| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09452300B2 |
Systems and methods of controlling a proton beam of a proton treatment system
Systems and methods of controlling a proton beam in a proton therapy system, the system including a proton beam delivery system including at least one achromatic beamline having a first power setting to direct a proton beam having a first predetermined range of proton beam energies to a target treatment area, and a second power setting to direct a proton beam having a second predetermined range of proton beam energies to the target treatment area, and a power changing unit configured to control an energy level of the proton beam and a power setting of the at least one achromatic beamline such that the power changing unit changes the power setting of the at least one achromatic beamline between the first power setting and the second power setting based on changes in proton beam energy that occur within the first predetermined range of proton beam energies. |
| US09452298B2 |
Fluorescent handpiece
A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a waveguide. The waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for circulating a fluorescent substance through the waveguide. The fluorescent substance is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation. |
| US09452294B2 |
Automatic current balancing with lock control for a clinician programmer
A method of programming electrodes includes automatic current balancing and lock control. A virtual representation of a lead is displayed. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes. A subset of the electrodes is selected for programming. Each of the electrodes in the subset has one of two polarities. The two polarities are anode and cathode. A first percentage of a total stimulation current is assigned to a first one of the electrodes in the subset. In response to a user input, the first percentage is fixed to the first electrode. A plurality of second electrodes in the subset that have the same polarity as the first electrode is identified. Thereafter, a respective second percentage of the total stimulation current is automatically assigned to each of the second electrodes. A sum of the first percentage and the respective second percentages is equal to 100%. |
| US09452292B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting loss of capture
A method and apparatus for determining stability of a patient's intrinsic rhythm in a cardiac pacing device. Cardiac pacing pulses are delivering to a chamber of a patient's heart by the pacing device at a first pulse amplitude. The device measures a first series of intervals between successive sensed and paced events. The device then determines whether the first measured series of intervals meets a stability criterion. Responsive to the first measured series of intervals failing to meet the stability criterion, the device determines whether the first measured series of intervals includes an interval between a delivered pacing pulse and a sensed event that is less than a defined duration. Responsive to the interval between a delivered pacing pulse and a sensed event being less than the defined duration, the device delivers cardiac pacing pulses to the chamber of a patient's heart at a second pulse amplitude and measures a second series of intervals between successive sensed and paced events and determines whether the second measured series of intervals meets the stability criterion. |
| US09452287B2 |
Devices and methods for controlling tremor
A peripheral nerve stimulator can be used to stimulate a peripheral nerve to treat essential tremor, Parkinson tremor, and other forms of tremor. The peripheral nerve stimulator can be either a noninvasive surface stimulator or an implanted stimulator. Stimulation can be electrical, mechanical, or chemical. Stimulation can be delivered using either an open loop system or a closed loop system with feedback. |
| US09452281B2 |
Tattooing systems and methods
A tattooing apparatus including a needle having at least one tip. The needle is configured to move between a first position in which the tip is located above the surface of a skin, and a second position in which the tip is located at a penetration depth underneath the skin surface. The needle is further configured to deposit an ink between the skin surface and the penetration depth. The tattooing apparatus further includes a needle drive mechanism configured to move the needle between the first position and the second position. The tattooing apparatus includes a sensor configured to output a feedback signal corresponding to a skin thickness characteristic. The tattooing apparatus further includes a controller configured to receive the feedback signal, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the penetration depth based on the skin thickness characteristic. |
| US09452279B2 |
Variable displacement inflation devices and methods of use
An inflation device that may comprise multiple plungers is disclosed. The inflation device may have multiple configurations wherein certain plungers are locked with respect to a body of the inflation device while others are configured to be displaceable within the body. Each plunger may be configured with a different effective surface area, allowing a practitioner to vary the amount of force required to attain certain pressures. |
| US09452278B2 |
System and method for implanting a catheter
A system for implanting a catheter in a urethra. The system includes a catheter having a valve disposed at a distal portion of the catheter. The valve may be operable in response to an external magnetic field. The system also includes a tool having a tip member extending into an opening at the distal portion of the catheter to couple the tool to the catheter. the system also includes an element extending from the tool. The catheter has an internal path that provides a conduit for the element to be extended through the valve to engage a proximal portion of the catheter. The tool is adapted use the element to stress the catheter and stiffen the catheter along the length of the catheter. Stiffening the catheter facilitates implantation of the catheter in the urethra by enabling pull forces, push forces, and torque forces to be transmitted from the tool through the catheter to the proximal portion of the catheter without undue stress on the urethra. The element is extendible and retractable to position the catheter between stressed and relaxed states while maintaining engagement to the catheter proximal portion. The tool, element and tip member are removable from the catheter after implantation of the catheter in the urethra. |
| US09452275B2 |
Detachable inspiratory relief valve
A relief valve assembly for use with a ventilator to selectively release pressure from within a breathing tube. The relief valve assembly can be attached and removed from the ventilator as a single unit. The relief valve assembly includes a sealing member that is movable by operating components within the ventilator to either seal or open at least one relief port contained within the relief valve assembly. |
| US09452273B2 |
Surgical device for cricothyrotomy and the like
For cricothyrotomy and the like, a surgical device has, in one embodiment, a device body with a bi-directional scalpel, an end cap, and a tracheal hook that fits within a channel formed in the device body. With the end cap removed to expose the bi-directional scalpel blade and with the tracheal hook fully inserted within the body channel, the device can be held, e.g., in the dominant hand of an operator, and manipulated to make an opening in the patient's neck using the exposed scalpel blade. The tracheal hook can then be slid away from the device body with the hook's barbed tip entering the opening to enable the operator to easily and quickly secure the surgical airway. The design of the surgical device enables an economy of movements that otherwise would typically not be within the skill set of an operator who was not a surgeon. |
| US09452271B2 |
Nebulizer systems and methods
A nebulizer assembly configured for removable attachment to an ultrasonic actuator includes a base plate portion, a porous mesh member, and a cover member. The base plate portion includes an opening extending therethrough, and is substantially rigid such that ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasonic actuator may be transmitted through the base plate portion to the porous mesh member to vibrate the porous mesh member. The porous mesh member is configured for passage therethrough of a nebulized fluid, and is disposed in the opening of the base plate portion proximate a fluid emission side of the nebulizer assembly. The cover member is disposed on a second side of the nebulizer assembly opposite the fluid emission side. The cover member covers the opening and defines a cavity between the cover member and the porous mesh member. The cavity is configured to retain a fluid to be nebulized. |
| US09452270B2 |
Nebulizer having replaceable nozzle assembly and suction line
A medication reservoir is formed in the lower portion of a nebulizer body and covered to form an enclosed medication reservoir. A nozzle assembly is supported by a reservoir cover and includes an air line having an inlet at one end and an outlet and a venturi nozzle and venturi outlet. The air line, venturi nozzle and discharge outlet are horizontally oriented when in use and the venturi nozzle is located within a patient's oral cavity when the nebulizer is in use. Medication is drawn upward through a suction line and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet. The venturi nozzle and suction line are formed together and replaceable as one unit. |
| US09452268B2 |
Dual chamber syringe with retractable needle
Embodiments of a retractable syringe assembly are provided that include a dual syringe barrel configuration. One or more embodiments include reuse prevention features and features that prevent premature activation of the retraction mechanism. Methods for aspirating and expelling liquid from medical devices are also provided. |
| US09452264B2 |
Mold for gasket for prefilled syringe
A pre-filled syringe with excellent air-tightness and liquid-tightness and a mold for forming the gasket are provided. At least a surface of the mold for a gasket laminated with an inactive film for a pre-filled syringe forms a seal sliding surface of an annular protrusion of the gasket is mirror finished to have an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of less than 0.03 μm. |
| US09452260B2 |
Closed loop control system based on a non-invasive continuous sensor
Methods and systems for controlling analyte levels are described. An example method may include receiving a sensor measurement relating to an eye-mountable device. The method also may include determining an analyte concentration based on the one or more sensor measurements, and comparing the analyte concentration to a target analyte concentration. Based on the comparing, the method further may include providing instructions to a drug delivery device, where the instructions are configured to control a drug delivery rate by the drug delivery device. |
| US09452259B2 |
Integrated insulin delivery system with continuous glucose sensor
Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor 12, including a receiver 14, a medicament delivery device 16, a controller module, and optionally a single point glucose monitor 18 are provided. Integration may be manual, semi-automated and/or fully automated. |
| US09452257B2 |
Intradermal delivery device
A system and method is provided for an injectable substance delivery device comprising a limiter, shoulder or post that controls how deep the needle is inserted into the tissue. The limiter is sized in proportions that control the maximum insertion depth of the needle into the tissue without excessively restricting the complete insertion of the needle. The system and method further comprises an normalization or stabilizer ring that prevents distortion of the tissue in the vicinity of the infusion, so that the needle length is the major determining factor as to how deep the infusion is delivered. |
| US09452252B2 |
Method and device for monitoring a vascular access and extracorporeal blood treatment device comprising a device for monitoring vascular access
The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring a vascular access during an extracorporeal blood treatment. The method and the device according to the invention are based on the monitoring of the difference between the venous pressure measured by a venous pressure sensor and the arterial pressure measured by an arterial pressure sensor (in the extracorporeal blood circuit. According to the method and the device according to the invention, a test function describing disturbances in the extracorporeal blood circuit is determined. Said test function is used to determine a noise-free differential pressure from the measured venous and arterial pressure, said differential pressure being evaluated in an arithmetic and evaluation unit to identify a defective vascular access. |
| US09452249B2 |
Modular driveline
A modular driveline includes a modular portion including a cable and a connector, the cable having terminations, and a percutaneous portion including a cable and a connector, the cable having terminations. The percutaneous portion connector couples to the modular portion connector, and cable terminations at the connectors are captured in the connectors by potting. The cable can include an inner member, conductors disposed about the inner member, a covering about the conductors, a layer extruded onto the covering, an armor braid over the extruded layer, and an outer jacket extruded over the armor braid. |
| US09452244B2 |
Wound cleansing apparatus with stress
An apparatus for cleansing wounds with means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound, in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. micro-filtration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The means for stressing the wound bed and optionally tissue surrounding the wound promotes wound healing. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus. |
| US09452243B2 |
Implant comprising an active-agent-containing coating covering the implant at least in sections
The invention relates to an implant comprising an active-agent-containing coating which covers the implant at least in sections. The coating is composed of at least two subsections; a first subsection contains the at least one active substance, and a second subsection contains an auxiliary agent. |
| US09452236B2 |
Plasma generating apparatus
Disclosed herein is a plasma generating apparatus capable of sufficiently performing a deodorization function and a sterilization function by increasing a generation amount of ions or radicals while suppressing generation of ozone. The plasma generating apparatus has a pair of electrodes (21 and 22) provided with dielectric films (21a and 22a) and serves to apply a predetermined voltage between the electrodes (21 and 22) to discharge plasma, fluid circulation holes (21b and 22b) are respectively provided at corresponding positions of the respective electrodes (21 and 22) and pass through the electrodes, and plasma is generated only in opening end portions (21x and 22x) forming the fluid circulation holes (21b and 22b) between the pair of electrodes (21 and 22). |
| US09452233B2 |
Fragrance release system with visual endpoint indication
The proposal is for an active ingredient release system with optical endpoint display, comprising (a) a container for accommodating the components, (b) two solvents A and B located therein, which are immiscible or only minorly miscible with one another, (c) at least one active ingredient which serves as solubilizer for the solvents A and B, and (d) a mechanism which allows the release of the active ingredient, but restrains the other volatile constituents of the composition. |
| US09452232B2 |
Sterilizable assembled bracket for aseptic technique experiments
An assembled sterilization rack for sterile experiment relates to supporting devices used in experiment involving culture of microorganisms and/or cells. The rack includes a lateral frame, retaining wires, connectors, a base frame, heat resistant rods, connecting rings, a temperature-displaying control unit, and N temperature sensors. The lateral frame and the base frame are connected through the connectors. The lateral frame and the base frame have their surfaces facing each other provided with a plurality of retaining wires. The rods have two ends mounted on the symmetrically arranged retaining wires, respectively. The base frame has its upper surface provided with a plurality of connecting rings. The rods have the two ends received in the symmetrically arranged connecting rings, respectively. The temperature sensors are connected with the temperature-displaying control unit. In cell culture experiment, this invention can be applied to support elements used for vertical culture of cells in rectangular culture dishes. |
| US09452231B2 |
Method and apparatus for disinfecting a container
An apparatus for disinfecting an interior of a generally closed container having an opening has an elongated housing fittable through the opening, having a wall forming a reaction chamber, and having an inner end and an outer end longitudinally flanking the chamber. Thus when the outer end is tilted to the opening, the inner end is in the interior of the container. An ozone generator is provided in the chamber. A plurality of openings in the wall of the housing at the inner end conduct ozone from the chamber out into the interior of the container. |
| US09452228B2 |
Antibodies reactive with an epitope located in the N-terminal region of MUC5AC comprising cysteine-rich subdomain 2 (Cys2)
The present invention concerns compositions and methods of use of antibodies or antibody fragments that bind to an epitope located within the second cysteine-rich domain (Cys2, amino acid residues 1575-1725) of MUC5AC. The antibodies bind with high specificity and selectivity to pancreatic cancer and are of use for therapy, detection and/or diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In preferred embodiments, therapeutic antibody may be conjugated to at least one therapeutic agent, such as 90Y. Both in vivo and in vitro detection of pancreatic cancer may be performed with the subject methods and compositions. Specific dosages of radiolabeled antibody and/or gemcitabine, of use in human pancreatic cancer patients, are disclosed herein. |
| US09452227B2 |
Methods of treating or diagnosing conditions associated with elevated IL-6 using anti-IL-6 antibodies or fragments
The invention relates to the use of anti-IL-6 antibodies or antibody fragments containing a specific epitopic specificity to treat conditions involving elevated Il-6. In some embodiments the anti-IL-6 antibodies contain specific CDRs. |
| US09452226B2 |
Rodent model of central neuropathic pain caused by dorsal root entry zone avulsion at T13
The present disclosure describes an animal model of central neuropathic pain relevant to spinal cord injury, as well as methods of using the model to screen for therapeutic agents and to test existing therapies. |
| US09452225B2 |
GLP-1 prodrugs
The invention relates to a GLP-1 prodrug of the general formula I: R1-(NHXaa1)-Xaa2-(OHis)-(GLP-1 peptide) (Formula I), wherein GLP-1 peptide is GLP-1(8-37) (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an analog thereof having a maximum of nine amino acid changes as compared to GLP-1(8-37), R1 is lower alkyl, (NHXaa1) is an amino acid, Xaa2 is an amino acid, and (OHis) is a radical of imidazole-lactic acid; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, amide, or ester of the prodrug. The invention also relates to specific GLP-1 parent drugs of the general formula II: (HOHis)-(GLP-1 peptide) (Formula II), as well as specific intermediate products. The invention furthermore relates to a method of achieving release in vivo of an active and stabilized GLP-1 parent drug of the general formula II: (HOHis)-(GLP-1 peptide), by administering a GLP-1 prodrug; as well as to such GLP-1 prodrug, and such GLP-1 parent drug, respectively, for use as a medicament, in particular for use in the treatment and/or prevention of all forms of diabetes and related diseases. The prodrug may be used to alter the PK and/or absorption profile of the drug, for example to a desirable bell-shaped curve. The parent drug has a good biological activity, and is stabilized against degradation by DPP-IV. |
| US09452223B2 |
Materials and methods relating to glycosylation
Techniques to glycosylation are described, and more particularly to the production of glycosylation structures that are resistant to enzymatic degradation, thereby modulating one or more of their biological properties or those of therapeutic moieties incorporating them, and in particular to reacting activated carbohydrate substrates containing fluorine, such as 3-fluoro sialic acid compounds, with sugar acceptors to produce covalent conjugates of the sugar acceptor and one or more of the sialic acid compounds. |
| US09452222B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding modified relaxin polypeptides
Modified relaxin polypeptides and their uses thereof are provided. |
| US09452219B2 |
Anti-nucleolin agent-conjugated nanoparticles
A composition comprises an anti-nucleolin agent conjugated to nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are non-magnetic, not iron oxide and not polyacrylamide. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer comprises a composition including an anti-nucleolin agent conjugated to nanoparticles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| US09452213B2 |
Genetically detoxified pertussis vaccine that maintains intrinsic adjuvant activity
The invention is directed to a method for the production of a pertussis vaccine and, in particular, a detoxified pertussis vaccine comprising detoxified pertussis toxin (PT), detoxified pertussis lipopolysaccharide (P-LPS), and detoxified pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin (P-ACT). The invention is also directed to the manufacture of a vaccine or the invention and methods for the administration of a detoxified vaccine to patients. |
| US09452212B2 |
Methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response against hepatitis B virus
The present invention relates to immunization of hypo-responsive groups of individuals. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for eliciting a potent immune response to hepatitis B virus in individuals in need thereof. |
| US09452210B2 |
Influenza virus-like particles (VLPS) comprising hemagglutinin produced within a plant
A method for synthesizing influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) within a plant or a portion of a plant is provided. The method involves expression of influenza HA in plants and the purification by size exclusion chromatography. The invention is also directed towards a VLP comprising influenza HA protein and plant lipids. The invention is also directed to a nucleic acid encoding influenza HA as well as vectors. The VLPs may be used to formulate influenza vaccines, or may be used to enrich existing vaccines. |
| US09452206B2 |
Isolation of lymphocytes and delivery to splenectomy patients
The present invention includes a method and device for the isolation of lymphocytes, particularly splenic lymphocytes, for administration to patients. In particular for patients undergoing a splenectomy, administration of splenic lymphocytes may increase a patient's immunity and reduce the likelihood of post-splenectomy infections and other complications. |
| US09452205B2 |
Recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing Escherichia coli colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) fimbriae and their methods of use
The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising recombinant bacteria. Further, the disclosure elaborates upon methods of utilizing the taught therapeutic compositions to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The present teachings also relate to the disclosed recombinant bacteria and methods of producing the recombinant bacteria utilized in the compositions and methods. Further taught herein are dietary supplements and food additive compositions comprising the taught recombinant bacteria. |
| US09452200B2 |
Activators of CXCR3 for the treatment of angiopathies of the eye
The present disclosure describes methods of treating angiogenic disorders of the eye, such as macular degeneration, restenosis following glaucoma treatment or diabetic retinopathy, by administering an activator of C-X-C chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3). In some embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is interferon-γ-inducible 10 kDa protein (IP-10) or a fragment or variant thereof, such as a fragment comprising or consisting of the C-terminal α-helix of IP-10. In other embodiments, the activator of CXCR3 is platelet factor 4 (PF4) or a fragment or variant thereof. |
| US09452198B2 |
Lectin conjugates for mucin hydration
The invention provides, inter alia, conjugates of a hydratable polymer (such as PEG, polyethylene glycol) and a lectin (such as wheat germ agglutinin, WGA), compositions comprising these conjugates, as well as methods and targeted uses of these conjugates and compositions for, e.g., lubricating, maintaining hydration of, rehydrating, and/or inhibiting microorganism colonization of a biological surface in need thereof. |
| US09452197B2 |
Antagonists of BMP9, BMP10, ALK1 and other ALK1 ligands, and uses thereof
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to the insight that a polypeptide comprising a ligand-binding portion of the extracellular domain of activin-like kinase I (ALK1) polypeptide may be used to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, particularly in mammals suffering angiogenesis-related disorders. In certain aspects, the disclosure demonstrates that antagonists of BMP9 and/or BMP10, ligands for ALK1, may also be used to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo. |
| US09452194B2 |
Methods for treating HCV
The present invention features interferon-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to the subject effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir), and ribavirin. |
| US09452193B2 |
Use of panduratin derivatives or an extract of Boesenbergia pandurata for enhancing muscle mass growth, fighting fatigue, and enhancing exercise performance
The present invention relates to the novel use of panduratin derivatives or an extract of Boesenbergia pandurata for enhancing muscle mass growth, fighting fatigue and enhancing exercise performance, and more particularly to a composition for promoting an increase in muscles, anti-fatigue composition and a composition for enhancing muscle mass growth and recovery from fatigue to improve exercise performance, the composition comprising a panduratin derivative or a salt thereof or an extract of Boesenbergia pandurata as an active ingredient, and to a method for enhancing muscle mass growth, of treating or preventing fatigue syndrome and enhancing exercise performance, the method comprising a panduratin derivative or a salt thereof or a extract of Boesenbergia pandurata to a subject in need thereof. A panduratin derivative or a salt thereof or an extract of Boesenbergia pandurata of the present invention may be used without side effect and has the effect of increasing the expression of PPAR-δ in muscles to increase muscle mass, promoting recovery from fatigue and increase mobility, thereby improving exercise performance. |
| US09452191B2 |
Herbal compositions for the prevention or treatment of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder
Provided in one embodiment is an herbal compositions for the prevention or treatment of urogenital system disorders including urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, enuresis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, nocturia, cystitis, urinary calculi, or a urinary tract infection. Specifically one embodiment provides compositions that contain Crateva nurvala, Equisetum arvense, and Lindera aggregata and methods of use thereof. |
| US09452186B2 |
Enhanced stem cell composition
The invention provides improved methods for cell therapy. In particular, the invention provides therapeutic compositions of enhanced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells having improved engraftment and homing properties, and methods of making the therapeutic compositions. The invention further provides methods of improving the efficacy of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell transplantation including transplanting the therapeutic composition to subjects in need of hematopoietic system reconstitution. |
| US09452181B2 |
Composition for the management of nausea and vomiting
A pharmaceutical dosage system comprising (a) an effective amount of one or more of Doxylamine, an analog thereof, a derivative thereof, a prodrug thereof, a metabolite thereof and/or a salt thereof; (b) an effective amount of one or more of (i) Pyridoxine, (ii) an analog thereof, (iii) a derivative thereof, (iv) a prodrug thereof, (v) a metabolite thereof and (vi) a salt of any of (i)-(v); and (c) an effective amount of one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein R is H, PO3− or The system exhibits an improved pharmacokinetic profile relative to the current Diclectin®/Diclegis® formulation and is useful for example for the alleviation of the symptoms of nausea and vomiting, for example in the case of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). |
| US09452176B2 |
Solid ganaxolone compositions and methods for the making and use thereof
In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to composition comprising stable particles comprising ganaxolone, wherein the volume weighted median diameter (D50) of the particles is from about 50 nm to about 500 nm. |
| US09452175B2 |
Pregnancy hormone combination for treatment of autoimmune diseases
The present invention relates to pregnancy hormone combinations and methods of treatment for autoimmune diseases having at least two hormonal components, a pregnancy hormone (such as estriol), and a gestagen (such as levonorgestrel or norethindrone) thereby providing for the continuous, uninterrupted administration of pregnancy hormones for the treatment for autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis. |
| US09452162B2 |
Methods for treating pancreatic cancer using combination therapies comprising liposomal irinotecan
Provided are methods for treating pancreatic cancer in a patient by administering liposomal irinotecan (MM-398) alone or in combination with additional therapeutic agents. In one embodiment, the liposomal irinotecan (MM-398) is co-administered with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. |
| US09452160B2 |
Compounds and methods of prophylaxis and treatment regarding nicotinic receptor antagonists
It is an object of the present invention that the novel nicotinic receptor antagonists disclosed herein may be used in a broad array of clinical or medicinal facets. For example, it is a contemplated use of the present invention that the novel nicotinic receptor antagonists be used to inhibit the growth cycle of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Without being bound by theory, it is an object of the present invention that the nicotinic receptor antagonists disclosed herein are believed to possess reversible binding properties. Moreover, the compounds of the present invention are selective for 0.7 nAChR. For example, the compounds of the present invention are not believed to bind to 0.4 (32 nAChR neuromuscular receptors. It is also contemplated that the nicotinic receptor antagonists of the present invention will be used as a counter measure to treat exposure, or potential exposure, to a wide array of potential neurotoxins. |
| US09452157B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising rifaximin and amino acids, preparation methods and use thereof
The present invention relates to rifaximin compositions comprising amino acids, characterized in that they increase rifaximin solubility in aqueous solutions and are useful in the treatment of disease wherein amino acids and rifaximin are efficacious. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising rifaximin or one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and one or more amino acid(s), wherein the molar ratio between the amino acid(s) and rifaximin is from 1:1 to 10:1, together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The present invention further relates to rifaximin crystals obtained by dissolving rifaximin and amino acids in solutions formed by ethanol/water and evaporating the solution. |
| US09452153B2 |
Amine derivative compounds for treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders
Provided are amine derivative compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's Disease, using said compounds and compositions. |
| US09452148B2 |
Insulin sensitisers and methods of treatment
The present invention relates generally to the field of therapy. The invention particularly relates to insulin sensitizers and methods of regulating glucose homeostasis and to the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of diseases and associated conditions, in which impaired glucose uptake due to insulin resistance is involved or implicated, such as diabetes, syndrome X, hyperglycaemia, vascular disease and kidney disease. The present invention further relates to compounds and agents and compositions thereof for use in the treatment methods. |
| US09452147B2 |
Lipolytic methods
Compositions, formulations, methods, and systems for treating regional fat deposits comprise contacting a targeted fat deposit with a composition comprising long acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a compound that reduces desensitization of the target tissue to the long acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, for example, glucocorticosteroids and/or ketotifen. Embodiments of the composition are administered, for example, by injection, and/or transdermally. |
| US09452140B2 |
Composition of vegetable soft capsule having excellent elasticity and adhesive property, provided in form of thin film, and having improved productivity and disintegration, and method of preparing the same
Disclosed are a composition of a vegetable soft capsule having excellent elasticity and an excellent adhesive property, provided in the form of a thin film, and having improved productivity and disintegration, and a method of preparing the same. Based on 35.3 weight part of the starch and the carrageenan, 7 weight part of the starch and 3 weight part of carrageenan are provided. In 35.3 weight part of the starch and the carrageenan, the starch contains 17.65 weight part of corn starch, 3.53 weight part of tapioca starch, and 3.53 weight part of potato starch are provided based on the weight ratio, and the carrageenan contains 7.592 weight part of iota carrageenan, 2.118 weight part of kappa carrageenan, 0.8 weight part of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), 0.04 weigh part of arabic gum, and 0.04 weight part of Levan. Together with 35.3 weight part of the starch and the carrageenan, 17.7 weight part of glycerin, and 47 weight part of purified water are composited. |
| US09452139B2 |
Respirable agglomerates of porous carrier particles and micronized drug
Embodiments of the present invention provide a dry powder composition comprising porous carrier particles associated with one, two, three or more micronized drugs or APIs wherein an ordered mixture between the micronized drug or drugs and the carrier particle results, such that the micronized drug or drugs adhere strongly to the carrier particles forming a stable ordered mixture of respirable agglomerates. Embodiments of the present invention further comprise a spray-drying process to create the respirable agglomerates. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to the use of the dry powder formulation comprising respirable agglomerates for the treatment of a patient having a disease or condition which is treatable thereby. |
| US09452137B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising silica microspheres
A topical composition which includes a silica microspheres and an active ingredient in the amount of 0.01 to 15.0% w/w wherein the active ingredient is selected from adapalene, an antibiotic, tazarotene, tretinoin, a retinoid, or any combination thereof. The topical composition may also include benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient. The topical compositions provide sustained release of the active ingredient so as to reduce skin irritation. |
| US09452136B2 |
Reverse micelle system comprising nucleic acids and use thereof
The present invention relates to reverse micelle system based on sterols, acylglycerols, phospholipids or sphingolipids and nucleic acids. The reverse micelle system of the invention is able to cross mucosa and cellular membranes. It thus allows vectorization of nucleic acids to target sites. It is advantageously useful in the pharmaceutical and dietetic fields. |
| US09452133B2 |
Method for preventing nasolacrimal duct obstruction
The invention is directed to a method for preventing nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in a patient receiving high dose radioactive iodine for treatment of cancer which comprises administering to the eyes of said patient an effective amount of perchlorate anion. |
| US09452128B2 |
Lip balm
A lip balm for protecting and rehydrating lips is disclosed containing a synthetic ceramide, an anti-irritant compound, sodium hyaluronate, a cosmetic wax, boswellian oil, extract of the Portulaca pilosa plant, a peptide, dehydrated microspheres of marine collagen and glycosaminoglycans, and mica. |
| US09452126B2 |
Pharmaceutical/cosmetic compositions comprising hyaluronic acid and treatment of dermatological conditions therewith
Pharmaceutical/cosmetic compositions containing a dermatologically effective amount of hyaluronic acid, at least one retinoid and/or salt and/or derivative thereof, at least one oligosaccharide and at least one inhibitor of hyaluronic acid degradation, formulated into a physiologically acceptable medium therefor, are useful for the treatment of wrinkles, fine lines, fibroblast depletions and scars. |
| US09452120B2 |
N-(pyrid-4-yl)amides and N-(pyrimidin-4-yl)amides and their pharmaceutical and cosmetic use
N-(pyrid-4-yl)amides and N-(pyrimidin-4-yl)amides of formula (1) are described that are potent modulators (e.g., inhibitors) of an androgen receptor, and which are useful, for example, in the treatment of a dermatological disease or disorder; a disease or disorder of the sebaceous gland(s); acne; hyperseborrhoea; oily skin, seborrhoeic dermatitis; hyperpilosity or hirsutism; atopic dermatitis; or androgenic alopecia; especially acne. Also described, are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, cosmetic compositions) comprising the compounds; methods of preparing the compositions; methods of modulating (e.g., inhibiting) and androgen receptors using the compounds and/or compositions; and medical and/or cosmetic use of the compounds and compositions. |
| US09452117B2 |
Nitrate esters and their use for the treatment of muscle and muscle related diseases
Alkyl nitrate ester compounds are provided for the delivery of nitric oxide to targeted muscle tissues, and in particular, to normal and dystrophic muscles. In one aspect, nitrate ester compounds are provided having the following formula: wherein, R1 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, CnH2n+1OH, CnH2n+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; R2 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn′H2n′+1OH, Cn′H2n′+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; R3 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn′″H2n″+1OH, Cn″H2n″+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; and R4 is ONO2, CH2ONO2, Cn′″H2n″+1OH, Cn″H2n″+1OH, CH3, CH2CH3, CH2CH2CH3, or H; wherein n is an integer from 0 to 9, n′ is an integer from 0 to 9, and n″ is an integer from 0 to 9, and n+n′+n″≦9, and wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is an ester nitrate selected from the group consisting of ONO2, CH2ONO2, and combinations thereof. |
| US09452115B2 |
Radiation protection system
The present invention relates to a shield for radiation attenuation. The shield includes a carrier suitable for topical application on human tissue, such as skin. The carrier includes an active ingredient that is homogenously dispersed throughout the carrier. The active ingredient includes an element suitable for attenuating radiation and having a high atomic number. |
| US09452114B2 |
Emulsion containing a dispersion of bismuth oxychloride
The invention relates to a cosmetic composition in particular in the form of an emulsion for topical application to keratin materials, in particular the skin, comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium: (i) at least one dispersion (pre-dispersion) of bismuth oxychloride (CI 77163) in an oily dispersant chosen from a) monoesters of formula R1COOR2 in which R1 represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 4 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 30 carbon atoms, and preferentially from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, and R2 represents a branched hydrocarbon-based chain containing from 3 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, and preferentially from 16 to 26 carbon atoms; b) oils whose solubility parameter at 25° C., δa, is greater than 6 (J/cm3)1/2, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) at least one oil chosen from hydrocarbon-based oils having a refractive index greater than 1.42 and a solubility parameter at 25° C., δa, greater than 1 (J/cm3)1/2, silicone oils, in particular phenyl silicone oils, and mixtures thereof. Applied to the skin, this composition imparts a luminous effect to the complexion. |
| US09452112B2 |
Dental compositions
A self-etching and self-adhesive dental restorative composition is described herein. The composition includes a polymerizable compound having at least one phosphorus containing acidic group, a polymerizable compound having at least one carboxylic acid group, and a copolymerizable multi-functional (meth)acrylate monomers. Compositions described herein demonstrate adhesion to dentin and enamel and are useful as a cavity filler, dental pit and fissure sealants, and restoratives. |
| US09452111B2 |
Dental implant system and associated insertion instruments
An implant system including: an insertion part including a screw part and neck part including a recess in a neck end face thereof for fixing an abutment and, distanced from the neck end face, projections; an insertion instrument screwing down the insertion part, and including a handle part and socket part having a socket end face including an opening and at least a driving part laterally bounded by walls, which driving part has a cross-section at right angles to the longitudinal axis, to accommodate the neck part and transfer tightening torque to the insertion part through the projections, the opening including a bridge part contiguous to the driving part and enclosing the neck part, situated next to the projections and extending to the neck end face, to form an interspace between the bridge part and the neck part, when the driving part embraces the projections of the neck part. |
| US09452110B1 |
Pacifier holder assembly and method
A method for holding a pacifier within easy reach of a child in a crib includes the step of providing a pacifier-holding assembly having a length sufficient for the assembly to be draped between top end rails of the crib while holding the pacifier near the child. Structurally, an elongated assembly includes a cloth cover component over a longitudinally extending elastic band and two transversely extending elastic strips that are disposed on opposite sides of a pacifier-receiving opening in the cover component. The user presses the pacifier into the opening in opposition to the elastic strips while they cooperate with the elastic band and the cover component to removably hold the pacifier in place so that a nipple-simulating member of the pacifier extends outwardly away from the assembly. Mounting components removably attach the assembly to the top end rails. |
| US09452107B2 |
Systems and methods for superdisintegrant-based composite particles for dispersion and dissolution of agents
The present disclosure provides improved systems and methods utilizing colloidal/ultrafine superdisintegrant-based composite particles for dispersion and/or dissolution of active pharmaceutical agents. In general, the present disclosure utilizes a surfactant-free or near surfactant-free formulation by incorporating a wet milled SDI as a dispersant in the formulation. As such, the present disclosure provides for the preparation of surfactant-free or substantially surfactant-free formulations (e.g., nano-composite micro-particle formulations) by incorporating a wet-milled superdisintegrant (SDI) as the dispersant in the formulations. The advantageous SDI particles (e.g., colloidal/ultrafine SDI particles) of the present disclosure can be used to break-up the aggregates (e.g., nanoparticle aggregates) of the active agents (e.g. poorly water-soluble drugs) in the formulations (e.g., micro-particle formulations) and enhance the recovery of the nanoparticles of active agents during aqueous re-dispersion and their dissolution rate in vitro and in vivo. |
| US09452105B2 |
Dosing dispenser
The invention relates to a dosing dispenser having a dosing piston, for dosing formulations of a drug or nutritional supplement in the form of a free-flowing bulk material having a particle diameter in the range of 100-1000 μm. |
| US09452104B2 |
Implantable electroacupuncture system for treating cardiovascular disease
An Implantable ElectroAcupuncture Device (IEAD) treats cardiovascular disease through application of stimulation pulses applied at at least one of acupoints EX-HN1, BL14, HT7, HT5, PC6, ST36, LI11, LU7, and LU2. The IEAD comprises an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio T3/T4 is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years. |
| US09452103B1 |
Breast nipple stimulation device and method
A breast nipple stimulation device, for stimulating a breast nipple for nursing features a handle that tapers from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter. The device features a stimulation tip located on a handle first end tip that projects out and away from the handle first end tip. The device features a first handle arch and a second handle arch that are located on a single side of the handle. The second handle arch is larger than the first handle arch. |
| US09452102B2 |
Mobility walker with spring and exercise straps
A mobility walker. The mobility walker includes a removably attached lower section, middle section and upper section. Four wheels are connected to the lower section. A harness attachment spring is attached to the upper section. A user wearing the harness is attached via the harness to the harness attachment spring. The user is then able to walk, maneuver himself and exercise while utilizing the mobility walker. |
| US09452101B2 |
Non-invasive, vibrotactile medical device to restore normal gait for patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy
Provided is a comfortable and discrete device wearable by a patient to restore balance and gait. The device re-establishes the sensorimotor loop by providing the patient with a secondary signal to healthy nerves around the knee to alert the patient that the patient's heel has just struck the ground. In this regard, the device monitors the patient's leg movements to detect when the patient's heel strikes the ground and sends the secondary signal, i.e., vibrotactile stimulation, in response to the detected heel strike. The central nervous system incorporates the new signal and the motor system responds as if there is not loss of sensation in the foot and returns to its normal gait. |
| US09452100B2 |
Pelvic-abdominal support garment
A pelvic-abdominal support garment including a waist encircling band having shorts secured to the lower edge thereof, the shorts having a receptacle for receiving an ice pack, and a strap member secured at one end thereof to the back of said waist encircling band and the other end thereof attachable to the front of the waist encircling band after passing under the crotch region of the shorts to apply pressure to the crotch area of the wearer. |
| US09452096B2 |
Wheelchair with tilt capability
The present disclosure relates to a wheelchair (1) with tilt capabilities. The electric wheelchair comprises a chassis (3), a lift device having a base member which is fixedly arranged to the chassis, and a lifting member arranged to move rectilinearly relative to the base member along an axis defined by a longitudinal extension of the lifting member, a tilt frame, a first arm pivotally coupled to the lifting member and the tilt frame, and a second arm coupled to the base member, and which second arm is pivotally coupled to the first arm forming a pivot connection, wherein movement of the lifting member towards the extended position moves the pivot connection towards the base member and movement of the lifting member towards the retracted position moves the pivot connection away from the base member. |
| US09452088B2 |
Vented emergency wound dressings
A wound dressing provides a tenacious occlusive seal against the skin of a wearer, even in the presence of excessive blood or heavy perspiration. The preferred embodiment combines an adhesive backing layer with a hydrogel island providing superior hydrophilic gel adhesion. The product performs under extreme temperatures (i.e., 32-140° F.), and may be used to hold other dressings in place. The preferred embodiments are entirely translucent, and include a large pull-tab for easy removal. Two dressings may be packaged in a pliable re-sealable protective pouch, thereby forming a portable “kit.” Different “vented” embodiments are disclosed. A preferred structure includes a cover layer peripherally bonded to backing and hydrogel layers having a central aperture therethrough. The cover layer has one or more vent holes, and pressure is released through the central aperture and out the vent hole(s). |
| US09452085B2 |
Device for separating, and maintaining a distance between, a person's face and a protective eye mask held in place by an elastic strap
A device for moving and maintaining apart from a face an eye protection mask with an elastic headband when the device is worn on a helmet, the device being configured to be placed between the elastic headband and the helmet, the device including two symmetrical elements each including a flap jointed on a support through an axis and provided with a lever allowing actuation of the flap, the flap being movable in rotation around the axis between a first position towards the front of the helmet with regards to the axis and a second position towards the back of the helmet with regards to the axis, where the flap is maintaining the eye protection mask apart from a face in the second position, and where the lever is in abutment against the mask in the second position. |
| US09452083B2 |
Bioresorbable drug eluting intravitreal implant system and method
A bioresorbable drug eluting intravitreal implant system includes a syringe with a chamber containing a medicinal drug. A balloon is releasably secured to a needle where the needle has a central section chamber in fluid communication with a chamber in the syringe. The needle central section has an opening formed through a wall for transporting the medicinal drug to the interior of the balloon subsequent to insertion of the needle through the sclera of a patient's eye. |
| US09452081B2 |
Ostomy accessory
The invention discloses an ostomy accessory (13) for an intestinal stoma of a mammal patient, and comprises an insertion portion (8) for inserting into an intestinal stoma (3) of an ostomy, and also comprises an evacuation portion (9, 9′ adapted to evacuate fecal matter from an intestine connected to said intestinal stoma through said insertion portion. |
| US09452078B2 |
Thoracic lumbar sacral posture garment device
High friction scapular retraction straps for application directly to the tops of the respective shoulders of a patient and connected with tension straps to draw the gripper straps and, consequently, the shoulders rearwardly, and including fasteners to fasten to a garment worn by the patient to hold the shoulders rearward. |
| US09452077B2 |
Foot and ankle orthoses that enable natural movement of the foot
An ankle brace includes upper and lower members with a hinge therebetween. The hinge is configured to be positioned at a location that corresponds to, or at least approximately corresponds to, a true axis of rotation of an individual's foot relative to the tibia bone in his or her lower leg. That axis of rotation is located below the tibialtalor junction, along which tibia and talus articulate as the foot is moved between dorsiflexion and plantarflexion orientations. A foot orthosis includes an arch support that is configured to support at least a portion of a longitudinal arch of an individual's foot regardless of whether or not a ground reaction force is applied to the arch support or to the foot. Such an arch support and an orthosis of which it is a part may be configured to exert an upward force on the longitudinal arch regardless of whether or not any weight is applied to the foot or to the arch support. The arch support may be configured to follow or substantially follow a path of the posterior tibial tendon through the ankle and foot. An orthsis may include both the arch support and the hinge. Methods for support ankles and feet are also disclosed. |
| US09452075B2 |
Knee brace improvement
This invention is an elastic mechanism that extends and retracts during motions of the knee so that it maintains tension in a generally rearward direction on the area of the head of the tibia throughout the range of motion of the knee. The structure is anchored to a stable superior part of the body, above a height of contour, by an attachment which can be a belt, girdle, garment, suspenders or a combination of these attachments. The elastic mechanism attaches inferiorly to a number of connection mechanisms which connect to both sides of a hinged rigid knee brace near the tibial head, below the hinges of the knee brace. |
| US09452073B2 |
Immobilization device
The present invention relates to an immobilization device for immobilizing a body part, the immobilization device comprising a sheet of a thermoplastic material which has been shaped to conform to the body part to be immobilized. The thermoplastic material contains at least one nano filler material which is exfoliated. |
| US09452069B2 |
Reconfigurable stent-graft delivery system and method of use
A reconfigurable delivery system is disclosed having a multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration that permits the delivery and staged release of a self-expanding main vessel stent-graft and a delivery sheath configuration that permits the introduction of various medical devices for the delivery and implantation of various branch vessel stent-grafts that are to be mated with the main vessel stent-graft. A method is disclosed wherein the delivery system is first used in the multi-lumen delivery catheter configuration to deliver and release a main vessel stent-graft that is configured for placement in the abdominal aorta for treatment of short-neck infrarenal, juxtarenal, and/or suprarenal aneurysms and then used in the delivery sheath configuration to facilitate the delivery of branch vessel stent-grafts that are configured to extend from the main vessel stent-graft into a respective renal artery. |
| US09452066B2 |
Transcutaneous prosthesis
A transcutaneous prosthesis which includes a first component shaped for implantation into a bone, a second component intended for location between the bone and the skin, the second component having a surface treatment for stimulation of fibroblastic cell proliferation and attachment of epithelial cells, and a third component intended for location exterior to the skin surface having a low surface energy which deters bacterial adhesion. |
| US09452064B2 |
Intervertebral medical implant
The invention relates to a spinal implant composed of a plurality of parallel plates. The deliberate introduction of contours in the plates allows for the creation of biomechanically advantageous functions and adjustment options. The elasticity of the anchoring elements enables the disclosed implant to be adjusted to the osseous endplates, resulting in uniform force distribution and thus prevention of the risk of compaction or endplate compression fracture. The plate structure allows for the use of production methods in which hook-like undercut contours can be created, thus enabling the implant to be superbly anchored in the bone without causing damage thereto. Furthermore, the plates can be interconnected by an actuator in such a way that the height and/or the angular position can be adjusted. The vertical adjustment can vary along the length of the implant such that the segment can also be angularly adjusted. |
| US09452062B2 |
Adjustable complex of artificial cervical vertebra and intervertebral connector
An adjustable complex of an artificial cervical vertebra and an intervertebral connector includes: a vertebra body; and two end plates respectively connected to a top end and a bottom end of the vertebra body by spherical joint structures; wherein the vertebra body comprises: an upper vertebra body; and a lower vertebra body; wherein the upper vertebra body is axially connected to the lower vertebra body by a screw thread; a plurality of radial screw holes are correspondingly provided on side surfaces of the upper vertebra body and the lower vertebra body; a length-fixing screw is provided though the radial screw holes of the upper vertebra body and the lower vertebra body; wherein end plate fixing screws are respectively provided on the two end plates. The adjustable complex has a support function of an artificial vertebra and movability of an artificial intervertebral disc. |
| US09452052B2 |
Artificial knee joint
An artificial knee joint (1) is described and comprises a femoral component (10) and a tibial component (30), for attachment to the femur (2) and tibia (3) of a patient (4) respectively. The femoral component (10) comprises a lateral condyle (11) and a medial condyle (12) which extend from the posterior (13) to the anterior (14) of the femoral component (10). A femoral gap (15) is provided between the lateral (11) and medial (12) condyles extending from the posterior (13) toward the anterior (14) of the femoral component (10). The lateral (11) and medial (12) condyles are joined at the anterior (13) of the femoral component (10) to form a patella tracking path or bearing surface (16) which is located at and forms the anterior end of the gap (17). A femoral cam (18) is provided bridging the posterior ends of both the lateral (11) and medial (12) condyles, and forms a posterior end of the gap (19), wherein the femoral cam (18) is structured to have the shape of a section of a ring (20). The tibial component (30) is provided with two approximately symmetric articulation bearing surfaces (31, 32) either side of a central post (33), wherein the articulation bearing surfaces (31, 32) are for receiving the lateral (11) and medial (12) condyles of the femoral component (10), and the post (33) is shaped such that it will fit within the femoral gap (15). |
| US09452049B2 |
Systems and methods to affect anatomical structures
Systems and method to affect anatomical structures is disclosed. The systems and method can be used to regenerate bone. The system can comprise a nanofiber mesh configured to substantially conform to an anatomical structure, wherein at least a portion of the nanofiber mesh defines a fillable space. The system can comprise a carrier substance comprising an active agent, such as a bone morphogenetic protein, The carrier substance can be disposed within the fillable space. |
| US09452047B2 |
Heart valve prosthesis recapture devices
Heart valve prosthesis recapture devices and methods for recapture are disclosed, which can be used for recapturing a partially deployed heart valve prosthesis. The recapture device comprises a recapture sleeve, configured to envelop and collapse a partially deployed heart valve prosthesis. The recapture sleeve comprises a distal end, configured to be securely attached to a guide wire, and a proximal end, comprising an opening along a longitudinal axis of the recapture sleeve. The opening can be configured to expand as it engages the heart valve prosthesis, and be biased toward a closed configuration. An attachment element can interface with the distal end of the recapture sleeve and be securely attached to a guide wire, such as by crimping. The recapture sleeve can include a support structure comprising at least one spine and a plurality of ribs. |
| US09452046B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for deploying minimally-invasive heart valves
A method for replacing a diseased aortic valve includes selecting a prosthetic heart valve based on a measurement of a patient's aortic annulus, the prosthetic heart valve stored in a storage container while in an expanded configuration. The preservative solution is drained from the storage container and the prosthetic heart valve is removed. The prosthetic heart valve is compressed to a contracted configuration and advanced through a patient's vasculature along a distal end portion of a catheter system. The prosthetic heart valve is positioned within the diseased aortic valve and re-expanded to an initial expanded configuration. A deployment mechanism is actuated via an operating handle to further expand the prosthetic heart valve into secure engagement with surrounding tissue until lockout features on the prosthetic heart valve secure the prosthetic heart valve in a final expanded configuration. |
| US09452039B2 |
Vascular filter
A filter, configured to be disposed within a body lumen, such as within the vasculature. The filter may include a plurality of struts, configured to interact with the body lumen wall in order to stabilize the position of the filter and to create a filtering structure. Each strut may have two or more apexes configured to contact the body lumen wall. In some embodiments the filter may be integrally formed form a single tube of material. |
| US09452037B2 |
Delivery of oral care products
A method for the delivery of an oral care active agent comprising the following step: applying an active agent(s) between a target oral biological barrier and a magnetic device comprising one or more pairs of displaced dipolar magnetic elements linked by a magnetic return wherein the magnetic return is orientated on the surfaces of the dipole pair distal to the biological barrier. |
| US09452034B1 |
Hybrid passively fitting prosthodontic frameworks
The invention provides improved passively fitting, permanent, detachable frameworks for supporting dental restorations on osseo-integrated dental implants, methods for making the frameworks and methods of using the frameworks. |
| US09452032B2 |
Soft tissue preservation temporary (shell) immediate-implant abutment with biological active surface
An immediate dental implant shell has outer, multiple zones for engaging a soft tissue socket left immediately after tooth extraction from a bone socket. The zones have combinations of different biologic agents, macro- or micro-geometric, or micro- or macro-morphology irregularities to better engage gingival sulcus, junctional epithelium and dento-gingival fiber zones of the soft tissue socket. The shell may also have various guide markings and projections to aide drilling of the implant hole in the bone socket. A dental implant is placed in the drilled implant hole before or after the shell has been placed in the soft tissue socket, and has an axis that is independent of the shell axis so the shell and implant both sit in optimum positions in their respective soft and bone sockets. |
| US09452031B2 |
Dental implant and dental component connection
A dental implant, components, and kit are provided. The implant can include a body, an attachment structure for attaching the implant to bone, and a recess. The recess can be disposed within the body and open towards a proximal end thereof. The recess can include a proximally-disposed receiving chamber and a distally-disposed threaded chamber. The receiving chamber can include an interlock chamber, which can be disposed at a distal end of the receiving chamber and have a polygonal cross-section. The implant can be multi-functional such that components for various dental prostheses and procedures can be provided having portions that can, for example, engage the interlock chamber of the implant, mate with the receiving chamber of the implant, and/or mate with the proximal end the implant for supporting the prosthesis and/or facilitating the procedure. |
| US09452025B2 |
Medical instrument holder and method thereof
A medical instrument holder and method of holding a medical instrument is provided. The medical instrument holder includes a first substantially planar structure having at least a first aperture positioned therein. A second substantially planar structure is positioned approximately parallel to the first substantially planar structure. The second substantially planar structure has at least a second aperture positioned therein, wherein the second aperture is flexible. At least one holding structure is connected between the first substantially planar structure and the second substantially planar structure. |
| US09452024B2 |
Surgical location monitoring system and method
The present invention involves a surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method which allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the hardware may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure. |
| US09452022B2 |
Disposable wand and sensor for orthopedic alignment
A disposable tool suitable for use in orthopedic alignment that registers points of interest on a first and second bone and transmits location data related to the points of interest to the sensor to assess orthopedic alignment with the points of interest. A display can report and visually display alignment information in real-time. |
| US09452019B2 |
Instrument carriage assembly for surgical system
A robotic assembly is configured to support, insert, retract, and actuate a surgical instrument mounted to the robotic assembly. The robotic assembly includes an instrument holder base member, a motor housing moveably mounted to the instrument holder base member, a carriage drive mechanism operable to translate the motor housing along the instrument holder base member, a plurality of drive motors, and a plurality of output drive couplings driven by the drive motors. One or more of the drive motors includes one or more magnetic flux shields to inhibit magnetic interference with an adjacent drive motor and/or with an adjacent motor orientation sensor. |
| US09452017B2 |
Multi-electrode catheter assemblies for renal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods
Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally spiral/helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., spiral/helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function. |
| US09452014B2 |
Integrated blade assembly and identification circuit
An interchangeable tip comprising: a stylet; a blade module including: an enclosure that electrically connects, signally connects, or both the interchangeable tip to a power source, a signal source, or both; and blade circuitry having: one or more control buttons, one or more switches, or both for controlling operation one or more functions of the interchangeable tip. |
| US09452006B2 |
Polyaxial bone anchoring device with enlarged pivot angle
A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a bone anchoring element having a shank and a head, a receiving part including a rod receiving portion, and a head receiving portion having a first end and an open second end with a bounding edge, wherein the head receiving portion is configured to be rotatably connected to the rod receiving portion and is flexible for introduction and clamping of the head, and a locking ring configured to be mounted around the head receiving portion, wherein the head is insertable into the head receiving portion from the second end, is pivotable in the head receiving portion at a larger maximum pivot angle relative to the receiving part at a first location of the bounding edge, and can be locked at an angle relative to the receiving part by compressing the head receiving portion with the locking ring. |
| US09452005B2 |
Bone fixation system
A bone fixation system has a bone implant with an implant body. The implant body defines an upper surface, a bone-facing surface spaced from the upper surface along a transverse direction, and at least one aperture defined by an inner wall. A bone fixation element is configured for insertion at least partially through the aperture. The bone fixation element defines a proximal end and a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a central axis. The bone fixation element has a head and a shaft that extends relative to the head toward the distal end. The head defines a first ridge, a second ridge spaced from the first ridge, and a groove disposed between the first and second ridges. The groove can receive at least a portion of the inner wall to couple the bone fixation element to the bone implant. |
| US09452002B2 |
Hammertoe implant with enhanced gripping surfaces
An intramedullary fixation device used in bone fixation and stabilization on a patient includes a longitudinally extending rigid body, a distal head disposed at a distal end of the body and sized for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a phalanx of the patient, the distal head having a central core portion and a plurality of extending distal wings radially projecting from the central core portion. A proximal head at a proximal end of the body is sized for insertion into an intramedullary canal of a phalanx of the patient. It has a central core portion and a plurality of proximal wings extending radially outwardly from the central core portion. |
| US09452001B2 |
Disposable device for treatment of infections of human limbs
A disposable device for treatment of infections of human limbs, particularly limbs having long bones susceptible to stabilization by intramedullary nailing. The device includes a tubular member made of a relatively rigid and biologically compatible material, having pores for impregnation with drugs or medicaments for infection treatment prior to or during insertion thereof in the stabilization site. An assembly for treatment of human limb infections including such device. |
| US09451994B1 |
Spinal implant revision device
A spinal implant revision device has a revision connector and a tulip member. The revision connector is configured for attachment to a pre-existing rod in a patient. The revision connector has a slotted opening configured to receive a first or a pre-existing rod. The tulip member is pivotally connected to the revision connector and movable in angularity within predetermined ranges in a first plane. This first plane is parallel to a rod to which the revision connector is attached. A second plane which is non-parallel to that first plane allows a second or new rod to be received in the tulip and allows the second rod to pivot relative to the first rod. |
| US09451993B2 |
Bi-radial pop-on cervical bone anchor
A cervical polyaxial bone anchor includes a longitudinal connecting member receiver structure and a cooperating shank. The shank has a body and an integral head with first and second spherical surfaces of different radii and a plurality of spaced curvate apertures for receiving portions of the longitudinal connecting member to result in a greater angle of inclination of the shank with respect to the receiver. The receiver has an upper channel and a lower cavity that further includes an expansion area and an operational seat for a split retainer ring that captures and fixes the shank head within the receiver. |
| US09451987B2 |
System and method for spinal correction
Methods of correcting a spinal deformity, including securing a first rod on a first side of a spine, securing an anchor on a second side of a spine, securing a lateral coupling between the rod and the anchor, translating and/or derotating the spine and securing a second rod on a second side of the spine to provide secondary stabilization to the spine. |
| US09451985B2 |
General uterine manipulator and system
A general uterine manipulator (10) incorporates an elongated hollow tube (12) defining an internal passage (14). Tube (12) has opposite first and second ends (16) and (18), formed with internal threads T1 and T2; and a smooth continuous outer surface (20) of constant outer diameter. A first fitting comprising a tail screw (22) is screwed into thread T1 and a second fitting cervical screw (24) is screwed in thread T2. An inner manipulator rod (26) extends through the first fitting (22), tube (12), and second fitting (24). A range of alternate first and second fitting is (10) provided. A forceps holder (70) is attachable to the tube (12) between ends (16) and (18). The manipulator (10) may also support a cervical funnel (90) and a plug (92). |
| US09451982B1 |
System for implanting a penile prosthetic into a penis includes a delivery cap coupled to a tow suture
A system for implanting a penile prosthetic into a penis includes a penile implant, a tow suture, a delivery cap, and an insertion tool. The implant has a proximal end insertable into a crus penis and a distal end insertable into a glans penis. The tow suture is removably secured to the distal end of the penile implant. The delivery cap is coupled to the tow suture. The insertion tool has a distal tool end insertable into a corpora cavernosum of the penis and includes a needle configured for delivery through the glans penis. The delivery cap has an aperture, with a portion of the tow suture located in the aperture. |
| US09451980B2 |
Hand access device
A device for accessing a body cavity through an opening in tissue is provided. The access device includes a unitary compressible body configured to be received in an opening in tissue. The compressible body includes a central portion, an upper rim located on a proximal end of the body and a lower rim located on a distal end of the body. The central portion defines a slit configured to permit the passage of a hand therethrough in a sealing manner. |
| US09451979B2 |
Method and apparatus for grafting of skin tissue
Methods and apparatus are provided for affecting an appearance of skin by harvesting small portions of tissue from a donor (first) site and applying them at a recipient (second) site. A plurality of micrografts can be formed from a piece of graft tissue and attached to a dressing material. The dressing material can then be expanded to increase a separation distance between the micrografts, and the dressing material having spaced-apart micrografts attached thereto can be applied to a prepared recipient site. An apparatus can be provided that expands the dressing material using a pressurized fluid. A further method can include providing a suspension of small portions of graft tissue in a solution. The solution can be injected into blisters formed at a recipient (second) site and the tissue portions allowed to attach and proliferate. A method and apparatus can also be provided for forming corresponding blisters at a donor site and at a recipient site. The raised (removed) portions of the blisters can be removed and attached to a dressing material, and the portions from the donor (first) site can be placed onto the exposed blister areas at the recipient site. |
| US09451975B2 |
Skin abrader
The present invention relates to devices, methods, and systems for abrading the skin in preparation for attachment of an electrode. In some embodiments, the invention may provide for a simple, low-cost device 120 with a flat, abrading surface that removes the topmost layer of the skin without causing undue injury. |
| US09451972B2 |
Patient selectable joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. |
| US09451970B2 |
Arthroplasty jigs with mating accuracy
Disclosed herein is a method of defining a mating surface in a first side of an arthroplasty jig. The mating surface is configured to matingly receive and contact a corresponding patient surface including at least one of a bone surface and a cartilage surface. The first side is oriented towards the patient surface when the mating surface matingly receives and contacts the patient surface. The method may include: a) identifying a contour line associated with the patient surface as represented in a medical image; b) evaluating via an algorithm the adequacy of the contour line for defining a portion of the mating surface associated with the contour line; c) modifying the contour line if the contour line is deemed inadequate; and d) employing the modified contour line to define the portion of the mating surface associated with the contour line. |
| US09451969B2 |
Femoral reamers having a wear indicator and related kits and methods
A femoral reamer (100) can include a base material (304) and a coating (302) disposed on the base material. The coating can be harder than the base material and, as a result, the femoral reamer can wear more slowly than if the coating was absent. The coating can be a different color than the base material. When the coating is worn off, such wear can be easily observed from a visual inspection of the femoral reamer. The coating can have an initial thickness (i.e., a thickness prior to use) that is related to a tolerance on a size and/or a shape of a hole drilled by the femoral reamer. When the coating is worn off, the size and/or the shape of the hole drilled by the femoral reamer may be at or near an edge of a specified tolerance range. The femoral reamer can be part of a kit and a method. |
| US09451968B2 |
Powered drivers, intraosseous devices and methods to access bone marrow
Apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver. The powered driver may include a housing having a gear assembly, a motor and a power supply disposed therein. A penetrator assembly may be releasably engaged with one end of a drive shaft extending from the housing. The powered driver may include a light operable to illuminate an insertion site for the penetrator assembly. An indicator may be provided to show status of an associated power supply. An indicator may also be provided to show status of penetrating bone and/or associated bone marrow using a penetrator assembly. The apparatus may include an enable switch to prevent undesired operation of the powered driver. |
| US09451962B2 |
Tilting anvil for annular surgical stapler
A surgical stapling instrument is disclosed, the instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion having a staple cartridge assembly, and an anvil assembly. The anvil assembly includes an anvil head, an anvil member, an anvil shaft, and a biasing member. The anvil shaft defines a longitudinal axis and the anvil member is pivotally secured to the anvil head. The biasing member is supported on the anvil assembly to urge the anvil member from a first position to a second position defining an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. |
| US09451961B2 |
Tissue stabilization system
Methods and systems are provided for tissue stabilization. Some aspects include a carrier member having a length, width, and thickness, wherein the length and width are each at least two times greater than the thickness; attachment members extending from the carrier member and that engage connective tissue; and stabilizing members, each of which can couple a respective attachment member to the carrier member and is substantially positionally fixed relative to the carrier member. |
| US09451959B2 |
Surgical fastener applying apparatus
A surgical fastener applying apparatus for applying fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes a clamping lever including a cantilevered locking member for engaging a catch member positioned at the proximal portion of a cartridge receiving half-section of the apparatus to retain the clamping lever in a clamped position. The clamping lever can include a protrusion which is receivable in a depression on the cartridge receiving half-section. The apparatus includes a disposable firing assembly and cartridge. |
| US09451956B2 |
Multi-fire stapling systems
A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples. |
| US09451949B2 |
Systems and methods for increased operating room efficiency
Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle. |
| US09451947B2 |
Knot tying surgical needle driver
A modification to a standard needle driver in the form of a deployable and retractable projection at the working end of the needle driver with which the operator can control the suture in order to facilitate tying a knot in the suture. This modification solves the difficult problem of controlling the suture during the rate-limiting step of knot tying allowing for faster, easier knot tying in laparoscopic and single port surgery. |
| US09451933B2 |
Ultrasound imaging system and method with automatic adjustment and/or multiple sample volumes
Adjustment of operation of an ultrasound imaging system may be based at least in part on one or more characteristics represented in ultrasound return signals from two or more sample volumes. Adjustment may include adjusting a principal sample volume location or selecting a new principal sample volume. For example, a location of a principal sample volume may be adjusted or new principal sample volume selected so as to remain focused on an identified region of interest or to maintain the principal sample volume relative to some structure or reference. The principal sample volume may be maintained in the center or along a centerline of an artery or other structure, as the transducer array is moved along the artery or structure. |
| US09451931B2 |
Carriage for ultrasonic diagnosis device
The present invention provides a cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, having a high degree of flexibility in moving a top board on which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is placed, and enabling a stable operation wherever the top board is moved. In the cart for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a vertical movement mechanism 60 is fixed on a base. A movable part 62 of the vertical movement mechanism is provided with a swing mechanism 70 that swings in the up-and-down direction, enabling up-and-down movement of the top board 10 according to both the vertical movement mechanism and the swing mechanism. The position of the movable part with which the swing mechanism is coupled is displaced forward from the vertical central axis of the vertical movement mechanism. The top board for placing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is coupled with the swinging end of the swing mechanism, via a mechanism 80 for horizontal movement and/or a mechanism 90 for rotating the top board. |
| US09451928B2 |
Incorporating internal anatomy in clinical radiotherapy setups
A diagnostic image of internal anatomical features of a patient is annotated with representations of external features, such that both can be viewed together on a visual display. Adjustments to various treatment parameters relating to the administration of radiation therapy are provided, and the displayed image is automatically updated based on the adjustments. |
| US09451920B2 |
System and method for monitoring arterial and venous blood oxygen, blood glucose, and blood constituent concentration
A system for measuring of arterial and venous blood constituent concentration based first on measuring cardiac blood flow balance parameter between the right chamber of the heart and the left chamber of the heart, which includes a sensor device for measuring one of blood pressure and blood flow rate and blood constituent concentration of a patient so as to generate an arterial pulse signal. A processing unit is responsive to the arterial pulse signal for generating full arterial pulse plethysmography waveforms, arterio-venous pulse plethysmography waveforms, and balance parameters. A computational device that is responsive to plethysmography waveforms generating a plurality of state space linear transfer functions by applying system identification between plethysmography waveforms at various wavelengths representing a plurality of models of the blood constituent concentration, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, hemoglobin, and glucose, and displaying related useful information. |
| US09451918B2 |
Device for measuring knee laxity
The present invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the knee laxity, with or without use of additional means of diagnosis such as computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, evaluating the instability of the knee due to rupture of any ligament, namely the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, postero-internal capsule, postero-external capsule, as well as around the axis of an orthonormal referential, that comprises three parts respectively to accept and retain the thigh, leg and foot.The device (1) includes independent means (20) and (21) to push backward the anterior zone of the leg and to push forward the posterior zone of the leg, and independent means (12) and (13) to push the part (5) for support and fixation of the foot in clockwise direction and in anti-clockwise direction. |
| US09451914B2 |
Integrated needle and test strip assembly and method of use
Methods and systems to collect a sample of bodily fluid from a patient using an integrated needle and test strip assembly are provided. The test strip and needle form one unit that captures the sample of blood or interstitial fluid from the patient once the apparatus is pressed to the skin. The hollow needle includes more than one opening at a distal end, each opening coming into contact with the bodily fluid when disposed within a cutaneous or subcutaneous layer of the patient's skin. The sample may flow through the needle onto a test region by capillary action and/or the positive pressure of the bodily fluid (e.g. blood or interstitial fluid) relative to the external environment. The disclosed test strip includes at least one reaction site for testing analyte concentrations and a means for interfacing with many commercially available test strip meters to provide readout of the analyte concentration. |
| US09451913B2 |
Transdermal sampling and analysis device
Transdermal sampling and analysis device, method and system are provided for non-invasively and transdermally obtaining biological samples from a subject and determining levels of analytes of the obtained biological samples. The transdermal sampling and analysis device, method and system may cause disruption to the skin cells to create capillary-like channels from which biological samples may flow to the transdermal sampling and analysis device. The transdermal sampling and analysis device, method and system may collect the biological samples in a reservoir and transport the biological samples to a sensing chamber. The sensing chamber may contain at least two sensing electrodes coated with a biologically reactive element which reacts with the transported biological sample. The sensing chamber may be configured to mitigate the formation of air bubbles which may impede the transport and distribution of the biological sample across the entirety of the sensing chamber. |
| US09451912B2 |
Sensor insertion device and method for operating said device
A sensor inserting device includes a device main body and a push handle for moving a detector of a sensor and an insertion needle, with the sensor held coupled to the insertion needle, into the body of a patient. A transmitter, for processing a signal from the sensor, is set in the device main body. A cable, allowing transmission of a signal between the sensor and the transmitter, is connected to the sensor (12) and the transmitter. |
| US09451911B1 |
Test model for wearable devices
A test model for simulating one or more physiological parameters is provided. In one example, the test model includes a model layer having a test surface, a shaft rotatably disposed within the model layer and at least first and second contrast segments circumferentially disposed on the shaft. The model layer models at least one optical property of human skin, such as transmissivity of at least a particular wavelength of light transmitted into the model layer. The first and second contrast segments have contrasting optical properties with regard to at least the particular wavelength of light, such as reflectance. Rotation of the shaft causes different contrast segments to face the test surface of the model layer at different times. |
| US09451908B2 |
Analyte sensor
Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system. |
| US09451903B2 |
Simultaneous multislice perfusion imaging in MRI
An MRI system and method for dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) imaging use multiplexed echo planar imaging (M-EPI) to essentially simultaneously acquire MR signals for perfusion parameter images of multiple slices. This essentially simultaneous acquisition of MR signals for multiple slices can be repeated in rapid succession without deteriorating T2* contrast, which makes it practical to image multiple perfusion phases and brings about other significant benefits. |
| US09451902B2 |
Medical imaging apparatus
A medical imaging apparatus includes a first imaging modality which is formed by a magnetic resonance apparatus and which comprises a cylindrical gradient coil unit, and a further imaging modality which comprises a detector unit. The detector unit of the further imaging modality is supported in a radial direction within an area surrounded by the gradient coil unit and an annular gap is disposed between the detector unit of the further imaging modality and the gradient coil unit. The further imaging modality includes a pressure unit which is disposed in the annular gap between the detector unit of the further imaging modality and the gradient coil unit. |
| US09451899B2 |
Mobile user borne brain activity data and surrounding environment data correlation system
A mobile user borne brain activity data and surrounding environment data correlation system comprising a brain activity sensing subsystem, a recording subsystem, a measurement computer subsystem, a user sensing subsystem, a surrounding environment sensing subsystem, a correlation subsystem, a user portable electronic device, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a computer processing device. The mobile user borne system collects and records brain activity data and surrounding environment data and statistically correlates and processes the data for communicating the data into a recipient biological, mechanical, or bio-mechanical system. |
| US09451889B2 |
Pressure sensing system and method
A device for detecting rhinitis in a human subject includes an inflatable member that, in a first state, is configured to be introducible into the nasal cavity of the human subject; an expansion member configured to expand the inflatable member to an expanded, second state within the nasal cavity such that the inflatable member abuts against the tissue of the nasal cavity, and a pressure sensing member configured to measure a pressure exerted on the inflatable member by the tissue of the nasal cavity. A system for detecting rhinitis and methods for analyzing tissue response pressure, detecting rhinitis, predicting the efficacy of a planned rhinitis treatment and evaluating the efficacy of a previous rhinitis treatment are provided. |
| US09451885B2 |
Depth-selective fiber-optic probe
Systems and methods that facilitate analysis of superficial tissue based at least in part on a depth-selective fiber optic probe are discussed herein. The depth-selective fiber optic probe can include an illumination fiber for providing light to the superficial tissue, a collection fiber for collected reflected light, a ball lens that couples the fibers, and a protective overtube that houses the ball lens and fibers. The distances between the ball lens and fibers and between the fibers can be optimized based on several factors, such as by minimizing the illumination spot size, maximizing the overlap between the illumination and collection spots, and based on the angle between the illumination and collection beams. |
| US09451883B2 |
Apparatus and method for decoding sensory and cognitive information from brain activity
Decoding and reconstructing a subjective perceptual or cognitive experience is described. A first set of brain activity data produced in response to a first brain activity stimulus is acquired from a subject using a brain imaging device. An encoding model is used to convert the brain activity data into a corresponding set of predicted response values. A second set of brain activity data produced in response to a second brain activity stimulus is acquired from a subject and decoded using a decoding distribution derived from the encoding model, and the probability the second set of brain activity data corresponds to said predicted response values is determined. The second set of brain activity stimuli is then reconstructed based on the probability of correspondence between the second set of brain activity data and the predicted response values. |
| US09451882B2 |
Integrated system and methods for real-time anatomical guidance in a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure
According to one aspect, a system for intraoperatively providing anatomical guidance in a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: a first light source configured to emit a beam of visible light; second light source configured to emit a beam of near-infrared light; a handheld probe optically coupled to the second light source; a second imaging device configured to detect visible light; a third imaging device configured to detect near-infrared light having a first predetermined wavelength; a fourth imaging device configured to detect near-infrared light having a second predetermined wavelength; a display for displaying at least one visual representation of data; and, a controller programmed to generate at least one real-time integrated visual representation of an area of interest and to display the real-time visual representation on the display for guidance during the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. |
| US09451881B2 |
Gait-based biometric system for detecting weight gain or loss
Systems and methods for determining a user's static weight while standing as well as the user's load bearing weight. A sensor module with multiple sensors is placed inside a user's shoe and biometric data is gathered from the sensors when the user stands and when the user takes a step or walks. The data is used to generate data loops as the various sets of data are plotted against each other. The loops obtained from the data are then compared against stored loops previously obtained. Using the biometric loop baseline data, it can be determined whether the user has lost or gained weight, whether a specific load bearing weight condition is worsening while standing and while walking or running. The system can also determine whether a specific load bearing weight condition is improving or worsening. |
| US09451879B2 |
Optical apparatus and operating method thereof
An optical apparatus applied to ophthalmology detection is disclosed. The optical apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a data comparing unit, a detection unit, a location determining unit, and a data output unit. The image capturing unit captures images of different portions of a face of a person to be tested to obtain a plurality of face images. The data comparing unit compares the plurality of face images with a built-in database. The detection unit detects on an eye of the person to be tested. The location determining unit automatically determines whether the eye detected by the detection unit is left-eye or right-eye. The data output unit selectively outputs a detection result of the detection unit, a comparing result of the data comparing unit, and/or a determining result of the location determining unit. |
| US09451875B2 |
Flexible lens
A flexible lens is mounted to the end of an elongate medical device having a camera, such as an endoscope. The lens is generally solid and is made from a translucent, flexible, and resilient material. In a medical environment, the lens can be pressed against a vessel wall in a patient to enlarge the area viewed by the camera, and can further adapt to the shape of the wall to limit trauma on the patient. When pressed against the vessel wall, the lens can become longitudinally compressed, while becoming wider. The wider and compressed shape of the lens will push blood away from the viewing area to increase the clarity of the camera's field of view. |
| US09451873B1 |
Automatic selection and locking of intraoral images
A processing device receives an intraoral image of a first intraoral site and determines an identity of the first intraoral site. The processing device then locks the intraoral image and selects a portion of the intraoral image depicting a portion of the first intraoral site based at least in part on the identity of the first intraoral site. The processing device may then generate a model comprising the first intraoral site based at least in part on the locked intraoral image, wherein the portion of the locked intraoral image is used for a first region of the model, and wherein data from one or more additional intraoral images that also depict the portion of the first intraoral site is not used for the first region of the model. |
| US09451864B2 |
Filter
The present invention relates to a dishwasher. The dishwasher (10) comprises a washing chamber (11) and a water filtering system arranged in the lower part of the washing chamber (11). The water filtering system comprises a filter (20) and a central filter unit (30) that are removable arranged in said washing chamber (11). The filter (20) has a substantially flat shape and is supported around its outer periphery (21) by a contact surface (22) of a recess (24) in the lower part of the washing chamber (11) and is secured in the washing chamber by the central filter unit (30). The unit (30) is arranged in an opening (31) in the filter (20) and comprises a surface (35) that is pressing on the inner periphery (36) of the opening (31) in the filter (20) to secure the filter (20) in the intended position. The outer periphery (21) of the filter (20) or said contact surface (22) of the recess (24), and said surface (35) of the central filter unit (30) or the inner periphery (36) of the filter (20) extending around the opening (31) are covered by a layer (25; 39) of elastic material. |
| US09451862B2 |
Dishwasher with unitary wash module
A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation and having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and defining an access opening, a sprayer providing a spray of liquid into the treating chamber, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path for recirculating the sprayed liquid from the treating chamber to the sprayer and a drive system operable to control at least a position of the liquid diverter. |
| US09451861B2 |
Floor treatment apparatus
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface. |
| US09451855B2 |
Surface cleaning apparatus
A surface cleaning apparatus wherein a body comprises a scalloped wall that defines a suction motor chamber that houses a suction motor. |
| US09451854B2 |
Repositionable fluid suction devices
A repositionable fluid suction device is disclosed. The device includes a central body and a suction channel located on an underside of the central body extending at least partially around a periphery of the central body. A rim extends downward from the central body, and may define a portion of the suction channel. A fluid collection trough extends at least partially around the periphery of the central body to collect fluids that fall on the upper surface of the central body. The outermost peripheral edge of the suction device may comprise at least one concave portion extending radially inward toward the central body. |
| US09451853B2 |
Portable surface cleaning apparatus
A hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a main body housing a suction motor, and a cyclone bin assembly removably mounted to the main body. The actuator for unlocking the cyclone bin assembly is provided on the cyclone bin assembly. |
| US09451852B2 |
Surface cleaning apparatus with different cleaning configurations
An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, a surface cleaning head having the dirty air inlet, a support structure moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head, the support structure comprising a cleaning unit The cleaning unit comprises a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in the air flow path The cleaning unit is removably mountable wherein the cleaning unit is retained on the support structure when in a storage position under the influence of gravity. |
| US09451841B2 |
Beverage container lid with an inclined lid face
Beverage container lid with a container side and a consumer side, wherein the lid has a fastening portion running about a lid axis in a circumferential direction, which fastening portion defines a reference plane, wherein the lid has a drinking opening, wherein the lid has a lid face inclined with respect to the reference plane in such a way that, at least in a diametric strip, which contains the drinking opening, of the lid face, a nose tip receiving region of the lid face diametrically opposing the drinking opening is set back axially with respect to the drinking opening in the direction of the container side, the drinking opening and a tab being dimensioned and arranged in such a way that the nose tip region, even when the drinking opening is opened in accordance with intended use, remains uncovered by the tab on the consumer side. |
| US09451840B2 |
Bubble generation novelty item
A novelty device for generating bubbles is disclosed. Disclosed is a bubble generation drinking cup that includes a vacuum cavity within a cup sidewall, where the vacuum cavity is partially filled with one or more fluid. The fluid generates bubbles continuously in response to a temperature differential within the vacuum cavity, brought on by a cold or hot liquid being present in the cup. A vial bubble generation ornament is disclosed that includes a tubular vial enclosing a vacuum cavity and a bubble generation capsule. The vacuum cavity is partially filled with a fluid. The bubble generation capsule generates bubbles in response to receiving sunlight. A bubble generation panel is disclosed that includes a vacuum cavity enclosed between two glass panes. The vacuum cavity includes a fluid which generates bubbles in response to receiving heat. The bubbles and fluid in the vacuum cavity create a visually appealing novelty device. |
| US09451839B2 |
Comforter with fitted border
The comforter includes a core portion which has dimensions approximately the same as the top of the mattress on which it is to be placed. A border member portion is attached to two longitudinal sides and a foot end of the comforter. The border member comprises two layers of fabric with little or no fill therebetween, with the inner edges thereof attached to the core portion and the outer edges attached together. |
| US09451837B2 |
Temperature controlled display cabinet, in particular a freezer island, comprising a door
A temperature controlled display cabinet (20), in particular a freezer island, for a grocery store includes a frame structure (30) surrounding at least one openable product space (23) for food products, at least one gravitationally closable door (26) that is in inclined position in relation to vertical direction such that from the view of the customer side the main direction of the main surface of the door (26) is backwards and upwards inclined. The door (26) is formed as a door arrangement including the door (26) and an opening and closing mechanism (40). |
| US09451836B2 |
Sliding and pivoting retainer
A merchandising security system includes a support adapted to be secured to a first associated merchandising structure and at least one product barrier movably mounted to the support. The at least one product barrier extends away from the support so as to approach a second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure. The product barrier is at least one of slidably mounted in relation to the support and pivotably mounted in relation to the support, wherein the product barrier includes first and second members which cooperate to retard a forward movement of an associated object supported on the first associated merchandising structure. At least one of the first and second members is mounted in relation to the support via a hinge. |
| US09451830B1 |
Retrofitting canopy assembly for a chair and methods of manufacturing same
A retrofitting canopy assembly includes a housing defining an interior and first and second openings communicating from the interior to the environment and, together, shaped to receive a top portion of a chair frame when slid thereon, washers, a canopy frame, a ratchet part rotationally fixed to the canopy frame, another ratchet part rotationally fixed to the housing, a frame lock within the housing and movable to secure the housing on the chair frame, and a fastener securing the canopy frame to the first and second ratchet parts, the housing, the frame lock, and washers such that, when the housing is placed on the top of the chair frame, the canopy ratchet parts remain rotationally fixed to one other to keep the shade canopy in a given position until a force sufficient to overcome the ratchet is applied to the canopy frame and/or the shade canopy. |
| US09451817B2 |
Accessory mount with friction hinge plate
A holster system for a mobile device is provided, comprising a holster, a friction hinge plate, a fastener, and a grip bar. The holster is configured to hold a mobile device between the holster head portion and the one or more holder grips. The friction hinge plate comprises a top plate portion having a top screw hole, a bottom plate portion having a bottom screw hole, and a middle plate portion connecting the top and bottom plate portion, and the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion are disposed facing each other by elasticity of the middle plate portion. The fastener comprises a bolt screw configured to engage the top and bottom screw holes. The grip bar is disposed in the middle plate portion and configured to anchor an accessory. |
| US09451815B1 |
Applicator mounting apparatus and a method of using the same
An applicator mounting apparatus for supporting an applicator from a mounting surface is disclosed herein. The applicator mounting apparatus includes a housing defining an applicator cavity for receiving at least a portion of an applicator therein; a mount engaging with the housing to contain the applicator, the mount configured to be coupled to a mounting surface, a portion of the mount configured to serve as a cap for the applicator; and at least one coupling device releasably coupling the housing to the mount. An applicator system and a method of using an applicator mounting apparatus are also disclosed herein. |
| US09451814B2 |
Snap-coupling electronics case
A two-piece case for a smart phone or other electronic device includes a base and a frame. Interengaging snap coupling elements on the base and the frame releasably attach the components together to hold a phone within the case. |
| US09451809B2 |
Article of footwear with a marking system
An article of footwear with a marking system is disclosed. The marking system is configured to help locate one or more portions of a foot during training of an athlete. The marking system includes markings that extend from a lower surface of a sole system to an outer peripheral portion of a sole system. |
| US09451808B2 |
Articles of footwear with tensile strand elements
An upper for an article of footwear may have material layers and a plurality of strand segments. The material layers are located adjacent to each other and in an overlapping configuration, and the material layers are located in a lace region and a lower region of the upper. The strand segments extend from the lace region to the lower region. The strand segments may be located and secured between the material layers in the lace region and the lower region. The strand segments may form both an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper in an area between the lace region and the lower region. The material layers may define an opening between the lace region and the lower region, and the strand segments extend across the opening. |
| US09451806B2 |
Footwear insole
Embodiments provide an insole having a multilayered construction with openings and ribs sized, shaped, and positioned to provide desired areas of stiffness and flexibility. The multi-layered construction may include a chassis defining a support member opening and a support member covering the opening and positioned between the chassis and a cushioning layer. The chassis may define a plurality of apertures in the forefoot portion, which, in a direction from the forefoot end to the heel end, progressively increase in size to a point at which maximum flexibility is desired in the forefoot portion. The bottom of the support member may include protruding ribs that extend generally in a longitudinal direction from the midfoot to the heel, and include a straight middle rib, a medial side rib convex with respect to the middle rib, and a lateral side rib convex with respect to the middle rib. |
| US09451803B2 |
Article of footwear having chamber capable of holding vacuum
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole. The article of footwear also includes an outer surface defined on the upper or the sole. Moreover, the article of footwear includes a chamber wall operably coupled to one of the upper and the sole. The chamber wall defines at least a portion of a chamber operable to hold a vacuum for at least partially conforming the footwear to the foot of the wearer. Moreover, the footwear includes a valve including a passage that extends through the chamber wall to be in selective fluid communication with the chamber. The valve is operable to provide suction to draw the vacuum within the chamber. The valve is partially defined by an outer rim, and the outer rim is flush with the outer surface or recessed inward from the outer surface toward the chamber. |
| US09451802B2 |
Helmet system and methods
One variation of a method for recording accidents includes: in a first mode, capturing a second video frame at a second time, storing the second video frame with a first sequence of video frames, captured over a buffer duration, in local memory in the helmet, removing a first video frame captured outside of the buffer duration from local memory, and rendering a subregion of the second video frame on a display arranged within the helmet; in response to detection of an accident involving the helmet, transitioning from the first mode into a second mode; in the second mode, capturing a second sequence of video frames, and storing the second sequence of video frames exceeding the buffer duration in local memory; and generating a video file from the first sequence of video frames and the second sequence of video frames stored in local memory. |
| US09451800B2 |
Artificial eyelashes with a tapered cut
The present invention relates to artificial eyelashes and, more particularly, to artificial eyelashes that are tapered towards a point, with the point cut-off to create a tapered yet blunt end (i.e., tapered-cut). |
| US09451799B2 |
Method and apparatus for rapid evacuation of injured persons from hostile environments
A system and method of evacuating a downed tactical operator from a hostile environment comprising adding an evacuation belt strap to a PALS grid on a body armor vest by using belt keepers. The evacuation belt strap is made by forming loops at the ends of the strap to function as handles to be grasped by rescuers of the downed operator. |
| US09451797B1 |
Hygienic sports glove
The hygienic sports glove includes a palm surface, an opposing back surface, and a strap configured for securing the glove onto a person's wrist. The glove further includes a first built-in pocket positioned on the back surface of the glove for storing a towel and/or tissues therein. A second built-in pocket is positioned adjacent the first built-in pocket of the glove. A perfume container, such as a spray-type perfume container, is positioned within the second built-in pocket. The container has a spray tube positioned in fluid communication with the first built-in pocket and a refill tube configured for receiving perfume from another container. |
| US09451796B2 |
Ear protection device for athletes
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for an earring safety device that can be clipped to an ear enveloping an earring so as to protect the ear and the wearer's head from the earring during fast-paced activities. The earring safety device can enable athletes to participate in contact sports without removing the earring, especially where rules would otherwise preclude the athlete from competing. The earring safety device can also protect the wearer from snagging the earring during high-intensity activities and jobs. The protection also protects the athlete from injury due to impacts made to the earring. |
| US09451794B2 |
Three-dimensionally tailored pouch structure for men's briefs
A three-dimensionally tailored pouch structure for men's briefs includes a first receiving space for receiving a wearer's penis and a second receiving space for receiving the wearer's scrotum. A vent is formed between the first and second receiving spaces for communicating the two receiving spaces with an outer space. By providing the first and second receiving spaces on the pouch structure, the wearer's penis and scrotum can be isolated from each other. Also the vent allows convection to occur between ambient air and the first and second receiving spaces, so that the two receiving spaces of the pouch structure are always dry and comfortable in touch. |
| US09451793B2 |
Mini-double flavor electronic cigarette
The present invention provides a mini-double flavor electronic cigarette, which comprises a steel tube screw element, an upper steel tube, a battery contact, an insulated ring, an atomizer screw element, a double-hole connector, two disposable atomizers, a battery core and a PCB. Double channel output is adopted, two single disposable atomizers are heated at the same time, underwater sound is simulated via a loud speaker, and LOGO may be projected by a projecting module. The electronic cigarette is equipped with the loud speaker and the projecting module which breaks the regular trend of the electronic cigarette since the market is not equipped with similar loud speaker and projecting module at present. |
| US09451788B2 |
Storage apparatus for improving food preservation
Disclosed a preservation apparatus for improving food storage performance, in which an illumination unit to irradiate light having a specific wavelength is installed on an inner wall surface of a box having foods stored therein to increase the storage period of the foods when the foods are transferred at a room temperature or stored at a low temperature. The foods are prevented from being decayed for a long time, and the nutrients and the freshness of the foods are maintained. The box having the foods stored therein and the illumination unit installed in the box to irradiate light having the specific wavelength onto the foods stored in the box are included. |
| US09451782B2 |
Depositing device
The invention is a depositing device for depositing flowable food containing gas comprising a pressurized feed N line conveying flowable food containing gas under pressure into the food; piston means operatively connected to the feed line comprising a piston and a chamber; an outlet to deliver food at the atmospheric pressure into molds. The device comprises a pressure retaining means arranged to retain the product in the chamber at the same pressure as the line pressure and to deliver the product through the outlet as pressure in the chamber increases from the line pressure upon descent of the piston in the chamber. |
| US09451781B2 |
Strain of cadmium-removing Lactobacillus plantarum bacterium, and uses of the same
The invention provides a novel strain of cadmium-removing Lactobacillus plantarum bacterium, CCFM8610, which has a good tolerance to acidic environments. Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8610 has a good tolerance to cadmium-containing medium and can effectively bind cadmium in vitro. Animal studies have shown that it can effectively reduce tissue cadmium accumulation and facilitate fecal cadmium excretion. Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8610 has a great potential to be used as an active ingredient in cadmium-removing pharmaceutical drugs and fermented foods. |
| US09451779B2 |
Left/right determination system for arm part of pig carcass
An apparatus is disclosed for left/right determination of the arm part of a pig carcass before it is deboned. A plurality of clampers move around on an endless track. At a suspension station, a work is suspended from each clamper. There are left/right and front/back determination stations where it is determined whether a left-side or right side, and a front-side portion or back-side portion is facing a side irradiated by X-rays. Based on results of the determinations, posture of the work is corrected by a clamper rotating device. At an X-ray imaging station, it is controlled so that the front-side portion of the work faces the side irradiated by the X-rays and a longer side faces a movement direction of the endless track. An X-ray image of the work is obtained to determine a target coordinate of a bone-part surface required for incision making and deboning processes. |
| US09451778B2 |
Enzymatic flour correction
The present invention is directed to methods for improving flour quality (e.g., a flour correction process) by treating flour with a raw starch degrading enzyme. |
| US09451777B2 |
Cleaning and sanitizing with antibacterial film
A liquid mixture that forms a film on a surface which inhibits the life functions of bacteria. In particular the film may include copper or silver, or a combination thereof, to provide an environment hostile to bacteria and other infectious organisms. |
| US09451776B2 |
Herbicidal compositions comprising fluroxypyr and flumetsulam
Herbicidal compositions containing (a) fluroxypyr or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) flumetsulam or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof provide synergistic herbicidal control of undesirable vegetation, e.g., in wheat, barley, oats, rye, sugarcane, rice, sorghum, corn/maize, soybean, rice, sunflower, canola/oilseed rape, sugarcane, sorghum, cotton, pastures, grasslands, rangelands, fallowland, turf, tree and vine orchards, industrial vegetation management and rights-of-way; or crops comprising an aad-12 gene. Also provided herein are methods of using herbicidal compositions containing (a) fluroxypyr or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) flumetsulam or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. |
| US09451773B2 |
Paraffinic oil-in-water emulsions for controlling infection of crop plants by fungal pathogens
This disclosure features fungicidal combinations that include a paraffinic oil and an emulsifier. The combinations can further include one or more of the following: pigments, silicone surfactants, anti-settling agents, conventional fungicides such as demethylation inhibitors (DMI) and quinone outside inhibitors (Qol) and water. The fungicidal combinations are used for controlling infection of a crop plant by a fungal pathogen. |
| US09451760B2 |
Fishing hook
A fishing hook has a head having at least two vertically arranged holes through which a fishing line is inserted. When the fishing line is threaded through both of the vertically disposed holes, the hook is stabilized in a substantially orthogonal posture relative to the fishing line, thus enhancing the likelihood of catching fish, especially with a drop-shot technique. Because the single head is small and compact, it is not exposed when the lure is affixed to the hook, thereby improving the likelihood that fish will be tempted by the lure. |
| US09451754B2 |
Self-compatible, rapid-cycling Brassica rapa plants lacking inbreeding depression
The invention provides Brassica rapa plants and seeds thereof that are self-compatible, rapid-cycling and lack inbreeding depression. For instance, the invention provides plants and seeds of the Brassica rapa line designated B3. The invention thus relates to plants, seeds and tissue cultures of Brassica rapa plants that are self-compatible, rapid-cycling and lack inbreeding depression, such as Brassica rapa line B3, and methods to produce and propagate said plants by crossing such a Brassica rapa plant with itself, or another Brassica rapa plant. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. Educational materials, such as a kit comprising said Brassica rapa plants are also provided by the invention. |
| US09451745B1 |
Multi-band photodiode sensor
Plant canopy temperature and multi-spectral reflectance are measured with a wireless multi-band sensor, and the temperature data are qualified and the spectral reflectance measurements are classified. The multi-band sensor includes sensors for measuring plant canopy temperature radiation and spectral reflectance over five bands, a microprocessor to receive and store measured data, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting data from the microprocessor to a remote receiver, all enclosed within a single housing. The data are used to detect variations in spectral signature due to plant stress (e.g., disease, water stress) and due to soil background and to qualify temperature data accordingly. The data provide information for decision support algorithms related to the initiation of automatic irrigation scheduling as a function of crop canopy cover, qualification of temperature data used in automatic irrigation scheduling algorithms, and detection of diseased crops for the purpose of withholding irrigations when yield potential is compromised. |
| US09451743B2 |
Rotating induction grow light system
A rotating induction growth light system and method are disclosed. The rotating induction growth light includes a mounting bracket assembly and a light source assembly rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket assembly. The light source assembly has a first side subassembly and a second side sub assembly opposite the first side subassembly. The light source assembly is configured to rotate between a first position wherein the first side subassembly is facing away from the mounting bracket assembly and at least a second position wherein the second subassembly is facing away from the mounting bracket assembly. A method of providing light to a plant is disclosed, including: directing a vegetative side subassembly of a light source assembly toward a plant; and rotating the light source assembly until a flowering side subassembly is directed toward the plant, the flowering side subassembly positioned on the light source assembly opposite the vegetative side subassembly. |
| US09451738B2 |
Agricultural inter-seeder rotor
A system for planting cover crop seeds in fields with standing row crops. A high-clearance agricultural vehicle is provided with a high-clearance toolbar. The system is provided with soil sealers. A seeder with a reciprocating seeder is provided above the soil sealers to deliver various types of seeds onto the disrupted soil, after which the soil sealers cover the seeds with soil. |
| US09456534B2 |
Portable terminal and method of manufacturing a module thereof
A portable terminal including a module, in which one or more storage members are disposed, and a method for manufacturing the portable terminal are provided. The portable terminal includes a first assembly that includes a shield can and a flexible circuit board attached to a surface of the shield can. The portable terminal also includes at least one socket unit mounted to an upper side of the first assembly. The socket unit is mounted to an upper side of the flexible circuit board while the first assembly is positioned on a jig. |
| US09456530B2 |
DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter is provided with a transformer provided with a primary coil and a secondary coil; switching elements connected to the primary coil for switching the flow of electrical current to the primary coil; rectifying elements connected to the secondary coil; a case having a first accommodating portion in which the transformer is accommodated and a second accommodating portion in which the switching elements and the rectifying elements are accommodated; and a metal heat sink mounted on the case, the metal heat sink being thermally connected to the switching elements and the rectifying elements and having a radiator portion exposed on the outer surface of the case. |
| US09456522B2 |
Self-determination of equipment rack consumption by rack-mounted appliances
Embodiments include systems and methods for self-determination of equipment rack consumption by rack-mounted appliances. Some embodiments operate in context of pre-integrated systems having a number of rack-mounted appliances installed in an equipment rack. The equipment rack can include a number of passive location designators, each positioned on the equipment rack in a physical location corresponding to a mounting location for a rack-mounted appliance, and each including a code that indicates its associated mounting location. Each rack-mounted appliance can include a sensor which, when the rack-mounted appliance is installed in a mounting location of the equipment rack, can read the code on the passive location designator associated with that mounting location. This reading can be used by the rack-mounted appliance to self-determine its rack consumption. |
| US09456518B2 |
Modular fieldbus system, carrier module and fieldbus module
The present invention relates to a carrier module (100) for fieldbus modules that can be snapped onto a carrier profile and is movable on the carrier profile, with a first plug connector (101L) for electrically and mechanically connecting a left-side fieldbus module to the carrier module (100) and with a second plug connector (101R) for electrically and mechanically connecting a right-side fieldbus module to the carrier module (100). |
| US09456514B2 |
Phase shifting device
A phase shifting device, including: a housing; and at least one multipath phase shifter assembly in the housing, wherein the multipath phase shifter assembly includes at least two phase shifters disposed in parallel in a planar arrangement. |
| US09456512B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a case capable of being assembled or disassembled, a printed circuit board (PCB) arranged in the case and having a tamper detection pattern, the tamper detection pattern having a plurality of conductive areas and at least one non-conductive area, a conductive area connection unit arranged between the case and the PCB and electrically connecting a part of the conductive areas during assembly of the case and electrically disconnecting the part of the conductive areas during disassembly of the case, and a conductive area connection detection circuit electrically connected to the conductive areas and detecting an electric connection state between the conductive areas. The conductive areas includes a first conductive area, a plurality of second conductive areas arranged to be separated from one another and connected to the first conductive area via the conductive area connection unit, and a third conductive area, at least a part of which is arranged between the second conductive areas. |
| US09456510B2 |
Electrical junction box
An electrical junction box (10) has a main body-side connector (40) provided in a box body (12). An attachment body-side connector (76) is provided in an attachment body (14) that is separate from the box body (12) and is connected to the main body-side connector (40) by rotating the attachment body (14) on a rotating portion (72) provided at an end of the attachment body (14). The rotating portion (72) is supported by a support (30) on a side of the box body (12) opposite to the main body-side connector (40), and a positioning portion directly positions the main body-side connector (40) with respect to the upper case (20). |
| US09456507B2 |
Ecological method for constructing circuit boards
A method for fabrication of a circuit board using the disclosed embodiments relies on a CAD model of a multilayer circuit board with conductive elements defined by layer. A first granular conductive material layer is introduced into a mold. A fusion process element traverses across the mold to fuse selected portions of the first granular conductive material layer forming first layer conductive elements. An additional granular conductive material layer is introduced into the mold over the fused selected portions of the first layer and unfused portions of the first layer. The fusion process element is then traversed across the mold to fuse selected portions of the additional granular conductive material layer forming an additional layer of conductive elements. Unfused granular conductive material is then purged from the fused first conductive elements and additional conductive layer elements. A dielectric material is then infused into a structure formed by the fused first conductive elements and additional conductive layer elements. |
| US09456506B2 |
Packaging for eight-socket one-hop SMP topology
A mechanism is provided for packaging a multiple socket, one-hop symmetric multiprocessor topology. The mechanism connects each of a first plurality of processor modules to a first multiple-socket planar via a respective one of a first plurality of land grid array (LGA) connectors. The mechanism connects the first multiple-socket planar to a first side of a redistribution card via a second plurality of LGA connectors. The mechanism connects each of a second plurality of processor modules to a second multiple-socket planar via a respective one of a third plurality of LGA connectors. The mechanism connects the second multiple-socket planar to a second side of the redistribution card via a fourth plurality of LGA connectors. |
| US09456502B2 |
Method for ejecting molten metals
The present invention relates to a method for ejecting droplets of a molten metal. In the present invention, the metal is a composition comprising a first metal and a second element, wherein the second element is Si. In jetting operation, the second elements may prevent contaminants present in the composition from precipitating and clogging the orifice. The present invention further relates to the use of such composition. |
| US09456501B2 |
Nanowire grid structure having grid patterns and a sacrificial layer
Provided is a method of manufacturing a nanowire, including: forming a plurality of grid patterns on a grid base layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the grid base layer on which the grid patterns are formed; producing a nanowire grid structure by forming a nanowire base layer on the sacrificial layer; forming a nanowire by wet etching the nanowire base layer; and separating the grid patterns from the nanowire by etching the sacrificial layer. |
| US09456499B2 |
Structural body and interconnect substrate
A structural body includes a first conductor having a first opening; a second conductor, having a second opening, which is opposite to at least a portion of the first conductor; a conductor via, passing through the first opening and the second opening, which is insulated from the first conductor and the second conductor; a first interconnect, provided in the inside of the first opening, of which one end thereof is connected to the conductor via and the other end thereof is formed as an open end and which is opposite to the second conductor; and a second interconnect, provided in the inside of the second opening, of which one end thereof is connected to the conductor via and the other end thereof is formed as an open end, and which is opposite to the first conductor. |
| US09456498B2 |
Electronic module power supply
Power may be supplied to an electronic module according to various techniques. In one general implementation, for example, a system for supplying power to an electronic module may include a printed circuit board, the electronic module, and a conductive foil. The board may include a number of contact locations on a first side, with at least one of the contact locations electrically coupled to a via to a second side of the board. The electronic module may be electrically coupled to the contact locations on the first side of the board and receive electrical power through the at least one contact location electrically coupled to a via. The foil may be adapted to convey electrical power for the electronic module and electrically coupled on the second side of circuit board to at least the via electrically coupled to a contact location that receives electrical power for the electronic module. |
| US09456495B2 |
Norbornane-2-spiro-α-cycloalkanone-α′-spiro-2″-norbornane-5,5″,6,6″-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, norbornane-2-spiro-α-cycloalkanone-α′-spiro-2″-norbornane-5,5″,6,6″-tetracarboxylic acid and ester thereof, method for producing norbornane-2-spiro-α-cycloalkanone-α′-spiro-2″-norbornane-5,5″,6,6″-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, polyimide obtained by using the same, and method for producing polyimide
A norbornane-2-spiro-α-cycloalkanone-α′-spiro-2″-norbornane-5,5″,6,6″-tetracarboxylic dianhydride represented by the following general formula (1): wherein the formula (1), n represents an integer of 0 to 12, and R1s, R2, R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or the like. |
| US09456494B2 |
Multilayer wiring substrate, probe card, and method for manufacturing multilayer wiring substrate
A multilayer wiring substrate includes a substrate main body and a plurality of wiring lines. The substrate main body includes first and second main surfaces. The plurality of wiring lines extend from the first main surface toward the second main surface side in the substrate main body. The substrate main body includes a plurality of insulator layers laminated on each other. The wiring lines each include via conductors separately provided in the plurality of insulator layers. In at least one of the plurality of wiring lines, a diameter of the via conductor provided in a first insulator layer defining the first main surface of the substrate main body is smaller than a diameter of the via conductor provided in at least one of the plurality of insulator layers other than the first insulator layer. |
| US09456491B2 |
High current-carrying printed circuit board and method for producing said printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes a busbar applied to a surface of the printed circuit board. The busbar is configured as a sequence of sheet metal conductor pieces which are connected to each other in an electrically conducting manner. The respective ends of the conductor pieces may have a rounded portion and a corresponding cutout, or a point and a corresponding indentation. An electrical controller, a motor vehicle and a printed circuit board configuration having at least one printed circuit board are also provided. |
| US09456489B2 |
Printed circuit board and printed wiring board
A memory system is provided with a motherboard, and a memory controller and a plurality memory devices mounted on the motherboard. The motherboard comprises a unicursal-shape main wiring, and branch wirings branched from the main wiring to the respective memory devices. Further, the motherboard comprises an open stub wiring branched from a connecting point between a start end and a branch point of the main wiring. Thus, a ringing of a waveform of a signal received by a receiving circuit can be suppressed irrespective of a wiring length of the branch wiring. |
| US09456482B1 |
Daylighting for different groups of lighting fixtures
Assume that the two groups of lighting fixtures are located in the same general area, employ daylighting, and provide light that can be sensed by each other. A first group will determine an actual lighting contribution provided by the second group and remove the actual lighting contribution provided by the second group when making daylighting decisions. As such, when the dimming level of the second group is changed, the first group will effectively ignore changes in the dimming level of the second group when making daylighting decisions, and vice versa. A group of lighting fixtures may include one or more lighting fixtures. |
| US09456480B2 |
Dimmer circuit and LED lighting device having said dimmer circuit
A dimmer circuit may include: a rectification module, a control module and an output module, wherein the control module receives an input signal rectified through the rectification module and controls the output module to supply a load with an output signal in accordance with the input signal, and a compensation module which collects sampled signals characterizing dimming state of the dimmer circuit between the control module and the output module, and supplies the control module with a compensation signal in accordance with the sampled signals, the control module changing the value of the output signal according to the input signal and the compensation signal. |
| US09456479B1 |
Online knob dimming switch
An online knob dimming switch includes a printed circuit board, and a switch and a dimming circuit installed in the online knob dimming switch and operated with a dimmable energy-saving fluorescent bulb and a dimmable LED bulb, so that the online knob dimming switch may adjust the light emitting brightness of the dimmable energy-saving fluorescent bulb and dimmable LED bulb installed onto a lampholder. With the wire holders installed at both ends, a power cable is installed conveniently to achieve the effects of shortening the assembling procedure, and improving the assembling efficiency and the market competitiveness. |
| US09456478B2 |
System and method for controlling LED segments to provide lighting effects
A single board light engine includes an AC to AC step driver that selectively powers multiple LED segments by controlling tap points between the LED segments as the input voltage goes from zero crossover to maximum voltage and returns to zero crossover. The step driver may power a first LED segment, a second LED segment, both the first and second LED segments, or none of the LED segments depending upon the input voltage level. The LEDs within an LED segment may share a characteristic that differs from a characteristic shared by LEDs in another segment, which allows the LED fixture to provide a variety of lighting effects. |
| US09456469B2 |
Heading-dependent routing method and network subsystem
Apparatuses, methods and systems are described that are configured to act on a heading-dependent suitability indicator of a channel through a mobile communication system that can have a defined heading, such as a passenger vehicle or other motor-propelled vehicle. The indicator may also use other determinants such as a latitude and longitude of the system. |
| US09456467B2 |
Rate-less wireless communication using protocol coding
A communication system having two communication units configured for wireless communication and a method for wireless communication. Each of the communication units includes a communication controller using at least two communication protocols: a first protocol for communicating having a first error rate threshold and a fixed data rate, and a second protocol for communicating having a second error rate threshold being higher than the first error rate threshold and a non-fixed data rate. The communication controller switches between the first protocol and the second protocol. |
| US09456466B2 |
Method, device and system for controlling auxiliary information about user equipment
A method, device and system for controlling assistant information of user equipment are disclosed. The field of wireless communication technology is related, and the problem is solved that the system efficiency is reduced, for UE reports the assistant information inappropriately. The method includes: the user equipment acquiring a control parameter of assistant information configured by a network side; and the user equipment reporting the assistant information of the user equipment to the network side according to the control parameter of assistant information. The technical scheme provided in the example of the present document is applied to a LTE system or a UMTS system, which implements that the network side controls the UE reporting the assistant information. |
| US09456462B2 |
Method, apparatus and system of frame tunneling operation of multiple frequency bands device
Disclosed is a tunneling mechanism that enables frames generated by a MAC layer management entity (MLME) to be transmitted by another. By doing that, a pair of stations (STAs) can perform functions such as (re)association, authentication, and the like, without having to transmit frames over-the-air but, instead, use a different MLME for this purpose. This enables the station management entities (SMEs) of a pair of multi-band capable STAs to provide a seamless fast session transfer (FST), including the provisioning of multi-band (de)authentication and (re)association. |
| US09456460B2 |
Mechanism for managing PDN connections in LTE/EPC networks
A method is provided for managing at least one connection established between a mobile terminal and an anchor gateway located between a mobile network and a packet-switching network, and being capable of conducting at least one communication session with the packet-switching network. The method includes receiving a management message from a device suitable for managing the at least one connection, the message including at least one piece of information relating to a change in the state of a connection of the mobile terminal, and an identifier relating to the connection; determining the need for a new connection by analyzing the at least one current connection at least according to the received information; once it has been determined that the need for a new connection exists, triggering the transmission of a request to establish a new connection between the mobile terminal and a new anchor gateway according to the analysis. |
| US09456459B2 |
Method for providing a random access channel in wireless network for communication and a corresponding system
A method for providing a random access channel in a, preferably OFDMA-based, wireless network for communication includes: a) defining at least one radio frame according to a frame structure of the wireless network for data transmission; b) providing at least one random access channel in the radio frame by at least one base station of the wireless network for random data transmission of at least one user equipment; c) accessing the at least one random access channel by the at least one user equipment for random data transmission; d) determining network information of the, preferably OFDMA-based, wireless network including network user equipment related information of the at least one user equipment; and e) assigning the at least one random access channel according to the determined network information for random data transmission. A corresponding system is also described. |
| US09456455B2 |
Method of transmitting feedback information in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting feedback information at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system comprising a network and a plurality of UEs is disclosed, the method comprising receiving information associated with a time-frequency region for transmitting feedback information related with downlink data, the time-frequency region being dynamically allocated by the network, receiving the downlink data from the network, and transmitting the feedback information for the downlink data to the network on the time-frequency region. |
| US09456454B2 |
Flexible disabling/enabling of cross-carrier scheduling in carrier-aggregated wireless data transmission
The invention allows flexible disabling/enabling of cross-carrier scheduling in carrier-aggregated wireless data transmission. In response to detecting a predetermined disabling indication of cross-carrier scheduling of received carrier aggregated wireless data transmission, the disabling indication targeting subframes allocated to uplink in a first component carrier transmitted from a cross-carrier scheduling cell and to downlink in a second component carrier transmitted from a cross-carrier scheduled cell: a downlink control region in the targeted subframes in the second component carrier is monitored for uplink/downlink grants; and in response to detecting an uplink/downlink grant, the detected uplink/downlink grant is utilized in uplink/downlink scheduling of the targeted subframe in the second component carrier. |
| US09456450B2 |
Methods of incorporating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network
In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network's coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network. |
| US09456446B1 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating simultaneous transmission from multiple stations
A first communication device determines that each second communication device in a plurality of second communication devices has respective data to be transmitted to the first communication device. The first communication device transmits a request to the plurality of second communication devices to transmit data to the first communication device simultaneously during a transmit opportunity period of the first communication device. The first communication device receives data transmitted simultaneously by the plurality of second communication devices during the transmit opportunity period of the first communication device. |
| US09456444B2 |
OAM and time slot control in a deterministic ARC chain topology network
In one embodiment, a network of nodes is configured to communicate according to a configuration of Available Routing Construct (ARC) chains as well as monitoring communication in the network, and/or selectively controls whether or not provisioned particular links will be used. One embodiment colors nodes of the network (e.g., a wireless deterministic network) along different paths through the network and marks packets with the color of each traversed node to track a path taken by a packet. One embodiment sends a particular packet through the network and marks over which links the packet traverses and aggregates these traversed links of other copies of the particular packet. One embodiment controls whether or not the provisioned time slots are used based on flooding a control packet through the network with enable or disable information for each of these links. |
| US09456439B2 |
Method for transmitting channel state information in wireless access system
Channel State Information (CSI) is reported by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless access system which supports carrier aggregation. A first type CSI for a first component carrier (CC) of two or more downlink (DL) CCs is measured. A second type CSI for a second CC of the two or more downlink (DL) CCs is measured. The first type CSI only is reported, when a collision of a report of the first type CSI with a report of the second CSI type is occurred in a same subframe. In addition, the first type CSI includes (1) a Rank indicator (RI) and a first Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), (2) only the RI, or (3) only the first PMI, and the second type CSI includes (1) a Wideband Channel Quality Indicator (WB-CQI) and a second PMI, (2) the WB-CQI and the first PMI, or (3) only the WB-CQI. |
| US09456438B2 |
Inter-device communication in a machine to machine communication network
A communication system comprising a base station and two or more terminals configured for communicating with the base station by means of a communications protocol, wherein: the communications protocol operates in a frequency band to which unlicensed access is permitted; and the terminals are configured for unattended operation with the base station. |
| US09456436B2 |
Method and apparatus for state/mode transitioning
A method and network element for sending a transition indication to transition a user equipment to a different state or mode, the method receiving a configuration message from a network; and transmitting a transition indication from the user equipment, the transition indication only includes a cause if the configuration message contains an inhibit transition indication. Also, a method and user equipment for processing a transitioning indication from a user equipment indicating the user equipment desires a transition to a different state or mode, the method comprising: receiving the transition indication from the user equipment; if the transition indication contains a cause: releasing a signaling connection of the user equipment or transitioning the user equipment to a different state or mode; and if the transition indication does not contain the cause: releasing the signaling connection. |
| US09456435B2 |
Communication units and methods for control channel change notification in broadcast communication system supporting carrier aggregation
A method supporting control channel change notification for at least one wireless communication unit capable of operating on a first serving communication cell and configured with access to at least one second serving communication cell in a wireless broadcast communication system. The method includes, at a broadcast server: supporting communication with at least one wireless communication unit via the at least one second serving communication cell; generating a message including an indication that a control channel change notification will be sent in the at least one first serving communication cell; transmitting the message to the at least one wireless communication unit operational in the at least one second serving communication cell; and transmitting the control channel change notification in the first serving communication cell. |
| US09456434B1 |
Dynamic TDMA system for TV white space MIMO wireless
A method may include identifying a repeating frame structure for communication between a MIMO base station and one or more wireless devices, the frame structure including a plurality of slots, with each slot including an uplink portion and a downlink portion, and each uplink portion and downlink portion comprising a plurality of sub-slots, receiving, at the wireless base station, an identification of a first wireless device of the one or more wireless devices, assigning to the first wireless device, a sub-slot in an uplink portion of a static slot in the frame structure, communicating, to the first wireless device, information from which the first wireless device can identify the sub-slot, and communicating with the one or more wireless devices by associating data in the first sub-slot with the first wireless device. |
| US09456433B2 |
Method and system for client device localization
A system includes one or more hardware processors causing performance of operations. The operations include transmitting, by a first access point, a set of one or more wireless signals that include a request for feedback information. The set of wireless signals incorrectly identifies a second access point as the sender of the set of wireless signals instead of correctly identifying the first access point as the sender of the set of wireless signals. The operations further include receiving, from a client device associated with the second access point, a feedback information corresponding to the receipt of the set of wireless signals by the client device, and, based on the feedback information: determining a distance between the first access point and the client device that is associated with the second access point. |
| US09456431B2 |
Precise temperature and timebase ppm error estimation using multiple timebases
Methods and systems for precise temperature and timebase PPM error estimation using multiple timebases may comprise in an electronic device comprising a plurality of timebases and measuring a temperature corresponding to the timebases. Frequencies of the timebases at the measured temperature may be compared to determine differential error functions for the timebases. A fine reading of the temperature corresponding to the timebases may be generated based, at least in part, on the measured temperature and the determined differential error functions for the timebases. The timebases may be calibrated utilizing the generated fine reading of the temperature. The timebases may comprise different order temperature dependencies. Models of temperature dependencies of each of the timebases based may be updated, at least in part, on the fine reading of the temperature. A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) clock signal may be periodically utilized to improve the accuracy of the calibration of the timebases. |
| US09456430B2 |
Base station device, mobile station device, communication system, and communication method
A communication system which performs communication between a base station device configuring at least one cell and a mobile station device, wherein: the base station device includes: a synchronization signal generation unit which generates a synchronization signal corresponding to a cell identity for identifying a cell; and a transmission unit which generates a first transmission signal including the synchronization signal using a first parameter obtained from the cell identity, generates a second transmission signal excluding the synchronization signal using a second parameter obtained from a virtual cell identity different from the cell identity, transmits the first transmission signal using a first frequency band, and transmits the second transmission signal via a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The mobile station device includes: a reception unit which receives a first reception signal including the synchronization signal using the first parameter obtained from the cell identity via the first frequency band and receives a second reception signal using the second parameter obtained from the virtual cell identity via the second frequency band. |
| US09456428B2 |
Method and apparatus for allowing soft handoff of a CDMA reverse link utilizing an orthogonal channel structure
Method and apparatus for base stations and subscriber units allows soft handoff of a CDMA reverse link utilizing an orthogonal channel structure. Subscriber units transmit an orthogonally coded signal over a reverse link to the base stations. A given base station provides timing control of the timing offset of the reverse link signal. Based on at least one criterion, an alignment controller determines that the given base station should hand off timing control to another base station, and a soft handoff process ensues. In response to a command or message for soft handoff of the subscriber unit from the given base station to another base station, the subscriber unit makes a coarse timing adjustment to the timing of the coded signal. The subscriber unit may make fine timing adjustments based on feedback from the base station controlling timing. Multiple base stations may provide power control feedback to the subscriber unit. |
| US09456427B1 |
Dynamic power optimization to increase coverage
The invention is directed to the optimization of power to increase a coverage area between a mobile device and the wireless communications network. Once it is determined that coverage is to be increased, a scheduling request is communicated to an access component (e.g., base station, eNodeB). The access component then sends a scheduling grant to the mobile device indicating that coverage will be increased. The determination to increase coverage is based on a total time delay of a packet sent from one device to another device, and a quality of the current voice or data session. |
| US09456426B2 |
Determining a gain factor for transmit power control in enhanced uplink
A gain factor is used for calculating one transmit power relative to another transmit power. For example, in UMTS high speed uplink packet access, a gain factor called βed is employed for transmission associated a given enhanced transport format combination indicator (E-TFCI). Conventionally, a gain factor to be used for a given E-TFCI can be determined via interpolation between two of the reference E-TFCIs to reduce signaling overhead. However, certain network configurations may result in one or more of the reference E-TFCIs that could be otherwise be used according to conventional techniques being outside of a valid range. In the event such a sub-optimal configuration occurs, interpolation and/or extrapolation schemes based on at least one reference E-TFCIs that is within and/or or is not within the valid range are used to calculate a gain factor for a given E-TFCI. |
| US09456418B2 |
Multi-channel low power communication method and apparatus
A multi-channel low power communication method and apparatus are provided. The multi-channel low power communication method may include transmitting request to send (RTS) to a receiver through a plurality of communication channels, receiving clear to send (CTS) from the receiver in response to the RTS, and transmitting a data packet through part or entire of at least one communication channel having received the CTS among the plurality of communication channels, wherein at least one of the RTS and the CTS comprises a multi-channel power save information field related to multi-channel power save. |
| US09456414B2 |
Communication method of a terminal and an access point for multi-user transmission opportunity (TXOP) power saving
Provided is a terminal and an access point in an active mode for multi-user transmission opportunity (TXOP) power saving that may decrease power consumption by changing an operation state of the terminal from an awake state to a sleep state if there is no stream of data to be transmitted during a TXOP duration. |
| US09456413B2 |
Power management in a mobile device
Apparatuses, systems and methods for reducing power consumption during standby operation of a mobile device are disclosed. A page decoding algorithm can be stored in nonvolatile memory during standby. The page decoding algorithm can be executed from the nonvolatile memory, when the mobile device is awakened from a sleep state to determine if there is any activity such as an incoming call. No power is required for the nonvolatile memory to maintain storage of the algorithm so that the power requirement during standby of the mobile device is reduced. |
| US09456412B2 |
Electronic device and method for selecting access point name
Method of selecting an Access Point Name (APN) includes selecting one APN from an APN list when a network connection state of an electronic device is idle and the APN list has at least one APN. The electronic device includes a storage device that stores a APN list. A connection is established between the electronic device and a wide area network using the selected APN. When the connection is established using the selected APN, the method determines that the selected APN is a preferred APN. |
| US09456410B2 |
Method for supporting PDN GW selection
A method for supporting PDN GW selection, comprising the following steps of: receiving by an MME a local route optimization service request information; searching by the MME the IP address of a PDN GW which supports local route optimization according to the IP address of a PDN GWh; sending by the MME a bearer request establishment message to the PDN GWh. The method of the present invention can ensure core network equipment to find PDN GW correctly while HeNB system supports local route optimization. |
| US09456408B2 |
System and method for basic service set association
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a station (STA) from an access point (AP), a frame including a device type indicator and comparing the device type indicator with a device type accepted by a basic service set (BSS) of the AP to produce a comparison. The method also includes determining whether to associate the STA with the AP in accordance with the comparison, associating the STA with the AP upon determining to associate the STA with the AP, and not associating the STA with the AP upon determining not to associate the STA with the AP. |
| US09456406B2 |
Cell discovery and wake up through device-to-device discovery protocols
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards devices and methods for discovering and waking up dormant access nodes in cellular networks. In one embodiment, the dormant access nodes passively participate in a device-to-device discovery process to identify potential user equipment nearby. Upon identifying a potential user equipment, the dormant access node may wake itself up and inform a serving access node that that is able to service the user equipment. In another embodiment, dormant access nodes may transmit a discovery message periodically. Upon receiving the discovery message a user equipment may report the availability of the dormant access node to its serving access node. |
| US09456405B2 |
User equipment and methods for operation in coverage enhancement mode with physical random access channel preamble
Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE) to operate in accordance with a physical random access channel (PRACH) are disclosed herein. The UE may comprise hardware processing circuitry to determine a coverage enhancement category for the UE based on downlink channel statistics related to reception of downlink signals at the UE from an Evolved Node-B (eNB) and an uplink-downlink imbalance parameter related to uplink reception at the eNB. The hardware processing circuitry may be further to select, for use in a coverage enhancement mode, a PRACH preamble from a set of candidate PRACH preambles based on the determined coverage enhancement category for the UE. In some embodiments, at least some of the candidate PRACH preambles may span a different number of sub-frames. |
| US09456404B2 |
Wireless communication system and resource allocation method thereof
A wireless communication system and a resource allocation method thereof are provided. The wireless communication system includes a base station and a plurality of user equipments. The base station or one of the user equipments is configured to transmit resource allocation information to the user equipments. The user equipments are configured to perform a device-to-device communication and/or perform a device-to-device discovery according to the resource allocation information. The resource allocation method is applied to the wireless communication system to perform the aforesaid operations. |
| US09456401B2 |
Method for enhancing data transfer across a wireless network arrangement
A method of route prediction and device configuration for enhancing data transfer across a wireless network arrangement by using routing information to predict data transfer routes and configuring devices to switch between states to reduce data transference time and power consumption of a wireless network arrangement. |
| US09456400B2 |
Best effort call routing preference setting
The invention refers to providing call control within a mobile network with respect to a subscriber associated to one or a plurality of user equipments (10), the mobile network comprising an application server—SCC-AS—(18) responsible for an access domain selection, the application server performing the receiving an indication to provide a best effort—BE—access domain with respect to the user equipment (10), and selecting an access domain in dependency of the received indication for routing a call with respect to the one or the plurality of user equipments. The invention further refers to an application server (18), a computer program loadable into the application server and a user equipment (10). |
| US09456395B2 |
Resume handling after tune-away
Methods and apparatus for resuming operations with an LTE network are described. One example method generally includes suspending operations with a base station of a first radio access technology (RAT) network (e.g., LTE network), tuning to a second RAT network (e.g., 1x network) to monitor for paging messages targeting the UE, and determining whether or not to resume operations with the base station of the first RAT network without performing system acquisition based, at least in part, on how much time has elapsed since suspending operations. |
| US09456390B2 |
Method and apparatuses for maintaining service continuity to a centralization and continuity application server
A method and apparatus for maintaining service continuity for User Equipment accessing an IP Multimedia Subsystem communication network. A routing identifier is established that identifies a Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server allocated to the User Equipment. The routing identifier is sent to the User Equipment. In the event of disruption to the service between the User Equipment and the Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server, a handover message is sent from the User Equipment via a Circuit Switched access network. The handover message includes the routing identifier, and is then forwarded to the identified Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server. This allows the same Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server to be used after the handover as was used before the handover, thereby providing service continuity. |
| US09456387B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving adaptive streaming video quality by optimizing resource allocation
A method of allocating resources for transmitting content from a network element in a communications network to one or more mobile devices each in communication with the network element may include receiving, at the network element, characteristic information corresponding to each of the one or more mobile devices; and generating one or more adaptive guaranteed bit rate (AGBR) values at the network element corresponding to each of the one or more mobile devices, respectively. The AGBR values may be GBR values generated for each of the one or more mobile devices based on the corresponding characteristic information. A first scheduling algorithm may be executed at the network element based on the one or more AGBR values; and resources may be allocated to the one or more mobile devices based on an output of the scheduling algorithm. |
| US09456386B2 |
Systems, methods and computer products for pooling of wireless collection bandwidth
Systems, methods and computer products for pooling of wireless collection bandwidth are provided. Exemplary embodiments include a bandwidth management method, in a wireless device, the method, including querying for additional wireless devices within a communication range of the wireless device, the wireless device and additional wireless devices being in communication with a network having downloadable content, initiating communication between the wireless device and the additional wireless devices, establishing an ad-hoc network among the combination of the wireless device and the additional devices, establishing communication between the combined wireless device and additional devices as the ad-hoc network, and the network having the downloadable content and requesting the downloadable content from the network to the wireless device, wherein the downloadable content is transferred over a bandwidth collectively pooled among individual bandwidths of the wireless device and the additional wireless devices. |
| US09456384B2 |
Message processing method, device, and system
The present invention provides a message processing method, device, and system. The method includes: receiving a TCP data acknowledgement message sent by a UE; obtaining, according to the TCP data acknowledgement message, an identifier of a TCP data packet successfully received by the UE; obtaining, according to correspondence between the identifier of the TCP data packet and an identifier of at least one RLC protocol AMD PDU, the identifier of the at least one RLC protocol AMD PDU corresponding to the identifier of the TCP data packet; and determining that the UE has successfully received the at least one RLC protocol AMD PDU corresponding to the identifier of the at least one RLC protocol AMD PDU. |
| US09456383B2 |
Device and method for adaptive rate multimedia communications on a wireless network
Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media may adjust an encoding rate based on network conditions between a transmitter and a receiver. Either the transmitter, receiver, or both the transmitter and receiver may determine the encoding rate. In one aspect, a ratio of received network data to transmitted network data is determined. An encoding parameter is then determined based on the determined ratio. In one aspect, the encoding parameter may be used to adjust an encoder. In another aspect, the determined encoding parameter may be transmitted to an encoding or transmitting node. In another aspect, an amount of data buffered in a network is determined. A sustainable throughput of the network is also determined. A transmission rate is then determined based on the sustainable throughput and the amount of data buffered. An encoding parameter is then adjusted based on the transmission rate. |
| US09456379B2 |
Vehicle-mounted device and congestion control method
A vehicle-mounted device includes a measurement unit that detects the radio signal to measure a congestion level, a reception unit that receives, from each of the predetermined vehicle-mounted devices, the value of a predetermined parameter, in which a degree of contribution to congestion increases as the value of the parameter increases, from among parameters relating to the communication of the predetermined vehicle-mounted device, and a control unit that sets, when the congestion level measured by the measurement unit is outside a set predetermined range, the value of the predetermined parameter of its own device so that the congestion level is within the predetermined range in consideration of the magnitude relationship between the congestion level and a value within the predetermined range and a magnitude relationship between the value of the predetermined parameter received by the reception unit and the value of the predetermined parameter of its own device. |
| US09456378B2 |
End-to-end (E2E) tunneling for multi-radio access technology (multi-rat)
Technology for measuring quality of service (QoS) in a tunneling layer using multiple radio access technologies (RAT) is disclosed. In an example, a mobile node (e.g., user equipment UE), a mobile station (MS), or a mobile cheat), or a multi-RAT control server and/or gateway can include computer circuitry configured to: receive packets of a data flow from separate tunnel connections; and generate a QoS metric for the data flow from a QoS parameter within an enhanced tunneling header of a received packet. At least one RAT (e.g., third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 or Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or IEEE 802.11 or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)) can communicate via the tunnel connections. |
| US09456376B2 |
Subscriber-controlled registration technique in a CDMA system
A method and apparatus for dynamic uplink communication in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. The method includes transmitting, by a base station, a pilot signal on a first channel to a mobile station (MS), the pilot signal indicating a signal strength, receiving, by the MS, a one-bit indicator from a plurality of base stations on a second channel, the one-bit indicator indicating a congestion status for each of the plurality of base stations, determining, by the MS, the congestion status for each of the plurality of base stations, and selecting, by the MS, a base station based on the one-bit indicator received on the second channel, wherein the one-bit indicator further indicates a neighboring base station that is lightly congested. |
| US09456375B2 |
Method for transmitting data from terminal in wireless communication system, and device for same
A method and an apparatus for transmitting a signal at a cooperative user equipment in a wireless communication system supporting client cooperative communication is provided. The method includes: receiving one or more packets configured in predetermined units from a source user equipment; configuring a data burst respective to the source user equipment based on the predetermined units by including the one or more packets in the data burst based on a priority level; and transmitting the data burst to a base station. Here, the one or more packets are configured in one of service data units (SDUs) and protocol data units (PDUs), and the priority level is same as a priority level used by the source user equipment. |
| US09456367B2 |
Multi-path search apparatus and method in a wireless communication system
A multi-path search apparatus and a method in a wireless communication system are provided. The multi-path search apparatus includes a correlator configured to get a 1st correlation value between a received signal and a 1st code, and to get a 2nd correlation value between the received signal and a 2nd code, a coupler configured to couple the 1st correlation value and the 2nd correlation value, and a multi-path information generator configured to get the correlation energy of the output of the coupler and to generate multi-path information. |
| US09456358B2 |
Method and apparatus for indicating active channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations
Techniques for indicating active channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) configurations for a user equipment (UE) are disclosed. The UE may be configured with multiple CSI-RS configurations and may receive signaling indicating which of its CSI-RS configurations are active. Improved performance may be obtained by dynamically signaling the active CSI-RS configurations. In one example, the UE may receive first signaling (e.g., upper-layer signaling) indicating a plurality of CSI-RS configurations configured for the UE. The UE may receive second signaling (e.g., lower-layer signaling) indicating at least one active CSI-RS configuration for the UE. The active CSI-RS configuration(s) may include all or a subset of the plurality of CSI-RS configurations. The UE may perform at least one communication task based on the at least one active CSI-RS configuration for the UE. The communication task(s) may include de-rate matching, CSI reporting, cell set management, etc. |
| US09456355B2 |
Signaling tracing method, apparatus and system
The present invention discloses a signaling tracing method, apparatus and system. In embodiments of the present invention, the signaling tracing configuration information sent by an OAM device carries a user equipment identifier, and therefore, even in a scenario that an access network and a core network are managed by different OAM devices, the OAM device of the access network can also initiate signaling-based signaling tracing configuration, so that a base station can initiate signaling tracing for the user equipment. |
| US09456354B2 |
Non-line of sight wireless communication system and method
A non-line of sight backhaul system and method are described that provides self-alignment of the antennas beams of the wireless radios of the system, that provides robust operation in licensed and unlicensed frequency bands, that facilitates the use of a reduced number of frequency channels from M to 1 and that enables operation in a non-line of sight (NLOS) propagation environment. |
| US09456350B2 |
Method and system for enhanced messaging
Techniques for acquiring, sending, receiving or using status information from a remote location over a network are disclosed. The status information is transmitted over the network between or among electronic devices. The status information can be provided by one or more sensors associated with the electronic device that is transmitting the status information. The status information can be transmitted with messages so as to enhance the messages. The electronic devices include at least computing devices, such as personal computers, personal digital assistants, pagers, and mobile telephones. |
| US09456345B2 |
Device authentication techniques
Techniques are provided for authenticating a phone or other device for a user. A phone or other device is provided to the user. A personal identification number is provided to the user. The personal identification number is used to authenticate the phone or other device in the network for the user. |
| US09456341B2 |
Methods and devices for deriving a permanent UE identifier
Network node and base station and methods therein for deriving a permanent identifier, such as an IMSI, for a UE in a cellular communication system of LTE type. The solution involves the use of a request for an inter-RAT handover, where the request comprises a temporary identifier of a process associated with the UE of which a permanent identifier is to be derived. The access to a permanent UE identifier is enabled in a radio access network where such an identifier is not readily available. The solution does not require any changes to procedures or nodes in the core network. |
| US09456340B2 |
Unsolicited broadcast packet transmission through close-by communication protocol
A method is provided for generating a broadcast packet at a first device including an address; transmitting the generated broadcast packet to a second device through a first protocol. The first device may communicate with the second device via the transmitted address through a second protocol different from the first protocol. Alternatively, an apparatus is provided to receive an unsolicited broadcast packet including an address through a wireless, close-by communication protocol; extract from the broadcast packet identification information about the remote device; and store the extracted identification information in association with the remote device. Alternatively, a computer-readable medium is provided storing instructions to receive a an unsolicited broadcast packet including an address through a first protocol; extract from the broadcast packet identification information, including the address and a service available at the remote device; and communicate with the remote device via a second protocol. |
| US09456338B2 |
Control apparatus and wireless communication system
A smart phone carried by a user being aboard a vehicle transmits an automatic Virtual Network Computing (VNC) request that is a request of a remote manipulation based on a trigger event that arises when a short range wireless communication is established with an in-vehicle apparatus in the vehicle. Further, the smart phone transmits a manual VNC request at the time when a manipulation for a VNC request is performed by a user. In contrast, the in-vehicle apparatus uses, as a start condition of starting a VNC connection, a reception of the automatic VNC request from a smart phone that is registered as a target of remote manipulation. In particular, when a plurality of smart phones are registered, the in-vehicle apparatus adds a reception of the manual VNC request from a smart phone into the start condition. |
| US09456336B2 |
Femtocell message delivery and network planning
Techniques for femtocell message delivery and network planning are described herein. A mobile device sends a registration request to an access point, such as a femtocell access point. If denied registration, the mobile device may return to service by a macro cell access point. A network entity, such as a femtocell gateway serving the access point, may determine an identification of the mobile device. The network entity may send the identification of mobile device and an identifier of the access point to an application server. The application server may create and send a targeted message to the mobile device based on the identification of mobile device and the identifier of the access point. The application server may determine a user count for the access point and facilitate network planning based on the user count. |
| US09456333B2 |
Centralized routing in hybrid networks
A mobile device utilizes a two-stage dialing solution when roaming on a visited mobile operator (MO) network to implement centralized routing so that a home network portion of a hybrid network is inserted into the path of outbound calls. A remote centralized routing (CR) service interoperates with a CR client on the mobile device. When a call is initiated to a remote party, the CR client calls into an arbitrary roaming routing number that is terminated in the home network. Once the call is connected between the mobile device and home network, the CR client sends a dialing string that includes a destination number of the remote party. The CR service calls the destination number and then bridges the calls to the mobile device and remote party to establish an end-to-end call path between the local and far ends of the call that traverses the home network. |
| US09456331B2 |
Methods of discovering devices for network formation
Disclosed are methods and systems for broadcasting and scanning for a service simultaneously. The present disclosure provides a solution for devices utilizing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. |
| US09456328B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting a configurable parameter of a discovery protocol during discovery of devices in a wireless network
A method and apparatus for performing a discovery of one or more wireless devices. The method includes initiating, at a first wireless device, a discovery protocol having a configurable parameter, the discovery protocol being associated with discovery of one or more second wireless devices; determining a number of second wireless devices within a predetermined range of the first wireless device; and adjusting the configurable parameter of the discovery protocol based on the number of second wireless devices determined to be within the predetermined range of the first wireless device. The method further includes at the first wireless device, completing the discovery of one or more second wireless devices in accordance with the configurable parameter of the discovery protocol as adjusted based on the number of second wireless devices determined to be within the predetermined range of the first wireless device. |
| US09456326B2 |
Method and system of supporting continuous access to content transmitted over two or more networks
A system and method of supporting access to content over first and second networks that allows a user to access content over different networks, either on the same device or with different devices. The access may be supported in a continuous or seamless matter without substantially interrupting access to the content, such as by instigating the transition during a period of time when minimal, if any content, or content of value, is likely to be missed. |
| US09456319B2 |
Text-to-bill transaction processing system
A text-to-bill processing transaction system is described. A consumer transmits a text message having a merchant keyword component and a transaction details component. The merchant keyword component is used to find a select merchant server from a merchant server data store. The transaction details component is then routed to the select merchant server. The select merchant server then returns a charge amount corresponding to the transaction details component and a fulfillment message. A billing gateway then causes entry of the charge amount against a phone number in an accounts database of a carrier server. A success message transmission module transmits a text message back to the consumer that includes the fulfillment message. The fulfillment message may for example be a code that has to be entered by a consumer. |
| US09456318B2 |
Service processing method and related device
A service processing method and related devices are disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a mobility management entity (MME), an access request message sent by a user equipment; obtaining, by the MME, indication information; and if the MME has been registered as a short message serving node and it is determined, according to the indication information, that the MME is no longer used as the short message serving node, sending, by the MME, a notification to a home subscriber server (HSS) so that the HSS cancels registration of the MME as the short message serving node. |
| US09456317B2 |
Intelligent presence detection messaging
A social messaging hub provides communication services including intelligent presence detection messaging for a data enabled device having Internet network access capabilities. In one embodiment, a user is given a registered phone number and has multiple devices with unique IP addressable identifications which serve as a source and destination identifiers of the associated data enabled devices. The hub receives device and default location information, sets geofence boundaries, receives a notification of device positions and then delivers messages based on the proximity of devices to each other and user preferences. |
| US09456315B2 |
Multicast group reuse in cellular network multicase transport
For transmission of multicast data in a cellular network, a gateway (200) allocates a set of multicast sessions (111, 112) to a single Internet Protocol Multicast group (110). For each of the multicast sessions (111, 112), the gateway indicates an Internet Protocol Multicast address of the Internet Protocol Multicast group to one or more radio access network nodes (100) of the cellular network. For each of the multicast sessions (111, 112), the gateway (200) indicates a different identifier to the radio access network nodes (100), e.g., in the form of a Tunnel Endpoint Identifier. The gateway (200) sends multicast data of the multicast sessions (111, 112) in one or more Internet Protocol Multicast data packets addressed to the Internet Protocol Multicast address of the Internet Protocol Multicast group. The multicast data of each of the multicast sessions (111, 112) include the respective identifier to allow identification of the multicast session (111, 112) at the radio access network node (100). |
| US09456314B2 |
Multicast transmissions in a network environment with user anchor controllers
According to one embodiment of the invention, a non-transitory computer readable medium for improving the scalability and redundancy of a wireless communications network. One embodiment of the non-transitory computer readable medium comprises instructions that determine whether a same data stream is being received by a first access point from each of two or more network devices of a plurality of network devices, responsive at least to the determining operation, select a particular network device, of the plurality of network devices, for transmitting the data stream to the first access point, and configure the plurality of network devices such that the particular network device transmits the data stream to the first access point without any other network devices in the plurality of network devices transmitting the same data stream to the first access point. |
| US09456311B2 |
Determining indoor location of devices using reference points and sensors
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for determining the indoor location of devices such as smartphones and tablet computers using reference points and sensors. According to one aspect disclosed herein, an environment analytics system can retrieve a layout of an environment and determines an absolute reference point for the layout. The environment analytics system also can determine a coordinate pair for a point associated with an area of the layout. The coordinate pair can be determined relative to the absolute reference point. The environment analytics system also can determine a coordinate pair for a beacon deployed within the area. The coordinate pair can be associated with a unique address of the beacon. The environment analytics system can update beacon data in an environment database to include the coordinate pair for the beacon and the unique address of the beacon. |
| US09456308B2 |
Method and system for creating and refining rules for personalized content delivery based on users physical activities
A method (and structure) includes receiving an input from a sensor on a mobile device. Based on the sensor input, a processor determines whether a user of the mobile device is engaged in a specific physical activity. A control setting on the mobile device is set for delivering content during a period the specific physical activity is detected. |
| US09456307B2 |
Electronic device with mapping circuitry
An electronic device may be provided with electronic components such as mapping circuitry for measuring distances, areas, volumes or other properties of objects in the surrounding environment of the device. The mapping circuitry may include a laser sensor and device position detection circuitry. The device may include processing circuitry configured to gather laser sample data and device position data using the laser sensor and the device position detection circuitry. The laser sample data and the device position data may be gathered while pointing a laser beam generated with a laser in the laser sensor at one or more sample points on a surface such as a surface of a wall. By tracking the device position and orientation using the device position detection circuitry, the objects may be mapped while gathering laser sample data from any position with respect to the object. |
| US09456305B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of selecting location providers
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of selecting location providers. For example, a location provider (LP) selector to operate in a mobile device may include a memory to store an Accuracy-Power Decision Matrix (APDM), the APDM to provide an allocation of a plurality of LPs according to a plurality of power consumption levels and a plurality of accuracy ranges; and a controller to receive from a location client of the mobile device a location request for a location fix of the mobile device, and to assign to the location request one or more LPs of the plurality of LPs, based on the APDM, an accuracy requirement of the location request, and a power consumption requirement of the location request. |
| US09456304B2 |
Enhancing A-GPS location accuracy and yield with location measurement units and network timing measurements
A system and method for determining the location of a mobile device. One or more location measurement units (LMUs) or components may be requested to provide timing relationship information from a respective cell site. These LMUs may then be tasked to measure uplink times of arrival of signals received by the LMUs from a target mobile device. A response message from the target mobile device may be received, the response message having reference epoch frame information whereby a Global Positioning System (GPS) time estimate at the reference epoch that the target mobile device used to make GPS satellite measurements is determined as a function of the requested timing relationship information. Satellite information may then be determined using the determined GPS time estimate, and a location of the mobile device performed using this satellite information. |
| US09456300B2 |
Method of communication of the geographic position of a mobile terminal and mobile terminal thereof
A method of communication between a calling terminal (M1) and a called terminal (M2), which can be connected to each other through at least one mobile communication network (R1,R2), the called terminal (M2) being equipped with a system for detecting its geographic position, the method including the steps of: sending a connection message from the calling terminal (M1) to the called terminal (M2) through the at least one communication network (R1,R2); sending an answer message from the called terminal (M2) to the calling terminal (M1) through the at least one communication network (R1,R2), wherein the called terminal (M2) enters geographic position information (GPS2) into the answer message and sends the answer message to the calling terminal (M1). |
| US09456295B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving content based on status of terminal
A terminal status-based content receiving method and an apparatus that receives a differential content based on a change in a status of a terminal are provided. The content receiving apparatus includes a low-power short range communication unit, and a controller configured to determine a status of the terminal, to include status information of the terminal in an advertising packet so as to periodically broadcast the advertising packet through the low-power short range communication unit, and to receive content corresponding to the status of the terminal from an external device that scans the advertising packet. |
| US09456294B2 |
Communication device
A communication device may determine whether a first type of wireless network is an enterprise wireless network, in a case where the communication device currently belongs to both the first type of wireless network for executing a first type of wireless communication and a second type of wireless network for executing a second type of wireless communication. The communication device may execute a sending process comprising sending first wireless setting information to a portable terminal when it is determined that the first type of wireless network is the enterprise wireless network. The first wireless setting information may be information for the portable terminal to participate in the second type of wireless network. The communication device may execute a first particular process different from the sending process when it is determined that the first type of wireless network is not the enterprise wireless network. |
| US09456293B2 |
Sensor nodes with multicast transmissions in lighting sensory network
An embodiment method for communicating data within a lighting sensory network may include configuring a first plurality of lighting nodes to operate as sensor nodes, configuring a second plurality of lighting nodes to operate as listening nodes, generating, by a sensor node using an encryption key, a sensor message associated with sensor data and including at least a timestamp, calculating an interval for transmitting the sensor message, wherein the interval is randomized and exponentially increasing, determining whether to transmit the sensor message based on the calculated interval, transmitting the sensor message in response to determining to transmit the sensor message based on the calculated interval, receiving, by a listening node, the sensor message at a listening node, determining whether the received sensor message is useful based on the timestamp and a predefined age threshold, and performing a lighting action in response to determining the received sensor message is useful. |
| US09456292B2 |
Communication apparatus, method for controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium
A communication apparatus to execute a direct wireless communication includes an identification unit, a determining unit, a display unit, and a connection unit. The identification unit identifies, by performing search processing, one device as a communication partner of the direct wireless communication. The determining unit determines whether a user's instruction is needed to establish the direct wireless communication between the one identified device and the communication apparatus. The display unit displays, where a user's instruction is needed, an instruction screen allowing a user to instruct establishing the direct wireless communication. The connection unit performs, where the user has issued the instruction, connection processing to establish the direct wireless communication via the instruction screen. Where the determination unit has determined that the user's instruction is not needed, the connection unit performs the connection processing without the displaying unit displaying the instruction screen. |
| US09456291B2 |
Session processing method and apparatus of machine type communication
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a session processing method and apparatus of machine type communication. The method includes: receiving, by a first network device, a session request message; acquiring, by the first network device, subscription information according to a device parameter; and generating, by the first network device, a policy and charging control rule PCC rule of a subscriber of a UE according to the subscription information, carrying the PCC rule in a session response message, and sending the session response message. In the session processing method and apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, explicit binding of an MTC UE Category to a Low cost MTC service is implemented, so that it is ensured that the cost reduction technology does not affect the performance of a UE that belongs to an existing UE Category, thereby improving network performance of a communication system. |
| US09456289B2 |
Converting multi-microphone captured signals to shifted signals useful for binaural signal processing and use thereof
A method includes, for each of a number of subbands of a frequency range and for at least first and second frequency-domain signals that are frequency-domain representations of corresponding first and second audio signals: determining a time delay of the first frequency-domain signal that removes a time difference between the first and second frequency-domain signals in the subband. The method includes forming a first resultant signal including, for each of the number of subbands, a sum of one of the first or second frequency-domain signals shifted by the time delay and of the other of the first or second frequency-domain signals; and forming a second resultant signal including, for each of the number of subbands, a difference between the shifted one of the first or second frequency-domain signals and the other of the first or second frequency-domain signals. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed. |
| US09456285B2 |
CIC hearing device
CIC Hearing device (50, 1000, 1100) comprising electronics configured to receive an electrical signal as an input signal and generate an output signal provided to a receiver, the electronics including a variable gain amplifier with input buffering circuitry including a compound transistor, the electronics being configured to bias the compound transistor such that a quiescent current associated with the output signal is limited or controlled. |
| US09456283B2 |
Electrostatic electroacoustic transducer and fabricating methods for the same
An electrostatic electroacoustic transducer includes a first structure, a second structure and a third electrode. The third electrode is located between the first structure and the second structure. The first structure includes a first driving element, a first spacer and a first diaphragm, and the second structure includes a second driving element, a second spacer and a second diaphragm. By providing an alternating voltage source, a transformer and a bias voltage, the electrostatic electroacoustic transducer with a dual-diaphragm structure has a high efficiency and an enlarged range of audio frequency. |
| US09456282B2 |
Bone-conduction speaker
A bone-conduction speaker unit including a resilient metallic voice screen having a plurality of substantially equally spaced locking elements around a periphery thereof, coupling with a yoke supporting a centered magnet within a magnetic ring, the voice screen and yoke being above a metal cover of a housing to which a bone-conduction speaker so formed is affixed. |
| US09456281B2 |
Miniature speaker
A miniature speaker includes a frame having a sidewall including a first upper thinner portion and a first lower thicker portion, a magnetic circuit unit, a voice coil having a lead wire, and a diaphragm driven by the voice coil. The magnetic circuit unit has a yoke, a magnet mounted on the yoke, a pole plate attached to the magnet, and a magnetic gap. The yoke further includes a lower plate and a side extending from the lower plate, the side including a second thinner portion and a second lower thicker portion. A recess is accordingly formed by the thinner portions and the thicker portions for accommodating the lead wire of the voice coil. The recess defines a bottom formed by the thicker portions and an opening formed by the thinner portions thereby providing an enlarged space to the lead wire. |
| US09456278B2 |
Speaker device
A speaker device includes a signal processing section and a speaker array that includes a first speaker units group and a second speaker units group. The signal processing section performs a first signal process in which sound based on an audio signal of a first channel is set to output from the first speaker units group and a first virtual focus of the sound is set to an opposite side of the speaker array opposite to a sound output direction of the first speaker units group, and sound based on an audio signal of a second channel is set to output from the second speaker units group and a second virtual focus of the sound based on the audio signal of the second channel is set to an opposite side of the speaker array opposite to a sound output direction of the second speaker units group. |
| US09456273B2 |
Audio mixing method, apparatus and system
An audio mixing method, apparatus and system, which can ensure sound quality after audio mixing and reduce consumption of computing resources. The method includes: receiving an audio stream of each site, and analyzing the audio stream of each site to obtain a sound characteristic value of a sound source object; selecting, according to a descending sequence of sound characteristic values of sound source objects, a predetermined number of sound source objects from the sound source objects to serve as main sound source objects; determining, according to a relationship between a target site and the sites where the main sound source objects are located, audio streams that require audio mixing for the target site; and performing audio mixing on the audio streams that require audio mixing for the target site and sending the audio streams after the audio mixing to the target site. |
| US09456271B2 |
Method and apparatus for outputting audio signal
An audio signal outputting apparatus and method for adjusting an output gain of an audio signal are provided. The audio signal outputting apparatus includes: a pulse width modulation (PWM) unit which generates a carrier signal, compares a signal level of the carrier signal with a signal level of an audio signal, and generates a PWM signal based on a result of the comparison; a controller which, based to a level of the audio signal, controls the PWM unit to change a signal shape of the carrier signal to adjust a duration of a logic high level of the PWM signal; and a switching power unit which amplifies the PWM signal generated by the PWM unit and outputs the amplified PWM signal. |
| US09456269B2 |
Plug earphone or a concha earphone
The invention relates to a plug earphone with a front portion and a rear portion, wherein a flexible plug can be placed on the front portion which includes an outer portion and an inner portion. An electroacoustic transducer is arranged in the rear portion, wherein the front portion is positioned on the electroacoustic transducer and on an opening of the rear portion produced in this area. To achieve a reliable acoustic friction piece which is easy to manufacture, the front portion, and optionally an inner portion and an outer portion, together with a front wall of the rear portion, forms at least one radial channel leading from the interior of the front portion to the outside, and an acoustic friction piece is optionally arranged in the radial channel. |
| US09456267B2 |
Noise reduction apparatus and method, and program
A noise reduction apparatus includes a microphone that picks up a noise from surroundings of a casing, a cancellation signal generating section that generates a cancellation signal for reducing the noise from surroundings, by applying filtering to a signal picked up by the microphone, a predicted signal computing section that computes a predicted signal by predicting a noise from surroundings leaking into the casing, on a basis of the signal picked up by the microphone, an additional-signal control section that generates an additional signal for improving a listening feel of an actual residual noise, on a basis of a predicted residual noise obtained by adding the cancellation signal and the predicted signal, and an addition/output section that adds and outputs the additional signal and the cancellation signal. |
| US09456265B2 |
Electronic device and control method thereof
Disclosed are an electronic device and a method for controlling the same. The electronic device includes: a signal detection module configured to acquire an electric signal from an earphone plug; and a controller is configured to acquire the electric signal through the signal detection module, to detect magnitude of the acquired electric signal, to determine whether an earphone is worn by comparing a variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal with a reference value, and to control an output operation of a sound according to whether the earphone is worn. |
| US09456262B2 |
Display device with a detachable speaker module
A display device includes a monitor, a stand, and a speaker module. The monitor includes a first side and a second side. An accommodating groove is formed on the first side, and a slot is formed on the second side. The stand is selectively installed inside the accommodating groove for being stored in the first side of the monitor or inserted into the slot for supporting the monitor on a supporting surface. The speaker module is installed inside the stand for outputting an audio signal transmitted from the monitor. |
| US09456260B2 |
Method for crosstalk and power optimization in silicon photonic based switch matrices
Recursive optimization algorithms can be used to determine which idle photonic switching elements to configure in N×N switching fabrics to achieve crosstalk suppression. Different algorithms are used to achieve different levels of optimization. Embodiment full optimization techniques may configure all inactive cells to reduce crosstalk, and consequently may provide the best noise performance and highest power usage. Partial optimizations may configure fewer than all inactive cells to reduce crosstalk, and may provide sub-optimal noise performance at lower power usages. Differential partial optimization algorithms configure inactive cells in different stages of a photonic switching fabric. Fewer than all cells in a given stage may be configured by some algorithms. |
| US09456257B2 |
Device for transferring power from a first circuit to a second circuit
A power transfer system for transferring power from a first circuit to a second circuit by a differential signal generated in the first circuit includes a first isolation element for transmitting a first component of the differential signal between the first and second circuits. The system also includes a second isolation element for transmitting a second component of the differential signal between the first and second circuits. A digital rectifier is coupled to the first and second isolation elements for generating a rectified voltage in response to the first and second components of the differential signal. The system includes circuitry for monitoring the rectified voltage and generating a signal representative of the rectified voltage. The system also includes a controller for changing the rectified voltage in response to the signal representative of the rectified voltage. |
| US09456255B2 |
Method for processing an audiovisual content and corresponding device
The invention relates to a method for processing an audiovisual content aiming to censure scenes called sensitive scenes, for example scenes comprising sex and/or violence, in the audiovisual content and a device implementing the method. According to the invention, the display of a sensitive scene of the audiovisual content is replaced, during the temporal interval intended for the display of said sensitive segment, by the reproduction of audio-description data of the audio-description signal that is usually intended for blind or visually impaired persons. |
| US09456250B2 |
Automatic rating optimization
Automatic rating optimization is described. In an embodiment, ratings of a program can be received from one or more rating sources. Based on these ratings, a representation of a content selection mechanism can be sent to potential consumers of the content. Access events for the content can be counted over a duration of time so a determination can be made regarding how the ratings provided by each of the rating sources affect popularity of the content. A weight accorded to ratings received from each of the rating sources can be adjusted based on the determination. Profiles can be established for consumers and/or rating sources. |
| US09456249B2 |
Multidimensional navigator
A multidimensional navigator configured to facilitate navigation to electronic content is contemplated. The navigator may include a plurality of dimensions and/or levels whereby each level displays electronic content available for navigation. The electronic content identified within each level may be arranged in a fisheye configuration comprising a plurality of rings where each ring identifies electronic content associated with a different resource. |
| US09456244B2 |
Facilitation of concurrent consumption of media content by multiple users using superimposed animation
Embodiments of apparatus, computer-implemented methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media are described herein for facilitation of concurrent consumption of media content by a first user of a first computing device and a second user of a second computing device. In various embodiments, facilitation may include superimposition of an animation of the second user over the media content presented on the first computing device, based on captured visual data of the second user received from the second computing device. In various embodiments, the animation may be visually emphasized on determination of the first user's interest in the second user. In various embodiments, facilitation may include conditional alteration of captured visual data of the first user based at least in part on whether the second user has been assigned a trusted status, and transmittal of the altered or unaltered visual data of the first user to the second computing device. |
| US09456237B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for presenting supplemental information corresponding to on-demand media content
Methods, systems, and media for presenting supplemental information corresponding to on-demand media content are provided. In some implementations, the method comprises: receiving an indication from a web browser extension executing within a web browsing application that a media content item is being presented on a content provider website; identifying the media content item being presented on the content provider website; determining whether supplemental content associated with the broadcasted media content item is available; in response to determining that the supplemental content is available, causing the web browser extension to present an indicator that the supplemental content is available; obtaining the supplemental content corresponding to the broadcasted media content item, wherein each piece of the supplemental content is associated with timing information of the broadcasted media content item; and causing a portion of the obtained supplemental content to be presented concurrently with the media content item in response to detecting that the indicator has been selected. |
| US09456230B1 |
Real time overlays on live streams
A system and method for generating and distributing overlay streams in real time over an overlay stream distribution channel that overlays events of a video stream distributed in a separate video channel. Overlay streams are distributed to subscriber recipient components via a unicast channel in order to enhance user viewing. A publisher subscriber component and caching techniques a low latency, high availability unicasting based real time overlay distribution system for a large numbers of concurrent overlay recipients. |
| US09456229B2 |
Parsing single source content for multi-channel publishing
An approach is provided in which a content manager receives a publication request to publish content data on a particular distribution channel. The content manager identifies one or more channel format parameters corresponding to the selected distribution channel and dynamically formats the content data according to the identified channel format parameters, which results in formatted content data. In turn, the content manager publishes the dynamically formatted content data on the selected distribution channel. |
| US09456218B2 |
Moving picture coding method and moving picture decoding method
According to a picture coding method, a coded picture is stored, as a reference picture, into a storage unit; commands indicating correspondence between reference pictures and reference indices for designating reference pictures and coefficients used for generation of predictive images are generated; a reference picture being used when motion compensation is performed on a current block in a current picture to be coded is designated by a reference index; a predictive image is generated by performing linear prediction on a block being obtained by motion estimation within the designated reference picture, by use of a coefficient corresponding to the reference index; a coded image signal including a coded signal obtained by coding a prediction error being a difference between the current block in the current picture to be coded and the predictive image, the commands, the reference index and the coefficient is outputted. |
| US09456215B2 |
Image transmission apparatus in digital TV broadcasting
Provided is an image transmission apparatus in digital TV broadcasting, including: a first converter which converts added data, which are to be inserted into an image, into a pixel block; a border extender which adds an extended border area to an image area to extend the image in video data and inserts the converted added data into the extended border area; a video encoder which encodes the video data into which the border extender inserts the added data; a video decoder which decodes the video data encoded by the video encoder; and a second converter which converts the added data which are inserted as a pixel block in the video data decoded by the video decoder into original data. Accordingly, in digital TV broadcasting such as HD TV an UDTV, the added data are inserted into a hidden area, so that it is possible to transmit various types of information including contents and copyright without a deterioration in image quality. |
| US09456214B2 |
Moving picture coding method, moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture decoding method, moving picture decoding apparatus, and moving picture coding and decoding apparatus
A moving picture coding method for calculating a motion vector predictor to be used when coding a motion vector of a current block, and coding the current block includes: (S102) obtaining motion vector predictor candidates a fixed number of which is two or more; (S103) selecting the motion vector predictor to be used for coding the motion vector of the current block, from among the motion vector predictor candidates the fixed number of which is two or more; and (S104) coding an index for identifying the selected motion vector predictor according to the fixed number of two or more, wherein the motion vector predictor candidates the fixed number of which is two or more include one or more candidates each having a predetermined second fixed value. |
| US09456212B2 |
Video coding sub-block sizing based on infrastructure capabilities and current conditions
Video coding sub-block sizing based on infrastructure capabilities and current conditions. Sub-block size, such as employed in accordance with the video processing, maybe adaptively modified based on any of a number of considerations. For example, such adaptation of sub-block size may be made with respect to one or more characteristics associated with streaming media source flow(s) and/or streaming media delivery flow(s) being received by and/or output from a given device including a video processor. For example, such a video processor may be a video decoder implemented within a middling or destination device. Such a video processor may be a video encoder implemented within the middling or source device. Adaptation of sub-block size employed in accordance with video coding may also be effectuated in accordance with feedback or control signaling provided between respective devices. (e.g., from destination or source device to middling device, or from destination device to source device, etc.). |
| US09456210B2 |
Sign coding for blocks with transform skipped
Methods of encoding and decoding sign information for non-zero coefficients in a block of video with transform skipped. The methods include context-based coding of a flag that signals if all signs are the same in the block; using a finite state machine to determine contexts for coding of sign information, some of which may be context-based coded and some of which may be non-context-based coded; context-based coding of sign information wherein the context is based upon the signs of neighbouring coefficients; context-based coding of sign information, where the sign information is a prediction of the sign; and using a dedicated context to code signs with a sign flag indicating whether signs in a transform skipping block have been inverted to preserve a dominant sign bias. |
| US09456203B2 |
Information processing apparatus, stereoscopic display method, and program
An apparatus and method provide logic for processing information. In one implementation, an apparatus may include a determination unit configured to determine a first spatial position of a portion of an operating tool disposed within a threshold distance of a surface of the determination unit. The first spatial position may be determined relative to the determination unit surface in a depth direction. The apparatus may also include a control unit configured to generate a first signal to display a stereoscopic image to a user at a first display position. The first display position may be disposed within a predetermined distance of the first spatial position. |
| US09456200B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibration of stereo-optical three-dimensional surface-mapping system
A system for, and method of, extracting a surface profile from a stereo pair of images obtained at an arbitrary setting S of an optical system, includes determining surface profile reconstruction parameters for images obtained with the optical system at a reference setting So of the optical system; determining warping parameters for a digital image processor for warping images obtained with the optical system at the arbitrary setting S into images corresponding to the reference setting So; obtaining the stereo pair of images from at least one camera of the optical system; warping the stereo pair of images into images corresponding to the reference setting So, and using the surface profile reconstruction parameters to determine the surface profile. In a particular embodiment, the surface profile is passed to a computer model of tissue deformation and used to determine an intra-surgery location of a tumor or other anatomic feature of tissue. |
| US09456198B2 |
Depth estimating image capture device and image sensor
A depth estimating image capture device includes: an image sensor; an optical lens; a light-transmitting member arranged on the plane; and a signal processing section. The member includes a first mirror inside to reflect the light at least partially and a second mirror with the same reflection property as the first mirror on its upper surface. The first mirror has a reflective surface tilted with respect to the upper surface of the member. The second mirror has a reflective surface that is parallel to the upper surface. The first and second mirrors and are arranged so that a light beam coming from a point on a subject through the lens is reflected from the first mirror and from the second mirror and irradiates some area on an image capturing plane to make the irradiated area change according to the depth of the point on the subject. |
| US09456197B2 |
3D image reproduction apparatus, and parallax adjustment method of the same, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and image capture device
When there is no parallax data for a video image overall nor is there parallax data for a main imaging subject but there is image capture condition data (100 to 110), an image capture device detects a main imaging subject (114) and computes parallax from the detected position of the main imaging subject (116). The image capture device computes a relationship between the main imaging subject parallax and the main imaging subject distance (118), adjusts parallax using this relationship so as to be in a permissible range even when image capture is performed at the image capture shortest distance (120), and reproduces with the adjusted parallax (124). Reproduction can accordingly be made maintaining optimum parallax when image capture has been performed whatever the parallax during image capture. |
| US09456196B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a multi-view still image service, and method and apparatus for receiving a multi-view still image service
Provided are an apparatus and a method of providing a multiview still image service. The method includes: configuring a multiview still image file format including a plurality of image areas into which a plurality of pieces of image information forming a multiview still image are inserted; inserting the plurality of pieces of image information into the plurality of image areas, respectively; inserting three-dimensional (3D) basic attribute information to three-dimensionally reproduce the multiview still image into a first image area of the plurality of image areas into which main-view image information from among the plurality of pieces of image information is inserted; and outputting multiview still image data comprising the plurality of pieces of image information based on the multiview still image file format. |
| US09456195B1 |
Application programming interface for multi-aperture imaging systems
An application programming interface (API) provides access to a multi-aperture imaging system. By using the API, higher level applications can access and/or specify the image capture by the multi-aperture imaging device. For example, the API can support the specification of various image capture parameters: resolution, frame rate, exposure, flash, filtering, and additional processing to be applied. These could be specified for all frames and all channels (Red, Green, Blue and Infrared), or could be specified for specific subframes within a frame and/or for specific channels. The API can also specify output data from the multi-aperture imaging device. This can include raw pixel data, image data (color and Infrared), depth maps, and other processed image data. It can also include metadata and data about the status of the multi-aperture imaging device. |
| US09456194B2 |
Reception/reproduction device, transmission device, reception/reproduction method and transmission method
To provide a reception and playback device capable of playing back a program in viewer's desired display mode. The reception and playback device receives, with respect to a program that is currently played back in a first display mode, a switching instruction to switch from the first display mode to a second display mode, receives switching permission information indicating whether switching of a playback target stream of the program is permissible from a first stream to a second stream respectively corresponding to the first display mode and the second display mode, when receiving the switching instruction, judges whether switching of the display mode is permissible from the first display mode to the second display mode based on the switching permission information, when judging affirmatively, switches from the first stream to the second stream to perform playback using the second stream, and when judging negatively, performs playback using the first stream. |
| US09456191B2 |
Reproduction apparatus and reproduction method
A reproduction apparatus, which is provided to reproduce a moving image recorded in a recording apparatus, includes: a storage unit configured to store change information indicating a change of a position of a scene included in the moving image recorded in the recording apparatus; a receiving unit configured to receive start information designating a reproduction start position of the moving image based on a reference position of the moving image before the change of the position of the scene; and an identifying unit configured to identify the distance from the reference position to the reproduction start position changed by the change of the position of the scene, on the basis of the change information and the start information received by the receiving unit. |
| US09456189B2 |
Projector, and method for controlling a projector according to the invention
A projector having at least one laser diode which is designed to emit light, having a laser control device which is designed to control the at least one laser diode, having a first controllable resonant mirror which is designed to reflect the light that is emitted by the laser diode, and having a control device which is designed to control the orientation of the first controllable resonant mirror. The control device is further designed to reduce the power supply to the laser diode and to the laser control device in a first configuration of a power-saving mode of the projector, and to further control the orientation of the first controllable resonant mirror at a resonant frequency of the first controllable resonant mirror. Moreover, a corresponding method is described. |
| US09456188B2 |
Light source apparatus and projector having light source apparatus
A light source apparatus and a Projector including the light source apparatus are provided. The light source apparatus comprises: a plurality of light sources each including a laser diode and a collimating lens, said collimating lens making a light emitted from said laser diode into an approximately collimated beam, a plurality of housings in which said plurality of light sources are placed so that a light is emitted from each of said light source advances approximately in parallel in the same direction, a condenser lens which condenses lights which is emitted from said plurality of housings to a phosphor, a phosphor wheel having said phosphor, said phosphor wheel transmitting the lights which is emitted from said condenser lens, wherein incident angles of the lights emitted from said housings to an optical axis of said condenser lens are made different by varying mount angles of said housings to a supporting member. |
| US09456187B1 |
Edge-based pose detection
Techniques are described for determining the pose of a surface based on a point set representing the surface. Corner models are matched to a contour of the point set using a difference minimization technique to identify corner poses of the surface. Based on the corner poses, a virtual model of the surface is created and matched to the point set to determine the pose of the surface. |
| US09456183B2 |
Image processing occupancy sensor
A system and method of detecting occupants in a building automation system environment using image based occupancy detection and position determinations. In one example, the system includes an image processing occupancy sensor that detects the number and position of occupants within a space that has controllable building elements such as lighting and ventilation diffusers. Based on the position and location of the occupants, the system can finely control the elements to optimize conditions for the occupants, optimize energy usage, among other advantages. |
| US09456182B2 |
Pipeline cleaning systems and methods
A system can include a first vehicle operating a mobile pipeline cleaning device for cleaning a pipeline, a second vehicle operating a mobile camera device configured to enter said pipeline and capture video data corresponding to an interior of said pipeline, and a mobile video unit device. The second vehicle can have a transmitter configured to transmit the video data over a communication path, and the mobile video unit device can have a receiver configured to receive the video data from the transmitter over the communication path. The mobile video unit device can visually present to a user a video feed corresponding to the video data. |
| US09456177B2 |
Video conference data generation
In one example embodiment, a method performed under control of a server includes: receiving a user video from a transmitting device; generating conference video data that includes at least one portion of the user video; assigning, in accordance with a security level of a receiving device, a first portion of the conference video data a first security attribute; generating first security data corresponding to the first security attribute; and streaming, to the receiving device, the conference video data that includes the at least one portion of the user video and the first security data. |
| US09456175B2 |
Caption searching method, electronic device, and storage medium
The present disclosure provides a caption searching method including: obtaining characteristic information of a video file to be played, and searching for a caption, for the video file to be played, in a caption database according to the characteristic information, so as to generate a search result; performing, according to the search result, a voice textualization process on the video file to be played; and updating the caption database according to a textualized caption generated by the voice textualization process, and using an updated caption in the caption database as a caption of the video file to be played. The present disclosure further provides an electronic device and storage medium for the caption searching. In this manner, a search for a caption is based on audio information recognition from the video file, to increase a hit rate and reduce an error rate of caption matching. |
| US09456174B2 |
Neural network for video editing
An automated video editing system uses user inputs and metadata combined with machine learning technology to gradually improve editing techniques as more footage is edited. The system is designed to work primarily with a network of automated video recording systems that use cooperative tracking methods. The system is also designed to improve tracking algorithms used in cooperative tracking and to enable systems to begin using image recognition based tracking when the results of machine learning are utilized. |
| US09456173B2 |
Recording apparatus and recording method
There is a first writing mode in which data is written to a recording medium in a first recording unit, and a second writing mode in which data is written in a second recording unit whose size is greater than the first recording unit. In an interval recording mode in which a predetermined recording time worth of moving image data is repeatedly recorded each time a predetermined interval period elapses, moving image data is recorded to the recording medium in the first writing mode having the smaller recording unit. This makes it possible to effectively use the recording area of the recording medium in the case where moving image data obtained by interval shooting is recorded to the recording medium. |
| US09456172B2 |
System and method for correcting optical distortions when projecting 2D images onto 2D surfaces
A system for projecting 2D images, providing a computerized representation of a first, dense, grid of spatial 3D coordinates which respectively correspond to a set of time-points evenly distributed along a time-dimension with constant time-discretization; deriving a dense 2D representation of an image, whose coordinate pairs respectively correspond to said set of time-points; d. Defining a sparse 2D grid of second coordinate pairs, spaced such that distances between any two adjacent coordinate pairs along a row of said sparse 2D grid are constant; and finding, coordinate pairs closest to the second sparser grid to yield a third grid, and a laser controller to control the laser to project a digitally represented image, from said distance, timed to project pixels whose locations respectively correspond to the subset of uniformly distanced positions forming said third grid, thereby to prevent image distortion despite non-uniformity of micro-mirror's angular velocity. |
| US09456167B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving broadcast signal and apparatus for receiving broadcast signal
Disclosed are a method of transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal and an apparatus for receiving the broadcast signal. In the present invention, first program table information describing a broadcasting stream, and second program table information including additional service identifier information of the multiplexed stream and third program table information describing the additional service data for the multiplexed stream are obtained. The additional service can be provided with the additional service data by using the third program table information. |
| US09456162B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are provided. The solid-state imaging device capable of performing an intermittent operation includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout unit for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel unit in units of a plurality of pixels for each column. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators and a plurality of counters whose operations are controlled by outputs of the comparators. Each of the comparators includes an initializing switch for determining an operating point for each column at a start of row operation, and is configured so that an initialization signal to be applied to the initializing switch is controlled independently in parallel only a basic unit of the initialization signal used for a horizontal intermittent operation, and the initializing switch is held in an off-state at a start of non-operating row. |
| US09456159B1 |
Pixels with an active reset circuit in CMOS image sensors
The invention disclosure describes pixels arranged into CMOS image sensor arrays that may be back side illuminated and may operate in a global shutter mode. The image sensor pixels may also be front side illuminated. The pixel charge storage sites for the global shutter operation are formed by floating diffusions that are small and do not collect a significant number of stray charge, which contributes to the sensor's high shutter efficiency. The floating diffusions are reset by an active reset circuit that significantly reduces generation of kTC reset noise. The active reset circuit consists of an in-pixel inverting amplifier formed by a p-channel gain transistor with an n-channel transistor load, and a feedback reset transistor connected from the amplifier output to the amplifier input, which is the FD node. The active reset circuit does not utilize a significant portion of the pixel area and has low power consumption. |
| US09456149B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for managing output of an HDMI source
Mechanisms for managing output of an HDMI source are provided. In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, a method for controlling output of an HDMI source is provided, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the HDMI source and an HDMI sink at a first address of a consumer electronic control bus of the HDMI sink; sending a request for an identity of the active source connected to the HDMI sink; monitoring signals on the consumer electronic control bus; receiving a message over the consumer electronic control bus identifying a second address on the consumer electronic control bus different from the first address as an address of an active source; setting a status of the HDMI source as inactive in response to receiving the message; and inhibiting output of video from the HDMI source to the HDMI sink in response to the status being set as inactive. |
| US09456146B2 |
Exposure control device, imaging device, image display device, and exposure control method
It includes a face detection unit that acquires an image from a camera and detects a person's face from the image, a region division unit that acquires an image from the camera and divides an imaging region of the image, a luminance calculation unit that calculates luminance of the person's face detected by the face detection unit and luminance of each divided region obtained by dividing by the region division unit, and a diaphragm adjustment information calculation unit that obtains the divided region having a difference between the luminance of the person's face and the luminance of the divided region which is larger than a predetermined value, calculates a region excluding the obtained divided region as a diaphragm adjustment region of an imaging unit, and outputs the obtained diaphragm adjustment region as diaphragm adjustment information to a diaphragm adjustment unit of the camera. |
| US09456145B2 |
Apparatus for photographing that carries out a pre-flash photography
An apparatus for photographing by using an electronic flash has a photography controller that carries out a pre-flash photography by emitting strobe light in a pre-flash exposure period and subsequently carries out a main flash photography by emitting strobe light; and an exposure adjuster that sets at least one exposure value associated with the pre-flash photography and/or the main flash photography. The exposure adjuster sets an aperture value of a diaphragm that suppresses an occurrence of saturation in image-pixel signals that are generated in an image sensor in the pre-flash exposure period. The photography controller drives the diaphragm in accordance to the set aperture value for the pre-flash photography. |
| US09456141B2 |
Light-field based autofocus
In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for light-field based autofocus. In response to receiving a focusing request at a camera, a light-field autofocus system captures a light-field image. An image crop that contains a region of interest and a specified border is determined. A series of refocused images are generated for the image crop at different scene depths. A focus metric is calculated for each refocused image. The scene depth of the refocused image with the best focus metric is identified as the appropriate focus. The focus motor position for the appropriate focus is selected and the focus motor is automatically driven to the selected focus motor position. |
| US09456140B2 |
Optimized image stabilization
A system for optimized image stabilization, wherein a focus lock of a camera unit having an image stabilizer is detected and in response to this detection, the image stabilization is suspended. A target position for the image stabilizer is determined and the image stabilizer is driven to the target position. In response to a detected shutter release, the image stabilization is continued. |
| US09456136B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating image data in portable terminal
An apparatus and a method for generating image data in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus method includes when a request for photographing an image is made, detecting a motion of the portable terminal and generating motion information, generating coordinates corresponding to a plurality of image data based on the motion information, combining the plurality of image data based on the coordinates to generate combined image data, and displaying the combined image data. |
| US09456133B2 |
Image shooting unit and apparatus, integrated display and image shooting apparatus, and image shooting method
The image shooting unit is configured to collect image information, and a formed image is a pixel block including one or several pixels, and the image shooting unit includes a tubular directional hood, a lens group, and a light sensitive module that are arranged sequentially along a light incidence direction and a same optical axis, where the tubular directional hood eliminates non-parallel light signals entering the tubular directional hood and enables parallel light signals parallel to an axis of the tubular directional hood to pass; the lens group converges, onto the light sensitive module, the parallel light signals passing through the tubular directional hood; and the light sensitive module converts the parallel light signals into electrical signals. |
| US09456127B2 |
Blur detection method of images, monitoring device, and monitoring system
A monitoring device, system, and blur detection method of images separate a monitored area into an in-focus area and an out-of-focus area after focusing is done and then analyze the following captured images for how the blocks that makes up the in-focus area change in the blurriness and the proportion of the blocks with changed blurriness to overall blocks in the in-focus area. When the proportion of a captured image meets a specific condition, the captured image is then determined as a blur image. A consecutive number of determined blur images will trigger an auto focus procedure. |
| US09456125B2 |
Focus detection apparatus and method
A focus detection apparatus comprises: a sensor unit, having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for receiving light that passed through an imaging optical system and accumulating charge, configured to generate an image signal to be used for correlation calculation for focus detection based on the accumulated charge; a control unit configured to control the photoelectric conversion elements to stop charge accumulation in a case where a first signal that represents contrast of the image signal reaches a predetermined voltage level; and a voltage level setting unit. The voltage level setting unit sets a larger voltage level in a first case, in which luminance change in a direction of the correlation calculation in the plurality of the photoelectric conversion elements is gentler than a second case, than in the second case. |
| US09456124B2 |
Detection device, and image pickup apparatus with the same
A detection device includes a first holding member holding a light receiving element, a second holding member holding an optical system, and first and second fixing members fixing the first and second holding members with the first and second holding members separated from each other, in a direction parallel to a second direction orthogonal to a first direction in which an optical axis of the optical system extends, at least one of a first surface of the first holding member opposite to the second holding member and a second surface of the second holding member opposite to the first holding member has a plane inclined with respect to the first direction, and the first and second fixing members are provided on the inclined plane and disposed between the first and second surfaces. |
| US09456122B2 |
System and method for focusing imaging devices
A system and method for automatically focusing imaging devices on an imaging set employs at least one tracker and two or more tracking markers, each tracking marker having an identification means and a tracking pattern. The tracking markers are configured for attaching to the imaging devices and to corresponding subjects to be imaged. A tracker gathers image information of the imaging set and provides it to a controller, which compares the image information to predetermined stored information about the tracking patterns of the various tracking markers. The tracking markers are identified and their three-dimensional positions determined. The distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are determined and the distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are calculated. This provides the focus setting information for communication to the imaging devices. The tracking patterns may have no rotational symmetry, allowing the orientation of subjects to be determined. |
| US09456119B2 |
Focusing apparatus capable of changing a driving amount of a focus lens based on focus detection results acquired at different focus positions
A focusing apparatus with a photoelectric converter which photoelectrically converts at least a pair of optical images formed by light fluxes that have passed a focus lens to output at least a pair of image signals, a phase difference detector which detects a phase difference between the pair of output image signals, and a driving amount calculator which calculates a driving amount of the focus lens based upon the detected phase difference. The driving amount calculator changes the calculated driving amount, in accordance with a first driving amount corresponding to a detected phase difference when the focus lens is located at a first position, a second driving amount corresponding to the detected phase difference when the focus lens is located at a second position, and a relationship between the first and second positions. |
| US09456112B2 |
Endoscope system
An endoscope system including: an optical endoscope including a fiber bundle that transmits an optical image; a camera head including an image pickup device; and a video processor including a moiré elimination section, a control section and an enhancement processing section, in which the moiré elimination section uses a processing circuit of the enhancement processing section as a processing circuit of itself by replacing a filter coefficient, the camera head includes a first identifier, the video processor includes a detection section that detects the first identifier, and the control section causes the moiré elimination section to perform moiré elimination processing corresponding to a detection result of the first identifier. |
| US09456110B2 |
Method for improving video output definition and terminal device
The invention discloses a method and terminal device for improving video signal definition. The method includes: acquiring information of a connected display device; selecting a corresponding definition improving algorithm according to the acquired information of the display device to process video output signals, and finally outputting the processed video signals to the display device for display. By adopting the above technical scheme, the problem in the prior art of fuzzy or unclear display images caused by mismatching between output images of the mobile device and the connected display device as a uniform fixed algorithm is adopted to magnify images when a mobile device is connected to a display device for video play is solved. |
| US09456109B2 |
Information communication method of obtaining information from a subject by demodulating data specified by a pattern of a bright line included in an obtained image
An information communication method includes: obtaining a first image by capturing a subject; detecting a range of the subject from the first image; determining, from among a plurality of exposure lines, predetermined exposure lines for capturing the range of the subject; setting an exposure time so that, in a second image obtained using the predetermined exposure lines, a bright line appears according to a change in luminance of the subject; obtaining the second image including the bright line, by capturing the subject that changes in luminance using the predetermined exposure lines with the set exposure time; and demodulating data specified by a pattern of the bright line included in the obtained second image. |
| US09456101B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and program
The present invention is directed to an information processing apparatus operable in any of a plurality of power states including a first power state and a second power state in which power consumption is lower than power consumption in the first power state. The information processing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a shift instruction to shift to the second power state, and a control unit configured to shift the information processing apparatus to the second power state in a case where the reception unit receives the shift instruction while an application that does not support the second power state is not running, and not to shift the information processing apparatus to the second power state in a case where the reception unit receives the instruction while an application that does not support the second power state is running. |
| US09456097B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A printing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are provided. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit to form an image on a printing medium, a scanning unit pivotally coupled to the printing unit, and a cover unit pivotally coupled to the scanning unit and having a pressing portion. The printing apparatus includes a first member rotatably mounted to the scanning unit to latch the scanning unit to the printing unit when the cover unit is in an open state with respect to the scanning unit, and a second member mounted to the scanning unit to rotate the first member to unlatch the scanning unit from the printing unit when pressed by the pressing portion of the cover unit moving from the open state to a closed state with respect to the scanning unit. |
| US09456094B2 |
Electronic device and information providing method that provide assistance to user's operation on how to use electronic equipment
Provided is an electronic equipment facilitating a search for setting items associated with items to be set. The display management circuit manages to cause the display circuit to display a first setting item connected with various settings and an advanced setting menu associated with the first setting item. The operation receiving circuit receives an operation of the first setting item or the advanced setting menu. The uncertain operation detecting circuit detects an uncertain operation of the first setting item by confirming that no setting is conducted in the advanced setting menu, and a process is returned to the first setting item. The display management circuit manages to cause the display circuit to display the first setting item and a second setting item associated with the first setting item based on a detected result of the uncertain operation of the first setting item. |
| US09456090B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for sponsored tethered connectivity
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to establishing a sponsored tethered connectivity (STC) connection by tethering a special purpose connected device (SPCD) through a tethering mobile device having network access. The SPCD accesses an application server on the network and is authenticated before service to the SPCD begins. Once authenticated, the service provider is billed for the STC connection instead of a user of the tethering mobile device. |
| US09456086B1 |
Method and system for matching entities in an auction
A method for matching a first entity with at least one second entity selected from a plurality of second entities, comprising defining a plurality of multivalued scalar data representing inferential targeting parameters for the first entity and a plurality of multivalued scalar data of each of the plurality of second entities, representing respective characteristic parameters for each respective second entity; and performing an automated optimization with respect to an economic surplus of a respective match of the first entity with the at least one of the plurality of second entities, and an opportunity cost of the unavailability of the at least one of the plurality of second entities for matching with an alternate first entity. |
| US09456085B1 |
Managing contact attempts to an account in a contact center
A party associated with multiple contact addresses, such as a home, cell, and/or work telephone numbers, is contacted by a dialer using a contact attempt sequence that defines how the various contact addresses are used. A graphical user interface allows a user to create a visual representation of the contact attempt sequence flow for contacting the party, e.g., a template, where logic is defined indicating how and when the various contact addresses are to be used. Thus, in one instance, the dialer may use the template to make multiple attempts to reach the party using first their home number and then their cell phone number, and if such attempts are unsuccessful, then make a further attempt to the reach the party using their work number, wherein attempts to reach the party using the home, cell, and/or work phone numbers may be limited over one or more defined time periods. |
| US09456076B1 |
Handling audio path failure and poor quality of service for voice calls in a contact center
Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for handling an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for a call between a contact center agent and remote party. Specifically, an audio path is established to a first telephony device being used by the agent and a call is bridged onto the audio path so that audio can be streamed back-and-forth between the first telephony device and a second telephony device being used by the party. Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention involve monitoring the audio path to detect an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for the audio and bridging the call onto a second audio path when a failure or non-conformant QoS is detected so that the call is not disconnected from the second telephony device and a third device (e.g., IVR) can stream audio over the second audio path to the second telephony device. |
| US09456075B2 |
Codec sequence detection
In order to detect a specific codec sequence being used, a signal that is based on a codec sequence is analyzed. The signal is analyzed to determine if there is a pattern in the signal. A pattern of a codec sequence can be a unique pattern of frames, frequencies and/or frequency ranges that are generated based on a specific codec sequence. The pattern is compared to one or more previously stored patterns of codec sequences to see if there is a match. If there is a match, an event is generated. For example, if a known codec sequence that has a poor signal quality is determined to be in use for a voice call, the parties may be notified that the call is likely to be a low quality voice call. |
| US09456074B2 |
System and method of providing voice-message call service
Provided are a system and method of providing a voice-message call service. A mobile device that performs a call with an external mobile device comprises a control unit configured to obtain text, the text converted from voice data that is exchanged between the mobile device and the external mobile device, during the call between the mobile device and the external mobile device, and obtain input text input to the mobile device and provided text that is received from the external mobile device; and a display unit configured to arrange the text, the input text, and the provided text and display the arranged text, input text, and provided text on a screen of the device, during the call between the mobile device and the external mobile device. |
| US09456072B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing application in wireless terminal
Provided is an apparatus and method for managing an application in a wireless terminal, in which data of an application is managed and displayed according to an input type of a password for unlocking the wireless terminal, wherein the apparatus includes a memory for storing a plurality of passwords and a controller for classifying and managing data of each of a plurality of applications according to a password type. |
| US09456061B2 |
Custom error page enabled via networked computing service
An approach is provided for queuing clients when a web page is temporarily unavailable. The approach includes providing a computer infrastructure operable to: maintain a queue of clients requesting the web page; receive an indication of an availability number from a host of the web page; and release one or more of the clients from the queue equal to the availability number indicated by the host, based on the receiving the indication of the availability number. |
| US09456057B2 |
Random next iteration for data update management
Host machines and other devices performing synchronized operations can be dispersed across multiple racks in a data center to provide additional buffer capacity and to reduce the likelihood of congestion. The level of dispersion can depend on factors such as the level of oversubscription, as it can be undesirable in a highly connected network to push excessive host traffic into the aggregation fabric. As oversubscription levels increase, the amount of dispersion can be reduced and two or more host machines can be clustered on a given rack, or otherwise connected through the same edge switch. By clustering a portion of the machines, some of the host traffic can be redirected by the respective edge switch without entering the aggregation fabric. When provisioning hosts for a customer, application, or synchronized operation, for example, the levels of clustering and dispersion can be balanced to minimize the likelihood for congestion throughout the network. |
| US09456054B2 |
Controlling the spread of interests and content in a content centric network
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for controlling the spread of interests and content in a content centric network (CCN). During operation, the system maintains a routing policy for content data. The system also receives a packet associated with a piece of content or an interest for the content. Next, the system determines that the structured name included in the packet is within the namespace specified in the routing policy. The system further determines that the packet satisfies the condition in the routing policy. Subsequently, the system routes the packet based on in part the action corresponding to the condition as specified in the routing policy. |
| US09456049B2 |
Optimizing distributed data analytics for shared storage
Methods, systems, and computer executable instructions for performing distributed data analytics are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of performing a distributed data analytics job includes collecting application-specific information in a processing node assigned to perform a task to identify data necessary to perform the task. The method also includes requesting a chunk of the necessary data from a storage server based on location information indicating one or more locations of the data chunk and prioritizing the request relative to other data requests associated with the job. The method also includes receiving the data chunk from the storage server in response to the request and storing the data chunk in a memory cache of the processing node which uses a same file system as the storage server. |
| US09456048B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for server side processing in a mobile device environment
Described herein are systems, methods, computer program products, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for enabling web content (as well as other objects) to be loaded on mobile devices (as well as other types of devices), and for users of mobile devices to operate with such web content on their mobile devices in an interactive manner while in an off-line mode. |
| US09456046B2 |
Dynamic generation of proxy connections
A system and method which dynamically generate proxy connections in a communication system. A client computer system has a processor that is coupled by a communications path including at least one proxy connection to a first target server. An algorithm for dynamically generating proxy connections is stored in machine readable storage. The algorithm is implemented by the processor causing the client computer system to execute generating an additional one of the proxy connections in response to receiving a request and to generate a program identifier which identifies the additional proxy connection. The processor determines if the program identifier is a unique program identifier. If the program identifier is not unique, the processor changes the identifier to render it a modified program identifier so that it is unique and stores the program identifier or the modified program identifier to a configuration file at the client computer system. |
| US09456044B2 |
Business networking information feed alerts
Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer products for providing information external to an organization in an information feed. A message may be received from an information service provider in accordance with a previously defined request. The defined request may include one or more parameters specifying requested data. The message may include data provided in accordance with the one or more parameters. The data in the message may be processed to create a data object. The data object may include at least a portion of the data provided in accordance with the one or more parameters. The data object may be stored in a database. The data object may then be provided for display on a display device in an information feed associated with the record. |
| US09456032B2 |
Peer-to-peer networking through universal port connections
Embodiments relate to two general purpose computers connected in a peer-to-peer mode by connecting a cable (or wireless connection) between universal ports (e.g., PCIe ports) on each computer. A timing protocol utility runs on each computer to time schedule operations performed by its respective computer. Because the system clocks on each peer computer operate independently (asynchronously), they may vary somewhat from each other. To support time synchronized peer-to-peer operations, paired clock value (one for each peer computer) are generated continually and independently by each peer system. Each peer system periodically supplies the paired clock values to its associated timing protocol utility, which uses the paired clock values to time synchronize peer-to-peer computer operations. The timing protocol utilities may also exchange the paired clock values with each other for integrity checking and other operations. |
| US09456031B2 |
Network device workload balancing
A method and computer readable medium for network device workload balancing, including: selecting a particular network device for storing client information associated with a client device; subsequent to the client device disassociating with a first network device, receiving, by the particular network device from the first network device, the client information; and responsive to the client device associating with a second network device: transmitting, by the particular network device, the client information to the second network device, where the client device does not associate with the particular network device between associating with the first network device and the second network device. |
| US09456030B2 |
Methods of operating load balancing switches and controllers using modified flow entries
A method of operating a load balancing switch may include providing a flow entry in a flow table, the flow entry may include a match pattern that is satisfied by a data flow identification, and the flow entry may identify a first server. A first data packet including a first data flow identification may be received, and the first data packet may be transmitted to the first server responsive to the first data flow identification satisfying the match pattern. After transmitting the first data packet to the first server, the flow entry may be modified so that the flow entry identifies the first server and a second server. After modifying the flow entry, a second data packet including a second data flow identification may be received, and the second data packet may be transmitted to the first and second servers responsive to the second data flow identification satisfying the match pattern. |
| US09456028B2 |
Terminal and controlling method thereof
A method of controlling a first device and a second device, and which includes transmitting first data from the first device to the second device, receiving the first data by the second device, reproducing first screen information based on the first data on a screen of the second device, receiving, in the second device, an input signal for selecting content information in the first screen information reproduced on the screen of the second device, transmitting location information corresponding to the selected content information from the second device to the first device, receiving the location information and executing a function based on the location information in the first device, transmitting second data from the first device to the second device, in which the second data is based on the executed function; and reproducing second screen information based on the second data on the screen of the second device. Further, the location information includes coordinate information of the selected content information in the first screen information reproduced on the screen of the second device. |
| US09456027B2 |
Methods, secure element, server, computer programs and computer program products for improved application management
It presented a method, performed in a secure element, the secure element being arranged to enable user applications of the secure element to verify authenticity of incoming user application commands. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a command from a secure element reader for a user application on the secure element, the command comprising an application identifier of the user application; determining whether there is a matching user application in the secure element; invoking the matching user application; and establishing, when there is an absence of any matching user applications, a communication channel with a remote application manager server and sending an absent user application message to the application manager server indicating that the user application has been requested on the secure element. A corresponding secure element, method for an application manager server and application manager server are also presented. |
| US09456024B1 |
Content sharing in mobile ad hoc networks
A method for sharing a plurality of content in a mobile ad hoc network is provided. The method may include registering the plurality of content for sharing on a first mobile device, whereby the registered plurality of content is associated with a plurality of descriptive keywords. The method may also include responding, by the first mobile device, to a request by a second mobile device for the plurality of content for sharing by the at least one keyword, wherein the responding comprises determining the request for the plurality of content for sharing by at the least one keyword matches at least one keyword within the registered plurality of descriptive keywords. |
| US09456021B2 |
Loading pegged page objects based on predefined preferences
Methods and systems may provide for receiving a set of attributes that identify a pegged area of a page delivered to a user interface during a first browsing session and storing the set of attributes. Additionally, the set of attributes may be used to conduct a subsequent delivery of the pegged area to a user interface during a second browsing session, wherein the subsequent delivery of the pegged area excludes portions of the page that are outside the pegged area. In one example, the subsequent delivery is conducted further based on the type of client device participating in the second browsing session. |
| US09456016B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing streaming data encoding
A method for encoding streaming data according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step of dividing a forward error correction (FEC) source block into one or more FEC sub-blocks; a first encoding step of FEC encoding said one or more FEC sub-blocks; a second encoding step of encoding said FEC source block; and a step of generating third encoded data including first encoded data encoded in the first encoding step and second encoded data encoded in the second encoding step. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a streaming service is provided to multiple users in various environments or in a communication environment that varies according to movement or changes in a communication state. Further, a plurality of pieces of parity information is transmitted to provide a streaming service which is capable of high reliability data recovery. |
| US09456015B2 |
Representation groups for network streaming of coded multimedia data
In one example, a device for receiving information for multimedia data, the device comprising one or more processors configured to analyze at least a portion of a manifest file for multimedia content, wherein the portion of the manifest file includes information indicative of sets of representations of the multimedia content and information indicative of common characteristics for each of the sets of representations, select one of the sets of representations based on the common characteristics for the one of the sets of representations, select one of the representations of the selected one of the sets of representations based on one or more coding characteristics of the one of the representations of the one of the sets, and generate a request for data of the one of the representations based on the selection. |
| US09456013B2 |
Mobile device streaming media application
A system and process for coordinating streaming content or messages is provided. A network-connected server maintains a database containing media content-related data, such as the text of a message, accompanying media, time of airing, payment and related comments. A user can view these feeds or streams of these consciousness messages by downloading a mobile application or browsing to a website. The application can also be used to create, schedule and pay for a media content message. |
| US09456012B2 |
Inline user addressing in chat and document editing sessions
A computer-implemented method is executed on a server having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors. The method includes receiving document editing commands, for editing a respective document, from one or more users in a document editing session, and editing the respective document in accordance with the commands received from the users. The received commands including document text for the document. The method further includes detecting, within the respective document text, an embedded request to invite a specified user to access the respective document, and responding by sending an invitation to the specified user, and, if needed, adding the specified user to an access control list of the respective document to enable the specified user to access the document in response to detecting the embedded request. |
| US09456011B1 |
Dynamic service and registry for management infrastructure
Information processing techniques for managing data center configurations. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. A registry is maintained corresponding to at least one of products and services offered by a provider entity for use in providing a data center for a customer entity. A central interface is provided for presenting information maintained in the registry and for presenting one or more features operative to allow the customer entity to create and/or change a configuration of the data center. The central interface comprises one or more features for obtaining at least one of the data center products and services, one or more features for configuring the obtained one of the data center products and services, and one or more features for managing the configured one of the data center products and services. Accordingly, the customer obtains a customized data center configuration through the central interface and the registry. |
| US09456007B2 |
Session aware notifications
User device information, identifying a first plurality of devices associated with a first user, is stored. A first device of the first plurality of devices is identified as being active. Data pertaining to an interaction session, within which the first user is participating, is provided to the first device based on the determination that the first device is active. |
| US09456006B2 |
Method, device and system for session binding
Disclosed are a method, device and system for session binding. The method includes: a PCRF or BPCF receives a first session from a fixed network, wherein the first session carries an IP address and a port number set; the PCRF or BPCF receives a second session from an AF or a Traffic Detection Function (TDF), wherein the second session carries an IP address and port number information; and the PCRF or BPCF binds the first session to the second session according to the IP addresses and the port number information. The disclosure solves the problem of inaccurate session binding in the scenario where a mobile terminal directly accesses mobile network services via a fixed network. |
| US09456005B2 |
Ensuring health and compliance of devices
A compliance method and associated system is provided. The method includes generating backup devices for devices of a list of devices associated with a data storage environment. A device from the list of devices is selected and available credentials for connecting and authenticating the device are determined. Configuration and operational state data for the device are retrieved. A backup device associated with the device is selected and associated policies are loaded. Each policy is evaluated with respect to the backup devices, associated dependencies, and the configuration and operational state data. Compliant and non-compliant policies with respect to the backup devices are determined. |
| US09456000B1 |
Systems, methods, user interfaces, and computer-readable media for investigating potential malicious communications
A data analysis system receives potentially undesirable electronic communications and automatically groups them in computationally-efficient data clusters, automatically analyze those data clusters, automatically tags and groups those data clusters, and provides results of the automated analysis and grouping in an optimized way to an analyst. The automated analysis of the data clusters may include an automated application of various criteria or rules so as to generate an ordered display of the groups of related data clusters such that the analyst may quickly and efficiently evaluate the groups of data clusters. In particular, the groups of data clusters may be dynamically re-grouped and/or filtered in an interactive user interface so as to enable an analyst to quickly navigate among information associated with various groups of data clusters and efficiently evaluate those data clusters. |
| US09455998B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatuses for prevention of relay attacks
The systems, methods and apparatuses described herein provide an apparatus configured for preventing relay attacks on a communication link between the apparatus and a communication partner. The apparatus may comprise a communication port, a timer and a processor. The processor may be configured to generate a request, transmit the request through the communication link using the communication port and start counting time using the timer, receive a response via the communication port and stop the timer, receive authentication data via the communication port, authenticate the authentication data, compare the counted time with a predefined threshold, compare a first field within the request with a second field within the response and determine whether there is a relay attack. |
| US09455991B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing reactive authorization
An approach is provided for providing reactive authorization for accessing a semantic network resource. An access application of a resource owner entity detects an authorization proxy entity acting between at least a semantic network resource and a requesting entity that requests access to the semantic network resource. The access application determines to cause, at least in part, actions that result in transmission of a query for whether to accept the requesting entity to an owner entity of the semantic network resource. |
| US09455990B2 |
System and method for role based access control in a content management system
Embodiments of the present invention provide an efficient and scalable scheme for role-based access control to resources. The resources are assigned a protection class. Resources in the same protection class share the same access control policy. Permissions granted to various roles are then defined based on privilege sets and protection classes. Accordingly, the permissions of a role can be dynamically determined at runtime. Furthermore, as new resources are added, they can be assigned to a pre-existing protection class. The new resource may thus automatically inherit the various permissions and roles attached to the protection class. |
| US09455988B2 |
System and method for verifying status of an authentication device
A system and method that includes receiving a first device profile and associating the first device profile with a first application instance that is assigned as an authentication device of a first account; receiving a second device profile for a second application instance, wherein the second application instance is making a request on behalf of the first account; comparing the second device profile to the first device profile; and completing the request of the second application instance according to results of comparing the second device profile and the first device profile. |
| US09455984B2 |
Secret data matching device, secret data matching method, and recording medium
A secret data matching device includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor executes a process including: storing a first secret vector obtained by concealing first data and key data based on a first random number and a first linear combination of row vectors of a determination matrix which is different for each system including the secret data matching device and which is generated by attaching a random number vector as a last column to a matrix including diagonal components including a threshold value to determine whether the first data and second data are approximate to each other and a threshold value related to the key data; acquiring a second secret vector obtained by concealing the second data based on a second linear combination of row vectors of the determination matrix and a second random number. |
| US09455981B2 |
Method and system for protection against information stealing software
A system and method for identifying infection of unwanted software on an electronic device is disclosed. A software agent configured to generate a bait and is installed on the electronic device. The bait can simulate a situation in which the user performs a login session and submits personal information or it may just contain artificial sensitive information. The output of the electronic device is monitored and analyzed for attempts of transmitting the bait. The output is analyzed by correlating the output with the bait and can be done by comparing information about the bait with the traffic over a computer network in order to decide about the existence and the location of unwanted software. |
| US09455977B1 |
Remote management interface using credentials associated with respective access control intervals
A processing device comprises a processor coupled to a memory and is configured to obtain a credential associated with a particular access control interval, to insert information derived from the credential into one or more messages of a remote management interface protocol, to transmit the one or more messages to a managed device, and to remotely control the managed device responsive to a successful authentication based at least in part on the inserted information. The one or more messages of the remote management interface protocol are illustratively compliant with a designated Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification. The credential associated with the particular access control interval may be generated based at least in part on a corresponding intermediate value of a hash chain. For example, the credential may be generated based at least in part on a message authentication code and the corresponding intermediate value of a hash chain. |
| US09455973B1 |
Secure storage and retrieval of data in a database with multiple data classes and multiple data identifiers
Secure storage and retrieval of data is provided with multiple data classes and data identifiers. Data values of a client are stored by receiving one or more authentication sets, at least one data value, an associated data class of the data value and a pseudo-random client value; calculating a data seed value based on the pseudo-random client value, a pseudo-random server value and the associated data class of the data value; generating a random data index value; generating a database index value based on the data seed value and the random data index value; storing the database index value; and providing the random data index value to the client. The client can be authenticated at the time of storage based on the one or more authentication sets. The authentication of the client and the storage of the data can be atomic such that only authenticated clients store the one or more data values. Techniques are also provided for the retrieval of stored data. |
| US09455968B1 |
Protection of a secret on a mobile device using a secret-splitting technique with a fixed user share
A method includes (1) receiving, by a mobile computing device (MCD), user-specific data from a user, (2) processing (a) a user share of a cryptographic key, the user share being fixed based on the received user-specified data, and (b) a local share of the cryptographic key to recreate the cryptographic key, wherein the local share was created by applying a secret splitting algorithm to the cryptographic key and the user share to yield a set of non-fixed shares including the local share, the user share and the set of non-fixed shares making up a set of shares of the cryptographic key, the cryptographic key being recreatable from a strict subset of the set of shares, and (3) decrypting encrypted data stored on the MCD using the recreated cryptographic key, thereby providing access, using the decrypted encrypted data, to the resource. |
| US09455965B2 |
Secure and rapid networking configuration of information handling systems and peripherals
A near field communication device, such as an RFID wand, transmits network configuration information to non-volatile memory of a networking device while the networking device is powered down, and even packaged at a retail store. The networking device powers up, reads the network configuration information, and applies the network configuration to automatically interface the networking device with a wireless network. |
| US09455955B2 |
Customizable storage controller with integrated F+ storage firewall protection
A Customizable Storage Controller (CSC) is a software defined storage device controller, a replacement for the ASIC storage controller approach that has been used up to now. The differences from the current storage controllers are that the CSC software will need to be protected from unauthorized modification and provides an excellent place to add additional storage management functionality. The CSC type of storage controller is a good place to integrate the F+ Storage Firewall storage protection technology, fitting the needs of the CSC as well as protecting stored data from unauthorized access. This portion of the larger patent disclosure provides the design of a CSC both with a software version of a F+ Storage Firewall, as well as an improved (more secure) CSC designed with a security co-processor and locked firmware. These designs can be implemented with standard parts such as microprocessors and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), RAM (Random Access Memory), and some version of nonvolatile memory as a program store. |
| US09455954B2 |
Remote diagnosis system and method and printing machine having the system
A system and a method initiate a data transmission from a first computer to at least a second computer or approve access to the data on a first computer by a second computer. The computers are interconnected through a network connection. The first computer is protected against access through the network connection by a firewall. Another communication connection, which the first computer does not use for transmitting data, is provided for initiating the access authorization to the first computer or the data transmission from the first computer to at least the second computer. A printing machine is provided with the system. |
| US09455952B2 |
Method for setting functional module name of mobile terminal, and mobile terminal
The embodiment of the present document discloses a method for setting functional module names of a mobile terminal, which includes: setting the name of a mobile terminal; according to the set name of the mobile terminal, generating functional module names corresponding to functional modules in the mobile terminal. The embodiment of the present document further discloses a mobile terminal. The solution disclosed in the embodiment of the present document can be used to automatically modify the names of various functional modules in a mobile terminal by setting the name of the mobile terminal, thus reducing the user's operation steps and also improving the user experience. |
| US09455948B2 |
Reducing proliferation of network-to-link-layer address resolution messages
In one embodiment, the processing by a packet switching device of a received network-to-link-layer address resolution request message (e.g., Address Resolution Protocol [ARP] Request message, Neighbor Discovery Protocol [NDP] Neighbor Solicitation message) is dependent upon whether or not its target IP address corresponds to a network gateway packet switching device. When the target IP address of a received ARP Request/NDP Neighbor Solicitation message corresponds to a network gateway, then the packet switching device responds effectively on behalf of the network gateway, rather than forwarding the message to the network gateway. When the target IP address of a received ARP Request/NDP Neighbor Solicitation message does not correspond to a network gateway and the Media Access Control (MAC) address corresponding to the target IP address is known, then the packet switching device transforms then sends the broadcast or multicast frame into a unicast frame. |
| US09455946B1 |
Server for providing unified communications
A unified communication server or Client Application Server (CAS) comprises a client communication module, a status determination module, an operation determination module, an object manager, and a permissions module. The CAS enables communication between a client device and a plurality of communication services. The CAS receives requests for services from the client devices. The CAS interacts with a plurality of service providers offering different functionality and responds to requests or provides listings of available services in a unified manner despite the service offerings and service providers being disparate. The present invention also includes a number of methods including a method for operating a unified communication server, a method for generating a list of possible operations, a method for determining the status of a user and a method for determining permissions of a user. |
| US09455945B2 |
Aggregating likes to a main page
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph of a social-networking system, and determining, from the social graph, that a user “likes” a first page associated with a particular version of a media content. The social graph includes a plurality of nodes and edges connecting the nodes. The nodes include user nodes that are each associated with a particular user of the social-networking system. The method further includes determining that one or more other versions of the media content exist, determining that a main page is associated with the particular version and the one or more other versions of the media content, and aggregating the user's “like” of the first page to the main page. Each of the one or more other versions of the media content has one or more associated pages. |
| US09455942B2 |
Conversation timeline for heterogeneous messaging system
A conversation timeline for a heterogeneous messaging system. In one embodiment, a method performed by one or more computing devices comprises: maintaining a conversation among users, the conversation comprising a plurality of messages between the users, each of the plurality of messages being a member of one of a plurality of predefined message classes, one of the plurality of messages being a member a different predefined message class of the plurality of predefined message classes than at least one other of the plurality of messages; causing display of a graphical representation of the conversation to one of the users; selecting a reply message class of the plurality of predefined message classes based on one or more reply control selection factors; and causing display, in association with display of the graphical representation of the conversation, reply message controls for adding a new message to the conversation in the reply message class. |
| US09455939B2 |
Most recently used list for attaching files to messages
A user may select an attachment for an electronic message from a most recently used (MRU) list of files. For example, when a user is composing an electronic message, they may select a file to attach to the message from the MRU list. The recently used files that are included within the MRU list may be related to or more applications/locations and/or one or more computing devices. For example, the MRU list may include files accessed by one or more different authoring applications and/or files that have recently been accessed/created that are associated with the user. |
| US09455938B2 |
Streaming methods and systems for network devices
A system and method are disclosed for processing commands to network target devices through a SCSI router in a Fiber Channel network having a plurality of Fiber Channel hosts. The system may be configured to receive a command, and determine that the command requires a transfer of data larger than a threshold size. The system may also be configured to receive a plurality of data blocks associated with the command, store the plurality of data blocks in at least one buffer, and determine if there is an initial amount of data in the at least one buffer. The system may be further configured to forward at least one of the plurality data blocks, and request an additional data block associated with the command. |
| US09455937B2 |
Distributed packet switch having a wireless control plane
A packet network device such as a network switch includes a number of functional cards or chassis modules at least some of which are connected to both an electrical backplane and a wireless backplane. The electrical backplane provides data plane signal paths and the wireless backplane provides control plane signal paths. |
| US09455936B2 |
Network relay device
A network relay device capable of shortening retrieval time for an address table or reducing a capacity of the address table is provided. When a transmission-source address of a frame received at first and second port groups is learned, a frame processing unit performs a hash calculation by using the transmission-source address and a first internal identifier 0.1. Then, an internal identifier etc., corresponding to the receiving port is registered in an entry inside an address table obtained by the hash calculation. On the other hand, when a transmission-destination address of a frame received at the first and second pot groups is retrieved, the frame processing unit performs a hash calculation by using the transmission-destination address and 0.1, reads out an entry inside the address table obtained by the hash calculation, and compares the internal identifier inside the address table with an internal identifier corresponding to the receiving port. |
| US09455934B2 |
Forwarding inter-switch connection (ISC) frames in a network-to-network interconnect topology
Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC′ connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC′ based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09455933B2 |
Flexible deterministic binary scheduler
A method for allocating port assignments for transmitting a reserved network stream across a network node comprises determining a cycle time associated with a network node. The method also comprises establishing, for at least one port of the network node, a plurality of virtual layers associated with the cycle time, wherein each of the plurality of virtual layers is divided into 2n equally-spaced slots per cycle (where n>0). The method further comprises receiving a reserved stream request associated with transmission of a reserved stream across the node, and determining a number of slots required to transmit the reserved stream. The method also comprises assigning one or more slots associated with a port of the network node to the transmission of packets associated with the reserved stream based on the determined number of slots. The method further comprises transmitting the stream according to the slot assignment associated with the port of the network node. |
| US09455930B2 |
System and method for routing work requests in an enterprise
A resource allocation system of an enterprise is disclosed for allocating resources for a work request in an enterprise. The resource allocation system includes a monitor module configured to monitor the work request and availability of the resources in the enterprise, wherein the work request is characterized by one or more attributes. The resource allocation system further includes a resource matching module configured to match the attributes of the work request with the resources to determine one or more first type and second type of resources. The resource allocation system further includes an assignment module configured to assign the first type of resources to the work request while the second type of resources are unavailable, and re-assign the second type of resources to the work request when the second type of resources become available. |
| US09455924B2 |
Device and system for selective forwarding
A system and method of operating equipment and services to allow enhanced global transport of IP packets is presented. A global virtual network with guaranteed capacity is used to transport said IP packets. A number of application-specific forwarding devices are deployed to detect and forward selected traffic types to the virtual network. The application-specific selective forwarding devices can be implemented based on the IP packets analysis, or by deploying enhanced control protocols like SIP/H.323. |
| US09455923B2 |
Network policy and network device control
A policy enforcer device may determine a value of multiple controls included on a control device. The multiple controls may be associated with zones of a facility. The policy enforcer device may determine, based on the values of the plurality of controls, relative amounts of bandwidth to allocate, of a total amount of available bandwidth, to the zones of the facility; and control one or more network devices to provide the determined amounts of bandwidth to the zones of the facility. |
| US09455921B2 |
End to end network management based on quality of service adjustments
A device may manage end-to-end traffic across a network based on adjusting Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. The device may receive performance requirements for packets corresponding to different applications and QoS levels within segments across the network, and measure performance values along the segments across the network. The device may also identify the application data flows and their associated network locations failing to meet performance values across network segments, and detect an application data flow failing to meet end-to-end (E2E) performance requirements. The device may determine network location(s) to adjust the QoS parameters of the detected application data flow, and adjust its QoS parameters at the determined network location(s) to bring the detected application data flow into compliance with its E2E performance requirements, while maintaining E2E performances compliance of other application data flows. |
| US09455917B2 |
Simplified approach to verify LFAS in deployment
A method and system are provided to install a loop free alternative (LFA) next hop as a backup for a primary path next hop for an interior gateway protocol (IGP). The method enables testing of the LFA next hop to ensure proper handling of data forwarding on the LFA. The method includes receiving a trigger message from an administrative module indicating a switch to the LFA next hop the message including a prefix and an interface. A check is made whether a set of primary path next hops of the prefix have been exhausted. A next primary path next hop is selected from the set of primary path next hops of the prefix. A check is made whether the next primary path next hop matches the interface. The next primary path next hop is replaced by installing the LFA next hop into a global routing information base. |
| US09455916B2 |
Method and system for changing path and controller thereof
A method for changing a transmission path of packets transmitted from a first node to a second node in a software-defined network is provided. The method includes removing a flow entry corresponding to a first transmission path on a flow table of the first node after a plurality of first data packets intended to be transmitted to the second node are transmitted from the first node via relay nodes of the first transmission path. The method also includes transmitting a flush packet to the first node and setting the flush packet to be transmitted to the second node according to the first transmission path; and when the second node receives the flush packet and transmits a packet inquiry message corresponding to the flush packet to the controller, setting a flow entry corresponding to a second transmission path on a flow table of the second node. |
| US09455913B2 |
Management of traffic buffering in internal and external memories in a passive optical network
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing memory of a passive optical network (PON) are provided herein. The method includes the steps of receiving a plurality of data packets from a stream of packets. A plurality of packet descriptors associated with each data packet is stored in a configurable first queue. The first queue includes a plurality of cache slots and is managed in an internal memory. A state of the first queue is identified. In response to the state of the first queue meeting a predetermined threshold, packet descriptors from a tail cache slot of the first queue are transferred to a second queue. The second queue is managed in an external memory. |
| US09455910B2 |
Exchanging internet protocol version capability information between client devices over a communications network
In an embodiment, a dual stack (DS) client device (IPv4+IPv6) configures a header of a message for transmission to include a Via header with an IPv4 address of the DS client device, and transmits the configured message to a server via an IPv6 socket for transmission to a target client device. The target client device receives a message from a server in response to the configured message that identifies the DS capability of the dual stack client device based on a Via header that includes both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. In another embodiment, a DS client device receives a message with a Via header configuration indicating IPv4 and/or IPv6 addresses through which another client device can communicate, identifies the other client device as DS, IPv4-only or IPv6-only based on the Via header configuration and selects a target format for communication with the other client device based on the identification. |
| US09455909B2 |
Application services based on dynamic split tunneling
One embodiment provides selectively routing Domain Name System (DNS) request for sub-domains associated with a first network through a tunnel associated with the first network via the interface. DNS requests for sub-domains associated with a second network are selectively routed through a tunnel associated with the second network via the interface. Embodiments include replacing the destination address for DNS requests for sub-domains associated with the second network to match an address of a DNS server associated with the second network. Data representative of DNS requests for sub-domains associated with the second network is stored. Embodiments forward the DNS requests for sub-domains associated with the second network with the address of the DNS server associated with the second network. |
| US09455908B2 |
Bi-directional flow stickiness in a network environment
An example method for bi-directional flow stickiness in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a packet of a flow from a source address in a network, and destined to a destination address outside the network, looking up a flow table for an entry corresponding to the flow, and caching a forward flow entry and a reverse flow entry in the flow table if the look up results in a miss, the forward flow entry indicating a routing lookup, and the reverse flow entry indicating a previous hop from which the packet was received to maintain a bi-directional flow stickiness. Some embodiments also include receiving another packet from the destination address outside the network destined to the source address in the network, and forwarding it to the previous hop listed in the reverse flow entry. |
| US09455906B2 |
Converged fabric for FCoE
Network devices, systems, and methods, including program instructions are disclosed which provide a converged fabric for Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). A network device includes a Fiber Channel Controller (FCC), located outside of a lossless Ethernet network. The FCC has a processing resource coupled to a memory. The memory includes program instructions executed by the processing resource to terminate Fiber Channel (FC) Initialization Protocol (FIP) frames, generated to and by initiator and target devices, on the FCC. |
| US09455905B2 |
Encapsulation for link layer preemption
Devices implement encapsulation to support link layer preemption. The device may include a encapsulation logic that encapsulates data, such as an Ethernet frame, to produce an encapsulated frame. The encapsulated frame may include an encapsulation element that indicates whether the encapsulated data includes non-preemptible data, such as Distinguished Minimum Latency Traffic (DMLT), or preemptible data. The encapsulated frame may also indicate whether the encapsulated data comprises the last fragment of a preemptible frame. |
| US09455900B2 |
Method and apparatus for shortest path bridging of multicast traffic
Methods, system and apparatus for determining shortest path bridging (SPB) within a communications network. |
| US09455894B1 |
Selective fast re-route using forwarding plane liveliness detection protocols
Techniques are described for selectively triggering fast reroute of traffic by enhancing a protocol used for monitoring operational status of a forwarding plane of a router. The forwarding plane of the router outputs periodic messages that, when received by a peer router, provide an indication that the forwarding plane is operational and able to forward packets. In addition, when constructing the periodic messages, the forwarding plane embeds an indication of a status of internal communication between the forwarding plane and a control plane of the router. In this way, the forwarding plane of the transmitting router provides an indication to the peer router that, although operational, the forwarding plane may be operating according to stale forwarding information. |
| US09455892B2 |
Data loss monitoring of partial data streams
A method for detecting loss of sensitive information in partial data streams may include identifying partial data streams containing segments lost while capturing network traffic at a network computing device, determining characteristics of content of the partial data streams, padding content portions of the lost segments in the partial data streams, and scanning the partial data streams for sensitive information according to at least one data loss prevention (DLP) policy. |
| US09455890B2 |
Deep path analysis of application delivery over a network
Techniques for deep path analysis of application delivery over a network are disclosed. In some embodiments, deep path analysis of application delivery over a network includes monitoring a network path between an agent and a destination; determining the network path between the agent and the destination; and generating a graphical visualization of the network path. |
| US09455888B2 |
Application topology based on network traffic
Methods and apparatuses for generating an application topology are provided. A processor determines a first application profile based, at least in part, on a first network packet. A processor determines a second application profile based, at least in part, on a second network packet. A processor determines a link between a first application and a second application based, at least in part, on address information of the first network packet. A processor generates a topology comprising the first and second application profiles based, at least in part, on the link, the first application profile and the second application profile. A processor updates the first and second application profiles based, at least in part, on matching the first application profile and second application profile with an application deployment template. |
| US09455884B1 |
Agent-assisted and directed web-channel customer care apparatus, method, and computer program
An agent-assisted and directed web-channel customer care apparatus, method, and computer program is provided to receive, from a first device, an inbound message via an inbound messaging channel and create a web session utilizing a web session server. Session identification is received from the web session server and a unique identifier is transmitted to the first device in order for a second device to connect to an agent device via a web session. Communications is simultaneously maintained with the first and second device via the inbound messaging channel and the web session. |
| US09455883B1 |
Method and apparatus for provisioning shared NFS storage
Methods and apparatus for provisioning shared NFS storage in a cloud storage environment having a storage layer, a compute layer, a network layer connecting the storage layer and the computer layer, and a management layer coupled to the compute layer. |
| US09455880B2 |
Method and system for intelligent routing of requests over EPP
Method and system for routing EPP requests over a network are provided. The EPP request can include XML namespace information and optionally XML sub-product information. A gateway can receive the request and analyze the namespace and in some instances, sub-product information to determine the service to which the request is directed. Thereupon, the gateway can route the request to the appropriate service by consulting a routing table that can have status and connectivity information for all the available services. |
| US09455879B1 |
Validating changes to attributes for computing resources
Requests to change attributes of servers or other computing resources can be validated by a veto service. For example, the veto service can receive requests to register for notification of changes to an attribute for a server, send a notification of a pending change to the attribute to each of a plurality of services, determine a response to the notification for each service, and based on the responses decide whether to allow or deny the pending change to the attribute. The responses from the notified services can be received responses or default responses. |
| US09455871B1 |
Best practice analysis, migration advisor
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, providing resource allocation advice, configuration recommendations, and/or migration advice regarding data storage, access, placement, and/or related web services. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on one or more resource usage checks and/or configuration checks, resource usage information and/or configuration information of an account utilizing a web service, and/or user preferences and/or settings, resource allocation advice, system configuration recommendations, and/or migration advice may be provided to a user of an account. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation operations may be performed automatically. |
| US09455870B1 |
Achieving balanced interconnectivity in a computer network
Systems and methods of configuring a computer network are provided. N network nodes can each form M communication links with other network nodes. A number of communication links equal to the largest integer not greater than the quotient of M divided by (N−1) can be assigned between each pair of network nodes. The remaining communication links can be assigned such that a graph represented by the network nodes and communication links is substantially geometrically symmetric. |
| US09455867B2 |
Automatic configuration of a repeater
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an in-band process to inform an external repeater of a desired new configuration or mode of operation. After negotiation of rate and other information during an auto-negotiation routine, a network node sends configuration information to a network element, such as an external network repeater. |
| US09455861B2 |
Systems and methods for advanced iterative decoding and channel estimation of concatenated coding systems
Systems and methods for decoding block and concatenated codes are provided. These include advanced iterative decoding techniques based on belief propagation algorithms, with particular advantages when applied to codes having higher density parity check matrices. Improvements are also provided for performing channel state information estimation including the use of optimum filter lengths based on channel selectivity and adaptive decision-directed channel estimation. These improvements enhance the performance of various communication systems and consumer electronics. Particular improvements are also provided for decoding HD Radio signals, including enhanced decoding of reference subcarriers based on soft-diversity combining, joint enhanced channel state information estimation, as well as iterative soft-input soft-output and list decoding of convolutional codes and Reed-Solomon codes. These and other improvements enhance the decoding of different logical channels in HD Radio systems. |
| US09455858B2 |
Method for the transmission of a multi-carrier signal, and corresponding transmission device and computer program
A method is provided for transmission of an OFDM signal, wherein pre-transmission processing includes: mapping data representative of a source signal to complex symbols Xn, 0<=n |
| US09455857B2 |
Method for transmitting data unit in wireless LAN system and device for supporting same
Provided is a method for transmitting a data unit performed by a transmitter in a wireless LAN system. The method comprises: generating a data unit, wherein the data unit includes a data field which contains data to be transmitted by a transmitter; generating at least one data symbol for the data field; and transmitting the at least one data symbol, wherein two pilot tones are inserted into each data symbol, and pilot values and scrambling values are applied to the pilot tones. |
| US09455855B1 |
Phase shifter chip radio frequency self-test
The method includes selecting, by control hardware, a first output from a phased locked loop, sending, by the control hardware, the first output from the phased locked loop to a first device under test and a second device under test, and adjusting, by the control hardware, a first phase rotator connected to the first device under test to a first rotator phase value of zero; determining a collection of phase detector values of a phase detector connected to the second device under test by adjusting a second phase rotator connected to the second device under test to sweep through a phase range and measuring the phase detector values of the phase detector; determining a phase detector gain of the phase detector by averaging the collection of phase detector values and storing, by the control hardware, the phase detector gain in memory hardware. |
| US09455851B1 |
Efficient encoding/decoding algorithm for MTS constrained MFSK communications
A method of encoding a data signal is disclosed. The method includes selecting a set of M ultrasonic frequencies, wherein each of the M ultrasonic frequencies differs from an adjacent frequency by at least a first frequency spacing, and wherein M is a positive integer. The method further includes forming a trellis matrix and encoding the data signal with the trellis matrix to form a set of Q of the M ultrasonic frequencies, wherein Q is a positive integer less than M, and wherein a minimum frequency separation between any pair of the Q frequencies of the set is greater than the first frequency spacing. |
| US09455846B2 |
Decision feedback equalization
A signal sampling system that includes N samplers is disclosed. Each sampler includes a data input having a decision logic level threshold, a plurality of offset control inputs, a plurality of offset magnitude inputs, an un-buffered output, and a buffered output. Each sampler further includes circuitry coupled between the inputs and outputs that is configured to cause a time delay from an input signal transition to an output signal transition such that, after an offset control input transitions from a first voltage to a second voltage, the decision logic level threshold changes in a time substantially less than one gate delay, and after the sample clock transitions from a first logic state to a second logic state, the un-buffered output transitions within a time substantially equal to one gate delay and the buffered output transitions within a time substantially equal to two gate delays. |
| US09455845B2 |
Wireless communications apparatus
MIMO UWB Communications apparatus is configured to send out a channel estimation sequence comprising a plurality of sequentially transmitted symbols in accordance with a first band hopping sequence, sent from one antenna of the apparatus, while another antenna is transmitting another sequence of channel estimation symbols in accordance with another, complementary band hopping sequence. A legacy device will be capable of synchronizing with the channel estimation symbols sent in accordance with the first band hopping sequence, while a MIMO receiver will be able to determine channel estimates for all MIMO channels on the basis of the combined channel estimation transmissions. |
| US09455844B2 |
Distributed processing system and method
A solution for managing communicative interactions between network elements is described herein. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a processor module that monitors communications between a program resident on a user machine and a server program resident on a computing device remote from the user. The processor module may be utilized to effectively reduce the processing overhead of a server program and the number of communications actually transmitted between the client program and the server program. For example, the processor module may intercept certain client or server initiated communications intended for the server or client program and process those communications internally. The results of the processing which may require an updating to all object groups which may be associated with client programs. The updating of said client programs is then executed without server program involvement. |
| US09455838B2 |
Creating a digital certificate for a service using a local certificate authority having temporary signing authority
A computing machine creates a temporary certificate authority (CA) hosted locally by the computing machine, creates a service certificate for a local service being hosted by the computing machine, and signs the service certificate using a private key of the temporary CA. The private key is stored locally on the computing machine. The computing machine removes signing authority of the temporary CA, and provides the service certificate to the local service. |
| US09455837B2 |
Method and system for exchange multifunction job security using IPV6 neighbor discovery options
A method, system and computer program product are disclosed that facilitates exchange multifunction job security using IPv6 Neighbor Discovery, which can include generating a print job on a first node, the first node having a first software module and a first IP filter configured to capture neighbor solicitation messages and sending a neighbor solicitation request with the at least one security option to a second nod. Capturing the neighbor solicitation request via a second IP filter on the second node; validating a digital certificate and decrypting a first encrypted job identifier associated with the neighbor solicitation request using a second software module on the second node. Sending a neighbor advertisement to the first node, the neighbor advertisement including a second encrypted job identifier for the print job and capturing the neighbor advertisement from the second node with the first IP filter, and processing the job on the first node. |
| US09455836B1 |
Verification of authenticity and responsiveness of biometric evidence and/or other evidence
Authenticity and responsiveness of evidence (e.g., biometric evidence) may be validated without regard for whether there is direct control over a sensor that acquired the evidence. In some implementations, only a data block containing evidence that is (1) appended with a server-generated challenge (e.g., a nonce) and (2) signed or encrypted by the sensor may validate that the evidence is responsive to a current request and belongs to a current session. In some implementations, trust may be established and/or enhanced due to one or more security features (e.g., anti-spoofing, anti-tampering, and/or other security features) being collocated with the sensor at the actual sampling site. |
| US09455830B2 |
Method for securing credentials in a remote repository
A method of securing user credentials in a remote repository is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising generating a first private key and a first public key pair from a registered password; generating a second private key and a second public key pair; generating a storage key from the second private key and the first public key; encrypting a set of credentials using the storage key; creating a encrypted credential signature from the encrypted set of credentials and the first private key; and storing the encrypted set of credentials, the encrypted credential signature, and the second public key in the remote repository. |
| US09455827B2 |
Communication apparatus, computer program product, and communication system
According to an embodiment, a communication apparatus includes a cryptographic key storage, a transmitter, a receiver, and a sharing controller. The cryptographic key storage stores therein one or more cryptographic keys shared with an external device. The transmitter transmits specifying information that specifies at least one of the cryptographic keys to the external device. The receiver receives determination information that indicates a result of determination, which is made by the external device based on the specifying information, on whether the shared cryptographic key is consistent between the apparatus and the external device. When receiving the determination information indicating that the shared cryptographic key is inconsistent between the apparatus and the external device, the sharing controller deletes the cryptographic key specified by the specifying information from the cryptographic key storage. |
| US09455826B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for transmitting signals
On the basis of single-ended signals based on logic levels, and of differential, in particular common-mode-based, signals, a circuit arrangement and a corresponding method are proposed, in which a serialized signal transmission is always performed in an error-free and stable manner. |
| US09455825B2 |
Receiver with clock recovery circuit and adaptive sample and equalizer timing
A receiver is equipped with an adaptive phase-offset controller and associated timing-calibration circuitry that together shift the timing for a data sampler and a digital equalizer. The sample and equalizer timing is shifted to a position with less residual inter-symbol interference (ISI) energy relative to the current symbol. The shifted position may be calculated using a measure of signal quality, such as a receiver bit-error rate or a comparison of filter-tap values, to optimize the timing of data recovery. |
| US09455820B2 |
Method and system for optimizing user equipment performance in long term evolution co-existent networks
The present invention provides a method and system for optimizing user equipment performance by having faster resumption of services during co-existence of LTE Frequency division duplexing (FDD) and Time division duplexing (TDD) networks. The method includes determining whether the UE is able to acquire essential system information (SI) associated with a cell or frequency which is barred by the UE. Further, the method includes removing the barring restriction conditionally for that cell or frequency which is barred by the UE if the UE is able to acquire the essential system information associated with the cell frequency. Furthermore, the method includes, allowing the UE to camp on the cell or frequency whose essential SI has been acquired by the UE and resuming the service with the cell and frequency. Furthermore, it also includes the method to have seamless handover between TDD and FDD and vice versa. |
| US09455819B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for sending and receiving feedback information
The present invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, particularly relates to a method, system and apparatus for sending and receiving feedback information, to be used for transmitting the feedback information after the aggregation of carriers with different time division duplex (TDD) uplink and downlink configurations. The method of an embodiment of the present invention comprises: determining a dedicated feedback timing relationship by using a user equipment (UE) aggregating carriers with different TDD uplink/downlink configurations; the UE transmitting the feedback information corresponding to the downlink data on the primary carrier according to the determined dedicated feedback timing relationship. Because the feedback information can be transmitted after the aggregation of carriers with different TDD uplink and downlink configurations, thus the transmission efficiency and system performance after the aggregation of carriers with different TDD uplink and downlink configurations are improved. |
| US09455818B2 |
Method and apparatus for signaling to a mobile device which set of training sequence codes to use for a communication link
The present patent application improves DARP by allowing multiple users on one time slot (MUROS). It comprises means and instructions for signaling training sequence set information to a remote station, comprising receiving signaling from a remote station indicating if a new set of training sequences is supported, and using a channel description to signal the training sequence set to be used by the remote station for a communication channel being established. |
| US09455814B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data
A user equipment receives physical downlink shared channel data on a PDSCH in a second subframe from a second serving cell to the user equipment. The second serving cell is activated by the first serving cell, and the second serving cell does not map the PDSCH data to a second RE corresponding to a first resource element of the first subframe mapped with the CRS. The CRS is generated from a pseudo random sequence that is initiated by a cell identifier of the first serving cell and the PDSCH is indicated by an enhanced physical downlink shared channel of the second subframe, and the second RE of the second subframe and the first RE of the first subframe overlap in a time domain and in a frequency domain. |
| US09455811B2 |
Channel state information-reference signal patterns for time division duplex systems in long term evolution wireless networks
A user equipment (UE) for time division duplex (TDD) communication through a wireless communication channel has a receiver to receive a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) subframe configuration value, a CSI-RS configuration value, and a CSI-RS; and circuitry to determine a subframe index corresponding to a temporal position of a special subframe including the CSI-RS; determine a CSI-RS pattern of one or more orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) resource elements carrying the CSI-RS, the pattern being from among a group of CSI-RS patterns that include OFDM resource elements in OFDM symbols corresponding to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) region of a legacy LTE wireless communication channel; control the receiver to receive the special subframe carrying the CSI-RS during the temporal position and at the one or more OFDM resource elements of the CSI-RS pattern; and measure the wireless communication channel based on the CSI-RS. |
| US09455809B2 |
Method for transceiving downlink control information in a wireless access system and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a method for transceiving downlink control information in a wireless access system that supports an enhanced physical downlink control channel (e-PDCCH), and to an apparatus for the method. More particularly, the method comprises the steps of: precoding downlink control information using a precoding matrix set in a terminal; and transmitting the precoded downlink control information to the terminal via the e-PDCCH using multiple antennas, wherein the e-PDCCH is multiplexed with a PDSCH in a first slot of a subframe in which the downlink control information is transmitted. |
| US09455805B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless communications
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for wireless communications, which relate to the field of communications and are used to solve the problem of a relatively low communication quality in the advanced full duplex communication technology. The method provided in the present invention includes: dividing available radio resources in a communication system into first radio resources and second radio resources, where the first radio resources and the second radio resources occupy different radio resources; simultaneously performing bidirectional transmission of communication information with a user equipment through the first radio resources; and performing unidirectional transmission of communication information with the user equipment through the second radio resources. The present invention is applicable to the field of communications and used for wireless communications. |
| US09455799B2 |
Dynamic control of quality of service (QOS) using derived QOS measures
In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method enabling and maintaining authentication of a sender-receiver pair for a communication system by applying changes to the parameters of OCTS is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by a processor, a digital bit stream and transforming, by the processor, the digital bit stream to an encoded digital bit stream. The encoded digital bit stream comprises at least one of a gateway channel, a composite channel, or a data channel, and any combination thereof. The computer-implemented method further comprises providing, by the processor, the encoded digital bit stream to a transmission system for transmission and establishing, by the processor, authentication of the sender-receiver pair where pre-coordinated, pre-distributed information may be changed and communicated to limit the transmission to an intended sender-receiver pair. The intended sender-receiver pair comprises both the pre-coordinated, pre-distributed information and the changed coordinated, distributed information. |
| US09455798B2 |
Forward error correction (FEC) to support successive interference cancellation (SIC)
Forward Error Correction (FEC) techniques that generate independently decodable resource blocks are beneficial for Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) demodulation. One FEC technique for generating independently decodable resource blocks includes mapping locally decodable FEC codeblocks into unique resource blocks such that substantially all of the bits of the FEC codeblock are carried within a single resource block. The locally decodable FEC codeblocks can be generated from different FEC encoding modules or from a common FEC encoding module. Another technique for generating independently decodable resource blocks includes encoding a stream of information bits into low-density parity-check (LDPC) codeblocks having high ratios of inward peering parity bits. These high ratios of inward peering parity bits allow substantial portions of each LDPC codeblock to be decoded independently from information carried by other LDPC codeblocks. |
| US09455792B1 |
System and method for measuring passive intermodulation (PIM) in a device under test (DUT)
In an embodiment, a method for calculating PIM associated with a DUT comprises obtaining a first measurement of PIM with the DUT connected to the measuring instrument, introducing a shift in a phase offset of PIM produced at the DUT in response to test signals generated by the measuring instrument, obtaining, upon introducing the shift, a second measurement of PIM with the DUT connected to the measuring instrument and calculating the PIM associated with the DUT based on the first measurement and the second measurement. |
| US09455789B2 |
Optical reception apparatus, and control apparatus and control method of optical reception apparatus
An optical reception apparatus may include a variable optical attenuator, a detector, and a controller. The variable optical attenuator may adjust a loss of an output optical power of a received light. The detector may detect that the output optical power is equal to or lower than a first level. The first level may be used to determine whether the output optical power is in a light interruption state. The controller may increase, in response to the detection made by the detector, the loss of the variable optical attenuator to a loss according to a second level. The second level may be used to determine whether the light interruption state is recovered. |
| US09455787B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED)-based multi-bitrate data links
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by an apparatus, first data at a first bitrate and second data at a second bitrate faster than the first bitrate; de-interleaving, by the apparatus, the first data into first de-interleaved data and the second data into second de-interleaved data; and controlling transmission of the first and second data in a single modulated light beam transmitted by a light emitting diode, the controlling including outputting portions of the first and second de-interleaved data to the light emitting diode, and controlling transmission of the light emitting diode. |
| US09455786B2 |
Optical transceiver
An optical transceiver includes a positioning element, a fiber connecting segment, a base and a housing. The positioning element has a first positioning part. The fiber connecting segment tightly fits to the positioning element. The housing supports at least one optical transceiving element and is connected to the positioning element. The base has a second positioning part and is configured for supporting the positioning element and the fiber connecting segment. The first positioning part and the second positioning part define the position of the fiber connecting segment. |
| US09455785B2 |
Unified network management of hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network
Embodiments enable a network operator to use any (and a single) network management system (NMS) that it desires to manage a network having mixed fiber to the home optical network units (ONUs) and coaxial connected cable modems. For example, embodiments enable a cable company operator to use a DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) NMS (which the cable company already uses to manage its DOCSIS network) to manage such mixed network, by a simple addition of a DOCSIS Mediation Layer (DML) module between the NMS and the optical line terminal (OLT). On the other hand, embodiments enable a telephone company operator to use a standard EPON (Ethernet Passive Optical Network) OLT NMS with minor OLT and OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) protocol modifications to manage the same mixed network. |
| US09455781B2 |
Method and device for determining whether a configuration of an optical transmission interface has to be adjusted
A method for determining whether a configuration of an optical transmission interface of a first device has to be adjusted for transmitting an optical signal to a second device via an optical band-pass filter, the second device including an optical reception interface configured to enable receiving optical signals output by said optical band-pass filter and transmitted by the first device on a carrier wavelength when the carrier wavelength is in the passband of the optical band-pass filter. A monitoring device performs: obtaining an information representative of a time drift between successive symbols of an optical signal received by the second device, from the first device, via the optical band-pass filter; and determining whether the configuration of the optical transmission interface of the first device has to be adjusted, on the basis of the information representative of the time drift. |
| US09455778B1 |
Method and system for protecting against communication loss in an optical network system
A method and system for protecting against communication loss or disruption in an optical network system includes a signal state detector, which can measure received optical signals and determine if their strength is sufficient to support reliable communications. If the signal state detector informs the control circuit that the received optical signal is too low to support communications with the data service hub (or if there is no signal at all, such as in a severance of an optical waveguide), then the control circuit can instruct the data switch to re-route communications from the primary communication path to a secondary or back up communication path. This switching or re-routing of communications from a primary communication path which is non-functional or inoperative to an operational and fully functional communication path (a back up or secondary communication path) can be completed in a very short time, such as within fifty milliseconds or less. |
| US09455774B2 |
Low complexity soft output MIMO decoder
A method and processing block for receiving data transmitted in a MIMO system is provided. Data is transmitted as a transmit vector of values from multiple transmitting antennas and received as a receive vector of values at multiple receiving antennas. Candidate vectors are determined based on each of a plurality of constellation points of the constellation configuration used in the transmission scheme. A channel matrix is decomposed into a unitary matrix and a triangular matrix, such that a relationship links: (i) a function of the unitary matrix and the receive vector, and (ii) a multiplication of the triangular matrix and the transmit vector. A best candidate vector from the set of candidate vectors is utilized for the computation of soft bits representing the values of the transmit vector. |
| US09455769B2 |
RFID communication system
An RFID communication system comprises an interrogator including a signal generator for generating an interrogation signal at a predetermined frequency f0 and a first interrogator antenna for transmitting said interrogation signal and receiving a first reply signal at a frequency f0, and processing means, and a passive transponder including a first transponder antenna for transmitting said first rely signal and receiving said interrogation signal and a chip comprising nonlinear components for generating said first reply signal in response to the interrogation signal. The interrogator is arranged to receive a second reply signal whose frequency is a multiple of the predetermined frequency f0, said multiple being either odd or even, said second reply frequency being generated by the nonlinear components of the transponder chip, said first and second reply signals being processed by the processing means of the interrogator in order to complete or improve the functionality of the system. |
| US09455767B2 |
Method of monitoring a power transmission line and measuring device
A method and a measuring device for monitoring a power transmission line are disclosed. Measured data are acquired by means of the measuring device at a measuring point of the power transmission line and are coupled in to said power transmission line to transmit the measured data via the power transmission line to a measured data acquisition device. |
| US09455766B2 |
Radio frequency leakage detection in a cable plant
Embodiments described provide detection of RF leaks in a coaxial cable of a cable plant. One embodiment comprises a mobile device that includes an antenna, a quadrature demodulator, and a controller. The antenna receives an RF signal from an RF leak in the coaxial cable. The quadrature demodulator demodulates the RF signal to generate IQ data. The controller determines changes in a phase angle of the RF signal based on the IQ data generated as the mobile device is in motion, and identifies that the mobile device is travelling toward the RF leak responsive to determining that the phase angle is advancing. The controller identifies that the mobile device is travelling away from the RF leak responsive to determining that the phase angle is retarding. |
| US09455764B2 |
Wireless communication system
A method for communication includes transmitting a first uplink message from a first remote node (200, 300, 400) to a central node (100) in a wireless communication system according to a first frequency hopping scheme, and transmitting a second uplink message from a second remote node to the central node in the wireless communication system according to a second frequency hopping scheme, different from the first scheme. Both the first and the second uplink messages are received and processed at the central node. |
| US09455761B2 |
Systems and methods for multi-rate digital self-interference cancellation
A system for multi-rate digital self-interference cancellation including a signal component generation system coupled to a digital transmit signal of a communication system that generates a set of signal components from the digital transmit signal; a multi-rate adaptive filter that transforms the set of signal components into a digital self-interference cancellation signal, according to a transform configuration, to form an interference-reduced receive signal; and a transform adaptor that dynamically sets the transform configuration in response to changes in the interference-reduced receive signal. |
| US09455760B1 |
Waveform adaptable digital predistortion
Apparatus, method therefor, generally related to signal preconditioning. In such an apparatus, a signal classifier block and a delay block are commonly coupled for receiving an input signal. The delay block is for providing a delayed version of the input signal. The signal classifier block is for classifying the input signal and generating a configuration signal having configuration information for digital predistortion (“DPD”) engine parameterization in response to the input signal classification. A DPD engine is for receiving the delayed version of the input signal and the configuration signal and for providing a predistorted output signal. |
| US09455759B2 |
Protection device capable of rotatably supporting a portable electronic device
A protection device for rotatably supporting a portable electronic device includes a cover, a holder and a transmission cable. The holder has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A sunken slot is formed on the first surface which supports the portable electronic device. A hole structure of the holder is connected to the sunken slot and formed between the first surface and the second surface, and an arc structure is disposed on the second surface to rotatably assemble with a rotary portion of the cover. A section of the transmission cable is connected to a first connector to be disposed inside the sunken slot, another section of cable is connected to a second connector to be embedded into the cover, and a middle section of the cable pierces through the hole structure to electrically connect the first connector with the second connector. |
| US09455747B1 |
Parallel chien search with folding and a symbolized minimal polynomial combinational network (S-MPCN)
A hinge path is used to determine if a first possible root is a root of an error location polynomial. A positive limb path is used to determine if a second possible root is a root of the error location polynomial, including by using a sequence of coefficients associated with the error location polynomial. The sequence of coefficients is reversed and a negative limb path is used to determine if a third possible root is a root of the error location polynomial, including by using the reversed sequence of coefficients, wherein the negative limb path is a copy of the positive limb path. |
| US09455746B2 |
Variable speed Chien search architecture
Examples are disclosed for using or designing Chien search circuitry to locate errors for error correction code (ECC) encoded data. In some examples, an error locator polynomial (ELP) may be received that indicates a number of possible error locations for ECC encoded data. Chien search circuitry may be designed such that error locations are found based on the received ELP within one or more passes through the search circuitry. The design of the Chien search circuitry to accommodate both an average expected number of error locations for received ELPs and a worst case number of error locations for received ELPs. Other examples are described and claimed. |
| US09455744B2 |
Context initialization in entropy coding
A decoder includes an entropy decoder configured to derive a number of bins of the binarizations from the data stream using binary entropy decoding by selecting a context among different contexts and updating probability states associated with the different contexts, dependent on previously decoded portions of the data stream; a desymbolizer configured to debinarize the binarizations of the syntax elements to obtain integer values of the syntax elements; a reconstructor configured to reconstruct the video based on the integer values of the syntax elements using a quantization parameter, wherein the entropy decoder is configured to distinguish between 126 probability states and to initialize the probability states associated with the different contexts according to a linear equation of the quantization parameter, wherein the entropy decoder is configured to, for each of the different contexts, derive a slope and an offset of the linear equation from first and second four bit parts of a respective 8 bit initialization value. |
| US09455739B2 |
Code amount estimating method and apparatus, and program and storage medium therefor
In a code amount estimating method, when encoding quantized values of coefficients of a larger-sized orthogonal transformation than an orthogonal transformation size assigned to a variable length encoding table, the quantized values are rearranged in a one-dimensional form, so as to obtain run-level sets. The number of groups is computed based on a proportion between an orthogonal transformation area corresponding to the orthogonal transformation size assigned to the variable length encoding table and an orthogonal transformation area for an encoding target. The Run-Level sets are classified into groups having the number of groups. Each Run is divided by the number of groups, and the obtained quotient is set as Run. A code length of each Run-Level set in each group is determined by referring to the variable length encoding table. The amount of generated code is estimated to be the total sum of the code lengths of all groups. |
| US09455737B1 |
Delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with time-interleaved (TI) or two-step successive approximation register (SAR) quantizer
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a delta-sigma modulator (DSM) using time-interleaved (TI) successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). For example, two SAR ADCs may be configured to alternately sample and process an input signal and provide a feedback signal for the DSM using excess loop delay (ELD). In other aspects, the DSM may be implemented using a two-step SAR quantizer. For example, a first SAR ADC may sample an input signal to generate a most-significant bit (MSB) portion of an output of the DSM, while the second SAR ADC may subsequently sample a residue from the first SAR ADC conversion and generate a least-significant bit (LSB) portion of the output of the DSM. With these techniques, higher bandwidths may be obtained in high accuracy delta-sigma ADCs without using increased sampling rates. |
| US09455736B2 |
ΔΣ modulator and program of ΔΣ modulator
There is provided a ΔΣ modulator including a loop filter for inputting an m-value digital signal into a subtractor, an n-value quantizer for inputting a first output signal to be output from the loop filter and outputting a second output signal as an n-value digital signal, and a selecting device for inputting the first output signal and the second output signal therein, feeding back the first output signal to a subtractor of the loop filter when an absolute value of the first output signal is a predetermined value or more, and feeding back the second output signal to the subtractor of the loop filter when the absolute value is less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value in the selecting device is set to be larger than a maximum value of an absolute value of a quantization value to be obtained by the n-value digital signal. |
| US09455731B1 |
Digital-to-analog converter with digital charge sharing components
A method and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit involve forming an analog signal using charge sharing operations. The DAC circuit includes a plurality of digital components with associated parasitic capacitances. The digital components are activated based on a digital input code, such that charge is shared among the parasitic capacitances to form a first analog signal proportional to the digital input code. The digital components can also be activated based on a complementary code to form a second analog signal. The first analog signal and the second analog signal can be used to form, as a final output of the DAC circuit, an analog signal that is linearly proportional to the digital input code. |
| US09455728B2 |
Digital phase locked loop for low jitter applications
A phase locked loop circuit is disclosed. The phase locked loop circuit includes a ring oscillator. The phase locked loop circuit also includes a digital path including a digital phase detector. The phase locked loop circuit further includes an analog path including a linear phase detector. Additionally, the phase locked loop circuit includes a feedback path connecting an output of the ring oscillator to an input of the digital path and an input of the analog path. The digital path and the analog path are parallel paths. The digital path provides a digital tuning signal the ring oscillator that digitally controls a frequency of the ring oscillator. The analog path provides an analog tuning signal the ring oscillator that continuously controls the frequency of the ring oscillator. |
| US09455725B2 |
Phase detector and associated phase detecting method
A phase detector includes a plurality of sampling circuits, a logic circuit, a plurality of demultiplexers and a decision circuit, wherein the plurality of sampling circuits use a plurality of clock signals with different phases to sample a data signal respectively to generate a plurality of sampling results; the logic circuit generate N phase-leading signals and N phase-lagging signals according the plurality of sampling results; the plurality of demultiplexers perform demultiplex operations to the N phase-leading signals and the N phase-lagging signals respectively to generate M phase-leading output signals and M phase-lagging output signals respectively; and the decision circuit generates a final phase-leading signal and a final phase-lagging signal according the M phase-leading output signals and the M phase-lagging output signals. |
| US09455723B2 |
Leakage compensation circuit for phase-locked loop (PLL) large thin oxide capacitors
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for compensating, or at least adjusting, for capacitor leakage. One example method generally includes determining a leakage voltage corresponding to a leakage current of a capacitor in a filter for a phase-locked loop (PLL), wherein the determining comprises closing a set of switches for discontinuous sampling of the leakage voltage; based on the sampled leakage voltage, generating a sourced current approximately equal to the leakage current; and injecting the sourced current into the capacitor. |
| US09455719B2 |
Frequency compensation
A first oscillator generates a first frequency. A second oscillator generates a second frequency. A controller determines a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency and determines a non-ideal component of the first frequency in dependence on a temperature response of the first and second oscillators. |
| US09455713B1 |
Split resistor source-series terminated driver
A Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) is described with improved transmitter driver architecture. The transmitter driver architecture consumes significantly less power than other transmitter driver architectures as most of the circuits are driven by a low power supply. Furthermore, there is no need for level shifting even though the transmitter driver architecture is capable of supporting over as 1V of differential peak-to-peak voltage across the communication channel. |
| US09455712B2 |
Fast voltage domain converters with symmetric and supply insensitive propagation delay
In one embodiment, a circuit comprises a phase interpolator that converts a single-ended input to a pair of symmetric differential signals within a first voltage domain. The circuit further comprises a comparator that converts the symmetric differential signals into single-ended output in a second different voltage domain. In one embodiment, the single ended output of the comparator is configured to be coupled to drive a switching driver in a switching regulator. In one embodiment, the interpolator comprises a first inverter, a second inverter, and a third inverter connected in series. The interpolator further comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series. The second inverter provides a first output signal. Outputs of the first inverter and the third inverter are connected by the series connected resistors. A node between the resistors provides a second output signal. The first and second output signals are inverted and symmetric. |
| US09455710B2 |
Clock enabling circuit
A clock enabling circuit for providing a gated clock signal in response to receiving clock request information is presented. The clock enabling circuit comprises a clock request input, a clock input, and a flip-flop stage. It also includes a first sub-circuitry comprising a first input being coupled with the clock request input and an output being coupled with the flip-flop stage for providing a set information to the flip-flop stage in response to the receipt of the clock request information, the flip-flop stage being configured to provide a clock enabling information in response to receiving the set information and a second sub-circuitry comprising a first and a second input, the first input being coupled with the clock input and the second input being coupled with the flip-flop stage, the second sub-circuitry comprising an output for providing the gated clock signal in response to receiving the clock enabling information. |
| US09455709B2 |
Semiconductor device
A dynamic logic circuit in which the number of elements is reduced, the layout area is reduced, the power loss is reduced, and the power consumption is reduced is provided. A semiconductor device including a dynamic logic circuit includes a first transistor in which a channel is formed in silicon and a second transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor. Here, a structure in which the second transistor is provided over the first transistor can be employed. A structure in which an insulating film is provided over the first transistor, and the second transistor is provided over the insulating film can be employed. A structure in which a top surface of the insulating film is planarized can be employed. A structure in which the second transistor has a region overlapping with the first transistor can be employed. |
| US09455702B2 |
Resonant-recovery power reduction techniques for pulse generation
The disclosed embodiments provide a circuit for driving a capacitive load. The circuit includes a first inductor with an input terminal and a load terminal, wherein the load terminal is coupled to the capacitive load. The circuit also includes four or more switching devices. The switching devices may hold a voltage on the load terminal at zero volts. Next, the switching devices may charge the capacitive load through the first inductor until the voltage on the load terminal reaches a first input voltage supplied by a voltage source. The switching devices may then hold the voltage on the load terminal at the first input voltage. Finally, the switching devices may discharge the capacitive load through the first inductor until the voltage on the load terminal reaches zero volts. |
| US09455694B2 |
Data transmission circuit
A data transmission circuit includes a first data selection unit suitable for alternately outputting data of first and second input lines as first driving data in synchronization with a clock; a data delay unit suitable for generating first and second delay data by delaying the data of the first and second input lines in synchronization with the clock; a second data selection unit suitable for: alternately outputting the data of the first and second input lines as second driving data in synchronization with the clock during a first mode, and alternately outputting inverted first and second delay data, which are inverted from the first and second delay data, as the second driving data in synchronization with the clock during a second mode; a first driving unit suitable for driving an output line in response to the first driving data; and a second driving unit suitable for driving the output line in response to the second driving data. |
| US09455693B2 |
Switching circuit for a transmission channel for ultrasound applications, transmission channel and process for driving a switching circuit
A switching circuit for transmission channel for ultrasound applications is electrically coupled between a connection terminal and a low voltage output terminal. The switching circuit includes a receiving switch, a high voltage clamp circuit electrically coupled between the connection terminal and a central node, and a low voltage clamping switch electrically coupled between said central node and a reference voltage. The receiving switch is a low voltage switch and is electrically coupled between the central node and the low voltage output terminal. The clamping switch and the receiving switch are controlled in a complementary way with respect to each other. A transmission channel for ultrasound applications includes the switching circuit. |
| US09455692B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor system including the same
A semiconductor device may include a control signal generation block configured to shift a level of a trimming signal and generate a selection control signal, and shift a level of a first enable signal and generate a driving control signal, when an internal voltage is raised to a level greater than a sensing reference voltage after an initialization period is ended. The semiconductor device may include an internal voltage generation block configured to select one of a plurality of trimming division voltages as a selected reference voltage in response to the selection control signal, and drive the internal voltage by comparing levels of the selected reference voltage and the internal voltage in response to the driving control signal. |
| US09455691B2 |
Flip-flop cell with configurable delay
Flip-flop cells that enable time borrowing during the design of the IC to improve setup times while avoiding introducing meta-stability, and alternatively to avoid hold time violations. The flip-flop cells are connected with logic cells in functional data paths. The flip-flop cell has a clock signal controlling both its input and output. A selective delay cell selectively delays either a data signal input to the flip-flop cell or the clock signal controlling the flip-flop cell. The selectively delayed signal adjusts the timing (setup, hold and clock-to-output) of the data path. |
| US09455686B1 |
Wireless communication device and tunable filter thereof
A wireless communication device and a tunable filter are provided. The tunable filter includes a first energy storage element, a first series resonant circuit, a second series resonant circuit, a first tunable parallel resonant circuit and a second tunable parallel resonant circuit. The first series resonant circuit and the second series resonant circuit respectively include a first capacitor and a first inductor electrically connected in series. The first tunable parallel resonant circuit and the second tunable parallel resonant circuit respectively include a variable capacitor and a second inductor electrically connected between a ground and a bias voltage. The first series resonant circuit is electrically connected between a first end of the first energy storage element and the first tunable parallel resonant circuit. The second series resonant circuit is electrically connected between a second end of the first energy storage element and the second tunable parallel resonant circuit. |
| US09455682B2 |
Elastic wave filter device and duplexer
In an elastic wave filter device, an elastic wave filter element chip is mounted on a board. In the elastic wave filter element chip, a ladder filter including a plurality of series arm resonators and a plurality of parallel arm resonators are provided. In/on the board, a first inductor connected in parallel to the series arm resonator and a second inductor connected between the parallel arm resonators P1-P3 and a ground potential are provided. In/on the board, a shield electrode is located between the first inductor and the second inductor. |
| US09455677B2 |
Wireless audio control apparatus
A wireless audio control apparatus comprises a U-shaped outer shell having an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of side surfaces. A spring clip is attached to the inner surface of the outer shell. A speaker, a microphone and at least one control interface are located on the outer surface of the outer shell. A jack sealed behind a jack cover is located on at least one of the plurality of side surfaces of the outer shell. A wireless transceiver, an amplifier and a rechargeable battery are located inside the outer shell. The wireless audio control apparatus is configured to control the audio output from a wirelessly attached personal audio device while being removably affixed to a generally planar object worn by a user. |
| US09455671B2 |
System and method for capacitive signal source amplifier
In accordance with an embodiment, a system for amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source includes a first voltage follower device, a second voltage follower device, and a first capacitor. The first voltage follower device includes an input terminal configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the capacitive signal source, and the second voltage follower device includes an input terminal coupled to the first output terminal of the first voltage follower device, and an output terminal coupled to a second output terminal of the first voltage follower device. Furthermore, first capacitor has a first end coupled to a first output terminal of the first voltage follower device, and a second end configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive signal source. |
| US09455669B2 |
Apparatus and methods for phase compensation in power amplifiers
Apparatus and methods for phase compensation in power amplifiers are disclosed herein. In certain implementations, a power amplifier includes an input stage, an output stage, an envelope tracker, and a compensation circuit. The input and output stages are cascaded and amplify an input RF signal to generate an amplified output RF signal. The envelope tracker generates a power amplifier supply voltage for at least the output stage based on an envelope of the input RF signal. The compensation circuit compensates for changes in input impedance of the output stage associated with changes in the voltage level of the power amplifier supply voltage. By including the compensation circuit, a variation in the power amplifier's phase delay versus input power can be reduced, thereby leading to an improvement in the power amplifier's phase distortion (AM/PM). |
| US09455666B2 |
Multiple frequency LC voltage controlled oscillator scheme
A circuit includes at least two LC voltage controlled oscillators (LCVCOs). Each LCVCO includes a switch to selectively turn on or off the LCVCO. One selected LCVCO of the at least two LCVCOs is configured to provide a differential LCVCO output. A converter coupled to the at least two LCVCOs is configured to receive the differential LCVCO output and provide an output signal with a full voltage swing. |
| US09455659B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling high speed motor
A method for controlling an electric motor includes inputting a quadrature-axis current (Iq) and a direct-axis current (Id) into an electric motor, receiving speed feedback indicative of the speed of the electric motor, determining whether the speed of the electric motor increases given the input Iq, and controlling the Id to increase the speed of the electric motor by selectively weakening the electromagnetic field if the speed of the electric motor does not increase given the input Iq. |
| US09455658B2 |
On-load tap changer
The invention relates to an on-load tap changer for switching among different winding taps of a step transformer without interruption. According to the invention, the selector contact unit (7) and the switching means (16, 17) for switching the load without interruption are jointly actuated without using an intermediate energy accumulator, by means of a threaded spindle (5) which is rotated by a drive motor (2) during a switching operation. |
| US09455657B2 |
Alternator control apparatus
An alternator control apparatus is provided which includes a first controller and a second controller that periodically transmits an instruction signal related to electric power generation to the first controller, wherein the instruction signal selectively includes a power generation instruction signal and a non-power generation instruction signal, the first controller, if a detection value of power supply voltage is less than a threshold and receives the power generation instruction signal from the second controller, controls a power generation amount of the alternator to be greater than a predetermined reference, and, if the detection value is less than the threshold and receives the non-power generation instruction signal from the second controller, forms or maintains the non-power generated or the power generation suppressed state, the second controller periodically transmits the non-power generation instruction signal to the first controller until a predetermined condition is met after completion of engine start. |
| US09455654B2 |
On the dynamic response of actuation devices in nonlinear dynamics systems
A method for actuating a motor including: separating feed-forward signals corresponding to motion independent components of a required actuating force/torque from motion dependent components; filtering the motion dependent components of the feed-forward signals to at least reduce high frequency signals generated due to feedback signals; and either not filtering or filtering with a low pass filter having a higher cut off frequency the motion independent components of the feed-forward signals to at least reduce higher frequency noise and components; wherein higher frequency components of electronic power amplifier signals corresponding to the motion independent components of the actuating forces/torques are not eliminated by the low pass filter, thereby ensuring that the reaction forces/torques are provided to actuate the motor. |
| US09455652B2 |
Motor drive
If a bus current a bus current detector 11 detects exceeds a current cutoff value, an overcurrent detector 12 supplies a gate driver 14 with an open signal for turning off switching elements 5-10 to break the current to a motor 1. Besides, when the overcurrent detector 12 detects an overcurrent, a feedback controller 15 provides the gate driver 14 with a short-circuit braking instruction to apply short-circuit braking after breaking the power supply, and to restart PWM control from a state in which the short-circuit braking is being applied and the duty ratio command value is reset at 0. |
| US09455646B2 |
Filter device, power converter and common mode noise suppression method
A filter device comprises: a filter capacitor portion having one set of ends connected to the AC voltage unit, and the other set of ends connected to DC terminals of the semiconductor switching unit via a low impedance element, wherein both set of ends of the filter capacitor portion and the DC terminals of the semiconductor switching unit are static ground terminals of the power converter; a filter inductance portion a first set of connection terminals connected to the AC voltage unit, a second set of connection terminals connected to the AC terminals of the semiconductor switching unit, a third set of connection terminals connected to one of the static ground terminals of the power converter, and a fourth set of connection terminals; and a compensation portion having one end connected to the fourth set of connection terminals and the other end connected to the ground. |
| US09455641B2 |
DC/DC converter
In a DC/DC converter for bidirectional power transmission, a first switching circuit is connected between a first winding of a high-frequency transformer and a DC power supply, and a second switching circuit is connected between a second winding and a battery. In the first and second switching circuits, capacitors are connected in parallel to semiconductor switching devices, and first and second reactors are connected on AC input/output lines. Upon power transmission, the switching circuit on the primary side of the high-frequency transformer performs zero voltage switching, and the switching circuit on the secondary side performs a step-up operation by using the reactor. |
| US09455640B2 |
Switching power-supply device
A switching power-supply device includes: a transformer including a primary coil and a secondary coil; a rectifying-and-smoothing circuit; a series circuit including a first switching element and a second switching element; a series resonant circuit including a capacitor connected to the second switching element and the primary coil; a controller performing switching control to alternately turn on and off the first switching element and the second switching element with a dead time; and a resonant-current detection unit that detects a resonant current, wherein in a case where the first switching element is in an ON state at a timing when the absolute value level of the resonant current becomes equal to or less than a threshold value, the controller switches the first switching element to an OFF state and makes a subsequent ON period of the first switching element shorter than a last ON period. |
| US09455639B2 |
Switched-mode power supply device
A switched-mode power supply device is disclosed including an AC power supply, a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, a switching element electrically connected to the primary winding, a secondary-side rectifying and smoothing circuit that generates an output voltage by rectifying and smoothing the pulse voltage, a load ratio detection circuit that detects if a load ratio is not greater than a load ratio threshold value during steady load, and outputs a drive switch signal based on the detection, and a drive circuit that, on the basis of the drive switch signal, causes the switching element to perform switching operation in one of a normal drive in which a speed of charging a gate voltage is faster and a soft drive in which the speed of charging the gate voltage is slower. |
| US09455637B2 |
Method for extending power supply hold-up time by controlling a transformer turn ratio
In one embodiment a method of extending power supply hold-up time by controlling a transformer turn ratio may include an input capacitor receiving an input voltage of a transformer unit. A first control transistor may switch a first transformer winding to an on state in response to the input voltage being above a voltage threshold level. The first control transistor may switch the first transformer winding to an off state in response to the input voltage being below the voltage threshold level. A second control transistor may switch a second transformer winding to an on state in response to the input voltage being below the voltage threshold level, wherein the first transformer winding and the second transformer winding may include separate windings located on a same side of a magnetic core of the transformer unit. In an embodiment the transformer unit may include a power supply unit. |
| US09455636B2 |
Control method and device employing primary side regulation in a quasi-resonant AC/DC flyback converter
The present disclosure is directed to a primary-controlled high power factor quasi resonant converter. The converter converts an AC power line input to a DC output to power a load, generally a string of LEDs, and may be compatible with phase-cut dimmers. The power input is fed into a transformer being controlled by a power switch. The power switch is driven by a controller having a shaping circuit. The shaping circuit uses a current generator, switched resistor and capacitor to produce a reference voltage signal. The controller drives the power switch based on the voltage reference signal, resulting in a sinusoidal input current in a primary winding of the transformer, resulting in high power factor and low total harmonic distortion for the converter. |
| US09455635B2 |
Snubber circuit and buffering method for snubber circuit
A snubber circuit includes a capacitor and a buffer device. The buffer device has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is electrically connected to the capacitor. When the buffer device operates in a first conduction mode, a charge current flows from the second terminal to the first terminal through the buffer device. When the buffer device switches from the first conduction mode to a second conduction mode, the buffer device generates a discharge current which flows from the first terminal to the second terminal through the buffer device over a specific period of time, such that after the buffer device enters the second conduction mode, a relative maximum voltage level appearing first at the second terminal is lower than a voltage level at the first terminal. |
| US09455632B1 |
Voltage converter
A voltage converter including a constant turned-on time signal generator, a first transistor, a second transistor, an inductor, a ripple signal compensator, and a ripple injection circuit is provided. The ripple signal compensator is coupled to an output terminal of the voltage converter and a second terminal of the first transistor, and generates an adjusted ripple signal according to a switching voltage on a second terminal of the first transistor and an output signal of the voltage converter. The ripple rejection circuit generates a ripple injection signal according to the adjusted ripple signal. Wherein, the constant turned-on time signal generator generates a first and second driving signals for respectively driving the first and second transistors according to the ripple injection signal. |
| US09455626B2 |
Hysteretic buck DC-DC converter
A buck switching regulator includes a feedback control circuit using a four-input comparator to regulate the output voltage to a substantially constant level with reduced voltage offset and with fast transient response. In some embodiments, the buck switching regulator uses the four-input comparator to compare a first feedback signal without ripple and a second feedback signal with injected ripple components to a reference level. The four-input comparator generates an output signal to control the switching of the power switches. The buck switching regulator generates an output voltage with increased accuracy and fast transient response. Furthermore, the buck switching regulator can be used with output capacitor having any value of ESR. |