| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09168285B2 |
Recombinant human CC10 protein for treatment of influenza and ebola
Methods of using recombinant human CC10 (rhCC10), also known as recombinant human uteroglobin, to reduce virus titers in the tissues of patients, particularly influenza and filovirus titers in lung tissues are provided. RhCC10 may be used as a therapeutic in the treatment, cure, or prevention of viral infection, particularly influenza and ebola infection. More particularly, methods, including broadly the critical dosage ranges of rhCC10, intravenous and intranasal route of administration, which may be administered to treat, cure or prevent influenza and ebola infection are provided. Further provided are compositions useful in the foregoing methods and in administering rhCC10 to humans. |
| US09168284B2 |
Biological activity of placental protein 13
The present invention relates to the biological and pharmacological effects of placental protein 13 (PP-13), an effect that may be used as a treatment and/or prevention of preeclampsia and placental insufficiencies, in pregnant female mammals, especially pregnant women. The invention relates to a method to treat female mammals with the purpose to precondition the uterine arteries and prevent and/or reverse the pathological conditions associated with placental insufficiency such as preeclampsia, HELLP and/or eclampsia. |
| US09168278B2 |
Use for cannabinoid
The invention relates to the use of one or more cannabinoids in the manufacture of medicaments for use in the treatment of diseases and conditions benefiting from neutral antagonism of the CB, cannabinoid receptor. Preferably the cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). Preferably the diseases and conditions to be treated are taken from the group: obesity, schizophrenia, epilepsy, cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's, bone disorders, bulimia, obesity associated with type II diabetes (non-insulin dependant diabetes) and in the treatment of drug, alcohol and nicotine abuse or dependency. |
| US09168268B1 |
Saponins and chromans derivatives mixture compositions against leishmaniasis, Trypanosomiasis americana, malaria, Trypanosomiasis africana and Fasciola hepatica
SAPONINS AND CHROMANS DERIVATIVES MIXTURE COMPOSITIONS AGAINST LEISHMANIASIS, TRYPANOSOMIASIS AMERICANA, MALARIA, TRYPANOSOMIASIS AFRICANA AND FASCIOLA HEPATICA, is a composition of saponins and chromans derivatives. The saponins are triterpene types and chromans are hydrazones derivatives. This composition is a therapeutic agent against tropical diseases. |
| US09168263B2 |
Topically active steroids for use in interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
The present invention features methods of delivering corticosteroids or metabolites thereof for treating inflammatory conditions otherwise difficult to cure with topical administration. |
| US09168258B2 |
Methods and compositions for sleep disorders and other disorders
Use of particular substituted heterocycle fused gamma-carboline compounds as pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them for the treatment of one or more disorders involving the 5-HT2A, SERT and/or dopamine D2 pathways are disclosed. In addition, the compounds may be combined with other therapeutic agents for the treatment of one or more sleep disorders, depression, psychosis, dyskinesias, and/or Parkinson's disease or any combinations. |
| US09168255B2 |
Quinazoline compounds as sodium channel blockers
The invention relates to aryl substituted quinazolines of Formula I, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, or solvates thereof, wherein G, A, and R1-R4 are defined as set forth in the specification. The invention is also directed to the use of compounds of Formula I to treat a disorder responsive to the blockade of sodium channels. Compounds of the present invention are especially useful for treating pain. |
| US09168254B2 |
Polymorphs of ARRY-380, a selective HER 2 inhibitor and pharmaceutical compositions containing them
Polymorphs of N4-(4-([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-7-yloxy)-3-methylphenyl)-N6-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)quinazoline-4,6-diamine are provided herein. Processes for preparing the polymorphs and pharmaceutical composition comprising the polymorphs are also disclosed. |
| US09168253B2 |
Quinazoline compounds
Provided are certain quinazoline compounds, compositions thereof and methods of use thereof. These quinazoline compounds can effectively inhibit the overexpression and/or overactivity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). |
| US09168251B2 |
High dose buprenorphine compositions and use as analgesic
The present disclosure relates to a method of providing prolonged analgesia to a mammal in need thereof. Specifically, the current disclosure is directed to a method of treating pain in a mammal for a prolonged period of time using a single high dose of a buprenorphine formulation. |
| US09168248B2 |
Spiro compounds useful as inhibitors of stearoyl-coenzyme A delta-9 desaturase
Heteroaromatic compounds of structural formula (I) are selective inhibitors of stearoyl-coenzyme A delta-9 desaturase (SCD1) relative to other known stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturases. The compounds of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of conditions related to abnormal lipid synthesis and metabolism, including cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis; obesity; diabetes; neurological disease; metabolic syndrome; insulin resistance; and liver steatosis. |
| US09168244B2 |
Compounds for use in the treatment of filariasis
A method for a therapeutic treatment of filariasis includes administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the general formula (1) or at least one of racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers, solvates, hydrates, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and esters of general formula (1), wherein, R is selected from the group comprising n-propyl, n-butyl, and at least one of structural elements (2a), (2b), (3a), (3b), (4), (5), (6a), (6b), (7a), and (7b): |
| US09168243B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising 8-substituted dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans
Therapeutic compositions comprising at least one 8-substituted-dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan, preferably a lignan is selected from the group of nortrachelogenin, diasteromeric forms of nortrachelogenin, isomeric forms of nortrachelogenin and combinations thereof as well as 8-methylmatairesinol and 8-methyldimethylmatairesinol, for use in a method of treating cancer or a similar condition wherein the growth factor signaling pathway of a mammal is deregulated. The invention also provides therapeutic pharmaceutical combinations comprising a hydroxy-dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan and at least one TRAIL receptor agonist. The hydroxy-dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans and a TRAIL receptor agonist can be used as a combined preparation for administration to a patient simultaneously, separately or spaced out over a period of time in treating cancer. |
| US09168242B2 |
Isolation of a dual COX-2 and 5-lipdxygenase inhibitor from Acacia
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for alleviating inflammatory-associated diseases and conditions. These methods include administering individual and/or a mixture of multiple flavans isolated from a single or multiple Acacia genus of plants. The present disclosure also includes methods for isolating and purifying from an Acacia genus of plants a composition of flavans having dual specificity for cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzymes. |
| US09168240B2 |
Pet food compositions and methods for weight loss and maintenance
The present invention provides food compositions and methods for companion animals that are effective in preventing or treating obesity. |
| US09168239B2 |
Levothyroxine formulations
A levothyroxine composition includes levothyroxine sodium and mannitol. The composition is a lyophilized solid. The composition may include from 100 to 500 micrograms levothyroxine sodium and from 2 to 4 milligrams mannitol. |
| US09168236B2 |
Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting influenza viruses replication
The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting influenza virus replication. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compound selected from the group consisting of Gemcitabine, Obatoclax Mesylate, Docetaxel, HA-14, Alsterpaullone, GSK3B inhibitor VIII, GSK3B inhibitor XV, Indirubin 3′-monoxime, L glutathione reduced, Fluocinolone acetonide, Tirofiban, Topotecan hydrochloride, Clofarabine, Vinblastine, Menadione Crystalline and derivatives or analogues thereof for use in the treatment of an influenza infection in a subject in need thereof. |
| US09168235B2 |
Aqueous patches containing diclofenac sodium
An aqueous patch containing diclofenac sodium, wherein the patch contains a homogeneous mixed solution of diclofenac sodium, wherein the solution is obtained by mixing crotamiton, diclofenac sodium and water in the mixture ratio of crotamiton/diclofenac sodium of 8.0 or less and the mixture ratio of (water+crotamiton)/diclofenac sodium of 3.0-20.0. |
| US09168229B2 |
Soft gelatin capsules
The present invention relates to soft gelatin capsules characterized in that the shell includes a cyclodextrin and in that the filling material contains a liposoluble drug capable of forming a complex with said cyclodextrin for improving the solubility of the active ingredient upon disintegration of the soft gelatin capsule. |
| US09168226B1 |
Injectable particle
The present invention provides an injectable particle comprising dasatinib acetate and a hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid may be acetylated or sulfated. The particle is for the use of cancer therapy. The injectable particle may further comprises an acid, wherein the acid is dispersed evenly in the matrix of the injectable particle. |
| US09168222B2 |
Nasolacrimal drainage system implants for drug therapy
An implant for insertion through a punctum and into a canalicular lumen of a patient. The implant includes a matrix of material, a therapeutic agent dispersed in the matrix of material, a sheath disposed over a portion of the matrix of material and configured to inhibit the therapeutic agent from being released from the matrix of material into the canalicular lumen and to allow the therapeutic agent to be released from a surface of the matrix of material to a tear film, and a retention structure configured to retain the implant within the canalicular lumen. |
| US09168219B2 |
Compositions comprising Paulownia tomentosa wood extracts and uses thereof
Provided are compositions comprising an extract of Paulownia tomentosa wood and methods of use thereof. |
| US09168217B2 |
Gentle oxidative hair treatment with oxidizing agent and special starch derivative
The present specification provides for an oxidative hair treatment agent. The agent includes, in a cosmetic carrier, a combination of at least one oxidizing agent and at least one modified starch. The modified starch is modified by propylene oxide, has an average molecular weight between 50 and 2500 kiloDaltons (kDa), and has a propylene oxide content between 0.1 and 20.0 weight percent (wt %) based on the weight of the modified starch. |
| US09168201B2 |
Ampoules
An ampoule made of plastics material, for liquid or suspension pharmaceuticals, has a reservoir linked to a removable head by a channel in a neck portion. The channel has a trap, thus located between its reservoir and the head, in the form of an elongated restriction and/or a bend to trap liquid or suspension which may settle during storage, and prevent either reaching the head. |
| US09168200B2 |
Microneedle patch container
The present invention provides a microneedle patch container for effectively and hygienically securing a microneedle patch from manufacture to use. The container has a bottom surface recessed from the peripheral portion towards the center, a side surface connected to the bottom surface and the peripheral portion, and a bottom-surface protruding portion protruding from the bottom surface. The flexible release-type sheet portion of the microneedle patch is secured to the protruding portion on the bottom surface. A lid can also be used which has a recessed portion pressing against the microneedle patch secured to the bottom-surface protruding portion of the container in the position corresponding to the bottom-surface protruding portion. This is preferably housed inside a pouch molded from sterilized paper or sterilized film in order to keep the microneedle patch in an aseptic state. |
| US09168194B2 |
Incubator and method thereof
An incubator to maintain environmental conditions suitable for an infant is provided. The incubator comprises a vertical support structure with a plurality of horizontal columns connected to a bottom end of the vertical support structure to form a base portion. A crib is mounted on to the vertical support structure above the base portion for supporting the infant. The crib comprises a base plate and a plurality of plates arranged in a predetermined manner to form side walls of the crib. At least one dispenser nozzle is provided in the side walls for supplying water vapors to the crib. A humidification system, attachable at least to the base portion of the incubator, is fluidly connected to the inlets of the dispenser nozzles for supplying the water vapors. A radiant warmer is mounted on a top end of the vertical support structure for supplying radiant heat energy to the crib. |
| US09168190B2 |
Ramp comprising a lateral barrier
The invention relates to a boarding aid (20) for a motor vehicle, in particular a sliding step of a door entry of a passenger transportation vehicle, said boarding aid being capable of being moved from an idle position into a usage position and back in a direction, which runs parallel to the side edges (28), and encompassing a planar element (22), a front side, two side edges (28), and a rear side. The planar element (22), on its side edges (28), encompasses barriers (30), which can be moved from a first upright position, in which they extend upwards in relation to a stepping surface of the planar element (22), into a second lowered position and vice versa, wherein the movement of the barriers (30 is effected by moving the planar element (22). |
| US09168186B2 |
Absorbent core having varied basis weight of absorbent material and adhesive
An absorbent core comprising a substrate layer and an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer comprising an absorbent material and a thermoplastic adhesive material; the absorbent core has longitudinal and transverse dimensions and consists of nine transverse segments in its longitudinal dimension and six longitudinal segments in its transverse dimension; in each of the transverse segments and longitudinal segments, the absorbent layer has average basis weights of absorbent material of thermoplastic adhesive material; the basis weights of the absorbent layer in at least one of the transverse segments are lower than the basis weights of the absorbent layer in at least one other of the transverse segments; and the basis weights of the absorbent layer in at least one of the longitudinal segments are lower than the basis weights of the absorbent layer in at least one other of the longitudinal segments. |
| US09168173B2 |
Apparatus and methods for performing enhanced visually directed procedures under low ambient light conditions
The apparatus and methods of the present invention in a broad aspect provide novel visualization platforms for performing enhanced visually directed procedures on target objects or tissues under low ambient light conditions. The visualization platforms can be included with or retro-fit to existing optical systems such as stereomicroscopes and include at least one high resolution photosensor capable of acquiring a plurality of optical views of the target object or tissue in at least one wavelength outside of the wavelengths of normal visible light. A resultant real-time high resolution video signal is transmitted from the photosensor to at least one high resolution video display that can be viewed by the apparatus or process operator. |
| US09168172B1 |
Process for treating glaucoma
A process for treating glaucoma whereby the treatment can be accomplished by the use of medication or by surgery, or both, in order to control or prevent the occurrence of glaucoma. The optic nerve is aligned within and between two distinct pressurized spaces and within the dural sheath, the intraocular space and the intracranial space having an intraocular pressure (IOP) and an intracranial pressure (ICP), respectively. Medicine can be administered to raise the intracranial pressure in order to reach a desirable lower translaminar pressure difference across these two pressurized spaces which are separated by the lamina cribrosa in order to treat glaucoma. An alternate closely related mode of the treatment process is the implanting of a shunt substantially between the intraocular space and the intracranial space in order to beneficially equalize pressure differentials across the intraocular space and the intracranial space. |
| US09168170B2 |
Systems, devices and methods for bilateral caloric vestibular stimulation
An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device. |
| US09168165B2 |
Squat and lunge training device
A device which restricts movement of the knee during lunge and squatting exercises prevents weight imbalance which may result in undue strain and knee injury. The device has a foot engagement member stepped upon by the user and held in place by the user's weight, or the foot engagement member conforms to the side of the user's foot and is held in place by a strap. Attached to the foot engagement is a vertical member extending upwardly from the foot engagement member. A shin engagement member attached to the vertical member is generally positioned in a position along the lower leg of the user, below the knee and laterally adjacent to the user's tibia. As the user performs exercise, the shin engagement member prevents the user's knees from forward movement which extends forward of the user's feet. The device also has structure which prevents inward collapse of the knees. |
| US09168164B2 |
Device to release a self-expanding implant
A device to release from an implant bed in the device a self-expanding implant by pulling back proximally, the length of the implant, a rolling membrane with an inner sleeve that extends distally to the distal end of the implant and an outer sleeve that extends proximally, from the distal end of the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve, during said release, pulling the distal end of the inner sleeve back proximally over the abluminal surface of the remainder of the inner sleeve, proximal of its distal end, the device having a slitter, that is caused to move proximally contemporaneously with the outer sleeve, to slit the inner sleeve progressively, starting at a distal point in the inner sleeve, and progressing proximally along the length of the inner sleeve. |
| US09168158B2 |
Smooth rollover insole for prosthetic foot
A prosthetic foot includes a foot member, a heel member operatively coupled to the foot member. At least one of the heel member and foot member define an arch portion that faces a support surface that the prosthetic foot contacts during use. An insole member contacts said arch portion, the insole member configured to facilitate a rollover of the prosthetic foot in at least one of a lateral-medial and a medial-lateral direction during ambulation. |
| US09168157B2 |
Sealing sheath for prosthetic liner and related methods
The sealing sheath is for use with a prosthetic socket and associated liner. The sealing sheath includes a textile tube for surrounding at least a portion of a liner that is configured to wear on a residual limb. An annular seal, e.g. an elastomeric or silicone seal, is positioned adjacent a proximal end of the textile tube and continuously extends from an inside of the textile tube configured to be adjacent the liner, through the textile tube to an outside thereof configured to be adjacent an inside of the prosthetic socket. The annular seal may include a first wing on an inside of the textile tube configured to be adjacent the liner, a second wing on an outside of the textile tube configured to be adjacent an inside of the prosthetic socket, and a base connecting lower ends of the first and second wings to define a v-shaped cross-section of the annular seal. |
| US09168154B2 |
Prosthesis installation systems and methods
A system and method for allowing any surgeon, including those surgeons who perform a fewer number of a replacement procedure as compared to a more experienced surgeon who performs a greater number of procedures, to provide an improved likelihood of a favorable outcome approaching, if not exceeding, a likelihood of a favorable outcome as performed by a very experienced surgeon with the replacement procedure. |
| US09168153B2 |
Surgical alignment using references
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable storage media, for surgical alignment using references. In one general aspect, a method includes coupling a guide to a joint, the guide defining an axis and having an outer contour formed to substantially conform to a portion of the joint. The first reference is attached at a fixed position relative to the joint. A positioning system is used to determine a position of the axis relative to the first reference, where the position of the axis is determined based upon the position of the guide while the guide is coupled to the joint. The guide is removed from the joint, and after the guide is removed from the joint, an instrument is positioned relative to the axis based on a position of a second reference relative to the first reference. |
| US09168149B2 |
Total disc replacement system and related methods
Total disc replacement systems and related methods involving a lateral, trans-psoas surgical approach to the spine while performing at least one of continuous and intermittent intra-operative neural monitoring of the psoas muscle to avoid injury during introduction. |
| US09168146B2 |
Artificial disc replacements with natural kinematics
This invention improves upon prior art total disc replacements (TDRs) by more closely replicating the kinematics of a natural disc. The preferred embodiments feature two or more fixed centers of rotation (CORs) and an optional variable COR (VCOR) as the artificial disk replacement (ADR) translates from a fixed posterior COR that lies posterior to the COR of the TDR to facilitate normal disc motion. The use of two or more CORs allows more flexion and more extension than permitted by the facet joints and the artificial facet (AF). AF joint-like components may also be incorporated into the design to restrict excessive translation, rotation, and/or lateral bending. |
| US09168145B2 |
Posterior stabilized orthopaedic knee prosthesis having controlled condylar curvature
An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The femoral component includes a posterior cam configured to contact a spine of the tibial bearing and a condyle surface curved in the sagittal plane. The radius of curvature of the condyle surface decreases gradually between early-flexion and mid-flexion. Additionally, in some embodiments, the posterior cam of the femoral component may include a concave cam surface and a convex cam surface. |
| US09168142B2 |
Porous surface layers with increased surface roughness and implants incorporating the same
Systems and methods for providing tissue-interfacing surface layers with increased roughness can be attained by providing a metallic powder to a machined or previously machined tissue-interfacing surface of a porous foam structure. The metallic powder can have sizes and characteristics such that the porous structure can have an increased roughness at the tissue-interfacing machined surface while inhibiting the occlusion of the open pores in the porous metallic foam structure. |
| US09168140B2 |
Perforated osteochondral allograft compositions
Osteochondral graft composition comprising a cartilage component and a bone component, and further comprising one or more perforations in the bone component and/or the cartilage component, are provided. Methods of manufacturing and using osteochondral graft compositions comprising one or more perforations in the bone component and/or the cartilage component are also provided. |
| US09168139B2 |
Vertical bone augmentation using endothelial progenitor cells
A method of facilitating augmentation of osseous tissue on a surface of a bone is disclosed. The method includes combining a scaffolding, an enclosure substantially enclosing the scaffolding relatively to the surface of the bone and a cell culture seeded onto the scaffolding. |
| US09168137B2 |
Transvalvular intraannular band for aortic valve repair
Aortic regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the aortic annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the aortic valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy. |
| US09168136B2 |
Methods for deploying self-expanding heart valves
A method for delivering and implanting a prosthetic heart valve in a native aortic valve is provided. The method comprises advancing the prosthetic heart valve through a patient's vasculature while the prosthetic heart valve is coupled to a mechanical deployment mechanism along a distal end portion of a catheter shaft. The prosthetic heart valve is permitted to self-expand from a contracted configuration to an initial expanded configuration. The mechanical deployment mechanism is then actuated via an operating handle to further expand the prosthetic heart valve to a fully expanded configuration while equilibrating the rate of the expansion of the proximal and distal ends of the prosthetic heart valve. The prosthetic heart valve is locked in the fully expanded configuration via a mechanical locking device disposed on the prosthetic heart valve. |
| US09168134B2 |
Method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve with an expansion member
Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. |
| US09168124B2 |
Methods of making reinforced soft grafts with suture loop/needle construct
Surgical constructs and methods for tissue to bone repair employing a tissue construct reinforced with a reinforcement (reinforcing) material such as suture, tape, weave or mesh, among many others. The reinforced construct preferably includes a stitched reinforced region formed by employing a suture loop construct with a free floating needle that is attached to the suture loop, and also with a piece of material (a reinforcement or reinforcing material) attached to the suture loop. The reinforced construct may be attached to any fixation device and/or any bone tunnel. |
| US09168123B2 |
Endovascular graft having a cannulation pocket
A stent graft for placement in a lumen of a patient is disclosed. The stent graft comprises: a main tubular body of a biocompatible graft material having a main lumen, the main tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end; a side arm extending from the main tubular body, the side arm having a side arm lumen, the side arm lumen being in fluid communication with the main lumen through a side arm opening in the main tubular body; and a cannulation pocket. The pocket comprises: an exit aperture positioned opposite the side arm opening; an entry aperture longitudinally spaced from the entry aperture in a direction toward the distal end of the main tubular body; and a wall, the wall laterally spaced from the main lumen so as to provide a guide surface for a cannula fed through the entry aperture. |
| US09168118B2 |
Implantable attachment device, implant for treating prolapse of the pelvic floor comprising such a device and kit comprising said device
The present invention relates to an implantable attachment device comprising an elongate element which is tubular flexible and hollow delimiting an internal volume comprising a tightening loop, having a first circumference in the inactive position, formed by the portion of said tubular element in said internal volume between intake and outlet openings distant by a length. The device comprises blocking means of said portion in the internal volume of said elongate element, which can be deactivated under the effect of manual traction exerted on the first or second end of said elongate element, said traction enabling the sliding of said elongate element between said orifices and correlatively the formation of the tightening loop having a second circumference in the active position, the second circumference being less than the first circumference. |
| US09168114B2 |
Method of making a dental prosthesis
A method of making a dental crown or bridge restoration includes forming a precursor crown outside of a patient's mouth with a first restorative material, with a buccal contour on the buccal wall substantially the same as a buccal contour on a final crown restoration, and an open space on or around at least one of the mesial side wall or the distal side wall; and filling and securing a second material, different from the first restorative material, inside the open space or pocket of the precursor crown while outside the patient's mouth, and with the precursor crown having a strength substantially equivalent to the final crown restoration, and with the buccal contour being substantially the same as the buccal contour on the final crown, prior to filling and securing the second material. |
| US09168109B2 |
Mold for dental copings and copings produced by using the mold
A mold for producing a coping used in a dental implant includes a male component having a protrusion and a female screw forming part. The mold further includes a female component having a recess and a male screw forming part having a different rotation direction from that of the female screw forming part. A cavity for producing the coping is formed by combining the male and female components. Since the mold includes a male component having a female screw forming part, and a female component having a male screw forming part with a different rotation direction than the female screw forming part, a produced coping may be easily separated from the male and female components. |
| US09168105B2 |
Device for surgical interventions
A device for locating an operational unit within a patient's body within the framework of a minimally-invasive surgery intervention includes a shaft having a distal end carrying an operational unit. The device includes an illuminator located at the distal end of the shaft. The illuminator is selectively adjustable to provide a selectively variable lighting field in correspondence with the operational unit. The device may be, for example, a delivery system for a heart valve or a balloon device for post-dilation of such a heart valve once implanted. |
| US09168100B2 |
Methods and instruments for subchondral treatment of osteoarthritis in a small joint
Devices, instruments and associated methods for the subchondral treatment of osteoarthritis in small joints are provided. In addition, a method for treating joint pain in small joints is provided. These small joints may be ankle, elbow or wrist joints. The methods may target one of many different access points having trajectories with a common focal point at or near the small joint. The instruments may limit access to areas within or near the small joint by providing predefined entry paths that avoid damage to surrounding tissues. |
| US09168095B2 |
High-frequency treatment device
A high-frequency treatment device includes a tubular body having a front end portion and a rear end portion; an operating handle having a high-frequency port and a main push rod extending through the body, the operating handle slidably fitted to the body; a front tube having a rear end portion connected to the front end portion of the body; an auxiliary push rod rotatably connected to the main push rod, the auxiliary push rod extending into the front tube; a wire fixed to the auxiliary push rod, the wire extending through the front tube; a rotary knob rotatably attached to the body, the rotary knob configured to rotate together with the auxiliary push rod and the wire; and an arc-shaped knife fixed to the wire and connected to the high-frequency port of the operating handle via the wire, the auxiliary push rod and the main push rod. |
| US09168067B2 |
Connection assembly
An orthopedic connection assembly is described that comprises a housing member for receiving an implant that is operably connected to a receiving member for receiving an anchor member. The connection assembly is configured to have a locking mechanism that secures and fixes the relative orientation between the implant and the anchor member. The connection assembly can comprise a plate member receivable within the housing member. When a securing member such as a set screw is introduced downwardly into the housing member to secure the implant, the securing member applies a lateral force to the plate member, which presses against an interference member within the receiving member. The interference member presses against the anchor member, such that the anchor member is fixed in a position relative to the implant. |
| US09168061B1 |
Uterine clamp for treating postpartum hemorrhage and facilitating uterine repairs
A medical clamp for holding a uterus includes a first and second curved plates that capture between them the major exterior walls of the uterus, and an operating handle having pivotally connected first and second actuating arms, each of which has a distal portion and a proximal portion with a grip for a user, whereby the distal portions are moved toward each other when the user moves the grips toward each other to capture the uterus between the plates. Ball-and-socket joints connect the distal handle portions of the actuating arms to respective plates. The ball-and socket joints enable rapid positioning of the clamp on the uterus to arrest emergency postpartum hemorrhaging, assist in exerting pressure on the uterus over the entire extent of the plates, facilitate manipulation of the uterus using the clamp, and permit other surgical interventions to be performed with the clamp in place. |
| US09168058B2 |
Laparoscopic scalpel and method for use
A laparoscopic scalpel includes a shaft and a recess disposed in a surface of the shaft proximal to a distal end of the shaft. A blade is attached to the shaft. The blade includes a cutting edge having a portion exposed by the recess and oriented outwardly from the recess. A proximal end of the portion of the cutting edge exposed by the recess is disposed further from the surface than is a distal end of the portion of the cutting edge exposed by the recess. |
| US09168055B2 |
Ultrasonic surgical shears and method for sealing a blood vessel using same
An ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade, a clamping arm operable to open and close toward the blade, and a tissue pad attached to the clamping arm. A method for sealing a blood vessel of a patient includes obtaining an ultrasonic surgical shears and positioning the blood vessel between the blade and the tissue pad. The clamping arm is operated to exert an average coaptation pressure on the blood vessel between and including 60 psi and 210 psi. The blade is ultrasonically vibrated to transect and seal the blood vessel. |
| US09168054B2 |
Surgical generator for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices
A control circuit of a surgical device is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first circuit portion coupled to at least one switch operable between an open state and a closed state. The first circuit portion communicates with a surgical generator over a conductor pair to receive a control signal to determine a state of the at least one switch. |
| US09168047B2 |
Minimally invasive discectomy
Systems and methods for minimally invasive discectomy procedures are described herein. The systems include a bendable flexible cannula may have a straight configuration suitable for insertion and withdrawal into spinal tissue, and a curved configuration suitable for accessing certain areas of a vertebral disc that may be difficult to reach in the straight configuration. A cannula is straightened by inserting a straight stylet therethrough. The straight stylet may have a deflectable region that facilitates its insertion into the cannula. Removal of a straight stylet from a cannula may allow the cannula to assume its curved configuration. The systems may be used with tissue removal devices, and certain variations of tissue removal devices may include a collector for aspiration, as well as a travel limiter to restrict inadvertent motions of the tissue removal devices within a vertebral structure. |
| US09168046B2 |
Surgical sliding shaft instrument and sliding shaft
In order to improve a sliding shaft for a surgical sliding shaft instrument, wherein the sliding shaft defines a longitudinal direction and comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part which are arranged such that they are displaceable relative to each other, wherein said first shaft part carries a first tool element and said second shaft part carries a second tool element, wherein the second shaft part has a cut material collector with an inlet opening which is bounded by the second tool part and extends therefrom in the proximal direction, such that the cut material collector can be emptied in a simple and rapid manner, it is proposed that the cut material collector should have at least one emptying opening which is formed on the proximal side of the inlet opening and that the at least one emptying opening should be open in a lateral emptying direction which is oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction and parallel or substantially parallel to a contact plane defined by a lower surface of the second shaft part. |
| US09168041B2 |
Pediatric esophageal atresia magnetic anastomosis system
A system and a method for joining an upper and lower esophageal sacs in an infant are provided. The system includes a first elongate member having a first magnet, the first magnet including an end portion configured to abut an interior surface of the upper esophageal sac. The system also includes a second elongate member having a second magnet, the second magnet including an end portion configured to abut an interior surface of the lower esophageal sac. The system further includes a third elongate member having a third magnet and a spacer positioned distal to the third magnet. The third elongate member is positionable in the upper esophageal sac after the first elongate member has been removed. A magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet is configured to pull the first magnet and the second magnet towards each other to lengthen the upper and lower esophageal sacs. |
| US09168034B2 |
Suture anchor
There is described a suture anchor with anchor members moveable as between a suture-unlocked configuration and suture-locked configuration. In one embodiment, the anchor members include an outer anchor member with features, e.g., flexible barbs, configured to secure the suture anchor in the suture-locked configuration to material proximate a pre-formed hole in bone material. The outer anchor member is also configured with a bore to receive suture material, and which is sized and shaped to receive an inner anchor member therein. The inner anchor member includes securing features such as projections that compress the suture material against the surface of the bore when the suture anchor is actuated from the suture-unlocked configuration to the suture-locked configuration. |
| US09168022B2 |
Abdominal sonar system and apparatus
An abdominal sonar includes an ultrasound transducer array with a plurality of ultrasound transducers. The abdominal sonar further includes at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor individually operates the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor receives reflected ultrasound signals back from each of the plurality of ultrasound transducers and the at least one additional ultrasound transducer and converts the received reflected ultrasound signals into an audio signal. A system for monitoring a pregnancy includes an ultrasound transducer array and at least one additional ultrasound transducer. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the ultrasound transducer array and the at least one ultrasound transducer. The digital signal processor converts received raw fetal heart and uterine activity waveforms into an audio signal. A wireless transmitter broadcasts the received audio signal. A wireless receiver receives the broadcast audio signal. A patient monitor extracts the raw fetal heart and uterine activity waveforms from the audio signal and processes the waveforms to obtain an indication of fetal heart rate and an indication of uterine activity. |
| US09168020B2 |
Frequency domain analysis transform of renal blood flow doppler signal to determine stress levels
A method of determining stress based on renal blood flow. The method includes receiving data indicating renal blood flow of a subject. The method also includes calculating a power spectrum of a signal derived from the data. The power spectrum indicates a stress level of the subject. |
| US09168019B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic device
An ultrasonic diagnostic device is characterized by being provided with a cooling mechanism for cooling an ultrasonic vibrator by circulating a refrigerant in a cable of an ultrasonic probe in which the ultrasonic vibrator is provided, a cooling abnormality detecting means for detecting the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism, and an operating means for, when the abnormal state of the cooling mechanism is detected by the cooling abnormality detecting means, performing a degraded operation in which the transmission/reception condition of the ultrasonic vibrator is changed according to the detected abnormal state. |
| US09168018B2 |
System and method for classifying a heart sound
A method and system for electronically classifying a pre-processed heart sound signal of a patient as functional (normal) or pathological is provided. The pre-processed patient heart sound signal is segmentised and features are extracted therefrom (104) to build up a feature vector which is representative of the heart sound signal. The feature vector is then fed to a diagnostic decision support network (105) comprising a plurality of artificial neural networks, each relating to a known heart pathology, which is in turn used to conduct the classification. |
| US09168017B2 |
Ambient noise canceling physiological acoustic monitoring system and method
The present invention is an ambient noise canceling physiological acoustic monitoring system and method. The system and method utilizes a plurality of microphones to collect input data including ambient noise signals, bed frame noise signals and patient respiratory and cardiac data signals. The system and method cancels the ambient noise and bed frame noise signals, and calculates a filtered audio output signal with an algorithm that utilizes ECG rhythm patterns and impedance pneumography. The set of input data and the filtered audio output signal are then displayed in real time. |
| US09168015B2 |
Method and apparatus for gate specific MR-based attenuation correction of time-gated PET studies
A method for attenuation correction of a plurality of time-gated PET images of a moving structure includes establishing an ACF matrix, based on a baseline MR image of the structure; developing a plurality of image transforms, each of the image transforms registering the baseline MR image to a respective cine MR image of the moving structure; applying each of the image transforms to the ACF matrix to generate a corresponding cine ACF matrix; time-correlating each of the cine MR images, and its corresponding cine ACF matrix, to one of the plurality of time-gated PET data sets; and producing from each of the time-gated PET data sets an attenuation-corrected time-gated PET image. |
| US09168013B2 |
Breast density assessment
The present invention relates to mammography. To provide breast density assessment with improved accuracy in the results, a method (100) is proposed for providing mammography information about an object of interest, the region of interest comprising a tissue structure, with the following steps: a) acquiring (110) first image data (112) with first image acquisition parameters (114), wherein the first image parameters are adapted to a first radiation spectrum of a dual energy mode; and wherein the first image acquisition is performed with a low X-ray dosage of a pre-scan; b) acquiring (116) second image data (118) with second image acquisition parameters (120), wherein the second image parameters are adapted to a second radiation spectrum of the dual energy mode, and wherein the second image acquisition is performed with a higher X-ray dosage than the first image acquisition, and wherein the second image acquisition is a Mammography scan; c) performing (122) a dual energy basis material decomposition (124) based on the first and second image data to generate decomposed basis material image data (126); and d) deriving (128) a density information (130) of the tissue structure of the region of interest from the decomposed basis material image data; and providing (132) the density information to a user. |
| US09168011B2 |
Radiography system, console and electronic cassette
For identification of individual electronic cassettes, a different label is attached to each of the electronic cassettes. Selection buttons for selecting one of the electronic cassettes are provided on a console in correspondence with the respective electronic cassettes. A cassette ID is assigned to each of the electronic cassettes, and the console communicates with the selected electronic cassette using the cassette ID assigned to the selected electronic cassette. Data of correspondence between the cassette ID and the label is memorized for each electronic cassette. The same label is displayed on the selection button as the label on the corresponding electronic cassette, allowing confirming whether the electronic cassette actually positioned for imaging coincides with the electronic cassette selected on the console. |
| US09168010B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus and medical image processing apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus including: an imaging unit which includes an X-ray tube that emits an X-ray to a subject and an X-ray detector that is so disposed as to face the X-ray tube; an input unit which inputs a plurality of imaging conditions including a tube current and a tube voltage of the X-ray tube, and sets an imaging protocol of the imaging unit; and an image creation unit which calculates an exposed dose when at least the tube voltage or the tube current is varied, and creates an index image that is made by overlapping an image showing the exposed dose on a two-dimensional map that is represented by the tube voltage and the tube current. |
| US09168009B2 |
Fluoroscopy type four-point frame for spine surgery
The present invention relates to a fluoroscopy type four-point frame for spine surgery comprising an upper support plate, two pairs of slide seats, a pair of slide rails and two pairs of support cushions. The left and right side defined at the front and rear of the upper support plate are respectively provided with a pair of the slide seats connected through the slide rail, thereby allowing each of the slide seats to slide towards left and right at the corresponding edge of the upper support plate. The front and rear of the pair of the slide rails are respectively provided with a pair of the support cushions, thereby allowing each of the support cushions to forwardly and backwardly slide on the corresponding slide rail; because the frame for spine surgery is made of a non-metal material, no interference of metal component is generated when spine fluoroscopy is processed. |
| US09168008B2 |
Coarse segmented detector architecture and method of making same
A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, the rotatable gantry having a detector mounting surface, an x-ray source attached to the gantry and configured to project an x-ray beam toward the object, a plurality of detector modules each mounted within one field-of-view (FOV) and mounted directly to the detector mounting surface of the rotatable gantry, a data acquisition system (DAS) configured to receive outputs from at least one of the plurality of detector modules, and a computer programmed to acquire projections of imaging data of the object from the DAS, and generate an image of the object using the imaging data. |
| US09168007B2 |
Computer-aided diagnostic apparatus
A computer aided diagnostic system according to the invention is characterized in that first sick portion detecting means for detecting a sick portion candidate based upon an image acquired by a first modality, second sick portion detecting means for detecting a sick portion candidate based upon an image related to the same region of interest of the same subject and acquired by a second modality different from the modality, detection result synthesizing means for comparing the results of detection by the first and second sick portion detecting means and correspondence displaying means for relating the position of the sick portion candidate detected by the first sick portion detecting means on an image analyzed by the second sick portion detecting means and displaying it and for relating the position of the sick portion candidate detected by the second sick portion detecting means on an image analyzed by the first sick portion detecting means and displaying it are provided. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the computer aided diagnostic system that enables a double check comparing images acquired by plural apparatuses can be provided. |
| US09168006B2 |
Systems and methods for wirelessly controlling medical devices
Systems and methods for wirelessly controlling medical devices are provided. One system includes a portable user interface having a housing and a communication module within the housing configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one medical device. The portable user interface also includes a display displaying a graphical user interface to control the at least one medical device remotely, wherein the displayed graphical user interface corresponds to a control interface of the at least one medical device. |
| US09168005B2 |
Minimally-invasive procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ
A minimally-invasive surgical procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision in the body to enable access to the organ. An endoscopic instrument is then inserted through the first incision and a second incision is made therewith through an external wall of the organ and into the internal cavity thereof. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that the second incision is occluded by the unit and a proximal end of the unit is outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element adapted to sense the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The first incision is closed, after which a readout device outside the body telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter. |
| US09168002B2 |
Device and method for measuring radiation exposure
Garments and methods for monitoring radiation exposure and cumulative radiation exposure in individuals undergoing repeated exposure to ionizing radiation are disclosed. |
| US09168001B2 |
Adhesively mounted apparatus for determining physiological and contextual status
The invention comprises an apparatus for determining the contextual or physiological status of the individual wearing the apparatus. The apparatus is designed to be consumable or disposable. In most embodiments the invention comprises an adhesive housing. In some embodiments, two different sensors are secured to the housing. The apparatus is in electronic communication with a processing unit that can derive analytical status data by using the data received from the two sensors. In some embodiments, the processing unit is programmed to control other devices, or is programmed to trigger an event. In still other embodiments, the apparatus is in electronic communication with a separate computing device, which may contain the processing unit. |
| US09167997B2 |
Self-flowing measuring system
The invention relates to a method and arrangement for continuously measuring substances in a pressurised body fluid. A probe (202) for enabling continuous measurement of the concentration of one or more substances in a pressurized body fluid is provided. The probe is adapted to be inserted into the pressurized body fluid, and comprises an interface and an outlet lumen. Furthermore, the probe is configured so that a continuous and spontaneous fluid flow is established from the body fluid through the interface to the outlet lumen. The fluid flow from the outlet may be analyzed by a sensor. |
| US09167990B2 |
Optical capsule and spectroscopic method for treating and diagnosing the intestinal tract
A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating disorders or other diseases, disorders or conditions (e.g., bleeding, ischemic or necrotic tissue, and presence of certain chemicals or substances) of the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract and sensing optical characteristics as the capsule passes through. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of optical characteristics may be derived from the pass of a capsule to diagnose the disorder or disease. The capsule or subsequently passed capsules may treat, further diagnose or mark the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. |
| US09167989B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring parameters in joint replacement surgery
A computer-implemented method for determining changes in parameters of a hip joint due to modification of the hip joint comprises establishing a first position of a pre-operative center of rotation of the joint in a first coordinate space. The method further comprises estimating a second position of the pre-operative center of rotation of the joint in the first coordinate space, when the estimated pre-operative center of rotation is maintained in a constant position in a second coordinate space. A change in a parameter associated with the joint is determined based on the first and second positions of the pre-operative center of rotation of the joint. |
| US09167987B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus collects raw data about a subject in a synchronized manner with an electrocardiographic signal of the subject. An Electrocardiogram (ECG) gating unit detects an irregular synchronization interval with respect to the electrocardiographic signal. When the ECG gating unit detects an irregular synchronization interval, a real-time sequencer controls a gradient magnetic-field power source, a transmitting unit, and the like so as to reacquire raw data that is acquired during the irregular synchronization interval. |
| US09167980B2 |
Detection and monitoring using high frequency electrogram analysis
A method for analyzing a high frequency (HF) electrogram signal including (a) providing at least one electrogram signal from an electrode located within a subject's body, (b) measuring the electrogram signal at a high frequency during a specific segment of a cardiac cycle, generating a HF electrogram signal, and (c) having a computer measure at least one time-varying parameter of the HF electrogram signal. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US09167978B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for a skull/brain interface
Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for directing and focusing signals to the brain for neuromodulation and for directing and focusing signals or other energy from the brain for measurement, heat transfer and imaging. An aperture in the skull and/or a channel device implantable in the skull can be used to facilitate direction and focusing. Treatment and diagnosis of multiple neurological conditions may be facilitated with the disclosed systems, methods and devices. |
| US09167975B1 |
Motion resistant device to monitor heart rate in ambulatory patients
A method and system for continuous, mobile, ambulatory diagnostic monitoring for heart rate disease and abnormal conditions is disclosed herein. This device overcomes the prior art problems and allows for a continuous heart rate to be collected and recorded for extended time frames equivalent to a Holter monitor or special pulse oximeter. |
| US09167974B2 |
Method and system for patient-specific modeling of blood flow
Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model. |
| US09167972B2 |
Systems and methods for non-contact biometric sensing
A non-contact biometric sensing device is described. The device includes a processing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the processing device, a display communicatively coupled to the processing device, a laser doppler vibrometer sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device, and an infrared camera communicatively coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to utilize mechanical motion data received from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and thermal distributions data from the infrared camera to calculate biometric data, when signals originating from the laser doppler vibrometer sensor and the infrared camera are reflected back towards the device from a target. |
| US09167968B2 |
Apparatus to measure the instantaneous patients' acuity value
In a patient monitoring system (10), shorter interval physiological parameters and longer interval clinical data are collected from a monitored patient (12). A composite acuity score generator (70) generates or updates a composite acuity score indicative of wellbeing of the patient (12) based at least on the sensed physiological parameters and the longer interval data. A monitor (22, 56) displays current values of at least one of selected sensed physiological parameters, longer interval data, and the composite acuity score. |
| US09167965B2 |
Instrument for rapid measurement of the optical properties of the eye in the entire field of vision
An instrument measuring optical properties of an eye in an entire field of vision, including refraction and aberrations, including: a frame mounted on an ophthalmologic table that can be oriented in three perpendicular directions X, Y, Z; a support surface for a head of the subject; a hot mirror; a long mirror; an illumination sub-assembly including a fiber optic head; a lens; a diaphragm; a beam splitter; and a measurement sub-assembly with two lens and two mirrors; a camera including a matrix of micro-lenses on the inlet of camera, the camera being placed on the focal plane of the micro-lenses; the frame including a motor, a shaft of which rotates in the Y direction, to which an arm is attached that can rotate on the shaft; components of the illumination sub-assembly, components of a measurement sub-assembly, and the camera with the matrix of micro-lenses being mounted on the arm. |
| US09167960B2 |
Endoscope system, processor device thereof, and image producing method
First and second white light is generated by excitations of phosphors with first and second laser beams having center wavelengths of 473 nm and 445 nm, respectively. The first and second white light is applied, in respective frames, sequentially to a region of interest in a subject. A color image sensor images the region of interest in the each frame. Based on a shift amount, calculated from green signals of first and second frames, between images, an image of a blue signal of the first frame is moved to be aligned with an image of a green signal and an image of a red signal of the second frame. After the alignment, an oxygen saturation image representing an oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in blood is produced from the blue signal of the first frame and green and red signals of the second frame. |
| US09167957B2 |
Probe
A probe which is inserted into a lumen of inside of a body, irradiates an observation object part of a physiological tissue with excitation light, and detects fluorescence resulting from the excitation light, wherein the probe including: a plus lens arranged facing toward a tip side of the probe; and a plurality of optical fibers receiving the fluorescence at tip surfaces through the plus lens, wherein the tip surface are directed toward the plus lens and arranged in positions offset from an optical axis of the plus lens, wherein positions of the tip surface of at least optical fibers of which an amount of offset from the optical axis of the plus lens differ mutually among plurality of optical fibers are shifted mutually along the optical axis of the plus lens. |
| US09167955B2 |
Protective cap for arthroscopic instruments
A protective cap for use on arthroscopic instruments and sheaths disposed over arthroscopic instruments. The cap protects the distal end of the instrument from accidental damage caused by other instruments used during a surgical procedure. The portion of the cap that covers a view port on an arthroscope is transparent in order to allow a user to see through the instrument and through the cap. |
| US09167951B2 |
Dishwasher appliance having energy recovery features
Dishwasher appliances are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning, a sump for collecting liquid from the chamber, a fluid circulation conduit for circulating liquid in the tub, and a first pump downstream of and in fluid communication with the sump. The dishwasher appliance further includes an adsorption assembly, the adsorption assembly including a desiccant module and an adsorption conduit extending through the desiccant module. The dishwasher appliance further includes a second pump downstream of and in fluid communication with the adsorption conduit, the second pump further upstream of the sump. The dishwasher appliance further includes a first heater spaced from the adsorption assembly, the first heater operable to heat liquid flowed therethrough from the first pump. |
| US09167944B2 |
Construction technique for a domestic appliance such as a surface cleaning apparatus
An appliance or domestic apparatus such as a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a first part and a second part. The second part comprises an insertion portion slidably insertable into the first part to define an inserted position. The insertion portion comprises a longitudinal axis and a first detent member. A movable lock is slidably mounted on at least one of the first part and the second part, and is slidable at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. The movable lock has a second detent member. When the insertion portion is in the inserted position, the first detent member is positioned inwardly of the second detent member, and the second detent member is selectively positionable to interact with the first detent member to lock the first part to the second part. |
| US09167942B1 |
Vacuum cleaner with hose fence and tool storage
A new vacuum cleaner has a removable rack that combines both tool storage elements and hose fence elements in a compact arrangement. The rack is snapped in place. Laterally-spaced fence elements help hold the hose against the main body of the vacuum cleaner, and hooked upper ends help to retain the hose in place. The outer surfaces of the fence element have adjacent concave outer surfaces that form parts of two separate tool storage elements. One of the retainers has opposed ends that form a clip that can hold a vacuum hose accessory in place. The other retainer has a lower lateral end that extends radially outwardly to an upwardly projecting stem section. The stem section is sized to fit within an interior portion of a vacuum hose accessory. |
| US09167938B2 |
Food processor mixer attachment
A food processor attachment assembly for a stand mixer includes a coupling hub adapted to be received in an attachment hub of the stand mixer. A gear housing includes a gearing mechanism disposed therein to translate an output drive from the attachment hub to the coupling hub to drive an output shaft along a vertical rotational axis. The output drive is accessible at a coupling portion for attaching to various food processing discs as housed within a top housing assembly. The output drive is further accessible for coupling to the food processing attachment at a lower coupling portion for powering food processing attachments within a bowl assembly. |
| US09167937B2 |
Tool for frying a tortilla with a semi-pliable center
A tool and method allow cooking a tortilla in a generally flat state, in a shallow amount of oil. A central strip is held out of the oil and isn't fried. Side strips to the central strip are less fried. This produces a taco shell that is flexible at the bottom, allowing a living hinge, while crispy in its main portions. A raising bar and left and right hold-downs comprise described tools. |
| US09167935B2 |
Mixed beverage preparation and dispensing
A water dispensing device comprises water dispensing means for dispensing water into a serving container. The device furthermore comprises a control unit which is connected with the water dispensing means to control a water dispensing cycle in which a predetermined amount of water is dispensed in the serving container. The control unit is programmed such that the water dispensing cycle includes at least two stages which are separated by an intermediate time period in which no water is dispensed in the serving container. |
| US09167932B2 |
Dual-purpose brewer and brew basket and method of brewing
A dual-purpose brewer including a hot water dispenser system (25) for dispensing, hot water to a dispense outlet above a removable brew basket (18) with an electromagnetically controlled outlet drain valve (44) for selectively blocking beverage from leaving the brew basket (18) during a seeping period when making tea and leaves a drain hole (41) open throughout a brew cycle when making coffee. A drain plug (42) made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material is moved by an electromagnetic field to an open position (FIG. 6) to block a drain passageway (45) to drain the brew basket (18) of beverage and falls to a closed position (FIG. 5) during, a seeping period. Contact of electromagnetic coils (80, 82, 90) carried by the brew basket (18) with a source of energization is achieved through electrical contacts at the end of a. pivotally mounted actuation arm (34). |
| US09167931B1 |
Utensil holder
An apparatus includes a pot with a sleeve attached to an outside portion of the pot, and a utensil holder coupled to the pot. The utensil holder includes an arm disposed through the sleeve and a handle pivotally attached to the arm, such that the handle can be rotated relative to the arm to position a portion of the handle inside the pot. The utensil holder can be configured at least in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the handle is positioned outside the pot to enable the handle to be used as a grip for the pot, and in the second configuration, the portion of the handle is positioned inside the pot to enable the handle to support an object over the pot. In some embodiments, the handle may be attached to the arm with a hinge. |
| US09167925B2 |
Plate cover assembly
A plate cover assembly includes at least one portion that is removably securable onto a plate. For example, one cover includes a first covering portion and a second covering portion which are positionable to enclose an outer portion of a plate. Upon removably securing the respective first and second covering portions together, the plate cover assembly encloses the border of the plate while leaving a central region of the plate exposed. |
| US09167924B2 |
Ergonomical pillow for head rest
An ergonomical pillow for head rest, comprising: a pillow surface, a pillow, a shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion, the pillow surface and the pillow are made from soft buffer material, the pillow has at least one hollow pore, the shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion covers top of the hollow pore, the pillow surface covers top of the shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion. The pillow surface and shock absorbing and pressure relief cushion can settle into a groove, where the level of which is subject to user's weight, to provide appropriate support for a body type. The present invention provides excellent extent for coverage and user's head positioning such that the head and neck are settled in a proper position, and guides user to rest his/her shoulder near bottom edge of the pillow to avoid neck muscle spasm, and can offer equalized pressure relief. |
| US09167922B1 |
Pillow having mesh inserts
A pillow and a pillow cover are provided. The pillow includes a cover layer defining an interior volume, the cover layer having a body portion and one or more mesh portions. The pillow further includes a filler material disposed in the interior volume. The interior volume is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the one or more mesh portions. The pillow cover includes a cover layer defining an interior volume. The interior volume is configured to receive the filler. The cover layer includes having a body portion and one or more mesh portions. The interior volume is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the one or more mesh portions. |
| US09167919B2 |
Cover for a mattress
A cover for a mattress includes a lateral panel for extending across the lateral surface of the mattress and a top panel for covering the top surface of the mattress. The top panel includes a breathable inner liner made of a non-woven material, a breathable outer shell covering the inner liner, and a silk floss fill retained between the inner liner and the outer shell. A mattress also includes the inner liner, outer shell and silk floss fill. A cover having an adjustment feature which includes a channel, an elongate elastic strip extending therein, a first connector and plurality of complementary second connectors disposed along the strip. |
| US09167917B2 |
Adjustable display apparatus
An adjustable display brochure holder component comprising opposed spaced apart front and rear surfaces, opposed spaced apart first and second side surfaces and a supporting base surface. The rear surface is formed or oriented in a single plane and the rear surface includes a plurality of attachment points therein. Each one of the attachment points is located at or near side edge portions of the rear surface. Each of the attachment points is adapted to engage with a clip, thereby enabling the display brochure holder component to be clipped to, and secured with, an adjacent like display brochure holder component. |
| US09167916B2 |
Merchandise display hook with alarm
Display hooks for displaying items of merchandise are provided. For example, the display hook includes at least one rod for supporting a plurality of items of merchandise and an end assembly coupled to the at least one rod. The end assembly includes an alarm mechanism configured to generate at least one alarming signal. The end assembly is configured to detect removal of each item of merchandise, wherein the alarm mechanism does not generate an alarming signal when at least a first item of merchandise is removed from the rod, and wherein the alarm mechanism is further configured to generate an alarming signal when a second item of merchandise has been removed from the rod within a predetermined period of time from the first item of merchandise being removed. |
| US09167915B1 |
Commodity shelving system
A commodity shelving system includes pillars, shelves and a fixing mechanism for fixing the shelves to the pillars, wherein the fixing mechanism has a plurality of pillar clamps and locking pieces having an amount corresponding to that of the pillar clamps; and the locking pieces are arranged at corners of the shelves. Each of the pillar clamps includes a left fastener and a right fastener mutually coupleable by a snap fit structure and respectively provided with a semicircular groove matched with the pillar and a protruded portion arranged at an outside of an end edge of the semicircular groove; and each of the locking pieces is provided with a clamping portion for coupling with the protruded portion of the pillar clamp. |
| US09167914B2 |
Illuminated merchandise dispenser
A merchandise dispenser is provided and has a product display tray with a bottom portion for supporting and guiding a rank of product items. The merchandise dispenser also has a spring assembly for advancing the product items forward on the bottom portion. The spring assembly includes a pre-stressed spiral tape having a top surface extending from a mounting end portion thereof and a plurality of light emitting diodes carried in spaced relation on a predetermined length of the top surface of the tape for upwardly illuminating product items when disposed in the product display tray. |
| US09167913B2 |
Product securement and management system
A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall mounted to the base at an angle. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base. The system may further include an opening defined by the first side wall and the front retaining wall through which product may be removed. |
| US09167911B2 |
First electronic tablet high chair
A utility multi-function tray attachment for children's high chairs that provides an integrated insert retainment and display area for electronic entertainment computer based devices of tablet configurations. The tray has a perimeter lip formed thereon with a tray top surface having a transparent waterproof viewing and activation surface window for display and activation of a computer tablet selectively inserted into and retained in the tray. Chair adapted receiving brackets on said tray bottom provide for universal engagement and a pair of folding deployable legs provide for dependent and independent tray use with a variety of high chair designs. |
| US09167909B2 |
Mattress
A mattress core has front and rear ends that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction and further has opposite sides that are spaced apart in a lateral direction. The core includes a firmer lower core section having a top surface that follows an undulating pattern. The undulating pattern is non-uniform and non-symmetric in the longitudinal direction, is uniform in the lateral direction, and includes at least one hill, at least one valley and at least one plateau. The core further includes a softer upper core section that overlies the lower core section. The upper core section has a bottom surface that follows the undulating pattern and contacts the lower core section's top surface to provide a common mating interface that follows the undulating pattern. The interface includes at least one hill, at least one valley and at least one plateau. |
| US09167907B2 |
Tiered inline loveseat and method of use thereof
A tiered inline loveseat includes a first chair and a second chair where the second chair is positioned inline and below the first chair. The first chair includes a first seat, and a first seat back. The first seat has a front end, a back end, a first side and a second side. The first seat back is coupled to the back end of the first seat. The second chair has a second seat and a second seat back with a bottom edge and a top edge. Wherein, the top edge of the second seat back is coupled to the front end of the first seat. |
| US09167904B2 |
Portable arm rest
A portable arm rest with a container holder and, more particularly, a portable arm rest having an flexible counterweight such an internal bladder that contains a material, such as a fluid, that both stabilizes the arm rest and readily conforms the arm rest to different uniform or undulating supporting surfaces. |
| US09167900B2 |
Seat furniture having a rapidly adjustable frame
Seat furniture includes a frame which is adjustable such that the height and inclination of the seat supported by the frame can be easily and rapidly varied. The seat furniture includes a seat platform, which is supported by an adjustable frame, in which two pairs of legs are integrated, the height-adjustment devices of which have locking devices which are operated by operating elements located near the seat platform. When the front operating device is operated, the movable locking devices of the front pair of legs are released. The height of the front pair of legs can then be varied. The set of the corresponding rear elements functions in the same manner. Articulated hinges integrated in the frame permit each adjustment while the support area on the floor does not change. The adjustable frame is configured in such a way, in particular in regard to the rear legs and the frame braces, that a cavity remains for a stacking fit which is compatible with the shape and the dimensions of the seat platform and the other structural elements and the operating elements, and consequently several units can be stacked one on top of the other. |
| US09167884B2 |
Attachment system for hand-held tools
An attachment system for tools includes a housing, a rotating member having a sloping surface and a catch surface disposed in an open central region of the housing, and a clip member having a clip protrusion with a head and neck portions where the neck portion is sized to be slidably receive in one of a first and second slot of the housing where each slot extends through a wall of the housing to the open central region. The clip protrusion engages the sloping surface causing the rotating member to rotate about a central longitudinal axis to a point as the neck portion moves distally along one of the slots where a catch surface aligns with the clip protrusion and where a channel aligns with a clip protrusion of a second clip member retained in the second slot, thereby retaining the first clip member and releasing the second clip member. |
| US09167883B2 |
Backpack
A backcarrying including a carrying portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two sides. A strap arrangement can also be included for carrying the carrying portion as a backcarrying. The strap arrangement can have a pair of carrying straps. Each carrying strap can be secured to the carrying portion at about the bottom and extend upwardly along respective sides of the carrying portion, and redirected at about the top of said respective sides to extend around to the rear of the carrying portion, and being redirected at about the top of the rear to extend downwardly for securement at about the bottom of the carrying portion at the rear. The strap arrangement can redirect forces to support a load in the carrying portion from the sides of the carrying portion. |
| US09167881B2 |
Container for storing and displaying a cosmetic product
A container system includes a bottle body having an inner cavity and a threaded rim, an inner housing compatible with the inner cavity, a layer of a sample of contents placed between the inner cavity of the bottle body and the inner housing, a receptacle removeably placed within the inner housing and storing contents, and a lid to form a seal with the bottle body, when attached to the threaded rim. There can also be a brush attached to the lid to dispense the contents. The contents are protected from degradation due to environmental exposure, while the layer still displays features of the contents. The receptacle has a first portion and a second portion. The portions have different shapes, but are made integral into a single cavity. The single cavity resists settling of the contents and facilitates stirring of the contents for actual use. |
| US09167877B2 |
Apparatus for the steam treatment of hair
An apparatus for the steam treatment of hair, comprising a housing including a liquid tank, a means for supplying a steam generator with liquid, one or more openings for dispensing the steam thus generated towards a lock of hair, and a hair shaping device that comprises at least one treatment surface provided with heating means and brought into contact with a lock of hair. The steam generator includes a heating member that is thermally independent from said treatment surface. |
| US09167876B2 |
Waterproofing case and method of manufacturing waterproofing case
A waterproofing case with a first case and a second case includes a non-annular groove that has a start point side and an end point side and is arranged in parallel by a barrier rib of a certain length, in one of annular bonding portions. The waterproofing case also includes a cutout portion provided at a middle portion of the barrier rib so as to allow a groove portion at the start point side and the end point side to communicate with each other and a plastic elastomer that is disposed within the non-annular groove by curing after being coated. Furthermore, the waterproofing case includes a protrusion that bisects an exposed portion of the plastic elastomer disposed within the non-annular groove toward opposite walls of the non-annular groove at bonding two cases, in other annular bonding portion of the first case and the second case. |
| US09167869B2 |
Shoe with multi-component embedded strap
Provided are, among other things, shoes and shoe components, together with systems, methods and techniques for manufacturing the same. One representative embodiment involves a shoe that includes: a sole having a main structure; a strap anchor that has attachment points and is at least partially embedded within the main structure; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through one or more of such attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot. Also, in this embodiment, the strap anchor includes a number of strap anchor components attached in a unit, each such strap anchor component including a number of the attachment points and being at least partially embedded within the main structure. |
| US09167867B2 |
Article of footwear with multi-part sole assembly
An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole beneath the upper, and an outsole beneath the midsole. The midsole includes a substantially U-shaped outer member defining a pair of forwardly extending arms spaced from one another and formed of a first material. An inner member is positioned between the arms of the outer member and is formed of a second material that is more resilient than the first material. |
| US09167864B1 |
Footwear with dynamic arch system
The present invention is footwear having a convex shaped outsole with opposing wedge shaped configurations in the bottom of the front sole section and the back sole section which provide rotation of the front sole section and the back sole section in opposite directions when weight is applied. The present invention is also footwear convex shaped in the longitudinal direction with a split sole having opposing wedge shaped configurations in the bottom of the front sole section and the back sole section that provide rotation of the front sole section and the back sole section in opposite directions when weight is applied. The invention further includes footwear having at least one pair of wedges on the outsole which provide footwear having improved arch support. The invention is also footwear with a flexible, elastic, member between the front sole section and the back sole section of the sole. |
| US09167860B2 |
Protective modular helmet with integrated lighting system
The disclosure relates to a protective modular helmet with an integrated lighting system, for example for use by a rider/driver of a vehicle such as a snowmobile, a motorcycle, or an all-terrain vehicle. A light source is mounted at chin level in the helmet. A moveable chin bar covers or conceals the light source when lowered. When the chin bar is raised, the light source is exposed and can be used for illumination. |
| US09167852B2 |
Combined multifunctional electronic simulated cigarette
The invention claims a combined multifunctional electronic simulated cigarette, comprising an indicator, wherein the indicator is provided with a air inlet hole; one end of the indicator is connected with one end of an aroma generator; a first switch and a first battery are arranged between the indicator and the aroma generator; a solid aromatic substance is arranged in the aroma generator and is provided with electric heating wires; the other end of the aroma generator is connected with one end of a smoke capsule; solid adsorption cotton adsorbed with nicotine is arranged in the smoke capsule; the other end of the smoke capsule is connected with a suction nozzle which is provided with a suction hole. The invention can provide users with aromatic gases, nicotine component and simulated smoke simultaneously; and the users can respectively choose to inhale the aromatic gases, the nicotine component and the simulated smoke according to the needs, and the invention can meet the needs of the users or the smoking quitters in different stages, help the users to gradually reduce the suction amount of nicotine, and finally achieve the purpose of not taking in nicotine. |
| US09167850B2 |
Electronic cigarette case
This present invention relates to an electronic cigarette case comprising a cigarette case body (1). The cigarette case body (1) includes an accommodation structure (2). A first accommodation region configured for holding an electronic cigarette (100) is formed in the accommodation structure (2). A second accommodation region is formed between the outer surface of the accommodation structure (2) and the inner surface of the cigarette case body (1) and the second accommodation region is configured for receiving paper documents, especially an electronic cigarette operating instruction. The instruction can be taken out and inserted into the electronic cigarette case easily, and it is convenient for users to use. Furthermore, in assembly, the instruction can be directly inserted into the electronic cigarette case, which brings great convenience for the production and improves the production efficiency. |
| US09167848B2 |
Method and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules coated for low permeability and physical integrity
Methods and compositions for producing hydrogel capsules enveloped with at least one coating layer is disclosed. The coating formulations deposited on the surface of the capsules can improve the physical integrity and the water-retention properties of the alginate beads. The coating formulations can be sequentially applied in various combinations to obtain desirable properties, such as improved physical integrity, mechanical strength, and low permeability, that can extend the shelf-life of the capsules when incorporated into various consumer products. |
| US09167847B2 |
Production of coated tobacco particles suitable for usage in a smokeless tobacoo product
A process for preparing coated particles of a plant material includes: (a) combining plant material particles and a protein in a liquid medium, wherein the protein adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the particles to form a first layer; and (b) mixing a polysaccharide including a pectin with the liquid medium, so that the polysaccharide adsorbs onto at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to form a second layer. In addition, a palatable product comprising at least one coated particle prepared by this process is described. |
| US09167846B2 |
Extruder
An extruder 10 comprises a barrel 12 and a screw 24 mounted in the barrel for rotation. The screw comprises screw threads 26a, 26b, 26c. The barrel has an inlet funnel 22 toward one end for material to be extruded and a die plate 18 with openings 20 at the other end and an air inlet port 28 toward one end of the barrel and an air outlet port 30 toward the other end. The screw threads are such that material 34 in the barrel is moved more quickly along the portion of the barrel between the air inlet port and the air outlet port than upstream of that portion. The air outlet is connected to a pump 32 so that there is a pressure difference between the air inlet and the air outlet. |
| US09167844B1 |
Instant hot water drinks
A product having an internal substance protected by a rugged exterior shell is disclosed. The internal substance is reactive with the exterior shell but is separated therefrom by a coating on an interior surface of the external shell so that the product can be stored for a long period of time without the internal substance reacting with the exterior shell. The coating is meltable so that, when desired, the product may be heated (e.g. immersed in hot water or exposed to heat) in order to melt the coating so that the internal substance can react with the external shell so that the internal substance can excrete out of the exterior shell. |
| US09167839B1 |
Multivitamin-mineral regimens for longevity and wellness
Dietary vitamin-mineral supplements featuring various vitamins and minerals for benefiting individuals suffering from conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, vitamin deficiencies, aging, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, coronary artery disease, fatigue, and stroke. Vitamins and minerals may include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, pregnenolone, coenzyme Q10, Vitamin K2, acetyl L-carnitine arginate, L-glutathione, among others. |
| US09167833B2 |
Method for removing protein from a food
A method for removing protein from a food includes adding a first group of enzymes into a food while cooking the food. The first group of enzymes decomposes protein in the food in a first enzyme reaction. Let a mixture of the first group of enzymes and the food rest after cooling the mixture to a temperature below 45° C. Then, the mixture is boiled to terminate the first enzyme reaction. A second enzyme is added into the mixture after the boiled mixture is cooled to a temperature below 45° C., and let mixture of the first group of enzymes, the food, and the second enzyme rest. The second enzyme carries out a second-stage decomposition of protein in the food in a second enzyme reaction. Then, the mixture of the first group of enzymes, the food, and the second enzyme is boiled to terminate the second enzyme reaction. |
| US09167831B2 |
Solid, edible, chewable laxative composition
An edible, solid composition comprising a laxative and one or more bulking agents in aqueous media wherein the laxative is polyethylene glycol and the composition is prepared by dissolving the polyethylene glycol in aqueous media together with one or more bulking agents and subjecting the mixture to heat up to at least about 100° C. |
| US09167830B2 |
Substituted cellulose acetates and uses thereof
The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a drilling fluid having a base fluid and a viscosifier having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that comprises an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and chlorine; where the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate. |
| US09167829B2 |
Oil/fat composition
Provided is a fat or oil composition, comprising 50 mass % or more of diacylglycerols satisfying the following (1) to (3): (1) from 5 to 50 mass % of a disaturated diacylglycerol (SS) in the diacylglycerols; (2) 35 mass % or less of a monosaturated-monounsaturated diacylglycerol (SU) in the diacylglycerols; and (3) 1.5 or less as a ratio (mass ratio) [(SS)/(UU)] of a content of the disaturated diacylglycerol (SS) in the diacylglycerols relative to a content of a diunsaturated diacylglycerol (UU) in the diacylglycerols. |
| US09167828B2 |
Oil/fat composition
Provided is a fat or oil composition, comprising 50 mass % or more of diacylglycerols satisfying the following (1) to (4): (1) 20 to 92 mass % of a disaturated diacylglycerol (SS) in the diacylglycerols; (2) 60 mass % or less of a monosaturated-monounsaturated diacylglycerol (SU) in the diacylglycerols; (3) 8 to 80 mass % of a diunsaturated diacylglycerol (UU) in the diacylglycerols; and (4) 20 mass % or more of a total content of saturated fatty acids having 10, 12, and 14 carbon atoms in saturated fatty acids constituting the diacylglycerols. |
| US09167827B2 |
Process for the production of cheese milk
A process for the production of cheese milk is suggested, wherein (a) raw milk is subjected to heat treatment, (b) solids are removed from the heat-treated product, (c) the resulting intermediate is skimmed, (d) the skimmed milk such obtained is subjected to microfiltration, and (e) the resulting permeate is adjusted to the desired fat contents by adding an amount of the cream separated in step (c), and the standardized milk such obtained is (f) pasteurized in a final step. |
| US09167825B2 |
Method for manufacturing liquid fermented milk
A method is directed to producing liquid fermented milk, suppressing an increase in acidity and a decrease in pH over time during refrigerated storage, keeping a refreshing flavor (sour taste) originating from yogurt lactic acid bacteria for a long time, and suppressing production of an acid during storage to maintain good quality, without requiring heating after a fermentation step, use of a particular additive, and the like. The method for producing liquid fermented milk which uses a rod-shaped lactic acid bacteria and a coccus-shaped lactic acid bacteria as lactic acid bacteria to be added to a raw material for fermented milk, and which includes a homogenization step of obtaining the liquid fermented milk at a homogenization pressure of from 50 MPa to 100 MPa. |
| US09167820B2 |
Anti-biofilm compounds
The present invention provides non-peptide compounds of formula (I) wherein: X is —(C1-C8)allcyl-, aryl or -aryl(C1-C8)alkyl-; Y is —(C1-C8)alkyl- or absent; W is heteroaryl, (C3-C7)carbocycle or aryl, wherein any heteroaryl, (C3-C7)carbocycle or, aryl of W is optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) Z1 groups; R1 is (C1-C8)alkyl, (C2-C8)alkenyl, (C2-C8)alkynyl or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) groups selected from (C1-C8)alkyl, (C2-C8)alkenyl, (C2-C8)alkynyl, (C3-C7)carbocycle, halo(C1-C3)alkyl, —CN, NO2, halogen, —ORa, —SRa, —S(O)2NRbRc, —NRbRc, —NRaCORd, —C(O)Ra, —C(O)ORa, and —C(O)NRbRc; R2 is (C1-C8)alkyl, (C2-C8)alkenyl, (C2-C8)Jalkynyl or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) groups selected from (C1-C8)alkyl, (C2-C8)alkenyl, (C2-C8)alkynyl, (C3-C7)carbocycle, halo(C1-C3)alkyl, —CN, NO2, halogen, —ORe, —SRe, —S(O)2NRfRg, —NRfRg—NReCORh, —C(O)Re, —C(O)ORe and —C(O)NRfRg; I that mimic the streptococcal; SspB Adherence Region (BAR) and function as inhibitors of P. gingivalis adherence to streptococci. The invention also provides methods of making and using the inhibitors. |
| US09167815B2 |
Agricultural or horticultural fungicide composition and method for controlling plant pathogen
A composition having a stable and high fungicidal effect against a cultivated crop infected by a plant pathogen is provided. An agricultural or horticultural fungicide composition containing, as active ingredients, (a) fluazinam or its salt and (b) a strobilurin compound or its salt is provided; in addition, a method for controlling a plant pathogen by applying the subject agricultural or horticultural fungicide composition to a plant or a soil is provided; and furthermore, a method for controlling a plant pathogen by applying (a) fluazinam or its salt and (b) a strobilurin compound or its salt to a plant or a soil is provided. |
| US09167808B2 |
Fish egg sweeper
A device for handling fish eggs and other benthic macro invertebrates is provided for removal from a surface of a waterway. An enlarged, generally planar housing has a lower surface formed of a material having sufficient flexibility so that a vacuum that communicates through a collector cavity can remove fish eggs, for example, from a waterway. Fish eggs can be destroyed, either with high pressure fluid that may be a part of the vacuum assembly, or mechanically destroyed, or alternatively the fish eggs may be filtered or separated from the remainder of the collected material. Fluid such as water, saline, chemical or toxins, warm water, etc., are preferably introduced into the waterway surface about the periphery of the housing to treat and/or dislodge the fish eggs. |
| US09167802B2 |
Method of using biologically-relevant chemical attractants for marine predators
Described herein is a method of using biologically-relevant attractants for marine predators through deployment of the attractants into air and/or water in concentrations manners which will encourage the specific marine predators to move toward the deployment source. The method could be used in a number of situations, including, but not limited to, situations in which animals are in a hazardous situation, such as the immediate danger of an oil spill or clean-up activities in which the marine predators must be enticed to safety. |
| US09167800B2 |
Systems for determining animal metrics and related devices and methods
In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a positioning member positioned relative to a datum structure, the positioning member being configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the positioning member and the datum structure, the positioning member being arranged at an angular bias away from the datum structure relative to a floor surface and being configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing. |
| US09167798B2 |
Apparatus and method for maintaining pet waste
The invention provides an apparatus and method for maintaining pet waste in a fully-encapsulated environment whereby waste may be removed and litter may be added/replaced in a substantially sealed, dust-free, and clean manner. In one aspect, the pet waste management system comprises a sealed means by which litter may added and/or removed and/or exchange with fresh litter without the substantial release of contaminated dust and materials from the litter system. The invention also provides a vessel or container for receiving spent litter and/or for housing fresh litter where said vessel or container comprises a connection means for sealably connecting the vessel or container to an enclosed pet management system so that litter may be added and/or exchanged therewith. Further, the invention provides a continuous bagging dispenser fitted to a pet management system which allows for continuous removal of pet waste from the pet management system. |
| US09167794B1 |
Soybean variety 01045663
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045663. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045663. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045663 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045663 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09167789B1 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH561670
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH561670. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH561670, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH561670 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH561670. |
| US09167786B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV688253
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV688253. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV688253, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV688253 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV688253 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV688253. |
| US09167778B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH736492
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH736492. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH736492, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH736492 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH736492. |
| US09167774B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH613081
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH613081. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH613081, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH613081 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH613081. |
| US09167773B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH437976
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH437976. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH437976, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH437976 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH437976. |
| US09167769B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety CV068285
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV068285. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV068285, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV068285 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV068285 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV068285. |
| US09167764B2 |
Bean variety WAXC6V1003
The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated WAXC6V1003. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line WAXC6V1003, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line WAXC6V1003 with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line WAXC6V1003, including the pods and gametes of such plants. |
| US09167760B2 |
Cucumber hybrid SV8975CB and parents thereof
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid SV8975CB and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid SV8975CB and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US09167759B2 |
Tomato line PSQ 23-2278
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line PSQ 23-2278. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQ 23-2278, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US09167756B2 |
Methods of managing timberland
A method of managing timberland to optimize the plot growth rate for a plot including a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes planting a softwood tree crop in adjacent first and second rows, wherein the softwood tree crop has a tree spacing between adjacent trees and a row spacing between the first and second rows, planting an energy crop in the row spacing, wherein the energy crop is a regenerating lignocellulosic energy crop, and periodically measuring the plot growth of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop. A method of managing timberland to optimize the total plot volume of a softwood tree crop and an energy crop generally includes periodically measuring the total plot volume of the softwood tree crop and the energy crop. |
| US09167755B1 |
Trellis support device
A trellis support device includes first and second subassemblies, and each subassembly having one or more elongate support members joining together a plurality of ring portions. The ring portions are configured to align and connect together adjacent first and second subassemblies. The first and second subassemblies are configured to engage an underlying support material and to provide a structurally supported growth area for plants. |
| US09167749B2 |
Cleaning apparatus effectiveness measuring system for a combine harvester
The airflow through a harvesting machine is adjusted by calculating a G-factor at a first point on an upper chaffer to determine if it is greater than 1+n, where n represents a desired factor. A blower is adjusted to reduce an airstream if the G-factor is greater than 1+n. A MOG factor is calculated if the G-factor is less than 1+n. The blower is adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor is less than 1+x, where x represents a desired factor. A MOG-factor is calculated at a second point if the MOG-factor at the point is greater than 1+x and the blower is adjusted to reduce the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is greater than 1+y, where y represents a desired factor or adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is less than 1+y. |
| US09167746B2 |
Carted wheel rake windrow adjustment apparatus
A rake includes a frame and at least one arm assembly attached to the frame via an arm member. The arm assembly includes a main beam coupled to the arm member. The main beam includes a first member pivotally attached to a second member, and the angle between the first and second members is adjustable. The arm assembly further includes a first rake wheel unit connected to the first member and a second rake wheel unit connected to the second member. The arm assembly attaches to the frame such that in a work position, the first and second rake wheel units are disposed substantially horizontally extended with respect to frame, and in a transport position, the first and second rake wheel units are disposed substantially vertically above the frame. |
| US09167743B2 |
Greening roll
A greening roll includes water-temperature-light controlling part, root growing part, water/root regulating part and seed-stacking part which is located in the water-temperature-light controlling part. The water-temperature-light controlling part is located on the top surface of the greening roll, the water/root regulating part is located on the lower surface of the greening roll, the root growing part is located in the cavity composed by the water-temperature-light controlling part and the water/root regulating part, and the seed-stacking part is located in the cavity of the water-temperature-light controlling part. The water-temperature-light controlling part further includes top-located irradiation reflecting part, temperature-water regulating part, light-preventing part and seed-stacking cavity. The present invention is suitable for the engineering protection and greening of engineering slopes, spoil and slag yards, embankments and the like, the water and soil conservation and greening of sandy lands, abandoned lands, borrow pits, slurry pond, mining fields, industrial and mining abandoned lands and the like, and the engineering thermal insulation and greening of building roofs and the like. |
| US09167742B2 |
Method and apparatus for planting seed crops
A process and apparatus for controlling the moisture content of soil deposited in a furrow during seed planting comprises tilling the soil to an adjustable depth to expose soil corresponding to a reference soil moisture setting, selecting covering soil from the exposed soil having a moisture content that matches the moisture content of the reference soil moisture setting, and depositing the covering soil over the seed. |
| US09167741B2 |
Lawn care vehicle with rear wheel axle assembly
A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, and an axle mount. The axle mount may include a first sleeve and a second sleeve disposed at opposite ends of the axle mount. The first and second sleeves may receive top portions of a first axle rod and a second axle rod. The first axle rod and the second axle rod each include a top portion and a bottom portion bent with respect to the top portion. The bottom portion may be received by the rear wheels. The first and second sleeves may be disposed in a fixed position relative to the axle mount and an orientation of the first and second sleeves may be provided such that the bottom portion of each of the first and second axle rods is substantially parallel to a driving surface in response to the steering wheel being oriented in a neutral position. |
| US09167740B2 |
Row unit for agricultural implement
In one embodiment, an agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame hitched to a tractor includes an attachment frame adapted to be rigidly connected to the towing frame. A support member is pivotably coupled to the attachment frame to permit vertical pivoting movement of the support member relative to the attachment frame, and at least one furrow-closing device is mounted on the support member. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the support member for urging the row unit frame downwardly toward the soil. The hydraulic cylinder includes a movable ram extending into the cylinder, and a hydraulic-fluid cavity within the cylinder for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid for urging the ram in a first direction that pivots the support member in a first vertical direction. An accumulator has a fluid chamber containing a pressurized gas for urging the ram in a second direction that pivots the support member in a second vertical direction. |
| US09167737B2 |
Garden implement
A garden implement that utilizes a hub motor assembly coupled to a frame. One or more working tools may be selectively coupled to a hub body encompassing a hub motor of the hub motor assembly. The working tools are operative to work soil in a garden or other agricultural setting. The hub motor may include a brushless DC motor driven by an electrical power source. The electrical power source may include a battery or an AC power source. Alternatively, the hub motor may be used to drive a wheel which propels the garden implement. |
| US09173334B2 |
Insolation machine for panels fitted with a panel turner
Machine and insolation method for panels for turning a panel and successively insolating its first and second faces. According to the invention, this machine comprises at least one first insolation station (10), and a panel turner (30), having a first face and a second face, the latter comprising a prehension device (53, 54), configured to grip a panel (90), a displacement device, configured to displace the prehension device at least between the first and second insolation stations (10, 20), and a pivoting device, configured to pivot the prehension device (53, 54) and in this way have the panel (90) pivot about a pivoting axis (A) parallel to said panel (90), the turner (30) being configured so that it can grip the panel (90) by any one of its faces and release the panel (90) also by any one of its faces. |
| US09173327B2 |
Cooling servers in a data center using prevailing winds
A data center includes a wind collecting structure that directs prevailing winds external to the data center into an interior of the wind collecting structure. The wind collecting structure includes vents around its perimeter configured to selectively open on a side of the wind collecting structure receiving prevailing wind, pressurizing the intake air. The pressurized air flows from the wind collecting structure through a compartment of the data center including computing assets. The air is directed across the computing assets to extract heat from the computing assets during operation. |
| US09173326B1 |
Reversible fan module for electronic enclosures
An enclosure for electronics includes a chassis and an interface connector positioned within the chassis and configured to provide power. A fan shelf module is received within the chassis and has at least one fan to provide air flow through the chassis. The fan shelf module includes a pinout connector along a horizontal or vertical line of symmetry and configured to engage the interface connector and receive power therefrom, such that the fan shelf module is selectively installed in one of two opposing directions allowing a fan air flow direction to the chassis to be selected as either pulling air or pushing air through the chassis depending on the installed direction of the fan shelf module. |
| US09173325B2 |
Heat exchanger for back to back electronic displays
Exemplary embodiments include an electronic display assembly for back to back electronic image assemblies. A first closed gaseous loop may encircle the first electronic image assembly while a second closed gaseous loop may encircle the second electronic image assembly. A heat exchanger is preferably positioned within the path of the first and second closed gaseous loop along with an open loop of ambient air. A circulating fan(s) may be used to force circulating gas around the closed gaseous loops. An open loop fan may be used to force ambient air through the heat exchanger and through an optional channel behind each electronic image assembly. |
| US09173322B2 |
Constricted convection cooling system for an electronic display
Preferred embodiments provide a cooling system for an electronic display. A constricted convection plate is used to force cooling air against a posterior surface of the electronic display. Fans may be used to propel or pull air between the constricted convection plate and the rear surface of an electronic display. A refrigeration unit or thermoelectric module may be employed to cool or heat the air traveling through the constricted convection channel. Some embodiments include a closed loop which extracts heat (or adds heat) to the front display surface. |
| US09173320B2 |
Targeted cooling to specific overheating rack-mounted servers
In one embodiment of the present invention, a system selectively cools a set of at least one rack-mounted server in a chassis. The system comprises: a chassis; a chassis manager; a set of at least one thermal sensor coupled to each rack-mounted server in a chassis; a trolley track oriented functionally proximate to the multiple rack-mounted servers; and a cold air trolley movably mounted to the trolley track. The cold air trolley moves along the trolley track in order to be selectively oriented next to a particular overheating rack-mounted server in the chassis, thus providing a fluid conduit from a cold air source to the particular overheating rack-mounted server in response to the chassis manager detecting that the particular overheating rack-mounted server is exceeding a predetermined temperature. |
| US09173316B2 |
Flexible display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A flexible display apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a flexible display panel including a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and a side surface that connects the first surface and the second surface. The apparatus also includes a passivation layer that is disposed on at least one of the first surface, the second surface, and the side surface of the display panel and includes a viscoelastic fluid and a vessel unit that contains the viscoelastic fluid therein. |
| US09173310B2 |
Latch for securing a compute node in a component storage rack
A latch comprises a frame securable to a device enclosure, and a handle slidably secured to the frame, wherein the handle can slide between an inward position and an outward position, and wherein the distal end of the handle has a drive pin. The latch further comprises a rigid pawl having a latch key, a distal end pivotally secured to the frame, and a slot that receives the drive pin. Inserting the handle causes the drive pin to move within the slot, push the pawl toward a side of a chassis bay, and deploy the latch key into engagement with a slot in the side of the chassis bay. Withdrawing the handle causes the drive pin to move within the slot, pull the pawl away from a side of the chassis bay, and withdraw the latch key out of engagement with the slot in the side of the chassis bay. |
| US09173304B2 |
Vertical blindmate scaling of identical system boards
Two system boards may be connected by a blind plug connector assembly. The top system board supports a first connector and has a hole adjacent the first connector that secures a guide bracket. The blind plug connector assembly is selectively received in the guide bracket to position a proximal connector on the assembly for connecting to the first connector on the top system board and position a distal connector on the assembly for connecting to a second connector on the lower system board. A flexible wired connection extends within the assembly between the proximal connector and the distal connector, and may form a scalability cable. The interaction between the assembly and the guide bracket provide alignment of the connectors. |
| US09173301B2 |
Printed circuit board and method of manufacturing same
A wiring cover layer is formed on a base insulating layer with a conductor trace sandwiched therebetween. A cover insulating layer is formed on the base insulating layer to cover the wiring cover layer. A terminal cover layer is formed to cover a terminal portion of the conductor trace. A projection of the wiring cover layer projects from an upper surface of the wiring portion to a position above the terminal portion. An end surface of the projection is positioned inward from an end of the cover insulating layer. An insert portion of the terminal cover layer is formed between an upper surface of the terminal portion and a lower surface of the end of the cover insulating layer. A projection of the terminal cover layer is formed between the upper surface of the terminal portion and a lower surface of the projection of the wiring cover layer. |
| US09173298B2 |
Packaging substrate, method for manufacturing same, and chip packaging structure having same
A packaging substrate includes a circuit board, a number of first conductive posts, and a number of second conductive posts. The circuit board includes a first base and a first conductive pattern layer formed on a first surface of the first base. The first conductive posts extend from and are electrically connected to the first conductive pattern layer. The second conductive posts extend from and are electrically connected to the first conductive pattern layer. The height of each of the second conductive posts are larger than that of each of the first conductive posts. |
| US09173296B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and board manufacturing system
An information processing apparatus is configured to compute the shape of a conductive pattern to be formed on a board by a drawing apparatus that performs drawing on the board using conductive liquid droplets. The information processing apparatus includes an image data generation unit configured to generate image data in which dots each having a diameter determined according to a drawing condition of a conductive pattern by the drawing apparatus are arranged at respective positions which are indicated by data of a conductive pattern and at which conductive liquid droplets are to be landed. |
| US09173294B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component to be embedded in board and printed circuit board having multilayer ceramic electronic component embedded therein
A multilayer ceramic electronic component to be embedded in a board includes: a ceramic body including dielectric layers; first and second internal electrodes formed in the ceramic body; and first-polarity external electrodes connected to the first internal electrodes, and second-polarity external electrodes connected to the second internal electrodes, wherein the number of the first-polarity external electrodes and the number of the second-polarity external electrodes may be two or more, the first-polarity and second-polarity external electrodes may include first-polarity and second-polarity base electrodes and first-polarity and second-polarity terminal electrodes formed on the first-polarity and second-polarity base electrodes, respectively, when L denotes a length of the ceramic body and W denotes a width thereof, W/L≧0.6 may be satisfied, and a width BW of each of the first-polarity and second-polarity external electrodes formed on the first and second main surfaces of the ceramic body may satisfy 150 μm≦BW≦350 μm. |
| US09173289B2 |
Multilayer substrate
A multilayer substrate that retains a curved state without causing fluctuations in electrical characteristics includes a main body including a plurality of insulating sheets to be stacked and made of a flexible material. A signal wire extends in the main body. A ground conductor is provided at a positive-direction side in a z-axis direction relative to the signal wire in the main body, and overlaps the signal line in a plan view seen from the z-axis direction. A ground conductor is provided on a negative-direction side in the z-axis direction relative to the signal wire in the main body, and overlaps the signal line in a plan view seen from the z-axis direction. The state in which the main body is curved so that the signal wire defines an arc is retained by plastic deformation of the ground conductors. |
| US09173287B1 |
Foldable display apparatus
Disclosed is a foldable display apparatus which can stably maintain a bending curvature of a folded flexible display, and can maintain a bending area of an unfolded flexible display in a plane state. The foldable display apparatus includes a link assembly connected between first and second housings to support a bending area of a display panel, and configured to guide bending of the bending area. The link assembly includes a plurality of bending guide members configured to support the bending area, a plurality of link parts connected to both ends of each of the plurality of bending guide members, and a plurality of link connecting members respectively provided between the plurality of link parts, and configured to connect two adjacent link parts. |
| US09173285B2 |
Mounting structure for electronic component, input device, and method of manufacturing mounting structure
An input device includes a flexible base, a sensor member that is provided on the surface of the flexible base and can detect the operation position of a finger, connection portions that are provided on a back of the flexible base, a printed circuit board of which an area is smaller than the area of the flexible base and which includes terminal portions on the surface thereof facing the back, and an electronic component that is mounted on a surface of the printed circuit board opposite to the surface of the printed circuit board on which the terminal portions are provided and is electrically connected to the terminal portions. The flexible base and the printed circuit board are bonded to each other with an adhesion layer interposed therebetween so that the connection portions come into contact with the terminal portions. |
| US09173283B2 |
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board (PCB) includes a ground layer, a first layer, a second layer, a connector footprint, and a pair of differential signal lines. The connector footprint comprises first and second bonding pads. The PCB defines a first signal via in a central portion of a space bounded by the first bonding pad, and a second signal via in a central portion of a space bounded by the second bonding pad. A number of first ground vias on the first bonding pad and a number of second ground vias on the second bonding pad are electrically connected to the ground layer. First annular slots surrounding corresponding first ground via are defined in the ground layer. Second annular slots surrounding corresponding second ground vias are defined in the ground layer. Connection slots are defined in the ground layer and communicate between the first annular slots and the second annular slots. |
| US09173282B2 |
Interconnect structures and methods of making the same
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a stress-relieving, second-level interconnect structure that is low-cost and accommodates TCE mismatch between low-TCE packages and PCBs. The various embodiments of the interconnect structure are reworkable and can be scaled to pitches from about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 150 micrometers (μm). The interconnect structure comprises a dielectric body element and at least one interconnection array that provides a conductive path between two electronic components. Each interconnection array comprises a plurality of wires that provide both conductivity and compliance to the overall interconnect structure. The versatility and scalability of the interconnect structure of the present invention make it a desirable structure to utilize in current two-dimensional and ever-evolving three-dimensional IC structures. |
| US09173279B2 |
Compact X-ray generation device
An x-ray transmitter, which may be compact, may be in the form of a housing with an x-ray transparent window sputtered with a metal on one wall, and tribocharging electron source on another wall. |
| US09173273B2 |
Solid state lightening driver with mixed control of power switch
In order to control of dimming of solid state lighting devices (SSL) a driver circuit drives the SSL subject to an input voltage using a phase-cut dimmer. The driver circuit comprises a transistor operable in two modes, either alternating between on/off states or continuously controlling a current through the transistor. A power converter network provides a switched-mode power converter in conjunction with the transistor when operated in the first mode generating a drive voltage for the SSL. The control unit controls the transistor to selectively operate in one of the two modes; to control the transistor to determine that the input voltage exceeds an input voltage threshold; and to control a drive current through the SSL based on a measurement of a phase-cut angle thereby controlling an illumination level of the SSL device. |
| US09173268B2 |
Current determination apparatus
The invention relates to a current determination apparatus for determining an operational driving current for driving a light source of a group of light sources. A same color shift function defining a light color shift depending on a driving current can be provided for all light sources of the group. An operational driving current is determined based on the color shift function such that the light color (43) of the light source of the group of light sources is shifted from a nominal color, which may be specific for each light source, to a light color (45) within a target color window (41). Since for the different light sources the same color shift function can be used, a determination of individual operational driving currents such that the light sources of the group emit light having substantially the same color can be simplified. |
| US09173267B2 |
Modular centralized lighting control system for buildings
A lighting control system for controlling lights of buildings includes a computer server communicating with programmable master interfaces through an Ethernet communication link. The server is programmed to establish control commands responsive to environment status information. The master interfaces communicate through a primary communication link with programmable input devices which include input interfaces and smart switches, and with programmable output devices. The output devices communicate with a master interface through its primary communication link and also communicate with programmable relay/dimmer devices through a secondary communication link. The relay/dimmer devices control building lights responsive to control commands. The input interfaces communicate with a master interface through its primary communication link and also communicate with ambient light/occupancy sensor devices through a secondary communication link. The ambient light/occupancy sensor devices monitor building zones and establish environment status information. The smart switches include a touch screen LCD used by building occupants for also establishing environment status information. The environment status information and control commands are communicated through the interfaces for thereby controlling the building lights. Each of the interfaces and devices are identified with a unique ID established and maintained by the server. Each unique ID is linked to a virtual graphical representation by the server and displayed on a monitor. |
| US09173266B2 |
Illumination apparatus and method for generating white light
An illumination apparatus includes a first light-emitting device, a second light-emitting device, and a third light-emitting device. The light emitted from the third light-emitting device is selectively mixed with the light emitted from the first light-emitting device or the second light-emitting device to form a white light having a chromaticity coordinate point substantially located on a Black Body Locus. A color of the light emitted from the third light-emitting device is determined by linear relationships between chromaticity coordinate points corresponding to wavelengths of the lights emitted form the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device and corresponding to a color temperature of the white light. A method for generating a white light is also disclosed herein. |
| US09173265B2 |
Light emitting diode driving apparatus and light emitting diode lighting apparatus
There are provided a light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus and an LED lighting apparatus, in which a common detection resistor detecting a current flowing in each LED is used. According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, manufacturing costs and a circuit area may be reduced by commonly using a common detection resistor detecting a current flowing in each of the LEDs. |
| US09173263B2 |
Light module with linear LED serial group drive device
A light module with linear LED serial group drive device comprises an AC input rectifier unit having an input end coupled to an AC Power to convert an AC half-wave voltage signal into a DC full-wave voltage signal for output, and an intelligent control having a protection unit. when the input voltage is higher than the set start voltage of the LED serial group, the corresponding constant current control drive circuit switch is turned on immediately by the intelligent control to control the power, luminous flux, and power factor of the LED serial light module for achieving stable power output of LED light source. Moreover, the present invention without transformers, inductors and other magnetic components has thin thickness and small volume to improve the conventional problems. |
| US09173260B2 |
PWM signal generating circuit for DC-DC converter using dimming signal and LED driver circuit using the same in digital PWM method having fixed phase mode
A PWM signal generating circuit and method, and an LED driver circuit using same, is disclosed. The PWM signal generating circuit generates a PWM signal for a DC-DC converter using a dimming signal, and includes an oscillator which generates a first clock signal having a predetermined frequency, a synchronizing unit which synchronizes the dimming signal to the first clock signal, and a PWM signal generating unit which generates the PWM signal in response to the first clock signal having a falling edge while the synchronized dimming signal is on. |
| US09173259B1 |
Light emitting diode driving system and light emitting diode lamp
A light emitting diode driving system includes a plurality of light emitting diode driving apparatuses and a transmission line. The transmission line is electrically connected to the light emitting diode driving apparatuses. The light emitting diode driving apparatus includes a voltage regulator, a synchronous signal generation circuit and a synchronous control logic circuit. The voltage regulator sends a first voltage to the synchronous signal generation circuit. The synchronous signal generation circuit generates a second voltage after the synchronous signal generation circuit receives the first voltage. The synchronous signal generation circuit subtracts the second voltage from the first voltage to obtain a synchronous signal. The synchronous signal generation circuit sends the synchronous signal to the synchronous control logic circuit. The light emitting diode driving apparatuses drive the light emitting diodes synchronously according to the synchronous signals. |
| US09173252B2 |
Induction heating cooker and method of controlling the same
An induction heating cooker includes a plurality of heating coil blocks including one or more heating coils, a plurality of inverters to supply a high-frequency voltage to each of the heating coils, and a controller to control operations of the plurality of inverters to alternately supply the high-frequency voltage to each heating coil block and detect a heating coil, on which a container is placed, from among the heating coils belonging to each of the plurality of heating coil blocks. Using this configuration, it is possible to reduce the influence of magnetic field interference between adjacent heating coils when detecting the position of the container and to increase container position detection accuracy. |
| US09173251B2 |
Induction heating apparatus and induction heating method
A semiconductor substrate thermal treatment apparatus enables excellent heating control in suppressing influence of mutual induction between induction heating coils even when the induction heating coils are arranged in the vertical direction while providing horizontal magnetic flux to susceptors. The apparatus indirectly heats wafers mounted on horizontally-arranged susceptors including induction heating coils to form alternate-current magnetic flux in a direction parallel to a mount face of the susceptor. The wafer are arranged at an outer circumferential side of the susceptor. The induction heating coils are structured with at least one main heating coil and subordinate heating coils electromagnetically coupled with the main heating coil. Inverse coupling coils inversely-coupled to the subordinate heating coils are provided to the main heating coil, and zone control means separately controls a power ratio while synchronizing frequencies and current waveforms of current to the main heating coil and adjacent subordinate heating coils. |
| US09173249B2 |
Steering wheel
A steering wheel having a rim portion is provided. The rim portion includes a rim metal core, at least one heating element, which extends around the core, and a coating portion, which coats the heating element. The heating element includes a heat generating member for generating heat when electrified, a heat transfer sheet, and a flexible heat insulating sheet. The heat transfer sheet transfers heat of the heat generating member to the coating portion. The heat insulating sheet hinders heat of the heat generating member from being transferred to the core. The heat insulating sheet has first and second surfaces. The heat transfer sheet is laid on the first surface. The heat generating member is located between the first surface and the heat transfer sheet. The heating element is affixed to the core at the second surface, while being flexed to conform to the surface of the core. |
| US09173247B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device including parallel NFC loop antennas and associated methods
A mobile wireless communications device includes a portable housing, an NFC transceiver carried by the portable housing, and an antenna assembly coupled to the NFC transceiver and comprising a plurality of loop antennas connected in parallel, and progressively increasing in size from an innermost loop antenna to an outermost loop antenna. |
| US09173246B2 |
Information management system, wireless terminal, and management method
An information management system is disclosed that includes a wireless terminal configured to store identification data of the wireless terminal used to identify the wireless terminal in the system; a broadcasting device configured to transmit position data which represents a position at which the device is located for a predetermined area; and a server configured to store position data indicating a position at which the terminal is located. The terminal includes a collection unit configured to collect environmental data which represents a state of an environment around the terminal; a receiving unit configured to receive the position data from the device when the terminal is located in the predetermined area; and a transmission unit configured to transmit, via the device, to the server, the identification of the terminal, the position data received from the device, and the environmental data collected by the collection unit. |
| US09173243B2 |
Wireless communication system, relay station, base station, and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system is provided in which a relay station relays wireless communication between a base station and a mobile station. The relay station includes an acquiring unit and a notifying unit. The acquiring unit acquires, from the base station that retains information on the mobile station used for the wireless communication, identification information on the base station. The notifying unit notifies the mobile station of the identification information acquired by the acquiring unit. Furthermore, the mobile station includes a reconnecting unit. When connection with the relay station is released, the reconnecting unit performs a reconnection request with respect to the base station that is identified by the identification information that is notified by the relay station. |
| US09173242B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving RRC connection procedure
The present invention provides a method for improving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection procedure in user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system. The method includes steps of performing an RRC Connection procedure, and resetting or re-establishing a lower layer protocol entity for Signaling Radio Bearers (SRBs) when a cell reselection occurs. |
| US09173241B2 |
Radio-link establishment for multi-state cells
A radio link is established for multi-state cells. User equipment is operated in a connected mode with a serving cell. A transition is determined of a neighbor cell from dormant to active. At least a set number of out-of-synchronization events are detected with respect to the serving cell. It is determined that the neighbor-cell reference-signal received power is greater than the serving-cell reference-signal received power plus a threshold after determining the transition of the neighbor cell from dormant to active. A radio-resource-control connection-establishment message is sent to the neighbor cell when the neighbor-cell reference-signal received power is greater than the serving-cell reference-signal received power plus a threshold. |
| US09173240B2 |
Mobile terminal and method and system for establishing IP connection between mobile terminals
A method and system for establishing an Internet Protocol (IP) connection between mobile terminals and a mobile terminal for establishing an IP connection are disclosed. The method includes: a request terminal sending a request short message to a called terminal; the called terminal getting the program name by parse, searching out a corresponding end-to-end program in an end-to-end program list and displays it to a user after the request short message is detected and the user chooses to receive the short message; the end-to-end program of the called terminal sending a network connection request after the user starts the end-to-end program and inputs the IP address of the short message text; the end-to-end program of the request terminal performing an IP-based data interaction with the called terminal when the network connection request is monitored. This technical solution can establish an end-to-end IP connection between two mobile terminals rapidly and conveniently. |
| US09173236B2 |
Method for transmitting packets in a mobile station
A method of performing uplink transmission at a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes determining whether a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission collides with a random access transmission in a transmission time interval (TTI); and performing the HARQ retransmission if the HARQ retransmission does not collide with the random access transmission in the TTI, wherein a current value of information indicating a redundancy version (RV) for the HARQ retransmission is incremented by 1 if the HARQ retransmission does not collide with the random access transmission in the TTI. |
| US09173234B2 |
Protection mechanisms for multi-user MIMO transmissions
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for medium reservation in the case of multi-user (MU) communications. Multiple mechanisms are supported for protecting MU transmissions, wherein appropriate control messages can be exchanged between an access point and served user stations before transmitting downlink data packets. |
| US09173228B2 |
Bluetooth packet scheduling rules for LTE coexistence
To mitigate potential interference between radio access technologies (RATs) on a multi-RAT device, traffic scheduling rules may be implemented so that communications of the individual RATs are timed in a manner that reduces interference. For example, communications of a Bluetooth/WLAN RAT may be scheduled such that initial and responsive communications of the Bluetooth/WLAN RAT occur during sub-frames of an LTE RAT that are less likely to cause cross-RAT interference. |
| US09173225B2 |
Method and arrangement in a wireless communication system
Method and arrangement in a base station for scheduling physical resources in a transmission bandwidth to a user equipment served by the base station. The physical resources may be physical channels or radio resource blocks. Some physical resources within the transmission bandwidth are subjected to a performance requirement power restriction value. The method comprises scheduling physical resources based on the performance requirement power restriction value of the physical resources to be scheduled. Also, a method and arrangement in a user equipment for assisting a base station in scheduling physical resources in a transmission bandwidth to the user equipment is described. |
| US09173224B2 |
System and methods for differentiated association service provisioning in WiFi networks
A system and methods are provided to enable differentiated association of stations (STAs) in a WiFi system and provide differentiated quality of service (QoS) based association. The embodiments include categorizing STAs that share a channel of the WiFi network into different association priority classes, wherein the STAs with higher association priority classes wait for shorter times before starting association with an access point (AP) over the shared channel. The association priority classes are assigned by the AP or the WiFi network and signaled to the STAs. Alternatively, the association priority classes are assigned by the STAs and indicated to the AP or the WiFi network. The association priority class is determined for a STA according to traffic type, device type, subscriber type, or a random number generator. |
| US09173223B2 |
Method of transferring data in a wireless communication system
A method of transferring data in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A method of transferring data in a transmitting side of a wireless communication system includes checking whether at least one priority change condition is satisfied, changing a previously set priority of a plurality of upper layer channels if the at least one priority change condition is satisfied, and allocating radio resources of a lower layer channel to data of each of the plurality of upper layer channels in accordance with the changed priority. |
| US09173221B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of establishing a wireless beamformed link
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of establishing a wireless beamformed link. For example, an apparatus may include a wireless communication controller to control a first wireless communication device to communicate millimeter-wave (mmWave) signals with a second wireless communication device over a mmWave frequency band, the mmWave signals including signals transmitted according to a plurality of different transmit (Tx) beamforming settings, the wireless communication controller is to control the first wireless communication device to communicate feedback information, which is based on the mmWave signals, over a non-mmWave frequency band, and to control the first wireless communication device to establish with the second wireless communication device a beamformed link over the mmWave frequency band, the beamformed link using a Tx beamforming setting, which is determined based on the feedback information. |
| US09173220B2 |
Base station apparatus and resource allocation method
A wireless communication terminal apparatus wherein even when a SC-FDMA signal is divided into a plurality of clusters and the plurality of clusters are then mapped to respective discontinuous frequency bands (when C-SC-FDMA is used), the improvement effect of system throughput can be maintained, while the user throughput can be improved. In the apparatus, a DFT unit (210) subjects a symbol sequence of time domain to a DFT process, thereby generating signals of frequency domain. A setting unit (211) divides the signals input from the DFT unit (210) into a plurality of clusters according to a cluster pattern that is in accordance with an MCS set, an encoding size, or the number of Ranks occurring during MIMO transmissions, which is indicated in those signal input, and then maps the plurality of clusters to the respective ones of a plurality of discontinuous frequency resources, thereby setting a constellation of the plurality of clusters in the frequency domain. |
| US09173216B2 |
Method and arrangement in a relay node and a controlling node
According to various embodiments, a method is provided at a relay node for enabling subframe allocation between a backhaul link and an access link of the relay node. The relay node is connected to a controlling entity via the backhaul link, and is connectable to at least one user equipment via the access link. The relay node receives a trigger or configuration information from the controlling entity from the controlling entity. Based on the received trigger or configuration information, the relay node sends information to the controlling entity, indicating a resource utilization of the access link and/or indicating a quality of the access link. |
| US09173214B2 |
Method, user equipment, base station and system for determining component carrier scheduled in cross-carrier scheduling
A method, user equipment, base station and system for determining a component carrier scheduled in cross-carrier scheduling. The method for determining the scheduled component carrier includes: a user equipment (UE) detects scheduling information sent by a base station in a first dedicated searching space corresponding to a scheduling component carrier, the first dedicated searching space includes at least one candidate physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) (101); detecting at least one candidate physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to obtain a current physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) which belongs to the user equipment (UE) (102); determining a scheduled component carrier corresponding to the current physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) according to the location of the current physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and the carried carrier indicator field (CIF) value thereof (103). |
| US09173211B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information
A method of transmitting uplink control information of a user equipment is provided. The method includes: generating the uplink control information repeatedly as many as uplink data transmission layers; modulating the uplink control information to generate a plurality of repeated modulation symbol; applying a precoding matrix to the plurality of repeated modulation symbols to generate a plurality of first precoded symbol; and transmitting the plurality of first precoded symbols respectively through a plurality of antennas in an uplink subframe comprising a plurality of single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols in a time domain and a plurality of subcarriers in a frequency domain. |
| US09173210B2 |
Method for uplink transmission of radio link control layer and evolved node B
A method for RLC layer uplink transmission and an ENB are provided. The method comprises: step A, after a terminal initiated RLC layer transmission of service or uplink signaling in uplink acknowledged mode, the ENB stores identifier of the terminal and information of RLC layer segment. The information of the RLC layer segment comprises size of the RLC layer segment. Step B, the ENB detects scheduling request message sent by terminal, and when the terminal determined that the ENB does not correctly receive the uplink signaling or the service initiated by terminal, the scheduling request message is configured to trigger an RLC layer retransmission of the uplink signaling or the service. Step C, according to size of the RLC layer segment stored, the ENB performs uplink authorization to the terminal, determines radio resource to be allocated for the terminal, and transmits information of the allocated radio resource to the terminal. |
| US09173209B2 |
Subframe configuration management in LTE HetNets with time domain EICIC and VoIP
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication where a macro eNB or similar device may be configured to adjust an ABS configuration that is used for designating ABS subframes are provided to provide a VoLTE service to a UE. The ABS configuration may be adjusted by imposing one or more restrictions, such as alignment of the DRX OnDuration of a UE with some offset to the serving cell non-ABS subframes, and imposing restrictions on the ABS subframe settings at the macro eNB. The method or apparatus may initiate or terminate a wireless communication feature for a UE, and may adjust an ABS configuration based on the wireless communication feature, such that a maximum limit is set on a number of ABS subframes or a minimum limit is set on a number of non-ABS subframes based on the wireless communication feature. |
| US09173207B2 |
Method and device for configuring cell parameters of relay node
The disclosure claims a method and a device for configuring cell parameters of a Relay Node (RN), which can solve the technical problem that the cell parameters cannot be reasonably configured as a Donor eNB (DeNB) does not know the cell amount of the RN. In the disclosure, the RN sends the cell amount of cells which are managed by the RN to the DeNB via a control signaling, so as to make the DeNB more reasonably configure the cell parameters of the RN. The disclosure solves the problem that the DeNB cannot reasonably allocate resources according to the cell amount of the RN, and avoids resources conflicts, wherein the resources contain an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Cell Global Identifier (ECGI), a Physical Cell ID (PCI) and the like. |
| US09173206B2 |
Method of making a coexistence decision on hybrid topology
Disclosed is a radio technology independent method for coexistence among dissimilar or independently operated TV Band Device (TVBD) networks and dissimilar TV Band Devices. A resource allocation method on Hybrid topology is disclosed, which comprises steps of receiving at least one available resource; performing a neighbor set calculation based on the received at least one available resource; calculating the resource according to the neighbor set calculation; receiving at least one channel list set from each of the coexistence manager (CM) entity; determining whether there is any conflict channel list set among the received channel list set, and either transmitting a confirmation message or a channel list set changing request message to CM entity based on the determination result. |
| US09173205B2 |
Method and base station for transmitting downlink signal and method and equipment for receiving downlink signal
A base station of the present invention configures resources in which a downlink signal is to be transmitted with zero power using resource sets defined for a specific number of antenna ports, regardless of the number of antenna ports actually configured in the base station, and transmits resource information indicating the configured resources to a user equipment. The user equipment of the present invention receives a downlink transmission from the base station, assuming that transmission power of resources corresponding to a resource set indicated by the resource information is zero. |
| US09173204B2 |
Wireless communication method and system for configuring radio access bearers for enhanced uplink services
A wireless communication method and system for controlling an enhanced uplink (EU) radio access bearer (RAB). The wireless communication system includes at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), at least one Node-B and a radio network controller (RNC). The RNC configures an EU RAB to operate on an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH). At least one of the WTRU and the Node-B report EU traffic statistics and EU performance statistics to the RNC. The RNC then adjusts the configuration of the EU RAB in accordance with the received EU traffic statistics, the EU performance statistics, and information collected by the RNC itself. |
| US09173203B2 |
Method and arrangement in a wireless communication system
Method and arrangement in a user equipment for transmitting scheduling requests to a base station. The base station is adapted to serve the user equipment. The user equipment is configured to transmit scheduling requests to the base station only at certain predetermined scheduling request opportunities. The method comprises triggering a scheduling request transmission, transmitting a scheduling request to the base station at the next occurring scheduling request opportunity, starting a scheduling request prohibiting timer and prohibiting any further scheduling request retransmission at future scheduling request opportunities while the scheduling request prohibiting timer is running.Also, a corresponding method and arrangement in a base station is described. |
| US09173199B2 |
Radio module as web-controllable remote sensor
The present invention provides for network control of a radio module having a plurality of input/output (I/O) ports capable of communication with one or more sensing devices across a network, where the radio module may be controlled remotely to obtain information from one or more networked remote sensing devices. |
| US09173191B2 |
Device, system and method of simultaneously communicating with a group of wireless communication devices
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of simultaneously communicating with a group of wireless communication devices. For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit to communicate with at least one group of a plurality of wireless communication devices over a wireless communication medium, wherein the wireless communication unit is to reserve the wireless communication medium for a time period, during which the wireless communication unit is to simultaneously transmit two or more different wireless communication transmissions to two or more wireless communication devices of the group, respectively. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09173184B2 |
Mobile communication system supporting service centralization and continuity and method thereof
Mobile communication system supporting service centralization and continuity and method thereof. A mobile communication system may include a home subscriber server and a service centralization and continuity application server. The mobile subscriber server may be configured to register a location of a user equipment and to transmit location registration information of the user equipment. The service centralization and continuity application server may be configured to receive the location registration information of the user equipment from the home subscriber server. |
| US09173181B1 |
Adapter that converts precision time protocol (PTP) to global positioning system (GPS)
A method and apparatus are provided for converting a precision time protocol (PTP) to a GPS signal. Enterprise versions of Femtocells are located within buildings and do not have access to a GPS signal directly from a GPS satellite. An adapter is provided that takes an available PTP and power over Ethernet (PoE) flow and converts the signal into a pseudo-GPS signal that acts as a timing input into the Femtocell. The pseudo-GPS signal is a GPS signal modulated at the L1 band frequency or 1575.42 megahertz, but does not have location data nor subframes 1, 2, or 3, as found in an ordinary GPS signal. |
| US09173173B2 |
Method and device for controlling power of cognitive radio system
The disclosure provides a method and a device for controlling power of a cognitive radio system. The method comprises: measuring a system parameter of a cognitive radio system and a system parameter of a TV system located in an adjacent channel of the cognitive radio system; determining a maximum transmission power of the cognitive radio system according to the system parameter of the cognitive radio system and the system parameter of the TV system; controlling an actual transmission power of the cognitive radio system to be less than the maximum transmission power. In the disclosure, interference to the TV system can be reduced maximally, so that the sensitivity of a receiver inside the TV system is guaranteed. |
| US09173169B2 |
Method for power saving in wireless local area network and apparatus for the same
A method for power saving in a wireless local area network. The method according to one embodiment includes acquiring, by a wireless device, a transmission opportunity (TXOP); and receiving a signal field from the transmitting device. A group identifier indicates recipients, a number indicator indicates spatial streams, and a power saving indicator indicates that the transmitting device is allowed to enter a doze state during the TXOP. The method according to the embodiment further includes determining, by the wireless device, whether a first condition or a second condition is satisfied. The first condition is satisfied if the power saving indicator indicates an allowance, the wireless device is a recipient indicated by the group identifier, and the number of spatial streams is equal to zero. The second condition is satisfied if the power saving indicator indicates an allowance, and the wireless device is not a recipient indicated by the group identifier. |
| US09173168B2 |
Apparatus and method for power saving in an ad hoc network
An example apparatus, such as a quorum server of a quorum system, is caused to receive a route information message or duplication thereof from a node of an ad hoc network including a plurality of nodes, with the node having sent or received the route information message during implementation of a routing protocol to determine a route between the nodes, such as according to a gossip algorithm. The apparatus is caused to identify, based on the route information message, nodes intended to also receive the route information message or intended to be part of the determined route. And the apparatus is caused to prepare an instruction message for transmission to one or more of the nodes such that the identified one or more nodes enter or remain in an active mode, and nodes other than the identified one or more of the nodes enter or remain in a power-saving mode. |
| US09173163B2 |
Altering communication interface parameters based upon mobility
Altering communication interface parameters based upon mobility. A novel approach is presented in which at least one operational parameter is changed as a function of the mobility of a wireless terminal. The changing of the operational parameter (which can be performed by either the wireless terminal, a WAP, or cooperatively by both) can include changing an entire protocol or only one operational parameter within the protocol. The mobility measure can be any one or combination of velocity (rate of change of position), acceleration, position within the network, or other measure. The mobility can be an average mobility over a period of time, or it can be an instantaneous mobility. The operational parameter can be changed by either communication device at each end of a communication link or in part, by both (e.g., either by a WAP (Wireless Access Point) or a communication device connected thereto, or by cooperation there between). |
| US09173162B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products for managing access to femtocell coverage
Systems, methods, and computer program products are for managing access to a femtocell coverage area. An exemplary method includes storing in a memory component a first identifier corresponding to a subscribed service of a communication device and a second identifier corresponding to a user of the communication device, and granting access to the femtocell coverage area using the second identifier. |
| US09173160B2 |
Cognitive wireless system
A cognitive wireless system that enables a mobile node to operate dynamically with heterogeneous networks by taking into account real-time contextual information about the mobile node and system-wide health information. |
| US09173153B2 |
Mobile layer 2 virtual private network over internet protocol networks
The present disclosure relates to a technique for maintaining communication established between a mobile node (20) and a home network (100) of the mobile node (20). A method embodiment comprises the step of: determining whether the mobile node 20 has moved to a foreign network (120) different from the home network (100); wherein, when it is determined in the step of determining that the mobile node (20) has moved to the foreign network (120), the method embodiment further comprises the steps of: signalling, by the mobile node (20), a foreign address assigned by the foreign network (120), to a home agent (10) of the home network (100); and maintaining the communication between the mobile node (20) and the home network (100) by establishing communication between the mobile node (20) and the home agent (10) of the home network (10) for transmission of Data Link Layer (“DLL”) frames through an Internet Protocol (“IP”) based network (140), wherein the mobile node (20) is addressed by the home agent (10) by means of the foreign address assigned by the foreign network (120). |
| US09173139B2 |
Method and Terminal for Quickly Searching for an Access Point
Provided are a terminal and a method for searching access points performed by a terminal supporting a multi-RAT (Radio Access Technology) in a wireless communication system. The method includes: receiving, by the terminal, information on one or more access points (APs) located within a cell coverage of a base station; determining whether there are any accessible APs within the cell coverage of the base station based on the received information; searching and selecting an AP according to the determining, wherein: if there are accessible APs, the terminal searches and selects the AP within a first time period, the first time period is shorter than a current time period for searching the AP, if there are no accessible APs, the terminal searches and selects the AP within a second time period, and the second time period is longer than the current time period for searching the AP; and accessing the selected AP. |
| US09173137B2 |
Selection of packet data protocol context for handover from cellular network to femto cell
System(s) and method(s) are provided to manage packet data protocol (PDP) contexts upon cellular-to-femto handover, wherein femto network has disparate capabilities to support applications with distinct access point names (APNs) and quality of service (QoS) profiles. Based at least on activity factors of applications associated with PDP contexts, a QoS-based ranking of PDP contexts, and subscriber input, cellular network platform selects active PDP contexts to retain and suspend upon handover. A group of active PDP contexts is handed off in accordance with femto coverage capability, with remaining active PDP contexts suspended during handover. When a suspended PDP context, and application associated therewith, is resumed through femto coverage, a PDP context modification is conducted with a new APN and the application is routed to a corresponding femto gateway node and application server. Additionally, femto network platform performs a radio access bearer reconfiguration to meet QoS requirements of the resumed PDP context. |
| US09173134B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing quality of service settings for group communications
A centralized quality of service (QoS) entity having a processing device performs a method for managing QoS settings for group communications. The method includes: determining a plurality of active participants of a group communication session; and determining, for each active participant, an individual QoS setting, including a first individual QoS setting for a first active participant. The method further includes modifying the first individual QoS setting based on the individual QoS setting for at least one other active participant, wherein the modified first individual QoS setting is applied to a session leg used by the first active participant during the group communication session. The active participants of the group communication session can be on the same or heterogeneous wireless networks. |
| US09173125B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station apparatus and mobile station apparatus
A mobile station (MS) that transmits uplink data on a PUSCH, the PUSCH being assigned by using a PDCCH. The MS receives a radio resource control signal including first information instructing the MS apparatus to periodically transmit first reception quality information (RQI) and receives, on the PDCCH, second information instructing the MS to transmit second RQI on the PUSCH. The MS transmits only the second RQI on the PUSCH in a case that the transmission of the first RQI which is instructed by using the first information and the transmission of the second RQI which is instructed by using the second information would occur at the same time, where the second RQI is transmitted together with the uplink data on the PUSCH and an amount of resources for the second RQI is determined based on a size of the PUSCH assigned by using the PDCCH. |
| US09173122B2 |
Method, terminal and network device for configuring measurement gap
The present invention provides a method for configuring measurement gap, terminal and network device. The method includes: determining an aggregation state of current component carriers, an aggregation state of component carriers which will be configured for a terminal by a network side, or a failure state of a measurement performed by a terminal according to a state of a current measurement configuration; sending, in the case of the aggregation state of the current component carriers or the failure state of the measurement, current measurement capability information of the terminal to the network side; sending, in the case of the aggregation state of the component carriers which will be configured for the terminal by the network side, measurement capability information according to the aggregation state of the component carriers which will be configured for the terminal. The embodiments of the present invention may reduce signaling overhead and avoid signaling waste. |
| US09173121B2 |
Method and apparatus for restricted measuring in a wireless network
Methods and apparatuses are provided that include determining resources over which to measure signals from a base station. One or more parameters related to a resource restriction pattern can be provided to the device for measuring signals over indicated resources. The resource restricted pattern can correspond to a bitmap where each bit relates to a time period over which signals can be transmitted by the base station, and the bit can specify whether a signal received over the resource should be measured. The resource restriction pattern can correspond to a set or protected resources negotiated using a resource partitioning scheme. |
| US09173119B2 |
Gateway, server and communication control method thereof, and gateway system
In order to improve the accuracy of at least one of detecting that a UE camps on a femto cell and detecting that the UE decamps from the range femto cell, a gateway (110—1) forms a gateway system and relays traffic between a core network (20) and a base station (30—2). When TMSI or P-TMSI temporarily assigned to a UE (40—1) requesting to camp on the base station (30—2) is received from the base station (30—2) through a public network, the gateway (110—1) requests a server (120), which communicates with the core network (20) and the gateway (110—1), to notify IMSI permanently assigned to the UE (40—1) and associated with the TMSI or P-TMSI. In response to the request, the sever (120) acquires the IMSI from the core network (20) and notifies it to the gateway (110—1). The gateway (110—1) identifies the UE (40—1) by using the IMSI. |
| US09173117B2 |
Enhancing a mobile backup channel to address a node failure in a wireline network
A method performed by a slave network edge node (e.g., a Broadband Network Gateway BNG2) for enhancing a Long Term Evolution (LTE) backup channel in the event of a failure of a master network edge node (e.g., BNG1) in a wireline network. When BNG2 detects the failure of BNG1, BNG2 sends a failure update message to a Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW) of an LTE network. The PDN GW provides a backup channel for the CPE to reach the wide area network over a mobile tunnel. Before the failure the mobile tunnel has an end point at BNG1, and the failure update message notifies the PDN GW that the end point of the mobile tunnel has changed from BNG1 to BNG2. After BNG2 receives a failure acknowledgement message from the PDN GW, BNG2 routes the traffic from the PDN GW over the mobile tunnel to the wide area network. |
| US09173115B2 |
Network device configuration by mobile device
In one implementation, a wireless network device is automatically accessed and configured through a mobile device. The mobile device receives provisioning data encoded for installation and operation of a network device and decodes the provisioning data to identify at least one access parameter for the network device. The mobile device accesses a wireless network of the network device according to the access parameter. Once access has been established, the mobile device transmits a configuration signal including a network configuration setting through the wireless network to the network device for the installation of the network device. The network device is provisioned based on the network configuration setting. |
| US09173107B2 |
Analog front-end circuit for measurement
An analog front-end circuit for measurement used as an interface between a sensor and a control device includes: an isolated part including at least an AD conversion circuit configured to serve as an interface to the sensor; a non-isolated part including at least a control circuit configured to serve as an interface to the control device; and an isolated communication unit configured to perform isolated half-duplex communication between the isolated part and the non-isolated part. The control circuit is configured to transmit an AD conversion instruction to the AD conversion circuit after providing setting for measurement to the isolated part via the isolated communication unit, obtain a result of AD conversion by the AD conversion circuit from the isolated part via the isolated communication unit, and transfer the obtained AD conversion result to the control device. |
| US09173106B2 |
Efficient cell site outage mitigation
To efficiently mitigate cell coverage disruptions caused by either unplanned equipment failures or planned outages during maintenance activities, an efficient cell site outage mitigation system is provided to calculate an optimal configuration for neighboring cell site devices before adjusting the cell site configuration settings to cover the coverage gap. The optimal configuration is determined using an offline model learner. Radio frequency propagation models and user demand and distribution models can be used to determine the offline solution. The optimal configuration setting learnt using an offline model is then implemented when an outage is determined to have occurred in the operational field. |
| US09173102B2 |
Method for updating a data carrier
The invention provides a method for updating a data carrier inserted in a telecommunication end device with regard to a data-carrier application executable in the data carrier, comprising the steps of: making updating data available to a security application installed in the data carrier; updating the data carrier according to the updating data, the updating of the data carrier comprising the steps of: transferring at least a part of the updating data from the security application to a programming interface installed in the telecommunication end device and adapted for communication between the telecommunication end device and the data carrier; onward transferring the transferred updating data from the programming interface to a data-carrier management of the data carrier installed in the data carrier; updating the data carrier according to the onward transferred updating data. |
| US09173100B2 |
On board vehicle network security
The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable network controller operable to at least one of (a) isolate at least one other on board computational component in a vehicular wireless network not affected by a security breach event from a computational component affected by the security breach event and (b) isolate an on board computational component in the vehicular wireless network and affected by the security breach event from the at least one other on board computational component not affected by the security breach event. |
| US09173099B2 |
Method of subscription control in a mobile communication system
A method of subscription control for a first network control node in a mobile communication environment is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a trigger request message for triggering a mobile communication device from a machine-type communication (MTC) server, determining whether the trigger request message is valid according to whether one or more MTC features required by an application indicated in the trigger request message is subscribed or activated by the mobile communication device and is supported by a network control node of the mobile communication system, and accepting the trigger request message and forwarding the trigger request message to the network control node when the trigger request message is determined to be valid. |
| US09173097B2 |
Techniques for auto-authentication
Techniques to automatically authenticate may include determining that a mobile device is on a wireless local area network. An network access identification for the wireless local area network may be determined. The mobile device may be automatically authenticated on the wireless local area network based on information associated with the network access identification. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09173093B2 |
Systems and methods for reusing a subscriber identity module for multiple networks
A system for utilizing a SIM device for connecting and subscribing to a local network of local mobile server systems on an ad hoc basis is provided. The system includes a SIM device that has computer readable medium storing instructions that cause the SIM device to store credential data including an authentication key from the local mobile server systems on an ad hoc basis after the SIM device has left the manufacturer. A local network of a local mobile server systems allows a SIM device to connect and subscribe to the local network of local mobile service systems on an ad hoc basis. At the local network of local mobile service systems a subscription request is received and credential data from the local network to the SIM device is transmitted on an ad hoc basis after the SIM device has left the manufacturer. |
| US09173087B2 |
Remote child monitor
The remote child monitor is an intelligent child seat presence, operator reminder, and emergency alert monitoring system and method that reduces the probability of a child properly secured in a vehicle baby seat being left unattended in a vehicle. The central monitoring device detects when the child is secured in the baby seat, communicates with the driver, the vehicle, and reminds the driver of the child being secured in the baby seat. Multiple layers of communication and back up operators are employed to further reduce the child being ignored. Communications include personal area network, local area network, and cellular networks GPS. Operators include primary, secondary, and emergency (911). |
| US09173080B2 |
Method and related communication device for transmission and reception of natural disaster warning notification message in a wireless communication system
A method of handling notification message transmission for a network of a wireless warning communication system includes when content of a notification message comprising a message identity is changed, modifying the message identity, wherein the message identity is included in a system information block, hereinafter called SIB, and indicates which notification message a notification message content in the SIB belongs to; and sending the SIB and a paging message comprising at least one of a flag and an element, wherein the flag is used to notify a user equipment of a change of the SIB, and the element is a notification indication used to notify the user equipment to acquire the SIB when the element is found in the received paging message. |
| US09173078B2 |
Management of multiple subscriber identity modules
Management of multiple subscriber identity modules by server is disclosed. Instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a server, for a plurality of users of mobile terminals, to: cause an analysis on use of each subscriber identity module belonging to a set; cause a prediction of a future use of the each subscriber identity module belonging to the set on the basis of the analysis; cause a selection of at least one optimal subscriber identity module for use by the mobile terminal on the basis of the prediction such that the use of the subscriber identity modules is optimized for the plurality of the users of the mobile terminals; and cause a transmission of the selection of at least one optimal subscriber identity module for use by the mobile terminal. |
| US09173069B2 |
Navigating using an indoor map representation
A method and system for providing an indoor map representation are provided herein. Aspects of this disclosure provide a representation of an indoor map environment whereby navigable areas are represented by a series of convex polygons in adjacency relationships with one another. Image analysis may be performed on a floor plan image to identify navigable areas and to determine the boundaries of the polygons, such as by assigning one or more colors to navigable space and one or more colors to non-navigable space. Route-finding operations may be performed using the adjacency relationships to find a path from a source area to a destination area. |
| US09173066B1 |
Methods and systems for controlling an electronic device
According to embodiments illustrated herein there is provided a method for controlling an electronic device. The method includes detecting, in a mobile device, a contact with the electronic device at a predetermined reference location on the electronic device. The method further includes tracking a movement of the mobile device from the predetermined reference location to a second location on the electronic device, wherein the second location corresponds to a first component of the electronic device. Additionally, the method includes receiving an input from a user to control one or more functionalities of the first component. |
| US09173064B1 |
Estimating proximity to a mobile station by manipulating an interfering signal
A technique for providing a location estimate of a mobile station, with increased accuracy. An unenhanced estimate of the location of a target mobile station is first obtained. A portable transmitter is then situated in an initial geographic area of interest defined by the unenhanced estimate. The portable transmitter is then tuned to transmit on a particular neighbor base station frequency being reported by the mobile station. When the portable transmitter is moved close enough to the target mobile station, the mobile station stops reporting the neighbor to the mobile's wireless telecommunications network, on account of the interference introduced by the portable transmitter being on that frequency. The estimated distance from the portable transmitter to the target mobile station depends on the transmit signal strength used by the portable transmitter. By considering these details, an enhanced estimate of the location of the mobile station can then be deduced. |
| US09173047B2 |
Methods for manufacturing ultrasound transducers and other components
The invention features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the inventions provides methods of patterning electrodes, e.g., in the connection of an ultrasound transducer to an electrical circuit; methods of depositing metal on surfaces; and methods of making integrated matching layer for an ultrasound transducer. The invention also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein. |
| US09173046B2 |
Microphone and method for modelling microphone characteristics
A method of modelling microphone characteristics of a target microphone is provided. An impulse response of target microphones is measured over different angles. A signal conditioning on the measurement data is performed. The spatial response based on a spatial response matching algorithm is matched and filter parameters and/or model parameters are determined. |
| US09173043B2 |
Method for fine tuning a hearing aid
A method for fitting a hearing aid (1) comprises the steps of recording the audiogram of the hearing aid user (6), selecting a fitting setting, using the hearing aid (1) for a period of time, and logging data representing information on the sound environment in which the hearing aid is being used. The method comprises the steps of providing a computer based questionnaire on a first computer (2), said questionnaire comprising questions directed to the hearing aid users subjective experience with using the hearing aid, correlating questionnaire data with logged data, and selecting and, implementing a new hearing aid setting into the hearing aid. The invention further provides a method for optimizing the function of a hearing aid, and a computer program product. |
| US09173041B2 |
Enhancing perception of frequency-lowered speech
Among other things, a sound processing device system is disclosed to assist a hearing-impaired human listener recognize speech sounds or phonemes. The device system may be configured at least to generate an output audio signal at least by transposing and causing a negative rank ordering of frequency of at least a portion of the input audio signal. Compression also may be performed on the at least the portion of the input audio signal as part of generating the output audio signal. The negative rank ordering may be performed on a high-frequency portion of the input audio signal that becomes a low-frequency portion of the output audio signal by the transposing. The low-frequency portion of the output audio signal may represent an inverted ordering of frequencies or frequency segments present in the high-frequency portion of the input audio signal. |
| US09173034B2 |
Ring shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker
Ring-shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker, where said membrane comprises two or more dome-shaped annulus concentrically arranged around a central portion through which an imaginary axis of symmetry passes, where an outer periphery of said membrane is suitable to be attached to a surround; where the central portion is attached to a tower, which again is fastened to the loudspeakers driver, wherein the angle between a plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and the attachment of the membrane to the surround resp. the tower is in the interval 0° to 40°, most preferred around 30°. |
| US09173033B1 |
Composite vibration diaphragm and its fabrication method
A composite vibration diaphragm fabrication method includes the steps of: (a) mixing a reinforcing material with a hot melt adhesive to form a first mixture and to let the reinforcing material be wrapped in the hot melt adhesive uniformly, (b) mixing the first mixture with a thermosetting adhesive to form a second mixture, (c) coating the second mixture on a vibration diaphragm material and then heating the second mixture coated vibration diaphragm material, and (d) cooling down the coated vibration diaphragm material in which the second mixture is cured and bonded to the vibration diaphragm material. Thus, when baking the second mixture, the internal hot melt adhesive will be melted and integrated with the thermosetting adhesive, and the thermosetting adhesive will also be cured, enabling the reinforcing material to be uniformly bonded to the vibration diaphragm to reinforce the strength and rigidity of the composite vibration diaphragm. |
| US09173028B2 |
Speech enhancement system and method
A system for speech enhancement in a room having a directional lapel microphone arrangement for capturing an audio signal from a speaker's voice; audio signal processor for generating a processed audio signal from the captured audio signal, and an adaptive beamformer unit for imparting directivity to the microphone arrangement provides maximum sensitivity towards the speaker's mouth and minimum sensitivity towards noise sources identified by the beamformer unit. A unit shifts the frequency of components of the audio signal above a frequency threshold value only. A feedback cancelling unit has an adaptive filter and a selection unit which automatically switches between a first mode causing the audio signal to by-pass the adaptive filter and a second mode in which the audio signal is filtered by the adaptive filter. A loudspeaker arrangement generates sound according to the processed audio signal and has plural loudspeakers arranged to form a directional loudspeaker array. |
| US09173026B2 |
Sound recording device
A sound recording device of the present disclosure is can be connected with an external sound pickup device. The sound recording device includes a connector having a plurality of terminals to which the external sound pickup device can be connected, and a determiner that determines a type of the external sound pickup device when the external sound pickup device is connected to the connector, based on a correlation between signals of specific terminals out of the plurality of terminals. |
| US09173023B2 |
Multiple device noise reduction microphone array
Various embodiments are directed to cooperation among communications devices having microphones to employ their microphones in unison to provide voice detection with noise reduction for voice communications. A first communications device comprises a processor circuit; a first microphone; an interface operative to communicatively couple the processor circuit to a network; and a storage communicatively coupled to the processor circuit and arranged to store a sequence of instructions operative on the processor circuit to store a first detected data that represents sounds detected by the first microphone; receive a second detected data via the network that represents sounds detected by a second microphone of a second communications device; subtractively sum the first and second data to create a processed data; and transmit the processed data to a third communications device. Other embodiments are described and claimed herein. |
| US09173022B2 |
Acoustic transducer
An acoustic transducer (104) is shown, which may be configured as either a loudspeaker or a microphone. The acoustic transducer includes a magnet system (401), and a diaphragm (303) having a conductive element (402) disposed on it. The conductive element has a first outer conductive portion (405) and a second outer conductive portion (407) for generating force parallel to the magnet system. It also has a central conductive portion (406) for generating force normal to the magnet system. In this way, application of an audio frequency signal to the conductive element, possibly via positive and negative input terminals (202, 203), causes oscillation of the diaphragm. |
| US09173020B2 |
Control method of sound producing, sound producing apparatus, and portable apparatus
A control method of sound producing, sound producing apparatus, and portable apparatus are provided. The control method of sound producing is for a portable device, including the following steps. (a) A first detected parameter indicating a detected excursion of a speaker of the portable device is generated. (b) A second audio signal is generated based on a first audio signal, wherein the second audio signal is generated selectively by compensation according to at least the first detected parameter. (c) A gain value is determined according to at least the first detected parameter and a third audio signal is generated based on the second audio signal according to the gain value. |
| US09173019B2 |
Loudspeaker with rotatable sound-reflecting member
A loudspeaker includes a circuit board, a base mounted on a rear side of the circuit board, a positioning apparatus slidably installed between the base and the circuit board, a sound-reflecting member positioned at a front side of the circuit board, a connecting member connected between the base and the sound-reflecting member, a sound generator, and a controller. The sound-reflecting member includes a sound-reflecting plate and a number of magnetic pieces around the sound-reflecting plate. Many first electromagnets are mounted on the front side of the circuit board, aligning with the magnetic pieces. The position apparatus includes a positioning bracket. The connecting member includes a rotating portion rotatably connected to the base. A second electromagnet is mounted to the circuit board, to move the positioning bracket. The controller controls one or more of the first electromagnets to attract the corresponding magnetic pieces, to allow the sound-reflecting member to swing. |
| US09173018B2 |
Acoustic filter
In an aspect, in general, a loudspeaker element includes an enclosure, a cone diaphragm of a driver element located within the enclosure, a first cavity wall extending from the cone diaphragm of the driver element to a throat opening which has an area less than an area of the cone diaphragm and forming a first cavity within the enclosure, an exit element extending from the throat opening to an environment outside of the enclosure, and an impedance compensation element extending from the first cavity wall, the impedance compensation element including a second cavity wall which forms a second cavity within the enclosure and a resistance element separating the second cavity from the first cavity. |
| US09173013B2 |
Method and device for adjusting a laser in an optical network
A method and a device for adjusting a laser in an optical network. At least one alive message is transmitted from a first optical component towards a second optical component. A confirmation message is transmitted from the second optical component to the first optical component determining the wavelength of the laser to be used based on the alive message received by the second optical component. Furthermore, an optical communication system is provided with an optical element. |
| US09173012B2 |
High capacity switching system
An exemplary apparatus is provided for a high capacity switching system for use in a transport network, which contains a number of input and output subsystems and a central interconnection means configurably interconnecting the input and output subsystems. The subsystems have input and output line modules for receiving and transmitting data signals to and from transmission lines of the network, one or more link modules connecting the subsystems to the interconnection means, and local switching means switching data signals in time and space domain between the input and output modules and the one or more link modules within one subsystems. The link modules are adapted to aggregate data signals from different input and output line modules of the same input and output subsystems and destined to input and output line modules of another one of the input and output subsystems into signal bursts and add a payload gap to each signal burst. |
| US09173011B2 |
Satellite-based low power resource meter reading systems and methods
Systems and methods for monitoring a utility resource are disclosed. One system includes utility resource usage capture components connected to a utility resource management computing system via a satellite communications network. Each of the utility resource usage capture components includes a utility resource meter interface and a satellite communication module. The utility resource meter interface is configured to communicate with different types of utility resource meters from different manufacturers. Each of the utility resource usage capture components has a low power state and an operational state, and is configured to automatically enter the operational state, interrogate an associated utility resource meter, communicate the reading via the satellite communication module, and return to the low power state. The utility resource management computing system stores information regarding a location of each of the utility resource usage capture components and receives and stores readings from each of the utility resource usage capture components. |
| US09173010B2 |
Television system to extract television product placement advertisement data and to store data in a remote control device
A television advertisement system whereby a viewer retrieves product placement contact information for a product, that has been promoted on the viewer's television by using a wireless remote control device. The invention provides the means for a viewer to easily obtain in-hand product contact and detailed information which can then be used at-will. Teletext data, which contains product information, is associated with a product's video signal and is automatically decoded and stored in the television's or TV set-top box's memory. The viewer retrieves on demand the product's teletext data stored in memory by using a remote control device. The product data is transferred to and stored in a remote control device's memory. The data is displayed on the remote's screen. The data stored in the remote control can be used to contact an advertiser for further information, or to purchase a product or service. This is achieved by wirelessly transferring pertinent contact information from the remote control to various communication devices, such as a computer, a telephone, a television set-top box, an electronic game console, etc. |
| US09173007B2 |
Method and system for synchronization for DVB-S2 frame and its associated frame structure
A communication system using the DVB-S2 standard, and its associated frame structure, comprises at least two users Ui, characterized in that the super-frame ST1 associated with the first user U1 is composed of at least one frame T1 each composed of at least one header, of a data part, the said super-frame ST1 comprising a number d1 of “dummy” variable size frames consisting of s1 slots, the super-frame ST2 associated with the second user U2 is composed of one or more frames T2 each composed of at least one header, of a data part, the said super-frame ST2 comprising a number d2 of “dummy” variable size frames consisting of s2 slots, the system comprises a module NCC adapted for determining the number d1 and the number d2 of dummies to be introduced so that the temporal duration of ST2 is equal to the temporal duration of ST1. |
| US09173004B2 |
Reproducing device, reproducing method, program, and transmitting device
Disclosed herein is a reproducing device including: a receiving section configured to receive IP-distributed content data and caption data; a content decoding section configured to generate a content video signal; an input section configured to input a user setting adopted to select at least one of a display mode and an edge of a character in relation to a caption; a retaining section configured to retain the input user setting; a caption information analyzing section configured to separate the caption data in time series, and generate intermediate caption information; an updating section configured to overwrite and update the intermediate caption information; a caption video signal generating section configured to generate a caption video signal; and a synthesizing section configured to superimpose and synthesize the caption video signal on the content video signal. |
| US09173003B2 |
Media system with internet content
An interactive television system is provided that supports newsgroup features. An interactive television application, such as an interactive television program guide, may be used to allow a user to view and post newsgroup messages to one or more newsgroup servers. The newsgroup servers may be located at a television distribution facility. The newsgroup servers may be Usenet servers accessed via the Internet. The user may use the newsgroup feature while watching television programming or while otherwise viewing other content provided by the interactive television application. Cross-referencing may be used to allow the user to access content related to a particular subject matter. Parental control features may be used to limit access to certain newsgroups. Newsgroup messages may contain links to other content made available through the interactive television application. |
| US09172999B2 |
Behavioral keyword identification based on thematic channel viewing
A method, performed by a computer device, may include obtaining a viewing history, associated with a customer, from a set-top box associated with the customer, wherein the viewing history relates a particular television channel to a duration time associated with the particular television channel. The method may further include determining a keyword, associated with the customer, based on the obtained viewing history; calculating a keyword score for the keyword based on the obtained viewing history; selecting an advertisement, associated with the keyword, based on the calculated keyword score; and providing the selected advertisement to the set-top box associated with the customer, based on selecting the advertisement. |
| US09172998B2 |
Excluding specific application traffic from customer consumption data
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for excluding specific application traffic from customer consumption-based data billing counts. This is useful for excluding traffic from consumption totals where the application traffic has been accounted for using other means, such as through billing as a separate or technically distinct service. In practice, a tablet computer (or other end user device) can run a video application that uses a high-speed data network via a cable modem. This video application may be included as part of a core video package associated with a distinct cable television service. The system then provides accurate consumption billing of customer traffic that is outside of any other managed services by creating separate logical data service flows at a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) for excluding specific traffic counts. |
| US09172996B2 |
Automatic adjustment of devices in a home entertainment system
A computer may be configured to identify, using data received wirelessly from an identification device associated with a home entertainment system, a user of an entertainment session. The computer may retrieve a user profile that includes set physical positioning, physical orientation, and viewing information of a primary display device and a secondary display device. The computer may wirelessly control adjustment of a physical position of the primary and secondary display devices in association with the user profile. |
| US09172994B2 |
Method and system for an automatic content recognition abstraction layer
A method and system for an automatic content recognition (ACR) abstraction layer are described in which real-time event manager in an ACR system may be utilized to receive interactive event identifiers and to assign those identifiers to sets of video fingerprints generated by multiple real-time fingerprint servers (RTFSs). The video fingerprints may be generated from a network television feed by utilizing video fingerprint technologies that are different for each RTFS. The interactive event identifiers may be determined from different sources. When determined from content ingested by the ACR system, for example, the interactive event identifiers may be based on a video fingerprinting process separate from those utilized by the RTFSs. The RTFSs may communicate the sets of video fingerprints and interactive event identifiers to corresponding fingerprint match systems, which in turn may communicate with devices that utilize the same video fingerprint technology as the corresponding RTFS. |
| US09172991B2 |
Apparatus of processing an image and a method of processing thereof
The disclosure is disclosed an apparatus of processing an image and a method thereof. According to the present invention, the method of transmitting a broadcast signal for a 3-dimensional, 3D, service, the method may include encoding video data for a 3D service into a stream and transmitting a broadcast signal including the encoded stream and service information for signaling the 3D service, wherein the service information comprises a first descriptor includes first information for specifying that a type of the stream is a video stream and second information for specifying a type of a component included in the video stream is a 3D video component, and wherein the first and second information including values for indicating presence and attribute of subtitles of the 3D service. |
| US09172990B2 |
Method and device for optimizing storage of recorded video programs
A method of managing video programs and associated program components on a storage unit of an electronic device is provided. A total number of playbacks of each video program stored in the storage unit and a total number of playbacks of each program component stored in the storage unit for each of the video programs are tracked. A percentage of playbacks of each program component stored on the storage unit relative to the total number of playbacks of its corresponding video program is determined. From this, candidates of program components for deletion from the storage unit are identified based on the values of the determined percentages. The tracking, determining and identifying steps of the method are performed by electronic components of the electronic device. A device is also disclosed. |
| US09172989B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, television program broadcasting method, program, and information storage media
Of the types of content included in a broadcast signal, a type of content different from broadcast content is selectively stored. A broadcast signal reception block receives a broadcast signal of a selected channel. A display control block controls such that broadcast content included in the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal reception block is displayed on a display block. If storage content that is content identified to be stored is included in the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal reception block, then a storage content output block outputs this storage content to a storage block. |
| US09172988B2 |
Analog front end for DTV, DTV system having the same, and operation methods thereof
Provided is an analog front end of a digital TV, a digital TV system having the same, and a method of operating the same. The analog front end includes: a first selection circuit which selectively outputs differential sound intermediate frequency signals or differential TV broadcast signals in response to a first selection signal; a second selection circuit which outputs a clock signal among a plurality of clock signals having a different sampling frequencies, in response to a second selection signal; and an analog-to-digital converter which converts output signals output from the first selection circuit to a digital code, according to a sampling frequency of a clock signal output from the second selection circuit. |
| US09172987B2 |
Methods and systems for updating functionality of a set-top box using markup language
An interactive television program guide is provided. Program guide display elements are arranged and styled using markup language documents. These markup language documents may also indicate and select program guide functions. The program guide interprets the markup language documents and generates the display screens and program guide functionality without user intervention. The program guide may also be updated by supplying new markup language documents that modify display screens and program guide functionality. The markup language documents may be supplied by a main facility or a television distribution facility. |
| US09172986B2 |
Network system, communication method, and communication terminal
A communication terminal includes a touch panel, a communication device for communicating with an other communication terminal, and a processor for reproducing contents using a touch panel, temporarily stopping reproduction of the contents and transmitting a stop instruction to the other communication terminal according to a first input, resuming the reproduction of the contents and transmitting the resumption instruction to the other communication terminal according to a second input, temporarily stopping the reproduction of the contents according to a stop instruction from the other communication terminal, and resuming the reproduction of the contents according to a resumption instruction from the other communication terminal. |
| US09172984B2 |
Digital audio-video content mobile library
Methods for managing digital video content include registering, in a registry identified with a user account, mobile device platform information and telephone number information for at least one wireless mobile device indicated by information received from a client device. A network server maintains a library of digital video content identified with the user account at a network server, available for serving the digital video content to the client computer. The server provides the digital content, the mobile device platform information and the telephone number information to a mobile content server, to enable streaming video delivery of the digital video content to the at least one mobile device without requiring the user account identifier to be provided from the at least one mobile device. An apparatus for performing the method comprises a processor coupled to a memory, the memory holding instructions for performing steps of the method as summarized above. |
| US09172983B2 |
Automatic media editing apparatus, editing method, broadcasting method and system for broadcasting the same
Disclosed are an automatic media editing apparatus, an editing method, a media broadcasting method and a broadcasting system thereof. The media editing apparatus edits or labels the media clips in accordance with specified features according to the analysis of the received multimedia. A new multimedia clip can be created after reproducing the media clips. The sources of the multimedia may be the contents which are side-recorded by a plurality of area servers located at multiple areas. Followed on, the edited multimedia as required can be broadcasted to clients. The automatic media editing technology may be applied to a media broadcasting system across multiple areas. The system may include a main server and a plurality of area servers. The area server may integrate and clip the content in accordance with the specified features. |
| US09172981B2 |
Challenge-response cable set-top-box system to securely authenticate software application program interfaces (APIs)
A system for securely authenticating software Application Program Interfaces (APIs) includes a handshake protocol provided between a Conditional Access System (CAS) and Middleware running on a Set-Top-Box. The handshake is a Challenge-Response protocol that includes several steps. The CAS or the Middleware can either act as a Claimant or Verifier in Challenge-Response process. First, a Claimant sends a request to a Verifier requesting access to a function F through the API. The Verifier reacts to the request by outputting a Challenge that is sent to the Claimant The Challenge is also retained by the Verifier for use in its internal calculation to verify the Claimant's response. The Claimant next processes the Challenge using components under a patent License Agreement, known as Hook IP, and issues a Response to the Verifier. The Verifier can then verify the Response to allow the Claimant access to the API. |
| US09172977B2 |
Filtering apparatus, method, and medium for multi-format codec
Provided is a filtering apparatus, method, and medium for a multi-format codec, in which a blocking artifact of decoded video data is removed. The filtering apparatus includes a compression format detection unit, a block strength determination unit, a table determination unit, and a first filtering unit. The compression format detection unit detects a video compression format of the decoded video data. The block strength determination unit determines a block strength indicating a filtering strength with respect to the decoded video data according to the detected video compression format. The table determination unit determines a filtering table differently according to the block strength when the block strength is greater than a predetermined threshold. The first filtering unit performs filtering on the decoded video data in units of a block using the determined filtering table. |
| US09172976B2 |
Context reduction for context adaptive binary arithmetic coding
A reduction in the number of binarizations and/or contexts used in context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) for video coding is proposed. In particular, this disclosure proposes techniques that may lower the number contexts used in CABAC by up to 56. |
| US09172974B2 |
Apparatus and method of compressing and restoring image using filter information
Provided is method and apparatus of compressing and restoring an image using filter information. The image compression apparatus may generate a reduced image by sampling an input image, determine filter information based on the input image and a decoded reduced image, and code the filter information and the decoded reduced image. Accordingly, a deterioration in an image quality may be prevented in transmitting the image using a limited bandwidth. |
| US09172973B2 |
Method and system for motion estimation in a video encoder
Described herein is a method and system for motion estimation in a video encoder. There are two parts to the motion estimation. Coarse motion estimation generates a set of motion vectors for a current picture and at least one reference picture. Typically, coarse motion estimation operates on sub-sampled pictures. Fine motion estimation can refine coarse motion estimation results by searching interpolated video data in a region defined by the motion vectors from the coarse motion estimation. |
| US09172971B2 |
Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, and image decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes: deriving a candidate for a motion vector predictor from a neighboring motion vector; adding the candidate to a list; selecting a motion vector predictor from the list; coding a current block; and coding a current motion vector. In the deriving, the candidate is derived according to a first derivation scheme when each of a current reference picture and a neighboring reference picture is determined to be a long-term reference picture, and the candidate is derived according to a second derivation scheme when each of a current reference picture and a neighboring reference picture is determined to be a short-term reference picture. |
| US09172970B1 |
Inter frame candidate selection for a video encoder
This disclosure relates to selecting an inter frame candidate for encoding. In particular, one or more previous motion vectors for a current block and a zero valued motion vector are selected. At least one of the one or more previously determined motion vectors is generated for a neighboring block in a current frame. Additionally, an estimated motion vector is determined based at least in part on a sum of absolute difference (SAD) calculation and a penalty value. A cost value for each of the one or more previous motion vectors, the zero valued motion vector and the estimated motion vector are calculated based at least in part on a sum of squared differences (SSD) calculation. Accordingly, a motion vector with a lowest cost value is selected from the one or more previous motion vectors, the zero motion vector and the estimated motion vector as an inter frame candidate for encoding. |
| US09172969B2 |
Local macroblock information buffer
According to some embodiments, an external memory unit stores rows of macroblocks representing an image. A set of macroblocks may be transferred from the external memory unit to a local buffer, the set of macroblocks including fewer macroblocks than a row. A macroblock may then be decoded based on information in the local buffer to generate an image signal. |
| US09172968B2 |
Video coding using directional transforms
In one example, an apparatus for encoding video data includes a video encoder configured to calculate a residual block for a block of video data based on a predicted block formed using an intra-prediction mode, and transform the residual block using a transform mapped from the intra-prediction mode. In another example, an apparatus includes video encoder configured to receive an indication of a first intra-prediction mode in a first set of intra-prediction modes for a block of video data, determine a second intra-prediction mode from a second set of intra-prediction modes, smaller than the first set of intra-prediction modes, to which the first intra-prediction mode is mapped, determine a directional transform to which the second intra-prediction mode is mapped, and apply the directional transform to residual data of the block. |
| US09172967B2 |
Coding and decoding utilizing adaptive context model selection with zigzag scan
There is a coding. The coding may include preparing video compression data based on source pictures utilizing a processor. The preparing may include processing a generated transform unit, including generating a significance map having a significance map array with y-x locations corresponding to the transform array. The generating may include scanning, utilizing a zigzag scanning pattern, a plurality of significance map elements in the significance map array. The generating may also include determining, utilizing the zigzag scanning pattern, a context model for coding a significance map element of the plurality of significance map elements based on a value associated with at least one coded neighbor significance map element of the significance map element in the significance map array. There is also a decoding including processing video compression data which is generated in the coding. |
| US09172966B2 |
System and method for adaptive coding tree mode decision
A system and method for encoding video is provided. The system may partition a video frame into multiple coding units. The system may determine a memory bandwidth budget and selectively code each coding unit based on a memory cost as compared to the memory bandwidth budget. |
| US09172963B2 |
Joint coding of syntax elements for video coding
In one example, a video decoder is configured to determine whether a component of a transform unit of a coding unit of video data includes at least one non-zero coefficient based on a codeword for the transform unit, determine whether the transform unit is split into sub-transform units based on the codeword, and decode the transform unit based on the determinations. In another example, a video encoder is configured to determine whether a component of a transform unit of a coding unit of video data includes at least one non-zero coefficient, determine whether the transform unit is split into sub-transform units, select a codeword from a variable length code table, wherein the variable length code table provides an indication that the codeword corresponds to the determinations, and provide the codeword for the transform unit. |
| US09172961B2 |
Method of applying edge offset
Provided is a method generates an edge index of a current sample, and applies an edge offset corresponding to the edge index to the current sample. The edge index is generated using the differences between a current sample and two neighboring samples determined by an edge offset type. Accordingly, the difference between original samples and reconstructed samples are effectively reduced by generating the optimum edge index. Also, the quantity of bits required for reducing the differences are reduced by fixing the sign of offset to positive or negative. |
| US09172958B2 |
Apparatus and method for coding picture data
A coding apparatus for hierarchically (layering) coding top field data and bottom field data divided from each of a plurality of picture data composing a moving picture image has a first coding unit configured to encode one field data between two field data of the top field data and the bottom field data divided from the picture data, a conversion unit configured to interpolate first predicted image data generated by the first coding unit encoding above one field data and generate a second predicted image data of a scanning position of the other field data between the two field data, and a second coding unit configured to encode the other field data between the two field data based on the second predicted image data generated by the conversion unit. |
| US09172952B2 |
Method and system for analyzing video stream accuracy in a network environment
A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video sequence having at least one code symbol embedded therein. The at least one code symbol is selected from a sequence of code symbols. The method further includes determining whether the at least one code symbol is decodable, and determining one or more video quality parameters based upon whether the at least one symbol is decodable. The method still further includes determining a video quality metric associated with the video sequence based upon the one or more video quality parameters. |
| US09172950B2 |
Method and system using automated workflow for monitoring of video assets
A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports. |
| US09172942B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating header information of stereoscopic image data
A method and apparatus for using header information of stereoscopic image data is provided. The method includes using three-dimensional reproduction period information related to three-dimensionally reproduced stereoscopic image data of image data recorded in a payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream, in a header region of the stereoscopic image bitstream; recording camera information related to cameras used for obtaining a stereoscopic image, in the header region; recording parallax information between base and additional images of the stereoscopic image in the header region; and recording the image data in the payload region of the stereoscopic image bitstream. |
| US09172940B2 |
Two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video conversion based on movement between video frames
A method for converting two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video. The method includes the steps of comparing at least part of video frame x to a corresponding at least part of video frame y to determine movement therebetween, calculating a movement direction and movement extent based on the determined movement, determining viewing frame L and viewing frame R based on the movement direction, and modifying viewing frame R based on the movement direction and the movement extent to create modified viewing frame R′. One alternative embodiment is a video display device for converting two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video. Another alternative embodiment includes one or more device-readable media storing executable instructions that, when executed, configure a video display device to convert two-dimensional video to three-dimensional video. |
| US09172925B2 |
Solid state image capturing element, image capturing apparatus, and focusing control method
An image capturing element 5 has a phase difference detecting region 50a in a light receiving region 50 in which pixel cells are arranged, in the region 50a, some of pixel cells mounted with G filters, among the pixel cells which are arranged in a Bayer pattern, serve as phase difference detecting pixel cells 51R and 51L, the pixel cell 51L and the pixel cell 51R receive light which passes through different pupil areas of the image capturing lens 1, the pixel cell 51L includes two types of pixel cells (3) and (4) having different arrangement patterns of the adjacent pixel cells 51 and the pixel cell 51R includes two types of pixel cells (1) and (2) having different arrangement patterns of the adjacent pixel cells 51. |
| US09172924B1 |
Systems and methods for sharing encoder output
Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for sharing encoder output of video streams. In a particular embodiment, a method provides determining video profiles for each of a plurality of devices. The method further provides determining if two or more of the video profiles are similar by determining if parameters associated with each video profile differ by less than a threshold value. The method further provides transmitting a video stream encoded in a single format to the devices if they have similar profiles and transmitting video streams encoded in different formats to the devices if they do not have similar profiles. |
| US09172922B1 |
Doorbell communication systems and methods
A doorbell system can include a remote computing device and a doorbell that has a camera. The doorbell can receive a communication from a remote sensor in response to an event. The communication may cause a power setting of the doorbell to be overridden. Then, the doorbell can send an outgoing communication. |
| US09172921B1 |
Doorbell antenna
Doorbells can communicate wirelessly with remotely located computing devices. In some embodiments, doorbells include an antenna configured to enable the doorbells to communicate wirelessly with remotely located computing devices. The antenna can exit the back side of a doorbell and enter a hole of a building such that the antenna is located in the same hole as electrical wires that provide electricity to the doorbell. |
| US09172918B2 |
Systems and methods for managing live video data
Described herein are systems and methods for managing live video data. These include the likes of video management systems, camera servers, methods for providing access to video data, methods of operating camera servers, and software for allowing the implementation of such methods in a computer system. In overview, a video management system is configured such that, upon the failure of a camera server, cameras assigned to that server are automatically reassigned to a backup camera server. |
| US09172917B1 |
Internet protocol security camera connected light bulb/system
The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising an antenna module and a control module. The antenna module may be configured to connect and send data to a local network and a mobile handheld device through a wireless connection. The control module may be configured to provide (i) a physical connection to the antenna module, (ii) a power source to an external device, and (iii) a camera sensor to capture still and motion pictures and sounds of a surrounding environment of the apparatus. The pictures may be sent as the data through the wireless connection or through a mobile handheld device. |
| US09172915B2 |
Method of operating a channel recommendation system
The invention provides a method of operating a channel recommendation system, including, providing a channel recommendation bid interface, receiving a bid request on the interface, and displaying a recommendation link to the channel on at least one user recommendation display device based on the bid request. Real time viewership information may also be used in the operation of the channel recommendation system.The invention further provides a method of operating a shared information system, including, receiving a recorded clip recommendation request, determining a recipient based on the recommendation request, wherein the recipient is a user different from the recommendation source, determining a recorded video clip based on the recommendation request, determining an ad based on a profile associated with the recipient, and associating the determined clip and the determined ad with the recipient. Real time viewership information may also be used in the operation of the shared information system. |
| US09172914B1 |
Using EQAM video de-jitter memory for processing M-CMTS DEPI PSP priority queues
Methods, systems, and apparatus can be used to repurpose MPEG-TS de-jitter memory for DEPI DOCSIS PSP priority queues processing. |
| US09172913B1 |
Automatic counter-surveillance detection camera and software
A counter-surveillance detection system includes a camera with an integrated illumination source and a processor for performing analytic software algorithms. The counter-surveillance detection system and method is configured to detect foreign objects within a defined field of view (FOV) using an analytic software method operating on imagery data from the camera that is synchronized with the illuminator source. In some applications, the system is used to detect a human performing remote observation of snooping. |
| US09172905B2 |
Mobile device and method for messenger-based video call service
A mobile device and method for a messenger-based video call service using camera preview image and voice information are provided. In the method, the mobile device displays a camera preview screen by executing a camera, and detects an input for selecting one or more sharers for a video call from the camera preview screen. Then, the mobile device executes a messenger for providing the video call service, transmits a connection request to the selected sharers through the messenger, and performs the messenger-based video call with the sharers in response to the connection request. |
| US09172901B2 |
Techniques for localized perceptual audio
Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column. In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery. |
| US09172900B2 |
Video multiviewer system with switcher and distributed scaling and related methods
A video multiviewer system may include a plurality of video scalers operating in parallel for generating initially scaled video streams by performing video scaling in at least one dimension on a plurality of video input streams. The video multiviewer system may also include at least one video cross-point switcher coupled downstream from the video scalers, and a processing unit coupled downstream from the video cross-point switcher for generating additionally scaled video streams by performing additional video scaling on the initially scaled video streams. The video multiviewer system may also include a display cooperating with the processing unit for displaying multiple video windows based upon the additionally scaled video streams. |
| US09172899B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining that received broadcasting signals from different input ports are the same content
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for receiving broadcasting signals. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a channel number of contents included in a first broadcasting signal; and allocating a channel number into contents included in a second broadcasting signal by using the obtained channel number. The method is characterized in that the same contents included respectively in the first and second broadcasting signals have the same channel number. |
| US09172897B2 |
Audio/visual device graphical user interface
A user interface for an audio/visual device incorporates one or both of a touch sensor having a touch surface on which is defined a racetrack surface having a ring shape and a display element on which is displayed a racetrack menu also having a ring shape, and where the user interface incorporates both, the ring shapes of the racetrack surface and the racetrack menu are structured to generally correspond such that the position of a marker on the racetrack menu is caused to correspond to the position at which a digit of a user's hand touches the racetrack surface. |
| US09172895B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device including pixels, each pixel having a reset transistor, a selection transistor, an amplification transistor, and a photoelectric conversion unit. The photoelectric conversion unit has a photoelectric conversion film which performs photoelectric conversion, a pixel electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that faces the semiconductor substrate, and a transparent electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that is opposite to the pixel electrode, and the amplitude of a row reset signal applied to the gate of the reset transistor is smaller than at least one of (a) the maximum voltage applied to the drain of the amplification transistor, (b) the maximum voltage applied to the gate of the selection transistor, (c) the power source voltage applied to an inverting amplifier, and (d) the maximum voltage applied to a transparent electrode. |
| US09172892B2 |
Imaging systems with image pixels having varying light collecting areas
An image sensor may have an array of image sensor pixels having varying light collecting areas. The light collecting area of each image pixel may vary with respect to other image pixels due to varied microlens sizes and varied color filter element sizes throughout the array. The light collecting area may vary within unit pixel cells and the variability of the light collecting areas of pixels within each pixel cell may depend on the location of the pixel cell in the pixel array. Each unit pixel cell may include at least one clear pixel having a light collecting area that is smaller than the light collecting areas of other single color pixels in the unit pixel cell. |
| US09172886B2 |
Method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing image shutter of image sensor and light source
A method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing operation of an image sensor of an endoscopic video camera unit having a wireless transmitter with operation of a portable endoscopic light source unit includes transmitting a message packet with a target camera shutter period, light source target phase/trigger time/OFF time and light source target ON time to the light source unit. The light source unit controls the start time and the ON time for light output by a light source. The video camera unit includes a light detector for detecting the actual light source start time and duration of light output to provide closed-loop feedback. A camera controller ensures synchronization between the shutter period of the image sensor and actual operation of the light source based on the actual phase and actual ON time sensed by the light detector and the previously communicated target phase/trigger time/OFF time and target ON time. |
| US09172885B2 |
Camera angle adjustable device and the method of handling the article
The instant disclosure relates to a camera angle adjustable device. The camera angle adjustable device includes a base, a camera module, a reflective mirror structure and a driver. The base has a first surface, a second surface, a front side and a back side. The camera module is disposed on one side perpendicular to the front side and the back side of the first surface. The reflective mirror structure includes a frame and a mirror body, wherein the frame is pivotally connected to the first surface, the mirror body is mounted on the frame, and the mirror body selectively corresponds to one of the front side and the back side. The driver is mounted on the second surface and connected to the reflective mirror structure in order to drive the reflective mirror structure. A method for adjustable the camera angle is also provided. |
| US09172878B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, image capturing control method and storage medium for capturing a subject to be recorded with intended timing
An image capturing apparatus (1) includes an image capturing unit (2), a display control unit (71), an overlap determination unit (72), and a recording control unit (74). The image capturing unit (22) sequentially captures an image of a subject. The display control unit (71) controls the image containing the subject image sequentially captured by the image capturing unit (22) and an indicator image for instructing recording of the subject image to be displayed on a display unit in such a way that the indicator image is superimposed on the image containing the subject image. The overlap determination unit (72) determines whether the indicator image and the subject image have overlapped. The recording control unit (74) controls the image containing the subject image to be recorded in a storage medium, when the overlap determination unit (72) determines that the indicator image and the subject image have overlapped. |
| US09172874B2 |
Imaging apparatus and image generation method for generating one piece of image including a moving image and still image
An imaging apparatus generates one piece of image including a moving image and a still image which are continuously shot. The apparatus includes an imaging unit, a still image acquisition instruction unit, a moving image acquisition start instruction unit, a time measuring unit, and a moving image time determination unit. The imaging unit acquires the moving image and the still image. The moving image acquisition start instruction unit instructs to start acquisition of the moving image prior to acquisition of the still image. The time measuring unit measures a time from a start of acquisition of the moving image to acquisition of the still image. The moving image time determination unit determines a moving image time which is a time of the moving image included in the image. |
| US09172869B2 |
Image data aggregating high dynamic range imaging systems and associated methods
An image data aggregating high dynamic range imaging system includes an image sensor for generating N image data sets from an array of photodiodes, where N is an integer greater than one. The image sensor is adapted to generate each of the N image data sets with a different respective exposure time duration of the array of photodiodes. The system further includes an image data aggregating module for aggregating the N image data sets to obtain a virtual long exposure image data set. |
| US09172865B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, solid-state image pickup device, and image pickup method
A solid-state image pickup device includes a lens, a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and an element separation area. The first light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The second light receiving element is configured to receive light from the lens. The element separation area is between the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element. The lens has an optical axis, which is offset from a center of the element separation area. |
| US09172863B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus
A video signal processing apparatus, comprises: an image pickup unit, having a focus lens; an evaluation value calculator unit, specifying a region, in which brightness higher than a predetermined value lies, from within a region to be a target, for which a focal point estimation value is calculated to be used for moving the focus lens to a focal point, and to calculate the focal point estimation value by excluding the region, in which the brightness higher than the predetermined value lies, from a focal point estimation value calculation target; and a system controller unit, to be focused upon basis of the focal point estimation value calculated by the evaluation value calculator unit, wherein the system controller unit controls the focus lens to move to a position, which is determined in advance. |
| US09172861B2 |
Image pickup information output apparatus and lens apparatus equipped with same
Image pickup information output apparatus which outputs information about image pickup condition derived from combination of positions/states of condition decision members serving as optical members that affect fulfillment of the condition, comprising: setting unit for setting a condition setting value as the condition to be fulfilled; controller for driving one of the condition decision members to control its position/state based on the condition setting value, condition calculator for calculating information about the condition as calculated condition based on the combination of positions/states of the condition decision members; determination unit for determining whether or not the condition setting value changed; decision unit for determining the information about condition to be output, based on the calculated condition and the determination made by the determination unit as to whether or not the condition setting value changed; and output unit for outputting information about the condition to be output determined by the decision unit. |
| US09172855B1 |
Pendant housing for a camera
A pendant housing for a camera. The housing comprises a substantially cylindrical casing. The substantially cylindrical casing further includes a top end portion that may be removeably mounted to a tube without a tool, a dome structure that may house at least a lens portion of a camera, a bottom end portion that may be removeably mounted to the dome structure without a tool, and a waterproof seal positioned between the bottom end portion and the dome structure. |
| US09172849B2 |
Method and apparatus for color transformation by addressing a look-up table
A method for image processing of digital image pixels. Pixels are preferably filtered spatially and dithered, and the value for at least one color component is bit reduced. The space freed by the bit reduction is used to allocate a look-up table selection bit that indicates which look-up table (LUT), from a plurality of small LUTs partitioned from a bigger LUT, should be used for the color transform. The transformed pixels are then selected according to the used LUT, format converted and output. The invention, which also covers an apparatus and a pre-processing module, enables an apparatus with a LUT to be used both as a single full-rate LUT apparatus and as a lower-rate n smaller LUT apparatus. |
| US09172838B2 |
Image reading device
An image reading device comprising: a document placing portion; a conveyor; and a reading unit configured to read an image of the document. The reading unit includes: an image sensor; and a support which supports the image sensor, wherein in the case of reading the image of the document conveyed by the conveyor. The support is to be stopped at a predetermined reading position; a guide; and a driving unit. The reading unit further includes: a release unit configured to release the contact with the guide by separating the support from the guide when the support is moved toward the predetermined reading position; and a contact portion configured to contact with the support separated from the guide by the release unit when the support is moved toward the predetermined reading position. |
| US09172834B2 |
Image forming system and method for recovering image forming apparatus from three different power saving modes
An image forming apparatus has the following three power saving modes: (1) a first power saving mode for cutting off power supply to the load; (2) a second power saving mode for cutting off power supply to the load and setting at least the CPU of the controller to STR state; and (3) a third power saving mode for providing power supply only to a wireless LAN module and the power supply cutoff controller, wherein to recover the image forming apparatus from the power saving mode, an external terminal implements both a second method of transmitting a certain type of packet to the wired LAN module and a third method of transmitting a certain type of packet to the wireless LAN module when the external terminal accesses the image forming apparatus at the application level. |
| US09172833B2 |
Multifunction device
A multifunction device includes a case having a document tray provided in an upper part, a cover section provided above the case and covering the document tray, a reading section held in an inside part of the case and scanning a document that is placed in the document tray, a recording section held in the inside of the case and recording on a paper as a recoding medium, an inserting section inserting the document between the document tray and the cover section, and an opening section for discharging a recording medium provided in the case and discharging the paper recorded by the recording section. The inserting section functions as an exit that discharges the document from between the document tray and the cover section. |
| US09172831B2 |
Image handling apparatus, image processing system, image process controlling method, and image process controlling program product
An image handling apparatus is disclosed, including an operation panel, hardware resources, a transferring part, and an image generation controlling part. The transferring part transfers image handle information input at the input screen to an external apparatus. The image generation controlling part receives and parses image generation information for at least one of the hardware resources to execute an image generation based on the image handle information, from the external apparatus in response to an instruction of the image generation, so that at least one of the hardware resources executes the image generation. |
| US09172829B2 |
Three-dimensional printer with laser line scanner
A three-dimensional printer includes a laser line scanner and hardware to rotate the scanner relative to an object on a build platform. In this configuration, three-dimensional surface data can be obtained from the object, e.g., for use as an input to subsequent processing steps such as the generation of tool instructions to fabricate a three-dimensional copy of the object, or various surfaces thereof. |
| US09172825B2 |
Data output apparatus, data output system, and data output control method for preventing leakage of personal information
An image forming apparatus Gk of a data output system includes a data output time calculation function unit that calculates a predicted output time necessary for outputting data to be output in a specified output form by a data output function unit which outputs the data to be output in the specified output form, and a control function unit that compares the predicted output time with a predetermined threshold time and controls displaying of display data, which is stored in a storage function unit, onto a display function unit. |
| US09172821B2 |
Wireless internet gateway limiting message distribution
A wireless Internet gateway bridges wireless devices to the Internet, e.g., via a short message service center (SMSC). The gateway provides a portal to SMPP, HTTP, TNPP, or other protocol messages using Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) techniques. Application servers insert RMI objects containing messages in a message queue handler of the gateway. The RMI objects are queued and passed either directly to a destination delivery handler (e.g., SMPP, SMTP, HTTP or TNPP protocol handler), or passed through a generic destination interface. An SMTP handler provides direct communication of SMTP protocol messages (i.e., email) to the message queue. An SMPP link proxy module provides direct access between a local application server and the destination delivery handler. The messages are packaged into relevant messages of the particular destination protocol (e.g., SMPP), and transmitted to the relevant network element (e.g., to an SMSC). |
| US09172819B2 |
File transfers based on telephone numbers
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to file transfers based on telephone numbers. In example embodiments, a request to transfer a file from a first user (305) associated with a first telephone number (309) to a second user associated (310) with a second telephone number (314) is received. In example embodiments, the second telephone number (314) is determined based on access to call records. In example embodiments, the file is then stored in or transferred to a location identified using the second telephone number (314). |
| US09172818B1 |
Optimizing identification of public safety answering platform next generation 911 media support
A method, system, and medium are provided for generating a profile for public safety answering platforms. The profile identifies media formats or media format combinations that are supported by the PSAPs at various cell sector locations maintained by a network provider. A network server selects a cell sector and generates test emergency services calls. The test emergency services calls are transmitted to a PSAP or multiple PSAPs. The PSAP generates a response that indicates whether the PSAP supports a media format identified in the test emergency services call. The PSAP may rely on capabilities of a secondary PSAP or a proxy PSAP to generate the response. The PSAP transmits the response to the network server for storage in the profile. |
| US09172812B2 |
System and method for assisting a callee and a caller in establishing telephonic communications
Systems and methods are disclosed to assist a caller and a callee in establishing successful telephonic communications. In embodiments of the systems and methods, a telephonic call set-up network node or a callee user device of the callee may receive a call set-up request to establish a telephonic call between the caller user device of the caller and the callee user device. If the call-set up request is determined to be unsuccessful, one or more proximate user devices nearby the callee user device may be identified. Another telephonic call may be induced, this time between the caller user device and one of the proximate user devices identified to be nearby the callee user device. In this manner, success telephonic communications may be established despite the callee not being able to answer the callee user device during the original telephonic call set-up request. |
| US09172804B2 |
Method of distributed aggregation in a call center
A method for partitioning a call center having N agents associated with M agent groups, for computation by a plurality of computational nodes, has steps for (a) assigning each agent as a vertex in a hypergraph; (b) assigning each agent group as a hyper-edge in the hypergraph; and (c) applying a hypergraph partitioning algorithm to partition the agents and groups relative to the nodes with the hypergraph cost function awarding equal load distribution to nodes and minimizing inter-node traffic. |
| US09172803B2 |
System and method for integrating runtime usage statistics with developing environment
A self-help application such as in an interactive voice response (IVR) platform serving users is enabled for providing an integrated development (IDE) and monitoring environment. This provides real-time reporting and analysis on user behavior, application performance and transaction success. The application is coded in software objects (VoiceObjects) specific to the context of the application. These are pre-built objects that include dialog components, resource management, logic, actions, layer and business tasks. This object-oriented approach uncouples the underlying technology from the application and allows designers to build user-friendly applications. In one embodiment, Java or VoiceXML codes are generated dynamically from these objects and executed by a browser in the IVR. A set of core metrics is defined for each object type as well as configurable levels for these metrics. Data associated with individual objects are collected, aggregated, analyzed and displayed in context by the IDE. |
| US09172792B2 |
Method and electronic device for wireless communication
A method and an electronic device for wireless communication are provided. The method is executed by a first electronic device and includes the following steps: sending a notification of an incoming phone call to a second electronic device, receiving a response to the notification from the second electronic device, and starting the incoming phone call and transmitting a conversation of the incoming phone call between the first electronic device and a wireless headset when the response indicates the incoming phone call is accepted. |
| US09172789B2 |
Contextual search by a mobile communications device
Contextual search by a mobile communications device is described. In an implementation, a search query is a received and a context is detected of a user interface currently being displayed on a display device of a mobile communication device. One or more search results are displayed on a display device of a search performed in the detected context using the search query. |
| US09172784B2 |
Vehicle system for managing external communication
A hands-free system for a vehicle is provided, where the hands-free system sends and receives communication from a personal electronic device. The hands-free system includes a vehicle control module that is in communication with at least one vehicle system for determining if the vehicle is in a condition to receive input regarding operation, a display, and a hands-free control module. The hands-free control module is in communication with the display and the vehicle control module. The hands-free control module is in communication with the personal electronic device for sending and receiving an external communication from the personal electronic device. The hands-free control module has a memory and a message delivery filter algorithm. |
| US09172781B1 |
Waterproof acoustic chambers for smartphones
A waterproof acoustic chamber that is adapted to hold and protect a smartphone is disclosed. The chamber includes a body portion that is configured to encapsulate a smartphone, which exhibits an internal dimension that accommodates, at a user's option, a smartphone with (or without) its own protective casing. The body portion is configured to prevent water from entering an internal area of the body portion when exposed to water. The body portion includes at least one speaker area that includes a material through which audio content that is generated by the smartphone may leave the body portion. The chamber further includes a compartment having an open side that is configured to receive and attach to the backside of the body portion. The compartment includes two sides that each extend beyond a parallel side of the body portion, with the speaker area and compartment being effective to amplify and channel the audio content that is generated by the smartphone. |
| US09172780B1 |
Extended function audio connectors
A telecommunications device capable of performing a plurality of functions in addition to telecommunications functions is disclosed. The telecommunications device comprises a memory, a processor, and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The instructions are configured such that the device performs a function specified by the instructions to be performed when a pulsed analog electrical signal is received via a contact point on an integrated plug that is inserted into a socket on the device and that has three electrically independent microphone contacts, wherein the signal is generated responsive to an action taken on a hardware component on the device, and wherein the specification of the function to be performed occurs after the manufacturing process for the device is complete. |
| US09172778B2 |
Portable terminal device and state switching structure of portable terminal device
Solved is a problem of difficulty in operating, with an operation unit casing held by one hand, both of a touch panel and a key operation unit without changing the hand which holds the unit.A portable terminal device comprising an operation unit casing 10 having a key operation unit 15 formed of a key switch and a display unit casing 20 having a display unit and a touch panel 30, in which the display unit casing is laterally positioned with respect to the operation unit casing such that both of the key operation unit 15 and the touch panel 30 are operable by one-handed operation by a hand which holds the operation unit casing 10. |
| US09172775B2 |
Network communication system, device, and method for reducing a network addressing header
A method for reducing a network addressing header is executable by a network communication device. Upon receiving a network packet, a first address in an IPv4 header of the packet is converted to a mapping index. A least significant segment of an address field of an IPv6 header of the packet is generated based on the mapping index, and the IPv6 header is utilized to encapsulate the packet. The IPv4 header is recoverable via the least significant segment of the IPv6 header, so that the IPv4 header may be optionally omitted in transmission of the packet. |
| US09172774B2 |
Technique for managing communications at a router
A router can process the data received from the local area network at a network protocol stack local to the router, while processing data received from the wide area network normally. The offloading of the stack processing from the source of the data to the router reduces the number of network hops that both packets based on the received data, and acknowledgements from the destination of the packets, must travel, thereby reducing communication latency. In addition, offloading the stack processing to the router can reduce the processing load at the data source. Further, the router can implement different quality of service or other processing protocols for the local area and wide area traffic. |
| US09172766B2 |
System and method for extending cloud services into the customer premise
A cloud extension agent can be provided on a customer premise for interfacing, via an outbound secure connection, cloud based services. The cloud extension agent can reach the cloud based services through existing firewall infrastructure, thereby providing simple, secure deployment. Furthermore, the secure connection can enable substantially real-time communication with a cloud service to provide web-based, substantially real time control or management of resources on the customer premises via the cloud extension agent. |
| US09172765B2 |
Polling-based secure network message notification system and method with performance enhancing features
A method for the dissemination of an alert message to a plurality of personal computers using a network communications protocol from a server is disclosed that includes a first step wherein the client contacts the central server and requests the value of said alert ID number in said memory, a second step wherein said server transmits said value to said client, a third step wherein said client compares a stored value at the client with the value of the transmitted alert ID number, and if said transmitted value exceeds said stored value, a fourth step wherein said client transmits a second message to said server and requests for the server to transmit all unread alert messages in a GetUnreadAlerts SOAP request from said server that are specific to said client. |
| US09172762B2 |
Methods and systems for recommending a context based on content interaction
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for recommending a context to a user of a social network service, based on detecting an interaction with some item of web content. With some embodiments, after detecting an interaction with a web document, a topic to which the web document is related is determined. A context, such as an online or offline forum, known to be associated with the topic is then identified. Finally, the identified context is presented to the user as a recommendation for a content source that is likely to be of interest to the user. |
| US09172757B2 |
Method and apparatus of performing simultaneous multi-agent access for command execution through a single client
One example procedure of managing agents via a session client may include selecting multiple endpoint devices to manage, establishing a connection to a server, and identifying at least two agent identifiers identifying multiple agents corresponding to the multiple endpoint devices. The procedure may also include transmitting a session setup command to the server including the at least two agent identifiers and receiving a confirmation that a session has been established between the session client and the multiple agents of the multiple endpoint devices. |
| US09172756B2 |
Optimizing application performance in a network environment
An example method for optimizing application performance in a network environment is provided and includes retrieving an L7 session identifier (ID) from a packet, generating a hash from at least the L7 session ID, and inserting the hash into a header of the packet. The L7 session ID identifies a particular application layer session between a client and a server in a network environment. The server includes a plurality of processors configured to process the packet, and the hash indicates a specific processor in the plurality of processors. |
| US09172754B2 |
Storage fabric address based data block retrieval
Techniques for retrieving data blocks are provided. In one aspect, a storage fabric address of a controller associated with a data block is retrieved by a node. If the node is on the same storage fabric as the retrieved address, the data block may be retrieved over the storage fabric. In another aspect, a directory server maintains mappings of data blocks to storage fabric addresses of controllers associated with the data blocks. A request for the location of the data block includes the storage fabric address of the associated controller. |
| US09172752B2 |
Communicating with a user device
A methods and systems for communicating are disclosed. A request is received at a first device to communicate with a second device. Contact is initiated with the second device via a data center. A first form of communication is transmitted to the second device without requiring the transmitting to be routed through a central server. The first form of communication is received from the second device without requiring the receiving to be routed through a central server. A second form of communication is transmitted to the second device without requiring the transmitting to be routed through a central server. |
| US09172750B2 |
Cluster-node load balancing in a distributed database system
In one exemplary aspect, a method of a cluster-node load balancing system of a distributed database system includes receiving a request from a cluster with at least one node of a cluster of the distributed database system. The request includes a query for an identity of all other nodes known by the node as well as a metadata of all data maintained by the node. The identity of all other nodes known by the node as well as the metadata of all data maintained by the node is provided to the cluster. |
| US09172749B2 |
System, method and apparatus for enabling access to applications and interactive services
The invention provides a system, a method and a computer program product that facilitate access to one or more applications by a computing device. The invention includes determining one or more contexts associated with at least one of the computing device and a user of the computing device, such that the one or more contexts describe at least one of an environment and an activity of the at least one of the user and the computing device. Thereafter at least one contextual tag corresponding to the one or more contexts is generated. Subsequently, the one or more applications associated with the at least one contextual tag are identified and the computing device is enabled to access the one or more applications. |
| US09172748B2 |
Deltacasting for overlapping requests
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided for improving utilization of a communications system (e.g., a satellite communications system) when handling overlapping content requests. Embodiments use various techniques (e.g., dictionary coding techniques) to create fingerprints of content traversing the links of the communications system. These fingerprints are used to identify and exploit opportunities for using multicasting to share forward-link capacity by collapsing multiple overlapping requests for the same content via multiple content session streams into fewer session streams, including one or more shared session streams. |
| US09172744B2 |
Scalable storage with programmable networks
Described is a technology by which a scalable distributed file system is provided by deploying intelligent storage devices that are directly connected to the network. A server receives a request for data from a requester, and sends corresponding requests to the storage devices. The storage devices send data blocks directly to the requester instead of back to the server, while identifying the server as the sender, e.g., by programming a switch to participate in such an operation. |
| US09172742B2 |
System for detecting trigger event at location and sending notification to remote user device featuring detecting device for detecting trigger event and remote site for receiving notification from detecting device and sending notification to client application of remote user device
Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process. |
| US09172739B2 |
Anticipating domains used to load a web page
Aspects of the subject technology are related to systems and methods for anticipating content domain names to be used by a browser. A system may be configured to detect network events while one or more web pages associated with a domain name are being loaded, identify, based on the network events, one or more content domain names that are associated with the domain name, and storing, in a data repository, associations of the one or more content domain names with the domain name. The associations of the one or more content domain names in the data repository may be used to initiate a Domain Name System (DNS) request for at least one of the one or more content domain names when a subsequent web page associated with the domain name is loaded by a browser. |
| US09172732B1 |
System and method for providing a personalized media service
A system and method for providing a personalized media service. In one aspect, the system includes an on-demand system, a plurality of subscriber devices, and a network to which the on-demand system and the subscriber devices are coupled so that the on-demand system and the subscriber devices can communicate with each other. The on-demand system enables a user to create one or more personalized media channels by enabling the user to specify his/her media preferences for each channel. The on-demand system includes a media server for streaming media to the plurality of subscriber devices. The media is preferably implemented using a video-on-demand server. |
| US09172728B2 |
Mobile fast alerting
Systems and methods of operating a communication session control server. A first communication session initiation message is received from a first communication terminal, the first communication session initiation message indicating a second communication terminal with which the first communication terminal is requesting a communication session. A second communication session initiation message is sent to the second communication terminal, the second communication session initiation message indicating a delay to be used by the second communication terminal to determine when to initiate an alerting process. |
| US09172718B2 |
Endpoint load rebalancing controller
A endpoint load rebalancing controller, method of controlling endpoint activity to suppress side channel variation and computer program product for controlling endpoint activity for suppressing side channel variation in information from utility company users, e.g., from power company endpoints. The load rebalancing controller monitors period to period endpoint service usage and predicts next period endpoint service usage. Whenever the controller maintains determines that the endpoint usage will exhibit a change that may be sufficient to convey activity information in side channel activity, the controller rebalances activity for the next period. Rebalancing may include shifting off-line execution from one period to another and capping or increasing on-line execution activity. |
| US09172714B2 |
Malicious activity detection of a functional unit
A mechanism is provided for detecting malicious activity in a functional unit of a data processing system. A set of activity values associated with a set of functional units and a set of thermal levels associated with the set of functional units are monitored. For a current activity value associated with the functional unit in the set of functional units, a determination is made as to whether a thermal level associated with the functional unit differs from a verified thermal level beyond a predetermined threshold. Responsive to the thermal level associated with the functional unit differing from the verified thermal level beyond the predetermined threshold, sending an indication of suspected abnormal activity associated with the given functional unit. |
| US09172712B2 |
Method and system for improving website security
A method for locating and monitoring websites is provided that includes finding websites and contained hyperlinks, downloading a first snapshot of a web page taken at a first time, and downloading a second snapshot of the web page taken at a second time later than the first time. The method also includes enabling a comparison of the first snapshot and the second snapshot. A system for monitoring websites is provided. The system includes means for enabling a comparison of the first snapshot and the second snapshot visually or through the use of content data from that web site. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon an executable program is provided. The program when executed causes a processor to perform a method for monitoring websites. |
| US09172706B2 |
Tailored protection of personally identifiable information
A negotiation-based mechanism enables a user to share personally identifiable information with a requesting website, for example, a third party website such as an aggregator website that might be gathering information about the user. The user, rather than being limited to a pre-set collection of privacy options, is free to negotiate with the requesting website and agree to share more or less information with based on the user's trust of the requesting website. |
| US09172704B2 |
System for allocating a work request
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system, method, and computer program product for allocating work requests. A system is configured to initiate the presentation of a first user interface to enable a first user to receive a work request received from a source; assign a category to the work request based on at least an objective and a priority level associated with the work request; and allocate the work request to a second user based on at least the category; transmit the allocated work request to the second user; initiate the presentation of a second user interface to enable a second user to retrieve the work request, and process the work request, wherein processing the work request further comprises addressing the work request based on at least the status and the priority level; and transmit the processed work request to third user for a quality assessment. |
| US09172701B2 |
Techniques for secure debugging and monitoring
Techniques for secure debugging and monitoring are presented. An end user requests a secure token for logging information with a remote service. A secure monitoring and debugging token service provides the secure token. The remote service validates the secure token and configures itself for capturing information and reporting the captured information based on the secure token. |
| US09172698B1 |
System and method for key generation in security tokens
Functional randomness in security tokens (FRIST) may achieve improved security in two-factor authentication hardware tokens by improving on the algorithms used to securely generate random data. A system and method in one embodiment according to the present invention may allow for security of a token based on storage cost and computational security. This approach may enable communication where security is no longer based solely on onetime pads (OTPs) generated from a single cryptographic function (e.g., SHA-256). |
| US09172693B2 |
Quick payment using mobile device binding
Methods and systems are provided for secure device binding that provides user convenience through avoiding repetitive logging in when changing apps or moving from website to website. A mobile device undergoes binding to an account so that customers do not always have to enter their password when going through a financial transaction process, on a known (e.g., registered) mobile device. A device may be bound during an initial login, and once logged in, the user can select an option to be “remembered” so that the user need not re-login on the same device for future visits with an app or to a website that shares the service provider library. |
| US09172690B2 |
Apparatus and methods for multi-mode asynchronous communication
A method includes receiving at a host device a first communication associated with a transaction from at least one electronic device included in a set of electronic devices. The host device includes at least a memory, a processor, and a database. The first communication received at a first time and via a first communication mode. The method includes sending a response to the first communication at a second time after the first time and independent of the first time. The host devices receives a second communication associated with the transaction from the at least one electronic device at a third time. The first communication, the response to the first communication, and the second communication are displayable in a persistent record of the transaction regardless of a difference between the first time and the third time. |
| US09172686B2 |
Facilitating heterogeneous authentication for allowing network access
A method comprises an operation for facilitating authentication of a client device attempting to connect to a port of a network element. Facilitating authentication includes determining whether the client device is configured for being authenticated using a first authentication mechanism and, in response to determining that the client device is not configured for being authenticated using the first authentication mechanism, determining whether the client device is configured for being authenticated using at least one other authentication mechanism. For each one of the authentication mechanisms, an operation is provided for providing the client device with network connectivity dependent upon a respective first classification policy structure in response to the client device being successfully authenticated and an operation is provided for providing the client device with network connectivity dependent upon a respective second classification policy structure different that the first classification policy structure in response to the client device failing to be successfully authenticated. |
| US09172685B2 |
System and method for providing a secure book device using cryptographically secure communications across secure networks
A system for integrating access to separate and physically partitioned networks from a single client device is described. The system is interposed between the client device and the networks to allow communication between the client device and the networks, such that data remains partitioned between networks. The system includes a scrambler configured to mix portions of data of variable bit lengths. Typically, the scrambler receives the portions of data from each of the plurality of networks, intermixes the portions of data from the networks, then selects different paths for transporting the intermixed portions of data to the client device. Each of the different paths for transporting the intermixed portions of data are physically and/or logically partitioned from each other. Only when the data arrives on the client device is it able to be reassembled, and then only in particular partitioned locations on the client device corresponding to the particular network from which the data originated. |
| US09172678B2 |
Methods and apparatus to improve security of a virtual private mobile network
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to improve security of a virtual private mobile network. An example method includes identifying a request to initialize the virtual private mobile network, identifying a number of subgroups to associate with the virtual private mobile network, generating a virtualized slice count value based on the number of subgroups, and initializing network elements with a number of virtualized slices based on the virtualized slice count value. |
| US09172677B2 |
Firewall interface configuration to enable bi-directional VoIP traversal communications
Methods and systems for an intelligent network protection gateway (NPG) and network architecture are provided. According to one embodiment, a firewall provides network-layer protection to internal hosts against unauthorized access by hosts of an external network by performing network address translation (NAT) processing of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The firewall changes data in headers of VoIP packets and corresponding data contents of the VoIP packets, to enable bi-directional VoIP communications. An external VoIP interface of the firewall receives incoming VoIP packets having a user alias (e.g., an email address) and an indication regarding a VoIP port of external interface. The packets are directed to an appropriate internal host by the firewall performing port address forwarding based on the port indication to a media gateway within the internal network that maintains a mapping of user aliases to private addresses of the internal hosts. |
| US09172675B2 |
Methods and apparatus for network communication
Methods and apparatus for network communication are disclosed. An example method includes sending an initial packet to a network device, receiving a response packet that is a response to the initial packet and includes a parameter that does not match the initial packet, determining that the response packet is a response to the initial packet, and in response to determining that the response packet is a response, determining that the network device is responsive to network requests. |
| US09172673B2 |
Systems and methods for domain name exchange
A system, method, and computer-readable medium, is described that enables a domain name registrant the ability to exchange their existing domain in favor of a new domain without incurring additional domain registration fees and without affecting the other data fields of the existing domain. Once the domain exchange service is added to the domain registration, the registrant can exchange the domain name as often as it likes in accordance with the business rules of the registry until the domain exchange service expires. |
| US09172671B2 |
Filtering message posts in a social network
A social media mechanism processes messages for content that may require filtering of recipients of the message, and informs a user who drafted the message when the message might need to be filtered so it is not sent to all potential recipients of the message. The user may then select to send the message to all potential recipients, or to filter the recipients so the message is sent to less than all of the potential recipients. User profiles are created and maintained, and may include information that helps to determine when filtering of messages is desirable. Feedback buttons are also provided to provide feedback when a user does not like a message. |
| US09172670B1 |
Disaster-proof event data processing
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing fault tolerant processing of events. The system includes multiple consensus computers configured to communicate with one another and multiple event processors configured to process data such as events. Each consensus computer is further configured to receive a request to process a unit of data from an event processor. A consensus computer communicates with at least one other consensus computer to reach consensus as to whether the unit of data has previously been assigned to an event processor for processing. Then, a consensus computer sends a message to the event processor that sent the inquiry including instructions to either process the unit of data or not process the unit of data. Because the consensus computers determine whether a unit of data has previously been assigned to an event processor, the system ensures that an event is not processed more than once. |
| US09172668B2 |
Systems and methods for email tracking and email spam reduction using dynamic email addressing schemes
An email redirection server handles email sent by subscribers or intended for subscribers, obfuscating the subscriber's identity through replacement of the subscriber's native email address with a proxy address in the message header and forwarding the email with only the proxy address. Acquiring a proxy address includes assignment by the email redirection server of a child domain in the DNS namespace for the subscriber's exclusive use. When a subscriber intends to send an email to a particular recipient without revealing the subscriber's native email address to the particular recipient, the subscriber addresses the message by putting the recipient's full email address in the local part of the “To” field, replacing the “@” symbol with a known replacement character, and placing the subscriber's assigned subdomain in the domain part of the “To” field, assuring that the email gets to the email redirection server for appropriate readdressing and forwarding. |
| US09172667B2 |
Preventing co-user addition to user definable co-user lists
Systems and methods are disclosed for tracking and displaying the logon status of selected co-users of an on-line or network system in real time to a tracking user in a unique graphical interface. The invention provides user definable on-line co-user lists, or “buddy lists,” which track specific co-users in real-time automatically. When a user logs on to a system, one or more of the user's buddy lists are presented to the buddy list system. The buddy list system attempts to match co-users currently logged into the system with the entries on the user's buddy list. Any matches are displayed to the user. As co-users logon and logoff, a user's buddy list is updated to reflect these changes. An indication can also be added to show that a co-user just logged on or just left the system. |
| US09172665B2 |
Minimizing the time required to initiate and terminate an instant messaging session
A system for minimizing the time required to initiate and terminate an instant messaging session. An initial message in an instant messaging session is checked to determine whether it has any significant content. If the received initial message has insignificant content, then a non-intrusive notification is provided to the user, without changing the current focus in the user interface. A pre-composed response message may also be automatically transmitted to the initiating user, requesting that a more significant message be sent. When an initial message in an instant messaging session is received that is determined to have significant content, the user is promptly notified in a different manner, which may be intrusive such that the current focus of the user interface is changed to a new window or the like containing the newly initiated instant messaging session. |
| US09172664B2 |
System and method for enhancing digital content
A computer-readable medium including computer-executable code for enhancing an electronic document with one link and being served via a network responsively to a request received via the network and correspondent to an electronic document. The chat application may be for use with a mobile device and be less computing resource intensive. Certain embodiments of the present invention may not require a code or applets to be inserted to provide chat functionality. Advantageously, only a link may need to be inserted, for example. This may provide particularly well suited for use with websites where traditional chat code or applets may not be inserted. |
| US09172655B1 |
Systems and methods for quality of service in networks
System and methods for providing quality of service (QOS) in networks. The method includes determining whether a transmit segment of a port of a network device has received a grant from a scheduler to transmit a packet. The port includes a plurality of sub-ports that share the transmit segment to transmit packets and a receive segment to receive packets. When the transmit buffer has received the grant, a virtual queue associated with the grant is mapped to a QOS bin that includes a minimum bandwidth limit threshold value, a maximum bandwidth threshold value, and a counter for counting actual bandwidth consumed. The QOS bin monitors bandwidth consumed by a source traffic group for adjusting QOS priority and the source traffic group includes the virtual queue. |
| US09172650B2 |
Systems and methods for server surge protection in a multi-core system
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for providing connection surge protection to one or more servers by an intermediary multi-core system. A packet processing engine of a multi-core device deployed as an intermediary between a plurality of clients and one or more servers determines an estimated number of total pending requests received by all packet processing engines based on a value of a local counter of received requests, the total number of pending requests received by all other packet processing engines at a last predetermined interval, and a rate of change of the total number of pending requests received by all other packet processing engines multiplied by the time since the last predetermined interval. The packet processing engine applies a surge protection policy to received pending requests responsive to the determined estimated number of total pending requests. |
| US09172648B2 |
Flow admission control in an IP network
A flow admission control module for IP traffic types monitors network topology and usage. A new flow is not admitted if it is determined that the flow would push the utilization of available bandwidth reserved for the traffic type on a link in the associated path beyond a predetermined threshold. The admission control module may, as a result of dynamic changes to network topology capacity, re-compute the link utilization for effected active flows The admission control module may also account for protection regimes in flow admission calculations. |
| US09172647B2 |
Distributed network test system
There are disclosed a system, a test head and a method for testing a device under test. Two or more test heads may be mated directly with respective connectors on the device under test. Each test head may include a traffic generator including a stateless packet builder to generate stateless traffic for transmission to the device under test, and a traffic receiver including a stateless packet analyzer to accumulate traffic statistics on stateless traffic received from the device under test. A server coupled to the two or more test heads via respective communications links, may generate stateful traffic for transmission to the device under test by the two or more test heads, and may process stateful traffic received from the device under test by the two or more test heads. |
| US09172645B1 |
Methods and apparatus for destination based hybrid load balancing within a switch fabric
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a switch module configured to receive an order identifier of a first data packet from a first stage of a multi-stage switch. The switch module is configured to receive an indicator of an available capacity of the first module of a second stage of the multi-stage switch fabric, and an indicator of an available capacity of a second module of the second stage of the multi-stage switch fabric. The switch module is configured, when the order identifier is assigned, to direct the first data packet to the first module of a second stage of the multi-stage switch fabric when the available capacity of the second module is lower than the available capacity of the first module. The switch module configured, when the order identifier is unassigned, to direct the first data packet to the second module when the available capacity of the second module is higher than the available capacity of the first module. |
| US09172643B2 |
Method and system for cooperative congestion detection in cellular networks
Congestion information is determined based on a file segment transferred to one of user terminals. The congestion information is available to a server or controller communicatively linked with a plurality of user terminals. The congestion information is shared with other user terminals that share a bottleneck link. |
| US09172639B2 |
Distributing functions in a distributed and embedded environment
The different switch modules making up a distributed virtual switch may route configuration commands for hardware resources to different modules within the distributed switch using a distribution and routing layer. At least one of the switch modules maintains a routing table that defines which switch modules are responsible for which hardware resources. The switch module uses the routing tables to forward the commands on the distribution and routing layer to the responsible switch module which then ensures that the relevant hardware resources are configured. |
| US09172638B2 |
Global IP-based service-oriented network architecture
Data is transferred. A data packet associated with an application flow is received. A Pseudowire label is determined based at least in part on an application header associated with the data packet. The data packet is encapsulated with the Pseudowire label. The data packet is transferred over a Pseudowire using the Pseudowire label. |
| US09172631B2 |
Link path discovery
A method includes identifying, by a first router, a number of label switched paths from the first router to a destination router, wherein each of the label switched paths includes less than a predetermined number of routers. The method may also include storing, for each of the label switched paths, information identifying each router in the label switched path. The method may further include identifying a least cost label switched path based on the stored information. |
| US09172629B1 |
Classifying packets
Classifying packets is disclosed. In some embodiments, a packet can be classified once for a plurality of nodes. The classification of a packet can be used at a receiving node to determine the receiving node policy for the packet. In some embodiments, the classification of a packet is specified by a classification index associated with the packet. In some embodiments, the receiving node policy for the packet can be determined by performing a lookup in a data structure associated with the receiving node based at least in part on the classification index of the packet. In some embodiments, the classification of the packet is sufficient to specify not only the receiving node policy but also a plurality of policies of a plurality of nodes. |
| US09172626B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for preventing traffic congestion within a long term evolution (LTE) multi-user equipment (multi-UE) simulator device
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for preventing traffic congestion in a long term evolution (LTE) multi-user equipment (multi-UE) simulator device are disclosed. In one example, a method includes transmitting, from a first module to a second module over a shared bus, one of a plurality of LTE subframe signal portions at the beginning of a first transmission interval. The method further includes sending, from the first module to a third module over the shared bus, a trigger signal upon completing the transmission of the LTE signal portion. The method also includes forwarding, from the third module to the second module over the shared bus, decoded control information associated with at least one of the plurality of LTE subframe signal portions during an idle time period defined by the receipt of the trigger signal and the beginning of a second transmission interval. |
| US09172625B2 |
Systems and methods of communicating path status in optical networks
The present disclosure may include a method to be performed by an electronic device in an optical network. The method may include generating a message associated with a slot and at least one connection identification (ID) corresponding to the slot. The message may include a slot counter region configured to identify the slot, a request region configured to activate a protect path utilizing the slot, a connection ID counter region configured to identify the at least one connection ID, and a status region configured to convey status of the at least one connection ID corresponding to the slot. The method may also include transmitting the message to other electronic devices in the optical network. The disclosure also includes associated systems and apparatuses. |
| US09172622B2 |
Methods, systems and computer products for download status notification
Methods, systems, and computer products for download notification including identifying content for download, requesting a download of the content to a device and requesting a notification related to the status of the download. |
| US09172621B1 |
Unified account metadata management
Methods and apparatus for unified account metadata management are disclosed. A storage medium stores program instructions that when executed on a processor generate a graph representation of metadata associated with a client account of a provider network. At least a portion of the metadata is obtained using an internal mechanism of the provider network. The graph comprises a plurality of nodes (representing resources associated with the client account) and a plurality of edges (representing configuration relationships). The instructions when executed provide a visualization of resources and configuration relationships of the graph; and in response to a graphical interaction with the visualization, issue a command to a network-accessible service of the provider network to implement a configuration modification associated with a resource represented in the graph. |
| US09172620B2 |
Cooperative proxy auto-discovery and connection interception
In a network supporting transactions between clients and servers and proxies that are interposable in a network path, a pair of proxies can modify a packet stream such that packet data from client to server is transformed at a client-side proxy of the pair and untransformed at a server-side of the pair and packet data from server to client is transformed at the server-side proxy and untransformed at the client-side proxy. A discovering proxy transparently discovers its position in a proxy pair by using proxy signals. A discovering proxy might determine that it is a client-side proxy by receipt of a packet from client without a proxy signal, or that it is a server-side proxy by receipt of a packet from server without a return proxy signal. Once a proxy pair is discovered, it might transform traffic from server to client or vice versa, transforming and untransforming the traffic. |
| US09172617B2 |
Management apparatus, management system, control method, and storage medium
A management server receives a server instruction inquiry from an image forming apparatus, and transmits a communication switching instruction to the image forming apparatus as a response to the server instruction inquiry, such that the communication switching instruction switches the communication system for communicating with the image forming apparatus to push communication. After push communication has been established by conducting an initial communication with the image forming apparatus according to the communication switching instruction, the management server issues server instructions to the image forming apparatus by push communication. |
| US09172611B2 |
System and method for discovering assets and functional relationships in a network
A discovery system (and corresponding method and computer program product) for automatically discovering assets and their roles and functional relationships in a network system is described. In one aspect, the discovery system interrogates known assets through protocol messages, normalizes response messages, and contextually analyzes the normalized response message to identify additional assets and their roles and functional relationships with the interrogated assets. The discovery system can recursively interrogate newly discovered assets to discover additional assets. In another aspect of the present invention, the discovery system is scheduled to periodically interrogate known assets for up-to-date information of the assets and their roles and functional relationships. Such information can be used to provide various services. |
| US09172610B2 |
Multiple form enumerated attributes
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, via a user interface of the DRA, a request to define a rule; retrieving metadata associated with a context object; determining that a component specified by the metadata is an enumerated type component; presenting, via the user interface, a first displayed component for the enumerated type component, wherein the first displayed component is associated with a numeric value; presenting, via the user interface, a second displayed component for the enumerated type component, wherein the second displayed component is associated with an alphanumeric value; and receiving, via the user interface, a rule definition, wherein receiving the rule definition comprises receiving a selection of at least one of the first displayed component and the second displayed component. |
| US09172607B2 |
Transmitting of configuration items within a network
A method, system and program product for transmitting configuration item data by a network object within a network. The steps include the network object detecting a change; the network object detecting an amount of traffic within the network; the network object transmitting configuration item data to the network at a level based on the amount of traffic present within the network. If all of the configuration item data was not sent and the network object detects that the amount of network traffic within the network is below a determined amount, the network object transmits remaining configuration item data to the network; and if all configuration item data was sent, returns to the step of the network object detecting a change. |
| US09172606B2 |
System for remotely controlling device of node featuring client application that displays virtual component corresponding to physical component of device and remote site located remote from node for sending control commands received from client application to node
Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module may be stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process. |
| US09172604B1 |
Target mapping and implementation of abstract device model
A Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for a target computing device that is equipped with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or other hardware element that provides forwarding and/or switching capability is used to analyze an abstract candidate device model. The abstract candidate device model is received from a controller and specifies intended forwarding behavior for the target device. The HAL analyzes the abstract candidate device model based on its knowledge of the architecture of the ASIC or other hardware element providing forwarding or switching capability to the target device. If the behavior is supported by the target device's architecture, the model may be implemented in a specific manner supported by that architecture and used to control forwarding behavior on the target device. |
| US09172599B1 |
Fault tolerant folded Clos networks
Systems and methods are described to provide fault tolerant folded Clos networks. A folded Clos network is disclosed including a set of tier 1 routers interconnected with a set of tier 2 routers. Tier 1 routers are configured to view a set of tier 2 routers as a single aggregate router. Accordingly, tier 1 routers are unaware of faults between tier 2 routers and additional tier 1 routers. A throwback router is connected to each tier 2 router to facilitate handling of data under such fault conditions. When a tier 2 router receives undeliverable data, the data is passed to a throwback router, which retransmits the data to an additional tier 2 router. Data that is retransmitted multiple times can be disregarded by the throwback router. |
| US09172596B2 |
Cross-network listening agent for network entity monitoring
Various embodiments herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software of a cross-network listening agent for network entity monitoring. In some such embodiments, the cross-network listening agent is an element of software or a hardware device connected to a network and listens for metric data broadcast by other entities of the network. The cross-network listening agent receives the broadcast metric data and transmits the metric data to a network and system management system resident on another network. The network entities are generally any device that reports status with regard to metrics the network entity monitors with regard to its own state. In some embodiments, the network entities report their status in Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) messages that are broadcast on the network, but are unable to reach the network and system management system resident on the other network. |
| US09172595B2 |
Systems and methods of packet object database management
The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods of packet object database management. The database management system includes a database server designed specifically to process binary network packet data. The database server is associated with a parser, query engine, retrieval engine, virtual machine, data manger, and file processor. The database management system uses a proprietary query language to support all accesses to the database. The parser identifies whether the query is a data management query or if it is a data retrieval instruction. If the query is a data management query, the data manager manages the query request and attempts to satisfy the query request. Otherwise, query engine could further analyze or parse the query into a particular query structure or sub-structures to attempt to satisfy the query request. |
| US09172591B2 |
System and method for management of cloud-based systems
System and method for reporting usage of a network infrastructure includes obtaining a map that includes at least one flow-mapping that correlates a flow feature with a service and that correlates a flow feature with an endpoint type, wherein the endpoint types include at least a subscriber type and a service type; at a first computer, receiving flow telemetry of a network infrastructure, the flow telemetry representing at least the destination and source attributes for network traffic in the flow telemetry; categorizing the flow telemetry into at least a subscriber flow category based on the source and destination endpoint types of the traffic; for subscriber flow telemetry of a subscriber, processing the subscriber flow telemetry into at least one flow feature; identifying at least one service to attribute to at least a portion of the subscriber flow telemetry, the service identified through the processed flow feature and a flow-mapping. |
| US09172587B2 |
Providing automated quality-of-service (‘QoS’) for virtual machine migration across a shared data center network
Providing automated quality-of-service (‘QoS’) for virtual machine migration across a shared data center network, including: identifying, by a virtual machine migration module, a virtual machine to migrate from a source host to a destination host; determining a migration cost for migrating the virtual machine from the source host to the destination host; identifying based on the migration cost a least congested network path between the source host and the destination host and a bandwidth to be used for migration such that migration completes within a user specified time limit; and initiating transmission of the virtual machine from the source host to the destination host over the least congested network path, including reserving bandwidth across the shared data center network for transferring the virtual machine from the source host to the destination host in dependence upon the migration cost. |
| US09172584B1 |
Method and system for high-availability cluster data protection
High-availability cluster data protection is described. A computer executes a framework and a task dispatcher. The framework disables caching of internet protocol addresses queried from a network interface configuration of the computer. The task dispatcher receives a request to execute a data protection task, and determines whether the request is for a current cluster node. If the request is not for a current cluster node, the task dispatcher determines whether the request is for a logical host. If the request is for the logical host, the task dispatcher queries the network interface configuration to determine whether the internet protocol address of the logical host is locally available. If the internet protocol address of the logical host is locally available, the task dispatcher directs the request locally. If the internet protocol address of the logical host is not locally available, the task dispatcher directs the request to a remote node. |
| US09172583B1 |
Actively provisioning a managed node
A computing device configured for actively provisioning a managed node is described. The computing device includes a processor and executable instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The computing device identifies a managed node on a network. The computing device also determines whether the managed node comprises management hardware. The computing device further enables the management hardware. To enable the management hardware, the computing device opens hardware-based secure communication between the computing device and the node, allows access to a remote management engine and provisions the management engine. The computer device additionally adds the managed node to a database. |
| US09172571B2 |
System access and synchronization methods for MIMO OFDM communications systems and physical layer packet and preamble design
A method and apparatus are provided for performing acquisition, synchronization and cell selection within an MIMO-OFDM communication system. A coarse synchronization is performed to determine a searching window. A fine synchronization is then performed by measuring correlations between subsets of signal samples, whose first signal sample lies within the searching window, and known values. The correlations are performed in the frequency domain of the received signal. In a multiple-output OFDM system, each antenna of the OFDM transmitter has a unique known value. The known value is transmitted as pairs of consecutive pilot symbols, each pair of pilot symbols being transmitted at the same subset of sub-carrier frequencies within the OFDM frame. |
| US09172569B2 |
Phased array antenna and associated methods
A phased array transmitter is disclosed comprising a vector modulator, a true time delay block coupled to the vector modulator, a local oscillator phase shifter and RF-converter block coupled to the true time delay block, and an antenna. The vector modulator applies vector modulation to a baseband signal and provides an intermediate frequency signal to the true time delay block. The true time delay block applies a true time delay to the intermediate frequency signal and provides a delayed intermediate frequency signal to the local oscillator phase shifter and RF-converter block. The local oscillator phase shifter and RF-converter block multiplies the delayed intermediate frequency signal by a local oscillator signal and applies a phase shift to the delayed intermediate frequency signal to provide a radio frequency signal to the antenna for onwards transmission. |
| US09172563B2 |
Integrated combiner with common mode correction
A circuit can include multiple data input ports and data output ports, pickoff tees coupled therebetween, and a resistive network coupled between the pickoff tees. A differential signal generator can be coupled with the resistive network and the pickoff tees. Resistances of the pickoff tees and resistive network can be selected such that impedances looking into the data input ports and data output ports are matched to a desired system impedance. |
| US09172559B2 |
Method, apparatus, and network system for terminal to traverse private network to communicate with server in IMS core network
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, and a network system for a terminal to traverse a private network to communicate with a server in an IMS core network. The method includes: the terminal sets a source address of service data to be sent as a virtual IP address, sets a destination address of the service data to be sent as an address of an internal network server, and obtains a first service packet, where the virtual IP address is an address allocated by the IMS core network to the terminal, encapsulate the first service packet into a first tunnel packet, and send the first tunnel packet to the security tunnel gateway over a VPN tunnel between the terminal and a security tunnel gateway, then the security tunnel gateway sends the first service packet in the first tunnel packet to the internal network server. |
| US09172558B2 |
Method and system for actively publishing message in IM group using chat robot
The present invention relates to a method and system for actively publishing a message in an IM group using a chat robot. The method includes: a client adding a chat robot in an IM group satisfying a configured condition; the chat robot automatically obtaining a message and publishing the message in the IM group. In the present invention, a chat robot is added in an IM group, and a function of timed publishing messages by the chat robot is added to increase the message quantity and topics of the IM group, thus not only messages can be sent to users in time, but also IM group activity may be enhanced, which enables users to accept and love the IM group gradually. |
| US09172553B2 |
Security system with networked touchscreen and gateway
An integrated security system integrates broadband and mobile access and control with conventional security systems and premise devices to provide a tri-mode security network that with remote connectivity and access. The integrated security system includes a touchscreen providing security keypad functionality as well as content management and presentation, and is used as a security system interface and an interface for interacting with a network. The integrated security system delivers remote premise monitoring and control functionality to conventional monitored premise protection and complements existing premise protection equipment. The integrated security system integrates into the premise network and couples wirelessly with the conventional security panel, enabling broadband access to premise security systems. Automation devices can be added, enabling users to remotely see live video or pictures and control home devices via a personal web portal, mobile phone, or other client device. Users can receive notifications of detected events via electronic message. |
| US09172550B2 |
Management of a multicast system in a software-defined network
A system and method are provided for of a Multicast system by a controller in a software defined network. The method may include, receiving a request for a multicast stream from a first switch of the software defined network. The request may have originated from a requestor using an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). The method may further include, adding the request to a table, wherein the table is designated to have requests from IGMP using requestors for multicast streams. The method may further include, determining whether the request for the multicast stream matches with a multicast data transmission from a sender received by the controller. The method may further include, initiating a connection of the multicast between the requestor and the sender if the request matches the multicast data transmission. |
| US09172549B2 |
Reducing network power consumption
Path computation involves determining (120, 930) an aggregate cost for a portion of the path, based at least on the power consumption attributable to use of interfaces along that portion, comparing (130, 930) the portion of the first possible path with a different portion corresponding to a different possible path for the traffic request, based at least on their respective aggregate costs, and selecting (140, 930) which portion to use for the traffic request based on the comparison. Having path selection influenced by the power consumption values, can lead to lower overall consumption in operation than relying only on optimizing nodes individually without regard to how the nodes are used. Path selection can take into account indications of which parts are in a power down mode, and can involve powering up such parts if needed. |
| US09172548B2 |
Communication apparatus, control method and storage medium
A communication apparatus receives, from a first apparatus which has established a communication session, a signal indicating a state in which the communication session should be maintained. If the signal is not received from the first apparatus within a predetermined period of time while the communication session with the first apparatus is established, and a communication session establishment request is received from a second apparatus, the communication apparatus disconnects the communication session with the first apparatus. |
| US09172546B2 |
Network mediated multi-device shared authentication
Described in an example embodiment herein is an apparatus, comprising a communication interface and authentication logic coupled with the wireless interface. The authentication logic authenticates with at least one neighboring device forming a trust relationship with the at least one neighboring device. The authentication logic obtains via the communication interface data representative of a user associated with a user device. The authentication logic sends a challenge to the user device, via the communication interface, the challenge requesting data associated with the user associated with the user device. The authentication logic receives a response to the challenge via the user interface and validates the response to the challenge. The authentication logic provides data to the at least one neighboring device indicating that the user associated with the user device has been authenticated, to enable access to the functionality and/or resources of the at least one neighboring device. |
| US09172544B2 |
Systems and methods for authentication between networked devices
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for authentication of networked devices in which a server device may authenticate a client device and/or a client device may authenticate a server device. Authentication credentials may be exchanged by the server device and the client device to enable mutual authentication. Upon authentication of the connection between the server device and the client device, authenticated, and potentially encrypted communications, may be exchanged by the server device and the client device. |
| US09172539B2 |
In-market personalization of payment devices
Systems and methods for remotely personalizing payment devices for consumers are described. In an embodiment, a system includes a MOTAPS server computer that provides data preparation functions and a trusted service provider (TSP) personalization server computer. The system also includes a service provider computer operably coupled to the TSP personalization server computer, and a remote personalization device (RPD) operably coupled to the service provider computer. The RPD transmits personalization requests, receives personalization data, and personalizes a payment device before providing the personalized payment device to a consumer. |
| US09172534B2 |
Range search system, range search method, and range search program
In case of a range search to the encryption DB (database), conventionally, because there is a correlation between a value of the data and the number of search keys for the range search, the contents of the encrypted data can be inferred and are not safe. Also, it is not efficient sufficiently in case of insertion of the data, and search. In the present invention, the search keys related by the data are generated for a predetermined number without depending on the value of the data. Also, when the search keys showing a range are generated, the search keys are provided from the search key having a narrow width to the search key having a wide range, and the widths have a relation of a power series length, to suppress the number of necessary search keys. |
| US09172530B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating secret key for ID-based encryption system and recording medium having program recorded thereon for causing computer to execute the method
A private key generation apparatus for generating a private key corresponding to a user ID using the user ID as a public key is disclosed. When a user ID is input, an ID conversion unit outputs a specific element value of a discrete logarithm cyclic group having a one-to-one correspondence relationship with an input user ID. A private key calculation unit calculates a discrete logarithm result value based on the output specific element value of the discrete logarithm cyclic group and calculates a private key having a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the user ID. According to the present invention, it is possible to concretely propose a method of calculating a secret key, capable of guaranteeing a one-to-one correspondence relationship between the ID and the private key by applying a method of calculating a discrete logarithm using the pre-computation table in an ID-based encryption system. |
| US09172521B2 |
Communication channel calibration using feedback
A method for calibrating a communication channel coupling first and second components includes transmitting a data signal from the first component to the second component on the communication channel, and sensing a characteristic, such as phase, of the data signal on the second component. Information about the sensed characteristic is fed back to the first component using an auxiliary channel. An adjustable parameter, such as phase, for the transmitter is adjusted on the first component in response to the information. Also, a characteristic of a data signal received from the transmitter on the second component is sensed and used to adjust an adjustable parameter for the receiver on the first component. |
| US09172520B1 |
Terminal, network node, system and methods for soft buffer handling in carrier aggregation
A terminal (e.g., mobile communication device, UE) and a method are described herein for allocating a soft buffer after interacting with a network node (e.g., base station, eNB). In addition, a network node (e.g., base station, eNB) and a method are described herein that facilitates robust operations during a reconfiguration period while a terminal allocates a soft buffer located therein. |
| US09172519B2 |
Method and device for transmitting ACK/NACK in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and a device for transmitting an acknowledgement/not-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) of a terminal which is set with a plurality of serving cells. The method comprises the steps of: receiving data in a subframe n of a second serving cell; and transmitting an ACK/NACK signal for the data in a subframe n+kSCC(n) of a first serving cell connected to the subframe n of the second serving cell, wherein the first serving cell is a primary cell for the terminal to execute an initial connection establishment procedure or a connection reestablishment procedure, and uses a frequency division duplex (FDD) wireless frame, the second serving cell is a secondary cell allocated to the terminal in addition to the primary cell, and uses a time division duplex (TDD) wireless frame, and the kSCC(n) is a previously determined value. |
| US09172518B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for signaling a quantity of antenna ports in a wireless communication system
A quantity of antenna ports of a transmitting apparatus is signalled in a wireless communication system. The quantity of antenna ports of the transmitting apparatus is encoded into a first type information and a second type information. The first type information is transmitted on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); and the second type information is transmitted on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The PDSCH is transmitted on at least one antenna port indicated by the first type information. |
| US09172515B2 |
Method and system for inter-cell interference coordination in wireless networks
A method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for managing inter-cell interference in a wireless network is provided. The method may be executed by at least one processor at a small cell gateway and may include receiving, uplink interference power corresponding to a first small cell base station (SCBS). The method may further include receiving neighboring cell information of the first SCBS, the neighboring cell information including information on a first plurality of SCBSs neighboring the first SCBS. The method may further include determining based on the received uplink interference power, that the first SCBS is experiencing inter-cell interference and determining a second plurality of SCBSs from among the first plurality of SCBSs that are interfering with the first SCBS. The method may further include adjusting uplink power allocation corresponding to a second SCBS from among the second plurality of SCBSs. |
| US09172514B2 |
Method and arrangement for positioning a wireless device
A method in a network node and a network node with positioning functionality in a wireless communications network in a multi-carrier system are described. The network node enables positioning measurements for a wireless device in the multi-carrier system based on at least one capability indicator that identifies on which carrier frequencies positioning measurements in the multi-carrier system can be performed. |
| US09172513B2 |
Resource assignments for uplink control channel
A wireless communication method includes allocating physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) data in first slot to a first orthogonal cover code (OCC). The method also includes allocating PUCCH data in a second slot of the same subframe to a different orthogonal cover code (OCC). Another method includes mapping PUCCH resources to physical resource blocks based on a user equipment (UE) specific signaling parameter (e.g., a resource index) and a number of symbols in a slot of a subframe. |
| US09172511B2 |
Apparatus and method of communicating automatic repeat request (ARQ) feedback in a wireless communication network
A method and device for communicating ARQ feedback in wireless communication networks. An ARQ block whose transmission is in progress is determined upon occurrence of an event at a receiving device. ARQ feedback is generated that indicates the ARQ blocks whose transmission is in progress. Further, the ARQ feedback is sent to a device transmitting the ARQ feedback. |
| US09172509B2 |
Method for transmission time interval bundling in the uplink
A method and apparatus for supporting uplink Transmission Time Interval (TTI) bundling in Long Term Evolution (LTE) is provided. Described are related method and apparatus for signaling, activation/deactivation and wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) behavior. |
| US09172508B2 |
Method and a device for improved retransmissions
The invention discloses a method for use in a cellular system with an RBS which controls traffic to and from a cell, with one User Equipment, UE, in the cell. The RBS and the UE receive and transmit information between each other, one of them being a sending party and the other one is a receiving party, and errors in messages which are received can be detected by the receiving party by a first error detection method and if errors are detected in received messages, the receiving party can request a retransmission from the transmitting party. The receiving party stores the order in which retransmissions are requested, so that erroneous retransmissions may be detected by the receiving party without the first error detection method. |
| US09172507B2 |
Signal protection
A signal protector utilizes a variable latency station to provide error correction. |
| US09172506B2 |
Packet loss recovery
A network device includes a network interface device that receives at least a subset of a plurality of recoverable packets. The plurality of recoverable packets corresponds to a plurality of original packets generated by a source device. A processor having a packet recovery module recreates each of the original packets based on the subset of the recoverable packets received. The subset of recoverable packets excludes recoverable packets lost during transmission to the network interface device. A system includes a first network device that generates original packets and converts the original packets to recoverable packets. A second network device receives at least a subset of the recoverable packets, excluding recoverable packets lost during transmission from the first network device. The second network device includes a packet recovery module that recreates the original packets based on the subset of the recoverable packets received at the second network device. |
| US09172504B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for downlink channel transmission
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus and a system for downlink channel transmission. The method for downlink channel transmission includes: sending PDCCH information, where original information of the information includes a first part of the information and a second part of the information; the second part of the information includes downlink control information DCI content information, and the first part of the information includes indication information for indicating a related parameter of the DCI content information in the second part of the information; after receiving the PDCCH, obtaining, by a receiving end, the first part of the information and verifies it, if correct, obtaining the related parameter of the DCI content information in the second part of the information according to the indication information, and performing convolutional decoding for specific DCI content information in the second part of the information according to the related parameter. |
| US09172503B2 |
System and method for improving signaling channel robustness
A system and method for improving signaling channel robustness. Additional error correction is provided for (L1) dynamic signaling that is carried in P2 symbols in such way that high time diversity can be provided. In other embodiments, transmitted services are scheduled such that services will rotate or “move” between frames, thereby ensuring that a first slot for a service is not always transmitted in the same frequency. |
| US09172502B2 |
Receiving apparatus and receiving method
Provided is a receiving apparatus that includes a receiving unit which receives a trellis-coded modulation signal in which data items modulated by a plurality of trellis-coded modulators have been multiplexed; a data processing unit which arranges the data items multiplexed in the trellis-coded modulation signal received by the receiving unit so that a given number of data items modulated by one of the trellis-coded modulators are arranged consecutively in first order in which the data items modulated by one of the trellis-coded modulators have been modulated as arrangement processing and the arrangement processing is repeated in remaining trellis-coded modulators; a trellis decoding unit which performs trellis decoding of the data items arranged by the data processing unit, thereby producing decoded data items; and a data rearranging unit which rearranges the decoded data items in second order in which the decoded data items have been multiplexed in the trellis-coded modulation signal. |
| US09172500B2 |
Signal demodulation method and device
The present invention provides a signal demodulation method and device. The method includes: obtaining a symbol probability parameter, where the symbol probability parameter comprises: an amplitude ry and a phase angle φy of a receive signal, an amplitude rxj and a phase angle φxj of each constellation point xj in a decision constellation point set, and a standard deviation σn of Gaussian noise and a standard deviation πθ of phase noise; calculating, according to the symbol probability parameter, a symbol probability that a transmit signal is each constellation point xj in the decision constellation point set; and performing demodulation according to the symbol probability, and outputting demodulation information. The present invention improves an anti-phase-noise capability. |
| US09172498B2 |
Controlled noise injection in transmitter for noise margin testing
A transmitter comprising a noise signal generator, a summing element configured to generate a signal as a sum of an output of the noise signal generator and a transmit data signal, and a transmit driver configured to generate an output signal based on the sum. Also, a method of calibrating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a transmitter comprising transmitting a first signal comprising a data signal with no noise signal, capturing the first signal, transmitting a second signal comprising a noise signal, wherein both an amplitude and a phase of the noise signal have been adjusted by a gain and phase control element, capturing the second signal, and determining the SNR corresponding to the captured first signal and the captured second signal, wherein the transmitter transmits the second signal using a transmit driver. |
| US09172489B2 |
Discovery of an adjacent network element within a network data plane
The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for discovery of network elements, which are adjacent within the network data plane but may or may not be adjacent in the network control plane. In one embodiment of the present invention, digital network elements, with a plurality thereof having a lambda switching capability (hereinafter “LSC”) interface, is provided. A digital network element with an LSC interface originates and sends a local advertisement to its immediate control neighbor. Using this LSC originated advertisements; a neighboring network element may be discovered that is adjacent on the network data plane. |
| US09172486B2 |
Apparatus and method for time-division multiplexing of dedicated channel
Disclosed are apparatus and method for time division multiplexing of a dedicated channel. In one aspect, the apparatus and method are configured to assign a common spreading code to two or more User Equipments (UEs); encode a downlink (DL) dedicated channel (DCH) with the common spreading code; time-division multiplex a Dedicated Physical Data Channel (DPDCH) data for each of the two or more UEs on the encoded DL DCH; and transmit the multiplexed data on the DL DCH to the UEs. |
| US09172485B2 |
Clock synchronization using multiple network paths
In a network device communicatively coupled to a master clock via a plurality of different communication paths, a clock synchronization module is configured to determine a plurality of path time data sets corresponding to the plurality of different communication paths based on signals received from the master clock via the plurality of different communication paths between the network device and the master clock. A clock module is configured to determine a time of day as a function of the plurality of path time data sets. |
| US09172483B2 |
Signal quality estimation and control
Several circuits and methods implemented to perform signal quality estimation and control are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of signal quality estimation includes generating a demodulated signal associated with a radio signal. Information associated with a quality of the demodulated signal is accessed. Further, a value of radio frequency signal-to-noise ratio (RF-SNR) for the radio signal based on the information is estimated. Estimating the value of RF-SNR facilitates in signal quality estimation of the radio signal and control of the demodulated signal. |
| US09172473B2 |
Active linear amplifier inside transmitter module
In one example embodiment, a transmitter module includes a header electrically coupled to a chassis ground. First and second input nodes are configured to receive a differential data signal. A buffer stage has a first node coupled to the first input node and a second node coupled to the second input node. An amplifier stage has a fifth node coupled to a third node of the buffer stage and a sixth node coupled to a signal ground that is not coupled to the chassis ground. An optical transmitter has an eighth node coupled to a seventh node of the amplifier stage and a ninth node configured to be coupled to a voltage source. A bias circuit is configured to couple a fourth node of the buffer stage to a bias current source. |
| US09172471B2 |
System and method for suppression of even-order photodiode distortions
A system for suppressing even-order distortion in a photonic link includes a laser for providing laser light to a first input of a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), where the MZM has a second input for receiving an RF input signal, a third input for applying a DC bias voltage to the MZM, and an optical signal output. A dc-voltage-biased photodiode has an input, coupled to the MZM optical signal output, and a modulated RF signal output. The MZM DC bias voltage is set at a value to generate an even-order distortion amplitude substantially equal to an even-order distortion amplitude from the photodiode and 180 degrees out of phase so as to substantially cancel the photodiode even-order distortion. The invention provides the cancellation of photodiode even-order distortion via predisortion linearization with a MZM biased slightly away from quadrature, employing a single fiber run and a single photodiode. The invention provides an improvement in carrier-to-intermodulation ratio (CIR) upwards of 40 dB. |
| US09172470B2 |
Communication device
A communication device includes four signal sending chips, four signal receiving chips, a first optical module and a second optical module. Each of the first optical module and the second optical module includes a main body and four lenses formed on the main body. The first optical module has four signal sending channels corresponding to the four lenses thereof, and the second optical module has four signal receiving channels corresponding to the four lenses thereof. The first optical module and the second optical module are individual from each other. |
| US09172467B2 |
Raman pump circuit
A Raman pump may include a dual output laser configured to output two optical signals; a delay interferometer configured to delay a first of the two optical signals to decorrelate the two optical signals from each other; and a combiner configured to combine the delayed first of the two optical signals and a second of the two optical signals to provide a Raman amplification signal. |
| US09172466B2 |
Method for switching an optical data stream, computer program product and corresponding storage means and node
A method and apparatus for switching an optical data stream via an optical network node, capable of switching optical data received at input ports to output ports. The method includes the following steps performed by a processing chain upon detection of a stream at a given wavelength by a given input port: determining a resource of the node based on a predetermined routing policy such that, for a given wavelength common to source and destination nodes of the stream, routing within the network is carried out according to a routing tree covering the network, a root of the tree being the destination node; consulting an occupancy table for the resource, indicating if at least one possible preceding stream is using the resource; determining a delay to be applied by the processing chain to prevent a collision between the stream and the possible preceding stream; and configuring the processing chain to apply the delay. |
| US09172458B2 |
Method and apparatus for high symbol rate communication system with reduced overhead bandwidth
A method of providing a high symbol rate communication system with reduced overhead bandwidth includes calculating a minimum feasible aperture length at a network operations center, setting a hub demodulator subsystem to use an aperture length calculated from the minimum feasible aperture length, broadcasting the aperture length to a VSAT, and receiving an inroute data stream from the VSAT utilizing the aperture length. |
| US09172455B2 |
Start frame for distributed MIMO
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to communication, and more specifically to distributed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. For certain aspects, methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting a start frame containing information regarding parallel MIMO transmissions in a transmit opportunity and transmitting one or more parallel MIMO streams in accordance with the information contained in the start frame. For certain aspects, methods and apparatus are provided for receiving a start frame containing information regarding parallel MIMO transmissions in a transmit opportunity and transmitting one or more parallel MIMO streams in accordance with the information contained in the start frame. For certain aspects, methods and apparatus are provided for receiving a start frame containing information regarding parallel MIMO transmissions in a transmit opportunity and receiving one or more parallel MIMO streams in accordance with the information contained in the start frame. |
| US09172452B2 |
Method for acquiring signal to noise ratio, signal receiving device and signal sending device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for acquiring a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a signal receiving device and a signal sending device. Through the embodiments of the present invention, an SNR of the signal receiving device (i.e., a receiving end) can satisfy the setting requirement, that is, the test condition that an SNR does not contain a precoding gain, so that a subsequent test is valid. |
| US09172450B2 |
Processing method and device for performing space-time decoding on MIMO signal
Provided is a processing method and apparatus for performing space-time decoding on MIMO signals. The method includes: performing QR decomposition on a channel matrix H with a size of Nr×Nt in a MIMO system and performing an initialization operation, wherein Nt is the number of transmitting antennas and Nr is the number of receiving antennas; enumerating candidate constellation points of transmitting signals at each level of transmitting antennas according to an input parameter M=[M1, M2, . . . , MNt], a receiving signal y and a result of QR decomposition of H, wherein M is the number of the numerated candidate constellation points at each level, y=Hs+n; calculating increments of a Euclid distance due to addition of selection of a candidate constellation point at present level according to obtained candidate constellation points; and deciding and outputting space-time decoding according to the sum of calculated increments of Euclid distances of candidate constellation points at all levels. |
| US09172441B2 |
Front end circuitry for carrier aggregation configurations
Radio frequency (RF) front end circuitry includes one or more antenna ports, one or more RF switching ports, and an RF switch matrix coupled between the antenna ports and the RF front end ports. The RF switch matrix comprises a dual 4×4 multiplexer, and is adapted to selectively couple any one of the antennas to any one of the plurality of RF switching ports. |
| US09172440B2 |
Antenna device of mobile terminal
An antenna device of a mobile terminal for enabling to receive a wireless signal of a new frequency band by appropriately connecting a plurality of antennas through a switch is provided. The antenna device includes a plurality of communication units for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal of a plurality of frequency bands through a plurality of antennas, a plurality of switches for turning on/off an electrical connection between the plurality of antennas and the plurality of communication units, and a controller for controlling the plurality of switches to turn off an electrical connection between the plurality of antennas and the plurality of communication units. |
| US09172437B2 |
Wireless power transfer device that redirects a magnetic flux
There is provided a wireless power transfer device comprising an input interface configured to receive a primary magnetic flux in a first direction, an output interface configured to output a secondary magnetic flux in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the input interface and the output interface form a closed electric circuit. |
| US09172433B2 |
Power line communication apparatus including AC power socket
A power line communication apparatus (200) includes a mains power connector assembly (210) with three or more first connectors (211) connectable to a mains distribution network. A mains filter (220) provides a filter path between each of its first ports (221) and a corresponding one of second ports (222), wherein each first port (221) is connected to one of the first connectors (211). Each second port (222) is connected to one of three or more second connectors (282) of an AC power socket (280). A power line communication unit (250) is connected with each of the first ports (221) and transmits and/or receives data according to a transmission method using more than one transmission channel between two devices connected via the mains distribution network. The mains filter (220) improves PLC transmission quality by suppressing disturbances generated by the appliances and reduces PLC stray radiation. |
| US09172430B2 |
High performance PLC cluster system
A device comprises a power input for supplying an external AC power to the device via a power cord, a filter for filtering noise from the outside out of the supplied external AC power and for thereby generating a filtered AC power, at least one power socket for supplying the filtered AC power to at least one other device, a PLC modem configured to be connected to the at least one power socket and to transmit data to or receive data from the at least one other device via power line communication using the filtered AC power, and a managing means configured to establish a data connection with the at least one other device and to detect whether the at least one other device is capable of PLC functionality. A respective power line communication system and a respective power line communication method are also proposed. |
| US09172428B2 |
Determining the spectral energy content of a data bus
Techniques for determining the spectral content of a data bus are described herein. An example of a device in accordance with the present techniques includes a data bus comprising one or more signal lines, a first phasor generator, and a second phasor generator. The first phasor generator obtains a first data value based on the data to be transmitted over the data bus and generates a first phasor. The second phasor generator obtains a second data value based on the data to be transmitted over the data bus and generates a second phasor. The sum of the first phasor and the second phasor indicate, at least in part, the spectral content of the data to be transmitted over the data bus. |
| US09172427B2 |
Crosstalk cancellation device and method with improved vectoring stabilisation
A crosstalk cancellation device cancels crosstalk noise of at most M disturbing communication lines in a victim communication line forming part of a vectoring group. The crosstalk cancellation device gradually decreases the cancellation depth of a cancelled disturbing communication line in the victim communication line upon a crosstalk noise variation in the vectoring group requiring cancellation of crosstalk noise of a not yet cancelled disturbing communication line in the victim communication line. |
| US09172426B2 |
Voltage mode driver circuit for N-phase systems
System, methods and apparatus are described that facilitate transmission of data, particularly between two devices within electronic equipment. Transmission lines are selectively terminated in an N-phase polarity encoded transmitter when the transmission lines would otherwise be undriven. Data is mapped to a sequence of symbols to be transmitted on a plurality of wires. The sequence of symbols is encoded in three signals. Each of the three terminals may be driven such that transistors are activated to couple a terminal to first and second voltage levels through a pair of impedances when the terminal would otherwise be undriven. The terminal is then pulled toward an intermediate voltage level while the terminal presents a desired impedance level to a transmission line. |
| US09172418B1 |
User identity module protocol switch
A method for switching a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) transmission protocol includes: setting an operational mode of the UICC to an ISO 7816-12 USB UICC transmission protocol mode (USB mode); and in response to a user input, enabling the UICC to fallback from the USB mode to an ISO 7816-3 T=0/T=1 transmission protocol mode (ISO mode). |
| US09172417B2 |
Power management for a battery-powered handheld audio device
A method for managing power of a battery powered handheld audio device by receiving an indicia of signal quality for a received continuous-time radio signal. The method compares the indicia of signal quality to a signal threshold. Upon a favorable comparison, enacting a first analog signal conditioning setting. Upon an unfavorable comparison, enacting a second analog signal conditioning setting. The method further provides, upon the favorable comparison, disabling a digital filtering operation, and upon the unfavorable comparison, enabling the digital filtering operation. |
| US09172416B2 |
Simplified high frequency tuner and tuning method
A disclosed method tunes a signal from a channelized spectrum having a predetermined channel spacing. A signal of interest having a predetermined maximum bandwidth is mixed with a local oscillator signal, which has a frequency that is an integer multiple of the channel spacing or one-half of a channel spacing displaced from an integer multiple of the channel spacing. The local oscillator signal is selected to frequency translate the signal of interest to within a near-baseband passband whose lower edge is spaced from DC by at least about the maximum bandwidth of the signal of interest. Problems associated with 1/f noise, DC offsets, and self-mixing products are avoided or substantially diminished. Other methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US09172414B2 |
Method and device for implementing radio frequency coexistence management strategy in wireless devices
The various embodiments include a dual-SIM-dual-active (DSDA) device and methods for implementing robust receive (Rx) processing to resolve radio frequency coexistence interference between two subscriptions operating on the DSDA device. The DSDA device may detect when a subscription (the “aggressor”) de-senses the other subscription (the “victim”) as a result of the aggressor's transmissions, and in response, implement robust Rx processing to mitigate the effects of de-sense on the victim while causing minimal impact to the aggressor. |
| US09172411B2 |
Advanced signal processors for interference cancellation in baseband receivers
An interference canceller comprises a composite interference vector (CIV) generator configured to produce a CIV by combining soft and/or hard estimates of interference, an interference-cancelling operator configured for generating a soft projection operator, and a soft-projection canceller configured for performing a soft projection of the received baseband signal to output an interference-cancelled signal. Weights used in the soft-projection operator are selected to maximize a post-processing SINR. |
| US09172410B2 |
Transmitter having integrated design of multiple wireless communication modules
A transmitter includes a first wireless communication module, a second wireless communication module, a multiplexer, a digital-to-analog converter and a filter. The multiplexer selectively outputs a first digital signal derived from a digital output of the first wireless communication module or a second digital signal derived from a digital output of the second wireless communication module as a selected output. The digital-to-analog converter converts the selected output into an analog signal. The filter processes the analog signal and includes an adjustable resistive element. When the multiplexer selects the first digital signal as the selected output, the adjustable resistive element is adjusted to have a first resistance value such that the filter has a first bandwidth. When the multiplexer selects the second digital signal as the selected output, the adjustable resistive element is adjusted to have a second resistance value such that the filter has a second bandwidth. |
| US09172409B2 |
Multi-path digital pre-distortion
An apparatus relates generally to multi-path digital predistortion. In this apparatus, a single-band digital predistorter engine has first and second sample paths. An input stage is coupled to receive input samples and configured to separate them into first samples and second samples. The input stage provides first and second magnitudes for the first and second samples, respectively. A first set of digital predistorters receives the first samples, the first magnitudes and the second magnitudes. A second set of digital predistorters receives the second samples, the second magnitudes and the first magnitudes. An output stage is coupled to receive predistorted outputs from the first set of digital predistorters and the second set of digital predistorters and is configured to provide a digital predistorted composite signal from the first set of digital predistorters and the second set of digital predistorters. |
| US09172405B2 |
Light device and positional information management system
A light device includes a substrate on which a light source is provided; and a positional information transmitter that is provided on a surface of the substrate on which the light source is provided and transmits predetermined positional information to a terminal device. |
| US09172404B1 |
Switch architecture for TDMA and FDD multiplexing
Switching circuitry is provided for a mobile terminal having a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) mode of operation and a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode of operation. The switching circuitry includes resonant tank circuitry having a controllable resonant frequency and an output coupled to an antenna of the mobile terminal. The switching circuitry also includes a transmit switch that couples TDMA transmit circuitry to an input of the resonant tank circuitry when transmitting in the TDMA mode of operation, a receive switch that couples TDMA receive circuitry to the input of the resonant tank circuitry when receiving in the TDMA mode of operation, and a FDD switch that couples a FDD transceiver to the output of the resonant tank circuitry when in the FDD mode of operation. The controllable resonant frequency is controlled such that the transmit and receive switches are isolated from the antenna during FDD operation. |
| US09172403B2 |
Reducing port requirement of antenna switch in multi-band electronic apparatus
The invention provides electronic apparatus including an antenna, an antenna switch, at least one switch unit, and a transceiver. The antenna switch has N transceiving ports. The antenna switch selects one of the transceiving ports for transceiving signal with the antenna. The switch unit is coupled between the antenna switch and the transceiver. The transceiver has transmitting ports and receiving ports, and one of the transmitting ports is coupled to the switch unit, and one of the receiving ports is coupled to the switch unit. Wherein, the first end is connected to the fourth end of the switch unit and the third end is connected to the second end of the switch unit in a first status, and the first end is connected to the second end of the switch unit and the third end is connected to the fourth end of the switch unit in a second status. |
| US09172399B2 |
Updating variable nodes associated with an iterative decoder
In various embodiments, an iterative decoder may compute, from sign bits of log likelihood ratios associated with x bits of a plurality of bits of encoded data, a first combination of the x bits having a higher associated log density ratio than any other combination of the x bits. In various embodiments, the iterative decoder may further be configured to compute m combinations of the x bits having m highest associated log density ratios, based on reductions in log density ratios associated with one or more sub-combinations of the x bits and the computed first combination of the x bits. In various embodiments, a variable node associated with the iterative decoder may be updated with the m combinations of the x bits. |
| US09172394B2 |
Signal conversion system and method
A signal conversion system and method for converting an input signal to a pulse width modulated signal is disclosed. The signal conversion system includes a sample rate converter coupled with an associated pulse width modulation (PWM) module. A hardware and power efficient signal conversion system for resampling an audio input signal with an arbitrary sample rate to a pulse width modulated output audio signal for use in an audio processor and/or reproduction is disclosed. The signal conversion system may be particularly suitable for use in a battery operated consumer electronics device. |
| US09172392B2 |
Transmitter noise shaping
Embodiments of the disclosed invention address a method, apparatus and computer program product for enabling enhanced transmitter noise shaping. Thereby, a first digital-to-analog conversion is performed on a digital signal resulting in first analog signal, a noise shaping on the digital signal is performed for obtaining a noise shaped signal and performing a second digital-to-analog conversion on the noise shaped signal resulting in a second analog signal, and the first analog signal and the second analog signal are added for obtaining an output signal. |
| US09172390B2 |
Driving voltage generator and digital to analog converter
A digital to analog converter is disclosed. The digital to analog converter includes a voltage selector, M voltage transmitting switches and a selecting signal decoder. The voltage selector receives N first voltages among a plurality of analog input voltages, and receives a plurality of digital selecting signals. The voltage selector selects at most one of the first voltages for providing to an output terminal. One terminals of the voltage transmitting switches receives M second voltages among the input voltages respectively, and the voltage transmitting switches are turned on or off according to M transmitting enable signals respectively. The selecting signal decoder generates the transmitting enable signals according to the selecting signals. Wherein, M and N are positive integers. |
| US09172388B1 |
High speed interleaved ADC with compensation for DC offset mismatch
An analog to digital conversion device with DC offset mismatch compensation comprises a composite analog to digital converter (ADC) consisting of N interleaved sub-ADCs, a DC offset accumulator, an averaging unit, a subtraction unit, and a compensation unit. The ADC generates a stream of digital samples corresponding to signal values at an analog input to the ADC. The digital stream is a combination of N partial signals produced by the respective sub-ADCs. The DC offset accumulator measures and stores DC offsets of the respective partial signals. The averaging unit calculates an average value of DC offsets of the respective N partial signals. The subtraction unit is responsive to the DC offsets of the respective partial signals and the average value of the DC offsets, to produce a signal representative of the differences between the values arriving at a DC offset input and the value arriving at an average value input. The subtraction unit is responsive to the DC offsets of the respective partial signals and the average value of the DC offsets, to produce a signal representative of the differences between the values arriving at the DC offset input and the value arriving at the average value input. The compensation unit corrects the digital stream from the ADC by subtracting the differences from the stream from the ADC. |
| US09172385B2 |
Timing adjustment circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit device
A timing adjustment circuit includes a voltage-controlled delay line, a phase detector, a control voltage generation circuit, and a startup circuit. The voltage-controlled delay line receives an input clock signal and generates multi-phase clocks, a delay amount of each of the multi-phase clocks is changed according to a control voltage. The phase detector detects a phase difference between a first clock and a second clock, the first clock is a reference, the second clock is generated from the voltage-controlled delay line. The control voltage generation circuit generates the control voltage on the basis of the detected phase difference. The startup circuit operates for a certain period after activation, and continuously changes the control voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage. |
| US09172384B1 |
Low-noise voltage regulator for voltage-controlled oscillator
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for regulating a voltage-controlled oscillator. The apparatus includes a digital-to-analog converter that has an input that receives a digital input signal and an output that outputs an analog control signal. A transistor receives the analog control signal so as to control an output voltage of the voltage-controlled oscillator. Control circuitry receives the output voltage and generates the digital input signal. Another embodiment relates to a method of regulating a voltage-controlled oscillator. A digital input signal is converted to an analog control signal using a digital-to-analog converter. The output voltage of the voltage-controlled oscillator is controlled using the analog control signal and monitored using a plurality of comparators. The digital input signal is changed depending on outputs of the plurality of comparators. Other embodiments, aspects, and features of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US09172383B2 |
Induction-coupled clock distribution for an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit package including an induction-coupled clock distribution system is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure includes a transmission module coupled to a main clock line, a clock reception module coupled to the transmission module, the clock reception module including a clock output line, and an electronic circuit coupled to the clock output line of the clock reception module, the electronic circuit including at least one clocked element and configured to operate synchronously with a clocking signal received through the clock output line of the clock reception module. The transmission module may be disposed on the supporting case of the IC package, and the electronic circuit and the clock reception module may be disposed on the semiconductor die of the IC package. |
| US09172381B2 |
Fast turn on system for a synthesized source signal
A fast turn on compensation system for a synthesized signal source includes a synthesized signal source coupled to a power supply and configured to generate a phase stable radio frequency (RF) output signal. A mute amplifier is coupled to the synthesized signal source and the power supply. A dummy amplifier is coupled to the mute amplifier and the power supply. A mute controller is coupled to the mute amplifier and the dummy amplifier, the mute controller is responsive to an enable signal and configured to enable the dummy amplifier and disable the mute amplifier when no RF output signal is being generated and disable the dummy amplifier and enable the mute amplifier when the RF output signal is being generated such that total power supply current delivered to the synthesized signal source and the dummy amplifier or mute amplifier is approximately constant before, during, and after enabling the mute amplifier to reduce phase disturbance of the RF output signals. |
| US09172378B1 |
Programmable logic device having logic elements with dedicated hardware to configure look up tables as registers
A programmable logic device architecture having logic elements with dedicated hardware to configure the look up tables of the logic element to either perform logic functions or to operate as a register for pipelining. The programmable logic device includes a general interconnect and a plurality of logic array blocks interconnected by the general interconnect. Each of the plurality of logic blocks further includes one or more logic elements. The logic elements each include a first look up table, a second look up table, and dedicated hardware within the logic element to configure the first look table and the second look up table as a register without having to use the general interconnect. In one embodiment, the dedicated hardware includes a plurality of dedicated interconnects within the logic element to configure the two look up tables as a pair of cross coupled muxes or latches when configured as a register. |
| US09172377B2 |
Clock-tree transformation in high-speed ASIC implementation
A method includes providing a first clock tree including a root clock and a plurality of levels of integrated clock gates (ICGs) under the root clock. The plurality of levels of ICGs in the first clock tree is flattened to generate a second clock tree including a plurality of ICGs in a same level under the root clock. A fake module is formed to reserve a region between the root clock and the plurality of ICGs. The fake module includes the root clock as a first input, and a first plurality of outputs coupled to clock-inputs of the plurality of ICGs. A skew balancing is performed on the second clock tree using a clock tree synthesis (CTS) tool to generate a third clock tree, wherein no buffers are inserted into the fake module, and wherein buffers are inserted by the CTS tool under the plurality of ICGs. |
| US09172376B2 |
Controlling voltage at pad
One or more systems and techniques for communicating a signal between a first chip and a second chip using one or more circuits are provided. If the signal corresponds to a first voltage, one or more voltages are provided to one or more locations and a capacitive load is charged using a pull-up driver that is connected to a power supply. If the signal corresponds to a second voltage, one or more voltages are provided to one or more locations and the capacitive load is discharged using a pull-down driver that is connected to ground. When the first chip is powered off, a fail-safe mode is provided by configuring a cross control circuit to generate a bias to control one or more transistors. |
| US09172374B2 |
Voltage level translator
A voltage level translator includes an inverter circuit configured to switch an output of the inverter circuit between a first voltage level and a second voltage level. The voltage level translator also includes a capacitor connected to the output of the inverter circuit. The voltage level translator also includes a load connected to the capacitor. The capacitance of the capacitor is approximately 10 times larger than a capacitance of the load. An output signal of the voltage level translator has at least one of a different voltage swing and a different voltage domain than an input signal to the inverter circuit. |
| US09172371B2 |
Majority dominant power scheme for repeated structures and structures thereof
Methods and structures for configuring an integrated circuit including repeated cells that are divided into banks having a respective power assist and a respective operational assist are provided. A method includes configuring the banks without power assist and operational assist. The method further includes selecting the power assist for a bank based on a determination that a weak cell remains in the bank after configuring the bank with the respective operational assist. |
| US09172368B1 |
Contactless rotary pull switch
A contactless rotary pull switch includes a switch knob assembly rotatable about an axis to a plurality of rotational positions and actuatable to at least one pull position, with the switch knob assembly including a knob element and a rotational shaft fixedly coupled thereto. A rotational magnet is coupled to the rotational shaft so as to rotate therewith, and at least one pull magnet is positioned separately from the rotational magnet. A rotational sensor senses a magnetic field generated by the rotational magnet to identify a rotational position of the switch knob assembly and at least one pull sensor senses a magnetic field generated by the pull magnet(s) to identify a pull position of the switch knob assembly. A rotatable arm member selectively enables/inhibits sensing of the magnetic field generated by the pull magnet(s) by the at pull sensor(s), to identify distinct pull positions of the switch knob assembly. |
| US09172366B2 |
Collector current driver for a bipolar junction transistor temperature transducer
In one embodiment, a collector current driver is provided that controls the collector current for a bipolar transistor temperature transducer. The collector current driver is configured to use negative feedback to generate an emitter current for the bipolar transistor responsive to target current. |
| US09172365B2 |
Method and circuit for controlling turnoff of a semiconductor switching element
A circuit performs a method for controlling turn-off of a semiconductor switching element. The method includes determining at least one operating parameter for the semiconductor switching element during an operating cycle and determining a gate discharge current based on the at least one operating parameter. The method further includes supplying the gate discharge current to a gate of the semiconductor switching element during a subsequent operating cycle to turn off the semiconductor switching element. |
| US09172360B2 |
Emphasis signal generating circuit and method for generating emphasis signal
An emphasis signal generating circuit includes: a branch and delay unit configured to branch an input signal, delay a branched signal, and output a first delayed signal; a high-frequency extraction unit configured to extract at least one of high-frequency components of the input signal and the first delayed signal to output a high-frequency signal; and an addition and subtraction unit configured to add and subtract the input signal, the first delayed signal, and the high-frequency signal. |
| US09172347B2 |
Wafer, method of manufacturing package, and piezoelectric oscillator
To provide a wafer, a method of manufacturing a package, and a piezoelectric oscillator in which warping of a wafer body is reduced to improve the yields. A wafer for lid substrate has a product region in which a number of recess portions for cavities are formed and a non-forming region of the recess portions set in the product region in the form of a straight line extending along a diameter direction of the product region. |
| US09172342B2 |
Cross product enhanced subband block based harmonic transposition
The invention provides an efficient implementation of cross-product enhanced high-frequency reconstruction (HFR), wherein a new component at frequency QΩ+rΩ0 is generated on the basis of existing components at Ω and Ω+Ω0. The invention provides a block-based harmonic transposition, wherein a time block of complex subband samples is processed with a common phase modification. Superposition of several modified samples has the net effect of limiting undesirable intermodulation products, thereby enabling a coarser frequency resolution and/or lower degree of oversampling to be used. In one embodiment, the invention further includes a window function suitable for use with block-based cross-product enhanced HFR. A hardware embodiment of the invention may include an analysis filter bank (101), a subband processing unit (102) configurable by control data (104) and a synthesis filter bank (103). |
| US09172335B2 |
Optical receiver module
An optical detector module includes a carrier, a photodetector secured to a top surface of the carrier and having a light detecting portion, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal, an amplifier circuit secured to the top surface of the carrier and having a first edge, an input terminal, and a GND terminal. The input terminal and the GND terminal are located along the first edge. A first wire connects the anode terminal to the input terminal, and to a composite component secured to the top surface of the carrier and having a metal portion and a resistive portion integrated together. The metal portion is in contact with the carrier. A capacitor, having a top surface electrode and a bottom surface electrode is secured to the carrier. |
| US09172332B2 |
Operational amplifier circuit
Provided is an operational amplifier circuit having a high tolerance for clock phase difference fluctuations. An FIR filter is used to add an input signal of the FIR filter to a signal obtained by delaying the input signal of the FIR filter. In this manner, chopper noise can be removed. Thus, the operational amplifier circuit may have a high tolerance for clock phase difference fluctuations regardless of the phase difference between clocks for controlling a chopper circuit and the FIR filter. |
| US09172329B2 |
Harmonic suppression in switching amplifiers
Configurable suppression of harmonics in a radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuit having two class-D switching amplifiers that produce a differential output signal having introduced harmonics is contemplated. A selected harmonic is used to determine a time duration. A harmonic suppression circuit modifies a radio frequency polar modulated data signal that is encoded using an amplitude component and a phase component. The modification is responsive to the determined time duration. The switching power amplifiers amplify the modified polar modulated data signal to produce an amplified signal. The amplified signal includes three signal levels, a high signal level, a middle signal level and a low signal level. The timing of transitions between the high and low signal levels represents the phase component, and the transitions include the middle signal level for the time duration, thereby suppressing the selected harmonic. |
| US09172323B2 |
Power saving driving circuit including power factor correction for an induction motor
A power saving driving circuit for a motor including power factor correction comprises an induction motor; a power factor correction capacitor; a first switching element allowing the motor to operate in a positive sine wave period of an power supply voltage; a diode allowing the power factor correction capacitor to be charged during the first switching element being OFF; a second switching element allowing the motor to operate in a negative sine wave period of the power supply voltage; another diode allowing the power factor capacitor to be charged during the second switching element being OFF; a third switching element connected in parallel to the diode; a fourth switching element connected in parallel to the other diode; and a controller controlling the motor to save power by controlling the third and fourth switching elements when a charged voltage in the power factor correction capacitor reaches a predetermined set value. |
| US09172321B2 |
Electrical yaw drive for a wind turbine, wind turbine and method for operating a wind turbine
An electrical yaw drive for a wind turbine is described, wherein the wind turbine includes a wind turbine nacelle and a wind turbine tower. The electrical yaw drive has an asynchronous motor, an excitation capacitor bank and dump loads, wherein the excitation capacitor bank and the dump loads are electrically connectable to windings of the asynchronous motor. Furthermore, a wind turbine with such an electrical yaw drive and a method for operating such a wind turbine are described. |
| US09172318B2 |
Method and system to compensate for dynamic DC offset of measured phase current
A motor control system for determining an offset correction value is provided. The motor control system includes a motor, an inverter, an inverter controller, and a dynamic offset compensation control module. The inverter is configured to transmit the phase current to the motor. The inverter controller determines the phase current to the motor. The dynamic offset compensation control module is in communication with the inverter controller and the motor, and is configured to perform a method at a fixed periodic interval to determine the offset correction value. |
| US09172316B2 |
Inverter control method and system for eco-friendly vehicle
Provided is an inverter control system and method for an eco-friendly vehicle, by which overall improvements can be obtained in terms of switching loss, electromagnetic performance, noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) performance, control stability, and so forth, when compared to a conventional case in which one fixed switching frequency and one fixed sampling frequency are used over the entire operation area. To this end, the inverter control method for an eco-friendly vehicle which generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to a switching frequency and a sampling frequency and controls ON/OFF driving of a switching element, in which a controller changes and sets the switching frequency according to a current motor speed, changes and sets a sampling frequency according to the switching frequency, and controls on/off driving of a switching element according to the switching frequency corresponding to the motor speed and the sampling frequency. |
| US09172311B2 |
Switching arrangement for inverter, and inverter
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and switching arrangement for an inverter. The inverter including a positive direct current pole, a negative direct current pole, and a neutral direct current pole. The arrangement having a first controllable switch connected between the neutral direct current pole of the inverter and a virtual neutral point of an alternating current network supplied by the inverter; and/or a second controllable switch connected between the neutral direct current pole of the inverter and an earth potential of an alternating current network supplied by the inverter. |