| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09120606B2 |
Device for dispensing a flowable material
A dispenser comprises a body with an outlet, and a closure for the outlet. The closure and the body are pivotally movable relative to each other between an open position in which the outlet is open and a closed position in which the closure closes the outlet. The closure and the body are adapted for locking engagement with each another in the closed position. The closure has a locking member for locking and unlocking the closure and the body in the closed position. A force applied on the locking member for unlocking urges the closure toward the open position. The dispenser preferably facilitates the application of a material to be dispensed to a desired location. |
| US09120605B1 |
Safety container providing optional opening and closing arrangements
The present invention includes a lockable safety container that incorporates a pop-up lid to enable person having disabilities to open the safety container, while the safety container retains childproofing features. The childproofing features include a locking pin, a locking tab, and a slide detent. The locking pin is internally biased by a spring that urges the pin to slide in a slideway in the lid of the container. The locking pin may be locked into a closed position by positioning the locking tab into a lock-out position. In the lock-out position, the locking tab cannot slide within a mating slot in the lid and thus the locking pin cannot slide in the slideway in the lid. The childproofing features of the safety container may require the user to engage in at two least distinct hand motions in order to open the container. |
| US09120603B2 |
Device for sliding lid on a drilling mud container
A device in a drilling-mud container (1) including bulkheads of plates (4, 5) provided with vertical and horizontal profiles (2, 3) forming a frame (2), the drilling-mud container (1) being provided with at least one sliding lid (8) which is arranged to be displaced in a sliding track (22) by means of at least one opening mechanism (15) independently of the position of a second hatch (7), wherein a toothed wheel (19), which is rotatably arranged in the drilling-mud container (1), is in engagement with a pitch rack (21) arranged in the sliding lid (8), and the pitch rack (21) is provided with an end portion (21a) which is inclined in the direction of the toothed wheel (19), the abutment of the end portion (21a) against the toothed wheel (19) causing the sliding lid (8) to be displaced in a vertical direction into sealing abutment against an abutment portion (22) on the drilling-mud container (1). |
| US09120600B1 |
Collapsible basket
A collapsible basket with two separate basket compartments attached to a center frame. Each basket compartment can be unfolded from a folded state into a fully unfolded state in which it forms a basket space defined by four sides rising substantially perpendicularly from a forward bottom. For each basket compartment, two of its three sides are hingedly connected to the center frame and to an intermediate side that is also hingedly connected to a bottom. |
| US09120599B2 |
Dual chamber drink container
A beverage container having at least two compartments separated by a partition, allowing the container to hold two separate liquids at once. A top open end of the container is secured via a rotatable threaded ring and a gasket fitted cap, the cap having two openings each positioned over a separate chamber, and with a means for securing the cap in a liquid-tight and secure fashion that ensures proper positioning of the cap openings over each compartment. |
| US09120594B2 |
Hexagonal combination storage box
A hexagonal combination storage box includes two pieces of trapezoidal base panels each including first and second connection structures respectively located at two opposing parallel sides thereof and locating notches respectively located at two opposing lateral sides thereof, the first connection structure of one base panel being pivotally connected to the first connection structure of the other base panel, and six pieces of rectangular peripheral panels each including a first coupling structure located at one short side thereof and pivotally connected to the second connection structure of one base panel or engaged into the locating notches of one base panel, two mating second coupling structures respectively located at the two parallel long sides thereof so designed that one second coupling structure of one peripheral panel is pivotally connectable to the other second coupling structure of another peripheral panel. |
| US09120592B2 |
Tray cover, tray insert, and methods thereof
The present teachings are direct at tray, components in a tray, methods for assembling trays, and articles, such as boxes that include a tray. The covers and/or tray inserts include one or more features that result in one or more of the following benefits: improved performance during or after assembly of a tray, improved ease of assembling a tray, or improved appearance of a tray, or any combination thereof. The features can be used alone. However, a number of the features, when combined, result in particularly robust assembly processes. |
| US09120581B2 |
Monitoring of a flight control actuator of an aircraft
The invention concerns a system for monitoring a flight control actuator of an aircraft, including: an actuator (1), sensors (3a-3d) in the actuator (1) to collect, during each flight of the aircraft, series of measurements of parameters relative to the said actuator, processing means (5) to calculate a set of damage indicators using, cumulatively, the series of measurements observed during each of the aircraft's successive flights, and a memory (7; 7a) to store the said set of damage indicators, where the said memory is integrated in the actuator. |
| US09120577B1 |
Pressure relief latch
A pressure relief latch includes a housing fastenable to a first panel of a structure and a rotatable handle attached to the housing. The housing includes a compression spring that biases a roller toward a second panel. A keeper assembly is attached to the second panel, the keeper assembly having a keeper extending therefrom. When the latch is in the closed position, the roller engages the keeper. When the handle is rotated upward, the roller disengages the keeper. A safety release may be provided to prevent inadvertent rotation of the handle. |
| US09120576B2 |
Emergency electric power generation assembly for an aircraft, an aircraft and associated method
This assembly (24) includes an emergency electricity generator (60). The electricity generator assembly (24) is controllable between an inactive rest configuration and an active configuration for producing energy in which the emergency electricity generator (60) delivers emergency electric energy to the electric network (20), without being electrically powered by the electric network (20). The emergency electric power generation assembly (24) is able to be placed in an intermediate standby configuration, in which the emergency electric power generation assembly (24) is electrically powered by the electric network (20) so that the emergency electricity generator (60) produces standby electric energy of lower power than the power delivered by the emergency electricity generator (60) in the active configuration. |
| US09120572B2 |
Aircraft crew cabin changing area
An aircraft crew cabin rest area that is formed between the aircraft galley and a console, or between any two aircraft monuments, utilizing special folding and extendible doors and specialized locking means. |
| US09120569B2 |
Clickable camera window
Embodiments are directed to receiving, by a control station, an input including a command for re-location of a vehicle from a first location to a second location, the input identifying the second location, determining, by the control station, at least one of a distance, a direction, an altitude, and a latitude and longitude for the vehicle to travel from the first location to the second location, and transmitting, by the control station, the command and the at least one of a distance, a direction, an altitude, and a latitude and longitude to the vehicle. |
| US09120568B2 |
Autonomous resupply system and method
Some embodiments relate to a system and method of automatically transporting cargo from a loading station to an unloading station using a vehicle. Loading and unloading of cargo may be accomplished automatically without the need for human operators of either the loading station, the unloading station, or the vehicle. The unloading and loading station each comprise guide rails and a plurality of directional signal sources used by the vehicle to control its current position so that it may retrieve and deliver a target load. The vehicle comprises at least one sensor for detecting modulated directional signals and a controller to control the current position of the vehicle based on the received signals. |
| US09120566B2 |
Quick release assembly for aircraft landing gear
A torque link member for aircraft landing gear includes a first end for connecting to a lower portion or an upper portion of the aircraft landing gear and a second end for connecting to another torque link member. A locking pin is disposed on one of the upper portion, the lower portion, the first end or the second end. The locking pin is axially movable between an engaged position wherein the pin protrudes for interengagement with a cooperating aperture on the first end, the second end, the upper portion, the lower portion, or the second end of the other torque link member, and a disengaged position. The locking pin is biased toward the engaged position and movable against the biasing to the disengaged position. |
| US09120565B2 |
Method for enhancing pilot efficiency and aircraft safety during ground travel
A method for enhancing pilot and cockpit crew efficiency and increasing aircraft safety during aircraft ground travel between landing and takeoff is provided. The present method is most effective in enhancing pilot efficiency and aircraft safety in an aircraft equipped with at least one powered, self-propelled drive wheel that drives the aircraft on the ground independently of the aircraft main engines or external tow vehicles that is controlled by the pilot and cockpit crew to maneuver the aircraft during ground travel. |
| US09120560B1 |
Vertical take-off and landing aircraft
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft includes a fixed wing airframe having opposed left and right wings extending from left and right sides, respectively, of a fuselage having opposed leading and trailing extremities and an empennage located behind the trailing extremity. Four fixed, open and horizontal, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) thrust rotors are mounted to the airframe in a quadrotor pattern for providing vertical lift to the aircraft, and a vertical, forward thrust rotor is mounted to the trailing extremity of the fuselage between the trailing extremity of the fuselage and the empennage for providing forward thrust to the aircraft. The four VTOL thrust rotors are coplanar being and operating in a common plane that is parallel relative to, and being level with, top surfaces of the left and right wings in and around a region of each of the four VTOL thrust rotors. |
| US09120557B2 |
Piloting device for piloting a vehicle, in particular an aircraft
A piloting device (1) for piloting a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, has a frame (10), a cradle (20) pivoting with respect to the frame on a first pivot axis (R), a piloting member, called a stick (30), pivoting with respect to the cradle (20) on a second axis (T) orthogonal to and intersecting the first axis, first return elements (11,11′,12) for returning the cradle to a predetermined position with respect to the frame, called the neutral position of the cradle, second return elements (21,21′,22) for returning the stick to a predetermined position with respect to the cradle, called the neutral position of the stick, wherein at least one of the second return elements, called a stick jack (22), is arranged between the stick and the frame. |
| US09120554B2 |
Variable camber fluid-dynamic body utilizing optimized smart materials
A system and methods for configuring a fluid-dynamic body is disclosed. A camber of a fluid-dynamic body is configured by activating a shape memory alloy actuator coupled to the fluid-dynamic body. |
| US09120553B2 |
Process and a hollow body for producing a component having at least one hollow profile
A process for producing a hollow profiled component formed by joining at least two laminated component elements, includes the steps of laminating a first of the component elements with at least one indentation, arranging a preformed hollow body in the indentation, applying an adhesive agent to a surface area of the first component element next to the indentation, placing the first component element together with the hollow body on the second component element with the indentation facing the second component element and the surface area provided with the adhesive agent contacting the second component element, covering the two component elements with a non-rigid fluid-tight covering, the interior of the hollow body being sealed off from the interior of the covering and being fluidically connected with the ambient exterior environment, placing the covered component elements in a pressure chamber, and applying a vacuum to the interior of the covering. |
| US09120550B2 |
Vented storage for boat
A storage system for a boat includes one or more storage compartments situated in a bow of a boat. An air flow path includes an air inlet opening, the storage compartment, and an air outlet opening. A fan is situated to move air along the air flow path. The fan may be positioned proximate one of the air inlet and the air outlet, for example. |
| US09120548B2 |
Marine vessel steering system
A marine vessel steering system includes a basic target turning angle computing unit that computes a basic target turning angle δo* common to two outboard motors based on a steering angle θ detected by a steering angle sensor. A traveling state determining unit determines whether a traveling state of a marine vessel is a straight traveling state based on the received basic target turning angle δo*. When the traveling state of the marine vessel is determined as being the straight traveling state, a target turning angle computing unit determines, based on the basic target steering angle δo* and a straight traveling toe angle φs stored in a nonvolatile memory, target turning angles δ* of the two outboard motors such that a toe angle between the two outboard motors is equal to the straight traveling toe angle φs. |
| US09120540B1 |
Marine vessel dive patio
A dive door for a marine vessel comprising a planar body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The door is disposed between the gunwale of the boat and is hingeably attached to the deck of the boat. The door is releasably retained to the gunwale by one or more latches disposed at a top edge of the dive door. One or more gas shocks are attached to the door and the boat such that the dive door is selectively operable between a deployed position and a closed position. When deployed, the interior surface of the dive door extends outwardly from the boat. In the closed position, the outer surface of the dive door is matches the profile of the gunwale, providing a sleek integrated look. A ladder may hinged to the dive door and is configured to extend downward into the water surface when the door is deployed. |
| US09120538B2 |
Flexible joint for solid carbon rigging
According to an embodiment, a sailboat includes a mast, and a spreader extending from the mast. The sailboat also includes a vertically extending stay spaced from the mast, and a diagonally extending stay coupled to the vertically extending stay and to the mast. The spreader engages the diagonally extending stay at a position above where the diagonally extending stay couples to the vertically extending stay. According to another embodiment, a rigging assembly includes a spreader configured to extend from a mast, a vertically extending stay, and a diagonally extending stay coupled to the vertically extending stay and configured to extend to the mast. The spreader engages the diagonally extending stay at a position above where the diagonally extending stay couples to the vertically extending stay. |
| US09120528B2 |
Handle for two-wheeled vehicle handlebars
Disclosed is a grip (1) for the handlebars (3) of a two-wheeled vehicle and in particular of a bicycle, including an essentially cylindrical main body (2) capable of fitting onto a portion of the handlebars (3) that is rectilinear and essentially perpendicular to the frame of the vehicle. The grip (1) also includes a shaft (4) that is integral with the main body (2), forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the handlebars of between 30° and 60°, and equipped with an abutment (5) at its free end. |
| US09120525B2 |
Bicycle frame assembly with integral fastener passage
A bicycle frame assembly having a number of elongate tubes that are connected to define a shape of the bicycle frame. The assembly includes a passage that is defined by the elongate member, a partition, and a bridge. The partition isolates the passage from an interior volume of the elongate tube. The bridge extends in a direction normal to an elongate direction of the passage and defines an inlet and an outlet of the passage. The inlet, outlet, and bridge are generally flush with an exterior surface of the elongate tube and provide a passage that cooperates with a flexible connector, such as a cable tie, for securing supplemental structures, such as brake and shift control cables, to the elongate tube of the bicycle frame assembly. |
| US09120520B2 |
Side cover structure for straddle type vehicle
A side cover structure for straddle type vehicle for preventing heat at a part of the vehicle such as a knee grip portion, where the passenger's legs touch. An engine is supported on the vehicle body frame with a passenger seat disposed above the engine. A side cover covers the side direction of the vehicle body. The side cover has a knee grip portion at the position where the passenger's legs touch in the front direction of a passenger seat. In addition, the knee grip portion is doubly configured inside and outside. |
| US09120517B2 |
Carbon fiber shells for customizing the appearance of a vehicle
A carbon fiber shell is used to change the appearance or look of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, and is formed to be non-permanently installed over an existing vehicle component to customize the appearance of a vehicle while still being removable. The carbon fiber shell is molded to match the contours or the shape of the original vehicle component so that, when installed, the shell has the same contours and thus the same physical shape as the original vehicle component. Moreover, the carbon fiber shell is configured to be mounted onto the vehicle using existing mounting brackets, holes or other structure on the vehicle that is provided to mount or secure the original vehicle component, thereby eliminating the need to drill holes into, or apply glue or other adhesives to the original vehicle component. This feature additionally allows the carbon fiber shell to be removed in the same manner as the original vehicle component. The carbon fiber shell may also incorporate lighting effects and may be ordered via a system for customizing the vehicle. |
| US09120515B2 |
Circumferential movement device
The invention relates to circumferential movement field, including all circumferential movement devices such as transport vehicle, toy vehicle, space vehicle, blender etc, especially for energy-saving vehicles utilizing force of gravity. The energy-saving vehicle utilizes force of gravity as driving force, the vehicle body connects with the wheel by swing structure method or eccentric swing structure to utilize force of gravity more efficiently. The invention also provides solutions about two-wheel gravitational vehicle and multi-wheel vehicle and train connected by integrated vehicles or two-wheel vehicles. |
| US09120514B2 |
Dual port lubricating oil monitoring and maintenance cap for a roller of a tracked vehicle
A roller of a tracked vehicle includes a lubricating oil reservoir having an open end closed by a sealing body having an outer face and an opposed inner face facing the reservoir, and which is transparent to provide visual access into the reservoir through the open end for lubricating oil level and quality monitoring purposes. A depression with a raised rim is formed in the outer face of the sealing body, and a port is formed in the sealing body, which extends through the sealing body at the depression from the outer face to the inner face of the sealing body. A removable plug is applied to and closes the port, and is positioned in the depression and extends outwardly from the outer face of the sealing body no further than the raised rim isolating the plug from shearing forces across the outer face of the sealing body. |
| US09120512B2 |
Control device and gait generating device for bipedal mobile robot
A control device for a bipedal mobile robot generates a desired motion of a bipedal mobile robot. When causing the robot to perform a one-leg hopping operation, a desired motion of the robot is generated such that the proximal end portion of a free leg of the robot is positioned at a relatively higher level than the proximal end portion of a supporting leg thereof in the state wherein the supporting leg has landed on a floor after leaving from the floor and such that the horizontal distance between the total center-of-gravity point of the robot and the proximal end portion of the supporting leg in the aforesaid state is shorter than the horizontal distance therebetween in a state wherein the robot is standing in an upright posture. |
| US09120511B1 |
Systems and methods for causing a rotational force to be applied to a vehicle
An example vehicle includes a rotational force control system (RFCS) coupled to a vehicle chassis. The RFCS includes a frame and a first flywheel mechanically coupled to the frame. The first flywheel is configured to spin about a first axis of the first flywheel and tilt about a second axis of the first flywheel. The example vehicle further includes a second flywheel mechanically coupled to the frame. The second flywheel is configured to spin about a first axis of the second flywheel and tilt about a second axis of the second flywheel. The RFCS is configured to cause a rotational force to be applied about at least one axis of the vehicle by changing an angular momentum of the first or second flywheels. |
| US09120505B2 |
Vehicle driving assistance device
In a vehicle driving assistance device, a steering controlling unit estimates lane lines behind a subject vehicle based on lane lines recognized ahead of the subject vehicle and a running state of the subject vehicle, determines whether or not there is a passing vehicle on an adjacent lane based on the estimated lane lines behind the subject vehicle and a solid substance that is detected behind the subject vehicle by a solid substance detecting unit. If there is a passing vehicle a set distance behind the subject vehicle, the steering controlling unit corrects a steering angle of steering control set based on the lane lines ahead of the subject vehicle toward a direction in which the subject vehicle moves wary from the passing vehicle. |
| US09120504B2 |
Steering linkage interface between steering cylinder and ground drive pump displacement control arms
A four-bar linkage is provided as a mechanical interface for transferring respective outputs from a speed/direction control device and a hydraulic steering cylinder to displacement control arms of a pair of pumps of a dual-path hydrostatic transmission including a pair of motors respectively coupled for driving a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. The hydraulic steering cylinder is fixed and has a piston rod slidably coupled to an input arm of the four-bar linkage in such a way that a rotation speed decrease occurs as the arm and a linked control plate are pivoted from a neutral position, the control plate transferring pivotal movement to effect differential movement of the displacement control arms. This results in the vehicle speed decreasing during a turn. |
| US09120503B2 |
Steering apparatus
A steering apparatus includes a gear lock mechanism that fastens a first side plate to a second side plate by a fastening member. In a lock operation, a main body of the fastening member of a fastening mechanism presses a second tooth row forming member toward the first side plate, and a guided projection of the fastening member rotates slightly in the range of play in a lock direction. The fastening member slightly rotates the second tooth row forming member in the lock direction via a restricting portion. During the slight rotation, a second tooth row of the second tooth row forming member is aligned with and meshes with a first tooth row of the first side plate. |
| US09120502B2 |
Steering wheel position adjustment apparatus
Construction is achieved that, when performing operation in order to maintain the position of a steering wheel after adjustment, is capable of reducing the operation torque that is applied to an adjustment lever 14 during the first half of the operation, and is capable of improving operability. Portions (virtual sliding-contact section lines M) of the drive-side cam surfaces 20a that can come in sliding contact with the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a when moving from a state in which the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted to a state in which the adjusted position can be maintained, are inclined toward one side in the circumferential direction at the time when the virtual sliding-contact section lines M overlap one end N1 in the circumferential direction of the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a. As a result, during operation, the areas of sliding contact between the drive-side cam surface 20a and the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a gradually increase from the inside end in the radial direction to the outside in the radial direction. |
| US09120499B2 |
Power assist wheelbarrow
Embodiments relate to a power assisted wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow includes a dumping pan and a frame assembly in contact with the dumping pan. The frame assembly includes handles, a dump brace, one or more dumping pan supports and a resting support. The wheelbarrow also includes an electrical control assembly positioned in proximity to the handles, a wheel assembly including an axel positioned transversely between two wheels, an electrical motor assembly positioned in contact with the axel and in electrical contact with the electrical control assembly, a power supply supported by the frame assembly in electrical contact with the electrical control assembly and electrical motor assembly. Wherein the dump brace includes a curvature of about ninety degrees such that when a user dumps the contents of the dumping pan, the dump brace rolls into contact with the ground and prevents the dumping pan from contacting the ground. |
| US09120498B1 |
Log handling assembly
A log handling assembly includes a cart that is positionable on the support surface. A wheel is operationally coupled to the cart. The wheel engages the support surface. A restraining jaw is coupled to the cart. The restraining jaw may engage the log. A handle is coupled to the cart. The handle is gripped by a user. The user urges the handle upwardly. The cart is tipped forwardly so retraining jaw engages the log. A gripping jaw is operationally coupled to the cart. A lever is operationally coupled to the cart. The lever is operationally coupled to the gripping jaw. The user urges the lever. The lever urges the gripping jaw so the gripping jaw engages the log. The gripping jaw retains the log between the gripping jaw and the restraining jaw. The cart is movable along the support surface so the log may be transported. |
| US09120497B2 |
Shopping trolley
The invention relates to a shopping trolley which is stackable with similar trolleys, having a chassis, having a holding unit which is connected to the chassis, and having a pushing unit located at the rear, wherein the chassis has two curved longitudinal supports leading from the rear side castors to the front side castors of the shopping trolley. The two longitudinal supports, proceeding from their rear end section, extend upward and toward the front and subsequently, inclined downward toward the front, are continued to the front end section such that at least the intermediate section, or the intermediate section and the end section, of each longitudinal support belongs to either of two geometrical planes which, proceeding from the plane of travel of the castors, extend from bottom to top. The invention is characterized in that the front end sections are led out of the planes extending from bottom to top. |
| US09120495B1 |
Dolly for moving objects
A dolly capable of allowing relatively heavy and bulky objects to be easily manipulated and moved without adding significantly to the dimension of the object thereby allowing the object to be easily moved through conventional door openings. Preferably, the dolly comprises a first frame having generally vertical legs mechanically coupled to a generally horizontal brace and a second frame having generally vertical legs mechanically coupled to a generally horizontal brace such that the first frame and the second frame are in position on opposite sides of the object and the generally horizontal braces are positioned under corresponding edges of the object. The generally vertical legs of the first frame and the second frame when moved into a more vertical orientation operate to mechanically lift the generally horizontal braces to lift the object and allow the object to be transported to a desired location. |
| US09120494B2 |
System, method and computer software code for remotely assisted operation of a railway vehicle system
A method for operating a train having at least one locomotive vehicle, the method including controlling operation of the train via a first crew member located on-board the locomotive unit, providing information that may be required for operation of the train to a second crew member located remote from the first crew member, and using the information to enable the second crew member to assist the first crew member in the controlling of the train. |
| US09120493B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining track features and controlling a railroad train responsive thereto
A method for determining a control parameter of a railway system vehicle or a portion thereof, the method including producing a terrain profile representing a parameter of the railway system or a portion thereof, producing a representation of the vehicle or a portion thereof, and using the terrain profile and representation to derive the control parameter for the vehicle or the portion thereof. |
| US09120490B2 |
System and method for vehicle operation
A system, in a vehicle consist including at least a fuel car operably connectable to a powered vehicle via a fuel distribution path, includes a communication module and a determination module. The communication module is configured to communicate via a first channel and a second channel. The second channel is associated with the fuel distribution path and is configured to communicate a status signal. The determination module is configured to associate the fuel distribution path with the powered vehicle based at least in part on at least one of the status signal or an acknowledgment message indicating receipt of the status signal. |
| US09120480B2 |
Battery warm-up apparatus of hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle includes a wet clutch device that establishes and interrupts a connection between an engine and an electric motor, and a transmission switchable between a driving range in which driving force can be transmitted to driving wheels and a non-driving range in which transmission of the driving force is interrupted. When a battery temperature is greater than a warm-up determination value while the vehicle is at a standstill with the transmission switched to the non-driving range, the wet clutch device is kept disengaged. When the battery temperature is less than the warm-up determination value, a battery warm-up control unit switches the wet clutch device into engaged state to connect the engine and the electric motor together and vary driving force of the electric motor alternately to a positive side and a negative side so as to repeatedly charge and discharge the battery. |
| US09120479B2 |
Electrical axle
An electrical axle for a four wheeled road vehicle with an electrical propulsion motor arranged coaxially on the axle. A first planetary gear is connected to the electrical propulsion motor and to a first side of the axle. A second planetary gear is connected to the electrical propulsion motor and to a second side of the axle. The first and second planetary gears form a differential mechanism. A torque vectoring unit includes an electrical motor arranged coaxially on the axle for providing a change in torque distribution between the first side and the second side of the axle. The electrical motor of the torque vectoring unit is connected to the first and second planetary gears. |
| US09120470B2 |
Vehicle brake hydraulic pressure controller
An embodiment provides a vehicle brake hydraulic pressure controller capable of carrying out a brake hydraulic pressure control in a plurality of control modes depending on a situation of a vehicle. The vehicle brake hydraulic pressure controller includes: proportional solenoid valves provided in passages connecting a master cylinder and wheel brakes of the vehicle, and configured to be controlled at preset drive frequencies; a control mode selecting section configured to select, in the case that two or more control modes are requested simultaneously, one of the two or more requested control modes; and a frequency selecting section configured to select one of the drive frequencies correspondingly with the one of the two or more requested control modes selected by the control mode selecting section. |
| US09120469B2 |
Vehicle behavior control apparatus
An electronic control unit determines driving force that is generated on wheels and has an identical absolute value and opposite directions to each other in order to suppress pitch behavior and/or heave behavior occurring on a vehicle body in association with travelling of a vehicle. Then, the unit controls the drive of in-wheel motors through an inverter based on the driving force. On the other hand, electronic control unit changes the damping forces of shock absorbers constituting suspension mechanisms in response to the pitch behavior and/or the heave behavior occurring on the vehicle body. In this way, by controlling one of the pitch behavior and the heave behavior that may occur in combination, enhancing of the occurrence of the other one that is not intended can be prevented effectively, and the occurrence of intended behavior on the vehicle body can be controlled independently. |
| US09120466B2 |
Scraper assembly for an off-road vehicle
A scraper assembly includes a first scraping member configured to be positioned below a horizontal centerline of a rotating assembly and rearward of a vertical centerline of the rotating assembly. The first scraping member is configured to remove debris from the rotating assembly at least while the rotating assembly is rotating in a first direction. The scraper assembly also includes a second scraping member configured to be positioned above the horizontal centerline of the rotating assembly and forward of the vertical centerline of the rotating assembly. The second scraping member is configured to remove debris from the rotating assembly at least while the rotating assembly is rotating in a second direction, opposite the first direction. In addition, the scraper assembly includes a support structure configured to couple to a frame of an off-road vehicle, and the first and second scraping members are coupled to the support structure. |
| US09120464B2 |
Sensor system in a motor vehicle
A sensor system is described for detecting wetting of a window includes a photodetector having multiple light-sensitive elements and a light source for emitting light to a detection region of the window in such a way that a portion of the light is reflected at the window, and another portion of the light passes through the window. The light source and the light-sensitive element are situated in such a way that a portion of the light from the light source which passes through the window is reflected at the wetting and strikes a portion of the light-sensitive elements. The light source includes a lighting element which is set up to irradiate into a transparent body. The transparent body has a surface which has defined unevennesses for the diffuse radiation of the irradiated light. |
| US09120462B2 |
Vehicle driver assist arrangement
A vehicle driver assist arrangement includes a processor configured to receive road profile data representative of a road profile in front of the vehicle and to receive current vehicle velocity data representative of a current velocity of the vehicle. The processor processes the road profile data to detect if the road in front of the vehicle contains a hidden or at least partially hidden curve, and to communicate with a user interface to issue a warning if a hidden or at least partially hidden curve is detected and the current vehicle velocity exceeds a threshold velocity. |
| US09120456B2 |
Side airbag, curtain airbag and back window airbag
An object of the invention is to provide an airbag that can be efficiently stored according to a storage space. The invention is a side airbag 1 stored in the backrest portion SA of a vehicle seat S, having a first airbag 3 which is inflated in a circular shape by gas supplied by an inflator 2 provided in the backrest portion SA when seen from the side of the backrest portion SA; a second airbag 4 provided so as to be located in the first airbag 3 in an inflated state; and a communicating path 5 that communicates the first airbag 3 and the second airbag 4 on the side of the backrest portion of the second airbag when seen from the side of the backrest portion, in which the second airbag 4 has a vertical width T2 set to be larger than the vertical width T3 of the communication path 5, and has at least the top portion 4b, the bottom portion 4c, and the front portion 4d separated from the first airbag 3 when seen from the side of the backrest portion SA. |
| US09120450B1 |
Active bolster with spine reinforced weld track
An active bolster for an interior trim surface of an automotive vehicle has a plastic-molded outer trim panel with a closed-loop bonding section on an inside surface. A plastic-molded expandable bladder member has a central attachment section configured to attach to a support structure of the vehicle, a bonding flange along an peripheral edge, and a baffle section between the central attachment section and the bonding flange. The closed-loop bonding section and the bonding flange are configured to define a substantially closed toroidal region therebetween. An attachment body is molded in-situ to substantially fill the toroidal region. As a result of the in-situ molding of the attachment body in the toroidal region, the trim panel and bladder member become bonded via the attachment body resulting in a high bonding strength. |
| US09120449B2 |
Self-supported cushion assembly for an interior vehicle part
Self-supported cushion assembly for an interior vehicle part which comprises a tridimensional fabric, a rigid plate and a main frame. The tridimensional fabric is the element which simultaneously performs the cushion and decorative functions of the self-supported cushion assembly and it is supported on the rigid plate which is in turn, supported on the main frame. The main frame is the part of the frame of the interior vehicle part that transmits the efforts to the interior vehicle part and links the self-supported cushion assembly to the interior vehicle part. |
| US09120448B2 |
Four-point seat belt device
A four-point seat belt device includes: a right hip belt and left hip belt to press against the hip bone of a passenger: a right shoulder belt and a left shoulder belt to press against both shoulders: a drive unit to retract the right and left hip belts, and the right and left shoulder belts: an engagement detection unit to detect that the right and left hip belts and the right and left shoulder belts are engaged via a buckle: and a detection unit to detect that the right hip belt and the left hip belt are not making contact with the passenger. The drive unit retracts the right and left hip belts after the engagement detection unit detects an engagement and the detection unit detects that the right hip belt and left hip belt are not making contact with the passenger. |
| US09120446B2 |
Wheel locking system
One or more embodiments of a combination wheel locking system are provided herein. The combination wheel locking system can be used to prevent access to one or more lug nuts on a wheel. The combination wheel locking system and anti-theft device can include a combination master lock system for operatively engaging and releasing from a portion of a wheel. |
| US09120443B2 |
Reverse-drive elastomeric helical-thread hood bumper
A hood bumper is provided and includes a first end including a body defining a longitudinal axis and a surface having an angular edge oriented along the longitudinal axis, a second end opposite the first end and including a skirt portion and a bumper portion protruding from a longitudinal end of the skirt portion in a protrusion direction defined along the longitudinal axis and an intermediate section interposed between the first and second ends. The intermediate section includes reverse-drive helical threading. |
| US09120441B1 |
Battery support assembly
A battery support assembly adapted to be attached to a front rail of a pickup truck is provided which may include a first support, a second support, and a battery tray. The first support may define an outwardly facing first vertical attachment flange. The second support may define an outwardly facing second vertical attachment flange. The battery tray may secured to the supports and disposed rearward and inboard of the rail. The first and second vertical attachment flanges may be offset vertically, laterally, and longitudinally relative to one another. The first vertical attachment flange may define a first plane and the second vertical attachment flange may define a second plane. The first and second planes may be substantially parallel to one another. |
| US09120440B2 |
Automobile shock absorber which uses permanent magnets and electromagnets
A shock absorber of a vehicle employing permanent magnets and electromagnets includes a first permanent magnet on an internal surface of a bumper face; a second permanent magnet on the front surface of a shock absorbing foam, which is installed on a front surface of the vehicle body and has the same polarity as the first permanent magnet; and an electromagnet on the internal surface of the shock absorbing foam, and has the same polarity as that of the second permanent magnet when the vehicle operating speed exceeds the standard vehicle speed, wherein the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are respectively comprised of a plurality of partitioned magnet blocks; and their external surfaces are coated with rubber or synthetic resin thereby reducing damage. |
| US09120436B2 |
Roof shell structure for a motor vehicle
A roof shell structure for a motor vehicle has a roof shell with an outer shell and an inner roof lining. A sound absorption element is integrated into the roof shell or into the roof shell structure. The sound absorption element is arranged between the outer shell and the inner roof lining in an opening in an inner shell. |
| US09120428B2 |
Single force strut for dual sided cargo box
Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box. An expansively directed force is imposed on the lid portion, utilizing the pair of spring-biased struts, across a substantial entirety of travel of the lid portion during operator induced movement from the closed configuration to the open configuration and thereby assisting the operator to smoothly open the cargo box. |
| US09120421B2 |
Light projection device and light guide member used in same
A light projection device that can change a light projection pattern is provided. The light projection device includes: a plurality of excitation light sources that emit excitation light; a fluorescent member that is excited by the excitation light from the excitation light sources; a control portion that controls outputs of the excitation light sources; and a light projection member that projects light emitted from the fluorescent member. The fluorescent member includes a plurality of application regions to which the excitation light is applied, and the control portion controls the outputs of the excitation light sources so as to individually control the excitation states of the application regions. |
| US09120420B2 |
Swivel-mounted vehicle headlamp with multifunctional light distribution patterns
The present invention provides a lamp unit for low beam and a lamp unit for high beam. A respective one of the lamp units is made of a semiconductor-type light source and a reflector that has reflection surfaces configured to emit light from the semiconductor-type light source forward of a vehicle, as a predetermined light distribution pattern. As a result, the present invention is capable of fully utilizing the light from the semiconductor-type light source and facilitating a light distribution design for forming the light in a predetermined light distribution pattern. |
| US09120414B1 |
Vehicle for bale loading, carrying, and off-loading
A bale carrier including a “C” clamp whose front and rear jaws have lower segments and upper segments, the “C” clamp having a load bed frame; first hydraulic cylinders connected to one of the jaws for extending and retracting the front and rear jaws, second hydraulic cylinders connected to the jaws' upper segments for extending and retracting the upper segments; bale straps extending between the jaws' upper segments, pivot joints interconnecting the jaws' lower and upper segments for pivoting the bale straps for bale securing and bale clearing; and a plurality of wheels fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the load bed frame. |
| US09120407B2 |
Self-supported cushion assembly for an interior vehicle part
Self-supported cushion assembly for an interior vehicle part which comprises a tridimensional fabric, a rigid plate and a main frame. The tridimensional fabric is the element which simultaneously performs a structural function in order to support any effort commonly exerted on the self-supported cushion assembly during its normal use, a cushion function, and decorative function of the self-supported cushion assembly. The frame assembly transmits the efforts to the interior vehicle part and links the self-supported cushion assembly to the interior vehicle part. Depending on the case, the frame assembly can comprise a part of the frame of the interior vehicle part, an additional frame part or both of them. |
| US09120406B2 |
Vehicle seat device
A vehicle seat device includes: a seat back; an attached member pivotally supported by the seat back and configured to be turnable between a retracted position at which the attached member is housed in a housing recessed portion formed to penetrate a cushion pad of the seat back and a protruding position at which the attached member protrudes toward a front side of the seat back; and an inner board closing a rear opening face of the housing recessed portion. In the vehicle seat device, a locking claw bent forward is provided in an upper end portion of the inner board, and a stopper member configured to suppress frontward and downward movement of the locking claw by engaging with the locking claw is provided in a frame of the seat back. Such vehicle seat device is capable of restricting excessive forward movement and deformation of the inner board. |
| US09120399B2 |
Manufacture of an article having an edge wrapped decorative covering overlying a substrate
A decorative article is provide which comprises a substrate including a front side, a rear side and a perimeter side, with the perimeter side of the substrate including at least one perimeter corner of the substrate. An elongated slot is formed in the rear side of the substrate. The elongated slot includes at least one slot corner and at least one slot corner extension, with the slot corner extension extending from the slot corner to the perimeter corner of the substrate. A decorative covering which covers the front side, the perimeter side and a peripheral region of the rear side of the substrate, with the decorative covering being located in and terminating the slot including the slot corner and the slot corner extension to conceal a perimeter edge of the decorative covering. |
| US09120398B2 |
Portable baby changing station for use in automobiles
A portable baby changing station fabricated from a soft, flexible material for changing diapers in automobiles. When fully extended, it provides a soft surface to rest a baby while changing a diaper. In this mode, the head end is affixed to the rear portion of the back seat by a fastener such as Velcro. One or more netted pockets are positioned at the head end to hold diapers and changing supplies. Once the baby has a new diaper, the changing station folds up into a compact shape while remaining fastened to the back seat. It is held in the closed position by fasteners such as Velcro or snaps. It is always affixed to the automobile, and always ready to unfold. |
| US09120392B2 |
Electronic speed controller with automatic detection for type of battery
The present invention provides an electronic speed controller capable of detecting a battery type, which comprises a circuit board, a speed control module, a first detection socket, and a power socket. The speed control module has a first power management mode and a second power management mode. The first detection socket and the power socket are electrically connected with the speed control module. The former is provided to connect a first connector of a battery and the latter is provided to connect a second connector of the battery. The speed control module detects whether the first detection socket is in conductive status so as to determine the battery being a first type battery or a second type battery. If the battery is determined as the first type battery, the speed control module performs the first power management mode. Otherwise, the speed control module performs the second power management mode. |
| US09120391B2 |
Security system for electric vehicle charging equipment
A security enclosure is adapted to receive and secure portable charging equipment for supplying power from a standard outlet to charge an electric vehicle. The security enclosure is mounted to a wall and houses the portable charging equipment. The equipment connects with an outlet mounted on the wall. In a locked condition, the enclosure secures the portable charging module and has an access opening which allows the power cord to extend exteriorly of the enclosure for charging the electric vehicle. |
| US09120390B2 |
Apparatus for transferring energy using onboard power electronics and method of manufacturing same
An apparatus for transferring energy using onboard power electronics comprises a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage and a DC bus coupled to the first energy storage device, the DC bus coupleable to a high-impedance voltage source. The apparatus also comprises a braking resistor coupled to the DC bus and to a control circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the control circuit to cause energy on the DC bus to be dissipated through the braking resistor during a regenerative braking event, cause the first energy storage device to receive a charging energy from the high-impedance voltage source through the braking resistor during a charging event, and after a threshold value has been crossed, cause the first energy storage device to receive the charging energy from the high-impedance voltage source bypassing the braking resistor during the charging event. |
| US09120382B2 |
Traction battery discharge control
A vehicle includes a traction battery to propel the vehicle. The traction battery includes a plurality of cells that are each selectively connected to a resistor. A controller or controllers are provided that are configured to control the charging and discharging of the cells. The controller or controllers command the battery or a selected group of cells of the battery to discharge in response to a fault or triggering condition. The discharge enables the battery or the group of cells to achieve a state of charge of approximately zero or less. |
| US09120378B2 |
Display unit
The present invention relates to a display unit for a vehicle, wherein the display unit is configured for displaying a color information in dependence of a driving state information of the vehicle, wherein the driving state information is referring to the current fuel consumption of the vehicle, wherein the color information comprises a colored symbol. The present invention further relates to a vehicle comprising such a display unit. |
| US09120377B2 |
Method, system and computer readable medium embodying a computer program product for determining a vehicle operator's expectation of a state of an object
The present invention generally relates to a method, a system and/or a computer readable program. An embodiment of the method includes acquiring an input signal indicative of the operator's expectation of the state of the object at a first point in time; determining a state of the object at a second later point in time based on the input signal; acquiring an input signal indicative of an estimated visual input of the operator at the second point in time; determining the operator's expectation of the state at the second point in time, based on the operator's expectation of the state of the object at the first point in time, and the estimated visual input and the state of the object at the second point in time; and providing an output signal indicative of the operator's expectation of the state at the second point in time. |
| US09120364B2 |
Method for powering a liftgate with solar energy
A method for generating electricity from solar power to a liftgate, relying on a photovoltaic panels (1) circuit interruption device (3,9); charge controller (4); batteries (5); liftgate (7); electrical wires, and fuses. The photovoltaic panel(s) will generate electrical power that will provide sufficient power to run the liftgate. |
| US09120356B2 |
Load estimation system and method for a vehicle tire
Estimating a load bearing on a vehicle tire includes an inflation pressure measuring sensor for measuring tire inflation pressure and generating a measured tire inflation pressure signal; a deformation measuring sensor mounted in a tire region of the vehicle tire, the deformation measuring sensor in the form of a piezoelectric bending sensor generating a deformation signal estimating a length of a tire contact patch length as the senor rolls through a tire footprint. Tire rolling speed is estimated from the deformation signal and a peak to peak amplitude variation within the deformation signal is detected and measured. An artificial neural network receives the tire rolling speed estimation, the contact patch length estimation, the amplitude variation within the deformation signal, and the measured inflation pressure of the tire. The artificial neural network adaptively interprets the input data and generates an output load estimation based thereon. |
| US09120351B2 |
Airless tire
Disclosed herein is an airless are which absorbs shock and holds pressure applied to the tire through an auxetic spoke buffer without using air pressure. The airless tire includes a cylindrical tread being in contact with the ground, an axle fixing section having a smaller circumference than the tread and disposed inside the tread, and an auxetic spoke buffer connecting the tread and the axle fixing section and providing a buffering function. Accordingly, the airless tire is transformed only to an extent to properly function as a fire when the spoke buffer is transformed by pressure or impact and fully returns to an original shape when pressure or impact is removed. |
| US09120349B2 |
Quick-release device for use on a bicycle
A quick-release device for use on a bicycle includes a lever, an axle rotatably received in the lever, a shaft extending through the axle, a force device sleeved on the shaft, at least one spring sleeved on the shaft and a nut screwed onto the shaft. The axle includes an indentation defined therein and a first abutment formed on a bottom of the indentation. The shaft includes a shank and a head formed one end of the shank such that a second abutment is formed between the shank and the head. The head is received and engaged in the indentation such that the shank can not be rotated relative to the axle and the connected of the quick-quick device in promoted. |
| US09120346B2 |
Method for providing a spine label pocket on a binding cover
A binding cover having a transparent overlay cover disposed over and around the spine of the binding is configured to provide a label pocket on the spine portion of the binding cover wherein a label may be inserted easily without tools or rigid label material. In several embodiments the label pocket provides a fixed label space. In another embodiment the label pocket opens along the spine when the binding cover is opened, and returns to a closed position when closed, thereby retaining a label inserted therein. In other embodiments, methods for forming the label pocket are provided. |
| US09120344B2 |
Apparatus and method for control of print gap
Gas bearing systems, print gap control systems, and methods of print gap control are provided. The gas bearing systems can accommodate one or more print module packages. The systems and methods can be used for inkjet and/or thermal printing applications such as manufacturing organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). Gas bearing systems can employ one or more of pressurized gas and vacuum. For oxygen-sensitive applications, an inert gas, such as nitrogen gas, can be employed as the pressurized gas. Fluid channels and apertures of the gas bearing systems can be varied in terms of size and relative position to one another. Fluid channels and apertures can be grouped and paired with one or more manifolds and ultimately a pressurized gas and/or vacuum source. |
| US09120333B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method
A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a feeding unit, a conveying unit, a printing unit, and a control unit. The control unit performs a successive feeding operation. An operating state of the feeding unit changes between a first operating state and a second operating state in which a feeding stop is more unstable than that in the first operating state, in a period from a start of feeding a printing medium until the printing medium reaches the conveying unit. In the successive feeding operation, a subsequent printing medium is fed without stopping until a leading end of the subsequent printing medium reaches a stoppable position. The stoppable position is arranged on an upstream side of the conveying unit. The subsequent printing medium can be stopped in the first operating state at the stoppable position. |
| US09120330B1 |
Recording medium, print data processing method, and label producing apparatus
The disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a print data processing program for executing steps comprising a primary print data acquiring step, a secondary print data generating step, a cut command generating step, and a data and command outputting step. In the primary print data acquiring step, primary print data is acquired. The primary print data includes a first dot pattern indicating desired print contents, and a second dot pattern indicating a cutting movement timing. In the secondary print data generating step, the first dot pattern has been extracted and then second print data is newly generated. In the cut command generating step, a cut command corresponding to the cutting movement timing indicated by the second dot pattern is generated. In the data and command outputting step, the cut command is added to the second print data and outputted to a label producing part. |
| US09120329B2 |
Printing apparatus for printing on print receiving tape, printing method and recording medium
A printing apparatus includes an image data generating device to generate image data based on a touch detection signal supplied from a written character inputting area of a touch panel inputting device, a blank space detecting device to detect and identify line data and blank space data based on the image data, an alignment processing device to delete the blank space data from the image data and to align the remaining line data end to end in a tape conveying direction of a print receiving tape, a printing data generating device to generate printing data by executing a size conversion of the line data aligned end to end so as to match the line data to a tape width, and a printing processing device to execute a printing process on the print receiving tape based on the printing data. |
| US09120328B2 |
Marking device for marking containers, container handling device and a method for marking containers
The disclosure relates to a marking device for marking containers, for example, in the food industry, with devices for receiving measured feature data of a container and/or one or more container configurations, where the measured feature data is determined by a measuring device, and where the measured feature data relates to at least one criterion of several criteria which the container and/or the one or more container configurations do not satisfy. Furthermore, the marking device includes devices for creating marking data based on the measured feature data, where the marking data can be created such that it is indicated which of the several criteria the container and/or the one or more container configurations do not satisfy, and devices for physically applying at least one marking on the container, where the at least one marking is based on the marking data. The disclosure further relates to a container handling device with the marking device and a method for marking containers using the marking device. |
| US09120322B2 |
Ink jet recording device
An ink that is unused for printing when a supply ink from an ink container is ejected from a nozzle, and printing is conducted on an object to be printed is sucked by a gutter together with an air, and the ink and air are recovered into the ink container. In this situation, the air mixed with an ink solvent and recovered is discharged as an exhaust gas from the ink container by an exhaust path, and at this time, the ink mist is removed from the exhaust gas in which a liquefaction ink solvent liquefied within the exhaust path and the ink mist are mixed together by an ink mist mixture unit. Thereafter, the liquid is held by the aid of a capillary action, and separated from the gas in a gas-liquid separator to recover the separated liquefaction ink solvent. |
| US09120320B2 |
Liquid ejection head and image forming device
A liquid ejection head includes a plurality of nozzles to eject liquid drops; a plurality of individual liquid chambers communicating with the plurality of nozzles; a plurality of liquid inlet portions leading to the plurality of individual liquid chambers; a common liquid chamber to supply liquid to the plurality of individual liquid chambers; and a plurality of filter portions disposed between the common liquid chamber and the liquid inlet portions, each of the filter portions including filter holes and filtering the liquid, wherein a plurality of reinforcement parts are provided to partition the plurality of filter portions, each of the reinforcement parts includes a part facing some of the filter holes of a corresponding one of the plurality of filter portions in a liquid flow direction, with a gap between the filter holes and the reinforcement part. |
| US09120318B2 |
Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer includes a print head that moves in a main scanning direction for ejecting ink from a nozzle, and a wiper blade that moves in a direction intersecting with the main scanning direction for wiping a nozzle surface of the print head on which the nozzle is formed. The wiper blade includes a wiping portion for effectively wiping the print head, and the nozzle surface has a wiping area divided into plural sections each having a width of the effective wiping portion and being partially overlapped with one another in the main scanning direction. When the print head is wiped by the wiper blade, the print head moves in the main scanning direction and the effective wiping portion is arranged at a wiping position corresponding to any one of the plural sections, and the print head is wiped at least twice while the wiping position is changed. |
| US09120317B2 |
Liquid jetting apparatus
A liquid jetting apparatus includes a liquid jetting head having a liquid jetting surface formed with nozzles, a wiping unit wiping the liquid jetting surface of the liquid jetting head, and a drive section configured to move at least one of the wiping unit and the liquid jetting head such that the wiping unit moves relative to the liquid jetting head toward one side in a predetermined direction along the liquid jetting surface. The wiping unit has a first wiping portion and a second wiping portion which are arranged in the predetermined direction with an interval therebetween, and each of which has a leading end configured to contact with the liquid jetting surface, and extends in a direction intersecting the liquid jetting surface, and the leading end of the first wiping portion has a greater surface roughness than that of the leading end of the second wiping portion. |
| US09120308B2 |
Control circuit and control method thereof, liquid droplet ejection head and image forming apparatus
A control circuit is disposed in which an analog switch is built, an ON/OFF-timing of the analog switch can be controlled, and mask-patterns can be set, which mask-patterns are used for switching ON/OFF the analog switch can be selected by analog-switch-selection data, and a number of the mask-patterns which can be set can be selected. The circuit includes mask-pattern-setting units for setting one of the mask-patterns by one of switching control signals; and a selection unit for selecting a mode from modes including a first mode in which the number of mask-patterns is smaller and a second mode in which the number of mask-patterns is larger. When the first mode is selected by the selection unit, to one mask-pattern-setting unit which is not selected by the analog-switch-selection data, the same switching control signal that is supplied to another mask-pattern-setting unit which is selected by the analog-switch-selection data is supplied. |
| US09120306B2 |
Method to execute a print interruption in printing operation of an ink printing system with at least one printing apparatus
In a method to execute a printing interruption in a printing operation, with aid of a sensor, print clock pulses are generated which are supplied to a print controller depending on a feed speed of the printing substrate web. With triggering of the print interruption the feed speed of the printing substrate is reduced from a print speed to a predetermined speed in a slowing ramp, and after the print interruption the printing substrate is accelerated again to the print speed in an acceleration ramp. With aid of the sensor, print clock pulses are generated which are supplied to a print controller depending on the feed speed of the printing substrate. Given occurrence of a print clock pulse during the ramps, with the print controller a vibration cycle is initiated at nozzles of the print head that are not ejecting ink droplets at a time when the vibration cycle is initiated. |
| US09120303B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus having reversing swing arm shaft pregripper
A sheet processing apparatus including a sheet supply device, a first cylinder which includes at least one gripper device, a processing device, a sheet discharge device, and conveyance devices. The conveyance devices include a plurality of gripper devices including at least one reversing gripper device. The conveyance devices also include a second cylinder and reversing swing arm shaft pregripper. The second cylinder grips and conveys one edge of the sheet by one gripper device of the plurality of gripper devices. The reversing swing arm shaft pregripper is supported to be swingable between the first cylinder and the second cylinder, receives by the reversing gripper device the other edge of the sheet conveyed by the second cylinder, and transfers the received other edge of the sheet to the gripper device of the first cylinder by a gripping change. |
| US09120299B2 |
Aluminum substrates and lithographic printing plate precursors
Electrochemically grained and anodized aluminum supports are treated with a post-treatment coating solution containing a polymer derived at least in part from vinyl phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid. This post-treated support is useful as substrates in the preparation of lithographic printing plate precursors. The post-treatment substrate treatment enables wide latitude in manufacturing and compatibility with silicate-free developers to achieve negligible background staining and oxide attack. |
| US09120298B2 |
Method of continuously manufacturing microfluidic chips with BoPET film for a microfluidic device and microfluidic chips with BoPET film
A microfluidic chip includes a thin biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (“BoPET”) film and a micro-channel in the BoPET film. A method for manufacturing a microfluidic chip includes coating UV epoxy on a first side of a BoPET film, placing the BoPET film on a first substrate with the first side facing the first substrate, curing the UV epoxy on the first side of the BoPET film to attach the BoPET film on the first substrate; forming at least one microfluidic pathway in the BoPET film, coating UV epoxy on a first side of a second substrate, placing the second substrate on the BoPET film with the first side of the second substrate facing a second side of the BoPET film, and curing the UV epoxy on the first side of the second substrate to attach the BoPET film to the second substrate. The microfluidic chip may be a multi-layered chip. |
| US09120297B2 |
Method for coating a core of an arbitrary shape by thermoforming, automatic machine for the implementation thereof and finished product obtained by such a method
A method for coating a preformed core having two faces and an edge around the periphery of the core, which edge links the two faces, includes thermoforming of a polymer material. The coating is formed by the heating, gluing and vacuum application of the two sheets of polymer material which are applied successively to the two faces of the core in order to cover same completely. An automatic machine can be used to carry out the method. The method can be used to produce finished products, in particular surfboards, furniture or display objects. |
| US09120294B2 |
Biaxially oriented polypropylene film with high heat seal strength
A laminate film including a first polyolefin heat sealable resin layer and a second core layer including of a blend of 5-15 wt % of a metallocene-catalyzed butene-propylene or ethylene-propylene thermoplastic elastomer or ethylene-propylene plastomer or blends thereof which exhibit an isothermal crystallization temperature of 60° C. or less and 95-85 wt % of a crystalline propylene homopolymer is disclosed. The laminate film may include additional layers such as a third polyolefin resin-containing layer disposed on the side of the core layer opposite the heat sealable layer, a metal layer, or combinations thereof. |
| US09120291B2 |
Method for producing a textile semi-finished product and textile semi-finished product for a textile fiber composite structure
A textile semi-finished product for a textile fiber composite structure is produced by a method wherein roving pieces (2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12) with a defined length and width are deposited at a defined position depending on the end product and overlapping. The roving pieces (2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12) are arranged and fixed with one end at a defined angle to a reference axis adjacent to one another on a plastically deformable flat carrier material (1, 6). After depositing a first row of roving pieces (2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12), the depositing of the roving pieces (2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12) in following rows takes place such that the ends of the roving pieces that are in each case not connected to the carrier material (1, 6) overlap the previously deposited roving pieces (2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12) in the manner of roof tiles or scales, the roving pieces not being connected to one another to ensure a mutual displaceability. |
| US09120287B2 |
Techniques for bonding substrates using an intermediate layer
A method includes depositing a thin film on a first surface of a first substrate and moving a second surface of a second substrate into contact with the thin film such that the thin film is located between the first and second surfaces. The method further includes generating electromagnetic (EM) radiation of a first wavelength, the first wavelength selected such that the thin film absorbs EM radiation at the first wavelength. Additionally, the method includes directing the EM radiation through one of the first and second substrates and onto a region of the thin film until the first and second substrates are fused in the region. |
| US09120285B2 |
Sheet feeder of corrugated cardboard sheet box making machine
A sheet feeder of a corrugated paperboard box making machine includes a sheet feed table, feed rolls, an adjusting mechanism, a main unit, and a backing roller. The adjusting mechanism holds support plates pivotally supporting both ends of a first feed roll opposed to a second feed roll having an axis fixed to the main unit so as to allow an axis of the first feed roll to move with respect to the main unit. The support plates support a first backing roller via a connecting member connecting the support plates so that the first backing roller contacts with an outer peripheral surface of the first feed roll. |
| US09120282B2 |
Buffing apparatus for production of retreaded tire
A buffing apparatus for production of a retreaded tire. The buffing apparatus can reliably prevent the scatter of buffing swarf and allows smooth transfer of the tire after the buffing operation. The buffing apparatus for production of a retreaded tire includes a grinder facing the tire and buffing its periphery, upper and lower scatter shields disposed about the grinder, spaced apart from each other in the tire radial direction, and coming in contact with the tire, and left and right scatter shields spaced apart from each other in the tire width (axial) direction and coming in contact with the tire. The left and right scatter shields are of such design as to be turnable from predetermined initial positions outward in the axial directions of the tire. |
| US09120277B2 |
Process of drilling organic glasses using a thermoplastic film protecting against cracking and crazing
The present invention is drawn to a process of drilling organic glasses, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a substrate of organic glass, preferably of optical grade, (b) laminating onto at least one surface of said organic glass substrate via an adhesive layer selected from the group consisting of pressure sensitive adhesives and hot melt adhesives, a thermoplastic polymer film having a thickness of at least 40 μm and an elastic modulus of at least 3 GPa, the peel strength of the thermoplastic polymer on the organic glass substrate being higher than 1.3 N/25 mm, preferably of at least 1.5N/25 mm, (c) drilling a hole through the substrate and polymer film by means of a drill, and (d) optionally removing the thermoplastic polymer film and adhesive. |
| US09120276B2 |
Laminated composite bending and stiffening members with reinforcement by inter-laminar metal sheets
A laminated reinforced member that provides bending and stiffening support and that includes metal reinforcing sheets, and a method of making the member. Metal reinforcing sheets at connection locations eliminate the need for additional external connection reinforcements for engaging connectors. |
| US09120273B2 |
Method to recreate the surface of an aged and deteriorated fibre-reinforced plastic facing material
The present invention relates to a method and a device to improve an aged surface layer (7) of a boarding material (1) to an essentially “newly painted condition”, which boarding material (1) is manufactured from essentially recovered, ground down polymer material (3) and ground down organic fiber (4) having a surface layer (2) which, after a certain time, has been exposed to UV light, weather and wind, cold and heat, and has caused the polymer material (3) to be removed to some extent and to create an aged surface layer (7), which according to the invention is restored indifferent steps. In a first step loose particles are removed from the aged surface layer (7), and in a second step this layer is heated to 160-200 degrees C. by a heating device (8) until the organic fiber (4) has sucked in, by capillary suction, the fluid polymer material (3) containing dye pigment lying underneath the aged surface layer (7), which thereafter is improved to an essentially new condition. |
| US09120272B2 |
Smooth composite structure
Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to a smooth finish composite structure and methods for making the composite structure. In particular, in one embodiment, a method is provided that includes creating a first layer of a composite structure. The creation of the first layer includes positioning the first layer in a mold and curing the first layer. Additional layers of the composite structure are created and bonded to the first layer. |
| US09120269B2 |
Device and method for feeding a material layer onto a construction platform, or onto at least one material layer located on the construction platform, for producing an object in the course of a generative production method
A device and a method are described for feeding a material layer onto a construction platform, or onto at least one material layer located on the construction platform, for producing an object, which is mounted to linearly move relative to a material reservoir and the construction platform along a motion plane. A circulating band is stretched around at least two molded bodies and contacts the molded bodies at least in segments. A drive circulates the band around the at least two bodies. The band has a band segment which can be fixedly in position relative to at least one body in the longitudinal section around the at least two molded bodies. At least the segments contact the material stored in the material reservoir during the linear motion from the material reservoir to the construction platform so that at least a part of the material is stripped off from the material reservoir and is applied as the material layer to the construction platform to compress the material layer. |
| US09120267B2 |
Method for longitudinal stretching a film in solid state and apparatus to carry out the method
Method and apparatus for longitudinal orientation of thermoplastic film material (20) comprises a width-reduction zone upstream of the longitudinal stretching zone (9, 10), through which the width of the film is gradually reduced so as to allow longitudinal stretching without necking. The width-reduction zone comprises at least two sets of pleating rollers (7, 1) comprising intermeshing grooves or discs for pleating the material. The downstream (1) rollers comprise a mini-roller defined by the following measures a) the pitch of the corrugations, measured from middle of tip to middle of each neighboring tip is 20 mm or less; b) the perimeter from middle of a tip to the middle of each neighboring tip measured along the corrugated roller surface, divided by the said pitch is in the range between 1.10 and 1.80; and c) the diameter of the mini-roller, measured at the tips of the corrugations, is at the highest 4 times the said pitch. Preferably a pair of mini-roller sets is arranged on opposing sides of the film in reciprocating mounts enabling alternate entwining of the film around one then the other mini-roller. The method allows achievement of high tensile strength, yield point, resistance to tear propagation and puncture resistance, especially for polyethylene and polypropylene films. |
| US09120262B2 |
Apparatus for extruding a polymeric material and extrusion head therefor
An apparatus for extruding a polymeric material, having an extrusion head which includes a male die, a female die coaxially arranged with respect to the male die, a conveying channel, and at least one portion of which is defined between the male die and the female die. The apparatus further includes a device for adjusting a cross-sectional area of the at least one portion of the conveying channel by reciprocally displacing the female die with respect to the male die in response to an extrusion speed variation of the polymeric material. |
| US09120259B2 |
Counterweight structure of a traffic cone
A counterweight structure of a traffic cone contains a base pre-molded and placed into a conical mold so as to injection mold a conical post. The base includes a groove for connecting with the conical post, a connecting piece mounted around the groove, and a plurality of retaining tabs arranged on the connecting piece. Each retaining tab has a neck portion coupled with the groove, and between any two abutting retaining tabs is defined an elongated hole communicating with the connecting piece, two orifices are arranged on two sides of the neck of the each retaining tab and communicate with the connecting piece, such that when the conical post is injection molded to cover the base, the connecting piece, the plurality of retaining tabs and a plurality of retaining tabs horizontally retain together, and a plurality of orifices are provided to vertically connect the conical post and the base together. |
| US09120257B2 |
Composite carrier frame for plastic injection molding
Methods and devices for forming a composite carrier frame assembly used in an injection molding process are described. Methods and devices described herein are well suited for insert molding multiple small pieces into a single injection molded part. The composite carrier frame assembly can include a number of insert attached thereto that are positioned in a pre-determined arrangement such during an injection molding process the inserts are molded in a molded part in the pre-determined arrangement. Each insert can include an anchor portion arranged to be molded in the single injection molded part and an exterior portion arranged to be positioned exterior to the single injection molded part. |
| US09120254B2 |
Reducing indentation in a label included on the exterior surface of an injection-molded product
A hollow injection-molded product has a sidewall that is formed in a mold cavity by injecting molding material. An interior surface of the sidewall includes at least one ridge that is shaped by a flow channel in the mold cavity. The flow channel directs the flow of the injected molding material in the mold cavity. The cross-sectional dimension of the ridge normal to the direction of flow of the molding material that is injected in the flow channel generally decreases in the direction of flow. A label is inserted into the mold cavity prior to injection of the molding material so that the label is on the exterior surface of the sidewall of the hollow product. |
| US09120250B2 |
Structure comprising an annular housing made of composite material
A structure such as a containment case (2) for a gas turbine engine (1) comprises an annular housing (3) made of composite material. A sleeve-like flange unit (4) is fitted onto an end of the housing (3) and is mechanically joined thereto by a first portion (31, 32, 33) of the composite material of the housing which projects into a recess (411) of the flange unit (4). This reduces or eliminates the need to use mechanical fasteners to connect the housing (3) to the flange unit (4). |
| US09120243B2 |
Tool insert
A tool insert is provided for increasing the operating life of a tool bit made of both the tool insert and an associated tool body. The tool insert provides at least partial protection from wear during use of the tool bit and includes a tip free of hard edges or creases that increases the operating life of the tip. The tip may include a portion that has a diameter at least equal to or larger than the diameter of the connection end of the tool body. This increases the shielding ability of the tool insert during use and extends the operating life of the tool bit. The tool insert may comprising a cylindrical stem for engagement with the tool body, the cylindrical stem having a free base end opposite a body end; and a tip connected for engaging a worked surface, the tip comprising an outer surface without hard edges. |
| US09120241B2 |
Portable adjustable saw guide device for cutting a notch
A saw guide device for the rapid and precise cutting of perpendicular notches in framing lumber using a portable circular saw. The device consists of an edge-of-board follower rail, a support arm, and a pivotally adjustable saw fence. Externally affixed to the saw fence are a horizontal cut locator arm and a saw stop tab. The locator arm has a cut alignment tang and a saw blade recess slot. The saw stop tab has a thumbscrew adjuster. The device is positioned by the alignment tang, which drops into a previous cut. During operation the saw foot overruns the cut locator arm and is stopped by the tab. Thumbscrew adjusters are located at each end of the follower rail to allow for variation in depth of the perpendicular notch. Various angular scales are marked on the upper surface of the follower rail to aid in saw fence setup. |
| US09120240B2 |
Fruit and vegetable decorative cutting device
A kitchen tool that cuts a zig-zag pattern into a vegetable or fruit which encompasses the total circumference is disclosed. This is accomplished by rotating two handles relative to each other so that movable blades, via cams, are forced into the fruit/vegetable. The movable blades are constrained to a linear motion by guiding surfaces in top and bottom plates along with cams and pins. The entire cutting assembly is readily cleanable by easy disassembly or thorough rinsing/washing. |
| US09120238B2 |
Hair trimmer device with comb unit
To allow trimming body hair by pulling as well as pushing with the same hair trimmer device (1), its comb unit (6) is positioned over the trimming head (16) in at least two different positions (8, 9), one (8) pulling and one pushing position (9). In particular, in the different comb positions (8, 9), the tips (20) of the comb unit's fins (13) point in the direction of the respective movement. Preferably, the comb unit (6) is removably attached. In a preferred embodiment, the trimming head (16) includes shaving means (18) besides trimming means (19). |
| US09120237B2 |
Knife blade light
A device for illuminating on or about an axial shaft of a tool and the work area used with the tool. In particular, the device is releasably secured to the axial shaft of the tool and upon contact therewith causes the device to illuminate parallel to the axis of the shaft and work area. |
| US09120235B2 |
Electric scissors
In electric scissors, a rotating motion of a motor (21) is converted into a linear motion, and a link mechanism (A) is operated to open and close blades (11, 12) by the linear motion. The electric scissors includes a current control unit (110) that controls an electric current value to the motor (21), and a detection unit (120) that detects that an angle between the blades (11, 12) becomes a predetermined angle. The current control unit (110) changes an upper limit of the electric current value to be supplied to the motor (21) when the detection unit (120) detects that the angle between the blades (11, 12) becomes the predetermined angle. |
| US09120234B2 |
Locking folding knife
A folding knife includes a handle, a blade pivotably connected to the handle, and a lockbar for locking the blade in an open position relative to the handle. The lockbar and the handle are separate pieces. The handle includes a pocket into which at least a portion of the lockbar is fit. |
| US09120230B2 |
Gripping and releasing apparatus and method
A passive universal gripper includes a mass of granular material encased in an elastic membrane. Using a combination of positive and negative pressure, the gripper can rapidly grip and release a wide range of objects that are typically challenging for conventional universal grippers, such as flat objects, soft objects, or objects with complex geometries. The gripper passively conforms to the shape of a target object, then vacuum-hardens to grip it rigidly; later using positive pressure to reverse this transition—releasing the object and returning to a deformable state. The apparatus and method enable the fast ejection of objects from the gripper, as well as essentially instantaneous reset time between releasing and gripping. |
| US09120228B2 |
Method of controlling robot and robot
A method of controlling a robot includes the steps of calculating a torsional angular velocity of an arm using a difference between an angular velocity detected by a gyro sensor and an angular velocity in a gyro sensor coordinate obtained from information detected by a first encoder and a second encoder, calculating a correction amount of a sensitivity error of the gyro sensor using a variation in the torsional angular velocity, and correcting sensitivity of the gyro sensor using the correction amount of the sensitivity error. |
| US09120225B2 |
Robot and control method for the same
A robot, which may accurately detect whether or not the robot is gripping an object, even without a tactile sensor, as a result of using a sorter that utilizes a torque generated from a joint of a hand and the shape of the hand as feature data, and a control method for the robot includes a state sensing unit to sense a state of the robot, a feature vector producing unit to extract feature data from the state sensing unit and to produce a feature vector using the feature data, and a learning-based data sorter to judge an operating state of the robot using the feature vector produced by the feature vector producing unit and to output the judged result. |
| US09120220B2 |
Control of a glove-based grasp assist device
A grasp assist system includes a glove and sleeve. The glove includes a digit, i.e., a finger or thumb, and a force sensor. The sensor measures a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove. The glove contains a tendon connected at a first end to the digit. The sleeve has an actuator assembly connected to a second end of the tendon and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller includes a configuration module having selectable operating modes and a processor that calculates a tensile force to apply to the tendon for each of the selectable operating modes to assist the grasping force in a manner that differs for each of the operating modes. A method includes measuring the grasping force, selecting the mode, calculating the tensile force, and applying the tensile force to the tendon using the actuator assembly. |
| US09120212B2 |
Ratchet and method for making the same
A ratchet includes multiple ratchet teeth defined in the outer periphery thereof and a coated layer is coated along the outer periphery of the ratchet. A sand blasting device is used to blast sands to remove a part of the coated layer to define a circular endless opening on the coated layer, and the ratchet teeth protrude the coated layer from the openings. |
| US09120211B2 |
Ratchet wrench capable of being operated through relatively smaller minimum swing angle action
A ratchet wrench includes a head. A gear wheel, a first pawl, and a second pawl are disposed in a chamber defined in the head. The gear wheel has an outer periphery thereof including a plurality of teeth extended circumferentially outwardly therefrom. The first and second pawls each include a lateral side thereof including third and fourth plurality of teeth respectively extended outwardly therefrom. The first and second pawls are disposed one above the other. The first and second pawls are respectively biased by first and second biasing mechanisms. The first and second pawls are alternatively engaged with the gear wheel when it is operably turned. |
| US09120209B1 |
Fastener installation tool and method of assembling
In one embodiment, a device for installing a fastener to couple two or more members is disclosed. The device includes a tool head configured to couple to a power tool and a socket coupled to the tool head. The socket is configured to engage a nut component of the fastener for installation thereof, and a retainer is coupled to the socket. The retainer is configured to retain a portion of the nut component separated during installation of the fastener. |
| US09120207B2 |
Pliers
A pair of pliers includes two parts pivotably connected to each other. The two parts respectively have jaws located correspondingly. A control member has one end pivotably connected to one part and an operation rod is pivotably connected to the other part and has one end movably inserted into the control member. A control lever has a first hole through which the operation rod extends. The operation rod has a first engaging portion which is engaged with a second engaging portion of the control lever. A resilient member is in contact with the control lever to engage the second engaging portion with the first engaging portion to set a desired angle between the two parts. |
| US09120206B1 |
Cam-activated bench vise
In one embodiment a cam-activated bench vise comprises a fixed jaw having a first gripping surface, a moveable jaw having a second gripping surface, a threaded rod for providing movement of the moveable jaw relative to the fixed jaw, a hinged split nut for selectively engaging the threaded rod, and a lever actuated cam that rotates a beveled plunger against a first end of the split nut, forcing a second end of the split nut to engage a bevel-mouthed receiving block which causes the split nut to close and to engage the threaded rod. |
| US09120205B2 |
Adjustable track clamp
An assembly comprises a platform including a first clamping surface, a track proximate to an edge of the first clamping surface, and a clamp mechanism including a second clamping surface. The clamp mechanism is configured to clamp a workpiece between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface. The clamp mechanism is mounted to the track. The clamp mechanism is positionable at different locations along the track. The assembly may further comprise one or more adjustable spacer blocks mountable to the track to facilitate precisely positioning a workpiece proximate to the track at least two different spacings. |
| US09120204B2 |
Polycrystalline superhard material
A polycrystalline superhard material comprises a sintered mass of superhard grains having a mean superhard grain contiguity of at least 62 percent and at most 92 percent. There is also disclosed a method of making such a polycrystalline superhard material. The method comprises providing a precursor body comprising superhard grains and interstices between the superhard grains, and introducing additive particles into the interstices to form a pre-sinter body. The pre-sinter body is submitted to a temperature and pressure at which superhard material is thermodynamically stable, sintering it and forming polycrystalline superhard material. |
| US09120203B2 |
Scraper and sandblaster assembly and methods of use
A tool is presented including at least one scraper and a sandblaster configured to mechanically cooperate with the at least one scraper, the sandblaster connected to at least one granular material container for dispensing different granular materials. The tool is a dual-functionality tool. The at least one granular material container includes a plurality of separate and distinct chambers, each chamber including a different granular material. |
| US09120198B2 |
Rolling body guide with a separately exchangeable rolling body as well as a receiving section and a rolling tool with an associated exchange method
More specifically during manufacture of hydraulic cylinders for the crane industry, tubular bodies must be rolled on their inner and/or outer surfaces, in order to be able to ensure a sufficient durability of the hydraulic cylinders. Tools with a rolling body guide are used for this. The disadvantage of the prior art is that the replacement of a rolling body guide leads to immobilization times. The present invention therefore proposes an improvement to the prior art with a rolling body guide for receiving and feeding rolling bodies which are used for finish rolling or roller compression of an inner or outer surface of a tubular body and where the rolling body guide has at least two defined detachable receiving sections, so that a modular assembly of the rolling body guide is realizable. |
| US09120197B2 |
Removable power-tool accessory having a tool-free connection
A handheld power tool and a removable accessory, which is changeable without requiring extra tools, include various elements. For example, the handheld power tool includes a platen having an aperture therein and a locking mechanism coupled with the platen. The locking mechanism includes a cam member. The removable accessory includes a tab that fits into the aperture and that is engagable by the cam member to bias the removable accessory into abutting contact with the platen to securely couple the removable accessory with the tool. |
| US09120196B2 |
Device for deblocking optical workpieces, in particular eyeglass lenses
A device for deblocking optical workpieces, having a first moving device for rotating a workpiece, which is blocked on a blocking piece, about a workpiece rotational axis and a nozzle for dispensing a pressurized stream in a direction that is essentially transverse to the workpiece rotational axis onto a point of incidence in an edge region between the blocking piece and the workpiece. The device also has a second moving device for generating a relative movement between the nozzle and the workpiece. The second moving device has a nozzle guiding portion on which the nozzle is mounted and by which the nozzle can be positioned with respect to the blocking piece in a cam-controlled manner in order to aim the pressurized stream towards the point of incidence in a defined manner. |
| US09120195B2 |
Wheel assembly and method for making same
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a wheel hub to reduce lateral run-out. Specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for machining the inner and outer surfaces of the wheel hub after the wheel bolts and bearing have been attached to the wheel hub. A grind wheel is used to finish an inner flange portion and outer flange portion of the wheel hub. |
| US09120193B2 |
Apparatus and method for polishing an edge of an article using magnetorheological (MR) fluid
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for polishing an edge of an article involving providing at least one carrier including: first and second opposing surfaces defining a groove, the first and second opposing surfaces being spaced apart in a first direction to receive the edge; and magnetic field generator configured to provide a magnetic field in the groove to stiffen magnetorheological (MR) fluid disposed in the groove to provide at least one polishing zone; receiving the edge in the polishing zone; and driving relative motion between the at least one carrier and the edge in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. |
| US09120190B2 |
Co-extruded microchannel heat pipes
A method for generating a microchannel heat pipe on a substrate surface includes co-extruding a primary material and a secondary material such that the primary material forms side walls that are spaced apart by the secondary material to form a composite structure. After the primary material hardens, the secondary material is removed, whereby the hardened primary material forms a pipe body structure having an elongated central channel defined between opposing end openings. A working fluid is then inserted into the elongated central channel, and sealing structures are then formed over both end openings to encapsulate the working fluid. |
| US09120186B2 |
Method and system for online quality monitoring and control of a vibration welding process
A method for monitoring and controlling a vibration welding system includes collecting sensory data during formation of a welded joint using sensors positioned with respect to welding interfaces of a work piece. A host machine extracts a feature set from a welding signature collectively defined by the sensory data, compares and correlates the feature set with validated information in a library, and executes a control action(s) when the present feature set insufficiently matches the information. A welding system includes a sonotrode, sensors, and the host machine. The host machine is configured to execute the method noted above. |
| US09120183B2 |
Methods of manufacturing large-area sputtering targets
In various embodiments, joined sputtering targets are formed at least in part by spray deposition of the sputtering material and/or welding. |
| US09120182B2 |
Integrated consumable storage space within a plasma cutting system
Methods and systems for housing a consumable storage bin in addition to structural, thermal management, pneumatic, and/or electronic system components in a single multifunctional component within a plasma cutting power supply are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a consumable storage bin, which fits into a consumable storage area in the power supply unit and is accessible to a user. In one embodiment, the consumable storage bin may be eliminated, leaving only the consumable storage area in which racks, snaps, friction-fit retention features, and so forth, may be placed to hold the consumables and ensure easy user access. |
| US09120181B2 |
Singulation of layered materials using selectively variable laser output
Systems and methods for processing, selectively ablating, and singulating layered materials. According to some embodiments, methods for selectively ablating a layered material may include selectively varying a wavelength of at least a portion of a primary ultrafast laser beam to create a secondary ultrafast laser beam with a second wavelength, the primary ultrafast laser beam being configured to ablate a layer of the layered material, the secondary ultrafast laser beam being configured to ablate an additional layer of the layered material and applying the first and second ultrafast laser beams to the layered material to create a singulated product. |
| US09120180B2 |
Interactive control system, methods of making the same, and devices incorporating the same
Numerous embodiments of interactive control systems, methods of making the same, and devices incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a light-resistant material; light-transmissive holes penetrating in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material; and a lens disposed adjacent to the light-transmissive pattern. |
| US09120179B2 |
Multi-step cutting process
Methods related to efficient processing of sapphire are discussed which are expected to both speed manufacture of corundum for applications and make the use of conundrum cost effective. In particular, one embodiment may take the form of a method of cutting a hard transparent material having a polished surface. The method includes roughening the polished surface, directing a laser beam at the hard transparent material to melt the material and removing the melted hard material. |
| US09120175B2 |
Method to improve GMAW and GTAW welding performance
A method of controlling a power source includes providing a power supply module. The power supply module includes a first circuit that has at least one first switch. The first circuit is configured to provide a welding current to an electrode of a welding system. The power supply module also has a second circuit that includes a load that is operatively connected to at least one second switch. The second circuit is configured to provide the welding current to the electrode through the load. The method also includes controlling the at least one first switch such that the welding current flows through the at least one first switch and to the electrode during a ramp up portion of a welding waveform and such that no current flows through the at least one first switch during a ramp down portion of the welding waveform. The method further includes controlling the at least one second switch such that the welding current flows through the load and to the electrode during the ramp down portion of the welding waveform. The ramp down portion takes the welding current to a predetermined value. |
| US09120174B2 |
Welding robot
The invention relates to a welding robot for resistance welding, which exhibits a welding tongs (21), a welding current generator (1) connected to the welding electrodes (24, 25) of the welding tongs (21), for supplying the welding electrodes (24, 25) with electric energy during the resistance welding, and an industrial robot. The industrial robot comprises a robot arm (2) and a robot control device (9) for moving the robot arm (2). The welding tongs (21) is connected to the robot arm (2) and the robot control device (9) is connected to the welding current generator (1) and a tongs drive (26, 27) of the welding tongs (21). |
| US09120171B2 |
Automatic tin-adding machine
An automatic tin-adding machine for adding a plurality of tin rods to a molten tin tank comprises a base, two transmission shafts, at least one first flexible transmission member, a plurality of tin rod carrying members, a tin stock detector, a drive and a circuit control system. The base has a tin rod adding opening corresponding to the molten tin tank. The two transmission shafts are pivoted on the base side by side. The at least one first flexible transmission member is sleeved on the two transmission shafts. The tin rod carrying members are fixed to the first flexible transmission member and configured to carry the tin rods. The tin stock detector is configured to detect the stock of tin liquid in the molten tin tank. The drive is connected to one of the transmission shafts. The circuit control system comprises a circuit control unit. |
| US09120170B2 |
Apparatus and method for placing and mounting solder balls on an integrated circuit substrate
An apparatus for placing and mounting solder balls on an integrated circuit substrate contains: a fixture, a vacuuming device, a guiding plate, and a storage tank. The fixture includes a plurality of first grooves defined therein, the vacuuming device is disposed over the fixture and includes a vacuum chamber which has an air pore so that when air is drawn out of the vacuum chamber via the air pore, a plurality of solder balls are attached, and when the air is fed into the vacuum chamber from the air pore, the plurality of solder balls are released. The guiding plate is secured below the fixture, and the storage tank is arranged below the guiding plate and is applied to accommodate the plurality of solder balls. Thereby, a production yield of placing and mounting the plurality of solder balls on an integrated circuit substrate is enhanced. |
| US09120167B2 |
Method for manufacturing screw-shaped tool
A method for manufacturing a screw-shaped tool for grinding a face gear with high precision. The tool is formed in such a manner that the diameter thereof gradually increases from an axial end to an intermediate section in the axial direction, and is used for cutting a face gear. The method includes setting up, on the basis of a prescribed pinion which is to mesh with the face gear to be machined, a virtual gear that is to mesh with the prescribed pinion, and has a greater number of teeth than the prescribed pinion; setting up, on the basis of the virtual gear, a virtual inner gear which has the same number of teeth as the virtual gear, said teeth being on the inside; and setting up, on the basis of the virtual inner gear, a screw-shaped grindstone having various elements that are used for cutting the virtual inner gear. |
| US09120166B2 |
Chamfering device and gear processing machine provided therewith
Position adjustments of a chamfering cutter and a deburring cutter in a chamfering device with respect to a workpiece can be easily carried out. The chamfering device has a chamfering cutter, a deburring cutter which has a diameter different from that of the chamfering cutter; a cutter swing block, a cutter longitudinal feed block, and a base block, which rotatably support the chamfering cutter and the deburring cutter and are capable of subjecting the chamfering cutter and the deburring cuter to position adjustment with respect to the workpiece. The longitudinal feed block can perform single-axis feeding with respect to the workpiece. The chamfering cutter and the deburring cutter are disposed so that the cutting change amount of the chamfering cutter and that of the deburring cutter will be approximately equal to each other throughout the diameter range of the workpiece to be processed. |
| US09120162B2 |
Hole saw with interchangeable cutting blades
A hole saw having a central body portion adapted to receive a hole saw blade portion. The body and the blade have correspondingly shaped apertures and lugs that co-operate together to hold the blade in place. A locking means further assists in ensuring that the blade remains locked to the body and includes a sliding klatch that engages an aperture in the blade and the body and is itself locked in place to thereby lock the blade to the body. |
| US09120159B2 |
Spindle device of a machine tool
Disclosed is a spindle device (5) for a machine tool such that draw bar (22) is inserted into spindle (20) which is rotatably supported in housing (12), and draw bar (22) is biased to a rear of spindle (20) by an elastic force of disc springs (23), resulting in tool holder (51) being clamped to spindle (20). Spindle device (5) is equipped with unclamping device (60) that comprises piston (63) which is provided in annular space (55) between spindle (20) and draw bar (22), and which, by means of fluid pressure, causes draw bar (22) to move toward the front of spindle (20) in resistance to the elastic force. |
| US09120152B2 |
Composite compositions and new and novel machine and contact tools
Composite compositions and machine and contact tools, for example, metal boring tools and face mills that are manufactured from them. The tools are provided with composite structure to lighten the tools and yet retain the strength and durability of the tool. The novelty resides in the use of additives to certain composites that make up a portion of the tool, especially tool bars. |
| US09120146B2 |
Free casting method, free casting apparatus, and casting
A free casting method according to the present invention includes, a lead-out step for leading out molten metal from a lead-out area provided in a source of supply, e.g. a surface level of the molten metal, to retain the molten metal temporarily by surface films generated on an outer surface, and a forming step for obtaining a formed body by solidifying retained molten metal led out along a set passage depending on a desired casting shape, wherein the retained molten metal is solidified after being formed into the desired casting shape by applying an external force thereto at positions between an unrestrained root portion of the retained molten metal in vicinity of the surface level of the molten metal and a solidification interface defined as a boundary between the retained molten metal and the formed body in the forming step. |
| US09120136B2 |
Drawing method of metallic tube and producing method of metallic tube using same
In a drawing method of a metallic tube which includes: filling a high-pressure container with a lubricating oil, the container having a mother tube inserted thereinto; pressurizing the oil with a pressure booster; and drawing the forcedly lubricated mother tube, the oil having a kinetic viscosity of 100 to 2000 mm2/s at 40° C. and at normal pressure and a viscosity pressure coefficient of 15 to 24 GPa−1 at 40° C. is used for preventing seizing and vibrations in drawing and for suppressing the deterioration of surface roughness due to oil pits in tube. Herein, the oil preferably contains one or more of extreme-pressure (EP) additives in a total amount of 10 mass % or more, being selected from a sulfur-based additive, a chlorine-based additive, an organic calcium metallic salt, a phosphorus-based additive, an organic zinc-based additive, and an organic molybdenum-based additive, each having a prescribed amount of relevant element. |
| US09120134B2 |
Methods of shifting and bending rolls in a rolling mill
An improved roll bending system is described for the work rolls and intermediate rolls in a six high mill. New bending blocks apply improved roll bending forces to the roll chocks, and additionally, are designed to move vertically and rotate, which provide important benefits to maintenance and enhance the rolling operation. Additionally, important related details to the mill operation and bending blocks provide operational improvements during roll changing. |
| US09120133B2 |
Ground water purification plant based on biological oxidation and reduction processed
The present invention relates to an artificial aquifer for decreasing the contents of metals, metalloids, nitrate, nitrite, pesticides and organic micro contaminants in natural ground water or artificial infiltrated groundwater from surface water. The system comprising a basin of filling material creating a reaction zone, a feeding line, one or more satellite wells, at least one main well and a pumping well, whereby the feeding line is applied in the upper outer periphery of the basin and wherein the main well is connected to a pumping well via a bottom outflow provided with a regulating valve to maintain a given level of water in the aquifer. The invention further relates to a method for purifying water. |
| US09120132B2 |
Pallet washing apparatus
A pallet washing apparatus and its associated methodology, wherein all of the pallets in a vertical stack of pallets are cleaned simultaneously, the stack being vertically expanded to provide a separation distance between each pallet, with each pallet then being delivered onto individual conveyors passing through washing, rinsing and drying stations, such that cleaning spray may be directed against all surfaces of each pallet, all of the pallets then being restacked for removal in a single stack. |
| US09120123B2 |
Spray nozzle
A spray nozzle 10 for a laser deposition apparatus comprises an array of nozzle apertures 16 arranged side-by-side, and a powder supply chamber 18 in fluid communication with the nozzle apertures 16. In use the powder supply chamber 18 supplies powder to the nozzle apertures 16 under pressure so as to cause a wide powder stream to be discharged from the array of nozzle apertures 16. When used with a laser deposition apparatus 100, a relatively wide coating of a uniform thickness can be deposited. |
| US09120118B2 |
Support structures and methods
A support structure includes a first layer of foam material and a second layer of elastomeric gel material. In accordance with one example, the first layer of foam material includes a first side with a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of channels with the second layer of elastomeric gel material disposed within the plurality of channels. In accordance with another example, the first layer of foam material includes a first side with a plurality of protrusions and a network of channels surrounding at least one of the plurality of protrusions with the second layer of elastomeric gel material disposed within the network of channels. A third layer extends over the first support surface of the protrusions and the second support surface of the second layer of gel material. In accordance with yet another example, the first layer of foam material includes a first side with a plurality of protrusions extending through corresponding Shapertures of the second layer. In accordance with further examples, methods of making a support structure with a first layer of foam material and a second layer of elastomeric gel material are provided. |
| US09120111B2 |
Arc adjustable rotary sprinkler having full-circle operation and automatic matched precipitation
A rotary sprinkler including a rotatable nozzle turret with automatic matched precipitation to an arc of rotation, a nozzle purge feature, and/or a flow shut off valve coupled to a variable flow nozzle outlet. |
| US09120109B2 |
Nozzle insert device and methods for dispensing head atomizer
A dispensing head for emitting an atomized spray of liquid droplets includes an actuator and a nozzle insert. The actuator includes a gas duct and a liquid duct and may be attached to a container housing a propellant gas and a liquid product. The nozzle insert includes at least one modular structure that can be installed in an actuator socket on the actuator. The nozzle insert includes a pressure cap defining a pressure chamber having an exit orifice. A liquid conduit is disposed in the pressure chamber and defines a liquid supply channel having a liquid supply channel exit opening. The nozzle insert is configured to form a reflux cell in the liquid supply channel upstream of the liquid supply channel exit opening to achieve flow blurring interaction between the liquid product and the gas propellant. |
| US09120108B2 |
Foam generating dispenser
A device for dispensing liquids in the form of foam. The device including a container and a foam engine having a gas inlet, a liquid inlet and a foam discharge. The device also including a vent comprising a switchable valve between the environment and the interior of the device container. |
| US09120105B2 |
Electronic device for pathogen detection
An apparatus and method for separating an analyte from a test sample, such as bacteria from blood components, based on their dielectric properties, localizing or condensing the analyte, flushing substantially all remaining waste products from the test sample, and detecting low concentrations of the analyte. Species movement is caused by a module array imparting opposing dielectrophoretic forces. The module array includes a plurality of microfluidic channels with connecting microfluidic waste channels for directing undesired material away from the analyte. An electric field is applied causing a positive dielectrophoretic force to the analyte to capture the analyte. The Clausius-Mossotti factor of the analyte is changed by flushing the analyte with a reference solution, which causes a negative dielectrophoretic force to facilitate release of the analyte. A field effect nanowire or nanoribbon sensor detects the analyte after capture. |
| US09120098B2 |
Fluid handling device and fluid handling system
The present invention relates to a microchannel chip capable of preventing fluid leakage caused by a lamination defect. Bottomed first regions, second regions, and third regions are formed by joining a film to a lower surface of the chip main body of a microchannel chip. The third regions are in communication with the second regions and are formed on carbon inks. The third regions are formed wider than the carbon inks are. The third regions are filled with an electroconductive adhesive. |
| US09120097B2 |
Vertical clamp device
A vertical clamping device is provided that supports a flow cell component in a vertical configuration in which the flow cell is on an opposite side of the vertical support from the electronic interface. The clamp includes a vertical setting to receive the flow cell component and provides an electronic interface on a vertical surface of the vertical setting. A block supports the fluidics interface and can move in a horizontal direction bringing the fluidics interface into contact with the flow cell component. |
| US09120096B2 |
Manipulating the size of liquid droplets in digital microfluidics
A biological sample processing system (1) includes a liquid droplet manipulation instrument (20) with an electrode array (21) for inducing a movement of a liquid droplet (19) by electrowetting; a substrate (22); and a control unit (23). An electrode selector (34) of the control unit (23) is configured to individually select and provide each electrode (35) of the electrode array (21) with a voltage. The control unit (23) includes a central processing unit (36) for individually selecting at least one electrode (35) and for providing the selected electrode(s) (35) with an individual voltage pulse. The biological sample processing system (1) also includes a cartridge (40) with a container (2). |
| US09120094B2 |
Polymerization of bis[3-(diethoxyphosphoryl)propyl]diallylammonium chloride
A symmetrically substituted cationic monomer and its corresponding cationic polyelectrolyte (CPE) (+) bearing two identical (diethoxyphosphoryl)propyl pendent groups on repeating pyrrolidinium units. Phosphonate ester hydrolysis in (CPE) (+) forms a pH-responsive cationic polyacid (CPA) (+). The (CPA) (+) is converted under pH-induced transformation into a polyzwitterion acid (±) (PZA) or a polyzwitterion/anion (±−) (PZAN) or a polyzwitterion/dianion (±=) (PZDAN) or a polyzwitterion/trianion (±≡) (PZTAN). |
| US09120082B2 |
Modified adsorbent for capturing heavy metals in aqueous solution
A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising passing a stream of water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals through an adsorbent comprising granules of a mixture of from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % clay and a thermoplastic polymer matrix; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s) downstream of said adsorbent. |
| US09120081B2 |
Transition metal-containing catalysts and processes for their preparation and use as oxidation and dehydrogenation catalysts
This invention relates to the field of heterogeneous catalysis, and more particularly to catalysts including carbon supports having formed thereon compositions which comprise a transition metal in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon. The invention further relates to the fields of catalytic oxidation and dehydrogenation reactions, including the preparation of secondary amines by the catalytic oxidation of tertiary amines and the preparation of carboxylic acids by the catalytic dehydrogenation of alcohols. |
| US09120080B2 |
Acetylene storage using metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites
This invention provides, but is not limited to, methods of using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with open metal sites for acetylene storage. Also provided are compositions and materials comprising MOFs with open metal sites and acetylene, e.g., an acetylene storage material comprising HKUST-1 and acetylene. |
| US09120079B1 |
High capacity carbon dioxide sorbent
The present invention provides a sorbent for the removal of carbon dioxide from gas streams, comprising: a CO2 capacity of at least 9 weight percent when measured at 22° C. and 1 atmosphere; an H2O capacity of at most 15 weight percent when measured at 25° C. and 1 atmosphere; and an isosteric heat of adsorption of from 5 to 8.5 kilocalories per mole of CO2. The invention also provides a carbon sorbent in a powder, a granular or a pellet form for the removal of carbon dioxide from gas streams, comprising: a carbon content of at least 90 weight percent; a nitrogen content of at least 1 weight percent; an oxygen content of at most 3 weight percent; a BET surface area from 50 to 2600 m2/g; and a DFT micropore volume from 0.04 to 0.8 cc/g. |
| US09120078B2 |
Process for the preparation of an olefinic product, oxygenate conversion catalyst particles, and process for the manufacutre thereof
The invention provides a process for the preparation of an olefinic product, the process comprising reacting an oxygenate feedstock in the presence of formulated oxygenate conversion catalyst particles to produce the olefinic product, the formulated catalyst particles comprising a combination of at least a molecular sieve having one-dimensional 10-membered ring channels and a matrix wherein a Group II metal species has been added to the catalyst particles after the combination of said molecular sieve and the matrix. Further a process for the manufacture of formulated oxygenate conversion catalyst particles, comprising combining of at least a molecular sieve having one-dimensional 10-membered ring channels and a matrix to form catalyst particles, and adding a Group II metal species to the catalyst particles after the combination of said molecular sieve and the matrix; and also oxygenate conversion catalyst particles comprising a combination of at least a molecular sieve having one-dimensional 10-membered ring channels, a further molecular sieve having more-dimensional channels, a matrix, and a Group II metal species. |
| US09120077B2 |
Surface-coated zeolite materials for diesel oxidation applications
A diesel oxidation catalyst for the treatment of exhaust gas emissions, such as the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) is described. Also described is a novel washcoat composition including a surface-coated zeolite coated with at least one of zirconia and alumina, and a platinum group metal supported on a high surface area alumina. |
| US09120071B2 |
Variable pitch array spotter
A spotter that includes a plurality of spotting heads, each of the plurality of spotting heads having a discharging portion at a tip portion, the plurality of spotting heads form an m×n array (m, n>1) with m spotting heads arranged lengthwise and n spotting heads arranged crosswise; and a pitch varying mechanism configured to vary an array pitch of the plurality of spotting heads arrayed in a lengthwise direction and an array pitch of the plurality of spotting heads arrayed in a crosswise direction. |
| US09120070B2 |
Stamping apparatus for biochips and method for operation thereof
Disclosed herein is a stamping apparatus for biochips and a method of operating the stamping apparatus. The apparatus includes a table, a first chip table, a second chip table, a stamping unit and a control unit. The first chip table is provided on the table. A first biochip is seated onto the first ship table. A second biochip is seated onto the second chip table. The stamping unit is mounted to the table and operates the second chip table such that a surface of a junction of the second biochip seated on the second chip table is joined to a surface of a junction of the first biochip seated on the first chip table. The control unit controls operation of the first chip table or the second chip table. |
| US09120066B2 |
Filling device for filling containers
A filling device for filling containers with a liquid has a first port for supplying a first liquid to the filling device, and a second port spaced from the first port for supplying a second liquid to the filling device. A mixing chamber within the filling device includes a first liquid channel which guides the first liquid from the first port to the mixing chamber, and a second liquid channel which guides the second liquid from the second port to the mixing chamber, wherein the first liquid channel and the second liquid channel guide the first liquid and the second liquid separately from one another. A valve body controls discharge of the liquids from the filling device through an outlet to the container. The valve body is disposed at least partially between the mixing chamber and the outlet. |
| US09120065B2 |
Integrated container and aerator device
A box includes a top panel, a front panel and side panels. An opening is centered on a lower portion of the front panel. A tap is attached to the opening, the tap including a cylindrical body and a shut-off mechanism. An aerator body is fluidly coupled to the fluid flow opening for providing a fluid flow path through the body such that the liquid can pass downward through the aerator body. |
| US09120058B2 |
Method and apparatus of flush pump feature for portable liquid purifying filter
A flush pump feature on a liquid purifying filter includes a segment of flexible tubing containing a small bulb pump is described. Two check valves are positioned upstream and downstream of the bulb pump which then terminates with a simple manually operated open/closed valve. The addition of this flush pump feature enables the filter unit to be easily purged of air at first use and also will make the filter easier to clean and maintain without the need to remove it from a hydration carrier. In addition, the flush bulb feature can also be used to perform a simple visual integrity test of filter while out in a remote location and also can be used to effectively remove bulk water from the filter for lighter storage when not in use which also minimizes freeze related damage when used in a cold environment. |
| US09120053B2 |
Polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane and manufacturing method for same, and hollow-fiber membrane module
The present invention pertains to a polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane and a manufacturing method for the same, said polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane having: a homogenous membrane layer formed from polyolefins having a metal flow rate measured in accordance with JIS K7210 code D of 1.0 g/10 minutes, or less, and an Mw/Mn ratio of not more than 4.0; and a porous membrane layer which is formed from polyolefins having an Mw/Mn ratio of 8.0-12.0. The present invention also pertains to a hollow-fiber membrane module which is equipped with the polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane. The present invention enables the provision of a polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane, a manufacturing method for the same and a hollow-fiber membrane module; the polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane has excellent solvent resistance and gas permeability, and when used in the deaeration of dissolved gas in a drug solution, can suppress leakage of the drug solution to a high degree, and can efficiently reduce the amount of dissolved gas. |
| US09120050B2 |
Product gas concentrator utilizing vacuum swing adsorption and method associated therewith
Systems and methods associated with providing a concentrated product gas utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption process are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes first and second sieve beds, a scavenger pump, and a controller. In one embodiment, the method includes: separating one or more adsorbable components from a source gaseous mixture via first and second sieve beds in alternating and opposing filling and purging cycles of a vacuum swing adsorption process to form the concentrated product gas and pressurizing the concentrated gas for delivery to a user. Other embodiments include selectively controlling a variable restrictor based at least in part on a desired output setting to selectively provide flow between the first and second sieve beds such that the flow for at least one output setting is different from the flow for at least one other output setting in relation to corresponding filling cycles. |
| US09120033B2 |
Multi-stage bubble column humidifier
A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber. |
| US09120030B2 |
Book assembly with slider-activated switch
A book assembly with a track, a slider, and a switch. The slider is visible and can be slid along the track by a user such as a child. The switch is activated by moving the slider in the track. Activating the switch plays a sound or lights a light. |
| US09120028B2 |
Device for adapting toy roadway track and bricks
A toy track and brick adapter for toy tracks and bricks comprising a base having a top surface and a bottom surface with indentations in the bottom surface of the base for receiving building blocks. A first arm assembly and a second arm assembly mounted to the top surface generally perpendicular to the base distally disposed in a parallel relationship to grip toy tracks. Roadway retention lips are attached to the arm assemblies which in conjunction with the tension springs hold the toy track in place within the toy track and brick adapter. Also attached to the roadway retention lips are pull-tab accessory brackets configured to releasably connect a variety of useful, functional educational accessories such as side railings, overhead signs, stoplights, traffic controls, signs and the like to increase the versatility and constructive play value of the various toy systems. |
| US09120026B2 |
Toy projectile
A toy projectile apparatus and method are disclosed in which the apparatus may include an elongated body having a wall defining an open interior, a closed end and an open end. A base member may be positioned in the open interior and configured to be moveable along the length thereof. A spring may also be positioned in the interior of the body with one end contacting the closed end of the body and another end contacting the base member so that the base member is biased toward the open end of the body. A resilient member or cap may also be mounted on an exterior of the body at the closed end. One or more toy accessories may also be used in conjunction with the toy projectile apparatus. |
| US09120022B2 |
Game control server apparatus
A game control server apparatus connected to terminal devices of a plurality of players via a network, includes a developing stage management unit that determines, in a developing stage in which a common character commonly owned by a plurality of players in a same team is developed, a capability parameter of the common character based on an action of each of the plurality of players; and a team battle stage management unit that provides, in a team battle stage in which one team battles against another team, a common character in a team battle while setting a capability parameter of the common character to the capability parameter of the common character determined by the developing stage management unit, upon accepting a calling instruction from a player in the one team. |
| US09120019B2 |
Systems and methods for user-based arbitration and peer review for online multiuser systems
The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for managing user behavior in online multiuser systems, and more particularly to systems and methods that provide user-based arbitration for online multiuser systems. In one embodiment, a multi-user online system enables a first user to report a second user's behavior while online. The system receives the report and merges the report with the second user's recorded interactions with the online system related to the report to create an arbitration file. The arbitration file is then made available to a third user to review the arbitration file and determine whether action is warranted. |
| US09120017B2 |
Arrangement for building and operating human-computation and other games
A game description language is provided for human computation games, as well as a game platform or generator component that can generate the code base for the game. The game description language and schema framework can be used to represent the game logic and synchronization patterns of a human computation game. The automated code generation tool takes a file, e.g., a file made from the above game description language, or the like, as an input and generates a code base for the corresponding human computation game. These tools allow a prototype of a human computation game to be generated within minutes. |
| US09120009B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating vibrations in portable terminals
A method and apparatus for generating vibration in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus for generating vibration in a portable terminal includes a plurality of vibrators mounted and driven to generate vibration in a single vibration direction at positions separated from each other by predetermined distances on the portable terminal, and a controller for determining respective vibration patterns of the plurality of vibrators according to a control operation of the portable terminal and driving the plurality of vibrators according to the vibration patterns. |
| US09120008B2 |
Game apparatus
A game apparatus includes a prize support section that supports a prize, a prize moving section that moves the prize supported by the prize support section by making a movement and a motion, a prize outlet that allows a player to remove the prize, and a prize guiding space that guides the prize toward the prize outlet. The game apparatus further includes a control section that controls the movement and the motion of the prize moving section based on operation information, and controls a motion force of the prize moving section based on motion force information, and a motion force change section that changes the motion force information based on a position of the prize moving section. |
| US09120006B2 |
Combination poker and simulated sporting event wagering game
A game method of play that combines features of the game of poker with features from a variety of competitive sporting events. A deck of 56 cards is utilized containing four suits and fourteen rank cards for each suit (the rank of “1” for each suit is added to a standard deck of 52 cards). Indicated on the face of each card is a scoring value associated with a particular sporting event competition. The players carry out the play of the game in a manner similar to that of poker, playing for a poker outcome using the poker values, as well as a scoring outcome using the sports scoring indicia on the cards accumulated in the player's hand. Depending on the embodiment of the game being played, winning can occur in three ways: by holding the best poker hand value; by holding the best scoring hand value; or by having the best cumulative scoring outcome over multiple hands. In this manner, players bet during the play of the game on both the anticipated value of their poker hand and the anticipated value of the sporting event scoring values reflected on the cards they retain. Score cards and rank value reference cards facilitate the play of the game and the process of betting on the outcome. |
| US09119993B2 |
Tennis racket having an optimized striking area
A tennis racket having an optimized striking area and a ball collection portion. The tennis racket includes a handle, an oval frame attached to the handle, the oval frame including a U-shaped indentation, a plurality of vertical and horizontal strings attached to the oval frame, and a replaceable clip, wherein the plurality of vertical and horizontal strings form a sweet spot area, the sweet spot area having a size, and wherein a depth of the U-shaped indentation affects the size of the sweet spot area. The tennis racket may include one or more bars attached to the oval frame to further manage the sweet spot area. |
| US09119983B2 |
Heart rate based training system
Exercise systems and methods are provided that create and run exercise programs that are custom tailored to individual users. An exercise program for a specific user is based upon the user's average work heart rate and recovery heart rate. The exercise programs may include a series of workouts for the user to perform. Each workout requires the user to exercise at various intensity levels so that the user's heart rate moves between different predetermined target heart rate zones. The target heart rate zones are calculated from data relating to the user's average work heart rate and recovery heart rate. As the user's fitness level changes, the user's average work heart rate and recovery heart rate also change. Creation of new exercise programs uses the most current heart rate data to calculate the target heart rate zones, thereby continuously tailoring the exercise programs to the user. |
| US09119979B2 |
Method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator
A method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system to deliver a substantially uniform volumetric airflow to a user includes the steps of determining one of (a) ambient air density or (b) ambient air temperature and ambient air pressure, and adjusting an electrical characteristic of the electric motor in response to the determination and the at least two calibration values. The powered air purifying respirator blower system may include a fan powered by an electric motor, the motor being controlled by an electronic control unit for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a user. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit may be operable to adjust an electrical characteristic of the motor in accordance with a predetermined correlation between the speed of the fan and the applied motor electrical characteristic for a selected substantially uniform volumetric airflow from the fan. |
| US09119976B2 |
Oxygen breathing device and method for maintaining an emergency oxygen system
The invention relates to an oxygen breathing device that includes an oxygen source, in particular a chemical oxygen generator or an oxygen pressure tank, at least one oxygen mask connected via an oxygen supply line to said oxygen source, and a flow control unit adapted to receive a signal indicating ambient pressure or to detect ambient pressure and to control the flow of oxygen through the oxygen supply line depending on said ambient pressure. In some embodiments, the flow control unit is adapted to provide a low oxygen flow at a first ambient pressure and provide a higher oxygen flow at a second ambient pressure which is lower than said first ambient pressure. |
| US09119974B2 |
Skin cream
The present invention relates to skin care compositions, including cosmeceuticals, for topical application, and more particularly, a skin cream, comprising exosomes and cell culture medium conditioned by cells grown in two-dimensional culture. Also included are methods of making and using such compositions and kits comprising the skin cream therein. |
| US09119973B2 |
Fragrance composition for core shell microcapsules
The invention relates to a core shell microcapsules containing a fragrance composition which comprises, prior to encapsulation: A) 40 to 100% by weight of at least one cyclic aromachemical material with a density between 0.950 g/cm3 and 1.500 g/cm3 and a ClogP value between 1.00 and 6.00; B) 0 to 80% by weight of at least one fragrance material with a density between 0.630 g/cm3 and 0.950 g/cm3; and C) 0 to 50% by weight of at least one oil soluble organic compound having a density between 0.950 g/cm3 and 1.500 g/cm3, where the sum of A), B) and C) equals 100%. |
| US09119969B2 |
System and method for programming neurostimulation devices using cached plug-in software drivers
A system for programming a plurality of different models, or generations, of neurostimulation devices includes a plurality of plug in software drivers stored on a hard drive of the system, wherein the plurality of plug-in software drivers are respectively configured for facilitating communication between the plurality of different models of neurostimulation devices and the system processor via a transceiver. In a method of programming a plurality of different models of neurostimulation devices, the system processor dynamically identifies the model of an interrogated neurostimulator and determines which plug-in software driver to use for programming the interrogated neurostimulator. The plug-in software drivers are cached into memory upon start-up of the system. |
| US09119968B2 |
Band stop filter employing a capacitor and an inductor tank circuit to enhance MRI compatibility of active medical devices
A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. |
| US09119965B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling spinal cord stimulation to improve stimulation efficacy for use by implantable medical devices
Techniques are provided for controlling spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or other forms of neurostimulation. In one example, SCS treatment is delivered to a patient and nerve impulse firing signals are sensed along the spinal cord following the SCS treatment. The nerve impulse signals are analyzed to determine whether the signals are associated with effective SCS and then the delivery of additional SCS is controlled to improve SCS efficacy. For example, the nerve impulse signals can be analyzed to determine whether the signals are consistent with a positive patient mood associated with pain mitigation and, if not, SCS control parameters are adjusted to improve the efficacy of the SCS in reducing pain. In other examples, heart rate variability (HRV) is also used to control SCS. Still further, adjustments may be made to SCS control parameters to improve antiarrhythmic or sympatholytic effects associated with SCS. Techniques employing baseline/target calibration procedures are also described. |
| US09119964B2 |
System for deep brain stimulation employing a sensor for monitoring patient movement and providing closed loop control
A closed loop system is disclosed for monitoring patient movements, such as tremors, and for automatically controlling an implantable stimulator device on the basis of the detected movements. The system includes a motion sensor such as a wearable item that contains an accelerometer to monitor a patient's movements, such as a ring locatable proximate to a patient's hand tremor. The motion sensor periodically transmits a feedback signal to the implantable stimulator device instructing it to change the stimulation parameters, such as current amplitude, in an attempt to reduce the tremor. The motion sensor can additionally communicate with other system components such as an external controller. In a preferred embodiment, the motion sensor and the implantable stimulator device communicate using short range electromagnetic radio waves. |
| US09119960B2 |
Irradiation planning for particle therapy
A method for producing an irradiation plan for a target volume includes preparing a modulation curve that characterizes modulation of particle numbers at target points in the target volume that lie one behind another in a direction of the beam. The method also includes determining a current position of the target volume and defining a plurality of target points that fully cover the target volume in the current position. Particle numbers are assigned to the plurality of current target points using the modulation curve. |
| US09119956B2 |
Medical electrodes with layered coatings
Various embodiments concern an electrode of an implantable medical device for delivering electrical stimulation to tissue. Such an electrode can include a main body formed from a substrate metal comprising one of titanium, stainless steel, a cobalt-chromium alloy, or palladium. The main body may not be radiopaque. The electrode may further include a first coating on at least one side of the main body, the first coating comprising a layer of one of tantalum or iridium metal that is at least about 2 micrometers thick. The first coating can be radiopaque and porous. The porosity of the first coating can increase the electrical performance of the electrode in delivering electrical stimulation to tissue. |
| US09119953B2 |
Non-invasive treatment of a medical condition by vagus nerve stimulation
Devices, systems and instructing methods for treating medical conditions in patients include a handheld non-invasive nerve stimulation device. The device includes a container filled with electrically conductive fluid and one or more energy transmitters surrounded by the conductive fluid. The container comprises a contact surface configured for contacting the outer skin surface of a neck of a patient for delivering electrical impulses from the energy transmitters through the conductive fluid and the patient's neck to the vagus nerve. The electrical impulses are sufficient to treat the medical condition of the patient. |
| US09119952B2 |
Methods and devices to modulate the autonomic nervous system via the carotid body or carotid sinus
In some embodiments, sympathetic nerves surrounding arteries or leading to organs are targeted with energy sources to correct or modulate physiologic processes. In some embodiments, different types of energy sources are utilized singly or combined with one another. In some embodiments, bioactive agents or devices activated by the energy sources are delivered to the region of interest and the energy is enhanced by such agents. |
| US09119951B2 |
Energetic modulation of nerves
A system for applying high intensity ultrasound energy to a nerve surrounding an artery of a patient includes a piezoelectric array comprising a plurality of ultrasound elements, a controller configured to individually control a phasing of each of the ultrasound elements, a platform on which the ultrasound elements are coupled, wherein the platform is configured to support at least a part of the patient, a programmable generator configured to generate an output power for at least one of the ultrasound elements, and a programmable processor configured to process a signal transmitted from one of the ultrasound elements and reflected back from tissue, and determine a tissue characteristic based on the reflected signal. |
| US09119950B2 |
Collapsible valve
A collapsible valve comprising a first portion with at least one dimple in a side thereof, and a second portion, the second portion being narrower than the first portion and arranged along an axial dimension of the first portion, the second portion including a cut therein. |
| US09119946B2 |
Antiseptic applicator
An applicator assembly includes a head portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a fluid chamber; a container for containing an antiseptic solution coupled to and in fluid communication with the proximal end of the head portion; and an application member in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and comprising a foam, having a first foam layer adjacent a second foam layer, wherein the first foam layer is disposed toward the distal end of the head portion and comprises a dye impregnated therein, and the second foam layer is disposed away from the distal end of the head portion and is free from the dye, and wherein, after the antiseptic solution passes from the container through the fluid chamber, the antiseptic solution passes into the first foam layer, whereupon the dye is solubilized by and tints the antiseptic solution. |
| US09119944B2 |
Device for treating hardened lesions and method of use thereof
A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis on a vessel wall. The balloon catheter is provided with cutting elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. At least one bioactive is present, either on the cutting element, within the interior of the balloon, within the material of the balloon or on an outside surface of the balloon. The bioactive is delivered to the vessel wall upon dilation of the balloon. |
| US09119939B2 |
Rotatable hypodermic needle and method of use
One possible embodiment of the invention could be a hypodermic needle that rotatably connects to a shield comprising a hypodermic needle denoted into a distal needle portion and a proximal needle portion, the distal needle portion's injection aperture continuously connected to the proximal needle portion's connection aperture; a shield that comprises at least a skin pad portion, the proximal needle portion being rotatably held within a portion of the shield in a manner that allows the distal needle portion to be moved between an operative position, wherein the distal needle portion descends downward and away from a bottom of the skin pad portion to hold the needle tip away from the skin pad portion to a stored position that has the needle tip of the distal needle portion placed proximate to the skin pad portion. |
| US09119938B2 |
Medical device with bi-component polymer fiber sleeve
An elongate medical device having a longitudinal axis and a surface; and a continuous, helical bi-component fiber wound around at least a portion of the surface of the medical device along its longitudinal axis, wherein the bi-component fiber has a cross-section with a generally flattened side and an inner core encased in a sheath, and wherein the inner core is aligned about the medical device. |
| US09119936B2 |
Catheter with spiral slit terminating in slit termination portion oriented to suppress crack occurrence
A catheter comprising a sheath to be inserted into a living body, wherein the sheath includes a tubular reinforcement layer of at least one layer, which is formed with a spiral slit continuous from the distal side to the proximal side thereof; a termination end of the spiral slit is provided on the proximal side of the slit proximal portion at the site of the proximal side of the spiral slit; and at the same time, there is formed a slit termination portion in which inclination angle of the spiral slit with respect to the circumferential direction of the reinforcement layer is larger than that of the slit proximal portion. |
| US09119928B2 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining a surgical airway
An apparatus for maintaining a surgical airway and method for the same includes an elongated body insertable orally into a patient. The elongated body defines leading and trailing ends. A passageway is defined through the leading and trailing ends, such that surgical equipment may be insertable through the opening of the elongated body. A securing member may be connected to the trailing end that can hold the elongated body in a position such that an airway remains open to treat the patient, while supporting oxygen flow to the patient. |
| US09119921B2 |
Safety device for use with a vial
A safety device to be used with a vial, or capsule, has a collar dimensioned to slidably fit about the body of the vial. Extending from the collar is a neck member that has connected to its other end a housing pivotable to a position along the longitudinal axis of the vial. A latch member having a lip is integrated to the neck member and extends out from the neck member in a direction towards the center of the collar. Neck member is fabricated to have an elastic characteristic so that if it is not biased by any external force, it will return to its original position. As the collar of the safety device is moved along the body of the vial, neck member is biased away from the vial as the latch member maintains contact along the outer surface of the vial, and then the outer surface of the hub formed at the top end of the vial. Once the collar of the safety device is moved to a position adjacent the hub, given the configuration of the neck member forms a space between the top of the collar and the lip of the latch member, the hub of the vial would fit within the space thus formed, as neck member snaps back to its original position. At which time the lip of latch member latches onto a shoulder portion of the hub. Once latched onto the hub, the latch member would prevent the safety device from being removed from the vial. Instead of the neck member, another embodiment of the inventive safety device has extending from the collar a rigid support frame and an elongate elastic latch member. |
| US09119920B2 |
Automatic injection device with pneumatic damping
An injection device for use with a syringe having a syringe body, a needle coupled thereto, and a plunger moveable through the body to eject medication from the syringe through the needle, includes a housing defining an inner space for holding a syringe and facilitating movement thereof from a first position in which the needle is contained fully within the housing and a second position in which the needle projects from the housing, and a drive member located within the inner space so that in use the drive member can engage the plunger of a syringe held within the housing. The device further includes a force applicator located within the inner space for providing a force to the drive member so as to move the syringe from the first to the second position and thereafter to move the plunger through the syringe body, a trigger mechanism, and a damper. |
| US09119919B2 |
Syringe having a squeeze-fit plunger rod
A syringe assembly having an exterior surface and defining a chamber having a stopper disposed therein is disclosed. The syringe assembly includes a plunger assembly having an elongated plunger rod and a handle portion connected thereto, the plunger rod including a depending leg and at least one hinge connecting the depending leg with the handle portion. The plunger rod is adapted to transition from a collapsed position, in which at least a portion of the depending leg extends along at least a portion of the exterior surface of a syringe barrel, to an extended position in which at least a portion of the depending leg engages the stopper. The at least one hinge maintains the depending leg substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel in both the collapsed position and the extended position. |
| US09119914B2 |
Methods for automated blood prime
A method is disclosed for priming a kit for use in a therapeutic apheresis procedure with previously-collected blood prior to flowing the patient's whole blood into the inlet line of the kit, as part of a procedure in which a selected blood component is separated from a patient's whole blood, and replaced with a previously-collected blood component. The operator enters into the controller of the separation device the hematocrit value of the previously-collected blood. Then, in response to prompts by the controller, the operator enters a target hematocrit value for the previously-collected blood and an identification of the portion of the kit to be primed. The identified portion of the kit is automatically primed with the previously-collected blood. The patient is then connected to the inlet line of the kit in response to a prompt from the controller and the therapeutic procedure is commenced. |
| US09119913B2 |
Automated insertion assembly
An automated insertion assembly includes a first dermal perforation assembly configured to releasably engage a first subdermal device. A first actuation assembly is configured to drive the first dermal perforation assembly into a user's skin to a first depth and drive the first subdermal device into the user's skin to a second depth. The second depth is greater than the first depth. |
| US09119907B2 |
Digitally controlled aspirator
A digitally controlled aspirator is provided with a processor that allows the user to select operating conditions including one or more default settings. The processor further includes sensors for sensing operational and environmental conditions and adjusts the operation of the aspirator to reflect the sensed conditions. |
| US09119905B2 |
Biodegradable endoprostheses and methods for their fabrication
The disclosure provides biodegradable implantable devices such as a stent comprising a biodegradable polymeric wherein the polymeric material is treated to control crystallinity and/or Tg. The stent is capable to expand at body temperature in a body lumen from a crimped configuration to a deployed diameter and have sufficient strength to support a body lumen. |
| US09119904B2 |
Guide wire utilizing a nickel—titanium alloy having high elastic modulus in the martensitic phase
Guide wire devices fabricated from a linear pseudo-elastic Ni—Ti alloy and methods for their manufacture. The Ni—Ti alloy that includes nickel, titanium, and about 3 atomic % (at %) to about 30 at % niobium (Nb). Cold working the Ni—Ti alloy stabilizes the alloy's martensitic phase and yields a linear pseudo-elastic microstructure where reversion to the austenite phase is retarded or altogether blocked. The martensitic phase of cold worked, linear pseudo-elastic Ni—Ti—Nb alloy has an elastic modulus that is considerably higher than the comparable cold worked, linear pseudoelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy. This yields a guide wire device that has better torque response and steerability as compared to cold worked, linear pseudoelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy or superelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy. |
| US09119903B2 |
Porous composite with graded bioabsorbability, artificial bone using the same, and manufacturing method thereof
The object of the present invention is to provide a calcium phosphate-collagen fiber composite which has an excellent mechanical property, can induce bone replacement by rapid bone remodeling, and can be used in a high-load region. The object can be solved by a porous composite comprising a calcium phosphate crystal and a collagen fiber at a weight ratio of 80:20 to 20:80, wherein (1) a bioabsorbability of the porous composite is graded, and (2) the density of the porous composite determined by gravimetric method is 300 to 1500 mg/cm3. |
| US09119901B2 |
Surface treatments for promoting selective tissue attachment to medical impants
Embodiments include a method for promoting selective tissue attachment to medical implants. By treating implant surfaces where tissue attachment is desired with tissue attachment promoting treatments, and treating implant surfaces where tissue attachment is not desired with tissue attachment inhibiting treatments, selective tissue attachment to medical implants may be achieved. Also, embodiments include an implant with at least one tissue contacting surface and at least one secondary surface where tissue attachment is not desired, and appropriate tissue attachment promoting or inhibiting treatments on the surfaces. |
| US09119900B2 |
Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices
Unitary surgical devices are disclosed. Such devices may include an elongated body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and having one or more lumens extending through the elongated body and a tip disposed at the distal end of the elongated body. The harvesting device may further include a first gripping element disposed about the dissection tip and a second gripping element disposed about the dissection tip distally of the first gripping member. The second gripping member may be moveable with respect to the first gripping member for capturing a blood vessel between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. The blood vessel captured between first gripping member and the second gripping member may then be sealed and, subsequently, severed by a cauterizing element disposed between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. |
| US09119899B2 |
Method and system for treatment of cardiovascular disorders
Methods for treating a cardiovascular disorder comprising concomitant administration of one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) based compositions directly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue associated with the cardiovascular disorder, and provision of ventricular assistance. In a preferred embodiment, the ECM based compositions include an ECM material derived from a mammalian source. |
| US09119895B2 |
Self-adhesive matrix system comprising a styrene block copolymer
Disclosed is a self-adhesive matrix system comprising a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer in an oil/ethyl acetate mixture, a hydrogenated resin and a pharmaceutical or cosmetic active ingredient. |
| US09119894B2 |
Method for modifying non-woven chitosan fabric
A method for modifying a non-woven fabric of chitosan fiber. The method includes: adding succinic anhydride to an industrial alcohol, ethanol, or acetone; controlling the mass ratio of succinic anhydride to the non-woven fabric at between 0.8 and 3.5; and stirring the resulting mixture until the succinic anhydride has dissolved to yield a succinic anhydride mixed solution; placing the succinic anhydride mixed solution in a constant temperature shaking bath; heating the succinic anhydride mixed solution; adding an HCl solution to the succinic anhydride mixed solution, and stirring evenly to yield a HCl mixed solution; immersing the non-woven fabric in the HCl mixed solution; dehydrating; immersing the non-woven fabric in ethanol or acetone; immersing the non-woven fabric in anhydrous ethanol or pure acetone; dehydrating; and air drying the non-woven fabric. |
| US09119890B2 |
Method and device for influencing the smell which comes from shaft openings of underground sewers
The invention relates to a method and device for influencing the smell coming from shaft openings of underground sewers, in which water droplets are sprayed into the air in shafts (1) of underground sewers which are open in the direction of the ambient air.Said spraying device comprises a pressure vessel (3) containing water and a nozzle (4) having one or more fine openings through which water can escape from the pressure vessel (3), the pressure vessel (3) being subject to a hydrostatic pressure which is by at least 2 bars greater than the ambient pressure, and the diameter of one or more nozzle openings being less than 130 μm. |
| US09119888B2 |
Methods for cleaning and sterilization of implant tissue ex vivo with shock waves
This invention includes methods for cleaning and sterilizing tissue harvested for implant with shock waves by submerging the harvested tissue in a volume of fluid in a holding vessel including a shock wave applicator with a focal volume in the volume of fluid, and applying a pressure shock wave pulses to the harvested tissue from the shock wave applicator in sufficient amounts to eliminate biological contaminants in the harvested tissue. |
| US09119883B2 |
Reversible pegylated drugs
Reversible pegylated drugs are provided by derivatization of free functional groups of the drug selected from amino, hydroxyl, mercapto, phosphate and/or carboxyl with groups sensitive to mild basic conditions such as 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) or 2-sulfo-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMS), to which group a PEG moiety is attached. In these pegylated drugs, the PEG moiety and the drug residue are not linked directly to each other, but rather both residues are linked to different positions of the scaffold Fmoc or FMS structure that is highly sensitive to bases and is removable under physiological conditions. The drugs are preferably drugs containing an amino group, most preferably peptides and proteins of low or medium molecular weight. Similar molecules are provided wherein a protein carrier or another polymer carrier replaces the PEG moiety. |
| US09119879B2 |
Oral care compositions comprising a quinone and a further antimicrobial agent
Described herein are compositions comprising a quinone and one or more antibacterial agents, and methods of preparing and using the same. |
| US09119878B2 |
Extended-release formulation for reducing the frequency of urination and method of use thereof
A method for reducing the frequency of urination is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more analgesic agents and one or more α-blockers. In one embodiment, the one or more analgesic agents are formulated for extended-release. |
| US09119877B2 |
Therapeutic combination comprising a Cdc7 inhibitor and an anti-neoplastic agent
The present invention provides a therapeutic combination comprising (a) a compound of formula (I) as set forth in the specification and (b) one or more antineoplastic agents selected from the group consisting of an alkylating or alkylating-like agent, an antimetabolite agent, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, an inhibitor of a growth factor or of a growth factor receptor, an antimitotic agent, a proteasome inhibitor, an inhibitor of an anti-apoptotic protein and an antibody directed against a cell surface protein, wherein the active ingredients are present in each case in lice form or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or any hydrate thereof. |
| US09119873B2 |
Use of a composition comprising a poly-organosiloxane
A composition based on a poly-organosiloxane which is suitable for its use as a bolus in radiotherapy treatments. Other possible uses of this composition are the production of an immobilizing mask for radio surgery or cranial stereotaxy treatments and the production of an intraoral depressor. |
| US09119864B2 |
Bioeffective krill oil compositions
This invention discloses new krill oil compositions characterized by having high amounts of phospholipids, astaxanthin esters and/or omega-3 contents. The krill oils are obtained from krill meal using supercritical fluid extraction in a two stage process. Stage 1 removes the neutral lipid by extracting with neat supercritical CO2 or CO2 plus approximately 5% of a co-solvent. Stage 2 extracts the actual krill oils by using supercritical CO2 in combination with approximately 20% ethanol. The krill oil materials obtained are compared with commercially available krill oil and found to be more bioeffective in a number of areas such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant effects, improving insulin resistances and improving blood lipid profile. |
| US09119861B2 |
Piroxicam-containing transdermally absorbable preparation
An adhesive patch is provided in which piroxicam is formulated as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic. In particular, provided is a piroxicam-containing transdermally absorbable adhesive patch in which an absorption promoter to piroxicam is formulated to achieve high anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects without inhibiting releasing of these drugs. The piroxicam-containing transdermally absorbable adhesive patch contains piroxicam as a medicinal component and oxybuprocaine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an absorption promoter. In the piroxicam-containing transdermally absorbable adhesive patch, the content of piroxicam is from 0.1% to 5% by weight to the total weight of a drug-containing plaster and the content of oxybuprocaine or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is from 1% to 30% by weight to the total weight of the drug-containing plaster. |
| US09119860B2 |
Agent for use in the case of fructose intolerance
There is provided in accordance with embodiments of the invention a method of treating or reducing the effects in a subject of a condition selected from fructose intolerance and impaired fructose metabolism, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment or reduction an efficacious amount of a glucose isomerase, other than in combination with 5-D-fructose dehydrogenase. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09119853B2 |
Sanglifehrin based compounds
There are provided inter alia compounds of formula (I) useful as cyclophilin inhibitors. |
| US09119852B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulation for treating herpes virus infection comprising 2,3-dimethyl-6-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)-6H-indolo-(2,3-b) quinoxaline
A pharmaceutical composition for topical administration including 2,3-dimethyl-6-(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)-6H-indolo-(2,3-b)quinoxaline (B-220) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition is useful for the treatment of herpes virus infections of the skin or mucous membranes in a mammal subject. |
| US09119849B2 |
Substituted guar protein extracts and production/applications thereof
A variety of products are obtained from modified guar protein extracts, for example, cosmetic or pharmacological or plant protective compositions or domestic care agents containing such products; these are particularly suitable for treating and/or modifying and/or coating the skin, hair, hard and textile surfaces and, notably, plant leaf surfaces. |
| US09119848B2 |
Morphinan derivatives for the treatment of drug overdose
The instant application relates to morphinan derivatives of Formula I with sustained effectiveness in treating drug toxicity and overdose: |
| US09119845B2 |
Method for the treatment of neurological disorders by enhancing the activity of beta-glucocerebrosidase
Provided is a method of increasing the stability of wild-type β-glucocerebrosidase. Also provided are methods of treating and/or preventing an individual having a neurological disease in which increased expression or activity of β-glucocerebrosidase in the central nervous system would be beneficial. This method includes administering an effective amount of a pharmacologic chaperone for β-glucocerebrosidase, with the proviso that the individual does not have a mutation in the gene encoding β-glucocerebrosidase. Further provided are β-glucocerebrosidase inhibitors which have been identified as specific pharmacologic chaperones and which have been shown to increase activity of β-glucocerebrosidase in vivo in the central nervous system. |
| US09119843B2 |
Method of using dopamine reuptake inhibitors and their analogs for treating diabetes symptoms and delaying or preventing diabetes-associated pathologic conditions
Method of using dopamine reuptake inhibitors, e.g., sydnonimine derivatives, for the management of diabetic symptoms and associated complications or conditions, such as hyperglycemia and diabetic neuropathy. |
| US09119837B2 |
Use of sEH inhibitors as analgesics
The present invention provides methods and compositions for relieving pain and itching, of promoting wound healing, of reducing sickness behavior and of reducing inflammatory bowel disease or acne lesions in a subject by the topical administration of an inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase, or of a cis-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (“EET”), or by both. |
| US09119832B2 |
Methods of treating mild brain injury
The present technology generally is directed to methods for treating mild brain injury and other neurological disorders in a subject. The methods can include administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound comprising ghrelin. The present technology is also generally directed to methods for treating mild brain injury and other neurological disorders in a subject, for example, by administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound comprising ghrelin modified to include octanoic acid or by limiting the carbon 14 content. |
| US09119829B2 |
Methods and compositions for delivering interleukin-1 receptor antagonist
Methods, systems, and compositions related to generating and using a solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist are provided. Methods include contacting a liquid comprising white blood cells with a solid extraction material and stimulating with an electromagnetic field to activate production of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist can be separated from the solid extraction material. Methods for treating a site of inflammation in a patient include administering the solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist to the site of inflammation. |
| US09119822B2 |
Use of PDE7 inhibitors for the treatment of movement disorders
A method of treating a movement abnormality associated with the pathology of a neurological movement disorder, such as Parkinson's disease or Restless Leg(s) Syndrome by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a PDE7 inhibitory agent. An aspect of the invention provides for the administration of a PDE& inhibitory agent in conjunction with a dopamine agonist or precursor, such as levodopa. In another aspect of the invention, the PDE7 inhibitory agent may be selective for PDE7 relative to other molecular targets (i) known to be involved with the pathology of Parkinson's disease or (ii) at which other drug(s) that are therapeutically effective to treat Parkinson's disease act. |
| US09119819B2 |
Oral liquid compositions of rhein or diacerein
The invention relates to liquid pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration comprising rhein or diacerein, or salts or esters or prodrugs thereof and processes for preparing such compositions. |
| US09119814B2 |
Composition for prevention of influenza viral infection comprising sumac extract, air filter comprising the same and air cleaning device comprising the filter
Disclosed are a composition for the prophylaxis of influenza viral infection comprising a sumac extract, an air filter coated with the same, and an air cleaner comprising the air filter. Having high inhibitory activity against influenza virus, the composition comprising a sumac extract can be applied to the prevention of influenza viral infection. Also, the filter coated with the composition can remove influenza viruses from the air so that it can be employed in an air cleaner for the prophylaxis of influenza viral infection. |
| US09119809B2 |
Compositions for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Therapeutic compositions and methods for treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include dosage forms that deliver a therapeutic amount of active drug in a delayed and controlled release formulation. The dosage form can be administered at night and drug release is delayed for from 5 to 8 hours or longer, followed by a prolonged release. |
| US09119808B1 |
Treating neurodegenerative diseases with GGA or a derivative thereof
Provided herein are methods for improving negative effects of ALS, AD, or ischemia, the methods comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of GGA, preferably present in the trans form, or a derivative thereof. |
| US09119807B2 |
Methods and materials for the generation of regulatory T cells
Methods are disclosed for the generation of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. The methods can include contacting a population of CD4+CD25− T cells with a T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 activator, a TCR co-stimulator activator, and rapamycin. Kits for the generation of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, methods of use, and cell populations are also disclosed. |
| US09119804B2 |
Live attenuated bordetella strains as a single dose vaccine against whooping cough
A mutated Bordetella strain comprising at least a mutated ptx gene, a deleted or mutated dnt gene and a heterologous ampG gene is provided. The attenuated mutated Bordetella strain can be used in an immunogenic composition or a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of a Bordetella infection. Use of the attenuated Bordetella strain for the manufacture of a vaccine or immunogenic composition, as well as methods for protecting mammals against infection by Bordetella are also provided. |
| US09119799B2 |
Transdermal compositions comprising an active agent layer and an active agent conversion layer
Transdermal compositions are provided. Aspects of the transdermal compositions include: an active agent layer and a conversion layer, where the conversion layer includes a weak base and, optionally, a carboxylated component. Also provided are methods of using the transdermal compositions and kits containing the transdermal compositions. |
| US09119785B2 |
Cosmetic basic composition and its use
The present invention relates to a cosmetic basic composition comprising hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) modified with C15-C20 alkyl ether groups as thickener, Oleosomes and water, wherein the Oleosomes comprise at least one cosmetically active substance. The invention also relates to the use of the cosmetic basic composition in products of decorative cosmetics, personal care cosmetics and/or skin protection cosmetics. |
| US09119784B2 |
Method of treating patients with a mucinous glycoprotein (MUC-1) vaccine
The present invention provides a method for treating an individual who is afflicted with a cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer or prostate cancer, by administering to that individual a MUC-1-based formulation. The formulation may be a MUC-1 based liposomal vaccine formulation. |
| US09119780B2 |
Triggerable compositions for two-stage, controlled release of proactive chemistry
A triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical includes a trigonelline ester of a functional active with at least one hydroxyl group configured to release the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium, and an encapsulation material for encapsulating the trigonelline ester including a functional active, the encapsulation material triggerable to release the trigonelline ester upon the occurrence of an environmental stimulus. In other aspects, a viscous liquid or an absorbent article includes a triggerable composition for two-stage, controlled release of a functional active chemical, the composition including a trigonelline ester of a functional active with at least one hydroxyl group configured to release the functional active through a hydrolysis reaction upon contact with an aqueous medium, and an encapsulation material for encapsulating the trigonelline ester including a functional active. |
| US09119778B2 |
Dry powder formulations and methods for treating pulmonary diseases
The present invention is directed toward respirable dry particles for delivery of divalent metal cation salts and/or monovalent cation salts to the respiratory tract and methods for treating a subject having a respiratory disease and/or infection. |
| US09119774B2 |
Self-healing dental restorative formulations and related methods
Dental restorative formulations comprising two additives incorporated into the continuous phase of a dental material. One additive contains a capsule with a radical initiator. The other additive contains a capsule with one or more monomers and a radical accelerator. The dental restorative formulation is applied and polymerized to form a composite. When a disturbance occurs in the dental composite, the capsules of the additives rupture so that the radical accelerator of the second capsule decomposes the radical initiator of the first capsule to polymerize the one or more monomers of the second capsule thereby healing the dental composite. The radical accelerator controls the rate of decomposition of the radical initiator. |
| US09119773B2 |
Toroidal pharmaceutical formulations
There is provided methods for administering a toroidal pharmaceutical composition to a subject. The method includes dispensing a toroidal pharmaceutical composition, and allowing the toroidal pharmaceutical composition to contact a target organ of the subject, thereby administering the toroidal pharmaceutical composition. There are additionally provided toroidal aerosol delivery systems. |
| US09119771B2 |
Non-sedating antihistamine injection formulations and methods of use thereof
Described herein are injectable compositions containing non-sedating or second and third generation antihistamines such as cetirizine/levocetirizine and methods of use thereof. Specifically, methods of treating acute allergic reactions including anaphylaxis with the compositions are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the injectable compositions are bioequivalent to currently marketed oral dosage forms. In other embodiments, the non-sedating or second and third generation antihistamine injectable formulations are therapeutically equivalent to diphenhydramine injectable formulations and/or are more effective than placebo. In other embodiments, a non-sedating antihistamine injectable composition is delivered by an autoinjector. |
| US09119770B2 |
Reconstitution device
A reconstitution device (10) for mixing a first component (70) with a second component (72) wherein there are provided first and seconds housings (12, 14) which are engageable together, a conduit (28) having an internal passageway (30) having a dispensing end and an inlet end, first, second and third plungers (52, 54) mounted in said internal passageway (30), first and second compartments (70, 72) being defined by the plungers, a shearing channel (32) formed in a side wall of conduit (28) to permit mixing of contents located in the first and second compartments (74, 76), a plunger rod (58) to cause initial mixing of the first and second components (70, 72), and a spring member (48) biasing against the moveable member (42). |
| US09119766B2 |
Massage device
The invention relates to a massage device having a device housing, an electromechanical arrangement arranged in the device housing for generating mechanical vibrations, an electronic controller for controlling the electromechanical arrangement, and a power source, connected to the electromechanical arrangement and the electronic controller. the electromechanical arrangement includes at least one coil element and at least one ferromagnetic core arranged parallel or coaxial with the coil element and a cylindrical member, wherein the at least one coil element surrounds the cylindrical member such that the at least one ferromagnetic core is coaxially guided through the cylindrical member, wherein the core has a mass m1, the mass ratio m1:m2 where m2 represents a total mass m2 of the massage device, and the mass ratio is in the range from 1:100 to 1:3. In operation, the massage device as a whole vibrates in a direction substantially parallel to a cylinder axis of the cylindrical member. |
| US09119763B1 |
Sex toy
The invention is a sex toy to provide sexual pleasure. More specifically, the invention is directed to a hand-portable sex toy. The sex toy is powered by a pleasure drive assembly located in a housing. The pleasure drive assembly comprises an electric motor, first and second gear assembles, and a cross-shaft with a plurality of discs attached thereto. The electric motor has a through shaft with first and second opposite ends which are respectively operably coupled to first and second gear assemblies. The first and second gear assemblies are operably coupled to the cross-shaft. Upon activation of the motor the discs are rotated to provide sexual pleasure. A flexible cover such as, but not limited to, an elastomeric cover is stretched at least partially over the rotating discs. In normal use the sex toy is inserted into a woman's vagina to provide pleasure. |
| US09119762B2 |
Walking assist device, walking assist method, walking state estimating device and walking state estimating method
A walking assist device evaluates the degree of asymmetry between a left motion oscillator, which is a waveform signal indicative of the time-dependent change form of an output of a left hip joint angle sensor, and a right motion oscillator, which is a waveform signal indicative of the time-dependent change form of an output of a right hip joint angle sensor. In order to reduce the degree of asymmetry, the value of at least one of a left bending coefficient, a left stretching coefficient, a right bending coefficient, and a right stretching coefficient is adjusted. |
| US09119758B2 |
Lip enhancement and enlargement device
A lip enhancement and enlargement device includes a suction element and a lip shaper coupled to the suction element. Each type of lip shaper includes one or more features that allow the device to shape and contour lips. A lip shaper may include one or more contouring elements that change the shape of an upper lip, for example. A lip shaper may also include shaping and contouring elements that form a fuller, unitary lip lobe or two fuller, lip lobes. Lip enhancement and enlargement kits and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09119754B2 |
Mattress overlay system with positionally adjustable, lateral ramp-wedge bolster structure
A bolster structure system possesses anti-decubitus ulcer characteristics, and may cooperate with a mattress overlay also having and-decubitus ulcer capabilities as part of a mattress overlay system, in which multiple elongate, positionally adjustable, relatively moveable bolsters are configured for selective placement in conditions of lateral under-engagement with the sides of an overlay to create inclined, lateral side elevations of these sides at locations along the length of the overlay. The bolster structure and overlay may each include a dynamic-response core expanse formed of an open-cell, compressible viscoelastic foam coated with an elastomeric, moisture- and gas-flow-managing, differential-thickness coating structure load-transmissively bonded to the entirety of the outside of said core expanse to function as a dynamically-responsive unit therewith. |
| US09119743B2 |
Introducer for deploying an implant
An introducer system includes a release wire and wire receivers forming a constraining mechanism that facilitates constraining at least one segment of an implant while permitting the remainder of the implant to expand during deployment. The constrained segment includes wire receivers associated with the implant that couple to the release wire and hold the constrained segment in its constrained state until it is released to expand. |
| US09119742B2 |
Prosthesis delivery and deployment device
A device for delivering and deploying a prosthesis is described and comprises an elongate sheath having a sheath lumen and a delivery catheter slidably disposed within the sheath lumen. A deployment assist mechanism may be coupled to the delivery catheter and the sheath and configured to apply a retraction force to the delivery catheter and the sheath. Additional devices, systems, and methods of delivering and deploying a prosthesis are described. |
| US09119741B2 |
Polymer scaffold sheaths
A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A sheath pair is placed over the crimped scaffold after crimping to reduce recoil of the crimped polymer scaffold and maintain scaffold-balloon engagement relied on to hold the scaffold to the balloon when the scaffold is being delivered to a target in a body. The sheath pair is removed by a health professional before placing the scaffold within the body. |
| US09119740B2 |
Introducer sheath
An introducer sheath has a proximal segment and distal segment. The proximal segment includes an inner portion, and a polymeric outer covering portion. The inner portion is formed from a plurality of elongated strands circularly positioned around a longitudinal axis. Each strand includes axial twist portions arranged to define a generally helical strand profile, wherein the twist portions are complementary with twist portions of adjacent strands to define the tubular segment. A tubular distal segment is dimensioned to receive an elongated stent for deployment. The length of the proximal segment is greater than the length of the distal segment, and the outer diameter of the distal segment may exceed that of the proximal segment. A stability sheath may be received over the proximal segment to enhance the stability of the sheath. |
| US09119739B2 |
Balloon catheter for multiple adjustable stent deployment
A catheter configured to carry one or more stents and having an inflatable balloon for expanding a stent surrounding the balloon. The catheter is characterized in having a positioner for moving the one or more stents relative to the balloon from a first position in which the stent does not surround the balloon to a second position in which the stent surrounds the balloon. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a stent at a desired location in the vascular system. |
| US09119735B2 |
Intelligent prosthetic socket system with active user feedback interface and real time prosthesis diagnostics
An apparatus is provided for use with a prosthetic system. The apparatus includes a controller and a wireless smart device. The controller operates to gather data and derive prosthetic information from a plurality of sensors, and transmits the prosthetic information over a wireless radio link, where the controller and the plurality of sensors are disposed within a housing that is within the interior of a prosthetic socket, the prosthetic socket having a formed reservoir at a distal end inside of which the housing is disposed. The wireless smart device is coupled to the controller via the wireless radio link, and receives the prosthetic information, and provides visual and audio representations of the prosthetic information to a user. |
| US09119733B2 |
Shielded prosthetic component
A prosthetic component suitable for trialing or long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system or a biological parameter is disclosed. The prosthetic component comprises a conductive material. Electronic circuitry and sensors are housed within the prosthetic component. Data from the prosthetic component can be transmitted to a remote system. The prosthetic component can comprise steel, titanium, cobalt, an alloy, or other conductive material. At least a portion of the conductive material comprising the prosthetic component is coupled to ground to shield the sensor from parasitic coupling that can affect measurement accuracy. The prosthetic component can have an opening in the shield to allow sensing or transmission of data. |
| US09119726B2 |
Expandable implant of a minimally invasive surgery
An expandable implant of a minimally invasive surgery contains a body, a positioning post, two first connecting sets, two second connecting sets, and two expanding pieces. The body includes two seats and an adjusting knob. The positioning post inserts into the body and includes one side contacting with the adjusting knob and another side having a conical member. The two first connecting sets couple with the two seats, and each first connecting set has two first rods coupling with a respective one of the two seats. The two second connecting sets connects with the positioning post, and each second connecting set has two second rods coupling with the positioning post. Each expanding piece axially connects with one of the two first rods of each first connecting set and one of the two second rods of each second connecting set. |
| US09119723B2 |
Posterior stabilized orthopaedic prosthesis assembly
A posterior stabilized knee orthopaedic prosthesis assembly includes a tibial bearing, a primary femoral component, and a revision femoral component. Each of the primary and revision femoral components is configured to separately articulate with the tibial bearing. However, each of the primary and revision femoral components has different geometry. The primary femoral component includes a posterior cam having a posterior cam surfacing including a concave cam surface and a convex cam surface. The revision femoral component includes a posterior cam having only a convex cam surface. |
| US09119721B2 |
Method for treating joint pain and associated instruments
The embodiments provide provides devices, instruments, and associated methods for treating joint pain. A joint is evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging to detect any defects in the subchondral bone. For example, using T2-weighted MRI images, bone marrow lesions or edemas can be identified, and using T1-weighted MRI images, associated regions of sclerotic bone adjacent to the bone marrow lesion can be identified. The treatment method may involve introducing a bone void filler material at the site to address the bone marrow lesion or edema, and/or drilling and inserting an implant to address the sclerotic bone, bone marrow lesion or edema, and insufficiency or stress fractures. An access path is mapped to a location in the subchondral region where the insufficiency fracture resides. The access path attempts to preserve an articular surface of the joint. A reinforcing member that stabilizes the insufficiency fracture is then implanted via the access path. |
| US09119719B2 |
Annuloplasty ring with intra-ring anchoring
A method includes positioning an anchor deployment manipulator at least partially within a lumen of a sleeve of an annuloplasty ring, the sleeve having a lateral wall shaped to define the lumen, and the lumen extending longitudinally along a length of the sleeve. A portion of the sleeve that contains a distal end of the deployment manipulator is placed into an atrium in a vicinity of an annulus of an atrioventricular valve. An anchor is deployed from the distal end of the deployment manipulator through the lateral wall of the sleeve into cardiac tissue, while the distal end of the deployment manipulator is positioned such that a central longitudinal axis of the deployment manipulator through the distal end of the deployment manipulator forms an angle of between 45 and 90 degrees with the lateral wall of the sleeve at a point at which the anchor penetrates the lateral wall. |
| US09119715B2 |
Collapsible/expandable prosthetic heart valve delivery system and methods
A system for delivering a medical implant includes an expandable member at least partially positioned inside the medical implant and operable to radially expand at least a portion of the medical implant to an expanded condition, first and second grasping mechanisms each adapted to grasp a portion of the medical implant, and a displacement mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second grasping mechanisms and configured to move the first and second grasping mechanisms between an inner position in which the first and second grasping mechanisms are relatively close to one another, and an outer position in which the first and second grasping mechanisms are relatively distant to one another. The movement of the first and second grasping mechanisms from the outer position to the inner position at least partially collapses the medical implant from the expanded condition to enable the medical implant to be repositioned if necessary. |
| US09119711B2 |
Methods and systems for multi-monopolar current steering in an auditory prosthesis system
An exemplary method includes a sound processor 1) mapping an analysis channel associated with a frequency band to a stimulation channel that comprises at least three electrodes communicatively coupled to an auditory prosthesis associated with a patient, 2) identifying a spectral peak included in an audio signal presented to the patient, the spectral peak having a peak frequency included in the frequency band, and 3) directing the auditory prosthesis to apply electrical stimulation representative of the spectral peak to a stimulation site associated with the peak frequency by simultaneously stimulating at least two of the at least three electrodes at substantially fifty percent or less of their respective most comfortable current levels (M levels) in accordance with a multi-monopolar current steering strategy. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US09119709B2 |
Intrastomal segment
A description has been provided herein of an intrastromal segment especially designed for use as a prosthesis inside the corneal tunnel of patients suffering from keratoconus. The segment consists of a lengthened body of variable dimensions in the form of an arc with noticeably rounded ends, devoid of any communicating orifice, and endowed with a transverse section that may be triangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal or oval, with at least three marks connecting to the narrowest side for which two ends aid the safe handling of the segment and the mid-section mark serves as a positional reference point. The segment will be connected to a disposable guide track along which it moves and from which it is pushed into the implantation position. |
| US09119707B2 |
Sensory motor stimulation garment and method
A garment for stimulation of a wearer's sensory motor system. The garment includes a main body portion that includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion and at least one sensory motor stimulation member associated with the main body portion. The garment is configured to be worn over at least a portion of the wearer's torso and is form-fitting when worn by the wearer. The at least one sensory motor stimulation member contacts the wearer's skin when the garment is worn and is fabricated of an elastomeric material that causes the garment to stimulate the cutaneous nerve receptors in the wearer's skin contacted by the at least one sensory motor stimulation member. |
| US09119701B2 |
Pressure control in phacoemulsification system
A surgical system comprises a pressurized irrigation fluid source; an irrigation line fluidly coupled to the pressurized irrigation fluid source; a hand piece fluidly coupled to the irrigation line; an irrigation pressure sensor located at or along the pressurized irrigation fluid source or irrigation line; and a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source. The controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor. |
| US09119696B2 |
Process of making a dental blank
A dental blank has at least an inner zone (or layer) of a first color and an outer zone (or layer) of a second color, wherein the inner and outer zones are concentric. The inner zone can be surrounded in its entirety by the outer zone such that only the outer zone is visible on all surfaces of the blank. Alternatively, the inner zone and the outer zone can extend to a same single surface of the blank, such that only the outer zone covers all remaining surfaces. The blank may also have an intermediate zone between the inner and outer zones. A method of fabrication includes solid free form processes, such as robocasting, laser sintering and 3D printing that allow for placement of multiple colors. A dental restoration made from the blank can have a variety of shades depending on a ratio of milled outer layers to internal layers. |
| US09119695B2 |
Replaceable head part for an electric toothbrush
A replaceable head part for an electric powered toothbrush comprising an elongate sleeve including a flexible portion, and containing a longitudinal drive shaft rotatable in oscillatory rotary motion. The drive shaft has a spherical bearing part received in a cavity in the sleeve. The head part incorporates a transmission system to convert the rotation of the head drive shaft into rotation of the bristle carrier comprising an eccentric pin extending from the head drive shaft to move the bristle carrier in oscillatory rotary motion, and having a spherical pin bearing part received in a receiving cavity in the bristle carrier. |
| US09119694B2 |
Spectral scanning photocrosslinking device
A photo-curing device includes a light source for initiating the curing of a photo-curable material. The light source has light-emitting diodes, each emitting light in a determined wavelength range, the wavelength ranges of the LEDs overlapping partially so as to cover a continuous wavelength range that is broader than the wavelength range of each LED. An activation device is provided for selectively activating each LED. |
| US09119692B2 |
Shell forms for making provisional and long-term dental restorations
The invention provides methods of making provisional and long-term dental restorations, particularly dental veneers, implants, crowns and bridges. A shell or restoration form made of polymerizable material having good dimensional shape-stability in its uncured condition is used to make the dental restoration. A polymerizable material is introduced into the cavity of the shell form. The outer shell and injected polymerizable material are polymerized and bond together to form a hardened crown structure. In one embodiment, the restoration can be fabricated indirectly by a dental laboratory. In another version, a dental practitioner can make the restoration chairside for a patient in a dental office. |
| US09119689B2 |
Manipulator tool for low-profile bracket
A tool for insertion and removal of an archwire into low-profile orthodontic brackets includes a handle section and at least one end section having a pair of claws separated by a gap. Each of the pair of claws has a pair of lobes with internal pathways for accommodating an archwire. This enables the archwire to be alternately pushed into and pulled away from an orthodontic bracket. |
| US09119686B2 |
Oral orthosis handle
A handle for removably attaching to a moldable orthosis positions the orthosis in boiling water. The handle includes an arm with an oral orthosis engaging member at one end. The engaging member includes one of a tab or slot which removably engages the oral orthosis. In a preferred embodiment, the arm further includes a hook-like member for supporting the oral orthosis on the rim of a container of boiling water during the molding process. In one embodiment, the handle forms the cover of a storage case for the orthosis. |
| US09119684B2 |
Rod contouring method for percutaneous pedicle screw extension
Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148). |
| US09119678B2 |
Facet fixation systems
Facet fixation implants include a cap member with a circular base portion and an eccentric raised portion. The raised portion includes first and second lobes and is smoothly contoured to provide an unobtrusive profile when implanted. Beveled teeth project from the implant to provide fixation and compression across the facet joint. The cap member includes an offset aperture which receives a fastener. Tools, guiding instruments and methods for implantation of the implants are disclosed. |
| US09119672B2 |
Flexible spinal stabilization element and system
Systems and devices for providing dynamic stabilization of one or more spinal motion segments are provided. The systems include a connecting element between two or more bone anchor assemblies that can be attached to two or more vertebral bodies of at least one spinal motion segment. The connecting element includes a first end, a second end, an intermediate resilient element and a sheathed tether extending from the first end to the second end and through the resilient intermediate element. |
| US09119668B2 |
Surgical lamps and methods for illuminating operating sites
A surgical lamp for illuminating an operating site includes a lamp body that includes first and second light sources that respectively generate first and second light fields of different diameter on the operating site. When a change in a distance between the lamp body and the operating site is detected, the first and second light intensities of the first and second light sources, respectively, can be controlled such that the predetermined diameter (dx) at which the preset relative central illuminance (Ecx) of the resultant light field is generated is maintained at a substantially constant value as the distance changes. |
| US09119666B2 |
Access port with integrated flexible sleeve
A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity is adapted to tissues having different thicknesses. The surgical apparatus includes an anchor member and a flexible sleeve integrated with the anchor member. The anchor member defines at least one longitudinal port for reception of a surgical instrument. The surgical apparatus defines an adjustable length to accommodate tissues with different thicknesses. |
| US09119658B2 |
Hook shaped ultrasonic cutting blade
An ultrasonic surgical blade has a blade body and a shank. The shank is fixed at one end to the blade body and is operatively connectable at an opposite end to a source of ultrasonic vibrations. The shank has a longitudinal axis. The blade body is eccentrically disposed relative to the axis. |
| US09119656B2 |
System and method for treating ischemic stroke
A thromboembolic removal system for treating ischemic stroke, including a guide and occlusion catheter, a delivery and aspiration catheter, an aspiration pump, a thromboembolic receiver, and a thromboembolic separator. |
| US09119655B2 |
Surgical manipulator capable of controlling a surgical instrument in multiple modes
A surgical manipulator for manipulating a surgical instrument and an energy applicator extending from the surgical instrument. The surgical manipulator further includes a switch and at least one controller configured to control operation of the surgical manipulator in a first operating mode or a second operating mode. The at least one controller is also configured to determine a commanded pose to which the energy applicator is advanced based on a summation of a plurality of input forces and torques and transition between the operating modes by adjusting the plurality of input forces and torques in response to actuation of the switch. |
| US09119652B2 |
Medical robotic system with sliding mode control
A medical robotic system has a joint coupled to medical device or a slave manipulator or robotic arm adapted to hold and/or move the medical device for performing a medical procedure, and a control system for controlling movement of the joint according to user manipulation of a master manipulator. The control system includes at least one joint controller having a sliding mode control for reducing stick-slip behavior on its controlled joint during fine motions of the joint. The sliding mode control computes a distance to a sliding surface, computes a reaching law gain, and processes the distance and reaching law gain to generate a sliding mode control action that is in absolute value less that a maximum desired feedback control action. The sliding mode control action is then further processed to generate a feedback torque command for the joint motor. |
| US09119650B2 |
Microwave energy-delivery device and system
A microwave ablation device including a cable assembly configured to connect a microwave ablation device to an energy source and a feedline in electrical communication with the cable assembly. The microwave ablation device further includes a balun on an outer conductor of the feedline, and a temperature sensor on the balun sensing the temperature of the balun. |
| US09119649B2 |
Energy delivery systems and uses thereof
The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for treating a tissue region (e.g., a tumor) through application of energy. |
| US09119638B2 |
Device and method for treating parts of a human or animal body
A device and method for treating all types of parts, in particular bones, organs, etc. of the human/animal body, which includes a housing (3), a tool (1) associated with the housing (3), and an actuation unit causing a relative movement between the housing and the tool. The device is designed and constructed to permit process control by the user, while utilizing the specific possibilities of robotics and computer-assisted navigation in such a manner that the position of the tool can be detected, and that the position of the body part being treated can be detected or predetermined, with the actuation unit being activatable in such a manner that it moves the tool within a predetermined work area to a predetermined relative position with respect to the body part being treated. |
| US09119636B2 |
Dispersive belt for an ablation system
An electrosurgery system includes a catheter including one or more active electrodes adapted to be positioned adjacent biological tissue at an in vivo treatment site in a patient and to deliver electrical energy to the biological tissue. The electrosurgery system further includes a dispersive electrode assembly including a conductive element having a first end and a second end. The dispersive electrode assembly is configured to surround a waist of the patient such that a first surface of the conductive element is in contact with the waist and the first end of the conductive element is adjacent the second end of the conductive element. |
| US09119626B2 |
Method for assembling introducer sheath with an embolic coil device
Introducer sheaths for use with embolic coil devices and methods for making and using the same. An example introducer sheath assembly may include an introducer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion defined therebetween. The body portion may include two or more bends formed therein. An embolic coil device may be disposed within the introducer sheath. |
| US09119625B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for enclosing an anatomical opening
The present technology is directed generally to devices, systems, and methods for enclosing anatomical openings. In several embodiments, an aneurysm device is endovascularly deliverable to a site proximate to an arterial aneurysm. The aneurysm device includes a closure structure having a distal-facing aspect configured to at least partially occlude the aneurysm and a proximal-facing aspect configured to arch over lumina of an artery. The device further includes a supplemental stabilizer connected to the closure structure and configured to reside in the artery and press outward against a luminal wall thereof. In some embodiments, the device can also include a barrier spanning at least a portion of the distal-facing aspect of the closure structure and configured to further occlude a neck of the aneurysm. In further embodiments, the closure structure can be configured to restrict and/or divert flow to or from the aneurysm. |
| US09119615B2 |
Devices and methods for endoluminal plication
Devices and methods are provided for forming and securing a tissue plication. More particularly, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used to create multiple tissue folds on an anterior and posterior wall of a stomach cavity to reduce the volume thereof. In one aspect, a tissue acquisition and fixation system is described that includes a staple applying assembly having first and second jaws, and a tissue acquisition member that extends substantially parallel to a plane running through the first and second jaws. The tissue acquisition member is effective to engage and position tissue between the first and second jaws, and the jaws are effective to apply at least one staple to the tissue engaged therebetween. |
| US09119614B2 |
Suture retention device
A suture retention device is provided for retaining a suture. The device has a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, a spring biases a first gripping surface and second gripping surface together to enmesh a suture to prevent the suture from sliding through the device. In the unlocked state, an actuator may be engaged to bias the spring and separate the first and second gripping surfaces to allow the suture to freely slide through the device. |
| US09119613B2 |
System and method for trapezium bone replacement
A carpometacarpal joint replacement system for replacing the trapezium bone in the hand is provided. The system includes a trapezial implant for the carpometacarpal joint resulting in replacement of the carpal trapezium bone with a prosthesis having the same anatomical configuration as the trapezium bone. The implant device comprises a plurality of concave surfaces, with the plurality of concave surfaces articulating with the carpal and metacarpal bones. |
| US09119611B2 |
Corner protector for instrument sterilization tray
A corner protector for position about a corner of an equipment sterilization tray includes a base portion having a perimeter and a first concave recess. A first wall portion extends from a first portion of the perimeter of the base portion and comprises a second concave recess. A second wall portion extends from a second portion of the perimeter and comprises a third concave recess wherein the first and second wall portions are substantially perpendicular to each other. A connecting portion extends from a third portion of the perimeter wherein the connecting portion connects the first and second wall portions to form a continuous wall. |
| US09119608B2 |
Adapter for overpressure protection, cryoprobe having such an adapter and cryosurgical device with overpressure protection
As disclosed herein, cryoprobes comprising no return line can be operated efficiently and safely on known supply systems for cryoprobes. Typically the supply systems provide a fluid for connected cryoprobes so that they will provide the desired cooling capacity. The cooling capacity can be adjusted through the supply system. An adapter for connecting a supply system with a cryoprobe for open fluid cooling, wherein the adapter comprises: a first fluid adapter connector for connecting a first supply terminal of the supply system; a second fluid adapter connector for connecting a second supply terminal of the supply system; a feed line output for connecting a feed line of the cryoprobe; a first fluid line for the fluid connection of the first fluid adapter connector with the feed line output; and a second fluid line for the fluid connection of the feed line output with the second fluid adapter connector, wherein the fluid flow in the second fluid line is reduced compared the one in the first fluid line. |
| US09119607B2 |
Heart occlusion devices
The present invention is specifically directed to a heart occlusion device with a self-centering mechanism. The heart occlusion device includes two separate uniquely shaped wires 12, 14, each forming shapes that mirror the respective wire's shapes. Each wire forms half-discs or quarter-discs that together form a distal disc and a proximal disc. In other versions, the device includes four separate wires, each mirroring its neighboring wire and forming a proximal and a distal quarter-disc. In the versions with four wires, the quarter-discs of each wire together form proximal and distal discs. The distal disc and proximal disc are separated by a self-centering waist. The proximal disc is attached to a hub comprising a screw mechanism. A similar hub is optional on the distal disc. The discs further include coverings which form a sealant to occlude an aperture in a tissue. The wires forming the discs have a shape-memory capability such that they can be collapsed and distorted in a catheter during delivery but resume and maintain their intended shape after delivery. |
| US09119606B2 |
Sealant delivery device for anastomotic stapler
The present invention relates to surgical instruments and a method for applying an adhesive or sealant to an anastomosis site immediately prior and/or during anastomotic surgical stapling. The present invention further relates to surgical instruments, devices, and methods for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site being anastomotically joined so as to prevent leakage. |
| US09119592B2 |
Interleaved resonant converter
A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage (HV) tank coupled to the x-ray source, and an inverter coupled to the HV tank. The inverter includes an H-bridge configuration of switches comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs include respective upper and lower switches, and at least one additional leg of switches having respective upper and lower switches. The system includes a controller configured to interleave switch operation between the H-bridge configuration and the at least one additional leg of switches. |
| US09119591B2 |
3D ultrasound system and method for operating 3D ultrasound system
A 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system and a method for operating a 3D ultrasound system are provided. A 3D ultrasound system includes an extractor, a processor, and a controller. The extractor scans an image of an object in a human body, and extracts a region of interest (ROI) image in an inputted ROI with respect to a selected image. The processor detects edges from a plurality of side images of the object with respect to the ROI image. The controller measures the thickness of the image using the detected edges. |
| US09119586B2 |
Ultrasound imaging system
An ultrasound imaging system includes a console and a key pad. The console includes a two dimensional display region having a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension, wherein the horizontal dimension is smaller than the vertical dimension. The display region includes an upper portion configured to display image data and a lower portion configured to display, concurrently with displaying the image data in the upper portion, a touch screen menu including a set of soft controls that are respectively configured to control a secondary set of ultrasound imaging functions. The key pad includes a set of physical controls that are respectively configured to control a primary set of ultrasound imaging functions, wherein the key pad has a width that is less than a width of the console. In one embodiment, the key pad is hermetically sealed, and is easily cleanable, disinfectable and/or sterilizable. |
| US09119585B2 |
Sensor attachment for three dimensional mapping display systems for diagnostic ultrasound machines
A sensor attachment for use with three dimensional ultrasound mapping devices is presented. According to the invention, one or more sensors are attached to specific locations on the body, such as the nipple and sternum, the inventive sensor attachments enabling accurate recording of target information, including location and size; the present invention especially helpful in subsequent and comparative examinations. A method of use is also presented. |
| US09119584B2 |
Radiation image capture device
A radiation image capture device is provided with a radiation detection panel including optoelectronic conversion elements, a signal processing board that performs signal processing of the signals provided by the radiation detection panel, a flexible printed circuit, and a casing. One end of the flexible printed circuit is connected to the radiation detection panel and the other end is connected to the signal processing board. The flexible printed circuit includes a base film fowled of an insulating resin film, wiring disposed over the base film, a coating layer formed of an insulating resin disposed over the wiring, and a shield layer provided between the base film and the wiring and/or between the wiring and the coating layer. An insulator is interposed between the shield layer and the wiring, and the shield layer is connected to a fixed potential. |
| US09119583B2 |
Method for modulation of neuronal activity in the brain by means of sensory stimulation and detection of brain activity
The invention relates to a method for controlled modulation of physiological and pathological neuronal rhythmic activity in the brain by means of sensory stimulation, which is capable of diagnostically ascertaining functional disorders in the brain and of alleviating or eliminating the symptoms of a functional disruption. According to the invention, the method comprises generating a plurality of pulses at a plurality of excitation frequencies, respectively, to stimulate neuronal rhythmic activity in a patient's brain; measuring the neuronal rhythmic activity in response to the pulses; determining an excitation frequency in which the measured neuronal rhythmic activity has a maximum amplitude of pathological rhythm; generating an entraining periodic pulse sequence operating at the excitation frequency; and generating a desynchronization pulse following the entraining periodic pulse sequence to desynchronize the neuronal rhythmic activity, where the pulse are either visual or acoustic or tactile. |
| US09119582B2 |
Integrated analyte sensor and infusion device and methods therefor
Method and system for providing an integrated analyte monitoring system and on-body patch pump with multiple cannulas and a sensor combination is provided. |
| US09119573B2 |
Stent marker detection using a learning based classifier in medical imaging
Stent marker detection is automatically performed. Stent markers in fluoroscopic images or other markers in other types of imaging are detected using a machine-learnt classifier. Hierarchal classification may be used, such as detecting individual markers with one classifier and then detecting groups of markers (e.g., a pair) with a joint classifier. The detection may be performed in a single image and without user indication of a location. |
| US09119572B2 |
Monitoring trajectory of surgical instrument during the placement of a pedicle screw
The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at monitoring the trajectory of surgical instruments and especially for monitoring the trajectory of surgical instrument used during pedicle fixation to ensure the proper placement of pedicle screws. |
| US09119570B2 |
Eyeball movement monitoring method and device
An apparatus and method for monitoring the movement of eyeball comprises collecting an image frame of pupil; extracting a pupil pixel set (S); extracting a boundary value of the pupil pixel set; setting a center point based on the boundary value and dividing the pupil pixel set into four quadrant sets (S1, S2, S3 and S4); calculating the coordinate of cross points of the two straight lines and traversing points in the four quadrants, wherein the cross points form a pupil center coordinate set (S5); and calculating an average value of horizontal and vertical directions according to the pupil center coordinate set (S5). |
| US09119568B2 |
Sensing device for detecting a wearing position
The invention relates to sensing device for detecting the wearing position of the device with respect to a user. The device comprises a motion sensor for detecting a motion signal, a height sensor for detecting a height signal and a computing unit. The computing unit receives the motion signal and the height signal, and based thereon determines the wearing position of the sensing device with respect to the user. In embodiments, parameters related to movement of the user are extracted from the signals, and the wearing position is detected from these parameters by means of a classification algorithm. |
| US09119561B2 |
Optimizing vision correction procedures
In one embodiment, a wavefront sensor is combined with a slit lamp eye examination device so that real time aberration values of an eye being examined can be viewed during a slit lamp eye examination session. |
| US09119559B2 |
Method and system of generating a 3D visualization from 2D images
The invention relates to the field of computerized generation of a visualization from a plurality of images. In particular, the invention relates to generating a three-dimensional (3D) visualization from a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) medical images. The images may be obtained from an ultrasound device. Regions of interest are segmented in at least two images and the region of interest is then tracked and segmented among the remaining images. |
| US09119555B2 |
Method for correcting an acquired medical image and medical imager
Method for correcting an acquired medical image of a patient showing a representation of an internal body structure, the acquired image having been acquired in a medical imager having a radiation source and a radiation detector spaced from one another along an image-taking direction, and between which the patient is disposed. One obtains, from the acquired image, a corrected image taking into account a position of the internal body structure along the image-taking direction. |
| US09119549B2 |
Method for developing test for neuropsychiatric disease
A method for generating classifiers for identifying neuropsychiatric disease includes acquiring functional neuroimaging data. The acquired functional neuroimaging data may be registered to an atlas of the brain. A discriminative mask is generated based on the registered functional neuroimaging data and the generated discriminative mask is applied to the registered functional neuroimaging data. One or more classifiers are generated for identifying neuropsychiatric disease based on the masked functional neuroimaging data. The accuracy of the generated classifiers may be verified. The generated classifiers may then be used to identify neuropsychiatric disease. |
| US09119548B2 |
Device and method for secondary dental caries diagnosis
A secondary caries detection device includes a current generating device configured to generate a current having the form of a sinusoidally varying signal with a frequency chosen from the range of frequencies from 200 Hz to 100 kHz and a chosen amplitude from the range of 50 mV to 5 V. The secondary caries detection device also includes a plurality of preamplifiers of high sensitivity and linearity with phase-sensitive measuring components sensitive to the chosen frequency and integral multiples of the chosen frequency. The secondary caries detection device further includes a microprocessor control unit connected to the current generating device and the plurality of preamplifiers. In addition, the secondary caries detection device includes at least one fixed electrode configured for placement on a mucous membrane of an oral cavity and at least one moveable electrode configured for placement on a surface of a tooth, both of which are connected to the current generating device and the plurality of preamplifiers. |
| US09119546B2 |
R-PEAK detection apparatus and control method thereof
A method of controlling of an R-peak detection apparatus, which detects an R-peak from an ElectroCardioGram (ECG) signal, includes receiving the ECG signal, reading out a pre-stored ECG template, comparing the EG signal with the pre-stored ECG template to determine a similarity between the ECG signal and the pre-stored ECG template and determining whether the similarity is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and determining a corresponding interval as the R-peak when the similarity is equal to or greater than the threshold value. |
| US09119544B2 |
Acquiring global shutter-type video images with CMOS pixel array by strobing light during vertical blanking period in otherwise dark environment
A CMOS pixel array is introduced into a dark environment to acquire video image frames. During a first frame, each row of pixels is sequentially reset, one row at a time, and then each row of pixels is sequentially read out, one row at a time. During a second frame, each row of pixels is sequentially reset, one row at a time, and then each row of pixels sequentially read out, one row at a time. A light source illuminates the dark environment during a vertical blanking period between the reading of the last row during the first frame and the reading of the first row during the second frame. The light source does not illuminate the dark environment between reading the first and last rows during the first frame nor between reading the first and last rows during the second frame. |
| US09119543B2 |
System and method for deep brain stimulation
A system (10) and a method for deep brain stimulation are provided. The system (10) comprises a probe (11) and a processor (14). The probe (11) comprises an array of sensing electrodes (12) for acquiring signals representing neuronal activity at corresponding positions in a brain and an array of stimulation electrodes (12) for applying stimulation amplitudes to corresponding brain regions. The processor (14) is operably coupled to the sensing electrodes (12) and the stimulation electrodes (12) and is arranged for performing the method according to the invention. The method comprises receiving (21) the acquired signals from the sensing electrodes (12), processing (22) the acquired signals to find at least one brain region with atypical neuronal activity, based on the acquired signals determining (23) a spatial distribution of stimulation amplitudes over the array of stimulation electrodes (12), and applying (24) the spatial distribution of stimulation amplitudes to the array of stimulation electrodes (12) in order to stimulate the at least one region with atypical neuronal activity. |
| US09119540B2 |
Method and system for non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease
In order to assess coronary artery disease from medical image data, an anatomical model of a coronary artery is generated from the medical image data. A velocity of blood in the coronary artery is estimated based on a spatio-temporal representation of contrast agent propagation in the medical image data. Blood flow is simulated in the anatomical model of the coronary artery using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation using the estimated velocity of the blood in the coronary artery as a boundary condition. |
| US09119535B2 |
Blood pressure manometer and a method of calculating indices of atherosclerosis using the blood pressure manometer
A blood pressure measurement device accurately calculates an index useful in determining the degree of arteriosclerosis by accurately detecting a difference in time of appearance of a ejection wave and reflected wave in a blood pressure waveform. The device sets a threshold value based on an index that expresses a characteristic of the blood pressure waveform with respect to the point of appearance of the reflected wave in the blood pressure and estimates a rise point of the reflected wave by calculating an x-coordinate value of a point based on a maximum amplitude of the reflected wave and the threshold value. The device obtains the index of degree of arteriosclerosis by calculating a time difference in appearance between the ejection wave and the reflected wave based on the estimated rise point of the reflected wave. |
| US09119528B2 |
Systems and methods for providing sensitive and specific alarms
Systems and methods for providing sensitive and specific alarms indicative of glycemic condition are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of processing sensor data by a continuous analyte sensor includes: evaluating sensor data using a first function to determine whether a real time glucose value meets a first threshold; evaluating sensor data using a second function to determine whether a predicted glucose value meets a second threshold; activating a hypoglycemic indicator if either the first threshold is met or if the second threshold is predicted to be met; and providing an output based on the activated hypoglycemic indicator. |
| US09119527B2 |
Image transmitting device and image communication system
An image transmitting device includes: a transmitting unit that transmits image data by wireless communication; a measuring unit that measures information relating to a busy state of a communication channel used in the wireless communication for a time period per 1 field of the image data; and a judging unit that judges a state of the communication channel based on a measurement result by the measuring unit. |
| US09119526B2 |
Configurable health-care equipment apparatus
An apparatus, system and method for providing health-care equipment in a plurality of customizable configurations. A configuration includes a selection and arrangement of health-care equipment modules that each provide specialized support for the provision of health care, including the measurement of physiological parameters. Various types of configurations include those adapted to be mounted upon a desk top or a wall surface, or adapted for wheel mounting or hand-carriable mobile configurations. |
| US09119524B2 |
Dishwasher rack insert
A rack insert for a dishwasher rack includes a plurality of undulated wire members disposed successively along a loading direction of a dishwasher. Each undulating wire member includes first and second ends and extends across a majority of a width direction of the dishwasher rack. Each undulating wire member includes a plurality of curves and a tine integrally formed at each of the first and second ends. Each tine extends upward in a vertical direction of the dishwasher. |
| US09119523B2 |
Dishwasher appliance with rack assembly projections
A dishwasher appliance with a tub that defines a wash chamber is provided. A rack assembly is received within the wash chamber and includes a projection that extends from a front of the rack assembly. The projection is configured to engage a door of the dishwasher appliance and position the rack assembly in a retracted position when the door is in a closed position. |
| US09119522B1 |
Dish washer sign systems
A dishwasher cycle visual indicator system has a dishwasher cycle visual indicator assembly including a housing having a front-side, a back-side, a top-side, a bottom-side, a left-side, a right-side, and an inner-volume; a plurality of lights for displaying at least one message according to a condition realized within a dishwashing appliance; a powerer; a wiring assembly; a wireless receiver; and at least one attacher. The dishwasher cycle visual indicator assembly includes in functional combination the housing, the plurality of lights, the powerer, the wiring assembly, the wireless receiver, and the at least one attacher. |
| US09119517B2 |
Dishwasher having spray manifold and method for controlling same
A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially forming a treating chamber, a dish rack provided within the wash chamber, and a spray manifold. The spray manifold can have multiple sprayers for emitting wash liquid to define a spray zone. A supply conduit supplies liquid to the manifold from a liquid source. A flow diverter proportionally divides that liquid supplied from the supply conduit to the sprayers in proportion to the volumetric flow rate requirement of the sprayers. |
| US09119514B2 |
Surface cleaning apparatus
A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage having a cyclone chamber and a handle wherein the fluid flow motor is positioned above the upper end of the cyclone chamber when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on the horizontal surface. |
| US09119512B2 |
Vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaning system and methods of use in a raised floor environment
A remote-controlled, autonomous, or semi-autonomous vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments is especially configured to clean tight, hard-to-reach areas, such as the space between the floor and the raised panels of a raised access floor system and a control module for remotely operating the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum includes a body, a power source supported by the body, a vacuum module supported by the body, the vacuum module being configured to intake air and exhaust air, and a drive module supported by the body. The body includes an outer casing having channels formed therein, with the channels being configured to divide and channel exhaust flow and to direct exhaust flow in multiple directions. |
| US09119511B2 |
Centrifugal dirt separation configurations for household-type and shop-type vacuum cleaners
A cyclonic separation device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application preferably includes a first cyclone chamber having a cylindrical shape with a predetermined diameter, the first cyclone chamber including, a tangential inlet positioned on a first longitudinal end of the first cyclone chamber, a baffle plate positioned in the first cyclone chamber a predetermined distance from the tangential inlet, a tangential dirt outlet positioned on a second end of the cyclone chamber, opposite the inlet and on an opposite side of the baffle plate from the tangential inlet and a center exit duct mounted in the center of the cyclone chamber having an inlet opening positioned upstream from the baffle plate such the centrifuged fluid without particles flows into the center exit duct and out of the cyclone chamber. |
| US09119510B2 |
Glass-wiping device
The present invention provides a glass-wiping device comprising a glass-wiping device body (1) and a signal-receiving device (30) arranged thereon. The signal-receiving device (30) receives a control signal transmitted by a remote control and the control signal controls the glass-wiping device body (1) into action. The control signal received by the signal-receiving device (30) comes from either the obverse side or reverse side of the glass-wiping device body (1), where the side of the glass-wiping device body (1) that is away from the surface of a glass (100) is the obverse side, and where the side in proximity to the surface of the glass (100) is the reverse side. Because of simplified structure, reduced costs and great controllability, the problem of the machine itself acting as an obstacle that blocks the signal is solved. |
| US09119507B2 |
Collapsible travel tumbler
A collapsible travel tumbler is described. The tumbler includes a collapsible container made of flexible material. The collapsible container is inserted through a rigid collar, on the top edge of which the collapsible cup sits. A lid with a sealable drinking hole is screwed onto the collar, providing a complete and secure closure of the collapsible tumbler. When not in use the collapsible container can be collapsed into the housing created by the combination of the collar and the lid for easy storage and transport. |
| US09119503B2 |
Beverage brewing unit
The invention relates to a beverage machine that includes a brewing unit which can be opened for introducing or removing an ingredient capsule and closed for brewing a beverage from the ingredient capsule; a passage having an opening and which is arranged for guiding the ingredient capsule from the passage opening into the brewing unit; and a closing part for closing the passage opening when the brewing unit is closed. The closing part is relatively movable over the passage opening with a generally parallel relative movement thereto from an open relative position in which the ingredient capsule can be passed into the brewing unit via the passage to a closed relative position, in which the passage opening is closed by the closure member. The closing part optionally extends over edges of the passage opening. |
| US09119501B2 |
Electric heating cooker with weighing function and weighing control method thereof
An electric heating cooker with weighing function and a weighing control method thereof are provided. An electronic scale (5) with weighing function is added under the traditional electric heating cooker and stores cooking experience database and food information database. It solves the problem that users aren't accurate about the amount of water to add for a given weight of ingredient. And experience curve of heating power are designed at different weight points for food such as rice or meat, and also it makes the cooker to intelligently adjust parameters according to the taste feedback of the user so as to be more closer to the user's taste for the cooking next time; additionally it is capable of showing the total and average content of heat quantity, cholesterol, protein, fat, salt and cook oil of various foods in current cooking or if there are unmatched foods. |
| US09119500B2 |
Griddle plate for a gas grill
This invention is related to a griddle plate for a gas grill and especially to a griddle plate which controls the heat from the gas grill flames with a grate on the bottom side thereof which grate forms a cooking container support for baking goods on the gas grill when the griddle plate is turned bottom side up. The grate on the bottom side of the griddle plate also allows for heating only a portion of the griddle plate cooking surface by controlling the burners in the gas grill. |
| US09119499B2 |
Universal ramen cooking container
The invention provides a container for cooking ramen style block noodles, the container comprising a main body having a generally rectangular base, two generally parallel and spaced side walls connected to the base and two generally parallel and spaced end walls connected to the base and to the side walls, the tops of the side walls and the end walls forming an upper rim. The container is dimensioned so that between about 7 and about 9 ounces of water will fill a container holding a typical 3 ounce mass of ramen style block noodle to a level equal to the top of the noodle mass. |
| US09119498B2 |
Culinary extruding and mincing tool
A culinary tool is provided including a handle and a housing that pivot relative to one another during a forward stroke of the handle to incrementally move, and optionally ratchet, a ram within the housing toward a cutting grid, thereby extruding food through the cutting grid. A cutting blade, joined with the handle distal from the pivot, travels along a blade path near the cutting grid to mince the extruded food. The blade can be joined with the handle at a cantilevered connection, and can be flexible so that as it moves along the blade path, a portion of the blade flexes to allow the blade to cut the extruded food material without binding as the blade moves across the cutting grid. The blade can include one or more sledded feet that project outwardly from the blade and that guide the blade near the cutting grid in a non-binding manner. |
| US09119495B2 |
Powered tree construction
A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. In some embodiments, the prongs and voids are designed so that the prongs of one power distribution subsystem can engage the voids of another power distribution subsystem without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. |
| US09119492B2 |
Perimeter track lazy Susan
A track system comprises a plurality of track components. Each of the plurality of track components has a substantially coplanar and substantially continuous pair of tracks extending about an upper surface of a platform. At least one carrier has a plurality of rolling surfaces having a first and a second rolling surface coupled by a body to engage the continuous pair of tracks. A loading portion may be removeably coupled to the platform for loading carriers to the track. |
| US09119490B1 |
Clip on shot glasses and clip on pockets
Attachable and detachable shot glass and pocket type accessories having a clip on one side for allowing the shot glass type accessories to securely clip onto exterior edges of larger beverage containers, such as glasses, plastic container, paper and cardboard cups, while keeping top of the shot glass and the liquid contents in the shot glass level with the top of and the liquid contents in the larger beverage container, such as beverage glasses, coffee and tea and beverage cups, on insulation sleeves on cups, and the like. The shot glass can hold extra liquids, such as alcohol and non-alcohol therein, as well as hold sweeteners, creams, and the like. The shot glass is attachable to containers of other edible substances, such as desserts to hold toppings in the shot glasses. Shot glasses can be used to hold paints clipped on a container holding painting supplies, such as brushes. |
| US09119476B2 |
System for receiving a user
A system for removing moisture from a user's skin includes a casing having a first portion made of a material including hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers configured to convey a liquid and/or vapor from outside to inside. The first portion configured to contact, or be near, a user's body part. The casing includes a second portion not configured to contact the body part, and at a third portion joining the first and second portions. The second and/or third portions are made of material configured to convey a liquid and/or vapor from inside to outside the casing. Padding, enclosed between the first and second portions, has a porous structure enabling the inside to be ventilated by vapor exiting the casing by contraction of a volume of the padding causing air to enter the casing by expansion in the volume of the padding. The porous structure has a resiliently compressible variable volume. |
| US09119473B2 |
Seat with adjustable back profile
A seat comprising a back support portion (100) with adjustable surface profile, comprising an adjustable core column (101) arranged along the height direction of the back support portion (100) and comprising a plurality of holders (110, 210, 211, 310, 410) and a plurality of side members (120, 220, 221, 320, 420) fixed to the holders (110, 210, 211, 310, 410) and extending substantially in the width direction of the back support portion (100) such as to profile the surface of the back support portion (100). It further comprises profile locking means (130) coupled with a plurality of holders (110, 210, 211, 310, 410) and adjustable to an unlocked configuration, in which the holders (110, 210, 211, 310, 410) are individually rotatable around a plurality of axes and the profile of the surface of the back support portion (100) is adjustable and to a locked configuration, in which the holders (110, 210, 211, 310, 410) are fixed still with respect to each other and the profile of the surface of the back support portion (100) is locked. |
| US09119467B2 |
Ironing board storage device assembly and method
The present invention is an ironing board storage device that removeably attaches to a wall and rests on a support surface. The device includes an ironing board moveably mounted to a frame assembly within a housing for vertical movement between different elevations and pivotal movement of the ironing board between a generally vertical storage position with a distal end positioned beneath the proximal end to and generally horizontal operating position. |
| US09119463B2 |
Pool cleaner with detachable scrubber assembly
Embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner for use in a swimming pool or spa including a front wheel assembly and a scrubber assembly. The scrubber assembly is engagable with inner gear teeth of the front wheel assembly so that rotation of the front wheel assembly causes rotation of the scrubber assembly. The scrubber assembly includes at least one pinion gear and at least one end bracket rotatable about the at least one pinion gear to substantially lift the scrubber assembly over objects in the swimming pool or spa. |
| US09119454B2 |
Pressed cosmetic powder cake devices and methods
A cosmetic product including a pressed cosmetic powder cake is provided. The pressed cosmetic powder cake includes depression formed therein for receiving a liquid to facilitate use of the cosmetic product. The pan defines a recess therein for holding the powder cake. The cosmetic case includes a base portion for receiving the pan and a lid that may be coupled to one another by a hinge. |
| US09119449B2 |
Biological information measurement device and protective cover
The cover body is an elastic member integrally formed of the upper side, the lower side, and the lateral side. The upper side preferably includes a display viewable window at a first end, and the lateral side preferably includes a sensor insertion opening at a second end opposite the first end with the display being viewable window on the upper side. The sensor insertion opening preferably includes a tubular protuberance configured to cover an outer circumference of the sensor insertion opening and protrudes outwardly from the sensor insertion opening. |
| US09119440B2 |
Insole for a footwear article
The invention relates to an insole, and to an article of footwear provided with such an insole, with application to the design of shoes wherein an improvement in comfort is sought.The insole includes a principal portion 1 designed to accommodate the pressure of a user's foot, comprising at least one deformable cavity 2, 5 filled with a compressible, fluid-permeable material 3, 6 and provided on the one hand with at least one inlet E1, E2 for fluid intake and on the other hand with at least one outlet S1, S2, S3 for exhausting the fluid. Further, the thickness of the principal portion, in the non-deformed state of the cavity, is substantially constant, with the possible exception of the perimeter of the cavity and/or the possible exception of the inlets and/or outlets. |
| US09119439B2 |
Fluid-filled structure
A fluid-filled chamber may include a pair of polymer layers that define a plurality of subchambers and a web area. The subchambers are protruding portions of the polymer layers that enclose a fluid, and the web area is portions of the polymer layers that are located between the subchambers and lay adjacent to each other. The subchambers may have greater thickness than the web area. A perimeter bond joining the polymer layers and extends around a periphery of the chamber. In addition, a plurality of interior bonds join the polymer layers and extending around the subchambers, which may seal the fluid within the subchambers. |
| US09119438B2 |
Sole member for an article of footwear
A sole member for an article of footwear includes a composite sole structure and a reinforcing member. The sole structure may comprise two layers of woven composite material. The two layers have substantially similar woven patterns. The sole structure includes bulging portions with centrally recessed portions. The reinforcing member fits into channels associated with the bulging portions. |
| US09119437B2 |
Reconfigurable shoe
A shoe having a hinge member incorporated between a footbed toe plate and footbed arch plate allowing the shoe to be configured as a flat or heeled shoe. The footbed toe plate and footbed arch plate are rotatably joined via one or more hinge pins inserted through interlaced teeth of each plate. A spring-biased hinge lock extending between the plates is controlled by a spring-biased pin having a notch for selectively receiving the hinge lock such that the hinge lock disengages the footbed arch plate allowing the footbed arch plate to rotate relative to the footbed toe plate. The heel block includes a spring-biased heel lock extending into a removable heel and is controlled by a spring-biased pin having a notch for selectively receiving the hinge lock such that the hinge lock disengages the heel allowing the heel to be removed from the heel block. |
| US09119435B2 |
Hybrid skate boot
A method of making a skate boot upper, including integrally molding a boot portion from a first material, the boot portion including at least an instep portion and at least part of a tendon guard, manufacturing two quarters of a second material more rigid than the first material, and assembling the upper by attaching edges of the quarters to the boot portion with the quarter overlapping the boot portion only along said edges. Also, a method of making a skate boot upper, including manufacturing a boot portion from a first material, the boot portion including at least an instep portion and at least part of a tendon guard, manufacturing two quarters of a second material more rigid than the first material, and assembling the upper by attaching edges of the quarters to the boot portion through stitching, adhesive or lamination. |
| US09119432B2 |
Head cooling aid device
Head cooling aid device comprises a strip of flexible material having a series of laterally spaced air flow passageways extending completely through the width of the strip for allowing air to flow through the passageways. At the approximate center of the length of the device is an inwardly facing recess or cavity that substantially spans the space between the wearer's eyes to avoid the pinching-off of blood flow to the wearer's head in this region caused by tight cap headbands resulting in poor blood circulation in this region that may cause over-heating of the head and/or excess sweating. The device can either be attached to an inner surface of a front portion of a cap headband or be made an integral part of the front portion of the cap headband to promote air flow into the cap through the passageways and out through top vents in the cap when worn to contribute to cooling of the top of the wearer's head. |
| US09119426B1 |
Removable elastic piece for a maternity garment
A removable elastic piece is placed in the waistband of a garment to allow the garment to be worn throughout pregnancy. An elastic band covers the expanding belly of the wearer and holds the garment up. The elastic band can be removed from the garment in early pregnancy or postpartum when it is not needed. |
| US09119420B2 |
Filter element comprising multifunctional fibrous smoke-altering material
A filter element for use in a smoking article and providing filtration of particulate material and gaseous components of mainstream smoke is provided. The filter element includes a segment of fibrous tow comprising a plurality of individual filaments, wherein each individual filament includes a plurality of adsorbent material particles at least partially encapsulated with a removable encapsulant imbedded therein. The individual filaments may further include an outer coating that provides a plurality of reactive groups adapted for reaction with one or more components of mainstream smoke. Alternatively, the multifunctional filter element combines different fibrous filter materials, such as cellulose acetate or polyolefin filaments combined with activated carbon filaments and at least one of ion exchange filaments and catalytic filaments. A method of providing a cellulose acetate fibrous tow containing an imbedded adsorbent material is provided, wherein a plurality of encapsulated adsorbent particles are mixed with a cellulose acetate dope. |
| US09119416B2 |
Muscle fatigue remedy
A muscle fatigue remedy that for persons with the symptoms of muscle pain attributed to strenuous exercise, lassitude in the arms and legs attributed to acute exercise, lower back pain and stiffness in the shoulder attributed to taking of a certain posture over a prolonged period of time, etc., relieves the symptoms and allows them to have a fulfilling life. There is provided a muscle fatigue remedy containing alanylglutamine or its salt as an active ingredient. |
| US09119406B2 |
Texture-improving agent for a starch processed food
Provided is a texture-improving agent for a starch processed food, which exhibits an effect of improving texture by being added to a starch processed food. By using a physical property-improving agent containing, as an active ingredient, a separated soybean protein composition obtained by drying in the form of an acid precipitate, a starch processed food having improved physical properties can be obtained. More specifically, the agent has an effect of improving physical properties and texture, for example, enhancing physical strength such as chewiness and elasticity, improving crispness and stickiness, and so on, and also has an effect of maintaining the improved properties and texture. |
| US09119402B2 |
Cooking apparatus having a vapor condensation device
A cooking apparatus has a cooking chamber (10). The vapors created in the cooking chamber (10) are removed with a vapor outlet channel (31). A vapor condensation device (40) brings the vapors into contact with cooling liquid. The vapor condensation device (40) has a container (41), in which a liquid bath (42) is located. The vapor outlet channel (31) carries the vapors out of the cooking chamber (10) into the container (41) of the vapor condensation device (40). There, the vapors are brought into contact with the liquid from the liquid bath (42) and thereby partially condensed. Furthermore, a device drain (36) is provided. The container (41) of the vapor condensation device (40) has a vapor guide element (43). Said element guides the vapors through one or more channels in the container (41). The vapor guide element (43) is configured such that one wall of the wall surfaces of the channel or channels is formed by the surface of the liquid bath (42) in the container (41). |
| US09119401B2 |
Plant glutamine synthetase inhibitors and methods for their identification
Provided are methods for identification of plant glutamine synthetase inhibitors as well as the plant synthetase inhibitors identified. Further provided are methods of modulating glutamine synthetase activity in a plant, particularly weeds by applying to the plant or substrate for cultivating the plant a microorganism (e.g. Burkholderia strain) in an amount effective to modulate glutamine synthetase activity. |
| US09119400B2 |
Method of controlling weeds
A method of controlling weeds in a soybean or cotton field, which comprises the step of applying one or more 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitory active compounds and flumioxazin in an effective amount to weeds in a soybean or cotton field, or a place where weeds would grow, said 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitory active compounds being selected from the group consisting of isoxaflutole, mesotrione, sulcotrione, topramezone, pyrasulfotole, tembotrione and bicyclopyrone. |
| US09119399B2 |
Combinations of pyrimethanil and monoterpenes
The present invention relates to combinations of pyrimethanil, or a salt thereof, and a monoterpene, or a salt thereof, which provide an improved biocidal effect. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of pyrimethanil, or a salt thereof, together with a monoterpene selected from thymol and β-thujaplicin in respective proportions to provide a synergistic biocidal effect. Compositions comprising these combinations are useful for the protection of any living or non-living material, such as crops, plants, fruits, seeds, objects made of wood, thatch or the like, engineering material, biodegradable material and textiles against deterioration due to the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, viruses, and the like. |
| US09119394B2 |
Anti-microbial polymers and their compositions
Polymers derived directly from acrolein monomer that are substantially soluble in water and/or aqueous media, together with methods for preparing same and compositions containing such for use as an anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and/or anti-coagulant. |
| US09119391B1 |
Polymer coated ceria nanoparticles for selective cytoprotection
Methods, systems and compositions are disclosed wherein normal, non-transformed, healthy biological cells are protected from oxidative stress, radiation therapy and chemotherapy while diseased, transformed cells, such as, cancer cells, are provided no protection by the biocompatible, polymer coated nanoceria composition of the present invention. The polymer-coated nanoceria preparation herein exhibits no toxicity to normal cells and exhibits pH-dependent antioxidant properties at neutral or physiological pH values, between approximately 6.5 to approximately 11.0 and is inactive as an antioxidant at acidic pH values between approximately 2.0 to approximately 6.4. Improved therapeutic agents and cytoprotecting devices are based on the newly discovered, pH dependent properties of polymer-coated nanoceria that provide selective cytoprotection. |
| US09119388B2 |
Selectively eradicating plants
A method of selectively eradicating plants includes generating images of multiple plants arranged in a bed using a camera mounted to a mobile chassis moving along the bed, determining respective locations of the multiple plants from the generated images, selecting from among the multiple plants one or more target plants to be eradicated, and eradicating the one or more target plants by accelerating a blade of a rotary cutter to strike the one or more target plants as the mobile chassis moves along the bed, and to decelerate the blade to avoid eradicating unselected plants as the mobile chassis moves along the bed, wherein the rotary cutter is carried by the mobile chassis and rotatable about an axis extending in the direction along which the mobile chassis is moved. |
| US09119387B2 |
Pest control trap
A rodent trap is provided having an entrapment pad formed of a nonwoven material substrate and a quantity of pressure sensitive adhesive of a rodent arresting quantity applied directly or indirectly through the substrate. The quantity of rodent arresting adhesive is sufficient to restrain movement of a rodent that becomes trapped in the entrapment pad. |
| US09119384B2 |
Fishing reel
A fishing reel can include a reel frame and a spool shaft extending through the reel frame and rotatably supported about the reel frame. A crankable handle can be mechanically coupled to the spool shaft such that a rotation of the handle causes a rotation of the spool shaft. A non-rotating pivotable bail can be coupled to the reel frame. A spool can be mechanically coupled to the spool shaft and configured to rotate with the rotation of the spool shaft relative to the bail. |
| US09119377B2 |
Pet toy containing a treat compartment
A hollow pet toy containing an interior compartment is described. The toy's interior compartment is accessed through an opening in the exterior fabric of the toy. The purpose of the interior compartment is to hide a treat, examples of which may be a smaller toy or a food-treat. The interior compartment may also contain stuffing in the form of fabric strips, flags, or sleeves, which, in some examples of the invention, are fixed at one end to the interior compartment but which may otherwise be removed from the interior compartment by the pet seeking to discover the treat. Some examples of the invention feature an additional “treat compartment” within the fabric strips, flags, sleeves, or other stuffing of the interior compartment. A treat is placed in one or more of these “treat compartments” for the pet to discover and enjoy. |
| US09119373B2 |
Facilities for and method of separating and sorting livestock
Assembly comprising a passageway for livestock, the passageway being delimited by side delimitations, for passage of the livestock from a first space to a second space. The assembly comprises a gate system mounted in the passageway, the gate system comprising at least one self-closing gate leaf which is movable between a closed position and one or more open positions which include a pass position wherein passage to the second space is possible for an animal from the livestock, and wherein the gate leaf is moveable to an open position by pressure exerted by an animal from the livestock for passing through the passageway to the second space. The assembly also comprises a device for determining an ID of an animal from the livestock, and a device for blocking the gate leaf from moving to the pass position, wherein the blocking device can be activated to a blocking position in response to data from the ID determining device. |
| US09119368B2 |
Lettuce variety 41-122 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 41-122 RZ, which may exhibit resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel.), and which may have leaves with a solid main vein, narrow base leaves, and thick, strongly blistered, dark green mature leaves. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 41-122 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-122 RZ. |
| US09119367B2 |
Lettuce variety 79-41 RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-41 RZ, which may exhibit resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel.), currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribis-nigri) and Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV), and which may have light green, moderately glossy, deeply-incised, strongly undulated leaves. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-41 seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-41 RZ. |
| US09119365B2 |
Methods and compositions for Goss' Wilt resistance in corn
The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding. More specifically, the present invention includes a method of using haploid plants for genetic mapping of traits of interest such as disease resistance. Further, the invention includes a method for breeding corn plants containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are associated with resistance to Goss' Wilt, a bacterial disease associated with Clavibacter michiganense spp. |
| US09119361B1 |
Maize hybrid X75D860
A novel maize variety designated X75D860 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X75D860 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X75D860 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X75D860, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X75D860. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X75D860. |
| US09119357B1 |
Soybean variety XBP06007
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP06007 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP06007, cells from soybean variety XBP06007, plants of soybean XBP06007, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP06007. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP06007 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP06007, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP06007, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP06007. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP06007 are further provided. |
| US09119353B1 |
Subsurface irrigation
A subsurface emitter includes a valve both preventing water from draining from the system and blocking the entry of roots and soil into the emitter body. A nozzle is present at one or both ends of a vertical tube. A piston is held in a normally closed position by a spring in the absence of water pressure, covering at least one port in the nozzle. When sufficient water pressure in provided, the spring is compressed and the nozzle uncovers the port providing a subsurface spray of water. The spray of water is sufficient to clear mineral deposits which otherwise may accumulate and block the port. |
| US09119351B1 |
Soil replacement method and system for seed germination and agricultural growing
A multi-layered gravel hydroponic system comprising at least one trench dug into earth, a sheet of fibrous capillary material laid over the trench, sand that fills the trench, a layer of sedimentary-type pea gravel over the sand and capillary material, and a conduit extending into the sand trench to provide fresh water during watering cycles. When combined, the sand and fibrous capillary layers irrigate seeds and roots imbedded in the pea gravel, which provides the growing nutrients. Because the pea gravel is derived from organic material, its natural composition of various minerals provides a nutrient environment to sustain root growth. The resulting structure replaces the need for soil and fertilizers. By watering beneath the pea gravel, nutrients inherent in the pea gravel travel with the water to evenly feed roots throughout the growing region. |
| US09119348B2 |
Tractor-implement control system and method
An implement is coupled to and pulled by a tractor. The tractor includes ground engaging drive wheels driven by an engine, an operator movable speed command device, and a tractor controller having automatic and manual speed control modes. The implement has an implement control unit coupled to the tractor controller. The implement control unit transmits an implement speed request signal to the tractor controller. The tractor controller controls tractor motion in response to operation of the speed command device and the implement speed request signal. A system and method of controlling the tractor/implement combination includes generating an Operator Speed Limit value as a function of the speed command device, comparing the Operator Speed Limit value to the implement speed request signal, and automatically exiting the automatic speed control mode and enabling the manual speed control mode if the Operator Speed Limit remains greater than the implement speed request for the duration of a predetermined time period and if the Operator Speed Limit value has been increased. |
| US09119347B2 |
Method and system for determining the load on an element of the drive system of a plunger in a baler
System and method of determining the load on an element of the drive system of a plunger of an agricultural baler, and to use thereof for controlling such balers. A value representative of an estimate of the load on an element of the drive system of the plunger is determined, based on combining an obtained value representative of the load on the plunger with obtained position information of the drive element relative to the plunger. |
| US09119345B2 |
Power cutting tool with wheel assembly
A power cutting tool includes a housing, a motor accommodated in the housing, a cutting assembly optionally operated in a trimming mode or in an edging mode and being driven by the motor to rotate around a first axis, a handle assembly, an elongated shaft connecting the cutting assembly and the handle assembly, a guard mounted to the cutting assembly, and a wheel assembly including a wheel. The wheel assembly is optionally mounted at least a first mounting position and a second mounting position. The central axis of the wheel is substantially perpendicular to the first axis when the wheel assembly is mounted at the first mounting position and is substantially parallel to the first axis when the wheel assembly is mounted at the second mounting position. |
| US09119340B2 |
Organic soil amendments storage and dispensing system
The present invention provides a fluid storage and dispensing system for an organic soil amendment concentrate or fertilizer, comprises a storage tank, which comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the storage tank is refrigerated, a first flow meter connecting the fluid outlet of the storage tank on one end and a product tank on the other end, a second flow meter connecting to a water supply line on one end, an eductor connecting to the second flow meter on one end and the product tank on the other end, wherein the a concentrate stored in the storage tank is metered in via the first flow meter and mixed in the product tank with water metered via the second flow meter. As one aspect of the invention, the storage tank comprises interconnected holding tanks that are re-circulated. At least one water tank may be included between the water supply and the second flow meter. |
| US09125331B2 |
Method for attaching a flex circuit to a printed circuit board
Methods and systems for bonding a flex circuit to a printed circuit board (PCB) using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) bonding process are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, supports may be attached to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can in such a way that the EMI shielding can is arranged to support and/or spread forces involved in ACF bonding. The supports may be located proximate to the walls of the EMI shielding can, and positioned such that the supports effectively do not come into contact with components mounted on a PCB along with the EMI shielding can. |
| US09125327B1 |
Cooling diversity in data centers
A data center cooling system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of computer racks arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel rows, cooling units associated with the computer racks and arranged in substantially parallel rows to cool air warmed by the cooling racks, and cooling fluid supply and return conduits that are divided by isolation valves into a plurality of cooling sub-loops, wherein adjacent cooling units in a common row are supplied from different sub-loops, and individual sub-loops serve cooling units in multiple rows, so as to provide water-side diversity across the cooling system. |
| US09125326B1 |
Integrated ventilation system for electronic equipment
One embodiment of a method of providing ventilation to electronic equipment comprises receiving exhaust air flow from first electronic equipment positioned next to a ventilation structure; directing the exhaust air flow out of exhaust fan assembly of the ventilation structure; receiving cold air from an intake fan assembly of the ventilation structure; and directing the cold air to an intake vent of second electronic equipment positioned next to the ventilation structure. |
| US09125325B2 |
Container module with cooling system
A container module includes a first container, a second container, a first passage and a second passage, a first fan and a second fan. The first passage and the second passage each are connected between the two containers. The two fans are installed at corresponding two junctions in the corresponding two passages, which can control the drawing and exhausting of the airflow between the two containers. |
| US09125323B2 |
Rack body with airflow blocking mechanism
A rear end of a main body of a rack body with an airflow blocking mechanism is pivotally coupled to a blocking sheet, and the blocking sheet is adjusted to be levelly or erectly disposed conveniently; the position change of the blocking sheet is relied on to control air to flow into a rack body or not to allow the rack body installed with no electronic device in the same computer housing to have an airflow blocking function to avoid decreasing air amount flowing through other rack bodies installed with an electronic device so as to elevate the electronic device cooling efficiency. |
| US09125318B2 |
Handle lockout mechanism for scaling blade-style servers
A system includes a chassis, first and second blade servers, and a scalability device. Each blade server is securable within the chassis and includes a scalability port, cam handle for selectively securing the blade server in the chassis, and handle latch for selectively latching the cam handle in a closed position, and lockout mechanism moveable into a position that blocks the handle latch in a latched position. The scalability device includes first and second scalability connectors, wherein positioning the scalability device so that the first scalability connector is coupled to a scalability port of the first blade server and the second scalability connector is coupled to a scalability port of the second blade server causes each lockout mechanism to move into the position that blocks the handle latches in the latched position. Accordingly, the scalability device must be removed before either of the blade servers can be removed. |
| US09125317B2 |
DIN rail mount bracket
A bracket may be provided. The bracket may comprise a main plate comprising a bend. In addition, the bracket may comprise a slider plate configured to movably slide against the main plate. The slider plate may further comprise an offset that may be substantially parallel with the bend. The bracket may further comprise a charging device configured create a force in a direction from the offset to the bend. |
| US09125314B2 |
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes: an insulating substrate, and a patterned conductive layer having a signal line and fixed on the insulating substrate, where signal lines on different planes of the patterned conductive layer are electrically connected to a via hole through a pad. An inner wall of the via hole is formed of a conductive bar and an insulating bar that penetrate the via hole; the pad is at an edge of the via hole and is connected to the conductive bar; the pad has an unclosed structure. In the printed circuit board according to the present invention, the size of the pad is significantly reduced by arranging the pad at partial edge of the via hole, thereby effectively improving a layout density of the patterned conductive layer, hence reducing the size of the printed circuit board, and satisfying the market demand for smaller electronic products. |
| US09125313B2 |
Solder and lead free electronic circuit and method of manufacturing same
An electronic circuit contains a circuit board with conducting tracks to which one or more electronic components with conducting contacts are positioned overlying portions of the conducting tracks and each such electronic component is held in place by a clamp that is in contact with the top surface of the electronic components so as to hold their conducting contacts in electrical contact with the conducting tracks of the circuit board. The clamp can include a resilient layer held between the top surface of electronic components and a rigid clamping sheet. |
| US09125306B2 |
Flexible printed circuit board and combination thereof
A flexible printed circuit board for connecting external modules, includes a high-frequency signal wiring board and a low-frequency signal wiring board. Side edges of the high-frequency signal wiring board and the low-frequency signal wiring board are connected to each other. The low-frequency signal wiring board is folded toward the high-frequency signal wiring board to form a stacked double-layer board structure. Each of two ends of the high-frequency signal wiring board extends to form a connecting board for connecting the external module. A flexible printed circuit board combination includes two flexible printed circuit boards. |
| US09125303B2 |
Power supply input routing
One embodiment of a power supply input routing apparatus can include a multilayer printed circuit board configured to accept only an alternating current (AC) line voltage, return and ground signals. The AC power jumper board can advantageously route AC power from one section of the power supply to another without burdening the power supply design with extra layer requirements or negatively increasing power supply area. Embodiments including an electronic device having a power supply as above are also disclosed. |
| US09125299B2 |
Cooling for electronic components
Examples of electronic components and printed circuit board assemblies which may be configured for directional heat transport are described herein. A circuit board assembly according to the examples herein may include a plurality of stacked planar layers, including a signal layer with a plurality of signal traces, a ground layer separated from the signal layer using an insulating layer, and a plurality of heat sink traces extending from the ground layer through at least a portion of the thickness of the insulating layer, each of the plurality of heat sink traces being electrically insulated from the signal traces and coupled to ground. The circuit board assembly may further include one or more electronic components electrically coupled to the signal layer using one or more of the signal traces, with the heat sink traces arranged around the one or more electronic components such that heat is selectively directed from one location of the board (e.g. a heat source, or hotter one of a plurality of components) to another location of the board (e.g. a perimeter of the board, or off the board). |
| US09125298B2 |
Fused glass device housings
An electronic device may have a glass housing structures. The glass housing structures may be used to cover a display and other internal electronic device components. The glass housing structure may have multiple glass pieces that are joined using a glass fusing process. A peripheral glass member may be fused along the edge of a planar glass member to enhance the thickness of the edge. A rounded edge feature may be formed by machining the thickened edge. Raised fused glass features may surround openings in the planar glass member. Multiple planar glass members may be fused together to form a five-sided box in which electronic components may be mounted. Raised support structure ribs may be formed by fusing glass structures to a planar glass member. Opaque masking material and colored glass may be used to create portions of the glass housing structures that hide internal device components from view. |
| US09125297B2 |
Protective enclosure for an electronic device
A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a structural layer having a plurality of openings. The structural layer can provide rigidity to the protective enclosure. The protective enclosure can include a flexible cushion layer disposed over an outer surface of the structural layer. The flexible cushion layer can provide cushioning to the protective enclosure and can include a plurality of protrusions extending through the plurality of openings in the structural layer inward toward an interior of the protective enclosure. The plurality of protrusions can be configured to make contact with an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. |
| US09125292B2 |
Panorama display device, method of manufacturing the panorama display device, and display device
A panorama display device includes a first display panel flexibly hinged to provide a hinged part and a non-hinged part of the first display panel, a first polarization unit on the first display panel, the first polarization unit including a separated part separated from a remaining part of the first polarization unit, a second display panel flexibly hinged to provide a hinged part and a non-hinged part of the second display panel, and a second polarization unit on the second display panel, the second polarization unit including a separated part separated from a remaining part of the second polarization unit. The hinged part of the first display panel is hinged with the separated part of the first polarization unit. The hinged part of the second display panel is hinged with the separated part of the second polarization unit. The first and second display panels are connected to each other. |
| US09125291B2 |
Cover for electronic equipment comprising contacting device
Cover for an electronic equipment, which cover includes a first and a second metal panel element, wherein respective first and second metal surface of the panel element are mechanically joined together with electrical contact using a connector including a contacting device. The contacting device includes a) an elongated, wave-shaped metal compression spring part with a direction of elongation and a direction of motion, where the spring part is compressed between the two respective metal surfaces against the spring force; b) a hook part on the spring part, gripping around an edge of the first panel element; and c) at least one projection, on a surface facing towards the first metal surface when the hook part grips around the edge, which projection is arranged to display different sliding friction against the first metal surface depending on in which direction the spring part is caused to slide against the first metal surface. |
| US09125290B2 |
Flexible circuit electrode array
Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced. With a thermoplastic polymer it may be further advantageous to repeatedly heat the flexible circuit in multiple molds, each with a decreasing radius. Further, it is advantageous to add material along the edges. It is further advantageous to provide a fold or twist in the flexible circuit array. Additional material may be added inside and outside the fold to promote a good seal with tissue. |
| US09125284B2 |
Automatically balanced micro-pulsed ionizing blower
In one embodiment of the invention, a method of automatically balancing ionized air stream created in bipolar corona discharge is provided. The method comprises: providing an air moving device with at least one ion emitter and reference electrode connected to a micro-pulsed AC power source, and a control system with at least one ion balance monitor and corona discharge adjustment control; generating variable polarity groups of short duration ionizing micro-pulses: wherein said micro-pulses are predominantly asymmetric in amplitude and duration of both polarity voltages and have a magnitude of at least one polarity ionizing pulses exceed the corona threshold. |
| US09125283B2 |
Light source apparatus
A light source apparatus is adapted to be shared by excimer lamps. An IC tag is disposed at each lamp, and the IC tag stores information identifying the lamp. A storage unit of the light source apparatus stores information identifying a usable lamp (or usable lamps) for the light source apparatus, an emission wavelength of the lamp, and a sensitivity correction value of an optical sensor that corresponds to the emission wavelength. When the light source apparatus is driven to cause the lamp to light, the information stored in the IC tag and information stored in the storage unit are collated and it is determined whether the lamp is usable and the emission wavelength of the lamp is a preset emission wavelength. If it is determined that the lamp is usable and the emission wavelength is appropriate, the sensitivity of the optical sensor is corrected with the correction value. |
| US09125282B2 |
Method for actuating a discharge lamp and circuit arrangement for operating such a lamp
A method for actuating a discharge lamp (LP), wherein in order to ignite the lamp a resonant circuit (L, C1) is brought into resonance or near resonance by the action of alternating current and as a result adjustment to give a predetermined amperage is performed by varying the frequency of the alternating current. For this purpose a measuring device transmits measured values of the amperage to means for controlling the frequency, and these means establish the frequency in dependence on the measured values. Before the ignition voltage is applied the electrodes of the lamp are pre-heated by the action on the resonant circuit of alternating current of a different frequency than when the lamp is ignited. During pre-heating a predetermined amperage is set by adjustment in that the means for controlling the frequency are already activated and the procedure is such that the measuring device obtains measured values of the amperage and transmits them to the means for controlling, these measurement values corresponding to an amperage which deviates in a predetermined manner from the amperage specified by measured values during ignition. |
| US09125275B2 |
Wavelength sensing lighting system and associated methods
A lighting system includes a light source included in an array of light sources to emit illuminating light, a sensor Included in the array to sense environmental light from an environment, and a controller operatively connected to the sensor and the light source to analyze the environmental light sensed by the sensor to at least one of detect and generate data relating to a condition of the environment. The data is transmittable in a data light defined by a data wavelength defined relative to the illuminating light. The controller receives the data included in the data light using the sensor and analyzes the data included in the data light and to control the transmission of the data light from the light source. The plurality of light sources emit the illuminating light in a plurality of directions. The sensor receives the environmental light from a plurality of directions. |
| US09125273B2 |
Load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes
A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip does not change in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip maintains unchanged. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current. |
| US09125270B2 |
LED dimming device and LED dimming and driving circuit
A LED dimming device, and a LED dimming and a driving circuit using such LED dimming device are discussed. In present embodiment, the LED dimming device multiplexes an inputting switch and/or a sampling module of the LED driving circuit for dimming. such LED dimming device will not affect the sine waves of input current, in such a way, power factor and work efficiency will be increased while the harmonic coefficient and interference signal will be reduced. |
| US09125262B2 |
Circuit configuration for operating LEDs for a micromirror arrangement
A circuit configuration for operating at least one LED, comprising: an input with a first input terminal (E1) and a second input terminal (E2) for coupling to a DC voltage supply (UG); an output having a first output terminal (A1) and a second output terminal (A2) for providing an output current (IA) to the at least one LED; a micromirror arrangement (12) comprising a plurality of micromirrors; a first control device (16) configured for providing, at the output thereof, a first control signal (Sa) for the micromirror arrangement (12), the first control signal (Sa) being synchronized to a first clock frequency (fc11); a switching regulator (10), the input thereof being coupled to the first input terminal (E1) and the second input terminal (E2), and the output thereof being coupled to the first output terminal (A1) and the second output terminal (A2), the switching regulator (10) comprising a switch (S1); and a second control device (18) configured for providing, at the output thereof, a second control signal (Sb) for the switch (S1) of the switching regulator (10); wherein the second control signal (Sb) is synchronized to a second clock frequency (fc12), wherein the equation fc12=n*fc11 applies, where nε. |
| US09125255B2 |
Networked architecture for system of lighting devices having sensors, for intelligent applications
Intelligent lighting devices, with sensors, programmed processors and communication capabilities and networked with a hierarchy of computers, to form a system to monitor one or more conditions external to the lighting devices not directly related to operational performance of the respective lighting devices, for a variety of applications separate and in addition to the lighting related functions of the networked devices. |
| US09125249B2 |
Pixel circuit and method for driving thereof, and organic light emitting display device using the same
Disclosed is a pixel circuit which facilitates to compensate a threshold voltage of a driving transistor for controlling an operation state of a light emitting device, and a method for driving thereof and an organic light emitting display device using the same, wherein the pixel circuit includes a light emitting device including an organic light emitting cell; a driving transistor which controls an operation of the light emitting device according to a voltage applied between gate and source terminals; a capacitor including first and second terminals; a switching unit which initializes the capacitor during a current horizontal period, stores a sampling voltage in the capacitor, and makes the light emitting device emit light on the basis of the sampling voltage stored in the capacitor whenever the data voltage and reference voltage are supplied to the data line after the current horizontal period. |
| US09125244B2 |
Induction cooktop cooling kit
An induction cooktop appliance includes a housing having an air intake opening and an air exhaust opening, the air intake opening and the air exhaust opening defining an air cooling circulation path, an induction cooktop disposed on top of the housing, electronics for the induction cooktop disposed within the housing, and a vent tube having a first end and a second end, the vent tube being disposed in the cooling air circulation path and configured to segregate air entering the air intake opening from air exiting the air exhaust opening. |
| US09125241B2 |
Heater and method for manufacturing the same
A heater (A1) includes a substrate (1), a heating resistor (2) formed on the substrate (1) and an electrode (3) electrically connected to the heating resistor (2) and containing a metal component. The heater (A1) further includes a diffusion prevention layer (4) which is held in contact with at least part of the electrode (3) and prevents the metal component from diffusing from the electrode (3). By preventing the diffusion of the metal component from the electrode (3) to the heating resistor (2), the separation of the heating resistor (2) and the electrode (3) is prevented. |
| US09125240B2 |
Method for simultaneously receiving LTE and 1X in SRLTE device
Methods, apparatuses and computer readable media are described that configure wireless circuitry of a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device establishes a connection to a first wireless network using first and second receiving signaling chains. In response to detecting a radio frequency tune-away event, the wireless communication device reconfigures only one of the radio frequency signaling chains to receive signals from a second wireless network when a set of receive signal conditions for the second wireless network is satisfied. The wireless communication device reconfigures both of the radio frequency signaling chains to the second wireless network when the set of receive signal conditions is not satisfied. |
| US09125232B2 |
Base station, communication system, and wireless resource allocation method
A base station provided with an interference judging unit judging if an amount of interference which occurs between the base station and a peripheral cell in wireless resources, allocated to a mobile station, is in an allowable range, a registering unit receiving a reception operation for registering a mobile station in a storage device which the base station can access, and a resource control unit allocating wireless resources to only mobile stations which are registered at the registering unit and changing the wireless resources to be allocated to the registered mobile station, when the amount of the interference is not in the allowable range. |
| US09125230B2 |
Electronic device and method for switching dual subscriber identity modules
Method of switching dual subscriber identity modules (SIMs) of an electronic device includes predetermining a number of sequences. Each of the sequences represents a combination of a number NUM1 of a first state value, and a number NUM2 of a second state value. The first state value represents that the SIM is available, and the second state value represents that the SIM is unavailable. When a connected base station transfers a phone call to the SIM of the electronic device and the connected base station is not the default base station, a probability of missing the phone call of the SIM with each of the sequences is calculated. Based on the calculated probabilities, an optimized sequence is determined. The optimized sequence has a minimum probability and corresponds to a maximum ratio of NUM2 to NUM1. According to the optimized sequence, a standby time of the electronic device is divided. |
| US09125226B2 |
Wireless communication system, neighbor cell list optimization system, base station, and neighbor cell list update method
The present invention is applicable to a wireless communication system provided with mobile terminals and base stations that manage cells to which the mobile terminals are connected. The wireless communication system of the present invention has a new cell detection unit that detects, from among neighbor cells which are adjacent to the cells to which the mobile terminals are connected, new cells that have newly started or whose operation has resumed or whose geographical range has changed, and a neighbor cell list generation unit which preferentially registers new cells that have been detected by the new cell detection unit in neighbor cell lists in which are registered neighbor cells that are candidates for handover destinations of the mobile terminals. |
| US09125225B2 |
Method and system for proactive and dynamic cross-layer optimization of data transmission to vehicles
A method of controlling electronic data transmission between a mobile communication device located in a movable or moving vehicle and a mobile communication network includes obtaining at least one of location data and movement data relating to the current position of the vehicle. At least one of location data and movement data relating to a predicted position of the vehicle is calculated based on the at least one of location data and movement data relating to the current position of the vehicle. A current capacity situation of the mobile communication network is determined and a future capacity situation of the mobile communication network is predicted. Network and service parameters associated with a mobile communication system are dynamically adapted based on the current position and the predicted position of the vehicle and on the current capacity situation and the predicted future capacity situation of the mobile communication network. |
| US09125216B1 |
Method and apparatus for avoiding interference among multiple radios
The present disclosure describes techniques for avoiding interference among multiple radios. In some aspects a communication channel of a first wireless interface of a device is determined to be adjacent to a frequency band in which a second wireless interface of the device is configured to communicate and channel measurement results are altered prior to transmission by the first wireless interface to a base station, effective to prevent the base station from selecting, for use by the first wireless interface, the channel adjacent to the frequency band of the second wireless interface. |
| US09125213B2 |
Method and apparatus for verifying release of LIPA PDN connection in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for verifying a release of a local IP access (LIPA) packet data network (PDN) connection in a wireless communication system is provided. A mobility management entity (MME) receives a handover preparation message from a source home eNodeB (HeNB), verifying whether the LIPA PDN connection has been released or not on receiving the handover preparation message. If the LIPA PDN connection has been released already, the MME performs a normal handover procedure. If the LIPA PDN connection has not been released, the MME transmits a handover preparation failure message to the source HeNB. |
| US09125212B2 |
Apparatus and method for switching a wireless communication scheme
In a wireless communication system, a mobile station performs communication by means of first and second wireless communication schemes, and a base station communicates with the mobile station. The base station estimates communication loads of the first and second wireless communication schemes on the basis of a number of times communication is performed by an automatic call from the mobile station and a maximum number of times communication is able to be performed by the automatic call. The base station notifies the mobile station of one of the first and second wireless communication schemes having the low communication load estimated, and the mobile station uses the one of the first and second wireless communication schemes notified by the base station in a standby state caused by the automatic call. |
| US09125211B2 |
System and methods for traffic volume reporting during radio access network connection setup
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for traffic volume reporting during radio access network (RAN) connection setup. In one aspect, the RAN broadcasts an indicator that it accepts traffic volume measurements (TVM) from access terminals (ATs) and an associated TVM threshold. An AT measures its traffic volume before requesting a connection with the RAN. If the traffic volume is above the threshold, AT transmits to the RAN a connection request containing a TVM indicator that the measured traffic volume from the AT is above the threshold. If the traffic volume is below the threshold, AT transmits to the RAN a connection request containing a TVM indicator that the traffic volume is below the threshold. |
| US09125209B2 |
Method to report CQI in connected-mode DRX and reduce UE wake up time for 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) systems
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus determines whether a channel quality indicator (CQI) is to be reported during any one of x subframes immediately after a start of a next on-duration, an on-duration being a duration over which a downlink control channel is monitored every discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, and x being a number of subframes used to generate a CQI report, schedules a wake-up time for reporting the CQI when the CQI is to be reported during any one of the x subframes immediately after the start of the next on-duration, and reports the CQI based on a reference subframe. The CQI may be based on a last subframe of a previous DRX cycle active time, and reported at a first subframe of the next on-duration. |
| US09125208B2 |
Method and apparatus of transition to a battery efficient state or configuration by indicating end of data transmission in long term evolution
A method is provided for sending a Fast Dormancy (FD) indication from a User Equipment (UE) to an access device through a Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The method includes receiving an indication from an upper layer that there is no more data for a prolonged period of time and generating and sending a MAC control element to the access device. |
| US09125207B2 |
Method and device for controlling channel transmission
The present invention discloses a method and device for controlling channel transmission. The control method includes: an MAC module receiving a resource configuration message; the MAC module parsing influence information from the resource configuration message, wherein the influence information indicates a radio bearer (RB) resource influenced by resource configuration; and during the resource configuration, the MAC module only pausing the data transmission borne by the RB resource influenced by the resource configuration. By way of the present invention, the RB resource not influenced by the resource configuration during the resource configuration can still carry out normal data transmission, avoiding the waste of RB resources not influenced by the resource configuration during the resource configuration. |
| US09125205B2 |
Method, system and device for determining bandwidth of uplink sounding reference signal
The present invention discloses a method, system and device for determining a bandwidth of an uplink sounding reference signal SRS. The method for determining the bandwidth of the uplink SRS comprises the following steps: determining whether SRS is transmitted with the uplink pilot time slot if the SRS is transmitted with the largest bandwidth level; transmitting SRS with the non-extensive SRS bandwidth if SRS is determined to be transmitted with the uplink pilot time slot and the UE reaches the power limit. In the present invention, the signal-to-noise ratio detected on the bandwidth with which SRS transmitted can be maintained, and the accurate detection of the channel information is thereby realized. |
| US09125204B2 |
Mobile communication system and method for providing common channel coverage using beamforming antennas
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) includes circuitry configured to receive information from a base station indicating an assignment of periodic time slots to transmit sounding signals and circuitry configured to transmit sounding signals to the base station in the assigned periodic time slots in response to the received information, wherein a timing of transmission of the sounding signals in response to the received information differs between a time division duplex mode and a frequency division duplex mode, and wherein the transmitted sounding signals are distinguishable from sounding signals from other WTRUs. |
| US09125202B2 |
Multi-beam cellular communication system
A cellular communication system comprising a plurality of geographically spaced base stations (2) each of which comprises an antenna arrangement (4, 6, 8) per base station sector, each of which antenna arrangements has an antenna element for generating an array of narrow beams (10, 12, 14) covering the sector. Timeslots are simultaneously transmitted over each of the beams so as to generate successive sets of simultaneously transmitted timeslots per sector. The timeslots are each split into multiple orthogonal codes, for example Walsh codes. The communication system additionally comprising a scheduling device (31) for allocating for successive sets of timeslots common overhead channels, including a common pilot channel, which are allocated to the same sub-set of codes of each timeslot in the set. For successive sets of timeslots different data traffic is allocated to the same sub-set of codes of each timeslot in the set. This effectively generates a sector wide antenna beam carrying the common overhead channels and a plurality of narrow beams each of which carry different data traffic. Inter-beam interference is addressed by the application of Adaptive Modulation and Coding and by an inter-beam handoff scheme. The handoff scheme ensures that when an end user equipment is located in a cusp region between adjacent beams the antenna arrangement simultaneously transmits data traffic to that mobile station on at least both of the adjacent beams. |
| US09125195B2 |
Method and terminal of transmitting an uplink signal with fewer transmission resource blocks to prevent a lowering in reference sensitivity in intra-band non-contiguous uplink carrier aggregation
A method for transmitting an uplink signal by a user terminal includes: transmitting the uplink signal to a base station on a primary component carrier using allocated resource blocks (RBs), if a carrier aggregation (CA) is configured, if the configured CA corresponds to an intra-band CA, and if the configured CA corresponds to non-contiguous CA, wherein if a channel bandwidth by an aggregation of the primary component carrier and a secondary component carrier is at least one of 25 RBs, 50 RBs, 75 RBs and 100 RBs and if a gap between two sub-blocks corresponds to a predetermined range, the allocated resource blocks (RBs) in the primary component carrier is limited to 10 RBs to meet a requirement for a reference sensitivity on a downlink of the secondary component carrier. |
| US09125194B2 |
Radio communication system, base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, and radio communication method
A radio communication system includes a plurality of mobile station apparatuses and a base statement apparatus. Each of the mobile station apparatuses selects the lowest number and the second lowest number of control channel elements (CCEs) in which downlink allocation information is detected, and obtains two combinations, to be applied to transmission antennas, of a physical resource block (PRB), a cyclic shift amount, and an orthogonal code sequence in the time domain, on the basis of values by adding the numbers of CCEs to an offset value broadcast by the base station apparatus. Each of the mobile station apparatuses spreads pilot signals using spread codes based on the two combinations, arranges the spread pilot signals in PRBs corresponding to the signals, and transmits the signals through the transmission antennas. |
| US09125193B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting control information
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information in the event of a plurality of cell, wherein the method comprises the following steps: receiving a PDCCH and/or a PDSCH; generating reception acknowledgement information for said PDCCH and/or PDSCH; and transmitting the reception acknowledgement information in an SR subframe via a PUCCH. |
| US09125190B2 |
Wireless communication system
Methods and systems for hybrid point to multipoint communication systems having multiple downlink channels and a single uplink channel, including the steps of centrally allocating bandwidth to, and synchronizing communications with, a first and a second wireless clients; transmitting, over a shared signal wired distribution line, a first downlink signal transported over a first frequency, a second downlink signal transported over a second frequency, and an uplink signal transported over a fifth frequency; converting the frequency of the first downlink signal to a third frequency, and bi-directionally wirelessly communicating with a first wireless client over the third frequency; converting the frequency of the second downlink signal to a fourth frequency, and bi-directionally wirelessly communicating with a second wireless client over the fourth frequency; and converting and superpositioning a first received wireless uplink signal having the third frequency and a second received wireless uplink signal having the fourth frequency to the uplink signal that is transmitted over the shared signal wired distribution line using the fifth frequency. |
| US09125189B2 |
Feedback method and apparatus for cooperative communication system
A feedback method and apparatus is provided for facilitating feedback in a Cooperative Multi-Point (CoMP) system in which multiple base stations cooperate with each other for downlink transmission to a terminal. The feedback method of a terminal includes determining whether the terminal is operating in cooperative multi-point mode for receiving data from a plurality of cells; estimating, when the terminal is operating in cooperative multi-point mode, channels of the cells belonging to a measurement set based on channel status information reference signals for the cells; selecting at least one best cell based on a signal-to-interference plus noise ratio based on the estimated channels; and feeding back a cell index and channel information of the best cell. |
| US09125183B2 |
Compact transceiver architecture for achieving device to device (D2D) communication using uplink and downlink carrier frequencies
A system and method for device-to-device (D2D) communication is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a frequency synthesizer configured to provide a first carrier frequency and a second carrier frequency, an up-converter coupled to the frequency synthesizer and configured to up-convert a first baseband signal into a cellular uplink signal when receiving the first carrier frequency from the frequency synthesizer, and configured to up-convert the first baseband signal into a first device-to-device signal when receiving the second carrier frequency from the frequency synthesizer, and a down-converter coupled to the frequency synthesizer and configured to down-convert a second device-to-device signal into a second baseband signal when receiving the first carrier frequency from the frequency synthesizer, and configured to down-convert a cellular downlink signal into the second baseband signal when receiving the second carrier frequency from the frequency synthesizer. |
| US09125182B2 |
System and method for determining establishment causes for emergency sessions
A method for initiating a Packet Switched emergency call using a user equipment (UE) is presented. The UE includes a plurality of protocol layers. The plurality of protocol layers including an IMS sublayer, a non-access stratum (NAS) layer and an access stratum (AS) layer. The method includes generating an ATTACH REQUEST using the UE. The ATTACH REQUEST has an attach type. The method includes retrieving the attach type of the ATTACH REQUEST using the NAS layer of the UE, and generating an RRC CONNECTION REQUEST. The RRC CONNECTION REQUEST includes an RRC establishment cause based upon the attach type of the attach request. |
| US09125180B1 |
Techniques for automatically establishing a long-lasting connection across computing devices configured for short-range wireless communication
A computer-implemented technique includes initiating, at a first computing device including one or more processors, communication with a second computing device via a short-range wireless communication protocol. The technique includes receiving, at the first computing device, a set of information from the second computing device via the short-range wireless communication protocol, the set of information including a port address for communication with a first application currently executing in a foreground at the second computing device via another wireless communication protocol. The technique also includes automatically configuring, at the first computing device and in response to receiving the set of information from the second computing device via the short-range wireless communication protocol, communication between a second application at the first computing device and the first application executing at the second computing device via the other wireless communication protocol using the set of information. |
| US09125179B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting frame in wireless local area network (WLAN) system
A frame transmission method, performed by a station (STA), in a wireless local area network (LAN) system is provided. The method comprises receiving a relay request message from an access point (AP), setting up a direct link (DL) with a destination STA indicated by the relay request message, transmitting a relay response message to the AP after setting up the DL, receiving a first data frame from the AP, and transmitting the first data frame to the destination STA through the DL. |
| US09125177B2 |
Radio communication system, radio base station, radio terminal, and communication control method
A radio communication system includes a first radio base station corresponding to a first radio communication scheme and a second radio base station corresponding to a second radio communication scheme. The first radio base station transmits a first switching request notification for requesting switching of a connection to the second radio base station to a radio terminal connected to the first radio base station when emergency information associated with an emergency situation from an upper network has been received. The radio terminal transmits, to the second radio base station, a connection request notification for requesting a connection to the second radio base station when the first switching request notification has been received. |
| US09125172B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for dynamically configuring a page message used to page an access terminal in a radio communication system
Apparatus, and an associated method, for paging an access terminal in a radio communication system. Dynamic configuration and reconfiguration of a quick page message is provided. Its configuration is dependent upon paging load in the system. Hash values are selected and used pursuant to the configuration, and use, of the message. A first hash value is selected within a first range. And, a second hash value is selected within a second range. The second range from which the second hash value is selected does not include the first hash value. |
| US09125171B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for registering a mobile communication terminal in a communication network
A mobile communication terminal is described comprising a first identity module; a second identity module; a detector configured to detect whether the mobile communication terminal is in a coverage area of a reference mobile communication network of the first identity module; and a controller, configured to, if it has been detected that the mobile communication terminal is not within the coverage area of the reference mobile communication network of the first identity module, determine a reference mobile communication network of the second identity module, and to start a registering process for registering the first identity module with the reference mobile communication network of the second identity module. |
| US09125170B2 |
Linking existing Wi-Fi access points into unified network
A plurality of users are associated with a system having at least one information processor coupled to a communication network. Multiple wireless access points to the communication network are provided; and multiple of the users associated with the system are provided access to the communication network via the access points. |
| US09125169B2 |
Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules
Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules are provided. In particular, these methods and systems may store an entertainment profile of a user, wherein the entertainment profile identifies entertainment media characteristics of the user. It may then be determined that the user entered a predetermined range of a location. In response to this, a location-based rule that corresponds to the location and that defines an action to be taken may be automatically identified. Based on the location-based rule, the location, and the entertainment profile of the user, the action may be performed. |
| US09125167B1 |
System and method of increasing paging accuracy
A system and method of paging a wireless device in a communication network is provided. A paging request from a first network for a first wireless device can be received at a paging node in communication with a first network and a second network. A paging message for the first wireless device can be generated at the paging node based on the paging request. The paging message can further comprise an identifier of the first network. The paging message can be broadcast to a plurality of wireless device, the plurality of wireless devices comprising the first wireless device and at least one second wireless device associated with the second network. A paging response can be received from the first wireless device based on the paging message. |
| US09125166B2 |
Methods for performing an efficient network search and communications apparatuses utilizing the same
A communications apparatus includes at least a first processor logic unit obtaining a support band list, a second processor logic unit generating a frequency search list for a first operating band and a frequency search list for a second operating band listed in the support band list, and a third processor logic unit performing power scan and cell search according to the frequency search lists. The frequency search list includes information regarding operating frequencies located in the corresponding operating band to be searched. The second operating band includes one or more operating frequencies overlapped with that of the first operating band, and the one or more operating frequencies of the second operating band overlapped with that of the first operating band is/are listed only in one of the frequency search list for the first operating band and the frequency search list for the second operating band. |
| US09125161B2 |
Power control for ACK/NACK formats with carrier aggregation
A system and method for determining a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) power control parameter h(nCQI,nHARQ) for two Carrier Aggregated (CA) PUCCH formats—PUCCH format 3 and channel selection. The value of h(nCQI,nHARQ) may be based on only a linear function of nHARQ for both of the CA PUCCH formats. Based on the CA PUCCH format configured for the User Equipment (UE), the e-Node B (eNB) may instruct the UE to select or apply a specific linear function of nHARQ as a value for the power control parameter h(nCQI,nHARQ), so as to enable the UE to more accurately establish transmit power of its PUCCH signal. Values for another PUCCH power control parameter—ΔF—PUCCH(F)—are also provided for use with PUCCH format 3. A new offset parameter may be signaled for each PUCCH format that has transmit diversity configured. |
| US09125160B2 |
Wireless power receiver and method for setting sleep mode in wireless power receiver
A method for setting a sleep mode in a wireless power receiver that may receive wireless charging power from a wireless power transmitter is provided, including receiving wireless charging power from the wireless power transmitter, measuring a charging voltage based on the received wireless charging power, if the measured voltage reaches a preset first voltage, measuring a duration for which the measured voltage is maintained, and transitioning to the sleep mode if the duration exceeds a preset time. |
| US09125157B2 |
Paging method and apparatus for communication of M2M/MTC device operating in high power saving reception mode in a mobile communication system, and system thereof
Method is provided for communicating with a User Equipment (UE) supporting a High Power Saving Reception Mode (HPSRM) mode by an evolved Node B (eNB) in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle information from a network entity performing mobility management for the UE by the eNB communicating with the UE over a wireless link; and broadcasting system information including the DRX cycle information. The DRX cycle information is set longer than DRX cycle information of a UE non-supporting the HPSRM mode. By doing so, an efficient paging method for an UE operating in the HPSRM mode may be provided. |
| US09125155B2 |
Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
A wireless communication device including: a plurality of antennas configured to perform a plurality of wireless communication protocols simultaneously, and a processor configured to obtain each of a plurality of power consumptions for each of the plurality of the wireless communication protocols, to obtain each of a plurality of communication throughput for each of the plurality of the wireless communication protocols, to calculate an aggregated communication efficiency of the wireless communication using the plurality of wireless communication protocols simultaneously based on the plurality of the power consumptions and the plurality of the communication throughput, and to control the plurality of the antennas, when the aggregated communication efficiency exceeds a given value, as to perform the plurality of wireless communication protocols simultaneously, and, when the aggregated communication efficiency is equal to or less than the given value, as to stop one of the plurality of wireless communication protocols. |
| US09125154B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption of simultaneous receivers in a wireless communications device
A method for power management for use in system selection by simultaneous receivers taking into account power use during an idle state. A power penalty is determined for each of a plurality of wireless technology systems available to a receiver when conducting page monitoring sequences. Combined power penalties are determined for various combinations of wireless technology systems. Wireless technology systems are selected in a preferred combination having a least combined power penalty for monitoring pages during an idle mode. |
| US09125150B2 |
Communication apparatus and automatic gain control method
Provided is a communication apparatus including a first communication unit for performing communication using a carrier having a first frequency, a second communication unit having a plurality of antennas, for performing communication using a carrier having a second frequency, a first communication processing unit for processing a signal received by the first communication unit and causing to transmit a signal, and a second communication processing unit for processing a signal received by the second communication unit and causing to transmit a signal. The second communication processing unit includes a synchronization unit for specifying a start position of a second transmission request in which a plurality of transmission beam patterns are set in one packet based on information indicating reception initiation, and an automatic gain control unit for performing automatic gain control based on a first automatic gain control setting value. |
| US09125140B2 |
Background scanning method for WLAN client devices
Background scan for 802.11 client devices allows them to keep most of its components in low power mode when certain criteria are not met. A method for changing dynamically those criteria according to the air data traffic conditions is described in the present invention. This increases the time the system remains in sleep mode and consequently improves the standby current consumption to portable 802.11 enabled media. |
| US09125139B2 |
Mobile access in a diverse access point network
Facilitating user terminal (UT) access to wireless networks having base stations (BSs) of disparate access types is described herein. In some aspects, BS parameterization is provided to facilitate search and/or access to distinct types of network BSs. For instance, parameters can modify a likelihood of identifying or remaining coupled to restricted access (RA) BSs in a home Node B (HNB) deployment. In other aspects of the subject disclosure, a PLMN ID reserved for HNBs is provided comprising multiple region IDs. Where a UT identifies a home region, HNBs can be given preference over macro BSs. Additionally, the UT can keep track of HNBs and HNB regions that reject access to the UT, and implement a delay time to mitigate rapid signaling to foreign HNBs in a dense HNB deployment. Accordingly, the subject disclosure provides for more efficient UT access in heterogeneous access type networks. |
| US09125138B2 |
System and method for optimizing video conferencing in a wireless device
A wireless device described herein can use information on data flow, in addition to indications from the physical network, to decide on suitable bandwidth usage for audio and video information. This data flow information is further used to determine an efficient network route to use for high-quality reception and transmission of audio and video data, as well as the appropriate time to switch between available network routes to improve bandwidth performance. |
| US09125136B2 |
Location of unprotected access points through protected access points
A solution for locating unprotected access points is provided. Particularly, a wireless network access point providing an access to a network over a wireless connection maintains a location structure comprising an indication of a geographical position of each one of a set of unprotected access points in proximity of the access point, each unprotected access point providing the access to the network at least partially unconditionally. A mobile station submits a request to access the network to the access point when the mobile station is within a transmission range thereof, receives the indication of the geographical position of at least part of the unprotected access points in response to a denial of the access from the access point, and outputs directions towards one of the unprotected access points according to the corresponding geographical position. |
| US09125135B2 |
Independent configuration identities in a heterogeneous cellular communication network
Systems and methods are disclosed for using multiple configuration groups having corresponding configuration identity (CID) parameters to configure a transmission channel and a reception channel for a user equipment device in a cellular communication network. In one embodiment, a user equipment device in a cellular communication network obtains CID values for CID parameters for a number of configuration groups. Each of the configuration groups includes one or more transmission channel or reception channel parameters. For each of the configuration groups, the user equipment device configures the parameters in the configuration group based on the CID value obtained for the CID parameter for the configuration group. In this manner, the transmission channel and the reception channel for the user equipment device are configured based on multiple CID values rather than a single physical layer cell identifier for a cell in which the user equipment device is located. |
| US09125133B2 |
Method and apparatus for relay backhaul design in a wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate techniques for design of relay backhaul to support mobility of relay nodes in a wireless communication system. According to various aspects herein, techniques are provided to enable and support the use of mobile relays and to facilitate handover of mobile relays between respective donor cells. More particularly, techniques are provided herein for relay backhaul control channel assignment associated with hand in or hand out of mobile relays, access/backhaul resource partitioning for mobile relays, and management of quality of service (QoS) requirements associated with a relay handover. |
| US09125130B2 |
Blacklisting based on a traffic rule violation
In some embodiments, a network system includes an access point to wirelessly associate with a client that provides signals with traffic specification attributes to the access point. The system also includes circuitry detect if at least one of the signals violates a traffic rule through considering at least one of the traffic specification attributes and to instruct the access point to disassociate the client in response to a particular number of violations. Other embodiments are described. |
| US09125129B2 |
Mobile communication device and associated control method
A mobile communication device for a wireless communication network includes an evaluation module, a determination module and an informing module. The evaluation module evaluates a connection ability between the mobile communication device and a plurality of base stations. The determination module determines whether a report is to be issued according to the connection ability and a customized rule different from a standard rule. The standard rule corresponds to a threshold of the connection ability defined by the wireless communication network. When a determination result of the determination module is yes, the informing module issues the report to the wireless communication network. |
| US09125126B2 |
Method and apparatus of measuring and reselecting cells
Methods and apparatus of monitoring cells in a wireless communication system may include determining existence of a condition for performing a cell search on a frequency. In addition, the methods and apparatus may include calculating an undetected energy-related value for a hypothetical undetected cell based on a measured energy-related value of each detected cell on the frequency in response to determining the condition for performing the cell search. The methods and apparatus may further include determining whether to perform the cell search based on the undetected energy-related value and a reselection criteria. |
| US09125122B2 |
Paging for circuit switched fallback (CSFB) in long term evolution (LTE) connected mode
Methods, apparatuses and computer readable media are described that analyze and communicate signaling messages between a mobile wireless device and a wireless access network to realize a circuit switched fallback (CSFB) procedure when the mobile wireless device is initially in a radio resource control connected mode with the wireless network. A set of information elements of a paging message is analyzed, and based on contents of the set of information elements and an internal state of the mobile wireless device, connections between the mobile wireless device and first and second wireless access networks are changed to realize the CSFB procedure. |
| US09125121B2 |
Small cells implementing multiple air interfaces
A communication networks including a plurality of small cell providing air interface infrastructure functionality is provided. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the management of inter-small cell communication in accordance multiple air interfaces supported within individual small cells. Additionally, aspects of the present disclosure relate to the management of intra-small cell communication in accordance with communication networks implementing multiple small cells. In other aspects, small cells coordinate handovers through the use of a controller, or by leveraging wireless connections created between the small cells. In further aspects, the small cells enable the utilization of multiple air interface standards within a small cell. |
| US09125114B2 |
Inter radio access technology (IRAT) measurement
A user equipment (UE) may perform an inter radio access technology (IRAT) measurement in time slots not deemed to be carrying critical data. In such instances, the UE only transmits and decodes critical data in the critical time slots when a serving cell signal is low for a determined period of time. Otherwise, when the time slots do not carry critical data, i.e., non-critical time slots, the UE stops transmitting and decoding and uses the non-critical time slots for IRAT measurement. |
| US09125113B2 |
Device mobility based scanning period control
A user equipment UE selects between a first scanning mode and a second scanning mode using at least inputs of signal quality of a link with an access node and at least one of UE speed and network type of the access node. It then determines a scanning rate using the selected scanning mode and the UE speed, and detects and measures inter-frequency neighbor cells according to the determined scanning rate. In one example both modes the increase scanning rate for increased UE speeds, except that for the first mode speeds above Vt1 yield a zero scanning rate regardless of UE speed and for the second mode speeds above Vt2 yield a constant maximum scanning rate regardless of UE speed. In an embodiment the second mode is selected when the UE speed is >Vt1, and the signal quality is less than a predetermined minimum. Various other examples are detailed. |
| US09125112B2 |
Communicating radio resource configuration information
A first wireless access network node receives common radio resource configuration information of a second wireless access network node. A data offload request is sent to the second wireless access network node to perform a data offload for a user equipment (UE) attached to the first wireless access network node. |
| US09125111B2 |
Methods and systems for inter-RAT handover in multi-mode mobile station
Described herein are aspects related to communicating with a first radio access technology (RAT) and a second RAT, wherein a set of multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) resources is allocated for communication between a mobile station (MS) and a base station (BS) of the first RAT. A request message is sent to the BS of the first RAT requesting reallocation of at least a portion of the set of MIMO resources in a scan duration. During the scan duration, signals are received from a BS of the second RAT over a reallocated subset of the set of MIMO resources and communications occur with the BS of the first RAT over a non-reallocated subset of the set of MIMO resources. During a normal duration subsequent to the scan duration, communications occur with the BS of the first RAT using the set of MIMO resources including at least some of the reallocated subset of the set of MIMO resources. |
| US09125109B1 |
Determining a reordering timer
In systems and method of determining a reordering timer in a wireless communication network, when it is determined that a packet reordering of a plurality of data packets meets a reordering threshold, a handover probability that the wireless device will be handed over to a second access node is estimated based on a first congestion metric of the first access node and a second congestion metric of the second access node. The plurality of data packets is examined to determine application requirements of an application of the wireless device. Based on the handover probability, the application requirements and the second congestion metric, a reordering timer is determined for use by the second access node. |
| US09125105B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating reservation resource for relay in wireless communication system using media access control based on reservation
Provided is a communication method of a coordinator in a wireless networks system that uses a reservation-based media access control (MAC). The communication method includes receiving, from a source device, a frame that requests a reservation resource for a relay device, to enable a frame that the source device transmits to a destination device to be relayed via the relay device, and allocating the reservation resource for the relay device, in response to the request. |
| US09125104B2 |
Symmetric transmit opportunity (TXOP) truncation
Various embodiments of symmetric transmit opportunity (TXOP) truncation (STT) systems and methods are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, comprises receiving a frame that truncates a TXOP around a first station, and responsive to receiving the frame, sending a second frame that truncates the TXOP around a second station. Others system and method embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09125101B2 |
Distributed power control for D2D communications
A technique for setting the transmission powers of individual D2D (device-to-device) transmitters using a distributed power control technique is described. Each individual D2D transmitter learns the interference levels that it imposes on an eNB (evolved Node B) and on D2D receivers other than its partner D2D receiver. The D2D transmitter is then able to adjust its transmission power accordingly. Such managing of interference temperature via distributed power control enables the network to maximize its reuse of time-frequency resources. |
| US09125099B2 |
Access point, communication system and method for estimating a path loss value therefor
A method for estimating a path loss value for a femto cell. The method comprises, at the femto access point of the femto cell, receiving at least one indication of signal strength for at least one neighbor cell from at least one wireless communication unit, analyzing the received at least one indication of signal strength for the at least one neighbo cell to determine at least one location characteristic, and estimating a path loss value for the femto cell based at least partly on the determined at least one location characteristic. |
| US09125093B2 |
Methods and apparatus related to custom control channel reporting formats
Methods and apparatus related to control information reporting over wireless communication channels are described. Various embodiments include communicating control information format definition information over a wireless link. For example, in some embodiments, a base station downloads control information reporting format definition information, e.g., corresponding to a new release or a custom reporting format, into a wireless terminal. As another example, a wireless terminal generates a custom control information reporting format, that it intends to use, and communicates definition information corresponding to the generated custom control reporting format to a base station. |
| US09125089B2 |
Method and apparatus for packet aggregation in a network controller
The aggregation of packets in a network controller is described. A packet, destined to a station, is received at a network device having a plurality of processors. The packet is queued into a selected queue of a plurality of queues based at least on an identifier of the station and a category associated with the packet. The packet is aggregated with other packets in a selected queue to create an aggregated packet if the selected queue has reached a predetermined size, and the aggregated packet is transmitted to the destination station. |
| US09125087B2 |
Systems and methods for header compression
Systems, methods, and devices for communicating packets having a plurality of types are described herein. In some aspects, the packets include a compressed header. In one embodiment, a compression protocol is selected from a plurality of compression protocols to compress a first packet header. The packet may contain a second packet header, which may include information indicative of the compression protocol used to compress the first packet header. The packet may be transmitted, including the first packet header which is compressed using the selected compression protocol. |
| US09125086B2 |
Wireless LAN communication device, wireless LAN communication method and program
A wireless LAN communication device configured to carry out the priority control of an EDCA scheme includes a first determining section for determining access categories, a second determining section for determining a bandwidth occupancy rate for each access category, and a change section for dynamically changing parameters regarding the priority control for each category in accordance with determination results of the first and second determining sections. Accordingly, even when a mass of traffic exists in categories having the priority of the same class, the collision of packets in the traffic, the increase of the amount of delay, the reduction of throughput, and the like can be avoided. |
| US09125081B2 |
Adaptive cross-radio access technology (RAT) channel assignment
Systems and methods for channel assignment configuration in a multiple access point (AP) environment are provided. The multiple APs can be homogeneous or heterogeneous and can implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs), including Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (M-MIMO) RATs. A channel assignment configuration for a user equipment (UE) can identify one or more communication channels to be established to serve the UE by one or more of the APs. |
| US09125077B2 |
Method for managing potentially disruptive nodes in a mobile ad-hoc network
A method for managing node communications in a mobile ad-hoc network is provided where at least a node in the said network performs the following steps: identifying if it is a Potentially Disruptive Node (PDN) or a non-PDN node, a PDN node being a node that has a number of connected 1-hop neighbor nodes greater than a predetermined value K; when the node is identified as a PDN node, selecting a subset of its 1-hop neighbor nodes, the selected nodes being the only 1-hop neighbor nodes that are allowed to communicate directly with the PDN node, the selected nodes being called Bridge Nodes (BN), non-BN nodes being called Regular Nodes (RN), the said RN nodes being able to communicate with PDN nodes via the selected BN nodes. |
| US09125074B2 |
Coordinated multi-point transmission and multi-user MIMO
MU-MIMO and CoMP have potentials to increase the cell capacity by many folds. Interferences and channel feedback overhead, however, severely limits such potentials. Method of reference signal-based grid of beams (RS-GOB) is described. RS-GOB distributes the effective antennas of a base station into multiple beams, thereby significantly reducing the feedback overhead of CoMP and making effective use of CoMP to turn the interferences into cooperating useful signals. RS-GOB also reduces the need for small HetNet cells, which mitigates the interferences of small HetNet cells on macro cells. |
| US09125068B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for simulating realistic movement of user equipment in a long term evolution (LTE) network
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for simulating realistic movement of user equipment in an LTE network are disclosed. According to one method, a logical topology of a long term evolution (LTE) access network is defined that includes defining connections between one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). A physical topology of the LTE access network is defined that includes defining locations of the eNBs and sectors, where the physical network topology is mapped to the logical network topology. One or more problem areas are defined within the physical network topology, where the one or more problem areas include locations where signal quality is degraded. One or more paths are defined through the physical network topology. A traffic profile for a user equipment (UE) device is defined. A plurality of messages is generated for simulating the movement of a UE device along a path through the physical network topology. |
| US09125058B2 |
Method and system for selecting VPN connections in response to wireless network identifiers
A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple VPN tunnels. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the VPN tunnels. The access point then sends communication from the terminal via the selected VPN tunnel. |
| US09125056B2 |
System and method for validating a user of an account for a wireless device
The disclosure provides a system and method of authenticating a user to a network. For the method, if a request for a resource initiated by the device is related to a restricted resource, then the method: redirects the request to the authentication server; initiates an authentication process at the server to request a user account and a password from the device to authenticate the device if it has not been authenticated; automatically provides the device with access to the restricted resource if the device previously had been authenticated to access the restricted resource; and provides a signal to the device indicating whether it has been authenticated to allow the device to update its graphical user interface to indicate an access status for the restricted resource. If the request relates to a non-restricted resource, then the method automatically provides the device with access to the non-restricted resource. |
| US09125055B1 |
Systems and methods for authenticating users accessing unsecured WiFi access points
Systems and methods system for a user accessing an unsecure Wifi access point are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention requests that the customer perform authentication of the access point to which he is connected. On initial connection to the access point, the customer provides his username/password and chooses a memorable information element (e.g., image or phrase). A site specific cookie is delivered to the customer device after a successful authentication. On subsequent connections, the site specific cookie is validated and the MAC address of the customer device is used to retrieve the memorable information element. If the customer recognizes his memorable image, he confirms that he is on a bona fide access point. In a further embodiment, if the customer connects at a location and/or time of day which breaks a previously observed pattern, MAC authentication is not accepted and a full authentication (e.g., user/password) is required. |
| US09125052B2 |
Near field registration of home system audio-video device
A near field communication (NFC) sticker which stores a key is attached to a new client device. A remote commander in a home network reads the key using a NFC interface and IR-transmits it to a home network server. Once the client is connected to the network, it encrypts its own device information with the key and sends the encrypted information to the server, which decrypts the data with the key sent from the remote commander. In this way, client device registration is executed easily and securely. |
| US09125049B2 |
Configuring secure wireless networks
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for configuring secure wireless networks. One of the methods includes receiving, at a security system management device, protocol and key information for establishing a connection as a client device to the wireless IP device, wherein the protocol and key information is received in response to a user transmitting an identifier for the IP device to a service provider system; establishing communication with the wireless IP device, wherein the wireless IP device is acting as an access point device; exchanging keys with the wireless IP device; rebooting the security system management device to become an access point for the secure wireless network; and establishing communication with the wireless IP device, wherein the wireless IP device has become a wireless client. |
| US09125048B2 |
Method and/or apparatus for location privacy via uniform resource identifier (URI) provisioning
The subject matter disclosed herein relates in one particular implementation to a method, apparatus, and/or system for transmitting, by a location server, a location identifier to a mobile device. The location identifier may be transmitted from the mobile device to one or more trusted entities. Access to a location estimate of the mobile device may be selectively authorized at least partially in response to a request received at the mobile device from the location server including the location identifier. |
| US09125045B2 |
Delayed data delivery options
Systems and methods for effecting delayed delivery of data. There are received, at a scheduler, from a plurality of mobile computing devices, a plurality of requests for transmission of data objects. Responsive to the requests, communication is made to at least one of the devices at least one offer for a delayed transmission deadline of at least one data object. There is received, at the scheduler, at least one response to the at least one offer, and there is determined a scheduling priority of transmissions based on the at least one response. |
| US09125039B2 |
Enhanced E911 network access for a call center using session initiation protocol (SIP) messaging
A switched emergency call (e.g., a 911 call, an alarm company call) forwarded by a telematics call center is converted into a session initiation protocol (SIP) packetized phone call at the call center, and routed over an IP network, for presentation to an emergency services gateway, which connects to a selective router via dedicated circuits, gaining full access to the Enhanced 911 network. This provides a PSAP receiving a call from a telematics call center or other call center with all features available in an Enhanced 911 network, e.g., callback number of the 911 caller, and location of the 911 caller. Location of the caller is provided using a VoIP positioning center (VPC), queried from the call center. In this way, the switched emergency call is converted into a SIP packetized phone call and routed without further passage through the public switched telephone network (PSTN). |
| US09125037B2 |
System and methods for deferred and remote device branding
Methods and systems for delivering branding information to a portable electronic device based on a brand SKU. The brand SKU is assigned to a device in addition to or to replace an OEM SKU that may have been used for testing and traceability. Based on detection of a brand SKU and a determination as to what brand is associated with the brand SKU, upon power up downstream in the supply chain at the OEM, or at the distribution center, or at the point of sale, a brand payloads based on the brand SKU is sent to the portable electronic device. The brand payloads may comprise logos, configurable options, and access options for hardware and software to various network services including voice services and data services. |
| US09125035B2 |
Call preview system
A caller may initiate a phone call to a device. A call preview system may send a preview message in conjunction with the phone call. The preview message may contain preview information that identifies the caller. The call preview system may use a text or media messaging service to send the preview message. Callers can manage their own preview information relieving each user from continuously updating contact information in personal contact directories. The call preview system may use different schemes for initiating phone calls. In one example, the call preview system may initiate or forward phone calls in conjunction with sending the preview message. In another example, the call preview system may delay calling a phone number or delay forwarding the phone call until a message is received acknowledging the preview message or accepting the phone call. |
| US09125031B2 |
Methods and apparatus for using USSD over a common channel
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. Embodiments can enhance and improve USSD based messaging options. In an example, a USSD GW is equipped to determine that an USSD based message is able to be communicated using a common channel, and send the USSD based message as part of a USSD session to a MSC with a service indicator prompting the MSC to communicate an informational element of the message to a MS using the common channel. In another example, a MSC is equipped to receive an USSD based message that includes a service indicator prompting the MSC to communicate an informational element to a MS using a common channel. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US09125028B2 |
Methods and apparatus for vehicle state control
A system includes a processor configured to receive a text message from a remote device including an instruction for a vehicle system. The processor is also configured to determine a specific vehicle associated with the remote device. Further, the processor is configured to send the instruction as a text message to a phone provided to the specific vehicle associated with the remote device. The processor is additionally configured to receive confirmation from the vehicle that the instruction was processed and send a confirmation text to the remote device. |
| US09125027B2 |
Wireless shared resource computing
The formation of a wireless device group for use in the shared resource computing environment involves establishing a wireless communication connection between a host wireless interface device and each of one or more dependent wireless interface devices, in which each dependent wireless interface devices is configured to not directly communicate with a computing device. Another wireless communication connection is established between the host wireless interface device and the computing device when the host wireless interface device is within a host connection distance of the computing device. |
| US09125026B2 |
Method for receiving multicast data in wireless communication system and M2M device therefor
Disclosed are a method for receiving multicast data in a wireless communication system and a machine to machine (M2M) device therefor. The method wherein the M2M device receives multicast data in a wireless communication system according to the present invention includes the steps of: receiving multicast data from a base station; and indicating that the multicast data transmitted from the base station is the last multicast or receiving information including a signal which indicates the end of multicast transmission. The information can be transmitted with or separate from the multicast data, and is piggybacked with the multicast data if the information is transmitted with the multicast data. |
| US09125025B2 |
Wireless communication system and method
A device and method arranged to control access to resources of a communication network by a User Equipment (UE). One embodiment includes an apparatus for a user equipment for use in controlling access to resources of a communication network, the apparatus including a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to: monitor for a change in a state of association between a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) cell and the user equipment, said CSG cell having a Public Land Mobile Network Identity (PLMN ID) and a CSG Identity (CSG ID) associated therewith; and in response to a said change, communicate data indicative of the change, of said CSG ID and of said PLMN ID, for receipt by a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) associated with the user equipment, whereby to enable the UICC to control access to resources of said CSG cell. |
| US09125022B2 |
Inferring positions with content item matching
Embodiments infer position information using captured content items. A computing device such as a mobile computing or a cloud service analyzes one or more content items to generate information describing the content items. For content items that include photographs, for example, the photographs are processed to identify faces, objects, places, text, etc. The generated information is compared to reference content items (e.g., image comparison), user data (e.g., calendar data, contact information, etc.), and/or public data (e.g., address information, event information, etc.) to identify at least one match. Location information associated with the matched reference content items, user data, and/or public data is obtained. A position is determined for the content items based on the location information obtained from the matched reference content item, user data, and/or public data. In some embodiments, the obtained location information is used to refine a position determined using a beacon-based positioning service. |
| US09125020B2 |
Road trip vehicle to vehicle communication system
A method of coordinating a plurality of road vehicles includes obtaining information related to a first vehicle that is relevant to a road trip with which the first vehicle and at least a second vehicle are involved, uploading the information to a server wirelessly, and downloading the information from the server wirelessly to at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle. |
| US09125016B2 |
Tracking of physical locations
An apparatus and method for tracking physical locations from which a service is provided are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a communication module operable to send and receive messages, a location identifier and a query element operable to request the communication module to send a location request message for a service. The communication module is operable to receive a location response message responsive to said location request message, said location response message comprising location information for the service; and forward the location information of the service to the location identifier. The location identifier is operable to identify the physical location associated with the location information of the service. |
| US09125015B2 |
User activity tracking system and device
The present disclosure provides a system for tracking and recording movements of a mobile communication device that includes one or more movement sensors. The mobile communication device communicates sensor signals to the system, wherein the sensor signals are indicative of motion associated with activities to which the mobile communication device is exposed by its user. The sensor signals are pre-classified to generate the intermediate data, where the intermediate data is processed in one or more processors to generate indications of likely activities associated with the sensor signals, and an aggregate of the indications is computed to provide an analysis of activities associated with the sensor signals. The information indicating most likely activity types is then sent to the mobile communication device. |
| US09125013B1 |
Methods and systems for modifying a preferred roaming list (PRL) of a wireless communication device
Methods and systems for modifying a preferred roaming list (PRL) of a subscriber user equipment (UE) are provided. In a wireless communication system, a first wireless service provider is associated with a first radio access network (RAN) and maintains a subscriber account associated with a given UE. When the first RAN receives a registration request from the UE, the first RAN responsively (i) attempts to authenticate the UE, and (ii) upon a failure to authenticate the UE, the first RAN updates the PRL to then list a second RAN associated with a second wireless service provider as the highest priority network in the PRL. |
| US09125011B1 |
Wireless egress control of user data sets based on geo-control tags in the user data sets
In a wireless communication network, wireless communication devices receive user instructions indicating geographic control of associated user data sets. The wireless communication devices translate the user instructions into geo-control tags for the associated user data sets and include the geo-control tags in the associated user data sets. The wireless communication devices exchange wireless signals transporting the user data sets and their geo-control tags with wireless access points. The wireless access points individually control wireless egress of the user data sets based on their geo-control tags. |
| US09125009B2 |
Determination and representation of call appropriateness
A method, performed by a mobile communication device, may include receiving a request to call a contact; determining a location associated with the contact; determining a local time associated with the contact based on the determined location; and determining an appropriateness level for calling the contact, based on the determined local time. The method may further include generating a graphical representation that relates a local time associated with the mobile communication device, the local time associated with the contact, and an indication of the determined appropriateness level for calling the contact. |