| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09254326B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition comprising 11-deoxy-prostaglandin compound and method for stabilizing the compound
Provided is a pharmaceutical composition including an 11-deoxy-prostaglandin compound represented by formula (I): and a fatty acid ester. By mixing the compound of formula (I) and a fatty acid ester, the compound of formula (I) will be stabilized. |
| US09254322B2 |
Compositions comprising E-selectin antagonists and uses therefor
This invention discloses the use of an E-selectin antagonist and a mobilizer of hematopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells in methods and compositions for treating or preventing immunocompromised conditions resulting from medical treatment. The present invention is particular relevant for prophylaxis and/or treatment of hematopoeitic disorders including neutropenia, agranulocytosis, anemia and thrombocytopenia in individuals receiving or proposed to receive treatments that target rapidly dividing cells or that disrupt the cell cycle or cell division. |
| US09254321B2 |
Compositions and methods for stabilizing protein-containing formulations
The present invention relates to use of certain alkylglycoside compositions for the prevention of aggregation and oxidation of antibodies and other proteins in therapeutically useful formulations thereof. |
| US09254318B2 |
High titer recombinant influenza viruses for vaccines
The invention provides a composition useful to prepare high titer influenza viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus, which includes at least five internal genes from an influenza virus isolate that replicates to high titers in embryonated chicken eggs or MDCK cells. |
| US09254313B2 |
Variant, recombinant beta-glucocerebrosidase proteins with increased stability and increased retained catalytic activity
Described herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins characterized as having increased stability relative to recombinant wild-type β-glucocerebrosidase. Also provided herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins characterized as retaining more catalytic activity relative to recombinant wild-type β-glucocerebrosidase. Further described herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins that can have amino acid variations at one or more of the following positions: 316, 317, 321 and 145. Methods of making the variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins are also described as well as methods of treating patients having lysosomal storage diseases. |
| US09254310B2 |
Therapeutic and cosmetic uses and applications of calreticulin
The invention relates to therapeutic and cosmetic uses of calreticulin including reducing or eliminating wrinkles and/or fine lines, tissue repair and reconstruction, repairing damaged bone and/or cartilage, stimulating regeneration of an epidermal appendage, enhancing phagocytosis of bacteria by phagocytes within a wound, treating a wound in a patient suffering from delayed wound healing, treating a corneal wound, and treating or preventing a surgical adhesion. |
| US09254309B2 |
Use of multivalent synthetic ligands of surface nucleolin for treating cancer or inflammation
A method for treating disorders involving deregulation of cell proliferation and/or angiogenesis comprising the administration of an effective amount of a multivalent synthetic compound comprising a support on which at least 3 pseudopeptide units are grafted, said compound being of formula (I). |
| US09254307B2 |
Polymeric delivery formulations of leuprolide with improved efficacy
The present invention is directed to a flowable composition that is suitable for use as a controlled release implant. The flowable composition includes a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester that is at least substantially insoluble in aqueous medium or body fluid. The flowable composition also includes a biocompatible polar aprotic solvent. The biocompatible polar aprotic solvent is miscible to dispersible in aqueous medium or body fluid. The flowable composition also includes leuprolide acetate. |
| US09254303B2 |
Synbiotic mixture
This invention relates to a preparation comprising N-acetyl-lactosamine and/or an oligosaccharide containing N-acetyl-lactosamine and a probiotic Lactobacillus sp. The invention extends to nutritional compositions comprising said preparation and to the use of the preparation in the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections of the gastro-intestinal and upper respiratory tracts. |
| US09254299B2 |
Administration of hypoxia activated prodrugs in combination with Chk1 inhibitors for treating cancer
Cancer can be treated by administration of TH-302 in combination with a Chk1 inhibitor. |
| US09254298B2 |
Synthesis and formulations of salts of isophosphoramide mustard and analogs thereof
Disclosed herein are formulations and methods of manufacture of compounds of formula (E): wherein X and Y independently represent leaving groups; and A+ is an ammonium cation. |
| US09254296B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition comprising vitamin D analogue and cosolvent-surfactant mixture
A topical pharmaceutical composition which is an oil-in-water-oil emulsion comprising a vitamin D derivative or analogue dissolved in a mixture of a non-ionic surfactant and a lower alkanol. The topical pharmaceutical composition may be used in the treatment of dermal conditions, such as psoriasis. |
| US09254295B2 |
Tomatidine, analogs thereof, compositions comprising same, and uses for same
In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for promoting muscle hypertrophy or decreasing adiposity by providing to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. |
| US09254294B2 |
Transmucosal hormone delivery system
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for sublingual or buccal administration of actives with low to poor aqueous solubility, e.g. the hormone estradiol, which contains a solution of the active in a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent adsorbed or absorbed onto particles of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and methods of preparing and using the pharmaceutical composition. |
| US09254290B2 |
Method for screening diabetes treating agent
The present invention provides a method for screening a diabetes treating agent comprising the following steps: (a) preparing cells inside a culture medium; (b) treating the culture medium with a test substance; (c) treating the result of step (b) with a glucose derivative which is not metabolized; and (d) measuring the glucose derivative which has flowed into the cells, wherein the test substance is determined to be a diabetes treating agent if the test substance accelerates uptake of the glucose derivative in the cells. Therefore, the described pharmaceutical composition, including a triazin-based compound as an active ingredient, can be useful for application in preventing or treating diabetes. |
| US09254283B2 |
Therapeutic agent for migraine
Provided are therapeutic and/or preventive agents for migraine which comprise, as an active ingredient, a compound having a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonistic activity or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; therapeutic and/or preventive agents for migraine which comprise, as an active ingredient, a compound having a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonistic activity, which has an affinity for the adenosine A2A receptor 10 times or higher than that for the adenosine A1 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and the like. |
| US09254278B2 |
Methods of therapeutic monitoring of nitrogen scavenging drugs
The present disclosure provides methods for evaluating daily ammonia exposure based on a single fasting ammonia blood level measurement, as well as methods that utilize this technique to adjust the dosage of a nitrogen scavenging drug, determine whether to administer a nitrogen scavenging drug, and treat nitrogen retention disorders. |
| US09254277B2 |
Pet food compositions and methods for treating arthritis and inflammation associated with arthritis
The present invention provides food compositions that are effective in treating arthritis or inflammation associated with arthritis in a companion animal, preferably a canine or feline. |
| US09254275B2 |
Branched chain fatty acids for prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
The present invention is directed to a method of preventing or treating a gastrointestinal condition in a subject, that includes administering one or more branched chain fatty acid to the subject under conditions effective to prevent or treat the gastrointestinal condition in the subject. In general, branched chain fatty acids, in accordance with the present invention, may be non-esterified fatty acids or covalently linked to a lipid, including wax esters, sterol esters, triacylglycerols, or any other lipid-related molecular species, natural or artificial. The branched chain fatty acid can be a C11 to C26 branched chain fatty acid and mixtures thereof. |
| US09254272B2 |
Resorcinol derivatives
The disclosure relates to cannabinoid derivative compounds, pharmaceutical compositions made thereof, and methods for treating various diseases and disorders including cancer. |
| US09254271B2 |
Arthroscopic irrigation solution and method for peripheral vasoconstriction and inhibition of pain and inflammation
A method and solution for perioperatively inhibiting a variety of pain and inflammation processes during arthroscopic procedures. The solution preferably includes a vasoconstrictor that demonstrates substantial agonist activity at alpha adrenergic receptors and that is selected for peripheral (local) vasoconstriction and one or more additional pain and inflammation inhibitory agents at dilute concentration in a physiologic carrier, such as saline or lactated Ringer's solution. The solution is applied by continuous irrigation of a wound during a surgical procedure for peripheral vasoconstriction and inhibition of pain and/or inflammation while avoiding undesirable side effects associated with systemic application of larger doses of the agents. |
| US09254269B2 |
Method of managing hypercortisolemia, headache disorders, neuropathic pain and related disorders
The present disclosure relates to treatment and management of Cushing's syndrome, Headache disorders and Neuropathic using a composition comprising asiaticoside and madecasosside optionally along with at least one excipient. The treatment can be extended to Myalgia and other related disease conditions. |
| US09254268B2 |
Compositions comprising lipophilic active compounds and method for their preparation
Compositions are provided comprising a lipophilic active compound, e.g., a human or veterinary drug or a nutraceutical, interwoven with a polymeric matrix formed by two or more polymers, wherein one of the polymers is an amphiphilic polymer and the other polymer is either an amphiphilic polymer with a different hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance or a hydrophilic polymer, and the active lipophilic compound has modified physicochemical properties. The composition forms colloidal nanodispersion upon contact with aqueous media. |
| US09254267B2 |
Composite hydrogel drug delivery systems
Compositions and methods are provided to control the release of relatively low molecular weight therapeutic species through hydrogels by first dispersing or dissolving such therapeutic species within relatively hydrophobic rate modifying agents to form a mixture. The mixture is formed into microparticles that are dispersed within bioabsorbable hydrogels, so as to release the water soluble therapeutic agents in a controlled fashion. Methods of using the compositions of the present invention in therapeutic systems are also provided. |
| US09254266B2 |
Inhibiting surface enhanced crystallization of amorphous pharmaceuticals with ultrathin coatings
The present invention provides surface-stabilized amorphous pharmaceuticals comprising an amorphous pharmaceutical substrate coated with a biocompatible immobilizing material. Amorphous pharmaceutical substrates that are prone to surface enhanced crystallization benefit from the present coatings. The coated amorphous pharmaceuticals of the present invention maintain their amorphous state and, therefore, their solubility over extended periods of time, relative to uncoated pharmaceuticals. |
| US09254259B2 |
Methods of intravenous administration of glyburide
The present disclosure is drawn to a method of administering glyburide intravenously to a subject over a period of time as a first bolus administration of glyburide; a second bolus administration of glyburide, after the first bolus; and a first continuous infusion administration of glyburide, wherein the first continuous infusion is administered at a first rate of administration for a first period of time, after the second bolus administration of glyburide. |
| US09254255B2 |
Dental care product with two-part formulations and utility thereof
A dental care product comprises an orally acceptable carrier or excipient, and a bacterial resistance copolymer, which comprises a zwitterionic block and a charged anchoring block, wherein the anchoring block binds to tooth surfaces by electrostatic attraction, and the zwitterionic block extends outwardly to reduce the attachment of bacteria to tooth surfaces. |
| US09254251B2 |
Benzoic acid amide compound
The present invention relates to a novel benzoic acid amide derivative compound, isomers thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, prodrugs thereof, hydrates thereof, or solvates thereof. The novel compound has excellent skin whitening effects. |
| US09254250B1 |
Molecules to perfect HbA1c levels
This invention is of particular use to patients with Diabetes Mellitus. It uses alkyl analogs of the methyl pyruvate (MP) family to provide energy and improve insulin and glucose homeostasis via accelerated intracellular delivery of protons and ATP from each MP. The energy upregulates cellular cross talk and networking resulting in a surge of ATP enabling NADH (via glycolysis) that enables pancreatic islet cells to obtain increased ATP allowing excess insulin manufacture. This process improves cellular respiration and expedites protein, lipid and hormone manufacture. The increased energy also enables telomeres and delays Hayflick limit. Instead of cellular repair, silence, or apoptosis, energy is allocated for cell/organ function. This invention curbs inflammation and ROS by idealizing cellular respiration and diminishing hyperglycemia. In turn a reduction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), lessened target RNA and nucleic acid toxins, i.e., diminished HbA1c occurs. By decreased drain of cellular energy, genomic function improves. |
| US09254248B2 |
Inhibitor of odor caused by sotolone
It is intended to provide a substance inhibiting an odor caused by sotolone. The present invention provides an inhibitor of an odor caused by sotolone, comprising an antagonist of an olfactory receptor OR8D1 as an active ingredient. |
| US09254242B2 |
Connector device
A connector device for connecting two containers with first and second members slidably displaceable in regard to each other along an axis between a first and a second position is presented. The first member comprises a needle parallel to the axis so that the first container's septum is penetrated by one end of the needle when the first container is introduced into the first member. The second member comprises a coupling to the second container. The other needle end penetrates the second container's septum when the members are in the second position establishing a connection between the two containers. The first member comprises a coupling to the second container coupled to the second member. The first member can couple to the second container when the two members are in the second position and cannot couple to the second container when the two members are in the first position. |
| US09254234B2 |
Robotic strong arm
A robotic strong arm (RSA) for assisting in the transfer of a person from a first surface to a second surface, comprising: first and second members, wherein in each member comprises a prismatic joint having first and second ends and comprising inner and outer shells and a motor for powered linear movement of the outer shell with respect to the inner shell; a first powered joint interconnecting the second end of the first member with the first end of the second member, wherein the first powered joint provides movement of the second member with respect to the first member; wherein the first end of the first member is attached to a rotatable base and wherein the rotatable base is movably attached for powered movement along a component associated with, and extending around at least a portion of a periphery about, the first surface; and a computer controller for controlling movements of the outer shells, first powered joint, rotation of the rotatable base and movement of the rotatable base and RSA along the component. |
| US09254233B2 |
Apparatus for lifting persons
An apparatus to lift persons includes: a base; wheels attached to the base; a vertical assembly including a fixed subassembly and a traveling subassembly; a mechanism such as an actuator that powers vertical movement of the traveling subassembly; a fork system attached to the traveling subassembly and comprises a pair of forks; and a substantially flat seat plate that is removably attached to the fork system and includes a pair of channels along opposite sides of the seat plate. The seat plate is removed from the fork system, placed onto the floor, and is then mounted by a person. The seat plate is reattached to the fork system by inserting the forks into the channels, and the actuator is activated to lift the person from the floor. The base and fork system may be pivotally attached to the fixed subassembly and traveling subassembly, respectively, so that the apparatus is collapsible. |
| US09254231B2 |
Multi-layered support system
In various embodiments, a support system includes a cover sheet with a number of layers. In certain embodiments, a top layer and a bottom layer are bonded to a middle spacer layer. |
| US09254229B2 |
Packaging unit and a dispenser for disposable articles
A packaging unit for holding a plurality of articles, preferably disposable articles, such, as plasters, tissues, gauze, etc. The packaging unit comprises a holding member (2) comprising a first part (5) with at most fifteen spaced apart flaps (6), and a second part (7), the first and second parts being arranged oppositely each other. A plurality of articles are arranged and retained between the first and second parts in such a manner that an individual article can be removed from the packaging unit. The packaging unit is insertable in a dispenser (13) and may serve as a refill package. Furthermore, a dispenser for delivering disposable articles, the dispenser comprising a retaining part (14) for retaining a packaging unit and an opening (15) allowing a packaging unit to be inserted and allowing an individual article to be delivered. The opening is arranged in such a manner that an individual article may be delivered from the dispenser by pulling it in a substantially downwards direction. The dispenser improves the hygienic standard as compared to prior art dispensers because the position of the opening prevents dirt, blood, or various items from entering the dispenser due to the force of gravity, thereby contaminating the articles positioned in the dispenser. |
| US09254228B2 |
Array of disposable absorbent articles having a sequence of graphics corresponding to a wearer's stages of development
An array of disposable absorbent articles comprising a sequence of graphic designs corresponding to a wearer's stage of development. For a disposable diaper, the array of disposable absorbent article graphic designs may comprise a first absorbent article graphic design for newborns and infants, a second absorbent article graphic design for toddlers, and a third absorbent article graphic design for older wearers, and other absorbent article graphic designs, and a wetness indicator. |
| US09254225B2 |
Punctal plug inserter and method
A surgical tool for inserting a spile or plug into the punctal opening of a meatus such as a lacrimo-nasal canaliculus comprises an oblong, hollowed member shaped and dimensioned to be conveniently manipulated with one hand and having at one of its end a punctal opening and meatus-dilating shaft and, at the opposite end, a plug inserter. The dilating shaft has a cross-diameter substantially equal to the cross-diameter of the plug and is terminated by a conical spike. The inserter comprises a tip extending axially from the member and having, at its distal end, a cup whose internal geometry is commensurate with a cap at the proximal end of the plug. A penetration-resisting bearing surface is provided by the cup rim. The plug can be allowed to retract within the cup under the force of insertion. A steel wire running through the inserter has its distal end inserted into the cap of the plug. The wire can be axially withdrawn by unidirectionally pressing a button in order to release the plug after insertion into the meatus. |
| US09254220B1 |
Method and system for assessing severity and stage of peripheral arterial disease and lower extremity wounds using angiosome mapping
The present invention provides a system for assessing the severity and stage of PAD including at least one sensor that measures skin perfusion pressure; a knowledge base that provides data on lower extremity angiosomes; and a processing device in operable communication with the sensor and the knowledge base, the processing device that outputs a visual representation of at least one of the lower extremity angiosomes that guides the sensor in the mapping of a testing site relative to a target vessel where the skin perfusion pressure measurement will be taken. |
| US09254219B2 |
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea prevention and treatment device
The present invention is a safe, inexpensive, easy to use and effective anti-snoring and anti-sleep apnea treatment device. The device has a vertical and horizontal bar. The horizontal bar is placed inside the mouth, behind or between the molar teeth with palatine and tongue shelves to prevent snoring and movement of the tongue backwards. The device is tethered to the hard palate by vacuum cups to prevent the movement of the tongue backwards during sleep to prevent sleep apnea. The proximal end of the vertical bar is anchored to string at the distal end with hook and loop fabric closure adhesive attachment and to the lips outside the mouth to prevent the accidental swallowing and aspiration of the device; and at the same time holds the tongue and device firmly in the mouth. The device is provided with canula with three way stopcocks to deliver supplemental oxygen and therapeutic agents. |
| US09254218B2 |
External urinary catheter system
A male external urinary catheter system includes an external collector having a proximal portion configured to receive a user's penis and a distal portion, a retaining structure configured to urge the proximal end of the external collector against the user's body adjacent the base of the penis, and a drainage container coupled to the distal portion of the external collector. |
| US09254217B2 |
Device for restraint of patients on a table
The present invention is a device for the restraint of patients on a treatment table. More specifically, the invention is designed to provide lateral side pressure on a patient in the abdomen, thorax, and hip areas during a radiation treatment. The main components of the device are paddle(s) and at least one crossbar assembly. The paddles are coupled to a crossbar assembly, which is positioned on a treatment table under the body cushion in which the patient is positioned. The paddles can be moved laterally along the crossbar such that they put lateral pressure on the cushion and the patient. |
| US09254210B2 |
Multi-stent and multi-balloon apparatus for treating bifurcations and methods of use
A system for treating a bifurcated vessel that includes a first delivery catheter and a second delivery catheter. The first delivery catheter carries a proximal first stent and a distal second stent. The first delivery catheter also has a first elongate shaft, a proximal first expandable member with the proximal first stent disposed thereover, and a distal second expandable member with the distal second stent disposed thereover. The proximal first expandable member and distal second expandable member are independently expandable of one another. The second delivery catheter carries a third stent. The second delivery catheter also has a second elongate shaft, and a third expandable member with the third stent disposed thereover. The third expandable member is independently expandable of the proximal first expandable member and the distal second expandable member. |
| US09254209B2 |
Stent fixation with reduced plastic deformation
An endovascular stent system (10) includes first and second generally tubular stents members (20, 22), which are shaped so as to define first and second interface sections (40, 42), respectively, which are securely coupleable to each other. The first interface section (40) is shaped so as to define an opening (44). The second interface section (42) is shaped so as to define a neck portion (50). When the first and second stent members (20, 22) are coupled together, the neck portion (50) is at least in part defined by: (a) first ones (72) of structural elements (70), positioned at respective first circumferential locations, which are configured to apply, to the opening (44), distally- and radially-outwardly-directed forces, without applying any proximally-directed forces, and (b) separate from the first structural elements (72), second ones (74) of the structural elements (70), positioned at respective second circumferential locations different from the first circumferential locations, which are configured to apply, to the opening (44), a proximally- and radially-outwardly-directed forces, without applying any distally-directed forces. |
| US09254207B2 |
Annular mesh
An annular mesh expandable radially from a compact diameter to a radially-expanded deployed disposition in which the mesh is capable of sustaining a radially outwardly directed resistive force even when flexing its longitudinal axis out of a straight line, the mesh being composed of stenting struts, the stenting struts being arranged in a plurality of zig-zag strings around the circumference of the lumen, with occasional connector struts joining adjacent strings to create a closed circumference unit cell between two such connector struts and two adjacent connected strings there being a plurality of such unit cells arranged in sequence around the circumference between said two adjacent strings; and characterized in that there is a non-constant increment of strut length, serving to displace along the longitudinal axis each unit cell relative to the circumferentially next adjacent unit cell. |
| US09254204B2 |
Stents having barbs protected during delivery
The present embodiments provide a stent comprising a plurality of interconnected strut segments that enable expansion of the stent from a delivery state to a deployed state. A first strut segment and a second strut segment, of the plurality of strut segments, each comprise frontal surfaces facing radially inward in the deployed state and rear surfaces facing radially outward in the deployed state. The frontal surface of the first strut segment is at least partially stacked behind the rear surface of the second strut segment in the delivery state. A first barb coupled to at least a portion of the first strut segment. A sharpened tip of the first barb is aligned at least partially circumferentially behind at least one strut segment in the delivery state such that the sharpened tip is not radially exposed. |
| US09254203B2 |
Delivery device
A medical device includes an elongate member and a delivery member. The elongate member has a retention portion and defining a lumen. The retention portion has a first configuration and a second configuration different than the first configuration. The retention portion is biased to the first configuration. The delivery member has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The delivery member is configured to be disposed within the lumen of the elongate member to move the retention portion of the elongate member from the first configuration to the second configuration. |
| US09254199B2 |
Multi-walled placeholder
A placeholder for vertebrae or vertebral discs includes a tubular body, which along its jacket surface has a plurality of breakthroughs or openings for over-growth with adjacent tissue. The placeholder includes at least a second tubular body provided with a plurality of breakthroughs and openings at least partially inside the first tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies can have different cross-sectional shapes, can be are arranged inside one another by press fit or force fit or can be connected to each other via connecting pins and arranged side by side to one another in the first body. |
| US09254191B2 |
Balloon expandable platform with retaining features for a collapsible valve
Retainer structures (150) maintain stented valves (800) on the balloon (130) of a balloon catheter during delivery of the valve to an implantation node and subsequent expansion of the valve. The retainer structures define a raised edge relative to the outer surface of the balloon and limit movement of the valve longitudinally relative to the balloon. Deflation of the balloon following expansion of the valve stent releases the valve. |
| US09254189B2 |
Aberration-correcting vision prosthesis
A vision prosthesis includes an optical element having a characteristic function associated with refraction therethrough. The characteristic function is selected to reduce aberration in an eye when the optical element is implanted at a location therein. |
| US09254181B2 |
Automatic surgical lighting device and its lighting method
The present invention provides an automatic surgical lighting device and its lighting method. The surgical lighting device is located to face a target area and includes a supporting element that is connected to at least a moving element that is above the target area. A lighting capture module set on the moving element is used to illuminate the target area and capture the image of the target area in order to send feedback signal. Both the lighting capture module and moving element are electronically connected to at least one control unit. The control unit, base on the feedback signal received, moves the lighting capture module via the moving element till the whole image of the target area is obtained. By this method, the surgery quality is improved, the surgery time is shortened and the risk of cross infection and the consequent litigation is lowered. |
| US09254179B2 |
Surgical support system
A surgical support attaches to a surgical table by means of mounting plates and base plates that may communicate through a surgical drape without puncturing the surgical drape. The base plates may be attached to the surgical table by means of a pegboard or by direct clamping of the base plates to a side of the surgical table underneath the surgical drape. |
| US09254178B2 |
Curved cannula surgical system
A robotic surgical system is configured with rigid, curved cannulas that extend through the same opening into a patient's body. Surgical instruments with passively flexible shafts extend through the curved cannulas. The cannulas are oriented to direct the instruments towards a surgical site. Various port features that support the curved cannulas within the single opening are disclosed. Cannula support fixtures that support the cannulas during insertion into the single opening and mounting to robotic manipulators are disclosed. A teleoperation control system that moves the curved cannulas and their associated instruments in a manner that allows a surgeon to experience intuitive control is disclosed. |
| US09254166B2 |
Systems and methods for turbinate reduction
The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical apparatus for treating tissue at a target site. The apparatus has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, the distal portion comprising a return electrode and electrode support. There is also at least one active electrode on the shaft distal portion, which has a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of aspiration apertures disposed therebetween. These apertures are fluidly connected to a fluid aspiration cavity that is located within the electrode support, and the cavity is connected with a fluid aspiration element that is located along the shaft. The plurality of apertures vary in size and are generally arranged so that the larger sized apertures are disposed towards the electrode proximal portion and the smaller sized apertures are generally located towards the electrode distal portion. |
| US09254163B2 |
Assessment of electrode coupling for tissue ablation
An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance. |
| US09254160B2 |
Driver assembly with guidewire control mechanism
An implant driver assembly includes an assembly for advancing a threaded implant over a wire. The assembly may include a driver tool with a proximal end, a distal end and a first engagement surface that has a first thread. The driver tool may also include a first wire passage. The assembly may further include a wire locking mechanism with a second engagement surface having a second thread. The second thread is engaged with the first thread to rotatably couple the wire locking mechanism with the driver tool. The wire locking mechanism may further include a second wire passage. The second wire passage may be substantially coaxially aligned with the first wire passage. |
| US09254153B2 |
Hip fracture device with static locking mechanism allowing compression
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of fusing fractures of a femoral neck using a bone plate including the steps of: placing a bone plate on the femur; inserting an assembly of a bone screw and a locking ring in an opening in the plate; simultaneously threading the locking ring and the bone screw in the femur; threading the bone screw in the femur to compress the fracture; creating a space between the locking ring and the bone screw; and allowing the bone screw to move towards the locking ring when the femur is loaded. In another embodiment, the present invention is a bone plating system including a bone plate having a plurality of openings; at least one bone screw capable of being received through the opening and into a bone; at least one end cap fixedly insertable in the opening; and a layer of polymeric material interposed between the end cap and the top of the head. |
| US09254149B2 |
Spinal fixation method and apparatus
A spinal stabilization system having a pedicle screw which includes (i) a shaft with external threads and a head segment on one end of the shaft; (ii) a first drive socket positioned in the head segment; (iii) a second drive socket on a shaft end opposite the first drive socket; and (iv) wherein the shaft end opposite the first drive socket has a lesser diameter than the shaft end at the head segment. The system further includes an intervertebral stabilization structure having an elongated body with rotating ring segments attached to each end of the elongated body. |
| US09254146B2 |
Echogenic nerve block apparatus and system
An apparatus for performing a nerve block procedure, the apparatus being composed of an echogenic needle or an echogenic soft tissue tunneling device and an echogenic catheter configured for controlled delivery of a medication. The apparatus may further include a sheath such that at least one of the needle or tunneling device and sheath is echogenic. The present invention also encompasses a system for performing a nerve block procedure, the system includes introducing an echogenic needle in the general area of a nerve bundle, positioning the echogenic needle adjacent the nerve bundle utilizing sonic imaging techniques, introducing an echogenic catheter configured for controlled delivery of a fluid through the echogenic needle, withdrawing the echogenic needle, positioning the echogenic catheter adjacent the nerve bundle utilizing sonic imaging techniques, and delivering fluid to the nerve bundle through the echogenic catheter. |
| US09254145B2 |
Atherectomy device
A device for modifying a body lumen of a mammal in need thereof is provided, comprising a helically-cut tube comprising cutting teeth, said helically-cut tube substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said device, a ramp wire that is displaced from the longitudinal axis of said device over at least a portion of said ramp wire and is enclosed by said helically-cut tube over at least a part of the length of said ramp wire, a drive rod wherein the broach may be moved proximally, distally, and/or radially via proximal, distal, and radial motions, respectively, of the drive rod. Also provided are methods for using the device. |
| US09254141B2 |
Apparatus and method for heart valve repair
A device for transcatheter gathering of tissue of a heart valve leaflet may include an elongated tube extending in a longitudinal direction and a capture tool moveable in the elongated tube between a retracted position and an extended position. The elongated tube may have at least one slot extending generally in the longitudinal direction from a distal end of the elongated tube. The at least one slot may have an open end at the distal end of the elongated tube and a closed end remote therefrom. The capture tool may be operable to gather tissue of the heart valve leaflet into the at least one slot. The gathered tissue may have a pleated configuration. |
| US09254139B2 |
Drilling/milling guide and keel cut preparation system
An instrument system, associated milling or drilling guide and method include use of a trial implant of a size corresponding to an actual implant for the intervertebral space, with a milling guide mounted on the trial implant. The system also includes a cutting tool which is used to form a cutout in an adjacent vertebra. |
| US09254137B2 |
Facet implant
Prostheses and methods for treating spinal pathologies and more specifically, for treating articulating surfaces of facet joints. The system includes a superior implant that is configured for placement on a superior articulating facet surface and an inferior implant that is configured for placement on an inferior articulating facet surface. The method includes creating a space between a superior and an inferior articular facet, such as by using a rasp, and fixing superior and inferior implants to the superior and inferior articular facets. |
| US09254132B2 |
Endoscopic plication device and method
In a method of stapling layers of tissue within a body cavity, an engaging instrument is passed between a stapler cartridge and anvil and used to engage a region of tissue. The engaging instrument is retracted to move the engaged tissue into the stapling position, and driving staples from the cartridge through at least two layers of the engaged tissue. The method and associated system may be used to form plications in body tissue, such as stomach wall tissue. Staples simultaneously driven through tissue may simultaneously capture a reinforcing elements positioned adjacent the cartridge and/or anvil prior to stapling. |
| US09254130B2 |
Blade anchor systems for bone fusion
Fusion devices include blade anchors. The blade anchors may slidingly penetrate a bone or bone fragment, and may induce compression of one bone to another or one fragment to another. The fusion devices may also include a body to which the blade anchors connect. |
| US09254129B2 |
Surgery automatic suturing and knot tying apparatus
A surgery automatic suturing and knot tying apparatus is to suture and tie knots on a surgical suture having a needle end and a tail end. The surgery automatic suturing and knot tying apparatus comprises a positioning board, a threading module located on the positioning board, and two thread drawing modules and two needle threading arms located on the positioning board. The two needle threading arms wind the surgical suture around the threading module, and collaborate with the two thread drawing modules to draw the surgical suture to make the surgical suture finally be separated from the threading module, thereby can tie knots automatically on the surgical suture to meet use requirements and alleviate the burden of doctors during surgical operation. |
| US09254128B2 |
Re-shapeable medical device
A medical device enables a user to bend it into a shape to suit a specific patient need or to orient efficiently the medical device for use. The medical device includes an elongate member, a mechanism, and an actuator. The mechanism is disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the elongate member and coupled to the mechanism for actuating the mechanism relative to the elongate member. The elongate member is capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape during use. The shape may include multiple bends, in multiple directions, as needed for an application. Thereafter, the elongate member is capable of being bent into a second shape by the user and of maintaining the second shape during use. |
| US09254126B2 |
Non-rigid surgical retractor
The present invention provides a non-rigid retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the non-rigid retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The non-rigid retractor includes at least one flexible strap anchored at a first end to the spine or other internal body part at the surgical site. The body of the at least one flexible strap extends from a skin incision and is anchored at a second location external to the body to retract skin and muscle from the surgical site, allowing adequate visualization of the surgical site and providing access for implants and surgical instruments to pass through the retractor and into the surgical site. |
| US09254125B2 |
Bladeless obturator
A surgical obturator adapted to penetrate a body wall includes an elongate shaft having an axis which extends between a proximal end and a distal end. A bladeless tip, disposed at the distal end of the shaft has an outer surface which extends to a blunt point. The outer surface has a pair of side sections separated by an intermediate section. The side sections extend from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis. These side sections include a distal portion in proximity to the blunt point, and a proximal portion in proximity to the shaft. The distal portion of the side section is twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side section. The outer surface in radial cross section has the general configuration of a geometric shape which rotates in a first direction about the axis with progressive proximal radial cross sections along the axis. |
| US09254122B2 |
Reusable handpiece for disposable probes
A handpiece for removably attaching one of a plurality of probes including a housing, an actuation assembly arranged on the housing, a linkage assembly arranged on the housing and adapted to couple motion of the actuation assembly to actuation of the probe and an alignment feature arranged on the housing and adapted to control the orientation of a connected probe. Several probes are also disclosed in addition to method of performing a procedure. |
| US09254118B2 |
Floating transducer drive, system employing the same and method of operating
A floating transducer drive configured to isolate relatively low voltage system electronics from a relatively high voltage transmit circuit in an ultrasound imaging system. A receive circuit is electrically connected to an isolated local ground. An isolation circuit is electrically connected between the receive circuit and a relatively low-voltage processing circuit. The isolation circuit is configured such that during a transmit event during which the relatively high voltage transmit circuit sends a relatively high voltage signal to a transducer, the isolated local ground is electrically connected to the transmit circuit, but when the transmit event is not occurring, the isolated local ground is electrically connected to a system ground. |
| US09254116B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatuses for Van-Cittert Zernike imaging
A method of creating an ultrasound image includes receiving a return signal from a time delayed signal emitted from a plurality of transducer elements at a target the return signal comprising a measurement at each of the plurality of transducer elements formed from a plurality of reflections off of a plurality of volume elements forming a two dimensional slice of a target, computing a Van-Cittert Zernike (VCZ) curve for each of the plurality of volume elements based upon the measured return signals and creating an short-lag spatial coherence (SLSC) image comprising a plurality of pixels each associated with one of the plurality of volume elements wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises a value computed from a metric of the VCZ curve computed for each of the associated plurality of volume elements. |
| US09254112B2 |
Respiratory interval-based correlation and processing of dynamic imaging data
A method of dynamic imaging and resolving respiratory motion includes acquiring volume data for a volume over a plurality of respiratory cycles, acquiring respiratory data representative of respiration over the plurality of respiratory cycles, dividing each respiratory cycle of the plurality of respiratory cycles into a set of respiratory intervals based on the respiratory data, and displaying a respective composite three-dimensional image of the volume for each respiratory interval based on the volume data acquired during the respiratory interval from each respiratory cycle of the plurality of respiratory cycles. |
| US09254111B2 |
PET acquisition scheduling based on MR scout images
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to scheduling positron emission tomography (PET) scans for a combined PET-MRI scanner based on an acquisition of MR scout images of a subject. An anatomy and orientation of the subject can be determined based on the MR scout images and the schedule for acquiring PET scans of the subject can be determined from the anatomy of the subject. The schedule generated using exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can specify a sequence of bed positions, scan durations at each bed position, and whether respiratory gating will be used at one or more of the bed positions. |
| US09254110B2 |
Automatically obtaining optimized output data
A method and a system are disclosed for obtaining image data from inside an examination object from images of a computed tomograph. In an embodiment, the method includes accepting first measurement data of the examination object, acquired based on x-ray radiation of a first energy, and second measurement data of the examination object, acquired based on x-ray radiation of a second energy differing from the first energy; setting an optimized output of target image points on the basis of the first and second measurement data at the respective target image points, each as a function of local optimization parameter values of the target image points determined locally from the first and second measurement data in the area of the target image points, while deriving image point reproduction parameter values representing the optimized output; and determining the output data based on optimized output of the target image points. |
| US09254109B2 |
Selection of a radiation shaping filter
A method for selecting a radiation shaping filter is disclosed, which modifies the spatial distribution of the intensity and/or the spectrum of x-rays of an x-ray source of an imaging system. In an embodiment, anatomical measurement data of an object under examination is recorded, from which with the aid of the imaging system image data is created. The radiation shaping filter is selected automatically on the basis of the recorded anatomical measurement data of the object under examination. An imaging system, in which a radiation shaping filter is selected, is further disclosed. |
| US09254108B2 |
Gantry with bore safety mechanism
A tomography system may be used to scan a subject and provide reconstructed images of the subject. A gantry of the tomography system has a rotary member that is rotatable around an axis. While the rotary member rotates, a skid layer provides safety features between the rotary member and a subject-facing scan window. |
| US09254104B2 |
Systems and methods for remote patient monitoring
A system includes a local patient monitor and a plurality of remote patient monitors. The local patient monitor may display a plurality of physiological parameters for a local patient. The local patient monitor may further display a remote monitoring interface with the local patient's physiological parameters. The remote monitoring interface may include a plurality of status icons respectively representing the plurality of remote patient monitors. In one embodiment, the local patient monitor receives alarm information from a first remote patient monitor indicating that one or more physiological parameters for a remote patient are outside of a determined range. The alarm information may include, for example, location information for the remote patient and an alarm condition indicated by the one or more physiological parameters. The local patient monitor may display the alarm information within the remote monitoring interface. |
| US09254102B2 |
Method and apparatus for imaging of vessel segments
An apparatus, method and software arrangement for imaging a surface of a structure that is in contact with an opaque fluid is provided. The apparatus includes an article of manufacture (e.g., a housing), a fluid delivery arrangement and an imaging arrangement. The housing includes an aperture formed in the article of manufacture. The fluid delivery arrangement is configured to deliver a volume of substantially transparent fluid to the aperture formed in the housing. The imaging arrangement is configured to image the surface of the structure using an imaging modality after the volume of the transparent fluid is delivered to the aperture, wherein the imaging arrangement and/or the article of manufacture is translated along the surface of the structure while imaging the surface of the structure. |
| US09254101B2 |
Method and system to improve visceral adipose tissue estimate by measuring and correcting for subcutaneous adipose tissue composition
A method and system for estimating the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of a subject comprising performing a dual-energy X-ray scan of the subject; generating at least one image of the subject from the dual-energy X-ray scan; identifying a region of interest; dividing the region of interest into a plurality of sections; generating a soft tissue composition profile for each of the plurality of sections, wherein the soft tissue composition profile identifies an edge of the subject, an outer edge of an abdominal wall of the subject, a subcutaneous region and a subcutaneous thickness for each of the plurality of sections; determining a subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) composition for each of the plurality of sections, wherein a subcutaneous fat fraction is used to calculate the subcutaneous fat and lean masses and/or volumes; and determining a VAT based on the determined SAT composition for each of the plurality of sections. |
| US09254100B2 |
Logging daily average metabolic activity using a motion sensor
An implantable activity detector can detect metabolic stress levels, which can be normalized, such as to identify times of activities such as walking and running or to identify trends such as a decrease in metabolic activity. The data can be derived from different sources such as an accelerometer and pedometer. This data can be compared to independently specifiable thresholds, such as to trigger an alert or responsive therapy, or to display one or more trends. The information can also be combined with other congestive heart failure (CHF) indications. The alert can notify the patient or a caregiver, such as via remote monitoring. Metabolic activity data from one or more of the activity detectors can be used to establish a model of metabolic stress, to which further activity data can be compared for identifying periods of increased or decreased metabolic stress. |
| US09254099B2 |
Smart watch and food-imaging member for monitoring food consumption
This invention is a device and system for monitoring a person's food consumption comprising: a wearable sensor that automatically collects data to detect probable eating events; an imaging member that is used by the person to take pictures of food wherein the person is prompted to take pictures of food when an eating event is detected by the wearable sensor; and a data analysis component that analyzes these food pictures to estimate the types and amounts of foods, ingredients, nutrients, and/or calories that are consumed by the person. In an example, the wearable sensor can be part of a smart watch or smart bracelet. In an example, the imaging member can be part of a smart phone. The integrated operation of the wearable sensor and the imaging member disclosed in this invention offers accurate measurement of food consumption with low intrusion into the person's privacy. |
| US09254089B2 |
Apparatus and methods for facilitating at least partial overlap of dispersed ration on at least one sample
Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method according to the present disclosure are provided. For example, an apparatus for providing electromagnetic radiation to a structure can be provided. The exemplary apparatus can include a first arrangement having at least two wave-guides which can be configured to provide there through at least two respective electromagnetic radiations with at least partially different wavelengths from one another. The exemplary apparatus can also include a dispersive second arrangement structured to receive the electro-magnetic radiations and forward at least two dispersed radiations associated with the respective electro-magnetic radiations to at least one section of the structure. The wave-guide(s) can be structured and/or spatially arranged with respect to the dispersive arrangement to facilitate at least partially overlap of the dispersed radiations on the structure. In addition, another arrangement can be provided which can include at least two further wave-guides which can be configured to receive the electro-magnetic radiations from the dispersive arrangement. Each of the further wave-guides can be structured and/or spatially arranged with respect to the dispersive arrangement to facilitate a receipt of a different one of the such electro-magnetic radiations as a function of wavelengths thereof. |
| US09254088B2 |
Headset device and method measuring a biosignal
A headset device includes a headset body, a connection unit to move relative to the headset body, and a sensor unit having a light emitting element and a light receiving element to sense a biosignal, the sensor unit mounted to the connection unit to make contact with a human body. The sensor unit may measure a biosignal of a user, and the headset body and the sensor unit are indirectly connected by the connection unit. Accordingly, the sensor unit may be isolated from movement or vibration received through the headset body. |
| US09254086B2 |
Wireless diagnostic sensor link
A wireless diagnostic sensor link for providing wireless communication between a signal source and a monitoring device. The wireless diagnostic sensor link includes a signal input device operable for receiving a signal from the signal source in a first communication protocol in the form of an analog signal, converting the analog signal to a digital signal, and transmitting the digital signal in the form of a wireless communication protocol. The wireless diagnostic sensor link also includes a signal output device, which receives the digital signal. The signal output device is in electrical communication with the monitoring device, and is also operable for communicating with the signal input device. The signal output device converts the digital signal back to an analog signal, and sends the signal to the monitoring device in the form of a second communications protocol. |
| US09254084B2 |
Fundus photographing apparatus
A fundus photographing apparatus includes: an illumination optical system for illuminating a fundus of a examinee's eye; and a photographing optical system for photographing the fundus illuminated by the illumination optical system. The photographing optical system includes: a first aperture diaphragm for forming an image of the aperture diaphragm in a position between a pupil and a posterior surface of a crystalline lens of the eye; and a second aperture diaphragm for forming an image of the aperture diaphragm not acting as a field diaphragm, in a position between the fundus of the eye and the image of the first aperture diaphragm. |
| US09254083B2 |
Light source modulation for a scanning microscope
Systems, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for imaging an object. The system includes a scanner. The scanner positions a spot of light from a light source on the object along a scanning path. The scanning path includes a plurality of scan lines. The spot moves along the scanning path at a scanning velocity. The scanning velocity is not constant. The intensity of the spot of light is modulated as a function of the scanning velocity. The system includes a detector that is arranged to output data associated with positions along the scanning path. The system includes one or more processors that perform calculations. Pixels are calculated based on the output data. The image is constructed of the object based on the pixels. |
| US09254082B2 |
Method of measuring the elasticity of crystalline lens, a method of determining whether crystalline lens is presbyopic, an apparatus for measuring the elasticity of crystalline lens and an apparatus for determining whether crystalline lens is presbyopic
The present invention provides a method of measuring the elasticity of crystalline lens and an apparatus for measuring the elasticity of the crystalline lens for measuring stiffness of the crystalline lens 1, wherein the crystalline lens 1 is irradiated with pulse laser light to generate photoelastic waves from the crystalline lens 1, and the photoelastic waves from the crystalline lens 1 are measured. |
| US09254078B2 |
Image capture unit in a surgical instrument
In a minimally invasive surgical system, an image capture unit includes a prism assembly and sensor assembly. The prism assembly includes a beam splitter, while the sensor assembly includes coplanar image capture sensors. Each of the coplanar image capture sensors has a common front end optical structure, e.g., the optical structure distal to the image capture unit is the same for each of the sensors. A controller enhances images acquired by the coplanar image capture sensors. The enhanced images may include (a) visible images with enhanced feature definition, in which a particular feature in the scene is emphasized to the operator of minimally invasive surgical system; (b) images having increased image apparent resolution; (c) images having increased dynamic range; (d) images displayed in a way based on a pixel color component vector having three or more color components; and (e) images having extended depth of field. |
| US09254068B2 |
Sequenced adjustable volume pumps, refill units and dispensers
Embodiments of sequenced foam pumps, refill units and dispensers are disclosed herein. One exemplary refill unit includes a container for holding a foamable liquid and a sequenced pump. The sequenced pump has a housing with a chamber located within the housing. There is an air inlet and a liquid inlet into the chamber. A hollow valve stem is movable within the chamber. A sealing member forms a seal between the valve stem and the chamber. When the valve stem is in a first position liquid flows into the chamber and air in the chamber flows into the container; and when the valve stem is in a second position, the sealing member seals off the liquid inlet, and air travels through the air inlet and mixes with the liquid in the chamber. The air and liquid mixture travels through the center of the valve stem and out of an outlet. |
| US09254065B2 |
Wonder spatula
A cooking utensil for turning grilled, fried or otherwise cooked items without risk of dropping or breaking the foodstuff. The utensil has two pivotally connected handles, joined by a spring-loaded hinge at one terminus. Each handle is equipped with a large, fan-shaped wire spatula for grasping food. The fan-shaped spatulas are large enough to grasp food items without risk of portions breaking or falling off. Further, the utensil is equipped with a hook and eye closure mechanism to secure the spatulas together when not in use. The device may also have metal prongs extending from the outer edges of the spatulas to better grasp foodstuffs. |
| US09254063B2 |
Double walled insulated container with rechargeable vacuum
An insulated container is disclosed. The container has an outer plastic member, an inner plastic member and an insulating, e.g., vacuum space, located therebetween. A vent assembly is located in the outer member in communication with the vacuum space. The vent assembly may be arranged to prevent liquid from entering into the insulating space and may be arranged to equalize the internal pressure within the insulating space and the ambient atmospheric pressures surrounding the outer member, while allowing higher internal pressure within the insulating space to vent to the ambient atmosphere when the container is heated, and to close off to seal the insulating space to maintain the vacuum therein when the container is cooled. |
| US09254061B2 |
Microwavable bag or sheet material
A microwavable material having a structure that may be used to enhance the browning and crisping, and thus improve the taste and appearance, of a food item cooked therein. The material may be in the form of a sheet material or formed as a container such as a bag, pouch, or other suitable structure. The material may have one or more features that help bring the material into close contact with the food item and help conform the bag around the food item. Furthermore, the material may have a structure that avoids substantial contact with liquid released by a food item, may have a venting system suitable for the exiting of moisture, may have a coating, a transparent surface, and when formed as a container, may have a gusseted surface. |
| US09254060B2 |
Multi-beverage vending machine
An instant drink vending machine is described. The instant drink vending machine has a water supply system for obtaining mixed warm water with a temperature selected among a set of pre-determined temperatures comprised between an upper and a lower value corresponding to temperatures of hot water and cold water to be mixed, said system including thermostatic shape memory alloy devices. |
| US09254057B1 |
Can cooker
A can cooker includes a main body that is generally cylindrical in shape having a bottom portion, wall portion, neck portion, and lid ring. The bottom portion, wall portion, and neck portion may be integrally formed and connected to one another. A lid is sized and shaped to fit within a part of the neck portion. The lid includes an outer lip that engaged with lid ring on the main body in such a way that a seal is formed between the lid ring and the outer lip. The lid is secured to the main body through a plurality of latches. Handles may be placed on the exterior surface of the lid and main body to ease use and transportation of the can cooker. |
| US09254055B2 |
Stand for supporting a pole within a base
A stand for a Christmas tree or the like is adapted to cooperate with a base portion of a pole such as a tree trunk to provide a stable support for the pole with its base spaced above a support surface such as a floor. The stand comprises a plurality of support members each having a proximal end spaced above the support surface. The proximal ends of the support members cooperate to form a clamp for receiving the base portion of the pole. The clamp is arranged such that, when the base portion of the pole is received in the clamp, one or more of the support members pivots at its proximal end about the clamp to thereby cause the clamp to close and grip the base portion of the pole. The weight of the pole may be sufficient to cause the clamp of the stand to automatically grip the pole. |
| US09254051B2 |
Display system
A display system is provided and includes a base, a collapsible support structure, a spinner connector, and a modular panel. The collapsible support structure connects with the base, and the spinner connector receives the collapsible support structure. The spinner connector independently moves around the collapsible support structure. The modular panel is removably connected to the spinner connector such that the modular panel can also move independent of the collapsible support structure. |
| US09254050B1 |
Detachable hanging assembly for cookware and utensils
An improved method of storing and retrieving cookware and utensils utilizing an assembly that can be attached to a shelf of a kitchen cabinet without the use of tools. The assembly incorporates Cookware hanger assemblies and Cookware guard whose positions are adjustable along the length of the assembly. Cookware can be stored onto the assembly in a hanging position. The Teflon coating of the cookware is protected from damage with the use of Cookware guard assemblies. |
| US09254048B2 |
Unlocked-state retention device and seat assembly having the same
An unlocked-state retention device is adapted for use in a seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a base frame and a seat body, which is mounted removably on the base frame through a locking unit to lock or unlock the seat body relative to the base frame such that the seat body is placed in a locked state or an unlocked state. The unlocked-state retention device includes a pusher adapted to be disposed movably in one of the base frame and the seat body, and includes a push member to retract ably project from the one of the base frame and the seat body and to push the other one of the base frame and the seat body when the seat body is unlocked relative to the base frame. |
| US09254047B1 |
Reinforced vinyl air mattress
A structural design and weld fabrication method for reinforced vinyl by eliminating butt seams, leaving 100% lap seams, as well as low cost, high strength internal beams for use in high quality air bed mattresses and all inflatable items. |
| US09254044B2 |
Foldable table for chair
A removable tray device is disclosed that offers a simple and easy way to eat or drink when sitting outside. The removable tray device comprises a tray component secured to a folding chair via a pinned hinge that allows the tray component to rotate vertically and a swivel component that allows the tray component to swivel horizontally. The tray component further comprises a catch or lock bracket on a leg of the chair which corresponds with a mating lock pin secured to a back edge of the tray component. Specifically, the lock pin of the tray component mates to and is secured within the catch or lock bracket to further secure the tray component to the folding chair when the tray component is in front of the folding chair or is to the side of the folding chair. |
| US09254039B1 |
Home audio mounting system having thematic designed support housing
A portable, motorcycle mountable audio entertainment system is provided having a motorcycle-theme housing formed of a faring supporting stereo electronics, speakers and an power supply. A vertical support structure is further provided having a pair of tubular, angled uprights and handle bars for attachment of the fairing. A vertical support pillar and a support plate provide a structured to allow for free standing use. |
| US09254037B2 |
Versatile student desk
A seat and desk assembly has a seat integrated with a desk by a interconnecting base and floor. One or both of the seat or desk can be disconnected from the assembly and used independently. Removable panels for the desk can be used to display information and hold replaceable placards for various purposes. The height of the seat and desk can be adjusted on the assembly, and the bottom rest of the seat can be pivoted up against the back to allow a user to stand on the floor as a standing platform with a lumbar support curve positioned for leaning support of the low-back while standing. The depth of the seat can also be adjusted relative to the desk to provide additional room for standing. Additionally, the tabletop of the desk may be able to slide fore-aft relative to the seated user. |
| US09254035B2 |
Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace
A cable assembly for use in an opening formed in a table top, the cable assembly comprising a substantially horizontal deck member, the deck member forming a plurality of cable passing openings, each cable passing opening dimensioned to freely pass the intermediate portion of a cable, a separate cable passing through each of the cable passing openings, each cable having a distal end located at a height below the deck member and a proximal end located at a height above the deck member, the proximal end for linking to a video source device. |
| US09254029B2 |
Swivel base for a training aid
A swivel base for use with a training aid having a top member and a bottom member, the top member for receiving a training aid and the bottom member for receiving a holder or stand. The top member is coupled to a ball bearing and a mounting member fixedly coupled to the bottom member is rotatably coupled to the ball bearing to allow the top member to rotate relative to the bottom member. A locking mechanism which has a locking pin coupled to the bottom member secures the top member in one or more stationary positions. |
| US09254023B2 |
Protective cover for portable eletronic device
A protective cover for a portable electronic device includes a main body and a plurality of cushioning structures. The main body is configured to receive the portable electronic device. Each cushioning structure includes an elastic body protruding from the main body and a clearance defined between the main body and the elastic body. The elastic body is deformed toward the clearance when the elastic body is impacted. |
| US09254017B2 |
Expandable footwear for children
An expandable bootie is disclosed. The bootie includes a main body composed of fabric, wherein the main body is shaped in the form of a foot having a longitudinal axis, and a zipper that commences at a toe portion of the main body, and extends in a spiral path around the main body such that the spiral path twists at least three hundred and sixty degrees around the main body. The bootie further includes a portion of fabric disposed between mating tape members of the zipper, wherein when the zipper is closed the portion of fabric is contracted and wherein when the zipper is open the portion of fabric is extended and the main body has a longer longitudinal length, and a strap comprising a strip extending substantially horizontally and connected to an ankle portion of the main body. |
| US09254015B2 |
Non-gaiter bootleg cover
A universal, readily interchangeable, and non-gaiter cover for wrapping around and decorating only the shaft of an any sized and mundane boot. The universal, readily interchangeable, and non-gaiter cover includes a decorative substrate, and apparatus for universally and readily interchangeably maintaining the decorative substrate around only the shaft of the any sized and mundane boot. The decorative substrate is for universally and readily interchangeably wrapping around only the shaft of the any sized and mundane boot and not the foot of the any sized and mundane boot so as to at least eliminate potential damage to the universal, readily interchangeable, and non-gaiter cover caused by normal flexure of the foot of the any sized and mundane boot, and in so doing, decorates only the shaft of the any sized and mundane boot. |
| US09254014B2 |
Boot with stretchable opening
In the preferred embodiment, a partial length slit is introduced in the inwardly facing wall of a boot in both the exterior and corresponding interior portions of the boot. Included in the midst of the slit, between the exterior and corresponding interior portions, is a piece of elastomeric fabric which preferably is stitched in. |
| US09254010B2 |
Pocketed athletic garment
A pocketed athletic garment. The garment includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a waistband coupled to the outer layer and the inner layer, the waistband including a plurality of pockets. |
| US09254006B2 |
Portable cigar ashtray
A portable cigar ashtray includes a cup-shaped base portion having a closed bottom, a side wall extending upwardly from the closed bottom, and an open top. A resting platform is disposed inside the cup-shaped base portion and spaced from the closed bottom. A retaining assembly is disposed near an upper end of the cup-shaped base portion and includes a retaining ring and a nub holder. |
| US09254004B2 |
Method for making hinged-lid packets
A blank for hinged-lid packets for smoking articles comprises four panels extending side by side in pairs along a direction perpendicular to a direction of longitudinal extension of the packets obtainable from the blank; the blank is foldable along folding lines made between the pairs of panels and parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension, and an upper portion of one of the four panels is integral, on the outside of the selfsame four panels, with a portion forming the hinged lid of the respective packet. Also described is a method for making hinged-lid packets for smoking articles. |
| US09253986B2 |
Wash product comprising a disinfectant mixture of silver ions and non-disinfectant hydantoin
A wash product and method for both washing and disinfecting articles during a washing cycle where the washing can be done in a conventional washing machine using the combination of a conventional detergent for removing residue from the articles and a source of silver ions and a hydantoin for increasing the level of available silver ions to a level that is greater than the level of available silver ions normally available if the source of silver ions were used without the hydantoin. |
| US09253985B2 |
Herbicidal composition for tolerant or resistant cereal crops
The invention provides herbicide combinations and the use of herbicide combinations for controlling harmful plants in cereal crops wherein the herbicide combination in question comprises (A) a herbicide from the group of glufosinate derivatives of the formula (A1) in which Z represents hydroxyl, —NHCH(CH3)CONHCH(CH3)COOH or —NHCH(CH3)CONHCH[CH2CH(CH3)2]COOH, or an ester or salt thereof, and (B) a herbicide from the group of carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula (B1) in which X represents N or CH and R represents CO2H or a herbicidally active derivative thereof, and the cereal crops are tolerant, if appropriate in the presence of safeners, to the herbicides (A) and (B) present in the combination. |
| US09253982B2 |
Fungicide active substance combinations
The novel active compound combinations comprising 2-[2-(1-chlorocyclopropyl)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazole-3-thione of the formula and the active compound of groups (1) to (24) listed in the description have very good fungicidal properties. |
| US09253981B2 |
Stable suspension concentrate formulation for water-soluble compounds
The present invention is directed to an insecticidal water based suspension concentrate formulation comprising a water-soluble insecticide selected from the group consisting of N-cyanomethyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinamide and (EZ)-1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylidineamine and at least one water-soluble salt selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate (hydrated and anhydrous forms) and sodium sulfate, wherein the water-soluble insecticide is present in an insecticidally effective amount and methods of use. |
| US09253980B2 |
Use of substituted dithiine-tetracarboximides for combating phytopathogenic fungi
The present invention relates to the use of dithiine-tetracarboximide compounds of formula I as defined in the description, and the N-oxides, and salts thereof for combating harmful fungi and seed coated with at least one such compound. The invention also relates to novel dithiine-tetracarboximides, processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds and also to compositions comprising at least one such compound. |
| US09253979B2 |
Methods of controlling insects
Methods of controlling insects include applying at least one spinosyn compound to a locus of a neonicotinoid-resistant insect, such as a strain of Drosophila melanogaster resistant to a neonicotinoid compound. The spinosyn compound may be a mixture of spinosyn A and spinosyn D. The spinosyn compound may cause up to approximately ten times increased mortality in the neonicotinoid-resistant insect compared to an insect susceptible to a neonicotinoid compound. |
| US09253978B2 |
Sulfoperoxycarboxylic acids, their preparation and methods of use as bleaching and antimicrobial agents
The present invention relates to novel sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid compounds, and methods for making and using them. The sulfoperoxycarboxylic compounds of the invention are storage stable, water soluble and have low to no odor. Further, the compounds of the present invention can be formed from non-petroleum based renewable materials. The compounds of the present invention can be used as antimicrobials, and bleaching agents. The compounds of the present invention are also suitable for use as coupling agents. |
| US09253975B2 |
Tool for transferring membranous tissue, kit and method for transferring membranous tissue
Disclosed herein is a tool, a kit, and associated method for transferring a membranous tissue composed of cells derived from a living body. The tool can include a first sheet-like supporting member disposed on one side of the membranous tissue in a wet state, and a second sheet-like supporting member disposed on the other side of the membranous tissue in a wet state. The first supporting member and the second supporting member can be configured to entirely hold the membranous tissue, such that a frictional force between the first supporting member and the membranous tissue is larger than a frictional force between the second supporting member and the membranous tissue. |
| US09253970B2 |
Multi-functional portable fishing accessory
A portable, multi-functional fishing accessory formed of a rigid plate member having a flat work surface and a side wall formed around a periphery of the work surface, and wherein the work surface is slanted relative to the side wall. The fishing accessory has one or more magnets positioned opposite from the work surface of the plate member and secured thereto. A stanchion mount is adapted to rotatably mount on a cylindrical stanchion for maintaining the plate member in a substantially upright position. |
| US09253967B2 |
Snag-resistant fishing lure and methods of making and using
The snag-resistant fishing lure is designed to minimize the chances of the lure becoming ensnared. The lure has a jig and a blade attached to the blade in a configuration that limits the side-to-side movement of the blade, thereby preventing the jig from rolling to a hook-downward position prone to snagging. A centrally aligned hole is positioned close to the front edge of the blade member. An eyelet extending from the jig body is attached through an aperture in the blade. The blade is limited in its side-to-side movement by contact between the blade edge and either the jig body or the eyelet. The limited side-to-side movement of the blade creates a quick, controlled, oscillating blade action that imparts a natural swimming motion to the lure, emulating prey species movements. |
| US09253965B2 |
Animal models and therapeutic molecules
The invention discloses methods for the generation of chimaeric human-nonhuman antibodies and chimaeric antibody chains, antibodies and antibody chains so produced, and derivatives thereof including fully humanised antibodies; compositions comprising the disclosed antibodies, antibody chains and derivatives, as well as cells, non-human mammals and vectors, suitable for use in the disclosed methods. |
| US09253955B1 |
Maize inbred PH1VY6
A novel maize variety designated PH1VY6 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1VY6 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1VY6 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1VY6 or a locus conversion of PH1VY6 with another maize variety. |
| US09253952B2 |
Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation and expression of rol genes in Kalanchoë
The present disclosure embraces Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants, and considers rol transformation in Kalanchoë species and hybrids. Disclosed herein are methodology and the like for producing rol-transformed Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants, as well as resultant rol-transformed Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants with novel phenotypes. |
| US09253948B2 |
Continuous round baler with adjustable screed
A continuous round baler system has a baler and an accumulating system. The accumulating system includes a conveyor configured to convey crop material extending from a pickup mechanism to a bale formation chamber in the baler. A screed is positioned adjacent the end of the conveyor and is configured to be movable by a lifting mechanism between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the first conveyor. In the raised position, a gap is formed between the screed and the first conveyor so that crop material passes into the bale formation chamber. In the lowered position, the gap is closed thereby preventing the crop material from passing to the baler causing the crop material to remain on the conveyor. |
| US09253943B2 |
Method for operating a self-propelled harvesting machine, and self-propelled harvesting machine
A method for operating a self-propelled harvesting machine with a plurality of working assemblies for processing picked-up crop, includes controlling the working assemblies using a control device assigned to the harvesting machine. At least one working assembly of the working assemblies is controlled by an input mechanism operatively connected to the control device and having a specific first function (F1) in the harvesting mode. A second function (F2), which deviates from the first function (F1) is assigned to the input mechanism by the control device depending on an operating state change. The second function (F2) is specific for the working assembly in an operating state that deviates from the harvesting mode. |
| US09253941B2 |
Specific location dry yield measurement for forage
Dry yield for baled forage crop materials may be obtained for specific cut locations in the field by allocating the overall average baled dry yield for the entire field to the specific cut locations in accordance with the cut yield at such locations. Information obtained from a position sensor and one or more crop volume sensors on the windrower or mower is later combined with information obtained from a weight sensor on the baler to arrive at a specific location dry yield report for the baled product. |
| US09253937B2 |
Towed agricultural machine with packer unit and method for operating such a machine
A towed agricultural machine for tillage purposes and/or for sowing seeds is disclosed. The machine comprises a running gear, tillage tools, and a packer unit, the latter being coupled to the running gear and forming a constructional and/or functional unit therewith. In a first operating position, the running gear is in an active position for road traffic and the packer tools are brought outside the engagement range with the ground. In a second operating position, the running gear, or at least parts thereof, are in an inactive position out of contact range with the ground, while the packer tools are in an active mode in engagement with the ground. |
| US09258936B2 |
Adsorption head for surface mounting device
An adsorption head for a surface mounting device, including: a main body; a shaft which moves in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the shaft and rotates around the longitudinal axis mounted on the main body, and the shaft includes a lower shaft and an upper shaft. The lower shaft is detachably attached to the upper shaft; and an adsorption nozzle which adsorbs electronic parts mounted on a lower end of the shaft, wherein an air passage connected to the adsorption nozzle is provided in the lower shaft. |
| US09258935B2 |
Board processing apparatus
Provided is a board processing apparatus which includes a head unit for performing a predetermined operation for a board, and a moving device for moving the head unit in a uniaxial direction, wherein the moving device includes a guide rail and a sliding member that is moved along the guide rail. The head unit is fixed to the sliding member in such a manner that at least a portion of the head unit protrudes outwardly from an edge face of the sliding member oriented in a moving direction thereof. |
| US09258934B2 |
In-vehicle electronic device and vehicle having the electronic device
An in-vehicle electronic device is provided which can ensure resistance to static electricity for the in-vehicle electronic device covered with a resin case, is more downsized smaller in the number of components, and inexpensive. An in-vehicle electronic device 43 includes: a resin housing (resin case) 5; a control board 7 that is covered with the housing, and accommodated within the housing a battery harness 27 that is a power wiring which supplies power to the control board; a signal harness 31 that is an input/output signal wiring that transmits an input/output signal to the control board; and a metal bracket 1 that fixes the resin housing to a vehicle main body. In the device, a distance between a projection 35 of the metal bracket 1 and the battery harness 27 is set to be shorter than a distance between the projection 25 of the metal bracket 1 and the signal harness 31 to form a discharge gap 33. |
| US09258933B2 |
Wire harness
A wire harness includes an electric wire, a braided shield covering the electric wire, an annular electromagnetic wave absorption component that includes a through-hole for inserting electric wire and absorbs electromagnetic wave emitted from the electric wire, and a movement-restricting member for restricting the electromagnetic wave absorption component from moving in a direction of inserting the electric wire in the through-hole. |
| US09258931B2 |
Liquid cooled data center with alternating coolant supply lines
Methods of preventing overheating of computer equipment in a cabinet when a supply coolant to a cooler in the cabinet fails. An example embodiment is a data center that includes a plurality of cabinets configured to house computer equipment. At least two coolant supply lines from which the cabinets receive coolant are made available, with each of the supply lines providing the coolant to multiple cabinets. Moreover, the cabinets are arranged in rows and columns such that the cabinets along a row are spaced closer together than the cabinets along a column. Furthermore, each row of the cabinets receives coolant from alternating coolant supply lines. |
| US09258926B2 |
System and method for fluid cooling of electronic devices installed in a sealed enclosure
A system and method for cooling electronic devices disposed with the innermost volume of a hollow-walled fluid-tight sealed enclosure. Thermally conductive fluids that fill one or more volumes within the hollow walls of said sealed enclosure may be circulated away from said sealed enclosure to an external heat exchange mechanism. The innermost volume of the sealed container contains one or more single phase or multi-phase dielectric thermally conductive fluids, which may be circulated passively by convection or actively by means of a pump, bubbler, fan, propeller or other means. Pressure balancing mechanisms may be included to maintain suitable pressure of gaseous fluid in the innermost volume of the sealed container. |
| US09258925B2 |
Selective clamping of electronics card to coolant-cooled structure
Methods of fabricating cooling apparatuses are provided which include: providing a thermal transfer structure configured to couple to an electronics card, the thermal transfer structure including a clamping structure movable between opened and clamped positions; and providing a coolant-cooled structure configured to reside within, and be associated with a receiving slot of, an electronic system within which the electronics card operatively inserts, the coolant-cooled structure residing between the electronics card and, at least partially, the clamping structure when the transfer structure is coupled to the electronics card and the card is operatively inserted into the receiving slot, wherein the opened position facilitates insertion of the electronics card into the electronic system, and movement of the clamping structure to the clamped position facilitates clamping of the thermal transfer structure to the coolant-cooled structure, and thermal conduction of heat from the electronics card to the coolant-cooled structure. |
| US09258921B1 |
Systems and methods for securing electrical receptacles in a user device
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for securing a port component of a user that receives a connection component to a remote device. The port component may be secured by a docking component that may include compressible features that apply a force to the port component to insure proper alignment or orientation to receive the connection component. |
| US09258920B2 |
Display arrangement and the mounting thereof
The invention relates to a display arrangement and the mounting thereof. |
| US09258919B1 |
Firewall insert box
The invention described herein is a fire protection device in the form of an insert designed to be quickly installed in new or existing electrical boxes located in firewalls. This insert is comprised of a material designed to withstand high direct heat and serve as a barrier to the passage of direct heat or smoke and gases through firewalls rated under ASTM E-119. The insert features a flanged open end which overlaps any gaps between the existing electrical box and the wall. The back wall of the insert box may have either openings to permit wires to pass through to the electrical device or a plug-harness assembly which obviates the use of holes in the back of the insert box. |
| US09258918B2 |
Module for integrated control electronics having simplified design
A housing concept for integrated control electronics, comprising a housing bottom, a circuit carrier populated with electronic components of the central control electronics, and a signal and current distribution component as the electric connection between the central control electronics and peripheral components. The housing bottom is configured in the shape of a basin, the circuit carrier for the electronic components of the central control electronics being disposed therein such that the same can be electrically connected on at least one upwardly curved edge region to the signal and current distribution component disposed above the same via contact points, and wherein the housing bottom may also be connected circumferentially to the signal and current distribution component. |
| US09258916B2 |
High density cassette storage system
A cassette conveying system comprising a housing having front, back, left, and right sides, wherein the front side is open; and a cassette holding assembly for holding one or more cassettes, the holding assembly including a bracket to which each cassette is coupled, each cassette including at least one device and receiving one or more cables operatively connected to the device, and a cassette conveying assembly operably coupling the cassette holding assembly to the housing such that the cassette holding assembly is linearly and rotationally movable in relation to the housing and transitionable between a stored state and a retracted state; wherein, in the stored state, the cassette holding mechanism is stored completely within the housing; and wherein, in the retracted state, the cassette holding mechanism is at least partially external the front side of the housing. |
| US09258912B2 |
Display device
A display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display device includes a display panel, a housing which houses the display panel and a frame which is disposed under the housing and comprises a first bottom portion. The first bottom portion includes a first bottom surface which is an upper surface thereof and a first base surface which is a lower surface thereof, and the frame includes a groove recessed from the first bottom surface. |
| US09258907B2 |
Conformal 3D non-planar multi-layer circuitry
A method for making conformal non-planar multi-layer circuitry is described. The method can include providing a substrate having a non-planar surface and depositing a first conformal dielectric layer on the substrate, the first conformal dielectric layer conforming to the non-planar surface of the substrate and having a non-planar surface. The method can also include applying a first conformal circuitry layer on the first conformal dielectric layer. The method can include depositing a second conformal dielectric layer on the first conformal circuitry layer, the second conformal dielectric layer conforming to a non-planar surface of the first conformal circuitry layer, and applying a second conformal circuitry layer on the second conformal dielectric layer. Successive layers can be sequentially deposited. Microvias may provide electrical connections between circuit layers. |
| US09258900B2 |
Copper foil structure having blackened ultra-thin foil and manufacturing method thereof
A copper foil structure having blackened ultra-thin copper foil of the instant disclosure includes a carrier foil, a blackened layer, a release layer, and an ultra-thin copper foil. The carrier foil includes a matte surface and a shiny surface wherein the blackened layer is disposed thereon. The release layer is disposed on the blackened layer formed with one selected from the group: copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese while the release layer is formed with one selected from the group: molybdenum, nickel, chromium, and potassium. Successively, the ultra-thin copper foil is disposed on the release layer. Laser drilling can apply to the blackened ultra-thin copper foil on the inner layers of a high density multi-layer printed wiring board, thus eliminating the traditional blackening or browning chemical process. The blackened ultra-thin copper foil in combination with a polyimide thin (PI) or other substrate materials displays desirable appearance. |
| US09258896B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor
A multilayer ceramic capacitor may have low equivalent series inductance (ESL), in which via electrodes are opposed to each other diagonally and be off-centered from positions corresponding to center points of external electrodes, so that a distance between the via electrodes is significantly reduced and a current path is reduced. |
| US09258895B1 |
Electronic device socket with an integrated decoupling capacitor and heat sink
An electronic device socket includes an insulating circuit board having a plurality of electrical terminals mounted therein, a decoupling capacitor mounted on the circuit board and a heat sink body. Each electrical terminal has a female upper end which can receive a lead of an electronic device, and a male lower end which can be received in a printed circuit board or another socket. The decoupling capacitor is electrically connected between the designated voltage and ground terminals. The heat conducting body has an upper surface configured to receive an electronic device in thermally conductive relation, and a lower surface having a recessed cavity configured to receive the circuit board. The heat conducting body has vias corresponding to the electrical terminals. The circuit board is received within the recessed cavity wherein the female upper ends of the electrical terminals are aligned with vias and receive the leads of an electronic device. |
| US09258892B2 |
Circuit materials, circuits laminates, and method of manufacture thereof
A circuit subassembly is disclosed comprising a conductive metal layer and a dielectric substrate layer having a dielectric constant of less than about 3.5 and a dissipation factor of less than about 0.006 at 10 GHz, wherein the composition of the dielectric substrate layer comprises about 5 to about 70 volume percent of borosilicate microspheres that have been treated with an alkaline solution. |
| US09258890B2 |
Support structure for stacked integrated circuit dies
Delamination of stacked integrated circuit die configurations on printed circuit boards is avoided by providing a metal trace support structure underneath the die stack. The metal trace support structure features substantially equally spaced thin metal traces in place of a contiguous metal plate which has been used in the past. Spaced apart thin metal traces are less vulnerable to thermal expansion than a metal plate which has a large thermal mass. The metal traces still provide structural stability, while preventing delamination of the die stack configuration during thermal processing. A method of attaching a bridge die stack configuration to a printed circuit board by adhering a die attach film to a field of metal traces is demonstrated. In addition, the electrical and structural integrity of the bridge die stack formed with a metal trace support structure is confirmed with test results. |
| US09258886B2 |
Printed circuit board having differential line pairs with a percentage of their lengths disposed as an outer signal layer
A printed circuit board includes an outer signal layer, a first ground layer, a first ground layer located below the outer signal layer, an inner signal layer located below the first ground layer, an second ground layer located below the inner signal layer, and a first differential signal transmission pair and a second differential signal transmission pair laid on the outer signal layer and the inner signal layer. A value h is equal to a distance between the inner signal layer and its closest ground layer. A distance between the first pair and the second pair is not more than h×3. |
| US09258884B2 |
Suppression of current component using EBG structure
A structure member is mounted in a communication apparatus including a conductive housing incorporating a dielectric substrate on which a high-frequency circuit is mounted. The structure member includes a pass member which passes a harmonic current component of an operating frequency generated in the dielectric substrate when the high-frequency circuit operates, and a suppression member having an EBG structure which suppresses a predetermined current component of the operating frequency. The structure member is provided between the dielectric substrate and the conductive housing. The suppression member is disposed along a current path of a harmonic current component flowing in the pass member. |
| US09258883B2 |
Via structure
A via structure includes a ground conductor, a floated conductor and a signal conductor. The ground conductor is electrically coupled to a reference potential. The floated conductor is electrically insulated from the ground conductor. The signal conductor is located between and insulated from the ground conductor and the floated conductor. |
| US09258882B2 |
Electronic devices comprising printed circuit boards
An electronic device may include at least one power component and a printed circuit board. The at least one power component may include a main body and a lead. The printed circuit board may include at least two conductive layers parallel to a plane. The printed circuit board may further include a mounting element and a conductor. The mounting element may include first conductive tubes. The conductor may include second conductive tubes. The first conductive tubes and the second conductive tubes may elongate through a thickness of the printed circuit board along a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. The main body of the at least one power component may be fixed to the mounting element. The lead of the at least one power component may be fixed to the conductor. |
| US09258881B2 |
SMT heat sink anchor
An electronic device includes a printed circuit board having a top surface, a clip member, a heat sink mounted on the top surface of the printed circuit board, and an anchor having a mounting portion with a solder surface for soldering to the top surface of the printed circuit board and a hook portion used to lock the clip member assembled to the heat sink. The solder surface is mounted to the top surface of the printed circuit board by surface mount technique (SMT). |
| US09258861B2 |
Apparatus for driving multi-color LED strings
An apparatus comprises red, green and blue LED strings each having a corresponding switching circuit. Each LED string is divided into a plurality of LED segments. The three LED strings are connected in parallel or in series. Each LED string may be connected in series with a respective current source or share a common current source. A controller controls each switching circuit so that the number of LED segments connected in series in the red, green or blue LED string can be respectively controlled according to a color setting signal and the voltage level of an input voltage. A first control method is provided for controlling the apparatus having a constant input voltage and a second control method is provided for controlling the apparatus having a periodically time-varying input voltage. |
| US09258858B2 |
Active capacitor circuit
The present invention relates to an active capacitor circuit (40) for use in a driver device for driving a load (22), in particular an LED unit comprising one or more LEDs (23). Further, the present invention relates to a driver device comprising such an active capacitor circuit. The proposed active capacitor circuit comprises coupling terminals (41, 42) for providing a drive voltage (vD) and/or drive current (iD) for driving a load (22) to be coupled between said coupling terminals (41, 42), an output power stage (50) coupled between said coupling terminals (41, 42) for converting said periodic current (iA) into said drive current (iD), a low frequency capacitor (46) coupled between a capacitor output terminal (48) of said output power stage (50) and a coupling terminal (42), and a control unit (60) for controlling said output power stage (50) by use of a control signal (Sd) obtained from a feedback of the drive voltage (vD), a capacitor voltage (vC) across said low frequency capacitor (46) and/or a capacitor current (iC) through said low frequency capacitor (46). |
| US09258854B2 |
LED PAR and R lamps
A PAR-type light bulb includes an LED lacking a phosphor coating, the LED covered by a lens having a phosphor coating, and a base comprising reverse threads. |
| US09258850B2 |
Microwave heating device and image fixing apparatus using the same
A heating chamber is divided into a plurality of spaces by barrier sections including a conductive material. Phase shifters having different lengths with respect to a direction and including a dielectric body having permittivity higher than air are inserted in positions of a terminal section, in the spaces except for at least one space, to differentiate positions of bottoms of standing microwaves formed in the respective spaces from each other with respect to the direction. In addition, impedance adjusters having different lengths with respect to the direction and including a dielectric body having permittivity higher than air are inserted in positions on an upstream side of a region passed by the object to be heated, in the spaces except for at least one space, to reduce differences in impedance of the spaces from an entrance of the heating chamber to the terminal section including the phase shifters. |
| US09258848B2 |
Matrix-patterned cloth
A matrix-patterned cloth includes: first and second fiber layers including mutually isolated first and second conductors, respectively; an intermediate fiber layer between the first and second fiber layers; conductive connecting yarns connecting one of the first conductors and one of the second conductors, wherein, when a pressure is applied to the matrix-patterned cloth, each connecting yarn bends so that a position of contact between the connecting yarn and the first or second conductor changes depending on how large the pressure is; a selector; and a heating controller or a resistance measuring unit. The selector scans and sequentially selects one of the first conductors and one of the second conductors. The heating controller applies voltage to intersecting areas where the selected first and second conductors intersect each other via the first and second conductors. The resistance measuring unit measures electric resistances of the intersecting areas via the first and second conductors. |
| US09258841B2 |
Method of reducing a waiting time when cancelling a connection and an electronic device therefor
A method and apparatus attempt to connect Wi-Fi direct devices with each other and quickly recognize a cancellation of a connection when the connection is cancelled. The method includes performing a provision discovery process with a counterpart Wi-Fi electronic device, performing a group owner negotiation process with the counterpart Wi-Fi electronic device, and sending a cancellation notification to the counterpart Wi-Fi electronic device when connection with the counterpart Wi-Fi electronic device is ended. |
| US09258840B2 |
Method and system of managing voice call and IP media sessions in a wireless network environment
A method and system for managing voice call and IP media sessions in a wireless communication environment are provided. The method includes determining whether a User Equipment (UE) is simultaneously performing a voice call session and at least one Internet Protocol (IP) media session over a first network cell associated with a first Radio Access Technology (RAT); continuing, if the UE is simultaneously performing the voice call session and the at least one IP media session, the voice call session over the first network cell and routing data streams associated with the at least one IP media session to the UE over a second network cell associated with a second RAT; and detaching, if the UE is not simultaneously performing the voice call session and the at least one IP media session, the UE from the first network cell associated with the first RAT. |
| US09258837B2 |
Discovery in device-to-device communication
A method in a base station comprising a memory storing one or more service types and a radio interface that communicates with a device. The method includes arranging a service scheduling by assigning at least one time slot to a service type and transmitting information on said service scheduling to a device. |
| US09258836B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and recording medium
An information processing apparatus, for communicating with a communication device using a first wireless communication protocol and a second wireless communication protocol, includes a first wireless communication unit configured to use the first wireless communication protocol and configured to receive information, relating to a start-up state of the communication device, from the communication device using the first wireless communication protocol, a second wireless communication unit configured to use the second wireless communication protocol, and a control unit configured to control a sequence for establishing connection, using the second wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication protocol, with the communication device. The control unit is arranged to change the sequence for establishing connection, using the second wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication protocol, in accordance with the content of the received information relating to the start-up state of the communication device. |
| US09258831B2 |
Apparatus and method for use in a communication system
Apparatuses and method for communication includes controlling one or more local area base stations and allocating resources of a common random access channel between the local area base stations, the resources including preambles and informing the local area base stations and user equipment within a given area about the allocation. |
| US09258830B2 |
Method and device for random access in mobile communication system
The present invention relates to a method for a terminal to execute a random access in a mobile communication system, and comprises the steps of: transmitting a random access preamble using a resource determined according to a random access setting for the terminal; and receiving a random access response including uplink approval information from a base station as a response to the preamble transmission, wherein the random access setting is determined by a group corresponding to the terminal from a first random access setting for a first terminal group or a second random access setting for a second terminal group, and a resource reserved for the second terminal group according to the second random access setting is used for transmission of the random access preamble or transmission of uplink data. |
| US09258827B2 |
Method and system for facilitating preemptive based radio channel access control
Preemptive based radio access control is facilitated. Queue data is received, wherein the queue data corresponds to a set of requests for highly prioritized communications included on a prioritized queue. The queue data is used to determine whether a set of conditions for involuntarily terminating a radio communication session has been met. Session data corresponding to characteristics for each of a plurality of radio communication sessions are also received and utilized to determine which of the plurality of radio communication sessions to terminate if the set of conditions for involuntarily terminating a radio communication session have been met. |
| US09258825B2 |
Base station apparatus, mobile terminal apparatus and communication control method
The present invention makes it possible to transmit and receive CSI-RSs adequately even when the number of CSI-RSs increase following the increase of antennas. The present invention provides a base station apparatus (20) that transmits CSI-RSs to a mobile terminal apparatus (10A) which is capable of receiving CSI-RSs for channel state measurement from a plurality of antennas, and to a mobile terminal apparatus (10B) which is capable of receiving CSI-RSs from a smaller number of antennas than the mobile terminal apparatus, and this base station apparatus has a CSI-RS allocation section (211) which allocates CSI-RSs for the number of antennas which the mobile terminal apparatus (10A) supports, to radio resources, and a transmitting/receiving section which reports, to the mobile terminal apparatus (10A), the resources where the CSI-RSs are allocated, and which, upon reporting the resources where CSI-RSs are allocated, to the mobile terminal apparatus (10B), reports part of the resources as resources to be muted. |
| US09258824B2 |
Method of reducing interference between stations in wireless LAN system, and apparatus supporting the same
An interference avoidance method performed by an Access Point (AP) in a WLAN system in an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) environment is provided. The interference avoidance method includes receiving an interference avoidance request message from the first STA, the interference avoidance request message informing that frame transmission of the AP acts as interference with a first STA; transmitting an interference avoidance response message in response to the interference avoidance request message; obtaining first channel information about a first channel between the first STA and the AP from the first STA which has received the interference avoidance response message; determining a transmitting steering matrix based on the first channel information; and transmitting data to a second STA by performing beamforming according to the transmitting steering matrix. |
| US09258822B2 |
Intelligent load balancing bandwidth allocation for multiple interface wireless devices
A system and method is provided for intelligent bandwidth allocation in a wireless communication device supporting multiple interfaces. A wireless communications device operating in connection with a first communications interface and a second communications interface is capable of switching channels back and forth so as to receive beacons from both interfaces effectively and provide enough bandwidth for each interface for data traffic to continue without any observable interruptions. |
| US09258821B2 |
Communications base station with decision function for distributing traffic across multiple backhauls
A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul. |
| US09258816B2 |
Method and apparatus for notifying a subframe configuration of multicast broadcast single frequency network
The present invention provides a method for notifying Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) subframe configuration, which comprises the following steps: a first node sends its MBSFN subframe configuration, via an X2 interface, to a second node with which the first node is connected; the first node receives the MBSFN subframe configuration of the second node as a feedback. According to the invention, a serving cell can obtain the MBSFN subframe configurations of the neighboring cells and/or RNs, so that rational utilization of resources is achieved according to the configurations. Therefore, interference between cells is reduced, and system capacity and efficiency are improved. |
| US09258813B2 |
Channel access method and apparatus using the same in wireless local area network system
A method of apparatus for channel access in a wireless local area network is provided. A station receives a channel access control message including group indication information indicating a group of stations allowed to access a channel from an access point. The station attempts contention for accessing the channel if the station belongs to the group indicated by the group indication information. |
| US09258811B2 |
Signaling method to enable controlled TX deferring in mixed license and unlicensed spectrum in carrier aggregation in future LTE-A networks
The present invention discloses a signaling method, an apparatus and a computer program for controlled transmission signal deferring utilizing both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands for carrier aggregation. In the method, a connection is established between a User Equipment and a base station. For example, based on a sensed interference level, a transmission deferring indication is generated regarding a secondary component carrier locating on an unlicensed band, in case the secondary component carrier is occupied. This indication may be generated and sent either by the base station or by the User Equipment. Finally, the secondary component carrier is deactivated for data transmission, for deferring data transmission for a certain time period. After the deferring time has passed, the data transmission can be re-performed on the same secondary component carrier, or through switching to another secondary component carrier in unlicensed spectrum. |
| US09258809B2 |
Methods for multi-point carrier aggregation configuration and data forwarding
Methods of multi-point carrier aggregation configuration and data forwarding are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a primary connection is established between a UE and a primary base station in a primary cell with a first UE-ID. A second connection is configured between the UE and a second base station in a secondary cell with a second UE-ID. Component carriers from the primary and the second connections are configured and aggregated. Mobility management functions are performed on the primary connection. In another embodiment of the current invention, a first UE data is received from a primary connection with a UE connecting to a first base station, a second UE data is received from a second base station. The first UE data and the second UE data are combined. A third UE data from a network entity is distributed to the first and the second base station. |
| US09258805B2 |
HARQ/ACK codebook size determination
Devices, methods, computer-readable media, and systems configurations for determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)-acknowledgment (ACK) codebook in wireless communication networks. A user equipment (UE) may communicate with a plurality of serving cells, wherein at least two of the serving cells include different time division duplexing (TDD) uplink-downlink (UL-DL) configurations. The UE may determine a value based on a downlink assignment index (DAI), and determine a number of downlink subframes or special subframes that are included in a bundling window associated with an uplink subframe. Further, the UE may select the lesser of the determined value or the determined number of downlink subframes or special subframes included in the bundling window to correspond to a number of subframes for which the UE needs to feedback HARQ-ACK bits for the first serving cell. |
| US09258803B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating and transmitting time and frequency resource for resource request indicator
Method and apparatus are provided to allocate a time and frequency resource of a resource request indicator (RRI) and to transmit an RRI. Codes are allocated for an RRI and other (such as non-RRI) uplink control signaling. The RRI and other uplink control signaling can be multiplexed in the same time and frequency resource, such as through multiplexing in a code division manner. |
| US09258799B2 |
Method for reporting channel information based on link adaptation in wireless local area network and the apparatus for the same
A method and device for link adaptation in a wireless local area network system, are discussed. The method may include receiving, by a responding station, from a requesting station, a requesting Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) for requesting a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) feedback via a plurality of spatial streams, the requesting PPDU including an MCS request (MRQ) field that is set to one to request the responding station to provide the MCS feedback; and transmitting, by the responding station, to the requesting station, the MCS feedback including a recommended MCS field and a recommended stream field. The recommended MCS field indicates a recommended MCS, the recommended stream field indicates a number of at least one recommended spatial stream, and the number of the at least one recommended spatial stream is less than a number of the plurality of spatial streams used for the requesting PPDU. |
| US09258798B2 |
Apparatus and method for paging in communication systems with large number of antennas
A mobile station performs a method for paging configuration in a wireless network. The method includes transmitting, to a base station, a parameter M representing a number of receiving (RX) beam instances at the mobile station in idle mode for the mobile station to finish one round of beam steering. The method also includes determining a timing for receiving a paging message from the base station, the timing being a function of the parameter M, the paging message comprising a mobile station identifier. The method further includes receiving the paging message from the base station based on the determined timing. |
| US09258796B2 |
Sensor interface with mobile terminal satellite modem and global location system
A system and method for implementing a low-power local-area network for use with a mobile terminal satellite modem. This low-power local-area network enables sensors on an asset to transmit sensor data to a mobile terminal affixed on the asset. The mobile terminal reports the sensor data along with asset position information to a centralized facility via a communications satellite. |
| US09258794B2 |
Method, and apparatus for determining the position using radio signals
A method, comprising: detecting, at an apparatus, one or more radio signals from a first location; using the one or more detected radio signals to estimate a bearing from the first location; and using the bearing estimate to determine whether further detection of one or more radio signals is required before positioning the apparatus; and positioning of the apparatus using a bearing and constraint information. |
| US09258793B1 |
Method and system for lightweight sessions in content management clients
Methods and systems for providing light weight client sessions. Connections are immediately decoupled from sessions when released by a user and made available to the same or other users. Re-authentication of the user to re-use a connection can be streamlined by maintaining client login data in a client login record cache. |
| US09258790B2 |
Dynamic power spectrum management method, spectrum optimization system and client device
The present invention provides a dynamic power spectrum management method, a spectrum optimization system, and a client device, which can improve spectrum management. The method includes: calculating, from a tax factor containing user crosstalk information, a water-filling parameter corresponding to the case that total power of each user is below or equal to a threshold of total power of the user; calculating, from the water-filling parameter, power allocated to each user in each sub-carrier until convergence is attained for all users. Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a spectrum optimization system and a client device. In effect, the present invention can improve the spectrum management. |
| US09258788B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in peer to peer communications devices and/or systems relating to rate scheduling, traffic scheduling, rate control, and/or power control
Methods and apparatus related to peer to peer communication networks are described. Embodiments directed to methods and apparatus for establishing traffic data transmission rates and/or transmission power levels between wireless terminals is described. Embodiments direct to methods and apparatus of making decisions whether or not to transmit as a function of the received power of the received response signals are also described. Transmission of pilot signals after granting of a transmission request and a decision to transmit traffic data has been made occurs in some embodiments. Rate information to be used in determining a traffic rate may be received in response to the pilot signal from a peer to peer (P2P) device. |
| US09258785B2 |
Uplink signal transmitting and receiving method and device in a wireless communication system
A method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving an uplink signal by a mobile terminal in a wireless communication system are provided. The first mobile terminal includes a receiver configured to receive, from a base station, a power control variable determined based on an interference value for a first receive beam used in order to receive an uplink signal of the first mobile terminal from among a plurality of receive beams of the base station, to receive, from the base station, neighboring receive beam allocation data indicating whether any of the receive beams in the plurality of receive beams, different from the first receive beam, is being used for uplink signal reception, to determine an uplink transmit power value based on the received power control variable and neighboring receive beam allocation data, and to transmit an uplink signal to the base station by using the determined uplink transmit power value. |
| US09258775B1 |
Location-based software updates
Techniques for determining appropriate locations to update mobile device software to prevent initiation of unwanted software updates are provided. An example method includes identifying one or more wireless access points within wireless connection range of a mobile device, determining whether a wireless access point of the one or more identified wireless access points is included in a list of preferred wireless access points, the list generated with consideration to previous software updates performed via the preferred wireless access points and durations of network connectivity during the previous software updates, scheduling one or more software updates using the wireless access point, when the wireless access point is included in the list of preferred wireless access points, and performing the scheduled software updates upon connection to the wireless access point. |
| US09258769B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product providing priority setting for multi-rat interworking
Apparatus, methods and computer program products operate an electronic device to receive through from a wireless communications network a prioritized list of radio access technologies; to store the prioritized list of radio access technologies in a memory of the electronic device; and to consult the prioritized list of radio access technologies during cell selection and reselection operations. In variants the radio access technologies listed in the prioritized list of radio access technologies can be E-UTRAN, UTRAN or GERAN. In a further variant to consult the prioritized list may mean to compare at least one of a signal measurement and a quality measurement with at least one threshold established for a certain radio access technology appearing in the prioritized list, and to select/reselect to the certain radio access technology only if the at least one of the signal measurement and the quality measurement exceeds the threshold. |
| US09258767B2 |
Methods and arrangements to compress identification
Logic to reduce the probability of hashing collisions via a single hash function. Logic may hash the service set identification (SSID) to generate a compressed SSID and determine multiple compressed SSID segments based upon the compressed SSID. Logic may generate multiple SSID segments by hashing modified versions of the SSID or modifying hashed versions of the SSID. And logic may identify the compressed SSID segment with an index number. Logic may receive one or more compressed SSID segments, determine an index number associated with the segment(s) and compare the received SSID segment against a compressed SSID segment of an SSID that is sought. Logic may generate the multiple compressed SSID segments, store the segments in memory, and compare the compressed SSID segment received in a beacon with a corresponding compressed SSID segment in the memory. |
| US09258764B2 |
System and methods for anonymous crowdsourcing of network condition measurements
A communication device and method for crowdsourcing of information from one or more communication devices. The crowdsourced information can be defined by one or more parameters defined in an operational framework. The operational framework can be, for example, an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) framework. The operational framework can include, for example, positional and/or movement information of the communication device(s), a signal quality of a communication network, a visibility duration of a communication network, data rate information of a communication network, and/or quality of service (QoS) information of a communication network. |
| US09258763B2 |
Communication apparatus and method that can promptly and efficiently perform decoding/processing of a downlink control information that is related to a search space
A communication system, a mobile station apparatus, a base station apparatus, and a processing method are provided that can perform decoding processing of a PDCCH related to a search space efficiently, and can perform communication promptly. A mobile station apparatus for performing communication with a base station apparatus in a mobile communication system: perform monitoring of a physical downlink control channel in an extension search space in accordance with an instruction from the base station apparatus. |
| US09258760B2 |
Radio communication apparatus
An in-vehicle apparatus that is a radio communication apparatus includes: a radio communication unit capable of performing radio communication using at least a 5-GHz band; a present-position detecting unit that detects a present position of the own apparatus; and a radio-communication-zone predicting unit that determines, when the radio communication unit is performing communication, whether switching of a channel of the radio communication unit is necessary on a basis of interference data, which is information concerning a coverage of a radio wave transmitted from another system that uses a 5-GHz band and transmits and receives a radio wave in a stationary state, map data, and the present position detected by the present-position detecting unit, and, when switching is necessary, further selects a switching destination channel or causes the radio communication unit to select the switching destination channel. |
| US09258758B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing long distance service for roaming mobile telephones
When a roaming telephone user in a visited network dials a long-distance number, he is transferred to a substitute telephone number which is local to that network and belongs to a service center which can route his call efficiently and cost effectively. Typically, the visited network contacts the user's home network for permission to complete the long-distance call. When that happens, the home network obtains the substitute number from a database on a telephone number server, based upon the location of the visited network, and responds to the visited network, instructing it to forward the user's call to the substitute telephone number. When the service center receives the roaming user's telephone call, it contacts the telephone number server and obtains the original long-distance number, which is stored in the database in association with the substitute telephone number. The service center is then able to route the roaming users call efficiently and cost-effectively by making use of its base of service providers. |
| US09258757B1 |
Dynamic control of transmission of reverse-link control signals
A method and system for dynamically controlling the transmission of reverse-link control signals to help reduce interference on the reverse link. A RAN identifies a mobile device whose transmission of reverse-link control signals best represents the reverse-link air interface condition of each other mobile device in a plurality of mobile devices. Then the RAN causes each mobile device in the plurality other than the identified mobile device to not send its respective reverse-link control signal at a given time, thereby reducing the number of mobile devices that transmit reverse-link control signals at the given time. |
| US09258754B2 |
Apparatus and method for multimode device handover
Systems and methods of operating multimode 3G/4G communications devices in an overlapping 3G/4G coverage area (e.g., WiMAX or LTE/CDMA EvDO) include determining if a number associated with temporarily-disabled sectors of an available sector set of the multimode device while the device is operational with a 3G base station is at least equal to a threshold number. If the number is at least equal to the threshold number, a scan for a sector in the 4G network to handover the operation of the multimode device from the 3G base station associated with the 3G coverage to a 4G base station associated with the 4G coverage is initiated. A scan for a fixed period of time for a new available sector in the 3G network to be added in the available sector set may be initiated; and, if a new available sector is added to the sector set, it may be redetermined if the number associated with the temporarily-disabled sectors is at least equal to the threshold number, before initiating the scan for a sector in the 4G network. |
| US09258751B2 |
Method and arrangement in a communication network
Method and arrangement in a network control node, for performing access control of a mobile node in a handover from a source cell to a target subscriber group cell. The method comprises obtaining a network based allowed subscriber group list, receiving a target subscriber group identification, checking if the target subscriber group identification is comprised in the obtained network based allowed subscriber group list. If it is, information from a target network control node is obtained, verifying that the received subscriber group identification corresponds to the target subscriber group cell. Still further, the method comprises granting the mobile node access to the target subscriber group cell.Also, a method and arrangement in a target network control node, for assisting a network control node in performing access control for a mobile node in a handover from a source cell to a target subscriber group cell is provided. |
| US09258747B2 |
User equipment and methods for fast handover failure recovery in 3GPP LTE network
Embodiments of User Equipment (UE) and methods for fast handover failure recovery in a 3GPP LTE network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the UE may initiate handover (HO) failure recovery by transmission of a random-access channel (RACH) 2 message when both a radio-link failure (RLF) timer and a time-to trigger (TTT) timer are concurrently running. The RACH 2 message may be a message transmitted on a random-access channel for radio-resource control (RRC) connection re-establishment. The RLF timer may be activated as part of a radio-link monitoring (RLM) process based on radio-link conditions with a serving cell, and the TTT timer may have been activated as part of a HO process based on a measurement reporting event. |
| US09258742B1 |
Policy-directed value-added services chaining
In general, techniques are described for leveraging at least one of a policy control and charging or application detection architecture for an access network to dynamically control value-added services applied to packet flows. In some examples, a policy enforcement device receives a policy rule that defines at least one of policy control and application detection by an access network for a subscriber device. The policy rule includes a service chain identifier that identifies a service chain that defines one or more value-added services to be applied in a particular order to provide a composite service for application to packet flows associated to the service chain. The policy enforcement device receives a packet sourced by the subscriber device and destined to the packet data network, applies the policy rule to the packet to associate the packet to the service chain, and forwards the packet according to the service chain. |
| US09258741B2 |
Carrier aggregation acknowledgement bits
Systems, methods, and user equipment can involve transmitting Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) bits for carrier aggregation between a first cell and a second cell in a User Equipment (UE). With the UE, for a sub-frame, a first number of ACK/NACK bits for the first cell can be compared with a second number of ACK/NACK bits for the second cell. If a first number of ACK/NACK bits for the first cell is less than a second number of ACK/NACK bits for the second cell, an ACK/NACK bit position from the first cell can be used to transmit an ACK/NACK bit for the second cell. In some implementations, one or more DTX bits can be used to set the number of ACK/NACK bits in the first cell equal to the number of ACK/NACK bits in the second cell. |
| US09258738B2 |
Distributed load balancing in a radio access network
Embodiments relate to a baseband processing apparatus (200) for processing baseband signals to or from at least one remote radio head (204), the at least one remote radio head (204) serving a radio cell of a cellular communication system, the baseband processing apparatus (200) comprising: an interface (208) to connect the baseband processing apparatus (200), as a first node (200-1) of a network (300), to a further baseband processing apparatus as a second node (200-2) of the network (300); a plurality of dedicated user data processors (210; 410; 420), wherein each is operable to process user specific data of first users being associated to the radio cell, the processing of the user specific data of the first users leading to a processing load of the first node (200-1); and a load balancer (212) operable to exchange load information with a load balancer of the second node (200-2) via the interface (208) and to distribute processing tasks between the plurality of dedicated user data processors (210; 410; 420) of the first node (200-1) and/or to distribute processing tasks between plurality of dedicated user data processors (210; 410; 420) of the first node (200-1) and the second node (200-2) in response to the exchanged load information in order to distribute processing load among different nodes of the network (300). |
| US09258736B2 |
Broadcasting of data files and file repair procedure with regards to the broadcasted data files
A method in a Broadcast Multicast Service Center, BM-SC, comprising at least two file repair servers is arranged for performing a file repair session following a broadcast transmission of a data file to a User Equipment, UE, in a radio communication system. After having determined whether a first of the file repair servers is experiencing, or is predicted to experience, an overload condition, an information message, indicating the existing or predicted overload experience of the first file repair server and capable of indicating a time interval, T, which shall have elapsed before the UE is allowed to transmit a file repair request to the first file repair server, is transmitted to the UE in case it is determined that the first file repair server is experiencing, or is predicted to experience, an overload condition. |
| US09258733B2 |
Network congestion control
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium to obtain a traffic volume value that indicates a volume of traffic to and/or from a radio node, a value that indicates a class of the radio node, or a received signal strength value that indicates a received signal strength of a macro signal received by the radio node; calculate a delay time value based on traffic volume value, the value that indicates the class, or the received signal strength value; and transmit the delay time value to the radio node, wherein the delay time value indicates a time period to wait, by the radio node, before attempting to authenticate and register with one or more network devices. |
| US09258732B2 |
Radio communication control device and radio communication terminal
A radio communication control device accepts a call-up from a radio communication terminal and includes a unit configured to detect the degree of jamming in a cell, a unit configured to confirm the intention of a user of a terminal concerned as to whether the call-up is continued regardless of addition of an extra to the user's telephone call charge when the call-up has been made from a radio communication terminal in the cell concerned in a specific jammed state, a unit configured to block the call-up concerned in accordance with the confirmed intention of the user of the terminal concerned and a unit configured to change charge setting so as to add an extra to the user's telephone call charge when the call-up has not been blocked in the specific jammed state. |
| US09258730B2 |
Wireless surveillance camera system and wireless surveillance camera device
To enable configuration and control of a camera at the same time while providing a certain band and low-delay communication for video and/or voice data, a wireless surveillance camera device includes: a signal processing unit that applies signal processing to the video and/or voice data; and a configuration unit that acquires configuration information data related to video parameters and/or wireless parameters in the device, wherein data communication of the video and/or voice data is performed for a wireless base station based on a polling system, and data communication of the configuration information data is performed for the wireless base station based on a carrier sense system. |
| US09258728B2 |
Communication scheme for channel quality information
The invention relates to a method for receiving and a method for reconstructing channel quality information in a communication system. Further, the invention also provides a transmitter and receiver performing these methods, respectively. The invention suggests a scheme for communicating channel quality measures that on the one hand allows for an accurate reconstruction of the channel quality measures at the receiver and on the other hand requires an acceptable transmission overhead. This is achieved by partitioning channel quality measures into at least two partitions and to compress the values partition-wise, for example, by means of a discrete cosine transform and the transmission of only a subset of the resulting coefficients. |
| US09258727B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating and reporting channel measurement information in wireless communication system
The present invention pertains to a method for efficiently determining the validity of terminal location information in a minimization of drive test (MDT) measurement report procedure in a 3GPP system. The method for reporting channel measurement information of a terminal in a wireless communication system according to the present invention comprises: a reception step of receiving setup information for wireless channel measurement from a base station; an acquisition step of acquiring wireless channel information, location information of the terminal, and time information when the location information is collected according to the setup information; a determination step of determining whether the location information of the terminal is valid; and a transmission step of generating and transmitting channel measurement information including the time information to the base station when valid. |
| US09258726B2 |
Methods and apparatus for spectral scanning within a network
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a spectral scanning controller configured to interrupt service at a wireless access point (WAP) such that the WAP performs spectral scanning during service interruption. The spectral scanning controller is configured to interrupt service at the WAP at a first scanning frequency when the spectral scanning controller is in a first configuration. The spectral scanning controller is configured to interrupt service at the WAP at a second scanning frequency different from the first scanning frequency when the spectral scanning controller is in a second configuration. The spectral scanning controller is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a change in at least one of a service demand, a service quality, a spectral scanning demand or a spectral scanning quality. |
| US09258724B2 |
Method and system for automatically identifying wireless signal quality of a region
A method for automatically identifying wireless signal quality of a region includes receiving signal quality information associated with wireless signals received by each of a plurality of mobile endpoints and receiving location information identifying locations of each of the plurality of mobile endpoints. The method also includes, based on the received signal quality information and the received location information, identifying a first region of an area, the first region having a first signal quality. |
| US09258723B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices with different radio link failure timers based on user equipment speed
Systems, methods, and device for adjusting an operation time of a radio link failure timer are disclosed herein. User equipment (UE) may be configured to communicatively couple to an evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The UE use different radio link failure timer parameters depending on the speed of the UE. The radio link failure timer may run for a longer time for rapidly moving UEs and run for a shorter time for slowly moving UEs. In an embodiment, the UE may scale the radio link failure timer by a scaling factor. In another embodiment, the UE may include multiple radio link failure timers for different speeds. The radio link failure timer parameters for each speed may be specified by the E-UTRAN in a one-to-one communication. The E-UTRAN may determine which parameters to use for each UE based on characteristics of the UE. |
| US09258717B2 |
Method and arrangement for detecting a malfunctioning terminal
A method and arrangement in a terminal evaluation unit for detecting a malfunctioning terminal in a cellular network is provided. Connection data is received from at least one network node in the cellular network, wherein the connection data is referring to connections of terminals when present in cells of the cellular network. A mean connection drop rate is calculated based on the connection data for the terminals when present at least in a first cell during a preset time period. An individual connection drop rate which is associated with the first terminal is determined from the connection data. Deciding, based on a ratio between the individual connection drop rate and the mean drop rate, whether or not the first terminal is malfunctioning and providing the result from the deciding action to a cellular network operator for further evaluation. |
| US09258716B2 |
Communications systems
A method of controlling spectrum use in a first wireless communications system which is operable to take part in a spectrum assignment process involving a plurality of wireless communications systems including the first wireless communications system, in which spectrum assignment process one of the said wireless communications systems assigns a portion of spectrum to at least one of the other said wireless communications systems. The method comprising effecting an instance of the spectrum assignment process in response to a trigger which is based on network conditions. |
| US09258715B2 |
Proactive security for mobile devices
Methods, program products, and systems for proactively securing mobile devices are described. A mobile device can proactively determine whether the mobile device is associated with a security risk and the level of the security risk. Upon determining a security risk, the mobile device can transmit coordinates of its current geographic location to a server. To protect privacy of authorized users, the transmission can be disabled by entering a password. If multiple failed password attempts are detected, the mobile device can proactively increase a security level of the device, and selectively protect files or other content stored on the mobile device. In some implementations, the mobile device can be transitioned into a surveillance mode where the mobile device records or captures information associated with one or more of user actions, ambient sound, images, a trajectory of the device, and transmits the recorded or captured information to the network resource. |
| US09258713B2 |
Rogue wireless beacon device detection
Techniques are presented for detecting rogue wireless beacon devices. Wireless transmissions from beacon devices are received at a plurality of receiver devices. The wireless transmissions of the beacon devices comprise packets that carry information used for location-based services for mobile wireless devices. Content of one or more fields of the packets transmitted by the beacon devices and received by one or more of the receiver devices is obtained. The content of one or more fields of the packets is analyzed to detect an unauthorized beacon device. The analyzing operation may involve comparing the content of the one or more fields of the packets against a list that contains one or more identifiers for authorized beacon devices. In another form, analyzing may involve analyzing the content of the one or more fields of the packets with pattern information related to advertising content or advertising source. |
| US09258712B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for sharing wireless network configurations
Example method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to improve user experience and security in sharing wireless network configurations. An embodiment comprises reading, by a guest wireless device, data from a machine readable medium, including accessing information, to enable the guest device to obtain credentials from an access rights server, to access an access point or network, based on the accessing information; transmitting by the guest device, a wireless message to the access rights server, requesting credentials to enable accessing the access point or network, the request including the accessing information addressing a storage partition in a database associated with the access rights server, the storage partition being accessible with the accessing information; and receiving by the guest device from the access rights server, the credentials to enable the guest device to gain access to the access point or network by using the credentials. |
| US09258709B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and controlling method therein are disclosed, by which a memo can be written and utilized conveniently in a state that an access to the mobile terminal is restricted in part. The present invention includes entering a lock screen for restricting at least one partial function of the mobile terminal, writing a memo on the lock screen in response to an input of a 1st command, and if user authentication is performed in response to an input of a 2nd command, coping with an event occurring until cancellation of the display of the lock screen using the memo. |
| US09258698B2 |
Automatic multimedia upload for publishing data and multimedia content
Disclosed herein is a method and system for utilizing a digital data capture device in conjunction with a Bluetooth (BT) enabled mobile device for publishing data and multimedia content on one or more websites automatically or with minimal user intervention. A client application is provided on the BT enabled mobile device. In the absence of inbuilt BT capability, a BT communication device is provided on the digital data capture device. The BT communication device is paired with the BT enabled mobile device to establish a connection. The client application detects capture of data and multimedia content on the digital data capture device and initiates transfer of the captured data, multimedia content, and associated files. The digital data capture device transfers the captured data, multimedia content, and the associated files to the client application. The client application automatically publishes the transferred data and multimedia content on one or more websites. |
| US09258695B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for service discovery in short-range communication environment
Embodiments enable discovery of services in a wireless communications medium. In example embodiments, a method comprises inserting, by an apparatus, an indication associated with a service requested by the apparatus to an apparatus address field of a wireless service discovery packet; and transmitting, by the apparatus, the wireless service discovery packet including the inserted indication associated with the requested service. The packet may be a Bluetooth Low Energy SCAN_REQ PDU packet. The apparatus's address field may be a non-resolvable private address format in a ScanA field of the Bluetooth Low Energy SCAN_REQ PDU packet. The apparatus may be functioning as a subscriber in a Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) network. |
| US09258694B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for wireless device discovery process
Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments enhance wireless communications device discovery processes. In an example embodiment, a method includes detecting a wireless device discovery message at an apparatus, and in response to detecting the wireless device discovery message, temporarily tuning, by the apparatus, device discovery parameters to increase a rate of detecting wireless device discovery messages. |
| US09258692B2 |
Relay assisted peer discovery
Techniques for enabling relay assisted peer discovery in a wireless communication network are disclosed. A relay may receive, from at least one user equipment (UE), at least one hashed expression to transmit. Further, a relay may compute a time dependent hash of the at least one hashed expression to transmit. The relay may broadcast, and the second UEs may receive, the time dependent hash of the at least one hashed expression. The UE may be, for example, an eNodeB. The hashed expression may be a time varied hashed expression. |
| US09258686B2 |
Media sharing community
The present invention enables a user to share his/her listening experience selectively with others without sharing headphones and without disturbing others who do not want to listen. In a preferred embodiment, a first listener can accomplish this by storing in a Portable Electronic Device or similar device a library of listening experiences, listening to one of the listening experiences, and while listening to that one listening experience streaming the one listening experience to at least one other Portable Electronic Device or similar device. A second listener at the other Portable Electronic Device can then listen to the same listening experience as the first listener at the same time. It is expected that the listening experiences will typically be songs or other music but the invention may be practiced with any type of audio content. The first listener may also create a playlist of the listening experiences in the library and make the playlist available to others. Others may use the playlist to access the library and listen to one or more listening experiences stored in the library. Also, utilizing the same interface and communication methodologies as described above, the technology platform detailed in this application can be used for commercial purposes to stream location based content, audio and otherwise, to a connected network of Portable Electronic Devices. Commercial uses of this functionality include providing commercial establishments with the ability to create synchronous (users come into a stream at the exact point that it is being streamed in real time) and or asynchronous (users can select and start a transmission from the beginning) featured channels (location based) where they can stream any self created or otherwise authorized content to other Portable Electronic Devices in their range. |
| US09258684B2 |
Media processing methods and arrangements
The disclosure relates, e.g., to media processing methods and arrangements. One method includes: obtaining first optical data in a first user's cell phone, the first optical data corresponding to a first face of a product's packaging, the product also including a second face of the packaging, the first face comprises first digital watermarking conveying first data and the second face comprises second digital watermarking convey second data; analyzing the first optical data to obtain the first data therefrom; responsive to providing the first data to a remotely located computer resource, the first user's cell phone receiving a first response; obtaining second optical data in a first user's cell phone, the second optical data corresponding the second face of the packaging; analyzing the second optical data to obtain the second data therefrom; responsive to providing the second data to a remotely located computer resource, the first user's cell phone receiving a second response, the second response being different from the first service; and storing in the cell phone an association between: i) the first data and the first response, and ii) the second data and the second response. Of course other methods, combinations and systems are disclosed as well. |
| US09258680B2 |
Location-transmitting device for determining location of a wireless communication device
A location-transmitting device autonomously transmits a signal containing location data for the location-transmitting device to any nearby wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may then transmit said location data to a third party, such as an E-911 dispatch center or a provider of a commercial location-based service. |
| US09258678B2 |
Closed loop athlete training system
An athletic training system includes a personal electronic device having a processor, a memory, and a GPS sensor. The processor runs an application that calculates at least one of distance traveled, elevation change, and speed, of the user carrying the personal electronic device, and based upon location information obtained from the GPS sensor provides a training-related message to the user based upon at least one of the calculated distance traveled, elevation change, and speed. |
| US09258677B2 |
Improving scalability and reliability of hardware geo-fencing with failover support
Systems and methods disclosed herein may include tracking one or more geo-fences using a GNSS hardware processor within a computing device. The tracking may use at least one GNSS signal. State changes of the one or more geo-fences during the tracking may be saved in a shared state database. The shared state database may be shared between the GNSS hardware processor and an application processor within the computing device. Upon detecting a deterioration of the at least one GNSS signal, tracking the one or more geo-fences may be switched from using the GNSS hardware processor to using the application processor. After the switching, an initial state of each of the one or more geo-fences may be set by using states currently stored in the shared state database prior to the switching. |
| US09258672B2 |
Short-range wireless communication device
A short-range wireless communication device, utilized with a communication partner terminal that executes a cooperative application while switching between foreground and background operations when a predetermined protocol is established between the communication partner terminal and the short-range wireless communication device, and disconnects a protocol by changing the cooperative application from the foreground operation to the background operation, includes: a control device that determines whether a condition of returning the cooperative application from the background operation to the foreground operation is satisfied, determines whether the cooperative application returns to the foreground operation according to an operating status of an application in the communication partner terminal when the condition is satisfied, and transmits a request for establishment of the protocol to the communication partner terminal when the cooperative application returns to the foreground operation. When the cooperative application does not return to the foreground operation, the control device repeatedly acquires the operating status. |
| US09258668B2 |
Mobile application framework extensibiilty
In an example embodiment, extending an application distributed to a plurality of devices may be accomplied by receiving one or more configuration files. Then the configuration files on a platform server. Then the application may be distributed to the plurality of devices, the application containing code performing one or more calls to the one or more configuration files. Then an update to the one or more configuration files may be received. Then the update to the one or more configuration files may be stored on the platform, thereby altering the application distributed to the plurality of devices without recompiling the application. |
| US09258666B2 |
State migration of edge-of-network applications
A system and method that externalizes mobile device state migration (i.e., checkpointing) without being dependent upon any particular Edge Application (EdgeApp) proxy server or cellular network base station. In this manner, the Edge Application (EdgeApp) proxy server does not have to be aware of a migration process, yet will enable state information to be provided to other EdgeApp proxy/server nodes at the edge of the network (cell tower). |
| US09258660B2 |
Reset circuit for MEMS capacitive microphones
A method of initiating a reset sequence for a MEMS capacitive microphone. The method includes monitoring an output of a microphone and detecting a mute condition in the output of the microphone indicative of a fault condition. The method also includes activating a timing circuit. The timing circuit is configured to indicate when a certain time period since the initiation of the timing circuit has elapsed. Upon expiration of the time period indicated by the timing circuit, a microphone reset sequence is initiated. |
| US09258659B2 |
Method of detecting enclosure leakage of enclosure mounted loudspeakers
A method of detecting enclosure leakage of an electrodynamic loudspeaker mounted in an enclosure or box may include applying an audio signal to a voice coil of the electrodynamic loudspeaker through an output amplifier and detecting a voice coil current flowing into the voice coil. A voltage across the voice coil may be detected and an impedance or admittance of the loudspeaker across a predetermined audio frequency range may be detected based on the detected voice coil current and voice coil voltage. A fundamental resonance frequency of the loudspeaker may be determined based on the detected impedance or admittance and compared with a nominal fundamental resonance frequency of the loudspeaker representing a sealed state of the enclosure. Acoustic leakage of the enclosure may be detected based on a deviation between the determined the fundamental resonance frequency and the nominal fundamental resonance frequency of the electrodynamic loudspeaker. |
| US09258658B2 |
Test device for a speaker module for a listening device
The application relates to a test device for a speaker module of a listening device, the speaker module comprising a speaker unit for converting an electric output signal to an output sound. The application further relates to a test system and to a data update device. An object of the present application is to provide an alternative scheme for identifying a receiver (speaker) in a listening device, e.g. a hearing aid. The problem is solved in that the test device being a separate device adapted for being electrically connected to the speaker module in a test situation, but not during normal operation of the listening device. An advantage of the invention is that it provides a flexible alternative to a receiver identification solution that is integrated into the listening device. |
| US09258657B2 |
Method of manufacturing a soft custom ear mold and a soft custom ear mold
A soft custom ear mold (300) comprising: an inner ear mold part (100) consisting of a first bushing (101), a sound tube (102) and an ear wax guard bushing (103), and an outer ear mold part (200) that is adapted to fit an individual ear canal and comprises a sound conduit having holding means adapted to engage said inner part (100). The holding means defines the correct positioning of said inner part (100) in the sound conduit of said outer part (200) whereby a precise and stable positioning of the ear wax guard bushing (103) in the soft custom ear mold (300) is provided. The invention also relates to a hearing aid comprising such an ear mold (300, 900), a method for manufacturing such an ear mold and a tool for carrying out a part of said manufacturing method. |
| US09258656B2 |
Sound acquisition and analysis systems, devices and components for magnetic hearing aids
Disclosed are various embodiments of components and devices in a sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid that include a sound acquisition device. In one embodiment, the sound acquisition device is configured to be positioned between a magnetic spacer and a magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by an EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the patient's skull or a test fixture. |
| US09258655B2 |
Method and device for frequency compression with harmonic correction
Artifacts occurring during frequency compression, in particular in the case of hearing aids, are avoided or reduced. The method compresses the frequency of an audio signal having a fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic. The audio signal is provided in a plurality of frequency channels. The harmonic of the audio signal is shifted or mapped from a first frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels into a second frequency channel. In addition a frequency which is likewise harmonic with respect to the fundamental frequency is estimated in the second frequency channel, the harmonic being shifted or mapped onto the estimated frequency. As a result the harmonic pattern is preserved in the compressed signal and the artifacts are reduced. |
| US09258651B2 |
Transparent parametric transducer and related methods
A transparent ultrasonic audio speaker includes an emitter and a driver. The emitter can include first and second transparent conductive sheets. The conductive sheets can comprise a base layer and a conductive layer, and can be transparent. The transparent ultrasonic audio speaker can be configured to be positioned on or in place of the display screen of a content device. |
| US09258644B2 |
Method and apparatus for microphone beamforming
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a camera system and an optimization system. The optimization system is configured to communicate with the camera system. At least one microphone is connected to the optimization system. The optimization system is configured to adjust a beamform of the at least one microphone based, at least in part, on camera focus information of the camera system. |
| US09258642B2 |
Audio-optical arrangement, accessory, earpiece unit and audio device
There is provided an arrangement, an accessory, an audio device, and at least one earpiece unit. The accessory is suitable for an audio device capable of providing an electrical audio signal. The accessory comprises first and second signal conveyers for conveying electrical audio signal driving audio transducers and electrical optic signal driving optical radiation sources, respectively. The audio transducers and the optical radiation sources are located in the earpiece unit. |
| US09258636B2 |
Headphone set
In a conventional headphone set, there is a possibility that a headband cannot be put in a suitable position when an ear pad is snugly mounted on an ear. A headphone set of this disclosure includes speaker units which output a sound. The headphone set also includes: speaker housings which are brought into contact with a user; connecting portions which are connected to the speaker housings in a state where the speaker housings are movable in a forward and rearward direction of the user; and a headband which has connecting portions on end portions thereof and is mounted on a head of the user in directions toward a crown of the head of the user. Due to such a constitution, the headphone set can be used in a more stable manner. |
| US09258635B2 |
Control cord for headsets and auxiliary devices
A cord-based controller for an auxiliary device, such as a headset, is provided for use with a portable electronic device. A pressure-sensitive, and preferably bendable, material such as a piezoelectric pressure sensor is placed within or on an or cord of a headphone lead, such as by wrapping it within the outer shielding of the cord. A self-powered controlling sensor is arranged to control the electronic device using a generated control signal. The controlling sensor comprises a sensor material. The control signal is generated by deformation of the sensor material independent of power supplied to the headset and independent of power supplied to the portable electronic device. This is achieved without requiring a separate housing for the controller, which typically protrudes from the cord. A plurality of control sensor elements can be provided, each producing a different control signal voltage transmitted along a single control signal electrical. |
| US09258634B2 |
Microphone system with offset apertures
A microphone system has a base forming a base aperture, and a lid coupled to the base to form a package having an interior chamber. The system also has a member coupled with the base within the interior chamber, and a microphone die coupled to the member within the interior chamber. The member is positioned between the base and the microphone die and has a member aperture that is laterally offset from the base aperture. The member aperture, member, and base together form an acoustic path between the base aperture and the microphone die. |
| US09258632B2 |
Speaker box
A speaker box includes an upper case defining at least a first hole, a lower case connected with the upper case for forming an inner cavity and defining at least a second hole, at least an electroacoustic transducer received in the inner cavity, and at least a screw passing through the first hole and the second hole for fixing the speaker box to an external electronic device. |
| US09258631B1 |
Micro-speaker
A micro-speaker is disclosed. The micro-speaker includes a frame, a magnetic circuit unit in the frame, a diaphragm, and a voice coil connected to the diaphragm. The frame includes a plurality of blocks for positioning the magnetic circuit unit. The voice coil includes a pair of lead wires. The block has an upper surface, a side surface and a bottom surface treated by laser direct structuring process for electrically connecting to the lead wires of the voice coil. |
| US09258626B2 |
Annotating an object in a video with virtual information on a mobile terminal
Embodiments of the present invention provide a visual interlock system for providing product information by displaying video content annotated with virtual information (stored as metadata) such as advertisement information or a social network service (SNS) message from a friend. Specifically, among other things, embodiments of the present invention provide a system that allows a video playing on a television to be simultaneously played on a mobile device. The system searches for virtual information related to a visual object in the video. The virtual information is stored as metadata. The virtual object in the video is annotated with the virtual information. The annotated video is displayed on the user terminal. |
| US09258617B2 |
System and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program
A system and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. |
| US09258616B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events
Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events are described. Some embodiments provide a shopping facilitator as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. As the media device presents a media content event showing multiple items, the shopping facilitator is configured to receive an indication that a viewer is interested in purchasing one of the multiple items. The shopping facilitator then identifies the item of interest, and at a later time provides a shopping facility that can be can be used by the viewer or some other user to purchase the item. In some embodiments, the media content event is presented without any indication that items shown in the media content event are for sale. Furthermore, the shopping facilitator may perform its functions without interrupting or otherwise disrupting the viewing of the media content event. |
| US09258613B2 |
Method and apparatus for manipulating video content
An apparatus and method for manipulating video content that includes accessing, from a server, a list of one or more Internet Protocol television (IPTV) devices and selecting an IPTV device from the list. The server provides a content list of content that may be played on the selected IPTV device. The secondary device provides a control function and reachability (availability to communicate) of the selected IPTV device is determined by the server. The execution of the control function provided by the secondary device is independent of whether the selected IPTV device is reachable or not. |
| US09258611B2 |
Multi-source assisted content delivering system
While receiving content from a source via a first connection, a receiver determines the connection is interrupted, selects an alternative source, and continues to receive the content from the alternative source via a second connection. In some implementations, the alternative source may be a server. In implementations, the alternative source may be additional receivers configured in a peer-to-peer arrangement. In various implementations, after the receiver determines that the first connection is interrupted, the receiver may utilize the second connection until finished receiving the content, continue receiving the content utilizing the first connection once no longer interrupted, or determine that the second connection is interrupted and select an additional alternative source to continue receiving the content from via a third connection. In one or more implementations, various components of the broadcast system may assist the receiver in continuing to receive the content from the alternative source via the second connection. |
| US09258610B2 |
Correlation of media metadata gathered from diverse sources
A DVR, server, or other agent correlates media metadata from diverse sources, like an EPG data provider and multiple video-on-demand (VOD) service providers. Metadata sets from different sources are compared in order to attempt to identify identical programs to which the metadata sets pertain. From at least one metadata set, information about the program that the other metadata set lacks is selected. A “canonical” data structure instance for the program is created. The information that is lacking from at least one of the metadata sources is inserted into that instance. For each source from which a program is available, the DVR stores the identity of that source on the DVR's persistent storage device in association with the canonical data structure instance for that program. The DVR receives search criteria from a user and then searches the stored canonical data structure instance for programs that satisfy the criteria. |
| US09258608B2 |
System and method for managing entitlements to data over a network
A system and method for determining entitlement to content residing on a server. A subscriber account with a multi-channel video program distributor (MVPD) includes subscription information indicative of the services provided by the MVPD to the subscriber. A computing device operated by the subscriber sends a request for access to content controlled by the MVPD. The request is received by the MVPD and forwarded to an entitlements server. The entitlement server sends an access granted message to the MVPD when the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content. The IP address of the subscriber computing device is used to determine whether the computing device is connected to the network via a network access device authorized by the MVPD. The “on-net” or “off-net” status of the computing device may be used to determine whether the subscriber receives the requested content and/or a quality of service level applied to the content. |
| US09258607B2 |
Methods and apparatus to determine locations of audience members
A disclosed example method involves determining, using a neural network at a stationary unit, a first distance of a first portable audio detector from the stationary unit, the first portable audio detector associated with a first panelist, the stationary unit located in proximity to the media presentation device. The example method also involves determining, using the neural network, a second distance of a second portable audio detector from the stationary unit, the second portable audio detector associated with a second panelist. In response to the first distance being less than a threshold distance, the media is credited as exposed to the first panelist. In response to the second distance being more than the threshold distance, the media is not credited as exposed to the second panelist. |
| US09258604B1 |
Commercial detection based on audio fingerprinting
A commercial detection system generates a probe audio fingerprint of an audio signal associated with a media stream on a broadcast channel and determines whether the media stream has commercial content based on analysis of the probe audio fingerprint. The commercial detection system determines whether a same match between the probe audio fingerprint and a reference audio fingerprint is observed across multiple broadcast channels. Responsive to the number of same matches exceeding a predetermined threshold, the commercial detection system determines that the media stream has commercial content. The commercial detection system may also apply a trained feature analysis model to extracted acoustic features of the audio signal. The commercial detection system determines whether the media stream has commercial content based on a confidence score assigned to the probe audio fingerprint. The commercial detection system reduces false positive detection using program guide information of the media stream. |
| US09258602B2 |
System and method for transmitting a video signal from a transmitter to a receiver and reading and writing EDID
The present invention relates to system and method of reading and rewriting EDID in a video transmission system includes a transmitter transmitting a video signal and a receiver receiving the video signal that the transmitter transmitted which are connected to each other through digital interface, the method includes a reading step where the transmitter reads the EDID of the receiver through the digital interface; a first transmitting step where the transmitter transmit the video signal to the receiver on the basis of the EDID which the transmitter read; a second transmitting step where the receiver transmits a first message related to the EDID of the receiver; and a third transmitting step where the receiver transmits a second message related to the EDID of the receiver; wherein the transmitter, which received the first message from the receiver, does not read the EDID of the receiver until the second message is received. |
| US09258599B2 |
Systems and methods for interrupted program recording
Program recording systems and methods are operable to adjust recording times of a program of interest in response to an occurrence of an interrupting program that alters the scheduled recording times of the program of interest. An exemplary embodiment receives an unscheduled program flag (UPF) corresponding to an occurrence of an unscheduled program; adjusts at least one of a scheduled recording start time associated with the program of interest to an updated record start time and a scheduled recording end time associated with the program of interest to an updated record end time in response to receiving the UPF; and records the program of interest based upon at least one of the updated record start time and the updated record end time. |
| US09258598B2 |
Video display system, information processing apparatus and video display apparatus
An information processing apparatus generating and outputting video signals, a video display apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus and displaying a video based on the video signals received from the information processing apparatus, and a video display system including the information processing apparatus and the video display apparatus, in which a display stop instruction signal is output from the information processing apparatus toward the video display apparatus via a signal line for transmitting, to the information processing apparatus, a connection signal indicating that the video display apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus to stop and resume the display of the video without delay while preventing a malfunction, during which a pseudo connection signal is generated so that the video display apparatus is not deemed to be removed from the information processing apparatus. |
| US09258595B2 |
Device for processing and method for transmission of encoded data for a first domain in a network pertaining to a second domain
The processing device is intended to be connected to a network of the second domain so as to receive data encrypted according to an encryption method specific to the first domain. It comprises: a memory for containing a first secret specific to the first domain; means of decryption of the data encrypted with the aid of the first secret so as to obtain decrypted data; means of encryption of the data decrypted according to an encryption method specific to the second domain, so that the data encrypted by said means of encryption cannot be decrypted other than with the aid of a second secret specific to the second domain. The invention also relates to the method for transmitting data encrypted with the aid of the secret specific to the first domain in the network of the second domain. |
| US09258594B1 |
Wireless entertainment center
An entertainment delivery system including a delivery station configured for receiving an order for entertainment content from a telephone, the telephone being configured to receive entertainment content over a wireless network, the telephone also having a display device adapted to display said entertainment content, a database coupled to the delivery station, wherein the delivery station is configured for retrieving the entertainment content from the database when the order is received, the entertainment content including video content for display, and a billing database coupled to the delivery station, wherein the delivery station is configured for sending a billing record corresponding to a user account associated with the telephone to the billing database when the order is received. |
| US09258591B2 |
Video transmitting system for monitoring simultaneous geographically distributed events
A video transmitting system including a plurality of video cameras, a plurality of video monitoring apparatuses, a plurality of local storage devices, a data transmission subsystem, at least one video data collecting and transmitting apparatus, at least one collecting storage device, and at least one interface apparatus is presented. Video data from the video cameras are stored in the local storage devices and transmitted through the data transmission subsystem to be stored in the collecting storage device and to be transmitted to users. |
| US09258588B2 |
Current device location advertisement distribution
In embodiments of current device location advertisement distribution, a mobile network operator receives media content from a content service and can then communicate the media content to a client device via a wireless distribution point. A device location service determines that a current location of the client device is not within a geographic region associated with the client device, and updates the current location of the client device from location data that identifies the current location of the client device. The media content can then be updated for distribution to the client device along with advertisements that correspond to an advertising locale, which includes the current location of the client device. |
| US09258586B2 |
Periodically increasing pay-per-use credit associated with room as long as user remains utilizing room
A hospitality establishment includes guest rooms having media devices installed therein. Each guest room has one or more in-room media devices for providing a pay-per-use media function. A media system controller dynamically associates a credit corresponding to a monetary value with a particular guest room in response to an occurrence of a first event, configures an in-room media device of the particular guest room to indicate the credit associated with the particular guest room and allow a guest of the particular guest room to utilize at least an amount of the credit toward an order of the pay-per-use media function, activates the pay-per-use media function on at least one of the in-room media devices of the particular guest room in response to a received order, and decreases the credit associated with the particular guest room according to the amount of the credit utilized toward the received order. |
| US09258585B1 |
Subscription and channel management technology
Subscription and channel management technology, in which a system allows a user to subscribe to a subset of the available channels on a content delivery network and personalize at least one channel. The system identifies a user identity of the user and stores, in a user database, channel subscription information for the user identity based on the subset of channels to which the user subscribed and the user personalization. The system identifies a downloader device associated with the user identity and controls the downloader device based on the channel subscription information stored in the user database. |
| US09258582B2 |
Secure combined interoperable multiplexing
Systems and methods for combining a plurality of transport streams into a single transport stream for transmission to, e.g., a single frequency network via a satellite. Embodiments provide receiving a plurality of original, e.g., MPEG-compliant, data streams, where each original data stream has its own timing information, combining the plurality of original data streams into a single combined data stream which is also, e.g., MPEG compliant, modulating the single combined data stream for uplink to a satellite, receiving a downlink transmission from the satellite, where the downlink transmission includes the single combined data stream, de-combining the single combined data stream into the plurality of original data streams, and passing respective original data steams to, e.g., one or more DVB-T modulators for broadcast into a single frequency network. |
| US09258580B1 |
Dissemination of video files to mobile computing devices over a communications network
A server for disseminating a video file to mobile subscriber over a mobile communications network is disclosed. The server comprises a processor programmed for storing a record for each mobile subscriber, defining a criteria for selecting mobile subscribers for videos, wherein said criteria is based on data from a record for a mobile subscriber, selecting a group of mobile subscribers by identifying the records that match said criteria, generating, for each mobile subscriber of the group, a video message in a format that corresponds to the operating system indicator and the video format indicator for said mobile subscriber, and transmitting a video message to the mobile phone number in the record, wherein the video message is transmitted according to the method of access indicator for said mobile subscriber. |
| US09258577B2 |
Meta channel media system control and advertisement technology
Media system control technology, in which an advertisement on a selected content channel being experienced by a user using a media system is detected, advertisement preferences of the user are accessed from electronic storage, and secondary content is selected based on the accessed advertisement preferences of the user. The secondary content is substituted for the advertisement on the selected content channel, and the media system is controlled to output the secondary content instead of the advertisement. |
| US09258576B2 |
Multimedia program information
A disclosed system and method relate to presenting a program guide that includes information associated with an instance of programming, including audio information and visual information. A request for the information associated with the instance of programming is received, and a determination is made whether delivery of the first audio information could be completed within a threshold time after receiving the request. The audio information is provided to a user in connection with the visual information when the delivery of the first audio information could be completed within the threshold time. Alternatively, when the delivery of the first audio information could not be completed within the first threshold time, other audio information associated with the instance of the programming is obtained and provided to the user in connection with the visual information. |
| US09258575B2 |
Cloud based location shifting service
A method and system for enabling users to access video capture services from a home market while temporarily located in outside of it, i.e., roaming. The user temporarily located outside of their home market uses a regional system as a proxy in a home market in which the user is able to receive regional content. The regional system then transfers the regional content to the roaming user. |
| US09258573B2 |
Pixel adaptive intra smoothing
The present invention relates to spatial prediction of pixels of a block, the block being a block of a digital image. In particular, for a block pixel at least one reference pixel(s) is selected and out of the selected reference pixel(s), the block pixel is predicted. In particular, the prediction of the block pixel is performed depending on the distance of this pixel to the reference pixel(s) from which it is to be predicted. |
| US09258572B2 |
Video processing system and transcoder for use with layered video coding and methods for use therewith
A video processing system includes a video transcoder that receives a independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream that requires the independent video layer for decoding, the video transcoder generating a transcoded video signal based at least one of the independent video stream and the dependent video layer stream. |
| US09258570B2 |
Video coding / decoding with re-oriented transforms and sub-block transform sizes
Techniques and tools for video coding/decoding with sub-block transform coding/decoding and re-oriented transforms are described. For example, a video encoder adaptively switches between 8×8, 8×4, and 4×8 DCTs when encoding 8×8 prediction residual blocks; a corresponding video decoder switches between 8×8, 8×4, and 4×8 inverse DCTs during decoding. The video encoder may determine the transform sizes as well as switching levels (e.g., frame, macroblock, or block) in a closed loop evaluation of the different transform sizes and switching levels. When a video encoder or decoder uses spatial extrapolation from pixel values in a causal neighborhood to predict pixel values of a block of pixels, the encoder/decoder can use a re-oriented transform to address non-stationarity of prediction residual values. |
| US09258568B2 |
Quantization method and apparatus in encoding/decoding
A method and apparatus is provided for implementing quantization in encoding/decoding. Firstly, the quantization on the picture transformed coefficient matrix is performed using a quantization parameter model, that is, the coefficient matrix is modeled as a parameter model represented by only several parameters, in which the parameter model includes two sorts of parameters, frequency band distribution parameters and frequency band weighting parameters. Thus, a quantization matrix conforming to the human vision system can be obtained by controlling the model parameters and the subjective quality of the encoded picture can be easily controlled. Secondly, the method does not need to store or transfer the quantization matrix in the bitstream which help to improve the encoding efficiency. Finally, the quantization on picture transformed coefficients using the method is well adapted to the content information of the picture to be encoded. Therefore, the present invention can improve the subjective quality of the encoded picture. |
| US09258557B2 |
Rate optimization for scalable video transmission
The disclosure concerns encoding of information, such as content information for streaming, in a scalable manner. That is, a base layer of encoded content can be supplemented by one or more enhancement layers as channel capacity allows. Definition of bounds for the base layer and the one or more enhancement layers is governed by long-term channel information, while selection of layers for transmission at a particular time is governed by short-term, or instantaneous, channel state considerations. |
| US09258552B2 |
Playback device, compound-eye image pickup device, playback method and non-transitory computer readable medium
There is provided: a CPU that, in at least one case among a case in which fluctuation of a fixed interval in the acquired parallax amount is greater than a predetermined value, and a case in which the parallax amount reaches a predetermined allowed limit value, or a case in which an object of acquisition of the parallax amount can no longer be detected, judges that there is an abnormality in the parallax amount, and that, in a case that is none of these, judges that there is no abnormality in the parallax amount, and that, when it is judged that there is no abnormality in the parallax amount, carries out first parallax adjustment, and that, when it is judged that there is an abnormality in the parallax amount, switches to control of a second parallax adjustment and carries out parallax adjustment. |
| US09258549B2 |
Single-chip sensor multi-function imaging
Mixed mode imaging is implemented using a single-chip image capture sensor with a color filter array. The single-chip image capture sensor captures a frame including a first set of pixel data and a second set of pixel data. The first set of pixel data includes a first combined scene, and the second set of pixel data includes a second combined scene. The first combined scene is a first weighted combination of a fluorescence scene component and a visible scene component due to the leakage of a color filter array. The second combined scene includes a second weighted combination of the fluorescence scene component and the visible scene component. Two display scene components are extracted from the captured pixel data in the frame and presented on a display unit. |
| US09258547B2 |
Intelligent device with both recording and playing back 3D movies and the relevant apparatus and methods
Present invention relates to apparatus and methods for integrating both 3D video recording and 3D movies playing back together on intelligent devices or smart devices, wherein the method of the 3D movies recording can increase the view depth beyond human eye capability and the method and apparatus of 3D movies playing back provide large tolerance to eye motion and viewer is able to avoid the suffers from side effects of vertigo, headache, and eye fatigue; wherein intelligent devices is any one of cell-phone, PDA, iPhone / smartPhone, iPad, Google Glass, pocket/tablet PC, GPS, or eBook, laptop or notebook, computer, TV or iTV, etc. |
| US09258546B2 |
Three-dimensional imaging system and image reproducing method thereof
A three dimensional (3D)imaging system capable of effectively displaying a 3D image suitable for a user by use of different cameras, and an image reproducing method thereof, the 3D imaging system configured to have different cameras freely selected without restriction while enabling the placement of the cameras thereof to be changeable according to the disposition of eyes of the user, so that a 3D image is generated and displayed from a stereo image adapted to the user, and by using the by-user generated 3D image, various contents services including a real time broadcasting, a Contents on Demand (COD), games, and a video communication are provided to a user, so that the fatigue or dizziness of a user is reduced, and the optimum perception of 3D sense is provided. |
| US09258541B2 |
Apparatus and method for receiving digital broadcasting signal
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for receiving a digital broadcasting signal including a three-dimensional image and displaying a two-dimensional image. The apparatus for receiving the digital broadcasting signal according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a tuner for receiving the digital broadcasting signal including a video stream for forming the three-dimensional image and signaling data; a signaling data processor for decoding the digital broadcasting signal including a 2D display window table, which includes information for a partial area of a video image according to the video stream; and a display unit for displaying the video image of the video stream as the two-dimensional image using the information for the partial area. |
| US09258533B2 |
Method for configuring a monitoring system and configurable monitoring system
The invention relates to a method for configuring a monitoring system which is based on a recording of altitude maps, comprising the following steps:—an altitude map of a monitored area is recorded with the monitoring system in a state in which no objects or persons to be detected are located in the monitored area,—determination of destruction points, caused by obstacles, in the altitude map which is recorded in this way,—definition of a detection area as a component area of the altitude map in such a way that all the disruption points, or at least some of said disruption points, lie outside the detection area,—setting of an evaluation unit of the monitoring system such that it only evaluates movements within the detection area. The invention also relates to a correspondingly configurable monitoring system. |
| US09258522B2 |
Privacy setting for medical communications systems
A communication arrangement including a room having at least one communication device therein, the at least one communication device receiving in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio within the room. The communication arrangement also includes a communication system for transmitting the in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio from within the room to a location remote from the room. The communication system has a privacy setting that, when activated, prevents viewing of the in-room images or in-room video and/or hearing of the in-room audio from within the room at the location remote from the room and communicates to the location remote from the room that the privacy setting is activated. |
| US09258520B2 |
Video communication terminal and method of displaying images
A mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a display, a camera for obtaining images, and a processor for causing an image to be displayed on the display and for causing images to be communicated via the communication unit. The processor may be further configured to obtain a first image from the camera, obtain a substantial mirror image of the first image to form a second image, display the second image on the display, and communicate the first image to a receiving device via a wireless communication link. |
| US09258512B2 |
Digital video recorder broadcast overlays
A secondary media stream is displayed within a primary media stream. In response to receiving a first user selection of two media streams for simultaneous viewing on a display device, a second user selection of a primary media stream and a secondary media stream from the two media streams selected for simultaneous viewing is received. A set of inset definitions is extracted from metadata in the secondary media stream. A third user selection of an inset definition from the set of inset definitions is received. A user input is received to display the primary media stream to accommodate a size of the inset definition selected. The primary media stream is displayed to create an inset area for displaying the secondary media stream within the primary media stream based on the user input. The secondary media stream is displayed within the inset area of the displayed primary media stream for user viewing. |
| US09258510B2 |
Method of optical tracking a frame of an object and related optical tracking system
An optical tracking method disclosed in the present invention includes obtaining a continuous image set containing a reference light source during a period, and identifying an image characteristic variation of the continuous image set. The reference light source is set at a constant illuminated mode, and generates a known illumination variation during the period. The optical tracking method further includes comparing the image characteristic variation with the known illumination variation to determine whether a predetermined function is actuated. The predetermined function calculates position information of the reference light source on an image of the continuous image set. |
| US09258508B2 |
IR pairing for RF4CE remote controls
Systems, apparatus, and methods for pairing information appliance devices, such as set-top boxes and/or set-back boxes (the “set-top/back boxes”), to wireless remote control devices. The systems, apparatus, and methods allow the pairing between a set-top/back box and a remote control device to be made to be stateless, thereby facilitating the arbitration of subsequent pairings of the remote control device with one or more set-top/back boxes on a communications network, by a server computer communicably coupled to the respective set-top/back boxes over the communications network. |
| US09258506B2 |
Counter circuit, analog-to-digital converter, and image sensor including the same and method of correlated double sampling
A counter circuit includes a first counter and a second counter. The first counter is configured to count a first counter clock signal which toggles with a first frequency to generate upper (N−M)-bit signals of N-bit counter output signals, in response to a first counting enable signal based on a first comparison signal during a coarse counting interval. N and M are natural numbers, N is greater than M, and M is greater than or equal to 3. The second counter is configured to count a second counter clock signal which toggles with a second frequency which is higher than the first frequency to generate lower M-bit signals of the N-bit counter output signals, in response to a second counting enable signal based on the first comparison signal and a second comparison signal during a fine counting interval which follows the coarse counting interval. |
| US09258504B2 |
Semiconductor device, method of controlling the same, and camera based on reference comparison
A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of units, each including a sensor unit which accumulates charges upon photoelectric conversion and a storage unit which stores information, and a control unit which controls each of the plurality of units, wherein the control unit sequentially performs, for each of the plurality of units, first operation of comparing a reference voltage with an output signal from the sensor unit based on the amount of accumulated charges and second operation of storing information based on the comparison result in the storage unit corresponding to the sensor unit if an output signal from the sensor unit reaches the reference voltage in the first operation, and the control unit is configured to be able to start the first operation for a next unit upon skipping the second operation and skips the second operation in a predetermined period. |
| US09258503B2 |
A/D converter, image sensor, and digital camera
An A/D converter includes: an A/D converter circuit that causes a dissipation current (Idis) having dependence on an input voltage (Vin); and a counteracting current generation circuit controlled based on an output digital value (Dout) provided from the A/D converter circuit to generate a counteracting current (Icnt) that is a dissipation current for reducing the dependence of the dissipation current (Idis) on the input voltage. |
| US09258500B2 |
Backside illumination image sensor, manufacturing method thereof and image-capturing device
An image sensor includes a first pixel that is capable of outputting a focus detection signal and a second pixel that includes a semiconductor layer and a wiring layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first surface on which light enters, a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light to an electric charge and is disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The wiring layer is formed on a side of the second surface of the semiconductor layer and includes a signal output line through which the focus detection signal read out from the first pixel and an image-capturing signal generated according to the electric charge converted at the photoelectric conversion unit are output. |
| US09258496B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. A continuous shooting speed of the digital photographing apparatus may be improved by simultaneously performing a shutter operation and a read out operation of image data. A disclosed method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus includes displaying an image signal input through an image pickup device as a live view image, performing a first operation by driving a shutter, reading data from the image pickup device, and performing a second operation by driving the shutter during a time period overlapping the reading of the data. |
| US09258491B2 |
Imaging method and imaging device
Disclosed herein is an imaging method including: by an imaging device, detecting a user that can be present in a predetermined area; calculating three-dimensional coordinates of an eye and a hand of the detected the user; determining an imaging range on a basis of the calculated the three-dimensional coordinates of the eye and the hand of the user; and imaging the determined the imaging range. |
| US09258486B2 |
Optical anti-shake apparatus with switchable light path
An optical anti-shake apparatus with a switchable light path is furnished in an optical system having two light paths of different directions. The optical system also comprises a lens module, an image capturing module, an anti-shake device and a switching device. The lens module corresponds to the image capturing module in position. The switching device comprises a fixing member, a rotary member and a driving module. The rotary member is pivotal about the fixing member. The driving module is located between the rotary member and the fixing member. The anti-shake device is located on the rotary member such that the driving module can drive and rotate the rotary member together with the anti-shake device in order to perform switching operations, and thereby the light of either of the two light paths can be directed toward the lens module so as to focus at the image capturing module. |
| US09258484B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and control method for same
An image pickup apparatus performs image shake correction by driving a correction member which is movable for image shake correction. An image sensing device receives light focused by an imaging optical system and then photoelectrically converts the optical image into an image signal so as to output the image signal. An attitude sensor unit detects the attitude of the image pickup apparatus, and a drive control unit performs drive control of the correction member and position detection. A geometric deformation amount calculating unit decomposes distortion of an image into a first distortion component which varies due to the driving of the correction member and a second distortion component which does not vary due to the driving of the correction member so as to calculate correction values for the first and second distortion components. An image processing unit corrects the first and second distortion components by image processing based on the calculated correction values. |
| US09258482B2 |
Facial expression recognition apparatus, image sensing apparatus, facial expression recognition method, and computer-readable storage medium
A facial expression recognition apparatus (10) detects a face image of a person from an input image, calculates a facial expression evaluation value corresponding to each facial expression from the detected face image, updates, based on the face image, the relationship between the calculated facial expression evaluation value and a threshold for determining a facial expression set for the facial expression evaluation value, and determines the facial expression of the face image based on the updated relationship between the facial expression evaluation value and the threshold for determining a facial expression. |
| US09258481B2 |
Object area tracking apparatus, control method, and program of the same
An object area tracking apparatus has: a face detection unit for detecting a face area on the basis of a feature amount of a face from a supplied image; a person's body detection unit for detecting an area of a person's body on the basis of a feature amount of the person's body; and a main object determination unit for obtaining a priority for each of the objects by using detection results by the face detection unit and the person's body detection unit and determining a main object of a high priority, wherein for the object detected only by the person's body detection unit, the priority is changed in accordance with a past detection result of the object in the face detection unit. |
| US09258480B2 |
Techniques to selectively capture visual media using a single interface element
Techniques to selectively capture media using a single user interface element are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a touch controller, a visual media capture component, and a storage component. The touch controller may be operative to receive a haptic engagement signal. The visual media capture component may be operative to be configured in a capture mode based on whether a haptic disengagement signal is received by the touch controller before expiration of a first timer, the capture mode one of a photo capture mode or video capture mode, the first timer started in response to receiving the haptic engagement signal, the first timer configured to expire after a first preset duration. The storage component may be operative to store visual media captured by the visual media capture component in the configured capture mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09258478B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging method thereof, and computer readable recording medium
An imaging apparatus has a display control unit that causes a display unit to display target information indicating a direction to a target position with an optical axis of the imaging apparatus being a reference, based on an azimuth angle of the imaging apparatus detected by an azimuth detecting unit and an elevation angle detected by a tilt angle detecting unit. |
| US09258476B2 |
Automatic image-capturing system
An automatic image-capturing system is used for capturing an image and transmitting the image to a remote device. The automatic image-capturing system includes a photography module for capturing the image; a storage module for storing the image captured by the photography module; a transmission module for receiving a control instruction sent by the remote device; a master core module for making the photography module to capture the image based on the control instruction, and segmenting the image into a plurality of files and segmenting the files into a plurality of packets to be transmitted to the remote device by the transmission module, and a slave core module for monitoring the operations of the master core module to turn off and restart the master core module when there is an abnormal operation in the master core module. |
| US09258472B2 |
Control apparatus, control system, command transmission method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
A control apparatus that is connected to at least one image capturing apparatus by wireless communication transmits, by multicast or broadcast via the wireless communication, a command for instructing to start a prescribed operation to each image capturing apparatus, in response to detection of an operation for instructing to start the prescribed operation, and transmits, by unicast via the wireless communication, a command for instructing to end the prescribed operation to each image capturing apparatus, in response to detection of the operation for instructing to end the prescribed operation. Then, the control apparatus confirms a response to transmission of the command for instructing to end the prescribed operation, and retransmits, by unicast, the command to end the prescribed operation to each image capturing apparatus whose response is not confirmed. |
| US09258471B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, information distributing apparatus, information transmission method, information distribution method, and computer-readable storage medium storing control program therefor
An image pickup apparatus capable of preventing a user who uses another device from knowing the current location of a photographer based on shooting information about an image when an external apparatus distributes the image to the other device. A calculation unit calculates a distance from the shooting location of the image file to the current location of the image pickup apparatus. A distance determination unit determines whether the calculated distance is larger than a predetermined lower limit. A transmission control unit controls to transmit the image file to the external apparatus when the distance determination unit determines that the distance is larger than the lower limit, and not to transmit the image file to the external apparatus when the distance determination unit determines that the distance is not larger than the lower limit. |
| US09258470B1 |
Multi-aperture imaging systems
An example composite imaging system includes a first imaging system further comprising a first image sensor and a first aperture anterior to the first image sensor. The first aperture (i) is defined by an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and (ii) defines, at least in part, a field of view of the first imaging system. The first imaging system further includes a plurality of reflectors posterior to the first aperture that are configured to redirect light that crosses the first aperture to the first image sensor. The first image sensor, the first aperture, and the plurality of reflectors are arranged around a common optical axis. The composite imaging system further includes a second imaging system arranged substantially anterior to the first imaging system. The second imaging system is arranged such that the second imaging system is outside a field of view of the first imaging system. |
| US09258469B2 |
Optical device and stabilizing method for optical elements thereof
An optical device includes a base; an image sensor disposed on the base; an outer frame connected to the base and having a flat surface; an inner frame having a protrusion and movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the base; and a lens group disposed on the inner frame and having an optical axis, wherein the protrusion abuts the flat surface and the optical axis extends through the image sensor when the inner frame moves to the first position, and the inner frame is accommodated in a space when the inner frame moves to the second position. |
| US09258467B2 |
Camera module
One or more embodiments are directed to optical module assemblies, such as a camera module assembly, and methods of forming same. One embodiment is directed to an optical module assembly that includes a substrate having a first surface. An optical device is secured to the first surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the substrate. A molded body is located on the first surface of the substrate outward of the optical device. The molded body includes a first recess. A lens assembly is secured to the molded body over the first recess by an adhesive material located in the first recess. In some embodiments, the molded body of the optical module assembly further includes a second recess spaced apart from the first recess. A transparent material is secured to the molded body over the second recess by an adhesive material located in the second recess. |
| US09258464B2 |
Radiation video processing device, radiation video capturing device, radiation video capturing system, radiation video processing method and program storage medium
A radiographic video processing device includes: an acquisition section that acquires gradation signals expressing charges; and a control section that, if capture of a video image formed from plural frames is being performed with a radiation detector, and a number of the pixels, from which charges are combined and read by switching elements included in adjacent pixels of the radiation detector, has been increased, effects control such that, from a frame at a time of the increase up until a predetermined frame, the gradation signals distributed in a higher density range than that for frames subsequent to the predetermined frame are used as image data. |
| US09258463B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element and imaging device
The solid-state imaging device includes lower electrodes acting as pixel electrodes, an organic photoelectric conversion film formed on the lower electrodes and generating electric charge in response to received light, and a transparent upper electrode that are formed on a substrate having signal readout circuits. The organic photoelectric conversion film, a transition area having at least one of its film thickness and film quality undergone transition from a film thickness and film quality of an area corresponding to a pixel electrode area in which the lower electrodes have been formed is an area that starts from an outer edge of the organic photoelectric conversion film and ends at a point away from the outer edge by a distance of 200 μm or less. |
| US09258462B2 |
Camera guided web browsing based on passive object detection
Systems and methods for performing camera-guided browsing, such as web browsing, are described herein. A method for operating a camera-guided web browser as provided herein includes displaying a web page on a display associated with a portable device; passively detecting a first object within a field of view of a camera associated with the portable device; and altering at least part of the web page with first content associated with the first object in response to passively detecting the first object within the field of view of the camera. |
| US09258460B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus for correcting an image
The present disclosure relates to method and apparatus for image recovery and image correction. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to recovering images that are occluded due to some material in the optical path while capturing the images. The detection of noisy region is performed by taking the residual image between the images yielded by large sized and small sized Gaussian window smoothening filters on red, green and blue channels. The recovery of the image that alleviates the noise is obtained by point-wise multiplication of the above said residue image with a suitably synthesized Gaussian distributed co-efficient of same size. |
| US09258459B2 |
System and method for compiling and playing a multi-channel video
A system and method for compiling video segments including defining an event; providing a multi-user video aggregation interface; receiving a plurality of video segments through the aggregation interface; determining event-synchronized alignment of the plurality of videos; and assembling a multi-channel video of event, the multi-channel video file configured with at least two video segments that have at least partially overlapping event-synchronized alignment. |
| US09258453B2 |
Image capturing apparatus for enabling generation of data of panoramic image with wide dynamic range
An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing section, an image capturing control section, an image clipping section, an HDR composing section and a panoramic image composing section. The image capturing control section causes the image capturing section to repeatedly capture an image of different luminance to provide plural images of different luminance. The image clipping section clips respective data of substantially overlapping image regions of the plural images of different luminance. The HDR composing section composes the image regions each clipped by the image clipping section to generate data of plural composite images having a wider dynamic range than the image captured by the image capturing section. The panoramic image composing section joins data of the plural composite images generated by the HDR composing section to generate an image whose range is wider than that of the image captured by the image capturing section. |
| US09258448B2 |
Overhead scanner, image obtaining method, and computer-readable recording medium
An overhead scanner successively obtains a plurality of images by controlling an area sensor, calculates a movement pattern by image difference extraction by using the obtained images, detects a page turning movement on the basis of the movement pattern, and determines that a read operation be started when the page turning movement is detected. |
| US09258447B2 |
Imaging forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and recording medium
An image forming apparatus capable of receiving a raster image from an image processing controller includes: a transmitting unit transmitting device information of the image forming apparatus to an external device via the image processing controller; a determining unit determining whether the image processing controller is in a first power condition or in a second power condition consuming lower power than the first power condition; and a control unit allowing the transmitting unit to transmit the device information to the external device in a case where the determining unit determines that the image processing controller is in the first power condition, and in a case where the determining unit determines that the image processing controller is in the second power condition, restrict the transmitting unit to transmit the device information to the external device until the image processing controller returns to the first power condition from the second power condition. |
| US09258445B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system and display control method for displaying content based on a required amount of time for printing
An image forming apparatus, which executes printing according to a print request based on an instruction by a user of a client terminal, includes a print time calculation unit that calculates a required time for printing according to the print request; and a display unit that displays a plurality of contents on a display device during an execution of printing in accordance with a content list including the plurality of contents for the user, the content list being generated based on the calculated required time for printing. |
| US09258444B2 |
Displaying device having touch panel type displaying unit
An image forming apparatus, as a displaying device, displays the 2nd printing page out of a plurality of printing pages on an operation panel when the 1st to 10th images were allocated to each of the printing pages. The image forming apparatus maintains an allocation state of the 1st printing page anterior to the 2nd printing page and changes an allocation state of at least one of images corresponds to the contact points with the operation panel, when the image forming apparatus receives a gesture operation moves the contact points. The starting points of the contact points are in the 2nd printing page displayed on the operation panel. |
| US09258438B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing terminal, and information processing system
An information processing apparatus includes: a first receiving unit that receives pieces of user information on a plurality of users from a plurality of information processing terminals used by the users; an authentication processing unit that performs authentication processing of the users based on the pieces of user information; a first generating unit that generates screen information on a screen used to operate the information processing apparatus for each of the authenticated users; and a first transmitting unit that transmits the screen information to the information processing terminals used by the users corresponding thereto. |
| US09258435B2 |
Method and apparatus for a sharing capture mode
One or more embodiments may provide an apparatus, a computer readable medium, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a method for operating in a non-sharing capture mode, receiving an indication associated with joining a capture share group, the capture share group comprising at least one other apparatus, transitioning from the non-sharing capture mode to a sharing capture mode associated with the capture share group, based, at least in part, on the indication, causing capturing of a captured image, and sending a representational image indicative of the captured image to the at least one other apparatus. |
| US09258433B1 |
Usage monitoring control for mobile networks
In general, techniques are described for facilitating usage monitoring control in mobile networks. A mobile gateway comprising one or more processors and a memory may be configured to perform the techniques. The one or more processors may be configured to establish a session by which a mobile device is to access a service of a mobile access network, and in response to receiving an incomplete indication to activate usage monitoring with respect to the service provided via the session, configuring the usage monitoring without activating the usage monitoring. The memory may be configured to store the usage monitoring configuration. |
| US09258429B2 |
Encoder adaption in teleconferencing system
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for encoding of signals in teleconferencing. The method involves receiving (502) signals from a plurality of nodes participating in a teleconference and analyzing (504) said signals. The method further involves appointing (506) one of the received signals as being a dominant signal and adapting (508) an encoder based on information related to the dominant signal. At least two of the received signals are mixed and then encoded (512), using the adapted encoder. The encoded mixed signal is then provided (514) to at least one of the nodes participating in the teleconference. |
| US09258406B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling mobile device by conversation recognition, and apparatus for providing information by conversation recognition during meeting
An apparatus for controlling a mobile device according to the present invention includes: a conversation recognition unit configured to recognize a conversation between users through mobile devices; a user intent verification unit configured to verify an intent of at least one user among the users based on the recognition result; and an additional function control unit configured to execute an additional function corresponding to the verified user's intent in a mobile device of the user. According to the present invention, great contribution may be made to improve communication between users by recognizing the conversation between the users, thereby directly providing information associated with the conversation or providing a service. |
| US09258404B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of controlling the same
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same. A result, which will be displayed at a destination when a message created on a message creation screen is sent to the destination, is provided in advance. Messages having various formats can be generated on one message creation screen. Various functions relating to the message creation are provided. |
| US09258403B2 |
Mobile terminal, report control method, and report system
The mobile terminal adequately reports when the mobile terminal receives an impact due to an accident of a vehicle. When it is determined in step S1 that the mobile terminal is set on a charge pad and it is determined in step S2 that the mobile terminal is set to a normal mode, the mobile terminal is set to an automatic report mode in step S3. Meanwhile, when it is determined in step S1 that the mobile terminal is not set on the charge pad and it is determined in step S6 that the mobile terminal is set to the automatic report mode, and when a timeout time is set in step S7 and it is determined in step S10 that the timeout time passes, the mobile terminal is set to the normal mode in step S11. |
| US09258400B2 |
Mobile communication terminal for receiving voice calls while navigation service is running, and method therefor
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal for receiving a voice call while navigation service is running, and to a method therefor. According to the present invention, the mobile communication terminal for receiving a voice call while navigation service is running includes: a navigation unit supporting a navigation service; a controller providing, when an incoming call is received while the navigation service is being provided, call connection state information on the incoming call; and a display unit displaying a route guidance image corresponding to the navigation service and displaying a call reception window which provides the call connection state information to a preset area in the route guidance image. |
| US09258398B2 |
Terminal holding stand including speech function
Provided is a terminal holding stand (10), which is capable of holding a portable terminal (40, 50) and includes a first speech control section (31). The terminal holding stand (10) comprises: a terminal communication section (34); a first transmission/reception section (60); a voice path control section (32) configured to establish a voice path one of between the first speech control section (31) and the first transmission/reception section (60) or between the terminal communication section (34) and the first transmission/reception section (60); and a switching request input section (26). When a switching request to switch a voice path, which is made by a user through depression of a speech switch button (26), is received under a state in which a speech to the portable terminal (40, 50) is established and the voice path to the portable terminal (40, 50) is formed, the voice path control section (32) disconnects the voice path between the portable terminal (40, 50) and the first transmission/reception section (60) while the speech established by the portable terminal (40, 50) is maintained. In this manner, the voice path in the portable terminal (40, 50) is established. |
| US09258397B2 |
Protective case with speaker sound amplification path
A protective case having a speaker sound amplification path and an electronic device including at least one speaker device are disclosed. The protective case includes a base surface placed adjacent to at least one side of the electronic device to protect the electronic device, at least one speaker sound amplification path formed in the base surface and having a specific depth including a first location corresponding to a speaker hole of the electronic device to output a speaker sound of the speaker device, and a speaker sound output hole at a second location extended from the speaker sound amplification path and formed to an outer side of the protective case in an open manner, wherein the speaker sound output from the speaker hole is amplified within the speaker sound amplification path and is then output through the speaker sound output hole. |
| US09258394B2 |
Apparatus and method for integrating computing devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for physically and/or logically combining two or more smart devices to enhance user experience and help efficiently design, create, implement, or execute desired applications. According to one embodiment, system of the present disclosure provides a smart device apparatus having one or more processors, a communication interface device, and one or more internal data storage devices that are operatively coupled to the one or more processors. The smart device or a sleeve thereof further includes a housing, also interchangeably referred to as a slot or a docking basin, where the housing is configured to physically receive a second smart device and couple the smart device with the second smart device. |
| US09258389B2 |
Encoder and method
An encoder includes data processing hardware which is operable: to divide input data into a plurality of blocks or packets; to apply a plurality of transformations to content of the blocks or packets to generate corresponding transformed data; to check a quality of representation of the transformed data prior to application of the transformations to determine whether or not the quality of representation of the transformed data satisfies one or more quality criteria; if the quality of representation of the transformed data does not satisfy the one or more quality criteria, to sub-divide and/or to combine the one or more blocks or packets further and repeating the transformation step; and if the quality of representation of the transformed data satisfies the one or more quality criteria, to output the transformed data to provide encoded output data representative of the input data to be encoded. |
| US09258380B2 |
Cross-platform multimedia interaction system with multiple displays and dynamically-configured hierarchical servers and related method, electronic device and computer program product
A cross-platform multimedia interaction system with dynamically-configured hierarchical servers is disclosed, including: a central relay server (CRS); multiple electronic devices; and multiple displays respectively arranged in the multiple electronic devices. The CRS dynamically assigns one of the multiple electronic devices as a local relay server (LRS) and instructs the LRS to active a websocket server, and the CRS notifies the other electronic devices of a network address of the LRS. When the LRS actives the websocket server, other electronic devices establish one or more network sockets with the LRS. The multiple electronic devices communicate control parameters via the websocket server, generate corresponding images according to received control parameters, and respectively display the resulting images on the multiple displays. |
| US09258378B2 |
Method and device for pushing information
A method and device for sending information are disclosed in the present disclosure. The method comprises the steps of: receiving the current updated message of an information source; deriving the message which satisfies a preset condition from the current updated message; when the message satisfying the preset condition is non-subject message, deriving the user information and subject message correlated to the non-subject message from a server; and sending the information context, identification or link address corresponding to the non-subject message, the correlated user information and subject message to a third party. By sending the non-subject message satisfying a preset condition, and the user information and the subject message correlated to the non-subject message satisfying the preset condition derived from a server to a third party, the third party can know in time the correlated users, the correlated information issued by the users, and so on. |
| US09258375B2 |
System for analyzing user activity in a collaborative environment
A system is described for analyzing user activity in a collaborative environment. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a plurality of data items. Each data item may be related to at least one other data item. The processor may receive a request to alert the user when an action is performed on a selected data item. The processor may also receive a relation threshold identifying at least one other data item related to the selected data item. The processor may detect the action being performed on the data item identified by the relation threshold. The processor may transform data describing the action into an alert. The alert may include the data describing the action, the data item, and a description of the relationship between the data items. The processor may provide the alert to the user via the device. |
| US09258368B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and related computer program product for network element recovery
It is disclosed a method (and related apparatus) comprising establishing a control session by transmitting and receiving control session-related messages, transmitting restart information indicating a restart of a network element, receiving at least one protocol-related message of a first control session including session-related detail information, transmitting a restoration request message based on the session-related detail information, receiving at least one session parameter necessary for restoring the at least one first session, and restoring the at least one first session based on the received session-related detail information and the at least one session parameter. It is further disclosed a method (and related apparatus) comprising receiving restart information indicating a restart of a network element, processing at least one protocol-related message of a first control session to include session-related detail information, and transmitting at least one session parameter necessary for restoring the at least one first session, and the at least one protocol related message. |
| US09258364B2 |
Virtualization engine and method, system, and computer program product for managing the storage of data
A storage management method for use in a storage area network is provided. The storage area network comprises a plurality of host data processors coupled to a virtualization engine, which is coupled to a plurality of physical storage media. Each physical storage media is assigned a tier level. The method comprises storing a threshold storage access value associated with each tier level, presenting virtual disk(s) to a host data processor and receiving I/O requests to the virtual disk from the host data processor. Additionally, metadata is stored which identifies the tier level of the physical storage to which the block corresponds, mappings between the block and blocks of a virtual disk, and an access rate to the data. The access value is periodically compared to at least one threshold rate associated with its tier level. Depending on the result, storage block(s) may be marked for migration to another tier level. |
| US09258359B2 |
Wide area aggregated communications
Methods, systems, and techniques for federating operations, in an optimized way using wide area networks are provided. Example systems provide an API for generating and handling federated requests as an aggregation. In one example Wide Area Network Aggregation System, WANAS provides an API, a connection manager, and connection iterators to manage inter-site connections and requests, and inter-pod requests and messaging. These components cooperate to distribute a task across multiple physically disparate sites using a representative connection to the site and fan out of requests to other pods within the site. |
| US09258355B2 |
Decentralized cloud workflows
Technologies related to decentralized cloud workflows are generally described. In some examples, client applications may generate workflow packages. The workflow packages may be used to access multiple network services, such that client applications need not communicate with intermediate network services in a network service workflow. A client application may send a workflow package to a first network service in the network service workflow. The first network service may process instructions in the workflow package, store transaction results, and forward the workflow package to a next network service. Each intermediate network service may similarly process instructions, store transaction results, and forward the workflow package. Ultimately a last network service in the network service workflow may send workflow completion information to the client application. |
| US09258348B2 |
Applying a variable encoding/decoding scheme in a communication network
Various systems, devices and methods for providing variable encoder/decoder mechanisms are disclosed. As one example, a coder/decoder device including a plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms, a coder/decoder selection engine, and a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium includes a network statistic. The coder/decoder selection engine is operable to select at least one of the plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms based at least in part on the network statistic. Further, the coder/decoder selection engine is operable to offer the at least one of the plurality of coder/decoder mechanisms. |
| US09258347B2 |
Encoding of a video frame for transmission to a plurality of clients
In a method of encoding a video frame to be transmitted to a plurality of clients over a plurality of network connections, a set of parameters is associated with each connection. The method comprises: for each connection, determining a frame size that can be transported over the connection considering the associated set of parameters; and compressing the video frame to a target frame size based on the minimum of the plurality of determined frame sizes. This method advantageously provides an easy and straightforward way for selecting the appropriate parameters that need to be taken into account for controlling the rate of the generated bitstream, particularly when multiple parameters are associated with each connection. |
| US09258344B2 |
Multi-hop single sign-on (SSO) for identity provider (IdP) roaming/proxy
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, and systems related to using an identity provider (IdP) as a proxy for another IdP. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09258342B2 |
Method and apparatus for interactive mobile offer system using time and location for out-of-home display screens
Content which is related to content being displayed on an out-of-home display screen is synchronized with being shown on an out-of-home display screen. A mobile device operates to receive content which is related to the content being displayed on the out-of-home display screen. The system operates based on mobile device location, out-of-home display screen location and the time of day. Based on the time and locations, a server can determine what content is on the display screen and can therefore serve related content based on that to the mobile device. It works passively with periodic regular updates of the mobile device location or actively through the use of a button (touch screen, keyboard, etc.) on the mobile device to signal the server to check its location and therefore identifying which display screen the mobile device is near. |
| US09258338B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing private moderator codes for conference calls
A method, mobile device, and conferencing system are provided for automatically establishing a conference event having a plurality of invitees. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining whether an invitee of a conference event is a moderator of the conference event. The method also automatically establishes the conference event using a moderator code responsive to determining that the invitee is the moderator of the conference event. |
| US09258336B2 |
Dynamic modification of a subscriber connection
A database server stores in a subscriber record one or more attributes of an active subscriber connection coupling a computing device associated with the subscriber, including a data rate attribute. The database server receives a request to modify one or more of the attributes of the active subscriber connection including at least to modify the data rate attribute. The database server modifies the at least one of the attributes including modifying at least the data rate attribute and transmits the at least one modified attribute including at least the modified data rate attribute for the active subscriber connection to the network element to cause the network element to modify a corresponding attribute without disconnecting the subscriber connection from the network element. |
| US09258333B2 |
Method for recovering content streamed into chunk
The present invention concerns an adaptive streaming method, at a client device, for receiving content split into chunks corresponding to a content duration, the chunks being encoded at a server into at least a first and a second formats, the first format corresponding to a better content rendering quality level than the second format, a chunk being received during a chunk reception period. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of measuring the available bandwidth between the client and the server for the next chunk reception period, requesting the server to send a chunk encoded at a format so that the chunk can be received during the next chunk reception period, and if some bandwidth is available for the next chunk reception period, requesting the server to send a part of a chunk encoded at a second format, the chunk having been received encoded at the first format. |
| US09258327B2 |
Multi-network virus immunization
An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system are described that determine a virus associated with a communications network, and distribute an anti-viral agent onto the communications network using a bypass network, the bypass network configured to provide transmission of the anti-viral agent with at least one of a higher transmission speed, a higher transmission reliability, a higher transmission security, and/or a physically-separate transmission path, relative to transmission of the virus on the communications network. |
| US09258326B2 |
API for auxiliary interface
Embodiments of the present invention include a primary access interface where messages are in an auxiliary interface area, where a user can see/hear the message without having to log in (that is, when they normally would have to have logged in to access the message). Included in various embodiments are types of messages output, emergency messages, advertising messages and conditions for outputting messages. Also provided is allowing for user input through an auxiliary interface triggering services or features normally requiring login (before they can be used). What is further provided is an application programming interface for independent or third party applications. What is also provided is an advertising server system integrated with a front-end interface. |
| US09258318B2 |
Systems and methods for informing users about applications available for download
A computer-implemented method for informing users about applications available for download may include (1) identifying, through sharing functionality provided by an operating system, shared content that identifies an application hosted by an application distribution platform, (2) in response to identifying the shared content, obtaining security information about the identified by the shared content, and (3) informing, prior to a user downloading the application, the user of the obtained security information about the application to enable the user to make an informed decision about whether to download the application. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09258317B2 |
Device and method for data matching and device and method for network intrusion detection
The present invention discloses a device and method for data matching and a device and method for network intrusion detection. The method for data matching includes: searching in a regular expression set one or more complex regular expressions causing a sharp increase in number of states generated based on a regular expression during interaction; constructing a corresponding simplified expression for each complex regular expression; compiling a simplified state machine; compiling one or more substate machines, wherein each of the one or more substate machines is compiled based on a corresponding one of the one or more complex regular expressions; and matching data based on the simplified state machine and the one or more substate machines. The present invention further discloses a device for data matching employing the method for data matching and a device and method for intrusion detection employing the device and method for data matching. |
| US09258308B1 |
Point to multi-point connections
Communicating with a plurality of networks is disclosed. One or more credentials is provided to a first gatekeeper of a first network. One or more credentials is provided to a second gatekeeper of a second network. A session is maintained with the first gatekeeper. A second session is simultaneously maintained with the second gatekeeper. |
| US09258307B2 |
Decentralized electronic transfer system
An exemplary technique is provided for use in a decentralized electronic transfer system. A first digital code that represents a first transaction is generated from a first user's secure repository to the first user's unsecure repository. The first digital code is sent to a secure storage memory related to the unsecure repository to be stored in an area of the memory. A processor related to the unsecure repository generates a second digital code that represents a second transaction from the unsecure repository to the second user's repository. The processor retrieves the first digital code stored in the secure storage memory and publishes the retrieved digital code to validate the first transaction. In addition, the processor publishes the second digital code to validate the second transaction. |
| US09258300B2 |
ECG measuring device and method thereof
The present invention discloses at least two electrodes disposed at the body of the ECG measuring device of the present invention. When a user normally uses the ECG measuring device, the two electrodes are just adhered to the hands and the face of the user. The ECG measuring method of the present invention is to measure a first ECG signal from the left hand to the left side of face of the user and a second ECG signal from the right hand to the right side of face of the user. Then a plurality of ECG features are obtained from the first ECG signal, the second ECG signal and the result, as related coefficients, of the interactive computing, as a method of plus and subtract, of the first ECG signal and the second ECG signal. Hence, a biometric authorization process is engaged according to the plurality of ECG features. |
| US09258296B2 |
System and method for generating a strong multi factor personalized server key from a simple user password
The present invention relates to a method of generating a multi-factor encryption key using a simple password in order to access control over information stored at a second entity from a first entity via at least one communication network. In one embodiment this is accomplished by, requesting to receive an application at the first entity from the second entity via the communication network, activating the first entity to generate a shared secret key, wherein the shared secret key is computed from a first entity specific ID and a random number generated at the first and second entity and allowing the user to register with the application of the second entity by the first entity, wherein the registration include entry of a personal PIN (personal identification number), a personal message etc. |
| US09258295B1 |
Secure over-the-air provisioning for handheld and desktop devices and services
In one embodiment, a device and a services provisioning system establish an over-the-air connection with each other, and perform device posture validation to obtain a unique identification (ID) of the device at the provisioning system. The device and provisioning system then participate in device and user authentication in response to a confirmed unique ID by a backend access control system, where the device generates a secure key pair after successful user authentication. In response to the device being approved for services (e.g., checked by the provisioning system via a registration system), the provisioning system provides a root certificate to the device, and the device sends a certificate enrollment request back to the provisioning system. In response to a certificate authority signing the certificate request, the provisioning system returns a valid certificate to the device, and the valid certificate is installed on the device. |
| US09258293B1 |
Safe and secure access to dynamic domain name systems
A method and apparatus for safe and secure access to dynamic domain name systems. In one embodiment a method comprises transmitting a DNS query to a dynamic DNS server. The DNS query comprises a domain name. A DNS answer is received from the dynamic DNS server in response to transmitting the DNS query. The DNS answer comprises an IP address. A request is transmitted to a host at the IP address in response to receiving the DNS answer. A digital certificate is received in response to transmitting the request. The received digital certificate is then compared with each of a plurality of digital certificates stored in memory. The IP address is transmitted to a client computer system if the received digital certificate compares equally with one of the plurality of digital certificates. |
| US09258288B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing enhanced service authorization
An approach is provided for authorizing one or more services from service providers in a communications network. The approach includes receiving a request from a first service provider, the request having an associated primary token and a secondary token identifier, the secondary token identifier relating to resources of a second service provider. Based, at least in part, on the secondary token identifier, a secondary token is identified; and then the secondary token is sent to the first service provider, wherein the first service provider and the second service provider belong to different trust domains and the first service provider can use the secondary token to access resources of the second service provider. |
| US09258281B2 |
Secured method for controlling the opening of lock devices from messages implementing a symmetrical encryption
A management site (10) generates an encrypted message by a public-key symmetrical encryption algorithm, the algorithm and the key being selected by the management site among a memorized list. The message (DKE), which includes an identifier of the encryption algorithm and key used, is transmitted to a portable device (16), which stores it. For the use, the message is transmitted to a secured module (20) that decrypts it, checks its compliance with an internal reference, and generates a digital accreditation controlling the unlocking of a lock device (18). The decryption is operated with the algorithm and the key recognized based on the identifiers of the message, selected among a list memorized by the secured module. |
| US09258279B1 |
Bookmarking content for users associated with multiple devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. The method includes anonymously linking at least two different identifiers associated with two different requesting sources. The linking uses an identifier that does not include any personally identifiable information. A request is received from a user to create a bookmark for a resource that was presented on a first device having an associated first identifier. The bookmark or a reference to the bookmark is stored. Bookmarks associated with the user are synched across multiple requesting sources using the anonymous linking. After synching, a request to access saved bookmarks is received from a user when accessing a second different device. Based at least in part on the synched bookmarks, the bookmark is provided, or a link to the bookmark is provided, enabling presentation of a resource associated with the bookmark. |
| US09258274B2 |
Using individualized APIs to block automated attacks on native apps and/or purposely exposed APIs
An API call filtering system filters responses to API call requests received, via a network, from user devices. The API call filtering system is configured to require personalized API call requests wherein each API call (except for some minor exceptions) includes a unique endpoint identifier (“UEID”) of the user device making the request. Using the UEID, the web service or other service protected by the API call filtering system can be secured against excessive request iterations from a set of rogue user devices while allowing for ordinary volumes of requests of requests the user devices, wherein one or more boundaries between what is deemed to be an ordinary volume of requests and what is deemed to be excessive request iterations are determined by predetermined criteria. |
| US09258271B1 |
Network address translation for virtual machines
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a packet from a client, the packet having header information including a destination Internet Protocol (IP) address, a destination port, a source IP address, and a source port, and wherein the source IP address and source port are associated with the client; selecting a destination virtual machine based on the destination port; modifying the packet by replacing the destination IP address in the header information with an IP address of the selected destination virtual machine; and sending the modified packet to the destination virtual machine. |
| US09258266B2 |
Host detection by top of rack switch devices in data center environments
Techniques are provided for detecting and identifying host devices in a network. At a switch device, a packet is received from a server that is interfaced with a switch device and is configured to host a virtual machine that is a source of the packet. A Media Access Control (MAC) address or an Internet Protocol (IP) address is identified. The MAC address and IP address are associated with the virtual machine. In response to identifying the MAC or IP addresses, the switch device determines whether a binding between the IP and MAC addresses of the virtual machine is present in a database of addresses accessible by the switch device. If the association is not present, based on the fields obtained from the packet header, a request message is sent to the virtual machine to resolve the association between the IP address and the MAC address of the virtual machine. |
| US09258264B1 |
Processing socially networked entities
Implementations are directed to accessing social network data of a user, including relationship data representative of relationships between the user and a plurality of entities associated with the user by at least one social network service, the social network data including profile data descriptive of the plurality of entities, the profile data including a profile for each of the plurality of entities and one or more attributes within each profile, the profile data including a plurality of values for the attribute, wherein the one or more attributes represent at least one of an intensity of interaction with the user, the plurality of values representing intensities of interaction with the user, and a social distance from the user, the plurality of values further representing social distances from the user, determining a subset of the plurality of entities, and determining being based on at least one of the one or more attributes. |
| US09258250B2 |
Dynamic data channel scheduling
Data channels are sorted into an order in terms of an exponent E, where E is defined in the equation: segment interval=C*2E, in which segment interval is a number of the slots between instances of a given data channel, and the data channels are assigned to ones of the slots in terms of the order. Subsequent to the assigning data channels, the control channel is assigned to ones of the slots on the data line. Optionally assigning the data channels assigns all data channels to ones of the slots on the data line to reduce the number of unassigned slots. |
| US09258246B2 |
Integrated circuit device and methods for performing cut-through forwarding
An integrated circuit device comprising at least one cut-through forwarding module. The cut-through forwarding module comprises at least one receiver component arranged to receive data to be forwarded, and to generate a request for transmission of a block of data upon receipt thereof, and at least one controller unit arranged to execute at least one thread for processing requests generated by the at least one receiver component. The at least one controller unit is arranged to set a priority context for the at least one thread, and to schedule an execution of the at least one thread based at least partly on the priority context therefor. |
| US09258244B1 |
Protocol for communications in potentially noisy environments
A communications protocol that is designed for transmission of data in networks that are subjected to harsh conditions is described herein. A network includes a plurality of devices, where the devices comprise respective nodes. The nodes are in communication with one another by way of a central network hub. The protocol causes the nodes to transmit data over a network bus at different data rates depending upon whether the nodes are operating normally or an arbitration procedure has been invoked. |
| US09258239B2 |
Method for managing and sharing symmetric flow and asymmetric flow in duplexed network
Provided is a network duplexing apparatus and method. The network duplexing apparatus includes a plurality of network interface units configured to store information of a flow flowing in the network interface units, provide the information of the flow to a master unit when the flow corresponds to an asymmetric flow, and request information of an opposite side flow of the flow from the master unit to receive the requested information, and the master unit configured to store the information of the flow provided from the network interface unit, determine whether the information of the opposite side flow of the flow is stored, and provide the information of the opposite side flow to the network interface unit when the information of the opposite side flow is stored. |
| US09258238B2 |
Dynamic end-to-end network path setup across multiple network layers
A centralized controller provides dynamic end-to-end network path setup across multiple network layers. In particular, the centralized controller manages end-to-end network path setup that provisions a path at both the transport network layer (e.g., optical) and the service network layer (e.g., IP/MPLS). The centralized controller performs path computation for an optical path at the transport network layer and for a path at the service network layer that transports network traffic on the underlying optical transport path, based on information obtained by the centralized controller from the underlying network components at both layers. |
| US09258237B1 |
Enhancing DOCSIS services through network functions virtualization
This disclosure describes techniques for provisioning a CMTS to re-direct customer traffic into virtualized network functions (NFVs) service chains. This disclosure describes, in one example, techniques for providing linkage between DOCSIS service flows and NFV service chains in the DOCSIS provisioning system by embedding information within cable modem boot files used to configured cable modems within the broadband system. In one example, the techniques facilitate the definition of an NFV service-chain in the DOCSIS cable modem boot file provisioning system. A supported CMTS, CCAP or Edge Router intercepts and interprets the configuration to install packet classifiers that steer specific subscriber flows, as detailed in the DOCSIS cable modem boot file, through the service-chain. |
| US09258236B2 |
Per-class scheduling with rate limiting
Providing network access is disclosed. Use of a provider equipment port via which network access is provided to two or more downstream nodes, each having one or more classes of network traffic associated with it, is scheduled on a per class basis, across the downstream nodes. The respective network traffic sent to each of at least a subset of the two or more downstream nodes is limited, on a per downstream node basis, to a corresponding rate determined at least in part by a capacity of a communication path associated with the downstream node. |
| US09258235B2 |
Edge node for a network domain
A system for managing congestion within a network domain includes an ingress node, an interior node, and an egress node. The ingress node receives and routes data units entering the network domain. The interior node detects whether a load exceeds one or more load thresholds and generates congestion marked data units. The egress node detects the presence of congestion marked data units and reacts to the detection of the presence of congestion marked data units by invoking a congestion control process. |
| US09258234B1 |
Dynamically adjusting liveliness detection intervals for periodic network communications
In general, techniques are described to dynamically adjust a session detection time defined by a timer in accordance with a bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) protocol. The techniques utilize existing hardware and BFD software infrastructure. An example network device includes a memory, programmable processor(s), and a control unit configured to execute a timer, receive one or more packets provided by the BFD protocol, detect, based on the received one or more packets, a congestion condition associated with a link via which the network device is coupled to a network, adjust, based on the detected congestion condition, a session detection time defined by the timer, and in response to a failure to receive a packet provided by the BFD protocol within the session detection time defined by the timer, detect a failure associated with the link. |
| US09258233B2 |
Adjusting rate limits for transmission rates of data flows having a certain priority in a transmitter
A method for adjusting a set of primary rate limits for transmission rates of data flows having a certain priority in a transmitter is provided. A mean value is determined of a duty cycle of the certain priority at the port as obtainable from the transmission or flow control, wherein the data flows having different priorities including said certain priority are transmitted by a port of the transmitter, transmissions for rate-limited data flows having the certain priority are limited by secondary rate limits (r1′, r2′, . . . rn′) per data flow, and transmissions for all data flows having the certain priority are controlled by a transmission or flow control per priority. The secondary rate limits (r1′, r2′, . . . rn′) are obtained by adjusting the primary rate limits for the transmission rates of the data flows having the certain priority based on the determined mean value of the duty cycle. |
| US09258231B2 |
Bandwidth allocation management
Bandwidth allocation management includes determining current available bandwidth of a network within which a computer system is operating. The bandwidth allocation management also includes using the current available bandwidth and applied feature delivery settings to determine an adjustment in feature delivery to the computer system. At least a portion of the feature delivery settings is specified by an end user of the computer system. |
| US09258229B2 |
Systems and methods for accessing a multi-bank SRAM
A device may include at least one processor which may access, using a lookup key, a ternary content addressable memory to acquire a lookup result that includes information identifying a group of addresses for accessing a group of static random access memories. The at least one processor may parse the lookup result to identify the group of addresses and may simultaneously access, using the group of addresses, the group of static random access memories, to simultaneously read data from the group of static random access memories. The at least one processor may process a group of packets based on the data. |
| US09258227B2 |
Next hop chaining for forwarding data in a network switching device
A route for a data unit through a network may be defined based on a number of next hops. Exemplary embodiments described herein may implement a router forwarding table as a chained list of references to next hops. In one implementation, a device includes a forwarding table that includes: a first table configured to store, for each of a plurality of routes for data units in a network, a chain of links to next hops for the routes; and a second table configured to store the next hops. The device also includes a forwarding engine configured to assemble the next hops for the data units based on using the chain of links in the first table to retrieve the next hops in the second table and to forward the data units in the network based on the assembled next hops. |
| US09258222B2 |
Implementing a shortest path bridging (SPB) network using a virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) identifier
A method, apparatus and computer program product for using Backbone Virtual Local Area Network (BVLAN) as Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) Identifier and shared Backbone Media Access Control (BMAC) tables to implement a Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) Layer 3 (L3) Virtual Services Network (VSN) is presented. For routed traffic, a Layer 3 (L3) Virtual Services Network (VSN) is associated with a unique Virtual Local Area Network Identifier (VLAN_ID) value in a first Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) network for routed traffic. The routed traffic comprises traffic sent over an SPB network interface, traffic received from an SPB interface, or traffic forwarded from a first SPB Network interface to a second SPB Network interface. |
| US09258221B2 |
System and method for rapid protection of RSVP based LSP
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a network node in a resource reservation protocol (RSVP) based label switch path (LSP) network, the method including: receiving a message to establish a LSP; receiving a resv message; initiating the establishment of a backup path; determining that the establishment of the backup path failed; setting a backup timer; and initiating the establishment of a backup path upon the expiration of the backup timer. |
| US09258220B2 |
Communication system, node, control server, communication method and program
A packet contains an array of processing operations that are to be performed by a node. Each node in a data forwarding network performs the processing it has to perform in accordance with the array of the processing operations contained in the packet. |
| US09258216B2 |
Methods and systems for transmitting packets through network interfaces
A method carried out by a first communications device for transmitting data packets, wherein the first communications device comprises a plurality of network interfaces. Data packets are transmitted through a first network interface when a first condition is satisfied, and through a second network interface when a second condition is satisfied. In one of the embodiments, the plurality of network interfaces are classified into a plurality of groups of network interfaces according to a first group of conditions, and the first network interface and second network interface belong to two different groups of network interfaces. |
| US09258215B2 |
Optical layer protection switching applications
Systems and methods are disclosed for modulating, with circuitry of a source node in a communication network, at least one optical carrier to carry data utilizing a format of a soft decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) data field of an overhead portion of a data frame; encoding, with the circuitry of the source node, first data being SD-FEC data and second data being additional data into the SD-FEC data field, the first and second data being accessible without accessing client data traffic; and transmitting, with the circuitry of the source node, the data frame including the soft decision forward error correction data field. In one implementation, the second data comprises automatic protection switching bytes. |
| US09258214B2 |
Optimized distributed routing for stretched data center models through updating route advertisements based on changes to address resolution protocol (ARP) tables
A method, apparatus and computer program product for performing optimized distributed routing for stretched data center models through updating route advertisements based on changes to Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) Tables is presented. Port members of an Internet Protocol I (IP) interface or Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) are distinguished into Access Interfaces which only lead to hosts on said subnet and Trunk Interfaces which lead to other redundant routers on said subnet. In the subnet of a network a network route for the subnet is always advertised. A separate host route corresponding to an Internet Protocol (IP) address of each Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table record that points to an Access Interface is advertised and route advertisements are changed for a host in said subnet for tracked access interfaces. |
| US09258211B1 |
Extending VPLS support for CE lag multi-homing
Techniques are described for forwarding packets in a VPLS using multi-homing PE routers configured in an “active-active” link topology. As described herein, a PE router receives a packet from a multi-homed VPLS customer site, and processes the packet to determine a portion of a MAC domain to which the packet corresponds. When the packet is determined to correspond to a portion associated with the PE router, the PE router forwards the packet to the destination in accordance with forwarding protocols executing on the PE router. When the packet is determined to correspond to a portion associated with a second PE router, the PE router forwards the packet to the second PE router via a pseudowire that is external to the VPLS domain, and the second PE router forwards the packet to the destination in accordance with forwarding protocols executing on the second PE router. |
| US09258208B2 |
Multiple path availability between walkable clusters
In one embodiment, a method comprises creating, in a computing network, a hierarchal routing topology for reaching a destination, the hierarchal routing topology comprising a single parent supernode providing reachability to the destination, and a plurality of child supernodes, each child supernode comprising one or more exit network devices each providing a corresponding link to the parent supernode; receiving, in one of the child supernodes, a data packet for delivery to the destination; causing the data packet to traverse along any available data link in the one child supernode independent of any routing topology established by network devices in the one child supernode, until the data packet reaches one of the exit network devices; and the one exit network device forwarding the data packet to the parent supernode, via the corresponding link, for delivery to the destination. |
| US09258207B2 |
System and method for detecting active streams using a heartbeat and secure stop mechanism
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated. |
| US09258200B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquiring quality of experience and method and apparatus for ensuring quality of experience
A method for acquiring quality of experience QOE of a telecommunication service is provided. The method includes: acquiring multiple groups of original KQI vectors and a QOE value corresponding to each group of original KQI vectors in the multiple groups of original KQI vectors; analyzing a relationship between the multiple groups of original KQI vectors and QOE values corresponding to the multiple groups of original KQI vectors to establish a function relationship between KQI vectors and QOE values corresponding to the KQI vectors; acquiring a current KQI vector, and applying the function relationship between the KQI vectors and the QOE values corresponding to the KQI vectors to obtain a current QOE value corresponding to the current KQI vector. |
| US09258196B2 |
Composite service pre-provisioning
Composite service provisioning is provided. A processor receives a first demand value of a first composite service. The processor identifies a sub-service based on the first composite service. The processor pre-provisions a first pool of service instances corresponding to the first composite service, the first pool of service instances having a quantity of service instances based, at least in part, on the first demand value. The processor determines a second demand value of the sub-service based, at least in part, on the quantity of service instances of the first pool of service instances. The processor pre-provisions a second pool of service instances corresponding to the sub-service, the second pool of service instances having a quantity of service instances based, at least in part, on the second demand value. The processor modifies each of the first pool of service instances with placeholder credentials that identify the second pool of service instances. |
| US09258195B1 |
Logical topology visualization
A graphical user interface (GUI) for visualization of a logical topology of a system can include a plurality of node user interface elements to represent respective components in the system. The GUI can include a plurality of link user interface elements, each connected between an associated pair of the node user interface elements to represent a logical connection between a given component and at least one other component in the system. In response to a user input for a selected node user interface element, at least a portion of the plurality of link user interface elements can be modified to represent the logical connectivity and associated status such as from a perspective of the component represented by the selected node user interface element. |
| US09258194B2 |
Method and apparatus to display a transport service between point A and point Z
Common techniques for displaying graphical representations of networks that summarize the network by representing the network at high level views, typically as physical network elements. In contrast, an example embodiment of the present invention simultaneously displays graphical representations for a transport service within a network by displaying network elements and connections between network entities to form graphical representations, where the graphical representations show intra-element connections, inter-element connections, and relationships between the network entities to display a transport service from point A to point Z in the network. Thus, a user can visualize a transport service and identify faults in the transport service efficiently and on a substantially real-time basis. |
| US09258193B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for wireless network cluster discovery and concurrency management
Embodiments enable discovery of networks in a wireless communications medium. In example embodiments, a method comprises identifying, by an apparatus, a plurality of wireless network clusters by receiving wireless synchronization messages from one or more member devices of each of the plurality of wireless network clusters; calculating, by the apparatus, a cluster grade for each of the plurality of identified wireless network clusters based on information of the received wireless synchronization messages; selecting, by the apparatus, a wireless network cluster from the plurality of identified wireless network clusters, having a highest cluster grade for joining and operating in said wireless network cluster; and ranking, by the apparatus, non-selected wireless network clusters based on predefined criteria applied to information received by the apparatus characterizing the non-selected wireless network clusters. |
| US09258185B2 |
Fibre channel over Ethernet support in a trill network environment
An example method for Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) support in a Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) network environment is provided and includes configuring at least two virtual storage area networks (SANs) in a TRILL network environment, which includes a plurality of leaf switches and spine switches, with each leaf switch being configured as a FCoE forwarder (FCF) enabled to forward frames according to FCoE protocol, and configuring at least an edge broadcast domain and a transport broadcast domain for each virtual SAN at each leaf switch. The edge broadcast domain includes end device links between the leaf switch and one or more end devices, and the transport broadcast domain includes spine links between the leaf switch and the spine switches. |
| US09258183B2 |
Method, device, and system for realizing disaster tolerance backup
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, a device, and a system for realizing disaster tolerance backup. The method includes the following steps: a device with an active-standby function determines a current state of the device with the active-standby function, after it is determined that the current state is an active state, the device with the active-standby function issues reachable route information to a connected routing device, where the device with the active-standby function and a device of which a current state is a standby state have a same IP address, the reachable route information includes route information relevant to the IP address, so that the IP address is reachable, and the device with the active-standby function and the device of which the current state is the standby state are backup devices for each other. The present invention can realize remote disaster tolerance backup and avoid service interruption. |
| US09258177B2 |
Storing a data stream in a set of storage devices
A set of storage devices coordinates selection of dispersed storage error encoding parameters for storing a stream of data and coordinates selection of encoded data storage devices and redundancy encoded data storage devices of the set of storage devices. The encoded data storage devices coordinates storage of a decode threshold amount of encoded data of the stream of data in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding parameters. The encoded data storage devices send information regarding the decode threshold amount of encoded data to the redundancy encoded data storage devices. The redundancy encoded data storage devices generates redundancy encoded data based on the information regarding the decode threshold amount of encoded data and in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding parameters. The redundancy encoded data storage devices store the redundancy encoded data to provide error encoded reliable storage of the stream of data. |
| US09258176B2 |
Device management method, server and system and mobile equipment
A method and system remotely manage a Mobile Equipment (ME). All the different service provider DM servers interconnected with each other to perform data recovery and locking operations in the ME. The DM servers of multiple service providers collaborate and provide interoperable services to the connected mobile equipments. |
| US09258175B1 |
Method and system for sharing playlists for content stored within a network
A system and method for sharing playlists within a network includes a first storage device having a first playlist comprising first playlist data corresponding to stored content and a second storage device having a second playlist comprising second playlist data corresponding to stored content. The system also includes an aggregation server in communication with the first storage device and the second storage device that receives the first playlist and the second playlist. The aggregation server aggregates the first playlist data and the second playlist data to form an aggregated playlist having aggregated playlist data and forms an index list corresponding to the aggregated playlist. A first aggregation client is in communication with the aggregation server and receives the index list from the aggregation server. |
| US09258172B2 |
Calling an unready terminal
A voice or video call is to be established between a caller and a callee based on a call flow that involves a call establishment request and a corresponding call acceptance response. A first call establishment request is sent to a called terminal (of the callee) that is unready to accept the call upon receiving this first call establishment request. Once the called terminal is ready to accept the call, instead of the call acceptance response, a reverse call establishment request for the call is received back from the called terminal. The reverse call establishment request is automatically accepted on behalf of the caller on condition that the reverse call establishment request was received back from the called terminal within a certain time limit. If so, the call is accepted by sending an instance of the call acceptance response to called terminal. |
| US09258171B2 |
Method and system for an OS virtualization-aware network interface card
Aspects of a method and system for an operating system (OS) virtualization-aware network interface card (NIC) are provided. A NIC may provide direct I/O capabilities for each of a plurality of concurrent guest operating systems (GOSs) in a host system. The NIC may comprise a GOS queue for each of the GOSs, where each GOS queue may comprise a transmit (TX) queue, a receive (RX) queue, and an event queue. The NIC may communicate data with a GOS via a corresponding TX queue and RX queue. The NIC may notify a GOS of events such as down link, up link, packet transmission, and packet reception via the corresponding event queue. The NIC may also support unicast, broadcast, and/or multicast communication between GOSs. The NIC may also validate a buffered address when the address corresponds to one of the GOSs operating in the host system. |
| US09258170B2 |
Converter/multiplexer for serial bus
This disclosure relates to a converter/multiplexer and associated method of use therefor or converting and multiplexing parallel inputs, a modem, a GPS, or even modem information into a single multimaster broadcast serial bus standard for connecting electronic control units, and more specifically, to a multiplexer for transforming analog, digital, frequency, GPS, or modem inputs into a CAN bus data transmittal over LAN and/or PAN and interrelation with a similarly equipped receiving module. Further, the converter/multiplexer is used alone or in a group as part of a larger system for multiplexing and demultiplexing signals for serial bus processing and also for guidance when the converters are cabled by operators using stored configurations. |
| US09258167B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus and control methods thereof
A transmitting apparatus is disclosed. The transmitting apparatus includes a preamble symbol inserter configured to insert to a frame a preamble symbol including a signaling information, a guard interval inserter configured to insert guard intervals to both ends of the preamble symbol, and a transmitter configured to transmit a frame including the preamble symbol and the guard intervals, wherein one of the guard intervals which are inserted to both ends of the preamble symbol comprises a pseudo random noise (PN) sequence and another guard interval includes one between the PN sequence and a part of the signaling information. Accordingly, no separate algorithm to estimate size of FFT of the preamble symbol and the guard interval is necessary, robust signal detection and synchronization is enabled by the PN sequence inserted to the guard interval, and compensation of interference which is generated under multipath channel environment deems to be easier. |
| US09258166B2 |
Timing synchronization apparatus and method for multi-carrier modulation signals
Embodiments of the present invention provide a timing synchronization apparatus and method for multi-carrier modulation signals. Wherein the apparatus includes: a predicting unit configured to denoise delay of symbols received before a currently received symbol, and to predict delay of the currently received symbol or of a symbol received after the currently received symbol according to the denoised symbol delay and a sampling clock frequency offset; and a timing synchronization unit configured to perform timing synchronization according to a predicted value of the delay of the currently received symbol or of the symbol received after the currently received symbol. With the apparatus and method, a signal to noise ratio of multi-carrier modulation signals may be effectively improved, and an effect of a timing error on a communication system may be lowered, thereby improving performance of the communication system. |
| US09258164B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal and method of transmitting and receiving a signal
A method for transmitting and receiving a signal and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal are disclosed. The method for receiving the signal includes receiving (S210) the signal in a first frequency band, identifying (S220) a first pilot signal including, a cyclic prefix obtained by frequency-shifting a firstportion of an useful portion of the first pilot signal and a cyclic suffix obtained by frequency-shifting a second portion of the useful portion of the first pilot signal from the received signal, demodulating (S220) a signal frame including a physical layer pipe (PLP) to which a service stream is converted, by an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme, using information set in the first pilot signal, parsing (S230) the signal frame and obtaining the PLP and obtaining (S240) the service stream from the PLP. |
| US09258163B2 |
Systems and methods for phase rotating duplicate frames in wireless LAN transmission
Methods, devices, and computer program products for optimally phase rotating duplicate frames in wireless LAN transmissions are disclosed. In one aspect, phase rotation sequences may be chosen in order to minimize a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of a frame or data unit, or of a portion of a frame or data unit, where the frame contains a plurality of identical frequency segments, such as a duplicate frame. The method involves selecting a frame bandwidth, and then selecting a phase rotation sequence based upon the frame bandwidth. The method further includes generating a frame including a number of identical 1 MHz frequency segments, and rotating some of those segments relative to other segments, based on the selected phase rotation sequence. The method further includes transmitting the frame. |
| US09258156B2 |
Baseband envelope predistorter
Digital predistortion circuity is disclosed including digital interface circuitry configured to receive a digital input signal having a signal bandwidth (BW) centered about a frequency f0 and provide a digital transmission signal based on the digital input signal. The digital predistortion circuitry includes circuitry configured to generate a digital correction signal based at least in part on the digital input signal, one or more first signal transmission paths configured to transmit the digital transmission signal, and one or more second signal transmission paths separate from the one or more first signal transmission paths and configured to transmit the correction signal. |
| US09258154B2 |
Method and apparatus for low power chip-to-chip communications with constrained ISI ratio
An efficient communications apparatus is described for a vector signaling code to transport data and optionally a clocking signal between integrated circuit devices. Methods of designing such apparatus and their associated codes based on a new metric herein called the “ISI Ratio” are described which permit higher communications speed, lower system power consumption, and reduced implementation complexity. |
| US09258152B2 |
Systems, circuits and methods for adapting parameters of a linear equalizer in a receiver
A receiver is optimized by adapting parameters of a linear equalizer component within the receiver. Data decisions and error decisions are generated. These data decision and error decisions are used to derive an error rate of data by measuring the number of margin hits that occur. A balance value is also calculated from the data decisions and the error decisions. The balance value is used to update parameters of the linear equalizer. The updating of the parameter continues until the number of margin hits has been minimized. |
| US09258151B2 |
Receiver in wireless communication system and diversity combining method thereof
A diversity combining method applied by a receiver in a wireless communication system is provided, including: acquiring baseband signals of receiving channels corresponding to multiple receiving antennas, and combining multiple acquired baseband signals according to a Maximal-Ratio Combining (MRC) principle at an intermediate frequency and/or within an equalizer and/or after the equalizer. Further a receiver in a wireless communication system is provided. By means of the technical solutions of the disclosure, it is possible to improve a demodulation threshold and the demodulation sensitivity of a microwave system. |
| US09258149B2 |
Refinement of channel response calculation
A scheme for determining which of a set of taps that can potentially be used to measure a channel impulse response should be used to estimate the channel impulse response. |
| US09258146B2 |
Methods and systems for providing secure access to a hosted service via a client application
The present invention discloses methods and systems for providing secure user access to services offered by a service provider to a client application over a network. One embodiment includes receiving an application cookie from the client application and populating a service cookie based on information in the application cookie. Information in the service cookie is utilized as a basis for regulating a provision of services to the client application. |
| US09258145B2 |
Method and system for distribution of information contents and corresponding computer program product
The interfacing of coded media data packets in the transfer from and to a peer-to-peer network envisages that the data packets are included in groups of packets that may have lengths different from one another. Each group of data packets is encapsulated in a group of chunks of given length. The media data is made available in the network as a multiplicity of different descriptions of a multiple-description coding of one and the same media content. The terminals of the peer-to-peer network are configured for accessing selectively the multiplicity of different descriptions of said media contents, combining them with one another, or else accessing one of the different descriptions in substitution for another preserving access to the media contents. The data may be made available as base layer and at least one enhancement layer of one and the same media content. |
| US09258143B2 |
Contextual summary of recent communications method and apparatus
The present invention provides mechanisms for determining contextual information and including at least some of the determined contextual information in a communication. As an example, a multi-modal communications thumbnail providing context and prior communications summary as an attachment to a communication may be provided. The context and prior communications summary may supplement or replace one or more of a typical communications identifier such as subject, title, and distribution information. |
| US09258137B2 |
Bridge apparatus and bridge system with a virtual device for protocol conversion
A bridge apparatus is disclosed, the bridge apparatus being connected between a first network and a second network and achieving a communication between equipment connected to the first network and equipment connected to the second network. This apparatus accepts communication from the equipment over the first network to equipment disconnected from the second network, and then, preserves contents of the communication even in the case where the equipment over the second network has been disconnected from the second network for reasons such as electric power cut. In the case where the disconnected equipment has been connected to the second network again, this apparatus transmits the accepted contents of the communication to the reconnected equipment. |
| US09258134B2 |
System and method for recording communication interaction over a mobile device
A system includes a recording server connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) and/or an interface device, where the connected PBX and/or interface device are each connected to an electronic communication network. The PBX provides at least a first portion of a mobile communication on the electronic communication network to the recording server, and the interface device provides a second portion of the mobile communication to the recording server, wherein the recording server, the PBX, and, if connected to the recording server, the interface device are each assigned to a same organization. A method provides a mobile device and a PBX each registered to an organization, a smart client enforces a policy regarding at least one of incoming mobile communications and outgoing mobile communications on the mobile device, providing a recording server connected to the PBX and simulating an extension of the PBX, conferencing a recording server and recording content. |
| US09258133B2 |
Anonymous digital identification
Methods and systems for anonymous digital identification are disclosed and may include detecting the presence of a first communication device associated with a first set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with the first communication device, detecting the presence of a second communication device associated with a second set of content that is distinguishable from an identifier associated with the second communication device, and in response to a determination that the devices are geographically proximate to one another, providing matched content to at least one of the first and second devices. The matched content may be based at least in part on the first set of content, the second set of content, and a shared or complementary interest associated with the first and second devices. The interest may have been previously expressed by a user of the first or second devices. |
| US09258132B2 |
NETCONF SNMP gateway
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a network configuration protocol (NETCONF) and simple network management protocol (SNMP) gateway (NSG). The NSG may include: a first interface configured as a NETCONF server, the first interface configured to connect to a NETCONF client and receive NETCONF messages, at least one NETCONF message identifying a managed object; a buffer configured to store the identified managed object; and a second interface configured to send an SNMP message to an SNMP agent, the SNMP message including the managed object stored in the buffer. Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a network gateway, the method comprising: receiving a NETCONF message from a NETCONF client; translating the NETCONF message into a SNMP message; and sending the SNMP message to a configurable node. |
| US09258127B2 |
System and method for providing cryptographic video verification
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a first document and a second document associated with video data that includes a group of pictures (GOPs). The method also includes hashing a plurality of video frames associated with the video data. Additionally, the method includes appending each of the video frames' respective hash and respective display times to the first document, and appending each of a plurality of I-frames' respective hash and respective display times to the second document. The method further includes communicating the first document and the second document in a reliable manner over a network to a next destination. |
| US09258126B2 |
Method for non-repudiation of ad-hoc workflows
Described herein is a technique in which the proof that an object (e.g., a document) was processed within a certain task by an entity in a workflow is chain-linked to another proof of the next task. The chain of proofs embedded within the document serves to irrefutably prove that a certain set of tasks were completed before the next task was executed on the object. It is thus difficult, if not impossible, for a user to alter the actions on previous tasks without destroying the chain of proofs. |
| US09258121B2 |
Method to manage modification of encryption credentials
A method to manage modification of encryption credentials for an encryption server. The encryption server is used to encrypt data uploaded by a user after provision of user encryption credentials associated with an encryption account. The data is encrypted by using a user encryption key stored in a cloud storage server. |
| US09258117B1 |
Mutual authentication with symmetric secrets and signatures
A client and server negotiate a secure communication channel using a pre-shared key where the server, at the time the negotiation initiates, lacks access to the pre-shared key. The server obtains the pre-shared key from another server that shares a secret with the client. A digital signature or other authentication information generated by the client may be used to enable the other server to determine whether to provide the pre-shared key. |
| US09258116B2 |
System and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects
A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data. |
| US09258115B2 |
Securing information exchanged via a network
A privacy key is provided over a network. An information page is provided over the network. A submission of data that is to be transmitted over the network in response to the information page is detected. A subset of the data is to be encrypted using the privacy key is determined. The privacy key is used to encrypt the subset of the data. |
| US09258106B2 |
Communication apparatus, time synchronization system, and time synchronization method
A communication apparatus (13) according to the present invention is provided with: a storage unit (131) that stored in advance difference information (1311), which is the difference between first time information (t1) and second time information (t2), said first time information (t1) being received from a synchronization source communication apparatus (11) as a time synchronization source connected to a transmission system (12) wherein transmission delay time is different depending on the direction of transmission, and said second time information (t2) obtained from a time synchronization origin (14) other than the transmission system (12); and a time synchronization means (132) that carries out, when the second time information (t2) cannot be obtained from the time synchronization origin (14), time synchronization with the synchronization source communication apparatus (11) using the difference information (1311) read out from the storage unit (131). |
| US09258101B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating OFDM subcarriers for next codeword pointers or other signaling messages
An apparatus for communication. A headend supports a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPEs) in a cable service network. An NCP carrier selector selects at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) subcarrier taken from a radio frequency (RF) spectrum available for broadcasting signals over the cable service network using a plurality of profiles, wherein each selected OFDM subcarrier comprises a corresponding bit loading for each supported profile that meets or exceeds a minimum number of bits used for delivering next codeword pointer (NCP) messages that is acceptable for each of a plurality of profiles used in the plurality of CPEs for receiving signals over the cable service network. A profile generator generates an NCP profile identifying one or more selected OFDM subcarriers, wherein the NCP profile indicates which OFDM subcarriers within the RF spectrum are usable to carry NCP messages, and an associated bit loading for each selected subcarrier. |
| US09258093B2 |
Estimating tone maps in a communication network
A network device may be configured to iteratively modify an initial tone map for each communication region of a powerline cycle to minimize the time before application data can be transmitted. A first network device estimates an initial tone map for each communication region based, at least in part, on sounding messages received from a second network device. The first network device determines whether to estimate a modified tone map for the first communication region based on at least one performance measurement associated with a data packet generated using the initial tone map for the first communication region. If so, the second network device retransmits the sounding messages in the first communication region that will be used to modify the initial tone map for the first communication region, and the second network device continues to transmit the data packets using the initial tone maps in the remaining communication regions. |
| US09258081B2 |
High dynamic range AMAM predistortion
A predistortion function is evaluated with in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) data words as arguments, while additive I and Q data words are generated in accordance with a comparison of the I and Q data words with a full scale value that generates maximum current in a digital power amplifier. The additive I and Q data words are added to the computed I and Q data words to produce predistorted I and Q data words. The predistorted I and Q data words are provided in a sequence to the digital power amplifier, which generates a corresponding radio-frequency (RF) analog signal. |
| US09258080B2 |
Communication terminal and method for use in a communication terminal
The present invention describes a method for configuring a measurement report type to be used by a receiver to report a measurement to a transmitter, wherein the measurement is reported to the transmitter in a report signal over a control channel. The method includes selecting a first measurement report type and at least one second measurement report type to be used by the receiver to report the measurement, generating a measurement reporting pattern defining an occurrence of the first measurement report type and the at least one second measurement report type in the report signal transmitted by the receiver to the transmitter over control channel, and notifying the first measurement report type, the at least one second measurement report type, and the generated measurement reporting pattern to the receiver. |
| US09258076B2 |
Amortization of expensive optical components
A laser system includes an array of lasers that emit light at a number of different, fixed wavelengths. A group of optical transport systems connect to the laser system. Each of the optical transport systems is configured to modulate data signals onto the light from the laser system to create optical signals and transmit the optical signals on one or more optical fibers. |
| US09258075B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method for discrete-fourier-transforming a time domain symbol to a frequency domain signal and mapping the transformed signal on frequency bands
Provided is a radio communication device which can reduce ISI caused by destruction of an orthogonal DFT matrix even when an SC-FDMA signal is divided into a plurality of clusters and the clusters are respectively mapped to discontinuous frequency bands. The radio communication device includes a DFT unit (110), a division unit (111), and a mapping unit (112). The DFT unit (110) uses the DFT matrix to execute a DFT process on a symbol sequence in a time region to generate a signal (SC-FDMA signal) of the frequency region. The division unit (111) generates a plurality of clusters by dividing the SC-FDMA signal with a partially orthogonal bandwidth corresponding to the vector length of some of the column vectors constituting the DFT matrix used in the DFT unit (110) and orthogonally intersecting at least partially. The mapping unit (112) maps the clusters to discontinuous frequency bands. |
| US09258074B2 |
Wireless communication system
A wireless communication system that includes a base station and one or more terminals carries out wireless data communication by use of a first frequency band. The wireless communication system includes a wireless access system that employs a CSMA/CA and/or TDMA/TDD system as the wireless access system of the wireless communication system and a control signal at the first frequency band is periodically broadcasts from the base station, where the control signal includes a control information configured to manage wireless data transmission by the one or more terminals. In addition to the first frequency band, one or more frequency bands different from the first frequency band for the wireless data transmission by the one or more terminals can be allocate by the base station, where the control signal at the first frequency band indicate the location of the one or more frequency bands which can be used. |
| US09258068B2 |
RRM measurements for UEs with interference suppression receiver
An apparatus and a method are described, in which a plurality of signals is received via plurality of receiver units of a receiver, signal quality and/or power related measurements are performed, and a signal quality and/or power related measurement result is generated based on a combination of signals received by the receiver units. |
| US09258060B2 |
Method and apparatus for compensating nonlinear distortions in intensity modulation-direct detection system
The embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for compensating nonlinear distortions in an intensity modulation-direct detection (IM-DD) system; wherein the method comprises: calculating, according to nonlinear coefficients and differences between values of an input signal at different time, nonlinear distortions of the input signal, so as to eliminate the nonlinearity distortions. By applying the method and the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present invention, nonlinear cost of the IM-DD system can be effectively reduced, thereby improving the system capacity. |
| US09258058B2 |
Signal transmitting apparatus for transmitting information by bright line pattern in image
A signal transmitting apparatus is provided that includes a light emitter and a circuit that controls the light emitter change in luminance in frequency to transmit a signal to a receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus includes a processor and a recording medium having a program, the program causing the processor to execute operations. The operations include obtaining first image data with a first exposure time; setting a second exposure time of the image sensor so that, in an image obtained by capturing a subject by the image sensor, a plurality of bright lines corresponding to the plurality of exposure lines included in the image sensor appear according to a change in luminance of the subject; obtaining a bright line image including the plurality of bright lines; and obtaining information by demodulating data specified by a pattern of the plurality of bright lines. |
| US09258057B2 |
Visible light communication system
A server is configured to manage second positional information, which shows a location of the lighting device, so that the second positional information is associated with the ID information of the lighting device. The server is configured to determine whether or not the ID information received from the receiving terminal is justifiable based on the second positional information, which corresponds to the ID information received from the receiving terminal, and the first positional information, which is received from the receiving terminal. The server is configured to reply, to the receiving terminal, the service information corresponding to the ID information received from the receiving terminal when determining that the ID information received from the receiving terminal is justifiable. The server is configured not to reply the service information to the receiving terminal when determining that the ID information received from the receiving terminal is not justifiable. |
| US09258056B2 |
Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the performance of optical communication systems
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optical detector that can sample asynchronously an optical signal from an optical component that can be either an optical transmitter or an optical receiver. In such embodiments, the apparatus also includes a processor operatively coupled to the optical detector, where the processor can calculate a metric value of the optical signal without an extinction ratio of the optical signal being measured. The metric value is proportional to the extinction ratio of the optical signal. In such embodiments, the processor can define an error signal based on the metric value of the optical signal and the processor can send the error signal to the optical transmitter such that the optical transmitter modifies an output optical signal. |
| US09258053B2 |
Interface module for a unit of an antenna distribution system, and antenna distribution system
An interface module for a unit designed to transmit and/or amplify communication signals inside an antenna distribution system includes a first analog interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from mobile terminals and a second interface for forwarding and receiving communication signals from the antenna distribution system. A signal path forwards the received communication signals between the first and second interfaces. A controllable digital unit in the signal path is configured for digitizing incoming communication signals to digital signals and converting outgoing communication signals to analog signals. The digital unit is configured to evaluate characteristic signal parameters of the digital communication signals and select a subset of signals from the digital communication signals. The controllable digital unit is further configured for forwarding the selected subset of signals. |
| US09258052B2 |
Reducing location-dependent interference in distributed antenna systems operating in multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) configuration, and related components, systems, and methods
Components, systems, and methods for reducing location-based interference in distributed antenna systems operating in multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) configuration are disclosed. Interference is defined as issues with received MIMO communications signals that can cause a MIMO algorithm to not be able to solve a channel matrix for MIMO communications signals received by MIMO receivers in client devices. These issues may be caused by lack of spatial (i.e., phase) separation in the received MIMO communications signals. Thus, to provide phase separation of received MIMO communication signals, multiple MIMO transmitters are each configured to employ multiple transmitter antennas, which are each configured to transmit in different polarization states. In certain embodiments, one of the MIMO communications signals is phase shifted in one of the polarization states to provide phase separation between received MIMO communication signals. In other embodiments, multiple transmitter antennas in a MIMO transmitter can be offset to provide phase separation. |
| US09258051B2 |
Optimization of transmit signal polarization of an adaptive polarization array (APA)
An Adaptive Polarization Array (APA) Algorithm is described for analyzing a wireless signal transmitted by an entity to determine a received polarization of the received wireless signal at a non-coherent receiver. The APA Algorithm determines a transmit polarization state for a transmitter to transmit signals to the entity based in part on the determined received polarization. The transmitter is an arbitrary-polarized transmitter configured to transmit signals at any polarization. |
| US09258050B2 |
Transceiving module, antenna, base station and signal receiving method
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of wireless communication technologies, and provide a transceiving module, an antenna, a base station and a signal receiving method, which are capable of implementing receiving of four dual-band signals and improving uplink network performance of a base station. The transceiving module includes a combining-splitting network, a set of transceiving unit arrays and a signal processing unit that are connected to each other in sequence, and further includes a combining network setting with a connection point connected to another transceiving module, a co-element filter unit separately connected to the combining-splitting network and the combining network, and a pair of receiving units connected to the signal processing unit, where the pair of receiving units in the transceiving module is disposed with a connection point connected to the another transceiving module. The embodiments of the present invention apply to the field of communication. |
| US09258044B2 |
Method for feeding back precoding matrix indicator, receive end and transmit end
The present disclosure provides a method for feeding back a precoding matrix indicator, a receive end and a transmit end, where the method includes: selecting, by a receive end, a precoding matrix W from a codebook based on a reference signal, where W ∈ [ X 1 ( θ 1 ) X 2 ( θ 2 , φ n ) ] , the θ1 and the θ2 indicate a phase difference of weighted values for signal transmission between two neighboring antennas in a first antenna group of a transmit end and a phase difference of weighted values for signal transmission between two neighboring antennas in a second antenna group of the transmit end, the φn indicates a phase difference of weighted values for signal transmission between the first antenna group and the second antenna group, where the signal transmission between the first antenna group and the second antenna group is for a same transmission layer, φ n = ⅇ j 2 π n M , and sending, by the receive end, a precoding matrix indicator PMI to the transmit end. |
| US09258041B2 |
Methods and systems for combined cyclic delay diversity and precoding of radio signals
In a transmitter or transceiver, signals can be precoded by multiplying symbol vectors with various matrices. For example, symbol vectors can be multiplied with a first column subset of unitary matrix which spreads symbols in the symbol vectors across virtual transmit antennas, a second diagonal matrix which changes a phase of the virtual transmit antennas, and a third precoding matrix which distributes the transmission across the transmit antennas. |
| US09258039B2 |
Devices for sending and receiving quantization quality feedback
A wireless communication device for sending quantization quality feedback is described. The wireless communication device includes a receiver that receives a signal. The wireless communication device also includes channel estimation circuitry coupled to the receiver. The channel estimation circuitry generates a channel estimate based on the signal. The wireless communication device also includes feedback determination circuitry coupled to the channel estimation circuitry. The feedback determination circuitry generates quantization quality feedback based on the channel estimate. The wireless communication device also includes a transmitter coupled to the feedback determination circuitry. The transmitter transmits the quantization quality feedback. |
| US09258035B2 |
Multi-mode communication ingestible event markers and systems, and methods of using the same
A device including an integrated circuit, a partial power source, including first and second materials associated with the integrated circuit is disclosed. The first and second materials are configured to provide a voltage potential difference when in contact with a conductive fluid to power up the device. A signal amplification element secured around the integrated circuit relative to the first and second materials is configured to facilitate extension of a current flow path between the first and second materials. A modulator is configured to control conductance between the first and second materials to generate a detectable signal that is partially defined by the current flow extending through the conductive fluid. A communication module is coupled to the partial power source and is configured to communicate with a receiver and an antenna electrically coupled to the communication module, which uses the antenna to communicate with the receiver. |
| US09258033B2 |
Docking system and method using near field communication
A method and system for configuring a mobile computing device to a docking station using near field communication is disclosed. A mobile computing device may scan an NFC tag integrated with the docking station to gather docking-station information. This docking-station information may be used by the mobile computing device to (i) configure its interface connector to match the docking connector, (ii) establish a communication link with the docking station and/or a host computer connected to the docking station, or (iii) authenticate the docking station to the mobile computing device or vice versa. |
| US09258026B2 |
Mobile communication device with human body recognition function
A mobile communication device with a human body recognition function includes sensing pad and a sensor. The sensing pad is electrically connected to the sensor. When a target object approaches the mobile communication device, an induction signal is generated between the sensing pad and the target object. The sensor receives the induction signal, and the sensor includes a first sensitivity and a second sensitivity. When no target object approaches the mobile communication device, the sensor is set at the first sensitivity. When the sensor receives the induction signal, the first sensitivity is switched to the second sensitivity. The induction signal is converted into a first signal and the first sensitivity is compared with a default value. If the first signal is greater than the default value, the target object is determined as a human body and a power adjustment unit is adjusted to reduce an output power. |
| US09258025B2 |
Antenna structure and wireless communication device using the same
Antenna structure includes a feed section, a first radiator, and a second radiator. The first radiator includes a first radiation portion, a ground end, a second radiation portion, the first radiation portion is spaced from the feed end, the ground end is connected between the first radiation portion and the second radiation portion. The second radiator is located below the second radiation portion, and includes a first extending strip, a ground portion, a second extending strip, and a third extending strip. The first extending strip is spaced from the feed end, the second extending strip is connected to the first extending strip and extends along the first extending strip, and the ground portion is connected to a junction of the first extending strip, the second extending strip, and the third extending strip. |
| US09258023B2 |
Diversity antenna apparatus of mobile terminal and implementation method thereof
Provided is a diversity antenna apparatus of a mobile terminal including a main antenna and a sub-antenna for performing an auxiliary function using a separate sub-antenna processing module, and an implementation method thereof. When the auxiliary function is not performed, a controller of the mobile terminal disconnects the sub-antenna from the sub-antenna processing module and electrically connects the sub-antenna to an RF module through a switch such that the sub-antenna operates as a diversity antenna. |
| US09258019B2 |
Communication device
An RFID device provided at a transmission and reception circuit processes an RFID carrier signal belonging to a band of about 902 MHz to about 928 MHz or about 865 MHz to about 868 MHz to execute near field radio communication. An RFIC provided at a transmission and reception circuit processes a GSM carrier signal belonging to a band of about 824 MHz to about 894 MHz or about 880 MHz to about 960 MHz to execute mobile communication. A filter circuit provided at the transmission and reception circuit takes the band of about 850 MHz to about 940 MHz where RFID carrier signals appear as the pass band, and takes the band greater than or equal to about 1.2 GHz where a harmonic wave component of GSM carrier signals appears as the attenuation band. |
| US09258015B2 |
Decoder with selective iteration scheduling
A method includes decoding a code word of an Error Correction Code (ECC), which is representable by a set of check equations, by performing a sequence of iterations, such that each iteration involves processing of multiple variable nodes. For one or more selected variable nodes, a count of the check equations that are defined over one or more variables held respectively by the one or more selected variable nodes is evaluated, and, when the count meets a predefined skipping criterion, the one or more selected variable nodes are omitted from a given iteration in the sequence. |
| US09258014B2 |
Using parity data for concurrent data authentication, correction, compression, and encryption
A system for software error-correcting code (ECC) protection or compression of original data using ECC data in a first memory is provided. The system includes a processing core for executing computer instructions and accessing data from a main memory, and a non-volatile storage medium for storing the computer instructions. The software ECC protection or compression includes: a data matrix for holding the original data in the first memory; a check matrix for holding the ECC data in the first memory; an encoding matrix for holding first factors in the main memory, the first factors being for encoding the original data into the ECC data; and a thread for executing on the processing core. The thread includes a Galois Field multiplier for multiplying entries of the data matrix by an entry of the encoding matrix, and a sequencer for ordering operations using the Galois Field multiplier to generate the ECC data. |
| US09258012B2 |
Compression of state information for data transfer over cloud-based networks
Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for compressing a set of RAM data that may have some portions duplicated in a set of ROM data. The ROM data may be divided into a plurality of data chunks and hashed to obtained unique key values. Then a second hash may be performed on the RAM to see if there are any RAM data chunks that match the ROM data chunks. RAM data chunks with matching key values are replaced with pointers to the location of the data in the ROM. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US09258010B1 |
Monotonic segmented digital to analog converter
In one implementation, a digital analog converter (DAC) is monotonic because the output moves only in the direction of the input and segmented because a more significant portion of the DAC is separated from a less significant portion. The DAC receives an input binary word that includes multiple most significant bits and multiple least significant bits. The DAC decodes the input binary word to an intermediate signal that includes a bit width equal to or greater than a bit width of the binary word. The intermediate signal sets output switches and current source switches. The DAC provides an analog output signal that represents the input binary word. |
| US09258009B2 |
AD converter
A successive approximation type AD converter includes: a comparator comparing an analog input signal and a DA-converted comparison code; and a control circuit. When an output of the comparator settles before a limit time period has passed since the comparator started a comparison operation, the control circuit updates the comparison code on the basis of the settled output of the comparator. When the limit time period has passed before the output of the comparator settles, the control circuit updates the comparison code not on the basis of the present output of the comparator. |
| US09258006B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A digital-correction-type A/D converter which is a charge sharing type and performing successive approximation is realized in a small area. The A/D converter is configured with an A/D conversion unit which is a charge sharing type and performing successive approximation, a digital correction unit which receives a digital output of the A/D conversion unit and performs digital correction to the digital output, and a holding unit which holds a test signal. A test signal of a common value from the holding unit is inputted into the A/D conversion unit in the first period and the second period. The A/D conversion correction coefficient for the digital correction unit is calculated on the basis of the digital correction result of the digital correction unit in the first period, and the digital correction result of the digital correction unit in the second period. |
| US09258004B2 |
Customized data converters
A method is provided for supplying a customized data converter fabricated from a universal function die. The method initially fabricates a plurality of universal data converter dice. Each universal data converter die is capable of performing a first plurality of data conversion algorithms. After the dice are made, each universal data converter die is tested to verify the performance of the first plurality of data conversion algorithms. Subsequently, a request is received for a customized data converter capable of performing a first data conversion function, which is selected from among the first plurality of data conversion algorithms. The method then fabricates a customized data converter capable of performing the first data conversion function, using a tested universal data converter die. The unselected data converter functions are disabled (not enabled). A configuration interface may be used to enable the requested data conversion function. |
| US09258003B2 |
Electronic system and operating method thereof
To compensate for non-linearity of an AD conversion unit and non-linearity of a DA conversion unit in an electronic system including the DA conversion unit and the AD conversion unit, an electronic system includes an A/D conversion unit, a D/A conversion unit, an AD conversion compensation unit, a DA conversion compensation unit, and a calibration unit. During a calibration operation period, the calibration unit sets an operating characteristic of the AD conversion compensation unit and an operating characteristic of the DA conversion compensation unit. The operating characteristic of the AD conversion compensation unit set during the calibration operation period compensates for non-linearity of AD conversion of the A/D conversion unit. The operating characteristic of the DA conversion compensation unit set during the calibration operation period compensates for non-linearity of DA conversion of the D/A conversion unit. |
| US09258002B2 |
Interference filter, optical module, and electronic apparatus
An optical module for an atomic oscillator using a quantum interference effect includes a first light source unit that emits first resonance light, a gas cell in which an alkali metal atom is sealed, a first light detection unit that detects the intensity of the first resonance light having passed through the gas cell, a determination unit that determines whether or not the first light source unit has failed, a second light source unit that irradiates the gas cell with second resonance light when the determination unit determines that the first light source unit has failed, and a second light detection unit that detects the intensity of the second resonance light having passed through the gas cell, and the optical path length of the first resonance light in the gas cell and the optical path length of the second resonance light in the gas cell are equal to each other. |
| US09257994B2 |
Apparatus and system for digitally controlled oscillator
Described herein is apparatus and system for a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The apparatus comprises a voltage regulator to provide an adjustable power supply; and a DCO to generate an output clock signal, the DCO including one or more delay elements, each delay element operable to change its propagation delay via the adjustable power supply, wherein each delay element comprising an inverter with adjustable drive strength, wherein the inverter is powered by the adjustable power supply. The apparatus further comprises a digital controller to generate a first signal for instructing the voltage regulator to adjust a voltage level of the adjustable power supply. |
| US09257989B2 |
Electronic device for implementing digital functions through molecular functional elements
An electronic device for implementing digital functions comprising a first and a second electrode regions, separated by an interposing region comprising a dielectric region, is described. The first and the second electrode regions comprise at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode, respectively, configured to generate in the interposing region an electric field depending on an electric potential difference applied thereto. In the interposing region, a molecular layer is comprised, which is composed of a plurality of molecules, each being capable of assuming one or more states, in a controllable manner, depending on a sensed electric field. The dielectric region has a spatially variable dielectric profile, to determine a respective spatially variable field profile of the sensed electric field at the molecular layer. |
| US09257988B2 |
Configurable decoder with applications in FPGAs
The invention relates to hardware decoders that efficiently expand a small number of input bits to a large number of output bits, while providing considerable flexibility in selecting the output instances. One main area of application of the invention is in pin-limited environments, such as field programmable gates array (FPGA) used with dynamic reconfiguration. The invention includes a mapping unit that is a circuit, possibly in combination with a reconfigurable memory device. The circuit has as input a z-bit source word having a value at each bit position and it outputs an n-bit output word, where n>z, where the value of each bit position of the n-bit output word is based upon the value of a pre-selected hardwired one of the bit positions in the x-bit word, where the said pre-selected hardwired bit positions is selected by a selector address. The invention may include a second reconfigurable memory device that outputs the z-bit source word, based upon an x-bit source address input to the second memory device, where x |
| US09257982B2 |
Error resilient packaged components
A packaged component may include an interposer and integrated circuit dies mounted on the interposer. At least one of the dies may be a radiation-hardened integrated circuit die, whereas the remaining dies may be non-radiation-hardened dies. If desired, the interposer may be a radiation-hardened interposer whereas the integrated circuit dies may be non-radiation-hardened dies. The radiation-hardened die or the radiation-hardened interposer may include monitor circuitry that is used to test non-radiation-hardened circuitry of the packaged component. Test results may be stored in a database at the monitor circuitry or transmitted to external devices such as a server. The monitor circuitry may be used to reconfigure failed circuitry or may control multiplexing circuitry in the interposer to functionally replace the failed circuitry. If desired, the monitor circuitry may adjust power consumption of non-radiation-hardened circuitry based on the test results. |
| US09257981B2 |
Low consumption logic circuit with mechanical switches
Adiabatic logic circuit having a first and a second inputs, a first and a second outputs and at least one supply and synchronization input (Phi), with this circuit comprising: a first logic device comprising at least one first microelectromechanical and/or nanoelectromechanical switch, referred to as first mechanical switch, controlled by a first input and connected to the first output and to the supply and synchronization input, a second logic device opposite the first logic device comprising at least one second microelectromechanical or nanoelectromechanical switch, referred to as second mechanical switch, controlled by the second input and connected to the second output and to the supply and synchronization input, first and second devices for partial discharging connected respectively between the first output and the supply and synchronization input and between the second output and the supply and synchronization input. |
| US09257976B2 |
Semiconductor device with touch sensor circuit
A semiconductor device includes a terminal to which a touch electrode may be coupled; a source voltage drop circuit generating a constant voltage; a phase shift circuit generating a phase shifted clock in response to a first clock and a phase control signal; and a switching circuit to which the constant voltage is supplied. The switching circuit generates drive pulses for applying the constant voltage to the terminal in response to the phase shifted clock. The phase shift circuit varies the phase of the drive pulses based on the phase control signal. |
| US09257975B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals among a plurality of chips
A semiconductor apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a transmission control unit configured to generate, in response to a received pulse signal having a first pulse width, transmission control signals with a second pulse width larger than the first pulse width and synchronization control signals with a third pulse width larger than the second pulse width. The apparatus also includes a reception control unit configured to generate reception control signals in response to the synchronization control signals. |
| US09257971B2 |
Integrated circuit, method for driving the same, and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first latch, a second latch and a transistor whose semiconductor layer contains an oxide semiconductor. An input of the first latch is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor, an output of the first latch is electrically connected to an input of the second latch, and an output of the second latch is electrically connected to the other of the source or the drain of the transistor. |
| US09257968B2 |
Duty cycle correction circuit and operation method thereof
A duty cycle correction circuit includes a clock adjustment unit configured to adjust a duty ratio of an input clock signal in response to a duty control signal and generate an output clock signal, a tracking type setting unit configured to generate an tracking type selection signal for setting a first or second tracking type based on a duty locking state of the output clock signal, and a control signal generation unit configured to generate the duty control signal, into which the first or second tracking type is incorporated, in response to the tracking type selection signal and the output clock signal. |
| US09257964B2 |
Low frequency oscillator for burst-mode dimming control for CCFL driver system
Oscillator system and method thereof. The oscillator system includes a first voltage-to-current converter configured to receive a first voltage and generate a first current based on at least information associated with the first voltage, and a second voltage-to-current converter configured to receive a second voltage and generate a second current based on at least information associated with the second voltage. Additionally, the oscillator system further includes a current-mode N-bit digital-to-analog converter configured to receive at least the second current and a first clock signal and to generate a third current based on at least information associated with the second current and the first clock signal. N is a first integer. The first clock signal is associated with a first clock frequency corresponding to a first clock period. Moreover, the oscillator system further includes a current comparator coupled to the first voltage-to-current converter and the current-mode N-bit digital-to-analog converter. |
| US09257963B1 |
Impedance tuners with rotating probes
A new slide-screw impedance tuner structure uses rotating metallic probes. This ensures high resolution in the area where the gap between center conductor and probe is small (high GAMMA), a smooth increase of proximity between probe and center conductor (basic anti-corona form) and the possibility to compensate for the negative phase slope at higher GAMMA, native to traditional slide screw tuners. Additionally the new structure simplifies the tuner mechanics by eliminating the need for a precise vertical axis. |
| US09257962B2 |
Elastic wave device
An elastic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, a pair of reflectors disposed on the piezoelectric substrate along the propagation direction of an elastic wave, and first to fifth comb electrode pairs disposed in this order between the pair of reflectors. Ground comb electrodes of adjacent comb electrode pairs are connected by an even number of connection electrode fingers or by an odd number of connection electrode fingers. |
| US09257958B2 |
Methods for noise reduction and quality factor improvement in resonators
A low phase noise dual mode resonator and a method of making and using said resonator is disclosed. The dual mode resonator is capable of sustaining two frequency vibration modes simultaneously. The two frequency vibration modes are capable of exhibit non-linear coupling when one is driven at a higher voltage than the other. The dual mode resonator is configured such that the ratio of the two vibration frequency modes is a value that maximizes the non-linear coupling effect. As a result of the non-linear effect, the phase noise on the mode that is not overdriven is reduced. |
| US09257953B2 |
Digital equalizing filters with fixed phase response
An equalization filter structure for filtering an audio signal within an audio system is disclosed. The equalization filter comprises a first and a second shelving filter each having a fixed first and a fixed second phase response, each of which is determined by a respective cut-off frequency and Q factor which represent the transfer characteristic of the corresponding shelving filter. The first and the second shelving filters are coupled in series and each shelving filter comprises at least one fourth order low-pass filter having a cut-off frequency, a Q factor and a first broadband gain and further at least one fourth order high-pass filter having a second broadband gain and the same cut-off frequency and the same Q factor as the low-pass filter. The fourth order low-pass filter and the fourth order high-pass filter are connected in parallel, such that both filters receive the same input signal and the corresponding filtered signals are summed to form a respective shelving filter output signal. Each fourth order low-pass and high-pass filter is composed of a cascade of two second order low-pass or high-pass filters, respectively, and each second order filter has the same cut-off frequency and Q factor as the corresponding shelving filter. |
| US09257950B2 |
Charge preamplifier
A charge preamplifier for converting an electric charge generated in a charge source sensor into a voltage signal, including: a phase inverting amplifier including an input related to the charge source sensor, and an output for providing the voltage signal; a storage capacitor connected between the input and the output of the phase inverting amplifier; a reset system connected to the input of the phase inverting amplifier, for providing to the storage capacitor a discharging current as a function of a control signal, and a control element including: a first input connected to the output of the phase inverting amplifier, for withdrawing the voltage signal, a second input subjected to a reference voltage, a set of components configured and arranged to generate a control signal proportional to the deviation between the voltage signal and the reference voltage, the proportionality coefficient being lower than one in a high frequency band, an output connected to the reset system to provide thereto the control signal. |
| US09257949B2 |
Linear amplifier
The invention relates to a “push-pull” amplifier, comprising an input (12) and an output (14), which includes: a main amplification branch comprising two amplification transistors (18, 20) connected in opposite series between two supply voltages (V+, V−), the amplifier output (14) being connected between the two transistors (18, 20), and a control circuit (22, 24) for each amplification transistor (18, 20) connected to the input (12) to each receive as an input the signal to be amplified. The main amplification branch comprises, between each transistor (18, 20) and the output (14), a member having a nonlinear response (38, 40) and means (30, 32) for introducing at the input of the control circuit (22, 24) of each transistor (18, 20), a nonlinear compensating signal suitable for bringing about the circulation of a minimum current in the member having a nonlinear response (38, 40). |
| US09257947B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a power amplifier for amplifying RF signals in multiple frequency bands, an output matching circuit connected to an output of the power amplifier, a first capacitor connected at a first end to an output of the output matching circuit, multiple output paths, a switch connected to a second end of the first capacitor and directing each of the RF signals to a respective one of the output paths in accordance with frequency band of the each of the RF signals, and multiple second capacitors. Each second capacitor is connected in series to a respective one of the output paths. The switch and either the first capacitor or the second capacitors, or both the first and second capacitors, are integrated as a single monolithic microwave integrated circuit. |
| US09257945B2 |
Amplifier apparatus
Disclosed is a technique for reducing noise superimposed on an output signal while keeping loop gain constant without increasing the circuit scale and without changing the transfer function of the amplifier apparatus (frequency characteristics of gain and phase). According to the technique, there are included a power-supply voltage control unit 7 for detecting the amplitude level S9 of an input audio signal S1 and outputting power with a voltage value indicated by target set voltage value information Vs corresponding to this amplitude level S9, and a PWM modulation unit 2 including a PWM converter 23 for converting the pulse width of the input audio signal S1 and a correction unit for correcting the signal modulated by the PWM converter 23. The PWM modulation unit 2 corrects the pulse width of a PWM signal S5 modulated by the PWM converter 23 so that the correction unit will cancel out a change in amplification gain of a power amplification unit 4 according to the target set voltage value information Vs. |
| US09257944B2 |
Method and arrangement for driving a microphone
Disclosed is a differential microphone pre-amplifier circuit (120) for providing an amplified differential signal at a first (A) and a second (B) output terminal of the microphone pre-amplifier (120), including a first voltage controlled current generator (101), a second voltage controlled current generator (102) and a third voltage controlled current generator (103) all being configured to receive, amplify and convert a voltage signal generated by an associated microphone (110) to a current signal output. |
| US09257943B2 |
Amplifier circuit and wireless communication equipment
Distortion compensation is performed taking into account a memory effect that occurs in a signal path other than an input-to-output path of an amplifier. An amplifier circuit 1 includes an amplifier 2 that amplifies a signal, a variable power supply 3 that varies a power supply voltage of the amplifier 2 in accordance with envelope change, and a distortion compensation section 4 that performs compensation for distortion characteristics. The distortion compensation section 4 performs the distortion compensation, based on an amplifier model which represents a memory effect that occurs on a path from a signal input port 2a of the amplifier 2 to a signal output port 2b thereof, and a memory effect that occurs on a path from a power supply port 2c of the amplifier 2 to the signal output port 2b thereof. |
| US09257933B2 |
Variable speed induction motor with single external power supply and control method thereof
A single external power supply variable speed induction motor and a control method thereof are disclosed. An induction motor includes: a stator in which coils directly connected to a single-phase or 3-phase or more systematic power supply are wound; a rotor that is supported to be rotatable in the stator; a power conversion device that is attached to the rotor and controls a rotor current without connection of a separate external power supply; and a control circuit that is connected to the power conversion device and controls the power conversion device. |
| US09257930B2 |
Controller for multiple-phase rotating machine
A controller for a multiple-phase rotating machine includes power converters for supplying alternating current to winding sets of the rotating machine. A pair of each electrical power converter and a corresponding winding set forms a system. The controller further includes a failure detector for detecting a failure in each system. The failure causes a braking current in the rotating machine. The controller further includes a control section for setting a d-axis current and a q-axis current to drive the power converter in each system. When the failure detector detects the failure in any one of the systems, the control section stops the power converter in the failed system and sets the d-axis current in the normal system in such a manner that an electric current in the failed system is reduced. |
| US09257929B2 |
Excitation control circuit, control method and electrically excited wind power system having the same
The present invention provides an excitation control circuit, a control method using the same and an electrically excited wind power system having the same. The excitation control circuit comprises at least one converter and at least one AC/DC conversion module. The converter is located between an AC electric grid and a wind power generator, so as to convert AC power generated by the wind power generator into AC power corresponding to the AC electric grid. The input side of the AC/DC conversion module is electrically connected between the converter and the wind power generator, and the output side is coupled to an excitation device. The AC/DC conversion module is used to convert the AC power from the wind power generator into a DC voltage, and provides an excitation current for the wind power generator using the DC voltage. |
| US09257926B2 |
Method and control system for controlling mobility vehicles
A method of controlling at least one motor in a motorized mobility vehicle, wherein the motor is part of a drive circuit for mobilizing the mobility vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing a stored profile of a motor performance parameter to develop a compensation term for controlling the motor, wherein the stored profile is of a resistance based variable associated with the motor as a function of a further variable and dynamically updating the compensation term when the mobility vehicle is in use. |
| US09257923B2 |
Control system for synchronous motor including abnormality detection and diagnosis function
A control system includes a current control unit providing, in accordance with the magnetic pole position of a rotor in which permanent magnets are disposed, a first current command to a first excitation phase of a stator winding and providing a second current command to a second excitation phase, a current error calculator calculating a current error which is a difference between a current flowing through the motor during the first period and the first current command or a difference between a current flowing through the motor during the second period and the second current command, and an abnormality detection and diagnosis unit detecting an abnormality based on the speed, the direction of movement and the amount of movement of the motor and the magnitude of the current error. |
| US09257921B2 |
Lithography apparatus and method of manufacturing article
The present invention provides a lithography apparatus for forming a pattern on a substrate, including a motor configured to drive a table for holding the substrate in accordance with a driving profile, a setting unit configured to set one of a normal mode and a power saving mode as an operation mode of the motor, and a controller configured to change the driving profile when the power saving mode is set, such that an amount of generated heat of the motor caused by driving of the table is smaller than that in the normal mode, and the number of substrates to be processed by the lithography apparatus per unit time is satisfied. |
| US09257918B2 |
Vehicle window opening and closing control device
A vehicle window opening and closing control device has a driver seat unit that is provided in a driver seat of a vehicle, and a sub-switch that is provided in a seat other than the driver seat. The driver seat unit includes a main switch that operates opening and closing of a first window of the driver seat and a second window of the seat other than the driver seat and a controller that controls a driver seat motor provided in the driver seat and an other-seat motor provided in the seat other than the driver seat to perform manual opening and closing and automatic opening and closing of the first and second windows based on the operation of the main switch. The sub-switch is a switch that performs only the manual opening and closing of the second window using the other-seat motor. |
| US09257917B1 |
Efficient power conversion apparatuses, methods and systems
The EFFICIENT POWER CONVERSION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include circuits for efficiently converting electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice-versa, such as within a multitude of ElectroActive Polymer (EAP) transducers. Embodiment may support a multitude of EAP transducers while also being capable of directing the movement of energy between electrical and mechanical forms in either direction. In another aspect, an efficient mode of transferring mechanical energy is discussed, via one or more strained and paired elastic transducers coupled to a potential energy reservoir. |
| US09257913B1 |
LLC converter and loss of inductive mode detection circuit
Methods, control apparatus and series resonant or LLC power conversion systems are presented in which a resonant series circuit current is compared with a threshold during a portion of a modulation switching cycle following turn on of a corresponding switching device and one or more indications or remedial actions are undertaken to modify modulation control of a switching circuit in response to a determination that the resonant current is below the threshold to facilitate our promote zero voltage switching or near-zero voltage switching and provide current reversal protection. |
| US09257911B2 |
Switching power source device with timing control of synchronous rectifier
A synchronous rectification switching power source device accurately determines the timing of the turning off of a synchronous rectifier switching element regardless of the state of the load, and a synchronous rectification period is utilized to the maximum. The switching power source device is configured of a main FET connected to a primary winding of a transformer, a snubber circuit connected to the primary winding, a synchronous rectifier FET connected to a secondary winding of the transformer, a diode connected to the synchronous rectifier FET, a synchronous rectifier FET drain voltage detection unit, an output voltage detection unit, and a drive control unit. The drive control unit accurately determines the timing of the turning off of the synchronous rectifier switching element using a unit that detects the on/off state of the main FET, a variable pulse generator unit, a count value generated by a counter unit, and a threshold value. |
| US09257910B2 |
Isolated boost flyback power converter
An isolated boost power converter comprises a magnetically permeable multi-legged core (102) comprising first and second outer legs (132; 136) and a center leg (134) having an air gap (138) arranged therein. A boost inductor (Lboost) is wound around the center leg (134) or the first and second outer legs (132; 136) of the magnetically permeable multi-legged core (102). The boost inductor (Lboost) is electrically coupled between an input terminal (104) of the boost converter and a transistor driver (106) to be alternatingly charged and discharged with magnetic energy. A first and second series connected secondary transformer windings (SW1; SW2) with a center-tap (116) arranged in-between are wound around the first and second outer legs (132; 136), respectively, of the magnetically permeable multi-legged core (102). In a first discharge state, the magnetic energy stored in the boost inductor (Lboost) is discharged by directing a discharge current from the boost inductor through a primary transformer winding (PW1; PW2) and in a second discharge state, the magnetic energy stored in the boost inductor (Lboost) is discharged by discharging a magnetic flux through the first and second secondary transformer windings (SW1; SW2). |
| US09257909B2 |
Switching power supply with switching frequency controlled to prevent harmonic interference with received radio broadcast
A switching power supply determines the order n (a natural number) of the power supply higher harmonic component near the receiving frequency fc of an AM radio broadcast, and judges whether the higher harmonic component of the order n is higher or lower than the receiving frequency fc of the AM radio broadcast. According to the judgment result, the switching power supply determines an upper limit value and a lower limit value for the power supply frequency fs that does not interfere with the receiving frequency fc of the AM radio broadcast from the values of the fundamental power supply frequency fso of the switching operation, the order n of the higher harmonic component, the receiving frequency fc of the AM radio broadcast, and the bandwidth BW of the receiving frequency. The power supply frequency fs is set within the range specified by the upper and lower limit values. |
| US09257908B2 |
Systems and methods to auto-adjust zero cross circuits for switching regulators
Various embodiments of the present invention provide for an adaptive and accurate zero cross circuit that can operate without directly sensing an inductor current. Certain embodiments allow adjustment of a zero crossing condition while eliminating the need for a blanking time. In certain embodiments this is accomplished by detecting the effects of turning off a switch on a switching node voltage of a buck converter. Some embodiments use a counter to lengthen or shorten the delay time between an inductor crossing a zero value and the effect of the switching event. In one embodiment, the effect of the switching event includes a change in the direction of the switching node voltage from which the direction of a current flowing in the buck converter inductor. |
| US09257902B2 |
Device for power conversion using switching element
A converter is provided as a power conversion device. The converter includes a switching circuit that performs switching on the basis of switching signals; and a control circuit that changes switching frequency of switching signals in a predetermined pattern with the elapse of time, and repeats the changes in switching frequency in the predetermined pattern at every repetition time. The converter sets the repetition time such that a repetition frequency that is the inverse of the repetition time does not coincide with a frequency band that can be demodulated as sound by a radio that receives radio broadcasts. |
| US09257901B2 |
DC power supply circuit
In a DC power supply circuit, a first period and a second period are alternately repeated a plurality of times during each half cycle of AC supplied to the DC power supply circuit. The first period is a period during which current flows along a first current path extending from an output terminal at a high-potential side of a rectifier circuit to an output terminal at a low-potential side of the rectifier circuit, via an inductor and a switching element. The second period is a period during which current flows along a second current path extending from the output terminal at the high-potential side of the rectifier circuit to the output terminal at the low-potential side of the rectifier circuit, via the inductor, a charging current supply path, and a capacitor. |
| US09257900B2 |
Signal peak detector and detection method, and control IC and method for a PFC converter
A control integrated circuit for a power factor correction converter has a pin for detecting an alternating-current information and a direct-current information of an input signal. The control integrated circuit comprises a signal peak detector for detecting a peak value of the input signal to the pin to obtain the direct-current information of the input signal. Since the alternating-current information and the direct-current information of the input signal can be obtained through the same pin, the pin count of the control integrated circuit can be decreased. |
| US09257895B2 |
Distributed gap inductor filter apparatus and method of use thereof
The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided that uses a silicon carbide transistor to output power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies. |
| US09257894B2 |
Reconfigurable passive filter
A passive filter for connection between an AC source and a load, in either three-phases or in a single-phase arrangement. The filter includes, for each phase, a trap circuit having an inductor in series with a capacitor, the trap circuit having at least two terminals. A line reactor is connected between the AC source and the load, the line reactor having at least an input terminal, an output terminal and a tap terminal. A switch selectively connects at least one of the trap circuit terminals to a selected one of the line reactor terminals. The switch is capable of selecting which of the trap circuit terminals to connect to which of the line reactor terminals on the basis of a level of voltage distortion being experienced by the AC source, or on the basis of a calculated level of background voltage total harmonic distortion. |
| US09257889B2 |
EPGS architecture with multi-channel synchronous generator and common field regulated exciter
A generator system includes a generator having a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The generator includes an exciter field winding disposed on the stationary portion. A first channel includes a first main field winding and a first main field power converter disposed on a rotating portion. The first main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the first main field winding. A second channel includes a second main field winding and a second main field power converter disposed on the rotating portion. The second main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the second main field winding. A generator control unit is connected to the first channel and the second channel. The generator control unit monitors an output voltage at each of the first channel and the second channel and generates the first and second control signals based on the output voltage. |
| US09257886B2 |
Rotating rectifier assembly bus bar
A rectifier assembly includes a diode pack. A bus bar includes a first layer electrically connected to the diode pack. The first layer has a first yield strength and a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A second layer of copper is joined to the first layer and includes a second yield strength less than the first yield strength. In one example, the second layer has a second coefficient of thermal expansion within 5% of the first coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US09257885B2 |
Motor
A motor is provided with an insert nut 10 that has a knurled part 101 at two places on the surface thereof along an axial direction thereof with projections 103 for whirl stop and slip-off stop formed on the knurled part, and that is embedded between the motor rotor 3 and the magnet assembly 7 to perform fastening between the motor rotor 3 and the magnet assembly 7, and in the insert nut 10, a concave part 104 between the knurled parts 101 is situated at a mounting boundary between the motor rotor 3 and the magnet assembly 7. |
| US09257884B2 |
Cooling system and geared motor
A cooling system for a geared motor, and a geared motor having electric motors and a gear unit as well as an adapter which is disposed between the electric motors and the gear unit, the electric motors having ducts for a coolant, in particular, a coolant, especially a cooling liquid, being able to flow through each of the motors which, in particular, are liquid-cooled, the streams of coolant emerging from the ducts being brought together and being fed at least proportionally by a first distributor to the gear unit in order to lubricate and cool the toothing parts of the gear unit. |
| US09257881B2 |
Rotating electric machine
A rotating electric machine includes a stator, a rotor, and a coolant supply passage. Coils are wound on the teeth of the stator. The rotor is disposed coaxially with the stator, and has an outer circumferential surface that faces respective distal end faces of the teeth with a constant gap formed therebetween. The coolant supply passage is disposed inside the rotor, and is configured to eject a coolant from a coolant outlet of the outer circumferential surface of the rotor toward the distal end face of a corresponding one of the teeth so as to supply the coolant to the gap. A discharge groove is formed in the distal end face of the corresponding tooth. The discharge groove is inclined radially outwardly of the stator, from a coolant supply position as an axial position of the stator facing the coolant outlet, toward one edge of the distal end face of the corresponding tooth. |
| US09257879B2 |
Motor for environment-friendly vehicle
Discloses is a motor for an environmentally friendly vehicle. In particular, the motor includes a stator core including a first coating portion and a second coating portion. The first portion and the second coating portion are adjacent to each other, wound with a coil on an outside thereof and fixedly installed in a motor case and the first coating portion is thinner than the second coating portion. The motor also includes a rotor core configured to move between the first coating portion and the second coating portion depending upon a speed of the motor. A controller is configured to control an operation of an actuator to move the rotor between the first coating portion and the second coating portion to maximize the efficiency of the motor depending upon the speed of the motor. |
| US09257878B2 |
Arrangement of conducting bar ends
An arrangement includes conducting bar ends connected together and a cap) covering them filled with a putty. The cap is made of a resin containing a high thermal conductivity filler. The putty is a silicone elastomer containing a high thermal conductivity filler. |
| US09257876B2 |
Motor integrated to electronic device
An electronic device includes a first structural part, a first electronic substrate correspondingly mounted on the first structural part, and a motor. The motor includes a second structural part and a second electronic substrate, a base directly formed on the second structural part, a rotor having at least one load, and a stator. The first and second structural parts are integrally made. The first and second structural parts are combined to a single electronic structural part. The stator has a plurality of winding coils and a driving circuit directly shaped on the second electronic substrate respectively for driving the rotor. The first and second electronic substrates are integrally made. The first and second electronic substrates are combined to a single electronic substrate. Alternatively, the driving circuit is directly shaped in the second electronic substrate. |
| US09257871B1 |
Transfer switch
A transfer switch has a mounting seat, and a main no-fuse circuit breaker, an auxiliary no-fuse circuit breaker, a switching control assembly, and a transmission mechanism mounted on the mounting seat. The switching control assembly selectively switches the main no-fuse circuit breaker and the auxiliary no-fuse circuit breaker. The transmission mechanism has a main transmission set and an auxiliary transmission set. When the switching control assembly is switched to form electrical conduction of the main no-fuse circuit breaker, the main transmission set drives the auxiliary transmission set via a transmission rod to prevent electrical conduction of the auxiliary no-fuse circuit breaker from forming. Likewise, when the electrical conduction of the auxiliary no-fuse circuit breaker is formed, the electrical conduction of the main no-fuse circuit breaker cannot be formed. Accordingly, safety of the transfer switch can be improved when switching between power sources. |
| US09257870B2 |
Battery energy storage, battery energy storage system, method, computer program and computer program product
A battery energy storage arranged to be connected to a capacitor link, which is connected in parallel to a power converter. The battery energy storage includes a battery module and a direct current energy source connected in series with a voltage source converter. The voltage source converter is adapted to insert a positive voltage when the voltage of the battery module falls below a first threshold value, and to insert a negative voltage when the voltage of the battery module exceeds a second threshold value. The direct current energy source is adapted to be either charged or discharged during the voltage insertion by the voltage source converter. The disclosure also provides a battery energy storage system including such battery energy storage. |
| US09257864B2 |
Input power controller for AC/DC battery charging
A control approach of adjusting the input power of a power factor correction (PFC) stage so that the output voltage (DC-link) of the input AC/DC stage to an intermediate DC voltage (DC-Bus voltage) is adjusted based on the amount of power required to charge a high energy battery is disclosed. The present invention controls the input power of the PFC instead of the DC-bus voltage as is common in conventional methods. Therefore, a very fast response compared to the conventional sluggish voltage loop can be achieved. Also, having different DC-bus voltages for different output load conditions allows the DC/DC converter to work with an optimal duty cycle for a whole range of load variations. |
| US09257858B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a charging circuit in a power over ethernet device
A charging circuit and method for charging a power storage device in a power over Ethernet environment are necessary to prevent unnecessary power consumption. Power sourcing equipment continuously supplies power to a connected device after determining that the device is compatible. In order to prevent supply of power after a power storage device attains full charge, a charging circuit may include an interface for supplying electric power; a sensing circuit including a switch in series with a resistor; and a voltage detection circuit. The voltage detection circuit may communicate with the sensing circuit and may output a first signal that turns the switch OFF when the voltage of the power storage device is greater than or equal to a first voltage and may output a second signal that turns the switch ON when the voltage of the power storage device is less than or equal to a second voltage. |
| US09257856B2 |
Wireless power transmitter and method of controlling the same
A method and a wireless power transmitter for transmitting charging power to a wireless power receiver are provided. The method includes applying the charging power to the wireless power receiver; determining whether a current value of the charging power is greater than a predetermined threshold; and driving the overcurrent protection circuit upon a determination that the current value of the charging power is greater than the predetermined threshold. |
| US09257854B2 |
Electronic device and protection circuit thereof
An electronic device includes a charging socket, a protection circuit, and a battery. The charging socket includes a charging pin. The charging pin is detachably connected to a charging plug of a power supply device, receives power from the power supply device, and transmits the power to the battery. The protection circuit is connected between the battery and the charging socket, and controls whether the battery is electrically connected to the charging pin. During a process of disconnecting the charging socket from the charging plug, the protection circuit disconnects the battery from the charging pin before the charging pin is disconnected from the charging plug. |
| US09257853B2 |
Battery pack
The battery pack includes: a charging terminal receiving power from a charger while connected to the charger; a battery connected to the charging terminal and recharged by power from the charger via the charging terminal; a protective circuit performing a protective operation of detecting an overcharge of the battery by using power from the battery while receiving a driving signal, and terminating the protective operation when receiving no driving signal; an activation terminal receiving an activation signal from the charger while connected to the charger; an activation circuit connected to the activation terminal and configured to output the driving signal to the protective circuit while receiving the activation signal from the charger via the activation terminal; and an auxiliary activation circuit connected to the charging terminal and configured to provide the driving signal to the protective circuit while the battery receives power from the charger via the charging terminal. |
| US09257851B2 |
Inductive power supply with duty cycle control
An inductive power supply that maintains resonance and adjusts duty cycle based on feedback from a secondary circuit. A controller, driver circuit and switching circuit cooperate to generate an AC signal at a selected operating frequency and duty cycle. The AC signal is applied to the tank circuit to create an inductive field for powering the secondary. The secondary communicates feedback about the received power back to the primary controller. The power transfer efficiency may be optimized by maintaining the operating frequency substantially at resonance, and the amount of power transferred may be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle. |
| US09257850B2 |
Power transmission apparatus, power reception apparatus and power transmission system
A power transmission apparatus including a power transmitting unit which includes an induction unit which receives an electrical energy from an external power source by induction and a magnetic resonance unit which transmits the electrical energy to an external receiving unit by magnetic resonance. |
| US09257848B2 |
Method for controlling single-phase DC/AC converters and converter arrangement
A method is disclosed for controlling single-phase DC/AC converters, along with a converter arrangement having at least two single-phase DC/AC converters. A controller is provided which can control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters, and an isolation transformer, wherein outputs of the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters are cascade-connected with each other and an input of the isolation transformer. The controller is configured to control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters to deliver power from their inputs to their outputs by turns. |
| US09257847B2 |
Photovoltaic system with managed output
Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a photovoltaic module configured to receive and convert solar energy to DC power. The system also includes a sensor configured to detect a future change in solar energy to be received by the photovoltaic module. The system further includes a power conditioning unit coupled with the photovoltaic module and the sensor. |
| US09257842B2 |
Set-top-box having a built-in master node that provides an external interface for communication and control in a power-line-based residential communication system
A set-top-box (STB) provides capability for monitoring and control of power usage and the ability to establish communications. A smart residential service system (SRSS) is provided that uses power line communication (PLC) technology to provide secure in-home LAN communication and also to monitor and provide remote control of connected appliances in the home. An embodiment combines the STB with a master unit (MST) that is used with PLC to meet the requirements of the central device in the SRSS. |
| US09257840B2 |
Synchronized PWM randomization for coordinated load management
A method of controlling a power consuming device includes receiving a control signal from a power supplying utility. The control signal signals a beginning of a control period. A length of time to operate the power consuming device during the control period is determined and an offset time is identified. A start time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the beginning of the control period and the offset time. A stop time for operation of the power consuming device is identified as a function of the start time and the determined length of time to operate the power consuming device. |
| US09257837B2 |
Power balancing in a multi-phase system
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for balancing the power output to each phase of a set of micro-inverters. The method of some embodiments is performed by a gateway, which receives output messages from a plurality of micro-inverters. The gateway identifies the phase of each micro-inverter and calculates the output of the plurality of micro-inverters to each power line of a multi-phase system. The gateway then sends control signals to the micro-inverters to control the output of each micro-inverter to maintain a balanced aggregate power output to each phase of the power grid. |
| US09257832B2 |
Resettable circuit protection system and vehicle with same
A resettable circuit protection system for a vehicle includes a power outlet, a resettable circuit protection device, a resettable switch, a control module, and a user interface. The resettable circuit protection device is disposed in power communication with the power outlet, is operable between open and closed positions, and is configured to automatically open in response to an electrical overload condition at the power outlet. The resettable switch is electrically disposed in series with the circuit protection device, and operates between open and closed positions. The control module is disposed in signal communication with the circuit protection device and the switch. The user interface is disposed in signal communication with the control module. When the circuit protection device is open, the control module is responsive to facilitate display of a message at the user interface indicative of the circuit protection device being open, and to facilitate opening of the switch. |