| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09566747B2 |
Method of making an electrical stimulation lead
A lead with segmented electrodes can be made using one or two mold methods. In one method, segmented electrodes are individually disposed on pins on an interior surface within a mold. Each of the segmented electrodes has at least one opening formed in the exterior surface of the segmented electrode. The lead body is then molded between the electrodes. In a two mold method, segmented electrodes are inserted into electrode slots of a first mold and an interior portion of a lead body is formed. The resulting intermediate arrangement is placed into a second mold to form an exterior portion of the lead body. In another two mold method, a sacrificial ring is formed around the segmented electrodes in a first mold and the resulting intermediate structure is inserted in a second mold to form the lead body. The sacrificial ring is then removed. |
| US09566740B2 |
Bend fixture
A bend fixture for bending a medium pipe comprises a body part comprising a tubular support to receive a section of a medium pipe therein, an inner bend support to allow the medium pipe to be bent about the inner bend support, and an outer bend support to support the medium pipe from an outer side of the bend to keep the medium pipe bent. The outer bend support is coupled to the body part via a hinge and is turnable between an open position to allow the section of the medium pipe in substantially straight state to be inserted into the tubular support, and a closed position to keep the medium pipe bent about the inner bend support. The bend fixture comprises a pipe coupling arrangement for coupling together the outer bend support, in its open position, and the medium pipe outside the section in the tubular support. |
| US09566738B2 |
Method for manufacturing a handheld priming pump
A method for manufacturing a handheld priming pump is disclosed. It is capable of being automatic production and increase production yield after being modularized. The production time may be shortened and the defect rate may be also reduced. |
| US09566731B2 |
Filter element, filter device and method for producing a filter element
Filter element (1) has opposing end sections (3A, 3B) of a filter material sheet (2) that are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner, wherein a molded or extruded plastic casing (5) encloses the end edges (4A, 4B) of the end sections (3A, 3B). A method for producing a corresponding filter element (1) includes the encasing of opposing end edges (4A, 4B) of end sections (3A, 3B) of a filter material sheet (2) with a plastic casing (5) so as to form a continuous bellows. |
| US09566730B2 |
Method and system for producing an injection moulded product and a label transfer device
In an injection mould, a plastic injection-moulded product is manufactured. The plastic injection-moulded product comprises a tubular body, a neck part and a head part. The injection mould comprises three mould parts, which are displaceable with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. The first mould part comprises a first mould cavity for producing the neck part and the head part. The second mould part comprises a second mould cavity for producing the tubular body. The third mould part comprises a core body. In the open position, a neck label is arranged in the first mould cavity of the first mould part and a peripheral label is arranged in the second mould part. Subsequently, the mould parts are moved to the closed position to form a closed mould cavity. By supplying plastic, the plastic injection-moulded product is produced. The labels are integrally formed in the plastic injection-moulded product (“in-mould labelling”). |
| US09566727B2 |
Device and method for turning selvedges on a calender
Method of calendering the continuous ply of reinforcing threads, during which: said ply of reinforcing threads is positioned between a continuous upper sheet of rubber and a continuous lower sheet of rubber, said sheets of rubber having a width greater than the width of the ply of reinforcing threads, so that the two lateral parts of said sheets of rubber which are not vertically aligned with the ply of reinforcing threads form selvedges. The assembly formed in the preceding step is introduced into the nip of a calendering comprising at least two rolls, so as to cause the rubber to penetrate the spaces between the reinforcing threads. Prior to the ply of reinforcing threads and the sheets of rubber being introduced into the nip of the calender, the two selvedges of one of the sheets of rubber are turned up on themselves. |
| US09566720B2 |
Apparatus for the pretreatment and subsequent conveying, plastification, or agglomeration of plastics
The invention relates to an apparatus for the pretreatment and subsequent conveying or plastification of plastics, with a container with a mixing and/or comminution implement that is rotatable around an axis of rotation, wherein, in a side wall, an aperture is formed, through which the plastics material can be removed, a multiscrew conveyor being provided, with at least two screws rotating in a housing, wherein the imaginary continuation of the longitudinal axis of the conveyor in a direction opposite to the direction of conveying passes the axis of rotation, where, on the outflow side, there is an offset distance between the longitudinal axis of the screw closest to the container, on the outflow side, and the radius that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, and in that the screws co-rotate. |
| US09566718B2 |
Saw guide
A saw guide can include pivotally connected arcuate sections having a plurality of slots formed therein to receive and guide saw blades as they cut a workpiece, such as a pipe or tube. The slots are of varying width so that the saw guide can be used with different saws. For example, the saw guide can include a first slot sized to receive and guide the blade of a reciprocating saw, and a relatively narrower second slot, sized to receive the blade of a portable band saw. The saw guide can include a locking mechanism to securely hold the saw guide on the workpiece, and a stopping mechanism for preventing the saw blade from cutting into the saw guide. |
| US09566717B2 |
Apparatus for cutting electronic monitoring bracelet straps
The present disclosure includes a cutting apparatus for cutting a strap to a desired length. The cutting apparatus includes a handle body with first and second handles and a head affixed to the handle body. The head includes an attachment mechanism to allow a strap to be cut to be releasably secured to a first end the head. The cutting apparatus further includes a blade disposed proximate to a second end of the head. The length of the head or the distance between the first end of the head and the blade approximates a device body length. The present disclosure further includes a method of using a handheld cutting apparatus for cutting a strap to a desired length, such that the combined length of the strap and a device to be attached to an object, approximates the circumference of the object. |
| US09566714B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual
An apparatus for monitoring food consumption by an individual from a food compartment wherein the food compartment may contain or hold solids or liquids. In one example, the apparatus includes a feed arm operative to transfer food from the food compartment to an individual; and, a sensor(s) used in part to determine the quantity or type of the solid or liquids in the food compartment or container. Determining the quantity and/or type of food in the food compartment prior to and after the individual has ceased consuming food from the food compartment the amount or quantity of the food can be determined. Based on such knowledge the nutritional value of the food may be determined and if needed transmitted to a remote location. In addition, sensors may also monitor an individual's physical data and communicate such data to a remote location. |
| US09566707B2 |
Robot controller and robot system for moving robot in response to force
A robot controller for easily moving a desired axis of a robot by applying a force to a front end of the robot, and a robot system including the robot controller. The robot controller has: a force measuring part which measures a force applied to the front end; an operation force calculating part which calculates an operation force for moving each axis based on the measured force; an operation commanding part which outputs a command for moving the robot; and an operation axis specifying part which specifies an operation axis to be moved in response to the force, and determines a direction of movement of the operation axis as a function of a direction of the force. When two or more operation axes are specified, the operation axis specifying part determines as to whether or not each operation axis can be moved, depending on a status of the movement operation. |
| US09566702B2 |
Hydraulic rotator converter for a hydraulic impact hammer and method
A hydraulic rotator converter for attachment to a hydraulic impact hammer having a hammer housing and a hydraulic piston. The converter has mounting brackets, a rotator housing, posts attached to the rotator housing and attachable to the mounting brackets, a hydraulic rotator assembly including a hydraulic rotator, a rotator wheel driven by the hydraulic rotator, and a rotator plate connected to the rotator wheel, the rotator plate having a central cutout region formed therein, and a rotator drill bit dimensioned to pass through a central cutout region of the rotator plate and to engage with the central cutout region so as to be rotatable by the rotator wheel while allowing the rotator drill bit to move in an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill bit. |
| US09566699B1 |
Systems and methods for preloading a bearing and installing a tamper indicating member
An apparatus for use in connecting a cover member to a retaining member coupled to a nut mounted to a shaft includes a body portion, arms, and a plurality of pressing members. The arms extend from the body portion relative to the nut such that contacting portions of the arms contact a rear side of the nut to connect the body portion to the nut. The plurality of pressing members extend from the body portion and is alignable with the plurality of tabs of a cover member when the cover member is located between the body and the nut. The body portion includes a press mechanism configured to cause a first pressing member of the pressing members to contact a first tab of the cover member to deform the first tab toward a retaining member coupled to the nut mounted on the shaft. |
| US09566697B2 |
Torque wrench
A top surface of a transmitter on a torque wrench is opposed to a position camera, and bolt holes to fix the transmitter to a wrench main body open on the top surface. The bolt holes are formed to four places so as to define a rectangle and extend in a thickness direction of the transmitter. The marker is attached to the top surface of a head of one of the bolts, which extends through a through bolt hole. When the transmitter is fixed to the main body using a bolt, the depth of a large diameter portion of the through bolt hole is larger than the total thickness of the bolt head portion and the marker. Therefore, the marker is disposed lower than an aperture surface of the bolt hole and the possibility of the marker being damaged during work is reduced. |
| US09566696B2 |
Handheld machine tool
A handheld machine tool having an output shaft on which a tool holding fixture is developed, which has a multi-faced inner receptacle and a multi-faced outer receptacle, the multi-faced inner receptacle to connect to a tool insert, which can be locked using a locking device assigned to the tool holding fixture; the locking device having a locking sleeve which is displaceable for unlocking the tool insert against a spring force applied by an associated spring element in an axial direction facing away from the handheld machine tool, from a locking to an unlocking position, the locking sleeve has an operating element and a holding element connected to each other via a threaded connection, the holding element driven by the associated spring element in the direction of the locking position of the locking sleeve and the operating element enables displacement of the locking sleeve from the locking to the unlocking position. |
| US09566694B2 |
Open ended socket wrench
A head of an open ended ratchet features outer face plates with voids that delimit a jaw space that is open at one end. Two gripping pieces face toward one another from opposing sides of the jaw space. A working side of each gripping piece features two working faces that lie at an oblique angle to one another to define an inner corner that fits over a respective outer corner of a fastener. The gripping pieces are displaceable along the plates into working positions reaching further into the jaw space. A force member is slidable along the plates to force the gripping pieces into the working position, in which the working faces frictionally engage peripheral faces of the fastener. A handle coupled to the head is pivotally movable in opposing directions to push and release the force member, thereby controlling engagement and release of the gripping pieces with the fastener. |
| US09566693B2 |
Turnbuckle wrench assembly
A wrench assembly for turning a central portion of a turnbuckle. The wrench assembly includes first and second wrenches that are substantially identical. Slots in body portions of each of the wrenches define open ends that are oppositely disposed to one another when engaging the central portion of the turnbuckle. The wrenches may be detachably secured together around the central portion of the turnbuckle. At least two spokes extend outwardly from a periphery of each of the body portions of the wrenches that are utilized to impart rotational movement to the central portion of the turnbuckle. In at least one configuration, a distal end of an elongated member is used to push and pull on the spokes to impart the rotational movement. |
| US09566692B2 |
Rotary impact device
The present invention provides methods and systems for a rotary impact device having an annular exterior surface for use with an impact wrench for providing torque to a fastener. The rotary impact device includes an input member having an input recess for receiving the anvil of the impact wrench, an output member having an output recess for receiving the fastener, and an inertia member. The inertia member is stationary and positioned on the exterior surface of the rotary impact device for increasing the torque applied to the fastener. |
| US09566689B2 |
Abrasive article including shaped abrasive particles
A fixed abrasive article including a blend of abrasive particles having a first type of shaped abrasive particle comprising a first height (h1), a second type of shaped abrasive particle comprising a second height (h2) less than the first height, where the blend of abrasive particles includes a first content of the first type of shaped abrasive particles and a second content of the second type of shaped abrasive particle, and the first content is different as compared to the second content. |
| US09566688B2 |
Insert for an attack tool, method for making same and tools incorporating same
The invention relates to an insert for an attack tool, the insert comprising a super-hard cap having a volume and bonded to a substrate at an interface, the super-hard cap having an average Young's modulus of greater than 900 GPa and the substrate characterized in that it comprises a reinforcing bolster portion as a means for stiffening a region of the substrate proximate the interface, the reinforcing bolster portion having an aggregate volume that is greater than that of the super-hard cap and an average Young's modulus at least 60% that of the super-hard cap. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such an insert and a method for using such an insert. |
| US09566686B2 |
Composition for tungsten CMP
A chemical mechanical polishing composition for polishing a substrate having a tungsten layer includes a water based liquid carrier, a colloidal silica abrasive dispersed in the liquid carrier and having a permanent positive charge of at least 6 mV, an amine compound in solution in the liquid carrier, and an iron containing accelerator. A method for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate including a tungsten layer includes contacting the substrate with the above described polishing composition, moving the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading the substrate to remove a portion of the tungsten from the substrate and thereby polish the substrate. |
| US09566685B2 |
Polishing composition and method for producing polished article
This invention provides a polishing composition comprising an abrasive, a water-soluble polymer and water. The water-soluble polymer comprises a polymer A having an adsorption ratio of lower than 5% and a polymer B having an adsorption ratio of 5% or higher, but lower than 95% based on a prescribed adsorption ratio measurement. Herein, the polymer B is selected from polymers excluding hydroxyethyl celluloses. |
| US09566682B2 |
Skate blade retention mechanism
A skate blade retention mechanism for retaining a skate blade in a sharpening position to be sharpened includes a pair of elongated jaws configured for symmetrical jaw opening and closing movements about a centerline of the skate blade in the sharpening position. A biasing mechanism is configured and operative to apply a bias force to symmetrically bias the jaws toward a closed position with sufficiently high force to retain the skate blade in the sharpening position when the skate blade is located between the jaws as so biased. An actuator is configured to actuate the jaws against the bias force to an open position under user control to permit insertion and removal of the skate blade. |
| US09566678B2 |
System of variable hydrostatic guideway for vertical lathes and a vertical lathe that includes said guideway
A variable hydrostatic track system for vertical lathes includes a plurality of sectors arranged between the periphery and the central opening of an annular base. Each sector includes an upper housing with a hydraulic fluid outlet such that when the injected hydraulic fluid overflows from the housings, it forms a film between the rotating chuck and the sectors. The track system further includes a positioning mechanism having a plurality of hydraulic cylinders fixed on the annular base in a radial direction between the central opening and the sectors. The rod of each hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a piston and to one of the sectors. Each sector is guided in a radial guidance element such that, due to the action of the hydraulic cylinder, the sector is movable between an inner radial position and an outer radial position. |
| US09566674B2 |
Method for mounting components on a supporting rail
A method for mounting components, in particular terminal blocks, on a supporting rail, wherein the components are removed from at least one magazine by means of a first device, which comprises a receptacle for the components and moves automatically to and fro between a starting position and an end position, and are plugged onto the supporting rail, which is held in a first mounting position by a second device, includes the second device automatically transferring the supporting rail into a second mounting position after one of the components has been plugged on and a further component, which is arranged next to said component in the longitudinal direction of the supporting rail when the latter is in the fully equipped state, is plugged onto the supporting rail held in the second mounting position, in an analogous manner to the component. |
| US09566673B2 |
Snare introducer
An introducer with a longitudinal slit is disclosed. The slit may enable a practitioner to remove the introducer from an elongate instrument without removing the elongate instrument from a hub or catheter. A hub having a hub taper is also disclosed. The hub taper may be configured to retain the introducer within the hub in some embodiments. |
| US09566672B2 |
Method of manufacturing a heat exchanger
A heat exchanger and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. With the method, a tube may be inserted into a through hole formed in at least one fin coated with a filler metal, and the tube and a fin collar of the at least one fin may be joined through the filler metal by a brazing processing. A flange may not be formed on or at a top of the at least one fin collar, which protrudes vertically from a central longitudinal plane of the at least one fin. The tube may be made of aluminum (Al), and an interval between an outer circumferential surface of the tube and an inner circumferential surface of the fin collar of the at least one fin may be approximately 0.1 mm or less. Accordingly, contact resistance occurring when fabricating a fin-tube heat exchanger using a mechanical tube expansion method may be reduced, and heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger may be improved because grooves formed within the tube may not be deformed. |
| US09566671B2 |
Method for manufacturing a forging
A method for manufacturing a forging includes forming a bi-material billet by enclosing a core material other than steel in a steel cylinder with a cylindrical wall and steel end caps. The cylindrical wall is heated. The method includes a first forging blow on the heated billet or on a disk-shaped rough forging forged from the heated billet with a first closed blocker die to produce a forging preform, and a second forging blow on the preform with a second closed blocker die to produce a netshape forging. An evacuation hole is formed in a steel shell of the netshape forging and the core material is removed from the netshape forging via the hole. At least 85 percent of the core material is in a liquid phase during the first and second forging blows, and removal of the core material. |
| US09566668B2 |
Flux formulations
Flux formulations that remain pliable and tack-free after deposition are disclosed. In certain examples, the flux comprises a first component and an effective amount of a second component to provide a pliable flux after deposition. The flux may also include activators, plasticizers, surface active agents and other components. |
| US09566667B2 |
Cutting method of flexible display panel, controlling device in the cutting method, and cutting apparatus of flexible display panel
Disclosed are a cutting method of flexible display panel, a controlling device in the cutting method and a cutting apparatus of flexible display panel. The cutting method comprises steps of placing a transparent substrate (21) carried with a flexible film layer (22) on a base (10); cutting only the transparent substrate (21) by means of a cutting tool (30); obtaining a cutting trace of the cutting tool (30); and controlling a laser knife (40) to cut the flexible film layer (22) carried on the transparent substrate (21) along the cutting trace of the cutting tool cutting the transparent substrate. In this way, by controlling the laser knife (40) to cut the flexible film layer (22) disposed on the transparent substrate (21) following the cutting trace of the cutting tool (30) cutting the transparent substrate (21), the flexible film layer (22) can be completely cut at the same time when or after the transparent substrate (21) is completely cut, so as to avoid rough selvedges during cutting the flexible film layer (22), thereby improving the cutting effect of cutting the flexible display panel; besides, in case that the cutting tool (30) and the laser knife (40) operate in parallel cutting mode, it can also improve the cutting efficiency. |
| US09566663B2 |
Laser processing method and land laser processed product
There is provided a laser beam processing method in which generation of foreign substances from cut can be suppressed and contamination of a surface of a work can be decreased when performing the processing method using a laser beam on the work made of a polymer material, and a laser processed product. Further, the present invention is to provide a laser beam processing apparatus that is used in the laser beam processing method. The present invention relates to a laser beam processing method for processing the work made of a polymer material using a laser beam, wherein the work is irradiated with a laser beam in a state that the optical axis of the laser beam is tilted in the advancing direction of processing by a prescribed angle with respect to the vertical direction of the work. |
| US09566662B2 |
Method for manufacturing mill roll, mill roll and manufacturing apparatus of mill roll
A method for manufacturing a mill roll including a preheating process for joining end portions 16 to 19 of a roll barrel member 13 and/or shaft materials 14, 15, and a friction pressure welding process strongly pressing and joining the shaft materials 14, 15 to a core material 11 after frictionally heating the joining end portions 16 to 19 by rotating the shaft materials 14, 15 while pressing to the core material 11, and a manufacturing apparatus including first and second holding means 29, 23 for the roll barrel member 13 and the shaft materials 14, 15, a rotating means rotating the shaft materials 14, 15, a pressing means 24 pressing the core material 11 and the shaft materials 14, 15 in an axial direction, and a preheating means 31 preheating the joining end portions 16 to 19 of the roll barrel member 13 and the shaft materials 14, 15. |
| US09566657B2 |
System and method for determining attachment and polarity of a welding electrode
A welding system includes a power source configured to generate power and deliver the power to a welding electrode. The power source comprises a positive stud and a negative stud. The welding system also includes control circuitry configured to determine whether the welding electrode is properly connected to the positive and negative studs of the power source. |
| US09566656B2 |
Header assembly for a pressure sensor
A header assembly for a pressure sensor and methods for manufacturing and using the same are provided. In one example embodiment, a header insert may include a base; a hollow protrusion coupled to the base and having a metalized inner surface and a metalized outer surface, wherein the metalized outer surface of the hollow protrusion is used to couple to a header and the metalized inner surface of the hollow protrusion is used to couple to a header pin; and wherein a seal is formed between the header, the header insert and the header pin. |
| US09566651B2 |
Replaceable-blade-edge cutting tool and cutting insert
An indexable cutting tool of a lever-lock type applies a clamping force. At a bottom of an insert fixing portion, there is formed a pillar-shaped lever in a state in which one end protrudes from a placement surface of the insert fixing portion. A screw applies a pressing force to the lever between the one end and a portion such that the lever is pressed and inclined with the portion s a fulcrum in the middle of the lever so that the one end applies a clamping force to the cutting insert. |
| US09566650B2 |
Hydro-expansion chuck
The invention relates to a hydraulic expansion chuck (1) with a hydraulic expansion mechanism (23) that is integrated into a chuck body (10, 20) and exhibits an expansion bushing (23a) with a continuous cylindrical interior wall, and to a reducing bushing (24) arranged in the expansion bushing (23a) for accommodating a shank tool (W), in particular a tap drill. According to the invention, the outer circumference of the reducing bushing (24) is positively connected with the chuck body (10, 20) in a torque-proof manner, and its inner circumference is designed to be positively connected with the shank tool (W) in a torque-proof manner. |
| US09566649B2 |
Coated cutting tool
A coated cutting tool has a base material of a WC-based cemented carbide and a film formed on the surface of the base material by a chemical vapor deposition method. The coated cutting tool has a rake face, a flank face and a cutting edge ridgeline part positioned between the rake face and the flank face being provided, wherein a total film thickness of the entire film is 3 to 20 μm in an average film thickness, and one or more oblique cracks where an extension angle of the crack to the surface of the film is 45° or less are present at the rake face within 300 μm from the cutting edge ridgeline part. |
| US09566648B2 |
Lathe control system
A lathe control system used for three dimensional curved surface machining includes an input module, a control module, a work table, a feeding module, a first sliding module, a second sliding module, and a cutter. The control module is electrically connected with the input module, the feeding module, the first sliding module, and the second sliding module. The first sliding module drives the feeding module to move along a first direction. The second sliding module drives the feeding module to move along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The cutter is positioned on the feeding module. The feeding module is capable of driving the cutter to move back and forth along a third direction under the control of the control module. The third direction is perpendicular to first and second direction. |
| US09566642B2 |
Composite core die, methods of manufacture thereof and articles manufactured therefrom
A composite core die includes a reusable core die; and a disposable core die. The disposable core die is in physical communication with the reusable core die and surfaces of communication between the disposable core die and the reusable core die serve as barriers to prevent the leakage of a slurry that is disposed in the composite core die. |
| US09566639B2 |
Production method for sintered member
A production method for a sintered member includes preparing a raw powder, compacting the raw powder into a green compact having pores at the surface thereof, and sintering the green compact into a sintered compact. The production method also includes sealing the pores exposed at the surface of the sintered compact by at least one of plastically deforming and melting the surface of the sintered compact. The production method further includes forging the sintered compact by using a lubricant after the sealing. |
| US09566635B2 |
Device and method for preventing a tool from breaking when fine blanking and/or forming a workpiece
An exchangeable plate is suspended on a top plate and held in a lower end position without force by a hydraulic clamps. In an upper end position, it is connected with force fit to, and re-detached from, the top plate as a function of a stripping operation of a scrap web from a V-ring pressure plate. The exchangeable plate is transferred from the lower into the upper end position by movement of a ram, and transferred from the upper into the lower end position by gravity. A sensing distance, adapted to the brake path of the drive system, is provided between the top plate and the exchangeable plate. A sensing device in the V-ring pressure plate outputs a signal to the computer for stopping the drive system and deactivating the hydraulic system. A. sensor detects premature movement of a pressure plate in the exchangeable plate. |
| US09566630B2 |
Punch surface texturing for use in the manufacturing of metallic containers
A punch sleeve utilized in forming metallic containers, including food and beverage containers, is provided. The punch sleeve comprises two or more different surface textures. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the punch sleeve comprises three regions and each region has a different surface texture. Additionally, a method of texturing two or more different surface textures on an exterior surface of a punch sleeve used in a metallic container manufacturing process is provided. An apparatus for providing two or more surface textures on a punch sleeve used in a metal container manufacturing process is also provided. |
| US09566628B2 |
Integral workpiece having a duct, and manufacturing method for same
An integral workpiece which has a duct located within a region which extends, for example in an annular manner, and formed about an axis of the workpiece. The workpiece has a form-fitting connection by which, when viewed in a cross section extending through the axis, the duct is closed. The form-fitting connection enables, in comparison with known manufacturing methods, particularly simple manufacturing of the workpiece. In particular, no welding or screwing is required for closing the duct. |
| US09566627B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting the lie and loft of a golf club head
An apparatus includes an actuator having an actuation axis, a base having a base plane, a first actuator mount for associating the actuator with the base in a first position, and a second actuator mount for associating the actuator with the base in a second position, and a clamp for associating the golf club head with the base. If the actuator is in the first position, the actuation axis is substantially perpendicular to the base plane, and, if the actuator is in the second position, the actuation axis is oblique relative to the base plane. |
| US09566626B2 |
Apparatus for and method of winding-up a metal strip, and plant for producing a metal strip windable into a coil
An apparatus (1) for winding-up a metal strip (2) into a coil (3), includes a clamping pair (22) formed of a deflection roller (23) and a pressure roller (24) and located in front of the coil (3) in a material flow direction (10) so that the strip (2) is retained under tensional stress with respect to the coil (3) and is so bendable that the strip (2), which is provided with a corresponding pre-bend, is firmly wound into a coil (3). The apparatus further includes a first bending roller (35) pressable against the deflection roller (23), and arranged in front of the clamping pair (22) in the material flow direction (10), and a further roller (36) adjustable relative to the deflection roller (23) and arranged behind the clamping pair (22) in the material flow direction (10), with the pressure roller (24) and both bending rollers (35, 36) being so displaceable relative to the deflection roller (23) that an end region (45) of the strip (2) is additionally curved to form the pre-bend dependent on an end diameter (48) of the coil (3). |
| US09566625B2 |
Apparatus for cooling hot-rolled steel sheet
The apparatus for cooling a hot-rolled steel sheet of the invention includes a thermometer that measures the temperature of the hot-rolled steel sheet; a shape meter that measures a shape of the hot-rolled steel sheet; a top side cooling device that cools a top surface of the hot-rolled steel sheet in a cooling section; a bottom side cooling device that cools a bottom surface of the hot-rolled steel sheet in the cooling section; and a control device that controls at least one of an amount of heat dissipated from the top surface by cooling and an amount of heat dissipated from the bottom surface by cooling of the hot-rolled steel sheet in the cooling section by controlling the top side cooling device and the bottom side cooling device based on temperature measurement results and shape measurement results. |
| US09566622B2 |
Automatic vacuum sewerage solids cleaning systems and methods
This application discloses novel vacuum break devices useful in automatic vacuum flushing systems. The vacuum break devices are capable of rapidly breaking the vacuum in a storage tank of a sewer line, thus enabling efficient flushing of sediments and cleaning of the sewer system. The invention also provides automatic vacuum flushing systems comprising these novel rapid vacuum break devices and methods thereof for sewer or storage tank sediment cleaning in urban drainage systems. |
| US09566617B2 |
Pop-up nozzle, cleaning device and method of operation
A nozzle for cleaning-in-place of a vessel has a nozzle body to be connected to a wall of the vessel and defining an opening, a nozzle insert is contained within the nozzle body and is able to assume at least two distinct positions relative to the nozzle body, a first position in which the nozzle insert is retracted into the nozzle body and a second position in which the nozzle insert is advanced in the axial direction relative to the nozzle body and protrudes into the vessel. Apertures are exposed in the second position to allow distribution of a cleaning fluid. The nozzle insert has two nozzle insert parts, in mutual abutment in the first position and spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the axial direction in the second position to form a gap between adjacent nozzle insert parts, the apertures being exposed in the gap. |
| US09566615B2 |
Resin piece sorting method and resin piece sorting apparatus
The sorting method includes: an X-ray inspection step of irradiating a resin piece with X-rays including a first X-ray and a second X-ray having respective energy ranges different from each other and measuring a first transmission intensity which is an intensity of the first X-ray transmitted through the resin piece and a second transmission intensity which is an intensity of the second X-ray transmitted through the resin piece; a first determination step of making a determination as to whether the resin piece is a candidate for a useful resin piece, using the first transmission intensity; and a second determination step of making a determination as to whether a resin piece identified as a candidate for a useful resin piece in the first determination step is a useful resin piece, using a differential value obtained from the first transmission intensity and the second transmission intensity. |
| US09566614B2 |
Dry separation apparatus and dry separation method
Provided is a dry separation apparatus including: a main body; a first deck; a plurality of guides; a supply part; an air blow fan; and a vibration part. A dry separation method includes: supplying an object to be separated to a top surface of a first deck provided with a plurality of punches; sending, by an air blow fan, air to the punches (first punches); and horizontally vibrating, by a vibration part, the first deck so as to discharge particles which have different specific gravities of the object to be separated and a moveable force exerted by air passing the first punches through different passages. |
| US09566613B2 |
Oscillating sieve
An oscillation sieve, including a screen; an oscillator oscillating the screen to sieve a material; a feeder feeding the material onto the screen; a collector collecting the material having passed the screen; a remover removing the material not having passed the screen therefrom; a guide member fixed on the screen, guiding the material fed from the feeder and not having passed the screen to the remover, wherein the guide member is spiral member formed of an elastic material capable of following the oscillating screen. |
| US09566610B2 |
Method for making patterns on the surface of a substrate using block copolymers
A method for making patterns on the surface of a substrate by graphoepitaxy, includes depositing a layer of resin on the surface of the substrate; making patterns in the resin on the surface of a substrate; curing the patterns in the resin by producing a layer of amorphous carbon on the surface of the patterns in the resin; depositing a layer of statistical copolymer after curing the patterns in the resin; grafting the layer of statistical copolymer onto the patterns in the resin by annealing; and depositing a layer of a block copolymer into the spaces defined by the patterns in the resin after curing the patterns and the grafting of the layer of statistical copolymer. |
| US09566609B2 |
Surface nanoreplication using polymer nanomasks
Methods for replicating a nanopillared surface include applying a nanopillar-forming material to a surface of a replica substrate to form a precursor layer on the replica-substrate surface. A template surface of a nanomask may be contacted to the precursor layer. The nanomask may include a self-assembled polymer layer on a nanomask-substrate surface, the template surface being defined in the self-assembled polymer layer. The self-assembled polymer layer may have nano-sized pores with openings at the template surface. The precursor layer may be cured while the template surface remains in contact with the precursor layer. The nanomask is removed to expose a nanopillared surface having a plurality of nanopillars on the replica-substrate surface. The nanopillars on the replica-substrate surface may correspond to the pores in the template surface. Nanopillared surfaces may be replicated on one side of the replica substrate or on two opposing sides of the replica substrate. |
| US09566608B2 |
Smart building systems and methods
Systems and methods are disclosed to fabricate a building structure by mixing a texture aggregate filler mixed with a phase change material (PCM), said filler including one of: perlite, glass microballoons, glass bubbles, phenolic microballoons, and microspheres; and placing the PCM with the filler on a surface exposed to a conditioned air flow to increase thermal contact between the PCM and the conditioned air flow. |
| US09566605B2 |
Humidity control insert for cigarette packs
Provided herein is a humidity control insert for packages such as cigarette packs. The humidity control insert comprises a porous nonwoven fibrous substrate and a hygroscopic powder material dispersed within the porous nonwoven fibrous substrate. Further provided is a package, such as a cigarette pack, comprising the humidity control insert, wherein the humidity control insert is adapted to release moisture retained therein into an internal air space of the cigarette pack. |
| US09566604B2 |
Method for preparing a surface with a controlled coverage of nanograde particles
The present invention regards nano surfaces and particularly a gradient based nano surface. According to embodiments of the invention a surface bound gradient is created by distributed nanoparticles along a plane surface. This procedure greatly reduces the number of prepared surfaces needed, as well as the methodological error of analysis of adsorption and adhesion phenomena. |
| US09566602B2 |
Stain and painting tool
The present invention comprises a crack and groove stain and paint tool and method of staining or painting a crack or groove with the crack and groove stain and paint tool comprising a handle, a flat blade attached to the handle and having a first face and a second face separated by an edge, and a backing fabric secured to the blade with the backing fabric having a stain or paint holding nap thereon with the backing fabric extending from the first face to the second face of the blade. |
| US09566597B2 |
On-board water spray system for aircraft
A system for simulating wet runway conditions by using a liquid container that is placed inside an aircraft. The liquid container is connected to a nozzle that sprays water in front of the wheels of the aircraft. A valve is used to control the flow of water from the nozzle. Systems, such as the braking system of the aircraft, can then be tested in wet runway conditions simulated by the system. The amount of water sprayed from the nozzle can also be electronically controlled in relation to the speed of the aircraft, such that the nozzle sprays a nearly uniform layer of liquid in front of the wheels. The system can also be modified to include two tanks to manipulate the center of gravity of the aircraft. |
| US09566596B2 |
Spray pump
A spray pump is provided where two seal caps are arranged in an upper portion and a lower portion within a cylinder housing so as to prevent the contents from leaking, the cylinder housing a wall surface with one or more leakage discharge holes so that the content which can be accumulated within the cylinder housing is discharged through the leakage discharge holes rather than a content flow path, thereby enabling an efficient operation. |
| US09566595B2 |
Foam-forming assembly and squeeze foamer
A foam-forming assembly includes a housing having an air passage and a liquid passage, each ending in a mouth and being in communication with a dispensing passage having a dispensing opening, and a valve body which, in a rest position, covers the mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage in a sealing manner in order to prevent a flow from the liquid passage and the air passage to the dispensing passage. During dispensing, the valve body opens the mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage in order to allow mixing of air and liquid to take place in the dispensing passage. The mouth of the air passage is substantially annular, and the air passage includes a pressure balance chamber to divide the air pressure substantially equally over the substantially annular mouth. |
| US09566594B2 |
Adhesive applicator
A device for applying a two-part adhesive to a substrate includes a carrier, a first tray coupled to the carrier, a first package disposed in the first tray, and a second package disposed in the first tray. The first package contains a first part of the two-part adhesive and the second package contains a second part of the two-part adhesive. The device further includes a applicator that is in communication with the first package and the second package. The applicator is configured to receive the first part and the second part and mix the first part and the second part to form the two-part adhesive. The device also includes a second tray coupled to the carrier and configured to accommodate a power supply that provides electrical power to operate the device. |
| US09566592B1 |
Dust collector able to prop open a fallen dust bag
A dust collector able to prop open a fallen dust bag is to have a cover plate of a dust bucket bored with an insert hole fixed therein with a hose, which is connected to an air hood. The dust bucket has a circumferential wall inserted with a conduit extending to the cover plate and bored with an opening whose circumferential edge can be pressed by the cover plate to form an air tight state. The hose and the conduit can be combined to form a piping passage for suction to pass therethrough to have the fallen dust bag propped open and stuck to the inner wall of the dust bucket. To clean and replace the fallen dust bag, only remove the dust bucket to let the conduit disengaged from the cover plate and separated from the hose, able to quickly detach the dust bucket from the dust collector. |
| US09566591B2 |
Closable centrifuge cup
A closable centrifuge cup comprising a cup and a lid which can be placed on the cup edge to close the cup opening and can be fastened under tension by means of at least one clamping element with its lid edge to the cup edge. The cup edge or a gasket arranged in the region of the cup edge protrudes further in the direction towards the lid edge in a region remote from the at least one clamping element in the circumferential direction of the cup edge than in a region situated closer to the at least one clamping element. Alternatively, the lid edge or a gasket arranged in the region of the lid edge protrudes further in the direction towards the cup edge in a region remote from the at least one clamping element in the circumferential direction of the lid edge than in a region situated closer to the at least one clamping element. |
| US09566588B2 |
Rapping an electrostatic precipitator
For the sake of improving dust removal from an electrostatic precipitator by rapping, the present disclosure proposes an electrostatic precipitator, comprising a flue gas chamber, a collecting electrode, a first rapping arrangement that raps the collecting electrode, a dust hopper, and a second rapping arrangement that raps at least one of the dust hopper and an element located within the dust hopper, wherein the second rapping arrangement is located within an inner chamber defined by the flue gas chamber and the dust hopper. The rapping by means of the second rapping arrangement may comprise rapping at least one of an inner wall of the dust hopper, a structural element located within the dust hopper and connected to at least one inner wall of the dust hopper, a rapping plate located within the dust hopper proximate to an inner wall of the dust hopper, and a baffle located within the dust hopper. |
| US09566587B2 |
Methods of and systems for treating incinerated waste
One method of treating incinerated waste comprises: size separating at least some of the incinerated waste into a first undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the first separation size and into a first oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the first separation size; size reducing at least some of the first oversize fraction; size separating at least some of the size-reduced first oversize fraction into a second undersize fraction comprising particles smaller than the second separation size and into a second oversize fraction comprising particles larger than the second separation size; combining at least some of the first undersize fraction and at least some of the second undersize fraction into a fine fraction; and extracting metal from at least some of the fine fraction. Another method of treating incinerated waste comprises extracting metal by froth flotation from at least some of the incinerated waste. Systems are also disclosed. |
| US09566586B1 |
Polymer recycling device and method
A recycling separator system utilizes at least one, and preferably a series of cutters, which may be contained in sections whereby input is combined with fluid and directed through the cutters, such as in series, and then settled material may be removed through one of traps and sinks as at least a component of a first recycled material while floating material may be removed through float outputs as at least a component of a second recycled material. |
| US09566585B2 |
Apparatus and method for liner system
A liner system, adapted for use with a rock crusher having a support bowl and a concave ring. The liner system comprises a collet that is adapted to apply a force to the concave ring and a collet adjuster that is adapted to lower and raise the collet, in the preferred liner system, the concave ring is removably retained in the support bowl of the rock crusher by the liner system. A method for adjusting a collet comprising providing such a liner system and adjusting the collet adjuster so as to removably retain the concave ring. |
| US09566584B2 |
Hammer
The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate a hammer for comminuting various materials. The embodiments pictured and described herein are primarily for use with a rotatable hammermill assembly. The hammer includes a connector end having a rod hole therein, a contact end for delivery of energy to the material to be comminuted, and a neck affixing the connector end to the contact end. The neck is formed with at least one neck recess therein. In other embodiments, one or more shoulders are positioned around the periphery of the rod hole for added strength. In still other embodiments, the contact end is configured with more than one contact surface. |
| US09566582B2 |
Multi-well tray
System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle. |
| US09566581B2 |
Micro-fluidic device
Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber. |
| US09566580B2 |
Sealed pipette
The invention relates to liquid dispensing and concerns a pipette comprising at least one aspiration channel with a piston. At the lower end of the aspiration channel there is an extension channel (3) and at its end a pipette tip mounting piece (4) onto which a pipette tip (5) is attached. On the pipette tip mounting piece there is a surrounding groove (17) and in the groove a sealing ring (18). The width of the groove in the axial direction is at least 1.1 times the thickness of the sealing ring in the axial direction. When the mounting piece is pushed into the pipette tip, the inner wall of the tip can move the sealing ring upwards in the groove. The construction can provide a reliable sealing despite of inherent dimension differences between different tips and mounting pieces. |
| US09566578B2 |
Hydrochloric acid stripping process for ionic liquid regeneration process
A method for regenerating deactivated acidic ionic liquid is described. The method involves reducing a level of free hydrochloric acid in the deactivated acidic ionic liquid in a removal zone using at least one of heat, a stripping fluid, reduced pressure, and liquid-liquid extraction to form a deactivated acidic ionic liquid having a reduced level of free hydrochloric acid; and regenerating the deactivated acidic ionic liquid having the reduced level of free hydrochloric acid. |
| US09566576B2 |
Metal complex catalysts and uses thereof
The invention relates to novel metal complexes useful as catalysts in redox reactions (such as, hydrogen (H2) production). In particular, the invention provides novel transition metal (e.g., cobalt (Co) or nickel (Ni)) complexes, in which the transition metal is coupled with N,N-Bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-2,2′-Bipyridine-6-methanamine (DPA-Bpy), 6′-((bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridin-6-amine (DPA-ABpy), N,N-bis((isoquinolin-1-yl)methyl)(6-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl)methanamine (DIQ-Bpy), or a derivative thereof. The invention also relates to a method of producing H2 from an aqueous solution by using the metal complex as a catalyst. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a metal complex of the formulae as described herein. |
| US09566574B2 |
Catalyst mixtures
Catalysts that include at least one catalytically active element and one helper catalyst can be used to increase the rate or lower the overpotential of chemical reactions. The helper catalyst can simultaneously act as a director molecule, suppressing undesired reactions and thus increasing selectivity toward the desired reaction. These catalysts can be useful for a variety of chemical reactions including, in particular, the electrochemical conversion of CO2 or formic acid. The catalysts can also suppress H2 evolution, permitting electrochemical cell operation at potentials below RHE. Chemical processes and devices using the catalysts are also disclosed, including processes to produce CO, OH−, HCO−, H2CO, (HCO2)−, H2CO2, CH3OH, CH4, C2H4, CH3CH2OH, CH3COO−, CH3COOH, C2H6, O2, H2, (COOH)2, or (COO−)2, and a specific device, namely, a CO2 sensor. |
| US09566572B2 |
Method of making hydroprocessing catalyst
A chelated hydroprocessing catalyst exhibiting low moisture is obtained by heating an impregnated, calcined carrier to a temperature higher than 200° C. and less than a temperature and for a period of time that would cause substantial decomposition of the chelating agent. |
| US09566569B2 |
Metal catalytic compositions and articles therefrom
A non-aqueous metal catalytic composition includes: (a) a silver complex comprising reducible silver ions, (b) a silver ion photoreducing composition, (c) a photocurable component, non-curable polymer, or combination of a photocurable component and a non-curable polymer, and (d) nanoparticles of a semi-conducting metal oxide in an amount of at least 0.1 weight %. This composition can be disposed on a substrate, uniformly or in a patternwise fashion. The composition can be dried and then exposed to suitable radiation to reduce the reducible silver ions to silver particles that can then be electrolessly plated with a metal to provide an electrically-conductive article. |
| US09566565B2 |
Catalyst material and process for the production thereof
A TiO2-based catalyst material in particle form having a content of metal removes pollutants, in particular of nitrogen oxides from combustion gases. |
| US09566558B2 |
Device for manipulation of packets in micro-containers, in particular in microchannels
The present invention concerns a microfluidic device (1) for performing physical, chemical or biological treatment to at least one packet without contamination. |
| US09566552B2 |
Temperature maintenance and regulation of vehicle exhaust catalyst systems with phase change materials
A vehicle exhaust system is provided and comprises a catalyst positioned in an exhaust passage of a vehicle. The catalyst is in the form of a washcoat supported on a substrate. The system includes a phase change material located adjacent to the catalyst to maintain the temperature of the catalyst between engine shut-down and subsequent start-up as well as to regulate the temperature during engine operation. In some embodiments, the phase change material comprises particles of a metal or metal alloy encapsulated in a ceramic material. The metal or metal alloy is adapted to have a phase change that occurs within a temperature range wherein the catalyst is active. |
| US09566541B2 |
Oil side-stream cleaning device
The oil side-flow cleaning device includes a heating unit (11) installed between the oil tank and the filter unit (10) so that, when the oil temperature is below a defined limit value, oil flows through the filter unit (10) in such a way as to bypass the filtering function and is heated; and so that, when the oil temperature is above the defined limit, oil flows through the filter unit (10) so as to be subjected to the oil filtering function. In addition or as an alternative, the oil side-flow cleaning device comprises a backflush unit including a backflush collecting tank (17) and a backflush nozzle (18), wherein, when the device is in backflush mode, oil flows through the filter medium (16) in a second, opposite direction as a function of the position of the backflush nozzle (18) relative to the filter medium (16). |
| US09566538B2 |
Chromatography column frame and method of conducting maintenance on and packing of a chromatography column
A chromatography column frame comprising at least two legs, a support arrangement connected to said at least two legs, and a holder connected to said support arrangement. Said holder is arranged to releasably hold an adaptor rod of a chromatography column, so that the adaptor rod is prevented to move in a horizontal direction and so the adaptor rod is allowed to move in a vertical direction. |
| US09566535B2 |
Device and kit for making knotted lanyard accessories
A device for making knotted string accessories from a plurality of individual strings has a base having a substantially planar surface and a central longitudinal axis, a plurality of string holders connected to and extending away from the substantially planar surface of the base, the plurality of string holders symmetric with respect to the central longitudinal axis and configured to retain one of plurality of individual strings between adjacent string holders and a securing member carried by the base and positioned along the central longitudinal axis. The securing member secures at least one string of the plurality of individual strings. An electronic device holder is carried by the base and is configured to hold an electronic device to be viewed by a user making a knotted string accessory. |
| US09566528B2 |
Rotating top launcher
A top launcher includes at least one track segment having a guiding path for translating a rotatable top thereon. Also included is a launching member moveable between a first position and a second position, the launching member resiliently biased toward the first position. Further included is an engagement portion of the launching member for engaging the rotatable top and launching the rotatable top as the launching member moves toward the first position. |
| US09566525B2 |
Server device, control method for server device, game system, and computer-readable recording medium
A server device and the like that can make a whole game and SNS more active by promoting the movement of players between groups to enhance the mobility of game participants. A server device comprises: an information storage unit for storing information of a game in which a plurality of players are able to participate and which includes a battle event; and a control unit for accessing the information and executing an operation related to the game. The server device executes a predetermined step that includes performing, when a first player transfers from a first group to a second group, payment and receipt of transfer points as compensation for the transfer between at least two out of the first player, the first group, and the second group. |
| US09566524B2 |
Information-processing device, information-processing system, information-processing method, and computer-readable storage medium, for downloading data
An exemplary information-processing device includes: a switching unit configured to switch an operating mode of the information-processing device to an active mode or a sleep mode; a receiving unit configured to receive, when the information-processing device is in the active mode, an instruction to download data specified by a user; and a downloading unit configured to start download of the data when the operating mode of the information-processing device is switched from the active mode to the sleep mode. |
| US09566518B2 |
Audio artist avatars in a virtual environment
Techniques are disclosed to reflect status in a virtual environment. An artist associated with audio content being played by a first user controlling a player avatar is determined. A companion avatar providing a virtual representation of the artist of the audio content is generated. The companion avatar is associated with the player avatar in the virtual environment. The companion avatar is configured to interact with the player avatar, and presence of the companion avatar conveys to one or more other users interacting within the virtual environment that the first user is currently listening to audio content of the artist. |
| US09566517B2 |
System and method for visualizing synthetic objects within real-world video clip
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for visualizing synthetic objects within a real-world video clip. The embodiments allow interactive, synthetic objects or characters to appear as if they are “embedded” inside or form part of a video clip. These objects move independently of the environment within the video clip and are controlled by a user. In one embodiment the video frames are set as textures in the furthermost layer in a 3D environment viewer or 3D “engine”. In another embodiment separate layers of video frames are superimposed with the synthetic objects on an output screen and synchronizing the movements and the field of view settings to give the perception that only one camera is used. |
| US09566515B2 |
Systems and methods for portable exergaming
In a first aspect, a system for playing a video game is provided that includes (1) one or more sensors adapted to monitor one or more biometric parameters of a user and communicate the one or more monitored biometric parameters (MBPs); (2) a computing device adapted to communicate with the one or more sensors and to receive the one or more communicated MBPs; and (3) a video game having an avatar adapted to move an object on an incline, the video game adapted to execute on the computing device. The video game is adapted to control the avatar to perform an action in the video game based in part on the received one or more communicated MBPs. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US09566514B2 |
Game providing system
Disclosed herein is a game providing system, including: an allocation server connected to a plurality of client apparatus through a network; and a game providing server configured to execute a game application to be provided to the client apparatus allocated by the allocation server. The game providing server is a multiprocessing system which includes a plurality of game processing systems each of which can solely execute at most one game application. The allocation server sets the number of ones of the game processing systems which are to be allocated in order to execute one game application in the game providing server in response to a load to the game providing server. |
| US09566513B2 |
Multiplayer team balancing
Techniques are disclosed for multiplayer team balancing in a virtual environment. A group activity is provided in which at least two teams of avatars participate. Each team has a respective plurality of distinct avatars, and each avatar is controlled by a respective player. The at least teams are in competition with one another to achieve a predefined objective when participating in the group activity. Upon it being determined, when the group activity is in progress, that a first player of a first avatar on a first team of the at least two teams is no longer available to participate in the group activity, a balancing action is performed in order to compensate for the first player no longer being available to participate in the group activity. |
| US09566512B2 |
Selectively arrangeable, multi-mode input controller
An apparatus for providing input via a selectively arrangeable, multi-mode input controller is disclosed. A method and computer program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor, a first body having a first input device, a second body pivotably connected to the first body and having a second input device, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor, the code comprising code that receives indication of an orientation of the first body with respect to the second body and code that alters operation of the first input device based on the orientation of the first body with respect to the second body. |
| US09566507B2 |
Game controller using a plurality of light-emitting elements
A game controller includes a plurality of LEDs formed on the rear of a case. The plurality of LEDs are arranged two-dimensionally in its layout area. The game controller has a plurality of PWM control units which are provided inside the case and control the lighting of the plurality of LEDs, respectively. The PWM control units control the lighting of the LEDs based on a control signal from a game apparatus. The game apparatus acquires a captured image of the game controller, and acquires the position of the game controller in the captured image based on the positions of the LEDs in the captured image. |
| US09566506B2 |
Virtual world processing device and method
A virtual world processing apparatus and method. Sensed information, which is information collected by a sensor is inputted. The sensed information is adapted, based on a sensor capability, which is information on capability of the sensor. Accordingly, interoperability between a real world and a virtual world or interoperability between virtual worlds may be achieved. |
| US09566501B2 |
Hand-forming card shuffling apparatuses including multi-card storage compartments, and related methods
Card shufflers usable in forming and dispensing randomized playing card hands for use in playing card games include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a wheel configured to rotate within the card shuffler. The rotatable wheel may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two or more cards therein. Related methods involve the use of such card shufflers in playing card games. |
| US09566497B2 |
Batting helmet
A liner assembly for a protective helmet which includes a wrap-around pad designed to be engaged to the inner surface of a helmet. The wrap-around pad has multiple substantially circular cells spaced along a curved line around the inner surface. The assembly also has a crown pad and two jaw pads. Each jaw pad is an cell L-shaped cell. Each cell is made of an inner sheet, an outer sheet and multiple, outwardly-projecting hollow protrusions. |
| US09566494B2 |
System and method for creating and sharing an event using a social network
A system and method are provided for creating and viewing artificial reality (AR) messages at an event, such as a sporting event, and sharing the event on a social network thereby enhancing and expanding the participant and spectator experience. The AR messages include geo-referenced artificial reality words or symbols to indicate distances, tips, targets or other information to the participant. The event is shared with spectators, such as friends or a subset of friends in the participant's social network. In addition to creating an active gallery for an event, messages can be exchanged among participants and spectators and virtual goods, money, and donations exchanged. |
| US09566492B1 |
Apparatus for teaching tackling technique
Apparatus for teaching proper tackling technique to a football player includes a number of framework segments pivotally connected at framework segment ends. A latch mechanism in the framework is disengaged during tackling to prevent pivoting between two of the framework segments until a third segment with a tackling pad pivots a predetermined degree. |
| US09566490B2 |
Basketball shooting training and ball return
A training device for thrown or pitched balls at a target is disclosed, especially useful for basketball training, in which a hyperbolic paraboloid surface deflects the approaching ball at a known angle in a manner in which the returned ball will strike a mat. The mat includes indicia which can be diagnostically useful in determining the proper correction to the throw or pitch. |
| US09566486B2 |
Golf shaft and method of manufacturing same
A tubular steel golf shaft comprising a grip section, a tapered mid-section and a tip section. A loading zone is selectively formed along a portion of the shaft, preferably in the tapered mid-section, comprising a continuous series of closely spaced micro-steps, or reductions in diameter, each of which are less than 0.5 inches in length. Each micro-step section, in the direction from the grip section toward the tip section comprises a first peak which descends to valley and then ascends to a second peak. The diameter of the first peak is greater than the diameter of the second peak. A method of manufacturing the golf shaft is also disclosed. |
| US09566485B2 |
Golf club shaft
A shaft 6 includes full length layers provided wholly in a longitudinal direction of the shaft, and a tip end partial layer provided on a tip part of the shaft. The full length layers include a bias layer and a straight layer. The tip end partial layer includes an inner glass fiber reinforced layer. When a full length of the shaft is defined as Ls, and a distance between a tip end of the shaft and a center of gravity G of the shaft is defined as Lg, a ratio (Lg/Ls) is equal to or greater than 0.52 and equal to or less than 0.65. A weight of the shaft is equal to or less than 65 g. Preferably, the inner glass fiber reinforced layer is positioned inside the bias layer. |
| US09566484B1 |
Putter face insert
A face insert comprising a planar member composed of a rigid material such as plastic or metal and a polymeric backing is disclosed herein. The planar member, which makes contact with a golf ball during use, includes a plurality of geometrically-shaped holes, each of which comprises a perimeter edge that has a variable radius to further optimize performance of the face insert. In some embodiments, one or more of the holes extends completely through the planar member, i.e. is a through-hole, and the polymeric backing includes at least one protrusion with an angled upper surface that is sized to extend into a through-hole and further improve performance of the face insert. The face insert described herein can be used with any type of golf club head, including putters, woods, irons, and hybrids, and the holes may take any shape, including oval, hexagonal, and chevron. |
| US09566469B1 |
Flexibly connected rotary resistance exercise device
The invention provides an apparatus, system and method for reducing the size of portable rotary motion exercise devices. Flexible materials in contact with the user or a piece of furniture is part of the connection between the user and the exercise device. Multiple wraps of a band around a shaft provide adjustable rotational resistance. |
| US09566462B2 |
Padded pole vault plant box
Embodiments of the invention are directed to an assembly for engaging an end of a vaulting pole, wherein the assembly comprises a base section comprised of a frame configured to be at least partially recessedly installed in the ground. A platform is connected to the base and comprises a top surface comprising a planar surface configured to enable receipt of an end of a vaulting pole during a pole vault plant and at least one padding tray adjacent to a perimeter of the planar surface, which is configured to receive padding. Optionally, a collar of additional padding may be provided comprising at least one padding, wherein the collar is configured for operative coupling to the top surface of the platform. |
| US09566460B2 |
Equipment for the remote control of fire extinguishers and/or hydrants
An equipment for a remote control of fire extinguishers (10) and/or hydrants, comprising a valve group (16), equipped with a manometer and a pressure switch, which is able to control the operating pressure of the known fire extinguishers (10) and/or hydrants, wherein a plurality of micro-switches (18, 19, 20), connected with a wireless transmitter (21), send the received signals to a remote central control unit (22), that is fully programmable locally or remotely and able to send alarms and/or warnings, depending on the programming carried out, to operators, persons in charge and/or maintainers of fire extinguishers (10) and/or hydrants. |
| US09566453B2 |
Charged particle beam irradiation apparatus
A charged particle beam irradiation apparatus includes: an accelerator which accelerates charged particles and emits a charged particle beam; an irradiation unit which irradiates an irradiation target with the charged particle beam; a transport line which transports the charged particle beam emitted from the accelerator, to the irradiation unit; an energy adjustment unit which is provided at the transport line and adjusts energy of the charged particle beam; a plurality of electromagnets provided further toward the downstream side than the energy adjustment unit in the transport line; an electromagnet power source provided to correspond to each of the electromagnets; and a control unit which controls a parameter of the electromagnet according to the energy of the charged particle beam, wherein the electromagnet power source has a storage unit which stores the parameter of the electromagnet for each layer which is irradiated with the charged particle beam, in the irradiation target. |
| US09566452B2 |
Systems and methods of modifying a proton beam in a proton treatment system
Systems and methods of controlling characteristics of a proton beam emitted from a nozzle of a proton treatment system including one or more beam modifying members to define a characteristic of an emitted proton beam, and a clamping member mounted to the nozzle, the clamping member having one or more receiving portions to receive the one or more beam modifying members therein. In some embodiments, the beam modifying members comprise plate structures and the receiving portions include a plurality of slots spaced apart from one another on opposing surfaces of the clamping member to receive opposing ends of the plate structures. |
| US09566448B2 |
Charger for implant
A system for supplying energy to an implantable medical device when implanted in a patient's body can comprise an internal charger arranged to be implanted in the patient's body, the internal charger comprising a first coil. The system can further comprise an external charger arranged to wirelessly transmit energy to supply power to the internal charger, using a second coil. The system also comprises a wireless feedback system arranged to transmit feedback information from the internal charger to the external charger. The feedback information is based on information from at least one Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transmitter. Hereby a user of the system can optimize the position of the external power supply in relation to the internal power supply based on the received feedback information. This in turn will result in a better and more robust energy transfer to the implanted medical device. |
| US09566447B2 |
Neural stimulation system for reducing atrial proarrhythmia
A system for reducing proarrhythmic effects of neural stimulation is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an implantable medical device (IMD) for reducing proarrhythmic effects of neural stimulation. The IMD includes a neural stimulator adapted to deliver an electrical signal through at least one electrode to provide vagal stimulation. The IMD also includes a controller adapted to receive atrial arrhythmia vulnerability data and to control a therapeutic stimulator to limit atrial proarrhythmia using the atrial arrhythmia vulnerability data. The controller is further adapted to receive atrial arrhythmic history data and to control a therapeutic stimulator to limit atrial proarrhythmia using the atrial arrhythmic history data, according to various embodiments. According to one embodiment, the therapeutic stimulator includes the neural stimulator. The therapeutic stimulator includes a cardiac stimulator adapted to provide cardiac rhythm management therapy, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US09566442B2 |
Systems and methods for using pulmonary artery pressure from an implantable sensor to detect mitral regurgitation and optimize pacing delays
Techniques are provided for use with a pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) monitor having an implantable PAP sensor. In one example, a PAP signal is sensed that is representative of beat-by-beat variations in PAP occurring during individual cardiac cycles of the patient. The PAP monitor detects peaks within the PAP signal corresponding to valvular regurgitation within the heart, then detects mitral regurgitation (MR) based on the peaks. In other examples, the PAP monitor optimizes pacing parameters based on the PAP signal and corresponding electrical cardiac signals. Examples are provided where the PAP monitor is an external system and other examples are provided where the PAP monitor is a component of an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. |
| US09566440B2 |
Balanced charge waveform for transcutaneous pacing
External pacemaker systems and methods deliver pacing waveforms that minimize hydrolysis of the electrode gel. Compensating pulses are interleaved with the pacing pulses, with a polarity and duration that balance the net charge at the electrode locations. The compensating pulses are preferably rectangular for continuous pacing, and decay individually for on-demand pacing. |
| US09566437B2 |
Active implantable medical device for heart failure therapy with stochastic stimulation of the vagus nerve
A method for heart treatment includes analyzing the cardiac rhythm. The method further includes utilizing a generator to produce discharges (Si) of N pulses (I) of VNS stimulation in succession. The discharge may be synchronized to a detected R ventricular depolarization wave of each cardiac cycle. The method further includes controlling a stochastic modulation of the discharges control of the delivery of each VNS pulse of each discharge by selective inhibition or not of the generation of these VNS pulses. The number of pulses of each discharge thus randomly varies, and thus varies the VNS stimulation energy of this discharge, which is artificially induced, cycle-to-cycle variability in the RR interval. This stochastic therapy is applied if the spontaneous heart rate variability falls below a minimum level. |
| US09566431B2 |
Method of forming a large number of metal-ion-deposition islands on the scalp by a rapid series of brief electrode-contact events
A method of treating or preventing a hair-condition of a user comprising: subjecting the user's scalp to at least 200 distinct electrode-scalp contact events during a time-interval of at most one minute and dividable into 5 non-overlapping equal-duration sub-intervals covering the time-interval, method performed such that i. for at least a majority of the electrode-scalp contact events, no electrode of the event enters into the dermis; ii. a duration of each electrode contact event is at most 100 milliseconds; and iii. for each electrode contact event, an electrical current flows between the electrode and the scalp so as to deposit electrode-released ions of a first metal or of a second metal on the scalp, thereby forming a respective metal-ion-deposition island on the user's scalp. |
| US09566428B2 |
Artificial sensory epithelium
An artificial sensory epithelium (1) to be embedded in a cochlea (301) of a patient includes a piezoelectric film (2) and multitude microelectrodes (3), (3), . . . arranged on the cochlea. The piezoelectric film is arranged along a basilar membrane (306) in the cochlea. A portion of the piezoelectric film that corresponds to a portion of the basilar membrane that is induced to vibrate by sound waves coming from outside the cochlea vibrates. A microelectrode of the microelectrodes that is arranged on the portion of the piezoelectric film provides electric stimuli to spiral ganglion neurons (311). The artificial sensory epithelium preferably includes a support member (4) configured to support the piezoelectric film and be fixable in the cochlea. |
| US09566424B2 |
Hemostasis valve device for injecting a medical material into a patient, and related method
The device according to the invention includes a hollow body delimiting an inner passage. It further includes an assembly for maintaining the material in position in the inner passage.The maintaining assembly includes a radially compressible member delimiting, when idle, a through passage aperture of the material, and a radial compression member compressing the compressible member, radially movable relative to an axis of the passage aperture to outwardly compress the compressible member.It includes a member for actuating the or each compression member, radially movable relative to the body to cause the compression member to go from a radially retracted position, in which the section of the passage aperture is maximal, to a position radially deployed in the compressible member, in which the section of the passage aperture is minimal. |
| US09566422B2 |
Cream application assembly
A cream application assembly includes a handle that has a first end and a second end. The handle has a first portion slidably coupled to a second portion such that the handle has a telescopically adjustable length. An applicator is rotatably coupled to the handle and the applicator is infused with a cream. The applicator is used to apply the cream to a user. |
| US09566420B2 |
Medical instruments of treating and/or diagnosing of anorectal disorders, and devices and methods for insertion of such
A medical instrument for treating and/or diagnosing anorectal disorders which comprises a slender member that is sized and shaped for being placed in the anal canal of a patient, along at least a portion of the anal sphincter, so that an outer surface of the slender member is in contact with inner walls of the anal canal. |
| US09566416B2 |
Catheter with multi-functional control handle having linear mechanism
A catheter for use in a patient's heart, especially for mapping a tubular region of the heart, has a catheter body, a deflectable intermediate section and a distal a mapping assembly that has a generally circular portion adapted to sit on or in a tubular region of the heart. A control handle of the catheter allows for single-handed manipulation of various control mechanisms that can deflect the intermediate section and contract the mapping assembly by means of a deflection control assembly and a linear control assembly. The deflection control assembly has a deflection arm and a rocker member. The linear control assembly has a linear control member, an inner rotational member and a cam. A pair of puller members are responsive to the deflection control assembly to bi-directionally deflect the intermediate section. A third puller member is responsive to the linear control assembly to contract the generally circular portion of the mapping assembly. |
| US09566414B2 |
Integrated catheter and guide wire controller
A device may operate a guide wire and be operable by a single operator digit. The device may include an insertion control device for advancing the guide wire in a forward and in a reverse direction and along a longitudinal axis of the guide wire; and a rotary device for rolling a guide wire about the longitudinal axis. A robotic instrument driver may be operatively coupled to the device and configured to control axial movement of the guide wire along the longitudinal axis according to input received from the insertion control device and to control rotational movement of the guide wire according to input received from the rotary device. |
| US09566411B1 |
Computer system for determining a state of mind and providing a sensory-type antidote to a subject
Computer implemented method and system for achieving a preferred state of mind of a user are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises detecting a biological marker (biomarker) of a user utilizing one or more sensors; and inferring a state of mind of the user based upon data received from the one or more sensors that are provided to computational hardware. Finally the method includes providing an antidote to the user if the inferred state of mind is different than the preferred state of mind utilizing an actuator. In a second aspect, the system comprises one or more sensors for detecting a biological marker (biomarker) of the user and computational hardware for inferring a state of mind of the user based upon data received from the one or more sensors. Finally the system includes an actuator for providing an antidote to the user if the inferred state of mind is different than a preferred state of mind. |
| US09566409B2 |
Device and method for tempering and humidifying gas, especially respiratory air
A device and a process for the heating and humidification of gas, especially respiratory gas. Fluid from a fluid reservoir is supplied to a sprinkling type chamber where, for the purpose of humidification, it is moved through the gas. The point is that the fluid is heated by a temperature controlled heater to a preset temperature. In addition to the description of the device, a description of the process underlying the operation of the device is described. |
| US09566403B2 |
Combination enhanced therapy
A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device includes a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air. The flow generator includes a programmable controller. The programmable controller is adapted to allow continuous access to at least one active operating mode and selective access to at least one dormant operating mode. The programmable controller includes a mode control system adapted to receive a data signal to control the selective access to the at least one dormant operating mode. |
| US09566402B2 |
Delivery Device and Method
A delivery device for and method of delivering substance, in particular a vaccine, to a mucosal surface within the oral cavity of a subject, the device comprising: a mouthpiece unit to be gripped in the mouth of a subject, wherein the mouthpiece unit is configured such that, on exhalation or attempted exhalation by the subject, a pressure is developed in the oral cavity which is such as to close the oropharyngeal velum of the subject; and an oral outlet unit including at least one outlet from which substance is in use delivered to a mucosal surface within the oral cavity of the subject. |
| US09566401B2 |
Trocar sleeve
A trocar sleeve that isolates the surgical device or movement thereof to inhibit or prevent an established non-jet streaming condition from becoming a jet streaming condition and a method of inhibiting or preventing a jet streaming condition from occurring due to instrument obstruction. |
| US09566399B1 |
Deep lung alveolar aerosol targeted drug delivery
An aerosol inhalation device assembly for diagnostic and therapeutic use for deep lung alveolar aerosol targeted drug delivery includes a nebulizer for generating an aerosol containing droplets of a liquid. The nebulizer has a pressurized gas inlet and a nebulizer outlet. An inhalation chamber is in fluid communication with the nebulizer outlet. The inhalation chamber is defined by at least one sidewall. An inhalation mouthpiece assembly is in fluid communication with the inhalation chamber and extends outwardly from the at least one sidewall of the inhalation chamber. A filter assembly is in fluid communication with the inhalation chamber. The filter assembly includes a filter medium. An exit port is in direct fluid communication with the filter assembly. A method of using the nebulizer is also provided. |
| US09566398B2 |
Atomising body, atomising device, inhaler, manufacturing method of manufacturing an atomising body and assembly method for assembling an atomising device
A method of manufacturing an atomizing body for an atomizing device includes the steps of providing a support element having a first layer on a first surface of the support element and a second layer on a second surface of the support element, the first layer including a first perforated membrane and the second layer including a process orifice, etching a cavity through the support element, the cavity forming a fluid connection from the process orifice to the perforated membrane, by providing etching substance to the process orifice. The atomizing body as obtained may advantageously be applied in an atomizing device or an inhaler. |
| US09566397B2 |
Small-volume nebulizers and methods of use thereof
The invention relates to a small-volume nebulizer with a valve system to provide lung physiotherapy during airway therapy with small-volume nebulizers. The valve system may be incorporated into a small-volume nebulizer. The small-volume nebulizer may be pre-filled with at least one unit-dose of medicine and hermetically sealed until use. The nebulizer may be sealed at the top with a removable cap that may be detached at the time of use and replaced with a patient connector. Likewise, the nebulizer may be sealed at the bottom with a bottom cap that is replaced with a gas source at the beginning of a therapeutic aerosol treatment. |
| US09566391B2 |
Protective needle shield
A needle shield assembly for enclosing a needle cannula includes a needle cannula having a needle hub at a proximal end thereof and a sharp distal end. A needle shield adapter is mounted to the needle hub and a needle shield is connected to the adapter. The needle shield is moveable between a first position enclosing the needle cannula and a second position exposing the needle cannula for use. |
| US09566388B1 |
Syringe measurement marking and dosing system
A syringe measurement marking system for use with a syringe that includes a barrel and a plunger is marked with patient-based numerical measuring indicia on the plunger. The patient-based numerical measuring indicia is non-volumetric in nature and instead indicates patient dosing criteria such as weight, age, height, blood sugar level, or any other patient criteria by which dosing is determined. The plunger may contain more than one set of patient-based numerical measuring indicia, such as one set for adults or one set for pediatrics, or one set for a first dose of a medication and one set for a second dose, or one set based on weight in pounds and one set based on weight in kilograms. The syringe barrel will contain one or more measurement lines. |
| US09566385B2 |
Intravenous piston pump disposable and mechanism
An apparatus for delivery of fluids to a patient includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube connected to each other at an angular joint. A rotary valve and a piston are fitted to the angular joint forming a chamber. The rotary valve is provided with a priming channel notch and a pumping notch. For priming operation with the fluid delivery apparatus, a user sets the rotary valve to a priming position. During pumping operation, the rotary valve rotates in coordination with the piston to transfer a quantum of fluid from the inlet tube to the outlet tube via the chamber. A second piston is optionally provided on the outlet tube for smoothing out flow rate pulsations. |
| US09566381B2 |
Disposable fluid connector having multiple tubing components and an electrical connector
A disposable fluid connector includes a first single-use tubing component having proximal and distal ends and a second single-use tubing component having proximal and distal ends, where the first single-use tubing component and the second single-use tubing component are each usable only for a single patient procedure. The disposable fluid connector also includes a connection comprising an electrical connector that is configured to electrically connect the connection to both a powered injector and to an external medical device, where the disposable fluid connector comprises a disposable cassette including a portion that is non-removably attached to both the first single-use tubing component and the second single-use tubing component. |
| US09566380B1 |
Reusable and inexpensive container assembly designed for storage of insulin ampules and other hypodermic solutions and pharmaceutical medications
A description of a bottle container assembly for use by patients for daily handling of glass insulin ampules and/or a variety of prescription medications and small medicine bottles. The container assembly is designed for frequent daily use at home, work or travel. It is constructed to address the safe handling, use and safe storage of medicines and in particular the storage of a variety of glass ampules containing insulin or other hypodermic solutions. The invention provides a safe, suitable and reusable container assembly to hold various insulin ampules replacing the fragile cardboard boxes they are shipped in by the manufacturers. |
| US09566377B2 |
Medical fluid sensing and concentration determination in a fluid cartridge with multiple passageways, using a radio frequency device situated within a magnetic field
This disclosure relates to medical fluid sensors and related systems and methods. In certain aspects, a method includes reading an indicia of a medical fluid cartridge to determine a volume of a fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge indicated by the indicia, receiving radio frequency energy generated by excited atoms in medical fluid in the fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge, and determining a concentration of a substance in the medical fluid based on the determined volume of the fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge indicated by the indicia and the received radio frequency energy generated by the excited atoms in the medical fluid in the fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge. |
| US09566372B2 |
Sustained nitric oxide release coating using diazeniumdiolate-doped polymer matrix with ester capped poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) additive
A polymeric composition includes a polymer matrix having a lipophilic discrete nitric oxide adduct and/or a polymeric nitric oxide adduct associated therewith, by covalent attachment to the polymer matrix and/or by dispersion within the polymer matrix, with the discrete nitric oxide adduct and/or the polymeric nitric oxide adduct being capable of releasing nitric oxide (NO). The polymeric composition further includes an ester capped poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) additive to at least one of increase, prolong, and control NO release rates from the lipophilic discrete nitric oxide adduct and/or the polymeric nitric oxide adduct. |
| US09566369B2 |
Methods for tissue decellularization
A method for producing sterile, decellurized bioprosthetic tissue comprising: (a) contacting a human tissue with a hypotonic solution to produce a lysed tissue, (b) contacting the lysed tissue with a first surfactant to produce a surfactant-treated tissue, (c) contacting the surfactant-treated tissue with a nuclease enzyme solution to produce an enzyme-treated tissue, (d) contacting the enzyme-treated tissue with a cleaning solution comprising a second surfactant, a chaotropic agent or a mixture thereof to produce a decellurized tissue and (e) contacting the decellurized tissue with a bioburden reducing agent to produce the final bioprosthetic tissue. Kits to be used in conjunction with said method, as well as, the bioprosthetic tissue produced via said method are also provided. |
| US09566367B2 |
Magnesium alloy and resorbable stents containing the same
The present invention is directed to a magnesium alloy containing 5.0% by wt.-25.5% by wt. dysprosium, 0.01% by wt.-5.0% by wt. neodymium and/or europium, 0.1% by wt. 3.0% by wt. zinc, 0.1% by wt.-2.0% by wt. Zirconium, and balance to 100.0% by wt. magnesium, being degradable under physiological conditions and which is particularly suitable for the production of absorbable stents and to stents made thereof. |
| US09566366B2 |
Multiple-layer immune barrier for donor cells
A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09566365B2 |
Silk fibroin and polyethylene glycol-based biomaterials
This invention relates to methods and compositions for preparation of silk-PEGs based biomaterials through crosslinking by chemically reacting active polyethylene glycols (PEGs) possessing different chemical groups (e.g., thiols and maleimides functionalized PEGs) that are additionally stabilized by the beta-sheet formation of silk fibroin. The crosslinked silk-PEGs biomaterials present strong adhesive properties, which are comparable to or better than the current leading PEG-based sealant, depending on the silk concentration in the silk-PEGs biomaterials. In addition, the silk-PEGs based biomaterials are cytocompatible, show decreased swelling behavior and longer degradation times, which make them suitable for hemostatic applications where the current available tissue sealant products can be contraindicated. |
| US09566364B2 |
Preparations based on fibrinogen and sulfated polysaccharides
The present invention provides a preparation comprising fibrinogen and a sulfated polysaccharide as a one component composition or as a kit of parts comprising fibrinogen and sulfated polysaccharide as separated components.The present invention further provides a fibrin clot like structure obtainable by a defined process, a hemostatic patch, a two-component syringe system and various uses of the described preparations, fibrin clot like structures and patches. |
| US09566363B2 |
Microbicidal composite material
A composite material having inherent microbicidal activity is herewith described. The microbicidal composite material comprises of a first layer having a first predefined thickness and a first predefined stitch/thread density; a second layer having a second predefined thickness and a second predefined stitch/thread density; an intermediate layer having a third predefined thickness and a third predefined stitch/thread density, wherein the intermediate layer is sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer, and where the intermediate layer is connected to the first layer and the second layer to form a three dimensional structure, and where each layer in the three dimensional structure has a plurality of apertures. Further, at least one layer in the three dimensional structure comprises at least one of microfibers and nanofibers having augmented surface moieties, wherein the augmented surface moieties allow for binding of a microbicidal agent to impart the inherent microbicidal activity. |
| US09566362B1 |
Poured and/or compressed multiple wax object
The invention includes an improved multiple component wax object that may be advantageously cubic or in another shape such as similar to tree bark that may be melted in a conventional warmer or candle melting device. Packaging for the cubic wax melts may be advantageously employed as a layered container for cooling as well as storing and transporting a group of wax melts. Packaging for the melts may also serve as discrete containers for several melts having different constituents. |
| US09566360B2 |
Fenton reaction catalyst using coffee grounds or tea dregs as raw material
A Fenton reaction catalyst including a reaction product as an active component, in which the reaction product is obtained by using roasted and ground coffee beans (in particular, coffee grounds) or tea leaves (in particular, tea dregs) as feedstocks for supplying a component having a reduction effect, and mixing the feedstocks for supplying the component having a reduction effect with an iron-supplying source containing divalent or trivalent iron in the presence of water. The Fenton reaction catalyst can be used to generate hydroxy radicals from hydrogen peroxide. The Fenton reaction catalyst can maintain iron in a divalent state for a long period of time. |
| US09566358B1 |
Sterilization apparatus
In an embodiment, a sterilization apparatus, adapted to sterilize a liquid to be sterilized, comprises a first sterilization light source, a first container and a sterilization container. The first sterilization light source includes a carrier, a plurality of LED packages and a plurality of collimating units, wherein the plurality of LED packages are disposed on and electrically connected to the plurality of carriers, and each of the plurality of collimating units separately is disposed on a corresponding LED package. The first container accommodates the first sterilization light source, and defines a first light-mixing space. The sterilization container includes an accommodating space for accommodating the liquid, wherein the first container is assembled together with the sterilization container, and the first light-mixing space is disposed between the first sterilization light source and the accommodating space. |
| US09566355B2 |
Bacteria-targeted magnetic resonance contrast agents
The present invention relates to bacteria-targeted contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In particular, the present invention relates to bacteria targeted MRI contrast agents that can be used to detect bacteria in vivo or in vitro. In certain embodiments, the contrast agents comprise a metal chelate conjugated to at least two Zn-dipicolylamine groups. |
| US09566354B2 |
Systems and methods of performing NMR spectroscopy and MRI
A method of performing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The methods may include: a) generating a compound comprising a first nuclear species (I1), a second nuclear species (I2), a third nuclear species (S), a heteronuclear coupling asymmetry (|J1S−J2S|) and a nuclear singlet state spin order localized on I1 and I2; b) transferring the nuclear singlet state spin order into heteronuclear magnetization localized on S by applying a single, non-recursive pulse sequence at a low magnetic field in the strong coupling regime of protons; and c) performing NMR spectroscopy or MRI with the compound comprising heteronuclear magnetization localized on S. The |J1S−J2S| may be non-zero. The pulse sequence may include a plurality of sequential radio frequency pulses separated by independent evolution interval. The pulse sequence may be capable of transferring at least about 75% of the nuclear singlet state spin order into heteronuclear magnetization localized on S at any |J1S−J2S| when the independent evolution intervals are optimized. |
| US09566351B2 |
Molecular containers and methods of making and using same
Acyclic CB[n]-type compounds, methods of making such compounds, and uses of the compounds. For example, these compounds can be used as nanocontainers to solubilize pharmaceutical agents. Also provided are compositions and methods of using them for therapy or prophylaxis of a wide variety of conditions for which therapy or prophylaxis is desirable. |
| US09566343B2 |
Benzoic acid, benzoic acid derivatives and heteroaryl carboxylic acid conjugates of hydromorphone, prodrugs, methods of making and use thereof
The presently described technology provides compositions comprising aryl carboxylic acids chemically conjugated to hydromorphone (4,5-α-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl morphinan-6-one) to form novel prodrugs/compositions of hydromorphone. The hydromorphone prodrugs of the present technology have decreased side effects and decreased potential for abuse compared to unconjugated hydromorphone. The present technology also provides methods of treating patients, pharmaceutical kits and methods of synthesizing conjugates of the present technology. |
| US09566342B2 |
Compounds for treatment of heart failure
A combination of: a first tetracycline (TC) component; and a second component capable of releasing nitric oxide (NO) or a nitrate capable of mimicking NO effects in vivo (NO mimetic). The combinations of the invention advantageously act as more effective MMP modulators with selective reductions in circulating MMP-9 levels in-vivo and inhibitory effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in-vitro. The combinations of the invention also advantageously act as modulators of inflammation mediators. The co-existence of abnormalities of MMP enzymes and inflammation in many diseases make these characteristics advantageous. Therefore, the various combinations of the invention find utility in medical applications where MMPs and/or inflammation is implicated. |
| US09566332B2 |
Methods of treating multiple sclerosis
The preset invention relates to combination pharmaceutical composition comprising an activated-potentiated from of an antibody to gamma interferon, and an activated-potentiated form of an antibody to S-100 protein and method of treating multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the diseases and conditions associated with neuroinfections. |
| US09566330B2 |
Immunogenic composition for immune system modulation and use thereof, method for treating and preventing diseases, method for inducing cell regeneration and method for restoring immune response
The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions for modulating the immune system, comprising a therapeutically effective quantity of two or more immuno-active antigenic agents with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and/or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and one or more physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients, diluents or solvents. The immunogenic compositions according to the present invention are used for producing medicaments for preventing and/or treating, and for preventing and/or treating infectious diseases, auto-immune diseases, allergic diseases, inflammation, arthritis, inflammatory diseases, transplant rejection, affections caused by vascular disorders, diseases caused by haemorrhagic or ischaemic cardiovascular accidents, ischaemia, heart attack and haemorrhagia leading to tissue destruction, heart, kidney, respiratory or liver insufficiency, cancer, malign and benign tumours and neoplasia. The present invention further relates to methods for inducing the regeneration of cells, tissues, organs and organic systems such as the circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems. Finally, the present invention relates to methods for restoring immune response in an animal, in particular a human being. |
| US09566327B2 |
Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigens for human and avian H5N1 influenza
Described herein is the generation of optimized H5N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to H5N1 influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on human and avian H5N1 isolates. Provided herein are optimized H5N1 HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure. |
| US09566324B2 |
North American porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, methods to make it and related polypeptides, polynucleotides, and various components. Vaccines comprising the genetically modified virus and polynucleotides and a diagnostic kit to distinguish between naturally infected and vaccinated animals are also provided. |
| US09566322B2 |
Bacterial vaccine components and uses thereof
Agents, compositions, methods and kits useful for the treatment and diagnosis of Staphylococcal intramammary infection are disclosed. The agents, compositions, methods and kits are derived from genes expressed during Staphylococcal intramammary infection, and more particularly genes SACOL0029, SACOL0264, SACOL0442, SACOL0718, SACOL0720, SACOL1353, SACOL1416, SACOL1611, SACOL1944, SACOL2144, SACOL2365 or SACOL2599, based on the gene nomenclature from the Staphylococcus aureus COL (SACOL) genome. |
| US09566320B2 |
Mucin-associated surface protein as vaccine against Chagas disease
Use of synthetic peptides derived from Trypanosoma cruzi antigens and their use in vaccination against trypomastigote infection and Chagas disease. T. cruzi uses several surface proteins to invade the host. In their role of protection, the surface protients ensure the targeting and invasion of specific cells or tissues. A conserved region in the family of mucin-associated surface proteins (MASP) was used to analyze the expression of MASP at different points of invasion and proved to be important for host cell invasion, thus suggesting MASP as a candidate for vaccine development. A synthetic peptide, MASPsyn, was studied and showed efficacy in stimulating antibody and cytokine production necessary for resistance against the parasite. |
| US09566319B2 |
p16INK4a derived peptides for prophylaxis and therapy of HPV-associated tumors and other p16INK4a expressing tumors
Described are particular fragments of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16 capable of increasing IFN-γ secretion of T cells or inducing proliferation of T cells and the use of said fragments for immunizing an individual against HPV-associated or other p16INK4a expressing carcinomas, preferably advanced carcinomas. |
| US09566310B2 |
Methods of treating muscular dystrophy
Disclosed herein are α7β1 integrin modulatory agents and methods of using such to treat conditions associated with decreased α7β1 integrin expression or activity, including muscular dystrophy. In one example, methods for treating a subject with muscular dystrophy are disclosed. The methods include administering an effective amount of an α7β1 integrin modulatory agent to the subject with muscular dystrophy, wherein the α7β1 integrin modulatory agent increases α7β1 integrin expression or activity as compared to α7β1 integrin expression or activity prior to treatment, thereby treating the subject with muscular dystrophy. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject and methods of enhancing α7β1 integrin expression by use of the disclosed α7β1 integrin modulatory agents. Methods of prospectively preventing or reducing muscle injury or damage in a subject are also disclosed. |
| US09566308B2 |
Preparation, process and a regenerative method and technique for prevention, treatment and glycemic control of diabetes mellitus
A medicinal preparation, a process, a nutritional composition and regenerative and insulin potentiating method for humans and also for mammals for prevention, treatment and management/glycemic control, of diabetes mellitus by obtaining optimum glucose level in blood, by administering an extract of Costus pictus to produce above effect in a dose of 500-200 mg/day in humans and 50-200 mg/kg/day in rats. A method for treating hyperglycemia in a patient by administering a medicinal preparation of Costus pictus D. Don. A method for long term management of diabetes by avoiding the problems associated with tight control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., hypoglycemia tolerance and seizures, while simultaneously avoiding the problems associated with conventional moderate control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., pathological complications associated with hyperglycemia, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, etc. The medicinal preparation further affords an insulin potentiating action in addition to decreasing blood glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin levels. |
| US09566306B2 |
Formulations and methods for treatment of wounds and inflammatory skin conditions
The disclosure of the present application includes topically administrable compositions and methods for treating wounds and inflammatory conditions of the skin in mammals. In an exemplary embodiment, the composition includes a therapeutic amount of antihistamine selected from the group consisting of a non-sedating antihistamine, a physiologically acceptable acid of a non-sedating antihistamine, a salt of a non-sedating antihistamine, an amide of a non-sedating antihistamine, and a combination of two or more of these; a therapeutic amount of creatine; a therapeutic amount of creatinine; and emu oil product selected from the group consisting of emu oil, a biologically active fraction of emu oil, and a combination of these. The combination of non-sedating antihistamine, creatine, and creatinine with emu oil has been found to produce a synergistic effect that is more effective in the treatment of skin wounds than the compounds used separately. |
| US09566305B2 |
Therapeutic compositions and methods for addressing physiological stresses and aging
Therapeutic compositions for addressing physiological stresses and aging include an immune modulator and one or more adaptogenic nutrients. Some non-limiting examples of immune modulators include as transfer factor, low molecular weight fraction immune modulators and/or other low molecular weight fractions of colostrum, egg or any other source of transfer factor or low molecular weight fraction immune modulators. Methods for administering immune modulators and adaptogenic nutrients to a subject to address the effects of physiological stresses and aging in the body of the subject, such as inflammatory responses, are also disclosed. |
| US09566304B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancers comprising dendritic cells with Dab2 gene silenced
Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, and more particularly, a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, including dendritic cells with a knock-down Dab2 gene. The composition includes a dendritic cell in which a Dab2 gene is knocked down or knocked out or activity of a Dab2 protein is suppressed as an active ingredient, and thus is expected to be useful as a pharmaceutical composition to prevent, improve or treat cancer as a result of having improved antigen uptake, a migration ability of a cell to a lymph node, and expression of inflammatory cytokines, and activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell lymphocyte (CTL) and related T cells that can attack cancer cells, and therefore is expected to be used as the pharmaceutical composition for preventing, improving or treating cancer. |
| US09566302B2 |
Composition comprising mixed metal compounds and xanthan gum
The present invention provides a composition comprising (i) a mixed metal compound containing at least one trivalent metal selected from iron (lll) and aluminum and at least one divalent metal selected from of magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium, lanthanum and cerium, (ii) xanthan gum (iii) at least one of (a) polyvinyl pyrrolidone (b) locust bean gum (c) methyl cellulose wherein the composition has been irradiated with ionizing radiation in an amount of at least 4 kGy. |
| US09566301B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating or preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress
Methods and compositions for treating various indications by lessening oxidative stress in a patient are provided. A pharmaceutical composition comprises between about 0.001% to about 10.0%), or more specifically between about 0.015% to about 5%, sodium iodine or catalase by weight. The iodine ion or the catalase dissociates hydrogen peroxide into water and molecular oxygen to interrupt biological events that result in negative side effects. The pharmaceutical composition further comprises in some cases a reducing agent or various carrier materials. The pharmaceutical composition is in some cases formulated for a variety of delivery methods. |
| US09566298B2 |
Method for treating acute kidney injury
The present invention provides methods for treating acute kidney injury through introduction of one or more drag reducing polymers, oligomers, and/or monomers, as well as compositions that include therapeutic amounts of one or more of these drag reducing polymers, oligomers, and/or monomers. These compositions may also include additional components that enhance at least one of the stability, effectiveness, or administerability of the polymers, oligomers, and/or monomers—such as buffers, anti-oxidants, and enzyme inhibitors. |
| US09566294B2 |
Therapeutic and diagnostic applications based on the role of the CXCR-4 gene in tumorigenesis
The present invention relates to the identification of a novel role of CXCR-4 in cell transformation and aberrant cellular proliferation. In particular, the present invention relates to the altered gene expression of CXCR-4 in a number of primary tumors and cell lines derived from tumors, in addition to, the altered gene expression of ligands for CXCR-4. Further, the present invention relates, in part, to the Applicants' surprising discovery that the inhibition of CXCR-4 gene expression or the inhibition of CXCR-4 activity in transformed cells reverses the transformed phenotype. |
| US09566292B2 |
Methods and compositions for modulating an immune response with immunogenic oligonucleotides
This document relates to compositions and methods for modulating an immune response. For example, compositions of immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides derived from retroviral genomes are provided. |
| US09566291B2 |
Nutritional composition comprising indigestible oligosaccharides
The present invention provides a method and composition for the treatment and/or prevention of respiratory tract infection and/or respiratory tract infection disease, said method comprising orally administering a composition to a mammal, said composition comprising a galactose containing indigestible oligosaccharide and at least 5 wt. % digestible galactose saccharide. |
| US09566289B2 |
Boron-containing small molecules
This invention relates to compounds useful for treating fungal infections, more specifically topical treatment of onychomycosis and/or cutaneous fungal infections. This invention is directed to compounds that are active against fungi and have properties that allow the compound, when placed in contact with a patient, to reach the particular part of the skin, nail, hair, claw or hoof infected by the fungus. In particular the present compounds have physiochemical properties that facilitate penetration of the nail plate. |
| US09566288B2 |
High-purity phospholipids
Novel synthetic routes, which are highly applicable for industrial preparation of therapeutically beneficial oxidized phospholipids, are disclosed. Particularly, novel methods for efficiently preparing compounds having a glycerolic backbone and one or more oxidized moieties attached to the glycerolic backbone, which are devoid of column chromatography are disclosed. Further disclosed are novel methods of introducing phosphorus-containing moieties such as phosphate moieties to compounds having glycerolic backbone and intermediates formed thereby. Further disclosed is substantially pure 1-hexadecyl-2-(4′-carboxy)butyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (CI-201). |
| US09566286B2 |
Pharmaceutical spray composition comprising a vitamin D analogue and a corticosteroid
The present invention relates to a topical spray composition comprising a biologically active vitamin D derivative or analog and a corticosteroid, and its use in the treatment of dermal diseases and conditions. |
| US09566284B2 |
Agents and methods for treating ischemic and other diseases
This invention relates to methods of screening for modulators of mammalian cell injury cause by TRPM7 gene and protein activity, compounds that modulate TRPM7 gene and protein activity and methods of treatment of mammalian cell injury using modulators of TRPM7 gene and protein activity. |
| US09566282B2 |
Methods for identifying and validating selective anti-cancer stem cell agents
Described are methods of treating a cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a dopamine receptor (DR) antagonist. The DR antagonist may be a phenothiazine derivative, such as thioridazine or chlorpromazine. Optionally, the cancer is acute myeloid leukemia. Also described are methods for identifying subjects with cancer, methods for providing a prognosis for a subjects with cancer and methods for identifying subjects likely to be responsive to therapy with DR receptor antagonists. Methods for identifying cancer stem cells and chemotherapeutic compounds that are DR receptor antagonists as also provided. Also described are methods for the identification and validation of agents that target cancer stem cells. |
| US09566281B2 |
MEK inhibitors in the treatment of virus diseases
The present invention relates to MEK inhibitors that are capable of displaying one or more beneficial therapeutic effects. The MEK inhibitors can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of viral infection. MEK inhibitors in combination with neuraminidase inhibitor compounds are capable of displaying one or more beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of viral diseases. |
| US09566275B2 |
Compositions for treating CMT and related disorders
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and related disorders. |
| US09566273B2 |
Nicotinic attenuation of CNS inflammation and autoimmunity
The present invention relates to methods of treating and/or ameliorating the severity of inflammation and autoimmunity in the central nervous system (CNS). In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating multiple sclerosis by administering a therapeutically effective dosage of nicotine, or a pharmaceutical equivalent, analog, derivative, or salt thereof. |
| US09566272B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating diseases of the nail
Methods and compositions for treating disorders of the nail and nail bed. Such compositions contain a vehicle in which all components of the composition are dissolved, suspended, dispersed, or emulsified, a non-volatile solvent, a wetting agent, and a pharmaceutically active ingredient that is soluble in the non-volatile solvent and/or a mixture of the vehicle and the non-volatile solvent, and which composition is effective in treating a disorder of the nail or nail bed. |
| US09566270B2 |
Methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
The present invention provides new methods and kits for treating IBS; treating IBS in females; treating IBS in older subjects; and treating IBS in non-white subjects. |
| US09566261B2 |
Phenyl carbamate compound and a composition for preventing or treating a memory loss-related disease comprising the same
The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating a memory loss related disease comprising a phenyl carbamate compound and a method for preventing or treating various diseases related to loss of memory therewith. The present invention ensures the enhancement of neuroprotection, such that it is promising for preventing or treating memory loss-related diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. |
| US09566258B2 |
Gastric retentive pharmaceutical compositions for treatment and prevention of CNS disorders
The present disclosure is directed to methods and compositions for ameliorating, preventing and treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The invention aims to treat subjects suffering from, susceptible to, or diagnosed with CNS disorders, and in particular, to treating patients suffering from those disorders which are associated with neurotransmitter system dysfunction. |
| US09566249B2 |
Timed, pulsatile release systems
A unit multiparticulate dosage form for delivering one or more basic, active pharmaceutical ingredients into the body in need of such medications to achieve target PK (pharmocokinetics) profiles is described. The dosage form comprises one or more multicoated drug particles (beads, pellets, mini-/micro-tablets) having a barrier coating and a lag-time coating. Each Timed Pulsatile Release (TPR) bead population exhibits pre-determined lag-time followed by differing release characteristics. The composition and thickness of the barrier coating, composition and thickness of the lag-time coating, ratio of IR beads to one or more TPR bead populations and total dose may be varied depending on the alkalinity, pH-dependent solubility and elimination half-life of the active ingredients to achieve target PK profiles (suitable for a once or twice daily dosing regimen) in patients in need of such medications. |
| US09566248B2 |
Encased-pellet tablets
An encased-pellet tablet for an active pharmaceutical ingredient comprises an excipient layer on the outside and an inner core that is surrounded by the excipient layer. The inner core contains a plurality of coated pellets, and the coated pellets comprise pellets of the active pharmaceutical ingredient coated with a pellet coating. The excipient layer contains from about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of at least one cushioning agent selected from polyhydroxyl compounds. A method for manufacturing the encased-pellet tablets involves compressing an excipient material to form a first layer; compressing a plurality of coated pellets containing an API on said first layer to form an inner core thereon and compressing additional excipient material around an exposed portion of said inner core thereby surrounding said inner core with excipient material. |
| US09566245B2 |
Osmotic drug delivery system
An oral osmotic pharmaceutical delivery system comprises a highly water-soluble drug exhibiting an erratic or an incomplete release profile when formulated in an elementary osmotic pump delivery system and at least one release enhancing agent. |
| US09566244B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition comprising licarbazepine acetate
A pharmaceutical composition comprising licarbazepine acetate, especially eslicarbazepine acetate, in combination with suitable excipients, in particular a binder, and a disintegrant. Also disclosed is a granulation process, especially a wet granulation process, for making the pharmaceutical composition. |
| US09566242B2 |
Sustained delivery of therapeutic agents to an eye compartment
Compositions and methods for treating eye disorders by administering a drug delivery system into an eye compartment of the patient, wherein the drug delivery system contains a particle containing a core; a coating associated with the particle, wherein the coating is covalently or non-covalently associated with the particle and presents a hydrophilic region to the environment around the particle; and a therapeutic agent are disclosed. The eye compartment can exhibit reduced inflammation or IOP after administration of the drug delivery systems to a patient than if a drug delivery system including an uncoated particle were administered to the patient. |
| US09566235B2 |
Implants for administering substances and methods of producing implants
In some aspects, the invention relates to a porous implant, comprising a resorbable or bio-erodible porous silicon-based carrier material; a reservoir formed within the body of the porous silicon-based carrier material; and a beneficial substance disposed within the reservoir. |
| US09566234B2 |
Systems for treating pulmonary infections
Provided herein are systems for treating a subject with a pulmonary infection, for example, a nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection, a Burkholderia pulmonary infection, a pulmonary infection associated with bronchiectasis, or a Pseudomonas pulmonary infection. The system includes a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a liposomal aminoglycoside dispersion, and the lipid component of the liposomes consist essentially of electrically neutral lipids. The system also includes a nebulizer which generates an aerosol of the pharmaceutical formulation at a rate greater than about 0.53 gram per minute. The aerosol is delivered to the subject via inhalation for the treatment of the pulmonary infection. |
| US09566232B2 |
Compositions and methods for enhancing the efficacy of contraceptive microbicides
The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for contraception that also enhance the efficacy of microbicides. Such compositions serve the dual purpose of preventing pregnancy and lessening the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases. More specifically, the compositions and methods relate to syngergistic contraceptive microbicide and antiviral compositions comprising a combination of a contraceptive microbicide and an antiviral agent in an acidic carrier that enhances the efficacy of both the contraceptive microbicide and antiviral agent. |
| US09566230B2 |
Hydrophobic tooth whitening system and methods of use
A tooth whitening system comprising a dental tray having a surface operable to confront a tooth surface, and a tooth whitening composition comprising a whitening agent and a hydrophobic polymer carrier. The tooth whitening composition is preferably substantially non-water soluble. A tooth whitening kit is also provided using a dental tray and the tooth whitening composition comprising a whitening composition and a hydrophobic polymer carrier. |
| US09566223B2 |
Antiperspirants and deodorants
Products and methods are disclosed for reducing the production of unwanted odors on the human body. |
| US09566213B2 |
Implantable electroacupuncture system and method for treating dyslipidemia and obesity
An exemplary method of treating obesity or dyslipidemia of a patient includes 1) generating, by an electroacupuncture device implanted beneath a skin surface of the patient at an acupoint corresponding to at least one of a saphenous nerve and a peroneal nerve of the patient, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05, and 2) applying, by the electroacupuncture device in accordance with the duty cycle, the stimulation sessions to at least one of the saphenous nerve and the peroneal nerve by way of a central electrode and an annular electrode located on a housing of the electroacupuncture device. |
| US09566207B1 |
Hi-rise walker
A walker assists a user to walk, sit down, and stand up from a sitting position. The walker includes a set of side frames, a connection bar, and a set of arm rests. The walker also includes a brake assembly for wheel assembly connected to front portion of both side frames to prevent any movement of the walker as the user attempts to achieve an upright position. |
| US09566204B2 |
Sentimental memories box for caskets
A display case for holding mementos having a pair of opposed ends, a pair of opposed sides, a bottom, and a top which defines the display case and forms an interior space within for holding the mementos, the top having an opening therein to permit access to the interior space. A cover is provided for selectively closing the top opening of the case. The bottom of the display case is configured to have a central indentation for accommodating an apex of a lid of a casket, a pair of rounded feet on each side of the indentation for providing a sturdy base upon which the display case sits on the lid, and a pair of stabilizing fins extending outwardly and downwardly to each side of the bottom of the display case to stabilize the display case on a curved or inclined top surface of the lid of the casket. |
| US09566202B2 |
Medical air mattress, method to inflate/deflate a medical air mattress and method to incline the bearing surface of a medical air mattress
A medical air mattress has a mattress body, a lower bedspread and an upper bedspread. The mattress body is formed by multiple air cells substantially parallel arranged in a row forming an air cell row. The upper bedspread covers the mattress body and is securely connected to the lower bedspread. The mattress further comprises a pumping assembly with a pump and at least a pipeline connecting the pump with the air cells such that inflating and/or deflating of the air cells is controllable selectively. |
| US09566196B2 |
Absorbent pads comprising zones of differential absorbent capacity
An absorbent sanitary pad with side flaps having a higher basis weight of superabsorbent polymer in correspondence with the wings end points which helps reducing side leakage. |
| US09566195B2 |
Absorbent article with waistband having contraction
A disposable absorbent article comprising a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first waist region and second waist region; a first waist edge and a second waist edge; the disposable absorbent article comprising a first waistband near the first waist edge and a second waistband near the second waist edge, wherein the Front-to-Back Delta Chassis Contraction is greater than about 9.0%. |
| US09566192B2 |
Welding helmet for detecting arc data
A welding helmet for detecting arc data is provided. One embodiment of the welding helmet includes an arc detection system configured to detect one or more welding arcs that occur during one or more welding operations. The welding helmet also includes control circuitry configured to count a number of the one or more welding arcs detected by the arc detection system. The welding helmet includes a storage device configured to store the number of the one or more welding arcs. |
| US09566191B2 |
Retinal prosthesis with visible-light filter
Apparatus is provided, including an external device, including a mount, placed in front of an eye, and a laser which emits toward the eye radiation that is outside of 380-750 nm. The apparatus additionally includes an intraocular device which is implanted entirely in the eye, and includes an energy receiver, a plurality of stimulating electrodes, a plurality of photosensors, and driving circuitry coupled to the energy receiver and to the photosensors, and configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to a retina of the eye in response to the signals from the photosensors. The photosensors are (a) generally insensitive to the energy from the laser, and (b) generally sensitive to visible light. Other applications are also described. |
| US09566187B2 |
Cold therapy systems and methods
A cold therapy system including a cooling bath; a therapy pad in fluid communication with the cooling bath; a pump positioned and arranged to pump water from the cooling bath to the therapy pad and back to the cooling bath; and a control unit controlling the pump, the control unit programmed to operate the pump according to a cycle in which the pump is operated at less than maximum to cause the therapy pad temperature to be raised and to conserve a cooling resource within the cooling bath. |
| US09566186B2 |
Portable moist heat system
A portable moist heat delivery system comprising a water vapor generating portion comprising a water vapor source and a heat source; a water vapor-air regulating portion, said water vapor-air regulating portion comprising a water vapor-air mixing layer, and a water vapor-air distribution layer; said water vapor generating portion and said water vapor-air regulating portion being in fluid communication; and said water vapor-air regulating portion having a latent heat delivery surface disposed adjacent said water vapor-air regulating portion which delivers moist heat at a preselected temperature range wherein about 15% to about 95% of the moist heat is latent heat of condensation. Methods include delivering improved pain relief, blood flow, relaxation, and reduced cardiac workload. |
| US09566181B2 |
Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass
Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. |
| US09566176B2 |
Preform produced by electrospinning, method for producing the same and use of such a preform
The invention relates to a method for producing a preform by means of an electrospinning process. The present invention also relates to the use of the present preform as a substrate for growing human or animal tissue thereon. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for growing human or animal tissue on a substrate, wherein the present preform is used as the substrate. |
| US09566175B2 |
Suspension liner with seal component
A suspension liner is provided for use as an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket. The liner has an elongate, generally conical liner body formed from at least one material segment that is at least radially elastically extensible from a relaxed non-extended condition and including proximal and distal end areas, and a seal component connected to the liner body and having an exterior surface defining at least one exterior seal protruding from the exterior surface and extending radially outwardly from the seal component relative to a longitudinal axis of the liner body. The at least one interior seal is located along an interior surface of the seal component and defines at least one blade extending obliquely toward the liner body. A portion of the seal component carrying the interior seal extends freely and is movable relative to the liner body. |
| US09566174B1 |
System for controlling brain machine interfaces and neural prosthetic systems
Described is a system for controlling a torque controlled prosthetic device given motor intent inferred from neuroimaging data. The system includes at least one torque controlled prosthetic device operably connected with one or more processors. Further, the system is configured to receive neuroimaging data of a user from a neuroimaging device and decode the neuroimaging data to infer spatial motion intent of the user, where the spatial motion intent includes desired motion commands of the torque controlled prosthetic device represented in a coordinate system. The system thereafter executes, with a prosthesis controller, the motion commands as torque commands to cause the torque controlled prosthetic device to move according to the spatial motion intent of the user. |
| US09566171B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a femoral resection block
Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities. In some instances, such systems and methods include a resection block for resectioning a popliteal surface of a femur. In some cases, the resection block is configured to be seated on a distal portion of a femur. Additionally, some implementations of the resection block define a first slot that is sized and shaped to receive a cutting device. In some implementations, the first slot is defined in the resection block such that the first slot substantially aligns with a first portion of a popliteal surface of the femur when the resection block is seated on the distal portion of the femur. Other implementations are also discussed. |
| US09566170B2 |
Percutaneous arthrodesis method and system
A method and system for percutaneous fusion to correct disc compression is presented. The method has several steps, for instance, inserting a percutaneous lumbar interbody implant; positioning guide wires for each facet screw to be implanted; performing facet arthrodesis in preparation for the facet screws; fixating the plurality of facet screws; and optionally performing foramen nerve root or central decompression. The system includes an implant, an elongate cannulated insertion tool, and an elongate lockshaft positioned within the insertion tool. |
| US09566165B2 |
Interbody vertebral prosthetic and orthopedic fusion device with self-deploying anchors
An intervertebral prosthesis includes: a body; a first aperture extending from within the body and opening; a first anchoring element disposed within the first aperture and including a shaft having proximal and distal ends, where the proximal end of the first anchoring element includes a first portion of a first articulation mechanism; and a drive mechanism having: (i) a threaded shaft defining a longitudinal axis thereof and a head at a proximal end of the threaded shaft, (ii) a translator element having a threaded bore in threaded engagement with the threaded shaft. |
| US09566162B2 |
Adjustable humeral tray for shoulder arthroplasty
An adjustable humeral implant includes a humeral tray and a humeral coupler. The humeral tray includes a humeral coupler receiving portion. The humeral coupler includes a humeral tray mating portion and a stem portion extending from the humeral tray mating portion along a first axis. The humeral tray mating portion is translatable within the humeral coupler receiving portion in a direction transverse to the first axis. |
| US09566161B2 |
Tibial implant base
An orthopedic prosthesis includes a tibial implant and a tibial insert. The tibial implant includes an upper surface, a medial side, a lateral side and a first locking structure provided on the upper surface where the medial side and the lateral side of the tibial implant are defined by a medial-lateral midline. The tibial insert includes a second locking structure provided on its bottom surface. The first and second locking structures are configured for engaging each other along an engagement direction vector when the tibial insert is inserted into the tibial base towards the posterior side. The engagement direction vector is angled away from the medial-lateral midline of the tibial implant towards the medial side of the tibial implant by a predetermine angle. |
| US09566155B2 |
Method of implanting an artificial sphincter around a portion of a urethra
A method of implanting a medical device includes implanting an artificial sphincter around a portion of a urethra in a patient, implanting a reservoir in an abdomen of the patient, coupling a deflation assembly to the artificial sphincter and to the reservoir, and implanting the deflation assembly between transversalis fascia and an exterior surface of a pelvis of the patient. |
| US09566154B2 |
Inversion delivery device and method for a prosthesis
A delivery device usable to deliver an inverting implant is provided that includes a positioning mechanism that automatically initiates the inversion process once a predetermined length of the implant has exited a delivery catheter. The positioning mechanism allows the implant to be safely and accurately deployed with reduced operator experience and in a greater variety of target locations. |
| US09566153B2 |
Alignment of an implantable medical device
A medical device delivery system includes an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a support shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and an articulating assembly disposed between the inner shaft and the support shaft. The support shaft is sized for insertion into the circulatory system of a patient. The articulating assembly includes a first portion at the distal end of the inner shaft and a second portion at the proximal end of the support shaft. The first portion is pivotable relative to the second portion to change orientation of the support shaft relative to the inner shaft. |
| US09566149B2 |
Devices and methods for in situ fenestration of a stent-graft at the site of a branch vessel
The present disclosure includes a stent-graft comprising a first portion that is configured to engage a vessel wall, a second portion that is configured not to engage the vessel wall, and a perfusion window that is configured to permit blood flow. The stent-graft may further comprise a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, and the perfusion window may be formed in the first portion, the second portion, and/or the transition portion. In a variety of embodiments, one of the first and the second portion may have a smaller diameter than the other. Similarly, in a variety of embodiments, the transition portion may be frustoconically shaped. |
| US09566148B2 |
Self-supporting laminated films, structural materials and medical devices manufactured therefrom and methods of making same
Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures. Vacuum deposition technologies can be developed to yield laminate metal structures with improved mechanical properties. In addition, laminate structures can be designed to provide special qualities by including layers that have special properties such as superelasticity, shape memory, radio-opacity, corrosion resistance etc. Examples of articles which may be made by the inventive laminate structures include implantable medical devices that are fabricated from the laminated deposited films and which present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of a laminated film material deposited and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods. |
| US09566142B2 |
Dental prosthesis for cattle
A dental prosthesis for cattle, and method for mounting it, that includes mounting fastening members in the animals incisor, away from the central nerve and towards in the inner side of the incisor. Tying the incisors individually with surgical wire and to a support plate with through holes to immobilize the relative movement of the incisor with respect to each other. A malleable metallic overdenture is then mounted over the teeth and metallic infrastructure conforming to the incisors to define a conforming overdenture. An adhesive bonding agent is used to mount the overdenture to the incisors and the anchorage structure with retention fastening members that transversally pass through the overdenture and between the incisors to further secure the overdenture to the cured boding agent. |
| US09566139B2 |
Stabilizer for lower dental appliances
The present invention extends to a dental appliance having a set of rigid flanges conforming to a patient's mandibular bone structure and a stabilizer for securing and resisting movement of the dental appliance once set. The stabilizer reduces movement of a lower denture. The stabilizer extends perpendicularly from a flange of the lower denture and reduces denture movement during chewing. The stabilizer has one surface making contact with the bottom of the tongue and another surface making contact with the Genioglossus muscle when a user is chewing. The stabilizer does not require a dental implant for maintaining lower denture stability. |
| US09566138B2 |
Modeling and manufacturing of dentures
Disclosed is a method for modeling and manufacturing a denture for a patient, where the denture comprises a gingival part and artificial teeth, wherein the method comprises: providing a 3D scan comprising at least part of the patient's oral cavity; virtually modeling at least part of the denture using the 3D scan; obtaining virtual teeth to represent the artificial teeth; virtually modeling at least one of the virtual teeth to obtain a set of modeled virtual teeth; manufacturing the modeled virtual teeth in a first material; manufacturing the gingival part in a second material; and manufacturing at least part of the denture by means of computer aided manufacturing (CAM). |
| US09566135B2 |
Method of growing an artery
An organ derived from genetic material is inserted in a patient's body. Genetic material is inserted at a selected site in the body to grow an organ. |
| US09566134B2 |
Orthodontic applicance with radiused wire slot
A set of orthodontic brackets is provided in combination with an archwire extending over an arc when fitted to the set of orthodontic brackets. The archwire has at least one radius of curvature over the length of its arc, and each one of said brackets in the set has an archwire slot. Each slot has at least one surface supporting the archwire which is contoured to have a radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature along the arc of the archwire at that point. A round archwire is preferred and the archwire slots may be formed as tubular channels to provide better torque action for the archwire. |
| US09566133B2 |
Method for shaping an orthodontic wire made of a shape-memory material, and associated wire
Method for shaping an orthodontic wire, made of a shape-memory material, into a target geometry in order to permit precise insertion into a patient-specific orthodontic apparatus, said method having the following steps: a) creating a patient-specific target set-up of the upper jaw or lower jaw of the patient, b) placing brackets on teeth to be treated in the target set-up, c) preparing a two-dimensional image of the target set-up with brackets in a plan view, d) loading the image into a data processor, e) identifying the position of the slots of the brackets in the image, f) exporting data on the position of the slots from the data processor, g) creating a baking mold for the shape-memory wire, wherein the data are used to help generate wire-fixing portions in the baking mold that maintain the wire in areas corresponding to the slots during the baking, h) inserting the wire into the baking mold, and i) baking the wire. |
| US09566129B2 |
Disposable dental instrument
A disposable dental instrument of the compressed air drive type is disclosed for use in performing dental procedures on a workpiece. The disposable dental instrument is constructed from two mating shells and a core. Each shell incorporates a mating surface and the shells are joined using various bonding methods to ensure a waterproof, high quality dental instrument. An elongated body has conduits penetrating a base at one end of the body. The conduits allow entry of a light beam, a pressurized water stream, and a compressed air stream into the body. The base includes attachment threads for securing the body to a source of the light beam, pressurized water stream, and compressed air stream. Pluralities of passageways are in communication with the conduits for conducting the light beam, the water stream, and the air stream through the body. A head at the opposite end of the body rotatably mounts a turbine shaft on bearing surfaces which inhibit vibration and noise. The turbine shaft includes a turbine impeller and a clamping hole for removable attachment of a dental bur to the shaft. The air stream drives the impeller at a high speed for rotating the bur about a rotational axis. An opening in the body adjacent to the head allows release of the light beam, the pressurized water stream, and a portion of the compressed air stream in a direction toward the distal end of the bur so that the bur, the light beam, the water stream, and the air stream may all converge on the workpiece. |
| US09566128B2 |
Shipping and aggregation system for medical sharps
The disclosure relates to a container for shipping, storing, dispensing, and receiving units for storing, dispensing, and receiving medical sharps, wherein the container includes a plurality of compartments, said compartments each being capable of containing one unit for storing, dispensing, and receiving medical sharps and to a method of using said container to store, dispense, receive, and ship said units. |
| US09566127B1 |
Stairway apparatus for use with endoscope cabinets
A stairway apparatus for use with an endoscope storage cabinet includes a slidable door to open or close the cabinet's interior compartment. The stairway apparatus includes a base member disposed on a ground and placed against the cabinet, the base member having a first step with a front face, a rear face opposite the front face, and a top face connecting the front and rear faces, the front face having a lip coupled thereto and positioned to remain flush with the top face of the first step. The front face of the first step contacts front edges of the cabinet. The lip extends into the interior compartment of the cabinet when open and contacts side walls of the cabinet, thereby preventing lateral movement of the base member. |
| US09566117B2 |
Prophylactic kit apparatus
A prophylactic kit apparatus configured to be used with only a single patient includes a plurality of sealed modules and a housing configured to contain those sealed modules such that only one of the plurality of sealed modules can be removed from the housing at a time. This kit may include a physically-discrete informational patient aid disposed within the housing and having information disposed thereon. By one approach these physically-discrete informational patient aids can have a bookmark form factor. So configured, a medical services provider can readily provide the physically-discrete informational patient aid to a patient to thereby facilitate the patient becoming informed regarding the corresponding prophylactic service with little or no burden on the service provider. |
| US09566109B2 |
Limited-use surgical devices
A system includes an energy source and a surgical device. The energy source has a receptacle configured to delivery energy to the surgical device through a receptacle. The surgical device is configured to deliver the energy to tissue. The surgical device includes a plug selectively engagable to the receptacle to couple the surgical device to the energy source. The plug includes a prong configured to mechanically transition from a condition permitting engagement of the plug and the receptacle to another condition inhibiting engagement of the plug with the receptacle upon reaching a predetermined usage threshold. |
| US09566108B2 |
Electrosurgical system
An electrosurgical system can include an electrosurgical generator, a feedback circuit or controller, and an electrosurgical tool. The feedback circuit can provide an electrosurgery endpoint by determining the phase end point of a tissue to be treated. The electrosurgical system can include more than one electrosurgical tool for different electrosurgical operations and can include a variety of user interface features and audio/visual performance indicators. The electrosurgical system can also power conventional bipolar electrosurgical tools and direct current surgical appliances. |
| US09566098B2 |
Bone fixture assembly
An assembly for rigid bone fixation includes a plate and a screw. The screw can be rotated freely within the plate in a non-locking configuration to secure the plate against the bone. A locking mechanism is engaged to prevent the screw from moving relative the plate. In one embodiment, the plate includes a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion. The screw head rotates within the non-threaded portion to tighten the screw and pull the plate against the bone. The locking mechanism can include a moveable nut that rotates within the threaded portion of the plate to lock the screw and plate in a locking mode. The assembly can be used for rigid fixation of bones that experience cyclic loads, such as the sternum and mandible. Methods of rigid bone fixation are also described. |
| US09566096B2 |
Metatarsal fixation device, system and method
A metatarsal fixation device is provided for fixation of osteotomy or fracture of a distal metatarsal metaphysis bone of the human foot and for fixation of an associated capsule to the metatarsal head. The device includes a metallic bone plate with a series of screw holes along an elongated portion of the plate and a combination of a singular screw hole and a resilient clamp on an end of the elongated portion. The resilient clamp has two arched resilient arms extending laterally outward from an end of the elongated portion. Each arm has a plurality of spikes on an inner surface thereof providing points of contact that compress and attach a metatarsal phalangeal joint capsule portion to the medial and/or lateral aspect of the metatarsal head, thereby facilitating realignment of the metatarsophalangeal joint and respective digit. The resilient arms are biased to grasp lateral sides of a metatarsal head and any associated capsule portion. |
| US09566086B2 |
Dilator
A dilator that facilitates implantation of an interspinous spacer is provided. The dilator includes a proximal portion and a tapered distal portion interconnected by an elongated body portion. The tapered distal portion is ideally suited for splitting ligamentous tissue for creating a posterior midline pathway through the supraspinous ligament as well as for distracting the adjacent spinous processes. Two oppositely located and longitudinally extending channels or grooves are formed in the outer surface of the dilator for stabilizing the dilator with respect to the spinous processes. An accompanying cannula together with the dilator form a system for the distraction of the adjacent spinous processes, stabilization of the spinous processes with respect to the system and creation of a working channel for the implantation of an interspinous spacer. |
| US09566084B2 |
Energy treatment device
A treatment device includes a longitudinal probe, a distal end portion, a sheath, a fixed handle, a movable handle, a jaw side through hole portion that is provided in the movable handle and formed between a finger placing portion and a jaw, a sheath side through hole portion that is provided in the sheath and provided at a position at which the sheath side through hole portion does not overlap with the hollow portion; and an opening/closing axis member. The opening/closing axis member is inserted in the jaw side through hole portion and the sheath side through hole portion to openably and closably attach the movable handle to the fixed handle. |
| US09566080B2 |
Grasping treatment device
A grasping treatment device includes a first sheath section, a second sheath section including a bending cylindrical section, and a rotating transmitting portion configured to rotate to allow a grasping section and the first sheath section to rotate in one of periaxial directions of a longitudinal axis with respect to the second sheath section. The grasping treatment device includes an opening/closing transmitting portion configured to move a movable portion of the first sheath section toward a proximal direction with respect to a probe fixed portion by being pulled toward the proximal direction, and an acting force transmitting portion configured to transmit an acting force from the probe fixed portion to the bending cylindrical section, the acting force being configured to act on the probe fixed portion from the movable portion toward the proximal direction. |
| US09566078B2 |
Guide sleeve for suprapatellar surgery
A tissue protection sleeve for use in suprapatellar surgery is provided. The sleeve has a first end, a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve further comprises at least two open grooves that extend along the inner surface from the first end to the second end. The grooves are adapted to accommodate elongated fixation elements inserted into a tibia. A drill guide sleeve and a trocar for inserting a guide wire are also provided and can be accommodated by the tissue protection sleeve. |
| US09566076B2 |
Low profile patient specific cutting blocks for a knee joint
A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee includes a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface that is generally a negative of the portion of the bone that the respective bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone, and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of bone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth relative to the bone interfacing portions. |
| US09566071B2 |
Systems and devices for cerebral aneurysm repair
An embolization device for treating ischemic stroke is disclosed, having a surface, wherein the body portion is configured to have a radiopaque and electropositive surface under physiological conditions when the device is emplaced, which ionically binds a blood component in an amount effective to promote stability of device in situ to bind to a tissue component in an amount effective to increase adhesion of the device as compared to a device without an electropositive surface. Embolic coils being so delivered are electrolytically detachable in under 10 seconds, according to the disclosed vascular implant systems. |
| US09566058B2 |
Anchor/suture used for medical procedures
For suture tying in a medical procedure including the use of an anchor that includes a suture locking device that includes a sliding pin guided by axial side slots formed in the locking device that forces the suture where the two ends thereof are inserted into the interior of the suture locking mechanism to drive the captured suture and pin to fit into a recess on the top of the suture locking mechanism such that the top of the pin binds the suture against the upper inner surface of the recess. The recess can be serrated to enhance the locking capability and the pin is polygonal shaped to provide side surfaces that run parallel to the wall of the recess to assure that the side portion of the pin does not fracture the suture and cause it to weaken. The locking of the suture is automatic upon the deployment of the anchor which actuates the pin into the locking position, thus eliminating the necessity of manually knotting the suture and improving the cinching of the tissue to the bone. The suture locking mechanism is usable for attaching tissue to the bone, tying tissue to tissue and the like. The disclosure also includes the method of deploying the combined anchor and suture locking device in a medical procedure. |
| US09566056B2 |
Apparatus and method for securing tissue to bone using suture anchors with a pre-loaded piercing structure and sutures
A suture anchor is described. The suture anchor includes an elongate anchor body having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one suture secured within the anchor body, and at least one piercing structure secured within the body extending proximally out of the proximal end of the body, wherein the at least one piercing structure is engaged with the at least one suture. A method of attaching soft tissue to bone in a subject is also described. The method includes the steps of securing an anchor device into a bore formed in the bone, the anchor device comprising an anchor body and at least one pre-loaded piercing structure with at least one suture attached to both the anchor body and the piercing structure, piercing a soft tissue by forcing the at least one piercing structure through the soft tissue, such that at least a portion of the at least one suture passes through the soft tissue, and tying the at least one suture against the soft tissue to secure the soft tissue to the bone. |
| US09566049B2 |
Anchor deployment for implantable medical devices
A tool for deploying an anchor sleeve onto an implantable device includes handle and base members, which may be fitted together by an operator. The operator may select the handle member from a plurality thereof included in a kit; and the base member, also included in the kit, includes a rail segment with which a gripping portion of the selected handle member may be engaged, for example, via guidance from a marked portion of the base member. Once engaged, a deployment tip of the base member is located to move a mounted anchor sleeve from a tubular member of the handle member and onto a body of the device. The tubular member of some tools has a laterally offset distal end portion, on which the corresponding anchor sleeve is mounted; thus, kits including this type of handle member, may include a converter for the base member to facilitate engagement therewith. |
| US09566038B2 |
Method and system for image analysis
A computer-implemented system and method for analyzing a sample comprising a material of interest and at least first and second adjacent materials each generally adjacent to the material of interest, the material of interest having a generally different density from the at least first and second adjacent materials. The method comprises automatically defining a plurality of regions of interest within an image of the sample that includes a junction between the material of interest and the first adjacent material and a junction between the material of interest and the second adjacent material, each of the regions of interest having a width of one or more pixels or voxels; determining respective profiles of density, intensity or attenuation within the regions of interest, each of the respective profiles crossing the respective junctions; automatically identifying the material of interest in the density profile; analyzing the profiles by automatically defining, for each of the profiles, a series of sections of the respective profile, each of the sections comprising at least first and second S-like portions of the respective profile, the first portion containing the junction between the material of interest and the first adjacent material, the second portion containing the junction between the material of interest and the second adjacent material; and locating the junction in each of the first portions, including: identifying the greatest difference in values of the respective profile between an adjacent peak and trough in a segment of the respective profile that includes at least some of the material of interest and at least some of the first adjacent material; and locating a point of inflexion in the segment. |
| US09566036B2 |
Medical dose information management apparatus, X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and medical dose information management method
A medical dose information management apparatus according to an embodiment includes a dose measuring unit, a dose graph generation unit, a dose graph generation unit, a display mode setting unit and an output unit. The dose measuring unit acquires dose information including an area dose in X-ray irradiation. The dose graph generation unit generates, based on the dose information, a dose graph indicating area doses respectively corresponding to imaging operations associated with the X-ray irradiation. The display mode setting unit sets a display mode for the dose graph in accordance with each of imaging schemes corresponding to the imaging operations included in the dose information. The output unit outputs the dose graph accompanied by the set display mode. |
| US09566032B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a visual representation of sleep quality based on ECG signals
A method of providing a graphical representation of sleep quality includes obtaining ECG data for a patient, obtaining a plurality of N-intervals from the ECG data, calculating a plurality of spectral densities based on the plurality of N-N intervals, wherein each spectral density is associated with one of a plurality of successive time windows and is calculated based on certain ones of the N-N intervals associated with the one of the plurality of successive time windows, and generating the graphical representation of sleep quality using the plurality of spectral densities. |
| US09566024B2 |
Method and system for non-invasive optical blood glucose detection utilizing spectral data analysis
Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. This includes utilizing at least one light source configured to strike a target area of a sample, utilizing at least one light filter positioned to receive light transmitted through the target area of the sample from the at least one light source, utilizing at least one light detector positioned to receive light from the at least one light source and filtered by the at least one light filter, and to generate an output signal, having a time dependent current, which is indicative of the power of light detected, receiving the output signal from the at least one light detector with a processor, calculating the attenuance attributable to blood with a ratio factor based on the received output signal, and determining a blood glucose level based on the calculated attenuance. |
| US09566023B2 |
Audiometry earphone insert
The present technology relates to an earphone apparatus adapted for use in audiometry examinations. The earphone apparatus comprises a housing and a receiver having an acoustic output adapted to connect with an audio signal source. The earphone apparatus can also include a circuit board with an electrical equalization network connected to the receiver. A coupling can be connected to the acoustic output of the receiver. A sound tube can be connected to the acoustic output and extends out from the housing to an ear piece. The earphone also includes a resonance cancellation assembly comprising a damping chamber and a tubing section acoustically connecting the damping chamber to the coupling. The damping chamber can provide an acoustic compliance to the sound delivered by the receiver. The earphone can also comprise an electrical connector with a protector that is adapted to connect with a female connector delivering electrical power. |
| US09566021B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronized display of athletic maneuvers
Embodiments of the present disclosure help to synchronize multiple video segments of an actor or actors performing athletic maneuvers. Among other things, various embodiments help provide a side-by-side visual comparison of athletic maneuvers. |
| US09566015B2 |
Nerve monitoring during electrosurgery
A signal processing module includes an input module electronically coupled to a sensing probe of a nerve integrity monitoring system. The probe senses electrical signals from a patient during operation of an electrosurgical unit. The input module receives an input signal from the probe. An EMG detection module is coupled to the input module and is adapted to detect conditions in the input signal. The conditions are classified as a function of a level of electromyographic activity. An output module, coupled to the EMG detection module, provides an indication of electromyographic activity in the input signal based on the detected conditions. |
| US09566011B2 |
Systems and methods for diagnosing cardiovascular conditions
In one embodiment, a cardiovascular condition is diagnosed by recording a vectorcardiogram for a subject under evaluation, comparing the vectorcardiogram with vectorcardiograms of other subjects, and diagnosing the subject under evaluation based upon the comparison. |
| US09566007B2 |
Alarm system that processes both motion and vital signs using specific heuristic rules and thresholds
The invention provides a body-worn monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling). The body-worn monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs by motion-related artifacts. A software framework generates alarms/alerts based on threshold values that are either preset or determined in real time. The framework additionally includes a series of ‘heuristic’ rules that take the patient's activity state and motion into account, and process the vital signs accordingly. These rules, for example, indicate that a walking patient is likely breathing and has a regular heart rate, even if their motion-corrupted vital signs suggest otherwise. |
| US09566005B2 |
Measuring apparatus, measuring method, and parameter setting method
There is provided a measuring apparatus, including a light receiving element, provided at a position facing a measurement object region on which is placed a measurement object, which forms an image with light from the measurement object region, light emitting elements, arranged surrounding the light receiving element, which emit light for measuring the measurement object, and reflective optical elements, provided above the light emitting elements, which guide, to the measurement object region, emission light radiated from the light emitting elements. A light receiving surface of the light receiving element and light emission surfaces of the light emitting elements are positioned mutually on a same plane. The emission light radiated from the light emitting elements is reflected by the reflective optical elements, and center lines of the emission light radiated from each of the light emitting elements pass through an approximate center of the measurement object region. |
| US09566003B2 |
Ophthalmologic apparatus and method thereof
In order to detect a position alignment state between an apparatus and an eye to be inspected in a working distance direction with high precision at a high speed in the apparatus side, an ophthalmologic apparatus is disclosed. The position alignment state between the eye to be inspected and the apparatus in the working distance direction is detected by evaluating a contrast of an index image that is obtained as a reflection image of an index projected onto an anterior ocular segment, and a contrast of the index image is evaluated using a ratio or a difference between pixel numbers of the index image in at least two or more gray scale values. |
| US09566000B2 |
Method for detecting amyloid beta plaques and drusen
A method for detecting amyloid beta plaques and drusen is disclosed. The method for detecting amyloid beta plaques and drusen may include applying a combination of optical retro mode illumination techniques to acquire a plurality of amyloid beta plaques and drusen images that are too small to be seen with other imaging modalities. The amyloid beta plaques and drusen images may also be detected with a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method for detecting amyloid beta plaques and drusen. The method may track changes in plaque, size, area and density of the amyloid beta plaques and drusen over a predetermined period of time. |
| US09565999B2 |
Ophthalmologic apparatus
An ophthalmologic apparatus includes a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image of a subject's eye based on a combined beam obtained by combining a return beam from the subject's eye, which is irradiated with a measuring beam, and a reference beam corresponding to the measuring beam, an optical path length difference changing unit configured to change an optical path length difference between the measuring beam and the reference beam, and a control unit configured to, in a case where relative positions of an optical system for irradiating the subject's eye with the measuring beam and an anterior segment of the subject's eye satisfy a predetermined condition based on an image of the anterior segment, control the optical path length difference changing unit so that the optical path length difference is within a predetermined range. |
| US09565998B2 |
Multi-lumen-catheter retractor system for a minimally-invasive, operative gastrointestinal treatment
A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a body lumen of a patient including a flexible catheter having a first lumen configured and dimensioned to receive an endoscope therethrough and a second lumen configured and dimensioned to receive a first flexible tube therethrough. The first flexible tube is movable through the second lumen and has a distal portion including a first curve extending in a first direction with respect to the longitudinal axis and a second curve extending in a second different direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. A retractor system is positioned at a distal portion of the catheter and is movable from a non-expanded insertion position to an expanded position forming an expanded cage to form a larger working space. The distal portion of the first flexible tube is movable within the expanded cage. |
| US09565997B2 |
Hermetically sealed endoscope with optical component attached to inner protective window
In one embodiment, an endoscopic camera for a robotic surgical system includes a stereo camera module mounted to a robotic arm of a patient side cart. The optical and electro-optic components of the camera module are hermetically sealed within a first housing. Signals from an electro-optic component travel through traces in a ceramic substrate forming one side of the hermetically sealed first housing. A second housing surrounds the first housing and optical fibers are dispersed between the housings to provide lighting in a body cavity. The camera module may be sterilized by an autoclave. |
| US09565994B2 |
Elongate medical device with articulating portion
An articulating portion for an elongate medical device is disclosed. The articulating portion may include a plurality of segments movable relative to one another, and a plurality of hinges disposed between adjacent segments. The segments can be configured to bend at the hinges upon manipulation of a control member of the device. The segments and the hinges can also be a single continuous piece of material. |
| US09565992B2 |
Attachment clamp
Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device. |
| US09565991B2 |
Advance and retreat assist tool for endoscopic treatment instrument
An advance and retreat assist tool includes a base unit, an attachment portion which attaches the base unit to a treatment instrument insertion portion, a tubular member provided to advance and retreat relative to the base unit coaxially with a central axis of a hole portion and a fixing portion which fixes an endoscopic treatment instrument to the tubular member. The advance and retreat assist tool further includes a rotary portion which has an axis different from an axis of the tubular member and which rotates around the axis, and an advance and retreat mechanism. |
| US09565987B2 |
System and associated method for preventing overfilling in a dishwasher
A method, system, and computer-program product for preventing overfilling in a dishwasher are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a method for preventing overfilling in a dishwasher is provided, wherein the dishwasher includes a water valve for providing water to the dishwasher and a drain pump for removing water from the dishwasher. The method comprises detecting an overfill condition in the dishwasher with at least one detection device, wherein the overfill condition corresponds to a water level in the dishwasher that is greater than a predetermined threshold. The method further includes controlling the drain pump and the water valve in response to detecting the overfill condition in order to facilitate removal of the overfill condition. |
| US09565986B2 |
Floor mop with collapsible flexible bag reservoir
A mop assembly including a mop handle and a mop head mountable on the mop handle and a spray head mounted on the mop handle or the mop head and a collapsible flexible bag reservoir filled with liquid that is removably mountable on the mop head or the mop handle and a liquid pump assembly adapted to pump liquid from the collapsible flexible bag reservoir to the spray head. |
| US09565984B2 |
Autonomous floor cleaning with removable pad
An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is response to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode. |
| US09565983B2 |
Cyclonic separating device, cleaner, surface cleaning apparatus and cyclonic separating method
A cyclonic separating device includes: a first cyclonic separator defining a first longitudinal axis; a plurality of second cyclonic separators located downstream of the first cyclonic separator, arranged circumferentially around the first longitudinal axis in parallel, and integrally received in the first cyclonic separator; an inlet passage at least partially received in the first cyclonic separator; a guiding passage communicated with the inlet passage and the first cyclonic separator respectively, in which a fluid introduced through the inlet passage is tangentially guided into the first cyclonic separator by the guiding passage. In addition, a surface cleaning apparatus, a cleaner and a method for separating dust from a dust containing air using the cyclonic separating device are further provided. |
| US09565981B2 |
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 cyclone bin assembly may be partially or wholly nested in the body when the cyclone bin assembly is mounted to the body. The cyclone bin assembly may be removably mounted to a lower surface of the main body. The cyclone bin assembly may be removably mounted as a sealed unit. |
| US09565978B2 |
Multiple dispensing assembly
A multiple dispensing assembly provides a plurality of containers that contain and dispense a composition, such as a cosmetic gel. Each container contains a unique composition that dispenses separately from the other containers. The containers are arranged in a geometric configuration enabling adjacent attachment to form a unitary, uniform conglomeration. The containers are joined through a rail portion, comprising a male and female rail. The rail portion enables the containers to join in a substantially unitary and uniform conglomeration through a geometric configuration of the containers. The rail portion further enables each container to be independently interchanged through a sliding motion. An internal vacuum pump portion, having a floating floor, displaces the composition from a lower region to an upper region of the container. A dispensing portion includes a spout that moves between a recessed position and an operational position. |
| US09565977B2 |
Dispensers and refill units having collapsible outlet tubes
Exemplary dispensers and refill units having collapsible outlet tubes are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump having an outlet that is movable in a reciprocating motion and a flexible tube. A first end of the flexible tube is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and a second end connectable to a dispenser. When the second end is connected to a dispenser, the second end is stationary and movement of the pump outlet away from the second end causes the pump to dispense fluid and movement of the pump outlet toward the second end causes the flexible tube to collapse. |
| US09565974B2 |
Culinary device
A culinary device that includes a planar first member that forms a throughhole and a planar second member. A multi-position coupling mechanism couples the planar first member with respect to the planar second member, and allows the planar second member to be moved from a first position with respect to the planar first member to a second position with respect to the planar first member. |
| US09565967B2 |
Portioned system for preparing a nutritional product
A portioned system for preparing a nutritional liquid product comprising a liquid supply device (2, 41) and a container (4, 38) containing nutritional ingredients; said container having an opening (8), the system further 5 comprising a liquid injection interface (9, 37) for supplying an amount of liquid in the container (4, 38) thereby providing the nutritional liquid product, wherein the liquid injection interface (9, 37) comprises a liquid inlet (11, 43) and a product outlet (16, 48) for removing the nutritional liquid product from the container wherein the liquid injection interface comprises a wall (10) extending 10 transversally relative to the opening of the container during the operation of the system; said transversal wall (10) comprising the liquid inlet (11, 43) and the product outlet (16, 48) which are transversally distant one another along the said wall. |
| US09565958B2 |
Lid for beverage container
A lid for a beverage container includes: a cap main body that attaches to an upper aperture part of a beverage container main body; and a liquid stopping member that is installed on the cap main body in a detachable manner, the cap main body includes a liquid through-hole that is formed by notching a part of an outer periphery of the cap main body, the liquid stopping member engages along external surfaces of liquid through-hole walls that form the liquid through-hole in addition to engaging with an engagement groove that is formed on an external surface of the cap main body, and an airflow opening is formed in a back part of the liquid stopping member. |
| US09565957B2 |
Device for holding a beverage container and plate
The present disclosure relates to the field of devices for holding, conjoining and/or securing a cup and plate. |
| US09565956B1 |
Serving board
A serving board is disclosed for supporting an edible product. The serving board comprises a first board defining a lower surface, an upper surface and a first edge. A second board defines a lower surface, an upper surface and a second edge. A spacing layer extends between the lower surface of the first board and the upper surface of the second board. The spacing layer distances the first board from the second board for defining a chamber. An integrated circuit is positioned in the chamber. An electrical power source is positioned in the chamber and electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. An output device electrically is coupled to the integrated circuit for producing a sensatory output. The first board, the second board and the spacing layer are constructed from a biodegradable material. |
| US09565954B2 |
Open fronted cabinet
The present invention relates to an open fronted food storage cabinet. The cabinet has a top, rear, base and opposed sides. The top, rear, base and opposing sides define an interior space of the cabinet which is accessible through an opening to the front of the cabinet. The opening is defined between edges of the top, base and opposing sides of the cabinet. The cabinet includes an interior chassis structure comprised of a base panel, a rear panel and a top panel which are mechanically connected to one another. The base, rear and top panels are each formed from a structural sandwich composite material having thermal insulation properties. The rear panel includes an aperture to which a mechanism operable to alter the temperature within interior space of the cabinet is mounted. |
| US09565950B2 |
Infant care apparatus
An infant care apparatus includes a standing frame, and an infant resting support connected with the support frame and having a plurality of bearing surfaces. The infant resting support is rotatable relative to the standing frame to position any of the bearing surfaces facing upward for receiving a child thereon, and the infant resting support is further slidable vertically relative to the standing frame to adjust a height of the infant resting support. |
| US09565949B2 |
Chair upholstery attachment arrangement and method
A chair includes a chair component comprising a polymeric material and adapted to at least partially support a seated user, wherein the chair component includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and wherein the chair component further includes a plurality of apertures capable of being accessed from at least the second surface of the chair component. The chair further includes a cover that extends over at least a portion of the first surface and a portion of the second surface which includes the plurality of apertures, and at least one staple comprising a polymeric material, wherein each staple of the at least one staple includes a pair of prongs, and wherein at least one of the prongs extends through the cover extending over the portion of the second surface and is received and retained within one of the plurality of apertures, thereby securing the cover to the chair member. |
| US09565948B2 |
Enhanced folding bed bracket
A enhanced folding bed bracket, lean leg bars are installed on both sides of the X shaped folding bracket for dispersing the force received by the bracket, the lean leg bars are linked with the leg bars of the bracket through connecting member, thereby the lean leg bar can be folded or unfolded along with the fold or unfold of the fold folding frame. The strength of the bracket is increased, in the mean time the folding or unfolding is not affected. The improved enhanced folding bed bracket, its bracket receives much less force, is not easy to be deformed and folding and unfolding are easy. |
| US09565947B2 |
Standing-up trainer
A standing-up trainer, in particular for use in rehabilitation for mobilizing persons having limited mobility. In order to adjust a seat base between a sitting position and a standing position, a positioning unit that is adjustable by a drive is provided, and at least one securing device for securing the convalescent is provided. |
| US09565945B2 |
Seating device having a height adjustment mechanism
A seating device can include a height adjustment mechanism that permits a height of a seat to be adjusted. The height adjustment device can be configured so that a user may provide a force to provide upward height adjustment and may also provide a force to allowing for a controlled downward height adjustment of the seat. The height adjustment device can include an actuator that is connected to a rotatable member via linkages. An end of one of the linkages may engage the rotatable member to prevent rotation of the rotatable member, which can prevent height adjustment of the seat. Movement of the actuator may cause the linkages to move so that the rotatable member is free to rotate so that a user may provide a force on the seat to effect height adjustment of the seat and/or cause the seat to be lowered at a desired speed. |
| US09565944B2 |
Adjustable height furniture and method
An adjustable height chair has a pair of side frames and a seat frame with two seat/backrest portions secured together, with the seat frame pivotably mounted in the side frames. The chair height is changed by rotating the side frames in a direction opposite to the rotation of the seat frame, so that a seat panel which previously served as a platform to sit on becomes a backrest, and vice-versa. The chair preferably has one or more crossbars to serve the double duty of strengthening the frame of the chair, and supporting the seat panels in both sitting positions of the chair. |
| US09565943B2 |
Edge trim for pieces of furniture
The invention relates to an edge trim for pieces of furniture, comprising a meltable layer. In order to improve a generic edge trim such that the same is more versatile and can especially be mounted on a wider selection of surfaces, the molecular structure of the meltable layer contains both polar and non-polar parts. |
| US09565940B2 |
Systems and methods for semi-moveable objects
A system for semi-moveable objects is described. The system comprises a container device including capture mechanism material; a plurality of securing devices including a first plurality of securing devices; and instruction information providing instructions to install a collection device to capture a lightweight object by cutting the capture mechanism material to generate a capture mechanism and fastening the capture mechanism with a securing devices to a semi-moveable object and a supporting structure, the collection device comprising the capture mechanism including a first capture mechanism, and the securing devices including a first type of securing device, the securing devices including a first portion of securing devices and a second portion of securing devices, the first portion of securing devices to fasten the first capture mechanism to a supporting structure and the second portion of the first plurality of securing devices to fasten the first capture mechanism to a semi-moveable object. |
| US09565939B2 |
Undermount slide assembly
An undermount slide assembly includes an outer slide segment, an intermediate slide segment and an inner slide segment. The outer slide segment has a web, a first flange and a second flange. The web defines an upper surface that is mountable to a first object. The intermediate slide segment has a web, a first flange and a second flange. The web is received within a space defined between the first and second flanges of the outer slide segment. At least portions of the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment extend below the first and second flanges of the outer slide segment. The web and the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment define a space therebetween. An inner slide segment is received within the space defined between the web and the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment. |
| US09565938B2 |
Slide arrangement for cable drawer
A drawer slide having first and second rails interconnected by a center rail. The center rail includes a spool configured to provide half-speed travel of the center rail relative to the travel of the first rail. The drawer slide is configured for use with a drawer assembly having a drawer and a chassis. The drawer assembly further includes a radius limiter secured to the center rail. The radius limiter travels at half-speed relative to the drawer. The radius limiter also automatically rotates relative to the travel of the drawer. The chassis includes sides including threaded backing plates, and mounting brackets. The mounting brackets include tri-lobed holes for receipt of a reciprocally shaped washer and a fastener for mounting the brackets to the chassis sides. |
| US09565930B2 |
Articulation type supporter
Disclosed is an articulation type supporter which is formed in a multiple-joint structure configured to support an item such as a book, a portable device, etc. wherein the rotation of the movable frame based on the weight of the item is limited about the connected portion of the base frame, and it is convenient for a user to handle. The featured configuration includes the base frame installed at the fixed structure, a movable frame of which one end is connected through the first hinge connection unit to the base frame, and the connection frames which are connected in series from the other end of the movable frame through the second hinge connection unit, wherein the first hinge connection unit includes the first brake unit configured to limit the rotations of the movable frame in response to the weight applied from the other end of the movable frame while providing the upward and downward rotation motion of the movable frame in response to the user's force. |
| US09565918B2 |
Heating system for single-use packettes
A heating system comprising a pouch, into which one or more single-use packettes are placed for heating. In preferred embodiments, the pouch comprises printed heating elements, printed circuit elements and a means of connecting to a power source. Power may be supplied through a USB-type connector or a handheld power supply that is custom designed to work with the heating pouch. |
| US09565916B2 |
Compositions and methods for altering the appearance of hair
Disclosed are methods and compositions for altering the color of hair, comprising treating the hair with a pre-alkalizing composition and then treating the hair with a color-altering composition comprising at least one direct dye and at least one oxidizing agent chosen from peroxides, persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, peracids, bromates, their salts and mixtures thereof. |
| US09565915B2 |
Compositions and methods for altering the appearance of hair
Disclosed are methods and compositions for altering the color of hair, comprising treating the hair with a pre-alkalizing composition and then treating the hair with a color-altering composition comprising at least one first oxidizing agent chosen from peroxides, persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, peracids, bromates, their salts and mixtures thereof, and further optionally comprising at least one fatty substance and/or thickening agent, and/or at least one second oxidizing agent. The methods may further optionally comprise applying onto the hair a coloring composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, at least one dye compound chosen from oxidative dye precursors, and direct dye compounds. |
| US09565914B1 |
Multi-purpose storage pouch
The multi-purpose storage pouch is further defined with an inner surface and an outer surface. The storage pouch has an overall shape of a plus sign. The storage pouch folds at each of four armatures to enclose the inner surface. The inner surface includes of the storage pouch includes a plurality of pockets or retaining members that secure a plurality of items to the interior of the storage pouch. The armatures each include a nylon hook or loop strip that enables the armatures to secure one another, and therefore enclose the inner surface. The top armature includes a pocket with a translucent member that enables objects to be seen there through. The storage pouch includes a pair of grommets that enable a cord member to extend from the interior of the storage pocket. The outer surface may include one or more exterior pockets. |
| US09565909B2 |
Device support stand assembly
Implementations of the present disclosure disclose a device support stand assembly. According to one implementation, the assembly includes a removable support stand member having an attachment feature for coupling to a corresponding mating element formed on a rear side of a portable electronic device. In addition, the support stand member includes a tension spring configured for dual operating positions with respect to the portable electronic device. |
| US09565907B2 |
Umbrella having a pivot joint to provide additional degrees of freedom of orientation of its canopy
An umbrella having a support arm, a canopy having a support hub defining a first axis, and a pivot joint coupling the support hub to the support structure. The pivot joint is rotatable with respect to the support structure, about a second axis at a fixed angle with respect to the support structure. The pivot joint has a rotatable joint axle rotatably coupled to the support structure, and a tilt joint axle having a first end rotatably coupled to the rotatable joint axle along an interface plane at an angle, and a second end coupled to the support hub, wherein the tilt joint axle defines a longitudinal third axis. The orientation of the canopy can be changed with respect to the support structure by rotating the rotatable joint axle about the second axis. |
| US09565904B2 |
Snag resistant slide fastener
A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener. |
| US09565899B2 |
Single pull and double pull fit adjustment system for shoes
A system for securing shoes to the feet utilizing a one or two pull fit adjustment set of straps. The embodiments utilize a number of straps, some variable in length, positioned at select points across and around the top and sides of the shoe. At least one strap in the system provides an adjustable length whereby all straps may be drawn together to tighten the shoe, preferably in both a horizontal and a vertical direction across the profile of the shoe. The system utilizes a variety of strong, lightweight, nylon buckles, strips, anchor loops, permitting attachment and motion of the adjustment straps over the top and sides of the shoe. Included are three-point attachment embodiments, as well as two-point attachment embodiments, most with a one pull adjustment structure. Most embodiments are on the medial side of the shoe although some may be implemented on the lateral side. |
| US09565896B2 |
Stability and comfort system for an article of footwear
A stability and comfort system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The stability and comfort system includes a bootie and a sock liner. The sock liner may include a heel counter that is contoured to fit a heel. The sole of the article may include an outrigger portion. The outrigger portion can be separated from a central portion of the sole to allow the outrigger portion to move substantially independently of the central portion of the sole. |
| US09565895B2 |
Footwear with elastic footbed cover and soft foam footbed
An article of footwear has a molded outsole which contains a resilient midsole located in the cavity of the outsole and a footbed cover which has a stretch material layer affixed to the outsole and provides a stretch zone. The stretch zone allows the footbed cover to work in conjunction with the resilient midsole to absorb shock upon heel strike or other compression of the midsole to increase comfort. Preferably, the midsole has sections of different hardness in the heel area and the forefoot area. |
| US09565889B2 |
Shoe
A shoe that includes a shoe sole having a medial side and a lateral side, a top insole surface for placement of the foot sole and toes thereon and a bottom outsole surface. The shoe sole has a plurality of toe extensions projecting below the toes. Each toe extension is configured to support and retain at least one toe. Preferably there are five toe extensions, one for each toe. A shoe upper overlays the arch region, is attached to the lateral side and the medial side of the shoe sole and extends toward the toes. The upper is joined to the insole of each toe extension to partially encircle the toe(s) supported and retained on such toe extension, and leaving at least the front region of all the toes exposed. |
| US09565888B2 |
Shoe insert and method for using same
A shoe that includes a base layer, middle layer and top layer all having a top and a bottom surface. A first portion of the bottom surface of the middle layer is adhered to the top surface of the base layer, and the bottom surface of the top layer is adhered to the top surface of the middle layer. The base layer, middle layer and top layer cooperate to define a main body portion that includes a heel cup, an arch portion and a forefoot portion. The forefoot portion includes a part of the middle layer and a part of the top layer, but not a part of the base layer. |
| US09565887B2 |
Sweat diverter
Described herein are sweat-diverting devices which can be adhered to a wearer by an adhesive. The sweat-diverting devices described here may be adhered over a portion of the face without circumscribing the head. Such sweat-diverting devices may comprise one or more curves or other features that conform to the facial features of the wearer. In some variations, a sweat-diverting device is configured to be worn at various heights on the forehead, over or under the brow line, and/or over the eyes. A sweat-diverting device can also be used in pairs, for example, where one device is positioned over each eye. Sun-shading devices, with or without sweat-diverting features, are also described. |
| US09565883B2 |
Branched eyelashes
A branched eyelash extension is described. In one aspect, the eyelash extension is a vertically branched/stacked eyelash extension that includes a first filament having both a first proximal end and a first distal end and a second filament having both a second proximal end and a second distal end. The proximal end of the second filament is attached on top of or below the proximal end of the first filament, such that they are collectively a vertically branched/stacked eyelash extension. In another aspect, the eyelash extension includes branches in a side-by-side configuration. In this aspect, the proximal end of the second filament is attached to the side of the proximal end of the first filament, such that they are collectively a branched eyelash extension in a side-by-side configuration. |
| US09565881B2 |
Band length altering device
A device for altering the length of an undergarment band assembly includes an elongated body having a first band retaining loop arranged at a first end of the body, and a second band retaining loop arranged at a second end of the body. A first fastening element is arranged proximate the first end of the body and is configured to engage with a second band fastener of a second band of the undergarment band assembly. A second fastening element is arranged proximate the second end of the body and is configured to engage with a first band fastener of a first band of the undergarment band assembly. |
| US09565875B2 |
Cigar chiller
A cigar cooler is disclosed that includes a housing having an upper surface with a pair of open channels each sized to receive a cigar. The housing includes an open central region for receiving a cooling medium such as ice or a frozen gel. During use, the cigar is placed in an open channel between inhalations to reduce the temperature of the cigar. |
| US09565872B2 |
Combination juicer blender
A juicer and a blender share a common base. The juicer and blender may share a common motor. The juicer has a spout that discharges into the blender. |
| US09565869B2 |
Low field strength PEF cooking process and system
A process for cooking a food product in a treatment chamber is shown, wherein the treatment chamber having two opposite walls each forming an electrode. The process comprises the steps of: (a) placing the food product, optionally in a surrounding liquid, in direct contact with the electrodes; and (b) applying electric pulses generated by a pulsed electric field generator to the electrodes such that the food product is subjected to a pulsed electric field having a field strength of 10-180 V/cm. The total cooking time is 0.5-1000 seconds. Preferably, the number of pulses n is 1-2000000 and the pulses each have a duration τi of 1-20000 μseconds. The food product and, if present, the surrounding liquid, has an electric conductivity of 0.01-10 S/m. Also provided is a cooking system suitable for cooking a food product according to the process. |
| US09565868B2 |
Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen confections
An apparatus (1) for dispensing a frozen confection is provided comprising: an insulated chamber (2) housing a container (3) of a frozen confection; a refrigeration system (8); a nozzle (4) having an inner end which is connected to the container (3); and an outer end which is located outside the insulated chamber (2); means for applying pressure to the frozen confection thereby to dispense it from the container (3); a cap (7) which can enclose the outer end of the nozzle (4) when closed and which allows external access to the outer end of the nozzle (4) when open; and one or more channels which allow cold air to flow from the chamber (2) into the region around the outer end of the nozzle (4). |
| US09565866B2 |
Method of preparing acid stable caramel
Class IV caramel color with reduced 4-MeI content is formed by combining carbohydrate with ammonium bisulfite and acid in an amount effective to establish a pH of less than 5. This is heated in a closed reactor vessel and heated to a temperature and for a time effective to provide the desired intensity caramel color. A base is injected into the closed reaction vessel during heating to control the caramelization reaction. |
| US09565863B2 |
Treatment of potatoes and root vegetables during storage
The turgidity of potato tubers and other root vegetables is improved, maintained, or restored and/or the greening of potato tubers is delayed, prevented or inhibited and/or internal diseases caused by fungi and bacteria are prevented or treated by the application of one or more α,β-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, C3 to C14 aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, and/or C3 to C7 saturated or unsaturated primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols. |
| US09565859B2 |
Compositions and methods for use of insecticide with Bacillus sp. D747
Compositions and methods are provided for benefiting plant growth. In particular aspects, the compositions contain a biologically pure culture of Bacillus sp. D747 strain (deposited as FERM BP-8234) and an insecticide in a formulation suitable for dissolution in a liquid fertilizer. |
| US09565857B2 |
Antimicrobial solutions
The present invention provides antimicrobial solutions that in certain cases comprise a biguanide and a glycol ether and, in some cases, optionally also includes combinations of at least one an alcohol, at least one chelator, glycerol, deoxycholate, and/or at least one alkylpolyglucoside. In certain aspects the invention comprises a biguanide and deoxycholate or a combination of chelator, ethanol, and alkylpolyglucoside. Also provided are methods for rapidly killing and/or reducing bacteria, fungi, or virus from surfaces, for example, including surfaces of indwelling medical devices and organic surfaces such as skin and sutures, and inorganic surfaces such as medical equipment, pipelines etc. |
| US09565855B1 |
Animal attractant system
Animal attractant compositions, devices, systems and methods that can be deployed to attract game animals, such as deer by stimulating several of the animal's senses to attract animals to a desired location. The invention can use a combination of ultraviolet brighteners for visual interest and one or more of deer urine based scents, foods, mineral or salt. The invention capitalizes on the link between many animals' ability to see ultraviolet light with their desire to visualize urine territory markers left by other animals of the same species. |
| US09565854B2 |
Systems and methods for cryopreservation of cells
A fluid sample vessel includes inlet and vent tube fittings formed at one end of a container with an opposite open end closed by a needle septum. A support cap is removably engaged to the container to support the container and protect terminal ends of inlet and vent tubular branches coupled to the fittings. The support cap includes a pair of opposite legs with outwardly directed tabs for mounting within a centrifuge while supporting the cryopreservation container. |
| US09565853B2 |
Perfusion apparatus with reduced pressure fluctuations, and bubble trap
An apparatus for separating gas bubbles that may be entrained in perfusate flow prevents such bubbles from continuing downstream and entering an organ or tissue. The apparatus may include a chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls. The chamber may include an inlet configured to allow at least one of gas and liquid to enter the chamber, an air opening configured to allow at least gas to exit the chamber and a first liquid opening configured to allow at least liquid to exit the chamber. The apparatus may function as an accumulator that reduces or eliminates pulsatility of the liquid flow and pressure. The apparatus may include a minimum volume of gas, initially or through the accumulation of gas, such that flow and pressure fluctuations in the liquid are dampened or eliminated. The apparatus may include a sampling port in a wall of the chamber. |
| US09565851B2 |
Remote robotic can call system
The present invention relates to a holder for an animal can call used for hunting. A can call is positioned about the device so that when a user activates a remote control, the holder inverts the can call producing a noise that attracts game animals. |
| US09565845B1 |
Fly deterrent
An apparatus for deterring flies by reversing their flight path has a transparent container that includes a plurality of outwardly facing planar surfaces. A liquid, preferably water, is disposed in the container. A penny or similar planar object formed of copper is preferably secured at each outwardly facing planar surface. Planar objects formed of a material other than copper or having a different color, shape, or varying degree of reflectivity can be used instead of or along with the penny. A hook or other means for hanging the container is provided. An optional battery or AC powered motor may be included to rotate the device around a center vertical axis. A less expensive version that is formed of a flexible transparent plastic container is also shown and described. The containers are either filled with liquid and sealed or are fillable by the user. |
| US09565838B2 |
Top-fill hummingbird feeder with float valve base closure mechanism
A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening. |
| US09565829B2 |
Strain of Lentinula edodes GNA01
Disclosed is a novel shiitake strain Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler GNA01 (accession No: KCCM11135P) and a fruit body produced by culturing the same. The fruit body exhibits a new morphology and a new taste. |
| US09565827B2 |
Brassica campestris var. pekinensis Hongbaechoo as a new variety of plant and a method for breeding the same
The present invention relates to methods of breeding Brassica campestris var. pekinensis Hongbaechoo grown by deriving interspecific hybrids with Hongssamchoo using Korean Cabbages as breeding plants and executing line acclimation test, self-incompatibility test and seed productivity test and reproduced by asexual propagation through tissue culturing method. |
| US09565823B1 |
Maize inbred PH2CH2
A novel maize variety designated PH2CH2 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2CH2 with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2CH2 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2CH2 or a locus conversion of PH2CH2 with another maize variety. |
| US09565820B2 |
Soybean cultivar S130084
A soybean cultivar designated S130084 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S130084, to the plants of soybean cultivar S130084, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S130084, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S130084. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S130084. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S130084, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S130084 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US09565818B1 |
Maize hybrid X08F070
A novel maize variety designated X08F070 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X08F070 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08F070 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08F070, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08F070. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08F070. |
| US09565814B1 |
Maize inbred PH252Y
A novel maize variety designated PH252Y and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH252Y with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH252Y through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH252Y or a locus conversion of PH252Y with another maize variety. |
| US09565812B2 |
LED light timing in a high growth, high density, closed environment system
Disclosed herein is a high growth, high density, closed environment growing system and methods thereof. A method of accelerating plant cell growth in a growing system may include adjusting the lighting in accordance with an identified plant growth stage. |
| US09565809B2 |
Tree or plant protection mat
One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers. |
| US09565803B2 |
Machine part with laser cladding and method
A machine part for agricultural, turf, mining or construction equipment for processing material is provided. The machine part comprises a base material. A clad material is deposited on the base material to form at least one blunt edge along the body. The clad material comprises a second hardness greater than the first hardness. |
| US09565798B2 |
Wireless flow monitoring system for an air seeder
An agricultural product flow sensor and a flow sensor system for delivery tubes in an air seeder is provided. The flow sensor can include a particulate material sensor for sensing agricultural product passing through a delivery tub, a radio node for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless power source. The sensor system can use the flow sensors by attaching the flow sensors inline with delivery tubes and near a working tool. The flow sensors can monitor the flow of agricultural product through the delivery tube and transmit flow information to a person operating the air seeder. |
| US09565797B2 |
Seed firmer life extender
The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer. |
| US09565796B1 |
Top surface mover and method of use
An illustrative embodiment of a top surface mover generally comprises a vertical portion engaged with a horizontal portion and an engagement pad. The horizontal portion may include a mounting member to engage the top surface mover with a prime mover. The vertical portion and horizontal portion may be of variable length so that the position of the engagement pad with respect to the prime mover may be variable in at least two dimensions. The illustrative embodiment of a top surface mover is complimentary to an illustrative embodiment of a method of use wherein the top surface mover is configured to position top surface pieces accurately. |
| US09572293B2 |
Placement apparatus and a suction nozzle for an optical component
A placement apparatus for an optical component includes: a suction nozzle that includes a nozzle main body having a suction surface having a suction port, an optical component being sucked to the suction port, a plurality of nozzle electrodes disposed on the suction surface, each of the nozzle electrodes being brought into contact with a corresponding one of a plurality of component electrodes provided on the optical component so as to establish electrical conduction between each of the plurality of nozzle electrodes and a corresponding one of the plurality of component electrodes. |
| US09572292B2 |
Portable mechanical switch for selective deactivation of radio frequency identification circuits
Systems and methods for providing security for authentication devices—such as electronically readable cards or ID badges with embedded RFID chips or NFC capability—may include an envelope or pocket-like case for carrying an electronically readable card, having an electrically conductive, non-opaque sleeve that can be moved to cover or expose the electronically readable card and that prevents information on the card from being electronically read when covered yet still allows the card to be seen when covered. In one or more embodiments, the sleeve may be a wire mesh that is flexible enough to be compressed to expose the card yet stiff (or rigid) enough to be extended to cover the card and that is transparent enough to allow reading visual information on the surface of the card when covering the card. Protection can be switched off by a mechanical switch that leaves the protection normally on. |
| US09572290B2 |
Modular data center
A modular data center includes a plurality of first containers and a plurality of second containers. The plurality of first containers and second containers are partitioned into a plurality of functional modules respectively, the functional modules of the plurality of first containers being arranged in parallel, and the functional modules of the plurality of second containers being arranged in parallel on one side of the plurality of first containers and corresponding to the functional modules of the plurality of first containers respectively. The present disclosure combines the functional modules of the plurality of first containers and the plurality of second containers into modular data centers with different forms, capacities, and data center usability tiers, and the assembly of the plurality of first containers and second containers with standardized sizes may facilitate the transportation and reduce the time and cost of assembling and delivery of the modular data center. |
| US09572287B1 |
Perforated panel connection
A server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector having a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel has at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another. |
| US09572286B2 |
Modular thermal isolation barrier for data processing equipment structure
A modular thermal isolation barrier for use in sealing gaps in a data processing equipment structure includes an extruded edge seal and a panel. The extruded edge seal has a seal portion and a base portion with one or more channels. An edge of the panel is disposed within one of the one or more channels of the base portion of the edge seal such that the edge seal is seated against the edge of the panel with the seal portion in position to abut, and establish a seal with, an adjacent structure. |
| US09572276B2 |
Smart mission critical rack
Disclosed is a space and cost-efficient smart rack system designed for use in a data center or as a similar electronic component housing enclosure. |
| US09572266B2 |
Reflow treating unit and substrate treating apparatus
Provided are a semiconductor substrate manufacturing apparatus and a substrate treating method, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for performing a reflow treating process on a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus treating apparatus includes a load port on which a carrier accommodating a substrate is seated, a substrate treating module including one reflow treating unit or a plurality of reflow treating units for performing a reflow process on the substrate, and a substrate transfer module including a transfer robot transferring the substrate between the load port and the substrate treating module, the substrate transfer module being disposed between the load port and the substrate treating module. The reflow treating unit includes a process chamber having a treating space therein and an exhaust member exhausting a fluid within the process chamber. The exhaust member includes a plurality of individual exhaust lines connecting a plurality of process chambers to each other and a common exhaust line connected to the plurality of individual exhaust lines to exhaust the fluid to the outside of the substrate treating module. |
| US09572264B2 |
Electronic component module, board, and method of manufacturing electronic component module
An electronic component module includes a board having an electronic component mounted on a surface of the board and a shield case mounted on the surface of the board and covering the electronic component. The board includes a projecting part projecting from the surface of the board. The projecting part is formed of plating at a position along a sidewall of the shield case and is soldered to the shield case. |
| US09572262B2 |
Printed circuit board backup plate and the preparation method thereof
A PCB backup plate preparation method comprises: lubricating and radiating resin is coated onto both surfaces of the wood fiberboard and a resin layer forms, before it is totally dried out, wood pulp paper is bonded to its surfaces, then, the surface of the wood pulp paper is coated with unsaturated polyester resin and forms a resin layer, and the PCB backup plate is prepared; the lubricating and radiating resin is prepared by a 95 weight portion of principal component, composed by two or more of polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, glycerol, vinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol, and a 5 portion of nonionic surfactant. The lubricating and radiating resin brings the PCB good lubricating and radiating capabilities, therefore increases the drilling hole accuracy when starts to drill, improves the hole wall quality and lowers the drill pin temperature. |
| US09572259B2 |
Suspension board with circuit
A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board having a support opening portion passing through a thickness direction; a base insulating layer disposed on an upper surface of the metal supporting board and having an insulating opening portion passing through the thickness direction, when projected in the thickness direction, to be included in the support opening portion; and a conductive layer having a wire portion disposed on an upper surface of the base insulating layer and a terminal portion disposed in the insulating opening portion to be connected to an electronic element and connected to the wire portion. The base insulating layer has a cutout portion obtained by cutting out the base insulating layer in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction and continuous to the insulating opening portion and the terminal portion includes a terminal free end portion opened by the cutout portion. |
| US09572250B2 |
Printed circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a printed circuit board and a method for manufacturing the same. The printed circuit board includes a core insulating layer, at least one via formed through the core insulating layer, an inner circuit layer buried in the core insulating layer, and an outer circuit layer on a top surface or a bottom surface of the core insulating layer, wherein the via includes a first part, a second part below the first part, a third part between the first and second parts, and at least one barrier layer including a metal different from a metal of the first to third parts. The inner circuit layer and the via are simultaneously formed so that the process steps are reduced. Since odd circuit layers are provided, the printed circuit board has a light and slim structure. |
| US09572246B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board comprises a pattern layer, an insulating layer and a ground layer laminated in an upper-lower direction. The printed wiring board is formed with one or more vias. The insulating layer is provided between the pattern layer and the ground layer. The ground layer is formed with a ground pattern. The pattern layer is formed with one common ground plane and two or more pads. The pads are arranged in a lateral direction. The common ground plane is located forward of the pads in the front-rear direction. The vias include a first via that connects the common ground plane and the ground pattern with each other. The pads include one or more ground pads and one or more signal pads. The ground pads are connected with the common ground plane. The signal pads are unconnected with the common ground plane. |
| US09572236B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling a plurality of electric candles
Systems and methods are described for controlling a plurality of electric lighting devices and in some embodiments preventing the theft of those devices. A microprocessor can be used to analyze information about the devices and send one or more commands to the devices. A user interface allows a user to send a command to at least one of the electric lighting devices, which may alter at least one of a brightness of light emitted, a color of light emitted or other effects of the devices. |
| US09572228B2 |
Commissioning lighting systems
Commissioning a lighting system is disclosed. A user can be provided with a pointing device capable of emitting or returning a signal which can be received by detectors co-located with each fixture in the lighting system. The user can add a fixture to a group by aiming the pointing device at the fixture when the fixture is not assigned to the group, and the user can remove a fixture from a group in the same way when the fixture was previously assigned to the group. Additional user gestures are also disclosed. |
| US09572226B2 |
Master/slave arrangement for lighting fixture modules
The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture that includes a driver module and at least one other module that provides a lighting fixture function, such as a sensor function, lighting network communication function, gateway function, and the like. The driver module communicates with the other modules in a master/slave scheme over a communication bus. The driver module is configured as a slave communication device, and the other modules are configured as master communication devices. As such, the other modules may initiate communications with the driver to send information to or retrieve information from the driver module. |
| US09572225B2 |
Method and device for determining life expectancy information of an LED module
Various embodiments may relate to a method for determining life expectancy information of an LED module with a plurality of LEDs. The method includes detecting of forward biases of the LED module at instants of time which lie less than 100 ms apart from each other, comparing a currently detected forward bias with one or more earlier detected forward biases, in order to detect a voltage jump which reaches a minimum initial inverse voltage within a predetermined jump duration, wherein the minimum initial inverse voltage is at least 60 mV and the predetermined jump duration is less than 100 ms long, and determining life expectancy information based on one or more detected voltage jumps. |
| US09572223B1 |
Precision color-controlled light source
A color-controlled light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, the light emitting diodes being configured to emit different colors of light, intensity of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes being selectably adjustable. A sensor receives the light emitted by the light emitting diodes and converts the received light to electrical feedback signals corresponding to the emitted light. A processor generates an electrical reference signal. An amplifier receives the reference signal and the feedback signal, compares the feedback signal and the reference signal, and generates an error signal corresponding to a difference between the feedback signal and the reference signal. A current control receives the error signal and adjusts the intensity of at least one light emitting diode to cancel the error signal. A composite color emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes has a predetermined, closed-loop controlled chromaticity. |
| US09572222B2 |
Active LED module having integrated limiter
LED modules are disclosed having a control MOSFET, or other transistor, in series with an LED. In one embodiment, a MOSFET wafer is bonded to an LED wafer and singulated to form thousands of active 3-terminal LED modules with the same footprint as a single LED. Despite the different forward voltages of red, green, and blue LEDs, RGB modules may be connected in parallel and their control voltages staggered at 60 Hz or greater to generate a single perceived color, such as white. The RGB modules may be connected in a panel for general illumination or for a color display. A single dielectric layer in a panel may encapsulate all the RGB modules to form a compact and inexpensive panel. Various addressing techniques are described for both a color display and a lighting panel. Various circuits are described for reducing the sensitivity of the LED to variations in input voltage. |
| US09572221B2 |
Auto-sensing dimming lamp
An auto-sensing dimming lamp guides ambient light to a sensor installed in a lamp cover and at a base through a light pipe. The auto-sensing dimming lamp automatically adjusts a light emission status of LED light sources according to the ambient light by a processor installed at the base. The processor includes a pass filter unit and a modulation unit, and the pass filter unit receives a detected signal waveform of the sensor and a driving voltage waveform of the LED light sources. |
| US09572216B1 |
Light source apparatus, display apparatus including the same and method of driving the same
A light source apparatus includes a light source which emits light, a response improving part which generates a response improving signal based on a first dimming control signal having a first rising period, a first operation part which generate a second dimming control signal which has the first rising period based on the first dimming control signal, a second operation part which generates a third dimming control signal by performing an arithmetic operation based on the second dimming control signal and the response improving signal, the third dimming control signal having a second rising period shorter than the first rising period and a light source driver which generates a light source driving signal based on the third dimming control signal to drive the light source based on the light source driving signal. |
| US09572208B2 |
LED lighting system with accurate current control
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system and method are disclosed. The LED lighting system and method include an LED controller to accurately control a current in an LED system. The LED controller includes components to calculate, based on the current and an active time period of an LED current time period, an actual charge amount delivered to the LED system wherein the LED current time period is duty cycle modulated at a rate of greater than fifty (50) Hz and to utilize the actual charge amount to modify and provide a desired target charge amount to be delivered during a future active time period of the LED current time period. The LED system and method further involve components to compare the actual charge amount to a desired charge amount for the active time period and compensate for a difference between the actual charge amount and the desired charge amount during the future active time period. |
| US09572201B2 |
Induction heat cooking apparatus and method for controlling output level thereof
Provided is an induction heat cooking apparatus. The induction heat cooking apparatus includes a rectifying part rectifying an input voltage to output a DC voltage, an inverter switching the DC voltage outputted through the rectifying part to generate an AC voltage, a first heating part operated by the AC voltage applied from the inverter, a second heating part connected to the first heating part in parallel, the second heating part being operated by the AC voltage applied from the inverter, and a switching signal generation part controlling an operation state of each of the first and second heating parts from the inverter according to an operation mode inputted from the outside. The switching signal generation part includes an inverter driver including a bootstrap circuit. |
| US09572198B1 |
Inter-technology diversity in wireless communications
A method and system is disclosed for inter-technology diversity. A transmitting device may concurrently transmit a communication unit, such as a data packet, on two or more different air interfaces to a receiving device. The receiving device may concurrently receive the two or more transmissions on two or more corresponding air interfaces, and may then apply forward error correction to the two or more received communication unit in order to recover an error-free version of the communication unit. The transmitting device could be a multi-modal base station (or other access element) of a wireless communication system, and the receiving device could be a multi-modal access terminal (AT) or other user equipment (UE). Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting device could be an AT or UE, and the receiving device could be a base station. |
| US09572187B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit and a controller. The communication unit is configured to be capable of switching between a first mode for communicating with a different device by a first wireless communication system and a second mode for communicating with the different device by a second wireless communication system. The controller is configured to control the communication unit to select a radio-frequency range used in the first mode as a radio-frequency range used in the second mode, in a case where a communication system for communicating with the different device is switched from the first wireless communication system to the second wireless communication system. |
| US09572184B1 |
Portable devices paired to share wireless connectivity
A set of portable devices may be paired together to share a combined set of connectivity options. Each of the portable devices may have one or more connections to external networks, and may be paired to each other such that one device may use the external connection of another device. The pairing system may evaluate connectivity strength, battery power, and other factors for routing connections between devices to external networks. Incoming connections, such as cellular telephone calls, may be selectively routed to one of the various devices in certain circumstances and a different device in other circumstances. An incoming phone call may be answered and responded to by any of the connected devices, even though the connection may have been originally received by a different device. |
| US09572183B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, program, and communication control method
There is provided a wireless communication apparatus including an obtaining unit configured to obtain parameter information, and a communication control unit configured to prioritize and select another wireless communication apparatus included in a connection history as a connection when a difference between the parameter information during a connection with another wireless communication apparatus included in the connection history and the parameter information obtained by the obtaining unit when not connected to the other wireless communication apparatus is at or less than a predetermined value. |
| US09572177B2 |
Control circuit of wireless user equipment for dynamically replacing RRC messages
A control circuit of a wireless user equipment includes: a message generating circuit for generating a first and a second RRC (radio resource control) messages, and configuring corresponding first and second priorities; a message reordering circuit for comparing the first and second priorities. If the first priority is higher than the second priority, the message reordering circuit assigns the second RRC message in a message queue to have a transmission order after the first RRC message. Afterward, when the message generating circuit generates a third RRC message, the message generating circuit configures a third priority for the third RRC message. The message reordering circuit compares the first through the third priorities to rearrange transmission orders of RRC messages, and if the third priority is equal to the second priority, the message reordering circuit replaces the second RRC message in the message queue with the third RRC message. |
| US09572173B2 |
Method and system architecture for a self organizing network
A method and system architecture for a self-organizing network (SON) includes a first cell having a first user equipment classifier for determining one of cell edge and cell central. The SON also includes a second cell having a second user equipment classifier for determining one of cell edge and cell central. The system architecture and method provide a first transmit time interval (TTI) schema for user equipment within the area of coverage associated with the first cell and a TTI schema for user equipment within the area of coverage associated with the second cell, the second TTI schema differing from the first TTI schema. The user equipment is classified as cell center or cell edge in dependence upon at least one of QoS requirement, geometry, periodic PSMM and CQI reports. The TTI schemas are used for “cell edge” user equipment by the respective cells. |
| US09572170B2 |
Method and device for applying adaptive link in communication system
Provided are a method and an apparatus of transceiving a signal using a link adaptation in a communication system, particularly, a method of dividing a resource region into a plurality of resource regions, and applying different line adaptations to the resource regions. A method of controlling a link of a terminal in a mobile communication system receives at least two downlink channel signals to estimate states of received channels, generates a channel discrepancy report when states of channels exceed a preset threshold, and reports the channel discrepancy report to a base station through a preset uplink channel. A method of controlling a link of a base station receives a channel discrepancy report through an uplink channel, and determines MCS and transmission power of downlink channels based on the received channel discrepancy report and transmits the determined MCS and transmission power to the terminal through a downlink channel. |
| US09572167B1 |
Assigning radio resources to a wireless communication device that experienced a call drop
A method, system, and apparatus for assigning resources to a wireless communication device that experienced a call drop. A RAN may receive an origination request from a mobile station and make a first determination that within a predetermined amount of time prior to receiving the origination request the mobile station experienced a call drop. Responsive to making the first determination, the RAN may make a second determination that the RAN should allocate a first extent of resources to the mobile station rather than allocating a second extent of resources to the mobile station. The first extent of resources may be less than the second extent of resources. Responsive to making the second determination, the RAN may allocate the first extent of resources to the mobile station in response to the origination request rather than allocating the second extent of resources to the mobile station in response to the origination request. |
| US09572163B2 |
Hybrid band radio with adaptive antenna arrays
A hybrid band intelligent backhaul radio (HB-IBR) is disclosed that is a combination of two radios operating in different bands. Embodiments include a dual radio configuration wherein a first radio operates in a non-line of sight (NLOS) radio link configuration and a second ancillary radio operates in a near line of sight or line of sight configuration (n)LOS. For example, the HB-IBR may have an Intelligent Backhaul Radio (IBR) operating in the non-line of sight mode of operation within the 5.8 GHz unlicensed band, and have an ancillary radio link operating in the FCC part 101 E band of operation at 60 GHz. A common medium access control (MAC) block may be utilized between the dual radios. |
| US09572161B2 |
Data transmission method and device in wireless communication system
A method for transmitting uplink data in a wireless communication system, and a user equipment (UE) therefore are discussed. The method according to one embodiment includes configuring transmission of a sounding reference signal (SRS) in a subframe of a first component carrier (CC) among a plurality of CCs; and transmitting the uplink data to a base station in the subframe of a second CC among the plurality of CCs. The SRS, whose transmission is configured in the first CC, is not transmitted in a symbol in the subframe of the first CC, when the transmission of the SRS and the transmission of the uplink data happen to overlap in the symbol. |
| US09572160B2 |
Signalling of channel information
An apparatus and a method are described by which a request for providing aperiodic channel information with respect to a selected downlink component carrier of a plurality of component carriers is received, the selected downlink component carrier is determined, channel information with respect to the selected downlink component carrier is established, and the channel information with respect to the selected downlink component carrier is sent. |
| US09572157B2 |
Techniques enabling dynamic bandwidth reservation in a wireless personal area network
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising dynamically reserving free channel time blocks for directional transmissions in a wireless personal area network (WPAN) by a transceiver communicating with a Coordinator and the Coordinator allocating a part or a whole of unreserved channel time blocks for a directional link during a handshake with the transceiver. |
| US09572154B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamically configuring a flexible subframe
A user equipment (UE) for dynamically configuring a flexible subframe is described. The UE includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The UE determines that a subframe is a flexible subframe. The UE determines whether a downlink is indicated for the flexible subframe. The UE sets the flexible subframe as a downlink subframe if a downlink is indicated. |
| US09572152B2 |
Bandwidth adaptive reference signals
Systems and methods for providing bandwidth adaptive reference signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless device receives a downlink signal from a base station in a cellular communication network on a corresponding downlink carrier, where a number of time domain units per frame in the downlink signal that carry reference symbols is determined based on, or is otherwise a function of, a system bandwidth of the downlink carrier. In addition, in some embodiments, a number of frequency domain units that carry reference symbols is also a function of the system bandwidth of the downlink carrier. The wireless device processes the reference symbols to provide one or more desired features such as, for example, synchronization, radio resource management measurements, channel estimation, or the like. |
| US09572149B1 |
Use of assigned PDSCH resource to assign PDSCH resource of subsequent TTI
Disclosed is a method and system in which a PDSCH segment assigned to a UE in a particular TTI not only carries data to the UE but also carries an assignment to the UE of a PDSCH in a subsequent TTI for carrying additional data to the UE in that subsequent TTI. Such an arrangement can help make good use of possibly otherwise unused PDSCH capacity and can help to manage PDCCH capacity in the subsequent TTI. |
| US09572141B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for bearing circuit switched domain service data over radio bearer
A method for bearing CS-domain service data over radio bearer is disclosed. The method includes: letting CS-domain service data be borne over a radio high-speed packet data access channel according to a channel mapping relation between CS-domain service data and the radio high-speed packet data access channel. An apparatus and a system are also provided herein. |
| US09572139B2 |
Contention based transmission and collision avoidance
Communication systems may benefit from a control channel for contention based transmission and collision avoidance. For example, communication systems of the third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced may use such control channels for contention based transmission. In particular, such control channels may be valuable with respect to LTE-based local area network (LTE-LAN). A method, according to certain embodiments, may include preparing control information for a contention based physical uplink shared channel. The method may also include transmitting and/or receiving the control information on a physical uplink control channel and a control only physical uplink shared channel, or only on the control only physical uplink shared channel. |
| US09572133B2 |
Sub-frame configuration
The exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least a method and apparatus to perform operations including transmitting an indication of a default configuration for a sub-frame having a downlink transmission portion and an uplink transmission portion; transmitting an indication of a preferred configuration for said sub-frame; and scheduling at least one of transmissions to and transmissions from a communication device according to said preferred sub-frame configuration. |
| US09572126B2 |
Determining effects on communication signals
A system (10) for determining effects of one or more factors on one or more properties of a signal received by a wireless communication enabled device (24), the system (10) comprising: at least one sensor for sensing and gathering sensor data relating to a state of the wireless communication enabled device (24) or a state of the environment surrounding the wireless communication enabled device; and decision means for receiving input including the sensor data and determining whether one or more criteria are satisfied based on the input, each criteria being associated with a respective factor affecting a respective property, and determining the effects on the one or more properties of the signal on the basis of the criteria determination. |
| US09572124B2 |
D-SLP service area detection using area ID
A method for determining whether a terminal is located inside a discovered Secure User Plane Location Platform (D-SLP) service area is disclosed. The method may comprise identifying a discovered Secure User Plane Location Platform (D-SLP). A terminal may receive from a home Secure User Plane Location Platform (H-SLP) an authorization to use the D-SLP. Additionally, the terminal may receive from the H-SLP a list of Area IDs within a Secure User Plane Location Platform (SLP) service area comprises a first group of Area IDs within the SLP service area. The method may comprise comparing an ID associated with a network access point for the terminal, and the list of Area IDs to determine if the terminal is inside the D-SLP service area. The method may comprise making a D-SLP use determination based on the comparison. |
| US09572120B2 |
Synchronization requests to reduce power consumption
An electronic device is described. In order to facilitate the communication of synchronization information with another electronic device in a wireless network, the electronic device provides a request for the synchronization information to the other electronic device at a time other than a predefined synchronization transmission time of the other electronic device. Then, the electronic device receives the synchronization information from the other electronic device in response to the request. In this way, the probability that the synchronization information is successfully communicated is increased, and the amount of time the electronic device is in an active mode is reduced, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US09572117B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling transmission power in wireless communication system
A method for and apparatus for controlling transmission power in a wireless communication system is provided. A wireless device checks a duration in which a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) for uplink resources overlaps, determines whether the transmission power of the UE is greater than a maximum power restriction of the UE in the duration, and controls power of at least one RAT based on priorities of the plurality of RATs so that the transmission power of the UE is under the maximum power restriction of the UE. Thus, dynamic and efficient transmission power is supported. |
| US09572114B2 |
Channel map generation method and apparatus therefor
A channel map generation method includes: performing a power spectrum density detection on a plurality of channels in a frequency band, to generate a first channel map; and performing a first smoothing operation on the first channel map by a first window size to generate a second channel map. The first smoothing operation includes: grouping channels of the first channel map into a plurality of channel groups according to the first window size; and according to the number of good channels or bad channels in each of the channel group, deciding to retain channel determinations in the first channel map of the channel group, or re-designating all the channels of the channel group, so as to generate the second channel map. |
| US09572113B2 |
System and method for direct mobile communications power control
A method for transmitting to a direct mobile communications (DMC) device by a user equipment operating in both a cellular mode and a DMC mode includes estimating a first pathloss of a first channel from the user equipment to a base station according to a difference between a known base station transmit power level and a received base station power level, and estimating a second pathloss of a second channel from the user equipment to the DMC device according to a difference between a known DMC device transmit power level and a received DMC device power level. The method also includes setting a transmit power level for transmission to the DMC device according to the first pathloss and the second pathloss, and transmitting a signal to the DMC device at the transmit power level. |
| US09572112B2 |
Combined open loop/closed loop method for controlling uplink power of a mobile station
A method and apparatus are disclosed comprising a combined open loop/closed loop uplink power control scheme for E-UTRA. The combined open and closed loop method for UL intra-cell PC controls the wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) transmit power spectral density (PSD), PSDTx, (e.g. power per RB). |
| US09572110B1 |
Method and apparatus for transmit power control by a deployable network in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus are disclosed for setting an initial transmit power level of a deployable network that overlaps in coverage with a WAN. Multiple transmit power levels are determined. For each transmit power level, a geographical coverage area of the deployable network at an incident is determined based on a signal propagation model, a first set of mobile devices is determined that are within the geographical coverage area and that are involved in responding to the incident, and a second set of mobile devices is determined that are within the geographical coverage area, that are not involved in responding to the incident, and that may be interfered with by transmissions of the deployable network. A transmit power level of the multiple transmit power levels then is selected as the initial transmit power level based on the first and second sets of mobile devices determined for each transmit power level. |
| US09572109B2 |
Reduced power consumption in a wireless network device
Various techniques for reducing power in a wireless network device are disclosed. In some embodiments, software routines within the device are modified to minimize the time during which the analog circuitry in a radio is powered. In some embodiments, the techniques make use of knowledge of implied delays associated with a particular network protocol. For example, in a CSMA network, there is a defined minimum period before the device can attempt to gain access to the media. The radio may be powered off during this defined period. In other embodiments, modifications to a protocol are disclosed which allow additional power savings. |
| US09572107B2 |
Enhanced power saving optimized configuration handling
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for power savings. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include sending, by a user equipment (114B), an indication (220) to a network (202), wherein the indication (220) represents whether there is a preference for power savings at the user equipment (114B); and performing, at the user equipment (114B) when the indication (220) is sent, one or more power savings actions (225). Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09572102B2 |
Correction of clock errors in a wireless station to enable reduction of power consumption
According to an aspect, a wireless station uses a low-frequency clock during sleep intervals and a high-frequency clock during awake intervals. Drift between the low-frequency clock and the high-frequency clock are corrected to enable aligning a wake time instant of the wireless receiver with start of beacon transmissions from an access point, and thereby to reduce power wastage. According to another aspect, errors between the clock of an access point and that of a wireless station are corrected. The wireless station computes an error between the clocks, and extrapolates the error for a sleep interval to compute a wake-up time instant. The correction and extrapolation are performed in every awake interval. Again, undesired power consumption in the wireless station is thereby reduced. |
| US09572099B2 |
Method for handling the operation mode of a base station
The embodiments herein relates to a method in a first network node for handling operation mode of a base station in a communications network. The communications network comprises a transport network. The first network node activates a Remote Unit-Main Unit, RU-MU, operation mode in the base station when data traffic load in the transport network is below a first threshold. The first network node activates a regular operation mode in the base station when the data traffic load in the transport network is above a second threshold. |
| US09572095B2 |
Intelligent selection of message delivery mechanism
A method and apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of delivery mechanisms for sending a message are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment enables the advantageous selection of the delivery mechanism for sending a message from a first telecommunications terminal to a second telecommunications terminal based on at least one of: (i) the location of the first terminal, (ii) the location of the second terminal, (iii) the time and date (i.e., the calendrical time) at the first terminal, (iv) the calendrical time at the second terminal, and (v) one or more properties of the message (e.g., the sending user, the receiving user, a message priority, the contents of the message, etc.). A delivery mechanism for sending a message comprises at least one of: a physical medium, a physical layer protocol, a medium access control, and a network for transport. |
| US09572094B2 |
Mobile terminal apparatus for automatically generating/changing wireless local area network (WLAN) access information and method for controlling the same
A method and apparatus for automatically generating/changing Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access information are provided. The apparatus includes an access information management database for storing pre-registered WLAN access information of a plurality of WLAN Access Points (APs). The apparatus also includes an access information collector for collecting information for WLAN APs being accessible at a current position of the apparatus, and an access information analyzer for analyzing the collected information, and creating a list of the accessible WLAN APs. The apparatus further includes a comparator for comparing the list with the WLAN access information to determine if the WLAN APs match. The apparatus additionally includes an access information automatic changer for automatically changing current WLAN access information according to matched APs. The apparatus includes an access information generator for automatically generating new WLAN access information when no WLAN access information is matched with the APs. |
| US09572093B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for providing plurality of services using one beacon
Provided are a beacon service method, apparatus, and system for providing a plurality of services using one beacon device by allowing the beacon device to broadcast a plurality of beacon signals for providing the plurality of services to a certain user terminal. The beacon device includes a first communication module configured to broadcast a beacon signal, a storage module configured to store transmission information for a plurality of beacon signals, and a control module configured to use the transmission information for the plurality of beacon signals stored in the storage module to control the first communication module to alternately broadcast the plurality of beacon signals. |
| US09572087B2 |
Network selection control method and user terminal
A network selection control method according to a first aspect is a method of controlling a network selection operation for selecting an access network in which traffic of a user terminal is exchanged from among a cellular RAN and a wireless LAN. The network selection control method comprises: a step A of transmitting, by the cellular RAN, RAN assistance information utilized for the network selection operation; a step B of receiving, by the user terminal, the RAN assistance information; and a step C of performing, by the user terminal, the network selection operation based on the RAN assistance information. The RAN assistance information includes predetermined information for determining whether or not the selection of the wireless LAN is permitted. The predetermined information is associated with a load status of the cellular RAN. |
| US09572076B2 |
Wireless communication terminal
The present invention provides a wireless communication terminal which can flexibly select a base station according to communication quality and a load status and improve communication quality which a user experiences in a wireless communication system which does not include a handover mechanism and is not notified of availability of radio resources from each base station. |
| US09572075B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for perform handover in a heterogenous network
A method, a corresponding apparatus, and a computer program product for performing a handover in a heterogeneous network. The method comprises sending, by a source local area base station, one or more handover requests with respect to an ongoing local area an ongoing local area service to one or more neighbor local area base stations and one or more handover requests with respect to an ongoing wide area service to a wide area base station. The method also comprises receiving one or more handover commands with respect to the ongoing local area service from the one or more neighbor local area base stations and one or more messages from the wide area base station, each message including information regarding one of the one or more neighbor local area base stations. The method additionally comprises selecting, based upon the one or more received handover commands and messages, one of the one or more neighbor local area base stations as a target local area base station for service continuity of at least one of the ongoing local area service and the ongoing wide area service. With the claimed inventions, the service continuity of at least one of the ongoing local area service and the ongoing wide area service could be maintained and handover can be completed in a seamless manner. |
| US09572069B2 |
Radio base station and communication control method
A radio base station including: a first interface configured to communicate with a different radio base station via a network among radio base stations, a second interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a radio terminal, and a processor configured to control a transmission of a first signal to the radio terminal when a load of the network among the radio base stations is higher than a given level, the first signal indicating to reject a second signal transmitted from the radio terminal, the second signal requesting to add a bearer between the radio base station and the radio terminal via the different radio base station. |
| US09572067B2 |
Prevention of bandwidth abuse of a communications system
A user of a communications network is prevented from consuming an excessive amount of channel bandwidth by restricting use of the channel in accordance with the type of data being downloaded to the user. The user is provided an initial number of credits. As the user consumes the credits, the data being downloaded is checked to determine if is permissible or non-permissible. Non-permissible data includes file-sharing files and movie downloads if user subscription does not permit such activity. If the data is permissible, the user is provided another allotment of credits equal to the initial allotment. If the data is non-permissible, the user is provided an allotment of credits less than the initial allotment. Various restriction policies also can be applied, such as levying additional fees and/or terminating the user's access to the channel. Also, incentives can be provided to entice the user curb the misuse. |
| US09572064B2 |
Systems and methods for scheduling transmissions from an access node
Systems and methods are described for scheduling transmissions from an access node. A location may be determined for a plurality of small cells within an access node signal area. Based on the determined locations, a scheduling algorithm may be selected for the access node, where the scheduling algorithm may comprise one of a low proportional fairness scheduling algorithm, a medium proportional fairness scheduling algorithm, and a high proportional fairness scheduling algorithm. Data may then be transmitted from the access node to a plurality of wireless devices based on the selected scheduling algorithm. |
| US09572062B2 |
Methods and apparatus for managing radio measurements during discontinuous reception
Methods and apparatus for managing radio measurements during discontinuous reception. In one exemplary embodiment, the distribution of Long Term Evolution (LTE) DRX measurements is staggered or distributed across multiple DRX cycles (which may be contiguous or non-contiguous) so as to reduce the transceiver activity and power consumption. The exemplary UE in one implementation only performs a subset of measurements during each DRX cycle. By staggering or distributing cell measurements over multiple DRX cycles, the UE can improve power consumption, while still conforming to measurement requirements. |
| US09572059B2 |
Missed rank report in dual network radio resource management
A method for handling a missed rank report during a tune-away period is provided. The method can include a wireless communication device tuning away from a first network to a second network for a tune-away period; returning to the first network from the tune-away period; determining that a scheduled rank report was missed during the tune-away period; generating a Channel State Indicator (CSI) report based on a previously defined Rank Indicator (RI) value known to the first network in response to missing the scheduled rank report; and sending the CSI report to the first network. |
| US09572052B2 |
Front end architecture for intermittent emissions and/or coexistence specifications
In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first transmit path, a second transmit path, and a switch element. The first transmit path can provide a first radio frequency (RF) signal in accordance with a nominal specification. The second transmit path can provide a second RF signal in accordance with an intermittent specification, in which the first and second RF signals are within the same transmit band. The switch element can provide the first RF signal as a transmit mode output in a first state and provide the second RF signal as the transmit mode output in a second state. |
| US09572050B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating virtual base station
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for creating a virtual base station. The creating method includes: receiving a virtual base station creation request sent by a third-party server; sending a virtual machine creation request to an RAN; receiving a virtual machine creation complete response sent by the RAN; sending a base station image load request to the RAN; receiving a base station image load complete response sent by the RAN; sending a virtual base station creation complete response to the third-party server, where the virtual base station creation complete response includes a virtual base station ID. The present invention can realize creation of a virtual base station. |
| US09572040B2 |
Unlicensed spectrum sharing method, base station using the same, and user equipment using the same
The disclosure is directed to an unlicensed spectrum sharing method that is applicable to a user equipment and a base station, a user equipment using the same method, and a base station using the same method. In one of the exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is directed to an unlicensed spectrum sharing method applicable to a user equipment. The method would include receiving a configuration message over a first component carrier in a licensed spectrum to operate in an unlicensed spectrum, receiving a user message of the UE over a second component carrier in the unlicensed spectrum in response to receiving the configuration message, wherein the first component carrier and the second component carrier are aggregated carriers, and receiving a re-configuration message over the first component carrier in the licensed spectrum to operate in the unlicensed spectrum. |
| US09572037B2 |
Method and system for defending a mobile network from a fraud
A system and method for defending a mobile network from a fraud committed via GTP is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving receives information associated with a GTP request from a serving node to a gateway node in a mobile network. The information associated with the GTP request is a GTP control plane request or a CDR associated with the GTP request. The information associated with a GTP request is examined, and parameters contained in the information associated with the GTP request are analyzed. It is determined that the GTP request is a fraudulent GTP request if the parameters do not belong to an authorized subscriber of the mobile network. A GTP tunnel associated with the fraudulent GTP request is denied, an established fraudulent GTP tunnel is deleted, or network traffic established by a fraudulent GTP tunnel is redirected to a monitoring node. |
| US09572036B2 |
Detection and blocking of cloned mobile devices
A method is disclosed for blocking a cloned mobile device by a processor of a network. The processor receives a first registration from a first mobile device at a first location. The first registration includes a device identifier and a phone number. The processor then confirms that a second registration from a second mobile device at a second location includes the device identifier and the phone number and calculates a first fraud score for the first mobile device and a second fraud score for the second mobile device. The processor then determines that the second mobile device is the cloned mobile device, when the second fraud score exceeds the first score, and blocks the cloned mobile device from registering on the network. |
| US09572035B2 |
Method and apparatus for unlocking a mobile telephone type wireless communication terminal
A method of unlocking a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal is disclosed. The mobile terminal is initially locked to the services of a mobile services provider. The mobile services provider transmits to a predefined telephone number associated with a service provider other than the mobile services provider, via the mobile services provider, a request for unlocking information. The request is transparent to the mobile services provider. If the request is approved, the mobile terminal receives the unlocking information. Using the received unlocking information, the mobile terminal unlocks itself so that it is no longer locked to the services of the mobile services provider. If the request is not approved, the mobile terminal receives and displays a message indicating that the request is not approved. |
| US09572027B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for negotiating security capabilities during movement of UE
A method for negotiating security capabilities during movement of a User Equipment (UE) includes the following steps: a target network entity receives a Routing Area Update (RAU) Request from the UE; the entity obtains Authentication Vector (AV)-related keys deduced according to a root key, and sends the selected security algorithm to the UE; and the UE deduces the AV-related keys according to the root key of the UE. A system, SGSN, and MME for negotiating security capabilities during movement of a UE are also disclosed. The present invention is applicable to security capability negotiation between the UE and the network. |
| US09572025B2 |
Method, server, computer program and computer program product for communicating with secure element
A method is presented for sending a message to a secure element connected to a mobile equipment, wherein the secure element is coupled to a user of the mobile equipment. The method comprises the steps, performed in an application manager server of: receiving, from an application server, an application message and an identifier of a destination secure element; generating a secure element message from the application message; from a plurality of connectivity providers, selecting a connectivity provider capable of communicating with the destination secure element; and sending the secure element message to the selected connectivity provider for forwarding to the destination secure element. A corresponding application manager server, computer program and computer program product are also presented. |
| US09572022B2 |
Resolving IP addresses in a wireless environment
A method of anonymously resolving Internet Protocol (IP) addresses using a distributed network includes defining a virtual geographic area that comprises a micro dynamic domain name server (MDDNS); wirelessly receiving at a central facility a geographic attribute of a telematics unit; determining at the central facility that the telematics unit is within the virtual geographic area using the received geographic attribute; and transmitting an IP address of a host telematics unit in the MDDNS to the telematics unit. |
| US09572016B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in transferring an assignment of a secure chip between subscription managers
Techniques for use in transferring an assignment of a secure chip of a wireless device from a current subscription manager (SM) of a current mobile network operator (MNO) to a new SM of a new MNO are described. In one illustrative example, the current SM receives a request for transferring the assignment and produces transfer permission data in response. The transfer permission data includes an identifier of the secure chip, an identifier of the current SM, and a digital signature of the current SM. The current SM then sends to the secure chip a transfer permission message which includes the transfer permission data. The transfer permission data indicates a permission for the secure chip to transfer the assignment from the current SM to the new SM. Additional techniques are performed by the secure chip, and the new SM, as described. |
| US09572015B2 |
Contactless programming of subscriber identity modules
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include receiving subscriber identity information for a cellular network at a mobile communication device via a short-range wireless communication network. The subscriber identity information is received from a device issued by a provider of the cellular network. Exemplary embodiments further include storing the subscriber identity information at a subscriber identity module embedded in the mobile communication device. Exemplary embodiments additionally include transmitting the subscriber identity information from the subscriber identity module to a server of the provider for authenticating a subscriber of the cellular network. Exemplary embodiments still further include receiving, from the server of the provider, authorization for the subscriber to access the cellular network, and accessing the cellular network via the mobile communication device. |
| US09572012B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method of managing counterpart terminal information and recording medium
An apparatus, system, and method of managing candidate counterpart terminal information, each of which determines, in response to a request for adding a candidate counterpart terminal to a candidate list of a request sender terminal, whether attribute information stored in association with the request sender terminal matches attribute information stored in association with the candidate counterpart terminal to be added, and stores counterpart terminal identification information that identifies the candidate counterpart terminal in association with terminal identification information of the request sender terminal to update the candidate list of the specific request sender terminal when a determination result indicates that the attribute information match. |
| US09572010B2 |
Method and system for roaming of a mobile communications unit
Method for routing mobile phone signaling messages between different collaborating networks (20,30) including an STP (25,35) and at least two home networks (10,40) including an STP (16,36). A collaborating ITP (29,39) is connected to a collaborating STP (25,35), a home ITP (17,47) is connected to a home STP (16,46), and a central ITP (51) is connected to each ITP via a wide area network (6) which is not a PSTN. A visited country IMSI identifies a mobile subscriber as a subscriber to a collaborating network. A visited IMSI is associated with a home network in the central ITP. A signaling message, including the visited IMSI, is sent from a collaborating STP to the collaborating ITP, and is forwarded to the central ITP. The message is forwarded from the central ITP to a home ITP with which the visited IMSI is associated, and sent to the corresponding home STP. |
| US09572009B2 |
Extended area event for network based proximity discovery
A network-centric device discovery solution that leverages area event location services. A proximity server (PS) performing device discovery for a discoverer mobile initiates an area event, via a location server, for each device subscribed to the same proximity service group as the discoverer mobile and camped on the same zone as the discoverer mobile. The area event notifies the PS each time such device moves into an area of an E-CGI and/or WiFI access point where the discoverer mobile attaches. If the PS receives an area event notification for the device camped on the same zone as the discoverer mobile, the PS requests location information for the device and uses returned location information to determine if the device is within a predefined proximity of the discoverer mobile. If the device is within a predefined proximity of the discoverer mobile, the PS sends a proximity alert message to the discoverer mobile. |
| US09572007B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of discovering a wireless communication device
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of discovering a wireless communication device. For example, a first wireless device may include a radio to communicate over a wireless communication medium according to a discovery scheme including a plurality of contention-based discovery windows (DWs), the radio to communicate with a second wireless device a discovery frame during a first discovery process, the discovery frame including an indication of one or more selected DWs of the plurality of DWs; and a controller to switch the first wireless device between a power save state and an active state, the controller to switch the first wireless device to operate in the active state in the one or more selected discovery windows to discover the second wireless device during a second discovery process, subsequent to the first discovery process. |
| US09572001B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for social networking
A method, apparatus and system for social networking is provided. In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of mobile devices that can directly connect to each other via a peer-to-peer connection. The devices can additionally connect to a server. The server maintains a profile schema which can be used to generate profiles for users for each of the mobile devices. |
| US09571998B2 |
System and method for asynchronous event reporting
Systems and methods for event reporting are provided. In a method for event reporting in a system that includes an event source and a plurality of event consumers, notifications from the event source are received at an event reporter. The notifications are received at a first rate. The event reporter receives a plurality of desired sampling rates from the plurality of event consumers, where each of the desired the sampling rates indicates a rate at which an event consumer desires reporting of notifications from the event reporter. The notifications are filtered based on the first rate and the plurality of desired sampling rates. The filtering selects one or more of the notifications to be reported to one or more event consumers of the plurality of event consumers. The selected one or more of the notifications are reported. |
| US09571992B1 |
Priority message management
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for priority message management. In one embodiment, users are associated with one or more identified networks, wherein the users connect to the one or more identified networks using one or more mobile devices. Embodiments of the present invention can detect the presence or absence of an associated user, and responsive to detecting a user's absence, can increase an amount of priority of a user's communications to a mobile device of a different user having an enabled screening feature. Increasing the amount of priority of users that have been identified as absent from the identified network can ensure important messages are delivered. |
| US09571986B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting and using equipment location in a building management system
Systems and methods for detecting and using equipment location in a building management system are provided. Location information is measured by one or more measurement devices at a physical location of building equipment. The measured location information is used to automatically determine the physical location of the building equipment in or around a building. The location of the building equipment is integrated with an architectural model of a building served by the building equipment and a graphical visualization of the integrated model is generated. The location of the building equipment can be used to automatically associate the building equipment with other building equipment or with a building zone, to automatically generate control parameters and control algorithms, and/or to generate an augmented reality display of the building equipment in the building. |
| US09571984B2 |
Labeling visited locations based on contact information
The systems and techniques disclosed herein provide the ability to determine locations visited by a user and associate relevant location labels with the locations visited based on contact information. In some examples, a location label can be applied based on a match between a location visited and information stored in a user's contact list. In other examples, a user can efficiently designate a contact and location label to be associated with a location visited. In still other examples, if a location visited by a user is not listed in the user's contact list, but is otherwise known to the system, the location visited can be appropriately labeled and the corresponding contact in the user's contact list can be updated to include the location visited. |
| US09571981B2 |
Pedestrian traffic monitoring and analysis using location and authentication of mobile computing devices
Numerous mobile devices report their respective locations to a server which collects the location reports to provide real-time pedestrian traffic information, e.g., as a map that shows locations of individual mobile devices. Distribution of mobile devices in a geographic area more closely represents overall population locations and densities. Each device is identified by a digital fingerprint, formed from a number of system and device configuration parameters. Each mobile device is configured to periodically report its location, e.g., at a predetermined time interval and/or whenever the mobile device determines its location for another reason. A known location of a wireless network access point to which a mobile device is connected can serve as an estimated location of the mobile device. |
| US09571977B2 |
Use of a trained classifier to determine if a pair of wireless scans came from the same location
The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining the likelihood that two wireless scans of a mobile computing device were performed in the same location. The likelihood is determined by scanning for wireless networks with a computing device. The scanning includes a receiving a plurality of network attributes for each wireless networks within the range of the mobile computing device. Further, the likelihood is determined by comparing the plurality of network attributes from the scanning with a reference set of network attributes. The comparing of network attributes is used to determine an attribute comparison. Finally, the likelihood between a position associated with the reference set of network attributes and the computing device, based on the attribute comparison, determines a position associated with the network. |
| US09571971B2 |
Managing crowd sourced data acquisition
A system or computer usable program product for providing improved coverage of data acquisition in a crowd sourced data acquisition environment including determining respective locations of mobile devices within an area wherein data acquisition is desired; requesting transmission of desired data captured by sensors in the mobile devices within the area; comparing locations of mobile devices currently transmitting desired data to a desired coverage map of mobile device location to produce a map showing missing coverage; prioritizing acquisition of mobile devices in locations of missing coverage; and aggregating the transmitted desired data and providing the aggregated data to an entity. |
| US09571969B1 |
Mobile media communications system
A media communications system enabling mobile and desktop devices to communicate with websites relevant to a query that is shallow parsed, associated to predetermined categories, and regenerated as a conflated query array that includes extracted entities, associated categories, a location, and a geo-limit parameter. The media communications system further enables real-time messaging between the mobile and desktop devices and the websites, as well as generation of well-formed websites, media, and multimedia, with pre-rendered embedded content, and enables to concurrently and automatically demographically and geographically distributed push notifications to the websites and devices, and embeds relevancy-amplified, geotargeted media and multimedia communications, which media are selected by real-time machine-learned, high-probability consumer interest weighting and relevancy functions that are continuously updated in response to monitored consumer actions. The system further enables geographically regional and inter-regional systems management to enable automated replication and regional and demographic testing of the geotargeted and relevant communications. |
| US09571968B1 |
Geo-fence management using a cluster analysis technique
Disclosed aspects include geo-fence management using a cluster analysis technique. A set of dynamic user data is received from a set of users. The set of dynamic user data may have identification information which identifies one or more users, location information which indicates location for one or more users, and context information which indicates application context for one or more users. The cluster analysis technique may be used to process the set of dynamic user data. Accordingly, a geo-fence opportunity event is detected using the cluster analysis technique. Based on a selection criterion with respect to the geo-fence opportunity event, it is determined to provide an opportunity for a subset of the set of users. In response to making the determination, the opportunity can be provided for/to the subset of the set of users (e.g., sending a notification to the subset of the set of users). |
| US09571965B2 |
Verified check-in
An embodiment of the invention provides a check-in verification system (VCS) that verifies a check-in by a user using a smartphone to check-in at a venue, by verifying that a geolocation provided by the smartphone agrees with a location of the venue and that a password used by the user and the venue are the same. |
| US09571963B2 |
Positioning with wireless local area networks and WLAN-aided global positioning systems
Accurate position capability can be quickly provided using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). When associated with a WLAN, a wireless device can quickly determine its relative and/or coordinate position based on information provided by an access point in the WLAN. Before a wireless device disassociates with the access point, the WLAN can periodically provide time, location, and decoded GPS data to the wireless device. In this manner, the wireless device can significantly reduce the time to acquire the necessary GPS satellite data (i.e. on the order of seconds instead of minutes) to determine its coordinate position. |
| US09571962B2 |
System and method of performing location analytics
A system and method are provided for associating location data from one or more unique sources. The place and time of a unique location enabled device are associated with stored demographic information relating to the particular place and particular time. The place and time of the unique location enabled device are associated with a historical record of past locations and time of locations that the device has been. Based on the association of demographical information and historical information, the unique location enable device is assigned to one or more groups or tribes. The location of all members of the group or tribe can be aggregated and exported for further analysis or display, thereby showing all group or tribe members at a particular time and place. |
| US09571955B1 |
Systems and methods to transfer operations between mobile and portable devices
A system and method to detect the presence of a portable communication device in a vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes detecting, with an electronic processor of the portable communication device, that the portable communication device is receiving wireless power from a wireless charger located in the vehicle. The method further includes establishing a short-range wireless connection between the portable communication device and a vehicle control head. The method further includes sending a message from the portable communication device to the vehicle control head to transfer control of the portable communication device to the vehicle control head. |
| US09571948B2 |
Low profile offset spout for hearing assistance device
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatuses for hearing assistance low profile offset spouts. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance spout consisting of a one-piece spout with a curved path to an off-axis (e.g., offset) port. The spout may be manufactured using metal injection molding to provide for a reflow solder attachment to the hearing assistance microphone. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to placing a full-sized spout off-axis while maintaining an open state that does not restrict the acoustic path, which may allow the offset spout to include a radial seal independent of the microphone body itself. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an offset spout including a sealed acoustic barrier wall to protect the acoustic inlet of the microphone from debris or moisture. |
| US09571947B2 |
Hearing aid interconnection system
According to an embodiment, a hearing aid system is disclosed. The system includes an abutment, an extension member and a hearing aid device. The abutment is configured to mechanically attach into a skull bone of a hearing aid user. The extension member is configured to attach to the abutment and further comprising a hearing aid coupling surface adapted to attach with a hearing aid device. The hearing aid device includes a coupling adapted to mechanically attach to the hearing aid coupling surface. The extension member is configured to attach between the abutment and the coupling and to extend length between the abutment and the hearing aid coupling. |
| US09571944B2 |
Hearing aid and method for producing a hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a hearing aid housing and an antenna device constructed to receive and/or transmit electromagnetic waves having a predetermined wavelength lambda. The antenna device has a frame incorporated in the hearing aid housing for holding assemblies of the hearing aid and the frame has an electrically conductive structure being an integral part of the frame. A method for producing a hearing aid includes patterning a surface of the frame, applying an electrically conductive layer to the surface of the frame and incorporating the frame into the hearing aid housing. |
| US09571943B2 |
Hearing device with a transducer module and method for manufacturing a transducer module
The present invention proposes a hearing device with a housing and a receiver module which comprises a shell (16) with a cavity having an opening (17), wherein at least part of the shell (16) forms part of the housing, and wherein an electro-acoustic transducer, comprising a motor assembly (2) and an acoustic assembly (3) including a membrane, is arranged within the cavity, the acoustic assembly (3) being disposed within the shell (16) such that the cavity is divided into a front chamber (12) and a back chamber (13), the motor assembly (2) being disposed within the back chamber (13) or the front chamber (12) and being operatively coupled to the membrane, and the front chamber (12) being in acoustic communication with the exterior of the shell (16) via the opening (17), wherein the shell (16) has an outer surface individually shaped according to a measured inner shape of a section of an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a receiver module is presented. |
| US09571938B2 |
Microphone element and device for detecting acoustic and ultrasound signals
A capacitive MEMS microphone element is described which may be used optionally for detecting acoustic signals (microphone mode) or for detecting ultrasound signals in a defined frequency range (ultrasound mode). In the layered structure of the MEMS microphone element, at least two carrier elements for the two electrode sides of a capacitor system are formed one above the other and at a distance from one another for signal detection. At least one of the two carrier elements is sound pressure-sensitive and at least one of the two electrode sides includes at least two electrode segments which are electrically contactable independent of one another, which together with the at least one electrode of the other electrode side form partial capacitances which are independent of one another. |
| US09571935B2 |
Loudspeaker with ducts for transducer voice coil cooling
A loudspeaker includes a motor assembly having a back plate and a pole piece centrally disposed with respect to the back plate. The pole piece has a first end and a second end, where the pole piece has a center vent allowing bi-directional air flow in and out of the motor assembly. The motor assembly further includes a top plate concentrically disposed with respect to the pole piece, and a magnet disposed between the back plate and the top plate, wherein a magnetic air gap is defined between the pole piece and the top plate. The loudspeaker further includes a voice coil disposed in the air gap. The pole piece includes at least one NACA duct formed therein, the at least one NACA duct having an inlet located at an internal surface of the pole piece in fluid communication with the center vent and an outlet located at an exterior surface of the pole piece in fluid communication with the magnetic air gap in order to extract air flow from the center vent and redirect the air flow toward the voice coil. |
| US09571933B2 |
Multi-channel headphone
A multi-channel headphone has a housing, multiple independent sound channels formed in the housing, and at least one speaker unit mounted inside the housing. The at least one speaker unit produces sound directly passing through one of the sound channels and refracted through the rest of sound channels. As the refracted sound is slower than the directly travelling sound, multiple layers of auditory feeling can be provided and a stereo sound effect can be generated for users to enjoy better auditory feeling. |
| US09571919B2 |
Wearable sound box apparatus
A wearable sound box apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the disclosed sound box apparatus may include a wearable element having both ends thereof extended to form two sound box accommodating areas. The wearable element may be structurally hollow, allowing for a printed circuit board (PCB), a battery, and a reflection tube to be placed therein. A sound unit placed within each of the sound box accommodating areas may be electrically connected to the PCB through a signal line. When the sound unit operates, sound waves from the sound unit are reflected within the wearable element and corresponding inverted sound waves are transmitted out of the wearable element by the reflection tube. |
| US09571917B2 |
Acoustic device
An acoustic device that has a neck loop that is constructed and arranged to be worn around the neck. The neck loop includes a housing with a first acoustic waveguide having a first sound outlet opening, and a second acoustic waveguide having a second sound outlet opening. There is a first open-backed acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the first waveguide and a second open-backed acoustic driver acoustically coupled to the second waveguide. |
| US09571916B2 |
Audio codec with audio jack detection function and audio jack detection method
The present invention discloses an audio codec with a jack detection function and an audio jack detection method. An embodiment of the audio codec comprises: a first-contact signal input end operable to electrically connect with a sleeve contact of a plug and receive a first-contact signal indicating the presence or absence of the plug; a second-contact signal input end operable to electrically connect with a ring contact or the sleeve contact of the plug and receive a second-contact signal indicating the presence or absence of the plug; a plug detecting circuit coupled to the first-contact or second-contact signal input end and operable to detect whether a voltage level of the first-contact or second-contact signal has changed to thereby generate a plug detection signal; and a control circuit coupled to the plug detecting circuit and operable to determine the presence or absence of the plug according to the plug detection signal. |
| US09571911B2 |
Microphone assembly with a bend and clamp
A microphone assembly is disclosed, the microphone assembly comprising: a microphone for converting an acoustic signal to an electrical microphone signal; and a rigid tube with a first tube end and a second tube end. The microphone is attached at the first tube end. The rigid tube encloses at least a part of a first conductor for conducting the microphone signal. The rigid tube has a first tube part extending along a first axis, and the rigid tube has a first bend between the first tube end and the first tube part. A clamp member is mounted on the rigid tube, wherein the clamp member is configured for clamping the microphone assembly to a piece of clothing placed between a clamping section of the rigid tube and a clamping section of the clamp member. |
| US09571908B2 |
Extendable synchronous low power telemetry system for distributed sensors
a bidirectional repeater for repeating an electrical signal traversing a conductive line coupled between a gateway node and a sensor, the bidirectional repeater comprising a first input-output port coupled to the gateway node, a second input-output port coupled to the sensor, a first transceiver configured to receive a synchronization signal from the first input-output port and to transmit a resynchronized data signal to the first input-output port, a second transceiver configured to transmit the synchronization signal to the second input-output port and to receive a data signal from the second input-output port, and a repeater circuit coupled to the first and second transceivers and configured to pass through the synchronization signal, and to resynchronize the data signal to generate the resynchronized data signal. |
| US09571907B2 |
Nth leadless electrode telemetry device, system and method of use
A discrete electrode telemetry device includes a single female snap receptor in a leadless body. The single female snap receptor attaches to a single male snap post of a single discrete standard circular disposable electrode patch, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of plug-in interface ports for multiple use reference electrodes on the leadless body thereof. A multiplexor circuit is engineered to multiplex and combine a plurality of signal data collected from the interface ports as an output thereof. A wireless transmitter module is disposed in connection with the single female snap receptor, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit the piecewise multiplexed and combined signal data to a smart phone based on a connection and a disconnection of the single female snap receptor thereto. Furthermore, a spooled memory stores and relays the plurality of signal data for a multiplexed and a composite transmission from the wireless transmitter module. |
| US09571906B2 |
Location based advertising and querying for low power devices in a wireless local-area network
Apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media are disclosed for location based advertising and querying for low power devices in a wireless local -area network. An apparatus is disclosed including memory and processing circuitry couple to the memory, where the processing circuitry is configured to: encode a location-based advertisement (LBA) frame comprising a first location identifier (LID) and a duration, configure the access point to transmit the LBA frame to a sensor hub with a second LID, where the first LID and the second LID match, and decode a feedback report from the sensor hub, where the feedback report is in response to the LBA frame. The feedback report may include measured data from one or more internet of things (IoT) devices, and some of the measured data may be collected from the IoT devices during the duration. An apparatus of a sensor hub is disclosed that includes a LID. |
| US09571904B2 |
Systems and methods for status indication in a single-use biomedical and bioprocess system
Methods, systems, and apparatus to monitor component status in a bioprocessing environment are disclosed and described. Certain examples provide a sensor device for a disposable bioprocessing component. The example sensor device includes a first portion affixed to the component, the first portion configured to provide an identifier associated with the component. The example sensor device also includes a second portion configured to provide a status indication based on a state of the component. The example sensor device is configured to transmit the identifier and status indication to a control computer associated with a bioproces sing platform including the component. |
| US09571900B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enhancing video advertising with interactive content
A system for and method of enhancing video advertising with interactive content in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include receiving non-interactive video advertisement data and advertisement order data associated with the non-interactive video advertisement data, generating interactive content data associated with the non-interactive video advertisement data, embedding, in the non-interactive video advertisement data, the interactive content data, and transmitting, to an ad server component of an ad system, the non-interactive video advertisement data and the embedded interactive content data for transmission to one or more end user devices. |
| US09571897B2 |
Bit indexed explicit replication for professional media networks
Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a first bit string at a node, encapsulating a packet with the first bit string, and forwarding the packet. The method also involves receiving a second bit string at the node and selecting the second bit string. The method also involves encapsulating a second packet with the second bit string and forwarding the second packet. |
| US09571896B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dynamic management and bandwidth allocation for content delivery
Methods and apparatus for content delivery and managing and conserving network bandwidth in a content delivery system are described. In accordance with one aspect of some embodiments, when the number content playback devices, e.g., IP set top boxes, iPADs, etc., in a region or service group receiving the same program content via individual unicast streams over a first network, e.g., cable network, exceeds a threshold number large, the IP capable playback devices are instructed to switch to receive the same programming content from a local device, e.g., a gateway device, via a home network. The local device receives the programming content via the cable network over a broadcast or SDV or VOD channel established by the cable service provider's headend/hubsite. |
| US09571895B2 |
Load balancing multicast network traffic using virtual channels
A method and system for multicasting Internet-protocol television (IPTV) channels is disclosed. In order to receive desired IPTV channels, a first-hop router (FHR) may send a join message to a last-hop router (LHR) establishing multiple paths across a backbone network. The join message may specify mapping at least one virtual IPTV channel to a plurality of multicast channels, along with the desired IPTV channels. The multicast channels may then be transmitted in a round-robin manner over the multiple paths from the LHR to the FHR. A number of virtual IPTV channels may be modified in response to determining a loading profile over the multiple paths to maintain a balanced load among the multiple paths. |
| US09571892B2 |
Multimedia content search and recording scheduling system
Techniques described herein enable searching for multimedia content and for downloading or scheduling the recording of the multimedia content. The multimedia content may have been previously stored on one or more databases. The client device may download or schedule the recording of multimedia content in one step, for example, in one touch. When desired multimedia content is not available, the multimedia content is added to the client device's wish list. When the client device's does not have a wish list, the client device's wish list may be created on the spot. During the scheduling of the recording, a tag associated with the multimedia content is checked to determine whether the multimedia content is live or delayed. When the tag indicates the multimedia content is live or delayed, the client device prompts with a suggestion to add extra time to the end of the recording of the multimedia content. |
| US09571888B2 |
Selection graphics overlay of matrix code
The document discloses a method for communicating information, such as audiovisual data and other information to a user. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal on a content receiver. The broadcast signal includes a video signal and a graphical signal, and the graphical signal includes a matrix barcode. After the content receiver receives the broadcast signal, the content receiver determines whether the matrix barcode should be displayed. The determination that the matrix barcode should be displayed may be based on the geographic location of the content receiver or user settings/preferences stored on the content receiver. If the matrix barcode should be displayed, the content receiver creates and outputs a modified signal. The modified signal includes the video signal with the matrix barcode overlaid on top of the video signal. If the matrix barcode should not be displayed, the content receiver outputs the broadcast signal. |
| US09571884B2 |
System and method of interacting with home automation systems via a set-top box device
The subject disclosure describes among other things receiving user input that includes a device configuration for a device in a home automation system, where the device configuration specifies a triggering event and a response to the triggering event. The subject disclosure also describes transmitting the device configuration to the device, receiving data from the device, where the data indicates that the triggering event has been detected by the device, presenting an alert indicating that the triggering event has been detected by device, where the alert includes selectable options for responding to the alert, identifying the device detecting the triggering event, and altering an operation of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09571882B2 |
Methods and apparatus for DVR and network storage of locally recorded content
Methods and apparatus for expanding the storage capacity of one or more DVRs in a household by attaching them to a shared network storage device are described. Recorded content is encrypted in at least some embodiments on a per customer basis rather than on a per DVR basis allowing content to be moved between devices at a customer premise and played back by any of the devices at the customer premise where the content was recorded. Network congestion delays are avoided by allowing a user to specify when content is to be locally available at a DVR and moving the content prior to the specified time, if necessary, to the local storage device in the DVR. DVRs can access, decrypt and display content stored on the network storage device that was recorded by another DVR in the same household. |
| US09571874B2 |
Social content monitoring platform apparatuses, methods and systems
The SOCIAL CONTENT MONITORING PLATFORM METHODS (“Social-Watch”) transforms social media contents via Social-Watch components, into ad effects data. A method is disclosed, comprising: identifying a request to access user social media content; obtaining user authorization credentials to access user social media content; sending an access request with the obtained user authorization credentials to a social media platform; receiving social media content data from the social media platform; determining a type of the received media content data; tagging the received media content data based on the type according to a progressive taxonomy mechanism; receive a social media analytics request for an item; querying the tagged media content data based on key terms related to the item; and determining impression heuristics for the item based on query results. |
| US09571871B2 |
Method for delivering video content encoded at one or more quality levels over a data network
A client device receives streamed encoded content data, such as encoded video data, which has been encoded at a constant perceptual quality. Several different versions of the content are available to be streamed to the device, at different perceptual quality levels. In order to decide which quality level to request from a content server at intervals the device calculates the delivery rates that would be required for each level of quality. The calculation of the delivery levels is made in dependence on whether the actual delivery rate that has been received so far is greater than or less than a constant bit rate delivery schedule that decreases monotonically but which guarantees to deliver the encoded data in a timely manner such that no buffer underflow and interruption of reproduction takes place. The monotonically decreasing bit rate schedule is defined by one or more “critical points”, which are the points at which the bit rates are decreased, and correspond to the points where the delivery schedule is just equal to the decoding schedule of the encoded data. At such points there would be no encoded data in a buffer at the client. If the delivery rate has been greater than the constant bit rate schedule for a quality then the delivery rate required going forward for a particular quality level can be calculated from the critical point information, and no more complicated calculation is required. |
| US09571868B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivery of application services
Systems and processes that incorporate teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving from a mobile device, by way of a cellular network, a request for delivery of high-bandwidth application service. A location of the mobile device can be obtained and used to determine availability of any nearby wireless packet-network services. If it is determined that a wireless packet-network service is available, a network connection between the mobile device and the wireless packet-network service can be established. The request for delivery of high-bandwidth services can then be forwarded to an application server that delivers the requested services by way of the wireless packet-network service. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09571862B2 |
Frame type detection and frame size detection methods and apparatuses for video stream
Embodiments of the present invention provide frame type detection and frame size detection methods and apparatuses for a video stream. The video frame type detection method includes: obtaining a size of a current video frame; obtaining a change feature value of the current video frame; obtaining an I-frame threshold of the current video frame; and determining whether the previous first video frame is an I frame according to the change feature value of the current video frame and a change feature value of the previous first video frame, the I-frame threshold of the current video frame, and the size of the current video frame, the size of the previous first video frame, and a size of a previous second video frame. The present invention provides a complete and effective frame type detection method; in addition, impact of a video frame rate is fully considered. |
| US09571857B2 |
Methods and apparatus for video imaging pruning
Methods and apparatus are provided for video image pruning. An apparatus includes a data pruner for pre-processing a picture prior to, and in preparation for, compression by encoding. The data pruner selectively removes, in the spatial domain, at least one region within the picture. At the decoder end, an apparatus includes a data restorer for receiving a decompressed picture subsequent to decompression by decoding, and post-processing the decompressed picture by selectively restoring, in the spatial domain, at least one region in the decompressed picture based on information indicating a removal of the at least one region prior to a previously performed encoding process. |
| US09571856B2 |
Conversion operations in scalable video encoding and decoding
Techniques and tools for conversion operations between modules in a scalable video encoding tool or scalable video decoding tool are described. For example, given reconstructed base layer video in a low resolution format (e.g., 4:2:0 video with 8 bits per sample) an encoding tool and decoding tool adaptively filter the reconstructed base layer video and upsample its sample values to a higher sample depth (e.g., 10 bits per sample). The tools also adaptively scale chroma samples to a higher chroma sampling rate (e.g., 4:2:2). The adaptive filtering and chroma scaling help reduce energy in inter-layer residual video by making the reconstructed base layer video closer to input video, which typically makes compression of the inter-layer residual video more efficient. The encoding tool also remaps sample values of the inter-layer residual video to adjust dynamic range before encoding, and the decoding tool performs inverse remapping after decoding. |
| US09571854B2 |
Spatiotemporal prediction for bidirectionally predictive (B) pictures and motion vector prediction for multi-picture reference motion compensation
Several improvements for use with Bidirectionally Predictive (B) pictures within a video sequence are provided. In certain improvements Direct Mode encoding and/or Motion Vector Prediction are enhanced using spatial prediction techniques. In other improvements Motion Vector prediction includes temporal distance and subblock information, for example, for more accurate prediction. Such improvements and other presented herein significantly improve the performance of any applicable video coding system/logic. |
| US09571849B2 |
Coding of residual data in predictive compression
Encoding input data including one or more frames includes: generating a residual block based on a difference between a first block of data for multiple pixels in a first frame and a second block of data derived from information in the input data; generating a first block of coefficients based on a transform performed on the residual block; generating reference information based on the second block of data; and determining portions of a code value representing respective portions of the first block of coefficients based on at least one value derived from at least a portion of the reference information. |
| US09571848B2 |
Device and method for compressing/decompressing lens shading compensation coefficient
A lens shading compensation coefficient compression device includes: a first differential block suitable for calculating a lens shading compensation coefficient between color channels and removing redundancy between the color channels; a second differential block suitable for calculating a lens shading compensation coefficient within color channels and removing redundancy within the color channels; and an entropy coding block suitable for performing entropy coding on remaining lens shading compensation coefficients and compressing the lens shading compensation coefficients. |
| US09571833B2 |
Method for coding and an apparatus
The invention relates to a method for encoding, a method for decoding, an apparatus, computer program products, an encoder and a decoder for video information. The motion vector for a block in a video image is predicted from a set of motion vector prediction candidates determined based on previously-coded motion vectors. A motion vector prediction candidate is included in the set based on the location of the block associated with the first spatial motion vector prediction candidate and in comparison with motion vector prediction candidates already in the set. |
| US09571832B2 |
Image encoding method and apparatus and image decoding method and apparatus based on motion vector normalization
Provided are an image encoding method and apparatus, and an image decoding method and apparatus. The image encoding method includes: obtaining a variation of a motion estimation error with respect to a homogeneity degree of a motion vector according to mergence, based on a motion vector of each of merged blocks obtained by merging adjacent blocks, motion vectors of the adjacent blocks included in each of the merged blocks, and motion vectors of neighboring blocks of each of the merged blocks; and determining, based on the obtained variation, a merged block having a smallest variation from among the merged blocks and whether to merge the adjacent blocks included in the determined merged block. |
| US09571831B2 |
Image prediction encoding device, image prediction decoding device, image prediction encoding method, image prediction decoding method, image prediction encoding program, and image prediction decoding program
The image predictive encoding device 10 comprises an intra frame predictive signal generation method determination section 15 which determines, for adjacent areas comprising regenerated pixel signals and adjacent to the target area, a predictive method which is derived on the basis of data corresponding to the adjacent areas as an R mode predictive method or an L mode predictive method, an intra frame predictive signal generation section 16 which generates an intra frame predictive signal on the basis of the R mode predictive method thus determined, and a subtractor 18, a transform section 19, a quantization section 20, and an entropy encoding section 25 which encode a residual signal of a pixel signal of the target area on the basis of the generated intra frame predictive signal. |
| US09571827B2 |
Techniques for adaptive video streaming
A video coding server may code a common video sequence into a plurality of coded data streams, each coded data stream representing the video sequence coded using coding parameters tailored for a respective transmission bit rate. The coding may cause a set of transmission units from among the coded data streams to include coded video data from a common point of the video sequence, and a first coded frame of each transmission unit of the set to be a synchronization frame. A manifest file may be built representing an index of transmission units of the respective coded data streams. The coded data streams and manifest file may be stored by the server for delivery to a client device. During download and decode, the chunks may be decoded efficiently even when switching among streams because the first frame in each chunk is a synchronization frame. |
| US09571822B2 |
Display system with display adjustment mechanism for viewing aide and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a display system includes: determining a correction profile for adjusting an intended image based on a viewing aide; and generating an adjusted output image based on the correction profile for displaying on a device and for perceiving the intended image through the viewing aide. |
| US09571820B2 |
MRI-compatible 3D television and display system
A display system compatible with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus disposed in a magnet room for producing video images to a patient in an MRI magnet tunnel, the images having a three-dimensional (3D) effect. An MRI-compatible 3D display includes a display panel configured to generate optical images having 3D content, and RF and electromagnetic interference filtering. A Faraday cage encloses the display panel, and includes an optically transparent window panel having an electrically conductive mesh and a layer of transparent optically isotropic material. |
| US09571819B1 |
Efficient dense stereo computation
Example embodiments may allow for the efficient determination of disparity information for a stereo image pair by embedding pixels of the image pair in a multidimensional dimensional vertex space. Regularly-spaced vertices in the vertex space are associated with pixels of the stereo image pair and disparity loss functions are determined for each of the vertices based on disparity loss functions of the associated pixels. The determined vertex-disparity loss functions can be used to determine vertex disparity values for each of the vertices. Disparity values for pixels of the stereo image pair can be determined based on determined vertex disparity values for respective one or more vertices associated with each of the pixels. The determined pixel disparity values can be used to enable depth-selective image processing, determination of pixel depth maps, mapping and/or navigation of an environment, human-computer interfacing, biometrics, augmented reality, or other applications. |
| US09571818B2 |
Techniques for generating robust stereo images from a pair of corresponding stereo images captured with and without the use of a flash device
Techniques for generating robust depth maps from stereo images are described. A robust depth map is generated from a set of stereo images captured with and without flash illumination. The depth map is more robust than depth maps generated using conventional techniques because a pixel-matching algorithm is implemented that weights pixels in a matching window according to the ratio of light intensity captured using different flash illumination levels. The ratio map provides a rough estimate of depth relative to neighboring pixels that enables the flash/no-flash pixel-matching algorithm to devalue pixels that appear to be located at different depths than the central pixel in the matching window. In addition, the ratio map may be used to filter the generated depth map to generate a smooth estimate for the depth of objects within the stereo image. |
| US09571817B2 |
Inspection apparatus, inspection method, and program
A photometric processing part calculates a normal vector of a surface of a workpiece from a plurality of luminance images acquired by a camera in accordance with the photometric stereo method, and performs synthesis processing of synthesizing at least two images out of an inclination image made up of pixel values based on the normal vector calculated from the plurality of luminance images and at least one reduced image of the inclination image, to generate an inspection image showing a surface shape of the inspection target. In particular, a characteristic size setting part sets a characteristic size which is a parameter for giving weight to a component of a reduced image at the time of performing the synthesis processing. The photometric processing part can generate a different inspection image in accordance with the set characteristic size. |
| US09571816B2 |
Associating an object with a subject
A method comprises receiving one or more depth images from a depth camera, the depth images indicating a depth of a surface imaged by each pixel of the depth images. The method may further comprise identifying a human subject imaged by the depth images and recognizing within one or more of the depth images a beacon emitted from a control device. A position of the control device may be assessed in three dimensions, and the control device may be associated with the human subject based on a proximity of the control device to the human subject or other parameter of the control device with relation to the human subject. |
| US09571815B2 |
Method for 3D image signal processing and image display for implementing the same
A method for processing a 3D image signal and an image display device for implementing the method are provided. The 3D image signal processing method is implemented by the 3D image display device. Although an image signal transmission side transmits information to be included in a plurality of image signals, while omitting a portion of the information, a receiver can synthesize the transmitted information to reproduce an image. The device restores at least one image from a broadcast signal, and additionally generates an image at a virtual camera view from the restored image and displays it three-dimensionally. To this end, the image display device receives a broadcast signal and obtains at least one set of camera parameters from signaling information. Then, the image display device generates a virtual view image according to the camera parameters, and formats the virtual view image and the broadcast image included in the broadcast signal three-dimensionally. |
| US09571813B2 |
Playback device, playback method, program, and recording medium
The present invention relates to a playback device, a playback method, a program, and a recording medium that enable 3D playback in accordance with the capabilities of the playback device.A storage unit 24 stores a one-plane offset capability flag indicating whether or not 3D playback is possible in a one-plane offset mode, which is a mode in which one of two images obtained by shifting an image recorded on a disc 11 in a horizontal direction is output as a left-eye image and the other is output as a right-eye image, and a two-plane capability flag indicating whether or not 3D playback is possible in a two-plane mode, which is a mode in which a left-eye image and a right-eye image that are recorded on the disc are output as they are. A control unit 22 sets a playback mode for 3D playback in accordance with the one-plane offset capability flag and the two-plane capability flag stored in the storage unit 24. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a playback device. |
| US09571811B2 |
Method and device for multiplexing and demultiplexing composite images relating to a three-dimensional content
A method for generating a stereoscopic video stream includes composite images having pixels related to a right and a left image of a tridimensional video content; the pixels of the right and left images are inserted into a composite image of the stereoscopic video stream, all the pixels of the right and left images are inserted in the composite image by leaving one of said two images unaltered and breaking up the other one into regions including a plurality of pixels and entering the regions into the composite image; the composite image has larger dimensions than those necessary to allow the insertion of all pixels of the left and right images, and in the pixels of the composite image left after such insertion a depth map is inserted, whose elements correspond to the pixel depth of the tridimensional content. |
| US09571809B2 |
Simplified depth coding with modified intra-coding for 3D video coding
Systems, mediums, and methods for simplified depth coding for 3D video coding comprises performing modified intra DC coding or modified intra planar coding of at least one coding unit associated with a plurality of pixels and of at least one depth map, and comprising forming a prediction value of the at least one coding unit. |
| US09571807B2 |
Audio signal level estimation in cameras
A camera system includes a first microphone, a second microphone, and a microphone controller. The first microphone and the second microphone are configured to capture audio over a time interval to produce a first captured audio signal and a second captured audio signal, respectively. The second captured audio signal is dampened relative to the first captured audio signal by a dampening factor. The microphone controller is configured to store the first captured audio signal in response to a determination that the first captured audio signal does not clip. In response to a determination that the first captured audio signal clips, the microphone controller is configured to identify a gain between the first captured audio signal and the second captured audio signal representative of the dampening factor, amplify the second captured audio signal based on the identified gain, and store the amplified second captured audio signal. |
| US09571806B2 |
Projection system, and information processing apparatus
A projection system includes image projection apparatuses to project one image onto a projection face based on image information, a projection controller to divide the image information into a plurality of segment image data, and to instruct each of the image projection apparatuses to project corresponding segment image data, a positional deviation detector disposed at each of the image projection apparatuses to detect a positional deviation at the image projection apparatuses, an identification unit to identify which image projection apparatus requires a calibration processing; a projection unit to cause the identified image projection apparatus to project a calibration image information; an image capture apparatus to capture the calibration image information; and a calibration unit to calibrate the segment image data projected by the identified image projection apparatus based on the captured calibration image information. |
| US09571799B2 |
Wireless communication system and method, and data receiving apparatus, method and program
An access point is connected with surveillance cameras through wireless communication means. In the access point, a packet identification unit identifies the surveillance camera. A receiving status measurement unit measures receiving speed of the image data for each surveillance camera, and a priority apparatus determination unit determines whether to prioritize receiving of image data from a surveillance camera with the receiving speed smaller than a reference speed. The receiving control unit transmits a CTS packet, indicating that data receiving from the surveillance camera determined by the priority apparatus determination unit will be prioritized, to all of the connected surveillance cameras. The surveillance cameras other than that indicated by the CTS packet pause the data transmission to the access point when the CTS packet is received. |
| US09571791B1 |
Importing of information in a computing system
A method and system for importing information in a computing system. An information content is displayed on one or more respective screens in corresponding locations. An import request, for importing a digital representation of a physical object placed on a current screen in a current location, is received. A first digital image at least partially representing the current screen is acquired by one or more digital cameras. An object digital image representing an object area of the current screen being covered by the physical object is obtained. The object area is identified from comparison between the first digital image and a displayed digital image. A digital document representing the physical object is generated from the object digital image. The digital document is added to the information content for displaying the digital document at a position on each screen corresponding to a position of the physical object on the current screen. |
| US09571788B2 |
Communication systems, communication devices, and related methods for routing calls between communication devices having users with different abilities
A group routing server, communication devices, and related methods are described. The group routing server may comprise a processor operably coupled with communication elements and memory, and be configured to determine a destination communication device from among a plurality of communication devices to which an incoming call is to be routed, determine whether an assistive communication service is needed for providing interpretive services based, at least in part, on differing communication abilities between a far-end user associated with a far-end communication device initiating the incoming call and a near-end user associated with the destination communication device, route the incoming call to the assistive communication service according to the routing rules if the assistive communication device is determined to be needed, and route the incoming call directly to the communication service according to the routing rules if the assistive communication device is not determined to be needed. |
| US09571785B2 |
System and method for fine-grained control of privacy from image and video recording devices
A system and method for fine-grained privacy control of image and video recordings uses a model-based approach to solve privacy issues. The method includes steps of: receiving a digital capture of a subject bound by privacy constraints; receiving information regarding the subject, the environment, and the privacy constraints; using the information to generate a model image of the subject within the environment; associating a disposition tag with an appearance of the subject in the model image; and comparing the model image with the digital capture to determine coordinates in the recording where a privacy control action, such as a blocking action, should be applied. |
| US09571782B2 |
Feature activation on occurrence of an event
A cable provider could offer a promotional feature, such as live pause of video, above and beyond a tier of service to which the customer subscribes, limiting the feature to being activated only upon occurrence of one or more events. In a network video delivery context, a set-top box plays live video, including an ability to pause live video upon the occurrence of an event. The system can detect an event, including an event unrelated to video, and prompt a user to pause. The system can include configuration settings enabling, for example, detection of various events, prompting the user to pause live video, and/or automatically pausing the live video. The system enables the user to play a time-shifted video corresponding to resuming the paused video playback. The system can include a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) local to the user, to facilitate the time-shifted video. The system is also compatible with a RS-DVR, where DVR functionality and time-shifted video is provided remotely from a head-end of a network video system. Additionally, the system is compatible with non-DVR network video delivery systems configured to provide live pause. |
| US09571777B2 |
Analog/digital converter and solid-state imaging device
An analog/digital converter includes: a ramp signal generation circuit that generates a ramp signal; a comparison circuit that compares potential of an input analog signal with potential of the ramp signal and outputs a comparator output signal if the potential of the ramp signal satisfies the predetermined condition; a count control circuit that divides a predetermined ramp period in which the ramp signal generation circuit outputs the ramp signal into a predetermined number n of divided ramp periods and outputs a count-stop signal; a counter circuit that counts time in the divided ramp period and outputs a count value of the counted time; and a decoder circuit that generates a digital signal according to a count value and a digital value corresponding to any one of the divided ramp periods in which the counter circuit has started counting of time and outputs the generated digital signal. |
| US09571776B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method of operating the same, and electronic apparatus and method of operating the same
A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts incident light into electric charge, and a charge holding element that receives the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion element, and transfers the electric charge to a corresponding floating diffusion. The charge holding element further includes a plurality of electrodes. |
| US09571774B2 |
Current mode pixel and readout circuit having a first and a second readout phase
A device comprising a pixel, a current source, and a readout circuit; wherein during a first readout phase of the pixel, the readout circuit is configured to sample a sampled output voltage of an output node of the pixel; and wherein an output current of the pixel is set by the current source; wherein between the first readout phase of the pixel and a second readout phase of the pixel, the pixel is configured to change the output current to provide a second output current, wherein the change of the output current is responsive to radiation sensed by a radiation sensor of the pixel during a sensing period; wherein during the second readout phase of the pixel the readout circuit is configured to sample the second output current while providing the sampled output voltage to the output node of the pixel; wherein during the first readout phase of the pixel and the second readout phase of the pixel a drain source voltage of an output transistor of the pixel is maintained constant; and wherein the output transistor is configured to generate the second output current. |
| US09571772B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, driving method and electronic apparatus with electric charge transfer using an intermediate potential
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel and a floating diffusion. The pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts incident light into and electric charge, a first transfer gate that includes a plurality of electrodes and transfers the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a charge holding region that holds the electric charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion element by the first transfer gate, each of the plurality of electrodes of the first transfer gate corresponding to a sub-region of the charge holding region, and a second transfer gate that transfers the electric charge from the charge holding region. The floating diffusion region holds the electric charge transferred from the charge holding region by the second transfer gate. |
| US09571763B2 |
Split pixel high dynamic range sensor
A method of reading out a pixel includes photogenerating charge carriers during a single integration time in photodetectors of each one of a plurality of sub-pixels included in the pixel. Each one of the plurality of sub-pixels of the pixel has a same color filter. A floating diffusion node of the pixel is reset. The floating diffusion node is sampled to generate a reset output sample signal. Charge carriers that were photogenerated in a first portion of the plurality of sub-pixels are transferred to the floating diffusion node. The floating diffusion node is sampled to generate a first output sample signal. Charge carriers that were photogenerated in a second portion of the plurality of sub-pixels are transferred to the floating diffusion node. The floating diffusion node is sampled to generate a second output sample signal. |
| US09571760B2 |
Electronic sensor and method for controlling the same
An electronic sensor and a method for controlling the electronic sensor are provided. The electronic sensor includes at least two pixels having different light-receiving efficiencies and at least two pixel groups having different exposure settings. At least one of the at least two pixels corresponds to at least one of the at least two pixel groups. |
| US09571758B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging system, and imaging apparatus driving method
An imaging apparatus, driving method of the imaging apparatus, and an imaging system, are provided, wherein pixels output at least two image signals with different viable signal ranges, and the pixel signal with a larger signal range is converted to a digital signal during a first period, and the pixel signal with a smaller signal range is converted to a digital signal during a second period shorter than the first period. |
| US09571756B2 |
Apparatus, method for controlling apparatus, and program
An apparatus for communicating with an external apparatus through a network includes an image capture unit configured to capture an image of a subject, a superimposing unit configured to superimpose a character upon the captured image, a reception unit configured to receive color information indicating a color relating to the superimposed character, and a setting unit configured to set an outline color of the superimposed character based on the received color information. |
| US09571755B2 |
System for producing user-selective HD synthesis video
A system for producing a user-selective HD synthesis video, including: a camera device for providing data of an HD video captured for chroma-key synthesis; an audio device for providing HD audio data; and a system main body which receives the HD video data and the HD audio data from the camera device and the audio device, synthesizes, in real-time, the HD video data and the HD audio data with background video data or background image data selected by a user as an HD video using a chroma-key synthesis scheme, and selectively stores the HD synthesis video data in an external memory device. |
| US09571754B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of controlling the same
Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same. The mobile terminal includes a camera configured to photograph an external environment, a display unit configured to display an image captured by the camera, and a control unit configured to extract, from the image, at least one object corresponding to a face in the external environment and control the display unit to correct the image by modifying a certain region of the at least one object, based on a distance from a center of the image to the at least one object. |
| US09571753B2 |
Mobile device for recording, reviewing, and analyzing video
Two parties have three distinct viewpoints of their relationship, from which assumptions emerge and working hypotheses about how to manage their relationship. The system, device, and method described herein include using a mobile device for understanding face-to-face human interactions. The process includes using a mobile device for recording an interaction with one or more other persons, whereby one or more of the participants use the mobile device to describe their viewpoints of the interaction. The participants can use the mobile device to receive immediate feedback for analysis, to compare viewpoints, to examine how the viewpoints are arrived, and to explore the viewpoints' consequences for the participants' relationship. |
| US09571751B2 |
Selective brightness control in photography
A computer determines one or more brightness levels associated with a first set of pixels within a light source in an image. The computer determines a brightness effect on a second set of pixels in the image based on the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer receives input to alter at least one of the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer alters one or more brightness levels associated with the second set of pixels in the image based on the received input and the determined brightness effect. |
| US09571750B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium
An image capturing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects brightness of light from an object, an XY addressing type of image sensor, a focal plane shutter having a mechanical second curtain shutter, an electronic first curtain shutter that resets the pixels in each line, and causes accumulation of charges in the pixels to start, a period detection unit that detects periodic variation in a light amount, a prediction unit that, based on the period of the variation in the light amount, predicts variation in the light amount in a predetermined exposure time, and a control unit that controls a reset time of the electronic first curtain shutter such that charge accumulation amounts of the pixels of each line fall within a predetermined range according to the variation in the light amount. |
| US09571747B2 |
Illumination apparatus, imaging apparatus, and camera system
An illumination apparatus includes a light emitting unit, a movable unit, including the light emitting unit, that is rotatable relative to a main body unit, an obtaining unit that obtains first distance information about a distance to a target in a shooting direction of the imaging apparatus to which the illumination apparatus is attached, and second distance information about a distance to a target in a direction different from the shooting direction, a determination unit that determines, based on the first distance information and the second distance information obtained by the obtaining unit, a lighting direction of the light emitting unit, wherein the obtaining unit obtains, in a case where a self-timer mode is set in the imaging apparatus, the first distance information after a lapse of a predetermined time following obtainment of the second distance information. |
| US09571746B2 |
Image pickup system that detect focus by irradiating auxiliary light, image pickup apparatus, light emission device, and focus detection method
An image pickup apparatus capable of obtaining a high AF accuracy while reducing unnecessary power consumption and a release delay when photographing while detecting a focusing state using auxiliary light. The image pickup apparatus is capable of mounting a light emission device with which a first light emitting section of which an irradiation direction can be changed with respect to a body of the light emission device and a second light emitting section of which an irradiation direction is fixed to the body are provided. An obtaining unit obtains information about the irradiation direction of the first light emitting section. A control unit controls one of the first light emitting section and the second light emitting section on the basis of the information about the irradiation direction obtained as a light emitting section for irradiating with auxiliary light at the time when the focus detection unit performs focus detection. |
| US09571745B2 |
Illumination systems and methods for computer imagers
The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface. |
| US09571744B2 |
Video processing method and apparatus
A video processing method and an apparatus using the same are disclosed. The method includes steps of performing a brightness-reducing treatment on all pixels in a displayed image; performing a brightness-enhancing treatment on all first pixels in the displayed image; performing a brightness-smoothing treatment on pixels having a brightness value being between a higher smooth-treatment brightness value and a lower smooth-treatment brightness value. The video processing method keeps the brightness value of the pixels from being out of grayscale range. |
| US09571743B2 |
Dynamic exposure adjusting method and electronic apparatus using the same
A dynamic exposure adjusting method and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The method includes the following steps: capturing a plurality of preview images, a plurality of additional images and a first image, wherein the additional images are not displayed in a display unit of the electronic apparatus;analyzing a luminance distribution condition of the first image; obtaining a long exposure time and a short exposure time according to the luminance distribution condition; retrieving at least one specific image corresponding to the long exposure time and the short exposure time from the additional images; combining the first image with the at least one specific image as a processed image. |
| US09571739B2 |
Camera timer
Disclosed are devices, systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for displaying useful countdown timers on a media capture device. A media capture device can increase contrast between countdown timer and the video of a scene to be captured by a media capture device and adjust the position and size of a counter displayed on the device based on whether the object is determined to be closer or further than a predetermined threshold distance. Countdown timers can be triggered by detection of objects and gestures. |
| US09571737B2 |
Image-capturing device for generating image-capture data and timing control circuit for generating image-capture data
An image-capturing device includes an image-capturing section, an image-data-generation section, a display section, and a timing generator. The image-capturing section is configured and arranged to capture an image of a subject at a timing on the basis of a vertical synchronization signal inputted and generate image-capture data corresponding to a frame. The image-data-generation section is configured and arranged to generate image data on the basis of the image-capture data corresponding to the frame. The display section is configured and arranged to display the image data. The timing generator is configured and arranged to output the vertical synchronization signal. The timing generator outputs the vertical synchronization signal at a variable timing in accordance with a generating condition of the image data corresponding to the frame. The image-capturing section generates the image-capture data corresponding to another frame at the timing on the basis of the vertical synchronization signal. |
| US09571734B2 |
Multi display device and method of photographing thereof
A multi display device and a method of photographing thereof. The multi display device includes a first body having a first display unit, a second body having a second display unit, a hinge unit disposed to connect the first and second bodies to each other, a first imaging unit provided in the first body, a second imaging unit provided in the second body, and a controller which, if photographing is performed by the first or second imaging unit when the first or second body pivots based on the hinge unit, combines a plurality of photographed images to generate a panorama image content. |
| US09571730B2 |
Method for increasing a detecting range of an image capture system and related image capture system thereof
A method for increasing a detection range of an image capture system includes at least one first image capture unit capturing a first image and at least one second image capture unit capturing a second image; a processor determining an object according to the first image; the processor generating a third image group with a first resolution according to the first image and the second image; the processor generating a fourth image group with a second resolution; the processor determining whether the object exists within an effective range of the image capture system corresponding to the second resolution, within a weak range of the image capture system corresponding to the second resolution, or within the effective range and the weak range of the image capture system corresponding to the second resolution to generate a determination result; and the processor executing a corresponding operation according to the determination result. |
| US09571726B2 |
Generating attention information from photos
Implementations generally relate to collecting photos. In some implementations, a method includes collecting photos associated with one or more objects, where the photos are collected from a plurality of users. The method also includes collecting attention information associated with the one or more objects. The method also includes generating an attention map based on the attention information. The method also includes guiding users to capture photos of particular objects based on the attention map. |
| US09571725B2 |
Electronic device and image capture method thereof
An electronic device and an image capture method thereof are disclosed herein. The image capture method is suitable for an electronic apparatus including an image capture unit. The image capture method includes steps of: providing a first preview image by the image capture unit; detecting a first facial expression from the first preview image; providing a second preview image by the image capture unit after the first preview image; detecting the second facial expression from the second preview image; determining whether the second facial expression is matched to the first facial expression; and, automatically generating a second target image in response to the second facial expression is not matched to the first facial expression. |
| US09571723B2 |
Automatic detection by a wearable camera
There is set forth herein a system including a camera device. In one embodiment the system is operative to perform image processing for detection of an event involving a human subject. There is set forth herein in one embodiment, a camera equipped system employed for fall detection. |
| US09571720B2 |
Image processing device, display device, imaging apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing device includes: a determining unit configured to determine, in accordance with two images corresponding to temporally adjacent image data input from an external device, whether or not a field area at a time of imaging has been changed; and a suppressing unit configured to generate and output suppressed image data with an amount of visually recognizable information included in the images being suppressed by performing image processing of reducing at least one of a contrast and a chroma of the images at a time the determining unit determines that the field area at the time of imaging has been changed. |
| US09571718B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and image pickup apparatus for processing a picked-up image
An image processing apparatus for processing a picked-up image which is output from an image pickup element in which a microlens array for obtaining the picked-up image including ray directional information of an object image formed by a photographing optical system has been arranged has: a refocus processing unit for executing a refocus processing of the obtained picked-up image on the basis of the ray directional information and generating a reconstruction image; and a defect pixel detection unit for detecting a defect pixel from the obtained picked-up image. When the picked-up image is obtained, the detection of the defect pixel of the obtained picked-up image is performed. When a refocus processing is instructed, the refocus processing is executed to the picked-up image in which the detection of the defect pixel is performed. |
| US09571717B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, imaging method, and computer-readable recording medium
An imaging device includes: an imaging unit that generates image data; a first communication unit; a first communication control unit that transmits the image data to an external communication device and receives recording information for causing the imaging device to record a subject image included in the image data from the communication device; and a specification information generation unit that generates specification information for specifying the subject image based on the recording information and records the specification information in a recording unit. The recording information includes subject image information. The specification information generation unit records the specification information including the subject image information in the recording unit. |
| US09571716B2 |
Handle for handheld terminal
A handle for a handheld terminal includes a first interface module, a first key module, a first power supply module, and a base handle module. The handle couples with the handheld terminal. The handle makes a wireless connection with the handheld terminal the first interface module or a wired connection with the handheld terminal via the first interface module. The first key module includes one or more user operation command keys. The first power supply module supplies power for the handle. The handle is operable with one hand. |
| US09571715B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same and camera
This invention provides an information processing apparatus for allowing a user to perform operation without any confusion concerning a device which implements a plurality of functions for one operation member in accordance with operation methods for the operation member. A system controller performs control to execute a predetermined function in response to the start of operation on an operation member and terminate execution of the predetermined function in response to the end of the operation. A timer function unit measures the time from the start of operation on the operation member. When a given operation finishes before the time measured by the timer function unit exceeds a predetermined time after the start of the operation, a notification about the operation method for the operation member is output. |
| US09571710B2 |
Microlens array imaging device and imaging method
A microlens array imaging device includes a main lens, a microlens array containing a plurality of microlenses, and an image acquisition unit. The main lens projects a first image of an object for the plurality of microlenses, each of which projects a second image of the first image on the image acquisition unit. Each second image includes an image circle and a circle of confusion around the image circle. A distance between an image circle of one microlens and an image circle of an adjacent microlens is equal to or greater than a summation of a radius of the second image corresponding to the one microlens and a radius of the image circle of the adjacent microlens, and is equal to or less than a summation of the radius of the second image corresponding to the one microlens and a radius of the second image corresponding to the adjacent microlens. |
| US09571709B2 |
Dust removing device and dust removing method
In a piezoelectric device, a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed to be opposed to each other on plate surfaces of the piezoelectric device, a first electrode plane of the piezoelectric device is fixedly bonded to a plate surface of a vibrating plate, a piezoelectric material forming the piezoelectric device is polarized in a direction parallel to the first electrode plane, the piezoelectric device is fixed to a base through a second electrode plane of the piezoelectric device, and the piezoelectric device generates a thickness-shear vibration with the fixed second electrode plane being a reference plane. The piezoelectric vibration generated by the piezoelectric device generates a flexural vibration in the vibrating plate, to thereby remove dust adhering to a surface of the vibrating plate. |
| US09571708B2 |
Detachable lens shuttering apparatus for use with a portable communication device
An apparatus for use with an electronic device having a camera. The apparatus comprises a structure configured to detachably couple to the device, and a shutter supported by the structure and comprising a lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the camera when in an engaged position. |
| US09571704B2 |
Signal multiplexing apparatus and transmission apparatus
According to an embodiment a signal multiplexing apparatus includes a clock selector, a data selector, and a converter. The clock selector selects either a first clock signal synchronized with a first data signal or a second clock signal different from the first clock signal to obtain a third clock signal. The data selector selects a subset of a first signal set at each timing controlled by the third clock signal to generate a first parallel signal. The first signal set includes the first data signal and a second data signal whose speed is lower than a speed of the first data signal. The converter converts the first parallel signal into a serial signal in accordance with the third clock signal. |
| US09571699B2 |
Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program product
An information processing system includes an image forming part and an operation part attachable to and detachable from the image forming part. The information processing system includes: a first detection unit configured to detect whether a state where a function of the image forming part is usable via the operation part is established; a second detection unit configured to detect whether the operation part has been detached from the image forming part; and a restriction control unit configured to perform control to restrict a predetermined function of the operation part when, while the first detection unit has detected that the state where the function of the image forming part is usable via the operation part is not established, the second detection unit has detected that the operation part has been detached from the image forming part. |
| US09571697B2 |
Image processing device setting sharpness adjustment degrees for object regions and performing unsharp masking process
An image processing device includes a processor. The processor is configured to perform: acquiring input image data representing an input image having a plurality of objects; identifying a plurality of object regions in the input image, the plurality of object regions representing respectively the plurality of objects; generating a mask image using sharpness adjustment degrees that are set for the plurality of object regions respectively; generating output image data by performing an unsharp masking process on the input image by using the mask image, the unsharp masking process being performed so as to adjust sharpness of the input image; and sending the output image data to a printing unit. |
| US09571696B2 |
Print data generating apparatus and generating method for generating color conversion profile
A print data generating apparatus executes color conversion on image data using a color conversion profile to generate print data. In the color conversion profile, each of a plurality of sets of specific color data defined in a specific color space are associated with a set of first ink color data defined in an ink color space. A part of the plurality of sets of specific color data are further associated with a set of second ink color data defined in the ink color space. In bi-directional printing, a print executing unit uses the first ink color data to execute one of forward print and backward print, and uses both the first ink color data and the second ink color data to execute another of forward print and backward print. |
| US09571694B2 |
Image reading apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium
A resolution of an image data needs to be higher than a predetermined value for character recognition. A control method in an image reading apparatus having a reading unit for reading an image of a document to generate image data, and a storing unit for storing the image data generated by the reading unit includes receiving from a user, after the image data is stored by the storing unit, an instruction for executing character recognition processing on the image data stored by the storing unit, executing character recognition processing on the image data stored by the storing unit according to a reception of the instruction by the receiving unit, and performing control, in a case where the image data generated by the reading unit is to be stored by the storing unit, to read an image of a document by the reading unit with a resolution that enables character recognition. |