Document Document Title
US09168197B2 Vascular compression system
A vascular compression system includes a compression garment and a controller for compressing a body part of a person. In some embodiments, the compression garment is a foot cuff or a leg sleeve. The controller inflates compression garment apparatus includes a compression garment and a pressurizer. The pressurizer has instructions for executing cyclic compression cycles for applying intermittent compression therapy to the body part. Each compression cycle includes an inflation phase and a vent phase. At least one of the inflation phases includes a pre-fill step and a therapeutic step. In the pre-fill step, gas pressure in the inflatable chamber may be increased at a reduced rate, and in the therapeutic step, the gas pressure in the inflatable chamber may be increased at a rapid rate.
US09168196B2 Self-massage device
A massage device comprises a body having a body-contacting head adjacent one end and a handle adjacent the other end, the body shaped to permit the user to reach the back of his/her body with the head when the handle is at the user's front or side; and having a rest pivot extending from the body and terminating at a distal end in a support-contacting face, the rest pivot being positioned so that when the device is between a support surface and the user with the head in contact with the user's body and the handle positioned for contact by the user's hand, (a) the user's bodyweight stabilizes the rest pivot against sliding movement on the support and (b) any pivoting force about the rest pivot applied by the user's hand to the handle is substantially less than the force exerted against the user's body by the head.
US09168195B2 Motion-assist system of wearable motion-assist device, wearable motion-assist device, and motion-assist method of wearable motion-assist device
A motion state of a wearable motion-assist device of a doctor is sent to the wearable motion-assist device of a patient via a network. Then, this motion state is applied to the wearable motion-assist device of the patient, so that rehabilitation is conducted for the patient. Furthermore, the motion state of the wearable motion-assist device of the patient is sent from the wearable motion-assist device to the wearable motion-assist device. Then, the motion state of the wearable motion-assist device is applied to the wearable motion-assist device. Accordingly, the doctor can objectively sense the state of the patient.
US09168193B1 Multi-purpose medical shower chair
A multi-purpose medical shower chair, including a chair base, a seat assembly having a seat carried by the chair base, and a shower head assembly where the shower head assembly includes a shower head shaft carried by the chair base, a back massage nozzle carried by the shower head shaft, and a shower head nozzle carried by the shower head shaft.
US09168188B2 Cast removal system
Apparatus and methods for cutting a material, especially with low material speed and high cutting torque. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a hand-held device for quietly cutting through an orthopedic cast with little or no generation of debris. In yet other embodiments, there is a method for automatically advancing material past a shearing surface, such that the shearing action occurs at about the same velocity as the advancement. In yet other embodiments, there is a device for cutting material between a foot and a sharp edge, with the bottom of the foot being under the sharp edge to protect the skin of the patient.
US09168187B2 Fastening strap for disposable absorbing articles, method for manufacturing the same and disposable absorbing articles including the same
The present invention provides a fastening strap for disposable absorbing articles comprising a fabric backing and a hook strap on which a plurality of hooks are formed for releasably engaging loops on a loop strap of the disposable absorbing articles, wherein the hook strap is secured directly to the fabric backing by means of fusion bonding to form patterns on the fastening strap to thereby producing a fastening strap for disposable absorbing articles in a more simple process without using any adhesive. A method for manufacturing this fastening strap and a disposable absorbing article including this fastening strap are also provided.
US09168185B2 Absorbent article comprising a temperature sensor and a temperature change material
An absorbent article including a temperature sensor, and at least one temperature change material arranged such that it is capable of affecting a temperature change due to a supply of excrement, and such that said temperature sensor is capable of being responsive to said affected temperature change. Also disclosed is a system for detecting a supply of excrement into an absorbent article, the system including an absorbent article being arranged to generate an output signal representative of the temperature, and a processing unit adapted to process an output signal generated by the temperature sensor. The processing unit is adapted to determine a change of temperature, wherein said change of temperature is affected by the temperature change material, and to detect a supply of excrement into the absorbent article based on the change of temperature.
US09168184B2 Tampon with penetrating groove segments
The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene. In particular, it relates to methods for producing such a tampon having relatively deep, penetrating grooves in which adjacent penetrating jaws pass through the same tampon press space during manufacture and to an apparatus useful in making such a tampon as well as the tampons made therewith.
US09168181B2 Method of forming a containment system for an absorbent article
A method of forming a containment system for an absorbent article that includes a front end region, rear end region, a first elasticized leg cuff and a second elasticized leg cuff. The method includes providing a first containment flap and a second containment flap that can each include a stem, an inner flap projection, and an outer flap projection. The method can further include securing the outer flap projection of the first containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region and securing the outer flap projection of the second containment flap in at least a portion of at least one of the front end region and the rear end region.
US09168180B2 Conformable medical dressing with self supporting substrate
A medical dressing comprising a backing layer and a self-supporting substrate. The backing layers form a perimeter around the self supporting substrate and hold the self supporting substrate in place on a wound.
US09168178B2 Energy-delivery system and method for controlling blood loss from wounds
An energy delivery system for controlling blood loss is provided. The system includes an energy-activated patch configured for placement on tissue. The patch includes an energy-delivering layer configured to deliver energy to the tissue. The system also includes an energy source in operative engagement with the energy-activated patch for energizing the energy-delivering layer.
US09168177B2 Slip-over light blocking sleep mask
This invention describes a slip-over sleep mask, having a tubular-shaped body consisting of a soft cloth or fabric material, which is to be used to effectively block out any light from entering a person's eyes while sleeping. The sleep mask is to be slipped over and worn around a person's head, as one piece, covering the eyes and ears. Permanently attached to the inside lower frontal portion of said tubular-shaped body is a separate ruffled or pleated piece of soft cloth or fabric material. This attached material fills in any gaps of space that exist in the areas between the eyes and nose of a person's face which would otherwise allow for any unwanted light to enter inward. The one piece, slip-over design of the sleep mask stretches and clings naturally to a person's face, thus preventing any movement or shifting of itself during sleep.
US09168176B2 Combination ear and eye protection system and related method
A combination headgear and eyewear system including eyewear that magnetically attaches to the headgear. A magnetic ball and disc joint allows the eyewear to pivot on the headgear and into a position wherein the eyewear rests upon a user's face. Adjustable temples allow the eyewear to be configured so to accommodate a large range of head sizes.
US09168168B2 Penis enhancing condom
An elongated male condom is constructed with a basic latex sheath, and least partially covered by a sponge-like material for moisture absorption. The sponge-like material is covered by a smooth latex layer having multiple apertures for moisture migration.
US09168160B2 Implantable medical device with fenestration and radiopaque marker coils on stents
A fenestrated implantable medical device, such as a stent graft (10) is provided with a plurality of zigzag stents (12) of which two or more form fenestrations (34, 36) using part of the stents (12) as a support frame (30, 32) for the fenestrations (34, 36). The frames (30, 32) are preferably covered by radiopaque wire (44) coiled around the stent structures. The radiopaque coil (44) provides easy reference to the fenestrations (30, 32) for imaging purposes.
US09168155B2 Modular femoral provisional
A provisional prosthetic system that replicates the characteristics of a corresponding, nonprovisional femoral prosthesis. The provisional prosthetic system may include a frame component and a shell component. The frame component of the provisional prosthetic system may be configured to be attached directly to a resected femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is impacted onto the resected femur to firmly seat therewith. Once the frame component is secured to the resected femur, a shell component of the provisional prosthetic system may be positioned on and secured to the frame component. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is made from a metallic material. This allows for the frame component to maintain the rigidity necessary to facilitate proper trialing. In another exemplary embodiment, the shell component is a plastic.
US09168141B2 Medical prosthetic devices and implants having improved biocompatibility
Disclosed are medical prosthetic device or medical implants which exhibit improved biocompatibility. The devices or implants include a metal material, e.g., titanium, in which the metal surfaces are coated with a corresponding hydride material that contains one or more biomolecule substance. The biomolecule substance may contain one or more biologically active molecules, e.g., bio-adhesives, biopolymers, blood proteins, enzymes, extracellular matrix proteins, extracellular matrix biomolecules, growth factors and hormones, peptide hormones, deoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, receptors, inhibitors, drugs, biologically active anions and cations; vitamins; adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP), marker biomolecules, amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides (RNA and DNA bases), or sugars.
US09168138B2 Aspirating implants and method of bony regeneration
Devices and methods for in situ drawing, filtering and seeding cells from the marrow of surrounding bone into a fusion cage without any of the challenges mentioned above. Various implants and devices with aspiration ports that enable in-situ harvesting and mixing of stem cells. These devices may include spinal fusion cages, long bone spacers, lateral grafts and joint replacement devices. Each device utilizes at least one aspiration port for harvesting of stem cell-containing marrow via aspiration from adjacent bony elements.
US09168135B2 Device for collapsing and loading a heart valve into a minimally invasive delivery system
A device is provided for collapsing a stented bioprosthetic valve, including first section and second sections, each spanning between first and second ends of the device. The second section of the device is associated with the first section to at least partially enclose an internal cavity formed by the first and second sections, the internal cavity tapering from an open insertion portion at a first end of the device to an open exit portion at a second end of the device. The insertion portion has a larger dimension than the exit portion. When the first section and second section are substantially enclosing the internal cavity, a stented bioprosthetic valve may be inserted into the insertion portion and collapsed as it is moved toward and through the exit portion. The valve may then be loaded on an apparatus for insertion into the body.
US09168133B2 Prosthetic heart valve and method
A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially crimpable and radially expandable, net-like, annular support frame and a valve assembly disposed therein, the valve assembly comprising a conduit tapering from an inlet towards an outlet thereof. Some embodiments or the support frame comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion, a diameter of the proximal portion smaller than a diameter of the distal portion. The proximal portion is dimensioned for deployment in an annulus of a native aortic valve and a distal portion for deployment in an ascending aorta. Some embodiments of the conduit comprise a support construction with a three-cusp, crown-shaped cut line, the support construction sutured to the support frame around a bottom portion thereof and around the cut line. A method for using the prosthetic heart valve to replace a defective native aortic valve uses a minimally invasive procedure.
US09168132B2 Stentless support structure
A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.
US09168131B2 Prosthetic heart valve having improved commissure supports
A prosthetic heart valve according to the present disclosure comprises a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame and a leaflet structure comprising a plurality of leaflets mounted within the frame. The frame in particular embodiments can have commissure attachment portions that are configured to support the commissures of the leaflets at locations spaced radially inwardly toward the longitudinal flow axis of the prosthetic valve relative to the frame portions circumscribing the moveable portions of the leaflets. When the leaflets open under pressure of blood flowing through the prosthetic valve, the moveable portions of the leaflets are retained at positions spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the frame to protect against abrasion of the leaflets.
US09168129B2 Artificial heart valve with scalloped frame design
Implantable prosthetic valves are disclosed, methods of their use, and related fabrication techniques are disclosed. In some cases, the prosthetic valves disclosed herein can include frame, skirt, and valve components. The frame component can have an overall, generally scalloped shape comprising fewer struts and fabricated from less raw material than known frames. In some cases, the prosthetic valves disclosed herein can be crimped to a smaller diameter than can other known valves.
US09168127B2 Intraoperative estimation of intraocular lens power
Apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, including surgical apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, an autorefraction device associated with the surgical apparatus, wherein the autorefraction device is configured to perform autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and a processor connected to the autorefraction device, wherein the processor is configured to process the aphakic refraction measurements and provide the user of the apparatus with information regarding the power of the intraocular lens.
US09168126B2 Fail-safe silicone breast implant delivery device
A tapered sleeve is provided for implant delivery. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicone breast implant) is introduced into a large proximal end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized distal end of the device. Sized appropriately to the implant, the sleeve remains intact during implant run-through of the sleeve.
US09168116B2 Oral-care device and system
A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.
US09168113B2 Tooth movement measurement by automatic impression matching
The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes receiving a tracking model, performing a matching step between individual teeth in a plan model and the tracking model, comparing the tracking model with the plan model, and detecting one or more positional differences.
US09168111B2 Abutment devices and methods for natural teeth
Root canal abutment devices and methods which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured within a pulp chamber of a pre-existing tooth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy sleeves or plates or elements extending along the abutment. Each of the sleeves has a length with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements.
US09168108B2 Dispensing device
A dispensing device with at least one container for the accommodation of components to be dispensed, with an applicator that can be releasably fixed to and/or on the at least one container and with a coupling means for releasable fixing of the applicator to at least one container. The coupling means may include at least one spring arm which has a radially pivotable free end for locking the applicator in place on at least one container and may further comprise a moveable locking ring.
US09168107B2 System and method for preventing wrong-site surgeries
A container holds at least one surgical implement, has a lock mechanism, and has a signature label that impedes access to the surgical implement until the correct surgical site is confirmed. A method of using the container includes the steps of confirming the correct surgical site, signing the label and removing it from the container, placing the label in the medical record, unlocking the container, removing the implement, and beginning the surgery, wherein the surgical team is forced to pause to confirm the correct surgical site before starting the surgery. Preferably, the container top may be removed and placed between the surgeon and surgical technician to define a no-hands “neutral zone” to avoid being stuck by the sharps. Also, the container preferably includes compartments for storing used sharps and/or a local anesthetic-loaded syringe, and the top may be replaced and secured for safely disposing of the sharps after the surgery.
US09168106B2 Device and method for instrument adjustment in computer assisted surgery
The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the position of a surgical instrument (1) with respect to a solid (3) tracked by a navigation system (2), wherein the instrument (1) comprises a fixed part (11) that is rigidly fixed to the solid (3) and a mobile part (12) that is attached to the fixed part by screws (13), the device (4) comprising: a stem (41) comprising a tip (42) suited to the head (130) of the screws (13), a motorized system (45) for driving the stem (41) in rotation, a communication device with the navigation system (2), such that the navigation systems (2) transmits to the motorized system (45) the number of turns to apply to the stem (41) to reach the target position of each screw (13).
US09168102B2 Method and apparatus for providing a container to a sterile environment
A method and apparatus for providing an unsterilized item to a sterile field is disclosed. The item can include a human input device. The sterile field can be in an operating room.
US09168101B2 Apparatus and method for sterilization and organization of a tamper resistant lock and receptacle
A multicompartment envelope or sterilization receptacle for receiving and storing medical instruments includes an adhesive flap for sealing multiple compartments within a single envelope. Individual compartments within the multicompartment enveloped can be opened while still keeping the seal of other compartments, thus keeping unused instruments sterilized. The multicompartment envelope or sterilization receptacle has an aperture for insertion of a heat-deforming color changing sterilization indicator device, where, after exposure to extreme heat, the sterilization indicator device deforms and cannot thereafter be inserted or removed from an aperture of a sterilization receptacle fitted for an unsterilized sterilization indicator device. Thus, the practitioner is assured of sterilized instruments in a sterilization receptacle, when an intact, color changed sterilization indicator device is within the aperture of the sterilization receptacle. Several multicompartment envelopes can further be organized within a binder by procedure or instrument type.
US09168099B2 Lithotripsy apparatus using a flexible endoscope
An apparatus is presented comprising an endoscope including a flexible shaft which has an active deflection section at a distal tip, a handle connected to a proximal end of the flexible shaft, a platform mounted to a top portion of the handle and oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of a straight portion of the flexible shaft to provide a substantially straight entry into a working channel of the flexible shaft for an output accessory, a stone retrieval device insertable into the proximal end of the working channel of the endoscope, a lithotripsy shaft including one or more guide features at a distal end of the lithotripsy shaft to facilitate passage of wires or filaments of the stone retrieval device there through, and a lithotripsy shaft driver attached to the platform for driving the lithotripsy shaft under power.
US09168098B2 Light-based method for the endovascular treatment of pathologically altered blood vessels
A light-based method of endovascular treatment, in particular, of pathologically altered blood vessels. Provided are a Method of Endovascular Light Treatment and a corresponding Endovascular Light Application Device.
US09168097B2 Methods of conditioning sheet bioprosthetic tissue
Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.
US09168092B2 Surgical instrument with protective sheath
An electrode tip for use in performing electrosurgical operative procedures is disclosed. The electrode tip includes a main body that can receive electrical energy from an electrosurgical generator. The main body includes a working surface that communicates the electrical energy to patient tissue during the operative procedure. An insulative sheath is disposed around a portion of the electrode tip to prevent electrical energy from being communicated from the covered portions of the electrode tip to patient tissue. The insulative sheath has a leading edge that is shaped to minimize resistance to the movement of the electrode tip through patient tissue. The leading edge can be arcuately shaped or angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the electrode tip to provide the resistance reducing characteristics.
US09168090B2 Electrosurgical instrument with restricted trigger
An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The end effector includes a first jaw pivotable relative to a second jaw to a closed position. The first actuator is movable from a first position to a second position to pivot the first jaw to the closed position. The first actuator engages the second actuator in the second position to selectively provide RF energy to the end effector.
US09168089B2 Method and system for controlling output of RF medical generator
A control system for controlling the output of an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The control system includes a control module configured to receive an optical signal from a surgical site, the optical signal being related to an optical tissue characteristic, the control module configured to process the optical signal using a closed loop control loop and provide continual control of the output of the electrosurgical generator in response to the optical tissue characteristic.
US09168086B2 Removable ink for surgical instrument
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for preventing reuse of a surgical instrument. The single-use surgical instrument includes a housing, an electrical connector and a treatment component. Indicia may be printed on the housing, the electrical connector and/or the treatment component. A removable ink is applied to any portion of the surgical instrument in the form of indicia that is readable by a scanning device. The removable ink includes a protein-based composition that is reactivateable with a sterilization solution having an enzyme-based composition such that upon sterilization, the removable ink reacts with the sterilizing solution and becomes unreadable by the scanning device.
US09168083B2 HR surgical generator
A high-frequency surgical generator including a power supply for supplying rectified electrical energy, a power oscillator for supplying a potential-free, DC current-free and DC voltage-free high frequency voltage and a control device for controlling the high frequency voltage wherein the power supply is configured as a current source for supplying a load-independent output current, such that the load-independent output current of the power supply serves as the control variable for controlling the high-frequency voltage. The target value of the load-independent output current is pre-determined by the control device. The high-frequency surgical generators configured as such achieve improved modulation capability.
US09168082B2 Fine dissection electrosurgical device
An electrosurgical wand. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical wands including an elongate shaft that defines a handle end and a distal end, a first discharge aperture on the distal end of the elongate shaft, a first active electrode of conductive material disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, the first active electrode has an edge feature, a first return electrode of conductive material disposed a substantially constant distance from the first active electrode, and an aspiration aperture on the distal end of the elongate shaft fluidly coupled to a second fluid conduit.
US09168080B2 Balloon catheter
A medical device including a catheter body defining a proximal portion and a distal portion. An expandable element is included defining a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being coupled to the distal portion of the catheter body. A tip element coupled to the distal end of the expandable element is included, the tip element including a shaft slideably receivable within a portion of the catheter body. A tensioning element coupled to the shaft and disposed within the expandable element is included, the tensioning element being engageable with the distal end of the catheter body and biasing the expandable element toward a pre-determined longitudinal position. An electrode array defining a substantially closed loop affixed to and extending from the tip element is also included.
US09168079B2 Method and system to prevent complete obstruction in catheter in case of a kink
A medical device comprising a shaft having a kink radius; a tube disposed within the shaft; a fluid source in fluid communication with the tube; an elongate member disposed within the tube, and the elongate member imparting a kink radius on the tube, the imparted kink radius of the tube being larger than the kink radius of the shaft.
US09168078B2 Apparatus and method for stylet-guided vertebral augmentation
A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.
US09168077B2 Self-drilling self-tapping bone screw
A self-drilling, self-tapping bone screw includes a body having a head at one end and a cutting end at an opposite end, the cutting end having a generally flat cutting surface supporting two symmetrical cutting edges which extend from the longitudinal centerline to diametrically opposed thread start points. A recess is formed in the head for receiving an end of an insertion tool. A dual lead thread extends outwardly from the body in a spiral path from the cutting end towards the head. The dual lead thread pitch is tapered towards the cutting end, and transitions to a straight or slightly tapered thread towards the head.
US09168076B2 Bone compression screw
A system for orthopedic repair of bones, the system may include a compression screw. The screw may include a blunt tip on one end with tapped threads to allow for greater bone fixation uniform across a threaded portion of the screw. The screw may also include springs, which may be Belleville washers, which provide appropriate compression and tension and prevent excessive loosening of the screw after surgery. The springs allow the screw to retract without losing pressure on the fracture site. The system may be minimally invasive for multiple fractures on a single bone such as calcaneal fractures, and stabilizing long bone fractures without bone plates.
US09168075B2 Variable angle locked bone fixation system
A bone fixation assembly for securing a fixation device such as a bone plate, to bone includes a fixation device, including at least a through hole with isolated protrusions (such as pegs or spikes); and locking bone engaging members such as screws.The screw has a shank with a thread for engaging bone and a partial sphere head with a thread configured and dimensioned to match with the isolated protrusions of the hourglass shaped through holes of the bone plate.The bone plate has a through hole shaped like an hourglass which diameter matches that of the screw spherical head and is provided with multiple isolated protrusions.In use, the screw is threaded into the bone, through the hole of the bone plate at a selected angle. The partial sphere head of the screw engages in the protrusions of the plate hole resulting in the strong locking of the screw at the selected orientation within the through hole in just one single surgical action.
US09168069B2 Polyaxial bone anchor with pop-on shank and winged insert with lower skirt for engaging a friction fit retainer
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert having a sub-structure, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled.
US09168068B2 Spinal stabilization system
A spinal stabilization system includes an elongated loop member and a bone screw. The elongated loop member includes a pair of opposing elongate bodies defining a gap therebetween and a pair of connection members connecting the pair of opposing elongate bodies at opposite ends of the elongate bodies. The bone screw includes a head portion defining a slot, a shank extending longitudinally from the head portion and a set screw. The slot includes a leading end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the elongated loop member and a trailing end portion adapted to receive the set screw. The gap defined by the pair of opposing elongate bodies is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the bone screw securely connected to one of the pair of opposing elongate bodies. The gap is configured and dimensioned to facilitate unilateral adjustment of the elongated loop member relative to the bone screw.
US09168066B2 Ball and socket assembly
A ball and socket assembly including a ball component with a notch formed therein. The socket is a one-piece structure including an opening sized to receive the ball component.
US09168064B2 Bilateral dynamic external distractor for the treatment of complex fracture luxations of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hand
A bilateral dynamic external distractor is disclosed for the treatment of complex fracture luxations of the PIP of the hand. The distractor comprises two setscrews, one left proximal guide block, one right proximal guide block, two threaded rods, two distal guide blocks, and two optional alignment guide clips. The left and right distal guide blocks each comprise a threaded passage, and the first threaded rod extends between the right proximal guide block and the right distal guide block, and the second threaded rod extends between the left proximal guide block and the left distal guide block. Furthermore, rotation of the first and second threaded rods causes the left and right distal guide blocks to move relative to the left and right proximal guide blocks along an axis of the first and second threaded rods.
US09168063B2 Void containment apparatus and method of use for creating a sealed environment for product delivery
A void containment apparatus and its method of use during an invasive procedure on the body are disclosed. The void containment apparatus includes an elongated housing and a balloon. The balloon is capable of being inflated and deflated. When inflated, the balloon provides a seal around a void and allows delivery or extraction of material into or out of the void with minimal leakage outside the void.
US09168062B2 Spinal implant system and method
A method for treating a spine comprises the steps of: percutaneously delivering a first fastener along a pedicle trajectory disposed in alignment with a first vertebral level of vertebrae; fastening the first fastener with the first vertebral level adjacent a lateral portion of the vertebrae; percutaneously delivering a first spinal rod adjacent to the first fastener; connecting the first spinal rod with the first fastener; percutaneously delivering a second fastener along a cortical trajectory disposed in alignment with the first vertebral level; fastening the second fastener with the first vertebral level adjacent a contra-lateral portion of the vertebrae; percutaneously delivering a second spinal rod adjacent to the second fastener; and connecting the second spinal rod with the second fastener. Systems and implants are disclosed.
US09168060B2 Introducer sheath
An introducer sheath and methods of making the introducer sheath are described. The introducer sheath may include a hub portion and a tubular portion. The hub portion may include a substantially non-planar valve portion in a relaxed state. The valve portion may include an aperture configured to receive a medical device. A hub portion may be formed using a forming device. An aperture may be formed through a distal surface of the valve portion.
US09168059B2 Adaptable obturator for various sized trocars
Surgical access systems and obturators for or used in surgical access systems are provided. The obturator is configured to operate or accommodate the use of at least two different sized trocars. The outer diameter of the adaptable obturator when inserted into a trocar compresses from an initial condition to a compressed condition to match the inner diameter of the trocar.
US09168056B2 Liquid ejection device and medical instrument including liquid ejection device
Fluid is pressurized and supplied to a fluid chamber with a fluid pressurizing and supplying unit. The pressurized fluid within the fluid chamber is ejected through an injection nozzle by reduction of the volume of the fluid chamber caused by applying a driving voltage to a volume varying unit. In applying the driving voltage to the volume varying unit, the effect imposed on fluid injection by pressure fluctuations of the fluid pressurized and supplied to the fluid chamber is compensated by changing the voltage waveform of the driving voltage. When the pressure of the supply flow amount is decreased to a pressure lower than a predetermined pressure, the time intervals of the driving waveform are corrected. The maneuverability of a fluid injection device does not deteriorate even when the pressure of the fluid pressurized and supplied to the fluid chamber fluctuates.
US09168049B2 Method for intracorporeal lithotripsy fragmentation and apparatus for its implementation
Electro-impulse intracorporeal lithotripsy comprises bringing electrodes of a probe in immediate electrical contact with the calculus and supplying to the electrodes of very short high voltage impulses capable to ignite electrical spark discharge and establish a discharge channel within the bulk of the calculus. The channel goes through the calculus and creates tensile stresses, destroying the calculus.
US09168043B2 Method for left atrial appendage occlusion
Disclosed is a method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream in which an occlusion device placed within the left atrial appendage inhibits compression of the left atrial appendage and facilitates tissue in-growth onto the occlusion member. The occlusion device includes an occlusion member, a plurality of supports and a plurality of barbs associated with the plurality of supports.
US09168042B2 Circular stapling instruments
A circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher assembly and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher assembly.
US09168040B2 Apparatus and method for surgical fastening
Apparatus and methods for applying fasteners during endoscopic surgery are provided. The apparatus generally comprises a handle portion, a triggering mechanism and a fastener applicator. One embodiment of the invention forms the fastener around a single focal point on an anvil. Another embodiment vertically stacks the fasteners in a fastener applicator which is readily detachable from the handle portion by virtue of a rotational locking system and which may be replaced with a new fastener applicator having a fresh load of vertically stacked fasteners. The various embodiments may be variously combined together in a single device. The methods generally include the following steps: forming a fastener by placing it over a single focal point anvil and pressing the fastener against the single focal point anvil using a slide.
US09168037B2 Laparoscopic suture device with asynchronous in-line needle movement
An apparatus comprises a shaft, a needle throwing arm, and a needle receiving arm. The arms are movable asynchronously along planes that are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. The arms selectively engage a surgical needle, such that the throwing arm may pass the surgical needle through tissue for receipt by the receiving arm, and the receiving arm may then pass the surgical needle back to the throwing arm for additional stitching. The arms may pivot about a common pivot. Such versions may include a single actuator for both arms or separate actuators for the arms. The arms may also pivot about their own respective axles, which may facilitate a forward reset motion for a needle, allowing the needle to continue travelling along a circular path in a single direction to create several stitches. The apparatus may also convert reciprocating movement of actuators into rotational motion.
US09168036B2 Barbed sutures
A system and method for affixing barbs on a suture are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a suture supply mechanism for selectively retaining a length of suture and a barb supply mechanism for operably engaging a barb supply assembly including at least one barb. At least one of the suture supply mechanism and the barb supply mechanism are configured to approximate towards the other of the barb supply mechanism and suture supply mechanism to engage the at least one barb of the barb supply assembly with the suture of the suture supply assembly. Also provided are a barb for use in forming a barbed suture and a suture including at least one barb.
US09168035B2 Adjustable implant
An implantable support member having at least one adjusting portion operable for adjusting a length or tension of the support member after placement of support member anchors. The support member is operable to provide mid-urethral support for treating urinary incontinence.
US09168032B2 Ligament balancer and drill guide
A ligament balancer for a knee is disclosed that includes a first guide portion having a first guide hole extending there through, and a second guide portion having a second guide hole extending there through, the first and second guide portions being moveable with respect to each other along a movement axis, the balancer being adapted such that, in use, the movement axis is substantially parallel to the anterior/posterior axis of a distal femoral surface. Also disclosed is a kit of parts that includes the ligament balancer and a drill guide for a knee, the drill guide includes first and second connected arms, each arm comprising at least two guide openings extending there through, the guide openings being spaced longitudinally along each arm, longitudinal axes of the first and second arms intersecting at a predetermined angle. Also disclosed is a method of attaching a cutting block to a distal femoral surface as part of a knee replacement procedure.
US09168027B2 Adaptive acoustic pressure estimation in medical ultrasound
Adaptive acoustic pressure estimation is provided in medical ultrasound. The responses of tissue of a specific patient at different frequencies (e.g., linear and non-linear responses) are measured. The responses are used to determine the acoustic pressure. The measurement in a specific patient adapts the estimate to the patient. The acoustic pressure for the desired locations is determined in order to set the transmit power to the desired level, such as for contrast agent imaging with high SNR but with limited destruction of the contrast agents or to provide the desired thermal dose the acoustic therapy.
US09168026B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, phase shift transmission/reception control method, and ultrasonic probe
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe has a laminated structure of an acoustic matching layer, transducer layer with arrayed transducers, and backing layer. A transmission/reception unit transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from an object via the transducers. A control unit controls the transmission/reception unit to synchronize ultrasonic-wave generation by a specific transducer of the transducers with ultrasonic-wave reception by a different transducer. A phase shift detection unit detects a phase shift between an output signal from the transmission/reception unit and a reference signal, the output signal corresponding to synchronization between the ultrasonic-wave generation and the ultrasonic-wave reception.
US09168024B2 Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method of producing ultrasound image
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an operating unit which sets multistage focus positions through operation by an operator, and a multistage focus position correction unit which, when an inter-focus position distance at the multistage focus positions set through the operating unit exceeds an allowable range set in advance for each measurement depth, automatically corrects the multistage focus positions so as to be within the allowable range.
US09168021B2 Method and apparatus for measuring heart contractility
A Method for measuring heart contractility of a patient, in which a mechanical shear wave is propagated through the heart and observation of the propagation leads to determine a shear wave propagation parameter representative of the elasticity of the heart is disclosed. The value of the propagation parameter at the end of a systole is sampled, which leads to a parameter representative of the end systolic elastance.
US09168004B2 Machine learning in determining catheter electrode contact
Cardiac catheterization is carried out by memorizing a designation of a contact state between an electrode of the probe and the heart wall as one of an in-contact state and an out-of-contact state, and making a series of determinations of an impedance phase angle of an electrical current passing through the electrode and another electrode, identifying maximum and minimum phase angles in the series, and defining a binary classifier adaptively as midway between the extremes. A test value is compared to the classifier as adjusted by a hysteresis factor, and a change in the contact state is reported when the test value exceeds or falls below the adjusted classifier.
US09168003B2 Imaging apparatus for diagnosis and control method thereof
An imaging apparatus for diagnosis and associated control method constructs multiple cross-sectional images in an axial direction inside the body lumen based on line data generated by radially operating a transmitting and receiving unit, and includes a receiving mechanism which receives a count value from a reference position of the transmitting and receiving unit, storage for storing the count value and the line data correlated with each other, an arrangement for constructing a longitudinal-sectional image by aligning the line data based on the count value, a display which displays the longitudinal-sectional image; and a mechanism which reads out line data correlated with the same count value as that of the line data disposed at the position appointed by the user on the displayed longitudinal-sectional image and reconstructing the cross-sectional image.
US09167999B2 Systems and methods for planning hair transplantation
Systems and methods for creating a treatment plan for cosmetic procedures, for example, a hair transplantation procedure, are provided. The treatment plan allows user to provide input on a proposed hair element using a free-hand drawing in a two-dimensional plane, and for the proposed hair element to be generated and displayed on a three-dimensional model of a body surface. Various techniques and methods described in the application provide for improved planning of a natural looking hair.
US09167995B2 Physiological parameter confidence measure
Confidence in a physiological parameter is measured from physiological data responsive to the intensity of multiple wavelengths of optical radiation after tissue attenuation. The physiological parameter is estimated based upon the physiological data. Reference data clusters are stored according to known values of the physiological parameter. At least one of the data clusters is selected according to the estimated physiological parameter. The confidence measure is determined from a comparison of the selected data clusters and the physiological data.
US09167994B2 Light-source sensor integrated photoelectric conversion device
A photoelectric conversion device including a substrate having opaque interconnection layers, an insulating film formed on the substrate, and having a plurality of openings, light-emitting elements formed of the openings, each light-emitting element having an upper electrode layer, and light-receiving elements formed of the openings, each light-receiving element having an upper electrode layer, wherein a semiconductor material is different in the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, the upper electrode layer both of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are formed as common electrodes, and each interconnection layer is formed on a region outside a region specified by the opening.
US09167993B2 Noninvasive glucose sensing methods and systems
New methods and systems for noninvasive glucose monitoring and sensing with electromagnetic waves or ultrasound are disclosed. The methods are based on absolute or relative measurement of tissue dimensions (or changes in the dimensions) including, but not limited to: thickness, length, width, diameter, curvature, roughness as well as time of flight of ultrasound and optical pulses and optical thickness, which change with changing blood glucose concentrations. By measuring noninvasively absolute or relative changes in at least one dimension of at least one tissue or tissue layer or absolute or relative changes in time of flight of ultrasound or optical pulses, one can monitor blood glucose concentration noninvasively.
US09167992B2 Lancet drive system depth control method and test strip location methods
Adjustment mechanisms are used in conjunction with integrated lancet test strips to adjust the position of the drive system, engagement system, or the drive coupling in a fixed stroke lancing system to thereby adjust the penetration depth of the lancet. In a variable drive stroke lancing system, the lancet penetration depth is adjusted by changing the stroke length of a drive system. The stroke length of a drive system is adjusted by rotating a cam or sliding a cam in a cam type drive system. In either the fixed or the variable drive stroke lancing system, the test strip and/or guidance foil of the integrated lancet test strip is immobilized while the lancet is actuated.
US09167985B2 Microwave tomography systems and methods
Methods and/or systems are disclosed herein for use in imaging an object with microwave tomography using a plurality of different boundary conditions.
US09167984B2 Device for blood flow property measurement and method of its connection
The device for blood flow property measurement in the body and the method of its connection to the subject enables to measure electrical impedance in the main parts of body simultaneously. The impedance is spatially localized in the particular scanning channels (5) both by the placement of the current electrodes (9) of the alternating current source (2) and by setting their frequencies, and by proper spatial placement of the voltage electrodes (6). For the purpose of the whole body measurement at least three current generators (1) and twelve scanning channels (5) are used. The number of scanning channels (5) can be adjusted as necessary. By means of this device it is possible to monitor blood pulse waves or blood flow in the particular parts of human body.
US09167983B2 Imaging method for obtaining spatial distribution of nanoparticles in the body
A well-posed magnetic imaging method is disclosed that exploits the non-linear behavior of the characteristic time scale of the Néel relaxation for obtaining accurate high-spatial resolution images of magnetic tracers. The method includes placing an object in a selection field (static field) generated by three pairs of orthogonally arranged coil (drive coils), supplying prudently choice currents to the drive coils, a zero field voxel (ZFV) is formed that can be positioned anywhere in the local region of interest (ROI), switching the magnetizing field off, and collecting an image.
US09167981B2 ECG device, ECG lead signal generating circuit, and related method
Embodiments of the invention disclose an ECG device, an ECG signal processing method, an ECG lead signal generating circuit, an ECG signal generating method, another ECG device, another ECG signal processing method, and an ECG electrode assembly. The ECG device has an electrode assembly and an ECG lead signal generating circuit. The electrode assembly has three cardio enclosure electrodes for acquiring three cardio enclosure voltages, respectively. The ECG lead signal generating circuit has a first precordial lead generator. The first precordial lead generator is configured to generate a first modified precordial lead according to the three cardio enclosure voltages, wherein the three cardio enclosure voltages are sufficient for generating the first modified precordial lead.
US09167979B2 Atomic magnetometer sensor array magnetic resonance imaging systems and methods
Devices disclosed according to various embodiments use one or more arrays of atomic magnetometers to directly detection of relaxation of magnetic field induced subatomic precession within a target specimen. The disclosed devices and methods relate to application of utilization of a magnetic sensor with unique properties requiring changes in design, allowing new functions, and requiring alternative analysis methodologies. Various embodiments are also directed to methods for obtaining and processing magnetic signals. These methods may take advantage of the unique spatial arrangement of the atomic magnetometers and the capacity sensors to be used in either a scalar or a vector mode. Various embodiments have advantages over current techniques utilized for imaging of anatomical and non-anatomical structures. Such advantages may include, for example: development of a wearable, portable array, lower power consumption, potential wafer-level fabrication, the potential for development of a more rapid signal, decreased need for development of strong magnetic fields, and lower cost allowing wider availability.
US09167971B2 Heart murmur extraction and heart impairments identification using fuzzy controller
A method and device for heart murmur extraction and classification is disclosed. Data corresponding to a heart sound/signal is acquired from a patient through a data acquirer. The heart sound data is processed to isolate systole and diastole periods. Features to discriminate between the defects types associated with different heart murmurs are extracted, and the heart murmurs are detected and identified based on the extracted features using a fuzzy controller.
US09167967B2 Home health digital video recording system for remote health management
Remote health monitoring of at least one individual using at least one remote apparatus that receives and records health-related video content being delivered from a plurality of video sources. The remote apparatus also receives and stores vital sign data of an individual. Also, a user interface capable of executing a rule script having a plurality of response choices is provided in the remote apparatus. A remote server is provided that is communicatively coupled to the remote apparatus and includes a script generator for generating the rule script that is based on the vital sign data and various responses received from the individual. The various responses received from the individual are analyzed within the remote server to determine appropriate video content that can be recorded in the remote apparatus for imparting better health knowledge to the individual and monitoring their health condition accordingly.
US09167964B2 Method of motion correction in optical coherence tomography imaging
An image data set acquired by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is corrected for effects due to motion of the sample. A first set of A-scans is acquired within a time short enough to avoid any significant motion of the sample. A second more extensive set of A-scans is acquired over an overlapping region on the sample. Significant sample motion may occur during acquisition of the second set. A-scans from the first set are matched with A-scans from the second set, based on similarity between the longitudinal optical scattering profiles they contain. Such matched pairs of A-scans are likely to correspond to the same region in the sample. Comparison of the OCT scanner coordinates that produced each A-scan in a matching pair, in conjunction with any shift in the longitudinal scattering profiles between the pair of A-scans, reveals the displacement of the sample between acquisition of the first and second A-scans in the pair. Estimates of the sample displacement are used to correct the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of the A-scans in the second set, to form a motion-corrected OCT data set.
US09167962B2 Airway management
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate improving visualization associated with intubation. A dynamical articulating laryngoscope can include a handle assembly and a blade assembly. The blade assembly can further include a main blade assembly, a proximal blade assembly, and a distal blade assembly. A medium control articulation point can couple the main blade assembly and the proximal blade assembly, and a fine control articulation point can couple the distal blade assembly and the proximal blade assembly. Further, the proximal blade assembly can pivot relative to the main blade assembly around the medium control articulation point and/or the distal blade assembly can pivot relative to the proximal blade assembly around the fine control articulation point. Pivoting about the medium control articulation point and/or the fine control articulation point can be effectuated by one or more blade control components.
US09167958B2 Endoscope having auto-insufflation and exsufflation
An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.
US09167956B2 Endoscope sheath
An endoscope sheath, said endoscope sheath comprising: a first sheet and a second sheet, said first sheet defining a first sheet distal end and an opposed first sheet proximal end, said first sheet also defining opposed first sheet first and second side edges extending between said first sheet proximal and distal ends, said second sheet defining a second sheet distal end and an opposed second sheet proximal end, said second sheet also defining opposed second sheet first and second side edges extending between said second sheet proximal and distal ends, said first and second sheets being sealed to each other adjacent said first and second sheet distal ends, first side edges and second side edges, said first and second sheets being unsealed from each other adjacent said first and second sheets proximal ends, said first sheet having greater optical clarity than said second sheet adjacent said first and second sheet distal ends, said first sheet being more rigid than said second sheet adjacent said first and second sheet distal ends.
US09167954B2 Fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device includes a fluid chamber configured to store fluid, a nozzle configured to eject the fluid stored in the fluid chamber, a fluid supply channel connected to the fluid chamber and configured to supply the fluid to the fluid chamber, an air bubbles generating member configured to generate air bubbles in the fluid chamber, and a partitioning wall portion configured to separate the fluid chamber and the fluid supply channel, support the air bubbles generating member. The partitioning wall portion include at least one hole, communicating the fluid chamber and the fluid supply channel. The hole is configured to inhibit backflow during ejection of a jet pulse.
US09167952B2 Dishwasher detergent dispenser
A dispenser for a dishwasher having a wash tub includes a fluid reservoir to hold a treating chemistry, a lid operatively mounted to the fluid reservoir, and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a hydraulic actuator fluidly coupled to a fluid source and configured to initiate movement of the lid between its closed and the open positions in response to fluid pressure applied to the actuator by the fluid source.
US09167950B2 Dishwasher with filter assembly
A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
US09167949B2 Sonic silverware washing method
The portable, compact, silverware washing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is manufactured so as to easily mount on top of a kitchen countertop or to be easily portable to other locales. The appliance is designed so as to not be connected to a water supply within a home or apartment, but rather rely upon the user to pour in an independent supply of water. The device includes a motor and pump assembly to fill a washing chamber with water and detergent, while a sonic transducer bombards the silverware loaded therein with sonic vibrations. The pump assembly automatically drains the water and waste after completion of the washing cycle. The appliance is configured with a specialized basket for holding the silverware in individualized compartments.
US09167943B2 Cyclonic separator
A cyclonic separator for a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone stage, a chamber and a silencer. The chamber has a plurality of ports through which fluid from the cyclone stage enters the chamber. The silencer is located in the chamber and includes a plurality of baffles. Fluid entering the chamber through the ports collides with the baffles, which act to reduce noise.
US09167941B2 Sheet product dispenser with auxiliary feed button
A sheet product dispenser includes a housing having a front cover, a main controller, a motor, a dispensing mechanism, a maintenance switch, and an auxiliary feed push button. The motor, main controller and dispensing mechanism are configured to dispense a length of sheet product in response to a signal representative of a request for sheet product. The maintenance switch is internally disposed within the housing and accessible for actuation when the front cover is open, in operable communication with the main controller to facilitate operation of the motor when actuated. The auxiliary feed push button is disposed in operable communication with the maintenance switch, and is disposed to be accessible and actuatable when the cover is closed. The main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor in response to a signal from the maintenance switch when actuated by the auxiliary feed push button.
US09167939B2 Shower door assembly
A shower door assembly is disclosed comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame having a window, an upper frame, and an adjusting assembly. The adjusting assembly further comprises an adjusting block and a fixing block. The adjusting block is disposed between the stationary frame and the movable frame and at least partially received in the stationary frame, and the adjusting block further includes an extension portion on a surface of which a first engaging element is disposed. The fixing block is received in the upper frame and includes an eccentric rotary block having a second engaging element and a base portion having a passage for receiving the extension portion. The eccentric rotary block is rotatable about the base portion.
US09167936B2 Fluid mixing apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods are provided for making a beverage or providing a liquid. First and second liquids may be mixed to form a mixed liquid. The mixed liquid may be passed through a frothing head and/or may be combined with a coffee product and optionally dispensed into a cup. Examples of first and second liquids can include, but are not limited to various dairy products, enzymes and flavoring liquids. According to one example implementation, a first liquid is a reduced fat milk, such as skim milk, and a second liquid is whole milk, thereby enabling the creation of dairy product varieties including one percent and two percent milk to be created by the appropriate mixture combination of the skim milk and whole milk.
US09167934B2 Brewing head of a hot-beverage preparation device, preparation device having a brewing head and operating method for said preparation device
A brewing head of a hot beverage machine includes a fixed brewing chamber part, and a movable brewing chamber part which is movable in relation to the fixed brewing chamber part to define a brewing chamber for receiving a substrate capsule. The fixed and movable brewing chamber parts are closed by a locking system to thereby form the brewing chamber, and a seal is provided for pressure-tight sealing of one of the two brewing chamber parts and the substrate capsule during beverage preparation. The brewing chambers has three operating positions involving an opening position for loading the brewing chamber, a partially closed position in which the brewing chamber is closed and the seal is detensioned, and a closed position in which the brewing chamber is likewise closed and the seal is tensioned.
US09167927B2 Method of forming side paper of a foldable paper cup, and foldable paper cup
The present invention relates to a paper cup, and more particularly, to a foldable paper cup in which a volume of a container is variable, and a method of manufacturing a side paper of the foldable paper cup. The method of manufacturing the side paper of the foldable paper cup includes: a first step of forming a cutting part for dividing a portion of a continuous side paper source paper into upper and lower portions of the side paper; a second step of providing a release part to which the side paper source paper and a film do not adhere on a portion of the upper portion of the side paper so as to laminate the film and the side paper source paper; a third step of cutting a film on one end of the release part and separating the side paper from the side paper source paper in a fan shape; and a fourth step of rolling up the side paper around a forming mechanism to form a container sidewall having a cone shape. A curling part is formed on the entire circumference of an upper end of the side paper of the foldable paper cup manufactured so that upper and lower portions of the container are separated so as to fold a boundary between the upper and lower portions. Here, a bottom paper support part, for supporting a bottom paper inserted into the entire circumference of the lower end of the side paper, is formed. Thus, in the method of manufacturing the foldable paper cup of the present invention, an additional process is performed prior to an existing manufacturing process to utilize the existing process of manufacturing the paper cup as-is. Also, since the manufacturing processes are simplified, additional costs required for manufacturing the foldable paper cup may be inexpensive. In the foldable paper cup of the present invention, the volume of a container of a cup ramen may be reduced to reduce distribution costs in stages of distribution. Also, the foldable paper cup may be easily portable. When the foldable paper cup is used, the foldable paper cup may provide a container having a large volume similar to that of the container of a conventional cup ramen and may also be firm.
US09167926B1 Pizza box having foldable lid
Embodiments may comprise a food container. Food containers according to embodiments of the invention may include at least three sidewalls each adjoining an edge of a base wall bounded by at least three edges. A food container may further include at least one lid comprising at least one leaf, wherein the leaf is adapted to be fixed in an open configuration and function as a handle while in the open configuration.
US09167923B1 Pillow having cross-flow mesh inserts
A pillow and a pillow cover are provided. The pillow and pillow cover include a cover layer defining an interior volume, the cover layer having a first side facing outward substantially in a first direction, a second side facing outward substantially in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and a perimeter formed at a boundary of the first side and the second side. The cover layer includes a body portion, a first mesh portion and a second mesh portion formed separately and spaced apart from the first mesh portion. The pillow includes a filler material disposed in the interior volume. The interior volume is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the first and second mesh portions.
US09167920B2 Wrap around bed skirt
A wrap around bed skirt that can be secured in place without removing the mattress from the box springs. The bed skirt can include mitered corners that aid in retaining the bed skirt in place. The bed skirt may include a fabric drop with or without pleats or ruffles.
US09167918B2 Security system for articles displayed on an elongate rod
A securable article display system having a base on a support and an elongate rod cantilever mounted to the base. A blocking assembly defines a receptacle for a part of the rod and is configured so that with the blocking assembly in the engaged state: a) the blocking assembly cannot be separated from the rod by movement relative to the rod transversely to the length of the rod; and b) the blocking assembly is movable along the length of the rod to block an article suspended from the rod from moving past the rod free end. The rod and blocking assembly interact in a manner whereby the rod binds with the blocking assembly as the blocking assembly moves away from the base towards the free end so as to thereby prevent the blocking assembly from moving past the free end to separate from the rod.
US09167910B2 Chair assembly
A chair component includes a first chair member adapted to support a seated user, a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member, a cover member wrapped about at least a portion of the first chair member and at least a portion of the second chair member, and a single-piece drawstring operably coupled with the cover member to draw the cover member about the at least a portion of the first chair member and the at least a portion of the second chair member when the second chair member is in the first position.
US09167906B2 Computer component mounting device for a chair
A computer component mounting apparatus configured to be coupled to a chair and to support a computer component, such as a laptop, a computer monitor, or a keyboard. The computer component mounting apparatus includes a mounting post defining a swing axis, an elbow including a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, a swing arm assembly, and a deck tilt mount. The vertical leg of the elbow is rotatably coupled to the mounting post about the swing axis. The swing arm assembly is rotatably coupled to the horizontal leg of the elbow about a tilt axis. The deck tilt mount is rotatably coupled to the swing arm assembly about a pitch axis. A keyboard support, a computer monitor support assembly, or a laptop table may be coupled to the deck tilt mount.
US09167905B2 Tray table with rotatable inner tray
A tray table that facilitates consumption of entertainment and various other media via a portable electronic device is disclosed herein. The tray table includes an inner tray secures the portable electronic device for hands free operation. One or more channels at the inner tray receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device. The inner tray is capable of rotating between an open and closed position, while the tray table itself may rotate between a stowed and service position.
US09167902B1 One-piece office chair in three dimensions
A one-piece office chair in three dimensions made of composite plastic materials with an adjusting apparatus comprises a middle axle seat, a seat frame, a back frame, and two armrests, all of which are formed in one-piece to complete the entire chair frame. Also, an adjusting apparatus is applied to provide supports and elasticity for the chair frame, enabling the back frame to adjust the angle in accordance with users' movements. With the dynamic design and the resilience of the materials, the present invention further allows sideway movements in three-dimensional angles by having the back frame and the seat frame adjusting the angle from a middle axle seat thereof; meanwhile, the back frame thereof also allows lying back movement, featuring the present invention a comfortable seating in every angle.
US09167901B2 Seat pad and method for manufacturing the same
A seat pad and a method for manufacturing the same are provided, wherein molding failure is prevented at the periphery of a horizontal groove. In the seat pad, a groove structure 7 for containing a part of a seat cover material is provided on a seat surface for seating. At least a part of the groove structure is formed as a horizontal groove which extends in a horizontal direction. The seat pad is manufactured by foam molding in a mold with the seat surface maintained to face in a downward direction, and a first end of the seat surface, in terms of a longitudinal direction of the seat pad which crosses the horizontal direction thereof at right angle, positioned lower than a second end thereof. The seat pad has at least one concavity 10 positioned between the first end and the horizontal groove, so as to face the horizontal groove.
US09167894B2 Workstation having automated and powered height, depth and rotational adjusters
A workstation is disclosed including a tabletop, a frame, a support coupled to the tabletop and the frame for supporting the tabletop vertically above the frame, and a powered rotator coupled to the frame. The powered rotator may be configured to move the support and the tabletop horizontally along an arcuate path with respect to a user position. The user position and a center of curvature of the arcuate path may each be disposed away from a forward edge of the tabletop. A method of moving a tabletop of a workstation is also disclosed.
US09167893B2 Folding table
The invention relates to a folding table including: two tabletop members that are coupled to each other pivotably with one edges of the tabletop members serving as an axis, and are able to be folded; leg members that are disposed on a lower surface of a tabletop formed by unfolding the two tabletop members; a separation biasing unit that causes two leg members to move away from each other; and a movably coupling unit that couples the leg members to the tabletop members in such a manner as to be moveable from the one edge side to the other edge side. When the tabletop members are pivoted to unfold the tabletop, the separation biasing unit and the movably coupling unit cause the leg members to be unfolded along the lower surface of the tabletop.
US09167890B2 Oral care implement having a decorative member and a method of forming the same
An oral car implement (100) having a decorative member (150) recessed in a handle (120) of the oral care implement and having at least a portion thereof exposed via an aperture (140), and a method of forming the same. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement (120) comprising: a handle having a longitudinal axis and a head (110) connected to the handle; the handle comprising a first transverse section (122) and a second transverse section (121), the first transverse section coupled to the second transverse section; a decorative member disposed between the first transverse section and the second transverse section; and an aperture extending through the first transverse section that exposes at least a portion of the decorative member.
US09167889B1 Reversible snowbrush scraper
A scraper comprising an elongated handle, a blade head at a first end of the elongated handle, and a set of brush bristles at a second end of the elongated handle is provided. The blade head includes first and second scraping edges spaced from each other and extending parallel to the brush bristles. The elongated handle may be held in a right handed orientation in which the first scraping edge may engage a surface to be scraped or a left handed orientation in which the second scraping edge may engage the surface to be scraped for comfortably removing ice, snow, or debris from the surface.
US09167888B2 Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
An oral care implement having a head with a soft tissue cleaner disposed on a second side thereof. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle and having a first side and a second side; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements attached to the first side of the head; and a soft tissue cleaner disposed on the second side of the head, the soft tissue cleaner including a first portion comprising a plurality of projections and a second portion comprising a plurality of bristles.
US09167887B2 Oral care implement
An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush (100), comprises a handle (110) and a head (120). A plurality of tooth cleaning elements (130) may be provided on a front surface (121) of the head (120). The head (120) is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart segments (140-145) made of a rigid material. The segments (140-145) are isolated from one another by channels (157-159B) containing an elastomeric material (146) that flexibly connects the segments (140-145) together. The oral care implement further comprises an elastomeric soft tissue cleaner (200) located on a rear surface (122) of the head (120) opposite the front surface (121) of the head (120). Each of the segments (140-145) comprises a protuberance (163-169) made of the rigid material that extends through the elastomeric soft tissue cleaner (200) and is exposed therethrough.
US09167885B2 Automatic switchable low threshold current power supply
A method of operating a device connected to an electric power line conductor includes the steps of attaching a device to a first electric power line conductor, sensing a current in the first electric power line conductor and selecting between a first set of windings and a second set of windings connected in series with the first electric power line conductor.
US09167882B2 Toothbrush with interdental brush storage
A dental hygiene device includes a toothbrush component and at least one interdental brush component that can be stored within the toothbrush component. At least one ventilation window located within the toothbrush component allows for drying of the interdental brush component to prevent the growth of biofilms. The interdental brush component removably attaches to the toothbrush component by a latch mechanism, a door mechanism or a friction fit between the interdental brush component and the toothbrush component.
US09167880B2 Cosmetic applicators
A multi-functional, multi-compositional cosmetic applicator includes an application surface in liquid communication with a reservoir. The reservoir includes a first personal care composition and a second personal care composition stored therein, and the applicator is actuatable between a first and second functional configuration wherein the application surface of the applicator exhibits a first frictional force when in the first functional configuration and a second frictional force that is less than the first frictional force when in the second functional configuration. The applicator includes an actuatable delivery system that allows a user to selectively dispense the first and second compositions.
US09167875B2 Protection case for electronic device
A protecting case for protecting an electronic device from external impact includes a hollow main body filled with water and a number of buffering modules received in the main body. The electronic device is received in the main body. The buffering modules are deformed to release active metal powder into the water when the main body falls to the ground. The active metal powder is a chemical that reacts with water to generate hydrogen gas.
US09167874B2 Mat and a system and method for converting the mat to a bag
A system and method converts a mat between a first position and a second position. A perimeter of the mat may be weighted to maintain the mat in the first position wherein the mat is substantially flat in the first position. A rope may be provided that extends around the perimeter of the mat. The rope may be pulled to move the mat into the second position wherein the mat forms a bag in the second position. A locking mechanism may slide in a first direction on the rope to secure an opening formed by the mat in the second position.
US09167873B2 Cantilever parasol
A cantilever parasol has a mast, two main arms proceeding laterally from the mast and coupled to each other in a scissors-type manner, and a linkage of bars for supporting a cover. A first main arm extends from an upper mast bearing through a slit in the cover to a vertical arm of the linkage of bars. At least one sealing structure is provided for sealing the slit in the cover.
US09167868B1 Shoe with embedded strap anchor
Provided are, among other things, shoes, portions of shoes and processes for manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, a shoe includes: a sole comprised of a base material and a strap anchor, the strap anchor being stronger than the base material, including a number of attachment points on opposite sides of the shoe, and being at least partially embedded within the base material; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through at least one of the attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot. According to another embodiment, a shoe includes: a sole comprised of a base material and a strap anchor, the strap anchor including a number of attachment points on opposite sides of the shoe, and the base material having been injection molded around the strap anchor; and a strap that is attached to and/or looped through at least one of the attachment points and that is configured for strapping the shoe to a wearer's foot.
US09167866B2 Shoe sole ornamentation apparatus and related method
The present invention is directed toward a device, kit, and related method for an adhesive film for application to the sole of a shoe. More specifically, the film is easily attached to the shoe sole so that a user may decorate their shoe soles and continuously change the appearance of the soles of a single pair of shoes instead of purchasing multiple shoes of a variety of styles. It also serves as a shoe sole protector, as it covers the original sole protecting it from wear and abrasion. A cutting device to trim the film to size without trimming the shoe material is also contemplated.
US09167861B2 Safety helmet with anti-dazzle visor
Disclosed is a safety helmet having an outer shell, having a front opening, coupled with an inner shell made of shock absorption material, an anti-dazzle visor constrained to the outer shell and movable between a position of engagement and a position of disengagement with the front opening, and an operating portion of the anti-dazzle visor, integral with this latter, and controlled, through a motion transmission cable, by a control slider coupled to a related guide fastened to the outer shell. The control slider is translatable manually between an inactive position and an active position in which the anti-dazzle visor is arranged in a position of engagement. Advantageously, the motion transmission cable has one end integral with the outer she and the other end integral with the control slider, and engages with a drive constrained to the operating portion of the anti-dazzle visor, for movement of this latter.
US09167858B2 Hair addition
Hair additions and their methods of construction are set forth. A hair addition according to one embodiment includes a plurality of hair strands having upper and lower ends, at least two threads coupling the upper ends together, and two layers of polyurethane sandwiching the hair strand upper ends and the at least two threads. The two layers of polyurethane form a strip, and at least one clip is coupled to the strip. It may be desirable for a diameter of the strip to be no more than 25%-50% greater than a diameter of the hair strands. A method of formation includes: aligning a plurality of hair strands; coupling an end of the hair strands together using thread; sandwiching the coupled end of hair strands and the thread between two layers of polyurethane; curing the two layers of polyurethane; and coupling at least one clip to the cured polyurethane.
US09167857B2 Waist belt for automatically measuring waist circumference
Provided is a waist belt for automatically measuring a waist circumference. The waist belt includes a belt part (10) and a buckle part (20). The belt part has a plurality of magnets (11) attached thereto at a predetermined interval. The buckle part includes two or more magnetic field sensors sensing the plurality of magnets attached to the belt part, an operation processor processing and analyzing signals obtained by the magnetic field sensors, and a display displaying a measurement result of a waist circumference obtained by the operation processor.
US09167856B1 Articles for making and supporting a kneepad inside a trouser leg
A kneepad pocket is created inside the front of a trouser leg knee by making a cutout in the front of the trouser leg above the knee cap and associating an article (10) with the cutout in a way that creates the pocket. A first part has a fabric piece that forms a perimeter margin surrounding a closeable opening which has a long dimension transverse to the length of the trouser leg and through which a kneepad can be inserted into the pocket. The first part is fit to the cutout in the front of the trouser leg with the fabric piece being attached to the trouser leg. A second part is disposed inside the trouser leg and attached to the trouser leg to form top, bottom, and sides of the pocket. A third part has opposite margins that are transverse to the length of the trouser leg, one of which is attached to the fabric piece of the first part above the closeable opening and the other of which is attached to the second part below the top of the pocket. Other embodiments provide for suspension of the knee pad by a strap. The suspension allows the height of the kneepad along a trouser leg to be adjusted and the kneepad to be disconnected.
US09167854B2 Posture-improving garment
A garment for improving the wearer's posture provides cords that, when secured in place, exert a slight pressure against the wearer's shoulders each time he/she starts to slouch, serving as a reminder to be more erect. The garment had a horizontal channel that is located around the body of the user, preferably just below the breast area, that accommodates a first cord. The garment further includes vertically-extending channels that extend upward from the horizontal channel and over the shoulders of the user. A cord extending along each vertical channel engages the cord in the horizontal channel such that the horizontal cord anchors the vertical cord(s) when the cords are pulled sufficiently, lightly engage the front of the wearer's shoulders. Once the cords are secured in place, the wearer will feel a slight pressure against his/her shoulders each time he/she starts to slouch, serving as a reminder to be more erect.
US09167853B2 USB charger for electronic cigarettes
A USB charger for electronic cigarettes, comprising a USB interface configured for connecting with a power supply and a load end configured for connecting with a load, wherein, the USB charger for electronic cigarettes further comprises a voltage comparison unit, a benchmark circuit, a sampling circuit, a current detecting element, a state indicating unit, and a low voltage difference linear regulator connected between the USB interface and the load end; the benchmark circuit is connected between an output end of the low voltage difference linear regulator and an input end of the voltage comparison unit; and the state indicating unit is connected with an output end of the voltage comparison unit; the USB charger for electronic cigarettes of the present invention achieves advantages effects of being safer and improving users' experiences.
US09167842B2 Functional food preparation and use thereof
The invention concerns a functional food preparation based on milk/dairy products added with botanical products containing various active principles. The milk/dairy products, which can be obtained from fresh or pasteurized animal milk, soy milk or rice milk, comprise Saccharum officinarum containing polycosanols, Monascus purpureus containing plant statins, and Glycine max containing isoflavones and coenzymes. Further components can be added to the preparation to improve its organoleptic properties. The invention also refers to the use of the preparation as a food with functional features which are useful to stabilize the cholesterol and triglycerides amount, having an antioxidant action and protective of arteries and the cardiocirculatory system.
US09167841B2 Tangerine peel extract and its preparation and application
This invention disclosed is a tangerine peel extract with the effect of weight gain. This extract uses tangerine peel as the raw ingredient and is obtained through extraction processes using supercritical CO2, water, or organic solvents. The resulting extraction component contains a large quantity of flavonoids and terpenoids, which can effectively regulate the function of the spleen and stomach leading to desired weight gain. This invention also declares the preparation methods of the above mentioned tangerine peel extraction, which is simple in technique and highly effective in extraction. This invention also further declares the application of the above mentioned tangerine peel extraction in preparing healthcare food with the function of gaining weight.
US09167836B2 Perfume composition
There is provided a flavor composition that can impart and augment the natural, fresh and milk-rich feeling of dairy products to a necessary and sufficient level, which is a flavor composition for milk, dairy products, foods or beverages containing milk and dairy products, or dairy product substitutes, characterized by containing a trace amount of one or more disulfide compounds selected from the group consisting of methyl 2-methyl-3-furyl disulfide, bis(2-methyl-3-furyl)disulfide, methyl furfuryl disulfide and difurfuryl disulfide, as dairy products to which the flavor composition is added.
US09167832B2 Low flouride crustacean concentrated hydrolysate fraction compositions
Fluorine being present in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, and especially krill represents a problem for using krill as a source for food, feed, food additives and/or feed additives. There has been developed a process for removing such fluorine from krill material by subjecting the krill to disintegration and to an enzymatic hydrolysis process prior to or simultaneously with a removal of the exoskeleton particles producing a fluorine-reduced product. Inherent in the disclosed process is the ability to process krill material with a high polar lipid content for producing superior quality, low fluorine, products suitable for the food and feed as well as the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industry.
US09167821B2 Bis(difluoromethyl)pyrazoles as fungicides
Bis(difluoromethyl)pyrazole derivatives of the formula (I) in which the symbols R1, X and G are each as defined in the description, and agrochemically active salts, metal complexes and N-oxides thereof, and use thereof for controlling phytopathogenic harmful fungi, and also processes for preparing compounds of the formula (I).
US09167817B2 Process using Grignard reagents
The present invention relates to a process using Grignard reagents for providing thio-triazolo group-containing compounds.
US09167813B2 Non surfactant hydro-alcoholic foamable compositions, breakable foams and their uses
A substantially surface active agent-free foamable composition which includes short-chain alcohol, water, polymer, fatty alcohol or fatty acid or a combination of fatty alcohol and fatty acid and propellant. A substantially surface active agent-free foamable composition which includes, water, polymer, fatty alcohol or fatty acid and propellant. A method of treatment using a substantially surface active agent-free foamable compositions.
US09167812B2 Biocide compositions comprising amides based on 2-furoic acid and its derivatives
Suggested are biocide compositions, comprising (a) 2-Furoic and/or Tetrahydro-2-furoic acid amides; (b) Biocides and optionally (c) Oil components or co-solvents and/or (d) Emulsifiers. The compositions show high solubility for biocides and improved emulsification properties.
US09167809B2 Cornea storage container to maximize cornea health
An apparatus for shipping, storing, and viewing a cornea comprising a container having a viewing window in a container base, an inner sidewall, and a corneal basket arranged within said container base. The corneal basket is in contact with said inner sidewall and adapted to support a corneoscleral disc by including more than one corneal support rod and more than one disc support surface and a lid that sealingly engages with the container.
US09167807B1 Animated decoy spreader
A device for spreading fowl decoys on the surface of a body of water. A hub sits below the surface is removably coupleable with up to four arm arrangements. Arm arrangements are jointed, allowing hub and arm arrangements to sit below the surface of the water while decoys float on surface. Hub is connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water, and can be displaced horizontally with a pull cord. Cords in the arm arrangements allow for near-random motion of attached decoys, simulating a swimming motion of fowl. Hub can be displaced vertically with a pull cord, causing the decoys to dip head first into the water, simulating a feeding motion of water fowl. Hubs can be combined by coupling arm arrangements from each hub. When displaced horizontally in the water, hubs not attached to the pull cord move semi-randomly, creating more random motion in decoys.
US09167805B2 Method of establishing mouse strain
A method of producing a chimera animal, characterized by transplanting, into a host animal, an aggregate of a first pluripotent stem cell that is of interest to strain establishment, a second pluripotent stem cell in which the ability to form germ cells is absent or decreased, and embryo.
US09167803B2 Device for farming benthic organisms such as bivalves
A farming device for benthic organisms, which is submerged in a water tank or a body of water, is constituted of a plurality of tray-form containers, which are the cultivating floor for benthic organisms such as bivalves, and are stacked in the vertical direction, with a central cavity passing through the stacked cultivating floors in the vertical direction and horizontal gaps defined between the cultivating floors, the cultivating floors communicating with the cavity.
US09167801B2 Insecticide strip and combination with identification ear tag
An insecticide impregnated strip configured for convenient and reliable attachment to conventional animal ear tags. The insecticide strip comprises an elongated integrally molded member having a key-hole shaped aperture formed in an upper portion thereof, enabling the elongated strip to be pendularly suspended from the ear tag. Various methods are disclosed for attaching the strip to different types of known ear tags.
US09167799B2 Collapsible animal housing assembly
An animal housing assembly includes a cage coupled to a base assembly to provide an enclosure for one or more animals to be kept in captivity. The cage is collapsible such that the cage may transition from an expanded state, wherein the cage may cooperate with the base assembly to form an enclosure for an animal, to a collapsed state, wherein portions of the cage may fold into one another into a compact condition. The base assembly may transition from an assembled state, wherein first and second base members are releasably coupled to one another to form the base assembly, to a disassembled state, wherein the first and second base members are separated from one another, thereby allowing a more compact condition.
US09167797B2 Cheese container, cheese block and method of branding cheese
A container is disclosed that is used to from a block of cheese having a brand marking. The container has dividers located on an internal side of a sidewall of the container. The block of cheese may be divided into slices of cheese where a slice of cheese has a brand marking.
US09167796B2 Lettuce line SV6370LC
The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated SV6370LC. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line SV6370LC, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line SV6370LC with itself or with another lettuce 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 lettuce line SV6370LC, including the gametes of such plants.
US09167793B1 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH491297
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH491297. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH491297, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH491297 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 CH491297.
US09167792B1 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH344150
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH344150. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH344150, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH344150 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 CH344150.
US09167791B1 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH010506
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH010506. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH010506, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH010506 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 CH010506.
US09167790B1 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH366635
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH366635. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH366635, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH366635 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 CH366635.
US09167788B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV659171
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV659171. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV659171, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV659171 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 CV659171 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 CV659171.
US09167783B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV163018
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV163018. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV163018, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV163018 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 CV163018 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 CV163018.
US09167781B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV799972
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV799972. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV799972, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV799972 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 CV799972 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 CV799972.
US09167780B2 Pea variety SV0969QH
The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated SV0969QH. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line SV0969QH, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line SV0969QH with itself or with another pea 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 pea line SV0969QH, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants.
US09167779B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH384087
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH384087. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH384087, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH384087 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 CH384087.
US09167776B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH981713
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH981713. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH981713, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH981713 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 CH981713.
US09167772B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH657855
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH657855. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH657855, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH657855 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 CH657855.
US09167771B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH745184
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH745184. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH745184, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH745184 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 CH745184.
US09167765B1 Soybean cultivar 497BWU65
Disclosed is the seed of a novel soybean cultivar, designated 497BWU65, a sample of which is deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121612. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the cultivar, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the 497BWU65 cultivar, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in a soybean breeding program.
US09167762B2 Tomato hybrid EX15567631
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid EX15567631 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid EX15567631 and the parent lines thereof, 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.
US09167757B2 Irrigation system and method
An irrigation system is provided and includes a main irrigation line, one or more lateral driplines, each lateral dripline being divided into zones and including a plurality of emitters at each zone and a plurality of controllable valves disposed along each of the one or more lateral driplines at zone borders. Each one of the plurality of controllable valves is actuatable to activate corresponding emitters in the associated zone in a zone by zone cycle and each one of the plurality of emitters is replaceable to vary an amount of deliverable fluid by the zone by zone cycle.
US09167754B2 Greenhouse screen
The invention refers to a greenhouse screen comprising strips of film material that are interconnected by a yarn framework of transverse threads and longitudinal threads to form a continuous product, wherein the yarn framework is thermally bonded to at least one side of the strips of film material, wherein also those parts of the yarn framework that is thermally bonded to the strips have liquid-transporting capacity by capillary action. The amount of yarn in the yarn framework interconnecting and holding the strips can herewith be reduced.
US09167752B2 Needleless inoculation
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for inoculating a plurality of plants. In various embodiments, an exemplary method includes spraying a plurality of plants with an inoculum utilizing an automated inoculum spraying subsystem of a mobile inoculation system. The method additionally includes spraying the plurality of plants with a grit medium utilizing an automated grit blasting subsystem of the mobile inoculation system. Spraying the plants with the grit medium inflicts a plurality of wounds to the tissue of the plants on a plurality of surfaces of the plants. The wounds inflicted by the grit medium allow the inoculum to be absorbed into the plants to inoculate the plants.
US09167748B1 Sulky apparatus
Sulky apparatus including an operator standing platform, a tire and associated wheel rim for allowing the operator standing platform to move along the ground, a wheel well associated with the operator standing platform for housing the wheel rim and tire in an operational position, a tire axle having two end portions located in the center of the wheel rim, the two end portions being configured to rest in the bottoms of depressions located in the walls of the wheel well, a pivoting U-shaped axle locking member located at the top of the wheel well where the locking member can engage the upper surfaces of the end portions of the axle and secure the axle and the associated tire in the operational position in the wheel well, a pivotal cover covering the wheel well for allowing access to the wheel well and locking means associated with the wheel well and the cover for locking the pivoting U-shaped axle locking member and the cover in place in their operational positions. When the locking means is unlocked, it permits the pivotal wheel cover to be pivoted upward and forward and the pivoting U-shaped axle locking member to also be pivoted upward and forward and this allows the tire and the associated wheel rim to be removed from the wheel well.
US09167747B1 Device and system for cutting the tops of onions and other bulb crops
A device for cutting the tops of crops in a crop bed includes a separator having an inlet, an outlet and an interior space defined between the two. A fan is in fluid communication with the separator and creates an air stream that flows into the separator inlet, through the interior space of the separator, and out the separator outlet. The air stream has an upstream end at or near the separator inlet, where air is pulled into the separator, and a downstream end at or near the fan and continuing beyond. A cutter is positioned upstream of the separator inlet. When the device is in operative position over a crop bed, the air stream lifts the tops of the crops into position to be cut by the cutter. The air stream carries the cut tops away from the crop bed.
US09167744B2 Forming bar with liquid distribution passageway
A device for attaching to a shank of a planting unit. The device may include liquid delivery tubing for delivery fertilizer to a planting furrow and a forming bar configured for securing to the shank. The forming bar may include a passageway extending therethrough for receiving and passing through fertilizer or other liquid that is delivered to the liquid delivery tubing. The forming bar may include a shank connecting portion, a rib portion, and a foot portion. The rib and foot portions may define the passageway. Further, the foot portion may protect the tubing. A method for using the device to deliver fertilizer to a seed furrow is also described.
US09167739B2 Quick safety connection for coupling a tool to an operating machine
A quick connection that allows fastening a tool to the lifter arm of an operating machine and includes first and second joining devices associated respectively to the lifter arm and the tool aimed at being reciprocally engaged. The first joining device includes a swivel head that swivels between a raised position and a lowered one and a first gudgeon; the second joining device includes a shaped body that defines a calibrated inlet opening and support structure. The swivel head, in raised position, enters the shaped body through the opening, then it rotates to its lowered position, thus bringing the first gudgeon in engagement with the support structure. The shaped body includes a stop aimed at striking a winglet of the swivel head and at preventing the swivel head from going out in any succession of movements which are not inversely equal to those carried out for the introduction.
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.