| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09339383B2 |
Prosthetic heart valve and method
A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially crimpable and radially expandable, net-like, annular support frame and a valve assembly disposed therein, the valve assembly comprising a conduit tapering from an inlet towards an outlet thereof. Some embodiments or the support frame comprise a proximal portion and a distal portion, a diameter of the proximal portion smaller than a diameter of the distal portion. The proximal portion is dimensioned for deployment in an annulus of a native aortic valve and a distal portion for deployment in an ascending aorta. Some embodiments of the conduit comprise a support construction with a three-cusp, crown-shaped cut line, the support construction sutured to the support frame around a bottom portion thereof and around the cut line. A method for using the prosthetic heart valve to replace a defective native aortic valve uses a minimally invasive procedure. |
| US09339381B2 |
Four-leaflet stented mitral heart valve
A prosthetic mitral heart valve having four separate flexible leaflets. The heart valve includes a support frame that may be non-circular, for example elliptical or “D-shaped”. The support frame may have an undulating outflow edge defined by four inflow cusps and four outflow commissures to which each of the flexible leaflets attaches. The support frame may comprise an undulating wireform and a surrounding stent defining a structure having four cantilevered posts projecting in the outflow direction to support the four leaflets. The heart valve is designed to be secured in the annulus and function as a standalone unit without papillary muscle connections to the leaflets. The four leaflets may be arranged in two opposed pairs, one pair being smaller than the other pair. The larger pair of leaflets may be identical, or differently sized. Existing sizes of heart valve leaflets may be utilized with the smaller leaflets being at least two leaflet sizes smaller than the larger leaflets in odd millimeter increments. |
| US09339377B2 |
Body cavity prosthesis
A prosthesis can be configured to be deployed within a body cavity. The prosthesis has an expandable frame, a plurality of proximal anchors, and a plurality of distal anchors, where the various anchors are connected to the frame. Radial expansion of the frame can cause the ends of the proximal anchors and the ends of the distal anchors to draw closer together. |
| US09339373B2 |
Polymer compositions suitable for intraocular lenses and related methods
A polymeric material with a molecular response time that makes it suitable for use near fragile body tissues. The polymeric material is useful for both low modulus and high modulus applications thereby simplifying the multi-part polymeric article manufacturing process and creating better integrated multi-part polymeric articles. Cross-linked polymers with different moduli may be obtained utilizing the same or similar starting materials but modifying the amount of catalyst, the amount of cross-linking agent, and/or the amount of methyl vinyl cyclics. |
| US09339370B2 |
Apparatus and method for sequentially anchoring multiple graft ligaments in a bone tunnel
An apparatus for anchoring elongate strands within a longitudinal tunnel is disclosed. At least two cams are arranged longitudinally adjacent each other along a longitudinal axis. A first anchor member includes a first cam-contacting surface and a first strand-contacting surface. The first cam-contacting surface is selectively operatively connected to a first cam. A second anchor member includes a second cam-contacting surface and a second strand-contacting surface. The second cam-contacting surface is selectively operatively connected to a second cam. An elongate strand is positioned between the tunnel wall and the first or second strand-contacting surfaces. Rotation of a selected cam causes the selected cam to selectively apply a force to a corresponding first or second cam-contacting surface to urge the corresponding first or second strand-contacting surface away from the longitudinal axis to produce frictional engagement of the elongate strand with both a tunnel wall and the first or second strand-contacting surface. |
| US09339369B2 |
Reinforced biological tissue
The present invention provides for an implantable medical device comprising a hybrid composite material including a first biological component such as an acellular tissue matrix and a second non-biological component for strengthening the device after implantation. |
| US09339365B2 |
Device and method for delivering grafts
A device and method for delivering a graft or synthetic mesh for anatomical repair to the repair site, with the graft or synthetic mesh in position for attachment to repair the defect. A plurality of spaced apart, flexible fingers is connected to the graft or synthetic mesh. The flexible fingers are initially in a position that is generally parallel to a direction of travel of the actuator. The actuator moves the plurality of flexible fingers from the initial to form a radial array, which opens or extends the graft or synthetic mesh. The graft or synthetic mesh may then be attached. A novel trocar is disclosed that is useful with the device. A measuring device including a measuring scale that is useful for determining the required size of the graft is also disclosed. |
| US09339362B2 |
Apparatus and method for suspending a uterus
An inter-vaginal device for performing a uterine suspension includes a rigid body for manipulating the uterus and implanting a suspension member, such as a mesh, for securing the uterus to an anchoring site (e.g., into a pelvic muscle or ligament). In one embodiment, a method includes inserting at least a portion of a uterine suspension member through an anterior or posterior vaginal incision. An end of the suspension member is anchored to a selected portion of a pelvic tissue. At least a portion of the suspension member is attached to a vaginal apex. A uterine manipulator is advanced in a direction toward the selected portion of the pelvic tissue such that at least a portion of a uterus is moved upward. |
| US09339359B2 |
Applicator instrument for dental compounds
The invention relates to an applicator instrument for applying dental compounds. The applicator instrument comprises an instrument head with a support structure and with a plurality of projections formed on the support structure. The projections are elastic and, in relation to a height extent, have less stiffness than the support structure. Between them, the projections enclose a receiving space for the dental compound. According to the invention, the projections have a planar configuration and, in relation to a width extent, are arranged substantially parallel to one another. The greatest diameter of the instrument head is between 2 mm and 3 mm. With the applicator instrument according to the invention, it is easier to apply the dental compound in dosed amounts and to spread the dental compound across the surface that is to be treated. |
| US09339358B2 |
Medical membrane, in particular dental membrane and tooth implant with such a membrane
A medical membrane, in particular a dental membrane for regeneration and/or inducing of tissue, in particular of periodontal tissue and for use in direct contact with bone tissue or connective tissue along with a tooth implant. |
| US09339357B1 |
Multi-headed toothbrush
The present invention generally relates to oral hygiene. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-headed toothbrush and method for brushing teeth. |
| US09339347B2 |
Optic fiber connection for a force sensing instrument
In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a housing linkable with a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, a shaft operably coupled to the housing, a force transducer on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fiber optic strain gauges on the force transducer. In one example, the plurality of strain gauges are operably coupled to a fiber optic splitter or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer. A fiber optic connector is operably coupled to the fiber optic splitter or the AWG multiplexer. A wrist joint is operably coupled to a distal end of the force transducer, and an end effector is operably coupled to the wrist joint. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator positioning system, and a distal link movably coupled to the base link, wherein the distal link includes an instrument interface and a fiber optic connector optically linkable to a surgical instrument. A method of passing data between an instrument and a manipulator via optical connectors is also provided. |
| US09339345B2 |
Cutting apparatus for joint cutting system using robot
A cutting apparatus for joint cutting system using robot includes a shaft combined with a motor in a part of a robot arm, a cutter having a cutting head at the end of the shaft, a sleeve in which the shaft is inserted, and a cutter support member having a sleeve base where the sleeve is fixed, characterized in that the sleeve is a standalone member of a hollow bar with a center hole and is separable from and combinable with the sleeve base. The sleeve and the sleeve base are so separable that it is possible to reinforce the strength of the sleeve, which retrains the bending force to the sleeve, though the diameter of the sleeve is minimized. |
| US09339344B2 |
Surgical instrument manipulator aspects
A remote center manipulator for use in minimally invasive robotic surgery includes a base link held stationary relative to a patient, an instrument holder, and a linkage coupling the instrument holder to the base link. First and second links of the linkage are coupled to limit motion of the second link to rotation about a first axis intersecting a remote center of manipulation. A parallelogram linkage portion of the linkage pitches the instrument holder around a second axis that intersects the remote center of manipulation. The second axis is angularly offset from the first axis by a non-zero angle other than 90 degrees. |
| US09339339B2 |
Medical device and method for conducting a surgery through a body opening
A medical device and method for facilitating a surgery through a body opening is disclosed. The medical device includes a flexible member configured to be placed within the body opening so as to cover a portion of the body opening. The flexible member includes a distal end portion with a closed end, a proximal end portion with an open end and an elongate portion joining the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The proximal end portion is configured to extend out of the patient's body opening to cover an area around and outside the patient's body opening. |
| US09339338B2 |
Adjustable surgical instrument stringer with pegs, tray system, and method of sterilization
An adjustable stringer configured to string the ring handles of one or more surgical instruments, the stringer including two or more rod sections, wherein each rod section is configured to be inserted in one ring handle of the one or more surgical instruments, two or more angle sections, each angle section configured having one or more slidable connector sections, each slidable connector section configured to extend and retract along at least one of the two or more rod sections, and two or more releasable connectors, each releasable connector positioned between two of the two or more angle sections. |
| US09339334B2 |
Electrosurgical instrument
A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, with components arranged in the shaft. The elongated shaft is slightly curved. Arranged on a proximal end of the surgical instrument is an actuation device in the form of a lever mechanism and rotary knob. A force transmission element in the form of a plastic hollow section is arranged in the shaft. The force transmission element is a plastic section designed for transmitting compressive and tensile forces. The plastic section is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. Therefore, the plastic section does not only serve as a force transmission element, but electric lines and a pull-push shaft may additionally extend in the channels. The longitudinal channels may be used for supplying cooling media for the electrodes or the thermo-fusion device or for feeding agents promoting wound repair. The plastic section is electrically insulating, so that the risk of short-circuits is reduced. |
| US09339330B2 |
System and method for endometrial ablation
A wall of a uterus is ablated by expanding a structure in the uterus and applying energy across the wall of the structure into the uterine wall. An exterior surface of the structure conforms to an inner wall of the uterus, and the energy may cause vapor to collect between the wall and the structure. The vapor is released by providing a barrier to release which is inflated at a pressure above which the barrier at least partially collapses to allow the vapor to leave the uterus. |
| US09339328B2 |
Multi-electrode energy delivery device and method of using the same
An energy delivery device for treating a patient includes a probe body and a plurality of elongate electrode elements that extend radially away from the probe body when deployed into tissue of the patient. The electrode elements are adapted to receive electrical treatment energy such as irreversible electroporation (IRE) pulses from an energy source. In one embodiment, each electrode element has a longitudinally varying electrical resistance at the electrode-tissue interface along the electrode so as to provide a uniform electric field along the length of the electrode. The uniform electric field allows a more uniform ablation of tissue within a treatment zone. |
| US09339327B2 |
Electrosurgical tissue dissecting device
Electrosurgical devices, methods, and systems for electrosurgical procedures as enabled by bipolar radiofrequency energy. An electrosurgical tissue dissecting device includes a shaft, two jaws extending from the shaft, a first electrode that is positioned on either one or both of the jaws, and a second electrode that is positioned at least partially between the two jaws. |
| US09339326B2 |
Diamond-like carbon electrode coating
An RF ablation device comprises an electrode including a DLC coating deposited on at least a portion thereof. A method of forming an RF ablation device, comprises forming a DLC coating on a portion of a metallic electrode. |
| US09339318B2 |
Method and apparatus for preparing a proximal femur
A system for preparing a proximal femur can include a broach that includes a broach body having an anterior side, a posterior side, a lateral side and a medial side. The medial side can have a roughened cutting surface. The lateral side can have a smooth, non-cutting surface. The system can further comprise a cutting scribe assembly and a cutting guide assembly. |
| US09339315B2 |
Bone fixation system with curved profile threads
A bone fastener for use in orthopedic surgery for fixing an implant to bone has a threaded or unthreaded shaft configured to engage bone and a head having a thread on an outer surface to engage the implant. The thread on the head of the fastener has a profile in cross section that includes peaks with a curved shape. |
| US09339310B2 |
Reduction sleeve
Devices and methods for facilitating insertion of a spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element are described herein. In some embodiments, a reduction sleeve can include a through-bore sized to receive the bone fixation element and a transverse channel sized to receive the spinal rod and substantially aligned with the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element. The reduction sleeve can also include at least one break-off point for breaking and removal of the reduction sleeve The reduction sleeve can also include a plurality of threads for engaging a reduction instrument, an alignment mechanism so that the bone fixation element can only be inserted into the reduction sleeve when the rod-receiving channels are aligned, and an inwardly projecting protrusion formed on the inner surface of the reduction sleeve so that, once inserted, the projection contacts a top surface formed on the bone fixation element. |
| US09339305B2 |
Snap fit rod and fastener system
Implementations of the present disclosure provide a snap fit rod and fastener system including one or more fasteners for securing one or more rods to secure a spine or other anatomical structure. The fasteners include a fixation shaft, a clamp and a connector. The fixation shaft (for example a pedicle screw) is configured to frictionally engage a bone (vertebra) or other workpiece. The clamp has a pressure responsive portion that defines an opening configured to receive a rod. The connector is configured to connect the clamp to the fixation shaft and exert pressure on the clamp to modify the opening and secure the rod. A bias mechanism, such as a washer spring may be included to urge against the pressure responsive portion and which can be overcome by pressure on the rod for the “snap fit” effect. For additional adjustability, the clamp may be pivotally mounted on the fixation shaft. |
| US09339303B2 |
Modular vertebral stabilizer
A stabilizer device for the spinal column, comprising first engagement means and second engagement means, which are adapted to be connected to each other by a rod-like element, the first and second engagement means being adapted to be fitted on first and second pedicle screws, which are adapted to be in turn inserted in two adjacent vertebrae, the first and second engagement means being fixable on the pedicle screws; the first and second engagement means accommodate bearing means, which are adapted to rotate within the first and second engagement means and to be fitted on the pedicle screws, in order to allow the fitting of the first and second engagement means on the pedicle screws. |
| US09339300B2 |
Dynamic stabilizing device for bones
A dynamic stabilizing device (1) for bones (3), in particular for vertebrae, includes two bone anchoring elements (2) spaced from one another, which are connectable via fastening elements (4) with at least one rod (5) that is at least partly elastic. The rod (5) has an adjustable device (7) for affecting its elasticity, which is adjustable before and/or after the implantation of the stabilizing device (1). The adjustable device (7) is formed, such that it changes the free length of an elastic section (11) of the rod (5). The adjustable device (7) includes a carriage that is displaceable over the rod (5), and the carriage (20) engages the rod (5) on a peripheral side at least partially. |
| US09339298B1 |
Dynamic apparatus for disk traction
An apparatus for treating spinal vertebrae of patients that require therapeutic mechanical effects. Two interconnected articulated U-shape frame assemblies 20; 70 provide the necessary supporting at adjustable relative angular disposition with respect to each other to conform with the characteristics of the spinal segment being treated. Upper frame assembly 20 is mounted at a predetermined location of a patient's spine. Connector assemblies 40; 40′ are mounted to upper assembly 20 and to telescopic tubular assembly 50 extension. Pivoting connectors 60; 60′ are connected to a tubular assembly 50 and provide pivoting movement in two ortographic planes for tubular assembly 50 and lower frame assembly 70. |
| US09339297B2 |
Flexible spine stabilization system
A system for flexibly stabilizing a vertebral motion segment by connecting a first vertebra and a second vertebra is disclosed. The system includes an elongate connection element with end portions interconnected by a flexible coupling member. The system includes first and second attachment portions for connecting the connection element to the vertebrae. A first resilient member is positioned between the first end portion and the first attachment portion, and a second resilient member is positioned between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. The system is designed such that the second resilient member is compressed when the first and second attachment portions move towards each other, and the first resilient member is compressed when the first and second attachment portions extend away from each other. |
| US09339296B2 |
Joint distraction system
An external fixation system for adjusting a load occurring at a joint connecting a first bone to a second bone. The external fixation system includes a first bone clamp to connect to the first bone, a second bone clamp to connect to the second bone, and a pivot assembly to operatively connect the first bone clamp and to the second bone clamp. The pivot assembly includes a first pivot body pivotably coupled to a second pivot body at a pivot axis, wherein one of the first pivot body and the second pivot body includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of one of the first pivot body and the second pivot body with respect to the other of the first pivot body and the second pivot body at other than the pivot axis. |
| US09339295B2 |
Pericardial access devices and methods
Described here are devices and methods for accessing the pericardial space. The access devices may include a piercing member such as a needle and a proximal shoulder having a contact surface for contacting the pericardium as the piercing member pierces the pericardium. In some instances, the distance between the piercing member and the proximal shoulder may be adjustable. |
| US09339294B2 |
Instruments for controlled delivery of injectable materials into bone
Instruments for treating bone defects of the joint, particularly at the subchondral level, such as bone marrow lesions or bone marrow edema, are provided. In particular, these instruments may be delivery instruments that comprise features to control the location to which they deliver injectable materials or other tools to the bone to be treated. Also provided is an injection instrument that delivers a treatment material to the bone defect and stimulates a natural healing response in the bone. |
| US09339292B2 |
Medical device for accessing space along an interior surface of an anatomic layer
Medical device including a lift tool having a distal end configured to removably engage an anatomic layer. The lift tool includes a shaft lumen that extends longitudinally through the lift tool and through the distal end. The shaft lumen is configured to receive an elongated insert device that is movable through the shaft lumen and through the distal end. The medical device also includes a locking mechanism that is coupled to the lift tool. The locking mechanism includes a locking member that is selectively movable with respect to the insert device between a released position and an engaged position. The locking member engages the insert device when in the engaged position to hold the insert device at a fixed position with respect to the lift tool and permits the insert device to move through the shaft lumen when in the released position. |
| US09339288B2 |
Uterine fibroid tissue removal device
A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein the axial lumen of the distal tip member is smaller in cross-sectional area than the axial lumen of the inner tube, and wherein the distal tip member has a length greater than a length of the resection window. |
| US09339287B2 |
Surgical instrument
A surgical apparatus for use in endoscopic surgery having a user interface operatively coupled to an articulating tool assembly via an elongate tubular member. Movement at the articulating tool mirrors movement at the user interface thereby providing intuitive operation of the surgical apparatus. The apparatus is configured such that the range of motion of the articulating tool assembly emulates the range of motion of the human wrist. |
| US09339285B2 |
Grasper with magnetically-controlled positioning
Described here are devices, systems, and methods for providing remote traction to tissue. Generally, the systems may include a grasper and a delivery device configured to releasably couple to the grasper. The grasper may have a first jaw and a second jaw and a main body having a barrel portion. The barrel portion may have a lumen extending therethrough, and a portion of the delivery device may be advanced through the lumen to rotate one or both of the jaws. The delivery devices may include a handle, a shaft, and a distal engagement portion. The delivery devices may further include an actuation rod which may be advanced through a barrel portion of a grasper to actuate the grasper. In some instances, the delivery device may further include a locking sheath, wherein the locking sheath is configured to temporarily couple to a grasper. |
| US09339284B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling delivery of ultrasonic energy to a bodily tissue
An apparatus includes a generator including a control module that is operably coupled to a power module. The power module is configured to produce an electronic signal to be received by an ultrasonic energy delivery assembly. The ultrasonic energy delivery assembly is characterized by a natural frequency, and the electronic signal is characterized by a frequency. The control module is configured to send a control signal to the power module to randomly vary the frequency of the electronic signal within a range defined at least in part by the natural frequency. |
| US09339279B2 |
Implant and guide
An implant and guide are described, together with methods for configuring the same. The implant and guide are for maxillofacial osteosynthesis and may be provided as a kit. Three-dimensional models of the pre- and post-operative anatomy are used to define attachment points. These attachment points are used to define a structure for the implant and the guide. |
| US09339271B2 |
Articulating surgical instruments
A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction. |
| US09339267B2 |
Suture passer
Sutures can be placed in difficult to access areas of the human body with devices, and related methods, utilizing a suture carrier with a sharpened tip and a notch for holding a formed suture tip. The devices and methods can be used in conjunction with both endosurgical and traditional open surgery |
| US09339266B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharps protection
Devices and methods are disclosed for protecting individuals from the sharp ends of medical objects following use on a patient. Such sharp objects include hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, cannulae, trocars, and the like. The invention utilizes a disposable protective cover for the used sharp. The protective cover is designed to surround and embed the sharp in a permanent cover that is blunt and will not permit further puncture or cutting with the sharp. In an embodiment, the protective cover also absorbs any fluids on or in the used sharp and prevents any fluids from escaping the protective cover. The sharp cover is configured to irreversibly lock, once closed. A refillable or replaceable dispenser dispenses the protective covers at points of use. A disposable receptacle receives the used sharp embedded in the protective cover. When the receptacle is full, the entire receptacle may be discarded in a medical waste container. |
| US09339249B2 |
Medical image processing apparatus
The medical image processing apparatus according to the embodiment comprises a photographing unit that scans the flexible sites of the living body including the plurality of components and obtains the projected data, a reconstruction processing unit that carries out reconstruction processing on the projected data and generated first image data of the plurality of timing points of the flexible sites, and an analyzing unit that compares the first image data of the plurality of timing points and the second image data showing the flexible sites, thereby specifying the data with the timing point shown in the second image data from among the first image data of the plurality of timing points. |
| US09339248B2 |
Systems and methods for imaging sinuses
Systems, devices, and methods for imaging a sinus in a patient involving a through sinus are presented. In one instance, a system includes a radiopaque wound filler for disposing into the through sinus. The system further includes a radiopaque solution for deploying into the sinus, and a radiopaque solution unit having a radiopaque solution reservoir and a positive pressure source. Other systems, devices, and methods are presented. |
| US09339247B2 |
Arm of an arm structure for an intra-oral x-ray device
An arm construction of an intra-oral x-ray device according to the present invention comprises at least two elongated support arms (55, 56, 55′, 56′) jointed to each other, into connection with a substantially first end of the first support arm (55) of which is arranged a radiation source (4) and in which at least one of the support arms (55, 56) comprises a cover which is arranged to comprise a structure openable or detachable in the longitudinal direction of the support arm, which structure is substantially of the length of the support arm or covers at least a significant portion of the length of the support arm. |
| US09339245B2 |
Digital x-ray diagnosis and evaluation of dental disease
A method for diagnosis and evaluation of tooth decay comprises: locating in an x-ray image the contour of the dento-enamel junction (DEJ); measuring optical density along contours substantially parallel to and on either side of the DEJ contour; and calculating at least one numerical decay value from the measured optical densities. A method for diagnosis and evaluation of periodontal disease comprises: measuring in an x-ray image a bone depth (BD) relative to the position of the cemento-enamel junctions (CEJs) of adjacent teeth; measuring bone density along a contour between the adjacent teeth; and calculating a numerical crestal density (CD) value from the measured bone density. Calibration standards may be employed for facilitating calculation of the numerical values. A dental digital x-ray imaging calibration method for at least partly correcting for variations of the optical densities of images acquired from the dental digital x-ray imaging system. |
| US09339237B2 |
Continuous transdermal monitoring system and method
Various embodiments of methods and systems for continuous transdermal monitoring (“CTM”) are disclosed. One exemplary method for CTM begins by monitoring an output signal from an accelerometer. The accelerometer output signal may indicate acceleration and deceleration of a body part of a user, such as the user's wrist. Based on the accelerometer output signal, it may be determined that the body part of the user has decelerated to a minimum, e.g., substantially zero. With a determination that the body part has decelerated to the minimum, e.g., substantially zero, or has not accelerated beyond the minimum, e.g., substantially zero, the method may determine a reading from a pulse oximeter associated with the accelerometer. Advantageously, the pulse oximetry reading, or a reading from other sensors associated with the accelerometer, may be optimally accurate as motion artifact may be minimized. The pulse oximetry reading may be recorded for later query and/or rendered for the benefit of the user. |
| US09339236B2 |
Continuous transdermal monitoring system and method
Various embodiments of methods and systems for continuous transdermal monitoring (“CTM”) are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of a continuous transdermal monitoring system comprises a sensor package. The sensor package may include a pulse oximetry sensor having a plurality of light detectors arranged as an array. One exemplary method for continuous transdermal monitoring begins by positioning a pulse oximetry sensor system, similar to the system described immediately above, adjacent to a target tissue segment. Then, the method continues by detecting a light reflected by the target tissue segment. Then, the method continues by transmitting a pulse oximetry reading(s), based at least in part on the light reflected by the target tissue segment, of the target tissue segment. Then, the method continues by analyzing the pulse oximetry reading(s). Then, the method continues by assessing the accuracy of the pulse oximetry reading from the first light detector relative to the pulse oximetry reading from the second light detector. |
| US09339235B2 |
Methods and systems for determining signal-to-noise information from a physiological signal
A physiological monitoring system may determine physiological information, such as physiological rate information, and other information, such as signal-to-noise information, from a physiological signal. The system may generate at least one difference signal based on the physiological signal and sort the at least one difference signal to generate at least one sorted difference signal. The system may analyze the at least one sorted difference signal to determine at least two values indicative of noise. The system may determine a value indicative of a signal-to-noise ratio based on the two or more values indicative of noise. |
| US09339234B2 |
System and method for measuring physiological parameters
A measuring method for measuring a physiological parameter via a measuring system comprising a test strip, an auxiliary measuring device and an electronic device having an application program and an analog-to digital converting unit is provided. The measuring method includes steps of coupling the auxiliary measuring device between the test strip and the electronic device to form a loop; the electronic device executing the application program to provide a first analog signal, and transferring the first analog signal to the auxiliary measuring device via the loop; the auxiliary measuring device applying a voltage to the test strip according to the first analog signal, and causing the test strip to generate a second analog signal; the analog-to-digital converting unit converting the second analog signal into a digital signal via the application program; and the application program calculating the digital signal to estimate the physiological parameter. |
| US09339233B2 |
Medical implantable lead with fixation detection
A lead has an electrically controlled switch at a proximal end of a rotatable shaft. The electrically controlled switch has a first configuration to electrically connect a first electric conductor to a second electric conductor for electrically activating the pin and has a second configuration to electrically connect the first electric conductor to the rotatable shaft for electrically activating the helix. Proper fixation of the helix to an organ is determined by switching the electrically controlled switch to the first configuration to render the pin electrically active and to electrically deactivate the helix. Upon determination of proper fixation of the helix to the organ, the electrically controlled switch is switched to the second configuration to render the helix electrically active and to electrically deactivate the pin. |
| US09339229B2 |
Analyte monitoring devices and methods
On-body units are provided and include a transcutaneous analyte sensor, electronic circuitry electrically coupled to the sensor, and an on-body housing having electrical contacts disposed thereon. The on-body housing comprises a substantially flat surface and a curved and convex surface opposite the substantially flat surface. Systems and methods including the on-body units are also provided. Methods for performing continuity measurements using on-body units are also provided. The methods include positioning an on-body unit (OBU) on a skin of a subject, contacting a continuity test instrument to the OBU; and performing a continuity measurement with the continuity test instrument. An AC signal may be provided across two electrical contacts, or a DC signal may be provided across two electrical contacts in opposite directions for the same amount of time. The measurement may be performed with one electrical contact, or with isolated electrical contacts. |
| US09339227B2 |
Cognitive function assessment in a patient
A method for analysis of the extent of conscious awareness and likelihood of recovery of a patient includes the steps of applying to the patient a sensory stimulus sequence which is typically auditory; carrying out an EEG to generate waveform signals to record changes in the electromagnetic fields generated by the patient's neural activity; using software provided in a processor to process the waveform signals in order to locate waveform peaks, identify the event-related potential (ERP) components obtained in the waveform and to obtain quantitative measures of those components; and using the software to generate and communicate scores indicative of the extent of conscious awareness and likelihood of recovery of the patient. |
| US09339222B2 |
Particle-containing membrane and particulate electrode for analyte sensors
Systems and methods of use involving sensors having a particle-containing domain are provided for continuous analyte measurement in a host. In some embodiments, a continuous analyte measurement system is configured to be wholly, transcutaneously, intravascularly or extracorporeally implanted. |
| US09339220B2 |
Multi-wavelength physiological monitor
A physiological monitor for determining blood oxygen saturation of a medical patient includes a sensor, a signal processor and a display. The sensor includes at least three light emitting diodes. Each light emitting diode is adapted to emit light of a different wavelength. The sensor also includes a detector, where the detector is adapted to receive light from the three light emitting diodes after being attenuated by tissue. The detector generates an output signal based at least in part upon the received light. The signal processor determines blood oxygen saturation based at least upon the output signal, and the display provides an indication of the blood oxygen saturation. |
| US09339217B2 |
Analyte monitoring system and methods of use
The present disclosure provides methods of processing data provided by a transcutaneous or subcutaneous analyte sensor utilizing different algorithms to strike a balance between signal responsiveness accompanied by signal noise and the introduction of error associated with that noise. The methods utilize the strengths of a lag correction algorithm and a smoothing algorithm to optimize the quality and value of the resulting data (glucose concentrations and the rates of change in glucose concentrations) to a continuous glucose monitoring system. Also provided are systems and kits. |
| US09339204B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting ECG subwaveforms
Systems and methods are provided to detect subwaveforms of an ECG waveform. Electrical impulses are detected between at least one pair of electrodes of two or more electrodes placed proximate to a beating heart and are converted to an ECG waveform for each heartbeat of the beating heart using the detector. One or more subwaveforms within P, Q, R, S, T, U, and J waveforms of the ECG waveform for each heartbeat or in an interval between the P, Q, R, S, T, U, and J waveforms that represent the depolarization or repolarization of an anatomically distinct portion of muscle tissue of the beating heart are detected using a signal processor. A processed ECG waveform that includes the one or more subwaveforms for each heartbeat is produced using the signal processor. The processed ECG waveform is received from the signal processor is displayed using a display device. |
| US09339197B2 |
Intravascular implantable medical device introduction
In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with an inflatable member at its distal portion. The inflatable member is inflatable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to close-off the distal opening of the outer sheath when inflated. The inner sheath further includes a stopper proximally located relative to the inflatable member. The inflatable member is remotely controllable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to retract in a proximal direction towards the stopper. The inflatable member can be retracted in a proximal direction towards the stopper and past an implantable medical device positioned within a distal portion of the outer sheath. |
| US09339191B2 |
Optical measurement apparatus
Provided is a near-infrared spectroscopy apparatus using a phosphor. [Object]: Information in a specimen is observed by using light without contacting an optical fiber and an electronic circuit with the specimen. [Means for Solution]: A small and lightweight phosphor is contacted with the specimen to measure the fluorescence intensity at a separate position. |
| US09339183B2 |
Aberration correction method, photographing method and photographing apparatus
A fundus image photographing apparatus with adaptive optics generally corrects an aberration by feedback control using a wave front sensor and a wave front correction device. The reduction in the time required to correct the aberration to a high-resolution photographing level is demanded. Aberration correction information of last photographing is stored for each subject, and a stored correction value is used to correct the aberration to reduce the time before the completion of the aberration correction. If there is no stored information, a correction value for a preset reference aberration amount is used. |
| US09339181B2 |
Time-based unobtrusive active eye interrogation
Methods and systems for determining a physiological parameter of a subject through interrogation of an eye of the subject with an optical signal are described. Interrogation is performed unobtrusively. The physiological parameter is determined from a signal sensed from the eye of a subject according to a schedule, under the control of a scheduling controller. |
| US09339171B2 |
Endoscope
An endoscope includes: an operation portion provided on a proximal end side of an insertion portion; one pair of pulling members extending from a bending portion; a pulley rotated by a motor; rotating bodies that are elastically deformable and arranged on the pulley; a suspension frame to which the pulling members are fixed; a manipulator provided to project from the operation portion, the manipulator being capable of applying an amount of force of pulling a part of a pulling member on the insertion portion side using a frictional resistance generated as a result of, upon a tilting operation being performed, the pulling member being pulled to reduce a diameter of the corresponding rotating body and the rotating body being thereby brought into contact with the pulley; and a force amount adjustment section capable of changing the amount of force of pulling by making an adjustment of a friction generation state. |
| US09339170B2 |
Medical device including self-propelled capsule endoscope
A medical device includes a capsule endoscope in which a magnet having a magnetization direction in an axial direction is mounted and a fin portion is provided at a rear end of an endoscope main body, and which can be self-propelled through the inside of a body; and a capsule controller which controls self-propulsion of the capsule endoscope from the outside of the body by generating a static magnetic field whose direction is controlled three-dimensionally, and an alternating magnetic field orthogonal to the static magnetic field. The capsule endoscope rotates upon receiving the static magnetic field so that the magnetization direction of the magnet is parallel to the direction of the static magnetic field and the fin portion vibrates by bending with movement of the magnet in response to the alternating magnetic field. |
| US09339166B2 |
Dishwasher appliance and a method for operating the same
A method for operating a dishwasher appliance is provided. The method includes operating a first pump and a second pump of the dishwasher appliance during a wash cycle of the dishwasher appliance, working the second pump of the dishwasher appliance during a soil collection cycle of the dishwasher appliance, and running the first pump of the dishwasher appliance during a drain cycle of the dishwasher appliance. The first pump of the dishwasher appliance is deactivated during the step of working, and the second pump of the dishwasher appliance is deactivated during the step of running. A related dishwasher appliance is also provided. |
| US09339165B2 |
Replaceable cleaning pads for cleaning device
A pad for cleaning a hard target surface. The pad may be removably attached to a device for cleaning debris from a target surface. The pad has a predetermined 90 degree peel force to prevent undue removal force from the device and prevent the pad from coming loose during the cleaning task. |
| US09339164B2 |
Cleanup system
The cleanup system employs an associated clearing component, such as a tool comprised of plate portion and an adjacent squeegee and/or brush element, to close the top opening and entrance to a containment or receptacle unit with which it is pivotably interengageable, to thereby prevent leakage or escape of liquid, semi-liquid, and/or dry matter during transport. |
| US09339159B2 |
Vacuum brush drive
A vacuum cleaner is described, the vacuum cleaner having a vacuum head with a housing, a suction port, a motor, and a brush. The brush is connected to a drive pulley, the motor has a motor pinion, and a belt extends from the motor pinion to the drive pulley the belt having teeth with a rounded profile. |
| US09339158B2 |
Auto cleaning toilet seat and method of use
An automatic cleaning toilet seat assembly with a cover surrounding a toilet seat to define a conduit spanning from a back end to a front end of a toilet seat and with a width approximately from the inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface, defining at least one liquid aperture fluidly coupled to a liquid source with a liquid matter, and defining at least one gas aperture in fluid communication with the conduit and fluidly coupled to a gas source with a gaseous matter, the assembly also having an electrical system operable to cause the liquid matter to discharge onto a portion of the toilet seat proximal to the back end of the toilet seat through the at least one liquid aperture and to cause the gaseous matter to discharge through the at least one gas aperture at a speed sufficient to transport the liquid matter through the conduit. |
| US09339157B2 |
Padded seat cover
A padded seat cover for use on a toilet seat which encourages users with sensory integration issues, Autism or ADHD to remain on the toilet. The padded seat cover has a textured top layer, a bottom layer, and a middle layer disposed between the top and bottom layer. The top, bottom, and middle layers completely and securely cover the toilet seat when a user sits on the padded seat cover, preventing contact of the user's skin with a toilet seat. The top layer has a textured surface formed by cavities and the cavities provide even heat distribution across the padded seat cover. The bottom layer has a gripping member for removably connecting the padded seat cover to a toilet seat. The middle layer provides cushioning making the padded seat cover more comfortable for the user. |
| US09339155B1 |
Portable urinal
A portable urinal includes a hollow shell having an upper end, a lower end and an open front face in communication with an interior chamber. Surrounding a portion of the open front face, near the lower end, is a semispherical lip that forms a urinal receptacle. Depending from the lower end of the shell is a threaded post in fluid communication with the urinal receptacle. A disposal bottle includes an internally threaded neck that mates with the threaded post for collecting urine entering the shell. One or more hooks on the rear surface of the shell releasably grip U-shaped brackets mounted on a bedroom wall. Accordingly, the shell provides a temporary, bedside urinal that is more easily accessible than a remote bathroom. |
| US09339154B2 |
System and apparatus for removal of toilet paper axle
A compressible axle has first portion that telescopically interfaces within a cavity of a second portion. An end of the first portion has a well containing a lubricant with a side wall having orifice(s) for emitting lubricant and an open end sealed by a movable plunger. A compression spring within the cavity urges the first portion away from the second portion such that a closing force applied to compress the first portion further into the cavity compresses the compression spring and thereby applying force onto the plunger and expelling a portion of the lubricant at an area where the first portion telescopically interfaces with the cavity in the second portion. Nubs at ends of the compressible axle are sized and shaped to fit within corresponding depressions of the depressions in the frame. |
| US09339149B1 |
Food and kitchen preparation assembly
The food preparation assembly for preventing cross contamination includes a liner that is positionable in a sink. The liner may contain a food item. The liner is discarded after the food item is removed from the liner or the food item and liner are discarded together. A lip is coupled to the liner. A pad is coupled to the liner. The pad may absorb a fluid. A drain aperture extends through the liner. The drain liner is aligned with a drain in the sink. |
| US09339145B1 |
Flare reduction grill plate device
A flare reduction grill plate device reduces flare ups and promotes even cooking of food items on a grill. The device includes a plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer perimeter edge extending around and between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of a plurality of openings extends through the plate between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of a plurality of flaps coupled to the plate. Each flap extends upwardly from the plate and outwardly over an associated one of the openings through the plate. |
| US09339138B2 |
Hair carrier bag
A hair carrying system to carry hairpieces, such as hair extensions, utilizing a hanger to hold the hairpiece, and an elongated bag having an opening through which the hanger with the hairpiece can be introduced inside the bag, the bag having a top slit through which a hook portion of the hanger can protrude so that the hanger can hang the hairpiece and the bag in a safe location. |
| US09339137B2 |
Holding tool
A holding apparatus for use in selectively securing an article includes a shaft having opposed first and second ends and a generally linear configuration. A first mounting member is attached to the first end of the shaft, the first mounting member including a magnet configured to attach to one of another magnet or metal surface. A second mounting member is attached to the second end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the second mounting member includes a magnet such that the apparatus may be selectively attached to a metal object. In another embodiment, the second mounting member may include a bore through the shaft configured to selectively receive a key ring. |
| US09339136B2 |
Floor coverings with universal backing and methods of making, installing, and recycling
A dimensionally stable floor covering comprises a tufted textile substrate and a reinforcement layer attached to the textile substrate. The reinforcement layer includes an adhesive backing compound and reinforcement fibers surrounded by the adhesive backing. The fibers may form a continuous layer on the back side of the floor covering or may be dispersed within the adhesive backing compound. The adhesive backing compound may be hot water-soluble to facilitate recycling of the floor covering. The floor covering may optionally include additional backing layers (including cushions) and may be used as a broadloom carpet, a carpet tile, or other modular floor covering products. Methods of manufacturing, installing, and recycling the present floor coverings are also provided. |
| US09339135B2 |
Personal clothing management system and associated method of use
The present invention is a personal clothing-management-system kit and method that facilitates on-going, self-determined organization of one's close and clothing items. The kit provides a plurality of two-sided hanging designation dividers, a plurality of adjustable designation divider hangers, a Donation bag and a Discard bag. This invention empowers consumer-users to continuously and gently determine, at one's own time and own comfort level, what pieces of clothing items to keep, discard, and/or donate, while separating any kept clothing items that require mending or alterations or ironing. The overarching goal of this invention is to enable consumer-users to look good, feel confident about their clothing choices and overall appearance, and avoid stress by controlling the chaos of their closet space. |
| US09339133B2 |
Cocktail plate
Provided are plate designs that enable a user to hold a plate in one hand, together with a drinking cup in the same hand. The subject designs find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate and a drinking cup simultaneously. The subject designs also find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate securely, in the presence or absence of a drinking cup. |
| US09339132B2 |
Adjustable postural alignment meditative floor mat
An adjustable, portable floor mat that varies in height, shape, firmness, length and thickness according to the users specific needs. The first end of the mat will be the unadjustable, uninterrupted, rollable portion of the mat, with the second end including a number of embossed or sewn linear indentations to make the proper seating adjustments. The material will be substantial and supportive but foldable along the linear indentations allowing for an adjustable second end of the mat. The linear indentations fold horizontally into panels acting as a booster seat elevating the user to various height levels. The first end provides comfort and an appropriate amount of padding for the knees and ankles. The second end places the user into proper postural alignment providing an optimum setup for a neutral spine in all seated meditative positions and/or prescribed exercise regiments. |
| US09339131B1 |
Food shield
A food shield has shield panels that are location adjustable and angularly adjustable in respect of support structures (posts) that are coupled to a mounting surface, such as a surface of a buffet table or cart. For location adjustment of a shield panel along length of a post, a bracket assembly includes outer and inner collar portions, a grip element positioned between the outer and inner collar portions, and a tightening element that tightens the connection of the assembled collar against support posts. For angular adjustment, each bracket assembly includes an indexing base, a rotatable arm assembly with an indexing hub, and a removable or retractable coupling element. Side panels are mounted to the same posts as the shield panels with removable clamps that engage exterior surfaces of the posts. The removable clamps have multiple parts that are variously inverted for joining the clamps to posts at different orientations. |
| US09339127B1 |
Holding device for tool
A holding device for a tool contains a body, a base, and a limiting mechanism. The body includes an accommodating chamber, a side lid for covering the accommodating chamber, and at least one stop extension extend outwardly from a bottom end of the body. The base includes a fitting seat, at least one locking tab disposed on two sides of the fitting seat and movably corresponding to the at least one stop extension, and a driving insertion arranged on a top end of the fitting seat and inserting into the accommodating chamber. The limiting mechanism includes a confining block connecting with the driving insertion and includes a limitation groove defined on the side lid of the body. The limitation groove has a limiting section formed therein and has an expansion section formed on an open segment of the limiting section. |
| US09339126B2 |
Air catching apparatus for a refrigerated cabinet
A refrigerated air curtain redirection unit can be retro fitted to the front base of a an existing reach-in commercial open-display refrigerated cabinet, or provided as original built-in equipment for a newly manufactured cabinet to reduce refrigerated air spillage. The unit has a body part that protrudes outwardly of the open frontage of the cabinet at an upward angle and there is an inwardly curved part at its top region whereby an air vortex is formed that acts to draw air from the curtain at its base into an air duct of the cabinet. |
| US09339122B2 |
Lid dispenser
A lid dispenser is provided for holding a stack of lids, which may be used with beverage containers. The lid dispenser includes a shaft, a lid deck which the stack of lids may rest on, and a gap from which a user of the lid dispenser may grasp and remove a lid. The shaft may extend to the front of the lid dispenser, or a screen may be provided. The screen may slidable along the shaft through engagement with one or more slots. An additional gate may be provided and independently slidable along the one or more slots. Multiple shafts may be included in a single lid dispenser in order to accommodate multiple lid sizes within a single dispenser. |
| US09339112B2 |
Mounting systems for electronic devices
Mounts can hold electronic devices. Some mounts can attach digital media players to a wall, such as a wall of a home or a backside of a television. In some embodiments, mounts include a tray with side walls that hold electronic devices at least partially inside the mounts. In several embodiments, mounts include flexible necks connected to adhesive surfaces. The flexible necks can flex independently of each other to enable a mount to attach electronic devices to a wall that is not flat. |
| US09339108B2 |
Shelving system having a shelf with biasing elements to resist inadvertent or accidental detachment from a support rail
An article support, such as a shelf, is securely attachable at a plurality of locations along a generally vertical support or rail. The article support includes a support-engaging portion having one or more tabs, at least one of which is a locking tab having a forward-extending tooth that engages the vertical support, when the tab or tabs extend through slots in the support. Optionally, a biasing element urges the article away from the support to maintain secure engagement of the locking tab with the support. The resulting shelving system or article support system is resistant to accidental detachment of the article supports from the supports and permits relatively small adjustment intervals for the article supports along the supports. |
| US09339104B2 |
Flexible handle liquid dispenser with rotating brush head
A dispenser, liquid applicator with a flexible (hand-manipulated) gripping end and a second brush head end with rotatable bristles. It further includes an elongated central chamber into which may be added soap, shampoo, cleaner or another liquid/lotion for dispensing through a plurality of apertures in the brush head end. Rotation of the brush head bristles can be accomplished electrically (via a battery powered motor mechanism) or by the passage of water into and through the applicator's handle element. |
| US09339097B2 |
Deodorant package with expanding platform
A deodorant package with an expanding platform is provided. The deodorant package has a threaded shaft connected to a rotatable dial. An elevator with an platform engages the threaded shaft. The platform has a first section joined to a second section by at least one flexible hinge such that the first section and the second section are biased to expand to contact an inner wall of the body of the package. An advantage that may be realized in the practice of some disclosed embodiments of the deodorant package is that a significant draft angle may be used that aids manufacturing. |
| US09339096B2 |
Cuticle care system
An applicator system for dispensing a product and/or operating on a cuticle of a user includes a housing having a reservoir for storing a product, such as a cosmetic product or a medicinal product and a cuticle care tip. The cuticle care tip comprises one of a variety of surfaces configured to operate on a user and/or apply the product. The applicator system also includes a product delivery mechanism for dispensing the product. |
| US09339091B2 |
Jewelry article with replaceable ornaments
A jewelry article having an elongated strand with a first section and a second section, a small-hole bead assembly, and a small-hole bead. The small-hole bead assembly includes a first mount, a second mount and a connecting bar. The small-hole bead assembly being positioned on the elongated strand between the first section and the second section with the small-hole bead being positioned on the connecting bar between the first mount and the second mount of the small-hole bead assembly. |
| US09339088B2 |
Tape for derlin zipper
A tape for derlin zipper comprises a plurality of warp yarns and a plurality of weft yarns interwoven with the warp yarns, the weft yarns are divided into a plurality of groups of weft yarns. The tape for derlin zipper includes two groups of clamping warp yarns, each group of clamping warp yarns includes a first clamping warp yarn and at least one second clamping warp yarn. The first clamping warp yarn and the second clamping warp yarn wriggle along a length of the tape to exchange positions with each other, and to form a plurality of clamping spaces. Each group of weft yarns passes through the clamping space with the first clamping warp yarns locate upon the group of weft yarns and the second clamping warp yarns locate under the group of weft yarns. A hollow area is formed between each two neighboring groups of weft yarns. |
| US09339084B2 |
Time prediction system for the safe wearing of newly acquired footwear
The device relates to a system for predicting the period for children to safely wear newly acquired footwear without the risk of damage to their growing feet, which is directly applicable in shoe shops (at their computer cash registers). The essence of the solution for a system for predicting the period for children to safely wear newly acquired footwear rests in the fact that it contains an input module measuring foot length and input of information about the age of the monitored child to which is linked a model for predicting the growth of the child's foot by applying the laws of growth, possibly also including genetic and local influences, connected to a comparative and inferential module establishing the predicted course of growth in foot length of the monitored child, to which is then linked an output module designating the nearest date for the necessary replacement of shoe size for the monitored child. |
| US09339083B2 |
Ski boot buckle for closing the shell of a ski boot and ski boot fitted therewith
A ski boot buckle for closing the shell of a ski boot includes a toothed plate for mounting on a first flap of the shell of the ski boot. The ski boot buckle also includes a lever system for mounting on another flap of the shell of the ski boot. In the lever system, a fastener is connected in a pivoting arrangement to an operating lever, and the operating lever is accommodated in a pivoting arrangement in a lever retainer. At least one spring element is additionally provided in the lever system for transferring the operating lever into a closed position. Another spring element is provided on the operating lever and can hold the operating lever and the ski boot buckle in the open position. |
| US09339081B2 |
Shock absorbing structure for the heel of high-heeled footwear
A shoe heel shock absorber comprising a lower pedestal with a penetrating hole that penetrates through from a top surface to a bottom surface of the lower pedestal; a step edge is formed on an inner surface of the penetrating hole in the top surface of the lower pedestal; an air-cushion is fixed on the to surface of the lower pedestal, which comprises a straight hole and several second positioning holes which are through the air-cushion, and the second positioning holes correspond to the first positioning holes. |
| US09339077B2 |
Integral storage chamber for footwear
A shoe, or shoe sole, with integral storage chamber is claimed. The invention may comprise a carriage that is in sliding engagement with the sole of a shoe, wherein the carriage further comprises a storage chamber for storing personal objects. The sliding engagement of the invention may comprise tongue and groove complementary surfaces. The carriage containing the storage chamber may translate in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the shoe and may be further retained onto the shoe by use of a retaining pin located on the shoe sole that is engaged in a press fit with retaining pin receiving recess on the carriage such that the carriage is securely retained in a closed position. A user may safely store objects in the storage chamber without detection and may access the objects quickly if needed. The invention may further comprise a mirror and closable heel storage chamber. |
| US09339074B2 |
Microprocessor control of bladders in footwear soles with internal flexibility sipes
A shoe or other footwear which includes a sole section and a bottom sole that includes at least a portion of rubber material. The sole section includes at least two inner bladders each of which contains a fluid, and at least a part thereof is located in a single frontal plane cross-section of the sole. The sole section also includes a duct and/or valve providing fluid communication between the inner bladders, an electronic control system including a microprocessor that controls the fluid communication and an outer bladder. The inner bladders are inside the outer bladder and separated from the outer bladder at least in part by an internal sipe formed by a portion of an inner surface of said outer bladder and a portion of an outer surface of each of said inner bladders. The surface portions of the sipe oppose each other and can slide relative to each other. |
| US09339073B2 |
Impact awareness device
An impact awareness device (IAD) may include an impact switch configured to transition from an open-circuit state to a close-circuit state when a force is exerted on the IAD in a first direction and exceeds a force threshold. The IAD may further include a headliner configured to couple with a protective headgear. The headliner may include a flexible band comprising one or more substrates configured to conform to a headband of the protective headgear, and an electronic circuit coupled to the flexible band and electrically coupled to the switch and wherein when the force threshold is exceeded the electronic circuit transmits an indication signal to provide an indication of the likelihood of a head and a vertebral column injuries when the indicator signal is received. |
| US09339072B2 |
Hair extensions and method of attachment
A unique human or synthetic fiber hair extension and method are disclosed. One embodiment of the human or synthetic fiber hair extensions come packaged with double sided tape attached to both sides of the hair extension, with the weft and human or synthetic fiber hair attached between the two pieces of tape. The double sided tape is covered with a tape cover or liner on both sides of the extensions. First, the human or synthetic fiber hair extension is positioned for correct placement below the horizontal part line, the liner is removed form the bottom side of the hair extension and the human or synthetic fiber hair extension is secured by pressing into place. The second piece of double sided tape which is attached to the second side of the human or synthetic fiber hair extension and facing up has the liner removed and is then covered with a layer of the users's natural hair, which taken from the clipped area above the part. This creates a sandwich-like effect attachment of the human or synthetic fiber hair with the user's hair. Also shown is a flow chart and various application methods aiding the stylist in analyzing and applying extensions to the users head. |
| US09339068B2 |
Glove with laminate construction
The present invention is a pre-shaped article of clothing formed with an inner and/or outer layer and an intermediate layer secured to the inner or outer layer, wherein the intermediate layer includes an adhesive positioned thereon in a non- or discontinuous manner to secure the intermediate layer to the inner or outer layer. The adhesive is heat-activated to form bonds between the inner and/or outer layer and the intermediate layer without any application of compressive forces to the layers when forming the glove. |
| US09339059B2 |
Mouthpiece lining paper, formed as a film/foil, of a filter cigarette
A mouthpiece lining paper of a filter cigarette, which mouthpiece lining paper is provided on surface regions to be adhesively bonded with a three-dimensional surface structure, that is to say with a surface which has elevations and/or depressions, wherein the elevations and depressions protrude from and are set back from the film/foil surface only locally, respectively. The mouthpiece lining paper is a film/foil. In one preferred embodiment, a row of elevations and/or depressions runs along an edge of the mouthpiece lining paper of the type which runs along the overlap region of the mouthpiece lining paper with itself on the finished cigarette. |
| US09339056B2 |
Seal and anti foam device
A carbonation apparatus includes a pressure vessel includes a cap that has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The carbonation device also includes a seal. The seal includes a labyrinth preventing contact of a liquid within the pressure vessel with the cap during a carbonation process. A locking mechanism removably locks the cap and seal and antifoam device relative to the pressure vessel. |
| US09339053B2 |
Preparation process of a self-reinforced starch composite used to produce capsules
The invention discloses a technical process to prepare a self-reinforced starch composite used to produce capsules. This composite is made by uniformly mixing the matrix phase and the particulate reinforced phase at a proper proportion, the former being one or a combination of the starches selected from the group consisting of oxidized starch, cationic starch and esterified starch; and the latter, cross-linked starch or starch nanocrystals. This composite is processed into the forms of granules, films, or sheets by extrusion method and these different forms of the composite can be used to replace the gelatin as the raw material of capsules because its barrier property, processability, and mechanical properties are significantly improved. |
| US09339052B1 |
Premium pet food and process for its manufacture
The present invention relates to a process of creating semi-moist pet food, and primarily dog food and dog treats, that is formed into a given shape through cooking the ingredients of the mixture contained in the dog food in an extruder and thereafter immediately transforming the mixture to a forming machine wherein the pet food is formed into a multiplicity of given shapes so that the dog food is produced as a final formed dog food or dog treat in an economically viable process. The given shape of the dog food is semi-moist and will retain its shape so that it can be broken into smaller pieces to be fed to a dog at selected times. |
| US09339049B2 |
Batch-freezer machine for producing ice-cream and similar
A batch-freezer machine for producing ice-cream. The machine includes a cylindrical-shaped processing tank and a rotating mixing member housed in an axially rotatable manner inside the processing tank, and structured so as to be able to blend/mix the semi-solid mixture that forms inside the processing tank. The mixing member is provided with a centrifugal impeller which is arranged to directly face the inner face of the hatch, and is structured so as to be able to push/eject the semi-solid mixture located at the center of the opening of the processing tank towards the internal cylindrical lateral surface of the processing tank, when the mixing member rotates inside the processing tank. |
| US09339041B2 |
Production of cookies having large particulates using ultrasonic wirecutting
A method for the continuous production of cookies having a high content of large inclusions, such as chocolate chips, nuts, and fruit pieces includes extruding a cookie dough containing the inclusions through a die orifice to obtain an extrudate dough rope, and cutting the extrudate dough rope with an ultrasonic cutting blade. The ultrasonic cutting severs the extrudate dough rope into dough pieces which fall onto a moving conveyer into a substantially uniform or regular array for uniform baking. The ultrasonic cutter is controlled to provide a roughened top surface on a dough piece to provide a home baked appearance upon baking, while cutting through the inclusions without substantial displacement of the inclusions which would cause pock marks on the surface of the dough piece, and without substantial dough piece weight variation. |
| US09339035B2 |
Compositions and methods for controlling nematode pests
Compositions and processes for controlling nematodes are described herein, e.g., nematodes that infest plants or animals. The compounds include certain 2,5-substituted tetrazoles. |
| US09339031B2 |
Hydrophobically modified polysaccharide ethers as deposition enhancers for agricultural active ingredients
A composition is provided, comprising a non-ionic, water-soluble, hydrophobically modified lower alkyl hydroxyalkyl linear polysaccharide ether, wherein the hydrophobic group comprises a long-chain C10-C18 alkyl or alkenyl group, the lower alkyl group has 1-4 carbon atoms, and the hydroxyalkyl groups are hydroxyethyl and/or hydroxypropyl; and one or more agriculturally active ingredient. A method for treating a plant is also provided, comprising the step of contacting a plant with a composition of the invention. |
| US09339030B2 |
Foamable pesticide compositions and methods of application
Ready-to-use foamable pesticide compositions that contain a pesticide dispersed in a composition containing water, a co-solvent, surfactant and propellant. Methods for treating pests such as arthropods by contacting pests with such compositions are also provided. |
| US09339028B2 |
Method for inhibiting microorganisms or plant pests using exfoliated clay/surfactant complex
The present invention provides a method for inhibiting microorganisms or plant pests using exfoliated clay/surfactant complex. The weight ratio of the exfoliated clay to the surfactant can range from 99/1 to 1/99. Preferably, the exfoliated clay is an inorganic layered clay on a nano scale and the surfactant is cationic, nonionic, anionic or amphoteric. |
| US09339027B2 |
Enhancement of electromagnetic freezing by stabilization and oscillation of biogenic magnetite particles
Novel methods and systems for electromagnetic freezing are disclosed. An oscillating magnetic field can be applied in conjunction with a static magnetic field in order to align magnetic particles inside biological tissues. Such chains may be naturally present or artificially introduced. Needle-shaped electrodes may be used to produce ions and disturb the air layers insulating the tissues to be frozen. |
| US09339025B2 |
Method for enhancing red blood cell quality and survival during storage
The present invention is a method for enhancing the quality and survival of red blood cells during storage by depleting the red blood cells of both carbon dioxide and oxygen and maintaining 2,3-diphosphoglycerate acid levels. |
| US09339023B2 |
Spraying apparatus for agricultural machine with cartographic piloting
This control system for an agricultural spraying machine (1), of which the boom (5) is equipped with a plurality of multi-nozzle units (9), is characterized in that it comprises means (15a to 15, 17a to 17e, 23) for piloting each multi-nozzle unit (9) according to data representative of the cartography of the plants to be treated. |
| US09339019B2 |
Fishing lure device
A fishing lure including a generally V-shaped frame with an eye at the vertex of the V, a hook fixed at each end of the V, a heavier weighted member encircling the junction of one of the hooks with one end of the V and a lighter weighted member encircling the junction of the other hook with the other end of the V. The hooks are rigidly connected to the ends of and are coplanar with the V. The lure is configured so that with a fishing line tethered to the eye, the heavier weight tends to remain at the bottom and cause the plain of the lure to remain vertical. With the lure in this position, the shanks of both hooks are about horizontal and the points are directly above the shanks. |
| US09339016B1 |
Molluscan bivalve cage system
A molluscan bivalve cage system includes a cage formed of a mesh material of sufficient porosity to allow entry of molluscan bivalves. A fixed buoyant mechanism is secured to an upper surface of the cage and an anchor counterweight mechanism maintains the bivalve cage in a relatively stable position within a marine environment. An adjustable stirrup mechanism adjusts the height of the bivalve cage above the bed of a marine environment during various stages of growth of the molluscan bivalves. |
| US09339013B1 |
Urine collection device
A device for collecting the urine of a pet or farm animal is provided. The device has a housing having a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top, a bottom and a generally hollow interior. A concave reservoir is located within the interior of the housing at the bottom of the housing and has a generally circular opening for receiving a removable hollow vial which collects the urine of the pet or farm animal. The housing has a narrow front which is easily inserted between the hind legs of the pet or farm animal to collect the animal's urine. The urine flows into the housing, then into the concave reservoir and then into the removable vial (located outside the housing), which is capped once filled, and then transported to a veterinarian for analyzation. |
| US09339010B2 |
Animal training apparatus with radio transceiver
An animal training apparatus with a radio transceiver is provided, which includes an encoder/tact switch setting animal stimulation levels, a mode designation input unit, a stimulation command input unit, an ID code setting unit, an RF radio signal generation unit, an antenna switch, a signal amplification unit, a received signal demodulation unit, a low-pass filter removing harmonic waves in a transmitted RF signal, a microphone inputting a user input audio signal, an audio output unit, and a first microprocessor operating in a radio transceiver mode if a user command is input, and generating data that corresponds to the stimulation level if a stimulation command is input. The animal training apparatus can subdivide and continuously set stimulation levels for animals, set levels that suit respective animals in the case of multi-dog training, and provide easiness to carry about through condensation of the training apparatus and the radio transceiver into one product. |
| US09339003B2 |
Method, computer program, and computer program product for controlling the milking by a milking device, and a milking arrangement
A method, computer program, and arrangement for controlling milking by a milking device, wherein probability values are associated with different milking parameter settings capable of being used for the milking of a milk producing animal, a milking parameter setting is drawn from among the different milking parameter settings based on the probability values for the different milking parameter settings, a milking of the milk producing animal is controlled using the drawn milking parameter setting, a milk flow is sensed from the milk producing animal during the milking, the probability values for the different milking parameter settings are updated based on the sensed milk flow, a further milking parameter setting among the different milking parameter settings is drawn based on the updated probability values for the different milking parameter settings, and the further milking parameter setting is used to control a following milking of the milk producing animal. |
| US09339002B2 |
Soybean variety 01046442
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046442. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046442. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046442 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046442 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09339000B1 |
Variety corn line HBA2631
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated HBA2631, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line HBA2631 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line HBA2631, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line HBA2631, and plants produced according to these methods. |
| US09338998B1 |
Variety corn line IAX4438
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated IAX4438, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line IAX4438 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line IAX4438, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line IAX4438, and plants produced according to these methods. |
| US09338995B1 |
Variety corn line IAX3405
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated IAX3405, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line IAX3405 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line IAX3405, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line IAX3405, and plants produced according to these methods. |
| US09338993B2 |
Soybean cultivar 5363150112
A soybean cultivar designated 5363150112 is disclosed. Embodiments include the seeds of soybean 5363150112, the plants of soybean 5363150112, to plant parts of soybean 5363150112, and methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean 5363150112 with itself or with another soybean variety. Embodiments include methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Embodiments also relate to soybean cultivars, breeding cultivars, plant parts, and cells derived from soybean 5363150112, methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean 5363150112, and the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. Embodiments further include hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing 5363150112 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US09338992B2 |
Rice cultivar A-202
A rice cultivar designated A-202 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar A-202, to the plants of rice A-202 and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar A-202 with itself or another rice variety. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar A-202 with another rice cultivar. |
| US09338991B2 |
Variety corn line JFF6785
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated JFF6785, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line JFF6785 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line JFF6785, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line JFF6785, and plants produced according to these methods. |
| US09338989B2 |
Variety corn line JDC7199
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated JDC7199, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line JDC7199 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line JDC7199, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line JDC7199, and plants produced according to these methods. |
| US09338988B2 |
Soybean variety 01046980
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046980. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046980. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046980 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046980 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338983B2 |
Soybean variety D404401
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D404401. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D404401. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D404401 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D404401 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338981B2 |
Soybean variety 01046642
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046642. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046642. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046642 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046642 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338977B2 |
Soybean variety 01046500
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046500. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046500. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046500 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046500 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338972B2 |
Soybean variety 01046264
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046264. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046264. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046264 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046264 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338969B2 |
Soybean variety 01046074
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046074. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046074. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046074 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046074 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338965B2 |
Soybean variety 01045747
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045747. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045747. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045747 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045747 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338962B2 |
Soybean variety 01045681
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045681. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045681. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045681 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045681 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09338959B2 |
Soybean cultivar WN1118516
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety WN1118516 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety WN1118516 and its progeny, and methods of making WN1118516. |
| US09338958B2 |
Soybean cultivar GO1112037
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety GO1112037 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety GO1112037 and its progeny, and methods of making GO1112037. |
| US09338952B1 |
Maize inbred PH1W3Y
A novel maize variety designated PH1W3Y and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1W3Y with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1W3Y 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 PH1W3Y or a locus conversion of PH1W3Y with another maize variety. |
| US09338943B2 |
Reel finger
A finger (118) for mounting on a of an agricultural harvesting head has a front flange (212), a rear flange (214), a web (216) connecting the front flange (212) to the rear flange (214), and struts (218) that are formed integral with the web (216) and with the rear flange (214) and that extend in a transverse direction. |
| US09338941B2 |
Self clearing crop ramp
A crop ramp (112) for an agricultural harvesting head (100) has a forward portion (212) that is generally planar and has a leading edge (200) that is configured to be fixed the rear of a reciprocating knife (110) and ahead of a leading edge (202) of a conveyor belt of the conveyor (104, 106); and a rear portion (214) that is generally planar and that is fixed to and extends rearward from the forward portion (212), wherein the rear portion (214) is configured to extend over the leading edge (202) of an endless belt of the conveyor (104, 106), where the rear portion (214) has a lower surface (216) that is generally planar and is parallel to an upper surface of the endless belt of the conveyor (104, 106) and has a trailing edge (204), where at least one recess (218) extends into the lower surface (216), where a first end of the recess is upstream of the second end of the recess (218) and wherein the first end of the recess is farther from the trailing edge (204) than the second end. |
| US09338940B2 |
Drive systems and methods for implementing engine stall protection in a self-propelled machine
Drive systems and methods for implementing engine stall protection in a self-propelled machine are disclosed. In one aspect, a drive system of a self-propelled machine incorporating engine stall protection includes an engine being in communication with a control unit and transmitting power and an engine load signal to the control unit. An actuation mechanism can be actuatable to assign a desired ground speed of the self-propelled machine, the actuation mechanism being in communication with the control unit and transmitting a control signal corresponding to the desired ground speed to the control unit. In some aspects, the control unit is configured to control a transmission motor to achieve an actual ground speed of the self-propelled machine based on both the engine load signal and the control signal. In other aspects, the engine load signal is an engine speed signal, wherein engine speed is dependent on a load applied to the engine. |
| US09338939B1 |
Seed disk for planting canola with a vacuum meter planter
A unique seed disk for use in a vacuum type agricultural planter is particularly suited for planting of canola seed. Seed apertures extend through the disk in the thickness direction from the vacuum-side face thereof to the opposing seed-side face thereof, and are each circular in cross-sectional shape. Each apertures features a cylindrical end portion opening through the vacuum-side face of the disk body, a first frustoconical portion whose wider end communicates with the cylindrical end portion, an intermediate cylindrical portion communicating with the narrower end of the first frustoconical portion, and a second frustoconical portion having a narrower end that communicates with the intermediate cylindrical portion and an opposing wider end that opens through the seed-side face of the disk body. A preferred embodiment features ninety seed apertures in the disk, and an accompanying twelve prong knockout wheel for dislodging debris individually from the seed apertures. |
| US09338937B2 |
Load sensing pin
A load sensing pin disposed to receive a load applied in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the pin. A load sensor is substantially fixedly oriented with respect to the applied load or alternatively with respect to the pin which is rotationally restrained with respect to a support structure. The load sensor is disposed to generate a load signal corresponding to strain of the pin resulting from the applied load. |
| US09345186B2 |
Electronic component carrier tape feeding device and electronic component carrier tape feeding method
Provided are an electronic component carrier tape feeding device and an electronic component carrier tape feeding method. The electronic component carrier tape feeding device includes: a carrier tape guiding unit configured to guide a carrier tape to which a cover tape is attached; and a transfer unit configured to transfer the carrier tape. The carrier tape guiding unit includes: a guiding unit t configured to guide the carrier tape; and a cover unit surrounding a top surface of the carrier tape and comprising a protrusion portion protruding toward the cover tape. |
| US09345178B2 |
Configurable shield for hand-held electronic device
A shield for a portable electronic device includes a pouch with an opening sized to accommodate the portable device and a flap. The pouch includes shielding material inside the pouch and on the flap. When the flap is closed, the shielding material inside the pouch and the shielding material on the flap together substantially surround the device, thereby substantially preventing RF signals emitted by the device from leaving the shield, and further substantially preventing RF signals impinging on the shield from outside from reaching the device. When the flap is open, the shielding material inside the pouch and the shielding material on the flap leave a gap, thereby allowing RF signals emitted by the device to leave the shield, and further allowing RF signals impinging on the shield from outside to reach the device. The shield further includes a compartment for a charger and one or more power cord adapters. |
| US09345169B1 |
Liquid-cooled heat sink assemblies
Liquid-cooled heat sink assemblies are provided which include: a thermally conductive base structure having a sidewall surface and a main heat transfer surface; and a manifold structure attached to the base structure, with the base structure residing at least in part within a recess in the manifold structure. Together, the base and manifold structures define a coolant-carrying compartment through which liquid coolant flows, at least in part, in a direction substantially parallel to the main heat transfer surface of the base structure, and at least one of the sidewall surface of the thermally conductive base structure or an opposing surface thereto of the manifold structure includes a continuous groove. A sealing member is disposed, at least in part, within the continuous groove, and provides a fluid-tight seal between the thermally conductive base structure and the manifold structure. |
| US09345167B2 |
Container data center
A container data center includes a container, a number of server cabinets received in the container, a heat dissipation apparatus, a ventilation pipe, and a control device. The container defines a number of air inlets and a number of air outlets. A number of first shielding plates movably coupled to the container to cover the air inlets and a number of second shielding plates movably coupled to the container to cover the air outlets. The container forms a cooling air channel at one side of the server cabinets and a heat air channel at an opposite side of the server cabinets. The ventilation pipe is communicated between the heat dissipation apparatus and at least one of the air inlets, the ventilation pipe defines a opening communicating with the heating air channel, and a third shielding plate is movably coupled to the ventilation pipe to cover the corresponding through hole. |
| US09345166B2 |
Rackless computing equipment construction
A self-supporting server chassis accepts blade server computing devices, and other like computing devices and associated infrastructure hardware, and also provides structural support for vertical stacking of such self-supporting server chassis, thereby eliminating the need for conventional racks. Internal support structures, such as rails, holes and standoffs, accept and provide physical support for the computing devices and other infrastructure hardware. Vertical stacking support structures provide physical stability and rigidity for stacking multiple self-supporting server chassis in a vertical direction, and allow interconnection among self-supporting server chassis. Stacks of self-supporting server chassis can comprise a base member with casters or other like transportation hardware, as well as a top member that provides further structural stability and rigidity, as well as providing cooling and airflow benefits, such as airflow containment. Ranking hardware in the self-supporting server chassis accommodates computing devices and infrastructure hardware that were designed for installation into a traditional rack. |
| US09345164B2 |
Electronic device having security structure
A electronic device includes a chassis, a panel, a cover and a security structure. The panel covers a side of the chassis. The cover covers another side of the chassis. The security structure includes a locking component, a positioning component and a linking shaft. The locking component is disposed on the panel and interfered with the chassis to lock the panel. The positioning component is disposed on the cover and interfered with the chassis to position the cover. The linking shaft is disposed between the locking component and the positioning component and stops the positioning component from being separated from the chassis. When a position of the locking component is adjusted to release the interference between the locking component and the chassis, the linking shaft is driven by the locking component to release the positioning component. |
| US09345158B2 |
Dustproof device
A dustproof device includes a first component, a second component and an engaging mechanism. The first component includes a first plug body which is pluggable into the first standard connection port. The second component includes a second plug body which is pluggable into the second standard connection port. The engaging mechanism includes a first engaging part which is disposed on the first component, and a second engaging part which is disposed on the second component and which is removably engageable with the first engaging part. The first component is removably connected to the second component by virtue of removable engagement between the first engaging part and the second engaging part. |
| US09345156B2 |
Power supply device
A power supply device includes a main body, a cover member, a rechargeable battery, and an inverter device. The main body is configured of box-shape formed with an opening. The cover member is configured to open and close the opening. The rechargeable battery is accommodated in the main body. The inverter device is configured to be accommodated in the main body. The inverter device converts a direct voltage from the battery to an alternating voltage and outputs the alternating voltage. |
| US09345155B1 |
Landscape controller housing with pivotable locking face pack
A landscape controller housing can be used to enclose the electronic components of a landscape lighting system or an irrigation system includes a face pack that is pivotably and removably mounted in an outer housing. The face pack can be installed in the outer housing in a normal upright position in which a pair of pivot pins are each received in a corresponding bearing slot and a pair of locking pins are each received in a corresponding lock recess. The face pack can be swung through a predetermined angle to release the locking pins from the lock recesses to allow the face pack to be removed from the outer housing by sliding the pivot pins out of the bearing slots and removing the locking pins from the lock recesses. The face pack can be inserted into the outer housing into a substantially horizontal service position by sliding both the pivot pins and the locking pins into the bearing slots. |
| US09345153B2 |
Electronic device
This smartphone (100) has a battery lid (60) attached to the smartphone main body, and a locking member (70) which is held so as to rotatable by the smartphone main body and which rotates in response to a force received from the battery lid (60) so as to engage the battery lid (60). As a result of the engaging of the battery lid (60) by the locking member (70), the battery lid (60) is locked to the smartphone main body via the locking member (70). When viewed in perspective view from the back side of the smartphone (100), it can be seen that a housing unit (43) for housing a battery pack (50) is provided upon a lower case assembly (40). |
| US09345152B2 |
Foam assembly and method for manufacturing the same, and electronic device using the foam assembly
A foam assembly includes a foam body, the foam body defining a plurality of through holes. The foam assembly further includes a colloid body formed by a first colloid portion formed on one of two opposing surfaces of the foam body, a second colloid portion formed on a second of two opposing surfaces of the foam body, and connecting portions extending through the through holes of the foam body from one opposing surface of the foam body to the other. A method for manufacturing the foam assembly and an electronic device using the foam assembly are also disclosed. |
| US09345150B2 |
Electrical converter
Radiated noise caused by switching noise of power semiconductor elements in an electrical converter is reduced. The electrical converter is characterized in comprising: a case; a power module mounted on the case and comprising a plurality of power semiconductor elements; a metal plate mounted to the power module and fixed to the case; a control circuit board arranged on the metal plate, for controlling the power semiconductor elements; and a direct-current input terminal electrically connected to a battery. The electrical converter is also characterized in being provided at the bottom with a transmission or motor, and at the top with a connector for connecting the battery and the direct-current input terminal. The electrical converter is further characterized in that the metal plate is curved, and a portion of the curved metal plate is arranged in the space between the control circuit board and the direct-current input terminal. |
| US09345149B2 |
Methods of treating copper surfaces for enhancing adhesion to organic substrates for use in printed circuit boards
Embodiments of the present invention relates generally to the manufacture of printed circuit boards (PCB's) or printed wiring boards (PWB's), and particularly to methods for treating smooth copper surfaces to increase the adhesion between a copper surface and an organic substrate. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention related to methods of achieving improved bonding strength of PCBs without roughening the topography of the copper surface. The bonding interface between the treated copper and the resin layer of the PCB exhibits excellent resistance to heat, moisture, and chemicals involved in post-lamination process steps. |
| US09345145B2 |
Electroless gold plating solution for forming fine gold structure, method of forming fine gold structure using same, and fine gold structure formed using same
An electroless gold plating solution with which one or more openings formed in a resist overlying a substrate can be filled in a short time, the openings having a width on the order of micrometer, in particular, 100 μm or smaller, in terms of the width of the exposed substrate area, and having a height of 3 μm or larger. The electroless gold plating solution contains a deposition accelerator for deposition in fine areas, and a microfine pattern of 100 μm or finer is formed therefrom. |
| US09345142B2 |
Chip embedded board and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided a chip embedded board and a method of manufacturing the same. The chip embedded board includes: a core substrate; a first build-up layer formed on one surface of the core substrate and having a cavity formed therein; a chip disposed in the cavity; and an insulating layer filled in the cavity in which the chip is disposed, wherein one surface of the chip is positioned in a circuit layer positioned at the outermost layer of the first build-up layer. |
| US09345138B2 |
Laminated substrate and method of manufacturing laminated substrate
A method of manufacturing a laminated substrate, the method includes: forming a first diameter hole to a first surface of a first substrate so as not to penetrate the first substrate; forming a second diameter hole to a second surface of the first substrate so as to communicate with the first diameter hole; plating the first substrate to block the second diameter hole without blocking the first diameter hole; and laminating a second substrate on the second surface of the first substrate. |
| US09345137B2 |
Partially depopulated interconnection arrays for packaged semiconductor devices and printed circuit boards
In one embodiment, a ball grid array (BGA) of a packaged semiconductor device and a corresponding landing pad array of a printed circuit board each have a layout defined by an interconnection array having (i) an inner sub-array of locations having connectors arranged in rows and columns separated by a specified pitch and (ii) an outer rectangular ring of locations having connectors arranged in rows and columns separated by the specified pitch. The outer rectangular ring is separated from the inner sub-array by a depopulated rectangular ring having a width of at least twice the specified pitch, wherein the depopulated rectangular ring has no connectors. The outer rectangular ring has empty locations having no connectors. Some of those empty locations define depopulated sets that divide the outer rectangular ring into a number of different contiguous sets of locations having connectors that enable pin escape for connectors of the device's BGA. |
| US09345136B1 |
Package substrates, semiconductor packages including the same, electronic systems including the same, and memory cards including the same
A package substrate includes a core layer, first external interconnection lines on a top surface of the core layer, and internal interconnection lines. The first external interconnection lines include a first outermost external interconnection line on an edge of the core layer, and the internal interconnection lines include an outermost internal interconnection line in the edge of the core layer. A first bonding pad is disposed on the first outermost external interconnection line and exposed in a first bonding region of the core layer. A second bonding pad is disposed on the outermost internal interconnection line and exposed in a second bonding region of the core layer. The first bonding region is spaced apart from a chip attachment region by a first distance, and the second bonding region is spaced apart from the chip attachment region by a second distance greater than the first distance. |
| US09345128B2 |
Multi-layer circuit member and assembly therefor
A multi-layer circuit member includes a conductive reference plane with first and second electrically connected regions. A pair of signal conductors are in proximity to the first region and a circuit component is in proximity to the second region. An area of increased impedance exists between the first and second electrically connected regions. |
| US09345125B2 |
Wiring substrate
A wiring substrate includes a core substrate. The core substrate includes an accommodation hole extending through the core substrate from. A first wiring layer is formed on a first surface of the core substrate. A second wiring layer is formed on a second surface of the core substrate located opposite to the first surface. An electronic component, which includes a connection terminal, is accommodated in the accommodation hole. A conductive film is formed on a wall surface of the accommodation hole at a location corresponding to the connection terminal of the electronic component. The conductive film is connected to at least one of the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. A thermal conductor thermally connects the connection terminal of the electronic component and the conductive film. |
| US09345124B2 |
Chip and circuit structure
The present invention provides a chip structure and a circuit structure, chip structure is disposed on a printed circuit board provided with an element layer and a copper grounding layer, and comprises: a chip body disposed on the element layer and having a plurality of power pins; a power line disposed on the element layer for supplying electric power to the chip body; a plurality of power input lines, each of which has a body disposed on the copper grounding layer and two ends disposed on the element layer and connected with the body through corresponding through holes of the printed circuit board; and a plurality of bypass capacitors having one end connected with the power pins of the chip body through the element layer and the other end of the bypass capacitors connected with the power line through the power input line. The present invention further provides a chip structure. The power line of the chip structure and the circuit structure of the present invention is disposed on the element layer, so that the heat dissipation effect of the copper grounding layer is better, and the yield of the chip and corresponding circuit structure is improved. |
| US09345119B2 |
Targets and processes for fabricating same
In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides targets including a metal layer and defining a hollow inner surface. The hollow inner surface has an internal apex. The distance between at least two opposing points of the internal apex is less than about 15 μm. In particular examples, the distance is less than about 1 μm. Particular implementations of the targets are free standing. The targets have a number of disclosed shaped, including cones, pyramids, hemispheres, and capped structures. The present disclosure also provides arrays of such targets. Also provided are methods of forming targets, such as the disclosed targets, using lithographic techniques, such as photolithographic techniques. In particular examples, a target mold is formed from a silicon wafer and then one or more sides of the mold are coated with a target material, such as one or more metals. |
| US09345108B2 |
Self-adaptive brightness sensor light, brightness sensor module, and brightness-adjusting method of the same
A self-adaptive brightness sensor light performs a brightness level adjusting procedure upon activating a lamp body thereof. The brightness level adjusting procedure has steps of acquiring an ambient brightness level, determining if the ambient brightness level is greater than a daytime bright level, and if positive, generating a new daytime brightness level to make it greater than the ambient brightness level, and deactivating the lamp body according to the new daytime brightness level. The daytime brightness level can be automatically adjusted after the lamp body is activated, so as to avoid repeated on-and-off condition of the sensor lights that occur due to immediate deactivation of the sensor light after the sensor light is turned on. |
| US09345107B2 |
Light level control for building illumination
The present invention deals with light level control for building illumination by controlling electric lights and windows treatment. In an embodiment, the light level is controlled by a control system (2) operatively connected to at least one interior sensor (3) for detecting an interior light level; at least one electric light controller (4) for controlling the light level; at least one window treatment controller (5) for controlling the admittance level of daylight; and a processing unit (7) for handling control setpoints, including an interior light level setpoint. The level of the electric lights and the admitted level of daylight are controlled in parallel by operating the electric light controller and the window treatment controller. |
| US09345106B2 |
Gesture based lighting control
Various gestures, or aspects of the situation, such as location, attitude and/or movement, of a handheld controller are used to control various parameters of lighting, such as brightness or color. |
| US09345100B2 |
LED power supply
A no-load detection circuit includes an inductance device, an impedance device and a switch circuit. The inductance device is interposed between a choke coil and a first output terminal, which is at a high potential side, so as to be magnetically coupled to the choke coil. The impedance device is connected in series with the inductance device between the inductance device and the first output terminal. The switch circuit is configured to be turned on when a value of electric potential at the first output terminal exceeds a predetermined reference value. The control circuit is configured to stop the switching control if the switch circuit is turned on. |
| US09345099B2 |
Color emphasis and preservation of objects using reflection spectra
A lighting arrangement (100, 300, 400, 600) configured to illuminate an object (108, 308, 408, 608), the lighting arrangement (100, 300, 400, 600) configured to emit light of a plurality of colors, and a control unit for controlling mixed light emitted by the lighting arrangement is disclosed. The control unit is configured to determine the object (108, 308, 408, 608) to be illuminated and to receive a reflection spectrum of the object. Then, the control unit selects control parameters for mixed light emitted by the lighting arrangement, the mixed light having an illumination spectrum matching the reflection spectrum of the object based on predetermined parameters relating to the type of object. Furthermore, the lighting arrangement illuminates the object based on the selected control parameters provided by the control unit. A corresponding method and a computer program product are also disclosed. |
| US09345096B2 |
LED lighting apparatus with colour mixing
In comparison with thermal light sources, LED lighting has the advantage that it is very small and at the same time commercially available in different colors, so that colored lighting can be produced inexpensively and at the same time in a manner that saves installation space. It is an object of the present invention to equip an LED lighting apparatus with a color mixing functionality that is distinguished by high efficiency and at the same time a small number of components. |
| US09345091B2 |
Light emitting device (LED) light fixture control systems and related methods
Light emitting device (LED) light fixture control systems and related methods are disclosed. A system and method in one aspect can include at least one LED configured to emit light at an illumination output level and at least one light sensor configured to measure the illumination output level of light emitted by the LED. A system and method can also include a control unit configured to detect the illumination output level emitted by the at least one LED falling below an original illumination output level and to increase the illumination output level by the at least one LED to produce a predetermined lighting level associated with the original illumination output level in an area. |
| US09345087B2 |
AC-powered LED light engines, integrated circuits and illuminating apparatuses having the same
An ac-powered LED light engine coupled between a rectifier and a plurality of extrinsic LED sub-arrays is provided. The ac-powered LED light engine comprises a plurality of normally closed bypass switches, a normally closed current regulator, and a plurality of switch controllers. Each of the normally closed bypass switches is connected in parallel with a corresponding LED sub-array except for the topmost or the bottommost LED sub-array and shuttles between three switch states: ON, REGULATION, and OFF. The normally closed current regulator is coupled to the normally closed bypass switches and used to regulate the highest LED current level near the peak of an extrinsic mains voltage. Each of the switch controllers is coupled to a corresponding bypass switch as a feedback network and takes control of the three switch states according to a corresponding current sense signal. |
| US09345079B2 |
Multichannel lighting unit and driver for supplying current to light sources in multichannel lighting unit
A lighting unit includes at least two channels of light sources, and a driver for the light sources. The driver includes a DC/DC converter and a control arrangement for controlling the current supplied to at least one of the two channels in response to a control signal produced by the DC/DC converter. Beneficially, a feedback loop controls a switching device in the DC/DC converter to maintain the light level produced by the light sources at a desired level regardless of changes in the supply voltage arid the load. |
| US09345075B2 |
Vehicular headlamp
An object of the present disclosure is to reduce a failure rate due to a prolonged life span of a cooling fan while maintaining a satisfactory heat dissipating performance. When a signal indicating a first light-up state is input, a control unit sets a current value of an output current to a predetermined value such that a cooling fan is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed, and when a signal indicating a second light-up state is input, the control unit lowers the current value of the output current to a value lower than the predetermined value such that the rotation speed of the cooling fan is lower than the predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the life span of the cooling fan may be prolonged while maintaining the satisfactory heat dissipating performance. |
| US09345071B2 |
Heating device
An electrically operated heating device, in particular for a heating or air conditioning system of a vehicle, is provided, comprising a heating register with a layered heating element, for converting electrical energy into heat, and two electrically insulating and heat-conducting insulating layers, which respectively make contact, at least in certain regions, with one side of the layered heating element. The insulating layers and the layered heating element are braced with one another, an abrasion-counteracting sliding layer being arranged between at least one of the insulating layers and the layered heating element. Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the insulating layers and the layered heating element have, at least in the region of their mutual contact surfaces, a material pairing with which the abrasion of the contact surfaces goes below a predetermined limit value. |
| US09345070B2 |
Variable pitch resistance coil heater
A heater is provided that includes a resistance coil assembly defining a first end portion having a first conducting pin and a second end portion having a second conducting pin, and a resistance coil disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a first zone adjacent the first end portion with a constant pitch. The resistance coil further defines a continuously variable pitch extending along a length of the resistance coil from the first zone to the second end portion. The continuously variable pitch provides a variable watt density such that a predetermined temperature profile is provided along the sheath. |
| US09345066B2 |
System for determining ambient temperature
A mechanism for indicating ambient temperature of an enclosure from temperatures determined within the enclosure. The temperatures may be obtained from two or more sensors at each of two or more locations within the enclosure. The enclosure may include an apparatus inside such as electronics of which power consumption may be determined. Data including temperatures of two locations within the enclosure at various electronics power consumption levels may be entered into a 2-D plot. An approximation of the 2-D plot may be effected with an appropriate equation to be solved for ambient temperature. The data of the 2-D plot plus temperatures of a third location and air flow levels in the enclosure may be entered into a 3-D plot. An approximation of the 3-D plot may be effected with an appropriate equation to be solved for ambient temperature. |
| US09345062B2 |
Relay system, relay device, and control method and control program of relay device
A relay device arranged between a plurality of terminal devices and a file device for relaying data communication, includes: a storage unit configured to store a change history of each piece of data acquired from the file device by a request from the terminal device; a communication unit; and a computation processing unit configured to, in a case where a change history of first data acquired from the file device by a request from a first terminal device is different from a change history of second data having the same file name as the first data acquired from the file device after acquisition of the first data by the first terminal device by a request from a second terminal device, control and cause the communication unit to notify the first terminal device that the first data is changed to the second data. |
| US09345055B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing device-to-device connection in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for establishing, by a first device, a device-to-device (D2D) connection with a second device in a wireless communication system is provided. When the D2D connection is initiated by a network, the first device receives a D2D broadcast configuration message including information on the second device, from the network, and determines whether to establish the D2D connection with the second device or not. Or, when the D2D connection is initiated by the first device, the first device determines whether to establish the D2D connection with the second device or not, based on at least one of a proximity between the first device and the second device based on a profile of the second device obtained through a neighbor discovery procedure. |
| US09345054B1 |
Home control gateway and gateway control method thereof
A home control gateway and a gateway control method are provided. The home control gateway includes a gateway management module, a first communication circuit, and a second communication circuit. The gateway management module records registers. The gateway management module sets a value of a first register as a first value when an incoming called-number corresponding to the incoming called-signal received by the first communication circuit via a mobile phone network is one of the pre-stored phone numbers. The gateway management module sets the value of the second register as the first value in response to a connection request received by the second communication circuit via a local network. And, the gateway management module activates a home control function corresponding to the second register when the values of the first register and the second register are both the first value. |
| US09345048B2 |
Random access data channel for machine type communications
The exemplary embodiments of this invention reduce signaling overhead for machine type communications (MTC) devices that are assumed to transmit small messages and that have no or limited mobility. By using these assumptions, the exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a random access procedure for MTC devices to send small messages via a random access data channel (RADCH). An exemplary method includes: obtaining a subscription for a MTC device to use, for a period of time specified by the subscription, a RADCH to a wireless communication network; and transmitting bursts containing data on the RADCH in accordance with the subscription. |
| US09345045B2 |
Methods and arrangements for adaptive delay control
Logic may comprise hardware and/or code to coordinate communications of wireless communications devices. Logic coordinate communications in an access point by implementing adaptive delays. Logic may determine a delay for stations awaking from a doze state during which the station should perform clear channel assessment prior to transmitting packets on a channel. Logic may collect information about devices and/or communications within a basic service set (BSS) such as the statistics of the received packets length in time, the type of stations in the network, and/or other information available. Based upon the information collected, the logic may determine a delay and transmit the delay to devices in the BSS. Logic may receive and update the delay in memory and then implement the delay after switching to an awake state from a doze state. |
| US09345041B2 |
Adjusting delaying of arrival of data at a base station
Examples of methods, systems, and computer program products relating to supervising data in a wireless network are disclosed. At least part of a system may be located between a packet data network and a base station, and/or may be at least logically separate from the base station. The system may be capable of evaluating the service provided by the base station, and may be capable of determining whether or not any action should consequently be performed. Examples of an action may include an action which may not necessarily affect en-route data packets such as outputting a report, and/or an action which may affect en-route data packets such as delaying packets, not delaying packets, and/or stopping the delaying of packets. An action which affects data packets may or may not affect data packets uniformly. An action may or may not result in an improvement in quality of user experience. |
| US09345040B2 |
Securing transmit openings
A technique for securing transmit opening helps enhance the operation of a station that employs the technique. The technique may facilitate low latency response to a protocol data requester, for instance. In one aspect, the technique provides a way for the protocol data responder to hold its transmit opening to transmit the protocol response data to the protocol data requester. The technique may allow the protocol data responder to hold the transmit opening until the protocol response data is ready and available for the protocol data responder to send. |
| US09345037B2 |
Wireless communication system assigning terminals to group corresponding to frequency bands
The terminal measures the wireless channel quality of each frequency band, and notifies the base station of the quality. The base station determines the frequency band to be used by the terminal on the basis of the notification from the terminal. Then, the terminal is grouped depending on the difference etc. in frequency band in operating the terminal, and notified which terminal group the terminal belongs. Upon receipt of the notification from the base station, the terminal sets its own available frequency band and terminal group, and measures the notified wireless channel quality of the available frequency band. The measurement result is notified to the base station. The base station perform a scheduling process for each available frequency band on the basis of the wireless channel quality of the available frequency band of the terminal, and starts communicating with the terminal. |
| US09345036B2 |
Full duplex radio transceiver with remote radar detection
A radar detector is used with a radio link, the radio link characterized by high duty factor operation of a radio transmitter. The radar detector is located a sufficient distance from the radio transmitter that the radar detector is not overwhelmed by the radio transmission signal in that channel and can detect sufficiently low level radar signals to ascertain potential radio interference at the radar from said radio transmitter. The results of the radar detection are communicated to the transmitter in a way that impacts the transmitter's use of the sensed channel. This communication can occur reactively when a radar detection is achieved (the absence of which indicates no radar has been detected) and/or can be a periodic or event-driven indication that the channel is available for operation (the information expiring if the result is not refreshed). |
| US09345033B2 |
Dormancy timer adjustment in a wireless access node based on wireless device application status
A wireless communication device determines user interface activity initiated by a user application. The wireless communication device determines a timer setting based on the user interface activity initiated by the user application. The wireless communication device wirelessly transfers the timer setting to a wireless communication network. The wireless communication device exchanges wireless communications initiated by the user application with the wireless communication network. The wireless communication network uses a dormancy timer based on the user interface activity initiated by the user application. |
| US09345029B2 |
Satellite communication system employing a combination of time division multiplexing and non-orthogonal pseudorandom noise codes and time slots
An improved satellite communication system is provided comprising at least one satellite wherein each satellite provides multiple beams, a plurality of UTs, and at least one gateway connected to a PSTN and communicating with said at least one UT or with a constellation, wherein each of the UTs within a given frequency band is distinguished from another of the UTs employing a combination of TDM and NOPN codes and time slots. |
| US09345026B2 |
Methods and apparatus for requested reverse direction protocol
Systems, methods, and devices for communicating data in a wireless communications network are described herein. In some aspects, a first wireless device may request to transmit data during a transmission opportunity of a second wireless device. The request may also indicate a duration of time for which permission to transmit is requested. In some aspects, the second wireless device may send a response message to the first wireless device indicating the first wireless device has been granted permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device. The response may include an indication of a period of time for which permission to transmit has been granted. In an embodiment, the response may include an indication of a period of time the first wireless device may delay or sleep before an opportunity to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device will be available. |
| US09345021B2 |
Control and data signaling in heterogeneous wireless communication networks
A method in a wireless communication device including receiving control signaling from a base station in a control region of a downlink carrier spanning a first bandwidth, receiving a signaling message from the base station indicating a second bandwidth, receiving a first control message within the control region using a first Downlink Control Information (DCI) format size, the first DCI format size based on the first bandwidth, and receiving a second control message within the control region using a second DCI format size, the second DCI format size based on the second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth is distinct from the first bandwidth and the first and second control messages indicate downlink resource assignments for the downlink carrier. |
| US09345020B2 |
Integrated circuit for channel allocation for wireless communication device
Disclosed is a base station in which the frequency usage efficiency can be improved when the communication bandwidths are asymmetric in the uplink line and the downlink line. A base station can communicate by using a plurality of downlink unit bands and a smaller number of uplink unit bands. A control unit allocates uplink resource allocation information and downlink resource allocation information to a PDCCH which is arranged in each of the plurality of downlink unit bands, and allocates a response signal to the uplink line data to a PHICH which is arranged in the same number of downlink unit bands from the plurality of downlink unit bands as there are uplink unit bands. A transmit RF unit transmits the resource allocation information or the response signal. |
| US09345019B2 |
Method and apparatus of allocating scheduling request resources in mobile communication networks
Various schemes are provided to improve SR resource utilization by adapting SR resource allocation to traffic pattern. In a first Scheme, SR resource allocation is configured more accurately. In one example, UE provides assistant information for eNB to determine or adjust SR configuration based on the received assistant information. In a second Scheme, multiple SR periods are configured and adapted to traffic pattern. In one example, eNB configures a set of SR resources with multiple SR periods, and UE applies different SR periods based on predefined events. Unused SR resources could be recycled by eNB for PUSCH data transmission. In a third Scheme, multiple SR allocations are configured and adapted to concerned applications. In one example, eNB configures multiple sets of SR resources adapted to predefined applications, and UE applies SR configurations based on corresponding applications. The additional SR configurations could be activated and/or deactivated. |
| US09345013B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhanced control channel-based operation in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to a method and an apparatus for enhanced control channel-based operation. A method for a base station for transmitting a downlink control channel in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: determining one antenna port to be used for the downlink control channel; mapping the downlink control channel to a resource element on the basis of a reference signal for the one antenna port; and transmitting the mapped downlink control channel to a terminal, wherein an index for the one antenna port can be determined on the basis of a control channel element (CCE) index of the downlink control channel derived from the terminal identifier. |
| US09345012B2 |
Communication devices and methods for performing communication
There is provided a method for performing direct mobile-to-mobile communication in a cellular mobile communication system, the cellular mobile communication system having at least two mobile stations and a communication network. The method includes associating a first mobile station and a second mobile station with at least one base station of the communication network, performing neighbor discovery between the first mobile station and the second mobile station for reporting to the at least one base station, detecting the feasibility of direct communication between the first mobile station and the second mobile station, establishing a direct communication link between the at least two mobile stations, allocating identification for communication and flow and resources for a flow between the first mobile station and the second mobile station, synchronizing the flow between the first mobile station and the second mobile station, and sending automatic repeat requests (ARQ) messages. |
| US09345009B2 |
User terminal, radio communication method and radio communication system
A user terminal carries out the steps of receiving downlink control information for a first cell and a second cell allocated to the PDCCH of the first cell, generating retransmission control signals for each downlink data signal in predetermined PUCCH formats, allocating the generated retransmission control signals to a PUCCH resource of the first cell, and sending feedback, and, when the ratio of DL subframes is higher in the second cell than in the first cell, applies PUCCH format 3 to a retransmission control signal for a downlink data signal of the second cell demodulated by using downlink control information in which the CCE number is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and applies PUCCH format 1b to a retransmission control signal for a downlink data signal of the second cell demodulated by using downlink control information in which the CCE number is greater than the predetermined value. |
| US09345008B2 |
Method and device for transmitting uplink control information having large payload in wireless access system
The present invention relates to a method and devices for transmitting uplink control information (UCI) having a large payload size in a carrier aggregation environment. The method for transmitting the UCI having a large sized payload in a wireless access system, as an embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: finding the number of first resource elements allocated to channel quality information (CQI) information to be included in the UCI; finding the number of second resource elements allocated to a rank indicator (RI) information to be included in the UCI; finding the coding rate of data transmitted with the UCI, considering the number of the first resource elements and the number of the second resource elements; finding the number of third resource elements allocated to all of the UCI, on the basis of the coding rate of the data; and multiplexing to a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and sending to a base station the UCI, on the basis of the number of the third resource elements. |
| US09345007B2 |
Method for transmitting uplink control information in a wireless communication system and device for same
The present invention relates to a method for a receiving terminal to transmit uplink control information to a transmitting terminal in a wireless communication system. In more detail, the method for transmitting the uplink control information includes: mapping the uplink control information into at least one available symbol included in each of a first slot and a second slot of a specific subframe; applying a first orthogonal sequence corresponding to the first slot to the uplink control information mapped into the first slot and a second orthogonal sequence corresponding to the second slot to the uplink control information mapped into the second slot; and transmitting the uplink control information having the orthogonal sequence applied to the transmitting terminal. The first orthogonal sequence corresponds to the number of available symbols in the first slot and the second orthogonal sequence corresponds to the number of available symbols in the second slot. |
| US09345006B2 |
Space Frequency block coding for PUCCH
Apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining at least one control symbol and at least one channel from a channel set for an at least one control symbol representing the at least one control signal for at least one output port; and determining at least one further control symbol and at least one further channel from the channel set for the at least one further control symbol for at least one further output port, wherein the at least one further control symbol and the at least one further channel is dependent on the at least one control symbol and the at least one channel. |
| US09345005B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating resources and processing confirmation information
A method and an apparatus for allocating ACKnowledgement (ACK)/Non-ACKnowledgement (HACK) channel resources and processing confirmation information are disclosed. The method includes: The network side determines one physical channel area among multiple physical channel areas to be used by an ACK/NACK channel, and notifies the determined physical channel area to a User Equipment (UE) so as to enable the UE to determine a channel for receiving or sending ACK/NACK information in the determined physical channel area according to a mapping rule. Moreover, the network side may send or receive ACK/NACK information on the physical channel area that includes the ACK/NACK channel. The method and apparatus improve the utilization ratio and flexibility of the ACK/NACK channel, and reduce the probability of conflict generated by the ACK/NACK channel. |
| US09345004B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiplexing control and data channel
An approach is provided for performing control signaling. Data and control information are received. The control information is orthogonalized using block-level spreading. The data and the orthogonalized control information are multiplexed at a symbol-level. |
| US09345002B2 |
Dynamic spectrum allocation method and device based on channel management
The present disclosure discloses a dynamic spectrum allocation method and device based on channel management. The method comprises the following steps: a network node generates a channel set according to an available channel list and channel classification information, and maintains and updates the channel set; and the network node selects a spectrum from the channel set and allocates the spectrum. The device comprises: a channel set generation module configured to generate a channel set according to an available channel list and channel classification information and maintain and update the channel set; and a spectrum allocation module configured to select a spectrum from the channel set and allocate the spectrum. The present disclosure can reduce the delay in the spectrum resource reconfiguration of a CR system, improves the overall performance of spectrum resource reconfiguration and increases the utilization efficiency of a spectrum. |
| US09345001B2 |
Method, apparatus and system of spatial division multiple access communication in a wireless local area network
Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include a method, apparatus for concurrently transmitting data to two or more wireless stations. |
| US09345000B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth allocation for multiple virtual MACs
Communication bandwidth on a single physical interface (PHY) in a wireless device is allocated among multiple virtual media access control layers (MACs) based on need. Excess bandwidth may be aggregated in a single virtual MAC for power savings. |
| US09344999B2 |
Uplink control information transmitting/receiving method and device in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to an uplink control information transmitting/receiving method and device. A method of transmitting acknowledgement information in a wireless communication system by a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: determining whether transmission of a scheduling request is set in one subframe where acknowledgement information on downlink transmission is to be transmitted; determining a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) format and a resource with which the acknowledgement information is to be transmitted; and transmitting the acknowledgement information by using the PUCCH format and the resource. Here, when the transmission of the scheduling request is set in the one subframe and the acknowledgement information corresponds to only a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) received on only a Primary Cell (PCell), the acknowledgement information and the scheduling request may be transmitted using PUCCH format 1a/1b. |
| US09344990B1 |
Device location accuracy metrics for applications on wireless communication devices
A data processing system determines the geographic accuracy of device locations used by applications executed by wireless communication devices. The system processes communication data for the wireless communication devices to individually correlate the device locations with the applications that used the device locations and with the wireless communication devices that executed the applications. The system processes the device locations for pairs of the wireless communication devices and the applications to determine geographic accuracy data for the pairs. The system aggregates the geographic accuracy data for individual ones of the applications to generate geographic accuracy metrics for the individual applications. |
| US09344987B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide extended voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services
Methods and apparatus to provide extended voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services are disclosed. An example residential gateway comprises a radio frequency (RF) detector to detect a presence of a cellular communication device, a service controller to enable a VoIP communication device when the cellular communication device is present, wherein the VoIP communication device and the cellular communication device are different devices. |
| US09344986B2 |
Minimalistic LTE maintenance timing advance method
A method that implements a timing advance for an uplink communication from a user equipment (UE) comprises: selecting at least one subframe; reducing a duration of at least one selected symbol of each of the at least one subframe to generate at least one reduced duration subframe; replacing a remaining portion of payload data of each of the at least one selected symbol with a pre-selected replacement value; by-passing each of the at least one selected symbol during pre-transmission processing of the at least one reduced duration subframe; processing any remaining symbols of the at least one reduced duration subframe, such that a processing time of the remaining symbols of the at least one reduced duration subframe is reduced by at least the value of the timing advance; and transmitting the at least one reduced duration subframe via the uplink communication to the base station. |
| US09344982B2 |
Time synchronization method and system using WiFi-direct
Disclosed are a time synchronization method and system using WiFi-direct. The method comprises: a master control device obtaining from a base station standard date and time information used for time synchronization; establishing a WiFi-Direct connection between the master control device and a slave device; in accordance with an active manner, the slave device obtaining a time synchronization manner or a passive reception time synchronization manner, and obtaining the standard date and time information from the master control device through the WiFi-Direct connection; and the slave device calculating an actual standard date and time with the influence of transmission time delay eliminated using the standard date and time information, and setting a system date and time thereof using the actual standard date and time. The master control device of the present invention transmits to each slave device standard date and time information obtained from a base station through Wi-Fi Direct to enable each slave device to achieve time synchronization. |
| US09344963B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving power save-polling frame and response frame in wireless LAN system
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a power save-polling (PS-Poll) frame and response frame in a wireless LAN (WLAN) system are disclosed. The method for transmitting a frame by a station (STA) in a wireless LAN (WLAN) system includes awakening at a predetermined time, and transmitting a Power Save (PS)-Poll frame to an access point (AP); and receiving information in response to the PS-Poll frame from the access point (AP), wherein information indicating an access category (AC) of the PS-Poll frame is provided from the access point (AP) to the station (STA). |
| US09344955B2 |
Apparatus and method for peer discovery
There is provided a method, including: causing, by a second node, reception of a discovery message on a radio layer directly from a first node, wherein the discovery message indicates at least the prefix of the internet protocol, IP, address corresponding to the first node; detecting whether or not there exist an application layer connection between the first node and the second node, wherein the application layer is a higher layer than the radio layer and the detection is at least partly based on the acquired prefix; and upon detecting that the application layer connection exists, indicating the existence of the application layer connection to a network element associated with the second node. |
| US09344949B2 |
System and method for optimizing a media gateway selection in mobile switching center pool architecture
A system and method to allow call traffic localization within a mobile switching center server pool (MSS pool) or between MSS pools, provides a trunk group identifier mapped to an originating media gateway. An originating mobile switching center server (MSC server) initiates a call session with a terminating MSC server by sending a session initiation protocol (SIP) message that includes a trunk group identifier mapped to an originating media gateway identity. The terminating MSC server examines the mapping received in the SIP message, and uses the trunk group identifier to select a terminating media gateway for call routing to realize call traffic localization. |
| US09344946B2 |
Methods and arrangements in a network node
A method and arrangement in a first network node, which is serving a user equipment, for determining whether a handover of the user equipment is to be made to a second network node. The first network node and the second network node are configured for wireless communication with each other over a backhaul link in half-duplex communication mode. The first network node obtains an estimation of data-rate performance over the backhaul link, and determines whether to hand over the user equipment to the second network node based on the obtained estimation of the data-rate performance over the backhaul link. |
| US09344945B2 |
Methods for coordinating inter-RAT mobility settings
A system, method, and apparatus are presented for coordinating handover. A first controller that is associated with a first RAN cell determines a first handover parameter value that is for use in determining whether to cause handover from the first RAN cell to a second RAN cell having a different RAT. The first controller transmits, to a second controller associated with the second RAN cell, information relating to the first handover parameter value. The first controller further transmits, to the second controller, a value of a QoS parameter or a UE capability parameter associated with the information. The first controller receives, from the second controller, an indication of whether the second controller has adjusted a second handover parameter value based on the transmitted information, where the second handover parameter value is for use in determining whether to cause handover from the second RAN cell to the first RAN cell. |
| US09344942B2 |
Application-layer handoff of an access terminal from a first system of an access network to a second system of the access network during a communication session within a wireless communications system
Embodiments are directed to an application-layer handoff of an access terminal from a first system of an access network to a second system of the access network during a communication session within a wireless communications system. In an embodiment, the access terminal sets up a communication session on the first system. A multimedia client measures application-layer performance parameters for the communication session supported by the first system, and determines whether to handoff the communication session to a second system based at least in part on the application-layer performance parameters. If the multimedia client determines to handoff the communication session to the second system, the multimedia client initiates the handoff and the communication session is transitioned to the second system. |
| US09344941B2 |
Autonomous cell reselection by a user equipment
User equipment and method of notifying a wireless communication network of impending autonomous cell reselection from a serving cell to a second cell. The user equipment comprises: monitoring logic, determining logic and notification logic. The monitoring logic is operable to monitor signals received from said serving cell and said second cell; the determining logic is operable to determine whether the signals received from said serving cell and said second cell meet predetermined cell reselection warning criteria, and the notification logic is operable, if said predetermined cell reselection warning criteria are met, to notify said serving cell of said impending autonomous user equipment cell reselection to said second cell. Accordingly, user equipment is operable to send an indication of cell reselection to a network prior to fully triggering a cell reselection procedure, thereby allowing a network to make preparations for an impending cell reselection event, thereby minimizing potential disruption to a network user. |
| US09344937B2 |
Method for reporting mobility information in wireless communication system and apparatus for supporting same
Provided is a method for reporting mobility information by means of a terminal in a wireless communication system. The method includes generating mobility information and reporting the mobility information via a network. The mobility information includes mobility state information indicating the estimated mobility state of the terminal, and mobility history information relating to the mobility history of the terminal. |
| US09344936B2 |
Mobile communication system, MME, incoming call control method of mobile communication system, and incoming call control method of MME
A mobility management device makes an ISR feature operate in collaboration with an SGSN. It is assumed that a location registration area managed by the mobility management device exists within a location registration area managed by the SGSN, and an incoming voice call is made to a mobile communication device during when the mobile communication device is moving out of the location registration area. The mobility management device includes an incoming voice call control unit that, in the above case, sends a response message indicating that the mobile communication device is moving to a switching device and, when an incoming voice call message is sent again from the switching device to a switching device after the lapse of a specified period of time, performs call attempt to the mobile communication device. |
| US09344933B1 |
Mobility management entity (MME) system and method to disable voice over LTE (VoLTE) service of a long term evolution (LTE) base station
A Mobility Management Entity (MME) system and method to disable Voice over LTE (VoLTE) service of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station (BS) are provided. The MME system in one example includes a data communication interface configured to receive VoLTE performance metrics and transmit and receive signaling messages over a communication network and a processing system configured to process VoLTE performance metrics obtained through the data communication interface to determine if VoLTE service on the LTE BS should be disabled, and if VoLTE should be disabled and if a create bearer request obtained through the data communication interface has a Quality-of-Service Class Identifier (QCI) value indicating a VoLTE session for a UE, transfer a reject message for delivery to the UE instructing the UE to use a different BS for voice service. |
| US09344931B2 |
Method and device for re-establishing radio link
The disclosure provides a method and a device for re-establishing a radio link. The method comprises: a destination NodeB receives a re-establishment request message sent by UE, the re-establishment request message carrying a cause value, and the cause value comprising information used for indicating UE handover success or handover failure; and the destination NodeB determines, according to the cause value, a security algorithm applied radio link re-establishment between the destination NodeB and the UE, and establishes a radio link using the security algorithm. The disclosure solves the technical problem in the traditional art that the radio link re-establishment fails as a security algorithm fallback process fails, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the success rate of radio link re-establishment. |
| US09344930B2 |
Efficient WCDMA to GSM tune away pattern
A method for performing tune away in a wireless communication device includes: tuning away the wireless communication device from a first communication network for a first tune away period to receive a first page burst from a second communication network, and during the first tune away period sequentially tuning to a plurality of neighbor cells of the second communication network and performing signal quality measurements on signals received from each of the plurality of neighbor cells. |
| US09344923B2 |
Servers and methods for handover between two serving call control servers
The present invention is aimed to carry out an effective handover between a first and a second serving call control servers in order to fit suitable server capabilities for servicing a user, as well as to provide a mechanism whereby a subscriber server may upgrade the selection criteria for assigning the second serving call control server. Therefore, the present invention provides a new method and enhanced servers for re-assigning the second serving call control server, whereby the still ongoing sessions for the user in the first serving call control server are kept alive, and where a serving call control server is arranged to report towards the subscriber server what portions of a user profile are not understood or not supported at said serving call control server. |
| US09344919B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing a random access channel by selectively using dedicated or contention-based preambles during handover
A method and apparatus for accessing a random access channel (RACH) during handover are disclosed. A handover procedure is initiated and a maximum handover interruption timer is activated. A dedicated preamble is transmitted in an attempt to access the RACH on a condition that the dedicated preamble is reserved in a current random access opportunity and the maximum handover interruption timer has not expired. A contention-based preamble is transmitted in an attempt to access the RACH on a condition that a dedicated preamble is not reserved in a current random access opportunity. If the maximum handover interruption timer has expired, a contention-based preamble is transmitted in an attempt to access the RACH. |
| US09344915B2 |
Mobile communication method
A mobile communication method is applied to a mobile communication system including a general base station that manages a general cell and a specific base station that manages a specific cell having a coverage area smaller than a coverage area of the general cell. The mobile communication method comprises: a step A of transmitting, from a general mobile terminal to the specific base station, an RACH signal for interference detection, the general mobile terminal being a mobile terminal in a connected state in the general cell; and a step B of notifying, by the specific base station, the general base station of a detection result of the RACH signal for interference detection. |
| US09344914B2 |
Modem assisted contention handling of multiple active connections in wireless communications
Aspects of the present disclosure provide wireless communication devices and methods configured to operate with multiple active connections. A user equipment establishes a first active connection associated with a first subscription. The user equipment also establishes a second active connection, simultaneous to the first active connection, associated with a second subscription. The user equipment provides modem information corresponding to connection qualities of the first active connection and second active connection, to an operating system of the user equipment. Furthermore, the user equipment mitigates contention between the first active connection and second active connection by degrading at least one of the first active connection or second active connection in accordance with a decision given by the operating system based on the modem information. |
| US09344912B2 |
Method and apparatus for transceiving neighbor network information in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to a method and an apparatus for transceiving neighbor network information. A method for a first station (STA) to provide neighbor network information to a second STA, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving a request frame for neighbor network information from the second STA; and transmitting a response frame for neighbor network information to the second STA, wherein the request frame for neighbor network information can comprise at least one item of information about the second STA from among the address, estimated transmission strength, and location. |
| US09344909B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring a wireless link in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for monitoring a wireless link. A method for monitoring a wireless link by a terminal in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving a precoded control channel; and estimating the quality of the wireless link for the received precoded control channel, wherein the quality of the wireless link can be estimated on the basis of an assumption by the terminal regarding the precoding applied to the precoded control channel. |
| US09344908B2 |
Systems and methods for quality of experience measurement and wireless network recommendation
Systems and methods for quality of experience measurement and wireless network recommendation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises connecting to a non-cellular wireless data network, the digital device capable of communicating over a cellular network, transmitting a plurality of pings to a QoE system accessible over the non-cellular wireless data network, receiving a set of ping responses from the QoE system in response to the plurality of pings, calculating a QoE score based on the set of ping responses, and determining whether to maintain connectivity with the non-cellular wireless data network based on the QoE score. |
| US09344907B1 |
Analyzing wireless signal propagation
In some aspects, a wireless-spectrum analysis technique includes obtaining, at a computer system, a simulated spatial distribution of a wireless signal parameter (e.g., spectral power). The simulated spatial distribution is based on a computer-simulation of wireless signal propagation in a geographic region. A measured spatial distribution of the wireless signal parameter is obtained at the computer system. The measured spatial distribution is based on measurements performed by wireless sensor devices in the geographic region. Each of the wireless sensor devices is configured to provide local parameter measurements based on wireless signals detected by the wireless sensor device. The simulated spatial distribution is compared with the measured spatial distribution. In some instances, the simulated spatial distribution geographic region is modified based on the comparison. |
| US09344906B2 |
System and method for using distributed network performance information tables to manage network communications
A system, method and network communications device including a processing unit configured to communicate data packets with one or more network communications devices. The data packets include network performance information generated by the one or more network communications devices in response to receiving a portion of the data packets. The network communications device further includes a memory in communication with the processing unit. The memory is configured to store a table containing network performance information associated with the node segments through which the data packets are communicated with the one or more network communications devices. The processing unit is further configured to process the data packets to store the network performance information in the table. The network performance information is utilized to alter future communications of the data packets through the node segments. |
| US09344903B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
When performing data communication with a second wireless communication apparatus having a plurality of antennas by using a plurality of transmission channels formed by spatial multiplexing, a first wireless communication apparatus having a plurality of antennas determines whether the second wireless communication apparatus is capable of data communication using the plurality of transmission channels, and, on the basis of the determination result, executes a calibration process of forming the plurality of transmission channels with respect to the second wireless communication apparatus. |
| US09344897B2 |
Estimating timing and frequency information for multiple channel wireless communication systems
One method of estimating timing and frequency information of a payload transmitted through two or more frequency separated channels combines training fields from preambles from the two or more frequency separated channels to construct combined values that may be used to estimate the frequency and timing information. In one embodiment, the combined values may be determined by combining self-correlated training fields from the frequency separated channels. Another method of estimating the timing and frequency information selects the training fields from the preamble of one of the frequency separated channels based upon a signal quality metric. In another embodiment, the selection of the training fields based upon a signal quality metric may be biased to favor a particular channel. |
| US09344893B2 |
Method and device for managing a private radio cell
A method for remotely managing a private radio cell connected to a public radio network, wherein an end device unknown to the radio cell authenticates itself to an access computer of the private radio cell. After successful authentication of the unknown end device, the access computer transfers a first message to a communication device managing the private radio cell with the first message requesting the use of the private radio cell by the unknown end device or of an installation linked with the private radio cell. The managing communication device transfers to the access computer or the unknown end device a second message permitting the use, when the requested use of the private radio cell by the unknown end device or its user is complied with. The requested use of the private radio cell by the unknown end device or its user is refused when it is not complied with by the communication device. |
| US09344889B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus to pair medical devices to an in-body network
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to pair devices to an in-body network. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a device capability manager to identify remote sensors associated with a candidate medical device, an encryption engine to provide the candidate medical device with hashing instructions to be applied to input values from selected ones of the remote sensors, a measurement engine to acquire input values from local sensors corresponding to the selected ones of the available remote sensors during a measurement schedule, the encryption engine to apply the hashing instructions to the input values from the local sensors, and a pairing engine to authorize the candidate medical device when an encryption key associated with the remote sensors includes a threshold indication of parity with an encryption key associated with the local sensors. |
| US09344886B2 |
Communication apparatus and control method
A communication apparatus detects network information concerning a network that communicates via a base station and performs acquisition processing for acquiring authentication information used for authentication with an authentication server via the base station from another communication apparatus according to the network information detected by the detection unit. |
| US09344883B2 |
System and method for wide area wireless connectivity to the internet
A system and method for managing access to a Wi-Fi system include redirecting an access request, comprising a user credential, from a wireless user device to an authentication server, obtaining, from a first database, a list of a plurality of authentication databases from which users may be authenticated, the list including a protocol required for communication with each of the authentication databases, transmitting a request to each of the listed authentication databases using the identified protocol, and permitting the user access to the Internet through the Wi-Fi system if the user is authenticated by at least one of the listed authentication databases. |
| US09344880B2 |
Dialing method and device
A dialing method and device are disclosed. The method includes: a terminal acquiring dialing auxiliary data information, wherein, the dialing auxiliary data information comprises home location information and/or roaming location information; after receiving a dialed number of a subscriber, the terminal judging whether the dialed number conforms to a dialing rule according to the dialing auxiliary data information; and in a case that the terminal judges that the dialed number does not conform to the dialing rule, correcting the dialed number, and calling out the corrected dialed number. With the method and device, a problem of a higher network call loss rate in the related art is solved, a dialing success rate of the subscriber is increased, and the user experience is improved. |
| US09344879B2 |
Method of managing at least one wireless communications interface of a terminal, and a terminal
A method of managing at least one wireless communications interface of a terminal by performing an obtaining step (E10) to obtaining information (CId) representative of the geographical location of the terminal; a searching step (E20) for searching in a database of the terminal at least one identifier of a wireless communications interface of the terminal that is associated with said information. If such an associated identifier is found, an automatic activation step (E50) is performed for activating the wireless communications interface corresponding to the at least one identifier. |
| US09344876B2 |
Systems and methods for predictive download
A time a user of a client application is likely to access a preferred network connection is predicted. A pre-download index for one or more multimedia content items is calculated, where the pre-download index represents how likely the user is to interact with the one or more multimedia content items at approximately the predicted time. The indexed multimedia content items are ranked based on the pre-download index of each of the one or more multimedia content items. The ranked multimedia content items are provided to the client application at the predicted time. |
| US09344873B1 |
Limiting data service for a home terminal roaming near home coverage
Disclosed is a method and system to help better manage resources when a mobile terminal is roaming while within a home-carrier coverage hole or while otherwise threshold close to home carrier coverage. In accordance with the disclosure, a mobile terminal's home carrier will determine that the mobile terminal is being served by a roaming carrier's cell site that is threshold close to a home carrier's cell site, and the home carrier will responsively assign to the mobile terminal an IP address that the home carrier is configured to block. |
| US09344868B2 |
Method and apparatus for contextual content and service forwarding for mobile devices
An approach is provided for determining context information associated with one or more mobile devices and transferring content and services between the devices based on the contextual information. A transfer platform determines context information associated with at least one device, at least one other device, or a combination thereof. The transfer platform then causes, at least in part, at least one transfer of one or more functionalities of the at least one device, content associated with the at least one device, or a combination thereof from the at least one device to the at least one other device based, at least in part, on the context information. |
| US09344866B2 |
Notifying roaming subscriber of missed call
In a first node of a home network, such as a GMSC, on receiving a request message (50), requesting call set-up to a called terminal, a message (52) is sent to a second node of the home network, such as an HLR, to obtain an address of a mobile switching center where the called terminal is located. On receiving a reply (58) from the second node, the first node initiates (60) a missed call notification service if it is determined that the called terminal is in a visited network. The first node then initiates a call set-up (64) to the called terminal and, if it is notified that the call has been released (66), with no call forwarding having taken place, it notifies (68) the missed call notification service that the call has been released. The missed call notification service causes (72) a message to be sent (74) to the called terminal, notifying it of the missed call. |
| US09344865B1 |
Methods for improving service of SMPP messages and devices thereof
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and network traffic management apparatus that selects a first one of a plurality of Short Message Service Center (SMSC) servers based on a load balancing decision in response to an external short messaging entity (ESME) SMPP request message received from a first one of a plurality of ESMEs. A first sequence number is generated for the ESME SMPP request message. The first sequence number is stored in a first entry of a mapping table as associated with a sequence number included in the ESME SMPP request message and an indication of the first one of the plurality of SMSC servers. The sequence number included in the ESME SMPP request message is replaced with the first sequence number. The ESME SMPP request message is sent to the first one of the plurality of SMSC servers. |
| US09344864B2 |
Redirection method and redirection apparatus under policy and charging control
The present invention relates to the field of communication technology. Disclosed are a redirection method and a redirection apparatus under policy and charging control (PCC) for improving user's service experience. The redirection method under PCC comprises: acquiring a user's service status change information and the current scenario information; determining whether to issue a redirection task to a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) according to the current scenario information; when a redirection task needs to be issued to the PCEF, then generating a redirection indication message according to the service status change information and the current scenario information, the redirection indication message comprising redirection indication information; and sending the redirection indication message to the PCEF so that the PCEF performs a redirection operation according to the redirection indication information in the redirection indication message. |
| US09344859B2 |
Method of receiving multicast data in a wireless communication system, and device for same
The present invention relates to a method of receiving multicast data in a wireless communication system for supporting Machine to Machine Communication, and a device for same. In more detail, the method includes: receiving a paging message including information on the timing at which the transmission of multicast data from a base station is completed in a paging listening interval; receiving the multicast data from the base station; and entering an unavailable interval when the timing is reached, at which the transmission of the multicast data is completed. |
| US09344856B2 |
Detection of false vehicle-to-vehicle emergency brake light messages
The trustworthiness of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) messages received from one or more associated vehicles in the vicinity of a subject vehicle is determined autonomously by a false signal detection system of the subject vehicle. Physical evidence relating to the associated vehicles is collected, and a statistical model is used to perform an analysis of the collected data. A V2V message is received by the system from a first one of the associated vehicles and a trustworthiness level of the message is determined in accordance with a correlation between the received V2V message and the result of the analyzed physical data relating to the first associated vehicle. The correlation may be a comparison of data contained in the received V2V message relative to a result of a stochastic analysis of the physical data. The received V2V message may be any V2V safety message including Emergency Electronic Brake Light (EEBL) messages. |
| US09344854B2 |
Method, storage medium, server, and electronic device for implementing location based service within building
A method of implementing a location-based service within a building is provided. The method includes receiving, from at least one electronic device, a plurality of data sets indicating information of wireless signals which the at least one electronic device measures for each time or for each location within the building; determining a similarity between the plurality of data sets; generating a logical path by integrating similar data sets; and generating a wireless signal map within the building by mapping the logical path to a physical path of the building. |
| US09344853B2 |
Position specifying server, position specifying method, and recording medium recording position specifying program
A position specifying server includes a storage unit, a communication unit, an estimation unit, and a specifying unit. The storage unit stores GMMs corresponding to base stations of radio waves receivable by a terminal device on each floor. The communication unit receives measured values of the radio wave strengths of the radio waves which the terminal device receives from the base stations. The estimation unit estimates a position of the terminal device for each floor based on the received measured values of the radio wave strengths and the GMMs. The specifying unit calculates the estimated values of the radio wave strengths at the estimated position of the terminal device on each floor based on the GMMs and specifies the floor on which the terminal device is present based on the calculated estimated values of the radio wave strengths and the measured values of the radio wave strengths. |
| US09344849B2 |
Methods and systems for locating persons and places with mobile devices
Methods, computer readable storage medium, and systems for mobile devices to locate persons or places are described. In a feature, the invention is a method implemented in a server for providing beaconing sequences to the mobile devices for location sharing. In a feature, the invention is a server executing a method of locating a user using a beaconing mobile device. In a feature, the invention is a non-transitory computer readable medium on a server that encodes a program to execute a method on a first mobile device that determine directions and/or distance between the first mobile device and a second mobile device. In a feature, the invention is a server executing a method to remember a place on a mobile device. |
| US09344848B2 |
Method and system for providing enhanced location based information for wireless handsets
Methods, devices and systems for generating enhanced location information on or about a mobile device may include hybrid lateration and/or trilateration solutions in which the mobile device determines whether information obtained via a geospatial system of the mobile device is accurate, collects location information from a plurality of mobile devices in a communication group in response to determining that the information obtained via the geospatial system of the mobile device is not accurate, computes computing more precise location information (including three-dimensional location and position information) based on the location information collected from the plurality of mobile devices, and using the generated location and position information to provide an enhanced location based service, such as an emergency location service, a commercial location service, an internal location service and/or a lawful intercept location service. |
| US09344845B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining floating information of user floating between administrative regions
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for obtaining the floating information of users floating between administrative regions. The method comprises: within a floating information statistical time range for mobile phone users, making statistics for mobile phone users entering an administrative region by using final effective location information corresponding to a location update request sent by a mobile phone entering the administrative region, corresponding international mobile subscriber identity IMSI_LUP information, and a Location Area Code LAC_CONF set of the administrative region; and within the floating information statistical time range for mobile phone users, making statistics for mobile phone users leaving the administrative region by using international mobile subscriber identity IMSI_LC information of a cancel location message sent by all Home Location Registers (HLR) in the administrative region. The present invention can accurately acquire the floating condition of the inter-city, inter-province, and inter-country international mobile subscribers. |
| US09344843B2 |
Providing context sensitive service bundles
Technical solutions for providing context sensitive service bundles are provided. In some implementations, a method includes identifying location information associated with a user. The location information identifies a first location area. The method further includes, in accordance with (1) a first determination that a first service is available within a predefined proximity to the first location area; (2) a second determination that the second service is also available within predefined proximity to the first location area; and (3) a third determination that the first service relates to the second service to a predefined degree; using a single application, causing a service bundle to be offered to the user by: causing the first service and the second service to be concurrently offered to the user in the single application. |
| US09344842B2 |
System and method for viewing golf using virtual reality
A system and method for viewing artificial reality (AR) messages on a golf course, where the messages are geo-referenced artificial reality words or symbols to indicate distances, tips, targets or other information to the golfer. Typically, the AR messages are geo-referenced to a fixed location on the golf hole, such as a hazard or green. Using the spectator's chosen location as the viewing origin, an artificial reality message or object is inserted into the golfer's perspective view of the golf hole. Outings and contests can be held even if the matches are separated by hours or days, and outcomes and information published to select groups or individuals. |
| US09344841B2 |
Mobile device and server exchanging information with mobile apparatus
A mobile device and a server are provided. The mobile device displays relevant information extracted based on location information and additional information. Accordingly, by linking regional information acquired through a personal device with a location based service, the user is provided with useful contents effectively and further is provided with a new experience. |
| US09344839B2 |
System and method for pushing information from a host system to a mobile communication device
A system and method for pushing information from a host system to a mobile data communication device upon sensing a triggering event is disclosed. A redirector program operating at the host system enables a user to continuously redirect certain user-selected data items from the host system to the user's mobile data communication device upon detecting that one or more user-defined triggering events has occurred. The redirector program operates in connection with event generating applications and repackaging systems at the host system to configure and detect a particular user-defined event, and then to repackage the user-selected data items in an electronic wrapper prior to pushing the data items to the mobile device. |
| US09344834B2 |
Communication method in wireless access network and wireless access network device
A communication method in a wireless access network and a wireless access network device are provided. The communication method comprises: setting a third-party application platform for processing a third-party application request of a user equipment (UE) in the wireless access network; the third-party application platform monitoring an uplink message from the UE, parsing and determining whether the uplink message is an uplink third-party application message; the third-party application platform performing local processing on the uplink third-party application message using a third-party application program of the third-party application platform when determining the uplink message is the third-party application message. In the embodiments of the present document, the number of nodes and a distance traveled by the data traffic transmitted in a network can be reduced, the uplink and downlink traffic of the base station egress can be reduced, and the user experience and network efficiency can be improved. |
| US09344831B2 |
Cellular phone
A cellular phone includes a telephone line communication part, a telephone functional part for making a telephone call via the telephone line communication part, an entry qualification holding part for holding fixed-term entry qualification information in which an entry target is specified, which is received via the telephone line communication part, and an entry communication part for transmitting the fixed-term entry qualification information held by the entry qualification holding part. |
| US09344828B2 |
System and method for digital signal processing
The present invention provides methods and systems for digitally processing audio signals in broadcasting and/or transmission applications. In particular, the present invention includes a pre-transmission processing module which is structured and configured to generate a partially processed signal. A transmitter is then structured to transmit or broadcast the partially processed signal to a receiver, where the signal is then fed to a post-transmission processing module. The post-transmission processing module is structured and configured to further processes the signal based upon, for example, the listening environment, profile(s), etc. and generate a final output signal. |
| US09344827B2 |
Method and apparatus for audio output, and electronic device
Method and apparatus for audio output, and electronic device. The method applies to the electronic device including first and second speakers at left and right sides of the device placed in a horizontal state, respectively, and third and fourth speakers at left and right sides of the device placed in a vertical state, respectively, the method including: detecting placement state of the device when it is under a speaker output mode; and switching, according to the placement state of the device, a stereo output and/or a bass output of audio data to be outputted to a speaker or speakers corresponding to the placement state, and outputting the audio data in the form of stereo output and/or bass output through the speaker or speakers corresponding to the placement state. Stereo output effect can be obtained when the device is in speaker output mode, regardless of whether placed horizontally or vertically. |
| US09344824B2 |
Method and apparatus for conversion of a multi-channel audio signal into a two-channel audio signal
A method for conversion of a n-channel audio signal (L, R, Ls, Rs) into a two-channel audio signal (Ro, Lo), where n≧4 and integer, includes the step of generating either one of the two-channel audio signals, right (Ro) or left (Lo), by a combination of: a front (R, L) and rear (Rs, Ls) signal components of the n-channel audio signal of the same side (right or left), and a front (L, R) signal component of the n-channel audio signal of the other side (left or right), and a term dependent of n. |
| US09344823B2 |
Pipe calibration device for calibration of omnidirectional microphones
Embodiments include a device comprising a pipe having at least one section that spans between a first end and a second end of the pipe. The pipe has a cylindrical cross-section. The device comprises a receptacle positioned in the pipe a first distance from the first end and a second distance from the second end. The receptacle receives an electronic device having microphones that are to be calibrated and secures the microphones a third distance inside an inside surface of the pipe. The device comprises an adapter connected to the first end. The adapter connects a loudspeaker to the pipe. The pipe controls an acoustic energy experienced by the plurality of microphones so that each microphone of the plurality of microphones receives equivalent acoustic energy. |
| US09344819B2 |
Adjustable securing mechanism for a space access device
A securing mechanism comprising a plurality of outwardly projecting members having a plurality of contact points that are configured to contact a surface of an opening when disposed on a space access device that is inserted in the opening, the securing mechanism being configured to apply a pressure to a contact surface within the opening less than approximately 10000 kPa. |
| US09344816B2 |
Hearing aid system and a hearing aid
A hearing aid (100) comprises first wireless link means configured to receive a first data signal using a first carrier frequency and second wireless link means configured to receive a second data signal using a second carrier frequency and wherein a first electrical antenna of the first wireless link means also forms part of a first band pass filter of the second wireless link means. The invention provides a hearing aid, a binaural hearing aid system and a method of receiving a first and second wireless signal. |
| US09344812B2 |
Portable electronic device for wearing at the ear and a method of operating a portable electronic device
A portable electronic device (100) comprises a fuel cell (101) and a boost converter (102), wherein said boost converter (102) is adapted for boosting the fuel cell voltage to a level suitable to power the portable electronic device (100) and wherein said boost converter (102) is powered by said fuel cell (101). The invention also provides a method of operating a portable electronic device. |
| US09344809B2 |
Digital acoustic low frequency response control for MEMS microphones
A system and method for controlling and adjusting a low-frequency response of a MEMS microphone. The system comprising the MEMS microphone, a controller, and a memory. The MEMS microphone includes a membrane and a plurality of air vents. The membrane configured such that acoustic pressures acting on the membrane cause movement of the membrane. The plurality of air vents are positioned proximate to the membrane. Each air vent of the plurality of air vents are configured to be selectively positioned in an open position or a closed position. The controller determines an integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed positioned, and generate a signal that causes the integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed position and causes any remaining air vents to be placed in the open position. |
| US09344807B2 |
Capacitance-type transducer, acoustic sensor, and microphone
A capacitance-type transducer has a substrate having a cavity, a vibrating electrode plate disposed above the substrate, a back plate disposed on the substrate, a fixed electrode plate disposed on the back plate opposite the vibrating electrode plate, a plurality of holes formed in the back plate and the fixed electrode plate, and a protrusion disposed on the back plate at a location opposing the vibrating electrode plate. In a view from a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate, a shortest distance from a cross-sectional center of the protrusion to an edge of a hole adjacent to the protrusion is larger than a shortest distance from a center of a region that is surrounded by the holes but not provided with the protrusion to an edge of a hole in the periphery. |
| US09344806B2 |
Component having a micro-mechanical microphone structure and method for producing the component
Measures are provided for improving the acoustic properties of a component (10) having a micromechanical microphone structure realized in a layer construction (20) over a substrate (1), and for simplifying the production method. The microphone structure of such a component (10) includes a diaphragm (11) deflectable by acoustic pressure, spanning a cavity (13) that acts as a rear-side volume in the rear side of the component, and includes a stationary, acoustically permeable counter-element (12) situated over the diaphragm (11). According to the invention, the layer construction (20) has, between the diaphragm (11) and the substrate (1), an enclosing layer (3) in which there is fashioned an acoustically transparent aperture (4). The diaphragm (11) is connected to the rear-side volume (13) via this aperture in the enclosing layer (3). Under the enclosing layer (3), the rear-side volume (13) extends laterally beyond this aperture (4). |
| US09344805B2 |
Micro-electromechanical system microphone
A capacitive micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes a semiconductor substrate having an opening that extends through the substrate. The microphone has a membrane that extends across the opening and a back-plate that extends across the opening. The membrane is configured to generate a signal in response to sound. The back-plate is separated from the membrane by an insulator and the back-plate exhibits a spring constant. The microphone further includes a back-chamber that encloses the opening to form a pressure chamber with the membrane, and a tuning structure configured to set a resonance frequency of the back-plate to a value that is substantially the same as a value of a resonance frequency of the membrane. |
| US09344804B2 |
Miniature moving-coil speaker
Disclosed is a miniature moving-coil speaker comprising a magnetic circuit system, a vibration system, and an auxiliary system for fixing the magnetic circuit system and the vibration system. The vibration system comprises a diaphragm and a voice coil integrated with the diaphragm. The auxiliary system comprises a plastic enclosure. The diaphragm is installed correspondingly at one end face of the enclosure, while the magnetic circuit system is installed at the other end face of the enclosure opposite the diaphragm; also: a flexible circuit board is arranged on the end face of the enclosure where the magnetic circuit system is installed, and the voice coil is electrically connected to the flexible circuit board. The design reduces product installation height, while at the same time facilitates wire-leading and wire-combing for the miniature moving-coil speaker, and simplifies product design. |
| US09344803B1 |
Easy mounting configuration for loudspeaker
A loudspeaker assembly preferably, but not necessarily, structured to be operative as a tweeter and including a base which may be formed of a magnet in conformance with the operability of a tweeter. One or more terminals are connected to the base and at least a corresponding number of recesses are formed in an exterior sidewall surface thereof. Each of the one or more terminals is disposed in aligned relation with a correspondingly disposed one of said recesses, wherein aligned ones of said terminals and said recesses are cooperatively disposed and structured to facilitate conformance of the one or more terminals with the circumferential configuration of the exterior sidewall of the base. |
| US09344802B2 |
Information providing system
An information providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an acoustic signal transmitter 10 for transmitting data in the form of sound waves, a portable telephone 20 serving as an acoustic signal receiver (terminal) for receiving the sound waves and reproducing the data, and a server 50 connected through the Internet 40 to the acoustic signal transmitter 10. The acoustic signal transmitter 10 may transmit the data as sound waves in one-way fashion at a timing determined by the acoustic signal transmitter 10 without reliance on transmission control signals or the like received from the acoustic signal receiver 20. The data which is transmitted as sound waves may employ data frame(s) which may contain information for error detection. |
| US09344799B2 |
Audio apparatus
An audio apparatus includes: a receiver which receives audio data transmitted by a broadcast method from an external apparatus; a sound emitter which performs sound emission of the audio data received by the receiver; a generator which generates sound emission control information relating to sound emission of other apparatus which can receive the audio data; and a transmitter which transmits the sound emission control information generated by the generator to the other apparatus. |
| US09344798B2 |
Transferring of audio routing in a premises distribution network
A wireless audio rendering device, such as headset (2) or speaker phone (3), which audio rendering device (2, 3) is adapted to be paired with a wireless audio gateway device, such as a smart phone (1), whereby a first radio link (4) for transmitting audio can be established between the audio gateway (1) and the first audio rendering device (2). The first audio rendering device (2) is adapted to wirelessly recognize a second audio rendering device (3) also paired with the audio gateway device (1). When brought within an activation distance (D1-D3) of the second audio rendering device (3) the first audio rendering device (2) is adapted to initiate an audio transfer step, in which the first audio link (4) is replaced by a second radio link (5) for transmitting audio between the audio gateway (1) and the second audio rendering device (3). The invention also relates to a method of audio transferring and an audio rendering device for use with the method. |
| US09344796B2 |
Active reduction of harmonic noise from multiple noise sources
A system and method for reducing harmonic noise caused by two or more noise sources by causing one or more loudspeakers to produce sounds that are at about the same frequencies as the noise and of substantially opposite phase. There is a noise canceller associated with each noise source. Each noise canceller includes a harmonic sine wave generator that generates an output sine wave. Each noise canceller also has an adaptive filter that uses a sine wave to create a noise reduction signal that is used to drive one or more transducers with their outputs directed to reduce noise caused by the noise sources. There is an overlap detector that compares the harmonic frequencies and, based on their proximity, alters the operation of one or more adaptive filters. |
| US09344793B2 |
Audio apparatus and methods
An apparatus for augmenting audio capabilities of a mobile computing device, including: a housing transiently encasing a portion of the mobile computing device; a communication module arranged within the housing, downloading a hearing profile of a user from the mobile computing device, and receiving an output audio signal from the mobile computing device; a processor arranged within the housing and processing the output audio signal according to the hearing profile; a secondary audio output module arranged within the housing adjacent an integrated loudspeaker within the mobile computing device and outputting a processed form of the output audio signal in place of output of the output audio signal by the integrated loudspeaker; a secondary microphone arranged within the housing adjacent an integrated microphone within the mobile computing device, the communication module transmitting an input audio signal from the secondary microphone to the mobile computing device. |
| US09344790B2 |
Audio signal receiving device, audio signal adapter device and system for transmitting audio signal
An audio signal receiving device, an audio signal adapter device and a system for transmitting an audio signal are provided. The audio signal adapter device is connected with an audio signal sending device and the audio signal receiving device and is configured to transmit a signal between the audio signal sending device and the audio signal receiving device, and the device comprises: a loudspeaker interface having an audio pin, a ground pin and a MIC pin; and a adapter end interface having an audio signal pin, a reference signal pin and a ground pin. The audio signal pin of the adapter end interface is connected with the audio pin of the loudspeaker interface, the reference signal pin of the adapter end interface is connected with the ground pin of the loudspeaker interface, for sending the audio signal output from the audio signal sending device to the audio signal receiving device. |
| US09344789B2 |
Digital microphone interface supporting multiple microphones
Extending a microphone interface. One microphone interface extension includes a controller, a parent microphone, and a child microphone. The controller outputs a controller clock signal. The parent microphone receives the controller clock signal and generates a first data signal. The child microphone generates a second data signal and outputs the second data signal to the first parent microphone. The parent microphone receives the second data signal from the child microphone and outputs a combined data signal to the controller based on the first data signal and the second data signal. The parent microphone outputs the combined data signal to the controller on a phase of a microphone clock signal derived from the controller clock signal. |
| US09344787B2 |
Audio equipped fan
An audio equipped fan is disclosed having a housing defining an inner cavity, a motor disposed at least partially in the inner cavity of the housing and having an output shaft extending therefrom that is rotatable by the motor, a fan connected to the output shaft of the motor and rotatable therewith, a grille connected to the housing and positioned in alignment with the fan, the grille having an interior side and an exterior side and defining first openings through which air may flow while the fan is rotated and second openings through which sound may travel, a speaker connected to at least one of the housing, motor, fan and grille and aligned on the interior side of the grille with the second openings of the grille so that sound may travel through the grille, and a temporary power source connected to the speaker. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US09344786B2 |
Vehicle with a multilayer roof structure and a microphone unit integrated into the roof structure
The invention relates to a vehicle having a multilayer roof structure and a microphone unit integrated into the roof structure. Here, a supporting layer has a through opening reaching to a lower covering layer, wherein the through opening is covered by the lower covering layer, wherein the microphone unit is associated with the through opening and wherein the microphone unit is opposite the lower covering layer with its sound entry region. |
| US09344783B2 |
Inverse horn loudspeakers
In a low frequency transducer system a multi-compression chamber, an inverse horn structure is employed in combination with a resonance-distortion filter chamber. The filter chamber effectively expands the effective enclosure volume at low frequencies and connected to one of the compression chambers filter parasitic resonances and distortion and allowing the system to more efficiently reproduce low frequencies while being able to use smaller diameter transducers and maintaining good system sensitivity. Compression chambers are organized for constant or continuous compression on a section-by-section basis throughout the inverse horn system. |
| US09344776B2 |
Patch panel tray assembly
A device and a system may facilitate access to communication connectors, adapters, and/or ports that are supported within a housing, e.g., a rack or cabinet. The system may include one or more of the devices. Each device may include a tray having a proximal portion pivotably coupled to a distal portion, the proximal portion including a lip extending at an oblique angle away from the tray. A plurality of arms may be pivotably attached to the distal portion of the tray. A plurality of cable attachment members may be coupled to the plurality of arms. A plate may be attached to a bottom surface of the tray, a proximal portion of the plate including a lip extending along a bottom portion of the proximal lip of the tray, and a distal portion including a lip extending at an oblique angle away from the distal portion of the tray. |
| US09344771B2 |
Systems and methods for delivering network content via an audio-visual receiver
An audio/visual (A/V) transceiver is provided for supplying intent access to a computing device. The A/V receiver comprises a first format module configured to receive and process electronic data in a first format and an Ethernet module configured to transmit electronic data to the computing device in Ethernet format via an Ethernet port. The transceiver further comprises a bridging application executing on a processor, the bridging application configured to convert internet data in the first format into the Ethernet format. A method is also provided for supplying internet access to a computing device over an audio/visual (A/V) receiver. The method comprises receiving an internet signal in a first protocol standard at an A/V receiver, bridging the internet signal in the first protocol standard into a second protocol standard understood by the computing device, and transmitting the internet signal in the second protocol standard to the computing device. |
| US09344768B2 |
Program guide system with real-time data sources
A program guide system in which an interactive television program guide that is implemented at least partially on user television equipment receives program listings data and real-time data such as sports scores, news data, etc. The real-time data may be stored in a database maintained by the program guide. Updated program listings information may be provided to the program guide as part of the data stream in which the real-time data is provided. Unique keys may be generated for the program listings data and real-time data associated with each live event. The keys may be compared at the program guide to determine which program listings correspond to which items of real-time data. |
| US09344766B2 |
User assigned channel numbering for content from multiple input source types
A user is enabled to assign channel numbers to his favorite content, including TV stations, Internet sites, local applications, and recorded content. In this way, the user's favorite content sources are grouped so that they can be quickly accessed using channel up/down commands regardless of, e.g., the actual channel number of a favorite TV station. |
| US09344762B2 |
Integration of untrusted applications and frameworks with a secure operating system environment
A set top box or like device utilizing trusted applications in conjunction with an untrusted software framework. In one implementation, trusted or certified applications are received from a service provider for execution by a software framework of the device. Certification of a trusted application may entail, for example, verifying that the application is executable by the device in a manner consist with the industry standard certification process. The software framework may comprise, for example, an Android framework supported by an underlying. Linux operating system environment and isolated in a Linux resource container. A secure access client/server interface may also be provided to support interactions between the software framework and trusted portions of the device. In further embodiments, both trusted applications and a set top box application utilized by the device to perform traditional set top box operations are implemented in at least one version of an Android or like framework. |
| US09344761B2 |
Video display system, external unit, and method of displaying video
A video display system includes a video display unit, and an external unit configured to be communicatable with the video display unit. The video display unit includes a display panel and is configured to transmit specific information to the external unit. The specific information includes display panel information related to the display panel. The external unit is configured to derive a parameter from the specific information received from the video display unit and to transmit, to the video display unit, one of the derived parameter and related data related to the derived parameter. The parameter determines image quality. |
| US09344759B2 |
Associating audio tracks of an album with video content
An example method comprises determining, by a computing device, an indication of video content, determining, by the computing device and based at least in part on the indication, one or more candidate albums, selecting, by the computing device, a particular candidate album of the one or more candidate albums based at least in part on a match between an audio fingerprint of an audio track included in the video content and an audio fingerprint of an audio track included in the particular candidate album, and sending, by the computing device, a message that associates the video content with the particular candidate album. |
| US09344751B1 |
Coordination of fault-tolerant video stream processing in cloud-based video streaming system
A method to coordinate redundant video processing in video streaming platforms is disclosed. In one embodiment, a request is received at a streaming platform coordinator (SPC) to create a redundant media workflow for a video source. The SPC transmits two requests to create the media workflow, one each to a first and a second video streaming platforms, each creating one instance of the media workflow. The SPC then receives requests to route the video source to a first and a second workers respectively and causes the video source to be routed so. The SPC then communicates with the first and the second workers so that only one worker out of the first and second workers publishes output of one instance of the media workflow to a CDN at a given moment. A system to perform the method and a storage medium storing instructions to perform the method are disclosed too. |
| US09344741B2 |
Method of predicting motion vectors in video codec in which multiple references are allowed, and motion vector encoding/decoding apparatus using the same
Initial value is selected when motion estimation is performed using predicted motion vector in video codec in which multiple references are allowed, and coding amount of motion vectors is reduced using predicted motion vector. Motion vector encoding apparatus includes predicted motion vector generator that generates adjacent motion vectors of current block with respect to each of reference pictures and generates each predicted motion vector of the current block from the generated adjacent motion vectors, motion estimator that determines final motion vector of the current block and final reference picture corresponding to the final motion vector with regard to search regions of the reference pictures, differential unit that obtains difference between the final motion vector of the current block and final predicted motion vector corresponding to the determined final reference picture among the predicted motion vectors, and unit for encoding information about the final reference picture and the difference. |
| US09344738B2 |
Method of predicting motion vectors in video codec in which multiple references are allowed, and motion vector encoding/decoding apparatus using the same
Initial value is selected when motion estimation is performed using predicted motion vector in video codec in which multiple references are allowed, and coding amount of motion vectors is reduced using predicted motion vector. Motion vector encoding apparatus includes predicted motion vector generator that generates adjacent motion vectors of current block with respect to each of reference pictures and generates each predicted motion vector of the current block from the generated adjacent motion vectors, motion estimator that determines final motion vector of the current block and final reference picture corresponding to the final motion vector with regard to search regions of the reference pictures, differential unit that obtains difference between the final motion vector of the current block and final predicted motion vector corresponding to the determined final reference picture among the predicted motion vectors, and unit for encoding information about the final reference picture and the difference. |
| US09344733B2 |
Feature-based cloud computing architecture for physics engine
A method for shape compression and physics processing is provided. One embodiment includes providing a volume model including a shape with one or more complex portions. The volume model is preprocessed based on: processing a surface of the volume model for obtaining a global structure, and mapping surface elements to a cube surface. The global structure and a result of the mapping is synchronized between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The second electronic device performs shape modeling using the global structure and the result of the mapping, physics computing for shape deformation based on the shape modeling, and coding deformed shape features for generating surface shape characteristic elements. |
| US09344732B2 |
Image encoding and decoding apparatus and method
An method of encoding a video in the unit of blocks, includes: encoding information on a picture size of the video and information on available block sizes; setting an initial size of a current block to be encoded to a largest block size among the available block sizes; determining a location of the current block within a picture; identifying whether the current block is fully located inside the picture, based on the picture size, the size of the current block and the location of the current block; resetting the size of the current block to a smaller size among the available block sizes, when the current block is not fully located inside the picture; and encoding the current block in the reset size. |
| US09344730B2 |
Adaptive filtering based upon boundary strength
An image decoding apparatus that includes a motion compensation prediction circuit configured to conduct motion compensation prediction for each of blocks to be decoded by using the reconstructed image, an inverse transformation circuit configured to conduct inverse orthogonal transformation for the data of the blocks to be decoded, and a determination circuit configured to determine a filtering strength and whether or not to conduct filtering, with respect to each of the boundaries. In addition, the determining circuit is configured to determine filtering is conducted when at least one of the two adjacent blocks is intra-coded, and filtering is not conducted when both of the two adjacent blocks are not intra-coded, a non-zero transformation coefficient is not coded in both of the two adjacent blocks, the two adjacent blocks are predicted by the same reference frame, and an absolute value of a difference between motion vectors of the two adjacent blocks is smaller than a specified threshold value. |
| US09344726B2 |
Image decoding method and image coding method
An image decoding method is an image decoding method of decoding coded image data, including selecting, based on a type of a decoding target signal, an arithmetic decoding method that is used to decode the decoding target signal, from among a plurality of arithmetic decoding methods that include: a first arithmetic decoding method which is performed based on a symbol occurrence probability obtained according to a context, and which involves update of the symbol occurrence probability according to a decoding symbol; and a second arithmetic decoding method which is performed based on a symbol occurrence probability obtained according to a context, and which maintains the symbol occurrence probability that is other than 50%. |
| US09344723B2 |
Beta offset control for deblocking filters in video coding
Techniques are described for providing continuous control of a deblocking filter for a video block using a beta offset parameter. Deblocking filters are defined based on one or more deblocking decisions. Conventionally, a quantization parameter and a beta offset parameter are used to identify a beta parameter (“β”) value that determines threshold values of the deblocking decisions. The value of the beta offset parameter results in a change or increment of the β value. For small increments of the β value, rounding of the threshold values may result in no change and discontinuous control of the deblocking decisions. The techniques include calculating at least one deblocking decision for the deblocking filter according to a threshold value that has been modified based on a multiplier value of the beta offset parameter. The multiplier value applied to the beta offset parameter causes an integer change in the modified threshold value. |
| US09344721B2 |
Best quality given a maximum bit rate
The present invention relates to flow control of a digital data stream that is to be transmitted with limited bit rate. The present invention provides a mix between CQ and CB. This in order to, in real time, ensure best possible quality of a data stream given a maximum available band with. This is useful both when saving a data stream to a data storage with a limited size and when playing the data stream in real time. In particular the invention relates to a method for flow control of a digital data stream that is to be sent with a limited transmission bit rate R. The method comprises encoding each data frame of a digital data stream into an encoded data frame comprising n quality layers and thereafter balancing the output of the encoder in order to achieve a constant bit rate on the output. The invention also relates to a corresponding data recorder and computer program. |
| US09344720B2 |
Entropy coding techniques and protocol to support parallel processing with low latency
In a communication system, parallel encoding and decoding of serially-coded data occurs in a manner that supports low latency communication. A plurality of data items may be coded as serially-coded data sequences and a transmission sequence may be built from them. An index table may be built having a plurality of entries representing respective start points of the serially-coded data sequences within the transmission sequence. The transmission sequence may be transmitted to a channel and, thereafter, the index table may be transmitted. Latencies otherwise involved in inserting an index table into the beginning of a transmission sequence may be avoided. |
| US09344719B2 |
Image decoding apparatus and method for handling intra-image predictive decoding with various color spaces and color signal resolutions
The present invention is directed to an image information decoding apparatus adapted for performing intra-image decoding based on resolution of color components and color space of an input image signal. An intra prediction unit serves to adaptively change block size in generating a prediction image based on a chroma format signal indicating whether resolution of color components is one of 4:2:0 format, 4:2:2 format, and 4:4:4 format, and a color space signal indicating whether color space is one of YCbCr, RGB, and XYZ. An inverse orthogonal transform unit and an inverse quantization unit serve to also change orthogonal transform technique and quantization technique in accordance with the chroma format signal and the color space signal. A decoding unit decodes the chroma format signal and the color space signal to generate a prediction image corresponding to the chroma format signal and the color space signal. |
| US09344718B2 |
Adaptive up-sampling filter for scalable video coding
Methods and systems for video image coding are provided. Sets of filters may be selected and applied to video information at least partially based on the type of inter layer prediction implemented in coding the video information. Different filters, or filter sets, may be used for inter layer intra prediction, difference domain intra prediction, and/or difference domain inter prediction. Filter selection information may be embedded in the video bit stream. |
| US09344712B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, computer program product, and image display device
According to an embodiment, an image processing device includes an obtaining unit, a first determining unit, and a detecting unit. The obtaining unit is configured to obtain an input image. The first determining unit is configured to determine a detection order that indicates an order of performing a detection operation for detecting whether an object is present with respect to partitioned areas into which the input image are divided, according to an existence probability that is set in advance for each of the partitioned areas and indicates a probability at which an object exists. The detecting unit is configured to perform, according to the detection order, the detection operation to detect whether the object is present in an area corresponding to a partitioned area subjected to the detection order in the input image. |
| US09344707B2 |
Probabilistic and constraint based articulated model fitting
A depth sensor obtains images of articulated portions of a user's body such as the hand. A predefined model of the articulated body portions is provided. Representative attract points of the model are matched to centroids of the depth sensor data, and a rigid transform of the model is performed, in an initial, relatively coarse matching process. This matching process is then refined in a non-rigid transform of the model, using attract point-to-centroid matching. In a further refinement, an iterative process rasterizes the model to provide depth pixels of the model, and compares the depth pixels of the model to the depth pixels of the depth sensor. The refinement is guided by whether the depth pixels of the model are overlapping or non-overlapping with the depth pixels of the depth sensor. Collision, distance and angle constraints are also imposed on the model. |
| US09344705B2 |
Time of flight camera with rectangular field of illumination
Improved field-of-illumination (FOI) and field-of-view (FOV) matching for 3D time-of-flight cameras is provided using light emitters with rectangular reflectors. A better adjustment of the FOI with the camera's FOV has the following advantages: optimal use of emitted light and reduced multi-path problems. Furthermore, embodiments bring the benefit for rather low-cost customization of the illumination to match the FOI to the specified FOV. |
| US09344702B2 |
Encoder, decoder, bit-stream, method of encoding, method of decoding an image pair corresponding with two views of a multi-view signal
A method of encoding an image pair (L,R) corresponding with two views of a multi-view signal, the method comprising generating a first combined image (LeRo) based on a first low pass filtered version of a first image of the image pair and a first low-pass filtered version of the second image of the image pair, generating a base-layer (LR-bas) by encoding the first combined image (LeRo), generating first and second disparity based predictors (LpredD,RpredD) and respectively associated first and second block-based displacement vectors (LHvec,RHvec) associated with the image information encoded in the base layer (LeRo′), the first and second block-based displacement vectors (LHvec,RHvec) being generated using disparity information present in the first and second images (L,R), the image information encoded in the base-layer (LeRo′) and the respective first and second images (L,R), generating an enhancement-layer (LR-enh; L-enh,R-enh) by encoding the first and second images (L,R) using the first and second disparity based predictors (LpredD, RpredD). |
| US09344699B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a recording unit, a chapter generation unit, a metadata acquisition unit, and a setting unit. The recording unit is configured to record a program. The chapter generation unit is configured to generate one or more chapter points based on a feature amount of the recorded program. The metadata acquisition unit is configured to acquire metadata on the program, that includes information on a start time and end time of each section sectioning the program. The setting unit is configured to allocate, when a section to be reproduced in the recorded program is designated, two different chapter points to a start time and end time of the section given by the acquired metadata, and set an interval between the two chapter points as a reproduction range of the designated section. |
| US09344689B2 |
Camera system with multi-spectral filter array and image processing method thereof
A camera system with a multi-spectral filter array and an image processing method thereof are disclosed. The method of processing an image that is output from an image sensor including a multi-spectral filter array including a color filter and a near infrared (NIR) filter includes interpolating an NIR channel of the image by using spatial information of color channels including a red channel, a green channel, and a blue channel; and interpolating the color channels of the image by using spatial information of the NIR channel. |
| US09344683B1 |
Capturing driving risk based on vehicle state and automatic detection of a state of a location
A system for capturing an event comprises a processor and a memory. The processor was configured to a) determine that a vehicle is approaching a location of interest; b) capture an image of the location; c) analyze the image to determine a state of the location; and d) modify an event criterion based at least in part on the state of the location. The memory is coupled to the processor and is configured to provide the processor with instructions. |
| US09344672B2 |
Mobile/portable terminal
Disclosed is a mobile/portable terminal comprising: a case of which at least a part is flexible; a camera module which is provided on one side of the case to photograph in one direction; a display unit for displaying images photographed by the camera module; a bending unit in which the camera module bends toward another side direction; and a control unit for controlling the camera module according to a change in an angle of the bending unit. The mobile/portable terminal has advantages of being capable of photographing images on both front and rear sides with a single camera so that the number of cameras can be decreased to thereby reduce costs for components, utilizing a mounting space for cameras, and using a camera with a high resolution for self-shooting. |
| US09344671B2 |
System and method for artifact removal
A method and apparatus provide for improving signal quality. The method includes receiving a first media signal, such as a video signal, in a first format, such as 1080p. The provided video signal is one that is created by upsampling a video signal recorded in a format having a lower sampling rate. The method also includes obtaining a second signal indicative of error within the first media signal. The second signal is in a second format, such as the format having a lower sampling rage in which the video signal was recorded. The signal is processed to place the second signal in the format of the first signal. Then, the estimated error signal is combined with the original signal to arrive at an error corrected output. |
| US09344669B2 |
HDMI source/sink interoperable configuration determination process
A method and system that configures an HDMI source device to use initial output parameters for communicating with an HDMI sink device, detects an abnormal operation performed by the HDMI sink device, selects a test of the HDMI sink device, applies the test, evaluates a result to determine whether the test produces a desired result, and modifies the initial output parameters to create revised output parameters. When the test produces the desired result, the revised output parameters will enable the HDMI sink device to produce the desired result. When the test fails to produce the desired result, the revised output parameters are conservative parameters that fail to produce the abnormal operation. The method reconfigures the HDMI source device to use the revised output parameters for communicating with the HDMI sink device, and saves the revised output parameters. |
| US09344667B2 |
Reconfigurable video and peripheral mounting system
A mounting system includes an interior arm having first apertures, first and second faces, to which the first apertures are open, and first and second side walls between the faces. An exterior arm may define a channel to receive a portion of the interior arm. The exterior arm further includes a second aperture configured to align with one of the first apertures when the interior arm is received within the channel. A first fixation element extends through one of the first apertures and engages with a first external component. A second fixation element extends through the second aperture of the exterior arm and through another of the first apertures so as to maintain a position of the exterior arm. The exterior arm includes mounting means at a first end thereof and configured to attach with a second external component. |
| US09344666B2 |
System and method for providing interactive multimedia services
A method for presenting interactive multimedia programs includes selecting a multimedia program for presentation, the program having one or more segments and a plurality of additional content items, where each of the items is associated with at least one of the segments and is responsive to at least one of a plurality of pre-defined queries for the program. The method also includes receiving at least one user query during presentation of the program, identifying one of the pre-defined queries corresponding to the user query, and retrieving one of the items associated with a current segment of the program and responsive to the identified one of the pre-defined queries. |
| US09344665B2 |
Systems and method for timing commercial breaks
Various arrangements are presented for handling broadcast television commercials. A television receiver may receive, from a television service provider, metadata that indicates a commencement of a television commercial break and an expected duration. Based on the metadata, the television receiver may initiate a countdown timer such that the countdown timer is based on the expected duration of the television commercial break and counts down. The television receiver may output for presentation a remaining duration based on the countdown timer as the countdown timer counts down. |
| US09344663B2 |
Sensing method on sensing device by smart terminal and smart terminal using the same
A sensing method for a smart terminal to interact with a sensing device in a remote control device is provided. The sensing method includes following steps. The first step is that the smart terminal obtains a current sensing device usage information. The second step is according to the current sensing device usage information and the previous sensing device usage information pre-stored in the smart terminal, the smart terminal determines whether a change occurs in a sensing device usage situation. When the change occurs in the sensing device usage situation, the remote control device associated with the smart terminal and carrying a plurality of sensing devices is notified. |
| US09344661B2 |
Photodetector
According to an embodiment, a photodetector includes a plurality of photoelectric transducers, a plurality of resistors, and a plurality of resetting sections. Each of the photoelectric transducers is configured to output a detection signal resulting from conversion of received light into an electric charge. Each of the resistors is connected in series with an output end of a corresponding photoelectric transducer at one end of the resistor. Each of the resetting sections is connected in parallel with a corresponding resistor and configured to bring the output end of the corresponding photoelectric transducer to a reset level in response to the detection signal. |
| US09344660B2 |
Foveal imager readout integrated circuit (ROIC)
An image comprising a plurality of pixels at a predetermined pixel pitch, is received, A plurality of image intensity signals, are received at readout circuitry responsive to an image intensity per pixel. A portion of the received image is divided into a plurality of fixed paxels, each paxel comprising a rectilinear collection of pixels, having a first length and first predetermined number of rows, and second width having second predetermined number of columns. The plurality of fixed paxels are provided to a respective plurality of configurable Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) responsive to a respective plurality of paxels and configurable to generate respective ADC output signals that implement a tradeoff between Effective Number of Bits (ENoB) and power consumption while maintaining a substantially fixed spatial frequency. Some paxels corresponding to a first predetermined fixation point are digitized with higher ENoB than the other paxels. A foveated image is generated. |
| US09344655B2 |
Active pixel sensor imaging system
An active pixel sensor imaging system is disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes a plurality of active pixel sensor circuits arranged into an array of rows and columns. Each active pixel sensor is connected to a supply line and a column line, and operable to generate a voltage output through the column line corresponding to a detected light intensity. The system includes a current sensing circuit, located external to the plurality of active pixel sensor circuits and connected to the supply line. The current sensing circuit is implemented as a current mirror for sensing a current through an active pixel sensor circuit readout transistor. The system includes a feedback circuit, located external to the plurality of active pixel sensor circuits and connected to the column line, to a current generator and to the current sensing circuit. The feedback circuit is implemented as a classAB current mirror configured for controlled quiescent current. |
| US09344653B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus and imaging system
Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including pixels each including: a photoelectric conversion unit; a charge accumulation unit; a transistor including a control electrode; a waveguide; and a light-shielding portion. The waveguide includes an incident portion and an output portion, the light-shielding portion includes a first portion that covers the control electrode of the transistor and a second portion that covers a part of the photoelectric conversion unit, the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit are arranged with an interval therebetween, the interval between the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit is larger than an interval between a lower end of the second portion of the light-shielding portion and the photoelectric conversion unit, and the interval between the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit is smaller than an interval between an upper end of the second portion of the light-shielding portion and the photoelectric conversion unit. |
| US09344650B2 |
Method for calibrating a digital optical instrument and digital optical instrument
The invention relates to a method for calibrating an optical instrument which comprises at least a motorized zoom system, an objective, an image sensor and an image processing unit. The method comprises the following steps: establishing calibration data DZRef of the zoom system with a reference objective and storing these in an internal memory of the zoom system; establishing calibration data DORef of the objective with a reference zoom system and storing these in an internal memory of the objective; reading the internal memories of the zoom system and of the objective and applying a digital-optical correction of an image acquired by an image sensor with the calibration data DZRef and DORef. The invention moreover relates to an optical instrument, in particular a digital microscope, to which the calibration method according to the invention can be applied. |
| US09344648B2 |
High dynamic range imaging
A method for high dynamic range imaging using more than two capture intervals, where images are captured in a repeating sequence that avoids interlace bounce, and overlapping groups of combined images form composite frames for output, and an imaging system comprising an imaging array, processing means and a display, wherein the imaging array is operable to capture a succession of images by detecting incident light and the processing means is operable to process said images as required, and pass the processed images to the display for output. |
| US09344644B2 |
Method and apparatus for image processing
A method for use in an electronic device is provided, including: acquiring a first picture through a first image sensor; acquiring a second picture through a second image sensor; detecting, by a processing circuitry, an image of a body part in the second picture; creating a third picture based on the image of the body part; and displaying the first picture together with the third picture as a preview image. |
| US09344641B2 |
Photographing controller for controlling photographing executed by a plurality of cameras
A master camera sets temporary conditions at the time of executing photographing by a plurality of cameras, determines whether photographing by the plurality of cameras can be executed under the temporary conditions, sets actual conditions at the time of executing photographing by the plurality of cameras in accordance with this determination result, and executes control such that photographing by the plurality of cameras is executed under the actual conditions. |
| US09344639B2 |
High dynamic range array camera
In embodiments, a camera device includes HDR monochromatic image sensors that capture an image as an HDR clear image in monochrome, and the camera device includes HDR color image sensors that capture the image as a Bayer image. The HDR monochromatic image sensors may be implemented as interlaced pixel lines having alternating higher exposure times and lower exposure times, or may be implemented as a checkerboard pixel pattern with white pixels of the checkerboard pixel pattern having an exposure duration and black pixels of the checkerboard pixel pattern having a different exposure duration. The camera device implements image processing algorithms that demosaic the Bayer image to generate an initial color image, and demosaic the HDR clear image to generate a clear image. An image fusion application then produces an enhanced, high-resolution HDR color image based on the initial color image and the clear image. |
| US09344630B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging method and recording medium
In a digital camera, when a photographer holds the digital camera and decides an imaging area (the area currently being captured by live-view), a CPU performs a first imaging processing (temporary imaging). Next, when the photographer sets the digital camera on a suitable surface (such as a desk), and moves into the imaging area, the CPU moves the optical zoom further to the wide-angle side than during the temporary imaging, and performs a second imaging processing (actual imaging) after a self-timer reaches time up. Then, the CPU performs positioning between the temporarily captured image and the actually captured image, and clips an image of the imaging area defined by the temporarily captured image from the actually captured image. According to the present invention, the degree of freedom of a camera setting location during self-timer imaging is increased and an image including an intended imaging area is easily captured. |
| US09344629B2 |
Method of capturing images and image capturing device using the method
The present invention discloses a method of capturing images and an image capturing device using the method. The image capturing device has a first lens module and a second lens module having a view angle which is smaller than that of the first lens module. The method comprises: increasing an exposure time and reducing a light sensitivity value of the first lens module and capturing a first image by using the first lens module; reducing the exposure time and increasing the light sensitivity value of the first lens module and capturing a second image by using the second lens module; extracting a plurality of image features from the first image and the second image respectively and determining a region corresponding to the second image in the first image; and merging the second image into the region in the first image to generate an output image. |
| US09344626B2 |
Modeless video and still frame capture using interleaved frames of video and still resolutions
In an embodiment, an electronic device may be configured to capture still frames during video capture, but may capture the still frames in the 4×3 aspect ratio and at higher resolution than the 16×9 aspect ratio video frames. The device may interleave high resolution, 4×3 frames and lower resolution 16×9 frames in the video sequence, and may capture the nearest higher resolution, 4×3 frame when the user indicates the capture of a still frame. Alternatively, the device may display 16×9 frames in the video sequence, and then expand to 4×3 frames when a shutter button is pressed. The device may capture the still frame and return to the 16×9 video frames responsive to a release of the shutter button. |
| US09344623B2 |
Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to control orientations of a camera on a device
Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to control orientations of a camera on a device are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving an input on an interface indicating a command for an orientation of a camera on a robotic device, and the interface may be provided on a device remote from the robotic device. An indicator may be provided on the interface representing a location of the input, and the indicator may be representative of the command for the orientation of the camera on the robotic device. The method may also include determining that the location of the input on the interface is within a distance threshold to a pre-set location on the interface, and repositioning the indicator on the interface to be at the pre-set location. |
| US09344620B2 |
Imaging device and method for controlling same
An imaging device comprising a photographing lens, an imaging element; a first interpolation device, a second interpolation device, a focusing confirmation image generation device configured to at least generate a first image and a second image respectively from the pixel values of the first and second interpolation pixels calculated by the first and second interpolation device and generating a focusing confirmation image based on the first and second images, and a display device configured to display the focusing confirmation image generated by the focusing confirmation image generation device. |
| US09344618B2 |
Electronic device and method of operating the same
An electronic device including a first camera configured to capture a first front image; a display module configured to display a preview screen of the first front image obtained by the first camera; and a controller configured to receive a focus input designating an object included in the preview screen is to be focused, receive an input for performing continuous shooting, and control the first camera to capture a plurality of images in different zoom levels while maintaining a focus on the designated object intact based on the received input for performing the continuous shooting. |
| US09344614B2 |
Imaging apparatus
The imaging apparatus includes: a multiband image sensor with a light receiving surface which includes two-dimensional arrays of at least three visible light pixels and an infrared pixels, the visible light pixels having sensitivity in different visible light wavelength ranges, the infrared pixels having sensitivity in the infrared wavelength range; a coded aperture which is disposed on the light receiving surface side of the multiband image sensor and serves as an aperture in a predetermined shape with respect to light in the wavelength range in which the infrared pixel has sensitivity while directly transmitting light in other wavelengths; and a processor for processing an image obtained by the multiband image sensor. The processor generates a depth map based on an image obtained by the multiband image sensor to thereby perform processing of a blurred image. |
| US09344612B2 |
Non-interference field-of-view support apparatus for a panoramic facial sensor
A support apparatus with adjustable mechanisms hold a spherical field-of-regard image and audio sensor assembly located at its distal end in front of a users face such that the user's fine focus field-of-view of the foreground is not blocked by the mast or the sensor assembly. Automated mechanisms rotate and extend the armature and sensor assembly into position for face-to-face panoramic hands-free video teleconferencing, gaming, or logging. A portable wired or wireless host electronic device with a personal assistant application and sensor correlation system interactively communicates with support apparatus circuitry and servos, imagery, audio, eye and ROI tracking, neural, and user input and feedback systems to orchestrate responses to a local or remote user. A sensor assembly includes a VLSIC multi-ROI processing system with integrated camera and display that hides the assembly and provides information to a user or onlooker. |
| US09344609B2 |
Electronic device having a cam mechanism for detecting status of an opening-and-closing unit
An electronic device includes a housing, an opening-and-closing unit disposed on a side surface of the housing, and configured to be openable and closable to the housing, a hinge unit configured to have a cam groove formed thereon and to openably and closably couple the opening-and-closing unit with the housing, an electronic circuit board arranged inside the housing and having a switch which outputs a signal corresponding to a state of the switch, and a movable member that moves in conjunction with the cam groove formed in the hinge unit, along with the opening and closing of the opening-and-closing unit, the movable member being movable in a direction parallel to the side surface of the housing to change the state of the switch. |
| US09344605B2 |
Method and system for closed-loop color correction based on a multidimensional table
The present invention relates to a method and system for closed-loop color correction based on a multidimensional table, and belongs to printing device correction methods in the field of image hardcopy. The method comprises a step of performing loop color correction for color conversion based on a multidimensional look-up table, wherein a mapping relationship is established between a set of input dots and a set of output dots using a multidimensional look-up table in the color conversion. With the method and system of this invention, for different combinations of papers, printing inks and devices, a color conversion may be corrected to a more accurate extent, getting a chromatic aberration and a visual appearance closer to that of a target color, so as to achieve the purpose of color consistency management. |
| US09344604B2 |
Display processing apparatus correcting color saturation due to gloss, image forming system, and computer program product
A display processing apparatus includes a first correcting unit that, based on original data containing first-type color image data that indicates a color image in each drawing area and containing first-type gloss control image data that indicates a type of gloss effect to be given to a recording medium and indicates a gloss area to which the gloss effect is to be given in each drawing area, corrects color saturation of an area in the first-type color image data that corresponds to the gloss area specified by the first-type gloss control image data depending on the type of gloss effect, to thereby generate first-type corrected image data; and a display control unit that, on a display unit, displays the first-type corrected image data as a print preview of a projected printing result of the original data. |
| US09344600B2 |
Encoding method for generating a data-bearing halftone image, and decoding method for decoding the data-bearing image
An encoding system is for generating a data-bearing halftone image. The encoding system is configured to: convert a grayscale image into a halftone image having a plurality of image cells; select, from the halftone image, at least one of the image cells to be a carrier cell according to a set of reference dot patterns, the carrier cell having a dot pattern identical to one of the reference dot patterns; and generate a data-bearing halftone image by replacing the dot pattern of the carrier cell by a specified one of multiple encoding dot patterns of one of a plurality of the sets of encoding dot patterns each being associated with a code. The data-bearing halftone image is encoded with a code associated with the one of the sets of the encoding dot patterns. |
| US09344594B2 |
Image reader
An image reader includes a first image reading unit that reads a first image on a first side of a sheet to output a first analog signal corresponding to the first image, a second image reading unit that reads a second image on a second side of the sheet, converts a second analog signal corresponding to the second image into a second digital signal, and outputs the second digital signal, a processor that processes the first analog signal and the second digital signal and includes a first converter converting the first analog signal into a first digital signal, and a timing signal output unit outputting, to the second image reading unit, a timing signal corresponding to a conversion time of the conversion by the first converter. Based on the timing signal, the second image reading unit outputs the second digital signal at a time outside the conversion time. |
| US09344591B2 |
Display method, display method of image forming apparatus, display device and image forming apparatus
A display method for displaying a schedule screen which indicates an execution reservation state of JOBS on a display section, the method including the step of displaying a part or the whole of information concerning two or more of the JOBs, by superimposing on the schedule screen, according to a display condition; and displaying, in cases where information which is required to be recognized by a user exists in the information displayed by superimposing, the information required to be recognized by the user on an uppermost layer to be visible. |
| US09344589B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes an image data input unit reading an input image and acquiring input image data on a per line basis; an effective image data generation unit generating effective image data based on the input image data acquired by the image data input unit; an address generation unit generating addresses of transmission destinations of the input image data; an image data transmission unit transmitting the input image data to the transmission destinations designated by the addresses generated by the address generation unit; and an adjustment unit adjusting an operation of the image data transmission unit in a manner so that margin data can be transmitted in periods other than periods when effective image data are transmitted. |
| US09344588B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method for specifying at least one identifier of contents
An information processing apparatus connectable to a contents providing apparatus obtains a list of the identifiers of contents saved in the contents providing apparatus, and obtains accessibility information of the contents saved in the contents providing apparatus. Based on the obtained accessibility information, the information processing apparatus specifies at least one identifier of contents set to be accessible, among the identifiers of the obtained list. The information processing apparatus sets the specified identifier as parameters of a first program for accepting a user operation of designating the content. The information processing apparatus specifies the at least one identifier using a second program different from the first program. |
| US09344585B1 |
Image coordination in a fleet of disparate imaging devices
Apparatus and methods coordinate imaging in a fleet of disparate imaging devices. Each imaging device is associated to a unique identifier. Imaging volumes are gathered for each device in advance of a user walkthrough past the fleet. The volumes are averaged over a predetermined time period and displayed to the user during their walkthrough on a handheld computing device. A confidence factor is included so the user can ascertain reliability of the volume averages. The handheld computing device provides the user real-time knowledge of the fleet to better coordinate managed print services, for example. The handheld computing device is also configured to receive partial data from the user and in response provide selectable options corresponding to an identity of the imaging devices as standardized by third party reference data, for instance. Embodiments typify user interfaces, user actions, data, and computing applications, to name a few. |
| US09344583B2 |
Wireless account management application for a wireless device
A method for displaying wireless service usage information and account information using an account management application operating on a wireless device includes receiving, at the account management application operating on the wireless device and from a tracking module locally stored on the wireless device, wireless service usage information for a wireless subscriber associated with the wireless device, the wireless service usage information including one or more units of wireless services that the wireless subscriber has used, receiving, at the account management application operating on the wireless device and from a service provider over a wireless network, account information associated with the wireless subscriber associated with the wireless device, the service provider being different from the wireless device and the wireless network, and enabling presentation, on a display of the wireless device, of the account management application including the wireless service usage information and the account information for the wireless subscriber associated with the wireless device. |
| US09344582B2 |
Terminal and mobile communication system
A terminal configured to perform communication using a base station, includes a communication device that acquires billing information stored on an external storage device via a radio communication link with the external storage device, and a controller that performs a transmission operation to transmit the billing information acquired from the external storage device to a billing device, the billing device being connected to the base station via a network, storing original billing information for use in billing related to the communication that the terminal performs using the base station and temporarily switching from the original billing information to the received billing information when the billing information is received from the external storage device. |
| US09344574B2 |
System and method for delivery of voicemails to handheld devices
Briefly, a variety of embodiments, including the following, are described: a system embodiment and methods that allow random access to voice messages, in contrast to sequential access in existing system embodiments; a system embodiment and methods that allow for the optional use of voice recognition to enhance usability; and a system embodiment and methods that apply to the area of voicemail. |
| US09344573B2 |
System and method for a work distribution service
Systems and methods for a work distribution service. At a multi-tenant platform that provides a work distribution service for a plurality of external systems, a priority is assigned to a first work item of a first external system. The work item is received via a RESTful work item API call request. The priority is assigned based on work item attributes of the work item and a workflow instruction corresponding to workflow information specified by the work item. The workflow instruction is provided by the external system via a RESTful Workflow API. A worker is assigned to the work item based on: the priority of the work item, the workflow information, and worker state managed by the first external system via a RESTful Worker API. The worker state includes worker attributes. The work item is generated by the external system, and the workflow instruction is managed by the external system. |
| US09344568B2 |
System for communication routing
A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code is provided wherein an electronic communication is received. A communication routing matrix is accessed, from a relational database platform, to select a service representative for the received communication. It may then be arranged for the received communication to be routed in accordance with the selected service representative. |
| US09344566B1 |
Loyalty structured call routing system
A context-based call routing architecture includes an interactive voice recognition device configured to processes incoming voice telephone calls through automatic voice recognition. A customer search Web service in communication with the interactive voice recognition device is configured to automatically access customer data and a priority variable stored in a relational database. An intelligent contact management system is configured to route and assign incoming voice telephone calls to a priority queue accessible to a Private Branch Exchange system. The priority variable may be based on loyalty metrics. |
| US09344560B2 |
Conversation recording with real-time notification for users of communication terminals
A recording device provides conversation recording with real-time notification between users of communication terminals engaged in a conversation. The recording device provides a recording start notification to a second communication terminal in response to receiving an initiate recording request from a first communication terminal, and initiates recording of the conversation. The recording device terminates recording of the conversation in response to receiving a terminate recording request from the first communication terminal, provides a recording stop notification to the second communication terminal, and saves the recorded conversation to a file in a file storage medium. The recording start and recording stop notifications can be either audible or electronic notifications. The first communication terminal may be muted prior to providing a notification, and un-muted subsequent to the notification. The recording device may obtain permission from the second communication terminal to record the conversation. |
| US09344553B1 |
Multi-granular authentication techniques
Techniques for authenticating a user of a mobile device at a computing platform are provided. A method according to these techniques includes generating a first profile and second profile of user behavior for the user of the mobile device, the first profile comprising a first type of profile having at least a first duration and the second profile comprising a second type of profile having a second duration that is shorter than the first duration, monitoring user behavior to generate usage behavior data, comparing the usage behavior data to the first profile and the second profile, performing a first type of authentication action responsive to the usage behavior data deviating from the first profile, and performing a second type of authentication action responsive to the usage behavior data deviating from the second profile. |
| US09344549B2 |
Methods and systems for accessing a computer resource over a network via microphone-captured audio
The disclosure relates to accessing computer resources by sensing audio with a microphone. One claim recites a system comprising a software module including instructions for causing a wireless device with cell phone communication capability to: i) extract identifying data from microphone-captured audio, the microphone-captured audio captured by the wireless device; ii) obtain device information for a class of devices associated with the wireless device; iii) control communication of the identifying data and the device information; and iv) control a user interface to provide access to a computer resource based on a service provided by said software module in response to communication of the identifying data and the device information, in which the service is configured to provide access in response to audio prompting, and in which said software module is configured to direct access of the wireless device according to the service; and a network resource comprising a data registry, the data registry providing a correlation between identifying data, device information and response information, the network resource configured to provide the service to said software module including providing the response information to said software module, the response information being associated with the identifying data and the device information. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well. |
| US09344545B2 |
Wireless ear phone and sound broadcasting method thereof
A wireless ear phone and a sound broadcasting method thereof are provided. The wireless ear phone includes a first signal sensor, an electromagnetic signal transmitter, a second signal sensor and a controller. The first signal sensor generates an environment light detection result by detecting an environment light. The electromagnetic signal transmitter transmits an interruptible electromagnetic signal. The second signal sensor is disposed on a transmission path of the interruptible electromagnetic signal, and the second signal sensor generates an electromagnetic signal detection result by detecting whether the interruptible electromagnetic signal or the environment light is received. The controller enables or disables an operation of sound broadcasting of the wireless ear phone according to the electromagnetic signal detection result. When the wireless ear phone is put into an ear of a user, the transmission path is cut-off by the ear of the user. |
| US09344542B2 |
Techniques to generate context information
Techniques to generate context information are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may include a radio sub-system, a processing sub-system to couple to the radio sub-system, and a context information management module for execution by the processing sub-system. The context information management module may search for context information associated with a contact identifier using a context information database. |
| US09344540B2 |
Integrated mobile phone case and lighter compartment
An integrated cell phone case and lighter comprises a phone casing, a bottom backing and a removable lighter and is sized and shaped to be placed on over a conventional cell phone in a manner such that it substantially covers the cell phone on all sides except for the side with the touch screen. The phone casing is a viscoelastic body that includes a phone holding level for holding a cell phone and a lighter holding level adapted to enable a lighter to be stored in a the lighter holding compartment thereon. The bottom backing is a rigid shell which is sized to fit over the combined cell phone and phone casing assembly. The removable lighter is defined by a battery operated, butane refillable lighter in a modified rectangular exterior that includes side recesses and a finger gripping. |
| US09344538B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device of the present invention includes a first flat section which is positioned on a back surface side of a flat-type device body, a second flat section which openably and closably covers a front surface of the device body, and a coupling section which couples the first flat section and the second flat section together such that the first flat section and the second flat section are foldable. The first flat section has a first folding section provided in parallel with the coupling section, and the second flat section has a second folding section provided in parallel with the coupling section. |
| US09344535B2 |
Multiple protocol wireless communications in a WLAN
A method for multiple protocol wireless communications begins by determining protocols of wireless communication devices within a proximal region. The method then continues by determining whether the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of a like protocol. The method continues by, when the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are not of a like protocol, selecting a protocol of the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region based on a protocol ordering to produce a selected protocol. The method continues by utilizing the selected protocol by the wireless communication devices within the proximal region to set up a wireless communication within the proximal region. |
| US09344531B2 |
Conversion device and communication network having a conversion device
A conversion device is designed for converting message units of a first communications protocol, which are received by the conversion device on the input side, to container messages of a second communications protocol. A predefined maximal dwell duration in the conversion device is assigned to each message unit. The conversion device is designed for assigning message units with an identical recipient address received on the input side to a container message for the respective recipient address, and to forward the respective container message when the maximal dwell duration of one of the message units assigned to it has expired or a predefined maximal data volume is assigned to the respective container message, induced by the message units assigned to it. |
| US09344529B2 |
System and method for processing and displaying agricultural data
A system for synchronizing agricultural data uses a synchronization device adapted to receive information from a storage medium associated with a monitor for an agricultural implement. The synchronization device has wireless communication with a mobile device to share the information from the monitor with the mobile device. The mobile device will compress and store the data until the mobile device has communication coverage. Once the mobile device has communication coverage, it will automatically communicate the compressed data to a remote server, such as a cloud server. The server will process the data. The processed data may be communicated back to the monitor via the mobile device and the synchronization device. The processed data may also be accessed on the server by a remote computer. |
| US09344526B2 |
Disk blocking streaming
A method for executing on a local user system a body of computer-executable code that resides on a provider system is described. A modified image of the computer executable code is installed to a virtual disk on the local user system, the modified image comprising file structure information. The installing comprises creating each of the local files to the virtual disk with null data, wherein upon installation of the modified image, a plurality of disk blocks assigned to the local files contain a null indicator and do not contain any processable content. A streaming control module senses a request to access the virtual disk, determines whether streaming is indicated to satisfy the request, and transfers to the user system the processable content corresponding to the requested disk block. Streaming is indicated when the request corresponds to one of the disk blocks that does not contain any processable content. |
| US09344524B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for providing composite web application
A method and system for providing composite web application is provided. The method operates at a server computer to receive a client request in the form of an API language request, having a plurality of CLI commands for querying Web services. The process allows generating an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) from the client request and sequentially executing each node of the AST to query the Web services. All web data received are combined into a composite data structure send back in the form of an API language response to the originator. |
| US09344523B2 |
Providing relevant non-requested content to a mobile device
A system and method are directed towards providing non-requested content to a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content related to previously requested content is provided to the mobile terminal upon a trigger that is related to the requested content. The trigger event may include the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. The non-requested content may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal. |
| US09344517B2 |
Downloading and adaptive streaming of multimedia content to a device with cache assist
An apparatus operates in an offline mode and a playback mode, and includes a relatively large cache buffer. In the offline mode, the apparatus is configured download multimedia content identified in a user content queue, over a communication network, into the cache buffer. In the playback mode, after the multimedia content has been downloaded in the offline mode, the apparatus fetches content from the cache buffer and plays back the fetched content on the client device until all of the content in the cache buffer has been fetched and played back. Then the apparatus streams content over the communication network and plays back the streamed content. |
| US09344515B2 |
Social-driven precaching of accessible objects
A precaching system identifies an object, such as a media file, that a user accesses and then analyzes a social graph of the user to identify social graph contacts that may be interested in the object. Based on the content of the object—and the interests and connections of contacts in the social graph—the precaching system determines whether a particular contact in the user's social graph is likely also to access the object. For example, the precaching system may determine a hit score corresponding to the object and a likelihood that the particular contact in the social graph will access the object. If the precaching system determines that the likelihood that the particular contact will access the object meets or exceeds a threshold probability level for precaching the object, the precaching system precaches the object near the contact in anticipation that the contact will access the object. |
| US09344511B2 |
Control method, control device, and process in software defined network
A control method, a control device, and a processor in a software defined network (SDN). In the control method, the control device, and the processor in the SDN provided by the embodiments of the present invention, location information of a network device registered in another control device in the SDN is obtained, so that a remote object proxy of the network device can be established according to the location information, and the network device is controlled using the remote object proxy. Therefore, it is unnecessary to send a control or operation request to device objects of all network devices in other control devices, thereby avoiding a step that the device objects of all the network devices in the other control devices receive a service control request and perform determining, and improving service processing performance. |
| US09344510B2 |
Pushing content from a local device to a remote display
One or more remote content-displaying devices are represented on a display of a content-pushing device. A user of the content-pushing device is thus enabled to select which remote content-displaying device(s) is to receive and display the content. |
| US09344508B2 |
Dynamically launching inter-dependent applications based on user behavior
A computer system identifies a pattern of usage of the computer system by a first user, wherein the identified pattern of usage comprises of a first and a second step. The computer system determines the number of times that the first user performs the steps of the identified pattern of usage surpasses a first threshold value. The computer system creates an automation so that each time the first user performs the first step of the identified pattern of usage, the computer system performs the second step of the identified pattern of usage. |
| US09344505B1 |
Transferring cookie data to another domain
Disclosed are various embodiments for transferring cookie data between different domains. A first network data request is obtained from a client through a first domain. The first network data request includes a first cookie set by the first domain. Data from the first cookie is stored in a cache in association with a unique identifier. A second network data request, which presents the unique identifier, is obtained from the client through a second domain. A second cookie is set in the client through the second domain based at least in part on data from the first cookie. The first cookie is inaccessible to the second domain. |
| US09344503B2 |
Interface device, vehicle communication unit equipped with an interface device and use of a vehicle communication unit in the vehicle-to-environment communication
An interface device having a first connection to a vehicle communication unit which is designed to carry out a vehicle-to-environment communication is described, the interface device having a second connection to an infrastructure unit and a computing unit which is designed to convert the signals between the first and second connections. In addition, a vehicle communication unit equipped with the interface device and a use of a vehicle communication unit are described. |
| US09344499B2 |
Personalized preloading of digital content
Techniques are described regarding providing consumers with devices on which digital content appropriate for those consumers has been loaded, such as digital media player devices or other consumer devices that are able to play or otherwise present digital media loaded on those devices. In some situations, when a consumer orders such a digital media player or other consumer device from a merchant (or other distributor of the device), the merchant preloads a copy of the device with digital media content before delivering that device to the consumer or other specified recipient, such as digital media items that are automatically selected in a personalized manner for the recipient to whom the device will be sent. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US09344496B2 |
System and method for minimizing network bandwidth retrieved from an external network
A system and method are provided of minimizing network bandwidth used from an external network by client peers in a local network. The method can include the operation of organizing a plurality of clients each having media streamlets and a client parent in a structure within the local network. Mapping information propagates through the structure. The mapping information represents local streamlet locations as stored by the plurality of clients. Another operation is retrieving a local streamlet from a client identified in the mapping information as having the local streamlet for the requesting client. |
| US09344495B2 |
Peer-to-peer network system with manageability
A peer-to-peer network system provides at least one peer with information for configuration of a peer-to-peer network to optimize the configuration of the peer-to-peer network by using at least one of information about a status of the at least one peer, information about a status of an underlying network and information about a user in respect of services. |
| US09344494B2 |
Failover data replication with colocation of session state data
A method, system, and medium are disclosed for performing failover data replication with colocation of session state data. In servicing a client request, a first session is created on a primary server. A first portion of session data comprises a state of the first session and is stored on the primary server. An identifier of the first session is stored on the primary server. One or more backup servers are selected for backup of the first portion of session data. A second session is created on the primary server. A second portion of session data comprises a state of the second session and is stored on the primary server. The same backup server(s) are selected for backup of the second portion based on the stored identifier of the first session. The primary server replicates the first and second portions of session data into memory space of the backup servers. |
| US09344490B2 |
Cross-channel network operation offloading for collective operations
A Network Interface (NI) includes a host interface, which is configured to receive from a host processor of a node one or more cross-channel work requests that are derived from an operation to be executed by the node. The NI includes a plurality of work queues for carrying out transport channels to one or more peer nodes over a network. The NI further includes control circuitry, which is configured to accept the cross-channel work requests via the host interface, and to execute the cross-channel work requests using the work queues by controlling an advance of at least a given work queue according to an advancing condition, which depends on a completion status of one or more other work queues, so as to carry out the operation. |
| US09344489B2 |
Electronic data sharing device and method of use
An electronic data sharing device facilitates sharing of user related information with other users without requiring users to enter that information into their device. The device can detect another user's initiation of a data exchange request and generate a transactionally unique tag to exchange with the other user's device. The exchanged tags, when transferred to a server, enable users to access user related information held on the server. |
| US09344488B2 |
Application test method based on service delivery platform, and service delivery platform
Embodiments of the present invention provide an application test method based on a service delivery platform, and a service delivery platform. The method includes: receiving a service request message sent by an application server; determining whether the service request is a test request; if the service request is a test request, parsing the test request and obtaining a test instruction; and performing, according to the test instruction, a corresponding action and returning a corresponding response to the application server. With the method and the service delivery platform provided in the embodiments of the present invention, tests of all interfaces and service logic of an application can be covered without a test blind spot; and application test costs are decreased in the light of operators and application developers. |
| US09344477B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing streaming content
A method and apparatus for an adaptive Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) streaming service using metadata of media content are provided. The media content may include a sequence of one or more periods. The metadata may include a start time attribute and/or a duration attribute of each of the periods. The metadata may determine a start time of each of the periods, and a start time of each of segments included in each of the periods. A terminal may access segments included in each of the periods, may decode and render data of media content included in the segments, and may play back the media content. |
| US09344475B2 |
Media transmission method and system based on telepresence
A media transmission method based on telepresence is disclosed, comprising: during connection establishment, a master telepresence terminal of a local media transmission system and a remote endpoint perform signaling exchange, to establish a media logical channel between the local media transmission system and the remote endpoint; and transmits the same type of media streams between the local media transmission system and the remote endpoint through a media logical channel or respectively through multiple media logical channels, and receives the same type of media streams through a media logical channel or respectively through multiple media logical channels. A media transmission system based on telepresence is further disclosed correspondingly. Through the disclosure, when a telepresence system of a certain conference site is called, only one number needs to be called, which is easy to operate; moreover, agent information exchange can be performed in the telepresence system, thereby achieving the effect of sound-based localization, solving the problem such as synchronization between streams, and improving user experience. |
| US09344474B2 |
Method and system for supplying media over communication networks
Methods and systems for supplying media over communication networks are described. In one embodiment, a media supplier determines whether a media object hosted on a web server will be supplied to a client by streaming or not by streaming. Preferably, if the determination is to stream, the media supplier streams the media object to the client. In some cases, the same media supplier may be capable of supplying clients with media objects hosted on any of at least two web servers. |
| US09344473B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for fragmented file sharing
Systems, methods, software, and apparatus are described for facilitating the distribution and management of fragmented content. In one embodiment, a packager packages content into fragments and generates a manifest including policies and metadata associated with the content. A downloader obtains the manifest, and uses it to obtain the content from one or more uploaders. For example, a downloader might forward a search request to one or more trackers, which, in turn, are operable to locate one or more uploaders that can meet the request, subject to any relevant policy limitations. The uploaders forward fragments to the downloader, subject to any relevant policy. The downloader assembles the content from the fragments. The operations and interactions of the entities can be subject to policy limitations associated with the fragments, the content as a whole, or the like. |
| US09344471B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing and processing information of an object for multi-source-streaming
Preparing of information about a content source is disclosed. One method in accordance with the information preparing creates item information on a first component pertaining to an arbitrary content source, incorporates the created information on the first component into a first structure element (e.g., tag), creates a second structure element containing information making display layout information for the arbitrary content source accessible, creates information on at least one component pertaining to the arbitrary content source other than the first component, and incorporates the created information on the at least one component into at least one third structure element included within the second structure element. |
| US09344470B2 |
Methods and systems for data transmission
Example methods and systems for transmitting data are presented. In one example, a plurality of streams of video data may be received from at least one data source into at least one buffer of a router. Each of the streams of video data may represent a same video program, wherein each of the streams of video data may correspond to a unique visual resolution relative to at least some other streams, and wherein each of the streams of video data may include a plurality of contiguous, non-overlapping portions of video data. A request may be received from a device to transmit a single one of the portions of video data to the device. In response to the request, a portion of one of the streams of video data may be transmitted from the at least one buffer of the router to the device. |
| US09344467B2 |
Sensor data acquisition system and method based on integration of terminal and cloud
A cloud-based sensor data acquisition system includes one or more sensors configured to acquire sensor data; a first terminal configured to transmit sensor data request information to a cloud server through an access point (AP); and one or more second terminals each configured to acquire sensor data from one or more sensors on a corresponding dissemination tree received from the cloud server; and transmit the acquired sensor data to the first terminal through the AP. The cloud server is configured to, in response to receiving the sensor data request information from the first terminal, build a corresponding dissemination tree for each of one or more second terminals within a sensing range; and transmit the corresponding dissemination tree to each of the one or more second terminals within the sensing range. |
| US09344466B1 |
Methods and systems for facilitating online collaboration and distribution of geospatial data
Improved methods, systems, and software for facilitating online collaboration and distribution of geospatial data are provided. Geospatial data available over a network can be updated in real-time and provided to one or more clients. User-accessible views of the geospatial data can be dynamically built by the clients and presented to users of the clients. Various methods of online collaboration between users of the clients can also be supported. The geospatial data can be provided in an XML format, thereby providing for efficient communication of data over the network. In various embodiments, the geospatial data can be an annotation prepared by a user of a second client, thereby allowing the user of the second client to collaborate with a user of the first client. Functionality can also be provided for converting geospatial data between flat and spherical formats. |
| US09344462B2 |
Switching between connectivity types to maintain connectivity
Techniques are provided for leveraging narrowband connectivity (such as dial-up communications or other types of low bandwidth communications) to provision or configure broadband connectivity between a broadband access provider and a broadband device, such as a DSL modem or a cable modem. Specifically, because narrowband connectivity does not require advance configuration or provisioning by the host system of connectivity parameters for an access-seeking device, a modem at an access-seeking device may be leveraged to establish a narrowband connection between that device and a host system and to enable an exchange or negotiation of connectivity parameters necessary to enable future broadband connectivity. Thus, once established, the narrowband connection may be used as a conduit for communicating required provisioning information between the broadband-enabling host and the access-seeking device to enable broadband connectivity by the device in the future. |
| US09344461B2 |
Seamless session handover
Method, user device and computer program product communicating data between a first endpoint and a second endpoint. A plurality of logical communications channels are allocated between the first and second endpoint. In dependence of a trigger, a probe message is transmitted from the first endpoint to the second endpoint over each of the plurality of logical communications channels. The performance of each of the plurality of logical communications channels is determined in dependence on the transmission of probe messages. A first logical communications channel is selected in dependence on the performance determination. Data is streamed between the first and second endpoints over the first logical communications channel. |
| US09344460B2 |
High availability session reconstruction
A first message is received at a primary container that is replicated by a secondary container. The first message is an initial message to initiate a first session. The first message is processed by an application in the primary container. At a point in time, the primary container is unavailable and the system and method detect that the primary container is unavailable. A second message is received. The second message is associated with the first session. The second message is modified by moving at least a portion of a header in the second message into a different header in the second message and adding an additional header to the second message in response to the primary container being unavailable. |
| US09344457B2 |
Automated feedback for proposed security rules
A computer determines a number of matches returned by a proposed security rule that result from application of the proposed security-rule to historical logged event data. The computer determines a predicted performance of the proposed security rule as part of a network security system based on the number of matches. The computer sends a message during a creation session of the proposed security-rule. The message includes a recommended change for a portion of the proposed security based on the predicted performance of the proposed security rule. |
| US09344456B2 |
Distributed multi-processing security gateway
A system and method for a distributed multi-processing security gateway establishes a host side session, selects a proxy network address for a server, uses the proxy network address to establish a server side session, receives a data packet, assigns a central processing unit core from a plurality of central processing unit cores in a multi-core processor of the security gateway to process the data packet, processes the data packet according to security policies, and sends the processed data packet. The proxy network address is selected such that a same central processing unit core is assigned to process data packets from the server side session and the host side session. By assigning central processing unit cores in this manner, higher capable security gateways are provided. |
| US09344453B2 |
Secure protocol execution in a network
For secure configuration of network nodes from a backend with low connectivity requirements and workload at the backend and reduced communication overhead, a system, a control unit for a segment controller and a method for secure protocol execution in a network are provided, wherein protocol information is provided to a segment controller (60) for controlling a node (10) and a protocol is performed based on the protocol information to control the node (10), at least one response message of the node (10) being required at the segment controller (60) for performing one or more steps of the protocol. |
| US09344449B2 |
Risk ranking referential links in electronic messages
A computer system enables a business to reduce risks from phishing electronic messages. One or more original web links embedded in the electronic message may be replaced with a replacement web link. If the determined risk score for the original webpage is large enough webpage and the user clicks on the embedded web link, a user is directed to an intermediate webpage rather than to the original webpage. The intermediate webpage may provide details about the original webpage so that the user can make an informed choice whether to proceed to the original website. For example, the intermediate webpage may provide pertinent information to a user such as the actual domain of the remote site, the country the site is hosted in, how long the site has been online, and a rendered screen capture of the remote website, and/or a confidence score. |
| US09344447B2 |
Internal malware data item clustering and analysis
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a data analysis system that may automatically generate memory-efficient clustered data structures, automatically analyze those clustered data structures, and provide results of the automated analysis in an optimized way to an analyst. The automated analysis of the clustered data structures (also referred to herein as data clusters) may include an automated application of various criteria or rules so as to generate a compact, human-readable analysis of the data clusters. The human-readable analysis (also referred to herein as “summaries” or “conclusions”) of the data clusters may be organized into an interactive user interface so as to enable an analyst to quickly navigate among information associated with various data clusters and efficiently evaluate those data clusters in the context of, for example, a fraud investigation. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to automated scoring of the clustered data structures. |
| US09344445B2 |
Detecting malicious network software agents
This disclosure describes techniques for determining whether a network session originates from an automated software agent. In one example, a network device, such as a router, includes a network interface to receive packets of a network session, a bot detection module to calculate a plurality of scores for network session data based on a plurality of metrics, wherein each of the metrics corresponds to a characteristic of a network session originated by an automated software agent, to produce an aggregate score from an aggregate of the plurality of scores, and to determine that the network session is originated by an automated software agent when the aggregate score exceeds a threshold, and an attack detection module to perform a programmed response when the network session is determined to be originated by an automated software agent. Each score represents a likelihood that the network session is originated by an automated software agent. |
| US09344437B2 |
Internet of things security
Apparati, methods, and computer-readable media for improving the security of communications networks. An embodiment of the present invention is a system for enabling smart devices (1401, 1402, 1403) to communicate with each other over a network (1450) without human intervention. The system comprises at least two bidirectional smart devices (1401, 1402) adapted to send and receive messages (1460) over the network (1450). Each smart device (1401, 1402) is coupled to the network (1450) via a bidirectional intelligent chip, logic device, or smart device (1411, 1421). In message sending mode, intelligent chip, logic device, or smart device (1411) appends an identifier (1417) to each message (1460) emanating from its associated sending smart device (1401). The identifier (1417) comprises a fixed portion (1415, 1416) uniquely identifying the associated sending smart device (1401), and a variable portion (1414). The receiving intelligent chip, logic device, or smart device (1421) invokes a module (1423) contained within each intelligent chip (1411, 1421) configured to screen incoming messages (1460), by validating both the fixed and variable portions of the identifier (1417). |
| US09344427B1 |
Facilitating multiple authentications
Techniques and constructs to facilitate multiple authentications of passwords are described. For instance, the disclosure describes systems and processes that authenticate a password and return an encrypted password that may be subsequently decrypted for additional authentications. |
| US09344423B1 |
System and method for user identification and authentication
Systems and methods for user identification and authentication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of authenticating a first party to a second party may include the following: (1) receiving, from one of an electronic device of a first party and an electronic device of a second party, a request to generate authenticating indicia; (2) using at least one of a plurality of computer processors, generating the authenticating indicia; (3) transmitting, over a network, the authenticating indicia to the electronic device of a first party and to the electronic device of the second party; (4) receiving, from an electronic device of the second party, an indication that the second party has confirmed that the first party is authentic; and (5) storing an identity of the first party, the second party, and the authenticating indicia in a database. |
| US09344420B2 |
Systems and methods for deploying rich internet applications in a secure computing environment
Systems and methods for deploying rich internet applications in a secure computing environment. An example distributed computer system may comprise: a first computer system comprising a run-time environment executing one or more rich internet applications; a second computer system communicatively coupled to the first computer system, the second computer system executing an administration server; wherein the run-time environment is configured to query the administration server to perform at least one of: authenticating a user of the first computer system, determining whether an application is allowed to be executed within the run-time environment, or determining whether an application being executed by the run-time environment is allowed to access a certain function exposed by an application-programming interface (API) of the run-time environment. |
| US09344418B2 |
Systems and methods for inhibiting attacks with a network
Systems and methods for inhibiting attacks with a network are provided. In some embodiments, methods for inhibiting attacks by forwarding packets through a plurality of intermediate nodes when being transmitted from a source node to a destination node are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a packet at one of the plurality of intermediate nodes; determining at the selected intermediate node whether the packet has been sent to the correct one of the plurality of intermediate nodes based on a pseudo random function; and forwarding the packet to the destination node, based on the determining. In some embodiments an intermediate node is selected based on a pseudo random function. In some embodiments, systems and methods for establishing access to a multi-path network are provided. |
| US09344417B2 |
Authentication method and system
An authenticating method including establishing trust between an authentication provider and service provider; establishing trust between the authentication provider and authentication application installed in a terminal. The authentication provider, for each session, receives an access code request and connection information from the terminal; generates and stores the access code; sends the access code to the terminal; receives the access code from the authentication application; indicates verification of the access code to the authentication application and terminal; receives from the authentication application a request to grant access to the terminal; instructs the service provider to grant access; and sends a confirmation of the granted access to the terminal. An authenticated session between the terminal and the service provider is setup for providing services to the terminal. |
| US09344416B2 |
File vault and cloud based document notary service
In one embodiment, a trusted cloud service such as an “electronic vault” may store records of a consumer's electronic data file history. These documents may come from disparate providers and include financial statements and the like. The trusted vault cloud may act as an online notary to certify documents are legitimate and may be trusted. For example, a retailer may dispute whether the consumer paid a debt. To resolve the issue the retailer may access the cloud vault to retrieve a bank statement for the consumer, whereby the bank statement is electronically notorized by the vault cloud and is thus credible to the retailer. The retailer may then see proof the consumer had indeed paid a past debt to the retailer. Other embodiments are described herein. |
| US09344409B2 |
Method and apparatus for masking non-public data elements in uniform resource indentifiers (“URI”)
Methods may display a URI of a resource. Methods may determine the presence of a non-public data element in the URI. Methods may generate a random number in response to the determination of the presence of the non-public data element. Methods may compute a resultant number based on the exclusive or of the random number and the non-public data element. Methods may substitute the resultant number for the non-public data element in the URI. Methods may transmit the URI and the random number to a server. Methods may receive a resource from the server, in response to the transmission of the URI and the random number to the server. Methods may compute the non-public data element using the random number and the resultant number. Methods may substitute the non-public data element for the resultant number in the URI. Methods may re-determine the URI of the resource. |
| US09344407B1 |
Centrally managed use case-specific entity identifiers
Disclosed are various embodiments for centrally managed use case-specific entity identifiers. An identifier translation service receives an identifier translation request from a requesting service. The request specifies a first use case-specific entity identifier, which is specific to a first use case. An actual entity identifier is obtained by decrypting the first use case-specific entity identifier. A second use case-specific entity identifier is generated based at least in part on encrypting the actual entity identifier. The second use case-specific entity identifier is sent to the requesting service in response to the identifier translation request. |
| US09344402B2 |
Method, device, and system for automatically selecting IPV6 address transmission mode
A method, device, and system for automatically selecting an IPv6 address transmission mode are provided. The method includes a Gateway General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (GGSN) device adding an identifier of a currently adopted address allocation mode through configuration, and informing it to a mobile terminal; the mobile terminal device obtaining IPv6 address identifier information issued by the GGSN device after completing Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context activation; the mobile terminal device sending a standard router solicitation (RS) message to the GGSN device; the GGSN device attaching the currently adopted address allocation mode when responding with allocated IPv6 address prefix information to the mobile terminal device; and the mobile terminal device analyzing the current address allocation mode sent by the GGSN device, and determining whether the current address allocation mode is to allocate a unique identifier or a unique prefix, and then executing corresponding processing. |
| US09344401B2 |
Methods and systems for providing translations of data retrieved from a storage system in a cloud computing environment
A method for providing translations of data retrieved from a storage system in a cloud computing environment includes receiving, by an interface object executing on a first physical computing device, a request for provisioning of a virtual storage resource by a storage system. The interface object requests, from a storage system interface object, provisioning of the virtual storage resource. The interface object receives, from the storage system interface object, an identification of the provisioned virtual storage resource. The interface object translates the identification of the provisioned virtual storage resource from a proprietary format implemented by the storage system interface object into a standardized format by accessing an interface translation file mapping each of a plurality of proprietary formats with the standardized format. The interface object responds to the request received from the second physical computing device, with a translation of the received identification. |
| US09344399B2 |
Relay server and relay communication system
A relay server stores a routing apparatus belonging to a VPN group to which the relay server itself belongs, a second routing object address that is an address of the routing apparatus, and the like. The relay server stores a relationship of assignment of a virtual address to the second routing object address. The virtual address is an address that does not overlap with addresses of any other apparatuses. The relay server, upon receipt of a packet from a routing session, converts a source of the packet from an actual address into the virtual address and forwards the packet to a routing object device of the relay server itself. The relay server, upon receipt of a packet from the routing object device of the relay server itself, converts a destination of the packet from the virtual address into an actual address and forwards the packet to the routing session. |
| US09344397B2 |
Client aware DHCP lease management
The management of DHCP address leased based on client properties is described. According to a method of operation, clients are managed in a wireless digital network by modifying a requested lease time for an assigned Internet Protocol (IP) address based on properties of a client requesting the lease time. The assigned IP address is released if (i) no communication activity is detected by the client for a prescribed duration or (ii) upon detecting a DHCP Release message from the client. When the DHCP server receives a renewal request, it checks if the client has generated more than a predetermined amount of traffic. If the client has generated traffic exceeding this threshold level, the lease is renewed for a longer period. If the client traffic has not met the threshold level, the lease is renewed with the short lease time. |
| US09344396B2 |
System and method for persistent multimedia conferencing services
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing a virtual meeting room communication session. The method includes establishing a persistent virtual meeting room communication session, the virtual meeting room communication session including shared resources available to virtual meeting room communication session participants, displaying to meeting participants a set of connected graphical elements representing a structure of the virtual meeting room communication session via a graphical user interface (GUI), receiving from one of the meeting participants input associated with the set of connected graphical elements, the input having an action associated with the virtual meeting room communication session, and performing the action based on received user input. The virtual meeting room communication session can persist when no participants are in the communication session. The persistent virtual meeting room can record changes in session context such as a record of session control events, resource changes, and participant listings. |
| US09344394B2 |
System for facilitating thread-based message prioritization
To perform thread-based message prioritization, metadata may be extracted from a received electronic message. Based on the extracted message metadata and accumulated metadata extracted from previously received messages, a message thread to which the received electronic message belongs may be identified. Based on a set of thread priority assessment criteria, a priority level for the message thread may be determined. At least part of the message thread may be processed according to the priority level. The processing may be altering a notification behavior of an electronic messaging client for electronic messages of the message thread. Thread priority assessment may be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface. Message thread identification may also be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface. |
| US09344386B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing distributed load balancing of subscriber sessions in a multi-slot gateway
A method and apparatus for providing load balancing of subscriber session in a multi-slot gateway employing utilization counts are disclosed. A process of load balancing is configured to increase the session count when a subscription or subscriber session is created in a line card coupled with an active slot. The utilization count associated with the active slot is incremented when the value of session count reaches a predefined session value such as 100,000. After updating an active slot table associated with the active slot in accordance with slot numbers and utilization counts, the content of active slot table is copied to another active slot table associated with a second active slot. |
| US09344381B2 |
Event management in a distributed processing system
Methods, systems, and computer program products for event management in a distributed processing system are provided. Embodiments include receiving, by the incident analyzer, one or more events from one or more resources, each event identifying a location of the resource producing the event; identifying, by the incident analyzer, an action in dependence upon the one or more events and the location of the one or more resources producing the one or more events; identifying, by the incident analyzer, a location scope for the action in dependence upon the one or more events; and executing, by the incident analyzer, the identified action. |
| US09344379B2 |
System and method for facilitating distribution of limited resources
A method is provided for distributing limited resources. The method comprising the following steps. A plurality of limited resources about to expire on a given day is determined. The plurality of limited resources is made available simultaneously. Resource requests from a plurality of clients for a registration period are allowed starting at a predetermined time. The resource requests are processed after the registration period by correlating the limited resources with the received resource requests. |
| US09344377B2 |
Packet processing architecture
A method to process a packet is described herein. The method comprises receiving a packet including a header and a payload. The header is parsed using a packet processor to determine type and priority of the packet. The header is then processed using a hardware acceleration block based on one or more of incoming bandwidth, priority and type of the packet. The custom hardware acceleration block generates header modification data that is sent to the packet processor. The header is modified using the packet processor, based on the header modification data, to generate a modified header. The modified header is appended to the payload and transmitted. |
| US09344371B1 |
Dynamic throttling systems and services
A lightweight throttling mechanism allows for dynamic control of access to resources in a distributed environment. Each request received by a server of a server group is parsed to determine tokens in the request, which are compared with designated rules to determine whether to process or reject the request based on usage data associated with an aspect of the request, the token values, and the rule(s) specified for the request. The receiving of each request can be broadcast to throttling components for each server such that the global state of the system is known to each server. The system then can monitor usage and dynamically throttle requests based on real time data in a distributed environment. |
| US09344369B2 |
System and methods for distributed quality of service enforcement
A grid router for routing data over a grid sessionwise, involves multiple devices forwarding data according to sessions over an unreliable network between the devices. The devices include a first group of mailbox units to handle the sessions and a second group of egress units to forward session data to devices external to the network. The mailbox units and egress units are connected in a CLOS network such that each mailbox unit is accessible by each egress unit. The router further includes a distributed entity, which assigning specific sessions to specific mailbox units and to specific egress units and further defomes quality of service (QoS) levels for each session in the presence of congestion in either the network or the devices. |
| US09344367B2 |
Slipstream bandwidth management algorithm
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing a slipstream bandwidth management algorithm including, for example, means for executing an application a computing device, in which the application is to communicate with a remote computing device over a public Internet; means for approximating outgoing bandwidth for communications from the computing device to the remote computing device; means for approximating incoming bandwidth for communications received at the computing device from the remote computing device; means for allocating multiple simultaneous Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connections in support of the application based at least in part on the approximated outgoing bandwidth and based further on the approximated incoming bandwidth; and means for iteratively adjusting bandwidth communicated for the application between the computing device and the remote computing device based at least in part on latency between the computing device and the remote computing device. Other related embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09344361B2 |
Buffer-less virtual routing
A network includes a plurality of endpoint routers and intermediate routers. When a new data stream is detected at any endpoint router, the first packet is sent to a virtual routing server with knowledge of the entire network topology. Based on the topology, current usage, and historical usage, the virtual routing server determined a path for the data stream and begins to update the routing tables of the intermediate routers to reflect the determined path. Until the update is complete, all packets in the data stream are routed first to the virtual routing server and then to their destination. Once the update is complete, packets in the data stream are routed directly along the determined path. |
| US09344360B2 |
Technique for managing an allocation of a VLAN
Techniques for allocation of a VLAN for a deployment by at least one VM provided on a host in a network. A VLAN manager is adapted to allocate a free physical VLAN identifier to the requested virtual VLAN identifier. The VLAN manager queries a VLAN mapping table for determining a free physical VLAN identifier. In case the physical VLAN identifier for the requested virtual VLAN identifier is in use, a procedure for determining the at least one free physical VLAN is performed. The determination procedure may be based on pre-defined zoning or it may apply a retagging after a free physical VLAN identifier has been calculated. The determined physical VLAN identifier is assigned to the requested VLAN. The VLAN switch devices are instructed about the assignment between the virtual and the physical VLAN identifier in order to apply the assignment of the data packets transported over the requested VLAN. |
| US09344359B1 |
Ingress protection for multipoint label switched paths
Techniques include providing ingress protection for multipoint label switched paths (LSPs). According to the techniques, a primary ingress node and a backup ingress node of a network are both configured to advertise a virtual node identifier of a virtual node as a next hop for a multicast source. Two or more egress nodes of the network then use the virtual node as a root node reachable through the primary ingress node to establish a multipoint LSP. After the multipoint LSP is established, the primary ingress node forwards traffic of the multicast source on the multipoint LSP. When failure occurs at the primary ingress node, the backup ingress node forwards the traffic of the multicast source along a backup path and onto the same multipoint LSP with the virtual node as the root node reachable through the backup ingress node. The techniques enable ingress protection without tearing down the multipoint LSP. |
| US09344353B2 |
Mobile device application for automatic filtering of transmitted data content
A communications device is provided. This includes a processor adapted to receive one or more identified data sources from at least one network database. An applications component is configured to determine one or more network applications that communicate with the processor based in part on the one or more identified data sources. A filter can be configured to at least partially disable data exchanges to the one or more identified data sources during communications with at least one of the one or more network applications. |
| US09344352B2 |
Transfer device, communication system, and roundabout path detecting method
A transfer device that is installed in a unit network that includes a gateway includes a sending/receiving unit that sends/receives a frame to/from a transfer device that is installed in another unit network in a network that includes the unit network, a determining unit that determines, based on destination address or source address in a packet in the frame sent/received by the sending/receiving unit, whether the packet is related to communication between an internal device that is installed in the network and an external device that is installed outside the network, and a notifying unit that notifies, when the determining unit determines that the packet is related to the communication between the internal device and the external device, the external device of an instruction to switch a gateway. |
| US09344350B2 |
Virtual service topologies in virtual private networks
In one embodiment, a method includes storing a service topology route at a network device interconnecting at least two zones comprising a plurality of hosts, and propagating the service topology route to create a service chain comprising a service node in communication with the network device. The service topology route creates a forwarding state at network devices in the service chain for use in inter-zone routing in a virtual private network. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein. |
| US09344346B2 |
Looping MPLS paths at forwarding level for connectionless MPLS networks
A method for transferring Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) packets in connectionless networks, the MPLS packets passing a number of inner MPLS switching nodes on a transmission path between a sender and a destination as well as at least two MPLS edge routers, each MPLS edge router being a transition between a core network and a connection network, include: producing an address stack or label stack for an MPLS packet to be sent. The address stack or label stack includes address information on the inner switching nodes to be passed on its transmission path and address information for the at least two edge routers to be passed on its transmission path. |
| US09344345B2 |
Memory cells having a self-aligning polarizer
Spin torque transfer memory cells and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, spin torque transfer memory cells may include a self-aligning polarizer, a pinned polarizer, and a storage material formed between the self-aligning polarizer and the pinned polarizer. |
| US09344344B2 |
Portable system for monitoring network flow attributes and associated methods
A method for monitoring flow attributes at a network node comprises detecting first information indicative of transmission of a packet through the network node. The first information is discernible from information contained within the packet. The method also comprises determining that the packet is not part of an existing flow and generating, in a flow cache memory, a new flow entry corresponding to the packet. The method further comprises receiving second information associated with the transmission of the packet through the network node. The second information is contained in a forwarding information base (FIB) stored in the network node and cannot be discerned from information contained within the packet. The method also comprises writing, in the flow cache memory, at least a portion of the second information to the new flow entry corresponding to the packet. |
| US09344342B2 |
Monitoring similar data in stream computing
A method, system, and computer program product for monitoring similar data in stream computing are disclosed. The method may include, monitoring at least one input stream of tuples to be processed by an application. The application may comprise one or more processing elements operating on one or more computer processors and each tuple is an instance of data. The method may also include, identifying a first tuple in the input stream and the first tuple is a first instance of first data. Also, the method may include, identifying a second tuple in the input stream and the second tuple is a second instance of first data. Furthermore, the method may include, determining that the second tuple satisfies criteria for superseding the first tuple and eliminating the first tuple from the application. |
| US09344341B1 |
Integrated packet inspection and modification system and network device for internet service provider market research and influence
A network router includes interfaces to receive packets, a routing engine that executes a routing protocol to maintain routing information specifying routes through a network, a packet forwarding engine forward the packets to the interfaces in accordance with the routing information, one or more advertising engine service cards comprising a packet inspection engine and an advertising engine control unit, and a set of dynamic filters that identify packets for inspection by the packet inspection engine based on characteristics of the packet. The filters direct any matching ones of the packets from the packet forwarding engine to the packet inspection engine within the advertising engine service card, and the packet inspection engine analyzes the packets to extract information from the packets based on configured advertising engine policies. The advertising engine control unit outputs commands to dynamically add and delete filters from the set of dynamic filters. |
| US09344338B2 |
Facilitating file transfers using an icon
A stand-alone icon (i.e., an icon that is not part of an application interface) is provided to facilitate communications across a network between users of at least one communications program. The icon represents a contact or a set of contacts. Status information regarding the contact or set of contacts is received and displayed using the icon or in response to an operation performed on the icon. The icon additionally may provide an interface for performing actions related to the contact or set of contacts. The actions may generally include, for example, retrieving profile information about the contact, setting an alert to indicate that the contact's network/login status (e.g., login, logout, or idle) has changed, or performing communications with the contact. |
| US09344337B2 |
Service node originated service chains in a network environment
An example method for service node originated service chains in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a packet at a service node in a network environment that includes a plurality of service nodes and a central classifier, analyzing the packet for a service chain modification or a service chain initiation, classifying the packet at the service node to a new service chain based on the analysis, initiating the new service chain at the service node if the analysis indicates service chain initiation, and modifying an existing service chain for the packet to the new service chain if the analysis indicates service chain modification. In specific embodiments, the analysis includes applying classification logic specific to the service node. Some embodiments, service node attributes and order of service nodes in substantially all service chains configured in the network may be received from a central controller. |
| US09344334B2 |
Network policy implementation for a multi-virtual machine appliance within a virtualization environment
A networking policy implementation for a multi-virtual machine appliance that includes a method for selecting a network implementation by applying a network policy to existing network configurations within a virtualization environment of a computing device. A control program that executes within the virtualization environment, receives an event notification generated by a virtual machine in response to a lifecycle event. The control program, in response to receiving the notification, invokes a policy engine that applies a network policy to existing network configurations of the virtualization environment. This network policy can correspond to the virtual machine or to a network object connected to virtual interface objects of the virtual machine. The policy engine then identifies an existing network configuration that has attributes which satisfy the network policy, and selects a network implementation that satisfies the network policy and the network configuration. |
| US09344327B2 |
Wireless-based network management
Embodiments of network systems, computing systems, devices, components, modules, routines, and processes are described herein. In one embodiment, a network system includes a computing unit and a management controller configured to control a device operation of the computing unit. The device operation includes at least one of an operation to power up, an operation to power down, an operation to reset, an operation to power cycle, or an operation to refresh the computing unit. The network system also includes a wireless element configured to allow wireless communication between the computing unit and the management controller. |
| US09344326B2 |
Communication relay apparatus, active system switching method, and communication relay control board
A communication relay apparatus in which when an operation state of a first board is an active system and a fault in the first board is detected, a first transmission control circuit gives an instruction to an IF unit as to whether usage of a first transmission path is allowed and notifies a second transmission control circuit and a first communication state control unit that the fault is detected, the second transmission control circuit gives an instruction to the IF unit as to whether usage of a second transmission path is allowed, and when an evaluation is made to switch the operation state of the first board to the standby system, the first communication state control unit starts to take over the communication state of the communication data, which has passed through the first transmission path, to the second communication state control unit. |
| US09344323B2 |
G.8032 ethernet multiple fault recovery mechanisms
A method, network element, and network provide detecting a failure on both ports of a major ring at a network element that has an interconnecting sub-ring terminating thereon; causing a block at an associated sub-ring termination port of the interconnecting sub-ring responsive to the failure on both the ports of the major ring; and monitoring the failure and clearing the block responsive to a recovery of one or both ports from the failure. The method, network, and network element include G.8032 multiple concurrent or simultaneous fault recovery mechanisms that traffic being transported between an interconnected major ring and a sub-ring to be successfully delivered in the event of dual concurrent faults on the major ring. |
| US09344318B2 |
Radio receiver for carrier aggregation
A radio receiver circuit (10) configurable to operate in a carrier-aggregation, CA, mode and in a non-CA mode is disclosed. It comprises a first receive path (30) arranged to be operatively connected to an antenna (15) and a second receive path (40) arranged to be operatively connected to the same antenna (15). It further comprises a control unit (50) operatively connected to the first receive path (30) and the second receive path (40). In the CA mode, the control unit (50) controls the first receive path (30) to receive a first CC (6) and the second receive path to receive a second CC (8). In the non-CA mode, the control unit (50) selectively controls the first receive path (30) and the second receive path (40) to both receive the same single CC (6). |
| US09344316B2 |
Adaptive time diversity and spatial diversity for OFDM
An adaptable orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing system (OFDM) that uses a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) to having OFDM signals transmitted either in accordance with time diversity to reducing signal fading or in accordance with spatial diversity to increase the data rate. Sub-carriers are classified for spatial diversity transmission or for time diversity transmission based on the result of a comparison between threshold values and at least one of three criteria. The criteria includes a calculation of a smallest eigen value of a frequency channel response matrix and a smallest element of a diagonal of the matrix and a ratio of the largest and smallest eigen values of the matrix. |
| US09344313B2 |
Multiple-antenna system for cell-specific and user-specific transmission
A reception method and apparatus for use in a multi-cell orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless system. In a unicast receive mode during a first receive time period, a first group of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols is received by a mobile device from multiple of a plurality of antennas at a serving base station. In a single-frequency-network (SFN) receive mode during a second receive time period, a second group of OFDM symbols is received by the mobile device from one of a plurality of antennas at the serving base station. The transition between the first receive time period and the second receive time period occurs during a cyclic prefix or a cyclic postfix between OFDM symbols, and the plurality of antennas produce a first beam pattern during the unicast receive mode and a second beam pattern during the SFN receive mode. |
| US09344310B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing properrizing frequency shift(p-FRESH) vectorizing
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a method for performing properizing frequency shift (p-FRESH) vectorizing, the method comprising: converting a scalar-valued input signal of length L into a 2L-by-1 vector-valued output signal including complex conjugate signal of the input signal; modulating the input signal and the complex conjugate signal each with L different carriers; and bandpass filtering the modulated signal to form the output signal, wherein the output signal is band-limited to a half-Nyquist zone (F+). |
| US09344308B2 |
System and method for signal generation
A high-power broadband radiation system and method are disclosed. The system includes an array of harmonic oscillators with mutual coupling through quadrature oscillators. Based on a self-feeding structure, the presently disclosed harmonic oscillators simultaneously achieve optimum conditions for fundamental oscillation and 2nd-harmonic generation. The signals at the second harmonic radiate through on-chip slot antennas, and are in-phase combined inside a hemispheric silicon lens attached at the backside of the chip. In some embodiments, the radiation of the system can also be modulated by narrow pulses generated on chip, thereby achieving broad radiation bandwidth. |
| US09344305B2 |
PVT tolerant differential circuit
An automatically calibrated differential amplifier including: an input stage differential amplifier configured to receive a input differential signal, to differentially amplify the input differential signal to generate an input stage output differential signal, and to have an input stage bias current; and a replica stage differential amplifier configured to automatically calibrate the input stage bias current in response to process or environmental variations. The differential amplifier may be included, for example, in a comparator and a multilevel receiver. |
| US09344303B1 |
Adaptive signal covariance estimation for MMSE equalization
A method includes, in a mobile communication terminal, storing a mathematical model for computing a covariance matrix of data conveying signals that are received at the mobile communication terminal. At least a first data conveying signal is received in the mobile communication terminal, and one or more signal components required by the model are extracted from the first data conveying signal. A determination is made whether the model is suitable for computing the covariance matrix for the first data conveying signal based on a predefined rule. The covariance matrix is computed in the mobile communication terminal using at least one of the model and an empirical-based estimation of the covariance matrix. The covariance matrix is selected in response to the determination. |
| US09344298B2 |
System and method for managing access to services of an account for an electronic communication device
The present disclosure described herein relates to a device and method for managing access to a service of an account associated with an electronic device is provided. The method monitors a status of the account. If the account is inactive, then a notification is provided on the device indicating same with an option to reactivate the account. Upon reactivation of the account, access to the service is provided. In the device five modules are provided to: evaluate a status flag associated with the account; generate a notification on a display when the account is inactive; control access to the service related to the account depending on the status flag; generate and send an outbound message from the device to request reactivation of the account when requested; and monitor for receipt of a signal indicating approval of reactivation of the account and to update the status flag. |
| US09344296B2 |
Access protection accessory for an automation network
An automation network connected to an automation installation configured to perform an automation process executable in at least two states, where the access protection accessory comprises network ports, a digital storage medium configured to store at least first and second rules, and a processor configured to read the at least first and second rules, process the rules and receive and forward data via the network ports, and receive at least one signal comprising advice of a change in the state of the automation process. The first rules, in a first state of the automation process, define which received data are forwarded and which received data are not forwarded, and following reception of the at least one signal the second rules define which received data are forwarded and which received data are not forwarded. |
| US09344293B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing multiple inputs of users of a home network
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for processing multiple inputs from a plurality of users in a home network. A control point requests electronic devices in the home network to transmit input capability information, receives the input capability information as a response to the request from the electronic devices, and performs session setup using the input capability information by determining a receiver for receiving input signals and at least two senders for sending input signals. The control point transmits input signals transmitted by the at least two senders to the receiver. |
| US09344292B2 |
Systems and methods for player setup room names
Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate configuration and naming of a multimedia playback device on a local playback network are disclosed. An example method includes identifying and analyzing local network topology to identify playback device(s) connected to the network at location(s). The example method includes analyzing a playback device to be added and comparing the playback device to be added to the playback device(s) already connected to the network. The example method includes displaying available option(s) to name the playback device to be added based on the analysis of the network, the already connected playback device(s) and the playback device to be added to the network. The example method includes naming the playback device to be added based on a selected available option. |
| US09344290B2 |
Terminating a multicast session within a wireless communications network
A wireless communication system and methods thereof are disclosed. A server (e.g., a push-to-talk (PTT) server) determines a multicast message to be a final multicast message for a multicast session having an indeterminate end time. The server inserts a flag into the multicast message, the inserted flag indicating that the flagged multicast message is a final multicast message for the multicast session. The server sends the flagged multicast message to a communication entity (e.g., a radio access network (RAN), a broadcast serving node (BSN), etc.) supporting the multicast session. The communication entity (e.g., RAN, BSN, etc.) receives the multicast message from the server. The communication entity determines whether the received multicast message includes a flag relating to multicast session termination. The communication entity releases at least one channel associated with the multicast session based on the determining step. |
| US09344288B2 |
Extemporaneous awareness of rich presence information for group members in a virtual space
Extemporaneous awareness of rich presence information among members of a peer group connected to a communication network is described. As members of the peer group log onto the network, identification information is examined to determine membership in any defined groups. For each group member found, rich presence information, which includes at least the visual context information identifying the activity that the group member is currently displaying on his or her device, and navigational information providing a virtual path to that activity, is extemporaneously broadcast to each other online member of the peer group unsolicited by these group members. This rich presence information is then used to display what every other member is doing on each member's device. By selecting the display corresponding to a particular activity, the selecting member may join that virtual space with the other corresponding member via the navigational information. |
| US09344281B2 |
Detecting fraud using operational parameters for a peripheral
A secure provisioning manifest used to authenticate and securely communicate with peripherals attached to a computer is provided with techniques to withdraw the authentication and terminate the secure communications with any peripheral when operating parameters for the peripheral indicate that there is a security threat associated with the peripheral. A secure I/O module, that is separate from an operating system and transaction software executed by a processor of the computer, uses the secure provisioning manifest to establish a secure encrypted session for communicating with each peripheral attached to the computer when a peripheral is authenticated and able to establish a secure encrypted session. The secure I/O module uses current and known operating parameters for each peripheral to periodically determine if a peripheral has been compromised by a security threat. |
| US09344280B2 |
Systems and methods for authenticating and providing anti-counterfeiting features for important documents
A method for authenticating a document comprises obtaining the contents of a document, obtaining biometric characteristics from an individual, forming a message based on the contents of the document and the biometric characteristics of the individual, generating a digital signature based on the message and a key, and writing the digital signature to an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag affixed to the document. |
| US09344274B2 |
Method and system for encrypting data
A method and system for encrypting data. Ciphertext is generated from plaintext by applying an initialization vector and an encryption key to the plaintext. The initialization vector is combined with the ciphertext to generate encrypted data, by using an embedding rule to perform the combining. |
| US09344271B1 |
Digital correction of spurious tones caused by a phase detector of a hybrid analog-digital delta-sigma modulator based fractional-N phase locked loop
A hybrid analog-digital, dual path, delta-sigma modulator (DSM) based fractional-N phase-lock-loop (PLL) that includes an integral path and a proportional path is provided. The integral path is implemented in the digital domain. The proportional path may be implemented in either the digital or analog domain. A feed-forward error correction signal generator is used to generate a feed-forward signal for attenuating in-band spurs generated by the quantization error of the integral path phase detector. |
| US09344270B2 |
Phase detection and correction for non-continuous local oscillator generator
Techniques for detecting and correcting phase discontinuity of a local oscillator (LO) signal are disclosed. In one design, a wireless device includes an LO generator and a phase detector. The LO generator generates an LO signal used for frequency conversion and is periodically powered on and off. The phase detector detects the phase of the LO signal when the LO generator is powered on. The detected phase of the LO signal is used to identify phase discontinuity of the LO signal. The wireless device may further include (i) a single-tone generator that generates a single-tone signal used to detect the phase of the LO signal, (ii) a downconverter that downconverts the single-tone signal with the LO signal and provides a downconverted signal used by the phase detector to detect the phase of LO signal, and (iii) phase corrector that corrects phase discontinuity of the LO signal in the analog domain or digital domain. |
| US09344267B2 |
Data receiver and data receiving method thereof
A data receiver includes a serial-data processing module, a null-frequency detecting unit, a data checking unit, a status control unit and a timeout checking unit. The serial-data processing module receives serial data, generates an operation clock, parallel data and required data, and determines whether the operation clock is correct for accordingly generating a first result. The null-frequency detecting unit receives the operation clock and determines whether the operation clock is locked or null for accordingly generating a second result. The data checking unit is enabled according to the first result and determines whether checking data of the required data is correct for accordingly generating a third result. The status control unit outputs a frequency-locked signal and changes the signal state of the frequency-locked signal according to the first to third results. The enabled timeout checking unit resets the serial-data processing module according to the signal state of the frequency-locked signal. |
| US09344266B2 |
Transmission system, transmission apparatus, and clock synchronization method
A transmission system includes: a first transmission apparatus to distribute a synchronization clock; and one or more second transmission apparatuses each to connect to the first transmission apparatus so as to synchronize with the synchronization clock from the first transmission apparatus, the second transmission apparatus including: a selection portion to select the first or second transmission apparatus of a connection destination so as to switch the synchronization clock; an output portion to generate an inquiry signal addressed to the first transmission apparatus via the second transmission apparatus of the connection destination selected; a determination portion to determine whether or not the inquiry signal generated by the second transmission apparatus is received; and a second control portion to determine that there is a synchronization clock loop having a loop path through the second transmission apparatus of the connection destination when the determination portion receives the inquiry signal. |
| US09344265B2 |
Network packet timing synchronization for virtual machine host systems
Network timing synchronization for virtual machine (VM) host systems and related methods are disclosed that provide synchronization of master/slave clocks within VM host hardware systems. Master timing messages are sent from the master clocks to slave clocks within VM guest platforms hosted by the VM host hardware system within a virtualization layer, and return slave timing messages are communicated from the VM guest platforms to the master clock. Virtual switches within the virtualization layer use virtual transparent clocks to determine intra-switch delay times for the timing packets traversing the virtual switch. These intra-switch delay times are then communicated to target destinations and used to account for variations in packet transit times through the virtual switch. The VM guest platforms synchronize their timing using the timing messages. The master/slave timing messages can be PTP (Precision Time Protocol) timing messages and/or timing messages based upon some other timing protocol. |
| US09344260B2 |
Multi-subframe scheduling mechanism for base station and user equipment
The present disclosure proposes a base station and a user equipment which utilize a multi-subframe scheduling mechanism. The multi-subframe scheduling mechanism includes at least but not limited to the base station transmitting via a transmitter a first subframe which includes a first control channel. Upon receiving the first subframe via a receiver, the UE would decode a first control information from the first control channel. The UE would decode from the first control information a first transmission resource located in the first subframe and then determine whether the first control information indicates a second transmission resource located in a second subframe based on a bit from a bit sequence, wherein the bit corresponds to the first subframe. The UE would receive via the receiver the second transmission resource located in the second subframe if the bit of the bit sequence is in a first state. |
| US09344257B2 |
Adaptation of transmission parameters
A radio frequency communication device (100A) comprising a radio frequency communication interface (130) and a controller (110), wherein said controller (110) is configured to transmit a first message through said radio frequency communication interface (130) to a receiving radio frequency communication device (100B) using a transmission format, receive an indication of a type of interference limiting the reception of the message, adapt a transmission parameter for transmission based on said type of interference (I); and transmit a second message according to said adapted transmission parameter. In one embodiment the transmission parameter is transmission time. In one embodiment the transmission parameter is message length. In one embodiment the transmission parameter is transmission power. In one embodiment the transmission parameter is a coding scheme. |
| US09344256B2 |
Dominating set identification for path computation based on directed acyclic graph membership
In one embodiment, a method comprises a path computation device receiving device information from member network devices, each member network device belonging to a directed acyclic graph to a destination in a low power lossy network; and the path computation device classifying each member network device belonging to a directed acyclic graph as belonging to a dominating set, for generation of optimized routes distinct from any directed acyclic graph, for reaching any one of the member network devices of the dominating set. |
| US09344245B2 |
Apparatus and method for allocating channel state information-reference signal in wireless communication system
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a technology for allocating a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS) in a wireless communication system. Embodiments of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for allocating CSI-RSs to resource areas, in which, under the condition of a subframe in which the CP is an extended CP, and the duplex scheme is TDD, if CSI-RSs for maximum 8 antenna ports are allocated, the CSI-RSs are allocated to the 8th and 9th symbols (symbol No. l=7 and 8), wherein each CSI-RS for every two antenna ports is allocated to the same RE while being discriminated from each other by an orthogonal code and neighbor CSI-RS allocated REs in the frequency axis are spaced by an interval of three REs. |
| US09344243B2 |
Transmission using common and dedicated pilots
A method, system, base station and wireless terminal are provided for transmission of a set of mixed pilots that includes both common and dedicated pilots. The method includes selecting a number D of dedicated pilots having regard to performance of the communication link, D≧0, selecting a first pre-coder for pre-coding D dedicated pilots based on some criteria, performing a first pre-coding of the D dedicated pilots with the first pre-coder to produce a set of pre-coded dedicated pilots, performing a second pre-coding of the set of pre-coded dedicated pilots and a set of common pilots to produce a set of mixed pilots, and transmitting data from the transmitter on the communication link with the set of mixed pilots. |
| US09344233B2 |
Originator and recipient based transmissions in wireless communications
Methods and systems are described for determining a plurality of transmission levels for, e.g., a plurality of time-frequency channels and/or a plurality of tones. The transmission levels may be determined by a first node based on, for example, a received transmission from a second node. The first node may generate a signal, which may be based on, for example, an originator-based pseudorandom sequence, a recipient-based pseudorandom sequence, and/or a complex sinusoid. The first node may transmit the signal as an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission. |
| US09344231B2 |
Method of user equipment searching for control information in multi-node system and apparatus using the same
There are provided a method of user equipment searching for control information and an apparatus using the same. The method includes receiving information about the position of an Enhanced-Physical Control Format Indication Channel (E-PCFICH) from a base station, receiving an E-PCFICH based on the information about the position of the E-PCFICH, obtaining information about the frequency band of an Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (E-PDCCH) region through the E-PCFICH, and searching the E-PDCCH region for an E-PDCCH for the user equipment, wherein the E-PCFICH is transmitted in an OFDM symbol between a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), transmitted in the first N (N is one of natural numbers 1 to 4) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a subframe in the time domain, and the E-PDCCH region. |
| US09344222B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system which performs data transmission using spatially multiplexed streams from a first terminal including N antennas to a second terminal including M antennas (N is an integer of 2 or more and M is an integer of 1 or more) is disclosed. The system includes notifying means, training means, channel matrix estimation means, beamforming information feedback means, transmission weight matrix setting means, and beamforming means. |
| US09344218B1 |
Error resilience for interactive real-time multimedia applications
An error resilience method comprising: using a computer, creating and storing, in computer memory, one or more FEC filter tables for use by the FEC filter for selectively forwarding a FEC packet; selectively forwarding a request for the FEC packet through a FEC filter based on the FEC table and a dynamic packet loss level at a receiver; limiting a re-transmission request for a particular packet through the FEC filter based on a number of re-transmission requests for the particular packet; and selectively skipping a key frame request based on a number of key frame requests received from a plurality receiver devices, wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices. |
| US09344215B2 |
Systems and methods for advanced power management for optical network terminal systems on chip
Systems and methods are provided for customer premises equipment (CPE) on a passive optical network (PON). A system includes a packet processor having at least an active mode and a sleep mode, the packet processor configured to processes streams of data packets received in a data plane from an optical line terminal (OLT) through the PON when in an active mode and to enter the sleep mode when not receiving data packets in the data plane. A system further includes a micro-controller, separate from the packet processor, configured to receive from an OLT operation and management (OAM) messages that are transmitted in a control plane, and to process the OAM messages by, selectively transmitting to a central office, without waking up the packet processor, an acknowledgement message, or waking up the packet processor to receive data packets in the data plane. |
| US09344213B2 |
Method for tuning a tunable optical transmitter in an optical WDM transmission system and corresponding optical WDM transmission system
An optical WDM transmission system including a plurality of first optical transceivers at a first end of an optical WDM transmission link, each including a tunable optical transmitter being adapted to create a first digital optical channel signal within the bandwidths of a set of first optical channels of the system according to tuning control information. The first channels are multiplexed in to a first WDM signal and supplied at the first end of the WDM link. Second optical transceivers at a second end link each include a transmitter adapted to create a second digital optical channel signal within a channel bandwidth of a second set of optical channels of the system. The second channels are multiplexed into a second WDM signal for transmission to the first transceivers, and demultiplexing there. A central tuning device creates the tuning control information for the first optical transceivers by tapping off an optical WDM detection signal from the first signal, extracting tuning status information from the optical WDM detection signal and determining tuning control information for at least one of the first transceivers. The central tuning device also supplies the tuning control information to the at least one first transceiver by modulating the second signal according to the tuning control information applying an amplitude modulation of the second signal using a dedicated WDM tone frequency. |
| US09344211B2 |
OFDMA with adaptive subcarrier-cluster configuration and selective loading
A method and apparatus for allocating subcarriers in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises allocating at least one diversity cluster of subcarriers to a first subscriber and allocating at least one coherence cluster to a second subscriber. |
| US09344210B2 |
OTN rate adjustment systems and methods for control plane restoration, congestion control, and network utilization
A method, a controller, and an Optical Transport Network (OTN) network include provisioning an end-to-end path with a defined committed information rate (CIR) and a peak information rate (PIR) via an optical control plane; computing a path for the end-to-end path based on the CIR and the PIR; configuring the end-to-end path on the computed path at an Optical Channel Data Unit (ODU) data rate supporting the PIR if the computed path can support the PIR or at the ODU data rate supporting the CIR if the computed path can support the CIR and not the PIR; and adjusting the ODU data rate of the end-to-end path based on a rate adjustment requirement in the OTN network and based on the CIR and the PIR. |
| US09344209B2 |
Discrete time compensation mechanisms
Discrete time compensation mechanisms include a channel component configured for determining which channel of a plurality of channels to process time slots of sampled data that are time stamped in a discrete time and processing the time slots of the sampled data to the plurality of channels. A common channel clock component is configured for time stamping the time slots of the sampled data in the discrete time domain that is faster than a non-discrete reference time stamp of continuous data from which the time slots are sampled from and for processing the sampled data through the plurality of channels faster than the continuous data is being received. Compensations for one or more gaps are generated based on a set of predetermined criteria and a corrected time stamp is applied to the sampled data for processing among different processing channels. |
| US09344204B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for adaptive relaying data distribution in wireless networks
Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments enable data distribution in wireless communication networks. In example embodiments, a method comprises receiving a wireless broadcast message including a message ID and an associated distributor address; buffering the received wireless broadcast message and starting an observation window timer for the message if the message ID of the received wireless broadcast message is not stored in a database of message IDs and associated distributor addresses for previously received wireless broadcast messages; calculating a relaying probability for the received wireless broadcast message, based on a number of distributor address entries associated with the message ID in the database, the entries resulting from receiving other wireless broadcast messages having the same message ID during the observation window; transmitting the buffered message following termination of the observation window, based on the calculated relaying probability; and starting a cooling window timer upon termination of the observation window and removing all records containing the message ID from the database following termination of the cooling window. |
| US09344203B2 |
Distortion measurement for limiting jitter in PAM transmitters
Methods and test equipment for measuring jitter in a Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) transmitter. Under one procedure, a first two-level PAM signal test pattern is used to measure clock-related jitter separated into random and deterministic components, while a second two-level PAM signal test pattern is used to measure even-odd jitter (EOJ). Under another procedure, A four-level PAM signal test pattern is used to measure jitter-induced noise using distortion analysis. Test equipment are also disclosed for implementing various aspects of the test methods. |
| US09344194B2 |
System and method for monitoring and control of an optical modulator for an M-QAM transmitter
A system includes an optical power meter operable to generate an optical power signal corresponding to the optical power of a received output signal generated by an optical IQ-modulator. The system further includes a processor operable to receive the optical power signal and determine, based on a minimization algorithm and the received optical power signal, a first bias voltage to be applied to a first sub-modulator of the optical IQ-modulator and a second bias voltage to be applied to a second sub-modulator of the optical IQ-modulator. The system may also include a peak power meter operable to generate a peak power signal corresponding to the peak power of the received output signal generated by the optical IQ-modulator, wherein the processor is further operable to determine, based on a minimization algorithm and the received peak power signal, a third bias voltage to be applied to a phase shift component of the optical IQ-modulator. |
| US09344193B2 |
Digital optical spectral shaping
A method and system for generating an optical channel signal for transmission through an optical fiber link of an optical communications system. A digital filter processes an input data signal using a compensation function and a shaping function to generate a pair of multi-bit sample streams representing a target optical E-field envelope of the optical channel signal. A modulator modulates an optical carrier light using the pair of multi-bit sample streams to generate the optical channel signal. The compensation function is designed to at least partially compensate impairments of the optical fiber link. The predetermined shaping function is designed to modify a baseband spectrum of the target optical E-field envelope. |
| US09344192B1 |
Driver chip for minimizing transmission impairments and for boosting signal transmission rates
In accordance with the present invention, a driver chip is provided for transmitting optical signals over an optical fiber. The driver chip includes, in combination, a tapped delay equalizer, an amplifier and control circuitry. Operationally, the tapped delay equalizer modifies an input digital signal to create a compensated signal by compensating for anticipated impairments and distortions introduced during signal transmission. The amplifier then receives the compensated signal to provide gain and bias in order to establish a proper operating point for an E/O device. The control circuitry is interconnected with the tapped delay equalizer and with the amplifier to establish and control tap weights for the tapped delay equalizer to compensate for electrical and optical bandwidth limitations, along with optical dispersion effects. |
| US09344189B2 |
System, a wavelength isolator and methods therein for supervision of a passive optical network
A system for supervision of a passive optical network includes an OTDR device, generating N+1 OTDR signals of wavelengths λU-λN, and transmitting the signals towards ONUs. The system includes a splitter having N output branches. An input of the splitter is connected to the output of the OTDR device and the output branches of the splitter are indirectly connected to the ONUs. The splitter splits the OTDR signals and forwards them towards the ONUs. The system includes a wavelength isolator having inputs connected to the splitter output branches. The wavelength isolator isolates, on individual inputs, one predetermined wavelength of the received OTDR signals per individual input, where two inputs of the wavelength isolator do not isolate the same wavelength, and forwards, from each of the inputs of the wavelength isolator, the OTDR signals to associated outputs towards the ONUs connected to the wavelength isolator by individual fiber links. |
| US09344185B2 |
System and method for secure pairing of bluetooth devices
A system of securely paired Bluetooth devices includes a host device and a peripheral device, where each device includes an audio interface and a Bluetooth transceiver. The host device and the peripheral device connect to each other by physically connecting their corresponding audio interfaces and communicate with each other by establishing an out-of-band audio communication channel via the connected audio interfaces. The host device and the peripheral device exchange Bluetooth authentication data via the out-of-band audio communication channel, and then are securely paired with each other by turning on and initializing the corresponding Bluetooth transceivers with the corresponding exchanged Bluetooth authentication data. |
| US09344183B2 |
Wireless multimedia system
A customer premises installation has a wireless multimedia center (WMC) for reception from one or more signal sources and for distribution of segments of signals from signal sources through the wireless multimedia center to a plurality of end units, in which the signals include video signals and broadband data. The wireless multimedia center receives all the signals and distributes segments of said signals via a transmitter. The video signals are transmitted by orthogonal frequency division multiplexing in which all signals are added together and summed as an orthogonal array having dimensions of time, frequency and amplitude, to transmit spread spectrum multiplexed signals. Each pulse has sufficiently long individual pulse widths to defeat multi-path, reflection and absorption phase induced losses. The video signals are distributed to one or more end units. The end units communicate with the wireless multimedia center, controlling which segments of which signals are distributed to each end unit. |
| US09344182B2 |
Satellite system and method for circumpolar latitudes
The present invention relates to satellite systems and more particularly, to the provision of a satellite system for weather and climate monitoring, communications applications, and scientific research at higher latitudes, referred to as the circumpolar region and defined here as the area with latitudes greater than 60°, in either the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere. Contrary to the teachings in the art it has been discovered that a satellite system and method may be provided using satellites in 24 sidereal hour orbits (geosynchronous) with inclinations (70° to 90°), orbital planes, right ascensions and eccentricities (0.275-0.45) chosen to optimize coverage of a particular service area located at high latitudes. A constellation of two satellites can provide continuous coverage of the circumpolar region. The satellites in this orbit avoid most of the Van Allen Belts. |
| US09344179B2 |
Methods and arrangements for communications in low power wireless networks
Embodiments may comprise an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system operating in the 1 GHz and lower frequency bands. In many embodiments, the physical layer logic may implement orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols encoded with 32 sub-carriers such as twenty data sub-carriers, four pilot sub-carriers, seven guard sub-carriers, and one direct current (DC) sub-carrier. Many embodiments may transform the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols between frequency and time domains with a 32-point, fast Fourier transform or inverse fast Fourier transform. Some embodiments may up-convert and transmit a communication signal with the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols at one megahertz. Further embodiments may receive and detect communications signal with the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols at one megahertz. |
| US09344173B2 |
Method and apparatus for transreceiving channel state information in cooperative multipoint communication system
A method for transmitting channel state information (CSI) on multiple base stations (BSs) in a wireless communication system. A user equipment (UE) receives information on periodic reporting configuration of CSI including a rank indicator (RI) and a first type precoding matrix indicator (PMI) with respect to a first BS and information on periodic reporting configuration of CSI including a RI and a first type PMI with respect to a second BS. The UE transmits CSI on the first BS and the second BS on the basis of CSI reporting configuration with respect to the first BS and the second BS. Additional CSI including aggregated CSI generated by aggregating signals from the first BS and the second BS is transmitted at the time when a report on one of a first type PMI and the RI is omitted. |
| US09344172B2 |
Codebook design and structure for advanced wireless communication systems
A base station includes a transceiver configured to transmit CSI-RS according to a CSI-RS configuration comprising a first and a second numbers of antenna ports, and downlink signals comprising the CSI-RS configuration to the UE, and, receive uplink signals comprising a plurality of CSI reports from the UE, and a processor configured to extract an RI and at least PMIs from the plurality of CSI reports, determine a component precoder on the first number of antenna ports, using a first PMI and a second PMI, determine a complex number u, using a third PMI, and determine a composite precoder equal to a block matrix comprising Nr row blocks whose n-th row block is a product of un-1 and the component precoder, wherein Nr is equal to the second number of antenna ports. |
| US09344169B2 |
Signal transmission method, system, and device
The present invention provides a signal transmission method, system, and device, where the method includes: setting K virtual users, where each virtual user is associated with one base station; obtaining base station precode and user precode corresponding to each of the K virtual users; splitting a baseband signal to the K virtual users, and obtaining a split baseband signal corresponding to each of the K virtual users; processing, according to the base station precode and the user precode corresponding to each virtual user, the split baseband signal corresponding to each virtual user, and obtaining an uplink signal corresponding to each virtual user; and obtaining timing advances {t1, t2, . . . , tK} of base stations corresponding to the K virtual users, and when max(t1, t2, . . . , tK)−min(t1, t2, . . . , tK) |
| US09344167B2 |
Codebook subsampling for multi-antenna transmit precoder codebook
Embodiments provide approaches for sub-sampling a two-component precoder codebook to reduce the overhead associated with signaling the codebook in periodic Channel State Information (CSI) reports from a user equipment (UE) to a base station. In one embodiment, a first component of the codebook is sub-sampled to accommodate a payload capacity of a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) CSI Report of Type 1. In another embodiment, both the first component and the second component of the codebook are sub-sampled to accommodate a maximum payload capacity associated with a PUCCH CSI report. |
| US09344162B2 |
Exploiting spatial degrees of freedom in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radio systems
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are provided for determining the null-space for a channel between a transmitter and an unintended receiver. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include transmitting, by a secondary transmitter, a plurality of learning signals, determining, for each of the plurality of learning signals, a value representative of an interference caused by the transmitting to an unintended receiver, determining, based on the determined values, a null-space for a channel between the secondary transmitter and the unintended receiver and transmitting, by the secondary transmitter, a signal in accordance with the determined null-space. |
| US09344154B2 |
Near field communication system in a local network
A system for a local network, the system being configured to extend a near field communication (NFC) between an NFC device and an NFC mobile device beyond the range defined by the NFC standards. |
| US09344147B1 |
Appending bursts to create a super burst for improved building penetration
A system, method, and apparatus according to various embodiments are disclosed herein to enable a signal in space scheme to have improved signal penetration within buildings and other attenuated environments. The disclosed enhanced signal delivery method transmits multiple bursts in a successive pattern that is known by a receiver on the ground. This successive transmission pattern of bursts effectively creates a longer correlation sequence that allows a receiver to more readily be able to pull the signal out of the noise and, thus, allows a receiver located in a more stringent, attenuated environment to receive a signal where it previously was unable to do so. |
| US09344146B2 |
De-correlating training pattern sequences between lanes in high-speed multi-lane links and interconnects
Methods, apparatus and systems for de-correlating training pattern sequences for high-speed links and interconnects. The high-speed links and interconnects employs multiple lanes in each direction for transmitting and receiving data, and may be physically implemented via signal paths in an inter-plane board such as a backplane or mid-plane, or via a cable. During link training, a training pattern comprising a pseudo random bit sequence (PBRS) is sent over each lane. The PBRS for each lane is generated by a PBRS generator based on a PRBS polynomial that is unique to that lane. Since each lane employs a different PRBS polynomial, the training patterns between lanes are substantially de-correlated. Link negotiation may be performed between link endpoints to ensure that the PBRS polynomials used for all of the lanes in the high-speed link or interconnect are unique. Exemplary uses include Ethernet links, Infiniband links, and multi-lane serial interconnects. |
| US09344144B1 |
Passive intermodulation (PIM) coaxil protection circuit
A method and system for implementing a passive intermodulation (PIM) coaxial protection circuit is provided. An electrical circuit is created between a radio source, coaxial cable, and antenna to prevent passive intermodulation. The radio source or an external power supply provides direct current and voltage in the electrical circuit, causing the current and voltage to pass through any corrosion that might build up in the path, especially at connectors. |
| US09344140B2 |
Systems, devices and methods related to improved radio-frequency modules
Systems, devices and methods related to improved radio-frequency (RF) modules. In some embodiments, an RF module can include a packaging substrate, a power amplifier (PA) assembly implemented on a first die mounted on the packaging substrate, and a controller circuit implemented on a second die mounted on the first die. The controller circuit can be configured to provide at least some control of the PA assembly. The RF module can further include one or more output matching network (OMN) devices mounted on the packaging substrate and configured to provide output matching functionality for the PA assembly. The RF module can further include a band selection switch device mounted on each OMN device. |
| US09344135B2 |
Holding aid to type on a touch sensitive screen for a mobile phone, personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped, wearable devices and methods of use
The object of this invention is a holding aid or apparatus H (FIG. 1) intended to help a user to hold a mobile device with its finger tips while at the same time typing on the device touch screen keyboard. The apparatus can be attached or integrated (FIG. 4) to the back of device cover or body. The holding aid is composed of a platform or base member, an articulated joint mechanism and at least two lateral flat tab members (FIG. 2) with orifices that are connected to the sides of the base member by means of the articulation joint. The lateral flat tab members and orifices are ergonomically designed and prepared to receive user finger tips according to the position of the user hands while typing on the touch sensitive screen keyboard. The ergonomic design (FIG. 13) of the holding apparatus allows the user to hold the mobile device with finger tips and let other fingers free to operate the mobile device functions. The apparatus lateral flat tab members are connected to an articulated joint mechanism and may rotate and close (FIG. 9) towards the back to the mobile device, allowing for easy mobile device transportation in user clothing pockets or in a pouch wallet device case. The holding aid apparatus may be implemented as separate structure attachable to the device body or case or a specially fitted device case incorporating the holding aid structure. |
| US09344123B2 |
Systems and methods for historical signal interference cancellation (SIC)
Historical decoding in accordance with signal interference cancellation (SIC) or joint processing may reduce the amount of data that is re-transported across a network following an unsuccessful attempt to decode a data transmission. In one example, historical decoding is performed in accordance with interference cancellation by communicating information related to interfering data (rather than information related to serving data) following a served receiver's unsuccessful attempt to decode an interference signal. The information related to the interfering data may be the information bits carried by the earlier interfering data transmission or parity information (e.g., forward error correction (FEC) bits, etc.) related to the earlier interfering data transmission. |
| US09344117B2 |
Methods and systems for error-correction decoding
Methods and systems for efficient Reed-Solomon (RS) decoding are provided. The RS decoding unit includes both an RS pseudo decoder and an RS decoder. The RS pseudo decoder is configured to correct a small number of errors in a received codeword, while the RS decoder is configured to correct errors that are recoverable by the RS code. The RS pseudo decoder runs in parallel with the RS decoder. Once the RS pseudo decoder successfully decodes the codeword, the RS decoder may stop its processing, thereby reducing the RS decoding latency. |
| US09344116B2 |
Method for determining layer stoppage in LDPC decoding
A method for determining a layer stoppage in LDPC decoding is provided. The method may include determining the occurrence of the layer stoppage to detect and record a convergence of a layer arithmetic unit after the performance of a layer decoding operation using LDPC decoding, and in a subsequent iteration operation stopping an operation of the layer arithmetic unit that has converged and repeating determining the layer stoppage for the layer arithmetic unit that has not yet converged. An output of the non-convergent layer may be diverted to the next non-convergent layer while bypassing the convergent layer without interrupting the subsequent iteration operation while maintaining the overall error correction capability. |
| US09344104B1 |
Digital to analog converter and analog to digital converter calibration techniques
Methods and devices for the calibration of digital to analog converters (DAC) and analog to digital converters (ADC) are disclosed. In a first step the DAC is calibrated and in a second step the calibrated DAC is used to calibrate the ADC. Averaging techniques and/or equation based techniques are used to further improve the calibration of both components in an iterative process. Embodiments of the invention allow for a very compact physical implementations of the converter. The invention reduces of analog circuitry in favor of digital circuits. Embodiments of the invention are suitable for the implementation in fine line CMOS processes and can operate in a low supply voltage environment. |
| US09344088B1 |
Driver circuit receiving a regulated pre-driver supply voltage
A driver circuit includes first and second pluralities of series-connected inverters for pre-driving an input signal to first and second drive transistors, and a plurality of capacitors. The first and second drive transistors coupled to the last inverter of the first and second pluralities of series-connected inverters. Each capacitor of the plurality of capacitors coupled between the output terminals of corresponding inverters of the first and second pluralities of series-connected inverters. In another embodiment, a plurality of discharge circuits is coupled to the first plurality of series-connected inverters. Another embodiment includes a combination of capacitors and discharge circuits coupled to the first plurality of series-connected inverters. The embodiments provide a driver circuit with high frequency voltage regulation. |
| US09344087B2 |
Clock tree unit cell circuit, clock tree, and apparatus
A clock tree unit cell circuit includes a first input terminal configured to receive a clock signal from an upstream side of a clock tree; a first output terminal configured to output a clock signal to a downstream side of the clock tree; a second input terminal configured to receive a standby signal from the upstream side of the clock tree; a third input terminal configured to receive a standby signal from the downstream side of the clock tree; a logic circuit configured to perform a predetermined logical operation on the clock signal inputted to the first input terminal and output the clock signal to the first output terminal; and a control circuit that is connected to the second input terminal, the third input terminal, and an output control terminal of the logic circuit. |
| US09344084B2 |
Touch sensor
Provided is a touch sensor having a simple structure and enabling a driver to appropriately and quickly manipulate the touch sensor as intended without looking at a manipulation surface of the touch sensor. The touch sensor includes: multiple electrodes; detection means for detecting touch on any of electrodes and for outputting a detection signal for each electrode; touch judgment means for judging whether each of the electrodes is touched or untouched based on the detection signal; a switch having a manipulation button; control mode judgment means for determining a control function for a controlled device in accordance with an input signal transmitted from the switch when the manipulation button is manipulated; and permission means for permitting the touch judgment means to judge touch on each electrode in response to the input signal from the switch. |
| US09344083B2 |
Method for opening/closing of a secure hands-free access by detection of movement of a lower member of a user
A reliable and secure activation of an access based on a detection of movement in a remote access system by providing a secure method for opening/closing of an access in hands-free access mode. The detection of movement relates to the displacement of a lower member of a user by a remote access system, this access system including at least two elements of detection which each emit a signal whose variations (31, 33, 35) are analyzed. The detection of a movement of a lower member is validated by the application of a double verification step according to parameters (dAsA, dAsB) of a criterion for identification (tA, tB; dAsA, dAsB) of a form of variation (F2; A, B) of each signal (31, 33, 35) with a model form of the movement, and according to a criterion for simultaneity of detection of the forms of variation (F2) identified on the two signals. |
| US09344082B2 |
Rapid cutoff device and operation method for SCR DC switches
A rapid cutoff device includes a thyristor DC switch, a switch and a capacitor. An operation method includes: connecting the thyristor DC switch between a first DC circuit and a second DC circuit; serially connecting the switch and the capacitor which further parallel connects the first DC circuit; when the thyristor DC switch is conducted, supplying a DC current via the thyristor DC switch; when a drive signal of the thyristor DC switch stops, operating the switch to conduct the capacitor which is charged by the first DC circuit to rapidly lower a current of the thyristor DC switch approaching a zero value, thereby rapidly cutting of the thyristor DC switch. |
| US09344077B2 |
High voltage driver
A circuit, which includes a high voltage driver, is disclosed. The high voltage driver includes a P-type field effect transistor (PFET) and a source bias circuit. The source bias circuit receives a low voltage input signal and applies a direct current (DC) bias to the low voltage input signal to provide a DC biased signal. The PFET has a first source, a first gate, and a first drain. The first source receives the DC biased signal. The first gate receives a first low voltage DC supply signal. The first drain provides a high voltage output signal based on the DC biased signal and the first low voltage DC supply signal. In this regard, the high voltage driver receives and translates the low voltage input signal to provide the high voltage output signal. |
| US09344075B2 |
Measuring delay between signal edges of different signals using an undersampling clock
A system may measure a first sample, of a first signal, using an undersampling signal. The system may measure a second sample, of a second signal, using the undersampling signal. The undersampling signal may have a frequency that is based on a frequency of the first signal or a frequency of the second signal. The system may detect, based on measuring the first sample, a first edge of the first signal. The system may detect, based on measuring the second sample, a second edge of the second signal. The system may determine a delay, associated with the first signal and the second signal, based on detecting the first edge, based on detecting the second edge, based on a first cycle time of the undersampling signal, and based on a second cycle time of the first signal or the second signal. |
| US09344071B2 |
Clock signal distribution power efficiency improvement
A circuit may include a pulse generation circuit configured to receive a first clock signal with a first-clock rate and a first-clock duty cycle. The pulse generation circuit may be configured to generate, based on the first clock signal, a pulse signal with a pulse frequency and with a pulse duty cycle that is smaller than the first-clock duty cycle. The circuit may also include a sub-harmonic injection locking oscillator configured to receive the pulse signal. The sub-harmonic injection locking oscillator may be configured to output, based on the pulse signal, a second clock signal with a second-clock rate that is greater than the first-clock rate and greater than the pulse frequency. |
| US09344070B2 |
Relaxation oscillator with low drift and native offset cancellation
Relaxation oscillator circuitry is presented with low drift and native offset cancellation, including an amplifier amplifying a first current signal to provide a pulse amplifier output waveform, an integrator integrating a second current signal to provide a ramp output waveform, and a comparator comparing the integrator output waveform with a threshold set by the amplifier output waveform to generate an alternating oscillator output used to switch the polarities of the first and second current signals. |
| US09344067B1 |
Dual interlocked cell (DICE) storage element with reduced charge sharing
Integrated circuits with clocked storage elements are provided. A clocked storage element such as a flip-flop circuit may include a master latch, a slave latch, and associated control circuitry. The master and slave latches may be implemented using dual-interlocked cell (DICE) latch configurations. The DICE latch may include at least four inverting circuits having two redundant node pairs and may exhibit immunity to soft error upset (SEU) events. Each of the master and slave latches may be separated into different portions so that the redundant nodes are physically separated by interposing circuitry. The redundant nodes may also be formed in separate wells to further minimize charge sharing. The different portions of the master and slave latch may be interleaved to minimize area. |
| US09344065B2 |
Frequency divider, clock generating apparatus, and method capable of calibrating frequency drift of oscillator
A clock generating apparatus includes an oscillator and a frequency synthesizer. The oscillator is utilized for generating a reference clock signal. The frequency synthesizer is coupled to the oscillator and utilized for synthesizing a target clock signal in accordance with the reference clock signal and a frequency division factor that has been adjusted or compensated, and outputting the target clock signal as an output of the clock generating apparatus. |
| US09344064B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising frequency change detection circuitry
Embodiments of an integrated circuit (IC) comprising frequency change detection circuitry are described. Some embodiments include first circuitry to generate a second clock signal based on a first clock signal, wherein the first clock signal has a first clock frequency, and wherein the second clock signal has a second clock frequency that is an integral multiple of the first clock frequency. The embodiments further include second circuitry to obtain samples by oversampling the first clock signal using the second clock signal. Additionally, the embodiments include third circuitry to detect a change in the first clock frequency based on the samples. |
| US09344060B2 |
Signal-alignment circuitry and methods
Signal-alignment circuitry, comprising: phase-rotation circuitry connected to receive one or more input clock signals and operable to generate therefrom one or more output clock signals; and control circuitry operable to control the amount of phase rotation applied by the phase-rotation circuitry to carry out a plurality of alignment operations, the alignment operations comprising: one or more first operations each comprising rotating one or more of said output clock signals relative to one or more of the other said output clock signals, to bring a phase relationship between said output clock signals, or clock signals derived therefrom, towards or into a given phase relationship; and one or more second operations each comprising rotating all of said output clock signals together, to bring a phase relationship between said output or derived clock signals and said input clock signals or an external-reference signal towards or into a given phase relationship. |
| US09344058B2 |
Resonator element having a pair of vibrating arms with wide portions and arm portions
A resonator element includes a base portion and a pair of vibrating arms that are provided integrally with the base portion, are aligned in an X-axis direction, and extend in a Y-axis direction from the base portion. Each of the vibrating arms includes an arm portion and a wide hammerhead that is located on the free end side of the arm portion and has a greater length in the X-axis direction than the arm portion. Assuming that the length of the vibrating arm in the Y-axis direction is L and the length of the hammerhead in the Y-axis direction is H, the relationship of 1.2% |
| US09344056B2 |
Resonator, oscillator, electronic apparatus, and moving object
A resonator includes: a package; a support section that is provided on a surface of the package; and a vibration element in which an attachment section, which is disposed between an outer edge of a vibration substrate, in which excitation electrodes are provided on main surfaces thereof, and an outer edge of the excitation electrode, is attached to the support section through a conductive adhesive. The attachment section is disposed in a region S obtained by rotating a virtual line which connects the center of the vibration element and one end of the vibration element, in a range of −35° to +35° of a rotation angle θ about the center, and an attachment area becomes 0.7 mm2 or more. |
| US09344050B2 |
Dynamic speaker management with echo cancellation
A system for echo cancellation includes a dynamic speaker management (DSM) module, a current/voltage sensing amplifier, a sound pressure level (SPL) model module and an echo canceller. The example DSM module is receptive to a far-end signal and is operative to develop a modified far-end signal and a plurality of parameter outputs. The example current/voltage sensing amplifier is coupled to the modified far-end signal and develops an amplifier output, a voltage (V) parameter output, and a current (I) parameter output. The example sound pressure level (SPL) model module is coupled to the plurality of parameter outputs of the of the DSM module and is operative to develop a predicted SPL. The example echo canceller module is responsive to the predicted SPL and to a near-end signal and operative to develop an echo-canceled output signal. |