| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09481229B2 |
Protection device for a vehicle interior
A protection device for a vehicle interior having a flexible planar formation movable between stored rest and tensioned protection positions. The formation is provided at a front end region in a tensioning direction with a dimensionally stable draw-out profile member guided between the rest and protection positions by at least one guide arrangement. The draw-out profile member includes a longitudinal compensator to compensate for deviations between movement directions of the guide arrangement and the draw-out profile member. The guide arrangement has at least one linearly guided carrier element, and the draw-out profile member includes an undercut compensation groove which extends in the longitudinal direction of the draw-out profile member and which is open towards the carrier. The carrier comprises a longitudinally displaceable sliding or rolling element which is retained in a positive-locking manner in the receiving groove in the opening direction of the compensation groove. |
| US09481226B2 |
Vehicular air-conditioning system including a temperature-dependent control cycle
A vehicular air-conditioning system includes: a vehicle interior air-conditioning apparatus which includes a device cooling circuit of a heat generating device mounted in a vehicle, and a refrigeration cycle circuit; and an intermediate heat exchanger for heat exchange between a device cooling medium of the device cooling circuit and an air-conditioning cooling medium of the refrigeration cycle circuit. A vehicle control apparatus is configured to determine a temperature of the cooling medium, and select a shorter control cycle timing of the vehicular air-conditioning system when the temperature of the cooling medium is greater than a predetermined temperature. |
| US09481224B2 |
Active airflow outlet for a vehicle and method
An active airflow outlet for a vehicle and method for facilitating airflow through an active airflow outlet are provided. The active airflow outlet may operate in one of a static mode and an active mode. The active airflow outlet may include a motor, a gear assembly, a plurality of vent blades, and at least one control mechanism. The gear assembly may be operatively connected to the motor and the plurality of vent blades. The plurality of vent blades may be capable of occupying one of an open position and a closed position. The at least one control mechanism may be configured to signal the plurality of vent blades to rotate from the closed position to the open position and signal the motor to rotate the gear assembly and the plurality of vent blades in the active mode to facilitate additional airflow through the active airflow outlet. |
| US09481221B2 |
Passive and active suspension with optimization of energy usage
A hydraulic actuator includes a shock absorber and a control system that is separate from the shock absorber and which generates damping loads for the hydraulic actuator. The control system generates the damping load by using a pair of variable valves, a pair of check valves, an accumulator, a pump/motor and a flow controller. The forces are generated in all four quadrants of compression/rebound and active/passive. A device which recuperates the energy generated by the hydraulic actuator can be incorporated into the hydraulic actuator to generate energy in the form of electrical energy. |
| US09481220B2 |
Method for producing a transverse member
The disclosure relates to a method for producing a transverse member having a securable ball joint receiving member from a transverse member having an integral ball joint receiving member. The transverse member is the kind used for connecting a vehicle wheel to a vehicle structure. The method comprises providing a transverse member having an integral ball joint receiving member, separating the integral ball joint receiving member from the transverse member, and connecting a securable ball joint receiving member to the transverse member to replace the removed integral ball joint receiving member. This method may be performed to correct the position and orientation of a ball joint as provided by the integral ball joint receiving member or to further utilize a production tool that already produces a transverse member with an integral ball joint receiving member. |
| US09481219B2 |
Vehicle assembly for propulsion over water and land
A vehicle (20) consisting of a frame (22) with a pair of paddles (72) extending longitudinally and rotatably supported by the frame (22) in pendulum fashion for swinging movement between an extended position engaging the surface and a retracted position moved vertically out of engagement with the surface. A pair of foot platforms (74) are operatively connected to the paddles (72). A pair of depressors (84) interconnects the foot platforms (74) and the paddles (72) to rotate the paddles (72) between the extended position and the retracted position. The paddles (72) include a propulsion bar (86) and an oar (88) connected by a lost-motion connection to slide relative to one another between the extended position and the retracted position. The oars (88) have a fin-shape to propel the vehicle (20) over water and include a striker (90) to propel the vehicle (20) over land. The vehicle (20) allows movement over a surface of water and land using an elliptical motion similar to the natural motion of walking. |
| US09481218B2 |
Dual trailer system and convertible trailer adaptable thereto
The dual trailer system adapted to be towed by a pick-up truck having a fifth wheel on a bed thereof, the dual trailer system comprising: a lead trailer having a wheeled frame with a gooseneck-mounted kingpin at a front end thereof, for coupling to the fifth wheel of the pick-up truck, and a lead trailer fifth wheel at the rear of the lead trailer; a tail trailer having a wheeled frame with a tail trailer kingpin at a front end thereof, the primary trailer hitch having a kingpin matching the lead trailer fifth wheel for attachment thereto. The lead trailer can have an extendible portion at the rear to allow selectively extending and retracting the fifth wheel for use together with or independently from the tail trailer, and the tail trailer can also be usable independently from the lead trailer such as by way of an additional coupler which can also be provided on an extendible frame. |
| US09481217B2 |
Method for generating tire model
In a computerized method for generating a finite element model of a pneumatic tire provided in the tread portion with a zero-degree band, a 2D tire model is firstly generated based on the finished tire shape in a tire vulcanization mold, where the 2D tire model includes a 2D model of a band ply. Secondary, a residual stress is computed and defined on each element of the band ply model. Then, a deformation calculation is made on the 2D tire model to obtain the deformed 2D tire model. Finally, a 3D tire model is generated by duplicating the 2D tire model around the tire rotational axis. |
| US09481215B2 |
Air pressure control system
A system for controlling bicycle tire air pressure on the go is provided. The system has a wheel mounted portion and a control unit in communication with one another. The wheel mounted portion attached to each wheel has a gas source, manifold, regulator to control air flow into and out of the tire, and a communication device. The control unit monitors air pressure in each tire, and has a user interface allowing input of a higher or lower tire pressure. Based on user input, the control unit instructs operation of the wheel mounted portion, controlling pressure within the tire. |
| US09481214B2 |
Vehicle hub unit and air pressure adjusting device
A vehicle hub unit that supports a wheel that attaches to a pneumatic tire and is attached to a joint and an air pressure adjusting device that has this vehicle hub unit, provided with a first air passage that is formed with a first opening in at least one location on a surface that attaches to the wheel, is attached to pneumatic piping of the joint that supplies air, and supplies air from the first opening to the wheel; and a second air passage that is formed with a second opening in at least one location on a surface that attaches to the wheel, is attached to pneumatic piping of the joint that exhausts air of the joint, and collects air of the wheel from the second opening. |
| US09481212B2 |
Pneumatic tire
On the tread surface, land portions are defined by a pair of circumferential main grooves and divided, by circumferential narrow grooves 3 and multiple lateral grooves 4 connecting between the circumferential main groove and the circumferential narrow groove or between the circumferential narrow grooves, into block rows L each of which including polygonal blocks arranged in a tire circumferential direction, wherein a block arrangement having the polygonal blocks 5 arranged in a line-symmetric manner with respect to the tire equator as an axis of symmetry includes side regions R1, R2 facing each other across the tire equator C and displaced from each other in the tire circumferential direction by a phase difference of 0.2 to 0.4 times of a repetition pitch of a pattern of the block row. |
| US09481210B2 |
Pneumatic tire
Plural lug grooves are formed that extend from an outermost circumferential direction groove towards a tire equatorial plane side and are disposed sloped with respect to the tire equatorial plane at intervals along the tire circumferential direction. Arc shaped communication grooves are formed in segment land portions arising from a land portion being segmented in the tire circumferential direction by the lug grooves. The communication grooves communicate between the lug grooves adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction. |
| US09481207B2 |
Adjustable sleeve for rolling support device
A caster device includes a base attachable to a supported item, one or more rolling elements that interface with the base to facilitate rolling of the supported item along a support surface, and an external sleeve coupled to the base for adjustable vertical positioning of the external sleeve relative to the base. The external sleeve can be placed in a first vertical position relative to the base where the rolling element(s) do not contact the support surface, and in a second vertical position relative to the base where the rolling elements do contact the support surface. A rimguard may be rotatively coupled with the external sleeve so that as the external sleeve is rotated to the first vertical position, the bottom rim of the external sleeve rotates relative to a rimguard inner surface and a rimguard outer surface does not rotate relative to the support surface. |
| US09481204B1 |
Wheel rim
Various aspects of a wheel rim for use with agricultural equipment, such as an irrigation system are disclosed. In one example, the wheel rim includes first and second concentric rim plates separated by a distance, each of the first and second concentric rim plates having an outer surface. The wheel rim further includes a plurality of cross members spanning the distance. |
| US09481202B2 |
Plug for a tubeless bicycle wheel
A bicycle wheel is disclosed having a spoke, a nipple coupled to the spoke, and a rim coupled to the nipple and having an annular panel with inner and outer surfaces and an access hole. A plug is positioned over the access hole and includes a cap that is larger than the access hole, a leg extending from the cap and through the access hole, and a barb protruding radially from the leg to at least partially engage the inner surface of the annular panel. The plug can further include a resilient member compressed between the cap and the outer surface of the annular panel. On some rims, the annular panel has a non-planar contour. For these rims, the resilient member and/or the cap can be shaped to match the non-planar contour of the annular panel. |
| US09481201B2 |
Spoke with enhanced fatigue resistance
A spoke includes a spoke body that has two ends respectively forming a terminal section and the threaded section and includes a neck section arranged below the terminal section; a first flattened section set at a location below the neck section; and a second flattened section set at a location below the first flattened section in such a way that the second flattened section and the first flattened section are at different horizontal plane. In assembling the spoke body to a wheel hub and a wheel rim, the combination of the first flattened section and the second flattened section helps set the spoke body at a correct position and direction for assembly and force taking, whereby the first flattened section may absorb torsion and the second flattened section helps transfer tension and allows for change of the angle of bending. |
| US09481196B2 |
Popup displays for financial transaction cards
Foldable financial transaction card displays that include at least one popup member, methods of making such displays, and methods of promoting such displays. Some of the displays include folding members that are unitary with the popup members. |
| US09481195B1 |
Greeting card with dial activated audio
The greeting card of the present invention contains a user-interactive dial mechanism which can be manipulated to play different audio clips. The dial mechanism may be moveable, for example, between four different positions wherein moving the dial mechanism to each position triggers replay of a different audio clip at each of the four different positions. |
| US09481193B2 |
Apparatus and method for forming an image on a medium using a plurality of erasable materials
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a first image forming section configured to form an image on a recording medium with a non-erasable material, and a second image forming section configured to form an image on the recording medium with an erasable material. The image forming apparatus further comprises a control section configured to separate image data according to attributes of the image data into first image data to be printed on the recording medium in the first image forming section and second image data to be printed on the recording medium in the second image forming section. |
| US09481192B2 |
Thermal transfer recording sheet
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer recording sheet that enables high-chroma images to be formed, has a high color-developability that enables a wide color gamut to be achieved, and enables high-quality black images to be formed using process black. The thermal transfer recording sheet includes a base material, and a yellow dye layer including a yellow dye, a magenta dye layer including a magenta dye, and a cyan dye layer including a cyan dye that are disposed on the base material. The magenta dye, yellow dye, and cyan dye each contain specific compounds. |
| US09481188B2 |
Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus and liquid droplet ejecting method
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus executes multi-pass recording constituted of N scan passes including a scan pass for an outward path and a scan pass for a return path (N being an integer of 2 or more). When a proportion of executions of dot recording using a first liquid in each scan pass is made a first recording ratio, and a proportion of executions of dot recording using a second liquid in each pass is made a second recording ratio, the first recording ratio and the second recording ratio are set such that, in a first half of the N scan passes, a total ratio of the first recording ratio is larger than a total ratio of the second recording ratio, and in a second half of the N scan passes, a total ratio of the second recording ratio is larger than a total ratio of the first recording ratio. |
| US09481186B2 |
Automatically adjusting printing parameters using media identification
A method for automatically adjusting the setting(s) of a printer having a control circuit in communication with a sensory system and a database. The database is located in a storage medium and the data in the database includes one or more defined parameter settings corresponding to one or more media types. The sensory system is used to obtain a media identifier from media loaded into the printer. The control circuit determines the type of media from the media identifier. The media type is then compared to the database entries and used to retrieve any defined parameter setting(s) corresponding to the media type identified by the media identifier. Instructions to adjust the printer setting(s) according to the defined parameter setting(s) are determined at the control circuit. The control circuit then sends the instructions to the appropriate systems of the printer to adjusted the printer setting(s) according to the defined parameter setting(s). |
| US09481185B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes: a printing plate having a recessed portion formed therein shaped corresponding to a pattern to be formed on a substrate; an inking unit including an inkjet head that performs an inking process of ejecting a liquid into the recessed portion, the liquid having particles as a material of the pattern dispersed therein; a laminating unit that performs a laminating process of laminating the substrate on a surface having the recessed portion formed therein after the inking process; a post-drying unit that performs a drying process on the liquid inside the recessed portion in a state in which the substrate is laminated on the surface having the recessed portion formed therein, thereby to reduce the fluidity of the liquid; and a peeling unit that peels off the substrate from the printing plate after the drying process by the post-drying unit. |
| US09481184B2 |
Transfer printing method and apparatus
A printing method is provided that enables a high-quality transfer image to be obtained with simple steps. As a solution, a printing method according to the present invention includes an applying step of applying a latex ink onto a transfer medium 10 to form an ink applied surface, a heating step of heating the transfer medium 10 to increase the viscosity of the latex ink, a transfer step of contacting and transferring the latex ink on the transfer medium 10 to a printing target 15, and a drying step of drying the latex ink on the printing target 15. |
| US09481182B2 |
Liquid supplying device and liquid cartridge mountable therein
A liquid supplying device includes a liquid cartridge and a cartridge mounting unit having a liquid extraction tube. The liquid cartridge includes a liquid chamber, a valve chamber extending in a first direction away from the liquid chamber, first and second air channels, a seal member having a through-hole, a valve element having a closing part, first and second sealing parts and a liquid channel. A third sealing part is provided on the closing part or the liquid extraction tube. The liquid extraction tube entering into the valve chamber through the through-hole contacts the closing part, moving the valve element in a second direction opposite to the first direction from a first state where the closing part closes the through-hole, to a second state where the third sealing part closes the through-hole, and to a third state where the valve chamber is communicated with inside of the liquid extraction tube. |
| US09481180B2 |
Liquid container, liquid container unit, liquid ejecting system, and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid container is mountable on a mount portion in a state of being engaged into a first engaging portion with respect to a supporting portion. The liquid container includes a first wall including a first section mountable on the mount portion; a second wall facing the first wall; a third wall intersecting with the first wall and the second wall; a fourth wall which faces the third wall, and intersects with the first wall and the second wall; and a first engaged portion capable of being engaged into the first engaging portion, in which when a direction from the first wall to the second wall is defined as a Z-axis direction, the first engaged portion is projected to the side opposite to the second wall side from the first wall, and is capable of coming in contact with the first engaging portion in the Z-axis direction. |
| US09481178B2 |
Printing system with self-purge, sediment prevention and fumes removal arrangements
A printing head assembly with integrated purge mechanism is disclosed. The printing head assembly comprises: (a) a liquid dispensing head comprising one or more dispensing nozzles enclosed in a nozzle plate, driven by at least first and second pressures, and (b) a shielding mask including an opening in front of the one or more nozzles, wherein the opening being configured such that when printing liquid is dispensed from the head driven by the first pressure, the liquid being dispensed in pulses through the opening in the shielding mask, and (ii) when purge printing liquid is dispensed from the head driven by the second pressure, the liquid being drawn to a capillary gap formed between the shielding mask and the nozzle plate thereby removing the purge printing liquid from the nearby nozzles. |
| US09481171B2 |
Element substrate and liquid discharge head
An element substrate includes a discharge port that discharges a liquid, an energy-generating element that generates energy that discharges the liquid from the discharge port, an acting chamber that makes the energy of the energy-generating element act on the liquid, and a heating element including at least two heat generating surfaces that are exposed to the liquid inside the acting chamber, the heating element disposed inside the acting chamber. The element substrate further includes a substrate in which a supply port that supplies liquid to the acting chambers is formed. The heating element may be disposed such that the heat generating surfaces are spaced apart from the substrate. |
| US09481170B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
When printing is performed by discharging ink from a printing head onto a lenticular, a carriage motor is controlled such that a carriage is moved in a main scanning direction at a velocity which is slower than a movement velocity of the carriage at the time of performing a normal printing process with respect to a recording medium different from the lenticular as a recording paper and further separated from a home position, and the printing head is controlled such that an ink discharge having a color according to printing data is started with respect to an end portion of the lenticular, and thus the printing of one pass is started. Since the velocity is slower than the movement velocity of the carriage at the time of performing the normal printing process, it is possible to improve printing quality at the time of performing printing with respect to the lenticular. |
| US09481168B2 |
Device for detecting state of discharged liquid droplet and image-forming apparatus including the same
A device for detecting a state of a discharged liquid droplet includes a plurality of nozzles which is arranged in a width direction of a recording medium orthogonal to a feeding direction of the recording medium to discharge a liquid droplet toward the recording medium, a light emitter which is provided on one side of the recording medium in the width direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium, and a light receiver which is provided on the other side of the recording medium in the width direction, wherein the light emitter includes a light-emitting element, a condenser lens which condenses light from the light-emitting element to emit as a light beam, and an aperture stop member including an aperture opening through which the light beam passes. |
| US09481166B2 |
Piezoelectric element drive circuit and state detection method, and image recording device
Provided are a piezoelectric element drive circuit and state detection method, and an image recording device which realize state detection of a piezoelectric element inexpensively and with a suppressed circuit scale in a drive circuit for rapidly driving a large-capacity load that uses negative voltage drive. An output potential (VOUT) of a boost unit (BST) is detected in a state in which VS_AMP supplied to an amplification unit (AMP) is set to a voltage lower than a maximum rating of a transistor (FET1) by SW1, supply of VS_FET to the boost unit (BST) is blocked by SW2, and an individual electrode (28) of a piezoactuator (30) is pulled down to VS_FET via a resistor (R6). |
| US09481162B2 |
Three-dimensional shaped article manufacturing method
A three-dimensional shaped article manufacturing method with which a three-dimensional shaped article having a glossy texture can be manufactured stably and efficiently is provided. A three-dimensional shaped article manufacturing method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped article by laminating layers formed by discharging and curing inks including a curable resin, the method including: applying a substantive section-forming ink to a region that forms the three-dimensional shaped article, and applying a sacrificial layer-forming ink for forming a sacrificial layer to a region that is adjacent to a region that forms an outermost layer of the three-dimensional shaped article and on a surface side of the outermost layer, a viscoelasticity of the sacrificial layer-forming ink during curing of the substantive section-forming ink being not less than a viscoelasticity of the substantive section-forming ink during curing of the substantive section-forming ink. |
| US09481154B2 |
Method for producing laminate for configuring image display device, and image display device using the laminate
A method for producing a laminate for configuring an image display device is provided, capable of realizing simultaneously unevenness followability and anti-bubble reliability. A method for producing a laminate for configuring an image display device is proposed, comprising the following steps (1) and (2):(1) The step of forming an adhesive composition into the form of a monolayer or a multilayer sheet, and by UV-crosslinking, primary-curing this thereby forming a pre-secondary curing transparent double-sided adhesive sheet.(2) The step of layering two image display device-constituting members via the pre-secondary curing transparent double-sided adhesive sheet and then irradiating ultraviolet light from at least a first image display device-constituting member side, UV-crosslinking through this member and secondary-curing the pre-secondary curing transparent double-sided adhesive sheet. |
| US09481153B2 |
Method for producing leather parts
The invention relates to a method for producing leather parts (18), which can be processed using saddler technology, from prefabricated final leather (12) for the automotive field. The final leather is split in a splitting process (13) with the formation of a contiguous and closed thin leather hide (14) with a proportional thickness in relation to the final leather of from 15 to 50% and a split leather hide (15) with a proportional thickness of from 50 to 85%. The thin leather hide (14) is then cut to size in a die-cutting process with the formation of predefined thin leather blanks and is lined over the full area of its rear side with a complementary lining blank made from a textile, fibrous and/or foam material which is lighter in mass than leather. In principle, the split leather hide can also be trimmed, cut to size and optionally split to a desired thickness and lined with the formation of split leather parts (19) which can be processed using saddler technology. |
| US09481151B2 |
Method of producing an electrostatic field generator
The present invention relates generally to a method of producing an electrostatic field generating plate. More specifically, the method enables an electrostatic field generating plate to be produced made from PVC for a water purification system wherein the plate generates an electric field. |
| US09481150B2 |
Multilayer film
The present disclosure is directed to multilayer film having has an L* color less than 30 and a 60 degree gloss value less than 10. The multilayer film has a first polyimide layer and a second polyimide layer. The second polyimide layer has 25 to 50 wt % of a polyimide, 15 to 35 wt % of a polyimide particle matting agent, greater than 0 and less than 20 wt % of at least one submicron carbon black and 15 to 50 wt % of at least one submicron fumed metal oxide. |
| US09481149B2 |
Resin article
Provided is a resin article produced by melt processing and having layers formed by a layer-separation. The resin article may include a first resin layer, a second resin layer formed on the first resin layer and an interface layer including a first resin and a second resin and formed between the first resin layer and the second resin layer. The resin article may have improved mechanical and surface characteristics. Further, since coating or plating is not required for manufacturing a resin article, a manufacturing time and/or cost can be reduced, and productivity can be increased. |
| US09481140B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing cosmetics, comprising contents absorption step using absorbent
The apparatus for manufacturing cosmetics comprises the contents absorption step using an absorbent including: (1) a transfer table for transferring a cosmetic container, (2) a suction portion for sucking foreign matter inside an accommodation space of the cosmetic container, (3) a contents injection portion for injecting contents into the accommodation space, (4) an absorbent supply portion for injecting an absorbent into the accommodation space, (5) an absorbent press portion for repeatedly pressing the absorbent inside the accommodation portion, (6) an edge member supply portion for injecting an edge member for fixing the absorbent inside the accommodation space, and (7) an absorbent fixing portion for allowing the edge member to be fixed inside the accommodation space. |
| US09481137B2 |
Method for producing plastic lens
Provided is a method for producing a plastic lens, wherein, in molding a plurality of plastic lenses having different optical surface shapes simultaneously in a single mold 50, by designing cavities 3a and 3b such that each of the plastic lenses to be molded has the same volume, a plurality of plastic lenses having different optical surface shapes can be molded simultaneously in a single molding die without impairing the molding accuracy, and an injection compression molding apparatus used for such method. |
| US09481127B2 |
Method for producing a connection between composite parts
A method for joining together constructional parts which are made of a composite material and extend transversely to one another, such as a flange and a web of a profile, includes the steps of: placing the constructional parts in the desired position with respect to one another so as to form a connecting region in which one of the constructional parts abuts against or in proximity to the other constructional part, causing a thermoplastic material to flow out into the connecting region, fusing together the constructional parts under the influence of heat and pressure. |
| US09481123B2 |
Labeling device for a thermoforming system and method
The invention relates to a labeling device (10) for a thermoforming system (100) comprising: a supply device (11) for at least one label reel (12) having a plurality of labels (1); a first cutting device (26) for separating each label (1) from the at least one label reel (12); a preferably drum-like transfer device (45) for transferring each label (1) separated from the at least one label reel (12) to a mold (102, 103) of a molding tool (101) for producing a container (80), wherein the molding tool (101) comprises several molds (102, 103), and wherein all containers (80) can be produced in the respective molds (102, 103) in one manufacturing cycle by the molding tool (101). According to the invention, the first cutting device (26) is assigned to multiple molds (102, 103) of the molding tool (101) and a label feed device (35) is provided, said device feeding each label (1) separated from the at least one label reel (12) by the cutting device (26) to the transfer devices (45) of the molds (102, 103). |
| US09481120B2 |
Distiller grain production device
A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated and moving the treated material through a series of successive treatment zones. Rotatable screws are provided within an extruder to compress and transport the treated material a die. The treated material is pressed through the die while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material. |
| US09481119B2 |
Injection molding machines and methods for accounting for changes in material properties during injection molding runs
A method and a machine that account for changes in material properties of molten plastic material during an injection run. If viscosity of the molten plastic material changes during an injection run, a controller alters a step time of the injection cycle to ensure that molten plastic material completely fills and packs a mold cavity to prevent part flaws such as short shots or flashing. |
| US09481117B2 |
Manufacturing method of decorative molded article and decorative molded article
In a manufacturing method of a decorative molded article, in which a surface of a fiber-reinforced resin shaped product including carbon fibers in which some carbon fibers are contained in a form of carbon fiber bundle and a thermoplastic resin, is decorated in the mold, a decorative molded article having excellent surface smoothness and an excellent appearance is provided by controlling a pressure in the mold during cooling. |
| US09481113B2 |
Plant for making continuous elastic yarns made of silicone material
A plant for making continuous yarns (30) made of silicon material comprises at least an extrusion station (12), into which the material is introduced in an amorphous condition, and extrusion means (15) which cause the material to exit from the extrusion station (12) along an extrusion axis (D). The plant also comprises a vulcanization station (16), located downstream of the extrusion station (12), at a determinate distance (“L”) therefrom, in which the continuous yarn (30) is vulcanized in a direction of treatment (T). The plant also comprises a drawing unit (18), disposed downstream of the vulcanization station (16). |
| US09481105B2 |
System, method and apparatus for fabricating environmental masonry units
Masonry units, such a blocks, are fabricated in a sequential process, using improved mold structures, such as within a production corridor of a corresponding fabrication system. A compressible masonry feedstock or formulated material, which can be de-agglomerated before use, is filled within a block mold having releasable elements. The feedstock or formulated material is then compressed within the mold structure. The compressed workpiece can be further processed, such as for any of final height adjustment, the establishment of a surface feature, or to remove cores. The block mold, having releasable elements or sides, such as using hinges or springs, is released from the formed block, wherein the formed masonry unit can be removed for curing, and wherein the block mold can be reused to fabricate a subsequent masonry unit. |
| US09481103B2 |
Cutter for dividing a processed product using ultrasound energy and device
A cutter that is used for dividing a processed product using ultrasound energy. The cutter includes a blade that has least one blade wing, the blade wing narrows at a front side towards a cutting edge, and that is adjoined at a rear side by a blade back. The blade back has a first side surface and a second side surface opposing one another. A mounting surface is provided on the first side surface of the blade back, and on the mounting surface a first end piece of at least one curved, coupling element is welded, and a second end piece of the mounting surface has a connecting member that is connected to an energy converter that supplies ultrasound energy to the blade. |
| US09481102B1 |
Spacer for a cable tie tensioning and severing tool
A spacer may include a spacer body configured to be connected to a cable tie tensioning and severing tool, the cable tie tensioning and severing tool being configured for installation of a cable tie, the cable tie including a head and an elongated tail extending from the head, wherein the spacer is configured to space the head of the cable tie away from the cable tie tensioning and severing tool such that a portion of the tail protrudes from the head upon the tail being severed by the cable tie tensioning and severing tool. |
| US09481095B2 |
Robot
A robot according to an embodiment includes a lower arm, an upper arm, a wrist, and an actuator that rotationally drives the wrist. The upper arm is connected to the lower arm rotatably about a first rotation axis. The wrist is connected to the upper arm rotatably about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. The actuator is disposed so that a rotation axis of the actuator is perpendicular to the second rotation axis and is attached to the upper arm so as to extend in a direction of the first rotation axis. |
| US09481093B2 |
Elongated member chucking apparatus and elongated member chucking method
A case, in which an inner bottom surface is formed, and a chuck tool in which a lower surface is formed are provided. The inner bottom surface is a concave surface. The lower surface is a concave surface. An elongated member chucking apparatus changes an orientation of an elongated member inside the case to a predetermined orientation with respect to the chuck tool by sandwiching the elongated member between the inner bottom surface and the lower surface. The elongated member is held by the chuck tool in the predetermined orientation. |
| US09481087B2 |
Robot and control method thereof
A robot and a control method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps: receiving a manual control command from a remote control device, and accumulating a duration of issuing the manual control commands; estimating an estimated moving velocity corresponding to the manual control command; detecting a surrounding environment of the robot and generating an autonomous navigation command based on the surrounding environment; determining a first weighting value associated with the manual control command based on the duration, the estimated moving velocity and the distance to obstacles; determining a second weighting value associated with the autonomous navigation command based on the first weighting value; linearly combining the manual control command and the autonomous navigation command based on the first weighting value and the second weighting value to generate a moving control command; and moving based on the moving control command. |
| US09481086B2 |
Control method for floating-base robots including generating feasible motions using time warping
A control method, and a robot controller implementing the method, is provided that adapts human motions to floating-base humanoid robots with time warping techniques. The method of modifying a set of reference motions modifies the timeline of a reference motion so as to speed up or slow down one or more of the motions or motion segments. Through the use of time warping, the velocity and acceleration profiles of the motion are changed to turn an infeasible motion into a feasible one. The optimal time warping is obtained through a generalized motion feasibility index that quantifies the feasibility of a motion considering the friction constraint as well as the center-of-pressure (CoP) constraint. Due to the use of the motion feasibility index, the proposed motion adaptation method taught herein can be applied to motions on arbitrary terrains or with any number of links in contact with the environment. |
| US09481082B1 |
Apparatus for automated maintenance of aircraft structural elements
Devices for maintaining crawler alignment on complex-shaped blades and for enabling the blade crawler to traverse over trailing edge protrusions. Using ball and socket bearings or air pads in place of alignment wheels, the crawler will be able to track along complex-geometry rotor blades, propellers and other airfoils. Using an oversized-diameter roller, a semi-flexible roller, or a dual-roller follower arrangement, the crawler will be able to traverse over trailing edge protrusions. |
| US09481080B2 |
Multispeed power tool
A tool with a transmission assembly having a reduction gearset and a speed selector. The speed selector has a member, an actuator and a shifter assembly. The member is movable between a first position, in which the member is non-rotatable, and a second position in which the member is coupled to a planet carrier of the reduction gearset for common rotation. The actuator includes a pivoting yoke and a follower that is coupled to the yoke. The follower engages the member so as to be axially movable with the follower. The shifter assembly has a selector switch, a switch fork, and a pair of springs. The selector switch is slidable between a first switch position and a second switch position. The shift fork is slidably coupled to the selector switch and receives the yoke. The springs cooperate to bias the shift fork relative to the selector switch into a neutral position. |
| US09481079B2 |
Grout removal tool
A grout removal tool incorporates a case (12) carrying a reciprocating motor (20) and having an external contoured finger grip (14). A drive shaft (28) extends from the motor to engage a chuck drive rod (30). A cooling piston (40) is concentrically carried by the drive shaft for reciprocating motion. A chuck (18) is attached to the chuck drive rod for removably constraining a carbide tipped bit (16). |
| US09481078B2 |
Nailer for hardwood flooring
A nailer is provided for securing planks to a subfloor in tight places with fasteners. A fastener ejection channel made in the nailer is formed in between a pair of first and second guide plates spacedly mounted parallel to one another. The first guide plate defines a planar inner end portion having an ovoidal slot and an outer end portion defining a transverse arcuate first flange. The second guide plate defines an arcuate second flange extending away from the first guide plate and generally parallel to the first flange. An elongated straight push rod is mounted partially nested at an inner end in the ovoidal slot. The bottom portion of the push rod is movable along the fastener ejection channel between first and second limit positions. A lengthwise notch extends along the second guide plate intermediate section and opens into the second flange and is sized and shaped to accommodate transverse passage of an outer end portion of the push rod, wherein the push rod moves rectilinearly between the first and an intermediate position thereof but the push rod outer end portion tilts laterally away from the first guide plate when moving in non-rectilinear fashion between the intermediate and second limit positions thereof. |
| US09481077B2 |
Tool stand
A selectively attachable tool stand is described. The stand can be attached to the head of a tool and enables the tool to be positioned on a work surface or the ground while maintaining a desired orientation for the tool head. The stand can also be removed or detached from the tool. The stand also supports the tool in an inclined orientation which can occur during use of the tool. The tool stand can be used with a variety of tools including manually operated crimp tools. |
| US09481073B2 |
Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond with liquid hydrocarbons and hydrates thereof
Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond include encapsulating diamond particles and a hydrocarbon substance in a canister, and subjecting the encapsulated diamond particles and hydrocarbon substance to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond particles. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements. |
| US09481072B2 |
Sanding elements replacing device
A device for replacing sanding elements of a polishing device includes a first support, a second support, a feeder assembly, a suction assembly, a first pushing assembly, a second pushing assembly, and a clamping assembly. The feeder assembly includes a receiving member configured to receive the sanding elements, and a supporting member positioned below the receiving member. The suction assembly includes a suction member configured to draw a sanding element from the receiving member, and a rotary actuator configured to rotate the suction member. The first pushing assembly is configured to receive the sanding element from the suction member and transport the sanding element to the polishing device. The clamping assembly is configured to attach an unused sanding element to, and detach a used sanding element from, a manipulator of the polishing device, and the second pushing assembly is configured to separate the sanding element from the clamping assembly. |
| US09481068B2 |
Low speed high feed grinder
A tool grinder is disclosed which includes a variable speed DC motor having an output shaft, and a cutter wheel mounted on the output shaft and having a precision coating of prone superabrasive particles. The grinder preferably further includes a motor controller for governing a rotational speed of the motor between 100 rpm and 2000 rpm. This minimizes the surface speed of the cutter wheel and the friction heat generated by contact of the workpiece with the cutter wheel. The precision coating of prone superabrasive particles minimizes rubbing contact between the cutter wheel and the workpiece during material removal from the workpiece. The cutter wheel preferably has a first cutting surface parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel and one or more additional cutting surfaces perpendicular to the axis of rotation, at another angle to the axis of rotation, or both. |
| US09481066B2 |
Machine tool
A machine tool having a machine frame which has a stand and a machine sub-structure, a workpiece carrier arrangement which can be moved on linear guides, and a machining unit which is arranged on the stand. The machining unit can be moved along at least one coordinate axis and comprises an exchangeable cutting tool. The linear guides and the linear drives of the workpiece carrier arrangement are covered by longitudinally continuous, stationary cover elements and are thus protected against chip deposits. |
| US09481065B2 |
Telescopic protective covering
The invention relates to a protective covering comprising a plurality of substantially L-shaped protective covering segments (2, 16) comprising a cover leg (3, 17) and a support leg (4, 18) which are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they are telescopically slidable with respect to one another, wherein the cover legs (3, 17) of adjacent protective covering segments (2, 16) each come to bear on one another thus forming an overall substantially closed surface, and comprising at least one band-shaped or web-shaped flexible connecting element (5, 31) which connects the support legs (4, 18) of the protective covering segments (2, 16) with each other so as to at least transfer a tensile force. Disposed on each of the support legs (4, 18) is at least one elastic reset element (11, 32) such that said element is fastened with its first end to the support leg (4, 18) and abuts with its second end with prestressing against a section of the connecting element (5, 31) so as to urge said section in the direction of the support leg (4, 18). |
| US09481061B2 |
Apparatus, a fastening device, method and system for clamping a piece as well as a fastening clamp
Apparatus for clamping a piece, includes a frame portion adapted to be fastened to a base, a fastening clamp fitted to foe frame portion having first and second jaw components on the opposite sides and a wedge member fitted therebetween, fixing stopper. The piece is adapted to be clamped between the first jaw component of the fastening damp and the fixing stopper. An arrangement is disposed between the second jaw component of foe fastening clamp and the fixing stopper, functionally connecting these to each other, for moving the fixing stopper by way of the fastening clamp. In addition, the apparatus is related to a fastening device, a method and a system for clamping a piece as well as a fastening clamp for a fastening device. |
| US09481056B2 |
Method of making lightweight heat pipe
A method of making a lightweight heat pipe includes steps of: a) preparing a first hollow pipe and a second hollow pipe making of two different materials; b) disposing the first hollow pipe into the second hollow pipe along an axial direction of the second hollow pipe; c) making an inner wall surface of the second hollow pipe attached on an outer wall surface of the first hollow pipe to combine the first and the second hollow pipes as a pipe body of the heat pipe; and d) vacuuming an inner space of the first hollow pipe, and sealing the pipe body after working fluid is filled in the inner space of the first hollow pipe to finish the heat pipe. |
| US09481052B2 |
Methods for stripping and modifying surfaces with laser-induced ablation
A coating removal apparatus removes a coating from a surface. The apparatus has a movable scanning head and scanning optics. The scanning head is movable in one dimension, and the scanning optics adjust in two dimensions to compensate for movement of the scanning head to implement long range scanning with a uniform scanning pattern. Further, a surface roughness is determined by measuring specular and scattered reflections at various angles. For composite surfaces, the apparatus utilizes UV laser radiation and a controlled atmosphere to remove coating and alter the chemical characteristics at the surface. |
| US09481051B2 |
Wafer producing method
A method for producing a hexagonal single crystal wafer from a hexagonal single crystal ingot includes a separation start point forming step of setting the focal point of a laser beam inside the ingot at a predetermined depth from the upper surface of the ingot, which depth corresponds to the thickness of the wafer to be produced, and next applying the laser beam to the upper surface of the ingot while relatively moving the focal point and the ingot to thereby form a modified layer parallel to the upper surface and cracks extending from the modified layer along a c-plane in the ingot, thus forming a separation start point. The ingot is immersed in water after forming the separation start point in the ingot, and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the ingot to thereby separate a plate-shaped member corresponding to the wafer from the ingot. |
| US09481050B2 |
Plasma arc cutting system and persona selection process
The invention features methods and apparatuses for establishing operational settings of a plasma arc cutting system. A plasma power supply includes a user selectable control. The user selectable control enables selection of a single cutting persona that establishes at least a current, a gas pressure or gas flow rate, and an operational mode of the plasma arc cutting system. |
| US09481046B2 |
Systems and methods providing controlled AC arc welding processes
Systems and methods for providing controlled AC TIG arc welding processes is provided. In AC TIG arc welding power source embodiments, configurations of main and auxiliary bridge circuits allow for the directional switching of the output welding current through the welding output circuit path and selectively provide one or more high impedance paths to rapidly decay the arc current. The high impedance path aids in the low spatter transfer of molten metal balls from consumable to a workpiece, via an arc generated by a tungsten electrode, and further aids in the maintaining or the re-establishing of an arc between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece during welding. |
| US09481045B2 |
TIG welding system
A TIG welding system is provided including a power source having a controller in communication therewith, the controller having a memory storing at least one waveform; a welding torch including an electrode electrically connected to the controller, the electrode having a length and a diameter; an amperage input in communication with the controller and adapted to receive a user-selected welding amperage; wherein in the controller is programmed to select one of the at least one waveform based on the user-selected amperage and apply power from the power source to the electrode according to the selected at least one waveform; wherein the at least one waveform includes an arc initiation stage including at least one pulse, wherein during the arc initiation stage, the controller is configured to prevent user control of an arc current or voltage, wherein upon attaining a steady state at the user-selected welding amperage, the controller is configured to permit user control of the arc current or voltage applied to the electrode. |
| US09481038B2 |
Cutting insert having a dovetail anti-slip arrangement
A cutting insert having a dovetail anti-slip arrangement for securing the cutting insert to a tool. The cutting insert's anti-slip arrangement includes first, second and third insert abutment surfaces having dovetail portions, each of which form an external and acute dovetail angle with an insert base surface. The dovetail portions are configured with one or more geometric features related to a cutting edge geometry of the cutting insert. |
| US09481034B2 |
Surface treatment for improved bonding in bi-metallic casting
Methods of forming bi-metallic castings are provided. In one method, a metal preform of a desired base shape is provided defining a substrate surface. A natural oxide layer is removed from the substrate surface, yielding a cleaned metal preform. The method includes forming a thin metallic film on at least a portion of the substrate surface of the cleaned metal preform, and metallurgically bonding the portion of the metal preform having the metallic film with an overcast metal to form a bi-metallic casting. The metallic film promotes a metallurgical bond between the metal preform and the overcast metal. In one aspect, the metal preform may include aluminum (Al) and the metallic film may include zinc (Zn). |
| US09481033B2 |
Earth-boring tools including cutting elements with alignment features and related methods
An earth-boring tool may comprise a body having at least one blade, and at least one cutting element recess may be formed in a surface of the at least one blade. At least one cutting element may be affixed within the at least one cutting element recess. The at least one cutting element may comprise a substantially cylindrical lateral side surface configured to allow the at least one cutting element to rotate about a longitudinal axis within the at least one cutting element recess when the at least one cutting element is partially inserted into the at least one cutting element recess. The at least one cutting element may also comprise a back face comprising alignment features configured to abut complementary alignment features disposed on a back surface of the at least one cutting element recess. Methods of forming earth-boring tool bodies. |
| US09481029B2 |
Method of making a radial pattern assembly
A method of making a radial pattern assembly is disclosed. The method includes forming a hollow sprue comprising a sprue wall disposed about a longitudinal axis, the sprue wall having a thickness, a length and a periphery; a pattern disposed outwardly of the sprue wall; and an outwardly extending gate attached to and extending between an outer surface of the sprue wall and the pattern, the hollow sprue, pattern and gate each formed from a fugitive material. |
| US09481027B2 |
Blind rivet setting method
A blind rivet setting method enables a modified step approach to grip and pull multiple diameters of blind rivet mandrels to fracture, easily feed the remaining spent mandrel portion through a blind rivet tool, and collect and more efficiently dispose of substantially shortened spent mandrel portions when a blind rivet mandrel collection system is utilized. |
| US09481026B2 |
Press device with adjustment mechanism
A press device for forming a work piece includes a punch and an adjustment mechanism. The punch is configured to move along a punch stroke toward a work piece located in a punch zone below the punch. The punch is configured to engage the work piece during the punch stroke to form the work piece. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the punch. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuator and a transfer member. The actuator is rotationally coupled to the transfer member. The transfer member is operably coupled to the punch. The actuator is configured to rotate. The transfer member converts the rotational movement of the actuator into translational movement that advances the punch linearly from a first operative position relative to the punch zone to a second operative position relative to the punch zone to adjust a bottom location of the punch along the punch stroke. |
| US09481020B2 |
Bending an edge portion of a housing panel
Bending members having slanted faces to engage folded edge portions of a housing panel, wherein the relative sliding movement between the folded edge portions and the bending members cause bending of each of the folded edge portions to an inwardly slanted angle. |
| US09481016B2 |
Methods and apparatus to combine mail streams in a binding line
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture to combine mail streams in a binding line are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing a mailing list including a plurality of addresses. The example methods also includes associating a primary book with a first set of the addresses and associating a secondary book with a second set of the addresses. In addition, the example method includes creating multiple primary books on a production line and depositing multiple secondary books in the production line. |
| US09481014B2 |
Sieve screen
The invention relates to a sieve screen, which can be positioned in a utility machine-operated screen bucket or in a screening station maneuverable with its own actuator. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of screening plates (3) are spaced from each other and establish a screening surface (2), which is provided with screening slots and on top of which can be placed the material to be screened. Rotatable shafts (4) are present below the screening surface (2). The shafts (4) feature blades (5), which protrude from the shafts and extend through the screening slots to above the screening surface (2). Fraction size is adapted to be changed without removing the shafts (4), by re-grouping the blades (5) and a necessary number of the screening plates (3). The blades (5) can be grouped in such a way on the shafts (4) that at least two blades (5) are set adjacent to each other and the adjacent blades are located within the same screening slot. |
| US09481013B2 |
Combined auger and screening apparatus for screening and conveyance of granular fertilizer or the like
A combined auger conveyor and screening apparatus features an inlet hopper mounted to an auger housing adjacent an inlet end thereof, and a screen support frame disposed atop the inlet hopper and supporting a screen over an area of the inlet hopper. A screen drive mechanism is removably mounted to the auger housing, coupled to the screen support frame and operable to drive oscillatory motion of the screen. An angle adjustment mechanism is operable to vary a position of ground wheels relative to the auger housing in order to change an inclination angle of the auger housing and screen relative to the ground. A hydraulic circuit supplying hydraulic motors for both the auger and the screen drive mechanism comprises a control valve operable to adjust an oscillatory speed of the screen support frame. |
| US09481010B2 |
Method for producing gas barrier film
Provided is a method for producing a gas barrier film having a base and a gas barrier layer being arranged on the base, containing a step (1) for preparing a base having a moisture content of 0.01 to 1% by mass, a step (2) for obtaining a coating film by coating a coating liquid containing polysilazane onto the base, and a step (3) for forming a gas barrier layer by irradiating the coating film with vacuum ultraviolet rays. |
| US09481005B2 |
Liquid dispensing applicator with radial locking system
A liquid dispensing applicator can include a container body containing a liquid and having an end with a projection; a head component cooperating with the container body and having a slot for receiving the projection; the container body and the head component being rotatable with respect to each other to enable engagement of the projection and the slot and cause breakage of the projection allowing the liquid to flow from the container body into the head component; and a radial locking system for radially locking the container body and the head component together after rotation with respect to each other. The radial locking system can include a lip-and-channel system where the lip radially slides within the channel and is retained at a far end in a fluid application position. |
| US09481001B2 |
Intermediate storage unit for the intermediate storage of objects to be painted
To provide an intermediate storage unit for the intermediate storage of objects to be painted in the form of vehicle bodies and/or parts of vehicle bodies and/or for the transport of objects to be painted in the form of vehicle bodies and/or parts of vehicle bodies from one process section of a paint shop to another process section of the paint shop, which allows the objects to be painted to also be stored in the intermediate storage unit over a lengthy period of time, e.g. during a shift change, overnight or over a weekend, without impairment to the quality of the painting of the objects to be painted, it is proposed that the intermediate storage unit is configured as a clean-room area. |
| US09480996B2 |
Fluid dispensing system with nozzle heater
A fluid dispensing system includes a first fluid supply device for supplying a first fluid, a second fluid supply device for supplying a second fluid, a first heater for heating the first fluid to a first predetermined temperature and a second heater for heating the second fluid to a second predetermined temperature. The dispensing system further includes a nozzle for dispensing the first fluid and the second fluid, the nozzle dispensing the first fluid and the second fluid in intimate contact with one another, the first and second fluids being dispensed at a dispensing temperature, and a nozzle heater, the nozzle heater maintaining the nozzle at a third predetermined temperature independent of the first and/or second predetermined temperatures. |
| US09480994B2 |
Sustainable shower
Disclosed is a shower apparatus comprising: •a housing (1, 2, 3) for an object (4); and •a plurality of set of coplanar nozzles inside said housing, the nozzles allowing for a simultaneous spray of a pressurized gas and a liquid on said object. Each set of nozzles comprises a first nozzle (7a, 7b, 7c) for spraying for spraying said gas and adjacent thereto at least one further nozzle (6a, 6b, 6c, 8a, 8b, 8c) for spraying said liquid. The axis of the nozzle for spraying said gas is arranged at an acute angle with respect to the axis of the nozzle for spraying said liquid. The nozzles are configured to provide improved cleansing in a single shower while consuming less water. |
| US09480991B2 |
Radiofrequency particle separator
An apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle. |
| US09480990B2 |
Apparatus and system for a towed device powered by a tow vehicle
An apparatus and a system directed to a towed device powered by a tow vehicle. The apparatus and system include a woodchipper configured to be mounted on a towed vehicle, with the towed vehicle configured to be towed behind the tow vehicle. Additionally, a motor may be coupled to the woodchipper to provide power to the woodchipper. A power converter obtains power from the tow vehicle from a power takeoff coupled to the tow vehicle. Further, one or more power transfer lines connect the power converter with the motor to communicate motor-operating power from the power converter to the motor. |
| US09480988B2 |
Shredder
The invention relates to a shredder/document shredder for sheet-shaped material, such as paper and material of the like or similar data storage media, having a thickness sensor which protrudes at least partially into a receiving slot. According to the invention, the thickness sensor does not change its position if too much material to be shredded (for example, paper) passes into the receiving slot, but rather pivots about its rotational axis as a result of the friction with the material. A switch is actuated by way of the pivoting movement, as a result of which the electric drive of the shredder is interrupted. |
| US09480986B2 |
Image projection method and apparatus for supporting manual MALDI sample preparation
An improved deposition aid for manual sample preparation, particularly on flat MALDI sample supports, comprises a holder for a sample support with several sample sites, which is adapted to standardized sample supports for ionization with matrix-assisted laser desorption and a device which projects a two-dimensional optical image, or a suitable sequence of images, onto the sample sites. The image, or sequence of images, is constructed such that a selected sample site or group of selected sample sites is highlighted in a way which can be perceived by the human eye, at least with respect to neighboring, not-selected sample sites. The deposition aid also includes an interface for confirming the manual deposition and/or a device for the automatic detection of a manual deposition process; and a guidance system which selects a sample site or group of sample sites, and controls the device accordingly. |
| US09480980B2 |
Apparatus for producing paper-based chemical assay devices
An apparatus produces chemical assay devices from a hydrophilic substrate, hydrophobic materials, and a chemical reagent. The apparatus includes a first print zone that forms hydrophobic material in a predetermined arrangement on the hydrophilic substrate, a structure formation unit configured to enable the first layer of the hydrophobic material to penetrate the hydrophilic substrate. |
| US09480979B1 |
Cross-linked copolymers and methods thereof
Cross-linked cyclocopolymers made up of one or more quaternary ammonium salts and sulfur dioxide as monomers. One of the quaternary ammonium salts is also an aspartic acid derivative. The cross-linked copolymers include a repeating unit with multiple chelating centers that different metal ions can bind to. The cross-linked copolymers are zwitterionic or anionic, and can be in either an acidic form or a basic form. A method for removing metal ions from an aqueous sample with these cross-linked copolymers is also described. |
| US09480977B2 |
Ruthenium containing hydrosilylation catalysts and compositions containing the catalysts
A composition contains (A) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and (B) an aliphatically unsaturated compound having an average, per molecule, of one or more aliphatically unsaturated organic groups capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction. The composition capable of reacting via hydrosilylation reaction to form a reaction product, such as a silane, a gum, a gel, a rubber, or a resin. Ingredient (A) contains a metal-ligand complex that can be prepared by a method including reacting a metal precursor and a ligand. |
| US09480976B2 |
Synthesis of AEI zeolite
A transition-metal-AEI/ITE molecular sieve catalyst and mixed-template synthesis procedure are disclosed. |
| US09480974B2 |
Nano Ni—CeO2 catalyst for syngas production and its preparation thereof
The present invention relates to Nano Ni—CeO2 catalyst and its preparation thereof useful for syngas production. Particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the activation of methane at low temperature for the production of synthesis gas (mixture of CO and H2) using nanosize Ni—Ce oxide catalyst. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas between temperature range of 450° C. to 800° C. at atmospheric pressure over Ni—CeO2 solid catalyst. The process provides a methane conversion of 20-98% with H2 to CO molar ratio of 1.6 to 2 without deactivation till 100 h. |
| US09480959B2 |
Process and apparatus for conversion of silicon tetrachloride to trichlorosilane
A process for hydrogenating chlorosilanes in a reactor, wherein at least two reactant gas streams are introduced separately from one another into a reaction zone, wherein the first reactant gas stream comprising silicon tetrachloride is conducted via a first heat exchanger unit in which it is heated and is then conducted through a heating unit which heats it to a first temperature before the first reactant gas stream reaches the reaction zone, and wherein the second reactant gas stream comprising hydrogen is heated by a second heat exchanger unit to a second temperature, wherein the first temperature is greater than the second temperature, and then introduced into the reaction zone, such that the mixing temperature of the two reactant gas streams in the reaction zone is between 850° C. and 1300° C., and said reactant gas streams react to give product gases comprising trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride, wherein the product gases obtained in the reaction are conducted through said at least two heat exchanger units and preheat the reactant gas streams of the reaction by the countercurrent principle, wherein the flow passes first through the first heat exchanger unit and then through the second heat exchanger unit. A reactor for hydrogenating chlorosilanes, comprising two gas inlet devices through which reactant gases can be introduced separately from one another into the reactor, and at least one gas outlet device through which a product gas stream can be conducted, at least two heat exchanger units which are connected to one another and which are suitable for heating reactant gases separately from one another by means of the product gases conducted through the heat exchanger units, and a heating zone which is arranged between a first heat exchanger unit and a reaction zone and in which there is at least one heating element. |
| US09480955B2 |
Bone cement mixing and delivery system with reduced fume exposure
A system for bone cement includes a vial holder configured for receiving a vial and including a holding structure for maintaining the vial in the vial holder. The vial includes a monomer component for bone cement. A holder chamber is configured to receive and secure the vial holder. The vial holder is advanced toward a vial-breaking device for breaking the vial and releasing its contents into the holder chamber past the elastomeric seal. Once the vial holder is advanced further the elastomeric seal is deformed to form a seal and prevent fumes produced from escaping from the device. |
| US09480952B2 |
Methods for chemical reaction perforation of atomically thin materials
A method for forming a lattice with precisely sized holes includes disposing cutter molecules with species attached about the periphery of each molecule on to the lattice. The method continues with the species cutting molecular bonds of the lattice so as to form precisely sized holes in the lattice. The edges of the holes may then be functionalized. |
| US09480950B2 |
Separation membrane for membrane distillation
Disclosed is a separation membrane for membrane distillation, including a feed water side for feeding raw water and a treated water side for discharging treated water, wherein the separation membrane is provided in bent form by a support frame. |
| US09480948B2 |
Exhaust gas purifier
An exhaust gas purification catalyst apparatus, which is superior in oxidation performance of, in particular, nitrogen monoxide, among hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate components such as soot, included in exhaust gas from a lean burn engine, and combustion performance of light oil. The exhaust gas purification apparatus arranged with an oxidation catalyst (DOC) comprising a noble metal component for oxidizing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, in particular, nitrogen monoxide among nitrogen oxides, and for combusting light oil, a catalyzed soot filter (CSF) including a noble metal component for collecting a particulate component such as soot and removing by combustion (oxidation). The oxidation catalyst (DOC) has a catalyst layer where platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and barium oxide (BaO) are supported on alumina (Al2O3) having a pore size of 12 to 120 nm, and ratio of platinum and palladium is 1:1 to 11:2 in weight equivalent. |
| US09480947B2 |
Variable capacity multiple-leg packed separation column
An industrial packed column for gas stream processing to remove a component by liquid absorbent contact includes: a. a plurality of packed tubular members having ends aligned in vertical parallel array to form a first bundle, b. an upper lean absorption liquid inlet and lower rich absorption liquid outlet; c. a raw gas feed inlet positioned below the packing material, connected to a raw feed gas manifold via control valves for selectively admitting the feed gas to one or more of the plurality of tubular members, d. an upper treated gas outlet, connected via valved conduit to (i) a treated gas collection manifold and (ii) the raw gas inlet of one or more of the other tubular members, and the apparatus equipped with appropriate systems so that desired portions of the treated gas stream exiting a tubular member can be passed for further treatment to at least one other tubular member in the first bundle. |
| US09480943B2 |
Filter device and filter system
A filter device for the exchange of gas between the fuel tank for liquid fuel and an environment has a chamber sealed in a fluid-tight manner. A first port leads into the chamber for fluid connection to the fuel tank. A second port into leads the chamber for fluid connection to the environment. A granular filter material is in the chamber. The chamber is designed for optionally accommodating a monolithic filter element in addition to the granular filter material. |
| US09480941B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning air filters
An apparatus for cleaning air filters utilizes a pressurized fluid flow, preferably air, to rotate a set of air spraying jets inside a hollow interior of a filter in order to remove particles from the filter. To ensure proper positioning of the jets in relation to the filter the present invention uses a set of plates with slots and pins, wherein the pins secure the apparatus on one end of the filter. The set of plates also at least partially blocks the flow of air out of the ends to more efficiently direct the flow of air from the jets to the filter. The jets then may be moved reciprocally along the length of the filter for cleaning purposes. |
| US09480940B2 |
Liquid filter assemblies; features; components; and, methods
Liquid filter assemblies, features, components and methods are described. In general, a liquid filter cartridge is provided which includes features that help ensure that when the assembly is serviced, the cartridge positioned within the assembly is a proper one, in proper sealing orientation, for appropriate use. Features that can be used to provide for this include: a seal on the filter cartridge that defines a seal pattern non-orthogonal to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the filter cartridge; and, a member of a projection/receiver arrangement on the filter cartridge which is orientated to engage a portion of a liquid filter assembly, for example a liquid flow collar, to allow sealing when the cartridge is a properly positioned cartridge and a properly configured cartridge. Assembly features are described. Also, a flexible radial projection arrangement providing snap-fit interaction between a cartridge and housing is provided. Methods of assembly and use as described. |
| US09480935B2 |
Systems and methods for separating particles and/or substances from a sample fluid
Systems and methods for separating particles and/or toxins from a sample fluid. A method according to one embodiment comprises simultaneously passing a sample fluid and a buffer fluid through a chamber such that a fluidic interface is formed between the sample fluid and the buffer fluid as the fluids pass through the chamber, the sample fluid having particles of interest therein; applying a force to the fluids for urging the particles of interest to pass through the interface into the buffer fluid; and substantially separating the buffer fluid from the sample fluid. |
| US09480934B2 |
Cryopump system, and method of operating the same, and compressor unit
A cryopump system includes a cryopump configured to perform a preparatory operation including a cooldown from a room temperature to a cryogenic temperature and to perform a vacuum pumping operation at the cryogenic temperature, a compressor unit of a working gas for the cryopump, a gas line connecting the cryopump and the compressor unit, a gas volume adjuster configured to increase a quantity of the working gas in the gas line during the vacuum pumping operation in comparison with that during the preparatory operation, and a control device configured to control the compressor unit so as to provide a pressure control for the gas line. |
| US09480928B2 |
Experience ride representation apparatus and method for real-sense media service based on multi-vision
Disclosed herein are an experience ride representation apparatus and method for a real-sense media service based on a multi-vision. An experience ride representation apparatus for a real-sense media service based on a multi-vision in which a motion of a user is reflected so as to move in a plurality of screen units depending on a first signal received from the user, a second signal is transmitted to the user based on real-sense media contents reproduced on the screen unit, and metaverse contents are provided to a plurality of users when the screen unit is shared by the plurality of users. |
| US09480927B2 |
Portable terminal with music performance function and method for playing musical instruments using portable terminal
Disclosed are a portable terminal with a music performance function and a method for playing a variety of musical instruments. The method includes: selecting a particular piece of music and a particular musical instrument from the portable terminal, according to a user request, and executing a music performance mode corresponding to the selected musical instrument; detecting a first input signal input to a screen according to the selected musical instrument in the musical performance mode; determining, if the first input signal is detected, whether a second input signal for executing audio source data is detected; analyzing the first and second input signals, in association with each other; and outputting audio source data of the selected music, according to the analyzed result, via audio signals. |
| US09480923B2 |
Service providing method using on-line game, and recording media recording program for implementing the method
An approach is provided for providing a service using an on-line game capable of, maximizing effects of services associated with the on-line game, and recording media recording a program for implementing the service providing method. The service providing method may include, for example, storing, in a rendering region, game object drawing information of a game screen for the on-line game in response to a request for reproducing the game screen; hooking the rendering region to change the game object drawing information so that service object information provided from a game server is included in the game object drawing information; storing the changed game object drawing information in the rendering region; and providing the game screen by rendering the game object drawing information including the service object information stored in the rendering region. |
| US09480919B2 |
Reconfiguring reality using a reality overlay device
Virtual entities are displayed alongside real world entities in a wearable reality overlay device worn by the user. Information related to an environment proximate to the wearable device is determined. For example, a position of the wearable device may be determined, a camera may capture an image of the environment, etc. Virtual entity image information representative of an entity desired to be virtually displayed is processed based on the determined information. An image of the entity is generated based on the processed image information as a non-transparent region of a lens of the wearable device, enabling the entity to appear to be present in the environment to the user. The image of the entity may conceal a real world entity that would otherwise be visible to the user through the wearable device. Other real world entities may be visible to the user through the wearable device. |
| US09480915B2 |
Game system, server system, processing method, and information storage medium
A game system includes a game processing section that performs a process that implements a game that utilizes a moving object, the moving object moving in a game space based on operation information, a restoration processing section that performs a restoration process that restores the moving object that has reached an unable-to-continue state when it has become unable to continue to play the game that utilizes the moving object, the moving object being restored at a restoration point in the game space that has been selected by a player, and a charging section. The charging section performs a charging process that causes a charge to differ corresponding to the restoration point selected by the player. |
| US09480914B2 |
Online gaming
Technologies and implementations for providing and online gaming experience are generally disclosed. In one example, a computer-implemented method to allocate rendering tasks to resources of a server system comprise determining at least a portion of a first game world view viewable at a first game client of a plurality of game clients, receiving at least a portion of a game input from the first game client, determining a change from the first game world state to a second game world state, determining based on the second game world state, by the server system, a second game world view, determining a first render task to update the first game element and a second render task to update the second game element and allocating, the first render task to a first game element resource and the second render task to a second game element resource. |
| US09480911B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and calibrating performances of gamers
A gaming system employs bioinformatics to improve gamer performance and enhance the gaming experience. The gaming system monitors biometrics of gamers using gaming accessories having sensors coupled to the gaming accessories (e.g., a mouse with pulse sensor). Biometrics can be used to assess a crisis or panic reaction of the gamer. The system can also assess the state of the game in real time via API feedback, and coach the player on how best to regain control. The system can also predict a gamer's loss of control by monitoring hardware statistics associated with the game, combined with gaming feedback and biometric data, and can determine how best to coach the player to correct problems. Predictive models can be used to predict a gamer's panic attack or loss of control before it occurs. When a crisis occurs, the system can automatically contact the gamer's teammates to assist the gamer. |
| US09480905B2 |
Card dealing shoe
A card dealing shoe with card reading capability for facilitating play of card games includes a control system configured to detect the existence of an alarm condition and a card restraining apparatus mounted on the elongated housing and configured for alternating between a non-restraining condition and a restraining condition, wherein the restraining condition includes activation of a physical restraint that prevents cards from being added to and removed from the card receiving or staging area in the card dealing shoe, wherein the card restraining apparatus is in communication with the control system and actuated from the non-restraining condition to the restraining condition responsive to the detection of an alarm condition. |
| US09480904B2 |
Line marking apparatus
A line marking apparatus incorporates a replaceable container (31) of line marking material. The apparatus comprises a body (3) including an opening provided with a first engaging member (21), and a replaceable container (31) for line marking material. The container comprises a base (33) and side walls (35) and is provided with an outlet (37) for the line marking material at a location remote from the base. The container is also provided in the region of the base with a second engaging member (49) adapted to co-operate with the first engaging member of the body for releasably suspending the container within the body in an inverted configuration. |
| US09480902B2 |
Fighting glove
A glove useful for mixed martial arts fighting has padded knuckles for the four non-opposed fingers, with the lower half of each of the fingers not enclosed. The palm of the glove is open, and the thumb is not covered. The glove has an inner pair of attachment straps closable across each other over the wrist, and installed over the attachment straps is a closable outer support or stability strap that wraps around the wrist. Both the attachment straps and the support strap are preferably closable through use of a hook and loop fastening means such as Velcro®. |
| US09480899B2 |
Changeup controller for ball throwing machine
Embodiments provide a ball throwing machine including a motor coupled to a rotary wheel and configured to rotate the rotary wheel at a rotational speed to throw a ball forward toward an athlete. A speed control module may be coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the rotary wheel, via the motor, at a first rotational speed during a fastball setting and a second rotational speed during a changeup setting. The speed control module may determine the second rotational speed based on the first rotational speed so that a ball thrown by the ball throwing machine will arrive in a target zone when the ball throwing machine is in the fastball setting and the changeup setting. In some embodiments, the speed control module may utilize resistive braking to transition the rotary wheel from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed. |
| US09480898B2 |
Multipurpose putting practice device for enabling straight putting and distance practice by situation
Provided is a multipurpose putting practice device for enabling straight putting and distance practice by situation, which: enables short-distance or middle- and long-distance putting practice on flat, uphill, and downhill environments; enables a golf ball to be collected at the same place where putting is carried out through an upwardly protruding putting line during putting;improves positioning by checking whether a golf ball has gone into the hole by sound and with the naked eye so as to hit the golf ball to a target spot in a fixed direction; and forms correct putting postures, and digitizes and visualizes a plurality of green speeds such that a user can compare and figure out the plurality of green speeds and practice distance adjustment on a desired field. |
| US09480897B2 |
Holding apparatus for a net of a table-tennis table
A holding device (4) for a net (6) of a table-tennis table with two playing area leaves (1, 2) and an underframe (3), wherein the holding apparatus (4) includes two holding units (5) which can be arranged on opposite sides of the two playing area leaves (1, 2), and wherein each of the holding units (5) can be attached on at least one of the playing area leaves (1, 2) or on the substructure (3) and can hold one end of the net (6) and wherein the holding apparatus (4) includes at least one blocking means (7) which is arranged on one of the holding units (5) and, in the mounted state of the holding device (4), can be transferred into a blocking position in which it abuts against the under surfaces of the two playing area leaves (1, 2). |
| US09480893B1 |
Method and apparatus for conditioning a lacrosse stick
Provided is a lacrosse stick conditioning apparatus comprising a retainer, a lever, and a conditioning tool. The retainer may be adapted to hold a lacrosse stick in a substantially fixed position relative to the retainer. The lever may be rotatably mounted relative to the retainer at a primary axis. The lever may having one or more conditioning tool mounts, each mount being adapted for pivotable engagement of a conditioning tool, and defining a mount axis parallel to and offset from the primary axis. The conditioning tool may be rotatably engageable with any of the tool mounts and may have a conditioning tool head engaged therewith. |
| US09480892B2 |
Fastener for a golf bag
A golf bag including a body defining a housing adapted to receive one or more golf clubs, and extending between a bottom portion and a top portion. The golf bag includes a fastener coupled to the body. The fastener includes a first end coupled to the body, a second end opposite the first end, and a locking member. The golf bag also includes a first gripping member coupled to the body and a second gripping member coupled to the fastener. The first gripping member and the second gripping member are configured to receive a cart strap therebetween. |
| US09480891B2 |
Metal shaft having longitudinally varying hardness, golf shaft using the metal shaft, golf club using the metal golf shaft, method of manufacturing the metal shaft, and tempering apparatus
A metal shaft includes a hollow tube made of metal, capable of having hardness varying in a longitudinal direction of the metal shaft while preventing increase in the number of variations on a shape of the metal shaft. The tube has a hardness pattern exhibited by hardness of the tube varying in a longitudinal direction of the tube according to Young's modulus or tensile strength of the metal varying in the longitudinal direction. |
| US09480890B2 |
Golf club
A golf club 2 includes a head 4 and a shaft 6. A face 5 includes a sole s4 and a grounding member X1. The sole s4 includes a plurality of attaching portions r1. The grounding member X1 can be fixed to each of the plurality of attaching portions r1. A face angle can be varied depending on an attached position of the grounding member X1. Preferably, the golf club 2 further includes a non-grounding member X2. Preferably, the non-grounding member X2 can be fixed to each of the attaching portions r1. Preferably, attached position of the non-grounding member X2 does not influence the face angle. |
| US09480880B2 |
Golf ball with translucent cover
The present invention is directed a golf ball comprising a core and a cover and an optional intermediate layer disposed between the core and cover, wherein at least one of the core and the intermediate layer comprises any Pantone Matching System color including blue, green, yellow, pink, or orange having an L* value of about 80 or less; and wherein the cover comprises a translucent thermoset polyurethane material and an amount of pigment or dye such that the cover has any Pantone Matching System color including blue, green, yellow, pink, or orange that has an L* value of about 80 or less. The thermoset polyurethane material may be formed from an aliphatic isocyanate-based composition. |
| US09480879B1 |
Bowling ball and methods of manufacturing same utilizing one or more sacrificial molds
A bowling ball wherein one or more sacrificial molds are encapsulated in said bowling ball and methods for manufacturing same. |
| US09480877B2 |
Exercise device providing symmetry index
An exercise device comprises a flywheel, a driving assembly, a magnet, and an analysis module. The driving assembly drives the flywheel to rotate and comprises two pedals. The user drives the flywheel via the pedals. The analysis module employs an angle sensor and a hall sensor to calculate a symmetry index of the user. |
| US09480875B2 |
Abdominal exercise device with torso and leg support
An abdominal exercise device comprising a body support to support an upper body of a user, where the body support includes a back rest made up of cushioned partitions; a pair of handles attached to the back rest; a track extending from an end of the body support, where the track includes a plurality of adjustment holes; a leg support attached to the track with a sleeve, where the leg support is adjustable along the track by fastening a stopper through one of the adjustment holes; a slide extending from the sleeve, where the slide includes a plurality of adjustment holes; and a leg stabilizer attached to the slide with a sleeve, where the leg stabilizer is adjustable along the slide by fastening a stopper through one of the adjustment holes. |
| US09480867B2 |
Proportional dynamic ratio control for compressed air foam delivery
A compressed air foam delivery system includes a control unit to monitor and/or adjust components within the system so as to deliver a compressed air foam agent mixture with a desired agent:air ratio at a desired flow rate to one or more active discharges. In one embodiment, the control unit can be equipped to control one or more of a pump engine, water pump, foam delivery unit and air compressor so as to deliver and maintain the desired ratio of agent mixture at the desired flow rate. |
| US09480864B2 |
Marine based cosmetic active ingredients and use thereof
The present invention relates to a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical active component for stimulating proteasome activity of skin cells comprising the broth obtained by inoculating a biomass of the algae, Gracilaria spp., particularly the algae, Gracilaria tikvahiae, with a yeast culture, and allowing fermentation of the biomass to produce a fermentation broth. Also described is a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical active component for stimulating proteasome activity of skin cells comprising an extract of the algae, Gracilaria tikvahiae. The present invention also relates to topical compositions comprising as a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical active component a ferment of the algae, Gracilaria spp., particularly the algae, Gracilaria tikvahiae, or an extract of the algae, Gracilaria tikvahiae, or a combination of both. |
| US09480861B2 |
Dosimetry for radiotherapy treatment verification
Data from a first radiation detector and a second radiation detector can be used to determine a radiation dose pattern delivered to a radiation target from a radiation source. The first radiation detector can be positioned to intercept ionizing radiation directed from the radiation source toward the radiation target before the ionizing radiation has impinged on the radiation target and the second radiation detector can be positioned to intercept the ionizing radiation after the ionizing radiation has passed through the radiation target. Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and computer program products are described. |
| US09480859B2 |
Unfiltered radiation therapy
This is a new technique of producing high energy X-rays for radiation therapy at a patient's level. The dose delivery system uses a linear accelerator with no flattening filter. The technique improves patient radiation therapy by reducing radiation scattered to surrounding normal tissue and reducing electron contamination. It increases dose rate to shorten treatment time. The flattening filter reduces the efficiency of the beam by reducing the fluence and increasing scattered radiation. This technique involves removal of the flattening filter. It uses inverse planning to shape the dose distribution. |
| US09480857B2 |
Applicator for applying a radioactive substance to a biological tissue
An applicator for applying a radioactive substance to a biological tissue, the applicator comprising a container for receiving the radioactive substance; an application device connectable to the container, by which the substance compound can be applied to the tissue; and at least a part of a conveying device by which the radioactive substance can be supplied from the container into the application device when the application device has been connected to the container. |
| US09480856B2 |
X-ray targeted bond or compound destruction
This document provides methods, systems, and devices for inducing a decomposition reaction by directing x-rays towards a location including a particular compound. The x-rays can have an irradiation energy that corresponds to a bond distance of a bond in the particular compound in order to break that bond and induce a decomposition of that particular compound. In some cases, the particular compound is a hazardous substance or part of a hazardous substance. In some cases, the particular compound is delivered to a desired location in an organism and x-rays induce a decomposition reaction that creates a therapeutic substance (e.g., a toxin that kills cancer cells) in the location of the organism. In some cases, the particular compound decomposes to produce a reactant in a reactor apparatus (e.g., fuel cell or semiconductor fabricator). |
| US09480855B2 |
NIR/red light for lateral neuroprotection
The use of red or near infrared light upon neurons of the lumbar plexus that are in distress due to retraction-induced ischemia. The surgeon may protect nerves made ischemic in the surgery by: a) making an incision in a patient, b) inserting an access device into the patient through the incision to at least partially create a path to a spine of the patient, and c) irradiating nervous tissue adjacent the path with an amount of NIR or red light effective to provide neuroprotection. |
| US09480853B2 |
Windowing for identifying shock outcome
A system for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance is disclosed that includes one or more capacitors for delivering a defibrillating shock to a patient; one or more electronic ports for receiving signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the patient; and a patient treatment module executable on one or more computer processors using code stored in non-transitory media and to provide a determination of a likelihood of success from delivering a future defibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors, using (a) a mathematical transform from a time domain to a frequency domain applied to the indication of the ECG, and (b) a tapered window for identifying the portion of the indications of the ECG on which the transform is performed. |
| US09480846B2 |
Systems and methods for patient control of stimulation systems
Provided is a portable controller and associated method that provides a patient or caregiver the ability to recharge and alter the parameters of an implanted medical device, while allowing the patient substantially unobstructed mobility. To enable mobility, the controller may be worn on a belt or clothing. The controller also allows the patient to turn device stimulation on and off, check battery status, and to vary stimulation parameters within ranges that may be predefined and programmed by a clinician. The controller communicates with the medical device to retrieve information and make parameter adjustments using wireless telemetry, and it can send and receive information from several feet away from the implanted medical device. Charging of a battery contained in the implanted medical device is achieved via an inductive radio frequency link using a charge coil placed in close proximity to the medical device. |
| US09480845B2 |
Nerve stimulation device with a wearable loop antenna
A wearable medical device system having an external, necklace-shaped antenna that is sized and configured for placement about the neck of a subject, and having an implantable device with an implanted antenna that communicates with the external antenna to permit the transfer of energy and data between external and implantable components. The wearable medical device includes a control module that communicates with the implanted device via the external antenna. The implantable device includes an electrode configured to provide stimulation to a nerve. |
| US09480844B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing noise in a medical device
A method and apparatus for detecting a cardiac event in a medical device that includes sensing a cardiac signal, detecting a cardiac event in response to the sensed signal, determining whether an interval associated with the cardiac signal is less than an interval threshold, determining a noise metric in response to an interval associated with the cardiac signal being less than the interval threshold, determining whether the noise metric is greater than a noise metric threshold, and determining whether to inhibit detecting in response to determining whether an interval associated with the cardiac signal is less than the interval threshold and determining whether the noise metric is greater than the noise metric threshold. |
| US09480839B2 |
Lead delivery device and method
A lead delivery apparatus and a method of delivering a medical lead to an anatomic target site. The method includes inserting a hydraulic plug into an internal delivery lumen of a delivery shaft, and coupling a medical lead to the hydraulic plug. Hydraulic pressure is applied to the hydraulic plug through the delivery lumen, thereby moving the hydraulic plug toward an anatomic target site, and advancing the medical lead toward the target site. |
| US09480836B2 |
Skin treatment apparatus and method
Embodiments of medical treatment including skin treatment using electrical energy, especially with the primary purpose for skin treatment for aesthetics are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US09480832B2 |
Tube verifier
There is provided a tube connector for connecting between a fluid sampling tube and a fluid analyzer, the tube connector includes an end face adapted to identify the tube connector, said end face comprising a reflecting surface having one or more reflective regions adapted to reflect light at a predetermined range of wavelengths. |
| US09480831B2 |
Vascular access port
An access port, wherein the access port may include a body having an exterior surface and a chamber defined therein, a bore defined in the body providing fluid communication between the chamber and the exterior surface, a needle in fluid communication with the chamber, a passage defined in the body providing communication between the chamber and the exterior surface, a seal secured within the passage, and an actuator in communication with the needle, configured to move the needle relative to the passage or move the passage relative to the needle. |
| US09480829B2 |
All direction stretchable dressing article associated with curable materials
An all direction stretchable dressing article is disclosed. The article includes a first surface, a second surface, at least one layer of all directions stretchable polymer, and at least one layer of fibers affixed to at least a part of the polymer layer. The article further includes at least one type of curative material embedded or associated with at least one of the polymer layer or the fiber layer. |
| US09480828B2 |
Treatment method for the inferior turbinate
Disclosed is a method comprising: creating one or more pockets within an inferior turbinate of a patient, inserting one or more it that are easily inserted into the one or more pockets, wherein the one or more implants contain one or more therapeutic compounds and the one or more implants do not need to be removed from the inferior turbinate after implantation into the one or more pockets. |
| US09480823B2 |
Perfusion dilation catheter system and methods of use
A system includes an elongate catheter having a self-expanding frame disposed at the distal end of the catheter. The frame includes a plurality of longitudinal struts defined by parallel slots. The frame may be constrained into a radially compressed configuration for delivery to a treatment site. A helical balloon is mounted about the frame. Upon release from the constraining mechanism, the frame returns to a heat-set radially expanded configuration to initiate dilation of a treatment site in a patient. Inflating the balloon around the expanded frame further expands the initial radial dilation of the site. Proximal and distal ends of the slots are unobstructed by the balloon to permit flow of a fluid through the slots and through a lumen defined by an interior surface of the balloon when the frame is in the radially expanded configuration. |
| US09480820B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing force on a robotically controlled medical instrument
A medical system comprises a medical probe including an elongated probe body, a lumen extending within the probe body, an axially flexible section, and a push-pull member slidably disposed within the lumen. The system comprises a ditherer mechanically coupled to the member for cyclically displacing it axially back and forth within the lumen, such that the ends of the probe body are axially displaced relative to each other via the axially flexible section. The system further comprises a sensor for sensing a force axially applied to the distal end of the probe body. A method comprises introducing a medical probe into a patient, axially dithering the distal end of the medical probe back and forth relative to the proximal end of the medical probe, and sensing a force applied between tissue of the patient and the distal end of the medical probe while the distal end is axially dithered. |
| US09480818B2 |
Rotatable tip for endoscopic medical devices
Medical devices as well as methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongate catheter shaft having a distal end. A tip member may be rotatably coupled to the distal end of the catheter shaft. The tip member may have a groove formed therein. The groove may extend along a portion of the circumference of the tip member. A control member may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The control member may be configured to engage the helical groove and rotate the tip member. |
| US09480817B2 |
Urinary catheter assembly
The present invention provides a urinary catheter assembly which comprises at least one urinary catheter for collecting urine from a body opening and a collecting bag connected to the catheter, in a way that a urinary flow can be established in a flow path from the catheter into the bag. The assembly further comprises a catheter package with a container and a cover. The container forms an accommodation for an insertable part of the catheter, and the cover forms a cavity for the collecting bag. The cover is releasably fixed to the container. Furthermore, the package forms an overlap in which the cavity partly covers the accommodation. |
| US09480814B2 |
Method of producing catheter tube and continuous body of the same
A method of producing a catheter tube allows a plurality of catheter tubes to be continuously produced using a common core rod, with a proximal end connecting part efficiently attached. The method involves: forming a tubular body on the core rod including an inner layer covering body and an outer layer covering body; attaching a proximal end connecting part, forming a cylindrically shaped hub to a proximal end of the catheter tube, to a radially outer side of the inner layer covering body and the outer layer covering body; severing a tubular continuous body obtained on the core rod is severed at a given position after the proximal end connecting part is attached to produce a plurality of single tubes, each of which is provided with one of the hubs; and removing the core rod from the single tube. |
| US09480812B1 |
Methodology, system, use, and benefits of neuroacoustic frequencies for assessing and improving the health and well-being of living organisms
The ANS of a subject is continuously monitored to obtain the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) components of the autonomous nervous system while an external stimulus is applied to the subject having a frequency that sweeps across a frequency band. The stimulus may be a vibration, flickering light, or sound. The subject is determined to have entered into a state of homeostasis when the SNS component equals the PSNS component. The value of frequency that corresponds to the state of homeostasis is selected as the fundamental frequency of the subject for use in subsequent treatment protocols. |
| US09480804B2 |
Monodose nasal drug delivery system
A delivery device for delivery of a medicament to a user including a container defining a reservoir storing the medicament, a body in which the container is received, a spray nozzle arranged on one of the body and the container for receiving medicament expelled from the container, and a pusher actuatable for pushing the medicament from the container reservoir through the nozzle, said pusher being movable from a rest position to a fully activated position relative to said body in response to an actuating force. The assembly is particularly applicable to nasal syringes where it is desirable to deliver the medicament in the form of a spray. |
| US09480803B2 |
Dose counter with lockout mechanism
A medicament dispenser, in particular a metered dose inhaler, which is able to count the number of time the dispenser is activated and then disable the device, which then prevents any additional medicament from being dispensed. Additional embodiments include a medicament dispenser which are adapted to display either the number of activations that have occurred or the number of activations remaining. |
| US09480799B2 |
Retractable needle assembly utilizing a standard interface and syringe utilizing the same
An injection device including a barrel, a hollow plunger having a portion structured and arranged to move within the barrel, a needle unit, and a safety system that one of automatically causes the needle unit to retract into the plunger when the plunger reaches a substantially fully depressed position. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. |
| US09480798B2 |
Medical delivery device
Provided is a delivery device that has an initial locked position, an intermediate priming position, and a final delivery position. The device is configured such that individual dose setting and activation of delivery is prevented until a cap is removed. |
| US09480795B2 |
Sensor system for drug delivery device, drug delivery device having the same and method of using the same
A system for use with a drug delivery device includes a sensor unit and a deactivation unit operatively coupled to an output of the sensor unit and to a drug-retaining region of the drug delivery device, wherein the drug-retaining region contains a drug. The sensor unit is configured to detect a characteristic of a local environment and generate an output corresponding to a value of the detected characteristic. The deactivation unit is configured to render the drug ineffective when the output of the sensor unit satisfies a predetermined condition. |
| US09480789B2 |
Method and sedation delivery system including a pump assembly and a co-formulation of first and second drugs
A drug delivery system includes drug containers, a pump assembly, a sensor, and a controller. The drug containers each contain a different predetermined drug co-formulation of predetermined first and second drugs, wherein the first drug has a sedative effect. The sensor is adapted to sense a variable associated with the drug containers and output a different drug co-formulation identification signal associated with each of the drug containers based on the sensed variable. The controller is programmed to identify the drug co-formulation for the drug container operatively connected to the pump assembly from the associated identification signal and to control the pump assembly to deliver the drug co-formulation of the one drug container to the patient during a medical procedure according to a corresponding drug delivery algorithm which is different for each of the drug containers. A method is also disclosed which uses the drug delivery system. |
| US09480788B2 |
Medical injection systems and methods related to user activated control devices
A control module for a medical injection system generates an injection control signal based on sensed internal pressure of a user activated control device, for example, in response to an applied external force that causes the sensed internal pressure to increase from a baseline pressure, and continues to sense the internal pressure of the device, following release of the applied external force, so that, if the sensed internal pressure drops below the baseline pressure, the control module may generate a notification. Thus, an operator of the system may monitor internal pressure of the control device for a drop below the baseline pressure, and then, if such a drop is detected, inspect the control device for leaks and reconnect, replace or repair the control device, or simply reconnect or replace the control device. |
| US09480784B2 |
Dialysis system with balance chamber prime and rinseback
A dialysis system includes an extracorporeal circuit, a dialysis fluid circuit including first and second balance chambers, a fresh dialysis fluid pump in fluid communication with first and second fresh compartments of the first and second balance chambers, respectively. The first and second fresh compartments are in fluid communication with a fresh dialysate fluid inlet of the dialyzer, and a used dialysis fluid pump is in fluid communication with first and second spent compartments of the first and second balance chambers, respectively. The system is configured to run a blood rinseback sequence in which (i) at least one of the fresh used dialysis fluid pumps is operated to pump dialysis fluid through the dialyzer and into the extracorporeal circuit and (ii) the blood pump is operated to push blood back to a patient connected to the extracorporeal circuit. |
| US09480779B2 |
Implant and method for producing the same
The present invention relates to an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, the body of which comprises at least predominantly a material with iron as the main constituent. For accelerating the degradation, the material comprises sulfur as first minor constituent with a concentration of more than 0.2% by weight and not more than 1% by weight, preferably not more than 0.5% by weight, and comprises as second minor constituent at least one element of the group which comprises calcium, manganese and magnesium. Furthermore, a method for producing such an implant is described. |
| US09480777B2 |
Multipurpose implant with modeled surface structure for soft tissue reconstruction
Embodiments of a multi-purpose implant for use in surgery, such as for reconstruction of soft tissues, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the implant includes elastic polymer film made from a suitable biologically compatible polymer. The implant also includes a reinforcement element formed from a polyurethane mesh or other strong and stable woven or unwoven synthetic material. The reinforcement element can be fully enclosed by the film so that only the film comes into contact with the organs and tissues. Anti-adhesive properties or control over implant's integration into a body can be determined by the preset surface structure of the implant, while physical and mechanical properties, such as strength and elasticity of the implant, are obtained by virtue of reinforcement element geometry. |
| US09480772B2 |
Gel sheet containing lipid peptide gelator and polymeric compound
There is provided a gel sheet that has high biocompatibility and safety, can contain both a hydrophilic medicinal agent and a hydrophobic medicinal agent, and provides an excellent feel in use during the application onto human skin or others. A gel sheet including: a lipid peptide gelator including a low molecular weight lipid peptide having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less or a pharmaceutically usable salt of the lipid peptide; and a polymeric compound, wherein the polymeric compound is included in an amount of more than 1% (w/w) and less than 50% (w/w) with respect to the total mass of the gel sheet. |
| US09480770B2 |
Methods for preparation of medical dressing containing antimicrobial agent
A medical dressing containing an antimicrobial agent is disclosed. The medical dressing comprises a layered fabric comprising an inner layer of substantially hydrophilic material, an outer layer of substantially hydrophobic material on both sides of the inner layer; and an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent may be releasably impregnated into the fabric, coated on said fabric or a combination thereof. The antimicrobial agent may be a biguanide, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). The fabric inner layer material may be substantially a cellulose fiber, preferably substantially rayon, and the fabric outer layer material may be substantially polyester, e.g., a combination of textile matrix grade polyester fiber and amorphous binder grade polyester fiber. The fabric is preferably treated with an aqueous solution of surfactant and PHMB to have about 1500-3500 ppm of extractable PHMB. |
| US09480767B1 |
Removable cartridge and cap assembly for an air treatment appliance
An air treatment appliance is provided which includes an appliance housing and a removable cartridge received therein. The removable cartridge includes a receptacle containing a liquid compound to be aerosolized within an interior thereof and a cap assembly coupled to the receptacle. The cap assembly includes a cap, a venturi insert, and a base attached together without welds or separate fasteners to define an air inlet chamber on one side of the venturi insert, a venturi outlet passage on the other side of the venturi insert in fluid communication with the interior of the receptacle, and an aerosol outlet chamber partitioned from the interior of the receptacle by the base and in fluid communication with an outlet of the cap through which aerosolized compound generated by the venturi insert is discharged during operation. |
| US09480766B2 |
Photocatalytic devices and systems
Novel photocatalytic devices are disclosed, that utilize ultrathin titania based photocatalytic materials formed on optical elements with high transmissivity, high reflectivity or scattering characteristics, or on high surface area or high porosity open cell materials. The disclosure includes methods to fabricate such devices, including MOCVD and ALD. The disclosure also includes photocatalytic systems that are either standalone or combined with general illumination (lighting) utility, and which may incorporate passive fluid exchange, user configurable photocatalytic optical elements, photocatalytic illumination achieved either by the general illumination light source, dedicated blue or UV light sources, or combinations thereof, and operating methodologies for combined photocatalytic and lighting systems. The disclosure also includes photocatalytic materials incorporated on the surface of packaged LEDs, LED lamps and LED luminaires, with photocatalytic materials incorporated on optically useful luminaire surfaces or on the surface of the remote phosphor. The disclosure also includes ultrathin photocatalytic materials incorporated on surfaces to affect antibacterial and antiviral properties. |
| US09480753B2 |
FGF21 derivatives with albumin binder A-B-C-D-E- and their use
The present invention relates to Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21), more in particular to derivatives of FGF21 compounds having an albumin binder of the formula A-B-C-D-E- covalently attached. The invention also relates to novel FGF21 analogues, as well as to the pharmaceutical use of these FGF21 derivatives and analogues, in particular for the treatment of diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and/or Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The derivatives of the invention are protracted, e.g. capable of maintaining a low blood glucose level for a longer period of time, capable of increasing the in vivo half-life of FGF21, and/or result in a lower clearance of FGF21. The derivatives of the invention are preferably furthermore of an improved oxidative stability. |
| US09480751B2 |
Albumin binding probes and drug conjugates thereof
The present invention provides a long chain fatty acid (LCFA)-like albumin-binding probe/ligand containing no hydrolysable bond and having an enhanced associating affinity with human serum albumin, which upon conjugation with an amino- or mercapto-containing short-lived drug and administration of the conjugate, significantly prolongs the life time of said drug without substantially interfering with its pharmacological activity. The invention further provides conjugates of said probe with amino- or mercapto-containing drugs, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof. |
| US09480748B2 |
Mucoadhesive particulate formulation for inducing antigen-specific immune tolerance
The present disclosure relates to a mucoadhesive composition, adapted for preventing and/or treating a pathological reaction of the immune system of an individual, by inducing a specific tolerance towards at least one antigen involved in said pathological reaction, comprising chitosan particles loaded with said at least one antigen involved in the pathological reaction, wherein the size of the loaded chitosan particles is of more than 800 nm. |
| US09480747B2 |
Class of anti-adhesion hydrogels with healing aspects
Disclosed are hydrogels polymerized with a biofunctional moiety, biodegradable and permanent, designed to be implantable in a mammalian body and intended to block or mitigate the formation of tissue adhesions. The hydrogels of the present invention are characterized by comprising four structural elements: a) a polymeric backbone which defines the overall polymeric morphology, b) linkage groups, c) side chains, and d) biofunctional end groups. The hydrophobicity of the various structural elements are chosen to reduce tissue adhesion and enhance the biofunctional aspect of the end groups. The morphology of these polymers are typically of high molecular weight and have shape to encourage entanglement. Useful structures include branching chains, comb or brush, and dendritic morphologies. |
| US09480745B2 |
Targeted treatment of anerobic cancer
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical cocktail and methods of treatment involving said cocktail, in particular, a combination of effective amounts of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, in combination with effective amounts of an angiogenesis inhibitor, including a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor such as bevacizumab for the treatment of cancer. In other embodiments, it relates to compositions and methods of treating cancer involving effective amounts of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating cancer (eliminating the tumor, shrinking the tumor, prolonging the life of the patient, increasing quality of life by decreasing the grade of adverse events seen with other cancer treatments, and/or preventing/reducing the likelihood of the tumor's metastases) are additional aspects of the present invention. In addition, the present invention may be used to favorably impact the therapeutic result of patients who have not responded to alternative, traditional anti-cancer therapy. |
| US09480743B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulation comprising a biopharmaceutical drug
The present invention is related to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a biopharmaceutical drug, said composition further comprising at least one mono- or dicarboxylic acid with a backbone of 2-6 C-Atoms, or at least one salt thereof. |
| US09480741B2 |
Anti-leukocyte recruitment therapy for the treatment of seizures and epilepsy
Methods are provided for the prevention and treatment of seizures and epilepsy. It is shown herein that leukocyte recruitment plays a key role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Treatment with an agent that inhibits leukocyte recruitment has therapeutic and preventative effects in blocking recurrent seizures and epilepsy. |
| US09480740B2 |
Synthetic glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvants
Compounds, particularly, glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA) compounds, having the following structure (I) are provided: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, are as defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions, vaccine compositions, and related methods for inducing or enhancing immune responses, are also provided. |
| US09480739B2 |
Bovine virus vaccines that are liquid stable
The present invention discloses liquid stable bovine vaccines that comprise a live attenuated virus, and a sugar alcohol. The present invention also discloses the manufacture of such vaccines and methods of protecting an animal by administration of such vaccines. |
| US09480738B2 |
Recombinant modified vaccinia virus ankara (MVA) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
Provided herein are recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) strains as improved vaccines against infection with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV virus) and to related products, methods and uses. Specifically, provided herein are genetically engineered recombinant MVA vectors comprising at least one nucleotide sequence encoding an antigenic determinant of an RSV membrane glycoprotein and at least one nucleotide sequence encoding an antigenic determinant of an RSV nucleocapsid protein. Also provided herein are products, methods and uses thereof, e.g., suitable to affect an immune response in a subject, or suitable to diagnose an RSV infection, as well as to determine whether a subject is at risk of recurrent RSV infection. |
| US09480730B2 |
Method and apparatus for preparing single donor thrombin serum
A method for preparing thrombin serum, the method comprising obtaining blood fluid sample, contacting a first aliquot of the blood fluid with a procoagulant agent to form prothrombinase enzyme complex bound to the surface of the procoagulant agent so as to obtain an activated procoagulant agent that may be stored. The activated procoagulant agent may then be contacted with a second aliquot of the blood fluid containing prothrombin so as to obtain thrombin serum, which may be extracted and contacted with fibrinogen to obtain fibrin. |
| US09480726B2 |
Leukotoxin E/D as a new anti-inflammatory agent and microbicide
The present invention relates to methods for preventing or treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, inflammatory conditions, and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) in a subject. Therapeutic compositions of the present invention comprise Leukocidin E (LukE) and/or D proteins or polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods of treating Staphylococcus aureus infection by administering a composition comprising a CCR5 antagonist or any molecule that blocks LukE/D interaction with CCR5+ cells in an amount effective to treat the S. aureus infection in the subject. |
| US09480725B2 |
Fermented wheat germ proteins (FWGP) for the treatment of cancer
The present invention provides compositions comprising the component of fermented wheat germ extract (“FWGE”) active in reducing, inhibiting or preventing the proliferation of cancer cells and/or tumors, and methods of making and using such compositions. The active component from FWGE comprises polypeptides having a molecular weight in the range of about 5-100 kiloDaltons (kD), for example, a molecular weight in the range of about 12-50 kD. Exemplary polypeptides from FWGE determined to be active in reducing, inhibiting or preventing the proliferation of cancer cells and/or tumors are listed in Table 1. |
| US09480720B1 |
Treating damaged dermal or mucosal tissue with a whole, leech saliva extract
Methods are provided for isolating and using a whole-saliva leech extract. The methods can include feeding a phagostimulatory agent to a leech; inducing a regurgitation in the leech, the inducing including placing the leech in an environment having a temperature of less than about 0° C.; and, collecting an unrefined, whole saliva in the regurgitation of the cooled leech. The methods can include revitalizing the leech by warming it at a temperature ranging from about 5° C. to about 40° C. Stable, lyophilized, whole-saliva extracts of a leech are also provided, the extract having a stable activity when stored for use at a temperature below about −20° C., the extract maintaining at least 70% of the activity for at least 6 months. The extracts can be used to treat solid tumors, treat liquid tumors, treat diabetes, treat a viral disease, treat a parasitic disease, treat an antibacterial disease, or serve as an anti-oxidant. |
| US09480716B2 |
Serum fraction of platelet-rich fibrin
The invention provides for a method of preparing an isolated serum fraction of platelet rich fibrin (PRF), comprising the steps of a. providing platelet rich plasma (PRP) without the addition of an anticoagulant; b. clotting the PRP to obtain a coagel of PRF; and c. separating the coagel to isolate the serum fraction which comprises an activated platelet releasate; and further provides for the isolated serum fraction obtained by such method, and its medical use. |
| US09480710B2 |
Compositions and methods for treatment of osteoporosis and other indications
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of subjects having or at risk of osteoporosis or other conditions. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide. The nitric oxide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto a suitable portion of the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like. |
| US09480707B2 |
Methods and systems for treatment of inflammatory diseases with nitric oxide
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of various inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory dermatoses and other conditions, e.g., using nitric oxide. Examples of such dermatoses include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. The nitric oxide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, e.g., onto an inflammation site, or other suitable portion of the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like. |
| US09480704B2 |
Topically administered strontium-containing complexes for treating pain, pruritis and inflammation
The present disclosure consists of therapeutically-active compositions that combine strontium with at least one additional molecules that increase the overall therapeutic potency of the combination beyond the potency of any of the separate constituents. Specifically, the combinations described herein perform two important functions; (1) they increase the ability of topically-applied strontium to inhibit both acute sensory irritation (e.g., pruritus and pain), redness, swelling and inflammation (collectively defined for purposes of this description, “irritation”) and the chronic irritation that is characteristic of and contributes to the development and maintenance of painful or pruritic neuropathic conditions; and (2) they decrease the strontium activated pathways that are known to enhance the development and maintenance of pain, pruritis and neuropathic conditions. |
| US09480700B2 |
Therapy-enhancing glucan
This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of antibodies. This invention further provides the above compositions and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject with cancer comprising administrating the above-described composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of vaccines. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject comprising administrating the above pharmaceutical composition to the subject. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of natural antibodies. This invention provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing host immunity. This invention also provides a composition comprising effective amount of glucan capable of enhancing the action of an agent in preventing tissue rejection. |
| US09480699B2 |
Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and therapy of BCL2-associated cancers
Provided are methods and compositions for the treatment of cancers associated with overexpression of a BCL2 gene and/or gene product in a subject, and methods and compositions for the improvement of anti-cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Also provided are methods for determining the efficacy of a cancer therapy in a subject, methods for diagnosing cancer, methods for assessing patient prognosis, and methods for inducing apoptosis of a cell. |
| US09480697B2 |
Edible energy composition
The disclosure relates to an edible energy composition that includes a methylated xanthine, a choline derivative and a flavorant. |
| US09480690B2 |
High-strength testosterone undecanoate compositions
The present disclosure is drawn to pharmaceutical compositions and oral dosage capsules containing testosterone undecanoate, as well as related methods. The capsule includes a capsule shell and a capsule fill. The capsule fill can include a solubilizer and about 14 wt % to about 35 wt % testosterone undecanoate based on the total capsule fill. The oral dosage capsule is such that when a single oral administration to a male subject of one or more capsules with a total testosterone undecanoate daily dose of about 350 mg to about 650 mg it provides a ratio of serum testosterone Cmax to serum testosterone Cave of about 2.7 or less. In yet another embodiment, a method for providing a serum concentration of testosterone within a target serum testosterone concentration Cave range for a male subject is provided. |
| US09480689B1 |
Pheromone composition to stimulate reproduction in female suids and methods of use
The present disclosure provides for compositions and methods of stimulating reproductive behavior and reproductive success and productivity in a suid, such as pigs. The composition may comprise at least one steroid hormone and a heterocyclic aromatic compound. The method comprises administering the pheromone composition to the suid for a period of time. |
| US09480688B2 |
Pheromone compositions and their use to modify behavior in different vertebrate species
A composition comprising Androstenone is described for the modification of undesirable or harmful stress-related behaviors or other behaviors or physiology in a variety of vertebrate species, as well as methods of using the compositions in vertebrates from a species different than the species in which the Androstenone is a naturally occurring pheromone. |
| US09480687B2 |
Pyrazine derivatives and uses thereof in renal monitoring
The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives such as those represented by Formulas I and II below. X1 to X4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron withdrawing groups. In contrast, Y1 to Y4 of the compounds of Formulas I and II may be characterized as electron donating groups. Pyrazine derivatives of the present invention may be utilized in assessing renal function. In particular, an effective amount of a pyrazine derivative of the invention may be administered into a body of a patient. The pyrazine derivative that is in the body may be exposed to visible and/or infrared light to cause spectral energy to emanate from the pyrazine derivative. This emanating spectral energy may be detected and utilized to determine renal function of the patient. |
| US09480685B2 |
Abuse-resistant controlled-release opioid dosage form
Abuse-resistant, controlled release opioid tablets are a combination containing an opioid antagonist such as naloxone at a level above that needed to suppress the euphoric effect of the opioid, if the combination were crushed to break the controlled release properties causing the opioid and opioid antagonist to be released as a immediate release product as a single dose. The controlled release nature of the table prevents the accumulation of orally effective amounts of opioid antagonist when taken normally. The opioid antagonist is contained in a controlled-release matrix and released, over time, with the opioid. |
| US09480683B2 |
Method of inhibiting mutant C-kit
The present invention includes a method of reducing or inhibiting the kinase activity of C-KIT mutant tyrosine kinase activity in a cell or a subject, and the use of such compound for treating mutant C-KIT driven cell proliferative disorder(s) in a subject related to using a compound of the present invention: or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09480681B2 |
Controlled release formulations of nisoldipine
Controlled release oral dosage formulations containing calcium channel blocker and processes for preparation thereof, are provided for once a day treatment. The active agent is preferably a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, such as nisoldipine. In one embodiment, the formulation provides controlled release of micronized nisoldipine with one or more pH independent release controlling polymers. The controlled release matrix formulation is advantageous and can be prepared by a simple, economically viable process as compared to complex core-coat prior-art versions. |
| US09480680B2 |
Stable pharmaceutical composition of clopidogrel free base for oral and parenteral delivery
The present disclosure provides ready-to-use, oil/water emulsion compositions with mean droplet size (intensity-average, m) of 100-500 nm, wherein the oil phase comprises clopidogrel free base dispersed in pharmaceutical acceptable oil(s). The emulsion uses clopidogrel free base or premix of clopidogrel free base in oil(s) as the starting materials and may also contain one or more excipients such as surfactant and or co-surfactant, osmotic agent, pH adjustment agent, antioxidant, preservative, sweetener, and/or suspending agent, etc. The emulsion formulations and method of manufacturing significantly improves the stability of clopidogrel over other aqueous based formulations (such as cyclodextrin-based formulations and emulsion made using clopidogrel salt as the starting materials) with respect to chiral degradation, hydrolytic, and thermal degradation. Ready-to-use emulsion compositions, which can be administered orally or parentally as a single high dose with up to 300 mg of clopidogrel dose, can be prepared and stored at room temperature for at least 19 weeks or at refrigeration temperature for at least 1 year. The compositions will provide rapid therapeutic action as anti-platelet agent for patient under emergence and intense care or who cannot swallow tablet dosage form. |
| US09480679B2 |
Methods for treating malaria, tuberculosis and MAC diseases
Described herein are formulations and methods for treating diseases caused by infectious pathogens, including mycobacterium avium complex, mycobacterium tuberculosis, Nocardia, Plasmodium falcium, and Plasmodium berghei. |
| US09480677B2 |
Enantiomers of spiro-oxindole compounds and their uses as therapeutic agents
This invention is directed to the (S)-enantiomer of the compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate or prodrug thereof. This (S)-enantiomer is useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions, such as pain, which are ameliorated or alleviated by the modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels. |
| US09480662B1 |
Compositions and methods for topical tamoxifen citrate therapy
The present invention provides topical compositions and methods for administering tamoxifen citrate while minimizing the incidence and or severity of adverse drug experiences associated with tamoxifen therapy. In one aspect, these compositions and methods provide a lower plasma concentration of tamoxifen metabolites, such as 4-hydroxytamoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen, which is presumed to be contributing at least in part to some of the adverse drug experiences, while maintaining sufficient tamoxifen as the sole active agent to benefit a subject with tamoxifen therapy. |
| US09480658B2 |
Modulation of synaptic maintenance
C1q is shown to be expressed in neurons, where it acts as a signal for synapse elimination. Methods are provided for protecting or treating an individual suffering from adverse effects of synapse loss. These findings have broad implications for a variety of clinical conditions, including treating and preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. |
| US09480649B2 |
Lipid microparticle growth factor formulations
The present invention is directed to novel formulations and methods for the improved delivery and administration of hydrophobic therapeutic compounds that are substantially insoluble and/or susceptible to precipitation in aqueous solution at physiological pH, including, e.g., growth and differentiation factor-5 and related proteins. Many therapeutic compounds are hydrophobic at physiological pH levels. |
| US09480646B2 |
Sustained release siRNA for ocular drug delivery
The present invention provides an ocular implant of siRNA complexed with a transfection agent such as cationic lipids and short cell penetration peptides, wherein the complex is associated with a biocompatible polymer. The biocompatible polymer includes a polymeric matrix configured to release the complex into the eye of a patient at therapeutic levels for a time sufficient to treat an ocular condition or disease. |
| US09480645B2 |
Omega-3 oil containing ophthalmic emulsions
Disclosed herein are non-irritating ophthalmic emulsion compositions useful for treating ocular disorders including dry eye. More specifically, the ophthalmic compositions disclosed herein combine a high HLB surfactant and a low HLB surfactant together with an omega-3 fatty acid-containing oil having non-polar aliphatic side chains to form a therapeutic non-irritating eye drop. |
| US09480644B2 |
Nasal drug products and methods of their use
Drug products adapted for nasal delivery, comprising a pre-primed device filled with a pharmaceutical composition comprising an opioid receptor antagonist, are provided. Methods of treating opioid overdose or its symptoms with the inventive drug products are also provided. |
| US09480639B2 |
Method for extracting phenolic compounds from olive fruit water and preparation of an extract titrated with olive and grape polyphenols
The present invention relates to a method for extracting phenolic compounds with low molecular weights from olive fruit water; the invention also relates to compositions enriched with phenolic compounds including at least 40% of dry matter, said dry matter consisting of at least 30% hydroxytyrosol; the invention also relates to a method for drying said compositions by spraying using grape polyphenol extracts as a drying medium as well as to powders titrated with phenolic compounds of olives and grapes obtained after drying. |
| US09480638B2 |
Cosmetic composition containing extracts of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara, Angelica tenuissima and medicinal herbs
Disclosed herein is a cosmetic composition containing, as an active ingredient, a mixture of extracts of honey-roasted Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara and honey-roasted Angelica tenuissima Nakai, processed using a medicinal herb processing technique, and of extracts of medicinal herbs such as Lycium chinense Mill or Paeonia suffruticosa, and thus shows excellent antioxidant and skin-moisturizing effects. |
| US09480634B2 |
Cosmetic compositions
A cosmetic composition comprising a safe and effective amount of a skin care active; a safe and effective amount of a skin lightening agent; a safe and effective amount of bisabolol; and a safe and effective amount of a glycerol ether of aliphatic alcohol, wherein the ratio of bisabolol to glycerol ether of aliphatic alcohol is from 2:1 to 1:15. |
| US09480631B2 |
Shelf stable capsules
A capsule slurry including at least one coacervated capsule and at least 10 wt % humectant is disclosed. The humectant may be sorbitol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, xylitol, erythritol and/or betaine. |
| US09480627B2 |
Long term bacteriostatic compounds and their use in restorative dental materials
Example embodiments of the present invention utilize long term anti-microbial/bacteriostatic compounds that are dispersed throughout a tooth restoration material as a means to reduce or eliminate recurrent decay between the tooth restoration material and tooth structure. More specifically, the present invention utilizes metals, metal oxides, and metal salts, insoluble bacteriostatic organic compounds, soluble bacteriostatic organic compounds, and organometallic compounds as long term anti-microbial/bacteriostatic compounds that are dispersed throughout the tooth restoration material as a means to reduce or eliminate recurrent decay between the tooth restoration material and tooth structure. |
| US09480623B2 |
Pre-assembled fluid transfer arrangement
The present invention relates to a medical device (1, 100) comprising a first container (10, 110) holding a first medium and defining a general axis, a second container (20, 120) holding a second medium, and fluid connection means (50, 150) for establishing fluid connection between the first container (10, 110) and the second container (20, 120), the fluid connection means (50, 150) being arranged at least partially between the first container (10, 110) and the second container (20, 120). The device further comprises a cover receiving portion (42, 42) and a cover (4, 104) removably mounted thereon to shield at least an operable portion of the first container (10, 110). The cover (4, 104) is operatively coupled with the fluid connection means (50, 150) and configured to cause a relative converging motion between at least one of the first container (10, 110) and the fluid connection means (50, 150) and the second container (20, 120) and the fluid connection means (50, 150) in response to a dismounting of the cover (4, 104) from the cover receiving portion (42, 142). |
| US09480622B1 |
Medical device safety holder
The present invention provides a medical safety device for holding a container. The medical safety device is used to hold the container while extracting liquid by a syringe from the container. The medical safety device includes a main body having an opening for an interior. The interior has a retention space configured for retaining a container. In addition, the main body includes a plunger having a retention surface configured for contacting and retaining a container in the retention space. The plunger slides up and down within the retention space. Two handles are affixed to opposing sides of the main body. The plunger and retention surface applies force to the container positioned within the retention space sufficient to hold the container in place within the retention space. The plunger may be biased down into the retention space by a spring attached to the plunger. |
| US09480621B2 |
Medical instrument
A medical instrument configured to cover at least a mouth section of a medical container that includes a container body with the mouth section at a distal end and a sealing member that seals the mouth section, includes: a cap comprising a cylindrical body; an adapter; and a proximal-end side structure body. The medical device is configured such that, when screw-engagement between a second cap-side screw-engaged portion and a proximal-end side screw-engaged portion is released by rotating the cap around a center axis, the adapter moves in the proximal-end direction while being prevented from rotating by a guide portion, thereby allowing an adapter-side screw-engaged portion to be detached from a first cap-side screw-engaged portion, and further allowing a hollow needle to penetrate the sealing member so that an inside of the container body communicates with an outside via the hollow needle. |
| US09480618B2 |
Portable active pneumatically powered ankle-foot orthosis
A portable active fluid-powered ankle foot orthosis. A lower leg mount and a foot bed are pivotally coupled at or proximate to an ankle position. A fluid powered rotary actuator is configured to receive power from a wearable fluid power source and provide controlled force and resistance to aid or inhibit relative rotation of the foot bed and the lower leg mount. An integral controller is provided for receiving data from sensors and controlling the fluid powered rotary actuator to actively assist gait of a user. |
| US09480616B2 |
Surgical table with pivotable femoral support
A femoral support system includes a plate configured to support the pelvis of a patient on a table. In addition, the system includes a femoral support pivotally coupled to the plate and configured to support the thigh of the patient. |
| US09480615B2 |
Transport carriage for transport of a patient support and/or an operating table column of an operating table
A transport carriage for transport for transport of a patient support and/or an operating table column of an operating table includes a chassis which is connectable with the patient support and/or with the operating table column. The chassis includes a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam arranged at a distance thereto. The first and second longitudinal beams form a fork-shaped opening. At least one castor which is pivotable about a swiveling axis is arranged at each longitudinal beam forming the fork-shaped opening. The transport carriage includes at least one delimiting unit for delimiting the swiveling movement of at least one of the castors about its swiveling axis. This delimitation can be automatically revoked upon lifting the base of the operating table. |
| US09480614B2 |
Hip distraction
A hip distractor includes a pair of distractor members and a support configured to be fastened to a surgical table. The support includes at least two mounts for coupling to a pair of joints that couple the distractor members to the support. Another hip distractor includes a pair of distractor assemblies that are configured to apply a distraction load to a patient. Each of the assemblies includes a joint for coupling the corresponding assembly to a surgical table. The joint permits vertical and horizontal angular adjustment of the corresponding assembly. A method of distracting a hip includes coupling a patient's legs to a pair of distractor assemblies and simultaneously adjusting a vertical angle and a horizontal angle of at least one of the distractor assemblies. |
| US09480613B1 |
Patient support system
A rectangular first sheet has a right side, a wrong side, and side edges. A pair of vertical straps are fabricated of an essentially inextensible strapping cord. Selective stitching couples each vertical strap to the wrong side of the first sheet with each vertical strap extending beyond the first sheet and parallel with and spaced a distance from an adjacent side edge. A pair of horizontal straps are fabricated of an essentially inextensible strapping cord. Additional selective stitching couples each horizontal strap to the wrong side of the first sheet with each end of each horizontal strap extending beyond the first sheet. A loop is formed at each end of each strap to create handles. A second sheet is in a rectangular configuration. Peripheral stitching couples the first sheet and the second sheet with the straps between the sheets. |
| US09480611B2 |
Absorbent article having a fastening system
A method of manufacturing an absorbent article including a fastening system having a primary fastening system and a secondary fastening system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can include providing an absorbent assembly, providing a web of primary second fastening component material, and providing a carrier web including a secondary first fastening component material. The method can further include coupling the carrier web to the web of primary second fastening component material to form a composite web, cutting the composite web to form a discrete composite web component, and coupling the discrete composite web component to the outer cover of the absorbent assembly, with the discrete composite web component forming the primary second fastening component of the primary fastening system and the at least one secondary first fastening component of the secondary fastening system. |
| US09480607B2 |
Pants-type wearing article
A pants-type wearing article in which at least a central segment of a crotch region has a desired degree of flexibility and a portion of a crotch region close to a front waist region has a desired degree of tensile strength. The front and rear waist regions and at least a portion of the crotch region close to the front waist region define a multilayer zone composed of a base sheet and a front waist sheet layered with each other and a central segment of the crotch region defines a monolayer zone formed of the base sheet alone. The multilayer zone includes corners each surrounded by a boundary, an inner end of the front waist region, a joint region in which a liquid-absorbent structure is bonded to a chassis and a concave lateral edge of the crotch region and the boundary extends across the joint region. |
| US09480605B2 |
Device for extracting dried nasal mucus or earwax
A device for removing mucus (dried or wet) from a nostril of a subject or for removing earwax (dry or wet) from an ear canal of a subject includes a handle portion or grip portion to facilitate manipulation of the device, at least one of a bowl or a loop at an end of the handle portion, and a stop located between the handle portion and the bowl or loop. The bowl or loop is sized and configured for insertion into a nostril or an ear canal of the subject, and the stop is sized to prevent insertion of the stop into the nostril or ear canal and to limit the extent that the bowl or loop can be inserted into the nostril or ear canal, thereby reducing or eliminating the potential for accidental injury or extreme discomfort to the subject during use. |
| US09480603B2 |
Systems and methods for laser correction of astigmatism incident with lens replacement surgery
A nomogram, a method for determining how to cut a cornea to produce a particular vision correction, and a system and method for determining how to make a vision correction when a precision cutting tool is being used as opposed to the performance of hand cuts. In a further embodiment, measurement of astigmatism to be corrected, calculation of the nomogram, and the actual cutting are mostly or completely automated eliminating human error from the system. |
| US09480597B2 |
Apparatus for intraocular injection
Described is an apparatus for intraocular injection comprising a body adapted to accommodate a syringe having a needle, an outer sleeve telescopically coupled to the body, and at least two arms hingedly coupled to the outer sleeve. Each of the arms comprises a medial portion adapted to encase at least a portion of the needle. When the body moves distally relative 10 to said outer sleeve, the body engages the arms separating the medial portions. |
| US09480591B2 |
Adjustable limb protective assembly
An adjustable limb protective assembly has a main body, a first covering frame and a second covering frame. The main body has a first extending arm, a second extending arm, two holding bases, two operating elements and a jointing connector. Each extending arm has a connecting board. The holding bases are respectively connected to the extending arms adjacent the connecting boards. The operating elements are respectively and securely mounted on the connecting boards, and each one of the operating elements has an operating mount and an operating stem. The jointing connector is connected to the extending arms. The first covering frame is connected to the first extending arm and has a first supporting arm and a first covering base. The second covering frame is connected to the second extending arm and has a second supporting arm and a second covering base. |
| US09480584B2 |
Medical device
Novel devices and methods for implanting medical stents are provided. A novel apparatus, which may be in a first compressed position, may be inserted into the artery, such as by being positioned over a catheter. The apparatus may be expanded to a second position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to expand away in two substantially opposing directions along a second axis away from the longitudinal axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may include markers that are detectable to determine the orientation of the catheter or the apparatus and/or assist in the determination of the type or size of stent to utilize. |
| US09480582B2 |
System and method for conscious sensory feedback
A system for conscious sensory feedback for a body extremity without sensation or a body extremity prosthesis is disclosed, as well as methods for conscious sensory feedback based on said system; a glove, a sock and a body extremity prosthesis comprising said system; and use of the system. |
| US09480581B2 |
Method of digitally constructing a prosthesis
A prosthetic limb and process to digitally construct a prosthetic limb which includes first, digitally producing a modified mold of a residual limb via 3d scanners and software; constructing a test socket from the digitally modified mold and be equipped with an alignable system; accurately scanning the test socket, along with finalized alignment that has been recorded and adjusted by a certified practitioner to provide a 3-D Image of the finalized prosthetic alignment; transferring the finalized digital alignment of the test socket to the finalized digitally modified mold; once the modified model has received the transferred alignment, fabricating the type of hookup in the socket; i.e., plug fit, four hole, support drop lock, or any other type of industry standard connection or accommodation via basic 3D software; and once the desired prosthetic attachment is finalized, sending finished file to a 3-D printer to produce the definitive prosthetic device. |
| US09480574B2 |
Spinal fusion implants and devices and methods for deploying such implants
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue. The devices and methods may include insertion of first and second elongated members into the space between two tissue layers, with an augmenting elongated member inserted therebetween to form a distraction device between the tissues to be distracted. The distraction device defines a generally annular configuration, with a locking member secured to one of the elongated members at a plurality of locations to maintain the distraction device in the generally annular configuration. The augmenting elongated member may be shorter than the first and second elongated members such that a window is defined between the proximal and distal ends of the augmenting elongated member when the distraction device and the first and second elongated members are in the generally annular configuration. Bone graft material or bone filler may be introduced into the interior of the distraction device through the window. |
| US09480573B2 |
Expandable interbody spacer
The present invention relates to devices and methods for treating one or more damaged, diseased, or traumatized portions of the spine, including intervertebral discs, to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. In one or more embodiments, the present invention relates to an expandable interbody spacer. The expandable interbody spacer may comprise a first jointed arm comprising a plurality of links pivotally coupled end to end. The expandable interbody spacer further may comprise a second jointed arm comprising a plurality of links pivotally coupled end to end. The first jointed arm and the second jointed arm may be interconnected at a proximal end of the expandable interbody spacer. The first jointed arm and the second jointed arm may be interconnected at a distal end of the expandable interbody spacer. |
| US09480566B2 |
Tool with a groove useful for implanting a penile prosthetic cylinder
A tool for implanting an inflatable penile prosthetic cylinder includes a barrel having a solid central portion and a groove formed in an exterior side surface of the barrel between a first convex curved exterior surface and a second convex curved exterior surface of the barrel. The groove extends to and forms an opening at the distal end of the barrel and forms a cavity extending into the barrel from the exterior side surface toward the solid central portion. The cavity has a first gap dimension measured at the exterior side surface that is smaller than a second gap dimension measured inboard relative to the exterior side surface of the barrel. |
| US09480564B2 |
Methods and apparatus for percutaneous aortic valve replacement
A delivery system and method for percutaneous aortic valve (PAV) replacement and apparatus used therein. A temporary aortic valve including a reversibly expandable occluder surrounds a central catheter mechanism. The temporary valve is positioned within the ascending aorta, just above and downstream from the coronary ostia. The occluder is configured such that, when fully expanded against the aortic wall, gaps are left that promote continuous coronary perfusion during the cardiac cycle. The temporary valve substitutes for the function of the native aortic valve during its replacement. The native aortic valve is next dilated, and then ablated through deployment of low profile, elongated, sequentially delivered stents. The stent(s) displace the native tissues and remain within the aortic annulus to receive and provide a structure for retaining the PAV. The PAV is delivered, positioned and deployed within the stent(s) at the aortic annulus with precision and relative ease. |
| US09480563B2 |
Valve holder with leaflet protection
An implantation device for a prosthetic heart valve includes a valve holder for maintaining the prosthetic heart valve in a closed configuration and at least one protective sheet coupled to the valve holder, the at least one protective sheet being configured to cover a leaflet of the heart valve during implantation. |
| US09480558B2 |
Transcatheter valve having reduced seam exposure
A transcatheter valve having an expandable frame and a collapsible multi-portion skirt within the frame are provided with seams between the portions of the skirt that are located to cooperate with features of the frame and thereby reduce the exposure of the seams. |
| US09480556B2 |
Replacement prosthetic heart valve, system and method of implant
A prosthetic heart valve for functionally replacing a previously implanted prosthetic heart valve is disclosed. The prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible support structure with leaflets and anchors mounted to the support structure. The support structure also includes an inflow end and an outflow end. The anchors include a radially outwardly extending first anchor proximate to the inflow end and a radially outwardly extending second anchor proximate to the outflow end. The first anchor includes a first configuration and the second anchor includes a second configuration where the first configuration is different than the second configuration. The previously implanted prosthetic heart valve serves as a platform for securement of the prosthetic heart valve to the patient's native tissue. |
| US09480551B2 |
Implantable tissue connector
An implantable tissue connector comprises a conduit and at least one bulge extending outwardly from the conduit's outer surface in a circumferential direction. At least one blocking ring loosely fitting over the outer surface with a clearance between the outer surface and the blocking ring is provided for mounting tubular living tissue within the clearance. The blocking ring has an inner diameter which is sized relative to an outer diameter of the bulge to prevent the blocking ring from slipping over the bulge when living tissue is mounted within the clearance. During implantation, the conduit is inserted into the tubular part of living tissue and over the bulge. Then, the blocking ring is pushed over the free end of the living tissue against the bulge. The living tissue is secured to the conduit with a self-enhancing effect when the tissue tends to be pulled off of the conduit. |
| US09480549B2 |
Multi-layer tissue patches
Embodiments of the present invention encompass anti-adhesion wound dressings including patches made from amnion tissue obtained from human birth tissue. Exemplary amnion patches can be fabricated by folding a section of amnion over on itself with the epithelial layer on the outside of the folded patch and the fibroblast layer on the inside of the folded patch. Optionally, individual amnion tissue pieces can be sandwiched together to provide a multi-layer patch. Sufficient pressure is applied to the layered amnion to cause adherence between opposing faces of the fibroblast layers. The pressed fibroblast layers provide mechanical strength to hold the amnion patch together with the epithelial layers on the outsides of the amnion patch. |
| US09480547B2 |
Reinforcement device with dissolvable layer and its use
A reinforcement device for reinforcing tissues having one or more structural deficiencies includes a longitudinally-extending reinforcing layer for treating the structural deficiency, a plurality of spiked naps distributed across the reinforcing layer and projecting therefrom for adhering to the tissue, and a dissolvable matrix layer covering at least a portion of the reinforcing layer and a portion of the plurality of spiked naps. The matrix layer increases the time before the spiked naps substantially adhere to the tissue, thereby allowing the practitioner additional time to position the reinforcement device. |
| US09480546B2 |
Hysteropexy mesh apparatuses and methods
The invention describes embodiments of apparatuses and methods of using a hysteropexy mesh. |
| US09480544B2 |
Dental furnace
The invention relates to a dental furnace comprising a firing hood equipped with a heating device that is movably supported for the opening and closing of the dental furnace relative to a base intended for receiving a dental restoration part, and further comprising a heat detection device that is directed towards an area above the base, in particular towards one or more dental restoration parts, and further comprising a control or regulating device for the dental furnace that is coupled to the heat detection device, wherein the heat detection device is configured as a thermal imaging camera (30) which is directed towards the area above the base while the firing hood (12) is partially or completely opened, and which feeds an at least two-dimensional image in the form of a matrix of the one or more inserted dental restoration parts (60) to the control or regulating device and/or to a muffle (26) that is intended for the generation of the dental restoration parts (60). |
| US09480542B2 |
Jig for bite alignment in dentistry and bite registration method using the same
A jig for bite alignment in dentistry enables to achieve precise bite registration without using the wax rim, and a bite registration method and a manufacture method of dentures using the jig for bite alignment. Using the jig for bite alignment in dentistry provided with the bite material fixing portion in which the bite material is arranged for recording the occlusal position of teeth and with the implant connecting portion for attaching and detaching the implant arranged in oral cavity, the implant connecting portion is mounted on the implant buried in the alveolar bones of an oral cavity to record the occlusal position of teeth through the bite material arranged in the bite material fixing portion. |
| US09480541B2 |
Self-ligating orthodontic brackets
The present invention employs a self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body having a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, the gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of the body; an arch wire slot extending mesially-distally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings to accommodate an arch wire; a free-sliding, controlled-locking, or pivoting clip wherein the clip allows placement and removal of the arch wire when in the open position and prevents the displacement of the arch wire from the bracket member when in the closed position. |
| US09480539B2 |
Viewing system and viewing method for assisting user in carrying out surgery by identifying a target image
A viewing system includes a detector of electromagnetic radiation (EMR); and a control system connected to receive signals from the detector, and configured to identify an image locator, disposed within a field of view of the detector in use, and select for detection by the detector the image locator or an image located by the image locator. A viewing method includes detecting electromagnetic radiation from an image locator disposed within a field of view of a detector; identifying the image locator with a control system; and displaying the image locator or an image located by the image locator on one or more displays. |
| US09480538B2 |
Dental treating apparatus
The present invention is directed to a dental treating apparatus including: a hand piece; a power source (micro motor); a driving unit (motor driver); and a controller. The driving unit drives the cutting tool so as to be switchable between first driving in which the cutting tool is driven clockwise and second driving in which the cutting tool is driven counterclockwise. When a rotation direction in which the cutting tool cuts an object to be cut is defined as normal rotation and a rotation direction opposite to the normal rotation is defined as reverse rotation, the controller sets the first driving as driving for the normal rotation when a first cutting tool rotated clockwise is held on the head unit, and sets the second driving as the driving for the normal rotation when a second cutting tool rotated counterclockwise is held on the head unit. |
| US09480537B2 |
Self positioning tracheal tube clearance mechanism using a collar
A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and a non-inflatable removal element comprising a sliding collar that has a first location as the cleaning lumen advances and a second location as the cleaning lumen retracts within the catheter. A sliding collar has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The removal element self-positions the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use. |
| US09480531B2 |
Active device for positioning a surgical instrument and a surgical robotic system comprising this device
The present invention relates to an active positioning device for a surgical instrument arranged on a robot arm, comprising a carrier plate (3, 33), which can be connected with a robot arm (1, 31), a port mechanism (4, 34), which is arranged on carrier plate (3, 33) and intended as entry point into the interior of a body, at least one guide device (6, 36, 59) for insertion of a surgical instrument (8, 38, 61) into the body, whereby the shaft of surgical (8, 38, 61) instrument extends through guide device (6, 36, 59) and whereby guide device (6, 36, 59) is variably connected to port mechanism (4, 34) via a compensating element (5, 35) and an adjustment device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67) for guide device (6, 36, 59) opposite port mechanism (4, 34), which is arranged on carrier plate (3, 33) and/or port mechanism (4, 34) on the one hand and guide device (6, 36, 59) on the other hand, in such a way that the shaft of surgical instrument (8, 38, 61) is movable both in x-direction and y-direction in relation to the starting position, in which the longitudinal extension of the surgical instrument runs parallel to the longitudinal extension of port mechanism (4, 34). |
| US09480528B2 |
Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas
Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas are disclosed herein. The cooling systems can be used with various types of microwave antennas. One variation generally comprises a handle portion with an elongate outer jacket extending from the handle portion. A microwave antenna is positioned within the handle and outer jacket such that cooling fluid pumped into the handle comes into contact directly along a portion of the length, or a majority of the length, or the entire length of the antenna to allow for direct convective cooling. Other variations include cooling sheaths which form defined cooling channels around a portion of the antenna. Yet another variation includes passively-cooled systems which utilize expandable balloons to urge tissue away from the surface of the microwave antenna as well as cooling sheaths which are cooled through endothermic chemical reactions. Furthermore, the microwave antennas themselves can have cooling lumens integrated directly therethrough. |
| US09480526B2 |
Microwave coaptive surgical sealing tool
A coaptive surgical sealing tool may be similar to an ordinary hemostat with long (50, 60, 70 or 80 mm) thin jaws for sliding into the liver parenchyma, without tearing the larger blood vessels. The jaws are spring loaded and are designed for uniform compression, and to avoid closing too quickly. The jaws are capable of sealing a 50, 60, 70 or 80 mm sealing length, in a single bite, although it can also seal shorter lengths as well. The tool can be used with existing ablative therapy microwave generators. The tool may be provided with irrigation and/or suction. |
| US09480525B2 |
High-density electrode-based medical device system
A medical device system is disclosed including a high-density arrangement of transducers, which may be configured to ablate, stimulate, or sense characteristics of tissue inside a bodily cavity, such as an intra-cardiac cavity. High-density arrangements of transducers may be achieved, at least in part, by overlapping elongate members on which the transducers are located, and varying sizes, shapes, or both of the transducers, especially in view of the overlapping of the elongate members. Also, the high-density arrangements of transducers may be achieved, at least in part, by including one or more recessed portions in an elongate member in order to expose one or more transducers on an underlying elongate member in a region adjacent an elongate-member-overlap region. |
| US09480523B2 |
Systems and methods for phase predictive impedance loss model calibration and compensation
The systems and methods of the present disclosure calibrate impedance loss model parameters associated with an electrosurgical system and compensate for impedance losses in an electrosurgical system using the calibrated impedance loss model parameters. A computer system stores voltage and current sensor data for different test loads and calculates impedance values for each test load. The computer system predicts a phase value for each test load using a respective load impedance value. The computer system back calculates impedance loss model parameters based upon the voltage and current sensor data, the predicted phase values, and the impedance values of the test loads. During operation, the electrosurgical device senses a voltage and a current, predicts a phase value based upon the sensed voltage and current, and calculates metrics at the tissue site based upon the sensed voltage and current, the predicted phase value, and the impedance loss model parameters. |
| US09480522B2 |
Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure
A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members. |
| US09480520B2 |
Surgical instrument and method
A surgical instrument includes a lock including an inner surface defining a cavity and a locking surface. A holding element is positioned within the cavity and includes an inner surface defining a passageway. A longitudinal element is positioned within the passageway and the cavity. The surgical instrument includes a first orientation in which a distal end of the holding element is spaced apart from the locking surface and the longitudinal element is translatable relative to the holding element and a second orientation in which the distal end of the holding element engages the locking surface and the longitudinal element is fixed relative to the holding element. Systems and methods are disclosed. |
| US09480517B2 |
Polyaxial bone anchor with pop-on shank, shank, friction fit retainer, winged insert and low profile edge lock
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled. |
| US09480514B2 |
Cable tie L-pin
A device for treating a bone includes (a) an elongate body sized and shaped for insertion into a bone and extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongate body including a channel extending therethrough and a coating along an outer surface thereof, the coating adapted to absorb a selected frequency of light such that, when the selected frequency of light is applied thereto, portions of the coating melt to form a mass; and (b) a first anchor member slidably mountable over the elongate body and movable therealong from a first position at the proximal end of the elongate body to a second position adjacent a bone into which the elongate body has been inserted to cooperate with the mass to fix the elongate body to the bone. |
| US09480513B2 |
Clamping element for setting a bone fracture as well as modular fixation device comprising same and method for producing same
Disclosed is a clamping element for setting a bone fracture. The element comprises a closed contoured body which has a substantially hollow cross-section and is enclosed by a peripheral wall. The contoured body has two opposite receiving portions at the end faces thereof, the receiving portions being intended to receive fixing elements which can be pushed through the body, and has two lateral flanks having angled portions. The peripheral wall of the contoured body is resiliently deformable at least in sections, in particular in the region of the receiving portions on the end faces of same and in the region of the lateral angled portions. A defined resilient behavior of the clamping element can be impressed via the angled portions in such a way that a predetermined tension can be generated between the receiving portions. Also disclosed are a method for producing the clamping element and a setting device for using said clamping element. |
| US09480512B2 |
Volar fixation system with fixed-angle multi-hole drill guide
A volar fixation system includes a plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone. The plate includes holes having a predefined axis along which fasteners can be received and locked relative to the plate. A guide is provided that seats on the plate to guide a drill in axial alignment with the holes in plate. |
| US09480511B2 |
Blade fixation for ankle fusion and arthroplasty
Systems for lower extremity fusion and arthroplasty include fusion spacers, bone plates, and articular prostheses fixed to bone by blade anchors. Examples are shown for anterior, lateral, and medial approaches. |
| US09480508B2 |
Osteosynthesis device
An osteosynthesis device that is used, in particular, for securing joint fragments and for the temporary splinting of toes, more particularly for treating hammer toes or other malalignments of toes. The device comprises a pin with the center axis and the length. The pin consists largely of a bioresorbable material. The pin has at least in one section of the length a non-circular cross-section that is orthogonal to the center axis and has a radius of curvature. |
| US09480506B2 |
Compression device for interlocking compression nailing systems and method of use
A compression device and method for interlocking compression nailing systems provide a compression force onto fracture site and a bone fixed between proximal and distal parts of intramedullary nail to prevent stress shielding and improve healing. The compression device having pre-assembled components of set screw, elastic component, distal cap and connector screw are rotated. After nail insertion, the nail is fixed to the bone fragments by inserting the fasteners into distal bores and proximal slot. The compression device is inserted within the bore of the nail. The set screw is screwed to move elastic component and distal cap to push the proximal bone fragment distally. Distal cap overlies on fastener screw shaft to spread compression forces in fastener screw surface to prevent stress concentration. After fracture gap minimization, the set screw is screwed further to compress elastic component to provide desired compression force. |
| US09480505B2 |
Bi-planar persuader
Surgical instruments for spinal surgery. More specifically, a bi-planar rod persuader for urging a spinal rod into a screw, and methods regarding the same. The bi-planar rod persuader may include an implant holder, which may also include a holding sleeve. A securing foot may be attached to the distal end of the holding sleeve, and the holding sleeve may also include a threaded opening at the proximal end for receiving a stem that drives the securing foot between a first position and second position. The implant holder may also include a threaded part to engage a reduction knob. A handle assembly may also be provided, which may include two pivotally attached arms. A rod hook may be connected to one of the arms and a guide attached to the other of the arms. |
| US09480501B2 |
Modular pedicle screw
The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to spinal fixation systems that may comprise a bone screw, a body, and a pressure cap. A bone screw may comprise a head at a proximal end, a bone connection element at a distal end, and an external protrusion on a head of a bone screw. A body may comprise a proximal end, a distal end, a mounting rod receiving channel at a proximal end, and a bone screw head receiving channel at a distal end. A portion of the mounting rod receiving channel may be operable to receive a compression element. A pressure cap may comprise a proximal end, distal end, and an internal recess on a distal end. An internal recess may be configured to mate with an external protrusion of a bone screw so as to limit the movement of a bone screw. |
| US09480498B1 |
Tissue cutter
A tissue cutter includes a housing, a blade, a pivot, and a blade spring. The housing is shaped so as to define a channel that has proximal and distal openings and a central longitudinal axis, and is shaped for slidable disposition therein of a hollow tubular element having a tapered distal portion. The blade which extends alongside the central longitudinal axis, and defines a sharp cutting surface that reaches a distal-most point of the blade and faces away from the central longitudinal axis. The pivot couples the blade to the housing such that the blade is rotatable with respect to the housing around a pivot point of the blade. The blade spring is arranged to apply a force to the blade that pushes a distal portion of the blade against the tapered distal portion of the hollow tubular element when the blade is positioned alongside the tapered distal portion. |
| US09480494B2 |
Helically advancing constriction crossing mechanism and wire guide positioning method for performing percutaneous vascular procedures
A vascular procedure includes sliding a constriction crossing mechanism over a wire guide having a tip positioned at a proximal side of a constriction, and rotating a sheath of the mechanism about an axis relative another sheath of the mechanism. The method further includes helically engaging the sheaths, and guiding an intraluminal treatment device into or past the constriction. The mechanism includes a first sheath and a second sheath, and a tip coupled with the first sheath. The mechanism further includes a helical coupling between the first and second sheaths, which is configured to convert a torque on one of the sheaths to an axial force on the other of the sheaths for crossing a vascular constriction with the tip. An anchoring mechanism coupled with one of the sheaths includes a deployed state resisting displacement of the second sheath within a vascular structure of a patient. |
| US09480488B2 |
Snap-lock for drill sleeve
A device for drilling a hole in bone and for inserting bone screws into the drilled hole is provided. The device comprises a trocar, drill sleeve and protection sleeve in a telescopically nested configuration. The drill sleeve and protection sleeve may have an axial locking feature that allows the two pieces to be handled together as a unit by preventing inadvertent separation. The axial locking feature may comprise an integral annular ridge provided on one sleeve that cooperates with an annular groove provided on the other sleeve. One sleeve may also have at least one slot allowing the locking feature to be disengaged prior to separation of the sleeves. The sleeves may be easily separated with one hand by the user by the application of an axial separation force between a pair of flanges provided with the sleeves, and by a radial compression force applied to at least a portion of the drill sleeve. |
| US09480486B2 |
Joint replacement spacers
Devices and methods are disclosed for joint replacement. |
| US09480482B2 |
Method of assembling and positioning a femoral orthopaedic surgical instrument
A method for performing an orthopedic surgical procedure on a femur includes attaching a proximal end of an intramedullary adaptor to an intramedullary orthopedic surgical instrument, securing a distal end of an intramedullary adaptor to a base cutting block, inserting the intramedullary orthopedic surgical instrument into a medullary canal using the base cutting block, and positioning the base cutting block on a distal end of the femur. |
| US09480477B2 |
Apparatus for applying surgical clips
An apparatus for applying surgical clips has a body portion housing a clip stack and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion. The body portion includes a camming member, a clip follower and a lockout member having a plurality of stop members. The lockout member is movable from a first position in slidable relation to the camming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member. The camming member has at least one notch, and in a second position the lockout member has at least one of the stop members positioned to interface with the at least one notch. The engagement between the stop member and the notch limits distal movement of the camming member. The clip follower actuates the lockout member when the clip follower advances to a predetermined clip in the clip stack. |
| US09480473B2 |
Knotless suture, and kit containing same
The present invention relates to a suture which is firmly maintained and fixed to an operation site to stably sustain suturing or lifting effects for a long time. More specifically, the present invention provides a suture having a conic or pyramidal shape with a cut top, wherein a suture supporter comprising a communication hole penetrating the both ends is provided at one end. The suture support can have one or more portions which are cut vertically from a lower end at a lower end portion having a larger diameter between the both ends, or a part of the lower end can be removed so as to form one or more gaps formed from the end at a wall of the end portion. |
| US09480465B2 |
Organism paracentesis device and method thereof
An organism paracentesis device comprises a first tube member and a second tube member. The first tube member comprises an injection tube filled with a medicament, a piston and a first syringe needle. The second tube member comprises a sampling tube and a second syringe needle. Both ends of the second syringe needle are in the form of syringe needle. Using one end of the second syringe needle to penetrate a cover of the sampling tube which is vacuumed, such that the second syringe needle's the other end which is penetrating into an organism will extract a sample from the organism because of the vacuumed sampling tube. The medicament filled in the injection tube is ejected both when the first and second syringe needles are penetrating into and pulled out of the organism, so as to avoid the cells of sampled organism being spread to other places. |
| US09480463B2 |
Multi-button biopsy device
A handheld biopsy device comprises a needle, cutter, and body. The cutter is movable relative to the needle to sever tissue protruding into a transverse aperture of the needle. The body includes a cutter actuation mechanism, at least two trigger buttons, and a control module. The biopsy device is configured such that the at least two trigger buttons are selectively enabled and disabled. A selectively enabled trigger button is operable to activate the cutter actuation mechanism. A selectively disabled trigger button is not operable to activate the cutter activation mechanism. The enabled trigger button may be selected electronically, such that the control module receives a user's button selection input and enables or disables the trigger buttons accordingly. Alternatively, the body may include movable covers to selectively cover or expose trigger buttons in accordance with the user's preference. The biopsy device may thus accommodate different operators having different gripping styles. |
| US09480462B2 |
Micropatterned textile for fluid transport
This invention includes the implementation of several unconventional droplet manipulations on a superhydrophobic-patterned surface microfluidic platform, which may be applied to automated biological analyzes and point-of-care diagnostic applications. |
| US09480460B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic wave transmission/reception control method
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an memory, an determination unit, an instruction unit, a specifying unit, and an redetermination unit. The memory stores upper limit values of parameters for restricting the powers in display modes. The determination unit determines the powers in the modes so as not to exceed upper limit values of the parameters. The instruction unit inputs an instruction to increase/decrease the power of a specific mode. The specifying unit specifies the parameter value in the specific mode. The redetermination unit determines an upper limit value of the parameter in a mode different from the specific mode based on the upper limit value of the parameter in the specific mode and the parameter value specified by the specifying unit. |
| US09480455B2 |
Vascular access monitoring device
A vascular access monitoring device for monitoring characteristics of a skin piercing vascular access device comprising: an acoustic sensor operable to detect an acoustic emission created by flow through said vascular access device and produce an electrical signal indicative of said emission; electronics processing means for processing and monitoring said electrical signal, and to determine, by identifying a change of characteristic of said signal, the possibility that the vascular access device has become dislodged from its normal working position. |
| US09480452B2 |
Radiographic apparatus including a bending constant calculating device and a twisting constant calculation device
A first and a second accumulated value calculating units are provided which, in a location where foil shadows by grid foil strips straddle pixels, identify this location based on geometry, and calculate straddle accumulated values of the foil shadows in the identified location. Even when the foil shadows by the grid foil strips straddle the pixels due to twisting and bending of the grid foil strips, such location is identified based on geometry and the straddle accumulated values of the foil shadows in the identified location are calculated. Therefore, even when changes are made in the pitches or pixel sizes of an X-ray grid and a flat panel X-ray detector (FPD), the foil shadows will be removed based on the straddle accumulated values. As a result, the foil shadows can be removed taking twisting and bending of the grid foil strips into consideration, and in a way to accommodate X-ray grids and FPDs of various sizes. |
| US09480439B2 |
Segmentation and fracture detection in CT images
Provided is a new hierarchical methodology having a series of computational steps such as adaptive window creation, 2-D SWT application, masking, and boundary tracing is proposed. The techniques and systems are able to detect and quantify fracture as well as to generate recommendations for decision-making and treatment planning in traumatic pelvic injuries. |
| US09480433B2 |
Cuff integrity detection during inflation of an automated blood pressure device
A method for detecting cuff slippage in a blood pressure monitoring device includes starting a cuff inflation on the blood pressure monitoring device. A plurality of pressure samples is obtained when the cuff is inflating. A level of background noise is determined during the cuff inflation. The level of background noise is determined from the plurality of pressure samples. When the background noise is determined, a determination is made from the plurality of blood pressure readings whether a pressure pattern indicating cuff slippage is obtained. |
| US09480427B2 |
Lancet
The invention relates to a lancet, which has a lancet tip at a front end and which on an upper face comprises a contact surface for placing a test element thereon and at least one channel for receiving a sample, wherein an upwardly open section of the channel runs in the contact surface. According to the invention, the channel has another upwardly open channel section which runs on the upper face of the lancet in or adjacent to a surface area that is lower than the contact surface, wherein the contact surface is arranged between the lancet tip and the lower surface area. The invention further relates to a system comprising such a lancet and a test element, and to a method for transferring a liquid sample from a channel of a lancet which is designed as a groove or slot to a test element. |
| US09480426B2 |
Methods and systems for exchanging signals with medical or physiological instrumentation
A process is described for testing a biomedical property of an internal tissue of a patient. Optical energy emitted by an external source is transferred through a nail of the patient to an instrument device implanted beneath the nail. A portion of the transferred optical energy is converted to electrical power for driving components of the implanted instrument. Using the electrical power, a characteristic of the internal tissue associated with the measurement of the biomedical property is sensed and an optical signal based on the sensed characteristic is transmitted through the nail to an external data reader. |
| US09480421B2 |
Integrated introducer and transmitter assembly and methods of use
Method and apparatus for inserting at least a portion of a sensor into a patient is provided. |
| US09480417B2 |
Posture estimation device, posture estimation system, and posture estimation method
Provided is a posture estimation device with which it is possible to estimate the posture of an object having joints with a high degree of precision. A posture estimation device (100) carries out an estimation of a posture of an object on the basis of image data. An object having a plurality of sites which are connected by joints is photographed. The posture estimation device includes a reference model storage unit (140) which stores a reference model, which defines the locations of the sites, for each posture. A weighting computation unit (150) carries out weighting on the sites for each posture such that the weighting of concentrated parts is reduced. A posture estimation unit (160) estimates the posture of the object by applying the weighting and comparing the reference model with the object. |
| US09480416B2 |
Signal transmission using catheter braid wires
A probe includes an insertion tube, a magnetic field sensor, a dummy load mounted adjacent to the magnetic field sensor, and a braid. The braid includes multiple braid wires that traverse a length of the insertion tube. A first pair of the braid wires is connected across the magnetic field sensor, and a second pair of the braid wires is connected across the dummy load. |
| US09480413B2 |
Arrangement and method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic particles
A system for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic particles in an examination area. Magnetic field generator generates a spatially inhomogeneous gradient magnetic field with at least one region with a low field strength in which the magnetization of the particles is in a state of non-saturation, whereas they are in a state of saturation in the remaining region. By an arrangement to shift the area with a low field strength within the examination area, a change in the magnetization of the magnetic particles is brought about which can be detected from outside by a detector. At least one of the magnetic field generator, the arrangement and the detector are arranged at least partially on a medical instrument. |
| US09480407B2 |
Device and method for removal of ambient noise signal from a photoplethysmograph
A device and method for removal of ambient noise signal from a photoplethysmographic measurement is provided. The method comprises obtaining a first signal waveform based on detecting light based on a first light illumination; obtaining a second signal waveform based on detecting light based on a second light illumination; tuning the first light and second light illumination such that the maximum amplitudes of the first and second signal waveforms are maximized and within a predetermined saturation range, such that ambient light interference for the first and second signal waveforms is reduced; obtaining a third signal waveform based on detecting ambient light; obtaining respective maximum and minimum values of the first and the second signal waveforms; and deriving signal values of the first and second signal waveforms with the removal of ambient noise by subtracting AC and DC average values of the third signal waveform from the first and second signals. |
| US09480404B2 |
Method for imaging biomaterial erosion in vivo
A method for imaging the erosion of a biomaterial is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for imaging a labeled biomaterial so that the erosion of the biomaterial is measured in vivo over a period of time. A biomaterial such as, for example, a hydrogel including polyethylene glycol (PEG) is labeled with a fluorescent or bioluminescent marker. The labeled biomaterial is then employed in the construction of an implanted medical device such as, for example, an endovascular stent. Furthermore, the labeled biomaterial may be utilized to form a drug delivery system that releases a controlled amount of a drug into a local region within a patient. The erosion of the biomaterial is monitored through a noninvasive imaging method. |
| US09480403B2 |
Medical imaging system and method for generating a blended cine loop
An medical imaging system and method for generating and displaying a blended cine loop. The system and method include acquiring image data and identifying a base image sequence in the image data. The system and method include identifying at least one non-base image in the image data acquired from outside of the base image sequence and generating a blended image sequence from the base image sequence and the at least one non-base image. The system and method include displaying the blended image sequence as a blended cine loop on a display device. |
| US09480401B2 |
Indicator and analytics for sensor insertion in a continuous analyte monitoring system and related methods
The present embodiments provide systems and methods for, among others, tracking sensor insertion locations in a continuous analyte monitoring system. Data gathered from sensor sessions can be used in different ways, such as providing a user with a suggested rotation of insertion locations, correlating data from a given sensor session with sensor accuracy and/or sensor session length, and providing a user with a suggested next insertion location based upon past sensor accuracy and/or sensor session length at that location. |
| US09480399B2 |
Illumination device for an optical viewing apparatus
An illumination device for an optical viewing apparatus defines an illumination beam path and includes an illumination light source having mutually independently controllable individual light sources arranged in a first plane in a two-dimensional array. The illumination device defines an illumination beam path and includes illumination optics defining an optical axis. The illumination optics form a second plane conjugated with respect to the first plane. A diaphragm unit is arranged in the second plane. The diaphragm unit has a plurality of apertures and the apertures are assigned to corresponding ones of the individual light sources. |
| US09480397B2 |
Gaze tracking variations using visible lights or dots
Implementations of the present disclosure may include calibration techniques for systems which include eye tracking devices and display devices. The calibration techniques may involve a calibration process which utilizes a plurality of visible calibration targets that each defines a gaze point for a user. The calibration targets may include both targets output to the display device, as well as gaze points located on the eye tracking device itself. The calibration techniques may also include additional sensors on the eye tracking device to gather additional calibration information, such as a back-facing camera which captures images of the display device from the eye tracking device. Increased information regarding system setup that is useful in calibrating the eye tracking system may be obtained from the calibration process. |
| US09480393B2 |
System and method for assessing retinal functionality
A system and method for assessing the functionality of a visual system of the eye using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to generate a coded pattern which is illuminated by a light source. Optics project an image of the coded pattern onto the retina of the eye. Sensors detect electrical signals based on the response of the visual system to the image. One or more processors control the DMD and correlate the electrical response from the sensor with the coded DMD pattern to assess the functionality of the visual system. |
| US09480389B2 |
Connector for a dishwasher middle spray arm
A docking system includes basket and wall conduit systems. The basket conduit system includes a conduit and first and second nozzles mounted to opposite ends of the conduit. The second nozzle has a first funnel shape with a first circumference that decreases from an open end of the second nozzle towards the conduit. The wall conduit system includes front and back housings, a sliding plate, and a third nozzle. A sliding aperture is formed through a front plate of the front housing. A nozzle aperture is formed through a back plate of the back housing. The sliding plate slides within a space formed by the front housing and the back housing. The third nozzle is sized and shaped to slide within the sliding aperture and includes a generally cylindrical shape and a second funnel shape with a second circumference that decreases from the sliding plate towards the generally cylindrical shape. |
| US09480388B2 |
Household appliance having drying duct
A drying duct and a household appliance having the same. The household appliance includes a main body, a drying space placed in the main body and including an air suction hole and an air drain hole, a drying duct including at least one inside-air suction hole communicating with the air drain hole, an inside-air discharge hole communicating with the air suction hole, and an outside-air suction hole and an outside-air discharge hole communicating with the outside of the drying space, and at least one dehumidifying agent placed in the drying duct. The drying duct includes an inside-air suction path into which air inside of the drying space is suctioned, an outside-air suction path into which air outside of the drying space is suctioned, and an inside/outside air movement path communicating with the inside-air suction path and the outside-air suction path. |
| US09480381B2 |
Compact autonomous coverage robot
An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis having forward and rearward portions and a drive system carried by the chassis. The forward portion of the chassis defines a substantially rectangular shape. The robot includes a cleaning assembly mounted on the forward portion of the chassis and a bin disposed adjacent the cleaning assembly and configured to receive debris agitated by the cleaning assembly. A bin cover is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the chassis and configured to rotate between a first, closed position providing closure of an opening defined by the bin and a second, open position providing access to the bin opening. The robot includes a body attached to the chassis and a handle disposed on an upper portion of the body. A bin cover release is actuatable from substantially near the handle. |
| US09480380B2 |
Cleaning robot and control method thereof
A cleaning robot having improved traveling performance and a method of controlling the same. The cleaning robot detects a stuck state such as a ‘jammed state’, ‘lifted state’, or ‘object-caught state’ by using a motion instruction or sensor information and quickly escapes from the stuck state caused in various traveling conditions by using a wheel structure capable of changing a total height of the cleaning robot. In addition, a degree of risk and type of the stuck state is predicted before the cleaning robot is in the stuck state so that the cleaning robot may deal with the stuck state in advance. The cleaning robot may escape from the stuck state via rapidly deceleration or quick stopping in accordance with the predicted degree of risk of the stuck state, and the cleaning robot may efficiently deal with the stuck state by using information to select an escaping method suitable for the type of the stuck state. |
| US09480375B2 |
Aeroacoustic duster
The invention disclosed herein provides for high particle removal rate and/or heat transfer from surfaces. The device removes particulate matter from a surface using a bounded vortex generated over the surface, with suction in the vortex center and jets for blowing air along the periphery. The jets are tilted in the tangential direction to induce vortex motion within the suction region. The vortex is said to be bounded because streamlines originating in the downward jets are entrained back into the central vortex. |
| US09480374B2 |
Agitator assembly for vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner comprises an agitator assembly mounted within an agitator cavity and a hair wrap inhibitor provided on the agitator assembly that is configured to prevent hair and debris from migrating into the agitator bearings and jamming or otherwise damaging the agitator assembly during operation. The hair wrap inhibitor can be a hair blocking rib extending from an end cap of the agitator assembly. |
| US09480372B1 |
Portable towelette dispenser
A portable towelette dispenser includes a liquid container comprising a liquid cavity, and a base rotationally connected to the liquid container. A stem connected to the base in rotating relation thereto, wherein the liquid container may be disposed about the stem. The base may be operative to rotate the stem relative to the liquid container via rotation of the base relative to the liquid container. A wetting configuration of the portable towelette dispenser is at least partially defined by at least partial alignment of one or more stem apertures relative to one or more wetting apertures. A sealed configuration of the portable towelette dispenser is at least partially defined by a completely non-aligned relation of the stem apertures relative to the wetting apertures. |
| US09480368B2 |
Arrangement for fastening a shelf device
The invention relates to an arrangement for fastening a shelf device for bathroom and/or shower implements, to a wall of a room that is provided with a wall coating, wherein the shelf device comprises a basis element extending substantially in a horizontal plane, at least one angled peripheral web, and at least one flange, which is arranged underneath the wall coating of the wall of the room. |
| US09480360B2 |
Device for preparing beverages and related process
A device for preparing beverages, such as coffee, via a substance contained in a cartridge (C) comprises:—a supporting structure (3); and—a cartridge-holder moving element (10) having a distal cartridge-holder portion (12), the moving element (10) being supported on the supporting structure (3) for rotation about an axis (X10) between a first angular position and a second angular position and for translation with respect to said axis (X10) between a proximal position and a distal position. A link (18) is provided, such as an oscillating arm, which constrains the cartridge-holder moving element (10) and the supporting structure (3) so that the cartridge-holder moving element (10) is mobile between a condition of loading of the cartridge (C) and a condition of preparation of the beverage as a result of simultaneous movements of rotation and translation with respect to the aforesaid axis (X10). |
| US09480359B1 |
Semi-continuous processes for creating an extract from coffee or other extractable materials
The techniques provide for a reconfigurable extraction column length based on the number of columns from a plurality of columns configured for use in an extraction apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of columns that each have an inlet, a central portion configured to hold extractable material during an extraction process, and an outlet. The reconfigurable extraction apparatus also includes a piping system connected to each of the plurality of columns that can selectively connect each of the plurality of columns, such that each column from the plurality of columns can be configured for an extraction process either singularly or in series or in parallel with one or more other columns from the plurality of columns, administering a solvent to one or more of the plurality of columns, and outputting the solvent after an extraction process occurs in the one or more of the plurality of columns. |
| US09480355B2 |
Undergarment organizing device and method of use
An undergarment organizing device having a frame having an inner surface and outer surface, and a first, second, and third retention member that extend outwardly away from the inner surface of the frame, the first retention member having a first undergarment support surface, the second retention member located beyond the first retention member and having a second undergarment support surface, and the third retention member being located beyond the first retention member, having a third undergarment support surface, and being slidable in a direction away from the second support surface. |
| US09480352B2 |
Utensil holding and turning device
A device attachable to a utensil that allows an individual with limited dexterity to handle the utensil and use it according to its ordinary function. The device provides a Y-shaped handle, such as that structured by a section of antler, that attaches to a utensil and provides the geometric and structural requirements necessary for the user to pick up the utensil from a flat surface, direct the utensil near the material to be manipulated, and manipulate the utensil once positioned. The Y-shaped component is curved across its height and provides a wedge engagement structure to permit holding the device with utensil to exert a force directing the utensil into the material to be manipulated, and by a combination of forces exerted by the palm and the thumb, to grasp and manipulate the device combination in order to make appropriate use of the utensil for its intended purpose. |
| US09480351B2 |
Dispensing device for dispensing a powder product
A staging hopper adapted for being inserted inside the neck of a container includes: a ceiling; a dividing wall projecting from the ceiling having a lower edge; a sloping inlet barrier wall having a rear edge; a floor merging with the barrier wall; and a front wall that extends upwardly from the floor such that a portion of the floor extends forwardly of the front wall. The rear edge of the inlet barrier wall and the top wall define an inlet barrier gap, and the lower edge of the dividing wall and the floor define an outlet barrier gap. The front wall and dividing wall define an outlet chamber. The inlet barrier gap divides an inlet chamber and a barrier chamber, and the outlet barrier gap divides the barrier chamber and the outlet chamber. |
| US09480347B2 |
Jewelry display hanger with cable tie
A jewelry display hanger is provided that includes a hook, a body connected to a housing by a neck and a cable tie or a twist tie. The hook extends from the first end of the body and the neck extends from the second end. The housing is elongated with first and second ends and a passage extending therebetween. The elongated housing is connected to the body by the neck. The cable tie or twist tie has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable tie or twist tie passes through the passage in the housing and is connected to the second end to form a loop for attaching the hanger to an article of jewelry. |
| US09480345B2 |
Showcase including transparent display panel, and showcase system including same
A showcase including a plurality of frames including a front frame and an upper frame defining a showroom; a transparent display panel placed at the front frame among the frames, the transparent display panel displaying an image; and a light source unit configured to emit light into the showroom, wherein the light source unit is located between an opaque upper portion of the front frame surrounding the transparent display panel and the upper frame, and wherein the light source unit includes a plurality of lamps at each corner of the showcase and is obliquely arranged in a direction from the front frame to the upper frame, and positions of the plurality of lamps are increased in height with an increasing distance from the front frame to the upper frame. |
| US09480343B2 |
Child high chair
A child high chair includes a frame, a seat and a seat attaching mechanism. The seat is detachably assembled with the frame and includes a seat body. The seat attaching mechanism includes a first combining component, a second combining component and a latch. The first combining component is disposed on the frame, and a sunken portion is disposed inside the first combining component. The second combining component is disposed on the seat body to combine with the first combining component. An opening is formed on the second combining component. The latch is disposed inside the second combining component and pivots to the second combining component. The latch includes a protruding portion, which is adapted to protrude from the second combining component via the opening to detachably engage with the sunken portion. |
| US09480341B2 |
Physical support device
A physical support device used for displacing the weight of the upper torso off of the lower back and ensuring proper posture while a user is seated, comprising a base member to be placed on a surface adjacent a seated user, an arced member to be placed under the user's armpit, a vertical support member having a lower end coupled to the base member and an upper end coupled to the arced member. An adjustment mechanism allows for height adjustment of the vertical support member so that the arced member can fit directly under any user's armpit, where the arced member is able to hold and displace the weight of the user's upper torso off the lower back. A forearm support coupled to the vertical support member further provides comfort and relief to a seated user. |
| US09480340B1 |
Systems and methods for providing ergonomic exercise chairs
A chair for providing seating support to a user and for providing ways for the user to perform exercises. The chair includes a back support that is flexible such that when a force is applied to it by the user's body, the back support bends. The back support may be configured to adapt to the curvature of the user's spine when the user is seated in the chair. The back support may further be configured such that the user can rotate the back support by rotating the user's upper body. |
| US09480338B2 |
Ready to assemble sofa and method for packaging same
A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped. |
| US09480335B2 |
Panel dismounting and locking mechanism of drawer
A panel dismounting and locking mechanism of a drawer comprises a side plate, a base plate and a sliding rail assembly for opening/closing the drawer, wherein a cavity of the side plate is internally provided with a dismounting and locking mechanism for locking and separating a front panel, which is rapidly dismounted from the dismounting and locking mechanism by a front jointer at least. The dismounting and locking mechanism at least comprises a main plate, a swing rod articulated with the main plate, and a sliding block located on the main plate through sliding of the swing rod. The main plate is provided with a guide slot, in which the front jointer can slide. The front panel is fastened with the sliding block by a location sidestep on the front jointer and is in contact with the sliding block by the end surface of the front jointer. |
| US09480333B2 |
Lifting column
A lifting column, preferably for height-adjustable tables comprises a guide with three mutually telescopic members (1,2,3) and a motor driven spindle unit for bringing about the movement. The second member (2) of the guide is with a lower end secured to a lower end of the second spindle (6). The second spindle nut (8) co-operating with the second spindle (6) is with a bearing (18) with a rigid connection (28) fixed to a shaft stub (16) secured to an upper end of a drive tube (9). The shaft stub (16) is via a second bearing (20) secured to a mounting plate (23), by means of which the spindle unit is secured in the lifting column. Thus, the vertical load on the lifting column is led through the spindle unit around the guide (1,2,3). This enables a better and more optimum dimensioning of the guide (1,2,3) and the spindle unit, just as it is advantageous in terms of assembly and not least it enables a better implementing of a squeeze protection in the lifting columns. |
| US09480332B2 |
Height-adjustable table
Provided is a height-adjustable table configured such that a height adjustment member rotates in response to an operation of an actuation unit, thereby being released from a locked state, and when an upper plate of the table is vertically lifted to a desired level, the operation of the actuation unit is stopped, and the height of the upper plate is adjusted step by step. Optimal space utility and a simple inner structure of the height-adjustable table can be accomplished, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and increasing user convenience. |
| US09480327B2 |
Drop-prevention apparatus for a rolled product
A lanyard apparatus for a rolled product includes a flexible strap having first and second strap ends and a body portion between the strap ends. The first strap end is secured to the body portion at an attachment point to define a first loop. A hollow tubular member is installed over the body portion between a second strap end portion and the attachment point. The second strap end portion extends from the tubular member and has an opening sized to permit passage of the first loop therethrough to thereby define an openable second loop. The tubular member has a first arm, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, a transverse part extending transversely between and connecting a lower first arm portion and a lower second arm portion, and an upper transverse portion extending transversely from an upper second arm portion and aligned with the transverse part. |
| US09480326B2 |
Hand-wearable camera harness and method of assembling the hand-wearable camera harness
A hand-wearable camera harness is provided. The harness includes a plate member and a first aperture extending therethrough. The plate member has a first surface and a ring-shaped mounting portion fixedly coupled to the first surface. The ring-shaped mounting portion extends outwardly from the first surface and further extends circumferentially around the first aperture. The ring-shaped mounting portion has a top surface with a first plurality of grooves extending therein. The hand-wearable camera harness further includes a rotatable mounting bracket having a substantially circular-shaped base and at least first and second extension portions. The substantially circular-shaped base has a bottom surface with a second plurality of grooves extending therein. |
| US09480321B2 |
Tweezer arrangement for an epilation head
The invention relates to a motor-driven epilation head for an epilation device for plucking hairs of the human skin. Specifically, the invention relates to an epilation head having a rotation cylinder that can be rotated about a rotation axis and includes a plurality of plucking units for capturing and plucking the hairs. Each plucking unit comprises a first clamping element, a second clamping element and a third clamping element. The first clamping element together with the second clamping element forms a first closeable plucking gap and the second clamping element together with the third clamping element forms a second closeable plucking gap. The first and the second clamping elements are movably mounted and can be jointly actuated by means of an actuation element in order to close the first and the second plucking gap. The first and the second clamping elements move in the same direction. |
| US09480318B2 |
Ring-shaped cover for portable electronic device
An outer cover for an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device, is disclosed. Since portable electronic devices are often portable, they can be damaged, such as scratched, dented, broken, and the like, when transported or used. The outer cover can serve to provide a protective member over part of the housing for the electronic device. The protective member, when placed on the portable electronic device can serve to reduce damage to sides of the portable electronic device. While the outer cover can provide side and/or edge protection, the outer cover need not also provide front or rear protection. |
| US09480317B2 |
Multipurpose storage device and method
A convertible device that converts between an activity mat and a storage container to capture and store numerous articles. Upon reclosing the activity mat, the articles are recaptured into the storage container. The device includes walls and a base, webbing connected between each adjacent wall pair, and a joint connected between the base and walls so that they are foldable into a third configuration wherein the footprint of the folded device is roughly the size of the base. In the third configuration, the walls are stacked relative to the base. The convertible device may further include two zippers for releasably holding the walls in a rigid and upright position in the first configuration. The webbing can be inwardly biased such that when the walls are urged from the second to the first configuration, the webbing folds toward the interior of the convertible device. |
| US09480311B2 |
Slide fastener with simple locking mechanism
In a slide fastener, at least one stopping element including a resistance portion that increases sliding resistance by being brought into contact with an inner surface of a slider when the slider is sliding is locally disposed locally on an element row of a fastener stringer. Accordingly, the slider can be stopped at any position where the stopping element is disposed arbitrarily on the element row and an immobilized state of the slider can be maintained. By operating the slider with a force greater than the sliding resistance to the stopping element, the slider can be made to ride over the resistance portion of the stopping element and to slide along the element row. |
| US09480306B2 |
Cuff connector for a folded cuff
A cuff connector for a folded cuff is provided. The cuff connector may include a base portion that fits within and has larger dimensions than a cuff button hole. The cuff connector may further include a chain that connects the base portion to a connector. The connector is formed to releasably attach to a cuff button. Therefore, a use may fold their cuffs, place the base within the cuff button hole and attach the connector to the cuff button. |
| US09480305B2 |
Cleat for footwear
An improved cleat design is provided for article of footwear. At least one cleat is arranged on a bottom surface of the outsole, such that the cleat is disposed partially within the outsole and extends substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface of the outsole. The cleat is defined as a unitary member having two planar surface angled at a junction toward each other. The cleat further includes an aperture formed therein and extending across the junction as well as a bridge extending between the two planar surfaces and substantially spanning the aperture, where a portion of the outsole encases the bridge and extends through the aperture in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the outsole to retain the cleat in a desired position relative to the outsole. |
| US09480302B2 |
Shoe having improved cushioning and propulsion
The invention relates to a shoe (C) including a shoe portion and a sole (S), the sole including two main portions that are pivotably connected together and being characterized in that the second front portion (200), secured to the shoe portion of the forepart, extends to the rear of a first swivel pin (A1) in a lever arm portion (210), projects to the rear within the same plane as that of the front portion (200), and is kinetically secured to the latter. The rear end of said arm has a second swivel pin (A2) with the end (310) of at least one resilient module (300), the other end (320) of which is pivotably connected around a third swivel pin (A3) secured to the rear end of the rear portion (100) of the sole (S). |
| US09480299B2 |
Slip-on footwear with foot securing system
The present disclosure provides footwear construction that includes a foot securing mechanism that provides improved fit without resulting in footwear that is substantially more difficult or time consuming to put on and take off. In one embodiment the footwear is a slip-on boot having both an instep hold down system and a heel retaining system. In the depicted embodiment both systems can be activated by a single mechanism exposed on the outside of the boot. Related methods and additional embodiment are also provided. |
| US09480289B1 |
Garment with elastic seams
A garment usable for extreme sports is made of a tough fabric that is not easily damaged in falls and high speed contact with surfaces such as roads and sidewalks. The garment has elastic seams placed at points where an athlete may flex muscles and bend body parts. The seams enable bending tensile forces to be distributed between several layers of strips that are secured within the seams and having different elastic properties such as elastic limit, elastic cycle duration, and restoration force so that together these strips are able to exhibit plural properties that one material is unable to achieve. |
| US09480288B2 |
Reversible compression support bra
A reversible bra for compression stabilizing the breast mass against motion relative to the torso includes a zipper side and a non-zipper side with shoulder straps in a pattern to approximately match the contours of a female user's torso whether the zipper is worn in the front or in the back. The zipper in positioned on the zipper side down the center of the zipper side from a seam at the top adjacent the straps to provide a non-stretchable seam which reduces the stretch area at the location of the breasts to provide greater compression when the zipper is in the front. The bra may be reversed so that a greater area of stretch fabric is position to apply compression against the breast and thereby proved for lessened compression against the breast when the zipper is position in the back of the user. |
| US09480287B2 |
Athletic bra
A bra having a front portion, a back portion, a torso band and a pair of shoulder straps. Areas of the front portion are selectively provided with an inner ply, an outer ply, and an intermediate fabric ply. The intermediate fabric ply is formed of a relatively supportive material and is configured to be positioned along the top and lateral sides of a wearer's breasts. |
| US09480285B2 |
Electronic cigarette and its atomizing device
The present invention discloses an electronic cigarette atomizing device, which comprises an atomizing sleeve, an oil supply unit mounted in the atomizing sleeve and a heating wire unit, the atomizing sleeve has its first end configured with a nozzle cover, and its second end configured with a connecting unit, the oil supply unit comprises an oil storage cotton for storing the smoke oil and an oil guiding member for guiding the smoke oil to the heating wire unit, the heating wire unit comprises a hollow spiral tubular heating wire, a ceramic tube and an electronic wire for connecting the heating wire to the connecting unit, the oil guiding member is made of non-fiberglass fiber material, wrapped around the heating wire to have a tubular shape and fixed by a fixing wire wound around an outer wall of the oil guiding member, and wrapped around an end of the ceramic tube. |
| US09480284B2 |
Smoking article
A smoking article comprising a first part moveable relative to a second part, and an indexing mechanism comprising a first indexing surface on the first part, and a second indexing surface on a support element of the second part. The second indexing surface is configured to engage with the first indexing surface to control relative movement between the first part and second part. One or more spacer elements are arranged to control a radial position of the first indexing surface relative to the second indexing surface. The support element and one or more spacer elements are frangibly connected. |
| US09480283B2 |
Process and apparatus for improving raw tobacco
Disclosed are a process and an apparatus for improving tobacco raw material. The process mainly comprises performing an extraction from at least one of tobacco leafs, tobacco flakes, tobacco powder, stalks and cut stems by mixed solvents, conducting a solid-liquid separation for the tobacco raw material, applying the extract liquor of tobacco leaves, flakes and cuts for manufacturing tobacco extract and that of stalks and cut stems for manufacturing fertilizer, diluting and mixing a given amount of tobacco aqueous extract and ethanol extract and removing harmful components so as to get feed liquid, backfilling the feed liquid to the tobacco raw material, and drying the tobacco raw material to a certain dryness to obtain the products. The apparatus is a system composed of a plurality of interconnected independent devices such as extractor, solid-liquid separator, a feed liquid backfiller, etc. |
| US09480282B2 |
Feed device for linear airflow separator
A feed device for a linear airflow separator that eliminates the use of a winnower in the separation of tobacco products. The feed device includes an adjustable angle baffle deflector in combination with an air knife. The air-fed adjustable angle baffle deflector feeds with non-product contact and as a result does not lead to mechanical degradation of the treated material. The air knife is fed with air from a high pressure blower having a variable frequency drive. The feed device treats the product with air only, thereby eliminating mechanical contact with the product and resulting in higher separation yields and higher operating efficiency than conventional recirculating pneumatic separators. |
| US09480278B2 |
Diet for altering the nutrient composition of feeder insects
A diet for altering the nutrient composition of a feeder insect includes a feed composition of feed material and nutrients. The diet is provided in a variety of forms, including as a powder or dry pellet. The nutrients in the diet include a carotenoid, essential fatty acid, and vitamin E in selected quantities and ratios. |
| US09480273B2 |
Reduced flouride crustacean de-oiled protein-phospholipid complex compositions
The present invention contemplates the creation of a low fluoride oil processed from a phospholipid-protein complex (PPC) formed immediately upon a crustacean (i.e., for example, krill) catch. The process comprises disintegrating the crustaceans into smaller particles, adding water, heating the result, adding enzyme(s) to hydrolyze the disintegrated material, deactivating the enzyme(s), removing solids from the enzymatically processed material to reduce fluoride content of the material, separating and drying the PPC material. Then, using extraction with supercritical CO2 and ethanol as solvents, inter alia krill oil is separated from the PPC. In the extraction the krill oil can be separated almost wholly from the feed material. The products have low fluoride content. The manufacturing costs in the extraction process are relatively low. |
| US09480270B2 |
Low post-acidifying lactic acid bacteria
The present invention relates to lactic acid bacteria that have low or reduced post-acidification properties, and to a method for providing such bacteria. Also, the invention relates to the use of such bacteria for manufacturing of fermented dairy products, and to dairy products containing the bacteria. |
| US09480262B2 |
Bread with increased arabinoxylo-oligosaccharide content
A method for increasing in a baked product, after baking, the level of water-soluble arabinoxylan with an average degree of polymerization ranging from 5 to 50, comprising preparing a dough for a baked product with flour having a total arabinoxylan content of at least 2.0%, and adding to the dough an enzyme preparation comprising at least one thermophilic endoxylanase in an amount at least two-fold higher than the amount conferring 90% of the maximal bread volume increase obtained by addition of such enzyme preparation to the recipe of the baked product. Using this method, baked products can be obtained that have a level of arabinoxylan of at least 1.7% The present invention further relates to baked products obtainable by this method, and to an improver and a dough which may be used for the preparation of such products. |
| US09480261B1 |
Insecticidal strain of Serratia for control of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys
Disclosed are biocontrol agents for the control of insects (e.g., Halyomorpha halys), in particular, to a certain Serratia strain capable of killing insects such as Halyomorpha halys. More specifically, disclosed is the Serratia strain NRRL B-50575. Also disclosed is a biocontrol strategy whereby insects (e.g., BMSB) are exposed to the Serratia strain NRRL B-50575 as a method for killing insects. |
| US09480258B2 |
Synergistic microbicidal combinations
Antimicrobial compositions based on the synergistic combination of 2-methyl-3-isothiazolone and selected commercial microbicides where the compositions are substantially free of halogenated 3-isothiazolone, are disclosed. Particularly preferred are combinations of 2-methyl-3-isothiazolone together with benzoic acid, citric acid, sorbic acid, 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane, 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, zinc pyrithione or climbazole, that provide enhanced microbicidal efficacy at a combined active ingredient level lower than that of the combined individual 3-isothiazolone and commercial microbicide effective use levels. |
| US09480257B2 |
Capsule suspension formulations of dithiopyr herbicide
Dithiopyr capsule suspension formulations, possessing a broad range of capsule wall thicknesses and diameters are disclosed. These capsules have decreased volatility and provide enhanced biological activity when compared with commercial dithiopyr in water formulations. |
| US09480255B2 |
Agricultural composition, method for the production thereof and uses in the treatment of cultures
The present invention relates to an agricultural composition and the uses thereof to protect crops against attack by plant pathogens and/or to improve the resistance of crops to infections caused by said pathogenic agents and/or to enhance the tolerance thereof to abiotic stresses, such as those caused by cold, salinity and drought. Said composition comprises an association of an at least partially depolymerized chitosan with a bivalent copper chelate. The composition has shown to be particularly suitable-for treating oidium infections. It is moreover useful against the propagation of viruses and/or particularly effective as a biostimulant to plant and fruit growth and/or able to extend the shelf life of fruit and seeds. |
| US09480252B2 |
Herbicidal compositions
The present invention relates to a method of controlling weeds using mixtures of HPPD inhibiting herbicides and plant growth regulators. It also relates to mixtures of HPPD inhibiting herbicides and plant growth regulators per se, and compositions comprising the same. |
| US09480240B2 |
Dog restraining apparatus and method
Embodiments of a dog restraining apparatus comprise a dog collar and a collar positioning assembly. The collar is configured to attach to a leash at a location behind the dog's head when the collar is secured around the dog's neck. The collar positioning assembly includes an alignment strap having ends attachable to the collar at respective collar attachment locations such that the alignment strap is extendable across the dog's nose bridge when the dog collar is secured around the dog's neck The collar attachment locations may be adjustable along the collar. The alignment strap may have a continuous or non-continuous bead of elastomer disposed on its interior surface to frictionally engage the dog's nose. The collar positioning assembly may be readily detachable from, and re-attachable to, the collar. Attachment of the strap ends may be facilitated by intervening structures such as strap end loops, O-rings and releasable collar attachment loops. |
| US09480239B2 |
Animal feeder
An animal feeder comprises a vertical portion having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. A first groove extends continuously through each of the left side, the front side, and the right side. At least a part of the back side is generally concave to facilitate the securement of the feeder to a tree. An angular portion of the feeder extends from the vertical portion at an angle. The angular portion has a mouth with a stop. The vertical portion and the angular portion collectively define a cavity configured for retaining animal feed. The cavity is accessible at least at the mouth. The back side comprises a channel, a first bracket, and a second bracket, each of which are collectively configured for securement of a T-post. |
| US09480237B2 |
Milking parlour for animals
A milking parlor for animals comprising at least one milking stall arranged to receive an animal in a predetermined milking position, teat cups arranged to be used in milking the animal in the milking stall, a teat cup carrier arranged to store the teat cups in the milking stall when they are not used, and at least one robot arm provided with at least one gripping member arranged to grip a teat cup in the teat cup carrier and attach the teat cup on the teat of an animal in the milking stall. The teat cup carrier stores the teat cups in a storing area located at least partly in front of the front legs of the animal with respect to the direction of the animal when it stands in the predetermined milking position in the milking stall. |
| US09480236B2 |
System and method of attaching a cup to a dairy animal according to a sequence
A system includes a milking box and a robotic arm. The milking box comprises a stall portion that houses a dairy livestock with four teats. The robotic arm performs the following operation for a plurality of teats of the dairy livestock: retrieves a cup; attaches the cup to a teat; and detaches the cup from the teat. The cup is maintained within the stall portion of the milking box from the time that the cup is attached to a first teat of the dairy livestock through the time that the cup is attached to a last teat of the dairy livestock. The cup is retracted into an equipment area of the milking box after it is detached from the last teat of the dairy livestock. |
| US09480231B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV010962
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV010962. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV010962, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV010962 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV010962 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV010962. |
| US09480228B2 |
Soybean variety XR30AR14RX
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated XR30AR14RX. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety XR30AR14RX. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety XR30AR14RX and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety XR30AR14RX with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09480215B2 |
Tomato variety N 6410
The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, N 6410 or NUN 00201 TOP which is especially useful as processing tomato. |
| US09480214B2 |
Tomato variety N 6416
The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, N 6416 or NUN 00210 TOP which is especially useful as processing tomato. |
| US09480213B2 |
Tomato variety N 6407
The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, N 6407 or NUN 00193 TOP which is especially useful as processing tomato. |
| US09480212B2 |
Hybrid carrot variety NUN 89849 CAC
The invention relates to the field of Daucus carota, in particular to a new variety of carrot designated NUN 89849 CAC as well as plants, seeds and carrot roots thereof. |
| US09480209B2 |
Irrigation system and method
A method of operating a mobile irrigation system includes receiving water application amount and application pattern information from a user, automatically determining an irrigation plan using the amount information and the pattern information, and using an automated controller to operate the mobile irrigation system according to the irrigation plan. The irrigation system is operated by applying water at progressively decreasing levels as the irrigation system moves from a first position to a second position, and applying water at the same or similar progressively decreasing levels as the irrigation system is moved in a reverse direction from the second position back to the first position. |
| US09480205B2 |
Combined packer and stuffer means
An agricultural baler of the rectangular type has a feeder of which the movement is directly derived from and synchronized with the movement of the reciprocating plunger. |
| US09480202B2 |
Automated selective harvesting of crops
Various embodiments include a device for selectively harvesting crops on a plant. The device can include a picking apparatus. The picking apparatus can be rotatable around a central axis. The picking apparatus can include a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from the central axis, and each configured to pick a different individual one of the crops. Each of the plurality of grippers can be adjustable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the open position to open around the individual crop. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the closed position to securely hold the individual crop when the picking apparatus is rotated around the central axis. Other embodiments are provided. |
| US09480198B2 |
Swivel drawbar hitch mechanism for pull-type implement
A drawbar hitch mechanism has a fore-and-aft extending receiver, a gearbox assembly coupled to the receiver and a tongue assembly attached to the gearbox assembly. A first pivot mechanism couples the receiver with the gearbox assembly for side-to-side movement about a longitudinal axis of the receiver. A draft arm is configured to disperse draft loads between the tongue assembly and the receiver. A second pivot mechanism couples the gearbox assembly and the draft arm. The second pivot mechanism is oriented such that it pivots about an upright axis such that the gearbox assembly and second pivot mechanism enable pivoting movement of the tongue assembly relative the receiver. |
| US09485887B1 |
Data center with streamlined power and cooling
A data center includes two or more rack computing systems, a free cooling system, and an electrical power system. The free air cooling system includes air moving devices external to the rack computing systems. The electrical power system includes switchgear and one or more power panels. The switchgear receives power from a utility power feed. The power panels receive power from the switchgear. The power panels supply electrical power to the computing devices. |
| US09485885B2 |
Stabilizing rack systems for seismic loads
A system for performing computing operations includes a rack that rests on a floor and a stabilization device coupled on the top of the rack. The stabilization device includes a mounting portion coupled to the rack, a ballast member, and one or more spring devices coupled between the ballast member and the mounting portion. The ballast member reduces displacement of the rack from seismic loads transmitted from the floor to the rack to mitigate effects of the seismic loads on the rack. |
| US09485878B2 |
Substrate structure having electronic components and method of manufacturing substrate structure having electronic components
The present invention relates to a substrate structure having electronic components and a method of manufacturing a substrate structure having electronic components and can reduce signal loss and internal resistance and improve process efficiency by bringing a first terminal of a first electronic component and a second terminal of a second electronic component in direct contact with each other or in direct contact with each other by solder to minimize a path between the electronic components. |
| US09485876B2 |
Methods of manufacturing printed circuit boards with stacked micro vias
A method of manufacturing at least a portion of a printed circuit board. The method includes: applying a lamination adhesive on a first plural-layer substrate that includes a plurality of circuit layers with at least one first metal pad on a first side of the first plural-layer substrate; applying a protective film on the lamination adhesive; forming at least one via into the lamination adhesive to expose the at least one metal pad on the first side of the first plural-layer substrate; filling at least one conductive paste into the at least one via formed in the lamination adhesive; removing the protective film to expose the lamination adhesive on the first plural-layer substrate; and attaching the first plural-layer substrate with a second plural-layer substrate that includes a plurality of circuit layers with at least one second metal pad on a second side of the second plural-layer substrate. |
| US09485873B2 |
Depositing bulk or micro-scale electrodes
Thicker electrodes are provided on microelectronic device using thermo-compression bonding. A thin-film electrical conducting layer forms electrical conduits and bulk depositing provides an electrode layer on the thin-film electrical conducting layer. An insulating polymer layer encapsulates the electrically thin-film electrical conducting layer and the electrode layer. Some of the insulating layer is removed to expose the electrode layer. |
| US09485872B2 |
Gas-blowing-hole array structure and soldering apparatus
In a gas-blowing-hole array structure, which enables gas to be blown to the whole surface of the conveyed member such as a printed circuit board, a semiconductor wafer or the like almost concentrically and allows the whole surface of conveyed member to be very uniformly heated or cooled, a nozzle pattern P2 of blowing nozzles 2 is arranged to be line symmetry with a nozzle pattern P1 of the blowing nozzles 2 in upper and lower divided sections of one side of the nozzle cover 3 relative to a center portion thereof that is orthogonal to a conveying direction, as shown in FIG. 1. In order for the arrangement patterns diagonally arranged in the nozzle cover 3 to become identical, the nozzle pattern P1 is arranged to be line symmetry with the nozzle pattern P2 of the blowing nozzles 2 in upper and lower divided sections of the other side of the nozzle cover 3. |
| US09485871B2 |
Method of making a light-emitting-diode lamp tube
An automatic production method of making a light-emitting-diode lamp tube is disclosed. The method includes providing a circuit board in a shape of a long strip, printing a bonding layer, mounting electronic inserts, heating up the circuit board, assembling a heat dissipation seat, assembling a translucent cover and assembling an end cap, thereby accomplishing the lamp tube. By the abovementioned steps, the light-emitting-diode lamp tube can be produced automatically, the manufacturing process can be simplified to reduce the labor cost, and the yield factor can be improved considerably. |
| US09485855B2 |
Substrate reinforcing structure
A substrate reinforcing structure for preventing and suppressing deformation or the like of a substrate with a fixed electric component socket.A first reinforcing plate in, for example, a frame shape is attached to a back surface of a wiring board. Further, a second reinforcing plate in, for example, a flat shape is provided on a back side of the first reinforcing plate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first insulating sheet is further provided between the wiring board and the first reinforcing plate, and a spacer is provided on the second reinforcing plate and abutted to a part of the wiring board where contact pins do not protrude. A second insulating sheet is further provided on the second reinforcing plate. |
| US09485850B2 |
Circuit device and method of manufacturing the same
A circuit device includes a heat detection component including lead terminals and a heat detection element, a heat-generating electronic component including lead terminals, and a substrate including a wiring pattern, holes, and lands, the heat detection component and the heat-generating electronic component being electrically connected to the substrate through the lead terminals thereof, wherein the lead terminals of the heat detection component are bent into a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped configuration such that the bent lead terminals are partly contacted with the heat-generating electronic component, and the heat-generating electronic component is sandwiched between portions of the lead terminals and the heat detection element of the heat detection component. |
| US09485849B1 |
RF particle accelerator structure with fundamental power couplers for ampere class beam current
A radio frequency particle accelerator structure and particle acceleration method are disclosed. Radio frequency electromagnetic energy is emitted from a fundamental power coupler coupled between a first electromagnetic resonant cavity sequentially coupled a second electromagnetic resonant cavity. The radio frequency electromagnetic energy is resonated in the first electromagnetic resonant cavity and the second electromagnetic resonant cavity. |
| US09485847B1 |
Method of aligning a laser-based radiation source
A method for temporally and spatially aligning a laser-based x-ray source and maintaining alignment is disclosed. A pump laser beam, which interacts with a plasma source to create an electron beam, is aligned with the electron beam. A scattering laser beam is overlapped with the pump laser beam at an intersection point. The pump laser beam and scattering laser beam alignments are monitored and adjusted to maintain optimal alignment during operation of the laser-based x-ray source. |
| US09485846B2 |
Method and system for inspecting an EUV mask
A structure for grounding an extreme ultraviolet mask (EUV mask) is provided to discharge the EUV mask during the inspection by an electron beam inspection tool. The structure for grounding an EUV mask includes at least one grounding pin to contact conductive areas on the EUV mask, wherein the EUV mask may have further conductive layer on sidewalls or/and back side. The inspection quality of the EUV mask is enhanced by using the electron beam inspection system because the accumulated charging on the EUV mask is grounded. The reflective surface of the EUV mask on a continuously moving stage is scanned by using the electron beam simultaneously. The moving direction of the stage is perpendicular to the scanning direction of the electron beam. |
| US09485843B2 |
Lighting control apparatus
Disclosed is a lighting control apparatus. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a lighting system control be easily configured, maintained, and repaired since additional light and block control of the lighting can be provided with ease by wireless control of the lighting through wireless communication. In addition, the present invention can control individual lamps by storing a control signal corresponding to an address for each lamp in a gateway according to a predetermined scenario. |
| US09485839B2 |
Pressure activated illumination apparatuses
A pressure activated illumination apparatus is provided. In some embodiments, a pressure activated illumination apparatus may comprise a pressure mat which includes a pressure switch configured to detect weight placed on the pressure mat; an illumination housing which comprises a light emitting element and is movable relative to the pressure mat; and a user control input configured to modulate the illumination of the light emitting element. The pressure mat may be in electrical communication with the illumination housing, and a light emitting element of the illumination housing may be configured to illuminate upon receiving an electrical communication from the pressure mat. |
| US09485836B2 |
Controlling apparatus for dimming level of light and controlling method of the same
Disclosed is a controlling apparatus for a dimming level of a light disposed on a ceiling surface, including: a sampling unit sampling an illumination value of a ceiling area depending on a change in a dimming level of the light; a communication unit receiving an illumination value of a floor area at a minimum dimming level of the light and an illumination value of the floor area at a maximum dimming level of the light; an estimation unit estimating an illumination value of the floor area at a current dimming level of the light based on an algorithm defined by using the illumination value of the floor area and the illumination value of the ceiling area at the minimum dimming level of the light, the illumination value of the floor area and the illumination value of the ceiling area at the maximum dimming level of the light, and the illumination value of the ceiling area at the current dimming level of the light; and a control unit controlling the dimming level of the light so that the estimated illumination value of the floor area and a target illumination value coincide with each other. |
| US09485833B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing dimming range of solid state lighting fixtures
A system for controlling a level of light output by a solid state lighting load controlled by a dimmer includes a phase angle detector and a power converter. The phase angle detector is configured to detect a phase angle of the dimmer based on a rectified voltage from the dimmer and to determine a power control signal based on comparison of the detected phase angle with a predetermined first threshold. The power converter is configured to provide an output voltage to the solid state lighting load, the power converter operating in an open loop mode based on the rectified voltage from the dimmer when the detected phase angle is greater than the first threshold, and operating in a closed loop mode based on the rectified voltage from the dimmer and the determined power control signal from the detection circuit when the detected phase angle is less than the first threshold. |
| US09485832B2 |
Display panel, display device, and electronic unit
A display panel including: a panel section including a display region where a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a gap region provided in a gap between the pixels; and a barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regions in a two-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region to be around each of the transmissive regions. The transmissive regions are each configured to make entirely visible any one of the pixels therethrough when a viewer views the panel section not from a front but from a first or second direction via the barrier section, the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixels varying in type, and the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arranged not in stripes but differently. |
| US09485830B2 |
LED lighting apparatus
When an LED lighting apparatus which is a lighter load than an incandescent lamp or halogen lamp is connected to a dimmer, a malfunction may occur. The invention prevents the occurrence of such malfunction without defeating the purpose of low power consumption of the LED lighting apparatus. More specifically, the LED lighting apparatus includes a rectifier circuit, a light-emitting circuit connected to the rectifier circuit and containing a single or a plurality of LEDs in which current begins to flow when an output voltage of the rectifier circuit exceeds a threshold voltage, and a bypass circuit having a bypass path for making the current flow to the rectifier circuit without passing through the light-emitting circuit, and a detecting unit for detecting the current flowing through the light-emitting circuit, and wherein when the current detected by the detecting unit exceeds a predetermined value, the bypass circuit shuts off the current flowing through the bypass path. |
| US09485828B2 |
LED lamp comprising a safety module for safe operation on various ballasts
The current invention relates to a LED lamp (10) comprising at least one LED light source (103), at least one driver (101) for powering the LED light source (103), at least one input rectifier with a plurality of diodes for converting an AC current from mains into a DC current, providing electrical power to the driver (101), the LED lamp (10) further comprising a safety module comprising one first and one second modules (F1, F2) for protection against overcurrent and overheating of the EM ballast, the first module (F1) being put in series with the driver (101) and designed to interrupt current in case the driver fails when the LED lamp (10) is directly connected to the mains, and the second module (F2) being designed to interrupt current when at least one of the diodes of the input rectifier fails when the lamp is connected to the mains via an EM ballast. |
| US09485817B2 |
Control circuit of light emitting element
A control circuit of a light-emitting element comprises a rectifying unit which full-wave rectifies an alternating current power supply, a clock generator which generates and outputs a clock signal (CLK), a first comparator which compares a comparison voltage (CS) corresponding to a current flowing to the light-emitting element and a reference voltage (REF), and a switching element which is set to an ON state in synchronization with the clock signal (CLK) and which is set to an OFF state when the comparison voltage (CS) becomes greater than the reference voltage (REF) at the first comparator, to switch the current flowing to the light-emitting element. In this structure, a period of the clock signal (CLK) generated in the clock generator is varied, to reduce or inhibit noise. |
| US09485814B2 |
Systems and methods for a hysteresis based driver using a LED as a voltage reference
The present disclosure is directed to a hysteresis based driver that incorporates the forward voltage of the LEDs being driven into the design of the driver itself. Instead of providing a typical fixed voltage reference, the forward voltage of one or more LEDS driven by the driver is used as a voltage reference. As the input voltage varies during operation of the one or more LEDs, the current varies as well. This current change is larger than it would be without the LEDs and only resistors. This variable current measurement may be used as input into a hysteresis circuit that controls the switch that turns on and off the one or more LEDs. As such, the driver may not incorporate or use a typical fixed voltage reference such as one provided by a zener diode. |
| US09485811B1 |
Spray bottle warming system
A spray bottle warming system warms the liquid contents held within a spray bottle used in a hair cutting or styling salon. The device uses a housing that has a bottom and a base plate such that one or more heating coils are located either underneath or passing through the base plate. A sidewall of the housing forms an annular lip with an opening therebetween with the spray bottle resting on the base plate and secured by the annular lip and heated via the heating coils. The device is capable of sensing the weight of the spray bottle, either absolutely, or relative to an initial starting weight, so that the output of the heating coils is controlled by the weight sensed, the less weigh sensed, and thus the less contents within the bottle, the less heat output from the heating coils. |
| US09485804B1 |
High-speed WAN to wireless LAN gateway
A gateway interconnecting a high speed Wide Area Network (WAN) and a lower speed Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is provided. The high speed WAN is preferably connected to the gateway via a Fiber-to-the Home (FTTH) connection and associated FTTH modem. In general, the gateway includes an adaptable cross-layer offload engine operating to manage bandwidth between the high speed WAN and the lower speed WLAN. As data enters the gateway from the WAN at the high speed data rate of the WAN, the offload engine stores the data in a non-secure data cache. A rule check engine performs a stateless or stateful inspection of the data in the non-secure data cache. Thereafter, the data is moved from the non-secure data cache to a secure data cache and thereafter transmitted to an appropriate user device in the WLAN at the lower data rate of the WLAN. |
| US09485803B2 |
Radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) chip(s) for providing distributed antenna system functionalities, and related components, systems, and methods
Radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuit (RFIC) chip(s) allow for the integration of multiple electronic circuits on a chip to provide distributed antenna system functionalities. RFIC chips are employed in central unit and remote unit components, reducing component cost and size, increasing performance and reliability, while reducing power consumption. The components are also easier to manufacture. The RFIC chip(s) can be employed in distributed antenna systems and components that support RF communications services and/or digital data services. |
| US09485802B2 |
Encoded information reading terminal with user-configurable multi-protocol wireless communication interface
An apparatus may include a microprocessor and a wireless communication interface configured to perform at least one of receiving a first radio signal or transmitting a second radio signal. The microprocessor may be configured to execute at least one of a base-band encoder software program or a base-band decoder software program. The apparatus may be further configured to execute a wireless communication protocol selector software program that may be configured to optimize a value of a user-defined criterion in order to dynamically select at least one of a wireless communication network, a wireless communication protocol, and a parameter of a wireless communication protocol. |
| US09485801B1 |
Mobile communication device connected to home digital network
An electronic device in a home digital living network alliance (DLNA) network. The device comprises a memory, a processor, and a client application stored in the memory, when executed by the processor, communicatively couples to an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) server, wherein communication between the client application and the IMS server is initiated by the client application, and forwards at least one of content or available service information from the home DLNA network to a mobile communication device via the IMS server. The application further polls the IMS server, and receives at least one of content or available service information from the mobile communication device via the IMS server, whereby issues with firewall, dynamic internet protocol address, and network address translation (NAT) in communicatively coupling the mobile communication device and the home DLNA network are limited. |
| US09485799B2 |
Method to connect a mobile node to a network
The invention relates to a method for connecting a mobile node (1) comprising a plurality of network connection interfaces (11a, 11b) to at least one network (3) using the mobile internet protocol with the following steps for the respective interfaces (11a, 11b): —the mobile node (1) retrieves a local IP address (CoAa, CoAb) and at least one DNS server (5, 5a, 5b) address using DHCP on the interface (11a, 11b), —the mobile node (1) stores in a list the at least one returned DNS server (5, 5a, 5b) address, —the mobile node (1) queries the at least one DNS server (5, 5a, 5b) which has its address stored in the list for home agent service and receives either a “service not supported” failure notification or the address of at least one home agent (9a, 9b) reachable on the interface (11a, 11b),—the mobile node (1) stores in the list the results of the query, either “service not available” or the home agent (9a, 9b) addresses returned for the respective DNS Servers (5, 5a, 5b) inquired, —the mobile node (1) obtains a home address (Ho Aa, Ho Ab) on the interface, _13 the mobile node (1) attempts to perform a binding update for care-of-address (Co Aa, Co Ab) and home address (HoAa, HoAb) towards the at least one home agent (9a, 9b) address stored in the previous list and updates its stored list accordingly with respective binding success or binding failure notifications, in case of success, the mobile node (1) records on the list a fully qualified domain name associated to the interface (11a, 11b). The invention also relates to the associated mobile node and DHCP unit. |
| US09485798B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station, user terminal, and processor
A mobile communication system which supports D2D communication that is direct inter-terminal radio communication, comprises: a user terminal that transmits and receives discovery signals for a discovery process of a communication target terminal of the D2D communication; and a base station that transmits discovery resource information indicating radio resources to be used for transmitting and receiving the discovery signals. The user terminal transmits and receives the discovery signals when the discovery resource information is received from the base station, by using the radio resource indicated by the received discovery resource information. |
| US09485795B2 |
Proximity-based coupling service
Systems and methods may provide for implementing a proximity-based coupling service. In one example, the method may include detecting, utilizing a first communication protocol, the presence of a second device by a first device, initiating a wireless network utilizing a second communication protocol, wherein the first device is to serve as a software-enabled access point (SoftAP), and configuring the second device to join the wireless network utilizing the second communication protocol. |
| US09485794B2 |
Methods and apparatus for using device to device communications to support IMS based services
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with using D2D communications to support at least a portion of IMS based services. In one example, a first UE is equipped to perform communications with a second UE using an IMS session in which data traffic and signaling traffic are supported through a network, determine that the second UE is within a first proximity threshold of the first UE, establish a D2D communication link with the second UE, and transfer support of the data traffic to the D2D communication link while maintaining the support of the signaling traffic through the network. In an aspect, the first proximity threshold may be a distance, a signaling strength or a signaling quality between the first and second UEs between which D2D communications are supported. |
| US09485790B2 |
Apparatus and method for seamless commissioning of wireless devices
An apparatus is provided for commissioning a target device onto a wireless local area network (WLAN). The apparatus includes a smart wireless device. The smart wireless device has commissioning logic and a transducer. The commissioning logic is configured to format and direct transmission of one or more WLAN configuration packets that convey WLAN configuration data. The transducer is coupled to the commissioning logic, and is configured to transmit the one or more WLAN configuration packets over the transmission path to the target device, wherein the transducer is an existing component of the smart wireless device. |
| US09485789B2 |
Connection setup with an access selection of a terminal
A method for requesting a connection setup of a connection between a terminal (302) and a node (304) of a radio access network (300) is described. The radio access network (300) supports a first access and a second access of the terminal (302) to the radio access network (300) for the connection. The method is executed by the terminal (302). The method comprises determining (314) whether to at least partially accept a network defined condition of the radio access network (300) associated with the first access, selecting (316), from the first access and the second access, the first access based on a result of the step (314) of determining, and requesting (320a, b), from the node (304), the selected first access for the connection. The method may enable an improved management of a quality of service by the radio access network in association with a connection between a terminal and the radio access network. |
| US09485779B2 |
Method for resource management in a TDD cellular communication network and resource management system
A method for resource management in a cellular communication network, wherein said network includes at least one base station per cell for a plurality of cells that operates in TDD (Time Division Duplex) transmission mode, each base station having a respective coverage area is characterized in that said base stations are operated such that spatial zones exist—overlap areas—in which the coverage areas of at least two of said base stations overlap, wherein UEs within an overlap area utilize UL and/or DL resources from those of the respective base stations that best match their particular traffic demands in the UL and/or in the DL. Furthermore, a corresponding resource management system for use in a cellular communication network is disclosed. |
| US09485778B2 |
WiFi real-time streaming and bluetooth coexistence
A system and method for peer-to-peer communications is disclosed. A first wireless device receives a message from a second wireless device identifying communication requirements of a point-to-point communication involving the second wireless device. The first wireless device determines whether the second wireless device's communication requirements can be satisfied based on communication resources already committed for other communications. When the communication requirements of the second wireless device can be satisfied, the first wireless device generates a time sharing schedule to be used by the first and second wireless devices based on the already-committed communication requirements and the second device's communication requirements. The time sharing schedule may include a first portion for broadcast communication among a group of devices to which the first and second wireless devices belong, and a second portion for the point-to-point communications of the second wireless devices. |
| US09485777B2 |
Systems and methods for scheduling wireless communications
This disclosure provides coexistence strategies for a combined wireless communications device using multiple wireless protocols, such as WLAN and LTE. One or more periods having increased interference potential during an upcoming communication event of one wireless protocol may be identified and the transmission duration of another wireless protocol may be dynamically adjusted to reduce interference. In one aspect, a first period of potential interference during an upcoming LTE transmission may be predicted based on allocated LTE transmission power. The duration of the transmission may be adjusted so that a response to the transmission does not arrive during the first period. In another aspect, a second period of potential interference during an upcoming LTE reception may be predicted based on an estimated quality of LTE reception. The duration of the transmission may be adjusted so that the transmission does not being during the second period. |
| US09485775B2 |
Radio communication system, radio base station and radio communication method
The present invention is designed to execute adequate signaling even when individual user terminals perform communication to support separate types of communication, in MIMO transmission to use antennas having varying antenna configurations depending on the type of communication. A radio base station (200) has an antenna that has varying antenna configurations between at least two types of communication and that can transmit signals to all areas which the radio base station covers, in an antenna configuration to support at least one communication type 1, allocates radio resources to a downlink signal including capacities of a user terminal and a signal type to match a communication type, multiplexes a plurality of reference signals to be used in each communication type on the same resource block, generates precoding weights which allow the antenna to form a number of beams to match the communication type, and multiplies a downlink signal to supply to the antenna by the generated precoding weights. |
| US09485773B2 |
Synchronous TDM-based communication in dominant interference scenarios
Techniques for supporting communication in a heterogeneous network are described. In an aspect, communication in a dominant interference scenario may be supported by reserving subframes for a weaker base station observing high interference from a strong interfering base station. In another aspect, interference due to a first reference signal from a first station (e.g., a base station) may be mitigated by canceling the interference at a second station (e.g., a UE) or by selecting different resources for sending a second reference signal by the second station (e.g., another base station) to avoid collision with the first reference signal. In yet another aspect, a relay may transmit in an MBSFN mode in subframes that it listens to a macro base station and in a regular mode in subframes that it transmits to UEs. In yet another aspect, a station may transmit more TDM control symbols than a dominant interferer. |
| US09485772B2 |
Techniques for peer-to-peer network sharing
Techniques for peer-to-peer network sharing are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a sharing control component and a local proxy component. The sharing control component may be operative to transmit an offer from the first mobile device to a second mobile device for the second mobile device to act as a proxy for the first mobile device for the performance of network services in return for a transfer of sharing credit from a first account to a second account with a sharing authority, the first account associated with the first mobile device, the second account associated with the second mobile device, and receive an offer acceptance from the second mobile device. The local proxy component may be operative to receive configuration information and configure the first mobile device to use the second mobile device as a network proxy using the configuration information. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09485771B2 |
Random access using predictive mobility
Methods, systems, and devices are described for predicting a current random access transmission power detectable by a base station based on historical transmission power information. In one aspect, a mobile device may access a historical transmission power associated with a current state of the mobile device, with the historical transmission power based on mobility patterns of the mobile device. Based at least in part on the accessed historical transmission power, the mobile device may predict a current random access transmission power of the mobile device, where the predicted current random access transmission power is configured to elicit a random access response from a base station. In one aspect, the techniques described herein may reduce a number of power ramp steps taken by the mobile device during a random access procedure, reduce interference from the mobile device during the random access procedure, or both based on the predicted current random access transmission power. |
| US09485769B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining operating channel in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and, more specifically, to a method and an apparatus for determining an operating channel. The method for determining the operating channel of a station (STA) in a TV whitespace (TVWS) wireless LAN system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving information on an index which indicates an operating class including channel start frequency, channel spacing, and channel set parameters; and determining a main frequency of the operating channel on the basis of the parameters indicated by the index of the operating class. The main frequency of the operating channel can be determined on the basis of a correction value which is set differently according to the configuration of a basic channel unit of the operating channel. |
| US09485765B2 |
Method and device for transmitting and receiving data by using multiple carriers in mobile communication system
To solve the above-mentioned problem, the method for transmitting and receiving a signal by user equipment (UE) through one or more cells, according to one embodiment of the present specification, comprises the steps of: receiving, from a base station, a first message indicating whether one or more cells usable by the UE are enabled; determining which cells to enable or disable on the basis of the first message; and enabling or disabling the selected cells. According to the embodiment of the present specification, by aggregating carriers amongst different base stations, a possibility for the UE to transmit and receive high-speed data through carrier aggregation can increase. |
| US09485764B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding transport block
A method for encoding a transport block in a wireless communication system, and a wireless apparatus therefore are discussed. The method according to one embodiment includes determining, at a transmitting device, a size of the transport block based on a size of an allocated resource, a number of layers, and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the transport block, wherein the size of the transport block is determined from among a plurality of predetermined sizes, wherein the plurality of the predetermined sizes include 305976 bits, 324336 bits, and 391656 bits when the transport block is mapped to four-layer spatial multiplexing and when 256 Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is used for the transport block; and attaching at the transmitting device, a first cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code to the transport block to configure a first CRC-attached transport block. |
| US09485761B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending data and control information in a wireless communication system
Techniques for sending control information in a communication system are described. In an aspect, control information may be sent in a first frequency location (e.g., a first set of subcarriers) if data is not being sent and in a second frequency location (e.g., a second set of subcarriers) if data is being sent. In another aspect, control information may be processed in accordance with a first processing scheme if data is not being sent and with a second processing scheme if data is being sent. In one design of the first scheme, a CAZAC sequence may be modulated with each modulation symbol for control information to obtain a corresponding modulated CAZAC sequence, which may be sent on the first set of subcarriers. In one design of the second scheme, modulation symbols for control information may be combined with modulation symbols for data, transformed to frequency domain, and mapped to the second set of subcarriers. |
| US09485759B2 |
Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an uplink MIMO transmission method, including: sending, by a UE, first data to a base station (NodeB) in a first process in an HARQ_RTT, and receiving an acknowledgement character related to the first data and returned by the NodeB; and determining, by the UE according to the acknowledgement character and a rank value to be used for next transmission, data transmission of the first process in a next HARQ_RTT. The present invention further provides a corresponding user equipment and base station. Implementing the method and apparatus provided by the present invention can enable a UE to correctly perform HARQ transmission using MIMO, thereby effectively ensuring performance of MIMO. |
| US09485749B2 |
Idle state interference mitigation in wireless communication network
A method in a mobile station for ranking cells in order to perform reselection from a serving cell to a second cell is disclosed. The method includes detecting a second cell that the mobile station is not allowed to access, determining resources used for transmission of a signal of the second cell, and applying a reselection bias if the resources used for transmission of the signal of the second cell do not substantially overlap resources used for transmission of a signal of the serving cell. |
| US09485745B2 |
Indoor location using a packet synchronized receiver array
Location of one or more devices in a monitored environment based at least in part on data communications between a device and a communication array disposed relative to the monitored environment. The communication array may include a plurality of nodes, at least two of which may be in operative communication with a mobile device. The plurality of nodes may be synchronized to a common time base with communications over a packet-switched communication network (e.g., employing IP communications or the like). In turn, communications between nodes of known location and a device may be used to determine ranging values at least in part based on characteristics (e.g., time of flight) of the communication. As such, a location may be determined by, for example, multilateration of a plurality of ranging values. |
| US09485744B2 |
Communication network nodes and methods performed therein
Determining a time synchronization inaccuracy value between a first node and a second node. A PTP packet is received including Node IDs representing respective transport nodes along a first path, and from the second node Node IDs are obtained representing respective transport nodes along a second path. Furthermore, a first common node of the first path and the second path is determined. The time synchronization inaccuracy value between the first node and the second node is calculated. By including Node IDs in received PTP packets before forwarding them to a node, the node is enabled to determine a first common node. Thereby, the node may calculate relative time inaccuracy values with respect to the other access network nodes, which may be used to decrease inaccuracy time synchronization for co-ordination functions. |
| US09485743B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing a second receiver to establish time and frequency
Apparatus and methods for synchronizing a network element (e.g. access points, femtocells, etc.) to a master network (such as a cellular network) to provide accurate frequency and/or time references for their internal systems. In one embodiment, the network element utilizes a dedicated receiver (or transceiver) to receive timing information from the master network. The implementation of the dedicated receiver is advantageous for cost and simplicity reasons. Furthermore, the timing or frequency information, as received from the master network, is used to correct the network element's internal timing. In addition, the network element's internal timing can operate in open-loop mode, if no master network can be found, thereby allowing for the device to continue providing service to network users. Additionally, a dedicated receiver can also receive information (e.g. location, SID, NID, SSID, etc.) local to the network element, such information may be useful or required for seamless operation within the master network. |
| US09485741B2 |
Energy saving management method for base station, apparatus and system
An energy saving (ES) management method for a base station includes: An integration reference point manager (IRPManager) initiates an ES enable/disable procedure or an ES activation/resumption procedure to an integration reference point agent (IRPAgent), where the ES enable/disable procedure is used to allow or prohibit an ES operation on the base station or a cell, and the ES activation/resumption procedure is used to cause the base station or the cell to go into or go out of an ES state. The technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present invention enable operators to perform unified management on an ES procedure for a base station at a base station level or a cell level. |
| US09485736B2 |
Task management across low-power wireless communications
Technologies related to task management across low-power wireless communications are generally described. In some examples, proximal devices in range of low-power wireless communications may cooperate to allow one or more of the proximal devices to suspend task operations, while one or more of the proximal devices manage the task operations. The task operations may be associated with an energy consumption that exceeds an energy consumption associated with the low-power wireless communications, allowing the proximal devices that suspend task operations to reduce their overall energy consumption. |
| US09485735B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in portable terminal
An apparatus and method for reducing power consumption of a portable terminal are provided. More particularly, an apparatus and method for reducing power consumption generated in an idle state in order to solve a power consumption problem in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a stale determination unit which is configured independently from an application processor for controlling applications and which wakes up when entering an idle mode to allow the application processor to sleep, and thereafter determines a state of the portable terminal, and if it is determined that the portable terminal escapes from the idle mode, allows the application processor to wake up. |
| US09485734B2 |
Wireless communication system method for synchronizing Bluetooth devices based on received beacon signals
The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for Low-Energy Bluetooth (BLE) synchronization. In one embodiment, the disclosure enables BLE devices enabled with both BLE and IEEE 802.11 radios to synchronization using a non-BLE beacon signal. The beacon signal and available shared information between corresponding BLE devices are used to synchronize the BLE devices. In an exemplary method, the first BLE device receives a beacon signal having a reference timestamp and determines a first time-offset as a function of the reference timestamp. The first BLE device then selects an event time window as a function of the first time-offset and conducts a BLE event (advertising or scanning) during the event time window. The second BLE device also uses the beacon signal and the shared information to complement the first device's event by one of advertising or scanning. |
| US09485732B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of keep-alive messages for efficient battery usage in a mobile network
A method for IP [=Internet Protocol] communication between a mobile terminal and its correspondent node in a mobile radio network. The method comprises establishing an IP connection between the mobile terminal and its correspondent node. After detecting a period of inactivity in the IP connection, keep-alive messages are sent via the IP connection at predetermined intervals, which are varied. The method comprises monitoring the lengths of several periods of inactivity at which the mobile radio network disconnects the IP connection. Based on the monitored lengths of periods of inactivity, a maximum interval (TINT) between keep-alive messages is determined such that the maximum interval meets a predetermined criterion of statistical confidence, and the interval between keep-alive messages is set to the maximum interval (TINT). |
| US09485731B2 |
Method and device for accessing channel in wireless LAN system
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for performing a channel access by a station (STA) in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: transmitting a first frame for a channel access request to an access point (AP); and receiving a second frame, which is a response to the channel access request, from the AP, wherein the first frame includes information indicating whether or not uplink data of the STA is present. |
| US09485730B2 |
Connection control method and electronic device therefor
A method and an apparatus for controlling communication connection in an electronic device are provided. The method includes detecting at least one peripheral, detecting at least one preference device among the at least one detected peripheral, and inactivating a communication module when at least one preference device is not detected among the at least one detected peripheral. |
| US09485727B2 |
Method and apparatus for fast TCH to idle transition
Techniques for determining if it is safe for a mobile device to transition directly from a traffic session to a paging mode and for avoiding network re-synchronization procedures in stationary M2M devices are disclosed. It may be safe for direct transition if before-call and in-call network parameters correspond. If safe, the mobile device may transition from the traffic session directly to the paging mode to begin immediately monitoring the paging channel. In stationary M2M devices, paging information is stored before the traffic session and, once the traffic session is complete, the M2M device may be configured to receive paging messaging based on the stored paging information. The M2M device may also store system access information and confirm the validity of the information before returning to the sleep state. The stationary M2M device avoids network re-synchronization procedures. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US09485726B2 |
Method and apparatus for activating sleep mode of terminal
Provided are a method and apparatus for dormant mode operation in a user equipment. During dormant mode, data transmission between the user equipment and network is suspended. For dormant mode operation, the user equipment determines whether to enter dormant mode, and sends, upon determining to enter dormant mode, a dormant mode entry message containing dormant mode time information to the network. |
| US09485723B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing cell site power consumption in a wireless network
A method, computer-readable storage device, and an apparatus for reducing power consumption in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method performs an analysis of a usage pattern for a cell site, determines whether a threshold is reached for reducing the power consumption based on the analysis of the usage pattern, and reduces the power consumption when the threshold is reached for reducing the power consumption. |
| US09485717B2 |
Measurement request and response for reception quality based notified cell identification
A mobile communication system including a base station which sets a plurality of cells and a mobile station is provided. In the mobile communication system, the base station notifies the mobile station in communication through a first cell among the plurality of cells, of the identification information of at least one cell among the plurality of cells, which can be used for communication with the mobile station and instructs the mobile station to measure a reception state of radio signals. The mobile station detects, in response to the instruction from the base station, a cell for transmitting radio signals which the mobile station is able to receive, and when identification information of the detected cell matches any of the identification information of the at least one cell, the mobile station notifies the base station of the identification information of the detected cell. |
| US09485716B2 |
Method and apparatus for low-power scanning in WLAN system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, disclosed are a method and an apparatus for low-power scanning in a WLAN system. A method for a station (STA) scanning in the wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: transmitting a null data packet (NDP) probe request frame; and receiving from an access point (AP) a probe reply frame as a replay to the NDP probe request frame, wherein the NDP probe request frame can include a compressed service set ID (SSID). |
| US09485713B2 |
Circuit, method, and related apparatus for avoiding channel interference
A circuit for avoiding channel interference, including a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip and at least one first single-pole multi-throw switch, where a movable end of the first single-pole multi-throw switch is connected to a signal transmit pin of the Wi-Fi chip; one non-movable end of the first single-pole multi-throw switch is connected to a first signal transmit tributary while another is connected to a second signal transmit tributary; and when the Wi-Fi chip determines that a first channel and a second channel interfere with each other, the movable end of the first single-pole multi-throw switch is controlled to connect to the second non-movable end of the first single-pole multi-throw switch, where the first channel is a wireless local area network channel, and the second channel is different from the wireless local area network channel. |
| US09485712B1 |
Data bandwidth optimization
Systems and methods for data bandwidth optimization are disclosed. A server receives, from a computing device, a request to begin a network data session. Responsive to receiving the request, the server allows the computing device to access network data at a full speed for a grace time period. Upon expiration of the grace time period, the server allows the computing device to access network data at a reduced speed for a monitoring time period. During the monitoring time period, the server monitors the computing device to determine whether the computing device is accessing network data in bursts or streaming data. Based on whether the computing device is accessing network data in bursts or streaming data, the server either allows the computing device to access network data at the full speed for a waiver time period or allows the computing device to access network data at the reduced speed until completion. |
| US09485703B2 |
Method for configuring wireless local area network in wireless metropolitan area network and wireless communication system supporting the same
A method for configuring a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) within a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN) and a wireless communication system supporting the same are provided. A dual-mode terminal is used as a relay for relaying between the WMAN and the WLAN and the relay divides a total service period into a WMAN period and a WLAN period. For the WMAN period, the relay accesses the WMAN and implements a WMAN service and for the WLAN period, it accesses the WLAN and implements a WLAN service. |
| US09485701B2 |
Balancing paging load and tracking area updates
A method for assigning a tracking area (TA) is disclosed. A mobility state of a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is determined and the TA is assigned based on the determined mobility state. Also disclosed is a method for accessing a closed subscriber group (CSG) TA. A CSG TA identifier is received at a WTRU and is stored. A CSG TA broadcast is received and the broadcast CSG TA is accessed if an identifier of the broadcast CSG TA matches the stored CSG TA identifier. Also disclosed is a method for changing a mobility state of a WTRU. A current mobility state of the WTRU is determined and a predetermined metric of the WTRU is examined. The predetermined metric is evaluated to determine if the metric has crossed a threshold and the mobility state is changed based on the evaluated metric. |
| US09485688B1 |
Method and apparatus for controlling error and identifying bursts in a data compression system
The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for the compression and decompression of data bursts wherein the propagation of synchronization errors is limited to a desired number of signal samples and the start of a burst boundary is identified. In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided for compressing data in a communication system by receiving data bursts comprising a plurality of uncompressed data packets at a compressor of the communication system, generating a start of burst parameter and a packet size parameter for each of the uncompressed data packets and compressing the data packets. At the decompressor, the compressed data packets are received and when a synchronization error occurs, the packet size parameter is used to limit the propagation of the error to a desired number of samples and to restore the data burst utilizing the start of burst parameter. |
| US09485684B2 |
Generalization of quality class indices in a wireless network
A PCEF (400) for a cellular system, arranged (405, 410) to receive data packets from at least one other node via a certain Radio Access Technology, RAT, the PCEF (400) also being arranged to communicate with a PCRF via a PCC interface. The PCEF (400) is further arranged (425, 430) to set up Service Data flows, SDFs, which SDFs are defined for the PCEF (400) by the PCRF over the PCC interface and which comprise filters for received data packets. Said filters define a Quality Class Index, a QCI, for each received data packet, and the PCEF (400) is arranged (415, 420) to interpret QCIs for received data packets up to and including a predefined value in a first predefined manner for all RATs, and to interpret (415, 420) QCIs over said predefined value in a second predefined manner. |
| US09485682B2 |
Mobile terminal testing apparatus and interference state simulating method for use in the same
A mobile terminal testing apparatus that is capable of simulating a state where an electric wave to multiple mobile communication terminals causes interference. The mobile terminal testing apparatus includes: a scenario processing unit that controls each unit of an apparatus in order to perform each procedure for testing according to a test scenario; a cell initialization processing unit that initializes a cell that is subject to interference and an interfering cell that interferes with the cell that is subject to the interference, with a parameter for the cell that is subject to the interference, and a parameter for the interfering cell; and a cell combination processing unit that adjusts output levels of a signal of the cell that is subject to the interference and a signal of the interfering cell and performs combination in order to simulate an interference state. |
| US09485676B2 |
Wireless communication device and method for searching for bypass route in wireless network
A wireless communication device comprising: a storage configured to store identification information identifying a particular adjacent device from among the plurality of wireless communication devices that is adjacent to the wireless communication device and that transmits, to the wireless communication device, data addressed to a final destination device; a generator configured to generate search data that includes information indicating a search of a route to the final destination device; a transmitter configured to broadcast the search data to adjacent devices; and a decision unit configured to determine that a bypass route from the particular adjacent device to the final destination device is not present when data that includes information indicating that the search data does not reach the final destination device is received from all particular adjacent devices for which identification information is stored in the storage. |
| US09485673B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordinating information request messages over an ad-hoc mesh network
An approach is provided for coordinating information request messages over an ad-hoc mesh network. A module receives at least one request to transmit one or more information request messages over an ad-hoc mesh network. The module determines context information associated with at least a portion of the ad-hoc mesh network, one or more nodes within the at least a portion of the ad-hoc mesh network, or a combination thereof. The module then determines to transmit the one or more information request messages over the ad-hoc mesh network based, at least in part, on the context information. |
| US09485666B2 |
Available channel information sharing system and available channel information sharing method
Disclosed are an available channel information sharing system and an available channel information sharing method, and an available channel information sharing system and an available channel information sharing method based on positional information and area information. The available channel information sharing system sharing available channel information for each unit region includes: a server; a white band device placed in the unit region; and a white band sensing device creating positional information and transmitting the created positional information to the server, receiving unit region information corresponding to the positional information from the server, and transmitting first available channel information based on channel information of a sensed broadcasting signal to the white band device. |
| US09485661B2 |
Method and apparatus for separable channel state feedback in a wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate the generation and use of separable, hierarchical channel state feedback in a wireless communication system. As described herein, in the event that multiple network nodes cooperate to conduct downlink transmissions to a network user, channel state feedback as reported by the network user can be separated into intra-node feedback relating to per-node channel conditions and inter-node feedback relating to relative phase and/or amplitude between channels corresponding to respective nodes. Further, a network user can select to report intra-node feedback and/or inter-node feedback based on network instructions, a cooperation strategy to be utilized by respective network nodes, or the like. As additionally described herein, respective codebooks on which inter-node and intra-node channel feedback is based can be configured to convey information relating to a partial channel description and/or to vary based on resource units (e.g., sub-bands, resource blocks, etc.) utilized for downlink communication. |
| US09485660B2 |
Systems and methods to detect and characterize fake cell towers
Systems and methods to detect and characterize fake cell towers in a network operator's network include receiving live data comprising any of crowd-sourced data and tower data; performing live data analysis on the live data and reference data; and detecting the fake cell towers based on the live data analysis. Optionally, spectrum data captured at cell towers by a baseband processor coupled to backhaul equipment can be used as additional input. |
| US09485659B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring network device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for monitoring a network device, and relate to the field of information network technologies. The method in the present invention includes acquiring basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) of wireless network devices in a network system managed by a network management system and determining BSSIDs of unauthorized wireless network devices in the acquired BSSIDs of the wireless network devices in the network system by using a fingerprint database of authorized wireless network devices. The method also includes acquiring a media access control (MAC) forwarding table corresponding to a network port used by a user and determining an unauthorized wireless network device connected to the network port according to the BSSIDs of the unauthorized wireless network devices and a MAC address. |
| US09485657B2 |
Electronic apparatus and control method thereof
An electronic apparatus and a control method thereof are disclosed. The electronic apparatus according includes: a first communicator configured to communicate with an authentication terminal device; a second communicator configured to communicate with a new terminal device that is not registered with an access point (AP); a storage configured to store authentication information for accessing the AP; and a controller configured to control the second communicator to transmit the authentication information that is stored in the storage to the new terminal device in response to receiving terminal information of the new terminal device from the authentication terminal device through the first communicator. |
| US09485652B2 |
Method and system for managing mobility of mobile station in a mobile communication system using mobile IP
A method and system for managing mobility of an MS in a mobile communication system using Mobile IP are provided. It is determined whether to generate an authentication key for mutual authentication between the MS and an HA after access authentication with an AG. The authentication key is generated, if it is determined to generate the authentication key after the access authentication. An information request message is transmitted to the AG. A reply message including information allocated by an AAA server is received from the AG. A binding update message for registering mobility binding of the MS is transmitted to the HA. |
| US09485643B2 |
Method and systems for secure message transmission
Methods and systems for secure message transmission from a computing device of a sender to at least one recipient, the method comprising iteratively selecting a group until the sender indicates conclusion of the group to provide a selected group, selecting at least one recipient from each selected group to provide at least one selected recipient, composing a message to provide a composed message, selecting at least one device for each selected recipient to provide at least one selected device, wherein the composed message is to be dispatched to the at least one selected device, and indicating an alert notification on each of the at least one selected devices of the recipient, wherein the alert notification indicates dispatch of the composed message to the selected device. |
| US09485639B2 |
Method and device for adjusting and processing ringtone
A method and device for adjusting and processing ringtone is Provided, the method comprising: when a user equipment (UE) plays a ringtone, acquiring environmental audio data, the environmental audio data comprises the ringtone data played by the UE and the external environment noise data of the UE; analyzing the characteristic parameter of the ringtone played by the UE according to the acquired audio data; and adjusting the ringtone played by the UE according to the characteristic parameter. The disclosure solves the problem in the related art of how to automatically and accurately adjust the ringtone of a UE on the basis of different environments, thus achieving the effect of accurately adjusting the ringtone of the UE on the basis of different environments. |
| US09485636B2 |
Method and system for off-net message communications
Methods and apparatus for routing off-net Short Message Service (SMS) messages between a first service provider network and a terminating service provider network are provided herein. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a first SMS message including a first identifier associated with a first subscriber of the first service provider network stored in a source address field directed to a second identifier, determining that the second identifier is associated with a second subscriber of the terminating service provider network, associating the first identifier with a local reply identifier in a mapping database, replacing the first identifier in the source address field with the local reply identifier, and routing the first SMS message including the local reply identifier stored in the source address field to the second identifier. |
| US09485630B2 |
Methods and devices for enabling reception of a specific service for terminals in idle mode
The present invention relates to methods and devices for enabling reception of a specific service for terminals idle mode. More particularly, the present invention relates to such methods and devices enabling mobility for terminals in idle mode so as to receive an MBMS service. In case a terminal is interested in the MBMS service, it applies different reselection rule than normal reselection rule i.e., when the terminal is not interested in the MBMS service. For instance, the terminal manipulates the priority indications received from an eNB and considers MBMS layer the highest priority in case the terminal is interested in MBMS service. If the terminal thus manipulates the priority due to the (intended) MBMS reception, the terminal starts an MBMS timer, which is received as a permission parameter from the eNB. |
| US09485628B2 |
User-location-in-building estimating apparatus and method thereof
An intrabuilding location estimating apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The method includes operations of measuring a user's location by using a global positioning system (GPS) or a wireless communication-based location obtaining device in the mobile terminal, obtaining interfloor movement information of the user that is detected via a sensor in the mobile terminal, and determining a floor on which the user is located, via map information and the interfloor movement information of the user. |
| US09485624B2 |
Transmission of location and directional information associated with mobile communication devices
A method and arrangement for providing location information of a called mobile communication device to a calling party are implemented through a mobile device locator platform disposed in the communication network. A mobile device subscriber to the location service initiates a process where the location of his mobile device is updated on a regular basis and the location information stored in a database on the platform. When a call is placed to his subscribed device, the location information is transmitted to the calling party prior to setting up the call to the called device, allowing the calling party to determine whether or not to proceed with the call, as well as eliminating the need to ask the common question “where are you?” when placing a call to a mobile device. |
| US09485617B2 |
Dynamic location-based mapping system and method
A system for providing a geographic location based information having a server which comprises a transceiver which is operated to receive a request for the geographic location based information of the plurality of people and a processor to locate, to determine a count, to represent the count as a pair of counters in a plurality of blocks and update the count at each counter. A user interface is configured to display the plurality of blocks with the pair of counters. The cloud server dynamically stores/updates user settings and interests of all network devices, stores advertisers static locations and updates ads based off users inputs and populates stored information on universal map shared by all users and also receives request to filter user's map by a Label and determines all users in viewing window of map that have that Label saved in their profiles and then sends results to the user. |
| US09485614B2 |
Method and arrangement for positioning in wireless communication systems
A method of improved positioning of a user equipment in a wireless communication network comprises receiving a positioning measurement from a user equipment in the wireless communication network and retrieving bandwidth reduction information. Further, the method includes detecting a deviation in the received position measurement based on the retrieved bandwidth reduction information, managing the received position measurement based on the detected deviation, and determining a position of the user equipment based at least on the managed received position measurement to provide improved positioning for the user equipment. |
| US09485608B2 |
Communication device
A communication device may monitor an establishment of a first type of communication link between a communication device and an external device while the communication device is in a first state in which a P2P mode of an NFC standard is active and a first mode of the NFC standard is active. The communication device may send first data to the external device by using the first type of communication link. The first data may include a command for causing the external device to execute an activation of a particular application. The communication device may change the state of the communication device from the first state to a second state in which the P2P mode is active, and perform the two-way communication with the external device that operates the particular application by using a second type of communication link. |
| US09485602B2 |
Techniques for using software application-related metadata in near field communication transmissions
A computer-implemented method includes determining, at a first mobile device associated with a first user, whether a second mobile device is within range for near field communication (NFC). When in range, the method includes receiving, at the first mobile device, first data and second data from the second mobile device via an NFC transmission, the first data being based on input from a second user associated with the second mobile device, the second data being metadata indicating a software application configured to process the first data. When the first mobile device does not have the software application indicated by the second data, the method includes retrieving, at the first mobile device, the software application via a network. The method also includes providing, at the first mobile device, the first data to the first user via the software application. |
| US09485600B2 |
Audio system, audio signal processing device and method, and program
An audio system including a first speaker and a second speaker that are arranged in front of a predetermined listening position to be substantially bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the listening position; a third speaker and a fourth speaker that are arranged in front of the predetermined listening position to be substantially bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the listening position; a first attenuator that attenuates components that are equal to or less than a predetermined first frequency of an input audio signal; and an output controller that outputs sounds that are based on the input audio signal from the first speaker and the second speaker and outputs sounds that are based on the first audio signal in which components that are equal to or less than the first frequency of the input audio signal from the third speaker and the fourth speaker. |
| US09485593B2 |
Acoustic device
This acoustic device can suppress a loss in sense of volume and sense of comfort. The acoustic device includes a vibration unit (10) including a piezoelectric element (101) that flexes and a panel (102) that vibrates by being bent directly by the piezoelectric element (101). The panel (102) includes a concavity (104), and the concavity (104) is contacted to a user's ear, causing the user to hear sound. |
| US09485591B2 |
Managing a hearing assistance device via low energy digital communications
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for programming and modifying hearing assistance devices via low energy digital communications. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of using a hearing assistance device. The method includes providing characteristics and descriptors of the hearing assistance device compatible with a low energy digital communication protocol, the characteristics and descriptors accessible to an external communication device. According to various embodiments, the method also includes accepting individual read/write cycles from an external communication device configured to use the low energy digital communication protocol to read and update the characteristics and descriptors using an abstraction layer. The hearing assistance device is configured to compensate for a wearer's hearing loss based on the updated characteristics and descriptors, in various embodiments. |
| US09485587B1 |
Speaker device assembly with recoil vibration attenuating counter balance
In one embodiment, a speaker device assembly includes a first voice coil assembly moveable along an axis of a magnetic field of a magnetic core responsive to an induced current to facilitate pressure variations in a medium, and cause recoil vibration on a speaker device assembly structure. The speaker device assembly further includes a second voice coil assembly having a counter balance mass that accounts for at least a mass of the first voice coil assembly, and moveable along the axis of the magnetic field in a direction opposite the first voice coil assembly to attenuate the recoil vibration on the speaker device assembly structure, when the first voice coil assembly moves along the axis of the magnetic field. |
| US09485585B2 |
Shock resistant coil and receiver
A motor includes an armature, a coil, and a magnetic support structure. The motor also includes at least one magnet that defines a space. The coil forms a tunnel. The space is defined by the at least one magnet being aligned with the tunnel formed by the coil. Portions of the armature extend through the space and the tunnel. An opening at an end of the coil is shaped so as to restrict movement of the armature. |
| US09485583B2 |
Vibration unit for acoustic module
A vibration unit includes an encircling frame defining a vibration cavity therewithin, a vibration member disposed in the vibration cavity, and a suspension including an elastic diaphragm having a periodical wave-shape extended between the vibration member and the encircling frame to support the vibration member within the vibration cavity. The wave-shape diaphragm provides a 3-dimensional connection between the vibration member and the encircling frame to self-generate a repelling force to against a lateral movement of the vibration member so as to ensure the vibration member to be reciprocatingly moved in a linear direction. |
| US09485582B2 |
Speaker
An edge has an inner circumferential portion connected to an outer circumferential portion of a diaphragm, and is made of an annular elastic deformation member. A frame is connected to an outer circumferential portion of the edge, and supports the diaphragm through the edge. A magnetic circuit displaces the diaphragm in a first direction that is a sound emission direction and in a second direction that is an opposite direction to the sound emission direction, and vibrates the diaphragm. In a region between the inner circumferential portion and outer circumferential portion of the edge, the edge includes a rib, which is protruded in the second direction, and limits a stroke of the diaphragm in the second direction. |
| US09485581B2 |
Method of manufacturing speaker with diaphragm arrangement
A manufacturing method of a diaphragm arrangement for a speaker includes the steps of mold injecting polypropylene material as a raw material to form a middle foaming layer, and sandwiching the middle foaming layer between first and second layers to form a flat speaker diaphragm. The flat speaker diaphragm is arranged to mount at an opening of a supporting frame of a speaker for receiving a vibration force generated from an electromagnetic provider in the supporting frame. |
| US09485576B2 |
Control of a loudspeaker output
A loudspeaker drive circuit comprises an input for receiving an audio signal and a signal processor for processing the audio signal before application to the loudspeaker. The signal processor processes the audio signal to derive a loudspeaker drive signal which results in the loudspeaker membrane reaching its maximum displacement in both directions of diaphragm displacement. |
| US09485565B2 |
Sound generating apparatus and electronic apparatus including the same
A sound generating apparatus is provided for expanding a mid-range of a slit-firing type speaker system. The sound generating apparatus includes a vibrator, a body part which encloses the vibrator, a path through which the generated sound is transmitted, and a slit formed in a length direction of the body part connected to an end portion of the path and configured to emit the sound. |
| US09485564B2 |
System of sound reproduction with audio headsets provided with sound processors, components of such a system and associated method
The system comprises audio headsets able to apply audio processing operations in response to presets that are common to all the headsets, smart terminals provided with audio flow generation means, and communication means to transmit to the headsets an audio flow and presets to be applied to this flow. A preset server memorises the presets associated with works. Certain terminals can generate presets and transmit them to the server, whereas other terminals collect these presets to apply them to the corresponding works at the time of reproducing these latter. |
| US09485555B1 |
Burst-mode receiver
Provided is a burst-mode receiver configured to receive an optical signal having a preamble and a data payload, the burst-mode receiver including a first bias resistor coupled between a first voltage supply and a photosensor, a first capacitor coupled between the photosensor and an amplifier, a first common-mode resistor configured to supply a voltage of a common-mode voltage supply to the amplifier, a first bypass switch configured to couple the first capacitor to the common-mode voltage supply while bypassing the first common-mode resistor, and a first data switch configured to couple the first capacitor to the amplifier, and to couple the first capacitor to the common-mode voltage supply through the first common-mode resistor. |
| US09485552B1 |
Optical switch fabric with bias control
Methods and systems for bias control in an optical switch fabric include monitoring optical power at outputs of a plurality of switch elements in an N×N switch fabric that has N inputs, N outputs, and M≧2 stages. A bias control of a first of the plurality of switch elements is adjusted. It is determined whether the optical power at the outputs of the first switch element after bias control adjustment conform more closely to a predetermined criterion relative to the monitored optical power at the outputs of the first switch element prior to adjustment. The adjusting and determining steps are repeated for each of the remainder of the plurality of switch elements. |
| US09485546B2 |
Signaling video samples for trick mode video representations
This disclosure describes techniques relevant to HTTP streaming of media data. According to these techniques, a server device may signal a byte range for at least one intra-decodable (I-frame) of a video fragment. According to the techniques of this disclosure, a client device may communicate a request to a server device to retrieve the at least one I-frame based on the signaled byte range, and use the retrieved I-frame to provide a high speed version of a video presentation that includes the at least one I-frame. A high speed version of a video presentation may be a trick mode of the video presentation, such as a fast forward or fast rewind version of the video presentation. |
| US09485540B2 |
System and method for multi-device video image display and modification
Methods and systems for allowing multiple devices to display and annotate (or modify) a video image are described, where a content renderer device displays a video image that is also displayed (or viewed) by one or more content viewer devices, which can both display and annotate (or modify) the same video image at the same time, and the content renderer selectively determines whether or not a GUI menu is displayed on its display screen. Annotation commands (e.g., screen touch data) on the viewer devices are captured, packaged and sent to the content renderer, which creates a combined modified video image having the annotations from the viewer devices, displays it to the renderer display and sends it to the viewer devices for display thereon. Also, the viewer device may selectively display video content from multiple other peer devices as a composite video image, may annotate (or modify) each displayed video content independently, and may send a screen video image, or a portion thereof, to any other peer device. Any peer device may operate as a content renderer or content viewer, or both, at any given time, and peer devices may be running different operating systems. |
| US09485535B2 |
Notification of interactivity event asset delivery sources in a mobile broadcast communication system
Systems, apparatus and methods provide an automatic capability for generating interactivity event applications for execution on receiver devices within a broadcast network based upon interactivity event application data, information and sequence logic. Interactivity event content providers may provide to a broadcast network interactivity event application data, event metadata information and sequence logic a broadcast network. Interactivity resources for interactivity sequences associated with one or more real-time channels are broadcast over the broadcast network such that the resources share a file data flow, or such that they can be carried on separate file data flows. File data flow identifiers and overhead flow identifiers are indicated in the Service SI. Interactivity signaling messages for interactivity sequences associated with one or more real times channels are broadcast on auxiliary flows. |
| US09485534B2 |
Methods and apparatus to detect user attentiveness to handheld computing devices
Methods and apparatus to detect user attentiveness to handheld computing devices are disclosed. An example handheld computing device includes a detector to detect an orientation of the handheld computing and a distance between the handheld computing device and a user; an index associating a plurality of spatial combinations with respective levels of user attentiveness to a presentation on the handheld computing device; and a comparator to compare the orientation and the distance between the handheld computing device and the user to the spatial combinations to identify a level of attentiveness of the user. |
| US09485533B2 |
Systems and methods for assembling and extracting command and control data
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for assembling and extracting command and control data. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the command and control data is segmented and inserted into multiple packet headers. The header packets are identified by flags such as “First portion,” “Middle portion,” “Last portion,” or “Null Byte.” When a receiver extracts the command and control data from the headers, it tracks the flags associated with the headers. The command and control data is saved to buffer in association with its associated flag. The receiver uses the flags to determine when all command and control data headers have been received. The command and control data is then reconstructed and used to decrypt audio visual content. |
| US09485532B2 |
System and method for speculative tuning
A method implemented on a multi-tuner receiver system coupled to a plurality of multimedia nodes is disclosed, comprising: monitoring user input on the multi-tuner receiver system; identifying a first channel which the user is likely to select based on the user input; and speculatively tuning to the first channel using a first tuner prior to the user selecting the first channel. |
| US09485531B2 |
Methods and apparatus for client aggregation of television programming in a networked personal video recording system
A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients. |
| US09485530B2 |
Water dispensing and display apparatus
An apparatus for dispensing liquid, such as water, with the dispensing of the liquid associated with a media presentation, for example, a video presentation, viewable on a monitor of the apparatus by consumers proximate to the apparatus, including the consumer to whom the water is being dispensed, is disclosed. The media presentation begins upon the dispensing of the water, and continues until it is stopped or completes (ends). |
| US09485527B2 |
Hybrid resource management system and method
A method of optimizing the delivery of content over a content delivery network to client devices in accordance with optimization rules is provided. Requests for allocation and release of content delivery resources over a content delivery network are monitored, and the processing capabilities of client devices receiving content over the content delivery network are determined. Network resources are re-allocated based on optimization rules and the processing capabilities, and the client devices are directed to use re-allocated resources for reception of content. Apparatus and client devices for performing the method are also disclosed. |
| US09485526B2 |
Multi-stream shared communication channels
By way of a non-limiting example, a server resource receives portions of a non-adaptive bit rate data stream. The server resource also receives portions of an adaptive bit rate data stream. The server resource interleaves the portions of the adaptive bit rate data stream and the portions of the non-adaptive bit rate data stream onto the multi-stream data channel. Thereafter, the server resource initiates transmission of the multi-stream data channel (which includes the adaptive bit rate data stream and the non-adaptive bit rate data stream) over a network such as a backbone or core network to a downstream resource such as a distribution resource. The distribution resource, in turn, transmits the adaptive bit rate data stream and the non-adaptive bit rate data stream to a group of multiple subscribers that have shared access to communication link in a cable network environment. |
| US09485525B1 |
Systems and methods for using closed captions for television viewership measurement
To provide audience measurement services without requiring broadcasters to install additional watermarking equipment, a small video capture device may receive a video signal viewed by an audience member, the signal including embedded closed captioning data, and may decode and transmit the closed captioning data to an audience measurement server. The measurement server may receive the data and compare the received data to a database of closed captioning text to identify matches. The database may be populated via one or more additional capture devices receiving local or national broadcast signals, or with data separately provided by broadcasters. When a match is found, the measurement server may determine that the audience member is watching a program having the corresponding closed captioning. Dynamically generated confidence scores may allow for reliable identification of audience members of content, even with very short closed captioning data lengths. |
| US09485524B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for receiving contents through multiple channels
An apparatus for receiving contents through multiple channels includes a content manager configured to receive, from multiple content providing servers through the multiple channels, multiple packet data related to appropriate contents which is suitable for a user device, and transmit the appropriate contents to the user device by using the received multiple packet data and a transmission rate manager configured to set each of reference transmission rate ranges of each of the multiple content providing servers, wherein the content manager is further configured to receive the multiple packet data from the multiple content providing servers based on the reference transmission rate ranges set by the transmission rate manager. |
| US09485522B2 |
Method of applying edge offset
Provided is a method of post-processing a reconstructed image. The method according to an embodiment includes determining a boundary strength for each 4-sample edge which is a prediction edge or a transform edge and lies on 8×8 sample grid, determining whether deblocking filtering is applied on the 4-sample edge or not using the boundary strength and a boundary quantization parameter, filtering the 4-sample edge if the deblocking filtering is applied on the 4-sample edge, and applying an edge offset if a sample adaptive offset (SAO) type indicates an edge offset. |
| US09485513B2 |
Encoding device, decoding device, and program
In the present invention, at least two component signals that represent luminance and a color difference in an original signal having a predetermined image format are encoded/decoded. This encoding device (10) is equipped with: a local decoding section (17-1, 17-2, 18-1, 18-2, 23-1, 23-2) that generates a locally decoded signal of a second component signal; a luminance-color difference prediction unit (4) that generates a parameter for normalizing the second component signal by comparing the original signal of a first component signal not yet encoded with the locally decoded signal of the second component signal in order to generate a luminance-color difference prediction signal; a prediction signal generation unit (22-1) that generates a prediction signal for an intra-screen prediction or a prediction signal for an inter-screen prediction regarding the first component signal; a synthesis unit (2) that performs a weighted addition of the prediction signal and the luminance-color difference prediction signal in order to generate a corrected prediction signal for the first component signal; and an encoding section (13-1, 14-1, 15-1, 16-1) that generates and encodes a difference signal between the corrected prediction signal and the original signal of the first component signal. |
| US09485502B2 |
Chroma quantization parameter extension
The quantization parameters (QP) for Chroma are extended up to and more preferably to the same range as Luma QP (e.g., 0 to 51). Previous, values of Chroma QP only extended up to 39. Techniques are provided for determining extended Chroma QP values (e.g., for Cr and Cb) based on the Luma QP and picture level chroma offsets. In one preferred embodiment, slice level offsets are added making the method particularly well-suited for slice level parallel processing. The extension of Chroma QP enhances functionality, flexibility and friendliness of the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard for various applications. |
| US09485500B2 |
Visualizing specified safety-critical information in a vehicle
A method is provided for visualizing specified safety-critical information in a vehicle. First display data are (AD_1) are determined, which are representative of a first image (B1) to be visualized, which provides the specified safety-critical information in a specified first signalization form, the first display data (AD_1) being determined free of specified safety regulations. The first display data (AD_1) are sent to a display unit (DISP) of the vehicle and test data (DD) are read out, which are representative of an image visualized on the display unit (DISP). The test data (DD) are checked and, if the test data (DD) are representative of a faulty provision of the specified safety-critical information, second display data (AD_2) are sent to the display unit (DISP), which are representative of a second image (B2) to the visualized, which provides the specified safety critical information in a specified second signalization form, which differs from the first signalization form. The second display data (AD_2) are determined while complying with the specified safety regulations. |
| US09485499B2 |
System and method for processing multicamera array images
A system for calibrating multi-camera array images, comprising an array of at least four acquisition devices, configured to acquire images; at least one reference acquisition device configured to acquire at least one reference image at least partially overlapping at least four of the images; and a processor configured to extract tie points between the at least four of the images and the at least one reference image and utilize the tie points for calibrating the at least four of the images in respect of the at least one reference image. |
| US09485497B2 |
Systems and methods for converting two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images
Systems and methods for converting a two-dimensional image or sequence of images into a three-dimensional image or sequence of images are presented. In embodiments, the disclosed techniques employ a suite of interactive image processing tools that allow a user to apply image pixel repositioning depth contouring effects and algorithms to efficiently create high-quality three-dimensional images. |
| US09485496B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring depth using images captured by a camera array including cameras surrounding a central camera
A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology. |
| US09485495B2 |
Autofocus for stereo images
Present embodiments contemplate systems, apparatus, and methods to determine an appropriate focal depth for a sensor based upon a pair of stereoscopic images. Particularly, certain of the embodiments contemplate determining keypoints for each image, identifying correlations between the keypoints, and deriving object distances from the correlations. These distances may then be used to select a proper focal depth for one or more sensors. |
| US09485491B2 |
Optical system
An optical system includes at least one optical apparatus. The optical apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, and a dynamic switch. The first light source is configured for providing a first light beam. The second light source is configured for providing a second light beam. The dynamic switch includes a plurality of mirrors arranged in an array manner. Each of the mirrors has a first tilt angle and a second tilt angle. The first light beam and the second light beam impinge on the dynamic switch from different directions. The dynamic switch reflects the first light beam to a desired position when the mirrors are at the first tilt angles, and reflects the second light beam to the desired position when the mirrors are at the second tilt angles. |
| US09485484B2 |
Storage medium storing information processing program, information processing device, information processing system, and panoramic video display method
An example information processing device displays a partial area of a panoramic video on a display device. The information processing device obtains range information with which it is possible to identify a display range of the panoramic video to be displayed and/or to identify a position within the display range. The obtained range information is information regarding a display range determined based on an input made on a predetermined input device while the panoramic video is played. Where the panoramic video is output using the display device, the information processing device outputs the panoramic video while changing output content thereof in accordance with the obtained range information. |
| US09485481B2 |
Laser module having a duochromatic laser diode for a portable image projector
A laser module is described for an image projection system, which has a duochromatic laser diode designed to generate a first beam bundle having laser light of a first wavelength and laser light of a second wavelength; a first collimating optics system designed to collimate the first beam bundle; at least one first monochromatic laser diode designed to generate a second beam bundle having laser light of a third wavelength; a second collimating optics system designed to collimate the second beam bundle; and a first optical combination device developed to combine the first and second beam bundles in order to form an output beam bundle of the laser module. |
| US09485478B2 |
Communication and monitoring system
An audio-video communication system comprises a wireless exterior module located proximate an entrance, a computerized controller running a software application, and a remote peripheral device. The wireless exterior module includes a proximity sensor for detecting a person at the entrance, a video camera for recording an image of the person at the entrance, a microphone for recording the person at the entrance, a speaker for playing audio to the person at the entrance, a transmitter for communicating sounds and images of the person at the entrance, and a receiver for receiving communications at the wireless exterior module. The computerized controller is disposed in wireless electronic communication with the wireless exterior module via the transmitter and the receiver of the wireless exterior module. The remote peripheral device is configured to electronically communicate with the computerized controller for viewing an image from the video camera communicated from the wireless exterior module. |
| US09485469B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide content on demand in content broadcast systems
Methods and apparatus to provide content on demand in content broadcast systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a first portion of a program via broadcast signal and receiving a second portion of the program via an Internet protocol (IP) based signal. The example method may further comprise combining the first and the second portions and at least one of store the combined first and second portions in a file or playback the combined first and second portions. |
| US09485467B2 |
Information processing system and information processing devices
The time in the host device and the time in the client device are synchronized. The host device and the client device download content data from a content distribution server using progressive downloading. The host device controls playback processes in the host device and the client device so as to be synchronized, in accordance with a download status in the host device and the client device. |
| US09485463B2 |
Video switch
A video switch system providing a collaborative environment for one or more users to share information. In the current embodiment, the video switch system enables users to quickly connect to the system, present information, have a video conference, or have a multi-user wireless video session, or a combination thereof, in a collaborative manner. |
| US09485462B2 |
Method of collecting and employing information about parties to a televideo conference
Improvements in a method for creating an intelligent routing and criteria-based matching system, so that people may be matched for conferencing to each other by pre-determined matching of their characteristics and their requirements. The invention makes it possible to connect individuals who may or may not have been known to each other previously, and who may be routed to each other based on being good fits to collaborate in the stated business or social setting or other reason for dealing with another person in a video conference meeting. The invention makes it possible for suppliers of services over the video conference medium to be connected to individuals who want these services. The system takes into account the business rules and preferences of all individuals involved, so that intelligent business service collaboration may take place between parties based on pre-set criteria. |
| US09485457B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
This invention enables, for example, reduction of motion blur in a hold-type display device and reduce flicker in an impulse-type display device by a simple process. For this purpose, an LPF filters a frame of input image data (A[i]) to generate low-frequency image data (L). A subtractor and an adder generate high-frequency image data (SH). Another adder adds the low-frequency image data (L) from a delay circuit to subsequent low-frequency image data. A divider halves the sum to generate low-frequency averaged image data (SL). A switch alternately outputs the high-frequency image data (SH) and the low-frequency image data (SL) every time a frame of image data is input. As a result, the apparatus of this invention can generate output image data having a frame rate twice that of the input image data. |
| US09485456B2 |
Frame-rate conversion in a distributed computing system
Described herein are, among other things, distributed processing methods and systems for frame rate conversion. In an embodiment, a transcoding management machine manages a distributed transcoding process, creating a plurality of video segments and assigning the video segments across a set of distributed transcoding resources for frame rate conversion. The management machine typically sends a given segment to a given transcoding resource along with instructions to convert the frame rate to a specified output frame rate. In addition, the management machine can send certain transcoding assistance information that preferably facilitates the frame rate change process and helps the transcoding resource to create a more accurate output segment. Hence, in some embodiments, each transcoding resource can perform its transcode job independently, but with reference to the input segment it is responsible for transcoding and the assistance information provided by the management machine. |
| US09485454B1 |
Display device and method for processing video signal
A display device, configured to receive a video signal including a plurality of frames having an odd field and an even field, including a processor and a display module. The processor performs the following steps: respectively determining whether the odd fields and the even fields of each current frame and its previous frame are similar; generating a first pattern, a second pattern, a third pattern, or a fourth pattern corresponding to the current frame according to a determining result; accumulating the first patterns, the second patterns, the third patterns, and the fourth patterns in a first cycle; determining whether the video signal is a video converted from film according to the accumulations; generating output frames according to the pattern of each current frame when the video signal is the video converted from film. The display module displays the output frames by progressive scanning. |
| US09485445B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method of driving the same
An imaging apparatus and a method of driving the same that can generate a digital data of a high resolution pixel signal are provided. The imaging apparatus includes: a pixel (10-1) for generating a signal by photoelectric conversion; a comparing circuit (30-1) for comparing a signal based on the pixel with a time-dependent reference signal; a counter circuit (40-1) performing a counting operating until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the signal based on the pixel and the time-dependent reference signal; and a selecting circuit (30-2) for setting a time-dependent change rate of the reference signal, according to a signal level of the signal based on the pixel. |
| US09485444B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device having connection sections connecting different numbers of output nodes
A photoelectric conversion device has pixels arranged in two dimensions. The pixels have a photoelectric conversion unit and a signal reading out unit that reads out a signal generated in the photoelectric conversion unit. The photoelectric conversion device includes first and second pixel groups, and first and second connection sections. Each of the first and second pixel groups has pixels arranged in a predetermined direction. The first connection section electrically connects output nodes of the pixels included in the first pixel group to one another. The second connection section electrically connects output nodes of the pixels included in the second pixel group to one another. The number of output nodes which are electrically connected to one another by the first connection section is different from the number of output nodes which are electrically connected to one another by the second connection section. |
| US09485442B1 |
Image sensors for robust on chip phase detection, and associated system and methods
An image sensor for on-chip phase detection includes a pixel array for capturing an image of a scene, wherein the pixel array has a plurality of horizontal phase-detection rows, each including phase-detection pixels for detecting horizontal change in the scene, and a plurality of vertical phase-detection columns, each including phase-detection pixels for detecting vertical change in the scene, and wherein each of the horizontal phase-detection rows intersects each of the vertical phase-detection columns. A phase-detection method includes generating a pair of horizontal line profiles using one of a plurality of phase-detection rows; generating a pair of vertical line profiles using one of a plurality of phase-detection columns intersecting with the one of a plurality of phase-detection rows; and determining phase shift associated with at least one arbitrarily oriented edge in a scene, based upon the pair of horizontal line profiles and the pair of vertical line profiles. |
| US09485441B2 |
Image sensor and camera apparatus having the same
Disclosed are an image sensor and a camera apparatus having the same. The image sensor includes first to fourth color pixel patterns. Each of the first and fourth color pixel patterns includes a plurality of color pixels, and each of the second and third color pixel patterns includes one of a red pixel and a blue pixel. The camera apparatus not only reproduces 3D image data, but also realize high resolution. |
| US09485437B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A digital photographing apparatus includes: an imaging device that generates an image signal by capturing image light; a storage unit that stores a template including a background area and a composite area that indicates at least a part of an image according to the image signal; an image changing unit that changes orientations of the template and the image; an image composing unit that composes the image and the template of which orientations are changed; and a display unit that displays the composed image, wherein the image changing unit determines orientations to be changed of the template and the image according to a rotation amount of the imaging device with respect to an optical axis of the image light and an orientation in which an imaging surface of the imaging device faces. Accordingly, a user may naturally perform a self-photography function using a template. |
| US09485434B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, control method, and program thereof
An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit which captures an image of an object and outputs an image, a switching unit which switches modes between a first mode in which the image capturing unit outputs a first image and then outputs a second image having an exposure value different from the first image, and a second mode in which the image capturing unit continuously outputs an image not used for compositing, an exposure control unit which controls an exposure value for capturing an image of an object, following change in object luminance, when a parameter related to change in object luminance exceeds a predetermined range in which an exposure value for capturing an image of the object is not controlled to follow the change in object luminance, and a setting unit which sets the predetermined range. |
| US09485422B2 |
Image capture accelerator
An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. |
| US09485421B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating camera function in portable terminal
A method and an apparatus for operating a camera function in a portable terminal are provided. State information representing at least one of a direction and a rotation state of the portable terminal is obtained, and at least one of a sequence of reading an image from a camera sensor and an appropriate user interface is determined depending on the state information. Thus, the camera function is performed depending on the determined sequence or user interface. |
| US09485418B2 |
Camera system transmission in bandwidth constrained environments
An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. |
| US09485417B2 |
Image sensor alignment in a multi-camera system accelerator architecture
An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. |
| US09485413B2 |
Imaging device, display device, control method, and method for controlling area change
An imaging device includes an imaging unit that receives light coming from a subject and thus generates electronic image data; a display unit that displays an image corresponding to the image data; an angle-of-view setting unit that an angle of view to be changed for the image displayed by the display unit according to a first signal input from the outside; and a control unit that starts control of change to a predetermined angle of view set by the angle-of-view setting unit according to a second signal different from the first signal. |
| US09485411B2 |
Display control apparatus and method for controlling display control apparatus
Processing for pressing a shortcut key to close a menu and processing for pressing the same shortcut key to enter a specific menu are made compatible. A specific menu among hierarchical menus including a plurality of menus for making a setting or an operation instruction about a display control apparatus is assigned to a specific operation unit. If the specific operation unit is operated when the specific menu is displayed, display of the menu is cleared. If the specific operation unit is operated when a menu different from the specific menu and a menu one level above the specific menu is displayed, the specific menu is displayed. |
| US09485405B2 |
Focus control device, endoscope device, and focus control method
A focus control device in an endoscope system, implements an autofocus operation in an appropriate state by setting a focus mode of an imaging optical system. The focus control device includes a focus control section that controls a focus of an imaging optical system that includes at least a zoom lens that adjusts an optical magnification, and sets a focus mode of the imaging optical system, and an image acquisition section that acquires an image through the imaging optical system, the focus mode including a fixed focus mode and an autofocus (AF) mode, and the focus control section switching the focus mode between the fixed focus mode and the AF mode corresponding to whether the zoom lens is positioned on a wide-angle side or a telescopic side relative to a reference point that is situated between a wide-angle end and a telescopic end. |
| US09485398B2 |
Continuous illumination of backlit display and of subject for image capture
A device to capture an image includes a camera oriented to capture a first image of a subject and a display oriented to display a second image that is viewable by the subject. A backlight is coupled to the display to provide light that passes through the display toward the subject. An image processor is coupled to the camera and the backlight to adjust an amount of light provided by the backlight responsive to a quality of the first image. The light provided by the backlight may illuminate the subject and thereby improve the quality of the first image. The image processor may further adjust the amount of light provided by the backlight responsive to an ambient light level sensed by an ambient light sensor. The image processor may further adjust the second image to adjust an amount of light that passes through the display. |
| US09485397B2 |
Camera, and method of manufacturing a plurality of cameras
In accordance with the invention, a camera or optical module for a camera is provided, the camera or optical module comprising: —a first substrate with a plurality of first optical devices, —a second substrate with a plurality of second optical devices, —and a spacer between the first substrate and the second substrate, the spacer having a first and a second attachment surface, the first substrate attached to the first attachment surface and the second spacer attached to the second attachment surface, —the spacer having a through hole from the first attachment surface to the second attachment surface so that there is an interior space between the first substrate and the second substrate, the interior space being hermetically closed off, —the first optical devices and the second optical devices being mutually arranged so that light impinging, from an object side, on a first optical device is directed to an assigned second optical device through the interior space, —the camera further comprising a screen device in the interior space, the screen device comprising one screening wall or at a plurality of screening walls, the screening wall(s) blocking off light portions from a first device from getting to a second device other than the assigned second device. |
| US09485396B2 |
Camera module for optical image stabilization
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor, a housing disposed at coupled to an upper surface of the PCB, a holder module spaced from a bottom surface of the housing at a predetermined distance, wound with a first coil at a periphery and including thereinside at least one or more lenses, a connecting portion disposed at coupled to an upper surface of the holder module and including a conductive pattern, a plate member coupled to a bottom surface of the holder module, and a plurality of wire springs connected at one end to the connecting portion and connected at the other distal end to the plate member. |
| US09485395B2 |
Compound dome camera assembly
In one aspect, the invention provides an imaging system adapted to simultaneously receive light from wide and narrow fields of view, with the wide filed image data collected by an array of fixed position cameras, and the narrow field data collected by a panable, tiltable zoom camera at higher resolution than the fixed array in a selected orientation, and a compound viewing cover that includes two separated pieces interlocked with one another. |
| US09485391B2 |
Method, apparatus and program for restoring and correcting surface reflectance with color image processing
Spectral power distribution of an illumination is restored using color information in a region of the specific object in an input image and a pre-specified representative surface reflectance of the specific object. The surface reflectance in the region of the specific object is restored from the color information and the spectral power distribution of the illumination. The surface reflectance is corrected using three or more pre-specified reference surface reflectances of the specific object. The color in the region of the specific object is calculated from the spectral power distribution of the illumination and the corrected surface reflectance. |
| US09485387B2 |
Icon arrangement drawing creation system
An arrangement drawing creation system includes: a portable apparatus carried by an arrangement drawing creator; and a server. The portable apparatus includes: a first communication processing portion communicates with the server and a target apparatus; an acquisition processing portion acquires a device ID from the target apparatus; a generation processing portion generates a device icon; a display processing portion displays the generated device icon and a layout drawing; an operation input processing portion accepts an instruction of moving a position of the device icon; and a registration processing portion registers the changed position of the device icon in the server. The server includes: a second communication processing portion communicates with the portable apparatus; and a storage portion stores the layout drawing and the arrangement drawing. |
| US09485382B2 |
Light guide, illuminating device, and image reading apparatus
A light guide having: a splitting section dividing light derived from a light source into at least two beams of light; and at least two light guiding sections causing the light from the splitting section to propagate in a predetermined length direction, the light guiding sections being arranged side by side in a predetermined width direction with the splitting section disposed therebetween, wherein the light guiding section includes: a reflective section reflecting the light, the reflective section being provided along the length direction; and an emission surface emitting the light reflected by the reflective section as a linear beam of light, the emission surface being positioned opposite to the reflective section, and a cross section of the splitting section perpendicular to the length direction decreases in dimensions both in the width direction and a height direction. |
| US09485381B1 |
Scanner interface and protocol
An example of an apparatus for transferring data over a Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) includes a scan bar for scanning an image, an analog front end (AFE) module in communication with the scan bar for receiving a plurality of video images of the image that is scanned by the scan bar, a translation logic module in communication with the AFE module to convert the plurality of video images into a scanlink frame using a MIPI communication protocol, wherein the scanlink frame comprises a frame start packet, a scanlink header packet, the plurality of video images and a frame end packet, a MIPI input interface in communication with the translation logic module to receive the scanlink frame and a processor in communication with the MIPI input interface to process the scanlink frame to generate a scanned image file using the scanlink frame. |
| US09485379B2 |
Image forming apparatus including auxiliary storage part limited in the number of times rewriting, image forming method, and recording medium
Provided is an image forming apparatus that speeds up starting. The image forming apparatus is provided with a main storage part and an auxiliary storage part. A boot loader that is stored in the auxiliary storage part is expanded to the main storage part. The boot loader that has been expanded is executed to generate a defective area table for the auxiliary storage part. When a kernel of an OS that is stored in the auxiliary storage part is expanded, the kernel is caused to be referred the defective area table that has been generated. When the kernel is executed, the defective area table is not generated. Thereby, the defective area table generated by the boot loader can be used by the OS, which allows the boot time to be shortened. |
| US09485372B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet, an image formation control unit that controls an operation of the image forming unit, a visible image forming unit that forms a visible image in air, a display control unit that controls an operation of the visible image forming unit, to cause the visible image forming unit to form a visible image representing a display screen containing a preview of an image to be formed, and a reception unit that receives an operation of a user performed in the air on the display screen formed as visible image by the visible image forming unit. The display control unit eliminates, when the reception unit receives a predetermined operation of the user, an image in an area designated by the predetermined operation of the user from the preview of the image to be formed. |
| US09485369B2 |
Display device, electronic device and image processing apparatus including the display device, and method of displaying information
On a touch-panel display of an image forming apparatus, a function selecting area and a preview area are displayed next to each other. On the function selecting area, a function setting menu is displayed in one display mode among an icon mode in which only a group of icons are displayed, a regular mode in which a group of icons and a group of texts are displayed, and an express mode in which a group of icons, a group of texts and a group of function setting buttons are displayed. In the icon mode, detailed preview information is displayed on a large preview area, and in the express mode, detailed function selecting information is displayed on a large function selecting area. |
| US09485367B2 |
Connecting image forming devices based on a communication session count
An image forming device includes a selection unit and an acquisition unit. The selection unit selects a bridge device from among multiple other connected image forming devices. The acquisition unit causes the bridge device to access another image forming device other than the bridge device, causes the bridge device to acquire information related to image data being stored in the other image forming device other than the bridge device, and acquires, from the bridge device, image data respectively being stored in the other image forming device other than the bridge device and in the bridge device. |
| US09485351B2 |
Mobile terminal device and control method for mobile terminal device
A mobile terminal device is provided with a call control module configured to switch an output destination of receiving sound in a phone call, between a first sound output module provided in the mobile terminal device, and a second sound output module wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal device. The call control module sets the output destination to the first sound output module for starting the phone call, when a first touch operation is performed with respect to a first object included in an incoming call screen displayed on a display surface, and sets the output destination to the second sound output module for starting the phone call, when a second touch operation different from the first touch operation is performed with respect to the first object. |
| US09485349B2 |
Communication terminal, communication method, computer readable recording medium having communication program recorded, and network system
A communication terminal includes: a display, an input device for accepting a first operation instruction; a communication device for connection with a server and another terminal; and a control unit for receiving first contents from the server via the communication device according to the first operation instruction, determining whether connection with another terminal is established or not, transmitting the first contents to another terminal via the communication device when a determination is made that connection with another terminal is established, and causing the display to show the first contents. |