured insulation resistance is greater than the reference value. A relay reconnection number of the relay-on sequence, based on a repetition of the measuring and re-measuring, is set and limited so as to not exceed a threshold value. |
| US09381815B2 |
Abnormality diagnostic apparatus for vehicle
An abnormality diagnostic apparatus for a vehicle, which can accurately determine whether or not there is an abnormality in a voltage detection unit, while curtailing a cost increase, is provided. Output voltages Va, Vb, Vc outputted from voltage detection units are acquired, and differences |Va−Vb|, |Vb−Vc|, |Vc−Va| between the acquired output values are calculated. If any of the calculation results is greater than a determination threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in any of the voltage detection units. |
| US09381811B2 |
Vehicle driving assist system
A vehicle driving assist system has a controller configured to urge a driver to slow down (decelerate) in locations where visibility is poor. The controller detects a traveling condition of a host vehicle, e.g., when the host vehicle is approaching a designated area, such as a school zone, and then selectively executes an imaginary speed limiting road protrusion control that generates an imaginary speed limiting road protrusion by artificially reproducing a vehicle behavior that simulates the host vehicle crosses an actual speed limiting road protrusion arranged on a road surface, based on the traveling condition of the host vehicle. |
| US09381810B2 |
Electronic throttle control
An electronic throttle control (ETC) system is disclosed for use on a recreational or a utility vehicle. The ETC system includes a drive mode selection device for selecting between a plurality of drive modes. The ETC system provides an adjustable engine idle speed and an engine power limiting feature. |
| US09381806B2 |
Vehicle with multiple drive axle assembly with a raisable and lowerable rear drive axle, and method of operating such a vehicle
A vehicle having a multiple drive axle assembly includes a forward axle assembly including a forward interaxle differential, a forward interaxle differential input shaft and a forward interaxle differential output shaft. An intermediate drive shaft is connected to the forward interaxle differential output shaft. A rear axle assembly includes a rear differential and a rear differential input shaft. A rear clutch arrangement is provided between the intermediate drive shaft and the rear differential input shaft and is movable between a first position in which the rear clutch arrangement rotationally locks the intermediate drive shaft and the rear differential input shaft and a second position in which the intermediate drive shaft and the rear differential input shaft are rotationally disconnected. The rear axle assembly of the vehicle can be raised and lowered relative to a frame of the vehicle. |
| US09381805B2 |
Tractor
The present invention provides a tractor which includes a body frame configured such that a front portion thereof adjacent to a front wheel axle is at a raised position to prevent interference with front wheels, and a medial portion thereof is depressed so that an engine can be located in the medial portion. Thereby, the front wheels can be turned to maximum angles without being impeded by the front wheel axle, and a driver cab provided with a driver seat can be located above an area where the engine is disposed. |
| US09381800B2 |
Power transmission apparatus for hybrid vehicle
A power transmission apparatus 1 for a hybrid vehicle having an engine 6 and a motor 7 is provided with a planetary gear mechanism 31 configured to differentially rotate a sun gear 32, a carrier 36, and a ring gear 35. The sun gear 32 is connected to one of a first input shaft and a second input shaft and to the motor 7. The ring gear 35 is connected to a lock mechanism capable of stopping a rotation state. The carrier 36 is configured to transmit power to a counter shaft 14. The other of the first input shaft and the second input shaft is configured to transmit power to the counter shaft 14 without passing through the planetary gear mechanism 31. |
| US09381798B2 |
Battery system and motor vehicle
A battery system for driving an electric motor of a hybrid vehicle or of an electric vehicle has an exchangeable auxiliary battery to improve the comfort, performance and/or the range of the vehicle. The auxiliary battery can be placed from below into a space beneath the trunk compartment floor. The trunk compartment floor is vertically movable to increase the size of the trunk compartment when the auxiliary battery is not being used. |
| US09381785B2 |
Tilting vehicle and a method of tilting a vehicle with rear wheel supports having hydraulic cylinders communicating through a pump
There is disclosed herein a vehicle configuration comprising a chassis, at least one front wheel, two rear wheels, and a propulsion unit driving the rear wheels. The rear wheels are connected to the chassis by a wheel support assembly configured for allowing movement of each rear wheel relative to the chassis, a hydraulic cylinder connected to the chassis and the rear wheel supports, and a piston connected the rear wheel supports and the chassis. The piston dividing the hydraulic cylinder into fluidly connected first and second chambers such that movement of hydraulic fluid from the first or second chamber of a hydraulic cylinder to the respective first or second chamber of another hydraulic cylinder displaces the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders in opposing directions relative to the respective housings and causes the chassis to articulate with respect to the surface. |
| US09381784B2 |
Strut bearing
A strut bearing including a cap (2) and a guide ring (3) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (D) relative to the cap (2) and including at least one seal, wherein a plain bearing (4) is disposed between the cap (2) and the guide ring (3), and the plain bearing (4) is injection molded onto the guide ring (3). |
| US09381780B2 |
Compact valve system for self-inflating tire
A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has an inlet in fluid communication with outside air, and an outlet in fluid communication with inlet and outlet of the pump passageway. The valve assembly further includes an inlet control valve having a valve bottom positioned over the outlet and operative to open and close the outlet. The inlet control valve has a first end connected to the diaphragm, and a resilient member biases the inlet control valve into the open position. |
| US09381777B2 |
Signal transponder transceiving signals using different communication protocols and method for transceiving signals using different communication protocols
A signal transponder transceiving signals using different communication protocols has a control module, a receiving module and a transmitting module. The control module is electrically connected to the receiving module and the transmitting module, is built in with multiple communication protocols, decodes a tire pressure signal transmitted from and encoded by an external tire pressure sensor with one of the communication protocols, encodes the decoded information to a new tire pressure signal, and further transmits the new tire pressure signal to a tire pressure receiver. Accordingly, there is no failure in decoding and transmissions and cost increase when the signal transponder communicates with tire pressure sensors and a tire pressure receiver using two different communication protocols. |
| US09381776B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A tire having a large number of circular dimples 62 on sidewalls thereof is disclosed. Each dimple 62 has a slope surface 66 and a bottom surface 68. The dimple 62 has a small projection 70. The small projection 70 is annular and is formed on the slope surface 66. A cross-sectional shape of the small projection 70 is substantially a rectangle. The small projection 70 is arranged so as to be concentric with the contour of the dimple 62. The surface area of the slope surface 66 having the small projection 70 is larger than the surface area of the slope surface when it is postulated that the small projection 70 does not exist thereon. |
| US09381772B2 |
Rim, vehicle wheel, and vehicle with such a rim
A rim onto which a vehicle tire is pulled or can be pulled. The rim has a rim base with at least one device to absorb sound in the manner of a Helmholtz resonator, an air volume partly ring-shaped and at least one opening into the tire interior. The air volume of the Helmholtz resonator is formed by the rim base, by wall and/or web elements, which are arranged on the rim base at a distance from one another when seen in the axial direction of the rim, which are radially oriented, and which are at least partly circumferential, and by a covering element or by a covering element and transverse walls, which delimit the air volume in the circumferential direction. The covering element may be connected to the wall and/or web elements in a form-fitting manner or in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner and in an airtight manner. |
| US09381768B2 |
Hand-held dry-erase board system
A hand-held dry-erase system for communication is provided, with application in education, healthcare, or other fields. A writing instrument may be stored in the handle of a portable dry-erase board. The hand-held dry-erase board system includes a frame including a writable surface, a handle, wherein the handle includes an upper end and a lower end and wherein the upper end of the handle is attached to the frame enabling a power grip. A clip may be attached to the handle to secure a marker. The writable surface may be transparent, and removable substrates may be included. |
| US09381761B2 |
Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer includes a determination unit, a maintenance setting value decision unit, and a controller. The determination unit determines whether or not an ink cartridge has passed the recommended time limit, based on the manufacturing date or the start-of-use date, the normal consumption period of the ink cartridge, and the elapsed period from the manufacturing date or the start-of-use date of the ink cartridge. The maintenance setting value decision unit reads the cycle and the strength of a maintenance operation for each type of ink from the memory, in a case where the determination unit determines that the recommended time limit has passed, and selects and decides the shortest cycle and the strongest strength, as maintenance setting values. The controller causes a pressure regulator and a pressure regulating drive unit to execute a purge operation, based on the determined maintenance setting values. |
| US09381757B2 |
Image recording apparatus and sheet transfer method
A rotation shaft configured to rotate in a direction in which a sheet is fed in and in a direction in which the sheet is wound while supporting the sheet, a control unit configured to apply tension to the sheet by the rotation shaft by controlling torque applied to the rotation shaft, an ejection unit configured to eject light-curable liquid onto the sheet, and an irradiation device configured to irradiate light onto the liquid ejected onto the sheet by the ejection unit are provided. The tension applied to the sheet by the rotation shaft when the rotation shaft rotates in the direction in which the sheet is wounded is smaller than the tension applied to the sheet by the rotation shaft when the rotation shaft rotate in the direction in which the sheet is fed in. |
| US09381753B2 |
Multifunction printing device
A small, compact multifunction printing device provides excellent ease of use with little possibility of slips and continuous paper jamming inside. The multifunction printer has a check processing unit and a continuous paper processing unit. The check processing unit has a U-shaped check conveyance path P1 that opens to the front of the printer and enables handling slips to be processed and the processed slips from the front of the printer. A continuous paper conveyance path P2 that conveys continuous paper fed from a paper roll in the roll paper compartment from the back to the front of the printer is formed on the inside of the check conveyance path P1, enabling replacing roll paper and removing processed continuous paper from the front. The conveyance paths P1 and P2 are independent of each other, the printing positions thereof are separated, and conveyed slips and continuous paper will not interfere with each other. |
| US09381750B2 |
Printing material container, and board mounted on printing material container
A printing material container is detachably attachable to a printing apparatus having a plurality of apparatus-side terminals. The printing material container comprises a first device, a second device, and a terminal group that includes a plurality of first terminals, at least one second terminal and at least one third terminal. The plurality of first terminals are connected to the first device and respectively include a first contact portion for contacting a corresponding terminal among the plurality of apparatus-side terminals. The at least one second terminal is connected to the second device and includes a second contact portion for contacting a corresponding terminal among the plurality of apparatus-side terminals. The at least one third terminal is for the detection of shorting between the at least one second terminal and the at least one third terminal and includes a third contact portion for contacting a corresponding terminal among the plurality of apparatus-side terminals. The at least one second contact portion, the plurality of the first contact portions, and the at least one third contact portion are arranged so as to form one or multiple rows. The at least one second contact portion is arranged at an end of one row among the one or multiple rows. |
| US09381748B2 |
Liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection device provided by the invention can be easily transported in a stable orientation in which the weight balance is kept. A printer of the invention includes a liquid ejection head for ejecting ink onto a sheet, ink tanks for storing ink to be supplied to the liquid ejection head, and tubes that connect the ink tanks to the liquid ejection head. An ink injection opening that enables the injection of ink is formed on the upper side of the ink tanks in the vertical direction, and one portion of the ink tanks and another portion of the ink tanks are respectively arranged on one side and another side that face each other across a sheet conveying region. |
| US09381745B1 |
Printhead cleaning assembly
System and methods for cleaning printheads and printhead wipers. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a belt configured to rotate in a loop, and a wiper attached to the belt configured to wipe ink from a printhead. The apparatus also includes a tank configured as a reservoir for a cleaning solution, and a controller configured to drive the belt so that an end of the wiper drags across the printhead when in an upper portion of the loop and submerges in the cleaning solution of the tank when in a lower portion of the loop. |
| US09381741B2 |
Inkjet printhead substrate, method of manufacturing the same, and inkjet printhead
An inkjet printhead substrate includes a base plate, a heat storage layer placed on the base plate, a heat-generating resistive layer which is placed on the heat storage layer and which includes an electrothermal transducing portion, a wiring layer electrically connected to the heat-generating resistive layer, and an insulating protective layer covering the heat-generating resistive layer and the wiring layer. The heat storage layer includes a porous cyclic silazane film formed by a vapor phase process. |
| US09381738B2 |
Liquid jet apparatus performing pulse modulation on a drive signal
A liquid jet apparatus according to the present invention includes a drive waveform generator adapted to generate a drive waveform signal, a modulator adapted to execute pulse modulation on the drive waveform signal, a digital power amplifier adapted to power-amplify the modulated signal, on which the pulse modulation is executed by the modulator, with a pair of switching elements push-pull coupled with each other, a low pass filter adapted to smooth the amplified digital signal obtained by the power-amplification of the digital power amplifier, and a modulation period modification circuit adapted to modify a modulation period of the pulse modulation of the modulator based on data of the drive waveform signal. |
| US09381737B2 |
Method of manufacturing a print head
A method of manufacturing a print head includes forming a jet stack having an array of jets, arranging an array of transducers on the jet stack such that each transducer in the array of transducers corresponds to each jet in the array of jets, embossing a flexible circuit substrate having contact pads such that the contact pads extend out of a plane of the flexible circuit substrate, and arranging the flexible circuit substrate such that the contact pads electrically connect to at least some of the transducers in the array of transducers. |
| US09381736B2 |
Digital printing process
A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate. The chemical compositions of the ink and of the surface of the intermediate transfer member are selected such that attractive intermolecular forces between molecules in the outer skin of each droplet and on the surface of the intermediate transfer member counteract the tendency of the ink film produced by each droplet to bead under the action of the surface tension of the aqueous carrier, without causing each droplet to spread by wetting the surface of the intermediate transfer member. |
| US09381735B2 |
Printing device
A printing device includes a mask raising/lowering mechanical part for raising/lowering, in a state of holding a screen mask, the screen mask in a vertical direction and positioning the screen mask relative to a substrate, a frame part disposed in a state of being independent from a raising/lowering operation of the screen mask, and a print head unit provided movably to the frame part and performing squeegeeing of the screen mask to which a solder has been supplied. |
| US09381734B2 |
Securities printer
A printer is provided with: offset printing units (120 to 150) comprising impression cylinders (121a to 151a, 121b to 151b) for holding and transferring a sheet (101), blanket cylinders (122a to 152a, 122b to 152b) facing the impression cylinders (121a to 151a, 121b to 151b), plate cylinders (123a to 153a, 123b to 153b) facing the blanket cylinders (122a to 152a, 122b to 152b), and ink devices (124a to 154a, 124b to 154b) for supplying ink to the plate cylinders (123a to 153a, 123b to 153b); and an intaglio printing unit (180) comprising an impression cylinder (181) which receives the sheet (101) subjected to offset printing in the offset printing unit (150) and holds and transfers the sheet (101), an intaglio plate cylinder (182) facing the impression cylinder (181), ink supply means (183 to 185) for supplying ink to the intaglio plate cylinder (182), and the like. |
| US09381733B1 |
Preparation method of printing plate for alignment film
The invention relates to the technical field of fabricating a display device, and specifically, to a preparation method of a printing plate for alignment film. The method comprises the following steps of: mixing 40-70 parts by mass of a resin for a printing plate for alignment film, 10-20 parts by mass of an epoxy acrylic resin, 10-20 parts by mass of a photoinitiator, and 20-30 parts by mass of a peroxide initiator, and then coating on a surface of a substrate; exposing with an ultraviolet ray and developing; and subjecting the exposed and developed substrate to a thermal curing process. According to the above technical solution, by adding a peroxide initiator, and adding a thermal curing process after the printing plate for alignment film is exposed during the process for preparing the printing plate for alignment film, the reaction rate of carbon-carbon double bonds is improved, and thereby the resistance of the printing plate for alignment film to a PI liquid having a high polarity is improved and the incidence rate of foreign substance is reduced. |
| US09381732B2 |
Device for stripping a product substrate from a carrier substrate
Device for stripping a product substrate from a carrier substrate connected to the product substrate by an interconnect layer by means of a flexible film that is mounted on a film frame and that comprises an adhesive layer for holding the product substrate in a bonding surface section of the film, the film being mounted on the film frame in an attachment section of the film that surrounds the bonding surface section, and the film comprising a stripping section that is located between the bonding surface section and the attachment section, the device having stripping means for effecting a stripping of the product substrate from the carrier substrate from a periphery of the product substrate. |
| US09381731B2 |
Epitaxial lift off systems and methods
Epitaxial lift off systems and methods are presented. In one embodiment a tape is disposed on the opposite side of the epitaxial material than the substrate is used to hold the epitaxial material during the etching and removal steps of the ELO process. In various embodiments, the apparatus for removing the ELO film from the substrates without damaging the ELO film may include an etchant reservoir, substrate handling and tape handling mechanisms, including mechanisms to manipulate (e.g., cause tension, peel, widen the etch gap, etc.) the lift off component during the lift off process. |
| US09381730B2 |
Surrogate patch assembly for a rework area of a composite structure
A surrogate patch assembly for a rework area of a structure comprises a surrogate patch body which may be formed of a material for drawing moisture from the rework area. The patch assembly may include a sensor mounted to the surrogate patch body. The sensor may comprise a thermal sensor for sensing the temperature of the rework area and the surrogate patch body. The sensor may comprise a moisture sensor for sensing moisture drawn into the surrogate patch body. |
| US09381727B2 |
Method of manufacturing translucent rigid substrate laminate and translucent rigid substrate bonding apparatus
Provided is a method of manufacturing a translucent rigid substrate laminate, which method can improve position precision. Further provided is a translucent rigid substrate bonding apparatus that contributes to improvement of the position precision while increasing production efficiency of a plate-shaped product. In the method of manufacturing a translucent rigid substrate laminate and the translucent rigid substrate bonding apparatus according to the present invention, when translucent rigid substrates are bonded in a predetermined positional relationship by interposing a photo-curable fixing agent including (A) polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, (B) monofunctional (meth)acrylate and (C) a photopolymerization initiator therebetween, the entire fixing agent spreading between the both translucent rigid substrates is cured every time the translucent rigid substrates are bonded. |
| US09381722B2 |
Manufacturing process for glazing with integral wiring
An improved process for fabrication of laminated glazings incorporating conductors such as heating elements is described. During assembly of the glazing, a solution comprising the same polymer material as the interlayer is applied to the conductors and allowed to dry prior to fitting a glazing sheet on top. This gives rise to a thin coating of polymer around the conductors and subsequent heat treatment causes the this coating and the main polymer interlayer to soften and fuse. The resulting structure shows improved encapsulation of the conductors (wires and busbars) with greater resistance to water ingress at the edge of the glazing. |
| US09381717B2 |
Manufacturing method of heat dissipation structure applied to mobile device
A manufacturing method of heat dissipation structure applied to mobile device. The heat dissipation structure applied to mobile device includes a heat conduction main body. The heat conduction main body has a heat dissipation side and a heat absorption side. A radiation heat dissipation layer is formed on the heat dissipation side. The heat dissipation structure is disposed in the mobile device to provide a very good heat dissipation effect for the closed space of the mobile device by way of natural convection and radiation. Therefore, the heat dissipation performance of the entire mobile device is greatly enhanced. |
| US09381716B2 |
Structural adhesive assemblies
A device and method for reinforcing, baffling or sealing a vehicle structure, comprising the steps of providing a flexible carrier and plurality of parallel strips located on opposing surfaces of the carrier. |
| US09381709B2 |
Oxygen scavenging polyester composition
The present disclosure provides a polyester polymer product which contains partially or fully cobalt-neutralized organic sulphonic acid component and which is substantially free of ether and its preparation. The present disclosure also provides an oxygen scavenging composition made from a mixture of the polyester polymer product of the present disclosure, an organic oxidizable polymeric component and optionally at least one additional polyester component. The present disclosure further provides a packaging article defined by walls having an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) less than 0.2 cc·m−2 day−1 at 0.28 mm thickness and its preparation. |
| US09381708B2 |
Optimized preform feed
A device for transporting plastic preforms to a stretch blow molding machine comprising a feeder device, which transports the plastic preforms to a separating device, which is arranged in transport direction upstream of the stretch blow molding machine, wherein the feeder device comprises a pneumatically actuable blocking device, which in a first position deblocks the path of transport for the preforms and in a second position blocks the path of transport for the plastic preforms, and wherein the blocking device is actuable by means of a cylinder. According to the invention, the valve for controlling the cylinder is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the cylinder. |
| US09381702B2 |
Composite preforms including three-dimensional interconnections
Methods creating composite preforms with a three-dimensional weaving pattern include stacking material layers and then connecting them with interlayer reinforcements. First and second layers are aligned and separated by a first layer spacing. First interlayer reinforcements are then inserted through at least the first and the second layers. At least a third layer is aligned with at least the first and second layers. Second interlayer reinforcements are inserted through at least the second and third layers, using the first layer spacing between the first and second layers to manipulated the second interlayer reinforcements during insertion. Following the insertion of at least the second interlayer reinforcement, this layer spacing is closed to bring the first and second layers into contact. Further layers and interlayer reinforcements may be added, using additional layer spacings to manipulate additional interlayer reinforcements to form complex three-dimensionally woven composite preforms. |
| US09381698B2 |
Laser-engraveable elements
A laser-engraveable layer is used in a laser-engraveable element to provide relief images. The resulting laser-engraved elements can take various forms and can be used to apply various inks to receiver materials in an imagewise fashion. The laser-engraveable element has a thermally crosslinked laser-engraveable layer containing a crosslinked elastomeric fluoropolymer and a fluoro-functionalized near-infrared radiation absorber. The crosslinked fluoropolymer has a glass transition temperature of less than and including 0° C. and the crosslinked laser-engraveable layer is formed from a reactive fluoropolymer composition comprising a reactive fluoropolymer, the fluoro-functionalized near-infrared radiation absorber, and a compound that causes crosslinking of the reactive fluoropolymer during thermal curing. The reactive fluoropolymer can have a reactive group selected from the group consisting of: poly(tetrafluoroethylene oxide-co-difluoromethylene oxide) α,ω-diol bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl ether), poly(tetrafluoroethylene oxide-co-difluoromethylene oxide) α,ω-diol, ethoxylated poly(tetrafluoroethylene oxide-co-difluoromethylene oxide) α,ω-diol, and a multifuncational (meth)acrylate end-functionalized derivative of one of such compounds. |
| US09381695B2 |
Card de-bowing mechanism
A substrate de-bowing mechanism, system and method are described. The mechanism can include a substrate support, one or more stationary contact members, and one or more dynamic or movable contact members that are adapted to contact the substrate and bend the substrate in a desired direction to reduce or eliminate bowing of the substrate. The mechanism is controlled by a CPU or other controller that can adjust the de-bow parameters of the de-bowing mechanism based on input settings that can be dynamic and/or static settings. The mechanism can be used to de-bow a variety of substrates including plastic cards, passports, and passport pages. |
| US09381693B2 |
Packaging and labelling films
The present invention provides a transparent, dimensionally stable, biaxially oriented PLA film having a haze value of less than 3% and exhibiting strain induced crystallinity having been oriented by stretching the film from a substantially non-crystalline state by more than three times its original areal dimensions. The processes for making such films are also disclosed. |
| US09381692B2 |
Apparatus and method for injection molding and cooling pet preforms
In an aspect, an injection molding machine is provided and incorporates a mold block with a plurality of sides including an injection side at which hollow parts are formed in mold cavities, a first post-mold cooling side whereat the hollow parts are cooled, and a part transfer side where parts are transferred out of the mold block. Optionally additional post-mold cooling sides are provided. A takeout structure is provided to remove the hollow parts from molding cores on the injection side, to transfer the hollow parts to the first post-mold cooling side, and to subsequently transfer the hollow parts to the part transfer side. The takeout structure holds the hollow parts by their neck portions and cools their neck portions. |
| US09381691B2 |
Pressure resistant drop tip nozzle for injection molding
A pressure resistant drop tip nozzle assembly for an injection molding machine having a nozzle body with a nozzle passage extending axially through said nozzle body between a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet. The assembly includes a drop tip which has a body connected to the nozzle outlet of said nozzle body. The drop tip has a drop tip bore extending between a drop inlet located adjacent said nozzle outlet body and a drop outlet. A tapered drop passage located at said drop outlet defines a resin flow aperture where resin leaves said drop tip. An internal heating insert is positioned within said drop tip bore. The drop tip body is connected to the nozzle body via a mechanical connection such as screw threads. A reinforcing weld preferably via a continuous laser weld is provided between said drop tip body and said nozzle body. |
| US09381688B2 |
Antenna pattern frame having antenna pattern embedded therein, electronic device including the same, method and mold for manufacturing the same
An antenna pattern frame having an antenna pattern embedded therein, an electronic device including the same, a method of manufacturing the same, and a mold for manufacturing the same. The antenna pattern frame includes a radiator including an antenna pattern part transmitting or receiving a signal and a terminal connection portion electrically connecting the antenna pattern part and a circuit substrate; a radiator frame formed by injection-molding to incorporate the radiator so that the terminal connection portion is exposed at a first surface of the radiator frame and the antenna pattern part is exposed at and protrudes from a second surface of the radiator frame opposite to the first surface; and a cover frame injection-molded so that the antenna pattern part is embedded between the radiator frame and the cover frame. |
| US09381682B2 |
Device and method for adjusting post-spacer height in production of liquid crystal displays
A device and a method for adjusting post-spacer height in production of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and the device comprises a controller (11) and an extrusion panel (12), the controller (1) is configured to control the extrusion panel (12) to perform plastic deformation treatment; and the extrusion panel (12) is configured to perform plastic deformation treatment on post spacers on a substrate, of which a height is more than a predetermined height value, under the control of the controller (11) after a rubbing process and before a cell assembly process, so that the standard deviation of the post-spacer height on the substrate can fall in a range of the predetermined standard deviation required to be achieved by products. The device and the method can effectively improve the uniformity of the post-spacer height on the substrates. |
| US09381681B1 |
Method of preparing a mold to form an article and method of forming the article with the mold
A method of preparing a mold to form an article is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a quantity of fluid including lightweight oil, submerging the mold in the quantity of fluid such that the fluid at least partially enters internal cavities of the mold, and filling asperities defined in walls of the mold. The filling includes creating a negative pressure in the mold while submerged in the quantity of fluid, and removing substantially all air from the internal cavities. |
| US09381679B2 |
System and method of manufacturing a composite structure in a closed cavity mold
The present application relates to a method and system that can be utilized to manufacturing composite structures in a closed cavity mold. The tool system includes a closed cavity tool with spring members that when in compression apply pressure to a preform located within the closed cavity mold. During a curing cycle, the spring members provide substantially constant pressure to the preform, thereby preventing voids and porosity in the cured composite structure. Further, the substantially constant pressure, provided by the spring members, acts to more effectively conform the preform to the geometry defined by a void in the closed cavity mold during the curing cycle. |
| US09381678B2 |
Method and arrangement for recycling adhesive-containing film waste
A method for recycling adhesive-containing film waste. The film waste is initially coarsely chopped in a chopping device. A liquid or powdered additive that reduces the strength of the adhesive on the film waste is added to material in the chopping device or sprayed on components of the chopping device. The waste material exits the chopping device through a perforated sheet as clumps of material, which are then fed into an agglomerator, where they are agglomerated or compacted into strands of material. The temperature in the agglomerator is between 100 and 200 degrees C., i.e., below the melting point of the material of the film. The strands exiting the agglomerator are then cut to granule size. |
| US09381677B2 |
Process for particleboard manufacture
Improved particleboard and methods for fabricating improved particleboard (e.g., natural fiber/material-based particleboard) are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure provides systems/methods for fabricating particleboard (e.g., formaldehyde-free particleboard) utilizing natural fibers/materials (e.g., lignocellulosic materials), wherein the particleboard has improved performance characteristics and/or mechanical properties. Methods for fabricating fiber-reinforced biocomposites (e.g., natural fiber-reinforced wheat gluten biocomposites) are disclosed. For example, systems/methods for fabricating particleboard from lignocellulosic materials (e.g., coconut materials), along with a binder material (e.g., wheat gluten), are provided. In general, the fiber or lignocellulosic material is treated with sodium hydroxide and/or a silane coupling agent as an adhesion promoter to enhance interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the binder. For example, (3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-t-butylcarbamate (MISO) (a masked isocyanate functional silane) was utilized to improve interfacial adhesion between the binder and the natural fibers. |
| US09381672B2 |
Tool and method for molding cornices
A tool and method for molding cornices comprising a sliding hand tool for the formation of cornices comprising a main body and a contact body, wherein the main body is attached to the contact body and wherein the main body is made of a light weight material and the contact body is made of a metal, such as stainless steel, for providing a smooth surface for the cornice. The method comprises the steps of placing a mesh on a foam molding and placing and shaping cement on the foam mold using a cornice hand float tool. |
| US09381671B2 |
Form liner with backer panel
A structurally supportive backer panel formed to fit within the recesses of a form liner to support the form liner when casting textured surfaces into concrete. The backer panel has a series of protrusions which fit within the recesses of the form liner in order to prevent the concrete pressure from deflecting and buckling the form liner. When the wet concrete is poured into a form fitted with the backer panel and form liner, the concrete fills the form and contacts the form liner, wherein the backer panel ensures that the shape of the form liner is not affected by the pressure and weight of the concrete. |
| US09381669B2 |
Device and method for elutriating and gluing wood chips
A device and method for elutriating and gluing wood chips. At least one elutriating apparatus is used to fractionate the wood chips into at least one coarse chip fraction and one fine chip fraction. The elutriating apparatus has a fall duct and is designed so that the chip fractions pass through different gluing regions in the fall duct. At least one gluing apparatus is provided in order to glue the chip fractions in the gluing regions. Thus, the chip fractions can be glued in a common apparatus specifically with a glue amount adapted to a particular average chip size. |
| US09381664B2 |
Rotating saw with balanced dynamic braking
An automatic braking system for a pivoting power tool includes a cutting assembly, a cutting arm supporting the cutting assembly, a hinge supporting the cutting arm through a pivot, a primary braking system operably connected to the cutting assembly, a secondary braking system operably connected to the hinge, and a safety circuit configured to sense an unsafe condition and, in response to sensing the unsafe condition, (i) control the primary braking system to oppose rotation of a blade supported by the cutting assembly, and (ii) control the secondary braking system to oppose rotation of the cutting arm. |
| US09381660B2 |
Method and apparatus for slicing products
In a method of slicing products, in particular food products, a plurality of products are supplied next to one another along a product support to a cutting plane in which a cutting blade moves, in particular in a rotating and/or revolving manner. The products are initially offset relative to one another in a stepped manner in the product supply direction via the product conveyors in that, starting from a first product, the further products up to the respective outermost product, which are arranged next to one another at at least one side, are set back by a respective amount against the product supply direction, and indeed further than the respective preceding product. The products offset in a stepped manner with respect to one another are traveled to light barriers at a defined speed. The positions of the product starts are detected with respect to the cutting plane via the light barriers. |
| US09381659B2 |
Automated apparatus for use in selectively cutting side walls of a honeycomb core
An automated apparatus for use in selectively cutting side walls of a honeycomb core is provided. The apparatus includes an end effector, a cutting tool coupled to the end effector, wherein the end effector is configured to position the cutting tool in an initial cutting position based on a schematic geometry of the honeycomb core. The automated apparatus also includes an adaptive vision system configured to direct the end effector to modify the initial cutting position based on an actual geometry of the honeycomb core acquired by the adaptive vision system. |
| US09381655B2 |
Double-blade hair trimming device
A double-blade hair trimming device having a trimmer handle, a blade head, and a driving device disposed inside the trimmer handle. The device has both a thick blade unit used for trimming hard, thick and long hair, and a thin blade unit used for trimming short and fine hair. Hair on the skin can be tidily trimmed by just one shave or one shave in each of two opposite directions. The length of the hair after shaving is less than 0.1 mm. |
| US09381654B2 |
Server connectivity control for tele-presence robot
A robot system with a robot that has a camera and a remote control station that can connect to the robot. The connection can include a plurality of privileges. The system further includes a server that controls which privileges are provided to the remote control station. The privileges may include the ability to control the robot, joint in a multi-cast session and the reception of audio/video from the robot. The privileges can be established and edited through a manager control station. The server may contain a database that defines groups of remote control station that can be connected to groups of robots. The database can be edited to vary the stations and robots within a group. The system may also allow for connectivity between a remote control station at a user programmable time window. |
| US09381653B2 |
Robot and substrate handling apparatus including the same
The robot including a main body, an arm connected to the main body, a hand connected to the arm, the hand including a hand base and a finger, and a hand bracket unit between the hand base and the finger or between the hand base and the arm, may be provided. The hand bracket unit may include a vibration damping member provided between the hand base and the finger or between the hand base and the arm, thereby damping vibration of the hand base or the finger. |
| US09381646B1 |
Insect and other small object image recognition and instant active response with enhanced application and utility
A device for detecting offending objects such as insects on substrates such as on leaves, plants, in fluid or over a large area. The device has a microscope lens which magnifies a portion of the substrate and sends an image of the substrate portion to an image recognition system. If the image recognition system detects the presence of an offending object—further steps are taken to remove, neutralize or mark the area where the offending object is located for subsequent action. The device may be mounted on a movable platform such as drone for active surveillance and action over a large area. |
| US09381645B1 |
System for automating manipulation of items
Described are techniques for storing and retrieving items using a robotic manipulator. Images depicting a human interacting with an item, sensor data from sensors instrumenting the human or item, data regarding physical characteristics of the item, and constraint data relating to the robotic manipulator may be used to generate one or more configurations for the robotic manipulator. Points of contact and force vectors of the configurations may correspond to the points of contact and force vectors determined from the images and sensor data. |
| US09381644B2 |
Robot
A robot includes: a stage unit; a rotation base connected to the stage unit in a rotatable manner around a predetermined rotating axis; an arm unit connected to the rotation base and having a base end rotatable around a first rotation axis that is substantially orthogonal to the rotating axis; a first attachment unit provided to the rotation base, arranged in an outside, in a rotation radius direction, of the rotation base and nearer to the stage unit than the first rotation axis, and formed so that one part of a balancer is attached thereto; and a second attachment unit provided to the arm unit and formed so that another part of the balancer is attached thereto. |
| US09381638B2 |
Power tool
The present invention provides a power tool that can be used at a position away from the external power source. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, an end tool, a battery pack, and an inverter. The housing has an upper side portion and a lower side portion. The motor is supported by the housing and driven by alternate-current power. The end tool is supported by the housing and rotatably driven by the motor. The battery pack outputs direct-current voltage. The inverter is disposed on the upper side portion and at a position higher than the motor and configured to convert the direct-current voltage outputted from the battery pack into alternate-current voltage and to supply the motor with alternate-current power. |
| US09381635B2 |
Fastener-driving tool including a fastening result detector
A fastener driving tool including a housing, a cylinder enclosed by the housing, at least one sensor associated with the cylinder and a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder and having a driver blade depending therefrom. The tool includes at least one signal generator associated with the piston, where movement of the piston relative to the at least one sensor generates a signal. A controller is configured to receive the signal and indicate a fastening result based on the signal. |
| US09381632B2 |
Tensioning device for extending a threaded bolt, and tool suitable for this purpose, preferably drive adapter
A tensioning device for threaded bolts has a supporting tube and a cylinder with a hydraulic supply connected thereto. The supporting tube surrounds the threaded end section of the bolt. A piston is moveable in the cylinder longitudinally. An exchange socket is connected to the piston and driven axially by it. The exchange socket has a first end with internal thread to be screwed onto the threaded end section and a second end with an external polygon member. A tool attachable to the external polygon member enables turning of the exchange socket. The tool has a cup-shaped section having a first open end and an inner side with tool faces that engage the external polygon member. The tool has a drive section that is slimmer than the cup-shaped section and connected to a second end of the cup-shaped section. The drive section extends away from the cup-shaped section. |
| US09381629B1 |
Ratchet assembly
A ratchet assembly for applying additional torque to a clamping pliers includes a ratchet coupled to a clamping pliers. The ratchet has an adjustable rotation. A handle is coupled to the ratchet. The handle may be gripped by a user so the user rotates the clamping pliers. A drive is coupled to the clamping pliers. The drive may insertably receive an end of a wrench. |
| US09381628B1 |
Wrench with adjustable length handle
The present invention features a hardware tool with adjustable length separable into two independent tools. The device includes a handle with an adjustment pin disposed on the exterior of the handle and a hollow tube with a plurality of holes aligned and disposed on the exterior of the tube. A ratchet fixedly attached to the tube, wherein the ratchet comprises a ratchet key and a push latch to change the allowable rotation direction. An open-end wrench or a pipe wrench head is removably attached to the handle, wherein the wrench comprises a hardware head and a socket adapter, wherein the socket adapter is adaptive to snuggly fit into a locking collar disposed on the handle. |
| US09381627B2 |
Tool bit adapter having a position-limit rod
A tool bit adapter having a position-limit rod includes a base member including a cylindrical body defining a longitudinal receiving open chamber and radial through holes and a ball movably mounted in each radial through hole, an operating member, a first elastic member stopped between a retaining ring at the cylindrical body and the operating member, a pusher having a position-limit groove located in the periphery thereof, a position-limit rod mounted in the cylindrical body and projecting into the receiving open chamber and inserted into the position-limit groove and selectively stoppable at one of two opposite ends of the position-limit groove, a second elastic member stopped between the pusher and the cylindrical body, and one or multiple locating grooves formed in the pusher or a tool bit to be installed for receiving the balls. |
| US09381620B1 |
Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond compacts
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond compacts and applications for such polycrystalline diamond compacts. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond compact includes at least saturating a sintering aid material with non-diamond carbon to form a carbon-saturated sintering aid material and sintering a plurality of diamond particles in the presence of the carbon-saturated sintering aid particles to form a polycrystalline diamond table. |
| US09381618B2 |
Grinding and polishing tool
A grinding tool includes a shank having an axis, and at least two abrasive portions mounted directly to and in contact with the shank without a hub therebetween. Each of the abrasive portions has a substantially identical profile formed therein. |
| US09381617B2 |
Sintered cubic boron nitride cutting tool
A cutting tool having a sintered compact including 30 to 80 vol. % cubic boron nitride and a binder phase, wherein the binder phase includes about 2 to about 6 vol. % ZrN, is disclosed. In more specific examples, the cutting tool has a sintered compact including 30 to 80 vol. % cubic boron nitride, between about 4 vol. % and about 15 vol. % aluminum and/or aluminum compound and/or aluminum alloy and/or combinations thereof, and a binder phase, wherein the binder phase includes TiN and about 3 to about 5 vol. % ZrN, and wherein the cubic boron nitride has a grain size of less than 20 microns. Cutting tools of the disclosed composition display improved performance, particularly at higher operating speeds, e.g., about 200 m/min or greater. |
| US09381613B2 |
Reinforcement ring for carrier head
A reinforcement ring is for placement in a carrier head to abut an inner surface of a perimeter portion of a flexible membrane. The reinforcement ring includes a substantially vertical cylindrical portion, a first flange projecting inwardly from the bottom of the cylindrical portion, and a second flange projecting outwardly from a bottom of the cylindrical portion. The second flange projects downwardly at a non-zero angle from vertical. |
| US09381611B2 |
Surface treatment device and surface treatment method for long wirelike article
A surface treatment device and a surface treatment method for a long wirelike article, capable of grinding the surface of the long wirelike article efficiently with powder by cyclically repeating pressing and release of an elastic tube filled with the powder. At least one surface treatment unit includes a tube filled with powder which can be supplied to and discharged from the tube, and having a long wirelike article movably passing through the powder, a pressing mechanism for cyclically pressing and releasing the tube, and a feed mechanism for moving the long wirelike article passing through the powder. |
| US09381607B2 |
Feeding device and machine tool using the same
A feeding device includes a tool holder, a cutter, a feeding mechanism and a mounting seat. The cutter is positioned on the tool holder. The mounting seat has at least one guiding portion. The tool holder is engaged with the at least one guiding portion. The feeding mechanism drives the tool holder and the cutter to controllably reciprocate along the at least one gliding portion. |
| US09381603B2 |
Integrated laser material processing cell
An integrated laser material processing cell allowing laser-assisted machining to be used in conjunction with directed material deposition in a single setup, achieving greater geometric accuracy and better surface finish than currently possible in existing laser freeform fabrication techniques. The integration of these two processes takes advantage of their common use of laser beam heat to process materials. The cell involves a multi-axis laser-assisted milling machine having a work spindle, a laser emitter, and means for positioning the emitter with respect to the spindle so as to direct a laser beam onto a localized area of a work piece in proximity to a cutting tool mounted in the spindle. A powder delivery nozzle mounted on the machine and positioned adjacent to the emitter delivers powder to a deposition zone in the path of the beam, such that material deposition and laser-assisted milling may be performed substantially simultaneously in a single workspace. |
| US09381598B2 |
Production washing assembly verification system and method
A master verification assembly includes a plurality of plunger devices. Each of the plunger devices includes a piston that is axially moveable between a raised position and a depressed position. When placed in a washing assembly, each of the plunger devices is aligned with a nozzle. The nozzles dispense a cleaning fluid under pressure. An axial force applied by the dispensed cleaning fluid depresses the pistons into the depressed position, whereupon the pistons disposed in the depressed position are axially secured in an indicator position. Upon removal of the master verification assembly from the washing assembly, depressed pistons in the indicator position indicate proper function of the nozzles, whereas pistons disposed in the raised position indicate improperly functioning nozzles. |
| US09381595B2 |
Pb-free solder and electronic component built-in module
A Pb-free solder includes a first metal including at least Sn and Bi, and a second metal including at least an Ni—Fe alloy. In the first metal, the sum of Sn and Bi is 90 mass % or more, and a ratio of Bi is 5 to 15 mass %. A ratio of the second metal to the sum of mass of the first metal and mass of the second metal is 5 to 30 mass %. |
| US09381594B2 |
Laser cladding with a laser scanning head
A method for laser cladding a material onto a surface of a machine component using a laser scanning head with laser scanning optics is disclosed. The method includes forming a molten bead of cladding material by directing a beam with the laser scanning optics over a bead scan on the machine component. The method also includes directing the beam with the laser scanning optics over a secondary scan on the machine component, the secondary scan being offset from the bead scan at a predetermined distance on the machine component. |
| US09381592B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing welding type power
A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power includes receiving an input that may be either a single or a three phase input voltage. Three power modules, each having a single phase boost power circuit, and an output circuit process the input power. A weld output circuit receives and combines the outputs of the three power modules. An input power distribution module connects the three power modules such that each receives a unique single phase power signal. A controller controls the three power modules and the input power distribution module. |
| US09381588B2 |
Multi-metal particle generator and method
Multi-metal particles, apparatuses and method of making same are provided. Specifically, the multi-metal particles are of nanometer dimensions and are prepared by spatially arranged electrodes configured to generate and maintain a plasma cloud. |
| US09381585B2 |
Method of manufacturing a stainless steel product
A method of manufacturing a duplex stainless steel wire product starting from wire rod, includes the steps of: roughening the wire rod surface; applying a carrier coating on the wire rod surface; peeling the wire rod using a shaving die comprising cemented carbide; roughening the wire rod surface; applying a carrier coating on the wire rod surface; and drawing to final wire dimension. In the peeling step, the shaving die used has a rake face land angle η which is 10-30°, a rake angle γ which is 10-25°, a clearance angle α which is 3-10°, a rake face land width w which is 0.1-0.5 mm, and an edge radius which is 0.02-0.08 mm. The duplex stainless steel wire product manufactured according to the method exhibits excellent fatigue resistance. |
| US09381583B2 |
Prismatic and cylindrical cutting inserts
A prismatic and cylindrical cutting insert for long edge rotary milling applications has multiple indexable cutting edges ranging from four to six or even more depending on the actual milling applications. Each cutting edge of a prismatic or cylindrical cutting insert provides a positive cutting geometry and is equivalent to an indexable cutting edge of a traditional single-sided parallelogram-shaped cutting insert having two indexable cutting edges (often referred as A-Style insert). The prismatic and cylindrical (including tapered or conical) cutting insert may be used for machining a wide range of materials including difficult-to-machine materials, cast-iron and alloys, aluminum and alloys, carbon steels, and fiber reinforced composites. |
| US09381582B2 |
Milling tool with recessed cutting edge
A milling tool includes a tool body having a longitudinal axis and a first end. A plurality of flutes are provided in the tool body and extend to the first end of the tool body. A plurality of cutting edges are provided. Each cutting edge is associated with a respective one of the plurality of flutes, each cutting edge being substantially identical to each other one of the plurality of cutting edges except that at least one but not all of the cutting edges is a recessed cutting edge and at least one but not all of the cutting edges is a non-recessed cutting edge. Each recessed cutting edge begins at a non-zero distance from the first end of the tool body and each non-recessed cutting edge extends to the first end of the tool body. |
| US09381580B2 |
Milling method for machining metallic member
A milling method for machining a metallic member to provide a finished appearance is provided. A metallic member is positioned on a worktable. The metallic member includes a top portion and a peripheral sidewall. The peripheral sidewall includes an end edge. After rotation, the milling cutter is rotated and resists the peripheral sidewall of the metallic member. The milling cutter is moved along a predetermined path, and the milling cutter machines the metallic member to achieve a required shape and finish. The worktable rotates the metallic member to enable the end edge of the peripheral sidewall to face the milling cutter, and the milling cutter chamfers the end edge along a predetermined path, while simultaneously controlling a feed of the milling cutter relative to the metallic member. |
| US09381579B2 |
Power drill
A power drill has a rotatable spindle extending from a power-unit housing, a chuck body rotationally fixed to the spindle, a jaw guide carried on the chuck body and rotatable relative thereto about the axis, jaws carried in the chuck body, and a pusher element rotatable about the axis in the chuck body and fixed to and bearing axially on the jaws. Screwthreads between the pusher element and the spindle is effective to move the jaws radially on rotation of the spindle about the axis relative to the guide. A coupling sleeve rotationally fixed to the jaw guide is movable between a tightening position rotationally fixed to the housing for movement of the jaws by the pusher element on rotation of the spindle and a drilling position rotationally fixed to the spindle and rotatable relative to the guide for joint rotation of the guide, jaws, and spindle. |
| US09381578B2 |
Method for machining a through-hole in a component and machining device for implementing the said method
A method for machining a through-hole in a wall of a component, includes setting in rotation on itself a cutting tool about a rotation axis and setting the rotation axis of the tool in rotation about a first orbital rotation axis parallel to, and eccentric by an eccentricity E with respect to, the rotation axis of the tool. The method further includes setting the first orbital rotation axis in rotation, over at least one revolution, about a second orbital rotation axis parallel to, and eccentric by an amount f with respect to, the first orbital rotation axis, the eccentricity being fixed. This configuration makes it possible to balance the elements located between the rotation axis of the tool and the first orbital rotation axis, so that the rotation axis can thus be set in rotation about the first orbital rotation axis at high rotational speeds that contribute toward increasing productivity. |
| US09381577B2 |
Chuck table
A chuck table holds a workpiece having a warp. The chuck table includes a suction holding member having a suction holding surface for holding the workpiece under suction, and an annular seal member provided around the outer circumference of the suction holding member for supporting a peripheral portion of the workpiece. The annular seal member is formed from an elastic member. The upper surface of the annular seal member is set higher in level than the suction holding surface according to the warp of the workpiece. In holding the workpiece on the chuck table under suction, vacuum leaking from the gap between the workpiece and the suction holding surface due to the warp of the workpiece is applied to the space defined by the workpiece and the annular seal member, thereby elastically deforming the annular seal member to flatten the upper surface of the workpiece. |
| US09381573B2 |
Electronic device and manufacturing method thereof
An electronic device comprising a first magnetic powder; a second magnetic powder, wherein the mean particle diameter of the first magnetic powder is larger than the mean particle diameter of the second magnetic powder, wherein the ratio of the mean particle diameter of the first magnetic powder to the mean particle diameter of the second magnetic powder is greater than 2, and the first magnetic powder mixes with the second magnetic powder; and a conducting wire buried in the mixture of the first magnetic powder and the second magnetic powder; wherein the mixture of the first magnetic powder and the second magnetic powder and the conducting wire buried therein are combined to form an integral magnetic body at a temperature lower than the melting point of conducting wire. |
| US09381572B2 |
Impact pad
A tundish impact pad formed from refractory material comprises a base having an impact surface which, in use, faces upwardly against a stream of molten metal entering a tundish, and a wall extending upwardly from the base around at least a part of the periphery of the impact surface. The wall has at least one latitudinal portion. An inwardly-extending feature protrudes from the latitudinal wall. The inwardly-extending feature inhibits flow exiting the impact pad from passing over the center of the latitudinal portion of the wall. |
| US09381571B2 |
Hearth
A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet. |
| US09381568B2 |
System and method for making structured magnetic material from insulated particles
A system for making a material having domains with insulated boundaries is provided. The system includes a combustion chamber, a gas inlet configured to inject a gas into the combustion chamber, a fuel inlet configured to inject a fuel into the combustion chamber, an igniter subsystem configured to ignite a mixture of the gas and the fuel to create a predetermined temperature and pressure in the combustion chamber, a metal powder inlet configured to inject a metal powder comprised of particles coated with an electrically insulating material into the combustion, wherein the predetermined temperature creates conditioned droplets comprised of the metal powder in the chamber, and an outlet configured to eject and accelerate combustion gases and the conditioned droplets from the combustion chamber and towards a surface such that conditioned droplets adhere to the surface to form a material having domains with insulated boundaries thereon. |
| US09381567B2 |
Methods to control macro shrinkage porosity and gas bubbles in cast aluminum engine blocks
A method for estimating proper eutectic modification level in a liquid metal to minimize macro shrinkage porosity and gas bubbles during casting of aluminum automobile components, and a system and article for casting. |
| US09381564B2 |
3-D printed casting shell and method of manufacture
A printable refractory material is provided having a liquid and powder component configured for use in a 3-D powder printer, where the material forms hydraulic bonds when the liquid and powder components are combined. Methods of printing the refractory material and forming castings therefrom are also provided. |
| US09381561B2 |
Pinch decompression in radial crimp press machines
The specification discloses a crimping process for crimping a metal ferrule (19) onto a hose (17) including the steps of applying a radially inwardly directed crimping force to die elements (16) adapted to engage the ferrule (19) and increasing said crimping force to a first level over a first period of time, at least partially removing the crimping force from said die elements after said first period of time, and reapplying the radially directed crimping force to said die elements (16) and increasing said crimping force to a second level over a second period of time, said second crimping force level being equal to, higher or lower than said first level, and at an end of the crimping process, removing the crimping force fully from the die elements (16). |
| US09381556B2 |
Multipart roller
A roller for a rolling mill with a casing, a left half pivot, and a right half pivot. The half pivots in the region surrounded by the casing are constructed as a truncated cone and form a left surface on the left half pivot and a right surface on the right half pivot. The left half pivot and the right half pivot have boreholes and corresponding grooves formed on the surfaces. The half pivots are inserted in the casing and are braced with one another by at least one tie rod. An hydraulic oil in boreholes and grooves is passed into or onto the left half pivot and the right half pivot. The hydraulic oil exerts a pressure on the casing to expand the casing. With the casing expanded, the stop surfaces and the face surfaces of the casing are pressed onto one another by the tie rod. |
| US09381548B2 |
Systems for removing lubricants from superplastic-forming or hot-forming dies
A method of cleaning a die having an oxide layer is provided. The method includes discharging electromagnetic energy towards a working surface of the die having a layer of at least one of graphite and boron nitride thereon. The electromagnetic energy is discharged at a power output between about 6 kW and about 15 kW such that the layer of at least one of graphite and boron nitride is ablated, and such that the layer is removed without removing an oxide layer between the surface of the die and the layer. |
| US09381547B1 |
Vehicle wash foam applicator system
A vehicle wash foam applicator system for efficiently generating and dispersing foam in a vehicle wash. The vehicle wash foam applicator system generally includes an outer tube having at least one foam outlet port to discharge foam onto a vehicle, at least one liquid inlet port fluidly connected to the outer tube to introduce a liquid into the interior of the outer tube, and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube. The inner tube includes at least one air outlet port to discharge pressured air into the interior of the outer tube to generate foam. |
| US09381545B2 |
On-line oil and foreign matter detection system and method
A system for detecting oil contaminated product and foreign matter within a product stream is provided. The system includes a first conveying means for delivering a product stream; a first detection apparatus for detecting oil contaminated product, the first detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the first detection apparatus including a high intensity infrared light source directed at the product stream; and a high speed NIR spectrometer sensor tuned to detect a reflected signal from a taggant disposed in the oil of the oil contaminated product; a second detection apparatus for detecting foreign matter within a product stream, the second detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the second detection apparatus including a light source for illuminating the product stream and a detector for detecting light reflected from the product stream; and a controller for determining whether the product stream contains oil contaminated product or foreign matter by monitoring signals obtained from the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus. |
| US09381532B2 |
Dispensing head for a system for dispensing a pressurized product
A dispensing head for a system for dispensing a pressurized product, the head including a body having a mounting shaft for the head on a tube for supplying the pressurized product and a channel for dispensing the product between the shaft and an orifice for dispensing the product, the dispensing orifice being formed between two longitudinal walls, upper and lower, respectively, which are connected on either side, respectively, by a lateral wall of which the transverse dimension is smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the longitudinal walls, and each of the lateral walls has a projection that extends between the longitudinal walls, at least the walls of the dispensing orifice including an antimicrobial agent for the product to be dispensed. |
| US09381523B2 |
Automated fraction collection system
A system for separating a sample and collecting the separated sample. The system includes an ultracentrifuge having a cylindrical rotor. The system includes a gradient delivery assembly for delivering a gradient solution to the ultracentrifuge rotor, and a sample delivery assembly for delivering the solution containing the sample to the ultracentrifuge rotor. The system includes a fraction collection assembly for collecting discrete volumes of the separated sample. The system includes a processor for controlling operation of the ultracentrifuge, as well as the gradient delivery assembly, the sample delivery assembly, and/or the fraction collection assembly. |
| US09381520B2 |
Apparatus and method for magnetically treating fluids
An apparatus and methodology is presented for magnetically conditioning any hydrocarbon based fluid flowing through a conduit or pipe. The object of the invention is to advance the art by increasing the range of application, the effectiveness, the simplicity and the ease of use of a magnetic fluid conditioning device. The invention accomplishes this by a unique magnetic and mechanical configuration, not taught in the art or previously known to the applicants. |
| US09381518B2 |
Nano-suspension process
Described herein is a process for preparing nano-suspensions, wherein the process comprises: providing an admixture of at least one active pharmaceutical compound, an aqueous dispersion medium, and milling media and applying thereto acoustic energy having a frequency of from about 10 hertz to 1000 hertz and which supplies a linear acceleration of from about 10 G's to about 100 G's (where “G” is the force of gravity) for a period sufficient to supply a nano-suspension having a D50 of less than about 1 micron, preferably less than about 500 nm. Described also are nano-suspensions having novel properties prepared via the inventive process. |
| US09381516B2 |
Vial transport element and assembly
An element and a vial transport assembly made of a plurality of elements pivotally joined together to form a unitary row for storing and transporting vials and other such containers is disclosed. The assembly comprises a vial gripper removably seated on an inner face of the element. The unitary row of elements may be pivoted together to a closed position to secure the vials therein, and in some embodiments includes complementary magnets arranged to secure adjacent elements in registration when in the closed position. |
| US09381511B2 |
Microfluidic system and method for operating such a system
A microfluidic system comprises a cartridge that includes a first drum which has a first chamber and an adjustment device which is arranged so as to rotate the first drum about its mid-axis and is configured to connect the first chamber conductively to a second chamber. The microfluidic system further comprises a pressure device which acts upon at least one component with a pressure difference and is configured to transfer the component between the first chamber and second chamber. |
| US09381510B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprising a catalyst layer comprising at least two inorganic porous particles
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprising a catalyst layer comprising two or more types of inorganic porous particles each having a different particle size, a catalytically active component, and voids, wherein; as a first characteristic, 50% or more by number of all the voids in the catalyst layer satisfies a condition of the following (formula 1); L/2/(πS)1/2≧2 . . . (formula 1) wherein S represents a void cross-sectional area, and L represents a void cross-sectional circumference in the (formula 1), and; as a second characteristic, in the void cross-sectional area in the catalyst layer, the average void radius, determined assuming that the void shape is a perfect circle, is 10 μm to 20 μm. |
| US09381507B2 |
Process for the preparation of 4-methylpent-3-en-1-ol derivatives
The present invention concerns a process for the preparation with high selectivity of a compound of formula (I) by isomerization at room temperature of compound of formula (II) in the presence of a complex of formula [Ru(dienyl)2H]X. |
| US09381500B2 |
Process for producing ethanol using hydrogenation catalysts
The present invention relates to catalysts, to processes for making catalysts and to chemical processes employing such catalysts. The catalysts are preferably used for converting acetic acid to ethanol. The catalyst comprises a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support. The modified support may comprise cobalt tungstate. |
| US09381498B2 |
Method for preparing hydrogenation catalyst and method for preparing diols from lactones using the hydrogenation catalyst
A method for preparing a hydrogenation catalyst by mixing a copper salt with colloidal silica to form a precipitate, washing the formed precipitate to remove anions of the copper salt from the precipitate, and impregnating the anion-removed precipitate with an alkali metal to form a hydrogenation catalyst; and a method for preparing a diol from a lactone using the hydrogenation catalyst. |
| US09381496B2 |
Nanoparticle carrying method
A nanoparticle carrying method making a carrier adsorb ammonium ions, making the nanoparticles adsorb an organic acid, and making the carrier and the nanoparticles contact each other in a basic solution to thereby cause the carrier to adsorb the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be carried in high dispersion irrespective of superhydrophilicity. |
| US09381494B2 |
Photocatalytic film structure
A photocatalytic film structure is provided. The photocatalytic film includes a plurality of micron particles; a plurality of nano particles; and a plurality of block bodies, wherein the volume of each of the block bodies is greater than that of each of the nano particles, and each of the micron particles, the nano particles and the block bodies contains zinc oxide and a doping metal, and wherein the amount of the doping metal is 1 to 5 wt % of the photocatalytic film, and the plurality of micron particles and micron particles take up 10 to 50% of the volume of the photocatalytic film. |
| US09381493B2 |
Production of biochar absorbent from anaerobic digestate
A novel carbon absorption material is described which is formed from anaerobic digestate. The material has a hollow tubular structure and is particularly advantageous in converting hydrogen sulfide in biogas and in absorbing the converted sulfur and sulfur compounds from biogas into its structure. The material after use as a hydrogen sulfide absorbent has value as a horticultural or agricultural product or as a sulfur impregnated activated carbon. The process for producing this novel carbon absorption material is described. In an embodiment, the process described uses in particular, a humidified inert gas over a temperature range of between about 500° C. to 900° C. to convert anaerobic digestate to an active carbon absorbent. The thermal treatment is relatively mild and retains the fibrous structure of the source material while removing cellulosic and hemicellulosic components from the anaerobic digestate. |
| US09381487B2 |
Distribution tray for distributing a polyphasic mixture with inclined peripheral conduits
The present invention concerns a plate for distributing a polyphase mixture in a reactor operating in trickle bed mode constituted by at least one gas phase and at least one liquid phase, the plate (10) being located above a bed of catalytic particles, comprising a plurality of chimneys (3), characterized in that a portion of the chimneys of the plate located near to the wall of the chamber of the reactor, those termed the peripheral chimneys, have an upper portion which is inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical.The invention also concerns the use of the plate in a reactor with a view to carrying out hydrotreatment, hydrogenation or oxidation reactions. |
| US09381479B1 |
Tool coupling and method for multi-component composition mixing
A disclosed tool coupling may include a clamp configured to hold a stirring tool and a shank connected to the clamp, the shank and the clamp sharing an axis of rotation, the clamp including a clamp housing defining an open interior region configured to receive the stirring tool and at least one adjustable fastener operably connected to the clamp housing, the fastener being configured to retain the stirring tool within the interior region. |
| US09381477B2 |
Microfluidic synthesis of organic nanoparticles
The present invention provides microfluidic systems and methods for the production of particles (e.g., nanoparticles) for drug delivery. The present invention provides microfluidic devices useful for production of particles by nanoprecipitation. The present invention provides highly homogenous compositions of particles produced by inventive microfluidic devices. |
| US09381476B2 |
Drink dispenser
A carbonator including a sealed container, a carbonation flow path defining element located inside the sealed container and including a water inlet, a carbonation gas inlet and a carbonated water outlet, a carbonation rotor disposed along the carbonation flow path for mixing carbonation gas and water, thereby producing carbonated water, and directing the carbonated water through the carbonated water outlet into the interior of the sealed container, a water cooling coil disposed within the sealed container, a refrigerating coil disposed within the sealed container in direct heat exchange cooling engagement with the carbonated water and in indirect heat exchange cooling engagement with the water cooling coil via the carbonated water and a carbonated water circulating rotor disposed outside of the carbonation flow path defining element and being operative to circulate the carbonated water in heat exchange engagement with the water cooling coil and the refrigerating coil. |
| US09381474B2 |
Apparatus for foaming a liquid
In an apparatus for foaming a liquid with an aerating device by which the liquid can be aerated, an outlet arrangement which is in communication with the aerating device via a conduit and a pump arranged in the conduit for transporting the aerated liquid from the aerating device to the outlet arrangement, at least one flow resistor is provided in the conduit or the outlet arrangement which includes a plurality of adjacent resistor elements of an elastic material which are movable relative to one another and between which there are passages through which the aerated liquid is forced whereby a high quality stable foam is generated and a pump control arrangement is provided for maintaining the aerated liquid under pressure. |
| US09381473B2 |
Device for foaming milk, beverage maker comprising said device, and method for foaming milk
The present invention relates to a device for frothing up a liquid, in particular cold and/or unheated milk, having a liquid supply line for supplying the liquid, an air supply line which opens into the liquid supply line for supplying air into the liquid, a discharge line which is configured downstream of the opening of the air supply line into the liquid supply line for discharging the mixture of liquid and air, a first conveying unit, in particular a pump, which is provided for conveying the liquid through the liquid supply line and/or the mixture through the discharge line and a mixing unit which is provided downstream of the opening in the discharge line, the mixing unit including at least one narrow place or being configured as narrow place of the discharge line. |
| US09381470B2 |
Coating equipment for a composite membrane without a diffusion pump and its thickness gauge for both thick and thin coatings
A coating equipment for composite membrane without diffusion pump and its thickness gauge for both thick and thin coatings comprises a coating equipment for composite membrane without diffusion pump and a thickness gauge for both thick and thin coatings. A vacuum pump system of the coating equipment for composite membrane without diffusion pump is a roots-type pump system. Compared to conventional diffusion pumps, roots-type pump have advantages of low energy consumption, stable performance, good vacuum-pumping effect, short starting time, etc. |
| US09381466B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system
The present invention relates to a technology of reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) which is harmful discharge gas discharged from an internal combustion engine or a combustor, and to an exhaust gas purification system which inputs solid ammonium salt such as ammonium carbamate or ammonium carbonate into a reactor, thermally decomposes and converts the solid ammonium salt into the ammonia by using engine cooling water, exhaust gas, or an electric heater, which are installed in the reactor, and reduces the nitrogen oxide included in the exhaust pipe on a selective catalytic reduction into nitrogen by injecting the ammonia by using a pressure regulator and a dosing valve. |
| US09381462B2 |
System and method for reducing emissions via solvent injection
A system for reducing emissions includes a gas production source that produces nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, formaldehyde, benzene, metal oxides, or volatile organic compound emissions. An exhaust plenum is downstream from the gas production source, and structure for dispersing a solvent is in the exhaust plenum. A collection tank is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum to receive the solvent from the exhaust plenum, and a heat source is in the exhaust plenum downstream from the structure for dispersing the solvent. A method for reducing emissions from a gas production source includes flowing exhaust gases through an exhaust plenum, dispersing a solvent through a nozzle in the exhaust plenum, collecting the dispersed solvent in a collection tank, and heating the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust plenum downstream from the nozzle. |
| US09381461B2 |
Air pollution control system and method
SOx removal equipment 15 which reduces sulfur oxides from flue gas 12 from a boiler 11, a cooler 16 which is provided on the downstream side of the SOx removal equipment 15 so as to reduce the sulfur oxides from the flue gas and decrease a gas temperature, CO2 recovery equipment 17 which includes an absorber for bringing CO2 in the flue gas into contact with a CO2 absorption liquid so as to be reduced and a regenerator for causing the CO2 absorption liquid to emit CO2 so as to recover CO2 and regenerate the CO2 absorption liquid, and ammonia injection equipment 22 for reducing a mist generation material which is a generation source of mist that is generated in the absorber of the CO2 recovery equipment before introducing the flue gas to the CO2 recovery equipment, are included. |
| US09381457B2 |
Air treatment device with a detachable sensor module
The present specification relates to an air treatment device and a detachable sensor module. The air treatment device comprises a user interface configured to display, for selection by a user, at least one static or open-loop operational mode to be executed by a controller; and a wall comprising one or more pervious sections towards an ambient volume. One side of the wall comprises a connector for mating with a corresponding connector of the detachable sensor module, and the connector, when the sensor module is present, enables a data connection from the sensor module to the controller. When the data connection is enabled, the user interface is configured to display at least one closed-loop operational mode, in which the controller controls the air treatment section in response to measurement data relating to the ambient volume received from the sensor module. |
| US09381453B2 |
Fuel filter
A fuel filter comprises a filter housing, a filter assembly positioned within said filter housing, a fuel inlet adapted to receive fuel into the filter housing, and a fuel outlet. The filter assembly may have a first end cap, a second end cap, and a filter element positioned therebetween. The filter element may comprise a particulate filter component and a water sensing component, the water sensing component having a center tube, a water sensing layer, and a screen. The water sensing layer may wrap around at least a portion of the center tube and be secured in place by the screen. The water sensing layer comprises a gelling and thickening agent, such as methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose. In operation, the fuel filter is configured to direct fuel received at the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet by way of the water sensing component and the particulate filter component. |
| US09381440B2 |
Coaster design
A coaster having a rotatable track area capable of rotating, for example, 180° and repositioning a car for further movement along another track different than the one from which it originated. The rotatable track area can have a cross section of any polygonal shape. A corresponding rotation system with computer controls can selectively rotate the rotatable track area in predetermined increments according to the coaster track end positions so as to selectively align the rotatable tracks with the coaster tracks. |
| US09381439B2 |
Interactive video game with visual lighting effects
A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toy objects near or on the peripheral. Each of the toy objects includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The peripheral device provides lighting effects based on characteristics of the game character or aspects of the game play sequence thereby enhancing the user's gameplay experience. |
| US09381437B2 |
Game machine, control method of controlling computer and computer program used therein
A game machine gives a predetermined favor when at least one ball moves on a table and the ball arrives at a ditch. And, the game machine includes a camera that acquires object information for distinguishing a state of the ball on the table, distinguishes the state of the ball on the table, based on the object information acquired by the camera, evaluates the state of the ball on the table based on a result of the distinguishing, and gives a change to the state of the ball on the table based on an evaluation result so that the evaluation result changes. |
| US09381436B2 |
Mechanism for implementing cloud local area network party service for multi-player content/game environment
Disclosed is a method for implementing a cloud local area network (C-LAN) for providing a multi-player environment for servicing content to a plurality of client devices including determining a location of a blade for each client device of the plurality of client devices, configuring a service access point for each client device of the plurality of client devices, and initializing the C-LAN using the service access points for each client device of the plurality of client devices, wherein at least two client devices of the plurality of client devices cannot be associated with a same local area network based on their respective internet service providers. |
| US09381433B2 |
Interactive role-play and social gaming system
A role-play module that monitors a social networking platform receives an indication of a game event from a first player located in a physical environment where a role-play game is conducted. The first player has a first role in the role-play game. Further, the role-play module provides the indication to the social networking platform such that the social networking platform provides the indication to a second player remotely situated from the physical environment. The second player has a second role in the role-play game. In addition, the role-play module asynchronously receives, from the second player, an instruction for an action to be performed by the first player in the role-play game. The role-play module also provides the instruction to the social networking platform such that the social networking platform provides the instruction to the first player. |
| US09381426B1 |
Semi-automated digital puppetry control
A low-cost, low-demand (physical and cognitive) interface for puppeteers that allows them to easily participate in the control of verbal and non-verbal activities of a set of virtual characters or avatars. The invention further provides a low-cost, unencumbered interface for participants that allows them to employ both natural movement and also verbal and non-verbal interaction with virtual characters. A network protocol supports real-time remote interaction even when dealing with relatively poor network connections; and an integrated after-action review system supports trainers in the processes of tagging and commenting on events, subsequently using these to assist reflection on the part of participants. |
| US09381420B2 |
Workout user experience
Systems and methods for receiving input data at a touch sensitive display are provided. Athletic training data is displayed to a user. The user performs activities, such as attempting basketball shots. The user then uses a number of fingers to tap or swipe the touch sensitive display to input parameters. A tap with one finger may indicate a made one point shot and a swipe with two fingers may indicate a missed two point shot. |
| US09381414B1 |
Apparatus, system and methods for improved bag toss
The present disclosure addresses apparatus, systems and methods for improvement of a gaming surface. Exemplary embodiments of the present system comprise a playing surface which comprises multiple planks which may be folded in relation to one another. |
| US09381411B2 |
Top loading headcovers and methods to manufacture top loading headcovers
Embodiments of top loading headcovers and methods to manufacture top loading headcovers are generally described herein. Other embodiments of top loading headcovers may be described and claimed. |
| US09381410B2 |
Metal wood club
A weight system configured to adjust the location of the center of gravity of a golf club head comprising an adjustable weight comprising an aperture dimensioned to receive a fastener, a threaded bore formed in said sole and configured to receive a fastener, and a fastener configured to pass through the aperture of the adjustable weight and engage the threaded bore, wherein rotation of said fastener in a first direction locks said adjustable weight into a locked position, preventing said adjustable weight from rotating relative to said body, and wherein rotation of said fastener in a second direction, opposite said first direction, unlocks said adjustable weight into an unlocked position and allows said adjustable weight to rotate about said fastener, and wherein said adjustable weight can be unlocked and rotated without completely removing said fastener from said threaded bore. |
| US09381408B2 |
Iron-type golf club head
The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head having a body and at least one weight disc having a first diameter, the body having a sole with a first recess, which comprises a first bore having a second diameter, a second bore having a third diameter, and a shelf located between the first bore and the second bore, the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter and greater than the third diameter, the first bore is sized to receive the at least one weight disc, the at least one weight disc rests against the shelf, and the at least one weight disc is secured within the first bore. The sole may further comprise second, third, and fourth recesses, each of which may have a first bore, a second bore, and a shelf. |
| US09381406B2 |
Golf club with polymeric insert and adjustable dynamic loft
A golf club head includes a body formed from a metallic material and an insert formed from a polymeric material. The body has a face, a crown, and a sole, and the sole at least partially defines an opening in the body. The insert is configured to be secured to the body across the opening such that the body and the insert cooperate to define a closed volume. The insert further defines a bore that is configured to selectively retain an elongate weight. |
| US09381400B2 |
Semi-passive resistance force control system with active augmentation
Disclosed is a semi-passive resistance force control system with active augmentation, which is suitable for a sport equipment with a pulling part. This semi-passive resistance force control system with active augmentation comprises a resistance force module, an energy neutral apparatus, and a control module. The energy neutral apparatus can not only provide an output resistance force to the pulling part when the pulling part is pulled by a user, but also reduce the variation of the output resistance force. The control module is able to accept the sensing data delivered by the internal sensors of the semi-passive resistance force control system with active augmentation to passively compensate the output resistance force and make it fixed. Furthermore, the control module can also provide an active adjustment to the output resistance force based on a preset control mode such that the user can experience a desired resistance force. |
| US09381397B2 |
Computer-aided physiotherapeutic stair and gait system
A computer-aided physiotherapeutic stair & gait system has a set of at least three horizontal tread surfaces and an associated drive system for adjusting a rise height between adjacent of the tread surfaces to form a set of stairs with uniform pitch for a range of different rise heights. A sensor set measures parameters related to physiotherapy performed using the set of stairs and provides an output to a computer system. The sensors include one or more of: a rise height sensor for sensing the pitch of the stairs, a heart rate sensor, a handrail grip position sensor, and load cells for analyzing the distribution of the weight of a patient during use of the system. |
| US09381391B1 |
Jump rope
A jump rope comprising cable and handle assemblies. The handle assembly comprises grip and bearing sections, the bearing section threadably connected to the grip section and comprising a housing and a heim joint, the heim joint comprising a metal ball that swivels within the heim joint housing. The grip section comprises female threads tor receiving a male threaded end of the bearing section. The cable assembly comprises a cable and cable stop. The cable is attached to the heim joint by slidably inserting a cable end through the aperture in the ball. A distal end of the heim joint comprises internal female threads that engage with a male threaded proximal end of a rotatable shaft located within the bearing housing. The rotatable shaft is supported by first and second ball bearings located on either end of the shaft so that the rotatable shaft may rotate freely within the bearing housing. |
| US09381389B2 |
Fire suppression system actuation apparatus and system
A fire suppression system may comprise a shape memory actuation system. The shape memory actuation system may be configured as a retainer that retains a plug and/or a disk. The shape memory actuation system may be a shape memory plug that is configured to discharge from a vessel exhaust port. The shape memory actuation system may be deployable in response to an electrical stimulus (e.g., resistive heating causing the shape memory alloy to have a temperature exceeding a transition temperature). |
| US09381388B2 |
Fire suppression system
A fire suppression system for a container including a first tank containing a first liquid component of a two-part foam and a second tank containing a second liquid component of the foam. The system also includes at least one liquid component release device configured to be selectively capable of releasing the first and second components from their respective containers upon receipt of a signal from a fire detector upon detection of a fire. The two-part foam components are propelled through the system by a pressurized propellant that, upon release of the release device, causes the exit of the foam components from their respective tanks, through a mixing conduit to at least one nozzle. The nozzle is configured to spray the liquid component foam mixture into the container wherein the foam cures into a substantially semi-rigid, closed cell foam that is substantially impermeable and may have charring and/or intumescence properties. |
| US09381385B2 |
Protective suit for use in a cooling chamber
A protective suit (100), especially for an operator (1) in a cooling chamber that is cooled using liquid nitrogen or vapor of the liquid nitrogen comprises a body suit (10) which has a thermally insulating, gas-tight cover material (20) and is designed to accommodate the operator (1), and a heating device (30) which is connected to the body suit (10) and is designed to heat the interior of the protective suit (100). A glove (70) which is made of a thermally insulating glove material (71) and includes a glove heater (77) is also described. |
| US09381384B2 |
Electromechanical apparatus for evacuating buildings in the event of a fire
An electromechanical apparatus for evacuating buildings in the event of a fire includes a reel that has, rolled up on it, a mooring cable that longitudinally passes through the inside of a rigid tube, ending in an evacuation harness, where an individual will be secured. The weight of the individual makes it possible to rock the tube and a lever that has a braking disc and which acts on a brake disc that allows, by means of a mechanical transmission system, the braking and/or retention of the reel and consequently the descent of the individual. There is a radio-control unit and a standalone electric and electronic safety system that is activated when the speed of descent of the individual is too great. The apparatus allows evacuation and can be reused, once used. The apparatus carries away, brakes, retains and evacuates the individual making use of the electromechanical apparatus. |
| US09381381B2 |
Treatment of nail infections with no
Nitrogen oxide generating compositions are useful in the treatment of subungual infections, as NO has surprisingly been found to be able to penetrate the nail to exert an anti-fungal effect. |
| US09381379B2 |
Radiation therapy techniques using targeted wave superposition, magnetic field direction and real-time sensory feedback
New techniques for radiotherapy and radiosurgery are provided. In some aspects of the invention, multiple sources of radiation with characteristics that are projected to constructively interfere at a treatment target are provided. In other aspects, hardware directs multiple radiation sources from the same side of a treatment target, and focuses the initiation of substantial interference on a leading structure in the target. In other aspects, refractive models updated by live feedback are used to improve dosage distribution by, among other things, optimizing the number, length, superposition, overlap, angle and nature of radiation beams. In additional aspects, interstitial beacons and radiation path diversion structures are inserted to improve dosage distribution to a target and avoid critical neighboring structures. In particle therapy, regionally actuable external magnetic fields are also provided, to improve dosage accuracy and avoid collateral damage. |
| US09381373B2 |
Providing life support
Systems and methods of providing life support are provided. A life support system includes a first life support device that has a control unit and is configured to apply a life support protocol to a subject. The first life support device also includes a memory unit that can store life support protocol information, and the control unit can provide the life support protocol information to a second life support device. The control unit can also receive operating instructions from the second life support device based on the life support protocol information, and can implement the operating instructions. |
| US09381372B2 |
Electroshock device for monitoring target response
An electroshock device for delivering an electrical discharge to a target includes an electrical discharge circuit, an electrode coupled to the electrical discharge circuit and having an attachment feature attachable to the target. Upon attachment the electrode is enabled to monitor a physiological condition of the target, generate a signal based on the physiological condition, and deliver the electrical discharge to the target. The electroshock device also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the electrical discharge circuit and the electrode. The controller is configured to modulate delivery of the electrical discharge based on the signal. |
| US09381365B2 |
Implantable medical device, medical system and method for data communication
An implantable medical device including a data communication device that includes a device to alter and/or generate an oscillatory electric field imposed on body tissue surrounding the implantable medical device when the implantable medical device is in its implanted state. The device that alters an oscillatory electric field modulates an impedance of body tissue surrounding the implantable medical device when the implantable medical device is in its implanted state and within an oscillatory electric field. The device that alters an oscillatory electric field includes a device that generates an oscillatory electric field that is phase-synchronized with an oscillatory electric field imposed on body tissue surrounding the implantable medical device when the implantable medical device is in its implanted state. |
| US09381362B2 |
Modifying atrioventricular delay based on activation times
Methods and/or devices may be configured to monitor ventricular activation times and modify an atrioventricular delay (AV delay) based on the monitored ventricular activation times. Further, the methods and/or devices may determine whether the AV delay should be modified based on the measured activation times before modifying the AV delay. |
| US09381360B2 |
System and method for delivering modulated sub-threshold therapy to a patient
A neuromodulation system configured for providing sub-threshold neuromodulation therapy to a patient. The neuromodulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes, modulation output circuitry configured for delivering electrical energy to the electrical terminals in accordance with at least one modulation parameter, thereby providing therapy to the patient at a sub-threshold level and control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that pseudo-randomly varies a value of the at least one modulation parameter based on a previous value of the at least one modulation parameter, such that the delivered electrical energy is continually maintained at the sub-threshold level. |
| US09381358B2 |
Remote detection of physiological parameter using an implantable medical device
A system embodiment for stimulating a neural target comprises a neural stimulator, a pace detector, and a controller. The neural stimulator is electrically connected to at least one electrode, and is configured to deliver a neural stimulation signal through the at least one electrode to stimulate the neural target. The pace detector is configured to use at least one electrode to sense cardiac activity and distinguish paced cardiac activity in the sensed cardiac activity from non-paced cardiac activity in the sensed cardiac activity. The controller is configured to control a programmed neural stimulation therapy using the neural stimulator and using detected paced cardiac activity as an input for the neural stimulation therapy. |
| US09381357B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring electrical stimulation using paddle lead
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for neurostimulation. The method includes applying electrical stimulation to a patient using a paddle lead that includes a plurality of electrodes, acquiring evoked response data using at least some of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the evoked response data is indicative of a patient response to the electrical stimulation, transmitting the evoked response data to a computing device, and processing the evoked response data using the computing device to facilitate monitoring the applied electrical stimulation. |
| US09381356B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a neural stimulus
An implantable device applies and controls a neural stimulus. The device has a plurality of electrodes, and a stimulus source for providing a stimulus to be delivered from the electrodes to a neural pathway in order to evoke an action potential on the neural pathway, such as the spinal cord. A control unit controls application of a neural stimulus as defined by a set of parameter values and measures via measurement circuitry an evoked neural compound action potential response. The control unit determines from the measured evoked response a feedback variable, and compares it to a therapy map. The therapy map defines a therapeutic relationship of control variable to feedback variable. One or more of the stimulus parameter values are altered to effect the required change in the control variable. This process is performed iteratively to improve alignment of the feedback variable with the therapy map over time. |
| US09381352B2 |
Method for stimulating living body more accurately and apparatus using the same
An apparatus for more accurately stimulating a living body comprises: a stimulation unit configured to apply a bio-stimulation signal in vicinity to a living body, the bio-stimulation signal being composed of pieces of time-series data having a specific frequency; and a control unit configured to derive bio-stimulation information required to achieve targeted bio-information using time space data indicative of bio-responses interacting at a plurality of different positions in response to the bio-stimulation signal, and derive a relation between the bio-stimulation signal and the bio-responses, and control the stimulation unit to apply the bio-stimulation signal in response to the derived bio-stimulation information. The relation is configured to set the bio-stimulation information as variables in an X matrix (m, t), set the bio-response information as variables in a Y matrix (n, t), and derive an A matrix (n, m) satisfying Y=AX. |
| US09381350B2 |
Method and system for treatment of mobility dysfunction
Effective systems and methods for improving neural communication impairment of a vertebrate being and affecting motor activity of a peripheral body part including a first signal providing component configured to provide pulsed peripheral stimulation signals at the peripheral body part, a second signal providing component configured to provide a pulsed motor cortex stimulation signal to a motor cortex area, a substantially DC signal providing component configured to provide direct current spinal stimulation signal at a neural spinal junction and a controller component configured to control timing of the pulsed peripheral stimulation signals and the pulsed motor cortex stimulation signal. |
| US09381345B2 |
Compressible electrodes
A compressible electrode for the stimulation of the musculature of the pelvic floor complex e.g. for the treatment of anterior and posterior pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, is reversibly compressible and has electro-conductive elements. The compressible electrode may be used with all the usual control units and treatment regimes for the electro-stimulation of the musculature and nerves of the vagina and/or anus. The compressible electrode may be inserted into the vagina or anus through the use of an applicator. In the compressed state the compressible electrode may be of tampon proportions and after use may easily be removed. |
| US09381342B2 |
Implantable electric stimulation system and methods of making and using
A lead assembly includes a lead with a distal end and a proximal end. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end and a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The lead also defines at least one central lumen and a plurality of outer lumens. The central and outer lumens extend from the proximal end to the distal end such that the plurality of outer lumens extend laterally from the at least one central lumen. The lead further includes a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples at least one of the plurality of electrodes electrically to at least one of the plurality of terminals. At least two conductive wires are disposed in each of the plurality of outer lumens. |
| US09381337B2 |
Luer connector
A luer lock connector is disclosed. The luer lock connector includes a connector body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a gripping portion between the distal end and the proximal end. A substantially flexible material is disposed on at least the outer surface of the gripping portion of the connector body. An intravenous line is coupled to the distal end of the connector body. A luer connector fitting is disposed on the proximal end of the body, the luer connector having an outer diameter less than a maximum exterior thickness of the gripping portion of the connector body. |
| US09381333B2 |
Surgical device having indicia for cutting to size
A surgical apparatus includes a seal anchor member including a compressible material. The seal anchor member may be adapted to transition between a first condition for insertion of at least a portion of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and a second condition to facilitate a securing of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and in substantial sealed relation with tissue surfaces defining a tissue tract. The seal anchor member may define at least one port extending between the proximal and distal ends, the at least one port being adapted for the reception of an object whereby compressible material defining the at least one port is adapted to deform to establish a substantial scaled relation with the object. The seal anchor member may include indicia that indicates to a user a location at which the member may be cut to reduce the size of the member. |
| US09381329B2 |
Vacuum sponge drainage
The invention relates to a vacuum sponge unit (2) for use in human or animal bodies, comprising a fluid collecting member (10), in particular a sponge unit, and a fluid communication member (20), in particular a drainage tube, which is disposed at least partially in the fluid collecting member (10) and is connected in fluidic communication to the fluid collecting member (10). In order to improve known devices, the inventions proposes developing the vacuum sponge unit (2) such that the fluid collecting member (10) has a channel (11) for guiding a guide member (3), in particular a guide wire, and/or a delivery member (4), in particular a probe unit and/or an endoscope, through the fluid collecting member (10). |
| US09381326B2 |
Vascular occlusion and drug delivery devices, systems, and methods
Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise occlusion and drug delivery devices and methods. One aspect of the disclosure comprises a drug delivery device comprising an inner expansion member and an outer drug delivery component. Another aspect of the disclosure comprises bioabsorbable, lumen-occluding implants. |
| US09381325B2 |
Robust catheter tubing
A balloon catheter having a multilayer catheter shaft is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the inner layer and outer layer are selected from materials that enhance the pushability of the catheter while preserving the flexibility. Using a combination of a high Shore D duromater value material and a lower Shore D duromater value material, various combinations of multilayer catheter shafts are disclosed utilizing different glass transition temperatures and block copolyamides to obtain the desired characteristics. |
| US09381321B2 |
Systems and methods for anchoring medical devices
Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that secures a medical instrument (such as a catheter or the like) in place relative to a skin penetration point using subcutaneous anchors. In some implementations, the medical instrument can be coupled to the anchor device using a snap-lock cap mechanism. |
| US09381320B2 |
Multiple-use intravenous catheter assembly septum and septum actuator
The present invention relates to a multiple-use intravenous (IV) catheter assembly septum and septum actuator. In particular, the present invention relates to an IV catheter assembly having a stationary septum actuator and a blood control septum, wherein the blood control septum is configured to slide within a catheter adapter of the IV catheter assembly between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. When in the compressed state, a slit of the blood control septum is opened and the septum comprises stored compressive potential energy. When the septum is released from the compressed state, the stored compressive potential energy is release and the blood control septum is restored to its original shape, thereby closing the septum's slit. |
| US09381317B2 |
High flow therapy artificial airway interfaces and related methods
Embodiments of the present invention provide a device, system and method for providing high flow therapy interfaces for use in the treatment of respiratory conditions and in assisted respirations. A nasal cannula for delivery of respiratory gases supplied from a respiratory gas delivery system that includes at least one nasal insert that includes a lumen for the supplied respiratory gases from the respiratory gas delivery system, at least one flange coupled to the at least one nasal insert and configured to partially impede the egress of respiratory gasses delivered to an upper airway of a patient, where the flange includes a top surface defining a corresponding top surface area and where the flange further includes at least one slot that defines a corresponding implicit surface area, the top surface area of the top surface being substantially greater than the implicit surface area of the at least one slot is provided. |
| US09381314B2 |
Safe standby mode for ventilator
A ventilator with a safe standby mode is provided. The safe standby mode allows a user to disconnect a patient from the ventilator, without the ventilator generating alarms and while maintaining previously entered ventilation parameters. In addition, while in the safe standby mode, a patient connection status is monitored, and a ventilation mode is entered automatically if the ventilator determines that a patient is connected to the ventilator while the ventilator is in the safe standby mode. |
| US09381312B1 |
Insufflation apparatus
An insufflation apparatus and/or insufflation kit for use during a medical procedure including a fluid stabilizer wherein the insufflation apparatus can be used in different modes with a mode change between needle insufflation or cannula insufflation accomplished without having to use a different fluid stabilizer or a different trocar wherein the trocar may be a gas conditioning trocar having a chamber for on-the-go heating and hydrating an unconditioned insufflation gas prior to injecting a conditioned insufflation gas into a body cavity. |
| US09381310B2 |
Injection needle assembly and drug injection apparatus
An injection needle assembly is an assembly used by being attached to an injector including an injection barrel filled with medicine and a needle tube, and is provided with a sticking needle tube having a needle tip to be stuck into a skin, a needle holding portion, an engagement portion and a connection portion. The needle holding portion holds the sticking needle tube and a fit tube of the engagement portion is engaged with a needle hub of the injection barrel. The connection portion includes a luminal portion in which there are arranged a proximal end on the opposite side of the needle tip of the sticking needle tube and a needle tip (ejection port) at the needle tube of the injector, and the sticking needle tube and the needle tube communicate with each other in a liquid tight manner. |
| US09381307B2 |
Injection device
An injection device includes a housing (40) for containing a syringe or cartridge (14) of medicament; a rotary drive shaft (20) for being rotated by an adjustable preset amount to cause expression of a corresponding amount of medicament from the syringe or cartridge; a torsion drive spring (24) anchored at one end region relative to the drive shaft (20) and, at its other end region being secured to a fitting (44) adapted to non-rotatably engage a seat (48, 50) on the housing. |
| US09381304B2 |
Cartridge holder and alignment interface
A system for a drug delivery device comprising a reservoir holder configured to hold a reservoir, and an alignment interface comprising a main body configured to be coupled to the reservoir. A first alignment feature is provided on the main body. The first alignment feature cooperates with a corresponding alignment feature provided by the reservoir holder such that when the reservoir is inserted into the holder, the first alignment feature cooperates with the corresponding alignment feature provided by the holder so as to rotate the alignment interface and thereby align the alignment interface within the holder. Thus, the reservoir may be aligned within the reservoir holder. The first alignment feature may comprise at least one protrusion provided on the main body of the interface. The system further comprises one or more coding features. |
| US09381299B2 |
Implantable drug delivery devices
The invention relates generally to implantable drug delivery devices. Devices having a single drug chamber configuration, a divided drug chamber configuration and a compact dual-drug configuration are described. The devices have features to prevent clogging of the dispensing catheter and the creation of a local vacuum caused by the dispensing of the drug fluid. Also provided are features of a failsafe refilling process, automatic refill notification, and performance verification process. The divided drug chamber configuration enables frequent or continuous minute doses. A dual-drug chamber configuration uses self-locking refill containers to prevent mismatching between refill containers and drug chambers. |
| US09381294B2 |
Auto-injector case
An insulated, epinephrine auto-injector case that also includes a rapid-opening cap, two spring-loaded chambers, each with a rapid-opening cap to facilitate immediate and easy availability of the auto-injector for grasping by the user. |
| US09381282B2 |
Tropoelastin for promoting endothelial cell adhesion or migration
The invention provides methods, compositions, and devices for promoting adhesion or migration of endothelial cell. |
| US09381280B2 |
Plasticizers for a biodegradable scaffolding and methods of forming same
Methods of making polymeric devices, such as stents, with one or more modifications such as addition of plasticizers, to improve processing, and the devices made by these methods. |
| US09381274B2 |
Bone graft implants containing allograft
Synthetic, bioactive ultra-porous bone graft materials having an engineered porosity, and implants formed from such materials are provided. In particular, these implants comprise bioactive glass and incorporate allograft material for osteoinduction. The implants are suitable for bone tissue regeneration and/or repair. |
| US09381268B2 |
Absorbent article
The objective of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article having a dry top sheet without any feeling of stickiness in the top sheet, even after high viscosity menstrual blood has been absorbed. The absorbent article of the present disclosure has the following structure. The absorbent article (1) has a liquid-permeable top sheet (2), a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body (3). The absorbent article (1) is characterized by: having an excretory orifice contact region (4), first embossed portions (5), an external peripheral region (6), and second embossed portions (7); the first embossed portions (5) and second embossed portions (7) being formed by embossing a layer comprising the top sheet (2) and the absorbent body (3); and the top sheet (2) inside the excretory orifice contact region (4) and the second embossed portions (7) respectively comprising a prescribed blood lubricating agent. |
| US09381265B2 |
Apparatus and process for sterilization and preservation of objects
This apparatus and method improves the way metal and other objects will be sterilized, disinfected and preserved by utilizing both electromagnetic radiation (UV light in particular) to kill anaerobic pathogens and oxygen depletion to kill aerobic pathogens. The removal of the presence of oxygen further increases the useful lifespan of the treated object by preventing corrosion in general and oxidation in particular. |
| US09381262B2 |
Methods for radiolabeling synthetic polymers
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a radiolabeled synthetic polymer, the method comprising contacting a synthetic polymer with a carbon encapsulated nanoparticle composite having a radioactive particulate core in an aqueous medium comprising an electrolyte concentration or pH selected to promote short-range attractive forces between the nanoparticles and the synthetic polymer by attenuating long-range electrostatic repulsive forces. |
| US09381261B2 |
SHK-based pharmaceutical compositions and methods of manufacturing and using the same
Disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions having the sequence Arg-Ser-Cys-Ile-Asp-Thr-Ile-Pro-Lys-Ser-Arg-Cys-Thr-Ala-Phe-Gln-Cys-Lys-His-Ser-Xaa-Lys-Tyr-Arg-Leu-Ser-Phe-Cys-Arg-Lys-Thr-Cys-Gly-Thr-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 1). The disclosed compositions can include an acid or amide at the C-terminus of SEQ ID NO: 1 and the polypeptide can be attached to an organic or inorganic chemical entity that has an anionic charge. The polypeptide can be detectably labeled for diagnostic purposes. Methods of manufacturing and using the pharmaceutical compounds are also disclosed. |
| US09381259B2 |
Precursor compound of radioactive halogen-labeled organic compound
It is intended to provide a novel amino acid organic compound which can be used as a labeling precursor compound for radioactive halogen-labeled amino acid compounds including [18F]FACBC, and which prevents methanol from remaining in the radioactive halogen-labeled amino acid compounds produced therefrom. The novel amino acid organic compound is a compound represented by the following formula: wherein n is an integer of 0 or of 1 to 4; R1 is an ethyl, 1-propyl or isopropyl substituent; X is a halogen substituent or a group represented by —OR2; R2 is a straight-chain or branched-chain haloalkylsulfonic acid substituent with one to 10 carbon atoms, trialkylstannyl substituent with 3 to 12 carbon atoms, fluorosulfonic acid substituent or aromatic sulfonic acid substituent; and R3 is a protective group. |
| US09381256B2 |
Cytotoxic benzodiazepine derivatives
The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepine compounds of formula (I)-(VII). The invention also provides conjugates of the benzodiazepine compounds linked to a cell-binding agent. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention. |
| US09381254B2 |
Methods for preparing polymeric reagents
The present invention provides among other things methods for preparing polymeric reagents, wherein the method comprises (a) providing an aromatic moiety bearing a hydroxy group, a first amino group and a second amino group; (b) reacting a functional group reagent with the hydroxy group to result in a hydroxy group bearing a functional group capable of reacting with an amino group of an active agent and resulting in a hydolyzable carbamate; and (c) reacting a plurality of poly(alkylene glycol) water-soluble polymers bearing a reactive group with the first amino group and second amino group to result in (i) a first amino group bearing a water-soluble polymer through a spacer moiety, and (ii) a second amino group bearing a second water-soluble polymer through a spacer moiety. |
| US09381252B2 |
Nanoparticles for encapsulation of compounds, the production and uses thereof
The present invention relates to nanoparticles for the encapsulation of compounds, the obtaining and uses thereof. The nanoparticles comprise a zein matrix and a basic amino acid. The nanoparticles can encapsulate a water-soluble or fat-soluble biologically active compound. It is applicable in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors and in the nanotechnology sector. |
| US09381250B2 |
Crosslinked polysaccharide beads and their biomedical uses
The present inventions relates to beads as biocompatible material adapted for use within the human or animal body. Said beads are highly useful for tissue engineering, in situ tissue regeneration, as well as for drug and/or cells delivery. In addition, said beads may support biotechnological applications such as cell carriers. |
| US09381246B2 |
Cancer therapy
The present application relates to compositions and methods for treating a proliferative disorder by administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition of a dual kinase inhibitor. Catecholic butanes cane serve as dual kinase inhibitors for purposes of methods described herein. Patients to be treated include those that have been treated with Tarceva or other therapeutic compounds and relapsed or are resistant to treatment. The compounds described herein may exhibit a synergistic effect when administered with another agent. |
| US09381244B2 |
VISTA modulators for diagnosis and treatment of cancer
The present disclosure relates to compositions and therapeutic methods for activating an immune response in a patient in need thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the subject methods and compositions are able to antagonize the activity of VISTA, a naturally occurring “checkpoint” protein which contributes to immune tolerance, optionally in combination with an antagonist of a second checkpoint pathway such as PD-1. For example, such methods and compositions may be suitable for preventing and treating colon cancer or another cancer. An exemplary VISTA antagonist, specifically, an anti-VISTA antibody, is demonstrated herein to activate an immune response against cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby conferring protective anti-tumor immunity which decreased tumor burden. Additionally, an additive benefit was observed when a VISTA antagonist was used in combination with a second checkpoint protein antagonist, specifically, an antibody against PD-1 ligand (PD-L1). |
| US09381241B2 |
Mucosal adjuvant composition
Problem to be Solved: The present invention provides a novel mucosal adjuvant.Solution: The present invention provides a mucosal adjuvant composition containing at least a composition comprising molecules having a molecular weight in a range of 100 to 300 kDa obtained from cells or culture fluid of Bordetella bronchiseptica. Administration of the mucosal adjuvant composition to a non-human animal at a surface of the mucous membrane can enhance immunity at the surface of mucous membrane. Therefore preventive effects against trans-mucosal infection can be increased by administering an inactivated vaccine against trans-mucosal infection and the mucosal adjuvant composition to a non-human animal at a surface of mucous membrane. The present invention is effective for preventing trans-mucosal infections, including one or more infections of e.g., canine parainfluenza, canine adenovirus, canine coronavirus, canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, canine herpesvirus, reovirus and pneumovirus. |
| US09381240B2 |
Recombinant low virulence bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) vaccine vectors
The present disclosure teaches generally in the field of vaccination and disease control in cattle and bovine animals. A recombinant bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) vaccine vector is provided for efficient control of one or more bovine pathogens such as those associated with bovine respiratory disease complex, such as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and which ameliorates disease conditions caused thereby. Protocols for the management of confined or herded bovine animals are also enabled herein. |
| US09381236B2 |
Interferon-β production modulating listeria strains and methods for using same
Mutant Listeria bacteria that modulate interferon-β production are provided. The subject bacteria are characterized by having a mutation in a gene chosen from a TetR gene, a LadR gene, a VirR gene, a MarR gene a MdrL gene, a MdrT gene and a MdrM gene. The subject bacteria find use in a variety of applications, where representative applications of interest include, but are not limited to: (a) use of the subject bacteria as adjuvants; (b) use of the subject bacteria as delivery vectors for introducing macromolecules into a cell; (c) use of the subject bacteria as vaccines for eliciting or boosting a cellular immune response; etc. |
| US09381232B2 |
Nano-recombinant fibrinogen for fibrin sealants
A fibrin-based hemostatic agent suitable for both civilian and military use is disclosed. The hemostatic agent comprises (i) nanoparticles to which a plurality of Knob-A recognition sequences are attached, and (ii) coiled-coils of recombinantly-produced human fibrinogen α and chains and the γ chain globular domain. A delivery system for the hemostatic agent also is disclosed, which additionally comprises means for delivering (i) and (ii) to a wound site. The delivery means may be a CO2 canister or a shaker jet. |
| US09381231B2 |
Use of relaxin to restore maternal physiology in pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technologies
The subject invention relates to methods for improving a subject's vasculature to normalize maternal hemodynamics, particularly in subjects attempting to conceive via assisted reproductive technologies, and comprises increasing relaxin levels in a subject or increasing any one or more of: relaxin synthesis, relaxin receptor synthesis, relaxin binding to the relaxin receptor, or relaxin receptor activity. |
| US09381228B2 |
FKBP-L and uses thereof
Disclosed are methods and compositions that employ FKBP-L polypeptides for modulating angiogenesis and/or tumor metastasis. The FKBP-L polypeptides may be used for the treatment of disorders mediated by angiogenesis such as cancer. |
| US09381225B2 |
Methods of protecting against apoptosis using lipopeptides
The use of lipopeptides comprising variable groups defined as H or optionally substituted C6-C20 aliphatic and a peptide of one of the following amino acid sequences: GEESN (SEQ ID NO: 17), QGEESNDK (SEQ ID NO: 20), and VQGEESNDK (SEQ ID NO: 21). The use of the lipopeptides for activating Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in cells is described. |
| US09381224B2 |
Plant based formulation for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease mortality risk
The invention relates to a plant based formulation for the prevention and management of Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular disease mortality risk comprising an effective amount of a hydro-alcoholic extract of Salacia parviflora, Tribulus terrestris and Dioscorea glabra. |
| US09381219B2 |
Brown adipocyte modification
Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by increasing activation of brown adipose tissue. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can increase activation of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for increasing activation of brown adipose tissue includes modifying brown adipocytes to express a gene that activates brown adipocytes, such as uncoupling protein 1. In another embodiment, a method for increasing brown adipose tissue activation includes increasing the number of brown adipocytes. This can be accomplished by inducing proliferation of adipocytes in vivo or expanding adipocytes ex vivo, transplanting adipocytes into brown adipose tissue depots or elsewhere and inducing differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells, such as MSCs, adipocyte progenitor cells, pre-adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells. |
| US09381217B2 |
Microgels for encapsulation of cells and other biologic agents
Methods of encapsulating cargo in a microgel droplet, microgel droplets prepared according the provided methods, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The methods of preparing cargo-encapsulated microgels generally include flowing through a flow-focusing nozzle of a microfluidic device a macromer phase, an oil phase, and a crosslinker phase to form microgel droplets by oil-water emulsion. The phases are pumped, injected, or flowed through the microfluidic device such that as the macromer phase approaches the flow focusing nozzle, the co-flowing oil phase shields the macromer from contact with the crosslinker phase until flow instability occurs and macromer phase droplets form. After flow instability occurs, the crosslinker diffuses from the crosslinker phase into the droplets in an effective amount to covalently crosslink the macromer into a microgel network encapsulating the cargo in the crosslinked macromer. Microgels prepared according to the disclosed methods and methods of use thereof are also provided. |
| US09381215B2 |
Compositions and methods for the treatment of cancers
The present invention provides a formulation comprising dichloroacetate and arsenic trioxide. The present invention also provides a method of treating cancer by administering a therapeutically effective amount of dichloroacetate and arsenic trioxide. |
| US09381214B2 |
Methods for treating skin irritation
The present invention provides a stabilized hypohalous acid solution (or formulation thereof), which may be conveniently packaged for sale, or stored for later use on demand. The invention further provides methods of making the stabilized hypohalous acid solutions, as well as methods of use for disinfecting mammalian tissue, including wounds and burns, and treating skin irritations, among other uses. |
| US09381211B2 |
Composition and method for treating connective tissue damage
The present invention provides a composition, and a method of use thereof, for treating connective tissue damage in man and in animals, which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of chondroitin sulfate, N-acetyl D-glucosamine, and hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid). Particularly, the present invention provides a composition, and a method of use thereof, for treating connective tissue damage including, but not limited to, arthritic disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osterochondrosis dessicans, cartilage damage, joint injury, joint inflammation, joint synovitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), post surgical DJD, traumatic injury, fracture, tendon damage, ligament damage, skeletal damage, musculoskeletal damage, fiber damage, adipose tissue damage, small intestine tissue damage, blood cell damage, and plasma damage. Compositions for delivery of the present invention include those for parenteral, oral, and transmucosal delivery and for direct surgical placement onto the affected tissues. |
| US09381207B2 |
Drug formulations
The invention provides derivatives of decitabine with superior chemical stability and shelf life, with similar physiological activity. The derivatives are provided in a non-aqueous formulation, which further stabilizes the derivatives. Methods of treating one or more myelodysplastic syndromes, leukemia, or solid tumors using the formulations are described. |
| US09381205B2 |
Anti-EFNA4 antibody-drug conjugates
The present invention provides for anti-EFNA4 antibody-drug conjugates and methods for preparing and using the same. |
| US09381204B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions containing phosphatidylserine and curcumin
The present invention describes and claims stable pharmaceutical compositions and/or food supplements based on phosphatidylserine (PS) and curcumin, which are consequently devoid of degradation products, for use in the prevention and treatment of disorders associated with brain aging, and in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis. |
| US09381202B2 |
Salts of potassium ATP channel openers and uses thereof
Provided are immediate or prolonged administration of certain salts of KATP channel openers such as diazoxide to a subject to achieve novel pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, therapeutic, physiological, metabolic and compositional outcomes in the treatment of diseases or conditions involving KATP channels. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations, methods of administration and dosing of the salts that achieve these outcomes and reduce the incidence of adverse effects in treated individuals. Further provided are method of co-administering the salts with other drugs to treat diseases of humans and animals. |
| US09381201B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition and kit for treating bacterial infections
The invention relates to pharmacology and medicine, more particularly to novel pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical kits for treating bacterial infections, and to novel method for treating diseases caused by bacterial infections including tuberculosis. The pharmaceutical composition is disclosed comprising Rifamycin and interferon inducer in pharmacologically effective doses, and also pharmaceutical kit for treating diseases caused by bacterial and healthcare acquired infections, comprising pharmacologically effective doses of Rifamycin in the form of a tablet, a capsule or an injection, interferon inducer in the form of a tablet, a capsule or an injection, and instruction for administration of the components of this pharmaceutical kit. |
| US09381199B2 |
Linagliptin solid dispersion
The present invention provides a novel amorphous solid dispersion of linagliptin in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, process for its preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising it. |
| US09381198B2 |
Controlled release compositions of agents that reduce circulating levels of platelets and methods therefor
Provided are prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treatment of subjects for the purpose of inhibiting vaso-occlusive events, including embolism, by administering agents, including anagrelide and anagrelide derivatives, which reduce the number of circulating platelets to low normal or to below normal levels. Methods and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such agents are provided. |
| US09381194B2 |
Pharmacological chaperones for treating obesity
The invention relates to methods of enhancing normal melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) activity, and to enhancing activity of an MC4R having a mutation which affects protein folding and/or processing of the MC4R. The invention provides a method of treating an individual having a condition in which increased activity of an MC4R at the cell surface would be beneficial, for example in obesity, by administering an effective amount of a pharmacological chaperone for the MC4R. The invention provides MC4R pharmacological chaperones which enhance the activity of MC4R. The invention further provides a method of screening to identify pharmacological chaperones which enhance folding of an MC4R in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in order to enhance the activity of the MC4R at the cell surface. |
| US09381193B2 |
Contraceptive methods and compositions
The invention encompasses compositions and methods for use in preventing pregnancy. |
| US09381186B2 |
Substituted chroman derivatives, medicaments and use in therapy
Novel substituted chroman derivatives and intermediate compounds, compositions containing same, methods for their preparation and uses thereof as therapeutic agents particularly as anti-cancer and chemotherapeutic selective agents are described. |
| US09381184B2 |
Compounds and compositions for targeting cancer stem cells
The invention provides naphthofuran compounds, polymorphs of naphthofuran compounds, naphthofuran compounds in particle form, purified compositions that contain one or more naphthofuran compounds, purified compositions that contain one or more naphthofuran compounds in particle form, methods of producing these naphthofuran compounds, polymorphs, purified compositions and/or particle forms, and methods of using these naphthofuran compounds, polymorphs, purified compositions and/or particle forms to treat subjects in need thereof. |
| US09381179B2 |
Administration of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthoic acid for the treatment of dermatological disorders
Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component are treated with pharmaceutical compositions containing on the order of 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously topically applicable gels, creams or lotions. |
| US09381178B2 |
Affinity medicant conjugate
In an embodiment of the invention, a composition for treating a cell population comprises an Affinity Medicant Conjugate (AMC). The medicant moiety can be a toxin including an acylfulvene or a drug moiety. The affinity moiety can be an antibody, a binding protein, a steroid, a lipid, a growth factor, a protein, a peptide or non peptidic. The affinity moiety can be covalently bound to the medicant via a linker. Novel linkers that can be directed to cysteine, arginine or lysine residues based on solution pH allow greater flexibility in preserving and/or generating specific epitopes in the AMC. |
| US09381176B2 |
E-prostanoid receptor, Ptger3, as a novel anti-diabetic therapeutic target
Provided herein are methods for increasing insulin secretion from beta cells. Also provide herein are methods comprising administering to a subject in need of increased insulin secretion a composition comprising a compound that directly or indirectly activates adenylate cyclase and an E prostanoid 3 (EP3) receptor antagonist that attenuates G alpha-i-subfamily (GSIS)-mediated adenylate cyclase inhibition. |
| US09381175B2 |
Method for treating Chikungunya virus infection
Disclosed herein is a method for the treatment of an infection with, or disease caused by, Chikungunya virus in a subject. The method includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of suramin as the active agent. |
| US09381174B2 |
Composition and method for exterminating animal parasite
A composition for exterminating an animal parasite, the composition including, as an active ingredient, at least one of 3-aminoxalylaminobenzamide derivatives represented by the following Formula (1): (R1 and R2 represent a halogen atom, a C1-C5 haloalkyl group, a C1-C5 alkyl group, or the like. R3 and R4 represent a C1-C8 alkyl group, a C1-C8 haloalkyl group, or the like. R5 represents a C1-C5 haloalkyl group. R6 and R7 represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C5 alkyl group, or the like. Y represents a halogen atom or the like. Z represents a halogen atom or the like. n represents 0-4, and m represents 0-2.) |
| US09381168B2 |
Use of capsiate or dihydrocapsidate
The present invention relates to a new use of capsiate or dihydrocapsiate, more particularly to a composition for preventing and treating inflammatory disease, angiogenesis-related disease and autoimmune disease or for suppressing immunity comprising capsiate, dihydrocapsiate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an effective ingredient. The composition and immunosuppressant of the present invention may be used for preventing and treating inflammatory disease, angiogenesis-related disease and autoimmune disease, and for suppressing immunity. |
| US09381163B2 |
Floating capsules encapsulating particles loaded with one or more drugs
The invention relates to capsules encapsulating particles loaded with one or more drugs, and in particular, to such capsules that are able to float. The capsules may be used for drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods for forming the capsules are also disclosed, and in particular, double emulsion methods are used in forming the capsules. |
| US09381158B2 |
Nanoparticle fabrication methods, systems, and materials for fabricating artificial red blood cells
A plurality of artificial red blood cell particles includes each particle of the plurality being substantially monodisperse and each particle having a largest common linear dimension of about 5 μm to about 10 μm. The particles can also have a modulus configured such that a particle of the plurality of particles can pass through a tube having an inner diameter of less than about 3 μm. |
| US09381157B2 |
Prevention of myocardial infarction induced ventricular expansion and remodeling
A method for direct therapeutic treatment of myocardial tissue in a localized region of a heart having a pathological condition. The method includes identifying a target region of the myocardium and applying material directly and substantially only to at least a portion of the myocardial tissue of the target region. The material applied results in a physically modification the mechanical properties, including stiffness, of said tissue. Various devices and modes of practicing the method are disclosed for stiffening, restraining and constraining myocardial tissue for the treatment of conditions including myocardial infarction or mitral valve regurgitation. |
| US09381155B2 |
Process for manufacturing chewable dosage forms for drug delivery and products thereof
A palatable, edible soft chewable medication vehicle for delivery of a pharmaceutically acceptable active ingredient, such as a drug, to an animal or human subject. The edible soft chews contain only food grade or better inactive ingredients, and preferably do not contain ingredients of animal origin. Processes for manufacturing the edible soft chews do not require the use of heat or the addition of water during mixing of active and inactive ingredients, provide stable concentrations of the active ingredient, and produce chews of consistent weight and texture. |
| US09381154B2 |
Direct inkjet fabrication of drug delivery devices
In some aspects of the present application, a method of forming one or more layers of at least a portion of a drug delivery device (DDD) is described. The method can include providing a substrate; providing one or more DDD components that are dissolved or dispersed in one or more pharmaceutically compatible phase change inks; ejecting, by one or more nozzles, a first portion of the one or more pharmaceutically compatible phase change inks to form a first layer on the substrate; and ejecting, by the one or more nozzles, a second portion of the pharmaceutically compatible phase change inks to form a second layer over the first layer. |
| US09381153B2 |
Liquid formulations for treatment of diseases or conditions
Described herein are liquid formulations which deliver a variety of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to rapamycin, to a subject for an extended period of time; liquid formulations which form a non-dispersed mass when placed in an aqueous medium of a subject; liquid formulations comprising a therapeutic agent and a plurality of polymers; and methods for delivering therapeutic agents to a subject for an extended period of time using the liquid formulations. The liquid formulation may be placed in an aqueous medium of a subject, including but not limited to via intraocular or periocular administration. A method may be used to administer rapamycin to treat or prevent angiogenesis, choroidal neovascularization, or age-related macular degeneration in a subject. |
| US09381151B2 |
Methods and compositions for regenerating and repairing damaged or aged tissue or organs using nonviable irradiated or lyophilized pluripotent stem cells
Compositions and methods are provided herein for regenerating and repairing damaged or aged tissue or organs using nonviable lethally irradiated or lyophilized pluripotent stem cells. In one aspect, the compositions and methods described herein provide anti-aging benefits to the skin by increasing the hydration reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and pores of the skin. Compositions and methods are also provided for promoting wound healing using lyophilized pluripotent stem cell powder. A method is provided for inducing cardiac muscle regeneration in a primate comprising delivering nonviable lethally irradiated pluripotent stem cells to damaged or aged areas of the heart. The compositions and methods include nonviable lethally irradiated or lyophilized pluripotent stem cells. In one aspect, the compositions and methods utilize nonviable pluripotent stem cells in the form of a powder, such as lyophilized stem cells. |
| US09381150B2 |
Alcohol antimicrobial skin sanitizing compositions including cationic compatible thickeners
The present disclosure generally relates to alcohol antimicrobial skin sanitizing compositions for use in hand washing and skin sanitizing. The antimicrobial skin sanitizing composition comprises an alcohol for providing effective antimicrobial control, one or more cationic compounds for moisturizing and protecting the skin, and a compatible thickening system for thickening the antimicrobial skin sanitizing composition. The antimicrobial skin sanitizing compositions can be used alone or in combination with personal care products. |
| US09381147B2 |
Compositions comprising zwitterionic ester ammonioalkanoates
The present invention provides compositions utilizing a zwitterionic ester ammonioalkanoate surfactant according to Formula 1 and an ingredient selected from the group consisting a surfactant other than said zwitterionic ester ammonioalkanoate surfactant, emulsifiers, conditioning agents, emollients, moisturizers, humectants, thickeners, lubricants, chelating agents, fillers, binding agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, active ingredients, fragrances, dyes, buffering agents, exfoliates, pH adjusters, inorganic salts, solvents, viscosity controlling agents and opacifying agents, wherein the composition is substantially free of alkylamidoamine and aminoalkylamine. |
| US09381145B2 |
Botanical extracts from oil palm vegetation liquor for cosmeceutical applications
A cosmeceutical composition comprising phenolic compounds, fruit acids and sugars, extracted from the vegetation liquor of the palm oil milling process has been suggested. This composition is rich in antioxidants, and significantly improves skin health, including preventing aging of skin. |
| US09381142B2 |
Olfactory adaptation and cross-adapting agents to reduce the perception of body odors
Deodorant compositions are disclosed comprising a cross-adapting agent, alone or in combination with other such agents, in an amount effective to reduce perception of malodor. Deodorant compositions are also disclosed comprising a cross-adapting agent, alone or in combination with other such agents, in an amount effective to reduce perception of gender-specific malodor. The methods feature reducing perceived body odor comprising administering a deodorant composition wherein the composition comprises an amount of cross-adapting agent effective to reduce perception of such odor. Other methods feature blocking perceived body odor comprising administering a deodorant composition wherein the composition comprises an amount of cross-adapting agent effective to occupy an odorant receptor site, thereby blocking interaction of the site with other odorants. Methods of making deodorant compositions are also provided wherein a cross-adapting agent, alone or in combination with other such agents, are included in an amount effective to reduce perception of malodor. |
| US09381140B2 |
Radically polymerisable dental material, cured product and usage
The invention relates to a polymerizable dental material containing a) at least one curable aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic monomer system having a refractive index that is measured at 23° C. and a wavelength of 589 nm of less than or equal to 1.50 that contains at least one aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic bis(meth)acrylate and/or at least one aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic bis(meth)acrylamide; and b) 15 to 80% by weight relative to the total mass of the dental material of at least one filler selected from the group of fused silica having a refractive index that is measured at 23° C. and a wavelength of 589 nm of 1.45 to 1.47, or cristobalite with a refractive index that is measured at 23° C. and a wavelength of 589 nm of 1.48 to 1.49, or combinations thereof. The radically polymerizable dental material has excellent storage properties and is formulated, in particular, as a two-component mixture containing components A and B. Subsequent to mixing components A and B, the polymerizable mixture cures quickly in the conditions present in the mouth and forms cured masses having outstanding mechanical and optical properties. The cured products can be used, in particular, for producing crowns and bridge material and as core buildup material. |
| US09381134B2 |
Blood plasma collecting flask
A blood plasma collecting flask consisting of plastic for storing blood plasma in a frozen state, comprising a flask body (1), which has a flask neck (2) on the upper face thereof, wherein connection points (7a, 7b) having connection pieces (8) are provided on the upper face of the flask body (1) on opposite sides of the flask neck (2) and laterally spaced apart from same, of which connection points one connection point (7a) is used to fill the flask body (1) with blood plasma and the other connection point (7b) is used for taking samples, and substantially L-shaped connectors (9) are provided at the connection points (7a, 7b), wherein each connector limb is connected to the connection piece (8) of the flask body (1) and the other connector limb points towards the flask neck (2) and bears a tube (10). |
| US09381129B1 |
External fixator leg assist apparatus
An external fixator leg assist apparatus utilizes a rigid frame structure having a base and a support. The base comprises a two-prong shaft mechanism in pivotal connection with the support. The support is a similar shaft mechanism. The apparatus is placed on a table or other flat surface with the base abutting a top surface of the table. The medical fixator is placed on top or inside the support portion of the apparatus. The apparatus assists a medical professional in keeping the appendage of the patient steady while attempting to install, adjust, or remove the fixator. |
| US09381124B2 |
Wheelchairs and wheeled vehicles
A wheeled vehicle, wherein at least one ground-engaging wheel is connected to a pivotable hub, the pivotable hub being attached to the body of the vehicle by a fixed pivot member and a laterally-adjustable pivot member, the position of the laterally-adjustable pivot member being adjustable to cause the hub to pivot and thereby adjust the camber of the said wheel, and wherein the pivotable hub is provided with one or more lugs arranged to engage the laterally-adjustable pivot member when the wheels are in a minimum or maximum camber position. |
| US09381121B2 |
Disposable wearing article
A disposable wearing article includes, in an inner end portion of a front waist region, a pair of first side elastic zones spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction and a first middle inelastic zone lying between the first side elastic zones. The article further includes, in an inner end portion of a rear waist region, a pair of second side elastic zones spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction and a second middle inelastic zone lying between the second side elastic zones. A crotch panel includes a pair of leg elastics intersecting with the first and second side elastic zones. A dimension in the transverse direction of the second middle inelastic zone is larger than that of the first middle inelastic zone. A dimension in the transverse direction of the respective first intersection zones is larger than that of the respective second intersection zones. |
| US09381120B2 |
Method of selectively elasticating a moving web and an article comprising the elasticated web
A method for producing an elasticated chassis web for use as a continuous and coherent layer in a disposable garment, including attaching continuous elastic elements (10,11) to a continuous base web (1) along regularly undulating wave-shaped curves (12,13) and cutting out pieces (21) in crotch segments (4) of the continuous base web (1) in order to remove selected parts of the elastic elements (10,11) from the base web (1). A disposable garment made from the elasticated chassis web includes a chassis layer (56) having a hole (69) in a garment crotch portion (43). |
| US09381113B2 |
Systems and methods for vitrectomy
A system for conducting a vitrectomy includes: a gas source; a vitrector including a cutting mechanism that opens and closes according to a pressure at the vitrector; and a pulse-generating system receiving gas from the gas source and generating pulses at the vitrector. The pulses cause the pressure at the vitrector to vary according to a cycle, and the varying pressure at the vitrector causes the cutting mechanism of the vitrector to open and close. At a first time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system, raises the pressure at the vitrector to a maximum pressure. At a second time in the cycle, the pulse-generating system reduces the pressure at the vitrector to a minimum pressure that is greater than ambient, the pressure at the vitrector being maintained at least at the minimum pressure. The difference between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure is minimized to reduce gas consumption. |
| US09381112B1 |
Bleb drainage device, ophthalmological product and methods
Fluid is drained from a bleb using a device including a tubular member having opposed open ends to enable the fluid to flow from end to end through the tubular member. Inward from one end is a stop element enabling the one end to be inserted in one direction through a wall of the bleb but preventing the inserted end from being pulled in the opposite direction through the bleb wall. The opposed remote end of the tubular member is inserted into the retrobulbar space to enable fluid exiting the tubular member at this remote end to drain into the tissue. Along an exterior of the tubular member is an anchoring element enabling the device to be sutured in position. An ophthalmic product has a bleb drainage feature. |
| US09381105B2 |
Medical systems and related methods
Medical systems and related methods are described. In some embodiments, the medical systems include an outer member defining a slot. In certain embodiments, the outer member at least partially surrounds an inner member, and the outer and inner members are configured so that an implantable medical endoprosthesis can be disposed between the outer and inner members. |
| US09381104B2 |
System and method for delivering and deploying an occluding device within a vessel
A system and method for deploying an occluding device that can be used to remodel an aneurysm within the vessel by, for example, neck reconstruction or balloon remodeling. The system comprises an introducer sheath and an assembly for carrying the occluding device. The assembly includes an elongated flexible member having an occluding device retaining member for receiving a first end of the occluding device, a proximally positioned retaining member for engaging a second end of the occluding device and a support surrounding a portion of the elongated flexible member over which the occluding device can be positioned. |
| US09381102B2 |
Electrically charged medical device
A medical device with an outer surface prepared to reduce crystalline growth or surface fowling thereon is provided. The device includes an elongate member that extends between a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen defined through at least a central portion of the member. The member is defined from a wire that is coiled to define the lumen therethrough, the coils of the wire are configured such that a plurality of the neighboring coils define a small space therebetween. The coiled wire includes a central metallic core that extends along the entire length of the wire defining the member and a polymeric jacket is wrapped around the core, wherein the polymeric jacket is configured to retain an electric charge disposed therethrough. |
| US09381100B2 |
Implant with increased carbon content at near-surface boundary layer
Implant in the form of an intraluminal endoprosthesis, having a tubular body containing metallic material, optionally iron, whereby in at least a portion of the implant body the following are present in the structure of a near-surface boundary layer in comparison to the respective concentration in the remaining structure: an increased carbon content in a concentration of approximately 0.5% by weight to approximately 2% by weight; or an increased carbon and nitrogen content, wherein a concentration of carbon is approximately 0.5% by weight to approximately 7% by weight, and a concentration of nitrogen is approximately 0.5% by weight to approximately 17% by weight. |
| US09381099B2 |
Arm prosthetic device
A system for powering a prosthetic arm is disclosed. The system includes at least one internal battery located in the prosthetic arm, at least one external battery connected to the prosthetic arm, and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the prosthetic arm. |
| US09381095B2 |
Implant for transforaminal intracorporeal fusion
The invention relates to an implant for the transforaminal intracorporeal fusion of lumbar vertebral column segments. At least some sections of the surface areas that are in direct contact with the spinal column are provided with an anti-dislocation mechanism (1) while an attachment part (4) for a positioning instrument (10) is provided in or on the implant and holes (6) or hollow spaces are disposed in the implant for filling purposes. According to one embodiment of the invention, the attachment part is configured as a revolute joint. In a further embodiment, the implant member has the shape of a sickle, the curvature of which is oriented ventrally and the interior of which is oriented dorsally. The attachment part is located at one end of the sickle while the opposite end of the sickle has a beak-type, tapering shape (5). At least one filling hole is provided between the sickle walls. |
| US09381094B2 |
Expandable interbody fusion device
An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior endplates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of interlocking expansion members or wafers. The like-configured wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. One of the interlocking features includes a plurality of prongs projecting from an upper surface of the wafers and into a recess defined in the lower surface of an adjacent previously inserted like-configured wafer. The prongs and recesses are configured to prevent retrograde movement of each new wafer in a direction opposite the direction of insertion. Other interlocking features prevent movement in the direction of insertion, transverse to the insertion direction and vertically within the stack. |
| US09381092B2 |
Flexible joint arrangement incorporating flexure members
Improved flexible joint arrangements employ at least one flexure member that interfaces with wrapping surfaces defined on the bases to which the ends of the flexure member are connected. The flexure members are configured to define a traveling instantaneous axis of rotation that moves along a path defined by the interface of the flexure and the wrapping surfaces as the bases move relative to each other. The flexure members and the bases can be constructed of a monolithic material. The wrapping surfaces of the bases can be asymmetric in cross-sectional shape. The radius of curvature of the traveling instantaneous axis of rotation can be configured to change only in discrete quantum steps without reversals. In other embodiments, the flexible joint arrangement can be configured as one or more three bar linkages in which the middle bar is rigid and the outer bars are flexure members in accordance with the various embodiments. |
| US09381091B2 |
Method of fixing first and second bones using an implant
An implant for fixation of first and second bones having a body with first and second axially spaced ends and an outer surface at least nominally matched to a tapered surface around a receptacle formed by rotating a cutting element around an axis. As the body is advanced along the central axis into an operative position within the receptacle, the body outer surface and tapered surface cooperate to cause the central and second axes to consistently substantially align. A plurality of openings in the body each accepts a fastener. |
| US09381086B2 |
Stem for use in joint arthroplasty
The invention relates to a prosthesis for implantation into a long bone during joint arthroplasty, particularly Total Shoulder Arthoplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty, and a method for use of the implant. |
| US09381085B2 |
Prosthetic implant and method of implantation
A prosthetic implant useful in a cementless application is disclosed. The implant may include a curved bone facing surface and one or more pegs or keels. Preferably, the implant is implanted on a bone surface that has been prepared so as to allow for a snap fit between the implant and the bone. |
| US09381083B2 |
Profile altering tip for a delivery system
A profile altering tip is provided for a delivery system. The tip defines a first profile with a generally conical shape and a second profile with a generally round shape. During use of the delivery system, a tip profile control assembly can alter the tip from the first profile to the second profile. |
| US09381078B2 |
Power and/or signal trigger wire for an endovascular delivery system
An endovascular graft delivery system includes an endovascular prosthetic device and one or more trigger wires deployably engaging portions of the endovascular prosthetic device. An electrical element is positioned at a proximal end of a trigger wire. The electrical element is in signal communication with the trigger wire to communicate operational signals over the trigger wire. The operational signals may be power or control signals to assist with positioning the endovascular prosthetic device at a desired deployment location. |
| US09381073B2 |
Assembly of a dental implant and a prosthetic element
Assembly having a dental implant and a prosthetic element, which dental implant comprises a body arranged to be implanted in the jawbone, which prosthetic element comprises an intra-implant part and an extra-implant part, said body comprising an internal cavity intended to receive the intra-implant part of the prosthetic element, said prosthetic element being a single-piece element the intra-implant part of which is formed by a tenon, arranged to be sealed or glued in the cavity, and the extra-implant part of which is configured in the form of an attachment member arranged so as to apply a dental prosthesis directly thereto, said intra-implant part having an essentially smooth wall provided with at least one discharge groove. |
| US09381072B2 |
Orthognathic implant and methods of use
An implant for use in orthognathic surgery of a maxilla may include a longitudinal plate member and a plurality of pre-shaped fingers extending from an upper edge of the plate member. The longitudinal plate member is pre-shaped to correspond to the pre-operative shape of the maxilla; and the fingers are pre-shaped to correspond to the shape of the maxilla. The fingers may be pre-shaped to correspond to either the pre-operative shape or the post-operative shape of the maxilla. |
| US09381067B2 |
In vivo accessories for minimally invasive surgery
Surgical accessories are presented in vivo and used by surgical tools in the surgical site to perform additional tasks without the need to remove the tools from the surgical site for tool change or instrument loading. The accessories can be introduced into the surgical site by a dedicated accessory introducer, or can be supported on the body of a surgical tool inserted into the surgical site and be manipulated using another surgical tool in the surgical site. The accessory introducer can be resiliently biased to bias the accessories toward a predetermined position in the surgical site. |
| US09381066B2 |
Electrosurgical instrument
A vessel sealing instrument having an instrument tip that comprises a pair of opposing clamping members movable to clamp a vessel to be sealed. The clamping members include an energy delivery structure capable of delivering localized radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave EM energy separately or simultaneously into the vessel. The RF EM energy and the microwave EM energy are received in the energy delivery structure from a coaxial cable. Each energy delivery structure comprises first and second conductive elements separated by a planar dielectric layer. The first and second conductive elements are arranged at the opposed surface of the respective clamping member to act as active and return electrodes to transfer RF EM energy into biological tissue by conduction, and as an antenna to radiate microwave EM energy into biological tissue from the opposed surface. |
| US09381064B2 |
Force presentation apparatus, force presentation method, and force presentation program
Upon insertion of an insertion member into a living body vessel by an operator, a force individually applied to the living body vessel by the insertion member is measured by a force measuring unit, and based upon the force measured by the force measuring unit, information to be presented to an experiencing person is determined by a determination unit so that based upon the determined information, the corresponding force is presented to the experiencing person by a force presentation unit. |
| US09381053B2 |
Bone plate with suture holes for soft tissue reattachments on the diaphyseal region of the plate
A bone plate configured to accommodate flexible strands (flexible loops) attached to soft tissue to be attached to bone. The bone plate has a plurality of recessed eyelets on the distal edge of the plate, to allow the user (surgeon) to pass a flexible strand through the recessed eyelets and reattach the soft tissue to the plate at the anatomical location where the tissue was dissected. The recessed eyelets may have various shapes, forms and configurations and may be provided on or within a surface of the bone plate in any number, depending on the characteristics of the fractured bone or bone segments, or of the plate design. The eyelets preferably receive a flexible strand for fixation of soft tissue to the bone plate. |
| US09381048B2 |
Devices and methods for cervical lateral fixation
Devices and methods are provided for treatment of the cervical spine. The devices and methods allow for treatment to be delivered from a lateral or posterior-lateral location of a subject, proximate to the cervical region of the spine. One exemplary embodiment of a spinal implant includes an elongate cage member and a plate member appended to a proximal end of the cage member. The plate member can be oriented in a manner such that it is asymmetric with respect to a long axis of the cage member. In another exemplary embodiment, an implant includes a cage member having a distal end that has an asymmetrical, bulleted shape such that the distal end is biased towards a superior or cranial direction. In a third exemplary embodiment, an implant includes a spinal fixation element and at least two mounting eyelets formed thereon. Exemplary methods related to implanting spinal implants from a lateral or posterior-lateral location are also provided. |
| US09381047B2 |
Interspinous implant
An interspinous implant is provided. The interspinous implant can include a first member having a first end and a second end. At least one of the first end and the second end can include a mating portion. The interspinous implant can also include a second member, which can have a first end, a second end and at least one receiving portion formed adjacent to at least one of the first end and the second end. The at least one receiving portion can receive the mating portion to couple the first member to the second member at a desired orientation. The interspinous implant can also include a first extension, which can be substantially opposite the mating portion, and adapted to engage a spinous process. The interspinous implant can comprise a second extension, which can be substantially opposite the at least one receiving portion, and adapted to engage a second process. |
| US09381046B2 |
Bone plate system
Bone plate systems are provided for surgical implants and bone repair. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors screws for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured in the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. Pivot members extending between the pivot base and the plate member facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting screw back out is employed. |
| US09381040B2 |
Cochlear implant electrode insertion bridge
An electrode guide bridge is used for inserting a cochlear implant electrode into a cochlea scala of a patient cochlea. An electrode holder encloses at least a portion of a cochlear implant electrode while allowing the electrode to slide freely without friction. A pointed distal tip of the electrode holder is sized to fit within a posterior tympanotomy during electrode insertion surgery and into an electrode opening in an outer surface of the patient cochlea without entering the cochlea scala to prevent an apical tip of the enclosed electrode from contacting tissues around the electrode opening during the insertion surgery. |
| US09381037B2 |
Catheter tunneling systems, instruments and methods
An instrument for facilitating insertion of a catheter through a subcutaneous tunnel includes a tunneling stylet defining a longitudinal axis and having leading and trailing ends, a bifurcated segment adjacent the leading end of the tunneling stylet and a releasable cover releasably mountable to the leading end of the tunneling stylet to substantially enclose the bifurcated segment. The bifurcated segment includes first and second elements adapted for reception within respective lumens of a catheter. |
| US09381033B2 |
Method and apparatus for thread transection of a ligament
A method and apparatus for transecting soft tissue, such as a ligament, and more particularly, the transverse carpal ligament. A retrieval tool and a threadlike cutting element enable the method to performed in a minimally invasive manner. The cutting element is routed into position about the target ligament such that the cutting element both enters and exits the body from the same side of the ligament. The smooth exterior surface of the cutting element serves to provide for a kerf-less cut. |
| US09381017B2 |
Linear surgical stapler with rotatable operation button
A linear surgical stapler includes upper and lower jaws, an anvil and a cartridge respectively mounted on opposite far ends of the upper and lower jaws, a handle portion, a slider, and a button base relatively fixed to the slider. The lower jaw therein includes a staple drive bar and a cutter pusher. The slider is mounted with the button base. Each lateral side of the button base is pivotally associated with an operation button which is rotatable between a first status where an operating surface of the operation button is perpendicular to an axis of the linear surgical stapler, and a second status where the operating surface of the operation button is parallel to the axis of the linear surgical stapler. Since the operation buttons can be simultaneously collapsed adjacent to the jaws, the profile of the whole instrument and the packaging costs can be reduced. |
| US09381012B2 |
Illuminated surgical retractor system and magnetically-controlled illumination device
An illuminated surgical retractor system includes a surgical retractor and at least one illumination device. The surgical retractor includes an outer ring, a light-transmissive hollow inner ring, and a tubular retraction membrane which extends between the output ring and the inner ring and which has a first open end connected to and spread open by the outer ring and a second open end connected to and spread open by the inner ring. The illumination device is disposed in the inner ring and is operable to emit a light beam. The illumination device includes a magnetic component which is responsive to an applied magnetic field to cause the illumination device to change a direction in which the light beam is emitted. |
| US09381007B2 |
Tissue retractor and method of use thereof
A tissue retractor is disclosed. The tissue retractor includes: a base support unit having an underside that is adapted to be conformable and to be removably attachable to a surface proximate to an incision; and a retractable member substantially inelastic in its central longitudinal axis and flexible in at least one axis deviating from said central longitudinal axis, wherein the retractable member is adapted to receive the mounting portion of an at least one tissue hook, the at least one tissue hook having a tissue engagement portion and a mounting portion, wherein the tissue engagement portion is capable of engaging tissue to be retracted, wherein said retractable member is retractable away from the incision, such that the tissue engagement portion of the tissue hook retracts tissue to which it is engaged, wherein said retractable member has a first end and a second end, wherein said retractable member is integrally formed with the base support unit via the first end, and wherein the second end of the retractable member has a securing mechanism for removably attaching the second end to a corresponding securing mechanism on the first end and/or the base support unit. |
| US09381005B2 |
Spray head for two component mixer
A device for mixing at least two separate streams of components which, when mixed, form a combined fluid stream. The device comprises a conduit with at least two separate passageways leading to exit openings at an end face of the conduit. Each passageway communicates with a separate component stream and is arranged to direct the separate component stream in a downstream direction. The exit openings each have a predetermined cross-sectional flow area. A separate channel is located at a downstream end of each passageway exit opening. The channels are arranged to redirect the flow from each passageway to an axial direction. A single mixing chamber communicates with all of the separate channels, the mixing chamber being arranged to receive each of the component streams at an upstream end thereof and to permit a mixing of the component streams. An outlet is arranged downstream of the mixing chamber through which the combined fluid stream is dispensed. |
| US09381002B2 |
Device and method for conducting a pap smear test
A protective guide for protecting a cell extraction device during a Pap smear. A camera protective cover encloses a camera and a light emitting device. A thin, flexible transparent sheath encloses the camera cover. A cell extraction device cover encloses the cell extraction device. The location of the cervix is determined by utilizing the camera. The cell extraction device is pushed outward from the cell extraction device cover so that said cell extraction device head contacts the cervix and removes cells from the cervix. The cell extraction device is pulled back into the cell extraction device cover after the cells have been removed from the cervix. In a preferred embodiment the camera and light emitting device is an endoscope and the camera cover is an endoscope cover. |
| US09381001B2 |
Tissue splitting biopsy needle
Tissue splitting biopsy devices and methods use a needle portion and a sheath portion that are configured such as to allow simultaneous sectioning of a tissue to produce two tissue samples with corresponding surfaces using motion of the needle portion relative to the sheath portion. Most preferably, the needle portion has a chisel blade tip and at least two cavities opposite to each other and at the same distance from the tip, while the sheath portion has a sharpened front edge. |
| US09380998B2 |
Subcutaneous cavity marking device and method
These are subcutaneous cavity marking devices and methods. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammographic, echogenic, or other non-invasive imaging techniques. Also, the device contains a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker. The device may be combined with various substances enhancing the radiopaque, mammographic, or echogenic characteristics of the marker or the body allowing it to be observed by any non-invasive imaging techniques. This is further a method of marking a subcutaneous cavity using a bioabsorbable material and a bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable marker in conjunction with the material. The method also may combine any of the features as described with the device. |
| US09380997B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnosis device
An ultrasonic diagnosis device wherein, in order to reliably stop the movement of a display unit by a simple mechanism during transportation of the device, a display unit restraint mechanism is provided with: a fixed portion which has a receiving groove for receiving a handle main unit provided on the display unit; and a rotation portion which moves rotationally in relation to the fixed portion. When the rotation portion is rotated with the handle main unit received in the receiving groove, the upper side of the handle main unit becomes covered with a cover portion. In this state, a hook member protrudes outward from the rotation portion and is engaged with an upper end portion to serve as a strut. |
| US09380996B2 |
Ultrasound endoscope
An ultrasound endoscope includes an insertion portion, an ultrasound transducer provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, a first opening portion provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, a second opening portion and a raising stand provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion. Furthermore, the raising stand includes a first contact portion that comes into contact with a treatment instrument protruding from the first opening portion for causing the treatment instrument to extend in a first direction and a second contact portion that comes into contact with a treatment instrument protruding from the second opening portion for causing the treatment instrument to extend in a second direction different from the first direction. |
| US09380993B2 |
Transmit/receive isolation for an ultrasound system
A transmit/receive isolation for an ultrasound system to block a high voltage transmit signal from being propagated to a receiving unit during a transmission period of an ultrasound signal is disclosed. An ultrasound system includes a switching unit coupled to a transmitting unit, a ultrasound probe and a receiving unit. The switching unit includes diode bridges and a switching module having pairs of switches connected to the respective diode bridges, wherein each pair of switches is configured to perform switching between a plus voltage and a minus voltage to forward-bias a corresponding diode bridge to allow a respective receive signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a first state and to reverse-bias the corresponding diode bridge to block a respective transmit signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a second state. |
| US09380991B2 |
Computerized tomography (CT) method and CT system
A computerized tomography (CT) method and CT system. The method comprises projecting a beam from a radiation source within a display field of view (DFOV) toward a subject to be imaged; receiving, at a detector, the projected beam to collect projection data; determining whether in the projection a truncation occurs in which the subject exceeds the DFOV; and recording a truncated location of the projection if truncation occurs. |
| US09380989B2 |
Digital radiographic device having a linear scanner
An x-ray imaging apparatus comprises a platform connected to a frame, a sliding bar, a detector mounted on the sliding bar, an x-ray source, and a control system. The x-ray source includes a collimator to generate an x-ray exposure window. The control system is configured to slide the detector along the sliding bar and synchronously move the collimator to direct the x-ray exposure window to the first detector. The x-ray exposure window movements are registered to the detector movements. The detector interfaces with a processor that processes x-ray image data received from the detector, and generates at least one x-ray image from the x-ray image data. |
| US09380983B2 |
Method and system for fail-proof patient monitoring
This disclosure relates generally to patient monitoring techniques, and more specifically to a method and a system to reduce false alarms generated by the patient monitoring system, the false alarms being associated with clinical condition of the patient. Disclosed herein is a patient monitoring method that includes monitoring one or more clinical parameters associated with condition of a patient, identifying a clinical condition based on deviation of the monitored one or more clinical parameters from corresponding one or more first predefined criteria, determining a status associated with one or more devices that monitor the deviated one or more clinical parameters, and generating a clinical alert based on the determined status not indicating an error by the one or more devices. |
| US09380978B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time measurement and analysis of occupational stress and fatigue and performance outcome predictions
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to objectively measure stress and fatigue using measurement tools, record stress and fatigue related data in a standardized database, create automated prompts and alerts based upon pre-defined stress and fatigue thresholds (which are derived based upon individual end-user and task performance), provide a number of interventions (which can be preferentially selected by the individual end-user), create data-driven best practice guidelines though meta-analysis of the database, and provide an objective tool for comparative technology assessment. |
| US09380977B2 |
Breastfeeding quantity estimator
A sensor for indirect estimation of breast milk intake by an infant, the sensor comprising: a housing configured to be externally attached to an incontinence product worn by a subject, said housing comprising: a light-emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate the incontinence product; a photodetector configured to output an indication of the amount of light reflected from the incontinence product; and an integrated circuit configured to: (a) receive the indication from said photodetector, (b) compute, based on the indication, an amount of urine secreted by the subject into the incontinence product, and (c) estimate the amount of breast milk intake by the infant based on the amount of urine secreted by the subject into the incontinence product. |
| US09380976B2 |
Optical neuroinformatics
A method is provided for improving cognitive performance assessment in a smooth pursuit cognitive performance test by using measurement metrics including a lead/lag metric, a radial inbounding metric, a path dependent velocity metric, a path drift metric, a velocity variability metric, or a variance statistics metric. |
| US09380974B2 |
Multi-site body fluid sampling and analysis cartridge
An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described. |
| US09380972B2 |
Biological fluid collection device and biological fluid collection and testing system
A blood collection device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the blood collection device separates a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the blood collection device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The blood collection device of the present disclosure also provides a closed collection and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The blood collection device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the blood collection device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results. |
| US09380970B2 |
Lancet device with flexible cover
The biological test kit is a device for drawing and, optionally, testing biological samples. The biological test kit is an array of lancets set in wells in a rigid base. Each lancet well is covered by a protective cover which when deformed permits the lancet to puncture a user or other patient. In one embodiment the biological test kit employs distinct covers for each lancet and in another the covers are formed from sheet material formed into blisters which cover the lancet. |
| US09380966B2 |
Tissue retractor oximeter
A retractor has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor. |
| US09380965B2 |
Analyte sensors having a membrane with low temperature sensitivity
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to analyte determining methods and devices (e.g., electrochemical analyte monitoring systems) that have a membrane with low temperature sensitivity. The sensing layer is disposed on a working electrode of in vivo and/or in vitro analyte sensors, e.g., continuous and/or automatic in vivo monitoring using analyte sensors and/or test strips. Also provided are systems and methods of using the, for example electrochemical, analyte sensors in analyte monitoring. |
| US09380957B2 |
Measurement device with electroencephalography and electrocardiography functionalities
A measurement device with electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) functionalities includes a shell and a turning structure. The shell includes a first contact and a second contact located at a first side of the shell; and a third contact. The turning structure, disposed on the shell, is utilized for adjusting the third contact to be located at the first side when the measurement device is in an EEG mode, and adjusting the third contact to be located at a second side of the shell when the measurement device is in an ECG mode, wherein the second side is substantially opposite to the first side. |
| US09380955B2 |
Patient screening tools for implantable cardiac stimulus systems
Tools and devices are provided for determining whether a patient is well suited to receiving an implantable cardiac stimulation device by analyzing cardiac signals captured using external or cutaneous electrodes. Some of the illustrative tools include shapes for visual comparison to printed ECG strips. Kits for use of illustrative tools are also shown. Automatic devices are also disclosed which perform at least some analytical functions electronically for a user. In an example, a printed ECG strip is visually compared to a shape in order to ensure a patient is well suited to receiving a cardiac stimulation device having a particular implant location and/or cardiac signal analysis method implementation. |
| US09380953B2 |
Hybrid bipolar/unipolar detection of activation wavefront
A bipolar electrogram and a unipolar electrogram are recorded from electrodes of a probe, and differentiated with respect to time. Peaks are identified in the differentiated bipolar electrogram. An activity window is defined that includes bipolar activity about the peaks. An extreme negative value in the differentiated unipolar electrogram within the activity window is reported as a unipolar activation onset. In one aspect, an annotation is selected from candidate minima in the differentiated unipolar electrogram within the activity window by excluding candidates that fail to correlate with activity in the bipolar electrogram. |
| US09380952B2 |
Body-worn system for continuous, noninvasive measurement of cardiac output, stroke volume, cardiac power, and blood pressure
The invention provides a system for measuring stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac power (CP) from a patient that features: 1) an impedance sensor connected to at least two body-worn electrodes and including an impedance circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure an impedance signal (e.g. a TBEV waveform); 2) an ECG sensor connected to at least two chest-worn electrodes and including an ECG circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure and ECG signal; 3) an optical sensor connected to a body-worn optical probe and including an optical circuit that processes signals from the probe to measure at least one optical signal (e.g. a PPG waveform) from the patient; 4) a processing system, typically worn on the patient's wrist and connected through a wired interface to the optical sensor, and through either a wired or wireless interface to the TBEV and ECG sensors. The processing system analyzes the ECG, TBEV and optical signals to determine SV, and further analyzes SV and HR determined from an ECG sensor to determine CO. |
| US09380951B2 |
Non-invasively monitoring blood parameters
An apparatus for monitoring vital sign parameters in a biological entity is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one light source for transmitting light through the biological entity and at least one photodetector for receiving light transmitted through the biological entity. At least one light source and at least one photodetector are configured to be positioned proximate the biological entity in a manner that does not significantly impede blood flow through the biological entity. A signal is generated in response to the transmittance or reflectance of light through the biological entity. The signal corresponds to at least one characteristic of the generally unimpeded blood flow through the biological entity. The apparatus also includes a control system configured to analyze the signal to determine vital sign parameters in the biological entity. A method for monitoring vital sign parameters in a biological entity is also provided. |
| US09380950B2 |
Methods for detecting biological rhythm disorders
A method of detecting a cause of a heart rhythm disorder includes collecting data corresponding to activation onset time of each heart activation at multiple locations of the heart and generating an activation trail based on the sequential order of activation onset times. The activation trail is indicative of the cause of the heart rhythm disorder. |
| US09380948B1 |
System and method for quantitative analysis of respiratory sinus arrhythmia
A computer-assisted method for quantitative analysis of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) includes obtaining a time series of a cardiac interval signal from an individual, obtaining a time series of a respiratory signal from the individual; decomposing the cardiac interval signal into a first group of ensemble empirical modes; obtaining, by a computer system, a time series of RSA instantaneous amplitude from at least one of the first group of ensemble empirical modes; decomposing the respiratory signal into a second group of ensemble empirical modes; obtaining a time series of respiratory instantaneous phase from the one of the second group of ensemble empirical modes; determining respiratory period from the time series of the respiratory instantaneous phase; and quantifying RSA in the individual according to a dependence of the RSA instantaneous amplitude on the respiratory period. |
| US09380947B2 |
Method and system for monitoring hemodynamics
A system for monitoring hemodynamics of a subject is disclosed. The system comprises: a signal generating system configured for providing at least an output electric signal and transmitting the output signal to an organ of the subject. The system also comprises a demodulation system configured for receiving an input electrical signal sensed from the organ responsively to the output electric signal, and for modulating the input signal using the output signal to provide an in-phase component and a quadrature component of the input signal. The system also comprises a processing system configured for monitoring the hemodynamics based on the in-phase and the quadrature components. |
| US09380942B2 |
Apparatus for non-invasive in vivo measurement by raman spectroscopy
A metabolite concentration is measured in vivo using Raman spectroscopy in such a way as to receive at a detector (229) light scattered from the metabolite in interstitial fluid in skin in a measurement location (217) at a depth (218) of from 200-300 μm below the skin surface providing improved retention of correct calibration and transferability of calibration between individual subjects. |
| US09380939B2 |
Fundus photographing apparatus
A fundus photographing apparatus includes: a photographing unit including a fundus illumination optical system to illuminate a fundus of a patient's eye and a fundus photographing optical system having a light receiving element to obtain a fundus image of the illuminated eye; and an alignment unit to position the photographing unit with the eye based on a predetermined alignment reference position. The alignment unit includes: an extracting part to extract, by image processing, an image region formed by reflection light from a portion other than the fundus from the fundus image obtained by the fundus photographing optical system; a gravity center calculating part to determine, by arithmetic processing, a gravity center position of the extracted image region; and a control part to perform alignment control of the photographing unit with the eye based on the calculated gravity center position and the alignment reference position. |
| US09380937B2 |
Ophthalmologic apparatus
An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an examination part, moving mechanism, two or more imaging parts, extracting part and controller. The examination part includes an optical system for optically examining an eye. The moving mechanism moves the optical system. The two or more imaging parts obtain moving images of the eye from two or more different directions. The extracting part extracts a partial image from each of two or more images substantially simultaneously obtained by the two or more imaging parts. The controller carries out display control for displaying in real time two or more partial images extracted by the extracting part with an arrangement in accordance with the positional relationship thereof on a display means and movement control for controlling the moving mechanism based on an instruction input from an operation means. |
| US09380936B2 |
Optical device for corneal measuring and method for corneal measuring
An optical device for corneal measuring includes a light source module, a first optical module, a second optical module including a reference mirror, a light splitter and an image analysis unit. The light of the light source module is transmitted to the first and second optical modules through the light splitter. The light is transmitted to a cornea through the light splitter and the first optical module and reflected by the cornea to form a first light, the light is transmitted to the reference mirror through the light splitter and reflected by the reference mirror to form a second light. The first and second lights are transmitted to the light splitter and the image analysis unit. The reference mirror moves along a first direction, and when the first light and the second light interfere with each other, a relative optical path length is obtained. |
| US09380934B2 |
Optometry apparatus controller, optometry system, and storage medium having optometry apparatus program stored therein
In an optometry apparatus controller provided in an electric optometry apparatus including an optical element disposed in front of an examinee's eye and a switch mechanism that electrically switches the optical element, for instructing the switching of the optical element, the controller includes a touchscreen configured to display an operation screen for operating the electric optometry apparatus main body, displays, as the operation screen, a graphic image of a manual optometry apparatus as viewed from an operator side, the manual optometry apparatus including a plurality of operating units and being configured to switch the optical element disposed in front of the eye by an operation with respect to the operating units, and outputs a control signal to the electric optometry apparatus main body based on a touch input with respect to the graphic image on the touchscreen. |
| US09380931B2 |
Endoscope apparatus which can detect temperature of distal end portion
An endoscope apparatus includes an objective optical system that is provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope which can be inserted into a body cavity of a subject; a temperature sensor unit that detects a temperature of the distal end portion; a heating unit that can generate heat for preventing fogging of the objective optical system; a timer that measures a time period during which the temperature of the distal end portion detected by the temperature sensor unit is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature; and a control unit that performs control so as to cause the heating unit to generate the heat when the time period measured by the timer continues for a predetermined time period or longer. |
| US09380929B2 |
Endoscope with an optical member, a frame portion and a bonding member soldering the optical member to the frame portion
An endoscope includes a lens, a lens frame that holds the lens, and a bonding member that water-tightly fixes the lens to the lens frame, the bonding member composed of Sn-alloy solder containing at least one of Zn, Sb, Al and In, having a melting point not higher than 200° C. and forming a chemical bond via oxygen, and the lens, the lens frame and the bonding member are provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion. |
| US09380926B2 |
Tray supporting apparatus for dishwasher, cutlery tray assembly and dishwasher
Disclosed is a tray supporting apparatus for a dishwasher, the apparatus comprising: a support frame, two opposite sides of the support frame being respectively provided with a slide groove, and each slide groove comprising a first slideway a second slideway and the third slideway spaced apart from one another; a first and second bracket respectively adapted to support a tray, the first bracket and the second bracket being respectively provided on the support frame, wherein first ends of the first bracket and the second bracket are respectively slidably accommodated in the first slideway, a second end of the first bracket is slidably accommodated in the second slideway, and a second end of the second bracket is slidably accommodated in the third slideway. |
| US09380924B2 |
Dish washer
A dish washer comprises a carcass having a washing compartment accessible through an access opening, and a door attached to the carcass for closing the access opening. The door is bounded on its door side facing the washing compartment by a door inner wall, which provides sealing contact surfaces for a sealing arrangement attached to the carcass. A door latch comprises a latch head attached to the door and fixed relative to the latter, and a latch unit arranged on the carcass and having two latch arms which are movable relative to one another and embrace the latch head on both sides when the door is closed. On closing the door the latch head runs against the latch arms and pushes apart the latter from a relative rest position against spring force. The latch head rises preferably completely above the surface contour of the door inner wall. |
| US09380923B2 |
Multi-purpose tool
A multipurpose tool including a frame defining a first edge, a second edge and a third edge joined one to the other at the ends thereof to form an enclosure. The tool including a center portion coupled to each of the first, second and third edges, and having a first tool coupled to the first edge, a second tool coupled to the second edge; and a third tool coupled to the third edge. A grip being attached to the center portion. A multi-purpose tool kit is provided comprising a multi-purpose tool and a plurality of pads, each pad being configured to removably attach to an edge of the multi-purpose tool. |
| US09380918B2 |
Toilet with lighted seat hinge
Various disclosed systems relate to fixtures, such as toilets, that include a lighting mechanism for illuminating portions of the fixture. One embodiment relates to a toilet. The seat assembly of the toilet includes a hinge assembly having a hinge housing and a lighting mechanism. The lighting mechanism is at least partially encapsulated by the hinge housing. The lighting mechanism including a first light source and a power source. The seat assembly further includes a lid pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The seat assembly includes a ring pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The lighting mechanism is configured to direct light at the tank and to direct light into the bowl such that light is reflected off of the tank and off of an interior of the bowl. |
| US09380917B2 |
Dispenser system for disposable wipes
A disposable wipes dispenser system includes a case that houses a disposable wipes container and a cover that is mounted to a mounting hole disposed within a mounting surface. The case engages the cover from below the mounting surface, and the disposable wipes are accessible from above the mounting hole when the case is engaged with to the cover. |
| US09380914B2 |
Comestible product carrier and/or handle and associated methods
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a sandwich carrier handle and carrier for transporting a sandwich, including a plurality of wall portions hingedly joined at a plurality of fold lines. The plurality of wall portions are configured and dimensioned to fold at the plurality of fold lines to form a structure which wraps around the sandwich carrier. The exemplary sandwich carrier handle includes a first end including a first handle portion and a second end including a second handle portion. The first and second handle portions are configured and dimensioned to releasably interlock. The exemplary sandwich carrier handle includes a first open end and an opposing open end of the structure configured and dimensioned to permit the passage of the sandwich carrier therethrough. Exemplary embodiments are further directed to a method of transporting a sandwich carrier. |
| US09380912B2 |
Fryer and associated heat exchange system
A fryer unit includes a vat and heat exchange system with multiple passes within the fryer vat. Additional heat exchange passes may be provided in ductwork along the exterior surface of the lateral vat sidewalls. |
| US09380911B1 |
Cooking apparatus employing a rotating cooking basket supported by extensible support structure
Cooking apparatus including a receptacle for holding cooking oil and an extensible support centrally located within the receptacle for supporting a cooking basket, and for moving the basket between upper and lower positions in the receptacle and rotating the basket when the basket is in the upper position. |
| US09380910B1 |
Portable food grilling apparatus
This invention is a portable food grilling apparatus designed to be collapsible and foldable for easy transportation. A substantially hemispherical full sized kettle is sectioned into plurality of two or more kettle sections where each section is adapted to be fastened to form a full sized kettle when needed and unfastened to facilitate storage and transportation. The stand upon which the kettle is mounted is also which folds into a planar conformation. The kettle sections, cover, and catcher are further adapted to insert into each other so as to also form a planar conformation. These two sections are adapted to fit into a carrying case for easy transportation. |
| US09380906B2 |
Multifunctional cookware
A multifunctional cookware is disclosed. A side of a chassis is provided with a vessel, so that a single cookware can fry foods with the chassis and cook soups with the vessel. The vessel is covered with a lid, further changing the vessel into a vacuum cooker to simmer the foods. Furthermore, a steaming pan is disposed between the vessel and the lid, so that steam produced by heating up liquid in the vessel can steam the foods on the steaming pan, turning the vessel into a steamer. In the present invention, a frying pan, a stockpot, a vacuum cooker and a steamer are combined into one unit, allowing a single cookware to have multiple purposes at a same time, which increases convenience in using the cookware and reduces the space required to accommodate plural cookware. |
| US09380904B2 |
Telescoping compass device
An integrated prayer support apparatus that may serve as a Sutrah, or symbolic partition. The apparatus is self-contained, lightweight, and highly mobile. The apparatus includes of a body with an open upper end and a closed lower end. A extendable rod such that the extendable rod may extend away from the lower body and out of the open upper end of the body in telescopic fashion. The extendable rod may have an instrument fixed to it for the purpose of identifying the location towards Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Support legs in a tripod orientation may stabilize the apparatus. The body may have an attachment device, such as a carabineer, keychain or hook. Additionally, the instrument and other elements may glow in the dark by using radioactive materials or may be electronically illuminated. |
| US09380899B2 |
Beverage lid system, beverage lid and associated methods
A beverage lid system may include a beverage lid and a stirrer that may be connected to a portion of the beverage lid. The beverage lid may include an outer lid member, a medial lid member rotatably carried by an interior portion of the outer lid member, and an inner lid member rotatably carried by an interior portion of the medial lid member. The stirrer may be adapted to be connected to a portion of the medial lid member. The medial lid member is rotatable with respect to both the outer lid member and the inner lid member so that when the stirrer is connected to the medial lid member, the stirrer is moveable with the medial lid member. |
| US09380896B2 |
Natural curve baby pillow and garment for preventing flat head syndrome
Aiding to prevent Flat Head Syndrome, a concave pillow is sewn to the collar of a garment to be worn by an infant or small child, with the pillow having a small circle sewn near its center, slightly closer to one of the sides in creating a support area for the infant's neck and allowing the back of its head to rest on the concave center of the pillow. As the pillow is sewn to the collar of the garment, it will always remain towards the back of the infant, even if the infant should roll over. Such arrangement will prevent the pillow from covering or obstructing the infant's airway—in additionally helping to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or the risk of suffocation. |
| US09380895B2 |
Seasonal memory foam pillow
A personal seasonal pillow for accommodating different temperatures occurring during different seasons is disclosed comprising a cool side and a warm side opposite the cool side. A gel layer is associated with the cool side containing a fluid gel, and a layer of insulating fill is associated with the warm side. A cool side indicator is associated with the cool side; and a warm side indicator is associated with the warm side whereby the person may easily identify the desired side. |
| US09380892B2 |
System to preserve and display postage stamps
A display case to preserve and display a postage stamp includes a bottom section, a mat board positioned on a top surface of the bottom section to mount a postage stamp, and a transparent archival film positioned on a top surface of the mat board to preserve and cover the postage stamp and compatible for archival contact with the postage stamp. The display case also includes a transparent protective sheet positioned on a top surface of the transparent archival film, and a top section having a window to display the postage stamp and coupled to the bottom section. |
| US09380889B2 |
Merchandising system and method of use
A guide assembly for a displaying a plurality of products is disclosed. The guide assembly includes a base, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The base includes a product-supporting surface defining a longitudinal axis. Each lateral wall includes a plurality of support members and a rail. The support members extend upwardly from a lateral side of the base. The rail is spaced above the base and extends along portions of the support members. A proximal-most support member of the first lateral wall is longitudinally offset from a proximal-most support member of the second lateral wall. |
| US09380886B2 |
Wearable carrier
A baby carrier to be worn by multiple parents or caregivers, and method of using such a carrier is provided. It is cross between a traditional wrap and an adjustable ring sling with an additional adjustable connecting device at the user's back. It is constructed of two adjustable loops of fabric coupled by a connecting device at the user's back. It has the advantages of using a variety of positions as with a traditional wrap and the convenience of an adjustable ring sling that can stay in the user's appropriate size without the disadvantage of rewrapping for each use. |
| US09380884B2 |
Crib
A crib including first, second, third, and fourth walls configured to bound an interior space that is operative to support a mattress therein. Each of the third and fourth walls includes a pair of panels pivotally connected to each other to enable the crib to be configured between a folded position for storage and an extended position for use. The first wall includes a stationary portion and a drop gate that includes opposed side ends. The drop gate pivots relative to the stationary portion between an upper closed position and a lower open position. |
| US09380874B2 |
Cable including a secure physical layer management (PLM) whereby an aggregation point can be associated with a plurality of inputs
One embodiment is directed to a communication media including one or more communication paths extending from a first end to a second end and a first connector assembly terminating the first end of the one or more communication paths. The first connector assembly includes a physical layer management (PLM) interface that is isolated from signals on the one or more communication paths. The first connector assembly also includes a programmable processor coupled to a storage device and coupled to the PLM interface. The programmable processor is configured to perform secure communications with another device coupled to the PLM interface to communicate physical layer information regarding the communication media to the other device. An aggregation point can associate a first port on the other device to which the first connector assembly is inserted with the first connector assembly or the communication media using the physical layer information. |
| US09380873B2 |
Operating mechanism for furniture parts including a shape memory element
In an operating mechanism for a movable furniture part with a drive arrangement including a shape memory element, wherein the drive arrangement is fixed to one furniture part and comprises a drive element and which abuts another furniture part for moving the other furniture part, the drive element includes a shape memory element which is heatable to change its shape for operating the drive arrangement directly or for charging a spring store storing the energy for operating the drive arrangement. |
| US09380871B2 |
Table with inner row seating
A table having inner row seating comprising a table top having a central opening, outer seating, a center mounting assembly and inner seat positioned on center mounting assembly. The inner seat provides inner row seating for children. Table top and outer seating both have removable portions that provide entry into inner central opening where inner seat is located. A revolving tray and or umbrella can also be added to the table when the inner seat is not in use. |
| US09380868B1 |
Structure of coupling sleeve of storage shelf
A storage shelf coupling sleeves each having symmetrically arranged engagement slots formed thereon to be convergent, through sloping, in a downward direction. The coupling sleeves are respectively mounted to fixed rods. A support frame has retention plates respectively fit to the coupling sleeves by being received in one of the engagement slots of each coupling sleeve. Another engagement slot of each of the coupling sleeves may receive a retention plate of another support frame to fit therein so that a number of support frames can be connected in a side-by-side manner thereby making assembly and expansion of the storage shelf easy and the expanded arrangement tidy and organized. The coupling sleeve is of a hollow cylindrical configuration. The support frame has corners each comprising one retention plate attached thereto. The retention plate is made convergent, through sloping, in the downward direction to facilitate fitting thereof into the coupling sleeve. |
| US09380865B2 |
Adjustable pneumatic desk
An adjustable pneumatic desk having telescoping upper and lower bases for positioning a worksurface relative the floor. A spring biased locking mechanism sets the height of the desk via prong engagement of incrementally height adjustably spaced engagement slots. |
| US09380864B2 |
Furniture item with a vertically adjustable leg
The present disclosure relates to an item of furniture, in particular a table, having at least one length-adjustable leg. The length-adjustable leg includes a first telescopic element which is realized as a hollow body, as well as a second telescopic element which is mounted inside the first telescopic element so as to linearly displaceable along a first axis. A locking device which is arranged on the second telescopic element comprises at least one first pin which is movable using an actuating device from a first position, in which the at least one first pin prevents the movement of the first telescopic element relative to the second telescopic element as a result of a force-fitting connection or form-fitting connection, into a second position in which the displacement is not prevented. In addition, the locking device has at least one second pin which is movable by the actuating device from a first state, where the at least one second pin is pressed against an inside surface of a wall of the first telescopic element in order to brace the second telescopic element in relation to the first telescopic element, and a second state where the at least one second pin is at a spacing from the wall of the first telescopic element. |
| US09380856B2 |
Portable article carrier
Disclosed is a portable article carrier for carrying and securing portable articles such as mobile phones, cameras, radios, tools, and water bottles; where the device can be secured to a belt, strap, or harness that is optionally worn by a wearer. The portable article carrier can be assembled from a folded flexible strap member and a loop member. The loop member can be flexible, non-flexible, or elastic. The portable article carrier can be configured to present a seamless surface to the portable article in order to minimize surface damage or wear to the portable article. |
| US09380853B2 |
Beauty product displays
Devices and methods for displaying beauty and other visual products are disclosed. A display system can include a frame and a sample portion. Traits such as color and texture of a beauty product can be displayed on the sample portion, and the frame portion can interface with product shelving to align samples with relevant products in the display. The sample portion can be releasably attached to the frame to be removed by a user and be placed above a body part of the user to which a beauty product may be applied, or a body part can be placed in proximity to the sample portion even while it is attached to the frame. The user can advantageously view the beauty product as applied to the body part without applying the beauty product. The system is useful for fingernail polish display, for example. |
| US09380852B2 |
Lacquer crayon
A lacquer crayon includes a nail varnish having 20-40 wt % of a lacquer component which includes a swellable layer silicate or a derivative thereof, dissolved and/or dispersed in 60-85 wt % of a substantially waterless solvent mixture which is composed of 10-30 wt % of low-boiling components, 20-50 wt % of medium-boiling components, 20-50 wt % of high-boiling components based on 100 wt % of solvent mixture, in such a way that the lacquer component and the solvent mixture add up to 100 wt %, wherein the lacquer crayon includes a reservoir for the lacquer, a valve, a tip made of an extruded or fibrous material and a removable cap which includes a moisture retaining element. |
| US09380846B2 |
Expandable luggage item
This invention relates to an expandable item of luggage. This enables a luggage item to be expanded to accommodate an increased volume of luggage. The luggage item is defined by a base, front, back, side and top portion. The base and top portions are spaced in a longitudinal axis and define a storage zone therebetween. The luggage item further comprises an expansion arrangement configured to enable expansion of the top portion independently of the front portion in the longitudinal axis between a retracted and expanded configuration to cause an effective increase in the volume of the storage zone. |
| US09380843B2 |
Multi-piece jewelry set
A multi-piece jewelry is disclosed where the jewelry is formed of interlockable and interchangeable circular elements. The multi-piece jewelry of this disclosure allows the user to easily assemble the elements of the jewelry in various designs without any tools. A kit comprising the elements is also disclosed to combine the elements in different ways to form a number of different designs. The jewelry of this invention may be a bracelet or ring. The kit may also comprise pendants, earrings, hair accessories or other jewelry. |
| US09380842B1 |
Watch band tool
A watch band for a watch includes at least two band portions, a latch selectively closing the band portions to secure the watch to a wrist of the user, and a tool assembly formed at the latch. The tool assembly includes one or more of an implement holder that is adapted to hold at least one implement, a fingernail file, a fingernail and thread trimmer, a bottle opener, a cord cutter and/or a screwdriver. |
| US09380839B2 |
Loop surface fastener having excellent positioning function
A loop surface fastener in which numerous looped engaging elements formed from loop yarns inserted in parallel to ground warp yarns are provided upright on one side of a base fabric formed from ground warp yarns and ground weft yarns satisfies all the following requirements 1) to 3). 1) The loop yarn is a multi-filament yarn formed by bundling 5 to 9 filaments of 30 to 45 decitex. 2) The density of the looped engaging elements is in a range of 100 to 200/cm2. 3) Loop surfaces of the looped engaging elements are substantially facing in the same direction and the loop surface facing direction is a ground weft yarn direction. |
| US09380837B2 |
Automated strobel printing
A machine moves shoe strobels to a camera or scanner where images of the strobels are captured. Using the images, a computing device instructs a printer how to mark guidelines within a threshold distance of each other on the strobels that signify strobel sewing lines for different shoes models and shoe sizes. Cross-sectional lines may also be printed on the strobels to aid in error-checking guideline marking. Unmarked strobels are stacked in a loading compartment, sometimes in pairs—e.g., right and left shoe strobels. The unmarked strobels are transferred to a conveyor that brings the strobels to the camera or scanner and the printer. After guidelines and/or cross-sectional lines are added to the strobels, the marked strobels are stacked in a compartments housing other marked strobels. |
| US09380834B2 |
Article of footwear with dynamic support
An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper. |
| US09380832B2 |
Article of footwear with fluid-filled chamber lacking an inflation channel and method for making the same
An article of footwear is provided having a pressurized fluid-filled chamber in the sole structure having a continuous perimeter weld and lacking an inflation channel. The chamber may be formed from opposing polymer sheets, a continuous perimeter weld lacking a weld channel bonding the sheets and forming an interior void between the sheets, and a fluid disposed within the interior void exerting outward pressure on the sheets. A method for making the chamber can include placing a pair of polymer sheets in an opposing arrangement, pressing opposing perimeter weld portions of the sheets against each other to form an airtight seal along a perimeter region of an interior void, supplying a flow of pressurized air between the opposing sheets into the interior void, and, while maintaining a desired fluid pressure, welding the perimeter weld portions of the sheets to each other. A high-frequency welder for forming chamber is also provided. |
| US09380831B2 |
Article of apparel with zonal force attenuation properties
An article of apparel, such as a sock or a shoe, is disclosed as having a foot-supporting area for extending adjacent to a plantar surface of a foot. The foot-supporting area has various zones of differing thickness that attenuate forces upon the plantar surface to different degrees. The apparel may be manufactured through a process that includes utilizing a force mapping device to obtain data relating to forces upon the plantar surface of the foot. The sock is then formed to have zones of different thickness located to correspond with the areas of the plantar surface subjected to different magnitudes of forces. |
| US09380830B1 |
Sole portion for a shoe and particularly high heel shoes
An improved sole for a high heel shoe comprising a bottom member, support member and top member. The top member can be provided with an upper cavity for the receipt of a gel or other cushioning member. The support member extends downward from the top member and provides the downwardly extending female receiving ports for fasteners used to secure the bottom member to the support member. A plurality of springs are positioned within an internal chamber created by the attachment of the bottom member to the support member. A slip resistance sole can be provided on the bottom surface of the bottom member. A shoe upper and gel cover are secured to the top member. The cushioning gel and the springs provide additional comfort to the wearer when walking or standing in the shoe. A soft padding material can be secured to the inner surface of the shoe upper. |
| US09380829B2 |
Shock-absorbing walk-aiding shoe
A shock-absorbing walk-aiding shoe includes a shoe main body, at least one elastic extensible belt and at least one connection member fixedly disposed on the elastic extensible belt. By means of the connection member fixedly disposed on the elastic extensible belt, the elastic extensible belt is fastened between an upper face of the shoe main body and a heel. When a user's foot treads onto the ground, the elastic extensible belt is elastically tensioned and the angle of the user's foot is changed to provide an elastic restoring force for the shoe main body to absorb the impact to the foot. Also, the elastic restoring force can be converted into an aiding force in lifting the foot away from the ground in the next move of the foot. Accordingly, the shock-absorbing walk-aiding shoe can provide a shock absorption effect and help the user in walking. |
| US09380828B2 |
Structure of athletic shoe
An athletic shoe includes an upper section and a sole section. The upper section is attached to the sole section. The upper section includes at least a wearing opening. The sole section includes a bottom portion, a support portion, and a receiving portion. The support portion is arranged between the bottom portion and the receiving portion and extends from a shoe heel portion of the sole section toward a shoe sole portion of the sole section. The receiving portion includes a first trough, a second trough, and a third trough formed therein. The first trough receives therein a first soft pad that corresponds in shape thereto. The second trough receives therein a second soft pad that corresponds in shape thereto. The third trough receives therein a third soft pad that corresponds in shape thereto. As such, the sole section is provided with a plurality of rush stop sites. |
| US09380827B1 |
Post-operative shoe and method for construction thereof
A post-operative shoe and method for construction thereof is provided. The post-operative shoe includes an outsole having a substantially flat surface with a heel segment, a midfoot segment, and a forefoot portion surrounded by an outer edge. Each bore includes an open end on the outer edge of the forefoot portion and extending partially towards the heel segment. One or more flex rods each configured to fit within the bores and comprising a front end with threading corresponding to the threading of the bore are provided. |
| US09380823B2 |
Electronically controlled impact attenuating fluid containing cells for helmets
A helmet contains impact attenuating fluid (e.g., CO2, Air or Water) containing cells, sensors and electrically actuated exhaust valves for cushioning impact and decelerating a wearer's head after an impact. Accelerometers and a pressure sensor supply signals to a microcontroller, which opens an exhaust valve if accelerations (or pressure) exceed a threshold. Expelling fluid provides a cushioning and damping effect, decelerating the wearer's head. Acceleration data, fluid pressure data and GPS position data may be wirelessly communicated to a monitor computer system. |
| US09380822B2 |
Hat with protective barrier
A protective headwear apparatus having a head receiving portion sized to receive the head of the user when worn by the user and a forward extending brim portion attached to the head receiving portion. Further included is a flexible mesh shield having an upper and lower end portions, and a binding stitched to a bottom side of the brim portion with an outwardly facing opening receiving and holding therein the upper end portion of the shield to attach the shield to the brim portion with the shield extending outward out of the outward facing opening of the binding and then bending downward with the lower end portion located lower than the upper end portion of the shield when the apparatus is worn by the user. The shield is sized to wrap at least partially around the head of the user when the apparatus is worn by the user. |
| US09380821B2 |
Neckline gusset for an apparel item
A neckline gusset for securing an exterior shell layer of an apparel item to an inner liner layer of the apparel item at a neckline region of the apparel item is provided. The neckline gusset comprises an outer edge corresponding in shape to the neckline of the exterior shell layer, an inner edge corresponding in shape to the neckline of the inner liner layer, a first center-front gusset edge connecting the outer edge to the inner edge at a first end of the neckline gusset, and a second center-front gusset edge connecting the outer edge to the inner edge at a second end of the neckline gusset. The first and second center-front gusset edges curve inwardly into the body of the neckline gusset and form acute angles with both the outer edge and the inner edge of the neckline gusset. |
| US09380820B1 |
Clench arresting glove
A glove to prevent involuntary clenching of the hand may comprise a five phalange regions extending outwardly from a dorsal and palm region which are configured to receive portions of the hand of a user. A pull strap anchor may be positioned on the dorsal region. The glove may further comprise five pull straps. Each pull strap may be configured to receive a finger or a user's hand, and may comprise a first end which may be coupled to a phalange region and a second end which may be removably coupled to the pull strap anchor. By coupling the pull straps to the pull strap anchor, a reverse counterforce may be exerted against the phalange regions as to open the hand and prevent involuntary clenching. |
| US09380819B2 |
Eversible sealable glove
An eversible sealable glove has front and rear panels, each panel having a cuff portion, a sleeve portion, a hand portion, and a perimeter. The perimeter of the front panel is completely sealed to the perimeter of the rear panel. An opening is formed through the front panel between the cuff portion of the front panel and the sleeve portion of the front panel, and may be sealed by a zipping closure comprising a mating pair of female and male extrusions, wherein one of the extrusions is bonded to the cuff portion of the front panel and the other one of the extrusions is bonded to the sleeve portion of the front panel. The zipping closure is configured to allow the mating pair to seal the opening whether the glove is everted or noneverted. A method for manufacturing the glove is also disclosed. |
| US09380816B2 |
Wheelchair-bound coat
A garment is disclosed that enables caregivers to safely and comfortably outfit wheelchair-bound people when going outside. The garment comprises a garment body configured to extend around a front of a user and to wrap around a seatback of a user's wheelchair and be secured together, an opening at the top of the garment body for a user's neck, and a pair of sleeves for receiving the arms of the user, and wherein at least one of the opposing sides of the garment body comprises fastening components which are removably secured together to secure the back of the garment body to the front of the garment body. The opening at the top of the garment body comprises an approximately V-shaped notch to accommodate a trachea tube, and a hood for engaging over the head of the user and leaving the face open. |
| US09380811B2 |
Wet scrubbing electronic cigarette
The present invention removes particles entrained within a flow of vapor and cools vapor passing through a wet scrubbing section of an electronic cigarette. The wet scrubbing electronic cigarette includes an atomizer section having a battery section connection for connection to a battery section. The atomizer section has an atomizer heating section. A wet scrubbing section has a mouthpiece, a water chamber in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. The water chamber provides for scrubbing of incoming airflow. A tubular air passage assembly is held within the water chamber. The tubular air passage assembly is in fluid communication with the water chamber. A battery section powers the atomizer section. |
| US09380810B2 |
Tobacco-based nicotine aerosol generation system
The invention relates to devices and methods for delivering nicotine and/or other alkaloids from tobacco, other plants and other natural sources. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and methods for delivering an aerosol of nicotine to a user's lungs without combustion of the nicotine source materials. |
| US09380809B2 |
Rod for a smoking article and method and apparatus for manufacture
A filter rod for a cigarette or other smoking article comprising a filter plug having a plurality of threads extending though at least part of the filter plug, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing such a filter rod. |
| US09380804B2 |
Systems and methods for food product extrusion
A system for producing food products may include an inner tube configured to extrude a first component, and an outer tube provided about the inner tube to define an annular space through which a second component is extruded, the inner and outer tubes (alone or in conjunction with a nozzle or other extrusion mechanism defining an outlet. Additionally, a collagen head can be configured to apply a layer of collagen gel over the second component. The inner and outer tubes are sized, and flow rate may be configured such that an initial diameter of the first component exiting the outlet is substantially smaller than a final diameter of the first component, and an initial thickness of the second component exiting the outlet is substantially greater than a final thickness of the second component. |
| US09380803B2 |
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gums with improved characteristics are provided, a method for preparing the xanthan gums as well as compositions and products comprising the xanthan gums. In particular, the invention relates to xanthan gums obtained from Xanthomonas campestris strains, pathovar cynarae CFBP 19, juglandis CFBP 176, pelargonii CFBP 64, phaseoli CFBP 412 or ATCC 17915, celebenois ATCC 19046, or corylina CFBP 1847 or from a derivative or progeny thereof and to methods of producing xanthan gum from these strains. |
| US09380801B2 |
Chewing gum and gum bases containing highly substituted starch short chain carboxylates
A chewing gum base which is cud-forming and chewable at mouth temperature contains water-insoluble highly substituted starch short chain carboxylate. The highly substituted starch short chain carboxylate may be plasticized to function as an elastomer in the gum base. |
| US09380799B2 |
Roasted mixture and method for producing a beverage using same
The present invention pertains to a coffee extract rich in variety and in which the features of coffee are enhanced. A roasted product prepared by following a step for mixing and roasting coffee beans with at least one material selected from among oolong tea, pu'erh tea, red tea, roses, jasmine, hops, hibiscus, lemon grass, the berries of Japanese pepper, rosemary, vanilla, sugar beets, Kombu, Azuki beans, kidney beans, peas, soy beans, almonds, cashew nuts, chestnuts, pumpkin seeds, sweet chestnuts, walnuts, sesame, sunflower seeds, hazel nuts, pecan nuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, peanuts, rice, barley, malt, buckwheat grains, Job's tears, mandarin orange peels, orange peels, Kabosu peels, grapefruit peels, Sudachi peels, Yuzu peels, lime peels, lemon peels, blueberries, prunes, cherries, Japanese persimmons, pineapple, bananas, grapes, mangoes, peaches, apples, black peppers, chili peppers, sugar cane, ginger, garlic, onions, carrots, burdock roots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn. |
| US09380794B2 |
Method and system for tracking glove failure
A system and method for identifying areas of a processing plant in which a glove is damaged. The system includes utilizing color-coded sets of gloves in different areas or processing steps within the plant. All the gloves used in a particular plant are provided with a unique identifier. If a piece of a glove is located in the product within the plant, the color of that piece indicates the area or process of the plant in which the glove was used. If a piece of a damaged glove is located in the product at a remote destination, the unique identifier in that piece is matched with a registry to determine the plant in which the glove was used. The color of the piece then helps the plant to identify where the damaged glove was used. The system and method are particularly helpful in the food processing industry, especially meat processing. |
| US09380793B2 |
Artificial food casing comprising a traceability code, method for manufacturing and method of tracing thereof
An artificial food casing includes a marking with a traceability code, wherein the marking includes an ultraviolet-detectable component. |
| US09380792B2 |
Machine for processing a meat mass
A machine for processing a meat mass that includes a rotary drum (10) for containing a meat mass with an open front end (14) with a lid (40) for loading and unloading, a closed rear end (13), inner blades for driving and turning over the meat mass during rotation, a support chassis (20) supporting the rotary drum such that it can rotate about a rotational shaft, a support base (30) to which the support chassis is articulated by a shaft perpendicular to the rotational shaft and close to the front end (14) of the rotary drum, adjustable inclination mechanism for moving the rear end of the support chassis height-wise in order to change the inclination of the rotary drum, and a vibration damper associated with a rear part of the support chassis adjacent to the rear end (13) of the rotary drum. |
| US09380790B2 |
3D-food product forming apparatus and process
The present invention is related to a food forming apparatus to produce patties with a form member which comprises molds in which the patties are formed, whereas the form member is located adjacent to a pressure member and is at least partially made from a porous material. |
| US09380782B2 |
Tetrazolinone compounds and its use
The present invention provides a compound having an excellent efficacy for controlling pests. A tetrazolinone compound of a formula (1): [wherein, R1 represents an C6-C16 aryl group, an C1-C12 alkyl group, a C3-C12 cycloalkyl group or an adamantyl group, etc., which each optionally be substituted; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an C1-C12 alkyl group, or a halogen atom, etc.; R4 and R5 represent independently of each other a hydrogen atom or an C1-C3 alkyl group, etc.; R6, R7, R8 and R9 represent independently of each other a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an C1-C12 alkyl group, a C1-C12 haloalkyl group, an C2-C12 alkenyl group, a C3-C12 cycloalkyl group, an C1-C12 alkoxy group or a C1-C12 haloalkoxy group, etc.; X and Y represent independently of each other a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom; Q represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and R10 represents an C1-C6 alkyl group, etc.] shows an excellent controlling efficacy on pests. |
| US09380773B2 |
Gear flow divider for agricultural product injection
This application discusses, among other things, agricultural equipment and more particularly agricultural chemical applicators. In an example, an agricultural sprayer system can include a first boom section configured to receive a carrier material and a chemical material and to provide an agricultural chemical mixture, the boom section having a plurality of nozzles for spraying the chemical mixture; and a first rod insert coupled to an end cap of the boom section, the rod insert configured to reduce the volume of the boom section and to provide increased flow velocity of the chemical mixture to each of the plurality of nozzles. |
| US09380770B1 |
Chummer and line extender
A chummer and line extender is a hollow tubular member with a first end that is securable to a fixed structure such as a tree trunk and a second end from which a shock line extends, the end of the line secured to an appropriate fishing rig. Pulling on the line causes a spring within the tubular member to compress thereby absorbing shock on the line. Port holes on the tubular member and/or on a cap on the second end allow slow release discharge of chum from the tubular member. |
| US09380768B2 |
Red transgenic fluorescent ornamental fish
The present invention relates to transgenic red ornamental fish, as well as methods of making such fish by in vitro fertilization techniques. Also disclosed are methods of establishing a population of such transgenic fish and methods of providing them to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing. |
| US09380767B2 |
Aquarium with a fresh water replenishing system
The present utility model discloses an aquarium with a fresh water replenishing system comprising an upper tank, a connecting cavity, a lower cabinet and a fresh water replenishing system, with the said upper tank fixed on the lower cabinet, and the said connecting cavity fixed at an inner corner of the upper tank. It effectively utilizes space to store a fresh water replenishing box with a small space occupied. It is provided with a salt water and fresh water circulating system, making it easy to keep salt water and fresh water fish. It is provided with a water baffle to reduce water velocity, reducing noise. All components of its upper tank are provided on the same wall and cover this wall, contributing to good visual effects, safety and aesthetics. |
| US09380764B1 |
Dog sounding toy
An amusement device for humans or pets has an elongate, semi-rigid, floating tube assembly with an outer, sleeve-forming tube of soft, flexible, buoyant material and semi-rigid, modular, inner tubing inserted longitudinally into the sleeve. The inner tubing is assembled from a series of identical, rigid, tubular, plastic links each having ball and a socket joint at respective opposite ends rotatively engaged with respective socket and ball joints of adjacent links. The engaging/abutting surfaces of the joints form interference, watertight fits to join the links in end-to-end relation to any desired length and enabling the tube assembly to be transversely bent by a person into different stable shapes. A creaking sound, audible to a user or pet, such as a dog, is emitted during rotative movement of the joints during transverse bending of the tube assembly. A bite/chew resistant outer skin/layer covers the outer tube. |
| US09380763B2 |
Dog shoe
A dog shoe has a durable molded sole, a flexible fabric upper, elastic members that urge opposed edges of the shoe upper together to snuggly retain the shoe over the dog's paw, and a adjustable strap that employs a hook-and-loop fastener to retain a circumferential back section of the upper snuggly around the dog's lower leg. |
| US09380761B2 |
Livestock feeder
Livestock feeders are provided. A livestock feeder can include a one-piece or multi-piece design. A livestock feeder can include a pan, a hood, and a base. The livestock feeder is suitable for providing feedstuffs such as nutritional supplements to a livestock animal on a free-choice basis. The livestock feeder can be durable, portable, non-corrosive and is designed to minimize spillage of feedstuffs and resist tipping over. The livestock feeder can be constructed from a molded polyethylene material. |
| US09380751B2 |
Vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus
A vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production is provided. The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a front face, a back face, an open first end, and an open second end. A slot is formed in the front face of the grow tube with the slot having a width equal to only a portion of a width of the front face. A media material is insertable into the grow tube. The slot allows the front face to expand outward during insertion of the media material and biased inward against the media material once the media material is inserted. The grow tube is positionable in either a horizontal position, vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined, multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style crop production. |
| US09380749B2 |
Drip tape irrigation emitter
An irrigation system is disclosed having a pipe and a continuous tape of irrigation emitters that is affixed to an inside surface of the pipe and extends along its length. The pipe includes a plurality of fluid outlet ports, with one output port for each emitter in the tape. Each emitter includes a base member that is affixed to the inner surface of the pipe to create an enclosed fluid flow channel between the inner surface of the pipe and the base member. For each emitter, the fluid flow channel extends from a fluid inlet port, though filtering, flow regulation and collection sections, and to one of the fluid outlet ports formed in the pipe. The flow regulation section is formed as a labyrinth path and established which reduces the deposition of particles in the emitter which can reduce flow and/or clog the emitter. |
| US09380748B2 |
Vegetation protection system
A protective system for vegetation has an underground housing from which a protective canopy can be deployed. The canopy unfurls as it is deployed and its position above ground can be adjusted after it is fully unfurled. After use, the canopy can be furled and lowered back into the housing. A liquid delivery system allows use of anti-freeze or fertilizer to be delivered via the system. Deployment of the system can be done manually or automatically in response to a selected signal. |
| US09380745B2 |
Separating device
A separating device formed with rotationally driven components and stationary components has at least one crop-treatment element for processing crop. The crop-treatment element extends transversely to the rotational direction (R) of the components, at least in sections. The crop-treatment element has a substantially cuboid cross-section and a front edge with a curved course optimized in terms of flow, and which faces a rotational direction (R) and away from a conveyance direction (FR) of the crop. |
| US09380744B2 |
Automatically engaging and disengaging header lock assembly
A header lift assembly for an agricultural harvester includes a lift cylinder and a lock assembly. The lift cylinder includes a sleeve and a piston, and the piston is configured to move in an axial direction relative to the sleeve. The lock assembly is coupled to the lift cylinder and is configured to automatically transition to a first locking position upon extension of the piston in the axial direction to a locking distance from the sleeve. The first locking position is configured to block retraction of the piston in the axial direction beyond a first distance from the sleeve. The lock assembly is also configured to automatically disengage from the first locking position to a unlocked position that facilitates retraction of the piston beyond the first distance upon extension of the piston to an unlocking distance. |
| US09380741B2 |
Yard maintenance vehicle route and orientation mapping system
A riding yard maintenance vehicle may include a positioning module. The positioning module may be configured to store position information indicative of a position history of the vehicle responsive to operation of the vehicle defining a route. The positioning module may include a user interface, a memory for storing data received via one or more sensors, and processing circuitry in communication with the user interface and the memory. The processing circuitry may be configured to control operation of the positioning module and generate feedback via the user interface. The feedback may be provided to an operator based on the position information. |
| US09380738B2 |
System and method for determining implement train position
Leading vehicle position information can be used to determine a location and heading of one or more implements of a trailing vehicle in an implement train that includes the leading vehicle. In an example, the leading vehicle pulls one or more trailing vehicles, and information about the leading vehicle position or heading is used to update a function of one or more implements associated with trailing vehicles of the implement train. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a heading of a trailing vehicle based on its initial location, an intermediate location, and a destination location. In an example, the present subject matter includes identifying a speed of one or more points on a trailing vehicle. In some examples, the present subject matter includes determining a location, heading, or speed of multiple implements associated with multiple trailing vehicles. |
| US09380737B2 |
Automated re-centering of steering system
A steering system and method are described for a vehicle having steerable wheels. A steering device may be coupled to one or more of the wheels. A parked state of the vehicle and a present orientation of the hydraulic steering device may be determined. The present orientation of the steering device may be compared with a neutral orientation of the steering device. Based upon a determined parked state of the vehicle and the comparing of the present and neutral orientations of the steering device, the steering device may be moved from the present orientation toward the neutral orientation. |
| US09386728B2 |
Server and method for cooling a server
A server having a cuboid housing and having first heat-generating components arranged at a front face, system fans that generate an air flow from the front face of the server to the rear face and arranged downstream of the front face, and second heat-generating components arranged downstream of the system fans in a flow direction of the air flow, and a heat exchanger arranged upstream of the second heat generating components. |
| US09386726B2 |
Controller
A controller including a case provided with at least one opened surface, a cover opening and closing the at least one opened surface, and a circuit board provided within the case and provided with a heating unit. The cover includes a cover body and a heat radiation unit in which at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover body is concave toward the circuit board so as to be closely adhered to the heating unit for the purpose of heat radiation. Thereby, heat within the controller may be effectively radiated and the lifespan of electrical devices may be extended. |
| US09386723B2 |
Adjustable swinging bracket
A universal cable bracket that enables one or more cables to be secured to a telecommunications chassis accommodates cables of various sizes and styles. The cable bracket is configured to be mounted in one of multiple orientations relative to the chassis. One or more fasteners can be inserted through apertures in the bracket and a chassis mounting surface to secure the bracket into the desired orientation. Cables or fanout arrangements can be secured to a platform of the bracket via cable ties or other windings. |
| US09386722B2 |
Server
A server includes a mid-plane board, a storage backplane module, a plurality of first storage units, a vertical interposer board, a first electronic module, a second electronic module and a plurality of power supply units. The vertical interposer board is vertically inserted and thus electrically coupled to the mid-plane board. The storage backplane module, the vertical interposer board, the first electronic module, the second electronic module and the power supply units are electrically connected to each other through the mid-plane board. |
| US09386721B2 |
Fixing device for sliding mechanism
A positioning device for a sliding mechanism includes slidably connected exterior plate, intermediate plate and interior plate, characterized by the exterior plate having a stop block; the intermediate plate formed with a through hole, including having a pivot element mounted pivotally adjacent to the through hole and having a projection extending through the hole to engage the stop block, thereby preventing sliding action between the exterior and intermediate plates, a resilient element having a free end in contact with the rear end of the pivot element; and the interior plate having a push element with cam face; when an external force applied on so as to cause sliding action between the interior plate and the intermediate plate results in abutment of the cam face against the resilient element, thereby deforming the resilient element and rotating the pivot element about its axis, thereby disengaging the projection from the stop block. |
| US09386719B2 |
Fixing structure applicable to multiple sizes of storage device
A fixing structure applicable to multiple sizes of storage device includes an enclosure, which has an interior forming an accommodation space that receives a storage device of one of the multiple sizes to be inserted into the enclosure. The enclosure includes, in an upper portion of the interior thereof, at least one spring-biasing section, which applies a spring force to an upper surface of the storage device opposite thereto for positioning in a longitudinal direction. The enclosure includes therein positioning sections and retention sections respectively set on opposite lateral sides thereof for cooperating with lateral sides of the storage device for positioning in a lateral direction. A lid has an inside surface on which a supporting section is formed so that when the lid is mounted to and closing a front side of the enclosure, the supporting section is in engagement with the storage device to secure the storage device. |
| US09386713B1 |
Modular elements employing latches secured by linkages
Modular elements employing latches secured by linkages are disclosed. A modular element may include a chassis body in communication with a latch, control body, and control arm of the modular element. The modular element is removable from or secured to an enclosure using the latch. The latch may remain secured to the enclosure in a locked mode by being rotated to engage a control catch of a control arm of a linkage. By connecting the control arm to the control body with a rigid member connected to the control body with first and second rotary joints, the rigid member transforms a control body movement into a rotary motion of the control arm to disengage the control arm from the latch. In this manner, the modular element may be disengaged from the enclosure to facilitate upgrades or maintenance of electronic components supported by the chassis body. |
| US09386712B2 |
High-temperature environment electronic chassis
An electrical chassis for use in high temperature environments is disclosed. The electrical chassis may be employed, for example, in close proximity to the combustion chamber of a jet engine. The electrical chassis is constructed with a substrate formed from a material with low thermal conductivity and low electrical conductivity, such as polyetheretherketone. A reflective surface may be disposed on a housing containing the substrate to reduce the absorption of radiation. A heat sink and fluid inlet and outlet may also be arranged to remove heat generated by the electrical components. |
| US09386704B2 |
Handheld device assembly
This is directed to several handheld device components to be placed in a handheld device, as well as methods or systems for mounting or retaining components within the device. In particular, this is directed to a rigid shield used in an SMT process and securing connected flex connectors by adhering the flexes together. This is also directed to using foam in combination with a hard material to create an acoustic seal, or several layers of foam to create an acoustic and mechanical seal. This is also directed to selectively folding a sheet of material placed around a battery cell. |
| US09386702B2 |
Electronic component embedded substrate and method of manufacturing electronic component embedded substrate
An electronic component embedded substrate and a method of manufacturing an electronic component embedded substrate, The substrate includes a first via passing through a part of an insulating portion of the substrate to an electrode of the electronic component, and a second via passing through a part of the insulating portion to the conductor pattern. The second via has a contact portion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of a contact portion of the first via. |
| US09386698B2 |
Module, module combined body and module production method
A module comprises a first insulating-substrate-side member that has a first insulating substrate, a first conductor layer provided on the first insulating substrate, and a first electronic element provided on the first conductor layer; a second insulating-substrate-side member that has a second insulating substrate, a second conductor layer provided on a lower side of the second insulating substrate, and a second electronic element provided on a lower side of the second conductor layer; and a sealing member that is provided between the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate. The first electronic element and the second electronic element are opposingly disposed. The first electronic element and the second electronic element are connected by an element connecting conductor post that has electric conductivity. |
| US09386697B2 |
Wiring board, electronic component embedded substrate, method of manufacturing wiring board, and method of manufacturing electronic component embedded substrate
A wiring board or an electronic component embedded substrate includes a substrate that includes a resin containing a plurality of fillers; and a via that is electrically connected to at least one interconnect provided to the substrate, wherein the via includes a mix area in which metal is provided between the fillers on an inner radial side with respect to the substrate. A method of manufacturing a wiring board or an electronic component embedded substrate includes preparing a substrate that includes a resin containing a plurality of fillers; forming a via formation hole in the substrate; performing an ashing process on at least an inner wall of the via formation hole; and performing electroless plating on the inner wall of the via formation hole. |
| US09386695B2 |
Wiring substrate having multiple core substrates
There is provided a wiring substrate including: a core substrate including: a first core substrate including: a plate-shaped first glass substrate; and a first through electrode formed through the first glass substrate; a second core substrate including: a plate-shaped second glass substrate; and a second through electrode formed through the second glass substrate, wherein a diameter of the second through electrode is different from that of the first through electrode; and an insulating member encapsulating the first and second core substrates, and a wiring layer formed on at least one surface of the core substrate. The first and second core substrates are arranged to be separated from each other when viewed from a top. |
| US09386692B2 |
Power supply path structure of flexible circuit board
A power supply path structure is provided for a flexible circuit board and includes a first flexible circuit board that includes at least one first connection pad and a first opposite connection pad and a first power supply path connected between the first connection pad and the first opposite connection pad and a second flexible circuit board that includes at least one second connection pad and a second opposite connection pad and a second power supply path connected between the second connection pad and the second opposite connection pad. The first flexible circuit board is stacked, in a vertical direction, on the second flexible circuit board in such a way that the first power supply path and the second power supply path form a parallel-connected power supply path that serves as a power path or a grounding path for the first flexible circuit board. |
| US09386689B2 |
Circuit board
A structure (10) includes at least three conductors (111, 131, 151) that are opposed to each other, a penetration via (101) that penetrates the conductors (111, 131, 151), openings (112, 152) that are formed so as to surround the penetration via (101), and conductor elements (121, 141) that are located in layers other than the layers in which the conductors (111, 131, 151) are located and that are connected to the penetration via (101). The conductor element (121) larger than the opening (112) is opposed to the opening (112) and the conductor element (141) larger than the opening (152) is opposed to the opening (152). |
| US09386686B2 |
Metal core printed circuit board and electronic package structure
An electronic package structure is provided which comprises a metal core PCB, an energy storage device and at least one electronic component. The at least one electronic component is disposed between the metal core PCB and the energy storage device. The metal core PCB defines at least a through hole. A thermal passage is disposed in the through hole. An insulating layer is disposed in the through hole and located between the metal layer of the metal core PCB and the thermal passage to prevent the electric coupling between the thermal passage and the metal layer. The energy storage device comprises at least a connecting pin in thermal contact with the thermal passage. |
| US09386682B2 |
Distributed coupling and multi-frequency microwave accelerators
A microwave circuit for a linear accelerator has multiple metallic cell sections, a pair of distribution waveguide manifolds, and a sequence of feed arms connecting the manifolds to the cell sections. The distribution waveguide manifolds are connected to the cell sections so that alternating pairs of cell sections are connected to opposite distribution waveguide manifolds. The distribution waveguide manifolds have concave modifications of their walls opposite the feed arms, and the feed arms have portions of two distinct widths. In some embodiments, the distribution waveguide manifolds are connected to the cell sections by two different types of junctions adapted to allow two frequency operation. The microwave circuit may be manufactured by making two quasi-identical parts, and joining the two parts to form the microwave circuit, thereby allowing for many manufacturing techniques including electron beam welding, and thereby allowing the use of un-annealled copper alloys, and hence greater tolerance to high gradient operation. |
| US09386680B2 |
Detecting plasma arcs by monitoring RF reflected power in a plasma processing chamber
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for detecting unstable plasma in a substrate processing chamber. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a forward power from a power source to the substrate processing chamber through a detection device, splitting the forward power passing through the detection device at a predetermined ratio to obtain a first value of the power to the substrate processing chamber, measuring a reflected power from the substrate processing chamber to obtain a second value of the power from the substrate processing chamber, and directing the power source to turn off the forward power if the second value of the power is different than the first value of the power. |
| US09386679B2 |
Apparatus and method of aligning and securing components of a liquid cooled plasma arc torch using a multi-thread connection
An arc torch assembly or sub assembly having improved replacement and centering characteristics, where certain components of the torch head have particular characteristics which improve the operation, use and replaceability of the various components. Other embodiments utilize a thread connection which employs multiple separate and distinct thread paths to secure the threaded connections. |
| US09386677B1 |
Plasma concentration apparatus and method
An apparatus and method to concentrate a plasma from one or more plasma sources through at least one pathway. A first embodiment of the invention involves a method to concentrate a plasma for treating one or more articles with a selectively concentrated plasma generated from dissociating one or more gases, the method includes supplying one or more gases from a source to a first chamber; applying RF power to dissociate the one or more gases and create a plasma; withdrawing the dissociated one or more gases from the first chamber through at least one pathway; and supplying the dissociated one or more gases to a treatment chamber containing one or more articles, wherein the at least one pathway selectively concentrates the plasma in the at least one pathway by using a narrower pathway with a volume smaller than the treatment chamber to restrict the diffusion of the plasma to concentrate the plasma. A second embodiment of the invention involves an apparatus to concentrate a plasma to treat one or more articles. |
| US09386675B2 |
Laser beam controlling device and extreme ultraviolet light generating apparatus
A laser beam controlling device may include: a guide laser device; a guide laser beam wavefront adjuster provided in a beam path of the guide laser beam outputted from the guide laser device; a beam combiner configured to adjust travel directions of a laser beam outputted from a laser system and the guide laser beam outputted from the guide laser beam wavefront adjuster to coincide with each other, a both beam wavefront adjuster provided in a beam path of both the laser beam and the guide laser beam outputted from the beam combiner, a beam monitor provided in a beam path of both the laser beam and the guide laser beam outputted from the both beam wavefront adjuster, and a controller configured to control the guide laser beam wavefront adjuster and the both beam wavefront adjuster based on detection results at the beam monitor with respect to both the laser beam and the guide laser beam. |
| US09386672B2 |
Method and driving device for running up a discharge lamp
The present invention relates to a method of running up a discharge lamp (1), in particular a UHP or HID lamp, in which a driving power (8) is increased or decreased to a target value during a single or during a plurality, for example two, of consecutive time periods. The method can comprise the steps of controlling the driving current (5) of the lamp (1) to keep constant during the first of said two or more consecutive time periods, if applicable, and controlling the driving power (8) of the lamp (1) to reach the power target value during the single or during the last time period. The driving current (5) of the lamp (1) is not allowed during the single or following time periods to increase faster than a preset rate and to exceed a fixed upper current limit, which can be selected to avoid an overheating of the electrodes of the lamp (1). With the proposed method and the driving device adapted to carry out the method, the risk of overheating the electrode tips of the discharge lamp during run-up is significantly reduced. |
| US09386668B2 |
Lighting control system
Intelligent illumination device are disclosed that use components in an LED light to perform one or more of a wide variety of desirable lighting functions for very low cost. The LEDs that produce light can be periodically turned off momentarily, for example, for a duration that the human eye cannot perceive, in order for the light to receive commands optically. The optically transmitted commands can be sent to the light, for example, using a remove control device. The illumination device can use the LEDs that are currently off to receive the data and then configure the light accordingly, or to measure light. Such light can be ambient light for a photosensor function, or light from other LEDs in the illumination device to adjust the color mix. |
| US09386665B2 |
System for integrated lighting control, configuration, and metric tracking from multiple locations
A mechanism for control and configuration of a lighting system from a user interface. For instance, a wall module designed as a user interface for a tenant to control the system may be implemented so as to be used not only to control the lighting system but also to configure it. The lighting system may involve a controller, circuits of lights, relays, motion and ambient detectors, scenes, schedules, and more. An additional user interface such as a wall module may be connected to the lighting system for control and configuration of the system. |
| US09386663B2 |
Monitoring system and method
A monitoring system and method can determine whether an ambient intensity surrounding a computer is suitable for a user when the user is working with the computer. The system and method can adjust the intensity of a light source in responds to the ambient intensity being unsuitable for the user. |
| US09386659B2 |
Fully integrated intelligent lighting module
One embodiment of a fully integrated intelligent lighting module with built-in heat sink allows conventional electrodeless discharge lamps, LED, or electrodeless plasma lamps to be converted into intelligent electrodeless discharge lamps or electrodeless plasma lamps [with minimal effort]. Such a module may be comprised of a driver for an electrodeless discharge lamp or electrodeless plasma lamp capable of operating from 120-277V at 50/60 Hz as well as 347V and 480V in different models; a dimming chip; a sensor chip with clock to monitor the time and power used; a ROM module to store the data collected by the sensor chip; on-board non-volatile memory; a wireless communication module; and an external display and programming controls. Such a module allows users who install it into any pre-existing “dumb” light fixture to [quickly and easily] convert that fixture into an “intelligent” one. |
| US09386654B2 |
Controlled function light emitting diode lighting device and method
A lighting device includes an electrical circuit for energizing an LED light source. The electrical circuit is configured to: have a target relationship between two illuminating operational parameters of the LED, connect the LED to a power source, energize the LED with a voltage waveform to effect a current waveform, determine a magnitude of each of the two operational parameters, determine an operational relationship between the two operational parameters, compare the target relationship with the operational relationship, determine a difference between the target relationship and the operational relationship and respond to the difference by adjusting the voltage waveform such that it changes one or both operational parameters to bring the operational relationship towards the target relationship. |
| US09386651B2 |
Backlight unit and a display device having the same
A backlight unit includes a dimming signal generator configured to generate first and second pulse width modulation signals, first and second driving blocks configured to receive a driving voltage to emit a light, a controller configured to receive the first and second pulse width modulation signals and an output signal from one of the first and second driving blocks to generate a voltage control signal, and a voltage converter configured to control a level of an input voltage in response to the voltage control signal to generate the driving voltage. |
| US09386650B2 |
LED lighting device and method of controlling the same
Provided are a light emitting diode (LED) lighting device and a method of controlling the same. The LED lighting includes an LED module in which a plurality of LED arrays having a plurality of LEDs connected in series are connected in parallel, a constant current supply configured to apply a constant current to the LED module, variable resistors connected to the LED arrays in series, respectively, and a controller configured to control the constant current supply and the variable resistors, wherein the controller adjusts the variable resistors and matches overall resistance of the respective LED arrays to maintain balance of a current thereof when one or more current values of measured current values of the LED arrays are in an abnormal range. |
| US09386648B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and methods for converting a bi-level lighting system to a dimmable lighting system
A dimmable lighting system may replace a bi-level lighting system without having to modify or supplement the existing wiring between a bi-level control unit and one or more light fixtures. The dimmable lighting system may include a dimming controller that may be configured to replace a bi-level control unit in situ (i.e., e.g., in a wall-mounted dual-gang switch box). The dimmable lighting system may also include a dimming driver that may be coupled to the dimming controller via the existing wiring of the bi-level lighting system. The dimming controller may output to the dimming driver a 0-10 volt DC dimming signal referenced to an AC utility voltage. In response, a dimmable lighting device coupled to the dimming driver may output light over a wide range of dimming light levels. Methods of replacing a bi-level lighting system with a dimmable lighting system are also provided, as are other aspects. |
| US09386646B2 |
Vehicle lamp and vehicle lamp driving device
There is provided a driving device which is used together with a light source including a plurality of light emitting units connected in series to configure a vehicle lamp. The driving device includes a current source which is configure to supply a drive current to the light source, and N bypass circuits which are provided in parallel to N light emitting units, respectively. Each of the bypass circuits includes a bypass transistor which is provided in parallel to a corresponding light emitting unit, a feedback capacitor which is provided between a gate and a drain of the bypass transistor, and a gate drive circuit which is configured to supply a drive voltage between the gate and a source of the bypass transistor according to a control signal. |
| US09386645B2 |
LED drive circuitry with disconnect switch
A circuit is described which allows an LED driver to be controlled by a control signal in such a manner that at a predetermined dimming level the output current goes to zero instead of continuing to indefinitely low dim levels, thus avoiding the possibility of flickering or shimmer at extremely low dim levels. An electronic circuit for driving an LED load with a conventional LED drive circuit has inputs connected to a power source and output terminals providing regulated output power including a load disconnect switch in series with the LED load which has a control node responsive to a control circuit; and a control input which commands varying levels of input power. The control circuit is configured to be responsive to the control input so that when the control input corresponds to a certain continuous level of dimming, the load disconnect switch is opened. |
| US09386641B2 |
Lighting dimmer synchronous load device
Method, apparatus and system for efficient driving a lighting means. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a synchronous load for a lighting system, wherein the lighting system is fed by an AC supply that is potentially produced by a dimmer. The synchronous load is configured to load the AC supply only if the AC supply is found to be actually produced by a dimmer. In this case, the loading period comprises only the times when the AC supply voltage is lower than a given threshold and when current oscillation occurs. |
| US09386639B2 |
White LED light emitting device driven directly by constant alternating current
The present invention discloses a white LED light emitting device driven directly by constant current in manner of being supplied with alternating current. N parallel branches, consisting of LED modules and constant current units which are in series connection with the LED modules, are connected to an output terminal of a rectification circuit, and by setting the current value, the turning-off voltage, and the turning-on voltage of the constant current unit of each branch, the periodic flickers generated due to changes in the voltage of the alternating current can be avoided. Because the current of each branch is constant, the changes in junction temperatures do not result in the current changing in LED, and the reliability is improved. Along with the increase of the number of the branches, the driving current waveform approximates a sine wave, and the power factor and the efficiency of the light emitting device are improved. |
| US09386637B2 |
Device and method for time multiplexing switchable optical elements for controllable lighting
Methods and apparatus f or electrically controlling a Iuminaire to alter it s appearance and illumination effects are disclosed. A luminaire (100) having a multiplexing controller controlling one or more LED light sources (110) and one or more electrically switchable optical elements (150). The light sources are switched between at least two illumination states and the optical elements are switched between at least two optical states during an illumination period. The switching sequence is fast enough not to be detected by an observer. As a result the lighting module or luminaire is perceived to have a substantially continuous light output. The multiplexing controller rapidly time sequences the states of light sources and switchable surfaces to produce visual changes to the luminaire and/or objects illuminated by the luminaire. |
| US09386631B2 |
Heater assembly
A television/space heater combination device for displaying image content and for heating air and method of using the same is presented. The television/space heater combination device includes a television, a space heater and, sometimes, a frame. The method of use includes activating the space heater; selecting a temperature value for the space heater; generating heat and distributing the same into a room from the space heater; activating the television; and displaying an image on a screen of the television while generating heat with the space heater. The displayed image may be an image of a wood or gas burning fireplace generated by a continuous video loop; or be images from regular television programming or images generated by data transmitted to the television by a remote computer. |
| US09386630B2 |
Device for taking control of resources in a communication network in order to insert traffic
A data management device for a communication installation including at least one base station having resources and at least one terrestrial node connected to a core network and to the base station to control its resources via an interface includes a control device coupled to a traffic source and to the interface and able to take local control, on command, of at least a portion of the resources of the base station, instead of the node, to enable transfer of data between the traffic source and the base station. |
| US09386629B2 |
Wireless access point device and wireless network system with the same
There is provided a configuration in an access point managed by a management device for dealing with a situation in which management by the management device is no longer possible. An access point 3 includes a controller 30 that controls the operation of the access point 3, and a management status detector 32 that detects the management status by a management device 2. The controller 30 changes the operation of the access point 3 by validating or invalidating an SSID according to the detecting result of the management status. |
| US09386628B2 |
Conversion of mobile device to LAN-only telephony functions
A system and method implemented at a communication device for providing access to telephony services over one or more of a number of communication networks, including cellular networks and IP-based fixed and wireless networks. A mobile device may be configurable for voice communication over both a cellular network and a LAN (e.g. a wireless LAN), and may be adapted to place and receive calls via a PBX over one of the cellular network and the LAN. When it is determined that the mobile device is configured for voice communication using one or both of the cellular network connection and the LAN connection, the mobile device may automatically adapt its user interface to reflect the availability of voice communication only over those connections that are available. |
| US09386626B1 |
Idle mode operations in multi-subscriber identity module (SIM) mobile communication devices during a voice call
Various embodiments include methods implemented on a mobile communication device for sharing network information among subscriptions when a first subscription is in a voice call and a second subscription is in an idle mode. The methods may include determining whether the first subscription and the second subscription share a network operator and are camped on a same base station. If so, the first subscription may receive network information from the base station and store the network information in a shared memory of the mobile communication device that can be accessed by the second subscription. The second subscription may then perform some idle mode operations using the network information stored in the shared memory. |
| US09386621B2 |
System and method of improving circuit-switched fallback performance
Circuit-switched fallback (CSFB) is a technique to deliver voice-services to a mobile, when the mobile is camped in a long-term evolution (LTE) network. This may be required when the LTE network does not support voice services natively. If a user makes a mobile originating (MO) call, or receives a mobile terminating (MT) call, the UE may inform the LTE network that the UE is leaving for the call by initiating a call setup procedure. However, there may be instances where the call setup procedure may fail. If the call setup procedure was either not initiated, or was initiated but failed, the UE may determine to search for a suitable CS RAT/cell on its own without instructions/commands from the network. Therefore, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for the UE to find CS services based on information collected at the UE. |
| US09386620B1 |
Method and apparatus of providing emergency communication services
Disclosed is an electrical device and method of automatically searching for and connecting to known or unknown available public communication infrastructure and/or devices in the vicinity using a multi-layer communication model. Each layer may include binding information for local available communication methods and shareable hardware devices, a routing table, and, if applicable, one or more logon profiles for service providers. Communication layers may be built by searching for available public communication infrastructure and/or devices in the vicinity by actively sending out connection requests to all addressable destinations along the available transport medium. Each node is able to access and use the communication infrastructure of each other node. Switching between layers as they become inoperable and/or become available without any user interaction required is also possible. |
| US09386619B2 |
Method of handling a cell addition for dual connectivity and related communication device
A method of handling a cell addition for dual connectivity in a communication system comprising a communication device, a first base station and a second base station, the communication device being connected to the first base station is disclosed. The method is utilized in the first base station and comprises transmitting a request message to the second base station, for requesting a cell addition for the communication device; receiving a response message comprising system information of a cell of the second base station from the second base station in response to the request message; and transmitting a first radio resource control (RRC) message comprising the system information to the communication device, after receiving the response message. |
| US09386615B2 |
Adaptive paging procedure for a call terminating via a wireless local area network
A system may receive call setup information associated with a call to be received by a terminating device via a particular untrusted wireless local area network (WLAN). The system may determine location information, associated with the terminating device, based on receiving the call setup information. The location information may include information that identifies the particular untrusted WLAN to which the terminating device is connected. The system may provide the call setup information to the terminating device via the particular untrusted WLAN. The call setup information may be provided to the terminating device based on the location information associated with the terminating device and may be provided to cause a tunnel to be created. The tunnel, when created, may allow the terminating device to receive the call via the particular untrusted WLAN. The system may cause the call to be received by the terminating device via the tunnel and the particular untrusted WLAN. |
| US09386614B2 |
Apparatus and method for optimizing data-path in mobile communication network
A method for optimizing a data-path by a source Base Station (BS) in a mobile communication network includes determining whether a tunnel among new BSs is set up while tracking a data-flow for a Mobile Station (MS), if the tunnel among the new BSs is set up, determining whether there is a bounce-back, if there is at least one bounce-back, transmitting a first message for detecting a root of an arbitrary bounce-back among the at least one bounce-back and setting up a short-cut tunnel to other end of the arbitrary bounce-back, and after transmitting the first message, receiving a second message including bounce-back root information indicating the root of the arbitrary bounce-back from the other end of the arbitrary bounce-back. Other various embodiments including a source BS, a target BS, and a backhaul network are also disclosed. |
| US09386610B2 |
Periodic high power beacon broadcasts
Described herein are systems, methods and computer program products for controlling operation of wireless beacons, such as Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. Multiple beacons may be controlled centrally or may work together in a cooperative fashion such that signals can be exchanged between or repeated by beacons in order to allow for signals received at one beacon to reach another beacon without requiring further central interaction. Power settings of beacons may be altered to change power consumption or to change a detectable range of the beacons. |
| US09386605B2 |
Mobile dynamic mesh cluster bridging method and apparatus at incident scenes
A mobile dynamic mesh cluster bridging method and a mobile device include scanning various wireless channels at an incident scene to identify one or more nodes transmitting a given network identifier; determining a first cluster of the one or more identified nodes are not in communication with a second cluster of the one or more nodes; determining a location for bridging the first cluster and the second cluster; and causing a bridging function to be deployed at the location to provide communication between the first cluster and the second cluster. |
| US09386604B2 |
Random access mechanism for a wireless device and base station
A wireless device receives control message(s) comprising parameters of a plurality of cell groups and a pathloss reference for each secondary cell. The wireless device transmits uplink signals in a first secondary cell in a secondary cell group. Transmission power of the uplink signals is determined employing a received power of the pathloss reference assigned to the first secondary cell. Timing of the uplink signals in the secondary cell group employs a synchronization signal on an active secondary cell in the secondary cell group as a timing reference. |
| US09386603B2 |
Random access method, base station, and user equipment
The present invention provides a random access method, a base station, and a user equipment. The method includes: obtaining, by the UE, a PRACH sequence; and sending, by the UE, the PRACH sequence to the base station to perform random access, and carrying first information when sending the PRACH sequence so that the base station receives the first information in a random access process. In the technical solutions of the present invention, the UE sends the first information in the random access process, which improves transmission efficiency of the first information. The present invention is particularly applicable to services of small packets. |
| US09386596B2 |
Enhanced packet service for telecommunications
A packet service enhancement mode (60) and packet service enhancer (35) is provided for operating a packet channel (25) existing over an air interface (27) between a base station node and a user equipment unit of a telecommunications network. As one aspect of the technology, a packet service enhancement method comprises performing a monitoring of a radio link connection carried by the packet channel and, in accordance with the monitoring, both modifying an operational parameter for the packet channel and dropping non-consecutive packets from the packet channel. |
| US09386592B2 |
Method and device for managing communications in a wireless network, method for setting up a second communication, corresponding computer program product and storage means
A method is proposed for managing communications in a wireless network in which a first communication is set up or established on a plurality of carriers between a first sender device and a receiver device, the network comprising a set of at least one second sender device for which a second communication has to be established simultaneously with said first communication.Such a method comprises steps of: allocating a set comprising at least one carrier among said plurality of carriers to each second sender device; obtaining (, for each second sender device, a level of reception power of a predetermined signal sent by said second sender device on the set of carrier(s) that have been allocated to it; estimating a rate of disturbance of said first communication by one said or several said second communications as a function of the power level(s) obtained for the second sender device(s); authorizing the second sender device(s), for which the estimated rate(s) of disturbance is or are below a predefined threshold, to set up a said second communication on the plurality of carriers. |
| US09386589B2 |
Resource managing method, resource management device and apparatus for supporting operation of a radio communication network
The present invention relates to a method to be carried out by a network support apparatus for managing resources of the apparatus, a method for managing resources of a network node, an apparatus for supporting the operation of a network and a resource management device, which particularly enable the determination of load at the apparatus or network node to allow more resource efficient scheduling of PM functions. The method carried out by the network support apparatus for managing resources comprises determining a load at the network support apparatus based on the number of events generated by recordings activated by at least one performance management function in a time period; comparing the determined load with a threshold load smaller than or equal to the maximum load supported by the network support apparatus; and performing a resource management procedure according to the result of the comparing step. |
| US09386588B2 |
Power headroom calculation apparatus and a power headroom calculation method
Provided are a base station apparatus and a communication method that can preclude the recognition mismatch in which the reference formats of different UL grants are recognized between a wireless communication terminal apparatus and the base station apparatus by using power headroom (PHR) calculation. For the PHR calculation of a PUSCH in a CC in which no UL grant is present, a UL grant, which was used for calculating the PHR in another CC having the same subframe number as the PUSCH, is used. For example, as to a subframe number=#1, the UL grant of CC #0 is used for calculating the PHR of CC #2 in which no UL grant is present. |
| US09386584B2 |
Inter-frame spacing duration for sub-1 gigahertz wireless networks
Systems and methods of performing communication via a sub-1 gigahertz wireless network are disclosed. Values of one or more inter-frame spacing parameters for use in communication via the sub-1 gigahertz wireless network are also defined. The parameters may include a short inter-frame spacing (SIFS) time of 160 microseconds (μs). The parameters may also include a clear channel assessment (CCA) time of 40 μs. Additional parameters, such as air propagation time are also defined (e.g., for inclusion into a standard, such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ah). |
| US09386581B2 |
Television high throughput communication
Systems and methods of performing communication via television high throughput (TVHT) bandwidth channels are disclosed. Values of one or more physical layer parameters for use in communication via TVHT parameters are also defined. A short inter-frame spacing (SIFS) time is 120 microseconds (μs) for a 6 megahertz (MHz) or a 7 MHz bandwidth channel, and is 90 μs for an 8 MHz bandwidth channel. The parameters also include a clear channel assessment (CCA) time of 15 μs for a 6 MHz or 7 MHz bandwidth channel and 11.25 μs for an 8 MHz bandwidth channel. Additional parameters, such as compliance with a spectral flatness constraint, transmit center frequency tolerance, symbol clock frequency tolerance, transmitter center frequency leakage, transmitter constellation error, and non-HT duplicate transmission are also defined (e.g., for inclusion into a standard, such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11af). |
| US09386577B2 |
Mobile communication system
In a mobile communication system according to the present invention, with the separate use of a plurality of component carriers or with the use of a carrier set including the plurality of component carriers aggregated, a base station performs radio communication with a user equipment corresponding to the component carrier or a user equipment corresponding to the aggregated carriers. In particular, in a case where the base station performs radio communication with the user equipment corresponding to the aggregated carriers with the use of the aggregated carriers, each of a plurality of transport blocks created by dividing a transport channel is transmitted per each of the plurality of component carriers constituting the aggregated carriers, and control information related to radio communication between the base station and the user equipment corresponding to the aggregated carriers is transmitted such that physical information of the corresponding component carrier is identifiable. |
| US09386573B2 |
Communication device and SRS transmission control method
Provided are a communication device and an SRS transmission method capable of reducing the possibility of a difference in recognition between the presence or absence of an SRS transmission between a base station and a terminal or of an SRS resource so as to prevent degradation of system throughput. At a terminal (200), a reception processing unit (203) detects control information indicating whether or not to request transmission of a sounding reference signal (SRS), whereupon a transmission signal forming unit (207) transmits an A-SRS by way of control by a transmission control unit (206) on the basis of control information. The transmission control unit (206) determines whether or not to execute SRS transmission on the basis of an “SRS Transmission Execution Rule” and the reception status of trigger information. |
| US09386570B2 |
Method for transmitting an SRS-triggering-based SRS in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method and terminal apparatus which involve transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS)-triggering-based SRS in a wireless communication system. The terminal apparatus of the present invention comprises a receiver which receives, from a base station, an SRS-triggering indicator for triggering an SRS transmission; and a transmitter which transmits the SRS via a preconfigured uplink subframe in accordance with the SRS-triggering indicator. |
| US09386566B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program for controlling a user equipment
A user equipment (UE) has established a first radio link with a serving network node and a second device-to-device (D2D) radio link directly with another user equipment (UE). In response to having D2D data to send to the other UE over the D2D radio link, the UE sends to the serving network node on the first link a request for radio resources for a layer 1 (L1) control channel; and in response to an assignment of D2D resources by the serving network node in reply to that request, the UE sends on the assigned D2D resources to the other UE the D2D data and the L1 control channel. In one example the request includes an indication of the UE's link adaptation for the L1 control channel such as format for a PDCCH or ePDCCH and/or aggregation level. |
| US09386562B2 |
Method and apparatus for signaling in digital radio systems
A method of transmitting at least one data stream by a transmitter in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes generating a preamble section including signaling information and a data section including at least one data stream; generating a frame including the preamble section and the data section; and transmitting the generated frame, wherein the signaling information includes first information including information related to the at least one data stream. |
| US09386558B2 |
Radio channel utilization
The concepts relate to radio channel utilization and more specifically to determining whether individual radio channels are available for use. One example can obtain a signal on a radio channel. The example can identify that the signal is an occurrence of a licensed use when a power level exceeds a threshold. The example can also determine that the signal is not the occurrence of the licensed use when the power level of the signal and a phase of the signal do not match an expected power level and an expected phase of the occurrence of the licensed use. |
| US09386557B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting broadcast and multicast services in a wireless communication system
Techniques for support broadcast and multicast services in a wireless communication system are described. In an aspect, a transmitter (e.g., a Node B) sends configuration information conveying a mapping of long service identifiers (IDs) to short service IDs for advertised services. The transmitter also sends scheduling information conveying a mapping of short service IDs to radio resources used for scheduled services in the current scheduling period. The short service IDs reduce the amount of scheduling information to send. In another aspect, the transmitter sends information identifying services being transmitted and services being advertised but not transmitted. Receivers (e.g., UEs) may use this information to determine whether or not to send requests for services of interest. In yet another aspect, the transmitter sends configuration information for services being advertised but not transmitted. This may allow the transmitter to start these services quicker when requested by the receivers. |
| US09386555B2 |
Positioning of a wireless device
Techniques for supporting positioning are described. In an example implementation, a method of positioning may be provided which comprises, at a mobile station, receiving at least one signal from a transmitter device. Here, the received signal may comprise an identity of the transmitter device. The mobile station may send an identity of the transmitter device to a location server, and receive one or more positioning assistance messages from the location server, wherein the one or more positioning assistance messages are generated in response to the identity of the transmitter device. The mobile station may subsequently perform positioning based at least in part on the one or more positioning assistance messages received from the location server. |
| US09386554B2 |
Method of providing location update messages and paging messages in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method of operating an idle mobile unit that is capable of communicating with first and second wireless communication systems. One embodiment of the method includes providing a location update message in response to the idle mobile unit transitioning from a first tracking area associated with the second wireless communication system to a second tracking area associated with the second wireless communication system. The first and second wireless communication systems are capable of paging the idle mobile unit following the location update message. |
| US09386552B2 |
Wireless sensor time synchronization
A method including running a local low frequency clock in a node in a network during a battery conserving sleep mode, waking from the sleep mode at a time boundary determined by the low frequency clock, updating a representation of a master time based on a calculation and the time boundary, advancing the representation of master time based on a local high frequency clock while the node is awake, receiving a time synchronization signal from a node in the network, updating the calculation based on a difference between the representation of master time and a time provided in the time synchronization signal, setting a new time boundary, and returning to the sleep mode. |
| US09386550B2 |
Tandem satellite frame synchronization
Systems and methods are described synchronizing communications frames and their respective time slots for satellite communications architectures having multiple satellites in the same orbital slot in such a way that addresses inter-satellite inter-beam interference. In some embodiments, the first and second satellites communicate with a respective number of ground terminals (e.g., gateway and user terminals) according to first and second satellite time slots, respectively. The satellites maintain relative positions in their orbital slot to manifest a maximum path delay difference between first and second path delays, the first path delay being between the first ground terminals and the first satellite, and the second path delay being between the first ground terminals and the second satellite. A synchronization system can offset the first satellite time slots from the second satellite time slots as a function of the maximum path delay difference. |
| US09386546B2 |
Uplink noise minimization
A method of controlling uplink signal power in a distributed antenna system includes monitoring a noise condition of an uplink signal path in the distributed antenna system and determining the noise contribution from the distributed antenna system that is presented to the base station. The receive noise floor of the base station is determined. The determined noise contribution and receive noise floor are unlisted. Based on the evaluation, the uplink gain that is applied to uplink signals from the distributed antenna system to a base station is adjusted. |
| US09386545B2 |
Power control of physical uplink control channel for long term evolution -advanced time division duplex
Methods and apparatus are directed towards controlling power of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) format 1b for advanced time division duplex. If HARQ-ACK bundling is not applied, then nHARQ associated with the PUCCH is determined based on a number of received transport blocks and SPS release physical downlink control channels in subframes i-km. If HARQ-ACK bundling is applied and a number of assigned resource blocks equal to 2, then nHARQ associated with the PUCCH is determined based on a number of received physical downlink shared channels (PDSCH) and semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) release physical downlink control channels (PDCCH) in the subframes i-km. |
| US09386542B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating transmit power of a wireless device
The present disclosure sets forth a method for tracking path loss in which a monitoring device issues a series of power step commands and transmit power requests to a reporting device, receives transmit power data in response to the transmit power requests, and creates a data structure (e.g., a table) that maps the number of steps (e.g., number of steps increased or decreased) of the power step commands with the reported transmit powers. This process is performed during the initial connection between the monitoring device and the reporting device. |
| US09386541B2 |
Self calibration of downlink transmit power
Transmit power (e.g., maximum transmit power) may be defined based on the maximum received signal strength allowed by a receiver and a total received signal strength from transmitting nodes at the receiver. Transmit power may be defined for an access node (e.g., a femto node) such that a corresponding outage created in a cell (e.g., a macro cell) is limited while still providing an acceptable level of coverage for access terminals associated with the access node. An access node may autonomously adjust its transmit power based on channel measurement and a defined coverage hole to mitigate interference and perform a self-calibration process. |
| US09386538B2 |
Method and device for controlling transmission power in wireless communication system
In an embodiment according to the present invention, a method of controlling transmission power by a terminal in a wireless communication system includes: receiving information on a change in transmission power in a first time section; and estimating path attenuation and performing up-link transmission power control by using the estimated path attenuation, wherein if the estimation of the path attenuation is performed in a second time section following the first time section, information on the change in transmission power is considered when estimating the path attenuation. |
| US09386536B2 |
Adapting output power of a radio transmitter
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving radio transmissions between a mobile device located inside an enclosed structure and an outside radio network. A relay or repeater is used to relay transmissions back and forth between the inside mobile device and the outside radio network. The transmission power of the relay/repeater used to transmit signals to the mobile device and that of the mobile device used to communicate with the relay/repeater can be dynamically adjusted in accordance with the penetration loss of the enclosed structure. |
| US09386534B2 |
Mode selection and transmit power management for multimode small cells
Described herein are techniques for mode selection and power management for multimode small cells. For example, the technique may involve taking measurements, at the access point, of a macro cell in a vicinity of the access point. The technique may involve managing power or resources of a first RAT and a second RAT based on the measurements, wherein the power of at least one of the first RAT or second RAT is associated with coverage area of the macro cell. |
| US09386533B2 |
Signal transmission method and apparatus of multi-antenna base station
A signal transmission method and apparatus of a base station is provided for increasing transmit power by compensating a phase value of the signal transmitted through multiple antennas based on signal reception status information fed back from a terminal in a wireless communication system. The signal transmission method includes transmitting a signal to at least one terminal through the multiple antennas; receiving signal reception status information transmitted by the at least one terminal; calculating a compensation phase based on the signal reception status information; applying the compensation phase to next signal to be transmitted through the multiple antennas; and transmitting the next signal to the at least one terminal through the multiple antennas. |
| US09386531B2 |
Outer loop power control for wireless communications
A base station configured for outer loop power control receives an uplink dedicated channel transmission from a wireless transmit/receive unit. The base station transmits transmit power control commands in response to the received uplink channel transmission and determines if the wireless transmit/receive unit is in a discontinuous transmission mode. The base station adjusts a target SIR based on which transmission mode for the wireless transmit/receive unit is detected. The value for the transmit power control command is derived from the adjusted target SIR. |
| US09386525B2 |
Method of handling transferring from energy-consuming mode to energy-saving mode and related communication device
A method of handling a transferring from an energy-consuming mode to an energy-saving mode for a communication device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting or receiving a first message of an upper protocol layer; deferring the transferring, if the communication device determines that a second message of the upper protocol layer corresponding to the first message is going to be transmitted or received; and advancing the transferring, if the communication device determines that no message corresponding to the first message is going to be transmitted or received. |
| US09386524B2 |
Discontinuous reception operation with additional wake-up opportunities
The invention relates to methods for improving the DRX operation of a UE by introducing an additional DRX wake-up cycle, which runs in parallel to the short and/or long DRX cycle. The DRX wake-up cycle defines time intervals after which the UE starts monitoring the PDCCH for a wake-up duration of time; the UE does not perform any other operation during the wake-up duration apart from monitoring the PDCCH. The time intervals of the wake-up cycle between the wake-up durations are preferably shorter than the one of the DRX long cycle, and may have the same or a shorter length than the ones of the DRX short cycle. The wake-up duration may be as long as the on-duration of the DRX short/long cycle, or may be preferably much shorter, such as only one or a few subframes. |
| US09386519B1 |
Method and apparatus for transitioning a first processor of an access point between power modes based on communication between a client device and a second processor of the access point
An access point including a first processor and a network device. The network device is separate from the first processor. The first processor transitions between first and second power modes. The network device includes a second processor and first and second interfaces. The second processor, while the first processor is in the second power mode, (i) causes the second interface to transmit a beacon, or (ii) receives a probe request from a client device. The second interface, while the first processor is in the second power mode, (i) transmits a probe response over a wireless local area network to the client device based on the beacon or the probe request, and (ii) receives an authentication frame from the client device based on the probe response. The second processor, in response to the authentication frame, signals the first processor via the first interface to transition to the first power mode. |
| US09386515B2 |
User preference and network policy based radio link selection
In embodiments, apparatuses, methods, and storage media may be described for presenting, by a user equipment (UE), a parameter of a network policy to a user, and receiving an indication of the user preference related to that parameter of the network policy. In response to receiving the indication, the UE may select one or more radio links with which the UE should communicatively couple based on the user preference and the network policy. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09386510B2 |
Systems and methods for deploying, controlling, and managing wireless communication equipment
Systems and methods are provided for analyzing radio frequency (RF) data. RF data is received from one or more RF sensors, wherein the RF data is collected over a particular frequency range and resolution bandwidth. One or more frequencies not in use are determined based on the RF data and a signal level threshold. One or more recommended frequencies for use are calculated based on the one or more open frequencies and an intermodulation function, wherein each of the one or more recommended frequencies reduces a potential for intermodulation distortion than other frequencies in the frequency range. |
| US09386508B2 |
Information providing system, information providing apparatus and information providing method
The information providing system according to the embodiment includes a wireless LAN access point and an information providing apparatus. The wireless LAN access point detects a wireless terminal existing in a wireless LAN communication area to transmit the detection information to the information providing apparatus. The information providing apparatus determines either the wireless LAN access point or a wireless WAN base station, on the basis of information on a user of a wireless terminal specified according to the detection information and/or the information on an installation location of the wireless LAN access point, as a communication medium that notifies the notification information. |
| US09386503B2 |
Routing of long-lived traffic when using sipto
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for routing traffic in a packet data network (PDN). A method includes determining whether the mobile device has an active long-lived data traffic session over an original PDN connection between the mobile device and a first PDN gateway (P-GW); if the mobile device has an active long-lived data traffic session, then routing any new long-lived data traffic session over the original PDN connection; and if the mobile device does not have an active long-lived data traffic session, then routing any new long-lived data traffic session over a location-based PDN connection established based at least in part on a current location of the mobile device. In other words, the mobile device initiates and maintains all long-lived data sessions (for which service continuity is essential) to only one PDN connection. |
| US09386501B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing customized routing in a modularized processing environment
A facility for customizable routing in a modularized routing environment is provided, where the complexities of routing functionality are not exposed to an application program. An identifier associated with a routing policy of an application program is used to configure a route table and to obtain routing instructions from the route table that are associated with the identifier. Routing is performed according to a message routing protocol, such as the Diameter protocol, for example. An interface between the facility and the application program may be implemented with an API that provides a relatively simple interface. |
| US09386497B1 |
Managing a wireless data communication session
An application requirement is identified of a wireless device in communication with an access node using a first radio access technology, and a probability is determined that a communication session of the wireless device using the first radio access technology will be dropped based on a wireless device mobility and characteristics of a plurality of neighbor access nodes of the access node. A handover threshold is calculated based on the application requirement and the determined probability, and when a signal level of the first radio access technology received at the wireless device meets the handover threshold, the wireless device is instructed to change from communicating with the access node using the first radio access technology to communicating with the access node using the second radio access technology. |
| US09386495B2 |
Apparatus and method for supporting personal networking in mobile communication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for supporting personal networking by a personal server in a mobile communication system. A request is received from a mobile station. A current position of the mobile station and a required QoS are registered in response to a request of the mobile station. When a handover is made from a resource management system of a service provider B to a resource management system of a service provider A, movement of a user agent to the resource management system of the service provider A is requested based on the current position of the mobile station and the required QoS. When the movement of the user agent is completed, a user information update request is received for updating a result of a QoS negotiation by the required QoS, and information on a selected access network, from the resource management system of the service provider A. |
| US09386493B2 |
Physical-layer-based handover method, apparatus and system
The embodiments of the present invention provide a physical-layer-based handover method. The method includes: generating handover signaling, where the handover signaling carries a signaling type identifier and a destination identifier that are used for handover, and the handover signaling is an HS-SCCH order or specific HS-SCCH signaling; and sending the handover signaling to a physical layer of a mobile terminal, so that the mobile terminal executes handover according to the handover signaling to be handed over to a small cell indicated by the destination identifier. A handover method based on a network side physical layer and a mobile terminal physical layer is provided, and even if cell IDs of a macro cell and a small cell or those of small cells are the same, handover of the mobile terminal can be implemented. |
| US09386488B2 |
Method for implementing autonomous management of radio resources across dual networks
Managing radio resources across dual networks includes a wireless mobile device connecting to a first wireless network using a first radio access technology. The wireless device may notify the first network of a capability to be temporarily non-responsive to the first network while maintaining a signaling connection to the first network. The wireless device may communicate with a second network. The wireless device may return to communicating with the first network subsequent to communicating with the second network, and in response to communicating with the second network for less than a predetermined amount of time, the wireless device may send a scheduling request to the first network. In response to receiving a grant acknowledgement from the first network, the wireless device may send a buffer status report that includes a value such as zero to indicate that the wireless device has returned to and can communicate with the first network. |
| US09386486B2 |
Machine type communication monitoring framework for 3GPP systems
A 3GPP monitoring architecture framework provides monitoring event configuration, detection, and reporting for machine-type and other mobile data applications using a machine type communication interworking function (MTC-IWF) that communicates monitoring event configuration, detection, and reporting messages through existing interfaces, such as Tsp, T4, and T5 interfaces. |