Document Document Title
US09161998B2 Method and kit for preparing a radiopharmaceutical
The invention relates to a method and a kit for preparing a radiopharmaceutical, the method comprising the steps: elution of a 68Ge/68Ga-Generator using hydrochloric acid as an eluent for obtaining a generator eluate comprising 68Gallium, feeding the generator eluate through a cation exchange cartridge, which collects the 68Gallium, separating the used eluent, eluting the 68Gallium from the cation exchange cartridge using a solution comprising sodium chloride and hydrochloric acid and feeding the resulting eluate into an aqueous precursor mixture comprising at least a labelling precursor thereby forming a reaction solution.
US09161997B2 Contrast agents for myocardial perfusion imaging
The present disclosure is directed, in part, to compounds and methods for imaging myocardial perfusion, comprising administering to a patient a contrast agent which comprises a compound that binds MC-1, and an imaging moiety, and scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging.
US09161995B2 Methods and compositions for alteration of a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene
Nucleases and methods of using these nucleases for alteration of a CFTR gene and generation of cells and animal models.
US09161993B2 Charge triggering of self-organized nanoparticles
The present application discloses a nanoparticle comprising compounds of the formula A-B-C(-D), wherein A designates an anchoring moiety having self-organizing properties in relation to the nanoparticle; B designates a cleavable linker; C designates an anionic moiety having a net charge of at least −2 at pH 6.0; and D, which is optional, designates a polymer moiety which induces long circulating properties of the nanoparticle in mammalian tissue; and wherein the average net charge of the compounds is at least −1 at pH 6.0. The application also discloses the individual compounds of the formula A-B-C(-D) as well as a drug delivery system comprising the self-organized nanoparticle having included in the interior thereof one or more pharmaceutically active agents and/or diagnostically relevant species, and a method of treating a cancerous or inflammatory condition in a mammal, involving the administration of the drug delivery system to the mammal.
US09161990B2 Hydrochloride salts of a glycopeptide-cephalosporin antbiotic compond
The present invention relates to a compound of formula I: wherein x is in the range of from about 1 to about 2. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; processes for preparing such compounds; and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat a bacterial infection.
US09161989B2 Cupredoxin derived transport agents and methods of use thereof
The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.
US09161987B2 Carboxymethylcellulose polyethylene glycol compositions for medical uses
Compositions comprising carboxypolysaccharides (CPS) including carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are provided where the PEG is a PEG-epoxide covalently linked to the CPS. In certain embodiments, the PEG attaches to only one CPS, forming a decorated CPS. In other embodiments, bi-functional PEG molecules are attached to adjacent CPSs, thereby forming a covalently cross-linked composition. Additional embodiments include PEG/CMC compositions where the PEG is a multi-branch PEG and/or a multi-arm PEG. PEG/CMC compositions can be made with desired viscoelastic properties, and such compositions can be used as space-filling materials, load-bearing materials, anti-adhesion compositions, drug delivery vehicles or lubrication of tissues and medical instruments.
US09161978B2 Methods of treatment of pterygium using an anti-VEGF agent
Methods for treating pterygium recurrence following pterygiectomy, and for treating keloid recurrence, following surgical removal of the keloid, are disclosed. The methods include administering an anti-VEGF agent (e.g., antibody (e.g., bevacizumab) or small molecule inhibitor of VEGF signaling), or a combination therapy that includes co-administering an anti-VEGF agent, with an anti-inflammatory steroid and/or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to a subject.
US09161977B2 Anti-FGFR3 antibodies and methods using same
The invention provides FGFR3 antibodies, and compositions comprising and methods of using these antibodies.
US09161972B2 Modified live flavobacterium strains, stabilized vaccines comprising same, and methods of making and use thereof
The present invention provides attenuated F. columnare strains that elicit an immune response in an animal, particularly a fish, against virulent F. columnare compositions comprising said strains, methods of vaccination against F. columnare, and kits for use with such methods and compositions. The invention further relates to a stabilization buffer, which allows the attenuated compositions to remain storage stable at ambient temperatures for extended periods of time.
US09161971B2 Method for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CC)
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of PML by infusion of activated and expanded autologous lymphocytes.
US09161965B2 Treatment for epilepsy
The invention provides methods of treating a patient having epilepsy in which an effective regime of an agent that inhibits specific binding of PSD-95 to an NMDA receptor is administered to a patient.
US09161964B2 Uses of an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum
The invention provides a method for inhibiting EGF receptor activity comprising contacting an EGF receptor with an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum, or a recombinant thereof. Also provided is a method for treating invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, comprising administering an effective amount of an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum, or a recombinant thereof, to a subject in need of such treatment.
US09161963B2 Pharmaceutical compositions comprising cyclosporin
The invention relates to liquid pharmaceutical compositions containing: a) a therapeutically effective dose of a cyclosporin; b) an aqueous carrier liquid; c) a first solubilizing substance selected among the group of phospholipids; and d) a second solubilizing substance selected among the group of non-ionic surfactants. Preferably, the cyclosporin is liposome solubilized. The inventive composition is suitable for oral, parenteral, nasal, mucosal, topical, and particularly pulmonary application in the form of an aerosol.
US09161962B2 Targeted therapeutic nanoparticles
Disclosure of methods and compositions related to chemical conjugations to nanoparticles of polysaccharides cross-linked to poloxamers as well as nano-sized colloids comprised of polysaccharides and poloxamers. The nanoparticles may be produced by various methods including inverse miniemulsion polymerization processes which create nanogels of desired size, shape, and stability for controlled therapeutic drug delivery, imaging, and theragnostic applications.
US09161959B2 Use of a vegetable drug composition in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment of portal hypertension caused by hepatocirrhosis
Use of a vegetable drug composition in the manufacturing of a pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment of portal hypertension caused by hepatocirrhosis, said preparation comprises 25-38% of extract of radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, 20-25% of extract of herb Gynostemmae Pentaphylli, 1-6% of alcoholic extract of fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 19-26% of extract of Cordyceps, 6-8% of extract of pollen Pini, 6-10% of extract of semen Persicae. Said preparation can improve hepatic cell degeneration, necrosis, intraheptic hemorrhage, fiber proliferation, and reduce pressure of portal vein in mammal. A preparation method of said preparation is disclosed.
US09161958B2 Methods of treating cellulite
Provided are methods of treating cellulite, the methods comprising applying to skin in need of cellulite treatment a composition comprising paulownin or an extract of Paulownia wood.
US09161957B2 Compositions and methods for reducing blood alcohol content
Disclosed are compositions and methods for reducing blood alcohol content following alcohol consumption. The inventive compositions and methods rapidly reduce blood alcohol content and alleviate symptoms of intoxication in a subject having an elevated blood alcohol content due to alcohol consumption.
US09161956B2 Amniotic membrane preparations and purified compositions and anti-inflammation methods
Compositions having a combination of specific biological components have been found to exert a number of useful effects in mammalian cells, including modulating TGF β signaling, apoptosis, and proliferation of mammalian cells, as well as decreasing inflammation in mice. These components can be obtained commercially, or can be prepared from biological tissues such as placental tissues. Placental amniotic membrane (AM) preparations described herein include AM pieces, AM extracts, AM jelly, AM stroma, and mixtures of these compositions with additional components. The compositions can be used to treat various diseases, such as wound healing, inflammation and angiogenesis-related diseases.
US09161955B2 Amniotic membrane preparations and purified compositions and therapy for scar reversal and inhibition
Compositions having a combination of specific biological components have been found to exert a number of useful effects in mammalian cells, including modulating TGF β signaling, apoptosis, and proliferation of mammalian cells, as well as decreasing inflammation in mice. These components can be obtained commercially, or can be prepared from biological tissues such as placental tissues. Placental amniotic membrane (AM) preparations described herein include AM pieces, AM extracts, AM jelly, AM stroma, and mixtures of these compositions with additional components. The compositions can be used to treat various diseases, such as wound healing, inflammation and angiogenesis-related diseases.
US09161952B2 Method 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.
US09161949B2 Method for attenuating free radical formation resulting from a bodily insult
A method is provided for attenuating free radical formation resulting from a bodily insult. The method includes administering bicarbonate to the body of a subject at a dosage ranging from 1.5 mEq/kg of body weight to 5.0 mEq/kg of body weight within a 24-hour period.
US09161942B2 Methods and products for increasing the rate of healing of tissue wounds
Disclosed are methods for increasing the rate of healing of a tissue wound by administering a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA). Also disclosed herein are methods of promoting wound healing in a subject in need of such promotion, comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one CSA. Additionally, disclosed herein are compounds and compositions comprising at least one CSA, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of a tissue wound. Kits comprising such compositions and instructions on such methods are also contemplated herein.
US09161939B2 Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds
Described herein is pyrrolo{2,3-d}pyrimidine compounds, their use as Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing this compounds, and methods for the preparation of these compounds.
US09161933B2 Solid pharmaceutical composition comprising amlodipine and losartan and process for producing same
The present invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cardiovascular disorders comprising amlodipine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and losartan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which exhibits high dissolution rates of amlodipine and losartan even under a low pH condition and improved storage stability.
US09161928B2 Use of derivatives of polyunsaturated fatty acids as medicaments
Use of polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives as medicaments or functional foods. The present invention relates to the use of 1,2-fatty acid derivatives in the treatment or prevention of common diseases whose etiology is based on alterations (of any type) of the cell membrane lipids, for example, changes in levels, in the composition or in the structure of these lipids. In addition, for diseases in which the regulation of lipid composition and of the structure of the membranes (or proteins that interact with membranes) causes the reversion of pathological state.
US09161923B2 Composition for prevention and treatment of contact lens papillary conjunctivitis and allergic eye disease
The invention provides a use of panthenol or dexpanthenol in the prevention and/or treatment of contact lens papillary conjunctivitis in a subject. A contact lens care solution containing 0.001 to 10% by dry weight dexpanthenol is also provided.
US09161920B2 Pharmaceutical compositions for the coordinated delivery of NSAIDs
The present invention is directed to drug dosage forms that release an agent that raises the pH of a patient's gastrointestinal tract, followed by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The dosage form is designed so that the NSAID is not released until the intragastric pH has been raised to a safe level. The invention also encompasses methods of treating patients by administering this coordinated release, gastroprotective, antiarthritic/analgesic combination unit dosage form to achieve pain and symptom relief with a reduced risk of developing gastrointestinal damage such as ulcers, erosions and hemorrhages.
US09161918B2 Timed, pulsatile release systems
A unit multiparticulate dosage form for delivering one or more basic, active pharmaceutical ingredients into the body in need of such medications to achieve target PK (pharmacokinetics) profiles is described. The dosage form comprises one or more multicoated drug particles (beads, pellets, mini-/micro-tablets) having a barrier coating and a lag-time coating. Each Timed Pulsatile Release (TPR) bead population exhibits pre-determined lag-time followed by differing release characteristics. The composition and thickness of the barrier coating, composition and thickness of the lag-time coating, ratio of IR beads to one or more TPR bead populations and total dose may be varied depending on the alkalinity, pH-dependent solubility and elimination half-life of the active ingredients to achieve target PK profiles (suitable for a once or twice daily dosing regimen) in patients in need of such medications.
US09161914B2 Topical compositions and methods for making and using same
The present invention relates to improved topical gel compositions comprising an active agent, and uses thereof.
US09161909B2 Adhesive compositions for the treatment of xerostomia
Compositions for the treatment of xerostomia, and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed herein. The compositions are typically in the form of a film or tablet, such as a double layer sticker tablet. The compositions adhere to a buccal surface or mucosal surface in the oral cavity for at least 15 minutes, preferably for at least 30 minutes. The compositions themselves are able to increase the levels of saliva in the mouth without the need for active agents, such sialogogic agents. The compositions optionally contain a non-lipid lubricant, a flavoring agent, and/or a buffering agent. The composition is generally effective at treating or ameliorating the effects of xerostomia for a time period ranging from at least 30 minutes up to eight hours following administration to the buccal or oral mucosa.
US09161908B2 Pouch containing nicotine in free salt form
The invention relates to a product for oral delivery of nicotine containing a core comprising a powder of at least one free nicotine salt, at least one pH adjusting agent and at least one filler, and a water insoluble pouch, wherein said pouch is permeable for saliva and therein dissolved parts of the powder, wherein said product upon contact with purified water gives a pH of at least 6. The invention also relates to a method to manufacture such a product.
US09161906B2 Pharmaceutical formulations based on apolar and polar lipids for ophthalmic use
The present invention refers to pharmaceutical formulations based on lipids for ophthalmic use comprising a phospholipid component composed of zwitterionic phospholipids of natural origin and an oily component composed of oils of natural origin emulsified in water. In particular, the invention refers to ophthalmic formulations useful, for example, for transporting drugs to the eye and in the treatment of ocular dryness, capable of restoring the lipid layer of the tear film. In particular, in a non-transitory but pathological situation such as the dry eye syndrome, such formulations also succeed in reducing the often-present inflammatory component.
US09161905B2 Dry eye treatment
This invention relates to an emulsion composition for the formation of an artificial tear film over the ocular surface of the eye capable of providing mechanical lubrication for the ocular surface while reducing evaporation of fluid therefrom. The emulsion is desirably in the form of a meta stable emulsion and is characterized by the use of a surfactant comprising a combination of a primary and secondary surfactant where the primary surfactant permits formation of the emulsion and the secondary surfactant permits autoclaving of the surfactant. The invention also includes a method for the formation of such an emulsion.
US09161893B2 Use, as antidandruff agent, of (ethoxyhydroxyphenyl) alkyl ketone or ethoxyhydroxyalkylphenol compounds
The present invention relates to the use, as an antidandruff agent, of a compound of formula: in which: R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon-based radical; R′ represents a C1-C18 hydrocarbon-based radical, optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group; C—X represents C═O or CH—OH.
US09161887B2 Infant feeding system
A method of collecting expressed breast milk for later feeding to an infant includes providing a spout pouch, coupling the spout of the spout pouch to a breast pump, and operating the breast pump to express breast milk into the spout pouch, so that the spout pouch collects the expressed breast milk. A method of feeding a liquid to an infant includes providing the liquid in a spout pouch, and coupling a nipple to the spout of the spout pouch. A nipple for such use includes a connector having an axial bore that is coupled to an orifice in the nipple and the connector forms a liquid tight seal with the spout of the spout pouch. Other systems, methods, and components are also provided.
US09161882B2 Therapeutic shower and method of using the shower for weight reduction
A therapeutic shower assembly for weight reduction contemplates a generally horizontal support for an individual's body in a horizontal position on their back or stomach and a shower enclosure that accommodates the support. The shower enclosure also includes a source of pressurized water or a pump, a water heater for providing heated water and a horizontal serpentine pipe including a plurality of upwardly directed small openings. The assembly also includes two valves for stopping the flow of water to a portion of the pipe and the second valve for totally stopping the flow of water. The upwardly directed heated water falls gently on the individual. A mechanism raises and lowers the serpentine pipe to allow access to the support and to bring the pipe within about a foot or two of the individual. Finally, a timer and alarm warn an individual that the treatment is over.
US09161878B1 Method for building a dynamic compression garment
A method to form a compression garment apparatus for a body part of a human and/or animal. The method includes forming a segmented flex frame and installing a shape memory alloy on struts of the segmented flex frame. The method further includes connecting the shape memory alloy to first and second terminals on the frame creating a mechanical and electrical connection. The method includes installing a controller that applies current to the shape memory alloy at intervals using and executing intermittent, sequenced, or continuous compression therapy using the controller by creating at least one heating phase causing the shape memory alloy to reach a target transition temperature to either lengthen or shorten and at least one cooling phase causing the length of the shape memory alloy at the target transition temperature to lengthen or shorten opposite of the length change caused by the heating phase.
US09161872B2 Gait rehabilitation machine and method of using the same
A gait rehabilitation machine and a method of using the same for lower-limb rehabilitation. The gait rehabilitation machine includes: a frame; a rear supporting member provided at the frame so that the back side of a human body can lean against the rear supporting member; a thigh supporting member corresponding to a thigh of the human body and pivotally connected to the frame; a shank supporting member corresponding to the corresponding shank of the human body, pivotally connected to the thigh supporting member, and having a pedal to be stepped on by the human body; a knee supporting member corresponding to the corresponding knee of the human body and provided at the thigh supporting member or the shank supporting member; and a transmission device for driving the shank supporting member to move. Thus, a patient can do lower-limb gait rehabilitation exercise without using a suspension system.
US09161867B2 Wearing article
A wearing article including a region in which the wearer's skin is not seen-through other than the existence region of the absorbent structure even when an area of the absorbent structure is relatively small so that the existence region of the absorbent structure may be un noticeable from the outside. A region of the absorbent structure of a diaper overlapping with the first waist region has a dimension in the transverse direction corresponding to 20 to 30% of a dimension in the transverse direction of the first waist region, the first waist region is disposed with a hardly see-through panel overlapping with the absorbent structure and includes a first region in which the chassis, the absorbent structure and the hardly see-through panel are laminated, second regions adjacent on both outsides in the transverse direction of the first region, in which the chassis and the hardly see-through panel are laminated and third regions adjacent on both outsides in the transverse direction of the respective second regions and only the chassis is included; and a differential total luminous transmittance between the first region and the second regions is smaller than a differential total luminous transmittance between the second region and the third region.
US09161864B2 Absorbent article having a multi-component visual signal
An absorbent article comprising a first layer comprising a nonwoven having a first colored region that includes at least one of a central colored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region; and a second layer comprising a polymer film having a second colored region that includes at least one of a central colored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region; wherein the first colored region differs from the second colored region. The article may further comprise a background region. The background region may be visually distinguishable from at least one of the first colored region and the second colored region.
US09161863B2 Absorbent article comprising a shaped element and a method of making such
An absorbent article, which comprises a fastening element for the absorbent article for fastening the absorbent article to underpants or a stiffening element for providing a relatively stiff region of the absorbent article and for defining a collapse prone portion of the absorbent article to shape the absorbent article as desired. The element defines a Y- or X-shape and comprises a first piece of material defining a bend and a second piece of material defining a bend, wherein the first and second pieces of material and their bends together define the Y or X shape of the element. The first and second pieces define a generally V- or U-shape so that each of the first and second pieces has first and second legs extending from a point of the V-shape or a bight of the U-shape, wherein the second legs respectively provide first and second arms of the Y- or X-shape of the element, and wherein the first legs either together provide a third arm of the Y-shape or respectively provide third and fourth arms of the X-shape.
US09161862B2 Assembly for taking up menstrual fluid
The invention relates to an assembly for taking up menstrual fluid. The assembly comprises a fluid absorbing module and a cord of which a first end is connected to the fluid absorbing module and of which a second end is free. The cord further comprises a string and a covering with an open and a closed end which, before use of the assembly, substantially surrounds the string. The closed end of the covering is fixed to the string adjacent the first end of the cord.
US09161855B2 Tissue supporting device and method
A tissue supporting device is provided and method of use. The device includes an anchor element having a plate-like element and first and second side walls extending upwardly therefrom. The plate-like element is defined by front and rear edges, and first and second side edges, with the rear edge being longer than the front edge. The first and second side walls are aligned substantially along at least a portion of the first and second side edges of the plate-like element such that a distance between the first and second side walls at a front side is less than a distance between the first and second side walls at a rear side. The device also includes a soft tissue supporting element adapted for engaging and supporting soft tissue. The soft tissue supporting element is coupled to the plate-like element and extends outwardly from the anchor element.
US09161850B2 Introducer for endovascular implants
An introducer assembly for introducing a stent-graft or other device into a vessel of a patient is provided with a dilator tip which is naturally curved, preferably to be substantially a U-shape. The dilator tip is flexible so as to be able to become substantially straight with a guide wire therein and yet to be able to curve back towards its natural curvature during deployment of an implant. The curvature of the dilator tip can ensure that the dilator tip does not cause damage to the vessel wall during deployment of an implant carried thereon, as can occur with straight dilator tips.
US09161843B2 Surgical method for implanting a stemless humeral component to the humerus of a patient
A stemless humeral component for replacing the humeral head of a patient's humerus includes a support flange having a number of cantilevered legs extending distally away from a bottom surface thereof. Instruments and methods for surgically installing the stemless humeral component are also disclosed.
US09161841B2 Interbody fusion device and associated methods
A method and apparatus is provided for use in spinal fusion procedures. An interbody fusion device has a first piece that is a load bearing device designed to bear the axial loading from the end plates of adjacent vertebrae. A second piece of the interbody fusion device is a retention component whose primary functions are to prevent migration of the load bearing device and loss or migration of graft material from within the load bearing device. A secondary function of the retention component is to address fixation of fasteners when the surgeon is confronted with a challenging access to adequate boney structures due to excessive curvature/angulation of the vertebrae column, minimal invasive surgery techniques, danger to surrounding vascular or neurological tissues, poor bone quality, or similar surgical complications. A tertiary function of the retention component is to provide better alignment and stabilization of misaligned vertebrae when spondylolisthesis is a significant factor. One or more fasteners secure the retention component to each of the vertebrae above and below the load bearing device. The fasteners cause the end plates of the vertebrae to compress the end plates to the load bearing device to facilitate proper fusion.
US09161839B2 Method and apparatus for accessing the interior of a hip joint, including the provision and use of a novel telescoping access cannula and a novel telescoping obturator
A telescoping access cannula including an outer tube; an inner tube carried by the outer tube, the inner tube being coaxial with the outer tube and longitudinally movable relative to the outer tube; and a rotatable member carried by the outer tube and connected to the inner tube, wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes longitudinal movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.
US09161837B2 Apparatus, system, and method for treating a regurgitant heart valve
An apparatus for treating regurgitation of blood through a diseased heart valve having at least two leaflets includes a lollipop-shaped body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the end portions. The intermediate portion includes an expandable occluding member having an adjustable diameter so that, during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle, at least one of the heart leaflet coapts with a portion of the occluding member to mitigate or prevent regurgitation of blood through the diseased heart valve. The proximal end portion is physically connected to the occluding member and includes a connecting mechanism for operably mating with an adjustment member for adjusting the position and diameter of the occluding member within the diseased heart valve. The distal end portion includes an anchoring member for securing the apparatus in a heart chamber containing the diseased heart valve.
US09161833B1 Blink actuation mechanism for a prosthetic eye
The invention relates to a mechanism that can be integrated with silicon facial prostheses used to recapitulate a natural facial appearance through biomimetic actuation. The prosthetic eye comprises a servo motor, microcontroller, battery, rotational shaft, and customized stainless steel tarsus. The tarsus mimics the natural eyelid and reinforces the silicon lid for rotational blink motion. A stainless steel clip holds the device together and polyurethane foam encases the device to allow proper fitting in the orbital cavity. The present invention fits within a model orbital cavity and the generated blink motion is tunable to match the position profile of an in vivo blink.
US09161832B2 Flipping-type graft fixation device and method with low flipping distance
A graft retention device has an elongated body with a first and second ends and a midpoint therebetween. A pair of elongated slots formed through the body defines a tang therebetween. A graft retention loop is disposed over the tang and is slidable therealong. A trailing line connects to the body adjacent the slots and extends therefrom through the graft retention loop toward the first end. Tension applied to the trailing line thus tends to urge the graft retention loop away from the first end and toward the midpoint.
US09161829B2 Implantable medical device and methods of delivering the implantable medical device
In one general aspect, a medical device can include a first elongate member made of a material and having a proximal end portion configured to be attached to a first portion of a bodily portion within a body of a patient where the first elongate member has a distal end portion. The medical device can include a second elongate member made of the material and having a proximal end portion configured to be attached to a second portion of the bodily portion where the first elongate member has a distal end portion. The medical device can also include a third elongate member having a proximal end portion in contact with and coupled to the distal end portion of the first elongate member and in contact with and coupled to the distal end portion of the second elongate member.
US09161826B2 Production of a negative mould for use in producing of a dental prosthesis, a temporary or permanent crown or bridge
For producing a mother matrix mould of a full or partial dental prosthesis or of a temporary crown or bridge or of a permanent crown or bridge, the data of a digitalised virtual model reflecting the status of the jaw is used to generate a data set of the digital tooth set-up of the full or partial dental prosthesis or of the temporary crown or bridge or of the permanent crown or bridge, based on which a rapid manufacturing or rapid prototyping method is used to produce a functional model of the full or partial dental prosthesis or of the temporary crown or bridge or of the permanent crown or bridge that is then invested in a curable elastic impression material from which the mother matrix mould is produced after curing the elastic impression material.
US09161823B2 Orthodontic systems and methods including parametric attachments
Orthodontic systems and related methods are disclosed for designing and providing improved or more effective tooth moving systems for eliciting a desired tooth movement and/or repositioning teeth into a desired arrangement. Methods and orthodontic systems of the invention include tooth attachments having improved or optimized parameters selected or modified for more optimal and/or effective application of forces for a desired/selected orthodontic movement. Attachments of the present invention can be customized to a particular patient (e.g., patient-customized), a particular movement, and/or a sub-group or sub-set of patients, and configured to engage an orthodontic tooth positioning appliance worn by a patient, where engagement between the attachment and orthodontic appliance results in application of a repositioning force or series/system of forces to the tooth having the attachment and will generally elicit a tooth movement.
US09161820B2 Surgical access assembly and method of using same
An illuminating ring assembly is disclosed. The illuminating ring configured to be used with a surgical access element. The illuminating ring assembly comprises a housing defined by a cover and a wall member extending from the cover, wherein the cover and wall member cooperate to define a cavity therein, a light element configured to be disposed with the cavity, and an attachment mechanism configured to selectively attach the housing to a surgical access element. Wherein the cover and the light element both include an opening therethrough.
US09161819B2 Adjustable support apparatus and method of using same
An adjustable support apparatus used to support a person in a specific position over an extended period of time, and method of using the same. The apparatus has a base, an adjustable plate clamp assembly with upper and lower plates, a pivot within the apertures of the plates and adjustably retained between the plates, and a support member attached to the pivot and adapted to support a load. The adjustable plate clamp assembly has upper and lower plates. The upper plate has a central upper aperture, a first end pivotally attached to the base, and a second end. The lower plate has a central lower aperture, a first end, and a second end pivotally attached to the second end of the upper plate. The first end of the lower plate bears against the base, the plates together form an acute angle, and the apertures are aligned with one another.
US09161817B2 Robotic catheter system
A robotic system for manipulating a catheter with a plurality of steering wires longitudinally situated within a length of the catheter includes a user interface configured to display a view of an anatomical model and to receive one or more user inputs; a catheter manipulator assembly configured to linearly actuate one or more control members of a catheter; and a robotic controller configured to provide a view of an anatomical model to the user interface; accept one or more user inputs from the user interface; register the one or more user inputs to a coordinate system associated with the anatomical model; compute one or more actuator commands from the one or more registered inputs; and cause the catheter manipulator assembly to linearly actuate one or more control members of a catheter in accordance with the computed actuator commands.
US09161816B2 Fluoroscopy C-arm drape clip, drape clip assembly and method of clipping a sterile drape to a fluoroscopy C-arm
A fluoroscopy C-arm drape clip for attaching a sterile drape to a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit and method of providing a sterile outer surface on a C-arm of a fluoroscopy C-arm imaging unit is provided. The drape clip includes a generally U-shaped band having a pair of legs and an arm. Each of the legs has a first end attached to the arm and a second end spaced from the arm. The legs extend away from the arm in non-parallel, laterally spaced relation with one another and have inner surfaces facing one another and an outer surfaces facing away from one another. Further, an elastic pad is attached to the inner surface of each of the legs adjacent the second ends.
US09161812B2 Finger-mountable ablation device
A surgical device is disclosed, and includes a pair of finger-mountable annular members, each having an electrode disposed thereon. An optical member is disposed on at least one of the pair of finger-mountable annular members and has a first set of light transmitting properties corresponding to a first set of physical parameters of at least one of the finger-mountable annular members. At least one finger-mountable annular member is configured to transition to a second set of physical parameters being different from the first set of physical parameters. The optical member is configured to transition from a first set of light transmitting properties to a second set of light transmitting properties, the second set of light transmitting properties corresponding to the second set of physical parameters, the second set of light transmitting properties being different from the first set of light transmitting properties.
US09161811B2 Radiation applicator for microwave medical treatment
A radiation applicator with a dielectric body (2) surrounding the antenna. The dielectric body (2) is comprised of three sections (3, 4 and 5) with different dielectric constants to provide broad-band matching of the applicator to surrounding material. Washers (10) and (11) are mounted on the antenna to act as reflectors.
US09161807B2 Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure
An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of pivotably coupled first and second jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another. A drive mechanism includes a driving structure. A link assembly includes two or more links that are operably coupled to each other and the drive structure. The two or more links are operably coupled to respective ones of the first and second jaw members.
US09161806B2 Vessel sealing instrument with reduced thermal spread and method of manufacture therefor
An electrosurgical vessel sealing instrument having a first and a second opposing jaw member at a distal end thereof, wherein each jaw member includes a jaw housing, a seal plate having a tissue contacting surface and a side wall, and an insulating region disposed on the side wall of the seal plate. The instrument includes the ability to move the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. The insulating region enables precision overmolding of the jaw housing to the seal plate, while advantageously reducing thermal spread and edge cutting during vessel sealing procedures.
US09161805B2 Surgical devices and mechanisms
An instrument for use in a medical procedure that includes a proximal end, a distal end, a handle adjacent to the proximal end of the instrument, a flexible elongated neck extending distally from a distal end of the handle, a jaw power screw extending from a distal end of the neck, a pair of moveable jaws operatively connected to the jaw power screw, and a handle power screw assembly operatively connected to a proximal end of the flexible neck within the handle, wherein manipulation of the handle will control movement of the jaws.
US09161804B2 Treatment instrument for endoscope
This treatment instrument (1) for an endoscope is provided with a treatment section (2) for treatment, an operation wire (2) connected with the treatment section (2), a coil sheath (9) into which the operation wire (3) is inserted, an insulating tube (10) into which the coil sheath (9) is inserted, and an operation section (4) for operating the treatment section (2). The operation section (4) comprises a slider (15) rotatably connected with the operation wire (3), a body (13) to which the slider (15) is mounted movably forward and backward, and a rotational operation section (14) which is so mounted as to be rotatable with respect to the body (13) and has the coil sheath (9) so mounted thereto as to be not rotatable. The distal end of the insulating tube (10) is mounted rotatably and movably forward and backward to the distal end of the coil sheath (9). The proximal end side of the insulating tube (10) is separated in a manner so that the proximal end side is relatively movable in an axial direction with respect to the coil sheath (9) and covered with the operation section (4) so as not to be exposed even when the coil sheath (9) curves.
US09161803B2 Motor driven electrosurgical device with mechanical and electrical feedback
An electrosurgical device comprises an end effector, a cutting member, and en electromechanical driver. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws that clamp tissue. The jaws include electrodes that deliver RF energy to clamped tissue. The cutting member cuts tissue clamped between the jaws. The electromechanical driver drives the cutting member. A control module commands the electromechanical driver, and regulates the delivery of RF energy to the electrodes, based on a combination of user input and feedback signals from the electrodes and from the electromechanical driver. The device may provide tactile feedback to the user through the user input feature, based on a load encountered by the cutting member. The device may alert the user when the exterior of end effector makes incidental contact with tissue, to avoid inadvertently burning the tissue. The device may include a removable battery pack to power the electromechanical driver and the electrodes.
US09161800B2 Robotic arms
A device for treating fractures of a bone comprises a plurality of arms, each extending from a proximal end to a distal end and movable in a three-dimensional space, the proximal end of each arm coupled to a frame and a plurality of couplings, each of the couplings coupled to a distal end of each of the plurality of arms, the coupling lockingly receiving a bone fixation element secured to a corresponding bone fragment such that each of the arms is coupled to a corresponding fragment of the bone in combination with a mechanical unit moving each of the arms relative to the frame and a controller receiving data corresponding to a desired final position of the fragments relative to one another and controlling the mechanical unit to move the arms relative to one another to achieve the desired final position of the bone fragments relative to one another.
US09161797B2 Bone treatment systems and methods
Systems and methods for treating bone, such as vertebral compression fractures are disclosed. A method includes controllably applying energy to a bone cement volume outside of a patient's body to selectively accelerate the polymerization rate of the bone fill material volume prior to introduction into a bone. The method further includes sequentially introducing a plurality of cement carrying structures with the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement volume into the bone. A system for use in the method includes at least one elongated cement-carrying structure sized to carry a bone cement volume therein and an energy source operatively coupleable to the cement-carrying structure. The energy source applies energy to the bone cement volume to selectively accelerate a polymerization rate thereof. An elongated injector insertable into the bone has a passageway that removably receives the elongated cement-carrying structure to allow delivery of the accelerated polymerization rate bone cement into the bone.
US09161791B2 Bone Plate
A bone plate includes an upper surface, a bone contacting surface, and at least one hole extending through the upper and bone contacting surfaces for receiving a bone screw. The at least one hole includes a first portion and a second portion that overlap one another. The first portion defines a substantially circular outer periphery and the second portion defines an elongated outer periphery that is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The first portion may have threads configured to engage threads on the head of a bone screw, and the second portion may be configured to cooperate with the head of a different bone screw to provide compression to the fracture.
US09161790B2 Adjustable length orthopedic device
An adjustable length orthopedic device and system. According to one embodiment, the adjustable length orthopedic device or system comprises an elongated shaft with a longitudinal axis, and an adjustable portion extending from a proximal end of the elongated shaft along the longitudinal axis. The adjustable length orthopedic device further comprises at least one hole in a distal end portion of the device, where the hole is adapted for insertion of a pin through the device and into the bone in order to anchor the device to the bone. According to another embodiment is a lag screw extending from a proximal end of the elongated shaft at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis, the lag screw comprising a lag screw shaft segment, and an adjustable segment that extends from the proximal end of the shaft segment. According to another embodiment is an adjustable length locking screw.
US09161788B2 Rod reducer apparatus for spinal corrective surgery
Spinal rod reduction apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. In various examples, a rod reduction apparatus includes a first threaded member (130, 210, 330) including an engagement feature (138A, 138B, 220, 332, 334) configured to selectively anchor the first threaded member to the implantable screw assembly. A second threaded member (110, 230, 310) is configured to threadably engage with the first threaded member. The second threaded member is axially movable with respect to the first threaded member with rotation of the second threaded member. A spinal rod urging member (120, 240, 320) is axially movable with the second threaded member. The urging member includes a bearing surface (126, 242, 320) that is configured to selectively abut the spinal rod and selectively urge the spinal rod toward the implantable screw assembly with rotation of the second threaded member in a first rotational direction.
US09161786B2 Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement
Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.
US09161782B2 Bone anchor assemblies and methods of manufacturing and use thereof
A bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor having a proximal head and a distal shaft configured to engage bone, a receiver member for receiving a spinal fixation element to be coupled to the bone anchor, an insert positioned in the proximal end of the receiver member having a pair of spaced apart insert arms defining a recess therebetween, and a closure mechanism positionable between and engaging the insert arms to capture a spinal fixation element within the recess of the insert and fix the spinal fixation element with respect to the receiver member.
US09161781B2 Minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw and slotted rod assembly
A pedicle screw and rod assembly that has particular application for minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation. The assembly includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The assembly also includes two cannulated posts that extend above a cannulated pedicle screw to allow placement over a K-wire. A head portion accepts the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The assembly further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The assembly also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the portion.
US09161779B2 Minimally invasive retractor and methods of use
A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by pulling it out of the wound whereby the retractor is deformed to pass over the pedicle screw head. The retractor is intended to be made of a stiff plastic material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.
US09161777B2 Trans-septal sheath with splitting dilating needle and method for its use
A device useful for accessing the left atrium is provided. The device comprises an elongated tubular body and a dilating tip. The tubular body has an axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen longitudinally extending therethrough. The dilating tip is slidably mounted on the distal end of the tubular body. The dilating tip comprises a segmented surface that is generally transverse to the axis of the tubular body, and a generally rigid tube extending distally from the segmented surface and having a sharp distal end. Distal movement of the tubular body relative to the dilating tip exerts a force on the segmented surface to thereby open the segmented surface.
US09161775B1 Tunneling tool for deliberate placement of an ILR
A tunneling tool for implanting a medical device into body tissue is described. The tunneling tool comprises a first leg and a second leg. An intermediate portion of the second leg is shaped to nest a medical device therein. A hub connects the first and second distal leg ends together. A sheath providing a lumen extends from the hub to an open end distal of the first and second legs. The first and second legs are manipulatable to separate the hub and the sheath into two portions, a first split portion connected to the first leg and a second split portion connected to the second leg. When a medical device is nested in the tunneling tool, breaking the tunneling tool apart enables the first and second split portions to be removed from body tissue, leaving the implanted medical device behind.
US09161773B2 Tissue removal tools and methods of use
Discectomy or disc preparation system that includes a guide member that is changeable from a deployment configuration for insertion into an intervertebral disc space to a deployed configuration upon being deployed into the intervertebral disc. The system also includes at least one tissue manipulator, such as cutting, scraping and extraction elements, that can be moved or tracked longitudinally along the guide member into and through the intervertebral disc space.
US09161772B2 Surgical instrument and medical manipulator
A surgical instrument for performing treatment to a treatment target portion includes a cylindrical elongated member; a treatment part, and a connection part. The connection part includes a first turning axis part provided to the elongated member, a second turning axis part provided to the treatment part, a first rolling guide part that is provided to the elongated member and includes a circular-arc-shaped part coaxial with the first turning axis part, a second rolling guide part that is provided to the treatment part and includes a rolling guide part including a circular-arc-shaped part coaxial with the second turning axis part, the rolling guide part rollingly contacting the first rolling guide part, and an engaging part that brings the treatment part and the elongated member into an engaging state. The connection part is detachable between the first turning axis part and the second turning axis part.
US09161771B2 Medical instrument with snake wrist structure
A medical instrument includes a snake wrist structure further including: a first joint disk having a first rim having a first tooth slot and a first toothed gear with the first tooth slot opposite the first toothed gear along the first rim; and a first strut having a first slot bearing and a first hole bearing connected by a first connection strut with the first slot bearing in the first tooth slot.
US09161770B2 Overmolded grasper jaw
A surgical instrument can comprise an elongate tube including a camming rod and an actuation mechanism operably connected to the camming rod; a first jaw spine having a first cam slot; and a second jaw spine having a second cam slot, the second jaw spine pivotally connected to the first jaw spine at a common pivot pin connected to the elongate tube. A camming pin rides along first and second interior camming surfaces and closes the jaw spines when the camming rod moves proximally. When the camming rod moves distally, a camming projection rides on first and second exterior camming surfaces on proximal sides of the first and second jaw spines and opens the jaw spines. One camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates closing the jaw spines while the other camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates opening the jaw spines. These two camming surfaces can be widely separated.
US09161762B2 Utilizing multiple links to achieve a desired tool deflection angle when clearing an epidural space
An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has multiple links that allow the creation of a deflection angle. A wire passes through the links and once the links are positioned with the desired deflection angle, tension is placed on the wire to lock the links into the current position. The clearing tool is inserted through a window into the epidural space, and once the tension is applied to the wire, the clearing tool becomes rigid to allow advancement of the clearing tool within the epidural space. The clearing tool is then removed from the epidural space, and the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site.
US09161755B1 Method of repairing an annulus
A repair technique utilizing an elastic loop that is inserted on each side of an annular tear or annular incision following discectomy. The loop is initially an opened linear strand with the open ends inserted on each side of the annular tear with guiding arms in curvilinear fashion. The ends are joined together in the substance of the annulus where the ends are locked under tension. The insertion device is then removed and the elastic loop, which has been under tension, will tighten causing the annular tear to pull together thereby diminishing or eliminating any gap. One or more annular elastic sutures can be used for each annular tear to insure proper closure. The insertion device has guiding arms that push the open ends of the annular suture loop through the substance of the annulus and then forces them together engaging a locking mechanism inside the substance of the annulus. This technique allows for relatively easy and quick repair of the annular defect or tear.
US09161749B2 Method and apparatus for treating sexual dysfunction
A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating sexual dysfunction. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
US09161747B2 Compression expanded cannula
Various methods and devices are provided for accessing an interior surgical site using an access portal which can be inserted and removed with minimal tissue damage and which can form a seal with tissue while inserted. Generally, a device is provided having a rigid elongate surgical access member with a lumen extending therethrough that is configured to receive a surgical tool. The device can also include a flexible sleeve having a lumen extending therethrough that is configured to receive the elongate surgical access member. A substantially rigid collar is provided disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the flexible sleeve and having a lumen extending therethrough that is configured to receive the elongate surgical access member. In an exemplary embodiment, the collar is movable relative to the elongate surgical access member to selectively configure the flexible sleeve in a relaxed condition in which the flexible sleeve has a relatively smooth outer tissue-contacting surface and a compressed condition in which the flexible sleeve has a plurality of protrusions formed on the outer tissue-contacting surface that are configured to create a seal between the outer tissue-contacting surface and tissue.
US09161741B2 Ultrasonic image processing apparatus, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and ultrasonic image processing method
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a slice image generation unit, a three-dimensional image generation unit, a display unit, a setting unit, an updating unit, and a changing unit. The slice image generation unit generates the data of slice images based on a volume data. The three-dimensional image generation unit generates the data of a three-dimensional image based on the volume data. The display unit displays the slice images and the three-dimensional image. The setting unit sets the vector on the first slice image of the displayed slice images in accordance with an instruction from an operator. The updating unit updates the displayed three-dimensional image based on the vector. The changing unit changes the position of a slice of a remaining slice image of the displayed slice images to a position where the slice intersects the vector and is perpendicular to the slice of the first slice image.
US09161739B2 Beamforming method, beamforming apparatus, and medical imaging system performing the beamforming method
A beamforming apparatus includes a storage for storing a plurality of basis vectors obtained from a beamforming coefficient of a previously-measured echo signal; a weight calculator for calculating a weight to be applied to an echo signal reflected from a target; and a synthesizer for applying the weight to the echo signal reflected from the target and synthesizing signals to which the weight is applied.
US09161734B2 Method and system for filtering image data and use thereof in virtual endoscopy
A method for filtering image data having at least three types of distinct regions from a selected type of region, each of the at least three types of distinct regions being characterized by a plurality of unitary image elements, the method comprising providing the image data; selecting a portion of the image data comprising at least a corresponding portion of each of the at least three types of regions; determining at least one distribution for each of the at least three types of regions in the selected portion; determining at least one function for associating each unitary image element of the selected type of region in the selected portion to another type of region of the at least three types of regions such that the at least one distribution of the selected type of regions in the selected portion is transposed into a corresponding distribution of the another type of region; and applying the at least one function to each unitary image element of the selected type of region of the selected portion to thereby provide filtered image data. Applications of the method for suppressing tagged material in virtual colonoscopy are also disclosed.
US09161733B2 Interface device, imaging system and method for rim-imaging
The invention relates to imaging systems in which during imaging of an object a matching medium is used to match the object to its surroundings. An interface device is used for phase contrast rim-imaging of the object, which comprises a compartment in which a deformable matching material is contained which can be pushed to the side when the object to be imaged is compressed. Thus, a lateral field of view for X-ray phase contrast mammography may be increased.
US09161728B2 X-ray diagnosis apparatus and X-ray diagnosis assisting method
An X-ray diagnosis apparatus of an embodiment includes: an imaging unit that includes an X-ray tube which emits an X-ray to a subject, and an X-ray detector which detects an X-ray passing through the subject; an X-ray beam limiting unit that is disposed between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector, has a plurality of collimator blades, and can be rotated; an image processing unit that generates a fluoroscopic image of a region of interest set by the X-ray beam limiting unit; and a control unit that individually controls the plurality of collimator blades in such a way that a long side of an opening formed by the plurality of collimator blades goes in a longitudinal direction of a target within the fluoroscopic image.
US09161724B2 Multi-cardiac sound gated imaging and post-processing of imaging data based on cardiac sound
A method image includes determining an end systolic imaging trigger, acquiring cardiac imaging data including first imaging data corresponding to a first predetermined data acquisition interval surrounding end systole, and post-processing the cardiac imaging data based at least on the end systolic imaging trigger.
US09161718B2 Treatment of cerebral palsy impaired speech in children
Cerebral palsy impaired speech in children and adolescents are effectively treated by administration of a psychostimulant. Low doses of the psychostimulant significantly increases the percentage of correctly pronounced intelligible syllables or words and the ability to more intelligibly communicate. The improvement in speech persists after cessation of or prior to continued psychostimulant treatment.
US09161713B2 Multi-mode patient monitor configured to self-configure for a selected or determined mode of operation
A patient monitoring system comprises a plurality of emitters configured to transmit light into a tissue site and a detector configured to receive the light after tissue absorption. The detector generates a signal responsive to the intensity of the light and communicates the signal to a monitor. An information element is readable by the monitor so as to identify an environment of use. An actuator may preset at least one user-selectable operational parameter of the monitor in response to the information element.
US09161700B2 Body-worn system for measuring continuous non-invasive blood pressure (cNIBP)
The present invention provides a technique for continuous measurement of blood pressure based on pulse transit time and which does not require any external calibration. This technique, referred to herein as the ‘Composite Method’, is carried out with a body-worn monitor that measures blood pressure and other vital signs, and wirelessly transmits them to a remote monitor. A network of body-worn sensors, typically placed on the patient's right arm and chest, connect to the body-worn monitor and measure time-dependent ECG, PPG, accelerometer, and pressure waveforms. The disposable sensors can include a cuff that features an inflatable bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, three or more electrical sensors (e.g. electrodes), three or more accelerometers, a temperature sensor, and an optical sensor (e.g., a light source and photodiode) attached to the patient's thumb.
US09161698B2 Multi-sensor strategy for heart failure patient management
An apparatus comprises plurality of sensors and a processor. Each sensor provides a sensor signal that includes physiological information and at least one sensor is implantable. The processor includes a physiological change event detection module that detects a physiological change event from a sensor signal and produces an indication of occurrence of one or more detected physiological change events, and a heart failure (HF) detection module. The HF detection module determines, using a first rule, whether the detected physiological change event is indicative of a change in HF status of a subject, determines whether to override the first rule HF determination using a second rules, and declares whether the change in HF status occurred according to the first and second rules.
US09161696B2 Modular patient monitor
A modular patient monitor has a docking station configured to accept a handheld monitor. The docking station has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a first set of parameters. At least some of the first parameter set are displayed simultaneously on a full-sized screen integrated with the docking station. The handheld monitor also has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a second set of parameters. At least some of the second set of parameters are displayed simultaneously on a handheld-sized screen integrated with the handheld monitor. The docking station has a port configured to accept the handheld monitor. While the handheld monitor is docket in the port, the docking station functionally combines the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters, and at least some of the combined first and second sets of parameters are displayed simultaneously on the full-sized screen.
US09161694B2 Optical analysis system and approach therefor
Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects are facilitated with a capillary-access approach. According to an example embodiment, a capillary is implanted into a specimen and adapted to accept an optical probe to facilitate optical access into the specimen. In some applications, the capillary is implanted for use over time, with one or more different probes being inserted into the capillary at different times, while the capillary is implanted. Certain applications involve capillary implantation over weeks, months or longer. Other applications are directed to the passage of fluid to and/or from a sample via the capillary. Still other applications are directed to the passage of electrical information between the sample and an external arrangement, via an implanted capillary.
US09161692B2 Wireless monitoring apparatus used in conjunction with an automated external defibrillator (AED) system for multiple patient rescue during mass casualty incidents
A Wireless Monitoring Apparatus is used in conjunction with an automated external defibrillator (AED) system for patient rescue in mass-casualty incidents. The rescuer applies the device on each patient. The wireless monitoring apparatus automatically analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and communicates with the AED system. The AED system is therefore is able to display information with regard to each patient, notifies the rescuer on actions to take and can deliver defibrillation therapy if needed.
US09161691B2 Scanning ophthalmic imaging apparatus
Provided is a scanning laser ophthalmoscope capable of accurately superposing multiple photographed images. The scanning laser ophthalmoscope comprises an image generating unit that generates first images based on the light reflected from first laser light and second images based on the light reflected from second laser light. An associating unit associates the first images and the second images based on the first laser light and the second laser light parallelly scanned by the scanning unit. A displacement calculating unit calculates displacements between images regarding multiple first images. The position matching unit matches the positions of multiple second images based on the processing results from the associating unit and the displacements. The superposing unit superposes the multiple second images that have undergone the position matching. The display unit displays an image obtained by superposing the multiple second images.
US09161689B2 Ophthalmologic photographing apparatus
An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus is disclosed which is capable of photographing a predetermined area of a subject's eye. The apparatus includes a light projecting unit configured to project visible light to a subject's eye, a detection unit configured to measure a pupil diameter, which is caused by the light projecting unit, and a control unit configured to determine the amount of change in diameter and to control a photographing operation based on the amount of change determined by the control unit.
US09161685B2 Perimeter
The perimeter (2), which has a perimetry means (13) that measures the visual field of a test eye and outputs the results thereof as measurement results (MR), is configured by comprising: a measurement database memory (17) wherein multiple measurement results of previous visual field measurements are stored as a measurement database (MDB) in a form that is divided into a database (DB1) pertaining to normal eyes and a database (DB2) pertaining to eyes with glaucoma; a means (16) for assessing whether or not the measurement results (MR) for the test eye can be used as measurement results for normal eyes; and a means (15) that, when it is determined that the measurement results can be used as measurement results for normal eyes, adds the measurement results to the database (DB1) pertaining to normal eyes along with database search attribute data (data such as the subject's age, sex, race, visual acuity, refractive index, diagnosis, residence, date and time of examination, etc.).
US09161680B2 Disposable air/water valve for an endoscopic device
An air/water valve assembly for use in an endoscope or other medical equipment is provided. The valve assembly includes a spool and a one-piece sealing member that includes a number of sealing rings. The spool can be injection molded, and the sealing member can be overmolded onto the spool. A spring, retainer, and housing are also included to form the valve assembly. As such, an air/water valve assembly may be made that can be used in a single medical procedure and then discarded in a cost-effective manner. Corresponding methods of manufacturing an air/water valve assembly are also provided.
US09161677B2 Silverware container, especially silverware tray and/or silverware basket, as well as dishwasher with such a silverware container
The invention relates to a silverware container (1, 40), especially a silverware basket and/or a silverware tray, for arrangement on a crockery basket (2) of a dishwasher, wherein the silverware container (1) comprises two opposing ends (16A, 14A; 16B, 14B) that are adapted for arrangement on the upper ends of two opposing side walls (3,4) of the crockery basket (2) or the silverware container (40) is adapted for arrangement on the bottom (21) of the crockery basket (2), characterized in that the silverware container (1, 40) comprises a bottom wall (18; 46A, 46B) for supporting the silverware that comprises at least two essentially horizontal segments (18A, 18B; 46A, 46B) that are arranged telescopably relative to each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a crockery basket (2) comprising a silverware container (1, 40), a silverware tray (1) and/or a silverware basket (40) according to the invention.
US09161674B2 Silverware basket with features for assisting removal of the silverware basket from a dishwasher appliance
A dishwasher appliance is provided with a silverware basket. The silverware basket includes a ramp that is configured for urging the silverware basket away from a door of the appliance when the silverware basket is being detached from the door. The ramp can, e.g., assist a user in removing the silverware basket.
US09161672B2 Laminated flat mophead
A laminated flat mop head which includes a flat foam layer laminated with a fabric material without using glue or adhesive.
US09161670B1 Sponge roller mop with quick release mechanism to remove a dirty sponge from the housing without having to touch the dirty or contaminated sponge
A mechanism by which the mop of a sponge roller mop is released without a user having to touch a dirty mop so that the sponge can be released and replaced with a clean sponge, including a sponge pin molded onto the brace which retains the sponge. The mechanism includes a transverse section with a movable hole through which the crown from the sponge pin is inserted. The wall is moved by a transverse spring force so that the wall from the opening of the trigger mechanism is placed between the crown and a lower section of the sponge pin to thereby retain the crown within the rod retaining mechanism. When a pushbutton is pushed transversely, it overcomes the spring force so that the crown is released and a downward force from the vertical compression spring forces the crown downwardly and out of the trigger mechanism, thereby releasing the sponge.
US09161669B2 Surface cleaning apparatus
A surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the pre-motor filter dirt chamber is removable from the surface cleaning apparatus.
US09161668B2 Filter assembly for a vacuum cleaning appliance
A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a filter housing having at least one air inlet for receiving an air flow, a filter assembly removably locatable within the filter housing for removing dirt from the air flow, and a duct for receiving the air flow exhausted from the filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter body, a filter mounted on the filter body, and a spring-loaded coupling member moveable relative to the filter body for engaging the duct. The coupling member includes an air outlet through which the air flow is exhausted from the filter assembly. A convoluted sealing member forms a seal between the filter body and the coupling member while allowing relative movement therebetween as the coupling member engages the duct.
US09161667B2 Vacuum cleaner with enhanced surface area filter
A filter kit with an enhanced surface area filter and cage, for an electric power vacuum cleaner, the filter is a self-cleaning, flexible interlocking fabric having a rest position at atmospheric pressure, and a stretched position when under vacuum of a vacuum cleaner, the fabric having at least enough stretchability to increase its surface area by at least 10% in its stretched position from its rest position. When the vacuum cleaner is operating, the filter is in its stretched position and collects dust and debris, and when the vacuum cleaner is off, the filter relaxes, returns to its rest position and its surface area contracts to be self-cleaning, and a portion of the dust and debris to fall from the filter.
US09161666B2 Surface cleaning head
A surface cleaning head comprises an upper section and a lower section. A front portion of the upper section extends forwardly of the lower section. At least a section of the front portion is transparent.
US09161664B2 Shower rod with spring adjustment
An embodiment of the present invention is a shower rod assembly including an outer tube, a spring chamber, being housed in the attachment end of the outer tube, and inner tube with an attachment end inserted within said outer tube, and a bracket device at the opposite ends of the outer tube and inner tube for installation in an enclosure. The spring chamber has a fixed blocker in a locked position within the outer tube, a compression spring, and a mobile blocker with a removable locking pin. When the locking pin is removed, the compression spring extends to lock the outer tube and inner tube in position at a set length within the enclosure. Each bracket device has a base body with ridges, a casing with an inner core, a lock on the side of the casing and a mount.
US09161660B2 Burner
A deep fryer apparatus including a gas burner for heating cooking oil. The burner includes a venturi inlet for receiving fuel and combustion air that communicates with a main chamber having an expanding cross-section. A balancing plate is disposed in a flow path of the fuel air mixture that is located intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The balancing plate defines a region of reduced cross-section in the flow path. A flame cap located at the outlet defines at least one secondary chamber between itself and the balancing plate that defines a flow path cross-section that is larger than the cross-section of the flow path at the balancing plate. The balancing plate is preferably tapered to compensate for variations in the length of the flow path due to an angled orientation between the burner inlet and the outlet.
US09161653B2 Beverage dispenser with improved refilling operation
A beverage dispenser comprises: a housing (1), at least two refillable containers (2) for storing bulk beverage ingredients, at least a beverage preparation unit (3) operatively linked to the containers for preparing a beverage from at least one of the stored bulk beverage ingredients, a sub-housing (4) in which the containers are placed, the sub-housing being removable from the housing.
US09161652B2 Capsule and system for preparing a beverage comprising soluble substance
An exchangeable capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption is disclosed. The exchangeable capsule comprises a circumferential wall, a bottom, closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid closing the circumferential wall at a second end opposite the bottom. The wall, the bottom and the lid enclose an inner space comprising beverage ingredient for preparing the beverage. The bottom comprises an entrance area for supplying fluid to the ingredient, wherein the lid comprises an exit area for draining beverage from the capsule. The beverage ingredient comprises at least a soluble substance. The exit area comprises an exit filter that is adapted to substantially prevent non-dissolved soluble substance from leaving the capsule. A system for preparing a beverage comprising such a capsule and a method for preparing a beverage is also disclosed.
US09161648B2 Telescopic traversing system for retractable window treatments
A variable length support rod apparatus for translational support of a window treatment, such as draperies, comprised of a support member formed of a plurality of transnationally engaged segments, the support member is infinitely configurable from a minimum contracted length to a maximum extended length through a translation of the plurality of segments toward or away from each other. A continuous flexible member is positioned along a pathway running between a first end and a second end of the support member. The support rod may be configured to any length between the minimum and maximum lengths and may be fixed to a support surface without an adjustment of the fixed length of the continuous flexible member.
US09161644B2 Horizontal platform and advertisement display apparatus and method of using same
A unique beverage holder is adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall surface, and includes a cantilevered beverage holder platform and an advertising display, preferably including a slot or other arrangement for receiving an advertising media and an outwardly facing window for viewing the advertisement. The device is preferably installed in bathrooms, and the like, such as above urinals to provide bathroom users with a place to set their beverage, and at the same time attracting attention to the advertisement while the user is captive. In one embodiment, the beverage holder is adapted to be reversibly mounted on a wall bracket such that the shelf unit may alternately be at the top or bottom of the device. The reversible beverage holder is preferably secured to the wall bracket by release tabs.
US09161640B2 Blanket and blanket cover
Blanket with protective effect against dorsal parts of the human body becoming cold during sleep, with a composition of two textile layers (11, 11′) of the same size and shape that are equipped with identically located prolonged openings (2, 2′) of the same size and shape that are mutually firmly connected alongside their perimeters (3) and alongside the perimeter of the opening (4). A blanket cover is described, too, consisting of two textile layers of the same size and shape equipped with identically located prolonged openings of the same size and shape.
US09161635B2 Sheet fastener
A first member includes a first fixing portion on which a sheet edge is fixed, a holder continuous with an end of the first fixing portion, a first recess that is defined in the holder and has an opening in a continuous direction of the first fixing portion, and a support portion that is formed opposite the first fixing portion across the opening of the first recess of the holder. A second member includes a second fixing portion on which the other sheet edge is fixed, a held portion continuous with an end of the second fixing portion. When the held portion is inserted into the first recess, the support portion is brought into contact with a surface of the second fixing portion.
US09161634B2 Asymmetrical combined cylindrical and conical springs
A mattress comprising asymmetrical coil springs with nonlinear spring rates provides comfort to users with different weights. The lower portion of the spring is cylindrical and the upper portion is conical or frustoconical. This arrangement causes the spring to undergo linear compression before undergoing nonlinear compression. The result is a mattress that is sufficiently soft for lighter users and sufficiently firm for heavier users.
US09161625B2 Slide rail assembly
A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a support member and a resilient member. The second rail is slidably connected to the first rail to which the third rail is connected. The support member is movably connected to the third rail and has a side portion and a stop portion. The side portion has at least one first slot, and a first connecting member extends through the at least one first slot and is connected to the third rail. The resilient member generates an elastic force in response to a relative movement between the support member and the third rail. The support member is movable relative to the third rail and contacts against the chassis.
US09161617B2 Work station
A work station includes a work surface and a panel with a notch formed therein and a channel formed therethrough. A panel support base is positioned within the notch of the panel, a sliding member is positioned within the channel of the panel and extends through the work surface, a support member is positioned at an end portion of the sliding member extending through the work surface, and an arm rotatably coupled between the panel support base and the sliding member. The arm is rotatable to move the sliding member and adjust the position of the support member relative to the work surface.
US09161616B1 Portable desk assembly
A portable desk assembly for providing a work surface having an adjustable height includes a pair of stands each movably coupled together. The pair of stands is positionable between a deployed position and a stored position. A panel is coupled to the pair of stands. The panel may provide a work surface. A lock is coupled between the pair of stands. The lock retains the panel at a selected height when the pair of stands is positioned in the deployed position.
US09161613B1 Tongue scraper toothbrush system
A tongue scraper toothbrush system for cleaning teeth and tongue of a user is provided. The tongue scraper toothbrush system comprises a handle having a first end and a second end. A brush head is mounted to the first end of the handle. A tongue scraping device is mounted to the handle. The brush head and the tongue scraping device are alternatingly usable to clean the teeth and tongue of the user.
US09161611B2 Protective case adapted for use on tablet mobile devices
A protective case is for use on a tablet mobile device. The tablet mobile device has a front face, rear face and four side faces connecting the front face. The protective case comprises a frame body comprising a bottom portion for supporting the rear face and a holding portion extending from the bottom portion and at least partially bent for lying on the front face; a sealing member comprising an assistant holding portion and for surrounding and holding, in cooperation with the frame body, the tablet mobile device; and a handle member mounted on the frame body and/or the sealing member. The protective case has the advantages of having a simple structure for convenient installation and protecting the exterior of the computer without hiding its display screen. Additionally, the handle member adapts an ergonomic design by using user's arm as support for the computer.
US09161610B2 Carrier system having a front and back part and means for fastening to a human torso
The invention relates to a carrier system having a front part and a back part and means for fastening to a human torso. The carrier system also has a hip belt which can be connected to the back part via at least one support. It is provided that at least a part of the means for fastening to a human torso has first fastening means and the back part has second fastening means, the first and the second fastening means together forming a fastening device with fastening loops and receptacles. The receptacles are provided with slots. The fastening loops can be inserted into or passed through the receptacles. Furthermore, an elongated fixing element is provided which can be passed through those ends of the fastening loops which have been inserted into the receptacles.
US09161609B2 Quick-release weight distribution and connection system
Provided are a device, system, and method for distributing a weighted load carried by an operator to a waist-belt worn by the operator, and a quick-release feature for quickly discarding and separating a portion of a load from a waist belt and/or accessories on the belt.
US09161608B2 Garment, carry bag, and fastener for fastening a carry bag to a person's body
This invention discloses a fastener for fastening a carry bag to a person's body, characterized by a garment having at least one reinforced member. The reinforced member is integrally formed with the garment. It has an elongate strap and a container portion of a backpack or rucksack. The reinforced member includes connector means for connecting the reinforced member to an engagement means of the carry bag. The garment may be, for example, a waistcoat, collared vest or a front portion of a waistcoat or collared vest that extends to a carry bag, rucksack, or backpack.
US09161607B2 Form for holding or storing wig, hair piece, or hair extension
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an form which holds a hair extension and maintains the order and curl of the strands of hair. The form provides optimum display of the wig or hair extension evaluation by the prospective user. In addition, after purchase, the form provides a means for convenient space-saving storage of the hair extension which maintains the appearance of the hair extension.
US09161605B2 Rotary pumping type cosmetic container
The rotary pumping type cosmetic container is provided, which makes it possible to easily discharge a certain amount of contents by rotating a rotation member in such a way to perform a pumping operation of a pumping member as a guide protrusion of a stem moves along a slanted surface of a bent portion of an inner side of a rotation member when a rotation member rotates.
US09161602B2 Dryer for curling eyelashes
The present device relates to a dryer for curling eyelashes. The dryer according to the present device may prevent a user from being burned and also has a novel structure that effectively curls the eyelashes. Since the dryer for curling the eyelashes indirectly heats the eyelashes by using air heated by a heater 20, the dryer may prevent eyes or skin of the user from being burned and may also heat the eyelashes at an adequate temperature to effectively curl the eyelashes.
US09161600B1 Retractable luggage handle assembly
A retractable luggage handle assembly includes a base unit consisting of two outer sleeves, a retractable handle consisting of two retractable bars, two actuation members and a grip and mounted in the base unit and movable relative to the base unit between an extended position and a received position, and a pullback and buffer unit consisting of two rails, two sliding blocks, two movable member sets, two spring-loaded guide members, two buffers, and two locating caps and adapted for pulling the retractable bars back to the inside of the outer sleeves of the base unit and moving the buffers to buffer the movement of the sliding blocks when the user operates a control button at the grip to receive the retractable handle.
US09161595B2 Walking cane
An adjustable-length walking aid provides a hollow tubular body having a top and a bottom. A spring-biased gripper arm at the bottom is connected to a tension gripper actuator filament that is spooled around a flywheel spool. A lamp housed in the base of the body is connected to a power supply in the handle by a conductive filament that is also spooled around the flywheel. The tension on the gripper actuator and conductive filaments is maintained by the flywheel regardless of the length to which the cane is adjusted.
US09161594B2 Cleat for a sports shoe
A cleat for a sports shoe including a cleat base having an opening and a cleat tip having a connecting element. The connecting element has the shape of a pin which exhibits a first diameter and a second diameter, measured perpendicular to the first diameter, which is smaller than the first diameter. In order to connect the cleat tip to the cleat base, the connecting element can be pressed into the opening and the cleat tip is held in the cleat base by a force fit.
US09161592B2 Fluid-filled chamber with a stacked tensile member
A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile.
US09161591B2 Autonomous balance-enhanced insert for footwear
An article of footwear and insert for an article of footwear are provided with means for provisional instantaneous enhancing cutaneous mechanoreceptors pressure sensation from the plantar surface (sole) of the foot perimeter zone.Such instantaneous stimulation ought to compensate age/illness—related deterioration of plantar cutaneous sensation; it enhances its ability to detect and react to the shifts of the body's Center of Gravity (COG) toward the edges of the feet which, if left uncorrected right away, cause ankle sprain, and/or loss of balance and fall.An insole disclosed is provided with a set of pressure-activated protrusions, which form a narrow strip in close proximity to the perimeter of the insole inside the inner neighborhood of the plantar sole perimeter, and becomes active just when the Center Of Pressure (COP) of the wearer of the footwear is shifting dangerously toward the edges of the feet.
US09161587B2 Hardhat mounted personal fan
A hardhat personal fan of the present invention comprises a fan with duct delivery system designed to be mounted externally onto the rim of any hardhat requiring no modification to the hat. This allows for easy installation, use and un-installation. The design is small, sleek, light weight and attractive. The system provides constant cooling airflow to the lower face, neck, shoulders and upper body. Heat is expelled before it travels to the head, promoting cooling there also. The cooling airflow alleviates the potential for heat stroke, reduces fatigue, and increases a worker's endurance, dexterity, mental acuity, concentration and morale.
US09161583B2 Methods and devices for hair weave and hair piece attachment
Methods and devices for attaching hair weaves to a wearer's existing hair are described. A hair extension/weave portion (e.g., a system comprised of a plurality of natural and/or synthetic hair strands) may be attached to an attachment strip member via a base member with a suture, such as a thread or stitch. The attachment strip member may be formed of a flexible material, such that it can conform to the contours of the wearer's head/scalp. Holes may be provided on the attachment strip member so to allow the attachment of one or more clip members thereto. The clip members, having the attachment strip member and hair extension portion attached thereto, may then be inserted into the wearer's existing hair so as to secure the hair extension system thereto. The clip members, and thus the hair extension system, may then be easily removed from the wearer's existing hair when desired.
US09161582B2 Linked belt
A device enabling the formation of a belt or suspenders through a sequential engagement of a plurality of removably engageable bodies. The bodies are only engageable and disengageable when positioned at an engagement position substantially perpendicular to adjacent bodies.
US09161579B1 Puncture-resistant glove
A puncture-resistant glove includes a glove body having a hand portion with an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, a little finger and a thumb and a puncture-resistant area generally covering the hand portion, the thumb and the index finger.
US09161576B2 Bottom lining for cyclist shorts or suit and process of making same
The present invention refers to the field of cyclist sports shorts. More precisely, it refers to a reinforcement bottom lining to be applied inside the shorts crotch. The bottom lining, between two synthetic fabric layers, includes a padding having modulated levels by means of foams and sponges having a gradual pattern for avoiding the presence of steps at abutment and/or rubbing points between body and saddle. Further, the invention provides a process of detecting the body pressure points against the saddle by an impression, that is by the detection of body/saddle casts.
US09161564B2 Nutritional supplement composition
New dietary supplement composition comprising, as active ingredients: NADH and/or NAD+ Coenzyme Q10 Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Serine and/or Phosphoserine to be used for stimulating/improving/increasing the production of naturally occurring adrenaline, thus reducing sleepiness caused by particular drugs intake. The dietary supplement according to the present invention is particularly advantageous for professional drivers and persons who usually take drugs having sleepiness as major side effect.
US09161556B2 Continuous cellulostic pre-treatment and bio-mass processing by reactive extrusion
Cellulosic materials are treated with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in an extruder. Machine configuration and operating parameters are strictly controlled in a manner to enhance the ability of Supercritical CO2 to enter into the cells. This results in a controlled deterioration of the cell walls, increasing the reactivity of cellulose and also enhancing the rate and the extent of cellulose hydrolysis. This precisely controlled combination of pressure, shear & temperature accelerates the penetration of carbon dioxide molecules into the crystalline structures, thus more glucose is produced from cellulosic materials after the cell is destructurized as compared to those without the pretreatment increasing glucose yield by as much as 50%. Concurrent saccharification and fermentation tests also show the increase in the available carbon source from the cellulosic materials for fermentation to produce ethanol. As the system operates at low temperature, it will not cause degradation of sugars such as those treated with the high-temperatures involved in many systems discussed.
US09161554B1 Apparatus for recycling of protein waste and fuel production
The apparatus of the present invention is useful for recycling protein waste and producing fuel from protein waste. Waste is ground by a grinding means and digested by a enzyme digest medium composed of enzymes, preservatives, and inedible egg. The ground proteins are digested with the enzyme in recirculated digest tanks. Fat can be collected from the tank by addition of acid and separation of fat from water with a centrifuge. Alternatively the ground protein and enzyme can be fermented and gas collected from the digest tank in a pressure tank with a compressor. The protein solubles are emulsified, separated from water, and extruded before drying. Either fat or gas can be used to fuel a dryer. The dried proteins are then milled in a hammer mill and screened for uniform size.
US09161549B2 Fiber orienting technology for a breather plate
An apparatus and method for accelerating food product in order to cause the product to be stretched aligning the fibers of the product.
US09161543B2 Biocontrol through the use of chlorine-stabilizer blends
A composition and methods of its use, the composition comprising: a halogen source, urea, and an additional halogen stabilizer excluding urea, optionally an alkali in a concentration sufficient to provide said composition with a pH of greater than 10; and optionally excluding a stabilized bromine compound from said composition is disclosed. Additionally, a method for reducing biological activity in a process stream is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a composition to a process stream, wherein said composition contains: a halogen, urea, and an additional halogen stabilizer excluding urea, optionally an alkali in a concentration sufficient to provide said composition with a pH of greater than 10; and optionally excluding a stabilized bromine compound from said composition. The invention is also directed to compositions and methods of their use as effective biocidal agents for water streams.
US09161542B2 Pesticidal compositions and related methods
Pesticidal compositions that improve soil residual efficacy of sulfoxaflor are disclosed.
US09161535B2 Color stable aqueous formulations containing the potassium salt of (S )-(+)-abscisic acid and methods of their use
The present invention generally relates to color stable formulations containing the potassium salt of (S)-(+)-abscisic acid, the color stabilizers sodium citrate and sodium acetate, the antimicrobial agent potassium sorbate, and do not contain an acrylic copolymer surfactant. The present invention is also directed to methods for using the present formulations in organic farming.
US09161529B2 Stable and non-precipitating aqueous compositions containing the potassium salt of (S)-(+)-abscisic acid, and methods of their preparation and use
The present invention generally relates to aqueous compositions containing salts of (S)-(+)-abscisic acid, the surfactant Atlox™ 4913, and the color stabilizers sodium citrate and sodium acetate, methods of their preparation, and methods of their agricultural use.
US09161527B2 Systems and methods for freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials
A system for using freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a holder and a container for holding biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity and the container is received in the cavity. The holder includes a first portion and second portion. The container is received between the first portion and the second portion to connect the container to the holder. The holder includes an interior cradle having a bottom and edges extending from the bottom. The cradle bounds the cavity. An outer rim is connected to the cradle and separated from the cavity. The bottom includes an inner surface facing the cavity receiving the container and an outer surface. The outer surface of the bottom is recessed relative to an outer surface of the outer rim.
US09161524B2 Fishing pliers with fishing line ramp
Fishing pliers that enable the user to conveniently extend fishing line into the eyelet of a fishing lure, the fishing pliers comprising: (i) a first elongate member, and (ii) a second elongate member pivotally coupled to the first elongate member, each elongate member having a proximal handle portion and a distal tip end portion and an intermediate section therebetween, wherein the first elongate member has, in the intermediate portion thereof, a channel configured to receive fishing line and a slot configured to receive an eyelet of a fishing lure such that when fishing line is passed through and the channel, the fishing line is oriented so as to be configured to conveniently enter the eyelet of the fishing lure, thereby enabling the user to conveniently extend fishing line into the eyelet of a fishing lure.
US09161523B2 Floatable, universally mountable fishing rod holder
The floatable, universally mountable fishing rod holder has base incorporating a rod holder for holding the handle of a fishing rod, a floatable portion for floating the fishing rod holder should the fishing rod holder fall into water so it can be recovered, and a plurality of mountings for mounting the fishing rod holder to any of a deck, a dock, a boat, a railing, a post, any of a 2″×4″ to 2″×8″ lumber, over a T joint formed between two perpendicular rails, railings or posts, whether vertically or horizontally oriented, as well as to ground. Said mountings include one or more clamps, straps, a deck plate and ground engaging stake and fasteners and wing nuts for attachment to the base.
US09161515B2 Custom-shape wireless dog fence system and method with reduced clock speed variation between multiple base units and collar
A custom-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined containment area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system, which is easy to set up and use, includes at least three base units and at least one collar and, preferably, a remote controller. Each of the base units and the at least one collar includes a component for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/−5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.
US09161512B2 Milking box with robotic attacher comprising an arm that pivots, rotates, and grips
In certain embodiments, robotic attacher comprises a supplemental arm comprising a fixed portion and a gripping portion. The fixed portion comprises a pivot assembly and a rotating assembly. The pivot assembly pivots the gripping portion between maximum-left, maximum-right, and centered positions. The rotating assembly rotates the gripping portion between upright and upside down positions. The gripping portion comprises a gripper comprising claw arms operable to open and close.
US09161509B2 Lettuce variety 79-33 RZ, excite RZ
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-33 RZ, which when grown into a plant exhibits a combination of traits including resistance against downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1 to Bl:28, CA-I, CA-IIA, CA-IIB, CA-III, CA-IV, CA-V, CA-VI, CA-VII, CA-VIII and strain FR10.021, resistance against lettuce mosaic virus (LMV), resistance against currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0 as well as medium to dark green colored mature leafs with a flat or almost flat apical margin. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-33 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-33 RZ.
US09161507B1 Soybean cultivar CC1211818
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CC1211818 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CC1211818 and its progeny, and methods of making CC1211818.
US09161504B2 Variety corn line ID6053
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated ID6053, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line ID6053 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line ID6053, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line ID6053, and plants produced according to these methods.
US09161503B1 Maize hybrid X08D455
A novel maize variety designated X08D455 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 X08D455 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08D455 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08D455, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08D455. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08D455.
US09161497B2 Autonomously controlled greenhouse cultivation system
An autonomously controlled greenhouse cultivation system includes a fuel cell module, an environment detection and control module, and environment set-up devices. The fuel cell module includes input terminals and output terminals. After fuel and air are received through the input terminals, the output terminals supply, respectively, various environmental products, including electrical power, thermal energy, carbon dioxide, and water, which are fed to the environment detection and control module that controls the output of these environmental products and includes detection units and control units to detect and effect feedback control of illumination, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and water level. Each environment set-up device is arranged inside a greenhouse and is connected to the environment detection and control module to receive the environmental to set up the environment of growth in respect of illumination, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and water supply of irrigation for the plants cultivated in the greenhouse.
US09161496B2 Moisture control grid
A moisture collection apparatus is provided to collect and store percolating ground water for increased water absorption by foliage growing above the moisture collection apparatus. In one embodiment, the moisture collection apparatus includes a first plurality of strands extending along a first direction, a second plurality of strands extending along a second direction and connected to at least one of the first plurality of strands, a plurality of channels extending along at least one of the first direction and the second direction, and a plurality of openings between adjacent strands of the first plurality of strands and adjacent strands of the second plurality of strands. In another embodiment, the first direction is substantially orthogonal to the second direction, such that the moisture collection apparatus forms a grid-like pattern of channels.
US09161494B2 Bale opener for biomass energy plants
Bale opener for use in a feeding line of a biomass energy plant, the bale opener (1) comprising at least two disintegration members (2), wherein each disintegration member (2) is rotatable around a respective rotation axis (5) and in the direction of that rotation axis (5) has a first end (3) and a second end (4), an inlet (17) for feeding bales (28) in a feeding direction (33) to the disintegration members (2), an outlet (18) for discharging loosened bale material from the disintegration members (2), a drive system (6) being operable to drive the disintegration members (2) to rotate around their respective rotation axis (5), wherein each disintegration member (2) is provided with a plurality of blades (8) that are radially disposed in a mill-wheel arrangement, the blades (8) extending outwardly from a radially inner edge (9) to a radially outer edge (10) and from a first edge (11) at the first end (3) of the disintegration member (2) to a second edge (12) in a direction towards the second end (4) of the disintegration member (2), and that the inlet (17) is arranged opposite to the first end (3) of the disintegration members (2) so as to feed the bales (28) to a processing region (34) at the first end (3) of the disintegration members (2).
US09161489B1 Method and composition for agricultural potassium fertigation
An agricultural potassium-fertigation method for emitter-irrigation potassium fertigation feeds a potassium-nutrient feedstock comprised of potassium formate and water to an active emitter-irrigation system discontinuously, at levels of 0.15 to 50 gal./min, during one to six nonconsecutive irrigation days during a crop cycle.
US09161488B2 Wing lifting system for an agricultural implement
An agricultural implement is presented that includes a main tool bar supporting main agricultural tools. The agricultural implement also includes an inner wing tool bar pivotally coupled to the main tool bar and supporting inner wing agricultural tools. Moreover, the agricultural implement includes an outer wing tool bar pivotally coupled to the outer wing tool bar and supporting outer wing agricultural tools. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a folding system configured to rotate that outer wing tool bar relative to the inner wing tool bar to enable the agricultural implement to be operated in a narrower configuration.
US09167736B2 CNT-infused fiber as a self shielding wire for enhanced power transmission line
A wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes. An electromagnetic shield for a wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers, in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers are arranged circumferentially about the wire with the fiber axes parallel to the wire. A self-shielded wire includes 1) a wire that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes; and 2) an electromagnetic shield that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The axes of the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the wire and the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the electromagnetic shield share are parallel.
US09167733B2 Interconnection structure in electromagnetic shielding
A panel for an electromagnetic shield includes a light-weight, porous, electrically-conductive, fluid-permeable planar core layer defined between generally parallel first and second surfaces and a first face sheet laminated to the first surface of the core layer with rigidity properties superior to the rigidity properties of the core layer. The thickness of the first face sheet is substantially less than the thickness of the core layer. The core layer is made of metallic foam or a metal coating on an electrically-nonconductive, porous, nonmetallic substrate chosen from among nonwoven fibrous matting, paper, and open-cell nonmetallic foam. Also, the core layer may also may be made up of liberated branching metal nanostrands or a plurality of electrically-coupled, electrically-conductive particles, each taking the from of an electrically-nonconductive, nonmetallic substrate with a metal coating. The first face sheet includes a cured layer of resin and, distributed throughout the resin, electrically-conductive elements selected from among liberated branched metal nanostrands, metal wires, and metal meshes, in addition to fibers, woven fabric, nonwoven matting, or paper that are metal-coated.
US09167732B2 Vehicle-mounting charging apparatus and vehicle mounted therewith
A vehicle-mounting charging apparatus includes a body case adapted to be mounted to a ceiling part of a vehicle, and a charging coil for contactless charging that is provided in the body case. A shielding part for shielding electromagnetic waves is provided on a lower side of the charging coil.
US09167729B2 Inverter, sealing air duct and heat dissipation system
An inverter, a sealing air duct, and a heat dissipation system are disclosed. The inverter includes: an enclosure having a first cavity and a second cavity that are isolated from each other and sealed; a magnetic conversion circuit including magnetic elements that is arranged in the first cavity; a power conversion circuit including power tubes that is arranged in the second cavity; a heatsink arranged at the bottom of the enclosure and located outside the first cavity and the second cavity; a sealing air duct arranged outside the second cavity, where the columnar pipeline is sealed at two ends, the bottom surface is formed by a side wall of the second cavity or a substrate of the heatsink, and the bottom surface includes an air inlet and an air outlet to communicate with the second cavity and the at least one columnar pipeline.
US09167728B2 Information technology equipment cooling method
According to one embodiment, a system for removing heat from a rack of information technology equipment may include a sidecar indoor air to liquid heat exchanger that cools air utilized by the rack of information technology equipment to cool the rack of information technology equipment. The system may also include a liquid to liquid heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger. The system may further include configurable pathways to connect and control fluid flow through the sidecar heat exchanger, the liquid to liquid heat exchanger, the rack of information technology equipment, and the outdoor heat exchanger based upon ambient temperature and/or ambient humidity to remove heat generated by the rack of information technology equipment.
US09167724B1 Alternative data center building designs
A multi-floor data center, comprising in one implementation, a plurality of floors; a first set of server racks disposed about a first vertical center axis on each floor, the first set of server racks formed in a substantially closed shape, with a substantially vertical open center comprising a first airflow plenum at least for air flow; a first opening in each of the floors, with the first opening aligned with the substantially vertical first airflow plenum on it respective floor, wherein the substantially vertical first airflow plenums on the floors are aligned for communication through the first openings in the floors; outer wall; a roof with a roof opening therein.
US09167723B1 Silicon-based heat-dissipation device for heat-generating devices
Embodiments of a silicon-based heat-dissipation device and an apparatus including a silicon-based heat-dissipation device are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a silicon-based heat-dissipation device which includes a base portion and a protrusion portion. The base portion has a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side. The protrusion portion is on the first primary side of the base portion and protruding therefrom. The protrusion portion includes multiple fins. Each of at least two immediately adjacent fins of the fins of the protrusion portion has a tapered profile in a cross-sectional view with a first width near a distal end of the respective fin being less than a second width at a base of the respective fin near the base portion of the heat-dissipation device.
US09167720B2 Aircraft electronics cooling apparatus for an aircraft having a liquid cooling system
The invention relates to an improved aircraft electronics cooling system for an aircraft having a liquid cooling system, the aircraft electronics cooling system providing a thermal coupling between an electronic device to be cooled and the liquid cooling system of the aircraft. A coolant delivered by the liquid cooling system may flow through a board of the electronic device, through a heat sink on which the electronic device is arranged and/or through a housing in which the electronic device is arranged. The coolant may be permanently in the liquid state in a cooling circuit. The coolant may vaporize at least partially while cooling the electronic device.
US09167718B2 Server system
A server system is disclosed. The server system comprises a motherboard and a server power system. The server power system comprises a power transmission interface, a power supply, a battery backup unit (BBU) and a signal transmission interface. The power supply converts an AC power into a DC power and then outputs the DC power to the motherboard via the power transmission interface. The BBU provides parallel or redundant power to the motherboard via the power transmission interface. The BBU and the power supply have the same size. The signal transmission interface is electrically connected to the motherboard, the power supply and the BBU.
US09167715B2 Display device
The present invention relates to a display device, which comprises a rear cover, a display panel, a drive device and an adhesive member, the adhesive member including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; the first surface is bonded to the upper end of the rear cover, and the second surface is bonded to the upper end of the display panel, which is bonded at the lower end to the lower end of the rear cover; the drive device is arranged in the rear cover and electrically connected to the display panel to drive the display panel.
US09167712B2 Radio remote unit device and assembly thereof
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an RRU device and an assembly thereof. The RRU device includes: an enclosure, where the enclosure includes a front-end plate and a back-end plate that are respectively set on two lengthwise ends of the enclosure, multiple parallel spaced heat sinks are set on two widthwise sides of the enclosure and between the front-end plate and the back-end plate, and the front-end plate and the back-end plate extend along a widthwise direction of the enclosure by a length which is greater than a length by which the heat sinks extend; and a joint part set on the enclosure, where the joint part is used to fasten two side-by-side radio remote unit devices together.
US09167707B1 Adjustable holding device
A holding mechanism includes a stand, a frame, a first mechanism and a second mechanism. The frame is slidably disposed on the stand and has an engaging portion. The first mechanism is installed on a side of the stand and provides the frame with a first force. The second mechanism is installed on another side of the stand and opposite to the first mechanism, and the second mechanism is capable of switching between an engaging status and a released status. The second mechanism engages with the first mechanism as being in the engaging status, so as to be connected to the frame and provide the frame with a second force. The second mechanism separates from the first mechanism as being in the released status, so as not to be connected to the frame and not provide the frame with the second force.
US09167705B2 Chassis drawer for modular information handling resources
A drawer for receiving components may comprise an inner member, and intermediate member, and a carrier member. The carrier member may comprise a substantially planar top generally parallel to an inner member bottom, a substantially planar bottom generally parallel to the top, a carrier spine mechanically coupled between the top and the bottom, a plurality of bays, each bay having one or more structural components for receiving a modular information handling resource and configured such that the bay is accessed for insertion or removal of the modular information handling resource via a carrier member side of the carrier member generally parallel to an inner member side, and at least one web generally parallel to the inner member sides and mechanically coupling the carrier member to the intermediate member such that when the drawer is translated to an open position, each of the plurality of bays is accessible.
US09167698B2 Surface mount clip
A surface mount clip including: a solder joint part in which a lower surface thereof is to be a solder joint surface to be soldered and connected to a conductor pattern on a printed circuit board. A pair of support parts are connected to the solder joint part and, when the solder joint part is soldered and connected to the printed circuit board, are supported in a position above the printed circuit board at an interval between the pair of support parts. The interval allows a conductive member, other than the printed circuit board, to be inserted therein. A resilient contact part, that is connected at least to one of the pair of support parts, is resiliently deformed and pressed by the conductive member, when the conductive member is inserted between the pair of support parts, and electrically connects the conductor pattern and the conductive member.
US09167691B2 Dual interface module and dual interface card having a dual interface module manufactured using laser welding
Dual interface modules, and methods for manufacturing the same, are described. A substrate layer is provided with at least one dual interface section. At least two first through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. A first connection element is arranged in each first through-hole. Each first connection element is connected to a contact pad that is arranged on a first side of the substrate. Each first connection element is connected to a connection pad that is arranged on a second side of the substrate. At least one electronic element is arranged on the second side of the substrate in each dual interface section. Two second through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. Two soldering pads with a first side and a second side are arranged on the second side of the substrate layer.
US09167690B1 Carrier for LTCC components
An LTCC carrier composed of thermosetting polymer, woven glass fiber and ceramic has gold over nickel contact pads on top and bottom surfaces and conductive vias therethrough between aligned pairs of top and bottom pads. The vias prevent undesirable inductive paths from limiting high frequency operation of the circuitry. Solder deposits on the top pads attach the LTCC component, which is further secured to the carrier by epoxy, thus improving resistance to thermal stress and mechanical shock. A slot through the carrier body between top and bottom surfaces further reduces thermal stress and mechanical shock. Metallized castellations on opposite carrier sides provide additional surface area for reflow solder joints with the PCB, and a means for visually inspecting the solder joint quality. A gap in the metallization on the top layer of the carrier prevents solder spreading during multiple soldering cycles, which may result in poor solder joints.
US09167685B2 Circuit board
A circuit board includes a plate-shaped dielectric body with a first and a second main surface and including a first area not to be bent and a second area to be bent such that the first main surface becomes an outer side, a first reinforcing member located in the first area nearer the first main surface in relation to a center of the second area in a thickness direction and away from the second area, and a second reinforcing member located in the first area nearer the second main surface in relation to the center of the second area and contacting with a border between the first and the second areas. The first main surface curves from an edge of the first reinforcing member closest to the second area, and the second main surface curves from an edge of the second reinforcing member on the border.
US09167682B2 Electronic component with coil, method for manufacturing the same and power supply module
An electronic component includes a circuit board that includes a ground terminal connected to a ground potential, a coil component that is assembled on the circuit board, the coil component includes a T-shaped core and an air-core coil, a ground connection electrode that is assembled on the circuit board next to the coil component and that is connected to the ground terminal, and a mixture of a metal composite magnetic material and a resin that is formed on the circuit board and that covers the coil component and the ground connection electrode as a package. A part of the ground connection electrode is exposed outside the mixture.
US09167674B2 Emergency battery converter
An emergency battery converter system provides a low-cost emergency battery converter and lighting system. The battery converter system includes an emergency battery pack, a lighting driver, and an emergency luminaire. In certain example embodiments, the emergency battery pack is coupled to a power delivery system and is charged by the power delivery system. The lighting driver receives power from the battery pack and steps up and regulates the power to be suitable for use by the emergency luminaire. In certain example embodiments, the emergency luminaire illuminates an egress area.
US09167671B2 Flickering illumination control techniques
According to certain inventive techniques, a method for operating a flickering illumination control device including an electrical input and an electrical output includes receiving an input voltage at the electrical input. A non-flickering output voltage may be provided at the electrical output. While receiving the input voltage and while providing the non-flickering output voltage, a first interruption in current flowing through the electrical output may be detected. In response to the first interruption, a flickering output voltage is provided at the electrical output.
US09167669B2 State change devices for switched electrical receptacles
A state change device may be electrically connected to a switched receptacle, or to both the switched and unswitched receptacles, of an outlet. The state change device may generate a change of state signal when power is applied to, or removed from, the switched receptacle. The state change device may wirelessly communicate the signal. The state change device may include a load control circuit that may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the state change device. The state change device may receive commands directed to the load control circuit. The state change device may be deployed in a load control system and may operate as a control entity, such that the state change device may issue commands to one or more load control devices, responsive to the application or removal of power at the switched receptacle.
US09167665B2 Lighting device, lighting apparatus using the same, and lighting system
A control unit controls an operation of an electric power conversion unit so that load current that flows through a light source load becomes a constant value, using electric power setting value that is used to determine a size of electric power that is supplied to the light source load and a current detection value that is detected by a current detection resistor (current detection unit), and a load electric power calculation unit obtains load electric power of the light source load using the electric power setting value and a voltage detection value that is detected by a voltage detection unit, and an input electric power estimation unit corrects a circuit loss for the obtained load electric power and estimates input electric power.
US09167661B2 Power supply device and lighting device and lighting fixture using the same
A power supply device comprises: a DC power supply section that outputs a DC voltage; a voltage conversion section that supplies a DC power to a load by ON/OFF drive of a switching element; a resistor; a control section that performs the ON/OFF drive of the switching element; and an auxiliary winding. The control section comprises: a calculation section that calculates a drive period of the switching element; a count section compares a calculation result obtained in the calculation section with an upper limit value of the drive period; and a flip-flop. When the calculation result is shorter than the upper limit value, the flip-flop sets the drive period, using the calculation result. When the calculation result is longer than the upper limit value, the flip-flop sets the drive period, using the upper limit value.
US09167660B2 Combined surface mount and in-wall mount dimmer
A lighting dimmer for surface mount or in-wall mount comprising: a lighting dimmer main body, the main body comprising: a lighting control board positioned in the main body for controlling one or more light emitting diode based light sources; a surface mount attachment connected to the main body for facilitating surface mount connection of the lighting dimmer; a controller connected to the lighting control board and configured to input a command to the lighting control board, and; a surface portion configured to receive an insert for in-wall mounting of the lighting dimmer.
US09167659B2 Solid state lighting devices including quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles, an optical component for a solid state lighting device, and methods
A solid state lighting device including a light source capable of emitting white light including a blue spectral component and having a deficiency in a spectral region, and an optical component that is positioned to receive at least a portion of the light generated by the light source, the optical component comprising an optical material for converting at least a portion of the blue spectral component of the light to one or more predetermined wavelengths such that light emitted by the solid state lighting device includes light emission from the light source supplemented with light emission at one or more predetermined wavelengths, wherein the optical material comprises quantum confined semiconductor nanoparticles. Also disclosed is lighting fixture, a cover plate for a lighting fixture and a method.
US09167656B2 Lifetime correction for aging of LEDs in tunable-white LED lighting devices
A lighting system having at least three light sources receives an input relating to color coordinates of a target point representing a desired color characteristic for a combined output from the light sources. The system provides color tunable output and/or dimmable output in response to differences in user input. The system also corrects changes in performance of the light sources due to lifetime degradation in each of the light sources. After a period of system operation, outputs of the sources are measured. The system increases the luminosity outputs of each of the light sources by a respective amount relative to the degradations measured in all the light sources; in this manner, the luminosity outputs of the light sources remain substantially constant in relations to each other over the lifetime of the light sources.
US09167652B2 Illumination device
An illumination device (1) comprises: at least one low-power light source (50); a power input stage (20) suitable for receiving AC low voltage from an electronic transformer (ET); a power buffer stage (30) having an input (31) connected to the input stage output (29); a driver (40) for driving the light source and receiving electric power supply from the power buffer stage. The power input stage generates output current pulses for charging the power buffer stage at a relatively low frequency, and during each output current pulse, the power input stage draws input current, the input current always having a current magnitude higher than a minimum load requirement of the electronic transformer.
US09167651B2 LED array auxiliary power supply
A method and apparatus for providing one or more operating voltages and currents to one or more auxiliary loads by tapping an LED array driven by an LED driver providing a drive voltage to the LED array, and/or supplying an operating voltage to the LED driver itself using such a tap.
US09167649B2 Lighting device and luminaire
A lighting device includes a DC/DC converter (step-down chopper circuit) and a control circuit that includes a correction circuit. The correction circuit corrects the timing at which a switching element included in the DC/DC convertor is turned OFF based on a voltage value across a solid-state light-emitting element (LED unit). The correction is made such that an average value of a current flowing through an inductor included in the DC/DC converter is within a predetermined range regardless of a voltage value across the solid-state light-emitting element.
US09167647B1 Control circuit and control method for dimming a lighting device
A control circuit comprises a power supply unit configured to generate a voltage to be supplied to a load by turning on and off a first switch in response to a drive signal and control a drive current of the load by turning on and off a second switch in response to a control signal, a first controller configured to perform a first PWM control of the drive signal, based on a measurement value of the drive current, a second controller configured to perform a second PWM control of the control signal, based on an external signal, and a synchronous controller configured to synchronize an on-period of one period of the control signal to he a multiple of one period of the drive signal. Further, in the control circuit, during the on-period of the control signal, an inductor current for generating the drive current is cut off for a portion of every period of the drive signal.
US09167641B2 Phase controlled dimming LED driver system and method thereof
The present invention relates to providing an improved dimming driver circuitry, system and a method thereof. The dimming driver circuitry is configured to enable dimming intensity of light generated by one or more light sources, the dimming driver circuitry being connected to a dimmer that provides to it an alternating current (AC) signal. The dimming driver circuitry may in some examples not include a processing unit. Additionally or alternatively, the dimming driver circuitry may in some examples apply amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources. In some of these examples, the dimming driver circuitry may begin to apply at substantially the same time pulse width modulation and amplitude modulation to the output current provided to the one or more light sources. Additionally or alternatively, the dimming driver circuitry may in some examples include at least one linear dimming control pin connected to at least one capacitor and/or resistor configured to fine-tune capacitance and/or resistance.
US09167639B2 Universal LED ballast compatible controller device
A device and method to interface with a Magnetic or Electronic Fluorescent Ballast; evaluate, process, and regulate the incoming power from the Ballast device and output a steady AC power that can be used by LED drivers, LED chips, or set of multiple LED chips in a Tube or Bulb application. This device and method will allow for a non-fluorescent replacement lighting device such as a LED Lighting Tube or Bulb to be used as a universal LED ballast compatible device in a Fluorescent Light Luminaire (fixture) without any electrical wiring modification or removal of the Electronic or Magnetic Ballast.
US09167638B2 LED controller circuit
An LED controller circuit for use in an LED drive circuit in which a coil current control scheme is used to deliver power to an LED arrangement from a phase cut dimmer. The controller circuit includes means for determining, based on an analysis/signal processing of the on-time of the transistor, the dimmer characteristics, including the on state and off states of the ac dimmed voltage signal. This avoids the need for the controller circuit to process the dimmer output.
US09167628B2 Electric heating device for hot runner systems
An electric heating unit for hot runner systems, and in particular for hot runner nozzles and/or hot runner manifolds includes at least one tubular or muff-like support and at least one heating layer fitted with heating conductor tracks. The heating layer is a fired foil or a fired thick-film paste and the muff-like support is able to be slipped onto a material feed pipe.
US09167627B2 Method for making heater
A method for making a heater is provided. A support and a flexible substrate are provided. The flexible substrate is fixed on a surface of the support. A carbon nanotube film is drawn from a carbon nanotube array. One end of the carbon nanotube film is attached on the flexible substrate. The carbon nanotube film is wrapped around the support by whirling the support to form a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes aligned in a first direction. The flexible substrate is heated to a temperature of about 80° C. to about 120° C. The flexible substrate is then shrunk along the first direction. A plurality of electrodes are electrically connected with the carbon nanotube layer.
US09167623B2 Communication system, communication method, mobile terminal, and mobile base station device
To establish an appropriate communication path of a mobile terminal to a local network in accordance with a connection configuration of a mobile base station. A mobile base station device of the present invention includes: a base station processing unit that receives a connection request from a mobile terminal accommodated by the mobile base station device; and a switching processing unit that switches connection of the mobile terminal to a local network to either of local IP connection or remote IP connection, in accordance with backhaul media to which the mobile base station device is connected, based on the connection request from the mobile terminal.
US09167618B2 Data bundling and fast dormancy based upon intelligent application learning
A system and methodology that performs data bundling and controls fast dormancy based on application monitoring and classification is provided. Moreover, the system provides a balance between saving battery power of a user equipment (UE) and reducing signaling and processing load in a radio resource controller (RRC). Specifically, the system observes data flow related behavior of applications on the UE. On receiving a first data flow request, an arrival time of a next data flow request is predicted based on an analysis of the behavior, and the system determines whether the two data flows can be bundled together and transmitted over a single connection. Additionally, on completion of the first data flow, the arrival time of the next data flow request is predicted based on the analysis, and the system determines whether a fast dormancy timer can be disabled to transmit the next data flow over the current connection.
US09167615B2 Apparatus and method of connecting service, according to user intention
A method and an apparatus for connecting a service, according to a user's intention are provided. The method includes determining at least one file to be transmitted through a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Direct connection, selecting, by device discovery, a peer terminal to receive the at least one file, transmitting, to the peer terminal, a first frame including file attribute information about the at least one file, before the Wi-Fi Direct connection is established with the peer terminal, and receiving, from the peer terminal, a second frame, including information indicating whether the Wi-Fi Direct connection to the peer terminal is accepted or rejected.
US09167612B2 Minimal synchronized network operations
A method for minimal synchronized network operations includes making an initial connection between a client and a network, the initial connection being made through a first access point managed by a home controller, the home controller recording session information and authentication data for the client. A subsequent connection is made between the client and the network through a second access point managed by a second controller, the subsequent connection being made communicating the session information and authentication data between the home controller and the second controller, without client reauthentication, and without disrupting existing communication.
US09167610B2 Layer-2 IP networking method and apparatus for mobile hosts
A method and apparatus to enable IP networking for mobile hosts without requiring changes to be made to the TCP/IP stack in the operating system installed on the mobile hosts. The apparatus is an “intelligent device” that can be installed on or connected to a mobile host, and may comprise a software-only logical module, physical hardware, or a combination of both. To a mobile host, the intelligent device emulates a network interface such as an Ethernet card or a telephone modem. The intelligent device appears to an access network just like any regular IP host connected to the access network through a physical network interface device. The intelligent device handles all mobile networking functions for the mobile host, and may control multiple different physical network interface devices to enable a connection to an access network available to the mobile user at his location.
US09167604B2 Method and apparatus for a scanning in WLAN
The methods and an apparatuses for scanning in WLAN are disclosed. A method of a scanning of a station (STA) may include monitoring a channel during a probedelay based on a MAC sublayer management entity (MLME)-SCAN.request primitive indicating an active scanning for a target Access Point (AP), receiving a frame including a channel congestion indicator from an AP during the probedelay, generating a MLME-SCAN.change request primitive to request a change of a scanning type parameter included in the MLME-SCAN.request primitive when the channel congestion indicator indicates that the channel is congested, generating a MLME-SCAN.change confirm primitive to confirm the change of the scanning type parameter included in the MLME-SCAN.request primitive as a response of the MLME-SCAN.change request primitive, and performing a passive scanning for the target AP based on the MLME-SCAN.change confirm primitive.
US09167602B2 Method and apparatus for assigning radio resources and controlling transmission parameters on a random access channel
A method and apparatus for assigning radio resources and controlling parameters for transmission over a random access channel in wireless communications by enhancing a random access channel is disclosed.
US09167598B2 Base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, radio communication method, and radio communication system
A base station apparatus for performing radio communication with a mobile station apparatus, the base station apparatus includes: a group generation unit which groups a plurality of mobile station apparatuses controllable with a same control amount of transmission timing; and a transmission unit which transmits the control amount of transmission timing to the grouped plurality of mobile station apparatuses.
US09167597B2 Methods and apparatus for transmission of uplink sounding reference signals in a communication system with large number of antennas
Methods for preventing timing collisions in a wireless communication network include transmitting a data uplink symbol of normal duration via a first base pair using a first timing advance (TA) corresponding to the first base pair. Scheduling to transmit a second uplink symbol via a second base pair (BP) corresponding to the transmit RF chain. Predicting a timing collision will occur based on a different between the first TA and a second TA corresponding to the second BP. Preventing the timing collision by: reducing the duration of the second symbol by an adjustment amount calculated based on the first TA and the second TA; inserting a guard interval to delay transmission of the second symbol by the calculated adjustment amount; and increasing the duration of a cyclic prefix of the second symbol but refraining from transmitting a portion of the enlarged CP.
US09167596B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving scheduling request using shared resource based filtering in radio communication system
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a scheduling request using a shared resource based filtering method in a radio communication system. The method for supporting scheduling request using shared resources at a base station including assigning each of one or more users to each of one or more subsets of Scheduling Request (SR) resources of a set consisting of a number, M, of SR resources, receiving scheduling request for the one or more users, determining SR resources used for the scheduling request among M SR resources, determining one or more users associated with the received scheduling request based on the assigned SR resources and the determined SR resources, and transmitting scheduling control information to determined one or more users.
US09167595B2 Devices and methods for asymmetrical multicarrier transmission and reception
A duplex frequency is supplemented by providing one or more simplex frequencies and distributing a data load among them. In one aspect, a system can include a server containing a scheduler in communication with a communications device. The server initially communicates with the communications device using a duplex channel, determines when it is no longer optimal to use the single duplex channel, and distributes data among the duplex channel and one or more simplex channels. Before distributing the data, the server sends a schedule to the communications device via the duplex channel, so the communications device can determine which bits of data are coming through which channels at which times. A descheduler within the communications device receives the schedule and alerts the communications device to start receiving data on other simplex channels. The descheduler then puts the bits of data in order as they stream in across the duplex and simplex channels.
US09167592B1 Signaling radio bearer timer for dual-sim dual-active user equipment transmitter sharing
Methods and apparatuses are presented controlling access to a radio resource of a multi-subscriber identity module (SIM) user equipment (UE). For example, an example method is presented that includes initiating a call on a first subscription of the UE, and generating, during the call, a message for transmission to a network entity associated with a second subscription of the UE. Additionally, the example method may include starting a timer upon receiving the message at a transmission buffer of the UE. Moreover, the example method may include determining, upon expiration of the timer, that the message is pending transmission at the transmission buffer to the network entity, and transmitting the response based at least in part on determining that the message is pending transmission upon expiration of the timer. Responses may also be transmitted during inactivity gaps in the call.
US09167590B2 Apparatus and method for allocating channel in communication system
A channel allocation apparatus in a communication system includes: a measuring unit configured to measure clear channel assessments (CCA) of a plurality of stations (STAs) included in the communication system; a checking unit configured to compare the measured CCAs to preset reference CCA, and check fairness and unfairness in the STAs; and an allocating unit configured to change and allocate channels allocated to STAs corresponding to unfairness, according to the measured CCA and the reference CCA.
US09167589B2 Integrated circuit for transmitting and receiving reference signal in radio communication
It is possible to provide a radio communication terminal device and a radio transmission method which can improve reception performance of a CQI and a reference signal. A phase table storage unit stores a phase table which correlates the amount of cyclic shift to complex coefficients {w1, w2} to be multiplied on the reference signal. A complex coefficient multiplication unit reads out a complex coefficient corresponding to the amount of cyclic shift indicated by resource allocation information, from the phase table storage unit and multiplies the read-out complex coefficient on the reference signal so as to change the phase relationship between the reference signals in a slot.
US09167584B2 Method and apparatus for allocating resources in a multi-node system
Provided are a method and apparatus for allocating resources in a multi-node system that includes a plurality of nodes and a base station connected to each of the nodes to control the nodes. The method comprises: partitioning radio resources into a node-common region and a node-specific region, and allocating the node-common region and the node-specific region to the plurality of nodes, wherein a common resource allocation scheme is applied to the plurality of nodes in the node-common region, and different resource allocation schemes are applied to the plurality of nodes in the node-specific region.
US09167583B2 Method for transmitting/receiving signal and device therefor
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and a device therefor, the method comprising: setting a first cell having a first TDD UL-DL configuration and a second cell having a second TDD UL-DL configuration; receiving data through a DL subframe of the first cell; and transmitting reception response information on the data through a UL subframe of the second cell, wherein the relationship between the DL subframe and the UL subframe is determined by a parameter value set in a specific TDD UL-DL configuration, which is the TDD UL-DL configuration having the least number of DL subframes from TDD UL-DL configuration(s), in which subframes set as a DL in the first or second cell are all set as DLs.
US09167582B2 Scheduling method and device having continuity in a wireless personal area communication network
The present description discloses a method for a first device to transmit data in a WPAN (wireless personal area network), comprising the steps of: transmitting, to a second device, a message requesting a transmission bandwidth for transceiving non-competitive data of a first device; receiving, from the second device, transmission bandwidth allocation information corresponding to the message requesting the transmission bandwidth; and transceiving data to/from the second device according to the transmission bandwidth allocation information, wherein the transmission bandwidth allocation information may include length, gap, and window information on the transmission bandwidth for non-competitive transception.
US09167577B2 Method for transmitting and receiving control information and apparatus for the same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication and, more specifically, to a method for transmitting an HARQ) response by a UE in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus for the same. The method includes receiving an E-PDCCH signal on at least one of a plurality of enhanced physical downlink control channel (E-PDCCH) sets, each E-PDCCH set including a plurality of resources units indexed per E-PDCCH set; and transmitting the HARQ response using a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource determined using the index of the first resource unit among one or more resource units carrying the E-PDCCH signal, wherein the index of the first resource unit is determined on the basis of the E-PDCCH set having the lowest index among the plurality of E-PDCCH sets when specific conditions are satisfied.
US09167569B2 Method and apparatus for allocating resources of a control channel in a mobile communication system using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
Methods and apparatuses are provided for wireless communication. Control symbols are mapped to a plurality of resource element groups (REGs), which are not assigned to a physical channel format indication channel (PCFICH) or a Physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH). The REGs are allocated in a time first manner. The mapped control symbols are transmitted on a packet dedicated control channel (PDCCH). Each of the REGs in a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a first slot in a subframe comprises two resource elements (REs) for transmission of a cell-specific reference signal and four REs for transmission of a control signal.
US09167566B2 Wireless communication system, data transmission method for uplink thereof, base station device, and mobile station device
A communication method in a wireless communication system, includes transmitting, from a base station to a mobile station, transmission parameters, and by the mobile station, encoding a control channel and a data channel based on the transmission parameters, multiplexing, after coding, the control channel and the data channel, and transmitting the multiplexed control channel and data channel.
US09167564B2 Radio link control reset using radio resource control signaling
A method and apparatus are described for implementing a reset procedure for radio link control (RLC) using radio resource control (RRC) signaling. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) receives a request for RLC reset. A processor at the WTRU comprises a RRC entity and a RLC entity. The RRC entity receives the request for a RLC reset in a radio resource control message. The RLC entity reassembles RLC service data units (SDUs) from any protocol data units (PDUs) that are received out of sequence at a receiving side of the RLC entity. The reassembled SDUs are delivered in sequence to a packet data convergence protocol entity (PDCP). At the receiving side of the RLC entity, any remaining PDUs that are not able to be reassembled are discarded. At a transmitting side of the RLC entity, all SDUs and PDUs stored in transmit buffers are discarded.
US09167563B2 System and method for carrier aggregation IMD control
Methods and devices are described for managing the use of system resources in a wireless network. In one aspect, a method is performed by a wireless network system associated with a wireless network. The method provides upstream communications from an electronic device to the wireless network. The method includes: identifying a set of carriers that may be used together without causing an intermodulation product that falls within one or more active pass-bands associated with a receiver of the electronic device; and scheduling a carrier aggregated upstream communication from the electronic device to the wireless network using the identified set of carriers, the carrier aggregated upstream communication being an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication.
US09167559B2 Process for enabling communication of a communication device over a spectrum
In one aspect, there is disclosed a process for enabling communication of a communication device over a spectrum including the steps of: providing a communication device, detecting available analog signals, analyzing the detected analog signals, connecting to a highest energy signal, and repeating these steps.
US09167556B2 Duplicative transmission of page records in a page message
Disclosed herein are methods and systems that may take advantage of unused space in general page messages (GPMs) by including multiple instances of a given page in the same GPM, in an effort to improve the chances that the intended mobile station receives the page. An exemplary paging method involves: (a) before a transmission of a general page message (GPM) that is formatted to include up to a maximum number of page records, making a determination that less than the maximum number of page records are scheduled to be included in the GPM; (b) in response to the determination, selecting, from the page records that are scheduled to be included in the GPM, at least one page record for which to include two or more instances in the GPM; and (c) transmitting the GPM, wherein two or more instances of the at least one selected page record are included in the transmission of the GPM.
US09167552B2 System and method for determining a location area of a mobile user
A system and a method for determining a location area of a user using a mobile communication terminal in a geographical area covered by a mobile radio network, based on location probabilities for defined sub-areas of the geographical area. The location probabilities may be determined based on, e.g., field strengths expected in the sub-areas from antennas and based on the antenna used by the mobile communication terminal. The location probabilities may indicate, for a sub-area, the probability that the mobile communication terminal is located in the respective sub-area. At least one ellipse defining the location area may be determined, such as based on the location probabilities. The location probabilities may enable determining elliptical location areas of mobile users much smaller than the area each antenna does cover physically, but without the need for measuring at the mobile communication terminal signal properties such as signal strength or observed time differences.
US09167548B2 Short range RF monitoring system
A wireless short range radio-frequency master device adapted to create and maintain a portable private network of wireless short range radio-frequency slave devices wherein the master device is configured to detect and register suitable slave devices for a network, and is capable of determining the proximity of any registered slave device with respect to the master device in use, the master device further being adapted to enable a user to define two or more groups of registered slave devices selected from the total number of registered slave devices and to enable a user to select a defined group of such registered slave devices as an active group, thereby forming an active portable private network of wireless short range radio frequency devices comprising the master device and selected registered slave devices within the selected group.
US09167538B2 Method for adjusting the transmission power of the signals transferred by at least one home base station
A method and apparatus for adjusting the transmission power of signals transferred by at least one home base station through a wireless interface to a mobile device, the at least one home base station being located in the cell of a base station. The transmission power is adjusted by first performing an inter cell interference coordination procedure including determining at least one high interference reference zone for the at least one home base station. Then the signal transmission power adjustment for the at least one home base station is determined to ensure a given outage probability that a given function g representing the mobile terminal performance degradation is lower than or equal to a threshold value in the high interference reference zone around the at least one home base station.
US09167536B2 Method and apparatus for sir estimation using time multiplexed pilots and TPC commands
Methods and apparatus for improving amplitude estimation of a received signal in a wireless communication system is provided. Aspects of the methods and apparatus relate to investigating estimation of signal-to-noise (SNR) of the signal. To estimate SNR of the signal, a user equipment (UE) combines previous pilot amplitude measurements and the present pilot amplitude measurement along with received transmit power control (TPC) commands.
US09167535B2 Method and apparatus for uplink transmit power adjustment
The present invention relates to a method and a user equipment for use in a wireless communication system. The method and user equipment allow for transmit power adjustment of the transmit power of a selected of a plurality of antennas of the user equipment. The method comprised a transmit power adjustment phase during which it is test (23) is performed to decrease the transmit power of the selected antenna. A number of TPC commands are then analyzed (24) to determine a result of the decreased transmit power indicating a change in received power at a base station. Based on the determined result it is decided to continue (27) with the decreased transmit power or to resume (26) the previous transmit power of the selected antenna after completion of the transmit power adjustment phase.
US09167534B2 Method for inter-cell interference mitigation for a mobile communication system
A method for reducing inter-cell interference (ICI) in a mobile communication system controls transmission signal power of an uplink signal from a terminal based on signal power measurement for a signal received from a base station of a neighboring cell. A terminal receives a signal from a base station of a neighboring cell via a wireless channel, measures a channel response against a threshold value across an applicable frequency band by using the received signal, determines a transmission signal power for each frequency band used for data transmission based on the measured channel response, and transmits data to a home cell base station according to the transmission signal power for each frequency band. The terminal may measure a channel response based on signals received from multiple base stations in multiple neighboring cells, and may also evaluate signal power of a signal transmitted from the home cell.
US09167531B2 Method and apparatus for switching between low-power, single-chain listen and multiple-chain demodulation
A single receive chain of a MIMO receiver is activated during a low power listen mode. Upon detecting a legacy short training field (L-STF) in a received packet, the single receive chain performs a first frequency estimation, and activates one or more additional receive chains of the MIMO receiver. The MIMO receiver uses maximal ratio combining (MRC) to receive the signal using the first receive chain and the one or more additional activated receive chains, wherein the MRC is based, at least in part, on the first frequency estimation. The MIMO receiver may determine whether the received packet is a high throughput/very high throughput (HT/VHT) packet, and if not, deactivate the one or more additional receive chains. In one alternative, the additional receive chains are not activated until determining that a HT/VHT packet has been received.
US09167528B2 Power saving method and related mobile device
A power saving method for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The power saving method comprises detecting a screen status of the mobile device and switching to different connection states according to the screen status of the mobile device when the mobile device has no data transmission and reception.
US09167527B2 Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in portable terminal
An apparatus and method for reducing power consumption of a portable terminal are provided. More particularly, an apparatus and method for reducing power consumption generated in an idle state in order to solve a power consumption problem in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a state determination unit which is configured independently from an application processor for controlling applications and which wakes up when entering an idle mode to allow the application processor to sleep, and thereafter determines a state of the portable terminal, and if it is determined that the portable terminal escapes from the idle mode, allows the application processor to wake up.
US09167525B2 Power management for wireless networks
Embodiments provide techniques for device power management in wireless networks. For instance, an apparatus may include a power management module, and a transceiver module. The power management module determines a beacon interval and a wakeup interval. The transceiver module to send a transmission to one or more remote devices that includes the beacon interval and the wakeup interval. The beacon interval indicates a time interval between consecutive beacon transmissions of the apparatus, and the wakeup interval indicates a time interval between when the apparatus receives two consecutive beacons from a peer device.
US09167522B2 Fast detection of discontinuous transmission
Techniques for detecting discontinuous transmission (DTX) are disclosed. In an example method, given a sequence of bits that is known by a wireless receiver to be included in transmission bursts targeted to the wireless receiver and given a series of received signal samples corresponding to an expected transmission burst for the wireless receiver, the wireless receiver estimates a channel response and a location for the sequence within the series. The wireless receiver generates a plurality of bit estimates from the subset of received signal samples, based on the estimated channel response, compares the bit estimates to bits in the sequence of bits, and determines whether a valid burst for the wireless receiver is present, based on said comparing. The disclosed techniques are particularly suitable for use in detecting DTX in VAMOS scenarios.
US09167513B2 Intelligent network selection based on quality of service and applications over different wireless networks
A system and method for selecting a wireless network is disclosed. The method relates to selecting a wireless network from plurality of wireless networks. A variation of the invention includes selecting a new platform from a plurality of platforms offered by the current service provider according to a service request from the wireless device. The method comprises determining a requested service associated with the wireless device, determining whether one of the plurality of wireless networks can provide the requested service, and, if one of the plurality of wireless networks can provide the requested service, choosing the one wireless network of the plurality of wireless networks. The method further involves using a variety of parameters in determining which wireless network to choose for servicing the requested service from the wireless device.
US09167510B2 Method and apparatus for blindly detecting a common search space and a UE specific search space
Methods and apparatus are provided for blindly detecting a common search space and a UE specific search space. A location of a candidate EPDCCH occupied by a common search space is determined. A blind detection is performed for the candidate EPDCCH occupied by the common search space. A location of a candidate enhanced EPDCCH occupied by a UE specific search space is determined. A blind detection is performed for the candidate EPDCCH occupied by the UE specific search space.
US09167501B2 Implementing a 3G packet core in a cloud computer with openflow data and control planes
A control plane device in a cloud computing system executes a plurality of virtual machines for implementing network function virtualization (NFV). The control plane device is operable to manage implementation of a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnel protocol (GTP) in a packet core (PC) of a third generation (3G) network having a split architecture where a control plane of the PC of the 3G network is in the cloud computing system. The control plane communicates with a data plane of the PC through a control plane protocol. The data plane is implemented in a plurality of network devices of the 3G network. The control plane device and the plurality of virtual machines are operable to communicate with other control plane devices in the cloud computing system and with the plurality of network devices of the data plane.
US09167498B2 Caching over an interface between a radio access network and a core network
A method is provided which introduces user plane caching over an interface between a first node in a radio access network and a second node in a core network. At the first node: receiving first uplink tunnel parameters relating to the second node, selecting first downlink tunnel parameters relating to the first node, sending the first uplink and downlink tunnel parameters to a cache node designated to the first node, receiving second uplink and downlink tunnel parameters relating to the cache node, and sending the second downlink tunnel parameters to the second node. A first tunnel is established between the first node and the cache node based on the second uplink tunnel parameters and the first downlink tunnel parameters, uplink user plane data is sent to the second node through the first and second tunnels via the cache node, and downlink user plane data is received from the second node.
US09167496B2 Route optimization for on-demand routing protocols for mesh networks
Various embodiments implement a set of low overhead mechanisms to enable on-demand routing protocols. The on-demand protocols use route accumulation during discovery floods to discover when better paths have become available even if the paths that the protocols are currently using are not broken. In other words, the mechanisms (or “Route Optimizations”) enable improvements to routes even while functioning routes are available. The Route Optimization mechanisms enable nodes in the network that passively learn routing information to notify nodes that need to know of changes in the routing information when the changes are important. Learning routing information on up-to-date paths and determining nodes that would benefit from the information is performed, in some embodiments, without any explicit control packet exchange. One of the Route Optimization mechanisms includes communicating information describing an improved route from a node where the improved route diverges from a less nearly optimal route.
US09167493B2 Method and apparatus for providing a cloud-based mobility in a wireless network
A method and apparatus for providing a cloud-based mobility in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a path switching request from a user endpoint device. The method then determines if the path switching request is for a regional hand-off. If the path switching request is for a regional hand-off, the method initiates a virtual machine move request for moving a virtual machine providing a mobility support function for a user of the user endpoint device. The method then determines if a response to the virtual machine move request is received. If the response to the virtual machine request is received, the method performs a user plane update and provides a response to the path switching request.
US09167479B2 Method and apparatus for queued admissions control in a wireless communication system
A method and services network element are provided that provide for queued admissions control in a wireless communication system by receiving a bearer establishment request associated with a user equipment, determining that a cell where the user equipment is located is congested, in response to determining that the cell is congested, creating a bearer establishment request record (BERR) associated with the user equipment and the bearer establishment request, wherein the BERR comprises priority information associated with the BERR, and adding the BERR to a queue, wherein the queue is associated with a cell serving the user equipment, wherein the BERR is positioned in the queue based on the priority information, and wherein bearer establishment requests associated with BERRs in the queue are submitted based on a position of the BERRs in the queue.
US09167478B2 Method for efficient utilisation of the throughput capacity of an eNB by using a cache
Method and apparatus for enabling optimisation of the utilisation of the throughput capacity of a first and a second interface of an eNB, where the first and the second interface alternate in having the lowest throughput capacity, and thereby take turns in limiting the combined data throughput over the two interfaces. In the method, data is received over the first interface and then cached in one of the higher layers of the Internet Protocol stack. The output from the cache of data to be sent over the second interface is controlled, based on the available throughput capacity of the second interface. Thereby, the alternating limiting effect of the interfaces is levelled out.
US09167475B2 Method and arrangement in a wireless communication network
Method and arrangement in a first node for requesting a status report from a second node. The first node and the second node are both comprised within a wireless communication network. The status report comprises positive and/or negative acknowledgement of data sent from the first node, to be received by the second node. The first node comprises a first counter configured to count the number of transmitted Protocol Data Units, PDUs, and a second counter configured to count the number of transmitted data bytes. The method and arrangements comprises initializing the first and the second counter to zero, transmitting data to be received by the second node, comparing the value of the first and the second counters with a first threshold limit value and a second threshold limit value and requesting a status report from the second node if any of the threshold limit values is reached or exceeded.
US09167471B2 System and method for responding to aggressive behavior associated with wireless devices
An embodiment of the invention describes a wireless device comprising a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) further comprising a memory for storing program code for performing a plurality of operations, and a processor for processing the program code to execute the plurality of operations, the operations including receiving over-the-air instructions via a wireless network from a control center to create a rules set in the SIM, wherein the rules set defines an acceptable behavior of the wireless device, monitoring requests from a wireless modem of the wireless device for access files stored in the SIM, detecting an aggressive behavior of the wireless device based on the rules set, and blocking the wireless modem from generating traffic in the wireless network.
US09167470B2 Handling signaling congestion and related communication device
A method of handling signaling congestion for a machine type communication (MTC) device and/or a MTC server in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving system information from a network; and stopping a triggering operation in a communication window according to the system information, wherein the system information indicates occurrence of a signaling congestion situation in the network.
US09167468B2 Method and device for channel estimation
The disclosure provides a method for channel estimation, including that: a small-scale fading channel of each carrier of each interfering channel is obtained respectively according to a Gaussian distribution; a total interfering power PI of all interfering SRSs is calculated according to the obtained small-scale fading channel of each carrier of each interfering channel and a generated large-scale fading gain of each carrier of each interfering channel; interference-equivalent noise NI is calculated according to the total interfering power PI; and channel estimation is performed according to a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) Y received by an Evolved Node B (eNB), wherein Y is calculated with a formula Y=SH+NI+N0. The disclosure further provides a device for channel estimation. With the disclosure, it is not required to generate small-scale fading of an interfering channel, reducing complexity of, and thereby improving efficiency in, simulation.
US09167462B2 Measurement bandwidth configuration method
In a cellular radio system measurement bandwidth for a plurality of base stations belonging to a cellular radio system is performed by configuring the base stations to signal the measurement bandwidth to user equipments connected to the cellular radio system for performing downlink neighbor cell measurements over the signaled measurement bandwidth in the user equipment by first receiving a set of information. The received information is used for configuring the measurement bandwidth using the received set of information and the configured measurement bandwidth is signaled to the base stations.
US09167461B2 Method for handling user consent for MDT data collection
According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a NE network node of a communication network is provided, the network node being connected via the communication network to at least one user device. The method comprises: receiving a request at the NE network node to carry out a MDT measurement for one of the at least one user device; determining, at the NE network node, whether carrying out the MDT measurement or processing or reporting a result of the MDT measurement requires a user consent, based on data of a MDT privacy matrix; determining, at the NE network node, whether a consent indicator which is assigned to the user device indicates allowance to carry out the MDT measurement, or indicates allowance of processing or reporting the result of the MDT measurement if the MDT privacy matrix indicates that a user consent is necessary; and carrying out the MDT measurement at the NE network node and/or processing the result of the MDT measurement and/or reporting the result of the MDT measurement to a further network node of the communication network if the consent indicator indicates that the MDT measurement can be carried out or the result of the MDT measurement can be processed or reported.
US09167460B2 Detection of cable network interference on wireless network
Described are methods and devices for detecting cable network interference on a wireless network. In one aspect, disclosed is a method, performed by a processor of a cable interference detection device, of detecting interference in a wireless network caused by a cable network. The method includes: obtaining a signal signature of a wireless signal received at a receiver of a mobile communication device, the signal signature being a fast fourier transform representation of the wireless signal; and determining that the wireless signal represents interference caused by the cable network by comparing the signal signature to a cable network signal signature.
US09167459B2 System and method for confirming radio frequency (RF) signal connection integrity with multiple devices under test (DUTs) to be tested concurrently
System and method for confirming radio frequency (RF) signal connections with multiple devices under test (DUTs) tested concurrently using replicas of a RF test signal. Cabled signal connections between the signal source and the DUTs are monitored by sensing levels of outgoing and related reflection RF signals. These signal levels are compared against similar signal levels when the outgoing RF signals are provided to reference impedances. Alternatively, the cabled signal connections have lengths of known signal wavelengths and the RF test signal frequency is swept such that minimum and maximum time delays between the outgoing and reflection RF signals go through minimum and maximum signal cycles with a difference of at least one full cycle. The reflection RF signal magnitude and phase are monitored, from which peak and valley signal level differences and phase changes are identified to determine return loss and phase changes indicative of DUT connection.
US09167457B2 Measuring and displaying wireless network quality
Methods of calculating and displaying quality metrics on a wireless digital network such as a network using IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standards. The quality metric calculation assigns weights only to factors which are observed above a threshold, combining multiple factors into a scalar result. The quality metric is derived from the weighted sum of two or more parameters such as: noise floor offset, channel busy indication, adjacent and overlapping channel interference, interferer duty-cycle, frame retry-rate, PHY error rate and CRC error rate. Quality spectrograms may be used to display calculated quality metrics across a channel, channel range, or frequency band, plotting calculated quality metric versus frequency or channel range over a configurable time frame. Using known locations of radios, quality ranges are mapped onto visual representations such as contour lines, shading density, or color codes, and overlayed for example over floor plans or other site representations.
US09167456B2 Subscriber terminal identification
Subscriber terminal identification is disclosed. An apparatus controls a base station to form an emulated long term evolution LTE cell such that tracking area code and physical cell identity of the emulated LTE cell are unused by real neighboring LTE cells, and radio frequency power level of the emulated LTE cell within the emulated LTE cell is higher than the radio frequency power levels of the real neighboring LTE cells within the emulated LTE cell; and controls the base station to receive a connection request from a subscriber terminal residing in the emulated LTE cell, whereupon, in the ensuing exchange of messages, the base station is controlled to receive an international mobile subscriber identity from the subscriber terminal.
US09167452B2 Signalling proxy system for a switching center server, wherein an indication of operation in an active state is transmitted from a signaling proxy via at least one processing blade to the remaining signaling proxies
A signalling proxy system for a switching center server is provided, as well as a method of operating a signalling proxy system for a switching center server. The signalling proxy system comprises two signalling proxies for routing signalling traffic between a network node and a plurality of switching center server units. Each signalling proxy is addressable by an address code and is operable in one of an active state and a passive state towards the network node.
US09167450B2 Excluding roaming users from area based MDT data transmission
It is provided an apparatus, comprising base station means adapted to provide a base station functionality of a visited mobile network; selecting means adapted to select a user equipment, which is operably connected to the base station means, to report a result of a predefined measurement to the apparatus, wherein the selecting means is adapted to select the user equipment only if a roaming information of the user equipment received from a mobility management entity by which mobility of the user equipment is controlled indicates that a user of the user equipment is subscribed to one of one or more predefined mobile networks.
US09167449B2 Dynamic cell clustering
In some implementations, a method for dynamic cell clustering includes splitting, by an initial central coordinator, the cluster into two or more clusters in response to a message from a small cell in a cluster. The initial cluster includes a plurality of cells, including the small cell, with each cell assigned a same Time Division Duplex (TDD) configuration.
US09167448B2 Mobile terminal apparatus, base station apparatus and communication control method
The present invention provides a mobile terminal apparatus, a base station apparatus, and a communication control method, which allow control suitable for interference reduction in a layered network such as HetNet, and which support a next-generation mobile communication system. A mobile terminal apparatus has a receiving section (103) that receives radio frames of a lower cell, in which a protected subframe, the transmission of which by a higher cell is suppressed, and a non-protected subframe, the transmission of which by the higher cell is not suppressed, coexist, a measurement section (112) that measures reception quality from reference signals multiplexed individually on the protected subframe and the non-protected subframe, a feedback information reduction section (114) that calculates a difference value between the reception quality of the protected subframe and the reception quality of the non-protected subframe, and a transmission section (103) that reports reception quality information of the protected subframe, and the difference value calculated in the feedback information reduction section (114), to a base station apparatus (20B).
US09167437B2 Gathering data on cellular data communication characteristics
A method for collecting data that can be used to characterize the performance of a wireless communications system is disclosed. The method comprises determining data characterizing a wireless data communication that occurs between an internet service provider and a data collection system. The data collection system comprises a data exchanger and a routing device through which communications can be routed between client devices and an internet via the internet service provider. The routing device includes a memory. The routing device collects the data and stores the data in the memory of the routing device. A system for collecting data is also disclosed.
US09167434B2 Inter-radio access technology interference coordination for multi-standard radio access networks
A method and system for coordinated interference suppression in a communication system. The communication system implements at least a first radio access technology via a first base station and a second radio access technology via a second base station. The first and second radio access technologies differ from one another. Information relating to an interference signal received at the first base station via the first radio access technology is received at the second base station from a first device associated with the first base station, At a second device associated with the second base station, an interfering user equipment accessing the second base station via the second radio access technology is identified. The identification is based on the information received from the first device associated with the first base station. Interference caused by the identified interfering user equipment is suppressed by the second base station.
US09167433B2 Method for detecting security error in mobile telecommunications system and device of mobile telecommunications
According to one embodiment, a method of performing a re-establishment procedure in a mobile communication system includes: receiving at least one packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) control plane data unit; performing an integrity check on the at least one PDCP control plane data unit; identifying an integrity check failure with regard to the at least one PDCP control plane data unit; and performing a re-establishment procedure if the integrity check failure is identified to exist with regard to the at least one PDCP control plane data unit.
US09167430B2 Access method and system, and mobile intelligent access point
An access method is disclosed. The method includes: a mobile intelligent access point accesses a network through at least two wireless technologies; a User Equipment (UE) establishes a connection with the mobile intelligent access point; and the UE acquires access authentication from the network through the mobile intelligent access point. An access system and a mobile intelligent access point are further disclosed. With the disclosure, network authentication can be implemented to facilitate an operator to control the number of access users and to guarantee the network of the operator. Furthermore, a broadband mobile network is taken as a backhaul network, so as to reduce the reliability on a fixed network and improve the utilization of the broadband mobile network.
US09167429B2 Visible light communication system, communication terminal and server
A communication module of a communication terminal is configured not to output to a control module, service information provided from a second server whose server ID is not registered in a first server. The communication module is configured to receive an authentication code from the first server, and to transmit ID information and terminal identification information to the second server. When the terminal identification information received from the communication module matches the terminal identification information received from the first server, the second server is configured to reply the authentication code and the service information to the communication module. When the authentication code received from the first server matches the authentication code received from the second server, the communication module is configured to output the service information to the control module.
US09167427B2 Method of providing user equipment with access to a network and a network configured to provide access to the user equipment
The method of operating a network includes receiving, by an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) proxy of the network, authentication information for user equipment from a first wireless access point, the AAA proxy being a proxy for an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server in a radiocommunication network, transmitting, by the AAA proxy, at least the received authentication information to the radiocommunication network, receiving, by the AAA proxy, first key information from the radiocommunication network, generating, by the AAA proxy, second key information based on the first key information and third key information based on the second key information, storing, by the AAA proxy, the first and second key information, and transmitting, by the AAA proxy, the third key information to the first wireless access point, the third key information allowing the user equipment access to a network via the first wireless access point.
US09167421B2 Roaming encoded information reading terminal
A portable encoded information reading (EIR) terminal for incorporation in a data collection system having a host computer, a plurality of peer EIR terminals, and a plurality of interconnected networks including one or more wireless networks, can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, an encoded information reading (EIR) device configured to output raw message data containing an encoded message or decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message, and at least one wireless communication interface. The EIR terminal can provide IEEE 802.11-conformant wireless distribution system services, including association, disassociation, distribution, integration, and re-association, to the peer EIR terminals. The EIR terminal can be associated with a home network and have a home address belonging to the address range associated with the home network.
US09167416B2 Method for reporting capability information and dual mode user equipment adapted thereto
A system and a method that reports capability information regarding a dual mode User Equipment (UE) are provided. The UE supports Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD). The UE capability transmitting method includes receiving a message requesting UE capability information from an evolved Node B (eNB), generating first capability information and second capability information according to the UE capability information requesting message, and transmitting UE capability information including the first and second capability information to the eNB. The first capability information comprises FDD capability information applicable to an FDD mode or TDD capability information applicable to a TDD mode. The second capability information comprises capability information applicable to both the FDD mode and the TDD mode. The system and method can allow a dual mode UE to efficiently report its capability information.
US09167409B2 Music control signal dependent activation of a voice activity detector
The invention relates to a method for controlling the activation of a voice activity detector for a call in which music control information inserted into the control signalling plane is used to disable and enable the voice activity detector.
US09167406B2 Communication system, communication apparatus, computer-readable storage medium having stored therein communication program, and communication method
An example system includes: a search communication apparatus searching for another communication apparatus; and search subject communication apparatuses searched for by the search communication apparatus. The search communication apparatus includes a search request transmission section transmitting a search request signal. The search subject communication apparatuses each includes: a search request reception section receiving the search request signal transmitted from the search communication apparatus; a search response transmission section transmitting a search response signal as response to the search request signal received by the search request reception section, to the search communication apparatus; and a search response monitoring section monitoring the search response signal transmitted from another search subject communication apparatus to the search communication apparatus. The search response transmission section transmits, as proxy response signal, to the search communication apparatus, the search response signal transmitted from the other search subject communication apparatus and monitored by the search response monitoring section.
US09167404B1 Anticipating data use in a wireless device
This application describes, in part, systems and methods that may be used to proactively deliver anticipated data to a mobile device while the mobile device is connected to a wireless network that will not result in a charge for transmitting the data. In one example, data that may be accessed by a user of the mobile device and a time of that likely access is determined. In addition, anticipated wireless network connection events are determined to identify times when the wireless device will likely be connected to a fixed fee wireless network. Based on the determined information, the anticipated data is scheduled for delivery during a fixed fee wireless network connection event that occurs prior to the time at which the anticipated data is requested by the user of the mobile device.
US09167397B2 Methods, systems, and products for processing communications
Users are provided control of their communications. Should a call be processed for a user, a text message may be automatically sent as a response to the call. The user may pre-compose different text messages. The user may also compose a custom text message. Regardless, the user's text message is automatically sent as a response to the call.
US09167395B2 Information processing system and electronic message notification method for information processing system
An information processing system and an electronic message notification method for an information processing system automatically change an incoming account for which an electronic message reception notification is made. An information processing system includes an information terminal provided with a communication function and an in-vehicle device. The information terminal receives an electronic message from the exterior in a corresponding incoming account; configures an incoming account for making a notification of the reception of an electronic message; and when an electronic message has been received by the configured incoming account, notifies the in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle device determines whether or not an electronic message has been distributed to the information terminal from a specific partner; and, if so, changes the configuration of the configuration unit so that a notification that the electronic message has been received from the specific partner is made.
US09167394B2 In-vehicle messaging
In-vehicle messaging includes intercepting an incoming communication on a mobile communication device. The incoming communication is received by a messaging application on the mobile communication device. The in-vehicle messaging also includes parsing the communication, associating elements of the communication with metadata of a digital music application, and transmitting the communication, as well as instructions for handling the communication, over a communication link between the mobile communication device and a vehicle stereo system for presentation on a component of the vehicle stereo system.
US09167390B2 Adaptive assistance data for tiered service and efficiency in indoor positioning
A method for providing tiered indoor positioning service includes: receiving a request for assistance data from a mobile device; receiving expected quality of service information from the mobile device; generating an adaptive assistance data file comprising heat map data based at least in part on the received expected quality of service information; and transmitting the adaptive assistance data file to the mobile device.
US09167389B1 Clustering location data to determine locations of interest
Systems and methods are disclosed for determining locations visited by a mobile device. In an embodiment, a first location point is identified from a plurality of location points associated with the mobile device. The first location point may be combined with one or more of the plurality of location points to construct a time block. A time block may indicate a continuous period of time when the mobile device is in the same location. An aggregate location is calculated for the time block based on the plurality of points in the time block. One or more time blocks may be grouped based on the aggregate location of each time block, and a spatial clustering procedure is applied to transform the aggregate locations of time blocks in the group into one or more locations of interest.
US09167386B2 System, method and computer program for dynamic generation of a radio map
Embodiments described herein provide a system, method and computer program for dynamic radio map generation, which may be used for indoor positioning of one or more mobile devices based on received signal strength (RSS) in some examples. In an aspect, a dynamic scheme may be used to learn the RSS radio map from only a small number of fingerprint samples. Compressive sensing may be applied to build the graph structure and calculate the graph weight in some embodiments. Once the RSS radio map is learned, a mobile device may be located and location based services can be provided to the user in some example embodiments. An indoor learning and positioning system on a mobile device may be used to evaluate the performance. Embodiments described herein may not require a large amount of offline calibrations, which may reduce the labor cost of collecting fingerprints significantly while maintaining a satisfactory level of localization accuracy.
US09167385B2 Method and apparatus for ranging using channel estimation with interference rejection
A ranging procedure is performed using interference cancellation using preamble messages from a plurality of objects, each of which includes a pre-defined orthogonal design coded modulation patterns. A channel for an object may be estimated using the pre-defined orthogonal design coded modulation patterns in the preamble messages received from objects to remove interference of the preamble message received from other objects. A range to an object may be determined based on a determined delay in the preamble message from that object. The range may be used to assist in determining the position of the object. The pre-defined preamble message may be transmitted by receiving a schedule for an access point in a network for a ranging procedure and periodically transmitting a pre-defined preamble message for the ranging procedure, the pre-defined preamble message includes an orthogonal design coded modulation pattern.
US09167384B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a positional relationship information acquirer that acquires information indicating a position relationship between a first user and a second user, a nearness determiner that determines whether or not the first user and the second user are near each other, on the basis of the information indicating the position relationship, and a contact manager that sorts, on the basis of a result of the determination, a contact list which is provided to the first user and which includes contact information for the second user.
US09167377B2 Shaped load modulation in near field communications (NFC) device
A method and apparatus is disclosed to compensate for overshoot and/or undershoot in a transmission sequence by shaping the transmission sequence according to a shaping envelope to lengthen its rise time and/or fall time to provide a modified transmission sequence. The shaping envelope may represent a trigonometric function, a polynomial function, a piecewise function or any other function that lengthens the rise time and/or the fall time of the transmission sequence. The modified transmission sequence adjusts an impedance of an antenna to load modulate a carrier wave that is inductively coupled to it.
US09167375B2 Device for detecting a carrying case using orientation signatures
A device for detecting a carrying case using orientation signatures, and method therefor, is provided. The device includes: at least one orientation sensor; a memory storing one or more carrying-case insertion signatures; and, a processor configured to: receive output from the at least one orientation sensor as a function of time; and place the device in a carrying case mode when a time-dependent pattern in the output matches the one or more carrying-case insertion signatures.
US09167365B2 Method and apparatus for objective assessment of in-ear device acoustical performance
A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.
US09167364B2 External ear insert for hearing comprehension enhancement
A simple hearing enhancement device that takes the normally adequately loud sound levels and optimizes selective frequency gain of the patient's ear passage to improve speech comprehension.
US09167363B2 Adjustable securing mechanism for a space access device
A securing mechanism comprising a plurality of outwardly projecting members having a plurality of contact points that are configured to contact a surface of an opening when disposed on a space access device that is inserted in the opening, the securing mechanism being configured to apply a pressure to a contact surface within the opening less than approximately 10000 kPa.
US09167361B2 Smoothing power consumption of an active medical device
An active medical device, including an input receiver configured to receive a frequency-varying input signal, and a functional component that reacts to the input signal and consumes power at a rate dependant on the frequency of portions of the input signal to which the functional component reacts, wherein the active medical device is configured to adjust one or more portions of the input signal corresponding to portions of the input signal where the functional component consumes power at a rate that is greater than that of other portions of the input signal.
US09167356B2 Electrooculogram as a control in a hearing assistance device
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for controlling operation of a hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device worn by a wearer. The method includes tracking eye movements of the wearer using a sensor on or in the hearing assistance device to obtain an electrooculogram (EOG). At least one parameter of the hearing assistance device is adjusted using the EOG, according to various embodiments.
US09167355B2 System and method for in-situ evaluation of an implantable hearing instrument actuator
A system for in-situ evaluation of the performance of an actuator of a hearing instrument to be implanted in a middle ear cavity of a patient and to be mechanically coupled to an ossicle or to the cochlea includes: a reference output transducer assembly for generating sound waves in the middle ear cavity, means for providing test audio signals as input to the actuator and to the reference transducer assembly, a microphone assembly for being inserted at least in part into the middle ear cavity for picking up sound waves in the middle ear cavity generated by vibrations of the actuator and by the reference output transducer assembly according to the test audio signals and for providing for an output signal corresponding to the picked-up sound waves, and means for analyzing the output signals of the microphone assembly in order to evaluate the actuator performance.
US09167354B2 Electroacoustic sound transducer
The electroacoustic transducer according to the invention has at least one diaphragm and at least one counterelectrode. In that case the diaphragm and/or the counterelectrode each have at least two electrically mutually insulated segments. In that arrangement the segments are so adapted that different electric signals are supplied or that different electric signals are delivered in response to exposure to sound of the sound transducer.
US09167349B2 Method and apparatus for reproducing multi-channel sound using cable/wireless device
A multi-channel music reproducing apparatus and method using a wired and/or wireless communication system are provided. The method includes confirming neighboring devices capable of wired and/or wireless communication; allocating audio channel information to confirmed neighboring devices; encoding the channel information and reproduction synchronization information as index information; transmitting the index information together with a music data file; receiving the encoded index information and music data; decoding the allocated channel information and the synchronization information; and outputting music data corresponding to the allocated channel.
US09167348B1 Wireless waterproof headphone system
A wireless dual-functioning headset, which is waterproof and allows a user to make and receive phone calls through voice recognition as well as listen to music on a smartphone. It all can be customized by setting the preferences on a mobile software application. An implementation is an earbud headphone system that is both wireless and waterproof running off of RF waves that has the ability to sync with music on a smartphone.
US09167343B2 Condenser stereomicrophone
A condenser stereomicrophone includes a mid condenser microphone unit that is connected to left and right side condenser microphone units such that the output from the mid condenser microphone unit is applied to the left and right side condenser microphone units. The left and right side condenser microphone units are connected to left and right-channel connector terminals, respectively; and the left and right-channel connector terminals are connected to the mid condenser microphone unit via corresponding power-supply resistors.
US09167335B2 Headphone
There is provided a headphone including a headband having flexibility; a slider having flexibility with the headband attached at one end, and a headphone unit attached at the other end; a slide groove, arranged at an end of the headband or the one end of the slider, for guiding a circling movement of the slider with respect to the headband; and a slider guide, having rigidity higher than the headband and the slider, for holding the one end of the slider at the end of the headband so that one surface of the slider facing one surface of the headband circling moves with respect to the one surface of the headband while being engaged to the slide groove. A headphone that can be thinned while suppressing lowering of the attachment property is provided.
US09167332B2 Electronic device and method for measuring electric current of external electronic devices using the electronic device
A portable electronic device and method for measuring electric current of an external electronic device by the portable electronic device are provided. The method includes detecting whether an external device is connected, through the earphone jack, or whether a simple headset is connected through the earphone jack. The earphone jack can pass audio signals from the headset, but if an external device is detected, software is implemented to measure the amplitude of electric current from the external electronic device.
US09167331B2 Bendable cord for controlling an electronic device
Described is a technique for controlling an electronic device by manipulating a headphone cord. This may be accomplished by sensing various bends and/or bend patterns to the cord. The cord may include a resistive member such as a rod or hollow member for providing tactile feedback to a user. The resistive member may provide a bending resistance or a collapse that provides a tactile sense of when the bend produces an effect for controlling the electronic device. A degree of bend may be determined by the sensors and a controller may provide a control input to the electronic device based on the determined bend. In one instance, the volume of the electronic device may be decreased based on the degree of bend.
US09167330B1 Cricket systems
A portable storage device within which earbud cords are able to be neatly stored and easily accessed to untangle the world from earbud cords, providing consumers with a more user friendly means of listening to music while exercising or engaging in normal daily activities without the user becoming tangled in cords, as well as providing a unit for storing and transporting earbuds in a pocket or purse without risking damage to these loose cords.
US09167329B2 Magnetic earphones holder
An earphones holder is used to affix a headset to clothing and/or other items. The earphones holder comprises a magnet which removably couples with a magnetically attractable portion of a set of earphones. In some embodiments, the earphones holder further comprises an electronic device controller which controls the operation of an electronic device. The controller is configured to send a signal to an electronic device activation circuit which operates the electronic device based upon a coupling status of the earbuds with the one or more magnetically attractable surfaces of the earphones holder body. In some embodiments, the electronic device controller controls the operation of an electronic device. The controller is configured to send a signal to an electronic device activation circuit which operates the electronic in a manner dependent upon a signal from the holder body.
US09167325B2 Electronic devices with environmental sensors
An electronic device may be provided with environmental sensors. Environmental sensors may include one or more environmental sensor components and one or more acoustic components. Acoustic components may include a speaker or a microphone. Environmental sensor components may include a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, or other sensors or combinations of sensors for sensing attributes of the environment surrounding the device. The environmental sensor may have an enclosure with an opening. The enclosure may be formed from a rigid support structure and a portion of a printed circuit. The opening may be formed in the rigid support structure or the printed circuit. The opening in the enclosure for the environmental sensor may be aligned with an opening in an outer structural member for the device. The outer structural member may be a housing structure or a cover layer for a device display.
US09167319B2 Optical packet switching system
An optical packet switching system includes optical packet switching apparatus and an optical packet transmitting apparatus. The optical packet switching apparatus includes client optical delay units for delaying optical packet signals, network optical delay units for delaying one of the network optical packet signals, the network optical delay unit having a longer delay time than the client optical delay unit, an optical switch unit for switching the route of the inputted client optical packet signal so as to be sent out, an optical switch control unit for controlling the optical switch unit. The optical switch control unit is configured in such a manner as to detect a free time slot. The optical packet transmitting apparatus adjusts transmit timing, with which the client optical packet signal is sent out, in such a manner that the client optical packet signal is inserted into the free time slot.
US09167318B1 Bandwidth advertisement systems and methods for optical transport network
A bandwidth advertisement update method in an optical network, an optical network, and a controller provide a configurable mechanism for bandwidth advertisement updates in a control plane providing flexibility and reducing bandwidth advertisements in the control plane while concurrently supporting aggregated connections. The bandwidth advertisement update method includes defining a plurality of bandwidth update threshold values for a plurality of bandwidth units supported on a link in the optical network, responsive to a change in available bandwidth on the link, sending a bandwidth advertisement if the available bandwidth for any of the plurality of bandwidth units is less than the associated bandwidth update threshold value, and responsive to a change in available bandwidth on the link, withholding the bandwidth advertisement if the available bandwidth for all of the plurality of bandwidth units is greater than or equal to the associated bandwidth update threshold value.
US09167316B2 Reusable media sources for online broadcast data
A broadcaster-specific service module is provided for applications hosted by a processing device. The broadcaster-specific service module and the applications communicate through a common service bus. The broadcaster-specific service module receives items from an online broadcaster via a network, with each item associated with a media file or stream available from the online broadcaster. The broadcaster-specific service module generates a catalog containing a tree of the items, and sends the catalog to a target application via the service bus to display the catalog for user selection. The broadcaster-specific service module formats data of the catalog can be understood by all of the applications attached to the service bus.
US09167313B1 Methods and system for transferring data for remote storage
A method of transferring video data for storage at a remote location includes storing the video data recorded at a site to a local storage device at the site. The local storage device is coupled to a remote storage device by way of a network connection. Available bandwidth of the network connection between the local storage device and the remote storage device is automatically monitored. Upon one or more predetermined criteria being met for available bandwidth, video data from the local storage device is transferred to the remote storage device over the network connection. The time of initiation of transfer of the video data or the rate of transfer of the video data over the network connection may be based on the available bandwidth of the network connection at one or more times.
US09167312B2 Pause-based advertising methods and systems
An exemplary method includes monitoring an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem, receiving a command input by the user to pause a media content instance being presented by the media content access subsystem, and dynamically selecting at least one advertisement in accordance with the monitored interaction for presentation to the user by the media content access subsystem while the media content instance is paused. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
US09167308B2 Integrated laser and modulator transmitter for CATV applications
A cable television (CATV) optical transmitter includes a tunable laser having a phase bias input and a gain bias input. The tunable laser generates an optical beam at an output. A semiconductor optical amplifier includes an electrical bias input and an optical input that is optically coupled to the output of the tunable laser. The semiconductor amplifier amplifies the optical beam generated by the tunable laser. An integrated balanced modulator includes an electrical modulation input that receives analog CATV signals and an optical input that is connected to the output of the semiconductor amplifier. A third order pre-distortion circuit includes an output that is electrically connected to a modulation input of the integrated balanced modulator. The 3rd order pre-distortion circuit generates a signal that, when combined with the analog CATV modulation signal, at least partially cancels third order distortions that are introduced during modulation.
US09167307B2 On-screen caller ID with video playback and storage capability
Novel tools and techniques to enable video enhancements identifying the calling party of an incoming telephone call. In an aspect of some such tools, a video message from the calling party is sent to the receiving party through a communication channel in the provider network. Upon receiving an incoming telephone call at the provider network, the video message can be associated with the incoming telephone call, and routed to a video screen associated with the receiving party to show the video message for the receiving party as an indication of the incoming telephone call and identification of the calling party.
US09167306B2 System and method for presenting information associated with a media program
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor adapted to receive a message from a portable communication device communicatively coupled to a set-top box presenting a media program and to retrieve from the message a media descriptor associated with the media program. The processor is further adapted to identify according to the media descriptor one or more images of one or more performers commonly presented in the media program, to monitor one or more frames of a live media feed including the media program, and compare the one or more human figures to the one or more images of performers. The processor can also be adapted to recognize a performer from the comparison, to retrieve information associated with the performer, and to transmit the information to the portable communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09167301B2 Methods and computer program products for taking a secondary action responsive to receipt of an advertisement
A method for programming a secondary device responsive to an advertisement, including: requesting a file and associated content identifier responsive to the advertisement; receiving the advertisement and a supplementary information associated with the advertisement; presenting a user with an option to initiate a request for an activity in response to the supplementary information; and performing the requested activity in response to the user request.
US09167300B2 Muting notification system
A television and remote control system, where the television receives data over a channel and produces outputs that create a television display. The television also receives notifications over a data connection indicating events that are other than the television display, like emails, alerts and the like. The television displays visual and audible notifications and mutes those notifications based on commands from a remote control.
US09167297B2 Distributed encoding of content for a network
Content, such as video content, may be encoded using encoders that are installed at encoding devices of customers of a telecommunications provider. In one implementation, a server device may maintain presence information relating to an operational state of a number of set-top boxes installed at customer residences; receive an indication of content that is to be encoded; and select a set-top box, of the set-top boxes, to encode the segment, the set-top box being selected based on the operational state of the set-top boxes. The server may further transmit, to the selected set-top box, instructions to initiate encoding of the content and to provide an encoding format for the content; and update the presence information to reflect a result of encoding of the content by the selected set-top box.
US09167293B2 Electronic device and method of transmitting content item
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a content transmitter. The content transmitter is configured to output a content item including first data and second data to one transmission path, by applying a first copyright protection system to copyright protection of the first data and applying a second copyright protection system to copyright protection of the second data. The first copyright protection system involves encryption of data to be copyright-protected. The second copyright protection system involves no encryption of data to be copyright-protected.
US09167292B2 Method and apparatus to use geocoding information in broadcast content
Methods and apparatus to acquire and use geocoding information included in broadcast content to enhance content presentation to the user.
US09167290B2 City scene video sharing on digital maps
A video sharing system is described to annotate and navigate tourist videos. An example video sharing system enables non-linear browsing of multiple videos and enriches the browsing experience with contextual and geographic information.
US09167286B2 Passive multi-port entry adapter and method for preserving downstream CATV signal strength within in-home network
A cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces to a CATV network and serves as a hub in an in-home network for passively communicating multimedia content or information from the CATV network and between subscriber devices connected to the ports of the CATV entry adapter, using CATV signals in a CATV frequency band and network signals in a different in-home network band.
US09167285B2 Streaming video server with virtual file system and methods for use therewith
A streaming video server generates a virtual file system that includes virtual addresses of a plurality of encrypted segments of a plurality of video programs at each of a plurality of bitrates, without storing the plurality of encrypted segments in persistent storage. A request is received from a client device to access a selected one of the plurality of video programs via a request to access the virtual file system. The plurality of encrypted segments of the selected one of the plurality of video programs are generated at a selected bitrate, in response to the request.
US09167281B2 Transport stream packet header compression
A demultiplexer 630 routes only one or more transport stream packets with a single packet identifier value to each physical layer pipe. A header compression unit 620 replaces the packet identifier of the transport stream packet with a short packet identifier of one bit length indicating at least whether the transport stream packet is a NULL packet.
US09167279B2 Method for payload formatting and deformatting for burst loss recovery
Disclosed are payload formatting and deformatting methods for burst data loss recovery. The payload formatting method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating an XOR operation packet by performing an XOR operation on the basis of a base layer packet and any one of enhancement layer packets of a group of pictures (GoP), the GoP including the base layer packet and the enhancement layer packets; and adding the XOR operation packet to the GoP.
US09167274B1 Generating synchronized dictionaries for sparse coding
Techniques for generating synchronized dictionaries for sparse coding to facilitate encoding of video content are presented. An encoder can generate a dictionary that can be synchronized with a corresponding dictionary maintained by a decoder. The encoder can use the dictionary to facilitate encoding video content, based on sparse coding, for transmission to the decoder. During a video session, the encoder and decoder can signal each other to identify common dictionaries between the encoder and decoder, wherein desired common dictionaries can be used for coding content. During a session, the decoder can dynamically select visual images that can be used to dynamically add new elements to the corresponding dictionary. The decoder can provide identifying information regarding these visual images to the encoder. The encoder can select corresponding visual images to add to its dictionary to maintain the synchronization of these common dictionaries.
US09167266B2 Method for deriving motion for high resolution pictures from motion data of low resolution pictures and coding and decoding devices implementing said method
The invention relates to a method for deriving motion data for a macroblock divided in elementary blocks of a high resolution picture, called high layer macroblock, from motion data of macroblocks of a low resolution picture, called base layer macroblock. The method comprises the following steps: computing, for each elementary block, an intermediate position within the low resolution picture from the elementary block position depending on the coding modes of the high layer macroblock and of the high and low resolution pictures; identifying the base layer macroblock, called base_MB, comprising the pixel located at the intermediate position; computing a final position within the low resolution picture from the virtual base layer position depending on the coding modes of the base_MB, of the high layer macroblock; identifying the base layer macroblock, called real_base_MB, comprising the pixel located at the final position; and deriving motion data, for the high layer macroblock, from motion data of the identified real_base_MB.
US09167263B2 Methods and devices for image encoding and decoding, and corresponding computer programs
A method and device relate to coding an image split up into partitions, which comprises the selection of at least one mode of coding and of its associated coding information items, from among items placed in competition, the prediction of the data of a current partition, the determination of residual data. Calculation of the value of a function representative of said residual data are performed, then the comparison of said calculated value with a value selected as value of competition index from among the associated values. If the values are equal, said signal transmitted comprises said residual data and said associated coding information items. If not, the residual data determined are modified so that the value of the function representative of the residual data is equal to the selected value of competition index, the signal transmitted comprising the modified residual data, excluding the selected value of competition index.
US09167262B2 Recording medium having recorded thereon coded information using plus and/or minus rounding of images
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon an image decoding program which, when executed by a computer, implements operations including: extracting motion vector information, and rounding method information from input information to be decoded; synthesizing a prediction image by performing motion compensation using the motion vector information and a reference image which is a previously decoded image; and synthesizing a decoded image by adding the prediction image to an error image; wherein a rounding method used for pixel value interpolation in performing the motion compensation for synthesizing the prediction image is one of a positive rounding method and a negative rounding method which is different from a one of a positive rounding method and a negative rounding method used for pixel value interpolation in performing the motion compensation for synthesizing a last prediction image.
US09167260B2 Apparatus and method for video processing
Methods and apparatus for facilitating motion estimation in video processing are provided. Preferably, coordinates of a search area within a video frame are determined for each of a plurality of macroblocks (MBs) of a reference frame based upon a predicted location derived from the coordinates of the MB within the reference frame and motion estimation information. The video frame can be segmented into tiles and associated overlapping tile defined for at least some tiles. Search data is defined for each tile as pel data for each pixel within that tile and any associated tile. Macroblock searches are preferably conducted on a tile assignment basis with tile search assignments distributed among a plurality of processing elements. Each processing element preferably has a local memory it uses for the search data when performing a tile search assignment.
US09167258B2 Fast mode determining method and apparatus in scalable video coding
A prediction mode determining method in scalable video coding based on a structure of multiple layers is provided. The prediction mode determining method includes: deriving a coded block pattern (CBP) value of a luma component for a 16×16 mode of an encoding target picture; determining first candidate modes for the encoding target picture according to the derived CPB value; and determining a final prediction mode for the encoding target picture based on the determined first candidate modes. According to the present invention, encoding efficiency may be improved, and complexity may be reduced.
US09167257B2 Video coding
Pictures are coded using a coding algorithm with a variable parameter QP so that the quality of the coding varies. First (100), a target value TiMOS is specified for a quality measurement parameter. Then, for each picture (or part of a picture) to be coded, one estimates, independently of the other pictures, a value for the variable parameter QP based on a) the target value for that picture area and b) a masking measure C that depends on the picture content of that picture area. The picture is then coded (112) using the estimated value. The masking measure may be compensated (108, 122) to allow for the effect of the coding quality upon the masking effect.
US09167252B2 Quantization matrix compression in video coding
A method of quantization matrix compression in a video encoder is provided that includes preprocessing a quantization matrix by performing at least one selected from down-sampling the quantization matrix and imposing 135 degree symmetry on the quantization matrix, performing zigzag scanning on the pre-processed quantization matrix to generate a one dimensional (1D) sequence, predicting the 1D sequence to generate a residual 1D sequence, and coding the residual 1D sequence using kth order exp-Golomb coding to generate a compressed quantization matrix, wherein k≧0.
US09167250B2 Method and encoding/decoding of video using common merging candidate set of asymmetric partitions
The present invention provides video encoding and decoding methods using block merging, which can be applied to a high resolution video of more than HD (High Definition) resolution. A video encoding method includes partitioning a current block into a first and a second prediction unit by using asymmetric partitioning, constructing a list of common merging candidate blocks including a predetermined number of common merging candidate blocks selected from adjacent blocks of the current block, selecting at least one candidate block from among the list of common merging candidate blocks and sending information of the selected candidate block to a decoder for each of the first and the second prediction unit.
US09167248B2 Reference picture list modification for video coding
A video decoder generates an initial reference picture list (RPL). Furthermore, the video decoder determines that an ordered set of reference picture list modification (RPLM) syntax elements does not include any additional syntax elements when a syntax element in the ordered set of RPLM syntax elements has a particular value. Furthermore, the video decoder generates a final RPL. For each respective RPLM syntax element in the ordered set of syntax elements, when the respective RPLM syntax element does not have the particular value, the final RPL includes, at an insertion position for the respective RPLM syntax element, a particular reference picture. The respective syntax element indicates a position in the initial RPL of the particular RPLM reference picture. The insertion position for the respective RPLM syntax element corresponds to a position in the ordered set of RPLM syntax elements of the respective RPLM syntax element.
US09167245B2 Method of determining binary codewords for transform coefficients
A system is provided for creating binary codewords for transform coefficients used for relating transform units (TUs) divided into coding units (CUs) in a High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) system. The system provides binarization of the codewords and removes unnecessary operations to reduce system complexity and increase compression performance. The system generates transform coefficients that relate the TUs and begins by providing a parameter variable (cRiceParam) set to an initial value of zero. Significant transform coefficients are converted into binary codewords based on the current value of the parameter variable, and the parameter variable is then updated with a new current value after each transform coefficient has been converted. Updating can be provided with reference to table values or the values can be provided from combination logic.
US09167236B2 Field-of-view compensated polarization switch for short-throw 3D projection
Generally, this disclosure concerns the angle sensitivity of polarization switch elements and the resulting impact of the ray direction on performance. More specifically, apparatus and techniques for compensating the angular sensitivity of liquid crystal (LC) polarization switches are described that enhance the performance of polarization switches. For example, a polarization switch is disclosed that transforms linearly polarized light of an initial polarization orientation that includes a first and second liquid crystal cell with a compensator located between the LC cells. The compensator layer is operable to enhance the field of view through the polarization switch. Such compensation techniques are particularly useful for short-throw projection environments.
US09167235B2 Faster state transitioning for continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles using multi-layered variable tint materials
An electrically controlled spectacle includes a spectacle frame and optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame. The lenses include a left lens and a right lens, each of the optoelectrical lenses having a plurality of states, wherein the state of the left lens is independent of the state of the right lens. The electrically controlled spectacle also includes a control unit housed in the frame, the control unit being adapted to control the state of each of the lenses independently.
US09167225B2 Information processing apparatus, program, and information processing method
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a display control unit causing an image for a left eye and an image for a right eye to be displayed respectively to a left eye and a right eye of an observer, the image for a left eye and the image for a right eye showing a stereoscopic image, and interchanging, depending on an amount of change occurring at a time of change of display of the stereoscopic image, images to be displayed respectively to the left eye and the right eye of the observer.
US09167223B2 Stereoscopic video processing device and method, and program
A stereoscopic video processing device includes a candidate coordinate range calculation unit configured to calculate a range of candidate coordinates of a display position of a reference point of a two-dimensional object in a screen, a parallax total value calculation unit configured to calculate a total value of parallax values of pixels of a region overlapping the two-dimensional object in the stereoscopic video, for each candidate coordinate, a display position determination unit configured to determine a candidate coordinate having a smallest total value of the parallax values as the display position of the reference point of the two-dimensional object, a maximum value specifying unit configured to specify a maximum value of the parallax values of the pixels of the region overlapping the two-dimensional object in the stereoscopic video, and a parallax setting unit configured to set the parallax of the two-dimensional object displayed in the stereoscopic video.
US09167222B2 Method and apparatus for providing and processing 3D image
A method and apparatus for providing a three-dimensional (3D) image is provided. In the method, first-viewpoint image data and second-viewpoint image data that provide a 3D image are obtained. Time information that represents points of time that the first-viewpoint image data and the second-viewpoint image data are to be processed is produced, based on relation information to indicate that the first-viewpoint image data and the second-viewpoint image data are a pair of pieces of image data. The first-viewpoint image data, the second-viewpoint image data, and the time information are transmitted. The first-viewpoint image data is transmitted in a first stream, and the second-viewpoint image data is transmitted in a second stream.
US09167220B2 Synchronized stream packing
There are provided methods and apparatus for synchronized stream packing of packets that differ contextually between A/V streams in a parallel presentation. A method includes the step of identifying sub-picture/subtitle packets and/or audio packets having arrival timestamps and/or presentation timestamps that match an arrival timestamp and/or a presentation timestamp, respectively, of video packets. The method also includes the step of packing a Video Object Unit (VOBU) and/or a Transport Stream (TS) with the identified sub-picture/subtitle and audio packets and the video packets having the matching timestamps.
US09167218B2 Projector, image correction method, and program
A projector includes a moving unit adapted to move positions of at least six correction points, which are included in a correcting image, a reception unit adapted to receive a designation on a value of a parameter representing linearity, a derivation unit adapted to derive a correspondence relationship of the coordinates between and input image and the correcting image using coordinates of the at least six correction points moved by the moving unit, and the parameter having the value designation of which is received by the reception unit, and a processing unit adapted to perform a correction process the input image based on the correspondence relationship derived by the derivation unit.
US09167213B2 Apparatus and method for video display and control for portable device
An apparatus and method for display and control of video data on a mobile device provides simultaneous multiple video data display of groups of video sources and selection of video data for single, larger viewing. Control of the camera source of the video data is provided for the mobile device user, such as by manipulation of a multi-touch sensitive screen to pan, tilt and zoom. Image capture from the video screen and marking of the captured image is provided. Activation of video data streams and groups of video data streams for display on the mobile device is provided by transfer of activation information to the mobile device via email. Notification of events monitored by the video source or by other sensors is sent to users of the mobile devices.
US09167212B2 Image displaying apparatus, image displaying system, image displaying method and image displaying program
The present disclosure provides an image displaying apparatus connected to a first camera and a second camera, on both of which pan/tilt control can be carried out, the image displaying apparatus including: an information acquisition section for acquiring information used for moving a display area over a virtual area obtained by combining a first area with a second area by making the first and second areas adjacent to each other; a control section for monitoring the position of the display area in the virtual area, requesting the first camera to carry out pan/tilt operations when the display area is positioned in the first area before and after a movement of the display area, and requesting the second camera to carry out pan/tilt operations when the display area has been moved from the first area to the boundary with the second area; and an image displaying section for displaying an image.
US09167209B2 Method for a touch screen that interfaces with a set top box
A method for control comprises a set top box receiving coordinates from a touch sensing screen. The coordinates are interpreted for controlling the set top box, and in accordance with the interpreted coordinates an action is performed. A further method for control comprises a set top box receiving a signal representative of displacement. A control function is determined from the displacement representative signal and the control function is activated. In accordance with the control function a signal is formed for communication.
US09167208B2 System and method for providing supplementary interactive content
A method and system for providing television programming content and interactive data services is provided. In one embodiment, the interactive content is displayed on the television concurrently with television programming content and facilitates game play between viewers. The game may be scored for each viewer based on selection data from the viewer and event data that is determined by events occurring in the television programming content. In addition, the interactive content may present a message that conveys an incentive to the viewer to take some action such as actuating a button when a particular commercial is presented thereby allowing the service provider and advertisers to determine how many, and which, viewers watched a particular commercial. In addition, the interactive content (including the incentives) can be presented to viewers when the programming content is stored on a digital video recorder and subsequently presented thereby presenting incentives to viewers to watch commercials that were recorded as part of the television programming content.
US09167207B1 Processing and/or distributing media content associated with at least one parameter related to a memory operation
A system to facilitate media content protection is provided. The system includes a partitioning component, a key derivation component and an output component. The partitioning component partitions encrypted media content associated with a master key into a plurality of media content segments. The key derivation component generates respective subkeys for the plurality of media content segments based at least in part on the master key and one or more parameters associated with one or more memory operations. The output component generates decrypted media content based at least in part on the respective subkeys.
US09167206B2 Method and system for communication with a set-top box
A method and system for communication with a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives security information and the security information has identification information for a user assigned to a set-top box, services a request to create a notification preference for the set-top box in response to successful entry of security information, establishes the notification preference for the set-top box and the notification preference has a rule for providing information in a notification on media content available to be received by the set-top box, sends the notification to the recipient in accordance with a notification preference, receives a communication for the set-top box from a user device and the communication comprises a partial command for a set-top box, interprets the partial command in view of the notification, and sends a command to the set-top box based on the partial command and the notification.
US09167202B2 Communication method, communication terminal, supervisor terminal and related computer programmes
A communication method in a communications network is provided. The method includes, in a communications network in which a communication link has been communication link having been allocated by a resource manager module in accordance with a first value of a characteristic of data rate, latency or jitter required for providing a first service on the said link between a first and a second communication terminal, the steps of transmitting a request to replace the said first communication service by a second communication service between at least the first and second terminals; further to receipt of the said request by the resource manager module of the network, replacing by the said resource manager module of the first value of the said characteristic by a second value required for providing the said second service; and providing the second communication service instead of the first communication service between the first and second terminals on the said communication link.
US09167201B2 Feedback-system for managing video conferencing with a portable multimedia device comprising a frontal camera
A feedback-system for managing the position of a frontal camera provided on a portable multimedia device during video communication. The feedback-system comprises a camera image analyzer coupled to the frontal camera and adapted to detect and analyze the pose of a user facing the frontal camera, an optimal video estimator coupled to the camera image analyzer and adapted to calculate a 6-dimensional error-vector of the current position of the frontal camera with respect to an optimal position of the frontal camera, an intuitive feedback manager coupled to the optimal video estimator and adapted to generate a transformation matrix translating the error-vector into an error message for the image displayed on a screen of the portable multimedia device, the intuitive feedback manager being further coupled to the portable multimedia device which is adapted to use the error message for modifying the image displayed on the screen.
US09167195B2 Preservation/degradation of video/audio aspects of a data stream
In one aspect, a method related to data management. In addition, other method, system, and program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present application.
US09167188B2 Display device and control method thereof
Disclosed with are a display device and a control method thereof. The method includes recognizing a first motion of a user; and assigning a control right to perform functions of the display devices through motions to the user in response to the recognized first motion.
US09167187B2 Systems and methods for providing video on demand in an intelligent television
An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for providing video-on-demand (VOD). The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of VOD content and better organizations thereof. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the VOD content.
US09167185B2 Transmission and reception apparatus and transmission and reception system
A transmission and reception apparatus, system for transmitting and receiving signals, and method for transmitting and receiving signals are disclosed. In one example, a transmitting part produces an output signal including a first digitally modulated signal. A receiving part includes a mixer circuit and receives an input signal including a second digitally modulated signal. A folding signal may be present as a function of the first digitally modulated signal and a clock signal used to produce the first digitally modulated signal. The mixer circuit performs frequency down conversion on the input signal, and may also be configured to perform a harmonic wave removal function on the input signal that reduces the presence of the folding signal from the input signal. The receiving part may further include a filter circuit that receives the frequency-down-converted input signal from the mixer circuit and selects a predetermined reception signal from the frequency-down-converted input signal.
US09167183B2 Imaging element and imaging apparatus employing phase difference detection pixels pairs
It is an imaging element in which pixels which are photoelectric conversion elements are placed at respective square lattice positions, in which, when, in a predetermined region where pixels of the imaging element are placed, a plurality of pairs are arranged in a first line which is any one line among lines and a second line which is parallel to the first line, each pair having pair pixels which are first and second phase difference detection pixels placed adjacent to each other to detect a phase difference among the pixels of the imaging element, the pairs in the first line are placed to be spaced apart from each other by at least two pixels, and the pairs in the second line are placed at positions, which correspond to positions where the pair pixels in the first line are spaced apart from each other.
US09167182B2 Charge sensing in image sensors with output channel having multiple-gain output paths
In various embodiments, image sensors include output channels enabling high-gain and/or low-gain charge read-out while minimizing charge-conversion noise.
US09167178B2 Method for controlling a device for distribution of signals
A method is proposed for controlling a device for distribution of audio, video, data and control signals. The device has a number of inputs and outputs, which can be connected by the switching of takes, and which cover signal paths. Tally signaling signals inputs or outputs as being transmission-relevant. The method comprises the following steps: successful switching operations of takes are locked against further switching operations automatically and without any intervention by an operator. Signal paths are completely locked or unlocked on the basis of tally signaling of an input or output by automatic locking or unlocking of the takes involved. Signal paths are combined to form signal bundles. When signal bundles are locked or unlocked on the basis of tally signaling of the bundle, all of the signal paths involved are automatically locked or unlocked.
US09167173B2 Image capturing apparatus configured to perform a cyclic shooting operation and method of controlling the same
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit configured to repeatedly perform cyclic shooting operation including shooting with a first exposure condition and a second exposure condition different from the first exposure condition; and a correction unit configured to detect a first flicker among frames shot with the first exposure condition and perform flicker correction for a frame shot with the first exposure condition based on the first flicker and to detect a second flicker among frames shot with the second exposure condition and perform flicker correction for a frame shot with the second exposure condition based on the second flicker.
US09167171B2 Imaging apparatus having a synchronous shooting function
A camera is provided with an imaging element, and detects a timing of blinking of light which blinks periodically at a reference timing, based on a timing of variation in luminance of an image obtained by the imaging element, wherein the image is taken by the imaging element under a condition that the light blinks periodically at the reference timing. Further, the timing of exposure of the imaging element is adjusted based on the detected timing of the blinking light, thereby synchronizing shooting operations of plural cameras with each other.
US09167168B2 Image processing method, image processing apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and image-pickup apparatus
A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing an image processing program configured to enable a computer to execute a shaping step of shaping an input image generated through capturing via an optical system by using a characteristic of the optical system and an image-pickup condition, a blurring step of blurring an image shaped in the shaping step, and a dividing step of dividing the input image into a plurality or layered images according to an object distance. The computer executes the shaping step based upon distance information of an object contained in each layered image.
US09167164B2 Metadata associated with frames in a moving image
An apparatus and method generate and store metadata in a moving image shooting mode for use in playing and editing the moving image. The moving image processing method of the apparatus equipped with a camera includes acquiring images at every frame period in a moving image shooting mode; generating metadata of the images; encoding the images into the moving image; storing the moving image with the metadata; and displaying a specific metadata selected among the metadata as supplementary functions of the moving image in a moving image playback mode.
US09167163B2 Digital image processing apparatus that displays first content, generates second content based on an input signal, and generates third content related to the second content, and method of controlling the same
A digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The digital image processing apparatus includes: a display controller for displaying first content on a display unit; and an image generator for generating second content based on a photographing signal input, which may be from a user, and third content related to the second content.
US09167162B2 Method and apparatus to correct digital image blur due to motion of subject or imaging device by adjusting image sensor
A method and apparatus for capturing and recording blur-free images by detecting the motion of the imaging device and the subject of the image and adjusting the image sensor and one or more lens elements to compensate for the motion. The combined optical correction and adjusted image sensor provides blur-free images that are recorded in a memory.
US09167160B2 Image capture stabilization
An endoscopic video system with still image capture stabilization, including a processor, an image capture device capturing a plurality of still images at a time interval, an image buffer temporarily storing a portion of the still images, and software executing on the processor for retrieving, upon receiving an image capture instruction, a first one of the still images from the image buffer, the first one of the still images representative of a still image captured a first length of time prior to the image capture instruction.
US09167158B2 Imaging device, and imaging method
According to the preset invention, an optical viewfinder state in which an optical image of a photographic subject can be observed at an eyepiece part of a finder and an electronic viewfinder state in which a captured image of the photographic subject can be observed at the eyepiece part of the finder are switched when a first operation is carried out with a finger by an operation device, and a magnification (optical magnification) of a first finder optical system of the finder is changed when a second operation is carried out with a finger by the operation device in the optical viewfinder state. Thus, a user can perform photographing while freely observing the photographic subject by an operation of switching the finder (first operation) and an operation of changing the optical magnification of the finder (second operation) while looking through the finder.
US09167154B2 System and apparatus for increasing quality and efficiency of film capture and methods of use thereof
A system, apparatus, or method is provided for imaging and for capturing visuals to provide image manipulation options for increasing resolution of subject images. A system, apparatus or method for increasing resolution of subject images using a camera to deliver unexposed photographic emulsion or a digital image and to generate images of greater resolution by modifying digital images or modifying digital and emulsion images.
US09167153B2 Imaging device displaying split image generated from interpolation pixel data based on phase difference pixel
An imaging device comprising an imaging optical system, a lens movement mechanism, an imaging element, a first interpolation device, a second interpolation devices, a photographic image generation device, a split image generation device using a first image formed by the outputs of the first phase difference pixels and the first interpolation pixels and a second image formed by the outputs of the second phase difference pixels and the second interpolation pixels to generate a split image, and a display device displaying the photographic image generated by the photographic image generation device, the display device displaying the split image generated by the split image generation device in a display area of the photographic image.
US09167152B2 Image capturing apparatus and method for calculating focusing parameter value
An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing element in which a plurality of pixels and phase difference pixels are formed within an effective pixel region; a photographing lens; a phase difference amount detecting unit analyzing a captured image signal and obtaining a phase difference amount from detection signals of two of the phase difference pixels that make a pair; and a control unit obtaining a defocus amount of a photographic subject image from the detected phase difference amount and performing a focusing control, in which the control unit obtains a parameter value regarding a ratio of the defocus amount and the phase difference amount based on photographing lens information of the photographing lens and a light receiving sensitivity distribution indicating sensitivity for each incident angle of incident light for the two of the phase difference pixels that make the pair, and obtains the defocus amount.
US09167148B2 Image capture apparatus that performs focus detection with a phase difference detection method
An image capture apparatus includes: an image sensor having a plurality of pixels that photoelectrically convert an object image formed by an imaging optical system, each of the pixels having one microlens and a photoelectric conversion portion that has been divided into a plurality of portions; a focus detection unit configured to correct an image shift amount detected with a phase difference detection method using focus detection signal arrays of two images obtained by the photoelectric conversion portions divided into a plurality of portions; and a controller that calculates information corresponding to a movement amount of a lens of the imaging optical system based on the image shift amount detected and corrected by the focus detection unit, and controls movement of the lens of the imaging optical system.
US09167146B2 Method of receiving connection information from mobile communication device, computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon the method, and digital image-capturing apparatus
A method of receiving, by a digital image-capturing apparatus, connection information from a mobile communication terminal is described. Connection information is received from a mobile communication terminal that is connected with the digital image-capturing apparatus via near field communication (NFC). The connection information is input to an input window for performing a communication connection with an external device. A communication connection is performed with the external device, based on the connection information. The external device comprises at least one of an access point (AP) or a server. The connection information is used in communication with the external device.
US09167144B2 Camera adapter based optical imaging apparatus
The invention describes several embodiments of an adapter which can make use of the devices in any commercially available digital cameras to transform the digital camera into a fundus camera for inspecting the back of the eye, or into a microscope. The camera adapter is adapted to be placed between the camera device and the object. The devices in the camera being used are at least its optical source, photodetector sensor, memory, shutter and autofocus. Means in the adapter are provided to employ these devices and allow camera to operate its autofocus capability and its different color sensors. Methods of investigation of an object are also presented of using the adapter to transform the camera into an imaging instrument, where the effect of adjustments of elements inside the adapter are guided by the displaying screen of the camera.
US09167141B2 Camera barrel mechanism
Novel tools and techniques are described for protecting camera components on a surface and/or within an internal portion of a portable electronic device. In one aspect, an electronic device might comprise a camera mount, which might comprise a camera barrel assembly configured to have a camera affixed thereto, the camera barrel assembly being rotatably coupled with one of a front panel, a rear panel, or a chassis of the electronic device. The camera mount may further comprise a set of cantilever springs affixed to one of the front panel, the rear panel, or the chassis and biased against the camera barrel assembly to provide rotational friction on the camera barrel assembly. The set of cantilever springs might have sufficient compliance to allow the camera to retract into a body of the portable electronic device upon encountering an external force, which may include an impact force or a dropping force.
US09167139B2 Simplified device of a camera unit of a motor vehicle
A device for a motor vehicle has a camera unit, which can be brought into an inactive position and an active position includes a protective element, which can be guided into a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the camera unit is in its inactive position behind the protective element, where it is inaccessible from the outside. In the open position, the camera unit is in its active position for image acquisition. The device further includes a drive unit for moving the camera unit and the protective element, wherein the camera unit and protective element are movably hinged to each other. A vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, could be equipped with such a device.
US09167135B2 Image processing device, image processing method, photographic imaging apparatus, and recording device recording image processing program
An image processing device includes: a motion-vector computation unit that computes a motion vector between a base image and a reference image; a motion compensation unit that performs a motion compensation to align the reference image with the base image based on the motion vector; a contrast computation unit that computes a contrast value of a target pixel of the base image based on one of the base image and the reference image; a synthetic ratio computation unit that computes a synthetic ratio between: the target pixel for a synthesis processing in the base image; and a corresponding pixel corresponding to the target pixel in the reference image processed by the motion compensation, in response to the contrast value of the target pixel; and a synthesizing unit that synthesizes the target pixel of the base image and the corresponding pixel of the reference image based on the synthetic ratio.
US09167133B2 Image capturing apparatus and image processing method
An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit and an image processing unit. The image capturing unit captures a subject by an image sensor including focus detection pixels. The image processing unit includes a correction range determination unit configured to determine a range of a correction coefficient based on an optical condition of a photographing optical system, and a correction coefficient calculation unit configured to calculate the correction coefficient based on pixel data of a pixel positioned near the focus detection pixel, and a pixel correction unit configured to correct the pixel data of the focus detection pixel based on the correction coefficient and the range.
US09167131B2 Image recording apparatus for monitoring unauthorized copy jobs
An image recording apparatus includes a controller configured to: determine whether a change of a signal from a sensor indicates a case where a recording medium is conveyed by a conveyance mechanism or a case where the recording medium is placed on a placement unit without conveying by the conveyance mechanism, based on whether the recording medium is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism; start, when the reading unit is operated to start reading the image within a first predetermined time after the signal from the sensor is changed, monitoring to determine whether the recording medium is placed on the placement unit without conveying by the conveyance mechanism; and store, when it is determined during the monitoring that the recording medium is placed on the placement unit without conveying by the conveyance mechanism, data indicating an irregularity reading in the storage unit.
US09167130B2 AM-FM halftone screen design
A method of generating a halftone screen includes growing clusters according to at least one linear filter based on a spatial probability profile function. The clusters can be grown with filters that are parameterized according to gray level.
US09167129B1 Method and apparatus for segmenting image into halftone and non-halftone regions
A method of segmenting an image into halftone and non-halftone regions includes: processing a pixel block of a grayscale image using a thresholding algorithm and an intensity threshold to form a binary block, the pixel block including grayscale pixels with intensity values, the binary block including binary pixels with binary values; identifying a pixel group in the binary block, wherein the pixel group includes connected pixels represented by a select binary value, wherein pixels in the pixel group adjacent to pixels of the pixel block represented by another binary value are identified as boundary pixels of the pixel group; and processing the pixel group using a scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm to extract keypoints from the pixel group to form a keypoint map in conjunction with segmenting the grayscale image into halftone and non-halftone regions. An image processing device for performing the method is also provided.
US09167128B2 Communication apparatus, communication method, and storage medium storing program
An apparatus to which a telephone line can be connected, the apparatus comprising: a first determination unit configured to determine, based on a change amount of a line direct-current voltage from the telephone line per time period, whether the line direct-current voltage is stable; a second determination unit configured to determine whether the line direct-current voltage from the telephone line is a first threshold or lower; and a third determination unit configured to, if the first determination unit determines that the line direct-current voltage is stable and if the second determination unit determines that the line direct-current voltage is the first threshold or lower, determine that the external telephone has captured the telephone line.
US09167115B1 Methods and systems for transferring information between a movable system and another system
An image forming apparatus, which may be a printer, includes an image acquisition subsystem and a processing subsystem. The image acquisition subsystem includes an imager and a source. The imager is configured to scan an image while the image acquisition subsystem moves with respect to the image forming apparatus and configured to provide electrical signals including information related to the scanned image. The source is configured to emanate electromagnetic radiation based on the electrical signals. The processing subsystem includes a receiving component configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation emanated from the source of the image acquisition subsystem. The image forming apparatus also includes a structure supporting both the image acquisition subsystem and the processing subsystem.
US09167114B2 Mediation server and image processing device
A mediation server sequentially supplies, to the image processing device, two or more pieces of screen information for causing a display unit of the image processing device to sequentially display two or more screens including a service selection screen and a communication selection screen when a first type of request is acquired. The mediation server executes a communication for mediating supply of the first type of target data from the target service providing server to the image processing device when it is the first type of communication and executes communication for mediating supply of the second type of target data from the image processing device to the target service providing server when it is the second type of communication.
US09167113B2 Image forming apparatus and methods used in the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus in which applications can be installed is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes an application information obtaining part for obtaining application information that is used for determining whether an application is installable in the image forming apparatus.
US09167108B2 Electronic device, imaging device, image reproduction method, image reproduction program, recording medium with image reproduction program recorded thereupon, and image reproduction device
An electronic device includes: a communication unit that performs communication with an external device; and a control unit that issues a command to the external device via the communication unit, on the basis of at least one of capacity of the external device, and capacity of the electronic device.
US09167105B2 Automatic adjustments of audio alert characteristics of an alert device using ambient noise levels
The automatic adjustment of audio alert characteristics of an alert device using ambient noise levels is described. In one aspect of the invention, a machine-readable medium has executable instructions to cause a machine to perform a method to receive an audio sample of ambient noise and adjust a characteristic of the audio alert, such as, the volume level of the audio alert, based on the ambient noise level.
US09167102B2 Separable billing for personal data services
A billing system and method for providing both business and personal data access to a user of a wireless communications device is provided. A user enters an access request, and it is determined if the access request is a personal type access request or a business type access request. Personal type access requests are processed in order to provide billing for the personal requests to the user of the wireless communications device, and business type access requests are processed to provide billing to the business. Such systems and methods provide enhanced convenience to mobile workers while avoiding additional costs associated with such services being incurred by the business.
US09167100B2 Gas detection system and method using smart phone
Disclosed is a gas detection system and method using a smart phone. The gas detection system includes a sensor module detachably mounted to the smart phone and configured to detect and measure a combustible gas or a toxic gas; and a gas detection APP installed inside the smart phone and configured to acquire measurement data by detecting the combustible gas or the toxic gas and measuring the detected combustible gas or toxic gas through the drive of the sensor module, after automatically recognizing user information and location information by reading a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag indicating a user or a location of gas detection, using a contact unit having built therein an RFID reader inside the smart phone, wherein the smart phone transmits the user information, the location information and the measurement data acquired from the gas detection APP to an operation server through a communication network.
US09167091B2 Bidirectional remote user interface for HMI/SCADA using interactive voice phone calls
A two-way voice interface allows communication by telephone between a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and a human operator. A phone-HMI gateway communicates with the SCADA system through an application programming interface (API), composes messages to the operator in text format and interprets text derived from voice commands from the operator. A cloud telephone service is used to convert from voice to text and from text to voice, and to set up the telephone connection with the human operator.
US09167089B2 Method and system for searching and processing contacts
A system and method are disclosed for searching and processing contacts. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile communication device has a transceiver, and a controller for controlling operations thereof. The controller is programmed to receive from an end user of the mobile communication device a request for a contact, and search for the contact in a phonebook of the mobile communication device. The controller is programmed to replace the caller identification of the mobile communication device with a corresponding caller identification that emulates the enterprise identification as if the mobile originated call originated from within the enterprise when the mobile communication device is not located within a vicinity of the enterprise. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.
US09167087B2 Dynamic media content for collaborators including disparate location representations
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for delivering dynamic media content to collaborators. Embodiments typically include providing collaborative event media content including a grammar and a structured document; receiving a plurality of disparate client location representations; generating a dynamic client context for a client in dependence upon at least one of the client location representations; detecting an event in dependence upon the dynamic client context; identifying one or more collaborators in dependence upon the dynamic client context and the event; selecting from the structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon an event type and a collaborator classification; and transmitting the selected structural element to the collaborator. In typical embodiments, each disparate client location representation includes a client location value and a client location type.
US09167086B1 Bluetooth headset with audio recording capabilities
Wireless headsets with audio recording capabilities are disclosed. The wireless headsets with audio recording capabilities can include a microphone for receiving first audio signals generated by a user, a BLUETOOTH module for transmitting and receiving wireless radio signals, wherein the wireless radio signals received by the BLUETOOTH module comprise second audio signals. The headsets can also include an audio encoder/decoder for encoding the first audio signals received by the microphone and the second audio signals received by the BLUETOOTH module to generate data, a loudspeaker, connected to the audio encoder/decoder, for playing the second audio signals to the user, a memory unit for storing the data generated by the audio encoder, and a control unit which is coupled to the audio encoder/decoder for transferring the data to the memory unit.
US09167076B2 Ring accessory
In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a ring, a receiver, a processor, and an indicator. The ring may be configured to be worn on a limb. The receiver may be disposed within the ring and may be operable to receive a signal communicated by a mobile device. The processor may be communicatively coupled to the receiver and operable to determine, based at least in part upon the received signal, that the mobile device received a message. The indicator may be communicatively coupled to the processor and operable to generate an alert in response to the determination that the mobile device received the message.
US09167075B2 Service access method and apparatus
A method of selecting a service and inputting information to that service, in which an input device having keys is provided. When a key is pressed and released quickly, the user indicates a desire to enter a symbol on the key in order to enter symbols of an entry string. In addition, one or more of the keys may also be used to identify a service and also supply that service with the entry string. For example, by pressing and holding such a key, the entry string may be delimited and then sent to a service corresponding to the pressed key. In this manner, a single key press may be used to both delimit an entry string and also send the entry string to the service. The service may use the delimited entry string to retrieve information, which is then supplied to the input device.
US09167074B2 Mobile terminal and function control method thereof
The present invention provides a mobile terminal and a function control method thereof that can appropriately set or release an operation mode in accordance with a situation of a user. A mobile terminal includes an opening/closing sensor 18 that detects whether the mobile terminal is in an opened state or a closed state, an acceleration sensor 11 that detects acceleration and a posture of the mobile terminal, and a control unit 12 that restricts an execution of a specific function in accordance with the detection result of the opening/closing sensor 18 and releases a restriction of at least a portion of the restricted specific function in accordance with the detection result of the acceleration sensor 11.
US09167072B2 Mobile terminal and method of controlling the same
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a body; a sensing unit for acquiring a motion of the body; a camera provided in at least one side of the body to photograph an image; at least one display provided in at least one side of the body; and a controller for forming information related to at least one object included in the photographed image into a group according to the acquired motion and for controlling to display the information in the at least one display. Therefore, information is formed into a group and displayed according to a motion of a body and thus a state that can easily select necessary information can be provided.
US09167068B2 Methods for barring MT calls and apparatuses using the same
An embodiment of a method for call management, performed by a processing unit of a mobile device, is introduced. A telecommunications network is notified to block MT (mobile-terminated) calls through a base station after the mobile device has successfully associated with a WLAN (wireless local area network) AP (access point) deployed in a region in which noises should be avoided or limited, so as to avoid sounding a ringtone in response to a receipt of a paging reques
US09167053B2 Advanced network characterization
Some embodiments include a method for determining whether to establish a connection between a computer and a network. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving first network information from a network; determining a first trust level for the network by matching the network information to provisioning information, wherein the provisioning information indicates the first trust level and an authentication method of the network; verifying that network supports the authentication method, wherein the verifying includes exchanging information with the network; after verifying that the network supports the authentication method, establishing a connection to the network, wherein the connection provides access to an Internet.
US09167049B2 Content distribution network supporting popularity-based caching
A content delivery network may provide content items to requesting devices using a popularity-based distribution hierarchy. A central analysis system may determine popularity data for a content item stored in a first caching device. At a later time, the central analysis system may determine that a change in the popularity data is beyond a threshold value. The central analysis system may then transmit an instruction to move the content item from the first caching device to a second caching device in a different tier of caching devices than the first caching device. The central analysis system may update a content index to indicate that the content item has been moved to the second caching device. A user device may then be redirected to request the content item directly from the second caching device.
US09167048B2 Method and apparatus for filtering devices within a security social network
A method and apparatus for choosing mobile telephones within a security social network is provided herein. Choosing mobile telephones may take place on a server side or a mobile telephone side. Even though mobile telephones lie within a particular area of interest, no image will be obtained/provided from the mobile telephone when a predetermined condition is met. This will greatly reduce an amount of images provided by mobile telephones along with reducing the possibility of an unwanted image being obtained.
US09167047B1 System and method for using policies to support session recording for user account management in a computing environment
A system and method can support user account management in a computing environment. A user account manager can configure one or more recording policies, wherein said one or more recording policies operates to define detailed information on how user activities on a target system should be recorded. Furthermore, the user account manager can provide said one or more recording policies to one or more visual session recording processes associated with the target system. Then, the user account manager can use said one or more visual session recording processes to record activities in a user session on the target system based on said one or more recording policies.
US09167043B2 Servers for device identification services
A system (40) for identifying proximate devices (1,2) comprises at least one correlation server (5) for correlating data received from the devices so as to match two or more of the devices and at least one application server (6) for carrying out an application involving matched devices. The at least one correlation server (5) and the at least one application server (6) are distinct servers so as to provide a greater flexibility and scalability. The devices (1,2) may be mobile consumer devices.
US09167042B1 Maintaining communication channel for device notifications
A first communication channel is established between a user device and a server using a cellular network. The user device receives a timeout interval for the first communication channel. The user device transmits a packet to maintain the first communication channel when the user device detects that other data is being transmitted using a second communication channel during the timeout interval.
US09167037B2 Server and method, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and mobile client terminal and method
Systems and methods for operating in connection with mobile devices are described. The mobile devices may move between online and offline areas. In some instances, a prediction may be made as to when a mobile device will enter an offline area. The prediction may be based on sensor information. Data or a key may be transferred to the mobile device prior to entering the offline area.
US09167036B2 Managed object replication and delivery
A method, system and computer program product for managed object replication and delivery redirects, directly or indirectly, a client's request for an object that is not available at a best or optimal handling edge server of a network to a parent server that has the requested object. So, where the requested object is not available at the handling edge server, the client's request is redirected directly to the parent server that can provide the requested object to the client or indirectly via one or more parent servers to a parent server that can provide the requested object to the client. The method, system and computer program product further intelligently replicates the object to the edge server if the object is popular enough. Likewise, an object is removed from an edge server when it is no longer popular. All redirection and replication operations are preferably transparent to the end-user and do not degrade the quality of service.
US09167035B2 Contact information in a peer to peer communications network
In one embodiment, a method of transmitting contact data in a peer to peer communications network includes transmitting a list of contacts from a first contact store to a first compare means. At the first compare means, the list of contacts from the first contact store is compared with a list of contacts from a second contact store to identify common contacts between the lists of contacts from the first and second contact stores, the first compare means outputting a contacts result based on the identification of the common contacts. At a second compare means, the contacts result output from the first compare means is compared with a list of contacts from a third contact store. An output of the second compare means is used to identify at least one contact to recommend as a new contact to a recommendee user in the network. The first contact store is at a node of the network and the first compare means is at another node of the network, and the list of contacts transmitted from the first contact store is transmitted over the network to the first compare means.
US09167028B1 Monitoring distributed web application transactions
The present technology monitors a web application provided by one or more services. A service may be provided by applications executing on a virtual machine. The monitoring system provides end-to-end business transaction visibility, identifies performance issues quickly and has dynamical scaling capability across monitored systems including cloud systems, virtual systems and physical infrastructures. Agents may be installed on one or more application servers at an application level, virtual machine level, or other level. An agent may monitor the virtual machine, application and application communications, may communicate with a controller, and may provide monitoring data to the controller. The controller may evaluate the performance of the application and/or virtual machine, model service and/or application flow, and determine information regarding distributed service and/or application performance. The monitoring technology determines how each service and/or application portion is operating, establishes a baseband for operation, and determines the architecture of the distributed system.
US09167025B2 Network communications of application running on device utilizing routing of data packets using virtual network connection
A method of routing a data packet using a virtual network connection includes steps of detecting a request for a network connection from an application running on a device, spawning a virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of the device such that a virtual network connection is provided, selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols for communicating data using the virtual network connection, determining a first node to which to communicate data from the application using the virtual network connection and the selected routing protocol, said determination being based on network information stored at the device, and communicating data from the application to the first node using the virtual network connection and the selected routing protocol.
US09167022B2 Website compatability shims
Various embodiments provide compatibility shims that can be utilized by a web browser to dynamically change web browser platform features per domain or website. The compatibility shims can be deployed to the web browser and updated in a manner similar to that of a webpage. In one or more embodiments, the compatibility shims can be utilized to change a browser's behavior and/or the manner in which the browser represents itself per domain or website. Further, the compatibility shims can enable the web browser to dynamically remove or change support for web platform features. In addition, in at least some embodiments, users can apply their own compatibility shims to their own list of websites or webpages.
US09167021B2 Measuring web browsing quality of experience in real-time at an intermediate network node
A method including acquiring a current HTTP transaction; determining whether the current HTTP transaction relates to web browsing for a specific client; acquiring a previous transactions set of the specific client; evaluating whether the current HTTP transaction belongs with the previous transactions set; if the current HTTP transaction belongs with the previous transactions set, adding the current HTTP transaction to the previous transactions set; and if the current HTTP transaction does not belong with the previous transactions set, creating a boundary of a page unit that includes the HTTP transactions of the previous transactions set for computing a page unit time.
US09167020B2 Web-browser based desktop and application remoting solution
An invention is disclosed for conducting a remote presentation session with a client that uses a web browser to conduct the session. In embodiments, a proxy server exists between the remote presentation server and the client. The proxy server establishes a HTTP session with the client and a remote presentation session with the client. The server generates graphics encoded with a remote presentation protocol and sends them to the proxy, which re-encodes them as video and sends them to the client for display in the web browser. The client captures user input at the web browser and sends it to the proxy, which encodes it with the remote presentation protocol and sends it to the server to be processed.
US09167018B2 System and method for media stream playback and buffer management
A media stream playback and buffer management system includes: a server; a wireless router being connected with the server through a network cable; at least a media stream receiver being connected to the wireless router through a network cable, including a buffer, and configured to download media stream frames from the server at a time varying download rate, to buffer the downloaded frames with the buffer, and to play the buffered content at a constant display frame rate; and at least a mobile terminal being configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless router and remotely control the media stream receiver. The media stream receiver is configured to determine when to play or to buffer the downloaded content based on the download rate and the display frame rate. A method for media stream playback and buffer management is also provided.
US09167017B2 Multi-device complexity broker
Aa brokering device manages multimedia information including an interface device having access to a network and a multimedia service provider. The interface device enables selection of multimedia information from the network and provides the selected multimedia information to a plurality of locations without requiring the user to specify a protocol associated with the multimedia information.
US09167013B2 Method and apparatus for prioritizing media within an electronic conference according to utilization settings at respective conference participants
In one aspect, the teachings herein address the changing network capacity requirements that arise in electronic conferencing systems not hosted in a fully dedicated network using a clever prioritization scheme that is determined in view of which source streams (26) available in the electronic conference are being used by respective conference clients (22) and how they are being used by those clients (22). In one non-limiting example, the electronic conference is a video conference managed by an electronic conferencing server (10) in a host network (20).
US09167012B2 Method and apparatus for sharing media upon request via social networks
An approach is provided for determining requests for media and responding in substantially real-time utilizing a single user interface. The social network client determines one or more requests from one or more requesting users to capture media related to at least one social networking status of one or more sharing users. The social network client then causes, at least in part, an indication of the one or more requests to the one or more sharing users related to the at least one social networking status.
US09167011B2 Load balancing in a central conferencing routing server
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for collaboration conferencing with multiple participants over a communications network, and more specifically for a conferencing routing service for managing and routing collaboration participants. In one embodiment, the conferencing routing service may maintain a database of information or preferences associated with the conference requester and attempt to select a conference bridge based on the requester's information. Further, the conferencing routing service may receive performance information from a plurality of conference bridges that are able to conduct the collaboration conference and select a conference bridge in response to the performance information.
US09167007B2 Stream complexity mapping
Stream complexity mapping enables substantially uninterrupted transmission of a highest compatible bit rate of a stream of media to a client via a network connection. Stream complexity data may include complexity information for each period of a stream of media. The stream complexity data may be associated with the stream of media. The stream complexity data may be analyzed to enable a preemptive transition to a new stream of media having a new bit rate and/or expanding a buffer capacity to provide uninterrupted streaming media for complex portions of a variable bit rate stream of media.
US09166998B2 Method and apparatus for determining security information of an unknown file in a cloud security system
A method for determining security information of an unknown file in a cloud security system is provided. The method includes: a cloud security serving end receives file security querying information reported by a cloud client end when a preconfigured monitoring point is triggered, wherein the file security querying information comprises identifier information and behavior information of a file; creates a behavior sequence of the file within a lifecycle according to the file security querying information of the file, analyzes the behavior sequence of the file within the lifecycle, and determines file security information of the file according to an analyzed result.
US09166995B1 Systems and methods for using user-input information to identify computer security threats
A computer-implemented method for using user-input information to identify computer security threats may include (1) detecting activity at a computing system, (2) determining whether a user provided input at the computing system when the activity occurred, (3) determining that the activity indicates a potential security threat based at least in part on whether the user provided input at the computing system when the activity occurred, and (4) performing a security action on the activity in response to the determination that the activity indicates a potential security threat. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09166994B2 Automation discovery to identify malicious activity
Systems and methods may use automation discovery to identify malicious activity. An automation discovery system comprising a processor in communication with a network and in communication with a database may receive potentially automated network traffic data. The system may analyze the potentially automated network traffic data to determine whether the potentially automated network traffic data is likely to be automated. When the potentially automated network traffic data is not likely to be automated, the system may generate a low automation confidence score associated with the potentially automated network traffic data. When the potentially automated network traffic data is likely to be automated, the system may generate a high automation confidence score associated with the potentially automated network traffic data.
US09166990B2 Distributed denial-of-service signature transmission
A system and method of transmitting a DDoS, or distributed denial of service, signature from an intra-network to an internet is presented. The method includes identifying a DDoS signature and employing an inter-domain routing protocol configured to enable-operational information to be exchanged between nodes. The DDoS signature is embedded as payload of the standards-compliant inter-domain routing protocol. The step of embedding occurs within a network. The embedded DDoS signature is then sent from the network to an internet node outside of the network. The method further includes applying the DDoS signature to enable the internet nodes to filter packets matching the DDoS signature.
US09166987B2 Preventing identity fraud for instant messaging
A computer-implemented method for preventing identity fraud in instant messaging is provided in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. In the method, an instant message is received. Then, determine relationship between a sender and a receiver of the instant message, and determine whether key identifier of the sender has changed. Subsequently, inform the receiver about the change of the key identifier of the sender when the sender and the receiver have a preset type of relationship.
US09166985B2 Method for prioritizing networks in a telecommunications terminal having digital rights management characteristics
In a method for prioritizing telecommunications networks in a telecommunications terminal, a user data object is stored in the telecommunications terminal, and the user data object is assigned an access parameter which permits access to the user data object depending on which telecommunications network the telecommunications terminal is registered into. The telecommunications networks are prioritized using the access parameter.
US09166983B2 System and apparatus for rogue VoIP phone detection and managing VoIP phone mobility
A method and a system track network access information for authorized network devices. The access information facilitates tracking movement of the device throughout the network. In addition the access information can be used to detect when an unauthorized device attempts to access the network, posing as an authorized device.
US09166981B2 Full spectrum cyber identification determination process
A full spectrum cyber identification determination process for accurately and reliably determining and reporting any identification determination from a full spectrum of possible cyber identification determinations. Utilizing cyber resources and predetermined criteria for providing cyber identification determinations for at least one unidentified subject of an observation, the process: provides identification determinations for any possible subject of an observation; provides for the utilization of any selected attainable level of accuracy, up to, and including 100% accuracy; provides for single, intermittent, and constant identification determinations; utilizes any available cyber resources; interacts with utilized cyber resources to provide any possible function and/or observation; recognizes characteristics from observations and then utilizes recognized characteristics for comparing and/or determining; provides and utilizes a standard set of designations for representing all aspects of the process; utilizes useful information and/or outcomes from comparing for making identification determinations; and, reports on any aspect of the process at any time.
US09166978B2 Automatic resource provisioning for meeting collaboration
A system for provisioning an output device, may include a processor; a memory; and a records display program. The records display program may be executed by the processor to maintain an indication of availability dates and times of one or more output devices connected to the network; to receive an output device invitation indicating a first output device to reserve at a meeting conducted over a conferencing system; to determine whether the first output device is available for reservation during a date and time period of the meeting; and to communicate to the first output device activation information indicating that the first output device is to become active at a first predetermined date and time related to the date and time period of the meeting and login information including a first credential for the first output device to use for logging into the conferencing system for the meeting.
US09166977B2 Secure text-to-speech synthesis in portable electronic devices
A method for secure text-to-speech conversion of text using speech or voice synthesis that prevents the originator's voice from being used or distributed inappropriately or in an unauthorized manner is described. Security controls authenticate the sender of the message, and optionally the recipient, and ensure that the message is read in the originator's voice, not the voice of another person. Such controls permit an originator's voiceprint file to be publicly accessible, but limit its use for voice synthesis to text-based content created by the sender, or sent to a trusted recipient. In this way a person can be assured that their voice cannot be used for content they did not write.
US09166976B2 Creation and management of digital content and workflow automation via a portable identification key
The present invention is directed towards a method and system for automating workflow. The method and system includes receiving data from a portable identification key communicatively coupled to a processing device to initiate automation processes. The profile information comprised in the data is accessed, the profile information including an identification of a user associated with the portable identification key. The method and system further includes retrieving one or more instructions and parameters associated with the identified user by the processing device to initiate an automated workflow session, and initiating the automated workflow session according to the one or more instructions and parameters.
US09166971B1 Authentication using an external device
In some embodiments, techniques for computer security comprise receiving request data, wherein the request data includes identity-related information relating to a provider of the request data and information relating to an input specification; requesting authentication from a second computing device via a network, wherein requesting the authentication includes transmitting the information related to the provider of the request data and the information relating to the input specification; and receiving authentication data from the second computing device, wherein the authentication data is associated with the input specification, wherein the authentication data is encrypted, and wherein a key used for the encryption is associated with the identity-related information.
US09166968B2 Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, storage medium, and image processing apparatus
A user credential sharing mechanism which can suitably implement a single sign-on function while preventing illicit accesses by accidental matches of authentication data in a mixed environment of an environment suitable for use of a single sign-on function and an unsuitable environment is provided. To accomplish this, when an information processing apparatus of this invention receives, from a user, an access request instruction to an external apparatus connected to be able to communicate with the information processing apparatus, if an authentication protocol related to user credentials generated at the time of a login operation is that which can limit a security domain, the apparatus accesses the external apparatus using the user credentials, and if that authentication protocol is that which cannot limit a security domain, the apparatus prompts the user to input an account accessible to the external apparatus.
US09166966B2 Apparatus and method for handling transaction tokens
According to one embodiment, an apparatus may store a plurality of token-based rules. A token-based rule may facilitate the processing of transactions. The apparatus may receive a transaction token indicating that a transaction associated with an entity has been requested. The apparatus may determine at least one token-based rule based at least in part upon the transaction token. The at least one token-based rule may indicate that there is a risk that the transaction is fraudulent. The apparatus may determine that the transaction should be denied based at least in part upon the risk that the transaction is fraudulent.
US09166956B2 Priority-based ordering of cryptographic processing in wireless communication apparatus
Wireless communication apparatus (WAP) which comprises means of receiving data streams such as Access Stratum User Plane (AS UP), Access Stratum Control Plane (AS CP), and Non-Access Stratum Control Plane (NAS CP), each at least partly requiring a cryptographic processing operation, a cryptographic module comprising a cryptoprocessor, and management means configured to deliver at least some of the data streams to the crypto-processor according to an order of priority defined from the data types and cryptographic processing types assigned to each data stream.
US09166949B2 Method and system of managing a captive portal with a router
In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method of a providing a captive portal with a router includes implementing a hotspot managed by a router. The hotspot comprises an Internet-access over a WLAN through a router communicatively coupled to an Internet service provider. The WLAN is identified with a service set identifier (SSID). A connection with a client device is initiated. An HTTP request to a web server from the client device is detected. An internet communication is restricted, with a firewall rule, to a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port used by a HTTP or a TCP port used by an alternative HTTP Secure port. The HTTP request is transparently routed to an internal HTTP proxy server running on an alternative HTTP TCP port in the router. The internal HTTP proxy server determines a requested web site's uniform resource locator (URL) and determines whether the requested web site's URL is allowed into a walled garden maintained by the router.
US09166945B1 Content provided DNS resolution validation and use
Methods and systems for using and providing trustworthy DNS resolutions are provided. A method for using trustworthy DNS resolutions may include obtaining a DNS resolution listing for a domain name and validating the listing's plausibility using a plausible range list. The method may also include selecting a DNS resolution from the DNS resolution listing based on a requested host associated with the domain name. The method may further include initiating a connection to the host using the selected DNS resolution. A method for providing trustworthy DNS resolutions may include obtaining a plurality of potential DNS resolutions for a domain name. The method may also include generating a DNS resolution listing for a domain name and providing the DNS resolution listing. A system may include a DNS resolution selection module and a connection module. Another system may include a DNS resolution inquiry module and a DNS resolution listing provision module.
US09166943B2 Systems and methods for using social network analysis to schedule communications
Systems and methods for improving the effectiveness of communications over a social network. A method for controlling network communication, comprises analyzing a social network in response to a request made by a user to send a message to a node in the social network, delaying for a period of time sending of the message based on a result of the analyzing, and sending the message to the node in the social network after the period of time has elapsed.
US09166941B2 Synchronizing email messages between external and local email servers and/or a wireless device
Synchronizing email messages between an external email server, a local email server and a wireless data processing device. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises a task queue comprised of a plurality of task entries, each entry associated with a particular user email account on the external email server and/or the local email server and representing a task to be performed in relation to the user email account; and a synchronizer to read synchronization tasks from the task queue and cause the synchronization tasks to be executed to synchronize email data stored on the external email server, the local email server and the wireless data processing device.
US09166939B2 Systems and methods for uploading media content in an instant messaging conversation
System and methods for uploading media content in an instant messaging application are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes, at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory: obtaining a request by a first user to associate a media content item with a conversation between the first user and a second user. The conversation includes a message and one or more responses to the message. In some implementations, the method also includes, responsive to the request: (i) causing a thumbnail of the media content item to be displayed in-line in the conversation; and (ii) causing the media content item to be display to the second user, in response to a predefined user action by the second user. The thumbnail is displayed in a first resolution; and the media content item is displayed in a second resolution that is different than the first resolution.
US09166938B2 System and method for improved notifications
Systems and methods for sending/receiving improved in-browser notification messages are provided. The notification messages are overlaid on HTTP traffic on port 80 for IP addresses provisioned to receive the notification messages from various sources, including weather, emergency broadcast, and police stations. A load balancer within the end-to-end system allows HTTP traffic on port 80 to be forked from non HTTP traffic on port 80 to selectively insert notification messages. The notifications are inserted by an internet content adoption protocol (ICAP) server in communication with other devices within the system.
US09166937B2 Peer-to-peer email
A peer-to-peer email system and methods are provided for distributed email distribution, prevention of SPAM, and efficient email storage. Each email client also serves as a node in the peer-to-peer system, relaying email messages and/or attachments. Large attachments may be transmitted directly from sender to receiver, and if the receiver is not online at the time the sender sends the attachment, the receiver can request the attachment from the sender at a later time.
US09166933B2 Memory control apparatus, information processing apparatus, and memory control method
A memory control apparatus that controls writing and reading of data to/from a memory. The memory control apparatus includes: a sequence control unit that receives a packet sequence including a write packet including a write request of data and a read packet including a read request of the data, and changes an arrangement of the write packet and the read packet included in the packet sequence so that a first predetermined number of write packets are arranged successively and a second predetermined number of read packets are arranged successively; and a command output unit that receives the packet sequence from the sequence control unit, and outputs a write command according to the write packet and an a read command according to the read packet to the memory, in accordance with an order of arrangement of the write packet and the read packet.
US09166928B2 Scalable 3-stage crossbar switch
Systems and methods are presented relating to a three stage crossbar based switching system and a scheduling method for transmission of data packets and associated request and grant tokens. The first stage and third stage portions of the switching system contain TDM crossbars, which are interconnected by a middle stage set of crossbars. In an embodiment, the system switching module is a m×m crossbar switch comprising m inputs and m outputs. The switch has a size m2×m2 formed from m×m crossbar modules. Scheduling of data packet servicing is on a frame by frame basis relating to selection based on port addresses and port address groups. Further, time slot interchange is utilized to address time slot mismatch.
US09166927B2 Network switch fabric dispersion
Methods and apparatus for communicating data traffic using switch fabric dispersion are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first tier of switch elements; and a second tier of switch elements operationally coupled with the first tier of switch elements. In the example apparatus, the first tier of switch elements is configured to receive a data packet from a source. The first tier of switch elements is also configured to route the data packet to the second tier of switch elements in accordance with a dispersion function, where the dispersion function is based on a dispersion tag associated with the data packet. The first tier of switch elements is still further configured to transmit the data packet to a destination for the data packet after receiving it from the second tier of switch elements.
US09166924B2 Packet scheduling method and apparatus considering virtual port
In a scheduling apparatus, a packet start time with respect to an input packet is calculated, and a slot corresponding to the packet start time is selected from a scheduler including a plurality of slots. Whether to store the packet in the selected slot in consideration of the number of packets stored in the selected slot and the number of packets corresponding to virtual ports corresponding to the input packet is determined, and here, the virtual port is an output port of a switch device which is connected to the outside and does not have a scheduling function.
US09166923B2 Network congestion notification preservation and modification during transmission of network data between physical network and virtual network
A virtual network is implemented on a physical network. A virtual network data packet is tunneled through the physical network via encapsulation within a physical network data packet and via transmission of the physical network data packet through the physical network. A network congestion notification capability of the virtual network is preserved and modified during transmission of virtual network data through the physical network and vice-versa. Congestion notification metadata can be copied from a header of a virtual network data packet to a header of a physical network data packet when the virtual network data packet is encapsulated into the physical network data packet. Congestion notification metadata can be copied from a header of a physical network data packet to a header of a virtual network data packet when the virtual network data packet is decapsulated from the physical network data packet.
US09166922B2 Communication device for an industrial communication network which can be operated in a redundant manner and method for operating a communication device
A communication device for an industrial communication network which can be operated in a redundant manner comprises a first and a second transmitting and receiving unit that transmit data packets in a bumpy or bumpless manner inside the industrial communication network and are selectively changeable over to a bumpy or bumpless transmission mode. An evaluation unit is connected to the first and/or second transmitting and receiving unit(s) and detects data packets to be transmitted in the bumpy or bumpless manner inside the industrial communication network. Redundancy handling and filter units for received redundant data packets are deactivated when a data packet to be transmitted in the bumpy manner is detected. A memory unit is assigned to the first and/or second transmitting and receiving unit(s) and buffers at least one data packet to be transmitted in the bumpy manner during a predefined period of time in the bumpy transmission mode.
US09166907B2 Failure repair sequence generation for nodal network
Failure repair sequence generation systems and methods may generate a repair sequence for nodes experiencing failure in a nodal-network-based system that meets acceptable performance metrics, such as acceptable total network damage, acceptable node-failure preventability rate, or a combination thereof.
US09166906B2 Routing method in asymmetric networks
A method for establishing or reinforcing a path through an asymmetric network of interconnected nodes includes storing navigation data at one or more nodes, for use by an agent in traveling from that node to a subsequent node, while ultimately traveling from a first terminal node (for example, a source node) to a second terminal node (for example, a destination node). As the agent travels from a first terminal node to a second terminal node via an intermediate node, the agent modifies the navigation data intended for use by an agent traveling from the second terminal node to the first terminal node via the intermediate node. Agents traveling complementary routes reinforce each other paths, allowing paths to be determined and reinforced.
US09166902B1 Per-port multicast processing
In a multicast networking device having a plurality of output ports, a hierarchical packet scheduling tree is generated for a first port. The hierarchical packet scheduling tree is generated from a transmission queue for the first port. A sequential search of the hierarchical scheduling tree is performed to determine a packet pointer to a first packet in the transmission queue of the first port. Based on the packet pointer, packet data for the first packet is obtained and the first packet comprising the packet data is transmitted to a destination device via the first port.
US09166901B2 Determining liveness of protocols and interfaces
The liveness of routing protocols can be determined using a mechanism to aggregate liveness information for the protocols. The ability of an interface to send and receive packets and the forwarding capability of an interface can also be determined using this mechanism. Since liveness information for multiple protocols, the liveness of interfaces, the forwarding capability of interfaces, or both, may be aggregated in a message, the message can be sent more often than could individual messages for each of the multiple protocols. This allows fast detection of failures, and sending connectivity messages for the individual protocols, such as neighbor “hellos,” to be sent less often.
US09166898B2 Methods, systems, and devices for bandwidth conservation
Aspects of bandwidth conservation include accumulating, in a memory device, inputs received over time and identifying a historical pattern from the inputs. The historical pattern includes a channel change operation when data streamed over a network and received is a commercial. Aspects also include determining whether a next input is expected for currently streamed data. The determining is in response to the historical pattern and whether the currently streamed data is commercial-free content. Aspects further include predicting that the user is not present at an electronic device if the next input to the user interface is expected and is not received, predicting that the user is present and the next input is not expected if the currently streamed data is the commercial-free content, and conserving bandwidth, with respect to the currently streamed data, in response to predicting that the user is not present at the electronic device.
US09166897B1 System and method for supporting dynamic offloading of video processing for user account management in a computing environment
A system and method can support user account management in a computing environment. A managing server, such as a privileged account manager server, can use an agent to manage a target system in the computing environment. The agent on the target system can initiate a video processing task based on a plurality of user session screens recorded on the target system, wherein the video processing task encodes the plurality of user session screens into a video. Furthermore, the agent can determine whether a resource usage for performing the video processing task on the target system exceeds a threshold. Then, the agent can dynamically offload the video processing task to a managing server that operates to manage the target system, if the resource usage for performing the video processing task on the target system exceeds the threshold.
US09166896B2 Session-based server transaction storm controls
A transaction storm detection engine is configured to receive a series of transactions in a data stream for an authenticated network session. The detection engine determines whether the transactions form a transaction storm. In response to determining that the transactions are a transaction storm, metrics associated with the transaction storm are presented. One or more actions may be specified to be applied in a subsequently detected transaction storm.
US09166893B2 Methods, apparatus and systems for monitoring locations of data within a network service
In one embodiment, a data set is received at a network service element of a network service, a location record for that data set is generated, and the location record is sent to a location registry within the network service to monitored locations of that data set within a network service. The network service element is operatively coupled to a communications link. The location record is generated based on a portion of the data set and a cryptographic key associated with the network service element. The location record uniquely identifies the presence of the data set at the network service element.
US09166890B2 Maintaining application performances upon transfer between cloud services
Technologies are presented for tracking of used resources and ensuring a similar level of computing resources to be provided at a new cloud-based service provider for a migrating application, even if the new service provider has a different mix of resources. Computing resources in use by the migrating application and a level of used computing power may be identified. Each of the computing resources may be assigned a score according to an associated service level. An overall score generated as a weighted combination of the individual scores according to their influence on application processing and networking status may be used for comparison of service levels between an existing service provider and the new service provider to ensure the migrating application receives a similar performance level. Additionally, the individual and overall scores may be employed by the new service provider to properly allocate its resources to provide similar performance level.
US09166886B1 Systems and methods for determining physical network topology
A system determines a physical topology of a network including a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a multi-chip higher-tier switch, and each chip in the multi-chip higher-tier switch includes a plurality of ports. A network configuration module is configured to assign physical connections to respective ports of chips of the higher-tier switches through an iterative process. The iterative process includes selecting a first route of a plurality of routes, assigning for the source node of the selected route, a first port on a first chip having an odd number of free ports. For at least one intermediate node of the selected route, second and third ports on a second chip having an even number of free ports are assigned. For a destination port for the selected route, a fourth port on a third chip having an odd number of free ports is assigned.
US09166884B2 Network location service
A method is provided for a network location service in which one or more packet forwarding devices in the network collect and maintain location data for the devices/users currently connected to a network. The data is maintained locally in each packet forwarding device and may be provided on demand to a network/business application, such as emergency 911 services or a location-based security or personalization system. The location data is provided in real-time or near real-time using an in-band channel communication and/or over the Internet using a standard transport protocol, such as HTTP/S and SOAP web services.
US09166880B2 Dynamic address assignment for address aggregation in low power and lossy networks
A node in a Low power and Lossy Network (LLN) is managed by monitoring a routing configuration on a node in a LLN. A triggering parameter that is used to invoke an address change on a child node is tracked and a threshold against which to compare the triggering parameter is accessed. The triggering parameter is compared to the threshold. Based on results of comparing the triggering parameter to the threshold, it is determined that an address change at the child node is appropriate. An address change of a child node appearing in the routing configuration is invoked based on the determination that an address change is appropriate.
US09166878B1 Network management configuration for retrieving and aggregating status information from resources distributed across a network
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a network management module configured to execute at a network device operatively coupled to a switch fabric. The switch fabric may have a distributed control plane. The network management module is configured to receive a request regarding status information for a certain set of network resources identified with a virtual or logical identifier. The network management module is configured to generate and send a corresponding query for status information to a set of physical elements that encompass and may be larger than the certain set of network resources and collect responses to that query. The network management module is configured to construct a response to the request from the status information in the collected responses to the query. The constructed response includes only information related to the original request.
US09166872B2 Method and network device for detecting IP address conflict
The present invention discloses a method and network device for detecting IP address conflict. The method for detecting IP address conflict comprises: collecting all the ARP entries from a broadcasting network segment; and carrying out a data check on the ARP entries collected, and determining that there is an IP address conflicted when it is detected that there are ARP entries with the same IP address but different media access control (MAC) addresses. The network device includes a collecting module and a detecting module. The present invention may achieve the function of IP address conflict detection in a broadcasting network segment by employing one or several network devices and uses the ARP flexibly. The outer appearance of the ARP protocol is not changed, and the other devices in the broadcast network segment do not need to modify the protocol or provide special function support.
US09166868B2 Distributed control plane for link aggregation
In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, a method may include communicating, via an inter-card communication channel, local link status information regarding at least one local physical port resident on a first network interface, wherein the at least one local physical port is a member port of a link aggregation group, to one or more other network interfaces, other than the first network interface, having member ports of the link aggregation group. The method may also include receiving, via the inter-card communications channel, non-local link status information regarding at least one non-local physical port resident on the one or more other network interfaces, wherein the at least one non-local physical port is a member port of the link aggregation group. The method may further include designating a link status of the at least one local physical port based on the local link status information and the non-local link status information.
US09166863B2 Distributed storage system with web services client interface
A distributed, web-services based storage system. A system may include a web services interface configured to receive, according to a web services protocol, a given client request for access to a given data object, the request including a key value corresponding to the object. The system may also include storage nodes configured to store replicas of the objects, where each replica is accessible via a respective unique locator value, and a keymap instance configured to store a respective keymap entry for each object. For the given object, the respective keymap entry includes the key value and each locator value corresponding to replicas of the object. A coordinator may receive the given client request from the web services interface, responsively access the keymap instance to identify locator values corresponding to the key value and, for a particular locator value, retrieve a corresponding replica from a corresponding storage node.
US09166862B1 Distributed caching system
The disclosure describes embodiments of a distributed caching system that are configured to store handshake data between client devices and servers, enabling handshake transaction to be resumed in case of interruption. Client devices can resume the handshake transaction even if assigned to new servers as the new servers can obtain the handshake data identifiers from the distributed caching system.
US09166861B2 Method for managing communication channels, corresponding signal and terminal
A method is provided for managing communication channels for transmission of multimedia contents from at least one server to at least one radio communication terminal. The method includes: transmitting a first content through a first channel; progressively rendering the first content in a terminal; issuing via the terminal a request for a second content, the request including a control datum indicating whether the second content is to be transmitted through the first channel or through a second channel; and progressively rendering the second content.
US09166860B2 Payload for multi-input multi-output
Described herein are implementations related to data communication using a frame that includes at least two data packets. In one implementation, a first of the data packets includes at least a payload with repeated payload portions to increase diversity gain. A second of the data packets includes at least a payload with repeated payload portions to increase diversity gain. The repeated payload portions of the second data packet are shuffled or rotated in relation to the repeated data payload portions of the first data packet. In one implementation, the frame is conveyed in a Power Line Communication (PLC) system.
US09166859B2 Wireless communication apparatus and transmission power control method
A variable gain amplifier amplifies a baseband signal. A quadrature modulator quadrature-modulates the amplified baseband signal to generate a high-frequency signal. A power amplifier amplifies the generated high-frequency signal. An antenna transmits the amplified high-frequency signal. A detector detects the amplified high-frequency signal. A first nonvolatile memory stores the desired transmission power of the high-frequency signal to be transmitted from the antenna. A controller adjusts the gain of the variable gain amplifier depending on the output of the detector and the transmission power stored in the first nonvolatile memory.
US09166858B2 Method for modulating an OQAM type multi-carrier signal, and corresponding computer program and modulator
A modulator and modulation method are provided, which output an OQAM multi-carrier signal. The method implements a step of transforming, from the frequency domain to the time domain, a set of M symbols of real data so as to output M transformed symbols. The complete transformation includes the following sub-steps: applying a partial Fourier transform to the set of M symbols of real data, outputting a first subset of C transformed symbols, where C is strictly less than M; and obtaining, from the first subset, a second subset of (M-C) transformed symbols that is complementary to the first subset.
US09166856B2 System and method for initial ranging in wireless communication systems
A system and method for initial ranging in wireless communication systems is provided. A plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) blocks are received by an OFDMA base station transceiver from a plurality of remote user devices in wireless communication with the base station. A ranging subchannel is extracted from the OFDM blocks. The number of active codes in the ranging subchannel is determined, active codes are identified, and carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) are estimated for each active code. Timing delays and power levels for each active code are then estimated. The estimated CFOs, timing delays, and power levels are broadcasted by the base station to the remote user devices, so that the user devices can utilize same to adjust transmission parameters to optimize power levels and synchronize communication with the base station.
US09166854B1 Method and apparatus for decoding a symbol incorporating channel state information
A baseband processor for a receiver. The baseband processor includes a channel estimator configured to generate an estimate of a communication channel based on a baseband signal. The baseband signal corresponds to a radio frequency signal received by the receiver. A demodulator is configured to generate, based on the baseband signal and the estimate of the communication channel, channel state information corresponding to the communication channel, and generate, based on the estimate of the communication channel, a demodulated symbol, wherein the demodulated symbol incorporates the channel state information. A decoder is configured to generate branch metrics for the demodulated symbol using the estimate of the communication channel as received from the channel estimator and the demodulated symbol as received from the demodulator, and perform decoding on the demodulated symbol, using the branch metrics for the demodulated symbol, in order to generate a decoded symbol.
US09166850B2 Data retransmission request device, a data transmitter, and a data retransmission method for multi-tone systems
In a multi-tone data transmission system, data are modulated on a set of M tones for being transmitted between a transmitter and a receiver. The data retransmission request device in such system is adapted to request retransmission of a data transmission unit that is hierarchically modulated at a particular hierarchical level and that is modulated on a particular group of N tones, N being a positive integer value greater than one and smaller than or equal to M.
US09166849B2 Large delay cyclic delay diversity (CDD) precoder for open loop multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)
A physical channel processor on a wireless device and method for precoding for spatial multiplexing in an open-loop multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mobile communication system is disclosed. The method comprises the operation of receiving an input vector block from a layer mapper. The input vector block includes user equipment-specific reference signals (UE-RSs) or data in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The operation of generating a large delay cyclic delay diversity (CDD) vector block from the input vector block using a precoder configured for large delay CDD on an antenna port follows. The data can be resource element mapped with UE-RSs or channel-state information reference signals (CSI-RSs) in a physical resource block (PRB).
US09166847B2 Signal receiving apparatus and two-stage adaptive equalization method thereof
A signal receiving apparatus includes an equalization module, a coarse tuning module and a fine tuning module. The equalization module receives an input signal, and performs an equalization process on the input signal according to an equalization strength to generate an equalized signal. The coarse tuning module adjusts the equalization strength according to the equalized signal until the equalized signal satisfies a preliminary convergence condition. When the preliminary convergence condition is satisfied, the fine tuning module adjusts the equalization strength according to the equalized signal until the equalization strength satisfies a final convergence condition.
US09166846B1 Eye diagram construction display apparatus
An eye diagram construction display apparatus includes an amplifier, a first equalizer, an addition unit, a second equalizer, a bit error rate check unit, a clock recovery unit, a clock synthesizer, a processing unit and a display unit. The first equalizer is electrically connected to the amplifier. The addition unit is electrically connected to the first equalizer. The second equalizer is electrically connected to the addition unit. The bit error rate check unit is electrically connected to the addition unit. The clock recovery unit is electrically connected to the addition unit and the bit error rate check unit. The clock synthesizer is electrically connected to the clock recovery unit. The processing unit is electrically connected to the addition unit, the bit error rate check unit and the clock recovery unit. The display unit is electrically connected to the processing unit.
US09166827B2 Channel estimate predicted from several previous channel estimates, for pre-equalization
A data transmission method includes transmitting an encoded data signal in form of a data stream of data bursts between a transmitter and a receiver, making a decision as a function of at least one data transmission parameter as to whether an interference treatment of the data signal to be transmitted will be performed in the transmitter or in the receiver, performing the interference treatment in terms of at least on code in the transmitter, and performing the interference treatment of the data to be transmitted in terms of at least one further code in the receiver.
US09166826B2 Transport stream generating device, transmitting device, receiving device, and a digital broadcast system having the same, and method thereof
A transport stream (TS) generating apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a digital broadcast system having the above, and a method thereof are provided. The digital broadcast system includes a transport stream (TS) generating apparatus which generates a multi transport stream (TS) by multiplexing a normal stream and a turbo stream having a variable coding rate, a transmitting apparatus which re-constructs the multi TS by processing the turbo stream, and transmits the re-constructed multi TS, and a receiving apparatus which receives the re-constructed multi TS, and decodes the normal stream and the turbo stream respectively, to recover normal data and turbo data. Accordingly, a multi TS, which includes normal stream and a turbo stream of various coding rates, can be transmitted and received efficiently.
US09166823B2 Generation of a context-enriched message including a message component and a contextual attribute
Messaging Service Plus Context Data. A message of a specified mobile device communications protocol is parsed. The message is analyzed to identify a message data. A signal associated with the message is evaluated to determine a context data. The context data provides a contextual attribute of the message. The message data is algorithmically associated with the context data. Further, the other message includes the message data and the context data. A context enhancement data is determined to enrich a meaning of the context data. The context enhancement data is acquired from a database. The other message may be generated. The other message includes the message data, the context data and context enhancement data.
US09166817B2 Load balancing
A method for load balancing Ethernet traffic within a fat tree network (315, 455) includes randomly assigning incoming messages (510) into hash classes using a hash function (520); allocating the hash classes among uplinks (550); and transmitting the incoming messages on the uplinks (550) according to the hash class. A network switch (515) for load balancing communication flows in a fat tree network (315, 455) includes downlinks (545) and uplinks (550); the network switch (515) being configured to route communication flows among the downlinks (545) and uplinks (550); a hash module (520) which receives a MAC address from a message (510) and outputs a hash address; and a TCAM lookup module (535) which allocates the hash address into a hash class and allocates the hash class to one of the uplinks (550).
US09166809B2 Automated network testing
A test case management subsystem includes a data store, the data store including data relating to a network device. A network testing subsystem is configured to receive an instruction from said test case management subsystem, wherein the instruction includes the data relating to the network device, and execute an automated command line to test the network device.
US09166804B2 Packet transmission control device, packet transmission control method, and program
There is provided a packet transmission control device including a packet interval adjustment unit that adjusts packet intervals of a plurality of packets, a packet replication unit that replicates the plurality of packets whose packet intervals are adjusted by the packet interval adjustment unit to generate a plurality of packet groups, and a destination assignment unit that assigns different destination information pieces to the respective plurality of packet groups generated by the packet replication unit.
US09166803B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for service detection over an RX interface
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for communicating service data flow (SDF) event information. The method includes steps occurring at a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node. The method also includes communicating, via an Rx interface, a request to a deep packet inspection (DPI) node to be notified when an SDF event occurs. The method further includes receiving notification from the DPI node that the SDF event has occurred.
US09166801B2 Intrinsically safe connection unit with a network interface, intrinsically safe appliance and network interface for it
An intrinsically safe connection unit with a network interface for intrinsically safe appliances in explosion-risk areas, having a housing, a voltage supply connection, plug connection for connecting an intrinsically safe appliance via a transmission cable, and a decoupling circuit. For allowing even a multiplicity of network subscribers to be connected in the explosion-risk area with less wiring complexity, a plurality of plug connections of the same type are provided as network interface, each being preceded by a separate decoupling circuit, and the voltage supply connection builds a central feed connection with separate supply cores for each plug connection each having at least two plug contacts for data communication and at least two plug contacts for supplying power to the connectable appliances via the transmission cable. The invention relates also to a Controller and a network interface for use therewith.
US09166794B2 Securing private key access for cross-component message processing
Often, for reasons of wireless bandwidth conservation, incomplete messages are provided to wireless messaging devices. Employing cryptography, for secrecy or authentication purposes, when including a received message that has been incompletely received can lead to lack of context on the receiver's end. By automatically obtaining the entirety of the message to be included, an outgoing message that includes the received message can be processed in a manner that securely and accurately represents the intended outgoing message. Alternatively, a server can assemble a composite message from a new message and an original message and, in cooperation with a wireless messaging device, sign the composite message. Since signing the composite message involves access to a private key, access to that private key is secured such that such access to the private key can only be arranged responsive to an explicit request for a hash that is to be signed using the private key.
US09166793B2 Efficient authentication for mobile and pervasive computing
A method and system for authenticating messages is provided. A message authentication system generates an encrypted message by encrypting with a key a combination of a message and a nonce. The message authentication system generates a message authentication code based on a combination of the message and the nonce modulo a divisor. To decrypt and authenticate the message, the message authentication system generates a decrypted message by decrypting with the key the encrypted message and extracts the message and the nonce. The message authentication system then regenerates a message authentication code based on a combination of the extracted message and the extracted nonce modulo the divisor. The message authentication system then determines whether the regenerated message authentication code matches the original message authentication code. If the codes match, then the integrity and authenticity of the message are verified.
US09166791B2 Method and apparatus for user identity verification
The present disclosure describes a method and apparatus for user identity verification as a user migrates amongst systems, servers, computing environments and/or segments within a cloud computing environment. A user currently accessing a first system seeks to migrate from the first system to a target system. The target system validates whether the user may access the target system based on a first private key and a first public key. A verification system maintains a second public key that is based on an identity of the user and inaccessible to the user. The verification system receives a second private key from an initial system of the user. Based on the second private/public keys, the verification system sends a validation of user identity to the target system.
US09166789B2 Cryptographic processing apparatus
According to an embodiment, a cryptographic processing apparatus performs processes to encrypt plain text or decrypt cipher text. The processes include a non-linear process using multiplication. The non-linear process is a process performed using intermediate data masked with mask data. The intermediate data is data in a middle of the plurality of processes. The mask data hides the intermediate data. The apparatus includes a non-linear processing unit configured to receive first data that is an exclusive OR of a product of the intermediate data and first mask data and second mask data, and output second data that is an exclusive OR of a product of data obtained by the non-linear process on the intermediate data and data obtained by the non-linear process on the first mask data and third mask data having a predetermined correspondence relation with the second mask data.
US09166788B2 Method and device for obtaining a security key
A method comprises obtaining scan information by scanning a quick response QR code in a quick response key QRkey card, wherein the QR code includes a website link and a public key; opening a network platform page corresponding to the website link in the QR code; and obtaining a private key matching with the public key in the QR code and sending the private key to a user corresponding to the QRkey card, so that the user corresponding to the QRkey card can encrypt preset information by using the public key and decrypt the encrypted information by using the private key. A device comprises a first acquisition module, an open module and a second acquisition module. In the present invention a public key and a private key can be obtained by scanning a QR code in a QRkey card, thus a simple and convenient method for obtaining a key is provided.
US09166778B2 Secure group messaging
A method for securing at least one message transferred in a communication system from a first computing device to a second computing device in a peer-to-peer manner. At the first computing device, an identity based authenticated key exchange session is established with a third computing device operating as a peer authenticator. The identity based authenticated key exchange session has an identity based authenticated session key associated therewith. The first computing device obtains from the third computing device a random key component of the second computing device, wherein the random key component of the second computing device is encrypted by the third computing device using the identity based authenticated session key prior to sending the random key component of the second computing device to the first computing device. A peer-to-peer messaging key is computed at the first computing device using the random key component of the second computing device.
US09166776B2 Methods and systems for optimal PN phase detection in DTMB receivers
A method and system for pseudorandom noise (“PN”) phase detection in digital terrestrial multimedia broadcast (“DTMB”) receivers. This method selects a detection range of symbols from a frame of the received signal; applies FFT to the PN portion of each of the symbols in the detection range to generate Hn(k); applies phase rotation to Hn(k) to obtain phase rotated for the PN portion of the symbols in the detection range; applies differential operations to to generate Hpd ; sums the Hpd to generated Hsum; calculates a value Q as a function of Hsum; and determines the PN phase offset as a function of Q and a predefined threshold.
US09166770B2 Clock-generating device and clock data recovery device
A clock data recovery device 1 generates a recovered clock Recovered Clock and recovered data Recovered Data based on an input signal Data In, and includes a signal selector 10, a phase delay unit 20, a time measurement unit 30, a phase selector 40, an edge detector 50, a polarity detector 60, a logic inverter 70, and a data output unit 80. The signal selector 10, the phase delay unit 20, the time measurement unit 30, and the phase selector 40 constitute a clock-generation device 1A. The phase delay unit 20 includes a plurality of cascaded delay elements 211 to 21P. The phase selector 40 selects a signal output from the delay element in a position corresponding to a unit interval time among the delay elements 211 to 21P, and outputs the signal as a feedback clock Feedback Clock.
US09166768B2 Radio transceiver and control method thereof
In order to reduce deterioration of reception performance even further in a case of simultaneously performing transmission and reception, a transmitting circuit (20), which forms a radio transceiver (1), outputs a transmission signal (110) to be wirelessly transmitted through an antenna (10). A duplexer (30) conducts the transmission signal (110) to the antenna (10), and outputs, as differential signals (102p and 102n), a reception signal wirelessly received through the antenna (10) to a receiving circuit (40). The receiving circuit (40) regulates phases of the differential signals (102p and 102n) based on a first characteristic of the reception signal under a condition that the transmission signal (110) is not output, and a second characteristic of the reception signal under a condition that the transmission signal (110) is output. Further, the receiving circuit (40) regulates gains of the differential signals (102p and 102n) based on a result obtained by comparing the first and second characteristics after the regulation of phases.
US09166767B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving control information in a broadband wireless communication system using half frequency division duplex
An apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving control information in a broadband wireless communication system using Half Frequency Division Duplex (H-FDD) are provided. An operation of a Mobile Station (MS) includes, in the case of a frame at which control information is not transmitted, performing uplink communication at a front end of the frame and, in the case of a frame at which the control information is transmitted, performing downlink communication at a front end of the frame.
US09166764B2 Methods and apparatus for feedback computation and decoding with synchronously coded subcarriers in OFDMA systems
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The UE receives pilot signals from a serving base station and at least one interfering base station. The UE determines phase rotations used by the serving base station and the at least one interfering base station for transmitting resource blocks. The UE determines channel feedback based on the received pilots signals and the determined phase rotations for each of the serving base station and the at least one interfering base station. The UE sends the channel feedback to the serving base station. The UE receives data based on the determined phase rotations.
US09166763B2 Mobile communication method, radio base station, and mobile station
A duplexer D1 or D2 to be used is appropriately selected from multiple duplexers D1 and D2. A mobile communication method of the invention is a mobile communication method for a mobile communication system 1 operated in a band F1. The method includes: a step A of causing a radio base station eNB in the mobile communication system 1 to notify a mobile station UE of information concerning a system X operated in a band 2 adjacent to the band F1 and information concerning a system Y operated in a band 3 adjacent to the band 1; and a step B of causing the mobile station UE to select a duplexer D1 (or D2) to be used from multiple duplexers D1 and D2 on the basis of the information concerning the system X and the information concerning the system Y.
US09166762B2 System and method for combined MAC level message with CQI channel control message for channel feedback report
In one or more embodiments, a system and method of managing network channel quality in a wireless communications network includes reporting a channel quality measurement from the particular user to a base station (BS) over an available CQICH, and determining a MCS based, at least in part, upon the channel quality measurement. If a threshold network CQICH capacity is reached during a subsequent data frame such that a CQICH is no longer available, MAC level messages are generated between the BS and the particular user to trigger reporting of signal quality information to the BS by the particular user. After the next CQICH cycle commences and if a CQICH is still unavailable, the signal quality information is continued to be provided via MAC level messages. Otherwise, a CQICH is reallocated for a particular user and channel quality measurement reporting is transitioned back to the CQICH.
US09166759B2 Method and device for transmitting control information in wireless communication system
A method for transmitting control information in a wireless communication system includes: determining a link adaptation method of a user group according to quality of channels of each user in the user group; generating first control information according to common control information of all users in the user group and the link adaptation method corresponding to the user group, and transmitting the first control information to each user in the user group; obtaining contents of second control information according to particular control information of each user in the user group; performing link adaptation process for the contents of the second control information according to the link adaptation method corresponding to the user group, generating the second control information, and transmitting the second control information to each user in the user group. Corresponding to the above-described method, a method for receiving control information in a wireless communication system and corresponding devices are also disclosed.
US09166754B2 Method of handling shortened resource block for machine type communication device and related communication device
A method of arranging a shortened resource block (RB) without a direct current (DC) subcarrier for a wireless communication system comprising a communication device and a network is disclosed. The method comprises selecting a RB from a plurality of RBs comprising a plurality of available subcarriers, according to a configuration, wherein the RB comprises a plurality of subcarriers; and removing the DC subcarrier from the plurality of subcarriers of the RB according to the configuration, to construct the shortened RB without the DC subcarrier.
US09166745B2 Allocation of acknowledgement channels to channel groups having variable transmit energies
A method and apparatus is provided for assigning resources for an acknowledgement channel, such as the PHICH in LTE systems. Acknowledgement channels for the mobile terminals are assigned to channel groups based on a predetermined assignment criteria. All acknowledgment channels in the same channel group receive acknowledgements on the same downlink resources (e.g., resource elements in OFDM system). A required transmit energy for each channel is determined. If the total required transmit energy for all channels exceeds an available transmit power, the allocated transmit energy for each channel is either scaled down so that the total actual transmit power for all acknowledgment channels is equal to the available transmit power, or some acknowledgment channels are not transmitted.
US09166744B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting channel quality indicator and acknowledgement signals in SC-FDMA communication systems
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving information symbols in a communication system are provided. A method includes determining a channel quality indicator (CQI); determining two acknowledgement bits in response to data reception; generating a first symbol based on the CQI; generating a second symbol based on the two acknowledgement bits; and transmitting the first symbol and the second symbol. A first code is applied to the second symbol, if the two acknowledgement bits have a first value, a second code is applied to the second symbol, if the two acknowledgement bits have a second value, a third code is applied to the second symbol, if the two acknowledgement bits have a third value, and a fourth code is applied to the second symbol, if the two acknowledgement bits have a fourth value.
US09166739B2 Error correction processing circuit and error correction processing method
An error correction processing circuit, includes: a division circuit that divides input data into a plurality of pieces of a predetermined data length; a plurality of operation circuits that are provided in parallel, and that perform operations of error correction for the plurality of pieces of data divided by the division circuit, respectively; a multiplexing circuit that multiplexes the plurality of pieces of data for which the operations have been performed by the plurality of operation circuits; and an output circuit that outputs the data multiplexed by the multiplexing circuit.
US09166737B2 Extension of physical downlink control channels in a communication system
Methods and apparatuses are described for a User Equipment (UE) to receive enhanced Control CHannels (eCCHs), including enhanced Physical Downlink Control CHannels (ePDCCHs), transmitted in a set of Resource Blocks (RBs) over a Transmission Time Interval (TTI). A method includes transmitting a first control signal to a first UE over a first number of Resource Elements (Res) in a subset of the RBs and over a first number of the transmission symbols in the TTI; transmitting a second control signal to a second UE over a second number of the REs in the subset of the RBs and over a second number of the transmission symbols in the TTI; and transmitting a reference signal of the first type over a third number of the REs in the subset of the RBs and over a third number of the transmission symbols in the TTI.
US09166736B2 Communication apparatus and communication method
Provided is a multicarrier communication apparatus by which information quantity of CQI reporting can be reduced. In the apparatus, each CQI is recorded in a CQI table section (122) by being classified into a plurality of CQI groups by following a certain rule. A CQI selecting section (123) estimates fluctuation range and variance of reception qualities of the entire resource block to be reported, based on an SINR value outputted from a quality level calculating section (121). Then, based on the estimated values, the CQI selecting section selects a suitable CQI group in a first step, selects a suitable CQI value from among the CQIs included in the selected CQI group in a second step, and outputs the ID of the selected CQI group and the selected CQI value to a CQI generating section (124). Based on such information, the CQI generating section (124) generates a CQI frame to be transmitted to a base station.
US09166735B2 Correction data
Correction data units for data packets of a data stream are generated. A correction data unit is based on a set of the data packets of the stream. The stream is transmitted over a lossy communication channel. A performance measure to be optimized is selected, which relates to the recovery of lost data packets of the stream. A coding requirement is determined. For the generation of the correction data units, it is determined, within the constraints of the coding requirement and based on previously generated correction data units, which of the data packets in the stream to include in the set on which the generation of the correction data unit is to be based to thereby optimize the selected performance measure. A generated correction data unit is generated based on a respective set of the data packets of the stream. The generated correction data units are included in the stream.
US09166732B2 Facilitation of security employing a femto cell access point
One or more femto cell access points (FAPs) are employed to facilitate provisioning of security. A signal indicative of an intrusion in an area associated with an FAP can be received, and, based on receiving the signal, an identifier associated with a device in a range of the FAP can be determined. One or more frequencies in the range of the femto cell access point can be jammed, an attachment attempt emitted from the device in response to jamming the frequencies can be detected, and a telephone number of the device can be identified based, at least, on detecting the attachment attempt from the device. Warnings can also be sent to the device and/or tracking of the device can be performed.
US09166728B2 Nonbinary LDPC coded modulation without bandwidth expansion for high-speed optical transmission
Systems and methods for data transport, comprising encoding one or more streams of input data using nonbinary low density parity check (NB-LDPC) encoders, corresponding to orthogonal polarization states. Receiving one or more streams of input data using a buffer coupled to the encoders, the data written to the buffer bR bits at a time, where R is the code rate. Generating one or more signals using a 2b-ary mapper implemented as a look-up table (LUT) to store coordinates of a corresponding signal constellation, the 2b-ary mapper configured to assign bits of one or more signals to a signal constellation and to associate the bits of the signals with signal constellation points, wherein the constellation is expanded to avoid bandwidth expansion due to coding, generating substantial net coding gains within a same bandwidth. Modulating nonbinary LDPC-coded data streams using in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) modulators and multiplexing the data streams using polarization beam combiner.
US09166725B2 Optical network element and optical transmission system
The invention relates to an optical network element, particularly an optical line terminal, OLT, for transmitting and receiving signals wire an optical network that comprises at least one optical fiber link and at least one further optical network element. The optical network element provides a primary optical pumping mean for emitting optical pump power to set at least one optical fiber link. The emitted optical pump power forms at least one gain medium outside the optical network element to provide optical pump power to the network for amplifying the singles to receive so that outside of the domain of the optical network element no electrical energy supply is needed.
US09166724B2 Optical network and optical path setup method
An optical network includes: an optical switch; a plurality of optical interface devices provided respectively for a plurality of servers and connected to the optical switch; and a manager to manage communication traffic of the plurality of servers. Each of the optical interface devices includes a fixed-wavelength optical transmitter and a wavelength tunable optical transmitter. A first optical path is set up via the optical switch by using the fixed-wavelength optical transmitters of the plurality of optical interface devices. The manager identifies first and second optical interface devices from among the plurality of optical interface devices in accordance with the communication traffic of the plurality of servers. A second optical path is set up between the first and second optical interface devices via the optical switch by using the wavelength tunable optical transmitters of the first and second optical interface devices.
US09166720B2 Method and apparatus for resource mapping and code division multiplexing
The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for resource mapping and code division multiplexing. In the present disclosure, each cell selects a mapping scheme among at least two mapping schemes to implement resource mapping, which effectively reduces interference imposed on reference signal symbols of users at the edge of a cell; vector switching is performed for an orthogonal matrix to obtain multiple different codeword sequences and implement codeword design, so that a problem that the output power of reference signal symbols is unbalanced can be effectively alleviated.
US09166718B2 Downlink control indication for a stand-alone new carrier type (NCT)
Technology for determining a common search space (CSS) from a physical resource block (PRB) indication for a stand-alone carrier type is disclosed. In an example, a user equipment (UE) configured for determining a common search space (CSS) from a physical resource block (PRB) indication for a stand-alone carrier type can include a processing module to: Determine a PRB set in the CSS from an enhanced physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) indicator channel (ePHICH) configuration information in a master information block (MIB); and decode an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH) or the ePHICH from PRB region candidates in the PRB set.
US09166716B2 Automatic rollover to streamed radio
In view of the above, a radio player is provided. In an example implementation, the radio player includes a radio signal receiver configured to receive a radio broadcast corresponding to a tuner setting on a tuner. The radio signal receiver is configured to retrieve an air radio program from the radio broadcast corresponding to a radio station identified by the tuner setting. A digital stream radio receiver is connected to a data network. The digital stream radio receiver is configured to establish a data connection with a radio station identified by a radio station network identifier to receive a streamed radio program. A source selector selects between either the air radio program or the streamed radio program to play at an audio output when the air radio program and the streamed radio program are broadcast from the same radio station.
US09166715B2 Methods and apparatuses of user identification and notification of multimedia content
Methods, apparatus and systems for sharing information related to broadcast programs are described. One of the methods includes receiving data identifying at least a portion of a first broadcast of a program, receiving data identifying at least one recipient, and communicating information indicative of the identified at least a portion of the program to the at least one recipient. The method may also include identifying a subsequent broadcast of the program to the at least one recipient, and communicating data indicative of the subsequent broadcast of the program to the at least one recipient. Other aspects include systems, apparatus, and devices for sharing information related to broadcast programs.
US09166704B1 Integrated control for silicon photonics
In an example, the present invention includes an integrated system on chip device. The device is configured on a single silicon substrate member. The device has a data input/output interface provided on the substrate member. The device has an input/output block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the data input/output interface. The device has a signal processing block provided on the substrate member and coupled to the input/output block. The device has a driver module provided on the substrate member and coupled to the signal processing block. In an example, the device has a driver interface provided on the substrate member and coupled to the driver module and configured to be coupled to a silicon photonics device. The device also has an interface configured to communicate between the silicon photonics device and the control block.
US09166703B2 Equalizer for an optical transmission system
An equalizer (60) processes, in the electrical domain, a signal obtained from a path of an optical transmission system. The equalizer comprises N cascaded stages (where N≧1). At least one of the stages comprises a cascade of a linear equalization element (61) and a non-linear equalization element (62). The equalizer (60) is able to compensate for both linear impairments, such as dispersion, and non-linear impairments. The cascaded linear and non-linear elements can simulate the effect of signal propagation through a fiber which has the opposite propagation parameters (e.g. attenuation, dispersion, non-linearity) to those of the propagation path experienced by a signal in the transmission system. The non-linear equalization element (62) can be a non-linear phase rotator which rotates phase of an input signal proportional to the squared modulus of the input signal amplitude. The linear equalization element (61) can comprise a digital filter, such as an Infinite Impulse Response (HR) filter or a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter.
US09166700B2 Tunable receiver
Embodiments for optical communication are provided in which tunable receiver selects and demodulates a first channel of a WDM signal. An example receiver includes a tunable local oscillator for generating a local oscillator signal approximately centered at a first channel wavelength. An optical hybrid of the receiver receives at a first input a wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) signal with a M-ary modulation scheme, wherein M is an integer greater than 2, and at a second input the local oscillator signal. A plurality of detectors detect in-phase and quadrature components of the first channel wavelength output of the optical hybrid, which are digitizing by a plurality of analog-to-digital converters. A digital signal processor processes the digitized in-phase and quadrature components in order to recover data carried by the first channel of the WDM signal.
US09166698B2 Electronic dispersion compensation for low-cost distributed feedback-directly modulated laser
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to electronic dispersion compensation (EDC). The interaction between the frequency chirp and the fiber dispersion is newly analyzed. The linear and nonlinear properties of the chirp-dispersion are separately analyzed. A pre-compensating transmitter may consist of a phase interpolator (PI), a 2 tap data generator, a pulse widening CLK generator, a rising pattern detector, 4:1 Mux and an output driver. A post-compensating receiver may consist of linear equalizer for the rabbit ear compensation, nonlinear equalizer for tilting compensation, typical high frequency boosting equalizer (EQ) and limiting amp (LA).
US09166695B2 Optical frequency locking method and device for optical data transmission
An optical frequency locking method tunes each of a plurality of narrow-band optical channel transmit signals (having arbitrary channel frequency spacings) to a dedicated optical channel frequency. The method includes tapping-off a portion of the optical power of the respective channel transmit signal and filtering the tapped-off channel transmit signal using at least one optical filter device. The method also includes monitoring, as an optical input signal, the optical power of the respective channel transmit signal supplied to the at least one optical filter device and, as an optical output signal, the optical power of the filtered channel transmit signal. The method further includes tuning, within a predetermined locking range for the dedicated optical channel frequency, the optical frequency of the respective channel transmit signal such that a predetermined value for the ratio of the output signal and the input signal is reached.
US09166694B2 Optical coupling unit for an arrangement for sending optical signals, an arrangement for sending optical signals and an optical transceiver
The invention relates to an optical coupling unit for an arrangement for sending optical signals, including a base unit, a light path formed between a light input and a light output of the base unit and configured to transmit light received via the light input to the light output, an outer light path section included in the light path, which section extends outside the base unit and into which the light transmitted along the light path emerges from the base unit via a light exit and from which the light after passing through the outer light path section enters again into the base unit via a light entry, and a light decoupling element, which is formed in the light path by means of at least one beamsplitting surface coating and configured to decouple a portion of the light transmitted along the light path. Furthermore the invention relates to an arrangement for sending optical signals and to an optical transceiver.
US09166692B1 Network fabric reconfiguration
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for reconfiguring the links made by a plurality of optical circuit switches between the nodes of the first layer and the nodes of the second layer that reduces the throughput loss when the network transitions form a first logical topology to a second logical topology. More particularly, the first logical topology is realized by a specific physical topology, while the second logical topology may be realized by one or more physical topologies. The disclosure describes a method for selecting a second physical topology from the one or more physical topologies that will realize the second logical topology while reducing the number of links within each of the optical circuit switches that must be reconfigured (i.e, disconnected from their present ports and reconnected to new ports within the optical circuit switch) to transition from the first to second logical topology.
US09166691B2 Method for coupling an emitting device to a frequency splitter in an optical passive network
A device and method to allow to estimate drift induced by temperature variation in a network including a frequency splitter based on a Mach-Zehnder, or alike component, and to track it over time, by adding mirrors to the unused port of the Mach-Zehnder components. Doing so, both OLT and ONU are able to scan a band of frequencies. The frequency corresponding to the nominal wavelength of the component will be reflected on the other port on the same side of the Mach-Zehnder while other frequencies will go through the Mach-Zehnder to be reflected by the mirror and come back to the emitter. By measuring the reflected signal while scanning frequencies, the actual nominal wavelength of the component can be determined.
US09166689B2 Equalization mechanism for processing traffic based on three-quadrature amplitude modulation (3QAM)
A system receives four-bit symbols that correspond to traffic associated with a three-bit phase modulation scheme and are encoded based on a four-bit phase modulation scheme. The system determines values with which to perform equalization that enable the four-bit symbols to be restored to a condition that existed prior to being transmitted to the system. The system performs, using the values, equalization on a four-bit symbol that includes at least a first pair of bits associated with a first polarization, and performs, after completing the equalization, another equalization on another four-bit symbol that includes at least a second pair of bits associated with a second polarization. The system identifies a three-bit symbol, of a set of three-bit symbols associated with the three-bit phase modulation scheme, based on the equalized first pair of bits and the equalized second pair of bits, generates the three-bit symbol, and outputs the three-bit symbol.